Disclaimer:
Same as it was in Chapter one!
A/N OK People...I'm in a very festive mood right now, and when I get home from work today, I'll be in an even better mood, and maybe I'll be able to get a couple 'days' ahead whoo hoo! By the way, thank you guys SO much for the reviews, it's always nice to know someone out there is reading what you write, and that they don't think it sucks too bad lol. BTW, is response to one of the reviews, yes this IS going to be Harry/Draco slash and not a Harry/Draco buddy fic :o)
The Twelve Days Of Christmas By: Gum Acacia
On The Second Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...
There was snow all around him. Blowing into his face from every direction. But something wasn't right. That feeling of tiny ice pricks that usually accompanied the snow falling on his skin wasn't there. Instead, every flake that touched his skin felt warm, as though it were summer rain and not winter snow. Harry turned around, all around him was snow; it was as if the whole world gave itself up to the wintry weather.
And then he saw them. They were running around like mad in the snow, both trying to hit each other with snowballs and stopping now and then to catch their breath. Her red hair stood out in stark contrast to the white background and her cloak, a deep forest green, made her look like the epitome of Christmas. His cheeks were flushed a bright red, and his hair looked like charcoal against the snow. He was grinning at her wildly and she giggled as he pulled her to him and gently kissed her lips.
She pulled away, her face flushed as red as her hair. She ran quickly away and he gave chase with equal ardor. They both ran swiftly past Harry, neither even glancing up to acknowledge him. Of course he recognized them, he had seen enough pictures to know them even in the blizzard of warmth he was in. But they weren't as old here. In fact, they were maybe even a year or two younger then he was now.
He watched them run up the steps of the castle that had seemed to come from nowhere. They were hand in hand, both looking as though they could never get enough of each other. He smiled sadly to himself. He was dreaming. Dreaming of a time before he was born. Before he was even a glint in either of his parents' eyes. A time when they were alive and happy, basking in each other's love.
He felt himself starting to wake, and somewhere in his mind he fought to remain asleep. He wanted to watch his parents more. Even if it wasn't a memory, even it was just a figment of his imagination. Lately in the back of his mind, he began to envy all the people he knew who had someone to care about, and had in return someone to care about them. It was something he had wanted since he was a child, but now, it was deeper.
The swirling snow gave way to bright reds and orange as the mornings light began to force itself to be known behind Harry's eyelids. He grunted and rolled onto his stomach, shoving his pillow over his head. 'Why is it morning comes when you least want it to?' he thought sourly to himself.
He pushed himself up onto his hands and looked around his room. Seamus' bed was empty and already made which meant he was already dressed and downstairs. Harry groggily put his feet on the floor and rubbed his eyes. He blinked a few times getting his bearings and forced himself to cross to his dresser to get his clothes for the day.
He made his way down to the boys' bathrooms without bumping into anything, and he turned the water on as hot as he could stand it and stepped inside. The water sprayed down his body relaxing away tensions and causing his mind to focus. He scrubbed at his body watching as the soap dripped down his legs swirling into the drain.
He let the water wash over him for a few more minutes then he stepped out and quickly dried himself off. He wrapped the towel around his waist and moved to look at himself in the mirror. His dark hair was plastered to his head; small drops of water were falling to his shoulders. He studied himself in the mirror, searching to see if the young boy of eleven he was when he first came to Hogwarts could still be seen.
His frame was larger now, only four inches smaller then Ron Weasley's height of six three, he had managed to grow to a respectable height. Seven years of playing Quidditch and spending the last two summers helping Charlie Weasley train the Dragons under his care for the upcoming war had helped fill in his muscles. His face now had a chiseled jaw and heavy stubble that required him to shave daily. All and all, the young boy he was seemed to be gone.
But his scar still remained never fading through the years. And his eyes still had that green luster and innocence that had made people stop and take notice in his younger days. And his smile, though seldom it was truly seen anymore, still managed to lighten his face of the extra years that had come early to him. He shook his head, ignored the whistle the mirror sounded as he changed into his clothes and after dropping his things off in his room, made his way down to the great hall for breakfast. It was probably almost over, but if he were lucky there would still be a sausage roll or two left.
