The Trouble With Harry

The Trouble with Harry

Chapter 13: Unlucky in Love

Ron woke early. It was the fist time heÂ’d done so in two weeks; there just hadnÂ’t been a point after what had happened. But today he had a reason. He crawled slowly from his covers so as not to disturb the others and crept to the foot of HarryÂ’s bed. Whispering the password he opened HarryÂ’s trunk and procured the invisibility cloak. The light fabric wrapped nicely around his lean pajama clad body and he checked himself quickly in the mirror to make sure the cloak was doing its job. He grinned to himself and took the letter from his robes, clutching it tightly in his fist beneath the cloak as he made his way to the owlry.

There were hundreds of owls there each watching him with wide eyes as he flung the cloak from his shoulders and made his way to one particular bird. An eagle owl. It was the largest of the bunch, not to mention the most intimidating. The thing looked at him as if he were nothing but a little mouse ready to be pounced upon and devoured. The small squeak he let out as the bird lunged at him only gave more evidence to the suspicion. But he had come prepared. He took out the treats he had been saving for his own owl. “Too bad Pig.”

The owl watched him warily its greedy yellow eyes settling on the treats.

“You want these do you, you great ugly brute?” cooed Ron sweetly as he stretched out a hand to the suspicious bird.

The owl cautiously took the treat from his fingers and promptly looked back to him for seconds.

“That’s what I thought. You aren’t so scary. You want more?”

The owl hooted sharply.

“Then I’ve a job for you.”

The owl seemed to mull it over for a moment, but finally stuck out its leg as Ron waved the bag of treats in front of its face.

He rolled up the letter and tied it to the birdÂ’s talon. HeÂ’d even procured a green ribbon from Ginny to make it authentic, and it looked perfect sitting there waiting to be delivered. No one would suspect a thing.

“Take this to Harry Potter during breakfast. Do you understand?” The owl leveled its perpetual glare at him but hooted its assent. Ron gave it the last of the owl treats, which the owl finished off quickly, though not without giving Ron a harsh nip in the process. He turned and walked out of the owlry nursing his bit finger but all grins. “Oh this was going to be good.”

He couldnÂ’t help but rub his hands together deviously like the master criminal he was before throwing the cloak over himself and hightailing it back to the dorms. Making it just in time to put the cloak back before throwing himself into the bed, he affected a very obvious snore as the alarms started to go off and the other boys began to stir. He grinned to himself under the covers. The plan was in effect.

***

Ron found breakfast was cheerful for once. He had walked down with Hermione and Harry, a first amongst many in the past two weeks. It felt good to be back. Now Neville was with them too. The boy walked next to Harry cautiously gripping his hand every now and then, causing Ron to crinkle his nose and turn away. Ha, thatÂ’s going to stop soon enough. Ron took comfort in that fact so it didnÂ’t bother him too much.

At the table there was a brief moment of confusion as Ron bumped into Neville as he tried to take a seat between Harry and Hermione. A small frown on RonÂ’s part was enough to convince Neville to take the seat on the other side of Harry instead, which he really didnÂ’t mind. Ron was their friend first anyway.

Harry gave Neville a grateful, encouraging look and he couldnÂ’t help but smile. After that there were no more incidents. Harry handled splitting his time between conversation with Neville and Ron surprisingly well. He was gratified to find that Ron was back to his old self, talking about Quidditch and whinging about Divination and the Slytherins.

Things were back to normal and their friendships had incurred no casualties. Though there was still Malfoy to contend with. Harry would do that before lunch. He had everything planned out. Every consoling word, every awkward gesture. His troubles would be soon be over.

They all settled easily into the morning chatter, interrupted only by the arrival of the post. Ron watched in nervous anticipation, gripping the table with shaky hands as the owls came en masse into the hall. He spotted MalfoyÂ’s. The large owl flew a lazy circle over the Gryffindor table, drawing the attention of more than a few people including Harry. Everyone knew MafloyÂ’s owl, but it was rare to unheard of for the bird to come anywhere near the Gryffindors. So it was understandable that the occurrence didnÂ’t go unnoticed. RonÂ’s breath quickened as the owl finally spiraled downward to alight next to HarryÂ’s plate.

