263Chapter 5: Getting Closer
Chapter 5
Getting Closer
The next morning, Harry woke up to a long letter from his dad.
Harry,
You must know how hard I am fighting to come to Hogwarts immediately. A dementor!? Your boggart is the most dangerous dark creature in the world! I cannot see how you can make a dementor funny, maybe making its robes white with red polka-dots but still. I am happy that your professor jumped in front of you when the dementor-boggart came, believe me I know how much a dementor can affect you. Sorry bout that, seems you got that from me. But, I know that the next time, if there is one, you can take care of that boggart! After all, you are the best son in the world! (Whose dad is the best Auror in the world Haha!) I'm happy that you finally have a professor who knows his stuff, I really am, it's just I wish that it was someone different from him. But hey, enough about that!
So, you must tell me all about this Blaise guy. He sounds like a great guy, and I say go for that friendship! By the way you describe him, it seems like you already like him so why not? Though, it doesn't matter I would like to know his last name… Not that it matters, just would like to know your new friend's name. And what house is he in? Sounds like a Ravenclaw if you ask me, but again I just want to know. Man… can't believe I'm getting excited for you getting a new friend. It's like that time when you were five and I took you to that muggle shop to get Snuffles here! Remember?
Miss you Harry, but I'm really happy everything's seem to be working out.
Love,
Dad
Harry smiled at the letter. At least his he has his father's approval with Blaise, even if he doesn't know that Blaise is a Slytherin. "What are you grinning about Harry?" Ron asked as he and Hermione sat down on either side of him at the Gryffindor Table.
"Letter from dad," Harry said. "He's happy with Professor Lupin-Black, I think. Says that he's glad we finally have someone who knows their stuff."
"Me too," Ron agreed, and it seemed to be the popular opinion in the school.
In no time at all, Defense Against the Dark Arts had become most people's favorite class. Only Draco Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins had anything bad to say about Professor Lupin-Black. But Harry noticed that Malfoy's insults were less hurtful than the others, his comments getting either a glare or nudge in the shoulders by Blaise.
No one cared about the insults the Slytherins could think of, however. His next few lessons were just as interesting as the first. After boggarts, they studied Red Caps, nasty little goblinlike creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed. From Red Caps they moved on to kappas, creepy water-dwellers that looked like scaly monkeys, with webbed hands itching to strangle unwitting wades in their ponds.
Harry wished that his other classes would be as good as Professor Lupin-Black's. He was growing to dread the hours he spent in Professor Trelawney's stifling tower room, deciphering lopsided shapes and symbols, trying to ignore the way Professor Trelawney's enormous eyes filled with tears every time she looked at him. He couldn't like the professor, even though she was treated with respect bordering on reverence by many of the class. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown had taken to haunting Professor Trelawney's tower room at lunchtimes, and always returned with annoyingly superior looks on their faces, as though they knew things the others didn't. They had also started using hushed voices whenever they spoke to Harry, as though he were on his deathbed.
One of the only good things about Care of Magical Creatures, Harry thought, was that it gave him and Blaise a chance to talk to each other without anyone noticing. The class had become extremely dull after the first action-packed class, and though it hurt Harry's heart to take advantage of Hagrid's lost of confidence, he and Blaise barely had any time to speak at all.
At the start of October, Quidditch season was approaching again. Oliver Wood called a meeting one Thursday evening to discuss tactics for the new season. Oliver Wood was a burly sixteen year old, and Harry's Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. He was in his next to last year, and had been captain ever since Harry joined the Quidditch team in his first year. There was a sort of desperation in his voice as he addressed his six fellow team members in the chilly locker rooms on the edge of the darkening Quidditch field. Harry noticed that his eyes kept on lingering towards the Weasley Twins, who were both leaning against the lockers.
"This is our last chance to win the Quidditch Cup," he told them, striding up and down in front of them. "Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now. Okay, so we've had the worst luck in the world—injuries—then the tournament getting called off last year. …" Wood swallowed, as though the memory still brought a lump in his throat. Harry couldn't help but stare at him, noting his muscles and the way his neck moved when he swallowed. "But we also know we've got the best—ruddy—team—in—the—school," he said, punching a fist into his other hand, the old manic glint back in his eye. Harry's cheeks became rosy.
