Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters within! It's all J.K. Rowling's! It is quite fun to mess around with their brains though.
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP (disregards other books)
Pairing: Draco/Harry
Warnings: Possible language, violence, a bit of a depressed Harry, OOC-ness, some romance, some fluff, some angst (just for fun), AU (nothing from book six or beyond)
A/N: Thanks again for any favourites/story subscriptions! You guys don't seem fond of reviewing though! I would love to hear something even if it's a simple 'like' or 'don't like'! This chapter for the most part is very Harry centric, but don't worry, you'll see some Hermione, Draco and Pansy too.
Beautiful in the Moonlight – Chapter 05
In the first few weeks of school Harry had no less than eleven detentions with Snape. It seemed like just crossing the man's path offended him somehow. Harry couldn't help but think that Snape must secretly like him. Why else would he want to spend three hours with him practically every evening? Of course he never voiced this opinion. Despite coming to terms with his more than likely imminent death; Harry still had no urge to end it prematurely.
After his second detention Harry figured he should at least put his time spent in Snape's classroom to use. Whenever Snape left the room Harry would quickly search for left out ingredients and put them in his satchel. He'd managed to stock up quite a bit. With the stolen ingredients Harry had brewed several simple potions successfully. Unfortunately Snape kept the more expensive and rare ingredients locked up safely in his private stores. This meant Harry reached a block and couldn't brew more of the complex potions he had found in Advanced Potion Making and Magical Potions – Life Altering Serums.
Ever since his fifth detention he'd been casting a charm to augment his hearing in an effort to see if he could get any interesting information from Snape. Thus far he'd heard nothing but mumbled complaints directed at him and various other non-Slytherin students. One particular night Snape had been doing some marking at the front of the classroom. In a moment of rage he had thrown a particularly bad essay across the room missing Harry's head by but an inch. Wondering what he'd done wrong Harry looked up quickly with no small amount of shock in his eyes. Snape had whisked by and right out the doors with an angered yell of, 'First years...drivel!' Not for the first time that year, Harry thanked the gods he wasn't actually taking potions class. Never mind that it sometimes felt like he was with the amount of time spent in Snape's presence.
Sitting once again in Snape's cold dungeon classroom, Harry used his detention time to do more reading. As luck would have it, while Harry was reading about a particularly nasty curse referred to as Atroxia, which would cause the victim to witness the worst horrors of the world, Snape got up and moved to his back rooms. Harry almost missed it, but the whirring sound of two heavy doors opening caught his attention and he struggled to recall what exactly Snape had said. Something like Sapa-Sopo...Sophorous. No, not quite. Sopophorous! That was it. Leave it to Snape to use an ingredient from the Draught of Living Death. Finally Harry would be able to get the ingredients he needed to practice more advanced potions! Now he just needed Snape to leave for a bit. A full two hours into his detention Harry was starting to think he wouldn't have a chance. What seemed like an age later Snape stood up and grabbed a bunch of vials off his desk. He drawled out,
"Potter, Madam Pomfrey needs these healing draughts. Don't...touch...anything...while I'm gone," Snape left quickly and Harry wasted no time getting up and rushing to the back of Snape's office.
Harry spat out the password and watched the doors open revealing thousands of vials and various potions ingredients. Harry couldn't help but smirk and made quick work of glancing at the names on the shelves. He made sure to grab as little as possible, and only those ingredients he thought wouldn't be missed; it wouldn't do to be caught. Harry might need more ingredients later this year, and Snape would change the password at the first sign of someone stealing! With one last glance back to make sure everything looked untouched, Harry rushed out and back to his seat, the doors closing loudly behind him. Just as he'd hidden the last vial in his satchel Snape threw open the doors to his classroom, glanced Harry's way, and spat out,
"Potter, you're excused. Now get out of my sight."
Harry, shaking slightly, packed up his books and left as fast as possible. He moved through the dungeons quickly and with excitement. Harry put a hand in his pocket and found himself again playing with the petals of the orange lily Malfoy had forced on him. Not wanting to watch the flower die, Harry had asked Hermione if she knew any preservation spells. Overly happy that Harry had both spoken to her and taken an interest in the flower, she cast a spell to keep the lily intact indefinitely while Ron watched with a grimace on his face. For Harry, touching the petals had become a habit in these past few weeks. For some reason it soothed his mind.
Caught up in his thoughts, Harry took a particularly quick corner and smacked right into another person. The lily flew out of his pocket to the floor and his satchel fell, the books inside scattering on the ground. Harry apologized quickly and bent down to pick up his things. He looked up and found himself staring into none other than Draco Malfoy's pale blue eyes. Harry, too stunned to move, merely gaped at him briefly and waited for an insult. Twice he'd literally run into Malfoy already this year!
Malfoy's eyes locked on Harry for a moment then moved to scan the items on the floor, eventually focusing on the lily at his feet. Harry felt his face heat up but stayed unmoving on the floor. He'd never live this down, holding on to a stupid flower from a stupid boy. That idiotic prat Malfoy!
