Beyond Appearances

Title: Beyond Appearances


Author: Liadyn Malfoy


Archived: Fanfiction.net & adult-fanfiction.org


Summary: Harry and Draco are returning to Hogwarts for their seventh year. Though this year is different. Alliances are formed and together they learn that there is always something beyond the appearance and that everyone wears a mask.


Rating: NC-17


Pairings: Harry/Draco, Ron/Hermione...may be others!!


Beta: Candlewyk


Disclaimer: Hey There Guys!!! I know you already know this but I have to tell you again. I don not own Harry Potter or anything related to him. I'm not making money off of any of my stories. I just do this for the fun of it.




Chapter Eight
“Um, Hermione?”




Draco finished his meal and stood up. He needed to get out of the kitchen. He may have to stay here with Potter but he wasn’t going to spend anymore time with the Weasley’s than was necessary. Granted, he did enjoy torturing Potter, but even that wasn’t enough to keep him around the Weasel and his kid sister.


Making his way to the door, he threw a final smirk at Harry before he slid out of the room.


“God, look at that ponce!” Ron growled. “Walking around here like he owns the place.”


“Given the fact that we’ve known him for 6 years, you would think that you would get used to it.” Hermione scoffed, shaking her head. “Honestly, he’s not that bad.”


“Not that bad?” Ginny exclaimed, looking scandalized. “Are we talking about the same person here? It’s Malfoy, Hermione. He’s always been that bad!”


Ron nodded his head in agreement. “Since when have you been an expert on whether Malfoy is ‘that bad’ or not?”


Hermione glared. “I obviously don’t walk around with my eyes closed,” she snapped. “I do have some classes with him, and if you ignore the comments then he’s fine.”


“It sounds like you fancy him!”


Harry rolled his eyes at Ron’s comment. ‘Here we go!’


Hermione turned and pinned Ron with an icy glare. “I never thought about him like that, but now that you mention it, he does get rather good grades, which is more then I can say for some people!” she snapped. “I bet I wouldn’t have to nag at him to do his homework!”


Ron’s eyes widened.” I knew it! You fancy him! That’s why you don’t care if he’s around or not!” he spluttered angrily. “Sorry Hermione, but the rest of us think he’s a prat! Tell her Harry.”


Harry sighed. “Actually, I’m with Hermione on this one.”


“WHAT?”



Harry suddenly found himself pinned down by two very surprised sets of eyes. Ron and Ginny were staring at him as though he had suddenly grown an extra head.


“Well, he has cut down on the comments and he hasn’t called Hermione a mudblood since 5th year. “ Harry replied, with a shrug of his shoulders. “Besides I’m getting absolutely tired of fighting with him. I’ve got other things to worry about.”


“But Harry-“


”Oh Ronald, drop it!” Hermione sighed. “Besides Harry’s right. There are more important things to be doing. Like studying for the N.E.W.T’s.”


There was a collective groan as Hermione mentioned the up coming exams.


“It’s only the beginning of the year.” Ron grumbled.


“It’s never to early to start preparing.”


To Harry’s right, Ginny suddenly perked up. “I agree with Hermione. Some studying could do us all some good. I don’t have to write the N.E.W.T’s but I could do with some studying.” Standing up she made her way over to Harry and practically plastered herself to his side. “My DADA marks could do with a little bit of an upgrade.”


Harry tried to wiggle out of her grip but could manage to do it without pushing her away forcefully. Turning, he sent a desperate glance at Hermione.


“Um...Are you sure you want to work on Defense?” Hermione asked, catching the look from Harry. “I mean I’ve seen your DADA work and it’s good. If you want I could help you with your Transfigurations.”


Ginny sent a quick glare at Hermione but remained at Harry’s side. “Thanks, but my Transfigurations homework is fine. I’d prefer to work with Harry on DADA.”


Harry glanced around the room, looking for a way out. “Um...you know what, I think I’m going to head back upstairs to bed. I’m still a little tired from earlier. All that excitement, and everything.” he rambled, finally managing to pull his arm free.


“Are you feeling alright, Harry?” Ginny asked, placing her hand on Harry’s forehead. “You do feel a bit warm. Did you want me to come with you to keep you company?”


“NO....I mean...ah no thanks. I...ah...can handle it. Thanks though.” Harry stuttered. Before she had a chance to say anything else, he turned and practically ran from the room.


Ginny huffed as she watched the door swing shut behind him.


Hermione shook her head. “You realize that approach is never going to work.”


