Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic.

By Wihstrum

Chapter fourteen: Getting to the point.

Nervously, almost frantic, Harry paced hence and forth in his room. A hundred thoughts were swimming around in his brain and he couldn't grasp one of them. This was wrong, really, really wrong. He barely suppressed the urge to scream as Draco's pained expression came back to mind. What was going on here? This was his rival, his archenemy; sure, they've been getting along better now, but this?

Shower. Yes, showers always help…

Harry rested his forehead against the cool tiles, the warm water pouring down his back, over his nose and cheeks, pooling on his bottom lip. At long last he sank back against the wall, sitting down, water still spraying. Now this was, for once, too much. He was absolutely sure that prophesy hadn't said anything about falling in love with your archenemy. Oh wait, not the 'L' word, not yet. Maybe this was just some prank gone horribly wrong (Thinking about pranking… he ought to get Alex back for that humiliation during their duel…). Maybe they'd made a mistake during potions? No, impossible, Malfoy was his partner for potions. Ack! Again with Malfoy!
With an annoyed swipe he removed some black hair plastered to his forehead. Even a shower didn't work…

So in a last ditch effort to calm his frazzled nerves, The-Boy-Who-Lived was creeping through the deserted hallways, Invisibility Cloak draped over him.

Meanwhile…

Right after 'the moment' Alex had saved her friend from another humiliation, she was guiding him away from the questioning stares, even though it was far after curfew when they'd gotten down here at the lake; watching the stars come out and Alex was secretly on a mission to get to Draco admit his feelings, she knew now of course, but she'd play naïve, pretending nobody had noticed. Well no one probably had, except for Finbar and her. Alex knew if she didn't watch her tongue, she'd shatter the delicate friendship between the two of them…

Draco picked up a smooth pebble and skipped it across the lake.

"Fascinating." Alex murmured, her head resting on her knees.

"I know."

They sat in a comfortable silence for about half an hour, Draco discarded his shoes. Alex broke the soothing silence, when she thought he'd calmed down enough to talk. Draco Malfoy wasn't as hard to understand as everybody thought he was. Yes, he'd been brutally trained to uphold the whole aloof, over-the-top, egoistical yet charming Malfoy-façade… but it was actually quite easy to look past his whole act. At least she could; she was absolutely sure he felt cornered, so he tended to lash out with his tongue. Draco also wasn't a person who got physical –scratch that- he had trouble getting physical when he meant it. He felt weak for caring.

"Draco, you need a girlfriend." CoughboyfriendcoughHarrycough…

A perfectly mortified expression slid on his face "Why?"

"You just do. Perhaps if you had one you'd loosen up a bit." She replied casually. He was actually quite easy; he'd already taken the bait…

"I already loosened up. A lot. You're even making me doubt whether I should be a Slyhterin after all."

"You should be, but that doesn't mean you always have to put up that false mask when in public."

"I don't… put up… masks." He spat out every word venomously.

His friend raised an eyebrow.

Silence.

Darn Alex, too smart and observant for her own good. I'm not letting her get any closer though. I'd be weak; she'd be my weak spot. But I already care for her, I'm weak already. Besides I bet she'd laugh at me when I told her what's been going through my mind.

"Snap out of it Draco." Alex scowled, sensing his retreat. "You don't have to hide from me. I might not have been your friend for that long, but I really do care."

He just stared at her while the corner of his mouth made a spastic upward move. Odd, was that a –real- smile?

"No but really, you are a stud-muffin, in the bloom of his life and you're still single?" she commented him, trying to lure him out of his shell.

"Sue me." He sneered, but had a hard time to suppress a pleased smirk.

"Later. Why?"

"I dunno. Maybe I don't want a nagging chick around my neck all day." He snapped at her, he didn't like this interrogation. Certainly not after what had happened two hours ago.

"We don't nag Draco sweetie, we care."

"The same."

She rolled her eyes heavenward "No it's not and don't change the subject."

"I just don't need any girls okay. Your kind freaks me out."

"You need boys then?"

"NO!" he snapped just a little too hard.

Alex pursed her lips, her white strands of hair lazily drifting in the evening breeze. She was close, very close.

He drew in a breath and composed himself "No, I don't need boys and I'm just not in a very commitment-kind of state, period, time… thing."

"You're gay." Touchdown!

"…What?"

"You're gay." She repeated, smiling. "I should've known." I already did, but you needn't know that…

"I am not gay."

"Ah," Alex nodded, "denial."

"No, I'm just not gay."

