KayCee (ex_kaycee154) wrote in do_me_veela, @ 2009-02-26 20:46:00 |
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Entry tags: | fic, pairing: harry/draco, rated:nc17, veela fest 2009 |
There's Something About Malfoy, Part Two - by cassie_black12
Title: There‘s Something About Malfoy
Author: cassie_black12
Pairing: Harry/Draco, mentions of Ron/Pansy
Rating: NC-17 - but only really the last bit.
Word Count: ~27000
Warning(s): M/M, oral, anal. There is the teeniest bit of Hermione bashing. Oh, and I guess a lust-crazed Professor Snape deserves a warning too.
Beta: Dracos_slut12
Prompt: 17 (Slash prompts)
Summary: Strange things keep happening to Draco Malfoy, and Harry Potter is determined to get to the bottom of it. He may end up with more than he bargained for. AU after OOTP.
Author's Notes: This isn’t as in-keeping with the prompt as I would have liked. The story took on a mind of its own once I started writing. But it’s my first attempt at a Veela fic, and I think it turned out okay!!
Disclaimer: This piece of art or fiction is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros. Inc. No money is being made, no copyright or trademark infringement, or offence is intended. All characters depicted in sexual situations are above the age of consent.
“Big daddy?” Hermione repeated, a stunned expression on her face. “He actually used those words?”
Harry nodded. “Yes. Honestly, it was the single most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen. And when you take into account Basilisks and resurrected Dark Lords, that’s saying something.”
“Well, this certainly puts your bracelet theory in a whole new perspective,” Hermione commented, reaching for her notes.
“But that’s the thing,” Harry said, reaching out to have a look at the parchment. “He wasn’t wearing it. He Summoned it off Snape’s desk while I was there.”
“Maybe its powers are that strong that you only have to be in the same room as it?”
Harry shook his head. “No, that can’t be it. He put it on and Snape went back to normal. And by normal, I mean he was angry and shouting.”
Hermione frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. Malfoy used the bracelet to repel Snape, but it seems to be attracting everyone else.” She scrutinised her notes further. “I’ll have to look into this further. Maybe if I ask Professor McGonagall, she’ll give me a pass for the Restricted Section.”
“Thanks, Hermione.”
“No problem.” She beamed at her best friend. “You know me and studying.”
Harry smiled in acknowledgement. “Talking of which, I’d better make a start of the Defence essay Remus assigned us. Though why we need to know two foot on the History of Duelling is beyond me.” Grumbling to himself, Harry delved into his bag and produced the necessary textbook and parchment.
“You’re taking Ginny to the ball,” Hermione commented after a few moments silence.
Harry looked up from his work in surprise. “Yeah. She asked me this morning.”
“Are you two getting back together then?” Hermione did her best to keep her tone casually, but even Harry could sense the undercurrent.
“We’re just friends,” he replied. “I wasn’t that keen on going, but I guess it should be a laugh.”
“Oh.” It was one small word, but Harry didn’t miss the faint look of relief on Hermione’s face at his words, nor did he miss the smile that curved her lips as she returned to the books. He tried to ignore the implications of that; he had enough to worry about, without the thought that Hermione might actually like him, like that.
The two of them sat it virtual silence for the next half an hour, until a stifled cry from Hermione shattered the peace.
“I found it!”
Harry smudged ink over his parchment in shock. “Found what?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “I know what’s going on with Malfoy.”
That grabbed Harry’s attention. His homework was pushed instantly to one side. “What?” he demanded.
Hermione smiled smugly and turned the book she was reading round to face Harry. “He’s a Veela. Look!” She jabbed the open page with a fingertip.
Harry looked at the open book but was too impatient to actually read it all. “A Veela? But he’s not a girl.”
Hermione huffed and pulled the book back towards her. “According to this, Veelas can be both sexes. Although male ones are a lot rarer to come across.”
“So that’s why everyone’s throwing themselves at him? Cos of some Veela charm?”
Hermione nodded. “It says here that unmated male Veelas have an extremely powerful allure. That bracelet he’s wearing is called a dampener. It’s part of a traditional ritual to suppress the Veela’s pheromones until he can be…well, until he finds his mate.”
“Mate?” Harry repeated. “I take it you don’t mean like Ron and me are mates?”
Hermione giggled. “No, not like that at all. Unless there’s something you two aren’t telling me?”
Harry flushed and shifted in his chair uneasily. He felt a twinge of guilt over lying to his friends about his sexuality. “Don’t be silly,” he managed to say.”
“A Veela’s mate isn’t a friend, like Ron is to you. It’s like…well, kind of like having a girlfriend, only more complicated.”
“Complicated how?” Harry asked, not at all liking this talk of Malfoy having a girlfriend.
“Well, they don’t just get to choose their partner, as such. When they meet their mate, they just know. And it’s for life too, no divorce or anything like that.”
Harry looked a little confused and Hermione watched him patiently, waiting for the question that she knew would come eventually.
“So does this mean he’s got a beak, and wings? Like those Veela at the World Cup?”
Hermione grinned; that had not been the question she was expecting. “As amusing as that would be, sadly no. At least, not a beak, anyway. There have been reported instances of male Veela having wings, but it’s extremely rare.”
“But how come this has only just started? I mean, I haven’t noticed anyone fawning over Malfoy until recently.”
Hermione’s face took on its all too familiar lecture mode expression, and Harry began to regret his question instantly.
“Male Veelas come into their heritage on their seventeenth birthday, so Malfoy’s only had his ‘powers’ since June. I would imagine he’s been wearing the dampener ever since.”
“But why isn’t it working now?” Harry persisted.