To Harry's surprise Malfoy said nothing. Was it his imagination or was Malfoy blushing as well? Malfoy bent down and picked up the lily along with one of the books near his feet then looked up at Harry.
"Potions Ha-Potter? I didn't think you were taking that this year."
Harry couldn't find the will to respond and instead gathered the remaining books around him. Malfoy, apparently angry at his lack of response, thrust the book and lily in his direction and snarled,
"That's right; Professor Snape wouldn't let you in his class. Take it you idiot, you need all the help you can get. And watch where you're walking, that's twice now you've managed to scuff up my robes!"
With that Malfoy stood up and all but ran down the hall away from him, his face a very unnatural red. Harry looked at the book in his hands with the lily placed delicately on top. Malfoy was really weird this year. And Harry kind of liked that.
There was no word to describe how Draco felt other than brilliant! Potter, after three weeks, still had the lily. That had to mean something. Draco raced back to his common room as fast as he could, several portraits reprimanding him for running in the halls on the way. He could have absolutely kissed Pansy. He never would though, she was vile! But, by Salazar Slytherin, perhaps she actually knew what she was doing! Draco reached the entrance to Slytherin house and the wall spoke to him before he could utter the password,
"Make yourself presentable boy! A Slytherin must always look their best! Your father would be outraged."
Draco recoiled slightly then stood up straight and fixed his hair. Giving the blank wall his best Malfoy sneer he said, "Hungarian Horntail," it opened and he strode in. Spotting Pansy in the corner he walked over to her, lifted her up and spun her around.
"Pansy! You're a genius, a genius!"
Pansy, shocked, for Draco never had anything positive to say about anyone at all, questioned him,
"What is wrong with you Draco? Have you gone mad?"
"He kept it Pansy! He kept it!" Draco excitedly told her, his face forming a wide grin.
"Kept what? Who?"
"The lily! He kept it!"
Pansy watched as Draco skipped to the boy's dormitory wondering if Slytherin house would ever be the same again.
Draco jumped onto his bed. He was beyond happy. The Harry Potter had kept a gift from him. It was almost too good to be true. Draco's good mood diminished slightly as he thought back on the incident. He had gone and insulted him again. Blast it! He couldn't do anything right! Pacing his room Draco realized that he still had a chance. After all, Potter had kept that flower for a reason. Draco pulled the folded list from his robe pocket. He'd had it there since Pansy gave it back to him. Glancing at the list he saw a written suggestion at the bottom from Granger, call him Harry. Hadn't Pansy already told him to do that? She was a genius after all. He'd have to work on that, it was bloody difficult. Draco put the list back in his pocket and sat down. His ambition was back full force and he wouldn't give up until Potter was his. Potter and his jade green eyes, and his raven black hair, and his slender hands, and even those stupid glasses. Well he could do without the glasses. Yes, he wanted Potter, and Malfoy's always get what they want. No matter what his mother might say.
Hermione thought for a moment that Harry might actually be fine when he arrived in Gryffindor tower with a noticeably less depressed disposition about him. He wasn't smiling, but he didn't have his usual gloomy aura around him either. This was rare these days, and especially rare after a detention with Professor Snape. Ron seemed to notice too and threw a, "Harry, wizard's chess?" over his shoulder, but to no avail. Harry simply declined saying he was tired and continued up to his rooms.
Hermione knew Harry had lost Sirius just last spring, but she had honestly thought he'd bounce back like he always did or at least confide in her about it. At least, she thought, he seemed to be getting a little better. She hadn't missed the orange flower in his hands and secretly wondered if Malfoy would actually be good for him. Wasn't that a completely ridiculous thought?
Hermione turned back to her studies and vowed to keep a close eye on how things developed. As long as Harry was Happy she would support him best she could. She glanced up and noticed Ron's eyes shift quickly away from her. His face turned the shade of a tomato. Had he been staring at her again? Best to keep an eye on Ron as well she decided.
Back in Gryffindor tower Harry sat on his bed with his newly acquired potions ingredients out while he flipped to some of the more complex potions in Magical Potions – Life Altering Serums. It didn't take him long to discover he had quite the talent for brewing most of these as well. Flipping through the pages Harry came across a potion called Aegresco Egrescous. This particular potion appeared to drain the life of the drinker to a near death state. Harry couldn't think of any real use for the potion, unless he could somehow force Voldemort to drink something, fat chance, but under the description of the potion there were some recommended readings for potions with similar effects. Books, which no doubt, could only be found in the restricted section of the school. Harry planned to make a night trip sometime in the near future. For now, he had to rest; the first Quidditch game of the year was in the morning, and he was actually looking forward to it!
Draco woke up early Saturday morning to make sure he got a good seat at the first Quidditch game of the year. He wanted to be front and centre of the Slytherin section. Gryffindor was playing after all, and he needed to spy on their techniques. It wasn't so he had the best view of Potter on that sleek broom of his, not at all.
