Disclaimer:
Same as it was in Chapter one!
A/N WOW! Am I behind or what? I should be taken out into the streets and flogged with something really hard and maybe with spikes on it! And then I should be left to DIE! OK, I might be a little dramatic on that one lol. I was planning on spending all day yesterday writing to catch up...and I had to work GRRR! Oh well...Here's day eight anyway. Giggles insanely I LOVE screwing with poor little Harry as he's so bloody blind. But don't think Draco is 100% in the light either MUAH MUAH MUAH! Just a warning ;o)
The Twelve Days Of Christmas By: Gum Acacia
On The Eighth Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...
"What did you get me for Christmas?" Seamus asked Harry again for the third time that morning. They had just finished eating breakfast when Dumbledore had announced that all the seventh years were required to stay behind so that he might 'have a word' with them. Harry was absolutely sure they were all going to be expelled. Perhaps Pansy turning Mrs. Norris pink had pushed the tasks just a bit too far. Seamus on the other hand decided to take a more cheerful look on things and concluded it was far more important to find out what Harry had bought for him then what Dumbledore had in store for them all.
"If you ask me that one more time, I'm not going to give it to you." Harrys' eyes weren't actually looking at the other boy. They were fixed intently on where the Headmaster was sitting.
"That's your way of letting me know you haven't gotten me anything, isn't it?" Seamus asked dramatically trying to capture his friends attention. Harry had been relatively silent since yesterday and Seamus had begun to wonder if more wasn't going on in his friends mind then just a bit of Christmas glum. But, what he was suspecting had to be impossible didn't it? As far as he was aware the world was still here and hadn't been sucked into and abyss of hell. And he couldn't imagine *that* happening without starting the end of the world.
"No, that's my way of saying I did get you something and that I have no qualms with keeping it if you keep bugging me about it." Harry said finally looking at the boy, a small grin on his face.
"Oh! So it's something good then, I mean if you want to keep it!" Seamus playfully punched the other boy on the arm fully aware he has sidestepped Harry's actual point.
"You're hopeless, you do know that don't you?" Harry said rolling his eyes focusing once more on where Dumbledore sat. Most of the junior years had exited the hall and Harry felt a sudden surge in his stomach as he saw Dumbledore move to stand up. He nudged his friend and both boys fell silent waiting for their Headmaster to speak.
Dumbledore waited patiently as the last few younger years scurried out of the room. He stood silently for a moment, a somewhat serious expression on his face. Without saying a word, he commanded everyone's attention. Harry felt that surge in his stomach again; it slightly increased as the Headmaster spoke. "Another passing of time has come to us, it seems. Another group of students, who it seems only moments ago were being sorted into their houses, are readying themselves to leave our halls and enter the world on their own."
He moved his way down from the front of the head table down the steps to stand directly in front of the students' tables. "It also seems as though certain traditions have once again passed down from previous generations."
Harry glared at Seamus as though to say, 'See! I told you we're done for it!' But Seamus just rolled his eyes thinking still he'd rather been interrogating Harry about presents and other important matters that had yet to be discussed between them. Both turned their attention back to the Headmaster as he began to speak again.
"Certain staff members," Dumbledore paused and Harry looked behind the aging wizard to see a very angry looking Snape accompanied by an equally disgruntled Filch and a very flustered McGonagall, "believe that certain penalties should be allocated to the supposed guilty parties."
Harry looked over once again at Seamus, annoyed that the other boy seemed to be perfectly calm despite what Dumbledore had just said. He noticed, however, that most of the other seventh years seemed to be reacting accordingly.
"However," Dumbledore continued, his eyes taking on a merrier glow as he did, "since it would be impossible to link every person individually without their complete cooperation, and something tells me that is not very likely, I don't see how any proper punishments can be distributed."
Seamus just grinned at Harry but Snape burst forth, obviously less then pleased with what Dumbledore had to say. "Sir, you can't mean to tell me that such blatant disregard for the rules will go unpunished? Never before has any class been so profuse in their antics! Just this morning I was awakened by one of the first years in my house who informed me that all the furniture in his room had been stolen and placed on top of the roof!"
Seamus snickered loudly but quickly quieted at the intense glare he was receiving from his potions master. He quickly changed his face to one of solemn sympathy, shaking his head in mocking reproach.
"Severus, please calm yourself. I am quite aware of this morning's recent tomfoolery. However, as I said before, it would be impossible to properly punish a student if we did not know exactly what they were responsible for."
"They're all responsible for something!" Snape shouted, his eyes looking black with rage.
"And so they will be punished," the Headmaster said softly, his eyes once again twinkling with merriment as though he were constantly living in a world where only he knew every secret.
Snape sneered at the students stopping longer then necessary on Harry specifically. "I'm glad you think so, Sir."
"Yes, in fact their punishment will take place tonight as soon as dinner is finished." Harry relaxed slightly, any punishment was better then getting kicked out over something as stupid as some silly pranks. "And so tonight they will all be tasked to put up and decorate the trees that have yet to adorn our great hall."
The professors reaction was even more laughable then the students. While most of the students either just blanched or immediately broke into huge grins, Snape and Filch both looked as if someone had just force-fed them a blast-ended skrewt.
"Sir, what about my cat! Putting some tinsel on a tree isn't going to make up for that." Filch was spitting as he spoke, he was searching around the room staring down each student determined to find the guilty party.
