Harry leaned on his hand, staring at his book without registering the words written on the crumpled white page.
"Harry? Hello?"
Harry looked up, drawn from his reverie.
"I asked if you know the abilities of Papl root," repeated Susan Bones.
"Uh... I'm not really sure. Go ask Neville or something," Harry replied, waving the girl off lazily.
"I'm impressed how you managed to procrastinate for the entirety of that lesson," Hermione said dryly. "I would've gotten bored."
"Hey. I was a bit distracted," he responded, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Thinking about Luna probably," Ron teased, playfully nudging Harry.
"Hi Draco," Harry said, ignoring Ron as he greeted their latest friend.
"Hey P-...Harry," Draco replied, not taking his eyes off his feet.
The next time Harry saw Draco was in Potions. Malfoy's stranged behaviour was continueing. Slightly concerned, Harry watched him closely.
"Hey Harry," Blaise croaked, dragging Draco by the hand towards him.
"Do you happen to have any spare goose feathers?"
"Yeah, take some, we have heaps," Harry answered back, wondering why Draco was blushing so furiously. Then he glanced at the contact between the two boy's hands. Harry withheld a smile. He knew a crush when he saw one.
"Potter? What are you doing?" Snape sneered as he passed.
"Mixing the drexort juice with the liquid silver like you instructed, Professor," Harry replied quickly.
"No, no, I meant with those feathers," he clucked impatiently.
"Oh. Blaise and Draco needed extra so I gave them some,"
"But didn't I give you all exactly the right amount?"
"Obviously your calculations were wrong, sir, because otherwise why would they need more?" Harry exclaimed in a heat of the moment he would infinitely regret later.
"I've had enough of your insolence, Mr Potter. I'll see you after dinner for detention. Ninety minutes," Snape snapped proudly.
"But what about Blaise and Draco?" Harry cried, but it sounded more like a whine.
"That'll be two hours," the Professor responded with a faint smirk.
After the lesson, Draco approached Harry.
"Pity about Snape. I should have said something,"
"Doesn't matter. Would've just meant two of us in detention anyway," Harry said as he walked down the hall.
"And also... Sorry I've been acting a bit weird lately. Stuff on my mind," Draco continued, shuffling his feet.
"Its ok. I know," Harry stopped walking to look at Draco directly.
"You...You do?" Draco asked incredulously.
Harry nodded. "And you're ok with it?" he questioned further.
"Yeah, man, secret's safe with me."