Some Dangerous Liaisons

Ok, it's truth time. To be honest with everyone, I almost made Draco's declaration in the last chapter a "dream" statement, in the opening of this one. I wasn't really ready for him to announce his feelings like that. That was spontaneous on my part. After I posted it, it bugged me for two whole days and I really wanted to change it. Part of me still does. What do you all think? I struggled with this chapter to cover for his emotional outburst, so I hope it's satisfactory. I don't know, I may scrap both of these chapters and do something else.

What do you think? Keep Draco's outburst or scrap it? Let me know.

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Caroll: thanks for the review! glad you are enjoying it. LOL@porn in the living room. :) Sorry, but you are really going to hate Hermione in this chapter.

Elric Maxwell: my faithful reviewer. You're the best, I love you! LOL@squealing...:) What does XD mean?

Cristy: Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! I did take your advice and changed the summary. Hopefully that will do that trick. Hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Draco4ever: You'll see that there is no end to what Draco will do...

balahhh: Not sure if that is a good review or a flame, but I'll take either! :) What is this XD thing???

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Warning: sexy slashy scene

Oh: and the (bold ) statements were made from Harry's little "friend".

Moments to Love

The silence that followed Draco's declaration was only broken by the sound of the wind blowing through the trees of the nearby Forbidden Forest.

Harry stared at Draco's lips, where those horrid and terrifyingly beautiful words had formed, drifted across the expanse and became sound to his ears. He blinked a moment, watching the slightly pouting lips, so see if any other movement was forthcoming. The lips did not disappoint.

"Harry, did you hear what I said?" Draco began moving toward him, his stomach twisting itself into knots. He had never told anyone that he loved them before, not even his mother. This moment of complete vulnerability terrified him almost to the point of tears. He was working very hard to keep himself calm and cool.

His forward movement seemed to break the trance that Harry was under. The brunette gave a start and his eyes narrowed suspiciously. He held up his hand, stopping Draco's approach.

"Don't Draco, just stop." He sounded frightened.

"Harry, I know that it sounds crazy and you probably don't believe me, but…I do. I should have told you the truth, but I didn't know how to. I do love you." He stepped forward hesitantly, longing to touch him, wanting to know how if he felt the same.

"Stop saying that! You don't love me, Draco. This is crazy! You don't have to lie to me about this. I don't need you to do that."

"Does this look like a lie to you, Harry?!" He stabbed his chest hard with his fingers. "I did this to show you that I do care. I'm sorry for what happened and for what I said. It was stupid, but I didn't know how to handle that; what you wanted from me. It felt like I could never go back; that we could never go back. It was a huge step and I completely fucked it up! I felt like I no longer had control of anything anymore and that has never happened to me."

"How do you think I have felt? I gave myself to you; do you know what it took for me to allow that? And for you to think it was degrading…" He couldn't even finish the statement.

"Harry! I told you that I didn't mean that! I'm sorry! I was…I was scared, it all seemed too real. This is hard for me; I have never had to do this for someone. I have always been in control and now I don't have any control when it comes to you." He looked away, his face contorting.

Harry didn't say anything. His mind and emotions were in turmoil. He wanted to tell Draco that he loved him, but fear and stubbornness held him back. Why was this so damn complicated! He looked up to the night sky. The rain was coming down a little harder now. He turned his attention back to the blonde. Draco was looking at him.

"So what now, Harry?"

"I don't know. I…I have done something that may be hard to correct." He felt tightness began to squeeze his chest.

Draco tilted his head to the side. "And what would that be?" He already knew it was about Justin.

Harry looked away; the feeling of nausea welling up in him. He could barely look Draco in the eye.

"I have been kind of hanging out with Justin. He didn't deserve to get caught up in my shit, but he did. I think he would take it badly."

Draco's lips curled. "So what does that mean?" If Harry even so much as picked that git over him…

"It means that I can't just drop him like that. It isn't right. You and I were…I don't know. It wouldn't be fair to him."

"So you're saying that you are gonna be with him now? It's over with us, just like that?" Draco felt light headed.

"Draco, I know it's fucked up and I shouldn't have done it. But I was angry with you and…it just happened. He's a good person and doesn't deserve to be used like that. This thing between us is completely mental. We could never make this work." Harry felt sick to his stomach.