"We've got three superb Chasers."
Wood pointed at Alicia Spinner, Angelina Johnson, and Katie Bell.
"We've got two unbeatable Beaters."
"Stop it Oliver, you're embarrassing us," Fred and George said together, pretending to blush. Harry could have sworn he saw Wood wink at them.
"And we've got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!" Wood rumbled, glaring at Harry with a kind of furious pride. "And me," he added as an afterthought.
"And we think you're very good too, Oliver," George said.
"Spanking good Keeper," Fred said.
"The point is," Wood went on, resuming his pacing, "the Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since Harry joined the team, I've thought the thing was in the bag. But we haven't got it, and this year's the last chance we'll get to finally see our name on the thing…"
Wood spoke so dejectedly that even Fred and George looked sympathetic.
"Oliver, this year's our year!" George said.
"We'll do it Oliver!" Angelina said.
"Definitely," Harry said.
Filled with determination, the team started training sessions, three evenings a week. During these sessions, Harry noticed that Wood would stay near the twins, barking orders at them, and making sure that they do everything perfect. Wood seems to be extra hard on George, Harry seemed to notice, as he always talked to George personally or had his eyes on the twin when addressing them both.
During the weeks that followed, Harry and Blaise continued to become closer, starting to share childhood stories whenever they met in the empty classrooms. One evening, Blaise walked in with a smirk. "What would you say if I can make you and Draco some personal time?"
Harry looked at him shocked. "Me and Draco alone in a room?" he asked. Ever since the Buckbeak incident, he wanted to talk to Malfoy alone, but never had the chance. Whenever he would try to even suggest it, Crabbe and Goyle would block his way and Malfoy would softly glare at him. "How did you even get him away from Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Easy, Draco and I are best friends," Blaise shrugged. He smiled at Harry and moved the next he was sitting on next to Harry's. Harry became suddenly aware of how close his body was to Blaise's. Blaise smiled and took in a deep breath. "What do you do Harry? You always smell like apples and cinnamon."
"Stop it!" Harry blushed, pushing Blaise away from him. Blaise laughed and smiled at him. "So Potter, did you figure it out yet?"
"Figure what out?" Harry asked, confused.
Blaise smiled and took a step closer to Harry. "How we're all the same, Harry," he said. "You… me and Draco. There is just one special thing that we all have in common. Even if all of us haven't figured it out yet."
Harry frowned at Blaise. He tried thinking about what they all had in common, but school work and now Quidditch Practice distracted him. He quickly tried to think of something, anything, so he said, "After our first err meeting, I ran into something."
"What was it Harry?" Blaise asked.
"Well… will you promise me that you won't tell anyone?" Harry asked. Blaise nodded, so Harry said, "I ran into George, err George Weasley, and he was kissing a guy."
"Really?" Blaise smiled, looking at Harry with great interest. "Did it make you feel any different?"
Harry blushed and looked down. "I don't know how to describe it. My heart started pounding, my head started swimming and my—you know, it umm started to grow."
Blaise chuckled and said, "You are so cute Harry. So innocent. What you described was perfectly normal. It's called an erection."
"What!" Harry said, his cheeks going red. "Blaise, I don't want this conversation."
"But it'll be better to hear it from me, trust me," Blaise said.
"How do you know all this stuff anyway?" Harry demanded.
Blaise shrugged and smirked at Harry. "Draco taught me."
"Malfoy…" Harry said softly. He stood up from his desk and walked towards the teacher's desk. He breathed deeply and looked at Blaise. "Alright… what's an erection?"
"It's when your penis gets hard," Blaise said. "It shows that you're very happy in a… special way."
"Special?" Harry asked, frowning slightly. "But it happened when I saw George and a boy kissing. It make me feel… weird-like. George saw me and talked with me afterwards. He said he was gay. He asked me if I thought I was gay as well after that and…"
"And what?"