"Really Albus," Snape said lowering his voice, "you cannot think that a simple tree decorating will defer these children from continuing these ludicrous shenanigans."
Dumbledore just smiled, "I don't think a year worth of detention would deter them, but I do believe that something as simple as decorating a tree might have more shrouded benefits then one might believe. You may notify the parents of all the seventh years if you think necessary," he looked pointedly at Draco as he spoke.
Snape glanced at his pupil, and then glanced back at a now grinning Dumbledore. Snape frowned fully aware of Dumbledore's constant ulterior motives. "I don't think that will be necessary, Sir."
Harry looked over at Seamus, slightly confused at the sudden alteration in the Potions Masters' attitude. Seamus just nodded an 'I told you so' to Harry listening as the Headmaster told all the students to be in the hall by nine that night.
Seamus grabbed Harry by the arm and quickly hauled him out of the room. "We have to go get ready!" Seamus explained to his questioning friend.
"For what?" Harry yelled trying to keep up with the practically sprinting blonde boy.
"I swear, you're thicker then Neville sometimes, Harry. For tonight! We have work to do!" Seamus continued to drag Harry down corridor after corridor.
"We don't have to be at the hall until nine-"
Seamus cut him off sounding slightly exasperated. "And of course if I weren't here you would just run down the stairs and think nothing of it wouldn't you?"
Harry just shrugged still not aware what it was they were supposed to be preparing for.
"First off," Seamus began, "we need costume design." Harry looked as if were about to interrupt but Seamus just held up his hand. "I'm not going to hear it, Harry. You have about as much fashion sense as Hagrid!"
"Why do I need to dress up, anyway?" Harry pleaded.
The blonde boy just shook his head; "I blame myself for part of this Harry. I let to many years go by before I put you in my book. It's Christmas! You should be dressed festive and yet alluring. And I, I have to be the epitome of seduction."
"Why am I supposed to be alluring, and who are you seducing?"
"Harry! You cannot possibly be this clueless. You have to be alluring because I need you to be and *I'm* seducing Blaise. I'm going to have a serious conversation with Hermione when she gets back. She's not doing her duty by you, mate."
The two boys made it up to their dorm and Harry sat on the bed watching the chaos that was Seamus dash around their room trying to put together what he declared to be an 'un-resistible' ensemble. The blonde boy had even resorted to pilfering their absent roommates dressers.
"Dean won't mind, I steal his clothes all the time! But, I doubt we make any success of Ron or Neville though." Seamus looked anyhow and wasn't surprised in the lack of options. "We could always get Lavender to charm something for us."
Harry shook his head profusely not wanting to spend the next hour being poked at by Lavender and Parvati as they determined what would look best on them.
But Seamus won in the end insisting he either go to Lavender or wait until Seamus searched every seventh year house dormitories closets for something perfect. Trusting that Seamus would be true to his word, Harry grabbed a plain black jumper that Mrs. Weasley had knitted for him and they made their way to the girls' dorm rooms.
"You can't come in!" Lavender shouted. "Boys aren't allowed!"
Seamus just laughed, "I've been in here before Lavender, and besides we're not here to snog you! We're here for you superior fashion sense! Harry needs a makeover for tonight, and I need to look even more devastating then I normally do."
Harry snorted, but whatever Seamus had said had done the trick, they were both immediately pulled inside and Lavender and Parvati immediately went to work.
"Take your clothes off," Parvati commanded.
"Are you mad?" Harry immediately put the jumper he was holding between them as some sort of makeshift shield.
"We need to see what we're working with here! The clothes must accent the form!" Lavender tried to pull the jumper from Harry's hands, but Harry was determined to hold on.
"I am *not* getting naked in front of you! Especially in a girls dormitory!" Harry took a step backwards excepting Seamus to back him up but was surprised to see the other boy had already taken off his shirt. "What are you doing?"
"Well, really Harry," Seamus said rolling his eyes, "you've got to at least take off your shirt. The pants will stay on, you have my word." He grinned as the girls sighed, obviously disappointed.
Harry stood still; the girls remained staring at him, their hands on their hips. "Well, Harry? Do you want us to help you or not?"
Harry looked at Seamus who was busy looking at himself in the mirror, flexing his muscles as he did so. Harry looked back at the girls. "Only for a minute." He dropped the jumper he was holding onto the floor and proceeded to tug the shirt he was wearing over his head. He immediately pulled it back down again at a chorus of three cat whistles.
"Oh, Harry we're only teasing," Lavender said laughing.
Harry swiftly pulled off his shirt crossing his crossing his arms against his chest. "This is completely ridiculous," Harry mumbled.
Lavender was circling Harry as though she were a vulture and he was a rabbit close to death. "Hmm," she said.
"What's 'Hmm'," Harry asked.
"You don't have any tattoo's," she said pointing to his chest in a most accusatory voice.
Harry dropped his arms, "No I don't. Was I supposed to?"
Parvati stepped in, "Harry don't you even know how to be a properly brooding sex symbol?"
Harry practically choked, "What are you talking about?"
"It's not use," Seamus said stepping in, "He hasn't got a clue as to what you're talking about. I've already decided to give Hermione a thorough once over when she gets back. Look what we have to work with!" Seamus threw his hands up into the air and went back to glancing at himself in the mirror.
Lavender clucked her tongue, "That's so sad. All this time I thought you'd have a tattoo somewhere. Maybe a blade on the back of your shoulder, or your sign under your belly-button."
