Disclaimer:of course, you all know none of these characters belong to me. If they get into any trouble you can contact the lovely JK Rowling to post bail . . . :)

Just so you all know, this story will be one in a series of stories all about Harry and Draco - some other characters might just be added in later, but that will probably be in another story.

For Anyone Who Cares: this story is rated PG-13 for later chapters and is SLASH! Yes, SLASH! If you don't know what SLASH is, you probably should not continue reading until you go find out.

So, this is just sort of a prequel to a series of stories I have planned - please R&R so I know if I should continue with these or not! Thanks

DracoLurve

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And so it was that Harry's 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry began just like any other. Harry was reunited with his close friends and they had a rather fun-filled, sugar-ingesting ride to school on the Hogwarts Express.



The Sorting Ceremony came and went, and as was becoming customary at the start of term, a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was introduced. Her name was Miranda Ellosian. She was slender and fair of face, with long, dark hair and sparkling eyes. Rather than seem ethereal, as some beautiful women do, she seemed exceedingly grounded and connected to her surroundings. It was almost as if she drew her magic from the solidity of the earth, as if she were a corporeal version of mother nature herself. Her gaze seemed to put all it fell upon at ease. Harry thought she reminded him a little bit of Professor Dumbledore.

It was with much anticipation that the 6th year students filed into their first period the following morning, which just so happened to be DADA. Most of the Gryffindors had not even commented on the fact that it was double DADA with the Slytherins. They wouldn't let anything dampen their spirits. Harry know the girls were just happy to finally have a female DADA Teacher. In the corridor he overheard Lavender whisper to Parvati,



"Maybe we'll learn something useful for once!"



Harry also knew that a majority of the male students found Professor Ellosian very attractive and would happily spend any amount of time in her presence, drooling and staring. As they all took their seats, Professor Ellosian walked into the classroom. No, flowed is a more accurate description. She flowed in gracefully, her full, whispy robes trailing behind her. It was a very dramatic, yet understated entrance. *Snape would have been jealous,* Harry thought.

Professor Ellosian began to speak as the students settled themselves and they immediately fell silent. Her voice was low, rich and melodious.

"Welcome, class. My name, as you all already know, is Professor Ellosian. I am very honored to be able to instruct you this year and I can only hope that you leave my class having learned something useful. With that in mind we well spend a majority of this class in practical, hands-on study." There was an appreciative murmur around the classroom as the Professor continued. "Well, let's go ahead and get started, then, shall we?"

The Professor began to outline her course of study for the first few weeks of class. The first 3 classes would be dedicated to studying varying forms of veritaserum and their practical applications. It was explained that today they would try a simple Truth Potion. While it was less strong than actual Veritaserum, and wouldn't cause someone to reveal anything they 'truly' didn't wish to share, it did loosen the tongue and made the recipient more willing to divulge secrets. It made them less cautious. It was supposedly a little like being very intoxicated. The advantage to using the Truth Potion was that, unlike Veritaserum, the recipient was usually not aware they'd been dosed with anything. It was sneaky, indeed.

"Now, I will be dividing you all into pairs for these experiments. You will remain with your partner during the next 3 classes. I don't know you all very well yet, so I can only hope I've paired you up well!" With that, Professor Ellosian proceeded to match the students up. As she began listing names, Harry thought about the experiment. He and his partner would sit facing each other. After raising a sound-proof bubble around themselves (so no one else could hear what they revealed) they would each administer a small dose of Truth Potion to each other. They would then be required to hold each other's hands for one full minute while the potion took effect. Then, they would take turns asking each other a predetermined set of 8 questions. Seemed simple enough. Just as Harry re-focused his attention on the Professor he heard her say,

"Ok, let's see...that just leaves...Mr. Malfoy...and...Mr. Potter." She smiled and then walked back to her desk.

There was a collective moaning from the 2 houses as they heard toe final pairing. Harry began to worry, thinking about the horrible things Malfoy might ask him. This would be a prime opportunity to harvest things to tease Harry about. Malfoy was sporting a rather ridiculous smirk. Harry was pretty sure he'd had the same idea. Professor Ellosian must have prepared for this as she promptly said,

"And you are by no means allowed to tease your partner about anything they might reveal to you, nor are you allowed to reveal any of their secrets to anyone else. That is why we are using the sound-proof barriers. If I find that anyone disobeys me in this, I will give the guilty party some true Veritaserum at the front of the class and ask you some of my own questions. You will indeed be both embarrassed and sorry to a degree you can only begin to imagine . . ."

