The Exchange – Face It

Haley's detention with Hagrid didn't really feel like a detention at all. It was her duty to pick up a worm-like creature called a "blastwort" and throw it against Hagrid's hut. In doing so, the blastwort would release a paint-like substance, one that is impossible to remove by hand or even with magic. By making the creature release this substance, Hagrid wouldn't have to worry about the blastworts exploding on the students during his lessons the next day.

Haley had to admit that all this throwing and exploding was pretty fun. It was fun seeing all the different colors the blastworts released. So that the substance wouldn't stain her clothes, every time she threw a blastwort Haley would duck behind a large shield Hagrid had put up for her. After a while, the girl found it easy to pretend that she was throwing grenades at invisible opponents. A childish glee rang throughout her core, which followed her all the way back into the Slytherin common room.

In spotting a particular blonde sitting in front of a fireplace, Haley couldn't resist the urge of grabbing a pillow from a nearby seat and launching it across the room at her target. She giggled as the pillow flew through the air before quickly ducking behind the aforementioned seat.

"Oof!!"

This was all Haley needed to hear to trigger a fit of laughter. Not wanting to give away her position, she stifled the laughs.

"Who did that?!"

Haley could tell Draco was annoyed. It only added to her joy. The laughs were getting harder to control at this point.

Draco scanned the room for the offending pillow thrower. Everyone else in the room just stared back at him in confusion. And that's when he heard it. A tiny snicker. The Head Boy grabbed the offensive pillow and slowly crept towards the sound. He heard a second snicker, and at that point knew with whom he was dealing with. This was war.

Draco swung the pillow, earning a little gasp from its victim.

Haley abruptly stood. There she saw Draco smirking at her with a pillow in one hand. Her eyes quickly scanned the room. There!

Draco followed Haley's gaze and immediately lost his smirk. "Don't you-"

The boy couldn't finish his sentence for Haley made a mad dash for another pillow and armed herself with the feather-filled object. Knowing that her opponent was right behind her, she swung around, pillow in hand, making contact with Draco's chest.

"Jones!"

"Take it like a man, Malfoy!" Haley grinned.

And so the two commenced a rather childish battle. Each pillow strike was met with another blow and another. The others in the common room continued to stare in disbelief while others retreated to their dorms as to not get caught in the crossfire.

"This is mad!" Draco rationalized, despite the grin on his face. "We're much too mature for such- oof!"

"Is this the sound of a forefeit?" Haley mocked. "Just admit it, Malfoy! I'm much better than you at ev- oof!"

"Ha! How do like that? You better get used to it!" The blonde ducked Haley's blow. "Missed m- oof!"

"And it's Jones with another quick blow!" Haley cheered herself on. "You're terrible at this, Draco."

"I'll show you!" Draco charged at the girl, pillow at hand.

Haley took this opportunity to strike again, but with the swiftness of a fox, Draco dodged the attack and countered with his own, all the while managing to snatch Haley's pillow out of her grasp. The force of the blow knocked the girl on her bum as she stared off in surprise and a bit of awe in having been toppled. She focused her gaze on the one towering above her with a triumphant smirk spread across his face.

"I. Win."

The girl scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "You cheated."

"How on Earth did I cheat?"

"I don't know. You used some spell or something…"

"I did no such thing!"

"That's the only explanation-"

"Just face it, Jones. I beat you fair and square."

Haley frowned. "…Fine. You win."

At this, Draco tossed the pillows onto a nearby couch and offered a hand to his friend. "Truce?"

"Truce." Haley clasped the hand held out to her and accepted the help up.

The two made their way to the nearby couch that held their once battle weapons. The plopped down, suddenly exhausted by their childish antics.

"What on Earth inspired such tomfoolery?" Draco wondered, lazily draping an arm around Haley's shoulders, which she gladly leaned into.

"Blastworts."

"What?"

"A paint-filled, worm-like creature. I learned about them in detention."

"These detentions are getting rather ridiculous."

"But I learn oh so many things there. I should have detention every night."

Draco scoffed. "That can easily be arranged."

