CHAPTER 3- Inevitable facts

Avoiding. Potter had been avoiding him for the better part of a week. At first, Draco didn't care too much. Their little outing hadn't been expected. He'd been caught doing something quite weird. On second thought, he shouldn't have listened to Luna. Now it started to annoy him.

It was breakfast, Draco was busy playing with his eggs. Next to him sat Pansy who was trying to get his attention. Opposite him, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle, both trying to choke down more buttered toast than the other. "Draco would you listen to me!" She screeched into his ear. A deep scowl took over his previously neutral face. Being a tad dramatic, he threw his fork down, letting it clash with his plate. "Would you get to the point before you're screaming leaves me deaf."

In response, Pansy simply rolled her eyes and carried on talking. "You haven't been harassing Potter for a while, what's happened?" There was an evil twinkle in her eyes. Her question was bold, the topic of Potter was a sensitive one. Either he'd go on a rant listing all the things he hated about him, happily make fun of him, or got annoyed enough to plunge into silence.

Draco didn't like the word harass, it made him sound like he cared. Spluttering out pieces of toast as butter drippled from the corner of his mouth, Crabbe spoke up. "We'll get him right in front of everyone." Goyle grinned, still chewing on his food and both boys went to get up. "No, don't you think we should wait until the teachers are gone?" Pansy suggested, gesturing over to Dumbledore. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Something Draco learnt from an early age was not to say no at the wrong time. When he reluctantly led his gang of Slytherins out of the Great hall, he didn't let them see his frown when they caught Potter about to head to class.

Harry stood with Ron and Ginny who'd been discussing quidditch practice before Malfoy's gang stood opposite them. Crabbe and Goyle looked as tall as ever, fitting for their bodyguard status. There was no escape, he couldn't run away from Malfoy, no matter how his legs tensed. Just out of sight, Hermione and Parkinson standing away with their hand on their wand in case they had to step in. The two boys made their way to each other in fighting stance. "What is it this time, Malfoy?" Questioning why they always did this seemed utterly pointless.

"Didn't I tell you already Potter or are you as dumb as you look?" Harry gritted his teeth, he'd had enough of running, he was going to show all his Gryffindor colours. "I don't remember ever speaking to a serpent like you on my own freewill." That earned him a laugh, Malfoy seemed to not care about being called a serpent. Harry guessed it wasn't much of an insult seeing as their house animal was a snake.

"I told you the only person who gets to torture you is me, it's kind of my job you mophead." He spat, reminding him of their heated conversation last week. "You're job? There are a lot of things worse than you, Malfoy. And surprisingly a lot less pretty." Both boys stared at each other in full seriousness. They'd attracted a small crowd of students from all houses, excited as to how far things would go this time. Suddenly Malfoy's face broke into a soft smile, again reminding Harry of last week. It was so frustratingly attractive, Harry was defenceless for what came next.

"Did you just call me pretty?"

Something unknown took over Harry's entire body. Everything went black as his fist connected with Malfoy's jaw. It was slow motion.

He could hear a hushed gasp. The way Malfoys face cut to the side, his eyes flew directly at Harry in red hot fury. He rolled his shoulders as to relive some of the tension as Malfoy's face went red as he took a running start whipping his wand out. The crowd howled as charms and curses were thrown across either side of the room.

Ron and Ginny were busy taking on Crabbe and Goyle as the moment Malfoy had jumped at Harry, they rushed to begin an onslaught of hexes. The problems with the delinquents weren't their heads as most would agree there was nothing in them, it was their brute force that allowed them to take a hit and hit even harder. Ginny was the first to use her wand on the Gryffindor's side, she managed to deflect the spells cast at her. On the other hand, Ron still wasn't as gifted in the bravery department, not like his sister who was the only girl on Gryffindor's quidditch team.

As sparks flew over their heads, Harry was on the floor in a wrestling match with Malfoy. Both boys, baring their teeth in a sign of their undying hatred, weren't making much progress as bone hitting bone started to ache after a while. Nothing would make Harry back down from his rival, not even the sound of Ron hitting the floor unconscious. The only one left standing between the pile of bodies scattered on the floor and the wrestling match, was Ginny patting her frizzy hair down as she tried to shake off a jinx she'd missed to deflect. She scanned the room paying no mind to the crowd of students and instead focused on her brother who was seemingly asleep on the floor.