“Well, I’m not entirely sure, but I think it has to do with the Veela mating. It’s traditional for an adolescent male Veela to claim his mate on 14th February. I’m guessing that the dampener is becoming less effective, the closer the mating gets.”
“That’s less than two weeks away.” Harry suddenly felt his chest clench at the thought of Malfoy mating for life to someone else, in such a short space of time.
Hermione nodded. “Knowing Dumbledore, I imagine he’s aware of this, and that’s why we’re having a Valentine’s Ball.”
“We’re having a dance, just so Malfoy can get laid? Bloody typical.” Despite his newfound discoveries about the Slytherin boy, Harry still found it hard to let go of six years of animosity.
“It’s more that just having sex,” Hermione said, giving him a reproachful look. “It’s about the joining of two souls, for all eternity. It‘s very romantic.”
Harry rolled his eyes at Hermione’s dreamy expression. “Girls,” he muttered, longing for the slightly more testosterone-fuelled atmosphere of his dormitory.
~~o0o~~
“It’s Potter,” Draco announced as he flopped onto Pansy’s bed.
“It’s always been Potter,” Pansy commented. “What’s happed this time?”
“Nothing’s happened. Well, yes, something rather traumatic happened actually, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“What then? What’s Potter?”
“He’s the one,” Draco replied quietly. “He’s my mate.”
A broad grin spread over Pansy’s face. “I knew it! I told…Well, never mind that. How did you find out? What did you do? Tell me everything about it. Did you kiss him?”
“Merlin, Pansy. Take a breath. I can’t tell you anything if you keep bombarding me with questions.”
“Sorry. Go ahead. I’ll be quiet.”
Draco gave his friend a look that clearly expressed his disbelief at this statement, but he took up the tale regardless.
It took some time for the full story to come out. Draco was forced to wait several minutes for Pansy to recover from the hysterics she indulged in upon hearing of their Head of House’s seduction attempt. But eventually she calmed down long enough for her friend to explain about the moment he realised that his childhood rival, was actually now someone he was tied to for life.
“You’re taking this very calmly,” Pansy commented finally, still wiping tears from her eyes. “I thought you’d be spitting feathers. No pun intended.”
Draco grimaced. “I know. If you’d have suggested to me yesterday that Harry Potter was my mate, I’m fairly sure my reaction would have been heard down in Hogsmeade. I mean, it’s Potter.”
“So what’s changed?”
Draco shrugged. “I’m not sure, to be honest. But it’s like I’ve truly seen him for the first time. He’s so brave and noble; the way he just stood in between me and Snape. After the way I’ve treated him for years, after my father tried to kill him on numerous occasions, he still helped me. Most people would have just left me there.”
Pansy hit her friend lightly with a pillow. “You’re turning into a sap,” she teased.
Draco ignored the pillow. “And his smell…it’s incredible. I can’t even begin to describe it.” Draco slumped back onto the bed, hands folded behind his head.
“So what are you going to do about it? When are you going to tell him?”
The smile faded from Draco’s face. “What’s the point? Potter’s straight. And even if he wasn’t, I hardly think he would jump at the idea of being tied to the Malfoy family for life.”
Pansy stroked her hand soothingly over his brow, smoothing out the frown creases. “Potter’s not straight.”
Draco sat upright instantly. “What? How the hell do you know that? Tell me?”
“Alright, calm down and I will. Let’s just say that Ginny Weasley and I could start our very own club.”
Draco huffed; he didn’t have time for cryptics. “What club?” he snapped.
Pansy grinned. “The I had sex with my boyfriend and turned him gay club. Potter plays for your team, Draco, I promise.”
“You’re lying,” Draco accused. “I know you’re only trying to make me feel better, but it’s no good.”
Pansy looked mildly affronted. “Merlin! You’re self-involved. Potter is gay. I’m not saying that to flatter your needy ego. I’m saying it because it’s true.”
Draco gaped at her. “You’re serious?”
Pansy nodded. “Potter loves cock,” she confirmed.
Draco began to giggle helplessly at this pronouncement. “That would make a perfect slogan for my next lot of badges!”
“It’s certainly a big improvement on ‘Potter stinks’,” Pansy agreed. “Mind you, are you sure you want to be announcing that? The other poofs around school will go crazy for him once they find out Potter’s one of them.”
Draco frowned. “Do you think so?”
“Draco, I know you’ve never looked at him that way before today, but trust me, Potter’s hot. If he wasn’t gay, I’d be temp…”
Pansy never finished that statement, as she found the sharp edge of Draco’s wand digging in the underside of her chin. “Pansy, I love you like a sister, but if you finish that sentence, I will be forced to A.K. you.”
Pansy rolled her eyes and placed her hand on Draco’s, carefully lowering his wand. “Get a grip,” she scolded. “He’s only been you’re mate for five minutes, and already you’re acting like some crazy, jealous Veela.”
Draco sank back onto the bed with a deep sigh. “It’s pointless anyway. Even if Potter is gay, he still hates me. There’s no way he’ll agree to bond with me.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Pansy said thoughtfully. “I mean, he is a Gryffindor. All noble and rubbish like that. If he knows what refusing the bond will do to you, then I’m sure he’ll agree.”
Draco groaned and flung an arm over his face. “But that’s just it; I don’t want him that way. I want him to want me, not just be with me out of pity.”
Pansy rubbed a soothing hand over his. “Poor baby, you have got it bad.”
It was a sign of how low Draco was feeling that he didn’t respond with his usual vitriol to being called baby. Pansy couldn’t remember ever seeing him like this before, so vulnerable and needy. “It’ll be alright. We’ll just have to make sure that Potter does want you, then. It shouldn’t be so hard. You are bloody gorgeous, after all.”