Ginny turned and glared at her. “And how would you know?” she snapped, and headed for the door. “Mind your own business, Hermione!”


Ron watched his sister leave the room, and turned to Hermione. “What approach?”


Hermione blinked for a moment before bursting out into laugher.


“What? It was just a question!”


*8*8*8*


Harry closed the door to the kitchen and leaned up against it, sighing in relief. He really needed to do something about Ginny, but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Sure he cared about her, but not the way she obviously wanted him to.


“Mind your own business, Hermione!”


Harry jumped as Ginny’s angry voice approached the door.


“Shit!” Pushing off from the door quickly, he took off down the hallway, although he wasn’t quick enough because Ginny saw the back of his shirt as he rounded the corner.


“Harry?” he called out, following after him. “I thought you were going up to bed?”


Oh damn, oh damn, oh damn! Harry mentally cursed. Looking around frantically his eyes fell on the door to the library. Reaching out he opened the door and flung himself into the room, closing the door softly in order to prevent Ginny from hearing him. Once the door was closed, he collapsed against it, his forehead resting on the wood.


“And then there comes a day when each little golden boy needs to strike out on his own!”


Harry’s eyes flew open and spun around to come face to face with Draco.


“Shut up, Malfoy! I don’t...”


“HARRY?”


Harry slapped a hand over his mouth and jumped back behind the door as it was opened. His heart freezing in place as Ginny stood in the doorway, looking around the room.


“Malfoy?” she snapped, hands on her hips. “Where is Harry?”


To Harry’s surprise Draco didn’t point him out, instead he sneered at the girl in front of him. “Why the hell would I know where Potter is?” he demanded, flipping idly through the pages of the book he had been reading. “I’m surprised he managed to get out of the death grip that you seem to always have on his arm...although I can’t really be surprised. Coyotes chew off their own limbs for less.”


Harry’s jaw dropped at the comment and he could practically feel the door heat up from the anger Ginny was giving off.


“Now if you don’t mind, you’re contaminating my air supply!”


“I wouldn’t worry about me contaminating your air. I’m sure you’re used to worse things being in your space, you are after all a Malfoy....well, used to be anyway!” she sneered before turning away and slamming the door behind her.


Draco sat glaring at the door, before going back to his book.


Harry waited for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief.


“Don’t tell me the Great Harry Potter is having girl troubles!” Draco sneered, standing up and moving toward one of the bookshelves. “Here you are suppose to be some big savior of the wizarding world and you can’t even handle a pathetic little weasel!”


“I appreciate you not telling her I was here, but did you have to be so harsh.” Harry sighed sinking down into one of the chairs. It looked like he would be hiding out in here for a while.


“No, but it was fun.” Draco smirked, heading back to where he got the book and replacing it. Once it was back in place, he moved to another bookshelf and began searching through the titles.


“What are you doing in here?”


Draco turned and sent an annoyed glare at Harry. “It’s a library, Potter. What the hell do you think I’m doing.”


Harry rolled his eyes and kicked his feet up onto one of the ottomans. “No need to get all bitchy about it!” he huffed. “It was just a question.”


Draco sneered over his shoulder. “Please keep the stupid questions to yourself.”


Turning back to the books, Draco ran his finger over some of the titles. Muttering to himself. Finally seeing something interesting on the highest shelf, Draco stretched up to reach it.


Harry watched transfixed as Draco skimmed the titles on the shelf. He looked a lot different when he wasn’t sneering, and it didn’t surprise Harry at all that he had only just noticed it. The blonde usually kept a sneer ready for him at all times. Watching Draco was like watching a car wreck. No matter how much you wanted to look away you couldn’t. Harry swallowed audibly as Draco reached for one of the books, his shirt lifting just enough to show the pale skin above the edge of his trousers.


What the hell is going on with me? Harry thought, trying to tears his eyes away from the blonde, but failing miserably. It happened with Dr. McGregor too! It’s almost as though....NO! Nope, definitely not! There is no possible way!


Harry’s internal monolog was cut short, when Draco grabbed the book and his arm returned to his side. Harry watched as he sauntered back to his spot to the couch, only to slide gracefully into the spot he had been residing in earlier.


Draco flipped through a couple pages before he began to feel Harry’s eyes on him. “Potter, will you stop looking at me!” he snapped.


Harry continued to watch Draco, completely oblivious to anything else, including what Draco was saying.


