Smells Like Teen Spirit
Monday. Defence. Practicing of Patronuses again. Surprisingly, the next person to cast their Patronus was Lavender. A beautiful white swan erupted from her wand as she shook with astonishment.
"Well done Lavender, well done. Ten points to Gryffindor. A swan suits you, I suppose. Graceful." Professor Elliott congratulated.
"Thank you Professor."
"Yes, yes, graceful. And gobby," the older woman muttered as she walked away. Those close enough to hear started snickering as Lavender demanded to know what was being said. "Nothing Lavender, I can assure you." Professor Elliott assured, a big grin plastered across her face.
Next to cast a Patronus was the Patil twins. They both had the exact same Siamese cat, except Pavarti's had a white tip to its tail so it was easier to tell them apart. Again, points were rewarded; ten to Gryffindor and ten to Ravenclaw. For this, Professor Elliott had a curious look in her eye.
"Tell me girls; were you Siamese twins at birth? Were you conjoined?"
Pavarti nodded. "Yes miss, we were. Joined at the hip. Mother took us to a muggle hospital rather than using magic as there was less of a risk that way."
Professor Elliott hummed in agreement. "I thought so. Siamese cats, Siamese twins." She turned to the rest of the class, "Further proof that your patronus reflects who you are." Back to the girls, "Well done girls, keep practicing."
By the end of the lesson, Lavender, Padma, Pavarti, and Greg (a German Shepherd: loyal but not blindly, protective, but a bad preceding reputation for a Slytherin, though it wasn't deserved) had managed to cast a Patronus. The professor was most pleased. "Excellent class, excellent. I'm proud of you all and you should be proud of yourselves. We're getting better, that's good. I have a feeling that on Wednesday, we may have a couple more of you casting your Patronuses. I will admit you have picked this up quicker than I expected of you. We should have everything done by Christmas. That's all for today, you may go. The students quickly left and made their way to the Great Hall for lunch.
There was a lot of chatter that day between the eighth years about their DADA lessons. The Golden Trio were no exception…
"I loved the way the Professor called Lavender gobby. Good job she didn't hear though, made her reaction more funny." Ron said, whilst placing a bit of every item of food in front of him onto his plate.
"Hungry Ron? And yes, it was pretty funny, but that's your ex-girlfriend you're talking about." Harry admonished cheekily.
"Ex-girlfriend my arse! All she ever did was snog me! I think she just went with me because of how close I am to you. Besides, it never meant anything to me anyway. My heart was always set on Hermione."
"Aaawww Ron, you say the sweetest things. Just a shame you've got your mouth full at the same time. Chew. Swallow. Speak. You know the rules. And be careful, she's only down the table, she'll here you." Hermione told him.
"She can't hear me. Anyway, do you think there's something going on between her a Seamus?"
"They do seem awfully close don't they?" Ginny agreed, as she placed herself next to Harry, opposite her brother. "Hi guys. But yes Ronald, for once I agree with you. It does look like there's something going on, and if there isn't, there will be soon."
Harry started laughing, as Hermione shook her head. "I don't believe you two. I thought we agreed this year to not gossip about our fellow classmates? Honestly. Anyway, I'm going up to the library, there's something for Ancient Runes I need to revise. I'll see you later." With that, she got up and left, leaving Harry, Ron and Ginny to debate and speculate about other people in the school, including who Ron and Ginny fancy. Thankfully, for Harry, Draco was never bought up.
xxxDHDHxxx
"So, how was Defence?" Millicent asked as the last of the Slytherin group sat down.
"Excellent! Greg managed to cast a Patronus, as did Brown and the Patil twins." Pansy said excitedly.
"And I got awarded ten house points for doing it," Greg added, Pansy nodding in agreement.
"Brilliant! Well done Greg." Millie commented, leaning over to give her boyfriend a peck on the lips.
Greg grinned. "Thanks Mill. Where you off to Draco?" he asked his oldest friend.
Draco turned back to his friends who all had expectant faces. "I need to go do some work on Ancient Runes, and seeing as how I just heard Hermione say she was going to the library to do hers, I thought I'd join her. I'll see you later yeah." He left without giving them time to reply, running to catch up with Hermione as he did.
"Hermione! Wait up!" The girl in question turned, surprised to see Draco behind her.