“There’s no time.” Draco’s voice was almost a whimper.
Pansy sniffed at this objection. “We’ve got nearly two weeks. That’s plenty of time. Come on.” She reached out and pulled Draco’s arm from over his eyes. “Mooching in here isn’t going to help any. We need a plan.”
Draco sat up reluctantly, but for the first time that evening, he felt a faint flicker of hope in his chest. They were Slytherins, after all, and scheming was what they did best.
~~o0o~~
Harry gave up on his studying eventually; it was no good, he couldn’t concentrate. His head was full of Veelas and Malfoy, and…well, mostly just Malfoy, truth be told.
If he tried really hard, Harry could still feel the sensation of the other boy’s body pressed against him. Those strong arms wrapped around his waist. He hadn’t given it much thought at the time, but now that he replayed it in his mind, Harry was certain that there had been a definite harness pressed against his arse.
He really hoped that that was because of him, because, well, if it wasn’t, then Snape had been the only other person in the room. And that just didn’t bear thinking about.
As he got ready for bed, Harry couldn’t help but think it was just typical of his life. After years spent hiding his sexuality, he had finally found someone he fancied, and not only was it Malfoy, but it was too late anyway. In less than two weeks, Malfoy would be mated to some girl for life, and there was nothing Harry could do about it.
Determined to put thoughts of all things blond and Slytherin from his mind, Harry was startled to feel the stirrings of an erection. He clambered into bed, spelled the hangings closed, and slid a hand inside his pyjama bottoms.
He settled down to enjoy his current, favourite wank fantasy, which involved the Chudley Canons’ Keeper, numerous silk ties, and an obscene amount of whipped cream. However, tonight, Harry’s imagination seemed determined to betray him. The Keeper’s usually blue eyes seemed to have turned a silvery grey, and his hair lightened to an unearthly shade of blond.
It was seconds before Harry realised that it was actually Malfoy in his fantasy. The blond Slytherin was on his knees sucking him off, and from the look of bliss on his face, Malfoy was more than happy to oblige.
Harry tried hard, really he did. But every time he closed his eyes, his mind was overwhelmed with images of Malfoy - some of them definitely x-rated. So much for not thinking about him anymore, Harry thought mutinously.
Deciding to forgo his nightly wank instead, Harry shifted onto his side and snuggled under the covers. He ignored the persistent throbbing in his groin, and even tried to use some of his Occlumency mind-clearing techniques. But it was all to no avail. His erection was still there, relentlessly demanding his attention.
Harry let out a groan.
“You okay, mate?” Ron called.
“What? Oh, yes, fine.” Harry answered, more than a little flustered.
“Just thought you might be having one of your nightmares, or something,” Ron pressed.
“Definitely ‘or something’,” Harry muttered to himself.
“What?”
“Nothing, Ron. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh, okay. Night then.”
“Night.”
Harry slumped back on his bed, this time adding a Silencing Charm for good measure.
It was clear that his erection was going nowhere on its own. So, admitting defeat at last, Harry wriggled out of his pyjama bottoms, took a firm hold of his cock, and allowed his mind free reign with its Malfoy fantasies.
When he finally came, just a short while later, with two fingers up his arse and the name Draco on his lips, Harry knew he was in deep trouble.
~~o0o~~
“Weasley!”
Ginny stopped in her tracks across the Great Hall and turned to find Pansy Parkinson gesturing wildly at her. She made her way back to the entrance and eyed the Slytherin girl warily; the two of them got on alright in private, but it was a friendship that was rarely acknowledged in public.
“We need to talk,” Pansy stated shortly.
“Okay, what about?”
Pansy looked around them. “Not here.” She grabbed Ginny’s arm and tugged her in the direction of the main doors.
Once outside, Ginny pulled her arm free. “I hope this isn’t going to take long. It’s bloody freezing out here.”
Pansy fished out her wand and cast a gentle Warming Charm. “Better?”
“Much.” Ginny grinned. “See, I knew you Slytherins had to be good for something.”
“Gryffindork,” Pansy retaliated.
Ginny just stuck out her tongue.
Pansy rolled her eyes. “When you’re quite finished, we have important business to discuss.”
“Now I’m intrigued. What’s up?”
“I was right about Potter,” Pansy began.
“What about Harry?” Ginny interrupted suspiciously.
“If you shut up for a minute, then I can tell you.”
Ginny remained silent and Pansy nodded in acknowledgement. “He’s Draco’s mate.”
Ginny let out a squeal of excitement. “Are you sure? How d’you know?”
“Draco told me.” Pansy couldn’t help but smile at the other girl’s excitement.
Ginny’s eyes widened at this information. “He knows? Blimey. How’s he taking it?”
“Surprisingly well,” Pansy admitted. “And halfway to being hopelessly smitten already.”
Ginny clasped her hands together. “Oh, that’s so cute. Those two will make such an adorable couple.”
“Hot, too,” Pansy commented casually.
“Hell, yes,” Ginny agreed. “The thought of those two together is enough to turn any reasonable girl into a peeping tom.” She paused here and grinned lasciviously. “When’s he going to tell Harry? Or is that what this is? You want me to talk to him?”
Pansy shook her head. “Draco isn’t going to tell him, and nor are we…yet.”
“But why in Merlin’s name not? I mean, it’ll take a bit for Harry to get used to, but I’m sure, once he understands, he’ll agree. There’s no way he would refuse, not knowing what it would do to Malfoy.”
“But that’s just it,” Pansy replied. “Draco’s got this stupid, romantic notion in his head. Says he doesn’t want Potter to be with him out of pity or a sense of duty. He wants Potter to want him too.”
