CHAPTER
3
OLD
HABITS DIE HARD
Draco
wandered aimlessly along the corridors of Hogwarts not paying attention to
where he was going he was just determined to stay away from the Slytherin common
room and the persistent questions that would be fired at him by Pansy and the
other Slytherin girls.
Ahead
of him he saw a figure emerge from the staircase that led to the Owlery.
"Potter!"
he exclaimed in surprise when he realised who it was he had encountered (and he
like Draco was alone – where were Granger and Weasley?)
"Oh
it's you Malfoy, what are you doing alone? Where are Tweedledum and
Tweedledumber?" Harry asked determined not to let Malfoy wrong foot him as he
has often done in the past. Malfoy's expression changed from surprise to the
look of narrow eyed contempt he usually reserved for Harry.
"Yes
I'm surprised to see you alone too Potter" he drawled. "Where are Granger and
Weasley?" Draco bit back the urge to add 'didn't they fancy a threesome' (being
surprisingly observant for someone usually so self centred, he had noticed that
Weasley and Granger had been exchanging some rather meaningful glances of late
and they usually sat together in lessons and mealtimes too. Still Harry being alone
suited him, it would be easier to talk to him alone than with Ron standing
there like an over protective guard dog.)
"In
the library and that's where I am heading now, excuse me." Malfoy didn't move
he looked like he was about to speak but when he opened his mouth no sound came
out.
"Ah
still doing the impression of guppy fish at feeding time, I see." Harry smirked
(smirks didn't suit Harry, Draco noticed) Draco closed his mouth and scowled at
Harry feeling aggrieved that Harry was able to think of witty things to say
when for once he couldn't.
He
resumed his nightclub bouncer pose, standing arms folded in the middle of the
narrow corridor, although being rather small and skinny he was not the
intimidating figure that a bouncer needed to be. Again he was silent and he saw
Harry sigh impatiently obviously reluctant to force his way past but not keen
to stay with Malfoy much longer.
"Well
it's been nice talking to you, we must do this again sometime. I think there is
a window in my diary sometime next millennium, but I'm afraid I have something
better to do – like spending some quality time with some dementors."
Harry
said moving to pass Draco but again Draco blocked his path.
"Becoming
fond of the dementors are you Potter? Lets hope the feeling is mutual then
maybe they will give you a little kiss, though I doubt even a dementor will
want to kiss you." (This was not going the way Draco had hoped, but at least
they were talking. Talking/swapping insults – same difference where they were
concerned)
Harry
sighed again. "Let me past Malfoy, I'm surprised your hanging around here
anyway I thought you would be in your dorm doing your hair."
"Noticed
did you Potter, it's good to know you care." (But it was strangely reassuring
to Draco that Harry had noticed)
"I
don't." Harry began but he stopped himself when he realised that wasn't
entirely true and just looked shocked.
"Well
us mere mortals do occasionally have to concern ourselves with trivial matters
like style and good grooming but I suppose it's insignificant to you compared
with fighting dark wizards and battling scary monsters – not to mention the
press conferences, autograph signings and photo shoots." Harry laughed and
again both looked surprised.
Harry
wasn't sure why he had laughed at Malfoy's last comment. He was sure that
Malfoy hadn't intended to make him laugh – no he had said it to annoy Harry –
wind him up, that was the only reason Malfoy ever said anything to him. But
Harry had noticed Malfoy smile in response to Harry's laughter and he had
looked pleased, which surprised Harry even more than his laughing at Malfoy's
comment.
Draco
was pleased that Harry had laughed – he didn't know why he felt pleased exactly
but he was pleased. Pleased that he was here talking to Harry, that he was
making him laugh. He wanted to keep talking – he realised he knew very little
about Harry's thoughts and feelings and his reaction to Malfoy's rather barbed
comment about his fame betrayed a sense of humour about his situation and not a
little unease about his being famous.
Draco
knew he would not be able to remain so calm, so cheerful with such powerful
enemies. Then he realised that he and Harry now shared the same enemies. His
face fell – it's colour changing from pale to almost translucent, his legs
shook he had to grab Harry's arm to steady himself.
"What
the hell!" Harry gasped as he took in Draco's ashen face.
"What's
wrong with you Malfoy?" Malfoy looked startled, then he stammered.
"They'll
kill me!" and tore off down the corridor away from Harry.