Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic.

By Wihstrum

Chapter Fifteen: The Winter Ball.

And so came the day of the Second Yule Ball. Harry surprised everyone by asking Luna Lovegood, it happened quite un-purposely, after their last DA-meeting of the trimester. After class she'd stayed to help him clean up the mess and they started talking…

Flash-back

Harry crossed the room, arms overladen with pillows. He dropped them on top of the staple in the far right corner and flopped on top of them. It was so tiring, teaching all those students. Hard work. It was a rewarding job though, every time he saw someone conjuring a Patronus or defeat a previously stronger member… he felt so proud for his classmates, a sense of unison had settled between all off them.
Well, not all of them… most pupils still had a hard time accepting the three Slytherins. Alex was one thing, but Blaise and certainly Draco were another thing entirely. Systematically he paired up with either one of them, most of the time it was Alex, since both she and him were wandless. But on a very rare occasion he paired up with Draco and he couldn't deny that he loved it. Needed it.

Meanwhile Luna sat down next to him, staring at him bluntly.

"What?" he murmured; a soft smile on his lips. He had to admit that he had a soft spot for her; he guessed it was because of their conversation back in June. Somehow, in her own way, she understood him. And oddly enough, he found that her eyes resembled Finbar's; Knowing Eyes, an older soul in a young body, wiser than any others their age.

"You're in love." A statement, not a question.

And just like Finbar, she always managed to catch Harry off guard with things like these. "Huh? What makes you think I am?"

The expression on her face remained unchanged, save for the left eyebrow she arched "The look in your eyes."

"Oh…" he shook his head, confused "With whom?"

The look on her face broke and a sweet smile curled her lips "You'll have to find out yourself…" she got up to her feet and straightened her robes. "Who's your date for the Ball?"

He snorted "Haven't got one…"

Luna tilted her head sideward, the permanent startled expression pronounced more clearly.

"No really…" he muttered "Quite a lot girls asked me though… but I don't know." He shrugged and got up next to her.

"No wonder, you've grown into one of the most handsome guys of the school." Another statement, no compliment.

She was so weird; he decided to ignore that last remark; it was Luna after all "What about you?"

Briefly, very briefly he saw another feeling linger underneath the light blue surface of her eyes. "Nobody ever asks me." She shrugged "That's just how it is."

How could she say that without blinking an eye? He didn't understand though… yes she was different, but she was nice and pretty in her own way. And interesting to say the least. He snapped out of his reverie as she waved him goodbye while making her way to the door.

Quickly he shot after her and fell into pace next to her "Luna? Would you be my date for the Ball?"

If Luna had looked a fraction of a degree more surprised, her eyes would have popped out. "Eh…" she blushed "Well… yes, thanks!"

End flash-back

So here he was, trying to tame his wild black hair, but the more he tried to pull the comb through, the more it would stand out. At long last he decided to ditch the useless efforts and sat down on Ron's bed instead, an amused smile on his face. Ron, Ginny and he had gone shopping on their last visit to Hogsmeade, Ron's sister being bombarded as their fashion and style consultant, which was a good thing.

"Nervous Ron?" he murmured as he saw his friend fumble helplessly with the buttons of his vest. The redhead shot him a pleading look, the knots in his stomach too tight to glare at him. "Breathe Ron, breathe…" Harry said as he buttoned his vest for him.

"What if she doesn't like it? What if she thinks I look like an idiot? What if she changes her mind? What if" he stammered.

"What if, Ron, what if?" the raven head brushed a sleeve of Ron's dark, midnight blue dress robes. "What if Voldemort had marked Neville instead of me?"

Ron's fidgety look abruptly left his face and he shot him a stern look. "Don't say things like that…"

Harry stepped back and met Ron's light blue eyes "I know. Sorry."

He patted Harry on his upper arm. "S'kay mate, I understand."

Before the emerald eyed boy could reply something, Seamus threw the door open "C'mon you guys, we're running late… Can't keep the ladies waiting." He added with a huge grin; the Irish man and Dean both accompanied Lavender and Parvati.

The two friends gave a nod, heaved a sigh and followed out after Seamus. They were joined by a gorgeous looking Ginny in the Common room, whom had turned Dean down (and several other guys for that matter) and accepted Neville's clumsy invitation instead.

They descended the stairs and entered the Hall, were most students were hovering around. Harry had to admit he was pleasantly surprised when he saw Luna heading towards him, dressed in a long, pale purple dress with little black flower-embroidery around the hem, her blonde hair pulled up in a bun, a few stray strands brushing her face. She looked good, but so un-Luna. He jumped when someone, definitely female, whispered in his ear: "Thought I might help her out a bit…" He was quite surprised when he saw Cho Chang, his fifth year crush and ex-girlfriend, smiling up at him.

"Huh?"

"I'm glad you asked her out..." She winked "You look good by the way." She added.

Harry couldn't help a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Thanks." He mumbled.

"You wouldn't have seen my date by any chance, have you?" she asked light-heartedly as if nothing happened last year between them.

"And who would that be?" he asked and couldn't quite suppress a hint of annoyance coming through.

"He didn't tell you?" she looked a little put out, lower lip pouted out slightly. "Finbar's my partner."

