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fic update
You know, I'd almost forgotten I was a writer. ^_^ And I also can't write good fluff. I hope ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
swallowmewhole appreciates my pain. ^__^
Also, many thanks tocblm, evanjeline, and most especially, to ishuca and makishef for the betas. Love you all.
LW Part 1
LW Part 2
LW Part 3
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Part 4
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry woke up to a beautiful Saturday morning sunrise, his stomach filling with butterflies at the thought of spending all day with Draco—or at least part of the day, since Draco had invited him over to his dorm, but hadn’t said when. Harry didn’t want to seem too eager. Scratch that—he really didn’t care.
Harry bounced out of his bed and made his way to the showers, where he scrubbed at his skin until he was bright pink from the roughness of the cloth and the heat of the water. He wrapped a towel around his hips and made it back to his dorm, digging through his trunk for some clothes. He settled on a shapeless maroon sweater about five sizes too big and a pair of blue jeans.
Fred ran up the stairs into Harry’s dorm to find Harry scowling at the mirror as he vainly tried to comb his hair into a semblance of neatness. "Harry—"
"I hate my hair," Harry grumbled half-heartedly, pressing down a particularly stubborn clump of hair. "Why can’t it stay neat? Draco’s hair is always nice. Look at me."
"Harry!" Fred tried again.
"Nothing’s going to impress him at all. He probably won’t even let me kiss him again." Harry continued, oblivious to the other boy.
"Harry!"
"What is it, Fred? I’m in the middle of a crisis at the moment!"
"I’ll say you are!" Fred agreed, shaking his head at his brother’s best friend. "You’re not in love with her anymore, and you didn’t even tell her?"
"Tell who—" Harry stopped dead, eyes flaring wide in horror. "Oh, God." The last thing he had been prepared to deal with, Harry realized, was his girlfriend. "Cho."
"Yes, Cho!" Fred nodded slowly. "She still thinks you two are an item! She’s downstairs, waiting to talk to you!"
"Oh, damn." Harry sat down on the edge of his bed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Damn."
"You better think of some way to tell her, Harry, or you’re going to be—"
"Thanks, Fred. I know."
Fred bounded back down the stairs and Harry got dressed slowly and went over to the mirror, his stomach churning as he struggled to find the words he would say to Cho. "Hi, Cho," he told his reflection with a bright smile. "I hope you don’t mind, but I’m breaking up with you because I found Malfoy irresistible." His reflection gave him a scandalized look, and Harry groaned. "No way. Um… Cho," he attempted again, looking at the mirror through his eyelashes, "I still like you, but I like Draco, too. Is there any way we could hook up and be a threesome, ‘cause that would be really great!" His reflection throttled itself and vanished from view. Harry smacked his forehead. "How about, ‘Cho, kill me now before I make an even bigger idiot of myself, please?’" Harry exhaled, his
shoulders slumping. "I’m doomed."
As Fred had promised, Cho was waiting patiently in the Common Room. "Harry!" Cho exclaimed, cupping his hand in hers. Cho’s hands seared his freezing fingers. "I haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been doing?"
"I—I’m okay." Harry stammered, pulling his hand away. "I’ve been, um, busy."
"I know—you have O.W.L.’s this year, don’t you? I remember my exams—it was hectic."
"Yes, I do." Harry flushed as George grimaced at him. He and Cho fell silent and stared into the fireplace.
"Listen—" they both began suddenly, and their startled laughter filled the air.
"You first, Cho," Harry offered tentatively.
"All right." Cho paused, looking down as she clasped her hands together. "Harry, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way. I mean, we’ve had a lot of fun together, but something’s missing. I don’t want to hurt you. You’re a great guy, you’re just… not the one for me."
"Cho," Harry interrupted slowly. "Are you saying you want to break up with me?"
Cho flushed, raising her eyes to his in uncertainty. "Maybe not. Break up. Just that…perhaps we should spend some time away from each other?"
"Oh, Cho!" Harry said, relief making him dizzy. "If you want to break up with me, it’s alright."
"It… is?" Cho asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes!" Harry exclaimed, nodding firmly. "Actually… that’s—that’s part of the reason why I haven’t talked to you very much. I was feeling so guilty—I mean, wanting to separate after trying so hard to get you to like me, and—"
"Harry, are you sure it’s okay?" Cho asked anxiously. "You’re not just saying this to make me feel better?"
