A/N: Gods, I suck at coming up with names for chapters… takes me hours to think about and then I end up with the corniest thing… domage.
Sorry for being so late posting this, don't really have an exuse...
..oo00oo..
Draco
I have a boyfriend. Oh, yes I do. A boyfriend, my boyfriend. Oliver. Wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. I have a boyfriend!!!! It's like music to me, a chant, or a mantra. Thank Merlin the dancing is going only inside my head.
As it turns out by the time I reached down to the Quidditch pitch I was wide awake, it could be the slight soreness of sitting on a broom but I like to believe it was because I was basking in the glow of my new love.
Once training is over I rushed back to the common room. I'm bursting to tell someone, to flop on the bed with a huge goofy grin on my face and a dreamy look in my eyes. But there are only two people I can confine in and one is in his room up the Ravenclaw tower, and the other… is probably also in the Ravenclaw tower… Damn you Pansy and your ill-timed pursuing! I'm going to have to wait until morning to tell anyone.
I started getting ready for bed with my gloat unfulfilled, when I opened the curtains around my bed I saw there a little note on my pillow, I took it gingerly wondering what the hell, and then I opened it- there were only four words on the little piece of parchment- "Is It Friday Yet?" no signature, no nothing and I immediately knew it was from Oliver and I couldn't really help the huge smile that is slowly spreading my face. I crawl into bed and stuff the little note under my pillow- looks like it's going to be a good night after all.
Normally during History of Magic I like to seat in the back of the class as far as possible from professor Binns, unfortunately- so does everyone else. This is the only class that you'll see people actually arriving up to ten minutes before the lesson actually starts. But today I managed to secure a place in the back row, and even better- I have Michael with me to pest me about last night.
"So I take it by the fact that you're smiling that it worked?" he asks me, although I don't really think the word smile quite covers it, I haven't been able to stop grinning since I woke up this morning and frankly my face is starting to ache.
"Yes, indeed." I answer smugly and he laughs quietly.
"I knew my superior antics and cleverness would get the best results." He said happily and I arched my eyebrow at him drumming my fingers on the desk slowly, "You can't really deny it. If I hadn't spotted Oliver and moved in for a desperate action the two of you would just stand there glaring at each other for a week and move on. And then the whole dancing-around-each-other-never-getting-anywhere routine would never end." As much as I hate to admit it, he does have a point.
"Thanks," I offered with a big smile, "This is by far the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."
"Now, now Draco, don't get all mushy on me." He was wriggling his finger in front of me, "But you could tell me what exactly you've been up to." He added with a sly grin,
"We were moving the bed." I said in the most casual, straight faced manner, Michael couldn't keep a straight face but he was making quite an effort,
"Where did you move it?"
"Oh, not very far, just a couple of inches. But it took us ages." I opened my eyes wide and Michael let out a loud snort of laughter, one that caught even the attention of Professor Binns. Michael was sinking so low in his chair you could only see his brow which turned bright red and I ducked my head to hide my own grin. We waited until everyone's attention was away from us before resuming our conversation.
"Man, this is completely unfair. And to think that I had to spend all afternoon in the library doing my charms assignment while you two were rattling the bed like a couple of drunken sailors on leave." Michael tried to sound as sad as possible while grinning but all I could see is that a couple of heads turned curiously in our direction. I glared at them until they turn back and then elbowed Michael hard,
"Shut up, will you? This is supposed to be a secret!" I hissed, "Do you want to get me expelled?" Michael appeared to think about it for a few seconds and I'm more than ready to elbow him again when he smiled,
"Of course not. Not after all the hard work I've put into things."
I smile at that, all the hard work he's put into things. Which is basically saying- all the stupid mistakes I've done. I know that being in a relationship with me can't be easy, even my friends sometimes have problems excepting my authority and my opinions, so in a romantic relationship it should be ten times harder, right? Not to mention that by choosing a strong headed and equally stubborn Gryffindor I basically doomed myself. Now we both gonna have to try and work past the differences and the clashes in our personalities and make it work together, because that is what having a relationship is all about in the end. Now show me another 17 years old guy who understands this concept.
