Chapter 1
"What, are you scared? I thought you said there were no exceptions," sneered Zabini.
"There aren't! I'll do it. But on my own terms," Draco Malfoy sneered back, while on the inside dreading what he had to do. He had been playing a stupid girl's game that Pansy had showed them, where someone writes a name on your palm and you can't look at the name until a certain time lest you have to ask them out.
Zabini will pay for this, thought Draco unhappily. If only I hadn't looked. But the name had been burning a hole in his hand ever since Zabini had written it earlier that morning in the Great Hall. Draco could not resist the temptation to look. But the temptation had cost him.
Curiosity killed the cat. Maybe it will actually kill me before I have to do it. However, it seemed no such luck would occur. Potions class loomed closer with every minute.
"I have to go gather my things," said Draco to no one in particular and got up, grabbing a treacle tart as he went. He heard Pansy, Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle snickering behind him. Draco tried to ignore them and dashed out of the hall and down to the dungeons. Maybe he could relax and calm his nerves before he had to go to Potions.
"Purebloods," Malfoy muttered and climbed into the Slytherin common room as the portrait swung forward to admit him. There was nobody in his dormitory when he went up, which was a good thing. He needed to be alone.
As he flopped down on his bed, he tried to think of good things that might come out of what he had to do. Could say no without asking questions. Who am I kidding? Of course questions will be asked. All I can do is be quick and get it over with as soon as possible. With new resolve, Draco got up, grabbed his bag and set off to Professor Snape's class, his chest tight with anxiety.
When he got to the corridor leading to Snape's door, he saw that a few people were already there. Including, "Hey, Potter. I need to talk to you. Alone," Draco motioned with his chin to the bathroom just up the corridor. Harry looked at him suspiciously, probably wondering why Draco would ever want to talk to him alone without Crabbe and Goyle and if he should follow.
"Why? Shouldn't you wait for your friends first? I'm not sure mummy would be too pleased if her dear darling Draco got himself a black eye," Harry taunted, just asking for a fight. Draco breathed deeply, trying to calm himself. He couldn't fight now. He had to get this over with.
"Now?" Draco asked, with a hint of impatience in his voice. He saw Ron whisper something to Harry, which must have been encouragement, for Harry followed him into the bathroom. When he got inside, he checked the stalls, making sure no one was there to overhear this soon-to-be very embarrassing conversation.
When Draco had made sure no one was in the bathroom, he turned to Harry, who had already pulled out his wand. "There won't be any need for that," Draco said sharply. "I only want to ask you something."
"I'll decide that for myself, thanks," said Harry, hatred plain in his voice. "Well, what is it?"
Draco closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, not believing what came out of his mouth next. "Will you go out with me?"