Lifting The Veil

The next few days Harry and Ron decided to try and keep things quiet though secretly of course that was the furthest things from their minds. They had waited patiently as the other Gryffindors began slowly to re-accept them as normal. But all the while they had been happy for at last they had each other and Harry was doubly happy for at last he had the one thing his heart desired he had family. Of course the Weasleys (apart from Ginny) were still unaware of their sons relationship, but Harry had met the Weasleys and had thought that it was unlikely the two of them would get very upset after all all they really wanted was to see their son happy. Harry admired that he knew that even though the Weasleys were not the richest of families they would do anything that they could to make sure that every member of the family was happy. Harry hadn't even begun to dare think what the Dursleys would think of it all, he had remembered how they had hated him for being a wizard. How they had locked him in a room and fed him cold soup like he was some sort of zoo animal, all because he was a bit different. He could see them taking a shotgun to his head over this little revelation. But Harry didn't care, he would try and see if he could stay with Ron or Hermione over the summer and after he leaves Hogwarts he knew he would never have to see the Dursleys again, something which he knew they would greatly enjoy.

He was sitting, facing the fire, when Hermione came running in.

"Come on come on!!!!" She squealed out of breath. "The match is going to begin in a few minutes you have to come and watch!" Harry had almost forgotten about Ian's match against Hufflepuff, he'd already promised to go and he couldn't let the Ravenclaw down not after he had gotten him and Ron together.

"Sorry I almost forgot lets go" He looked around. "Where's Ron?" Ron hadn't been far from his side the last couple of days and not being able to find him was quite disturbing.

"He's probably already there!" Shrieked an impatient Hermione "Come on lets go!" She practically dragged him out of the common room and before Harry could work out where he was they were in the stands of the Quidditch stadium. Hermione had fought her way through the crowd to get a good view of Ian and Harry simply had to follow her to assure his place. Harry couldn't see Ron anywhere but figured he'd be in the crowd of people somewhere and he turned his attention to the pitch just in time to see the two teams flying into the stadium. He watched as the blue robed Ravenclaws sped into the air and a cheer rose from the other Ravenclaws and an even bigger cheer from Hermione, Harry cheered as well he owed Ian that much. Then came the yellow robed Hufflepuff team streaming into the air. There was a cheer from the Hufflepuffs and then onto the field strode Madam Hooch to referee the game. She shouted her normal quote of wanting a clean game then released the Bludger and the Snitch into the air and threw the Quaffle to the teams. The game had begun, but Harry wasn't really watching, he was scanning round for Ron and couldn't find him anywhere.

"What's the matter Weasley?" Said Malfoy grinning. "Where's Potter? Is he not your second?" Malfoy stood his wand ready for the coming wizards' duel. Ron glared at him his anger burning in him.

"Nah I thought I'd leave him out of this after all the fight is between you and me isn't it! So I've chosen Seamus here as my second!" Seamus stood glaring at Crabbe who had been chosen as Malfoy's second.

"Yeah the fight's between you and me Weasley....bit too easy but never mind" Sneered Malfoy.

"Yeah I know perhaps I'll just play with you a bit before flattening you...you know make it fairer!" Replied Ron his wand raised in the dueling stance. Draco laughed at the comment.

"I highly doubt that Weasley!" He raised his wand "So are we ready then?"

Ron nodded and raised his wand in the traditional dueling stance. The two began to circle each other until Ron shouted "Expelliarmus!" at the top of his voice, his wand raised. Draco's wand flew from his arm and was dutifully caught by Ron. Ron turned and smiled "Well I think I win Malfoy!" But Draco simply grinned. Ron turned just in time to see Crabbe charging at him. "Mobilicorpus!" Shouted Ron just before the huge figure of Crabbe crashed into him, Crabbe lifted off the floor and Ron dutifully sent him crashing against the wall. Slightly out of breath Ron continued "Cheating will get you no where Malfoy now give up and go home!" But Malfoy simply grinned.

"Relashio!" He muttered and as Ron looked he saw sticking out from under the sleeve of Malfoy's robe another wand, just in time to see a jet of red hot sparks leap towards him. He shielded his eyes as the sparks burnt his skin and he fell to the floor writhing in pain.

"Stupefy!" Screamed Seamus pointing his wand at Malfoy. There was a flash of light and Malfoy fell to the floor next to the injured Ron. Seamus looked at his friend and ran to grab madam Pomfrey.

