A/N: I'm just so original with titles, aren't I? :P (Will the next one be called 'At Hogwarts'? And the one after that, and the one after that... Hmm.) Anyway, thanks for the reviews so far! -bows down in gratitude- I really didn't expect reviews so fast! :D It was really encouraging and I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face for an hour. :)
Well... I actually didn't plan to continue the fic 'cause I didn't want to change the original storyline (it's perfect as it is!) and I still don't plan to as a matter of fact. I think I'm just going to do the POV thing in the scenes Harry and Draco are in and see how it goes from there. Nothing's confirmed right now... If this second part is terrible/much worse than the first one (which would be really bad), please tell me! I'll take it down ASAP 'cause I admit, I'm really affected by other people's opinions.
Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns everything. :) And like three-quarters of this fic, probably.
Harry's POV
***
''Oh, there you are, good. We'll be able to see him in a minute...'' Mrs. Weasley smoothed her hair down as she spoke, never taking her eyes off Gilderoy Lockhart's winking photos. As we inched to the front of the crowd, I noticed many girls hyperventilating around me as they gazed admiringly at Lockhart, who grinned down at the crowd whenever he finished signing a book.
I exchanged an exasperated look with Ron, gesturing to Hermione, who was fanning herself and looking distinctly flustered at the prospect of meeting Lockhart face-to-face. Ron shrugged, raising an eyebrow. Just what was so wonderful about Lockhart? Yes, he was handsome, but he couldn't be better looking than Malfoy, could he?
Ron looked at me strangely as I suddenly clutched my hair, attempting to pull it all out. If the point of that kiss in Borgin and Burkes was driving me absolutely insane, well, Malfoy had succeeded. School hadn't even started yet and he had already gotten to me; how typical of him. I vaguely wondered how I was going to get through the school year if he drove me nuts when he wasn't even around.
''Out of the way, there. This is for the Daily Prophet,'' said the man who was taking photos of Lockhart from every possible angle, almost falling on Ron.
''Big deal,'' Ron muttered and Lockhart looked up from the book he was signing. Oh no. My stomach dropped as he jumped up from the chair when he saw me. I edged backwards warily, feeling quite sick from the thought of what was about to happen.
''It can't be Harry Potter?'' The crowd started whispering and applauded wildly as Lockhart practically lunged forward toward me and yanked me to the front. He grinned at the photographer charmingly as he gripped my hand, effectively stopping the blood circulation.
I desperately wished I knew how to Apparate.
Draco's POV
***
I watched from the side of the room, amused, as Lockhart dragged Potter to the table and shook his hand vigorously, beaming for the camera. At this, I almost turned away in disgust, but my eyes were somehow solely devoted to the task of observing Potter. His face was turning more and more crimson by the second and his green eyes glanced around nervously, as though looking for somewhere to escape.
I must admit, it was a shock when I spotted him squeezing his way through to the front with Weasley and Granger. Up till then, I still hadn't gotten over what had happened in Borgin and Burkes. Who could, in such a short period of time? I hadn't expected meeting him so soon. Not that, of course, seeing him was a bad thing.
Bloody hell. I didn't just say that.
What I meant, actually, was that I just needed more time to figure out what exactly had possessed me to go and kiss him. I suppose, of course, that it had only been late morning when we snog... I mean, met in the shop, so assuming he was getting his school supplies, obviously he would still be in Diagon Alley.
I leaned against the wall tiredly, scanning the shop. Almost three-quarters of the books on the floor around me were Lockhart's. Vain git; his winking irritated me to no end. It was as if he had continuous spasms in his eye! Besides, if you wanted to talk about being good-looking, he was nowhere near my standard, thank you very much.
Once out of Borgin and Burkes, Father had told me to go and get my school things by myself and wait for him in Flourish and Blotts when I was done. He had to ''settle'' some business. Business... Right. More like selling off more of our Dark Arts things in Knockturn Alley.
Just as I turned my attention back to the commotion in front, Lockhart finally dropped Potter's hand after about a minute of shaking it and immediately pulled Potter to his side, an iron grip on his shoulder. I glared at Lockhart enviously. That should've been me! He's mine, you little...
I squeezed my eyes shut and turned away irritably. I was just tired, that's all. Just because I happened to lose my self-control for one moment doesn't mean I feel any differently toward Potter; of course not.
It's ridiculous.
Harry's POV
***
''When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography ¨C which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge ¨C he had no idea that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me,'' Lockhart loudly proclaimed.
''He and his school fellows will, in fact, be getting the real, magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that, this September, I will be taking up the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!''
I stared at Lockhart, unable to believe my ears. More of this egotistic loony was definitely not something I needed! I could already imagine him calling the Daily Prophet to come to Hogwarts for a press conference. ''Harry Potter! Why yes, I'm the one who taught him all he needs to know to defend himself against the Dark Lord!'' I bit back a groan and slouched dejectedly, still unable to move from the firm grip of Lockhart's hand.
