Chapter Six:
Heated Moments
A/N: Read, Review, and Enjoy! Promise this fic will get funnier, more fun, and light-hearted next chapter! =D
A wonderful thanks to PeruvianDarkness for being a great Beta.
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It was just after Qudditch practice on Tuesday evening, Harry had run up to the dormitory to grab his books and on his way out and through the Common Room he was met by a sight he had seen too many times. Hermione had her leg almost literally wrapped around Ron's lap as the redhead heatedly engaged with his girlfriend, their tongues swirled and their cheeks flamed red. Harry groaned loudly to make his presence known, and the two immediately jumped apart highly embarassed as he chuckled bemusedly at them.
"Y'know I'm happy you two finally got together and all but, do you really have to put on a show this often?" Harry grinned, earning a glare from Hermione as Ron looked away and blushed deeper.
"Where are you off to then, Harry?" Hermione asked, fixing her slightly mused clothing and hair. It was for the better as well, since students were beginning to file into the Common Room as it was getting late. Amongst them was Ginny who stood not far from Harry now.
"To the library. I have to do that Charms assignment with Malfoy," he explained, trying to make it seem as though he wasn't the least bit excited about spending time with the Slytherin. For only Ron knew about their little outing that occured on the weekend.
Ron eyed him suspiciously but said nothing. "I think that's a great assignment Professor Flitwick gave us! It will really teach us cooperation and some teaching skills as well! What did you two choose again?" Hermione asked, her mood always perked up at the small talk of homework.
"Erm, the Mens Contraho Charm?" Harry responded unsurely, he had only quickly glimpsed at the name thus far.
Hermione's eyes went wide, "The Mental Constriction Charm? That's nearly illegal!" she sounded appalled.
"Lemme guess, Malfoy choose it?" Ron asked.
Harry merely shrugged, "So what. It's only nearly illegal,"
"That's too bad that you're busy tonight Harry," Ginny piped in softly, "I was going to ask you to come for a walk with me around the Lake," she smiled mischeviously.
"Er, sorry about that Gin, maybe some other time," Harry looked apologetic, "Anyway, I'll be off then. See you guys later!" Harry quickly fled before he could be asked any further questions.
Once he arrived in the library, Draco was already there seated at the very back corner. Harry grinned largely as he slowly made his way over, a hand lazily swept through his messy hair as he came to a stop in front of Draco. "Looks like you've already gotten started," Harry motioned towards the small pile of books on the table and the piece of parchment Draco was scribbling on.
The blonde didn't even look up from his work as he answered, "Was here since after supper, now if you would hurry up Potter, I would like to spend as little time with you as possible," he spat.
Harry was taken aback by the venom in his voice and slumped down in the chair opposite him. Immediately a book was shoved in his direction, Draco still hadn't looked up from his parchment however. "The effects of the Charm are all bookmarked, just jot down notes about it. Later we will compress it all into an essay, and then we can do the lesson plan,"
Harry didn't argue and immediately got to work, though he wasn't as efficient as he would normally be. After ten minutes of nothing but quill scratching and page turning, Harry sighed heavily. "What's wrong, Draco?" he finally asked.
Draco paused in his writing but still did not avert his eyes. "Who said you may call me that?" he said through gritted teeth. He was clutching his quill so tightly it looked near its snapping point as his knuckles turned a sickly white.
"It is your name," Harry shrugged, "Seriously, what is wrong with you? One minute you're having a good time with me, laughing as you said you've never done before..." he trailed off and admired the blush that fell onto Draco's cheeks.
"I didn't think you would remember that," mumbled the blonde.
Harry smirked, "Of course I remember that. I remember everything that day. I remember that you seemed a lot happier than you are now, so what's up?" he pressed again. He didn't like seeing Draco all destressed, he preferred him to be giggilng at the tickling grass once more.
"Nothing is up, Potter," Draco snarled, though with less venom this time. Harry could tell he was slowly breaking down his defences.
"Please, I only want to know what's wrong and see if there's anything I can do to make it better. I still have a large amount of that green stuff, if you would like to skip this study session. Or we could just move it outdoors," Harry offered, even though it would be chilly he had improved greatly on his Warming Charms.
