Mousetrap
By Clay
Chapter Three: Dog-ear the Corner then Pitch it in the Fire
PAIRINGS: Mainly Harry/Draco and Ron/Hermione, but there are some other random pairings thrown in for fun
RATING/WARNINGS: PG/slight spoilers for all
SUMMARY: (which I forgot for the first chapter ^_^;;) An incident in potions causes Hermione to begin acting strangely. Soon everyone in Harry's world is affected... and he's next. We've got Hermione skipping class, Snape skinny dipping, and much, much more. (romance/humor)
"So guess what I heard?" Hermione smiled at Harry from her seat on Ron's lap, one forkful of chicken poised in midair.
Harry groaned and covered his already red face with his hands, "But it only happened a minute ago!" He dropped onto the bench across from them, intentionally facing away from the Slytherin table.
"New travels fast mate." Ron shrugged, arms tightening around Hermione as she dutifully fed him his lunch, "Especially news this disturbing."
"Disturbing?!" Harry looked up, "But you said you were expecting this."
"Of course," Hermione eyed him calmly, "but we never said we liked it, and we certainly didn't expect you to do something about it."
"Really Harry. Malfoy? Yuck." Ron shook his head and then accepted another forkful of chicken.
"But I didn't! He—" But the rest of Harry's words were cut off as a wave of exhaustion hit him. His body felt hot, almost on fire, and beads of sweat broke out across his forehead. "Something's wrong."
But they clearly misunderstood, "No, we're not mad at you. Just comes as a surprise."
"No! Something's wrong with me!" Harry growled.
Hermione reached a patronizing hand across the table to gently pat Harry's balled fist. "Don't say that. There's nothing wrong with being gay."
"Gay?" Harry blinked, "I'm not gay!"
Hermione and Ron exchanged a worried look before Ron spoke up. "Yeah, that surprised us, too, but it's okay. We don't care."
"Right." Hermione nodded, "We just want you to be happy."
"No. No. No!" Harry got to his feet, on the verge of screaming, "I am NOT gay! I didn't kiss Malfoy. He kissed me."
"But you kissed him back." Ron pointed out.
"I did not! Who told you that?"
Ron shrugged, "It's what Malfoy's saying."
"But I didn't…" Harry trailed off, his memory of the kiss slightly hazy, and only managing to come with that it was rather nice. "Did I?"
"And what's wrong with being gay?"
The trio looked up to see Seamus glowering at Harry, arms crossed over his chest.
Hermione was staring, wide eyed, "Seamus, you're…"
"Well duh." Seamus rolled his eyes. "It's not like it's a secret or anything."
Ron shrugged and reached around Hermione to scoop more food off their plate, "Then why are you so freaked about Hermione seeing your package?"
"Oh that's right!" Hermione squealed, jumping off Ron's lap and taking Seamus' hand. "Let's do it now -- before lunch is over."
Harry stared, open mouthed, as they exited the cafeteria, Hermione dragging the blushing Seamus rather forcefully.
Despite everything, lunch finished out rather uneventfully. Thankfully, Harry had the rest of the day off and managed to drag Neville to the library for a few hours before his Magical Maladies class.
The oddities of the last twenty four hours had begun with Hermione and Harry was positive that it all boiled down to the potion she had taken yesterday morning. Technically it was Neville's assignment, but Harry wasn't taking any chances.
"Harry," Neville was saying as they spread quills and parchment across a table, "I appreciate your help, but Snape wants me to do this alone."
Harry shook his head, "I don't think that matters anymore." After a suspicious look from Neville he continued, "There's more to this potion than anyone knows. Hermione took it and look what's happened to her." Neville nodded thoughtfully, but Harry wasn't finished, "Ron and Snape are acting strangely, too. And Hermione kissed both of them."
"All right. But what about Malfoy? Hermione didn't kiss him."
"No, she didn't," Harry agreed, "but there's no way it's just a coincidence. Somehow he's been infected as well."
Neville smiled, shaking his head, "Infected? Harry, this isn't a virus."
Harry ignored him. "Malfoy kissed me, Neville. I think I'm infected, too."
Neville's smile dropped. He was silent for a moment before saying, "But you're all right, Harry."
