Love, Lies & Loneliness

A/N Oh and just because I\'m feeling generous today, here\'s a bonus chappy to keep you happy......

Chapter 34
(Subtle art of Seduction)

“So are you actually going to tell me what happened or are you going to continue to be awkward?” Draco slipped the broom from between his legs as his feet touched down on the ground again, Harry just behind him.

With the three weeks of celebrations over the second half of the school year had begun again in earnest. Harry had calmed down somewhat over the holiday period, having settled some things within himself about his parents and what had happened in the past leading up to him killing Voldomort. He’d spent most of the three weeks with Sirius going out shopping and to the movies. With the officials no longer searching for Black as a potential murder he was free to walk around as himself and Harry had enjoyed spending time with him and Lupin. Ron had spent a fair amount of time with Harry too, and everyone had been present when the official award ceremony had taken place where Harry had been given the Order of Merlin for his services rendered to the Magical World. It had been a good day and Harry had proudly accepted the award in front of all his friends and family. Just as Draco had said Harry had given the magical community what they’d wanted, photos, autographs and in depth interviews all on the condition that when school started again they left him alone and so far they’d kept to their side of the bargain.

“I told you already Malfoy, nothing happened. He just told me about the past and my parents, there’s nothing seedy to tell.” Harry tossed his broom over his shoulder and fell into step beside Draco as they headed for the Quidditch team showers. Since arriving back at school neither of them had hardly time to practice for the matches what with their professors working them twice as hard to catch up on lost time before final exams. “In fact we haven’t once talked about it and I’m not going to just ask. It’s like we’ve become friends or something and I’m happy with that.” Draco looked unbelievingly across at his friend who tried desperately to remain indifferent to the look but failed miserably as a blush crept up into his cheeks. “Ahh see, like you’re happy with the ‘whole’ we’re just friends crap. You forget I sleep next to you Harry and silencing charms don’t hide everything.” Draco walked into the locker rooms first waving his arms around in triumph at having successfully broken Harry’s silence on the subject. Harry rolled his eyes and moved over to his locker that he unlocked with a quick flick of his wand.

“Could you just drop the subject Draco? He and I aren’t ever going to work out there’s too much against it, and I wish you’d stop pushing it.” Harry stripped off quickly and grabbing his towel headed for the shower. Draco followed him and took the next showerhead along already beginning to lather himself up after the strenuous training session they’d engaged in. Since Draco and Harry had begun Quidditch training together the Quidditch cup had never been so close to call before. Each seeker knew the others weaknesses and were now relatively evenly matched.

“I’m pushing it cause I know you’re wrong. What if I said I know for a fact he loves you?” Draco washed the shampoo from his hair as he turned to see Harry’s reaction to his confession. Draco had been completely irritated with his godfather when he’d found out Snape hadn’t even apologised to Harry for his outburst at the party, let alone broached the subject with the boy. Harry burst out laughing and shook his head in disbelieve.

“Now you’re delusional Draco. There is no way Snape loves me in any other way than how he loves you, as his godson. Please try something new.” Having quickly washed himself free of soap Harry turned off the shower and stepped into his towel. They would be late for dinner at this rate, if they didn’t get a move on. Draco groaned in exasperation and washed himself clean of soap as well before wrapping his towel around his waist and following his friend back out into the locker area.

“You’re dumber than I thought Potter. Have you even looked at him lately? His fucking gaze never leaves you, it’s like he’s following you around like a lost puppy.” Draco slammed the door of Harry’s locker closed demanding his friend pay attention to him.

“No I haven’t looked at him Draco, mainly cause if I do it hurts okay. There I’ve said it, it still hurts to know what he did. Besides if he did love me as you said he does, there’s obviously some good reason he hasn’t approached me about it, say for instance that fact that student teacher relationships are banned? Or the fact he grew up with my mother and is nearly twice my age? Or how about the fact I’m a virgin schoolboy who only just discovered that he’s queer? All of those things are pretty damn good reasons he doesn’t love me?” Harry attempted to open his locker again but before he could reach for his school robes Draco had flicked his wand at the locker and every shred of clothing that was inside disappeared with a sharp pop.

“You know what Potter, you’re one grumpy son of a bitch and you need a good fuck to release some of that pent up tension before you explode. And seeing as though you’re too stupid to realise what’s right under your nose I’m going to prove it to you.” Harry went to grab his wand in order to bring his cloths back but Draco was too quick and snatched up his friend’s wand before dressing himself with a flick of his own.

“Draco! Give me back my wand!” Draco ran from the locker room and out onto the path leading back up to the castle. Harry skidded to a halt at the locker room door clutching the towel about his waist as he glared at Draco.

“If you want it back Potter, you’ll apologise to me and tell me I was right about him looking at you?” With that Draco turned and began sprinting up towards the castle leaving Harry with nothing but the towel wrapped around his naked body.

