Delicate {𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕪}

Chapter 9

I just want to really quickly say a thank you to 1-800-Harry-Malfoy 
For the spam of votes and comments that motivated me to finish writing this chapter! Enjoy :)

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The morning after the Paranoia game Harry was bombarded with questions from his friends who wanted to know about his sudden closeness with Malfoy and what the question was.

The latter query was asked to Ginevra Weasley also, but of course, due to the charm on the game, she was unable to reveal her question to anyone. Much to Harry's relief.

After assuring Ron and Hermione that the question was unimportant and that he and Draco had simply been talking a bit more, he was left alone for the most time. Albeit reluctantly.

Ginny had been fretting over the events of the previous night for the entire time she'd been awake, and whilst asleep. She just couldn't understand what had possessed Harry to say that. She came to the conclusion that one of two things had occurred.

One option was that due to Harry's aversion to the Imperius curse, he is also able to throw the effects of Veritiserum and had simple said Malfoy's name as a joke or to prevent the embarrassment of saying Ginny's name when Ginny knew the question.

The other option was that she had simply phrased the question wrong. She should have asked who the most beautiful in the room was, or even ask who his crush was. There was no way he could have answered with Malfoy to those questions. (Sure Ginevra, sure)

Of course, she was sure the first option was the answer and so decided to confront Harry to congratulate him on his incredible force of will to be able to withstand the effects of Veritiserum.

"Harry!" she called, dragging him away from his friends to talk with him privately. Of course, the most wonderfully oblivious Harry was unaware of what was occurring and missed the wink Ron sent his way. "Harry, oh my goodness, I'm so impressed with you! Honestly, I've never heard of someone being able to do it! Why didn't you tell us?!" Ginny began excitedly.

Harry looked at her as if she had just grown a second head. "Um, sorry what?" Harry questioned cluelessly. Ginny simply sighed exasperatedly and looked at harry properly. "I wanted to congratulate you on being able to withstand the effects of Veritiserum!"

Now Harry was very confused and had absolutely no idea how to respond to that so he just smiled hesitantly and asked as politely as possible, what the Hades Ginny was going on about. Ginny, of course, explained what she believed to be true about Harry faking by saying Draco's name.

Harry, terrified of the reasoning behind saying Draco's name in the first place made a split-second decision to use this to his advantage. "Um, yeah, I can't fully throw it, I think Dra- Malfoy is decent looking so I was able to just, um kind of, um shift it? I guess?" Harry explained slowly, hoping it made sense.

Ginny agreed immediately, much to Harry's relief and just started talking about how impressive that was and how he was just so impressive and wonderful, already making Harry feel guilty and regret his lie.

Harry was so deep in thought he hadn't noticed the compromising position Ginny had backed him into, with his back against the wall and Ginny unnecessarily close to him. His eyes widened comically as he processed the situation and attempted to prevent what Ginny so clearly wanted.

Ginny looked down at her feet, unaware to the silent panic she had just subjected the raven to, before she looking up and quickly grabbing Harry around the neck. She pulled his lips down to meet hers in a slow kiss that she seemed to enjoy immensely, her closed eyes keeping her blissfully ignorant to the emerald green eyes that had just widened even further in panic.

As the kiss ended, Ginny returned her gaze to her shoes quickly. She quickly went onto her tippy toes to kiss the cheek of the boy still frozen in shock and confusion before she bolted from the room.

After sliding down the wall to sit on his heels, Harry remained on the ground of the abandoned classroom for what felt like an eternity. The whole time all he could think was 'why didn't I feel anything' 'why didn't I like that' and mostly 'why did I want her to be a guy'.

Harry was horrified with himself. He couldn't possibly be... gay. All he had ever heard about two men being together was his Uncle being horrified and calling them dirty and disgusting. Surely that's what it was, wrong, a freak of nature, a mistake.

All of these thoughts seemed to weigh heavily on the confused boy as he rose from his place on the ground slowly, almost on autopilot, his body seeming to know where he had to go.

That was where he found himself 6 minutes later, on the floor of the abandoned bathroom sobbing into his hands. He pulled his wand out and removed his glamours. With a sick noise between a laugh and a sob, Harry gazed at the old marks marring his skin, discovering that, thanks to Draco he hadn't cut in over 2 weeks. He laughed bitterly, guess that was for nothing.

With a sigh, he began the familiar action, enjoying watching the sharp red lines appear on his marred skin. he continued for a while, adding almost dozen or so before the pain wasn't strong enough. So he placed his arms below the cool tap water, enjoying the painful sting it caused and the bitter taste of tears in his mouth, believing that he deserved this pain for his awful thoughts. This was what he needed.

With a resigned sigh, Harry slumped against the wall with a final sob.

That was where a frantic Draco found him an hour later, unmoved and soaked in blood and tears.

A/N Sorry guys this was a pretty sad one, but hopefully, there'll be a bit of fluff before more angst ensues but I guess we'll see! If you like Marvel please show a little love to my Stark Industries filed trip fic! As always I appreciate comments and votes!

1042 words

Lila out 💜

(P.S. I realise I accidentally reference pjo but let's ignore that, it'll probably happen again at some point anyway!)