Draco Malfoy and his Unknown Fate:
Author's Notes: Here you are, the next chapter! This one was fun to write and the Slytherin politics were a nice addition, I think. Anyway, go read it. Oh, and a big thank you to everyone who reviewed! I really appreciate it! ^_^
Warnings for this chapter: Language possibly and some tame smut.
Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm merely borrowing them for the time being. This is slash. Don't like it? Don't read it. Otherwise, enjoy.
The sound of clattering cutlery and chatter filled the Great Hall and from his spot at the Slytherin table where he sat with his back to the wall, Draco found the familiar hubbub soothing. He was flanked by Greg and Vince who were talking over his head about their Divination project. He nibbled at his dinner, absorbed in his worries about the upcoming Gryffindor/Slytherin Quidditch match. It had only been two days since he had gone with Harry to retrieve the skull and they hadn't been able to have any time to themselves between the detentions they had to serve and their homework. Of course, with finals looming closer, there was studying to do to, which only made it that much more difficult for the young couple to get some time alone.
And the fact they'd be competing next week, another blatant reminder of their past rivalry, wasn't helping matters any either. Of course, despite all that, Draco was content with their relationship. Draco's flirting had become more blatant and in turn, Harry had taken to staring at Draco during class or meals while his friends looked on and wondered why the Gryffindor looked quite so hungry. Draco loved Harry's coy little glances and the way he could feel the other boy's hot gaze tangibly against his skin whenever they were in the same room together for more than five minutes.
Draco smiled to himself at the thought, lost in reverie when a sharp prod to his shoulder brought him back to reality. "What is it, Greg?"
The larger Slytherin nodded towards the other side of the table and Draco turned to look, surprised to see Harry hovering behind Pansy and Blaise. "Um, Hi." The dark haired boy made a self conscious little half wave and Draco had to grin.
"Harry? What are you doing over here?"
"Oh. I just wanted to spend some time with you. Could I um. Eat over here tonight?" Draco promptly turned to Crabbe.
"Scoot over, Vince." As the bigger boy inched his way down the bench, aided by the judicious use of his elbows in order to get the other Slytherins to move over, Harry walked around the Slytherin table and strolled over towards the empty seat. The whole school seemed to be watching as Harry took his place at Draco's side. A plate promptly appeared in front of Harry, the house elves' doing Draco presumed, and the Gryffindor began to fill it, eyeing the food hungrily.
Draco took a sip of his pumpkin juice and watched with amusement as Harry began to stuff his face. "I see how it is, you've cleaned out the Gryffindor table and now you've come to steal our food." He said teasingly, delighted at the embarrassed expression Harry had.
"Sorry. But I just had Quidditch practice and I'm starving. I really did want to spend some time with you." Harry said, smiling a little and looking up at Draco from underneath his long, sooty eyelashes. Then he shoved his fork into his mouth and the moment was over.
"I suppose that's alright then." The Slytherin granted, as if he was a king bestowing a pardon upon one of his subjects. Across from him, Blaise rolled his eyes while Draco ignored him.
From Crabbe's other side, Millicent Bulstrode spoke up. "What exactly is he doing here, Malfoy? He's putting me off my food." She sneered. Draco promptly narrowed his eyes at her.
"No harm done then, since a missed meal would only benefit you." He said, pointedly looking at her rather wide waistline.
Millicent promptly whacked Crabbe in the side. "Are you going to let him talk to me like that?"
The large Slytherin immediately assumed a dull, vacant expression. "Uh. Like what?" He grunted and, just as he'd hoped, Bulstrode gave it up as a lost cause.
"Listen, you scrawny little-"
"I would be careful of what I said if I were you, Millie darling." Pansy purred, her voice so sweet Draco immediately knew Bulstrode had wandered into dangerous territory. That sugary tone of voice may as well have been warning sirens.
"All I'm saying is that Draco's been spending a lot of time with the Boy Who Wouldn't Die lately. First he gets himself disowned and now he's palling around with Potter and stealing the Dark Lord's artifacts? It's just a little strange to me, is all."
