Year Four
Harry opened the door to greet the Malfoy's over the summer with none of his usual excitement. Harry kept his head down, clutching the bag filled with his stuff to his chest. Draco was immediately concerned.
"Harry? Are you alright? Where'd the bruise come from-"
Harry cut him off. "Nowhere, Draco. Let's just go."
Narcissa stared down at Harry with contempt. "Probably got it from those muggles he lives with."
Lucius sneered. "She likely deserved it, Draco. Playing dress up in boys clothes all these years. They can't have hit her hard enough if she's still dressed like that."
Harry clenched his jaw, only keeping quiet because the Malfoy's were taking him to the Quidditch Cup. Harry carefully kept his gaze lowered, knowing that his expression of anger would give him away. Harry never could seem to master the look of cool indifference when it mattered. Harry only relaxed when Draco took his hand and squeezed it just before they were apparated to seemingly nowhere.
Harry looked around, confusion plain on his face. "Is this where...?"
Draco shook his head. "Oh not at all, we have to use a portkey to get there. It's like apparation but you hold onto an object instead."
Harry found himself constantly amazed by the wizarding world all the time. Harry was simply swept up with awe when they arrived at the location of the Quidditch World Cup. He saw many students from Hogwarts running around the camping grounds, and the Malfoy's tent was like a miniature house on the inside. Harry was not surprised to find that the tent was lavish, it was to be expected from the Malfoys.
Harry also failed to be surprised that the Malfoys had gotten the best seats to watch the Quidditch Cup, but was surprised to see the Weasley's and Hermione Granger there.
Draco snorted. "Well well well. If it isn't the blood traitors and the mudblood."
Harry watched as the youngest boy, Ron Weasley, went red. His face was almost the same shade as his hair. Harry always wondered why Draco called them things like that. He thought it was rather on the same level as calling someone a tranny, so he refrained from using the terms himself. Harry jumped when he felt a hand grab his arm, and looked up to see two identical gingers grinning at him. One leaned close and glanced around conspiratorially. Draco and the Weasley were busy trading insults.
"Listen mate, we'll pay you a fat load of cash if you feed Draco some of our candy."
Harry yanked his arm away. "I will do no such thing!"
The other identical Weasley -George, Harry guessed- piped up. "Aw c'mon! It'll be funny, he'll blow up like a balloon!"
Harry found himself becoming a little wary of the twins. Never afraid of them, no. But he didn't trust them enough to sit down and have a cup of tea with them.
"Maybe you should eat the candy yourself, Weasley. Go find someone else to experiment on."
The redhead closest to Harry slipped a card into his hand. "You'll come around. And when you do, well..." The two grinned, and said in unison. "You'll know where to find us!"
Harry looked down at the business card he'd been handed as the two Weasley's sat down, then slipped it in his pocket. Maybe he'd feed a candy to his fat cousin.
III
The rest of the Quidditch cup, and Harry's summer, went by spectacularly. Harry spent most of it gushing over how well Krum had played, and avoided Draco's questions about his bruise like his life depended on it. Harry didn't want to focus on the things his "family" had done to him over the summer, but that didn't mean the thoughts didn't creep up every now and again.
Harry was particularly subdued by the time he and Draco returned to Hogwarts and the left over excitement from the Quidditch Cup had worn off. Harry knew that something big would have to happen to distract him. Not even competing with Draco during Quidditch games kept him distracted long enough. Harry had fallen into depression. He didn't understand why. Normally being at Hogwarts was the best pick me up, even when he had to endure Snape misgendering him every now and then.
Harry was playing with his food during supper when an announcement made Harry's heart soar. The Triwizard Tournament. It was even more exciting than Quidditch! It had all the students in Hogwarts buzzing, and it was as if life had returned to Harry. Draco was especially pleased to see Harry back to his usual self.
"A Slytherin is bound to be picked as a champion for sure! It's inevitable, really. None of the other houses stand a chance." Draco tilted his nose up and grinned at Harry, so pompous and sure of himself.
"What do you think about the foreign students Drake?"
Draco huffed. "Brutish and far too extravagant, the lot of them. They shouldn't need to make such a grand entrance, really. Their presence alone should make heads turn."
