Phase 3-A You Put This Spell On Me
"Dracooo Darrrliiiiingg!"
The boy in question purposely sped up his steps to go farther from the call's source, until "Petrificus Totalus!" Damn Tonks!
Sending his patented Malfoy death glare to the grinning red-and-gold-haired DADA teacher after Tonks released him, Draco hissed, "What do you want, Nympho?"
Tonks smirked in satisfaction, "Five points from Slytherin for calling your teacher Nympho, Mr Malfoy. Come on, I just want to talk. We haven't had decent conversation for almost two weeks. Yesterday was your birthday."
"My birthday won't come till 4 hours later. Besides, I refuse to have decent conversation with you until you get rid of that horrid Gryffindor hair!"
"Tsk, tsk. I thought you would've chucked out your Slytherin prejudice by this time, Draco. But it's okay, I'm bored of this hair anyway."
After Tonks changed her hair colour to vivid green, Draco reluctantly let himself dragged into Tonks' chamber. His cousin's new hair dazzled him, not just because it hurt his eyes with the brightness of its colour, but also the green thing reminded him of Potter. Just like everything else green or black or shaped like lightning. What aggravated him the most was that he couldn't even see the Slytherin's prided serpent without thinking about Potter.
"So how was your day, little cousin?"
"Just great. Thanks for asking," drawled Draco. He had just suffered a loss from Ron. Today on DA meeting, he had refused to be partnered with Potter. Potter seemed disappointed, but Draco was still peeved by him with the library incident. Nobody ignored a Malfoy and got away with it.
Tonks giggled and suddenly remembered something. When Ron cast a Tickling Charm which defeated Draco, she saw Harry looking at the laughing-his-arse-off Draco with a spellbound expression. She knew that Draco rarely laughed freely like that during recent years, and her cousin had an attractive laugh. However, seeing Harry so fascinated like that was a little unexpected. Tonks decided not to digress though.
"Hey, I've just heard that you're engaged to Parkinson. Is that true?" Draco frowned, "Who told you that?"
"Your mother. She asked me to help you find a way to cancel this engagement. She said you've been whining and yapping to her all the time, and she began to, here I quote: 'question my own sanity since I started to believe I have delivered a daughter instead of a son.' That was very poor of her."
'I can't believe Mother said that!' "If you were engaged to someone like, let's say Fudge, you'd do the same thing!"
"Hmm, Parkinson and Fudge not really a fair comparison. Nah, the point is: I've been wondering why do you seem so vehement to refuse this engagement? I'm pained to say, but Parkinson is quite a looker. Maybe she's a bitch and all, but if you overlook her personality, she can be a perfect girlfriend."
"What kind of point is this? Why don't you marry her then? You look so interested in her. I don't care if Pansy were the Miss World herself, I hate her guts!"
"Ugh, Draco! You spat at my face!" Draco wiped his lips delicately, blushing a little. "Sorry."
"Ehm, don't worry. It's just you have just demonstrated what I meant by your vehement refusal for this matter. You know, what I want to know is whether you refuse Parkinson because you don't like her, or because she's a girl?"
Draco stared incredulously. "Are you drunk? What kind of question is that?"
Tonks stared back. "I know you have never dated any girls, or anyone for that matter. You know, boys your age tend to be confused by their actual preferences. It's not a strange or bad thing if you suddenly find another boy attractive. There are quite a lot decent blokes in Hogwarts if you care to look. You can find someone appropriate, a boy who has nice look and personality."
"Oh, yeah. For example someone like Harry Potter," Draco said mockingly. Inside he was disgusted with himself for always bringing out Potter. As if there were no one else revolved around him. As if there were no one else he revolved around.
Tonks caught his sarcastic tone and replied passionately, "Harry is a wonderful boy! He's kind, gorgeous, smart, brave, and gorgeous. Oh, I said gorgeous twice, but he is! He is the boy of every girl's dream! Personally I think he's the cutest guy in the world. He sometimes could be so nave and innocent. You're lucky if you"
"Maybe you're crazy about him, Nymphi, but never in a million years am I going to have a thought about Potter like that!" The annoyed Draco interrupted her. He was sick already with people's endless praises for Potter. He felt like he heard those almost every day in every place.
