The House Unity Project

Captain's Task: Write your Keeper's NOTP (Drarry)

For the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition, Round 1 for Puddlemere United.

Word Count without A/N's: 2,782

The Heads of House were once again gathered in the Headmaster's office because Dumbledore wanted to discuss something that he brought up every single year.

"How are we doing with House Unity?" he asked, his eyes twinkling. He asked this question every year, and the teachers always joked about how there'd never be House Unity at this school. However, with the Sorting Hat's recent message about how 'unity is the only way to go through these troubled times,' he thought that should change.

"House Unity? It's the week before a Gryffindor-Slytherin match. I have had to stop five duels this week, and my Gryffindors keep guarding Potter," frowned Minerva McGonagall, "There is no unity in this place."

"I can't imagine why my students would act as if the other three houses were all against them," Severus drawled, raising his chin and looking down his nose at the old wizard. "It couldn't possibly be the fact that there are certain rules that have been bent over the years to pamper your precious cubs."

Minerva scoffed, "Don't act like you are innocent as well, Severus. You do the same with your snakes."

This time Severus sat fully upright, turning to glare at his old teacher.

"Both Potter and Draco broke a rule laid down by a Professor; Draco served detention with me every single night for three months while Potter was placed on the Quidditch team. Potter and Weasley ran to fight a troll and were awarded ten points. Their first year here, my Slytherins worked hard to bring in the most points they could, fairly, to prove they weren't like their families and instead you awarded points for chess and took that away from them. Potter and Weasley snuck a dragon out of the school and went unpunished. Long bottom has been causing explosions in my class while Finnegan has been causing explosions in others. Brown and Patil spend their time giggling over boys or worrying about how they look. Thomas threw a football at a group of first years and caused one of them to break their ankle." Severus paused before leaning back on his seat.

"None of them have been punished, and that was just their first year here. Therefore, I have every right to treat my Slytherins better than everyone else because all you righteous teachers treat them unfairly."

"That doesn't give them any excuse to bully my house!" McGonagall exclaimed, her nostrils flared, but Dumbledore raised his arms for quiet. "Filius and Pomona, how about your houses?"

"My Ravenclaws keep to themselves," admitted Flitwick. "They don't necessarily have enemies, but rarely are there inter-house friendships within Ravenclaw House."

"I'm proud to say that my Hufflepuffs are friends with practically every house, including Slytherins," said Sprout haughtily.

"I think we should do something to promote House Unity within the school," Dumbledore finally said. "It's time to take matters into our own hands."

"Oh, don't tell me you're wound up on the Sorting Hat's message," muttered Snape. "This won't be taken well by my House. Nor Minerva's."

"But your Houses are the ones that need unity the most," pointed out Pomona. "Why not let it be this year that Gryffindors and Slytherins aren't at each other's throats? I have an idea: there's a project coming up for all my Herbology classes. Not one of those one-day things, but a long term plant growth project. I usually let the students pick their own partners for this, but this year I will pick them. Each student will be with one from a different House!"

"As long as you keep me out of it, I don't care," muttered Snape, before stalking out of the office.

"I like Pomona's idea," said Dumbledore, "Long term projects oftentimes bring great friends of people. We don't have many here, and if we do, people pick who they're with. It's time for a change."

When Pomona Sprout announced to her sixth year N.E.W.T students about the 'House Unity' project, she was met with outrage.

"We might have to work with the snakes! What if I'm paired with Parkinson?" Ron hissed to Harry in outrage.

"It could be worse," replied Harry.

"How?"

"What if I'm paired with Parkinson?" asked Harry, causing Ron to elbow him hard.

"Or worse, Malfoy," Ron stage-whispered, "Hopefully, I get to work with a Ravenclaw or a Hufflepuff; I'm fine with them!"

"It's just one project," Hermione reminded them. "Maybe this so called 'House Unity project' won't even last for a long time." Just as she said that, Professor Sprout announced that the project would last three months, and would go on until the end of the year.

"Spoke too soon," muttered Ron.

"Think positive. Maybe we won't even get Slytherins," sighed Hermione.

"We better not. Or I'm going to file a complaint," grumbled Ron.

"Maybe this 'House Unity' is a good thing. The number of disappearances isn't getting any smaller. We do need to work together—"

"No offense to what would be a great speech, Hermione. We just don't want Slytherins," said Harry bluntly.

"There will be no switching or complaining when I read out these names," said Professor Sprout, and the pairings she listed already gave the Golden Trio shudders.

"Neville, our Neville paired with Greengrass the ice queen?" hissed Ron in outrage. "What is wrong with her?"

She then announced that Hermione was to be paired with Padma Patil, and Hermione sighed with relief.

"Ron Weasley and Blaise Zabini," read Professor Sprout.

"Better than Malfoy or Parkinson," muttered Harry under his breath, and Ron nodded in half-relief.

She announced that Parvati Patil was going to be paired with Pansy Parkinson, causing the Trio to each give her words of comfort.

