Title: Like a Fairytale

Author: Stardrops

Genre: Romance

Rating: PG 13: Some violence and slash, precautions only.

Summary: Faced with difficult decisions about his future, Draco forms some unlikely friendships. A passionate romance is sparked – but is not as secret as he supposed. Someone is stalking Draco at Hogwarts – suddenly, protecting himself and Harry is more complicated than he imagined.

Chapter Eight: Fleeting Glances

The two boys had avoided each other since that night. Harry was feeling more introverted and reserved around his other friends, his mind straying nearly always from schoolwork to dreams. His teachers were getting rather put out about his lack of concentration, but he barely noticed at all. Hermione and Ron sensed there was something up with Harry, but decided not to push it; they knew Harry would talk about it if he wanted to.

One morning in particular, the three friends were sitting in the Hall at breakfast before going to their Transfiguration class. Ron was moaning about how little sleep he'd had because he'd had to complete the essay for Professor McGonagall. Hermione was telling him off for leaving it so late, and Harry was listening and laughing to what they were saying. He had finished his, but it was totally sub-standard and knew he couldn't expect a good grade for it. He'd been too distracted by thoughts of a certain other person to whom he had not spoken for weeks since they'd been together in the rainy night.

He glanced across the Hall to the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy sat facing him with Crabbe and Goyle sitting either side. He didn't look as distracted or confused as Harry felt – in fact, the boy seemed so normal that Harry was beginning to wonder if anything had actually happened or if it had all been an extremely elaborate dream.

As he watched the blonde lift his spoon of porridge to his mouth, he saw those deep grey eyes flicker in his direction and hold his gaze for a moment. Feeling his cheeks turn red, Harry quickly averted his eyes and tried to bring his concentration back to the conversation Hermione and Ron were having now, about the visit to Hogsmeade later that month.

"This is the first one this term – we can do all our Christmas shopping there now!" Hermione squealed with delight.

Harry smiled weakly and tried to force enthusiasm. "Yeah, we need to get something really good for Hagrid this year – any ideas?"

From across the Hall, Draco's pulse was racing faster than normal. He'd watched Harry in classes of course, for any sign that Harry felt something about what had happened between them, but had gotten nothing. He'd just seemed normal – maybe quieter, but still relatively the same.

Every time he and Harry held a gaze or something across the Hall or across a classroom, Draco's heartbeat raced and his mind went into autospin, making him dizzy.

He had been in a sort of inner turmoil since that night. He'd been so shocked when he woke the next morning, that he'd avoided Harry that day, and the next. For an entire fortnight, the two had not so much looked at each other.

Then he'd been in Potions, and Snape was berating Ron and Harry for their lousy potion again. Harry had seemed downright pissed off, understandably. And when Snape compared their potion to the one Draco had made, their eyes had met for the first time. Of course, they immediately looked in opposite directions to save embarrassment. But Draco still got a thrill every time he locked gaze with those brilliant green eyes.

He watched Harry again from across the Hall, noticing a slight pink in his cheeks. It made him look even more adorable than he already was, and Draco couldn't resist smiling.

"What are you smiling at?" grunted Crabbe to his right.

Draco snapped out of his daze immediately. "Nothing."

Crabbe's attention was drawn away at that moment, and when Draco looked back at the table, he realized that Harry, Hermione and Ron had left the Hall already. Disappointment drenched him like someone throwing a bucket of iced water over his head. He tried to turn his attention to Pansy who was, as usual, flirting madly with any male at the table. She seemed in particular that day to be focusing on him, Draco. He really didn't want to have to put up with the simpering and the flattery, but knew he had to pretend to like what she was saying. He couldn't risk losing the friendship of the Slytherins. He needed that.

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Draco however, still had Harry's book. He wondered if Harry noticed it was missing. It was hiding flat beneath the mattress on his bed, keeping it out of sight of the other boys in his dorm who, for some reason, had been spending more time with him than usual lately. He was getting a bit wierded out by the Slytherins, and was finding it hard to get away for any alone time he might want. But every night, when all the other boys were asleep, Draco brought out the book and slept with it clasped safely and tightly in his arms – just for the comfort.