"Don't call me Nymphi!"
"Then stop talking about Potter!"
"Why, Draco? You seem to avoid Harry a lot, at least today. You always look strangely uncomfortable around him. You you're blushing!"
"It's hot in here! And you're humiliating me! What gives you the idea that I may like boys? I tell you what, I'm in love with a girl. Therefore I refuse to be engaged to Pansy."
Tonks instantly hugged him. "Oh, Draco. I'm sorry, darling. You should've said something. Tell me, who is it you like? Wait, it's not me, is it?"
Draco sighed deeply, "Thank God it isn't."
Tonks smiled sheepishly, "Oh." Then realizing what his cousin had just said, she glared at the smirking Draco. "Why, you!"
Tickling Draco until the boy laughed loudly, Tonks asked again, "Who is it, Dracooooo?"
Breathless, Draco shoved her away. This was the second time in a mere hour he had been mercilessly tickled to laugh. "There's no way I'll tell you! Please, if I succeed to make her my girlfriend, you'll know it eventually."
Tonks pouted but didn't pursue the matter any more. She vowed to herself to find it out however. Next Draco spent almost two hours nattering with Tonks mainly about ways to cancel his engagement and trivial other things. When he realized that Tonks probably still kept enough energy for another round of pointless chat, he excused himself and returned to the dungeon.
He passed round a corner and almost turned back again when he saw who was walking towards his direction. The Head Boy was patrolling tonight. 'Beautiful day isn't it? It all returns to Potter.' Hogwarts also seemed to have got smaller recently. Potter had seen him, so it was too late to retreat. Draco braced himself for the inevitable.
Harry smiled at Draco, "Hey. Going back to your room?" Draco restrained from saying something sarcastic and nodded.
"You were doing great today. You know, during the DA meeting. What you said about the relocation of warding points and intensive training in various Vanishing Charms were impressive. We're so lucky you decided to fully join us."
Draco snorted. Potter the perfect gentleman knew very well to deliberately skip any embarrassing point and exaggerate the positive one in front of a distressed damsel, or another gentleman. Yet Draco wasn't exactly immune to praises. "Thanks. Glad you listened to me this time. Good night Potter." Draco almost said Harry, but stopped himself just in time.
He didn't wait for a reply and quickly walked away. But he caught the softly spoken "Sweet dreams, Draco" from his behind.
Draco was alone in an empty classroom. He looked out the window, and saw the beginning of twilight. As he was wondering what the hell happened that caused him to end up in the classroom, a sudden noise startled him. Whipping his head to the source of the sound, Draco was greeted by a very alluring view. A pair of unearthly green eyes shone brightly in the dimly lit room. Handsome face like no one he'd ever seen, sexily tousled black hair, tall and nicely built body, a beautiful smile. Draco was spellbound but only temporarily. There was something familiar about this boy Holy shite! This is Potter!
Shocked by his own realization that he had just lusted after Potter, Draco involuntarily took a step back. Potter stepped forwards and grabbed his arms, pulling him flush against a broad and warm chest. Draco inhaled sharply. He never knew being this close to Potter could be so disconcerting, yet at the same time it felt so magnificent. What? It must be some mistake! Potter must have done something to me, otherwise nothing could explain my sudden little attraction to him.
It seemed that Potter had heard his thought, and now trying to prove that it wasn't a mistake for Draco to be attracted to him. Draco felt a hand caress his back in sensual manner, and Potter's other hand was weaving itself in Draco's hair. This sensation wasn't so bad; in fact Draco unconsciously leaned towards Harry (since when it feels so right to call him Harry?) and began to hug him back. Then as if a bucket of cold water had just been dumped on his head, Draco gasped and jumped away from the embrace. He moved away from the other boy, who was watching him with disappointment, desire, and desperation.
"What the hell is going on? What are you doing, Ha Potter?" Potter, his name is Potter!
