Severus sighed feeling happier then he had all year, even scolding Neville seemed like a chore compared to the night he had with his lover. Though Lucius had left early the next morning he had left his scent in the Potion Master's bed. His heart felt like it was flying in his chest, making his whole body lighter then air.
Then the storm clouds came, in the form of Gilderoy Lockhart. He slithered next to the taller man, his hand coming to Snape's chest. "Why, you seem very happy Severus."
"Get off me!" Severus knocked the other man's hand away, his smile replaced by an aggravated scowl.
"It makes sense now, you never stopped seeing him. I wonder what good old Draco has to say about that." Gilderoy smirked, his face coming close to the hooked nose face of Severus.
Snape's black hair covered his face, concealing him from Gilderoy. "What do you want?"
Gilderoy smoothed Snape's hair, stroking his pale face, "The same thing I've always wanted. Meet me tonight, come to my room. I'll be a bit more gentle this time." He kissed the scowling lips, and ventured down the Gryffindor hallway. Snape spit, wiping his lips, any trace of happiness evaporating from his body.
In the second week of December Professor McGonagall came around as usual, collecting names of those who would be staying at school for Christmas. Draco had asked his parents to be able to stay this year, of course not telling them of his plans to befriend Harry over the holidays, but instead opting to tell them he didn't want to be seen as a child. His mother had scent him letters pleading for him to come home, his father on the other hand, was happy Draco was being so grown up.
Potions lessons took place in one of the large dungeons. Thursday afternoon's lesson proceeded in the usual way. Twenty cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on which stood brass scales and jars of ingredients. Snape prowled through the fumes, making waspish remarks about the Gryffindors' work while the Slytherins sniggered appreciatively.
Draco Malfoy, smiled loving his great view of Harry from his desk. He couldn't resist flicking a few puffer-fish eyes at him, to get the boy to look his way. And when a few stray ones hit the Weasel who could question the entertainment of watching his face get redder and redder?
Draco stirred his cauldron, knowing worrying with it too much would cause it to get runny. He looked at Crabbe and Goyle's concoction and just shook his head at the greenish color it was taking on from their over use of crushed porcupine needles. Draco's eyes darted back over to Harry when he saw the small boy duck down behind his cauldron. He cocked his head as fireworks began sparking and sputtering in the air, falling right into Goyle's cauldron.
Goyle's potion exploded, showering the whole class. People shrieked as splashes of the Swelling Solution hit them. Draco got a faceful and his nose began to swell like a balloon; Goyle blundered around, his hands over his eyes, which had expanded to the size of a dinner plate — Snape was trying to restore calm and find out what had happened.
"Silence! SILENCE!" Snape roared. "Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draft — when I find out who did this —"
Harry tried not to laugh as he watched Draco hurry forward, his head drooping with the weight of a nose like a small melon.
Draco glared at Harry. "You'll pay." He whispered, but Harry just snickered a little louder.
As half the class lumbered up to Snape's desk, some weighted down with arms like clubs, others unable to talk through gigantic puffed-up lips, Draco was rubbing his nose, making sure the shape was right.
When everyone had taken a swig of antidote and the various swellings had subsided, Snape swept over to Goyle's cauldron and scooped out the twisted black remains of the firework. There was a sudden hush.
"If I ever find out who threw this," Snape whispered, "I shall make sure that person is expelled."
Harry arranged his face into what he hoped was a puzzled expression. Snape was looking right at him, and the bell that rang ten minutes later could not have been more welcome.
Draco hurried behind Harry, knocking into the boy as they filed out of the classroom. They looked at each other for a moment, before regrouping with their friends. The week had progressed with no real interesting developments, it seemed Harry was avoiding him. Draco walked the hallway alone, needing some time away from Crabbe who had begun talking a little too incessantly about the Chamber of Secrets.
He liked the quiet of the halls, when all the students were in the courtyards or up in the library. He liked to sit in the window sills and look out at the great drop down the mountainside. Today, though, Draco heard a noise, as someone was pushed up against a wall.
He walked towards the noise, hearing labored breaths, and clothing rustle. Draco blushed, what if this was a seventh year snogging… or doing IT? He debated not looking at all, but his curiosity got to him. He peered around the corner to see Snape's angry face, his hand on Gilderoy's crushing the man's cheeks. "Professor?"
Snape let Gilderoy go immediately, and looked almost ashamedly at Draco, seemingly out of breath. They stared at each other, unsure of what to say to the other Slytherin. Gilderoy spoke up first, surprising them both. "Ah, Mr. Malfoy. You'll be the first to know." He gave Snape a sideways glace, then approached Draco. "We have agreed to begin a Wizard's Dueling club, and thought it best to make it a convincing first fight. Severus will be my willing participant in our club. Won't you join us?"
Draco didn't particularly believe Gilderoy, but the only other thing that came to mind for them to be so close was even more bizarre. "Oh… Really, Professor Snape?"
"It seems so." Snape's lip curled, "Yes. It will be tomorrow night, I hope you come to watch us." His voice seemed more monotone then usual, but Draco nodded. "Good. Then run along. We still have some things to discuss."
Draco felt a bit awkward leaving Snape, like if he did, the Potion's Master would some how be in trouble. Severus gave a small smile, "Go on." and Draco left him.
/AN: I am soooo sorry for not updating in so long. I have been doing things from my birthday, getting classes in order for fall and just getting my life together. I will be updating more frequently again, this was just an unforeseen delay. Thank you for reading, and please let me know what you think! Also Dragon Age is an addicting game…
P.S. Just got an annual pass to Universal Orlando, and let me just say Wizarding World of Harry Potter is awesome! If it's only an hour wait to get into the area, it's worth it! Though the butterbeer was a bit too sweet for me. ^_^