Smells like Teen Spirit

A/N: Hiya! Another chapter ready for you to read. Disappointed nobody reviewed the last chapter (I'm looking at you Heartpaw!). I mean what I say though, no updates until I get at least three reviews per chapter. So get reviewing! :D Only reason you have this one is because I'm desperate to know what you think! This chapter follows directly on form the last one. Page breaks mark a change in POV.

"What!" Ron shouted over dinner that night, causing most of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, as well as some of Ravenclaw and Slytherin, to stare at them.

"Ron shush! Not so loud, people are staring!" Harry begged.

"Sorry mate, it's just, Black? Of all the people she could of paired you with, she puts you with him?"

"I know. She reckons we have burdens, that with the help of each other, we can get rid of. Apparently we're more alike than we realise."

"That's bullshit and it will never work."

"Actually, I think it will." Hermione inputted.

"Really? Go on then Hermione, enlighten us. Why will this work?" Ron asked, staring at his girlfriend incredulously.

"Because, Ronald, Professor Elliott is right. Harry and Draco are more alike than they realise. If you know where to look that is. I'm sorry Harry, but it's true. For a start, you both prefer to work alone, even if there are people around you who are willing to help you. You're both fiercely loyal to your friends. You both stand up for what you believe and are unwilling to back down, even if you're wrong. You both have incredible amounts of influence over people. You're possibly two of the most powerful wizards the world has ever seen. The younger students in both of your houses follow you around like sheep. And you both had terrible upbringings. Sorry to bring that up, but you have. And because of that, you can relate better to each other than you can to anyone else."

"I still don't think it will work 'Mione."

"It will Harry."

"What will?" Ginny queried as she sat down next to Hermione.

"Professor Elliot has paired Harry and Draco together for the year because of how alike they are. These two prats," she waved a hand at the boys sitting opposite her, "don't think it's going to work, but I do."

"I agree with Hermione." Ginny stated.

"Gin!" Harry exclaimed.

"My sister. My own sister has turned against me." Ron said disbelievingly.

"I turned against you and the rest of our dear brothers years ago Ronald. And yes Harry, I agree with Hermione. You are more alike than you think, everyone can see that. But you're also very different. You wear you're your heart on your sleeve; he hides his behind that infamous 'Malfoy Mask'. You act before you think, whereas he thinks things through first. But that's a good thing. Opposites attract and all that," she added with a seductive wink.

"Ginny! Not the time or place!" Harry reprimanded her, embarrassed. Ever since he had come out, Ginny had been determined to find out if there was anyone he fancied. When he finally relented to her constant nagging and told her it was Draco, she offered her full support and told him she would set them up. But of late, all she'd been doing was tormenting him about it. Maybe she was trying to enrage him so much that he would just ask Draco out so as to shut her up. So far though, he hadn't had the nerves to do it. Besides, Draco hated him. And as for her casually mentioning it in the middle of the Great Hall! It wasn't that he was ashamed of his crush, if anyone asked he would tell them the truth, it was just that he didn't want Draco to find out in front of the whole school. Harry wanted to admit his feelings for the boy when they were alone, so it was more personal.

"What? Seriously though Harry, when are you gonna tell him?"

"Yeah mate, he deserves to know." Ron added.

"Guys, I appreciate the concern, but I'll tell him in my own time. I'm going for a walk." With that, Harry got up and left, intent on getting to the dorm before anyone else finished dinner so he could have some peace. The remaining three immediately converged into whispers. None of them saw as Draco left too, intent on catching Harry alone.

xxxDHDHxxx

"Hey Draco, what did the Professor want?" Pansy asked as the boy in question sat down between her and Blaise.

"Me and Potter are partners for the year." Draco said bluntly.

"Partners? How come?" Blaise enquired.

"Apparently, we both have burdens that are holding us back, and if we work together, we could become some of the best wizards ever to have lived. Bullshit if you ask me."

"Of course it's not. You have things that you can't tell us, and I bet Harry has things he hasn't told his friends, but I bet they are things you could tell each other. Besides, it will help in your quest to get Harry on your arm. What the bloody hell is Weasley shouting for?"