The trip to Hogsmeade was cheering him up immensely. He always liked leaving the school and going to a town. There was so much more cheer in the cold seasons being in The Three Broomsticks or Honeydukes.

Plus he might find time to run into Harry.

This thought both thrilled and terrified him. He was not good with this type of thing. He'd had barely any relationships before, and the ones he had had, he'd always been the cold, mysterious, distant boyfriend that drove girls wild with desire and lust.

This wasn't the sort of thing he could distance himself from. This was somehow different to all his other relationships. He had never had quite such a connection with anyone before, and this frightened him. To think what would happen if someone found out he fancied Harry Potter – the humiliation would be almost too much to bear.

But then, if he did get to talk to Harry, there would be some good out of it. They might have enough time to talk about what they were going to do about their 'relationship', including discussing whether or not they were going to have one.

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It was December 4th, quite close to Christmas, that they went to Hogsmeade. Harry had had half a mind to stay at school; he hadn't wanted to get his hopes up that he might talk to Malfoy. But if he hadn't gone, he certainly wouldn't have gotten to talk to Malfoy. So naturally, he went. He also had Christmas shopping to do for Ron, Hermione and the boys in his dormitory, along with Hagrid, Lupin and all his other friends out of Hogwarts. Maybe for once, he could get Malfoy out of his head.

That wasn't so easy though – as soon as he got to Hogsmeade, he caught a glimpse of the blonde. His hair shone radiantly in the bright sunlight, and somehow, when it was contrasted against the brilliant white of the fallen snow, it just seemed even more captivating. He stood watching for a moment until Hermione shoved him in the back and ordered him to move.

Draco had seen Harry as well. He'd looked smaller than usual in his long winter cloak, and his tanned skin was almost as pale as Draco's own. Harry didn't seem to enjoy the cold as much as Draco did.

Draco was walking flanked by his two loyal followers: Crabbe and Goyle. They were guffawing about something stupid, as they always were, and Draco was getting thoroughly sick of being around them. He was seriously considering hexing them and leaving them there to freeze in the snow while he went off by himself.

Standing at the top of the hillside was Pansy Parkinson, gesturing frantically at them to join her. Draco's stomach gave a lurch. Spending time with her was the last thing on his agenda – she was sickening with her constant flattery and giggling as she assured Draco that he was the most wonderful person ever invented. Ugh.

Shrugging off any questions asked by Crabbe and Goyle, he arranged to meet them with Pansy back in the Three Broomsticks in an hour. He seriously needed some alone time.

He was walking in the direction of the shops, but at the last moment, veered off into the trees. As he walked, he watched people walking along the street. His gaze was drawn immediately to the figures of Hermione, Ron and Harry, who were walking up and into Honeydukes. Watching Harry was enough to occupy him for hours, and he simply stopped and stared. His eyes took in the sight of Harry dropping a parcel on the ground and bending to pick it up. Harry paused a he took the object in his hand, and as though sensing someone watching him, looked towards where Draco was standing. Seeing Draco watching him was startling, and as he stood, he looked to where Hermione and Ron had already gone in, and then back to Draco. Neither mouthed any words to the other, it was enough to simply look.

Even from the distance, Draco could make out Harry's expression. It was one of utmost rapture and captivation. The thought of this made him smile. He wanted to kill something when Hermione called Harry from the shop and broke the silent gaze between the two, but enjoyed the thrills that ran up and down his body when Harry smiled at him before turning away.

He knew now that there was no regret in anything they had done – simply cowardice in that neither was courageous enough to talk to the other. He could remember almost every conversation he'd had with Harry, and got the most brilliant and sudden inspiration for what he could do for a Christmas present for Harry.

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Harry was finding it extremely hard to pretend to be normal. His friends weren't gossips, but they didn't mind having a go at Malfoy. It was so difficult to sit there listening to his two best friends bitch about the boy he had kissed...what would they say if they knew?

