Disclaimer: I do not own anything such as characters of Harry Potter these and everything else being the property of J.K Rowling.
Draco was in a foul mood, he had been sitting on a hard uncomfortable wooden chair for nearly twenty minutes now, and still the Gryffindor losers hadn't showed up. The other prefects didn't seem as bother by all this and he wondered if they were on happy pills or something. The only ones who seemed equally annoyed was Pansy and the other members of his house. Pansy sitting straight her manicured hands resting on the large table the group was sitting around, any outsider may perceive her as being completely relaxed but he knew other wise. The way she tilted her small pointed chin, and the coldness in her beautiful blue eyes showing the hidden tension underneath.
On one side of the table, the Ravenclaw prefects were quite happy to take up a book or use the time to catch up on extra study. Hufflepuffs chatting and laughing amongst themselves over irrelevant nonsense, some joke in a so and so class, and the best way to magic a teapot, from what he could pick up. Definitely not something he could consider interesting, he turned his gaze to the students across from him, his eyes narrowing as they rested on the few remaining members of Gryffindor who avoided his stare the best they could, murmuring in low whispers nervously. He had tried to amuse himself for the past ten or so minutes riling them up but now he was just getting irritated.
His hand slid into his robe, wrapping around his thin wand as he considered what would be the best hex to liven things up a bit. Just as he began to draw it out a noise pulled his attention to the room's entrance and he scowled shoving it back.
"Finally thought you'd show up," he remarked coldly, as the golden trio entered his eyes like ice. Draco then raised a pale eyebrow at the stormy glares he received from the two male Griffindors. 'What the hell was their problem?' he wasn't use to them sending him any looks carrying that much malice, especially over such an idle remark. Hermione's lips parted as she began to speak only to be cut short as wonder boy interrupted.
"We apologize for arriving late but unfortunately we were held up by head business." The dark haired boy announced politely his eyes flicking down to the girl between him and Ron a message seeming to b silently sent causing her to frown.
The Slythern's metallic eyes took it all in curiously, they were hiding something. He lent back casually "Funny that Potter, care to expand or do you really expect us to believe Weasel, mudblood and yourself just 'happened' to be occupied with this so called business. Weasly had no right to be there if it is indeed what you say."
Harry's hand raked through his black locks and Draco inwardly snickered at his obvious frustration. "You're going to have to accept us at our word Malfoy, its private and we're unable to divulge it to you," He muttered unconvincingly.
The blonde boy snorted in contempt and a few jeers were released from the Slytherin side of the table. Ignoring it the three made their way to their seats. Draco not missing the way the boys practically shepherded Hermione to her place, dropping down on either side of her. Ron's arm draping itself over her slim shoulders and he got the nasty suspicion, Potter was holding one of her hands as well. He studied her response to these acts and was surprised to see she was utterly annoyed with the extra attention.
His eyes slid around the wooden table, the noticeable expressions showing he wasn't the only one picking up on the strange behaviour. His fellow Slytherins watching suspiciously and he smirked at how Pansy regarded the three her eyes slanted as she considered the possible implications to their little charade. The Ravenclaws were oblivious, while Hufflepuffs watching with vague curiosity. The Griffindors reflecting more concern then anything, leaning in to whisper to each other their eyes locked onto the infamous trio as if in hope to gain their attention if only for a moment.
Draco frowned as the meeting commenced he could read something serious was going on under the surface and it aggravated him no end to not actually know what it was.
As Harry droned on about prefect duties and other boring nonsense to torture the unfortunate listeners in the room, his head tilted while his lips showing a hint of a smile. Until today he'd never realised how amusing Granger could be when she couldn't talk. Neither Ron nor Harry allowing her a chance to speak, butting in or hushing her the second she tried. The frustrated girl glaring down at her lap, her long hair falling in the way of her face, as from what he figured she contemplated what she should do. By the time the meeting was near its end he had to admit he hadn't been to any that had been this interesting. With Granger's snubbing and the scathing looks sent his way if he made any small comment, it had made it a riot. His eyes glittered amused even better was if he stared at the mudblood, it was like he was committing some horrendous sin, the two boys stiffening and he was sure they'd kill him if they could.
