As Long as You Love Me

As long as you love me

"Ron, have you got a minute?"

Ron turned around to find the pretty face of Cho Chang hovering over the Gryffindor table. Surely she had meant Harry, hadn't she? "Harry is over there, he -"

"I actually wanted to talk to you." She smiled.

"Oh... well, then take a seat."

"Thank you." Cho sat down to find herself soon the center of not only Ron's but also Hermione's attention. It took Harry only seconds to return with a jar of marmalade.

"Hello Cho."

"Hello Harry." It wasn't possible to get only one out of the trio, was it? "Ron," she turned to Ron again, who waited patiently, "I wanted to ask you a favour."

"Me? What is it?"

"Our Seeker had an accident. He won't be able to play in the game against Hufflepuff next week. And we don't have a reserve player at the moment."

"Why don't you play the position yourself again then? You've been an excellent Seeker," Hermione suggested.

"Though I'd like to, I can't. First that would still leave one position vacant and I think I'd need more time than a week to adjust the team, if their captain played a different position. Plus, as captain, I couldn't give my whole attention to the Snitch."

"And how exactly am I supposed to help you?"

"I wanted to ask you to play Seeker for Ravenclaw."

"But isn't it against the school rules for another team's player to replace one from another house?" Harry asked.

"I thought so too, but I read the passage again and again and if I understood it right -"

"There's a loophole," Hermione finished, "A player mustn't be replaced by another team's player usually playing the same position." Cho gave her an approving look.

"Exactly. It took me a whole hour to figure it out...you know how those ancient rules are written. So, Ron, would you play for Ravenclaw next game? Of course, we could postpone, but we hope to have an advantage because of the weather. Hufflepuff isn't that good in rain. And since there's only one week, we need someone who's really into the game."

For a moment Ron didn't know what to say. This was a great honour. But in the end joy had the upper hand over surprise. "I'd really like to play Seeker for Ravenclaw, but... Harry, what do you think?"

"Lending my best player to the competitor?" Harry pretended to give it a serious thought. "Well... okay."

"Then, I'm in." Grinning, Ron shook hands with his new captain-to-be.

"Good. First training for you this afternoon at half past four."

"I'll be there. Bye."

"Bye."

***

The training had been hard, but exciting. The Ravenclaws had a very different style, concentrating more on attack than they did while playing against Gryffindor, since Hufflepuff's Keeper wasn't deemed to be a very good one. Cho hoped for a high success to make them second place in the list.

Ron himself had been quite good. It had been raining throughout the whole training and after some attempts with ordinary golf balls thrown for him to catch, Cho had let out the Snitch and Ron had caught it in less than five minutes. Cho had made him do it several more times during training and then until dark after the others were gone. After they had packed the Snitch away she had remarked that she certainly had made the right decision in choosing him.

Though he was tired and soaking, as he returned to Gryffindor tower, Ron had to find Draco tonight before he went to bed. He had to tell him about the training. Before, however, he would take a good hot shower.

As he entered the common room, he found Harry and Hermione hidden behind homework. Hermione greeted him with a kiss. "How was the training?"

"Great! I caught it several times."

"As if anyone had doubted it," Harry said with a grin, matching the one of his friend, "Besides, Cho wouldn't have let you in again if you hadn't."

"Well, then, I'll get up and take a shower. Has Draco been here? I wanted to tell him about -"

"He's upstairs," Harry interrupted.

"Upstairs?"

"He asked if he could wait for you in the dorm. Said he'd prefer reading one of your Quidditch books rather than waiting outside or being stared at down here," Hermione explained.

"And you gave him permission, Harry?"

"Well, yes. Why shouldn't I?"

Ron smiled. "Thank you. I'm upstairs then."

He opened the door to the dormitory he shared with Harry to find Draco lying sprawled on his bed. The Slytherin was lying on his stomach, reading, and apparently took no notice that he wasn't alone anymore.

Ron closed the door silently behind him, sneaked over and playfully ruffled his hand through Draco's hair, roughly pulling the blond from his read.

"Ron, my hair! Why did you do that?" He turned around on his back and gave Ron an indignant look.

"You lie here as if you owned the place, you know?"