Draco frowned. "Oh, but you can make it work with him?? Justin is easier for you? He lets you do whatever you want and now you're happy? Have you told him your little plan yet? How did he take it? I'm sure he is so ready, willing and able to help you!"

"Of course I didn't tell him about that. He would never understand that! Honestly, I never should have told you. This is my problem to solve, no one else’s!"

"But you did tell me Harry! Don't you understand what that means? You trust me! You don't trust him. You don't love him! And do you want to know why? It’s because you love me, Harry!" Draco walked towards Harry, determination in every step. He got right up in Harry's face, only inches from his nose.

"Tell me that you don't love me. Look me right in my eyes and tell me that you don't."

Harry mustered every ounce of will power he had. He looked squarely into the eyes of his impossible hope and dream.

"No, I don't love you."

Draco hissed. "You're lying, Harry. I've been your enemy for six years; don't think I don't know when you're lying. We have made it an art form."

"Draco, don't! Just let it go. It’s just better this way. We had some good moments but now it's time for it to be over. I have a bad feeling about what's going to happen anyway. I have things that I am going to be doing. You can just go back to your life; go back to hating me again. You hate me now, because of what I did with Justin. Find someone that you can be happy with, that doesn't make you crazy."

For an instant, Draco stood motionless. Harry's words washed over him, like the steadily falling raindrops. How the hell did Harry think he was just going to get over this, like this was some sort of cold? A slow burning rage began in the pit of his stomach which ignited the fear that he would not be able to convince Harry that they should be together, pushed him into action. He grabbed Harry's coat, jerking him forward. Harry stumbled, his hands catching the bottom pocket of Draco's jacket. He fell to his knees, ripping the pocket. A small clear bag fell out onto the ground, revealing all too familiar colored bliss.

Harry's eyes widened. He eagerly reached for the bag, but Draco was a split second faster. He snatched the bag away as Harry's fingers closed on it, the material teasing the tips. Harry felt Draco moving away from him. He looked up quickly, desperation now in his eyes.

"Draco! Why didn't you tell me you had some! I've run out. Can I have some?" Harry jumped to his feet.

Draco eyed him coolly. "Oh, now you want something from me? A minute ago, you were telling me to forget about this and go back to hating you." He looked down at his torn coat pocket. He shoved the bag into the other pocket.

Harry swallowed nervously. "Ok, yeah, I did say that. But please, I really need some. I can't use the owls anymore. They won't let me come near them, so I've run out. I was going to try and force one to take a letter for me. Please, Draco." Harry inched closer to him, his eyes on the pocket.

Draco shook his head. "Unh un, Harry. It's too late for that now. You shouldn't have told me that you didn't love me, so now I'm going to hate you again. Isn't that what you wanted? A nice pretty little life with Justin? Of course, things may be a bit difficult because of the fact that you'll be sharing your body with a demon. I guess that's one way to have a threesome. But sweet Justin will do just anything for you, won't he Harry? Not like me of course. I haven't done anything for you! I haven't helped you with finding the spells, practicing dark magic, keeping your secrets, and putting your stupid fucking name on me!! I haven't done any of that, right! I tell you that I love you, and now you tell me to go on with my life? Just act like none of this even happened! NO, HARRY! I'm not giving you anything else! I hate you!"

Draco realized that he was close to hysteria, but he didn't care. He wanted to hurt Harry, very badly. But he also wanted to love him, to prove to him that he meant what he was saying. He backed away from Harry, his eyes never leaving his face. Harry watched him, panting softly. Draco saw the shadow; the swirl of the eyes. He suddenly knew what he had to do.

He shoved his hand down in the pocket of his coat, and quickly ripped a small hole in the bag. He grabbed three pills out and chucked them into his mouth. One pill was enough to keep him high for a whole night. He wasn't even certain what three would do. Two had kept him hallucinating for almost three days. He hoped that three would be enough for his intentions.

Harry's eyes had gone cold when he saw Draco take the pills.

"So it's like that, huh? That's fucked up, Malfoy," he growled angrily. "I was trying to ask nicely, but I see you're going to make me take them from you. You know that I can."

"Oh yeah, I know. So you're going to beat them out of me? Blast me back to my room? Not too subtle there, are you? I guess you really don't love me."

Harry's face twitched. "Don't say that, Draco. I-I won't hurt you. I don't want to do that. Please give me some, ok? I'm trying to control it." He moved towards Draco again, his hands out pleadingly.

"Then tell me the truth then. Do you love me?"