"You'd give me detention?"

Silence. And then, "…No."

Haley looked up at Draco, who was staring off in the distance. "No?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because… I'd miss you too much."

Haley settled back into her seat, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Me too."

---

The next day flew by with ease. Classes were a bore and meals were only mildly entertaining. Neville helped Haley finish up her essay since it was due the next day. And somehow, after all of that, Haley found herself walking through snow-littered grounds in the company of Blaise Zabini.

"I heard there was a battle in the common room last night. I must admit, I am rather upset that I missed such flirting."

"What?! It was a battle! There's no flirting in battles!"

"Spare me. Battles are your versions of foreplay."

"Ugh! As if!"

"Then why, my dear, are you turning red?"

The two stopped in their tracks as Haley covered her face in her hands. Even through her gloves, she could tell she was getting warm. She shook her head. "It was a pillow fight. Harmless lukewarm pillow fight."

Blaise placed a hand on either of Haley's shoulders. "You're in denial, my friend. You can't see past the tip of your nose." At that, he bopped her on the mentioned appendage with his index finger.

Haley rolled her eyes. "I despise Malfoy. Don't you recall what you discovered just yesterday?"

"Yes, yes. You're Harry Potter. Blah blah." Blaise continued walking with Haley following beside him. "It amazes me how awful you two got along while you were a boy and how well you get along while you're a girl."

In hearing this, Haley looked down, feeling a little bitter.

"But Draco's all about pretenses," the boy carried on, not noticing his friend's sudden somber demeanor. "You know those Malfoys, all high and mighty."

"You've got that right…" Haley scoffed.

"He's got to keep that little façade up, else he'll ruin the family name, or whatever," he said with a wave of his hand. He stopped again and spun around to look at the girl behind him. "But he's not without feeling either. There's a lot going on in that pretty little head of his."

With utter seriousness, Haley stared Blaise in the eye and asked, "…Do you like him?"

Blaise broke out into laughter. "Of course not! I am of the heterosexual nature. But you on the other hand…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, love, that for a boy trapped in a girl's body, you seem rather attached to a particular boy trapped in, well, a boy's body."

"I am not attached to anyone."

"I reiterate. You're in denial, my friend."

"I can't like Malfoy. Like you clearly stated, I am a boy trapped in a girl's body."

"You think that matters here? Even our dear old Dumbledore's a poof."

"What?!"

"Hadn't you noticed?"

"No! Seriously?"

"Completely."

"No way…"

"But that's off topic. We're talking about you, Mister Potter. So what if you're both boys?"

"I think you're forgetting. We're not just two boys. He's Malfoy. I'm Potter. There's quite a significance there. You of all people should know that he and I have more than our fair share of differences."

Blaise spun back around and proceeded his stroll along the school grounds. "You'd be surprised by what I know."

"What are you getting at? Wait. Scratch that. Why are you so interested in me getting attached to Malfoy?"

Blaise was silent for a bit. He stopped again, turned slowly and held Haley's hands in his. "Honestly? I haven't seen him this happy in a long time. For whatever the reason may be, you make him happy. And I'm pretty sure he makes you happy as well. So what's so wrong about wanting my two friends to be happy with one another?"

Haley felt the blush creep up again, but caught herself. She looked down. "I have to change back, you know…" she said in a quiet voice. Blaise wasn't sure that she was really talking to him, rather more to herself. "I will eventually have to leave this form and go back to being me. The real me. How can we be happy when I finally change back and only one is happy with the other? So even if I do like him, and I'm not saying I do, nothing can come of it because nothing will ever come of it."

The girl pulled her hands away from the other's. Slowly, she turned and walked away.

"Haley!" Blaise called.

"Go on. I've got to go to detention," she called back, heading towards the greenhouse.

Blaise followed her with his eyes. "Blast…" With a shake of his head, he headed back to the school.

---

"What luck! I've two helpers tonight!" Madame Sprout grinned. "Miss Jones, Mister Valex, follow me please."

The two students trailed their portly professor towards a line of tables covered in empty terra cotta pots.

