Pairings: Harry/Draco, Ron/Hermione, Seamus/Dean
Warnings: Slash, WAFF (I think), a cute Draco (hopefully not too OOC), and NO plot! (That's PWP!)
Notes: It was meant for Valentine's Day. Not necessarily for a challenge. I know it's late, but RL was biting me in the butt!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. JKR owns them, not moi. I make no money off of this. Although, Rowling should take a page from my book.
---
After a few meads and butterbeers later, all four Hogwarts students were a bit happy. Draco was tipsier than the Gryffindors because he had something with more alcohol. The blond Slytherin was showing them his new toy that he got from Zonko's, and Ron was looking longingly at it.
"Those are really top of the line at Zonko's, aren't they?" Ron said with a frown.
"Yes, they are." Draco smirked.
It was a miniature broomstick (about as long as your finger) that hovered and glowed, and did whatever you told it to do. It would never get too far, because of the charm that had been placed on it. Draco twirled his finger in the air, and the mini-broom did a loop-de-loop. It glowed a white light and sparked a bit at the end of the tiny bristles.
"It's hard to believe something so small could cost so much." Hermione said, looking at the little broom with distaste. "And it's a pointless toy, too. Don't be too disappointed, Ron."
"Yeah, Ron, it's just a toy." Harry said, taking a small swig from Draco's mug.
"Easy for you to say!" Ron slurred, "I've never had something like this before. All I ever got were hand-me-down toys from Bill and Charlie."
Draco smirked, and couldn't resist saying, "I heard that the next thing in line for next year are miniature dragons that obey your every command. No training needed."
Ron frowned even deeper, "No fair! I want a mini dragon!"
"I'm getting one for my birthday next year from my Mother, for sure." Draco said. "So, maybe, if you're really nice to me, Weasley, I'll give you my mini broom when I get my mini dragon."
"Seriously??" Ron's eyes popped and his mouth gaped.
Draco nodded, "Seriously."
In a slur, Ron leaned over the table to Harry, cheeks clearly pink and smile wide, "I suggest you actually DO start seeing Malfoy, Harry. It might do the prat some good."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Honestly, Ron!" she sipped her butterbeer.
When the time came for them to leave, Draco paid the bar tab, and the four students walked out with their books and things. It was even harder for Ron and Draco to stay balanced because they had more alcohol (after Draco so kindly bought Ron a few meads) than Harry or Hermione. They got their stuff onto trolleys and made it to Platform 9 ¾.
"Ladies first." Draco grinned. Hermione 'harrumphed' and walked through the barrier.
"Me next!" Ron bellowed, clearly very drunk. He ran at the barrier crooked, but he still made it through without anyone noticing. Although Pigwigeon was fluttering about in its cage like crazy.
Harry and Draco looked at each other for a bit, and then Draco smiled. "See you on the other side." He leaned forward, gave Harry a peck on the cheek, and then walked toward the barrier. Harry flushed, hard.
"That wasn't necessary, Drac. . ." Draco disappeared. Harry sighed, rolling his eyes, and then ran at the barrier. He hoped that he could catch up with his so-called boyfriend before he got a chance to speak to anyone else about their so-called relationship. 'take it in stride,' he told himself, 'I'm doing it because I don't want an innocent to be put in Azkaban. . . yeah, that's it.'
He came out of the other side of the barrier and happily noted the front of the Hogwarts Express. He immediately looked around for the other three and found them instantly. Apparently, Ron had tripped on something, because Hermione was helping him up off the ground, and Malfoy was laughing heartily at this. Harry sighed and pushed his trolley toward them.
"What happened?"
Draco was trying his hardest to stop laughing so he could tell Harry. "Oh, you should have seen it!" he guffawed, "It was hilarious! He tripped on his big feet again! Weasel has absolutely no balance at all when he's pissed!"
"I'm not that bad!" Ron said, pouting. "I just wasn't watching where I was steering and I found a small crack in the cement and the wheel on my trolley hit it."
"And then the other wheel, and his feet. . ." Draco snickered, "It was brilliant! He tried to stand back up on his own, but he kept tripping!"