At her threatening words, Harry was relieved to see the color fade slowly from Malfoy's face as he dropped his smirk. Harry's eyes then turned to Professor Ellosian to silently thank her. As he caught her eye she smiled secretively and winked at Harry before moving on.

*What was that about?* thought Harry. *I recognize that look from Dumbledore. It usually means he's up to something. Maybe that's why she reminds me so much of him.*

Harry gathered his things and moved over to where Malfoy was leaning casually on his chair, very obviously not moving himself.

"Potter," he drawled caustically. Harry didn't answer. He pulled his chair over to face Malfoy and began to erect the silencing shield around them.

"Let's get this over with," Harry said quietly. Then, more forced, "If I think about holding your hands much longer I might actually vomit and have to leave."

"Oooh, I didn't know you cared."

Harry just rolled his eyes. He wasn't sure when, but somewhere along the way the mean words he and Draco shared had lost their venom. Harry thought it was more like a familiar habit now, rather than actual hatred. Besides, they had long ago thrown every imaginable insult at one another. There was nothing left to say. It was almost funny, really. Almost.

Harry held up the small bottle of Truth Potion, it's pale aqua color shimmering slightly. He was about ready to un-stopper the vial when Draco unceremoniously snatched it out of Harry's hand.

"Me first."

He sounded everything like a greedy, spoiled five year old. Harry narrowed his eyes, but indicated with a toss of his hand to proceed. Harry was curious as to how Malfoy would handle administering the potion. Harry watched as Malfoy gently turned the vial to mix it. He un-stoppered it and placed one elegant finger over the top. Tipping some of the liquid onto the pad of his finger, he raised his hand and moved it quickly to Harry's mouth. Harry opened his mouth just as the finger reached his lips. Malfoy touched his finger to Harry's tongue to transfer the potion. With a mischevious glint in his eye, Harry closed his lips around the finger and sucked gently as Malfoy removed it. He was pleased to see a pink tinge briefly color the pale cheeks across from him. Harry took a moment to register the fact that Malfoy's finger was decidedly soft and warm, not cold, as he would have imagined.

Harry then wet his own, slightly more calloused finger and held it up. Draco obligingly parted his lips. As a tiny drop of the sparkling potion rolled down Harry's finger and threatened to drop off, Draco's tongue darted out. His mouth captured Harry's finger and gently sucked. Harry gasped as he felt Draco's very hot and very wet tongue circle his digit to gather every bit of the proffered potion. Draco released the finger from it's tender jail and raised one pale eyebrow at his partner with a look that clearly said, "Challenge accepted, challenge met."

Both young men vaguely realized that this was the first time they had ever touched without fighting, without punching each other. Without hurting. The cautiously grasped hands and Draco glanced at his watch to time them. While the physical contact was not absolutely necessary to use the Truth Potion, Professor Ellosian insisted it would give them a better result.

Harry used the opportunity to examine Malfoy more closely. Harry started at his hands, as that was where he was currently looking. As his earlier experience with Malfoy's finger suggested, Draco did indeed have very warm hands. Harry marveled that he had ever thought them to be icy. He noticed the carefully manicured nails and the expensive time piece on Draco's wrist. Then, Harry saw a faint but deep scar on the wrist peeking out from under the watch and disappearing into the sleeve of his soft gray sweater. Harry was very curious as to what, or whom, had caused the scar, but he kept his mind focused on observing Malfoy. His clothing and robes, as always, were very well tailored, and were only of the finest and most expensive fabrics. Harry's perusal finally reached Draco's head. He admired Draco's silvery blonde hair. It was of such a fine texture, and always seemed to be effortlessly in place. Even when it was mussed, it was a 'perfect' mess. His eyes slid over Draco's face, wondering how he could manage to look so delicate without seeming feminine. Harry felt himself blush a little as his eyes fell on Draco's full lips, a delicate shade of pink. He could still feel Draco's tongue on his finger, even though it was now safely behind rows of perfect white teeth. Harry then took the final step and allowed his eyes to meed Draco's. To Harry's surprise, Draco was staring back at him. When their eyes locked the hand grasp became firmer. Just as Harry started to get a good look at Draco's shimmering, silver eyes, Draco said,

"Time's up."