"Potter probably just told him how we are now partners. Anyway, what's the point Pans? He hates me. Simple as. I am not going to embarrass myself by confessing my feeling for him, only for him to punch me in the face and reject me."

"Now you know he wouldn't do that Draco. He only hits you if you start it. Besides, he's changed this year. And not just physically either. When he looks at you, there's something in his eyes other than hate and malice. When he insults you, there's no venom there. His threats are empty. And you said yourself that he asked to be your friend last week. I think you should accept his hand first before you tell him how you feel, so then, if he doesn't feel the same, he won't hate you and you can remain friends." Astoria told him. Her younger sister, Daphne, nodded her head and agreed.

"Astoria's got a point Draco. If he's your friend first, and he doesn't feel the same, he will let you down slowly and there will be now hard feelings."

"Thanks for that Greg. That really helps." Draco commented snidely.

"Hey, just 'cause you're feeling down about it all doesn't mean you can take it out on my boyfriend!"

"Fuck off Bulstrode."

"Don't you dare take that tone with me Draco Lucius Black!" Millicent threatened, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at him. "Like I said, just because you're feeling shitty about it all, doesn't mean you can take your anger out on us. We've not done anything to you, so I suggest you quit it right now."

Draco sighed. "Sorry Millie. Sorry guys. I guess I just don't know what to do."

"Talk to him of course. And I'd go now if I was you, Harry's just leaving." Sure enough, Blaise was right. Harry was leaving the Hall. Draco stood and grabbed his stuff, slipping out after him unnoticed. He decided to take the short cut to dorm, (that was the only explanation as to where Harry was going. This way would take you nowhere else but there) so as to beat him to it, and so that he could have the automatic upper hand when he started the inevitable conversation.

xxxDHDHxxx

Harry made his way slowly up the stairs to the eighth year common room. It wasn't as though he appreciated his friends' help, it was just that he knew how volatile Draco could be, and he knew that the boy would not be very accepting of people getting involved in something that didn't concern them. No, this was something Harry had to do alone. If he ever got around to doing it. Seriously, where had his Gryffindor courage gone? He had defeated Lord Voldemort for Christ's sake! Yet he couldn't do a simple thing such as tell a boy how he felt. But it wasn't just any boy was it? It was Draco Black. Clever, funny, powerful, handsome, sexy Draco Black. The one boy who loathed him. Lord Voldemort hated him. Hated him for not being dead. But he was insane. Draco wasn't, and he loathed him. Harry knew why of course. He had been publicly rejected and embarrassed back in first year by Harry himself. But surely, that should only equal to resentment, not hatred and loathing? Harry couldn't help but think how life would have been different if he had of shaken Draco's hand. Would he still have been friends with Ron and Hermione? Neville? Ginny? Luna? Would have killed Tom before last year? Would Cedric have lived? And Sirius? Remus? Tonks? Fred? Would they still be alive today? Or would Harry have joined him and became a Death Eater too? Or would Tom have killed him years ago? But most importantly, would he and Draco be together right now? He approached Violet's portrait and muttered the password, stepping through into the common room to be greeted by the sound of heavy guitar riffs beating through the ceiling. He sighed. Only one person who likes that kind of music, he thought. Might as well get this over and done with now before everyone comes back. Slowly, he began to ascend the stairs.

xxxDHDHxxx

Whitesnake's 'Looking for love' playing loudly, Draco lounged on his bed, pretending to read as he waited for Harry. He had to do it. He had to swallow his pride and accept Harry's hand of friendship. Because Astoria and Greg were right. It would be best to first be friends with Harry before informing him of the feelings that were felt towards him. Because then they could remain friends if things went pear shaped. All he had to do was wait. He didn't have to wait long though, because soon enough, the door was gingerly pushed open and Harry slipped inside. Draco flicked his wand and the music went down, making it much easier to hear. "Potter."

"Draco," came the response, with the same lack of emotion as Draco.

"So, how come you've left early? Would've thought you'd spend as much time with Granger and Weasley as you could, seeing as how you've got study with me now."

"They were annoying me, so I decided to come back here for some peace. You?"