Harry watched in the stands as Ravenclaw took another point from Hufflepuff; he had to admit it was a good game and Ian played a particularly good chaser. But the game wasn't over yet as the snitch was still being chased around the field by both teams seekers. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw Seamus running onto the pitch towards madam Pomfrey. A look of worry suddenly ripped through Harry's very being and he ran through the crowd to see what was going on. He was at the bottom of the stands just ion time to see madam Pomfrey running out with Seamus leading her, he ran to follow hoping that it wasn't Ron that was hurt. But it was Ron and lying next to him was a stunned Malfoy. Harry knew what had occurred just by seeing Ron and Malfoy lying there with their wands in hand. Then he saw Ron quivering his hands clasped around his face.

"Ron!!!" He shouted unable to control himself "What's happened?" But Ron didn't speak he remained lying there his hands clasped around his face as he shivered on the floor.

"Lets have a look at you then." Said Madam Pomfrey, and as she looked down Ron slowly removed his hands from his face and Harry couldn't help but gasp. Ron's face was now crisscrossed with blisters some of which were now bleeding. He felt the panic well up in him as he wondered what madam Pomfrey would be able to do about it.

"Oh dear!" She said her voice as normal not showing much emotion about his condition. "I'm afraid you're in for a nasty night, it'll take at least the evening to clear those scars and I'm afraid the ointment isn't exactly pain free!" She had the tone of voice that suggested It's your own fault and Ron just nodded. Harry wanted to run and hold him but madam Pomfrey simply shooed them away she ignored Malfoy obviously aware that it was merely the stunning curse and wheeled Ron off to the infirmary.

"Enerverate!" Said Harry his wand pointing at the stunned Malfoy. Malfoy stood up a grin slowly spreading across his face.

"I got your boyfriend real good didn't I Potter!" there wasn't a hint of regret in his voice.

"Densauga!" Said Harry pointing his wand at Malfoy, before Malfoy could say anything his teeth grew painfully in size so that he couldn't say anything.

"You're pathetic!" Harry continued looking at the disfigured Malfoy. " You couldn't even rely on your own wizarding skills to defeat Ron, at least that's saying one thing though!" Harry leant in close to Malfoy " You're finally ready to admit that Ron is better than you!" Then he turned to look at the ground where Draco had dropped his wand. "Incendio!" He pointed his wand at the floor and a jet of flame leapt out and began to burn the wooden rod. Malfoy stared horrified before leaping to the ground and dragging his wand out beating the flames out on the grass. He made Crabbe who had now stood up reverse the teeth spell and when his mouth was no longer painful he turned to stare at the distant figure of Harry.

"I'll show you who's the better wizard Potter!" with that he turned and swept into the corridor.

It was a painful night for Ron no one could deny that, the ointment that madam Pomfrey had used was definitely fast and effective but it also felt like someone was using an iron on his face. He let the tears slide into the pillow. He barely noticed Harry when he came to sit next to him.

"That was a foolish thing you did there Ron!" Said Harry holding Ron's hand. "Challenging Malfoy like that, you should've known he'd cheat!"

"You know Harry you're beginning to sound like Hermione more and more!" Said Ron gritting his teeth as the pain ripped through him.

"I know I know, but I'm still proud of you!" Harry leant in closer to Ron. "You really kicked Malfoy's arse back there didn't you!" Ron laughed briefly but gritted his teeth with the resulting pain.

"So how many points have Gryffindor lost for the fight then?" Said Ron worried that he might have damaged their position for the house cup.

"None, the teachers thought that your burns would be punishment enough...except you have a detention with McGonagall when you're better." Harry stopped then added. "Slytherin on the other hand have had 20 points docked from them...by Snape!" The last bit made Ron nearly choke.

"Snape!!!!" Said Ron unable to believe it. Harry nodded his head.

"Apparently he felt that cheating in a wizards duel was like telling everyone that the other houses were better than Slytherin! He wanted to use Malfoy as an example to the rest of Slytherin, I don't think Malfoy has many friends in Slytherin at the moment!"

"He never did!" Laughed Ron. Harry put his hand over Ron's and squeezed reassuringly.