He started to make his way over to the Gryffindor table when he heard his name being called behind him. He turned and saw Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown making their way over from the Ravenclaw table. "Harry! Hold on a moment," Parvati screeched from across the hall. They quickly made their way over to where Harry was standing.
Lavender spoke quickly, slightly out of breath, "Have you talked to Seamus yet this morning, Harry?"
Harry shook his head; "He was gone before I got up."
Lavender broke into a huge grin, "then *we* get to tell you!"
Harry took a small tentative step backwards; he exactly thrilled at the gleam in both girls eye. "Tell me what?"
"Oh, it's so exciting, Harry!" Paravti interrupted. "The Seventh year tasks, we're drawing for them tonight!"
Harry looked completely confused. "What tasks, what are you talking about?"
Lavender rolled her eyes, "See! I told you he wouldn't have a clue as to what we were talking about! Always to busy saving the world to pay attention to little things like school gossip!" She pushed Harry back towards the Gryffindor table and sat him down. She started again, this time softer, "All the seventh years at Hogwarts who stay here for Christmas break compete in a game of tasks, whichever house has the most successfully completed tasks wins!"
Parvati cut in; "The house that wins gets to raid the Seventh year dorm rooms of any losing house they choose!"
Harry snorted, "well, that doesn't seem like that great of a prize."
Lavender sniffed hotly, "It's a matter of house pride, Harry! Last year Ravenclaw won, and they stole all the Slytherins winter clothes!"
At this Harry grinned, "So that's why Bole kept showing up to Quidditch practice wrapped up in his sheets."
"Anyway, we're supposed to meet tonight at midnight in the Astronomy tower. And Harry, no matter what you get, you absolutely have to do it, because we have the fewest amount of seventh years this year." Paravti's eyes were pleading.
Harry raised one eyebrow, "Just what are the tasks?"
Parvati grinned, "Well no one knows. They're all different every year, and they're written by a person from last years winning house."
Lavender poked Harry in the shoulder, "Come to think of it, I think they're being done by that Cho Chang, didn't you used to fancy her?"
Harry blushed and lowered his eyes, "For about five minutes, but nothing ever happened."
Parvati gave him a skeptical eye and looked as though she was about to say something but waved her hand to dismiss the idea, "So, you are coming tonight." It wasn't a question; it was a decided fact.
"Ya, I guess."
Parvati and Lavender squealed and both threw their arms him, squeezing him until he thought he'd choke. "Oh I'm so glad Neville didn't stay on this year, I can't imagine he'd be up to anything." They both stood up and rushed off quickly back to the Ravenclaw table where a smug looking Parvati was apparently telling her twin sister Harry had agreed to play.
A voice beside him caused to whirl around, "Really Potter! Such blatant public displays of affection. I'd think you Gryffindors would spare the rest of us from having to witness it." Draco Malfoy was standing next to the still seated Harry; he seemed to be towering over him. Draco was only and inch or more taller then Harry, but he had a way of holding himself that seemed to be make the difference seem greater.
Harry stood up and took a step closer to Draco. "What do you want, Malfoy?"
Draco grinned, "A look at your bedroom."
Harry blanched, "Wh- what?" he stammered out.
Draco smirked, "I just want to see if you have anything worth having. When Slytherin wins this year, and believe me Potter we will, we've already agreed that it's going to be Gryffindor who loses. Just like it should be."
"Just like it never is," Harry said, his teeth grinding, "Slytherin will always lose. Quidditch, the house cup, it doesn't matter. Face it Draco, you're on the wrong side. *You* will always lose."
Draco stepped closer to Harry; he could almost feel the heat and hate pouring of the others body. "You're wrong Potter," he spoke in a deadly quiet whisper, "about more things then one. You should start paying attention to how things really are and not just in the world according to bloody Saint Potter." He pushed into Harry causing him to fall back down on his seat.
