Chapter Three: Harry
Harry would never admit it to her face, but Ginny had been right.
'Harry, m'boy! What can I do for you?' Slughorn had ushered Harry into his office and placed a mug of Butterbeer in front of him with a wink.
'I have a favour to ask you, Professor.'
'Anything for you, dear boy, anything for Lily's son.' Slughorn had beamed. Harry had gulped his Butterbeer to steady his nerves.
'I want, no, I need. To spend some time w - with someone.' Harry said, a blush creeping up his neck. Slughorn's eyes levelled with Harry's.
'Who is it, m'boy?' Slughorn asked. Harry took another large gulp of his drink.
'It's, uh, Draco Malfoy.' He said in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper. Slughorn didn't respond for a long time, regarding Harry over the rim of his cup while he took a long sip.
'So … what exactly are you asking of me?' Slughorn finally asked.
'I was hoping you could pair us up one lesson. Make us work together so I can have a chance to talk to him.' Harry said. Slughorn stroked his walrus moustache thoughtfully.
'I had been planning on revising the Draught of Peace with you seventh years.' Slughorn mused. 'It wouldn't hurt to pair you all off to keep an eye on one another.' Slughorn said. He noticed Harry's hopeful expression.
'But why do you need to talk to him during a class? Why not talk to him between classes? Or owl him?' Slughorn said. Harry shrugged.
'Gryffindor's and Slytherin's are not exactly known to get along. And this isn't a something I want Ron or Hermione to hear just yet.' Harry said, blushing furiously. Slughorn beamed at Harry.
'Harry, m'boy, let's come up with a plan.' Slughorn laughed.
Harry had walked with Slughorn to the Potions classroom and sat in his usual seat at the back of the classroom. Harry much preferred Slughorn over Snape, but still liked to sit in the same workspace. It was in this seat last year that he had first noticed Malfoy as more than just a pompous Slytherin git.
The rest of the class filed in, and Harry's senses were on red alert as soon as the Slytherin's entered the dungeons. Luckily, Ron and Hermione were quietly bickering between themselves, so he didn't need to worry about giving anything away.
Malfoy sat at his regular table with the other Slytherin's. He was sitting side on to Harry, and Harry could clearly see a frown of concentration on the other boy's face.
Harry could barely listen to anything Slughorn said, paying attention for the first time when Slughorn finally, announced that they would be working in pairs. Harry kept his eyes focussed on Malfoy until Slughorn announced they were to be partners.
'Harry, m'boy!' Slughorn said, a little too jovially. Harry didn't miss Malfoy's start of surprise and shot a grin towards the grey eyes that met his.
'You'll be working with Mister Malfoy today.' Slughorn beamed and winked at Malfoy, who's eyes were wide with surprise.
'What? Pair me up with Potter?' Draco sneered. Harry couldn't help but notice that Draco's sneer lacked its usual amount of vehemence.
'Yes.' Slughorn's smiled slipped into a frown as he gave Malfoy the ultimatum, 'Or you can have detention for a month.'
Harry didn't move his eyes from Malfoy as he packed his things and made his way over to Harry's table. Leaning back in his chair Harry watched Malfoy walk over, his eyes hungrily raking along the length of Malfoy's body.
Long and lean; it would fit perfectly beneath mine.
Harry noted Malfoy's tense jaw, and his confidence faltered for a moment when Malfoy didn't so much as glance his way.
'You may begin!' Slughorn announced, waving his wand so the instructions appeared on the blackboard.
Harry turned to Malfoy, who had his full attention on the Potion in front of him. Malfoy took charge, never looking at Harry but clearly and concisely telling Harry exactly what to do and when. Harry stayed quiet and let it happen, looking for opportunities to take Ginny's advice to flirt. To improve his chances for some skin-on-skin contact, Harry took off his robe and woollen jumper. It was an afterthought to roll up his sleeves.
The first time Harry's hand brushed against Malfoys was an accident, but Harry didn't miss Malfoy's sudden intake of breath. After that Harry touched Malfoy's hand at every opportunity, and although Malfoy didn't say anything, Harry didn't miss the subtle motion of Malfoy biting his lower lip.
Merlin, I want to know what he's thinking.
The lesson dragged by, and Harry stayed silent, but kept finding ways to brush his fingers along the back of Malfoy's hand and watch as his lower lip disappeared under his teeth. Harry could've sworn that at one point, Malfoy bit so hard that he drew blood.
Finally, it was the tail end of the lesson. Harry had been checking his Potions book to see if the Prince had anything to add. When he glanced up to check their potion, he became utterly mesmerised watching Malfoy's arms as he stirred their potion. Without making the decision to do it, Harry moved closer to Malfoy, doing his best to appear nonchalant.
