Always

The Temperamental Auror

"Ronald Billius Weasley - where do you think you were? I have been in your excuse of an office for two hours straight.You could have sent me an owl to tell me that you'd be late but no."

"I could of kept that conversation going but I thought that you needed me so I bolted straight here and what do I find when I enter here?"

I can twist the truth a little bit. There is no harm in it. I KNOW I didn't bolt straight for him.

I would, but not today. I walked slowly. Running the conversation in my brain.

He had looked different today. A minor difference but I noticed something was different.

Aha! I got it. He had gotten a piercing done. Right at the corner of his eyebrow. It suited him. Yes it did. Everything suits him. He could get a face tattoo and he would still look attractive.

I shake my head and fight against my thoughts and try to jump back to reality. It's harder than it sounds.

" Nothing. No one. No letter, office empty, wand gone."

"Look, I can explain - I was a tad bit hungry and you know how I get when I'm hungry , so, I went to grab some food but it was so good I HAD to keep eating and I ate six buckets of chicken wings."

"You should've come with me. You know what I'll take you there tomorrow, what was that place called again - AFC, I think.'

"Ron, if you used your brain as much as you use your mouth, you'd know that it's KFC and not AFC." My tone is rude but I internally smile.

Ron. Always the hogger and forgetful one.

"Whatever. What matters most is that their chicken tastes good." His mouth is watering just at the thought of chicken. Classic Ron.

I roll my eyes and say nothing to him. I don't want to argue with him right now.

"What conversation were you talking about anyway? Ran up into an old pal, eh?"

"Well....not a pal really. I ran up into - er - Draco - I mean Malfoy."

"No wonder bad luck followed you around. I heard he joined the Department Of Magical Sports And Games a few weeks back. I was a bit shocked why working at the Ministry was an option for that hideous ratty little son of -"

"Ron, shut up. He's changing. He's trying to be a better person, that's what he told me. He said he realized his mistakes and wanted to correct them."

"That's obviously a bunch of lies, you know that right? Why would he try to repent or be nice after everything he has done?"

"He almost got Buckbeak killed, Harry. I didn't care that much for that bird, really, but Hagrid did. It would have killed Hagrid to see his poor Buckbeak dead and gone."

"Let me also remind you that Draco ALSO tried to kill Dumbledore and that is horribly disgusting. Great man he was, bless his soul."

"Well he said he's making amends. And it's not like we have never done cruel things in our life. Hell, even Dumbledore was flawed. I think I'm going to give him a chance."

"A chance? A chance at what?"

"Being friends." I reply. So soft, so low , it felt as if I hadn't uttered a word.

But he heard me. I know he did. I can see that from the look on his face.

The white has replaced his normal complexion.

"Friends." I can hear him mutter.

"Friends....." He repeats the word, dragging it slowly, tasting it. Carefully tossing and turning the word in his mouth as if he has never before heard of it.

"Yes Ron, friends. I suppose I should, I think WE should."

"Oh hell no mate. Uh huh Harry. I'm NOT letting you drag me into this, no just no."

"I have despised him all my life and I will continue to do so and there is no stopping me. No more friends for me, I have enough, especially not Malfoy."

"Ron, seriously?"

"Yes Harry, seriously."

"I think you should meet up with him and talk to him before you seriously consider avoiding him."

"You're bonkers, Harry."

"Fine whatever, I'm gonna go before I get into another fight with you about Malfoy. Oh and I'm also late for my 'date' with him."

That word is going to annoy Ron so much. There is a reason that I used that word specifically and not any other, which is, I know exactly how Ron is going to freak out.

I give him a smirk. That's all it takes for him to explode.

"I- I what? You're going on a date with Malfoy? You're going on a date with that swine?
Look Harry, me and Hermione will take you to the best healers at St. Mungo's. Don't worry Harry you're going to be fine. I'll just owl her right now to come to my office immediately and then we'll take you to the healers, just stay here Harry, it's fine, you're alright."

His response was something unexpected. I suspected he would go crazy and probably start jinxing everything around him. But this - he thinks I'M going crazy?

"RON SHUT UP. I was kidding. It's not a date.........exactly. He just wanted to talk over coffee. Maybe he wants advice about Astoria?"

I don't know what Draco wants to talk about. But I KNOW he needs help with Astoria. I could try to help him.

'Try' to.