Harry smiled fondly. "Not everyone can be as attention commanding as you."
Draco always seemed to be easily flattered by Harry. Sometimes Draco's cheeks would turn a light shade of pink. Harry considered it a talent that he could ruffle Draco so easily.
III
When Harry's name fluttered from the goblet of fire, Draco was there. He was the first one to encourage Harry to walk up, giving his hand a squeeze.
When Harry returned from his meeting with the teachers and other chosen champions for the Triwizard Tournament, Draco was there. He was the first one to give Harry a proper congratulation and a hug.
When Harry got overwhelmed by all his fellow Slytherins offering him firewhiskey and congratulations, Draco was there. He was the first one to make everyone else back off and give Harry room to breathe.
When Harry completed his first task, Draco was there. He was the first one to rush towards Harry with a proud look and pull him into a swift but meaningful hug.
When Harry was asked to the Yule Ball by Viktor Krum, Draco was there. He was the first to open his mouth.
"I'm terribly sorry, Krum, but Harry already has a date to the ball." Draco linked his arm with Harry. "I would be the date."
Draco's gaze followed Viktor's back as the man walked away, and Harry looked at him with wide eyes.
"W-was that your way of asking me out?"
Draco took the brief moment while his head was hidden from Harry to school his features into something more calm and collected.
"It was my way of keeping you safe. Who knows what his true intentions were, Harry."
Harry hid his disappointment. "Er, right. Thank you. I still need a date to the ball."
"And so you shall have one. A date you trust. A friend. Someone you won't feel pressured to kiss, as it will just be platonic." Draco turned to Harry, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "Harry Potter, I would be honored to be your date to the Yule Ball, if you'd so kindly let me."
Harry couldn't help himself then, and broke out into a grin. "Draco Malfoy, I would love to accompany you to the Yule Ball."
Draco smiled, then cleared his throat and straightened his back. "Well, in that case, we better make sure our dress robes match."
Harry giggled and followed to Draco back to their common room. He couldn't believe he'd been asked to the ball by two handsome men in the same day! Harry was immensely glad he would be going with his best friend. This way he knew he wouldn't be made fun of for his horrible dancing skills.
III
Harry took a deep breath and smoothed his robes out for the tenth time, then turned to the side. Chest? Flat. Hair? More presentable than usual. Nerves? Off the charts. Harry turned around when he heard someone rap on the door frame softly. Draco was leaning against it, hair slicked back and looking devilishly handsome. Harry's breath caught.
"Ready to go Harry? You're opening the dance with me, remember?"
Harry nodded, took one last look at himself in the mirror, then linked his arm with Draco's. "Ready."
Harry was met with a soft smile from Draco before the headed off to the dance. The opening dance was a slow one, and as Harry and Draco danced along to the tune, Draco leaned close to Harry's ear.
"You look simply dashing, Harry," Harry was embarrassed to feel his cheeks warm up. "Like a true pure blood Slytherin."
Harry shivered at the feeling of Draco's breath ghosting along his ear.
"You, um- you look handsome too."
The two were so close that Harry could feel Draco's low chuckle.
"I know Harry, thank you."
Despite Harry stepping on Draco's feet many times, he could truthfully say that he had a good time dancing with him. Harry was enchanted by the scenery, and how casually Draco could look cool and charming. A very odd band that seemed to be popular in the wizarding world was playing, and Draco hadn't let go of Harry's hand since their dance. Harry had seen many couples leave to wander the Hogwarts grounds, and tugged on Draco's hand gently.
"Can we go out there? It's getting rather stuffy in here."
Draco smiled and led Harry outside to a secluded bench. The moonlight made Draco's hair look nearly white and translucent, and his long eyelashes cast shadows on his high cheek bones. Harry was surprised that he hadn't seemed to notice how pretty Draco really looked until this year. Harry didn't realize how close his face was to Draco's until silvery-grey eyes met his.
Harry couldn't seem to look away, he was transfixed. Harry felt his mouth part slightly as he gazed at Draco's light pink lips. They looked so very soft, and Harry wondered how it would feel to press his own lips to Draco's. His breath was leaving him in short bursts, and his heart was fluttering in his chest like an owl anxiously beating it's wings against a cage.
