Chapter 3: A New Friend

All the eighth years had to wait for everyone else to leave after dinner, there was no room in the dormitories for them anymore, and so they needed to go elsewhere, to a different tower. The heads of houses led them to the East Tower, where all the houses would stay together, hopefully without killing each other. The first floor was Gryffindor, the second was Hufflepuff, the third was Ravenclaw and Slytherin was last, right at the top.

Harry tried to think positively about it, it might be a long walk but it had the best view. His eyes wondered over to Malfoy, who was watching him closely, stroking his lower lip as if deep in thought. Harry blushed but didn't understand his reaction. It would be easy to lose himself thinking about those lips. The teachers stopped us in the Common Room, and Snape moved forward.

"Your names have been scribed on the dorm doors, each room is either a single or a double, and don't worry, boys aren't mixed with girls. Now does anyone have any questions?"

"I have one sir," Seamus frowned. "The Sorting Hat must be drunk, it put Harry in Slytherin."

Harry groaned, rubbing his temples. He should have been expecting this, but he hadn't planned that far ahead. He asked Seamus if he moaned when everyone else got sorted, and why he couldn't just get over it like everyone else was pretending to do. Seamus gaped at him, before glaring. Snape stepped in as Seamus reached for his wand, warning Seamus not to lay a finger on his son or there'd be hell to pay. Everyone gaped, even the other teachers, but Harry just sniggered.

"Have fun, son," he smiled on his way out.

"You too dad," Harry grinned.

The other teachers followed him out, probably to rant a load of questions at him. Harry ran for the stairs, seen as he knew the others would do the same. Obviously, everyone followed him but broke off at their houses floor. Eventually, Harry was practically alone and started to search the doors for his room. It was the last one he looked at, one he shared with Draco Malfoy.

"Well, let's try to get along Potter, or is it Snape now?" Malfoy smiled.

"Officially still Potter, but I don't mind either, I'm not ashamed of my family." Harry smiled sourly.

He opened the door, thanking Merlin that he didn't freeze up at Malfoy's sweet, sexy voice. Harry was beginning to get angry with himself, he hated Malfoy, so why was he thinking of him like he was. Harry tried to clear his mind by emptying the contents of his trunks into the conveniently placed dresser. Malfoy started to go through his trunk, sorting his clothes into piles before putting them away. Harry finished first, and sat down on his bed, putting pictures on his bedside table.

"Look, let's just cut the bullshit," Malfoy frowned. "We're in the same house, we share a dorm room, let's just try and cut the shit."

"What, like be friends?" Harry smiled. "Sure, why not?"

Malfoy grinned, and for some reason, the fact he was happy made Harry happier. It was really starting to piss Harry off. And that's when it hit him. Severus had explained the whole soulmate situation to Harry, and that he would feel different around his soulmate. And Harry knew one thing for sure, the way he felt towards Malfoy was nowhere near normal.

"That has to be it," Harry mumbled.

"What?"

Harry looked up to see Malfoy staring at him in confusion, and Harry realised he'd said something aloud. He stuttered an excuse to go see his dad and scurried away before Malfoy could say anything else. He could guess the reason behind his feelings, but he wanted them confirmed. To do that, he needed to talk to his dad.

~o0o~

Harry knocked on the door of Snape's office and waited for a response. After a while, Snape came to the door and invited Harry in. His expression was full of concern, but he waited patiently of Harry to get comfortable in his surroundings and open up to his dad. Harry took a deep steady breath and tried to relax. He turned to his father and explained why he'd come. He mentioned how he was thinking of Malfoy, and that when he made him smile, it was like Harry had sparked a light in himself.

"Well, we both know what this means," Severus grinned. "You've found your soulmate."

"But it can't be him, it just can't," Harry frowned. "I hate him, he's made my life hell."

"And you've done the same." Severus reasoned. "Every time he insulted you, you retaliated, and vice versa."

Harry thought that over and agreed, they'd been as bad as each other over the years. But still, soulmate was a bit hard to believe, they were barely friends. Harry asked his dad about his soulmate, and Snape acknowledged that he'd met his special person, but that he'd never acted on it.

"But why?"

"Because Harry, this person isn't just too young for me, they're also a student here," Snape frowned. "It wouldn't be right."

"Neither is hurting yourself," Harry scowled. "You should give it a try none the less, and maybe they like you back."

"Maybe, I caught them staring at my ass the whole of sixth year. But that's not the point," Severus smiled. "Just go back to your dorm, and if you're sure you don't love him by the morning, then fine. But if you're mind hasn't changed, and you still feel for him, you can come to see me a lunch tomorrow, I'll be in here."

Harry nodded and hugged his dad goodnight. It was nice to have a dad, someone who's always there for you, whenever you need them. Harry left Snape in peace and headed back the dorm, hoping he wouldn't have to explain his disappearing act to his no doubt pissed off roommate.

~o0o~

Harry opened the door, noticing the lights were turned off, so he quietly closed the door behind him. Turning back to face the sleeping blonde, he took the time to really look at him, and Merlin he was gorgeous. Harry only wished he could reach out and touch his smooth skin, but that would just wake Draco up. There was no way Harry could be in love with him, but he could tell what he was feeling.

"What have you done to me," Harry whispered.

He crept over to his wardrobe and winced as the door creaked. Harry turned around and Draco grunted, turning over but remaining asleep. Harry breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed a pair of pyjama bottoms to sleep in. Harry never slept in a shirt, it just made him feel restricted. He yawned, crawling into bed and falling asleep, thinking of Malfoy and how much he changed.