Elementals of Magic: Prophecy of Lies

Chapter 21

Lost

Some time later, Hermione and Ron returned to the Gryffindor common room. The two were holding hands, and Ron had a goofy grin on his face. The two passed by Harry, Ron blatantly ignoring Harry, though Hermione stopped, forcing Ron to stop as well. The redhead refused to look at Harry.

"Harry, can you believe that Ron and I are finally together? Right, Ron?"

Ron grunted. Harry smiled happily at the two of them. At least something good was happening from this.

"That´s great, Herm! Ron, congratulations!"

Ron pretended that he didn´t hear Harry´s words and walked away resolutely, taking Hermione with him. Harry sighed. This was not going to be easy.

It was like Fourth Year, when Ron had stopped speaking to him because he was jealous. Only this time, it wasn´t jealousy. It was anger. Harry still had Hermione and Draco, but Ron was his best friend, and Harry hated it when Ron was mad at him.

It was tough during classes. Hermione sat between the two and made conversation with the both of them, and though Harry responded to both of them, Ron only replied to Hermione and ignored any remarks Harry made.

Hermione was obviously very frustrated, and she commented to Harry that she was trying to persuade Ron, though he still refused to listen to her. When something happened, Harry would picture himself talking to Ron about it, only to remember that the redhead wasn´t speaking to him.

Draco, meanwhile, had not taken it well when Harry told him.

"What do you mean Granger and Weasel know?"

"It´s Ron, Draco. They are my best friends, love. When Herm asked me, I couldn´t help it. Besides, Pansy knows."

Draco´s look darkened at the mention of Pansy´s name.

"I did not tell Parkinson about it, thank you very much. She found out without either of us knowing, but you told them! There was a reason for not telling them! We both knew how the Weasel would react!"

"Ron, Draco, not Weasel."

"He has to prove to me that he deserves to be called Ron."

"What happened between your families?"

"Before we came from France, the Weasleys were the most prestigious family in the U.K. But when my ancestors moved here, we quickly took their place in the social system. They hated us for that. Even now, they still do. And you know how they were reduced to poverty?"

Harry nodded.

"All the money they lost went to my family. It added onto the hatred they had for us, and we had no reason to like them, either."

However, Draco had quickly forgiven him, and Harry was glad about that. He could not afford to lose Draco, not right after he lost Ron.

The Gryffindor was glad that Ron hadn´t told anyone about what he had overheard. Harry had expected Ron to retaliate, but no doubt ´Mione had talked him out of it.

The whole school was aware that Ron was no longer on speaking terms with Harry, and many rumors were circulating around Hogwarts about the cause of the rift. The enmity between the redhead and Draco seemed to be even worse, with Ron constantly taunting Draco mercilessly in the halls and Draco insulting him back with equal vigor. Harry, meanwhile, was found to be restraining Ron and often, roughly pushed aside.

Several days after Hermione and Ron became a couple, an owl arrived for Ron at breakfast. The redhead paled visibly when he saw whom it was from, but when he finished reading it, he was absolutely furious.

"Ginny! How could you talk to Mum? I was going to tell her about me and ´Mione! And she doesn´t have to know about me and Harry!"

Ron stormed away from the table, anger visibly radiating off of him. Hermione quickly scanned the note where he left it at the table, then hurried after her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Ginny had started crying, and Neville patted her awkwardly in a vain effort to console her. Harry didn´t know what to do, so he just sat there and finished breakfast by himself.

Later, Hermione told him about what Mrs. Weasley had written to Ron, how she wanted him to apologize to Harry. She also told him that Ron had told her that he would not. Harry sighed in defeat while Hermione tried to cheer him up by telling him that Ron had started allowing her to mention his name, which did not help Harry´s mood much.

Draco became Harry´s only sanctuary. The blonde had started opening up to him more, and Harry had started to understand more about the xanthochroid. The Gyffindor also found himself confiding in the other more than he had ever confided in Ron.