Harry (I said Potter!) just continued to look at him with so much adoration and wistfulness in his emerald eyes. Then he suddenly spoke the dreaded three words: "I love you."
Draco could feel that his eyes were bulging, did Harry just say He couldn't finish his thoughts, as Harry sped forwards at him and grabbed his face in his hands. This should only end in one thing, and Draco was right. Harry's lips came crushing his own in a firm kiss.
Draco woke up with a start. His body was sweating profusely and his heart was beating so fast he felt like it would come out at any minute. 'Damn it! I feel like I've just had a wet dream!' He shuddered at the thought. Looking at his clock, he realized that it was an hour past midnight. Today was his 17th birthday. His previous dream of Potter saying he loved him and kissing him replayed itself at his mind. He shivered and held himself tightly. What an interesting nightmare to start his birthday.
For throughout the day, Draco tried the best to avoid Potter. He was still affected by his previous so-called nightmare. Who cared that it was kind of nice, that thing with Potter was all too creepy. Some of the Slytherin who still befriended him came to wish him a happy birthday. Draco had been waiting for the day he turned seventeen, but this day blurred out in his mind. He only regained some focus when he opened his special presents from his mother and godfather Snape. Luckily he didn't have class with Gryffindor today, and tomorrow was Saturday. He would have enough time to compose himself before he would see Potter again.
Actually it was very disturbing for Draco that one dream could unsettle him so much. He cursed Potter and whatever sick fantasy his own mind had. He also blamed Tonks and her babble about Potter last night. Because of this avoiding Potter business, he couldn't see Hermione either. He missed her already. When he thought about it, he realized that he hadn't met any of seventh year Gryffindor that day. Or the other DA members. Did they go on an excursion or something without him?
When it was the time for the daily DA meeting, Draco was contemplating whether he should come or not. He thought he had already been cool enough to face Potter again, and he was itching for a rematch with Ron after the last time the Weasel defeated him using Tickling Charm. Decision made, he marched to the Room of Requirement. Calmly opening the door, Draco was confronted with the complete members of DA, plus some Professors and his Slytherin friends, throwing confetti at him and shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
'Great, a surprise party,' Draco groaned inside his mind, 'and I'm still wearing this morning's clothes. He didn't regret coming though, since Hermione hugged him and kissed him lightly on his cheek. She led him to the centre of the room where a giant birthday cake was placed on table. Piles of presents formed a small mountain on one corner.
Draco found out that this was a Muggle-style birthday party. He was led to make a wish before he blew the candles on his birthday cake. He thought this was ludicrous, but did it anyway. His wish was that he got top N.E. this year, and he got a way to get rid of Pansy. Draco tried all the way to ignore a pair of haunting green eyes and a beautiful smile following his every move.
As the food and drinks appeared, some by house elves and some other by will, people began to enjoy the party and congratulate the birthday boy. Harry let Hermione, Ron, the DA members, and the Slytherin fellows went first. When he caught Draco was left alone for a moment, he immediately grabbed the blond's hand and dragged him to a corner. When Harry looked at Draco, he was surprised to see the boy blushing profusely. He admired the pretty pink cheeks and the shyness apparent in those silver eyes for some time before he also took Draco's other hand.
"Draco," Harry said breathlessly. "First of all, happy birthday. I'm so glad, this is the first time we celebrate your birthday together. I have some birthday gifts for you, but I've prepared a special present too. I really hope you enjoy this party. Sorry if this isn't your typical upper-crust party, but all your friends are here. We're all happy for you. Again, I wish you the best birthday."
During his talk, Harry had entwined the fingers of both their hands together. He didn't mean to do that, but his nervousness took control of him. However, of course he enjoyed the result, even more so that Draco didn't pull back his hands.
Draco stared at their intertwined fingers. Wasn't this only applicable for lovers? "Uh, thank you Harry."
While Harry's eyes widened in joyful surprise at the mention of his name, Draco's eyes widened in embarrassed shock at his slip of tongue. Apparently he hadn't been ready to face Potter like he thought before. The dream still very much affected him. 'Well, he looks happy that I called him Harry. Just let it be. Let him enjoy my birthday.' Draco's thoughts were disorientated. Why didn't Harry let go of his hands anyway?
