Chapter Eight

The Anticipation

Draco walked into the Great Hall for lunch and looked around. The House tables had been pushed away against the walls, leaving one smaller table in the middle of the room. There were about twenty chairs around it, most of them filled. Of course. It's the Christmas holidays. No one is here, so we all eat together. Well that's fine. I'll be closer to Harry then. Draco ambled over to the table, taking a seat nearby the Gryffindor Trio, but not so close as to arouse suspicion. Crabbe and Goyle, who were following Draco, sat on either side of him. He glanced along the table to see who else had stayed. Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevey were sitting by the Gryffindor Three. Two first-years and a fifth-year from Ravenclaw were seated, and three Hufflepuff third-years were walking cautiously into the Hall. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick were all sitting together near the head of the table with Madame Pomfrey. As the last students were seated, Dumbledore stood to speak.

Oh for the love of Merlin... Another damned speech. Does the old man ever do anything but think up new speeches? Draco put his elbow on the table and his chin in his upturned hand.

"Welcome all. As with past years, I feel that a smaller table is just more homey during the Christmas season." said Dumbledore. His eyes twinkled as he looked at his colleagues and students. "I'm sure we can all get along swimmingly." His eyes fell on Harry and Draco each in turn.

If only the old man knew that we were together... Draco thought, grinning to himself. He tuned back in to hear Dumbledore say "Now, let's eat!"

The food appeared on the table in front of them all, and everyone started passing the food around. Draco saw a large bowl of mashed potatoes sitting in front of Harry. "Oy! Potter! Pass the potatoes."

Harry looked up and saw Draco's smirk. Draco saw that Harry was no longer used to hearing Draco call him 'Potter.' Harry picked up the bowl of potatoes, stood and leaned across the table to hand the bowl to Draco.

"Here you go, Malfoy," Harry said. He smirked back at Draco, who flashed him a sickeningly sweet grin, and scooped out the potatoes. I hate having to act. This is driving me nuts. Draco looked at Harry again, who was in the midst of a conversation with Weasley and Creevey about Quidditch. Draco sighed.

Crabbe nudged Draco in the ribs. "Draco, what's up with you? You're not eating much." He pointed at Draco's barely-touched pile of food.

"I'm just thinking. It's something I do sometimes." said Draco sarcastically. He picked up his fork and shoveled some potatoes into his mouth. He glanced at his watch as he chewed. 12:53. Eight hours, seven minutes. I can make it. Really. I can. Draco swallowed and speared a piece of broccoli with his fork.

~*~*~*~

Harry stood up from the table with the rest of the Gryffindors. They all walked out of the Great Hall with full stomachs and big grins. While at lunch, they had decided to go out and play in the new-fallen snow outside. After going to Gryffindor tower for their cloaks, scarves, and gloves, they hurried outside.

As soon as they all got outside, they had a furious snowball fight, boys against girls. After a while, Ron and Colin decided that throwing too much snow at their girlfriends might not be the best way to keep them happy, so everyone agreed to a truce.

Then the girls suggested making snow-people. This got quite interesting as the boys, led by Harry, started making the snowmen anatomically correct.

Ron was starting in on the snowwomen when Hermione saw what they were doing. She ran at Ron and tackled him in the snow. When Ginny noticed the snow peoples' new parts, she, too, tackled her boyfriend, leaving Harry feeling like a fifth wheel.

Harry decided that the best course of action would be to go inside, change and warm up before the fire. The couples were in the midst of some private moments, and barely heard his goodbye.

Harry strolled away toward the lake, deciding to take a walk before he went inside. It was a beautiful day, after all. He watched the fuzzy outline of the giant squid gliding around just under the sheet of ice covering the lake. Harry stood there, hugging himself against the cold, lost in thought. While Harry was gazing at the lake, snow began to fall around him.

He didn't even hear the crunch of snow as someone came up behind him. He started when a pair of gloved hands slid around his waist. Harry looked over his snow-covered shoulder, surprised.

Draco grinned at him. "I saw you standing here all by yourself, and I thought you might need company." Harry shivered a bit against the wind and snow, and Draco tightened his grip.

"Thanks." Harry smiled. He felt Draco's head rest on his shoulder. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too." said Draco. Harry could feel his boyfriend's warmth even through the many layers of clothing.

The two boys stood there for a while, enjoying the snowfall together. As they watched, the clouds started turning from their normal white to shades of lemon, crimson, peach, and rose. Harry sighed. He had never felt so content as he was in Draco's arms.