Draco, meanwhile, was still not speaking to Pansy. He was determined to make the girl talk to him first, and Pansy felt exactly the same way. It was also becoming a bit harder to shake off Crabbe and Goyle, but the blonde was able to accomplish it.

What he didn´t know was that the two had become more of Pansy´s minions than his own. He also didn´t know that Slytherin House had noticed the lack of his presence, and he most certainly did not know that Pansy chose to be conveniently absent when he was. Nor did he know that Vince and Greg were helping things along by talking about the two of them.

Pansy, however, did. And she resented Potter more and more for what he did to her Draco. Draco should have been able to notice all of this, yet he hadn´t, not since Potter came into the picture. He had also become less careful, and it would be quite easy to follow him if anybody wanted to. However, the only person who truly hated Draco was Blaise, and since the other Slytherin was gone, Draco had it easy.

She knew that Draco was going to make her apologize, and she truly wanted to. Yet, Pansy wanted to prove that she could live without Draco. The brunette often caught herself staring at the blonde, though she quickly snapped herself out of it and made sure that no one noticed the display.

Vince and Greg, meanwhile, observed all three of them closely. Their fathers had owled them and told them that there was an initiation due in the summer and that the two would most certainly be in it. Crabbe and Goyle Sr. had told them to not let their fathers down, to make sure that they made their families proud.

Both young men knew that they would have to go through with the initiation. However, neither knew whether or not they were going to become spies, like Snape. They certainly did not want the fate that befell the older man to happen to them. Snape had been very careful, playing the double agent, yet he had still been caught. And the two could not bear the thought if that were to happen.

Draco was bound to become a spy, what with his current relationship with Potter. Pansy, meanwhile, would no doubt switch sides. She would definitely support Draco, no matter what side he was on. It was sad, in a way, Pansy´s unrequited love for Draco, but no one ever said that life was fair.

They had had to conceal their identities their whole lives, to keep others from looking past them. And while doing this, they had found each other. They had worked together, since what they did was basically the same, and they had developed a relationship from it.

Love wasn´t meant for them. Love was meant for the weak. Yet, even the strongest would cave in to love. Draco had, and he was not supposed to, due to his Malfoy Upbringing. Their relationship was supposed to be nothing personal, yet it had become personal.

Pansy was remarkable in how she dealt with Draco and Potter´s relationship, especially given how she felt about the two of them, together and by themselves. The brunette had been brought up to hate Potter and all that he stood for, and she had been brought up to please Draco. Falling in love with him hadn´t been expected, but it had happened.

She had pretended as if nothing had happened. In fact, it still appeared as if the two were still talking to each other, when that was the furthest thing from the truth. But Vince and Greg knew that it pained her, that a dagger had been stabbed through her heart, not that she let it show. Parkinsons were strong, and Pansy had to uphold her family honor.

Yes, everything was becoming more and more complex as time went by.

***

March 28 arrived quite fast for everyone. On that particular Saturday, Harry found himself surrounded by well-wishers. The Gryffindor smiled back at them and thanked them, though mentally, he knew that he would disappoint all of them when he did not complete his task.

The same thing happened with Draco. Another party had already been prepared, as everyone believed that Draco would take the lead, as always. Draco was stoic, like usual, Pansy sitting by him and chatting to the air in front of them. They weren´t speaking, but appearances had to be kept.

All too soon, breakfast was over, and the student population of Hogwarts trudged outside. The leaves had started turning green once more, and light green lined the brown of the tree branches. The grass had started growing again, though the student body trampled on the shoots when they gathered on the front lawn.

Standing in front of the steps were Harry, Draco, Terry, and Susan. When Professor Dumbledore walked down the steps, everyone stopped talking and turned to look at him. The High Table was, once again, placed by the steps, and Dumbledore walked to his place.

"It´s time for Hufflepuff´s Test! Our champions have received instructions for this task, and we shall see if they can accomplish it! Champions, get ready," Terry tensed, "and go!"