"Draco, not now, please!" Harry felt a coldness running through him, but he felt hot at the same time. His thoughts felt twisted into something not his own. He looked at Draco, suddenly seeing him through the eyes of another. This small insignificant human, something to toy with, easily killed. (I could kill him…let me kill him.)

"Harry, answer me! Do you love me?"

"Draco, I don't know how much longer I can do this. Please, don't do this." Harry's face had gone pale, his eyes seemed to be disappearing. Draco watched him fearfully. What the hell am I doing? This is an awful big risk; Harry could probably kill me right now. But I have to do this, he has to understand.

Draco walked to Harry, who was slightly hunched over; sweat had appeared on his brow, mixing with the mist. He pulled him up, whispering softly in his ear.

"Do you love me, Harry? Just tell me yes or no."

Harry's eyes had closed. He could smell Draco's familiar scent; the soft vanilla and the spice. But he could also smell more. It was like his senses were so much more acute. He could smell Draco's fear, radiating out from him in an acrid smelling wave; the smell of his perspiration, which had a salty sea scent; he could smell his desire; a musky tangy scent. This last scent slammed straight through Harry's system and set his whole body on fire.

"Dracoooo," he rumbled in a low husky voice, "please".

"Yes or no, Harry," Draco placed his hands on Harry's waist; he could feel the fevered skin assailing his fingers through his clothes.

"God, yes, Dracoooo," Harry moaned. "Please…"

Draco closed his eyes and then grabbed Harry in a tight hug.

"Then take me now, just like this." He whispered.

Harry's eyes flew open. "No Draco, not like this. You don't know what you're asking. I won't know what will happen. Please, just one pill. And then if that's what you still want-"

"No, Harry. Like this. This is what I want. This is how I want it."

"I can't do that. I won't know if I can control it." (You can't control me, wizard.)

"Then I'm leaving, Harry." Draco turned and walked away. He prepared himself for the assault he knew was coming. He hoped he was going to be able to withstand it.

Harry darted after him, grabbed him by the arm and spun him around. He frantically searched for the pocket and tried to reach inside, but Draco shoved him back hard. Harry's eyes glittered with anger and he came again, his fingers closing on the edge of the jacket. Draco yanked himself out of Harry's grasp and moved back quickly. He hastily grabbed the package out of his pocket and shoved it into his tight fighting jeans pocket. Unbeknownst to them both, a few pills had come loose. They hit the ground noiselessly.

Harry snarled, and he ran to Draco. Draco stilled himself against the blow but Harry didn't strike him. He was still trying to take the package away from him. His hands were now inside his jacket, fingers struggling to locate the correct jean pocket. Draco grabbed Harry's head with both hands, and he slammed his mouth against his, kissing him furiously. This sudden action distracted Harry and his hormones took over, albeit briefly.

Harry grabbed Draco's head as well and urgently responded to the kiss; his fingers digging deeply into Draco's cheeks. They stayed like that for a moment, all else forgotten. Gasps of breath, the sucking of lips, and moans penetrated the night air. Harry clawed at Draco's jacket, which fell away to the wet earth. His ripped shirt, hanging limply from his shoulders drew Harry to his pale skin. His lips found his collarbone and he licked along it, tasting his salty essence. He bit into his chest, evoking a cry from Draco.

Draco pushed Harry back some, then roughly snatched his jacket off. It too, fell to the ground with a soft thump. Harry watched Draco with an animal hunger, his eyes glinting gold around the swirling black. Draco reached around to his back pocket and pulled his wand. He quickly muttered a warming spell around both of them and put the wand back in his pocket. The drugs were rapidly sucking away at his coherence, but he forced himself to try and stay focused as long as possible.

Harry felt the warmth overtake him. There was nothing more that he wanted then to ravish Draco, but somewhere in his head, he was fearful of hurting him. He fought for control, to not allow this to happen. He reached for Draco's pocket again, his hands clutching the waist belt of the jeans. Draco stepped back quickly, not allowing Harry to gain the pocket. Harry growled, pulling himself flush with Draco's body, his mouth now on his neck, sucking hard. Draco moved again, Harry's hand still on the waist of his pants, rummaging, searching. The hill dipped sharply and Draco fell backward, dragging Harry with him.

