Since Defense Against the Dark Arts was their last subject of the day, he didn't really care about where to go. He considered going to the Gryffindor common room, but he then decided to find Harry before that. He had been told to go talk to McGonagall, so he waited for him outside the woman's office.

His heart was still pounding, but he didn't regret a single word he had said. He didn't care if he was punished, either. After all, nothing could be worse than the punishments at home.

And, at least, he had made it even clearer that he believed Harry. He thought it was pretty obvious before, but there wasn't any room for doubts now. Besides, it would perhaps take away a bit of pressure on his shoulders, since people would definitely talk about what had happened. If they were lucky enough, they would maybe start talking shit about Ben, and allow Harry to have a small rest.

"Ben?" said Harry, stepping out of McGonagall's office, a cookie on his hand.

"Who's out there?" he heard her ask from inside, and the woman's confused face appeared. "Walker? What are you doing here?"

Ben went white. "I- Uh..."

"I ought to have expected you'd be sent with me, too..." she said, shaking her head, although her lips were slightly drawn upwards.

"I wasn't sent here by her," he noted. "It was my idea, let's say."

Harry smiled at him, and even the smallest doubts of if he had done the right thing faded.

"May I ask why?"

"I shouted at her, too."

McGonagall sighed. "No need to explain any further... You're so much like your uncle."

Ben winced horribly. "Uncle Jonathan?"

"No, no," she shook her head. "I meant Chris... Well, off you go, you two."

And she closed her office door.

It had been years since he had last thought of his uncle Chris.

"For you," said Harry, offering him his cookie. "McGonagall made me take it."

"No, it's okay, it's yours. And you barely ate anything at lunch."

So Harry split it in half. "At least take this, then."

Since he didn't want to argue with him, he accepted the cookie. "Thanks... Hey, do you wanna go somewhere? There's still over an hour until Hermione and Ron will come out of class."

"Sure," he smiled softly. "Where, though?"

"We can go to the Astronomy Tower, like last year, if you want to?"

"Alright..."

As expected, the tower was empty when they arrived at the top floor. Ben approached the railing, and looked out over the lake, remembering the moment when, less than a year ago, the Beauxbattons carriage had appeared flying over it, and the Durmstrang ship had risen from the depths of it.

"Ben?"

He turned around, his back against the railing, to look at him as he leaned on one of the arches of the wall.

"Yeah?"

"Who's Chris?"

Ben breathed in deeply. "Christophe Walker, my father's younger brother. He was the second Walker to not be a Slytherin."

"What house was he in?"

"Hufflepuff."

"Where is he now?" asked Harry. "Maybe he could help you and Aly-"

"He died fifteen years ago."

Harry's face dropped. "Oh. I'm... I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, I don't think I ever met him," he said. "Well, maybe I did, but I was way too young to remember."

"What happened to him?" wondered Harry, speaking carefully.

"I don't know much, since my parents never speak of him. He was disowned for refusing to become a Death Eater, and for fighting against them. And then he was murdered in war. I don't know who did it, though."

"He seems like a very brave man."

Ben nodded slowly. "I wish I was as brave as he was."

"You are."

But he wasn't so sure if he actually was. He didn't know if he ever would've been able to turn his back completely on his family. Not like he didn't want to, but there was something, someone, which mattered to him more than absolutely anything else; Alycia.

"Thank you for saying that."

Harry smiled at him. One of those beautiful, gorgeous, Harry smiles that lit up the room and made everything seem brighter, easier. How could anyone in the entire world want to hurt him? How could anyone, ever, hate him and wish terrible things upon him? He didn't even understand how someone could look at him and not fall in love instantly. He had been so stupid, taking so long to realise how madly he loved him.

He wished things were easier. He wished he didn't have to keep pretending nothing had happened. He wished he wasn't so scared.

But that's just how life was.

He sat down on the floor, and drew his knees close, wrapping his arms around them. He closed his eyes, feeling the breeze, colder every passing minute, moving his hair.

"Are you okay?" asked Harry, crouching down beside him.

"Yeah, don't worry."

Harry joined him on the floor. "I know you won't tell me what Malfoy said to you this morning, but... Was it something to worry about?"

"No," he denied. "Just him teasing me, as usual."

"Alycia was right about him being obsessed with you."

Once again, Ben didn't want to ask what he meant by that. "He just hates me a lot, that's it."

"Yeah, no, I don't think he does." Ben furrowed his eyebrows, and looked at him. "He hates me, not you."

That took Ben's confusion even further. "No, I assure you he does hate me. If he didn't, he would've never done what he did to me."

"You mean the article?"

"No-" he said, and suddenly realised. "I mean, yes, the article."

Suspicion became clear on Harry's face. "No, you don't. What did he do to you?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me, Ben. I'm your... friend."

