Learning to Live: Rude Awakenings
Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you it's only seed. It's the heart, afraid of breaking,
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream, afraid of waking,
That never takes a chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give.
And the soul, afraid of dyin',
That never learns to live. When the night has been too lonely,
And the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love,
In the spring becomes the rose.
A/N: The Rose by Bette Midler
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gasping, Harry stared at Draco dumbly, opening and closing his mouth in what was surely a great imitation for a goldfish.
Amused, Draco only quirked an eyebrow as he continued to stare at Harry expectantly, clearly not intending to volunteer any openings to conversation.
"W-what are you doing here," Harry demanded hoping his voice wasn't as shaky and uncertain as he felt at that moment. He definitely didn't want to provide another reason for the arrogant boy to be any more smug than he already was.
"Ahh, your cousin invited me to dinner and naturally, I could not deny myself the pleasure of such company as you and your cousin could provide," he laughed lightly looking at Harry carelessly in so infuriating a manner that Harry sincerely wished murder was legal.
"Oh yeah, the pleasure of Dudley's company," Harry muttered sarcastically reaching down and grabbing the menacing leaf of lettuce on the floor, hoping that the irritating blond would just go away but not willing to invoke his aunt's wrath by being rude to "such an important guest."
To his surprise, Draco actually laughed. Not a rude, derisive sneer but a genuine, good-natured laugh that sounded oddly pleasant and sensual to Harry's ears.
NOOOO.I did not just think that. Stupid brain. Oh but you know, his voice is beautiful. DUMB MIND. Too much physics and American literature. Yeah, that's it. I need to get some sleep. I'll be fine in the morning.
"So Potter, tell me why your cousin isn't here to help," Draco's sudden statement snapping Harry out his inner fight with his mind (which he was losing anyway).
"W-well I," Harry began stammering, not wanting to admit to the golden boy about his virtual servant status at home.
Fortunately, he was saved by entrance of Aunt Petunia followed by his cousin Dudley, who required the width of the entire kitchen doorway to himself in order to squeeze himself through.
"But Mummy, I'm hungry now. I haven't eaten anything in 22 minutes," Dudley whined looking as if he was ready to burst into tears.
Aunt Petunia seemed about ready to rush into one of her rants about her "poor, undernourished wittle boy" when she suddenly stopped dead upon seeing Draco Malfoy in her kitchen (as if she hadn't already been informed that the Malfoy heir was visiting), causing Dudley to bang his "undernourished" figure into his mother's backside resulting in a rather graceless tumble to the floor on Dudley's part.
Quickly biting down furiously on the insides of his cheeks, Harry was miraculously able to stop himself from showing just how amusing he had found the scene.
Draco Malfoy, having been introduced into high society at an early age where displays of clumsiness were extremely rare and unusual (and besides he was not a daily witness to Dudley's gracefulness) found it quite impossible to contain hysterical laughter until Harry feared that the blond boy might begin to choke. Not that he cared at all but still..it was the right thing to do wasn't it?
Mrs. Dursley, who had by this time turned the same shade of bright red as the blush she had piled onto her cheeks, stiffly attempted to gather as much dignity as possible considering the circumstances as she laughed lightly, commenting on how Dudley was having an off day though Harry honestly thought it was one of his more "on days."
"Mr. Malfoy," Aunt Petunia simpered - after sufficient recovery time - in what Harry recognized as her best aiming to impress voice, "we're so very pleased to have such a handsome, distinguished gentleman here. Dearest Vernon can't wait to meet you either. Would you like to come along into our parlor (parlor? Nobody uses that anymore. Even I know that.) for some expensive imported wine Mr. Malfoy?" she gushed in a way that reminded Harry of Pansy Parkinson.
"In a second Mrs. Dursley. Just allow me a second here to converse with your charming nephew," Draco smirked.
"Of course, of course. Take all the time you need Mr. Malfoy though I can't guarantee my nephew can be very pleasant to be around," she said in a clearly irritated voice, not able to understand how anyone could actually want to spend time with Harry Potter.
"I must say I'm impressed Potter," came Draco's slow, amused drawl immediately following the very fortunate (in Harry's opinion at least) departure of Aunt Petunia and Dudley.
"Oh what do you mean?" he muttered half-humoring, half-hoping that the blond boy would just go away.
"Well I didn't think anyone could be clumsier than you, Potter but your cousin has proven me wrong. Oh well, I have been wrong once or twice in my life," Draco laughed lightly.