He felt Draco slowly pulling away. Harry turned to look at Draco. "Dray, where are you going?"

"Har, it's almost dinnertime. You have to get back inside to change. You're a bit soggy yet." said Draco, giving Harry a once-over.

Harry looked down at his snowy clothes. It was true, he was still damp from the snowball fight earlier. Harry nodded. "Want to leave first, and I'll follow?"

Draco shook his head. He held out a hand. "I want to go in together."

Harry looked back at him, shocked. Is he serious? Someone could see! And aren't we still keeping us a secret? He repeated his last thought out loud to Draco.

"Well, it's not like the whole ruddy school is here. There's only, what, fourteen of us here? And besides, it's not like we're going to be walking into the Great Hall together. Just into the castle." Draco smiled, lowering his gaze. Harry thought he was looking a bit shy. "Besides. I like holding your hand."

Harry grinned as his boyfriend looked back up at him. He took Draco's still-outstretched hand and the couple walked in happily. When they got to the doors, Draco dropped Harry's hand and opened one of the heavy doors for Harry. Harry nodded his thanks and stepped inside.

The Entrance Hall was empty. Draco stepped in, shaking snow out of his blonde locks. Harry smiled, looking at Draco's now-messy hair. He reached up and ran his fingers through Draco's hair, smoothing it back into place. Draco closed his eyes smiling, obviously enjoying the gesture. When Harry was finished, Draco opened his eyes again. He glanced around him. Then he stepped closer to Harry, and leaned in for a kiss.

Harry happily responded, wrapping his arms around Draco. Then he pulled back quickly. "We shouldn't be so obvious."

Draco stepped back again. He nodded. "You're right." He and Harry stared at each other for a few seconds. Harry could see the longing in Draco's sapphire eyes that he himself felt.

Harry leaned in and gave Draco a soft kiss on the cheek. "Soon," Harry whispered in Draco's ear. With that, he turned and began to climb the stairs to Gryffindor Tower.

~*~*~*~

Draco stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching his boyfriend's retreating back. Soon is right, Draco thought, smiling. He looked at his watch. 4:34. Four hours, twenty-six minutes.

He turned and walked to the Slytherin dungeons. He pulled off his gloves and put them in his cloak pocket. His mind wandered to Harry.

Draco had really enjoyed being able to just hold Harry and watch the sunset. It was a beautiful feeling. Draco smiled again. He whispered the new password ("Serpente Vizioso.") and walked through the wall, plastering the Malfoy sneer onto his lips.

Crabbe and Goyle were the only two Slytherins that had decided to stay. Draco nodded to them as he went up to his dormitory.

Draco locked the door behind him and took off his cloak and scarf. He slowly pulled his robes off over his head, still thinking about Harry. He smiled again, remembering the kiss in the Entrance Hall. I've been wanting to do that for a while. A kiss in the open... Not hidden from everyone... Maybe we should tell everyone we're together... It wouldn't be too bad, right? Draco sighed. I just want to have a normal relationship that I don't have to hide. I'll talk to Harry about that tonight. He went to his wardrobe and pulled out a clean set of robes and a clean pair of socks, as his socks were currently soaking through and through.

Draco walked back to his bed and sat down on it. He kicked off his sneakers and pulled of the drenched socks. He threw them onto the pile of robes he had just cast off. He pulled on the clean socks and wriggled his toes in the warm wool. Then he stood up again, picked up his clean robes and pulled them on. As he finished getting dressed he heard Goyle yell up the stairs that it was dinnertime. Draco looked at his watch. An hour had passed since he left Harry.

"Go on without me. I'll catch you up." Draco called back to him, amazed at how fast the time went. Goyle's "Alright" trailed up to him as Draco crossed to the mirror.

"Do something with your hair, dear. It's sticking up all over the place." said his mirror.

"I'm getting there. Don't rush me." said Draco. He Summoned a comb from his desk and ran in through his static-y hair. He smiled as he recalled Harry's fingers raking through his hair. You are hooked on that boy, aren't you Draco? his mind asked. Yes, I suppose I am. Draco sighed, finishing up with his hair.

"Much better," he mumbled, Banishing the comb back to the desk.

"I agree, dear." said his mirror cheerfully. "You look wonderful as always."

Draco smiled as he turned from the mirror and strode to the door, unlocking it. "I know." he said to his mirror. He left the room and started off to the Great Hall for dinner.

~*~*~*~

Harry walked out of the Common Room, now happily dry and toasty warm. He wandered down to the Great Hall and walked in.

