A/N: Another amazing response to Chapter 6! You guys totally rock! Special thanks at the end of the chapter…
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Most of the desire had subsided – or, more accurately, had been sated – and Harry and Draco sat sleepily watching the glowing coals in the fireplace. Harry felt that he could have gone to sleep there, in one of the armchairs, or perhaps curled up on the thick rug by the dying embers of the fire.
Isn't it funny, thought Harry, that the first time I've felt so at peace all semester is due to muggle-hating, Dark Arts-worshipping Draco Malfoy? Whom I hate?
At the moment, though, Harry was unable to muster up much antipathy towards the pale Slytherin lounging beside him. Harry figured he was just too tired, and would probably go back to hating Malfoy's guts in the morning, when he had the energy.
It's getting pretty late…we should probably be going soon…
However, Harry let five more minutes of companionable silence lapse without saying anything, before he finally spoke up.
"I reckon that Filch has probably gone by now."
Draco snorted. "Ha! I suspect you may be right, Potter."
There was a brief silence – both boys were a bit reluctant to leave – until Draco stood up.
"Well then, Potter, let's not keep you from your beauty sleep any longer. Lord knows you need it," drawled Malfoy. He turned, and said over his shoulder, "If I don't see you at breakfast tomorrow, I'll check the ankle chains in Filch's office."
"I'd return the favour, Malfoy, except that ankle chains probably aren't a punishment for you. God knows you Slytherins probably have lots of weird, twisted fetishes. You've probably already tried stuff like that with Pansy," said Harry, and then mimicked Draco's voice. "'Oh yes, Pansy, cuff me harder –'"
"That's enough from you, Potter," Malfoy interjected, but Harry talked on.
"Oh my God! Snape!" Harry exclaimed.
"What about Professor Snape, Potter?"
"Snape and manacles…ugh, that is the worst image ever!"
Draco regarded Harry with amusement. "You know, Potter, I think for once I may be forced to agree with you. That is a very nasty thought."
Draco strode over to the door. "And on that note, Potter, I think we really ought to leave before Filch circles around again."
Just as they were going through the door, Harry thought he could detect, on the very edge of his hearing, a gleeful chuckle. Who on earth…?
"Okay then, Potter, don't forget your quill anymore, because I doubt I'll be feeling so charitable next time," Malfoy said, "especially when it comes to Gryffindor half-bloods." And with that, he turned and strode silently down the corridor.
Yeah, well, feel free to get as many bruises as you like, Malfoy, you inbred pure-blood scum, Harry thought with annoyance. Harry felt his antipathy towards Malfoy start to reawaken. Stupid, arrogant git.
Harry watched Draco until he was out of sight, and then slipped on his invisibility cloak.
He had been given a lot to think about.
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As he neared Gryffindor Tower, Harry decided it would be best to keep the invisibility cloak on. After all, someone might still be in the common room, and Harry hardly felt like trying to explain himself.
Harry crept through the portrait hole, and then stopped. To his surprise, Harry could hear a murmur of female voices. When he stepped silently into the common room, he saw that Mie and Angelina were still there, along with Hermione and Ginny and Parvati.
"…so difficult, sometimes," Hermione was saying. "I mean, I love Ron, I do…"
Harry knew he shouldn't be eavesdropping, but at the mention of Ron, he stopped. What's going on here?
"…but he's not really the most sensitive guy in the world when it comes to sex."
"Isn't it funny that way?" mused Angelina. "I remember once, I dated the sweetest guy, but even though he was really thoughtful in everything else, he was a pretty inattentive lover."
"I know what you mean!" said Hermione. "With some guys, it's like they're sex robots that are designed to reach orgasm, and then switch off immediately because they've completed their programming!"
The four other girls looked confused. "Robot? What's that?" Mie asked.
"I think they're like some sort of muggle contraption," explained Angelina. "Err… sort of like…metal humans…I think."
"I think I understand you, Hermione," said Parvati. "Some guys are really thoughtful in the bedroom, and others really aren't."
"I know that Ron cares about me," said Hermione, "but it's frustrating because he always goes to sleep straight afterwards, and it just makes me feel kind of left out. It's like he's forgotten about me."
"Have you ever talked to Ron about it?" asked Ginny.
"Well… I mean, not really," said Hermione. "I mean, it's a pretty awkward conversation to have!" Hermione added, a touch defensively.
"I think Ginny's got a point there, Herm," Mie said quietly. "I know it can be awkward talking about sex, but I think it would be the best way forward in this issue."
"I agree," said Angelina. "Better to feel a little awkward, and to discuss the sleep issue with Ron, than to let the problem continue."
"I'm sure Ron isn't even aware that his post-coital naps are annoying you," continued Mie. "If you're non-confrontational about it, and just patiently let him know how it makes you feel, I'm sure he'd try his best to stay awake after," she continued.
Ginny piped up. "Plus, it will clear the air. If you just let the problem continue, you might start to resent him, and that's never a good thing." Ginny smiled. "Ron's a bit of a git sometimes, but he's crazy about you, I know that much. Just talk to him. It'll make things better, I'm sure of it."
Harry didn't wait to listen any longer, but crept as quietly as he could across the common room towards the boys' dormitories. He knew he shouldn't, but he was grinning. He could just imagine Ron snoring loudly, unaware that Hermione was giving him a death glare for going to sleep at the wrong time. At the same time, he felt a little uncomfortable. Am I sensitive enough? Or was Parvati thinking about me when she was talking about the insensitive guys she knew? Hmm…
Harry finished the climb up to his room. He was both physically and emotionally exhausted, and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
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A/N: My sincere thanks go out to Rozabel (thanks so much for your review!), Crazy-Gurrl-x(the voice makes another appearance! but it will remain a mystery for a little while longer), MalfoysOnlyChemo (I'm glad you like Silver Eyes! There will be many more chapters to come, I can assure you .), liliycho16Mizuki Aiand Twinblade Alchemist. Also, thanks to:
TwinPhoenixOfDark – that's so awesome! I can't believe someone recommended me to you. I hope Silver Eyes lives up to your expectations!
The Marauderet – Konflickted's 'A Little Something New' really is a great fic, I totally agree. I wanted Harry and Draco to be a little shy, but I couldn't wipe out all of Malfoy's arrogance – it's just too inbuilt, I think :-)
LycanthaRose – thanks so much for your regular reviews, they're so lovely . I figured that Harry wouldn't take the whole thing calmly and unquestioningly, but I didn't want it to end with just that one kiss either, so Draco intervened…I think he would be slightly more calm about it all, he seems much more rational than Harry might be. (I don't know when or if I will out Draco to his Father…yikes! What a scene!)
imber de caelum – thanks! I thought that an inexperienced Draco could work, but then I thought, even if he is inexperienced in love, I can't see him losing his arrogance – it's too much a part of him .
P.S. what does your name mean? It sounds so cool!
Paramour Conspiracy – I'm so thrilled at all the reviews too! Everyone's been so nice (and thank you so much for all of your reviews! you always have something lovely to say, it's so awesome!). Yep, I have a bit of a crush on Draco too…I totally wish I had an illustration of the fireside scene in chapter 5 – that would be the best!
Konflickted – Thanks for all of your kind words over the past week – I'm a total first-timer at fic writing, and I have appreciated the support so much :-D
And thanks to my beautiful Sparrowhawk…