"Oh, shut up, Malfoy!" Ron growled. "Like you're any better!"
Draco smirked, and then he took out a Galleon from his pocket, "I'll give you one Galleon for every time I get a good laugh at your expense, and you have to take it! Can't whine or pout about it!"
Ron frowned, but his brow was knitted in concentration, like he was considering it.
"Ron, no!" Hermione said, "Don't let Malfoy play you like this. It's not worth getting laughed at all the time."
"Oh? It isn't?" Ron had a real pained look, "Do you think it's funny that I'm so poor that I can't even afford decent new robes, or shoes that aren't hand-me-downs?"
"You're not in your right mind!" Hermione huffed. "You're still drunk!"
"I'm sick and tired of it, Her-my-oh-knee! I can't get a job yet, because of school and stuff. Besides, Malfoy will be around us a lot now because of Harry, right? If we're with Harry, then we'll be around Malfoy too. And if Malfoy's going to laugh at me, I might as well get paid for it!"
"Ron, no. . ." Hermione frowned. She knew she was fighting a losing battle.
"I've made up my mind!" Ron turned toward Draco, who still had a glittering Galleon between his fingers, "It's a deal, Malfoy. I make a monkey out of myself for your pleasure, and you pay me."
If Draco's grin got any wider, the corners of his mouth would have touched his ears. "Excellent choice, Weasel. Here's your Galleon." He flipped the coin toward Ron and surprisingly Ron caught it between his hands and chest. "But remember, it has to amuse me greatly in order for you to get paid."
"You're really going through with it?" Harry asked his best friend.
"Yeah. I mean. . . why not?"
"You'll regret it someday," Hermione said, "I know you will."
"Don't be silly." Ron said determinedly, "I won't regret it. I'll be happier in knowing that I'm getting money now."
Hermione shook her head in pity, "He's not in his right mind." She whispered. Harry nodded in agreement.
--
When they got on the train, it was as Harry expected. . . those staring and glaring eyes were on him, again. This time he knew why they were staring. Draco was walking closely behind him as they searched for an empty compartment. Ron was in front of him, weaving about as if the train were actually moving, but it wasn't, yet. Hermione was behind Draco.
"Hey, guys, I found one!" Ron blurted loudly. He flung the door open, and when he stepped in, they could hear him stumbling around inside, and then he yelled out, "Son-of-a-bitch!!"
"Ron??" Hermione squeezed pasted Draco and Harry to reach the compartment that Ron had shouted from. Malfoy was chuckling the moment he heard Ron stumble, and Harry shot him a look that he hoped would quell the blond, but it didn't work. Draco just smirked back at him and then pointed to a nearby compartment they were standing by. Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas were all staring at them through the glass of the door curiously. Seamus suddenly smiled at Harry and gave him the thumbs up, Dean shrugged his shoulders, Neville smiled nervously, and Ginny was frowning.
Malfoy pushed Harry forward, saying, "Let's go see what that bumbling fool's done this time." Harry had to agree with him there.
When they reached the train compartment, Malfoy started to laugh again. Ron had an ice pack (which Hermione conjured-up) on his eye that was swelling fast. Hermione huffed in annoyance as she sat down next to Ron, crossing her arms and legs. Harry walked in cautiously, and Draco followed.
"Now what happened?" Harry sighed. He sat down, across from Hermione by the window. Draco sat right next to him.
"He tripped on his big feet again at the threshold and hit himself in the eye."
"You mean he fell on his face?" Draco asked, trying to hold in a laugh.
"No, I mean he hit himself. . . with his own fist."
Draco couldn't hold it in anymore, and he burst into laughter. Harry sighed out loud, knowing well what will be happening next.
"Here you go, Weasley," Draco took out another Galleon, "Sometimes you have to endure pain to get paid."
Ron smiled as he held out his hand, happily excepting it.
"Honestly, Ron, next thing you'll be doing stupid dog tricks in the middle of class for Malfoy's enjoyment and have everyone laughing at you!"
