A/N: Wow! You guys don't k rw how extremely happy you made me with all the reviews I received from the last chapter. It truly made my day. Like I said before, reviews really give me inspiration to write more which is why you're receiving a faster update. Keep them coming! Now…on with the story
Chapter 8: CloserHarry was sitting with the rest of the Gryffindors in the Great Hall for breakfast when the morning post arrived. Reflectively, he looked up for any sign of Hedwig's snow white form amongst the other owls. Suprisingly enough, she was there flying towards him, a letter attached to her leg.
"Hey there girl" Harry reached up to stroke her downy soft feathers and offered her a piece of bacon. "What have you got there for me?" He carefully relieved her of the letter, curious as to who would be writing to him.
Harry,
If you're not busy after classes this afternoon, I thought you'd like to join me for tea. You can send a reply with your owl if you cannot attend. If I receive no reply then I will take it to assume I can expect you later today.
Severus
Harry finished reading the note, a small smile gracing his features. He was extremely glad that the relationship he had formed with Severus was continuing. He had been slightly afraid that when they returned to Hogwarts that Snape would revert back to the cruel treatment he had inflicted on Harry the previous years they had known each other. Over the summer Harry had realised that he relied on Severus much in the same way a son would rely on their own father. Their relationship was different than the one he had formed with Sirius, and even that of Remus. He could expect Snape to truly state what he felt without holding back whether or not it might hurt Harry's feelings.
It had taken him a while to understand that Severus wasn't trying to hurt Harry or demean him by constantly staying on him. He was doing it so that Harry wouldn't settle for anything less than his absolute best. If it wasn't for Severus, Harry didn't doubt that he would have failed in the final battle. Every day Snape would work with him. He wouldn't only train him in defense, but offense as well. He taught him potions, healing, charms, occlumency, and most importantly life lessons.
Harry never realised how much knowledge he truly lacked about the wizarding world. Ever since he found out he was a wizard people had fawned all over him. In the majority of the publics eyes he could do no wrong. No one really ever grasped the fact that Harry had no idea about so many things regarding magic. There was never anyone to sit down and thouroughly explain the different customs and traditions of wizarding families. The only thing people seemed to care about was whether or not he could save them from Voldemort. All they truly seemed to instill in him was who was on his side and who wasn't. Who was good and who was evil. Many of those notions he had recently come to dismiss.
After he had explained to Severus about his life before Hogwarts while living with the Dursley's,and how much he truly hated all the attention he received from the public and media, things changed drastically between them. Severus had even apologised for his rush to judgement of Harry. That had truly thrown him for a loop. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever expected to hear an apology from the mouth of one Severus Snape. And directed at him no less! If anyone had told him that six years ago he would have laughed in their face.
Severus had explained to him everything he could about the history of magic and the wizarding world in general. He had stressed the importance of this as the basis for Harry's training. Harry soon realised how true Severus was when he explained that the more he understood about his magic, the easier it would be to control and direct it.
One of the most important things Harry learned was about the ill conceived notion of light vs. dark his first year, it had been drilled into him that only light magic was good and anyone who used dark magic was evil. It didn't take much for him to believe this considering how Voldemort and his Death Eaters were killing and torturing everyone around him. With much explaining and patience on Severus' part he had shown Harry how it wasn't the magic that was evil and dark, but the people whose intent it was to use it to harm others. He had learned that magic in general is just that, magic. This was key in helping with his victory. After finally grasping the fact that how you decide to use the magic given to you is what matters, he could stop limiting himself to what most considered "light" magic. Harry knew he was only using all the resources available to him for the good of all wizard kind.
He never dared however, to get into the discussion with Ron and Hermione. He knew they wouldn't understand his point of view. Especially considering who he had gained that new perspective from. He didn't really know why he kept his relationship with Severus from them. He just felt that they wouldn't really accept it, particularly Ron. Harry just figured this was one secret better kept to himself.
Breaking out of his rambling thoughts, Harry realised someone was poking him in his side. He looked over to see Ron giving him a frustrated look.
"Will you wake up Harry! I thought I'd never get your attention. Come on, we have to get to Herbology or we'll be late."
"Sorry Ron, guess I just spaced out for a minute." Harry said sheepishly
"I'll say."Ron grumbled
The trio got up from the table and made their way quickly down to the greenhouses on the grounds. Entering the first one they say that Neville was already there waiting for class to begin.
"Hey there Neville." Harry sat down beside the boy. He really didn't feel up to dealing with Ron's questions or Hermione's pestering about his actions earlier in the Great Hall so early in the day.
"Hiya Harry."
"You don't mind being my partner today do you Neville?"