"I'm not so sure. After Malfoy kissed me, I got very hot and tired. Remember when Hermione took the potion? She passed out. And I saw Snape sweating when I left class. And…" Harry closed his eyes. He had to concentrate on this, but it was becoming harder and harder to care. Oddly enough, his mind kept drifting to Draco, remembering hot lips against his and wondering what else the Slytherin was skilled at. Cho popped up in his thoughts as well. There had never been any real closure between them and Harry still found himself blushing when their eyes met across a crowded hall.
"I can't think. No, I don't want to think." He met Neville's worried gaze. "Something's wrong, but I'm not sure I care anymore."
"Oh." Neville frowned down at a blank piece of parchment before him. "Maybe I should be writing this down."
"Mm." Harry nodded, eyes on something over Neville's left shoulder.
"Right." Neville scratched down a few sentences and looked back up. "So there's sweating, tiredness, apathy, and… kissing? Anything else?"
"Uh huh."
Neville waited. "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"What else?"
"I have to go."
"What?"
But Harry was already moving past him. Neville twirled around to see him approaching a nearby table full of Ravenclaw girls including Cho Chang. Neville sighed and looked back down at his paper. "I guess I have to do this by myself after all."
Cho glanced up from her Defense Against the Dark Arts text when a hand lighted on her shoulder. Her stomach dropped. "Uh, hi, Harry."
"Hello, Cho." He smiled and nodded toward the empty seat beside her. "Mind if I have a seat?"
"Actually, yes." Cho took a deep breath and met his emerald gaze dead on. "I'm sorry, but I don't think—"
But Harry was sitting down, a bitter smile on his lips, "We need to talk."
"Now?" Cho threw a worried glance across the table to Marietta. "Now's really not a good time. Michael is going to be here soon, and—"
"Michael? How is everything going with him?"
Cho frowned, searching Harry's eyes before replying, "Fine."
Harry nodded, "He doesn't mind to talking about Cedric constantly?"
Cho's look hardened and she turned away. "Harry, that's not fair."
"Fair?" Harry laughed. "Sure it is. Just as fair as you rejecting me for a dead guy."
"Harry!" Cho met his gaze once again, eyes wide with shock and shining with unshed tears.
A book slammed down on the table and Harry glanced up to see Marietta glaring at him. "I think you should leave now."
Harry shook his head. "Oh, no." He reached out and took hold of Cho's chin in a gentle, but firm grasp. "Not until I get what I came for." In one fluid motion, his lips descended on Cho's. This kiss held none of the awkwardness their first had. He attacked her lips with every ounce of passion available, trying to tell her everything he'd never been able to put into words—
Only to be shoved away. Cho scrambled to her feet, nearly tripping over her overturned chair. She backed away, eyes angry, tears spilling down her cheeks, and ran.
"Get out of here." Marietta was on her feet as well and appeared to be braced for a fight.
Harry's gaze passed from her to the other girls and he shrugged. "Fine." He spun away and marched back to where Neviile was gaping at him.
"Harry…?"
"Bloody bitch."
Draco was wandering the halls, undecided about what to do now. He's just had an awkward heart to heart with Crabbe and Goyle that left both morons speechless. Running his fingers along the rough stone walls as he walked, he thought back to the end of the conversation.
"And so you see," he had remarked to the gaping idiots, "I don't really hate Potter at all. In fact…" He almost blushed, eyes lost in the common room fire place, "I kind of like him."
After a full minute of silence, he looked up to see both Crabbe and Goyle still staring with open mouths.
"Say something."
The two exchanged a look before Crabbe spoke up, "So you're gay?"
Draco shrugged.
He could see the gears struggling to turn as Goyle added. "But he's the enemy."
Crabbe blinked. "You're gay?"
"Maybe it's time to make peace."
Goyle started to nod and then abruptly stopped, eyes wide. "But what about… um… you know."
Draco lifted an eyebrow. "What about what?"
Voice low and leaning forward, Goyle replied, "You know… Him."
"Him? You mean my father?"
"No!" Goyle hissed, "The other him."
Draco gave a long sigh. It was always a challenge trying to have a serious conversation with the moron twins. "Not my father… Voldemort?"
Goyle gave a vigorous nod.
"Well," Draco's face lit with a cocky smile. "He doesn't control me." After a moment's consideration he added, "I don't think I'm too keen on the whole Death Eater thing anymore anyway. There's much more fame and ppower in being Potter's boyfriend… as long as his side wins. So we'll just have to make sure that happens."