"Oh, Hermy, lighten up!" Ron said, leaning in close to her, "It's not like he's making me get the Dark Mark or anything!"
Hermione held her nose, "And you still smell like alcohol! Are you sure you don't want me to cast a sober spell?"
"I'm fine, Hermy!" Ron pouted. The ice pack was starting to drip water down his face and all over his front. Hermione rolled her eyes and then looked over at Harry, who was shaking his head in dismay at his friend's antics.
"If I were you, Granger," Draco said, examining his fingernails, "I wouldn't be giving me ideas."
Hermione scowled.
Most of the ride to Hogwarts was fairly quiet, except for Ron's bickering about this and that. When the snack trolley came by, Draco and Harry had bought some things. Harry got Licorice Wands, Cauldron Cakes, and some Pumpkin Pasties for him and Ron to share. Harry also bought a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans for him (he wasn't in the mood for them), and he got a couple Chocolate Frogs for himself. Draco got that stuff as well, along with Peppermint Cream Toads, Fizzing Whizbees, and what he deemed as his favorite: Cockroach Clusters.
"Ew," Harry said making a face at Draco's choice, "How can you stand them?"
"They're good." Malfoy said, taking a bite out of one. "You don't know what you're missing."
"Yes I do. My appetite."
Draco laughed.
Hermione had bought herself only a few things. One Pumpkin Pasty, one Licorice Wand, one box of Exploding Bonbons, and one pack of Splintery Toothflossing Stringmints.
Harry opened one of his Chocolate Frogs and caught it easily before it hopped away. Malfoy had seen the quick reflexes that Harry demonstrated, but he didn't say anything. He finished off his last Cockroach Cluster, and then started on one of his Peppermint Toads.
"I don't know if it's such a good idea that you and Malfoy are eating while you're still a bit drunk." Hermione said to Ron as she watched him devouring almost half the box of Every Flavor Bean.
"I'm fine, Hermy. I'm not even sick." Ron said with his mouth full.
"No, but you will be," she sighed. "And stop calling me 'Hermy'. Sounds like you're calling me a hermit."
Draco sputtered and almost choked on his Toad.
Almost at the same time, Ron gagged and then spit out all of what he had in his mouth into the box.
"Oh that's disgusting!" Hermione moaned.
Ron grabbed for a bottle of Pumpkin Fizz and started to gulp it down. When he finished, he let out a great big belch and then pulled a face.
"Haggis flavor."
Everyone went pale.
"No wonder you spat it all out so quickly." Draco said as he slowly put down his half eaten Cauldron Cake.
"Yuck! Get rid of the box, Ron! It stinks!"
Ron opened the window and tossed it out.
"Oh, that was smart." Hermione said.
--
The train finally arrived at Hogwarts, and the students all started to file out. To Harry's displeasure, Malfoy stuck by him so close that he could feel Malfoy's hot breath on his neck. He felt slightly uncomfortable, but yet, in some strange way, he also felt protected. Malfoy wasn't like an angel, that was for sure. No, the blond boy felt more like a Draping Guardian, which in Defense Against the Dark Arts he learned were like bodiless creatures that had only hands to walk on and big noses in the middle of their round, hairless heads. But, to Harry's relief, Draco was a lot better looking than a Draping Guardian. They usually hung on your shoulders with their limbs and kept their head either next to your head or above it, protecting you from really bad curses. They were slightly rare creatures.
When the crowd in front of Harry stopped to a sudden halt, he almost ran into Seamus, who was standing in front of him, and Draco almost plowed right into him. From behind Draco, Hermione almost ran into his shoulder and Ron had to steady himself behind Hermione, making her shriek.
"Watch your hands, Ron!"
"I'm sorry, Herm-Hermy-knee."
"Oh for goodness sakes!" Hermione huffed. "Let me perform that spell!"
"No! I told you I can hold my own!"
"No comment." Malfoy murmured to Harry, who was inches away. Harry couldn't help snickering. He stopped the minute he realized that he had been laughing at a joke that was flung at his best friend.
"Be nice, Malfoy, or I'll tell everyone that you're Voldemort's slave."
