A/n: What do you know? I got inspired by so many reviews. ^_^; We're half-way to 200 already! If I reached that this would be my most popular story yet! And this stupid document editing thing won't let me unbold this chapter, so sorry about this. x_x

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Tergum Vicis

Chapter 18

Figure It Out

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Draco glared at her. "I will have no part in your sick and twisted plot to break Harry. I'll tell Professor Snape before I ever let you do anything to hurt him."

He was about to walk off to do just that, when he felt a wand being pointed as his throat. His eyes narrowing over at Parkinson, he sneered.

"Your bloody insane, woman!"

"You are no one else's," Pansy purred. "You belong to me. And if I have to break Potter in order for him to see that, then so be it."

"You will not hurt Harry," Draco grabbed Pansy's hand holding her wand and sneered. "I'll die before I ever see a cow like you touch him."

Pansy gasped, her eyes welling up with fake tears. "Draco how could you be so mean to your girlfriend!?"

"We're not dating!" Draco exclaimed, a sigh escaping his lips. By now, a crowd was forming around them, listening to their conversation. "We never were! I love Harry, not you!"

"Why don't you tell him that?"

Draco and Pansy both jumped, and Ron pushed himself away from the crowd, facing Draco. He grabbed the blond by the shoulder, dragging him away.

"How dare you touch my Draco!"

"Get a brain woman!" Draco seethed as he watched Pansy's startled face as Ron dragged him off to a nearby corner.

"Just what in the bloody hell is going on, Malfoy!?"

"Look, Weasley," Draco sighed, running a hand through his blond hair. "It's not what you or Harry think."

"I gathered that from what I heard," Ron rolled his eyes. "Now tell me what's really up. Harry's upset enough as it is."

"How much of our conversation did you hear?"

"From where you said "I'll die before I ever see a cow like you touch him'." Draco's gaze drifted to the floor. "So, what's really going on, Malfoy?"

"Pansy told me about her 'plot'," Draco said slowly. "A plot, to break Harry, and make me hers."

Ron's eyes narrowed. "Couldn't the girl get you weren't interested?"

"I suppose not, either that or she knows and she's in complete denial," Draco shrugged. "I am gay after all."

"So you have no interest in girls and she's still trying?" Ron blinked. "I'll say this about her, she never gives up that one."

"I agree with you there, but if she so much as touches Harry, I'll..."

"Relax, Malfoy," Ron said with a sigh. "I know Harry might not let you talk to him, but I'll tell him what I heard from you. Maybe then he'll calm down, and give you a chance to explain everything."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "You'd do that?"

Ron averted his gaze. "Not that I care about you or anything, I just don't like seeing Harry upset."

"I'm surprised you two became friends so fast, what with hating each other all these years," Draco rolled his eyes. Ron smiled slightly.

"He seems different somehow, this year," Ron said. 'So he noticed,' thought Draco. "He's not the same. He acts like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders, sometimes. He deserves to be happy, even if he is in the nasty house of Slytherin."

"Well, who knew you could be so mature, Weasley?" Draco tilted his head. Ron grinned.

"I have my moments. I'll see if I can get Harry to come and talk to you, alright?"

Draco nodded as he started to head off towards the Slytherin Common Room. But before he did, he turned back to Ron.

"You know, its no surprise you two became fast friends actually."

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Ron asked.

"You already were, once upon a time." Draco smirked at the confused look on his face before taking off.

'Oh, its fun to confuse you Weasley.'

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Ron found Harry in the library. He hadn't seen him in the Room of Requirement after classes, and doubted that he'd return to the Slytherin Common Room anytime soon. He found the boy sitting alone, reading a book on Auror training.

"Harry?"

Said boy looked up, smiling slightly. "Oh, hello Ron... where've you been?"

"Oh, here and there," Ron answered vaguely before sitting down next to him. "I learned some interesting news, though."

"What is it?"

"About Malfoy."

"I don't want to hear anything about him, Ron," Harry sighed and looked into his book again.

"Oh, I think you might want to hear this."

"Why?"

"Malfoy and Parkinson broke up."

Harry looked up, startled, and a bit of hope shined in his eyes. Ron smiled. "How? When?"

"Oh, a few moments ago," Ron shrugged. "Saw them having a row about something in the hallways. Other students heard too. Of course, they never were really going out, you know."

"What? But you just said that they--"

"Broke up. I know. Apparently, Pansy only wanted Draco, she didn't care who she hurt in the process. The bloody insane girl didn't even accept the fact that he was gay and wanted nothing to do with girls."

Harry blinked. "But I saw them snogging."

"She must of forced herself onto him, mate," Ron said. "He called her a cow, right in front of the students! If that doesn't tell you he's not interested, I don't know what does."

Harry stood up, putting his book away that he had been reading and packed up his things. "Harry?" Ron asked curiously.

"I....have to talk to Draco," Harry replied and headed for the door. Ron smiled, having a feeling things would get better soon.

"And Ron?" Harry asked, turning back to face his friend.

"Yeah?" He asked, tilting his head to the side and blinking.

"Thanks."

"Anytime, mate."

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A/N: There's another chapter! Makeup scene is next chapter! :) Enjoy.