The look Goyle gave him was almost thoughtful. He nodded his ascent and then both he and Draco turned questioning eyes to Crabbe.
"You're gay?"
Draco stopped walking, a silly smile on his lips. What would he do without Crabbe and Goyle for comic relief? His sudden urge to open up to them, however, had him baffled. He didn't really care what they thought; he just wanted, no, needed to talk, to spill his heart out. And the need wasn't going away. He need to talk, to laugh, to play, to fly…. Yes. Flying sounded absolutely marvelous.
The sun was setting and a cool breeze toyed with his hair as Draco kicked off. A few students were milling about the grounds, making use of the last of the fading light, but he paid them no mind. Lying low against the broom handle, Draco shot forward, cutting the air with practiced ease. The wind tickled his cheeks and tugged at his robes. He felt so very alive.
Pulling to an abrupt halt at one end of the pitch, he noticed a lone figure hovering by the goal posts. The boy had his back to Draco, gazing over the horizon, but Draco recognized him immediately. His heart skipped a beat, a sudden rush of adrenaline in his veins.
"Hey, Scarhead."
Harry started and then turned to meet him.
"Malfoy."
"Up for a game?"
Harry watched him a moment and then turned back to the sunset. "A game?"
"Yeah," Draco slid up beside him. "Let's grab the snitch from the shed and try to catch it."
A smile in red and golds lit Harry's face, but she was shaking his head. "Not really in the mood, Malfoy."
"Oh, come on…. We can make it interesting…."
"Interesting?"
"Yeah. A bet."
Another moment's thought and then Harry was facing him, grinning beautifully, "You're on."
Ten minutes later the boys were standing in the center of the field, brooms mounted and the snitch clutched in Draco's hand.
"What are we playing for?"
Draco pretended to consider this before replying, "A request. The winner asks a favor of the loser, and the loser must concede."
Harry nodded, "Let's go."
The snitch was released and then they were in the air, eyes scanning the pitch for any hint of gold.
The sun had nearly set, making visibility difficult, but Draco wasn't bothered. After a full minute of searching with no luck, he turned his gaze to Harry. The other boy was poised on his broom, eyes alert, muscles tense. His unruly hair tossed about in the breeze, and Draco couldn't help the sigh of longing that escaped his lips.
Facing up to his hidden attraction for the Griffindor had been such a great relief. No longer did he feel the need to hide behind childish pranks and snide remarks. What with his father in Azkaban, he could finally deal with his sexuality as well. The arrest of Lucius Malfoy was a mixed blessing. Draco loved his father, and his tore at his heart to be separated from him, but at the same time he free – free of the pressure to be better than Harry Potter, free of the looming dread of the Dark Mark, and free of being the perfect son.
Harry had kicked off again, and Draco started to follow before realizing that he was merely circling the pitch. With an amused grin, Draco decided to screw the pitch for a moment and simply played, circling in an inward spiral before doing a few vertical loops. Thoroughly dizzy, he pulled level, wavering on his broom with a smile.
"Malfoy, you all right?"
"Never better, Potter." Draco gripped his broom tightly, attempting to focus on Harry as the world stopped spinning.
Harry, meanwhile, was watching him with heavily concerned eyes. "You know, Malfoy, something strange is going on and I think you're infected. You didn't happen to kiss Hermione, did you?"
"That filthy little mudblood?" Draco frowned, disgusted, "God, no. The only people I've been kissing are you and that whore, Pansy."
"Pansy…? Did she kiss Hermione?"
Draco quirked an eyebrow, "What are you on, Potter?"
"It's just that—"
But Draco wasn't listening. He leaned forward, sprawled along his broom like a very content cat. "I can tell you who Pansy has been kissing, though." He paused, grinning slyly at Harry's startled expression. "Well," he slid forward, coming to rest along side Harry's broom, "apparently Pansy's been spending quality time with our dear Professor Snape… if you know what I mean."
Harry's eyes widened and he shouted, "That's it!"
Draco frowned, "Snitch."
"No, of course I won't snitch. Wh—"
"No!" Draco grabbed Harry's face and pointed him toward the eastern goal posts. "Snitch. See you later, Potty."
And then he was zooming after the tiny speck of gold, unhindered glee coursing through every vein. The snitch took off, sailing toward the earth before pulling up and gliding mere inches above the ground in the opposite direction. Draco spun his broom, hot on its tail. Suddenly, he was shoved off course as Harry came in from the left, slamming into him before speeding up.