"Oh?" Harry grinned slightly, remembering how the werewolf had changed the subject whenever dates came up "I didn't know… he's bound to around here somewhere…"

Meanwhile Luna had crossed the Hall over to them. "Guess I'll better go looking then…" Cho murmured before touching his shoulder and smiling. Harry merely nodded. Whatever feeling there had been for the Ravenclaw, it was gone. He waved as she parted with them and turned to Luna.

He clumsily held out an arm for Luna, gesturing for her to hook in "Let's get going then?"

Alex: I can't believe I'm going with you! The Slytherin growled as the two of them made their way up to the stairs, swaying slightly and clutching at Draco's arm to prevent herself from losing balance.
Alex: Do I really have to wear high heels? even her mental voice sounded whiney.

Draco: Alex, sweetheart… you were planning on wearing sneakers under it… He pointed out, while he slipped an arm around her slim waist as they approached the Hall. Draco: Don't go falling down the stairs now, mind my reputation.

"Prat." She mumbled, following his lead.

She hopped up and down -much to Draco's annoyance- when she spotted Hermione and Finbar arguing heatedly about something. Or rather Finbar was gesturing wildly, while his friend nodded a little mutedly. Forgetting about her pained feet she dragged Draco over to the Gryffindors.

"Something wrong?" she asked them, gaining their attention.

Finbar's jaw dropped and suddenly found it very hard to form coherent words. She was breathtaking. Her gown was actually very simple, completely black, the dress pronouncing every well-formed curve of her body. Her white hair was pulled up in an untidy, wild knot, several strands dangling in her face, but it suited her perfectly. No jewels, no make-up. Pure and raw.

Draco arched a pale eyebrow as he saw the Gryffindor gawking; he smirked amused and subtly cleared his throat behind his fist. He couldn't blame him though; no one could argue with Draco on his taste, because he'd been the one to pick her outfit.

Finbar snapped out of his daze and stuttered "H-Hermione be-believes that Ron won't like her…" he muttered helplessly and gestured at his friend.

The Slytherin prefect rolled his eyes. Women. What was her problem anyway? She looked stunningly beautiful. The dress was pure white, and very much like Alexs': simple, yet falling around her body in the right way. Her long brown hair was a neat version of Alexs', perfectly tamed and he vaguely remembered that she'd done the same thing two years ago. A white rose was tucked into the knot. Oh hell. Did I just think of Granger as beautiful? I'm going for a lie down.

"Oh for fuck's sake Granger." He shook his head and snarled "You look acceptable. There, go tell Weasel that Draco Malfoy said that himself. Now shove off…"

As harsh he was, it seemed to cheer her up, hearing that from his mouth must have been one of the greatest compliments she'd ever received. A grateful smile was directed at him before she ran away, looking for Ron.

Finbar nodded his head approvingly. "Good job, Malfoy, now if you'll excuse me…" he gave a last wink in Alexs' direction and was off as well.

Alex nudged his ribs rather hard "Aah… getting as soft spot there are we?"

"Shut it Alex. Shut it." He snapped.

Alex snickered in her own tomboyish way, and hooked her arm in his. If he only knew, if he only knew.

Ron was positively drooling when he saw Hermione. It took several sharp nudges with his elbow to get him back into the real world. When he finally saw Ron blinking again, Harry reached over to Hermione and kissed her quickly on the cheek. "You're beautiful."

Mione reached up to her cheek, startled at Harry's unusual gesture "T-thanks."

Suddenly they heard a familiar baritone voice behind them "I think Ron likes her too…" Finbar commented, waving his hand before Ron's face, whom had drifted off again to happy land. Cho was standing behind him trying to peek over his shoulder, Finbar not really taking notice. "So, Harry, how do you like my outfit?" he cooed girlishly, twirling a lock between his fingers.

"Positively edible." He stated and sniggered at the dark youth's startled stare, pleased with himself to catch Finbar off guard for once.

"Good lad, Harry!" he replied at last "You make me proud…" he pretended to wipe a tear away, hands clasped as if he were looking at his son.

"Huh? What?" Cho came in between.

Harry saw his perfect chance to part with this failed relationship once and for all. And he agreed with Finbar, he didn't need to hide anymore. He was who he was, and he already knew he'd always have friends by his side to back him up "Oh you didn't know?" he said nonchalantly "I'm gay."

He could barely keep himself for bursting out in laughter as he saw Cho's baffled expression.

"So you finally gave up on the bisexual-thing…" Finbar tilted his head to a side.

"Yeah… Figured I liked guys more than girls anyway. I almost feel sorry for not asking you out."

They started to follow the other students entering the Great Hall, leaving Cho standing where she was, mouth still agape. Finbar's gigantic grin was almost scary. "I think we scared her off!" he smacked him on the back "Brilliant! Thanks."

"No prob… but you do realize the whole school's going to know about this within the next hour." He whispered, starting to get worried. Okay, it had been fun to play along, give Cho a trauma and come out of denial. But what now, it was too late now. He could already see the heading in the Daily Prophet of tomorrow morning "Harry Potter, boy-who-lived: a pouf!" followed by a whole article about his midnight rendezvous with shady guys in the forbidden forest.

"Don't give me that face Harry… Besides, it would have gotten out one day and then it would probably be accompanied with all sorts off nasty stories about you harassing first years."

