The Labyrinth

Warnings:Angst,Crossover,Crying,H/C,Language,M/M (later is now HERE! Well, not THIS exact chapter), OOC-ness only to the extent that it fits the movie and plot (except now that the "movie" is over, hopefully there won't be any more OOC-ness), oh yeah and RW/HG (not sex; just basically like before)

Author's note--As promised, more information about Snape and everyone's reactions to Harry and Draco kissing! Enjoy!

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The Labyrinth

What Happened After and Upholding the Vow

Minerva was only marginally surprised to see the two boys kiss. She had been working with students for a long time, and she was familiar with the hormonal urges that accompanied certain ages. She felt the head of Slytherin come in behind her, stiffen, and leave abruptly. She, Severus, and Albus had had several long meetings, and Severus had continually been extremely vocal in his disapproval of Harry Potter having anything to do with or be anywhere near his godson, and that was when they hated each other! Minerva didn’t quite have Albus’ knack for calming Severus, but she had more of an ‘It’s going to be this way because I said so’ attitude, while Albus had implored Snape to trust him that things would work out. She could only imagine what was going through the Potions professor’s head, and she allowed herself a small smirk of amusement.

But like anything that involved Harry and Draco, things got out of hand, albeit in a different way than normal. The applause and the standing ovation didn’t cease; in fact, there were spontaneous bursts of cheering that proceeded to get louder. Minerva began making her way through the crowd towards them, noticing that Harry was hiding his face. The next time that Minerva looked up, Draco’s eyes were popped, and she recognized the problem immediately. Luckily she was about five steps away, and she took hold of Draco’s arm, reaching behind him to gently separate Harry, creating space between them. She turned both of them around so that their backs were to the crowd, facing her, standing side by side.

“Gentlemen, I understand that you are seventeen, but please remember that this is SUPPOSED to be dinnertime. Take it outside if you must, but try to be aware of your surroundings before you endeavor to undertake something that you cannot finish in certain situations,” Minerva tried to smile to take the sting out of her carefully worded speech, but she had motioned for them to lean in close so that no one else heard what was said. Harry blushed as he realized what she was talking about, and he looked askance at Draco. The blonde kept his eyes on the Headmistress, nodding, and he raised his chin, meeting her eyes.

“Apologies for any offense given, Headmistress,” he said elegantly, and Harry blinked, suddenly reminded of the differences in their backgrounds. Draco was, after all, raised in the highest circles of nobility to be an aristocrat, and he could call it up at will.

“Yeah, sorry,” Harry stammered, feeling awkward and inadequate next to Draco’s polished presence and empty grey eyes. Minerva smiled again, putting Harry more at ease.

“No offense at all and no need for apologies, gentlemen,” she said kindly. “Just conduct yourselves appropriately.” She patted them both on the arm and excused herself. Harry turned to Draco, his smile fading as he looked into the flat grey eyes. There was no sign of Draco—the Draco he loved—and it unnerved Harry. He searched for some kind of recognition, not finding it.

“Draco?” He hated how timid and afraid his voice sounded because that wasn’t him.

“Harry, go back to your table. We’ll talk about this later, okay?” Draco looked from side to side, anywhere but Harry. He could feel the crushing disappointment radiate off of Harry in stark contrast to their electricity before. Harry was turning away when Draco caught him around the waist, pulling him close again and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. “Please don’t be upset,” he whispered. “I’ll explain later, but please don’t be upset with me right now.”

Harry pulled back, hearing HIS Draco’s voice in his ear, coming from the blank, aristocratic stranger’s mouth. His heart jumped at knowing that there was still some part of his lover, even if he couldn’t see it, and he resolved to have more faith in Draco from now on. He had started to get horribly insecure, but he tried to nip it in the bud, reminding himself of Draco’s assertions of love in private. He nodded, giving Draco a small but genuine smile to show that he wasn’t mad, and he took the hand at his waist and squeezed lovingly, out of sight of the crowd. His heart lifted when Draco acknowledged him with a small nod, and then they both mutually turned away, Draco sitting back at his place at the Slytherin table while Harry made his way back to Gryffindor’s table.

He took his seat next to Ron again, frowning as the redhead shied away slightly. He looked to Hermione sitting across from them, and she was frowning a little. He glanced at Ron, but Ron refused to look at him, focusing on shoveling his food.