He glanced at the table set for twenty again. There was only two seats left open, next to each other. One was to the left of Hermione. The other was to the right of Goyle.

Harry picked the one next to Hermione, of course, wondering who the last seat was for. He barely had the chance to wonder, though, because a second later, the doors swung open and Draco walked in. Harry's heart skipped a beat. He tried to turn his excitement into an outward display of annoyance. Draco sat next to Harry, showing the same look of half-pleasure, half-aggravation, as Harry was wearing. As soon as Draco was situated, Dumbledore stood. Harry turned to look at the headmaster, trying hard to ignore the desire to touch Draco.

"As we are all here, I just wanted to wish you happy eating." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly, clearly delighted by the sight of Harry and Draco sitting next to one another. He spread open his arms and said "Enjoy."

The food appeared on the table again. As everyone served themselves, Harry chanced a sideways look at Draco. He was smirking back at Harry. Harry knew that this was Draco's public version of smiling at him. Harry smirked right back and raised an eyebrow. "What wonderful luck that I get stuck next to you, Malfoy," said Harry sarcastically.

"Oh you know you're loving it, Potter," Draco threw back, winking quickly. Harry was loving it. It was the first time ever that Harry and Draco were within reach of each other at a public gathering.

"Don't you wish I did, Malfoy," said Harry dryly. Harry was dying to be touching Draco, but knew that it would be nearly impossible to do with everyone there. By the look in Draco's eyes, he was feeling the same way. Harry, though, had an idea.

Harry leisurely slid one leg closer to Draco so they were almost touching. Draco copied the gesture, and the boys' knees made contact. It was just enough to satisfy the two of them, and they went back to their meals in silence.

Harry sighed inwardly. This is probably as good as it's going to get without actually sitting on each others' laps. That's alright. I can live with it. And anyway, I'll be able to touch him all I want later. Harry looked at his watch. 6:18. Two hours and forty-two minutes. Thank Merlin! Harry smiled and chanced another glance at Draco, who was looking back at him. Harry winked, picked up a forkful of peas, and stuffed them into his mouth.

~*~*~*~

Draco was sitting at his desk, trying once more to concentrate on his homework. He had resolved to do some homework before his date with Harry. However, it wasn't quite going as he'd planned. Instead of thinking of the antidotes to the Raging Acne Potion, which made the drinker's acne as bad as a chocolate-loving, fifteen-year-old girl's, Draco could only think of Harry.

Draco sighed, closing his book. He got up, and walked to his bed. After pulling Harry's letter out of the pillowcase where he'd hidden it, Draco flopped onto his bed, reading Harry's words again. Draco had them almost memorized by now, he'd reread the letter so much. Draco finished the letter, letting out a loud sigh. He set the letter at his side. He relaxed into his pillows and let himself stare off into space, thinking of Harry. His Potions books lay open on his desk, completely forgotten.

~*~*~*~

Harry smiled to himself as he walked out of the kitchens. Won't Draco be surprised! he thought happily. He checked his watch. 7:47. Well, I have that done. Maybe I'll be able to get a bit of my Charms work done before I go.

Harry started off to the Gryffindor Tower. He stopped at the Fat Lady to whisper the password, ("Heebie-Jeebies.") and then climbed in. He went up to his dormitory, listening for noises of Ron and Hermione snogging in his room. When he heard none, he sighed with relief and walked in. He grabbed his book bag and walked downstairs to sit before the fire.

As he sat down, he reached into his bag and pulled out his Charms book and notebook. He set the two books on the table, and noticed a piece of parchment between them. He pulled it free.

It was the drawings of Draco. Harry smiled down at the face of his boyfriend. You'll see that face soon enough. He put the parchment down next to his things and started to read through his Charms book. I hope I can keep my mind on my work for once. Harry shook his head slightly, knowing that within five minutes, his head would be filled with thoughts of Draco.

~*~*~*~

Draco smiled again. Harry's face was swimming in front of his eyes, grinning that lopsided grin that Draco loved so much. He started to put his hands behind his head, looking at his watch quickly. 7:48.

Draco sat up quickly. He only had an hour and twelve minutes left before the appointed meeting time. He smacked himself on the head. Oh bugger! I have to get going! I have to set things up! Draco jumped off his bed, and grabbed a bag on the floor. He checked in the mirror.

"Gorgeous as always, Draco." said the mirror sweetly.

"Thanks! Bye!" cried Draco, as he raced down the hall and out the common room door.

~*~TBC~*~