Anger flashed in Draco Malfoy's eyes as the raven-haired prat in front of him disarmed the blonde. He sneered at the boy, then smiled. Today would be the day Draco would finally have his revenge on Harry bloody Potter. He could feel it all the way down to his bones. The prat would not get away from him this time. Bending down to pick up his wand, he began to speak.
"Potty, don't you have any better spells than Expelliarmus? Petrificus Totalus!" the Slytherin yelled.
He watched, a bright smile spreading across his sharp features, as Harry fell to the ground, temporarily paralyzed. Luckily, for the Gryffindor prat, a large patch of clover cushioned his fall. Draco and his two goons, Crabbe and Goyle, sauntered off toward the Great Hall and away from the sixth year boy. A loud gasp was heard from across the courtyard as Hermione caught sight of her best friend. Untangling herself from Ron, she raced toward Harry and slipped her wand from her worn brown-leather boot. She called out the counter-curse and watched as Harry came to. He blinked up at her, unsure of what he was doing on the ground. He smiled at her as Ron pulled him to a standing position.
"Harry, what happened? What were you and the ferret fighting about this time?" she demanded.
"Well... you see, it wasn't his fault this time. He tried to ask about the D.A.D.A. homework and I snapped at him. I didn't sleep last night because I kept thinking about the Dementor's attack on me and Dudley in Surrey," he said, casting down his eyes.
Hermione sighed before she replied."Harry, it wasn't your fault. The Dementors shouldn't have been there. You didn't know it would happen."
"Yeah, mate. You couldn't have done anything else besides your Patronus. And that Dursley shouldn't have been taunting you," Ron said, hatred passing through his blue eyes.
Harry smiled and put his arm around his best mate's shoulder. Hermione stood on the other side of the raven-haired boy and they headed toward the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry and Ron were stuffing their faces and Hermione was snorting at their lack of table manners when a dark grey owl with white-tipped wings dropped an envelope in front of Harry. He looked down curiously as he picked up the ivory envelope. It was far too elegant to be from Sirius, or even the Weasleys. Harry broke the violet wax seal on the envelope and pulled the piece of stationery from it. Written on the paper was a note that left him even more curious than before he opened the letter.
Dear Harry,
I witnessed your little scuffle with Mr. Malfoy this morning. I would like to request
your presence in my offices after classes let out this evening. We have something important
to discuss regarding the war. I do hope you enjoy your day and the gift in the pocket of your robes.
Albus Dumbledore
Harry looked up at the staff table and saw Dumbledore watching him closely, a mischievous glint in his light-blue eyes. Oh no, he thought to himself, that can't be good. Then, to his great misfortune, his gaze traveled to the Slytherin table where he was met with stormy grey eyes. Draco Malfoy was watching him, a calculating look turning stormy grey into a hurricane. Harry looked away, a confusing emotion flashing in his emerald-green eyes. Hermione gave him a strange look before turning back to her blueberry oatmeal and toast with boysenberry jam. Harry ate his bacon and scrambled eggs quickly before saying goodbye to his friends and heading back to Gryffindor Tower to sort through the emotions swimming in his chest. Sitting down on his bed, he groaned in frustration. Why did it have to be Draco bloody Malfoy? Why couldn't it have been Ginny? She was a lovely girl and he didn't want to break her heart. He just couldn't love her the way everyone expected him to. Harry had known his entire life that he was different in the romance department. When all the boys in Surrey were beginning to have feelings for the girls in school, he had feelings for the boys. And lately, it wasn't just any boy that held his attention, but a certain platinum-blonde, pale-skinned Slytherin. He wasn't just irritable due to a lack of sleep; he had to hide his feelings for the boy in order to protect both of them. Just as a tear trailed down his right cheek, in walked Dean and Seamus. They took one look at the distraught Harry and their smiles dropped from their faces. Dean raced over and gave Harry a hug while Seamus locked the door to the room the three boys shared with Ron and Neville. Harry cried on Dean's shoulder for a little while before his sobs turned into little hiccups. The dark-skinned boy gripped Harry's shoulder and turned the raven-haired boy to look at him.
"Harry, what's wrong mate? Why are you up here crying?" Dean asked in a soothing tone.
"D-Dean, I c-can't tell you. You two can't help me with this," Harry choked out, bursting into sobs once again.
Seamus smiled sadly at Harry before walking straight up to Dean, pulling him to a standing position and planting a passionate kiss onto his dark lips. Dean looked shocked before returning the kiss and bringing his hands up to the Irish boy's face. They stood locked in the desire behind that kiss before Seamus broke away, beaming at a surprised Harry. He wrapped an arm around Dean's waist and sat them both down on Harry's bed.
"H-how did you know? Did I make it too obvious?" Harry asked, looking incredibly nervous.
"Oh, no Harry! It was just obvious to us because we knew the signs. See, Harry? We can help you through this," Seamus said, extending his other hand to take in Harry's.