"I didn't know how to answer it," Harry admitted. Blaise nodded and strolled towards Harry. He leaned against the teacher's desk, but kept a respectable distance. "And now?" he asked.
Harry frowned. He did not know how to answer. It was true that he noticed more about guys then girls, and just remembering George's and the boy's kiss stirred his penis. "I don't know…" he said honestly.
"Well, how about this?" Blaise asked, moving to sit down next to Harry. He gently took Harry's hand in his and brought it up between their heads. Harry watched uncertain as Blaise brought his hand closer to his head. "How does it feel?" Blaise breathed, his breath hitting Harry's cold white skin. Harry gasped as he watched Blaise bend down and kiss his hand. His stomach turned, his head started to feel light again as his body reacted positively to the kiss. A smile graced his face as Blaise looked up at Harry, a small smile.
"I… I like it," Harry admitted, his hand curling around Blaise's. Blaise smiled and said, "Good. So my cute Gryffindor, have you found out?"
"How we're all the same?" Harry asked. Blaise nodded. "I think so… we're all gay. You, me and Malfoy… we all like boys."
"Exactly Harry!" Blaise grinned. His arm moved to wrap around Harry's shoulders. "I'm gay. Knew ever since I was ten. Draco's gay as well, and now you figured it out."
Harry blushed and nodded. "I'm gay," he said more confidently. "I am gay." Repeating it, it was as if the world suddenly made sense to Harry. He likes boys, he is gay, just as Blaise, George and Malfoy. He smiled at Blaise and said, "Thanks…"
"No problem Harry," Blaise said. He led the Gryffindor away from the teacher's desk and towards the closed door. "Harry… now I think I can ask you this."
"W-What is it Blaise?" Harry asked.
"I want to be with you," Blaise said. "Outside the classrooms. I want your friendship to be out in the open. … Can it be?"
"Yeah," Harry said softly. "I want that too."
"Great!" Blaise smiled. He opened the door for Harry and the two walked through. The corridor was empty and Harry turned to Blaise as the Slytherin's arm moved from his shoulders. "I have to talk to George," Harry said seriously. "I'll see you later."
"Right, see you Harry," Blaise smiled. He watched as Harry turned and ran down the corridor. Blaise smirked, feeling really good about himself as he casually walked back towards the Slytherin Dungeons. When he entered the Slytherin Common room, he saw Draco in his personal seat by the fireplace, Crabbe and Goyle flanking him as he worked through his homework. "Hey Draco!" Blaise said as he walked towards him.
Crabbe and Goyle stood up and blocked his view of Draco, their arms crossed. Blaise rolled his eyes and said, "Can you get the squibs out of the way?"
"Move," Draco said lazily, not looking up from his homework. The two looked at each other, before moving out of the way, allowing Blaise to approach his best friend. "Want to talk with you alone Draco," he said, sitting down next to Draco.
Draco looked up from his assignment and looked at Crabbe and Goyle. "Leave us," he said. The two waited till Crabbe and Goyle left through the stairs and he turned to Blaise. "What is it?" he asked.
Blaise smirked and said, "Did you know that Harry Potter smells of apples and cinnamon? And when he blushes, his ears turn a bright red?"
Draco stopped writing and glared at his friend. "Why are you telling me this? Why are you even near Potter? Haven't I told you he is mine?"
Blaise shrugged and said, "You weren't making a move. Besides, he's free game. He just came out to himself today. In front of me. His friend."
Draco continued to glare at his friend. "Blaise," he said his voice deep and icy. "What are you trying to do?"
Blaise just smirked and laughed. "Well, since you're too busy being a prick to the poor boy, I decided to show him how nice we can be. And besides, I'm starting to like the boy. He is really cute, you know." Draco continued to glare at his friend, anger and jealousy clear in his eyes. "Well Draco … if you want a shot at Harry, I guess I could take a step back."
"You better Zabini," Draco said. Blaise just smiled at his friend and said, "Of course Draco. We're going to meet the day before Hogsmeade in the classroom on the second floor. You go in my stead, and try and have a civil conversation with him. He really does want to be your friend."
