Title: Absence
of Malice
Rating: PG-13
((could go up in later chapters if yall review!)) rated for language
and future slash pairings
Pairing:
Harry/Draco
Disclaimer:
don't own a damn thing in this world J. K. Rowling owns all the
characters and settings unless I sneak one of my own creations with
out me knowing hehehe erm alrighty then!
Author's Notes:
Well this one has lots ((and I mean lots)) more Draco POV and it
explain why he all 'moody'. But surprisingly I sneaked others in
there too…. And I made it extra long and is probably even longer
than my first chapter which should make up for the second one being
kinda lacking… this chapter is also when important plot stuff
happens too! ok well this is the chap where the plot happens but
whatever. I also attempted to be funny so if I made you laugh good
for me! … if I didn't well please put me in my place so as not to
scare anybody terribly. And holy crap I actually got reviews!
Strange… I guess I don't suck at writing as much as I thought I
did… any way ((muffin muffin here's a muffin there's a muffin
every where's a muffin! How 'bout a scone? lol )) weird, weird, weird I know already!
HandsOff: soon enough for ya? lol well hey it is kinda long! and then there was school and crap ((crap band which equals even more crap but not as bad as school ))
brionyjae: wow I feel special you reviewed twice! yay you! Yay me for getting four reviews! Oh wow I'm pretty sad… well this is the chapter where you get to figure out what's buggin' Draco
Chapter
Three
Mind Tease
The following morning had been nothing out of the ordinary for Draco Malfoy. His daily routine of getting up before dawn, Malfoys should always be poised and perfect drifted into his head, so as none of his housemates were to see his disheveled morning state. With his tufted hair, to his face where it looked close enough upon, a person could find indentions where his pillow or linen had left a mark.
Brushing the sleep from his eyes Draco strode over to the dorm lavoratories, turned on the tap and stepped into the cold spray.
Gooseflesh sprung up all over his water-slicked skin. Draco suppressed a shiver and grabbed a bottle of shampoo and started to work it into his hair.
Routine… routine. He always had routine. He had thought about breaking his 'routine' before. In fact he had, during the summer. He remembered the memory perfectly…
It was the start of the holiday. Father had sent for him. He had refused. Part of being a Malfoy was to always follow direct orders. Well at least it was his job of being a Malfoy. His mother furious, Narcissa Malfoy had never looked so… un… unMalfoy. Draco knew that that made no sense and sounded ridiculous but it was true. There was simply no other way to describe her. Her hair was out of place, her usually cool eyes ablaze, her countenance all wrong and contorted. She had yelled at me. She'd never hollered at me before. That was always father's job. Always about my grade's being less than that mudblood Granger or how Slytherin had lost the house cup again to Potter and how I should be better than him at everything because I was a pureblood and he was only a first generation pureblood… but most of all it was because I was a Malfoy and Malfoy's were perfect and that seemed to be reason enough. So instead of acknowledging what was going on she'd be doing something else. Ordering the house elves, planning a dinner party, or something of the like. But this was his mother. This was the woman, who took me out to get gifts for no other reason except that she had loved me, or told me stories, or sang me songs.
I had flat out told her that I would never want to go see father after all the times he had scolded me, reminding me of how I had disgraced our family name and honor with a slap of his hand to 'remind me what our family name meant'—when he himself had gotten himself thrown in Askaban! I couldn't understand why Mother had yelled at me. But she had... all summer… and I just couldn't take it any more… so I had hit her.
It wasn't some mind-blowing injury that she'd have to be sent to ward at St. Mungos…but all in all... I had hit her.
Across the face to be more specific. Her face had looked exactly the same, as contorted as it was the first time she had screamed at me… except now she looked horrifying. Her jaw was all out of place. Her eyes shocked open at what I had done.
I don't think she believed that I could've hit her… but to tell the truth, neither did I.