Professor Sprout read out more pairings, and most of them were completely surreal. Harry was spacing out before Ron said worriedly, "Mate, all that's left is you and Malfoy."

"Oh no," said Harry distractedly. "There has to be someone else left."

"Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."

Harry turned to Ron, "Can I just...face Voldemort now?"

Draco had way too much going on in his life right now to be partnered up with Potter for a stupid Herbology project.

The blasted Gryffindor had already taken to prying into business that wasn't his. Draco even suspected that Potter was sending a ruddy house-elf to spy on him. The Slytherin simply didn't have the time, nor the energy, to deal with Potter, the Dark Lord's request, and this bloody assignment.

"Sorry mate," said Blaise sympathetically.

"You're with the Weasel, that's apology enough," he said shortly in reply.

Blaise cringed. "Yeah, well…what can I do? I'm sure it won't be that bad. Who came up with this 'House Unity' thing anyways?"

"I'm telling you, Dumbledore's getting old," piped up Daphne Greengrass, sighing.

"What're you complaining about? Longbottom might be a klutz, but Herbology's the one thing he's actually good at. Just sit back and you'll get an easy O," shot back Blaise. "The Weasel's incompetent, meanwhile."

"I'm worse. I'm with Potter. The famous Chosen One," he drawled sarcastically.

"It's only one project, how bad can it be?" reasoned Blaise. "Just only talk to Potter about the project and everything should go smoothly."

"I know there will be complaints about these pairings, but remember that these pairings will in the long term be for your own good," said Professor Sprout in a tone of finality.

"How is being paired with people like Potter, the Weasel, and Longbottom going to be for our own good?" spat Daphne, who was irritated with this whole thing.

"It's not. All these Professors have gone bloody mental," huffed Draco.

"So now," said Professor Sprout. "I would like everyone to get with their project partners."

"You mean to our doom?" grumbled Blaise under his breath, before he walked over to the Weasel. He took dramatic steps as if he were going to a funeral.

"Stop being drama queens," snapped Theodore Nott. It was the first time today he'd spoken.

"Easy for you to say! You're with Brocklehurst! At least she's decent and a Ravenclaw!" hissed Daphne, before stalking over to work with a completely terrified Longbottom. Draco would've felt bad for Longbottom since he knew how harsh Daphne can be, but first of all he hated Longbottom, and second he had to be with Potter so he pitied himself above everybody else.

He raised an eyebrow when he came face-to-face with Potter and sneered instantly.

"I'm about as happy with this as you are, Malfoy," said Potter shortly, sliding in the seat across from him. He and the Weasel were shooting each other glances of pity. He rolled his eyes, as if he and Blaise were happy about this crap.

Professor Sprout announced that the pairs would be growing Shrivelfigs, and that they had to write observations about the plants. She also announced that the pairs would have to be sharing ownership of the plant.

Blaise mouthed over to Draco about how he would rather die than trust Weasel with something that counts toward his final grade. Draco agreed, he had an Outstanding in the class and no idea what the stupid Scarhead had.

"Potter, if you're going to use this project as an opportunity to stalk me as clearly you have no life, then I'm here to say that it's not going to happen," he sneered over at him.

"Who said I'd ever want to stalk no-good Death Eater scum like you?"

"Your house-elf," he said simply. He said it as a spur-of-the-moment guess, but relished the way Potter's face went pale. "Do tell me Potter, am I so irresistible that you feel the need to stalk me with a house-elf?"

"I...um…let's just start thinking about the project, Malfoy," he stammered, looking at the blond with narrowed eyes.

"Indeed," smirked Draco.

"How's Zabini?" Harry asked Ron, his eyebrows raised.

"Rude and condescending," said Ron bluntly. "Who thought this would be a good idea? Though, I shouldn't be complaining. Poor Neville's scared of his partner, and Parvati's stuck with Parkinson. She's not happy about it."

"Apparently Malfoy knew that I had Kreacher follow him around everywhere," said Harry nervously.

"Well, mate, you have been a bit obsessed with the bloke," admitted Ron, leaning back in the armchair of the Gryffindor common room.

Harry's face turned scarlet, "I have not!"

"Hmm. You sent a house-elf to spy on him, and ever since the beginning of the year you had the 'Malfoy's a Death Eater theory' without any proof," pointed out Ron.

"There is plenty of proof," countered Harry. "Like how he's in the Room of Requirement all the time…"

"Never thought I'd say this but I actually feel a bit bad for the bloke. Zabini, though…" Ron's voice held a threatening undercurrent.

"Feel bad for the bloke?"

"Yeah, having to put up with your...stalker-ish ways. They're almost romantic."

"I'm not a bloody stalker!" insisted Harry, holding the plant's pot. This week, it was his turn to take care of the plant.

"Ooh, are we talking about Harry's stalker tendencies?" asks Hermione excitedly, as she enters the portrait hole with a stack of books. "Let's not forget how you literally paced the Room of Requirement for like four hours trying to find out what he's up to! Talk about obsession. Give Malfoy a break, or is that something you can't do?"