"Sure you aren't."

Draco plucked a leaf out of the grass and fiddled with it. "Do I look gay?"

"Except from the whole fashion and hair-issue?" she grinned at his affronted scowl "Nope."

He groaned and thought Good, I feared it was getting obvious.

"So you admit?" she leaned closer and studied his features while he furiously plucked at the ill-fated leaf.

He hissed while a very un-Malfoyish blush crept on his cheeks "Why were you able to catch that?"

"Your frustration cancels most of your barriers against me."

He sighed, admitting his defeat "So…you don't mind?"

"What's to mind?"

"Well… the whole… gay… taboo… thing." He scratched his neck.

She arched her white eyebrows "Right."

"No really, some people find it disgusting."

"Do you find it disgusting?"

"Obviously not." He couldn't suppress the urge to roll his eyes.

"Aha! So you really do admit."

"It's useless. Can't even hide my own underwear form you" he frowned "which you happen to find so hilarious." He added irritated.

"No my best friend, they freak me out. And it weren't just any kind of undergarments. It was a thong. With hearths." She looked completely irked out.

"I suspect Pansy was the one who sent them last Valentine." He frowned.

"That gal's got issues." She muttered.

"Uh-huh."

"But, you're avoiding the real subject here." She leaned over, pinning him under her gaze and asked "Who is it?"

"I don't know." He muttered in a not-wanting-to-have-this-conversation tone.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, how did you find out then?"

"Oh for Merlin's sake Alex…" he breathed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"No for Draco's sake." She grinned at him sweetly.

"Hn."

"Well?" she prodded him in the side; she'd found out that Mr. Malfoy was, in fact, really ticklish.

He gulped and arched his torso away from her. "I had a dream okay?"

"Aaaah a dream… I get it." She winked "About?"

"The obvious."

"Harry?"

He threw his head back in expiration. "No Alex, about sex!"

"Yah du'h… but I meant about whom?"

Draco looked at his watchless-wrist "Look at the time, we have classes tomorrow."

"You don't have a watch."

He scowled, stood up and strode over to dip his feet in the water, the icy water sending shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"About…"

I can't believe I'm telling her.

"Hn…"

Please don't laugh at me.

"Potter"

"He does have a first name though. Hell won't freeze over if you use it."

Draco didn't answer. He just buried his toes under the sand and shrugged.

Suddenly he felt a hand on is shoulder. He closed his eyes and let out a barely audible appreciating sigh. He'd come to cherish Alexs' little gestures of friendship and affection, but he'd rather run around naked in the Quiddich pit than to admit it… Actually, to be honest, he couldn't really stand other people touching him… probably because of the lack of physical contact in his youth. Alex had been the first one to touch him, even hug and hold him without him flinching away. Potter had proved to be the second one… yet his touch sends another kind of warmth through his body, disturbingly enough.

"Hey… you're my mate. And I really don't think it's weird."

He flinched and clenched his fists. Tell that to my father...

He felt Alexs' body heath pressing against his back as she wrapped her arms around his waist, whispering, head resting on his shoulder "Your father's just a retard."

Harry pulled his robes tightly around him and sighed. He had been damn lucky that he'd been the only one awake after DA, the dueling had worn everybody out; he wouldn't have been able to sneak out otherwise. Especially Hermione had been looking at him in a knowing manner, not to mention Finbar. He folded his cloak over his arm, enjoying the cold night air as he felt the fog in his mind evaporating. Right now he'd just wanted some time for himself. Sort things out. He strolled over to the lake to sit at the same spot where he'd been grieving Sirius before summer. But there was already someone there. Alex…and Draco.

Why? Whywhwhywhy? How is it possible? Better run for it…

He must've made a sound because Alex looked over her shoulder and murmured "Oh, hi Harry." She grinned up at him, mischief twinkling in her eyes "What can I do for you?" Malfoy simply glared.

"Nothing" he smiled weakly "It's just…."

Alex tilted her head. "We're on your spot?"

"Actually… yes"

"I'm sorry, should we leave you be?" the Animagus smiled understandingly. But a plan was already being formed; she just hoped she knew Drake well enough.

"We?" Draco scowled "If you wish to go out of the way for the all-wonderful-and-almighty Potter, you go ahead. But I'm certainly not."

Harry grunted, annoyed… Why couldn't bloody Malfoy just go drown himself in Moaning Myrtle's toilet?

"Sod off pretty-boy." Alex cut in while nudging Draco to stand up. Bingo, I knew he'd protest.