"So. When are you going to see him again?" I gave a shuddering breath to indicate my frustration,
"Friday."
"Well, that's not too bad. It's only two days away." Michael tired to reason, but reason was pretty much lost on me whenever it came to Oliver,
"Only two days? It's forever! A lot can happen in two days!"
"Like what? He's going to find a husky young German to warm up his bed?" I shot Michael a look of pure venom but he only chuckled at his own (very faulty!) humour. "Oh, will you stop being such a drama queen!"
When class was over Michael and I were still chatting and heading out of the castle to the Herbology class. When we passed the Quidditch pitch I saw Oliver with the first years. As we watched two of the kids nearly collided in mid air and Michael and I nearly collapsed on the grass laughing. That got us the attention of the esteem flying instructor which soon was hovering in front of us, arms folded and a mocking scold on his face. I could see that Oliver was holding himself from laughing as well and that really pleased me, at least he didn't take this job too seriously. He also looked so adorable and practically edible with his wind swept hair and his eyes sparkling that I had to clasp my hands tight behind my back to fight the temptation.
"You weren't in breakfast this morning." he said in a level voice and I shrugged,
"I woke up late. Now whose fault might that be?" He cocked an eyebrow at me and I just smiled. I was well aware of Michael standing next to me, and I was really pleased that Oliver has gone beyond his little jealousy fit and didn't try to act up all tight arsed around him. We were completely absorbed in our little mutual wordless, touch-less flirt until a polite cough came from my left,
"Hmm, Oliver, you might want to get back to your students…" said Michael with a small smile and we all turned our attention back to the pitch, where practically all the kids were trying as hard as they can not to clash with one another and as a result kept flying straight into one another. Oliver actually smacked a hand to his forehead and shook his head desperately.
"Excuse me, guys." He said with a sigh and flew back. I watched his retiring back until Michael grabbed me and bodily dragged me towards the greenhouses.
"I don't remember we were as bad as this, when we first learned how to fly," he said conversationally and I was shaken from my muses, "Not even me, and I hate to fly."
"Longbottom was." I said, was Michael criticising the first years or Oliver here?
"Really?" I nodded. We reached the doorway of the greenhouse were everyone were making their way in when Michael stopped me and dragged me a little to the side. I looked at him a little puzzled,
"Draco, I hate to tell you that, but you're not doing a very good job in hiding your relationship," he said gravely, "I mean, you practically undressed each other with your eyes in front of me." Shit. I was so busy thinking about how good it is that Oliver wasn't giving me shit about my friendship with Michael that I totally forgot to tell Michael that Oliver knows about us.
"I told Oliver that you know. I told him that we're friends." I said and Michael smiled,
"Well, that explains why he didn't try to run me down with his broom. After that look he gave me yesterday I was starting to fear for myself." I rolled my eyes as we entered the greenhouse.
..oo00oo..
OliverSlow, so depressingly slow. How would have thought that Thursdays could move so slow they would actually feel like they're moving backwards… I can't believe it. I'm actually undergoing a stage that is saved for silly teenagers before going out on the first date with their crush. I'm counting the seconds, I'm trying to look for Draco in every possible moment- meaning during meals and breaks and I have to fight the urge to jump him every time I do see him. The rational part of my brain is actually making fun of me for being so smitten. But then again, this was never a part I use much. I am smitten; I'm in love and loving every second. I love the little butterflies I feel all over inside whenever I lay eyes on him, or whenever he's smiling at me. I love the fact it's a secret- I never had a secret love before, though I suspect I'm going to get tiered of that bit soon. I was never one to hide for long. Maybe I should learn Draco's time-table, so I'll know where he is during the day. Ok, now smitten is bordering in obsessive… creepy.
On Friday morning I woke much earlier than I was suppose to, and for a while I just lay on my bed trying to figure out why was I awake. When I finally pulled my wits together I realized its Friday and in just a few short hours I'm going to have Draco all to myself, on this bed, for the entire night. I smiled languidly and turn my head to the pillow, I wanted so much to return to blissful sleep, if only to make the time go faster but now that I was aware of what is about to happen my body simply refused to relax.
