Draco watched from his seat at the Slytherin table as Shannon explained the shower incident to Harry. He could see the wave of anger pass over him and returned Harry's glare with a smug smile. Shannon was trying desperately to calm him, but he simply turned and left her there.
Shannon glanced over at Malfoy. She hated the look on his face, the one that felt like he was undressing her with his eyes. She hadn't been mad at him for walking in on her. That had been an accident after all. But the way he looked at her now was unnerving. She shuddered slightly and turned away.
Harry paced back and forth in his room, fuming. He just couldn't believe what she told him. Malfoy, one of archenemies, had seen his girlfriend naked. He hadn't even seen her naked. Up until that point it hadn't bothered him. He'd see her when she was ready. But now everything was different. God knows how long Malfoy would lord this over him.
And the worst part was that Shannon wasn't even mad at him. He had caught her when she was most vulnerable, and yet she had the nerve to defend him. She told Harry not to get mad, that it had been an accident. It probably hadn't even been an accident. It wouldn't be the first time Malfoy did something just to spite Harry.
An idea was forming in his head. He knew he shouldn't do it. It probably wasn't a good idea. And yet, he wanted it so badly. It might get Draco off his back. But that wouldn't be the only reason he'd enjoy it. He sat down on his bed considering. Finally, he decided to do it. Shannon might be a little angry with him for a while, but she'd get over it. He knew she would.
His chance came the following morning. He was right on time. He had everything carefully planned out. Quietly he slipped into the shower room. He could hear the water running faintly near the door. He was in luck. Nearly everyone was gone, everyone but Shannon. He followed the water sound to a stall in the back; the one she had just happened to mention was her favorite. He paused, then reached a hand up to take a fistful of the shower curtain. He wrenched it back, eyes wide at the body within.
Natasha dropped her bar of soap and then screamed higher than Harry thought possible. He quickly slapped his hands over his face and turned away.
"Natasha, oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Harry cried desperately.
"I can't believe you Harry! I thought you were over your stupid crush on me!" Natasha exclaimed.
"Of course I'm over that!" He whirled around, infuriated by her accusation. He didn't realize this was a bad idea until he got another full shot. Shannon just happened to walk in at that moment.
"I couldn't find your-" she stopped when she saw Harry and Natasha. Up until this point it hadn't occurred to Natasha to hide behind the curtain, she had been too angry with Harry. "What in the Heeeeeeee-I mean heck is going on?"
"It seems your boyfriend here needed a fix," Natasha said snottily. Shannon glared at her and then sent a towel flying through the air to land on Natasha's head.
"No, it wasn't like that. Really," Harry pleaded. Shannon crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, daring him to continue. "I came in here, but when I pulled back the curtain it wasn't you. I mean, I was looking for you. Not that I was going to try to see you or anything. Ok so maybe that is what I was doing but-" Shannon just shook her head, then walked to him and kissed him.
"That's my cue to leave," Natasha said, grabbing her things and hurrying from the room. Neither Shannon nor Harry noticed.
"Does that mean you're not mad at me?" Harry laughed, when they came up for air.
Shannon kissed him again quickly, "Well, it was kind of sweet, in a way. You really wanted to see me that bad that you would risk me getting angry with you for it. Besides, I kind of owe you for the whole throwing a trophy at your head thing." She laughed and Harry spun her around as he kissed her.
"We really need to work this whole shower deal out. No more walking in on each other. Everyone will just keep wanting to get even." Harry remarked. Shannon shuddered, remembering Draco's leering eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Hm?" Shannon asked, shaking off the memory.
"Why did you just shake like that?" Harry asked, a worried look on his face. Shannon gave him a fake smile and kissed him again. Then she pulled him to the sink and began to wet his hair down.
"What are you doing?" He pulled back.
"Trust me. Now hold still." She finished wetting his head, ran her hands through a jar of hair gel, and then through his hair. She played with his hair until it was just right and then turned him toward the mirror. "I like it." She laughed.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Come on," He took her hand and led her to the door.
Natasha entered her room in her bathrobe. She was laughing as she remembered the way Shannon had begun her and Harry's little make out session. She had her back to the door, facing her bed. She felt Draco wrap his arms around her waist. It startled her.
