A/N: This should have been out the other day, but things stopped that from happening. And again, this is the longest chapter yet! Ramblings aside. Anyway, please note that Harry's glasses were removed during his… activities with Draco last chapter. Let's pretend that Harry is nearsighted to the point where he can see things at close range just fine and it's far distances that he needs them for. I'm not sure if that's canon, I'm almost positive it's not, but we're pretending, kay? Also, since I happen to be a pyromaniac, expect many fire related jokes/analogies/similes/(extended) metaphors.


Waking Up

Chapter 9: Surprise Surprise.

Draco lounged against Harry for a long while, even after they'd both more than caught their breath. He couldn't decide why, but he enjoyed being this close to Harry like he'd enjoyed being with no other. He didn't even mind showing Harry his submissive streak. He figured it was because Harry would not see it as a weakness, nor would he use it against him.

His mouth was still resting lightly against Harry's neck, so he pressed another kiss to it before moving. When Draco sat up and made to lean back, Harry's arms quickly came around his waist. Probably to stop him from rising. Apparently the raven was not so keen on relinquishing Draco's closeness yet, either.

Draco looked at Harry's face, its process of growing from boy to man. Hardening chin line. Strong cheekbones. Squaring forehead. Straight nose. Firm mouth. Intense eyes.

Piercing eyes, still unhindered by glasses. Eyes that cut right into the center of Draco. He peered into those eyes, gray into green, and felt like his every thought and secret was put on display for his partner just then. Draco thought Harry saw far too much of him when their gazes locked like that.

The emotions this stirred in him quickly became too much for the blond. The intrusion was no longer welcome. To combat the feelings, to put the two back on track, to correct their equilibrium, Draco teased him. It was the only way he knew to get them back to a level he understood.

"It's a dangerous creature you've captured here," he said in a mock serious tone with a slightly narrowed gaze, mischief evident in his eyes.

Those green eyes, that were only moments ago staring through Draco like they could read his soul, warmed considerably. They were now laughing at him.

"Oh trust me, I know," Harry began, tightening his hold on Draco's waist momentarily. "But dragons don't scare me. I fought one fourth year, remember?"

Draco just blinked at him. He'd never expected Harry to call him a dragon. It was what his name translated to from Latin, but he didn't expect Harry to know that. Or maybe it held some other significance for the raven. After all, his nicknames for Harry certainly did. He'd contemplate that later, though.

"Not afraid of being cut or burned?" he asked instead.

Harry laughed before giving him a brief kiss. "Been there, done that," he said.

Draco just blinked again at what had to be a muggle phrasing. He'd never heard it before.

"Your sharp tongue has cut me down more times than I care to count," Harry continued.

Draco could hardly argue that point.

"As for burned…" Harry trailed off.

Draco just looked at him questioningly. He didn't have to wait long for an answer, though. Eyes heating back up almost instantaneously, Harry smashed their lips together in a kiss that scorched. It set fire to almost every thought Draco currently had in his head until they were a smoldering pile of ash. The only thought left to him before he succumbed to the heat was, "Yes. I can see how we burn."


Some indeterminate amount of time later, after kissing had turned into groping had turned into petting had turned into two more orgasms apiece, the boys were lounging against the couch, Harry draped over Draco for a change.

Draco was running his hands through Harry's hair from where the raven lay atop him, head on his chest. He let his fingers and eyes skim lightly over the marks he'd made on Harry's neck. The first had been intentional, but the other was passion induced. He didn't even remember creating it. But he wondered when his bird would realize he had hickeys. He likely wouldn't appreciate them, but Draco didn't care currently. In his eyes, he was staking his claim.

He smirked as he thought about Harry discovering the marks. With any luck, it'd be one of his Housemates that asked him about them. Even better, if it was in a class the Gryffindors shared with Slytherin. The thought of this had Draco laughing silently, his chest shaking semi-rapidly in his mirth.

The movement caught Harry's attention and he lifted his head to look at Draco, the obvious question clearly written in his eyes.