After several more minutes of Harry staring at him, Draco sighed and looked up, only to find Harry glaring at him, his eyes glassy. Draco raised an eyebrow. Surely he wasn’t that captivating. “Potter!” he called, waving his hand. When Harry didn’t respond he frowned. Alright, he’s actually starting to creep me out! He thought. Turning back to his book, Draco tried to pretend like he wasn’t there.


A lot of good this did him. Not even five minutes later, he was throwing down his book and stomping toward Harry. Grabbing him by the front of his robes, Draco pulled Harry to his feet and shook him just enough to gain his attention. “Potter, what the hell is your problem?” he shouted, annoyed.


Harry blinked several times, bringing his eyes back into focus. The first thing they focused on was an up close image of Draco’s face. Blushing scarlet, Harry pushed at Draco creating some much needed space between them. “Jesus Malfoy, what the hell are you doing?”


“What am I doing?” Draco asked, raising his eyebrow. “You were the one staring at me. I was trying to read. Although I wouldn’t expect you to know much about that!”


Harry blushed a brilliant shade of red at having been caught staring. Oh god! I have to get out of here. “Um...yeah..I gotta go. I um-” Harry stuttered, backing away quickly to the door. Reaching behind him, he blindly felt for the door handle. Once his hand wrapped around the cool metal, he turned and nearly bolted out the door. “Bye!”


Draco watched completely wierded out by the Gryffindor’s behavior. “Bloody Gryffindor’s, always disrupting the peace!” he muttered, going back to his book. Maybe now he might be able to actually read.


*8*8*8*


Harry practically ran down the hall toward the kitchen. Reaching the door he pushed it open to find Ron, Hermione and the Twins sitting at the table. Hermione shaking her head in disapproval, Ron laughing his head off, and the twins showing off one of their new products, that apparently changed both your hair and skin colour.


“Harry!” Fred cried, waving him over. “Where have you been, mate?”


“We’ve just finished our newest batch of Weasley’s Oompa Loompa twists!” George finished, motioning toward the candies that littered the table. “Got the idea, from some Crazy muggle film that Dad got a hold of. Took us two weeks to set up the VCR thingy so that we could watch it, but it was so worth it.”


“I believe it was called Chilly Swonka.-“


”No Forge, you’ve got it all wrong.” George sighed, shaking his head. “It was Billy Chompa.”


“It’s Willy Wonka!” Hermione intervened, rolling her eyes.


“That’s the one!” Fred and George chorused. “Want to try one?”


“Uh...no thanks.” He replied, glancing over to Hermione. “”I actually need to speak to Hermione...now!”


Hermione raised an eyebrow at the almost desperate look on Harry’s face.


“Oh come on, Harry!” Fred pouted. “Just one little candy?”


Harry walked around the table and grabbed Hermione’s arm. Careful not to hurt her, he pulled her up and over toward the door. “Sorry but no thanks.” he laughed nervously. “This is kinda important.”


Before either of the twins or Ron could say anything, both Harry and Hermione were out the door. Moving quickly, Harry dragged Hermione down the hall and into the back den. Once she was inside he sealed the door and cast a silencing charm.


Hermione raised an eyebrow. “Do you mind telling me what’s going on, now that you’ve jerked my arm off?”


Harry looked sheepish for a moment and ran his hands through his hair. “Sorry about that Hermione, but this is really important.”


Hermione nodded and sat down in one of the chairs. “Alright then, now that you have my undivided attention, let’s hear it.”


Harry nodded and sank down into the other chair. “I have no idea what’s going on.” he started, with a sigh. “It’s only happened once but it’s starting to freak me out. First of all in the Optometrist’s office, I felt like I could barely breath and just now in the library I couldn’t stop staring at Malfoy. No matter how hard I tried looking away, I couldn’t.”


Hermione sat there for a moment simply blinking at the boy in front of her before a slow grin began to sneak across her face.


When Hermione didn’t say anything, Harry glanced up to see her trying to hide her grin. “I fail to see what’s so amusing.” Harry replied, frowning. “This is serious!”


Hermione had tried to hold in her amusement so that she wouldn’t offend Harry, but it was just too much. She burst out into laughter, shocking Harry. Boys can be so stupid sometimes! She thought, clutching her sides.


“Hermione!” he snapped. “This is not funny!”


“Actually Harry, it is.” Hermione chuckled, wiping tears from her eyes.


“Oh really, well then do you mind explaining it to me?”


“It’s funny, cause you are just figuring out what everyone already knows.”


“And what is it that everyone supposedly knows?” Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.


“That you, Harry James Potter, are attracted to men!”