They rolled down the wet grass, sliding to the bottom of the incline. Their landing place was a small soft mossy area at the base of the forest. The rain was coming down harder now, but the canopy of trees kept them from being completely soaked. Draco kneeled on all fours, mud, grass and twigs sticking to what was left of his clothing. His blonde hair streaked with dirt. He looked down on Harry who lay underneath him; his clothing and appearance in complete disarray.

"Take me, Harry." Draco leaned down, enveloping Harry in a tight embrace. He flipped them both over, Harry now on top. He reached down and began undoing Harry's pants. The brunette pulled back, pushing Draco's hands away.

"No, Draco…don't ask me to-"

Draco's hand had flashed through the air, striking Harry. They locked eyes and Harry's lips curled. He jumped up, shaking his head. Draco popped up into a sitting position and grabbed Harry's legs. Harry kicked at him, but Draco held fast, pulling the material down. He lunged for Harry, now twisted in his pants. Harry sat down hard, and had just enough time to piston his arms out to shield himself from Draco. They both rolled again, ending up side by side.

Harry sat up, and grabbed for Draco's pants. Draco instinctively reached to protect the pocket, but Harry didn't try for the drugs. He wrestled Draco's pants down, breaking the zipper. Draco hardly noticed, for he had now sat up and had kicked the pants off, grabbing for his wand before he flung them away. Harry grunted as he viciously tore at Draco's boxers, tearing the blue silk into ribbons. Draco jerked down Harry's boxers and Harry tossed them away. He tore his shirt off, ripping a seam in his haste.

Draco pulled Harry to him quickly, his mouth sending kisses up and down his chest. He sucked hard at Harry's nipple and Harry shuddered. He pushed Draco to the ground hard, causing the boy's head to bounce against the soft moss. Harry followed quickly, not allowing Draco a moment to get his bearings. Harry’s teeth sank into Draco's neck, hard enough for Draco to cry out in pain and pleasure. He wound his arms around Harry, pulling him in.

"Do it, Harry, oh God do it!" His drug induced high blending in with his natural high of lust and excitement in the moment. He managed to grab his wand and mutter the lubrication spell. Harry pulled back and he abruptly turned Draco onto his stomach; his wand flying from his hand to land softly nearby. Draco laid his head down on the soft earth, his heart pounding against the flora.

Harry lowered himself to Draco. He pushed at Draco's entrance, feeling the tightness. Harry groaned and pushed in deeper. Draco cried out and tried to move away, but Harry seized his shoulders and pulled him back, his grunt ringing in Draco's ears. Draco dug his hands into the earth and gritted his teeth. Pain tore at him and he hissed, fighting back tears. Harry pushed in deeper, obviously trying to be gentle, but not completely succeeding in his compromised state.

Draco gyrated his hips, trying to relieve the pain somewhat. Harry moaned loudly, and continued pushing. Draco yelped, praying the pain would stop soon. He got his wish. Harry rolled his hips slightly and pushed against Draco's sensitive prostrate. Draco cried out in pleasure, bucking his hips against Harry. Harry began thrusting and Draco rocked his hips, gasping as Harry continued pressing his spot. His own erection, pressed against the earth and a very soft mossy patch, rubbed against him. He began moaning loudly, marveling at the sensation in front and behind.

Harry began thrusting rapidly, his breath coming out in jagged gasps. Draco managed to push off from the ground into an all fours position. He bucked hard against Harry, tightening his muscles the way Harry would do for him. Harry cried out, his Parseltongue taking over. Hearing the hissing sent Draco in a writhing frenzy, Harry barely hanging on to his hips. Harry's thrusting and pumping stroked Draco's spot again and Draco found himself emotionally out of control. Tears sprung to his eyes, just as Harry reached his climax. With a loud shout and a huge thrust, Harry filled him.

Draco cried openly when Harry came. He had never had sensations like this before. He gave a harsh sob, never wanting this moment to end. It was the most spectacular moment of his undying love. Harry was holding Draco's back. He felt his lover shudder, sobs racking him. He pulled out of him quickly, and Draco whimpered. Harry pulled Draco to him, thinking him injured.

"Oh, god Draco, I'm sorry! I warned you about this! Are you OK?" Harry was on the verge of tears himself.

Draco shook his head, unable to speak. He gasped and sputtered, his emotions running all over the place. Every time he tried to say something, more sobbing erupted. Harry held him closer, stroking his muddy hair. He noticed that Draco still had a raging hard-on. Harry placed his hand firmly on it and began stroking, skillfully tweaking the tip on the upstrokes.

