How Can It Be. . ?

Chapter 2:

They reached Dumbledore's office, and as Harry looked around the all too familiar room, Dumbledore walked across and sat behind his desk.

"Sit down, Harry," Dumbledore almost ordered, gesturing to the chair opposite him. Harry sat down, wondering what he had done.

"How are you, Harry?" Dumbledore asked infuriatingly while inspecting Harry over his half moon glasses. "He never gets straight to the point, does he?" Harry thought.

"Ron and Hermione have been worried about you. They came to me, or rather, held me up on my way to breakfast. They mentioned something about Draco Malfoy. Would you care to explain why they think you are becoming obsessed with him?" Dumbledore asked.

"I am NOT becoming obsessed with him!" Harry protested, not completely meeting the headmaster's eyes. Dumbledore tilted his head at Harry. There was silence for a few moments before Dumbledore spoke again.

"These are your friends' words, Harry, not mine," Dumbledore said. Harry refused to look at him. There was a small knock at the door.

"Enter."

Ron and Hermione walked in, closely followed by Snape and Draco. Draco overtook Ron and Hermione when he saw Harry.

"I'm sorry," he whispered when he reached Harry. Draco wrapped his arms around him. Harry nodded his acceptance despite the fact that he did not know what his boyfriend was sorry for.

"Professor Dumbledore, I was drawn from my office when I heard a disruption. I discovered that Mr. Weasley had attacked Mr. Malfoy in the corridor. It took both mine and Miss Granger's efforts combined to get him off Mr Malfoy. I brought them to you after having healed Mr Malfoy's wounds. Mr Weasley has been exceedingly rude, not that that's unexpected. He has also accused Mr. Malfoy of hexing Mr. Potter to make him believe that there is some kind of...ah... relationship going on between the two of them." Snape paused. He looked at Draco with his arms around Harry, while Harry stroked Draco's hand idly with his thumb. "I thought this ridiculous. However this does not excuse Mr. Weasley's actions," Snape finished, still watching Harry and Draco.

"Mr. Malfoy, is what Professor Snape said true?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, sir. Ron found me as I was on my way to the library to catch up on revision where I had missed important things out. He pounced on me, knocking me to the floor and started punching me. I couldn't reach my wand to cast a shield charm so I attempted to push him off. At which point Professor Snape turned up and he, along with Hermione, managed to pull him off. Hermione pulled Ron away from me and Professor Snape and, I can only assume, attempted to calm him down. Meanwhile, Professor Snape healed my injuries as best as he could, while Ron was yelling abuse at me. We were then brought here," Draco explained.

"Is this true, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore turned his attention to Hermione, who dolefully nodded not looking at Ron.

"Mr Weasley, would you care to explain why you attacked Mr Malfoy please," Dumbledore asked Ron.

"It's my fault Professor," Harry said before Ron could say anything. "I had just told him of our relationship. He attempted to attack me--, I'm sorry Ron but it's the truth," he said as Ron made an angry noise. "I cast a shield charm and ran. Then I ran into you. I should have allowed Ron to take his inevitable anger out on me; instead I ran and he took his anger out on Draco," Harry concluded. Dumbledore looked mildly surprised by this explanation, but turned back to Ron.

"Why did you attack Mr Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked again.

"Because he's done something to Harry. Can't you see them? Harry would never let Malfoy do that unless he was hexed or had been slipped a love potion or...or something!" Ron yelled while pointing accusingly at Draco. Harry stood up and walked over to where Ron stood.

"Professor, is there some way that you or Professor Snape can prove to Ron that I am having a relationship with Draco of my own free will?" Harry asked not taking his unblinking gaze off Ron.

"Yes, there is a simple spell that will prove you are under no form of magical enchantment," Dumbledore said.

"Could you please do it so that Ron can see the truth and grow up, Professor?" Harry said.

Dumbledore performed the spell and Harry's essence glowed a white colour, indicating no trace of magical enchantment. Ron looked as though he had been hit over the head with a troll's club.

"N...no.. it's wrong... Harry... why... no... Malfoy!.. but... not," Ron stammered not making any sense.

"Harry, please take Mr. Malfoy to the hospital wing. Ms. Granger, would you please help?" Dumbledore said. Harry took Draco's hand, their fingers entwined. Fair, pale skin against dark summer tan of Harry's hands. Harry gestured towards Hermione and the three left.

"Harry, Ron won't accept this...whatever this is," Hermione announced as they entered the corridor outside Dumbledore's study.

"He'll have to 'Mione, or he can sod off. He should support me, he's supposed to be my best friend, despite the fact that he hates Draco. I love Draco," Harry said putting a protective arm around Draco's waist.

"Harry, he won't accept it. He will always try and break the two of you up," Hermione reasoned.

Draco opened his mouth for the first time in a long while, and everybody looked at him. "We only have a few months left here, Hermione. Harry and I plan on getting married, and having a bond put in place when we leave," Draco said as they stopped outside the hospital wing.

"'Mione, we wanted you to be the one that performed the bonding spell. Yes, both of us," Harry said in response to Hermione's shocked and sceptical looks. Then she launched herself at them both. Although considerably shorter and not as strong, she pulled them into a bone cracking hug. When she released them there were tears in her eyes.

"Of course, Harry! Of course I'll do it," she cried. Then they all turned and entered the hospital wing.

"I can't believe it. You really love him, don't you, Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry nodded watching Draco getting fussed over by Madame Pomfrey. All four turned as Ron and Professor Dumbledore walked in.

"Harry, Malfoy, I'm sorry. I overreacted. I just wanted you to know, I'm happy for you," Ron said, turning a nice shade of chilli red.

"It's ok, Ron. I should have expected you to overreact," Harry said and Draco nodded his agreement.