Ron was close to letting himself fall onto his bed next to Draco, when... "Don't!"

"Why? This is my bed."

"Well, then do it, if you don't mind getting your bed all wet and dirty."

"Oh. You're right."

Draco grinned and stood up with a catlike movement. "Where exactly have you been? The two down there wouldn't tell me."

"I had Quidditch practice."

"I see..." He began to playfully untie Ron's cloak. "But without the rest of the team? Who threw the Quaffle for you?" He took the cloak and spread it over a chair.

"Nobody did, truth to be told." He undid the pads and pulled off his shoes and his jumper. Even his shirt was clinging to him wetly; something Draco took barely seconds to notice.

"Must have been a sad training," he said, tracing his forefinger slowly over Ron's stomach.

"Quite the contrary. Um Draco..."

"Yes?" Ron lowered his gaze to the barely existent space between them.

"You'll get wet too."

Draco blinked and took one step back. "Oh, yes," he said, obviously not having noticed himself. "So are you going to tell me what you've been doing?"

"Let me take a shower first?"

"What if I say no?"

"Well, that would be a pity, since my next question was, if you want to join me."

"What are we waiting for then?"

Ron grinned and walked toward the bathroom. "Don't know."

Soon the warm water was sent out over Ron's body like Draco's kisses....

Ron really loved his Keeper position. He was a damned good one too! But there was certainly not one single boy who grew up in the wizarding world that did not wish to be Seeker just once. The Seeker ended the game and on the whole decided its outcome. It was him who was celebrated most. His name the crowd would cheer. Oh, yes, Ron loved being Keeper, but once in his life he wanted to be the Seeker!

"I'm playing Seeker for Ravenclaw next match," he found himself mumble against Draco's lips, unable to keep it any longer.

With one boisterous kiss Draco pulled away. "What did you say?"

Ron trailed his hand along Draco's stomach and repeated, "I'm going to be Ravenclaw's Seeker against Hufflepuff."

Draco smiled. "Really?"

"Yes. Their Seeker had an accident and Cho Chang asked me to help them out."

"She chose you above every other player then. Well, I think she made a good choice." Leave it to Draco to point this out first. Chosen above everybody else. This sounded so Slytherinish. But...somehow it sounded good.... Ron bit his lip and let his hand slid down to Draco's hipbones. He pulled him near with a fluid movement, earning himself a lustful moan and a deep demanding kiss. As Draco pulled away, he made sure that their lips kept contact, while he whispered, "Finally you're going to play a position that is a little more challenging."

"What do you mean?" Ron almost moaned against the other boy's lips. He was too preoccupied with finding out what Draco's hand was doing to reflect properly on his words.

"Well, everybody can be Keeper, but playing Seeker - "

That struck! Ron immediately pulled away, just enough to meet Draco's eyes. "What do you mean, everybody can be a Keeper?"

"I mean, it is not hard, is it? What's the skill about catching a ball that's the size of a melon?"

"You play my position one ruddy game, Draco Malfoy, and then tell me again that no skill is needed." He had taken the nozzle and washed the soap away from his body, ready to end this shower session, then handed it to Draco. "Here."

"I meant no offence, Ron. But I really can't imagine what's challenging about defending the goal." While Ron dried himself up, Draco finished his shower, wondering. Just as he turned the water off, Ron flung a clean towel at him, seemingly harder than necessary.

"Maybe you should remember why you still lost the only game in your life when you managed to catch the Snitch before Harry. It was because of the unskilled Keeper that wouldn't let your team score, while your Keeper didn't seem to be able to defend the goals, even if the Quaffle were three times larger then the hoop itself. If everybody could be Keeper, maybe you'd have won."

Ron had definitely hit a nerve. Never before had they talked about this peculiar game. And never before had Ron made clear that he knew that on that day, Draco had lost because of him.

This gave Draco an idea, an idea that maybe gave him the opportunity for something he had long craved for.

"Well, I think I could be Keeper."

"Again, Draco, I want to see you play one game only." After the delivery of his little speech, Ron felt calmer again.

"I will. Let's make a bet out of it, shall we?"

Ron raised an eyebrow. "What kind of bet? And what do you mean by you will?"

