War of the Heart

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CHAPTER 3 Confusion
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Draco made his way back to the Slytherin common room,panting and blushed.He threw himself fully clothed on the bed, and kicked off his shoes.He drew the curtains shut with a swish of his wand, and tried to calm himself, to breathe and relax, but his heart just wouldn't stop pounding. He could still feel Potters warmth unnerving him. He couldn't believe his own bad luck. He groaned, and rolled his eyes, covering his face with his hands.Stumbling on top of bloody saint Potter!
He was such a goodygoody, teachers pet,polite and.. ... ..and so soft, a little voice in the back of his mind added.He shook his head violently,rattling his hair, to shake that particular thought off. Saint Potter, soft?! He wanted himself to think "who cares if saint Potter is as soft as a bloody minkcoat!?", but he couldn't help remembering what it felt like.He had tried to kill these feelings for so long, but it got so much worse when you actually had memories to suppress.
He closed his eyes, blushing, ashamed, and felt Potters heart, thundering in his ears, his warmth sneaking into Malfoys limbs, Potters somewhat rough voice, his blush when accepting Malfoys hand..the way their hands had fitted so well..the way Potter had thanked him,looking down,hair in his face, blushing red in contrast with his twinkling green eyes..the way Potter had leaned in,almost touching his lips when he got the letter,almost luring him to lean in as well...The sneaking feeling he had had,before he got up, that he wasn't the only one feeling the heat,feeling these things..
Malfoy cut his thoughts short,and caught himself grinning sheepishly, cheeks flushed.It was like being caught in the charm of a Veela.Malfoy groaned into his pillow, horrified.His father would never forgive him if he found out.It had lasted for so long, a quiet longing, a secret crush, he almost thought the crush had been over,and then..this.

Panting, Harry was back in his bed before either Ron or Neville even started to move.He had waited ten minutes after giving Hedwig his letter,and before that he didn't know how long it took him to recover. He was such an idiot! Why did he have to collide with Malfoy like that? Now Malfoy would laugh about him with his Slytherin friends,again. Potter is such a klutz, they'd laugh. He hit his pillow halfheartedly, with a burn in his throat. He couldn't stop thinking of him.
The enemy.His eyes, his warm body on top of his own,the way he bent down to pick up Harrys envelope,so gracefully, and the way he held his hand..The way he had almost kissed him without thinking..What if he had done it?!What would've happened? And what if Malfoy had sensed how he felt? Harry gasped for air..The way Malfoy didn't let go of his hand when he bent down..He felt his hands,when he reached for the letter,so strong,it seemed unrealistic for such a fragile-looking boy.Malfoy sometimes resembled a beautiful porcelain doll, but lately he had become stronger,more ..rugged,rougher.Somehow,more handsome, than pretty.
How could he have failed to notice this for so long?Harry Potter lay in his bed, afraid. So what if he was..gay.He could handle that. He was pretty sure he would handle that. But..to fall in love with..him?Anyone but him..Even falling for Ron would be better!He choked, and swallowed it down.Harry got up again, too anxious to sleep. A walk in the corridors, maybe to the library would do him good,he decided. He could read up on lovecharms, and how to get over it. He didn't even smile at his own joke, as he strode along,his mind on his awakened new side,and out from behind a corner came a person with as much haste and worries as himself.
They collided, and landed dumbfounded on their backsides. "Better watch it, Harry, or I'll have to visit Madam Pomfrey as well!" "Wood!" Harrys old Quidditch captain laughed softly. "How you been, Potter? Fought any dragons or dark lords in the last few weeks?Haven't seen ya much in the Prophet lately?" Wood grinned. Harry smiled reluctantly.shrugging. "I'm ok, I guess.And you?What are you doing here anyway?" Wood looked at him. "I'm fine.Order business, you know.Can't tell."
Harry nodded. "So, are you going to tell me what's wrong,Harry?" Harry blushed, and studied his black and red sneakers. "Wrong..? Eh.." Wood looked even closer at him. "I know it can't be Order business, or you would have told Dumbledore.So, what's up? Girl trouble or something?" Harry bit his lip hesitantly. "You still with that Chang girl,or what?" Harry looked up."No,I'm not, I mean, we're not..Nah,it's over.It's not that anyways." Wood grinned. "aha!So you admit something IS troubling you." He blinked at Harry. "C'mon. Harry, spill the beans. You know I won't tell anyone." Wood sounded so suddenly serious, Harry had to look at him.
He could see Wood was worried.He felt guilty about not keeping in touch with his old Captain, but with battling dark lords and chasing grades, he just didn't have the energy, he thought to himself. As he drew his lungs full of fresh air, Harry decided that Wood was trustworthy.He stared quite fixed on his black shoelaces,tied doubly,and mumbled; "It's not girl trouble,but..", he swallowed heavily, "..but,it's the same kind of trouble as it would've been if it had been about a girl."

He blushed furiously, and held his breath, knowing Wood would react with disgust and rage,and at the same time, hoping he wouldn't. Oliver Wood stood nonplussed for a second. "I see.. well, 'fess up, Harry.Who's the lucky guy?" He grinned. Harry turned a deep scarlet, and hissed at him. "Keep your voice down!No one knows!!" Oliver raised his eyebrows, and whistled. "I'm honoured.So...not even Ron knows?" Harry sighed, ashamed. "No,not even Ron." "Is Ron the..the problem,then?"
Harry shook his head. "No, no, it's not him.It's -so- much worse than that." Oliver patted his shoulder. "Well, that's good.I don't think Ron bends that way. But ..worse?" Harry ignored the old teammates question, and replied, somewhat lighter; "I know, that's kinda why I haven't told him.That, and I only realized it a few days ago." Oliver nodded understandingly. "It's a tricky situation, especially if he doesn't like you back.But if it's not Ron, then who is it?" Harry looked shamefully away, and mumbled the name in almost a growl, trying to hold his tears back.