On their way back to school from Hogsmeade, Harry noticed a group of Slytherins standing by the wall. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle were part of the group. They were laughing and teasing each other in a friendly way that made Harry wish for a moment that he had decided to go in the Slytherin house in his first year – just so he had an excuse to talk and stand beside Draco Malfoy.

As he looked up for a last quick glance as they passed, Harry saw a sixth year shove one of the innocent looking Hufflepuff first years standing adjacent to their group towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. The first year crashed into Ron, knocking him to the ground.

Ron lay flat on the snow for a moment before lifting his head, which was covered in powdery white flakes. The Slytherins were howling with laughter, and even Harry was having trouble not laughing at the sight of Ron's eyebrows covered in white.

The first year looked at Ron in horror and mumbled a quick apology before scrambling to his feet and scampering off, clearly fearing Ron's famous temper.

Ron got to his feet and glared at Draco, who was standing closest to them.

"Think it's funny to pick on first years, do you?" he said angrily.

Draco was completely taken aback. "What are you talking about? I didn't push that kid into you."

The other Slytherins were standing back and watching the exchange in glee – one thing that could definitely be said about Slytherins was that they weren't awfully courageous when it came to owning up to things they'd done that others were being blamed for. The Slytherin whose fault it was simply stood smirking.

Ron rolled his eyes sarcastically. "You are so full of it, Malfoy. Can't you ever just give it a rest?"

Hermione joined in. "That first year was really frightened! You're a prefect, Malfoy – set an example for once instead of acting like an insufferable git all the time."

Draco was completely astonished. The one time he hadn't actually done anything, and they were standing up to him. What a surprise.

"Listen, I didn't shove that first year into you, Weasel, though it was a good idea. And I certainly wasn't picking on anyone, no matter how hard you find that to believe." Draco regretted the good idea comment as soon as he'd said it. These were the friends of the person he liked – it might not be a fantastic move to snipe at them.

Hermione snorted. "Oh, Malfoy. All you ever do is abuse your powers as a prefect. You're constantly ever picking on someone weaker, younger or in a less powerful position and it's sickening!" She stamped her foot in fury.

Malfoy looked at Harry. Usually, he could hold his own in an argument against these people, but things were slightly different now he'd snogged one of them.

"You're always abusing every right given to you, it's disgusting. Do you ever think about anyone except yourself?" Hermione raged on, glaring at Malfoy. He flicked his glance back to her before shrugging.

"What's the matter, Ferret? Can't think of anything to say?" Ron trumpeted in glee. "Wouldn't be because you know we're right, would it?"

Draco looked in desperation at Harry. Harry was completely bewildered. He knew Ron and Hermione were waiting for him to speak up and support them, but he couldn't – wouldn't - blame Malfoy for something he hadn't done, not now. He'd seen the sixth years shove the Hufflepuff, but he couldn't bring himself to speak truthfully; Ron and Hermione would find it very suspicious. He tried to shrink inside himself. Maybe if he looked really insignificant and hoped to god that they didn't ask him...

"Come on Harry, you saw him, didn't you?" Hermione turned to him with the righteous look on her face that she always wore when she was in an argument and convinced she was right. Which was practically every argument she'd ever been in.

"Um, he didn't actually..." Harry began nervously. He licked his lips and glanced over at Malfoy. It was hard standing up to his friends for someone they thought he hated, but after all, Malfoy was in the right.

Ron and Hermione did not seem to have heard him, or perhaps they had decided they didn't like where his answer was going, because they turned away from him and back to Malfoy. Draco, however, had heard him and Harry wondered if he saw a hint of gratitude in those grey eyes as he risked a glance in the Slytherin's direction. He felt slightly heartened, but still he wished he was anywhere but there.

"It's a good thing Harry got the position of Head Boy instead of you, Malfoy. Imagine what you would have been like!" Hermione continued. "You would have been taking points off left, right and centre, getting extensions on every assignment pretending to be having trouble with time because of your duties...at least Harry isn't high on himself!"

"Guys..." Harry said awkwardly. He didn't want them bringing him into the argument.

"That's right, Potter. Saint Potter, always playing the martyr." Pansy's voice came from behind them, sugary and venomous.