Harry agreed inwardly and tried to ignore the tight knots in his stomach. Ron had picked some empty chairs and a table set back from the dance floor, obviously not really thrilled about the idea to dance. They devoured several snacks, chatting and laughing. Actually, it was quiet a gang: Ron and Hermione, Finbar (still alone), Ginny and Neville, Dean and Lavender, Seamus and Parvati and finally Luna and Harry himself. Somewhere during the conversations, Finbar purposely dropped the 'secret' about Harry's sexuality. And surprisingly enough, they took it in quiet well, save for jokes and embarrassing questions. He still didn't know how to react, but eventually he managed pretty fine, and when he did freeze after all, Finbar was there to back him up. God was he glad that he could call the werewolf a friend.

"Want a chicken wing Finbar?" Seamus offered him, but there was more behind the question. Harry knew the Irish man long enough to tell. The statement had been loud enough to draw the attention of their little gang.

Finbar paled "I…I'm a vegetarian… remember?"

"Oh, sorry, I forgot." He took a bite from it himself and then said, grinning winsomely up at him "You know… It's quite odd, a werewolf being a vegetarian…" he added as an afterthought.

Finbar was positively green right now, his breath coming out in quick puffs. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Seamus smiled and patted his back "Oy mate, don't fret, I think all off us already knew…"

"H-how?" he whispered. Lavender was rubbing his arm, trying to assure him.

"Finbar, we have a werewolf as teacher. You always go missing around the same time; you both grow an enormous amount if hair around the full moon and you're running out of excuses…" Seamus explained with deafening logic.

"Seriously, stuck in the toilet?" Parvati giggled and threw her hair back.

"We just wanted to wait until you told us yourself; but it seemed like Seamus couldn't wait any longer…" Hermione said with a distinctive glare at the Irish boy.

Seamus shrugged "Well, as we've all been revealing secrets," he cast a amused look in Harry's direction "I thought it was time to get it over with."

"You changed." Harry told him, a small smile on his lips. This Seamus was far more mature than last year's Seamus, thank Merlin for that.

"I'm still sorry for last year. I figured that some things are more important then others…" he muttered a little sheepishly.

Exactly this delicate moment the little band chose to play a song. Several students started asking their partners up the floor, so Harry decided to ask Luna as well. Besides, all his other friends were going as well. He drew in a breath as if he were going to fight a battle; he'd never been graced with dancing skills. With some regret he left their safe little corner and into the mass of twirling, swaying and dancing students. With growing anxiousness he noticed all students parting for the two of them, whispering and giggling. Eventually he halted somewhere halfway, no longer able to ignore the circle of shocked onlookers. This was it.

"Is it true?"

"Will you date me?"

"Are you in love?"

"Would you like to dance?"

"You're so cute!"

He was bombarded with all sorts off questions from all directions, and he didn't really know where to look first. So this went a little different than expected. Finally his gaze landed on Cho, somewhere in the back of the group; she winked at him and gave him a thumbs up. She'd done this. He let go of Luna's hand and made a beeline towards her, students shuffling out of the way. He halted right before her and felt very sorry for trying to make her feel bad earlier on. Awkwardly he smiled at her. "Thanks."

"Hey, it's okay." She blushed "I really gave you hell last year didn't I? I hope it isn't my fault you… well…"

Harry sniggered, not caring whether or not the whole school was listening or not. "Heh, I certainly doubt so, I wasn't really a perfect boyfriend to you either, wasn't I?"

Cho chuckled "Forget about it Harry." She gave him one last smile "You owe me a dance!"

His evening couldn't be ruined anymore; Harry found out that there were more people who cared for him that he'd ever dare to dream off. Luna and he got along wonderfully, their dancing was rather clumsy and involved lots off harassed toes, but it was fun nonetheless.

Harry retreated halfway through the evening, seating himself inconspicuously somewhere at the side. He sipped absentmindedly at his pumpkin juice, his green eyes observing the sea of dancing students before him. Luna had accepted a dance with Neville, and Harry didn't mind at all, he didn't want anything more than to avoid the stares and glances he'd been receiving.

So damn hot in here… he discarded his vest, undid his tie and opened a few buttons. He knocked back the rest of his pumpkin juice and felt much better instantly. Letting his head drop back, he noticed that the bewitched ceiling showed a clear night sky, dotted with sparkling stars and the moon hidden beneath a thin film of cloud.

He jumped out of his reverie when he heard a scrape of chair legs somewhere next to him. Somehow he wasn't surprised when he saw who it was.

"Here…"

Draco pushed him a glass in his hands and he accepted it wearily, swirling the drink –which had an odd bright orangey color- around in the goblet. Harry raised a doubtful eyebrow at the Slytherin next to him.

"Wanker." Draco said on a sigh, pulled the drink back out of his hand and took a swig from it.

Taking the glass back from the blonde, he peered in it again, shrugged, and downed it like Draco had before him. He sprayed half of it back out, coughing and gasping for air. He tried to catch his breath, spluttering, wondering why exactly that drink had felt like liquid fire scorching his throat and stomach.

Draco clapped him on the back, sniggering "Didn't know you were a FireWiskey-virgin, Harry…" he said in mock-innocence.

Immediately the Gryffindor stopped coughing and choking, slowly raising his head to look him in the eye.

"What?"

"Harry."

"Bravo, that's your name!" he said in a distinctly patronizing tone.

"You called me Harry."