“So, uh, what happened in class after I left? What potion did you guys work on?” Harry said, trying to ignore the brewing tension. Hermione glared at Ron one last time before turning to Harry, and she gasped.

“Oh! I can’t believe I didn’t tell you!” she exclaimed, reaching across the table and putting her hand on his wrist. “Well, we were supposed to try the Euphoria Elixer today. You know, the one where you have an added ingredient in your book? I actually got your book out and used—what? Okay, so maybe I’ve been looking through your book again. You have extra notes, Harry! How could I not? I’m sorry! Anyway, I was using your book, and Snape was walking around, making snarky comments like usual when all of a sudden, he doubles over, grabbing his head like he’s in pain. Everyone freezes, and we’re all just sitting there, watching him, and he lets out this grunt and falls to his knees. I caught a glimpse of his face, Harry, and he looked like he was under a massive Crucio or something!

“Then his back straightens, and he goes rigid. It was scary. It was like someone hit him with a Body-Bind, and then he jumps to his feet, spins around with his wand drawn—I swear, Harry, it was like he expected you under your Invisibility Cloak or Voldemort to be behind him—and then he just falls backwards! It was the weirdest thing! We were all scared out of our minds! I jumped up and ran over to him, and Ron went to get Madam Pomfrey. We had no idea what was going on, and I wasn’t sure what to do. Then everyone else started crowding around him. Luckily, Crabbe and Goyle were there, and they helped push everyone back. They actually listened to me, Harry! Malfoy’s thugs listened to me and helped me!

“I took a chance and tried to Enervate him, and he blinks and tries to sit up. I grabbed his arm to support him, and he gave me the nastiest look! I mean, it WAS Snape, after all, and he jerked away. He could barely sit up, but he wouldn’t let anyone help him. He started muttering to himself, and I only caught a little bit of what he was saying; but he was like, ‘Damn Potter and his visions…points from Granger for trying to kill me.’ I didn’t, though, Harry. It was just an Enervate. Anyway, he gets up and all, and he’s leaning against his desk when Ron comes back with both Pomfrey and McGonagall in tow. And they walk in just as he takes fifty points away from Gryffindor because of you! You weren’t even in class, and he was totally unfair! I was going to protest when he suddenly looks at me, points, and he goes, ‘And you, Granger! Fifty more points from Gryffindor for trying to AK me! I’ll not be taken down that easily, I’ll have you know!’ I had no idea WHAT he was talking about!” By the time Hermione was finished with her tale, she was upset and almost crying, remembering the injustice she faced. Harry covered her hand with his own.

“C’mon, ‘Mione, it’s Snape,” he said soothingly. Ron glowered at him out of the corner of his eye. “What did Pomfrey and McGonagall say?”

“They were both fussing over him, and he was trying to wave them off and yelling at us to get back to work,” Hermione took a deep breath and continued. “McGonagall was arguing with him about staying until the end of class, just to be safe, until they figured out what happened. Pomfrey was about to leave; it couldn’t have been more than five minutes after he got up, and then he grabs his arm, screaming in pain again. He actually ripped his robes trying to get the cloth off, and…” Hermione leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “The Dark Mark was pulsing, Harry. I only saw it for a second, but it was blacker than black. Then Pomfrey grabbed him and pushed him out of the room. McGonagall ordered us to finish our potions and wait until the class was supposed to be over, and then we could dismiss ourselves. They didn’t come back. I haven’t seen any of them until earlier when McGonagall and Snape pulled you out of here.”

“Snape said that his Dark Mark flared for an instant, and then it faded completely,” Harry related what he had seen in the hallway. “The Mark is gone from his arm.”

“So Voldemort really is…gone, then? It’s not like last time?” Hermione held her breath. Harry considered her words.

“I don’t think it’s ever faded completely before,” he said. “It feels like it’s over. I really hope it is.”

“What, you’re tired of being the Savior?” Ron interjected himself into the conversation with a snarky comment, reminiscent of Malfoy. “Seven years of fighting, and you’re ready to give up?”

“Um, yes,” Harry looked at his best mate in surprise. “You know that. What’s wrong with you?” Ron rolled his eyes. “Is this about me and Draco?”

“No, this is not about you and the Amazing Bouncing Ferret,” Ron hissed. Harry’s brow furrowed.

“Not funny, Ronald. If it’s not that, then what?”