Both boys slid their hands apart, not wanting to pull away, but not wantng to be the one to linger.

"You go first," Harry said quietly, trying to break the tension.

"Ok, what is your name?"

"Harold James Potter. What is your name?"

"Draco Lucius Malfoy. How old are you?"

"16," said Harry. *Well, this isn't so bad,* he thought to himself. "How old are you?"

"15."

Harry thought Draco seemed a little embarrassed to have to admit that he was younger than Harry. Draco cleared his throat and proceeded, knowing that he was only prolonging the inevitable.

"What's your favorite past-time?" he asked with a grimace.

"That's easy," said Harry. "Flying. And what is your favorite past-time?"

Draco looked like he swallowed a slug. He squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lip, but had to say it anyway.

"Watching you."

Harry raised his eyebrows so high they might have touched his hair. The passing seconds grew into a moment. More to end the uncomfortable silence than to get on with the questions, Draco blurted,

"And, everyone already knows that my favorite color is green, so you needn't even ask. What's yours?"

"My what?" Harry said, still confused by the previous moment's confession.

"Favorite color?" Draco supplied.

"Oh, yah. That. That's easy. It's r...r..." *Why can't I say it?* he thought. *I'm a Gryffindor. Obviously my favorite color is . . .*

"The color of your eyes when you laugh."

Harry's eyes went wide and he clapped a hand over his mouth. *I can't believe I just said that out loud!* he thought. Draco, on the other hand, well - he just seemed puzzled. He decided not to press the issue. He was anxious to get this whole experiment over with. It was getting a little too wierd.

"And what's your favorite food?" Draco pressed on.

"Chocolate frogs. And your favorite food?"

"Vanilla ice cream.....and, who is your best friend?"

"Ron. That's easy. And, who is your best friend?"

"Myself," Draco answered simply.

*What a conceited git,* Harry thought, *picking himself, honestly!* But, then Harry noticed the sadness and loneliness in Draco's eyes. *Maybe he doesn't really have any close friends,* Harry thougnt. *How sad.* It was then that Harry realized he was slowly starting to see into Draco, to learn more about him, more than the nasty way he spoke to Harry, anyhow. *Maybe Professor Ellosian *did* place us together on purpose,* he thought. *Sneaky. Just like Dumbledore!*

"And who is your worst enemy?" Draco continued, looking away.

"Old Voldie, of course," Harry quipped. Harry noticed something that looked like relief wash over Draco's face. "You didn't think I would say 'you,' did you?" But he could see from the look on Draco's face that it was exactly what he'd been thinking. "And who is your worst enemy?" Harry prepared to hear his own name as an answer, probably much like Draco just had, but was almost shocked to hear Draco quietly say,

"My father."

For an indeterminate amount of time both boys just stared at each other, realizing that they barely knew each other. How could they have almost daily contact and fight so viciously for so long when they didn't even know who they were fighting against?

Draco then cleared his throat and asked the final question, the one Harry had been secretly dreading.

"What is the first thing you would do if there were no rules to follow?"

It was in that unmeasurable amount of time from when his brain made an answer and his lips repeated it that Harry realized he was lost. There was nothing for it. He gathered what courage he still posessed and brought his gaze back to Draco's. He licked his rose-coloured lips and gently replied,

"I would kiss you, Draco.....I would kiss you."

Harry kept his eyes on Draco's face and watched for any sign of disgust or revulsion, but it did not come. Instead he saw Draco's features soften in a look of realization and then understanding. Harry was surprised to see that at some point their hands had joined again. He gasped as Draco strengthened his hold on Harry's hands and gently pulled him forward in his seat. Draco moved his lips close to Harry's ear and pressed his pale cheek against Harry's pink one. Harry could feel Draco's breath hot on his neck and it caused him to shiver slightly in pleasure. Harry could feel Draco smile against his face as he felt this. Then, in an answer to the question Harry never got around to asking him, Draco whispered,

"And I would kiss you back, love."