How to find your true love

Chapter 10

That night, whilst lying in bed Harry thought back over everything that had happened that day, especially meeting with Draco in the Astronomy Tower. He had always thought Draco good looking, but he had never imagined that he would be SO nice. Harry had hoped, but he always thought that everything he wished for would be ruined in some way. It was a nice surprise that nothing like that happened this time.

He had liked it a lot when Draco had softly hugged him, not too mention what Draco had said about having to practice that over the next months. Just thinking about it made him warm. He recalled the conversation they had had before they both went back to their Common Rooms.

"I want to ask you something: Why were Weasley and Granger searching about like seekers in a frenzy?"

"They were looking for me," Harry had answered.

"Hmm. That's what I thought. But why couldn't they find you?"

Harry shrugged "I didn't want to be found. I was thinking about the note I wanted to send you and," another shrug, "I can't think when they are around. Besides, I don't think they would have liked me writing a note to you."

"Are you sure? I thought they're your best mates? You've been friends ever since you came here. Surely they'll understand when you tell them…"

"I'm not sure they feel that way. They want what's best for them, but I really don't think they want the same for me."

"Hmm. I'm not sure that you're right about that. Hermione's been very helpful to me."

"She was?" sudden feeling of resentment flared in Harry's chest at that: Why did she go to Draco and not to him? He had said it very softly, but Draco had heard him and answered.

"Maybe because you've been avoiding them and she was afraid you wouldn't listen? And, yes, she was. I wrote to both her and Ron. I wanted to apologise for being unkind to them. And I wanted to ask them to help me convince you that I was not out to hurt you; that I really do like you. Ron was hesitant, but Hermione's been giving me clues about what you like. I really do hope you're not mad at her for that."

"Well, I want to say that you're right but why didn't she, or Ron for that matter, write me over summer hols? They know what kind of a family life I have. So tell me: why? I didn't even get a note on my birthday. I don't care about the presents. I can do without them just fine. It's not like I'm used to them. But a little note would've been nice. And I have to think about what you said about Hermione giving you some clues to what I like. It's not that I think its bad I just have to get used to the idea, ok?"

Draco clearly didn't know what to say to that.

"Look Draco. I'm sorry. I lashed out. I should'nt take this out on you."

Draco looked him over before he replied. "When you put it that way, I can understand a little bit why you need to be alone. But I think you should try and make Ron and Hermione understand, because without an explanation they never will. Or don't you want them to know how you feel?"

"I do. But I don't want to make it easy for them. They had each other during summer and I feel like I'm not important. I know they should get time and all to get to know each other better, but that doesn't mean that they have to forget about me, right?" Harry reluctantly admitted.

"No, of course not. Look, maybe we should sleep on it and meet again tomorrow evening? So that we can plan how to make Ron and Hermione see how it's been for you, alright?"

"Why are you suddenly being so…so in favour of them? You don't even like them!" Harry asked.

"No, I don't particularly like them. But I really, really like you." Draco gave him a pointed look and Harry blushed. "And I know, like everyone here does, that you three come kind of like a package deal. They make you happy, Harry. And besides, you're worth it! Now go to your dorm and we'll meet again tomorrow at the same time and place, okay?"

That's how Harry came to find himself drifting off to sleep to pleasant dreams of Draco hugging and kissing him. Morning came too soon and he reluctantly got up. Realising that today didn't involve any shared classes with the Slytherins, he contemplated going back to bed, but knowing he wouldn't get away with it, he dragged himself to the showers, got dressed and made his way to the Great Hall to get some breakfast.

Ron and Hermione were already there and, as always had saved him a spot. They shot him curious glances, but the questions he'd expected didn't come. They started talking again, but Harry couldn't make head or tail of it. He wondered if it would be like this the whole year. He sighed, not liking that idea at all. Sometimes he just wanted to go back to the first few years at Hogwarts when they were still a close knit group of friends.

As he filled his goblet with pumpkin juice and lifted it to take a sip, his eyes wandered to the Slytherin table. When his eyes met silver-blue ones, he couldn't surpress a small smile. Even with the distance between them, he saw those eyes light up. Before he could even think of what to do next, he saw Blaise start to talk to Draco and he decided that he might as well start on his breakfast. For the first time he actually had a bit of an appetite.