“Draco’s not enough for you? You’re Harry bloody Potter. You have a fan club. You even got your worst enemy to fall for you. Bloody hell, Harry; it’s bad enough to watch you snog that git, but as soon as you get back to this table, you-I mean—why do you have to—can’t you just leave well enough alone?” Ron glared at him, nodding his head slightly towards Hermione. Harry watched him, confused, glanced at the girl, and then his gaze traveled down her arm to their hands, still joined, laying on the table. Harry pulled his hand away. He looked back at Ron with an unspoken question in his eyes, and Ron nodded.

“Merlin, I’m sorry, Ron. I didn’t think it was…” Harry trailed off, not sure how to continue, since Hermione knew nothing about Ron’s immense crush on her. She acted like she liked him too, but Ron was too shy around her to make a move. He never minded before, though, when Harry and Hermione would hug, so Harry was confused about why a comforting hand would make Ron get bent out of shape. Hermione looked between the two boys. She wasn’t stupid; she knew something was up.

“What are you guys talking about? What’s going on?” Ron began to turn red, and Harry ducked his head. She frowned fiercely. “I know there’s something going on here. I want to know what it is. Tell me.”

“It’s nothing, ‘Mione,” Harry said. She glared at him, looking to Ron.

“Ron, what is it?” The redhead looked down at his plate and refused to look up, except to send terrified ‘help me’ sideways glances at Harry. The black-haired Gryffindor leaned in closer to Ron.

“Maybe you should just tell her, mate,” he whispered, trying not to notice the thunderstorm that was currently inhabiting Hermione’s face. “She likes you, too. What’s the worst that could happen, right?”

Before Ron could answer, Hermione half-rose out of her seat, grabbed Ron by the front of his robes, and dragged him up so that their faces were just inches apart.

“Ronald Bilius Weasley, you tell me what is going on this instant or I will never speak to you again!” Harry’s mouth dropped open at Hermione’s forcefulness.

“I, uh…oh, man,” Ron whimpered; Hermione gave him a small shake as if to renew her threat. “Hermioneilikeyoualot,” he blurted, brushing his lips to hers in the fastest first kiss on record. It was déjà vu for Harry, who had watched that scene play out—albeit slightly differently—before, but it didn’t stop him from breaking into a triumphant grin, just the same. If he would’ve blinked, he would’ve missed it. The look on Hermione’s face was priceless, though. Her eyes went wide, and she let go of Ron. He fell back into his seat with a thump, his face matching his hair, but he was grinning like a fool.

Hermione was frozen, half-standing, her fingers still bent as if clutching Ron’s clothing. Harry was about to reach up and shake her when her eyes suddenly focused on him, darted over to Ron, then back to him, and then back to Ron. She jerked as if coming back to life, and an embarrassed but completely glowing smile spread over her face as she tried to sink back into her seat as gracefully as possible. A couple of wolf whistles from the other end of the Gryffindor table rang out, causing people to turn, stare, and then begin whispering, since most missed the cause but not the effect.

Harry watched in amusement as his calm, logical, and smartest friend was suddenly transformed into a gibbering little dumb bunny. She cocked her head, blushing prettily, as she fumbled with her fork. It kept slipping out of her grasp, and she ended up accidentally flipping it across the table. Both she and Ron jumped when it bumped into the side of his plate, and he picked it up, handing it back to her. Their fingers touched as she accepted the fork, and their smiles widened. Hermione went to stab one of the vegetables on her plate and missed. Rather than make more of a fool of herself, she put the utensils down carefully, glancing up at the two of them.

“Well,” she drawled flirtatiously. “I think I’m done for now. Study? Sure, sounds good! I’m going to go work on my Transfigurations essay, okay? Okay. Yeah. See you guys later, yeah? Yeah.?” After her less-than-eloquent speech, she proceeded to trip a couple of times as she tried to gracefully extricate herself from the table, grab her bag, and rush out of the Great Hall. Ginny, who had been one of the ones to whistle from the other end of the table, got up and hurried after her, followed by Lavender and Parvati, giving her older brother a teasing whack to the back of the head as she passed by, grinning mightily. Harry turned and punched Ron on the shoulder playfully.

“Way to go, mate!” Harry exclaimed, grabbing Ron by the shoulders and shaking him excitedly. Ron swiped at him playfully, but he allowed himself to be congratulated. Seamus reached over Dean, who was on Ron’s other side, and ruffled Ron’s hair. The two of them had seen the whole thing, and when Ron glanced to the other end of the table, Neville gave him a thumbs-up, which Ron returned joyfully.