"Friend," Draco said. "Potter wants to be my friend?" He couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Harry isn't his father, Draco. You should know plenty about that," Blaise frowned. That earned Blaise a sharp look from his friend. "Look, just give the boy a chance alright? He deserves it."
"Whatever," Draco shrugged. Blaise took that in a positive light and looked down at what Draco was writing. "So, working on McGonagall's essay?"
Draco just glanced at his friend for the abrupt topic change and nodded. "Yeah, been working on it for an hour."
"Going to let the squibs copy off of you?" Blaise smirked.
"Of course not!" Draco said. "They're stupid enough to suffer through this." Blaise chuckled and relaxed into his seat. "So, ready for Quidditch?"
Harry found George and Fred with their friend Lee Jordon in a small courtyard, talking in hushed tones. "George… I need to tell you something. It's… important," he said when he walked up to them.
The three of them looked up and Fred said, "Hiya Harry, what you need?"
"Umm I need to tell George something… but maybe it'll be better if I tell you too," Harry said, looking at Fred and Lee. George nodded understandingly and said with a knowing smile, "What you want to say Harry?"
Harry took a deep breath and looked at the twins. "Fred… George… I'm gay," Harry said, his confidence slowly growing in himself. He let out a smile and said, "I'm gay."
George gave a smile while Fred held a playful smirk. Lee just looked at him and said, "Congrats mate."
"Thanks Harry, I know how difficult this could be," George said.
"Yeah! Now I have two gay guys to tease," Fred said lightheartedly. "We the first ones you told?"
"Umm yeah…" Harry admitted. "You guys are the first ones… except for the guy who helped me realize."
Fred smirked and opened his mouth, but George covered it with his hand. "So Harry, are you ready to tell Ron and Hermione? Or you think it's too soon?"
"I think I'll wait… I'm still processing it myself. I just wanted you to know," Harry said, looking a bit bashful. "Where are they anyway?"
"Back in the Common Room," George said. Harry nodded and waved them goodbye, feeling excellent about himself. He just came out for the second time in front of four people in total, and he and Blaise agreed to be open about their friendship! The day couldn't have gone any better if he planned it. On his way back to Gryffindor Tower, he decided that yes, he will wait to tell Ron and Hermione. Until then, he'll just have to act like nothing changed, because honestly nothing has.
Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room one evening after training, cold and stiff but pleased with the way practice had gone, to find the room buzzing excitedly. "What's happened?" he asked Ron and Hermione, who were sitting in two of the best chairs by the fireside and completing some star charts for Astronomy.
"First Hogsmeade weekend," Ron said, pointing at a notice that had appeared on the battered old bulletin board. "End of October. Halloween."
Harry threw himself into a chair beside Ron, his high spirits ebbing away. Hermione seemed to read his mind.
"Harry, I'm sure you'll be able to go next time," she said. "I'm sure your dad will change your mind once the dementors are gone."
"Ask McGonagall if you can go this time, Harry," Ron said. "The next one might not be for ages—"
"Ron!" Hermione said. "Harry's supposed to stay in school—"
"He can't be the only third year left behind," Ron said. "Ask McGonagall, go on, Harry—"
"Yeah, I think I will," Harry said, making up his mind.
Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but at that moment Crookshanks leapt lightly onto her lap. A large, dead spider was dangling from his mouth.
"Does he have to eat that in front of us?" Ron said, scowling.
"Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?" Hermione said.
Crookshanks slowly chewed up the spider, his yellow eyes fixed insolently on Ron.
"Just keep him over there, that's all," Ron said irritably, turning back to his star chart. "I've got Scabbers asleep in my bag."
"You know," Harry yawned. "Snuffles used to catch spiders and insects like that too." He really wanted to go to bed, but he still had his own star chart to complete. He pulled his bag toward him, took out parchment, ink, and quill, and started work.
