Chapter 3:

Charms came and went. He was just about to head out to the lake and lie outside, maybe send Hermione a message to meet him there so they could study and talk. Draco grabbed his arm and whirled him around.

"Where do you think you're going? Common room's the other way and you have an essay to write".

He snatched his arm back. That boy really did have a firm grip.

"I was just heading out to the lake to study. Need to get outside before my head explodes".

Draco looked at him suspiciously.

"You're not going there to cause trouble I hope".

"Study, Draco. I said study outside. Not go off on some adventure that is likely to risk life, limb and house points".

"Hmph, fine. But if you're not back before dinner I'm coming to find you".

"Yeah fine", he was already walking off and dismissively waved his hand.

When he got to the lake, he summoned Mystic and got her to send a note to Hermione. Unfortunately she had a study group all planned out so he was flying solo. He flopped onto his back and looked up at the sky, slowly drifting off.

"That doesn't look like study", drawled Malfoy as he stood in Harry's sunlight.

He cracked open an eye and cursed. "Shit, what's the time?"

"Woah, calm down psycho. I just came out for some fresh air, but apparently it causes severe drowsiness", he smirked down at Harry and helped him up. "It is almost dinner time though. Come on, we'll head in early. As I recall you have a detention with a certain surly Potions Master and head of house".

Harry blushed as he remembered. This didn't go unnoticed and Draco thought this was the best time to bring it up.

"You like him".

"WHAT?!", Harry froze, he looked like a deer caught in headlights and looked away from Draco picking up pace as he went.

Draco ran up to him and stopped him. "Then why did you blush? You came into the common room flustered after seeing him last night and this morning when you saw him at breakfast and just then when I mentioned him. You like him".

Harry hung his head. Great, I finally figure out I'm gay for real and now Draco knows.

"Hey, not like I can judge. Blaise and I have had a thing for years". He innocently raised his eyebrows as he said it and Harry could sense sincerity.

Harry looked up but he didn't know what to say. Draco sensed this, "Look you don't have to tell me".

"I-it's just… I-I don't .." he shrugged. He didn't really know how express it.

"Yeah, I get it. I felt like that too when I had my first 'boy crush'". Harry was kind of shocked. Was this Draco opening up to him?

"Why you telling me this?", he was curious. They were once enemies, now friends.

"Because, you are my friend are you not? You are a Slytherin are you not? This means you're like family. I'm not saying I trust easily, and I'm sure you're the same. Like I said to you last night, fresh start ok. Not saying I want to get into you pants", Harry smiled at this, Ron was never this open and accepting of something new and it made him feel good on the inside. "But I'm also not going to say you're not banging hot with this new look".

They both laughed at this and Harry had to agree there were a lot more looks of interest from the females, and some males he noted than there had been in previous years. Ginny and Cho were the only two he had had a 'thing' with and neither were serious. Maybe Draco could help him after all.

The sun was starting to set behind the mountains so they both headed straight to the Great Hall for dinner. As they entered they were stopped by Pansy who linked arms with Harry and was smothering his arm. He inwardly cringed and heard Draco chuckling behind them. As soon as they sat Pansy was firing a thousand questions at Harry about where he had been and why he wasn't in the common room earlier because she needed help. He was definitely going to talk to Draco about this.

From the teacher's table, Snape was watching with interest. Poor Pansy, he thought. Harry didn't seem at all interested and it annoyed him to no end that Harry as all but ignoring her. What's wrong with him? He should be lapping up the female attention. He was still fuming over the Potions class incident where Harry blew up his cauldron. It was the first day, first class of the school year. If he kept this up he would be out on his ass, Slytherin or not. He would not have his classroom in chaos at the hands of that boy. He looked away from Harry as the two sat down. I need to stop staring. But he did look good, that he couldn't deny which also annoyed him. That fire whiskey is looking good Severus.

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Dinner was coming to a close and he had half an hour before that brat had his detention. He had to plan what he was going to do with the boy. Maybe beat some sense into him? Could do. Although he would probably just run straight to Dumbledore. No, maybe lines. Hmm, his essay. I bet he hasn't started it considering he was outside sleeping this afternoon. Typical. He stood and made his way out of the hall. He could see from his peripheral that it had caught Harry's attention and he saw him whisper something to Draco who then looked up and smirked at Snape. He knows something, but what? He kept walking only meeting Draco's eye as he did so.

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At 7:57pm there was subtle knock at Snape's door. He sat there staring at it for a couple of seconds. He decided that he was going to be nice to the boy tonight. Next time, he will be sorry. He stood and made his way to the door.

Harry was about to knock again when the door was wrenched open. Snape eyed him for a second and all Harry could do was look back motionless. He stepped aside and let him through. There was a roll of parchment with an ink pot and quill. Lines, he thought.