“FUCK!” Harry cursed and kicked the door to the locker room, cursing again as he stubbed his toe. The only problem being friends with a Slytherin, was that the other boy wasn’t afraid of outsmarting Harry with pure torment. With a sigh Harry stepped out of the locker room having secured the towel around his waist. Draco was making him turn up to dinner in the buff as revenge. The blonde knew that the fat lady wouldn’t allow Harry back in the Gryfindor common room without his wand and the only way was to either approach one of his friends from the tower to let him in or to turn up to dinner and apologise to Draco. Whatever he decided to do though Harry knew he’d have to go to the great hall, cause dinner had probably already started and everyone would be seated and eating. So taking a deep breath Harry began running up to the castle towards the hall.

Taking the steps two at a time Harry stopped momentarily at the top to make sure his towel was still in place before he crept towards the partly open doors of the great hall. The hall was as always full of people chattering and laughing over dinner. The head table was full of teachers too and Harry wondered if Draco took some sort of delight in seeing him get detention. Sneaking forward Harry peeked his head into the hall and smiled when he saw Ron sitting in his usual seat on the Gryfindor table closest to the door with his brothers.

“Psst, Ron.” Harry whispered softly through the door hoping that Ron would hear him without having to speak louder. Ron was obviously to engrossed in his meal however and didn’t notice his friend calling him. Harry tried again this time a little louder but again Ron didn’t hear him. Harry began to frustrated and raising his voice a little more Harry snapped at his friend. “Ronald Weasley!” Almost instantly Ron and the twins spun around, having expected to see their mother behind them, as she was the only one who ever called Ron by his full name.

“Harry?!” Ron got up from his seat and moved over to the door when Harry gestured to him with his hands. Unfortunately Ron wasn’t the smartest Weasley in the family and unthinkingly opened the hall door wide thinking that Harry needed a hand getting in. When the red head took in Harry’s appearance he immediately spoke loud enough so that the entire room heard him. “Harry? Where are all your clothes?” The silence that fell over the hall was deafening as every gaze in the hall turned to look at Harry who now stood exposed in just a wet towel at the entranceway to the great hall. Harry groaned in humiliation and covered his face with his hands as Ron immediately realised his mistake and made to try and cover his friend by standing in front of him. It was too late though the damage having already been done as sniggering and laughter broke out around the room. On instinct Harry glared over at the Slytherin table to where Draco sat smugly at his seat his arms folded proudly across his chest. Harry watched as Draco gestured with his head towards the top table and Harry slowly let his gaze settle on the professor Draco was gesturing to. Almost instantly Harry’s gaze met Professor Snape’s the man’s obsidian gaze almost luxuriating in the sight of Harry’s half naked body. Harry was stunned that the professor was staring at him but it didn’t last as the professor obviously realised his mistake and dropped his gaze instantly back to his plate. Harry turned back to look at Draco who looked even more smug than he had before and now held Harry’s wand up in question.

“Sorry.” Harry spoke quietly and he knew Draco would have heard him but Draco shook his head and shrugged his shoulders uncaringly.

“I can’t hear you Potter? What did you say?” Draco loved every minute of Harry’s humiliation.

“I said I’m Sorry you were right.” Draco beamed proudly and stood up from the table and held out Harry’s wand.

“So glad you see things my way, now come and put some clothes on you’re making a scene.” Harry pushed Ron away from him in disgust of his friend’s lame attempt at covering him and strode confidently over to the Slytherin table and snatched his wand from Draco’s grasp. With a flick of his wrist Harry was dressed in his school robes again and looked mildly less pink than he had been before. Making his way back to his own table Harry didn’t miss the odd adoring gaze and muffled comments thrown his way as he took his seat, obviously the idea of him being queer hadn’t yet registered with some of the girls. Harry had just settled down to his meal when he felt a presence behind him and glanced sideways to see Snape’s looming over him. The man didn’t look happy not that he ever did at school, but still it wasn’t a good sign.

“10 points from Gryfindor and detention with me Mr Potter, for that inappropriate display.” With a snarl Snape was gone again leaving Harry to hang his head in utter defeat. Glancing up Harry caught Draco’s pleased smile and flicked him the finger from across the room. Draco merely smiled at the rude sign and blew an exaggerated kiss at his friend before turning back to his housemates whom were undoubtedly still making fun of him.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A/N I crave for reviews over these last couple of chapters, cause I really want to know if it\'s all kind of making sense??? I hate it when a story doesn\'t make sense so I\'m hoping I\'ve attempted to make my plot work??? Hope you like the chapters and I promise we\'ve got Snarry sex on the horizon so bear with me.....

Thanks for taking the time to review

RIFFRAFF