DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 11 – Passions and Detention
Harry rolled his eyes as he trailed Hermione and Ron from the Great Hall, book bag slipping off his shoulder. The halls were crowded with students, all brandishing books and quills as they pushed their way towards class. Hiking his bag up, he shortened his stride and allowed several students to separate him from the arguing couple. He didn't even want to know what the newest fight was about, only that he remained an observer rather then a participant. Nodding to several fourth year Gryffindors, he frowned as his book bag began its slow descent down his arm again.
"Harry! Hurry up or we'll be late." Hermione called over her shoulder, one eyebrow raised in question. Heaving a sigh, he jogged to catch up with the pair, slowing when he was right behind them.
"I wonder what Hagrid will have for us today." Ron mumbled, one hand pushing at the red hair that was hanging in his eyes. All three were quiet for a moment before shuddering in remembrance of past accidents incurred during the half-giants class. Harry chuckled before looking beyond Ron, eyes inexplicably falling upon Draco's platinum crown. Feeling his mouth go dry, he glanced away from the Slytherin. The light conversation continued as they made their way to the Care of Magical Creatures classroom.
The outside classroom was just inside the Forbidden Forest. A large clearing with several stone benches set up around the edges. The trio wandered into the area slowly, joining the large group of Gryffindors already assembled on the far side of the forest room. Placing their bags on one of the benches, Harry and Ron joined Dean and Seamus in a small game of catch.
A high-pitched screech had everyone slapping their hands over their ears and searching for the source of the noise. With an unhappy groan, Ron elbowed Harry and indicated Hargid's approaching back. The half giant entered the clearing slowly, hauling on a thick rope as he dragged his newest pet into the clearing. Throwing its head back, the Griffin opened its wings and flapped angrily. Golden feathers covered the animal's head and neck before melding with a soft coat of pale blonde fur. Its lion like tail lashed the air while scaled talons bit into the dirt. Clacking its beak, the Griffin pranced forward and raised its wings, hissing in a threatening manner.
"There's nothing to be afraid of." Shouted Hagrid, tugging on the long rope attached to the beasts collar. The Griffin parted its beak and shrilled loudly, tipping its head and raising massive wings. "Maestro here would ne'er hurt anyone."
"Oh dear." Hermione whispered, glancing at Harry whose face had gone white. The amassed Slytherins and Gryffindors took a collected step backwards, all eyes resting on the creature being dragged towards them. "Um Hagrid? Are you sure he's safe?"
"Of course Hermione." Hagrid assured, reaching out a large hand to pat the animal's head. The massive beast eyed the nearing hand with interest, head tipping to the side. In a calculated movement, the Griffin snaked its neck out and grabbed at Hargid's hand. Harry winced as Hagrid yelped in pain, his loud bellow startling Maestro. Screaming in fear, the Griffin reared up and tried to launch itself into the air, wings beating tenaciously. As the large animal cart wheeled at the end of its lead, Hagrid was slowly dragged across the sandy ring. Maestro shrilled, wings flapping hard enough to stir the dirt and leaves on nearby trees.
Harry took a sliding step back, faintly hearing Hermione scream his name. As Hagrid yelled at everyone to move back, Harry remained frozen in place, overwhelmed by a sudden rush of fear. Panic clouded his mind, driving him to remain still in hopes of avoiding the animal's interest. Taking a deep breath, he took another step backwards.
Light glistened off pale feathers, each wing stroke showing the strength and power the griffin commanded. With every beat of its wings, the Griffin gained altitude, talons clutching empty air as it hovered at the end of the leash.
Odin came slamming into Harry's thoughts, bringing with him the stag's instinct to flee. Internally rolling his eyes and prancing nervously, the dark animal gave every sign that they should run. Focusing on that sole thought, Harry swung around and leaped - right into the open arms of Draco Malfoy. The Slytherin yanked him close and tightened his grip, growling loudly as the griffins talons raked the air inches above their heads.
Snarling angrily, the blonde locked his arms protectively around Harry and dragged him backwards. Odin calmed immediately, all thoughts of flight easing from his mind. Shuddering slightly, Harry allowed himself to be pushed behind the Slytherin. His eyes sought out Hermione and Ron but found the pair, as well as most of the other students, absent. Sheltered in the blondes shadow, he returned his gaze to the drama unfolding before him, freezing when Draco took a step forward.