Harry stood quickly back up and watched the retreating form of the Slytherin. "Bastard," he mumbled again softly to himself. Tonight he was going to take his task, no matter what it was. He wasn't going to let Malfoy get the last word. Not tonight, not anymore.
~*~*~*~
Harry spent the rest of the day trying to appease Seamus by spending the day doing all the things Seamus had deemed Christmas worthy. They sent out at least a hundred Christmas owls, and Harry still felt a small cramp in his arm. He didn't even really know half those people!
But now the two boys were quietly walking up staircase after staircase making their way to the Astronomy tower. Seamus had told Harry before they left that one of the six year prefects had agreed to cause a 'distraction' in the west lower dungeons to keep Mrs. Norris busy. And both the Head Boy and Girl had agreed to bend a few rules, enchanting the staircases to keep the remaining teachers from getting anywhere near the tower. "They won't notice anything," Seamus had said, "bloody stairs are always changing schedules."
After a few more nearly silent minutes (Harry had had to bite his tongue to keep from yelling out when Seamus had 'accidentally' elbowed him in his stomach...twice) they finally reached the astronomy tower. All the Slytherins were already in attendance, as were the Ravenclaws. It seemed there were only one or two Hufflepuffs that had yet to show up. From across the room he could feel Draco smirking at him. He turned to watch as Seamus made his way over to the Head Boy, Morag MacDougal. After saying a few words, Morag nodded and Seamus made his way to stand back over next to Harry.
"This, Harry, is what being a seventh year is all about! Morag says we'll start in five minutes, hopefully no one else will show. It'll better our chances of winning."
Everyone waited quietly, and when no one else showed up Morag called everyone to attention. "You all know the rules by now. If at anytime you are discovered during a task, unless it is specifically specified to do so, that task will be considered as an incomplete. You will also deny anything if you are questioned by one of the teachers. Don't think for a minute they don't know about this little 'tradition' of ours. So, you have to be extra careful. Now, if our acting Head Girl will kindly bring over the tasks."
Hannah Abbot, who had taken over the position as Head Girl while Hermione was on vacation, made her way over to Morag and produced what looked to be a small sliver collapsible cauldron. "Everybody come froward one at a time, draw your task and then accept or decline. Hufflepuff!"
Justin Finch-Fletchly made his way forward, he had a sick looking smile on his face as he plunged his hand into the cauldron and pulled out a small scroll. He lowered his eyes to read it, turned slightly green, nodded his head to accept and then stepped back.
"Slytherin." She said with a small scowl on her face.
Tracey Davis calmly walked to the cauldron; she stuck her hand inside quickly pulled out a scroll. She read it twice before nodding her head and moving back with her fellow Slytherins.
"Ravenclaw!'
Stephen Cornfoot made his way shakily towards the cauldron, Harry thought he looked as though in any moment he would pass out. He reached in with trembling hands and pulled out a scroll. He read it, gasped once and vigorously shook his head 'no'. The Slytherins all laughed but Harry tried to give a comforting smile as he passed to stand once again with his house.
"Gryffindor!"
Seamus practically ran forward, grinning like a mad man and grabbed the top scroll on the pile. He quickly read the note. His jaw dropped open, and he read it again. "OH! Oh, I cannot believe it. It's perfect, yes, YES! I'll do it!" He practically skipped on his way back to Harry, grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole time.
The rest of the students made their way up to the cauldron, one Hufflepuff shrieking and running out without a further word. Finally, it was only Harry and Draco who were yet to draw. As it was, all the Slytherins had accepted, as had the Gryffindors. Only three Ravenclaws had accepted, and only two Hufflepuff.
"Slytherin," Hannah called out once more.
Draco sauntered up to the Cauldron. He put his hand in and drew out one of the remaining scrolls. He unfolded and read it quickly, looked directly at Harry, quickly raised and lowered his eyebrows in a flash and grinned. "I accept."