"Are you quite finished, Potter? People may think you are molesting Draco here." A hostile voice came from behind Harry. Draco smiled warmly at the sight of his godfather, while Harry scowled. Snape hugged Draco tightly and whispered a happy birthday to his ear. Draco giggled bemusedly, perplexed with Snape's attitude but didn't complain. Harry frowned at the overly affectionate greetings from Snape. Was he always like this?
The Potion Professor released Draco to give the others a chance to congratulate him. He looked at Harry who was still staring distrustfully at him. Snape snorted in contempt towards Harry and said to the Head Boy, "I know you're keeping an unhealthy obsession towards Mr Malfoy, Potter. He isn't interested in you. Save your energy. Why don't you just enjoy the party while you can?" Snape must have known about Harry's feelings for Draco through their Occlumency lessons.
Harry replied icily, "You don't go around telling people whether their objects of affection are interested or not, Professor. This is a matter of the heart, not something that even the strongest Legilimency practice could tell. So please, why don't you just enjoy the party, Professor?" The next words were through gritted teeth, "While you can?"
Harry and Snape kept throwing daggers at each other. If looks could kill, both men would've been covered in blood. People around them started whispering to each other with curiosity.
Meanwhile Draco was oblivious to the outlandish scene. Professor McGonagall congratulated him formally and gave him long advice regarding his study responsibility and moral development as a 17 year old. Draco bit his lips to prevent a yawn. Then his Arithmancy teacher Prof. Vector wished him happy birthday, followed by Madame Pomfrey who ruffled his hair lovingly and shoved lots of chocolate to his hands as her greetings.
Next was Professor Trelawney. She looked dazed when she congratulated Draco. Suddenly she shrieked, causing Draco to jump back. She stared to the ceiling before whipping her head towards the birthday boy and whispered, "Ohh, Mr Malfoy. I have just got a very interesting vision about you. You are going to get married!"
Draco forced his voice to sound neutral, "I believe that's an amazing vision, Professor. By the way I've been forced recently into an engagement."
Trelawney shook her head vehemently and continued whispering to Draco. "You don't understand, Mr Malfoy. This is unexpected! You will be married to someone so powerful, so popular, but unfortunately also has been predicted to die a gruesome death."
Draco smirked. That description reminded him so much of Potter. He knew better than to trust Trelawney and her absurd prediction. "Thank you for your information, Professor. I'll be expecting my marriage day to this person soon."
Since Draco was immediately occupied by an over-enthusiastic Hagrid, he failed to see Trelawney wink at Harry after she left him. On the other hand, Harry was also confused. 'Did I just see Trelawney wink at me? But the Firewhisky hasn't been brought out yet.'
Ignoring that odd incident, Harry went to blend with his friends and indulge himself with the food and drinks. He kept glancing towards Draco and noticed Snape glowering hatefully at him.
"Don't you think Professor Snape loves Draco very much?" Harry almost jumped at the sudden enquiry from behind him. Luna was wearing her usual dreamy expression and she exchanged her gaze between Harry and Draco. "Well?"
"Er, I'm not so sure, Luna. Snape loves Draco, but what do you actually mean?"
"Love is love. It doesn't matter what I mean." At Harry's inquisitive stare, Luna continued, "If you love someone, are you going to let them free even if they end up loving someone else, as long as they're happy, or are you going to keep them and fight for their love?" Harry looked intently at Luna, pondering his answer, then he turned to watch the person he loved, his blond hair mussed up after his friend playfully blew a soundless trumpet to his head. When he returned his eyes to Luna, Harry's face was resolute.
"I'll be the latter one."
Luna smiled. "You're not the only one who chooses that. And there are many others who say it should be the first option. But someday you might be forced to let your beloved go, because a person's happiness comes from their own heart, not from somewhere else. No matter how much you love this person, if they're not happy with you, you'll never be able to keep them."
Harry didn't listen to her any more. His focus was solely on a certain Slytherin boy who was smoothing his hair in exasperated but strangely still graceful way. He would keep Draco and do anything to have Draco love him back. He would never let go.
