"Yes, Professor," Harry said trying to hold onto his temper, "it won't happen again."

"And, if it does? You shall be cleaning every nook and cranny of my classroom" Snape paused for effect, "without your wand. You are dismissed, Mr. Potter."

Harry flung open the dungeon door. Wanting to put as much space between him and that slimy-nosed git, he walked as quickly as he could down the corridor; he just wanted to get back to his dorm and sleep, spending the evening in detention was far from enjoyable.

"Of all the days to get detention…" Harry muttered angrily under his breath, "and of all the reasons". As he rounded the corner he spotted Draco skulking around. Harry groaned. He usually enjoyed, secretly of course, confrontations with the ill-willed blonde, but tonight he was feeling lethargic. Harry stared straight ahead, "Maybe if I just pretend I don't see him he won't confront me," he thought to himself quickening his pace to just short of a run. Harry was not in the mood tonight.

"Potter!" Draco scoffed loudly, "Late for a date with your precious Ronald Weasley?" Draco grinned to himself, but to his surprise Harry kept on walking.

"Potter, how dare you ignore me!" he hissed whipping out his wand and taking a few fast steps to the right to intersect Harry's path. Harry's temper flared, "Out of my way, Malfoy. Or I will send you to the hospital wing in a carry-out box." His paced slowed to a stop as he reached Draco. They stared at one another, neither one backing down.

"Is that a threat, half-blood?" Draco's expression turned even colder as he took a small step closer to Harry. Draco was only a couple inches taller than Harry, but Harry felt threatened. He slowly reached for his wand, "Move, Malfoy…" his tone deep with a dark undertone.

"No. I think I shall stay right where I am scar-head," Malfoy taunted in a cruel voice. Harry slowly backed Draco against the wall, their eyes never leaving each other. Harry brought his wand up to Draco's face, his hand slightly shaking.

"Why so tense, Potter? Afraid to use your wand on someone far more superior than yourself? How pathetic. No matter, looks like you're the one that will be going to the hospital wing today," Draco cackled coldly, drawing up his wand getting ready to cast a spell on Harry.

"Petrificus totalus!" Harry quickly said seeing the boy's raised wand. The blonde froze up right where he stood. He looked into the blonde's gray eyes.

"Next time I say move, I mean move," Harry hissed as he took a couple steps away from Draco's petrified body. Harry turned and stormed down the corridor once more.

When he got to his dorm room he flopped down on his bed. It was only 8:30 but he was beyond tired. All he wanted to do was lay down on his soft bed, curl up under the blankets, and sleep. For a long, long time.

"Harry!" Ron called out, worry clearly showing on his face. Harry blinks a couple of times, just then registering that one of his roommates was shouting something at him. He shook his head, slowly coming back to reality. Harry had drifted off into deep space, he had no clue how long he had been sitting here.

"Sorry mate, must have been day dreaming," he said putting on a half smile for Ron, but he sighed internally. Harry wished he could tell Ron and Hermione about his crush on his rival. But something told him he should keep it to himself...at least for the time being. Ron still had a worried frown on his face.

"You okay, Harry? Should I tell Hermione you won't be coming to the inter-house party thing tonight?" Ron asked, feeling awkward he stared to busy himself with picking out the least tacky outfit he could find in his wardrobe. Shit, Harry had forgotten about that. That was tonight? He sighed.

"Nah, I'm alright. I promised Ginny I would be there," Harry stated a little sadly. Ginny was a pretty girl, beautiful rather, but Harry couldn't picture himself with her. Earlier this year she had made it very clear that she wanted to be "Mrs. Potter" someday. Even though he had said he only thought of them as friends, her persistence was admirable. He had agreed to go to this party with her for one purpose, and one purpose only: to make Draco jealous. As ridiculous and unlikely that was, at least he wouldn't be alone.

"Well, we better hurry and get dressed. It started 30 minutes ago," the tone in Ron's voice screamed please-don't-make-me-go. Harry empathized with him. Inter-house gatherings usually had really bad party games as well as a lot of drunken dancing and snogging. Harry gulped.

To be continued…