Disclaimer: Please see chapter one (is anyone getting the feelingof de ja vu here? lol)

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Chapter 7 – Research and Dancing

Harry was shocked to say the least. He knew what Draco was asking of him, but he did not want to acknowledge it.

"Dance with you?" he echoed. "I thought we were already dancing together."

Draco shook his head. "Not like that," he said, while fidgeting with the sleeves of his dress. "Like this." He motioned towards the many couples on the dance floor, who were slowly dancing with their arms around each other. Harry swallowed nervously. He'd known that, of course, but he was just trying to delay the inevitable. He felt his stomach do flip-flops at the thought of dancing with Draco like that. His head was throbbing now, and everything in the room became slightly blurry, except for Draco. He could see the blonde head and silver eyes as clear as the night's sky, but he wished he couldn't. Harry was starting to feel a pull towards the other boy, and he couldn't fight it. Draco seemed to glow in the dim lighting of the room as he watched Harry and waited for a response. I must be mad if I don't want to dance with that, Harry thought, "that" meaning Draco's angelic beauty.

Harry had made up his mind. As the lights dimmed even more so, he grabbed Draco's arms and placed them around his waist, then wrapped his around Draco's neck. He rested his head on Draco's shoulder, and they began to move slowly to the music.

Draco sighed in content. I can't believe I'm actually slow dancing with Harry Potter of all people, he thought. This was one of the best moments of his life, and he never wanted it to end.

I didn't even realise how much I wanted this until now, Harry thought blissfully, while running his hands down Draco's back soothingly. Harry lifted his head from Draco's shoulder to look at his beautiful face, and so, emerald eyes locked on silver, they danced without either pair breaking contact.

People in the room stopped their conversations to stare at the couple, who were dancing so gracefully it was as if they were born to dance. Everyone stood, or sat, and watched the pair with growing interest; never had they seen anyone dance like these two were currently doing. No one dared say a word; the scene before them was too good to miss. To the unseeing eye, they looked perfect with each other, they were two pieces of a puzzle, but unbeknownst to those people they were shy of each other, as if they'd never done this together before. Which of course, they hadn't. But no one else knew that.

The two teenaged boy's, unaware of the attention they were receiving, were oblivious to everything except each other. It was like nothing else existed, only the two of them and the music.

From somewhere in the crowd, Hetti looked on at the boys with a knowing smile. She was smart enough to have known this would happen from the moment they gave their reaction when she mentioned the relationship status of their 'hosts'. She was also smart enough to realise what would happen afterwards, although whether she could prevent it was beyond her wisdom.

The end of the song came all too soon. Harry was about to break away from the other boy's hold around his waist, but Draco stopped him.

"Not yet," he whispered, almost pleaded. "I don't want to stop dancing with you."

Harry smiled, almost goofily, at how heart warming Draco sounded at those words. How could he refuse?

"But the music's stopped," he said. "And it's getting rather late, the feast will be nearly over."

He was right; the music had stopped, and the musicians had already started packing away their instruments. He was also right about it being late; people were already beginning to leave, saying their goodbyes for the night and retiring either to their room in the palace, or outside to their litters which would take them home.

Draco sighed and looked around the room. His vision was slightly blurry and he'd began hiccupping a few minutes ago, but another look at Harry made him determined to not let all those things stop him from dancing with Harry.

"It doesn't matter," Draco reasoned, staring longingly into Harry's bright emerald eyes. "The only thing we need to dance is each other."

Harry smiled at that, and knew that however much he tried, he couldn't argue against it. Burying his face into Draco's neck, he gave a muffled "Ok," and then the two of them started swaying in time with each other.

Draco gave a triumphant grin, and closed his eyes, taking in the smell and feel of all that was Harry.

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Snape stared at the girl in front of him in shock. Why did she ask such a ridiculous question? He didn't even know if he knew what she meant, and that surprised him. He had always being able to outsmart a pupil in all his years as a teacher, and this was the first time one had being able to confuse him, and with such a small and seemingly simple question. He didn't really know how to answer her, or whether she would accept it, but he tried anyway.

