Disclaimer: I do not claim Harry Potter whatsoever. It solely belongs to the fantastic JK Rowling…and anyone claiming any right to it other than her is ignorant and delusional. Claiming to own Harry Potter when you are not JK Rowling is a sin.
A/N: I honestly just love you all! Your reviews bring me so much joy. I apologize for short chapters. But they look so much longer in my writing program than they do on fanfiction. Nonetheless I will try harder for you.
-Xxx-
Harry woke the next day thinking of Malfoy. As crazy as it sounded, it was true. He couldn't stop thinking of the night before…when Harry had been pinning Draco to the ground there was something in Malfoy's eyes that made Harry hesitate. It was something completely unlike Malfoy, it seemed apologetic and lonely. Harry thought about the look all the way down to the common room, but had to stop because he spotted Ginny waiting for him.
He told Ron and Hermione that he would meet them down at lunch as he was walking with Ginny and they smirked and shot each other raised eyebrows. Harry rolled his eyes and bounded off to an impatient Ginny. As they were walking through the corridors Harry tentatively wrapped his arm around her shoulder. They both blushed and continued walking.
About halfway to the Great Hall they came across Nearly Headless Nick. "Oh Harry," he proclaimed happily, "How are you doing this morning?" Harry smiled at the ghost of Gryffindor and assured him that he was well.
Nick then went on to inquire after what he'd been up to lately and when Harry answered that he'd been spending time with Ginny (to which he and Ginny both blushed) Nick looked somewhat like he disapproved. Harry couldn't figure out why. However Nearly Headless Nick floated away before Harry could ask why.
At breakfast Ginny was more…clingy than usual. It wasn't that Harry didn't want a head lying on his shoulder or a warm arm wrapped tightly around his, it was just, well it made it rather difficult to butter his toast without cutting himself or drink his pumpkin juice without spilling it. However after breakfast she took him into an empty classroom and began kissing him ferociously and Harry couldn't deny that "Little Harry" wasn't too objected to any clinginess. They stayed in that classroom until it was time for them both to go to class and so Harry had no real time to straighten up his appearance.
He barely made it to Potions before Snape opened the door, and when he did get there he was paired up with Malfoy again to finish the potion they had worked on previously. Harry almost let out a groan, however he noticed that Malfoy's head was bowed low, his blond hair, covering his eyes. It was a melancholy sight and Harry felt a pang of guilt. He decided to be civil.
"Malfoy," he greeted politely. Malfoy nodded in return his eyes not straying from his desk. They worked in silence for ten minutes until Harry finally got fed up and broke the silence.
"Look, Malfoy, I'm sorry for last night, but if we're going to have to work on this potion we have to try and be civil, alright?" Malfoy looked at him for the first time today and he nodded…with something like gratitude in his eyes. They continued to work, asking politely to each other to pass the knife or stir the cauldron.
"So uh," Malfoy began awkwardly, "I'm sorry for what I said; you're aloud to date whomever you wish. It's none of my business really. And she is rather pretty…in a way…I guess" This surprised Harry, but in a pleasant way.
He chuckled "No problem, Malfoy, it's not your fault you're extremely attracted to me." He was joking of course, but Draco couldn't help the flush that snuck onto his pale skin. He forced a laugh and acted as if what Harry just said was preposterous. He then decided to change the subject.
"Do you have anything interesting planned for today?" He asked nicely, and tried to keep the amount of interest he had in the matter out of his voice.
"Well, I was thinking of asking Ginny to be with me officially. I mean this morning we met up in an empty classroom," he hesitated to shoot Malfoy a shifty look that told Malfoy exactly what they'd done in that classroom and continued, "But I really think before we go any farther we should make it official, you know?"
Draco's heart was beating furiously with envy, he felt like tearing his hair out and screaming in frustration. He lips went dry with anger and he had to lick them before he spoke again.
"There's just one problem with that," Draco said with so much disinterest in his voice that he surprised himself. Harry looked suspicious and confused; Draco noted that his confusion was ten times sexier than most peoples' confusion.
"And what would that be?" Harry asked him in return, a certain playfulness in his voice that made Draco's lips positively itch to press themselves to Harry and taste that playfulness. He obviously restrained himself (much to the disappointment of you all I'm sure.)
"Well, you would need to determine whether she likes you for you or for your name. Then there's the whole prospect of you not even knowing if she's right yet. I mean it's hardly been a week since you decided you like her. I'd give it some time, if you want to make sure it will work. Safety first and everything, do you understand what I'm saying?" Draco was impressed, he made sure he hadn't made eye contact with Harry at all through the reasoning; he kept his eyes on the book. This gave him the 'I'm only half paying attention, you aren't the most important thing in the world' effect.