"Jesus Draco! Don't sneak up on me like that," Natasha took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Draco kissed her neck softly, "Sorry," He continued down her neck. Natasha laughed. "What?" She was ruining his mood.
"Sorry," she laughed again. "It's just Shannon and Harry. I was in the shower and Harry comes in and pulls the curtain back, thinking I'm Shannon. Then Shannon walks in and instead of getting all mad she started making out with the guy!" Natasha almost couldn't finish her story; she was laughing so hard. Then she caught a glimpse of Draco's face. Suddenly, it didn't seem so funny anymore.
"He did what?" Draco growled in a low, eerily level voice.
"He didn't mean to Draco! It was an accident. He thought I was Shannon." She explained quickly, grabbing his arm as he turned toward the door. He wrenched his arm away forcefully, and glared at her.
"I'm going to find him and when I do-" He didn't finish the sentence but started for the door.
"Draco please!" She cried, reaching for his arm again. The anger in his eyes scared her. She let him go.
"Get dressed," he snarled and swept from the room.
Natasha dressed faster than she ever had in her life. She didn't bother to make sure her clothes matched before she went chasing after him. She only hoped he wouldn't find Harry before she got there.
Shannon and Harry were in a corridor near the Great Hall, laughing about something. They didn't notice Draco storming toward them, robes billowing out behind him, or Natasha running to catch up to him. Shannon was suddenly struck by a vision. In it she saw Draco slamming his fist into Harry's face. She gasped and opened her eyes in time to freeze Draco's fist an inch from Harry's nose.
"What the-" Draco exclaimed, staring at his fist in terror. Shannon struggled between twisting Draco's arm behind his back painfully, or just letting it drop. She decided on the latter, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. Draco shook his arm out and then returned his glare to Harry.
"What is your problem Malfoy?" Harry yelled. They took a step toward each other but Shannon and Natasha pushed between them.
"What's my problem? I'm surprised you even have to ask Potter. Or is it normal for you to go around, stealing glances at other people's girlfriends?" Draco sneered.
"Of course it isn't! What happened this morning was a total accident. But it never would have happened if you didn't go looking through the shower stalls yourself. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if you walked in on Shannon on purpose."
"You're just sore because I've seen all of her," Draco gave her another one of his undressing looks. Shannon came close to slapping him across the face, but she didn't have to. Natasha did it for her.
"Don't you dare go looking at her like that! That's my cousin! I can't believe you!" Natasha stormed away from him.
"Natasha, wait. I didn't mean-" Draco chased after. Shannon and Harry laughed as they watched Draco dancing around Natasha, pleading. Natasha didn't even look at him, just kept on walking. Shannon knew Natasha wasn't really that mad. It was just the best way to get him away from Harry. Shannon sent Natasha a mental thank-you.
Shannon felt Harry kiss her cheek quickly. "Thanks," he whispered.
"For what?" she asked, puzzled.
"For stopping him from punching me, that's what. How did you do that anyway?"
"Oh!" Shannon cried, excited. "Oh Harry I got my first premonition! I saw him punching you in the face and when I-I don't know-came back I guess, I knew it was going to happen. I just said some sort of mini freezing spell I guess,"
"That's great, I think. I know I'm glad you had it. I'm not really in the mood for a bloody nose,"
Shannon laughed, "Anytime,"
Natasha entered her room, closely trailed by Draco. He was still dancing around her, apologizing. She hadn't even glanced at him the whole trip to her room. She passed him in order to close her door. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She smiled. She wasn't really angry with him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Alright, I'll forgive you," she sighed, pretending to give in. He pulled the hair away from her neck and she felt his lips brush against her skin. She closed her eyes.
"Then why don't we pick up were we left off?" He kissed her neck, then scooped her up and carried her to the bed, pulling the covers over them as they lay down.
"Draco, we're going to miss breakfast…"Natasha objected, though she really didn't want to leave.
"Really? I'm not," He gave her a wicked grin and then disappeared under the covers.
That morning at Potions, Shannon and Harry couldn't help but laugh when Draco and Natasha came running into the room. Natasha was straightening her skirt and Draco was smoothing his hair. They both seemed a little embarrassed, but relieved that they weren't late, even if they had only made it by 30 seconds.
