Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.
A/N: Thanks for all the support guys! You've all been amazing.
Anyway, due to outstanding feedback and encourgement, Draco is going to be paired with Fred Weasley!
Just so you know these relationships are going to take awhile to develope, Harry and Adrian won't likely get together until at least year six.
R/R
Chapter 16: Torn
Spring came slowly to Hogwarts, it seemed that after Christmas and the adventures of the first term, the rest of the school year dragged by. It was May, only one month of school were left and many students were beginning to panic as exams loomed closer and closer. For those unlucky students taking their NEWTs and OWLs, the tension and pressure ran even higher, and many students were prone to having meltdowns in class, especially when the exams were brought up.
"Honestly Ronald" Hermione snapped as she reviewed her colour coded, magically enchanted study sheet. It would randomly shout out questions and Hermione had five minutes to correctly answer before the sheet would begin a barage of rude comments and even shock her. Well the method seemed effective for the girl, the squeaky voice of the charmed paper was grating on everyone, especially Ron's nerves.
"You've had the entire year to study for these exams and you've only just started?" She had was already puffing up, beginning the lecture she had given Ron and Harry every year since they had befriended her.
"I'm disappointed in you Ron, you've had months to prepar, I've told you for months and so have our teachers. Its your own fault so don't expect me to help you" The bushy haired female said in a prim voice.
"I'm off to get some sleep since I finished my Transfiguration essay yesterday" She added, walking away and ignoring the pleading of the two boys to come back and help them with the particularly nasty essay.
"Not everyone can study months in advance like she can" Ron ranted as he scratched out an offending line and began to re-write it.
"I mean, we've other things in our lives besides studying" He added, looking at Harry as if asking for support despite Hermione being gone.
"She's sort of right thought, we always leave off our studying until the last minute" Harry said, shrugging his shoulders and pulling his book closer to him.
"But still, she could help us!" Ron protested, looking aghast at his friend.
"Yea she could" Harry agreed, nodding his head as Ron looked a bit relieved to know his friend hadn't completely abandoned him.
Ever since the incident where Adrian had realized that it was Harry who had taken his dairy the raven haired teen had been deep in thought. The conversation with Hermione about the sacredness of diaries kept coming back to him, haunting him almost. He felt torn on the matter, as if he did know Adrian better since delving into the secrets of the journal, but he also felt cheapened by the act. Perhaps pursuing a friendship with Adrian and learning these things in that capacity would have been a better way to go about things. He wished he could talk to someone about it, but he couldn't tell anyone, especially not Ron or Hermione. Ron would only abuse the secrets, using them against the younger Malfoy since he still carried a vendetta against the family, and Hermione would be beyond disappointed in him, and probably take to at least lecturing him constantly or even stop speaking to him. Actually with exams coming up and Hermione being more worried then usual her not talking to him might be a good thing.
Carding his fingers through his unruly black hair the teen rose slowly, shoving his books in his bag and walked dejectedly out of the common room. To caught up in his thoughts he ignored Ron's inquiring calls and loud protests as he entered the familiar halls of Hogwarts. Walking slowly he paid no attention to where he was going and was more then surprised to find himself outside on the lawn. A few students roamed around playing games or soaking up the late afternoon heat.
Harry walked down a familiar path, heading to his favorite location by the lake. A cluster of small trees offered some much needed shade as he sat down, chucking rocks into the water as he thought about the situation he had landed himself in.
HP/HP
Adrian laughed loudly, his soft voice echoing around as Draco pulled him towards the lake.
"No Dray, please, no" Adrian whined, struggling against his twin, his face flush with amusmant as he continued to laugh.
"I said I was sorry" He begged, "I'll never do it again Dray!" Adrian's voice rang out, louder in desperation as they neared the water. He was struggling wildly now, pulling back against his twin with all his might.