"Ronald, are you alright?" Ginny asked in a timid voice as she crouched over him. From behind her, Parkinson huffed at the boys still fighting on the floor and with a flick of her wrist hidden beneath her robes, she sent Ginny to join her brother on the floor. Parkinson could almost feel the scoff coming from Hermione as she watched her from the corner of her eye. Hermione tucked her own wand away and stepped closer to the pair.

She cleared her throat, quietening the group down and began a speech she'd been planning for the past five minutes. "Harry look around. Ron's been knocked out, Ginny has just joined him. It's over, you can stop now." Even with the strength of Hermione's words, Parkinson took the opportunity to scoff back at her. Then, just as hidden as before, she casted a spell on both Harry and Malfoy, making them rather light-headed.

The action stopped as both Harry and Malfoy stood up in a daze. Marching down the halls was the dark cloak of a professor. Everyone looked up to see Professor Snape crossing his arms with a thin-lipped frown as he took in the scene in front of him. Four students on the floor with their wands out and two standing in the middle looking slightly lost. It was no surprise to find Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in a face off; no one had seen something as intense as this.

Swaying lightly, Harry found his balance. Everything was blurred, even taking his glasses off didn't clear his vision. Only Draco Malfoy stood crystal clear directly in front of him which helped to steady himself. Legs moved on their own. Rushing forward, completely unaware of Professor Snapes scolding or the watchful eyes of many students. Lips met. Soon enough, Harry found himself furiously making out with Malfoy. All he could think about was soft lips stealing quick, messy kisses. Neither of them seemed fully aware as to what was happening. Malfoy's hands pulled at Harry's mess of hair, feeling every strand.

But then the daydream ended, and reality broke back into view. Draco was the one to break the string of kisses. He pulled his head back to see a set of eyes half opened and lips-stained bright pink. Potter's glasses were out of place and so Draco reached out and thoughtlessly fixed them earning him a smile.

Suddenly, it dawned on him. This wasn't right. Something was undoubtedly wrong in this scenario. Was it the closeness of their faces or the way they were still pressed together? This really isn't right, Draco thought.

Horror struck him as he let out a repressed scream, pushing Potter back and throwing himself across the room, backing up against a wall. His chest was heaving as his mind worked out what had just taken place. What unknown force had taken over his body? Potter, the everlasting fool just stood there with his head cocked to the side. A big question mark that had been looming over Potter had just disappeared as he seemed to realise what they'd just done as his eyes dotted around the room, searching for an answer.

Potter didn't pay attention to the Professors profoundly green face, as though he had to hold his tongue, afraid he'd be sick. When he saw Draco's dramatic reaction, he knew there would be more where that came from. Draco was still backed up against the wall with panicked eyes. "I felt something hit the back of my head…" Potter could see the cogs turning in Draco's head, piecing together what had happened. Realisation washed over him, narrowing his gaze at Pansy.

He picked her out of the crowd so easily, students around her took a step back leaving her defenceless against Draco's attack. "Admit it Pansy, you put a bloody spell on me!" He stalked over to her, trapping her into a murderous grip as he took hold of her shoulders.

For an even worse turn of events, she only laughed out a dry, "whatever you say lover boy." Wands were out again. Draco's wand tucked under her chin and Pansy's stabbing at his heart. The corners of her mouth curled like a cat. "I wouldn't do something stupid if I were you."

"I can't see the stupidity in revenge." Draco lowered his voice, as she dipped her head in response; he could read her lips as she whispered, "your boyfriends watching." Both Slytherins slipped their wands away seamlessly, faces blank as if a business transaction had occurred instead of a low-level threat as Professor Snape composed himself. "Mr Potter. Mr Malfoy. With me, now!" Demanded Snape. The boys followed the professor, staying as far away from each other as possible. Snape glanced back once with disgust. "You will wait here." And they were left to wait outside of the headmaster's office.

