Who Knew

As always, thanks for your reviews!

Black Padfoot: Awesome! So glad you like it enough to review. That makes me feel really special! :) Yeah, it was great he apologized. I don't known though. I'm scared to think what will happen when Ron finds out about Harry. Hmm... so you sense something big is about to happen? Well, I can't really say much, but I will say your suspicions are pretty accurate...

snappy pants: haha I'm so glad you finally decided to read it and you like it! YAY! Thank you very much for your comments. :)

yaoiObsessed: Yay! Glad you liked it. :) Yep, now you know about the initials. The mission... well, let's just say that the tone of this story will sort of be changing now. But I really hope you won't stop reading because of it. haha You're welcome, by the way. It is cool when you see your name being acknowledged. I mean I smile when I see reviews, so it's only fair to make my readers smile, too! :)

thrnbrooke: Aww... I hope it was a good cry. :) haha Okay, here's chapter 15. Just an FYI: next chapter is where you will see Ron's reaction to Harry's news.

*****
Draco hurried to his common room, holding the letter tightly in his grasp that he received at breakfast. He was grinning widely, as he stumbled through the portrait door and over toward his bedroom. He ran inside his room, flung himself on his bed, and tore open the letter.

Draco,

I hope you are doing well. I miss you terribly. I know it’s only been a week, but it feels like forever. I hope you are at least keeping busy and not missing me too much. I stare at my ring every night and smile. This ring is a symbol of both our promises and I will never let it leave my finger. I cannot wait to see you again. You will be happy to know that Ron and I have completed the first part of our task and are well on our way.

Speaking of Ron, I have decided to tell him tonight about everything. I’m a bit nervous, but I know this needs to be done. He’s been hounding me for a while now, asking what my girlfriend’s name is. Okay love, wipe that smirk off your face. I already know he’s going to be shocked when I tell him.

Well, I have to go now. Ron just finished his letter to Luna and is eyeing me suspiciously. I believe Hedwig will have this delivered to you just when the other mail arrives at breakfast today. So with that said, get off your bed and go back and eat your breakfast.

I love you,
Harry

Draco sighed, as he closed his eyes and placed the letter on his chest, smiling. He was so happy to hear from him. It had been torture for him this week, and he was starting to get a bit worried when he hadn’t heard from him.

He rolled out of his bed and walked toward his mirror, smiling at the reflection before him. He ran his hand through his blonde hair and nodded, before leaving his bedroom and returning to the Great Hall to finish his breakfast.

*****
Hermione frowned, when she saw him sitting on the couch, staring blankly into the fireplace. It had been a little over a month now, and she knew he missed Harry terribly. She chewed on her lower lip, wondering how she could possibly help him. She suddenly had an idea, as she ran to her bedroom, smiling.

Draco turned his head slightly, when he heard her retreat back into her bedroom. He let out another sigh, as he returned his attention to the fireplace once more. He was so lonely and depressed. Nothing appealed to him anymore, since everything he wanted to do, he wanted to share with Harry.

Thankfully, Harry’s letters were a good source of comfort, when he was at his worst. He didn’t write every night, but at least twice a week, there was a new letter waiting. Most of the letters were usually the same, too, about how he missed and loved him and how tonight would finally be the night he would tell Weasley the truth (yes, that supposedly brave Gryffindor still had not told him), but Draco never minded. He was just glad to receive a letter, knowing he was still out there, safe.

Hermione returned to the common area, carrying a large book, and sat down beside him on the couch. He turned toward her, furrowing his eyebrows when he saw the book. She smiled at him, as she held the book close to her chest. “I want to show you something,” she began.

“I’m really not in the mood to read some stupid library book, Granger,” he commented.

She shook her head, as she lowered the book, placing it in between their laps. “It’s not a library book,” she responded, before opening it up to the first page.

Draco’s eyes opened wide, when he stared down at the page. A moving picture of an eleven-year-old Harry, dressed in his Quidditch robes, was standing in between Ron and Hermione, with their arms wrapped around each other, laughing.

“It’s my scrapbook,” she continued, when she saw the amused look on his face. “I thought you’d like to see it.”

Draco smiled, as he took his eyes off the page and stared up at her. “Really?”

