Author's note: I absolutely hate that I am the queen of procrastination right now! I promised myself that I would finish this story no matter what and here I am, failing after 6 chapters. You have every right to be disappointed. (And the H key on my laptop is being obstinate, so please forgive any mistakes…)Okay, onward.
Harry stood in the corridor, looking at the fat lady, and could not find one reason why he wanted to be in the common room. The fat lady looked at him expectantly, waiting for the password, but Harry smiled vaguely at her and spun on his heel, walking back down the staircase.
"Harry dear, is everything all right?" she hollered after him.
"Lovely, thanks. I just forgot…" He let his voice trail off. I just forgot that none of my actual friends are in there right now, and I don't really feel like facing anybody else. His wanderings led him down to the great hall, now empty. It really was a great cavernous space, without everybody crammed into it at mealtimes. Looking at the enchanted ceiling, Harry decided that flying could be nice, and set off toward the pitch.
Feel like getting there yourself, or shall I carry your majesty? Harry asked.
I believe I'll stay here. Why exert myself unnecessarily? Pockets said.
Should have known. The light breeze ruffled Harry's hair around, and he wished it was long enough to tie back or short enough that it wouldn't get in his eyes. There were a few people scattered around the grounds; hanging out by the lake, reading under a tree, meandering around just to be out of the castle. He spotted Malfoy's bright air and saw that he was waving Pansy over. Without thinking about it, Harry altered his course across the thick grass towards him.
"Malfoy," Harry said when he was close enough. The blond turned around and smiled.
"Hello Harry. How are you doing?"
"Hey Potty, what's up?" Pansy said as she joined them. Harry turned to her, slightly incredulous.
"Oh, er, hi Parkinson." She wrinkled her nose.
"Call me Pansy, please, especially if you're being civil to this git now." She nodded affectionately to Malfoy.
"Okay, Pansy…"
"Hey, I was going to ask Pansy if she wanted to mess around on the pitch with me, but do you want to instead?" Draco said, looking at Harry.
"Propositioning a Gryffindor, Drakey? I thought you had some standards!" Pansy laughed. Harry blushed- Surely, Malfoy didn't just ask him if he wanted to…
"Pansy! There are impressionable ears around!" Draco said, looking teasingly at Harry.
"Um," Harry said.
"To fly, you dolt, not have sex in the dirt," Draco said, then laughed at the relief on Harry's face.
"Right then. Sure. Flying." Harry wasn't sure if he was more relieved that Draco hadn't asked him to do that or that Draco didn't plan on doing it on the ground.
"You two have fun then," Pansy said, and flounced off.
When the two boys got to the pitch, Pockets decided it was time he spoke up.
You are not getting on a broom with me, Potter.
Then get off me, Pockets. I'm not restraining you. Harry smiled as Pockets streaked out of his pocket and away into the grass, then blushed as he put the thought of restraining into a different context… It was only because Malfoy brought it up, Harry thought to himself. That's why I'm imagining Draco tied to his bedposts. Right.
oOoOoOoOo
"Bloody hell, Potty!" Draco wheezed as he lay spread-eagle on the ground, Harry a few feet away in the same position.
"I know. That was intense," Harry said. He was quiet for a moment, enjoying the sweet breeze across his sweaty face and the joy of being still. The snitch fluttered a bit in his palm, then curled its wings in and lay still. Harry tilted his head up, probably grinding more dirt and grime into his hair, to look at Draco. He lay with one forearm tossed over his eyes against the sun, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His lips were parted with his breath.
Draco turned his head suddenly, revealing one heavy-lidded eye from under his sleeve, and Harry smiled at him.
"I'm glad you made the effort to be my friend," Harry blurted without preamble.
"Me too." Draco paused, then said, "But you still beat me. I was hoping that without the animosity you'd have less reason to try so hard."
"Unless it's just skill," Harry teased.
"Right. You, talent."
"Just admit it,"
"Never."
"It was pretty close, though. You have just as much talent as I do. Just no luck," Harry said. He had thought that the game was Malfoy's until he felt the cool metal snitch against his fingers. Draco let out a dramatic, blustery sigh.
"Some people have got all the luck in the world," he complained. "But… wait, was that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it, Draco."
"Sure, sure. Since when am I used to receiving compliments?" Harry just laughed. Draco tried to look offended for a moment before chuckling as well.
"Whatever Potter, I'll beat you one day and then you'll have nothing to chuckle at,"
Author's note: I know you'll hate me forever for the inexcusably sort chapter, but the next one is already being written and it's going to be longer. Pinky swear! (And you can take that to the bank.)