"No I'm not." He crossed his arms.

"Well then why don't you stay here have a nice, civil talk and comfort each other." Kisskisskiss

"Me and Potter?" he breathed unbelievingly.

"Why not?" Alex retorted.

"We hate each other." Malfoy reminded her.

"No you don't."

"Yes I do."

"No, you don't, you told me so about 7 point 20 seconds ago."

"He did?" Harry interrupted.

"Oooooh. Low blow." Draco shot her a dirty look.

"Well this should be an interesting conversation. Oh look at the time, I gotta dash." She rose to her feet and turned to the castle "Wouldn't want to miss a good game of exploding snap."

"You don't even know how to play exploding snap." Draco retorted, but she didn't hear them.

Or pretends she doesn't hear me.

"Mind informing me?" Harry frowned down at him.

Draco just grunted.

No problem lad. I've been having a few very erotic and spicy dreams involving you and me committing a deed of sexual intercourse.

Harry sat wearily down next to the Slytherin. Something was really off here; Malfoy, sitting here in the middle of the night -not to mention the fact that it was winter and freezing out here-, his trademark smirk not in place, hair still wavy and shockingly gel-less. He tried to analyze the expression on the sharp angled face. Was that loneliness?

The Gryffindor courage made Harry ask what was wrong.

"Just… leave. Kay?" Draco had a distant look in his eyes and huddled further into his warm robes. His head was bent forwards, staring at the ripples on the lake, reflecting the pale moon in the sky. A wisp of hair had fallen carelessly across his cheek, and Harry thought that his countenance made him look small and vulnerable. He tried to force these thoughts out of his brain, fearing that the urge to hold the young man close and to kiss the pain those gray eyes held away, would win over.

Harry sighed. He remained silent for a few more minutes before muttering something under his breath.

"What?" Draco turned his slate gray eyes at him.

"I don't hate you either."

The Slytherin stared openmouthed at him while Harry drew patterns in the sand with his fingers. After a while the Gryffindor got tired off Draco gawking at him. "Stop looking at me like that; it's giving me the creeps…" he shot a meaningful look sideways "Anyways… For about five years of my life I've really, but then again REALLY disliked you. You've been a real asshole…"

"Touching."

"Shut up, let me finish. But seeing you and Alex and spending some time with you…" Harry carefully chose his words. "You seem like a nice person."

The Slytherin raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah well. You've really been acting like a complete jerk past five years. Not mentioning the way you treated my friends…"

He waited for the other boy's cruel jeer, but it never came, so he hesitantly went on. "But after you gave me back my mirror… you've changed, in a good way I mean… and you know… Alex really seems to think you're okay, defending you and stuff."

Silence.

The black haired boy glanced at Draco whom was looking pointedly away. "She really likes you… you know?"

"I know." Came the soft reply. He spoke with a voice Harry had never heard before, it sent shivers down his spine and in a silent prayer he wished he could someday hear his name in the exact same way rolling from those lips.

"Are you two an item?" Harry whispered barely audible. Better know now and get over it than to find out later on when he couldn't forget anymore.

"Like hell we are!" Draco sneered.

Surprised -and barely able to keep himself from dancing around in joy-, Harry looked at Draco whom returned the gaze. "No really, we're just like… friends." A corner of his mouth tugged in an upwards direction "Yeah… she's my friend." He repeated, more for himself than for Potter.

Harry smiled. "That's….nice." Not sure of what to respond.

"It is." Draco confirmed and looked at him. "She brings out the better side of me."

"I've noticed." Realizing that Malfoy looked very attractive when smiling… Did he ever mention that the Slytherin had very kissable lips? Bad Harry! Bad Harry! I sound like Dobby now… isn't this just swell?

"You should smile more often, it suits you." He blurted eventually without thinking.

Draco looked incredulous.

Harry quickly rose to his feet, attempting to escape the intense stormy eyes.

"Aw… leaving already? I was just starting to get this warm, fuzzy feeling." His voice dripped with sarcasm but he let a gentle grin light up his face to ensure the other he was only kidding.

"Let me tell you something" Harry began. "I trust Alex. And I trust her judgment and we really shouldn't be fighting in times like these. And spending time with you made me realize that you're a different person than you like to pretend you are…" He took a deep breather and held out his hand to the young man perched on the ground.

"Friends?"

Draco just stared at Harry's hand. Just when the emerald-eyed Gryffindor wanted to pull back, thinking he'd said something obviously retarded, Draco took his hand and looked up to him.