"The horror." Draco replied, rolling his slate gray eyes, looking at him with all the superiority he could muster. Why did the bloody Gryffindor have to be so good looking tonight? Shamelessly he ran his critical gaze up and down the young wizard before him. Draco rarely saw him without his Hogwarts uniform, long dark robes or standard Weasley jumper.
Right now he was starting to have a fair idea of Harry's real looks, his clothes didn't exactly leave little to the imagination: his dark gray collared shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbows opened with every breath around the three or four undone buttons down his tanned chest. He was muscled, a fortunate consequence of Quidditch training (and Alexs' brutal martial arts sessions), tall and lithe. He was built as a Seeker usually was, lacking in any real brawn but making up for it in athletic poise. His skin had an olive, even tan all over his body. His hair was windswept as always, the brilliant green eyes once again burning with emotions. But those glasses!

Harry shifted uncomfortably when he noticed that Draco was studying closely with an expression of utmost concentration. His pale eyebrows drawn together and the innermost corners of his eyes contracted as he squinted at his rival. "Something wrong?"

"I've said it once, and I'll say it again: those must be the most hideous glasses I've ever seen!"

Startled Harry tilted his head to the side.

"Are you aware that you can ask a sight restoration by any capable medi-wizard?"

"I already know one." As demonstration, he repeated the long-winded spell under his breath, and slipped of his glasses. Harry blinked a few times as Draco's face slowly came into focus. "There."

For a moment Draco forgot to breathe; the eyes seemed to shine with some sort of bright inner light. "Why don't you just leave that spell on?" he asked with some venom in his voice, trying to cover up his 'moment' there.

"Guess I'm used to these glasses… can't help it…"

Draco nodded, one corner of his mouth curling into what could easily become his classic sneer, but it became as a crooked smile. "Guess I could understand that…"

Right. This is the moment to ask, you'll never get another chance like this. Harry insisted on himself, where the bloody hell was Gryffindor courage when you need it? "Draco… eh… could you please meet me outside at the lake at midnight? I've got something to talk about…"

"Why, Mr. Potter…" he clutched his hand over his chest. "It that a date?"

"Oh, fabulous, so you know too…" he muttered and decided he really could use another FireWiskey.

Draco rolled his eyes "Oh the drama!" If the raven head only knew, but Gryffindors were dense after all.

"Anyways, will you do it?" Harry asked, sidetracking the conversation back to where he wanted it.

"If you don't grope me, I might."

As promised, Draco got up to leave ten minutes to midnight. Blaise and Alex were caught up in some sort of debate about a book Draco didn't really care for; The Hoppit… or Hobbit? Something like that anyways. Reading was hobby, or maybe even passion, he didn't share with his two friends. He'd always found that reading was very uncharacteristic thing for Alex and her bustling, violent, energetic personality. On the other hand it left her a mystery he'd never really solve. Blaise was just Blaise, hilariously enough he sometimes adopted the 'suffering poet' look unconsciously. Oddly enough some chicks seemed to dig that. Blaise was oblivious to all of it, he wasn't a ladies man, and actually Draco used to take on that role. Well, that was hard now wasn't it? He was gay.

"I'm off… I have to meet somebody at the lake…"

Blaise looked up at him, while a huge grin slid onto his face. "Woohoo, I was wondering what was taking you so long this year? She hot? Who is she? Please tell me it ain't a Hufflepuf…"

Alex swallowed nervously as she felt Draco's discomfort. They still hadn't gotten to tell the brown haired youth that Draco wasn't really interested in ladies anymore. "Blaise?" she nudged him "Blaise?"

Draco observed the pattern on the floor with great interest "Anyway… I have to go… see you guys later…"

Blaise hooted and yelled at Draco's retreating back "Make us proud, boy!"

Alex rubbed her temples and murmured "I think its time you and I had a little talk…Sit down Blaise, sweetheart, don't know if you want to be standing when I tell you this."

The brown eyed youth's grin left his face "Oh… it's that kind of news…"

She took his hand and led him to a dark corner with some chairs for more privacy. They sat down and Alex patted his hand "Didn't you find it a little uncharacteristic… Drake's…chastity…?"

Immediately Blaise picked up the thought "To say the least! To have given no hint of interest in any girl this school year and it's raising eyebrows."

Alex clutched his hand more firmly now "Blaise, darling, Draco's gay."

Blaise blinked as his expression became perfectly mortified "He's gay? My best friend's gay?" he jumped up, yanking Alex with him in the progress "Dear Merlin… Fucking… Oh holy… and I … we …him… we bathed together! Naked!" he paced around and looked positively ready to kill any lower year unlucky enough to pass that moment.

"Blaise, sit down! For crying out loud, he's not after you!" Alex hissed.

"He isn't?" he asked, his voice higher than usual.

"No…" she paused consciously and crossed her fingers behind her back "He's after Harry."

He clasped his chest and let out a sigh "Oh… Oof, for a moment there I thou"

Alex closed her eyes and counted to three. 1 2 3…

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?" Blaise's outburst caused large numbers of birds in the forbidden forest to take flight.

Meanwhile Draco had made his way to the lake and he could already make out the dark silhouette of the Gryffindor. He wondered what the hell this was all about. He halted next to Harry, his gaze joining Harry's on the lake.

