Chapter 1 – Falling Dancers
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters… unfortunately.
Author's Note: I appreciate reviews and constructive criticism, but if you don't have anything nice to say please don't review! I hope you enjoy my story! By the way, this is about Harry and Draco after they have graduated Hogwarts. They are at a Wizarding college called Harren University for The Occult.
The long stone walkway had the particular smell of autumn leaves. It was a dry cool aroma that brought the idea of fall to the forefront of your mind. A light breeze traced the creases and cracks of the stone walls and whistled a soft cry of elation as it enticed the fallen leaves into a dance along the floor. Draco watched as the myriad of browns, yellows, and reds intermingled midair before slowly settling back onto the ground around him. He loved the fall. It was his favorite season. The idea of warm cups of apple cider and the crisp cold smell of your jacket after being outside ignited a sense of excited anticipation in him. He tugged the sleeves of his jacket over his hands and wrapped his arms around himself as he continued on down the walkway. Every now and then his eyes would wander to the openings in the wall and he would get lost in the performance of the dancing leaves and swaying branches.
"Draco!"
He heard his name being called from somewhere behind him causing him to stop in his tracks. The voice was familiar, but he couldn't put a face to it. Suddenly a flash of purple hair caught his eye and he knew in an instant.
"Hello Blaise," Draco said warmly. The newcomer gave him a cheeky smile and nudged him with his hip.
"How goes it, mate?"
They slowly began walking again through the passage.
"I'm just heading back to my dorm to pick up my book for class. I keep getting caught up in this weather and I get distracted." Draco laughed at himself and looked around.
"I feel you. Fall is the best time of year. What class are you heading to?" Blaise asked.
"Remedial Charms; it's required for my major." Blaise shook his head and smiled at Draco.
"It's so strange to imagine you as a doctor. I figured you would be an Auror or Professor Snape…" Draco laughed and punched Blaise playfully in the arm.
"First of all, I have hygiene, which would remove the possibility of ever becoming Severus. Second, I don't know where everyone gets the idea that I'd make a good Auror. Potter handed my ass to me enough times back in school to teach me that I'm no fighter. That's more his area of expertise."
Blaise shrugged, "I saw him the other day. He definitely looks the part. He's really come into himself since Hogwarts. All that Auror training has turned him into a very… sturdy guy." Draco eyed him for a moment before smiling.
"Blaise Zabini, do you have a crush on The Golden Boy?" Blaise smiled.
"I admit, he's gorgeous, but he's not my type. I like them on the smaller side with lighter features. He's pretty much the opposite of that. But hell is he a babe. I almost wish I liked it." Draco snorted and quickly covered his mouth.
"That's so funny!"
They eventually reached Draco's room and he slipped inside quickly to grab his things for class.
"Do you have any more classes today after this?" Blaise asked as Draco locked his door.
"Uuummm… no I don't think so. I do have a study table tonight for one of my Core Arithmancy classes, but otherwise I'm free. Why? Did you want to do something?" Draco asked, slipping his keys into the pocket of his bag.
"Ya, I was thinking we could go to Hemley and grab some dinner, maybe catch up with some of the old gang. I saw Pansy earlier and I thought it might be nice to rekindle a little bit. It has been a while since we've all spent time together. College keeps us all busy, you know." Draco smiled at him.
"That sounds like a great idea. I haven't seen Pansy in almost a month. We used to be close. It's so sad how things like this happen. Sometimes I just get so wrapped up in my classes that I completely forget I have a social life. We've only been in school for 6 weeks, but it seems like forever. It's very overwhelming."
Blaise nodded," I know what you mean. It was lucky that I ran into you guys. So what time is your study table tonight?"
"It's at 6:00 pm at McKinley, which is about a two minute walk from Hemley if I cross the Quad. It will probably last about an hour and a half, so do you want to meet at 6:45?" They were now standing outside the thick Mahogany doors of Draco's lecture hall. Blaise smiled and nodded.
"Sounds good to me; the earlier the better. We have a lot of catching up to do!"
"I agree. I will see you at 6:45. I'm glad we ran into each other." The two gave each other warm smiles, before Draco disappeared through the heavy wooden doors.
The lecture hall was almost full when Draco arrived. It was disconcerting that he'd been to this class so many times and had yet to meet anyone. No one ever sat in the same place so it was hard to make friends. He walked along the center isle until he saw an empty seat. Lifting up his bag he eased his way past the row of knees to the open desk. Draco quickly sat down and began to get himself organized. As he was bent over his bag, a voice caught his attention.
"Hello."
Draco looked up to see an attractive tan face smiling at him. He smiled back shyly.
"Hello." The man stuck a long hand out for Draco to shake. He straightened up quickly and grasped the strangers offered hand.
"My name is Jacob Whalen. It's very nice to meet you."
"I'm Draco Malfoy, it's a pleasure." Draco dropped the man's grasp and smiled a little more confidently. Jacob leaned back in his seat and looked at Draco for a moment before speaking.
"What year are you?" he asked.
"I'm a freshman. You?" Jacob laughed and combed his long fingers through his warm brown hair.
"I'm a junior. What are you doing in Advanced Remedial Charms?" Draco blushed and opened his book to the appropriate page.
"I was in a lot of advanced programs at my school. Some of that transferred over and my advisor said I would be better suited towards this course." Draco blushed. He felt like he was bragging.
"Wow, I'm impressed. What's your major?
"Magical Medicine. What's yours?" Jacob nodded and flipped through his book.
"I'm in Training right now to be an Auror, but I'm minoring in Magical Medical Aid. I felt like they would be appropriate together." Draco nodded.
"That's a very smart pair. You'll need skills like that out in the field." Jacob smiled at him.
"That's what I was thinking. You seem like a great guy Draco. I'd like to get to know you better. What do you say to grabbing lunch tomorrow?" Draco smiled brightly at him and nodded.
"That would be great. I have some free time around noon. Is that good for you?" Jacob nodded.
"I get out of class at 11:50 so that's perfect. Do you want to meet at Noyer Complex, right out front?"
"That sounds perfect." They smiled at each other before facing forward. The lecture had just begun. After about 20 minutes of listening to the Professor, his eyes began to wander to the large cascading windows. The fall leaves always served as a major distraction for him. The Professor's voice slowly became background noise and his eyes followed one particular red leave. It twisted and writhed amongst its brothers in a chaotic dance. Suddenly a pencil waved in front of his eyes. Draco jumped, startled. Jacob chuckled and grinned at Draco.
"The Professor is that way," he mocked. Draco blushed heavily and laughed quietly.
"Yea, sorry; I get distracted by the leaves. They're kind of my weakness. I really love the fall."
Jacob smiled and him. "They are beautiful," he said, looking intently at Draco. Draco blushed again and faced the Professor. He could hear Jacob laughing quietly next to him.
Another few minutes passed before Draco found that once again during the lecture he became caught up in watching the leaves fall from the trees and float gracefully to the ground. Then his professor began to ramble on about one of his usual insignificant stories, so for once he allowed himself to watch the little falling dancers.
Author's Note: I hope you liked it! I know it's short, but the next chapters will be longer. This was just the kick off. Sorry Harry didn't make his Cameo yet, but just give it time. All great things come with time! This is a HP/DM fic by the way. Just in case you didn't know.