Chapter 14
The next few weeks had been adventurous for both Harry and Draco. They still argued in front of the students and teachers, some of it rehearsed and some out of habit. Some of the comments had double meanings to them that only they caught and would laugh off later.
Afterward Harry and Draco would laugh at their friend's reactions and comments. They had to be discreet about it so Malfoy wouldn't be caught. Empty class rooms, bathrooms or even under the bleachers. If they were caught they would get into an argument over each other and wrestle. So far they didn't have to cover. Draco could only come to Harry's house for a few hours every few days while his parents were away. Harry didn't like the idea but agreed to it so Draco could talk to Sirius.
"I think Weaselette…" began Draco before Harry shot him an annoyed look.
"Don't call her that."
"Fine. I think Ginny suspects something. Either that or she has a serious crush on me or Blaise."
"I seriously hope not on either," said Harry to his boyfriend. Draco smiled back as he playfully shoved Harry and both laughed. They were under the bleachers during a free study period, spending the only time they probably had that day and enjoying every second of it.
"Weasley still hates me," said Draco lying on the grass, careful to not soil his clothes.
"It's more believable that way," said Harry sitting next to him.
"And more fun for me," said Draco smiling. Harry chuckled and tossed a bit of grass at him. "Hey!"
"That's for making fun of Ron."
"It wasn't bad." Draco sat up and started shaking the grass off him.
"He's my friend," argued Harry, giving Draco a serious look.
"He's not mine," said Draco defensively but he saw the look on Harry's face and sighed. "Fine, I'll try to get along with him."
"That's all I ask. Will you be able to come tonight?"
"Can't say," said Draco. "Riddle's been upping his operation. He's getting ready for something big."
"I'll have to tell Sirius…"
Draco cocked his head to the side as if listening something. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"I hear voices."
Harry strained his ears to listen for any sign of voices and found it. Two voices he recognized very well. By the time he heard the voices, two figures walked into view. Both quickly stood.
"Draco, hit me," hissed Harry. Draco looked reluctant but didn't waist a second before giving Harry punch across the jaw. The punch was hard enough to knock Harry down, but soft enough to not do any serious damage. Harry fell to the ground and pulled Draco down with in an attempt to prevent his fall. Draco fell on top of Harry, both out of breathe.
"Don't say that about my mother!" yelled Draco going over the story they came up with in case they got caught.
"It's true," said Harry looking over to see Neville and Luna rushing over to stop the "fight". "She does look like she smelled something foul under her nose, and I think it's you."
"At least I have a mother!"
"Low blow, Draco," said Harry under his breathe.
"Sorry," said Draco before Neville and Luna pulled Draco off Harry and stood between them.
"Sod off, Malfoy!" yelled Neville shoving the blonde back.
"He isn't worth it, Harry," said Luna reassuring her friend.
"I'll get you back for that," said Harry looking over at Draco.
"I guess I'll see you later then, Potter," said Draco with a smile and left. Harry continued to glare at Draco but inside he was sighing with relief, glad they hadn't been caught.
"What was the fight about this time," asked Neville.
"He said something about Ron's mum," said Harry quickly. "Don't tell Ron?"
"Definitely not," said both friends, knowing about Ron's temper.
The rest of the day went by without another incident. Neville and Luna didn't mention the fake fight they witnessed to anyone. The fight had been too convincing to mention to anyone because of Harry and Draco's prior fights. In fact, Neville kept an eye on Draco after that. When Harry had been forced to sit beside Draco in Chemistry Neville watched the pair for the entire class, making it impossible for the couple to do anything out of the ordinary. It was strange for the unusually shy boy but Harry was glad to have a friend that cared.
XXXXXXXX
"Draco!"
Draco groaned and tried to get away but Pansy could have made the cross country team if she aspired to it. The dark haired girl was fast. In less than half a minute after she yelled Draco's name Pansy stood in front of Draco glaring at him.
"What do you want, Pansy?" asked Draco irritated.
"You are going to ask me to the Valentine's Day Dance, Draco Malfoy!" she said shaking her finger at him.
"No," said Draco and attempted to walk around her.
"We're still going out, Draco!"
