Chapter Five- Mutual Interest
Harry left the Great Hall, stunned. Malfoy was half-unicorn too? Maybe that's why I'm interested in him: Because he's like me. It kind of makes sense. He shook his head, feeling a slight throbbing. His thoughts about Malfoy hurt and made him feel confused. He looked over at the front door before heading for them. He wanted to be outside; to run and feel the wind in his mane and tail. He descended the steps, crossed the grounds, and slipped into the forest without hesitation. Once in the forest, Harry began to run, slowly at first and then faster and faster until he was moving as fast as a unicorn. He stopped close to Hagrid's, panting hard but feeling good about the long run he had had. He stared at Hagrid's hut as he caught his breath. Hagrid's seen my change as he's at the Staff Table at every meal, but we haven't talked since Monday. He nodded before heading over and knocking on the door which set off Fang's booming barks.
The door opened and Hagrid grinned down at Harry before taking him in a rib-cracking hug, his horn going under Hagrid's arm. "Harry, I was hopin' yeh visit. We haven't talked since Monday." He released Harry and led him to the table where he made tea for them. "So, Harry," Hagrid said after a few sips and openly admiring Harry. "What's it like, bein' half-unicorn that is?"
"Not really all that different. I just have to remember that my ears are up here instead of here." His hand touched one ear before moving to the side of his head. "I also have to be mindful of my tail and horn."
"So, not that different, huh?"
"Well, maybe it is a little different. I do have a few instincts, too. I get urges to run, I like having girls touch me, and I have romantic interests flaring up in me. Oh, I accidentally brushed against Malfoy Thursday morning and apparently he's half-unicorn too. He's got a mane and tail so far."
"So I noticed. Why did you change now instead of earlier, like say your first year?"
"Because I touched the foal in class Monday. By touching a unicorn, it triggered the recessive gene in me. When I brushed by Malfoy, it was enough to trigger his change."
Harry whiled away the rest of the morning with Hagrid, discussing last Monday's class and unicorns in general before Harry left for lunch where he saw Malfoy again and once more feeling of romance for him rose within him. Okay, I can't deny it: I'm in love with Malfoy. I'll keep it to myself; no one else needs to know, not even Malfoy.
Malfoy awoke Sunday morning and lay there thinking about yesterday. He spent time getting accustomed to his tail, did some homework, letting the girls in his House stroke his mane and tail, and trying to sort out his feelings toward Potter. Am I interested in him because he's a half-unicorn like me? Maybe, maybe not. I only looked at him once yesterday at breakfast. I kept my back to Gryffindor table at lunch and dinner.
Malfoy sat up and stretched, brushing some of his mane back and moving to tuck some behind his ears. Malfoy patted the sides of his head frantically. Where were his ears!? He moved his right hand up and it met up with a long triangle-shaped object. Oh, there they are. My ears are unicorn ones now. I'll have a horn tomorrow and my change will be complete. He got up to check his reflection. His ears were elegant and cool. I take back thinking Potter's ears were ridiculous as I have my own now. He chuckled softly to himself and was surprised to hear it change into a neighing one. I laugh like a horse now, which makes sense since I'm half-unicorn and unicorns are technically horses.
"Oh, Draco your ears are so cute!" Pansy squealed when Malfoy came into the Common Room.
"Uh, thanks. Just wait for my horn tomorrow." The two left for breakfast.
"I bet it'll be better than Potter's," she chortled. Malfoy didn't join in. He doubted his horn would be any different from Potter's. Plus, he was finding that Potter was constantly on his mind. His feelings were still uncertain and they increased in uncertainty when he entered the Great Hall and his eyes landed on Potter.
His heart started beating faster as he stared. Okay, maybe I am interested; it could even be love. If I get a chance, I will tell Potter how I feel. Even if he doesn't feel the same, at least I'll have gotten it out of my system. He sat down and began eating, his gaze fixed on Potter until said boy left the Great Hall. Malfoy wasn't in a hurry to finish breakfast as fellow housemates were passing him and scratching behind his ears. He enjoyed each and every one of them. After eating, he wandered out into the Entrance Hall, felt a breeze, and turned to see the front doors were open.
You know, a run in the forest sounds real good right now, he thought as he rushed outside, headed for the forest, and began to run. He felt the wind in his mane and tail, and his heart swelled with joy as he ran. He gave another neighing laugh and was startled when he heard another neighing laugh, almost as if answering his own. He came upon a clearing and stopped when he saw Potter enter the clearing from the opposite end.
"Oh! Uh, sorry Malfoy," Harry said, turning to leave.
"Wait, Potter," Malfoy said. When Harry turned back around, Malfoy stepped closer. "I apologize for calling you a freak. That was wrong and mean seeing as I'm like you. I've also found that I'm thinking about you constantly. I've come to realize this morning that I'm interested in you, maybe even love you."
Harry's face was incandescent with joy. "You do? You've been on my mind a lot too. I was first interested the day I touched you, but I didn't know why. I'm convinced now that it's because we're both half-unicorn. I realized yesterday that I…I love you."
Malfoy perked up upon hearing this. "I'm pleased to hear that." He came even closer and reached up to scratch behind one of Potter's ears. Harry gave a hum of contentment. He opened his eyes and ran his fingers through Malfoy's mane making the pale boy close his eyes in lazy pleasure and his tail swished contently.
"Mmm, Potter," Malfoy murmured.
"Call me Harry."
"Only if you call me Draco."
"Deal, but only when we're alone."
"Yes, of course. I was thinking we could get together here in the forest and enjoy each other's company."
"Sounds perfect. Now, to celebrate, how about a race?"
Malfoy grinned at the idea. "You're on, Harry."