Terry quickly ran up the steps while the other three just stood. A screen stood in front of the doors, and the pupils followed Terry´s progress through the castle.

Many Gryffindors shot Harry confused looks while the Slytherins muttered amongst themselves and conspired against Draco.

Ten minutes later, Terry returned, holding a black leather-bound book in his hand.

"Hey, that´s mine!" shouted another Ravenclaw, fighting thought the crowd to reach Terry, though to no avail as several Ravenclaws restrained him.

Dumbledore stood up.

"Good job, Mr. Boot. However, Hufflepuff valued loyalty, and this test tests the faithfulness of each of you. Twenty-five points shall go to Mr. Boot. Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Potter, and Miss Bones shall each receive fifty points for not carrying out their tasks! Each of you shall receive a slip of parchment on April 17, a Friday, which will tell you about the last contest. The last contest shall occur on Thursday, June 10, the day after exams. Champions, beware that N.E.W.T.s are at the end of May, and you do have to take those."

Draco was swept away by the Slytherins, congratulating him for figuring out the trick. Harry was surrounded by Gryffindors who pushed him toward Gryffindor Tower. Terry, meanwhile, was on the ground, the other Ravenclaw pummeling his face. A ring of Ravenclaws surrounded them, cheering and betting. The last thing Harry saw before entering the castle was Professor McGonagall busting over to them.

***

"Great job, Harry!" Hermione congratulated. Ron was still avoiding Harry, and he stayed as far away as possible, pointedly glaring at Hermione so that she would hurry up. Hermione, however, pretended to not notice it.

The Creevey brothers bombarded Harry and refused to leave his side while all the raven-haired boy wanted to do was to sneak out and wait for Draco.

The party lasted from morning to after midnight, with many Gryffindors congratulating Harry for a job well done and telling him that he could very well exceed Malfoy´s lead and win. Finally, sometime before midnight, Harry made his way upstairs while everyone else was still busy partying. He grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and proceeded downstairs, then slipped by Ron when the redhead left for more food from the kitchens.

Harry made his way to the regular spot, almost bumping into Filch on the way, who looked around suspiciously before continuing on his nightly rounds of the castle. When the Gryffindor arrived, he found Draco asleep, sprawled on top of the covers. The blonde looked absolutely angelic, pale gold strands of hair framing the soft face.

Harry gently brushed a lock of hair away from the beautiful face, so innocent in sleep. His rough fingers accidentally stroked against the face, and the smooth skin was deathly cold. The Gryffindor slid the covers out from under Draco, then covered the smaller boy with the warm material. Harry then slid under the covers and wrapped his arms around Draco, eyes closing in contentment. They stayed that way for the rest of the night.

***

"Ron, please, go talk to Harry," Hermione pleaded. The brunette had left the Gryffindor common room for some peace and quiet so that she could study for N.E.W.T.s, and she took Ron with her. The two were studying the same book, though more often than not, Hermione´s attention was diverted by Ron, who was distracting her from studying some way or other. Ron had tried to snog her, but Hermione adamantly refused, saying that such activity was inappropriate while they were in the Library.

Ron´s face darkened.

"Why? He betrayed us for our enemy, remember?"

"But Harry´s been your best friend ever since First Year, Ron. Don´t you think you owe it to him to listen to what he has to say?"

"I knew you would take his side, ´Mione," grumbled the redhead, and he started to stand up from the chair that they were sharing.

"Ron, you know that´s not true! You know that I love you!"

"Funny way of showing your love, Herm."

A dark look passed over Hermione´s face, and she slammed the N.E.W.T. preparation book shut. The brunette stood up in anger.

"Fine then, Ron, have it your way," Hermione whispered, feeling tears well up in her eyes. She quickly pushed past the redhead and headed for the door. Ron stood looking after her but quickly ran after her once he comprehended that they were about to break up if he didn´t do something fast, like stop her from leaving the Library and their relationship.

The redhead caught Hermione right before she reached the door. Hermione glared at him.