"Well, I will play Keeper for Hufflepuff in the match against you and the outcome of the match decides the bet."

"But Hufflepuff's Keeper isn't ill or anything," Ron said sceptically.

"Let me worry about that."

"You won't harm him, will you?" Draco handed him the towel back.

"No. You'll find I can be very persuasive at times."

Ron gulped silently. He still wasn't sure if betting with Draco Malfoy was a good idea, but... "And what will I have to bet you?"

"If you loose, you will sing for me," Draco said, trying to sound as nonchalant and cool as possible.

Ever since he had found Ron singing in his room, dancing with some sort of Muggle device on his head, Draco had longed to hear him sing again. But he had hit a sensitive spot and when Ron had noticed that Draco had been listening, he had made sure to never be overheard again. Since then, Draco had felt the same longing for this as he always felt for anything that was hard to get. For this Draco would make sure he would win.

Ron swallowed hard. He didn't want to chicken out, but... Why this of all things? Well, he knew he could win. Cho had told him so herself. He was a good Seeker.

"Okay, and if I win..."

"I'll bet you anything you want."

"Well, then I want you... to stand up for Gryffindor the next four times Snape takes points from any of us unjustified."

"Fair enough." Now he certainly would make sure he won.

By now both of them were fully clothed again and after Draco's hair was magically dried to eliminate every piece of evidence, they left the bathroom.

Ron sat down onto his bed in his pyjama bottoms, Draco sitting down next to him. "So the bet is on now?"

"Okay." As Draco leaned in to seal the bet with a kiss, Ron relaxed only reluctantly into it. Somehow he still had a bad feeling about all this, but...

Just as Draco was about to leave, something sprang to Ron's mind. "Draco?"

"Yes?" Draco turned.

"What kind of song?"

The Slytherin smiled. He tried to put as much confidence into his voice as he could muster, once more in his life being grateful that he didn't blush easily. "A love song. Good night, Ron." And without another word, he closed the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, regaining his breath - blushing furiously.

***

By the next afternoon, Draco had somehow managed his way on the Hufflepuff team. Ron didn't ask how, he knew Draco had his ways, even without getting physically violent. Instead he concentrated on the training. There was less than a week more to go and so Ron had training every evening. So did Draco. One of the teams was always on the pitch.

On the day of the match Ron was pretty nervous. By now every student knew about the strange circumstances, though some still thought it to be merely rumours. A Gryffindor playing for Ravenclaw - well, okay. But a Slytherin playing for Hufflepuff? Moreover Draco Malfoy? He had to be up to something. Something just had to be very wrong indeed....

Ron himself had tried to push his bad feeling aside. However, when Ron had told Harry and Hermione about the little bet - not mentioning his stake, of course - both had been very suspicious.

"But he is our friend now," Ron had put in, "He wouldn't cheat against me."

"We haven't know him as a friend for long. You know how keen he is on winning," Harry had said cautiously.

"Well, he's my friend. And I trust him."

"Come on, Ron," Hermione had her try, "I'm not saying I don't trust him. I do, but... only to a certain degree, you know. For example, you do trust Crookshanks by now that he wouldn't eat Pig, but would you put Crookshanks into his cage after I starved him a week?"

Ron had promised them to be careful. In the long nights he had been talking to Draco, his friend had said something about Slytherins Ron wouldn't forget: "A Slytherin uses every means to achieve their ends." Ron thought this was just a cheap saying to reduce ones own responsibility, as if being a Slytherin was some sort of inevitable bad gene that forced the owner to be ruthless and egoistical. But if Draco believed in that, maybe he truly didn't think that his wrongdoings were bad at all.

Well, Ron would watch out for the usual rude Bludger and make sure that Draco didn't keep eye contact with his broom. Anyway, how was Draco supposed to cheat properly? The Keepers position was a very bad one, if one prized the 'fine art of trickery'.

At five to half past eleven the Ravenclaw team had changed and Ron had the pleasure to listen to Cho Chang's pep talk.

"Listen everybody. The weather is horrible and that's great. We'll have the huge advantage we hoped for. This is our chance to come second in the list. Hufflepuff won't stand a chance. We're better trained, faster and have the better water-repelling charms. Just remember our strategy and play as good as always and we will certainly win this game. This match we'll smash Hufflepuff, next one Gryffindor!" She turned to smile at Ron. "Sorry, no offence meant."