Harry looked at it puzzled as he removed the rolled up parchment from its leg. The owl gave him a distrustful penetrating gaze as took off, though not before helping itself to fully half of HarryÂ’s breakfast links. Harry looked across the hall to the Slytherin table to find Draco looking back at him looking perplexed as well. Harry tore the ribbon off and unfurled the paper reading over it quickly.

“Harry what’s wrong?” asked Neville as he watched the colour bleed from Harry’s face.

“N—Nothing,” Harry sputtered quickly folding the parchment up and stuffing it into his robes.

“What’s wrong, what did it say Harry? You look like you’re about to be ill.” Neville looked at him with worried eyes.

“You do Harry. Did Malfoy say something?” asked Hermione.

“Yes Harry, do tell us,” Ron added barely able to contain the grin that threatened to creep onto his face. Hermione eyed him suspiciously but Harry didn’t notice as he lifted his eyes to glare harshly at the blond boy across the hall. Draco stared back his brow furrowing in confusion.

“Don’t worry Neville. It’s nothing. But if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” he ground out through clenched teeth. Harry got up abruptly and stormed out of the hall, leaving his friends staring after him, two in confusion and one in absolute amusement.

***

Draco watched Harry get up from his table and leave the hall after giving him a meaningful, albeit downright nasty look. Draco rose nervously from his own table and turned to follow the Gryffindor. He walked quickly in HarryÂ’s wake, just barely catching the wide grin of one Ron Weasley just before he made it out the door.

That was definitely odd. Odder than his owl visiting HarryÂ’s table without having been instructed to do so. Odder than the glare Harry threw his way. Odder than HarryÂ’s abrupt departure from the Great Hall leaving his friends staring after him. There was something not right about that grin. For one thing it had been shot at him. Not a good sign, considering it was Weasley and he was Malfoy.

Draco shook it from his mind and searched the hall ahead for any trace of Harry. He was pretty sure this was the way the dark haired boy had come and sure enough there was Harry leaning casually up against the wall next to the boyÂ’s bathroom waiting for him. Harry motioned him inside and followed.

Draco turned to face him, about to make some distasteful comment about what Harry wanted with him in the boyÂ’s toilet, when he paused at the expression on the GryffindorÂ’s face. Oh, he looks mad. Draco nervously fiddled with a lock of his hair as he finally opened his mouth to speak, but Harry cut him off.

“What’s this all about Malfoy?!” Harry screeched.

“What?” asked Draco.

Harry growled. “You know what I’m talking about. This!” he yanked the letter from his pocket and threw it at the boy. It bounced off Draco’s chest and landed on the floor. Draco bent over and picked it up. He read slowly, his eyes widening near the size of saucers. “I-I didn’t—.”

“How could you! You said you loved me, I nearly believed you. You are as horrible as Ron says you are you know. I can’t believe I kissed you at all you—you hateful, arrogant, selfish—.”

“Potter I didn’t send this,” said Draco plainly, handing the paper back to Harry.

Harry scowled at him. “Right. I’m sure you didn’t send it. After all that wasn’t your owl that delivered it, and that isn’t your signature on the bottom. And hell, it wasn’t even you who I kissed that day in the hall. I’m sure you had nothing to do with any of it.”

“Harry, I didn’t send it.”

Harry snorted. “Then who?”

“I—I don’t know.”

Harry glowered at the boy. “Look, I’d thought maybe you were somewhat decent, but now that I’ve been proven wrong I don’t care to hear another word that comes out of your lying mouth. I know what kind of disgusting behavior you’re capable of now. So I know you won’t hesitate to carry through your threat. That’s why I’ll do what you want Malfoy. And if you tell Neville, if he gets hurt at all, I’ll kill you. But I won’t ever forgive you for this. I will hate you forever.”

“Wait, you don’t understand I—.”

“Fuck you.” And with that Harry turned, before Draco could say another word, and ran out the door.

***

Harry skipped potions, opting instead for the safety of his bed as he thought of what to do. He felt horrible. Betrayed really. He had Draco Malfoy pegged all wrong. Well actually he had Draco Malfoy pegged all right, but then he had to go and literally peg Malfoy, which completely screwed up his judgment obviously. Because he didnÂ’t think Draco was capable.

