Disclaimer: We don't own HP, it belongs to JKR. We own only the OCs and the plot.
Yesterday was fun. Right after dinner, Clarissa showed her room, or rather the quarter, to Draco, Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle. They chatted in the common room for about an hour when the portrait opened and revealed the Gryffindors. That day, Harry was to show his new arranged room to Hermione, he even told her the password in hope the girl would come to his room every now and then.
Seeing the Slytherins in the common room really made Harry felt a bit awkward. He didn't like the fact that Draco and co. would likely to hang around more often because their close relation to Clarissa. While Harry felt comfortable with the Slytherin girl, he didn't feel so to her companions. He didn't mind being nice and friendly with Clarissa, but to the others, well, he did really mind.
That evening, however, was an exception. It was spent in a peaceful if not silent atmosphere between the two rivals. Draco didn't pay much attention to the Gryffindors and rather nice, according to his light insults compared to the usual ones, which Harry then realized that the blond was a man with a sharp tongue as he always commented almost on anything without a second thought. The remark of 'mudbloods' wasn't even heard all evening. His two goonies were silent, as Draco didn't order them to do anything to harm the said Gryffindors, again which was very unusual.
The act was nothing but a relief to the Gryffindors, mostly Neville for he always scared being near with anyone who have a Slytherin badge on their robes. Further, it forced the Gryffindors to treat them back equally nice.
Hermione hid her smile at the truce, she, being the wisest among four and definitely the smartest, had already had enough for all the childish bickering between the two houses which was only good for nothing. She silently pleased that she no longer had to steel her heart at those rather hurtful insults thrown by Draco.
The conversation at the common room that night was dominated by Clarissa, Blaise and Hermione. Draco often made cynical comment here and there and usually Harry was the one told him to shut up. Dean and Neville engaged in small talk themselves or only listened at the whole scene, while the other two said nothing but munching the snacks they brought earlier. All in all, it was rather a nice, happy, although weird, evening for them all.
xXx
The next morning, Neville who was just descended from the dorm to the common room heard a soft movement from the portrait. He looked up and smiled at the figure appreciatively.
"Hermione! Thank goodness!" exclaimed Neville. "You're here to wake them up, right?"
"They're still sleeping?" Hermione frowned.
Neville nodded, "They played Exploding Snap until late and now they're still sleepy. I gave up waking them!"
Hermione sighed. She had told Dean and Harry not to sleep late to prevent the overslept. The girl conjured a bucket, no… two buckets of water then she headed upstairs. In the middle of the stairs she met Clarissa. The Slytherin girl gave Hermione a confused expression at the buckets.
"These will help a lot," answered Hermione with an evil smile. She then continued her way to the boy's dorm.
Clarissa shrugged and waved at Neville downstairs while waiting for the last occupants arrival so they could go to the Great Hall together. Ten minutes later, Harry and Dean grumpily readied to face the day.
xXx
The breakfast was nothing but interesting if not for the owl post scene. It had something to do with Clarissa, letters, and jealousy. By yesterday's love letters sent to the said girl, it seemed to encourage the other boys, mostly pureblood, to confess their feelings to Clarissa. What did happen was Clarissa received more and more love letters and newly discovered jealous letters as one leaked somewhat puss when it was opened which fortunately avoided by Clarissa. The girl sighed and she carefully divided the letters into two stacks and the result was she got 15 love letters and 7 jealous letters. She conjured a small bag and put the love letters in it. She didn't take any notice to the jealous letters, enough from the first experience in opening and reading it.
Draco who sat beside her lifted his eyebrow in question manner. Clarissa shrugged and calmly ate her breakfast.
"You ignore them?" Draco asked, tilted his head to the letters direction. "That's rare!"
"Let them be… they're not worth it! To be read or tracked down for punishment. I don't want my day to be spoilt by them," she said indifferently. "Beside, I don't understand even a half of what they're saying. Useless!"
It's true. Clarissa had managed to read one. It was anonymous and most the writing were about filthy snide remarks and nasty words to her. Sure in the letter was written the cause why the sender sent the letter, but Clarissa stopped half way because it didn't make any sense to her.
"Can I read it?" asked Draco politely.
"Serve your self!" Clarissa took her second toast.
Quickly, Draco scanned the opened letter. He had a grim face while reading the words but a little smirk appeared on his face when he read his name in it as one of the cause. Why of course he already knew that being gorgeous and rich, many women and perhaps men throw themselves at his feet. He didn't hyperbole, most girls and few boys in his year and below really couldn't resist his charm. Really, so far only the bushy haired mudblood and the savior from Gryffindor he knew weren't affected at all even by his charm.
He took the stack and scanned the writing on the front envelopes. He recognized three styles of them being their friends in Slytherin, Pansy, Millicent, and Claudia Vilarrmine the sixth year. He knew Pansy sent this letter because of him and Claudia sent hers because Andrew Seforza, seventh year of Ravenclaw was currently her heart desire. But, Millicent…? Well, apparently, Theo couldn't stop his ogling after Clarissa, Draco mused as he watched a dreamy look which sometimes sent from Theo and a scowl from Millicent.
Draco swapped his gaze to the room he currently in. He met varies steal glances from hatred, jealous, up to adoration to Clarissa. As now, he locked his stare with one of Ravenclaw girl, fourth year, who shied under his gaze but then sent nasty glare at Clarissa. He shook his head. There were times in his past to do this flirty things using his looks with those girls, but not now. Nowadays he only reserved his attention and devotion to one beautiful girl who currently sat beside him. No other anymore, but her as his family would always approved.
At the far end of the room, four Gryffindors watched with amusement among whispers and soft chatters, although the chatters weren't define any 'soft' at all. They held the giggles for the absurd stupidity shown by their schoolmates. Hell, even the naïve Harry Potter could easily realize there was something more between Aiden and Malfoy's heir, thought Hermione.
Yes, she admitted and didn't have a close eye to the attractive blonde, she just found it was waste of her time as her heart belonged to someone else. Dean, Harry, and Neville thought the same, that it was impossible to get between the two beauties. A simple truce and friendship were more than enough for them.
"Look at Pansy!" whispered Dean. "If looks could kill, Clarissa would be dead by now, elf descendants or not."