"I take none."

"This year the cup will be ours!"

And with this the team cheered and stood up to make its way out into the pouring rain. Ron heard the cheers of the crowd. Some of the students were pointing at him. The Gryffindors cheered along with the Ravenclaws.

Then the Hufflepuffs stepped out onto the field. Ron looked fleetingly at Draco. If he was at all nervous, Ron couldn't tell. The Hufflepuffs cheered for their team and again, students pointed. Ron looked up at the Slytherins' stand. They were cheering too, but some had disgusted looks on their faces. Draco had lost popularity since he started hanging out with the Trio. It didn't seem to bother him at all. His name was still respected. Once again, Ron briefly wondered how Draco had managed to be on the Hufflepuff team.

In front of Madam Hooch, Cho and Zachary Bliche, the Hufflepuff captain, shook hands. The whistle blew. The players kicked off. The Quaffle was thrown. For a split second Ron's eyes automatically fixed on the large ball. He tore them away and shot upwards to hover over the others. He began to look out for the Snitch, all the while listening to the commentary. Ravenclaw scored first. Ron glanced down at Draco, smiling a little to himself, thinking, 'Everybody can be Keeper, eh?' Then he concentrated fully on his task again.

After Ravenclaw's first score, Draco became even more determined. He had to win the game and win he would. It wasn't because of what he had to give if he lost the bet, though it certainly wouldn't be pleasant, but he wanted to prove himself, and he most of all wanted Ron to sing.

After ten minutes Ron heard the points being thirty to twenty for Ravenclaw. Nevertheless, the commentary had made clear that Ravenclaw had been far more often in possession and had taken far more shots on goal than Hufflepuff, so Draco was doing a fairly well job. Ravenclaw was having a far harder time than expected.

It was when he looked once again over and down at Draco that Ron spotted the Snitch. It was near the leftmost goalpost. Gripping his broomstick hard, Ron dived downwards. He gave a fleeting look over his shoulder. The other Seeker hadn't noticed the Snitch yet. Ron had a good head start, before he would be followed.

There it was! Draco saw the Snitch not far away from him. He saw Ron speed towards it. He whistled sharply. Hufflepuff's Seeker got the sign. He had been closer to the Snitch, but Ron had already overtook him before Draco had caught his attention. The way it was, Ron would get to the Snitch first.

The commentator had now turned his attention to the race between the two Seekers. Ron knew the other one was behind him, but 'behind' was the operative word. He would get to the Snitch first. He would win the game. Mingled with the sound of the pouring rain, Ron heard the crowed cheer.

It was now or never! Draco became limp on his broom. He sped downwards. He closed his eyes, holding on to his broom with one hand, the other hanging lifelessly next to him.

"What's up with Malfoy?"

The commentator's question pulled Ron out of his fixation on the Snitch. He was barely twenty feet away. He tore his eyes away and looked for Draco. He was falling. Shit! He had just vertically passed the Snitch. Ron changed direction immediately. He sped down as fast as he could. Draco was only holding on to his broom with one hand. Had he fainted? What had happened? Ron temporarily deafened to the commentary. Nearly there! He leveled Draco, willing to steady his broom. Yet just as he reached out for the handle, Draco opened his eyes. 'What?!' The Slytherin looked at him, wide awake and... pulled out of his dive. Ron did the same, just in time not to collide with the muddy ground and when he looked up to Draco, he saw...

"Peter Jackson has caught the Snitch! Hufflepuff wins!"

Ron felt still shaken. He landed cautiously. He looked at the stands. The Hufflepuffs cheered, but... with some reluctance it seemed. What could dampen their spirits? The Slytherins cheered much louder than them by far. The Ravenclaws on the other hand seemed somewhat numb, but some of them were joining in the boos, hisses and calls from the Gryffindor stands. What were they calling? "Foul!" 'Foul?' "He has been fouled!" "Repeat the match!" "Foul!" "Sack the Slytherin git!" They were referring to Draco.... Ron looked up and saw Draco making some loops, celebrating Hufflepuff's victory. Very slowly it dawned on Ron that his friend had deceived him. The fall had been a fake.