"I wouldn’t do that, Cho. If you will be happier not dating me, I understand." Harry smiled at her hopefully. "Can we still be friends?"
"I—I…" Cho floundered helplessly, "Of course we can still be friends, Harry. I’m glad you’re taking this so easily."
"I mean, you know, it does hurt a little," Harry backpedaled anxiously, realizing he was probably being much too blithe about their separation. "But I understand. I’ll get over it." He hugged Cho gently, and they smiled at each other as they pulled away.
"Do you want to hang around here for a while?" Harry offered, gesturing at the common room.
"I’d like to, but I can’t. I have to study for my Herbology exam."
"So I’ll see you later?" Harry asked.
Cho nodded gratefully. "Yes, Harry. Definitely." She left the common room quietly, and Harry took a deep breath, the blood rushing from his head as he sat heavily in an armchair.
She doesn’t want me. She doesn’t want me. The phrase repeated in his mind as he released a tiny, surprised laugh. The twins bounded up to Harry’s side, Lee Jordan following behind at a slightly slower pace. "How lucky can you get?" Lee asked, his tone thick with admiration.
Fred started enthusiastically ruffling Harry’s hair as George cheered. "The path is clear, Harry. What’s our next move on Malfoy?"
"Our next move?" Harry asked irritably, his eyes flashing. "It’s my next move. And his name isn’t Malfoy, it’s Draco. Fred, will you quit it?" Harry demanded, batting at Fred’s hand. "What are you doing?"
"Maybe," Fred declared fervently. "If I touch you long enough, some of that luck will rub off on me!" They all froze for a moment before bursting into uncontrollable laughter, leaning against one another for support.
"And we didn’t even have to mention Draco to her!" George gasped, and Fred rolled his eyes up to heaven, thanking the higher powers silently. Harry made a face, having a suspicion that the twins were more involved in his love life than he was.
"Which reminds me," a new voice piped up, and Harry glanced toward the voice to find Colin Creevey looking at him earnestly.
"What, Colin?" he asked, and Colin leaned forward expectantly.
"How is the Great Revenge Plan going?"
"The what?" Harry asked, puzzled, as Fred and George doubled over in laughter again.
"We—" Fred gasped, and then leaned close to Harry, whispering in his ear. "Creevey asked what was up with you the last couple of days, why you were so distracted, and we told him it was because you had a Fantastically Great Revenge Plan concerning Draco. You know, Death and Humiliation by Snogging?"
Harry burst out laughing. "Oh, yeah, Colin," he snorted. "The Revenge Plan is going great! I think he’s my boyfriend now, in fact!"
Colin frowned. "Harry, that doesn’t sound like a very good revenge plan."
"Well, you know what the Slytherins say," he leaned forward with a conspiratory air. "Gryffindors are terrible at planning." The twins fell on each other; their faces turning a puce color as they choked on their mirth.
"We can’t let them think that!" Colin exclaimed indignantly.
"So, you figure out a really good plan." Harry smiled congenially. "I believe in you, Colin."
"I won’t let you down, Harry!" Colin declared, adoration shining in his eyes. "I’ll think of a really good plan—I had one before, but maybe that wasn’t bad enough…" Colin ran up the stairs to his dorm, and Harry abandoned his struggle against his laughter.
"Oh, my stomach hurts!" he wheezed, wiping tears from his eyes. "Fantastically Great Revenge Plan. Honestly! Do you think he actually believed us?"
"Who cares?" George keened. "Did you see the look on his face?" George batted his eyes at Harry. "Oh, yes, Harry!" he lisped, his voice higher than usual. "Anything you want! I’ll sit in my room and spend all day just thinking about yooouuu."
"George!" Harry flushed, shaking his head.
"Oh," Fred swooned theatrically, flinging himself on Harry’s lap. "Why can’t my hero see how much I adore him? Aren’t my big, worshiping looks telling him anything?"
Harry pushed Fred off of his lap, grimacing. "You two are unbelievable!"
"We’re just giddy from the newly resolved crisis," Fred told him solemnly.