Ron offered Harry his work to copy, which Hermione disapproved of but didn't say anything, instead just pursing her lips. Crookshanks was still staring unblinkingly at Ron, flicking the end of his bushy tail. Then, without warning, he pounced.
"Oy!" Ron roared, seizing his bag as Crookshanks sank four sets of claws deep inside it and began tearing ferociously. "Get off, you stupid animal!"
Ron tried to pull the bag away from Crookshanks, but Crookshanks clung on, spitting and slashing.
"Ron, don't hurt him!" Hermione squealed; the whole common room was watching; Ron shirled the bag around, Crookshanks still clinging to it, and Scabbers came flying out of the top. Ron yelled as Crookshanks freed himself from the remnants of the bag, sprang over the table, and chased after the terrified Scabbers.
Scabbers streaked through twenty pairs of legs and shot beneath an old chest of drawers. Crookshanks skidded to a half, crouched low on his bandy legs, and started making furious swipes beneath it with his front paw. Ron and Hermione hurried over, Hermione grabbed Crookshanks around the middle and heaved him away; Ron threw himself onto his stomach and, with great difficulty, pulled Scabbers out by the tail.
"Look at him!" he said furiously to Hermione, dangling Scabbers in front of her. "He's skin and bone! You keep that cat away from him!"
"Crookshanks doesn't understand it's wrong!" Hermione said, her voice shaking. "All cats cases rats, Ron!"
"True!" Harry called in, looking up from his stars chart. "Dad calls Snuffles our big rat killer. Though he finally taught him to stop presenting the dead rats to us when he…" He looked at Ron's horrified face and stopped talking.
Ron just glared at Crookshanks and said, "That cat's got it in for Scabbers!" He ignored the people around him, who were starting to giggle. "And Scabbers was here first, and he's ill!"
Ron marched through the common room and out of sight up the stairs to the boys' dormitories. He was still angry at Hermione the next day, barely talking to her throughout Herbology even though he, Hermione, and Harry were standing at the same table. They had Transfiguration next. Harry, who had resolved to ask Professor McGonagall after the lesson whether he could go into Hogsmeade with the rest, joined the line outside the class trying to decide how he was going to argue his case.
There was a disturbance, but he paid it no mind as Lavender Brown mourned for her dead rabbit. To make his case look best, Harry tried extra hard during Transfiguration, trying to be as a perceptive and attentive as Hermione. Harry still hadn't decided what he was going to say to Professor McGonagall when the bell rang at the end of the lesson, but it was she who brought up the subject of Hogsmeade first.
"One moment please!" she called as the class made to leave. "As you're all in my House, you should hand Hogsmeade permission forms to me before Halloween. No form, no visiting the village, so don't forget!"
Neville put his hand. "Please, Professor, I—I think I've lost—"
"Your grandmother sent yours to me directly, Longbottom," Professor McGonagall said. "She seemed to think it was safer. Well, that's all, you may leave."
"Ask her now," Ron hissed at Harry.
"Oh, but—" Hermione began.
Harry waited for the rest of the class to disappear, then headed nervously for Professor McGonagall's desk.
"Yes, Potter?"
Harry took a deep breath. "Professor, my dad—er—forgot to sign my form," he said.
Professor McGonagall looked over her square spectacles at him but didn't say anything.
"So—er—d'you think it would be all right—I mean, will it be okay if I—if I go to Hogsmeade?"
Professor McGonagall looked down and began shuffling papers on her desk. "I'm afraid not, Potter," she said. "You heard what I said. No form, no visiting the village. That's the rule." She stood up and piled her papers neatly into a drawer. "The form clearly states that the parent or guardian must give permission." She turned to look at him, with an odd expression on her face. Was it pity? "I'm sorry, Potter, but that's my final word. You had better hurry, or you'll be late for your next lesson."
There was nothing to be done. Ron called Professor McGonagall a lot of names that greatly annoyed Hermione; Hermione assumed an "all-for-the-best" expression that made Ron even angrier, and Harry had to endure everyone in the class talking loudly and happily about what they were going to do first, once they get into Hogsmeade.
