Author's Notes: Ahh! I'm sorry for delaying you with this one! It's just
that I'm feeling a little down lately, so I just wasn't in the mood for
writing... actually, I wasn't in the mood for anything... but the 10th
chapter is coming, so I'm doing my best to write the next chapter!
This chapter "kinda"... gives more info on other pairings... like Blaise and Seamus. Don't worry, the Draco/Harry pairing needs them... err... yeah, sort of. I'd have done the 9th chapter before I post this... but no, I'm not yet done with the 9th, unfortunately... Anyway, I've fixed my outline... again. Looking better now! Hehe! Oh yeah, this chapter is for Alle. I also like the B/S pairing! Hah! :) So... this chapter is ... "kinda" ala Sorcerer's Stone chapter. Character Building. And Rowan Arkenson who gives me the encouragement (I sound like some......), slytherin cool for giving this fic a try, and Eilis for being the best beta ever (though I haven't sent her this one, she did a damn good job on my other fic soon to be featured in 'Noire Sensus: Gramarye')!!! For the others not mentioned and those reading this, thank you loads! :p
Disclaimer: No money, No own, No rights, No sue.
---
Tarantella
Chapter 8: Protection
"Harry! You are so blooming today! Now what did you do?" asked Hermione, her voice filled with curiosity.
She could see the change in Harry today. He continued as he normally did, but he kept smiling at everyone. He was all perky and giddy and kept laughing at Ron's jokes.
Now, it wasn't a bad thing that this was happening. It was just... weird... that Harry could be like that. Of course, maybe Harry had just slept longer the night before, or maybe he hadn't had any nightmares, but whatever it was, Hermione hoped Harry could have more of it.
She had no idea.
Harry was laughing with Ron as he turned to face Hermione. He was definitely looking great today.
"Mione, it's nothing! You should really give yourself some 'time-out' from all the studying and have some fun. Right, Ron?" Said Harry, his face red with laughter.
Ron, just as jovial, said, "Yeah! Maybe if you were a teensy bit more positive like us, guys would flock all over you!"
Harry punched Ron in the shoulder playfully and skidded towards the Transfiguration classroom. Hermione just stood there, looking over at them, thinking, 'Bah, kids!'
---
Somewhere along the halls to the DADA classroom, Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy were walking together, talking about stuff. Well, actually, they were talking about Gryffindors. How the subject came to be wasn't important, though. In fact, they couldn't even remember.
Draco couldn't help but smile at the occurrences in the Great Hall that breakfast time. He could feel the heat in his cheeks and he knew he was practically bouncing away in the halls, but then, he couldn't care less! Today was a special day and all he wanted to do was get through his classes and finally get the chance to talk to Harry. Although, how to do that was something he would have to think about.
Knowing Blaise would surely notice the change in him, Draco, as much as he hated, took his mind off the Gryffindor. He wasn't in the mood for questioning. The day was so nice that he could've been dancing with white fluffy bunnies in the field and he didn't want anyone messing around with it. So he tried to catch up with what Blaise was saying.
"...And he was actually, deliberately checking me out! A Gryffindor! I mean, I know I'm all that," -Draco had to roll his eyes at this- "I mean, really! But Merlin! Spare me, I might puke all over Hogwarts!"
Draco found that if he could steer this conversation, Blaise would go ballistic, hence giving him something to think about and not notice Draco's sudden changes. Plus, he was suddenly interested and asked, "Who was that again?"
Blaise turned to him and looked disgusted as he said, "Seamus Finnigan! That Irish-sexophilic Gryffindor!"
The blonde started chuckling. It was stupid of Blaise to say that because he was, himself, a sexophilic guy, as he'd put it. Of course, he was a Slytherin, so that's kind of a given. He could honestly say that their house had the most sexually active people, of course, other houses weren't too far behind...
"Blaise, don't tell me you don't think you're 'sexophilic' because, clearly, you are." Draco said with a smirk.
"Argh! Not that, Draco! That... Irish boy is just so annoying! He keeps looking at me with those eyes and, and, and, argh!"
Blaise was practically pulling his short, dark hair out by its roots. He looked especially annoyed, what with the behavior he was showing. Blaise was usually calm and collected, but now, he was just... messed up!
Draco exhaled deeply and said in an exasperated drawl, "Isn't that a good thing for you? I mean, one more ass to screw. What's bad about that?"
"You have a point there, but that guy! He's a complete dickwad, do you know that?! His eyes just keep on straying to me and I can't help but cringe! And oh please! I'd rather do it with your two inexperienced bodyguards than him!"
"Really, now, Blaise?"
That earned Draco a cutting glare, but he brushed it off and said, "Whatever. But really, that guy has some potential. Your type, I'd say."
"Come off it Draco! I'm not joking!"
"All right! All right! But I wasn't kidding, either, you know... How many minutes before our class?"
The dark haired boy checked his watch and said, "Around 15 minutes."
"Okay..."
They started walking again, passing by the DADA classroom, and sat by the wall of the next hall. Draco sat down next to Blaise and said, "You know, you're giving that Finnigan guy so much attention."
Instantly, Blaise turned to Draco, wide eyed. Of course, Draco had seen this before.
"I AM NOT!"
Draco, though, quickly replied, "Whatever, kid. Don't tell me I've been wrong seeing you looking over at the Gryffindor table."
The statement roused silence between them. Blaise was blushing furiously, while Draco tried hard not to laugh out loud.
A little voice, almost too subtle to hear, "I could've been looking at anyone."
"Oh sure," said Draco, who started playing with a few strands of stray hair falling from his forehead. "I saw you staring after Irish boy up to the hall's entrance."
"I was glaring at him."
"Yeah, right. So sorry to not take notice. Must've been wrong with the blush that made its way to your bloody face."
