Chapter 4

"Harry, why've you been hanging around Malfoy?" Ron asked one morning.

It had been a week since Harry found out about Draco's condition. Joseph had informed his housemates of the circumstances, and they were all relieved to have extra help. Harry talked with Draco in the common room about classes, Quidditch, and other things they seemed to have in common. They'd also sit across each other during meals, and he was also asked to watch over Draco at night when Joseph did his rounds and Blaise and Theo couldn't do it.

"Leading by example. I am the one who said we should all try to get along" Harry replied and Ron merely nodded.

Harry knew Ron still didn't trust any of the Slytherins, and probably thought they were planning to do something with Harry. Or maybe Ron was worried of losing his best friend. It was quite possible; while with Draco, Harry was also with the other Slytherins and learnt a lot about them, while Ron spent his time mostly with Hermione or their other friends from Gryffindor.

"Quidditch season starts soon and Professor Tilde said I'm still team captain" Harry said. "I was wondering if you'd be my co-captain."

Ron looked up with disbelieving eyes and his mouth half open. "Really?"

"I'm a natural on a broom and a good leader, but it takes more than that to have a successful team" Harry explained. "We also need strategies, and you'll always know more about Quidditch strategies, tactics and formations than me Ron."

Ron smiled, and accepted, thanking his friend with a hug. They agreed to draft up some plans in the coming Saturday over butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. Ron then left to finish a Charms essay, while Harry walked over to Luna and Draco, who were on one of the couches.

"Hello Harry. Luna said as he approached her, and Draco on the couch. It looked like Luna was trying to make a necklace out of some flowers while Draco was busy writing. "He's doing his homework for Ancient Runes."

Harry nodded and Luna excused herself. The Gryffindor sat there watching Draco write. It was a nice sight, seeing the blonde so focused and calm. Draco eventually finished, and looked up at Harry. He gave the taller male a smile, and Harry's heart leapt.

"Harry, a word" Joseph said as he came in, and Harry followed him to the far side of the room. "I need you to watch Draco this weekend. Professor McGonagall's sending me to Durmstrang and Hermione to Beauxbatons."

"What about your other friends?" Harry asked. He knew what he'd sign up for and it's not like he didn't want to spend time with Draco, but he just wanted some alone time with Ron.

"Blaise's mother's taken ill and he's visiting her, and Theo has detention for hexing two students who called him a Death Eater" Joseph explained. "And all the girls have Divination, and Professor Trelawney's taking them to speak to Firenze."

Harry sighed and agreed, hoping Ron wouldn't get too mad about it.

Potions class was under way, the cauldrons being the only source of heat in the damp room. Harry thought he'd have been failed by now and advised to choose a career apart from auror, but he'd surprisingly been getting good marks. He'd wondered if it was because he didn't see Snape as the heartless git he thought he was before. He still insulted and taunted Harry, and never missed a chance to criticize him when he made a mistake, but they didn't seem as nasty as before and they'd lessened in frequency. Also, Harry noticed that the Head of Slytherin was actually commenting on what he did wrong and how to fix it.

Snape paced around the room, watching as the students tried to brew an antidote for the deadliest of poisons. They had to be extra precise today because the last and most important ingredient was a small vial of phoenix tears. If they broke the vial, or added the tears at the wrong moment, they wouldn't get another vial. It was either pass or fail today. Snape looked into Harry's cauldron just as he added two mistletoe berries, and the mixture turned blue. He grunted and moved to the back, while Harry gave a sigh of relief as he could now take a break before adding the last few ingredients. He looked over to Draco to his left who was also waiting. He then turned to Anthony to see that he had no idea what ingredient to add next. His hand hovered over the porcupine quills, and then over the snake fangs. Harry looked to the back and saw Seamus having the same problem, but with the Potions Master right in front of him.

"Psst, Anthony" Harry called as quietly as possible, and the blonde turned to him.

Harry gestured to the snake fangs. Anthony added them to his cauldron and the mixture turned green, as it should have.

"Thanks Harry" Anthony said as he and Harry walked out of the classroom. "If it weren't for you, I'd be scraping goo off the floor like Seamus."

Seamus had added the wrong ingredient, causing his mixture to bubble violently and spill all around him. Harry pitied his friend, but was thankful that he didn't screw up this time.

"It's no problem, I was glad to help" Harry replied.

"Also, are you free this Sunday?" Anthony asked a little shyly.

"Yeah, why?" Harry asked in return.

"Well...I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me?" the Ravenclaw asked.

The question caught Harry off guard and he stopped walking abruptly. He didn't know what to say. Anthony was a nice guy and was good looking with his blonde hair, blue eyes, and slightly muscled physique.

"It's alright if you say 'no' Harry, I understand" Anthony said and Harry watched through the corner of his eye Draco and his friends leaving the classroom, walking closely to the Head Boy.