He couldn't answer as Harry's new head angle gave him an even better look at the marks. This only caused him to laugh harder, the sounds actually escaping his mouth this time. He'd done more damage than he'd thought. There were at least three marks on Harry's neck that he could see, two on one side and one on the other. The raven would be wearing turtle necks for awhile at this rate. Draco was completely self satisfied now. Let everyone know that this bird was taken.

At Draco's increased laughter, Harry's questioning gaze adopted the raised eyebrow that Draco favored himself before he outright asked, "What's so funny?"

Draco couldn't tell him. The boy would try to find a way to hide them. He improvised.

"I was just thinking back on the Spanish Inquisition your little friends put me through," he said.

It wasn't quite a lie. He was thinking about that. Now.

Harry smirked at this. "Yes, you did give some rather…interesting answers to some of the questions. Draco Malfoy, I do think you like me. What did you call me? Pure eye candy?" He laughed.

Draco just rolled his eyes at him. "You know very well I was joking and only said those things to rile up Weasley. But I suppose you're decent enough to look at, if you've a thing for the lean, lanky type, with unruly hair."

"Ha! You're not so bad to look at, either, Malfoy. If you've got a thing for the snooty, pretty boy type," Harry answered in kind.

"I am not pretty!" Draco glared at him. "My features are characteristically aristocratic. They are a sign of my status."

"Whatever you wish to call them," Harry smiled back down at him, but brought a hand up to stroke Draco's hair.

Draco continued to glare at him for his impudence, but didn't halt his movements. They felt nice.

"I ought to cut you off for that remark. You deserve none of the pleasure I can give you," he threatened.

"You could, but you'd just be denying yourself, too," Harry retorted.

This was true. Couldn't have that, so withholding was out; but some form of punishment was due. Maybe Draco would give him a fourth hickey. He upped his glare a level in the meantime.

Harry didn't seem fazed by his demeanor because he merely laughed again before bending down to kiss Draco. And Draco let him. There was no denying he enjoyed the feelings the contact brought him. It was why they were there, after all.

Harry broke the kiss, much to the annoyance of Draco, before leaning back up to look at him. "I meant to ask you something," his raven said. "What did you mean in that note you sent me? Why did you tell me to be careful?"

Draco stared at him, waiting for some sign that he was joking. Surely Harry was not dense enough to think that they could openly see each other. That there would be no consequences to such an action.

"You want to know why we must hide?" he asked carefully. He wanted Harry to clarify his question, for surely it wasn't that broad. The raven had to know some reasons why they weren't out in the open even now.

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I know why we aren't out now. People will look at us funny and not believe it at first. You see how my friends reacted. The rest of Gryffindor is likely to be the same. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw will probably be similar, though they're apt be a lot more shocked than suspicious. I know the Slytherins won't like it because the vast majority of you hate me. Also, I'm hiding because very few people know I'm gay. It's not like I'm ashamed of it or anything, but I don't go around parading it like some of the others do. You see how Ron reacts to it sometimes. I don't feel like people treating me differently just because of who I choose to be with. And you said that only the Slytherins know you're bi, so you're probably trying to keep that under wraps still."

Draco listened to Harry's ramblings. All of his points were correct and justified. Draco was gratified and annoyed to see that Harry recognized Weasley's prejudice. But none of those reasons pointed out the obvious danger surrounding both of them individually that would only be multiplied exponentially were they to be together.

"My question is why we must hide," Harry continued. "What danger is there in people finding out besides me being shunned by some since your secret is well known among your friends? People will oppose, sure, but they're not likely to try to hurt us because of it."

Draco looked at Harry, trying to formulate a response to that. His poor, innocent, naïve Gryffindor. He had to make Harry understand that yes, people were going to verbally oppose to them seeing each other, but they were also likely to do a great deal more than that.