And thus about twenty minutes later I found myself circling the Quidditch pitch, flying high and low and trying to get as much tension out of my system before I explode. I think the real problem was that I didn't have classes on Fridays and that meant I had absolutely nothing to do in order to make the time move faster until dinner-time.
After a sharp turn I notice there's someone on the edge of the pitch looking at me. When I realize it's Dumbledore I nearly fall off my broom. For one wild second I was contemplating escape because so far every time Dumbledore came to speak to me it ended in a disaster for me. I know he means well and I know that he's trying to look after my well being but sometimes I have a feeling this is all some sort of cosmically punishment or something. Was I doing something bad in a previous life or does the stars simply doesn't like the fact that I'm shagging someone who's technically still in school?
I landed on the grass in front of him trying not to let the air of dread and doom show on my face, Dumbledore's eyes weren't twinkling- this cannot not good.
"Oliver, dear boy. How are you doing this morning?" Loaded with three days worth of unresolved sexual tension, thank you very much for asking,
"Ok, I guess."
"I've been thinking," always a dangerous trait, especially when I'm involved "You don't seem to be too happy coming back to the castle. I hoped the trip to Berlin will enable you to take a little time away from things and maybe seeing them in a different way," well, it sure did, and for that I'm truly grateful, "but alas, it seems that you are still struggling and I wonder if it's being cooped up in here with not enough to do that is making you melancholic." Not anymore! "Therefore I fathom that the best course of action might be to send you back to London."
"W-what? You're firing me?" I know that the little ones are still having some troubles with their flying, well we can't all be naturals like Harry, but I thought I was doing pretty well, all things considered,
"No, of course not. I was just thinking you might be more comfortable staying there on a regular basis and come here for classes, at least until Quidditch season opens." He finished cheerfully and I'm wondering whether it would be possible for me to catch him off guard long enough for me to strangle him. "You don't have to give me an answer straight away, just think about it during the weekend and let me know." With that he left me standing on the edge of the pitch clutching my broom and trying to fight back the urge to scream as loud as I can. This is so wrong, so unfair and so typical. Its official- the greater forces in our world are out to get me.
During lunch I sat and sulked, I knew that Draco was watching me from the other side of the room and wondering whether he made the greatest mistake of his life or not, but right now I couldn't help him. I needed to find an excuse for Dumbledore that will enable me to stay in the castle- one that would not require telling the truth of course.
After lunch I continued to sulk; only now I did it in my room. I had this crazy idea that if I'm out of everyone's way- no one could spring new monstrosities on me. I worked- for a while.
About an hour before dinner there came a knock on my door, when I answered it I found a very agitated professor McGonagall on my door step,
"Do you have your wand on you?" she inquired and I nodded. Without another word she yanked my arm and I found myself being dragged behind her. While we were racing the corridors she explained things,
"Some first year Slytherin students were trying to perform some fire spells and ended up nearly blowing up their common room. We managed to get the students out but we're having a problem putting out the fire and we need every available member of staff we can find." I looked at her in alarm, Slytherin?
We were running now towards the dungeons, on our way we passed terrified students running the other way, I kept searching for Draco but I couldn't see him anywhere and that worried me. We were nearly at the Slytherin common room entrance when I finally saw him, he was just limping out supported by (or supporting) a small girl. He looked terrible, his face covered in black smears and tears streaming down his face, carving long dirty lined on his blackened cheeks. I really wanted to run over and take him in my arms but I couldn't really, until he started to sway and the little girl that was holding to him started staggering under his weight. I rushed over and caught him before he landed on the floor and held him up.
"What happened to him?" I asked the little girl, marginally managing to keep the blame out of my voice, she was trembling and looking wide eyed around her. I noticed that she was still clutching Draco's hand tight and realized that she's scared shitless.
