Disclaimer:This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling. The cards used are copyrighted by Lynn Gordon/ A Spark! production and published by Chronicle Books.
No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: When we were on one of our shopping spree's in Amsterdam, we ran into several card decks…. This story sprang forth from the '52 Ways to find your true love' card deck. The idea is that we each take a POV and write alternating chapters, as you will see when the story develops. – Veer and Nat –
Thank you to our betas Tip and Keikokin!
Chapter 7
The morning after he had met with Hermione, Draco wandered into the Great Hall. She had told him that Harry clearly liked the Owl-O-Gram a lot, seeming very attached to it. She had received the first growl she had ever gotten from Harry, when she had reached for the envelope. Hermione promised to keep Draco up-to-date should there be any more news. She had also told him about the rumour doing the rounds that Draco was gay and had noticed right away that Harry wasn't overly upset about that.
So, when he walked into the Great Hall he wasn't surprised to see everyone looking at him, and as he sat down, the whispering started. 'Ah,' he thought with a smile, 'Pansy's been busy.' Seemingly unaffected, he started to fill his plate for breakfast.
"Good morning, Dray," Blaise and Pansy greeted him as they took their places.
He looked Pansy in the eye and said, "Good work!"
She smiled, "It's mostly Lavender's job actually. I made certain that she overheard when I told Millicent about your…preferences. I left out the bit about whom you fancy, though. We might have to talk about that sometime later today." And with a wink she started to eat her breakfast.
Draco silently vowed to take Pansy more seriously from now on. She had demonstrated pure genius in spreading the rumour! Now, all he had to do was to get the word out that he was interested in Harry Potter.
Suddenly, a cunning plan popped into his brain. "Blaise, you know I have shared Herbology with the Gryffindors after lunch, right?" He asked. At Blaise's nod, Draco continued, "Good. I'll need to talk to you in private before that class begins, and I'll explain it all."
Blaise couldn't help but smile and spent the rest of the morning, wondering what Draco had come up with.
Herbology class was almost over. Too bad the Trio didn't take it anymore, but at least Longbottom, Brown, Thomas and Patil still did, Draco thought.
As agreed, Blaise came running to the greenhouse, clearly aiming for Draco. In an annoyed tone, Draco said, "Blaise, what's the matter? You could've just walked to meet me …about...you…and," Blaise panted, hands on his knees, "I had to find out."
Both of them ignored the fact that Lavender had crept closer to them.
"Really? What is it?" Draco sounded impatient.
"The rumour…is that you're gay!" Blaise said.
"Yes, but that should hardly be any news to you!" Draco interrupted.
Both boys distinctly heard gasps of "so it's true then" from the students still in the greenhouse.
Blaise shook his head, "That's not it! The rumour is that you're crushing on Harry Potter!"
More gasps sounded as Draco seemed to think it over. "Well, he i is /i the hottest bloke at Hogwarts, Blaise," he answered in a reasonable tone. "In fact, he's the hottest bloke I have seen in a long time." He looked at his watch, "Come on. We're supposed to meet Pansy for Arithmancy."
They kept up a light conversation until they were certain that they were out of hearing range.
Draco gave Blaise a big smile. "That went wonderfully! Let's see how the rest of the school reacts. And more importantly: Potter!"
The school reacted downright confused. Draco noticed whispers and looks galore, but so far nobody dared to approach Draco about it. That was just fine with him. He had trouble though, daring to look at the Gryffindor table. It took him most of dinner to find out why that was. He was disgusted with himself. The reason he didn't dare to look to see how the Trio was taking it was because he was afraid that Harry Potter would be looking at him in disgust or anger.
Unfortunately, both Blaise and Pansy were facing him and thus couldn't be spy on Potter for him. But if Draco could have gotten up the courage to look, he would have felt much better: Harry had blushed throughout the meal, throwing confused looks at the Slytherin table.
After dinner, when he was back in his room, he decided that it had been a very good day. He decided that it was time to employ one of the tips from his magazine. Because he had been a bit busy, with the start of the new school year, making sure that he would meet Potter often enough in the hallways and having Pansy spread the rumour, that he hadn't read the last couple of issues. So, he dived them up from the bottom of his trunk and started leafing through the oldest edition he hadn't read yet until he found the next tip.
Smile - It's not just your face that registers smiles and frowns; it's your whole body. When your eyes are downcast, your arms folded across your chest or your spine stiff, you might as well be walking a pit bull . Your body is a neon sign flashing "Stay Away." Catch yourself at random moments and check to see what you're projecting. Send a welcoming message instead – one that's more likely to attract than repel. When your face is lit up and your body's relaxed, you project openness and warmth, and you invite the kind of response you're looking for. So smile, and see if you can get that special someone, to smile back.