"I think maybe you’ve just had too much coffee today," Harry retorted.
"There’s no such thing as too much coffee," Lee informed Harry loftily.
"What’s this about coffee?" Hermione asked, tilting her head curiously as she and Ron entered into the conversation.
"They’ve had too much of it," Harry told her, gesturing at the three older boys.
"We’re celebrating your break up, Harry. It’s what friends do!"
"Huh?" Ron asked, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "So you aren’t with Malfoy anymore?"
"The lovely Ravenclaw Cho Chang broke up with our dear Harry," George said pompously, pressing a hand to his heart.
"Harry," Hermione said, shaking her head in disappointment. "Honestly, I don’t know how you get into relationships at all."
"Oh!" Harry clapped a hand to his forehead. "I didn’t tell you guys, did I?"
"Didn’t tell us what?" Lee demanded.
Ron held up a hand. "Is this Malfoy talk?" he asked Harry, who blushed, and gave a nod. Ron sighed. "I’ll be over there." Ron shook his head and made his way to the other side of the room.
"Ron, don’t you want to see how it all turns out?" Hermione called after him.
Ron turned back around with a grin. "Hopefully with Malfoy in a ditch somewhere?" He looked crestfallen at the collective frown sent his way. "Or not."
George tapped Harry’s shoulder impatiently. "What didn’t you tell us?"
"Well, I met Draco at the lake before dinner last night," he told them. "And we talked." He flashed a grin at Hermione, who gave him a small smile back. "And he told me about his home a little, and it sounds pretty nice—except for the dungeons, of course—but anyway, he invited me over to the Slytherin dorm today. It’s like we
have an actual date!"
Fred shook his head. "Who’d’ve thought we’d ever be matchmaking for Harry and Malfoy?"
"So what are you going to wear?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked at her in bewilderment, shrugging his shoulders. "This?"
Hermione’s eyes narrowed in distaste. "You’re not really planning on wearing that, are you?"
"Why not?" Harry asked, looking down at his sweater. "What’s wrong with it?"
Fred frowned. "Hermione, you’re worried about what he’s going to wear?" He shook his head and looked at George. "Women."
"Fred, it’s very important," Hermione declared. "The first thing you want to do on a date is look nice. Especially with someone as fashion-conscious as Malfoy."
Harry frowned. "Really? D’you think he’d notice?"
"Of course! Have you looked at the way he dresses?" Hermione bit her lip, shaking her head as she pondered Harry. "You have nothing decent in your closet, Harry."
"I don’t?" Harry asked, alarmed, his earlier happiness curdling into sudden panic. "Is there any way you can help me?"
" I wish you would have told me sooner—I would have gone shopping with you.," Hermione mused, ignoring the disgusted look on Harry’s face. "I might have something I can transfigure for you," Hermione said, frowning at the look of horror Fred and George were giving her. "What?"
"You want Harry to wear girls’ clothes??" Fred arched an eyebrow.
Hermione glowered at Fred. "He’s a bit taller than me, but I’ve transfigured things for myself before! That’s all I was thinking. I’m not intending to make him wear my clothing, after all. After lunch, I’ll go see what I have." Hermione went across the room to sit by Ron and pulled out a book.
Harry chewed anxiously on a hangnail as he and the three other boys went up to his dorm to stare into his closet. After a quick examination that showed Harry owned nothing that actually fit besides his school robes, they explored his dorm mates closets, searching for some trousers. Ron gave a disgusted snort, and George blinked—no one had seen Ron follow them on the clothing search.
"Has it occurred to anyone but me and Hermione that breakfast
hasn’t even started, and all of you are acting much too peculiar for this time of the morning?" Ron said in exasperation. "I mean, for crying out loud, I doubt Malfoy’s going to expect you until after lunch. So relax!"
Hermione came into the room just in time to hear that, and looked at Ron in admiration. "Ron, you actually sound…logical."
Ron sighed. "Of course I do." He paused. "Hey, what do you mean I sound logical? Are you saying I usually don’t?"