"I am perfectly capable of ignoring Malfoy," said Harry firmly.

"Alright then," says Hermione, "Unless it's about the project, I dare you not to ever talk to or even look at Malfoy."

"Deal."

Lavender came over and she and Ron started snogging, and Hermione took that as her cue to stomp off upstairs. "And I dare myself not to kill Lav-Lav…"

Blaise and Draco were both lounging in the Slytherin common room.

"The Weasel's absolutely clueless. And annoying," added Blaise to Draco, "How's Potter?"

"He's a nosy prick in the skin," admitted Draco. "I'm a hundred percent sure the bloke stalks me."

"Potter's just returning the favor," smirked Blaise. "After all, here is a summary of your vocabulary for years one through four: Potter this. Potter that. Potter this. Potter that. Look, Potter. Potter stinks. Potter. Potter. Potter. Potter."

"I didn't sound like that."

"Oh yes you did," shot back Daphne, entering the common room and gracefully sitting on one of the armchairs with Theo at her heels. "You spent ten hours creating those Potter stinks badges…"

"I did not take ten hours," he defended.

"You pulled an all nighter. Just for Potter," smirked Theo. "And in fifth year, that night we all got drunk? We were having a drinking game. One shot every time you said Potter."

"Stop romanticizing everything," Draco snapped at him. "I do not and will never have a thing for Potter."

"You know, if you're so sure Potter's stalking you...then doesn't that mean you've been watching closely?"

"I can't stand your company anymore," huffed Draco. "The point is: my past self was horrible. None of it will happen again."

"Sure…"

For the next couple of Herbology classes Professor Sprout gave the pairs time to take observations on their plants and she was walking around checking to see that everyone's plants were being well taken care of. Harry and Malfoy just spent the entire time glaring at each other, thinking about the separate conversations they had with their housemates.

As if they ever stalked each other. And even if they did stalk each other, it was out of hatred. Pure. Hatred.

Harry blurted out something that wasn't a good idea, "Malfoy, you say I'm a stalker, but aren't you even more off a stalker? I mean, besides this year, you've always came to my compartment, boasting about one thing or the other—"

Malfoy's face turned scarlet, "Potter—I don't stalk!"

Harry smirked, liking the blush on his face. "You do it better than me, actually."

"Potter? Don't ever talk to me again. By the way, this week I'll take the Shrivelfig."

Meanwhile across the greenhouse, Blaise and Ron were starting to get on very well. They bonded on making bets on when Harry and Draco would realize their stalking meant something.

"You're already breaking the dare," snapped Hermione, and Harry looked at her.

"You're looking over at Malfoy," she elaborated.

"I think he's staring back too," commented Ron. "Ever notice the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables are on opposite sides of each other?"

"Honestly, what is with you two? While I'd like to know what he's up to does not mean I'm a stalker. Give it a rest."

"You two are the ultimate stalkers. I love this project, when I think about it," said Ron. Harry's eyes darted to Malfoy, before he turned back to Ron.

"You're with Zabini," Harry reminded Ron, but he didn't seem to care as he went on,

"You even blush when you stalk each other!" exclaimed Hermione in a fangirl-ish sort of way.

"What is wrong with you two? First you're saying that Malfoy's horrible, and now you're in some sort of cult to get us together or something…I really hate this project."

He looked over and saw Malfoy joking with Zabini about something.

His smile wasn't that bad. It was actually kind of cute.

Oh dear Merlin, what was happening to him?

"Poor Ginny," said Ron off-handedly.

During the next and second to last project-session, they just sat in uncomfortable silence while writing down their observations of the plant. The House Unity Project was beneficial to some people, detrimental to others, but this pairing was just going from detrimental to just plain awkward.

The two have never been in this close proximity to each other for this long without one of them trying to rip the other's head off, and it felt weird to the pair. It was sixth year, so the rivalry had for the most part fizzled out. Instead they spent the time observing each other's features and wondering when the other became so hot.

"Stop staring at me like that, Potter," snapped Draco.

"I'd ask you the same question," retorted Harry. "I mean, if I'm that irresistible—"

"If I'm that irresistible—"

"You're not irresistible."

"Neither are you."

"Prove I'm not irresistible," said Harry, not even knowing where his words were coming from. "Kiss me."

And to his surprise, that was exactly what Malfoy did. Harry pulled back, shocked.

"Scared, Potter?" he asked, a glint in his eyes.

"You wish."

By the nearest tree, Ron grumbled as he handed over ten galleons to Blaise. He thought it'd take a whole year for them to admit their feelings.

Who knew what a 'House Unity Project' could do?

A/N: Ahh so Ana's here, back in the QL business as a Captain and I am so RUsTY ahh! Anyways, thanks to Web (WritingBlock) for looking over my story! :3 Please do not leave a review. It's too bad for a review. Apologies to my judge. Btw, ALMOST done with the Malfoy Manor chap for the Meaning of Life ;)

Please R&R :)

-Ana