Disclaimer: Characters belong to Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl series, and J. K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter series. The characters are used for entertainment purposes and no profit is gained from the writing of this fic.

Pairings: Draco Malfoy/Ron Weasly, Draco Malfoy/OC, eventual Draco Malfoy/Artemis Fowl, mention of Ron Weasly/Hermione Granger

A/N: This was originally started way back in 2007. I'm hoping to continue the story but cannot promise quick updates beyond the parts already written. I also am in need of a title if one can be offered.

I'm so sorry for extended inactivity. I got distracted with life and kinda forgot all about this story. Hope you enjoy a return of the story line. I'm still working through the parts I wrote back in 2007.

Chapter Three:

Artemis wakes up and shivers, immediately missing the warmth of Draco's body. It has been like this for two weeks now. Kharl comes over and he and Draco snuggle and/or make out until curfew, at which time Kharl leaves. It is a few moments before Draco gets too cold and crosses the room to lay with Artemis. By the time he gets up, though, Draco is long gone. Once or twice Artemis had tried to keep him there, but when he failed Draco would stay away for a day or two; Artemis no longer tried.

During the day, though, Draco still hated Artemis. He cursed him and threatened him, but Artemis was beginning to understand. The beautiful blond is confused about a lot and Artemis is always there asking questions. And, besides, Draco has Kharl during the day. People speculate that the two are friends with benefits, but really they are lovers, not that anyone other than Artemis and their friends know.

Today, as Artemis gets up, he sees Draco sitting on his bed staring at a creased picture. When he notices the tears trailing down Draco's features, he realizes it is Ron's picture. Not seeming to notice Artemis awake and watching him, he begins to mumble; Artemis can't help but listen.

"I hate that I still love you, Ron. Why did you do that? Why did you listen to Harry and Hermione? Harry just hated me and I hated him, all because of what my father taught me. And Hermione, she was just jealous; she wanted you for herself. I just don't understand… You said you loved me, but… Did Hermione make you do that? Or did you always want to curse me like that? But, you know, Ron, you cursed me with that first kiss. You cursed me so I could never love again." Draco brushes his fingertips over the picture before pressing it to his chest. "Curse you, Ronald Weasley," he says before curling up onto his side and finally noticing Artemis watching him intently.

"What the fuck do you want now?" Draco growls, roughly wiping at his cheeks.

Artemis shakes his head, eyes innocent.

"Bugger off then." Draco carefully refolds his picture and puts it into his pocket before getting to his feet. Artemis also gets to his feet and grabs Draco's forearm before he can leave the room to take a shower.

"Let go of me!" Draco yells, right hand going to his pocket.

"No; I'm tired of this and want answers."

"Why? Why do you give a fuck? None of this concerns you."

"Perhaps not, but I think it does. You keep coming to my bed because you are cold, and I want to know why. Your games are getting tiring."

"Then…stop…playing," Draco growls, breaking Artemis' grip and pulling his wand from his pocket. "Just leave me alone already. I hate you and would love, love to curse you halfway to Sunday. But," Draco takes a deep breath and returns his wand to his pocket, "I can't."

Artemis watches in a daze as Draco leaves. He doesn't fully comprehend what just happened. But he guesses he might have just lost his nightly cuddles. He sits down slowly on the floor.

Suddenly there is a knocking at the window before it is opened. In flies Holly, a smile on her face.

"Mudboy drama is so entertaining," she says as she touches down. "Still want to know more about our Mister Draco?"

"What do you want, Holly?" Artemis asks a little exasperatedly.

"Foaly thought you might be interested to know why your boy toy got expelled from Hogwarts; he finally found out."

"He's not my 'boy toy', but I would like the information."

"Well, it seems your young Draco has a temper to him. He and Hermione got into a fight in the middle of the halls, but no one could figure out why. Ron tried to stop him, Draco yelled something at him, and then sent a hex Hermione's way. It hit her squarely and for two weeks she was in the hospital because her face had melted and she couldn't see, speak, or breathe without magic. That is what Foaly found out, at least. He still doesn't know what Draco shouted, or why he fought, and cursed, Hermione."

