A/N: This is my very first fanfiction so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I'm not usually a story writer, but more of a poem writer so longer stories are still slightly foreign to me. Cheers xx

Every school has their rivals. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is no different. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were always at each others throats. Anger smouldering in emerald green and stormy grey eyes, undisguised loathing radiating off their bodies. No one really knew why; it was just how it was. Since day one, Harry and Malfoy were always picking fights with each other.

Unfortunately for Harry and Malfoy, they were partnered together for the Potions project set by Snape. Of course, with Snape's twisted sense of humour, he thought it was a brilliant idea of torture for Harry to be stuck with Malfoy for the next two weeks while they worked on the project together.

Unfortunately for Malfoy, it meant keeping the truth hidden from everyone would be harder than ever, working so close to Potter.

Once they finally decided to get started on the project, it was determined that Harry and Malfoy were to meet up the next day. Harry was bracing himself for the worst time of his life. What could be worse than spending his free time in the company of his school enemy? To Harry's shock, however, Malfoy did nothing. No biting, sneering, or glaring contests between the two. Malfoy's behaviour had Harry stumped. Deciding to leave it for now, Harry started the work and left it at that. The sooner the project was done, the sooner he didn't have to be in Malfoy's company any longer.

Harry couldn't help himself though. Ever curious, Harry kept glancing sideways just to watch Malfoy's behaviour and it left Harry even more confused. Malfoy generally kept his head down, focused on his work, but Harry noticed that there was a slight blush present on his checks and Harry didn't know what to think about it.

About a week into the project, and Malfoy's continued odd behaviour, Harry couldn't take any more. "What is with you? You haven't done anything that could be considered 'evil' toward me this whole time we have been working together despite the fact that there was plenty of opportunity. It just isn't you! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Malfoy looked up and locked eyes with Harry. He wasn't sure what to say to the outburst. He couldn't give away his secret and let Harry know what was wrong. It would ruin him and he couldn't risk it. "Nothing is wrong. I just want to get this completed as fast as possible to get away from your oh-so-pleasant company. So if you don't mind, I am working" Malfoy sneered.

Deciding it would be best to once again leave it, Harry didn't push. It didn't last long.

A couple of days after, and at the completion of the project, Harry confronted Malfoy again. Outside of the Potions classroom after class was dismissed, Harry demanded Malfoy to tell him why he was acting so odd during the last couple of weeks. Curiosity had always been one of Harry's weaker points and it reared its head to prove itself again right now.

"You really want to know what is wrong with me?" Malfoy's voice was strained, like he was trying to hold something back. "Then I will tell you what is wrong. You think that I hate you, which is a fair judgement since I haven't done anything to state otherwise, but it's not true. I have never hated you".

Harry scoffed. "Yea, sure Malfoy. All those times that you fought with me in the school corridors, on the Quidditch pitch, in class. All of that was you not hating me? Whatever Malfoy."

"It's true". Malfoy was almost whispering by this point, afraid of the reaction that might come of this admission. "I just used that excuse as a cover; to try and keep everyone away from the truth. I envy you, and I always have. Even back before school even started, in the robe shop I saw someone that could have been my friend. But I drove you away with my behaviour. I just wanted to be friends with you but after learning about who you were I didn't feel worthy of your friendship, so I acted against my feelings instead." By the end, it almost sounded as though Malfoy was holding back tears, his voice choked and strained. "I don't want you to hate me, but I know I have done everything in my power to ensure that you do and I can't take it back now. I'm sorry".

Harry honestly had no idea what to say to that. Everyone that had remained behind at the end of class had heard this declaration and stunned into silence, waiting to see what Harry did. Harry just stood there, wide-eyed and speechless. Not knowing what else to do, he turned and fled away from the dungeons with his friends, but not before he heard the last thing Malfoy said.

"I love you, Harry Potter".

Thanks for giving this a read. Let me know what you think.