Harry often wondered what would have happened if he'd taken Draco's proffered hand on that fateful first day at Hogwarts. Would their differences have proved to be too strong for them to be friends? Or..? Harry blushed under his sheets. There was good in Draco; he'd seen that as soon as he'd met him. There was a softness in his eyes, buried beneath the cold hatred and aloofness. Harry turned over violently in his bed, kicking his covers off and thwacking his head on the bedstead.
"Bloody hell, calm down Harry," muttered Ron from the opposite bunk. Harry said nothing, pretending to be asleep. Draco Malfoy... Draco Potter? Harry laughed a little, but the pleasure at the thought was there.
Harry sat in potions, gazing at the back of Draco's blond head instead of Snape.
"Potter?" asked Snape nasally, his greasy curtains of hair tucked behind his large ears. Everyone turned to face him, and Harry was suddenly aware of his face turning bright red.
"On your head," whispered Ron.
"On your head," said Harry, nodding thankfully to Ron. The class erupted in laughter, with Harry sitting bewilderedly in the middle.
"On my head?" asked Snape dangerously slowly.
"Yes," said Harry, figuring that whatever he'd said, he might as well go along with it. Ron snorted, and Hermione slapped his hand in outrage.
"Ten points from Gryffindor," said Snape, waving a hand, "For both Mister Potter and Weasley." He pronounced the name with contempt, and then turned back to his cauldron.
"What was the question?" Harry asked quietly, glaring at Ron.
"Where can a bezoar be found," whispered Hermione. Ron had the decency to look a little ashamed. But the grin soon grew back,
"Why were you so distracted anyway?" he said a little too loudly.
"Be quiet, Weasley, or I'll put two hooks through your nostrils and hang you from the rafters!"
Draco grinned at Harry as they left the portions room. Harry didn't return it; he was so shocked that Draco had done something friendly. And then it was gone and Draco's perfect face was twisted into a frown again. Harry sighed. He felt so confused...