"Oh get over yourself, you annoying little git!" Harry looked up as he snapped at Malfoy. If their little kitchen scene had been in a cartoon, Harry was sure steam would be coming out his ears. He honestly hadn't meant to lose control of his temper like that but goddammit that Malfoy was just so irritating and who cared about his oh so mighty status anyway. Well, his aunt and uncle might starve him a little more than usual if they ever found out but it was oh so worth it to tell the little daft prick off.
Something brief flashed across the blond's face before it was quickly wiped clean of emotion. "I really cannot descend to this childish bickering with you Potter. Anyway duty calls. Can't wait for dinner though. It's gonna be a long night, Potter," Draco laughed lightly before turning on his heel and leaving Harry in the kitchen.
For the smallest fraction of a second, Malfoy looked almost stricken? Angry? Remorseful? It had been gone in a second, and Harry was left blinking uncertainly, unsure as to whether he had just imagined it.
A sudden explosion from his stove quickly brought Harry out of his reverie as the boiling water that Harry had been neglecting in favor of conversing with Malfoy began madly rushed from the pot on its descent to the floor.
"Fuck," Harry cursed loudly, praying that no one heard his profane language as he frantically turned off the stove while attempting to mop up the water.
Oh good lord.it was going to be a very long night indeed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Thank you to all those who reviewed. I luv ya all.
Not exactly my best work here but I really wanted to get this part up.
Anyway, I'm sooooo sorry about how long this part took but junior year in high school is honestly just hell. Anyway, about the short chapters, I could either just keep them this length or I can try to combine chapters but that means more time between updates. What do you guys think?
Next Chapter: Dinner at the Dursley household! Trouble ahead?
Questions and Answers:
Why is Draco in the kitchen?
Well, Dudley invited him over to try to get all buddy-buddy with Draco and naturally Draco couldn't resist.
What actually convinced Draco to go to Dudley's house?
::laughs:: Well, Draco has his own reasons that he'll reveal later. Anyway, I'm sure most of you have figured it out.
What will Draco think of Harry while being at the Dursleys? Yup, something that you will just have to wait and see.
Why does Pansy hate Harry so?
Lol, perhaps she just likes teasing penniless rejects. Anyway, you'll see.
Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you it's only seed. It's the heart, afraid of breaking,
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream, afraid of waking,
That never takes a chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give.
And the soul, afraid of dyin',
That never learns to live. When the night has been too lonely,
And the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love,
In the spring becomes the rose.
A/N: The Rose by Bette Midler
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gasping, Harry stared at Draco dumbly, opening and closing his mouth in what was surely a great imitation for a goldfish.
Amused, Draco only quirked an eyebrow as he continued to stare at Harry expectantly, clearly not intending to volunteer any openings to conversation.
"W-what are you doing here," Harry demanded hoping his voice wasn't as shaky and uncertain as he felt at that moment. He definitely didn't want to provide another reason for the arrogant boy to be any more smug than he already was.
"Ahh, your cousin invited me to dinner and naturally, I could not deny myself the pleasure of such company as you and your cousin could provide," he laughed lightly looking at Harry carelessly in so infuriating a manner that Harry sincerely wished murder was legal.
"Oh yeah, the pleasure of Dudley's company," Harry muttered sarcastically reaching down and grabbing the menacing leaf of lettuce on the floor, hoping that the irritating blond would just go away but not willing to invoke his aunt's wrath by being rude to "such an important guest."
To his surprise, Draco actually laughed. Not a rude, derisive sneer but a genuine, good-natured laugh that sounded oddly pleasant and sensual to Harry's ears.
NOOOO.I did not just think that. Stupid brain. Oh but you know, his voice is beautiful. DUMB MIND. Too much physics and American literature. Yeah, that's it. I need to get some sleep. I'll be fine in the morning.
"So Potter, tell me why your cousin isn't here to help," Draco's sudden statement snapping Harry out his inner fight with his mind (which he was losing anyway).
"W-well I," Harry began stammering, not wanting to admit to the golden boy about his virtual servant status at home.
Fortunately, he was saved by entrance of Aunt Petunia followed by his cousin Dudley, who required the width of the entire kitchen doorway to himself in order to squeeze himself through.
"But Mummy, I'm hungry now. I haven't eaten anything in 22 minutes," Dudley whined looking as if he was ready to burst into tears.