Harry and Blaise did not get any chance to hang out in public, the only time the two talked was for Blaise to tell Harry about his and Malfoy's meeting on the day before Halloween. So, Harry's mood was only slightly lifted as he thought about their eventual meeting. At least he had one thing to look forward to.
On the day of their meeting, Harry waited inside the classroom on the second floor. He was feeling nervous as he waited, pacing back and forth. He was both anticipating and dreading the door opening. His heart was pounding, a blush graced his face for the last ten minutes, and felt a gigantic lump in his throat.
Then, quite suddenly, the door opened and Harry jumped in surprise. Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway, without his usual followers Crabbe and Goyle. This was the first time Harry had a clear look at the Malfoy heir and the lump in his throat softened slightly. Somehow he felt calmer as Malfoy walked in, as if the temperature of the room cooled down immediately as Malfoy closed the door behind him.
The Ice Prince was tall, Harry was certain that the top of his head could only brush Malfoy's chin. Harry watched as Malfoy strutted toward him, stopping only five feet away. "Potter," Malfoy said.
"Malfoy," Harry replied, the knot in his voice making it uncharacteristically high. Malfoy looked around, his silver eyes trying to look anywhere but Harry. "Err," Harry said, not knowing what to say. "I guess Blaise told you about our meeting…"
"Yes, he did," Malfoy said shortly. "He also told me many other things."
"W-What?" Harry said, worried about what his friend might have told Malfoy. "What things?"
"For one," Malfoy said, walking forward towards Harry. He grabbed Harry's arm and pulled the boy closer to him. He was right, his head barely touched Malfoy's chin. "Blaise told me that you smell of apples and cinnamon. … And it seems he's right," Malfoy smirked, taking in a deep breath next to Harry's ear.
Harry breathed sharply and stepped back from Malfoy. Malfoy just smirked and crossed his arms. "Why am I here Potter?"
"I just… wanted us to talk," Harry said.
"Talk?" Malfoy asked. "And why should we talk, Potter?"
"I… I just wanted to know you," Harry said.
"Potter, we've known each other for two full years."
"I know but I want to know you… like how Blaise knows you… I don't know how to say it," Harry said in irritation. "It's just my mind is a jumbled mess and in the center is just you. You're everything my dad hates. A Slytherin, a Malfoy, a pompous ass, and yet… I… don't… hate … you. …Even though you're a massive prat."
Malfoy smirked at Harry. "A pompous ass? Is that how you think of me Potter?"
"No! … Yes… I don't know!" Harry said. "I know what my dad says about your family, and I know your reputation of the school, and I definitely know how you act in front of others but…" Harry stopped, trying to pick his words carefully. Malfoy simply leaned against the nearest desk, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. "But…" Harry said again, "but I don't think any of those are the real you."
"And what is the real me Potter?" Malfoy asked.
"That's who I want to know," Harry said, remembering something that Blaise had told him. "You're a softie… under the 'Ice Prince of Slytherin' persona…"
"Excuse me!?" Malfoy said, looking insulted.
"That's what Blaise said!" Harry said quickly. "He said that I should tough out your insults and you'll warm up to me… and that your venom is umm harmless."
"Blaise said that?" Malfoy chuckled. He smirked at Harry and sat on a desk. "Alright Potter, what do you want to talk about?"
Harry stared at Malfoy shocked. He never even imagined that he and Malfoy would actually be talking civilly "What! Well umm Blaise said that we all have something in common…"
"We're all gay, yes," Malfoy said. "Don't be shocked Potter, I knew it ever since I first saw you. Don't take it the wrong way, but you are too petite to be anything but gay."
"What and you aren't?" Harry argued. Malfoy laughed a genuine laugh that shocked Harry, and he said, "Potter, I was joking. You do know what joking is right? Yes you are petite, but I knew through other ways."
"Like what?"
"Well, like how you couldn't stop staring at me in the Great Hall," Malfoy stated. That caused Harry to blush, and Malfoy's lips curled in satisfaction. "Don't blush Potter, though you look very nice heated. There are other reasons, though I think I will keep them to myself."