Harry didn't wait for Hannah to call his house, he strode up to the cauldron shoved his hand inside and pulled out a scroll. He held it clenched in his hand, he stared directly into Draco's eyes, without looking at the scroll he nodded his head, shoved the scroll in his pocket and quickly walked to stand next to Seamus again. There were a few gasps around the room, how could he accept without knowing what he was getting himself into!
Everyone started to file out of the room going in pairs to hurry and make their way back to their common rooms undetected. Seamus was just grinning at Harry. "Have a fun time trying to show up Draco, did you?"
"I wasn't showing him up, I just wanted him to know he doesn't get to me."
Seamus slugged Harry on the arm gently, "Of course, he doesn't get to you. And you have to make sure he damn well knows it, right?"
As if on cue, Draco made his way over to where Harry and Seamus were standing. "Think that was really something, do you, not looking at your task?" He smirked again and clucked his tongue, "All that Gryffindor bravery, it really is quite astounding. Do me a favor, would you Potter? Make a list of everything you have that's actually worth something. It'll make it easier for me when I come to claim my prize. Not that I expect you to have anything worth keeping."
Harry made a move to go after Draco, but Seamus put a hand on his shoulder stopping him. "Come on Harry, it's been a long night, you guys can find out who has the bigger 'wand' tomorrow. As for tonight, I had Dobby sneak in some Christmas treats for us when we get back. I'll have you merry yet."
Harry didn't bother reading his scroll before he fell to sleep that night, instead his mind was focusing on a pair of silver eyes that seemed to be following Harry everywhere he went.
A/N
OK, I know it's kind of a stretch to have the Ravenclaws and the Head Boy and Girl being so naughty (lol) but it's sort of a play on the American tradition of a school prank your senior year in high school. Everyone tends to turn their head and give a blind eye, so bare with me on this one lol.
A preview for tomorrow - A task is completed, Harry overhears Snape talking to Dumbledore, which causes him to rethink some things, and Draco actually laughs! -GASP-
A/N OK People...I'm in a very festive mood right now, and when I get home from work today, I'll be in an even better mood, and maybe I'll be able to get a couple 'days' ahead whoo hoo! By the way, thank you guys SO much for the reviews, it's always nice to know someone out there is reading what you write, and that they don't think it sucks too bad lol. BTW, is response to one of the reviews, yes this IS going to be Harry/Draco slash and not a Harry/Draco buddy fic :o)
The Twelve Days Of Christmas By: Gum Acacia
On The Second Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...
There was snow all around him. Blowing into his face from every direction. But something wasn't right. That feeling of tiny ice pricks that usually accompanied the snow falling on his skin wasn't there. Instead, every flake that touched his skin felt warm, as though it were summer rain and not winter snow. Harry turned around, all around him was snow; it was as if the whole world gave itself up to the wintry weather.
And then he saw them. They were running around like mad in the snow, both trying to hit each other with snowballs and stopping now and then to catch their breath. Her red hair stood out in stark contrast to the white background and her cloak, a deep forest green, made her look like the epitome of Christmas. His cheeks were flushed a bright red, and his hair looked like charcoal against the snow. He was grinning at her wildly and she giggled as he pulled her to him and gently kissed her lips.
She pulled away, her face flushed as red as her hair. She ran quickly away and he gave chase with equal ardor. They both ran swiftly past Harry, neither even glancing up to acknowledge him. Of course he recognized them, he had seen enough pictures to know them even in the blizzard of warmth he was in. But they weren't as old here. In fact, they were maybe even a year or two younger then he was now.
He watched them run up the steps of the castle that had seemed to come from nowhere. They were hand in hand, both looking as though they could never get enough of each other. He smiled sadly to himself. He was dreaming. Dreaming of a time before he was born. Before he was even a glint in either of his parents' eyes. A time when they were alive and happy, basking in each other's love.