At long last Harry heaved a sigh and started "I'm sorry I'm bringing this up now, trust me, I'd rather be dancing and enjoying myself than to talk to you about this particular and mostly sensitive subject…"

"Oh jolly, the whole Good vs. Bad war-lecture…" he smirked as he saw Harry's startled face "I wondered what was taking you so long. You are a Gryffindorkafter all…"

Harry didn't know whether to smile or not. So he'd already seen this coming. "Yeah, well…" he couldn't find the words, how was he supposed to ask the only Malfoy heir to join his side while his daddy wanted him roasted. "I…we…"

"If I would like to join the good guys, yadayadayaa yes Potter, get on with it… we don't have all night." He sneered. Damn was he annoyed.

"You're not exactly making this more easy, Draco…" he retorted. He vaguely realized that this wasn't going the right way.

"Look Harry, I don't expect you to save me." He said abruptly.

The raven head drew in a quivering breath; it meant more to him than he would have thought. "Thanks."

Draco just snorted and crossed his arms, this better be over soon. He was not in the mood.

"So… What do you think?"

"You really are lacking in social skills aren't you?" he remarked with his usual icy drawl. Then he scratched the back of his neck and prepared for something he'd never done before "Listen, cause I'm only saying this once and I'll probably deny it later on… I am not exactly 'happy' with the situation at home. My parents don't love each other, heck they don't even really like each other. My father goes missing every once in a while, and let me assure you, seeing your father coming home with blood stained hands is not what a four year old wants to see."

Harry stared at him, slightly abashed.

Draco ignored him and continued "When you put my dad in prison this summer… I…" his breath got caught in his throat "I… I was free." He finished and looked back at him, gray eyes locking with green ones. "You already did save me." He said it as if it was some sort of reproach.

Harry swallowed as he heard the change in Draco's tone. Maybe he should say something…

"Don't." Draco silenced him with a simple hand wave; cutting off any dull reply he might have had "It's a yes then."

"You sure?" he croaked; this was too good to be true.

"Yes! Now shut it before I change my mind." He snapped and looked deliberately the other way.

"I'm glad."

With a sigh he looked back at Harry, no reason in trying to keep up his facade right now "Yeah, me too…" he granted him with one of his rare smiles. "Let's go back, I'm freezing…"

Shivering slightly, he and Draco joined the Ball again. The seriousness between the two of them was immediately crushed when they saw what was going on; in the brief window of their absence the whole place had turned upside down. No more nice waltzing and standard, practiced dances, no, everybody was moving wildly along with the music -I'm so excited from Diana Ross and the Supremes to be exactly- or rather muggle borns were, pure-bloods and mostly Slytherins were gaping awkwardly at the display.

"Is that… Muggle music?" Draco croaked, looking as if the earth had stopped turning.

Harry nodded; his mouth slightly agape. "Yeah, I believe it is."

"But, but, but I-I though Muggle devices wouldn't work at Hogwarts…" he stuttered, not able to cope with what he saw.

The Gryffindor burst out in laughter as the situation suddenly made sense. He elbowed Draco and pointed at the stage. "They don't, but those two up stage are the Weasley twins…"
Fred and George were messing with a complicated looking device, partly looking like a huge stereo player, but at the same it didn't. Lee was sorting out several cd's while shouting amiably at the two redheads.
His eyes took in the whole jumping and wriggling mass of students before him until a certain pair caught his attention. His jaw dropped. Somewhere in the middle –most students had formed a circle around them- were Alex and Finbar, giving it all. He could see Alexs' lips moving along with the lyrics, her hair loose now, her movements perfectly coordinated with Finbar's. The Gryffindor's black mane was loose; blouse buttoned down halfway and pulled out of his black smart pants. Gone was the rather timid behavior, gone were the famous blushes, replaced by a huge grin. They were standing opposite of each other, dancing together, as if it was the most normal thing ever. Right now they were standing back to back, going lower and lower with a shake on the beat of the music. Black hair was mixed with white, Alex probably laughing out loud, but the music swallowed every sound.

The song ended and Alex gave Finbar a swat on the back, grinning, before leaving. It took a while for Harry to realize that she was coming at them. Briefly he considered running away and go hiding.

"You guys are missing out here, c'mon!" she gestured at them, over-enthusiastic.

"I am not going in there!" Draco snapped "That's Muggle music!" and he made to leave.

"Oh boohoo!" Alex chuckled and snatched his wrist "Oh no you're not... You, my dearest Drakie-poo, are coming with me."

"Alex let go!" he sneered, looking as if he was ready to drink her blood.

Harry knew that the Seeker would never be able to over-power his friend, Alex was very strong after all. "LET GO!" he screamed, before being swallowed in the mass of students.

Harry sniggered and slipped in as well, moving around the crowd and over to the table with littered with various snacks. He just had to get a better view of this, and he also realized that he'd better go find Colin Creevy and his trusty camera. This was a moment to go down into history.

Alex tapped Draco's left hip. "Move, Drake, move!"

The blue eyed Slytherin crossed his arms and a harsh sneer was pulled over his face. "I'd rather die!" he yelled.

Alex started dancing around him, prodding him once in a while. "Oh I see… you can't." she pulled a dramatic expression of feigned shock on her face "Draco Malfoy can't dance."

"I can!" he snapped "I just don't dance on Muggle music!"

"But you want to! I can feeeeel it!" She smiled, swaying her hips.