There was a twinge in his chest and returned his focus to Anthony, giving him a small smile. "It's not that, your question just surprised me. I'd be happy to go on a date with you."

Anthony's eyes lit up and a smile plastered itself on his face. "Great, see you then."

Anthony left to attend his History of Magic class, and Harry began walking again after a few minutes.

'So what I don't like him as much as he likes me?' Harry thought. 'That's what's dating is for, right? To see if you're compatible?'

"Luna can you stay with Draco on Sunday night?" Harry asked as he and the Ravenclaw sat on one of the couches.

"Of course, Harry" she said, glancing up from her upside-down copy of the Quibbler. "But I'd assume you wanted to."

"Why would I've wanted to?" Harry asked.

"Because of the silver sprites flying around you and Draco" she replied, and Harry gave her a questioning look. "Silver sprites float over people who eventually become very close."

"Yeah, well I have plans, actually" Harry said.

Suddenly, they were approached by Daphne, Pansy, and Lisa.

"Harry, is it true you're going out with Anthony this weekend?" Lisa asked.

"How did you know?" Harry questioned.

"You should've learned by now, Potter" Blaise said from the other couch. "Information travels quickly on the grapevine."

"So, it's true, then?" Daphne asked.

Harry nodded and the girls squealed.

"Anthony did have a pink sprite following him, meaning he was smitten with someone" Luna added.

Harry was bombarded with questions. Things like "what do you like about him," "have you had dreams about him," and "is he more or less attractive than Oliver Wood."

"Well, I think the more important question Harry has to answer is what he's wearing on his date" Pansy pointed out and the girls looked at him.

"This or I'll just throw something on...?" Harry said and the girls shook their heads.

"Harry dear, one of the things that determines whether a date would be a success or failure is how someone dresses" Daphne said as she sat on Harry's left. "Based on your appearance, the other person could see how much effort you put in to look good for them."

"Also you can't be overdressed, because it looks like you're trying too hard to impress them, which will scare them off" Pansy added.

"It's also important to dress appropriately for the place you're going to and the activity you're doing" Lisa stated.

They were obviously asking what he and Anthony would be doing on their date.

"We're just going to the Three Broomsticks for dinner and to talk" Harry said.

"Not the best spot, but they are rather limited" Daphne said.

"Goldstein could've put more effort into it, though. Like a picnic by Black Lake" Pansy said dreamily.

"Or a night watching the stars in the Astronomy Tower." Lisa suggested, and Harry cleared his throat to bring them back to earth. "Anyway, it's only right to make an effort to look good for a date Harry, even if you don't think you'll hit it off."

"She's right" Daphne said. "And even if it doesn't work out with Anthony, you have plenty of viable bachelors to choose from."

"We can't have any of them telling the world that you only have ten pairs of pants" Pansy chuckled and looked at Harry, who gave her a confused look. "He doesn't even have ten pairs of pants!"

Harry looked pleadingly at Luna, begging her to help him.

"I know it's overwhelming, but they'll be a big help" she assured him.

Admitting defeat and sighing, Harry let the girls drag him to Hogsmeade for a shopping spree.

Harry stood by the door while he watched Joseph explain to Draco that he'd be back by Monday morning. The blonde didn't freak out as much since he had been told days before that it was going to happen, but still held onto his friend's hand for some time before letting go.

"Always keep him with you" Joseph reminded Harry. "If he starts to freak out, give him a vial of Calming Draught and bring him to Madame Pomfrey once he's calmed down."

Harry nodded. They've had this conversation over and over the past few days. The taller raven eventually left, and it was silent for a while, Harry watching Draco who just stared at the door.

"Professor McGonagall's given us the day off. What do you want to do?" Harry asked and Draco shrugged. "I'm meeting Ron at the Three Broomsticks later. How about doing something in Hogsmeade?"

"There is some place I'd like to go to" Draco said shyly. Harry thought it was quite cute, but quickly removed that thought from his head. He and Draco walked to Hogsmeade and once there, the Slytherin took Harry's hand and led him through the streets. Harry felt his face get warm.

'Don't overthink this' Harry told himself. 'He's just leading you around town.'

They stopped in front of a small, old building, its paint faded and cracked. Draco still held Harry's hand, and the Gryffindor wondered if it would be alright to take it back. Just then, an old woman walked out the door and smiled at seeing the two of them.

"Hello Draco, how are you today?" the woman asked kindly.

"I'm well, Mrs. Lee" Draco replied with a smile.

"I see you've brought a friend. Hello, Mr. Potter" she greeted Harry with a warm smile.

"Hello and please, call me Harry" Harry replied and Mrs. Lee invited them in.

As soon as Harry set foot into the building, his nose was assaulted by several smells, good and bad. He saw that Mrs. Lee was running an apothecary; several bottles filled with different liquids lined the shelves, along with jars of different ingredients.