"Yes Draco?" she asked.
"Are you going up to the library to do your Ancient Runes?"
"Yes, why? You thinking of joining me?" she replied, not really expecting anything.
Draco nodded in confirmation. "Yes actually, if that fine by you?"
"Of course" Hermione reassured him, successfully keeping her shock hidden. They started walking again, a companionable silence between them.
Draco was the first to break it. "So, how are you and Weasley? Everything good there?" he decided to ask, knowing he probably safer asking the bushy haired Gryffindor rather than her hot-headed other half. His suspicions were soon confirmed.
"Yes thank you. Everything is fine. What about you and Harry? You two ok?"
"Oh, we're not together, oh no. No, we're not. We're just friends. But yes, we're cool." Draco stammered.
Hermione smiled to herself, but kept up a cool façade. "Oh, I wasn't saying you were. I wasn't even implying. I simply meant as friends. And I thought, what with him spending more time with you now, admittedly because he feels me and Ronald are pushing him out, that you would know how he is, and keep an eye on him if anything was wrong. I'd also like to think you'd tell us if there was as well." There was an unmistakeable question there, even if it wasn't asked.
"You know I would. I wouldn't keep anything a secret from you and Weasley. You are both his best friends and I know he values you both more than he does me. If there is anything wrong, I'm sure he would want you both by his side rather than me." Draco admitted.
Hermione eyed him, concerned. "Don't be so daft Draco. To Harry, you are his best friend. He thinks highly of you. Don't ever think that you mean nothing to him. I'm sure he's told you what he really feels?"
"Yes, first or second week back, I can't quite remember now."
"Well then, there you go. Harry cares deeply about you. Not more or less than he does me, Ron, or any of the Weasleys. No more or less than he does Neville, or Luna, or anybody else. He just cares about you in a different way. And I'm sure, if you gave him the chance, he would show you just how much he does care."
"I know he does Hermione, but I am not going to give in. Like I said to him, what if we break up? We need to be firm friends first, because then, if we do get together, and we do end up splitting, it will be on mutual terms, and we will still be friends after all of it. Do you see where I am coming from?"
She nodded. "I do Draco, I really do. But I saw harry when he was with both Cho and with Ginny. What he feels for you is more than just a lustful attraction. He loves you Draco. When he's with you, he's happy then I have ever seen him. You should just give him a chance."
"I can't Hermione. Not yet. I do want to be with him, but I am just…not…ready yet. Please don't tell him I said that." He pleaded.
The girl smiled. "I won't." She stopped. They'd reached the entrance to the library. Hermione gave him a quick hug, which he reluctantly gave back, before they both entered, intent on doing some serious studying.
xxxDHDHxxx
"Harry!" The boy in question turned from watching the chess game between Ron and Dean to find Pansy looking down at him. "Can I have a word?"
"Sure…" Harry answered uncertainly. She turned towards the dorms, so Harry got up and followed her. They went all the way up to the dorm Pansy shared with Hermione. She flung herself- gracefully of course- face up onto her bed and indicated that Harry should sit on Hermione's. He did so nervously.
"Oh Harry, seriously, lighten up! I'm not going to jump you, I'm with Blaise, remember? Besides, you don't swing that way. And anyway, the only Slytherin you'd ever be interested in is Draco. Speaking of my best friend," Harry braced himself for what was to come, "what are your feelings towards him? Truly?"
Harry answered within a heartbeat. "I love him."
"Yes, that's what Draco said, but are you sure? Are you sure it's not just some mindless crush, a lustful sensation only? Because Draco loves you, and I don't want to see him get hurt."
Harry sighed. "Pansy, I appreciate you concern for your best friend, but I mean what I say. I love him. I would never hurt him, and never leave him. He will always have me, whether he actually wants me or not."
"Good. I'm warning you Potter," she sat up, staring him right in the eye, finger pointing at him sternly, "you dare hurt him, intentionally or not, physically or emotionally, and I will come for you. I will come for you and I will make sure you are missing a very vital part of you anatomy, understood?"
Harry smirked. "Crystal clear. I expected nothing less from you. Is that all?"
"Yes, that's all. You may go. Shoo!" she dismissed him, waving her hands to send him away. Harry laughed as he exited the dorm, making his way back to the game downstairs, which didn't seem to have progressed much, if at all.