"I have to go, Madam Pomfrey has only given me five minutes!" He leant forward and kissed Ron gently on the forehead then turned his head and spat out the bits of the ointment that he'd got with the kiss. "That stuff's vile!" Ron laughed and then Harry left .Ron turned to grin slightly into the pillow. He had beaten Malfoy, the pain had been worth it.

The detention with McGonagall hadn't been as bad as he'd thought either, she'd made him sort out the equipment needed for the transfiguration lesson that she had with the first years the next day, she's also been disturbingly kind to him about his burns which had now been thankfully removed. He'd laughed briefly when Malfoy stormed past the room carrying a large mop and Filch behind him grinning.

He'd finished the detention in record time but McGonagall had kept him behind to talk to him.

"That was a stupid thing to do Mr. Weasley!" She said obviously referring to the duel he'd had with Malfoy. "For a start the results could have been much much worse as I'm sure your aware. But the thing that strikes me is WHY did you do it?"

Ron flinched slightly. But McGonagall continued. "It's not like you to get into a battle on this level" She paused for a minute rethinking what she'd said "Well ok actually it is...but not on your own. From what I hear even Harry Potter didn't know about the duel, that's something I never hear! What I want to know is what did Malfoy do that was so important that even your best friends couldn't know about it?" She stared sternly at Ron and it made him wish that he could transfigure himself into a beetle and flee the room. But he remained silent. "Am I not getting an answer Mr. Weasley?" She continued. "I am head of Gryffindor. You know that you can say anything to me and it will never be repeated, I'll resign if I do!" She said straightening her hat in a manner that suggested she was deathly serious. Ron didn't know how to respond to a teacher who seemed to care that much for their students.

"I'm not sure if I can tell you miss!" He said sheepishly his eyes fixed rigidly on the floor. "Its an unusual situation, and a fragile one at that!"

"As I said it will not leave these walls unless you want it to Mr. Weasley, but you know it does help sometimes to tell someone your problems!" Ron turned to look at the normally stern teacher and was utterly surprised to see only kindness in her face. Something he thought he'd never see. He looked at the door it was still partially open, McGonagall saw it and with a wave of her wand it slammed itself shut. She then turned to Ron. He couldn't help it, he had needed to tell someone important about all this, I mean his friends knew but that was different. Telling McGonagall would be like telling his mother he thought. He gulped swallowing his pride in the process and turned to McGonagall.

"Erm...the thing is..." His face turned Weasley red as he began to explain to his teacher all that had been going on the last few days, how he and Harry had both fallen for the same boy only to realize that they actually wanted each other. How Malfoy had caught them by the green house and how they'd felt when they had to tell the other Gryffindors. He then exclaimed that the wizard duel was because Malfoy had begun spreading the story and he thought that by fighting Malfoy it would make him think twice after all he would have been beaten by a poof. After all of this he released his gaze from the floor and stared up at McGonagall expecting her to be as white as a sheet and on the edge of fainting. Disturbingly she was calm as could be.

"Is that all Mr. Weasley? After all that you were worried about how people would react to your sexuality?" She smiled with a kindly look in her eyes. "Honestly Mr. Weasley, unlike Muggles most witches and wizards are perfectly able to accept the slightly different! And I have to admit you and Mr. Potter do indeed make a good couple!" Ron was dumbstruck, he was even more dumbstruck after McGonagall magiced up a cup of hot chocolate and sat him down on the desk to discuss all the events surrounding the whole affair. He laughed at how annoyed she had been after hearing about Snape leaving the truth potion antidote until hours later, and had been unable to hide her smugness when he told her how a Gryffindor had beaten two Slytherins in a wizard duel without cheating. She had then told him that he was not alone and had informed him of many of the more unusual of couplings she's seen at Hogwarts and informed Ron that after some of the people she's seen together Ron and Harry were some of the most normal. After about an hour of chitchat she had given Ron his leave to go and he had gone straight to bed feeling a lot better for it.

The next morning Harry awoke with a start, he'd had some bizarre dream about a raven and a figure with bright red eyes saying something in a language he didn't understand. He'd figured that it was the cheese he'd eaten at lunch and vowed never to try the quiche again. He wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and turned to look at he bed next to him. The adrenalin that had been pumping in him after that dream vanished almost instantly as he looked at the peaceful form of Ron asleep on his bed. He absentmindedly reached over and stroked the soft red hair, before getting out of bed and getting himself ready. He'd been sat in the common room for half an hour before any of the other Gryffindors had gotten up. Hermione was one of the first wanting to be bright and ready for her Arithmancy lesson, which she had first. Harry had divination again and wasn't looking forwards to those stupid cards again. But he had only just left the room when he was confronted by McGonagall.