Parvati shook her head, "The Gryffindor crest right on his bum."
Harry blushed, "I'm not getting a tattoo."
"Well," Parvati said sighing dramatically, "at least we've got Justin and Draco."
This brought Harry to attention; "Draco's got a tattoo?"
Lavender grinned wickedly, "Padma said that Pansy said that it was on the back of his thigh. But I've never been able to catch a peak."
Harry blushed again not wanting to picture what the tattoo might be, but unable to stop himself. "We should go before we get caught in here, the Professors are just waiting for one of us to screw up."
Lavender nodded and she and Parvati quickly went to work measuring the boys and planning out their color schemes. "We'll give them to you before dinner, but you better go so we can work on them."
The boys handed the girls their jumpers and made their way back to their own dorm. Harry was about to lay down on his bed when Seamus stopped him insisting they do something about Harry's hair. Harry zoned out as Seamus prattled on about the proper use of Hair gel and how a blow dryer was his friend. But Harry was to busy thinking about silver eyes and hidden tattoos.
~*~*~*~
The dinner was going far to fast for Harry's liking, and he found himself suddenly nervous for some reason. Lavender and Parvati had showed up just before dinner was to start with both boys' jumpers. Seamus had practically squealed with delight. The blonde boy was wearing a deep burgundy jumper that had a wide neck and ribbed collar.
Harry was wearing a deep purple turtleneck that set off his hair and olive skin beautifully. Both jumpers hugged the boys perfectly. Seamus had managed to tame Harry's usually wild hair, and it was now sitting exactly how Seamus had wanted it. Slightly messy (this was intended the Irish boy had yelled) and spiked on top.
They were both sitting down, and Seamus was pleased at the multiple heads that had turned in their direction when they had entered the room. But now dinner was almost over, and soon Dumbledores' 'punishment' would begin.
Before Harry knew it, desert was being cleared away and once again the lower years were filing out of the hall leaving the seventh years behind. "Harry, look at Blaise!"
Harry made a quick glance in the boy's direction, apparently he was supposed to be taking in Blaises' deep green jumper that showed off his muscular frame. But Harry was too busy looking at another Slytherin. Draco was sitting a few spaces down wearing a black jumper, it's neck trimmed in silver. The boys' exceptionally blonde hair appeared to be glowing, as did his pale skin. Harry felt his stomach clench again.
"He is definitely on my 'top ten things I want for Christmas' list." Seamus said nudging Harry in his ribs.
Harry turned back humoring Seamus with a small laugh. "What about Padma?"
"Oh," Seamus said sighing extravagantly, "she's on there too!"
The seventh years all began to talk noisily to each other, across tables, across the hall. Everyone was waiting for Dumbledore to come, who suspiciously had not shown up for dinner. When he finally showed up, Flitwick was with him and they were both levitating seven large trees behind them.
The two men quickly set them up sending them to opposite sides of the room. The seventh and largest of the trees was set up behind the teachers head table.
Dumbledore cleared his voice, "Attention everyone, attention please! These, "he said pointing to the trees around him, "are yours to decorate. Professor McGonagall is going to be bringing the decorations down momentarily."
An excited ripple of chatter spread through the halls.
"However," Dumbledore began again, "after conferencing with some of the staff who feel I've been a bit to lenient on you, it has been decided that this little chore shall be done without the use of magic."
The excitement died down and groans simultaneously spread throughout the room.
"Your curfew therefore has been extended to midnight," the excitement was back, "but I insist that you complete your tasks as promptly as possible. Thank you all."
McGonagall had just made her way into the room, forty or so boxes floating behind her. She stacked a few by each tree and then made her way over to where Dumbledore was standing. She whispered something to him and quickly exited the hall.
"If you would all gather around a tree, we can begin!" Dumbledore smiled and exited the hall following McGonagall. Filch came in quickly dropping off four ladders and exited just as swiftly. Flitwick was left to chaperon.
For the fist hour, the students stayed with their own houses, each taking a tree on opposite sides of the room. Seamus however, decided that if his plan were going to be put into effect, he needed things to change drastically. So when the groups had all finished their first trees, Seamus calmly suggested that Slytherin and Gryffindor team up to tackle the largest of the three remaining trees.
That gnawing was back inside Harry's stomach as he made his way towards the largest of the seven trees. He looked at the boxes in front of him and knelt down starting to open them. He heard the drawling voice off to his side, but forced himself to continue to open the boxes.
"Really, Dumbeldore's going quite off his rocker. If my father were to ever hear about me doing a house elf's chore, he'd be down here in a minute!"
Harry rolled his eyes; it was easier to let go of that feeling in his stomach when Malfoy was being a complete git. Harry looked up and watched as Seamus made his way over to where the Slytherins were standing.
"So, what shall it be Zabini? Do you want to be on top, or on the bottom?" Seamus grinned and Harry bit his lip to keep out from laughing.
Blaise blinked his eyes, looking slightly taken back. "Excuse me, Finnigan?"
Seamus continued to grin, "top or bottom, mate. What part of the tree does your group want to decorate?"
Malfoy stepped forward; "I prefer the bottom, myself." He looked at Harry quickly and then back at Seamus.
This time it was Seamus who had to bite his lip, "Really? Never would have thought that." Seamus raised his eyebrows and made his was back over to Harry, squatting down next to the boy. "Harry," he whispered, "is he looking at my arse?"
