Change of Hearts

Change of Hearts

Chapter 2

Harry woke early on September first. He'd packed his things last night, but he made sure he had everything before getting ready.

He quickly dressed and headed for the bathroom. Once there, he put in his contacts, gelled his now short hair, and brushed his teeth.

He liked his new look.

Aunt Petunia actually screamed when he walked in the house that day. His hair was cut so it now was an inch short, the tips were dyed blonde, and the piercings. One in his eyebrow, two in his ear, and one in his tongue. And continuously wondered if his friends would recognize him.

If he would recognize him.

There was a rumor last year that Malfoy liked him. Harry wondered if it was true or not.

It wasn't that he was gay, he wasn't, he happened to like who he liked. And he just so happened to like Malfoy.

By the time he had finished, his aunt and uncle were awake, so he went down stairs to eat breakfast.

Aunt Petunia repressed a shudder as Harry walked into the kitchen.

"I cant believe you did that to yourself," she sneered as he sat down at the table.

"I needed a change, and it's not like you had to pay for anything, I did."

"What will they say at your school?"

Harry shrugged. "Probably wont care. Some people look worse than I do."

Dudley choose that moment to come strolling into the kitchen in his Smeltings uniform. Harry repressed a laugh.

Soon they were out the door, first to drop Harry off at Kings Cross, then to take Dudley to his school.

Harry got to his usual compartment at the back of the train and put his trunk away. No one had recognized him. Harry had put on a hat to cover his scar.

But he'd heard snips of conversations as he passed.

"Maybe he's from Durmstrang."

"Maybe America. He looks American."

Harry had to laugh at them all. If they only knew their beloved hero had turned into a punk.

Hermione and Ron didn't show up until noon, and they didn't even recognize him.

Ron actually came bursting in saying, "Harry guess what?" but faltered when the person he was looking at didn't look remotely like Harry.

Hermione walked in immediately after him.

"Who are you?" she asked slightly rudely.

Harry stood, pulled off his hat and stuck out his hand. "Name's Harry, Harry Potter. What's yours?"

Both of their jaws dropped.

Harry burst out laughing.

Hermione dropped onto the seat across from him and Ron sat next to her. Neither of them looked away.

"Harry?" Hermione finally whispered. "What happened to you?"

"I decided I needed a change. Do you have any idea what it's like to walk into a room full of wizards and not a one of them know who you are? That's not happened to me. I love it!"

"But...why?" she whispered again.

"I just felt like it," Harry shrugged. "Aside from shock, what do you think?"

Harry held his arms out so they could get a better look at him.

"You're...well," Hermione stuttered. Harry had never heard her at a loss for words before. "Well, I wont lie to you, Harry," she said regaining her composure. "You're really hot."

Harry blushed slightly. "Thank you, Hermione."

"Er..."Ron said "...she's right, not that I'm gay or anything."

Harry noticed Ron was very red as he said that. Before Harry could think about it though, a familiar blonde headed boy walked into the compartment.

Malfoy gaped at Harry.

"No way," he whispered.

Harry saw those silver eyes sweep over his body. He felt it too.

Malfoy's eyes looked first at the scar, then up to his hair, his piercings, then at his crimson button down shirt, at his baggy pants with the chains, and lastly at Harry's boots before returning to his glasses-free eyes.

*****

His mouth went dry. Potter was hot.

Uh-oh. Not good. Potter can't be hot. He had to get over Potter. This was not good.

"Well?" he asked. Draco swore he saw the flash of something silver in Harry's mouth.

Don't start thinking about Harry's mouth, he told himself firmly.

"No way," he whispered again.

"Yes way," Harry said sitting. "Have you anything else to say?"

I want you? he thought. No! Bad Draco!

"Er," he was at a loss for words. "Can I talk to you?" he asked unsure.

Harry shrugged. "Sure."

"Alone?" he asked hopefully. Harry nodded.

They found an empty compartment and Draco sat down, determined not to stare at Harry.

"So?" Harry prompted.

"I'm sure you heard the rumors last year, yes?" Harry nodded. "Well, they're true. I really do like you, Harry. But I'm not supposed to, I can't."

"Why?"

"Because it's a matter of life and death," Draco said staring straight into Harry's wide eyes. "My father said he'd kill me if I didn't get over my homosexuality."

"So, why're you telling me?" Harry asked after a moment of silence.

"I need your help."

"But I thought you needed to get over me."

"That's why I need your help. I need you to help me get over you."

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"If I kiss you, will you hate me?"

"Er...."

It was all he let Harry say. Draco, who could no longer contain himself, flung himself at Harry and kissed him madly.

And Harry kissed him back.

There was defiantly something in Harry's mouth.

"What's in your mouth?" Draco asked when he could breathe properly again.

"A tongue ring," Harry answered simply.

"A what?" Harry stuck out his tongue and Draco nearly gasped. Thank Merlin for his upbringing.

"Did it hurt?" he managed to ask.

"Not as bad as some things."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Needed a change. So tell me," he said changing the subject, "how can I help you?"

"You mean you will?" he asked hopefully

"You said it was a matter of live and death. There's only one person on this planet I want dead and, beg your forgiveness, he's not you."

"Lord Voldemort?"

Harry raised a pierced eyebrow. "You actually say his name?"

Draco looked down at his shoes. "Not around anyone else."

"Oh."

"I don't know how you can help me, Harry. I only know that no one else can."

"I'll do my best, but you need to tell me more."

"More? More what?"

"What do you like about me?"

"Your looks," he said before he could stop himself. "Your Gryffindor-idiss. The fact that you're everything I'm not."

Everything I want to be.

"You like my Gryffindor-idiss?"

"Yeah, you know. Bravery, chivalry, honesty, all the stuff that makes you you."

"You know, I've never heard it called that before. I think I like it though."

*****

Almost as much as I like you, Harry thought as he stared into those silver-blue eyes.

How could he help Draco get over him when he wanted Draco?

Draco could die because of this, he reminded himself. He couldn't let Draco die because of his selfishness.

"I'll do whatever I can, Draco."

His eyes snapped to Harry's. "You called me Draco," he said in disbelief.

Harry smiled. "You called me Harry."

"So I did."

"You want to sit with us or..."

"Yeah."

Hermione blushed when Harry walked in. Harry smiled. She obviously liked his new look. Ron, however, had a look of pure hatred on his face.

"What's he doing here?"

"He needs my help," Harry answered simply.

"Help?" Ron asked slightly appalled. "What would a Malfoy need help with?"

"Merlin's beard," Harry exclaimed. "Ron, be nice."

"But--"

"Don't make me say it again, Ron."

"But he's Malfoy! Have you forgotten five years of ridicule all in one train ride?"

"Yes," Harry answered coldly. "And you would too if you were in my position."

"And what exactly is your position?"

Harry looked at Draco and said nothing.

"It's life or death, Weasley."

"Life or death?"

"Now you've done it," Harry whispered in Draco's ear. "He's going to want to know everything."

"Well he's not going to. They're your friends, not mine."