"What did Pansy want mate?" Ron asked his friend absentmindedly.
"Nothing much, it doesn't matter." Harry replied, whilst giving Ron a look that clearly said not here in front of everyone. Later.
The ginger nodded. "Ok. Cool." He turned back to the game, "Queen to E5."
Harry sat back and watched the game; looking, but not really seeing. He was, instead, buried inside his thoughts. Maybe that was the reason that Draco was saying no? Maybe he felt that Harry was just having him on, was just stringing him along to bring him crashing to the ground again. Harry shook his head. No, he would never do something like that. He loved Draco with all his heart and he would do his damn hardest to protect him and make him happy.
xxxDHDHxxx
Nothing much happened the next day, and soon it was Defence again. Again, more Patronuses were cast. The first of the day was Neville. His, surprisingly, was a Giant Panda. But in true Neville style, his reaction was not the same as everyone else's. Neville, bless his heart, got so frightened by his Patronus that he fell over backwards. Many of the class snickered at his reaction. Ron went over to help him up.
"Seriously, Neville, mate, your Patronus is supposed to make you feel safe, not frighten you!" Ron joked.
"Ronald! Don't be so mean!" she reprimanded him, before turning to Neville, "Sorry Neville."
Ron visibly paled at being told off, yet again, by his girlfriend and thought it best to follow her lead, so apologised. "Sorry Hermione, sorry Neville."
Neville smiled, "Thanks mate. Thanks Hermione."
It was then that the Professor decided to come over. "Well done Neville. Ten points to Gryffindor. The Giant Panda is actually an endangered animal, not just in the muggle world, but here in the Wizarding world. This suits you I suppose, because people like you Neville- chivalrous, kind, gentle, polite, but fiercely protective towards their friends and family- are hard to find. People like you a rarity. A good rarity, but a rarity all the same. You are also like the Giant Panda in the way that you are a little clumsy at times, but grow out of it as you get older. You're also very brave, especially when faced with dangers such as a bloody great snake like Nagini it would seem. Yes, the Giant Panda suits you immensely and well done for casting it. Keep practicing, and hopefully with time, you might get used to it enough so that it doesn't frighten you, or make you jump at least."
The boy nodded. "Yes Professor."
Next was Pansy. Her Patronus was some kind of cat. It looked to wild to be a domestic muggle cat, but wasn't enough to be a Wizarding cat.
"Well done Pansy. Ten points to Slytherin. What you see here is the Andean Mountain cat; a muggle wild cat that lives in the Andes. Just like Neville's, this animal is endangered, but I suppose you are one of kind Pansy, aren't you? As you can see, it is quite stunning, but it is vicious. It has been known to take down birds of prey that try and swoop on it. It captures them. That is quite actually. The Andean captures birds of prey, such as Hawks, and you have captured Blaise. Very apt. It also has a bad temper when riled, which I know applies very well to you. Cunning as well. If this animal was given a house, it would be a Slytherin, as it has all the qualities. Once again, well done Pansy."
"Thank you Professor." Pansy acknowledged as the teacher walked over to Anthony, who had just cast his Chimpanzee.
Blaise wrapped his arms around his girlfriend from behind. "Well done Pans. I knew you could do it." He kissed her neck as she nodded.
"I know. I just wish Draco could." She expressed her concern as she looked over at her best friend. He was practicing with Harry, and the look of concentration, disappointment and frustration on his face was evident. "I'm worried that he won't be able to do it. Especially after I told him he would be able to."
"He will. He just needs more time than the rest of us, that's all. I'm sure Hermione could tell you that, and she doesn't know him as much as we do."
"I hope you're right Blaise, I really do."
At the end of the lesson, Professor Elliott called them all back together so she could talk to them all. "I'm proud of you all. You've picked this up quicker than I thought you would, so well done. The only people yet to cast theirs are Justin, Susan, Dean, Astoria and Draco. But that doesn't matter. We will keep going with the lessons for as long as it takes until you all get it. Now, I presume some of you are going home during the holidays so I won't see all of you until after the break. All I ask is that you keep practicing as much as you can and that stay safe. Off you go, and have a good holiday." She finished with a smile. The class quickly got up and left, sending back well-wishes to their teacher as they left. Harry was just starting to make the long trek to the Great Hall when he felt a presence by his side. Looking, he saw Draco walking beside him, determinedly staring straight ahead.