"Move aside, Ron."

Ron´s hands grabbed Hermione´s shoulders, and she looked up at him.

"Get your hands off me, Ronald Weasley."

Ron could see tears shimmering in his love´s eyes, and he felt awful for causing Hermione to cry.

"Hear me out, ´Mione. I´m just tired of Harry always being in the spotlight. You know that, don´t you? I´m sorry for hurting you, and I´ll think about talking to Harry. Okay? Don´t cry anymore, love. My heart breaks when you do."

Hermione gave a great sob and threw her arms around Ron, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. Ron, meanwhile, removed his hands from her shoulders and wrapped them around the brunette´s waist while he kissed the Head Girl´s tears away.

"Ron...I love you."

"I love you too, ´Mione."

The happy couple heard someone clear her throat, and they turned towards the source of the sound. Hermione immediately blushed and quickly extracted herself from Ron, hastily wiping her tears away. Madame Pince glared at the two of them.

"I will not tolerate such displays in the future, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger. I thought you knew better than that, Miss Granger, having been in here for seven years. If you wish to do such things, do them during your own time and leisure. The Library is a place of quietness and studiousness, not a place for couples to make up. That´s why we have an Astronomy Tower."

"Yes, Madame," Hermione replied, then sent an affronted look at Ron. The brunette, however, abandoned her book and linked her fingers with Ron´s, then walked back to Gryffindor Tower with the redhead to enjoy the party, which was still going strong and had not died down in the tiniest bit.

***

Draco awoke to find himself wrapped in Harry´s arms, and he snuggled closer to the Gryffindor. They had slept the night away under the jade green covers in the room, and it was the first time that they had spent the night in each other´s arms.

Draco looked at Harry. The wild, unruly black hair that refused to listen, the sparkling emerald eyes full of life, the tanned and rough skin from years of work, it was all Harry and only Harry. It was part of his innocence, not just in appearance but also in spirit. And it was part of what Draco loved about Harry, part of what he would never have again.

Draco lay, content to listen to Harry breathe and feel his chest moving up and down in time with his slow and rhythmic breathing. If only everyday could be like this, lying in Harry´s arms and knowing that Harry loved him, knowing that he had someone who lived for him. But there was no peace to be had, not yet anyway.

Over the summer, Lucius had told him that as soon as he graduated from Hogwarts, he would be initiated. And Lucius had told Draco that he had to uphold the family honor and master everything that he needed to know and make their Master proud.

Draco had no doubt that he would become a spy, like Uncle Sevvy. Poor Uncle Sevvy, who died with no one praising him except the old fool Dumbledore. He had no love to mourn for him, no love to put flowers on his grave, no love to cry about him and miss him and want him. Draco did miss Uncle Sevvy and how the blonde could always talk to the older man, but a Godson was not the same as a lover, and it had all been the werewolf´s fault.

He, however, would have Harry, always and forever. Harry, who would wait for him, who would soothe and comfort him, who would hold him, who would cry for him, who would save him, who would love him.

When Draco gazed back at his lover, he found himself looking into beautiful green eyes that shone happily back at him. Harry´s hands tightened around the xanthochroid.

"Good morning, love," Harry whispered.

"Same here. How long have you been here?"

"Since about midnight. I´m sorry for keeping you waiting for so long that you fell asleep."

Draco shrugged.

"If this is what I get every time, then it´s worth it." And saying this, the blonde leaned over and placed a kiss on Harry´s wonderfully delicious lips. Harry responded eagerly, and soon, the two were writhing under the covers.

Finally, the two young men separated.

"It´s late. I´ll have to get back," Draco whispered.

"Already?" Harry asked, pouting.

"Love, as much as I want to stay with you, I´m not in a House with idiots who aren´t able to see what´s right under their noses."

"Hey!" cried Harry indignantly in a joking way.