Whether it was her's or my own intention we avoided each other the rest of the holiday until September first rolled around, yesterday, when she 'routinely' pecked my cheek before I clambered onto the steaming vessel. I didn't even say good-bye…
…But today was a new day and I could break my routine…but I did already didn't I?…Yesterday on the train… I went up to him… yes Draco had planned that… but what happened next… that definitely wasn't 'routine'. Routine was wake up, take a shower, have a muffin, piss off Potter and his… friends… and get on with class/rest of life. It was that simple… except it was different… he had done something different… he had touched Potter… other than a punch that is. Of course they had their fair amount of brawls where they screamed "screw the wands" in a manner of speaking of course and went hand-to-hand combat… but no, he had actually touched Potter…The plan he had formulated in his mind went simply: 1. sneak out of Prefect meeting 2. find body guards/thugs—I mean Crabbe and Goyle 3. find Potter before Weasel and Mudblood do 4. make Potter's life hell and 4. brood on how horrible his life had been. That easy!
So why didn't he do that? It was simple… wasn't it?… of course it was all Potter's fault for looking all enticing and… Oh-My- G-d! I did not just say that!
Draco looked around expecting someone to be there listening to his thoughts. No one was there but the low hum of a wand alarm going off from his dormitory... better finish up.
While he was thinking his hands had mechanically gone through their own 'routine' and he was now just stepping out of the steam filled shower column and grabbed a towel. He rubbed himself down and tied it loosely so that it hung on his hip and padded over to one of the basins hanging along the wall.
Draco huffed and wiped his had on the mirror to clear a circle that he could see himself through.
Looking at the reflection… This is going to be one bleeding hell of a day.
- - -
Ron had come in not long after Harry had collapsed. Said he heard a thump on the floor. He had found Harry curled up in a ball clutching his face… shivering.
Ron was horrified… this had happened many times before but it still scared him terribly.
He had helped Harry to bed and went down the spiraling staircase to tell Hermione what the commotion was all about. The first words out of her mouth were: tell Dumbledore. Which he did… he wouldn't tell Harry that he did… he never would have made it to the owlery… but Ron was scared… so he did it anyway…
- - -
Draco had been on his scone, screw routine no muffin for me today!, when a black hawk owl dropped a letter on his lap. It wasn't the great Malfoy eagle owl.
…good. I don't want to have to deal with mother right now any way…even though she always sent me a care package on the first day of school…
Draco examined the envelope flipping it over in his hands. It was addressed to him in dark green ink that flashed silver in the light. He flipped it again to discover it had the Hogwarts crest.
…Snape? What could he possibly want?
Draco slit the envelope open and pulled out the yellowing parchment. Shaking it open he read:
Mr. Malfoy,
I have acquired information that you have been neglecting your Prefect duties. I would like you to meet me five minutes before class starts to talk about where you priorities lay.
Slytherin Head of House
Professor Severus Snape
" What's that? Hmmm?" Blaise poked his head over Draco's and stared at Snape's letter.
" None of your business Zambini, so shove off." Draco replied, lifting a leg over the wooden bench to straddle it, now facing the brunette Slytherin.
" Ou! Is Draco in trouble!" Blaise exclaimed as he caught a glimpse of the note.
" Oh bloody fucking hell Blaise! Just shove it, and sod off already!"
Blaise sneered. " Well go off then. You're already late as it is."
" What!" Draco blanched.
It wasn't—It couldn't—It was!
" Bloody fucking shit! Move Blaise you're blocking my way." Draco snarled as Blaise blocked his path.
" Na. Don't feel like it." The brunette drawled in a way that Draco could call his own.
" Fuck you!"
" Gladly." Blaise sneered.
That sneer is getting bloody annoying. I can't believe he's copying me. I bet my sneers don't look like that. Hmph!
Draco huffed and shoved Blaise aside. He'd have to hurry if he was going to get there on time.
- - -
Harry had woken to one of the worst headaches. Not to mention he was late, on the first day back no less.
Shucking off his clothes on his way over to the lavoratory, he hadn't changed for some reason, he took as quick of a shower if there ever was one other than stepping in washing down, stepping back out and shoving cleaner looking clothes on after.
Hopping up and down, trying to shove a shoe on his foot, Harry groped for his bag and hurried down the spiral staircase and out the portrait, with a distinct "Hmph!" from the said portrait. Figuring that he could at least grab a muffin on his way to Potions, he raced along the corridors and staircases separating him from the Great Hall…somewhat magically when---
"Shit that hurt." Harry replied after running head-on and falling on his rump.
"Watch where you're going Potter!" an equally scathed Malfoy hissed while rubbing his bum with one hand and massaging his head with the other, " I should take points off Gryffindor for this!" the blond proclaimed sounding indignant.