"What can I do for you Draco?"
"Can we do some practicing again today? I really want to get this right."
"Of course. Seven in the Room of Requirement?"
"Sure."
"I want to be their first this time, so that it is to my standards." Draco turned towards him, one eyebrow arched and a challenging look in his eyes. Harry hastily backtracked. "Not that there was anything wrong with what you had."
"Are you sure Harry? Because I've got the distinct impression that you meant every word you said. And that you were not happy with my design. What, were they not up to your standards?"
"Of course they were, they just weren't to my taste."
"And now you're criticising my décor. Yes, it was simple, but it was effective. I swear, if you turn the Room into a version of the Gryffindor common room, I will kill you in the most excruciating way possible. At least green and silver look good together. Red and gold just clashes and looks gaudy."
Harry laughed. "I promise, no reds or golds. And if you don't like it, you have my express permission to change it. That fair?"
Draco smirked his devil-may-care smirk, "Very fair."
xxxDHDHxxx
At 7pm promptly, Draco entered the room, bracing himself for what he might see. What he was however, was not what he expected. The fireplace at the back of the room was there again, as was the bookcase and stereo. However, this time, the wood was a dark cherry wood rather than the pine that Draco had chosen a couple of weeks before. In the centre, where Harry was currently lounging, was a huge corner-sofa, made out of leather, velvet and more cherry wood. What surprised Draco the most though, was the colours. No, the room wasn't red and gold, just like Harry promised. The room was, in fact, emerald green and stormy silver. The colour of both boys' eyes, to be precise. Above the fireplace hung a huge piece of white fabric, emblazoned with the Slytherin flag. Except, the flag had been transfigured so that it the snake of the House was wrapped around the Gryffindor lion. A unity of both houses. And both hearts Draco thought. He looked over to see Harry smirking.
"Well? Is this good enough for you, oh God of style and décor?"
"Very funny Harry, and no, it is not."
Confusion marred the Gryffindor's face. "Why not?"
"Because," Draco started as he stalked over to the sofa, climbing on next to Harry, "there is a very unfortunate, and disgustingly handsome, creature lying on this beautiful sofa, and he is ruining it perfection."
Realisation dawned on Harry's face, "Oh ha ha, very funny. Are we going to practice of what?"
"Yes. Come on, Patronus." Draco got to his feet, pulling the other boy up with him. They stood in the middle of the room facing each other, Draco with his wand drawn.
"Remember Draco, happy thoughts." Draco nodded, concentrating on his memory, and casted. This time, he had a small wispy light appear for a few seconds, before it disintegrated. Draco sighed.
"I can't do it."
"Of course you can Draco. Here, let me help you…" Harry stepped up behind Draco and wrapped his arms around him, steadying the wand in his hand. This time last year, Harry would have had to stand on tiptoes to reach, but he had grown taller in the summer, so height wasn't an issue. This time last year, Draco would have thrown Harry off and told him to stop being such a pervert. This time last year, neither boy would have admitted to loving the other. But now, Harry thought, now I can tell him. "I love you Draco. Please, try and do this for me."
Draco swallowed. The feeling of Harry's arms around him, his breath tickling his hair, was that a brush of lips on his neck? This was pure bliss. It was a good job Draco had been schooled in not showing or acting upon his true feelings, because he really felt liking dropping this 'wait until we know each other better' crap and just have his way with him. He couldn't though. He meant what he said and he was going to stick by it. So instead, he just concentrated on the feeling of being in Harry's arms, replaced his memory with that very moment, and closed his eyes. "Expecto Patronum." It seemed that the change in memory was exactly what Draco needed, as from his wand came a non-corporeal form, and it lasted. It lasted for what seemed like forever, until Draco decided to end it. He laughed quietly as Harry tightened his grip.
"I told you you'd do it. I'm proud of you Draco. I love you." Draco turned and engulfed Harry in a bear hug, squeezing him for all he was worth.
"Thank you Harry. You helped me to actually get somewhere, even if it was a bit distracting."
"It helped you though, did it not?"
"Hey, I'm not complaining. Like I said, it worked. Now come on, Occlumency." He pulled away as the other boy groaned.