Harry had stopped eating and was looking distinctly uncomfortable at the politics going on around him. Draco let his knee sprawl outwards and nudged Harry's leg with it reassuringly as he spoke up in a cold tone. "Do you know what strikes me as odd Bulstrode? The fact that you know I stole an artifact from the Dark Lord. Dumbledore certainly isn't advertising the fact, so I'm wondering just which Death Eater you slept with to get that information."
"How dare you insinuate that I would do such a thing!"
Draco paid her no mind. "Was it Avery? No, he likes them young, doesn't he? So, I'm thinking… Macnair? I've heard rumors he has a fondness for large women. Shame on you, Bulstrode. And I believe this does negate the betrothal contract you have with Vince. Your parents won't be very happy with you, I'm afraid."
Millicent was almost snarling. "You don't have any proof, ferret!"
"I don't need proof. The contract is null and void if there are even suspicions that you've been indiscrete. One's reputation is vital, haven't you learned that? Sometimes being accused of a thing is as bad as actually having it pinned on you. Pansy, you'll owl Vince's parents won't you? We can find him a nice girl who doesn't sleep around with murderers behind his back." Draco raised his eyebrows as Millicent Bulstrode swore at him and took another bite of his meal with studied unconcern. The other Slytherins were observing the exchange and snickering behind their hands at Bulstrode.
The large Slytherin girl stood and stormed out of the Great Hall with a hostile expression on her plain face. But Draco knew she wouldn't foolishly attempt to get her revenge, not while A.S.H. was still the major Slytherin power in Hogwarts. Vince merely scooted over a bit to give Harry some more elbow room with the same mild expression he always wore. "Pass the greens, Potter." He grunted and Harry did so automatically.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start trouble." The Gryffindor said, his pretty green eyes shining with concern. He raked a hand through his messy hair and generally looked as if he wished he could sink through the floor.
"Don't worry about it, love." Draco said in a low voice. "It was probably going to happen sooner or later, better to just get it over with. I am sorry you had to witness that, though." He said soothingly, laying a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Aww." Pansy cooed. "Aren't you two just the cutest!"
"Shove it, Parkinson." Draco said, not even bothering to look over at her.
"Love you too, Draco."
Harry snickered and Draco kicked him lightly. The Gryffindor responded by stepping on his foot. The Slytherin hooked his foot around Harry's and slid it upwards just a bit, nudging Harry's ankle while his right hand dropped onto the dark haired boy's thigh and squeezed lightly. Harry almost knocked over his goblet in surprise, but managed to catch it at the last second.
Blaise raised one eyebrow at his clumsiness. "Well, all I have to say if you keep that up Draco's going to catch the snitch right out of your hands. Feeling a bit more ham-fisted than usual, Potter?"
As if on cue, Draco dragged his hand up Harry's thigh and rubbed his crotch lightly, smiling into the goblet he was sipping from in his left hand when the other boy yelped in shock. "Yes! I mean, no. I mean, I'm feeling perfectly fine… just a bit. Um."
"Ham-fisted and incoherent?" Draco suggested slyly, pressing more firmly against Harry's erection through his school robes.
"Off balance." Harry grit out between his teeth, sending Draco a warning glare the Slytherin blithely ignored in favor of massaging the firm flesh underneath his hand.
The blonde boy assumed his best innocent expression. "You poor thing. Dinner's almost over anyway. Would you care for a game of chess? I've heard it's very relaxing." Draco punctuated his words with a squeeze. Harry bit his lip for a moment, his eyelashes fluttering shut for a split second.
"Sure. Great." He said faintly, a pretty flush coloring his cheeks.
Draco removed his hand, earning himself a dirty look from Harry. He finished up his pumpkin juice, dabbed at his mouth with his napkin, and pushed his plate back. "Good. We'll just be going then."
Harry blushed fiercely and stood up, shaking out his robes so the telltale bulge didn't show. "Right then. Er. Lovely meeting you all." He grabbed Draco by the elbow and ushered him out of the Great Hall so quickly Draco didn't even have time for goodbyes though he did catch the way Pansy was laughing hysterically before the doors of the Great Hall shut with a bang.
To be Continued
Comments and constructive criticism are more than welcome.
Author's note: Bit of a cliff hanger isn't it? *snickers* Don't worry, the next chapter will be posted soon. The chapters with sex always seem to be written so quickly. Hmm, wonder why that is? Lol. And reviews would be greatly appreciated!