Draco wailed and arched his back, thrusting eagerly. Harry moved around to the front of him, lowered himself and took him in his warm mouth. Draco was close to an orgasm before Harry put his mouth on him, now that his lips made contact, Draco was on the edge. Harry worked the head of the pulsing organ; Draco reached down, running his hands in Harry's wet and tangled hair. Harry sucked hard, his tongue flicking the slit and Draco came, harder then he ever imagined possible.

Rainbow colors exploded in his head, his eyes rolling back. Every nerve taut and on fire and he spasmed roughly, gagging Harry as he thrust into his mouth. Harry pulled up, still sucking, holding his hips, waiting for him to calm down. The blonde seized on the ground, and if Harry didn’t know better, would have been rushing him to the infirmary, seeing him in such a state. It was amazing how closely ecstasy and pain resemble one another.

Harry sat back and watched his lover thrash and pant on the ground. Each orgasmic wave that hit was harder than the previous one and Draco’s sensual cries echoed through the wooded area. His hands had sunk into the solid earth and he clung to it, gasping. Each breath was torn from him and he struggled to regain his senses. He shakily reached out a hand, searching for Harry. He moved closer to Draco.

Draco pulled Harry towards him, wrapping his arms around him; hanging on for dear life. He kissed him desperately, hungrily kissing and tasting every inch of skin he could reach.

"Oh, god I love you," he choked out. "I love you more than anything. Do you understand that?"

Harry kissed him with equal fervor. All doubt of his feelings for Draco and vice versa washed away with the heavy raindrops.

"Yes, you made yourself quite clear. That was quite a performance." He smiled wistfully. He turned to look at him. "I love you, Draco."

Draco leaned his head against Harry, and then suddenly straightened. He reached over to grab his jeans. He quickly pulled the bag out, grabbed two pills and put them in Harry's mouth. He sighed gratefully. He kissed Draco again. He stood up, allowing the rain to pelt down on his skin and face. The spell still warming him, it felt like a nice shower. He reached down and pulled Draco up. The blonde stood shakily and made a face.

"What's wrong?"

"My ass hurts!" Harry blinked, and they both cracked up. They quickly put the remains of their clothes back on. They staggered back up the hill to the owlry and Draco took the letters to mail them for Harry. Once their task was completed, they walked back to the castle.

Justin stepped from behind his hiding place as the two walked towards the castle. His hands were full of bite marks from his teeth. He had bitten them to keep from crying out in his despair. He had seen them down on the mossy pit, their bodies entwined, almost one; Harry's love for the Slytherin undeniable. Justin moaned in anguish. He couldn't lose Harry, not now. He was not angry with Harry. Not at all. He knew that Malfoy was behind all of this, that he had obviously cast some spell on Harry.

Justin opened his palm, the small colored pills glinting at him. He knew that Draco had these pills and had somehow bewitched Harry with them. He needed to find out what they were. And when he did, he was going to take Draco down.

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As Harry and Draco walked towards the castle, Draco pulled Harry to the side before they reached the entrance.

"Harry, there's something I want to ask you."

"Ok."

"What are you doing for Christmas? If you're not doing anything, I want you to come to my house."

Harry's mouth fell open in shock. "You want me to come to Malfoy Manor? What about your mother? I don't think she'd be too happy that I'm there."

Draco snorted. "Do you know how big my house is? Mother doesn't even know when I'm there, half the time. Besides, she is going on holiday with some friends to France for a few days."

Harry considered this proposition. He was ready to complete the spell and ritual. Malfoy's house would be perfect. He smiled at the blonde.

"Ok, Draco. I'll come. I didn't really have any plans. I probably would have went to the Burrow, but with things so tense with Ginny and Ron, it would have been better that I stayed here."

"We'll have to come up with a plan to get you there, though. Mother always meets me at the train station. Obviously you can't go walking up with me. I'll think of something."

Harry nodded. They went their separate ways. Both of them needed a shower badly. Harry had teased Draco about his muddy hair and spectacularly torn clothes. Draco laughed.

"You were impressed, Potter. I know how to make a lasting impression."

Harry chuckled. "You are right about that Malfoy."

The teens had fell right back into their comfortable relationship. If felt as if the last two weeks had never even happened. Harry realized just how much he had missed the Slytherin. He was glad that things seemed to be worked out.

