Author's Note

This was originally a series of one-shots (now chapters) set in the same story line. Narration switched between first person and third person. Each one-shot was a different character narrating, and each one-shot was further along in the setting.

It was recommended that I place all of the one-shots together as I did at another fan fiction site, eliminating the chance of people reading them out of order and becoming very confused.

Each original title and summary will begin each chapter.

I hope you enjoy.

_KL

This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Hidden Depths

I wonder who it was that said it's easier to hide a snake in the den than a lion in a pit.

The doors to the Great Hall collided violently to their attached walls. Malfoy, with all the grace he could muster, swept through the newly exposed entryway. His eyes, flashing with indignation, locked on his prey. Grey met green and for a moment time stood still. Then, with a slight twitch to his mouth, he strode forward, keeping the wide-eyed Gryffindor pinned by his gaze. Halting just across the table from that startled face, his mouth curled up on one side. Harry continued to stare, a deer in headlights. Again, time slowed to nothing.

"Merlin's balls," Malfoy finally muttered. With an arrogant huff, he hauled Harry up by the robe fronts and snogged him senseless. "Thank Morgana I love you, you sodding prick," Malfoy spat as they broke apart, "but if you ever send me an ultimatum like that again . . .." Here he stopped, frustration stealing his words. Hissing low from his throat, he dragged Harry half over the table for another mind-numbing kiss. Dropping a dazed Harry back to the wood, he shook a piece of crumpled parchment. "You wanted us to come out? Fine! Were out!" he all but snarled. Lifting him up for a final time, Malfoy bit Harry's lip in a possessive, soul scorching kiss. Then slamming the parchment down, he whirled away in flurry of robes.

Harry tentatively reached for the creased bit of paper, confusion etched on his flushed face. "But, Draco, I didn't . . .," he stammered to Malfoy's retreating back.

"Well, are you coming?" Malfoy commanded over his shoulder with a magnificent, yet unexpected smile, abruptly ending Harry's attempt to defend himself. Scrambling over the table, Harry took off through the wide open doors after Malfoy.

It was Dean who eventually broke the horrified silence of those left behind. His calmly stated "I'll be buggered," sparked a flood of deafening conversation.

Seamus cuffed Neville on the back, laughing good-naturedly as he bellowed, "Who would have thought it? Hidden depths with those two, huh m' lad, hidden depths. Pay up the lad, m' boys!" With a hesitant hand and timid smile, Neville accepted their Galleons.

"Oy, Neville! What are ya gonna do with your winnings?" Ron demanded.

"Go to Egypt," I reply, earning gales of laughter from those around me. As the teasing and merriment wind down, I observe my housemates cautiously while I slide the discarded slip of parchment below the table. Ron is now rubbing the back of his head, trying to ignore Hermione's lecture on the dangers of gambling on a best friend's love life, while Dean and Seamus are already calling out odds on how long the newly discovered couple will last. Not long at all, I think as I bashfully decline to bid on these new stakes. Seamus makes some joke about 'knowing your limits,' before turning back to Dean. Honestly, I scoff to myself, how would it look to my future husband if he ever found out I had bet on his current happiness? I finger the evidence of my ruse wistfully before silently banishing it from this world. I do know my limits. Harry's too. I have to conceal my smirk as I count my winnings. I wonder who it was that said it's easier to hide a snake in the den than a lion in a pit. I let loose a small snicker and then force a blush to my cheeks when curious looks are thrown my way. Hidden depths indeed.