"I was mad! Isn't it pretty normal for you to turn slightly red when you're mad?!"
"...And the way your blabbing starts when our housemates start talking about him."
"I have a lot to say about him, I admit. They're 'yuck', 'disgusting', 'gross', 'sexophilic', 'ugly', 'pale', 'stupid', 'unattractive', Merlin, there's a lot that I can't even say it all! I was MAD!"
"Oh yes, Blaise, you were so mad about him."
"That's right! I wa- hey!"
Draco sneered at his friend and watched as he stood up. Blaise sat on the other side of the wall and said, "What's up with you anyway? Suddenly, you're 'oh-so-Gryffindor'!"
The blonde laughed and said, "No, there's nothing 'up' with me, Blaise. Look, I just want you to know that I know you better than you might think. I can see the look on your face whenever that boy comes in the same room you're in and I'm pretty sure that you're..."
"...What?"
"Hmm... well, to put it lightly, you're 'attracted' to him."
As the words left Draco's mouth, silence started to build between them. Draco's bluish gray eyes met with Blaise's hazel and they stared.
Draco knew what he was talking about. Ever since 'he couldn't remember', Blaise had been giving Finnigan extra attention. Sure, he'd always said he was ugly and annoying, but he was certain his friend was in denial. After all, Draco had his own experience of that. Well, kind of.
They still stared at each other, and it felt like there was a perceptive thing going on between them. Soon, Blaise broke it and said.
"Whatever, Draco. But really, if he looks at me like that again... I'm gonna skewer him on the spot... And don't expect me to play diddly diddly music and start dancing with him."
"Sure."
They sat in stillness in the empty corridor, Blaise secretly pondering his feelings, while Draco was thinking his own.
---
Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts ended for the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Next class, Care for Magical Creatures for both houses.
Harry, Hermione and Ron proceeded to their class, trudging across the Hogwarts grounds. Harry was especially excited about this class, as it was the first period he and Draco would share after the... 'confessions'. He was greatly interested at what would happen. Of course, he knew nothing would go wrong. It was such a nice day today and doubted even Draco would attempt to do something stupid...
Then again, they never had an agreement that Draco wouldn't piss off his friends. Sure, Draco was a lot nicer now, not really caring if the Gryffindor trio was there, but that didn't stop the occasional insults, which still gave the desired effect. Anyway, it made the interest in him grow. What will happen to them?
Ron's voice ended his contemplation. "What creature could Hagrid be planning to show us today?"
Harry was about to turn to Ron and say something when someone pulled at his clothes. He turned and found Ron, signaling to him that Draco was quickly approaching.
Harry couldn't help but smile.
He watched as Draco's tall form drew nearer and nearer. He caught Draco's eyes and soon, they were staring at each other. It seemed like time had stopped for them when Harry realized that Draco was just a couple of feet away from him.
Harry waited in anticipation for what Draco was going to say. He could feel Ron and Hermione's gaze falling on him and the blonde, but he didn't care. After what seemed like a minute, Harry could feel laughter stir from his insides and as much as he tried to hold it in, it broke free and soon, he found himself laughing slightly, obviously still trying hard to contain it. To his surprise, he wasn't the only one laughing. Even Draco was! In a few more seconds, they were both calm and Draco spoke up.
"I just wanted to... to thank you."
"And same here."
Harry smiled at Draco and to his, and everyone who was watching them for that matter, surprise, Draco was smiling too, even if it was just a little bit. It wasn't the usual sneer he had; it wasn't a haughty smile either. It was a smile, plain and simple. It was the smile Mr. Webster was definitely describing.
Harry was brought back to his senses when Ron spoke up.
"What the bloody hell is going on here?"
Harry was about to say "Nevermind", when Blaise entered the scene and started pulling Draco by the arm.
"Draco, what are you doing there? Come over here!"
With that, Draco let himself be pulled away by Blaise but not without saying "Later, Harry." and leaving a smile for Harry. Also, a mediocre stare for Ron and a nod for Hermione, both of which were devoid of affection with an absent hate.
The two could only stare at the fleeting Draco Malfoy as Harry moved in with the crowd and played with one of the Heckleburns with a smile on his face.
---
Care of Magical Creatures class ended and Harry followed as Hermione and Ron still argued about Heckleburns. Then, he saw Draco, walking with Blaise, who seemed to be complaining to Draco. Harry had an idea.
'Yeah... let's meet...' he thought.
He stopped following his two friends and took out a piece of parchment and a quill with almost dried ink. He kneeled down and started scribbling and in less than a minute, he was done. Harry looked around, scanning his surroundings, watching out for other housemates and Slytherins. Luckily, there were only a few students left in the grounds. Around five or six. He smiled inwardly and quickly sprang forward and ran towards Draco and Blaise, his heart beating faster and faster as he neared the blonde boy. In a few seconds, he reached him and laid his hand on his shoulder.
The Slytherin duo stopped and turned, with Draco's eyes widening as he saw it was Harry. He gave Harry a tiny grin that, apparently, Blaise missed. Harry didn't, though, and it made him smile.
He raised his hand and brought it forward nearer to Draco. "I just wanted to give you this." Harry said, fighting the flush that was making it's way to his cheeks.
A golden eyebrow raised as Draco chuckled a bit. Then he slowly took the folded parchment. As he did, his hand stopped as he grasped the note as if waiting for something else. Neither of the two looked at their hands. They were staring at each other, ignoring Blaise and their retreating housemates.
Then, Harry clasped his hands, Draco's own still there. The Gryffindor just held him there. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, Harry let go and waved at the two. Harry ran back to the castle with a tight chest and butterflies in his stomach, but with a grin on his face, Draco with a broken façade, his face reddish pink as he clasped his hand tightly around the note. Blaise was definitely confused.
