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Lost and Damned	By : danniperson Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 24087 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the characters or the world or anything, and I make absolutely no profit from this.

Chapter List
- 20
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- 22
Lost and Damned

Tried to Erase Everything That I Felt

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The weeks following Harry asking Cho to Hogsmeade were strange. Snape, for one, was back to being his usual git of a self and Harry was doing his best not to admit to himself how much every nasty comment hurt. Occlumency lessons were tense and uncomfortable and Snape seemed likely to explode over the smallest things. Harry could hardly hold back his temper and the two often got into shouting matches in the man�s office until Slytherins gathered outside of the office, cheering Snape on and encouraging him to give Harry detentions or suspend him or expel him or something. Harry hated it. Because no matter how hard Snape was trying to push him away, Harry didn�t quite buy the whole thing. He knew the man�Maybe not completely, but he knew him better after all of this time. He still cared about him�Still desired him�Still loved him, if that was what it was. Staying strong was hard, but it was easy to vent off some of his frustrations while teaching D.A. lessons, though he was careful not to do too much damage to anyone or anything there.
Snape wasn�t the only aspect of his life that seemed strange. Harry�s relationship with Draco Malfoy changed somewhat, though Harry was probably the only one who noticed. For one, Malfoy stopped trying to screw him up in every class they shared together, and even got his goons to stop. Poor Neville had to suffer because of it, but it was still interesting. The Slytherins bought it easily, not one to doubt their little slice of royalty. He even stopped shouting insults at Harry every chance he got, only now and then offering teasing words that his friends agreed were brilliantly awful while Harry bit back laughter. Then, now and then, the two boys would run into each other alone and they would really get along. Most of the time it happened after curfew, when Harry was sneaking around. As prefect, Malfoy threatened him with detention a lot, but he would end up sitting with Harry in some dark corner and they would pick on each other and share friendly debates about random things, including a lot of Quidditch. They never again broached serious subjects, such as Malfoy�s dad or Harry�s feelings for Snape, and both seemed very grateful to one another for that.
The most annoying changes surrounded Harry asking Cho to Hogsmeade. Every time a Ravenclaw girl passed him they would giggle and Cho was constantly waving or winking at him or offering some other flirty greeting that made Harry feel awkward. Ron continuously made comments about how he might like Cho and maybe he wasn�t gay after all (and lots of remarks about how horrible and ugly Snape was). Harry knew Ron was being nice and really would accept him either way, but he was making it obvious he would feel more comfortable if he wasn�t. He was raised that way, Harry would remind himself. Most people raised in this world were. Most people period were. Then there was Hermione, berating him for using Cho, but encouraging him to try to be interested in people other than Snape. It took a lot of energy to restrain himself from snapping at a great number of people these days.
Harry felt nothing but dread waking up on Valentine�s Day. All of the girls were giddy with excitement and Ron seemed happy, but nervous. He kept talking about everywhere he was going to bring Hermione today and what he wanted to get her and all sorts of things that Harry tried not to listen to, mainly out of irritation and jealousy. He made himself dress decently, feeling like he was walking to his death as he left the dormitories.
Hermione was waiting for them both, looking anxious in the middle of the room, many eyes focused on her. She looked really pretty, Harry had to admit. She was wearing nice jeans and somewhat girly, lavender shoes with a matching purple sweater and an almost fashionable blue jacket over it. Her long hair looked smooth and curly and pretty hanging perfectly around her face. She smiled brilliantly when Ron walked in, her chocolate brown eyes lighting up and a wide smile stretching over perfect, straight, white teeth.
�Wow,� Ron said, blue eyes wide, his jaw dropped slightly. Hermione giggled and Ron turned to grin at Harry. �You know�I�m really glad you�re gay, mate,� Ron whispered, patting him on the back before walking over to Hermione. The two kissed softly and Harry averted his eyes and continued walking towards the exit.
�Harry, wait!� Hermione suddenly called out and Ron looked disappointed as she pulled away and dragged him along with her as she ran over to Harry. �Harry, can you and Cho meet me and Ron at the Three Broomsticks later?�
�Erm�Sure?� Harry said, looking to Ron who looked equally confused and a bit disappointed.
�It�s important,� Hermione assured them both, looking gleeful. �And don�t worry, Ron, we�ll have plenty of time together before then,� she assured him with a smile that seemed to relax him.