"So that's how it is." Draco lay flat against the broom handle and shot forward. He grabbed the tail of Harry's broom and shoved, sending the other boy veering off. In a second he was back, however, and the two were neck and neck, arms stretched to their limits at the snitch, mere inches out of their grasps.
"Back off, Potter, "Draco growled, "You're not winning this time."
Eyes still trained on the snitch, Harry laughed, and it was one of the most beautiful things Draco had ever heard. "Of course I am."
Harry grabbed hold of Draco's arm and used it to pull himself forward. The next instant the snitch was against his palm and he pulled back. Unable to stop in time, Draco slammed into Harry's back, sending them both tumbling to the ground. They came to rest on the edge of the pitch, Draco sprawled over Harry. With a muffled curse and another laugh, Harry pushed him up until Draco was straddling him on hands and knees. He grinned triumphantly and held up the snitch.
"You should know by now, Malfoy, that when it comes to Quidditch, I always win."
Draco smirked. "So what'll it be, Golden boy?"
Harry's smile dropped and he gazed into Draco's eyes without an ounce of humor. "A kiss."
Draco started and then smiled, "You're kidding, right?"
"I've never been more serious."
Draco chuckled, lowering his lips to Harry's. "Funny. That's exactly what I would have asked for."
Harry's lips were soft and windblown cool against his. He slid his tonge along Harry's lower lip and after a moment's hesitation, the other boy allowed him entrance. Harry tasted of sweat and pumpkin juice and Draco groaned, falling down to his forearms and splaying both hands through Harry's soft, tousled hair.
Harry's warm, calloused hands slid along his sides. They dipped beneath his robes, hot against his skin. A fluttering against his stomach made Draco pull away, laughing.
"What…?"
"Oops." Harry smiled. "Snitch." He dropped the golden ball and it took off into the night, though both boys were too distracted to notice.
TBC……
:P
Author's notes:
Yes, so despite the fact that the entire story is written out, I still can't update when I said I would. I'm only, oh, a month late. ^_^;; I have my reasons, though I won't bore you with them. Just know that the next part won't take this long.
12/04/03
By Clay
Chapter Three: Dog-ear the Corner then Pitch it in the Fire
PAIRINGS: Mainly Harry/Draco and Ron/Hermione, but there are some other random pairings thrown in for fun
RATING/WARNINGS: PG/slight spoilers for all
SUMMARY: (which I forgot for the first chapter ^_^;;) An incident in potions causes Hermione to begin acting strangely. Soon everyone in Harry's world is affected... and he's next. We've got Hermione skipping class, Snape skinny dipping, and much, much more. (romance/humor)
"So guess what I heard?" Hermione smiled at Harry from her seat on Ron's lap, one forkful of chicken poised in midair.
Harry groaned and covered his already red face with his hands, "But it only happened a minute ago!" He dropped onto the bench across from them, intentionally facing away from the Slytherin table.
"New travels fast mate." Ron shrugged, arms tightening around Hermione as she dutifully fed him his lunch, "Especially news this disturbing."
"Disturbing?!" Harry looked up, "But you said you were expecting this."
"Of course," Hermione eyed him calmly, "but we never said we liked it, and we certainly didn't expect you to do something about it."
"Really Harry. Malfoy? Yuck." Ron shook his head and then accepted another forkful of chicken.
"But I didn't! He—" But the rest of Harry's words were cut off as a wave of exhaustion hit him. His body felt hot, almost on fire, and beads of sweat broke out across his forehead. "Something's wrong."
But they clearly misunderstood, "No, we're not mad at you. Just comes as a surprise."
"No! Something's wrong with me!" Harry growled.
Hermione reached a patronizing hand across the table to gently pat Harry's balled fist. "Don't say that. There's nothing wrong with being gay."
"Gay?" Harry blinked, "I'm not gay!"
Hermione and Ron exchanged a worried look before Ron spoke up. "Yeah, that surprised us, too, but it's okay. We don't care."
"Right." Hermione nodded, "We just want you to be happy."
"No. No. No!" Harry got to his feet, on the verge of screaming, "I am NOT gay! I didn't kiss Malfoy. He kissed me."
"But you kissed him back." Ron pointed out.
"I did not! Who told you that?"
Ron shrugged, "It's what Malfoy's saying."