"Although this may be hard for you to believe, Miss Granger," he said. "I do not know everything about Potions, which I'm sure you most likely seem to think. I do not know the affects of the Potion that Malfoy and Potter made, nor do I know how to fix it. I do not pretend to be the world's best expert at Potions; my strong point was always the Dark Arts, as you well know. But believe me when I say I am doing the best I can to revive the boys and will not stop until I do so."

Hermione looked at him, and after deciding he was being sincere, she didn't bother to argue.

"I also think it would be wise if you also began doing research on this," Snape continued. "After all, when given an assignment you always seem to exceed in what is asked of you, Miss Granger."

Hermione nodded. "I will do my best to find out what has happened to these two," she promised. "But I might find more if I search the Restricted Section of the Library." She bit her lip, awaiting his response.

Snape considered her request for a moment, before nodding the affirmative. "Very well," he said. "I will write you a note that will allow you to search the Restricted Section." He grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment, then scribbled a note and gave her it, which she folded and pocketed.

"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully.

"No need to thank me, just do what I asked. But if I find that you are abusing this benefit, I will make sure you will be permanently banned from the Library altogether," Snape said with an unusual glint in his eye. "And I'm sure that would be a great loss to you, am I right?"

He knew the answer, and even she knew he did, but she answered with a "Yes, sir" anyway.

"I am glad you understand," he said. "And I think it is time for you to go now, Miss Granger."

Hermione turned towards Harry and stroked his cheek. "Can't I stay just a little longer?" she pleaded.

"I don't think that is such a good idea." Snape told her. "Dinner will be starting soon, and I am sure your presence will be required."

"As will yours," she said while standing up, now taking a last look at Harry.

"I believe you are correct Miss Granger," he said, and led her out of the door, through and out of his private quarters.

They walked through the Dungeons up towards the middle of the castle in silence. When they reached the Great Hall, Snape gave her a slight nod, so slight that she almost missed it, and then walked through the double doors. Hermione was about to walk in as well and go and sit with her housemates, when she changed her mind. Turning on her heel, she quickly walked through the castle towards the library. She didn't feel that hungry anyway, so there was no point wasting time on that when she could be doing research. She rounded a corner and entered the Library, where Madam Pince, the Librarian, sat behind her desk reading a, can you believe it, book. She walked up to the Librarian and gave her the piece of parchment, and at Madam Pince's nod, walked through the Library and into the Restricted Section.

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The room had been cleared completely, but Harry and Draco were still dancing in the centre of it, looking quite content. Harry, to his own surprise, felt as if he was on cloud nine. He had never danced so intimately with anyone else before, and with Draco, it felt so right. He didn't know whether it was himself or the wine thinking, but he suddenly felt a strong attraction to the other boy, something he couldn't explain. Of course, he'd always known that Draco was good looking. Hell, the whole school knew he was. But as said person was actually his arch enemy, he didn't stop to think about how attractive he was when they hardly looked at each other for ten seconds before they were on the floor kicking and punching each other. The last few days when they have been stuck in Ancient Egypt made Harry realise that the Draco Malfoy he saw was nowhere near the same as the Draco Malfoy he had gotten to know. He found that he liked this Draco Malfoy, the real Draco Malfoy, much better, and it showed him that people might not be who they seem to be.

Draco wished that the two of them had some music to dance to. It made things seem a little weird that they were slow dancing in an empty and silent room. Although he wasn't exactly complaining. In Draco's opinion, to give up a chance of dancing with the delectable Harry Potter would be like giving up a chance to go on a two thousand galleon shopping spree.

The whole room was completely dark, except for two small candles on every table, giving the place a glowing and mellow feel to it. In the dim light, Harry and Draco saw nothing but each other.