Leaning against the cold stone wall, Malfoy glared at the floor as if he were scolding a child. Harry rolled his eyes, keeping his hands in his pockets. He didn't expect something like this to come from ignoring Malfoy. Although, ignoring could still be taunting he supposed. Entering the headmaster's office, the boys stood stiffly. Dumbledore let awkward silence surround them, his face filled with quiet wonder. Malfoy didn't seem to mind silence, in fact he seemed to feel in his element. Harry soon caved.

"Sir, I didn't mean to…I wasn't trying to kiss him, I don't even remember moving it just. Well, it just happened." Harry stumbled over his words, looking rather embarrassed at his lack of control.

Malfoy roll his eyes so hard, Harry thought they might pop out of his head. "Dramatic, isn't it Potter? You're the one who punched me, I merely repeated what you said." Harry tightly turned his head, ready to face the snake again. "Don't forget you're the one who started this!" Exclaimed Harry, not one bit surprised when Malfoy smirked at his response. "I simply commented on the fact you used the word pretty- "Malfoy started. "-Whatever Malfoy." He quickly cut in before the Slytherin could finish. "Then you went and punched me in my PRETTY face." Profusely shaking his head, Harry stepped closer to the other boy. "You're imagining I called you pretty." Malfoy took on the challenge and mirrored Harry in taking a step closer.

"I also remember you kissing me which I should clarify is assault seeing as you clearly enjoyed yourself." All Harry could do is laugh out of nervousness. "Are you really so brain damaged that you don't remember your own actions, Potter?" He spat.

"Well since you were kissing me, I'd say you enjoyed it too!"

"Enough!" Dumbledore stopped their bickering with his demand for attention. Both the boys stilled themselves and faced the headmaster, still giving the other one silent side glares. Dumbledore didn't seem angry at their outburst, only deep in thought as if he'd known they would do this. "This will be your punishment." Dumbledore said as a matter of fact from behind his desk and began to detail their punishment which had nothing to do with a detention.

"Wizards and witches for centuries have had to come to terms with their problems, sometimes they need a bit of force." Harry was still deeply confused, he was thinking away from a detention now and maybe having to suffer through doing an activity with Malfoy.

However, when he looked at Malfoy, he could see a hint of fear like he could sense an impending doom looming above their heads that Harry was ignorant to.

"Sir, if I may interject." Malfoy smiled as Dumbledore nodded. Malfoy leaned forward, clearing his throat. "I believe I know where you might be going with this, but I promise on my house I won't even look in the general direction of Mr Potter again." With a bellowing laugh, Dumbledore held wonder in his eyes as he shook his head. "Thank you, Mr Malfoy, but I'm afraid I've already made up my mind."

After being dismissed, Harry still hadn't gotten his mind around their punishment. "Magically shackled together to work out your differences." He repeated to himself.

He touched his wrist, the thought of being bound by the wrist to someone he considered an enemy was nothing less than terrifying. They were given until tomorrow before their freedom would be stolen away for the better part of a year.

They'd ran as fast as their legs could carry them in opposite directions, not willing to look at the other. They couldn't get away from each other quick enough. Harry had found himself at the Gryffindor common room, Hermione was waiting for him with a stern look about her. "What were you thinking Harry? Ron and Ginny were taken to the hospital wing once you two idiots left." Hermione pointed her finger at him. Harry kept his head low as he let her tell him off.

"Snape took 50 points from both our houses, enough that Hufflepuff have a chance at winning." He cringed at the loss of points, he'd never seen Hufflepuff win the house cup. This year could be a first. "Hermione, that's not the worst of it…" Harry spoke slowly, dragging his words out. After a few minutes of Harry describing what had taken place, Hermione sat back in her chair and suddenly started laughing.

A/N- Finally we are getting to those magical consequences foreshadowed in the summary. The last two chapters have shown Harry and Draco behaving when they're not often in each other personal space- playful but now boarding on aggressive. Being magically shackled together will force them to be in each other company constantly which might be... a little tense. Does anyone know what spell that is? The bickering has reached its climax, now lets see how they handle the news of what's to come.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it and I'll see you next week my loves :)