"Friends."

He pulled him to his feet and after Draco collected his shoes, they returned to the castle in a companionable silence.

Tired, Draco entered the common room, if Potter thought this new friendship would make him feel better, well it didn't. Not that he didn't want to… just… he couldn't deny it anymore, not to himself at least.

Good Merlin, I've got it bad…

He heard a weird strangled gasp and before he knew it he was tackled, lying on his back on the green carpet (with Slytherin emblem motive), Alex sitting on his chest and pinning him down by his shoulders. Alex: Details, NOW!

Draco: Alex, it's 3 in the morning for crying out loud… we've got classes tomorrow… he scowled, is that girl annoying or what?

Alex: Don't make me turn you into a slug! Tell me!"

Draco: Alright, alright, just stop bouncing! He thought back, sitting upright abruptly, Alex toppling over. Draco: We're friends…

Her jaw dropped and her eyes expanded comically "That's all?" she yelled out loud now, not able to contain herself any longer. Once again he was knocked over, Alex pulling at his collar, shaking him like a rag doll, his teeth clattering "Please tell me that you at least kissed him!"

"Alex, let go!" he shoved her away "Dammit what's gotten into you?"

"I can't believe you two are so dense! I mean, I practically gave you guys the perfect set-up and you didn't even kiss him?"

"We shook hands…"

"Oh, wonderful, just great! I'm really proud now!" she stood up and paced around in front of the smoldering fire, muttering under her breath, he vaguely picked up things like 'men', 'stupid Gryffindors' and 'dense'.

If there was one thing he'd never understand it was women. Especially Alex.

Saturday Morning. Room of Requirement.

"Defense Harry! Defense!" Alex yelled at him, the Gryffindor replying with a grunt as he blocked yet another blow.

Alex had to keep herself from smiling as she saw Harry's jaw setting, determination evident in his eyes. He really was the child of the prophesy. Sweat was pearling on his chest, his black hair windswept, she knew he was exhausted, yet he refused to give up. Although he was –very- good, she wouldn't tell him since it might make him overconfident.

"C'mon c'mon c'mon!" she urged him, trying to get him pissed off. The trick was to use your emotions, pouring them into your moves and yet not being carried away by them.

"You could block that one!" she scoffed at him when he failed to parry her.

He growled "My glasses keep falling down my nose, can't see…"

She abruptly halted her attack and raised an eyebrow. His chest rose and fell, rapidly, yet he was perfectly composed. Livid and rough. Draco only settles for the best. She smiled faintly and muttered a spell under her breath, green eyes locked with ones similar.

"S'kay now, take them off…"

Hesitantly he slipped them off. "Odd…" he murmured as he blinked a few times. "How did you do that?"

She shrugged as she fell back into a loose fighting stance. "After 15 years of training, one picks up a thing or two…" before he could reply she already lashed back out at him.

"Go easy on me, we've got a Quidditch match tomorrow…"

She snickered evilly "Reason the more to wear you out; I'm planning on winning…" a wolfish grin curled her mouth.

Sunday. Quidditch Match, Slytherin versus Gryffindor.

Harry closed his eyes and heaved a thrilled sigh. God how he loved this. He was far to excited to be nervous, he'd missed this so much. The whole stadium roared and the cold wind tugged at his fiery scarlet Quidditch uniform. Even after Alex had taught him the sight restoration charm, he refused to part with his glasses. Harry had tried to explain to her the comfort of the familiar weight on his nose, but…
He opened his eyes only to meet Draco's gaze, eyes as gray as the sky. The pale eyebrows arched and he nodded; a sly smirk on his face. His heart skipped a disturbing amount of beats.

"Shake hands!" Madame Hooch barked at them, as Ron and the Slytherin captain approached each other, trying to crush each others hands under the fierce handshake. Normally Ron would have yelped, but right now a new glint was evident in his eyes, something Harry'd never seen before.

His eyes landed on Alex, a euphoric expression on her face as if she couldn't care anymore about winning or loosing. Her white hair was braided back tightly, her green uniform whirling around her. She looked good in a Quidditch uniform, he noted absentmindedly.

"Mount your brooms…" Madame Hooch's piercing gaze drifted once more over the two teams before she blew her whistle.

Within a second Harry saw Ron soaring to the hoops out of the corner of his eye. He had to divert his eyes, urging his broom to go higher and higher. He barely dodged a Bludger and knew he had to blame either Crabbe or Goyle for it. Draco in meanwhile was a few meters below him, his blonde hair curling around his head like a halo.