"Must we?" he pleaded, not just with his voice, but with his eyes also.
"Yes we must. Besides, you starting to get the hang of it, I can feel it. Tell you what, how about you learn how to do Legillemens and try it on me, so you know what it feels like. Then you can use what you learn for your own advantage, how's that sound?"
"Ok. But how do I do it?"
"It's pretty simple really. You just have to concentrate really hard. Focus on the idea of getting into my head and look into my eyes, as if you're looking straight through into my thoughts. You have to really want to see my thoughts. I'll leave my defences down and bring one of my memories to the forefront to make it easier. Just concentrate Harry. Want it. Want to see all my deepest darkest secrets. Think!" he encouraged.
Harry stared into Draco eyes for a couple of minutes before a fuzzy image started to infiltrate his vision. Soon, the vision cleared and Harry found himself watching Draco, Blaise, Greg, Vincent, and Theo all sitting in the Slytherin boys' dormitories, laughing about something. It was so strange. Unlike a Penseive memory, Harry was not in the scene itself watching. Rather, he was watching as if through the eyes of the snake that was craved on the dormitory door. It was a weird sensation, for it felt as though Harry was looking through someone else's eyes, rather than his own. The feeling frightened the boy, as he felt that he was back in the mind of Voldemort again. He quickly broke eye contact and felt himself being pulled back to the present.
"See, wasn't that hard was it?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't like that. I don't like that one bit. It gave me a sense of déjà vu, it made me feel as though I was connected to Voldemort's mind again. It was such a strange situation. I don't know how you cope with it."
"You get used to it over time I guess. And sorry, I never thought that it would make you feel like that. I didn't realise." Draco hung his head in shame.
"Don't apologise. I didn't know what was going to happen, and you didn't know it would make me feel like that. It's fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to do it again. But this time, I want you to put up your defences. I want to know what it is supposed to feel like so that I can try and get something similar, just like you said. Please." Harry asked.
Draco let out a long-drawn sigh. "Ok. But only if you're sure."
"I'm positive." The locked eyes again. This time, Harry was met with a strong resistance. What he saw was a brick wall, a wall that was firing spells at him so much so that he had to concentrate on dodging them, rather than breaking the wall down. It was quite an effective way of keeping people out. The more one kept pushing, the more one would get hit with curses and hexes. It was entirely different to what Harry had felt the first time, and thankfully this time, he didn't find himself reminiscing about all the times he had had Voldemort in his head ad had had to look through the eyes of the sadist bastard. He pulled out quickly, before nodding his head. "Right, that's what it is supposed to feel like. Ok, maybe I can do that."
Draco nodded. "Of course you can. If I can do a Patronus, you can do Occlumency. Ready?"
"Ready." The feeling was instant. That prickling sensation of something to trying to break down the wards, but Harry kept going, kept holding up his defences. He lasted for half a minute before it became too much and he gave in, letting Draco see his memory; incidentally, it was of the previous moment, with Harry's arms wrapped safely around Draco. The same memory that Draco had changed his to. Draco pulled out the moment he felt the defences crumble, but he continued to stare into Harry's eyes.
"That's better. You held that up longer than you ever have before. This is promising. Another few tries, and we should be able to have gotten you some sort of control by the actual lessons start. Well done."
Harry blushed. "Thanks. We really should be getting back now. Curfew soon." The other boy nodded and followed him out, both heading back towards the common room in comfortable silence. They were lost in thought. Something had changed between them, not something major, just something. That gentle touch Harry had given Draco, and that whispered confession of the heart had made them…closer. They were still not best friends, and certainly not lovers yet, but their friendship had gone up a level and a new level of trust and respect had been earned. Whether or not that would remain was a different matter. Only time would tell. But now was not the time to dwell on such matters. In three days it would be the Halloween party, and both boys had different views towards it. Draco was excited: his family had never been one to celebrate mundane muggle celebrations, and this year would be his first. Harry, on the other hand, was downcast: Halloween was not a good time of the year for him. He just hoped that his friends, including Draco and the Slytherins would understand.
A/N: Hi! Longest chapter yet, but I wanted to get the final week before the holidays all in one so that we can get to the actual party sooner. Said party will be in two or three chapters and the first one is already written up. All you need to do is review and I shall upload it. :)
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