The second kiss had left Harry dizzy, like he'd just finished a Quidditch match and barely remembered the winning move. By the time he finally slipped Draco's lantern out and tugged the invisibility cloak back over his shoulders, it was well past curfew. His heart thudded against his ribs, but not from fear of Filch.
He'd kissed Draco Malfoy. Twice. And Draco had kissed him back.
The walk to Gryffindor Tower felt unreal, like he was moving through a haze. He didn't even notice the Fat Lady's irritated huff when he muttered the password. He just stepped through the portrait hole, half-smiling to himself. He took the cloak off-
And froze.
The common room wasn't empty. Two figures sat waiting by the fire.
Ron. Hermione.
Hermione was wrapped in her dressing gown, hair tied back, a thick book resting on her lap. She looked puzzled but calm, glancing up from the page as Harry entered.
Ron, on the other hand, looked as though he'd been sitting there for hours, arms crossed, jaw set. His eyes locked on Harry the second he stepped inside.
Harry's stomach dropped.
"Harry," Hermione said gently, closing her book. "We thought you'd gone to bed early. Where've you been?"
Ron didn't wait for an answer. His voice was low, sharper than Harry had heard in weeks."Don't bother lying, mate. I know where you've been."
Harry's mouth went dry. He looked at Ron, then at Hermione, then back again. Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Ron," she said slowly, "what are you talking about?"
Ron's eyes never left Harry's. "Ask him."
Hermione turned toward Harry, her gaze expectant but not accusing. "Harry?"
Harry swallowed hard, still standing in the middle of the room, cloak clutched in one fist. His mind raced. Theo. It had to be Theo. He must've gone straight to Ron after leaving the classroom. But why?
Ron shifted forward in his chair, voice softer but still edged. "I'm your best mate, Harry. You don't keep something like this from me." His eyes flickered, narrowing slightly. "Not him. Not Malfoy."
Hermione gasped quietly, eyes darting between them. "Malfoy?"
Harry's face burned. He opened his mouth - to deny, to explain, to something - but no words came out.
Ron leaned back, shaking his head. "So it's true."
The fire crackled in the silence. Hermione's lips parted, clearly working to form a question she didn't know how to ask.
And Harry realized, with a sinking feeling, that the secret wasn't just his and Draco's anymore.
It had just gotten a lot more complicated.