"Slytherin in possession, Alex Ladon heading for the goal… Damn that girl's fast… she slips by Katie…" Dean shouted over the roaring cheering coming from the spectators. "And she scores! Keep an eye out for that girl Gryffindor!"

Harry sighed, knowing he owed her 5 galleons for scoring the first goal, not to mention she did it within the first minute if the match… A nervous twisting settled in his gut and he began looking more frantically for a golden shimmer.

"Gryffindor's new chaser Reya Letser is in possession of the Quaffle, she tosses it to Ginny Weasley, who picks up speed… she's nearing the hoops, she tosses it Katie whom… Scores! Katie Bell scores! It's 10 – 10!"

The raven head had to keep himself from jumping up and down like an idiot, ecstatic as their Chasers who, unlike the Slytherins, were working together as a team. His eyes scanned the Pitch below him, but no sign of the Snitch.

"Montague has the Quaffle… but loses it due an perfect Beater-move from Andrew, but it gets caught by Alex. There she goes again, soaring past the Bludger Jack sends towards her, and she… misses! Beautifully blocked by Ronald Weasley, my roommate by the way ladies and gentlemen…"

The altered version from 'Weasley is our King' erupted from the supporters in the stands. Harry whooped, soaring past Ron and giving him a thumbs up.

His stomach clenched when he heard Dean's terrified shouting "Draco Malfoy has seen the Snitch! Harry where the hell are you! Stop him!"

"Dean!" McGonagall scoffed at him, yet her face suddenly went as white as a sheet.

He launched his Firebolt to Draco whom was soaring into the direction where he'd seen the Snitch, somewhere on the sidelines… The Gryffindor went into a steep dive, actually a free fall, inching in on Malfoy, wind rushing in his ears, the sound deafening. At long last he was side to side with his rival, Harry flat against his broom. He was going to catch that Snitch or die trying… Draco apparently thought the same, since he picked up a frustrated snarl coming from next to him.
They both reached out… suddenly the Pitch turned upside down as Draco collided with him by some unseen force of impact. They both landed with on the ground with a loud thud.

"Disaster prevented or caused by Jack Sloper…" Dean announced; shock evident in his voice.

Harry spat out some grass, while he heard Draco moan besides him. A tremor of worry ran through his body when he saw him laying flat on his back, making no move to get back up on his broom. He'd taken the full impact of that Bludger. He scooted over to him "Draco, you o" but he was cut of in the middle of his sentence as the blonde sat up abruptly, nearly ramming his head against Harry's.

"I was this damn close!" he muttered in disbelief, his fingers an inch apart as he gestured at Harry. "You do realize I have to kill your bloody Beater now, don't you?"

The Gryffindor let out a relieved snigger. Meanwhile Katie and Andrew landed besides him. "You okay Harry?" they cast an angry glare in Draco's direction, as if he'd planned this. He opened his mouth to snap at them, but Harry silenced him by hauling the other seeker to his feet.
He grinned innocently at his teammate's reactions, mouths hanging open at the gesture. "What?" he muttered, as he mounted his broom again, kicking off.

"The game's still going on Gryffindor! Watch out for Too late…" loud cheering bellowed from the Slytherins "Alex Ladon scored a second time… 20-10 for Slytherin…"

He rolled his eyes as he saw the only girl on the Slytherin team shoot past him, her wolfish grin in place. He shook his head and concentrated back on his task, where did the Snitch go?

The game went on well past lunch, the two houses battling fiercely, never more then a mere 10 or 20 points apart. Ginny was making up for the occasional Quaffles Ron missed, even though he was doing great. Alex was as good as she was rumored to be, but the lack of team spirit in the Slytherin team was a great disadvantage; more then once she broke out in a torrent of curses and shouts as they failed to back her up when she needed them. It was 80 – 60 for Slytherin.

Finally Harry spotted the tiny fluttering Snitch, gold flickering in the weak November sun, on their half of the pitch, a few meters from the ground. He pointed his Firebolt in a forty-five degree angle and dove.

"Harry Potter has seen the Snitch! He dives…" Dean shouted enthusiastic. The whole stadium gasped for air.