Draco glared darkly at her. Over time, their mental link had evolved into something far more delicate than words. If they wanted to, they could see images, even memories, from the other's mind, without having trouble to concentrate: if Alex was training with Harry, while Draco was playing Wizard's Chess, then Alex would able to exchange suggestions with him, contemplating his next move. And besides from being able to look through one other's eyes, they were tuned to each others feelings and movements. One big downside on this special way of communicating was that both of them would be able to pick up the slightest emotion, thought or experience if their emotions were harsh and raw. Uncontrolled. So far they hadn't had a reason to mind this…

Meanwhile a new song started -Rhythm is a dancer from Snap- and Alex threw her head back while snaking a hand around the back of Draco's neck, forcing him to move with her as she turned and moved around him. He didn't stop yelling and complaining, Alex arguing with a sly grin on her face because the distraction kept Draco busy enough so he didn't notice he was unconsciously moving along with her on the beat. Rather stiffly though, but not bad. Not bad at all.

Meanwhile Harry was wrapped up in a conversation with the Weasley twins. "How did you do that?" he asked, while climbing up the stage to observe the complicated device a little closer.

George grinned brightly "Bloody awesome eh? But the credit goes to Lee really… he's the one who came up with it. Being muggle-born and all."

"Dad was fascinated with the project, helping out whenever he had time." Fred added.

"Then Dumbledore caught wind of it, and he asked us over… he said that the students of Hogwarts needed the pleasurable distraction while it lasted." Lee finished; a worried expression on his face. "You guys are all shielded from and hardship you might go through out there… but since we're adults now, we've been caught up in the middle of it."

All mirth and mischief left their faces. "Many muggles have gone missing, not to mention the ones who were found dead in their houses. Dead without any trace of illness or wounds, no reason at all. Just dead, lifeless eyes open in terror." Fred sighed and sat down next to Harry at the edge of the podium. "I've missed this place so much…"

They sat in silence for a while, both wrapped up in their own thoughts. "So Alexs' sorted into Slytherin eh? Who would have thought that? Not to mention she's dancing with Ferret-face." Fred growled.

Harry's green eyes lingered over the two dancing figures on the dance floor, drawing many odd glances. Draco seemed to have lost any kind of objection he might have had against dancing, since he was laughing and moving shamelessly with his friend. "Draco has changed. So has Alex." He closed his eyes "Much has."

"I can tell." Fred murmured. "He's laughing." And then he added more venomously "But he's still a bloody bastard."

Harry didn't answer and he focused his attention on Ron and Hermione now. Hermione tried to convince Ron to join her, but the redhead stubbornly held post at the punch bowl. Finbar was watching the exchange between his two housemates with barely concealed amusement, Cho standing besides him, complaining, but Finbar didn't really recognize her presence.

"I see that dear Ronniekins has come out of denial." Fred said with an amused tone. "My baby-brother is growing up." He perfectly imitated his mother.

"Ohohoh… whose that guy dancing with Ginny over there? I don't like the look on his face…" George growled and soon enough both twins were out hunting. The poor guy had pink hair for the rest of the evening.

Both Finbar and Ron were still standing at the punch bowl, the redhead watching with a little pout as Hermione danced with Seamus.

"Something bad is going to happen." Finbar whispered so silently that only Ron managed to catch the statement.

The redhead in turn looked at him startled. The werewolf's tanned skin had an ashen tint to it, the morning blue eyes glazed over, and a sad, distant look in place.

"I can hear it. Them. Voices."

"Ohohohoh, Wolfman, don't go stark raving on me now. Wait until we're safely back in our dorms, or better yet, wait 'til morning and freak out on Harry or Hermione instead." Ron replied.

"I'm sorry. Perhaps it's the FireWiskey…" Finbar muttered a little embarrassed, trying to cover up his slip, a scarlet blush spreading over his cheeks.

But then it was already too late. Ron knew he wasn't joking, his housemate was a master at shielding most emotions when it came down to his unusual abilities, but that didn't stop the glimmer of deep pain in his eyes. Besides, Finbar hadn't touched a drop of alcohol all night long.

"What did you hear?"

"Screams. People crying. Pain."

"Dear Merlin Finbar…" Ron touched the werewolf's hand, it was as cold as ice.

Later that night, or rather early morning, there was a slow dance. Harry was surprised to see Alex and Draco the first ones to open the dance. It he didn't know any better, he'd be positively sure that they were a couple. How did she do it? He was so different around her, not to mention she'd brought out an entirely other person out of him… maybe even his real self.
Next were Ron and Hermione, the redhead adopting a glowing red blush to match with his hair. Eventually he and Luna joined in as well, along with most other couples.

Draco froze as Alex suddenly huddled a lot closer than necessary, burying her face in his chest. As a matter a fact he stopped moving at all.

"Alex."

"I'm sorry." She shivered "Don't ever leave me okay."

"Alex? What the hell? What are you talking about?" he demanded.

"Don't know… Something… is going to happen. Something bad." His friend whispered and he had to strain to hear her.

For the rest of the evening Draco couldn't help the feeling that 'To you' was supposed to follow up her statement. He tried to ask, to feel, to hear, but she'd shielded herself completely from him.

Very carefully Ron held on to Hermione's slim waist, he felt like he was holding the most precious thing ever. Why hadn't he noticed that her small hand fitted perfectly into his big one? Or how her head would be able to fit into the round of his neck? How he could wrap his arms around her, protecting her from any harm? Why was he having all these mushy thoughts? Was he going insane?