For a moment his knees threatened to give way. The other team members hit the ground and Ron made his way over to the changing room. He sat down for a moment, humiliation sinking in. Then he stood up again, went over to the sink and let the water run. The others would be in here any moment. They mustn't see him like that. He splashed some water in his face and felt some sense return, as the water fell away again. He had lost the match. He dried his face. He had to face the others. He had lost the bet. The rest of the team, save for Cho entered the locker room. Draco had made him lose.

"I... I really am sorry," Ron said, facing the lot.

"It's not your fault," said Mallory. The chaser girl looked very disappointed indeed. It had only been her second game and was the first one she lost. "You had your eyes on the Snitch. Only a few saw how Malfoy prepared for his little charade."

Others had seen? "You saw it?"

"Yes, he did it, just as I was about to score."

"Where's Cho?"

"She's still out arguing with Madam Hooch," said one of the Beaters, "She -"

Right then Cho entered the room. Everybody immediately turned.

"Madam Hooch will check the matter. She will decide on the rematch. She only saw Malfoy's dive, but she says this doesn't tell whether it was all fake. Could have been a sudden recovery, she says." She turned to Ron. "Hermione was of great help. She gave Madam Hooch her omnioculars, and said she had seen Draco putting on his act. Others have witnessed it too and are ready to tell what they saw. We've got a good chance on a rematch."

"Listen, Cho," Ron began, as she began to change, "I really am sorry. I thought he really was falling. I -"

"I know, Ron. It's not your fault. I fell for his play myself for a moment." She sounded bitter. "You've played fine, though."

"Um... thanks. If... if there will be a rematch, will I... I mean, will I be allowed to play again?"

"I don't know, Ron. Depends on whether Hawk is well then or not."

Nobody seemed to blame Ron. Nevertheless, his spirits were dampened and Ron knew that they had lost because of him. How many others had noticed the pretense?

When Ron made his way up to the Gryffindor tower, his mood was incredibly low. He felt betrayed, deceived, humiliated. And still a little shaken.

He had been such a fool!

***

Ron was rather glad that he didn't have to see Draco the next day. Technically, he saw him in the Great Hall, but there was a silver lining to that circumstance. He could ignore him. It gave him perfect opportunity to show that he was pissed.

Draco came over after he had finished breakfast. He seemed in a perfectly good mood. Almost cheery, so to speak.

Draco felt light-hearted the morning after the match. He had won. Ron would sing for him. He didn't care about the match. He wondered if he would ask him right away, or wait for the right day and create the right atmosphere. While getting ready for breakfast, he settled on waiting. Everything should be perfect!

As he neared the Gryffindor table, though, he found Ron averting to look at him. Maybe he was upset about the lost match. Draco decided he would cheer the gloomy looking boy up.

"Morning, Ron." No answer came. Ron obviously chose to ignore him.... He found Hermione and Harry staring at him coldly. At least they were looking at him. He turned to them. "What's the matter with him?"

"You really have to ask? After what you did yesterday?" snapped Hermione, "You -"

"Leave him, 'Mione." Eventually Ron faced Draco, his eyes as cold as his previous ignorance. "What do you want, Draco? Rub in your glorious victory?"

Draco blinked. "Listen, Ron. I know it was a bit of cheating, if that's why you're pissed, but -"

"I'm not pissed about the cheating. I mean, it's second nature to you Slytherins, isn't it?"

"So, what's the matter then?"

"Just get lost, Draco."

Slowly his confusion turned into irritation. Who did he think he was to talk to him like that?! "I won't go away unless you tell me what's eating you up. If you're angry because of the cheating then say so, but as you say you're not -" Ron stood up so suddenly, his chair fell back to the floor with a loud bang, resulting in catching the entire Hall's attention.

"You really don't get it, do you?" he yelled, "Well, I certainly won't explain it to you."

The two boys were staring at each other, fuming. Ron's eyes flashed dangerously. The Hall was silent. Trying to calm himself, Draco made one last attempt. "Ron, just -"

"Tell me, which part of 'get lost' is so hard to understand?"