"Wonder where they were?" Ron whispered, raising his eyebrows suggestively. Draco turned to glare at them, as if he heard the comment.
"Maybe you and Draco should avoid each other a little longer yet," Shannon remarked.
"He's not looking at all too friendly," Ron added. Harry simply nodded. Snape had just begun to talk, and if Harry had said anything it would surely have cost his house points.
Snape, almost as if he knew about the mornings incidents and wanted to see who would kill who first, decided to partner everyone up. Of course he put Harry and Draco together.
"Must be out of Midol," Harry cocked his head at Snape. Shannon laughed and squeezed Harry's hand sympathetically.
"Behave yourself," She warned him.
"Only if he does," Harry quipped.
Harry and Draco sneered at each other as they approached a table. Harry could hear Shannon telling him to be nice. He turned to give her a 'would-you-stop?' sort of look. To Snape's dismay, the partnership was working quite nicely. Harry and Draco worked on the potion in complete silence, finishing quickly. All that was left was to let the potion simmer for a while.
"Did you enjoy it?" Draco jeered.
"Enjoy what?" Harry asked. His mind had wandered to thoughts of Shannon in the shower. Unfortunately, she had caught him and was in the middle of scolding him.
"Don't play innocent with me Potter. You know exactly what I'm talking about,"
"Malfoy, I really don't know what kind of answer you're looking for here. Yes, she's hot, all right? But so's Shannon. I'd say it was an equal trade," Harry sighed, exasperated.
Draco considered this for a moment, "Alright, I'll bite." There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Never before had Draco given in to Harry, at least not this easily. "So what do we do now?"
"I don't know," Harry replied, dumbfounded. Hating each other was just like old times. It felt normal. It was strange to not be mad at each other. Just then, Harry caught sight of Shannon. She and Ron had been partnered, and so had Natasha and Hermione. Shannon was sitting directly behind Natasha, and Harry got the distinct impression they had been having a silent conversation about the boys.
"I think they want to talk to us after class," Harry commented.
"Oh man," Draco sighed. "Those two shouldn't be allowed to talk to each other," Harry smiled and they looked at the girls. They watched as Natasha reached for Hermione's neck when her back was turned. Shannon looked up just in time to see Natasha and cast a small freezing spell, careful to use her wand. The three burst into laughter, while Natasha glared at Shannon and shook her hands free. Hermione gave Shannon a confused look, and then everyone got back to their potions.
"So how'd it go?" Shannon asked as the two couples met at the exit of the Potions classroom.
"You're both still alive I see," Natasha added. Harry and Draco exchanged glances.
"Pretty well," Harry replied, shrugging.
Draco nodded and put his arm around Natasha, "We decided it was a fair trade," It was Shannon and Natasha's turn to exchange glances. They weren't sure whether to be insulted or relieved their boyfriends hadn't killed each other.
"Well I'm glad you're getting along," Shannon said as she wrapped an arm around Harry's waist.
"Hey, why don't we all get together for dinner tonight?" Natasha suggested. Harry and Draco weren't sure they liked each other enough to eat dinner together. "Who knows how long this truce will last."
"You do have a point there," Draco smiled. "I'm game if you are Potter,"
Harry laughed, "Bring it on,"
"It's already been brought-en!" Natasha said randomly. Everyone stared. "Nevermind…"
"Let's invite Jenny and Seamus," Shannon suggested. Just then, Natasha burst into a rendition of a song from Not Another Teen Movie, a muggle picture she'd fallen in love with.
"I wish I didn't make that bet, that's not the guy I want to be…" The group walked to the Great Hall with Natasha still singing "I have no money, I have to make my own dress…"
Seamus and Jenny were delighted with the idea of going out to dinner. They were just in time for Jenny to join Natasha in, "Prom tonight, doo, doo, doo-doo-doo!…" complete with dance moves.
Shannon covered her eyes with a hand just as all three guys yelled, "SHUT UP!" Jenny and Natasha rolled their eyes.
"Hot dog soup!" Natasha remarked. Shannon and Jenny laughed, but the guys looked confused. It was something Jenny came up with. It was code for F*** You.
Shannon cleared her throat and took Harry's arm, "We had better get to class. Come on," With that the couples went their separate ways.