"What do you want, Pansy?" snapped Hermione.

"Just coming to see why we're all crowded around Draco," she said, smiling sweetly in a way that reminded Harry of Umbridge. For some reason, she seemed to be looking mainly at Ron.

"Because your darling Draco is an arsehole," Ron said equally as sweetly, glaring straight back at her.

"Shut up, Weasel," said Blaise Zabini curtly. "Malfoy's got a hundred times more decency than you'll ever have."

"Decency? I'd hate to see what you thought was indecent!" Hermione said scornfully.

"How dare you talk about decency, Granger? You don't even deserve to be here. You aren't worthy of our presence, Mudblood."

This was the first time Pansy Parkinson had dared to voice her opinion of Hermione and people like her, and everyone stood for a moment in shock. Complete silence reigned, and then was broken by one of Pansy's friends trying and failing to suppress a giggle.

"Take that back," Ron said angrily through gritted teeth.

Pansy held her head high. "Why should I? She deserves to know the truth. Everyone agrees." She put her arm around Draco's shoulders and stroked the side of his face, oblivious to his discomfort. "Draco's the only one who's man enough to say it to her, normally."

Ron glared at Draco for a moment. "That's because Draco is a priggish, disgusting, immoral and disillusioned moronic loser."

Draco shook Pansy off him angrily. Ron Weasley was one person he'd never liked, and he liked him less than ever at that moment.

"What is your problem, Weasel?"

Ron smirked. "My problem is you, jerk." With one sudden movement, he balled his right fist and let his arm loose, colliding with the side of Draco's head.

Malfoy collapsed to the ground and lay breathing heavily for a moment. He was aware of Ron straining to get another shot at him, and wondered why he wasn't being clobbered completely. He opened his eyes to see Harry holding both of Ron's arms and pulling him back and away from Draco with all his might.

"Harry! What are you doing?! Let me go!" Ron growled, eager for another punch.

"Ron – just leave him alone!" Harry panted. His own head was pounding, as though when Ron had punched Malfoy, he'd somehow hurt Harry as well. Draco was simply lying there on the snow, watching him struggle with Ron. He didn't look angry – in fact, he seemed to be sort of mesmerized by the sight of the three Gryffindors – like he'd finally figured out something that had been puzzling him for a while.

Harry was jerked back by a violent pull from Ron as he strained to get back at Malfoy. Harry's blood grew hotter as he felt himself becoming more protective of Draco – he couldn't let Ron hurt him even if it meant causing suspicion in his two best friends. Hermione took Ron's hands and pulled him out of reach of Draco with Harry's help.

"You cannot take this moment away from me," he whispered angrily to the pair of them.

Hermione shook her head. "No, Ron, there are so many more of them than there are of you, and this way you can be remembered for punching him really well – imagine if you went in for a second shot and Malfoy beat you!"

Ron thought for a second and finally stopped protesting. "Fine." Hermione brushed his coat and fussed over him for a moment in a motherly fashion, but Harry turned and watched the Slytherins fussing over Draco.

Draco seemed embarrassed, understandably, and was brushing off the attempts of his friends to wipe snow off his long black coat. His gaze slowly turned to Harry, and he didn't seem like the proud, pure-blood obsessed prat he had been before. Instead, Harry saw just another teenage boy like himself, looking humiliated and small. Sort of...fragile.

"Guys – let's go," Harry murmured, not able to take it any longer. He just wanted to be out of there, away from Draco. It was too much temptation, and he didn't know how much longer he could stop himself from reaching out and hugging the boy, trying to make the humiliation and pain go away.

"What are you staring at, Ferret?" Ron snapped, aware that Draco was still looking at Harry.

Harry took Ron's arm. "Just leave them alone, Ron. Let's just go."

Hermione looked from Harry to Draco and back again, confusion evident in her expression. There was something going on here – she wasn't sure what, but something about the relationship between these two boys had changed. They no longer seemed to hate each other as much as they used to – if at all.

"Hermione, come on," Harry urged. She snapped back to reality and took Ron's other arm, pulling him away from the Slytherins.