Draco had just started getting the hang of this raucous party when he felt Snape clasp his shoulder and said, "I leave now, Draco. I have some works to do tonight."
"Oh. I don't want to hold you back, but can you spend some more minutes here? The party has just started."
Snape smiled slightly at Draco's pout. "I'm sorry, Draco. I actually don't enjoy this kind of gathering, but don't let your mood down. Enjoy your party. I hope you like my present I gave you this morning."
His godson beamed. "It's lovely, Severus. I've wanted that fencing set for the longest of time. Thank you so much."
From across the room, Harry watched as Snape took his leave. He sighed in relief. 'Good. Snape's leaving. At least without him I can concentrate more for this.' This was nearly time for his special present.
Harry clapped his hands to attract people's attention. Everybody turned to look at him, and he coughed a little. He felt the effect of Firewhisky kick off. "I'd like to ask for your attention in the next few minutes. I'm going to sing a song. I've never sung in front of public before, please bear my humble performance." People seemed amazed that Harry Potter was going to sing in front of them, yet they really anticipated this unexpected show.
Harry turned to Draco, who was sitting on a comfy couch and looking curiously at him.
"Draco, this is my special present for your birthday I've promised you."
Hermione patted Harry on his back encouragingly. She knew about Harry's special gift. It was meant to be some means of love confession. Actually it was her suggestion, and at first Harry commented it was too cheesy. But soon he warmed to this idea and got excited with all the preparation. The entire song's lyrics and material came from Harry, who refused her offer to help him. This was his confession after all, nobody would understand his feelings more than himself. Hermione just rolled her eyes. Harry spent all night and this whole morning to complete the song, much to her admiration because he didn't even go that far for his exams.
A stage popped up at the centre of the room and Harry stepped on it. Then glowing bulbs of tiny fairies not unlike Draco's Dark Magic days before materialized around him. He took off his school robe, revealing not exactly his uniform. Beneath the robe he wore a black sleeveless shirt and black leather trousers. The outfit was simple save for the leather stuff, but it accentuated his toned body and displayed a perfect view of his biceps. Standing on stage, surrounded by the floating fairies, Harry Potter appeared downright like a god.
Girls aww-ed, some boys wow-ed. Basically most of them drooled. Harry caught Draco's eyes for a moment, then he shut his eyes and a melody began playing, resonating from the room's four walls. Harry opened his eyes, then his mouth. The second his voice came out, its impact on people gathering there was instantaneous.
Whenever I look at you
I muse over the mercury sky,
And the real colour of the moon,
Losing my mind, I'm spellbound by you
I can't breathe, oh I feel weak
You put this spell on me
Yet I pray for you
May the Devil give you up
And all the light protect you for eternity
Because you're my light, my salvation, my angel
I'm spellbound
All I can see and
All I can hear and
All I can feel is
Everything silver
Save me my angel
Play me a melody, show me the way out
Don't leave me standing, show me the way in
It's you who put this spell on me
Ron gaped in astonishment at his best friend, and so did the other Gryffindor. However, Hermione was smiling proudly. She looked all around and saw everyone in the room stay motionless, fascinated. Harry had a hidden talent with his singing voice. It was such a mesmerizing voice. Deep, sensual, and magnetic. Oh, if he sang in duet with Draco, the effect would be devastating! Talking about Draco, Hermione spotted the birthday boy sitting down with indescribable expression on his face.
Draco himself was torn between going irritated with Potter's wonderful voice ('Is there anything he can do not extremely well?'), and being embarrassed with the form of Potter's special present for him. He felt his cheeks burning. He had never had anyone singing for him. 'He isn't singing for you! He's just performing an entertainment for the whole guest! Nothing you should be embarrassed about!' His mind screamed, but he was still blushing.