"I-I don't know." She stammered and burst into tears. Professor McGonagall gave me a reproachful look, as if I made her cry,
"Take Mr. Malfoy to the Great Hall, along with Miss Thompson. Poppy is there, see if she needs a hand." I looked at the girl again; she's my student- how come I didn't see that sooner? Probably since I'm really rubbish at remembering names to begin with. I lifted Draco in my arms; he was already unconscious and hurried along the corridors with the little Thompson girl trailing after us. When we reached the Great Hall it was a real mess. The entire Slytherin house was there, the younger students were openly crying and some where hysterical, the older ones tried to keep themselves under wraps and not fall apart in front of everyone. Madame Pomfrey was running from student to student trying to see if they're hurt. When she saw me, she gave a huge sigh of relief.
"Finally, some help," she exclaimed while hurrying towards me, "What have we got here?" she said when she saw Draco in my arms. She coaxed me into lowering him into a cot she conjured and turned to examine him. I knelt besides her looking rather worried when suddenly I was knocked off my feet and tossed aside. I looked up in amazement and anger and saw Draco's friend, what's her name? Saffron, Daffodil, Daisy, Rose… damn it! I know it's a flower of some sort. Oh, never mind. She was sobbing and tried to clean Draco's face with the hem of her robe. I fought an unreasonable urge to shove her and do it myself but I couldn't do that without causing more damage than good in the long run.
"What happened to him? Is he going to be alright?" The flower girl asked anxiously and we both looked at the matron, she was busy conjuring bandages for Draco's right ankle and murmured a few spells under her breath,
"He's going to be fine. He's got a broken ankle and he inhaled some smoke. Don't worry Miss Parkinson." Her answer didn't do much to appease either me or Parkinson but it would have to do for now, as Madame Pomfrey suddenly straightened up and called,
"Mr. Wood, would you be so kind as help me with the others?" I really didn't want to move from my spot but I had very little choice. "Do you know the basic monitoring spell?" she asked and I shook my head, I'm rubbish at healing spells. Madame Pomfrey taught me the spell quickly and watched as I practiced a few times. Then she set me into going and checking each student in the room and those that needed medical help were to be sent to her. When I finished with all the others I went over to see what else I can do for Madame Pomfrey and we spent the next hour and a half treating the kids for injuries that ran from mild burns to smoke inhalation to hysteria. I kept shooting nervous glances over to where Draco was lying but couldn't approach him. At least the Parkinson girl was there. I really should learn her name; I know it's something with "P", Poppy? No wait that's not her…
"Mr. Wood!" Madame Pomfrey's voice cut through my musing and I looked at her expectantly, "Would you be so kind as to go and track Albus down and ask him what we are to do with all those kids. We can't leave them here like that." And before I knew it I was running down the halls towards the dungeons to look for the headmaster.
I rounded a corner and nearly collided with the headmaster and I had to grab his shoulders in order to steady myself, feeling like a complete idiot in the process.
"Madame Pomfrey is asking what is to be done with all the kids." I chocked out breathlessly and tried to compose myself back to normality while Dumbledore was thinking about what I said.
"Well, I suppose we should sort them into the other houses dormitories, at least for the night." He said gravely and now I could finally see how tiered and worn he looked, the man that I always thought had to be at least a hundred years old was finally catching up with his age. That was rather alarming, because if Dumbledore is giving out than what hope the rest of us have?
"Hum, sir, can I suggest something?" I asked cautiously, Dumbledore gave me a weary smile and nodded, "There are a few unused classrooms in the corridor outside my quarters, so maybe we can set them as temporary common room for the Slytherins?" I was hoping he'd say yes, because from my memory of Slytherin and their way with other houses, simply sending them around to random houses would end up causing more harm than good. Slytherins are just too damn proud for their own good.
"I think it's an excellent idea!" Dumbledore exclaimed and I smiled. We hurried over to the second floor in order to set up the classes. Now that he had a new sense of purpose he was back to his usual brisk self and I was relieved. Once inside the classroom we cleared away all the desks and chairs and conjure beds instead. Actually, to be honest- Dumbledore did most of the work, while I could probably banish a certain amount of furniture to an unknown closet; I was no match to the old wizard. Soon the place resembled some strange field hospital- one you might see in old movies, full of beds and partitions. When we were done Dumbledore sent me to the Great Hall to inform Madame Pomfrey where she could send the kids.