"Harry," he said, tone and eyes serious. "This is more serious than you take it for. Were we to come out as a couple, or even regular shag partners, people would do more than disagree. You and I, though very popular among our own Houses, are truly well hated in each other's. Your protective little Gryffindors would almost surely hex me on sight. They would not bother to question me like your friends did tonight. Even Weasley not hexing me is shocking, but I suppose they also took your happiness and opinion into account. The majority of your House would not trouble themselves to do so, simply assuming I had dastardly intentions. Frankly, the same could be said of my House. They would curse you without a second thought and be glad to do so. And that is before, during, and after they had written to their Death Eater parents telling them that I was involved with you. My father is a Death Eater, Harry, something I think you are well aware of. Were he to find out that we have even been talking in a way that suggests we do not hate each other and I have no ulterior motive behind it, he'll skin us both alive, literally. He knows a spell for it. I do not even want to imagine how the Dark Lord will react, but he'll likely order my father to order me to trap you, as Weasley suggested. In all above cases, it will not end well. That is why we must keep this a secret."

Harry looked him square in the eyes. He was quiet with a pensive mask on his face. Draco could tell he was considering his words carefully. He may not have seen the facts himself, but he was smart enough to think on them now that they had been brought to his attention.

"You're right. It's too dangerous for us to be exposed yet," he said, then gave Draco a penetrating look. "You speak as if you would object to Voldemort wanting to use you to trap me."

Draco didn't flinch at the use of the Dark Lord's name, but he sure as heck did at Harry cutting through his words like that. Got right to the point of Draco's wavering allegiance to his father's master.

Draco didn't know how to approach this one. He could tell Harry the truth- that he did not think he wanted to become a Death Eater, despite his father's wishes- but he wasn't sure. This would put him in a better position with Harry, undoubtedly, but would also likely result in Harry trying to recruit him to the side of the Light, which he wasn't sure he wanted to do, either. The reconstruction of the wizarding world, placing purebloods above all, still sounded good to Draco, he just didn't agree with the Dark Lord's way of going about it. The man seemed to be suggesting mass genocide of muggles, muggleborns, and squibs and the subjugation of halfbloods. Merlin alone knew what he planned to do with other magical creatures. And if you killed everyone off, who was left for you to be better than, exactly? Further, Draco was convinced that even if he got his way and achieved all this, the Dark Lord would still place himself above the purebloods. He would not like them on an equal footing with himself, having to share power. He had controlled it too long by himself to be willing to distribute it now. All this considered, Draco saw no real benefits to joining the Death Eater ranks, especially as he wasn't sure they'd be the victors in this war.

But what to tell Harry? He could answer the boy's question and no more- yes, he would object to being used to trap Harry. He would object to being used period. He was a Malfoy, a pureblood wizard of high social standing. He was no one's lapdog to be used to run errands or obey orders or otherwise bend to anyone else's will. Draco was not sure what to say about this theory applying to his father, who seemed to have done all of that.

But more to the point, Draco actually did oppose to Harry being trapped. They both knew "trapped" was merely a prelude to "tortured and killed," and Draco did not want that for Harry. He wasn't sure when he had started to feel that way, but it didn't matter because he did now. Like with anything else he wanted, Draco had currently staked his claim on Harry. And the rules he'd applied to Weasley and Granger applied to the Dark Lord too: no one was allowed to take that which Draco currently laid claim to. He looked back at Harry steadily.

"I would object to being used to trap you. I do not want you harmed. For now, you are mine." This solemn statement was delivered with purpose. He also noted it held promises, but didn't concentrate on those just yet. He had to stay in the moment to see Harry's reaction.

Harry's eyes had gone wide in shock and he looked into Draco's eyes critically, probably searching for any deception. He didn't appear to have found any because his face lightened as if someone flipped a switch on his smile and he kissed Draco for all he was worth.

Draco was sure they would still have more to talk about, but it could all wait. With his new conviction in place, he simply allowed Harry to lavish upon him his only partially deserved rewards until it was time they departed the room.


Harry was fairly happy that next day. He knew there was still plenty to be discussed between him and Draco, but he had a measure of hope now.

He could tell there were some uncertainties with the blond's loyalties to Voldemort. He knew it by the hesitancy with which Draco had answered his question, not to mention the uncertainties shown clearly in his eyes. He didn't even seem to be much in his father's favor currently, and Harry liked to think it was a difference in opinion of Voldemort that separated the two. But of course Draco was a Slytherin; he couldn't just come right out and say any of that.