�Alright then,� Harry said, feeling uncomfortable all over again. �I�ll see you later.�
Leaving Ron and Hermione to their fun, Harry forced himself to walk out into the corridors, out near the entrance where he was supposed to meet Cho. He was almost surprised to find that she was almost there and frowned a bit at that. He at least wanted a few moments to prepare himself for this. Last year he would have loved to be where he was now, he couldn�t help but think. He would have surely been drooling over Cho, looking lovely as ever with her dark hair in a long braid and a snug pink blouse and gray jacket, the whole outfit making her beautiful body stand out. Yet, Harry found it hard to be interested in her nicely developing pert breasts or her round little butt�Any hopes he had ever had of being bisexual were quickly flying out of the window, and found that he didn�t really care so much.
His biggest concern was what to do about today. Part of him wanted to show Cho a bad time, so she wouldn�t want to date him and it would save him the trouble of having to let her down. The other side of him felt badly for wanting to use her in the first place and thought that she had been upset enough over Cedric dying without him making things harder on her. Besides, Harry thought to himself, it wasn�t as though he could ever have what he really wanted�And maybe if he spent more time with Cho he would remember why he wanted to date her so much last year. Maybe his confused feelings were just a phase.
�Hi, Harry,� Cho said with a smile.
�Hey, Cho,� Harry replied, making himself smile in return. �You ready?�
Cho nodded and side by side (a bit too close for his personal liking) they walked to the doors, waiting to be let out to Hogsmeade. It was a long, awkward few minutes where neither of them exactly knew what to say and Harry felt grateful to finally be let outside into the fresh, cold air where it didn�t feel quite so strange, standing quietly with each other. He jumped when someone shoved past him and stared after Malfoy who was walking with a very smug looking Pansy Parkinson. Malfoy glanced back at him, his silver gray eyes confused as he looked between the two and Harry just offered a helpless shrug. Malfoy knew better than almost anyone how he felt about Snape.
�So�Umm�Do you know where you want to go, Harry?� Cho was asking.
�Go? Oh, umm�Not really. We can just walk around, if you want,� Harry replied as they entered Hogsmeade. Lots of couples were walking around, hand in hand. Girls were clutching heart shaped boxes to their chests or gripping heart shaped balloons and running up to each other and squealing in a manner that made Harry feel as though he were about to lose his hearing. Girls were nuts.
�Oh, well I�I thought of a�a nice place we could try�if you want,� Cho said nervously.
�That�s fine,� Harry replied, honestly not caring where they went. He was just ready for this nightmare to be over. Cho grinned and giggled excitedly and boldly reached out to take his hand. Harry let her and let himself be half pulled down the sidewalk �It�s this neat little tea shop and it�s just so perfect!� Cho was exclaiming, but Harry was hardly paying her much attention�Most of his focus was on regretting not telling her he wanted to go to Zonko�s or somewhere like that first.
It was a decision he regretted even more as he was pulled into the tea shop. Madam Puddifoot�s Tea Shop was the place of nightmares. Over the top, frilly decorations covered the place. It looked like a girly Valentine�s Day store had thrown up into the shop. It wasn�t just crowded with gaudy decorations, either. Many couples sat at the small tables, holding hands and kissing and Harry felt his entire face heat up. �Isn�t this so cute?!� Cho exclaimed giddily and Harry was led over to one of the only open tables in the place. Cho was grinning broadly and looking quite happy to be here and Harry tried not to look too overwhelmed by the place. He glanced casually around the shop, half hoping Ron and Hermione would be here�Unfortunately, he knew Ron would hate this place just as much as him and he knew Hermione would think it was just plain silly. Ron was a lucky man, Harry thought grumpily. Most of Harry�s friends�people Harry might have liked to see here�Harry doubted any of them would dare be caught dead in a place like this. Lucky bastards.
Harry did recognize a good number of people, though. Most in this shop were Hogwarts students. Lavender Brown had goo-goo eyes for Cormac McLaggen across the room and Roger Davies was making out with a pretty blond right next to his and Cho�s table. Susan Bones appeared to be on the rebound with a Ravenclaw boy Harry thought he recognized. All around were people with silly grins and lovesick stares and Harry felt increasingly uncomfortable. The only thing of interest in the place were a group of four who had pushed their tables close to one another in a corner�Four Slytherins. Tracey Davis and Blaise Zabini and then Daphne Greengrass with Theodore Nott. They were laughing and having a right good time and Harry felt jealous of them. He figured they were probably making fun of the whole thing or tormenting nearby couples, but they were at least finding enjoyment in this hellhole.