"I can guess," Artemis says softly, pushing a few stray strands behind his ear.

"Well, now I'm the curios one, a voice speaks from the helmet under Holly's arm. "Let me speak to our infamous mudboy, Holly."

With a resigned sigh, Holly rolls her eyes and passes the helmet to Artemis, who immediately puts it over his head.

"Hello, Arty," Foaly says on the other end, crunching on a carrot. "So, you think you know more than me? Do fill in the blanks."

"I don't see why I should," Artemis says to the centaur.

"Not fair, Arty; I did just give you desired information."

Artemis sighs, knowing he does owe the brilliant centaur. "Draco was with Ron, but Ron left him because of what his friends thought and then went to Hermione. They were likely fighting over Ron. I don't know what he might've yelled at Ron, but it may have been cursing him; he does that quite frequently.

"Cursing as a spiteful lover…quite probable. Well, thank you, Arty. Have fun." Foaly smiles, carrot bits between his teeth, before breaking the connection. As Artemis pulls off the helmet, he hears Holly say, "Hello, Draco." Artemis quickly turns to see the grey eyed male standing in the doorway, blonde hair dripping onto his shoulders, with a deep, angry scowl plastered on his face. His hands are clenched into tight fists and he looks about ready to fly at Artemis and beat him to a bloody pulp, foregoing all magic.

"Umm, hello, Draco," Artemis finally says slowly.

Draco takes a deep breath and slowly walks to stand right in frong of Artemis. He glares down at him a few moments before asking, "Why the fucking hell can't you mind your own damn business?"

Artemis can think of no reply, so shrugs, which is the wrong answer; Draco pulls his right fist back and brings it smashing into Artemis' cheek.

"Why do you keep butting into my business?"

"I don't know," Artemis answers before he sees starts as he is punched once again.

"Why the fuck can't you just leave me alone?"

"I…" Draco's fist starts coming his way, but Holly finally intervenes. She grabs his hand and doesn't let go.

"Draco, calm down," she says, using the mesmer. For a moment Draco fights it, but in the end he succumbs and is immediately calm.

"Thanks, Holly," Artemis winces, rubbing at his cheek.

"I still think you deserved that beating," she says to Artemis before letting a few blue sparks out, which go over Artemis' black and blue features, healing all the damage Draco wrought. "On the other hand, we don't need Butler killing Draco just for a few well deserved punches."

"If you knew he was going to beat me, why do you keep bringing me information?"

"I'm waiting for you to learn your lesson," Holly says with a shrug. "You need to understand that Draco really is dangerous. His heart, apparently, has been broken, and you just keep reminding him."

Artemis looks at Draco who, strangely enough, has silent tears coursing his cheeks as he sits on the edge of his bed. "Take off the Mesmer," he says softly. Holly does so and Draco immediately turns on his side away from Artemis and Holly. His shoulders are shaking and he has arms wrapped around his chest as though to hold the shattered pieces of himself inside.

"I…I'm sorry," the dark haired teen says gently, making his way to Draco's bed.

"Why?" is all the blonde asks as he feels a warm touch on his shoulder.

Holly sees she is no longer needed and is, in fact, intruding. Without a word, she goes out the window, leaving the fifteen-year-old boys to their talk.

"Because…you, well, remind me of someone. And I am a naturally curious person. I…never meant to hurt you. Sometimes I have trouble knowing when to stop."

"That doesn't excuse it," Draco whispers, turning to look at his roommate. He'd never before noticed how much emotion was in those deep blue eyes. He truly was sorry; he jut wanted to know everything about everything. The blonde sighs and twists so he is lying on his back. At length he asks, "Who do I remind you of?"

