Picture Perfect

Chapter Six : I would say that I love you, always. Always.

September 21st, 1996

"You can't ignore the possibility—"

"I very well can, Headmaster," Harry snarled. "Ron has been acting like a total prat to Colin since the train, and he wasn't proving himself to be a great friend before that either. I want him punished. If you want to believe he was under a spell, then you'll have to prove it."

"Harry, my boy," the headmaster sighed, steepling his fingers together. "If young mister Weasley is telling the truth, and he was only acting under the imperious, then we cannot rip from him his education."

"Funny how when there's no proof against someone, like Hagrid or say, Sirius Black, your hands are tied, but when there are two eye-witnesses with memories and bruises on a boy's skin— you can sway the board against expulsion."

Dumbledore's expression grew darker.

"Now, Harry—"

"I want Colin moved to a room joint with mine, so that I can be sure that Ron isn't abusing your good trust behind dormitory doors. If you want to risk the rest of the school population, then that's up to you, headmaster. However, you will not be risking my Colin's safety."

"Don't you think that's a little excessive?"

Harry narrowed his eyes.

"A little excessive would be bringing your manipulations up around all of the Wizengamot, trudging all of your misdeeds for the greater good into the light."

The old man frowned.

"I'll have his things moved to a room adjoined with yours by curfew."

- Picture Perfect -

"Are you sure you want to go to class? I'm sure the professors would understand if you decided to stay in for another day. You could get some rest."

"I'm fine! Just because I had a little breakdown… I'll be okay."

Harry huffed.

"You know I'm only worried about you, baby. I don't want you to push yourself."

They stopped in front of the door to Transfiguration, and Colin turned to push himself into Harry's arms.

Harry smiled softly, bringing Colin fully against him.

"Thank you for walking me to class, Harry. I'm sorry for being so much trouble."

The taller boy pressed a kiss to the blonde's forehead.

"You're never any trouble, little one. I'll see you at dinner."

Harry sighed heavily once Colin was through the door, steeling himself before making his way down to the dungeons.

"Late again, Mister Potter," Professor Snape drawled, his dark eyes curious as they connected with Harry's. "Though I know I'm going to regret asking, what is your excuse this time?"

Harry shrugged with a smirk that spelt trouble, sliding in next to Draco.

"Malfoy here told me to go to hell," he said, pausing for effect. "At first I couldn't find it, but now I'm here."

Severus sneered down at the boy-who-lived-to-bother-him.

"Indeed," he muttered. "And we are all here burning with you."

-Picture Perfect-

Colin collapsed into Harry's lap, ignoring all present company. He wedged his head firmly into the crook of Harry's neck and held tight.

Harry pretended that nothing was happening, continuing his conversation with Draco even as he brought on arm around Colin's lower back and the other hand the softly cradle the back of his head.

"A third side? Like a what, a grey?"

Harry nodded slightly, trying to avoid jostling his little treasure.

"We have enough sway, Dray. More and more people are trying to keep away from the far sides of this war. Dumbledore is just as bad as Voldemort, and they're both insane and powerful. Together, we could be a logical option."

"You don't need me to do this."

Harry snorted.

"Draco, I am shit at public speaking and dealing with publicity in general. You are the only one between us that knows how our government works and how to get into peoples' heads. I'm lost without you."

Draco smirked.

"Well, when you say it like that… I was born for politics. I have great hair and I love lying."

"Thanks, mate. You're a good person."

-Picture Perfect-

October 1st, 1996

"You do realize this is the Slytherin table, don't you?"

Colin pouted.

"But Harry's still in Herbology, and I don't trust anyone else!"

Draco couldn't help but submit.

"Fine. Stay here between me and Pansy."

The girl in question turned to Draco with a confused expression.

"You've been grumpy toward Potter all day. What happened? I thought you two were getting along?"

Draco mumbled something that no one really heard, though Colin looked highly amused.

"Sorry, mate. Didn't quite catch that," Blaise called out, and Draco scowled.

"Harry said I was a good person."

Pansy gasped, throwing her hand over her chest.

"That son of a bitch! How dare he?"

Colin giggled as Draco reached over his head to shove the witch.

"Shut up, Pansy!"

She cackled madly before turning her gaze to the newest addition.

"So, Creevey—"

"It's Colin."

She nodded along, "Okay, sure. Colin. I've always been curious…"

"Pansy," Draco warned, but she cut him off with a glare.

"How's Potter, ya know, on a more physical level?"

Colin crinkled his eyebrows in confusion, tilting his head to the side.

"He's a bit too tall for me to kiss him when I want, but other than that he's perfect."

Draco laughed, while Pansy looked slightly put out. She opened her mouth to clarify her meaning to the younger boy, but Draco cut her off.

"You could always punch him in the stomach so that he leans over, and then you can kiss him."

"Or," Blaise interrupted with a saucy smile, "You could dump him. I'm certain I'm at least five inches shorter than Potter."

Draco aimed a kick for the darker boy's ankles, looking to the side.

"I say you kick him in the shin."

Harry wrapped both arms around the small blonde, glaring at the lot of them.

"Or you could simply ask me to lean down, pet. You know I'd never turn you away. If I'd have known this was bothering you, I would've made sure to kiss you more often."

Colin choked, his face turning bright red.

"Harry, it was a—"

But Harry tilted his head back, swallowing Colin's words in a thorough kiss.

"Can't have you left wanting, can I?"

Colin looked a little dazed, but then he frowned.

"You're under no obligation to keep me happy," he said.

Harry was confused, but he didn't say anything as the boy walked away from him, most likely heading back to their room.

"Did I do wrong?"

Blaise rolled his eyes at the savior.

"If I had a boy like that wanting to be mine, I wouldn't be waiting so long before making him so."

"What?" His eyes were wide. "But Colin is mine. I've been obvious about that haven't I?"

Pansy scowled at him ,slapping him upside his head.

"Colin probably needs a bit more reassurance then your current interest, loverboy."

TBC…