"Watch carefully. Professor Snape needs these as soon as possible and they'll only grow properly if this is done properly. They're for a potion he's currently working on," the Head of Hufflepuff offered Haley a discreet glance, giving the younger girl a clear idea of what she'll be helping the Potions professor with.

"Mister Valex, because your hand is still a bit sore, you'll be scooping soil into the pots. Three and a half scoops, no more, no less. Miss Jones, you'll be planting the Grubsnatch and covering it with one more half scoop of soil. Any questions?"

"I have one," Haley piped, raising her hand. "What's a Grubsnatch?"

"Oh! Right! Just a moment!" Professor Sprout cleared her throat. "Accio Grubsnatch!"

Just then, a rather large bag floated from a separate room into the greenhouse. Professor Sprout grabbed the bag and pulled something out of it. It was a round ball, the size of a snitch, covered in a slimy, green coating. "This, my dears, is a Grubsnatch. They have to be planted in separate pots simply because they snatch each others' grub!" She smiled happily. "In their core, they produce an ingredient known to counteract the workings of a number of potent potions. Haley, dear. Be sure to use gloves. This goo they spew can get rather sticky. Carry on, loves!" And with that, Madame Sprout disappeared into her office.

Haley frowned at the bag in front of her. "Why do I have to deal with the goo?"

"If you wish, I'll trade with you," Leir offered.

The girl smiled. "It's quite all right. Your wrist needs its rest. Besides. I think I can manage."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Thank you, though."

The two proceeded to do their chores, with the occasional grumble from Haley over how the Grubsnatches stuck to her gloves. She refused to let it bring her spirits down, though.

"So what are you in for?" she asked the other.

Leir smiled. "I… kidnapped Mrs. Norris…"

"What?! Why on Earth would you do that?"

"That blasted cat was following me around. It was creepy. So I took her and hid her in the broom shack out on the pitch. Needless to say, Filch wasn't very happy about that."

Haley smiled. "So what was your punishment?"

"Actually, it was just this one detention. Filch was just so happy that Mrs. Norris came back that I guess it twisted his demented nature."

"That is so not fair. I threaten to attack one of my classmates and I get a week's worth of detention. You actually kidnap Filch's cat and you only get a day."

"And it's not even that bad of a detention. I mean, I get to spend it with you."

"Oh…errr…" Haley blushed.

"Oh I'm sorry. Was that out of line? I shouldn't have-"

"No, no. It's all right. It's just- Nothing. I'm glad I have company for this detention, too."

The two worked on, idle chat filling the air.

"Two older brothers and, get this, four older sisters."

"Wow. That's enough to contend with the Weasleys."

"I know, but luckily for us, my great-grandmother came into substantial wealth in her time. We're pretty well off, us Valex folk. I mean, I've heard of what the Weasleys have been through. It's got to be tough with so many children. My mum's got maids and nannies. Mrs. Weasley must be strong to deal with it on her own."

"Well she's not on her own, is she? She's got her husband. And her older children were a great help on the little ones as well."

"How do you know?"

"Oh. Err, Ron and I are good friends. He's told me quite a bit about his family. They're a tight bunch, them."

"How about you? Brothers? Sisters?"

"None. I'm an only child."

"Lucky one, you are. You're not being constantly compared to your siblings. And when you're not being compared, you're being completely ignored," Leir scooped the soil rather bitterly. "It's hard to be noticed in a crowd."

"But you have others with you. They love you. They're there for you," the green-eyed girl patted soil over the grubsnatch. "Me… I'm on my own."

"To each his own, I suppose," the boy shrugged.

The two finished potting the grubsnatches with ease. Feeling utterly disgusting being covered with soil and grubsnatch goo, Haley promptly made her way to her room to take a much-needed bath. In the middle of relaxing, Haley groaned in hearing a knock come upon her door.

"I'm a little busy!" she called.

"Jones, I'm bored!"

"That's not my problem, Malfoy!"

"My brain cells need stimulation!"

"Again, not my problem! Find someone else!"

"Blaise is currently M-I-A!"