"No, we're not. We were never together. You're crazy, Pansy. Stay away from me or I'll file a restraining order and your family shipped to Australia."
"You wouldn't dare!" hissed Pansy, her dark eyes flashing. Draco smirked.
"Watch me." And Draco walked away to the black car waiting for him at the front of the school.
"You can't get rid of me that easily!" yelled Pansy behind him.
"A little too easily," said Draco under his breathe. The family chauffer, Dobby, held the door open for him. Dobby's real name was actually Donny, but Draco had been calling him "Dobby" since he was a toddler and never stopped, unless his father was around.
"How was your day, Mr. Malfoy," asked Dobby as Draco slid in the back seat.
"Fine. How is your wife, Winky?" asked Draco as Dobby closed the door.
"She is doing well," said Dobby and went to the driver's side. He started the care. "I'll tell her you asked about her. She needs the support."
"Still trying to find the liquor in the liquor cabinet?"
"I threw it out weeks ago. She said she's going to quit and I'm supporting her." Draco's phone rang and he took it out of his pocket. It read 1 NEW TEXT MESSAGE. "From a friend?"
"Yeah," said Draco softly pressing the READ button.
Going 2 the dance?
Yes, Draco texted back.
Meet u there?
Draco looked at his phone in confusion. It's a mask dance. How will I know u?
Draco waited for an answer.
U will, came the reply. Draco gave and exasperated sigh when his phone rang.
U there?
What do u mean? Draco tried to test back but no reply came. Growling he shut off his phone and suppressed hitting his head on the back seat.
"Problem, Master Draco," asked Dobby.
"Just really strange friends," said Draco.
"Someone new?" Draco looked at Dobby in surprise. "Don't worry. I won't tell your father."
"How did you know?"
"I'm not that dumb," said Dobby. "You've been running off more, and the look on your face when your "friend" texted you. It was more then obvious."
"Father would flip if he found out." Especially if I'm dating a guy.
"Don't worry, Master Draco," said Dobby smiling back reassuringly. "I won't breathe a word."
"Thanks, Dobby."
Draco smiled and got out of the car. He knew his parents were away somewhere so he was home alone, again. He was mostly glad that he didn't have to deal with them, especially this new in a relationship. Lucius was still angry at Draco for "breaking up" with Pansy, who came from a rich family. Lucius didn't care if she wasn't pretty; beauty came later with dieting and plastic surgery. Just as long as the family was rich to increase the money they had. Draco was looking for something more and he hoped he found it in Harry.
His phone rang as soon as he reached the door. He answered.
"Dude, if you're not going to the dance tonight, you're a dead man."
"Hi, Blaise," said Draco walking through the door.
"Please tell me you're going," said Blaise, almost pleading.
"Yes, I'm going," said Draco walking to his room.
"With who?"
"No one," said Draco turning on his computer, hoping he had messenger waiting. Nothing.
"Bull crap. Don't give me that," said Blaise. "You'll either going with someone or you're not going at all."
"Blaise, I'm telling you, I'm not going with anyone."
"Fine, all right. Don't tell me over the phone," said Blaise. Something in his friend's voice made Draco pause.
"Blaise, where are you?" he asked.
"Right outside your door." The door opened and Blaise walked inside. Draco snapped his phone shut and glared at his friend.
"I hate it when you do that."
"So, who's this "friend" you're going to the dance with?" asked Blaise sitting on a chair. "Flint? Montague? Or Potter?" Draco tried to keep his face as expressionless as he could but when Blaise said Harry's name, Draco's face gave the slightest of twitches, which was all that Blaise needed. "I thought so."
"How did you figure it out?" asked Draco sitting down on a chair.
"I actually figured it out it out months ago. You were too elaborate around him when teasing. It was more playful then irritating."
"And you're okay with it?"
"Hell yeah," said Blaise with a wide smile. "I'm glad you've found somebody. For fourteen years I've watched you walk through life like nothing mattered. But in the last few weeks you're actually looking forward to being with someone. Someone named Harry Potter."
"You won't tell anyone will you?" asked Draco suddenly more afraid that his secret would be exposed. Blaise shook his head.