Draco racked his brain for more excuses, but he found himself wanting more than anything to be back outside underneath that tree. "Fine," he merely responded, having given in. He wasn't going to deny that he enjoyed himself that Saturday, and he had already admitted to himself that he was developing some sort of crush on Potter. The only problem was that he didn't want anybody else to find out, it would ruin his reputation.
They collected their things quietly, Harry housing a small triumphant grin on his face as he led the way out of the library and through the corridors of Hogwarts. Many people questioned and raised their eyebrow, whispers followed as they walked down the hall Draco slightly behind the brunette with a sour look on his face.
Out underneath the safety of the tree and the distance from the Castle, Draco finally relaxed as he sighed and plopped down on the ground. He let his mask fall, frowning as he pulled his knees up to his chest. He felt exhausted from the past few days, always trying to distract himself from his feelings.
"One thing about all this pot, Malfoy," Harry began as he fingered around in his cloak pockets for his wand and a fresh joint, he always had one on him these days, "Is that it makes me more observant," he lit the joint and puffed on it, "I see things maybe other people wouldn't notice. That's why I read so many books these days, it keeps me from becoming too observant," Harry chuckled and handed off the joint.
"Okay...what is your point, Potter?" Draco drawled, feeling much more relieved once he took a hit and tasted that earthy herb in his mouth. "It tastes different," he mumbled, handing it back.
Harry smirked, "It's not Purple Haze. This time is Orange Kush, I get a new shipment every Sunday," he explained, "But don't you want to know what I've been observing lately?"
Draco already had the marijuana cigarette back in his mouth, he inhaled deeply wanting to get higher than he was last time. "Sure," he shrugged nonchalantly.
"You enjoyed hanging out with me on Saturday," Harry stated firmly, his smirk broadening as a faint blush covered Draco's cheeks before his mask quickly fell into place hiding all his emotions, "You've been avoiding being in any type of contact with me since then meaning that you probably enjoyed it a little too much," he laughed. "Now there are a few things I can't figure out still; why did you enjoy spending time with me when you've been loathing me for seven years? And, why is it not a good thing?"
The questions lingered in the air for a moment as Draco drew a shaky breath, clinging his legs closer to himself now. He didn't want to answer, but he definitely did not want to back down either. "I never loathed you, Harry, I loathed The-Boy-Who-Lived. That's the same reason why spending time with you and enjoying it is not a good thing, especially for others to find out. You're the Golden Boy, and I'm the son of a convicted Death Eater. I am the youngest Lord Malfoy and I cannot have our association ruining..." Draco trailed off, even though it was important to keep up appearances, he didn't want to hurt Harry by admitting it out loud. Since when did he start caring about whether or not it hurt the boys feelings?
"I used to care a lot about appearances too, Malfoy. I was supposed to be some kind of Saviour, they told me. That I was their hero and only hope, and it really got to me. I wanted to do the best I could in school and in training, just so I wouldn't let everybody down. I had to make sure it seemed as though I was fit for the job built for me by them..." Harry placed his hand on Draco's shoulder, startling him as he looked up, "Then I realized that who I was and who I wanted to be was much more important than what the rest of the world thought of me," he finished softly.
Draco looked up through his shielded silver eyes at Harry's emerald ones, once again pouring so much undivided passion from them without restraint or shame. The boy wore his emotions on his sleeve, unafraid to be punished or hurt for it. Draco admired him in some way, for being brave enough to do that, but he still also thought it was stupidity. But Harry's words spoke some truth to Draco, and how much he longed to be able to just swallow his fear of reprisal and go for what he wanted.
He decided now was a good as time as any to test it out, see if it was more beneficial to throw all caution to the wind. Draco took a deep breath and without breaking eye contact with Harry he leaned forward, turning from sitting down until he was on his knees, kneeling in front of the brunette. Harry was looking up at him with a gentle, serene smile and bloodshot eyes that were half-covered by his raven fringe.
Draco reached out and brushed it back, he felt his restraint and mask falling to pieces as Harry leaned ever so slightly forward, inclining his head upwards at the taller boy. Neither knew who completed the distance between them, but suddenly their lips were pressed against one another. Draco's hand still lingered on the side of Harry's face gently, his finger twirled around a thick strand of hair that felt like silk in his hands. He ran his tongue along Harry's lower lip, immediately gaining access into his mouth as he began exploring it.