Whenever I'm close to you
I smell the verve of vanilla,
And I feel sensory overloaded,
Losing my mind, I'm spellbound by you
I can't breathe, oh I feel weak
You put this spell on me
Yet I pray for you
So the day will love you forever
And the night will grant all your wish
Because you're my soul, my heart, my angel
I'm spellbound
All I can see and
All I can hear and
All I can feel is
Everything silver
Save me my angel
Play me a melody, show me the way out
Don't leave me standing, show me the way in
It's you who put this spell on me
Some Hufflepuff members of DA fainted. Tears were everywhere. Draco would've rolled his eyes if he hadn't been so hypnotized by Potter and his song as well. He swore Potter had put some kind of magic into his performance. Why else did he look even more gorgeous on the stage? He didn't dance or anything, just stood there, occasionally moved his hands, his face soft and relaxed, but his eyes were always open. And he always looked at Draco.
Tell me my angel
Where and when you go
To burn and fly and play with the stars
So I can always know, so I can always follow
I can't breathe, oh I feel weak
You put this spell on me
Kiss me, kill me
Call me angel, call me evil
It doesn't matter because you're here
You bring me back from the depth of Devil's lair
I'm spellbound
I'm on fire and
I'm drowned and
I'm in heaven
I'm spellbound
Save me my angel
Play me a melody, show me the way out
Don't leave me standing, show me the way in
It's you who put this spell on me
Draco wanted to run away. He didn't know why. He didn't know either why he couldn't act upon this urge to run. He was nailed to his spot. By Potter's bewitching emerald eyes. By Potter's godlike voice. By Potter's intense song lyrics. He wondered if Potter or any person who wrote the song knew how he would feel right now. Because right now, Draco was helplessly spellbound.
Silver little dragon,
Come and paint my heart
With the colour of rain, wind, and light
And I'll give you anything you ever wanted
I can't breathe, oh I feel weak
You put this spell on me
Save me my angel
I've been flying so high I can't return
I'm trapped within the lonely winter storm
But I just want to look for you
Because what I need, what I desire, what makes me shine
Is everything silver
Damn Potter! Damn him to hell! What did he think he was doing? Potter was messing with his head. Potter had lighted firecrackers which exploded inside his heart. Potter was playing with his mind, his emotion, his feelings. This song made him feel that Potter was making a confession of love to him, which was naturally impossible! Potter was torturing him. He was going insane. Wasn't the feeling of suddenly being on the moon and surrounded by green a sign for insanity?
I can't breathe, oh I feel weak
You put this spell on me
I can't die, I belong to you
You put this spell on me
I'm spellbound
All I care about and
All I think about and
All I dream about is
Everything silver
Save me my angel
Only you can do it, because it's you
Only you can make it, because it's you
It's you who put this spell on me
The song ended amidst hysterical cries and furious claps and standing ovation. Trelawney was bawling. Draco would've found this situation outrageously comical if he hadn't been put under the same trance by now. When he saw Potter walking towards his seat, Draco woke up from his stupor. Potter bent down near him and whispered so he was the only one who heard, "That song I presented only for you."
Draco's eyes widened and he blushed partly from the proximity of Potter's lips to his ear and his husky voice, partly from the words he said. Potter's words sounded as if they were lovers or something. Then he recalled the lyrics of the song. He had listened to a lot of Muggle love songs, courtesy of Hermione, but he couldn't decide if this one fell under the same category. Mainly just because it would be too weird if Potter had just sung a love song for him.
He watched Potter who was now chatting with his friends, while people praised and congratulated him for his performance. Draco was put out that Potter still managed to draw more attention than him even in his own birthday party. However, he strangely also felt excited and flattered with Potter's special present for him, and that was enough to make him forgive Potter's audacity.
Suddenly Potter caught his eyes, and they gazed at each other for a long time. Then Potter smiled at him, and Draco smiled back. 'I'm officially mental now. Slytherin don't go smiling at goody-goody Gryffindor no matter what. Stupid Potter and his song.' But he kept smiling none the less. Because it seemed to make Potter happy. He liked to make other people happy. Hadn't he declared himself mental just now?
Draco gulped his Firewhisky. Harry was still smiling at him. A question kept repeating itself inside Draco's head: was this song, Potter said presented for him, really a love song?
TBC