"Umm okay," Harry said, trying to control his blush. "Umm how long have you know that you were… uhh gay?"
"Eleven," Malfoy stated.
"H-How did you know?" Harry asked.
Malfoy smirked and said, "I think I will tell you later." He chuckled at the small glare Harry threw him. "Anyway, I have to say that I am surprise it took you this long to figure out. Oh well," he shrugged. Harry refused to comment on that.
"Yeah well…" Harry said, trying to stir the conversation into something safer. "… Are you going to Hogsmeade?"
"Of course," Malfoy said. "What a stupid question to ask Potter, everyone is going to Hogsmeade."
"I'm not," Harry said, trying his best to hold back his jealousy.
"Oh? Why not?" Malfoy asked, "Scared of a few dementors Potter?"
Harry glared at him. "No. It's because my dad refused to sign the permission form."
"Why not?" Malfoy asked curiously.
"He just wouldn't!" Harry said, forgetting who he was talking to as he let his frustration flow. "He is always so damn protective about me! He wouldn't let me have friends, I barely left our house before Hogwarts, and when I do, he's always looking around like You-Know-Who's just going to jump out and attack us even though he's gone! And he's just so damn… overprotective I can't handle it! He's always saying of our plan, even though it's his and even though he doesn't push me I just know that if I don't do what he wants, he'll be disappointed, which I don't want, and yet there's no way that I can even live up to his plans because now I realize that I'm fricking gay!"
Harry's chest moved with his rapid breaths as he tried to calm down. Malfoy just watched him, interested and silent. When Harry calmed down his entire face turned red and muttered "Sorry."
Malfoy smirked and said, "Don't worry about it Potter. After all, isn't this what friends do? Rant to each other about their fathers?"
Harry looked up at Malfoy. "Friends?" he asked.
"Maybe. I've decided that I don't totally hate you," Malfoy said. "Besides, you are much better company than Crabbe and Goyle can ever be. So yes, friends." Harry couldn't help the smile on his face. He and Malfoy were friends… kind of. "Anyway, I have a few things to do, so I will be seeing you Potter."
Malfoy moved from his desk and smirked at Harry before leaving through the door. Harry barely had time to say "Goodbye" when Draco closed the door behind him. He couldn't help but keep the smile as he walked out afterwards. He and Malfoy are now friends, at least that is what Malfoy had said. A sense of rebellion stirred in him when he thought of telling his father this. James would be so angry, it excited Harry to know that he had a forbidden friendship with Malfoy. He wondered what his father would do if he knew his son was now associating himself with not one, but two Slytherins. The excitement grew, and Harry couldn't hold it in. He was grinning like an idiot when he returned to the Gryffindor common room.
"What made you so happy?" Ron asked, looking at Harry like he was a weird specimen.
"Nothing," Harry shrugged sitting next to his friend. Maybe one day he would tell Ron and Hermione everything, but for now, he decided that he would keep his secrets.
A/N: Decided to wait a while to finish this chapter. Sorry, too much bara and yaoi… and bara… and yeah…
Laura: Harry and Remus will have a talk soon! Don't you worry, as for why James hate Remus and Sirius right now… well the TRUE reason will not be revealed for a LONG time! But don't worry, I'll make it worth it!
Lonely Paulum: You can't. Plain and simple. And thanks for the follow!
Kigen Dawn: Lol of course you're thinking that. And because of that, I will not tell you.
Littlesprout: Flirting? Was there flirting?
Sasuhinas Fan: Who is Sasu and who is Hinas? Anyway, yes last chapter was filled with adorableness. And yes next year, Remus' and Sirius' son arrives at Hogwarts! But that is not for a long time. And a date between Blaise and Harry!? I thought this was a Harry and Draco story!
Jokul Frosti: Good! The puzzle… umm good luck. Yes first. You'll see. It's kind of obvious who George will end up with in the end.
Almonda: Hi! And really? Why isn't there more overprotective James? I think there should be more, it seems logical. And I hope you like this one as well!
Ern: Well, they're in the step in the right direction!