Madam Puddifoot walked over to them the time Harry was done looking around and Cho gladly gave her their order�Just two coffees, which was fine with Harry. He wasn�t sure he could stomach even that in this place.
�I�m so glad to be here with you, Harry!� Cho said shyly and Harry just now realized that she had taken his hand and was playing with it with both of hers.
�Yeah�erm�me too,� Harry lied.
Cho giggled. �I really like you, Harry.�
Harry just looked at her in surprise. She was being a bit more forward than he would have expected, but he figured she must have heard how much he had liked her last year. Maybe she figured he still did, though Harry had no idea what gave her that impression. Harry had no idea how to respond, but Cho didn�t seem to be waiting for one. Instead she leaned right over that table and kissed him.
Maybe there was something in the air, Harry mused. Maybe Madam Puddifoot but love or lust potions in all of her tea or the sugar or something. All of this lovey-dovey stuff was ridiculous and now Cho Chang was holding his hand and kissing him?! Of course, Madam Puddifoot hadn�t brought over their drinks yet. Maybe it was the atmosphere of the place or the pressure put onto her by the others making out all over the room. Whatever it was, it was weird. Harry resisted the urge to pull away and instead leaned in, making himself kiss her back. It wasn�t awful, Harry decided. Her lips were warm and soft and she smelled so pretty. It wasn�t disgusting or anything�But he didn�t feel anything, either. There were no sparks, no melting of the bones, no raging desire�Nothing Harry always imagined he would feel with Snape. And even Christmas night, that short, chaste kiss he gave Snape he had felt something stir up inside of him. With Cho, there was nothing�Just a somewhat pleasant feeling and taste of her lips on his.
�Mmm,� Cho said with a smile as she pulled away. Madam Puddifoot chose that moment to appear with their cups, a bright smile on her face. �You two are very adorable together!� Madam Puddifoot proclaimed. �A perfect match, for sure!� she declared and gave one last, fond smile before bouncing off. Cho was blushing now and she bit her lip in a manner that might have made most men hard, while Harry was struggling to appear as interested as ever, despite his growing boredom and anxiousness to get out of this place.
Looking uncertain for a moment, Cho slowly stood up and walked over to his side of the table, gracefully placing herself in his lap, her arms sliding around his neck. Harry almost instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling more awkward than ever with this beautiful girl in his lap. He should want her. How many guys were dying to be in his place right now? And he didn�t even want it. Cho was popular, beautiful, smart, athletic�And he couldn�t get his mind off of Snape. Yet when Cho kissed him, he kissed her back. He let her lean in closer and let her deepen the kiss. He let himself run his hands along her slender sides and over the smooth skin of her hand and her stomach, where her jacket and blouse had ridden up. He let himself toy with her braided, dark brown hair that was soft to the touch. He wanted to force Snape out of his mind, but the more he tried, the more he failed, and the more repulsed he became by this entire situation.
After several long moments of trying to force himself to continue, Harry found it impossible and pulled back. �Cho I-�I think we should s-stop,� Harry said, feeling guilt set in and he couldn�t bear to look at her as he unwound his arms from her. She was probably going to cry or something and Harry felt bad enough as it was. Cho remained in place for a moment before suddenly jerking herself away and marching back to her seat. He saw her hands reach out, grabbing the sugar and the creamer and adding it to her coffee, the sniffles he heard from her making him feel awful. He hesitantly glanced up at her now gloomy expression.
�He asked me out, you know,� Cho said, glancing over her shoulder at Roger and his girlfriend, still snogging happily. �A couple of weeks ago. Roger. I turned him down.�
Maybe you should have accepted so you could be sitting in his lap then, Harry thought to himself bitterly. He wasn�t jealous, but he had a feeling that was her aim and it annoyed him. Harry said nothing, though, only adding a bit of sugar to his own cup, though he had no intentions of drinking it.
�I came in here with Cedric last year,� she added, her voice a bit higher now and he was horrified to see her brown eyes swimming with tears.