Neville and Harry giggled softly while Hermione only smiled. "Bet she's mad, because her dreams of becoming Malfoy's soon wife to be was practically ruined. Hell, Malfoy worship every ground Clarissa stepped on, how could the pug-face stand a chance?" continued Dean with glee.
"You're mean Dean!" scolded Harry gently, not really meaning of it. "But really, why haven't all just leave them alone? I mean, they're not blind to the affections between those two right?"
"They're attractive, Harry!" reasoned Hermione. "Girls would fall for Malfoy and none too appreciate for a disturbing beauty that captured the prince's heart. While the boys, well…. Boys being boys always compete to get the beauty for themselves to keep. They're simply not on their right state of mind!"
"Hey!" Dean, Harry, and Neville protested in unison. "I didn't do the stupid things the other do!" exclaimed Harry. Dean and Neville muttered their agreement, not really happy that all boys were judged as the same.
"Never said you're not an exception, Harry," Hermione grinned.
Harry and co. grumbled. The Great Hall attentions still focused at the two Slytherins. Harry noticed in the snake table there was a silent tense atmosphere right then. Once again, he wondered how close exactly Clarissa's relation with Malfoy.
"…Harry…Harry Potter!" Hermione waved her hand at Harry then smiled smugly. "Caught in the act! You're not an exception after all!"
"What…?" Harry pondered.
"You drooled for her, mate, you just did!" Dean snickered.
"No, I didn't!" denied Harry while blushing. "Whatever! Hermione… how's in the tower? They didn't do something funny to you, did they?"
Hermione released a desperate sigh. Harry caught a pained look in her eyes, but it disappeared quickly. She smiled sadly, "It's nothing that I cannot handle, Harry. I'm fine, really… it's just, suddenly the tower isn't like home anymore to me. They don't trust me like before and… I don't know, I really miss you guys. Even Ron…"
Harry patted her back with troubled expression, "I'm so sorry Hermione…"Harry whispered in guilty. "I mean… if only not for me… you…"
But Hermione beat him, "Not your fault! Oh, please Harry… I choose not to be a brainless idiot like them, I choose to stick with you because I know you're right! So don't you dare apologize to me! Now, eat your toast!"
In his heart, Harry felt grateful to have a friend like her. His affection towards her was greatly increased to the stage he didn't want to lose her, and that was his promise. In this war, he would fight but not for his parents, not for the peace itself, and definitely not for the wizarding world, but for Hermione, for his dear friend's life, and for the sake of her smile. Harry smiled, now he had another reason to fight.
"Besides, Harry… not everyone in the tower sees you like them, some even supported you and agree with me. But they are too small in number and too afraid to speak their mind," added Hermione. "You still have someone who believes in you, Harry. Like me, Neville, and Dean. And I think that beauty Slytherin does too. Just trust us, like we trust you, Harry. Okay?"
And the breakfast was ended in a happy cheery mood of Harry, as he encountered a warm smile from the one he consider true friends at the time.
xXx
At Charms, Harry was frustrated. He's been trying for about half an hour to change a glass of water into ice. On his right side, Hermione was trying to change a bucket of water into ice. Harry sighed, even the brilliant Hermione succeeded to change a glass of water after her fourth attempt, and it seemed everyone in the class must try really hard to make the spell right. Except for Clarissa, she succeeded on her first attempt. She had even managed to shatter the glass because of its coolness. Harry wondered whether her elven blood helped her to do so.
Today's charm wasn't an easy one. When Harry first saw how easy Professor Flitwick froze the water, he thought it would be an easy task for class too, well, at least for Hermione. But now he realized how wrong his thought.
To change the water into ice, it needed a full concentration. Because, what they did with the spell was only to slowly decreasing the water's temperature until it's frozen. More water only meant more concentration and determination.
Harry groaned in low voice. He became very impatient. That time, only four people succeeded so far, that were being Clarissa, that's understatement, Hermione, Draco, and surprisingly Blaise. The last boy usually appeared to be a lazy bastard that even Draco, Harry was really sure he saw it, looked a bit shock. And Blaise, well, being a Slytherin he was, only smirked in triumph at that.
Once again, for the-lost-lost-in-count-after-five attempt, Harry readied his wand. He focused his mind and in determined voice he spoke, "Friserra Thermos." Then he failed. He growled at that. He readied again, but his concentration was shattered as he felt someone poked him from behind. He turned around and faced a grumpy Dean and a desperate Neville.
"How's your progress?" asked Dean. "Freeze anything yet?"
"Not yet. I only managed to make the water cool. You?"
"We suffer the same fate, mate! Right Neville?"
"Aah…" Neville groaned. "Hermione… help me!"
Being called, Hermione turned around. A weak smile formed on her face. "Later, Nev! I managed to do it even after my fourth effort. I'm still holding to my second task now…" she frowned deeply. "It's difficult, how to keep the concentration purely focused on one thing which only be felt by skin that is. I mean, I wouldn't know if my spell had work unless I touch it and feel the temperature myself. The water will start to harden if it was cold enough to freeze, other than that…" she shook her head. "How did she do it so easily?"
"Who?" asked Neville, confused.
"Aiden… I mean" said Hermione.
"Oh, well," Neville seemed a bit unsure. "She's a half-elf, remember? She had her inner power influenced by nature. I guess that's how…"
Harry heard Dean muttered something about unfairness under his breath and the fore mention boy slightly agree at that. Harry stood back facing his task, his glass of water. He built his concentration. "Friserra Thermos." He spelled in deep voice. Come on, come on! He thought in desperation and determination. Oh, please! Let me do this right! Hell, if Malfoy can do it, I sure will can!
Harry guessed that God finally heard his pray, because at that exact time his glass started to extract soft and small cracking noise and slowly his water got harden then shimmered the glint only ice could do. Harry stared in awe and he praised himself for that. He tried for another glass and he did it easier that time, as if the water and temperature worked it for him. He cried in joy and unconsciously did a small gesture of happy dance which caused Hermione to giggle and both Dean and Neville rolled their eyes. Little did he know three pairs of eyes were watching at him. One with envious look, one with a happy smile, and one with amusement glint in its owner eyes.