It paid off. Malfoy seemed to freeze, his silver eyes zoning in on Harry's hand that was resting on his textbook.
Yes, Malfoy, my fingers can do so much more.
After a moment of hesitation, Harry put his other hand on Malfoy's shoulder, which had those silver eyes lifting to meet Harry's. Harry watched as Malfoy's breath quickened through his slightly parted lips.
If I have my way, that mouth will open far wider, Malfoy. Just you wait.
'We can bottle it up now, right?' Harry said, suddenly remembering the potion but not moving away from Malfoy.
Harry watched as Malfoy nodded and busied himself with ladling the potion into a beaker. Since Malfoy hadn't shrugged him off, Harry allowed his hand to trace down the length of Malfoy's spine, stopping it to rest at the small of Malfoy's back. Harry felt a swooping surge of excitement in the pit of his stomach when Malfoy faltered and his knees seemed to almost give out.
Seeing an opportunity, Harry leant across Malfoy to pick up their potion, making sure to touch his chest to Malfoy's arm as he did so.
'I'll take it.' He said. Carefully Harry put the potion on Slughorn's desk and made his way over to the Potions Professor.
'Professor?'
'How'd it go, m'boy?' Slughorn asked quietly.
'We didn't get a chance to talk-' Harry started, but Slughorn interrupted.
'Say no more.'
As Harry made his way back to his seat, Slughorn spoke to the class.
'Once you have handed in your labelled potions, you may go. Harry and Mister Malfoy, if you would stay behind, please.'
He sounded far too cheerful, in Harry's opinion. He didn't want Malfoy to suspect anything. But Harry was pleased to find Malfoy standing behind their worktable, seemingly in shock.
After the class had filed out, Slughorn beamed at the pair of them.
'You have until the end of lunch period, m'boy. Don't go making a mess!' he said, and he too left the classroom.
Harry moved before Malfoy had a chance to say anything, grabbing both of Malfoy's wrists and holding them to the sides of the Slytherin's body.
'What-?' Draco began, but his words seemed to get stuck in his throat when he realised how close they were standing to one another. Harry watched as Malfoy swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. Malfoy's eyes were darting all over Harry's face, and down his body.
'Like what you see, Malfoy?' Harry said, smirking as he pulled Malfoy closer by his wrists, holding them in place behind Malfoy's body. They were standing so close to one another, but they weren't quite touching. He watched with delight as Malfoy's pupils dilated.
Malfoy seemed unable to speak, his lips apart and his breath haggard.
Harry kept his eyes locked on Malfoy's, tilting his head forward. His lips were barely brushing Malfoy's, their every breath mingling.
'Tell me I'm wrong, Malfoy. Tell me you're not turned on right now.' Harry said quietly. Draco couldn't say anything. All his attention was focussed on the tiny, tiny amount of skin to skin contact between his and Potter's lips.
'Please.' Malfoy finally murmured, sounding strangled. He couldn't think of anything else to say. Nothing else felt right. Harry raised an eyebrow.
'Please, what?' he said.
'Do it. Kiss me. Please.' Malfoy's voice was almost a moan.
Harry felt a wave of victory crash over him. But Harry didn't kiss Malfoy right away. Instead, his grip tightened on Malfoy's wrists and he pushed his hips against Malfoy's. Malfoy groaned and tried to lean closer, his eyes fluttering closed and his lips searching for Harry's.
Harry's heart was thudding violently in his chest in anticipation, but he waited, holding Malfoy's wrists so he could stand straight, but Malfoy was bowed slightly backwards. Eventually Malfoy's eyes opened again, confusion filling them as they met Harry's.
'Why should I give you what you want?' Harry asked.
'What?' Malfoy couldn't seem to manage anything more. Harry quirked an eyebrow.
'Why should you get what you want right away?'
Malfoy didn't seem to be able to answer. Harry turned, pulling Malfoy along with him, and pinned Malfoy against the wall behind them, holding Malfoy's wrists above his head with one hand. Harry's other hand rested on Malfoy's hip and he pushed his groin against Malfoy's, eliciting a strangled moan from Malfoy. Harry could feel Malfoy's hardness resting against his own; both of them were straining at their trousers.
'Maybe I want to do something to you, first.' Harry said. Malfoy's eyes lit up in curiosity, but they were wary. Casually, Harry lifted the hand that had been on Malfoy's hip, and pulled at Malfoy's white shirt, untucking it.
'But only if I'm right.' Harry said, his hand pausing and his eyes meeting Malfoy's. 'Only if you want this as much as I do.'
