Hey again, here's chapter two! It has a different tone then chapter one, but it's also Draco's POV, so I think it'll be alright... Responses to reveiws will be after the chapter.

Warnings - Slash, Snape, and cluelessness on the part of the Slytherin Prince

DMDMDMDMDM

Draco's POV

I looked on curiously as Potter's face turned a brilliant red and he developed a hacking cough. He muttered something unintelligible before turning swiftly and rushing back to the castle. It had been an insightful conversation.

I faced the lake once more and allowed all emotion and thought to drain from my beingwhile my eyes drifted closed, making my soul feel free. I could picture my parents' faces before me and a sad smile played across my lips as I tried to remember what I had wanted to try to tell them before Green Eyes had shown up. My parents were replaced by the smiling face and crying eyes of the Boy-Who-Lived and I let a bitter chuckle escape my throat. Well, that was a lost cause.

I headed back toward the warmth that resided within the stone walls of Hogwarts slowly, not really thinking about anything and letting my last conversation with the elusive Harry Potter replay before my mind's eye. It made no sense really, his seeking me out in general, hugging me specifically, and talking to me especially. If he thought I'd been quiet since my parents were murdered, he needed to look closer to home for the definition of 'reclusive.' Potter had locked himself in a well-designed wall after fifth year and I hadn't heard more then three sentences at a time from him since, until now. I twirled my new ring absently around my left ring fingerwhile I stomped off my boots to enter the castle.

That was curious as well… the ring, that is. It was quite nice;sterling silver with an intricate Celtic knot design weaving around my finger. It was a rather thin band for a guy's ring, but it was too thick for a girl's. Elegant was the only word for it. It fit perfectly, much like my ring bearing the Malfoy family crest my father had had made for me, and I could tell it wasn't a 'one size fits all' spell. Judging by Potter's reaction, it wasn't a coincidence either.

I sat at the single table that resided in the Great Hall over holidays and grabbed a piece of toast unhurriedly, still staring at the ring. It was early yet and hardly anyone was eating. Potter was conspicuously absent.

What had he meant in giving it to me, anyway? There were quite a few possibilities, under the circumstances. Offering friendship was likely, considering the rather disjointed conversation we'd had, but offering a romantic relationship was also apparent considering his actions. Then again, those theories could be disregarded for a craving for human contact of any kind; Merlin knows that's the only reason I let him hold me like that.

No, it felt like a… truce of sorts. An open offer for whatever was destined to happen, to happen.

Yes, that would work for now. I'd go over the other possibilities later and decide which was most plausible. I smiled and bit the corner of my toast.

"New ring, Draco?" The drawled voice of my godfather broke my trance, forcing my eyes to trail slowly from the band.

"Yes." I stated simply, suddenly realizing my toast was plain and spreading a thin layer of strawberry jam over it before eating in earnest.

"From whom?" The potions professor-turned-mother-hen prodded. I knew he was worried about me, but this was surreal. I acted as if I was pondering the answer for a moment before locking eyes with the older man and smirking challengingly.

"A mutual acquaintance." I snickered as Sev's expression soured. He forked some pancakes and sausage onto his plate and absolutely drowned the defenseless provisions in syrup. I couldn't help but wince. I was tempted to comment on his sad slaughter of perfectly good commodities before Sev broke my thoughts.

"I want a straight answer, Mr. Malfoy," he growled, stressing his annoyance with the use of my surname and shoving a neatly cut piece of the now-disgusting pancakes into his mouth. I nibbled daintily on my strawberry toast.

"And I don't see why it matters," I quipped airily, sending the professor a warning look, which he, of course, ignored.

"That's funny; I thought I just saw you gazing adoringly at it. Surely that would make it 'matter,' even in your eyes," he snapped acidly. I felt my face grow warm.

"I was hardly 'gazing,' and I would call my expression 'bemused,' not 'adoring.' Trust me, there's a big difference," I spat back. This was how a lot of our conversations went these days. I knew Sev was just trying to 'protect' me, but my life is none of his concern. He just snorted disbelievingly. Jerk.

"Who's it from then, if it's merely 'interesting'? Surely you can tell me, if it holds no sentimental value," My godfather sneered, stabbing a sausage viciously.

"That," I stated calmly, forcing myself not yell at the man, "is none of your business. It's a pleasant surprise from an unexpected source, and that's all you need to know. So, butt out, Snape." I spat his surname like a disease, dropping my barely-touched toast on my plate and storming from the table, drawing surprised looks from most of its occupants.

I pushed open the doors to the Entrance Hall and within two steps ran straight into the unknowing subject of my previous conversation. Figures. We both fell hard to the cold stone floor,while the door crash ominously closed behind us. I picked myself up swiftly and brushed off my still-damp robes while Potter blinked rapidly at the ceiling, I assumed trying to clear his vision. He must have hit his head rather hard. It looked as if he had changed already and was wearing a nice, silky green button down shirt I'd never seen before and a pair of nice black jeans; must have been a Christmas present. He looked good. I shook my head to clear the unwanted thoughts and extended my hand to the dazed boy holding the back of his head sprawled on the floor. Thank Merlin the doors were closed.

"Are you just going to sit there and look pathetic, or are you going to let me help you up?" I asked after a moment, raising an eyebrow to let him know I was joking. Potter looked as if he was going to inquire about my mental health before shaking his head. He took my proffered hand and hauled himself off the floor, an action which resulted in him standing mere inches away from me with our fingers intertwined.