The Hufflepuff team came out first, to his chagrin, flying around the field a few times. Draco eyed the new Hufflepuff seeker. He was quick, and small, but had nothing on Potter's speed. No, the only seeker who stood a chance against Potter was he, Draco Malfoy. Draco raised his head high with superiority over that thought. The Hufflepuff beaters on the other hand, would prove to be quite the challenge this year. Both seemed massive in size, not taller than Draco, but definitely wider, and they hit the practice Bludgers back and forth with a force to be reckoned with. Potter would definitely have to watch out for those two.
The commentator announced the Gryffindor team now. Draco, regrettably, actually missed Lee Jordan's announcing. He was a decent commentator despite his obvious bias towards Gryffindor. The replacement was a Ravenclaw, and possessed half the enthusiasm of Jordan. Draco's eyes watched the Gryffindor team as they mounted their brooms and flew around the pitch. His eyes moved to Potter and followed him as he moved higher than the rest of his team and stopped to float for a bit. God, but Potter looked good in the air. He had a grace about him on a broom that was curiously absent from his everyday life.
"Draco, who're you looking at with such rapt attention? Let me guess...Potter maybe?" Pansy interrupted his thoughts. She just had to follow him everywhere!
"Shut up wench, I actually want to enjoy this match..."
"You mean you want to enjoy watching Potter ride a br-"
Pansy didn't finish her statement as Draco slapped his hand over her mouth. He gave her a glare and continued watching the players get ready as she snickered into his hand. Damn that woman and conjuring mental images. He found himself growing stiffer at the thought of Potter with...well, with his broom. He willed himself to forget her comments as Madame Hooch got ready to release the snitch. Potter moved into a starting position and prepared to fly around the pitch. The whistle blew and the game had started!
Potter was flying around with such speed, his eyes darting in every direction. The Gryffindor team had the Quaffle and were heading to the Hufflepuff hoops. Suddenly two Bludgers came out of nowhere, both aimed at one of Gryffindor's chasers. She barely avoided both, but dropped the Quaffle in the process. Draco grew more excited as the game began to develop.
The match was proving to be quite aggressive. Hufflepuff was up 60-20 and there was no sign of the snitch yet. That didn't mean the beaters were letting up on Potter though. He'd already had three close calls with well aimed Bludgers. Draco was gripping the rail in front of him tight as can be.
"My goodness Draco, are you ever tense!" Pansy commented from his side. Darn it all, he'd removed his hand from her face with all the action of the game.
"Don't worry; I'm sure your little lover will make it through this game in perfect condition!"
Draco's eyes widened and a light red found its way on his cheeks.
"I'm not his lover! I mean he's not MY lover! We aren't lovers! GAH!"
"He he, Draco, you're so fun to tease," Pansy playfully nudged his shoulder and turned back to watch the game herself. Draco spared her no glance, his eyes still glued on the action. He secretly doubted however that Potter would make it through this game without some kind of injury. The score was now 70-20, Hufflepuff had scored again!
In a quick movement, Potter doubled back and began chase. The Snitch! He'd finally located it. The Hufflepuff seeker wasn't even on the right side of the pitch, but noticing Potter's quick movement he flew in his direction. Potter dove and rose as though he were actually a broom himself. The Hufflepuff beaters wasted no time in directing one hundred percent of their attention to him. He evaded Bludgers left and right, but this allowed Hufflepuff's seeker to gain some ground. Potter dove nearly at a complete vertical catching up with the Snitch. Both of Hufflepuff's beaters hit their Bludgers again with perfect aim. They were just feet from Potter and there was no way he could avoid them both!
Draco let out a strangled gasp and he vaguely felt Pansy grip his arm like a vice. Even Vince and Greg leaned forward in their seats with rapt attention. The entire crowd seemed caught in a moment of absolute silence.
They missed! Potter had managed to pull a Wronski Feint! He flew up in time to miss both Bludgers, but the Hufflepuff seeker was not so lucky. Caught off guard one of his team's own Bludgers hit the back of his broom and he flew to a skid on the ground. Potter flew faster than Draco had ever seen, his hair blowing wildly in the wind. He reached out his arm and those oh so slender fingers of his grasped the snitch from the air, its wings flapping around with vigour. Gryffindor had won, 170 – 70.
Draco felt himself relax in his seat, sitting hard against the back rest. His face was flushed and he felt exhausted for some reason. Draco took back his previous thoughts. Potter wasn't good in the air, he was a complete maniac. He belonged there! Pansy's grip on his arm lessened and he felt her release a sigh beside him.
"Nothing gets you hot like Potter working a broom, eh Draco?"
Draco looked down and noticed, yes, he was indeed hard. And Pansy was indeed about to die.
A/N: I find Quidditch hard to write about. But it's a quintessential part of Harry Potter in my opinion, and I was always pissed when it wasn't in the books much. I plan on writing about another Quidditch game later too. Slytherin vs. Gryffindor anyone? Oh and, high five for longest chapter yet!