Uncomfortable Truths

Chapter Eighty-One - All the Drama

This week has been a nightmare. Maybe not a nightmare but it has been pretty horrible. Harry rolls over on the couch in the common room. He's trying to sleep but people are talking and moving around; Draco keeps pulling his hair and not in a good way. Sure, he loves when he runs his fingers through his hair but every now and then he tenses and starts pulling wherever his hand stops. Hopefully he finishes that damn book before he gets a bald spot.

"Is he sleeping?" Hermione whispers.

The pulling on his hair tells him that Draco didn't hear her coming, at least he didn't throw his book at her.

"Fuck, Malfoy, let go." He moves Draco's hand from his hair, "Honestly, I'm going to take that book from you.

"Shut your mouth, Potter, I have no idea what you're talking about." He flicks his ear, "Yes, he's awake, Granger, but a bit testy."

Harry sits up, rubbing his eyes, he'll sleep better soon. Kyle will be back for class tomorrow; he'll have his family under one roof. Except Teddy, but he'll be coming to them in six months, and he's with Andromeda. There's no one better for Teddy to be with while they finish school. Soon, he'll have his family all together, but for now this is enough. Draco and Kyle are enough.

"What's up, 'Mione?" Harry yawns.

"Hogsmeade weekend is this weekend."

"Ok, but we're allowed to go whenever." He leans against Draco's shoulder.

"Are you going?" She asks.

"We can't." Draco says, not looking up from his book.

"Why can't we?" Harry asks.

"Oh Harry, please?" Hermione sits in the armchair.

"What are we doing?" He gently pushes Draco's book down, getting his full attention.

"Potter, I already told you." He sighs, "We're going to the ministry, paperwork needs to be filed; and we're going to my solicitor's office. I have an errand to run for some of my housemates. Remember, I told you I received permission from McGonagall?"

"What time will you be back?" Hermione sighs.

"Before dinner." Draco tries lifting his book, "I have a party to attend afterwards."

"Is this the party Greg's going to?" Hermione asks, "What about Sunday?"

"What's going on?" Harry knows her well enough to know when she's being cagey.

"Well, Greg and I were thinking of going public with our new relationship, and we were hoping that maybe you'd want to go with us, kind of like a double date. We could get lunch in Hogsmeade on Sunday or something."

"Granger, aren't you coming with us to the party on Saturday?" Draco smirks, "Won't it be apparent that you're together then?"

"Yes, but hooking up at parties happens all the time. Going out and being seen is different, and anyway Harry said he's not going to the party."

"What do you mean you're not going?" Draco turns to Harry.

"Ah... I can't go."

"Why not?"

"Kyle gets back tomorrow."

"I'm sure he'll be at the party."

"No, he won't, he's grounded." Harry's look of confusion is enough to make Draco close his eyes and sigh, "Malfoy, he got suspended from school. Shouldn't he get in trouble for that?"

"Harry," Hermione laughs, "Are you actually going to ground him? Does he know?"

"There should be... ah... what's the word... consequences for his actions, yeah?" Harry shrugs, "Grounding is normal, people do that, but I don't think he'll listen unless we make him, so he's staying with me Saturday night."