Within a heartbeat his rival was on his tail, pressed against his broom, a haze of silver and green. Alex stopped in mid-flight the Quaffle forgotten, eyes wide as she urged Draco to go faster at the top of her lungs.
Only a few more meters, only a few more meters was the mantra droning on in Harry's head. Tears leaked out of his eyes, wind cutting in his face. He reached out and could feel the tiny wings brush against the tips of his fingers as the tiny ball arched out of reach. An angry shout left his throat and he pulled up recklessly, making some sort of looping… He could see the haze of Draco's Quidditch robes as he shot by and past underneath him, confused by the sudden change of course. Still hanging upside down he grabbed in the air where he saw a golden glint and was rewarded with the fluttering of the frail wings against his palm.

"Harry Potter's got the Snitch, Gryffindor wins with 110 – 80!" the rest of the sentence was drowned by one wave of cheering and singing after another.

He howled in delight and made his way down to the ground in a sloppy manner; jumping of his broom, tripping over his feet while he raised his fist in the air, the Snitch batting furiously to escape his grasp. His teammates threw themselves at the Seeker, ruffling his hair and patting his back. Ron was clutching him somewhere from behind chanting a 'thankyouthankyouthankyou…', Ginny and Katie kissed them both at a time on a cheek, while Jack's hand was wrapped around his, both holding the Snitch.

Alex swooped down not to far away from him, and strode over to him. Everybody immediately on their guard, thinking she'd hex him into oblivion, quite the contrary; she smacked him amiably on the back. "Great flying! But you owe me 5 galleons!" She added, crossing her arms.
Harry grinned wildly at her, before being once again buried under a pile of over enthusiastic housemates.

The Slytherin snickered softly and crossed over to Draco, who was looking as if his birthday was cancelled. She slid an arm around his shoulders as she guided him to their changing rooms, her friend muttering something about 'this damn close… so close… so damn close…'

Hermione ran down and onto the field, a bright smile on her face. But she froze in her tracks as she saw Ron being surrounded by a herd of girls from all houses, plastering kisses on his face, giggling and batting their eyelashes. Her heart sank into her shoes. Seems like he has no need anymore for a date to the Ball… she thought. Well, Hermione knew she shouldn't have expected so much, after all. He only saw her as a friend, a member of their gang, Hermione. Simple and plain Hermione. She pressed her eyes shut, forcing tears back and angry at herself for being so upset. She was about to leave the field, when she felt a gentle tugging at her wrist. Startled, she turned around. Ron; his ears suspiciously red, stuttering incoherently. The group of girls left behind and forgotten, packing together while glaring at Hermione, hissing and snorting.
The Gryffindor keeper heaved a sigh, praying for all the courage his house was known for and sank onto one knee.

"Mione…" he whispered; eyes locked with hers. "Would you want to be my date for the Ball?" he finished, loud enough for everyone to hear him. He knew he probably flushed a horrible, unnatural shade of red.

She felt her cheeks burning "Oh Ron…" she breathed, before flinging herself around his neck, toppling them both over.

This earned several catcalls and cheering from the students other than the affronted pack of girls. Harry whistled while Ginny was hanging from his neck, bouncing uncomfortably up and down on his shoulders, making it hard for him not to lose balance.

Library.

At long last Alex strolled in as if she had all the time in the world. Hermione was tapping her fingers impatiently on the tabletop, nearly driving Finbar insane whom was sitting opposite of her. She really was starting to take after Draco; although neither of them seemed to notice… it went from little gestures like arching an eyebrow or rumpling their nose when they concentrated to the way they walked (even though Draco was far more elegant than Alex) or smirked. It was starting to get scary. The biggest difference was that Alex was far more open-minded, caring and social then the Slytherin prefect.

"You're late!" she scoffed at the Slytherin, obviously irritated.

Alex clearly wasn't intimidated and merely shrugged, seating herself next to Finbar. "I'm here now ain't I?" she replied dully.

The Gryffindor muttered a 'Slytherins!' before getting to the point. "Any idea why we've called you?"

Her friend nodded; the wild, white hair whirling around her tanned face, the enormous grin sliding on her face as she said "Drake and Harry."

Finbar chewed thoughtfully on the end of his tattered eagle feather quill before he whispered "Hermione and I are planning on given those two… a little push in the right direction." He grinned "Interpret that in whatever way you want…"

"Finbar!" Hermione huffed.

Alex snickered "Boys will be boys 'Mione…" then she leaned in conspiracy-like "How? Cause it won't be easy, both of them are as stubborn as a donkey with diarrhea…"

"What have donkeys with diarrhea got to do with being stubborn?" Finbar asked; an amused smile on his face.

