Cut My Heart Out

The few times Harry saw Calliope between lessons they were very friendly. Harry couldn't deny that he was attracted to her, and he was amazed to find that she seemed to admire him as well, though she didn't seem to know about his past, Voldemort or his parents. She'd been raised in the dark like he had. She was refreshing to talk to and Harry enjoyed her company - apart from one thing. Wherever Calliope went, Malfoy followed, glaring at anyone who so much as looked her way. But he didn't have control of her.

Calliope also built up a great friendship with Hermione, and they often did their Arithmancy homework together.

Ron denied thinking that she was the least bit pretty, though he stared at her often enough. They soon became friends after Ron explained his Aragog trauma to her and Calliope told him how brave he was. It appeared she was also afraid of spiders.

She started to spend more and more of her time with the Gryffindors. Within four days she, Ron and Hermione were the new reformed group and they balanced out perfectly. It wasn't until her fifth day at Hogwarts she came down to breakfast looking very apprehensive.

"What's wrong, Cal?" asked Harry, concerned.

Calliope bit her lip. "I'm being Sorted today," she said.

Ron grinned. "No worries, you're a born Gryffindor. Unless you're too clever and have to be in Ravenclaw... whatever happens, you're still OURS."

Calliope grinned and leant against Ron for support. Harry laughed as he watched Ron trying to conceal his enjoyment.

They wandered off to their first lesson: Care of Magical Creatures. An indoor lesson for once, as Hagrid had brought in some Chizpurfles in glass globes. He divided the class into pairs and gave each pair a globe. Harry stared at his Chizpurfle for a while and looked at Ron. Ron was pulling faces at the tiny creature, waggling his tongue and pulling his ears out. Shaking his head, Harry went to see how Calliope and Hermione were doing with their own Chizpurfle. On the way he noticed Malfoy scribbling angrily on his parchment. Harry walked past and felt Malfoy dig his hand into the back pocket of Harry's robes. About to shout, Harry swivelled round, wand raised, ready to hex Malfoy if he didn't return whatever it was he'd stolen from Harry. But Malfoy was gone. Harry felt gingerly in his pocket, praying his fingers wouldn't come into contact with anything smelly, acidic or sharp. He drew a note out of his pocket. He read it, then put it back, not knowing quite what to think.

That evening, Harry was sat in the corner of the common room talking to Hermione. Ron was immersed in his Divination homework.

"Have you got any plans for the Blue Moon?" Hermione asked. Harry looked at her quizzically.

"Blue Moon? What's that?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and indicated to a symbol on Ron's Divination homework - which happened to be a calendar with all the astrological events marked on it. Harry noticed that the 'Blue Moon' was three weeks away.

"The Blue Moon is a special event. There's a dance, a feast..."

Harry stopped her. "A dance? Like... the Yule Ball?"

"Less formal. Traditionally, you're not supposed to bring a date, you just pick someone up while you're there," Hermione sniffed. It was obvious she didn't approve of this at all. "Personally I think it's and outrageous mockery of an ancient and magical festival."

"Oh man, that is co cool!" Ron interrupted, eyes shining. "Harry, you would finally have an excuse to pull Cal! Speaking of which, where has she got to?"

At that moment Calliope emerged from the common room door. She looked numb and lifeless.

"I'm in Slytherin," she whispered, before turning tail and leaving.

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other.

* * *

Harry held the note up so he could read it again by the candlelight.

H,

I need to speak to you urgently. Be at the fountain at 5am tomorrow.

D

The note had Harry completely baffled. Why did Malfoy need to speak to him? All alone, when everybody else was sleep? Could he trust Malfoy? Was this some sort of trap? Harry opened the door to the gardens and stepped out. Cold air whipped his already unruly hair into wild waves and spikes. Goosebumps rose on his skin as he approached the fountain. A hunched figure sat the on the edge, shaking gently. Harry caught a glimpse of the sleek pale hair.

Draco.

Draco heard Harry's footsteps and looked round. Grey eyes widened and the porcelain skin flushed.

"I didn't realise it would be so cold," he said, teeth chattering. Harry smiled and reached for his wand.

"Thermo Methodos," he whispered against the breeze and traced an arch over them with his wand tip. An orange bubble grew around them. The interior was warm and comforting.

Draco rubbed his hands together and Harry sat down next to him. Draco's eyed him nervously. Harry realised, for the first time, how defined his cheekbones were. His face was almost elf-like. His eyes were large and cold, but cold with a beauty. They were like dark clouds. The beauty of a storm: destructive and powerful. The pale gold hair made him seem ethereal. Draco swallowed.