His eyes searched the blondes for any sign of recognition but found only the glowing orbs of the tiger. Draco's pale silvery hair had darkening streaks running from the roots and his growls had become deeper, forewarning that the tiger inside him was very unhappy with the situation. As the griffin screeched and fluttered in warning, Draco responded with a loud hiss.
Closing his eyes, Harry wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist and twisted, pulling him away from the angered animal. Thrusting Draco into the shrubbery, Harry leapt after him and pinned him ruthlessly to a tree. Pulling back his hand, he closed his eyes then slapped the Slytherin.
"That hurt Potter."
Heaving a sigh of relief, Harry opened one eye and peered into the lucid orbs of Draco Malfoy. Letting his hands slide down the blonde's arms, he began to back away only to find himself suddenly pressed up against a tree. Turning his face, he winced as bark bit into his skin.
"Let go Malfoy." Harry warned quietly, feeling the press of the blonde against his back. Hearing Draco's soft chuckle, he allowed himself to relax under the blonde's weight. A finger came into his view, the perfect nail caressing the scraped skin of his cheek. Shuddering slightly at the touch, Harry gave the minimum effort he could to escape the blondes grasp.
"I don't know Harry, it doesn't really feel like you want me to let you go." Draco breathed, his breath warm against the nape of Harry's neck. Stiffening, Harry muttered and tried to push himself off the tree, stilling when the Slytherins arms wrapped around his waist.
"Draco?" Harry whispered, nails biting into the bark of the tree. Resting his forehead against the tree, he bit his lip as the blondes hands rubbed his abdomen through the shirt. "Are you going to eat me?"
"Me thinks you would be sweet upon my tongue Harry." Draco murmured, chuckling lightly as he ran his tongue over the edge of the raven-haired wizards ear. Purring softly, he flexed his fingers and smiled as Harry moaned quietly. He rubbed his cheek against Harry's, delighting in the shudders racking the other wizard's body.
"Class?" Harry whimpered, nails raking the bark of the tree as he writhed in the blonde's arms. His head rested against the tree, body limp within Draco's grip, absorbing each caress and nip he was dealt. Running his tongue over suddenly dry lips, he tried to bring himself back to reality. "We'll be late for second class."
Draco rumbled unhappily at the words, his teeth locking around Harry's earlobe in warning. His nose quivered at the smell of chocolate, making him drool around the flesh he was sucking on. "I suppose I should let you go." He crooned, fingers massaging Harry's stomach seductively. Both wizards stilled as a voice called loudly, demanding one of them respond.
Clearing his throat, Harry pushed Draco's arms down. "Coming Hermione." He called hoarsely, hands working to straighten his shirt. Glancing over his shoulder, he blushed as Draco raised a pale eyebrow, running his tongue over his lips playfully.
"I'll see you in detention." He muttered quietly, pale eyes glowing as Harry backed away from him. Smiling, Draco turned and stalked from their hiding place. Sinking back against the tree, Harry closed his eyes and sighed, fingers smoothing his tousled locks. Hermione's voice brought him back, forcing him to stand straight and creep back out into the clearing with some semblance of normalcy.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Hermione asked again, eyeing him across the Gryffindor table. Harry sighed and nodded again, fork gliding through the mashed potatoes he had been molding for the last twenty minutes. The day had flown by, each class seeming to blur with the one before it. He was sure he wouldn't remember anything from any of his classes, his mind still with Draco in the small forest clearing.
"I'm fine, Hermione." He muttered, glancing at the head table where the professors were sitting, talking quietly amongst themselves. He jerked his gaze back to his plate as Snape's black eyes fastened on him. "I just remembered I have detention with Snape."
Ron groaned at Harry's words, fork hovering before his mouth as he took a moment of frantic shoveling to speak. "That sucks! It's all Malfoy's fault too. You watch, he won't lift a finger for the whole detention."
"Snape rarely gives his Slytherins detention, just be happy he included Malfoy." Hermione warned, the lilt in her voice warning of her disapproval. Shaking her head, she went back to her dinner.
Harry rolled his eyes and slammed his fork into the cold potatoes, wincing as they splattered. "Nothing happened Hermione. He saved me, that's all."
