Hi everyone! Thanks a lot for the reviews. Because a lot of you asked what really happened during the holidays, I decided to make it a 2 or 3 shot, instead of a oneshot. Well, here's the next part. Enjoy!
This chapter is betaed by MadieMalfoy. So a special thanks for her time and good corrections!
Chapter 2
Between Dreams and Reality
The following day at breakfast, McGonagall distributed the class schedules to all of the Gryffindor students in the Great Hall. Professor Sprout was doing the same for the Hufflepuffs, Professor Flitwick for the Ravenclaws and Professor Snape for the Slytherins. He still could not think a single positive thought about the greasy haired professor.
Hermione immediately got excited because she would start with Ancient Runes. She had already skimmed through the entire schedule while Harry had barely had time to straighten it in his hands. He looked at his schedule and saw that they had Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Potions with the Slytherins.
"Oh no," Ron sighed, seeing the same as Harry. "We have Charms with the Slytherins. Why did they change that?" Harry would have usually been very angry about sharing classes with the Slytherins, but now he was not; he would finally have an excuse to stare at Malfoy as much as he wanted and to rewind the holiday scene over and over again. He was actually looking forward to it.
" - don't you?" Ron finished. Harry had not been listening, but he improvised.
"Yeah, it really sucks," he answered and took a quick bite of his omelet.
Hermione's eyes left her schedule for a second, and Harry could tell that she was watching him. Fortunately, it seemed that Ron had not realized Harry's absent mind.
"Be thankful, Ron. We don't have them today, which is why I don't care right now."
"Yeah, you're right," Ron admitted and quickly began his breakfast. That was something the red haired boy would not miss for the world.
Harry tried to peek at the Slytherin table without Hermione seeing, but Draco was busy talking to his friends. He looked back at his omelet and tried not to sigh. He did not know why Malfoy acted this way. The holidays had been clear, hadn't they? Didn't it mean anything to him?
Hermione kept a close eye on Harry and it started to irritate him. He could feel her looking at him. She was supposed to be his friend, not some annoying leech, always keeping her eyes glued to him; he really hated people staring at him. That probably had something to do with a scar or a certain evil wizard.
The day passed by, and Harry tried his best to find Malfoy, and when he did, he tried to get him alone, but somehow he always seemed to fail. He knew Malfoy was avoiding him.
But why? That stupid bastard. He could kiss him senseless, but then he could not talk? Harry wanted to talk to him desperately; he wanted his opinion as to what had happened during the holidays because for the last month, he had wondered if everything had been real, but then on the Hogwarts Express, there was not any doubt left. It had been real, and the only thing Harry wanted now was to talk to the Slytherin, but the Ice Prince did not want to talk to him, obviously.
Harry was staring at the blonde head in Charms class. Fortunately, Professor Flitwick, who was standing on a pile of books (all of which Harry was sure Hermione would want to read), was not able to see that Harry was not paying attention at all.
Malfoy's blonde hair was not combed back like it was during their first year. He did not use as much gel anymore, and Harry wanted to run his fingers through it. He could almost sense the softness of it. He looked at Malfoy's strong back and imaged what it would be like to run his fingers across it. They itched to touch him, but he was out of reach.
"Well, now each one of you can try it out. You may team up," Professor Flitwick squeaked enthusiastically. Ron teamed up with Hermione. Harry automatically went to Neville before he heard Malfoy's drawling voice.
"Why don't you team up with me, Potter?"
"Sure." Harry muttered coldly, not showing that he was rather happy he would be able to talk to the Slytherin.
They sought out a quiet corner, and Harry got out his wand, only to wonder what he had to do with it. He had no idea what the class was about today.
"Well, get on with it," Malfoy pushed. Harry looked at him with an angry look in his eyes.
"Why don't you start, Malfoy?" Harry proposed with the same harshness in his voice.
"Haven't been paying attention, have you?" Harry felt his cheeks blush, but he was too proud to admit it.
"I'll show you, but pay attention this time, Potter." Malfoy pulled out his wand and held it between his slender fingers. Harry's mind did not need much more than seeing Malfoy's fingers.
"I said pay attention, Potter! Is it that difficult for you? I've always known you weren't very smart, unlike your Mudblood friend, but please just try."
Harry wanted to hex Malfoy, but he did not want to pull the attention towards them. Then, he would have had to tell Professor Flitwick that he had not been listening to him for the last half hour.
"Whatever you say, Malfoy. Get on with it. I won't get distracted."
"Distracted. By me?" Their moment was interrupted when professor Flitwick came to check on the teams.
"Well, Draco. Will you try the spell on Harry?" Professor Flitwick chirped happily. "Calor,"professor Flitwick repeated, and continued to check on Ron and Hermione.
"Calor."Malfoy pronounced, pointing his wand at Harry. Harry resisted the urge to counter the spell because he had this strange feeling Malfoy would try to hex him. Harry felt his body heating up, and a warm feeling spread from his heart to all his limbs. For a moment, he thought Malfoy had done something to embarrass him.