Ronald Weasley was watching Harry since his first succeed attempt with jealousy. That ungrateful bastard! How could he? Ron thought. Earlier years when they were still friends, Harry was Ron's companion all the way. Their grades were almost in the same height, their knowledge barely the same, but now Harry surpassed him. Must be the dark power, the red-head boy mused.
Ron tore his eyes away from the lithe boy that once his friend. He looked in direction of his heart desire, before he gave a calculating glance at Draco, a pureblood witch of royal blood Aiden, but what he saw made him hate the famous Harry Potter more, as the girl stare at the boy with a warm smile gracing her feature. He had heard from a little murmur in the tower, oh, he's not blind that a few bunch of idiots at his dorms secretly support the black haired boy like Hermione, Dean and Neville, the last two were out for good-riddance, as for Hermione and the others, he couldn't say much about the prefect girl, no harm could be done to her, and the others were too afraid for cheering their hero openly, that Harry, Dean, and Neville were now living with the beautiful half-elf Aiden. And it angered him to no end with hatred and envy.
Suddenly an idea popped in his mind. He took out his second task without finishing his first. He whispered the spell and no, he didn't…couldn't freeze the water in the bucket. But he had already realized that, he simply cooled it over and over until near the end class, made the water chill enough to seep through the bones.
The bell was his clue, he watched with disdain, Harry Potter was still trying to gathered his things. He waited until Professor Flitwick had gone then he used the very first charm he ever learnt. He levitated the chilly water and nastily spilled it upon Potter's head. The said boy stood by the door with shock. Dean who stood beside him turned around abruptly and easily found him, Ron, in guilt, even though the red-haired boy didn't seem guilty at all. And the boy sent Ron a deathly glare. Hermione and Neville came back from the other side of the door and widened their eyes at Harry. She too easily spotted Ron being the criminal, as he calmly put in his things and passed them with a nasty smirk on his face. The last thing Ron caught before he walked away was the hurt expression from the out cold Harry and caught up with the same smirking Seamus Finnigan who have watched the attempt earlier. Together, both Gryffindors left for a fiesta lunch at Great Hall.
xXx
The prank that Ron pulled on him made him had to change first before he went to the next class. He had reassured his friends that he would be okay to go change by himself and that he would see them afterwards at Care of Magical Creature. He took a slow step upstairs when he reached his now empty quarter to his bedroom. His body did chill because of the water and he was shaking slightly.
He freed his body from the wet cloths then he took a shower, a warm and comforting shower. As water strolled down his face, he closed his eyes and let his tears mixed with it. Harry was not okay, not at all. He was upset, he was mad, and more, he was lonely. He did know that Ron couldn't bear his existence that time, he already know that he had lost his very first best-friend, and he should have anticipated the feeling, but it was still hurts. So he cried silently in hope to subside a little pain. Then something occurred in his mind.
He walked over to the sink slowly and opened the small drawer under it. He took out a small box and from in it he saw a hard glint of steel. He went back to the shower and sat with his back against the cold tile of wall. He placed the sharp side of the small blade on his thigh and slowly scratched it on his pale skin. He winced at the sting feeling and watched the blood dripped freely from the small cut. He sighed in relief, the pain was so distracting, that's why Harry loved to do it. It distracted him from the real wound in his heart, at least for a while. It was intoxicating and dangerously addicting, but Harry couldn't help himself to stop it. For him it was another route of escapee from his hurting heart and mind. Harry made another small cut beside his fresh one and the blood flowed freely from it. When the blood subsided, Harry pressed his wounds with his wet cloth in hope to stop the blood and while he doing so, his eyes roamed to his soft nearly faded traces of small cuts he had on his thigh and hand.
The very first time he did the cut was an accidental one as his left fore arm bumped into a rather sharp edge of the kitchen sink. It was the same day he got his rejection from the Weasleys at Grimmauld place. The second one was when the twins returned his galleons just three days after the first time. Before he went to his godfather place, he was already accustomed of pains thanks to his abusive uncle and cousin for they were upset that Harry didn't die at the night when Voldemort reigned back, oh they knew about that somehow, instead he was back again to disgrace their house. Harry was not a very addictive cutter, he only cut when the pain was really hard to bear. Up until now, he did only seven times and at a time, it was his eighth.
Sure, he couldn't let the other knew, he couldn't let Hermione knew. It was bad enough when she first found out what Harry did. She noticed a fresh wound on his wrist, right after Harry did for the third time, at his involuntarily wince when she grabbed his arms. By the time the realization dawned upon her, she scolded him to no end with tears on her eyes, and she was ready to drag him to St. Mungo for rehab. Harry had promised her and had to beg her with his pleading eyes not to tell Sirius and Remus about it for times and days until Hermione relented him. Instead she always trailed behind him and never let her guard down around him. She kept glancing to his arm from time to time and released a sigh after he saw no other added wounds on them. Little did she know that Harry cut his thigh instead since then.
Harry made his way out of the bathroom. He took the closest school robe he had and half running went out from his quarter and headed to the school ground.
xXx
"Claire! Sat still, please!" snapped the Malfoy's heir quietly. He's had watched the raven beauty beside him acting like a worm, impatience worm at that, for about ten minutes, and it was getting him irked. The said girl rolled her eyes in frustration and slumped her shoulders.
"Sorry Draco, but….there's something…something really wrong, I just don't know what. And it's getting me restless," she frowned. Then she added in a soft murmur with her index finger patted her heart lightly. "It hurts, over here. I've no idea as to why, but….it's really hurt!"
Draco eyed her in concern. "Are you sick?" he asked softly.
Clarissa briefly shook her head and focused her attention once again to what Hagrid say. Currently, they were at Care of Magical Creature class, studying about Bowtruckles. The class was then separated in groups of three. They were to observe the wood creatures, as Bowtruckles usually lived on the trees of wands as their guardians.
Both Clarissa and Draco went to their object of observation in silent. Clarissa seemed to pay her attention somewhere while Draco gave a sharp snarl to anyone who came closer to them, anyone with ill intention towards Clarissa of course, boys being flirty to her or girls simply wanted to hex her silently. As a result, they were only a group of two. Draco looked around. He saw Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle in one group, then Granger, Thomas and Longbottom in another, oddly with a worry expression on their faces. He frowned.