"Same. And I've upset Millie, so I thought it best to leave rather than face her wrath."

"Oh right." They lapsed into uncomfortable silence before Draco spoke up again.

"Listen, Potter…"

"It's Harry."

"What?"

"My name's Harry. You might as well use it Draco."

"Right. Harry, about last week, I shouldn't have been so nasty to you. You were only trying to be nice. I guess I just couldn't trust you still. I guess I thought you had a trick up your sleeve." He got up and started pacing.

"And now? Draco?" Harry got up and caught the other one by the arm, turning him to face him. "Draco look at me. Look." He took the other boys chin in his hand, pulling his face up to look at him. "What do you think now?"

Draco stared at him for a couple of minutes before whispering; "Now I trust you. And I want to be your friend, so if they offer's still open…" He trailed off, holding his hand out, expecting Harry to reject him again. But he didn't. Unlike seven years ago, Harry took it, and the boys shook hands. Draco went to pull away but Harry held firm.

"I like you Draco. Really like you." He blurted out, feeling a blush come over his face.

Draco stared at him. No way had he just said that. No way did the Saviour feel the same as him. No chance. "You what?"

"I have feelings for you Draco. More than just friendly." He said timidly, looking at the floor.

Draco swallowed thickly. "That's good to know." He pulled away and when back to his bed, picking up the book again. Harry just stood there dumbfounded.

"That's it? That's all you can say?"

"What do you want me to say Harry?"

"I don't know, tell me you feel the same. Tell me I need my head examining. Tell me you hate me. Something! Don't just accept it and walk away!"

"Why? Nothing can come of it! I have feelings for you too, yes, but it doesn't matter, because we would never work! You're the Gryffindor golden boy, leader of the Light! I'm the marked Death Eater who you've hated for the past so many years. We're too different. It would never work."

Harry sighed and made his way over to Draco, perching himself on the edge of the bed. "We could make it work. If we feel so strongly about each other that way, then we could make it work. Nothing could stop us. Please Draco. Let's just try." Harry reasoned.

Inside, Draco was having a battle between his head and his heart. His head was saying that they shouldn't bother, that they should forget about each other and move on. Night and day, light and dark, where never meant to coexist with each other, so why should they try to make it? His heart on the other hand was telling him to just go with it. Harry felt the same, so what was the point in denying him? They could have something great, better than he'd ever imagined, all he had to do was say yes. "Look, Harry, we've only just started being civil to each other. We've only just agreed to be friends. I don't want to rush into things. I think we should get to know each other first before trying. Because then, we will definitely know whether we are meant to be or not."

"But we are meant to be…" Harry was silenced by a finger on his mouth, and a hand stroking his face.

"But what if we're not? The feelings we have are mostly based on what we've seen and interpreted. We've never spent any time in each other's company, on our own, without trying to kill each other. What if we're different when we're alone to what we've perceived each other to be? If we take it slow, we can at least get to know each other, and realise whether our feelings are right or not. And being partnered up is the best option, don't you think? Please Harry, trust me on this." He stared into those emerald orbs and they stared back, looking for any traces of doubt or lies. Draco let him look, wanting to prove a point. He had nothing to hide, and he didn't want Harry to believe he had some sort of ulterior motive. He wanted the boy to see how sincere he was. Eventually, Harry found what he was looking for and nodded, before turning the music back up and returning to his bed, singing along to Iron Maiden's 'Can I play with madness?'.

Both of them knew things had changed between them. They both knew how the other one felt, and they both had the same thing on their minds: their first study session for DADA.

xxxDHDHxxx

Ron, Hermione, Neville, Seamus and Dean entered the common room, sitting down in front of the fire.

"I wonder where Harry is." Seamus thought aloud.

"Hopefully, having a decent conversation with Draco up in their dorm," a voice said from behind them. They turned around to find Pansy, Blaise, Astoria, Millicent and Gregory standing behind them. Blaise spoke again, "May we join you?"

Hermione was the first to answer. "Of course you can. Ron, Seamus, budge up." After some time, all ten of them were sat on the three big sofas, with an uncomfortable silence starting to loom over them.