What's more, Draco had actually claimed Harry last night, even if he had put the time restraint of "for now" on the stake. This was the real reason for Harry's joy. Deep down, Harry harbored a very real desire to belong. Not just to a place or to a crowd, but to someone special, to a family. Having never grown up with the love he knew was customary in most homes, he craved to feel that for himself and hopefully create that for someone else one day. He had found a sense of belonging with his friends. He knew they loved him and were always there for him, but it wasn't the same. He'd even found a vague sense of the family he longed for with the Weasley's, but that was still an incomplete dream, too. It wasn't quite enough; they weren't really his.

It's not that he currently deluded himself into thinking he could have a happily ever after life with Draco, but being claimed by him was a step in that direction. The serious, possessive way the blond had said it let Harry know that he'd meant it, too. The words held a world of promises behind them and Harry was quite anxious to know what they were. All of a sudden this was a lot more than just he and Draco screwing around occasionally.

And if all of that wasn't enough to put Harry in a good mood, there was also the added benefit that he had an active sex life, and that was more than enough to have any hormonal teenage boy smiling. This relationship hadn't yet gone as far as the others had eventually reached, but it was working its way there, and more quickly than the rest. Harry assumed it was because of that spark that existed between him and Draco. It had always been there when they were in contact with each other, but now it ignited something within the two that burned rapidly. It was a very consuming feeling.

Harry knew he had to think on the dangers their relationship created. He had indeed paid attention to Draco's explanation last night and had heeded it. He was still taking the warning to keep them a secret to heart and did nothing to give them away. He barely even spared Draco a glance today, even if the dragon was on his mind a great deal of the time. But ignoring him wasn't difficult as they shared no classes that day and keeping his eyes to himself and his friends in the Great Hall was no true hardship, even if the temptation to look was there. But even so, neither the risks nor the restriction killed his high.

His smile had not dimmed all day and Harry knew Ron and Hermione guessed it was put there by Draco and whatever activities the two had gotten up to last night. They were right, even if they guessed at the wrong kind of activity. Harry hadn't told them about Draco's warning or his apparent claim on himself. He thought he would soon enough, but hadn't gotten to it yet. He knew they'd both agree with the warnings Draco had presented and would use them to try to convince him to stop seeing Draco. He also knew they, or at least Ron, would not appreciate the claim Draco had placed on him, either. Or at least not the way Harry appreciated it. He'd likely try to taint it and turn it into a materialistic possessiveness rather than the emotion-based, protective claim that it was. Harry didn't know how Hermione would view it.

He was in the common room that night after dinner working on a group Herbology project with Seamus, Dean, and Neville. Since they were so close to the fire, it had gotten warm under their robes and the other boys had already forgone theirs. It was as Harry took his off and rolled up the sleeves on his jumper that Seamus spoke to him.

"What's that on your neck, Harry?" his Irish friend asked. "Looks like you have several bruises."

Harry just blinked at him. He didn't remember seeing any bruises mar his skin, but then, he rarely looked in the mirror when he got ready. He looked the same everyday so there was no real need to. If something was off with his appearance, someone would usually tell him before he left the dorm. He supposed no one had noticed today before now and assumed the robes had hidden the marks all day.

Seamus moved closer to inspect the supposed bruises at a better range. He blinked at them before his face broke out into a beaming grin.

"Blimey, Harry. Your neck is covered in hickeys!" the Irishman exclaimed. This drew several curious glances Harry's way.

Harry stared at him thunderstruck. Draco had left marks on him? Several by the sound of it.

"What?" he asked, trying to put on an incredulous mask while raising his hands to cover his neck. He had to play stupid. No one here knew he was seeing anyone, let alone the blond.

"Now, don't try to hide them, Harry," Seamus continued. "Those are right fine hickeys you've got there. Quite a mouth that put them there, too, I'd say," he added with a gleam in his eye. "Who's the lucky lady? Or bloke?" He said this last in an undertone with quite the knowing look on his face.

Harry's eyes widened further at this. How did Seamus know?

"I can spot the difference between the product of a girl's mouth to a boy's, Harry," he whispered in that same undertone. Then he grinned widely at Harry. Of course he could tell the difference. He'd given enough such marks to Dean, and likely gotten his fair share in return.