"So? What about Crabbe? Or Goyle?"

"I said my brain cells need stimulation!"

"Ugh. Have you no friends?!"

No response came right away. And then, "You're naked right now, aren't you?"

A blush crept all over Haley's body. "Shut up!"

"You're in the bath, aren't you?"

"Shut up, Malfoy!!"

Haley heard a laugh. That was enough. She climbed out of the bath, threw a robe on and swung her door open violently. "What do you want?"

The smile quickly erased from Draco's face. "Are you mad?" He grabbed Haley's shoulders and pushed her back into her room, closing the door behind him. "What if someone saw you? Have you any idea what might happen if someone saw you like this?"

Haley rolled her eyes. "It's your own fault, you fool." She made her way back into her washroom, only slightly closing the door behind her so she could still hear her friend.

"How is it my fault? Where are you going?" he followed.

"To continue my bath."

Draco abruptly stopped before entering the washroom. "You are well aware that I'm in here, are you not?"

"Yes, well I can't do much about that, now can I?" Haley stated matter-of-factly as she climbed back into her tub. "You're welcome to leave at any moment, you know."

"If I leave, this door will be unlocked while you're in there and someone could easily come in and take advantage of you, especially if they've seen you in your bathrobe."

"So get out and watch my door."

"I think you're much safer if I'm in here."

"Whatever. Pervert."

"I am not!"

"Malfoy, now is relaxing time. If you've nothing better to do than to disrupt this time, I suggest you leave."

"…Fine."

"You're leaving?"

"I'm staying." Draco hopped into Haley's bed, lying down so that he was staring at the canopy above. "So what did you learn at tonight's detention?"

"Grubsnatches are repulsive."

"Grubsnatches? Let me guess. You had to pot them?"

"Indeed. But luckily, I wasn't alone. Leir was there."

"The Hufflepuff boy?"

"Yes, he's in Hufflepuff," Haley replied through gritted teeth.

"What was he doing there? Brownnosing his Head of House?"

"As a matter of fact, he was sent there for detention."

"Ooo, the badger's a rebel is he?"

"Be nice. Or I'm kicking you out."

"Fine, fine. What was Leir in for?"

"Apparently, he hid Mrs. Norris in the broom shack."

"That was him?"

"I know. I was just as surprised when he told me."

"Never knew the badger had it in him…"

"Malfoy…" Haley warned.

"Oh, all right. What else did Leir tell you?"

"Nothing much. We just talked about random stuff, really."

"Ah. So you're saying he doesn't have much substance?"

"I said no such thing!"

"Anyway," he continued, ignoring Haley's comment. "What were you talking to Blaise about earlier today?"

Haley's heart leapt to her throat. "What?"

"…I saw you two from a second floor window. You two were walking around in the snow. For a moment there, you were even holding hands."

"Oh. Ummm… it was nothing."

"Clearly, you're lying."

"Cover your eyes, I'm stepping out."

"Like I'd ever want to see you-"

"Cover them or I stab them out using your own wand."

"Fine, fine." Draco grabbed the pillow next to his head and covered his face. "Covered."

Haley slipped into her robe and peeked out the door before walking out. Quickly, she grabbed her pajamas and hopped back into her washroom.

"All clear yet?"

"It was fine a long time ago. I was just enjoying the silence."

"Ha. Ha," the boy replied, dryly, tossing the pillow to the side.

Haley quickly dried herself and slipped into her pajamas.

"You never answered my question."

"I told you, it was nothing."

"Even through that door, I know you're lying."

The girl towel dried her hair before brushing through it, a job she rather disliked but found necessary. "You've obviously got your own ideas of what was said. Is anything I'm going to say really going to change your mind?"

"You're still avoiding the question."

Haley gave a little stomp. 'He's too smart for his own good…' she thought. "Why do you even care?"

"Blaise is my friend. If you two are having a little rendezvous, I'd like to know so I can tell him what a pain you really are."

Haley swung the washroom door open, burning daggers into the back of Draco's skull. "Remind me again why I don't kick you out right now," she growled.