"O no…not at all. I just thought you'd want to work with Ron or Hermione, but I'm fine with being your partner."
"Yeah..err..thanks. I just didn't really feel like working with them today."
"O okay"
Harry was thankful that Neville was never one to question his friends' actions. It didn't hurt in the least that the boy was also fairly good at Herbology.
After class was dismissed, Harry didn't bother to hope for a quick escape, he knew it would be fruitless.
"Harry! Wait up"
Harry slowed down his steps so the two could catch up to him.
"Hey! What was that about earlier?"
"What are you talking about Ron?"
"What am I talking about?!? Umm let's see…how about you ditching us to work with Neville?" The red head seemed to be getting more irritated by the minute at Harry's seeming obliviousness.
"It was nothing Ron. Can't I work with someone else for a change? Besides, Neville's really good at Herbology." Harry tried to shrug it off.
Ron opened his mouth to retort but before he had a chance Hermione cut him off.
"What's wrong Harry? You seem more distant than normal. I saw how unusually quiet you were at breakfast this morning."
Merlin can they ever just let things go? At their continued pestering, Harry was steadily growing more agitated.
"Why do you always seem to think something has to be wrong just because I'm not being Mr. Chatter Box? Can't I just be a little less talkative every once in a while?
Both Ron and Hermione stepped back at Harry's forceful tone. Ron looked as though he was going to just ignore it and drop the subject, but of course Harry's reaction only seemed to confirm Hermione's guess that something was wrong with Harry.
"Harry you know it's not good to bottle up your emotions like that. I think you need to talk to someone. Maybe Dumbledore? Is this about Halloween coming up?"
Harry flinched as though she had slapped him. He REALLY didn't feel like getting into this conversation again. Taking deep breaths to calm himself before he did something he regretted, Harry looked at his two friends with barely concealed anger.
"No. This is not about Halloween coming up. Now if you don't mind, I need to go. I'll see you guys later."
Before they had a chance to react to his quick dismissal he walked quickly up the path making his way back towards the castle.
DHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD
After leaving Ron and Hermione, Harry decided to skip the rest of his morning classes. The way his mood was at the present time, it would probably have led him to snapping at someone for the slightest infraction. He really wasn't feeling up to having to apologise to anyone else later.
He spent the time down by the lake trying to sort out his jumbled thoughts. One benefit of the hours of practice for occlumency, was that now he knew how to compartmentalise his thoughts. He could separate certain thoughts and store them away to different areas of his mind. It really helped with the over crowding. After a few hours, Harry realised he might have overreacted just a bit with his two friends. True, they were being pesky and overbearing as usual, but he understood that it was because of their overall concern for him. He just wished that they would take his word sometime and back off a little. He was an adult for Merlin's sake. He could take care of himself and make his own decisions.
The thing that really irked him however, was the fact that Hermione had brought up Halloween as a factor. The anniversary of his parents' death was an extremely touchy subject for him. At the time he was arguing with his friends, he honestly hadn't even thought about how close the date was. Maybe his subconscious was giving him a subtle reminder.
And here my day started off so well
The note from Severus had actually been the best thing to happen all day. Looking down at his wrist watch he'd received as a birthday gift from Lupin he noticed it was almost time for lunch. He really didn't want to go up and have to face the others at the moment, but his growling stomach told him that he'd do it anyway.
Entering the Great Hall he spotted Ron and Hermione in their usual spot with an empty space in between them. Making his way over to them he mentally decided to bite the bullet and just apologise. It would be the quickest way to get over the incedent this morning.
"Hey guys. Sorry about earlier."
"It's all right mate, we were just worried about you."
"It's fine Harry. We know how you get at this time of year. We won't push anymore." Harry gritted his teeth after Hermione's comments about "this time of year".
"No problem guys, let's just forget about it."
The rest of lunch was spent in a comfortable silence. Ten minutes before lunch was over Harry started packing up his things to make his way to Severus' personal quarters for their meeting.
"Where are you headed of to mate?"
Harry wasn't about to tell them where he was actually going
"I have a meeting to get too"
After a slight pause, the two must have realised he wasn't going to elaborate. Hermione cleared her throat and spoke up
"So, who exactly is this meeting with?"
"Just a friend I'd agreed to meet earlier"
This vague answer seemed to irritate Hermione even more, but Harry really couldn't be bothered with caring at the moment. He didn't want to be late to meet Severus, so with a slight wave he made his way out of the hall.
DHDHDHDHDHDHHDHDHDHHDHDDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDH
Harry took about a minute outside Snape's door to calm himself before knocking. It wouldn't do good at all to go in there with the mood he was in. After taking a couple more deep breaths he finally knocked.