"But I didn't…" Harry trailed off, his memory of the kiss slightly hazy, and only managing to come with that it was rather nice. "Did I?"
"And what's wrong with being gay?"
The trio looked up to see Seamus glowering at Harry, arms crossed over his chest.
Hermione was staring, wide eyed, "Seamus, you're…"
"Well duh." Seamus rolled his eyes. "It's not like it's a secret or anything."
Ron shrugged and reached around Hermione to scoop more food off their plate, "Then why are you so freaked about Hermione seeing your package?"
"Oh that's right!" Hermione squealed, jumping off Ron's lap and taking Seamus' hand. "Let's do it now -- before lunch is over."
Harry stared, open mouthed, as they exited the cafeteria, Hermione dragging the blushing Seamus rather forcefully.
Despite everything, lunch finished out rather uneventfully. Thankfully, Harry had the rest of the day off and managed to drag Neville to the library for a few hours before his Magical Maladies class.
The oddities of the last twenty four hours had begun with Hermione and Harry was positive that it all boiled down to the potion she had taken yesterday morning. Technically it was Neville's assignment, but Harry wasn't taking any chances.
"Harry," Neville was saying as they spread quills and parchment across a table, "I appreciate your help, but Snape wants me to do this alone."
Harry shook his head, "I don't think that matters anymore." After a suspicious look from Neville he continued, "There's more to this potion than anyone knows. Hermione took it and look what's happened to her." Neville nodded thoughtfully, but Harry wasn't finished, "Ron and Snape are acting strangely, too. And Hermione kissed both of them."
"All right. But what about Malfoy? Hermione didn't kiss him."
"No, she didn't," Harry agreed, "but there's no way it's just a coincidence. Somehow he's been infected as well."
Neville smiled, shaking his head, "Infected? Harry, this isn't a virus."
Harry ignored him. "Malfoy kissed me, Neville. I think I'm infected, too."
Neville's smile dropped. He was silent for a moment before saying, "But you're all right, Harry."
"I'm not so sure. After Malfoy kissed me, I got very hot and tired. Remember when Hermione took the potion? She passed out. And I saw Snape sweating when I left class. And…" Harry closed his eyes. He had to concentrate on this, but it was becoming harder and harder to care. Oddly enough, his mind kept drifting to Draco, remembering hot lips against his and wondering what else the Slytherin was skilled at. Cho popped up in his thoughts as well. There had never been any real closure between them and Harry still found himself blushing when their eyes met across a crowded hall.
"I can't think. No, I don't want to think." He met Neville's worried gaze. "Something's wrong, but I'm not sure I care anymore."
"Oh." Neville frowned down at a blank piece of parchment before him. "Maybe I should be writing this down."
"Mm." Harry nodded, eyes on something over Neville's left shoulder.
"Right." Neville scratched down a few sentences and looked back up. "So there's sweating, tiredness, apathy, and… kissing? Anything else?"
"Uh huh."
Neville waited. "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"What else?"
"I have to go."
"What?"
But Harry was already moving past him. Neville twirled around to see him approaching a nearby table full of Ravenclaw girls including Cho Chang. Neville sighed and looked back down at his paper. "I guess I have to do this by myself after all."
Cho glanced up from her Defense Against the Dark Arts text when a hand lighted on her shoulder. Her stomach dropped. "Uh, hi, Harry."
"Hello, Cho." He smiled and nodded toward the empty seat beside her. "Mind if I have a seat?"
"Actually, yes." Cho took a deep breath and met his emerald gaze dead on. "I'm sorry, but I don't think—"
But Harry was sitting down, a bitter smile on his lips, "We need to talk."
"Now?" Cho threw a worried glance across the table to Marietta. "Now's really not a good time. Michael is going to be here soon, and—"
"Michael? How is everything going with him?"
Cho frowned, searching Harry's eyes before replying, "Fine."
Harry nodded, "He doesn't mind to talking about Cedric constantly?"
Cho's look hardened and she turned away. "Harry, that's not fair."
"Fair?" Harry laughed. "Sure it is. Just as fair as you rejecting me for a dead guy."
"Harry!" Cho met his gaze once again, eyes wide with shock and shining with unshed tears.
A book slammed down on the table and Harry glanced up to see Marietta glaring at him. "I think you should leave now."
