I, Uh …Like…Your Skirt
Chapter 1: Meeting the Enigma Known as James Black
Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own Harry Potter. I'm poor, so don't sue. I can only dream that anyone in the HP universe is gay. This story is totally fictional, and my idea. But it was inspired by the line, from Draco to Harry… "Well Potter its lovely to see you again, I uh...like...your skirt." It is from the story "A Walk Into Hell" by Sabrith Alastar. She granted me permission to use the line.
Warnings: This story will have slash in it. Those couples will include Harry/Draco and Siri/Undecided, either Remy or Sev or both. There will also be some Het tossed in there, because I have to go with the belief that not all the characters can be gay, as much as I may enjoy writing it.
Summary: AU. Draco caught sight of a boy, one he'd never seen at Hogwarts, in a tattered pink lace skirt. It convinced him that this year would be unlike any others. DM/HP. Semi-dark! Harry.
Final Note: Yes, I do realize that I should be writing on "When It All Goes Wrong Again" but that story is at the point at which I can end it or make it go longer, and I'm not yet ready to let it go, so I'm procrastinating. I can't help it! It grew up so fast and is one of the most popular stories I've ever written. I will finish it soon. And we all know what 'soon' is for me.
Draco Malfoy watched as an unfamiliar form walked through the barrier, pushing his trunk and owl. The dark haired boy looked like many other boys Draco had seen at boarding school except he was wearing a tattered pink lace skirt and combat boots.
The boy stopped and turned as someone walked up behind him, the shirt flaring. His face lit up and he pulled the other person into a tight hug.
Draco felt his father's cane tapping his back lightly, reminding him to walk. Taking one more look at the boy and his companion, he saw that their foreheads were touching and each had a hand behind the other's neck. Frowning to himself, he climbed onto the train after giving his father a formal nod.
After pulling a book from his trunk, Draco to a seat, finally relaxing. He started to read and let his mind wonder. He was surprised a few moment later to hear the compartment door open and see the dark haired boy enter.
"Do you mind if I sit here?"
Draco shook his head no, indicating to the empty seat opposite him with the hand holding his book. He marked the spot he was reading and introduced himself, "Draco Malfoy."
The boy smiled shyly, "James Black. Nice to meet you."
"Same to you," Draco's eyes glanced down at the skirt again, "I, uh …like…your skirt."
James smiled brightly, letting bits of the material run through his fingers, "Thanks."
Draco was unsure as to what to say. The boy was really quiet while his form was anything but. Broad shoulders and chest was probably what kept or would keep the boy from being insulted for wearing a skirt, he tore his gaze away to keep it from being noticed, "What year are you in?"
"Sixth and you?" James replied, smiling. It made Draco wonder weather the boy enjoyed his gaze.
"The same. Do you know what house you'll be in?"
"My dad was in Gryffindor But he's convinced I'll be in Slytherin," James stated.
"What about your mother?"
"Well, I'm actually adopted. My mother and father both died when I was really young. They also were in Gryffindor…" James's voice trailed off.
"I'm in Slytherin," Draco stated when he couldn't think of anything to say after a few moments of silence.
"Now I really hope I get into Slytherin," James declared, before turning away quickly, a blush gracing his face.
"Who was the man you were with on the platform?" Draco questioned, and then added, "If you don't mind me asking…"
"That was my dad. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it to see me off. I was lost somewhat and getting antsy about going, he was trying to clam me down."
Draco wondered if James had seen him watching them. He listened to the other boy ramble on, but spoke up when he has a question, "Where did you go to school before?"
"Salem Institute for Witches and Wizards, in America," he replied.
"You don't sound American," Draco said, stating the obvious.
James smiled, "I wasn't born in America, I'm British. We just lived there. It was easier on my dad that way."
"Why did you move back then?" Draco inquired.
"We were…coerced into it. The headmaster used something from years ago against us. We had no choice but to agree. He's very manipulative."
Draco's mouth fell open slightly, "Wow, you actually think that? You'll be a Slytherin for sure."
"Why do you say that?" James asked, he had started twisting pieces of the material in a nervous manner.
"Almost every house thinks that Dumbledore is wonderful, except Slytherin. Many of us had that feeling passed down to us by our parents, but even more of us have made that assumption on our own," Draco explained. He watched as James kept messing with the material of the skirt. When the dark-haired boy didn't stop, Draco grabbed his hands, "Don't worry so much. You'll do fine, no matter what house you are in, I'm sure of it."