"I'm not lying," he lied, starting to stand up. "I think we should get going, Hermione and Ron-"

Harry got to his feet. "Ben, you said the article hadn't been his fault. Yesterday, you said he had kept the secret."

"It doesn't matter."

"You just don't want to tell me, because you don't trust me," he said, looking very angry all of a sudden. "I bet you've already told Ron and Thomas, since they're much better and you prefer them over me, am I right?"

"No, you aren't, in fact."

"Do you expect me to believe it?" he let out a bitter laugh. "Do you really think I'm so stupid to not realise you're back at avoiding me?"

"Have you forgotten what Hermione and Ron told you before, Harry?" he asked, not losing his cool, but sounding rougher than usual. "We get that you're tense and stressed, but we're your friends, we're on your side. There's no need to keep exploding at us."

Harry looked down.

"No, by the way, I do not prefer them over you. And I haven't told them anything regarding Malfoy, because it simply is something I'd rather not talk about. I haven't spoken about it in years, not even with my sister."

"I'm sorry, Ben. Really. I shouldn't be taking any of this out on you."

"It's fine," he said calmly. "Let's go find Ron and Hermione, okay?"

"Okay."

———————————————

That evening, when Harry left the Gryffindor Common Room, on his way to Professor Umbridge's office for his detention, Ron suddenly disappeared as well. It was already quite late at night, and most people had gone upstairs to sleep, but neither of their friends had shown up yet.

"Do you think Ron got into detention too?" Hermione asked Ben as they worked on the essay Snape had made them do.

Ben shrugged. "I don't know."

"He would've told us, right?"

"Of course," he said, not looking up from his parchment. "I hope Umbridge's not too rough on Harry."

"Well, she doesn't look like she'd have too awful ideas for punishments..."

"She better not."

There were some seconds of silence. "Ben, do you really think they look like woolly bladders?"

She was referring to some hats she had knitted over summer. She had shown them to the three boys that morning, and Ron had been responsible for such a metaphorical and poetical comparison.

Ben had to bite his inner cheek as he tried to hold back the urge to laugh. He carefully tried to avoid looking at her, as tears welled up on his eyes. He shook his head.

"It's okay, Ben, you can laugh," she rolled her eyes.

"It's just that the comparison is funny," he managed to get out in between laughs. He took a deep breath, to calm himself down. "But they really aren't that bad."

"Do you think they'll work?" she asked. "Or do you think I'm wasting my time?"

Ben took a couple of seconds to think. "Okay, look, I'm going to be honest with you. But please don't get mad at me like last year."

"I won't."

"I completely agree with you on how disgusting the treatment of many house elves is. I think you're absolutely right in trying to fight against that. However, I also think Ron's right about... in general, what he's been saying regarding S. P. E. W. , excluding the woolly bladder comment, or any of his jokes. The problem with this, is that this situation has been going on for so, so long, that it's not only engraved into wizards' minds, but also on elves'," he explained slowly. "That's where the root of the problem is. Most, if not all, house elves think that their treatment is right and fair, and that their position is simply what it should be. That's why Ron, Fred and George say that they like working."

"But that's because they have been brainwashed!"

"And I agree with you, that's precisely what I'm trying to tell you. We won't be able to help by somehow forcing them to be free, because that's not what they want. House elves would see that as being fired. However, I believe we can achieve some change by improving their conditions at work, and allowing them to decide over what they want."

Hermione's face had lit up at the use of the word 'we'. "Alright... I think I get it."

"Also, even though the knitten hats idea is quite cute, technically us students can't free Hogwarts' house elves. Only their master, or someone they view as their master can do so. That means probably Dumbledore is the only one who could do it. But, if I'm not mistaken, I think it's possible to give elves... gifts which do not symbolize anything. So I think that there wouldn't be anything wrong with us giving them little hats, or scarfs which they could use if they are ever cold. Or maybe even give them accessories like... I don't know..."

"Like necklaces, or bracelets!"

"Yeah, exactly. It wouldn't free them, but it could help them feel cared for, and it would let them know that there's people who worry about them and appreciate everything they do for us."

"That's a great idea!" exclaimed Hermione, her eyes sparkling in excitement. "If we got more people to collaborate, we could get gifts for every single one of them... And get them better ones for Christmas, for example!"

A rush of motivation ran through his veins. "Yeah!"

"But I've already been trying to get people to join, and nobody does."

"I think that's because people don't really feel like paying."

"Well but we need the money to be able to maintain, propel and pay for our future S. P. E. W. campaigns..."

"You do realise that the Walkers are rotten in money, don't you?" he asked in a whisper, smirking. "That's one of the very few enjoyable things of being one."

"But your parents..." she began.

"Should be lucky that they aren't in Azkaban for what they did to Ebony," he concluded. "I don't think they'd mind it if we used some of their money. And, even if they do, what are they going to do about it?" he laughed. "They've been hiding for a month."