I felt the strangest sensation, a warm, almost tingling feeling, spread from where my hand clasped his and up through my arm, across my chest. It didn't feel bad; hell, it was almost… pleasurable. Potter was standing close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body, the same heat that had enveloped me outside not long ago. I could feel his breath glide across my lips as my own breath caught somewhere in my throat. My heartbeat quickened as my face flushed due to our proximity, my body frozen yet my mind willing it to move and lean against him, in hopes that those strong arms would wrap around me again. I was staring into his eyes like a traveler following a hinkypunk, utterly lost. I felt helpless, but somehow, it seemed right…

After a few long moments, the green eyes that had become my world blinked and widened, glancing down at our joined hands and locking on… something. He seemed to come out of whatever kind of trance he'd been in suddenly, and pulled away from me as if he was burnt; ripping the tingling with him and leaving a bare shadow of the warmth. Blushing and muttering a hurried apology, Potter rushed into the Great Hall, leaving me blinking confusedly, and appallingly alone.

I looked at my hand, noticing a different sensation, and flexed it experimentally. It felt like he was still holding my hand… As I brought the hand to my chest, I noticed the ring once more and smiled. Was that what had scared him? Would he flee whenever he noticed it? If so, I thought I would be wearing it a lot; it was a most amusing situation.

I turned and sauntered down the stairs into the dungeons. The air grew uncomfortably bitter the deeper I went, so I decided it was past time to change clothes. Honestly, what was getting into me? It was hardly proper to walk around in damp garments, a pureblood wizard such as I should never be caught in such a state—it was unseemly.

I hugged my arms to my chest and trotted (there was no one around) to the entrance to the Slytherin dorms. Muttering the password hurriedly, I paced through the doorway. It was… still cold. The house elves hadn't lit the fire since they hadn't seen anyone in the dorms that morning. Next time, I was leaving after the sun was up. I strolled down the hall into my private room. Being a pureblood son of a rich, influential wizard definitely had its perks. I walked to my wardrobe and pulled out a comfortable, dark grey sweater and a dry pair of slacks, throwing my cloak in the hamper I had requested. Honestly, having clothes on the floor was annoying. I was shivering rather bad at the loss of the extra layer of protection, and decided a nice, hot shower was a plan. I glanced at the ring and smiled, taking it off and moving to place it in the box my father had given me with my crest ring. Upon opening it, I froze, staring blankly at the empty space. I felt panic growing in my chest as I rushed to dismantle my room. Just as suddenly I stopped, a low, cold chuckle leaving my throat and becoming an almost hysterical laugh that held no amusement. It fit perfectly, much like my ring bearing the Malfoy family crest my father had had made for me…

Well, Potter, that's one mystery solved. I placed the ring in the box and slowly strode into my bathroom, carrying my fresh clothes with me.

If that was how he wanted to play, I was game; unfortunately for him, I was far more familiar with the competition. I would win, whatever it took.

Let the games begin.

HPHPHPHPHPHP

It's shorter then chapter one, but I rather like it... Anyway, I'm going to respond to the reveiws from chapter one and mention the reviewers for my little one-shot 'Pranks'. It seems a shame for people to reveiw and not get thanked.

From chapter one;

Liz - It's not 'put up' the next chapter with me, it's write it. I don't see any reason to continue something if no one likes it, esspecially if I don't know where to go with it. Don't worry, though. Plenty of people like this (more than have ever liked a first chapter from me before, in fact) and I know where I'm going for a little bit, so I think I might have broken your streak, hmm?

Cursed Lone Wolf - Cute? Everyone said it's 'cute'... Here ya go.

Jessica - Continued...

Bitter Black Tears - I know I mentioned what the gift was in chapter one, but this chapter really stresses on it, so I hope you aren't confused anymore.

Elvine - Don't we all...

Toni - I'm not sure if I should be scared of not... When you say the hedgehog's minions will 'get' me, do you me shower me with rose petals, or eat my shoes?... Anyway, I don't think it much matters now that this chapter's up, hmm?

cHaOtIc cOOL - I really wish you had expanded on what was confusing so I could fix it! But I hope this chapter cleared it up for you. You said it was 'cute' too...

lifeblood - You're the only one who commented on how.. surreal(?) the first chapter was. Thanks! I was starting to think I was imagining it...

CuriousDreamWeaver - You also said 'cute'... And you managed to confuse me. How can someone be a swetie and a pickle at the same time? Pickles aren't sweet...

Ash - No worries, I don't mind. I have about half a chapter left to read on ENSL before I'm completely caught up (I hadn't realized how far behind I was! >. ). I'll send you an email reveiw when I'm done. I really hate this computer...

cameron - Here's your update.

not-yet-written - Another 'cute'. And you were the only one to ask about what I thought everone would... I'm pretty sure this chapter shows you what happened well enough...

Kryptic Insanity - This soon enough? 'Cute'...

Aseret Kitsune - Here you go!

Just so you all know, I don't mind you guys calling the story 'cute', it's just a comment I've never gotten before.

Thanks to Love your Jacket, all -for-anime, CuriousDreamWeaver, Kryptic Insanity, eternalstupor, and Queen-Guinevere-Gwyn for reveiwing 'Pranks'. I may eventually tell the whole story behind the one-shot, but I'm going to focus on this story first.

A huge Thank You! to everyone who reveiwed, and those who read and didn't leave a comment. Your support really means alot to me. If there's anyone out their who didn't leave a reveiw because they wanted to critisize something, I don't mind constructive critisizim or even flames as long as you don't say 'Slash sucks' or something closed minded like that.

Next chapter will be in Hermione's POV, mostly to give a little background and the situation in the wizarding world.

And a request: This story needs a new title! 'A Gift' isn't going to work anymore after this chapter, I don't think. It might, but I doubt it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreiciated!

And a special thanks to Ash for beta-ing this chapter!

Let's try to break my reveiw record (14) with this chapter. Leave a comment, if you please!

Later

Averon