"The reason I've asked you to come out here, Harry... well, you may have been wondering... you see..." he cleared his throat and fidgeted uncomfortably. Harry raised an eyebrow. He moved closer and put a hand on Draco's shoulder. He could feel Draco's warmth, his collarbone and the tendons in his neck...

"Harry, I've got to be honest with you. I-I've never been one whose had trouble really... getting on with people. I've always got what I wanted. Well, you know what I mean."

Harry shook his head slowly. Draco started to pull at his collar. Sweat ran down his face. Harry wondered if he'd made their insulation bubble a bit too warm. He was considering asking when-

"Have you ever noticed me?"

Harry stared. Noticed him? He spent half his time at Hogwarts trying to get revenge on him and the other half watching him like a lovesick puppy.

"How do you mean?"

Draco gave a resigned sigh.

"Potter, you're such a fool," he said and kissed Harry.

Harry stiffened instantly. What the... But after a couple of seconds he started to respond, partly out of courtesy, and partly, he had to admit, out of curiosity. His arms wrapped themselves around Draco and pulled him closer. Lips worked hungrily and Harry wondered what Draco's expression was like, but he couldn't bring himself to open his eyes. His tongue explored every inch of Draco's mouth like this would be his one opportunity to do so. He felt Draco soften even more and tremble in his arms. Harry himself thought he would melt. Nothing could ever be perfect like this is.

Draco drew away and studied Harry's face. He seemed to be asking if he was happy with the situation.

Harry was confused. Two waves of emotion battled in his head. This was Malfoy, and what the hell was he playing at? At the same time, Harry felt like this was a long time coming. His lips and skin tingled from Draco's touch. Suddenly all the pangs of jealousy he had when Draco was with someone else made sense. 'How long have I had feelings for you?' he wondered. The jealousy disappeared, and was replaced by a fierce possessiveness. He smiled at Draco. Silently, he told him,

And now you're mine.

* * *

Harry rarely saw Calliope anymore. When he did, she would barely looked at him, until one day he tried to talk to her once in Herbology while they were deadheading the Tartan roses.

"Calliope!"

Calliope made to scurry across the classroom.

"No, wait... please!"

She stopped suddenly and their eyes met. Hers weren't as vivid as he remembered. The rich, powerful lilac had faded to a washed out lilac. She was tried and drawn.

"Yes, Harry?" she said, feigning impatience. Harry thought she seemed uneasy.

"I haven't spoken to you in ages."

"I've been busy. I've got six years of work to catch up on before the OWLs," she said, eyes falling and examining the cracked tiles on the floor.

"We miss you. Ron, Hermione-"

Calliope's head shot up. "Huh?"

"They want you to come back to us. Please Calliope, we need you. Just because you're Slytherin-"

Calliope's face hardened. "Yes, I am a Slytherin. I'm obviously not meant to be with you. I'm just another slimy..." Her voice cracked. She turned her head away, looking furious with herself. Harry put her hand on her shoulder and dropped his voice.

"When I was Sorted the hat told me I would do well in Slytherin but I begged not to be put there. Sometimes life isn't all sorted into neat little categories - just because you're not in the same category as us doesn't mean we can't still be friends. Cal, it's killing us not having you there!" Harry burbled earnestly.

Calliope blushed slightly and grinned. "I've been a complete fucking idiot, haven't I?"

Harry nodded and slipped his arm through hers.

"What lesson do we have now?" he asked. Calliope checked her watch.

"Best lesson of the day. Lunch."

They walked down to the Great Hall together, catching up with each other's lives before going to their separate tables. Harry saw Draco watching him while chewing his lip. Harry nodding slightly in acknowledgement, trying to hold back the memory of how those lips had felt on his. He started to attack his salad.

He had arranged to meet Draco that evening, and go to the Prefects bathroom straight after their last lesson. Harry had had to do quite a bit of eavesdropping before he'd discovered the password.

He sat on the tiled floor now, his eyes travelling the walls. He remembered the last time he was here, and Moaning Myrtle had interrupted his thoughts. He hoped like hell the same wouldn't happen tonight.

A knock on the door made Harry jump. He strode over and opened it to reveal Draco Malfoy wearing a set of dark grey robes. Draco stepped in, closed the door behind him and caught Harry's lips in his own in one fluid movement.

When they finally broke apart, Draco walked slowly around the room, taking in every detail.

"Nice place, Harry, excellent idea to meet here..."

Harry said nothing. His lips were still tingling from the intensity of Draco's kiss. Harry wondered if Draco had been aching for that kiss all day, like he had. He knelt beside the bath and turned on a few taps at random. As the steam started to rise he glanced at Draco, who smiled and began removing his robes.