" Me?" Harry asked incredulously, " What about you? I wasn't the only one who was running in the corridor!"
" Oh fuck this I don't have time for it!"
" Well neither do I!" Harry spat out noticing the reddening annoyance in the Slytherin's ruffled features.
Malfoy gathered himself up in a dignified manner, brushed off his robes, made a distinct 'Pft' noise and swept from the scene without a second glance.
Pompous, spoiled GIT! Always blaming everything on everyone save himself. What I'd do if I could—Bollocks! I'm going to be late!
- - -
He had finally reached the Potion Master's domain huffing and puffing and knocked on the door.
A distinct " Come in," was heard so Draco straitened himself out and hesitantly pushed the door stepped inside and firmly shut it.
" You're late."
" Yes, Professor, please excuse me." Draco replied in a polite yet curt manner.
" Yes, well anyway," Snape went on, " I received word from another student," …whoever rated on me is dead…," that you did not assist Miss Parkinson in showing the first years to their dorms. Now," Snape drawled on ignoring any attempt of Draco's to get his word in, if there was one, " in my naming you Prefect for Slytherin I expected the highest standards, but when I find that my best student can't accomplish the easiest of tasks; leading the first years to your own house!"
"Yes, Professor, but-" Draco started his defense.
" I will hear none of it Mr. Malfoy. This has been most disgraceful to our house, to me as its head, and to you and your family."
" Yes, Professor, but-"
" Will you be quiet Mr. Malfoy while I am speaking!"
" Yes, Professor." Draco resigned.
" Now then to make up for your incompetence, you will be having detention all this week—"
" But Professor, that's not—"
" Make that this weekend too. Fair, it bloody well is fair. Now sit-- take a seat while I get the rest of the class."
Draco huffed and walked over to his desk, pulled out his chair with much unneeded noise and plopped down with a scowl on his face.
- - -
Contently chewing on a muffin, Harry made his way down to the dungeons.
But that was odd. Everyone was still outside. Wonder what's going on…
" Hey Hermione, what's happened?" Harry asked curiously.
" Malfoy's getting what was coming to him, that's what!" Ron announced with a grin on his face.
" Yeah, he's in there right now getting hollered at by Snape, it's brilliant isn't it!" Seamus piped up.
Hermione was standing next to Ron with a stern glare of annoyance plastered on her face but her mouth was quirked up at the tips to show how much she was really enjoying Malfoy getting in trouble, and by his own head of house no less.
Many students, mostly Slytherins through surprisingly a few Gryffindors as well, had their ears pressed up against the door or the walls hoping to catch the conversations taking place in the confines of the Potions classroom.
The group of six years heard a particularly loud bit of the dialogue and then abruptly everything drew quiet and the door opened. Out strode Snape in all his slimy greasy pride. He glared at everyone before stepping aside so that they could all file inside the dank dungeon classroom.
As soon as everyone had respectively taken seats at opposite ends of the room, Slytherins to the far left and Gryffindors the right nearest to the door so if need be could run as far as possible form the despicable Slytherins, Snape cleared his throat, an exceptionally evil grin on his face.
- - -
Fucking shit. Detention all week and then the weekend! What the fuck did I do to deserve this!
" Today we will be paring up, and no you will not be getting to pick your partner either." Snape sneered as Pansy leered suggestively at Draco. " I will be picking for you."
A groan could be heard traveling around the classroom.
He better not pair me with who I think he will, the sum bag.
- - -
" Granger, Parkinson,"
Oh hell he wouldn't.- - -
" Blaise, Weasley."
Oh shit he will.
- - -
He is.
Snape's lip curled. An evil gleam in place. " Malfoy, Potter."
- - -
Both boys groaned. Harry was the first to protest.
" But Sn- - Professor, can't I be paired with someone else?"
" What Potter, are you finally admitting that I'm too good to even be next to you now," Harry visibly reddened.
" N-no." he stuttered, " It's just that, oh whatever I don't care."
" What you think I'm moving my stuff over to you?" Draco scoffed.
" Uh? Oh… fine whatever." Stubborn lazy arse git.
" Come on Potter I don't have all day, you know."
Harry dumped his belongings into his bag, slung it over his shoulder and plopped back down next to Draco.