Lockhart pressed the eight books into my hands unexpectedly and I nearly fell from the sudden weight. Slowly, I carried the books over to where Ginny was waiting with her cauldron, and told her to take the books.
I didn't notice who was sauntering over to me.
Draco's POV
***
I forced the soft smile on my face into my usual smirk as I walked towards Potter, who was now dumping Lockhart's books into a red-haired girl's cauldron, mumbling something to her. The cauldron looked quite old and battered ¨C Weasley's sister, of course. Only the Weasleys were capable of even looking at such dilapidated goods.
''Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?'' I stopped in front of him as he looked up. A spark of surprise in his eyes, then the usual aloofness returned. Swallowing the huge lump that had formed in my throat as he stared at me, I continued speaking.
''Famous Harry Potter. Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page.'' I scoffed.
''Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!'' said the girl, glaring at me fiercely. A... a rival?! What was this? I was ready to scream at her: ''Well, ha, too bad, I kissed him and you didn't, so shut up, you little brat!'' But of course, I didn't say that. Such childishness was beneath any Malfoy. Staring down at her coldly for a second, I turned back to Potter, a smirk on my face.
''Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!'' I said, mentally stomping the little voice which sang ''JealousDracoJealousDraco!'' loudly in my brain over and over again.
Potter just kept staring at me and I was starting to feel a little ill at ease. The girl turned as red as her hair in response to my remark and looked down at the ground. She obviously had a humungous crush on Potter.
As did I.
Harry's POV
***
I couldn't speak. I wanted to retort, to trade insults, to tell Malfoy to get lost, but the words were stuck in my throat as I stared at him, somehow only able to just gape at him. I couldn't understand how he could act so... normal, given what had happened back in Borgin and Burkes. He was acting like the jerk he usually was, but he was supposed to feel awkward or... something! You didn't give your enemy the most bloody fantastic kiss of their entire lives and then just go back to being an irritating git!
All right, fine! So it was my first kiss. But that's not the point.
As we stood there staring at each other, Ron and Hermione finally came over with their Lockhart books. Ron looked at Malfoy with distaste. ''Oh, it's you. Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?''
Malfoy's comeback was quick as ever as he finally removed his intent gaze from me. ''Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley. I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for that lot.''
Ron's face flushed with anger and he moved toward Malfoy, throwing his books into Ginny's cauldron. As Hermione and I pulled Ron back from Malfoy, I really didn't know if the one I was stopping from being hurt was Ron... or Malfoy.
Draco's POV
***
Potter and Granger held the Weasel back as his father came over with his twin sons and I wondered hopefully for a second if Potter was protecting me instead. Weasley's father took one look at me and told the group to go outside. I shook my head in disgust.
''Well, well, well ¨C Arthur Weasley.'' I felt Father's hand on my shoulder as he addressed the other man. As they started talking, I stared at Potter, transfixed, unaware of my surroundings. He looked quite uncomfortable as he watched the commotion, wringing his hands nervously. Why? I wondered. Well, whatever it was, I could help him forget his troubles...
Ok. This was getting absurd.
Suddenly, I heard a loud crash and spun around. Arthur Weasley had jumped on Father and they started to knock down the various shelves in the shop, books flying everywhere. I knew better than to get involved in Father's affairs, so I stayed to the side, my eyes still riveted on the dark-haired boy.
I couldn't resist it. In the midst of the confusion, I started walking over to Potter. Even I didn't know what I was going to do, but I never found out. When I was barely three feet away from him, he suddenly turned and looked at me questioningly.
Harry's POV
***
His gaze hadn't strayed from me since Mr. Weasley attacked Mr. Malfoy, and even before that he had been staring at me. I shifted my weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other, feeling uneasy as he walked nearer and nearer. What does he want now?
Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and turned to look at him. Malfoy stopped in his tracks and turned away immediately, pretending he had only been trying to get a better look at the scuffle. I sighed, looking down at my feet. Couldn't he make up his mind what he wanted to do? I didn't know what to think.
Draco's POV
***
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Potter sigh exasperatedly. I silently echoed it. What was I doing? I had a nagging suspicion that I might have grabbed him and kissed him in front of Father, the Weasleys and the entire crowd at Flourish and Blotts. I gulped as I thought of how Father might punish me if I had really done that.
''Here, girl ¨C take your book ¨C it's the best your father can give you.'' I heard Father say. I looked up and saw him signal to me. Picking up my books, I followed Father out of the shop without looking back at Potter. I didn't want to take any more risks.
A/N: Oh man. This one was kind of... weird, wasn't it? Well, only one way for me to find out if you agree -hint- :) Please review! Thanks. I have no idea where this is going! Oh and to you (you know who you are :D) I didn't lie! I just wrote the fic on the 7th, and you asked me before that! Right? Right. :)