Not after what they had done together on the Quidditch pitch or in the hall. Stupid of him really, to think that Draco could actually care about him enough to understand and sympathize with his situation. But instead the Slytherin had insisted on causing Harry more problems. This was supposed to be solved by now but it had only gotten more complicated.

And Neville. Goddamn him heÂ’d dragged Neville into this mess. Harry was sure about what he had to do. He couldnÂ’t have Neville doubt him, break his trust. Not after the boy had finally found someone he could trust. And Harry didnÂ’t want to lose Neville either. He had a confidant there, someone who seemed to understand him inside out at times.

He could tell Neville anything. Well not this obviously, but anything else. And now he had to break up with him. And where would that leave Harry? Alone again.

Harry started and parted the bed curtain a crack as he heard someone enter the room. His eyes met with concerned blue as Neville made his way over to HarryÂ’s bed. Harry yanked the curtain open and smiled at the boy.

“Hi Neville.”

Neville smiled back. “Hi Harry.”

There was a slight pause before Neville continued. “So do you want to talk about it?”

Harry thought for a moment frowning. He had to do this now. It would be better to get it over with before Malfoy got any more clever ideas.

“Neville, I need to tell you something…er we need to talk.”

Neville sat down next to Harry on the bed. “Okay.”

“You see the thing is…well…hmm.”

“Is this about us Harry?”

Harry nodded. “I—I just think that we’re taking it awfully fast. I mean I’ve enjoyed being with you and I’ve meant it when I’ve said I love you,” he blushed slightly, fiddling with the sheets. “But I think that maybe this isn’t the best idea for us. I mean we’re both friends and I couldn’t bear to ever lose that.”

“But we aren’t going to lose it Harry. We’ll always stay friends.”

Harry nodded as he wracked his brain for an excuse, something he could say that wouldnÂ’t hurt Neville but make it clear that they just couldnÂ’t be any longer. He didnÂ’t need to mull it over long however, as Neville beat him to the punch.

“I think I know what you’re saying though. I know we just jumped into it awfully fast and we were both feeling a bit…well vulnerable then. It does still feel a bit odd to me too you know Harry. The first time we kissed…it was wonderful. I felt so safe and needed and loved. It just felt like, well like you wanted me and I hadn’t ever felt wanted like that before. But you know what? I don’t want our relationship to be based on that vulnerability. I’ve never felt as wonderful as I’ve felt in your arms but I’ve never felt as dependent either. And I don’t want to be feeling that way. I don’t want our relationship to be based that dependence. Not when I’m just starting to learn to be my own person. And I can’t help but think that maybe you were doing it because you felt bad for me. And I don’t want that pity.”

“No Neville, that’s not true.”

“No Harry, it’s okay. I know you probably don’t think it’s true and you weren’t thinking that when it first happened, but there is always this little bit of me that keeps saying it. But you know, it’s okay. It really did happen too fast and for the wrong reasons. I want to thank you for being truthful with me. And I think you’re right Harry. Maybe we should break it off.”

“You do? I mean we should?” asked Harry dumbfounded.

Neville nodded. “But don’t you think that this lets you off the hook Harry Potter. You’re still my best friend. We’re still going to have fun and be pals. And we’ll still double team Hermione and drive her crazy together,” Neville chuckled.

Harry grinned. “Of course. I wouldn’t settle for anything less.”

“Now are you going to tell me what was in that letter? Was it a luurve letter?”

Harry made a face. “Nuh-uh. It was a death threat. This is Malfoy we’re talking about here.”

Neville laughed. “You know Harry, that boy has got it bad for you. Now that we aren’t…well…your options are pretty open now aren’t they?” He waggled his eyebrows meaningfully at Harry giving him a wide grin.

Harry looked down at his hands and scowled. “I hate him,” he grumbled.

Neville looked puzzled. “Why? You liked him well enough yesterday. Remember you were going to have that talk with him and let him down easy. What happened Harry?”

Harry shook his head. “Nevermind, I’d rather not talk about it. But I never want to talk to him again, let alone look at his ugly pointy gitty face. I hate him.”