"Well, that's odd," his low statement brought Clarissa's mind flied back to earth from wherever it'd been. "Potter's nowhere in sight."
"But, but…" Clarissa gaped. "Class already started for 15 minutes. Where could he been?" worry overcame her feature. Could this hard feeling came from him? She inquired.
Draco shrugged. He really had no idea, he caught another distracted look from Granger which was very unusual. The said girl kept looking behind her back from time to time. She was being silent at the class, even when Hagrid asked about the Bowtruckles. He was the one who answered them. His thought back when he saw Granger once again looked behind her back and seemed relief. He followed her gaze and there he saw the savior walked silently to their direction. About bloody time! He thought. He heard Clarissa breathed a sigh.
Harry bowed his head down, very aware to every eyes on him. He made his way to Hagrid and mumbled an apology. Hagrid smiled softly at him, "'S okay Harry. 'Mione told me yeh'll be late. Go paired with Malfoy and Aiden. Sorry Harry, last group reserved." Harry nodded and walked to their direction. He looked up and greeted them with apologetic smile.
When Harry showed his small smile, for the truth, Draco was a bit taken a back. In his eyes, the smaller boy looked so calm and a forced maturity shown in his emerald eyes. Clarissa, on the other hand, saved him a sincere smile. She faced the pixie-like creature and Harry followed her gaze. Draco roamed his eyes on the boy, ignoring the blatant curious sent to him from the corner of Clarissa's eyes. Something about him is not right, Draco frowned slightly. But what? And Harry was the one who to be oblivious at the open curiosity from his once arch-enemy.
"So, what are we going to do?" Harry asked softly.
Draco noted a quiver seemed on the surface of his voice. The blonde boy raised one of his eyebrows and stared at him, this time though Harry felt the attention and without his consent, his face blushed rapidly, although he refused to look into the depth of grey pools. At the sight, Draco smirked a bit and in turn, the blonde boy was oblivious at Clarissa's now opened questioning stare.
"What to do now?" asked Harry again. "What did I miss?"
"Just the explanations about Bowtruckles," explained Clarissa, her eyes still at Draco. "You can borrow my note later, Ha…Potter. By the way, can I call you Harry?" she added with slight smile at Harry.
Harry nodded. He looked up for once and caught Draco's eyes. Harry gasped lowly and threw his gaze away, he looked at Clarissa instead. Again, Draco raised his eyebrow at the act.
"And…?" Harry asked.
"We have to sketch, Potter. We have to draw their parts of body and note the names. It will be submitted at the end of lesson, so we have to do it quickly." Draco said calmly.
"Yeah, and it won't help at all if your gaze is wandering around, Draco," Clarissa pointed at him in mocking gesture. Draco frowned at this, and for the first time tore his attention away from the raven haired boy.
"But, I can't draw…" said Harry ignoring the other two.
"I didn't say it would you to draw these, Potter, knowing that you're incompetent enough to come on time." criticized Draco. Harry ducked his head with flushed on his face, for he felt ashamed of himself and hated Draco to point it out clearly. "I'll do the drawing, you deal with the book, Potter. Then tell me its body parts name."
"And Aiden…?" Harry asked in low voice.
"Please, Harry, it's Clarissa. I'll… well, I guess I'll just play with it, you know, distract it. It might feel bored, for I do too…" Clarissa shrugged, unashamedly threw the job to the boys.
Harry nodded and opened his bag. He put out his book and started to read about Bowtruckles. Draco took out a parchment and started to ready drawing the creature. Clarissa had a handful of little bugs and threw it one by one to the creature. For a start, it seemed fun, but the joy didn't last long.
Soon both Harry and Clarissa felt really bored. Clarissa sighed and without saying a word, she wandered around their classmates. Harry closed his book. It's no use, he thought. Malfoy seemed to know whatever it is without me helping him. Unconsciously, Harry followed Clarissa with his eyes. He saw Clarissa talked with Hagrid and the half-giant Professor seemed a bit happy with that, despite a few scornful faces thrown at them mostly from Slytherin bunch. Then he saw Clarissa wandered around aimlessly, until the said girl chatted animatedly with Blaise or simply playing with their Bowtruckle, received playful glare and shove from the dark skin wizard. Harry too saw few were trying to catch her attention or simply flirted with her. The last Harry saw was Clarrissa sat beside his three Gryffindor's friends and talked calmly.
"She's a complex!" Draco's voice startled him. "Hard to stay still, a very drastic mood swinging, she can be harsh in words but gentle in the next minute. She can be annoying and then very helpful in a matter of second. She can be bouncing happily from here and there in this class, but trust me when I say she can be very calm with an arrogant manner right at dinner"
Once again the raven boy and the blond exchange their glance. This time, Draco was the one who broke their link, continued his focus in drawing. While the other boy observed him closely with wonder, just how close is Malfoy with Clarissa?
"Say, Malfoy…how did you know her?" Harry couldn't hold the urge to ask. "Those time in the train, wasn't the first right?"
"Why do you ask?" Draco retorted back without looking up.
"Just…just want to know," Harry said in small voice. "It's okay if you don't want to answer." He added with an uncaring shrug and looked far away.
Draco scrutinized the boy for a while then back at his parchment. "We met after my thirteenth birthday, in the summer after second year. I personally met her at my family's cottage in France. It wasn't a good first impression by the way. We had a little…problem at the time. We exchanged a few nasty words then my father parted us and smoothed our way. We've become pen pal since then, and a very good friends at that."
Harry tilted his head. "Problem…?"
"That's personal, Potter!" Draco snapped. Harry's eyes widened and with a tone just above the whisper he mouthed 'sorry'. Draco sighed, it's no use. He's too… Gryffindor for my liking. Anyway, calm down Draco, you have to be civil with him, remember what your father said! My parents won't be pleased if I upset him this time.
"Anyway, Potter, read at page 179 and tell me what is this creature's saliva's name!" ordered Draco and he turned around in his sit, his back facing Harry.
