Chapter 4: On The 2nd Day of Christmas...

December 15th...Draco's alarm blared in his ear and his eyes snapped open. He blearily looked at the clock and gaped.

"Who the bloody hell set my alarm for 4 in the morning?" he shouted.

"You did, you arse." Crabbe groaned from his bed next to him. "Shut up and let the rest of us sleep."

"Not our fault you wanted to go flying at this ungodly hour." Goyle muttered on his other side before going back to sleep.

"And stop screeching, for fuck's sake." Blaise snorted.

Draco stared at his roommates in various stages of surprise, disbelief and disgust. Blaise he understood, but Crabbe and Goyle? Unforgivable! Thinking of a suitable revenge, he crawled from his bed. He took a quick shower to wake himself up and dressed. Then he grabbed his broom and headed out to the Quidditch Pitch.

To his surprise, someone was already there. He watched from the shadows of the locker room entrance as the rider did a series of intricate moves worthy of a professional player. He was in awe of the man's talents, something he would never admit out loud as he realized who would be insane enough to be out this early. His lips eased into a small smile which he quickly changed into a smirk before he was caught.

"If you're going to watch me, at least do it where I can see you, Malfoy." came a voice from the sky.

"How did you know it was me, Potter?" he asked as he joined him in the air. Harry looked at him.

"I always know when you're near." he simply said. He pulled something small from the pocket of his robes. It was a Snitch. Draco looked closer and saw it was engraved with Harry's name.

"Where did you get that?"

"McGonagall gave it to me after we won our first game my first year. She was a proud woman that day." Harry grinned. Draco smirked again in answer. "Care for a game of One-On-One?"

"Winner gets what?" Draco wondered. I should have my head examined. I'm having a civil conversation with Potter of all people and I'm not trying to hex him. he thought to himself.

"Terms to be named later, at winner's discretion." Harry replied.

"You're on." Draco grinned. Yes, definitely off my nut. Harry nodded and released the Snitch. It hovered around their faces for a moment before disappearing into the early morning sky.

Harry couldn't believe his luck. He'd been watching his map for signs of teachers and noticed Draco's name moving steadily toward the Quidditch pitch. It had stopped near the locker rooms and he had quickly stuffed the map back into his robes. So what he'd told Draco about knowing he was there was true. Draco just didn't need to know how he knew it. It also helped that Harry had been thinking about the blonde all night and when he awoke this morning, and now here he was, playing a non-competitive game of Find the Snitch with him. Someone up there must like me. he mused silently. He had an idea of what to send him at breakfast later that morning and he allowed himself a small grin.

"What's that grin about?" Draco wondered. He had seen Harry's smile and resisted showing one of his own.

"Nothing." Harry replied, scanning the sky. Shrugging, Draco went back to looking for the Snitch.

They flew around a few times, sometimes on opposite ends, while searching. Harry had tried to fool him a couple of times, but Draco soon caught on and stayed more focused. He was behind Harry a little ways and was trying hard not to stare at how tight his jeans clung to his arse, when Harry took off like he'd been shot out of a cannon. Thinking he was being tricked again, he followed Harry's line of site and swore violently. Harry had actually spotted the Snitch and was chasing it. Draco gathered his wits and took off after him.

They battled for it all around the pitch, pushing and shoving. Feeling slightly evil, Draco kicked the back of Harry's broom, sending the other boy spinning away from the Snitch, and Draco put on another burst of speed. He was within grabbing distance when the sun chose to come up over the horizon. Draco was blinded for a moment, and a moment was all it took. When he finally was able to see again, Harry was hovering in front of him, holding the fluttering Snitch. There was a decidedly evil smirk on the Gryffindor's face.

"No fair! The sun was in my eyes!" Draco scowled.

"We didn't set any rules." Harry told him. "And you call yourself a Malfoy." There was that evil smirk again. Draco had the urge to kiss it right off his face.

"Fine. I concede. You win. Name your price." Draco sighed. His eyes widened when Harry moved close enough to smell his cologne. Harry's face was inches from his own. Draco's pulse rate soared and of their own volition, his gray eyes traveled to the lips hovering inches from his own. And watched as Harry's pink tongue darted out to moisten those lips. Draco could have died right there. It's a wonder he stayed on his broom.

"I think-" Harry began, staring at Draco's face. Draco held his breath. "I'll wait and tell you later." And with that, Harry landed his broom and walked away, leaving Draco wanting and aching all over for the green-eyed Gryffindor.

"You would have made a wicked Slytherin, Potter!" Draco called after him. Harry stopped and stared at him over his shoulder - and smirked!

"You'd be surprised." Harry replied, cryptically, before continuing on.

After a much needed cold-shower, Draco joined his friends at breakfast. Harry was already eating and he glanced at Draco, and - Damn that man! - he smirked at him again! Feeling a bit childish, Draco stuck his tongue out at him. Harry laughed, a genuine laugh, so rare most days, that it caused the other Gryffindors to look up in shock. And Draco couldn't help the smile that graced his features.

"Draco stop making eyes at Potter!" Blaise groaned. Draco looked away from Harry and at Blaise.

"I was not making eyes at Potter!" he denied, his face going red with embarrassment

"Draco, darling. You were making eyes." Pansy smiled at him. Draco dropped his head and banged it on the table for good measure.

"I'm doomed." he moaned before his head shot up. "Who else saw me?"

"You're lucky it was just me and Pansy." Blaise replied.

"Good. I'm safe then."

"For how long, Drake? For how long?" his friend wondered. Draco didn't have an answer. The owls began to arrive and Caedmon landed in front of Draco with a little flourish. There was only a note attached this time. Draco slowly opened it.

Good morning, my sweet Slytherin Prince;

I trust you had a good time this morning with a certain Gryffindor (whom shall remain nameless of course). I had a devil of a time trying to set that up for you. I do hope you appreciate my efforts. Please consider this my Second Day present to you.

Love,

Your Secret Admirer

"Well that's certainly interesting." Draco grinned. So Harry being out this morning wasn't a coincidence. He looked around for the second time to see who would be so interested in his love life. Again, no one looked suspicious. He risked a glance at Harry and discovered the object of his desire was currently looking over his Potions essay.

Hermione reminded Harry to double check his Potions essay as they were eating breakfast because Snape had told them it counted as 1/4th of their final N.E.W.T.S. Harry dug his out from his bag and started checking over, correcting mistakes when he saw them. He had to admit that Snape was being a lot more tolerant of the Gryffindors this year and Harry was beginning to enjoy Potions class a lot more. At least he hadn't blown anything up yet.

Hedwig soared in at that moment and dropped a package in front of him. She soared out without waiting for her customary slice of bacon.

"She's never done that before." Ron observed.

"She probably already hunted this morning." Harry replied, opening the package. Inside was a brand new Broom servicing kit and a new edition of The Quidditch Book of World Records. His smile was bright enough to blind anyone around him. There was no note this time as well.

From across the hall, Draco saw this smile and was secretly pleased. All was right with the world.