The next few weeks went by slow and fast at the same time. Harry had been spending his time avoiding Draco as much as possible. Draco was just hoping and praying that Harry would at least look at him. Ron and Hermione watched every day in silence as Draco watched Harry, who pretended that Draco didn't exist. Hermione decided enough was enough and cornered Harry for a talk.

"Are you ever going to talk to him again?" she asked.

"Why should I?" Harry asked, very much like a child. "He lied to me all that time just to humiliate me."

"If he was going to humiliate you, don't you think he would have done it by now?"

"Probably waiting for the perfect moment."

"The perfect moment would have been any of the number of times you had that look of adoration on your face, you dimwit!"

Harry looked affronted. "He lied to me, Hermione. How am I supposed to just forget that?"

"Did you even find out why he lied?"

"…no."

Hermione gave a frustrated sigh. "Then, how do you know he was up to no good?"

"He's Malfoy."

"That is it. I am done with this, Harry. Either get off your high horse and let the boy explain or get over it and move on with your life."

"I have moved on."

"Ignoring him and running in the opposite direction is not moving on." With that, she stomped out of the common room.

"She's got a point, mate."

Harry's head snapped around to see Ron leaning against the wall. "Not you, too."

"You know, it's funny. I couldn't stand the thought of you having to pretend to be married to Malfoy. I wanted to punch his lights out. I would have sworn on my life that he was up to no good."

"He was up to no good!"

Ron continued as if Harry had never spoken. "I was waiting for the moment that he did something to show his true colors. You know what, though? It never really happened. You were always telling me about something nice he said or did. So, I started watching. I mean, really watching. He treated you like you were the center of the universe. It was obvious how happy he was every time he saw you." Ron looked directly in Harry's eyes. "You were the same."

Harry looked away.

"I know you fell in love with him, Harry. I think he loves you, too. I want you to be happy. I've never seen you happier than the time you spent with Malfoy. I'm willing to give him a chance. Are you?"

Harry had a pained look on his face. "It's not that simple, Ron. He could just be a good actor for all we know." He shook his head. "I can't risk it. He lied to me and I don't even know why."

"Then, give him a chance to explain."

"I can't."

HPDM

Draco was sitting at a table in the far back corner of the library. He was leaning back in his chair, fingers interlocked behind his head, staring at the ceiling, and completely ignoring the essay that was due tomorrow. He didn't see the foot coming until it knocked his chair over and he was tumbling to the floor. He looked up to see Ron standing over him.

"What the fuck is your problem, Weasley?" Draco growled.

"You're pathetic."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Oh, I'm sure you're well aware of how pathetic you are. Are you really going to wallow in your self pity in dark corners? Or are you going to make all this up to Harry?"

"Didn't he tell you? I was just out to humiliate him. I never cared about him."

Ron snorted. "I saw the two of you together. If you were out to humiliate him, you did a pretty shitty job of it." He sat in silence for a few moments. "If you're willing to work for it, I can help you."

"What?"

Ron grimaced. "Please don't make me say it again. It leaves a nasty taste in my mouth."

Draco looked at him in amazement. "Why would you help me?"

"You made Harry happy," he said, simply.

"Funny. I don't get that from him."

"Well, not anymore. He was actually really happy when you two were together. I want to see him like that again."

Draco contemplated the pros and cons for a moment. Then, he looked directly into Ron's eyes with a ghost of a smirk. "I'm in."

"So am I." Hermione stepped around a bookshelf.

"Merlin, Granger. Must you lurk in the shadows?"

"When it comes to Harry, yes. I noticed Ron come in so I followed him. He never comes here. I think it would be best if we met somewhere else, though. We can't have Harry find out we're talking to you. He's extremely stubborn and he'll resist anything we try if he finds out."

Ron smiled at her. "That's my girl."

Draco looked mildly disgusted as he watched the two of them smile at each other. "Please save that for when you're alone."

Ron and Hermione both looked embarrassed. They set up a meeting for later that night in the Room of Requirement. With how things were right now, it wouldn't be too difficult to get away from Harry for a bit.

HPDM

Harry looked up as Ron and Hermione stood up from the couch in the common room. "Where are you guys going?"

They exchanged a quick glance. Hermione would have an easier time of lying, so she decided to answer. "We're going to spend some time alone. We haven't got to spend much time together lately."

Harry felt slightly guilty. They hadn't spent much time alone because they've been dealing with his problems. He gave them a small smile. "Have fun. Try not to be too loud when you get back to the dorm, Ron."

Ron chuckled weakly. "I'll try not to, mate."

Ron and Hermione left the common room and headed to the Room of Requirement. Draco was already waiting for them. "You're late."

"By five minutes, Malfoy. It's not the end of the world," Hermione said.

"I'm sorry. I'm nervous."

Hermione softened. "Everything will be okay. Before we start, I would like to know just why you pulled your little stunt."

Draco bit his lip and looked away. "All I can say, is that it wasn't for anything bad. I had no intentions to humiliate or hurt him. My reasons are my own, and I'm willing to share them with Harry. No one else. If you're not willing to help me without knowing, I'll leave now."

Hermione had already figured out his reasons. She had just been hoping for confirmation. "We'll still help. I didn't think you would actually tell me anyway."

"Okay, then. Good. Let's get started. You two know Harry better than anyone. Any ideas?"

Ron looked thoughtful. "He's really romantic. That maybe should have been my first clue that he was gay." WHACK! "Bloody hell, Hermione! What was that for?"

"For stereotyping. He is a romantic person. I think the best course would be to buy him little gifts, write him letters, so anything special that you think he would like. He might be stubborn at first but it will wear down his resistance. He'll eventually cave and listen to what you have to say."

"So, you want me to woo him?" WHACK! "Bloody hell, Weasley! What was that for?"

Ron had no remorse. "I don't want to hear that word come from your mouth again."

"What word? Woo?" WHACK! "Weasley, I am going to rip out your intestines if you do that again!" Draco growled.

"I know Harry. If he hears you use the word 'woo', he will laugh you out of the building."

"Why? Wo-" Ron lifted his hand, and Draco quickly changed his sentence. "It is a perfectly acceptable word."

Hermione snickered. "It may be used quite often in the wizarding world, but Harry grew up in the muggle world. It's old fashioned there. It's typically used in romance novels set hundreds of years ago. Ron's right. Personally, I think it's endearing. Old fashioned romance wouldn't be out of place for a girl like me." She looked pointedly at Ron. "Harry isn't a girl, though. He may be romantic, but he's not into old fashioned customs or words."

Draco furrowed his brow. "Anything else I should know?"

"Anything that can remind him of a happy or special moment would be good," Ron said, thoughtfully. "Also, if you're any good at charms, you could make something special for him. He's not very materialistic. It comes from his childhood. He never had much."

Draco frowned. "I thought he had money."

Hermione glared at Ron. "He does. His childhood is not something we'll tell you about. It's his business, and he'll tell you about it himself one day. I will give you some advice, though. Don't bring it up. Let him decide when to tell you. It's not an easy subject for him. If he feels forced to tell you, he'll pull away from you."

"Was it that bad?"

Hermione closed her eyes. "It wasn't good. He'll try to downplay it and tell you that other kids had it worse. That doesn't make it right or better, though. Just avoid the subject unless he brings it up."

They moved away from that uncomfortable conversation and started making plans.