And then a hand tilted Harry's chin up lightly, so he forced to meet Draco's eyes again. A strange look was on Draco's face, an emotion Harry couldn't quite place. Draco's cheeks were dusted pink, and snowflakes clung to his long eyelashes.
"Hey Harry? Let's go to the common room, I don't want you dying of hypothermia out here."
Disappointment dropped in Harry's gut, as if someone had dashed a rock on the poor owl in his hearts head.
"Yeah, alright. I guess it is a bit late." Harry linked his arm with Draco's and they walked to the common room in silence, finally looking at each other when they reached the beds. Harry tried for a smile.
"I had fun tonight Draco, thank you for being my date."
Draco smiled and gave him a curt nod. "Of course Harry. It's what friends are for."
Harry felt a pang in his chest and slipped into his bed. He shouldn't feel this way. He shouldn't have expected anything more from the ball. Except he did, and Harry realized these feelings were a problem that needed to be squashed.
III
Draco pulled the blankets over himself in his own bed, and pressed a hand to his chest. His heart was beating rapidly, and Draco willed it with all his might to stop, but it didn't. This wasn't okay, Draco needed to stop being so impulsive. He shouldn't feel this way, not for Harry, not for another man! He was sick, he must be sick. Maybe he had come down with a flu.
Draco buried his face in his pillow. Harry's face had been so close to him, and he had the most intense look on his face. Harry looked as if all he could focus on was Draco. Their lips, merlin, their lips had almost touched! Draco wondered what would have happened if they did kiss, and his dreams that night were occupied with bright green eyes, and soft brown lips.
FORMER DEATH EATERS SON AND THE BOY WHO LIVED SNOGGING?!
Draco slammed the newspaper down, tipping over a cup of pumpkin juice, and stormed out of the hall. Harry quickly looked at the newspaper, and went cherry red. He was met by a moving picture of he and Draco sitting in the moonlight, and Draco tilting his face up in a tender way. Merlin's beard, they looked like lovers! Harry hurried out of the hall after Draco, keeping his head down. Students were whispering and giggling, and one Gryffindor even went so far as to try and trip Harry.
"Faggot!"
Harry's breath became erratic and he searched the halls desperately for Draco, finally running head first into him. Draco looked furious, and Harry immedietly backed away, although Draco was holding him steady.
"Harry- are you alright? Hey! Breathe with me, it's okay."
Harry hid his face in Draco's chest as the other boy rubbed his back, murmuring comforting things.
"It's alright Harry, I won't let anyone hurt you. I don't know how that bitch got that picture but my father will get rid of it in no time, don't you worry."
Harry's grip on Draco's robes tightened. "What will your parents think?"
"I'll tell them it's fake, it's edited. I can fix this."
"Drake they'll be bloody furious, what if they don't let me visit over the summer!" Harry felt dread at the thought of staying with the Dursley's all summer.
"They will, I promise." Draco rubbed light circles on his back, and didn't let go of Harry until he had calmed down. When he had, Draco put his hands firmly on Harry's shoulders and looked him in the eyes.
"Listen to me Harry, alright? We need to appear as we always do. Calm, cool, and collected."
Harry nodded. "Calm, cool, and collected."
"You need to focus on the Triwizard Tournament. Not petty rumors."
Harry took a deep breath and felt his determination settle once again. A Slytherin did not trouble himself with silly, untrue rumors. He would focus on winning, and nothing else. With Draco's constant encouragement, Harry advanced through his trials smoothly. He would turn his nose up and walk the other way whenever another student hissed nasty things at him.
Draco helped Harry win the tournament. Well, it was a tie with Cedric Diggory, a friendly Hufflepuff. When the two emerged from the maze with the tournament cup held high, a bright smile on each of their faces, Draco was the first to congratulate Harry with a hug. Albeit, a short hug, but a hug all the same.
"I knew you could do it Harry, I knew it!"
Harry grinned widely at Draco's face flushed with pride. He'd won many points for Slytherin that day, and increased their bonds with the Hufflepuffs. Harry was finally beginning to feel as though he was living up to the Slytherin name. For once, Harry's dread for the summer didn't come until the very final day of Hogwarts. The high from winning the Triwizard cup had subsided, and now all he could do was count down the days until he saw Draco again.
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