Untitled - A Drarry Romance

Chapter Four

I have nothing to say this time except: ENJOY :)

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Chapter Four 

The first week went by quickly. Harry was doing unusually well in Potions Class much to Hermione's chagrin. He'd already rated high in the new Potions Master's books during his first class and Harry smugly pocketed the little bottle of Felix Felicis while Draco sent envious looks his way from across the dungeon. He'd already angered Snape during his first day and gotten detention as a result which he managed to get postponed because of the new private lessons he was receiving from Dumbledore. 

All their free time had been taken up by all the homework they were required to complete. Even Hermione was having trouble coping never mind mere mortals such as Harry and Ron. Harry wondered what the rest of the year would be like if this was how much they had to do the first five days in. The little notes and presents still found their way to Harry everyday though through more discrete means than a flock of delivery owls at breakfast. Cho was avoiding Harry like the plague. Not that Harry was paying her much attention anyway. 

On Wednesday, the sixth years who signed up for it had their first Herbology class. At the greenhouse located behind the castle they were informed that they'd be working with much more dangerous plants this year so they'd know how to identify the damage that could be done by each plant, defend themselves against them and cure themselves of harmful effects of some of them. After some note copying, they were paired for a practical according to the roster and Harry was saddled with Malfoy. In each of the flower pots in front of them, they were told, a baby Venomous Tentacula. They were to attempt to silently stun the plant before it seized them unexpectedly. 

"Be careful," Professor Sprout was saying "They're very crafty and can appear stationary at one moment and swipe at you the next. Though the name is a misnomer, should they sting you the effect would be very unpleasant so I advise you all to work quickly. Begin." 

Harry was getting purple in the face because of all the effort involved. The "baby" plant which was nearly two feet tall had already swiped at him twice when he'd gotten too close. Harry had managed to dance out of the way both times no thanks to Malfoy who he was sure wasn't even trying if the fact that he was looking on, folding his arms was any indication. Letting Harry do all the work, he thought with increasing annoyance. 

Finally Harry couldn't take it any longer "What is with you, Malfoy! Are you really going to stand there throughout this whole lesson without doing anything? You aren't even friggin' trying!" Harry was fuming. He wondered why he was wasting his breath. It wasn't like Malfoy had ever answered a direct question before. Just then, the plant which had been awaiting an opportunity latched on to Harry's left arm and yanked. Quick as lightening, Harry was released and pulled out of reach before he could cry out in surprise. 

He found himself very close to Malfoy, the long fingers of Draco's left hand wrapped securely around his right fore arm. His right wand arm extended at the plant which was shrinking back even as Harry watched. 

Everyone had shifted their attention to look at the pair of them and at the same time that Draco let go, Harry pulled himself away, straightening his robes. 

"Well done, Draco," said Professor Sprout, breaking the silence "You managed to subdue the plant without uttering a word. 20 points to Slytherin. Back to work the rest of you." 

"Thanks," Harry muttered without looking at Draco. Malfoy didn't say a word but he did join Harry when he next attempted to hex the plant. They worked in near silence for the rest of the class.

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Draco avoided Harry throughout the rest of the day. He could not forget the feel of his fingers wrapped around Harry's arm or the warmth emanating from the fabric encasing said arm when he'd held on longer than necessary. He wondered if Harry, the boy who couldn't stand the sight of him, had noticed. He hadn't even though twice about it, the second he'd noticed the tentacle wrapping itself around Harry he'd performed a non-verbal hex on the stupid plant and pulled Harry to safety. He'd even wanted to check Harry's arm to see if he'd been hurt and he'd just barely restrained himself from doing so. If something had been wrong with Potter, he'd have said something. Draco didn't need to make a fool of himself especially in front of so many witnesses. It was obvious he was getting soft. A year ago he'd have left Harry to fend for himself while snickering in the background then pretended to be all helpful when Old Sprout looked their way. 

The protective instinct that had welled up in him when he thought of Harry since that morning's incident was alarming in its intensity. It was ridiculous really. If there was anyone who least gave off the idea that they needed protecting it was Potter, the arrogant git. He always seemed to be clamouring to be the centre of attention and demonstrated such fearlessness on every occassion: catching Longbottom's (a ridiculous name belonging to an equally ridiculous lad) Remembrall during their first flying lessons, arriving at school later than anyone else in a flying car, getting a ride on that stupid Hippogriff when it won't let anyone else on, stuffing his name in the Goblet... It was also ironic that while he wanted to shield Harry from harm he was going to contribute to causing him the worst hurt yet. 

Ever since he'd decided to stop fighting his feelings for Harry, Draco had tried to examine the situation from every possible angle to see if there was a way he could escape it but he'd already known it was pointless and had come up with nothing anyway. 

Everything he was doing was for his parents. He badly wanted to keep his mother safe and he'd do anything for her. She was the one he cared about more in the parent equation. He also wanted to help his father by bringing the Malfoy name back its respectability. By doing this, maybe it would help, maybe then his father would be proud of him, maybe then his father'd... Draco didn't complete the thought. It hurt too much to think of his current relationship with his dad. 

Draco had decided that he wouldn't mix these two things: his duty towards his family and his courtship of Harry. Draco would try his hardest to win Harry over. He'd also try his hardest to work on his private task. When the moment of truth came, Draco would face the consequences. Whatever they were, as long as he could have some time with Potter in the course of the year, it would all be worth it.

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Saturday was the day of the Gryffindor Quidditch try-outs. Harry had tried to put it off till next week but when he'd seen the list of names was already the length of his arm written in double columns, he'd decided to have them that day. When he'd turned up on the field, more people than had put their names down were already there waiting for him. Harry was overwhelmed until he realized some of them didn't even belong in his House. He shouted them off the field and there were a few chuckles here and there. A group of hopeless girls who had no business playing any sport let alone Quidditch were also sent off after they'd repeatedly managed to unseat Harry from his broom. After narrowly dodging a bludger and a beater try out's bat for the third time, Harry was ready to give up. Laughter floated up to Harry from under a tree across the field. Some fifth and sixth year Slytherin's were relaxing in the shade. A few of them were clutching their stomachs in mirth. Harry saw Draco was one of them and his dislike for the boy deepened. He didn't know why he'd expected anything different. Malfoy had always been the bane of his high school life. Harry had jut thought that since the incident on Wednesday.... Since Draco's manner towards him had been somewhat civil in the last couple of days... 

Harry shook his head and turned back to the waiting groups down below. He was wasting precious time thinking about Malfoy of all people when he had a team to put together. He called up the next group and five minutes later he'd forgotten all about Draco.