This time Harry couldn't help but laugh, he shook his head. "Sorry mate, he's looking at the tree."
Seamus rolled his eyes, "who cares about the bloody tree!"
The group started to work, and Harry was surprised at how smoothly things were going. Seamus had been using the ladder as a way to get Blaises' attention, and Harry was surprised to see that it was actually working.
Harry on the other hand, was busy trying not to watch a certain silver-eyed boy who at the moment was chewing on his lip as he was trying to hang an exceptionally heavy looking nutcracker on the tree. He unconsciously let his eyes wander down to the boys' thighs. He was trying to determine which one would best hold a tattoo. The thigh, as well as the boy, turned around and Harry glanced up now eye to eye with Draco. Harry blushed deeply and Draco looked somewhat shocked at first, but then just smirked turning back around placing another ornament on the tree.
Harry grabbed a handful of ornaments and made his way to the back of the tree. There was no one behind it, and he let out the breath he was holding in relief. 'What the bloody hell are you doing!' he shouted at himself inside his head.
"I have no idea," he said softly to himself, "not a bloody clue."
"There's a big surprise,' a voice said behind him. Harry whirled around shocked to see that Draco had followed him behind the tree and was now standing in front of him.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry felt that tremor run through his stomach again and the soft ringing in his ears seemed to be back.
"Not a thing, Potter. I just thought the tree could maybe use some tinsel on this side that's all." Draco moved closer and Harry could feel the heat emanating from the other boys' body. He hung a small clump of the silver decoration on a low branch brushing Harry's arm as he did so.
"I think I've got it covered," Harry said embarrassed that his voice sounded shaky and breathless.
Draco just smirked, "I don't know, Potter. It's a pretty big tree, and you just said you don't have a clue. And for some reason I'm inclined to believe that sentiment."
Harry turned to face the tree; he could feel his face burning red as he tried to force his hands to stop shaking. He swore he could feel the other boys' breath on his neck, and suddenly his knees didn't feel like they were strong enough to support him.
He could swear the room was beginning to spin as if someone had put a spell on him, and his heart felt as though it would rip from his chest. He saw an arm reach over his shoulder to hand a small bulb just above Harry's head. Harry inhaled sharply; his senses suddenly feeling supercharged.
He whirled around and grabbed the other boy by the wrist pulling him closer to his body. Draco's eyes were wide with surprise. Harry grabbed the boys' jumper and pulled him into his chest, registering that every place Draco now touched him seemed to be burning his skin with some unseen fire. Both boys were breathing ragged and Harry couldn't pull his eyes away from Dracos' mouth.
'The source of the spell,' some voice deep inside him seemed to whisper. 'Maybe they break the spell.'
Harry's stomach felt like it was holding lava as he leaned forward toward the other boy, their mouths just a breath away. Harry's hand slid to the back of Draco's neck, and as he registered the softness of the other boys' skin, he also became aware that he was not pulling away.
Harry saw Draco's eyes flutter shut, and he followed suit his senses seeming to enhance and focus only on the parts near to and touching Draco. He tilted his head slightly feeling the heat of the other boys' lips before he actually felt skin.
'I'm about to kiss Malfoy," he thought incoherently.
He was about to close the tiny distance between them when he heard a loud crash behind him and a high cackling filled the air. Harry's eyes blinked open, and his delirium seemed to subside as he realized he as a breath away from kissing Malfoy. He jerked back reflexively, panic filling his eyes.
The other boy seemed to be torn between disappointment and horror. He quickly pulled himself out of Harry's clumsy embrace, his jaw hanging open but no sound coming out.
Harry was aware that Peeves the poltergeist was flying around the room, one of the trees was lying on its side now. Harry continued to stare at Draco, but when he saw the other boys' eyes fill with questions he ran as fast as he could out of the hall and to the sanctuary of his dorm.
Harry's breath was ragged and he felt hot tears stinging his cheeks. Everything was wrong! Everything inside him felt wrong, had to be wrong! But when he had grabbed Draco that had felt so right! A sob escaped his throat as he forced himself to calm down. Curses were streaming through his head and he didn't hear or respond to Seamus when he stormed in the room minutes later, a huge grin on his face.
"I did it! I snogged him, Harry! Harry?" Seamus seemed to notice for the first time Harry's disheveled state. "Are you okay, mate?"
The dark haired boys eyes seemed glassy and vacant, he seemed flushed and Seamus sat down next to him grabbing his wrist to check his pulse. It seemed to be going a mile a minute.
"Harry, do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey?" Harry shook his head hearing Seamus for the first time. He laid on his bed and listen to Seamus drone on about getting someone to look at him, and then finally explaining how he had snogged Blaise when everyone was in shock over Peeves.
'Shock' that word kept reverberating off Harry's skull. That's what it had been. That's what it *had* to be. Shock, just shock.
A/N OH! OH! Did you see that? DID YOU? Oh Happy Happy Joy Joy, Ok, so they didn't actually kiss but lips were headed in that general direction and that makes me giddy. Lets pretend they hadn't set up the trees in the great hall yet even though they normally do well before now. Cause otherwise I don't get my tree almost kiss and I was practically obsessed with that happening!