"You're early Mr. Potter. I am surprised". He watched Harry take his seat with the parchment that he set up. "I thought, that knowing you, the essay I set you would not have been started. Am I right?" He went and stood in front of Harry's desk, looking down on him.

Harry looked up to look at Snape and shook his head. "No sir, I-I was but...", he added softly, "I got distracted".

"Yes, that will happen when you fall asleep in the grass", there was amusement in his voice and he raised an eyebrow.

Harry was so embarrassed. Had he been spying on him? Of course not you idiot, he thought. He looked down again feeling his cheeks flush again. He really needed to learn to stop that.

"So, seeing as I find myself in a rare moment of goodwill. I shall let you use this time to at least start it before our next class".

"Yes, sir".

"Now. Let me be very clear, Potter", he waited until Harry was looking at him again. "The next time you decide to blow up my classroom be warned I will not be this forgiving".

Harry was mad. Is he serious? It wasn't me. "But it wa-"

Snape cut him off, "No, I don't want to hear excuses. Get. Writing". He stalked round his desk and gracefully sat in his high backed chair. He opened a large book, which reminded Harry of a tome. It looked really old and delicate.

Harry sighed and unrolled the parchment. He was suddenly grateful he had actually properly read that book Snape had given him in class. Actually, he still had his bag with him, it should be in there. Bonus, found it. This will be easy.

Snape observed the teen as he furiously wrote on the parchment. He looked on in wonder. Since when has he been studious? He was quietly glad that the boy had paid attention to the text he had given him. Apparently what he was currently using.

Within an hour and a half he had finished. He wasn't sure how long he was supposed to be in detention for but he was finished and as much as he wanted to sit there and look at Snape, he didn't want to get into more trouble.

"Excuse me sir, I'm done".

Snape looked up and narrowed his eyes, "The whole essay Potter or the detention".

"Uh, er, the essay sir".

"Hmm", he motioned with his finger for Harry to come forward.

Harry stood and walked over to Snape and handed him the essay. Snape looked as though he was going to start reading it then and there so Harry stayed put, least he anger the Potions Master further. Snape looked up expectantly at Harry. "Was there something you needed, Potter?".

"Uh, n-no sir".

"Detention is over. You will get this back in our next class. Leave."

"Yes, sir". He went back to his desk and packed up his things and headed to the door.

Just before he touched the door handle he heard Snape say, "Oh and Harry. Do not make these detentions a habit. Remember, this is your last chance". Harry could have sworn he heard an amused 'insufferable brat', whispered from Snape's desk.

Harry just stood there, had Snape just called him Harry?. "Uh, yes sir. Won't happen again sir".

"Not holding my breath", he said deadpanned.

"Night, Professor Snape", and with that he walked out of the Potions classroom and straight to the Slytherin common room.

Good night, Harry. Snape said in his mind. He liked this Harry better. The one that obeyed orders, and somewhat didn't argue back.

Back in the common room, Pansy was getting antsy. "Draco", she whined, "Where is my Harry? He should have been back ages ago".

"Oh shut it woman, can you not tell he's not interested?"

She looked shocked, "Then why does he look so inviting and sexy, if he didn't want me then why tempt me?"

Draco facepalmed, "You cannot be serious?".

Just then Harry walked through the portrait and straight past the duo. Draco frowned. "Oi, Potter, wait up. You…", pointing to Pansy, "Stay there", he ordered.

As he entered the dorm he saw Harry face first on his bed. "That bad huh?", as he went and sat at Harry's desk.

"Mo, me wash mealy mnice", he said without lifting his head.

"English, Potter. I don't speak gibberish".

He rolled over and looked at Draco, "He was really nice to me tonight. He let me do my essay from class. Apparently he saw me napping outside earlier".

Draco snorted, of course he did. Stalker. "He didn't do anything else? Nothing at all?", he inquired.

"No. Why, should he have? Does he usually?", this peaked his interest.

He cast silencing charm on the room and locked both the doors which made Harry slightly concerned.

"I'm going to tell you this because you are new to Slytherin. But mark my words, Potter, if this gets out I'll know who to blame".

Harry swallowed. "Ok, cross my heart".

"There was a rumor that he would spank you if you misbehaved. No one in Slytherin has ever admitted that it happened. I don't know about the other houses, but I'm sure Dumbledore and the others would have found out".

For some reason, the idea of Snape spanking him was rather appealing. Oh god, I can't be hard. He blushed again for the millionth time that day.

"Like the sound of that, Harry?". He blushed harder and Draco laughed. "Your secret is safe with me".

"Gee, thanks. Well I'm going to go to sleep. I'm shattered".

"Alright, see you tomorrow", Draco smiled and took down the charms he set.

Harry rolled over and drifted off to sleep thinking about what it would be like to have Snape spank the living daylights out of him. The last image his mind formed before falling asleep was of Snape standing behind him, Harry's pants around his ankles, bent over Snape's mahogany desk.