"I´ll see you later, love," Draco said as he unwillingly slid away from Harry and out of the bed, smoothing his robes and grabbing his Invisibility Cloak. He gave one last look filled with want and love to Harry before exiting the room. Moments later, Harry followed, walking in the opposite direction.

A pair of mahogany-colored eyes followed the two of them in their path, and lips made red with lipstick curved in an arrogant smirk. She had both of them where she wanted them, and soon, Draco would be hers.

***

Ron was awake when Harry sneaked back into the dorms. Seamus and Dean had had a hot night together, and Neville was a heavy sleeper. He, however, had known that Harry hadn´t been in bed the whole night, and the redhead did not want to know what the other young man might have been doing with Malfoy.

Ron didn´t know what to do. He had told Hermione that he would consider talking to Harry, and he had. Harry had been his best friend since First Year, and the other Gryffindor never judged him by his wealth or by his stature in society. Also, Harry never asked to be a celebrity; fame had been thrust upon him ever since he was one.

However, Ron was still jealous of Harry´s fame, even though he never asked for it. The redhead had been overshadowed by his brothers his whole life--Bill, Head Boy; Charlie, Seeker; Percy, another Head Boy; and Fred and George, the infamous troublemakers that even rivaled James Potter and Sirius Black. It just wasn´t fair that he was always the one in the shadows of everyone else.

Also, there was the fact that Harry was seeing Malfoy. Malfoy! Malfoy, who had done everything he could to ruin their lives ever since First Year. Malfoy, who had almost caused Hagrid to be sacked. Malfoy, who had taunted him constantly about the state of his family´s finances. Malfoy, whose Dad had slipped Ginny the diary of Tom Riddle. Malfoy, who had been nothing but a nasty git to Hermione. Malfoy, who treated them like inferiors and could care less about any of them, especially Harry.

And yet, somehow, Harry had forgotten all that. Harry had forgotten all the wrongs that Malfoy had done to them and had somehow managed to fall in love with that prat. Ron was pretty sure that the slimy git was just using Harry and would probably hand him over to You-Know-Who. But if Harry couldn´t see that, then what was the use of him talking to the other boy? Ron debated over whether he should talk to Harry or not and fell asleep considering it.

***

Draco carefully made his way to the Slytherin common room. When he arrived, he whispered the password and made his way inside, cautiously stepping over the drunken figures lying about in the room. As the blonde was about to make his way to his dorm, he heard the stone wall sliding open and shut behind him.

The xanthochroid turned around to look at the newcomer. It was Pansy, holding a white cloak in her hand. His Merging Cloak. Her eyes lit up in surprise when she saw Draco standing near the steps to the boys´ dorms.

"What are you doing with my Cloak, Pansy?" Draco asked harshly. The brunette did not have his permission to borrow such valuable things, both in monetary value and in sentimental value.

Draco then noticed the dull look in Pansy´s eyes, the dull look that he had never seen before. Her dark brown eyes were always lively and cheerful. Besides being dull, the eyes were also red-rimmed and puffy, though it looked more like she hadn´t had enough sleep than due to her crying somewhere away from their territory where she could be caught by anyone.

Pansy just looked at him tiredly before handing him the Cloak. Draco received it bewilderingly, not expecting Pansy to remain silent. He called after her, forgetting that they were not speaking.

"Pansy, wait."

Pansy looked back at him, again with the tired and deadened look in her eyes.

"Don´t, Draco. Don´t," she whispered brokenly before heading to her dorm, not even caring that Draco had spoken to her and leaving him to stare after her confusedly, wondering why she hadn´t responded to him even though they hadn´t talked for weeks.

____________________________

I have made it up to all of you last week!

Thanks to:

Bookworm - Xie xie!!

Angels Prayer

Talaquinn - What do you mean by radical? And yeah, I know that Vic is really vague.

TarotBabyGirl - This fic should have about 30-40 chapters, as much as I can manage because I love writing! More H&D moments, of course! I love writing them together, and it´s still kinda new, so not a lot yet.

Zeaira Winchester

And all readers!!!