Harry released a low moan that had been growing in his chest, and in one quick movement he swept Draco onto his lap and put his arms around the thinner body.
Having lost all train of thought at the other boy's moan, Draco dug his digits further into Harry's hair and gripped lightly onto his shoulder, nipping, licking and biting at his mouth.
They kissed like that for what seemed like hours, though it was only a couple of minutes. When Harry's mind finally clicked back into working out and the haze was slightly lifted, he pulled back slightly causing Draco to draw back to take a good look at him. Harry's cheeks were flushed and his lips were plump now from the snogging, he was breathing heavily.
"D-did we just...was that...Merlin...Draco, did we-?" Harry was at a slight lose for words, they stumbled nervously out of his mouth. He realized his arms were still around Draco and he quickly withdrew them.
Draco slowly slid off of Harry's lap, readjusted his clothing and snuggled his back against the tree, but this time with his shoulder pressed up against Harry's and same with his leg. Harry swallowed hard. "For somebody who reads so many books, Potter, you are not quite quick with words are you?" he teased lightly.
Harry stared like a goldfish out of water at him. Draco burst out into laughter.
"H-Honestly, Harry! Was it that bad?" he surpressed his laughter as Harry scowled at him.
"No, it wasn't," he mumbled, a deep blush covering his cheeks now as he avoided looking up from his lap most certain he would be met with Draco's eyes.
"So you liked it then?" Draco drawled, and he smirked broadly as Harry slowly nodded, "So you, Harry Potter the Wonder Boy, enjoyed snogging me, Draco Malfoy?"
Harry finally looked up to send him an icy glare, but he couldn't exactly muster all the hate behind it like he used to, "Yes! I-I liked it, alright? Didn't you?"
Draco shrugged, "Eh, it was alright,"
Harry blinked at him a few times before realizing he was joking, he blushed deeper and nudged Draco in the side. "You're an arse, y'know that Malfoy?"
"An arse that you love snogging,"
"Only to get you to shut up,"
"Please Potter, I knew you wanted me for years,"
"How could you? I only just found out myself," Harry retorted.
Draco was silenced by that, he found his stomach fluttering at Harry's admittance to wanting him. So they wanted each other, and Draco didn't feel as bad as he used to about this entire situation. He pressed himself harder up against Harry. "I have been observing you for years, Harry, I know you. I know you want me, because I know you. Better than anybody else," he purred, purposefully leaning in even closer.
"Oh yeah? What about Ron and Hermione, I bet they know..."
"That your favourite colour is Slytherin green? That you love playing Qudditch but you've always hated watching it? That you hate syrup on your pancakes, but not your hot cakes?" Draco cut him off, surprising the both of them with how much random facts he knew about Harry off the top of his head.
"How...how in the world did you know that, Malfoy?" Harry gaped.
Draco smirked, he brought his face close to Harry's and his hand up to caress the brunette's cheek softly. "You are not the only one who observes well, Harry," he closed his eyes and leaned in to bring their lips together again.
Harry was more hesitant this time, having a clearer head and all, but he didn't deny the short, sweet kiss. He felt a slight absence of comfort when Draco pulled away again with a small smile that dazzled Harry. "I think we should at least get something finished for this Charms assignment, yes?"
Harry nodded in agreement, "But first we need to talk," he added in quickly, he wanted to discuss what just happened. The two of them just couldn't snog like that and then do their homework! It just wasn't natural and there were too many questions buzzing through Harry's head.
"No, we do not actually," Draco hissed before sighing and relaxing himself again, "How about another one of those marijuana cigarettes and at least thirty minutes of work before we call it a night?" he offered.
Harry was never one to deny the chance to light up a joint, as he quickly did so. Soon all the questions he wished to be answered were forgotten.
But as they worked, Draco giggling and ranting every few minutes as Harry comfortingly listened, relaxed against the tree with his book lying open in his lap, it was hard to ignore just how close they were sitting.
Harry found it hard to concentrate on the notes he was supposed to be taking about the Mental Constriction Charm when Draco's hand just wouldn't seem to leave his leg alone, no matter how many times he shook it off.