“But Harry will want him, if he’s his mate. Surely Malfoy knows that?”
Pansy just shrugged. “You’ve met Draco, Weasley. Does he strike you as the kind of person who can be reasoned with?”
Laughing, Ginny shook her head. “Now that you mention it, not really. So what are we going to do? Harry is far too clueless to figure it all out by himself.”
“We just need to get them to spend as much time together as possible. Draco’s already starting to see past the ‘Golden Boy’ image of Potter. Now we just need to get Potter to see that Draco’s not quite the bastard he pretends to be.”
Ginny raised an eyebrow at this last statement. “He’s not,” Pansy insisted. “But you try growing up with Lucius Malfoy for a father; it doesn’t exactly encourage emotional growth.”
Ginny nodded. “I guess. So how are we going to do this?”
“Well, we don’t have an awful lot of time to be subtle or come up with devious plans. So we’ll just have to arrange for them to have lots of ‘accidental’ meetings. Oh, and keep Granger away as much as possible; I swear that girl’s got a thing for Potter.”
Ginny nodded thoughtfully. “You might be right. She was a bit off with me when Harry and I were going out. What about Ron? Do I need to keep him away?”
Pansy tried her best to look nonchalant, but even Ginny spotted the slight flush on her cheeks. “You can bring him along, I suppose. It’ll make it look more natural.”
Ginny couldn’t help the sly grin that crossed her face. “And this has nothing to do with the fact you want in my brother’s trousers?”
Pansy flushed even more, but raised her chin defiantly. “So you won’t be wanting me to bring Blaise along then?”
“W-what? Why would I care if Zabini’s there or not?”
“Come on, Weasley, I’m not blind. I’ve seen you making sheep’s eyes at him across the Great Hall.”
“Okay, fine,” Ginny huffed, knowing she was caught out. “You bring Zabini and Malfoy, and I’ll bring Harry and Ron. Where are we going to do this? I mean, we don’t want to be too obvious.”
“We’re dealing with boys,” Pansy replied. “Obvious is not an issue.”
Ginny chuckled. “You’re right. If your two are anything like mine, then the word should be oblivious.”
Whispering conspiratorially, the two girls made their way back into the Great Hall and headed to their respective tables. As Ginny sank into a vacant seat at the Gryffindor table, she felt the weight of an intense gaze on her. Looking up, she found Hermione’s eyes boring into her.
“What was that all about?” she asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“What was what all about?” Ginny asked, playing dumb in an attempt to buy herself some time.
“Come on, Gin, Pansy Parkinson just calls you over and then drags you out of the Great Hall, and you act like its nothing? What’s going on? She’s not bullying you, is she?”
Ginny shook her head emphatically. “No! It’s nothing like that. We actually get on quite well.” Seeing Hermione’s face still full of suspicion, Ginny decided to share a little information just to get the Head Girl off her back.
“We were talking boys, if you must know. Pansy found out that I fancy a Slytherin, and she was just giving me some advice.”
“It’s not Malfoy, is it? Because, if it is, you should know-”
“No, it’s not Malfoy,” Ginny interrupted quickly; it was never wise to let Hermione get into her stride.
“Oh, well that’s okay then. I’m glad to see you’re moving on from Harry.”
I bet you are, Ginny thought viciously to herself, but she managed to keep a sweet smile on her face. “I can’t wait around for him forever,” she said.
Hermione reached out and placed a hand on her arm. “You’ve been so brave about it. If you ever need to talk, I’m here for you.”
Ginny smiled, but inwardly wanted to vomit. She knew Hermione meant well, but sometimes she could be so patronising.
~~o0o~~
Over at the Slytherin table, Pansy was encountering much the same level of interrogation from Draco. She had barely got herself seated before the questions began.
“Where’ve you been, Pans?”
“Oh, just chatting. You know, catching up on the gossip,” she replied airily.
“With the Weaselette? Since when were you two gossip pals?”
“It pays to have sources in every house, Dray. Besides, Weasley’s not your typical Gryffindor. I can definitely see a bit of Slytherin in her.”
Draco snorted. “From what I hear, she’d like to have more than a bit of Slytherin in her.”
Pansy sniggered. “Don’t be so bitchy. The girl’s got good taste.”
“Hmm, better than you, I’ll give her that. Considering your current choice of paramour.”
Pansy rolled her eyes. “Paramour? You talk like one of those trashy romance novels that Daphne’s always reading. And in any case, the Weasel and I aren’t sleeping together.”
“Yet,” Draco amended, silently praying that Pansy never discovered where it was Daphne got those romance novels from.
“Don’t knock it. If I get my claws into him, it will be much easier to get Potter-”
“Blaise! Take your hand off my leg now!” Draco’s angry shout cut through Pansy’s words.
He turned an angry expression on his friend, only to have the dark-haired boy lean closer and actually nuzzle the side of his neck.
“Come on, Draco,” Blaise purred. “I’m just being friendly. We are friends, aren’t we?” A sulky pout marred his pretty features.
Draco looked pleadingly at Pansy, who just giggled helplessly. “Bitch,” he snapped, before turning his attention back to the boy who was now trying to straddle his lap.
“Blaise, I swear if you don’t get off me right now! For Merlin’s sake, you’re not even gay.”
“Shh, Dray,” Blaise murmured as he rocked against his friend. “Don’t fight it.”
Despite the tears of laughter running down her face, Pansy did note the look of absolute panic on Draco’s face. She gave Crabbe and Goyle a quick nod, indicating they should intervene. As the two hulking Slytherins removed a protesting Blaise, Pansy looked over at the Gryffindor table.