"What do you mean, hopefully having a decent conversation?" Ron questioned, weary of the Slytherins around him.

"Blaise means, Weasley, that Draco has feelings for Harry, and that we've been trying to convince him that Harry returns those feelings." Pansy explained.

"How did you know that?" Hermione asked.

"Simple Hermione. We Slytherins are observant. We have to be. We, that is to say, Blaise, Tor, Millie, Greg and I, have seen the change in Harry. Like how none of his threats mean anything anymore. Like how there is something in his eyes when he looks at Draco that is different to the hatred that used to be there. In Harry's eyes is the same as is in Draco's, the same that is in Blaise's when he looks at me, the same that is in Ron's when he looks at you, and yours when you look at him. It's love, Hermione. Hopefully, right now, they are talking about at least trying to be friends, if not more." Blaise gave Pansy a kiss on the cheek as she finished.

"I knew it! I knew Draco felt the same, but Harry would never agree with me, with any of us, when we told him. So what's Draco doing then? What's his plan?"

It was Astoria's turn to speak this time. "He's going to accept Harry's offer of friendship first, and then, when they know each other better, he's going to admit his feelings. We told him that it would be best for them to be firm friends first before Draco told him in case, by some misfortune, we were wrong and Harry has to reject him. At least this way, it will be better on the both of them because there will be no hard feeling present and they won't hate each other. See the logic?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah, but what if Harry and Draco become best friends? I mean, Harry met him before he met even me, back in Madam Malkin's before first year. What if they both start to shut us all out as they get closer?"

"Ron, we are Harry's friends. Besides, Hermione hit the nail on the head earlier. Muggle saying," he added at the confused looks, "Harry and Draco are both fiercely protective of their friends. They won't shut us out. Harry especially. We're the first real family he's ever had. He's told us things, and probably you and Hermione more, than he's told even his relatives and Dumbledore. He won't ditch us, that's a definite." Dean reassured him.

"Exactly Ron. And we've all been Draco's friends since we were born, he wouldn't leave us for the world. Harry will still be your best mate, don't panic. Besides, with us on their backs, it will be a bit difficult for them to forget us." Pansy agreed, causing everyone to laugh.

After a couple of minutes, Greg wiped his eyes and said seriously, "I think that, seeing as how Harry and Draco are hopefully going to be friends, that we should put differences aside and try as well. The time for childish rivalries is over, like McGonagall said at the beginning of the year. What do you think?" He looked at the Gryffindors hopefully.

"That's very insightful Goyle. I didn't think you'd be able to be that deep. I always thought of you and Crabbe as Draco's followers, blindly doing as he says and never having any input." Seamus smirked.

"I'll have you know, Finnegan, that the only reason we were like that was because of the pressure of our fathers. And we didn't 'blindly' do as he said either. That was just an act. Anything we did for him was because he asked us to." Greg informed him, jokingly threatening. "In all seriousness though, I think we should try to be friends, don't you?"

Ron and Hermione nodded, extending their hands to Blaise and Pansy (when Harry and Draco weren't around, these were the 'leaders' of the group). "Welcome to the lion's den, Slytherins." Hermione said jokingly.

"Welcome to the snake pit, Gryffindors." Pansy countered with a wink.

A/N2: Reviews please! Reviewers from Pottermore, I've been promised by Heartpaw, will get points for their house. Just leave your house in your review and I'll pass on the message. :D

Question, again. :D Who do you want paired with whom in the DADA classes? Here are the characters:

Ron, Hermione, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Pansy, Blaise, Astoria, Millicent, Gregory, Lavender, Padma, Pavarti, Susan, Hannah, Justin, Anthony. I'm currently thinking about putting Hermione with Blaise, Ron with Astoria, Neville with Pansy, Seamus with Lavender and Greg with Dean. What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Be honest. If you don't like the pairings, just say. :) Thanks guys!

I'll also ask again to tell me what forms you want the characters' patronuses/animagi to be. All except Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Pavarti, Padma, Seamus and Draco (I have ones for the last two now ;)) Thank you very muchly! :D

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