"Mr. Potter can I have a word with you?" Harry's heart sank, he hadn't remembered doing anything wrong but then you never could tell. He nodded his head and McGonagall led him into her office where she shut the door behind her. The next few minutes made Harry very uncomfortable as she explained how Ron had told her about their relationship, and she explained how he and Ron could come and talk to any of the teachers (Adding briefly that Snape maybe would be a bad idea) and that she was always ready to be a friendly ear through what she knew would probably be a strange time for Harry and Ron. It had been rather odd and Harry had merely sat there nodding not knowing what to make of it all. He was late for class but McGonagall had gone with him to tell Prof Trelawney that he'd been talking to her.

"That was bizarre!" Whispered Harry to Ron who he'd sat next to. Ron nodded.

"She was even worse last night!" He added, "It was like talking to my mother!"

Harry chuckled slightly as they began to get the tarot cards out. They were attempting a particular way of reading the cards this time that meant you could get a lot of information about not just the question but the situation as well. They had been instructed to ask the cards questions that were more like getting to know the situation questions rather than direct ones and Ron had been amused when the Hierophant card had called Draco Malfoy 'a smug little git'. In fact it had all been rather uneventful except when Ron began to argue over who the better Quidditch team was and had started punching the chariot card over the ordeal. Harry had simply sat back and grinned at his friend's way with an argument. In fact it wasn't until after the divination class that Harry and Ron's day became that little bit more eventful, for standing grinning in the hallway was Draco Malfoy and standing around him were various members of Slytherin all with disturbing grins on their faces. Harry saw Ron clench his fists ready for a punching match, Harry couldn't help but do the same.

"Well well well, look who we have here it's Potter and his boyfriend Worthless Weasley!" There was a snigger from the Slytherin crowd when Malfoy said this. "You off to behind the greenhouse again now that you have a free period?" He continued the question meant obviously not as a pleasant comment.

"Go away Malfoy!" Said Harry not wanting a fight today.

"Why? I'm not stopping you, I'm not even insulting you I'm merely stating the facts!" Continued Malfoy a grin spread across his face.

"In the middle of the corridor as loud as you can!" Said Ron now getting angry. "Thought that you'd resort to this after I kicked your butt in that wizards duel where you were had to cheat to get anywhere!" Draco winced visibly but held his nerve trying to keep his composure calm as some of the Slytherin glared at him remembering how he had made Snape of all people dock Slytherin points. Draco just stood there saying nothing. So Ron continued.

"What? no come back, no quick retort? I am surprised!" He leant forwards and raised his voice so that everyone could hear him. "Do you know what I think?"

"Oh?" Said Draco with a half smile.

"I think that the only reason you are so upset with all this is because you are jealous!" Ron moved his head back to get the full effect. To his disappointment Malfoy seemed to be calm and composed Ron had been hoping to see at least a look of panic on the grey-eyed boys face, but alas there was nothing.

"Impressive theory!" Said Malfoy grinning. "But lacking one little point! Unlike you I am not a screaming queen!" Ron's face went red he couldn't help it, he felt the blood pump through his head and he clenched his fists ready to knock Malfoy to the ground. But what happened next was as much a surprise to Ron as it was to Malfoy. Harry leapt forwards and kissed Malfoy on the lips, it was only a quick smack on the lips and it lasted for a mere second but when Harry stepped back to beside Ron he could see the affect on Malfoy. For one Malfoy had begun to bunch his robes self-consciously below his waist. There was also a disturbing rush of colour to his cheeks.

"That...th....!" Malfoy stood there dumbstruck Harry couldn't help but grin. "AAAaaaargh!" Screamed Malfoy not entirely sure if he meant it then with a sweep of his cloak he turned and ran down the corridor, several of the Slytherin were laughing at him, Crabbe and Goyle included. Ron grabbed Harry by the hand and dragged him off into the courtyard.

"What was that?" He said to Harry half jealous half impressed. Harry looked at him a coy grin across his face.