Hermione lifted her head from his shoulder and gazed into his eyes. It was like they were the only two people on the world. Ron and Hermione. She couldn't stop her hand moving up to touch his cheek, smiling at his blush. She couldn't stop their faces moving closer to each other. She couldn't stop the gasp as she felt Ron's breath tickle her face. And she certainly couldn't stop his lips meeting hers. It was quite a clumsy and sloppy kiss at first, their teeth clanking together, but very soon they both lost themselves in the kiss. Ron felt like he'd died and gone to heaven.

Harry let go of Luna and shuffled closer to get a better view of this, he didn't know he was smiling so brightly that it made him glow. As if on cue, Colin appeared next to him and all Harry had to do was give a nod. The camera flashed. Perfect!

Alex stopped and smiled, hopping up and down slightly. Draco smirked. And Finbar started clapping. Soon the whole dance floor broke into an applause, several catcalls coming from none other than Fred and George. And Alex.

Dazed, they broke the kiss. Not really aware of what was going on. Harry walked up to the two of them and whispered in Ron's ear. "Go, I'll keep them out.'

At first Ron squinted at him, but it didn't take him long to understand what he was saying. He lips formed a 'thank you'. "Want to go somewhere more private?" he asked his girlfriend.

"Yes please."

And so they left. Still snickering silently Harry made his way over to the table, where Alex promptly pushed him a glass of FireWiskey. Draco and Blaise were looking at him with some sort of curious anticipation.

"So where'd they go?" Blaise asked.

"Our dorm. I told the guys to leave them some privacy…"

Draco knocked back his 6th glass of FireWiskey, and he was really starting to get light headed. He couldn't stop snickering for some damn indefinable reason. But everything was so damn funny all of a sudden. "Wanna bet they're fucking like rabbits?" He provided wagging his eyebrows.

Alex sighed in exasperation "Drake, what is it with you and your obsession with fucking rabbits?"

Draco didn't stop sniggering and retorted "Have you ever seen the little buggers go?"

Alex shot a meaningful look the other two's direction "You know; they have therapies for this, like the ones with a twelve step program…"

Suddenly he stopped sniggering and regained a little back from his cool façade, although a bit tattered. "Oh, shut up, you're no better then me, who set off dung bombs in a dorm? "

Alex gave him an innocent look "Must admit it was funny…"

Draco tried to scowl at her, but gave up on it eventually. Why was everything spinning? "Alex… you set them of in my bed!"

Blaise bowed his head to Harry and muttered "If you value your sanity, stick with me…"

"Got it!" he confirmed.

But three more FireWiskeys later he was no better off. He and Draco were two of the last ones, most students starting to retreat for the night. Alex had dragged a very giddy Blaise down the dungeons before he would hurt himself or say something they'd regret later on.

"And that, my friend, is the meaning of life…" Draco slurred and slapped him on his thigh.

"To get everyone dancing the Macarena in a tutu? You've been hanging around with Alex too much…"

"Hey, the girl has a point there… imagine how funny it would be…" he laughed at the image, holding his stomach, and about to fall of his chair.

Harry caught him right on time and slapped him in the face and held up four fingers "Draco, how many fingers?"

"Eleven… heck I don't care."

If they did care they probably wouldn't be saying whatever they were saying, but they didn't really care because they didn't know what they were saying in the first place. Got it? Draco tried to ignore the distracting colors and concentrate on what Harry was saying. Okay so he wasn't really listening; he was looking at the full lips moving, how there were little holes in his cheeks when he laughed. Suddenly Harry's lips stopped moving –much to Draco's displease- and he was looking at him as if awaiting a response. The only thing Draco had been able to catch was "…if you want to."

Pull you to the floor and shag you senseless? Absolutely. The little voice was nothing if not persistent. Draco ignored it resolutely and collected himself enough to manage, "Sorry? Do I want to what?"

Harry rolled his eyes and repeated "Would you like me to take you to the dungeons, cause I hardly doubt you'd be able to find the way yourself. Wouldn't want to find you sleeping somewhere in the hallways next morning, imagine what that would do to your reputation…"

Draco nodded, but clutched his head as he did so, suppressing a pained groan. At least he seemed a little more focused now. Harry tried standing up, but having a hard time himself actually. Draco didn't seem to be able to get up at all. At long last the supported each other, stumbling out of the Great Hall and down to the dungeons. If Harry left Draco on his own, he'd probably end up in the lake, get swallowed by the Giant Squid and suffer a painfully slow digesting process.

It took a long time, especially since they ended up more than once where they didn't want to be. Like a room with snogging students and a room with all sorts of skeletons (Harry swore he saw one moving). Finally they found the portrait hole for the Slytherin dungeon, Draco slurred the password and Harry pushed him through, losing his balance himself. He ended up next to Draco on the floor.

"Draco… are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Little pink elephants in tutu's?" Harry nodded, regretting the action immediately. "Yeah, I'm seeing them too…"

After much maneuvering they got back up, a little wobbly, Harry almost having to carry Draco further in. He smiled when he saw Blaise sitting on the large leather couch, his head drooped back on the leaning, a heap of pillows covering his legs, Alexs' head somewhere in-between them, sleeping in his lap. Blaise was snoring indignantly.

