Velvet Persuasion

Chapter Seven:

"You weren't at breakfast this morning."

"Draco, the only reason why I've even been to breakfast lately is Harry."

"You said that you two weren't going to do anything."

Blaise smiled. They were in Potions again, and Severus had given them busy work—summoning an entire chapter from their potions text, with a partner. Of course, Draco did not hesitate in attaching himself to Blaise; in fact, they'd already been sitting beside one another.

"With Harry," Blaise said. "I said I wouldn't do anything with Harry."

Draco sighed. "If you needed a pick-me-up that badly, you could've gotten me."

"Blaise rolled his eyes. "No. You pry, Draco. I wanted someone who wouldn't ask question."

"So…?"

"I thought to see Snape…but I turned around when I got to his door."

"I was right down the hall!" Draco hissed. Numerous eyes turned their way, including Harry's. Blaise made eyes contact with the Gryffindor for a moment before looking back at Draco.

"I went to see Lupin instead," he whispered.

Draco gasped silently. "But I thought—"

"Yes, that he wasn't sure? Well, he's not anymore. At least, he was sure enough to let me into his quarters past midnight."

"You know, it won't last with Lupin; you know he's plagued with guilt."

"I won't worry about that now. He's actually pretty tender. Complete opposite of Severus. You'd think I was his first, how gentle he was. First time I ever topped a Professor."

"You topped Lupin?"

"It really wasn't hard…he let me. I have to talk to him soon; he was pretty down in the dumps."

"To the point where he'd let you top him, apparently," Draco shook his head. "I don't want him anymore."

"…are you seeing anyone tonight?"

"Not as of now. Too early to tell."

"If you're not asked by six, stay with me. We're having a small party in Hogsmeade. You know how to get there."

"Another whore party in Hogsmeade. You know how to get there."

"Why not? Cho is supposed—"

"Cho? You know how much I don't like—"

"Well, get over it. Do something for yourself. Have a little fun. The party will only be half as good without you."

"…I'll be busy tonight."

"Blaise…" Draco sighed. "…then don't come. See if I care."

"Don't care. Lying to yourself is a serious problem."

"So is being easy, but you're in the same boat, then."

Unable to think of a comeback, Draco said, "Cho likes you, Blaise—let go for a moment, will you?"

Blaise stood. "Don't ever suggest that to me again!"

Silence ensued, during which the entire class, Snape included, looked at Blaise in bewilderment. Blaise didn't seem to notice, only turning in Snape's direction to receive his 'punishment'.

"Mister Zabini," Snape said in his calm but deadly voice, "Whatever quarrel is occurring between you and Mister Malfoy, I suggest that you halt it right now. Zabini, I will see you after class. Sit down."

Draco blinked as Blaise did as he was told, speaking in whispers to Blaise as though nothing had happened.

"I guess Severus really wants to see you again, hmm?"

(scene shift)

After the outburst from Blaise, Harry was officially concerned. What did Draco say to elicit such a reaction from Blaise? And then, now that Harry thought about it, why was Draco the only one who could get a reaction like that?

It was Blaise. Blaise knew why, and if Harry left things up to the Slytherin, he would never know.

He was hiding something.

After class, Harry decided to wait for Blaise, to ask him about that—

He wasn't the only one waiting.

Draco, after closing the door to the classroom—for some reason or another, he was always the last to leave—leaned against it as though guarding something while glaring at Harry, who leaned on the opposite wall.

"What do you want, Potter?"

Harry replied without shifting, "I'm waiting for Blaise. I want to talk to him."

Draco snorted. "Setting up another all nighter?"

Harry should have expected Draco to have known about that. "No, not that it's any of your business."

Draco gave a twisted smiled, as if laughing cruelly at an inside joke only he understood. "He's mine," Draco said. Then the smiled disappeared. "Blaise is mine, Harry. It doesn't matter how long he sleeps with you, or anyone else for that matter. Blaise belongs to me, and there is nothing you can bloody do about it, I want you to know."

And Harry could tell that he was dead serious.

…wait. Did he just call me, 'Harry'?

Both to that thought and Draco, he answered, "I don't care."

"Oh, you will, Potter. Just don't forget. He's mine, and I won't let you take him from me."

Harry's retort was interrupted by a small crash and a yell from inside the classroom.

"Wow, Snape must be mad…" Harry muttered.

Draco laughed that laugh again, from before, but said nothing.

Then the door knob fidgeted, and Draco moved aside as it opened, and Blaise emerged, a slight blush on his cheeks.

"Sorry, Professor!" he shouted into the room before he closed the door. He faced the pair waiting for him, and the blush dissolved. "Harry? Need something?" Blaise flashed a glare at Draco, which was ignored.

"Just wanted to know how much trouble you were in. You seemed really upset."

"…just a lecture." Blaise said.

"Of course…" Harry muttered. "I'd get detention if it were me."

Draco looked utterly uncomfortable, standing there hand having to witness a conversation between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin. He looked as though he wanted to hit Harry in the face and tell him to bugger off.

Blaise smiled. "Remember," he said softly, in a way that Draco wished he friend would not address Harry, "I said I'd cover for you if you were caught."

Harry blushed slightly, eyes traveling to Blaise's left hand. The scar was still there.

"Sorry for interrupting the moment, gentleman," Draco snapped, "But Blaise, we have a class to get to."

Blaise turned to Draco. "Alright. I guess I'll see you later, Harry," he added with a smile.

Harry smiled back, and just to spite Draco, pecked Blaise on the cheek before turning to walk away.

So Blaise belonged to Draco, huh? He would see about that.


A/N: This chapter is not actually much of anything. Just a bit of filler transition for the story. I was thinking about integrating it with chapter eight, but it would just be too long. I also thought to be rid of it and adjust the story with the lost time slot, but I just thought it was funnier this way. Harry actually believing that Snape was 'yelling' or 'lecturing' Blaise in that room, even after the random crash of objects inside, is hilarious to me. I think this is also a good transition to Draco in the story, as he hasn't been too involved until this point. You'll see.