Aunt Petunia seemed about ready to rush into one of her rants about her "poor, undernourished wittle boy" when she suddenly stopped dead upon seeing Draco Malfoy in her kitchen (as if she hadn't already been informed that the Malfoy heir was visiting), causing Dudley to bang his "undernourished" figure into his mother's backside resulting in a rather graceless tumble to the floor on Dudley's part.
Quickly biting down furiously on the insides of his cheeks, Harry was miraculously able to stop himself from showing just how amusing he had found the scene.
Draco Malfoy, having been introduced into high society at an early age where displays of clumsiness were extremely rare and unusual (and besides he was not a daily witness to Dudley's gracefulness) found it quite impossible to contain hysterical laughter until Harry feared that the blond boy might begin to choke. Not that he cared at all but still..it was the right thing to do wasn't it?
Mrs. Dursley, who had by this time turned the same shade of bright red as the blush she had piled onto her cheeks, stiffly attempted to gather as much dignity as possible considering the circumstances as she laughed lightly, commenting on how Dudley was having an off day though Harry honestly thought it was one of his more "on days."
"Mr. Malfoy," Aunt Petunia simpered - after sufficient recovery time - in what Harry recognized as her best aiming to impress voice, "we're so very pleased to have such a handsome, distinguished gentleman here. Dearest Vernon can't wait to meet you either. Would you like to come along into our parlor (parlor? Nobody uses that anymore. Even I know that.) for some expensive imported wine Mr. Malfoy?" she gushed in a way that reminded Harry of Pansy Parkinson.
"In a second Mrs. Dursley. Just allow me a second here to converse with your charming nephew," Draco smirked.
"Of course, of course. Take all the time you need Mr. Malfoy though I can't guarantee my nephew can be very pleasant to be around," she said in a clearly irritated voice, not able to understand how anyone could actually want to spend time with Harry Potter.
"I must say I'm impressed Potter," came Draco's slow, amused drawl immediately following the very fortunate (in Harry's opinion at least) departure of Aunt Petunia and Dudley.
"Oh what do you mean?" he muttered half-humoring, half-hoping that the blond boy would just go away.
"Well I didn't think anyone could be clumsier than you, Potter but your cousin has proven me wrong. Oh well, I have been wrong once or twice in my life," Draco laughed lightly.
"Oh get over yourself, you annoying little git!" Harry looked up as he snapped at Malfoy. If their little kitchen scene had been in a cartoon, Harry was sure steam would be coming out his ears. He honestly hadn't meant to lose control of his temper like that but goddammit that Malfoy was just so irritating and who cared about his oh so mighty status anyway. Well, his aunt and uncle might starve him a little more than usual if they ever found out but it was oh so worth it to tell the little daft prick off.
Something brief flashed across the blond's face before it was quickly wiped clean of emotion. "I really cannot descend to this childish bickering with you Potter. Anyway duty calls. Can't wait for dinner though. It's gonna be a long night, Potter," Draco laughed lightly before turning on his heel and leaving Harry in the kitchen.
For the smallest fraction of a second, Malfoy looked almost stricken? Angry? Remorseful? It had been gone in a second, and Harry was left blinking uncertainly, unsure as to whether he had just imagined it.
A sudden explosion from his stove quickly brought Harry out of his reverie as the boiling water that Harry had been neglecting in favor of conversing with Malfoy began madly rushed from the pot on its descent to the floor.
"Fuck," Harry cursed loudly, praying that no one heard his profane language as he frantically turned off the stove while attempting to mop up the water.
Oh good lord.it was going to be a very long night indeed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Thank you to all those who reviewed. I luv ya all.
Not exactly my best work here but I really wanted to get this part up.
Anyway, I'm sooooo sorry about how long this part took but junior year in high school is honestly just hell. Anyway, about the short chapters, I could either just keep them this length or I can try to combine chapters but that means more time between updates. What do you guys think?
Next Chapter: Dinner at the Dursley household! Trouble ahead?
Questions and Answers:
Why is Draco in the kitchen?
Well, Dudley invited him over to try to get all buddy-buddy with Draco and naturally Draco couldn't resist.
What actually convinced Draco to go to Dudley's house?
::laughs:: Well, Draco has his own reasons that he'll reveal later. Anyway, I'm sure most of you have figured it out.
What will Draco think of Harry while being at the Dursleys? Yup, something that you will just have to wait and see.
Why does Pansy hate Harry so?
Lol, perhaps she just likes teasing penniless rejects. Anyway, you'll see.