Harry entered the common room. A few younger students sat doing homework, but no one from his year were present. Most of them were probably in Hogsmeade or visiting friends in other Houses. He jogged up the steps, ignoring the stares from his Housemates. He knew he must look an awful mess. He entered his room and was startled to see someone sitting on his bed.

"Hermione? What are you doing in my room?"

"Harry? What happened to you? You look like you fell in a mud puddle." She shook her head and stared at his clothes.

"That's one way of putting it." He laughed to himself. Hermione gave him a wary expression. Harry began taking off his muddy jacket and stepping out of his shoes.

"You didn't answer my question, what are you doing in my room?"

"Harry, we need to talk. I'm worried about you. You have been so distant for the last few weeks, months really. You quit as Quidditch captain. You don't talk to any of us anymore. Harry, what's wrong?"

"Hermione, it's nothing ok. I've had a lot on my mind, that's all."

"So why won't you let us help you? I'm still here, Harry. Whatever it is, I want to help."

"You can't help me, Hermione. I have to do some things alone. I appreciate that you want to help, but you can't."

"Oh, but Malfoy can?"

Harry was removing his shirt. He slowly pulled it off his head and tossed it to the floor. He smiled slowly at her, the grin spreading like molasses.

"Hermione, what are you talking about? Malfoy? What does he have anything to do with this?"

Hermione watched Harry intently. Oh, Harry was good. He had learned to harness his anger, but she knew him too well. As calm and cool as he looked, she could tell he was upset. This meant that she had been right about her suspicions.

"Harry, I know about you and Malfoy," she said quietly.

He stared at Hermione; a thousand thoughts rushing through him. Should he deny it? Admit it? Ignore it?

"Harry, it's true, isn't it? Please, I'm your friend. Tell me what's going on."

"Fuck! OK, Hermione. Yes, it's true. You found me out! You want a gold galleon now?" He began pacing irritably.

Hermione looked hurt. "Harry, what do you mean? I'm just worried about you."

"Well there's nothing to worry about. I'm fine."

"Nothing to worry about? Harry, you just admitted that you have been involved with Malfoy. Malfoy! How did this happen? How long has this been going on?" Hermione was dumbfounded.

"It just happened, OK? I don't know how. One day we just stopped hating each other." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"You just stopped hating each other? Just like that? Harry, he tormented us for years! I can't even understand this! And what is going on with you and Justin? And that thing with Blaise?"

"Hermione, it's not for you to understand, ok? This thing happened to me, not you! I don't know how or why it happened, but one day Malfoy and I…just saw each other differently. I can't explain it. The thing with Blaise was nothing. He was cool, but nothing came of it, especially after the Dean incident. Justin…well that's a mistake on my part. I allowed something to happen with him that I shouldn't and now he is…really going to take it hard when I end it with him."

Hermione's hand went up to her mouth. "Oh, Harry! And what about Ginny? Does this mean that you're gay? You have to tell Ginny."

"No, I don't have to fucking tell Ginny anything! It's over between us. What I do is my own business; I don't have to run things by her because she can't get a grip on reality. That's not my fault! I wish everyone would just get off my back about her! Why doesn't someone tell her she's wrong for acting the way she does, huh? It's always on me!"

"Harry, that's not what I'm saying. Maybe if you tell her that you aren't into girls, then she will finally get the hint." Hermione didn't even believe what she was saying.

"Do you believe what you're saying, Hermione? Do you think that will suddenly make Ginny leave me alone and go on with her own life?"

"No. I don’t actually. But, I can’t believe this about Malfoy! I didn’t want to believe it, but I saw it. How do you feel about him?"

"It's complicated, ok. We have a friendship. That's all we are comfortable with right now." Harry was not ready to discuss anything more about that.

"Harry, I've seen the way he looks at you. I would say he has very strong feelings for you."

"Maybe, but I don't want to talk about it anymore. I need to take a shower and go to bed. I'm tired." He gave her a pointed look.

Hermione sighed. She hadn't gotten nearly enough information out of Harry about anything. She definitely knew there was a lot more going on with Malfoy then he was letting on. All the nights he disappeared, missing practices, his strange behavior; all smacked of something else. Was Malfoy influencing Harry somehow? It wouldn't be too far of a stretch. Harry certainly would go to great lengths to hide his relationship. No one would believe that Malfoy and Harry got together. That piece of gossip would make headlines in the Daily Prophet. If Rita Skeeter knew about this…

“You can’t continue to brush me off, Harry.” Hermione was starting to get angry. “I know that something else is going on with you. You’re not eating, acting and saying weird things. The magic that you have been doing is really powerful, but you won’t even tell us how you’re doing it! How do you know it’s not Voldemort controlling you?”