Did she seriously want to bring up Cedric now? Why did she want to talk about Cedric at all when he made her all weepy? �Erm�Do you want to come with me to Three Broomsticks later? I�m supposed to meet Hermione and Ron there.�
Cho�s tearfilled eyes narrowed and were suddenly burning in anger. �You�re meeting Hermione Granger? Today?�
�Well, yeah.�
�On Valentine�s Day? When you already asked me out?� Cho demanded, voice shaky and high pitched.
Harry blinked in surprise. �Hermione is dating Ron�And I asked you to come, didn�t I?�
�Yes, well�Bringing up other girls�meeting other girls!� Cho sputtered, looking both hurt and annoyed and Harry felt his stomach drop. He was already making things worse!
�Well, you brought up other boys, I don�t see what the problem is,� Harry shot back coldly, not sure where that had come from. He felt bad, but he was somewhat agitated with her for making this whole thing a mess.
�I--I�� Cho stammered, cheeks now blotchy and red. �How many other girls do you have lined up for today?� she asked crossly.
�How many other boys wanted to bring you here?� Harry demanded.
�Plenty!� Cho exclaimed.
�Yeah, well, good for you. Sorry you didn�t accept one of their offers,� Harry shot back.
�Yeah, so am I!� Cho exclaimed, hopping to her feet. �Have fun with Hermione Granger.�
�Have fun with your admirers!� Harry called after her as she stormed out of the shop. Harry irritably stirred his coffee, growing steadily more aware that the eyes of most of the customers were on him. Harry frowned and bowed his head more as heat filled his neck and face. He felt kind of bad about blowing up on Cho, but he had hardly been in a good mood before she started throwing herself at him and getting all emotional. Girls were lunatics, Harry decided, and knew then that there was no way in hell he could ever be straight.
It was too early to meet Hermione, Harry decided, checking the time, but it was unbearable to sit in this place any longer. With his head held high, he quickly fled the shop and headed down the street, not sure what direction he was even headed in, so long as it was not the same direction Cho Chang had gone off in.
After walking a while he found himself outside of the Three Broomsticks and decided to go in�He was still early, but he had to use the restroom and figured he might find a familiar face to pass the time with while he waited on Ron and Hermione to arrive. The place was crowded and Harry had no idea how he and Hermione were going to find each other later, and decided to see if he could find an empty table closer to the entrance when he got back. For now he pushed through the crowd to locate the restrooms, relieved as he finally stepped in and was able to relieve himself.
Harry had been in too much of a hurry trying to get in to notice anybody, but the other occupant of the room noticed him. �Hiding from Chang already?�
Harry jumped and looked over his shoulder to see Malfoy leaning casually back against the wall. �You hiding from Parkinson already?�
�I�m a Malfoy, I do not need to hide from a girl,� Malfoy said, rolling his eyes. �Though I do not mind taking my time getting back out there to her.�
Harry snorted. Didn�t surprise him much�Pansy was infatuated with Malfoy, but Harry couldn�t see why anyone would be interested in her. �Yeah, well, Cho ditched me�At Madam Puddifoot�s no less. Kind of glad to be rid of her, though.�
�I bet you are,� Malfoy laughed. �I don�t know what person in their right mind would go to that place�Though you couldn�t have been in your right mind if you were out with Cho Chang. She�s beautiful, but I was under the impression she wasn�t your�type.�
�She�s not,� Harry said, sighing quietly as he zipped his pants back up and walked over to wash his hands. �Few weeks ago Snape pissed me off�You know how he can be and I was just fed up with it�He told me I should go out with someone else and I ran into Cho and she was hinting around that she wanted to come with me today and�I kind of asked her�Didn�t even know what the bloody hell I was doing,� Harry confessed, glancing around the restroom and pleased to find that he and Malfoy were alone�Made sense. Harry doubted Malfoy would be caught having a civil conversation with him.
�He�s flipping out because you have a crush on him? Or rather, you�re in love with him,� Malfoy said with a smirk. Harry glared at him and Malfoy just shrugged. �I wonder why he�s making such a big deal about it.�
Harry shrugged, too, half wanting to tell Malfoy about what he knew about Snape�About their teacher having a fantasy about him. He decided against it and he hated the reason why. He just couldn�t do that to the man, could he? Harry wanted to bang his head into the wall.
�So, how�d you get her to ditch you? Or was it an accident?� Malfoy asked.