---
The day ended quickly. Classes were over and the students were free to do whatever they wanted, of course, except for those who had detention.
In the library, Blaise followed Draco through the walkways behind the shelves. He kept throwing questions at Draco and it was pissing Draco off already.
"Merlin! You never fuckin' told me you were with... Potter! I mean, dammit Draco! All this time, I thought you were playing around with that smart chick... what's her name? Ah, Bridget Glintfeather! But no! I just had to find out you were with... Potter! Of all people!"
"..."
"Draco! Say something!"
Draco turned to Blaise with that look... Correction, with that look on his face.
"Blaise, I have nothing to say, and frankly, I would really appreciate it if you mind your own business... You've got your own problems with Finnigan."
With that said, Draco turned again and started walking, Blaise staring at his back.
"Draco."
The blonde turned to him, face emotionless. "What?"
Blaise fidgeted and looked around, thinking of what to say next.
"I just... Argh! Fine!"
"What is it Blaise?!"
"I mean..." Blaise rubbed the bridge of his nose. Then, with an exasperated sigh, he said, "Bloody hell... Go on. I mean... with Potter. He's okay... Well, maybe not, but... Fuck! Look, I don't understand... but he's fine."
Draco just grinned and waited for Blaise to walk over to him. They walked away from the library's dark aisle.
"Hey Blaise, I'll be going out later. I'll walk you to the common room okay?"
---
"And he was looking at me! I tell you, that sexy being was looking at me! He likes me, I tell you!"
Seamus was blabbing away in their dormitory as his roommates, Neville, Harry, Ron and Dean were... forced to listen. He was telling them about that look Blaise was giving him that afternoon in Care for Magical Creatures class. Harry was growing impatient and was growing more eager to meeting Draco that night.
"Harry! Harry! Are you listening to me?"
Harry snapped out of his thoughts and saw his four roommates looking at him with curious looks on their faces. Ron broke the silence and said, "What's up with you?"
Harry just shrugged and replied with a grin on his face, "It's nothing. I just remembered something. You were saying, Seam?"
"Oh yeah! Right! Where was I? Ah yes! So, I walked up to Blaise and I just said 'hi' and he just stared at me! His mouth was open and stuff and he was just there! STARING! I'm telling you! I will have him soon!"
"Riiight! I won't be surprised, though, if he was staring at you because he thought you were really weird!" Dean said, making everyone in the room, except Seamus, laugh.
"Hey!"
Harry held his laughter for a while and gave Seamus a little thought. What if he set Seam up with Blaise? Draco is Blaise's friend, obviously. Maybe Drake wouldn't mind helping him set up the two, sometime.
'I'd have to bring that up later...' he thought.
Soon, he was ready to go down to the lake. The other four were having a game of Exploding Snap when Harry quietly exited the room, feeling goose bumps spread over his skin.
---
Draco waited for Harry by the lake in the Hogwarts grounds. He went there a few minutes earlier than the said time. As much as he hated to admit, he was growing more nervous by the second and he thought going there would ease him, even if just a bit. Thankfully, it did. Breathing in fresh outdoors air served well for the teenager.
He sighed as he took out the piece of parchment Harry gave him. He reread the letter, concentrating more on the writing than on the message.
Draco,
Meet me by the lake 10 minutes after dinner. Let's talk about... you know what! Hope to see you there!
Harry
He leaned back on a tree and yawned. Suddenly, his edginess ran out as he started thinking. He could still remember clearly the night he first spent there with Harry. The night was beautiful then. The stars were far more brighter than now, the night, pitch black in all its glory. The moonlight glittered like fairies, dancing in the surface of the lake, playing in the music of the wind that, not only made the place draughty and cold, but brought Harry and him closer than before.
Tonight, the night was dull, somewhat ordinary, just a light breeze that threatened to slightly dishevel his hair. But then, it wasn't such a bad night. Rather it was... calm.
His reminiscent thoughts were stopped, when he found the darkness in his heart once again after the short reprieve. They had a problem.
At first, Draco thought it was going to be somewhat hard to have a relationship with the Gryffindor. But now that he actually thought about it, there were many more problems than he had considered. Lucius Malfoy, for one. Draco mentally kicked himself in the arse. Suddenly, he started to regret his confession of love.
His head was throbbing hard, now. How could he have missed this? How could he forget the suffering in him so quickly?
'Damn Harry... This is what you do to me...'
He decided he truly needed to control his emotions. Being with Harry... it was amazing. But the consequences after were also overwhelming... Not that he'd choose to give up on the Gryffindor.
Questions started to race through his mind. Questions like, 'Do I deserve Harry? Harry, the Golden Boy, savior of the wizarding community? I mean, who am I? I'm fucking Draco Malfoy, Slytherin's Silver Prince. Son of Lucius Malfoy, Voldemort's biggest supporter, soon to be death eater. Is this right?'
'Damn.'
The biggest problem was Lucius. If he found out about them, Draco's days would be numbered.
Draco was deep in thought when he heard the crushing of grass behind him. He turned and saw Harry wave at him, the same sweet, innocent smile upon his face. Exactly then did Draco feel the warm, fuzzy feeling wash over him and at that moment, Draco made up his mind.
'I'm not going to spoil this for Harry. We'll... no. I'll find a way...'
Harry reached the spot where Draco was and sat down. He was met with Draco's smile that made him look as angelic as before. He returned the smile and spoke.
"Uhm... I... I just thought that it's best if we talk a little."
"Yeah, I think it's good that we do."
"Yeah... well, so..."
Draco grinned a little and asked, "Yeah?"
"Well, I just wanted to ask if... I mean... what are we now?"