***

Draco hated to be treated like that. Ron had scolded him in front of the whole studentry! He had sent him away! He hated rejections. But what he hated most above all about this situation was the sinking feeling of guilt. Nobody ever succeeded in making Draco Malfoy feel guilty about anything. And yet...and yet, Ron had.

Of course, Draco had known that what he did wasn't right. But when had he ever cared about right and wrong? Rarely! And Ron - Ron knew this very well.

This was only their second quarrel ever. Draco had never been sensitive about fighting. He could deal well with it. Never had he felt bad about others being angry at him or others not liking him. He hadn't cared. And this was exactly what added to the plight - Ron made him care!

Their first quarrel had been when Draco had told Ron that he had fallen for Ginny. Back then he had mistaken Ron's anger for lack of trust. He had thought that Ron didn't trust him enough to let the blond boy be with his sister. Only a month later, and weeks after they had shared their first kisses, had Ron been able to admit to himself and to Draco that maybe - probably - he had been jealous.

The same night he had told Draco that he didn't want to change him.... Ron hadn't intended to, but...

It took Draco some time to fall asleep. This was new to him and he didn't like it at all! Ron made him see he was wrong. He didn't like to be wrong! Ron made him feel guilty. And worse, he made him care about it.

The only other persons that had ever scolded him and succeeded in making him doubt himself or his point or actions were his parents - mostly his father. But this... this had another... quality.

***

In retrospective Ron was surprised with himself. When Draco had stood in front of him the first time after the match, a rage had flooded his veins he hadn't known before. Sure, he had been even more angry at other times in his life - certainly - but this rage... there had been an unknown edge to it. It had been of a different... quality. Ron didn't know how to deal with this. He didn't like it, but...

The next day in Potions the two of them shared their usual table, using one cauldron. Talking was inevitable, since they had to, at least, clarify who shredded which roots and such things, or Ron would practically offer Snape to take points from him, when they messed up their potion.

Draco was nonchalant. If Ron hadn't known better, he would have thought that the Slytherin didn't care at all about Ron giving only monosyllabic answers. But he knew Draco cared, and therefore, he gave them.

They both prepared their ingredients silently, but eventually Ron had to talk to Draco.

"We are supposed to mix this stuff with the magnesia four spoons to six, aren't we?" He gestured at the powdered scorpion-tail-tips he had just crushed.

"You mean six spoons magnesia?" Draco asked back.

"Yes."

"Yeah, I think so."

Ron mixed the two ingredients four to six and put them into the cauldron. Apparently they both hadn't been listening to well to Professor Snape's instructions, for the potion immediately took on a malicious shade of fluorescent pink, which was a very unusual colour for any kind of medi-magical potion. Ron barely had time to pull Draco away, when the potion began to bubble nastily, sending up fuchsia smoke.

Snape reached their table in less then ten seconds. His view onto the table was hidden by the smoke. He raised his wand, and one yelled spell later, Ron heard that the potion had stopped bubbling. Before the smoke had fully vanished, however, Draco had freed himself from Ron's grip on his sleeve and rushed forward to the table.

Snape's angry face slowly became visible through the smoke.

"What happened here, Weasley?" The smoke had fully vanished now and Snape gave one look at the pink fluid in the cauldron. "Let me guess," he paused nastily, as if examining the content of the cauldron a little closer, "Yes, I see. You mistook the measures of the Scorpowder and the magnesia." He looked up at Ron, who bit his tongue, so his temper wouldn't make it worse, which is what would predictably follow. "Your incapability is unbearable. Or better, it is, since Gryffindor has to bear it for you. Twenty points from Gryffindor for your sheer ignorance, Weasley. No make it -"

"Truth to be told, Professor, it was me, who prepared the mixture," Draco interrupted, "I mistook the measures." Ron looked over at Draco, trying to conceal his surprise

Snape narrowed his eyes, clearly trying to hide his disappointment. "You, Mr. Malfoy. Are you sure? I could swear I saw Weasley crushing the tail tips," he spat angrily.

"No. He shredded the azalea roots. See?" He pointed over at the root shreds in front of Ron. "And as I see it, they're perfectly done," he added.

