Chapter 12: I like him?

When Harry and Malfoy finally got to the Gryffindor common room and they unlinked their pinkies.

They stood there awkwardly until Malfoy finally said, "Um….talk to you tomorrow."With that Malfoy walked off and Harry went through the portrait hole. Hermione and Ron must have gone to bed because they weren't there. Harry was fine with this however because he didn't feel like talking. Harry went over to the fireside and sat down in one of the armchairs.

As he did so he could feel pain shooting from his hand. He didn't feel like getting up but he knew he should get some rest so slowly he got up.

He went slowly to the staircase and then changed and laid into bed trying to get sleep. Slowly his eyes started drooping and then he fell into a deep sleep.

He woke up the next morning to feel his hand was stiff, something had dried onto his hand.

It was blood.

It had bled through the bandage.

He sat up and grabbed his glasses. His eyes came into focus so he slowly took the bandage off and examined his hand. It looked like it stopped bleeding so he went over to a glass of water and wet his finger dripping the water onto the dried blood. Then he grabbed a napkin and wiped it off. The cut still looked raw but it wasn't bleeding so that was a plus. After Harry got up he changed and went to the fireplace. Waiting there for him were Ron and Hermione. He looked over at them and motioned to come. They walked down to breakfast. When they got there they sat at the table and started piling food on their plates. Harry just ate some fruit and then sat there waiting for Ron and Hermione to finish. Harry saw somebody coming this way from the end of the hall. When the person started getting closer he could recognize who it was.

"Pottah, can we talk?" Malfoy said as he looked at Ron and Hermione. "Privately?"

Harry looked at Hermione while Ron was watching them confusedly. Hermione nodded her head towards Malfoy. Harry took that as a sign to go "Sure."

Harry and Malfoy walked out of the hall with both the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables staring at them. They don't say anything but they know exactly where they're going. They turn into the empty classroom. "What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry said, sitting down on a bench. "How are you feeling?" Malfoy said not to take a seat.

Harry was taken aback "How am I feeling?" He looked at Malfoy now.

"Great, just great besides the fact everyone thinks I'm a liar and I'm getting my hand sliced open by a pink toad!" Harry said sarcastically as he too got up.

Malfoy looked down, not saying anything. He then looked back up at Harry "Can I see your hand, I couldn't see it well last night because of how dark it was and the….." Malfoy trailed off nervously.

"The blood," Harry said, finishing his sentence.

Malfoy nodded. Harry however hid his hand in his pocket. Malfoy saw this and reached for his arm. Harry was tired of fighting. He just let Malfoy grab his arm then his hand. Malfoy once again looked at it.

This time, though, he traced his finger in the air above it. Harry tugged his hand free and put it in his pocket once more.

"We have more to discuss than just my well-being," Harry said as he sat down and patted the bench next to him so Malfoy would sit down.

Malfoy sat down and now they were both staring at each other. Harry was the first to talk.

"I'm just going to state the obvious here so we can get the ball rolling."

Malfoy nodded.

"About a week ago we disliked each other, then we did the extra work where some things happened, then after that, you asked some revealing questions at potions, which somehow ended in us holding hands."

Both of the boys' faces started turning slightly red now but Harry plowed on "After that whole thing we went to the classroom and you kissed me. Then we just sat there hugging each other. After the detention, you insisted on helping me, and then here we are now." Harry finished.

Malfoy was now blushing so red he looked as if he could explode.

"So….. what now, I know I have been the biggest jerk to you since the first year, but I was jealous of you, I know that doesn't excuse anything at all, but I'm trying to be better now," Malfoy said adamantly.

Harry was thinking about this question for a bit.

"Let's start over," Harry said, seeing Malfoy had a puzzled look on his face.

"I'm Harry, Harry Potter." He held out his hand. "You don't want to go make friends with the wrong sort, I can help you there."

Harry was holding in laughter as Malfoy shook his hand and said, "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks."They both burst out laughing finally seeing how stupid the rivalry that had lasted years was.

