Finders Seekers

Finding Hope

~~~♤~~~

Harry's heart was hammering in his chest. He had no idea why he was acting so weird lately around Malfoy, but he couldn't help himself. He couldn't stop replaying Malfoy's words in his head, when he said that he'd adored Harry. He knew it was just a phrase, but that didn't stop his mind from wondering about what it would be like if it were true.

He'd been giving a lot of thought to his new-found desire for a friendship with Malfoy. He felt this strange pull now, he just wanted to be close to him all the time, too close. His stomach was flipping madly the entire time they talked.

Malfoy's expression was what made him lean in the way he did, how his breath froze, his eyes widened with shock and what looked a little bit like guilt. He was sure Malfoy felt this strange pull between them too.

"Hey, Ron, wait up. We should talk." Harry called, chasing after him down the hall.

Ron was usually a very logical person, being the wizard's chess master that he is, but after Fred's death he had taken on so much anger, and the Slytherins were the easiest people to pin it on. He normally wouldn't care so much about houses, but the war changed things, it changed people, and Ron wasn't above that fact.

"Is this really to talk or would you just like to rub it in my face some more." He hissed without turning.

"I'm not trying to rub anything in your face, Ron, I really just want to apologize."

Ron whipped around, staring at him with his arms crossed in a perfect imitation of Hermione, "Go on then."

"Look, you're my best mate. We've done this fighting thing before and we hated it every time. Its pointless to fight over something like this, you know I'm right. We're better as a team, we can't let what happened get between us, otherwise what was the point of any of it?" He gestured back towards the classroom, "Everyone in there has been through hell, Ron. But we came back to put all that behind us. You said it yourself, you just wanted to feel normal for once."

"They went through hell?" Ron repeated, scoffing, "No, Harry they bloody belong in it. They're the reason this all started in the first place."

"They have no control over their families anymore than you or I do, Ron. Most of them weren't given a way out until the war. Malfoy isn't a terrible person, not like his father. His mother saved my life. You can't judge them for who they're related to."

"Fine." Ron sighed, running a hand down his face, "You're right. Doesn't mean I'm not still angry."

"I know." Harry gave him a small smile, "But I also know you don't really think of them like that."

He looked down at Harry, his expression torn between grief and rage, "I lost my brother, Harry. Almost lost my sister and my dad too from all of this. George can't hear unless you're standing on the proper side. My rat turned out to be the bloody monster who got your parents killed, and..."

He trailed off, shaking his head, "This whole thing was a huge mess. But almost none of it hurt as badly as watching Hagrid carry you back from the forest." He finally looked up again, "You're right, if we stop being friends all of it was for nothing. I don't want to fight either. If you really think Malfoy's changed then... then I'll try to forgive him too."

Harry smiled, holding his arms out wide, "Thanks, mate."

Ron rolled his eyes and hugged him,

"Are you aware of how ridiculous you look in those robes?"

"Yes, I am." Harry laughed.

"Come on, we should get to lunch so you won't be late for your game." Ron ruffled Harry's hair, pulling him down the corridor.