Harry coughed, and Hermione arched an eyebrow. "If the shoe fits…"
Ron looked at her in confusion. "What? Hermione!" Ron huffed. He scowled and went barreling back down the stairs. Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An hour or so after lunch, Harry found himself lingering outside of the Slytherin dorms, nervously tugging at the green turtleneck Hermione had transfigured for him and wiping his sweaty hands on Dean’s designer jeans. His throat tightened as he muttered the Slytherin password, and he had to clear his throat and try again before the wall slid open.
Draco was lounging in the common room, and Harry paused for a moment to take in the view. His pale hair was brushed out of his face—still ungelled, Harry noticed happily—and he was wearing a silver button-up shirt that had the first two buttons undone. The silver shirt was tucked into black slacks; the slim lines portraying a careless elegance that made Harry wonder how long Draco had worked to achieve the effortless look. Draco looked up and spotted Harry, greeting him with a smile.
"I was just about to owl you," Draco commented as Harry stepped fully into the Slytherin common room. Draco’s eyes flashed over Harry, and he sighed in relief. ‘Oh, wonderful. I forgot to tell you it was casual. It’s good that you didn’t dress up for me." Harry flushed, but Draco had turned away, motioning Harry to the stairs.
"Although, to be honest, I never thought you had anything presentable in your closet." Draco shot an amused glance at Harry. "I suppose I should be grateful you aren’t wearing one of those awful sweaters."
"Keep it up, Malfoy," Harry growled, blushing harder, and Draco laughed.
"You’re too easy," Draco shrugged, and quickened his pace. "Anyway, my father sent the best thing ever."
"What exactly is this thing you’re so excited about?" Harry wondered as Draco pulled him into his room.
"This!" Draco motioned Harry to a polygonal box on his vanity and Harry frowned, leaning closer and pushing his glasses up his nose. He looked up curiously at Draco, who was glowing with pride and excitement. "Well?" Draco prompted, grinning.
"Um… what is it?" Harry asked, poking at it carefully.
Draco’s eyes narrowed, and he raised his chin, staring down his nose at Harry. "You would think you’ve never played games before."
"So… is this like Wizard’s Chess?" Harry wondered.
"Honestly," Draco scowled. "Do you think I’d get excited over something as simple as Wizard’s Chess?"
"All right," Harry straightened, an amused smile tugging at his mouth. "What makes it any different?"
"This." Draco waved his wand and declared, "Lusio."
Harry blinked, and found that he was facing a field of green, with a small village off to his right. He looked down to find himself encased in knight’s armor, carrying a sheathed broadsword at his side. His legs were firmly squeezing around the middle of a brown gelding, which neighed as it fought the bit.
"Draco?" Harry called in alarm.
"I’m right next to you—no need to shout." Draco rode up next to him, bonelessly elegant on his fine-boned white palfrey. He was wearing thick wizard’s robes, and he looked like he had been born to ride in the saddle.
"Why are you the wizard?" Harry demanded.
"Because, Harry, you’re the warrior." Draco glowered. "I let you be the main character. I’m the host—it would have been impolite to make you the wizard."
Harry snorted. "Admit it, you just can’t stand to be a Muggle."
Draco shrugged, offering Harry a grin. "There’s that, too."
Harry looked around again, clinging to the reins as his gelding circled with him. "What are we supposed to do, anyway?"
"You must be dense on purpose," Draco scoffed. "And sit up, your character knows how to ride. We defeat the base villains, and save the princesses." Draco’s palfrey moved ahead at a quick canter. "Come on, now. We don’t want to be too long in here, or we’ll miss dinner." Harry sighed, and nudged his gelding after Draco, who was heading towards the village.
"You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you? You want this horse to trample me," Harry muttered, wobbling in his seat and clinging to the horse’s mane.
"I’m sorry, what did you say? Horses clip-clopping and all," Draco said.
"I said," Harry declared in a louder voice, "That you’re trying to kill me!"
"Honestly, Harry. Paranoid and dense. What am I going to do with you?" Draco shook his head in amusement and looked around at the villagers as he passed them on the road.
"Draco," Harry said, riding closer to the blonde, "Why are they all staring at us like that?" Harry looked nervously away from a peasant who was giving him a particularly evil eye.