A preview for tomorrow - Harry won't even LOOK at Draco and vice versa. Seamus wants to get to the bottom everything...Enter that pilfered bottle of fire whisky ;o)
A/N WOW! Am I behind or what? I should be taken out into the streets and flogged with something really hard and maybe with spikes on it! And then I should be left to DIE! OK, I might be a little dramatic on that one lol. I was planning on spending all day yesterday writing to catch up...and I had to work GRRR! Oh well...Here's day eight anyway. Giggles insanely I LOVE screwing with poor little Harry as he's so bloody blind. But don't think Draco is 100% in the light either MUAH MUAH MUAH! Just a warning ;o)
The Twelve Days Of Christmas By: Gum Acacia
On The Eighth Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...
"What did you get me for Christmas?" Seamus asked Harry again for the third time that morning. They had just finished eating breakfast when Dumbledore had announced that all the seventh years were required to stay behind so that he might 'have a word' with them. Harry was absolutely sure they were all going to be expelled. Perhaps Pansy turning Mrs. Norris pink had pushed the tasks just a bit too far. Seamus on the other hand decided to take a more cheerful look on things and concluded it was far more important to find out what Harry had bought for him then what Dumbledore had in store for them all.
"If you ask me that one more time, I'm not going to give it to you." Harrys' eyes weren't actually looking at the other boy. They were fixed intently on where the Headmaster was sitting.
"That's your way of letting me know you haven't gotten me anything, isn't it?" Seamus asked dramatically trying to capture his friends attention. Harry had been relatively silent since yesterday and Seamus had begun to wonder if more wasn't going on in his friends mind then just a bit of Christmas glum. But, what he was suspecting had to be impossible didn't it? As far as he was aware the world was still here and hadn't been sucked into and abyss of hell. And he couldn't imagine *that* happening without starting the end of the world.
"No, that's my way of saying I did get you something and that I have no qualms with keeping it if you keep bugging me about it." Harry said finally looking at the boy, a small grin on his face.
"Oh! So it's something good then, I mean if you want to keep it!" Seamus playfully punched the other boy on the arm fully aware he has sidestepped Harry's actual point.
"You're hopeless, you do know that don't you?" Harry said rolling his eyes focusing once more on where Dumbledore sat. Most of the junior years had exited the hall and Harry felt a sudden surge in his stomach as he saw Dumbledore move to stand up. He nudged his friend and both boys fell silent waiting for their Headmaster to speak.
Dumbledore waited patiently as the last few younger years scurried out of the room. He stood silently for a moment, a somewhat serious expression on his face. Without saying a word, he commanded everyone's attention. Harry felt that surge in his stomach again; it slightly increased as the Headmaster spoke. "Another passing of time has come to us, it seems. Another group of students, who it seems only moments ago were being sorted into their houses, are readying themselves to leave our halls and enter the world on their own."
He moved his way down from the front of the head table down the steps to stand directly in front of the students' tables. "It also seems as though certain traditions have once again passed down from previous generations."
Harry glared at Seamus as though to say, 'See! I told you we're done for it!' But Seamus just rolled his eyes thinking still he'd rather been interrogating Harry about presents and other important matters that had yet to be discussed between them. Both turned their attention back to the Headmaster as he began to speak again.
"Certain staff members," Dumbledore paused and Harry looked behind the aging wizard to see a very angry looking Snape accompanied by an equally disgruntled Filch and a very flustered McGonagall, "believe that certain penalties should be allocated to the supposed guilty parties."
Harry looked over once again at Seamus, annoyed that the other boy seemed to be perfectly calm despite what Dumbledore had just said. He noticed, however, that most of the other seventh years seemed to be reacting accordingly.
"However," Dumbledore continued, his eyes taking on a merrier glow as he did, "since it would be impossible to link every person individually without their complete cooperation, and something tells me that is not very likely, I don't see how any proper punishments can be distributed."
Seamus just grinned at Harry but Snape burst forth, obviously less then pleased with what Dumbledore had to say. "Sir, you can't mean to tell me that such blatant disregard for the rules will go unpunished? Never before has any class been so profuse in their antics! Just this morning I was awakened by one of the first years in my house who informed me that all the furniture in his room had been stolen and placed on top of the roof!"
Seamus snickered loudly but quickly quieted at the intense glare he was receiving from his potions master. He quickly changed his face to one of solemn sympathy, shaking his head in mocking reproach.
"Severus, please calm yourself. I am quite aware of this morning's recent tomfoolery. However, as I said before, it would be impossible to properly punish a student if we did not know exactly what they were responsible for."
"They're all responsible for something!" Snape shouted, his eyes looking black with rage.
"And so they will be punished," the Headmaster said softly, his eyes once again twinkling with merriment as though he were constantly living in a world where only he knew every secret.
Snape sneered at the students stopping longer then necessary on Harry specifically. "I'm glad you think so, Sir."
"Yes, in fact their punishment will take place tonight as soon as dinner is finished." Harry relaxed slightly, any punishment was better then getting kicked out over something as stupid as some silly pranks. "And so tonight they will all be tasked to put up and decorate the trees that have yet to adorn our great hall."
The professors reaction was even more laughable then the students. While most of the students either just blanched or immediately broke into huge grins, Snape and Filch both looked as if someone had just force-fed them a blast-ended skrewt.
"Sir, what about my cat! Putting some tinsel on a tree isn't going to make up for that." Filch was spitting as he spoke, he was searching around the room staring down each student determined to find the guilty party.