Draco swatted imaginary things out of the air "Little buggers…" Harry let him lean against the stone wall. "Thanks…"

"S'kay… Wonder where I should go…"

"Huh?"

"I'm not going back to the drom, don't want to disturb my friends… Ron and Hermione deserve this little time together."

"Bloody Hell, it's not like they'll be doing anything else then holding hands. It it's Weasley and Granger after all, she probably freak out if they'd did anything against the school rules."

"I know, I just want them to have some privacy."

"Well, maybe you can stay here." Draco grumbled and he would never understand what made him say this.

"You sure?" the words were uttered with a shy tone and a duck of his head that were absolutely enchanting, and Draco wondered with no small amount of frustration just exactly how long he was going to be able to keep his hands to himself.

"Yeah. C'mon." How exactly had this happened? Must admit he's very sexy when shy. And also absolutely drop-dead fucking gorgeous. Don't forget about that too.

About fifteen minutes later they'd managed to get upstairs, the dorm completely deserted. Without much more consideration, they stripped themselves down to their boxers and Harry pulled back the comforter and crawled into the massive bed, snuggling into the warmth. Draco extinguished the candles with a flick of his wand and got in on the other side of the bed.

"You better not steal my covers." Draco grumbled, tucking himself in and turning his back at Harry.

"Yeah, yeah…"

The Morning After…

Harry woke dazedly next morning, not wanting to get up. God he had a headache! He whimpered and snuggled closer against the warm and soft something next to him. The Gryffindor was lying on his side, his face pressed against -what's it called?- skin. He inhaled sleepily and buried his face into the sweet smelling… somebody besides him, whose warm arms were encircling him, head buried in his black mop of hair, their legs entwined. Who the hell is this anyway? He though groggily; trying to decipher what was going on. Of course he didn't care anymore when 'the somebody' moaned with a soft sigh, and started to run a hand over his bare stomach, rubbing slow circles.

"…Feels good" he murmured appreciatively. He'd never felt such a delicate sense of comfort… feeling like he belonged here: body, soul and mind matching perfectly with another person. He pressed his cheek against the bare chest.

Ooohohoh… wait, back up. Chest?

His eyes widened with realization and he froze, trying to comprehend just how the situation came to be. As if his human pillow had sensed his dismay, the other body stirred and the hand on his stomach stopped the heavenly caress. With the distinct feeling he didn't want to know, he looked up. To his immense and mortifying horror he found himself staring into the slate gray eyes of Draco Malfoy, whose face was uncharacteristically pulled into a dumbfounded expression.

"Fuck!" was all the Slytherin uttered, looking as if the apocalypse was knocking on his front door.

"What are you doing in my bed?" Harry cried, feeling the alcohol practically evaporate from his system as panic settled in. He jumped up and scrambled out of bed, hearing a 'thud' as Draco hit the floor, trying to roll out.

A second later he was standing back up, dumbfounded expression replaced by a dark glare, chest heaving up and down, blonde hair sleep-mussed and standing out in a fashion which could rival Harry's. "YOUR bed?" he screeched "MY bed you mean!"

Mortified Harry looked at the large bed they'd been cuddling in a second ago… What happened? "You were snogging me!" he muttered in accusing tone, green eyes wide and staring at Draco.

"What's going on?" Draco screamed "This is your fault… I just know it!" he added as an afterthought, eyes narrowing to small slits dangerously. Bloody Potter just stood there, glaring, as if the old saying about looks having the power to kill was true. Draco glared back fervently wishing that Potter would drop dead. Or at least falter from the maliciousness of his gaze.

They both exploded in a furious tirade at the exact same moment, shaking fists at each other.

Meanwhile they hadn't noticed that they were not alone. In the doorway were three other students, both a different expression on their face. One looked definitely smug, the second one skeptical and the last one victorious at least.

The last one, Alex, brushed her hair back in an exaggerated swing and sniggered "See, I told you it would work…"

Finbar arched a dark eyebrow and shook his head "Alex… they're fighting…"

Suddenly Draco froze his protests; hand stilled in the air, and slowly turned his head in their direction. "You!" he breathed venomously.

Before he and Harry could launch themselves at their prey, Hermione put a bounding spell on them. They both collapsed back onto the bed.

Harry thrashed against his bonds, growling as Draco roared "I'm going to fucking kill you!"

Alex backed away, her face a little paler than a moment ago. "All in favor of a cooling off period say Aye!"

"Aye!" yelled Hermione and Finbar in unison as the three headed back for the door. "Sorry Harry!" Hermione called over her shoulder as the door slammed shut.

After at least half an hour of struggling and shouting, they both fell limp.

"Can't you get us out of here?" Draco sneered.

"If I could I would have done so a looong time ago." He retorted, rolling his eyes. He wiggled once more, but to no avail. He raised an eyebrow and shrugged for that was as far as his bonds allowed.

Draco groaned. "What are you looking at?" he snapped as he saw Harry's eyes roaming over him.

The-boy-who-lived grinned winsomely up at him "Seriously Draco… green boxers with silver snakes…?"

"Oh hardy-har-har…" he muttered "Very amusing Mr. Potter…"

Keiko RULES! Thank you very much, let's all pray Keiko won't get tired of beta-ing it, cause otherwise it would be stuffed with mistakes.