Thicker Than Water {a Draco Malfoy story}

one.

- O L I V I A -

I looked up from my potions textbook to see Draco Malfoy approaching from the Slytherin table. "Hey, Vance!" he said, his tone demanding attention.

I held back from rolling my eyes, "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"Why such an attitude?" He teased as he helped himself to a seat on the bench across from me. He rested his elbows on the table confidently. "I was actually wondering if you would like to accompany me to the Yule Ball."

I glanced towards the table that he had come from. Crabbe and Goyle huddled close, snickering. "It would be my pleasure," I smiled, knowing full well that they had put him up to this.

I could see the panic in Draco's eyes. He hadn't expected me to actually say yes. "Oh, well al-alright. F-fantastic," he stumbled. Without another word, he stood up and retreated to his minions. Immediately, their laughing ceased. Draco grabbed both of them by the backs of their robes, pulling them up from their seats and out of the Great Hall.

I grinned to myself, gathering my books and returning to the Gryffindor common room. This might actually make the school dance interesting.

When I arrived in the common room, Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter were knelt in front of a distressed looking Ron.

"You wouldn't guess what's just happened," I said, beaming.

Harry rose to his feet, "what?" He asked, his eyebrows knit together.

"Draco Malfoy just asked me to the Ball."

Hermione perked up from across the room. "And what did you say?"

Ron seemed to snap out of his trace, "Well, she's said no of course! She'd have to be crazy to want to go with him."

But I shook my head, "Not exactly. Y'see, I know that he asked as a joke, to try to mess with me or something. So I figured I would mess right back."

"So, you're going with him?" Harry asked, still confused.

I shrugged, "If he doesn't chicken out by then."

"Olivia, you're a bloody genius," Harry grinned.

The prospect of actually attending the Ball with Draco became very apparent on Saturday morning, the day of the event. "Here he comes," Harry said, ducking his head down and busying himself in his breakfast. I turned around to see Draco just a few paces away, a sly smile on his face.

"I'm looking forward to our time together tonight," he grinned, though his voice was shaky. I should have known that he was far too proud to back down.

"As am I," I smiled back. Our eyes met and his shoulders tensed.

But as I stared into his grey eyes, my heart seemed to skip a beat. I would definitely be lying if I said that I didn't find him to be physically attractive, but then he opened his mouth and any ounce of attraction instantly disappeared.

"I-I guess I'll be seeing you there?" He asked, crossing his arms.

I nodded, breaking our eye contact to glance down at the floor. "I guess you will be."

"Great."

"Perfect."

"Good."

He paused for a moment, waiting for me to say something. When he realized that I wasn't going to back down either, he nodded sharply and turned away, clearly defeated.

"That was the single most awkward exchange that I have ever witnessed," Hermione sighed as if she had been holding her breath.

"That was the most incredible exchange that I have ever witnessed," Harry said with a smile, "I love watching Malfoy squirm. He doesn't know what to do with himself."