Confidential Lover

Chapter 8

It was the week of their Christmas break and Harry couldn't be happier. Even though Hogwarts was practically his home, it would be really nice for Harry to leave for a change. He finished packing and dragged his luggage off of his bed and stood it upright on the floor. Ron had done the same, and they both headed down for breakfast with the rest of the boys in their dormitory. They took their usual seats next to and across from Hermione. 

Harry's been in a much better mood ever since Hermione pushed him to talk to Malfoy. But it wasn't because he actually did talk to Malfoy. It was because he followed Malfoy all the way back to the Slytherin common room and hid when Malfoy started talking to Blaise Zabini about a certain someone that, and he quotes, "makes him forget about everything else in the world except for him". That was like music to Harry's ears.

Now he knows that he pretty much has control over Malfoy. Obviously, Malfoy wouldn't just cut off connections with Pugface Parkinson, but now Harry knew what Malfoy really wanted. Harry grabbed a few slices of French toast and lathered them in syrup, not worrying about the sticky liquid leaking into his eggs, or the fact that his toast was soggy from the amount of butter he spread on it, or even that he took five pieces of bacon and four of sausage. 

"Well, you're doing much better." Hermione said, observing Harry's breakfast.

Harry looked up at her sheepishly. "Yeah, I am. You were right, Hermione. It was a good thing I went after Malfoy." 

She looked smug after Harry said this, and Harry expected that. He hadn't yet told them what actually happened when Harry followed him. "Don't feel all grand yet, Hermione. I never talked to him."

Her face dropped. "What do you mean 'you never talked to him'? That's why I pushed you out of here!"

"Yes, I know that but what happened was he bumped into another Slytherin and they started talking saying that some guy makes Malfoy forget about everything else in the world. You know what that means?"

Ron cut in with a mouthful of pancakes. "Malfoy has the hots for you?"

Harry laughed. "It means I can make Malfoy do whatever I want. Whenever I'm around him all he can think about is me. Problem solved."

"Not necessarily. You don't know that he was talking about you." Hermione said.

Harry rolled his eyes. "C'mon, Hermione. Who else would he be talking about?"

"I'm just saying. Don't get your hopes up thinking that you can boss him around or whatever. You should be taking this arrangement more seriously, Harry." she said.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and both rolled their eyes. At least the two of them could think of ways for Harry to boss around Malfoy. Trust Hermione to take things too seriously. It's not like Harry would ever see Malfoy after their eighth year anyway. The three of them finished their breakfast in silence, with Harry sending looks to the Slytherin table every now and then.

After leaving the Great Hall and getting comfortable in the common room, Hermione turned to her two best friends and looked at them, questioning whether or not she should say anything. Her question was answered when Harry looked at her expectantly.

"What?" he asked.

She sighed. "I just think that you guys are looking at everything the wrong way."

"What are you talking about now, Hermione?" Ron asked exasperatedly.

"You know what I'm talking about. First of all, Harry, you shouldn't be spying on Malfoy's conversations, it's wrong. Second of all, don't forget about what Professor Wilkins said about the hat." Hermione said.