Forbidden

Chapter Five: He's Changed

Harry's eyes widened considerably as he felt the silken touch of Draco's lips on his. Out of instinct he shut his eyes and was suddenly awash with sensation. From his fingertips to his toes sung with heat and tingled pleasantly. He took a step toward Malfoy and they were toe-to-toe and chest-to-chest. Draco had wrapped his hand around the back of Harry's neck, his other hand still clasped on the Gryffindor's shirt. Harry's hands laid to rest on the Slytherin's waist.

After a few seconds, Harry pulled away, looking suspiciously at the surprised-looking Draco. An awkward silence settled between them, as their eyes met for a few heartbeats, then Harry heard his name being called.

The dark-haired young man looked down the alley to see his two best friends running toward him. Harry inwardly groaned and sighed.

"Ron, Hermione, what do you want?" Harry asked as they came up to him, panting. Ron looked offended, but Hermione looked pleasantly surprised.

"We were...just looking...for you," Ron said through a stitch in his chest, trying hard not to double over in pain.

"Well, you found me," Harry said, sounding a bit irritable. Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Are you all right, Harry? You look somewhat flushed," Hermione asked, taking a step closer. It seemed the two hadn't noticed Draco Malfoy standing mere inches away from their best friend.

"I'm fine, Hermione," Harry said softly, glancing at Draco. It was just the tiniest glance, but it was enough to get Hermione's attention.

"Malfoy, what are you doing here?" she asked, genuinely shocked.

"Standing, apparently," Malfoy drawled.

"Hermione, don't start anything," Harry warned.

"Why shouldn't I?" Hermione asked. "I'm sure he was harassing you or threatening to curse you or something of that nature!"

"Actually, he wasn't," Harry snapped. "He..." Harry glanced at the Slytherin, who was smirking, but the gesture was empty compared to the sadness hanging from his pupils in silver strands of loneliness and defeat. "He and I talked. We're not at each others' throats anymore."

"Granger...I-I mean, Hermione," Draco said, forcing out her name, "look. This is a really hard time for all of us. I'm not the enemy. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is the enemy. I never meant to do the things I did. I was immature, I was stupid. I'm not asking for forgiveness from you, because I know what I've done and said to you is unforgivable, but Harry and I are now a bit more similar. B-both my parents were killed by...by, You-Know-Who."

Hermione was utterly speechless at this confession. Ron was seething; Harry could see the anger behind the redhead's eyes.

"Ron, are you all right?" Harry asked.

"He's tricking us into feeling sorry for him," Ron said in a low voice. "He's just being the pathetic git he's always been."

"Ron, honestly!" Hermione said. "He hasn't done anything to you!"

"Not today, Hermione!" Ron retorted. "What if this is all a big scam to get us to pity him or some rubbish?"

"Ron, shut up!" Harry shouted. Ron looked highly affronted. "You don't know how it feels...to lose your parents. I can see it in his eyes. He's telling the truth."

Draco looked at him. "Why are you sticking up for me, Harry?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Not sure," Harry replied. "Just feels like the right thing to do."

"Harry!" Hermione said, also affronted.

"What?" Harry replied.

"What's wrong with you?" Ron snapped.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with me!" Harry shot back. "I'm just keeping a more open mind than you!"

"How can you trust him? You said he almost killed Dumbledore!" Hermione said softly.

"I never really wanted to do it! I never wanted to kill the old bat in the first place! You-Know-Who threatened to kill my parents if I didn't do as he asked, and now that I'd failed, they're dead. You hear me? DEAD! Just like Harry's. Everyone always had sympathy for him because he grew up in a parentless family. I've done a lot of things wrong in my life, but don't I deserve a second chance? I've noticed the error in my ways, and I just want to make things right!" Draco said.

Hermione looked convinced, despite the crestfallen and stunned look on her face, but Ron wouldn't give up his furious tirade. Although Draco hadn't said one degrading comment, or one snide remark, Ron still felt the hatred burning within his veins.

"Harry, how could you even begin to trust this git?" Ron asked.

"It's something you don't harbor, Ron; it's called faith," Harry snapped. "You know what? Why don't you just leave me alone for a while? You're being an idiot."

"Me, an idiot? Look who's talking Mister 'I'm going to trust my mortal enemy now!'" Ron shot back.

"Draco is NOT my mortal enemy, Ron!" Harry shouted. "Voldemort is!" Ron and Hermione cringed at the name. "You should know that now. Draco hates him as much as I do. He's done the same to both of us! We're on the same side!"

"Yeah, right," Ron muttered, turning around and walking away from the small group of people. Hermione looked from Ron to Draco and Harry.

"I-I better go," Hermione said softly. With that, she ran after Ron, who was ranting, cursing loudly. Harry shook his head slightly.

"That was to be expected," Draco said softly.

"I know...I just wasn't ready for it," Harry said softly.