The Burn of Acid Tears

"Oh my, never did I even dream that one day you would need my help..."

"Don't push it, Potter," I snapped back at him.

I had almost elapsed why we had been here. We met in the trophy room; gleaming shields and the infamous House Cup shined their mysterious pasts at us through the grimy, cobweb-laden glass. I could sense his hostility and distrust of being here with me, alone, and me about to divulge a secret worth more than the Weasley's whole house. I caught my shallow breath in my chest.

"Are you going to tell me why you called me here with a form of forbidden magic, or do you want to duel right here?" Harry pulled out his wand, ready at the traditional stance.

"No, no, no. Put that away." I waved my hand impatiently. Somewhere a clock struck ten; we were supposed to be in the houses by now.

"Great," he mumbled. Harry turned on me, almost snarling. "If I get caught by Filch just because of you I swear I will not sleep until I learn the worst curse-"

"Save your breath, Potter." I gave him a cool glance. "I' here to discuss the matter of one of your friends..."

"Don't you insult Ron enough in the halls?" He placed his hands on his scrawny hips, giving me a searching look.

"How can you be so thick?" I felt my brow ruffle in revulsion. "I'm talking about Hermione!"

Harry looked as though I had struck him; either that or that he had eaten a whole package of peeper imps in less than a minute.

"HERMIONE?!"

"Yes, Potter, your little friend. That's why I called you here..." I trailed off, not knowing where to begin. "You see, that's why I need your help-"

"My help? With Hermione?"

"Would you let me finish?!" I snarled. "Look, this isn't as easy as it looks or sounds. It's arduous to even reveal this to you. I can't find the exact words so just give me a moment."

"Gee, Draco, if I knew you were going to propose to me then I would have dressed up for the occasion. Go ahead... I can wait for the right words. " He smirked.

"You're really beginning to get on my last nerve Potter..."

"Just remember I'm here on my own will, not receiving anything out of the conversation and risking a detention for your 'feelings'." He leaned against a trophy case. Behind him, the moonlight mirrored the Quiddich Cup; James Potter's name shining through the grime.

"Fine." I bit my lower lip, struggling not to draw blood. "If you help me with what I am about to ask you, I would like to make it clear that you would be forever in my debt."

Harry only rolled his eyes in response.

"Listen, there's no way after I say this that I would ever expect you to do anything for me, but I really need your help. After the way that I've treated you three, I don't expect you to ever see me as anything but a pessimist. However, I did bring up the subject of being in debt to you, which I know you would love to have in your grasp."

He laughed. "Draco, do you think I enjoy having weakness harbored within whatever "power" you seem to think I have? Please. If you want me to help you then fine, but I will only work for something on a good intention."

"Thank you Wally; did you make your bed and fix us breakfast too?"

"Hey, you want me to leave?" He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "The door is still open."

"LOOK!" I had finally snapped. "I like Hermione. Okay? God, if you weren't sent here, I would have never been able to get you alone to talk to you. Now, will you help me?"

Silence and tension heated the air. For a brief moment, I would have thought Harry was going to be sick on the shining floor. Then, he burst out laughing.

"SHHH!" I rushed to him, putting my hand over his mouth. "Do you want Filch to hear you? We could get caught you twit!"

After he had ceased his laugh fit, Harry looked at me with a sly grin on his face, but that soon died too as he saw my face. "Oh my God; you were serious..."

Already annoyed at the lack of reverence I seemed to have gotten from him, I could feel my cheeks beginning to flush. "Damnit Potter, why would I drag you here to do a stand up act?!"

"I'm sorry Malfoy," he said, still catching his breath. "It's just that I would have never expected that to come from your mouth."

"Well, would you like to help me or not?" I impatiently began to tap my foot.

"Why not. This could be really fun. But what're we going to do about Ron?"

I swallowed hard. "What about him. If he and Hermione aren't officially a couple, and if he hasn't asked for your help, then we can't be doing any harm."

Harry began fingering his scar.

"Right?" I asked.

"Yeah, he hasn't said anything about her, so it could turn out fine... but we won't be able to talk just out in the open. W.o.W. messages should be helpful. Just message me if you need help and I'll do the same." He turned to me, now more solemn than ever. "You have any idea what you're doing? You could really get hurt here."

"Nothing hurts more than the burn of acid tears, Potter."