Cunning Yet Kind [Draco/Harry]

Chapter Six

It took Harry three days to get Ron on board with his plan. Not only did the redhead not want to give Harry the power to control Malfoy, fearing he may hurt the blond, he also (not realizing he already had) didn't want to lose the bet between himself and his best friend. But, Harry was unbearable. He kept poking and prodding, almost begging but not quite for Ron to help him. When Ron finally gave in, he told his friend that his brothers — Fred & George Weasley — could help out if he wanted anything extravagant. And of course Harry did. Not understanding the entirety of the plan Harry had put into place, on a Saturday afternoon as everyone headed off to pick up some more candy or have a glass of butterbeer, Ron, Harry, Fred and George were attempting to find some of the things Ron had discussed with Harry. Flowers, food, small gifts.

As the four wandered around, Fred and George bombarding Harry with many questions and teasing him for some answers, they had picked up a box of chocolate frogs, a pendant in the colors of Ravenclaw house and Harry had picked up some parchment and a quill as he took Ron's advice in writing more notes to Malfoy. Ron could say he was somewhat proud of his best friend, thinking that maybe Draco Malfoy could change him for the better. But, he wouldn't give his hopes up quite yet. Though he knew Harry was trying, ha, to be a bit better of a person he figured it wouldn't last long. They had only been back to school for three weeks and he had already thrown all hopes of being a kinder, gentler person out the window.

Sure, Ron felt bad for thinking such a way towards his best friend, but he knew him better than anyone else. He knew Harry didn't do relationships, he did flings. He didn't have friends, apart from Ron and Blaise could be counted too, somewhat. He didn't even have family, though that wasn't his choice. As they left Diagon Alley and boarded the train to head back to Hogwarts, Ron thought it was weird how Harry sat by the door, poking his head out every now and again to glance down both ends of the hall. It only made sense when Harry had spoken.

"Does anyone know if Malfoy came with us all?" He had asked.

"I don't know, mate," Said Fred.

"Whose asking?" George said teasingly. Harry flipped him off, making the redhead cackle. Ron smiled at his brothers before looking at Harry.

"He came with Hermione."

"Haven't asked her yet, have you?" George asked. Ron shook his head. "You better hurry up, mate! Sources say Cedric Diggory is looking to ask her out."

"Cedric is going with Cho." Ron muttered, rolling his eyes at his brother. He knew George was just trying to find a way to help, to motivate him. But, he was too nervous to ask Hermione. And he, unbeknownst to him, thought that Harry hadn't gotten anyone to go with him yet. This date that Harry was hoping he'd acquire wasn't a part of the bet.

"Malfoy!" Harry exclaimed, leaving the cart and stepping out into the hall of the train. Ron peered around the corner of the doorway, seeing Draco Malfoy standing down the opposite end of the hall with a confused expression on his face. Ron watched as Harry wandered up to him, fingers crossed that he wouldn't screw anything up.

"What do you want?" He heard Malfoy ask.

"A date. You, me, tomorrow."

"A date? Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"A.. date?"

Harry nodded.

"As in,"

"Bloody hell, a date, Malfoy! It isn't that hard of a concept."

"Ooh," George said.

"And one point down!" Fred exclaimed. Ron realised they too were looking down the hall, curiosity getting the best of them.