Almost instantly he heard the unmistakable drawl of Several
"Enter"
Harry opened the door and walked in to greet his mentor.
"Hello Severus. I was pleasantly surprised to receive your invitation this morning."
"Yes well I wasn't too sure you'd actually be joining me for a minute there. I thought the allure of my door would be too enticing for you to bother with actually coming inside" Snape smirked
Leave it up to Severus to have surveillance charms on his room. Harry's face burned from getting caught lingering outside the door.
"Well let's have a seat, shall we Harry"
"Okay"
After pouring each of them a cup of tea, Severus began the conversation
"So, how has the start of the year been for you Harry?"
"It's been okay so far. Apart from that horrid project you assigned us of course." Harry sent a mock glare Severus' way.
"Yes I'm sure. I only hope you and Draco aren't spending your meeting time at each others' throats. That wouldn't be too productive now would it?" Snape chuckled lightly.
"No we actually seem to be getting along rather well. A far cry from what could be expected of us a few years ago anyway. He's fairly good at potions which helps a lot."
"Yes of course. Could you expect anything less with me being the one to teach him everything he knows?"
"Well you've also taught ME everything I know, so what's your excuse there?" Harry quipped with a slight smirk
"Yes well, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be nearly as good as Draco." Snape sounded so confident that Harry didn't doubt his words.
"Now. Enough about classes and such, what's been going on with everything else? I heard something about you getting injured during quidditch tryouts?" Harry didn't fail to notice the look of corcern that crossed Severus' face.
"It was nothing major really. Draco actually caught me before anything serious could happen."
"Draco?!?! Merlin what is the world coming to? Well I guess I'm at least thankful that you didn't have to rely on the Weasley to save you." Snape sneered at the very thought
Harry just shook his head. He wouldn't dare hold his breath for an amicable relationship between Ron and Severus.
"So have you been in contact with the wolf lately?"
Harry was thrown a little at the abrupt change of subject.
"Erm…no. Not since the first week anyway. Why?"
"No particular reason really. I just wanted to see what the effects of the latest batch of Wolfsbane were."
Harry quirked an eyebrow. Severus had been inquiring about Remus more often lately. His usual excuse of the potion he prepared for Lupin was steadily becoming more unbelievable. Harry mentally filed it away to go over more later.
"Right. Well how about you just send him an owl?"
"I will do no such thing! I have no desire to talk to the wolf directly." Snape sneered at the very thought, but Harry could see a light tensing of his shoulders that made him suspect there was something more to Severus' words.
"Okay fine. If you want I can send him a letter."
"Good. But don't you dare mention that I am the one actually asking about his health"
"Err…okay" This was really starting to confuse Harry, and only helped to bring about more questions in his mind.
What in Merlin's name is going on with Remus and Severus?
He vowed to be more observant when he got them around each other again.
Harry spent another half an hour with Severus, discussing various things. After promising to visit again in the near future he made his way back to Gryffindor Tower.
DHDHDHDDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD
"Harry mate, why can't you at least come down to the feast? You don't have to attend the dance afterwards if you don't want too." Ron was beginning to remind him of a five year old whining about a broken toy.
"I'm just not in the mood to be around a lot of people tonight Ron"
"Harry I think it would probably be better for you to be around your friends tonight. Don't you think it's about time you started working towards getting over this?" Hermione's tone made him believe that she truly thought she had the best solution to his problem.
Her words only managed to increase his growing anger.
"Look. I said that I just wanted to be left alone okay. Can't you understand that? And no Hermione I don't think it's about time I get over this, excuse me if my parent's murders are just a little too big to get over"
"That's not what I meant Harry! I'm just saying that it's about time you let us help you with dealing with it."
Harry sighed. He really didn't feel up to having a row with these two tonight.
"I know that's not what you meant 'Mione, I'm just a little on edge right now okay. Just leave me alone for a bit. I know you guys want to help but this is just something I'd rather handle alone okay?"
Hermione looked like she wanted to continue the discussion, but a look from Ron silenced any further comments she planned on making.
"Harry!"
Harry turned to see Ginny coming down from the girls' dormitory. She was dressed in a pale pink slinky halter dress. Her hair was done up in a sophisticated bun on top of her head with curls on either side of her face. As she made her way over to him, she frowned slightly after taking in his attire.
"Harry, why are you not dressed yet? Don't you know the feast starts in twenty minutes?"
"I'm not going to the feast Ginny." Harry sighed thinking of the unavoidable argument ahead.
"What do you mean you're not going to the feast? You have to go!"
