Chapter 25: Advise falls on death ears
The kitchen seemed to fill with more house elves as the day continued. Numerous elves carried large piles of bedding in a range of colours; red's mixed with green, blue with yellow. Harry smiled what would the students think if they knew their laundry was washed with other houses. He and Draco had decided to stay with Dobby until lunch; 'no point arriving late and causing a scene' was Draco's argument for staying.
Harry's eyes flickered over to Draco, he'd been aware of the blonde continuously staring at him.
"What?" Harry tried to stop his smile, his tone failing to sound serious. Draco grinned back in reply.
"Quit staring!"
"Why?" Draco leaned over the table, taking Harry's hand in his own. Lifting it slowing to his lips Draco softly kissed the tanned skin, his eyes transfixed on Harry's. "I've not been able to admire you from this distance at my leisure before, and I intend to make the most of it."
Blushing Harry pulled away his hand, causing Draco to chuckle. A small bell placed high on the wall began to chime, causing the elves to pause in their work. Hundreds of large tennis ball eyes focused upon it. After the last chime they returned to work. Harry watched as Dobby pushed his way through to them, a sad look on his face.
"The bell signals that it is almost time to send the food up to the hall Harry Potter. I hope I will get to see you again soon?" Hope shone in his eyes.
"Of course Dobby, but there's something I wondered if you could do for me?" Harry pulled the vial from his pocket, allowing it to roll into the centre of his palm Harry checked that the other elves were busy with their work to listen in, "I wondered if you'd be able to slip this into a student's drink?"
Dobby stared down at the vial, his hands twisting his jumper in his hands, "Dobby is not meant to put things into students' drinks, Headmaster Dumbledore made it clear as one of the rules."
"Oh..." Disappointment filled Harry's chest as he looked over at Draco who shrugged. Slowly he began to close his hand over the vial, "It's alright Dobby, don't want you to get into..."
Dobby's hands enclosed around Harry's, his eyes larger than Harry had ever seen them. "Dobby will do it for Harry Potter. Harry Potter would not wish to poison or harm another student so Dobby will do it."
Frowning Harry began to shake his head, he wasn't going to be responsible for Dobby getting in trouble and losing his job and home at Hogwarts.
"Thank you Dobby, you don't know what this means to Harry. You're a great help." Draco pulled Harry's arm to him and taking out the vial. Handing it over to the elf he grouched down, "The student's name is Blaize Zabini, he's in Slytherin."
Dobby nodded his head, causing his large ears to flap. Glancing around the room Dobby stepped closer to the blond, "I advise Draco Malfoy not to drink at the Slytherin table."
Stepping back Dobby turned his attention back to Harry, who watched Draco's and Dobby's conversation wide eyed. Dobby placed the vial inside his jumper a large toothy grin was sent up to Harry.
"Dobby won't let Harry Potter down."
Draco smiled down at the elf, amazed at the loyalty he showed to Harry even though he had no bond to the boy. Gripping Harry's arm tighter he began to pull Harry back towards the castle's corridors.
"Be careful Dobby! I'll see you soon" Harry waved goodbye to the elf. Praying that it wouldn't be the last time he'd see him inside Hogwarts.
Harry could feel his cheeks burning. Whispers followed him as he and Draco walked down the corridor. A squeeze on his hand caused emerald eyes to look up from the stone floors. Draco smiled back, forcing a smile onto his face Harry pulled his hand away from the pale hand of Draco as a group of second year Gryffindor passed their eyes wide at the pair.
"Harry? What's wrong?" Draco glared at the group.
"I just hate people staring,"
"What did you expect people to do? A Slytherin and Gryffindor getting together it's strange enough, but when it's me and you, a death eater's son and the chosen one, sworn enemies. It's going to shock everyone."
Draco glanced up and down the corridor, spotting a tapestry he knew hid a small passage way he pulled Harry to the direction of it. Pulling back the cloth he gestured for the smaller teen to enter.
"Harry do you want to be with me?"
Harry frowned, "Yes of course. I wouldn't have kissed you and told you how I feel if not!"
"Then why are you letting those out their stop us? I want you; I don't care if they stare, if they whisper. I have you and that is all that matters."
Smiles formed on both of their faces, bending down Draco softly touched Harry's lips with his own.
"Now come on hero, let's see some of the Gryffindor courage."
Entering the Great Hall Harry stared out at the hundreds of eyes that stared right back. He knew they could see Draco's arm entwined around his waist. Biting his lip, Harry mentally noted where Hermione and Ron were sitting and the quickest way to reach them. Suddenly he felt Draco kiss his cheek; the whispers in the hall grew.
"Remember Gryffindor courage," Draco's hot breathe tickled his ear. Turning Harry caught the blond send him a wink as his arm fell away from his waist. Glancing back at the student filled hall a smirk crossed Harry's lips.
Grabbing the pale hand Harry pulled Draco back to him, capturing his lips with his own. The hall fell quiet as the Slytherin prince and the chosen one deepened the kiss. Braking away Harry felt butterflies in his stomach.
"How's that for Gryffindor courage?" Smiling Harry headed towards the Gryffindor table, leaving Draco in shock. The hall broke again into hundreds of separate conversations. Squeezing in next to Hermione, Harry couldn't take the grin off his face.
"Are we to assume that you and Draco are now officially an item?" Hermione raised an eyebrow; the entire Gryffindor table stared at Harry awaiting his reply.
"Least we know what Harry and Malfoy were doing during last lesson," Dean's voice travelled down the table causing the house to burst into laughter. Harry bowed his head laughing; knowing one of Hermione's lectures was close by.
"If I could have your attention" Professor McGonagall's voice sounded over the students. Turning the head table the hall once again grew quiet. Dumbledore slowly rose from his seat, a wide smile upon his face.
"I do not wish to hold your meal any longer than need be. So enjoy!"
"Oh yes, chicken legs!" Ron quickly began to fill his plate.
"Pumpkin juice Harry?" Fred to the left of Harry offered the jug. Taking the handle Harry thanked the twin, careful not spill any as his filled his goblet. Turning the jug to Hermione, Harry glanced a look at the table of green. Blaize lifted his own goblet to lips, gracefully taking a sip.
Harry could feel his heart beat hard against his chest, he hadn't listened to Snape to whether there were any side effects to the potion, and would he be able to see whether the potion had taken effect? Would they get caught out?
Sending his eyes down to the other end of the table he locked eyes with Draco, who winked back in reply that he'd seen Blaize take the bait. Harry suddenly couldn't breathe; it was like time had slowed down. Draco had raised his own goblet to his lips, Dobby's voice filled Harry's ears. I advise Draco Malfoy not to drink at the Slytherin table.