Harry shook his head. "Oh, no." He reached out and took hold of Cho's chin in a gentle, but firm grasp. "Not until I get what I came for." In one fluid motion, his lips descended on Cho's. This kiss held none of the awkwardness their first had. He attacked her lips with every ounce of passion available, trying to tell her everything he'd never been able to put into words—
Only to be shoved away. Cho scrambled to her feet, nearly tripping over her overturned chair. She backed away, eyes angry, tears spilling down her cheeks, and ran.
"Get out of here." Marietta was on her feet as well and appeared to be braced for a fight.
Harry's gaze passed from her to the other girls and he shrugged. "Fine." He spun away and marched back to where Neviile was gaping at him.
"Harry…?"
"Bloody bitch."
Draco was wandering the halls, undecided about what to do now. He's just had an awkward heart to heart with Crabbe and Goyle that left both morons speechless. Running his fingers along the rough stone walls as he walked, he thought back to the end of the conversation.
"And so you see," he had remarked to the gaping idiots, "I don't really hate Potter at all. In fact…" He almost blushed, eyes lost in the common room fire place, "I kind of like him."
After a full minute of silence, he looked up to see both Crabbe and Goyle still staring with open mouths.
"Say something."
The two exchanged a look before Crabbe spoke up, "So you're gay?"
Draco shrugged.
He could see the gears struggling to turn as Goyle added. "But he's the enemy."
Crabbe blinked. "You're gay?"
"Maybe it's time to make peace."
Goyle started to nod and then abruptly stopped, eyes wide. "But what about… um… you know."
Draco lifted an eyebrow. "What about what?"
Voice low and leaning forward, Goyle replied, "You know… Him."
"Him? You mean my father?"
"No!" Goyle hissed, "The other him."
Draco gave a long sigh. It was always a challenge trying to have a serious conversation with the moron twins. "Not my father… Voldemort?"
Goyle gave a vigorous nod.
"Well," Draco's face lit with a cocky smile. "He doesn't control me." After a moment's consideration he added, "I don't think I'm too keen on the whole Death Eater thing anymore anyway. There's much more fame and ppower in being Potter's boyfriend… as long as his side wins. So we'll just have to make sure that happens."
The look Goyle gave him was almost thoughtful. He nodded his ascent and then both he and Draco turned questioning eyes to Crabbe.
"You're gay?"
Draco stopped walking, a silly smile on his lips. What would he do without Crabbe and Goyle for comic relief? His sudden urge to open up to them, however, had him baffled. He didn't really care what they thought; he just wanted, no, needed to talk, to spill his heart out. And the need wasn't going away. He need to talk, to laugh, to play, to fly…. Yes. Flying sounded absolutely marvelous.
The sun was setting and a cool breeze toyed with his hair as Draco kicked off. A few students were milling about the grounds, making use of the last of the fading light, but he paid them no mind. Lying low against the broom handle, Draco shot forward, cutting the air with practiced ease. The wind tickled his cheeks and tugged at his robes. He felt so very alive.
Pulling to an abrupt halt at one end of the pitch, he noticed a lone figure hovering by the goal posts. The boy had his back to Draco, gazing over the horizon, but Draco recognized him immediately. His heart skipped a beat, a sudden rush of adrenaline in his veins.
"Hey, Scarhead."
Harry started and then turned to meet him.
"Malfoy."
"Up for a game?"
Harry watched him a moment and then turned back to the sunset. "A game?"
"Yeah," Draco slid up beside him. "Let's grab the snitch from the shed and try to catch it."
A smile in red and golds lit Harry's face, but she was shaking his head. "Not really in the mood, Malfoy."
"Oh, come on…. We can make it interesting…."
"Interesting?"
"Yeah. A bet."
Another moment's thought and then Harry was facing him, grinning beautifully, "You're on."
Ten minutes later the boys were standing in the center of the field, brooms mounted and the snitch clutched in Draco's hand.
"What are we playing for?"
Draco pretended to consider this before replying, "A request. The winner asks a favor of the loser, and the loser must concede."
Harry nodded, "Let's go."
The snitch was released and then they were in the air, eyes scanning the pitch for any hint of gold.
The sun had nearly set, making visibility difficult, but Draco wasn't bothered. After a full minute of searching with no luck, he turned his gaze to Harry. The other boy was poised on his broom, eyes alert, muscles tense. His unruly hair tossed about in the breeze, and Draco couldn't help the sigh of longing that escaped his lips.