Harry sighed. �She decided she wanted to make out with me�I tried kissing her back for a while but�I don�t know. I kept thinking about Snape,� Harry admitted. �So I told her to stop�Tried being nice about it. But she kept shoving in my face that Roger Davies asked her out and that Cedric had taken her there�Then I told her Hermione wanted me to meet her here later and she flipped out. I mean, I told her she could come along�I even mentioned that Ron was going to be there!�
�Girls are crazy,� Malfoy laughed.
�Bloody insane,� Harry corrected him, grumbling quietly. �So why are you out with Parkinson?�
�She adores me,� Malfoy said, shrugging. Harry couldn�t help but laugh. Yes, that was a perfectly naturally reason to go out with someone. Because they liked you�Not because you liked them or anything. Malfoy just smirked and rolled his eyes. �I like the attention.�
�Everyone knows that,� Harry said.
�Yeah,� Malfoy agreed. �Anyway, she bugged me the most about it so I figured I�d take her out�Starting to wish I�d have gone with Daphne instead.�
�If you were smart at all you would have known that from the start,� Harry told him. He didn�t know all of the Slytherins that well, but Daphne Greengrass was one of the few who wasn�t as bitchy as the rest and she had never given Harry as much trouble as Pansy and Millicent and them had tried. �She try mo--�snogging you yet?� Harry asked. He had been about to use the word molest, but cringed and stopped himself, figuring that was the very last word he needed to use around Malfoy, along with rape.
Malfoy was quiet and still a moment, maybe having already guessed what Harry had wanted to say. �Yes, and I�ve managed to get out of it so far,� Malfoy said, looking more disturbed than ever.
Harry didn�t think much of it�He didn�t think he�d look too happy about the idea of Pansy Parkinson snogging him, either. In the silence, Harry checked the time. He doubted he could expect Ron and Hermione for another hour or more and he glanced at Malfoy again. He stood awkwardly by the sink, wondering if he should stick around or not�Malfoy could probably use the company, he figured, until he gathered the courage to go back out and face his most devout admirer.
�It�s not that I�ve never been kissed before,� Malfoy said nervously after a moment. �I�m Draco Malfoy�I mean, I�ve kissed Pansy once before�and Daphne�and Tracey�But I never really thought about it. It was never a full out snog session�Just something to do and�I don�t know�What if I don�t like it?�
Harry felt another mean comment about Pansy coming on, but he held it back. Malfoy really looked nervous and Harry was surprised.
�What if�What if I�m like that�too?� Malfoy went on after a moment, his voice a bit high and panicky.
�Like what? Like�gay?� Harry asked, confused.
�Yeah,� Malfoy said, cringing.
�Oh,� Harry said. He wasn�t sure what else to say. Malfoy seemed pretty upset about the whole idea, though. Lucius Malfoy had made it clear, though, the world�s view on homosexuality. Maybe he was worried about becoming like his father. Maybe it was simply because he thought it was wrong, too�Or worried about being that way because everyone thought it was wrong. Harry didn�t know, but he did understand that Malfoy had every right to worry about it. �Well�I guess�you won�t know until you try, right?� Harry asked, not sure if he was being helpful at all or not.
�Yeah,� Malfoy said, his voice sounding distant. He just stared at the walls for a while and Harry stood by the sink, looking around and silently hoping no one else came in. He didn�t know how to help Malfoy, but he also didn�t want anyone interrupting before he could. �Would you kiss me?�
Harry almost thought he heard wrong. He turned to Malfoy whose pale cheeks were a light pink color and he was determinedly not looking at Harry. Harry opened his mouth to ask why�He wasn�t sure why he didn�t just use Pansy or one of the other Slytherin girls for this experiment. Maybe he trusts me�maybe he feels more comfortable around me, Harry considered, though he couldn�t be sure. Instead Harry closed his mouth and glanced around the room again, his heart pounding in his chest. Maybe he could pretend he hadn�t heard Malfoy�Harry immediately felt bad about it and glanced at the boy. Honestly, he was a bit curious himself�He licked his lips and shoved his hands into his pockets, feeling rather nervous as he mulled over the idea.
�Uhh�Sure,� Harry finally said after a moment.