After they both had stitches in their sides from laughing Harry said, "Now that that is cleared up, that doesn't automatically mean I have your trust but I'm open to get to know you."Malfoy nodded and said, "Seems fair, how about every day during lunch and/or breakfast."

"Sounds good," Harry said looking at Malfoy.

"We should probably go now!" Malfoy said as he checked his watch. They both got up and went outside the door.

Harry hesitated and said, "Bye, Draco."

Malfoy stuttered a bit but he too said, "Goodbye, Harry."They both walked away to their classes.

As Harry was walking he had a little smile on his face and a spring in his step. Hermione and Ron were waiting for him outside the great hall.

"Ready to get class?" Harry said happily as he stopped in front of them.

Hermione and Ron glanced at each other.

"Sure…" Ron said as he started walking.

"Brilliant," Harry said once again joyfully.

Classes were over now and Ron had extra quidditch practice. So Harry and Hermione went back to the common room.

"Let's talk," Hermione said as she plopped down onto an armchair.

"Ok?" Harry said, confused.

"I need to know what's happening with you and Malfoy. I mean, I get some of it… I know you like him and he clearly likes you. I know you guys were hugging in that empty classroom, and that you held hands in potions, but are you dating, are you, friends?!" Hermione said fastly as she looked at Harry.

Harry looked awkwardly around.

"I'll make it simple for you, just tell me everything!" Hermione said it resolutely and Harry knew he wouldn't be able to leave until he told her everything.

"Fine um, to answer your question we're not exactly friends and we're not exactly dating, we're going to get to know each other more, and… um… well, uh… we uhmmm…" Harry was now stuttering severely and started feeling his face heat up.

"You what?" Hermione said, staring at Harry inquisitively.

Harry looked at his hands and said, "We uh… kissed… a couple of days ago…" he trailed off still not looking at Hermione.

Hermione stayed silent but eventually said, "Ok… so do you want to date him in the future then?"

"Well… maybe, yes, kinda, I don't know," Harry sputtered out while his face was a bright red.

Hermione looked at him and smiled. "Sounds like a yes to me."

They both sat in silence staring at the fire when Harry broke the silence.

"How do you think Ron will take this?" Harry said, hoping for a good answer.

"Well you know Ron, he has an emotional range of a teaspoon and I think it will take a bit longer for him to accept that you like… your enemy? I don't even know what to call him now!" Hermione said, trying to comfort him as she had seen the look of worry in his eyes.

Harry stared into the fire. "I guess I do like him don't I?" Harry said, still staring at the fire.

Hermione snorted loudly.

"What's so funny!?" Harry said, tearing his eyes away from the fire and looking at Hermione.

"It's just," Hermione could barely breathe as she was laughing so much. "You're so oblivious! You've been staring at him all year with a look in your eyes!" Hermione said laughing so much she was in tears.

Harry's face turned slightly red. Harry grabbed a pillow from the armchair and hit Hermione with it.

"Anyway, on a serious note, when should I tell Ron?" Harry said once again looking nervous.

Hermione shrugged. "That's up to you to decide."

You're right," Harry said as he put the armchair pillow back.

"You should probably tell him soon. He is your best friend after all," Hermione said in a matter-of-fact tone. Harry nodded agreeing.

"Oh, yeah. I've been meaning to ask you, did you and Ron bet on who I liked or… whatever?" Harry said, looking at Hermione. Hermione giggled. "Yeah we did, Ron bet on Cho and I bet on Malfoy, you should have seen his reaction! He said and I quote 'Malfoy! I've definitely won this!' little does he know!"After Hermione said that she was smiling brightly.

"Mhm," Harry said, zoning out and thinking how he would tell Ron.

He looked into the crackling fire as if searching for answers. After a while, he decided to go to bed. He changed into PJ's and took off his glasses. He layed in bed staring at the ceiling as slowly he fell asleep.