She nodded, as she looked back down, turned another page and laughed. Draco returned his gaze back to the book and slightly chuckled, when he saw the next picture. Harry, wearing a green hand-knitted sweater that was a few sizes too big, was standing next to a sour-faced Ron, wearing the same sweater in maroon. “Wow, I forgot about the Weasley sweaters,” she smiled in remembrance.

“Wait a second,” Draco suddenly said, pointing to another picture on the same page. “I’m in here?”

Hermione blushed, when she saw the picture he was pointing at. A young Draco, with slicked blonde hair, was leaning against a wall, with his arms crossed over his chest and smirking. “Okay, well, don’t laugh, but I sort of had a little crush on you back in first year,” she admitted, before adding, “that is, before I found out you were a horrible git.”

Draco shook his head and laughed, shocked that the know-it-all actually had a thing for him. “Wow, I owe Blaise ten sickles,” he smirked over at her, causing her to laugh.

They continued to look at the different pictures throughout the years, while Hermione retold a few funny moments during the times they were taken. For the first time that month, Draco had actually forgotten how much he missed Harry. He was so happy she was telling him stories about him, learning so many new things he had no idea about.

Once they reached the end of the book, on impulse, Draco leaned over and gave her a big hug. She was a bit stunned at first, but soon wrapped her arms around him.

“Thanks, Hermione,” he whispered, feeling some tears start to form in his eyes.

She smiled as she rubbed his back in tiny circles. She had never heard her name sound from his lips, but was happy to know he was finally comfortable to do so. “You’re welcome, Draco,” she softly replied. “And know that you can look at it whenever you want, okay?”

He nodded, as he backed away from her, wiping his eyes quickly. “He’s going to kill you, you know,” he soon smirked, knowing that Harry would be horrified to know that he was told some rather embarrassing stories of his past.

Hermione laughed, as she closed the book. “Yeah, well, maybe he doesn’t need to know,” she grinned.

Draco shook his head and smirked. “You’d have me keep secrets from my boyfriend?”

Hermione shrugged, as she stood up from the couch. “Sometimes it’s okay to have a few secrets here and there,” she winked. “I never did tell Blaise about my little crush on you.”

Draco raised his eyebrows, as Hermione moved toward her bedroom. “So you can hold onto those sickles,” she added, before entering her room and closing the door behind her.

Draco stared over at the fireplace, shaking his head in amazement. That girl was something else. He had said it before and he would say it again; he was so happy she was in his best friend’s life. They were definitely meant for each other.

*****
“So have you heard from him?” Draco sadly asked Hermione, as they walked down the hallways, looking for students breaking curfew.

She sighed and shook her head, “Not more than you have.”

“It’s been two weeks since he last wrote, Hermione,” he grunted. “Why hasn’t he written?”

“I don’t know, Draco,” she frowned.

“You don’t think,” he gulped, “something bad has happened, do you?”

She stopped walking and closed her eyes, hearing his question run through her head. She had never wanted to say it out loud, yet there it was. It was finally uttered and she couldn’t erase the possible thought. “Let’s not think like that,” she softly said, as she started her walk again.

He nodded. “I just hate not knowing. Especially with Christmas just around the corner.”

They turned a corner and saw two sixth year Slytherins kissing against the wall. Draco’s anger flooded to the surface, and he ran over to them, snatching the boy off the girl. Hermione’s eyes widened, as she hastened her step to the couple.

“Get off me,” the boy yelled, while struggling in Draco’s grip.

“You know it’s past both your curfews, Landen,” he seethed, finally releasing him. “Get to your rooms now, before I really do something.”

Timothy Landen narrowed his eyes at him, before turning toward the girl still leaning against the wall. He offered his hand to her and they hurriedly walked away, muttering a few things under their breath as they left.

Hermione shook her head, as she looked over at Draco. “You could’ve handled that better,” she explained.

Draco shrugged, “I handled it fine. They should know better.”

“Draco,” she sighed, “it’s not their fault you haven’t heard from Harry.”

He clenched his fists, as he passed her and continued on his way. She shook her head, as she watched him walk away. She knew he was hurting, but this was just too much. If he didn’t hear from him soon, then it was just going to get worse. She feared for him, and others, knowing how easily he could turn his rage on some unsuspecting person.

*****
"Stupid git,” Draco seethed, as he paced in his bedroom at Malfoy Manor, still not having heard any word from Harry.

He decided to go home for Christmas break, hoping the distance from the school would free his mind from missing Harry all the time. Sadly, it didn’t work, as thoughts of him constantly flooded his mind at every opportune moment. And with it being Christmas, it just made it all the more worse.

