It just wasn't the best of days for Harry. He was rushing off to Potions when he unfortunately got stuck behind a slow moving Darco Malfoy and Co. Not wanting to provoke a confrontation, Harry decided not to push past them, but rather to follow along unnoticed behind. Unfortunately this meant he heard most of their conversation.

"You know, something bothers me about Professor Lupin," Pansy was saying to Draco. He grunted assent.

"Me too. Can't quite put my finger on what."

Harry's hackles rose at their discussion of Remus.

"You know, Blaise heard a rumor that he's gay. Maybe that's the vibe you're picking up," Pansy said hesitantly.

Draco snorted. "Oh lovely. Just what I need to make my life even better. Another friggen gay professor."

Harry snapped upon hearing this. Throwing discretion to the wind he bit out,

"What's the matter Malfoy? Don't tell me you're a homophobe as well as a muggle-hater? Somehow that doesn't surprise me."

Malfoy turned around quickly, but instead of the hostile reaction Harry had expected he merely looked confused.

"Why would I ..." he began, but then his face cleared. "Why Potter," he drawled, stepping extremely close to Harry, "don't tell me you really haven't heard!"

"Heard what Malfoy?"

"Yes, I suppose not much gossip would travel from Slytherin to Gryffindor would it?" Malfoy mused.

"What's your point Malfoy?"

"My point is this," Malfoy replied, stepping closer and inclining his head to speak into Harry's ear.

"Let's just say I have a very good, very personal reason for not being a homophobe, Harry," Draco whispered in a husky voice.

Harry swallowed hard, trying to curb the odd reaction he was having to Malfoy's closeness.

"Well, that's good Malfoy, because I happen to have a very good, very personal reason for disliking anyone so close-minded."

Malfoy blinked. "Really Potter? Now that's interesting. Never would have guessed." With that he turned on his heel and sauntered off. Harry was left staring at his retreating back with the uncomfortable feeling that he had implied something he really hadn't intended to.

"Fuck."

A/N: I've collected a series of short encounters featuring Harry and Draco, and have been contemplating weaving them into a more cohesive story. Thought I'd post this and see if there was any interest before continuing.

-IDC