Draco shot a look towards Harry out of the corner of his eye and grinned secretively. "You’re the hero, Harry. You should be used to stares by now." Harry gulped and edged his mount closer to Draco. At least this seemed more interesting than Dudley’s racing games.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC
swallowmewhole appreciates my pain. ^__^Also, many thanks to
cblm, evanjeline, and most especially, to ishuca and makishef for the betas. Love you all.LW Part 1
LW Part 2
LW Part 3
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Part 4
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry woke up to a beautiful Saturday morning sunrise, his stomach filling with butterflies at the thought of spending all day with Draco—or at least part of the day, since Draco had invited him over to his dorm, but hadn’t said when. Harry didn’t want to seem too eager. Scratch that—he really didn’t care.
Harry bounced out of his bed and made his way to the showers, where he scrubbed at his skin until he was bright pink from the roughness of the cloth and the heat of the water. He wrapped a towel around his hips and made it back to his dorm, digging through his trunk for some clothes. He settled on a shapeless maroon sweater about five sizes too big and a pair of blue jeans.
Fred ran up the stairs into Harry’s dorm to find Harry scowling at the mirror as he vainly tried to comb his hair into a semblance of neatness. "Harry—"
"I hate my hair," Harry grumbled half-heartedly, pressing down a particularly stubborn clump of hair. "Why can’t it stay neat? Draco’s hair is always nice. Look at me."
"Harry!" Fred tried again.
"Nothing’s going to impress him at all. He probably won’t even let me kiss him again." Harry continued, oblivious to the other boy.
"Harry!"
"What is it, Fred? I’m in the middle of a crisis at the moment!"
"I’ll say you are!" Fred agreed, shaking his head at his brother’s best friend. "You’re not in love with her anymore, and you didn’t even tell her?"
"Tell who—" Harry stopped dead, eyes flaring wide in horror. "Oh, God." The last thing he had been prepared to deal with, Harry realized, was his girlfriend. "Cho."
"Yes, Cho!" Fred nodded slowly. "She still thinks you two are an item! She’s downstairs, waiting to talk to you!"
"Oh, damn." Harry sat down on the edge of his bed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Damn."
"You better think of some way to tell her, Harry, or you’re going to be—"
"Thanks, Fred. I know."
Fred bounded back down the stairs and Harry got dressed slowly and went over to the mirror, his stomach churning as he struggled to find the words he would say to Cho. "Hi, Cho," he told his reflection with a bright smile. "I hope you don’t mind, but I’m breaking up with you because I found Malfoy irresistible." His reflection gave him a scandalized look, and Harry groaned. "No way. Um… Cho," he attempted again, looking at the mirror through his eyelashes, "I still like you, but I like Draco, too. Is there any way we could hook up and be a threesome, ‘cause that would be really great!" His reflection throttled itself and vanished from view. Harry smacked his forehead. "How about, ‘Cho, kill me now before I make an even bigger idiot of myself, please?’" Harry exhaled, his
shoulders slumping. "I’m doomed."
As Fred had promised, Cho was waiting patiently in the Common Room. "Harry!" Cho exclaimed, cupping his hand in hers. Cho’s hands seared his freezing fingers. "I haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been doing?"
"I—I’m okay." Harry stammered, pulling his hand away. "I’ve been, um, busy."
"I know—you have O.W.L.’s this year, don’t you? I remember my exams—it was hectic."
"Yes, I do." Harry flushed as George grimaced at him. He and Cho fell silent and stared into the fireplace.
"Listen—" they both began suddenly, and their startled laughter filled the air.
"You first, Cho," Harry offered tentatively.
"All right." Cho paused, looking down as she clasped her hands together. "Harry, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way. I mean, we’ve had a lot of fun together, but something’s missing. I don’t want to hurt you. You’re a great guy, you’re just… not the one for me."
"Cho," Harry interrupted slowly. "Are you saying you want to break up with me?"
Cho flushed, raising her eyes to his in uncertainty. "Maybe not. Break up. Just that…perhaps we should spend some time away from each other?"
"Oh, Cho!" Harry said, relief making him dizzy. "If you want to break up with me, it’s alright."
"It… is?" Cho asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes!" Harry exclaimed, nodding firmly. "Actually… that’s—that’s part of the reason why I haven’t talked to you very much. I was feeling so guilty—I mean, wanting to separate after trying so hard to get you to like me, and—"
"Harry, are you sure it’s okay?" Cho asked anxiously. "You’re not just saying this to make me feel better?"