"Really Albus," Snape said lowering his voice, "you cannot think that a simple tree decorating will defer these children from continuing these ludicrous shenanigans."
Dumbledore just smiled, "I don't think a year worth of detention would deter them, but I do believe that something as simple as decorating a tree might have more shrouded benefits then one might believe. You may notify the parents of all the seventh years if you think necessary," he looked pointedly at Draco as he spoke.
Snape glanced at his pupil, and then glanced back at a now grinning Dumbledore. Snape frowned fully aware of Dumbledore's constant ulterior motives. "I don't think that will be necessary, Sir."
Harry looked over at Seamus, slightly confused at the sudden alteration in the Potions Masters' attitude. Seamus just nodded an 'I told you so' to Harry listening as the Headmaster told all the students to be in the hall by nine that night.
Seamus grabbed Harry by the arm and quickly hauled him out of the room. "We have to go get ready!" Seamus explained to his questioning friend.
"For what?" Harry yelled trying to keep up with the practically sprinting blonde boy.
"I swear, you're thicker then Neville sometimes, Harry. For tonight! We have work to do!" Seamus continued to drag Harry down corridor after corridor.
"We don't have to be at the hall until nine-"
Seamus cut him off sounding slightly exasperated. "And of course if I weren't here you would just run down the stairs and think nothing of it wouldn't you?"
Harry just shrugged still not aware what it was they were supposed to be preparing for.
"First off," Seamus began, "we need costume design." Harry looked as if were about to interrupt but Seamus just held up his hand. "I'm not going to hear it, Harry. You have about as much fashion sense as Hagrid!"
"Why do I need to dress up, anyway?" Harry pleaded.
The blonde boy just shook his head; "I blame myself for part of this Harry. I let to many years go by before I put you in my book. It's Christmas! You should be dressed festive and yet alluring. And I, I have to be the epitome of seduction."
"Why am I supposed to be alluring, and who are you seducing?"
"Harry! You cannot possibly be this clueless. You have to be alluring because I need you to be and *I'm* seducing Blaise. I'm going to have a serious conversation with Hermione when she gets back. She's not doing her duty by you, mate."
The two boys made it up to their dorm and Harry sat on the bed watching the chaos that was Seamus dash around their room trying to put together what he declared to be an 'un-resistible' ensemble. The blonde boy had even resorted to pilfering their absent roommates dressers.
"Dean won't mind, I steal his clothes all the time! But, I doubt we make any success of Ron or Neville though." Seamus looked anyhow and wasn't surprised in the lack of options. "We could always get Lavender to charm something for us."
Harry shook his head profusely not wanting to spend the next hour being poked at by Lavender and Parvati as they determined what would look best on them.
But Seamus won in the end insisting he either go to Lavender or wait until Seamus searched every seventh year house dormitories closets for something perfect. Trusting that Seamus would be true to his word, Harry grabbed a plain black jumper that Mrs. Weasley had knitted for him and they made their way to the girls' dorm rooms.
"You can't come in!" Lavender shouted. "Boys aren't allowed!"
Seamus just laughed, "I've been in here before Lavender, and besides we're not here to snog you! We're here for you superior fashion sense! Harry needs a makeover for tonight, and I need to look even more devastating then I normally do."
Harry snorted, but whatever Seamus had said had done the trick, they were both immediately pulled inside and Lavender and Parvati immediately went to work.
"Take your clothes off," Parvati commanded.
"Are you mad?" Harry immediately put the jumper he was holding between them as some sort of makeshift shield.
"We need to see what we're working with here! The clothes must accent the form!" Lavender tried to pull the jumper from Harry's hands, but Harry was determined to hold on.
"I am *not* getting naked in front of you! Especially in a girls dormitory!" Harry took a step backwards excepting Seamus to back him up but was surprised to see the other boy had already taken off his shirt. "What are you doing?"
"Well, really Harry," Seamus said rolling his eyes, "you've got to at least take off your shirt. The pants will stay on, you have my word." He grinned as the girls sighed, obviously disappointed.
Harry stood still; the girls remained staring at him, their hands on their hips. "Well, Harry? Do you want us to help you or not?"
Harry looked at Seamus who was busy looking at himself in the mirror, flexing his muscles as he did so. Harry looked back at the girls. "Only for a minute." He dropped the jumper he was holding onto the floor and proceeded to tug the shirt he was wearing over his head. He immediately pulled it back down again at a chorus of three cat whistles.
"Oh, Harry we're only teasing," Lavender said laughing.
Harry swiftly pulled off his shirt crossing his crossing his arms against his chest. "This is completely ridiculous," Harry mumbled.
Lavender was circling Harry as though she were a vulture and he was a rabbit close to death. "Hmm," she said.
"What's 'Hmm'," Harry asked.
"You don't have any tattoo's," she said pointing to his chest in a most accusatory voice.
Harry dropped his arms, "No I don't. Was I supposed to?"
Parvati stepped in, "Harry don't you even know how to be a properly brooding sex symbol?"
Harry practically choked, "What are you talking about?"
"It's not use," Seamus said stepping in, "He hasn't got a clue as to what you're talking about. I've already decided to give Hermione a thorough once over when she gets back. Look what we have to work with!" Seamus threw his hands up into the air and went back to glancing at himself in the mirror.
Lavender clucked her tongue, "That's so sad. All this time I thought you'd have a tattoo somewhere. Maybe a blade on the back of your shoulder, or your sign under your belly-button."