"That author's got to be kidding me," Draco thought. Then, after thinking it over, he smiled instead. Tomorrow he had Potions with Gryffindor. Lately, Snape had been pairing them up, taking great delight in pairing Slytherins and Gryffindors who didn't seem to be getting along well. Over the past several weeks he'd been partnered with Weasley, Granger and Longbottom. He suspected, and rather more hoped, that tomorrow he would finally be paired with Potter. That way he could try the smile thing ... He kept thinking about it the rest of the evening and then dreamt about it too.
Draco was full of anticipation as he walked to the dungeons for Potion's class the next day. He had woken up with the brilliant idea of asking Snape to pair him up with Potter. But he had been dreaming about it too long and had almost been late for Transfiguration, leaving him in a foul mood ever since. But at last he had Potions. That perked him right up. Just the thought of hearing Snape deduct points from Gryffindor made him want to... but as just he got really creative with what he'd do, Snape stalked in, robes billowing about him.
"Ah," Draco thought, "the show begins."
"Today the following pairs will work together." Snape said in his usual irritated-and-bored-beyond-belief-tone. "Granger/Zabini, Weasley/Parkinson, Longbottom/Bulstrode, Malfoy/Potter."
All Draco could think about was that he finally had the partner that he wanted to work with. He couldn't do anything but smirk while he waited for Potter to join him at his desk. Meanwhile he saw the long list of ingredients appear on the blackboard. He groaned. It was one of those potions where every couple of minutes a new ingredient had to be added.
"Hello Potter." he said in a soft voice.
"Hello Malfoy." Potter said and gave him a strange look.
"Want to get started? Have you seen the list of ingredients? How about I take the ones on the left and you on the right? It'll save time I think." Draco thought that it really wasn't all that hard to be nice to Harry as he spoke. Especially when Harry looked at him with those beautiful green eyes of his.
Harry looked at Draco as if the Slytherin had come from a different planet. Draco suddenly had a panic attack. Did his hair look out of place? Did he have a smear on his face?
"Alright, Malfoy. But you are acting strange." Potter said to him.
'Smile! Draco, smile!' he thought to himself. So he did.
Potter seemed to freeze and Draco feared that he would keel over. Then he heard Granger shriek. Professor Snape was walking past the desks to see if they all had done what they were supposed to do and was just passing the boys' desk when he saw Draco give Harry his smile. Snape halted by their desks, opened his mouth to say something, but shut it again as he saw Draco and Harry both look at him innocently before he continued walking past.
Throughout the potion's class Draco continued to be nice to Harry and found that it didn't even cause him any trouble. In fact, he rather enjoyed working with the boy that had once made his blood boil. It turned out that when Snape stayed out of his way, Harry was a good partner to have when brewing a potion. The only trouble that Draco had was in trying to read the Gryffindor's feelings. He did notice, however, those green eyes on him, and in them was a quiet wonder and something that looked like hope. Whenever Draco had been particularly nice, Potter would blush. Draco would then smile at him. Potter would then avoid looking at him for several moments, and then the whole game started over again.
It was endearing but it really didn't get him any further. Draco decided that maybe another Owl-O-Gram was in order. And he'd see if Granger couldn't push a bit harder. Come to think of Granger, she hadn't told him about Potter's reaction to the rumours. Maybe he ought to wait for that first before he sent off another Owl-O-Gram. Gods, he hated being dependent on somebody else! Especially if that somebody else was a bloody Gryffindor!
They managed to finish the lesson in peace. It went well enough that Snape's mood got steadily worse as he found nothing over which to deduct points from Gryffindor, or more specifically, from Harry.
When the lesson was over both Draco and Harry took their time cleaning up. Draco dragged it out so that Harry would have to say something to him when he left.
When he had packed his bag, he looked at Draco and left, saying only, "Thanks for your help today, Malfoy."
Just as Draco was ready to leave the dungeon, Snape's voice called him.
"Mr. Malfoy, may I have a word with you please?"
"Yes, Professor Snape?"
Snape closed the dungeon door and turned to face Draco.
"Draco, it has come to my attention that certain rumours concerning you are doing their rounds here at Hogwarts."
Draco feigned ignorance: "Oh?"
Snape sighed, trying very hard not to snap. He failed.
"Yes, about you! In fact two of them are floating happily about."
Snape started pacing as Draco watched with an amused expression on his haughty features.
"The first, sir?"
"The first is that you are gay, Draco." Snape prepared for Draco to throw a tantrum, as he was known to do when he was younger and rumours about him were spread.
"Hmm, well, yes that is true, Sir. I am gay." He nodded.
"WHAT?!?!?!" Snape bellowed.
"You know. I seek for the other team, I swing the other way…need I go on, Sir?" Draco asked innocently, eager to help his professor understand.
Snape looked even paler than usual. Draco felt proud. "Sir, what about the second rumour?"
"Oh, yes, the second rumour." It took Snape considerable effort to get himself together.
"The second rumour is that you think Har... Potter…" Snape clearly still had trouble getting the name out, "…. is a…. hot…. looking…. bloke."
Snape had to have a sip of water now that he had managed to get it out. He looked at Draco. Surely now the tantrum would begin.