Harry felt butterflies start to fly inside his stomach. He fought the blush that was creeping to his face now, but found that his attempts were to be futile with what Draco was going to say.
"I was thinking we were lovers now. You know, boyfriends..."
The blonde couldn't help but laugh at Harry, what with the obvious internal fight he was having with himself. It was obvious the other was happy, just as Draco was, but the funny thing was that Harry was fighting the urge not to blush, resulting to his eyes tearing up. Draco, on the other hand, found this amusing and 'cute'.
"Yes, yes... I'd like that."
They grew silent for a while until all they could hear was the cradle of the night. The wind blowing on the lake water, insects buzzing by the trees while their leaves rustle against each other. They both found this soothing to the senses... and rather romantic, too.
Harry caught Draco off guard when he suddenly said in a clear voice, "Hey, you know about Seamus and Blaise?"
The names rang in Draco's ear and he quickly said, "Oh, that Irish Gryffindor and Blaise? Yeah, Blaise gets bloody annoying when he talks about... what's his name? Ah, Finnigan."
The Slytherin swore he saw Harry's ears perk up like a dog's. Harry smiled and quickly looked up at Draco, his glasses almost falling over his face when he asked, "So, is there a 'thing' between them? Does Blaise like Seam?"
Unprepared for the questions, Draco could do nothing but tell the truth.
"Well, I kind of thought Blaise had that 'thing' for Finnigan years ago, although Blaise keeps on denying it. Prat... That's a Slytherin for you."
"In any case, Seam really likes Blaise. D'you think we can set them up?"
Draco looked down at Harry, thinking about the suggestion. He found, though, that 'thinking about it' wasn't an option when it comes to Harry. That pleading puppy dog look on his face was enough to buy him the world.
"I guess... Hmmm, why not? Although, I can assure you of one thing. Blaise isn't one for 'serious' relationships."
Harry gave him a lopsided grin and said, "Don't worry, we know. Seam doesn't care..."
All fell into a comfortable silence once again. Harry had a faraway look on his face as he watched the little puffs of cloud that covered some of the stars that night. Draco took this opportunity to watch the Gryffindor, fawning over that innocent, childlike look he had. It was so striking and lovely. It looked so... untouched. Vulnerable, but strong at the same time.
He was so lost at looking at every contour of Harry's face that only after a few more seconds did he realize that Harry was already alerted to his stare.
Draco sensed Harry's agitation and he felt himself say things he never thought he would say. Well, personally anyway.
"You know, I really do love you."
Harry looked up at Draco, his pinkish cheeks made visible by the moonlight. He flushed even more when the Slytherin reached for his chin and slowly moved in, his breath tickling Harry's skin.
Draco, on the other hand, couldn't help the surge of hormones in him. Staring at Harry like that, blushed up and shy made him loose his reason and soon, he found himself kissing Harry.
The two of them savored the juiciness of the kiss, both of them equally participating. Draco, being the more 'experienced' of the two dominated Harry, as Harry followed through with Draco's tongue movements.
Draco pushed Harry back down on the grass, greatly deepening the kiss more than it was and Harry gave in. They could feel the passion between them build up and the mere sensation of their skin touching sent electricity through their bodies. It was like intense magic, but this was something else. This was their magic.
Draco was overwhelmed with every feeling he was getting from this kiss. It was so new and so... pure... that he couldn't believe it had something to do with him. He clasped hands with Harry, his other hand caressing the tanned boy's face. He wanted so badly for this kiss to last forever and so he held on to Harry, hoping that he was feeling the same.
True enough, Harry was feeling that, too. It felt like it was his first time, just like Draco, to feel this way. Actually, it was the second for both, being that they'd kissed each other once before. Funny, though, that even if they'd done something like this already, it seemed that they craved each other just as badly. The kiss was just as beautiful as before.
In what seemed like long minutes, their lips parted, both of them out of breath. They panted for a while, trying to catch their breath. Harry was struggling a little more when he gasped as he saw Draco staring down at him. He was so... so... beautiful. The boy was beautiful in the morning, beautiful in the night. In other words, he was just plain gorgeous. And with the darkness Harry knew was in his... lover's... heart, in some sort of eerie way, it was... kind of beautiful, too. He gazed back at the bluish silver eyes, mesmerized by them and for a brief moment, it was as if he sensed Draco's feelings, finding the darkness within him present, but the light fighting it away.
Draco broke the connection and lay down beside Harry. He pulled the lithe boy closer to him, and soon the two were snuggled together. He swore he could hear Harry's heartbeat and the stillness of their surroundings made it even more noticeable. He tightened his hold on Harry as his mind replayed his thoughts, his own words, over again.
Something this special; he just couldn't bear to let it go. Of course, he wouldn't. This was a blessing. He knew this time that he was holding Harry, that his love would save him from the shadows deep within the crevices in his heart.
Words echoed in his mind...
'I'm not going to spoil this for Harry. We'll... no. I'll find a way...'
The words, rather than making him fearful, made him stronger. What with his love lying with him on the grass, his courage was amplified a hundred times more. It was then that he made up his mind unconsciously.
'I'll protect him with my life...'
---
A/N: This fic was finished on April 21st, 12:46 am. Really, I'm getting addicted. Anyway, I've started the 9th chapter. It'll concentrate more on Blaise and Seamus' relationship with added Harry and Draco 'pointless' fluff maybe. I wanted to have a break from the serious stuff. It was getting all weird...
Anyway, for this chapter, I'd say it was long and boring. No, don't comment on that. It's true. And wow, Draco's thoughts were scattered... But then, this is an 'extra long' chapter compared to the others, so bah! 4276 words isn't bad... for me, at least!