"What? Jealous are we?" Harry's grin widened. Ron moved his head in closer.

"How could I be jealous" Without thinking where he was he kissed Harry briefly on the lips before adding "After all you're mine!". Harry put his arms on Ron's waist.

"You have to admit, watching Malfoy disintegrate like that was highly amusing!" Ron nodded and put his arms on Harry's shoulders.

"Shall we take his advice then?" he smiled and nodded his head in the direction of the greenhouse. Harry turned his head round to look where he was nodding and with a grin grabbed Ron's hand and dragged him off towards the greenhouse.

Malfoy sat on the edge of his bed and fumed. How dare Harry do that to him in front of everyone, what's worse humiliate him in front of Weasley. Draco rolled over onto his bed and stared into the air. He was alone which was exactly what he wanted there was no Crabbe or Goyle here for him to bully and the other Slytherin had no desire to talk to him at the moment. He remembered who it was that had done all this damage to his reputation, it was that damned red haired Weasley boy again. He lay back on his bed and began to think of revenge, he needed something that would ruin not only the Weasley boy's social life but his love life as well. He needed something big, something utterly cruel....he needed to take Potter away from him. He knew this would be harder than he immediately thought, but then Potter had kissed him...and where there's smoke....he grinned...there's fire.

"Do you suppose we did the right thing?" Said Hermione her head resting in Ian's arms.

"What do you mean?" He said as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"You know with Harry and Ron, pushing them together before maybe they were ready!"

"Well if we hadn't Ron and Harry might still be obsessed with me, which lets face it would make our relationship somewhat difficult!" He said as sounding slightly uncomfortable with the whole Ron and Harry situation. Hermione pretended not to notice.

"Yeah I guess you're right, but I hope they're dealing with Malfoy I mean he knows now doesn't he!"

"Yeah Malfoy knows and will be telling the world shortly if he hasn't already!"

"Yeah I know, I just wish there's some way we can stop him, I mean Harry and Ron are going to have enough problems as it is aren't they!" Ian simply nodded in response. Hermione continued. "I wish we knew what Malfoy was up to so that we could be ahead of him one step...you know scuttle his plans before he can implement them!"

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that I think Malfoy has a disturbing lack of originality and I highly doubt that he will come up with anything that Ron and Harry don't expect!"

"Yeah you're right I suppose!" Hermione snuggled back down into Ian's hold. "Best just to let them get on with it I suppose!" Ian just nodded and laid his head on Hermione's thick head of hair.

The greenhouse had become their spot now, it was often free at this time of year as Prof Sprout left the mandrakes to themselves Harry and Ron could sit and stare at the amazing view, among other things. Currently Ron was stroking Harry's hair as Harry lay across his lap his head resting on Ron's chest.

"Do you suppose that was the wrong thing to do to Malfoy?" Said Harry his eyes half closed with pleasure as Ron raked his fingers gently through Harry's naturally unkempt hair.

"Well it might give him the wrong idea!" Said Ron not really caring. he was too busy.

"Huh yeah I hadn't thought of that!" Laughed Harry not really bothered about what Malfoy did or didn't think.

"It would be quite amusing really if your archenemy turned out to fancy the pants off you!" Continued Ron grinning as he said that.

"Hrmm it would be kinda odd wouldn't it!" Said Harry his eyes now shut and a relaxed smile across his face.

"It would make sense though in a twisted mind!" Continued Ron. "I mean he constantly insults you, perhaps its like the schoolyard bully, the one who pulls your hair when secretly they want to be kissing you!" Harry's eyes opened, it was a disturbingly good analogy.

"Dear God!" Harry blurted out. "What if he does fancy me? I've kissed him that would so give him the wrong idea!!! What should I do?"

"Clean your teeth several thousand times?"

"What?"

"You know to get rid of the taste of Malfoy!" Ron grinned Harry was really cute when he was wound up.

"Shut up!" Said Harry smiling and he hit Ron playfully on the arm.

"Ow!" Lied Ron and he pushed Harry off him playfully, Harry tumbled forwards and rolled down the bank slightly. He dusted himself off then turned and with a grin across his face turned and pounced on Ron. Ron partially because of the momentum but largely because he liked it, hit the floor with Harry lying on top of him. He looked up into Harry's eyes and stroked his cheek with a finger before Harry lay on top of him and began to kiss him again.