all the wrong choices // drarry

cheery

The eighth-years had double Charms first thing next day. Professor Flitwick asked them to split into pairs. Harry knew Ron and Hermione would partner up together, and looked around the room for another friend to work with, but everyone else was already in a pair. He was about to ask Professor Flitwick if he could work as a three with Ron and Hermione, but Flitwick spoke first.

"Ah, Mr Potter, you've no partner; neither does Mr Malfoy. The two of you can work together."

Knowing there was no way out, Harry nodded glumly. He was expecting to hear some sort of roar of protest from the back of the classroom where Malfoy was sitting, but there was no such disturbance. Instead, Harry heard footsteps walking swiftly across the classroom and then Draco Malfoy was sitting down beside him.

Harry looked up in surprise. "No Parkinson today?"

"Afraid not," Malfoy replied curtly.

Professor Flitwick began instructing them on what to do, but Harry continued speaking, dropping his voice to a low whisper. "Has she finally realised how much of a git you are?"

"No," Malfoy replied sourly. "She's pissed off with me."

"How come?" asked Harry, hastily scribbling a note of what Flitwick was saying.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Malfoy looked at him, smug. "Never you mind, Potter. All you should be worrying about is practising ... whatever it is he wants us to do."

" Non-verbal Cheering Charms ," Harry told him, reading off the blackboard. "Get ready to work with me and be happy, Malfoy."

Malfoy snorted. "You're very sure of yourself."

Harry shrugged. "I'm good with a wand."

"Oh yeah?" Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Is that all you're good with?"

Harry felt colour rushing to his cheeks. "Wh-what?"

Malfoy grinned, and Harry wasn't sure if it was a nasty smile or a genuinely-humoured smile. It seemed like the latter, owing to the light in Malfoy's eyes Harry had never seen before. Then again, he might have been imagining it. It wasn't like he'd paid very much attention to the cloudy grey of Malfoy's eyes before...

"Go on then," said Malfoy. The usual patronising tone in his voice was absent, Harry noticed. "Charm me."

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" Harry mumbled, going over his notes. If Malfoy had heard him, he didn't say anything. Harry turned back to him, his wand outstretched. He waved it and screwed his eyes shut as he thought about carrying out the spell in his head. When he opened them again, Malfoy was smiling.

"Did it work?" Harry asked, excited.

Malfoy laughed. "You wish. I was only laughing at the stupid expression on your face. Did you even try?"

" Yes ," Harry rolled his eyes. "How am I supposed to know if the charm's working if you fucking smile on purpose?"

"Touchy, aren't we?" Malfoy grinned again. There was much less friendliness in this smile, but Malfoy was still not being as hostile as Harry was used to.

"Can we please just do this properly?" Harry groaned, wishing time would pass faster.

"Alright, alright," Malfoy said. His smile vanished and instead, he pulled a very stupid frown. Harry rolled his eyes again.

"Merlin's balls, Malfoy, I will hex you-"

"Fine!" said Malfoy testily. He pulled a straight face. Harry tried to focus all of his anger into the spell. He closed his eyes again and concentrated on the words, but did not say them. He waved his wand and opened his eyes again. Malfoy was not smiling. Not even a little bit.