He felt himself starting to wake, and somewhere in his mind he fought to remain asleep. He wanted to watch his parents more. Even if it wasn't a memory, even it was just a figment of his imagination. Lately in the back of his mind, he began to envy all the people he knew who had someone to care about, and had in return someone to care about them. It was something he had wanted since he was a child, but now, it was deeper.
The swirling snow gave way to bright reds and orange as the mornings light began to force itself to be known behind Harry's eyelids. He grunted and rolled onto his stomach, shoving his pillow over his head. 'Why is it morning comes when you least want it to?' he thought sourly to himself.
He pushed himself up onto his hands and looked around his room. Seamus' bed was empty and already made which meant he was already dressed and downstairs. Harry groggily put his feet on the floor and rubbed his eyes. He blinked a few times getting his bearings and forced himself to cross to his dresser to get his clothes for the day.
He made his way down to the boys' bathrooms without bumping into anything, and he turned the water on as hot as he could stand it and stepped inside. The water sprayed down his body relaxing away tensions and causing his mind to focus. He scrubbed at his body watching as the soap dripped down his legs swirling into the drain.
He let the water wash over him for a few more minutes then he stepped out and quickly dried himself off. He wrapped the towel around his waist and moved to look at himself in the mirror. His dark hair was plastered to his head; small drops of water were falling to his shoulders. He studied himself in the mirror, searching to see if the young boy of eleven he was when he first came to Hogwarts could still be seen.
His frame was larger now, only four inches smaller then Ron Weasley's height of six three, he had managed to grow to a respectable height. Seven years of playing Quidditch and spending the last two summers helping Charlie Weasley train the Dragons under his care for the upcoming war had helped fill in his muscles. His face now had a chiseled jaw and heavy stubble that required him to shave daily. All and all, the young boy he was seemed to be gone.
But his scar still remained never fading through the years. And his eyes still had that green luster and innocence that had made people stop and take notice in his younger days. And his smile, though seldom it was truly seen anymore, still managed to lighten his face of the extra years that had come early to him. He shook his head, ignored the whistle the mirror sounded as he changed into his clothes and after dropping his things off in his room, made his way down to the great hall for breakfast. It was probably almost over, but if he were lucky there would still be a sausage roll or two left.
He started to make his way over to the Gryffindor table when he heard his name being called behind him. He turned and saw Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown making their way over from the Ravenclaw table. "Harry! Hold on a moment," Parvati screeched from across the hall. They quickly made their way over to where Harry was standing.
Lavender spoke quickly, slightly out of breath, "Have you talked to Seamus yet this morning, Harry?"
Harry shook his head; "He was gone before I got up."
Lavender broke into a huge grin, "then *we* get to tell you!"
Harry took a small tentative step backwards; he exactly thrilled at the gleam in both girls eye. "Tell me what?"
"Oh, it's so exciting, Harry!" Paravti interrupted. "The Seventh year tasks, we're drawing for them tonight!"
Harry looked completely confused. "What tasks, what are you talking about?"
Lavender rolled her eyes, "See! I told you he wouldn't have a clue as to what we were talking about! Always to busy saving the world to pay attention to little things like school gossip!" She pushed Harry back towards the Gryffindor table and sat him down. She started again, this time softer, "All the seventh years at Hogwarts who stay here for Christmas break compete in a game of tasks, whichever house has the most successfully completed tasks wins!"
Parvati cut in; "The house that wins gets to raid the Seventh year dorm rooms of any losing house they choose!"
Harry snorted, "well, that doesn't seem like that great of a prize."
Lavender sniffed hotly, "It's a matter of house pride, Harry! Last year Ravenclaw won, and they stole all the Slytherins winter clothes!"
At this Harry grinned, "So that's why Bole kept showing up to Quidditch practice wrapped up in his sheets."
"Anyway, we're supposed to meet tonight at midnight in the Astronomy tower. And Harry, no matter what you get, you absolutely have to do it, because we have the fewest amount of seventh years this year." Paravti's eyes were pleading.
Harry raised one eyebrow, "Just what are the tasks?"
