-chuckle- It's amusing to see both of them so clueless about what others so clearly see, but in their defense it should be noted that both are coming off brutally-ended relationships with others and will need some time to regain their psychological equilibrium. At that point, though, I suspect they'll start realizing just how deep matters are between them, or at least seeing the clues that've been there all along.
One can feel sorry for Paul, he's not a bad guy, he's just gotten a rotten deal at this point in the game. It's going to be interesting if/when Harry stays over one night the cog tries to control him; given his resistance to Imperius and the Veela allure, I suspect the poor cog is going to learn what trouble really is (-snort- imagine him grabbing it both the tentacles, whirling it around his head, and then throwing it against the wall or florr).
Author's response
Thank you for making my point so eloquently, both these kids have had their lives completely screwed over and Harry’s addiction to occlumency is not really helping, although, it will become absolutely necessary later on. (That was a mega-spoiler BTW.)
What these kids need is a vacation, oh wait, they’re on one.
When the cog does try to get to Harry it’s going to be in for one helluva surprise. I love your image of him slinging the brain about by its own tendrils!
N!