Ah, yes. Did you realize that chapters start growing longer and longer? Wicked!
Oh yeah, and while you're at it, visit my Livejournal:
REVIEW!!!
ys
This chapter "kinda"... gives more info on other pairings... like Blaise and Seamus. Don't worry, the Draco/Harry pairing needs them... err... yeah, sort of. I'd have done the 9th chapter before I post this... but no, I'm not yet done with the 9th, unfortunately... Anyway, I've fixed my outline... again. Looking better now! Hehe! Oh yeah, this chapter is for Alle. I also like the B/S pairing! Hah! :) So... this chapter is ... "kinda" ala Sorcerer's Stone chapter. Character Building. And Rowan Arkenson who gives me the encouragement (I sound like some......), slytherin cool for giving this fic a try, and Eilis for being the best beta ever (though I haven't sent her this one, she did a damn good job on my other fic soon to be featured in 'Noire Sensus: Gramarye')!!! For the others not mentioned and those reading this, thank you loads! :p
Disclaimer: No money, No own, No rights, No sue.
---
Tarantella
Chapter 8: Protection
"Harry! You are so blooming today! Now what did you do?" asked Hermione, her voice filled with curiosity.
She could see the change in Harry today. He continued as he normally did, but he kept smiling at everyone. He was all perky and giddy and kept laughing at Ron's jokes.
Now, it wasn't a bad thing that this was happening. It was just... weird... that Harry could be like that. Of course, maybe Harry had just slept longer the night before, or maybe he hadn't had any nightmares, but whatever it was, Hermione hoped Harry could have more of it.
She had no idea.
Harry was laughing with Ron as he turned to face Hermione. He was definitely looking great today.
"Mione, it's nothing! You should really give yourself some 'time-out' from all the studying and have some fun. Right, Ron?" Said Harry, his face red with laughter.
Ron, just as jovial, said, "Yeah! Maybe if you were a teensy bit more positive like us, guys would flock all over you!"
Harry punched Ron in the shoulder playfully and skidded towards the Transfiguration classroom. Hermione just stood there, looking over at them, thinking, 'Bah, kids!'
---
Somewhere along the halls to the DADA classroom, Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy were walking together, talking about stuff. Well, actually, they were talking about Gryffindors. How the subject came to be wasn't important, though. In fact, they couldn't even remember.
Draco couldn't help but smile at the occurrences in the Great Hall that breakfast time. He could feel the heat in his cheeks and he knew he was practically bouncing away in the halls, but then, he couldn't care less! Today was a special day and all he wanted to do was get through his classes and finally get the chance to talk to Harry. Although, how to do that was something he would have to think about.
Knowing Blaise would surely notice the change in him, Draco, as much as he hated, took his mind off the Gryffindor. He wasn't in the mood for questioning. The day was so nice that he could've been dancing with white fluffy bunnies in the field and he didn't want anyone messing around with it. So he tried to catch up with what Blaise was saying.
"...And he was actually, deliberately checking me out! A Gryffindor! I mean, I know I'm all that," -Draco had to roll his eyes at this- "I mean, really! But Merlin! Spare me, I might puke all over Hogwarts!"
Draco found that if he could steer this conversation, Blaise would go ballistic, hence giving him something to think about and not notice Draco's sudden changes. Plus, he was suddenly interested and asked, "Who was that again?"
Blaise turned to him and looked disgusted as he said, "Seamus Finnigan! That Irish-sexophilic Gryffindor!"
The blonde started chuckling. It was stupid of Blaise to say that because he was, himself, a sexophilic guy, as he'd put it. Of course, he was a Slytherin, so that's kind of a given. He could honestly say that their house had the most sexually active people, of course, other houses weren't too far behind...
"Blaise, don't tell me you don't think you're 'sexophilic' because, clearly, you are." Draco said with a smirk.
"Argh! Not that, Draco! That... Irish boy is just so annoying! He keeps looking at me with those eyes and, and, and, argh!"
Blaise was practically pulling his short, dark hair out by its roots. He looked especially annoyed, what with the behavior he was showing. Blaise was usually calm and collected, but now, he was just... messed up!
Draco exhaled deeply and said in an exasperated drawl, "Isn't that a good thing for you? I mean, one more ass to screw. What's bad about that?"
"You have a point there, but that guy! He's a complete dickwad, do you know that?! His eyes just keep on straying to me and I can't help but cringe! And oh please! I'd rather do it with your two inexperienced bodyguards than him!"
"Really, now, Blaise?"
That earned Draco a cutting glare, but he brushed it off and said, "Whatever. But really, that guy has some potential. Your type, I'd say."
"Come off it Draco! I'm not joking!"
"All right! All right! But I wasn't kidding, either, you know... How many minutes before our class?"
The dark haired boy checked his watch and said, "Around 15 minutes."
"Okay..."
They started walking again, passing by the DADA classroom, and sat by the wall of the next hall. Draco sat down next to Blaise and said, "You know, you're giving that Finnigan guy so much attention."
Instantly, Blaise turned to Draco, wide eyed. Of course, Draco had seen this before.
"I AM NOT!"
Draco, though, quickly replied, "Whatever, kid. Don't tell me I've been wrong seeing you looking over at the Gryffindor table."
The statement roused silence between them. Blaise was blushing furiously, while Draco tried hard not to laugh out loud.
A little voice, almost too subtle to hear, "I could've been looking at anyone."
"Oh sure," said Draco, who started playing with a few strands of stray hair falling from his forehead. "I saw you staring after Irish boy up to the hall's entrance."
"I was glaring at him."
"Yeah, right. So sorry to not take notice. Must've been wrong with the blush that made its way to your bloody face."
"I was mad! Isn't it pretty normal for you to turn slightly red when you're mad?!"