Parvati grinned, "Well no one knows. They're all different every year, and they're written by a person from last years winning house."
Lavender poked Harry in the shoulder, "Come to think of it, I think they're being done by that Cho Chang, didn't you used to fancy her?"
Harry blushed and lowered his eyes, "For about five minutes, but nothing ever happened."
Parvati gave him a skeptical eye and looked as though she was about to say something but waved her hand to dismiss the idea, "So, you are coming tonight." It wasn't a question; it was a decided fact.
"Ya, I guess."
Parvati and Lavender squealed and both threw their arms him, squeezing him until he thought he'd choke. "Oh I'm so glad Neville didn't stay on this year, I can't imagine he'd be up to anything." They both stood up and rushed off quickly back to the Ravenclaw table where a smug looking Parvati was apparently telling her twin sister Harry had agreed to play.
A voice beside him caused to whirl around, "Really Potter! Such blatant public displays of affection. I'd think you Gryffindors would spare the rest of us from having to witness it." Draco Malfoy was standing next to the still seated Harry; he seemed to be towering over him. Draco was only and inch or more taller then Harry, but he had a way of holding himself that seemed to be make the difference seem greater.
Harry stood up and took a step closer to Draco. "What do you want, Malfoy?"
Draco grinned, "A look at your bedroom."
Harry blanched, "Wh- what?" he stammered out.
Draco smirked, "I just want to see if you have anything worth having. When Slytherin wins this year, and believe me Potter we will, we've already agreed that it's going to be Gryffindor who loses. Just like it should be."
"Just like it never is," Harry said, his teeth grinding, "Slytherin will always lose. Quidditch, the house cup, it doesn't matter. Face it Draco, you're on the wrong side. *You* will always lose."
Draco stepped closer to Harry; he could almost feel the heat and hate pouring of the others body. "You're wrong Potter," he spoke in a deadly quiet whisper, "about more things then one. You should start paying attention to how things really are and not just in the world according to bloody Saint Potter." He pushed into Harry causing him to fall back down on his seat.
Harry stood quickly back up and watched the retreating form of the Slytherin. "Bastard," he mumbled again softly to himself. Tonight he was going to take his task, no matter what it was. He wasn't going to let Malfoy get the last word. Not tonight, not anymore.
~*~*~*~
Harry spent the rest of the day trying to appease Seamus by spending the day doing all the things Seamus had deemed Christmas worthy. They sent out at least a hundred Christmas owls, and Harry still felt a small cramp in his arm. He didn't even really know half those people!
But now the two boys were quietly walking up staircase after staircase making their way to the Astronomy tower. Seamus had told Harry before they left that one of the six year prefects had agreed to cause a 'distraction' in the west lower dungeons to keep Mrs. Norris busy. And both the Head Boy and Girl had agreed to bend a few rules, enchanting the staircases to keep the remaining teachers from getting anywhere near the tower. "They won't notice anything," Seamus had said, "bloody stairs are always changing schedules."
After a few more nearly silent minutes (Harry had had to bite his tongue to keep from yelling out when Seamus had 'accidentally' elbowed him in his stomach...twice) they finally reached the astronomy tower. All the Slytherins were already in attendance, as were the Ravenclaws. It seemed there were only one or two Hufflepuffs that had yet to show up. From across the room he could feel Draco smirking at him. He turned to watch as Seamus made his way over to the Head Boy, Morag MacDougal. After saying a few words, Morag nodded and Seamus made his way to stand back over next to Harry.
"This, Harry, is what being a seventh year is all about! Morag says we'll start in five minutes, hopefully no one else will show. It'll better our chances of winning."
Everyone waited quietly, and when no one else showed up Morag called everyone to attention. "You all know the rules by now. If at anytime you are discovered during a task, unless it is specifically specified to do so, that task will be considered as an incomplete. You will also deny anything if you are questioned by one of the teachers. Don't think for a minute they don't know about this little 'tradition' of ours. So, you have to be extra careful. Now, if our acting Head Girl will kindly bring over the tasks."