“Hermione, just stop, ok? I’m not in the mood for one of your interrogations. Maybe it’s time for you to stop butting into other people’s lives for a change. Take care of your own shit for once.”

Hermione stood up, the vein popping from her neck, indicating that she was beyond furious. “Excuse me?? Butting in? How many times did my butting in save your ass from getting hurt or killed? You didn’t seem bothered with it when I figured out and fixed your cockamamie schemes!”

“That’s not the damn point and you know it! This isn’t about that. This is my personal life and you’re just pissed because you aren’t involved with it! You’re mad because you can’t control me or Ron anymore! Get a life, Hermione! Stay the hell out of mine!”

“I’m not trying to control you, Harry! I’m worried about you! Why don’t you understand that! Why do you keep shutting me out?”

Harry rubbed his temples in irritation. “Hermione, please. This is why I don’t talk to you anymore. You don’t leave anything alone. It’s just non-stop with you. You just have to understand that I don’t want you to know everything that’s going on in my life. Besides, you would never accept me with Malfoy, I can see the disgust on your face from here.”

“How do you know that!? You never gave me a chance! You just assumed that I wouldn’t accept it! All I want is for you to be loved and be happy! If that includes Malfoy, then…I would have learned to accept it.”

“So do you accept it now?”

Hermione paused. “I don’t know, Harry. I...I’m having trouble with understanding it. I never saw the signs at all. It doesn’t…seem normal.” She winced, knowing it wasn’t the right thing to say.

“Oh, it’s not normal!? There you go again with your judgments, Hermione. Anything that’s not to your standard or liking it must be…some spell or something. I never would have thought you would turn out to be so…critical of everything. Coming from muggle parents, I thought you would be more open-minded!”

Hermione choked out a sob as tears filled her eyes. “Are you calling me a mudblood, Harry?? I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” Her voice faded to a whisper.

“I didn’t call you a mudblood, Hermione. I’m saying that you of all people should be more open, especially since there are many people who didn’t feel you should have been here at all.”

Hermione stood very still, the blood rushing to her ears, making her dizzy. She knew in that moment that Harry was not himself. Her Harry would never say anything so cruel to her, not even in anger. She pulled her wand from her pocket and pointed it at him. Harry gazed quizzically at her.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Something I should have done a long time ago. STUPEFY!” She shouted. The red light shot from her wand, speeding across the room. Harry dove out of the way, hitting the floor painfully. He groaned, rolling over quickly, keeping his eye on her.

“FUCK! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, HERMIONE!”

“I don’t know who you are, but you’re not Harry! STUPEFY!”

Harry barely managed to get out of the way as her hex smashed into his closet. The room shook and several shirts and robes flew to the floor in a tangled heap.

At that moment, his door burst open. Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean all stood gaping. Clustered behind them stood Millicent, Blaise, Lavender and Ginny.

“What the hell is going on in here?!” Ron cried out. They all stared at the scene in front of them. Harry, clad only in wet, muddy jeans, was standing in a pile of clothes. Hermione, breathing hard and now sobbing hysterically, was pointing her wand at Harry.

“Someone has polyjuiced Harry!! It’s not him!” Hermione yelled. “Get him!”

“What??” Harry and Ron said together.

“Hermione, I’m not polyjuiced! It’s me!” Harry shouted.

“My Harry would never call me a mudblood! My Harry would never date Draco Malfoy! You’re not him!!” She sent another hex his way.

Eight identical gasps came from the doorway.

“Harry’s dating Draco Malfoy??” This came from Blaise, Millicent and Ginny.

“Harry called you a mudblood??” This came from Ron, Seamus and Neville.

“Harry’s polyjuiced??” This came from whoever hadn’t already said anything.

“Yes, yes and yes!” Hermione cried out. “Help me! We have to find out what he did with the real Harry!”

Ron pulled his wand, nervously pointing it at his best friend. “Oh, god, Harry, please don’t be you!”