James's grin was almost blinding and he squeezed Draco's hands in response. When the blonde boy went to let got, he kept hold of one hand.
Draco looked up into the green eyes, they had a determined look. Moving to sit beside James, he let the other boy keep a hold on his hand and rubbed comforting circles with his thumb.
Silence reigned; James had pulled his legs up onto the seat, and, from what Draco could tell, was studying the hand in his. Draco had turned back to his book, leaving the raven haired boy alone for a bit.
"Draco?"
Marking his page again he replied "Yeah, James?"
"Will you still be my friend? I mean even if I'm in…say, Gryffindor?"
"Of course," Draco glanced at his watch, "We need to get changed into our robes, and you need into your uniform."
"It was part of the agreement on coming back that I could still wear what ever clothes I wanted," James sighed sadly, running his fingers through the material almost lovingly, "But I guess I should really put on some pants."
"Only if you want to, don't do it if you don't."
James looked up, "I think I'm going to wear pants, then wear this later in the year."
"Good idea," Draco replied, watching as the other boy pulled his trunk out from under the seat, and pull out a pair of dress pants and a white dress shirt. He could tell that they were tailored.
"I've got tons of these," James stated, pulling the skirt off and the pants on. He pulled the shirt off slowly, almost teasingly.
Draco watched transfixed as a tanned chest was exposed for his wanting eyes. He was reminded of Apollo. When James had his shirt off and started pulling on the new one, Draco pulled his own robe on, "So you were able to wear whatever you wanted in that other school?"
"Yes, it was more like a public school rather than a boarding school."
"Do you miss being there?"
"Sometimes, like when I think about my friends, and the fact that I got less looks for my clothes."
"I can see why you'd like that better," Draco replied, sitting down one again, watching as James sat down also, once again beside the blonde boy.
Draco turned, once again, to his book. He didn't let his surprise show when James took his hand once again. It assured him that it was going to be a very interesting year.
When the carriage the two sixth year boys rode in arrived at the castle, Draco was almost saddened to let James go with Professor McGonagall. He watched as the two walked towards a room that connected to the Great Hall which he was sure James would be asked to wait in until time for his sorting. He smiled at the dark haired boy when he glanced back, then headed into the Hall himself.
"Draco! Where were you all train ride?" the overly loud voice of his friend, Blaise Zanbini, cut through the crowd.
"No where, just in a different compartment."
"We looked for you for a while, almost every compartment. Except this one that had a really advanced locking charm on it," Pansy Parkinson stated, huffing.
Draco didn't reply, just turned towards the sorting. He clapped politely when anyone was sorted into Slytherin.
Soon the sorting was over and Headmaster Dumbledore stood, "We've got a new student from America. Mr. Black please come forward to be sorted."
Draco watched, with rest of the school, as James walked confidently to the stool. The raven haired boy sat gracefully and allowed the deputy headmistress to place the hat on his head.
"Who is that?" one of his housemates whispered.
Draco didn't answer. He watched as James sat on the stool, seeming to have a conversation with the hat. The following ten minutes proved to be the longest in the blonde's life.
"Slytherin!" the hat cried out. James pulled it off his head and handed it to the somewhat shocked professor. The other boy didn't take any noticed as he walked to the table, and where Draco was sitting.
Looking at the head table, Draco was surprised to see mildly shocked looks on the Headmaster and Potions Master's faces. Ignoring his curiosity at their reactions, he turned to the person on his right, a third year, and glared at the small girl until she moved as far down as she could. It was conveniently enough room for James to sit in, which he did when he arrived at the table.
"My dad's going to be right pissed at my, I imagine. The howler will arrive and I'll be doomed because he'll put some kind of curse on it. I'll be red and gold for rest of the term," James muttered to Draco as Dumbledore finished his customary start of the term speech.
The sixth year Slytherins turned towards Draco, questions apparent in their eyes. Pansy spoke up first, "Draco, why don't you introduce us to your friend?"
"Why, Pansy, I was just about to," Draco replied with sarcasm in his voice, "Everyone this is James Black. He moved here from American, where they allow the boys to wear skirts, and who knows what they allow the girls to wear."
Many of the house members looked shocked at Draco's statement, and looked to James for conformation. They received none, for the other boy was eating a piece of Shepard's Pie.
