Sorry for the wait, I've been really busy! Enjoy!
"We have to tell Ron." Draco snorts derisively.
"And how do you expect that to turn out well?"
"I wish you wouldn't put him down so much, he may be a little rude sometimes to you, but I don't know anyone who has a better heart."
"Well, if you want to tell him, go ahead, but don't expect me to. There's no way I'd be able to do it without insulting him." I snap, fed up with him.
"That's how you hide, Draco! You hide behind your insults because really you're just too scared to do what you have to."
"You know what Potter, maybe I am scared! Maybe I am a coward, but that's me, and it's not going to change. You and your stupid Gryffindor courage make up who you are, but I'm not Gryffindor. I'm Slytherin, and I'm not going to tell the Weasel with you."
"Houses don't make people, Draco. You're right, you are a coward. I don't know why I ever thought differently. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to tell Ron what we did, because he deserves to know, and any decent person would tell him." I walk away, angry and upset that I have to do this alone. But what did I expect? Just because he's struggling and scared doesn't mean he'll always want to join me. Maybe he'll fight by my side, but that doesn't mean he'll fight for me.
As I enter the Gryffindor Commons, Ron quickly approaches me, and I feel my stomach knot in anticipation.
"Harry, where've you been mate? Hermione went out looking for you and wouldn't say anything when she got back. I thought, well, I don't know, but what's been going on with you?"
"Ron... I was with Draco." Ron doesn't look very surprised, but still looks away awkwardly at the mention of Draco.
"Oh... well, how is that going? Is he ready to, you know, leave the dark side?"
"I think he is... I mean, in some ways he's still the same person, but he knows right from wrong. And he knows what he's getting into. I think..." I falter here, thinking back to how Draco clearly didn't know what he was doing when he didn't want to tell Ron. "But there's something else I have to tell you, Ron. But please don't get mad. When I've been seeing Draco... things have been different, and neither of us planned it.. it was out of our control almost, it just sort of happened..."
"Harry, you're not making any sense."
"We kissed." I blurt out. Shock crosses Ron's face, and he slowly turns a lovely plum color and makes an expression that implies physical pain."
"So when you say that you two did... that... but, how? I mean, why?"
"I don't know! But it just feels right. He's so intriguing, and he still pisses me off sometimes but there's also more than that now."
"So it wasn't some horrible accident? You actually meant to? BLOODY HELL HARRY WHEN WERE YOU PLANNING TO TELL ME? MALFOY? WHY MALFOY? I COULD UNDERSTAND BLOKES, BUT HIM?!" I look away, not able to take Ron's disapproval.
"What about him?" I whirl around to see Draco standing in the corner of the Gryffindor Commons, looking nervous but determined, covering this with an easy smirk.
"YOU'RE EVEN WORSE, SEDUCING MY MATE WITH YOUR SLYTHERIN CUNNING, YOU FILTHY BAS-"
"Easy, Weasley, no need for language. See, here's the thing. Harry isn't yours, and he doesn't have to do what you want. He isn't mine either. He's his own person, and he can choose his own path, which includes the both of us. I don't like you, and you don't like me, but we both like Harry. And by now, you should be able to trust him enough to let him choose who he wants to be with, even if they are a coward." He almost sheepishly adds the last part, his ears turning a faint pink.
Ron has a stunned expression frozen on his face as he stares gapingly at Draco. Finally, he manages a nod, before quickly leaving. Draco smugly sidles over to Harry, grinning slightly.
"Still a coward, am I? I may be a little slow on the uptake, but I can play lion too." I laugh, and cautiously take his hand.
"I was wrong."
"I'm sorry, what was that?" I punch him lightly, and then he pulls me against him. I've never had someone hold me, and it feels strange, but nice.
"I think things are going to be okay now. I think you're going to be okay." I comment offhandedly. Draco smiles, a real smile, making his pale tired face look healthy.
"Of course I will, Golden Boy. I've got you to hide behind!
Review?