"I wouldn’t do that, Cho. If you will be happier not dating me, I understand." Harry smiled at her hopefully. "Can we still be friends?"
"I—I…" Cho floundered helplessly, "Of course we can still be friends, Harry. I’m glad you’re taking this so easily."
"I mean, you know, it does hurt a little," Harry backpedaled anxiously, realizing he was probably being much too blithe about their separation. "But I understand. I’ll get over it." He hugged Cho gently, and they smiled at each other as they pulled away.
"Do you want to hang around here for a while?" Harry offered, gesturing at the common room.
"I’d like to, but I can’t. I have to study for my Herbology exam."
"So I’ll see you later?" Harry asked.
Cho nodded gratefully. "Yes, Harry. Definitely." She left the common room quietly, and Harry took a deep breath, the blood rushing from his head as he sat heavily in an armchair.
She doesn’t want me. She doesn’t want me. The phrase repeated in his mind as he released a tiny, surprised laugh. The twins bounded up to Harry’s side, Lee Jordan following behind at a slightly slower pace. "How lucky can you get?" Lee asked, his tone thick with admiration.
Fred started enthusiastically ruffling Harry’s hair as George cheered. "The path is clear, Harry. What’s our next move on Malfoy?"
"Our next move?" Harry asked irritably, his eyes flashing. "It’s my next move. And his name isn’t Malfoy, it’s Draco. Fred, will you quit it?" Harry demanded, batting at Fred’s hand. "What are you doing?"
"Maybe," Fred declared fervently. "If I touch you long enough, some of that luck will rub off on me!" They all froze for a moment before bursting into uncontrollable laughter, leaning against one another for support.
"And we didn’t even have to mention Draco to her!" George gasped, and Fred rolled his eyes up to heaven, thanking the higher powers silently. Harry made a face, having a suspicion that the twins were more involved in his love life than he was.
"Which reminds me," a new voice piped up, and Harry glanced toward the voice to find Colin Creevey looking at him earnestly.
"What, Colin?" he asked, and Colin leaned forward expectantly.
"How is the Great Revenge Plan going?"
"The what?" Harry asked, puzzled, as Fred and George doubled over in laughter again.
"We—" Fred gasped, and then leaned close to Harry, whispering in his ear. "Creevey asked what was up with you the last couple of days, why you were so distracted, and we told him it was because you had a Fantastically Great Revenge Plan concerning Draco. You know, Death and Humiliation by Snogging?"
Harry burst out laughing. "Oh, yeah, Colin," he snorted. "The Revenge Plan is going great! I think he’s my boyfriend now, in fact!"
Colin frowned. "Harry, that doesn’t sound like a very good revenge plan."
"Well, you know what the Slytherins say," he leaned forward with a conspiratory air. "Gryffindors are terrible at planning." The twins fell on each other; their faces turning a puce color as they choked on their mirth.
"We can’t let them think that!" Colin exclaimed indignantly.
"So, you figure out a really good plan." Harry smiled congenially. "I believe in you, Colin."
"I won’t let you down, Harry!" Colin declared, adoration shining in his eyes. "I’ll think of a really good plan—I had one before, but maybe that wasn’t bad enough…" Colin ran up the stairs to his dorm, and Harry abandoned his struggle against his laughter.
"Oh, my stomach hurts!" he wheezed, wiping tears from his eyes. "Fantastically Great Revenge Plan. Honestly! Do you think he actually believed us?"
"Who cares?" George keened. "Did you see the look on his face?" George batted his eyes at Harry. "Oh, yes, Harry!" he lisped, his voice higher than usual. "Anything you want! I’ll sit in my room and spend all day just thinking about yooouuu."
"George!" Harry flushed, shaking his head.
"Oh," Fred swooned theatrically, flinging himself on Harry’s lap. "Why can’t my hero see how much I adore him? Aren’t my big, worshiping looks telling him anything?"
Harry pushed Fred off of his lap, grimacing. "You two are unbelievable!"
"We’re just giddy from the newly resolved crisis," Fred told him solemnly.
"I think maybe you’ve just had too much coffee today," Harry retorted.