"Dray NOOOOOOOOO" Adrian screeched as Draco lifted him effortlessly and tossed, smirking as the identical blonde boy smashed into the water with a feocious splash. Surfacing, Adrian sputtered for a moment before glaring daggers at his twin brother whom was doubled up on shore laughing. Neither twin noticed the raven haired boy in the trees watching them intently.
"Arse" Adrian growled as he stepped onto shore, ignoring the squelching noise his wet shoes made as he flopped down on the grass.
"That'll teach you to tell Zabini I slept with a teddy bear till I was ten" Draco said, cuffing Adrian affectionately on the back of the head. Neither twin appeared bothered by their very un-Malfoy like behaviour.
"You slept with a teddy bear?" An amused voice asked from behind them, causing both twins to whirl. Facing them were the infamous faces of Fred and George Weasley. The atmosphere changed instantly, Draco spun, placing himself between the rambunctious twins and his brother.
"What do you want?" He growled, his wand already in his hand as he observed the two red heads.
"To apologize" Fred or was it George said, an unfamiliar tone of regret or perhaps remorse colour his voice.
"For our actions against Adrian. We were just playing a prank, we had no idea he would react so badly" The other twin added, looking apologetically between the two Malfoy twins.
"We're really sorry, we didn't mean it" George added, "We thought it'd be a laugh, but when it wasn't, we were really scared" He glanced at Adrian who was standing a bit behind Draco, looking stunned.
"We would never intenionally hurt someone" Fred murmured, his royal blue eyes seeking Draco's for a moment.
"It was an accident and we won't do it again. In fact, we'd like to befriend you two" George said, a familiar sparkle in his own blue eyes.
"It isn't often we see other twins, and we'd like to get to know you better" Fred beamed, holding out his hand.
"My name's Fred Weasley and this is my twin brother George"
"As you can see, I'm the handsome one" George added, also extending his hand.
Draco looked flabbergasted, the Weasley twins were apologizing to them? What the bloody hell was going on? He glanced down at the identical hands being offered him and looked at Adrian. Shock registered on his face as his smaller brother pushed forward and shook first Fred and then George's hands.
"I'm Adrian" He smiled shyly, "And I'd very much like to be friends with you two" He added, his final statement rousing Draco.
"Draco Malfoy, and I too would like to be friends" The taller blonde said, shaking the offered hands and smiling.
"We'd also like to add that we do not agree with our younger brother's behaviour. Ickle Ronnikins has a bit of a temper and despite everything that's been said or done we don't like how he's behaving" Fred said, as George nodded his agreement. Adrian breathed a small sigh of relief, Ron had been particularly nasty in tormenting him and he was worried the twins would judge him based on that.
"So, you sleep with a teddy bear?" Fred asked Draco again his eyes sparkling in amusmant as the three teens erupted in laughter, collapsing in the grass around them while Draco, still standing, valiently tried to defend his honour.
HP/HP
Harry slipped away from the lake unnoticed, watching Adrian and Draco goof around and then actually make friends with the Weasley twins had given him even more to think about. If Malfoy could forgive them, could he also be forgiven? Perhaps he should apologize? Once again walking in a daze, Harry was surprised to find himself back in Gryffindor common room, having no recollection of coming back here or even giving the Fat Lady the password. Muttering under his breath he nodded at Ron who was looking at him worridly and headed up to bed. Maybe a good night sleep would help him sort this mess out. Besides, he had no desire to be in the common room when Fred and George came back and announced their new found friendship. He had a feeling Ron would go mental and he had no desire to be within a hundered feet of him when that happened. He sighed, changing for bed before he flopping down and pulling his blankets around him. What would Ron do when he announced his own intention of trying to befriend at least Adrian Malfoy? Ron hated him even more then Draco, would their friendship survive this? He knew Hermione would be supportive, she was all about inter-house unity and making friends, but Ron. Ron would go ballistic and Harry was scared to risk the friendship of his best mate over something that may not pan out.