She couldn’t help but notice the intense way that Harry Potter was staring at Blaise, almost as if he were about to hex him. Grinning to herself, she looked further down the table to where Ginny Weasley sat, grinning in return. Nodding in Potter’s direction, Pansy gave the Gryffindor girl a quick wink, before turning back to placate a near-hysterical Draco.
~~o0o~~
Both Harry and Draco headed towards the Potions classroom with a sickening sense of dread in the pit of their stomachs. For both boys, it would be the first time they had seen Professor Snape since the psychologically scarring incident the previous night.
Despite knowing it was not his godfather’s fault, Draco still couldn’t forget the lust-crazed expression on his face. The whole incident, apart from Potter, had been quite traumatic. He had skulked around the dungeons all morning, desperately trying to avoid contact with his Head of House, but with Potions looming, there was no escape.
Harry dragged himself into the classroom and assumed his now usual seat beside Malfoy. He was absolutely dreading facing Snape. The man was bound to still be angry from the night before. All the more so because Harry had seen his moment of madness.
Despite the fact that it had not been his fault, Harry knew that the Potions master would find way to blame him for it, and that he could expect numerous points to be deducted, and repeated snide remarks to be made.
Still, he consoled himself, if Snape was too much of a bastard to him, he had the perfect way to get his revenge. So far, he had told no one but Hermione about the incident, but should Snape push him too far, well, he might accidentally let something slip.
Harry looked up as Malfoy sank into the seat next to him. He noted that the Slytherin boy wore a similar look of apprehension on his face.
“Malfoy,” he acknowledged.
“Potter,” Malfoy replied, giving a slight nod of his head. “You realise he’s going to be unbearable today, right?”
Harry followed his gaze in the direction of Snape’s office. “I figured as much.” He gave a slight snicker. “It was funny though.”
Malfoy glared ever so slightly. “I’m glad threats to my virtue amuse you, Potter.”
Harry’s laughter stopped instantly. “Shit! Sorry, Malfoy. I didn’t mean it like that.” Harry found it a little hard to look the other boy in the eyes after his fantasies of the night before. His eyes came to rest on Malfoy’s pink lips, which was even worse, considering the lewd things he had imagined them doing.
“Are you okay, Potter? Only, you seem to be staring at my mouth.”
Flustered and flushing, Harry searched desperately for something to say in reply. Any possible words fled from his brain the instant he saw the wet tip of Malfoy’s tongue flicker out to moisten his lips.
“Uhh…”
“How eloquent.”
Harry was saved from having to make any further unintelligible noises by the opening of the office door. He was almost grateful for Professor Snape’s arrival.
When he saw that it was Remus who had entered the room, Harry could have dropped to his knees and thanked the Gods.
“Good morning class. Professor Snape has been called away unexpectedly.” Harry could have sworn he saw Remus’ eyes linger on him and Malfoy with a slight twinkle in them.
“The Headmaster has asked that I oversee your Potions class until he returns.”
“Oh, thank Merlin,” Malfoy whispered, and, for once, Harry was in complete agreement.
~~o0o~~
No Snape, meant no detention. A fact that made Harry inexplicably happy. The thought of being trapped in the dungeons with a wrathful Snape, was not his idea of a pleasant way to spend an evening.
Hermione had suggested he join her in the library, which he had declined politely. Then Ginny had come along, and she too had been most insistent upon him joining her for an evening’s study. Harry had never thought of Ginny as particularly studious, but obviously he had been wrong. She had been quite vehement about his neglect of his schoolwork, and had only given in after a long and heated debate.
He had every intention of getting his schoolwork done, he just didn’t feel much like company. Which was why he was lying sprawled across his bed, with numerous text books scattered around him.
It seemed that before his expedient departure, Professor Snape had left some detailed notes on exactly what assignments his students should be doing. Harry was convinced that the evil git had had him particularly in mind when he had assigned them three feet on the various healing properties of moonstone.
Just thinking about the amount of work involved in it gave Harry a headache. Which was why, after half an hour, he had little more than the title written down.
A welcome distraction from his procrastinating came in the form of a knock on the bedroom door.
“Yeah?” Harry called, slightly curious as to who it was; most of his friends would just walk in.
The door opened part way and a nervous-looking Dennis Creevey popped his head in. “Sorry to bother you, Harry.”
The younger boy sounded very nervous and Harry took pity on him. “That’s okay,” he replied, pulling himself up into a seating position. “You can come in, you know? I won’t bite.”
Dennis giggled nervously, but nonetheless inserted the rest of his body into the room.
“There,” Harry said. “I knew there was a body attached to that head. So what can I do for you?”
“There’s someone at the door downstairs who wants to see you,” Dennis explained.
This caught Harry’s attention; Merlin, he hoped it wasn’t Snape returned especially for his detention. “Who is it?” he demanded, a little sharply.
“It’s Draco Malfoy,” Dennis whispered, his eyes wide at the horror of a Slytherin being in Gryffindor tower. Seamus is keeping him busy while I came for you.”
“Seamus?” That was all it took to spur Harry into action. Sharing a room with the Irish boy for over six years had given Harry too much insight as to what ‘keeping him busy’ might entail. He was off the bed and heading down the stairs without further word. Dennis just watched him go in wide-eyed surprise.
The common room was quite full, but unusually quiet. All eyes turned to Harry as he thundered down the stairs, his eyes scanning the room.
“Where’s Malfoy?” he asked gruffly, directing his question at Dean.
Dean nodded in the direction of the Portrait hole. “He’s out there. We didn’t think it was a good idea to let him in. Seamus is keeping an eye on him.”
“I bet,” Harry muttered darkly, heading over to the doorway.
He wrenched the Portrait hole forcefully, and stepped outside like a man on a mission. He was just in time to see Malfoy slam Seamus up against the nearest wall.