“I did it, Harry,” Ron said, pleased with himself. “I really did it. Now what do I do?” Harry’s smile semi-faded, and he shrugged. A pale hand extended to Ron across the table as a familiar drawl made both of them look up in surprise.

“I didn’t think you had it in you, Weasley, but congratulations!” Ron’s eyes narrowed automatically as he looked from the offered hand into Draco Malfoy’s wryly smiling face. “If I’d have known that’s all it would take to make Granger stammer like an idiot, I’d have convinced you to do that mid-way through first year.”

“She’s not an idiot, Malfoy,” Ron shot to his feet, followed by Harry. The redhead latched onto the derogatory word in his sentence, due to seven years of habit, before he really heard what the blonde said. “Wait, what? I mean, thanks?” Harry picked up Ron’s hand and placed it in Draco’s, smiling at the Slytherin. Draco shook Ron’s hand, and Ron stared in disbelief. “What’s going on, Malfoy? Why? Why are you doing this? What do you want?” His voice was laced with suspicion, and he pulled his hand away as if scalded. Draco frowned.

“There is nothing you have that I want, Ron,” he began, but Ron pointed at him, blue eyes flashing with familiar, comforting anger.

“It’s Weasley to you, Ferret!”

“And it’s Draco to YOU, Ron,” Harry interjected. “Not Ferret.”

“No, Harry, it’s Malfoy to Weasley,” Draco said sourly. “If that’s the way he wants it, that’s fine. But just so you know, Weasley, I’m sorry about all of the dumb shit I said over the years, and that won’t happen anymore. I’m different now, and I don’t expect you to believe me or forgive me or, hell, even like me, but I love your best mate, and I hope that you can at least tolerate that. I’m happy for you with Granger, so I would hope that you could at least extend that decency to Harry.” Draco’s eyes held no trace of cruelty or malice. He held to his vow of being nicer to Harry’s friend, and he was proud of himself for not succumbing to the urge to insult the redhead back. His grey eyes flicked to Harry, making him smile briefly, before he nodded to Ron politely and excused himself, leaving the Great Hall with his bodyguards in tow.

Ron blinked a few times. The shocks just kept on coming! He opened his mouth and turned, only to find his friend frowning with his arms crossed and disappointment evident in his green eyes. He knew that Harry was waiting for a trigger, but Ron didn’t want a lecture about Malfoy. He threw his leg over the bench to leave, and Harry caught the sleeve of his robe.

“Ron, wait. Please give Draco a chance? He didn’t insult ‘Mione or you, AND he apologized!”

“That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s changed, Harry,” Ron said doubtfully, holding up his hand when Harry went to interrupt. “I’m not saying that he hasn’t, but I’m not just going to suddenly believe that he has. So he was nice this one time. Big whoop. Anyone can do that. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but only for you. And if he hurts you in any way, so help me, I’ll rip him a new one.” Ron made a fist and smacked it into his open palm for emphasis. Harry nodded, knowing that that would have to be good enough for now. He was just glad that all of the drama was over. Ron gave his shoulder a squeeze and left.
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Author's note--HA! I hope you liked. I figured Ron might be more stunned than upset about Harry kissing Draco (especially since it obviously made Harry happy and they just found out Voldie was dead). And then that was taken off of his mind when Harry was holding Hermione's hand, and it just seemed to me that Ron would be MORE upset about the fact that Harry has just given a very obvious sign of who he's into and dating...and then still proceeds to hold Hermione's hand! (Even though their hand holding is PURELY friendship)

And of course...deja vu! And Draco and the vow...poor Ron has no idea what's going on, but now that 'Mione kissed him, he's not mad at Harry anymore; but he's still very protective!

And Hermione...you know how people get flustered and can't seem to keep a grip on things or make a suggestion and then have a short conversation with themselves as if it were with another person...that's how I imagined Hermione would be! *so cute*

WeasleyWench--Well, I'll email you...at some point, I think. Pansy kill Snape? *confused* haha You mean Hermione? And....awww, we don't really want Snape dead! He interfered with Lucius and Narcissa on Draco's behalf, remember? (at the Manor)

thrnbrooke--thank you!

hilfreak--I know! There will be more action! Now that it's after dinner, they're gonna GET IT ON! (Well, angsty goodness first and THEN get it on!) So stay tuned! Thanks for your review!