"I don't want to take advantage of you, Ben."

"You aren't doing that. I am suggesting we use my wealth for something that's worth it. You know, since I was a kid, I've always wanted to free the house elves at home. But there wasn't much I could do, so I just made sure to support them as much as I could. I would help with some of their tasks, I would clean and organise my own room and clothes, and I would spend time with them as they cooked, reading stories to them, or simply chatting."

"That's very sweet of you."

He smiled at her. "They were always nice to me, so I didn't see why I shouldn't be nice to them, too. There's one of them which I particularly love. Her name is Deedee. I wonder what's going to happen to all of them, now that we left."

"Maybe they've left, too?"

Ben shook his head. "I don't think so. They haven't been freed, technically. If my parents come back, they'll have to continue obeying their orders... You know what? If everything goes right, and I don't have to go back home, I'm going to ask Sirius if he can help Alycia and I apparate there one day, and I'm going to free every single one of them. Like I promised them I would once it was safe."

Hermione smiled softly, "You're such a wonderful boy, Ben."

"I try."

In reality, it was all he ever did; try. 

———————————————

Hermione ruffled his hair as she went to sleep around half an hour later. She had already finished most of her homework, and Ben had told her that she didn't have to wait for him. Despite her insistence, she eventually gave in, and went upstairs.

Ben stayed in the common room until everyone had left, finishing all of his essays.

All of a sudden, Ron appeared, coming through the portrait hole. His eyes stopped on Ben, and his face went paler than usual as he stared at him. Ben stared back at him.

"Um," Ben cleared his throat after what felt like a minute of absolute silence. "Why are you acting like I caught you in the middle of murdering my family?"

Ron coughed. "No, I'm not."

"Why did you disappear?"

"Has Harry come back?"

"No," he said. "I was getting quite worried about that. Hermione's already gone to sleep. She was worried about you, too."

"I was just studying."

Ben raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "The library's been closed for hours. That's precisely the reason why we're here."

Ron sighed. "If I tell you a secret... Do you promise you won't laugh, or tell anyone?"

"Mhm," he nodded. "I promise."

"Alright, well," he mumbled, sitting next to Ben on a chair beside the fire. "I was practicing."

"Practicing for what, exactly?"

"Quidditch tryouts."

Ben's eyes widened. "Really? That's awesome! Imagine you and Harry both being on the same team!"

"Please don't tell him yet, I don't want him to laugh at me."

"Why would Harry laugh at you? He's your best friend."

"Yes, and Fred and George are my brothers, but they surely are going to laugh themselves stupid when I turn up for the tryouts. They haven't stopped taking the mickey out of me since I got made a prefect."

"Well I personally am very proud of you for becoming one."

Ron's lips drew a smile. "I'm going to try out for Keeper, by the way, now that Wood's gone."

"I'm sure you'll do amazing," he assured. "You should go to bed, though, it's late."

"What about you?"

"I need to finish my homework," he told him, and wove the piece of parchment he was writing on, to show him. "And I want to wait for Harry."

Ron smirked devilishly. "Such a cutie, waiting for your boyfriend."

"Shut up or I'll betray you and tell Harry," he threatened, feeling his face turn hot.

So Ron stuck his tongue out childishly and ran up the stairs, while they both laughed. Ben looked at his clock; a quarter to midnight. As soon as he finished that essay, he would have finished pretty much everything.

He thought of Harry.

The poor boy still wasn't back, and was probably still with Umbridge. He wondered what that disgusting woman was doing to him. He wished it didn't take too long for him to be there. How was Harry going to finish all of his homework for the next day?

Before he had the chance to think of it twice, he found himself starting another drawing of a Bowtruckle, as they had been told to do for Care of Magical Creatures. He had already done his, and it was a bit of a challenge to make Harry's look different than his own. He used a slightly less realistic style, and made sure to not draw both creatures in the same position. And he also used different shades of green than the ones he had used.

Right when he was done with the drawing, the portrait hole opened again, and Harry jumped inside. Ben got to his feet immediately. "Ben!"

Before Ben had the chance to say hello, Harry pulled him into a hug. Despite how surprised he was at the gesture, Ben didn't hesitate for a single second before hugging him back. He could feel Harry's heart pounding, signalling him that something was wrong. Unconsciously, he soothingly ran his fingers through his soft hair.

"Is there something wrong, Harry?" he whispered.

Harry shook his head. "I'm only tired. I'm sorry, I just needed... You, to be honest."

"Well," he smiled as they pulled away from each other. "Then it's a good thing I'm here."

Before he could think twice, he leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss on his forehead. Harry's face turned red in less than a second as he looked up at him.