“When I tell you to keep your filthy hands to yourself,” Malfoy snarled. “That isn’t code for feel me up some more.”
“C’mon, Malfoy,” Seamus wheedled. “I know you like boys, too. Just one little kiss, that’s all I’m asking for.”
Harry couldn’t help thinking that Seamus was either incredibly brave, or just extremely stupid, given the look of outrage on Malfoy’s face. As curious as he was to learn just which Hex the Slytherin was about to use, Harry felt a certain loyalty to protect his roommate from a painful death.
“Seamus, maybe you should just leave Malfoy alone, yeah? He’s obviously not interested.”
“Of course he is,” Seamus replied, never taking his eyes of the Malfoy’s face. “He just likes playing hard to get. Don’t you, baby?” Seamus made the fatal mistake of reaching and stroking the side of Malfoy’s face.
“That’s it,” the Slytherin boy yelled. He grabbed hold of Seamus’ arm and spun him round, until he had him pinned, face first against the wall.
Seamus wriggled suggestively against the body behind him. “I’d always figured you for a bottom,” he teased. “But I don’t mind if you want to top.”
“Fuck, Finnegan! Have you got a death wish or something?”
When Harry managed to tear his eyes away from admiring Malfoy’s flushed face, he realised he had better intervene. Stepping closer, he placed, what he hoped was a calming hand on the Slytherin boy’s shoulder, whilst shaking his wand into the other.
“Let him go,” he murmured, his lips so close to Malfoy’s ear that Harry had to fight the urge to nibble on his lobe.
Malfoy spun round to face him. “Are you crazy? I let him go and it’ll be me pinned up against this wall next.”
“I won’t let him, I promise. Just let him go, and he’ll behave, won’t you Shay?”
“You just want him for yourself, Harry, you dog!” Seamus teased. “I saw him first, sorry.”
Harry raised his wand and levelled it in the direction of his roommate. “He’s not interested, mate. Now just go back inside the common room, and no one will get hurt.”
Seamus’ eyes widened at the sight of Harry’s wand and the calm expression on his face; in that moment he understood how his friend had defeated Voldemort. “Fuck, Harry! If you want him that bad, have him.” He pushed back off the wall, catching Malfoy by surprise.
Harry stepped forward to steady the stumbling Slytherin and by the time he looked up again, Seamus was already disappearing back through the Portrait hole. He stood for what seemed like ages, just staring into pools of silver, enjoying the feel of the other boy’s body under his palms.
“Thanks for that,” Malfoy said, a little breathlessly.
“’S okay,” Harry replied, noting that the other boy made no move to pull away. Realising he was in very real danger of showing Malfoy just how much he was enjoying his company, Harry stepped back slightly, his arms returning to his sides. “You wanted to see me?”
“What? Oh, yes.” Malfoy smiled warmly. “Your knight in shining armour routine threw me off for a moment.”
Harry couldn’t help but blush at the implied compliment. “So, what’s up?” he prompted, when it seemed the Malfoy wasn’t going to elaborate further.
“I just wondered if you wanted to work on that essay Professor Snape set for us? Together, I mean.”
Harry looked and was surprised to see a look of uncertainty on the usually confident face of the other boy. There was something rather cute about the flush on his pale cheeks, and the way he fiddled with the cuffs of his robes.
Harry grinned. “Sure. I could use the help. You want to do it now? The essay, I mean.”
Draco nodded. “Well, I figured you wouldn’t have detention tonight, so…”
“Okay. Let me just grab my things.” Harry turned to go back into the tower, when he felt a hand grab onto his sleeve.
“We can use my books,” Malfoy said nervously.
Harry was about to protest that it would only take a moment, when he realised that the other boy was probably a little bit afraid of being left on his own again. Especially considering the molesting that had already taken place. Not that he would ever admit it, and Harry did not intend to force the issue.
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
~~o0o~~
The two boys walked towards the library in virtual silence. Unbeknownst to each other, they were both privately relishing the chance to be this close to the object of their affections.
Draco made sure to walk as close as he could to Potter without drawing undue attention. Not that the other boy seemed to mind when their shoulders bumped accidentally. And Draco was convinced that the brush of their hands against each other was not as accidental as it seemed.
It took every ounce of his self-control not to fling his mate up against the nearest wall and debauch him in a way that only a Slytherin, no, only a Malfoy could.
The urge to see those pretty green eyes glazed over with lust was almost unbearable. Potter already had that just-shagged look going on with his hair, Draco mused silently. Now he just needed to work on the rest of him.
“That’s becoming a bit of a habit with you now,” Draco said finally, once he was sure that something other than mine would come out of his mouth.
“What?” Harry enquired. “Rescuing you?”
Seeing Draco’s nod, the Gryffindor boy grinned broadly. “Well, you do make an irresistible damsel in distress,” he teased.
Draco blinked in surprise, and then did it again. Was Potter actually flirting with him? It certainly seemed that way. For a brief moment Draco actually wished he were alone, so he could do his happy dance; he wasn’t ready for Potter to see that yet.
“Haven’t you wondered what’s causing it?” Draco asked, as casually as he could. “Why people suddenly seem to find me irresistible?”
“I guess,” Harry answered, with a shrug.
“So how come you haven’t asked about it?” Draco was genuinely curious. He knew that if the situation were reversed, he would be breaking his neck to find out what was going on.”
“I won’t say I’m not curious,” Harry admitted. “But it’s your secret, isn’t it. You’ll tell me when you’re ready. If you’re ready.”
Draco looked at his companion, and was faced with an expression so earnest, so open, that he could almost have cried.
“Thank you.” His voice was barely more than a whisper.