"I do not HAVE to go Ginny. Furthermore I won't be attending the dance either. I'm sorry."
At the mention of him not taking her to the Halloween dance, Ginny's face became three shades redder.
"WHAT? You have to take me! You're my boyfriend for crying out loud!!! This is unacceptable Harry. You will take me. I demand it!" Ginny crossed her arms and gave Harry a glare that could rival Severus'.
"No Ginny. I'm not going, and that's final. I'm sorry to disappoint you. Maybe you could find someone else to take you as a friend. Maybe Neville?"
Bad move
If possible, Ginny's face became even more red
"You think you can just hand me off to someone else?!?! How DARE you!!! If you don't take me to that dance then we are through. Do you hear me Harry Potter?" Ginny gave him a slight smirk that showed she thought she had just gained the upper hand in this conversation. She didn't think he would possibly turn her down now with the threat that she would possibly break up with him.
"If you can't understand that I don't want to go tonight of all nights, then maybe you don't know me too well Ginny. I'm not going tonight. No matter what you threaten me with. If you want to break up with me because of that then fine."
The look of utmost shock crossed Ginny's face. She couldn't believe it. She didn't really think Harry would actually still turn her down after that threat. What could she do now? She absolutely couldn't go to that dance without Harry Potter on her arm. This is what she had waited for, to be able to show off her famous boyfriend and be the envy of everyone at Hogwarts. She quickly switched tactics.
"Please Harry. Can't you just go for a little while? Maybe an hour. That wouldn't be so bad would it?" She begged hoping that he would change his mind and take her.
"I'm sorry Ginny. I just can't okay." Harry didn't want to continue going in circles with her. He needed to get out of here. It was becoming way too stifling.
"I have to go. I'll talk to you later." He turned to make a quick escape.
"Where do you think you're going Harry! Come back here this instant!!!" Ginny screeched.
Harry just kept walking. He really didn't have a destination in mind, but anywhere was better than going back to the crowded common room.
DHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDH
He had been sitting here for hours. The moonlight reflected off the lake casting shadows all around him. This was his spot. His own personal place where he could just get away from everyone for a while and just think. He never shared this place with anyone. It was for him alone.
He guessed the dance was in full effect by now. The feast had ended about two hours ago. Everyone would be laughing and dancing by now, having a great time. Everyone was happy and merry, everyone except him. Here he was, all alone with his depressing thoughts.
"Well, I never took you for the emo type" a voice drawled from the shadows.
Harry quckly drew his wand and pointed it in the direction the voice had come from. From the shadows a figure stepped out into the moonlight.
"What the hell Malfoy! Are you trying to give me a heartattack?" Harry shouted, breaking the peaceful silence
Draco chuckled lightly
"No not at all. Just wondering why you're out here all alone looking so depressed and gloomy."
"It's really none of your business" Harry snapped.
"True" Draco shrugged
After a few moments of silence Harry expected Malfoy to turn and head back to the castle. No such luck. The blond haired Slytherin took it upon himself to plop down right beside Harry.
"Any particular reason you're inviting yourself to join me?" Harry asked
"Well since you seem to be lacking those manner things, I figured I'd take it upon myself to have a seat."
"Why are you here Malfoy? I thought you would have been up at the castle with everyone else having the time of your life"
"Sorry to disappoint, but that's not really my thing. I decided to come out here for a bit of solitude. I didn't really expect to find you out here being all emoish though." He gave Harry a small smirk
"I am NOT emo!"
"Could've fooled me. I distinctly felt the waves of self-pitying and depression rolling off you twenty feet away."
"Shut it Malfoy"
Draco shrugged again. Not fased in the least by Harry's attitude.
"So I guess you're going to take it upon yourself and try to figure out what's wrong with me and tell me everythings going to be okay, hmm?" Harry asked
"Nope. Wasn't planning on it."
Harry looked at the boy beside him sceptively
"You weren't?"
"Why in Salazar's name would I do that? I'm not wearing any rose colored glasses to think that everythings going to be all right in the world. Why would I tell you that it is? And I really don't care to know what's bothering you. Sorry if you expected me to delve into your life."
Harry was reeling. He had never had anyone who didn't care to bother him about his problems. It was refreshing
"Oh okay then."
The two boys sat there for a while in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable. Harry found that he truly appreciated having Malfoy there for some strange reason. It didn't seem to be as bad as it usually was on this night. True to his word Draco never once asked Harry about why he was there all alone or what was bothering him. Harry silently thanked him for that. He got enough of those questions from his friends.