"I apologize about the state of things" Mrs. Lee said. "I have a lot of orders to fill."

"Would you like some help?" Draco offered and the old witch had him start brewing a Cure for Boils.

"I'd offer to help to, but I'm just rubbish with potions" Harry said.

"It's perfectly alright." Mrs. Lee said with a smile. "I don't really need help, I just set Draco to work to keep him busy. I'm aware of his condition. His friend Joseph, sweet young man, always came here on Hogsmeade trips, buying all manner of potion books, old and new. I eventually offered to teach him a few things and he would always end up helping me during his visits. At the start of this year, he brought Draco with him and told me what had happened."

The old woman sighed and rubbed her temples. Harry watched as Draco carefully poured ingredients into a cauldron and stirred it. At one point, he saw the blonde smile and it made his heart ache slightly.

"What's the matter, Harry?" Mrs. Lee asked and Harry shook his head. "Come now, I've raised three sons. I know when they're bothered by something."

"What do you do when you love someone who's in love with someone else?" Harry asked.

"I knew someone back then who was in the same situation you are" Mrs. Lee said. "A quiet and intelligent young man, in love with a girl he'd met before coming to study at Hogwarts. They were in separate houses, which limited his chances of spending time with her. She had begun taking a liking to another boy. Eventually, they fought about something."

"And what did the young man do?" Harry asked.

"He still loved her, but he stopped trying to get her" Mrs. Lee said sadly. "Harry, the things worth fighting for are always the toughest. Rather than let this other person have his way so easily and wonder on 'what could have been,' why don't you fight for it and see if it works out?"

Harry kept thinking of what Mrs. Lee said as he and Draco walked to the Three Broomsticks. As he approached the inn, he spotted his friend leaving, a sour expression on his face.

"Look who finally decided to show up" Ron said as Harry approached.

"What? Ron I'm only-" Harry stopped when he looked at his watch. He was half an hour late, and what made it worse that he couldn't see Draco anywhere

"Well?" Ron said, waiting for an explanation.

"Harry, the new model of the Firebolt just came out" Draco said as he approached the two. "It looks amazing."

"Malfoy?! You've been with Malfoy this whole time?!" Ron yelled.

"Ron, calm down. Harry tried reason with the redhead, but to no avail.

"What are you even doing hanging out with him? He's Malfoy" Ron continued. "He shouldn't have friends, he shouldn't even be here. He should be locked up in Azkaban with his no good dad."

"Ron!" Harry yelled, but Draco turned and ran back towards the castle. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Wrong with me? What's wrong with you?" Ron returned.

"That was a low blow, and you know it" Harry said before sighing. "I don't have time to explain this. Even if I did, I know you wouldn't listen."

Harry ran back to their dormitory and stopped in front of Draco's door.

"Draco" he called as he knocked. The door swung open and Harry saw the blonde curled up on his bed. He sat and pulled the blonde into a tight embrace, holding him quietly for a few minutes.

"He's right" Draco said softly. "A person who did all those horrible things shouldn't have friends."

"You didn't want to do those things, you were forced to" Harry said. "The real Draco is this wonderful and kind person, who would cringe at the thought of harming someone else."

They stayed like that for a while; Harry with his arms wrapped around Draco, rubbing his back comfortingly, and the blonde sitting on his lap, his face buried in Harry's neck.

"Are you hungry?" Harry asked and Draco nodded. "I'll have a house-elf bring us some food" Harry left and the house-elf soon brought them some sandwiches and pumpkin juice.

Harry sent letters both to Hermione and Joseph, then returned to talking to Draco about Quidditch, which they did until it was time to turn in.. Harry was sleeping in Draco's room on Joseph's bed. The two males were reading books, and time passed quickly in the silence. Minutes later, Harry glanced to Draco and saw that he was asleep. Harry smiled at the peaceful look on Draco's face, and decided to go to sleep as well. He was having a rather pleasant dream when he felt something nudge him. He cracked an eye open and saw Draco standing in front of him.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I had a nightmare" Draco said quietly, picking at the hem of his shirt.

"What was it about?" Harry asked as he sat up and had the blonde sit beside him.

"I was in this corridor" Draco began and moved closer to the Gryffindor. "And there was this person in front of me. It was a silhouette, and they started moving away from me. I didn't know who it was, but I chased after them. They were getting farther and farther until…"

Harry kept the blonde close to him, whispering reassuring words as he held him tightly. "Do you want to sleep together…on the same bed?"

He added the last part quickly. Draco nodded in reply, and Harry summoned Draco's pillows before lying down together. Draco moved closer to Harry and as if on instinct, Harry wrapped an arm around him Draco soon fell back to sleep while Harry watched him for a while, wondering if his heart would explode.