Recovery

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to get this up. I got caught up in Operation: Voldie's Heir (i was having a humor attack, hehe)

Recovery - Chapter Eight


"Okay, Ron, spill." Harry demanded, standing over his bed friend with his arms crossed. Ron looked up from his book. He quickly scanned the room, looking for a way out. Sadly, they were alone in the boy's dorm and Harry was blocking his path to the door.

"Explain what?" Ron decided to play innocent.

"You know damn well what." Harry responded. "What's with you and Malfoy here lately?"

"It's nothing." Ron said simply. Harry narrowed his eyes and took a step closer to Ron's bed. Suddenly Harry let out a long sigh and sat down on the bed.

"Ron, we used to be able to tell each other everything." Harry said sadly. "What happened?"

"I..." Ron trailed off. He looked at Harry carefully a moment before speaking. "Harry, something has happened. Yes, it involves Malfoy." Harry opened his mouth, but Ron cut him off. "You want me to talk about it? Don't say a word, then. I don't know how to explain what's going on, okay?s jus just... I really can't tell you what happened, but it does have something to do with what happened earlier today. I kinda helped Malfoy out, and we've spent some time together. For once in our whole relationship we weren't hexing each other. I have to tell you the truth, Harry, I like it. I like spending time with him and having him rely on me for suport. It's empowering. He makes me feel special without even meaning to."

"Oh, God." Harry muttered when Ron stopped to breathe. "Relationship?"

"Er-"

"You like him!" Harry blurted out loudly. He pointed at Ron, eyes wide. "Oh my God, you really like him! Look at you! Your face! Holy bloody hell! I'm gonna have a Malfoy for a brother-in-law!"

"But, Harry, we aren't blood relatives." Ron replied, saying the only thing he could think of.

"Well, true, but still! Malfoy? Ewwwww." Harry shuddered and fell back onto the bed with a humph of disgust.

"So, I take it your not upset about me liking guys, then?" Ron asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Nah, I would be a bit hypocritical if I was."

"What?" Ron stared. Harry looked over at him and gave him a lop-sided grin. Ron stared even more. "You mean all those times you've been running off it hasn't been with Hermione?"

"Hermione? Ugh, No!" Harry gave a look of disgust. "But don't tell her that I said that. She's like a sister, Ron, you know that."

"Yeah, poor Hermione." Ron chuckled. "She's the perfect sister." Harry giggled. "So?"

"Hmm?"

"Come on, Harry! Where have you been sneaking off to?" Ron practically begged, excitement in his eyes.

"Guess!" Harry grinned.

"Well, it's a guy, right?" Nod. "Gryffindor?" Nod. "Hmm... Gotta be Seamus." Ron said.

"Nope."

"Dean?"

"Nope."

"Please don't tell me it's Colin." Ron said. Harry simply shook his head, grinning madly. "Come on, Harry! Who?"

"Well, he's in our year," Harry said slowly. "Really good at Herbology-"

"Holly shit, Neville!" Ron gasped. "No way."

"Yup." Harry's grin grew almost devilish in nature. "Neville it is. That boy may look shy, but let me tell you.. Heh... Besides, Seamus is seeing Dean. And Colin? Well, he's kinda -" The rest of muffled behind a cough.

"What?" Ron asked. Harry looked aorund innocently. "Harry, what?"

"He's dating your sister." Harry finally said.

"What!" Ron exclaimed. He got to his knees on his bed and moved to hop off. "Let me at him!"

"Calm down!" Harry said, laughing. He went to grab Ron's arm, but Ron stopped on his own as his face grew pensive.

"Wait... Seamus and Dean? You and Neville?" Ron's eyes widened. "Our whole year is gay!"

"Well, what do you know... it is." Harry shrugged.

"Do you know what this means?" Ron hissed. Harry shook his head, trying not to laugh at the distressed look on Ron's face. "There must be some medical defect from our year! Or.. The water! It's always the water! Never drink it! Never again!"

"Ron, stop." Harry said, bursting out laughing. "It's just a coincidence, honestly. Besides, I like being gay. It's fun."

"Oh?" Ron wiggled his eyebrows. "And what, may I ask, exactly is fun? When? Where? How? Do explain!"

"No. I don't kiss and tell." Harry said, grinning madly again.

"Oh, please." Ron rolled his eyes.

"Let's get back to the point here, Ron." Harry said, suddenly serious. "You like Malfoy, correct?"

"Well, I.. uh... suppose?" Ron blushed heavily.

"Right, so what are you going to do about it?" Harry asked calmly.

"I thought you hated Malfoy, why are you gonna help me get with him?" Ron eyed him suspiciously.

"Ron, we both hate Malfoy." Harry said, still being serious. "But the boy we saw in that hallway with Goyle was not Malfoy, that was Draco. And, well... I suppose I could handle you being with him."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Thanks, mate." Ron smiled.

Across the castle, Draco was having a bit of a nervous breakdown. He was pacing the Astronomy Tower, having kicked out a snogging Seamus and Dean. He kept remember the way Ron looked when he was defending him. Draco wasn't very happy about this. Sure, the idea of Ron always being there to be his brave, admittedly stupid, Gryffindor was a bit thrilling. But this was a Weasley! Draco groaned and kicked at the wall for the twentieth time that night.

"This is stupid." Draco muttered. "Your suppose to be recovering here! You should be avoiding the male gender at all costs and fucking every female that comes into veiw just to prove that your not a weak bottom!"

The word 'bottom' echoed off the walls and Draco felt himself shivering. He didn't know whether to blame it on the light wind or his own inner thoughts. Better to pick the thoughts. Draco leaned agaisnt the wall and looked up at the moon. It was barely a sliver in the sky, but he could spot it immediately. Sighing, Draco slid down to sit on the cobblestone floor.

"How is it I'm even thinking this?" Draco told himself softly. "To like a Weasley? It's wrong, it's taboo..." Draco tilted his head back, banging it rather heavily against the wall. "But admit it, Draco, you'd give anything to kiss him again."

Draco's voice faded as the wind picked up and a light drizzle settled down from the sky. Draco watched out the large, pane-less windows. Once again, Draco felt something that he had felt since his rape - inesiness. And his mind suddenly craved for one thing, that of a red-haired Weasley.