"...And the way your blabbing starts when our housemates start talking about him."
"I have a lot to say about him, I admit. They're 'yuck', 'disgusting', 'gross', 'sexophilic', 'ugly', 'pale', 'stupid', 'unattractive', Merlin, there's a lot that I can't even say it all! I was MAD!"
"Oh yes, Blaise, you were so mad about him."
"That's right! I wa- hey!"
Draco sneered at his friend and watched as he stood up. Blaise sat on the other side of the wall and said, "What's up with you anyway? Suddenly, you're 'oh-so-Gryffindor'!"
The blonde laughed and said, "No, there's nothing 'up' with me, Blaise. Look, I just want you to know that I know you better than you might think. I can see the look on your face whenever that boy comes in the same room you're in and I'm pretty sure that you're..."
"...What?"
"Hmm... well, to put it lightly, you're 'attracted' to him."
As the words left Draco's mouth, silence started to build between them. Draco's bluish gray eyes met with Blaise's hazel and they stared.
Draco knew what he was talking about. Ever since 'he couldn't remember', Blaise had been giving Finnigan extra attention. Sure, he'd always said he was ugly and annoying, but he was certain his friend was in denial. After all, Draco had his own experience of that. Well, kind of.
They still stared at each other, and it felt like there was a perceptive thing going on between them. Soon, Blaise broke it and said.
"Whatever, Draco. But really, if he looks at me like that again... I'm gonna skewer him on the spot... And don't expect me to play diddly diddly music and start dancing with him."
"Sure."
They sat in stillness in the empty corridor, Blaise secretly pondering his feelings, while Draco was thinking his own.
---
Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts ended for the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Next class, Care for Magical Creatures for both houses.
Harry, Hermione and Ron proceeded to their class, trudging across the Hogwarts grounds. Harry was especially excited about this class, as it was the first period he and Draco would share after the... 'confessions'. He was greatly interested at what would happen. Of course, he knew nothing would go wrong. It was such a nice day today and doubted even Draco would attempt to do something stupid...
Then again, they never had an agreement that Draco wouldn't piss off his friends. Sure, Draco was a lot nicer now, not really caring if the Gryffindor trio was there, but that didn't stop the occasional insults, which still gave the desired effect. Anyway, it made the interest in him grow. What will happen to them?
Ron's voice ended his contemplation. "What creature could Hagrid be planning to show us today?"
Harry was about to turn to Ron and say something when someone pulled at his clothes. He turned and found Ron, signaling to him that Draco was quickly approaching.
Harry couldn't help but smile.
He watched as Draco's tall form drew nearer and nearer. He caught Draco's eyes and soon, they were staring at each other. It seemed like time had stopped for them when Harry realized that Draco was just a couple of feet away from him.
Harry waited in anticipation for what Draco was going to say. He could feel Ron and Hermione's gaze falling on him and the blonde, but he didn't care. After what seemed like a minute, Harry could feel laughter stir from his insides and as much as he tried to hold it in, it broke free and soon, he found himself laughing slightly, obviously still trying hard to contain it. To his surprise, he wasn't the only one laughing. Even Draco was! In a few more seconds, they were both calm and Draco spoke up.
"I just wanted to... to thank you."
"And same here."
Harry smiled at Draco and to his, and everyone who was watching them for that matter, surprise, Draco was smiling too, even if it was just a little bit. It wasn't the usual sneer he had; it wasn't a haughty smile either. It was a smile, plain and simple. It was the smile Mr. Webster was definitely describing.
Harry was brought back to his senses when Ron spoke up.
"What the bloody hell is going on here?"
Harry was about to say "Nevermind", when Blaise entered the scene and started pulling Draco by the arm.
"Draco, what are you doing there? Come over here!"
With that, Draco let himself be pulled away by Blaise but not without saying "Later, Harry." and leaving a smile for Harry. Also, a mediocre stare for Ron and a nod for Hermione, both of which were devoid of affection with an absent hate.
The two could only stare at the fleeting Draco Malfoy as Harry moved in with the crowd and played with one of the Heckleburns with a smile on his face.
---
Care of Magical Creatures class ended and Harry followed as Hermione and Ron still argued about Heckleburns. Then, he saw Draco, walking with Blaise, who seemed to be complaining to Draco. Harry had an idea.
'Yeah... let's meet...' he thought.
He stopped following his two friends and took out a piece of parchment and a quill with almost dried ink. He kneeled down and started scribbling and in less than a minute, he was done. Harry looked around, scanning his surroundings, watching out for other housemates and Slytherins. Luckily, there were only a few students left in the grounds. Around five or six. He smiled inwardly and quickly sprang forward and ran towards Draco and Blaise, his heart beating faster and faster as he neared the blonde boy. In a few seconds, he reached him and laid his hand on his shoulder.
The Slytherin duo stopped and turned, with Draco's eyes widening as he saw it was Harry. He gave Harry a tiny grin that, apparently, Blaise missed. Harry didn't, though, and it made him smile.
He raised his hand and brought it forward nearer to Draco. "I just wanted to give you this." Harry said, fighting the flush that was making it's way to his cheeks.
A golden eyebrow raised as Draco chuckled a bit. Then he slowly took the folded parchment. As he did, his hand stopped as he grasped the note as if waiting for something else. Neither of the two looked at their hands. They were staring at each other, ignoring Blaise and their retreating housemates.
Then, Harry clasped his hands, Draco's own still there. The Gryffindor just held him there. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, Harry let go and waved at the two. Harry ran back to the castle with a tight chest and butterflies in his stomach, but with a grin on his face, Draco with a broken façade, his face reddish pink as he clasped his hand tightly around the note. Blaise was definitely confused.
