Opposites - a Drarry Story

Opposites- Ch. 18

Autumn had finally made its way to the Hogwarts grounds and began to creep its way into the castle through chilly drafts and breezes. The smell of pumpkin juice and hot cocoa drifted through the halls and students traded quidditch pins and brooches with thick woolen scarves.

Harry was in a rather light hearted mood as he made his way through a great stone corridor to transfiguration class. He didn't have much homework, and we was for once caught up in most of his classes; so overall he felt he didn't have much to worry about at the moment.

With Ron by his side, Harry rounded a corner and accidentally stopped in his tracks at the sight of on object directly across the hall from them.

The large, brassy suit of armor was standing in the corner of the stone hallway, it's metallic gleam due to warm afternoon light wafting on through a nearby window.

Harry supposed no one else would've noticed otherwise; but because of his previous conversation with Draco, the slip of parchment peeking out from under the helmet of the armor was unmistakable.

"Something wrong, mate?" Ron asked, a little perplexed by Harry's daze, following his eyes to the bronze armor in the corner.

"It's nothing..." Harry said lamely, although he still wasn't walking and continued to stare idly at the armor.

Truth was, he was desperate to see what the note said; but also desperate to get rid of Ron first. There was absolutely no way he could retrieve the parchment with Ron watching. He was stuck.

"Um, are you sure about that?" Ron asked skeptically, staring at Harry's face with concern. Ron waved a long-fingered hand in front of Harry's eyes. "You in there?"

Shaking himself out of the stare, Harry looked at Ron. He was tired of having to hide things from his best friend. He wasn't used to it, and it made him feel guilty...

But there was no way he could let Ron find out. Not now... Maybe not ever.

"Why... Why don't you go to class without me," Harry began, trying desperately to not look or sound as anxious as he felt at the moment. "There's something I need to do..." His voice wavered slightly at the end, and Ron's brow furrowed even more.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Ron said, the concern in his face increasing. "Me and Hermione are getting really worried about you, if there's something you need to tell us-"

"Ron," Harry interrupted, holding up a hand in a vain attempt to reassure his friend. "You don't need to worry about it, er- me. You need to stop worrying about me, Hermione too. Nothing's wrong, there's just... Well, there's some things that I just need to keep to myself right now." Harry scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

Ron was looking at the ground, shaking his head. He looked up, and Harry looked into his blue eyes, laced with confusion, concern, and hurt.

"I just... I don't feel like I understand you anymore, Harry. I just..." He paused, sighing. "I feel like I don't know you anymore."

"Ron, wait." Harry said, placing a hand on Ron's boney shoulder as he turned to walk away.

Ron broke free of his grip, and Harry didn't try to stop him.

"I'll see you around, Harry."

And with that, Ron disappeared around a corner without looking back.

Harry felt his heart sink. He loved Draco, he was becoming sure of it now, but this was a new, different situation- it was coming between him and his best friend, one of the only people who had been with him from the start. The person who knew him better than almost anyone, Harry had to keep things from.

He knew in his heart that he would make it up to Ron, he always did. But for now, it would have to be this way.

Harry looked around cautiously. The corridor was deserted, with no other students, ghosts, or teachers in sight.

Approaching the suit of armor, Harry reached up and pulled on the protruding bit of parchment, and it slid out from between the metal with ease. Upon pulling the whole thing out, Harry found it not to be a hastily made scrap of paper, but a delicate, neatly folded parcel.

Unfolding the note carefully, Harry noticed the little DM written on the side in a silvery ink, and smiled to himself.

When Harry finally unwrapped it, he was more than surprise to find a small handful of white flower petals, which fell out of the folded note and fluttered to the rough stone floor. Picking them up off the floor, Harry rubbed one of them between his fingers, marveling at the softness.

After getting over the initial shock and surprise, Harry turned over the note, to find his message written in silver, pearlescent ink and impeccable handwriting.

Harry- hope you don't mind skipping a class or two. This might take a while.

Anyway, this is the first of a few clues I've left for you. I'm not telling you what the clues are for, you'll find that out soon enough, but I will let you know that your final destination in this little game will lead you to me.

For now, just keep on walking. Pretend you're going to class. You'll figure it out soon enough.

Also, you were probably wondering about the rose petals I left you. Those are important, just keep an eye out for them.

Yours, DM