Malfoy blanched, pouting in a way that was almost adorable to Harry. He shook his head clear, reminding himself over and over, 'I don't like him. He's a slimy, Slytherin git that doesn't deserve my help!'
"Hey, what's the hold up?" Seamus had shouted over the heads of the other students. Harry was glad that someone spoke up. He was feeling very warm, having Malfoy's body so close to his.
"Come on, people!" Ron shouted from behind Hermione, "Let's go! Some of us here need to use the potty!"
Malfoy burst into giggles.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
Finally the line of students started to move again, and Harry silently gave a small thanks as he walked forward, trying his hardest not to step on Seamus' robes or the back of his shoes. Although, Draco found it amusing to step on the back of his heels once in a while, and he shot a nasty glare back at him.
"Knock it off, Malfoy, or you'll have to visit the Hospital Wing the moment we get to school."
"Oh, I'm so scared, Potter." Malfoy smiled and wiggled his eyebrows.
Suddenly something occurred to Harry that he couldn't believe he'd forgotten about, "Hey, Draco, where's your bodyguards at? Did they drop out?"
"No." Draco looked a little sad, "Their parents shipped them to Durmstrang. They said that they were getting sick of them 'not learning anything'. Honestly, if they knew how much trouble it was for me to help them get through their homework every day, they'd be on their hands and knees thanking me."
"So they weren't fun to tutor, huh?" Harry smirked.
"They were horrid." Draco grumbled. "I had to keep telling them how to spell really easy words, and how to make sentences. It was stupid. It was like I was teaching a bunch of five year olds!"
Harry snickered in his hand, trying not to show that he was actually laughing.
"Scoff all you want, Potter, but they were good friends."
"Good cronies, you mean."
"Well, that too. But they were the closest things I had to friends, even though they were dumber than a bag of rocks."
"Doesn't surprise me one bit." Hermione said behind Draco.
"Keep your disgustingnose out of my conversations, please." Malfoy sneered.
Harry grabbed the front of Draco's shirt and pulled him close to his face, sneering. Those behind them watched, wondering what Harry was going to do to Malfoy, and wondered if there would be a fistfight or a wizard duel. Seamus had stopped walking and turned around to watch, and so did Dean and Ginny, wondering if there would be a break up fight. Neville kept walking, not wanting to get in the middle of it, or get into trouble.
"I told you to watch your mouth, didn't I?" Harry grounded out through his teeth.
"I said please." Draco said with a grin.
"Harry, don't worry about it right now." Hermione said, looking ahead of them, wishing to get to school. "Come on, we'll miss the carriages. . ."
"You don't get it, do you, Malfoy??" Harry almost screamed into his face, "You want this thing between us to stay, or not?" There were onlookers, so Harry was making sure he worded things carefully.
"Y-yeah. . ." Draco gulped.
"First rule of being with me. . ." Harry's eyes flashed dangerously, "Do Not Be RudeTo My Friends. You promised that you'd be nicer to them, so start being nicer."
"But we're around others and. . ."
"I don't give a rat's arse about your reputation. If you're supposed to be my boyfriend, then you're going to ACT like it. Understand?"
All Draco could do was nod repeatedly.
"Ok, Harry, you got your point across, now let's go!" Ron said, bouncing on tiptoe.
Despite how close Harry's snarling face was to his, and the fact that Harry still had a grip on his shirt; Draco snickered at Ron antics.
"I think your friend needs to drain his lizard."
"Oh, honestly!" Hermione huffed. "Harry, please, let's go!"
Harry released Malfoy and then turned around, still a light sneer on his face. Draco shuddered from the look.
"That's how you tame a dragon, Harry!" Seamus crowed.
Harry couldn't stop the oncoming blush. "Yeah, thanks, Seamus," he mumbled.
TBC
Just finished this. My muse surprised me with a lot of the dialogue here. I'm not sure exactly where this is headed. So for there's no plot, but who knows.
Oh, short little note: This fic will be Pro-Slytherin, so there might not be any mean Slytherins in here. Depends on my muse.
waves little Slytherin flag