"Well, then... clear up the mess, you two. And next time, Mr Malfoy, you should pay more attention." Draco nodded and Snape went away grumpily.

As soon as the lesson was over, Ron headed for the door. Draco caught up with him in the hall way. "Wait. I -"

Ron turned around furiously. "What was that about back in there?" Draco looked at him blankly, so he clarified, "Why did you take the blame for it? It was my task and we both agreed on the mixture, so it wasn't your fault. It was mine."

"I... I thought...," Draco began. What had he thought? He had... "I mean, I... I didn't win the bet and so -"

"But you won! You still don't get it, did you?" Ron's eyes flashed again. But this time, Draco looked closer. There was a spark in his eyes. An edge to his rage. A something to his voice, he... "You really don't know why I'm pissed, you -"

"Can you tell me?"

The question clearly caught him off guard. "What?"

"Can you tell me why you're so angry?" He took Ron by the sleeve and pulled him away from the staring students they hadn't even noticed. He pulled him into an empty class room, released him and leaned against the wall to wait for his answer. It didn't come. He repeated the question. "Can you tell me why you're so angry at me? I know I did wrong. You made me see that, and I hate it. But I also think you expected me to do something like that, so why are you so angry?"

Ron slumped down into a seat, straddling the chair, leaning his elbows on the back. Draco had asked for the very answer he had not dared to put a finger on. Deep down in his heart, of course, he knew, but...

"Ron, please," Draco pulled a chair forth to sit opposite him, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hurt you." He hated to be sorry. But he had noticed that what he hated even more was that he had hurt the one he loved. "But..."

"I was scared." It was out. "I was so scared to see you fall. I didn't know if I would get to you in time. I thought you had fainted. I thought you might be hurt, hit by a Bludger, or..." But his voice became to much a whisper for Draco to hear it.

Draco didn't know what to say. He reached forth with his hand over the backs of their chairs and touched Ron's face, lifting his gaze slightly. He leaned in. Ron didn't pull away. They experienced only the soft reassurance of the lips meeting. Draco pulled away to the side, his cheek stroking against Ron's. Eyes closed, catlike caressing. The back of the chair pressed somewhat painfully against his chest. He pulled away. Their eyes locked.

"Oh, Ron, I'm so sorry." He noticed that the words came more easily every time. There was no harm in admitting. "I will never do that to you again. I don't know what I would do, if ever I saw you in danger and I... I'm sorry." Ron stood up. The expression on his face was soft - as soft, as if he smiled. But he didn't. This brought another question urgently to Draco's mind. One he had never had before. Not even for his father. He stood up to meet Ron's eyes again and before he could stop it, the question surfaced on his tongue. "Do you forgive me?" Draco's inside clenched at the very words. How did normal people put up with this?

Ron didn't answer. At least not using words. He closed the distance again and gave Draco a fleeting kiss. Then he said, "The others are waiting in the Great Hall. We better go. Can I stay overnight in your room?"

"Sure." This was a 'yes', wasn't it? Well, he would see tonight....

***

When Harry's steady breath declared that his roommate was fast asleep, Ron left the room, hidden under the Invisibility Cloak. He made his way through the -luckily- empty common room to the Slytherin dungeons. He muttered the password. He was lucky; no one was inside. He sneaked further to Draco's room, once again glad that the Slytherin Prefect had one to himself, and knocked two times, paused, then did it again. Draco let him in and he pulled the Cloak off. He slumped down onto Draco's bed, getting a good grip on his shirt and pulling the blond towards him. He leaned back onto the cover, proceeding to pull the Slytherin close. Hiding his surprise, Draco allowed himself to be manhandled. He tried to support himself above Ron, not wanting to lay full weight on him. It was easier said than done, as Ron had immediately leaned into a demanding, almost forceful kiss and had his hand toying through Draco's hair. Draco felt one arm slung around his waist, felt Ron massaging his scalp pleasantly and then an urgent whisper against his lips.

"Let go!"

Draco lay down on Ron, heat flushing through his body at the new proximity. He had no idea what this was all about, but he played along, not being able to pull away.