“It’s okay. ‘S what friends are for.”
“Are we friends then?” Draco asked a little surprised by this pronouncement, and unable to keep the hope from his voice.
Harry grinned at him and bumped their shoulders again. “I think we’d better be. You need to keep me around to defend your honour.”
Draco sank into silence, his mind working furiously to process this new development. Never, not even in his wildest dreams did he ever think Harry Potter would actually want to be his friend. He was seconds away from doing his happy dance, regardless of who was watching.
“If we are friends,” he said eventually, “would you do me a favour?”
He looked at Potter and saw the answering nod. “Sure.”
“Would you…would you call me Draco? It’s just, Malfoy reminds me too much of my father.”
“Okay, Draco.” Harry smiled warmly and Draco’s insides felt all fuzzy.
Merlin, that sounded good, he mused. This was definite progress. “Thanks, Harry,” he replied, almost shyly. Relishing the way that those few short syllables felt on his tongue.
~~o0o~~
“You looked like you had fun last night, Harry.”
Harry looked up from his breakfast into the smiling face of Ginny Weasley. “Huh?” he mumbled, through a mouthful of bacon.
“In the library,” Ginny prompted. “You and Malfoy.”
“Oh, yeah. It was okay, I guess.”
“I though you said you weren’t in the mood for the library?” Hermione interjected, a faint hurt note to her voice.
Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice. “I wasn’t. But Draco offered to help me with that Potions essay, and I didn’t want to turn down the offer, what with him being a bit of a Potions genius.”
“I could have helped you with that,” Hermione answered, looking very put out now.
Ginny rolled her eyes at this, and then latched on to something that had caught her attention. “Did you just call him Draco?”
Harry flushed a little and shot a nervous glance in Ron’s direction; thankfully, so far, the redhead was too engrossed in his food. “Yes, I did,” he answered, his tone daring anyone to criticise.
Ginny simply beamed. “Well I think it’s great. It’s about time you got past that childish rivalry.”
“You’re friends with Malfoy?” Hermione asked sharply, putting Harry’s back up instantly.
“Yes, I am. He’s changed a lot.” Harry stuck out his chin in a defiant gesture. “Don’t look at me like that, Hermione. You were telling me off for thinking he was evil the other day. Now you’re looking at me like I just announced I was best friends with Voldemort.”
Hermione sighed. “I just think you should be careful, that’s all. I mean, how much do you really know about Malfoy.”
“Not that much,” Harry admitted reluctantly.
Hermione shot him a look that said ‘exactly’. “But I intend to change that,” he snapped, irritated by his friend’s behaviour.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt, Harry. You know Lucius Malfoy is appealing his conviction, maybe Malfoy thinks that by being your friend, you’ll help his dad get off. The timing is a little convenient.”
“So what you’re saying is that he’s just using me? That Draco couldn’t possibly genuinely want to be friends with someone like me?”
“No,” Hermione cried. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just-”
“Well, it certainly sounded that way to me,” Harry said icily. He got up from his seat. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Harry pushed away from the table, his breakfast tasting like ashes in his mouth. He had expected that kind of reaction from Ron, but Hermione, she was usually the sensible one, the voice of reason in their trio. He had actually thought she would be proud of him for being grown up enough to see past six years of rivalry and make friends with Draco.
“Hold up, Harry!”
He turned round and saw Ginny hurrying after him. Despite his mood, he couldn’t help but smile. Ginny really was a godsend to him. She knew virtually everything there was to know about him, and she didn’t judge. She just trusted him enough to make his own decisions. At least he had one friend who thought he was capable of knowing his own mind.
Ginny pulled up level with Harry and slipped her hand under his arm. “Pay no attention to her,” she advised.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with her lately. She’s acting really weird.” Harry had a puzzled expression on his face.
Ginny grinned slyly. “I’m starting to think she might be jealous.”
“Of what?” Now Harry was confused.
“Of Malfoy,” Ginny explained, as if it were obvious.
“But I don’t see why Hermione would be jealous of Draco. What’s he got that she wants?”
“You,” Ginny replied with a giggle, and then scampered off down the corridor before Harry realised what she had said.
~~o0o~~
Draco was having the best day so far. First off, he had woken up that morning from the nicest dream ever about Harry. And for nicest, read smuttiest.
Then, he had bumped into Harry on his way down to breakfast. Draco didn’t think he would ever get tired of hearing his name on the other boy’s lips. And as if that wasn’t good enough, Harry had smiled at him. That heart-stopping, gut-wrenching smile that caused a tingle to shoot through Draco’s body, right from head to toe.
And to top it all off, he had had gained top marks in his recent Arithmancy assignment; Professor Vector had said the most complimentary things about this work, and Granger’s nose had been well and truly pushed out of joint.
He was so caught up in musing just how wonderful life actually was, that Draco never noticed Hermione Granger heading towards him, a look of determination in her eyes.
“Malfoy,” she called, and Draco paused on his way out of the classroom.
“Granger,” he replied coolly. “Wanting some extra tutoring, are you?”
A hard, cold expression filled Hermione’s eyes for just a moment, and Draco knew he had scored a direct hit. She was such a bookworm, that any slur on her brainpower would sting like hell.
“You got lucky, Malfoy, that’s all. And anyway, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Draco leant back against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. “Oh, really. Enlighten me, do. I’m intrigued.”
Hermione appeared a little flustered by his cool demeanour and Draco smirked inwardly.
“I want to know what you’re doing with Harry,” she burst out at last.
“Doing?” Draco repeated. “I’m not doing anything with him.”
“I saw you in the library with him last night. Laughing and joking like you were friends. What are you playing at?”