In the midst of his thoughts, he was distracted as suddenly chatter arose and students were standing, shoving parchments back in bags and drifting out the room. The Griffindors gathering together and chatting to Potter and Co, he glanced at his house who sat patiently and he signalled them to leave watching as they left their departure like the melting of shadows only a few hushed whispers passing between the group. The member's cold eyes momently resting on the noisy Griffindors, before they continued on their way out.
Draco held back from the throng just so he could watch as Harry and Ron practically lifted their friend to her feet, not without an angry retort, causing them to murmur something too soft for him to hear. She stilled and her head jerking his way and startled hazel eyes met with his silver ones. He sneered and she hurriedly diverted her gaze allowing her friends to lead her out with their escort of Griffindor followers.
When gone he frowned not surprised as a soft feminine voice broke the silence. "What was that about Draco?"
He turned, his eyes falling onto the small fair haired pureblood in front of him. He shrugged, "I don't know Pans, but I'm going to find out." With that said he motioned for her to join him as he silently made his exit.
The boy who lived stood reluctantly at the door to the entrance of the great hall. It was no hidden knowledge that the Slytherins occupied this part of Hogwarts for a brief fifteen minutes every afternoon, members of the other houses were lost as for the cause. But it was a daily occurrence and every student had long become accustomed to it. He could feel his hands were shaky and in response he buried them in the deep pockets of his robe, he couldn't believe he was doing this, i..it was so wrong. He felt as if he was betraying his best friend, his eyes unfocused as he recalled last night's events.
Flashback
"Hermione NO I'm not doing it!" he bellowed at the petite girl in front of him.
"Yes you ARE!" She shrieked back her hazel eyes snapping with a hidden fire. "You know like I do there's no other way." She spat out in addition.
"Hell Hermione you think I'll help you to…to" he spluttered unable to continue, 'just the thought was bad enough, how could he willingly put his friend with some muggle hating, deatheater to be, Slytherin.'
"I need your help Harry, anyway Ron would hex himself first."
"Oh and I wouldn't" he said angrily, rather hurt to think Hermione would believe Ron cared more about her then him.
She sighed in annoyance, "Don't be silly, Ron like all the Weasly's is a hot head, he can't think past how he feels, you understand the logic of what I'm saying. Plus we have a better chance of him bashing the git before convincing him of anything."
"Malfoy hates me more," The black haired teenager pointed out.
She crossed her arms in agitation, "Of course that makes it better, he'll find it harder to lose against you, imagine how that'll hurt his pride."
Harry massaged his temple frustrated as he paced for the millionth time in front of their common room fire. His other best friend had returned back to his dorm in a frightful huff over an earlier fight concerning Hermione vowing he'd kill the Slytherin first, before she even considered Dumbledore's plan. It'd been two days since they found out, and he and Ron had researched for hours on end, even getting in a rather nasty fight with the headmaster himself to no avail. Truthfully he couldn't see any other option and he knew Hermione had reached it a long time ago. It just was incomprehensible that this could happen, and every fibre of his being screamed at him to stop it, that there had to be another way. She was going to get hurt and how was he meant to help her if she was ever in trouble, most likely he wouldn't even be present.
The girl before him had like a sixth sense picked up his unworded worries and she gave him a gentle push, forcing him to direct his attention back to her. "Harry, I'll be fine." She said softly. He must have looked unconvinced because she repeated it again "I'll be fine k, really I will, we'll stick to the plan we managed to put together, and with you and Ron's help, I shouldn't have any problems."
"The plan wasn't for real it was.. just brainstorming, stuff we played with not for serious." He moaned unhappily.
"But it'll work," She said firmly, "It would have to be the best idea I've heard, and I've been pondering for days. Please Harry please help me. I don't know if I can do this alone." She ended weakly her shoulders slumping as she stared down at her feet.
He felt his heart lurch, she was scared all this time putting up such a brave front and now he could see it. Her fear of what would happen, of Malfoy, the outcome if she failed.