"Well why don't you then?" he sat up.

"What's your problem, Malfoy?"

"When did you start calling me Malfoy, again?"

"Wha-" Haley stopped. When did she go back to calling him 'Malfoy?' She shook her head. "What does it matter?"

"It matters to me."

"If it makes you feel better, I'll go back to calling you Draco. Better?"

"Not really. Do you really have a secret affair with Blaise?"

"Honestly, Draco. You're being ridiculous."

"Am I? Just yesterday you two were sitting mere centimeters apart before you claim he kissed you. And today, I see you two taking a leisure stroll through the winter air while holding hands. What am I supposed to think?"

"No, all right! There's no secret affair! We were just talking, that's all!"

"Do you like him, though?"

"As a friend… You're just as bad as Ethan…"

Draco hopped off the bed. "Do not lump me together with Maxwell."

"Well, if you're acting like a jealous buffoon just as he does, I can't help but 'lump' you together. What've you got to be jealous over anyway?"

Draco turned away from Haley. He was quiet for a bit before he spoke. "Obviously, I'm incredibly popular." At this, Haley scoffed. He continued anyway. "But there are only a few that I consider to be more or less an equal. By some divine miracle, you're one of those few." Another scoff. This time, Draco turned back around to look Haley in the eye. "If you manage to find a significant other during your time here, that's one less friend I have to turn to. You'll obviously be spending all your time with that person. I'm jealous of any man who takes my friend from me."

"Okay, first of all, I highly highly doubt that there will be any man that I will consider my significant other during my time here. Second of all, even if by some rare chance that I do find someone, it's not likely I'd toss you aside like that. I might spend a bit more time away from you, but that doesn't mean I'll spend all my time away from you."

"But that's just it, isn't it? Your time is already eaten up so much. There's classes, then meals, and then there's the fact that it takes you ages to do your homework-"

"I resent that!"

Draco continued on, ignoring Haley's comment again. "Then of course there's your detentions. Plus, you've got a whirlwind of friends that you're always with. Your free time is severely lacking, Miss Jones. Add a sweetheart, and there's no time left for me."

Haley sighed and sat in her bed. "You're such a pansy, Draco."

"Am not," he countered half-heartedly as he took a seat next to her.

"Are too. When it comes down to it, you sound just like a child whose favorite pet is being taken away."

"Well if that's how it sounds, can I keep you?"

"Never ask that again. It's creepy."

Draco smiled before replying. "Though it sounds childish, it's how I feel."

"You do realize that I don't belong here, right? You know I'm not going to be here forever, right? I do eventually have to go back to where I came from."

The boy sighed. "I know that. And it's only more of a reason for me to want to spend as much time with you as I can. You will miss me too, won't you?"

It was Haley's turn to sigh. "…Of course I will."

"So… when you're gone, and more so while you're still here, don't forget me okay?"

"I could never."

Draco placed an arm around Haley's shoulders and rested his head atop hers.

"In the mean time," Haley started, leaning into Draco, "stop assuming I'm getting friendly with anyone. I'm not."

"Of course not. You fancy me. And I'm certainly not just anyone."

"You really have a way of spoiling the moment, don't you?"

"Are we having a moment?"

"Not anymore, obviously."

"But it's so clear how enamored you are with me."

"What?!"

"It's true. You wouldn't let just anyone come into your room knowing that you're taking a bath right next door."

"I only let you in because I knew you were too much of a pansy to do anything whilst I was taking a bath right next door."

"You know, I've only known you for two weeks."

"Yes. Two long weeks."

"You already trust me this much after two weeks?"

"…I guess I do. And I suppose you do too."

"As if. Had it been me taking a bath next door, I know you'd come barging right in."

"Oh get out already!"

Author's Note/Disclaimer: I own naught Harry Potter and other related objects other than Ethan, Leir, and… well… this story. Muahahaha…

Another update. Y'all must be a lucky bunch… Keep the comments coming! They only encourage me to keep going. Unless they're flames… then they just make me cry myself to sleep… Gah!! Haha. Not really. Flames just make me laugh.