"Draco, I haven't revealed anything you told me yet, as you very well know. Chillax. I won't tell."
Draco sighed in relief. He didn't know why he was scared that Blaise would tell anyone about his relationship with Harry. Blaise would have every reason to keep Draco's secret. They shared a secret among themselves.
"Thanks, Blaise," he said.
"What are friends for," said Blaise clapping Draco on the shoulder. "Now let's get you ready for that date."
"Don't you have a date?" asked Draco.
"Yeah, but I'm not picking her up for a while. We'll have six whole hours to party the night away. We need to get you ready now."
And they began Draco's make over. They went to a salon and got Draco's hair, face and nails done. They went to a fashion store in town before Draco was satisfied on a suit and tie. It was a white suit and pants with a white shirt and silver tie. Blaise bought white shoes and diamond cufflinks. A white mask with rhinestones that covered Draco's forehead, eyes and cheeks to completed the ensemble.
"Do I really need all this," asked Draco looking at himself in the mirror.
"Does the earth need the sun," asked Blaise. "Trust me. Once everyone sees you in there, you'll have to beat them with a stick just to keep them away."
"I only want one person there to see me," said Draco tugging at the collar of his shirt.
"And he will, trust me." Blaise paused to look at Draco once more. "Uh, how will you know it's him?"
"I don't know," said Draco taking the mask off. Blaise gave him a confused look.
"Are you serious? The guy asks you to the dance and he doesn't even tell you what he's wearing?"
"No, just that I'll know it's him."
Blaise sighed. "Well, if you're ever going to figure it out, I suggest we get going."
"You're going to take me to the dance?" asked Draco in an astonished tone, mocking his friend. "What will people say?"
"No, I'm going to get into my car and head to the dance myself. You're going to meet your man. You're seventeen. You don't need a chaperone."
"I guess that's a good idea," said Draco nervously.
"Right." Draco nodded, but he still felt nervous. Blaise left in his car and Draco had Dobby drive him to the school where the held the dance at the gym. Sighing Draco put on the mask and got out of the car.
"I'll call you if I need you." Dobby nodded and drove off. Draco sighed once more and walked to the gym.
Red, pink and white balloons covered the entrance and walls, streamers of various shades of red hung on the ceiling. Tables with white table cloth and a single red rose lined the walls. The lights were low and a disco light hung in the middle of the gym with string lights connecting to it. Draco almost forgot he had P-E in the room a few hours before.
He saw couples talking and dancing and he recognized Ron Weasley by his shock of red hair, Hermione Granger next to him with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan were with two girls he didn't recognize. Crabbe and Goyle were with Millicent Bulstrode and Daphne Greengrass, trying to not step on their partner's feet. Blaise walked in with an unknown redhead girl. The only way Draco knew it was Blaise was by the violent purple shirt and black mask with diamonds. He spotted Pansy looking around the dance floor, more than likely for him and he darted to a crowd to hide from her.
He jumped when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Reaching in his pocket he pulled out his phone and read the text.
Meet me by the bleachers outside.
Draco shut the phone and rushed out of the gym, slipping past McGonagall as he did. Walking outside he hurried to the football field, not looking behind him. The bleachers looked the same as they had that afternoon, to full moon casting a soft grey light. There was no one in sight.
"Harry," called Draco softly steeping onto the football field. "Harry, where are you?"
"Right here." Draco turned to the voice to find Harry standing behind him wearing a black suit with a red tie. Draco smirked and walked up to Harry and took him in his arms.
"You like to keep in suspense, don't you Potter?" he asked smiling at Harry.
"You bet," said Harry with a chuckle. "I figured we'd have at least one dance together before we go back to what society demands of us."
"How," asked Draco. "In the middle of the football field? No lights and no music?"
"Why not?" asked Harry. Draco put his hands on his hips as he smirked at his boyfriend.
"Well, I thought with it being a mask ball we'd dance in the gym" Harry smiled, walked up to him and gently took Draco's hands.
"And have everyone wonder why two guys are dancing together?"
Draco sighed. "You're right. We can do that later," he said with a smile. "So if we are to dance, to what do we dance to?"