Draco shrugged at his friends' looks, moving to get something to eat. He noticed that the people around him followed his lead. Soon the Slytherin table was eating in silence.
After the feast had ended, Draco led James to the dorms, stating random facts about some of the paintings, statues, and other objects within the halls.
Draco watched as James fell ungracefully into a chair. To him it looked as if the other boy had lost all the bones in his body, "I'm getting back pains from just looking at you sitting like that."
James grinned up at him before moving into a sitting position. He watched as Draco sat in the armchair across from his elegantly, demonstrating aristocrat upbringing. James muttered, "Showoff," before taking an interest in his nails.
Draco looked up as the common room entrance opened, allowing the Head of House entrance. He didn't show any emotion as his godfather walked to where he was sitting, "Can I help you professor?" he asked.
"Mr. Black," Professor Snape stated, "The Headmaster has things he wished to discuss with you."
"I'm terribly tired right now Professor," James stated, hiding a fake yawn behind his hand, "I believe I will retire for the night."
"Mr. Black! Do not make me resort to an option neither of us wish for me to use!" The Potions Master was getting angry.
James looked at him, a defiant glint in his eyes, "Sir, don't make ME resort to an option NO ONE wishes for me to."
Draco watched the interaction between the two with interest, and followed James' retreating back with his eyes. He watched the boy go towards the male rooms. He turned back to his godfather, "Would you like for me to-"
Professor Snape cut him off, "The Headmaster will deal with him tomorrow." He stormed back out of the room and Draco headed in the direction of James.
Walking into the dorm, he wasn't expecting to be greeted with the sight of a tanned and tattooed but scarred back. The brilliant colors that surrounded the large jagged scar amazed Draco. The tattoo of an angel with brilliant jade eyes and flaming red hair looked over a town below it, with a sword in hand. It moved, a wing twitching or a hand tightening along the hilt of the sword. He had the urge to touch it, but pulled his hand back quickly when the angel turned its head toward him. He moved to his own bed, saying to James, "Nice tattoo."
The other boy looked up and smiled brightly, "Thanks. My dad let me get it when I was fifteen, for my birthday."
Draco thought back to what his own father had gotten him for his fifteenth birthday. It was a broom, the fastest model out. But seeing the tattoo on James' back, and the smile he had when talking about his dad, made Draco think that it wasn't enough.
Draco turned to get dressed, letting silence fall over him and his companion. Soon the other members of their year entered, laughing to themselves.
Draco watched from the corner of his eye as Blaise started at the tattoo, "It's brilliant!"
James, seeming to know exactly what he was talking about, muttered a quick, "Thanks" before sitting on his bed with his back along the headboard.
Draco wondered what made the other boy go quiet, but didn't ask. He climbed into his own bed, but unlike James, he did lay down.
"James," Blaise called out from on top of his trunk, "Are you really able to wear skirts in America?"
James laughed loudly, "Yes. I do on occasion. I did today."
"Really?" came the shocked voice of Theodore Nott.
"Why would he lie?" Draco drawled from his position on his bed. He could feel James' eye on him, and had no doubt that the other boy had a smile on his face, "It was a very flattering although tattered pink lace skirt."
"You weren't wearing robes," Greg Goyle said. Vincent Crabbe nodded his head in agreement.
"I find robes restricting. I mean, say you are running from a foe, and your robe gets tangled in your legs, you may trip and then you'd be caught," James replied.
Draco realized that the other boy wasn't going to mention anything that had to do with being forced into coming to Hogwarts.
They stayed up talking the majority of the night. When they finally decided to go to bed, Draco watched as James waited for everyone to fall asleep before getting out of his own bed.
"James, where are you going?" Draco asked in a hushed whisper.
"I can't sleep here," James replied, "There are no windows." His voice had a slightly panicked tone to it, as did his movements.
"Come here," Draco stated, leaving no room for an argument.
James walked to Draco's bed and stood there.
"Just lay down, I'm not going to do anything," Draco murmured, wishing to go to sleep.
James crawled under the covers and stiffened slightly when Draco put his arms around him. He was soon able to relax, as he started to hear the even beating of the blonde heart.
Draco was grateful when his new friend finally fell asleep. He thought about how James acted and the difference between what he seemed like and what he was truly like. And as the dark haired boy turned in his arms and buried his head into his chest, he became aware that it was going to be an unusual year.