Said dark-skinned boyfriend had risen from his place and moved to stand beside his pale counterpart to inspect Harry also.

"Yup," Dean said secretively. "Definitely hickeys. And definitely the work of a chap." He, too, sported the knowing gleam.

"Care to share, Harry?" Dean asked.

"No!" Harry hissed as several other curious people moved toward their small group. "There's nothing to see," he said to the room at large. "I must have just hurt myself, er…" He got stuck as he couldn't think of a plausible reason for such bruises to be on his neck.

"Did you fall on someone's lips, then, Harry?" some younger year shouted from across the room.

The entire assembly laughed aloud at that, save Harry who shot a glare in the general direction of the speaker.

"Repeatedly?" came a shout from someone else.

Another round of laughter erupted from the room.

"Oh, come on, Harry. We won't tease you too bad. Just tell us who it is," Seamus cut back in, grin still firmly in place.

"It's no one," Harry said with a glare at everyone, but a special death glare for Seamus who had brought the hickeys to the room's attention. All of Gryffindor, and likely several people from other Houses, would know by morning. The whole school would be aware by lunch tomorrow. What had Draco been thinking?

"Can we please just get back to the project?" Harry asked his group on a huff. He dropped back to his place, removing his hands from his neck since pretending the marks weren't there was clearly pointless now.

Seamus and Dean agreed and sunk back into their chairs, but not before sniggering quite audibly. Harry renewed his glare for them. The only one he didn't glower at was Neville. The boy was looking at Harry with curiosity in his eyes, but he clearly realized asking about it was the wrong decision right now. Harry also detected a hint of sympathy coming from Neville, and he softened. Neville knew Harry hated this kind of attention. Most kinds, really. Harry's demeanor relaxed under the shy boy's empathetic look. Neville knew how it felt to be the center of unwanted attention, too. He still had a bit of the shy and quiet personality that Harry had grown up with, but he'd grown much more self assured and confident with the years. Being a part of the DA had helped him immensely. He'd grown into his body so his clumsiness was at a minimum. He still wasn't particularly outspoken, but he was nowhere near as reserved as he used to be. He was mostly just quiet now- saving his talking for important thoughts.

The rest of Harry's time in the common room passed well enough, but there were still the occasional glances sent his way and the snickers or giggles that accompanied them. He was in his dorm room when Ron found him, sporting a mixed angry and harassed expression.

"Word in the common room is that Harry Potter is dating someone new," the redhead told him.

Harry was confused by the anger in his expression. Ron knew exactly who he was seeing.

"I had to use my Prefect authority to shut some of them up. Seamus was being especially crude. Got bad enough that I had to retreat up here. They shut it for five seconds, but I'm sure as soon as I was out of the room it started up again. You actually told people you were dating Malfoy?" Ron finished incredulously.

"Of course not," Harry told him. "Seamus happened to see some hickeys Draco left on me," he said, pulling his shirt aside and moving so the redhead could see.

"Oi, he did a number on you," was the apt reply.

"I know," Harry glared at a currently absent Draco. He'd looked in the mirror when he'd gotten back up to the dorm and found no less than four hickeys scattered across his skin. Two on one side of his neck, one on the other, and a fourth on the back of his neck. What had the blond been trying to do, turn him tie-dye? Now everyone knew he was seeing someone, or at least had let someone attack his neck with a vengeance, leaving him with a mishmash of colored spots. He was the talk of the Tower and likely the school tomorrow. Everyone would be watching him to try and figure out who he was with. Maybe Draco was one that needed the warning about being careful; he was looking like the reason they'd be caught.

A knock came at the door and the boys turned after a shouted "Enter!"

Hermione walked into the room and made her way directly to Harry. She, with a privilege born of long friendship, pulled his shirt collar aside to view his neck. She tisked at him.

"I hope you and Malfoy weren't trying to keep this relationship a secret," she said. "With those," she indicated the hickeys, "people will be looking for who gave them to you. And the way you've been acting with Malfoy lately, it won't take everyone too long to determine that the weird behavior between you two is more than they thought it was. Especially if you keep looking at him as you have been."

This surprised Harry. He hadn't realized he'd been looking at Draco any differently lately.