Harry lifted his head from Draco's shoulder, and they carried on dancing whilst looking deeply into each other's eyes. They were so close they could see every detail on the other's face. Harry's eyes broke contact and dropped down to rest on Draco's luscious lips. Harry licked his own unconsciously, and Draco's eyes flickered down towards the movement, and he gave a slight moan of delight. At the sound, Harry's eyes locked with Draco's once more, and he leaned forward ever so slightly.

"Why are we doing this?" Harry whispered, his breath ghosting over Draco's lips, making them tingle. Draco swallowed nervously and stroked Harry's cheek tenderly.

"I don't know," he replied in the same hushed tone. "But I like it."

Draco smiled, and Harry smiled back. They leaned forward closer and closer towards each other, until they were only an inch apart. Neither knew who moved that extra inch forward first, but suddenly their lips were upon each other's in a gentle kiss. Their lips moved together slowly and passionately, both of them pouring all their feelings into the kiss that they had wanted all night. A little after a minute of this, Harry became braver, and nipped at Draco's bottom lip. Feeling surprised, Draco let out a small gasp, but it was enough for Harry as he quickly plunged his tongue into Draco's mouth. Their tongue's swirled and probed at each other, both of them battling for dominance, which neither received.

Draco's hands roamed Harry's body, working from his shoulders down his arms, and then crept up underneath his top, resting on Harry's defined abs. Wow, Quiddich definatly does a lot for his body, Draco thought as his thumb stroked Harry's stomach softly. Harry let out a soft moan and his hands travelled down Draco's back, and stopping to grip his firm arse. They were still kissing feverishly, and were about to strip each other of their clothes when there was a sound from the doorway to the room. They suddenly stopped their activity and turned towards the doorway, where Hetti was standing, with an embarrassed look on her face.

"I'm sorry to, er, interrupt," she said. "But I think it is time you go back to your quarters. It is very late, if you weren't already aware."

The two boys exchanged a longing look, but did as Hetti said and walked to their quarters. As they reached Harry's room, Hetti said, "I'll just leave you to say your goodnights, then." She walked off down the corridor.

Harry and Draco looked at each other awkwardly. Draco shifted his gaze down to his shoes.

"So… I…er… I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," he stuttered, as a slight blush started tinting his cheeks.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the door opposite his room's.

"Well…I…er…suppose so," he started. "But you're welcome to…" He trailed off, not sure whether he should continue.

Draco, his attention fully on Harry, raised an eyebrow. "I'm welcome to what?"

Harry swallowed. Should he ask him? Should he risk it? Once again, he didn't know whether it was him or the wine that did it, but he found himself blurting out his unasked offer. "You're welcome to stay in my room for the night."

The moment the words rolled off his tongue, he clamped his hands over his mouth, but it was too late; the damage had being done. He looked at Draco to see his reaction.

He looked shocked at first, but then a small smile crept forward and showed itself. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Harry smiled in relief that Draco hadn't turned him down, but he didn't want Draco to think he wanted to do that. He was drunk, but not so drunk that he didn't know where to draw the line. Draco was hot, yes. But Harry was a virgin, and wasn't ready to lose his virginity, especially with someone who he'd disliked for years and only started getting along with a few days prior.

"Erm…well you see…I don't really want to…" Harry hesitated. How should he put it?

Draco put him out of his predicament. "It's okay, Harry," he said. "I understand what you're trying to say. If I stay the night, we don't have to do anything."

"Thanks Draco," Harry said gratefully. They both went inside and got undressed for bed. It took a great deal of restraint for them not to jump the other when they caught sight of naked bits of flesh. Slowly and carefully, they both got in at opposite ends of the bed, making sure there was a reasonable amount of space between them. Although they were both excited about been in bed together, the amount of alcohol they'd had made them drowsy, and soon they had both entered the wonderful world of dreams.

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There we go! Another chapter for all my luuuurvley readers! Tell me what you think! I'm not gonna update unless i get another 3 reviews at least so get reviewing people if you wanna see the next installment! (I knowI do!) Also, tell me if you have any ideas i love hearing them! And all those who reviewed last chapter - thanks! And don't forget to review this one! So until next time, toodles!