Her green eyes twinkled merrily. "Something Blaise always says… guess I picked it up…"

"Anyway!" Hermione said, the tone in her voice demanding their attention again "That's why we've asked you up here… You know Draco better than we do…"

Alexs' nose rumpled "He's really uptight… The biggest problem is that Drake always wants to compete…" she shot them a meaningful look; her hand to her chest "I herby quote Draco Malfoy…" she cleared her throat "I won't bow down to anyone…" she echoed in a snobbish manner.

Finbar couldn't help but laugh out loud now "Let's just hope for Harry he doesn't mean that literally…"

"FIN-BAR!" Hermione yelled.

Alex chuckled quietly behind her hand before deciding to save Hermione this kind off topic… "I got a plan…"

The pink flush on Hermione's cheeks ebbed away as she turned her attention to the Chaser.

"The Ball…" she hissed.

Finbar raised a dark eyebrow at her, waiting for further explanation.

"…aaand Firewiskey." She confirmed with a nod.

The second dark eyebrow joined the first, half way up his forehead. "That's not going to work…'

"Not to mention that it's not fair." Hermione added.

"Dear Merlin you guys…" she rolled her green eyes "I'm not going to get them drunk… I'm only going to loosen them up a bit… get them talking."

Hermione looked a bit skeptical, but Finbar scrunched his nose up before nodding. "Just to get their 'tongues' (he wagged his eyebrows) lose…"

The brown haired girl huffed and crossed her arms "Okay, but on one condition: they still have to know what they're doing… I don't mind them easing up to talk, but they both have to realize what's going on."

The wolfish grin on Alexs' face was tucked away and she reached out to cover Hermione's hand with hers. "Hey, you know they both are the best friends I have… heck the best friends I ever had. But you must realize that neither of them won't give in if we don't help them along."

Hermione smiled back sweetly. "I know… but I don't want Harry to get hurt."

Alex pouted her lips. "If Drake hurts Harry in any way whatsoever I'll personally castrate him… do mind that it goes the other way around too…"

Last Friday before the winter break. Great Hall. Breakfast.

Harry snickered at a joke Ron made, the sounds muffled cause he'd stuffed his mouth full with bacon. Suddenly the chatting and laughing in the hall died down and it took Harry a while to realize that all eyes were on him. Okay, not only on him… as he looked up from his plate, a bit startled, he saw Draco waltzing over to him, a huge grin on his face. And he promptly sat down next to him.

"Morning Mr. Potter" all tables were listening intently and a few nodded knowingly while others glared darkly at Harry. "What about some last minute drills on your Potions test?" Draco wagged his eyebrows

The Gryffindors tried to stare Draco into the ground, preferably dead and buried, so imagine their surprise when Harry smiled (yes he actually smiled at Draco Malfoy!), took out some notes and started chatting (not shouting, sneering, snarling or insulting) with the Slytherin about a test. What was wrong with those two? Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy did not sit together willingly, not without the aid of duct tape and super glue.

Finbar briefly allowed himself a grin and shot a wink at Hermione, the latter with a smug look plastered on her face. "They really don't have a clue yet, do they?" she whispered next to his ear.

"Nope, not a clue…" he muttered.

She shook her head and drained her cup off tea "Men can be so dense!"

Finbar arched an eyebrow and glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. "Thanks."

"Sorry Finbar," she patted his shoulder "Even you…"

Before he could swat her over the head, his attention was drawn to the two young men while they stood up, Harry frowning as Draco was thumbing trough a dusty old volume. It didn't escape anybody that the blonde rested a hand on the small of Harry's back, leaning closer to him and jabbing his finger at a certain passage in the book.

Their friends from both houses scrambled up and hurried after them. Draco halted his explanations as they caught up with them, an annoyed snarl on his face. "Potter, please tell your sidekicks to shove off…"

Before Ron was able to retort something about sniveling, bouncing ferrets, Alex swat the younger man over the head. "C'mon Draco sweetheart, do grow up."

He glared at her "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"Please forgive me Draco love." She bowed slightly, while making a ridiculous twirl with her hand.

"And stop imitating Pansy. She alone is annoying enough."

Alex' eyes widened in mock surprise and her hand flew to her heart in over exaggerated drama. "Are you telling me that you don't like dear Pansy?"

"Outrageous." Ron mumbled sarcastically.

As if on cue, Pansy's voice rang trough the hallway. To Draco, it could have been someone scraping his nails over a blackboard.

"Draco love, we ought to finish our conversation from this morning."

"Quick! Hide me!" Draco ducked behind Alex, obviously drawing even more attention to him.