Harry knew the tone when he heard one. Unconsciously, with a trembling hand he quickly opened his book, scanned the page and told Draco what he wanted to know. After that then he realized his body's state. He scolded himself and tried to suppress the insecure feeling which had started to build in him. When he calmed enough, he tried to look at their group's work, but, unfortunately, Draco's broad shoulder hindered his way. After hesitating for a few moments, his curiosity was getting at him, he crawled silently at Draco's back, and without touching it and still at four, Harry peeked from Draco's shoulder and gasped softly at the sketch.
"Your drawing is good, you can be Dean's match…" Harry praised in whisper.
At the soft warm blow of breath on his neck, Draco's heart beated faster involuntarily. Slowly, as if he didn't want to scare the other boy, Draco turned his head. His eyes greeted Harry's face from a side, allowing him to observe the boy more. He noticed how vibrant his green eyes with thick and long eyelashes, how high his cheek bones, how red and delicate his lips, and how small his chin. A perfect mirror of Clarissa in a softer feature and angle for a young man. And all that time of observation, Harry was as oblivious as a day. The small boy missed a nice curve on Draco's face and a soft glint in his grey eyes. And none was seen it, except for the pair of another green eyes that narrowed in mischief and calculating look.
xXx
"I'm bored," Harry said with a suffered sigh. In exchange, he got three pairs of glares and two wicked grins heading his way. The boy shrugged, he put down his quill and strolled to the nearest couch. With a slumped figure, he observed the scene before him. Three Slytherins and three Gryffindors.
Currently, all the seven of them were in the elf's quarter, that's what they decided to call his new quarter for the sake of Clarissa's blood, doing their homework early. Harry had become quite used to the sight his Gryffindor fellows blended with green and silver house's students, namely Draco Malfoy, Clarissa Aiden, Blaise Zabini, and sometimes Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe. But the last two was very seldom to be seen in his range of sight. Come to think about it, he thought. I hardly seen both of them with Malfoy nowadays, it just seem that their places were being taken over by Zabini and Clarissa….okay, I got it wrong, it was rather Draco's place was taken over by Clarissa, and instead of the two, Draco and Zabini were the ones in charge as bodyguards. Harry pondered and he frowned, wait a minute… since when Malfoy's become Draco? I didn't just call him with his given name, did I?
"What's with the look, Harry?" a voice stopped Harry's train of thoughts. He looked up and face to face with a concerning Dean. "You look troubled."
"Nothing… I was just thinking, that's all!" Harry avoided Dean's eyes, trying to hide the blush that crept to his face. "You did your homework?"
Dean took a seat beside Harry and groaned, "It's boring!" and Harry laughed at that. "Why do we have to do this early? It won't be submitted until next week, after all!"
"Don't ask me! It seems like we have two Hermione in our quarter. Neville and Clarissa that is! Geez, I don't even know this side of Neville all along." Harry shook his head.
"Believe me that he's a fierce guy. You just haven't known him better all this time. I've managed to spend few times with him and …well….he's not a Gryffindor for nothing you know. He may not be very brilliant like Hermione, he also not known for his temper like Weasleys, not a gossiper like Finnigan and Brown, or simply popular because of his looks like you or Patil twins, but his diligence is what stand him out."
Harry caught something in Dean's eyes when the said boy talked about Neville. He couldn't describe what it was, but it seemed familiar to him, as if he ever saw the same glint before, where he couldn't remember. Harry choosed to watch the shy and quiet boy who was meddling with his homework along with Hermione, Clarissa, Draco, and Blaise. It didn't take long though as he noticed the movement from Blaise who scooted over his way and sat at another side of him.
"I don't understand them… what's the point we do the homework now, if we still can do it later," Blaise sighed. "I mean… please, that's what weekends and Sundays are for, right?"
Harry and Dean snickered, "You got my point!" agreed Dean. "Anyway, Zabini… I notice that the Ice Prince finally settled down. Is it just my imagination…or…"
"Who cares?" Blaise shrugged nonchalantly.
Dean rolled his eyes, "Please, are you blind or what? The Ice Prince and a beautiful Elf… tell who's not sane enough to not jealous?"
"Me? Or you… and you, Golden Boy, and those Gryffindor's bookworms over there," answered Blaise without thinking.
"Okay….maybe you're right," Dean frowned. "So it's true then? About what I ask before…"
"You didn't ask, Thomas. You simply restated a rumor."
"Rumor? Their closeness can be seen as lovers from my eyes… hell, even if I'm blind I still could tell the same."
"I talked about that with Malfoy this noon," said Harry in a small voice. "He told me how he met Clarissa."
"You have a civil conversation with Malfoy, Harry?" Dean stated in awe. "Whoa, that's new… and what's with the first name basis with the cutie?"
Harry playfully punched Dean on the forearm, "Silly! She asked me of course, otherwise I wouldn't dare to oppose the lady. Anyway, Malfoy said that he first knew her somewhere around his summer after second year, due to some problem."
Suddenly, Blaise laughed out loud. Harry tilted his head in confusion, he turned to Dean who had the confuse expression on his face.
"What's with the laugh, Blaise?" asked Clarissa with curiousity in her tone. Her reaction was a signal that their little cat was now had a full attention from other occupants as well.
"What is it, Harry?" asked Hermione gently, seeing Harry was now turned beet red. And the said young man answered her with a small 'nothing' and he ducked his head down.
"He talked with Malfoy this noon, about his relationship with Aiden…" Dean said and stared at Draco who scowled slightly. "And suddenly Zabini cracked out. I, we don't know why though. But I guess it's something related to the 'problem' Harry said before."
This time, it was Clarissa who laughed and Draco scowled deepen. "Oh, he must be referring to the incident, right darling?" asked Clarissa mockingly at Draco. "And please, no formal name with me, Dean… Clarissa's fine."
"The incident?" frowned Neville, he seemed intrigue by it and wanted to know more.
"Yeah….the incident, you see, he wasn't nice to her like he is now when he first knew her. Wait, what was it Draco? Your assumption about her?" Blaise had to stifle his laugh very hard. "Lucius' illegitimate child?" he then cackled madly.
"Hell, no…" swore Clarissa with a devil smile. "His first thought was that I am his father's concubine. Hahahaha….."
"What? Your father had a Lolita complex or something?" mocked Blaise.
"Well, how could I not assuming something? He was attached for someone outside the family…" Draco said defensively.
"Hear…hear…" taunted Clarissa.
