Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
April 11
Draco is sitting on his bed and thinking about how he can approach the topic of him and Harry to his friends. He is pretty certain that it won't end well. There was nothing else on his mind the entire day other than the impending conversation and he still had very little idea about what to say. Maybe his friends are right, he probably does overthink a lot.
No matter how much he wanted to turn back, he was pretty sure that Harry was having the same conversation.
He made his way to the common room. It was late in the night and save some people studying, it was empty. He found his friends at their usual places and made a move to join them.
He should have talked Potter out of this madness when he still could.
He takes his seat in front of the fireplace. Pansy is lying down on a couch to his right and Blaise and Theo are sitting in armchairs to his left. And casts a few discreet privacy charms.
"Oh, hey, Draco. Finally. Can you tell these idiots the difference between blood mead and blood replenishing potion?”
“Um... Pansy, they already know. They are only trying to rile you up.”
“Oi, Did you have to give our agenda away?” Blaise chastises.
“We do not appreciate that Draco.” Theo chimes in.
“That aside," he takes a deep breath " I have something to say to you three.”
“Oh, finally. I told you both he is up to something." Theo remarks.
"Knowing him, it is probably some rare book he found in the restricted section," Blaise says.
"Are you finally dating? Who is he? That fifth year Ravenclaw?" Pansy asked, excited.
"If we listen to our gossip queen every 11-year-old is dating," Blaise says.
"Why such a one-track mind. Pans?" Theo asks.
"Oh yeah, so if I am right, I get 10 galleons from both of you.”
" Hey! Will the three of you hear me out?"
"Go on and please tell that cow, she is wrong."
"She isn't wrong, Blaise."
"Ha. Take that you two. Sooo Draco, who is the mystery man?"
"Um... Potter. It's Potter."
"Come on mate we are not that stupid." Theo laughs it off.
"Oh alright now, Hey! Greg, Vince, come out, the three of you've had your joke." Blaise says.
"Man, you had me there for a second," Pansy says.
"I am not pulling your leg at anything."
"Yeah, you are with Potter and I am a mermaid. And these two dolts are Veelas."
" Pansy, I am serious. I am with Harry."
"Oh, so scarhead is 'Harry' now, huh? Will you look at that? How cute." she said condescendingly.
"Pans, I know you don't think very highly of him. But he is my boyfriend. Can you be a little more civil?"
"Buddy, take my free advice. Go to Snape. He will give ya something to put your mind back on track."
"My mental faculties are perfectly fine, Blaise thank you."
" Draco, are you seriously fighting with Pansy and Blaise over Potter. You were enemies for the last five years if my memory serves me right." Theo says pointedly.
" Theo, do you honestly think I would even consider bringing this up with you guys if I wasn't serious about this relationship? Because I am very serious just so you know."
" How? You hated him until just months ago. What changed?" Blaise asks.
" I… I don't know how to explain it. Remember when I told you that he was stalking me. I confronted him. At first, it was just sex but a couple of weeks later I asked him out, well think did move faster than they usually do in relationships as far as I know. That's it."
" And how long has this been going on?"
" Since January. But things became a little more shall we say official around the beginning of February."
" Three months! You have been dating a Gryffindor for three months now. You can't be serious."
" Look, why don't you just meet him and then make your minds up."
"Are you crazy?" Pansy sneers.
"We have already met Potter," Blaise says.
"And what makes you think that is happening," Theo says.
"Just give it a chance."
"You really are serious about this," Blaise says, the information now sinking in. "Fine but it better be worth it."
"Blaise what the hell" Pansy shouts at him.
"Pansy. Please just come to Hog's head. Let's sort it out there. Yeah?"
"Hogshead. Of course, fucking potter would choose that place. And you just let him have leverage huh?"
"What leverage! Look it is as discreet as housemade gets and I agreed to it because I love him, and you miss need to step out of your bubble and recognize that no power games are going on 24/7." Draco snaps at her.
"Love?"
Fuck. He didn't mean to say that out loud. But he is not going to take it back now.
"Yes, you heard me right."
" Okay. I guess. We'll see what this is about."
"Thank you, Blaise. Pansy, Theo?"
They look at each other and nod.
"Okay, it's been a long day let's head to bed, yeah?" Theo suggests.