“I take it the talk didn’t go so well,” Neville sighed in understanding. “Don’t worry Harry things will get better in time.”

Harry shrugged.

And Ron sniggered to himself as he removed his ear form the door and ran off down the hall.

***

Harry found Draco after Care of Magical Creatures and took a hold of his robes, dragging him to the edge of the forest, with Draco struggling and whinging all the way. Finally they came to a stop in a clearing about fifty feet from HagridÂ’s hut, and Harry swung Draco around to face him.

“I did what you wanted. Now you’d better keep your side of this or my own threat still stands. I will hex you into oblivion. And I won’t have any problem with doing it either considering what a bastard you are and how much you fucking deserve it.”

Draco had been shocked before in the bathroom, when Harry had yelled at him. But that had worn off at some point during Double Potions. So he wasnÂ’t about to just stand there and take that again. He straightened his ruffled robes and scowled regally at the irate Gryffindor.

“If you’d stopped your inane babbling before, you would have heard me say for the third time, that I didn’t do it Potter.” He frowned deeply to match Harry’s own countenance. “I didn’t send that fucking letter and you know I’m telling the truth. I don’t have a motive.”

“Ha. What’s wanting to make my life miserable then?”

“Potter I don’t want to make your life miserable,” sighed Draco rolling his eyes.

“Then why did you send me that letter?”

“I DIDN’T DO IT!”

Just as Draco was about to pounce on Harry and for once beat the shit out of him, the boys heard someone calling.

“Harry! Is that you? Where are you?”

“It’s Hermione,” said Harry. “We need to get out of here.”

But it was too late as Hermione entered the clearing, her mouth turning down slightly as she saw Draco.

“Harry what’s going on?”

“Nothing. We were just talking.”

“I heard shouting. Harry you have to tell me what’s going on. Neville told me you were acting odd and flustered before lunch. And that you two broke up. And Ron is being weird. All he does is go around grinning like an idiot and he won’t tell me what’s up. It’s kind of freaking me out. You have to talk to him.”

“Ha! Of course! Why didn’t I see it before? It’s Weasley.”

“What about Ron?” asked Hermione frowning at the blond.

“Weasley sent the letter,” said Draco exasperatedly, as if it should have been obvious.

“What letter?” She turned to Harry. “The one you got this morning Harry? But Malfoy sent that. What did it say? Somebody tell me what the hell is going on!”

Harry sighed pulling the letter from his pocket and handed it to her.

She read it and gasped, looking up to glare at Draco. “You bastard. How could you?”

Draco sighed again. “I didn’t do it Granger. It was Weasley.”

Hermione looked puzzled for a moment. She shook her head and conjured up some chairs. “You two sit.” They did as they were told as she leveled a stern look at them. “Now we are going to figure this out. Do you understand? We are not leaving until I find out what’s going on.” She looked at Harry. “You got this letter this morning at the table?” Harry nodded. “And everything in the letter, this thing…incident he talks about…something happened?” He nodded again. “And that is why you broke up with Neville?” Another nod. Hermione sighed and turned to Draco. “All right. Just what were you hoping to accomplish by doing this Malfoy?”

Draco didnÂ’t much like the situation, being interrogated by a mudblood. It was humiliating. But he figured now was a good time as any to get this cleared up. And with her around Harry wouldnÂ’t dare interrupt him while he cleared his name.

“Like I said before Granger. I didn’t do it.”

Harry was about to object but Hermione waved him off.

“You didn’t write this note,” she said skeptically to the Slytherin.

“Oh I didn’t say that. I wrote the note all right.”

Harry gasped and once again looked ready to jump in, perhaps even punch Draco in the jaw as well. But he was quelled once again by an impatient wave of the girlÂ’s hand. She looked at Draco penetratingly, her soft hazel eyes taking on a deep sparkling brown quality.

“Well then…?”

“I wrote it but I didn’t send it.”

“I don’t believe you Malfoy, but I’m going to give you a chance to explain. So you better make it good.”

He sneered at her before continuing. “I wrote that note yesterday with the full intention of sending it. But you see I came to a realization, surprisingly with the help of your Weasel friend. Harry would hate me if I did it. I couldn’t have that so I didn’t send it. Now that I think about it, I didn’t even have it. Weasley took it from me after he threatened to pummel me if I went through with it. Hence my assumption that Weasley sent it. Not me.”