“Son?”

Draco quickly turned around, noticing his father standing in the doorway. “I didn’t know you’d be back for Christmas,” Draco smiled, as he ran over and hugged him.

Lucius smiled, as he wrapped his own arms around his son in a loving embrace. “Yes, well, the Dark Lord finally called us off our mission last night,” he replied, having just returned from a dangerous mission he had with Snape.

“I’m so glad to see you,” Draco hugged him again, not wanting to let go just yet.

“You’re still being careful, right?”

“Of course, father,” he smirked. “You know I’ve been taught by the best.”

Lucius smirked, “Good. Snape told me the Order has been good to you, too. Very glad to hear that.”

Draco nodded, before releasing his grip on his father, as he was suddenly reminded of Harry. For a split second, he had actually let his mind escape all those worries.

Lucius could sense his sudden distance and furrowed his eyebrows in response. “Draco, are you okay?” he asked.

Draco nodded, as he tried to put on a smile. “Yes, father,” he answered. “I just have a few things on my mind, that’s all.”

Lucius sighed, as he entered further into his son’s room, closing the door behind him. He slowly moved toward Draco’s bed and sat down. Draco furrowed his eyebrows, not sure why his father was sticking around.

“Want to talk about it?” he suddenly asked.

Draco shook his head, “Not really.”

“Draco, I’m worried about you,” he stated.

Draco rolled his eyes, realizing his father was not going to leave that easily. “I’ve just been a bit stressed lately, that’s all. I mean this is my last year at Hogwarts, and I have no idea what I want to do once I graduate.”

Lucius nodded, but remained silent, waiting for his son to continue.

“And I’m stressed about hiding the truth from the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters all the time,” he continued, before glancing away from his father’s eyes, as thoughts of Harry continued to plague his mind.

Lucius tilted his head, still noticing his son’s distance when he stopped. “Anything else?” he inquired.

Draco sighed, as he turned to his father once more. “Yes, but nothing I can really talk to you about at this time.”

Lucius frowned. “You used to tell me everything.”

Draco bowed his head. “I know,” he whispered.

Lucius nodded, before standing up. He gave his son a gentle squeeze on his shoulder, before moving toward the door and opening it. He turned back around, staring at Draco once more. “Snape is downstairs in the kitchen,” he explained. “After you get ready for bed, come down and say hello.”

Draco nodded, seeing his father leave. He glanced toward the window, staring into the snow-filled sky. All he needed was to know he was safe out there. He couldn’t take the silence anymore. He just needed some sort of confirmation. He began pacing his room again, wishing, hoping, he would hear something soon.

*****
After chatting with his father and Snape for a few hours downstairs, Draco retreated back up to his bedroom to try and get some sleep. He knew he should just stop trying, seeing as how he had not been able to close his eyes long enough to allow the night to take him. His mind was constantly on Harry, and he would never be able to sleep, until he knew for certain that he was safe.

He jumped in fright, when he saw his best friend standing in front of his bed. He furrowed his eyebrows, noticing how very pale he was. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” he commented, as he closed his bedroom door. “What are you doing here?”

Blaise stared at him with somber eyes, not sure how to start. He took a deep breath, as tears started to form in his eyes. He couldn’t do it; he just couldn’t tell him.

“Blaise?” Draco gulped, sensing the boy’s sorrow.

Blaise shook his head, whispering in a hoarse voice, “Draco, I’m sorry.”

Draco stood stiffly in his stance, as his heart pounded in his chest. “For what?” his voice quivered.

Blaise’s lower lip began to tremble, as he stared sympathetically at his friend. He knew how much this was going to hurt him and didn’t know how to even start. He gulped, realizing he should just say it and get it over with.

“Blaise, you’re scaring me,” Draco said, never seeing his friend behave that way before.

“Draco,” Blaise continued, as he walked a little closer to him, “I’ve just come from Hermione’s.”

Draco silently nodded, waiting for him to continue, as his heart continued to beat rapidly in his chest. He knew something wasn’t right, but was too scared to voice his concerns. Suddenly, his friend was stopped just in front of him, with his hands on his shoulders.

“Draco, Harry’s dead,” Blaise finally announced.

Draco’s body froze, as he heard the words come out of the boy’s mouth. He stared wide-eyed at his friend, no longer breathing, growing pale. No, Harry had made a promise that he would return to him. It wasn’t true. Their love was forever.