"Yeah see you all in the morning."
He is more than surprised that he was able to convince them.
_____________
Harry finds Hermione and Ron in the common room. He thought he knew what he was getting into. But as he goes and sits across them, he realizes the gravity of his revelations. He feels an overwhelming urge to back out but he can't, so with a racing heart, he sits down.
Hermione has her head buried in a book and doesn't look up when he says hi. Ron, who is still resting his head on her shoulders, responds back.
"I have something…..I want to….. Can we talk?"
Hermione as if on cue casts a silencing charm around them and discards her book.
"You never have to be nervous about telling us anything."
"I... I am seeing someone and me..um wanted to tell you guys about it."
"So who is the girl mate?" "Who is he?" They say in unison.
"Wait, he? Mate what is she talking about?"
Oh. He had forgotten about that.
"I'm gay Ron."
"What, since when and why didn't you tell me?"
"I..um actually found out this year."
"Who else knows?"
"Remus and Sirius."
"Great, so everyone knows but me. Well played, mate. "
Ron gets up to leave but Harry stops him.
"No, Ron. Wait. Just let me explain. I was just scared of how you'd react. That's all. I didn't mean to keep it from you."
"What, you thought I was a homophobe or something."
"No, Ron I...I just, it is already awkward with Dean and you, and I didn't want to add to that."
"Wait, what about Dean and me?"
He can't be that clueless.
"Oh lord, Ron did you really think that Neville or Seamus or I wouldn't notice how every time you and Ginny fight about something you take it up with Dean? And I am a guy sharing a dorm with four other straight guys. I did not want to make it awkward for any of you."
"Oh, I mean it was a dick move but I guess l get why you thought so. And don't you worry about it, I won't feel any different about you. But is Dean and I not getting along that obvious?"
"Yes, it is Ron. And I am happy that you are okay with me being gay."
Hermione who had remained silent for the duration of the argument now turns to Ron as both the boys settle down.
"Why haven't I heard about this feud with Dean?" She asks and regards Ron with a stern look.
"Umm... Harry wanted to tell us who he was dating. Why don't we hear that first!" Ron declares enthusiastically. And Harry suspects that there is something he is missing.
As much as Harry would like to groan about them acting all coupley around him, he knows that he would be worse if Draco was here. They both look at him expectantly and his throat goes dry. Was this a bad idea?
"Draco." He says quietly.
"Malfoy!?!".
"Ferret!?!"
They both say at the same time. He had expected this much but it was from here that he was treading into uncharted territory.
"Which other Draco do you know?"
"Harry are you sure that Malfoy of all people–"
"Bollocks mate, they can't be right about this too."
"Wait, they who?"
"Fred and George. They bet a galleon that you and Malfoy will be all over each other by the end of the year."
Well, that is unexpected.
"Ron! You do not just get to place bets on things like that, It is disrespectful."
"No, Hermione, that is not a problem. But when exactly did you place these bets ?"
"Christmas Eve, I told them how annoying you chasing Malfoy around was and then they put galleons on the table. I think you left before we got to that part."
Ron is just about to continue but Hermione beats him to it.
"That being said, Harry, it is still Malfoy. Are you sure you trust him? I mean he could be trying to use your name for selfish purposes.”
“Hermione, I understand that the two of you of all people have every reason to doubt him, but I can assure you that there is nothing of that sort happening among us. You know that I wouldn’t stand such things,” he said in no unclear terms.
“Besides, if you are still not sold on the idea, then maybe we can all go for lunch and you can clear the air. Hogshead should be discreet enough.”
Hermione looks pensive while looks at Harry as he suggested as though Harry has lost his mind
“Hmm, it isn’t an entirely bad suggestion, but I suppose that it will be very awkward.”
“What are you crazy?! You can't go to their lair, Hermione!”
“Not I, we are going and Ron, I can actually give you many reasons why we should consider it.”
“Not, both of you have lost your minds! Chumming up with Slytherins. I am out of here.”
“Ron wait.” They both call after him but he is out of their privacy bubble.
“Harry you don't worry about him, we both will be there.”
“Thanks, Hermione. I--”
“I want it to go on record that I am doing this for you and not Malfoy.”
"It's on there."
"It's been a long day. Good night Harry."
"Good night mione and thanks again.