---
The day ended quickly. Classes were over and the students were free to do whatever they wanted, of course, except for those who had detention.
In the library, Blaise followed Draco through the walkways behind the shelves. He kept throwing questions at Draco and it was pissing Draco off already.
"Merlin! You never fuckin' told me you were with... Potter! I mean, dammit Draco! All this time, I thought you were playing around with that smart chick... what's her name? Ah, Bridget Glintfeather! But no! I just had to find out you were with... Potter! Of all people!"
"..."
"Draco! Say something!"
Draco turned to Blaise with that look... Correction, with that look on his face.
"Blaise, I have nothing to say, and frankly, I would really appreciate it if you mind your own business... You've got your own problems with Finnigan."
With that said, Draco turned again and started walking, Blaise staring at his back.
"Draco."
The blonde turned to him, face emotionless. "What?"
Blaise fidgeted and looked around, thinking of what to say next.
"I just... Argh! Fine!"
"What is it Blaise?!"
"I mean..." Blaise rubbed the bridge of his nose. Then, with an exasperated sigh, he said, "Bloody hell... Go on. I mean... with Potter. He's okay... Well, maybe not, but... Fuck! Look, I don't understand... but he's fine."
Draco just grinned and waited for Blaise to walk over to him. They walked away from the library's dark aisle.
"Hey Blaise, I'll be going out later. I'll walk you to the common room okay?"
---
"And he was looking at me! I tell you, that sexy being was looking at me! He likes me, I tell you!"
Seamus was blabbing away in their dormitory as his roommates, Neville, Harry, Ron and Dean were... forced to listen. He was telling them about that look Blaise was giving him that afternoon in Care for Magical Creatures class. Harry was growing impatient and was growing more eager to meeting Draco that night.
"Harry! Harry! Are you listening to me?"
Harry snapped out of his thoughts and saw his four roommates looking at him with curious looks on their faces. Ron broke the silence and said, "What's up with you?"
Harry just shrugged and replied with a grin on his face, "It's nothing. I just remembered something. You were saying, Seam?"
"Oh yeah! Right! Where was I? Ah yes! So, I walked up to Blaise and I just said 'hi' and he just stared at me! His mouth was open and stuff and he was just there! STARING! I'm telling you! I will have him soon!"
"Riiight! I won't be surprised, though, if he was staring at you because he thought you were really weird!" Dean said, making everyone in the room, except Seamus, laugh.
"Hey!"
Harry held his laughter for a while and gave Seamus a little thought. What if he set Seam up with Blaise? Draco is Blaise's friend, obviously. Maybe Drake wouldn't mind helping him set up the two, sometime.
'I'd have to bring that up later...' he thought.
Soon, he was ready to go down to the lake. The other four were having a game of Exploding Snap when Harry quietly exited the room, feeling goose bumps spread over his skin.
---
Draco waited for Harry by the lake in the Hogwarts grounds. He went there a few minutes earlier than the said time. As much as he hated to admit, he was growing more nervous by the second and he thought going there would ease him, even if just a bit. Thankfully, it did. Breathing in fresh outdoors air served well for the teenager.
He sighed as he took out the piece of parchment Harry gave him. He reread the letter, concentrating more on the writing than on the message.
Draco,
Meet me by the lake 10 minutes after dinner. Let's talk about... you know what! Hope to see you there!
Harry
He leaned back on a tree and yawned. Suddenly, his edginess ran out as he started thinking. He could still remember clearly the night he first spent there with Harry. The night was beautiful then. The stars were far more brighter than now, the night, pitch black in all its glory. The moonlight glittered like fairies, dancing in the surface of the lake, playing in the music of the wind that, not only made the place draughty and cold, but brought Harry and him closer than before.
Tonight, the night was dull, somewhat ordinary, just a light breeze that threatened to slightly dishevel his hair. But then, it wasn't such a bad night. Rather it was... calm.
His reminiscent thoughts were stopped, when he found the darkness in his heart once again after the short reprieve. They had a problem.
At first, Draco thought it was going to be somewhat hard to have a relationship with the Gryffindor. But now that he actually thought about it, there were many more problems than he had considered. Lucius Malfoy, for one. Draco mentally kicked himself in the arse. Suddenly, he started to regret his confession of love.
His head was throbbing hard, now. How could he have missed this? How could he forget the suffering in him so quickly?
'Damn Harry... This is what you do to me...'
He decided he truly needed to control his emotions. Being with Harry... it was amazing. But the consequences after were also overwhelming... Not that he'd choose to give up on the Gryffindor.
Questions started to race through his mind. Questions like, 'Do I deserve Harry? Harry, the Golden Boy, savior of the wizarding community? I mean, who am I? I'm fucking Draco Malfoy, Slytherin's Silver Prince. Son of Lucius Malfoy, Voldemort's biggest supporter, soon to be death eater. Is this right?'
'Damn.'
The biggest problem was Lucius. If he found out about them, Draco's days would be numbered.
Draco was deep in thought when he heard the crushing of grass behind him. He turned and saw Harry wave at him, the same sweet, innocent smile upon his face. Exactly then did Draco feel the warm, fuzzy feeling wash over him and at that moment, Draco made up his mind.
'I'm not going to spoil this for Harry. We'll... no. I'll find a way...'
Harry reached the spot where Draco was and sat down. He was met with Draco's smile that made him look as angelic as before. He returned the smile and spoke.
"Uhm... I... I just thought that it's best if we talk a little."
"Yeah, I think it's good that we do."
"Yeah... well, so..."
Draco grinned a little and asked, "Yeah?"
"Well, I just wanted to ask if... I mean... what are we now?"
Harry felt butterflies start to fly inside his stomach. He fought the blush that was creeping to his face now, but found that his attempts were to be futile with what Draco was going to say.