"Hey Mione, its ok we won't let him hurt you I promise and we'd never let you do this alone how could you think that." The brown haired girl looked up her face hopeful. And although Harry knew he'd regret it he said the words anyway. "I'll do it," he smiled his green eyes sparkling, "I just know Ron is gunna kill me for this." The headgirl gave a cry of thankfulness cross relief throwing her arms around his large frame, and he hugged her back as hard as he could. The bitter voices inside his head laughing mockingly at his weakness, he was forcing her into something terrible and nothing he could say to himself could make it okay. Nothing.
End Flashback
That is how he Harry Potter had managed to find himself in this position. He tried to neaten his clothing, gathering himself together for the confrontation ahead. Pushing the guilty thoughts to the back of his mind, he stepped forward into the huge room, the Slytherins voices only lowering in response, while a few disgusted looks were thrown his way. Not intimidated the Griffindor approached the large table where the cunning group resided. As he drew within a few metres the whole gathering went silent all eyes turning to the famous boy. At their stares he began to feel a little unnerved, but he kept his cool and addressed the ghostly pale boy sitting amidst the dangerous group. "Malfoy, I wish to discuss something with you." His voice amazingly managing to sound casual, even with all the attention focused on him.
The aristocratic pureblood lips formed a sneer his eyes slanted in distaste. "Piss off Potter. I have no interest whatsoever in carrying any form of conversation with you."
Masking his annoyance, he just shrugged, "Sorry to disappoint you but its Head Business" He watched as suspicion slid onto the teenagers face, he didn't believe him. Beginning to panic his mind raced with other ways of removing the high class Slytherin away from his followers, 'Merlin how? Malfoy just had to be the prince and he didn't even want to go into what a load of bullocks that was'.
Before he could make up some lame excuse, Draco cool voice solved the problem, "Leave, and Crabbes have that book owled back before I return." He ordered arrogantly. The students obediently rising to their feet and making their way out, not before shooting foul glares and insults his way in the process. Once all sound had died down, Harry was left alone with pale teen. He realized that Malfoy was waiting for him to say something and was suddenly at loss for words. To buy some time he seated himself at the table across from the Slytherin, the silver eyes in front of him narrowing at the move. After a handful of seconds had passed, Draco spoke. "Listen Potter," he hissed. "If you have anything to say, say it! I've got much better things to do. Although…" he added "I'm beginning to have doubts this has anything to do with head business."
Harry gave a weak smile, which seemed to make Malfoy's gaze harden even more if that was possible. "Ok.. ok you're right its not about head business." He said relenting, at the words a snort escaped the opposite male and he stood abruptly causing the Griffindor to start. "Hey what are you..?"
"I'm Leaving, if it isn't half obvious." He said coldly.
"Malfoy no wait!" Harry responded hurriedly. Seeing he wasn't listening he continued quickly. "It's not about head business but its about my house."
Malfoy was sceptical "And why should I care about 'your' house Potter?" He drawled, facing the famous boy again his arms crossed slightly impatient.
Harry pretended to be amused, "well it's not about my house that'd interest you, more what my house is saying about you."
The Slytherin's eyes had slanted, "You think I'd be worried about what some pathetic Gryffindors are saying behind my back, don't be absurd golden boy you lot aren't worth the effort."
Harry nodded "I know its stupid, but I can't seem to make them shut up, it's an inside joke gone wrong. I am the head boy and I can't let my house continue on with this rubbish." Draco was giving him the weirdest look he'd seen on the Prefects face,
"What the bloody hell are you on about Potter." He snarled annoyed.
The dark haired boy looked away as if embarrassed, "Well seriously, Draco, it seems your reputation of bedding every girl in sight is what's started the rumours."
Malfoy smirked, "And what's the problem with that?"