Harry thought for a moment before reaching into his pocket and taking out his MP3player. "We can use this," he said. "Set it on scramble and the first song that comes up is the song we dance to."
"At least we'll have music," said Draco smirking. Harry smiled back, went to the power box and turned on the field lights. He took Draco's hand and led Draco to the middle of the football field. Harry turned the MP3 player on and put one earphone in Draco's ear and the other in his. Draco placed his arms around Harry's neck as Harry put his on Draco's waist and together they danced to You and Me.
"You're a good dancer," said Harry softly.
"I should be. Lucius made sure I had the best teacher for everything." After a moment Draco laughed. "This is silly. We're dancing on the fifty yard line all by ourselves where everyone can see us, two guys for that matter, to Lighthouse."
"What's the matter with Lighthouse?" asked Harry.
"Right now, nothing." Draco smiled up at Harry and laughed.
"What?" asked Harry.
"This is so weird," said Draco with a laugh.
"What is?" asked Harry.
"Here we are. Two guys who found each other in love. It's like a fairy tale."
Harry smiled in thought. "Just two lonely hearts."
"Now that's cheesy," said Draco but with a smile.
Harry smiled back, happier than he had been in his life. Happier than when Sirius took him in or when he met Cedric. When he lost Cedric Harry believed he would fall in love again, and the love he felt for Ginny had always been brotherly, but right now he didn't feel like he was dancing. He felt like he was flying.
"Draco, I have to tell you something."
"What is it, Harry?" asked Draco. Harry looked down in embarrassment.
"Well, I, uh, I…"
"The great Harry Potter at a loss for words?" asked Draco with a laugh. Harry glared at him, reached up and brought Draco down for a kiss. Draco grunted in surprise, but quickly returned the small press of lips.
"Actions speak louder than words," said Harry looking up at Draco. His eyes held a fierce determination.
"You don't know how true that is," said Draco he pulled Harry hard against him and caught Harry's lips in a kiss, as fierce as the determination that had been in Harry's eyes. The kiss made Harry's toes curl. If he felt like he was flying before he felt electrified now. He had never been kissed like this, even by Cedric and Ginny. He opened his mouth for Draco and the kiss deepened, became more heated till both were gasping.
"So, do you think you're in love with me now," asked Draco after the pulled away.
"I think I am," said Harry softly and leaned over to kiss Draco again. The music softly played in their ears but at the back of their minds.
And it's you and me, and all other people with nothing to lose nothing to prove. And it's you and me, and all other people and don't know why, I can't take my eyes off of you.
What day is it, and in what month. This clock never seemed so alive.
XXXXXXXX
Pansy growled as she reached the dance floor. The growl thankfully lost in the loud music. She couldn't find Draco anywhere, and she was adamant on them getting back together. Ever since he had broken up with her she began planning and scheming on getting back together with Draco. They were perfect together. He couldn't just dump her! He wasn't allowed to!
Stomping her high heels she walked out of the gym. There had been a reason why he left her! Had to be a reason why he didn't want her anymore.
Walking out side she turned away from the school and headed toward the field in thought, keeping her head down angrily. She didn't want to think about music or the bright light of the football field. She wanted Draco back!
Pansy stopped in mid-though and looked up to the football field. The bright lights of the football field? Why would they be on? Carefully she walked over to the field and gasped when she saw two figures, two boys, dancing in the middle of the football field. In the light she could barely see the earphones connected between them. Her breathe caught in her throat when she saw who was dancing.
It was Draco! And he was dancing with Potter!
Still dumbfounded she continued to watch as both danced, heads close and softly whispering to each other. And when she saw them kiss she forced herself to stay quiet and not shriek in surprise and rage. This was why Draco left her?! For Harry Potter?! A boy?!
Furious she almost walked up to them and demanded to know why he had the balls to cheat on her with a boy! But another thought came to her. And she smiled maliciously.
This was it. This was her revenge and they handed to her on a silver platter. Taking out her phone, she videoed them dancing and sent it to everyone on her contacts list. When the school sees this Draco will have to jump out of this moment of stupidity.
"Enjoy your moment, boys," she said. "It won't last long."
TBC