"Well, Sir, that is – again – absolutely correct. He is incredibly hot."
Snape was at a loss.
"Draco, am I correct to understand that both the rumours are true?"
Draco nodded, actually smiling at him.
"And would you know how these rumours came to circulate?" Snape asked.
The minute he asked he saw Draco's face light up, Snape knew that he did not want to hear the answer.
"Yes I do, sir. I started them." He immediately said.
"You. Started. Them." Snape heaved. Suddenly all around him went black.
The Potion's Master had fainted.
Draco looked at him and decided to go and find another Head of House, to tell someone that the Potion's Master had fainted.
The next couple of days, Draco did his best to show everyone the rumours were quite true.
He spent as much time as he could near Potter. He would smile at Potter. He would try to touch him occasionally. Draco would leap to Harry's defence if some Slytherin dared to insult him in his presence… All in all he thought he was doing a good job. Until, that is, he received Granger's note.
Hey Malfoy,
That was pretty clever, you know that? Throwing that rumour about how you fancy Harry. I was hoping he'd tell me whether or not he likes you too. Would've been a whole lot easier for the both of us. But, he does sit in the Common Room often, listening to that song you sent him and dreaming into space. It's become more intense since that second rumour, though. He won't say anything to me or Ron. Maybe you could try something else? Another song? That seemed to go over really well. I finally pried the attached note from him. If you'd take any advice: no more subtleties! Tell him straight out! Otherwise it'll be Christmas before he's onto something (just like a certain somebody I know)!!!!
Regards,
Hermione
Not what he'd planned. He didn't understand why Potter hadn't talked to her, though. They had always been so close! Surely he'd have told her by now if he was bothered by that rumour?
That night he put on his radio, hoping he would find a song to send with the Owl-O-Gram, remembering from the other one that it took about a week before the owl would show up. He did have to think on the note carefully, though. In that respect, Granger had been right: he would have to lose the subtleties in this one.
It took him some effort to pick out the song, but when he listened to it once more, he decided that the words would do very nicely. The note took some effort, but finally that was accomplished as well. He walked to the owlery, secretly hoping that he'd run into Harry just like he did the last time. That didn't happen and he walked back to the Slytherin common room grumpily.
The rest of the week he kept smiling at Potter and generally acting friendly with him. Slowly he could see Potter start to relax around him, but still hadn't brought up the rumours. It was a good thing that he had already sent away for the Owl-O-Gram, otherwise he might've forced it out of him. He did like to think, however, that Potter was trying to spend more time around him and was even trying to sit next to him when they would meet outside on the grounds.
Then, about a week after he'd sent the order, an owl carrying a familiar black and gold envelope swooped into the Great Hall. Immediately, the entire Hall went quiet and waited in anticipation of what would come out of it now.
What would I have to do
to get you to notice me too
do I
stand in line
one of a million
admiring eyes
Walk a tightrope way up high
write your name across the sky
I'm going crazy just to let you know
you'd be amazed how much I love you so baby
when I get my hands on you I won't let go
this time I know it's for real
Should I write or call your home
shout it out with a megaphone
radio, TV news
got to find a way
to get my message to you
To say I love you with a neon sign
anything to make you mine
I'm going crazy just to let you know
if I wait too long for you I might explode baby
I've been around the block enough to know
that this time I know it's for real
Oh baby
this time, this time, this time, this time
oh baby
this time, this time
Walk a tightrope way up high
write your name across the sky
I'm going crazy just to let you know
you'd be amazed how much I love you so baby
when I get my hands on you I won't let go
this time I know it's for real
I'm going crazy just to let you know
if I waited too long for you I might explode baby
I've been around the block enough to know
that this time I know it's for real1
He could see Potter swallow and look around him nervously. But still, those green eyes didn't even once wander across to the Slytherin table.
"Your work Dray?" He heard Blaise whisper. He only nodded and signalled Blaise to keep quiet. Now Potter would read the attached note.
Hello Potter,
As it now seems an Owl-O-Gram works best to get your attention, I was hoping that my other activities of the past weeks wouldn't have gone unnoticed, but it seems that they have. It would please me greatly if you would remember those two actions and think about how you feel about them. And then, if you have come to a conclusion, I would like to hear it as well. Why don't you write me a note, if you would want to, and give it to Ms. Granger? I run into her often enough and will find a way to get your note. After that, if you wish to write, we can agree on an owl or a letter-dropping-point. But, I'd much rather just meet with you in person and tell you face to face how I feel.
Dreaming of you,
Your no longer so secret admirer.
P.S. Get a bloody clue!
Clearly Potter had finished reading the letter, because he turned beet-red, grabbed his bag and fled from the Hall. Draco couldn't help himself and had a very satisfied smile plastered on his face. Suddenly he felt someone looking at him. Glancing up, he saw Prof. Snape's eyes on him. Draco gave him a very broad smile, winked and nodded. Snape rolled his eyes and swept from the Hall.
1 As sung by Donna Summer
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Thanks for reading! – Veer & Nat –