Harry started when Blaise pushed in between him and Ron at the Gryffindor table.

"Hello, Harry. Ron," he greeted them as if he and the other Slytherins sat with them every day. Harry looked up to see Pansy and Theo make themselves comfortable on the other side of the table. A few Gryffindors frowned at them, exchanging whispers with each other. Draco hesitantly stood behind the bench, obviously thinking he might not be welcome. Harry gave him a small smile. He hadn't contacted Draco since they argued. He'd been too worried he was unwanted. After a few tense moments of staring at each other, Draco was pulled down to sit next to Pansy.

"Did any of you get your potion to work?" Blaise asked them, mainly looking towards Hermione. While he spoke, he put food on his plate. She frowned, swallowed her mouthful, and answered him.

"No, it separated instantly." Blaise hummed in thought.

"Mine lasted for a few minutes before separating. What did you do?"

"I stirred mine over the heat, which may have been the problem." Harry remembered almost messing up his potion. He wondered what stopped him. Draco caught his eye.

Trying to make up for storming out on you, he said through their link. Harry sighed happily at the familiarity. He'd missed this. A twinge of guilt reminded him why he stopped.

Thank you. Sorry for intruding on you. Harry kept his eyes on his plate.

You didn't. Harry knew Draco was just trying to make him feel better.

I did, Harry protested. I shouldn't have assumed we were that close or that you wanted that sort of relationship with me. Anger at himself rose up in him.

I do want that. Harry's eyes snapped up to Draco's face. I want you to be there for me when I'm sad, comfort me in your arms. I need you. Harry blushed harder than when he asked Cho to the Yule Ball. Draco's almost pleading grey eyes stared into his soul. Harry eventually had to look away, unease crawling over his skin. It wasn't that he didn't like Draco's eyes on him, he felt stripped bare by it, which was just a little unnerving. He was also aware of many other eyes on them.

Pansy cleared her throat.

"What's up, Harry? Feeling okay?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. Fine." Harry blushed harder, if that were even possible. He'd just had a very, very intimate moment with Draco in front of his friends and a group of Slytherins. Brilliant. Draco gave him what was half smile and half smirk, no trace of the vulnerability he had just moments ago. Damn sneaky Slytherins.

"So, potions master," Harry addressed Draco, "What's your solution?"

I really like that you called me that, he told Harry through the link, staring at Harry with an emotion in his eyes that Harry couldn't identify. "I honestly don't know," he replied aloud. Harry raised an eyebrow, holding his stare.

"But you know everything about potions."

"Yes," Draco told him, his lip quirking up in a smile. "But I need time to think about this one."

"Can we talk about something other than school, please?" Ron asked, sighing. Harry looked away from Draco. He'd been caught in a weirdly intense staring match with Draco twice in the space of ten minutes. Merlin.

"You just want to find out what the latest news in The Quaffle is," Blaise chastised.

"If I have to put up with you Slytherins I'm going to make use of the benefits."

"Excuse me, it's us that have to put up with you," Theo teased back.

"It's not my fault," Ron complained.

"Whose fault is it, then?"

"Harry's," the Slytherins said at the same time the Gryffindor said,

"Draco's."

"How is it our fault?" Harry asked. Theo went to open his mouth but got a 'don't you dare' glare from Draco.

"You two are grumpy when you aren't talking," Blaise said with a shrug. Harry and Draco protested in unison. The whole table raised their eyebrows at the both. Harry huffed. It so wasn't fair that the whole school, no, world, knew everything about his life. Not that Harry would ever admit they were right.

Xx

"The Gryffindors invited us for a friendly game of quidditch," Theo told them conversationally.

"No way," Draco objected. He really wasn't a fan of quidditch and the way his friends behaved in Harry's presence was embarrassing. It was all sideways glances and nudges. Draco's stomach squirmed when he remembered how they'd been interrupted twice while Draco was trying to win Harry over. Harry reacted well to eye contact, Draco had realised. Whether he'd noticed Draco's eyes had darkened with attraction when Harry used a nickname for him was debatable, but it was worth a try. He really did like that nickname, even if it did remind him of Snape.

"Draco, if you want to impress Harry you have to do the things he's interested in," Pansy said. "Not that I'm thrilled about playing either," she added, wrinkling her nose. The only thing Pansy liked about quidditch was the attractive players.

"I wish you'd let me do this my way," Draco grumbled. They were acting like Draco didn't have any social skills. He wished they'd leave him alone about it. He was almost glad he didn't have any time alone with Harry since they'd ambush him the second they found out, grilling him about what happened. He could speak to Harry alone through their link, but he didn't really know what to say. They'd basically finished their transfiguration project and Draco saw Harry so often there was no news to share with him. He missed his alone time with the Gryffindor. And not just because it would be easier to court him, also because he missed their friendship. Letting Blaise know about his crush on Harry had been a very bad idea.

xx

Surgery went really well and I'm recovering well. i used some of the time for writing! Hope you enjoy.