Chapter Thirty-Seven - Better Tea

That morning Harry had slept well, the sun was shining and the great hall was humming with happy quarrels. The house elves had even prepared a not too starchy breakfast, so Harry's plate was soon filled and emptied while he enjoyed waking up silently around the castles buzz. Too bad the only tea at the table was earl grey.

While overthinking his limited tea choices Harry was interrupted by a letter being dropped off by Draco's regal owl. This morning really was a good day! The git had waited two days sending his letter and though it seemed useless sending letters while they were meeting each other during most nights, the letters made his day. Still, the letter wasn't supposed to arrive during breakfast right? He looked up seeing Draco looking at him already, perhaps the tiniest blush on his cheeks could be detected? He opened up the letter, but stopped– wait, Draco was blushing because his letter had arrived during breakfast?! Oh this was brilliant! It seemed strange opening the letter while Draco was sitting two tables away from him, and honestly Harry was just feeling really good...

Ron asked through a mouth full where the hell he was going, Fred grinned while passing two galleons to George, Hermione looked up from her book in shock. Before Harry knew it, he was standing at the Slytherin table, all eyes upon him and a flushed looking Draco watching him.

Harry passed his extra cup to Draco, "I heard there was better tea over here?".

"Why of course there is Potty, strawberry for you this morning then." he said smugly, while already filling the two cups.

"Kind of you to remember my morning preferences." Harry responded while trying to keep his laughter at bay, fully aware Draco knew he didn't like strawberry tea as much, "too bad breakfast is no time for chocolate, I would have appreciated having the two together."

And while the whole Great Hall has been quietly watching, a pin could be heard falling now, the moment Draco started laughing. He composed himself quickly and as if nothing had happened started filling Harry's, newly appeared plate, with the non-starchy food, that there was suspiciously more off at the Slytherin table.

Harry felt quite agitated, with all of the eyes watching him and Draco. He was used to people watching him, judging him, but now it felt more personal.

He decided to distract himself by surveying the company around him. He had walked over to the Slytherin table by an impromptu decision, having picked up all his courage, and had sat straight across from Draco, but he had not realised that meant sitting next to Pansy Parkison. The girl was eyeing him with unease, but as she realised Harry was watching her, she quickly shifted to a bored expression, eyeing her finely manicured nails. Harry had to admit, now he was actually up close to her, she looked much less pig faced than he had always found. She looked quite beautiful, he had to admit. However, his attention strayed quickly to the boy next to Draco. Tall, dark, incredibly handsome, and, strangely perfect eyebrows. Harry was drawn aback by his regal and sophisticated presence. It made him feel more like a slob than he had ever felt, the feeling of unease rose incredibly. He started doubting his choice of coming to the Slytherin table, as he continued sipping the strawberry tea, definitely too sweet for his liking.

Suddenly, he heard a small cough from the side of Draco, anxiously he looked up, and his eyes rested once again on the handsome boy, "excuse me, but I do not believe we have ever had the pleasure of meeting," the tall, regal boy said, he held out his hand towards Harry, "Zabini, Blaise Zabini." Harry was too stunned for a moment to react, but after a, too hard, kick under the table, which he assumed was given by Draco, he quickly shook the hand of Zabini, "Potter, Harry Potter. A pleasure." He found that he had composed himself quite quickly and was proud that he was able to withstand the clear allure of Zabini.

Zabini, not hesitating a minute smiled widely, "Well, Harry Potter, do provide us with the knowledge of your presence at our house table, if you please."

It took Harry a lot less long to react this time, a personal victory. "Well, simply said, Draco always raves on about tea, and there is no good tea at the Gryffindor table, and so here I am." he grinned at Draco, who rolled his eyes at him and continued reading the Prophet. As if he was so cool and nonchalant tsk.

"Good to know you and Draco are best friends now" Parkinson looked with exaggerated shock towards Draco. An unclear conversation passed between her and Draco, in which Draco clearly looked quite agitated. Smirking back at Harry, she held out her hand to him, "Pansy Parkinson, it's a pleasure finally meeting you properly Mr. Potter.". Harry stumbled over his words, to perplexed by the situation he had put himself in, "right... right, Mr. Potter... Harry though, just Harry please.".

"Enough with the interrogations. It's lovely meeting everyone, perfect." Draco suddenly said, without looking up from his paper.

As if on que, everyone at the Slytherin table stopped watching and continued with their conversations.

Harry watched this in amazement.

No one was telling him to leave, no judgements or complains. Apparently being a friend of Draco was enough.

"Close your mouth Potter, it is unbecoming."

Harry looked at Draco, who stared back with one raised eyebrow.

"I'll have you know that many people seem to think I am quite becoming." On his left he could hear a snort but when he looked Pansy was in the middle of a conversation with Blaise unnoticed.

"Right, and I am the Queen of England. Eat your food Harry and let me read this paper in peace if you will."

And so, Harry did.

Only when the paper was finished, and Draco had kept watching Harry eat his final pieces of plate the whole fifth year Slytherins stood up in unison and walked away. Blaze turned around halfway through the Great Hall, "You coming Potter? It's potions this morning."

Harry could only imagine the commotion the Great Hall was left in after he had joined, and the group had left.