Soon the mail came and Harry immediately recognised the black owl that landed next to his plate. It had been a while since he'd seen the owl and he did his best to pet the beautiful animal and fed it leftovers from his breakfast. The owl was picky. It didn't like the sticky pancakes, but almost fell over his wings to get some bacon. All caught up in petting the black owl, he missed the narrowing of a certain blond Slytherin's eyes. However, Hermione didn't and decided to try to talk about it with Harry after breakfast.

The fluttering of wings told her that the owl had left. When she turned her head, she found Harry had just opened his letter. She wondered who the owl was from. She didn't recognise it. Ron was curious as well, just like the other students at the Gryffindor table.

Meanwhile Harry was reading a letter from his owl-pal. He didn't notice the discomfort with which Draco was watching him.

"Dear Harry,

I haven't heard from you in ages! You know that I like receiving your letters so I was wondering if something is wrong.

I am really enjoying myself here in Greece. Everybody is very nice. But that could be because of our superb Quidditch Team. Tomorrow will be our first match with a Greek team. Of course we will beat them, since we have these harsh practices. The coach really gives us a hard time. I know we have to practice a lot to play in first league, but still he could give us some slack sometime. That would be nice.

Man, if I knew then what I know now about Quidditch training now, I would have given much more severe practices when I was Quidditch Captain! I sure would have asked you to run some laps around the lake every day for starters. Well, I have to dash now. Practice…

Best wishes,

O.

P.S. Is there any chance at all that you will change your mind and go on a date with me? I think we get some free days in a couple of weeks and I would love to see your brilliant green eyes again

Harry smiled as he read this letter, but frowned when he read the post script. In his next letter, he really needed to make it clear that he didn't have any romantic feelings for his pen pal. He regretted that he hadn't had the courage to tell his owl-pal that he wasn't interested in a relationship with him earlier. What would he have to say to make him understand?

As he didn't look at the Slytherin table, or more specifically, Draco, he didn't notice the worried look on Draco's face. He stood up from the table and left to get his things ready for classes today and to think about what he would write in that letter to his owl-pal. Draco was not the only one interested in seeing Harry walking from the Great Hall. At the Gryffindor table Hermione followed the developments as well.

Blaise and Pansy hadn't missed Harry's receiving the letter either. Not because they were watching the Gryffindor table, but because of Draco's reaction to it. They had been happily chatting away, when Pansy heard Millicent say, "Oh look, at that beautiful black owl!" As one, they had turned their heads and had seen the owl land at Potter's plate. A Potter who seemed to know the owl almost as well as his own and was feeding it his breakfast. And the owl certainly knew it was allowed to eat from Potter's plate as it was stealing bacon whenever it could.

Blaise had asked Draco, "Did you send him a letter then?"

"No." From the tone of Draco's voice not only was clear that Draco hadn't but also that he wasn't too happy with this development. The three of them then watched Potter open the letter and saw a smile form around his lips. Later they saw the smile fade and the frown start.

Draco by then was muttering under his breath about needing to explain the principles of dating a Malfoy. They repeatedly heard him mutter, "Malfoys do not share."

So, Pansy and Blaise had started giving him a bit of a pep talk: "Really Draco, how do you know that Harry's letter has anything wrong about it? It could just be that overly suspicious mind of yours," Pansy said to Draco.

"He smiled. And not a little or a hesitant smile, oh no! He was bloody glowing! Now you tell me how the hell am I going to read that? Other than that he's gotten a bloody love letter?"

"You really are exagerating. It could be a letter from a relative or one of his mates," Pansy tried again.

"Besides, you're meeting him tonight. Just ask him," Blaise suggested.

"Are you mad? I can't ask him!"

"Why not? It will certainly tell you more than this irritating game of

what ifs we've been listening to for over an hour now," said an annoyed Blaise.

"Prat!"

"Git!"

"Ponce!"

"Blond!"

"Hey! Not fair!"

"Well, you can't deny it…. Ha! You are blond!"

"You're still a prat!"

Pansy silently congratulated Blaise for getting Draco out of his state, but sighed when the two began calling each other names like five year olds might.

"You still have to ask him directly about the letter, Draco. That's the only way to know for sure that you've got nothing to worry about," Pansy intervened in the childish war.

Draco sighed, visibly deflating, "I know. But it'll be difficult to do that without sounding like an overly jealous-" He was interrupted by a snort.

Blaise chuckled, "You are jealous! Just ask him who the letter is from and tell him that you like the owl. I'm sure he'll tell you."

"Hmmm." With a frown on his face Draco left the Hall to retrieve his bag and start his day.

He too was watched by two brown eyes and a brain whose gears were already running on high speed.