Upon entering the Great Hall I found not only Madame Pomfrey but professor Snape as well, which I suppose was a good thing, at least for the kids, they seemed a lot calmer by his presence. I informed them both where the children are to be taken to and they began heading out. Under the commotion I slide my way to where Draco was lying, still fast asleep. His little friend was still there, watching over him and I was really grateful for her- I must find her first name to thank her properly. When she saw me she gave me a small, grim smile. She knew about us, but that didn't mean she had to like it, at least that was what her eyes seemed to say. I didn't care if she liked the situation or me; I just wanted to make sure Draco was fine.
"He's going to be alright. Madame Pomfrey gave him something that would knock him out for the next 24 hours or so." She said quietly and I nodded. I wasn't too sure how to present my case in a way that would not cause her to run straight to Snape, but I had to try. I took a deep breath and looked down at Draco's face for courage what she said in a small voice, "You can't take him." I looked up at her in alarm, was I that obvious?
"Please?" why am I even begging to her? "I need to know he's safe."
"He's going to be safe enough with the rest of his house." She said stubbornly,
"I need him with me, close to me." I said quietly and looked deep into her eyes trying to convey my devotion or at least my message to her. She held my gaze for a while and then lowered her head to Draco and sighed,
"He was looking forward to see you all day, I could tell," she stroke Draco's fine hair softly and I bit my lip, trying to stifle the satisfied smile that threatened to creep out, when she turned abruptly to look at me again, "I'll tell everyone he's in the Hospital Wing for the night." My face broke into a large smile but before I could say a word there was a sharp jibe in my chest and I didn't even have to look down to know that her wand was pointing at me, "But, if you hurt him or do anything to him, I'm going to hunt you down and hang you up from your over active bullocks and strangle you with your own intestines." I gulped because she looked like she meant business and she was in fact very scary but I nodded firmly managing not to show that she got to me, besides, she still had her wand pointed to my heart and right now was not the time to vex her. She nodded in return and withdrew her wand, much to my relief. I looked around the hall and found it empty; apparently everyone was counting on Parkinson to bring Draco with her.
We rose to our feet and I took Draco in my arms after casting a weight lifting spell- it's one thing to carry him from the table to the bed but it's another altogether to carry him through two stories and who knows how many corridors. Parkinson was walking next to me, keeping a wary watch on me, and I just bet she had her wand in the ready in case I'd drop Draco. Her protectiveness was rather touching and I was really glad that Draco had such a good friend he could trust but at the same time that same protectiveness was starting to get on my nerves. I had a feeling that no matter how long Draco and I would last or how strong our love would be- this girl would never like me.
When we got to my office's door I turned to face her again,
"Thank you Miss Parkinson, you have no idea how much this means to me." I wasn't just trying to be polite, I really did mean it. She gave a small smile and leaned to plant a small kiss on Draco's forehead,
"You just take good care of him," She said and her eyes bore into me again. Then she started walking down the hall to her house's temporary dorms when she turned her head back, "And the name is Pansy." YES! That's right! I knew it was a flower with a "P"!
"Good night Pansy." I said and turned to enter my office, well, here's one name I would not forget soon!
I lay Draco on my bed and looked at him for a few minutes, just mesmerised by the fact he was here, on my bed- he looked so perfect there, so belonging, so covered in soot and muck… I pulled out my wand and cast a couple of cleaning charms on him, knowing that I probably couldn't get him in the shower like that. I then proceeded to take off his shoes and slowly peeled his dirty clothes from him. To my enormous relief he didn't have any burn marks anywhere and the only evidence of injury was his patched up ankle. Once Draco was stripped down I took off my clothes and slid us both under the covers. Only now, when his warm body was next to mine and his slow breathing was ghosting near my ear did I realize how tiered I was myself. I tightened my grip around his waist and just let my eyes close and my body to drift into deep, exhausted sleep.