"There’s no such thing as too much coffee," Lee informed Harry loftily.
"What’s this about coffee?" Hermione asked, tilting her head curiously as she and Ron entered into the conversation.
"They’ve had too much of it," Harry told her, gesturing at the three older boys.
"We’re celebrating your break up, Harry. It’s what friends do!"
"Huh?" Ron asked, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "So you aren’t with Malfoy anymore?"
"The lovely Ravenclaw Cho Chang broke up with our dear Harry," George said pompously, pressing a hand to his heart.
"Harry," Hermione said, shaking her head in disappointment. "Honestly, I don’t know how you get into relationships at all."
"Oh!" Harry clapped a hand to his forehead. "I didn’t tell you guys, did I?"
"Didn’t tell us what?" Lee demanded.
Ron held up a hand. "Is this Malfoy talk?" he asked Harry, who blushed, and gave a nod. Ron sighed. "I’ll be over there." Ron shook his head and made his way to the other side of the room.
"Ron, don’t you want to see how it all turns out?" Hermione called after him.
Ron turned back around with a grin. "Hopefully with Malfoy in a ditch somewhere?" He looked crestfallen at the collective frown sent his way. "Or not."
George tapped Harry’s shoulder impatiently. "What didn’t you tell us?"
"Well, I met Draco at the lake before dinner last night," he told them. "And we talked." He flashed a grin at Hermione, who gave him a small smile back. "And he told me about his home a little, and it sounds pretty nice—except for the dungeons, of course—but anyway, he invited me over to the Slytherin dorm today. It’s like we
have an actual date!"
Fred shook his head. "Who’d’ve thought we’d ever be matchmaking for Harry and Malfoy?"
"So what are you going to wear?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked at her in bewilderment, shrugging his shoulders. "This?"
Hermione’s eyes narrowed in distaste. "You’re not really planning on wearing that, are you?"
"Why not?" Harry asked, looking down at his sweater. "What’s wrong with it?"
Fred frowned. "Hermione, you’re worried about what he’s going to wear?" He shook his head and looked at George. "Women."
"Fred, it’s very important," Hermione declared. "The first thing you want to do on a date is look nice. Especially with someone as fashion-conscious as Malfoy."
Harry frowned. "Really? D’you think he’d notice?"
"Of course! Have you looked at the way he dresses?" Hermione bit her lip, shaking her head as she pondered Harry. "You have nothing decent in your closet, Harry."
"I don’t?" Harry asked, alarmed, his earlier happiness curdling into sudden panic. "Is there any way you can help me?"
" I wish you would have told me sooner—I would have gone shopping with you.," Hermione mused, ignoring the disgusted look on Harry’s face. "I might have something I can transfigure for you," Hermione said, frowning at the look of horror Fred and George were giving her. "What?"
"You want Harry to wear girls’ clothes??" Fred arched an eyebrow.
Hermione glowered at Fred. "He’s a bit taller than me, but I’ve transfigured things for myself before! That’s all I was thinking. I’m not intending to make him wear my clothing, after all. After lunch, I’ll go see what I have." Hermione went across the room to sit by Ron and pulled out a book.
Harry chewed anxiously on a hangnail as he and the three other boys went up to his dorm to stare into his closet. After a quick examination that showed Harry owned nothing that actually fit besides his school robes, they explored his dorm mates closets, searching for some trousers. Ron gave a disgusted snort, and George blinked—no one had seen Ron follow them on the clothing search.
"Has it occurred to anyone but me and Hermione that breakfast
hasn’t even started, and all of you are acting much too peculiar for this time of the morning?" Ron said in exasperation. "I mean, for crying out loud, I doubt Malfoy’s going to expect you until after lunch. So relax!"
Hermione came into the room just in time to hear that, and looked at Ron in admiration. "Ron, you actually sound…logical."
Ron sighed. "Of course I do." He paused. "Hey, what do you mean I sound logical? Are you saying I usually don’t?"
Harry coughed, and Hermione arched an eyebrow. "If the shoe fits…"
Ron looked at her in confusion. "What? Hermione!" Ron huffed. He scowled and went barreling back down the stairs. Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An hour or so after lunch, Harry found himself lingering outside of the Slytherin dorms, nervously tugging at the green turtleneck Hermione had transfigured for him and wiping his sweaty hands on Dean’s designer jeans. His throat tightened as he muttered the Slytherin password, and he had to clear his throat and try again before the wall slid open.