"What do you mean? I've been looking at him the way I always have," he defended himself.

"No, the hate is gone," the girl corrected him. "There was always that underlying feeling of hate in all of your and Malfoy's interactions. It's gone now, on both accounts, though his lack is a little harder to see. But you are a lot easier to read, Harry. You know you've never been good at hiding things."

Harry just groaned. He thought he'd been doing well at keeping the secret. Draco hadn't reprimanded him for carelessness in days. But maybe Hermione could tell because she knew what to look for. As she said, she knew how to read him. And she apparently figured out how to decipher Draco's facial expressions, too.

"Fine. I'll just avoid him for the next few days," Harry said with a nod. It seemed like a reasonable amount of time to let the chatter about him die down.

"You might need more than that," Hermione told him. "Maybe lay a false trail."

Harry stared at her uncomprehendingly.

"You need to throw people off, Harry. Appear to flirt with someone else to confuse anyone watching you," she clarified.

"Yeah," said Ron, jumping on her train of thought. "Make goo goo eyes at a girl or something and make everyone believe she's the one you're seeing."

"I don't know," began Harry skeptically. He didn't think this was the best course of action. "Do you think I could pull it off?" Wasn't it just agreed he could hide nothing?

"Well, everyone still thinks you're straight, so it shouldn't be too hard. Just smile a lot and touch her absent-mindedly. Girls go nutters for stuff like that," Ron answered.

Hermione rolled her eyes at that summation of female tendencies and attraction techniques.

"Ron does have a point, but I advise you not to go overboard with it. You're not known for dramatics and we're trying to keep this realistic. We want it to look natural, like you're already dating this girl," she said. "And we need a guinea pig. Who do you want?"

Harry had to think. Seeing as he didn't want any girl, clearly, he had to consider who would best play the part of fake girlfriend well. Was there anyone that seemed to like him right now? Well, half the school, but narrower. Parvati or Lavender would be the obvious choices, but they might overdo it.

"What about Luna?" Harry suggested.

Ron looked flabbergasted at his choice and even Hermione seemed surprised.

"Luna?" she asked. "Why her?"

"Well, she is the last person most people would suspect and with the way that most view her, it would be almost understandable why I would want to keep that relationship quiet. I was going to say either Parvati or Lavender, but I think they would overact and give it away, if they didn't start believing themselves my actual love interest anyway." Harry shuddered at the last thought. It's not that the girls weren't attractive; they just didn't attract him anymore. Even Luna wasn't hard to look at, despite her always dreamy countenance.

"Well that does make sense," Hermione considered.

"I love Luna; you know I do. But who's going to believe you're dating her? What's more, who's going to believe she's the one that gave you those?" Ron asked, pointing at Harry's love bites.

"They do say it's always the quiet ones," Hermione commented with a small blush.

Harry almost laughed at her. Oh yes. He had no problem believing Hermione had some fire hidden under that bookworm exterior. But he didn't mention this. He liked his anatomy the way it was now, thanks. And he was satisfied with his choice. He was going to fake seduce Luna Lovegood.


Breakfast the next morning found the Great Hall abuzz with gossip. Apparently the great Harry Potter had found himself a new girlfriend, as attested to by no less than four hickeys across his neck, so the rumors went, and everyone was curious to know just who she was. It was a fact that when Potter got a girlfriend, she would be the envy of most of the girls in school, and many of the boys, truth be told. Draco knew that even some Slytherins, though they'd swear on their lives it wasn't true, fancied Harry. He was hard pressed not to grin his satisfaction when the rumors hit him.

All eyes were shooting Harry occasional glances where he was seated at the Gryffindor table in his usual spot. Though his behavior seemed slightly different this morning. Harry was randomly peeking over his shoulder at someone at the Ravenclaw table. Draco wasn't sure, but it appeared Harry was looking at that Looney girl. Why would he keep doing that?

Draco was further surprised when Harry actually got up and made his way toward the Ravenclaws and yes, he did go directly to Looney. He bent down and whispered in the girl's ear in what Draco would almost call a flirtatious manner. Looney looked up at Harry with her usual dreamy expression on her face. She showed no surprise at Harry's behavior or whatever words he may have said. Nor did she seem embarrassed or pleased by what clearly looked to be the Boy Who Lived flirting with her.