Ginny pushed into the room. “Well, this makes total sense now. Of course, this isn’t the real Harry. My Harry would never break up with me and go cavorting around, kissing boys and doing Hufflepuffs. And you all thought I was crazy!” She smiled triumphantly. She also pulled her wand, fixing Harry with a deadly look.

Harry saw no other option.

“EXPELLIARMUS!!” Ron, Hermione and Ginny’s wands all came to him.

More gasps from the group at his wandless incantation of this spell.

“STUPEFY!!” Harry stunned all of them with one wave of his hand. The thuds as they all hit the floor depressed Harry to no end.

Harry quickly began to move his friends back to their individual rooms. He had no idea where Ginny had been, but he decided to put her in Seamus’ bed. Hermione, he put with Ron. That should keep them occupied for awhile, he thought wickedly. Once there, Harry muttered a series of charms over each person, moving quickly amongst them. When he was satisfied with his work, he returned the wands to them. Then using his invisibility cloak, he rennervated them. He went back to his own room and charmed his clothes to hang themselves back in the closet. He took off the rest of his clothes and got into the shower. He smiled to himself; that was a close one.

All along the 7th year dorm, Harry’s friends woke up, feeling completely disoriented. Murmurs of “what happened?” and “I had the weirdest dream”, and “Oh my god, how did you get in my bed!!” wafted down the passageway.

It’s good to be a wizard.

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The night before everyone was to leave for holiday, Justin came to bring Harry his Christmas present. The Hufflepuff sat nervously on Harry’s bed, waiting for him to finish his conversation with Neville, who had poked his head in through the bathroom.

Harry came back into the room. Justin quickly handed him the gift. It was wrapped beautifully in the Gryffindor colors. Harry smiled in appreciation.

“Thanks for the gift, Justin. Everyone will get theirs on Christmas from me. I hope that’s ok?”

“Of course, Harry. I just wanted to see you before we went on break. You’ve been distant lately. Is something wrong?” Justin chewed his lip anxiously.

Harry sighed. How messy was it to break up with someone who you really weren’t going out with just before Christmas?

“Nothing’s wrong, exactly. I…well…I talked to Malfoy…and…well…I guess we have agreed to be friends again.”

“Friends? The kind where you have sex with them outside the owlry? That kind of friend?”

Harry blinked. “You spied on me? Justin!”

Justin laughed. “Of course I spied on you. Do you think I was just going to let you walk off with Malfoy?? How stupid do you think I am??”

Harry shook his head. “I can’t believe that you spied on me, Justin. That’s really fucked up.”

“No, what’s fucked up is that you got caught up with that snake again. But not to worry Harry, I’ll fix that little problem very soon.” He smiled to himself. “I’m not mad at you about it. I won’t lie and say that I don’t understand the attraction to Malfoy, he is very good looking. But his personality? Looks aren’t everything, Harry.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, you’ll fix the problem? Please don’t cause any trouble Justin, I can’t take any more drama.”

“I’ll fix the problem just like I did the last time.”

“What are you talking about?”

Justin laughed again. “Harry, didn’t you ever wonder how Blaise and Dean got together?”

Harry’s eyes widened in shock. “That was you?? You confunded them?”

“Yes, and it worked beautifully. Blaise betrayed me by kissing you and not telling you what I had asked of him. So I killed two birds with one stone, a muggle saying of course. I effectively ended his pursuit of you, because I knew you wouldn’t date him because of Dean. I also gave Dean what he wanted most, which was him. It cleared the path for me, now that Blaise was out of the way. And I deprived Blaise of the one thing he wanted, which was you. So in reality it was four birds with one stone. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on Malfoy. I will admit that came as quite a shock.”

Harry had to admit he was impressed with the cunning the Hufflepuff had exhibited.

“I can’t believe that you did that! And you’re in Hufflepuff? You should have been in Slytherin!” Harry was repulsed and impressed at the same time.

“You didn’t believe me when I told you that there are some who would do anything to have you or keep you. I did what I had to, in order to get you. Malfoy will do anything to keep you. So will I.”

Harry looked at Justin with a smirk. “Is that so? And you don’t think I have any say so in this whatsoever?”

“Oh, you’ll have a say so, Harry. But mostly it will be telling Malfoy to get lost. You’ll choose me over him by the time I’m done with him.” He stood up then. “Well, I have to get back to finish packing. Happy Christmas, Harry. I love you.”

He walked out of the room, leaving a stunned Harry in his wake.

What the hell had he gotten himself into?


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