Blaise stared worriedly at him, noticing he wasn’t moving. He shook him a little, trying to get him to at least breathe. “Draco, breathe!” Blaise yelled, shaking him even harder when he saw he hadn’t done so yet. “Draco!” he frantically yelled again, as he slapped his face. Again, nothing, as Draco’s body remained still in Blaise’s grasp. “Draco, please,” Blaise begged, shaking him once more.

Draco suddenly snapped out of his trance, angrily staring at him. “How dare you fucking say that!” he screamed, pushing his friend forcefully away from him. “Why the hell would you joke about something like that?”

Blaise fearfully stood back, seeing the rage in Draco’s eyes. “You…you know I would never joke about that,” he softly stated.

Draco stared intensely into his eyes, hoping to find his lie somewhere behind them. His body started to tremble, as the tears flowed, seeing that he really was telling the truth. He dropped to his knees, burying his head in his hands, as he wept loudly into them.

Blaise slowly moved closer, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. Draco tearfully looked up at him, shaking his head. “It isn’t true,” he avowed. “He wouldn’t leave me.”

Blaise frowned, as he knelt down in front of him. “I know you don’t want to believe it Draco, but it is true. They discovered his remains a few days ago,” he sadly began to explain. “His body was hit with the Fiendfyre curse. At first, they weren’t even sure who the remains belonged to, but after thorough examination around the area, finding the evidence needed, they confirmed it was Harry.”

He paused, as he heard his friend try to stifle his cries. He gently squeezed Draco’s shoulder, aware that he needed the comfort. Draco continued to shake his head, as he kept his eyes lowered to the ground.

“Hermione had received an urgent letter from Weasley a few days ago,” he continued, before slowly shaking his head. “If that stupid bird would have just gotten there a bit sooner,” he sighed, looking at Draco, who had just lifted his eyes to meet his in question.

“Harry was hurt, although she wasn’t sure how. All she knew was that he was badly hurt and needed help quickly,” he answered his unasked question.

“He was hurt before the curse even happened?” Draco curiously asked.

“Apparently,” Blaise nodded. “When help finally arrived, however, there was no trace of either Harry or Weasley. They feared the worse, especially when they found some ashes off to the side, knowing immediately it was from a Fiendfyre. They started their investigation, although they already had their suspicions, knowing Harry and Weasley had been camping there just a day prior.

“Even with their suspicions, though, there was still a chance of it all being a coincidence. There was still a chance they had left the place, before the attack even happened, but then they saw their key evidence: a pool of dry blood on the ground nearby. They quickly brought samples of it to St. Mungo’s, where the Healers began to perform tests. And then late last night, after all the tests and evidence they found had been reviewed once more, they confirmed it to be Harry,” he finished.

Draco shook his head again, not able to believe the story. “I don’t care what they say, Blaise. It wasn’t him. He wouldn’t do that to me,” he declared, wiping his tears away. “Besides, who’s to say that blood wasn’t from something else? You did say he was hurt prior to the curse. Maybe Weasley took him away from there to get the help needed, when nobody came in time.”

“They had other evidence to go on, Draco,” Blaise sighed, wishing he was right, but knowing he wasn’t, especially with what he had in his pocket that Hermione gave him.

“Like what?” Draco asked, still remaining skeptical.

“They found his wand off to the side,” he mentioned, knowing it wouldn’t work.

Draco shrugged, “It could’ve dropped out of his pocket.”

“Hermione told them about the protective wards, so when they did the counterspell, they found their tent still intact, with all their belongings inside,” Blaise offered, still aware that it wouldn’t be enough, knowing he would finally have to show him.

“Harry was hurt, so I’m sure the last thing on Weasley’s mind was to pack up their stuff, knowing he needed immediate attention,” Draco reasoned, before sighing. “Look, I know how this all seems, but Blaise, you know I can’t believe something like this, until I have seen actual, concrete proof that it was him. You know me better than that.”

Blaise sighed, as he finally reached inside his pocket and slowly pulled out the silver ring. “I know.”

*****

A/N: **gulps** Okay, I know you're all probably hating me right now and I'm SO sorry. :( Just an FYI that the next chapter will take place a week earlier, where you will see how this all came to be. Again, I'm really sorry, but I truly hope you won't give up on this story.