The Griffindor sighed dramatically, "Well, it's what's in them, all the guys talk about is that you can only bed the easy girls no one who's a challenge or has values. They reckon its hilarious that you believe you're the best in everything in this area but you can only get the girls every Tom Dick and Harry can get their hands on." Harry peeked out the corner of his eye to see Malfoy face, the pale Slytherin colouring, now having a soft shade of pink that had spread over his nose and cheeks. He continued, keeping his gaze down at the wooden table, "I told them, they didn't know what they were on about, I mean no one knows too much about another's personal life. But it doesn't work the jokes just get worse, its been two months now and I've had enough of it, my house shouldn't be acting like this." He ended as if in complaint, he looked up now to see the enraged Slytherin.
Draco face was still brushed a pale pink from embarrassment, but his eyes glittered angrily. "You're house has been saying this load of crap for two months?" he questioned shakily.
Harry shook his head in affirmation, watching as the boy's mouth twisted into a scowl. Recognizing the pureblood was incapable of reasonable speech right now, he decided no time was better then to suggest the bet. "Actually I was wondering if we could fix this another way, either proving my house wrong or right, while being able to show exactly what you can do." The head boy grimaced, "Not that I'm really for all this but I thought it could be an easy way to get some free money." Draco stiffened, glaring at the boy sitting in front of him silently telling him to continue. "Well…" He said as if in thought, "A bet between us, we choose a girl you have never been with who has values and all the other stuff. If you sleep with her, and I said if, I'm more with my house on this one you don't have a chance from my opinion. Draco sneered, but Harry continued, " Then I pay you the money around 10 000 Galleons." The silver eyes widened in disbelief, even Harry inwardly cringed the amount of money he said was huge and most Witches or Wizards could only dream of having that much. "But if you can't shag her by the end of the year or you give up, then you pay me 10 000 Galleons."
Malfoy sat down, his eyes cautious, "You can't be serious Potter."
Harry Shrugged, "Why not, I have the money." He then grinned, "Plus the girl you gotta a bed, well lets say you have a chance of Hell freezing over first."
"Believe me, one week with even the most frigid girl in this school and she'd be begging me to have her, if I agree it's an instant lose."
The emerald eyed boy laughed, "You're cocky Malfoy, but lets say I know this girl and she absolutely hates your guts and every other part of your anatomy."
The blonde haired teen studied him in consideration before his eyes shot open in realization. "No way you can't mean…" he spluttered as it clicked exactly what female Harry was talking about." The Griffindor slowly smiled, causing the Slytherin to break into a fit of curses. "The fucking mudblood, like I want to touch that dirty carcass." He hissed in revulsion.
Harry frowned, "Believe me I'd worry more what she thinks of you," he paused. "Well that is if you haven't chickened out." He added in after thought.
Draco glared at him, "She doesn't know?" he queried.
Harry was amused, "No, of course not anyway she'd kill me if she caught me doing something like this."
The Slytherin's pale brows drew together, before he agreed "Fine Potter the bets on," he smirked "consider the money mine." He ended before standing, "She's not to know." He ordered dangerously eyeing the Griffindor in warning.
"She won't." he promised. Studying him for a few more moments the pureblood then turned disappearing out the hall. Allowing Harry for the first time in ten minutes to truly breathe, it was over and he'd turned his friend over their enemy. He leant forward his face buried in his large hands. "I'm so sorry Hermione, just so sorry." He whispered to the empty room.
A/N Hm, well I'm quite pleased with how the story's coming out. The bet works perfectly for the future chapters of the story. Yes I know bets have been done before etc etc… but this is one of my twists to my fic and it is completely different to any others involving a bet. Thus I'm not worried at all with my choice.
And a big hug to my delightful reviewers, Its your comments that inspire me to write.
A special thankyou to Danish Pastry 28 this chapter is dedicated to you, your comments have made me smile and I'm so happy to have a reviewer who has followed me from the start. And as to who Draco becomes involved with… .grins. you'll just have to wait and see.
Thankyou to: h you're right thanks for pointing it out. kiaroxmysox .blushes. such a sweet compliment. Lunata I hope you keep enjoying it so far, I like fics that work their way to the end result so I really hope you don't mind. More Than You Can Handle lol glad you like it, and good luck with that comp of yours.
Well Review people, I love to be inspired.