"I've got something for you," Ben told him nervously. He turned around, and took the parchment from the table behind them. "I've just finished it, because I assumed you wouldn't have time to do it yourself... It's not the best I've ever done, but it was weird trying to make it look like it wasn't me who drew it, you know?"

Harry's eyes were sparkling brighter than the moon outside. "It's brilliant, Ben... Really, you're incredibly talented. Thank you so much, I love it."

Now it was Ben's turn to become a tomato.

He handed it to Harry and, as soon as he reached out to take it, Ben undeniably saw something strange on his right hand. His eyes widened. "What's that?"

Harry instantly tried to hide his hand by pretending to need to flatten the hair on the back of his head. "Nothing."

Ben left the drawing back on the table.

"Harry," he whispered. "Show it to me."

"Er- No, there's nothing to show."

"Please."

Harry breathed in, and slowly showed him. Ben took his hand, and stared at an odd mark on it. It looked like blurred words. They seemed to say 'I must not tell lies', written into his skin, which was now red raw. A burning rage coursed through his veins.

"Who did this to you?" he hissed through grittled teeth, although he was perfectly sure that he knew the answer. He didn't reply. "Harry."

"Her," he murmured.

He clenched his jaw. "I'm gonna make that fucking monster regret it."

He made to move towards the portrait hole, feeling such an intense anger that he had no doubt that he would keep his word if the opportunity arose. But Harry grabbed his arm, and Ben's heart gave a jolt as he realized how strong he had become. His grip made him turn. He could have let go, but he didn't, for obvious reasons. "Ben, no."

"Do you expect me to let her do this to you?"

"No," he admitted. "But it's what I'm asking you to do."

"Why?"

"Because I won't let you get in trouble."

"Harry," he began.

"No," he interrupted, pulling him closer through his arm, so he'd be away from the portrait hole. "I won't let you do anything."

"Then tell Dumbledore, at least... He can do something."

Harry shook his head. "He's already got enough on his mind."

"He's the headmaster, he's got to protect his students, no matter how busy he is with other stuff," he reminded him. Harry didn't speak. "How did she do it?"

"It was some sort of bewitched quill, I assume. She made me write lines and, every time I finished a sentence, it appeared there."

Ben winced at the idea. "Have you still got to go for the rest of the week?"

"Yeah."

"Then you really have to tell Dumbledore. She can't keep doing this to you- Imagine how that's going to hurt by Friday!"

Harry pursed his lips. "I-I'll think about it."

"You're just saying that to make me shut up."

"Can we please just go to bed now?" asked Harry, sounding sleepy. "I don't want to argue with you."

"Alright..."

———————————————

The next day was even worse for Harry. He and Ron missed breakfast, since there was still quite a lot of homework they had to do. Ben stayed with them, letting them both copy his, and he even suggested some made-up dreams for the Dream Diary they had to do for Divination.

Angelina Johnson, the Quidditch captain, wasn't happy in the slightest to find out Harry couldn't be there for trials that Friday, since he was in detention with Umbridge. She told him she was not at all impressed by his attitude and that she expected players who wished to remain on the team to put training before their other commitments.

"I'm in detention!" Harry yelled after her as she stalked away. "D'you think I'd rather be stuck in a room with that old toad or playing Quidditch?"

"At least it's only lines," consoled Hermione, as Harry sank back onto the bench. "It's not as if it's a dreadful punishment, really..."

Harry and Ben exchanged glances. He didn't understand why Harry wasn't telling Ron and Hermione the truth, but he had been asked not to tell them, either, so he kept the secret.

That night, Ben did the exact same thing as the previous one. He did his best effort with his homework, and made sure to have it finished as quickly as possible. When Harry came back, his hand looked far worse than before. The words looked much more distinguishable, starting to make it clear they had been carved into his skin.

"You have to-"

"I'm not telling him, Ben."

He sighed. "I'll go get something to disinfect it at least."

"Thanks," he said. "Did the Astronomy homework take you too long?"

"You can copy mine."

"No, it's not fair-"

"Don't be dumb and copy it."

Ben rushed upstairs as silently as possible. "Lumos!" he whispered, and his wand lit up, letting him get a disinfectant and the rest of his emergency things. It was part of the medicine cabinet that he had hidden under his bed at home, and that he had been using all his life, every time there was an altercation with his parents.

He was glad to find out Harry had obeyed, and was taking a look at his homework when he came back. "Well done," he smirked, sitting next to him on the sofa. "Now, give me your hand."

"You know what's the good part of this?"

"What is it?" he asked, carefully starting his task.

"That I get to have you hold my hand," he grinned.

He chuckled, blushing as he looked away. "You're so stupid."

"I mean it."

"So do I."

"So rude."

A/N: THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR 105K READS OH MY GOD!! I WOULD LOVE TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL TO CELEBRATE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY, SO HAS ANYONE GOT ANY IDEAS?? 

LOVE YOUUU