Chapter 13: Later

Time started flying in what felt like seconds; it'd been a month and Harry and Draco had been meeting up in secret each day (with Hermione's help of course). Slowly they gained trust.

"Hey Hermione," Harry said as he walks into the common room.

"Hey, how was it with Malfoy?" Hermione asked as she looked up from Hogwarts a History.

Harry sat down on the floor next to her.

"It was great," Harry said as he had a small smile on his face.

Hermione giggled and closed her book.

"Are you guys dating yet!" Hermione said.

Harry laughed.

"I'm being serious. You've been hanging out with him more than me and Ron," Hermione said this seriously as she looked at Harry. Harry wanted to change the subject quickly as this had been something that was on his mind a lot lately.

"Speaking of Ron, where is he?" Harry asked as he looked around as if he would be there.

"Oh, he's at Quidditch right now!" Hermione said, returning to her book.

"Cool…." Harry said awkwardly as he fiddled with his thumbs.

"You know he thinks he's done something wrong since you've been avoiding him for the past month," Hermione said, not glancing up from her book. "You have to tell him. Maybe not everything at once but some of it."

Harry looked away guiltily "I won't be able to make it to lunch with you guys….. Could you cover for me?"

Hermione sighed "Sure, but please just ask him to be your boyfriend."Harry tried to interject, but Hermione cut across him "Don't pretend that you don't want to! I've seen how you are with him, you're happier than usual!"

Harry's face reddened as he pondered what she had just said. She was right, of course. He felt happier than usual when with him. Just the sight of him in the hallways made his heart flutter and his face turn red. The other day at Potions Malfoy had walked over to their desk and Harry had dropped his quill.

"Harry? Where'd you go? We have class soon!" Hermione said "Also I forgot to tell you that Ron was gonna meet us outside the Transfiguration classroom"

"Oh… sorry I was just thinking, we should probably go!" Harry said, shaking his head and standing up.

Harry and Hermione walked to the Transfiguration classroom and found Ron there, waiting. Class after class time dragged by as he was excited for lunch (and slightly nervous).

Soon enough, after waiting what felt like an eternity, it was lunch and he departed from his friends and went to the empty classroom.

There he was. Sitting in his usual crossed leg position. Looking as if he had just stepped off a runway with his perfect hair and skin. Harry's stomach did loopty loops as he went over to him. Draco stood up and they hugged and sat down shoulder to shoulder on the bench. Their hands found each other. Draco took Harry's hand and they sat there like that for a bit.

"I um….. Actually had a question to ask you... I was wondering…." Harry trailed off nervously as his heart was pounding out of his chest.

"Willyoubemyboyfriend!!" Harry asked this very fastly making it ineligible.

"Can you say that slower?" Draco said as he was looking at Harry.

Harry avoided his gaze and said slower this time. "Will.. you be my boyfriend?"

Both of the boys turned red in their faces. Draco turned away.

"Of….. Of course" Draco said this as if he had been given the world. Harry's head perked up and looked at Draco.

"R..Really?" Harry said hopefully.

"Of course you dummy!" Draco said as he pulled Harry into a hug. Harry relaxed into Draco's arms letting him comfort him. They sat like this for a while in silence. Not an awkward one however but a comforting one.

"Harry, I think we should keep this secret….. From the public at least... you can tell your friends though!" Draco said, resting his head on Harry's head.

"You're right, it's the smartest move," Harry said as he sat up and he held Draco's hand once again.

"Hermione already knows, but Ron however... know's nothing," Harry said as a worried expression appeared on his face.

"I mean what if he doesn't accept it, I mean who would think two people that used to be enemies would be together." Harry had a shake in his voice and his body was following suit.

Draco had noticed this and scooted closer, putting an arm around Harry and resting his head on Harry's shoulder. Draco could feel Harry's body shaking and tried to comfort him.

"I'm sure he'll be fine with it.... He just might need some time" Draco said as squeezed his arm around Harry tighter.

"You're probably right," Harry said, still sounding as worried as before. Draco had noticed this so he planted a kiss on the top of Harry's head. This seemed to help calm Harry down, at least temporarily.

"Do you want me to be there when you tell him?" Draco asked.

"That would be a horrible idea! He would most likely harm you! Let me tell him and slowly I can introduce you to him and him to you." Harry said this and checked his watch. "We'll have to go soon, it's almost the end of lunch! I'll let you know when I tell him" Harry said as he got up and planted a kiss on top of Draco's head.

"Bye Draco! See you soon!" Harry said while leaving.

"Bye Harry!" Draco shouted at Harry as he left.

Harry walked through the hallway feeling happier than he's ever been. Then he remembered telling Ron and his good spirit started breaking down. When he eventually got to class he looked thoroughly depressed.

"Harry mate you ok!" Ron asked as Harry sat down next to him.

Harry just shrugged and took out parchment and quill. He then looked at the front of the class. Harry could feel Ron's eyes on him. He pretended he didn't though as his mind was racing. He had to tell him soon because otherwise, it would be 100 times worse when it's been more than a week or so. He had to tell him either tonight or tomorrow.

Probably tomorrow, so Hermione can help me with this dilemma, she's better at this stuff than me! Harry thought.

Harry zoned out deep in thought thinking about how he would tell Ron.