Facing up to his hidden attraction for the Griffindor had been such a great relief. No longer did he feel the need to hide behind childish pranks and snide remarks. What with his father in Azkaban, he could finally deal with his sexuality as well. The arrest of Lucius Malfoy was a mixed blessing. Draco loved his father, and his tore at his heart to be separated from him, but at the same time he free – free of the pressure to be better than Harry Potter, free of the looming dread of the Dark Mark, and free of being the perfect son.
Harry had kicked off again, and Draco started to follow before realizing that he was merely circling the pitch. With an amused grin, Draco decided to screw the pitch for a moment and simply played, circling in an inward spiral before doing a few vertical loops. Thoroughly dizzy, he pulled level, wavering on his broom with a smile.
"Malfoy, you all right?"
"Never better, Potter." Draco gripped his broom tightly, attempting to focus on Harry as the world stopped spinning.
Harry, meanwhile, was watching him with heavily concerned eyes. "You know, Malfoy, something strange is going on and I think you're infected. You didn't happen to kiss Hermione, did you?"
"That filthy little mudblood?" Draco frowned, disgusted, "God, no. The only people I've been kissing are you and that whore, Pansy."
"Pansy…? Did she kiss Hermione?"
Draco quirked an eyebrow, "What are you on, Potter?"
"It's just that—"
But Draco wasn't listening. He leaned forward, sprawled along his broom like a very content cat. "I can tell you who Pansy has been kissing, though." He paused, grinning slyly at Harry's startled expression. "Well," he slid forward, coming to rest along side Harry's broom, "apparently Pansy's been spending quality time with our dear Professor Snape… if you know what I mean."
Harry's eyes widened and he shouted, "That's it!"
Draco frowned, "Snitch."
"No, of course I won't snitch. Wh—"
"No!" Draco grabbed Harry's face and pointed him toward the eastern goal posts. "Snitch. See you later, Potty."
And then he was zooming after the tiny speck of gold, unhindered glee coursing through every vein. The snitch took off, sailing toward the earth before pulling up and gliding mere inches above the ground in the opposite direction. Draco spun his broom, hot on its tail. Suddenly, he was shoved off course as Harry came in from the left, slamming into him before speeding up.
"So that's how it is." Draco lay flat against the broom handle and shot forward. He grabbed the tail of Harry's broom and shoved, sending the other boy veering off. In a second he was back, however, and the two were neck and neck, arms stretched to their limits at the snitch, mere inches out of their grasps.
"Back off, Potter, "Draco growled, "You're not winning this time."
Eyes still trained on the snitch, Harry laughed, and it was one of the most beautiful things Draco had ever heard. "Of course I am."
Harry grabbed hold of Draco's arm and used it to pull himself forward. The next instant the snitch was against his palm and he pulled back. Unable to stop in time, Draco slammed into Harry's back, sending them both tumbling to the ground. They came to rest on the edge of the pitch, Draco sprawled over Harry. With a muffled curse and another laugh, Harry pushed him up until Draco was straddling him on hands and knees. He grinned triumphantly and held up the snitch.
"You should know by now, Malfoy, that when it comes to Quidditch, I always win."
Draco smirked. "So what'll it be, Golden boy?"
Harry's smile dropped and he gazed into Draco's eyes without an ounce of humor. "A kiss."
Draco started and then smiled, "You're kidding, right?"
"I've never been more serious."
Draco chuckled, lowering his lips to Harry's. "Funny. That's exactly what I would have asked for."
Harry's lips were soft and windblown cool against his. He slid his tonge along Harry's lower lip and after a moment's hesitation, the other boy allowed him entrance. Harry tasted of sweat and pumpkin juice and Draco groaned, falling down to his forearms and splaying both hands through Harry's soft, tousled hair.
Harry's warm, calloused hands slid along his sides. They dipped beneath his robes, hot against his skin. A fluttering against his stomach made Draco pull away, laughing.
"What…?"
"Oops." Harry smiled. "Snitch." He dropped the golden ball and it took off into the night, though both boys were too distracted to notice.
TBC……
:P
Author's notes:
Yes, so despite the fact that the entire story is written out, I still can't update when I said I would. I'm only, oh, a month late. ^_^;; I have my reasons, though I won't bore you with them. Just know that the next part won't take this long.
12/04/03