Chapter 9

At Gryffindor

It was Thursday night and Draco had gathered his things to go and stay with Harry at the Gryffindor tower. The past five days had passed by rather quickly. The boys were keeping their relationship a secret, or so they thought, until they were quite ready to tell the others. But it was nice to have Dobby know because they could be more comfortable around him then even Ron or Hermione. Harry and Ron were still a bit odd around each other and when and if they talked it was your basic 'hi', 'hello', 'how are you?' conversation.

Draco and Harry still haven't done anything yet; they seemed to be getting shyer and shyer whenever it came down to it. They had lost their moment when Dobby came and now they haven't found the right one again. Draco and Harry where on the third floor and still going up what seemed like an endless flight of stairs.

"This must be a bitch to climb every day. Seven floors, and all we have to do is go down to the dungeon." Draco whined as his arms were getting tired.

Harry did a quick glance around to see if anyone was there, before he shoved Draco against the railing and gave him a deep kiss. Running his fingers through Draco's hair he smiled and said "I like your hair a lot better now that it doesn't have any of that crap in it." They pulled away then Harry said, "I have a way to make this go faster, I'll race you. That is if you think your man enough to take the challenge."

"Challenges, I love challenges. Ok. On your mark, get set…." Draco stopped dead in the middle of his sentence and just took off up the stairs.

"Hey!!! That's not fair." Harry shouted, as he took off behind him.

Draco laughed and said, "Who ever said that Slytherin's play fair?"

The two bolted up the stairs pretty quickly. It was a close race, for although Harry had caught up to Draco. Draco still made it to the top before he did. Panting, he stopped and waited for Harry to get there. Harry was not winded when he reached the top and smiled at Draco.

"How…?" Draco asked as he tried to catch his breath.

"Well I thought I'd let you win at least one. Cause you know the only way you'll beat me is if you cheat." He smiled as he grabbed some of Draco's things.

"Dirty rotten brat…" Draco said with affection in his voice.

"What was that? Delightful ravishing beauty?" Harry smiled at him. "Why thank you, that's the sweetest thing you ever said."

Draco shook his head as he walked next to Harry. They stood at a portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she said in her usual voice.

"Draconis." Harry said with a smile as he looked at Draco.

"Geez, you're really insulting my intelligence aren't you?" Draco smiled as the portrait swung open.

They walked inside the commons to hear whistles, shouting and all in all noise making, all compliments of Fred 'n' George. There was a huge banner with a Slytherin snake wrapping around the words 'Welcome to Gryffindor, Draco!', Dean's signature visible in the bottom corner. There was food and drink filched by Fred 'n' George themselves from the kitchen.

Harry's face went red as he and Draco dropped their bags in surprise. Fred walked over to Draco's right as George walked over to his left.

"Welcome to Gryffindor…" Fred started as he steered Draco away from Harry.

"Yes… Welcome!" George said as they walked Draco over to a small group of kids. They all looked quite frightened.

"These… Are our first years. Pay no attention to them." Fred said as waved his hands in front of them.

A smaller first year cried out, "Hey!" George didn't waste any time walking over to him and patting him on the head.

"It's true. So quit your bitchin'." George said as he walked back to Draco. They steered him over to another group of kids.

"These are our silly sickly second years." George turned to Fred and said, "Do you remember when we were in our second year. What a blissful year that was."

They steered him toward a third group. Draco looked back at Harry with a look that pleaded for help. But all he got was Harry shrugging his shoulders as he tried not to laugh. "These are the little better then second, but still worse then fourth, third years."

"Hey you guys are just insulting everyone today aren't you?" A tiny third year cried out.

"Of course… Did you expect anything else?" Fred said with a smile. "Wait a tick… Shouldn't you be over there?" Fred asked as he pointed toward the first years. The third year who had spoken up blushed furiously and moved to the back of the group.

George looked at Fred and said, "Ah.. Ya hurt his feelings. Apologize."

"You're right… We love you anyway. Even if you are vertically challenged." Fred called out to the third year. "Any way where were we?" Fred said as he turned to his brother.

"The fourth years. A very promising group. You may tease them all you want." George said.

"Well, almost all. Just not this one." Fred said as he pulled Ginny out of the group. "This is our sweet darling baby sister. Say hello Ginny."

Ginny looked up at Draco and said "Hello Ginny."

Fred looked at Ginny and said "Smart ass."

Ginny replied "Look who I have for relatives."

George placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder and said with a theatrical voice "Too true! Too true!"

Fred going slightly red ushered Draco along to the fifth years. "These are the fifth years. Get all the dirty looks out now, because he is going to be our guest."

George whispered into Draco's ear "Don't worry we will make sure Ron doesn't punch you in the nose again."

Draco went beat red but managed to add a sarcastic reply "Wow really? Thanks a bunch." He commented as he rolled his eyes.

"Moving on… These are the sixth years. They can pick on you." The boys said in unison. They moved over to the last group and walked in front of Draco.

"These are the seventh years. Lee, come here a sec." George replied as they waited for Lee to come near them.

"Us three…" Fred said as he pointed to each of them. "Are the bosses around here. Got it?" Draco nodded his head yes.

"Good…" George said as he clapped his hands together. Three first year boys stepped over to them. "Please take their things to Harry's room. We have a party to commence with." And with that said, they grabbed their things and headed out of the commons.