Chapter Three

A single phrase ("I'm late!") echoed throughout the halls. A blur of red streaked past the few stragglers who had decided to take their time going to class. Ron huffed as he quickly turned the corner, landing himself on the corridor that held the History of Magic classroom. Ron sighed as he slowed his pace, not seeing any reason to worry about going to class; he was already 10 minutes late.

"They really shouldn't have moved this class to the morning." He griped to no one in particular.

Dealing with Harry and the up-and-coming First Task was too much for Ron right now. Malfoy was able to give him some minor relief, though some of the activities that went on did tire him out even more; that was the main reason he was late. He couldn't continue to think about Malfoy for he'd make himself even later. He, soon, he felt someone follow closely behind him.

"Must we always met like this: you sneaking up on me, watching me closely. Though I must say that I rather enjoy how our meeting end." Whispered Ron seductively.

"Well, I must say that everytime we seem to 'met', we fight."

Ron swiftly turned around on his heels to see an angered 4th year who just happened to be Harry Potter.

"Sorry, I had the wrong person in mind. You, on the other hand, are nothing of great importance that I need to think about." Ron briskly walked down the hall.

"Excuse me! How dare you say that to me?! No less than a month ago you seemed to care. What went wrong?" Harry quietly grumbled; it seemed as if he was speaking to himself, not having the courage to say anything to Ron.

"That naffing tournament is what went wrong. You miraculously got yourself entered into the contest and you didn't tell me how you managed to pull off a great feat such as that! I was your best friend and you didn't tell me."

"I don't know how or who put my name in the Goblet of Fire but all I know is that I'm tired of you not talking to me and....I really need you." Harry sighed in defeat.

"Why? So you can tell that Rita Seeker about how you've taken a poor Weasley under your wings!" yelled Ron, back turned to Harry.

"What? Ron I'd never! That's it I quit." Harry threw up his hands in rejection. "Why are you so upset over this? Maybe Hermione was right, you're just jealous."

The word hung in the air between the two. Harry regretting what he's said; Ron simply flabbergasted. Ron said nothing, anger washing over him. Small tears crowding his eyes. Legs moving rapidly away.

Ron moved as fast as his legs could carry him, wanting to put as much space between him and the traitor as possible. He was in such an emotional frenzy he barely even noticed who he flew past.

"Weasley! Wait up."

Ron quickly halted as he heard an all too familiar voice. Malfoy. "What do you want?" he huffed, half exhausted, half rage.

"Clam down. I heard your little argument back there." Stated Malfoy as he strode up to the redhead.

"And your point is? I'm late for class and so are you."

"I wanted to talk to you anyway. I think we should met up, after lunch during-"

"During the First Task." Ron smiled. "Thank you."

"No, thank you for letting me be the first to see your smile of the day. Met me in the North Tower after lunch. Now, what class do you have now?"

"History of Magic," Ron smiled once again. Not the usual seductive smile that had always found itself on his lips whenever he was around Malfoy.

"Oh," drawled Draco a matter of factly. "See you later."

"Sure."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ron silently crept up the winding stone steps. The professors had made it obviously clear that they wanted total school support at the events so he had to be extra careful. Muttering an unlocking charm, the Gryffindor boy slid into the observation room in the North Tower. He looked around the room, no blonde Slytherin to be found.

"I hope he hurries." Murmured Ron as he thoroughly surveyed the room. Four slightly worn couches were position in pairs directly across from one another on opposite walls. A bay-view size window was the main focus with its breathtaking view of the grounds. Even though the room was rather small and cramped it seemed spacious with its ample view of nature. Ron plopped down on the closest seat to the window and let the picturesque scenery take him in.

Soon he was disturbed, not by his lover but by students. Masses loaded themselves on the field in hoards.

//Must be the Tournament// Ron whispered as he saw what looked to be...

"Dragons!" he gasped aloud, jumping up from his seat.

"You rang." Said a voice that sounded as if it contained a smirk. Must be Malfoy.

"I didn't mean dragons as in Draco. I meant dragons as in the First Task. Look!" Ron interjected as he walked up the window, which held the event scene, showing it as it unfolded.

"What does that matter?"

Ron glanced over his shoulder, stared into Draco's eyes and suddenly he realized why it mattered. He missed Harry. His best friend was going up against dragons in a matter of moments yet he was nowhere to be found. Ron was here, with his archenemy.

"Why do you insist on wearing that?"

Draco stared in bewilderment, "Wear what?"

The Gryffindor gingerly unhooked the 'Potter Stinks' button from the blonde's robes. He cradled the item that just a few days ago caused him to receive detention with Snape. More importantly it upset his friends...all because of his lover's determination to make their lives a living Hell. Ron dropped the badge, letting the sound of the circular metal cracking under his shoe echo throughout the room.

"Go ahead. I have plenty more." Draco dismissed with a wave of his hand as he sat on a couch with a flourish of his robes.

"Fine, you needed to talk?"

"Oh nothing really. I just wanted to give you this." The Slytherin reached into this inner robe pocket and retrieved a small sheet of parchment paper. "I think you'll enjoy this."

"What is it?" Ron had reluctantly turned his back to the window and the sights and sounds of the First Task.

"Come over here and find out." Drawled Draco as he lounged, sprawled out, on the couch. He kept eye contact with his red-hair lover as he sauntered over. Ron perched himself on the armrest, next to Draco who gave him the paper and watched as Ron's eyes swelled in astonishment.

"This....This is Victor Krum's autograph! How did you get this? Oh who cares!" Ron pounced on the blonde, softly placing his lips on top of the other boy's.

"You better be happy." Draco murmured against the dominating boy's lips. "All of Slytherin now think that I am a slobbering, ogling fan of his."

"Thank you."

Draco kissed Ron, allowing a moan to escape from deep within. Draco began to unbuckle Ron's belt..

"NEXT UP IS HARRY POTTER!"

Ron lifted his head to get a better listen. What he heard couldn't be right..or was it? "Harry's next. I gotta to go."

"Weasley, I went out of my way to get you something so you have to give me something in return. You are obligated!"

"Fine!" Ron slid his hand into Draco's robes, all the while inching closer and closer to the shorter boy's lips. "Stick this up your arse and go fuck yourself!"

Throwing Draco's wand at him, the Weasley ran out to the grounds to cheer on his friend.

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