Meanwhile, Snape finished reading of his list of pairings and walked back to the centre of the room. " Now, today we will be working with many dangerous ingredients. In using these ingredients I suspect that each and every one of you will be extra attentive today so as not to change your potion to another, or," this being directed completely at Neville who slid even further in his seat than usual, " have the misfortune of blowing up your potion (and caldron) and receiving a zero for your grade today. The directions are the board. Get to work." Snape frowned and went back to his desk, marking papers, quill in hand dripping with crimson.
" Well Potter aren't you going to get the ingredients," drawled Draco.
" Not by my self you lazy arse."
" Oh that language will not do," Malfoy tutted.
" I don't give a shit about my 'language' it's either you help me get the ingredients or else we'll be behind in making our potion and we'll be working on it after class; and we all know that you wouldn't want anything to cut into your personal life now would you." Harry replied with an unusual smirk in place.
" Whatever Potter, you don't have to make a passionate speech about it. I'm up."
The two walked over to the ingredient rack and were pretty much decent to each other till it came to who would take the (stick nasty, disgusting, and/or gruesome thing here). Bickering and arguing all the way back to their desk, Harry had took the (stick nasty, disgusting, and/or gruesome thing here), and started to set up their potion.
Today they were working on a binding potion. Harry doubted that this potion was really good for anything. Malfoy seemed to not want Harry to do anything. Probably thinks I'll mess the lot up horribly. The git
- - -
Draco was measuring out ingredients, pouring them into vials, measuring them again, pouring them out again into other vials and so on. The Potter can at least help. I didn't ban him from doing anything. Lazy. He's just sitting there.
Harry was indeed just sitting slumped in his seat glaring at the scrubbed wooden table. The Gryffindor sat arms crossed, fingers drumming on his forearm.
Draco now took to just absentmindedly stirring the potion. How can he just sit there. Probably brooding about how he's such the Golden Boy and how every one loves him. Poor ,poor him.
The potion, unnoticed by Draco or Harry, started bubbling and producing small sparks that jumped inches above its surface. Draco was still stirring.
- - -
" You know it's possible for you to help. Unless you're just so incapable that all you can really do is sit there and just concentrate on breathing then by all means." The Slytherin hissed at Harry.
" Well you were the one who told me not to touch anything. Were you not?"
" I did no such thing." Draco scoffed.
" I won't be failing so you don't botch anything up alright." Harry mimicked in a higher pitched voice.
" I do not sound anything like that!" Draco screeched.
" Oh so you admit that you said that!"
" Ye--- NO!"
" You just agreed with me. I win." Harry replied as if it settled the matter.
" YOU DO NOT WIN!" Draco said, hand now stirring furiously.
" Pft. Do too." Harry chuckled. I wonder just how many shades of pink Malfoy can actually change… I soo win.
- - -
" You nev---" Draco never finished his sentence. His potion that he was still stirring irately abruptly exploded, covering both boys. And to bother their horror absorbed into their skin. This is all Potter's fault!
" Is not! How is it mine! You were the one stirring! Remember you wouldn't let me do anything!"
"What are you talking about. I didn't say anything."
- - -
Others started to stand up and stare at the two boys, who were surrounded by blown potion. Snape still staring frozen at his desk in disbelief that his one of his best students managed to 'blow something up' unintentionally.
" Did too!"--- How is this my fault! Stupid, clumsy, ---
" I am not stupid! Or clumsy! Or anything else you were about to say!"
" What! I never called you that!" Doesn't mean it's not true though.
- - -
" It most certainly isn't!" Insufferable pouf!
- - -
"You're more one than I!" I mean look at his hair, and how he's always perfectly prim and perfect and all that kind of stuff.
- - -
"It's called personal hygiene! You should try it once Potter!"
- - -
" What is!" Oh this is getting fucking ridiculous.
- - -
Wait.
" Wait what Malfoy?"
Can you hear me?
Well no shit! " Why wouldn't I? I mean your voice is at such a pitch that it's a bit hard not to."
No, no. Look at my mouth. Is it moving?
- - -
Harry looked at Draco's mouth and it hadn't even moved in the least as he said that. How in the…we can read each other's thoughts?
' Oh G-d I can't handle this.'
' I need a muffin.'
' Hate muffins.'
' What?'
' Fuck.'