Parvati shook her head, "The Gryffindor crest right on his bum."
Harry blushed, "I'm not getting a tattoo."
"Well," Parvati said sighing dramatically, "at least we've got Justin and Draco."
This brought Harry to attention; "Draco's got a tattoo?"
Lavender grinned wickedly, "Padma said that Pansy said that it was on the back of his thigh. But I've never been able to catch a peak."
Harry blushed again not wanting to picture what the tattoo might be, but unable to stop himself. "We should go before we get caught in here, the Professors are just waiting for one of us to screw up."
Lavender nodded and she and Parvati quickly went to work measuring the boys and planning out their color schemes. "We'll give them to you before dinner, but you better go so we can work on them."
The boys handed the girls their jumpers and made their way back to their own dorm. Harry was about to lay down on his bed when Seamus stopped him insisting they do something about Harry's hair. Harry zoned out as Seamus prattled on about the proper use of Hair gel and how a blow dryer was his friend. But Harry was to busy thinking about silver eyes and hidden tattoos.
~*~*~*~
The dinner was going far to fast for Harry's liking, and he found himself suddenly nervous for some reason. Lavender and Parvati had showed up just before dinner was to start with both boys' jumpers. Seamus had practically squealed with delight. The blonde boy was wearing a deep burgundy jumper that had a wide neck and ribbed collar.
Harry was wearing a deep purple turtleneck that set off his hair and olive skin beautifully. Both jumpers hugged the boys perfectly. Seamus had managed to tame Harry's usually wild hair, and it was now sitting exactly how Seamus had wanted it. Slightly messy (this was intended the Irish boy had yelled) and spiked on top.
They were both sitting down, and Seamus was pleased at the multiple heads that had turned in their direction when they had entered the room. But now dinner was almost over, and soon Dumbledores' 'punishment' would begin.
Before Harry knew it, desert was being cleared away and once again the lower years were filing out of the hall leaving the seventh years behind. "Harry, look at Blaise!"
Harry made a quick glance in the boy's direction, apparently he was supposed to be taking in Blaises' deep green jumper that showed off his muscular frame. But Harry was too busy looking at another Slytherin. Draco was sitting a few spaces down wearing a black jumper, it's neck trimmed in silver. The boys' exceptionally blonde hair appeared to be glowing, as did his pale skin. Harry felt his stomach clench again.
"He is definitely on my 'top ten things I want for Christmas' list." Seamus said nudging Harry in his ribs.
Harry turned back humoring Seamus with a small laugh. "What about Padma?"
"Oh," Seamus said sighing extravagantly, "she's on there too!"
The seventh years all began to talk noisily to each other, across tables, across the hall. Everyone was waiting for Dumbledore to come, who suspiciously had not shown up for dinner. When he finally showed up, Flitwick was with him and they were both levitating seven large trees behind them.
The two men quickly set them up sending them to opposite sides of the room. The seventh and largest of the trees was set up behind the teachers head table.
Dumbledore cleared his voice, "Attention everyone, attention please! These, "he said pointing to the trees around him, "are yours to decorate. Professor McGonagall is going to be bringing the decorations down momentarily."
An excited ripple of chatter spread through the halls.
"However," Dumbledore began again, "after conferencing with some of the staff who feel I've been a bit to lenient on you, it has been decided that this little chore shall be done without the use of magic."
The excitement died down and groans simultaneously spread throughout the room.
"Your curfew therefore has been extended to midnight," the excitement was back, "but I insist that you complete your tasks as promptly as possible. Thank you all."
McGonagall had just made her way into the room, forty or so boxes floating behind her. She stacked a few by each tree and then made her way over to where Dumbledore was standing. She whispered something to him and quickly exited the hall.
"If you would all gather around a tree, we can begin!" Dumbledore smiled and exited the hall following McGonagall. Filch came in quickly dropping off four ladders and exited just as swiftly. Flitwick was left to chaperon.
For the fist hour, the students stayed with their own houses, each taking a tree on opposite sides of the room. Seamus however, decided that if his plan were going to be put into effect, he needed things to change drastically. So when the groups had all finished their first trees, Seamus calmly suggested that Slytherin and Gryffindor team up to tackle the largest of the three remaining trees.
That gnawing was back inside Harry's stomach as he made his way towards the largest of the seven trees. He looked at the boxes in front of him and knelt down starting to open them. He heard the drawling voice off to his side, but forced himself to continue to open the boxes.
"Really, Dumbeldore's going quite off his rocker. If my father were to ever hear about me doing a house elf's chore, he'd be down here in a minute!"
Harry rolled his eyes; it was easier to let go of that feeling in his stomach when Malfoy was being a complete git. Harry looked up and watched as Seamus made his way over to where the Slytherins were standing.
"So, what shall it be Zabini? Do you want to be on top, or on the bottom?" Seamus grinned and Harry bit his lip to keep out from laughing.
Blaise blinked his eyes, looking slightly taken back. "Excuse me, Finnigan?"
Seamus continued to grin, "top or bottom, mate. What part of the tree does your group want to decorate?"
Malfoy stepped forward; "I prefer the bottom, myself." He looked at Harry quickly and then back at Seamus.
This time it was Seamus who had to bite his lip, "Really? Never would have thought that." Seamus raised his eyebrows and made his was back over to Harry, squatting down next to the boy. "Harry," he whispered, "is he looking at my arse?"