After a while the two talked about inconsiquential things. Classes, quidditch, how awful Madam Puddifoots decorations were. Neither boy wanted to discuss anything too serious. There were here to escape those discussions so there was no need to bring them up. The hours passed by rapidly with the two sharing thoughts and laughter. No one would have believed it unless they witnessed it for themselves.
Glancing at his watch Harry realised that the dance had ended hours ago and everyone would now be back in their dormitories.
"Merlin! We've gotta get back it's after curfew!"
"What? I didn't know it was that late. How long have we been out here?" Draco scrambled to his feet
"No idea, but we have to sneak back in. If Filch catches us we're dead meat"
The two boys quickly made their way up to the castle and quietly entered the main doors. Luckily Harry had brought his Marauder's Map with him.
"I solmnely swear I am up to no good" He whispered quietly and tapped the map with his wand.
Draco looked over his shoulder at the map
"Well no wonder you never get caught sneaking around after hours" He quirked an eyebrow at Harry
"Yea well now you know my secret" Harry smirked back at him
Scanning quickly over the map he saw the hallway ahead was clear and beckoned Draco to follow him.
They made it easily to the Defense corridor without incident but as they were turning the corner they heard a distinct "meow" behind them. Cursing they sprinted quickly to the empty broom closet ahead.
Scrambling inside they quickly shut the door behind them. Both boys were trying to catch their breath after the quick sprint to safety.
"Merlin that was a close call" Draco got out between breaths
"I'll say. That damn cat…" Harry turned only to realise how small the closet was. There was barely any room to move, and very little space between him and Draco. Suddenly the closet seemed more stifling than it had previously
Through the darkness he could see the stormy grey pools that were Draco's eyes. The color in his cheeks was still evidence of the short sprint they had just taken. Unconsciously, Harry's eyes drifted down to the full parted lips and the pink tongue that darted out to wet them. Harry soon found his breathing had become much more shallow. He darted a quick look up to those silver orbes again, only to find that they had darkened considerably with some unknown emotion.
Harry didn't know if his mind was functioning correctly, but it seemed the distance between them was slowly getting smaller and smaller.
There was less than two inches between them now, and Harry couldn't stop the traitorous hand reaching up to run through those soft silky strands of blond hair. He could feel Draco's breath across his face now. The small bursts of warmth were making his hair stand on end and small shivers of desire course through his body. All he could think about was how good Draco had looked in the throws of ecstacy. He wanted to make him moan like that. To take him over the edge…..
Woah!!! What the fuck am I thinking?!?!?!
Harry jumped back as if bitten. Taking great lung fulls of oxygen he forced himself to get a grip.
Merlin what is happening to me? What is Malfoy doing to me? I don't want him like that. Do I? NO! Of course not. It's just this stuffy room. I'm not getting enough oxygen to my brain. I've gotta get out of here before I do something crazy.
Harry jerked the door open and sprinted out. Filch or no Filch he wasn't staying in that closet with Malfoy any longer.
DHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD
DRACO'S POV
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck….Salazar I'm completely losing my mind. What the bloody hell was I thinking?!?! About to kiss Potter? Potter for Merlins sake!!! I'm going loco.
After Potter had sprinted out of the closet like the demons of hell were on his back, Draco made his way back to the dungeons as quickly as possible. That was nearly an hour ago and here he was still looking up at the canopy of his bed thinking about what had nearly happened between him and Potter.
Well at least I'm not the only one going crazy, Potter didn't seem to want to back off either. What is going on here? It's like everytime I turn around me and PotHead are thrown together. I can't get rid of the specticled git. It doesn't help that I seem to lose all rational thought every time he's around either. I have to get over this madness. It's extremely unbecoming of a Malfoy.
Draco vowed to himself that he would get over this crazy new facination he had with Potter. He wouldn't let it go any further. He would banish these vile thoughts going through his head about how beautiful those emerald green eyes looked, and how good it felt to have those fingers running through his hair, and how much he wanted to suck on that bit of tanned skin between his neck and shoulder….
NOOOO!!!! Stop thinking that right now! Oh man, what am I going to do. I have ot stop thinking like this. There's only one solution…I have to shag Potter. As crazy as it is, that's the only way to overcome these urges. If I shag the git then it'll leave my system, right? Right.
Satisfied with his solution, Draco began plotting just how to succeed in getting Potter in his bed.
A/N:Okay! I'm going to stop it right there. LOL. Sorry I was going to write more to this chapter but I figured this was a a good stopping point. R & R please! It definitely motivates me to write more. Also I'm starting a new fic. It's going to be a Twilight Jake/Edward fic for those of you interested. Im not sure yet whether or not it'll be a chaptered fic or a really long one shot. I'll keep you updated