Malfoy glanced up at him and Harry couldn�t tell if he looked more relieved or nauseous. �Yeah? Good,� Malfoy said, clearing his throat and forcing himself to stand a bit taller. Neither boy moved for a minute. Awkward silence hung heavily in the air and Harry nervously ran his fingers through his hair before forcing himself to move away from the sink and he walked over to Malfoy on legs that felt like jelly.
Harry wasn�t sure if he was supposed to kiss Malfoy or if Malfoy was going to kiss him. What was he even expected to do? What sort of kiss? Would he be expected to do anything else, too? Before he could figure it out for himself, Malfoy got a very determined look on his face before stepping forward, grabbing Harry and kissing him deeply. Harry responded immediately, placing his hands on Malfoy�s sides while Malfoy held his face in his hands. His lips weren�t as full and plump as Cho�s and the kiss wasn�t as soft and Malfoy�s body wasn�t as delicate. He was strong�He wasn�t like Snape, but he was definitely a man. And unlike with Cho, Harry felt a wave of dizziness and his stomach flip flopped pleasantly in response�It was a good kiss�Very good.
After a few moments, Malfoy pulled away and Harry immediately dropped his hands, letting them hang loosely and awkwardly by his side. Harry looked nervously away from the boy and Malfoy did the same, clearing his throat and standing tall. �Okay, so�I�m not gay,� Malfoy said at last, his voice strong and sure with a hint of relief coming through.
�I definitely am,� Harry said after a moment, licking his lips and feeling his face warm up as he said it. In his peripheral vision, he noticed Malfoy smirk.
�Don�t tell me you�re after me now,� Malfoy teased.
�No, don�t worry. I�m still hopelessly infatuated with your godfather,� Harry sighed. Malfoy just laughed nervously and they both just stood there for a moment. It was so awkward Harry wanted nothing more than to leave, but he somehow felt stuck standing where he was.
�So, I gu--� Malfoy began, but they were interrupted by a loud banging on the door.
�Draco!� called out Pansy Parkinson�s voice, as sugary sweet as Umbridge�s and highly impatient. �Are you okay?�
�Hold your knickers on, I�m coming!� Malfoy shouted back. �Erm�Thanks,� Malfoy said and nodded curtly to Harry before walking out of the bathroom.

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Harry remained in the bathroom a few minutes after Malfoy left, trying to clear his head before going back out into the pub. He caught up with Hagrid for a bit, finding the man a bit emotional before the half giant left. He spent a bit of time at a table with Fred, George, Lee, Dean, Seamus, and Katie, most of the group listening to Fred and George talk about ideas for products and such things and the success rate of what they had been trying out so far. Not only were the products interesting, but in good Fred and George fashion, they were cracking jokes every few minutes. They were all cracking up and Harry was laughing so hard his ribs hurt.
�Harry! Harry, over here!�
Harry glanced up to see Hermione enter with Ron and Luna. Harry turned back to the group and bid them goodbye before walking across the pub to join them. Ron looked grumpy and Luna was hidden behind a copy of The Quibbler. Hermione was smiling and waving at him and it took getting closer to their table that he realized they were joined by someone else�A very tired, messy looking Rita Skeeter, ex journalist of the Daily Prophet. Harry eyed her suspiciously and shot Hermione a questioning look.
�Didn�t expect you to be here so early! Glad we made it here before I thought we would,� Hermione said, sitting beside Ron. With Luna next to Rita, Harry took a seat closer to Ron and Hermione.
�Erm, yeah,� Harry said.
�Where�s Cho?� Ron asked.
�Dunno,� Harry replied stiffly. �Not really interested at the moment.�
Hermione and Ron frowned while Rita looked up curiously. �A girl? Girl trouble, Harry?� she asked, reaching into her crocodile-skin bag, digging around.
�That would be none of your business,� Hermione replied coldly.
Still, Rita pulled out an acid-green quill and a few pieces of parchment, smoothing them out on the table. Hermione didn�t object. Rita opened her mouth to speak and Harry had done so at the same time and both closed theirs at the same time. Luckily, Hermione immediately launched into an explanation. She wanted Rita Skeeter to write an article for The Quibbler with Harry�s accounts of what had happened the night Lord Voldemort returned. Rita and Hermione argued a bit over Rita wanting to make the story more interesting, instead of truthful and her reluctance to do the piece for free. Harry and Ron said nothing, only shooting one another wide eyed glances now and then�Why Hermione was trusting this woman, Harry didn�t know�Still, the idea of anyone taking his word for things�Of having his version of the story out there�It was too good to be true.