This time Harry couldn't help but laugh, he shook his head. "Sorry mate, he's looking at the tree."
Seamus rolled his eyes, "who cares about the bloody tree!"
The group started to work, and Harry was surprised at how smoothly things were going. Seamus had been using the ladder as a way to get Blaises' attention, and Harry was surprised to see that it was actually working.
Harry on the other hand, was busy trying not to watch a certain silver-eyed boy who at the moment was chewing on his lip as he was trying to hang an exceptionally heavy looking nutcracker on the tree. He unconsciously let his eyes wander down to the boys' thighs. He was trying to determine which one would best hold a tattoo. The thigh, as well as the boy, turned around and Harry glanced up now eye to eye with Draco. Harry blushed deeply and Draco looked somewhat shocked at first, but then just smirked turning back around placing another ornament on the tree.
Harry grabbed a handful of ornaments and made his way to the back of the tree. There was no one behind it, and he let out the breath he was holding in relief. 'What the bloody hell are you doing!' he shouted at himself inside his head.
"I have no idea," he said softly to himself, "not a bloody clue."
"There's a big surprise,' a voice said behind him. Harry whirled around shocked to see that Draco had followed him behind the tree and was now standing in front of him.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry felt that tremor run through his stomach again and the soft ringing in his ears seemed to be back.
"Not a thing, Potter. I just thought the tree could maybe use some tinsel on this side that's all." Draco moved closer and Harry could feel the heat emanating from the other boys' body. He hung a small clump of the silver decoration on a low branch brushing Harry's arm as he did so.
"I think I've got it covered," Harry said embarrassed that his voice sounded shaky and breathless.
Draco just smirked, "I don't know, Potter. It's a pretty big tree, and you just said you don't have a clue. And for some reason I'm inclined to believe that sentiment."
Harry turned to face the tree; he could feel his face burning red as he tried to force his hands to stop shaking. He swore he could feel the other boys' breath on his neck, and suddenly his knees didn't feel like they were strong enough to support him.
He could swear the room was beginning to spin as if someone had put a spell on him, and his heart felt as though it would rip from his chest. He saw an arm reach over his shoulder to hand a small bulb just above Harry's head. Harry inhaled sharply; his senses suddenly feeling supercharged.
He whirled around and grabbed the other boy by the wrist pulling him closer to his body. Draco's eyes were wide with surprise. Harry grabbed the boys' jumper and pulled him into his chest, registering that every place Draco now touched him seemed to be burning his skin with some unseen fire. Both boys were breathing ragged and Harry couldn't pull his eyes away from Dracos' mouth.
'The source of the spell,' some voice deep inside him seemed to whisper. 'Maybe they break the spell.'
Harry's stomach felt like it was holding lava as he leaned forward toward the other boy, their mouths just a breath away. Harry's hand slid to the back of Draco's neck, and as he registered the softness of the other boys' skin, he also became aware that he was not pulling away.
Harry saw Draco's eyes flutter shut, and he followed suit his senses seeming to enhance and focus only on the parts near to and touching Draco. He tilted his head slightly feeling the heat of the other boys' lips before he actually felt skin.
'I'm about to kiss Malfoy," he thought incoherently.
He was about to close the tiny distance between them when he heard a loud crash behind him and a high cackling filled the air. Harry's eyes blinked open, and his delirium seemed to subside as he realized he as a breath away from kissing Malfoy. He jerked back reflexively, panic filling his eyes.
The other boy seemed to be torn between disappointment and horror. He quickly pulled himself out of Harry's clumsy embrace, his jaw hanging open but no sound coming out.
Harry was aware that Peeves the poltergeist was flying around the room, one of the trees was lying on its side now. Harry continued to stare at Draco, but when he saw the other boys' eyes fill with questions he ran as fast as he could out of the hall and to the sanctuary of his dorm.
Harry's breath was ragged and he felt hot tears stinging his cheeks. Everything was wrong! Everything inside him felt wrong, had to be wrong! But when he had grabbed Draco that had felt so right! A sob escaped his throat as he forced himself to calm down. Curses were streaming through his head and he didn't hear or respond to Seamus when he stormed in the room minutes later, a huge grin on his face.
"I did it! I snogged him, Harry! Harry?" Seamus seemed to notice for the first time Harry's disheveled state. "Are you okay, mate?"
The dark haired boys eyes seemed glassy and vacant, he seemed flushed and Seamus sat down next to him grabbing his wrist to check his pulse. It seemed to be going a mile a minute.
"Harry, do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey?" Harry shook his head hearing Seamus for the first time. He laid on his bed and listen to Seamus drone on about getting someone to look at him, and then finally explaining how he had snogged Blaise when everyone was in shock over Peeves.
'Shock' that word kept reverberating off Harry's skull. That's what it had been. That's what it *had* to be. Shock, just shock.
A/N OH! OH! Did you see that? DID YOU? Oh Happy Happy Joy Joy, Ok, so they didn't actually kiss but lips were headed in that general direction and that makes me giddy. Lets pretend they hadn't set up the trees in the great hall yet even though they normally do well before now. Cause otherwise I don't get my tree almost kiss and I was practically obsessed with that happening!
A preview for tomorrow - Harry won't even LOOK at Draco and vice versa. Seamus wants to get to the bottom everything...Enter that pilfered bottle of fire whisky ;o)