Hermione and Harry looked at each other frowning.

“But why would Ron do that?” asked Harry to no one in particular.

“Think about it Potter. He wants you. So he sends you my note, and gets you to break up with Longbottom. Then you end up hating me thinking it’s my fault. So who’s left for you to run to except him. Goddamnit, why didn’t I see it before. The sneaky bastard even explained the whole thing to me yesterday,” said Draco in something like exasperated awe.

“Don’t call him that,” said Harry feeling protective of his friend. He looked to Hermione. “What do you think?”

Hermione bit her lip and considered Draco for a moment. He didn’t bother to remove the scowl from his face as she tried to judge his truthfulness. “I don’t know Harry. He could be telling the truth.”

“Of courses I am! Go ahead use veritaserum on me. I volunteer to take it. Go get a pensive. I’ll give you my fucking memory. Whatever you want. I’m not lying.”

“He did seem pretty surprised the first time I showed him the letter,” said Harry.

“And Ron has been acting awfully queer today,” said Hermione.

“Of course this might all be part of some elaborate plan.” Harry eyed Draco suspiciously.

“Look. Why not just ask the Weasel. I’m sure if you confront him he’ll break down and spill his soul to you or something. Then you’ll see I’m telling the truth.”

Hermione nodded. “You have to ask him Harry.”

Harry looked to Draco. “If you’re trying to ruin my friendship…”

Draco shook his head. “I swear. On my pureblood heritage, I’m telling the truth. I wouldn’t do that to you Harry.”

Harry looked at him a moment longer and nodded. “I believe you. But I’m going to need to talk to Ron about this.”

Hermione nodded. “I think he’ll be in your dorm. I’ll come with you.”

“Me too.”

Harry shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea Malfoy. I don’t want to make him feel cornered or hurt him. I just want to understand why he did this.”

Draco nodded. “Fine. Meet me in the dungeons hallway tonight. I want to know what happened,” he said with authority.

Harry nodded. “Fine.” He got up and followed Hermione up the castle path.

***

Ron lay in his bed tossing from his stomach to his back to his side and back to his stomach again. He couldnÂ’t seem to keep still. The excitement was just too great. He had been in the common room working with Seamus and Dean after class, but he felt like he would bounce off the walls if he didnÂ’t get out of there. So heÂ’d made his way up to the dorm to try and take a nap.

It wasnÂ’t quite working though. And how could he even think of sleeping when being awake merited so much attention, what with Harry Potter being his and all. Because he was you know. Harry had already broken up with Neville, which had gone better than Ron could have hoped. And heÂ’d already said he hated Malfoy.

Now all that was left was for Harry to fall madly in love with Ron. And Ron had that particular event planned for tonight. TheyÂ’d sneak out together for one of their (up until recently) frequent castle exploration expeditions under the safety of the invisibility cloak, and then Ron would lead them up to the Astronomy tower. He would ever so gently bring up the subject of Neville and Malfoy at which point Harry would become distressed and cry onto his shoulder about the whole mess.

Then he would pull him away and look softly into those deep green eyes and Harry would find comfort in his gaze and then find comfort in his arms and then his lips and everything would be set. It was so perfect.

His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the door bang open and footsteps entering the room. He sat up in bed and pulled his curtain open to find Harry and Hermione stomping their way over to him. He watched them with confused cerulean eyes as they both stood before him looking oddly threatening.

“Ron we need to talk to you,” said Hermione evenly.

“Er…okay, what about?”

“What do you know about the letter I got this morning?” asked Harry trying, but not succeeding quite as well as Hermione had, to keep his voice even as well.

“I don’t know anything about it. Why?” asked Ron innocently.

Harry looked to Hermione. She turned to Ron. “Ron just tell us the truth. We already know you did it. We won’t be mad. Just tell us.”

Ron shrugged and shook his head. “I honestly don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

“Malfoy told us that—.”

“Oh Malfoy? Harry you aren’t still on about him, are you? What about Neville.”