"I was thinking we were lovers now. You know, boyfriends..."
The blonde couldn't help but laugh at Harry, what with the obvious internal fight he was having with himself. It was obvious the other was happy, just as Draco was, but the funny thing was that Harry was fighting the urge not to blush, resulting to his eyes tearing up. Draco, on the other hand, found this amusing and 'cute'.
"Yes, yes... I'd like that."
They grew silent for a while until all they could hear was the cradle of the night. The wind blowing on the lake water, insects buzzing by the trees while their leaves rustle against each other. They both found this soothing to the senses... and rather romantic, too.
Harry caught Draco off guard when he suddenly said in a clear voice, "Hey, you know about Seamus and Blaise?"
The names rang in Draco's ear and he quickly said, "Oh, that Irish Gryffindor and Blaise? Yeah, Blaise gets bloody annoying when he talks about... what's his name? Ah, Finnigan."
The Slytherin swore he saw Harry's ears perk up like a dog's. Harry smiled and quickly looked up at Draco, his glasses almost falling over his face when he asked, "So, is there a 'thing' between them? Does Blaise like Seam?"
Unprepared for the questions, Draco could do nothing but tell the truth.
"Well, I kind of thought Blaise had that 'thing' for Finnigan years ago, although Blaise keeps on denying it. Prat... That's a Slytherin for you."
"In any case, Seam really likes Blaise. D'you think we can set them up?"
Draco looked down at Harry, thinking about the suggestion. He found, though, that 'thinking about it' wasn't an option when it comes to Harry. That pleading puppy dog look on his face was enough to buy him the world.
"I guess... Hmmm, why not? Although, I can assure you of one thing. Blaise isn't one for 'serious' relationships."
Harry gave him a lopsided grin and said, "Don't worry, we know. Seam doesn't care..."
All fell into a comfortable silence once again. Harry had a faraway look on his face as he watched the little puffs of cloud that covered some of the stars that night. Draco took this opportunity to watch the Gryffindor, fawning over that innocent, childlike look he had. It was so striking and lovely. It looked so... untouched. Vulnerable, but strong at the same time.
He was so lost at looking at every contour of Harry's face that only after a few more seconds did he realize that Harry was already alerted to his stare.
Draco sensed Harry's agitation and he felt himself say things he never thought he would say. Well, personally anyway.
"You know, I really do love you."
Harry looked up at Draco, his pinkish cheeks made visible by the moonlight. He flushed even more when the Slytherin reached for his chin and slowly moved in, his breath tickling Harry's skin.
Draco, on the other hand, couldn't help the surge of hormones in him. Staring at Harry like that, blushed up and shy made him loose his reason and soon, he found himself kissing Harry.
The two of them savored the juiciness of the kiss, both of them equally participating. Draco, being the more 'experienced' of the two dominated Harry, as Harry followed through with Draco's tongue movements.
Draco pushed Harry back down on the grass, greatly deepening the kiss more than it was and Harry gave in. They could feel the passion between them build up and the mere sensation of their skin touching sent electricity through their bodies. It was like intense magic, but this was something else. This was their magic.
Draco was overwhelmed with every feeling he was getting from this kiss. It was so new and so... pure... that he couldn't believe it had something to do with him. He clasped hands with Harry, his other hand caressing the tanned boy's face. He wanted so badly for this kiss to last forever and so he held on to Harry, hoping that he was feeling the same.
True enough, Harry was feeling that, too. It felt like it was his first time, just like Draco, to feel this way. Actually, it was the second for both, being that they'd kissed each other once before. Funny, though, that even if they'd done something like this already, it seemed that they craved each other just as badly. The kiss was just as beautiful as before.
In what seemed like long minutes, their lips parted, both of them out of breath. They panted for a while, trying to catch their breath. Harry was struggling a little more when he gasped as he saw Draco staring down at him. He was so... so... beautiful. The boy was beautiful in the morning, beautiful in the night. In other words, he was just plain gorgeous. And with the darkness Harry knew was in his... lover's... heart, in some sort of eerie way, it was... kind of beautiful, too. He gazed back at the bluish silver eyes, mesmerized by them and for a brief moment, it was as if he sensed Draco's feelings, finding the darkness within him present, but the light fighting it away.
Draco broke the connection and lay down beside Harry. He pulled the lithe boy closer to him, and soon the two were snuggled together. He swore he could hear Harry's heartbeat and the stillness of their surroundings made it even more noticeable. He tightened his hold on Harry as his mind replayed his thoughts, his own words, over again.
Something this special; he just couldn't bear to let it go. Of course, he wouldn't. This was a blessing. He knew this time that he was holding Harry, that his love would save him from the shadows deep within the crevices in his heart.
Words echoed in his mind...
'I'm not going to spoil this for Harry. We'll... no. I'll find a way...'
The words, rather than making him fearful, made him stronger. What with his love lying with him on the grass, his courage was amplified a hundred times more. It was then that he made up his mind unconsciously.
'I'll protect him with my life...'
---
A/N: This fic was finished on April 21st, 12:46 am. Really, I'm getting addicted. Anyway, I've started the 9th chapter. It'll concentrate more on Blaise and Seamus' relationship with added Harry and Draco 'pointless' fluff maybe. I wanted to have a break from the serious stuff. It was getting all weird...
Anyway, for this chapter, I'd say it was long and boring. No, don't comment on that. It's true. And wow, Draco's thoughts were scattered... But then, this is an 'extra long' chapter compared to the others, so bah! 4276 words isn't bad... for me, at least!
Ah, yes. Did you realize that chapters start growing longer and longer? Wicked!
Oh yeah, and while you're at it, visit my Livejournal:
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