Chapter 4:
Death Eaters surrounded him. "You're going to die for this, Malfoy. You're going to die." One of them hit him with the Cruciatus Curse, causing him to scream in pain. Malfoy screamed so loud he woke himself up.
Draco sat up in bed, causing his blonde hair to plop itself right in front of his eyes. Annoyed, he swept to the side and looked around. This wasn't his bed. This wasn't his bedroom. Hell, this wasn't his bloody flat. And then he remembered. He was in Ron Weasley's flat, he was in Ron Weasley's bedroom. He was in Ron Weasley's bed. "Bloody hell." Draco mumbled to himself, smelling coffee brewing. Seemed like the ginger in question was awake. Draco rolled out of the bed, stretching. He gave a large yawn and padded out of the room, down the hallway, and into the kitchen.
Ron looked up and smiled at Draco. "Good morning, lovely." Draco rubbed his eyes.
"I'm probably looking like the ass end of a hippogriff, but thanks." He gave a faint smile and accepted the cup of coffee Ron had handed him. Ron stirred sugar into his mug and looked at Draco, concern in his eyes.
"I heard you screaming. You were tossing and turning all night. Suffering from nightmares?" Draco nodded and drank the dark, bitter liquid, not looking into Ron's eyes. Ronald frowned. "If you don't mind me asking, what are your nightmares about? Mine are always about spiders. I hate spiders." He shivered a bit, chuckling. Draco smiled but it didn't last long.
"I dream about all of the things I've seen. Dumbledore, Professor Burbage…" Draco's voice drifted off. "And then I dream about the Death Eaters coming back to punish me for what I've done." Ron pulled him into a tight embrace, which caused Draco to spill coffee on Ron, who let out a little 'eep'. Draco, no matter how hard he tried not to, started laughing. Ron gave him a playful punch in the arm and pulled off his shirt.
Draco bit his lip. He didn't really look last night, it was simply too awkward, but he certainly looked now. He never expected Harry Potter's sidekick to be as toned and… Draco looked up when he heard Ron snickering. A deep red tone came into Draco's cheeks.
"Enjoying the view, Malfoy?" Draco, still blushing, nodded. Ron smiled brightly and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Draco's eyes went wide and he stuttered a bit, trying to find something to say. "Don't be so nervous, mate. Loosen up." Ron's face suddenly looked surprised. "Merlin's beard! I forgot that Harry, Hermione, and Neville are coming over today!" Draco gulped at the thought of seeing Harry again. He didn't know what he would do to him.
"I should leave."
Ron shook his head and pulled Draco into the bedroom. He started rummaging through drawers and pulled out jeans and a green tee shirt, tossing them to Draco. "Harry stayed here awhile back. He's closer to your size than I am." Ron pulled out a different shirt, an orange one, and pulled it on. It looked awful with his hair. Draco sniggered and pulled it off. Digging through the drawer, he 'tsk'-ed.
"Looks like I need to start shopping for you, Weasley." He handed Ron a blue shirt the color of his eyes. Ron slid it on and smiled at Draco.
"I wouldn't have a problem with that." He grabbed Draco's hand. "Look, I know this is really fast, but I like you, Draco. I want you to stay and reintroduce yourself to my friends."
Draco didn't have enough time to answer, as the doorbell rang. Ron, still holding Draco's hand, went to answer it. Draco protested as Ron dragged him to the door, which he flung open with a smile. Harry pulled Ron into a brotherly hug, and noticed Draco. His jaw dropped, and he turned to Ron again, eyes furious.
"What in all of bloody hell is happening here?" Harry shouted. Ginny, who accompanied Harry, just gave Draco a curt nod. Ron frowned and gave Draco's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm sure you remember Draco, but what you remember is the old him. He's great now, Harry. I promise." Harry rolled his eyes and walked in, plopping onto the couch. Ginny sat much more gracefully down next to him. After five very slow minutes, the doorbell rang again. A stockier built man and his willowy blonde woman appeared, smiling. They didn't give Draco as hard of a time, which he was very grateful for. Lastly, Zabini and Hermione. Zabini's eyes went wide and he pulled Draco into a tight embrace. His teeth showed brightly against his dark skin.
"Merlin, Draco! I thought you'd disappeared!" Hermione, knowing how the two had been friends, didn't bother Draco at all. She was the only one of the former Gryffindors to shake his hand. Ron gave them all a butterbeer and they sat in silence. Ron piped up, asking if anyone had been to a Chudley Cannons match lately. Everyone shook their head.
Harry, eyes still angry, looked at Draco. "So, Malfoy," he sneered, "not able to stay with your smug parents anymore? They kick you out?"
Malfoy bit his trembling lip, eyes misting over, remembering everything that had happened. Ron looked at Harry, furious, and then at Draco with pity. "You don't have to answer, Draco." Draco shook his head.
"Well, Harry, they did kick me out. As you know, Ron is gay. I am too." Everyone gasped. "I told my father, and, well…" Draco rubbed his scarred cheek. "He did this." The women covered their mouths. Neville and Zabini murmured a 'Bloody hell', while Harry sat silent, unaffected.
"Am I supposed to pity you?" Ginny turned to Harry, shocked.
"Harry!" He sneered at Draco still. Draco bit his lip and grabbed his wand, making his clothes from the previous night come to him.
"I should go. I'm sorry, Ron." Ron gave Harry a dirty look.
"No, Draco you stay here. If anyone wants to protest, they can leave." Harry grabbed his jacket, and Ginny's hand, and left, slamming the door behind him. Hermione and Luna stood and gave Draco a hug.
After a few butterbeers, Draco gave the full story to his new friends. He explained why he was so cruel, he explained his family issues, and most of all, he explained how much he regretted it all.
"I'm sorry, mate." Neville mumbled, arm around Luna, who nodded, solemn for once.
"Yeah," Zabini started in his deep voice, "I had no idea half of that was happening." Hermione had a look on her face that indicated that she was deep in thought. She rummaged in her magical bag, arm deep inside. She pulled out a small recipe card.
"Aha! I stumbled upon this recipe awhile back. It's for a mild sleeping potion, and you can find most of the ingredients here in the Muggle world." She handed Draco the card. "I hope it helps."
They smiled at each other as Ron looked at his watch.
"You guys really should go; it's rather late." All of the guests stood, and, after hugging Draco and Ron, left. Ron turned to Draco after the door closed behind Luna. "That was more successful than I anticipated." He smiled at Draco, who shook his head.
"But how do I win over Potter?"
"You can't go from archenemy to friend in a couple hours, Draco. I hate to tell you, but Harry hated you. Really and truly. He'll turn in time, but don't be surprised if it takes a rather long time."