“Ron, don’t tell me you don’t know that me and Neville broke up,” Harry growled at him accusatorily.

“What?” said Ron succeeding at looking genuinely surprised. “Oh. I’m sorry Harry. I hadn’t any idea.”

Hermione shook her head. “So you don’t know who sent that note to Harry?”

Ron shrugged. “You mean the one from this morning? Well Malfoy I suppose. It was his owl wasn’t it? Why, did something happen? I had figured it was some kind of lovelorn poetry or something. The git’s a bit obsessed you know. But really, was it something bad?”

Hermione frowned. They werenÂ’t getting anywhere.

“Ron. Just tell me now okay. Did you send the note or not?” asked Harry softly looking into the boy’s eyes.

“I—I…of course I didn’t send you a note,” said Ron looking defiantly at him. “And frankly I feel a bit insulted that you two just come barging in here interrogating me about something when I don’t even have a clue what you’re talking about making insinuations about my honesty when I don’t even know what it is you think I did.

Harry frowned. Ron was sticking to his story. And it seemed pretty solid. The boy wasn’t even flushed. Maybe Malfoy was lying to him after all. When I get my hands on that Slytherin trash…he shook his head dejectedly. “Ron, I’m sorry. We didn’t mean anything,” said Harry, though Hermione didn’t look completely convinced.

“As the case may be I am still highly offended that you think so lowly of me,” Ron said primly.

It was not hard for Hermione to see this was not normal Ron behavior, though Harry seemed as oblivious as usual.

Harry shook his head once again. “I’m sorry—.”

“Hey Ron, can I have my green ribbons back, I was going to wear my matching robes to Hogsmeade this weekend and…did I come at a bad time?” Ginny squeaked as she stood at the doorway with the trio staring at her with various look of bewilderment and horror written on their faces. “Um…okaaaay. I’ll just come back later.” She retreated quickly from the doorway and Hermione and Harry turned their gazes aback to Ron.

“Green ribbon Ron? What do you need with green ribbon?” asked Hermione plainly.

“I—I…”

Harry scowled at him. “It was you. And I was ready to go thrash Malfoy. It was you all along. I can’t believe you Ron.”

“Harry you don’t understand I—.”

“You hurt me Ron. I’m so disappointed in you. I thought you were better than this. I thought you were my friend. I loved you and all you did was betray me. I didn’t know you could be so selfish. And then you go and lie to me as if it were nothing at all. You didn’t even have the decency to break a sweat! You were prepared to just let me go on believing this…this lie. I…I—I hate you.” Harry’s voice broke as he flung around and ran out of the dorm.

“No Harry wait!” Ron jumped out of the bed but Harry was gone.

Hermione turned and glared at him in disgust. “I hope you’re happy,” she hissed before she too stormed out, leaving Ron alone and feeling perfectly awful.

***

Harry ran blindly through the hall as the tears welled up in his eyes. He couldnÂ’t believe it. His best friend. His first and best friend was trying to ruin his life. And he could never give Ron what he wanted. He just couldnÂ’t. He really hadnÂ’t thought the redhead capable of being so malicious.

Everything that he had gone through, the uncertainty and the weeks of ignoring and worrying were nothing compared to thisÂ…this feeling of betrayal he felt. And after everything Ron had said the night before. He never wanted to look at the boy again. He couldnÂ’tÂ…he wouldnÂ’t ever be able to look at him again without feeling like bursting into tears.

How could he ever forgive him? He wanted to so badly. Ron was his best friend. He just wanted things back the way they had been before. But Ron had gone too far. He scowled through his tears and stopped, kicking the wall angrily before slumping down against it. Oh Ron how could you? He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into soft grey eyes. “Malfoy.”

Draco smiled at him. “I was right.”

Harry looked away and nodded. Draco sighed and slumped down next to him. Harry sniffled as he traced the cracks in the stone, distractedly. “How did you know I would be here?”

“I didn’t. Maybe you didn’t notice but you’re in the dungeons.”

Harry looked surprised and wiped his eyes, looking about him. “Oh.”

“Potter, I’m sorry about…everything,” said Draco making a vague gesture with his hand.