Ron allowed himself to be led away, but couldn't resist glaring at Draco as he went. "You're lucky Harry is such a decent bloke, or else you'd be in serious pain right now Malfoy!" he called angrily.

"Ron, just drop it, okay?" Harry said.

"What was up with you back there, Harry?" Ron asked. "You didn't say a word! You hate Malfoy just as much as the rest of us. Why didn't you let him have it?"

Harry shrugged uneasily.

"God I hate him," Ron fumed. "He's a low-life, pathetic, useless moron with absolutely no brains. Did you see him back there?! He didn't even have the brains to try and back himself up!"

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "And that was the first time he's ever not called any of us names."

Ron stared furiously at Harry. "Harry, what is wrong with you? Say something!"

Harry started. "Oh – um...yeah, he's a real jerk." His lack of enthusiasm wasn't lost on Hermione, but Ron seemed to be satisfied.

"One day, I'll get him," Ron promised them.

Hermione patted him tenderly on the back. "You just did, Ron."

Ron grinned victoriously. "I did, didn't I? And he didn't even try to punch back. Wimp."

Harry smiled to himself. Draco might have thought that Harry didn't notice his sudden change in attitude towards Ron and Hermione – but Harry wasn't blind.

And as he watched Harry retreat with his hand firmly grasping Ron's elbow, Draco smiled to himself. Harry had risked losing face with his friends by restraining Ron and protecting Draco – confirming what he'd been wondering since that rainy night so long ago.

Harry did care.

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TBC

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A/N: Well! That was also astoundingly hard. I really hope you all appreciate these chapters, cos they're taking heaps of work! :P I had to get my friend Mousie to help me. I must credit her – Mousie, who doesn't even like fanfiction and certainly doesn't like Harry/Draco slash, gave me her help in finishing and editing this chapter. So applaud Mousie please!!!!

Thanks to my reviewers! They are as follows:

RoninDaiymo: Fair enough. I'm glad I make it work, but you know, there are lots of other writers that make it work much better than me!!! But thanks anyway, your compliments are gratefully received and are swelling my ego nicely. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

SilverDragon161: I'm glad you liked it! It took ages to get it right. This chapter took even longer, so I hope you still like it. This chapter was actually kinda boring, but the next one they're going to get more mushy, promise!

Kazillion: hehehe. I like making people happy! The next installment is here....dum da da dum! Hope you like it!

December jewel: you're not even registered on ff.net, and you still follow my story! I like you! You're my friend now. :D It was kinda cute, wasn't it? They make a great couple. Anyway, hope you continue to like the story!

HPAZN: Okay, after our emailing session, I decided that I would leave out them getting sick and wait for that later after some more things had happened. In the next couple of chapters, you will get your wish, I promise. But for now, the suspense will hold you to my story (I hope!!!) Please keep reading, I hope you still like it!

Piper13: I like your thinking! You're probably right, too. :P Anyway, thanks! Bali was great, there were some lovely people there! ;) And here is your new chapter, I hope you like it still. Keep reading, I love getting your reviews! :D:D:D:D:D

Evil Pilgrim: Thank you for your one – two – three – four – FIVE reviews! Wow! I feel so special. Thanks for your input, and to answer your question, the Death Eaters wouldn't take underage wizards because they probably wouldn't be good enough. They might take some if they thought they were good enough, like Draco might be an exception, but either way...you know what I mean.

Marsky: Thank you! I'm glad you love it! I had several versions of this chapter too, but I think this one worked best. There'll be more lovey-dovey stuff to come, though, don't you worry!!!! I hope your computer behaves itself!

KatjaMarianne: But what fun would it be if there weren't difficulties? :P They won't be too tortured...unless I'm feeling particularly vindictive. Ooooh, I like that word. :P Anyway, I'm glad you liked this chapter, I liked writing it too! They'll continue moving soon, so don't give up on me please!!!! Keep reading and enjoying! :D:D:D:D

Thanks to you all, you're lovely and special and here are some hugz to all of you: hugz

Everyone else – please review, they mean so much to me!!!!!