Draw The Line

The Bruise: Chapter 25

Harry felt like an idiot as he made his was back to the castle carrying Draco's soaked robes. Why did I have to kiss him? he asked himself.

He obviously wouldn't like me back, he's only ever kissed me in the games and he is always drunk.

But he's always super nice to you, he argued with himself.

Just because he's nice to you doesn't mean he likes you. You're friends, or you were until you kissed him.

Normal friends don't sleep in the same bed together after a bad dream though, Ron would never sleep with me.

That doesn't mean he likes you though.

He kissed me back just now too.

He didn't have anything to argue back but he still felt stupid. What if Draco had just gotten caught up in the moment like they usually did during dares. The fact that Draco kissed him back made Harry think Draco liked him, but why would he run away if he did. Harry was silently freaking out as he rounded the corner. He hoped he wouldn't run into anyone as it was late and he'd forgotten his invisibility cloak in the dorm and the Marauders Map.

His wish came true as he was able to make it all the way back to the common room without seeing anyone. His luck ended when he made it into the room though and caught sight of Ron and Hermione kissing on the couch.

When Harry entered the room, they looked up and quickly turned red as they spotted Harry. Hermione was the first to speak, clearing her throat and trying to pretend Harry didn't just find them tangled up on the couch as they were.

"Harry, you're back late," Hermione let out an awkward cough.

Hermione looked down and noticed the soaked robes in Harry's hands then and the upset look to his eyes, "Is everything alright? I saw Malfoy run through here a minute ago. Did something happen?"

"Yeah, everything's good. Don't stop for me. I'm just heading to bed," Harry mumbled a bit too quick and Hermione raked her eyes over Harry's form.

"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione pressed, she was growing more worried about him by the second, and the fact that Draco had just run through a little bit ago with an air of panic around him wasn't helping.

"Yep. Fine. Spiffing!" Harry turned and rushed up the stairs, Hermione and Ron watching helplessly from the couch.

"He's not fine," Ron said intelligently and Hermione gave him a look. "What?"

Hermione sighed and sat back in the cushions, crossing her arms over her chest and looking at the fire as it burned in the grate. "I'm worried about him. He's been acting funny, and I think something happened between him and Malfoy.

Ron leaned back too and wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders, pulling her into him. "I've noticed too. Do you think he likes Malfoy?" Ron's nose scrunched up as he said it.

Hermione studied him for a moment, "I- I'm not sure... would you care if he did? Like Malfoy I mean?"

Ron stared off at the fire for a moment and then let out a long sigh. "If he likes him I don't mind. He's been through a lot - we all have - and he deserves to be happy. I'm just worried, you know? Malfoy has always been terrible to all of us, especially Harry. I don't know if I entirely trust him yet. I know that he isn't entirely to blame for what all he did during the war, but don't you think Harry's being a bit too forgiving?"

"I think that Draco is trying to be a better person," Hermione said, "He can't help how he was brought up and I think that if he learns from the mistakes he made and apologizes, I can forgive him. I don't think Harry is being too forgiving; we were all just kids."