𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒

Chapter 22

"Ron just let me explain, okay?" Harry asked as he sat on his bed, his best friend sitting beside him with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

"Explain? How could you not tell me you were gay?" Ron asked, his eyes betraying the hurt he felt.

"I really didn't know, and it's not like I didn't have other things on my mind," Harry returned, scratching the back of his head nervously. "I don't think I'm gay. I still like girls and Draco's the only guy I really think about in that way, so I don't know. Maybe I'm bi. Does it really make a difference to you?"

"No, I guess not," Ron capitulated sulkily after a moments thought. "It's just surprising that's all. But that's not the real problem here," Ron replied. "You're putting way to much faith in Malfoy. I still think he's done something to you with that damn book. How could you suddenly like him so much after all the shit he's put us through? I just don't understand it."

"He's not like we thought he was and he's had a hard time of it," Harry responded softly. "His father beat him all the time, over everything. When I beat him in Quidditch, when Hermione got higher marks and probably just for the hell of it."

"And you believed him when he told you this?" Ron asked, still unconvinced.

"He didn't tell me, I saw it, kind of like visions. We did a bonding spell from the book." Harry blushed remembering exactly how he had wanted to bond with the blonde. "It's like I could see his entire life. His father was always at him since the time he was just a little kid, always drilling it into his head that anyone who wasn't a pure blood was worthless. And all the beatings he endured, it's no wonder he felt like he had to do better than us, that we were his enemies."

Ron had uncrossed his arms and Harry could see his friend was at least considering the possibility that there might be more to Draco than he thought. "Okay, I'll give you that he had a hard life, but so did you and you're not an asshole," Ron quipped.

"Well I had Dumbledore, Hagrid, you and Hermione. I had a lot of good people that were willing to be there for me. Draco didn't have that. All he had was his family and their twisted views shoved down his throat. Merlin, do you know how jealous he is of you? He sees the great family you have, all the love you receive, that's all he's really wanted. That's why he always gave you such a hard time about your family. He was so angry that his family didn't care about him like the way yours did for you." Harry stared down at the crumpled bed sheet he was sitting on, hoping he could make his friend understand. "He's really making an effort to change. He wants to do the right thing. I want to help him choose the right path and just give him the chance that all you guys gave me."

Ron sighed. Perhaps he had been a bit stubborn and unrelenting in his animosity towards the blonde. "Merlin," the red head murmured, running his hand through his hair. "So, you really like him?" he finally asked, a bit plaintively.

Harry was glad to see that Ron had calmed down. "Yeah, I really like him. He's really kind underneath all those blustering layers he's built around himself. He makes me happy. I really want you guys to get to know each other. Will you try, Ron, for me?" Harry pleaded, giving his friend a large, puppy eyed look.

"Hermione is going to have kittens when she hears about this," Ron muttered. He looked over to his dark haired friend. "I'll try. I really will," Ron agreed. "But no snogging in front of me and definitely no more of whatever it was you were doing before, I'm not ready for that." he ordered.

"Promise," Harry replied with a huge smile, crossing his heart with his index finger. "But can we keep this just between us for now? You know, kinda keep it a guy thing."

Ron grabbed him in a big bear hug and then let him go, both boys grinning at each other. "Okay, I'll let you tell Hermione, but if he ever hurts you Harry..." the red headed wizard warned.