Emerald and Scarlet ~ Drarry

The Serpent and the Lion

Hogwarts was buzzing with excitement. The Remembrance ball was the following night. Everyone had their robes and their dates. Well, most people anyway.

McGonagall had confirmed Harry's fears that he would have to speak to some of the guests so Hermione and Draco helped him pick out some handsome new robes so he would look somewhat presentable.

He had still not talked to Draco, not about their relationship at least. The stress of looming exams and his own stubbornness got in the way every time.

He couldn't help but notice, every time anyone was talking about the ball, Draco was always watching him with a strange look in his eye, completely unnatural to his usual straight-faced demeanour.

Hermione was forcing them to study, what's new? The Golden Trio and Draco all sat around a round table in the library, their heads buried in books. Well, Hermione was.

The three boys were staring at the large clock on the wall. She had promised only three hours until they could leave, two hours and fifty-nine minutes had elapsed.

"Oh fine!" Hermione whispered, looking up from her books. "If the three of you refuse to do anything, you can go."

Exchanging smiles, Ron, Draco and Harry packed away their things into their bags.

"Come on 'Mione," Ron places a hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. Ron still did not know how to dance so Hermione was teaching him before the ball tomorrow.

"Let me finish this sentence," she said before scratching the final line of her Ancient Runes essay and placing her quill back in its case.

"Let's go," Draco whispered in Harry's ear. They headed back to the eighth year common room and their dorm to put away their things.

"What are we gonna do for the rest of the day?" Harry asked.

"Let's go out to the Quidditch pitch," Draco suggested. "Bring your Christmas present."

"Great," Harry smiled, reaching under his bed for where he had probably dropped the Call Back Snitch.

"It's gotten a little cold," Malfoy noted. "No peeping," he said, smirking as he faced away from Harry to unbutton his shirt.

Harry rolled his eyes. He had been getting changed in a room full of boys since he was eleven. He sat on his bed and stared up into the canopy. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Draco shrug off the shirt and toss it onto his bed. Who needs care when you have an ironing charm?

Harry was determined not to stare just to spite Draco, so he didn't. Focusing instead on the fake Snitch in his hands, tossing it up and down.

"Come on, Potter," Draco said, holding his broom in one hand. Harry smiled as he saw him wearing the sweater Mrs Weasley knitted for him.

"It looks cute on you," Harry smiled.

"If you say another word about it, I'm going to break your ribs," Draco snarled. Harry only laughed, grabbing his broom and walking over to Draco.

"Whatever you say," he rolled his eyes before planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Don't be gross, Potter," Draco shoved him lightly.

+ + +

"You're getting slow, Malfoy!" Harry teased as he flew beneath Draco and grabbed the snitch out of the air.

"You distracted me!" Draco complained. "That's cheating."

"Nope, don't care," Harry laughed, releasing the snitch from his grip and it flew off. Draco shot off after it with Harry following close behind him.