When Ron pulled away - as Draco assumed to get a full load of oxygen - he looked flushed. He licked his ravished lips, a half-grin playing around them. He looked wonderful! Draco was just about to lean in again - for second round - when Ron said, "Stop. That's enough." Draco's eyes widened. What did he mean 'that's enough'? No! Buried in his perplexity, he was easy to push away.

"What was this about?" Draco asked, as he found his senses back again.

Ron sat upright on the bed, a slight flush still adding to his alluringly snogged look. "Had no butterbeer. No alcoholic one anyway. I needed something to boost up my courage. This did it."

Draco didn't get it. "Courage? What for?"

"Your winning, remember?"

"Oh... you... you don't have to, you know. The bet -"

"I know. But I would have done it anyway, if you had asked me."

Draco arched an eyebrow. "No, you wouldn't have."

Ron grinned. "Right. I wouldn't've. But now it's okay."

"So you're going to sing for me now."

"Yes, give me half a minute to catch my breath and...," his view trailed off, "You're still sure of your choice? It... has to be a love song?"

"Well..."

"Right then." All of a sudden he pulled Draco close again. One kiss. "Needed this. Right then, sit down."

Draco sat down on the bed opposite Ron, one leg hanging of it. Ron looked nervous, but evidently adrenaline was still running through his veins. The Slytherin felt nervous as well. He hoped it didn't show. Ron took out his wand and muttered some sort of music charm. No music came. Ron swallowed. 'Without it then.' Draco watched his eyes fell close. Then he began.

Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine,

I'm leaving my life in your hand.

There was a slight quiver to his voice, and the blush increased. Draco could tell how nervous he was. Especially after the charm had let him down. Still he did this for him....

People say I'm crazy in the eye and blind.

This didn't came out as planned.

People say I'm crazy and that I am blind,

Risking it all in a glance.

His voice gained steadiness with the lines. The little quiver vanished. Draco could watch him letting go. Was he forgetting about the audience?

And how you got me blind is still a mystery,

I can't get you out of my head.

Between the last two lines he had started to snip, substituting the music. He slowly opened his eyes. Draco could tell how much it cost him. Still he smiled, while singing on.

I don't care what it's written in your history,

As long as you're here with me.

Draco heard the music starting silently along. Getting louder. A delay in the charm. But even without it, Ron sounded wonderful. His voice was clear, full, warm and steady now.

I don't care,

Who you are,

Where you're from,

What you did,

As long as you love me.

The words struck something inside of Draco like a cord. The music was accompanying him fully now; it seemed to surround them, carrying them away from everything else.

Who you are,

Where you're from,

Don't care What you did,

As long as you love me.

Ron was true to his word. He didn't want to change him. His voice engulfed Draco like a warm cover.

Every little thing that you have said and done

Feels like it's deep within me.

Doesn't really matter if we're on the run;

It seems like we're meant to be.

They had to hide their love. It hurt as hell at times. But what did it matter as long as there actually was a 'they'?

Again the chorus washed over Draco, taking the song gently into the climax.

I tried to hide it so that no one knows,

But I guess it shows,

When you look into my eyes.

What you did,

Where you're coming from,

I don't care

As long as you love me, baby

Ron had a wonderful facial expression while singing. Draco could read the words in his face, knew their truth from Ron's eyes. The song slowly ebbed away, the music grew silent. Ron said the last line of the repetitive chorus into silence again. A warm, echoing silence filled the room when he stopped. His voice wouldn't let go of Draco's heart. He heard the music still.

For several pleasant moments they merely looked at each other. Draco knew Ron was waiting for him to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to end the silence that was still full of his song. If it was ended, then it should be by Ron's voice.

Blush still lingering on his cheeks, Ron finally raised his voice again; it sounded nervous once more.

"How did you like it?"

Like it? He loved it! Draco closed the distance between them and pushed Ron gently into the sheets. Ron looked at him wide-eyed, waiting for his answer, as if waiting for doomsday judgement.

"It was wonderful," Draco whispered.

Ron smiled openly, Draco inwardly. Ron actually looked relieved at Draco's words?! He really didn't know how much it had meant to Draco. How much it had touched him. Draco grinned softly down at him, hovering over his lips.

"I'll get back at you for calling me 'baby' though...."

***

fin