Harry nodded. “I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

Draco shrugged. “I understand it. Given a choice between me and Weasley any fool could see who you would believe first. It was expected.”

“But it still wasn’t right. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize Ron could be so…so—.”

“Slytherin?”

Harry nodded smiling weakly.

“You know Harry. I really couldn’t live if you hated me. I would never do anything to hurt you like that knowing you’d hate me.”

Harry looked at him oddly and nodded. “I—I think I know that. Now I know that anyway.”

Draco chuckled. “Not to say I wasn’t working on a love potion on the side, but I’d much prefer it if I didn’t have to resort to that.” He gave Harry a meaningful glance.

Harry laughed. “You know Neville said that you have it bad for me.”

“Neville is a very intelligent boy,” said Draco, turning so that he was settled on his knees facing Harry.

“That’s not what you’ve been saying the past six years,” Harry smirked at him.

“Things change,” he replied softly.

“I know,” said Harry sadly.

Draco looked up at him smiled. He reached out a hand and traced a finger along HarryÂ’s jaw, stopping at his chin. He lifted it so that he was looking into HarryÂ’s emerald eyes, still glowing with tears.

“It’ll be alright you know.”

“He’s my best friend.”

“Just give it time. Maybe you’ll feel differently after a while. Maybe you’ll be able to forgive him in time. Things change remember?”

Harry nodded slowly. “Why are you being so nice?” he sniffled.

“Because otherwise you won’t let me kiss you.”

HarryÂ’s breath caught in his throat as Draco leaned in and pressed his lips against HarryÂ’s own softly, always softly. Harry parted his lips and tasted that bit of sweetness that he could never forget. The first two times had been nice, but he hadnÂ’t been able to enjoy it properly. Things always got in the way. But now. Now there was nothing to come between them and all of HarryÂ’s tension melted away as he himself melted into DracoÂ’s arms.

They kissed softly tentatively for a bit longer before DracoÂ’s lips strayed, moving down to HarryÂ’s jaw, his neck. Harry let his hands trail up to DracoÂ’s hair where they played with the velvety strands, combing through the silk and settling at the warm skin at DracoÂ’s neck. Harry drew Draco away from where he had been working a spot at his shoulder and looked at him. He smiled. Draco smiled back and took his lips once more as Harry laid him back against the stone.

Soon they were exploring each other thoroughly, having dispensed of their robes and unbuttoned their shirts, lips trailing wherever they pleased, to please the other. The two boys clung to each other and relished in the feeling they had been waiting so long for, had gone through so much. Amongst the tangle of limbs they paused to bring their lips together again, capturing the moment with their senses and letting all their frustrations, all their troubles slip away with the delicate meeting of lips and the burning touch of flesh.

Ron gasped under the invisibility cloak. He had taken off after Harry a moment after Hermione had left the room and followed him down to the dungeons. To find this. That four-armed, four-legged creature he had met only too many times in his nightmares. Writhing there on the ground disgusting and unholy and altogether too beautiful and perfect than Ron could ever admit to himself without withering away at the truth of it.

He had a mind to rip the two apart. But he just couldnÂ’t do it. The hurt was too much, and he knew heÂ’d done it to himself. And they were too perfect. He had felt so guilty listening to HarryÂ’s little speech. Now he knew for sure Harry would never ever have him for a lover, and now because of his rash actions for a friend either. He swallowed a sob.

He hates me. Ron ran back down the hall and to the dorms. He discarded the cloak on the floor and went to HarryÂ’s nightstand. He opened the drawer. And this time he had no trouble finding the knife. I should have done it right the first time around, he thought to himself. I donÂ’t deserve to live in the same world as Harry after what IÂ’ve done. I *canÂ’t* live here knowing what IÂ’ve done to Harry. He picked up the knife, holding it up to the light and nodded. Second times the charm.

It was Harry’s misfortune to have a friend as terrible as him. Harry didn’t need any more problems in his life. And that’s just what Ron was, another problem. But he would take care of it. “It looks like today is your lucky day Harry.” Ron would fix the situation and then maybe his friend…his love could forgive him. Who knew? Maybe today’s my lucky day too. Ron raised the knife, griping it tight. He sobbed. “I’m so sorry Harry.” And brought it down.