When whispers started to erupt at the Ravenclaw table near to where Harry stood beside Looney, Draco got slightly annoyed. It would now seem to everyone that it was Looney that Harry was dating. He had to wonder if that was the boy's plan all along. He had to admire the genius of it even while disliking the act. It's not that he wanted anyone to know that it was him dating Harry, but he didn't like anyone else being credited with his handiwork, either.

When Harry smiled winningly at Looney before helping her from her seat and taking her bag so he could lead her from the Hall, Draco starting seeing red. Now, it's not that jealousy was new to Draco- he had often been jealous if someone had gotten something he wanted. He'd found himself jealous of Granger many times, though he'd die before admitting such, as she continuously stole his rightful place at the top of the class. He'd been jealous of Harry nonstop since first year for everything the Gryffindor seemed to get without even trying. Good fortune just fell into his lap. But this was a different kind of jealous. He was actually jealous of Looney as she was lavished with Harry's attention. Attention that did not need to be hidden behind locked doors, secreted away in private rooms or broom cupboards.

"Is something wrong, Drake?" came a voice from beside him.

Draco turned to see Pansy looking at him curiously. Damn. He must have let his emotions play on his face. Harry was a bad influence on him. He quickly corrected himself.

"No, Pansy, dear. Just an unpleasant thought came to mind," he answered before smiling at her.

She looked to where his eyes had just been and where Harry was now escorting Looney through the doors of the Great Hall. Her mouth twisted.

"Do you think it's Lovegood that Potter's supposedly dating now? Even he could do better than that. That girl's completely mad," she sneered.

"Hmm. Could be," Draco said. He didn't want to appear to rule anything out, didn't want it to seem like he knew anything. And he had to maintain his air of indifference. Potter's relationships should mean nothing to him.

"It's funny that you get yourself a new shag partner and then it comes out that Potter's got himself a new girlfriend at the same time. Weird timing," she laughed.

Draco forced a laugh out, too. Damn the girl for being perceptive.

"I suppose it's just that time of year for couples," Draco shrugged.

"Maybe," Pansy allowed. "Perhaps I should find myself someone new to cuddle up with. New year, new plaything." She let her eyes roam up and down their table, likely in search of a candidate for said toy.

Draco said nothing but allowed his eyes to travel back to the Gryffindor table. Neither Granger nor Weasley looked surprised by Harry's actions, though they seemed to be being bombarded with questions from everyone around them. Apparently the rest of the House wasn't in on the news. The only ones not looking convinced by the turn of events were Finnegan and Thomas. They just sported smirks that looked far too knowing- like they were aware of a secret that no one else was. Draco would have to keep an eye on them. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were still whispering amongst themselves, but the Ravenclaws looked a lot more self-satisfied. Seemed they liked the fact that Harry Potter had chosen to date from amongst their ranks.

Draco just snorted at them all. He was one of the few that knew the actual truth. Let them all believe the lies. But he would still be talking to Harry about this mass deception he was taking part in. No one poached on Draco's territory, and well he know it. He'd make sure Looney was well aware, too, before it was all over and done.


A/N: Hahahahaha! I giggled like the fangirl I am last chapter when I first planned to give Harry a hickey. How he ended up with four is beyond my control. But I laughed myself silly when the thought of making him flirt with Luna came to mind. I couldn't pass that chance up! Luna is frankly my favorite character and I'm actually afraid of trying to create her. How do you mess with something like that? I hope I make her dreamy enough. xD! And I love gay Seamus. People do him so well. I hope to live up to that, too. xD! As for how he and Dean can tell a girl hickey from a boy one, compare it to how archaeologists know a male skull to a female one. I don't know. I just wanted them to know Harry was gay. Seamus is a great gay male companion, especially if you need advice about things. ;) And Neville. Never underestimate Neville. I have no current plans for him, but who knows. He could be of great use to me. As for those troubled by me skimming over them getting physical again, don't fret, you'll get your smut again soon enough. But they had more important things to talk about. I'm trying to create a story with a bit of substance, savvy?