The four Gryffindors exchanged their glances and smiled amusingly, though a bit dazed. It was Hermione who stated, "As funny as it seems, I think we're a bit lost…"
"Yeah, sorry…so here's the story," Clarissa tried to calm down and retold the history, despite a disapprove look from a certain blond.
#Flashback#
The thirteen year old blond boy was pacing around his large room. Draco had an irate expression on his face, showing that he was truly enraged. He slumped on a black leather couch and now he had this sad and upset sign on his beautiful feature. He crossed his leg ungracefully and forgot all about mannerity for he was alone at a time. He knew and could hear his father lecture about his pose if the man knew about his behavior now, but the blond boy took no care at all.
The Malfoy family had been in Paris for about two weeks now. Draco had been ecstatic, despite his calm mask which surely always in place, for a first few days. He was always waiting for this family time in summer vacation, especially with his father. Lucius was a busy man and seldom at home for socializing with different important people. He was a loving father and gentle husband on his own way though, being discipline, strict, and very attached with graceful manner and traditions. He was a kind of man which hard to show his caring to the ones he love and rather possessive. Draco knew this all, he knew his father loves him so and hardly deny his will almost on anything. In returns, Draco respected him for all his worth and admired him as his ideal. As a young boy, he always copied his father's grace, his talk, stand, walk, ideas, or simply reacting. His facial feature now was a result for his years training for his father as a role model, and he knew exactly that his father was proud for him.
Now, he was upset for the same man. As the one who could think rationally, he realized that sometimes in his summer holiday, his father wasn't show up for days. Draco wasn't troubled back then, but he was now. It was supposed to be an outing gathering for three weeks in France, but after two weeks he still rarely saw his father, out of twelve days he only spent five days with the man he admired. Draco sighed, he was all alone in the Malfoy's cottage. Her mother was away since yesterday to attend an invitation from Lady Marlagne.
He walked to the fireplace and grabbed some floo. He shouted, "White Manor, Mersailles." Few moments later he arrived and stepped out from the fireplace and stood in a study he recognized as his father's. He patted away the dust that's on his clothes and walked casually out of the room. Draco went to the library that had a large window that's showing the beautiful garden in the backyard.
He loved to spend his time there when he stayed at this manor. The library had a lot of interesting books and the calm breeze of wind that flow through the large window brought the smell of flowers relaxed him greatly. Draco picked a book from the case and prepared to sit comfortably on his favorite couch until he heard an unknown soft voice from the said garden.
Draco curiously stepped nearer to the window. There he got a clear view of a young girl, a very beautiful one with a long silky black hair to her mid back. He was stunned at first by her beauty but then he spotted his father sat beside her with a soft and serious look on his face, talked quietly to her. Draco frowned, between curiousity and jealousy, the first came up higher than the other.
Who is she? He thought. Why father with her? What are they talking about?
But the young Malfoy soon turned into a fierce angry when he saw the girl threw her arms on his father's neck, hugging him. What enraged him more was that Lucius replied her hug with a soft pat on the head and a gentle kiss on her forehead.
So this is what father's doing! All the time I waited, me and mother waited for him to come home, to be with us, but instead he was here with her! Draco felt like lost. Lost his respect, lost his faith. Who does she think she is! And why father choose her over us? This is my holiday! It's supposed to be me he's with all the bloody time. Instead… instead… oh Merlin!
Draco strolled out angrily to the garden without the second thought. His face had become pale, his eyes showed mixed emotion from hurt, anger, and confusion. Forgot the manner, forgot the mask, all he did see was red and he felt like to explode.
The two persons didn't recognize his presence yet. Draco tried to calm his ragged breath, then he coughed, startled the both of them.
"Why, hello Father, fancy meeting you here," he sneered through his gritted teeth. "So, who's the girl? Care to introduce her to me? Or mother, perhaps?"
"Draco?" Lucius stood with confusion look. "I thought you were in Paris. What are you doing here?"
"Yeah, what am I doing here, anyway? My mistake Father, I apologize for disturbing your affair." Draco said in a mock politeness. He narrowed his eyes to the confused girl, missing the shocked look from his father. "But please do understand, dear Father, I was only trying to occupy my mind and surely my time, because I've already wasted my time enough for waiting you home all this time, with a false hoping that perhaps you still remember that it's my supposedly holiday with my family. When was the last time I see you again, father? At dinner time two days a go? Where were you dear Father? Here with her? Surely nice, I hope. Who was she again, Father?"
Draco breathed his question but never took long enough time to let Lucius answer him. "Oh, my! How stupid I am, forgive your son, Father, for not recognizing his own secret sister. I guess I'm not learning enough. And I'm sorry for interrupting your secretly reminiscing time together as father and daughter. And I'm sorry again Father, for being so stupid!"
Without waiting anything, Draco turned his heel and hurriedly walked away. he wanted nothing but to be away from this manor, from his father, and suddenly he had an urge to find consolation from his mother. He prayed that his mother would be there when he stepped out from the floo.
Draco grabbed the floo dust harshly and shouted, "Blue Lake, Paris!"
#End of flashback#
xXx
Clarissa laughed heartily after she retold her first encounter with Draco and Blaise did too. Draco sighed, he hated to remember that day because he felt very stupid. The incident had been left unspoken for years among three of them, but now it was once again floated to the surface, worse now that the Gryffindors knew too. they were gather around near the fireplace, homeworks were forgotten because of the forceful Clarissa to make them hear her story.
"You should have seen his face back then. He looks exactly like uncle Luce only in smaller form. Gee Draco you sure is your father's carbon copy." Laughed Clarissa. "You learnt it very well! Either way, your sneer that time would have been very impressive, or should I say intimidating, if you don't have to look up due to your heights gap. You were small compared to uncle…."
"And if you've lost your baby fat. You were chubby enough when you were twelve, Dray, especially here," Blaise patted his own cheek. "Makes you really adorable!"
Draco scowled and glared hard at Blaise, instead of cowering, the latter boy laughed more. "You do it perfectly now. Nice glare!"
Draco sighed, he knew this torture would never come to an end. He caught the stifled laugh from the Gryffindors, except Harry, with the corner of his eyes. Oh how he wished to scold them, but he knew if he did that he would be very unfair, and Clarissa really hate unfairness. It would do no good if he upset her now.