"What is - "
"It's a spell, Potter. It's some kind of defensive spell against Dementors. To make you feel happy again. The spell is 'Calor.' Your turn."
Harry felt awkward. Malfoy was only one meter away. How long had he waited for Malfoy to be this close to him again? An entire month.
"Calor," Harry articulated, shooting a spell at Draco.
"No," Malfoy replied. He rolled his eyes.
"What do you mean 'no'?" Harry spat, annoyed by Malfoy's distant behavior.
"You didn't do it well, Potter, that's what." Malfoy stepped forward and Harry could feel his heart speed up. Malfoy grabbed his hand.
"Don't make a circle. It's more of an oval, with one edge on the left side. See?" He showed Harry how to do it. Harry stared at his own hand dumbly, paralyzed by the feeling of Malfoy's hand on his. It was cold, but it was not unpleasant at all.
"Potter. Pay attention, you idiot," Malfoy spat. Harry looked in his grey eyes, only a few inches from his, since he still had his hand on Harry's.
"Stop staring, you fool." Harry wanted to say he was sorry but resisted the urge and replied, "Good. I got it. You can let me go now."
Harry eventually got the spell right, but he had not had the time to ask Malfoy about the holidays yet. It had been his chance, but Harry had to ruin it because Malfoy had held his hand. How old was he? Twelve? Harry wanted to strangle himself right now. He knew Malfoy would not be jumping to talk to Harry again.
After Charms class was over, Harry, Ron and Hermione went back to the Gryffindor tower to start on some homework in their spare hour.
"What was that with Malfoy?" Hermione inquired; her eyes bored deeply into his and he felt uncomfortable. He did not know what to say, but Ron saved his but.
"Yeah. That stupid git totally ruined Charms for you, Harry," Ron grumbled. Harry was glad he had such an inattentive friend.
"I know. It was so awkward. I had to make him happy?" Harry mocked, but he knew that he did not sound as convinced as always. It was rather lame, he could tell.
Again, Hermione seemed to notice, but she was smart enough not to mention it; however, Harry knew it would not be long before she would get him to speak face to face.
Harry decided to practice his 'calor' charm some more, and Hermione advised him to look for an empty classroom and try it on furniture.
"How can he know how it works then?" Ron wondered. Harry was about to ask the same question, but was glad Ron had done it for him. He seemed less dumb like that.
"You just feel if the furniture is warm. It will be kind of heated up."
"Thanks, 'Mione," Harry nodded, showing his gratitude; he left the Gryffindor tower again and soon enough, found a suitable classroom.
He had been trying for about half an hour now, and it seemed to work quite well. He was getting the hang of it and felt rather proud for teaching it to himself, blocking the thought of Malfoy's hands from his mind. If he let those thoughts through, he would not be able to do schoolwork anymore.
Just as he heated up another chair, he heard the door close. Harry turned around expecting to see a snogging couple, but the person standing in front of him was none other than Malfoy himself.
"Hi," Harry greeted dumbly. What a stupid thing to say. What was happening to him? Why couldn't he say one sentence right in front of Malfoy?
"Hi Potter. Doing some exercises?" His voice sounded like always . . . drawling. It was a shame that he did that because Harry thought he had a really nice voice. Harry cut the thought as soon as it came to him.
"Yes, actually," he answered.
"Couldn't pay attention in class now, Saint Potter?" Malfoy spat. Harry wanted to attack the boy and make him hurt because he acted like a useless prick, but he was scared that when Malfoy would be in his hands, his mind would change, and he would want to do something more. He did not want to specify exactly what.
"Potter? Are you dreaming again? Merlin, what's wrong with you?"
"N-Nothing. Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
"Me? You wanted to ask me something?" Malfoy laughed. "What's next? The Dark Lord's gonna give me a lap dance?"
"Stop insulting me, stupid ferret. I wanted to ask you about the holidays." Harry felt the anger rise inside him, but managed to keep his temper under control. This was his chance to find out why he acted so strange.
"The holidays? Well, mine were great. Thanks for your concern Potter." Harry felt a little taken aback but did not show it. The thought of heating the furniture with their bodies flew away, not likely to come back.
"You're welcome, but I meant about that night in the pub," Harry continued.
"The pub. What's a pub?" Malfoy asked. Harry looked puzzled for a moment.
"It's a café. You know, where Muggles grab a drink. Malfoy, Are you really this foolish?"
"I don't care what Muggles do, Potter, in case you didn't know, so why on earth would I go to this 'pub' of yours?"
"I thought we -" Harry trailed off. Hadn't they…? Was it a dream? Was Malfoy lying?
Harry did not know anymore. The only thing he wanted to do was run away, but Malfoy most certainly would not let him.
"We what? You and me Potter? Together? You're not really trying to make that happen, are you? It is already a pain to see you here at school every day. I definitely don't want to go visit you in your stupid Muggle world."
Harry wanted to cover his ears. He did not want to hear this. What was Malfoy saying?
Had this been a dream? Had none of it been real? This was not happening.
To be continued...
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