Heart-Encircled Evidence

Heart-Encircled Evidence

"You can't possibly wear that thing!" Walking up and down the room, Draco passed one hand roughly through his unusually untidy hair.

"Why? You gave it to me."

"Yeah, as a joke." Ron looked up puppy-eyed and Draco added hastily, "As a very romantic joke! But still... a joke."

"So it doesn't suit me?"

"Of course, it suits you. I chose it for you."

"Then I want to wear it. I really like it, Dray."

"Honestly, Ron, you can't!"

Sitting on his bed, Ron looked down on the present he was clutching protectively in his hands. "Why?" he repeated in a small voice. "You said it suits me and I - why?"

"Because there is a 'D+R' encircled with a heart on it?!!"

Ron blushed and smiled. "Yeah, the handiwork is especially beautiful. I still can't believe that you did that by hand and not by magic." He gently passed his fingers over the embroidery.

Draco sighed and sat down next to his lover again passing his hand through his hair in frustration. "Thanks, Ron. You, however, are missing the point."

"You're right. But I still can't see why I can't wear it. I mean, this could mean anything, couldn't it?"

"Anything heart-encircled usually means.... Ron, see, no one will mistake the 'D' for an 'H', especially Hermione. She definitely won't!"

"But it could simply be a sign of our friendship," Ron fought stubbornly.

"Encircled with a heart?! Honestly, what sorts of friendships do you Gryffindors usually keep?"

Ron smashed a pillow in Draco's face, never letting go of the precious object he held cradled in his other hand. "Bastard!"

"You started this," Draco said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"And if it meant something completely else?" He gave it a thoughtful look. "Maybe my favourite Quidditch team?"

"Dudley Dannons?"

"Or... maybe I could bewitch it?" Ron suggested, looking up at his lover hopefully.

"Well, that's worth a try. Try this one." Draco took out his wand and made a simple wrist movement. "You say, 'Muto' and think of the words you want to change it into. Concentrate on them, okay."

"Okay, I'll try. Though it really is a pity. You-"

"Ron!"

"Okay, okay." Ron pointed his wand at the embroidery and said, "Muto!" Slowly the letters began to reform. And as they had formed lots of new, tiny words, Ron blushed furiously.

Draco tilted his head in a mock thoughtful fashion and grinned. "Well, it is right. I certainly would like to do that to you right now. But Ron, you.... I wouldn't have thought you even knew we could do this. Oh my, this thing gives me ideas!"

"Shut up!"

With one lazy wand wave Draco put it back to it's original state. "Well, that's it. You won't wear it."

"But Draco. I love it! Please, only today. It's so cold outside. Right when we're in Hogsmeade, I'll buy another one. I promise."

"But all the others will come to Hogsmeade, too, today. You can't wear it!"

Yet just as Draco tried to have the final word, being the voice of reason, he had to face Ron's ultimate weapon. The redhead pouted, bringing out the Abandoned-Puppy-On-Christmas-Eve look® that went so perfectly well with his huge blue eyes.

"No, Ron!" He intensified the look. "Ron... I..." He added the tiniest of tiny quivers to his lower lip. "You can't. You would..." The blue of his eyes deepened in its brightness. "Oh... okay." Draco sighed. "We'll find a solution."

***

The two of them were in Flourish and Blotts later that day with Harry, Ginny and Hermione, when Draco again heard the whispers behind him, that seemed to follow them around.

Finally a giggling third year girl came forth, asking, "Er... sorry, but why are you two wearing your caps inside out?"

"We're setting a trend," Draco hissed, making the small girl whiten and hurry off. He turned to Ron, his eyes being merely slits. "You really owe me something!"

"I know," Ron replied, grinning happily, casually investigating one of the books, "How about following the cap's advice later on, then?"

fin