"But you said nothing in your story about 'concubine'," said Dean as he recalled her story. Now, Draco really wanted to wring his neck. Did the boy know the word 'stop'? I don't think so! He thought angrily.
"Well, that's his own confession, after the counter of course!" answered Clarissa. "I talked to him thoroughly!"
"He firecalled me right away after the encounter, throwing tantrums and fists, I would never forget the day," Blaise shook his head. "He was not an Ice Prince at all!"
"Yeah, me? His father's affair…oh wait, he did say the affair word though! What a jealousy! I could be his daughter!"
"What can I say… I saw my father with a beautiful girl, intimately!" Draco said in his defense.
Clarissa chuckled lightly, seeing a pout formed on Draco's lips. The girl circled her hand on Draco's shoulder. "But it's okay now, right darling? We're best of the best friend!" she pecked Draco's cheek, surely erased the pout immediately.
"You look like a lovesick couple, if I may correct you," Neville mumbled while rolling his eyes.
All was laughing with the comment, Blaise even punched Neville's back lightly. All except Harry, he had a slight troubled glint in his eyes, and Dean was the first who realized it.
"What's wrong Harry? You're awfully quiet." Dean told him in a concern tone.
"No, nothing…. It's just that I don't understand why you make fun of it." Harry answered softly.
"What about?" Clarissa was confused.
"Your first encounter," Harry blushed. "Sorry…" he silently apologized.
All was quiet hearing his answer. Draco was the one who broke the silence. "And you didn't find it funny, Potter? Care to tell us why?" Deep down inside, Draco could hear his own heart pounding heavily.
"It's only my thought, really… not a big issue."
"Oh, come on Harry, we would like to know…" pursued Clarissa.
Harry sighed and looked down. He did his very best to look plain. "I…I remembered how I sometimes really missed Siri and Remmy. Even their letters cannot ease the feeling. I thought it's just the same as Malfoy," he said timidly. "Most sons usually adore their fathers, as for me… Siri and Remmy are the closest persons that can do, and I think it goes all the way with Malfoy. His rage was his expression of loneliness and long, I mean he might feel a bit insecure and… jealous when he found out that his ideal figure set his eyes on other kid… perhaps," he added the last part nervously. "Because, if I was in his place and saw Siri took notice on another more than me…well, I guess I would just… react the same, you know…"
His speech went the others silent. Hermione held her breath and silently cursed herself. Dean smiled weakly and Neville felt something stirred in him. The shy boy knew exactly the feeling as he sometimes missed his parents too. For that he scolded himself, for being so inconsiderate. The Slytherins did nothing, their masks didn't betray them, but deep down they felt as if they were slapped.
There in front if them was an orphan boy, who knew nothing about his parents nor ever felt his parent's love on him. He held on only by the faith that his parents did love him as the other always told him, but he could say such things as possessiveness and jealousies for sharing care from the ones he felt as the substitutions.
Blaise and Clarissa had both a perfect homes, even though one of them not blood related at all, but they had perfect family from where they were raised. Could they feel the same like Draco? They guessed they might be, but they were secure enough by their parents love to spoiled them rotten to felt jealousy. But Draco and Harry, one had a perfect family, one did not, one had been spoiled, one did not, but both felt the same insecure feeling for the lack of presence their ideal figure. One for being busy, one for been deceased.
"I know the feeling Harry," Neville whispered to Harry's ear. That gained Harry's attention and the boy smiled sincerely. "I missed my parents too… a lot!"
Harry grinned and that time Hermione decided to lift the heavy tension by calling it a night. All was glad for the distraction. "I still have to do my prefect's duty, as you should do too, Malfoy!" she kindly reminded the other prefect in the room with a sweet but stern tone nonetheless. Draco sneered but stood up to prepare his leave. Blaise did the same as he gathered his belongings into his bag and carried it.
"I'll accompany you to the tower, 'Mione," said Harry.
"Thank you Harry. Night Dean, Neville, Clarissa, and you two!" she regarded the last two Slytherins with no effort to call their names. She walked gracefully to the portrait hole followed by Harry.
"The nerve!" Blaise whistled when both Gryffindors lost in their sight. "Let's go Draco…! I don't want to get caught by Mrs. Norris, or worse Filch!"
"Night Claire!" Draco pecked her cheek.
"Bon soir!" she replied and the two Slytherins made their way. She turned her gaze to the last occupants in the room. "So… care to tell me why Harry was late for Care of Magical Creature's class today? And don't bother to lie, I know something's not right was happened today…" she threatened.
xXx
Draco was lost in his thought. He recalled Harry's words in his head over and over again. His understanding was amazed him, Draco wondered just how much the ebony haired boy could read past through him. Only few people could do it, his parents, Snape, and Blaise were included.
"… His rage was his expression of loneliness and long, I mean he might feel a bit insecure and… jealous when he found out that his ideal figure set his eyes on other kid… perhaps."
It was true, that was what he felt back then. Draco always wanted for his father to see only him. To be proud only for him, to spend the days only with him, to teach many new things and knowledges to him alone. Draco wanted himself to his father's only Golden-Boy. And no one knew about that, that's his secret only shared with his father, and his mother perhaps.
#flashback#
Draco stepped out from the fireplace and roughly brushed off the dust from his robe. Angry tear fell and he wiped it harshly. Then he shouted with all his might, "MOTHER!"
Narcissa Malfoy came to his view few seconds later, she paced hurriedly into the room hearing his unusual tone of her son. She was seeping her tea in a lounge near Lucius' study that noon, feeling a bit relaxed after a long journey and tiring invitation from one of her colleague. She was nearly spilled her tea when she heard the shouting from a familiar voice of her sweetheart. A bit worry, she prepared herself to see for the worst.
Could it be that Draco's hurt? His voice seemed to contain amount of pain, she thought though her face was still a look of indifferent. What a shock she had when she saw the pain was no physically, but it was shown from the pool of clear gray eyes. She saw his son gritted his teeth and impatiently holding back his tears. Her mask dropped right away as she scooped her boy in to her arms.