Draco was lounging in the common room, and Harry paused for a moment to take in the view. His pale hair was brushed out of his face—still ungelled, Harry noticed happily—and he was wearing a silver button-up shirt that had the first two buttons undone. The silver shirt was tucked into black slacks; the slim lines portraying a careless elegance that made Harry wonder how long Draco had worked to achieve the effortless look. Draco looked up and spotted Harry, greeting him with a smile.
"I was just about to owl you," Draco commented as Harry stepped fully into the Slytherin common room. Draco’s eyes flashed over Harry, and he sighed in relief. ‘Oh, wonderful. I forgot to tell you it was casual. It’s good that you didn’t dress up for me." Harry flushed, but Draco had turned away, motioning Harry to the stairs.
"Although, to be honest, I never thought you had anything presentable in your closet." Draco shot an amused glance at Harry. "I suppose I should be grateful you aren’t wearing one of those awful sweaters."
"Keep it up, Malfoy," Harry growled, blushing harder, and Draco laughed.
"You’re too easy," Draco shrugged, and quickened his pace. "Anyway, my father sent the best thing ever."
"What exactly is this thing you’re so excited about?" Harry wondered as Draco pulled him into his room.
"This!" Draco motioned Harry to a polygonal box on his vanity and Harry frowned, leaning closer and pushing his glasses up his nose. He looked up curiously at Draco, who was glowing with pride and excitement. "Well?" Draco prompted, grinning.
"Um… what is it?" Harry asked, poking at it carefully.
Draco’s eyes narrowed, and he raised his chin, staring down his nose at Harry. "You would think you’ve never played games before."
"So… is this like Wizard’s Chess?" Harry wondered.
"Honestly," Draco scowled. "Do you think I’d get excited over something as simple as Wizard’s Chess?"
"All right," Harry straightened, an amused smile tugging at his mouth. "What makes it any different?"
"This." Draco waved his wand and declared, "Lusio."
Harry blinked, and found that he was facing a field of green, with a small village off to his right. He looked down to find himself encased in knight’s armor, carrying a sheathed broadsword at his side. His legs were firmly squeezing around the middle of a brown gelding, which neighed as it fought the bit.
"Draco?" Harry called in alarm.
"I’m right next to you—no need to shout." Draco rode up next to him, bonelessly elegant on his fine-boned white palfrey. He was wearing thick wizard’s robes, and he looked like he had been born to ride in the saddle.
"Why are you the wizard?" Harry demanded.
"Because, Harry, you’re the warrior." Draco glowered. "I let you be the main character. I’m the host—it would have been impolite to make you the wizard."
Harry snorted. "Admit it, you just can’t stand to be a Muggle."
Draco shrugged, offering Harry a grin. "There’s that, too."
Harry looked around again, clinging to the reins as his gelding circled with him. "What are we supposed to do, anyway?"
"You must be dense on purpose," Draco scoffed. "And sit up, your character knows how to ride. We defeat the base villains, and save the princesses." Draco’s palfrey moved ahead at a quick canter. "Come on, now. We don’t want to be too long in here, or we’ll miss dinner." Harry sighed, and nudged his gelding after Draco, who was heading towards the village.
"You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you? You want this horse to trample me," Harry muttered, wobbling in his seat and clinging to the horse’s mane.
"I’m sorry, what did you say? Horses clip-clopping and all," Draco said.
"I said," Harry declared in a louder voice, "That you’re trying to kill me!"
"Honestly, Harry. Paranoid and dense. What am I going to do with you?" Draco shook his head in amusement and looked around at the villagers as he passed them on the road.
"Draco," Harry said, riding closer to the blonde, "Why are they all staring at us like that?" Harry looked nervously away from a peasant who was giving him a particularly evil eye.
Draco shot a look towards Harry out of the corner of his eye and grinned secretively. "You’re the hero, Harry. You should be used to stares by now." Harry gulped and edged his mount closer to Draco. At least this seemed more interesting than Dudley’s racing games.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC