Ways of the Friendship Potion

By: Ashie

Chapter Four: …And Your Friends Closer

The rest of the week was very unusual, even by Harry's standards. It seemed that the entire school was in on a huge secret, and the only ones who weren't in on it were Harry and Draco. Wherever they went, whether it was walking down the halls, working together in class, or even studying in the library, they were bombarded by whispers. Though Harry had been suspicious of something before hand, his suspicion grew ten-fold, and now Draco was worried.

His friends Ron and Hermione also seemed to be in on the secret, but they refused to say anything about it. Or rather, Hermione would deny everything, and seemed to force Ron to say nothing as well.

Ron had been acting strangely lately. Every time Harry mentioned Draco, his ears would turn bright red, or he'd pale significantly. He'd hastily change the subject, as if Draco wasn't a normal conversation topic. But Harry and Draco had been friends for years, how could Ron be not used to talking about him yet, or how could they still hate each other?

Hermione and her best friend Blaise weren't around very much, they were usually in the Library studying. The two girls got along wonderfully for becoming friends so fast. Neither Harry nor Draco could remember when they became friends.

Both Harry and Draco seemed to be the happiest they've ever been, and their housemates and professors noticed the change. All the students were relieved to see the change in Draco, for he took a lot less points away from their houses.

The kiss Harry and Draco had shared never came up in any conversation, as if they were scared to talk of it. Neither of them realized how badly they each yearned for more physical contact. As much as they had both enjoyed the kiss, they both heard a warning at the back of their conscious that it wasn't right. That it was wrong; that it shouldn't have happened. They both were awake all hours of the night, trying to keep themselves from thinking of the other to be able to fall asleep. And when they'd wake after long hours of struggle, they'd realize that they had dreamt of the other person.

When Saturday came around, it was the last trip to Hogsmead before Christmas. Both Ron and Draco had assumed they'd be going with Harry, which ended up in the three boys going together. Harry, knowing that this would only create problems, had made plans to meet up with Hermione, Blaise, and Ginny.

Ron and Draco stood on opposite sides of Harry, not happy that the other came along. Draco had thought of being a little intimate with Harry, but having Ron around ruined his plans. Ron had hoped to win his friendship with Harry back, hoping that once Draco wasn't around Harry would realize he liked Ron more. He was horribly worried that something was going on between his best friend and rival.

The two Gryffindors and the Slytherin walked in absolute silence, and Harry was getting fed up with the both of them.

"That's it. I can't take you two anymore. I'm going shopping on my own." Harry quickly veered off to the right, and walked into a shop filled with books and strange trinkets. He immediately head to the back, and heard someone enter the shop behind him.

He pretended to busy himself with looking at a collection of small silver and gold statues, when someone wrapped their arms around his waist. Harry gasped and turned to become nose-to-nose with Draco.

"I'm sorry, Potter. I didn't mean to make you mad, I just don't get along with Weasley. Please don't be mad at me." Draco hugged Harry to his chest. Harry lightly pushed him away and looked up into Draco's gray eyes.

"Draco, why can't you two be friends? You're my best friend, and he's my friend too. I don't see why you two can't get along!" Harry felt tears well up in his eyes.

Draco's eyes widened in slight amazement at Harry's feelings. He hadn't realized that it bothered him so much. Draco sighed.

"Look, I'll try and be Weasley's friend, but only if he'll do the same in return." Draco said. "If he still acts the way he does now, then I'm not going to fight it. Okay?"

Harry smiled at Draco and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck. He leaned towards Draco's face and kissed him full on the lips. Draco's eyes widened in amazement before he closed them and deepened the kiss. Draco's hands began to travel onto Harry's chest and arms, memorizing every muscle and shape of Harry with his hands. Harry's wrapped Draco's long blonde locks around his fingers.

They would have most likely gotten more physical, but the slam of the shop's door startled them into separating. It seemed that someone had run out of the door in a hurry. The looked at each other, both wearing identical grins and walked out the door.

A half hour later they entered the Three Broomsticks, and sat down at a corner table to wait for Hermione, Blaise, Ginny, and Ron (whom they hadn't seen since Harry left). They ordered themselves two butterbeers, and waited quietly for the others to come.

Not long after arriving, Hermione, Blaise, and Ginny entered. Harry stood up and waved them over.

"Hi Harry!" Hermione said with a smile, and sat down across form him. "Hello, Malfoy." She regarded Draco with a small grin and a nod of her head.

"Hi Harry, Malfoy." Ginny greeted them and sat down next to Hermione. Blaise placed herself gracefully next to Harry.

"Hello Harry." she said with a sweet smile. Her eyes were a golden brown and her hair was a deep red, much darker than the Weasleys' hair. She held out her hand to him. "I'm Blaise." Harry smiled and shook it.

"It's nice to finally meet Hermione's best friend." Blaise smiled at him again. She looked around Harry and peered at Draco.

"Hello Draco. How are you?" Blaise asked, not as friendly as she had to Harry, and with nowhere near as big of a smile. Harry became quite curious to this.

"Fine, Blaise. And yourself?"

"Perfect." Blaise smiled and cast a glance to Harry. Harry quirked a brow at Draco, but he said nothing.

"Have you guys seen Ron? I haven't seen him for nearly an hour." Harry asked, suddenly curious as to where his friend went. Hermione grimaced, as did Ginny.

"Yeah, we saw him on our way here. He was in a real foul mood. He didn't tell us what was wrong, but said that he was going back to Hogwarts early." Ginny shrugged her shoulders.

Harry furrowed his brows, hoping he hadn't angered Ron by leaving. Blaise placing her hand on Harry's broke his trail of thought.

"So, Harry. How are classes going for you?"

An hour later, the five students left the Three Broomsticks, and set out on their own to go shopping. Harry headed down to the store he had been in earlier, where he had seen the perfect Christmas present for Draco.

Harry walked through the crowded streets, his face in a worried and slightly thoughtful expression. He was positive that Blaise had a thing for him; the entire time at the Three Broomsticks, Blaise had hung on to every single thing Harry had said, and watched him with big eyes and happy smile. She would find any excuse to touch Harry, even as saying that there was a stray string on his robe to touch his chest. Quite frankly, Harry was a little astonished at it all. He had just met the girl, how could she like him that fast?

Harry walked into the tiny shop he had run into earlier, and walked to the back of the store. He found what he was looking for, and purchased it. As the cashier handed him his bag, he noted that the shop was called The Raging Manticore.

Harry walked out of the shop, and Blaise immediately grabbed his arm. Startled, he jumped, which caused Blaise to giggle.

"Scared by a mere girl, Harry?" Blaise laughed. " Come here for a second, will you?" she asked, and led him by the hand into an alley.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked, not sure whether he should be nervous or not.

"Away from everyone else. I need to talk to you about something private." Blaise placed Harry up against the brick wall, and took a step back.

"Now, Harry, I need to ask you something, and I don't want you to lie to me, okay?" Blaise flashed one of her brilliant smiles at him.

"Okay…"

"Are you seeing someone?" Blaise asked, rather seriously.

"No," Harry said, slightly taken back.

"Good." Blaise grinned. "Then do you think maybe you and I could start seeing one another?" Blaise looked up at Harry hopefully.

"Blaise…" Harry started, completely amazed. "I'm not seeing anyone, but I'm interested in some-" Harry was cut off as Blaise roughly pulled his head down and forcefully kissed him. Harry went to pull his head away, but Blaise just pushed his head closer to hers. Harry was getting pissed when he heard a shout from his left.

"Blaise, what the bloody hell do you think you're doing?!" Draco shouted angrily. Blaise immediately distanced herself from Harry.

"Stay out of my business, Malfoy." She spat angrily. "This has nothing to do with you."

"You just kissed my best friend! It's my business since he didn't want you to kiss him in the first place!" Draco's face was turning red in anger. Harry quickly walked away from Blaise and stood next to Draco. "Don't you dare touch him again," Draco roughly grabbed Harry's hand and began to lead him out onto the busy street.

"Sorry," Harry whispered to Blaise. He didn't see the look of pure hatred that radiated from her as they left.

Draco continued to storm down the street. Harry said nothing about the throbbing pain in his hand from the pressure of Draco's grip.

"Draco, calm down." Harry pleaded. Draco made a rough turn onto another road, and Harry yelped in pain at the sudden twist of his hand. Draco let go of Harry as if he was stung, and turned to look at him. Harry flexed his fingers gingerly, his hand slowly bruising. Draco looked at him worriedly.

"Sorry, Potter." He sighed.

"Why are you so upset? Blaise didn't do anything to you."

"Just stay away from her."

"Why?" Harry demanded. "What's it to you if she likes me?"

Draco groaned in frustration. "It's not that I care that she likes you. I just don't want you to like her in return. But it's also not good that you rejected her."

"I'm not following you,"

"It's hard to explain. I dated her last year, and she ended up cheating on me. She's cheated on every guy she's gone out with. And no one has every said no to her, before now." He cast a curious at Harry. "She is a red head in every way. She's not going to take your rejection lightly. It's best if you just keep your distance. It's not wise to get on her bad side." Harry's eyes were wide in amazement. "What?" Draco asked him.

"Someone cheated on the Slytherin prince. The world has to be coming to an end." Harry teased lightly. Draco scowled.

"It's not funny. I actually liked her."

"Sorry. Were you upset when she cheated on you?"

"Yeah…she was unlike any girl I had ever dated. She's kind of like you, actually."

"How so?"

"Well, you are both very trusting, and both extremely powerful wizards. You even remind me of her sometime. Both very timid, but can be outgoing to get what you want."

"Hmmm." Harry didn't like the idea that he reminded Draco of Blaise. It made him think that maybe Draco didn't like him, and was just attracted to the part of him that was similar to his past girlfriend. "If you don't mind me asking, who did she cheat on you with?"

"Nott,"

"When'd they break up?"

"About two weeks after she cheated with him. She's dating a Ravenclaw now, I believe."

"You mean she asked me out, even though she had a boyfriend?"

"Of course. Haven't you listened to a thing I've said? She's a whore, Potter."

"Alright, alright. Have you finished your shopping?"

"Yes, d'you want to leave?" Draco asked. Harry nodded.

Harry and Draco walked into Hogwarts. They were about to go their separate ways when Draco called Harry back.

"When you told Blaise you were interested in someone, who were you talking about?"

"Guess." Harry taunted.

"The Weasley girl?"

"Her name is Ginny. And no, that's not it."

"Chang?"

"No!" Harry growled.

"Well then tell me, because I don't have the slightest."

"I will tell you under one condition."

"What's that?"

"I want you to start calling me 'Harry'."

"Fine, Harry. Now who is it?

Harry walked over to Draco, and in his ear, whispered, "You, my dragon." Draco's eyes widened.

"Really?" Draco whispered. Harry smiled and kissed him.

A.N: Well, I hadn't planned on Harry and Draco's relationship starting so fast, but it seemed the right time to put it. What do you think of Blaise. Pleasant thing, isn't she?

Anyway, I've been wondering how I can have over thirty people on my Author's Alert List, and only received about 4 reviews for my last chapter. It's ridiculous. If any of you really like my story, you'll prove it to me by reviewing. Please review. They help me know what you, the readers, want in this story.