Eventually Rita and Harry got to work and Harry could not have been more pleased as he gave out the names of Death Eaters, especially naming Lucius Malfoy as one of them. As he did so, he couldn�t help but look around the pub for Malfoy and Pansy, but he didn�t see them among the crowd and resumed his story. The whole thing took up the rest of their time in Hogsmeade and Harry felt a bit bad as Ron sat grumpily, complaining now and then about how he wanted to go to various shops while Hermione apologized now and then and other times snapped at him and took the two into quiet bickering. Luna would make a strange comment now and then about the things she was reading, but most of Harry�s focus was on giving his story.

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Hours later, Ron seemed relieved as they entered the common room. The trio walked to their favorite chairs by the fireplace and Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron flopped down dramatically. �I can�t believe you got a hold of Rita Skeeter, Mione,� he said. �And did we really--�
�Yes, it had to be today. The sooner the better, Ronald!� Hermione scolded for the fiftieth time. �We were not going to wait around on this! This is too important!�
�All right, all right,� Ron said, frowning. �So tell us how it went with Cho, Harry.�
Harry frowned. He had known this was going to come. �Horrible,� Harry said, sighing heavily. �She kept trying to snog me but I kept thinking about�Well�You know,� Harry said. Hermione nodded her understanding, a sympathetic look on her face. Ron looked momentarily confused, then horrified. He looked on the verge of protest, probably to insult Snape some more, but Harry quickly went on, launching into a detailed description of everything that had taken place with Cho that day.
�Wow, mate,� Ron said, eyes growing wide. �Hermione, I�m so glad you�re not that crazy.�
�Thanks,� Hermione said sarcastically, though she smiled.
�So�No girls, then?� Ron asked.
�Ron!� Hermione hissed, slapping his arm.
�Nope. I�m definitely�gay,� he said, whispering the last word. He didn�t want anyone overhearing that. He was almost tempted to bring up his run in with Malfoy, but he hadn�t gotten the chance to tell Hermione or Ron about his�growing friendship with the boy. At least Harry thought he could call it that now.
�That�s too bad, mate,� Ron said. �Oh well. We�re still with you.� he added hastily in response to Hermione�s glare. �We�ll stick by you even if you like blokes�and even if you like the greasy git. Even if I don�t understand it�I mean, he has crooked teeth, you know. And I bet his breath stinks. He doesn�t look like he bathes, so I doubt he brushes his teeth, either. And his nose!�
�You know what they say about men with big noses,� Hermione said suggestively, looking more amused than anything.
�Hermione!� Ron gasped.
Harry just grinned.
�Lay off Professor Snape, Ron. Harry likes him,� Hermione said.
�No, Harry�s just been sniffing too many Potions in that class,� Ron corrected.
Harry rolled his eyes. Hermione�s comments usually kept him at bay and kept him from getting too angry with Ron, but his best friend�s constant complaints about the man were rubbing him the wrong way. They had been welcome the first few days, when he was still mad at the man, but now Harry was just getting offended every time Ron brought it up.
�Just drop it, Ron. It�s not like it�s going anywhere, anyway,� Harry said and Hermione looked at him approvingly. Harry just frowned and tried to think of a new conversation to start. The last thing he needed to do was think about Snape right now�It hurt more and more these days.

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Author�s Note: Another chapter done! I hope everyone�s enjoyed it. Now as we get towards the end of the events in the fifth book, a lot more will be happening in this fanfic. I�m actually pretty excited to write upcoming chapters and I really hope everyone will enjoy them!
Now, I�ve had a few comments on how long it�s taking Snape and Harry to get together, and I promise this is a Snarry fanfic and they will get together at some point. I always had a bad habit of getting them together too fast in the past with fanfics, and wanted to try my hand and moving along their relationship more slowly, which is a big reason I chose to plan out the entire fanfic by chapter so I had something to guide me along. I do promise some good Snarry moments coming up soon, though any relationship might take a bit longer to get to. I do hope you all enjoy it, though, and stick with me to see them grow and get together.
Anyway, thank you everyone who is reading and reviewing and I hope you continue! The chapter title lyrics are from �The Kiss� by Karmina.
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