Draco rolled his eyes. “Merlin, Granger, I always figured you for the bright one. Harry and I are friends. Didn’t he tell you?”
She folded her arms defensively over her chest and scowled at him. “Of course he told me. Harry tells me everything.”
“Then I’m a little confused as to what this conversation is about.” Draco regarded her with a puzzled expression.
“I know what Harry thinks is happening between you, but he can be very naïve at times, and far too trusting.”
“Very interesting.” Draco didn’t even try to conceal a yawn. “If that’s all?” He pushed off the wall and made as if to leave, only to find a hand on his chest. He looked at the hand in surprise, and then glared coolly at its owner. “You’re touching me.”
Hermione flushed and quickly removed her hand. “I know what you are, Malfoy,” she spat.
“Oh really, and what is that exactly?” Draco’s voice was icy cold and dangerous.
Hermione flinched slightly from the tone, but would not back down. “All those years, all the times you insulted me, made out you were better than me because of my blood.”
Draco raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going.
“And all the time your blood’s dirtier than mine. I might be a mudblood, Malfoy, but at least I’m human.”
Draco recoiled slightly from the venom in the Head Girl’s tone. “So you figured it out? What do you want, an Order of Merlin? And what’s this got to do with Harry, anyway.”
“You just stay away from Harry,” she snapped. “I know what you’re doing, and it won’t work. Harry’s not gay, and even if he was, he wouldn’t want someone like you. So you‘ll just have to find some other way to get your father off.” Hermione stepped back, a smug expression on her face.
Draco couldn’t help it; he let out a snarl at this. He was so angry at hearing his deepest fear put into words. He advanced closer to Hermione, who backed nervously away from him.
“I didn’t just make out I was better than you, Granger. I am better than you. I may have Veela blood in my veins, but they are rare, magical creatures. You, on the other hand, have nothing but filthy mud blood running through yours.”
Hermione didn’t say anything in reply; she just looked over Draco’s shoulder and smirked slightly. Just as Draco turned to see what she was looking at, a rather large fist crashed into his face.
As he was recovering from the excruciating pain that had exploded across his face, Draco found himself being grabbed and slammed up against the wall. He opened his eyes to find himself looking into the outraged face of Ron Weasley.
“I warned you, Ferret. I told you what would happen if I ever heard you call her that again.”
Draco wasn’t looking at Ron anymore. His eyes were fixed on Harry, who was standing just behind his best friend, looking at Draco with a sad, confused expression on his face. Draco tried to speak, but the combination of the chokehold he was in, and the blood now trickling down the back of his throat, made his words come out as little more than a gurgle.
“Not so cocky now, are you,” Ron taunted. “I think you should apologise to Hermione.”
‘Fuck you, Weasel’, Draco thought, but the words came out as little more than an indistinct burble.
“I can’t hear you, Malfoy,” Ron cursed, as he leant in closer. “What are you…?”
Draco tensed up as he felt the Weasel’s breath on the side of his neck. Then, he heard it. It was unmistakeable. The Weasel had buried his nose in Draco’s hair and sniffed. Too horrified for words, Draco placed his hands on the other boy’s shoulders and shoved.
However, he was no match for the well-built redhead, who pinned him easily to the wall. “You’re so hot when you struggle,” Ron whispered in his ear.
Just as Draco believed that things couldn’t get any worse, he felt a wet heat trail up the side of his neck. The Weasel was licking him! Draco began struggling for all he was worth and eventually managed to get a well-placed knee between the redhead’s legs.
Ron let out a howl of pain, let go of Draco, and bent double. “You kneed me, you bastard,” he gasped.
Draco looked up from where he’d slumped to the floor. “You licked me!” he yelled in outrage, his voice still slightly croaky. “I’m going to have to burn off several layers of skin now.”
He staggered to his feet, with as much dignity as he could muster. “I’ve probably got Weasley cooties now.”
Before Draco could walk away, he felt a strong arm slide round his waist. “Come on,” Harry murmured. “I think we need to get Madam Pomfrey to take a look at your nose.”
Draco reached up to his bloody nose in surprise; he had forgotten all about that with the trauma of Weasley’s molestation. He leaned on Harry, grateful for the support, and slowly began making his way towards the hospital wing.
“You didn’t save me this time,” Draco whined.
Harry tightened his grip around Draco’s waist. “You didn’t deserve it,” he scolded. “Why did you say that to Hermione? I spent all breakfast telling them how you’d changed, and then you go right back to how you used to be.”
Draco was more than a little outraged at the unfairness of this accusation. “She started it.”
“Draco.”
“No, honestly, she did. She said…” Draco paused here, uncertain of how to defend himself to Harry without sharing his Veela heritage. But then he realised he might as well, because if Harry really believed he hadn’t changed, then he would never give him another chance anyway.
“She basically said I was an animal because I have Veela blood, and that I was just pretending to be your friend. Then she said that I should stay away from you because you would never want to be with someone like me.”
Harry came to a stop, and Draco looked at him warily, wondering if he had gone too far.
“I’ll speak to her,” Harry said finally. “She shouldn’t have said that.”
“You don’t mind?” Draco asked uncertainly.
“What, that you’re part Veela? No, of course not. I sort of already knew,” he admitted sheepishly.
Harry dug in his pocket and pulled out a clean handkerchief. He reached out and tenderly wiped some of the blood off Draco’s face. “And just for the record, she’s wrong.”
Draco looked at Harry in confusion. “About what?” he asked, trying not to wince from the pain now throbbing through his face.
“About me not wanting to be with someone like you.” Harry leant forward and placed a very quick kiss on Draco’s forehead. “Come on; let’s go get you healed up.”
Part Three