Artemis grimaces, but figures he owes the wizard. "My only boyfriend, Brandon Dallow. His parents found out about us and sent him to a conversion camp to make him 'straight.' Something about you reminds me of him."

"Bryan mentioned a roommate you had three years ago; was that Brandon?"

Artemis only nods amazed how much it still hurts to think of the hazel eyed blonde, even after three years.

"I'm sorry," Draco says at length. "But, if it hurts to remember your ex, don't you think it hurts to remember mine? No one even knew about Ron and me until Hermione saw the picture. Do you have any idea how much it hurts to watch as the only person you have ever loved kisses another?"

Artemis only shakes his head, afraid that if he speaks Draco will stop.

"It hurts, like your heart is being meticulously being shredded. I had to watch the two of them every day, holding hands and kissing. And there was Harry, who hated me more than ever before; he thought I'd corrupted his best mate. I had to watch that trio and fight every instinct to curse Hermione and Harry. But I knew that, come night, all would be right once more. We'd sneak out and meet up, spending the better part of the evening together. Until…" Draco pauses, turning onto his side with a sniffle. He curls up, remembering too vividly that last night.

"Brandon wasn't like the other guys here," Artemis says, excusing Draco for the moment. "He told me one night that he hated how all the guys used sex as currency, and I agreed with him. He also confessed he'd never been kissed and wondered what it was like. Previously, that had been the extent of the favours I gave, so I had silently gone to his side. He was shocked at first as I kissed him lightly, cautiously, but he got into it.

"You have to understand, Brandon had been raised in a major Catholic family. He'd been taught to believe that kiss I gave him was sinful, but he still enjoyed it. In fact, he was the one to suggest we become lovers. And it was great. Our relationship was never about the sex, even if we did it, but was about the contact, the closeness. It was about being whole for once in our lives. But then it all had to end, and in the worst way.

"The headmaster caught us one morning, sharing a shower. I'm sure he knows of the exchanged favours, but they never were done in public places. Once dressed, we were dragged to his office. My parents were unavailable, so he got Butler on the phone. Nothing came of it until he called Brandon's parents. They came for him the very next day and he was sent off to a conversion camp, as I said. They stuff him full of scripture and tell him how wrong and sinful he is and how he is going to Hell. I haven't seen him since that day, and every second has been torture…"

Draco has sat up by this time, listening avidly to the tale. Taking a deep breath, he finishes his own;

"Every night was for Ron and me until the night Hermione followed him. She was suspicious because she'd noticed how tired he was every day. We were kissing, none too innocently, when she came into the classroom. We froze, but she said nothing for a long moment. At last she said, 'Come on, Ron; we're leaving. You shouldn't be here.' It made me so happy when he refused, holding tightly to me. Of course, Hermione would have none of that. She just dragged him away.

"I managed to survive a week, seven unending days, before he met me again. But it wasn't like before. His 'friends' had convinced him I'd bewitched him; he had come to say good-bye. It broke my heart when he said he didn't love me, had never loved me. He turned to go on that note, but I halted his retreat. I gave him one last kiss and he returned it, the saddest, most depressing kiss ever. He left, but I could tell he was crying, my own tears echoing our shared pain.

"It was the next day I got expelled. It was actually Hermione who started the fight. She saw and me exchange looks and told me to, 'Bugger off, faggot.' Normally I would have just ignored her, but I saw the look of pain and shock in Ron's eyes; he had finally realized that he too could be considered a 'faggot.' That look was too much for me to handle after the previous night, so I called her a 'mudblood,' while pulling out my wand. We tried to curse each other, which is against the rules of Hogwarts. Ron knew this and tried to stop us. I looked directly at him and said, 'Whatever curses it brings me, I love you.' I then turned back to Hermione, who had a murderous look in her eyes, and I knew if I didn't do something quick, she'd gladly kill me. So I hexed her. And everything got blamed on me, so her I am."

Draco's tale complete, the two teenagers sat together, companionable in their shared misery.