The Word No
Harry found himself alone, sitting upon a fallen tree just outside Hogsmeade. His head ached and his stomach was once again twisting like a pretzel. ‘ I hope I never hear anything about it.’
Ginny had a right to say what she did. Obviously she meant it sincerely. But that sentence would never leave Harry’s mind for sure.
He’d never felt more guilty in his life. But for what reason? He had never cheated on Ginny, nor did he treat her poorly. He just realized that his relationship with her had grown to be a chore, a job. He realized he didn’t love her. And Ginny had understood that when he told her. Or at least, she acted like it. Maybe she knew if she had shown any sort of heart break, he’d end up staying with her even though it was clear that he was miserable.
The more Harry thought, the more hid stomach pained him. He felt like he was going to be sick anytime soon.
His thoughts were quickly interrupted by a familiar voice behind him. “Why so gloomy, roomie?”
Draco.
The blonde took a seat next to Harry, wrapping a scarf around his neck. “You’ll freeze to death out here if you don’t bundle up, winter’s coming early this year.”
Harry mumbled a small thanks. Some weight looming on his shoulders had disappeared now that Draco was sitting next to him, his chest settling down for once.
But Draco could tell he was still upset, by now he could read him like a book. “You didn’t answer my question, what’s the matter?”
Harry didn’t answer.
“I saw your ex girlfriend is back, that doesn’t have anything to do with it, does it?” Draco asked. When Harry turned away from him, he knew he had poked a nerve. He put two and two together. “Oh.”
He swallowed, “Harry, I’m sorry-“Its not your fault.” The Gryffindor was now face to face with him, green eyes peering into blue. Draco had gotten a clear look at his roommate now, and could see tears forming in his eyes.
It was odd, to see Harry cry. The last time he’d ever seen the boy cry was when he’d taken a really bad fall off his broom during a Quidditch game in their second year. When everyone rushed to his aid, Harry tried to hide the fact tears were falling down his cheeks, but Draco saw it clear as day. At the time, he thought it was pathetic that ‘the brave Harry Potter’ was crying. But the more he thought about it, he would have too. The fall was simply terrifying. Seeing him now however, was simply gut wrenching and he had no clue as to why.
Harry felt a hand on his back. In an instant, tears were flowing. He couldn’t stop them. Draco quickly had an arm over him, albeit it was rather awkward, but he knew the boy needed some comfort.
“I hate seeing her,” Harry admitted, “I hate knowing I hurt her so badly and-“ He could barely get his words out. But everything he said was true. He loved Ginny, but only as a friend. And she never looked at him the same now. It was always with a broken smile, and there was always a bit of pain in her eyes.
His tears quickly flooded away. He remembered. “Your mother! H-how did your meeting go?” Harry asked, turning to lock eyes with the blonde.
Draco’s expression darkened. Shit.
He straightened out his shoulders, trying not to show how bad it went. “She uhm..” Hid breath seemed caught in his throat, “She wouldn’t listen.”
“Then run away, you simply can’t go through with it!”
“Shes my mother, Harry, what other choice do I have? It would break her heart to see me all by myself instead of with a wife and a family.”
Those last words stung. Maybe what he felt for Draco was more than a crush. Yet in that moment, it was the last thing he wanted to think about.
“But is that what you even want?”
“God no,” Draco sighed, head fallen. “Harry, I.. I’m gay.” Oh. Harry’s mind exploded into a little bit of celebration, ‘thank the gods,’ but it was definitely not the time to show it. “You were bound to find out eventually if you couldn’t already tell.”
“I mean, it was a little transparent,” Harry said softly. He heard Draco laugh beside him. He couldn’t help but feel so utterly happy he could make the Slytherin laugh at even the worst of times.