-CHAPTER THREE-
The rest of the day passed reasonably uneventfully. History of Magic was as tedious as ever, and even Defense Against the Dark Arts wasn't able to fully distract Harry from his new partnership with Draco.
At last, lessons were over for the day, and it was dinner-time. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat at the Gryffindore table and discussed the Potions assignment, "I can't believe Snape!" Ron exclaimed, "What's he think he's doing, pairing me with Zabini?"
"At least you don't have to work with Goyle!" Hermione said bitterly, "This is going to ruin my grade point average." She viciously stabbed at her carrots, as if to accentuate her statement.
"And you're with Malfoy, Harry," Ron pointed out. As if Harry didn't already know. "That git will probably claim all the credit."
"Yeah, probably," Harry said distractedly. He took a bite of steak and looked over at the Slytherin table. Or, more specifically, over at Draco Malfoy.
Draco was, at the moment, looking at Harry. For a split second their eyes locked. Harry felt something in the region of his stomach jump, and both boys quickly looked away from each other. When he next looked at Draco, the Slytherin boy was pointedly looking at anything other than Harry. His expression was cold, as usual, but he looked slightly shaken.
Or is it just my imagination? Harry wondered to himself. He couldn't help but wonder if Draco had felt that same…spark when their eyes had met. He shook his head slightly and tried to fix his attention on his friends, who had moved on to discussing the Hogsmeade trip later that month.
When everyone had eaten as much trifle, butterscotch pudding, or lemon-meringue pie as possible, the plates were cleared and the students began making their way out of the Great Hall.
Harry was walking behind Ron and Hermione, when he was suddenly grabbed and pulled to one side. "What the hell are you doing…Malfoy?" Harry said as he realized who his assailant was.
Malfoy looked suitably bored, "We need to discuss the assignment."
"Oh yeah, sure," Harry said.
"Well, when are we gonna start? And where? I know you don't care about Potions, but I want a good mark for this."
"Hey, I want a good mark too!" Harry exclaimed, slightly affronted.
Malfoy nodded, "Yeah ok, whatever, Potter"
"Uh, so…we could work in the library," Harry suggested.
"Yeah alright," Draco agreed, "we can meet there at…7:30?"
"Nah, I've got Quidditch training," Harry said regretfully. "Ah…could we make it more like 8:30?"
"Yeah…that should work for me," Draco said.
Harry nodded, "Ok, well uh, I'll see you later."
Draco nodded slightly, then strode away, leaving Harry in the corridor by himself. He couldn't help but grin. He knew his crush on Draco wasn't going to end up anywhere…but that didn't mean he couldn't indulge in a few fantasies.