Harry gaped at him. He couldn't even fathom that those words came out of Draco Malfoy's lips. He shook himself and said, half-amusedly, half actually interested, "How the hell, could you turn out to be deep?" He didn't say it in a malicious way so Draco was inclined to smile.
"People aren't always what you expect." He answered, shrugging. Harry could not agree more as he looked at his enemy's now open and completely unclouded face. He merely nodded back, his mouth slightly open. He suddenly wanted to know Draco. He wanted to befriend him if what he learned was something good. He wanted Hermione and Ron to accept him if Harry did. And all of a sudden it was Draco, not Ginny that he was thinking of most often.
Draco was perfectly right, if Harry wasn't positive he was ready for Ginny and he, then he shouldn't rush into it. Why risk their friendship over something that had a possibility of not working out? So for now, Ginny was on hold; he just wanted to be friends with Draco.
How strange did that sound to Harry? The answer: very strange. Draco had always been the person he loathed. The person who sought out to hurt and frustrate him. The person whose sneer just made him want to break something. They had never had gotten along, they had always been the perfect rivals:
-Golden Boy VS Future Death eater,
-Brunette VS Blonde,
-Gryffindor VS Slytherin,
-Potter VS Malfoy.
And all of a sudden, Harry wanted to break that, and erase it all. No 'VS', no stereotypes, no titles, just Harry and Draco…friends. He had to tell Draco that too. But first…he must talk to Ron and Hermione about it.
So he turned to Draco and whispered "Meet me at the astronomy tower and 8:00 tonight. Be alone." Draco nodded back, and tried to restrain the little voice.
Draco's got a daaaate. Draco's got a daaaaaaaate. Lalalalala. You know Draco…the astronomy tower is the meeting place for snog sessions at Hogwarts. You do know that right? Oh by little Draco's eager response you do. Teeheehee.
Oh, what the hell, Draco was way too giddy to restrain the voice. He just let it go singing along inside his head like an Irish man on St. Patrick's day. Harry was meeting Draco this night, and not little Ginevra Weasley. Life was good.
Then a sudden thought hit Draco like a sack of bricks: what would he wear?! With a start, Draco realized he only had eight hours to figure that out! He rushed out of the classroom when it was time, much to the annoyance of Professor Snape (not that he would punish someone of his own house anyways…which Draco knew.)
Harry was confused at this sudden departure, but wasn't too worried. He had to figure out what he would tell Ron and Hermione. There would be hell to pay of course.
He spent all of Herbology writing a speech that he could say. He almost got attacked by the particularly ferocious plant they were supposed to be 'deflowering' (this term earned many giggles from the class.) Meanwhile, Draco had skipped his Divination class (not that that was important anyways, he'd just make up something about how he foresaw a particularly handsome brunette getting chased by a giant hot dog) to prepare his outfit.
Now Draco, nothing sparkly – it will either blind Harry or make him think you are far too queer for him to associate with…even though frankly, you are. And nothing too revealing, because then he'll think you're throwing yourself at him. Also, nothing to manly – like a wife beater for instance…ugh – because he's obviously the man in this relationship. Although it isn't really a relationship, for all you know he just wants to push you OFF the Astronomy Tower.
Stupid Bloody Voice; it always got in the way these days. But what if it was right? What if Harry invited him there just to fight with him? Or worse…what if he didn't show up? OR what if Draco didn't show up for fear that the voice was right and it turned out that the voice was wrong for once and Harry was left all alone and let down and maybe even hurt?!
Ouch Draco's head was pounding. But his heart was pounding harder, and his heart was screaming "JUST MEET HIM THERE FOR FUCK'S SAKE" and his heart seemed quite temperamental and angry right now so he went with its advice.
While Draco was having his nice little breakdown, Harry was entering through the portrait whole. Hermione and Ron were already in the common room. He couldn't prolong this talk any longer.
He turned to the two of them. "Ron, 'Mione, we need to talk." They looked at him expectantly and he took a deep breath. This was it.
-Xxx-
FizzWizz: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Cliffhanger. I really hate when I come across one, but they're just so fun to write. They really are evil though. Teehee I'm so sadistic.
Draco: What should I wear, What should I wear, What should I wear, what should I WEAR?!
Harry: Well…I guess it turns out I CAN prolong this a bit longer…or Celena (FizzWizz) can.
FizzWizz: So next chapter, Ron and Hermione's reaction, Harry's and Draco's meeting, and maybe even a jealous Ginny perhaps? Well review darlings.