"It didn't look like nothing Harry. Your hair was mussed and the tip of your ear was red." Hermione muttered into the book she had placed between them, flipping the page in a nonchalant manner. Her eyes shot over the top of the book, one eyebrow raised as she looked at Ron. The red head was chuckling into his cup, obviously finding the fight entertaining. "You could at least agree with me Ronald."
"Harry can do what he wants with whoever he wants Hermione." Ron warned, placing his cup back on the table. Wiping his mouth on his wrist, he glanced down the table and paled.
"Mister Potter." Professor Snape growled, halting directly behind Harry and shooting the rest of the students an evil glare. "Your detention begins in ten minutes, if you're late you'll be spending tomorrow night with me as well." Sneering down at Ron, he spun on the heel of his boot and marched from the Great Hall, black cloak lashing the air behind him.
Moaning, Harry gave his potatoes one last slap before pushing away from the table. "I'll see you later." He mumbled over his shoulder as he trudged after the Potions Master.
The dungeon classroom was dark and cold, the only noise coming from the burbling cauldron sitting in the corner. Professor Snape was sitting at his desk, black orbs focused on the pair of students standing innocently before him. Shuffling his papers, he glanced up as Draco sat down on the edge of one of the desks.
"If one of you will tell me what was going on in the hall yesterday, I'll let you both leave early." Severus murmured, folding his hands atop the pile of papers he had been marking. He was met with raised eyebrows and blank faces, neither Gryffindor or Slytherin student said anything.
"Perhaps, Draco, you would tell me what you were doing in that particular hall?" He stated, trying to lead his star pupil towards a possible answer.
"I was walking." Draco replied, raising one hand and admiring the perfect curve of his manicured nails. He glanced over at Harry, smirking at the startled look on his face.
"Hm, and you, Potter? What were you doing so far from your House?" Snape growled, picking up the quill resting next to his hand and dipping it into the inkpot.
"I was walking?" Harry offered, hands balling into fists as he stared at the floor.
"I'm sure you were." Snarled Snape as he rose from his chair, collecting his marking and his inkpot, he headed towards his office. "The two of you will make the potion on the board. When you've completed it to my expectations you may leave."
Draco chuckled as Harry wilted against the desk behind him, eyes going to the black board. Smirking at the simplicity of the brew they were expected to make, he rose and headed for the cupboard where Snape kept the schools potion ingredients.
"Coming Potter? Or do you plan on sleeping here tonight?" He asked softy as he began to collect the ingredients they would require.
"Shut up Malfoy." Harry muttered, rising and heading to the back of the room where the cauldrons were kept. Curling a lip at the clanking, he tore two from their hangers and dragged them to a worktable, collapsing on one of the stools.
"I suppose if I want to get out of here tonight I'll have to do all of the work." Draco stated, his eyes resting on Harry's slumped form. Emerald eyes rose slowly and met pale blue.
"I suppose you will." Harry agreed sullenly, crossing his arms and leaning against the table behind him. Ignoring Draco's humorous snort, he watched the blonde's fingers quickly separate the different ingredients. His eyes followed each graceful movement of the Draco's hands as they worked knife and pestle. Grinding and cutting in a careless manner that displayed the Slytherins talent for brewing.
"Stir this." Draco ordered, fingers brushing Harry's as he pushed the wooden rod into the raven-haired wizards hands. Harry watched as the blonde carefully added the ingredients, fingers hovering as he dropped several pieces of Dragon Scale into the brew.
"You're actually good at this." Harry murmured, blushing as Draco chuckled. Running a hand through his hair, Harry looked past his bangs as eyed the Slytherin. "Thank you Draco . . .for what you did today."
Draco peered down at Harry, giving a quick look at the board as he pried the stir stick from the other wizards grip. "We're done here." He said quietly, smiling as Harry moaned in relief. As Harry fled for the door, Draco couldn't help but call out to him. "Harry? About this morning . . .it was my pleasure." Grinning devilishly, he extinguished the small flame and headed towards his godfathers office, pushing down the urge to chase his wayward Gryffindor.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review!
Black Roses of Death – This is a Draco/Harry slash fic.
Chilaro – We'll get there eventually.
LandUnderWave – lol, I think they deserve our pity at the very least.
NinjaoftheDarkness – yeah, but you have to be careful cause some night's its so quiet you can hear anything said for miles.