Hannah Abbot, who had taken over the position as Head Girl while Hermione was on vacation, made her way over to Morag and produced what looked to be a small sliver collapsible cauldron. "Everybody come froward one at a time, draw your task and then accept or decline. Hufflepuff!"
Justin Finch-Fletchly made his way forward, he had a sick looking smile on his face as he plunged his hand into the cauldron and pulled out a small scroll. He lowered his eyes to read it, turned slightly green, nodded his head to accept and then stepped back.
"Slytherin." She said with a small scowl on her face.
Tracey Davis calmly walked to the cauldron; she stuck her hand inside quickly pulled out a scroll. She read it twice before nodding her head and moving back with her fellow Slytherins.
"Ravenclaw!'
Stephen Cornfoot made his way shakily towards the cauldron, Harry thought he looked as though in any moment he would pass out. He reached in with trembling hands and pulled out a scroll. He read it, gasped once and vigorously shook his head 'no'. The Slytherins all laughed but Harry tried to give a comforting smile as he passed to stand once again with his house.
"Gryffindor!"
Seamus practically ran forward, grinning like a mad man and grabbed the top scroll on the pile. He quickly read the note. His jaw dropped open, and he read it again. "OH! Oh, I cannot believe it. It's perfect, yes, YES! I'll do it!" He practically skipped on his way back to Harry, grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole time.
The rest of the students made their way up to the cauldron, one Hufflepuff shrieking and running out without a further word. Finally, it was only Harry and Draco who were yet to draw. As it was, all the Slytherins had accepted, as had the Gryffindors. Only three Ravenclaws had accepted, and only two Hufflepuff.
"Slytherin," Hannah called out once more.
Draco sauntered up to the Cauldron. He put his hand in and drew out one of the remaining scrolls. He unfolded and read it quickly, looked directly at Harry, quickly raised and lowered his eyebrows in a flash and grinned. "I accept."
Harry didn't wait for Hannah to call his house, he strode up to the cauldron shoved his hand inside and pulled out a scroll. He held it clenched in his hand, he stared directly into Draco's eyes, without looking at the scroll he nodded his head, shoved the scroll in his pocket and quickly walked to stand next to Seamus again. There were a few gasps around the room, how could he accept without knowing what he was getting himself into!
Everyone started to file out of the room going in pairs to hurry and make their way back to their common rooms undetected. Seamus was just grinning at Harry. "Have a fun time trying to show up Draco, did you?"
"I wasn't showing him up, I just wanted him to know he doesn't get to me."
Seamus slugged Harry on the arm gently, "Of course, he doesn't get to you. And you have to make sure he damn well knows it, right?"
As if on cue, Draco made his way over to where Harry and Seamus were standing. "Think that was really something, do you, not looking at your task?" He smirked again and clucked his tongue, "All that Gryffindor bravery, it really is quite astounding. Do me a favor, would you Potter? Make a list of everything you have that's actually worth something. It'll make it easier for me when I come to claim my prize. Not that I expect you to have anything worth keeping."
Harry made a move to go after Draco, but Seamus put a hand on his shoulder stopping him. "Come on Harry, it's been a long night, you guys can find out who has the bigger 'wand' tomorrow. As for tonight, I had Dobby sneak in some Christmas treats for us when we get back. I'll have you merry yet."
Harry didn't bother reading his scroll before he fell to sleep that night, instead his mind was focusing on a pair of silver eyes that seemed to be following Harry everywhere he went.
A/N
OK, I know it's kind of a stretch to have the Ravenclaws and the Head Boy and Girl being so naughty (lol) but it's sort of a play on the American tradition of a school prank your senior year in high school. Everyone tends to turn their head and give a blind eye, so bare with me on this one lol.
A preview for tomorrow - A task is completed, Harry overhears Snape talking to Dumbledore, which causes him to rethink some things, and Draco actually laughs! -GASP-