Draco gripped his mother's gown tightly, his knuckles were white, tears flowing, but he didn't let out a single sound. I won't break down! He reminded himself. Once his cry subsided, he let go of her hug and faced her worry gaze. "I'm alright now, Mother," he whispered. "How's your day? Pleasant, I hope?"
"It is, definitely, my son. But I found myself worry with you, now. What could possibly be wrong, my Dragon?" she inquired. "What had upset you, dear?"
"Nothing I can tell you right away, Mother. I need to think it all over for now. I'll tell you when I am ready. Can I resign to my room now, Mother? I'm a bit tired."
"You sure need rest, son. You look very exhausted," Narcissa kissed his temple in attempt of comforting. Then she added in a very soft and gentle tone, "Rest well my Dragon, then come and see me if you have anything to share. I will always be there for you."
Draco kissed back her right cheek, my sweet loving Mother, how could you Father!
"Good afternoon, Mother."
Draco then retreated to his room, he locked it, then never come out even when dinner's time coming.
--
Lucius arrived at Blue Lake moments later, with a black haired beauty with him. Narcissa greeted her husband with a welcome kiss and a bit surprised when she saw the girl, but Narcissa greeted her warmly.
"Is Draco home, 'Cissa?" asked Lucius.
The worry came back to her grace though she tried not to overreact it. "Well, yes, I could say so, Lucius." She bit her bottom lip.
Lucius frowned at her wife. He signaled the girl with him to go first into the living room, and she walked her way as if she was a common in the cottage. "Where is he, 'Cissa? In his room?"
"Yes. But he locked it. I couldn't pass through," she pondered for a while as Lucius steered her to the nearest chair. "Lucius, is something wrong? Tell me, please. I'm worried with Draco's state when he's got home. I don't even know how he is now. It's been four hours since he locked himself."
Then Lucius talked about the incident which happened earlier in the noon. Narcissa sighed, "I know we shouldn't keep things away from him. It's his right, Lucius. Now see what happened! His first meeting shouldn't be like this."
"I know, my mistake, 'Cissa dear, but we can't help it now. It's all already happened," Lucius stated. "Let's have dinner first."
Lucius flicked his fingers and a house elf appeared before him. "Tell Draco to come down for dinner." He commanded. Then he and his wife walked to the dining room after the house elf vanished with a loud crack.
Right after Lucius, Narcissa, and Clarissa were settled, the same house elf made its appereance. It wringed its hand, it looked up with fear and nervousness. "Young Master, sir, said he would have his dinner in his room, sir," it spoke with tremble in its voice. "Twilly is said to bring his dinner, sir, right to Young Master room. Young Master is say sorry, sir."
Lucius exchanged his gaze with Narcissa. His expression was hardened, he soon dismissed the elf and all three started their dinner in a heavy air. When it was finished, Lucius made a move to speak with his son. Seeing his hard look, Narcissa held his arm, stopping him in his track.
"Not with the scary look, dear. He will be upset more than he has already," scolded Narcissa gently.
"Well, he is upset me with being disrespectful, 'Cissa. And I will tell him directly about what I feel right now," he said in calm stony voice.
"You don't understand, dear," Narcissa said, shaking her head. "If you talk to him like that, it will result his hated towards you, Lucius. And I know you love him too much to risk that, don't you, dear?"
A soft voice spoke out. "I will talk to him first, Uncle Luce, Aunt 'Cissa. I'll try to make him understand my position," Clarissa said.
After that, she walked to Draco's room. That left Narcissa and her effort to make her husband see things in Draco's way.
"Lucius, you know that Draco admires you, right? He always has faith in you, respect, and trust. But, they were all scarred right now, for he finally knew that you were seeing another kid. He always believed that he's your sole attention, imagine what he feels when he found out that he has been sharing you with another for all this time. He felt betrayed, Lucius. He loves you that much," she sealed her words with a kiss on Lucius' lips in hope he finally got what she meant. And he did.
"Let's wait Clarissa in front of his door," he said finally understood the situation.
Not long after the two arrived in front of a double wooden door, Clarissa came out with a satisfied smile graced her feature. "You may talk to him right now, Uncle Luce… he's a bit guilty, now I guess, after he knows who I am."
She snickered and stepped a side, made a way for her uncle. Narcissa reminded him softly, "Be gentle, Lucius." He nodded and walked in.
Behind those closed doors, Draco stood with his head down, a look of guilty shown on his chubby, adorable face. Lucius sighed and stepped closer to him. With his thumb and index finger, Lucius lifted Draco's face. Soon, two pairs of grays exchanged each other gaze.
"I'm sorry Father," he said in a low voice. "I shouldn't have said…"
"I know, son," Lucius deep voice cut Draco's words. "I know, and I apologize for not telling you things you ought to know." He inhaled deeply before speaking again, "And I'm very sorry if you feel neglected, Draco. That's not my intention, believe me."
"I know Father, now that I know who she is, I understand why you left house so much in the past. Forgive my misunderstood, Father, for accusing you the wrong things."
Lucius cupped his son's face, "It's partly my fault, so a truce?"
"Truce," then Draco couldn't hold back his tears anymore. He threw himself in his father's warm embrace. "I miss you, Father. So much!"
"I will try my best to spend my time with you more, son, for the lost ones we've not sharing together. I promised you this holiday, after all."
"Promise, Father?"
"Promise."
Then Lucius hugged Draco for a long time as the young heir emptied his tears on Lucius' sleeve.
#end flashback#
Draco pondered the memory and he sighed contentedly. An hour later, he retreated to his dorm and prepared to bed with a light feeling, unknown even to himself for realizing that finally someone understood his mind.
xXx
A/N:
We're sorry for not updating in a long time. The first excuse is we're having our exams, then we're off to holidays which means we're separated for good two weeks long. But they were only excuses, actually …we were hit by an author block, so in short, we're a bit confused as to typed this chapter, and more over, the typist was being lazy! (sorry!-chibi-)
Well, enjoy this chapter, and we'll try our best, very very best, to update soon. Let us know what you think okay? And we apologize once again if you're a bit confused with the story as we the ones who typed it were a bit confused too. hehehehe….
Thanks for the reviewers, please still intact!
Oh yeah, by the way…after you read this chapter, can you guess the pairings? We guess you can. But let us know nonetheless, okay?