Chapter 8

Hmmm, I suppose this room will do. It has a great view of the garden outside...it needs tending though. There's only one bed, I suppose that's good. Airy and spacious. And most of all thankfully, it's clean.

I pinched Harry to let him know 'I want down'. For a minute I just took it all in, the bed, the view, the dresser. This was it, if I want Harry to stay; I have to come clean. As Trace would say 'no pressure you got this'. I got this. Another deep breath, Merlin you'd think I was being suffocated. I sat down, patting the spot next to me. I made sure to look anywhere but directly at him. Another minute and I believe I was sufficiently ready. I focused on his eyes and opened my mouth, fully ready to start this sadly, very hufflepuffian conversation.

"Hey, don't mind me I just need to get my stuff." A tall muscular ginger haired man who I can only assume was Charlie, walked in the room. I got to say for a red-head, he was hot. I pursed my lips and waited till he was gone. Taking a lung full of air I gathered up my displaced courage. Opening my mouth again I blew out an annoyed breath when someone knocked. Waving my hand, I opened the door to see a sight that had me choking back a laugh. Hermione Granger, bookworm extraordinaire had Ron Weasley by the ear. By his expression, he was literally dragged here against his will. With a bright smile Mione (I officially liked her. So it was only natural I use a nickname.) made a motion with her hand. Begrudgingly, the Weasel walked the short distance to me and held out his hand. When I just stared at it, he explained with a scowl...

"I wanted to call a truce." A hacking cough from the doorway had his eye twiching. I fought to not show amusement. "I am sorry for saying those things earlier. It was uncalled for and downright cruel. I haven't done my house justice stating such things. So I thought about it and if you were really a spy, then I guess I don't know you well enough to make such remarks. Seeing as how you'll be here for awhile, I figured we could call a truce till I could find any incriminating evidence that disproves any of your claims." Well, I suppose I should be grateful I even got an apology. Besides, I can see where he's coming from. I wouldn't trust me in his position either. Course I wouldn't be cruel but not everyone's perfect. I took his hand, losing the fight with my amusement. But Merlin, rude or not I needed that. I shook my head waving to Mione as she closed the door, ignoring her Knowing look. See, how could anyone not think that she belongs with Trace. Another deep breath. Another bout of courage chasing. Open my mouth. The door slams open.

Merlins bloody bollocks.

It was the Weaslette and she didn't look pleased in the least. Though when does the bitch look pleased? Honestly this was starting to get tedious. She held my gaze and smirked then turned and walked too MY Harry. I grit my teeth, how on earth am I supposed to have my bloody hufflepuffian conversation with Harry if everyone suddenly decides to Drop. By.

"Harry," Was she trying to be sultry. Cause in my opinion she sounded like a hacking cat. And thats putting it nicely. "Your so kind," I scowled. "I talked with mom. You don't have to stay here. You can go back to Rons room." Was there something wrong with her eyes. She really should get them checked out. They might pop out of her head. "Your really are so kind, Harry." That is not purring, that was a dogs pant. "But you really can't save everyone. It'll only hurt him in the end if you pretend to like him. Come on, I wanted to," Hacking cat, shes a bloody hacking cat. "go take a. Stroll," The little leching slut. She put her hand on his arm. My hackles rose and I could feel my eyes change to golden. "in the garden. We could..." That's it, I had enough. She was way to bloody close. Can't she tell when she isn't wanted. I swear to the sun and moon this chick is denser than a guy with a girl practically hanging on his arm. The guy still thinks they're friends. Purely on instinct, my hand shot out... clawed. With a grace she could never copy I dragged her to the door. I threw her out, walking back and slamming so many wards down the slut would find it hard to so much as breath near here. Course since I was born with manners I only set them to keep out the gingers with ill intension. Excluding Molly, of course. This IS her house.

I huffed, sitting back down. Channeling my sisters sense of 'lets just get it over with, we'll be nervous later' attitude I turned to Harry. The bloody git was laughing. Sure it wasn't out loud but, I could see it in his eyes. Did he think this was funny? This wasn't funny, this was a serious discussion we were trying to have. Damn it but I want my hufflepuffian moment. I opened my mouth. The. Door. Opened.

"Hey Harry I was wondering..." A pillow flew and wacked the slim builded ginger, Percy I think in the face.

"GET. OUT." I've never seen someone run so fast. But I had enough. The next person to walk through that door was getting hexed, make no mistake. Breathing heavily I clenched my fists. This wasn't going like I planned. This, this was a distaster. What was even the point, maybe Harry just wasn't meant to be mine. My heart clenched at the thought and I closed my eyes. A moment later familiar hands were leading me back. We hit the bed and he sat us down. I didn't open my eyes till I knew I wasn't going to cry. Curse every bad thing that happened today. I'm way to emotional.

"You know I always knew there was more to you than what you showed people. I wanted to find out what that was. Mione went so far as to say I was obsessed. In a way she was right. I pretended you were the worst person to walk the planet bar Voldedork but I always wanted to know more. I wanted to know the person underneath that carefully crafted mask." I stared at him, that sounded just like me. With a smile that sent the butterflies into overdrive, he continued. "Yeah I knew you had a mask. At first I thought you were my enemy and thats why I wanted to know so much. At the risk of sounding like a stalker or not I watched you every chance I got. I made it my mission to learn every detail I could. Eventually I noticed I didn't want to just know you like an rival would. I wanted to protect you. To see every fault. Every smile and frown. I wanted to put that smile, a real one that brightens the room around you on your face. I wanted to be the one you come to when your ready to cry or when your in need of an old fashioned rant. I noticed that no matter how I tell myself your a rival, an enemy. I never thought of you like you were." He fell silent.

"It was the same." He blinked and I could feel him cock his head to the side from my position with my head buried in his chest. With a, hopefully last deep breath, I looked up and told him what I always dreamed of telling him.

"It was the same." I said, louder. "You were always smiling, laughing. But I could see the darkness. The need to just go somewhere and scream and fight. You could hide it behind a mask and not many would see it. But you could never hide it from me. I tried to deny it. To bury it so deep I couldn't even find it anymore. You really hurt me. That day I tried to give you my hand. I could understand it, to a point. But it still hurt. It never worked though. One look from you and it all came back. I fought it the only way I knew how. I pretended it was hate. It didn't stop the need, the want though. It was all I could do not to steal you late at night and tell you everything. To learn everything that makes you tick. That makes you Harry Potter. To be honest I don't much like the chosen one, but Harry is an interesting bloke."

"So now where does that leave us?"

I couldn't help the grin. "Isn't it obvious, your mine now."

His smile was as dangerous as his eyes. "Only if you return the favor, after all someone needs to tame the Dragon and I'd rather it be me."

A kiss was just the way to end the night. We both chose to ignore the knock that sounded throughout the room.

Thank you to all those that have reviewed so far, it tends to make me want to write more.