"Thanks guys. You really are a life-saver. I thought I was going to go insane keeping it a secret," Harry said, smiling at the couple in front of him.
A knock on the door startled the three boys and they all drew back, afraid to reveal their secret. Ron's voice carried through the door asking Harry to bring him his bookbag and his wand. Harry chuckled at the forgetfulness of his best friend and gave the other two boys a quick hug before unlocking the door and taking off to his Charms class.
The rest of the day went by uneventfully with Harry almost botching another potion, but saving it at the last second possible. But as Care of Magical Creatures was coming to an end, he began to get really nervous. Why did Dumbledore want to see him? It was then that he remembered the bit about the gift. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small green box, the exact shade of his eyes. He pulled the small silver ribbon and opened the lid. Inside was a small silver dragon ring with a ruby for an eye. Harry gasped and almost dropped the small slip of paper that was contained with the ring in the box. Written in looped, elegant handwriting was a note that left Harry's heart pounding in his ears.
Potter,
Dumbledore saw our little 'scuffle' this morning. Seems like we will be spending a lot of our evenings
in detention with McGonagall. I for one am looking forward to seeing you without the pressure of our
house rivalries forcing us to hate each other. Father might practically disown me if he ever finds out, but
I'm willing to risk it if it means we can be friends. I do hope you enjoy your ring as I had it made specifically
for you, out of a ring my grandmother gave me. Of course, instead of an emerald, I had a ruby put in.
Yours Truly,
Draco Malfoy
Looking over to where the blonde was currently standing, he saw that Draco was watching him open his gift. With a small smile, he slipped the ring onto his left index finger and watched as it magically transformed to the size of his finger. His smile grew brighter as he looked over to Draco again. A warm smile spread across the Slytherin's face as he caught sight of the ring on Harry's finger. When Crabbe looked at Draco with a questioning look, he shrugged and turned to pack his bookbag. Then, it seemed to click in Harry's mind that he had a meeting with Dumbledore when class was over. Hagrid dismissed them and Harry walked briskly toward the castle. Hermione and Ron called after him, but he was curious as to what Dumbledore wanted. The old man was as mysterious as ever with that note. When Harry made it to the statues that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's offices, he watched as the spiral staircase appeared. Knocking on the door, he heard the Headmaster bid him entrance.
"Harry, you look well today. Now, about that note," Dumbledore started, before a knock on the door interrupted him. "Yes, come in," he called to the person.
Harry looked shocked to see a certain tall blonde walk through the door. His breath caught in his throat as Draco took the seat next to him and smiled at him.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, good to see you got my note as well. Now I would like to speak with both of you. I need you two to stop the bickering and fighting from here on out," said the old man.
"Yes, Dumbledore. I completely understand. I just have one question, do we get detention for our fight?" asked Draco.
The old man smiled before nodding and handing them both a slip of paper. Written on it was two weeks' detention. Harry was about to complain, but Draco put his hand on his shoulder, effectively stopping all rational thought. Draco stood to head to the lake for free time before dinner, holding out his hand to help Harry stand. They were walking together and talking about their upcoming friendship. Harry was happy they'd be friends, but he wished they could be more. As they neared the lake, he stood shocked as Draco began to remove his shoes and socks, then rolled up the bottom of his pants. He walked to the edge of the water, then continued until his feet were covered with the cool water. He smiled at Harry and motioned for him to join. Harry hurried to remove his own shoes then joined the blonde in the water. They walked in silence for a few minutes before Draco stopped, turned to Harry, and smiled.
"What? What are you so happy about?" Harry asked, returning his smile.
"Oh, I'm just happy we're friends now. I've hated having to pretend to despise you for the sake of my father. That and with detention, I can get away from Crabbe and Goyle for a little bit," he answered.
"Oh. Uh- look Draco, I have to tell you something, but I don't wanna ruin our new friendship," Harry declared.
"Let me go first. I have to get this off my chest. I've been watching you all year and have noticed something. I have feelings for you. I mean romantic feelings," Draco said, a slight flush rising to his pale cheeks.
Harry looked at Draco, mouth agape in shock. He could feel his cheeks burning as he stared at the blonde. Draco looked sad as Harry didn't respond to him. He began to walk back to the beach, but the raven-haired boy stopped him.
"Draco, don't go. I've been wanting to tell you the exact same thing. I've known all year I had feelings for you instead of Ginny," said Harry, reaching for Draco's hand.
Draco smiled, but didn't say anything. Instead, he took a step closer and closed his eyes, leaning toward the emerald-eyed teen. Harry's eyes closed as well as he leaned up to meet Draco's lips. Within a few seconds, the blonde Slytherin's tongue darted out, asking entrance. Harry obliged, opening his mouth to Draco as his own tongue met with the Malfoy heir's. After a few minutes, they both pulled away, gasping for breath. When they were no longer wheezing, Draco held out his hand and Harry took it. They stopped to gather their shoes and socks before walking back to the Great Hall, hand-in-hand.