"Why?" Alex smirked. "Oh, you surely don't need my help to protect you from Pansy-dearest?"

"Yes I do, she wants to talk about the Yule ball." He whimpered at the thought.

"Ooh this should be an interesting conversation." She rubbed her hands in anticipation.

Pansy had crossed the hallway up to their little group. She raised her nose at Harry and his friends. "Drakie, what are you doing here with them?" she spotted Alex. "And her?" she said with even more disgust.

Alex blew her a kiss.

Pansy harrumphed and turned her back to them "Well Draco, to continue our little conversation, I'd like you to know that I'm still available. So you can stop worrying." She tugged at his collar and batted her eyelashes "So, ask me out."

"Well… eeeh … I eeeh…" Draco stuttered helplessly.

"Oh surely you didn't find someone else now did you?"

"Are you inquiring that Draco couldn't get someone else then you?" Alex added amused.

Pansy looked confused. "Well, did you ask someone else then me?"

Draco hadn't. He weighed his options; invite Pansy or jump trough that window over there. Pansy raised an eyebrow and chirped "Drakie-pie?"

Ok, window it is.

"Yes he has!" Alex butted in.

Oh Alex, do shut up…

"Who?" Parkinson demanded.

Draco glared at the green-eyed girl. "Eeeh… I've asked…you know…" he scratched his neck and took the occasion to shoot daggers at Alex again; the latter taking particular interest in straightening her robes.

"Well?"

"He asked me." Alex murmured casually, a sly grin on her face.

"You?" Pansy shrieked.

"He did?" Ron asked.

"I asked you?" Draco frowned.

"Yes. You. Did." Alex went to stand on his foot. "You know…Yesterday evening…"

"Ooooh!" This time it was an 'oh' of dawning understanding.

Alex smiled and nodded. "Yeeeeees.."

"Ooh, yes of course I did. Heh…heh." He nervously clasped Alex' hand and kissed it. Alex kissed his cheek.

"I though we had something Draco…" Pansy sniffed dramatically. "You'll see the error of your ways. You'll come back to me after you've seen what she really is like." And with that, she stormed back to the Slytherin dungeon.

"Eew I kissed you" Alex wiped her mouth with her sleeve while Draco gave his cheek a similar treatment.

"Okay remind me why I said that?" she pouted.

"Because you think I'm utterly gorgeous and handsome." Draco stated, nonchalantly admiring his nails.

"Snowball's chance in hell you are. Besides…" she turned to Finbar "I wanted to ask you."

Finbars face lightened up "I wanted to ask you too…" he shot 'the look' at Malfoy.

"But we can't risk Pansy getting your hands all over you, now can we?" she asked Draco.

Draco nodded furiously. "I really owe you Ladon."

"You bet you do." She grumbled.

"How can I repay you?"

"Put on a tutu and dance the Macarena for me?" he batted her eyelashes hopefully.

"What about… no?"

"You're no fun." She pinched his cheek "But don't worry Drakie I'll find something."

"Spare me."

"As a matter a fact you can start by apologizing to Ron and his friends…"

Draco stared at her, fuming. "What?"

She put her hands on her hips. "You heard me."

Draco looked unbelieving at Ron as if Alex asked him to kiss the Gryffindor. Alex poked him in the ribs and he was barely able to suppress a yelp. He looked at the young woman again and shook his head, but Alex wouldn't have any of it and pulled her chin up a notch "I apologize…" he groaned eventually under his breath.

"I can't hear you!" she said in a singsong voice.

"I said… that I apologize." He said through clenched teeth.

"Once more, with feeling!"

"I, Draco Malfoy, hereby apologize to Weasley..."

"Now shake hands."

Draco scowled and shook Ron's hand, the redhead eyeing him warily. "There."

She smiled. "Well, we'd better be off to Potions then..."

Well, I reallyreallyreally hope you guys enjoyed this one… it was sooo long O.o

Anyways, you know the drill: review! review review review review review review review review review review review review review review review! Catch my drift?

Thank yous will be up for the next chapter! It's because of you guys and your lovely reviews that keep me motivated… I really try to get the best out of every chapter.

And once again, I apologize that I'm only getting into the romance now… But it'll be good, I promise! snickers
The Winter Ball will take up whole chapter 15… it's in progress and I want it to be good. Really good.

Applause everyone for my wonderful beta! Poor Keiko-keket had to read all 16 pages and correct my awfully dumb mistakes. All hail to Keiko! Hail! Hail!