Chapter 1: Proposal

Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, Savour of the wizarding world, symbol of Light, Defeater of Evil, was having a Strange Day, capital letters and everything, and it had started and ended with Draco Bloody Malfoy.

After waking up from a pleasant dream about said blonde (which did not involve any nudity at all what are you saying) Harry had gotten ready for his fun packed Monday (can you feel that sarcasm) and trekked down to the Great Hall for a spot of breakfast and Malfoy watching.

Which was when everything became very strange, halfway through his bacon and eggs Harry had glanced up at the Slytherin table to find Malfoy looking at him like he was a hunter who had spotted his prey, and smiling, albeit in a slightly sinister and strangely possessive way, but it was a smile, definitely not a smirk, a smile. Which had of course caused Harry to grin like the Cheshire Cat right back at him, which had half the hall staring at him in bewilderment.

"Harry, stop staring at Malfoy like you would rather be eating him for breakfast and hurry up, we've got DADA next and I don't want to be late," Ginny grumbled at him, because some people were redoing their last year at Hogwarts the new 'eighth year' were sharing single house lessons with the seventh years and having mixed house lessons all together, Hermione had already left, dragging Neville along with her. Ron had opted to go straight into Auror training rather than go through another year at school and sent daily letters, but it was strange without him.

Dean and Seamus had also decided not to go back but went to work for George in his joke shop, Parvti and Lavender had retuned along with a handful of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, and Malfoy had joined them, along with Nott, Zabini, Parkinson and Greengrass.

Harry shoved the last of his breakfast into his mouth and leapt to his feet and jogged to keep up with his red headed companion, who was far to tall in his opinion. They were halfway up the main staircase when a hopeful voice called out:"Potter!" which had almost made him trip down the stairs, because that was Malfoy's voice, and it wasn't hostile or anything. He almost squealed in delight, which would have been very embarrassing.

"Yes Malfoy?"

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Malfoy bit his lip, which Harry was pretty sure was banned in the Malfoy family handbook and he personally thought should never be used within a fifty foot radius of him because it was really very distracting.

"I suppose," he mumbled, tearing his eyes away from the slightly redder lip and jerking his head at an empty classroom. As he followed Malfoy, Ginny gave him a wink and he refrained from flipping her off, barely.

Malfoy was waiting for him, leaning casually against a desk and picking his nails.

"What is it Malfoy?" Harry didn't know how to act, Malfoy had made a truce in the summer whilst the Death Eater trials were happening, Harry had spoken in the defence of all of the Malfoys and they were allowed to keep most of their wealth and both Draco and Narcissa were allowed in the general public without supervision. He hadn't had to be in such close communication with Malfoy since then though and he felt awkward.

"I need a favour of sorts, but if you agree you can't back down halfway through."

"What is it," Harry asked cautiously.

"I need a dance partner for the Dragon and Sword competition and you're the only person I know who fills all of my qualifications."

"The what competition?"

Draco sighed,"the Dragon and Sword international dance competition, it's a competition where the contestants have to pick an amateur dancer as their partner and teach them dances over a few months and every few weeks they have to perform a different dance in front of a panel of judges and whoever is the worst is eliminated."

Harry personally felt that that sounded almost exactly like 'Strictly Come Dancing' but didn't mention anything.

"And you want me to be your dance partner, shouldn't you have a female partner anyway?"

"It is more traditional but there is nothing in the rules against it and same sex partnerships are pretty common in the wizarding world, and as I said, you're the only one who fits my criteria."

Harry twisted his fingers together, it did sound fun and he could learn how to dance, but Malfoy and he were not exactly friends and Harry was horribly attracted to the man, which would make everything tenser.

"I don't know Malfoy, we don't work together very well." He said, turning to go.

"Please," Harry stopped in his tracks, Draco glanced up through his fringe, a pleading expression on his face,"please, Potter." Harry almost melted into a gooey puddle right there and then. How was he that beautiful? HOW?

"I-I'll think about it," he stammered, before bolting from the room, blushing madly and furious with how easy it was for Malfoy to get to him.

He spent the whole day happily agreeing with Ginny, who thought it was fantastic, arguing with Hermione, who thought it was a sure fire way to get his feelings hurt and getting generally confused by his internal monologue, which couldn't seem to decide what to do.

Which lead to him hiding from Filch in a broom closet with a smirking blonde far too close. He should have stayed in his nice, safe, warm bed.

"Ok, Malfoy, I'll do it, but you have to promise me that this isn't some elaborate trick."

Malfoy rolled his eyes,"Potter, I promise this is exactly what I say it is, I wouldn't enter this lightly, the Dragon and Sword is a fierce competition and is covered by everything the press can throw at it, contestants have been known to attack each other in the streets," Harry suddenly looked worried, " don't worry Potter, no one would dare hurt you, and even of they did, you're my partner, which means you are under my protection."

Harry felt ridiculously warm when Draco said that and blushed before reaching for the door handle.

"Oh bugger, Malfoy can you unlock the door, I left my wand in the dorms."

...

"Malfoy?"

"I don't have my wand either, I didn't think I would need it."

...

"Well shit."