Étoile des Neiges

Chapter 7

Draco had been prepared and wasn't disappointed.

As anticipated, the very second they entered the room, everyone stopped what they were doing and erupted into cheers. Draco suffered more embraces and congratulatory pats on the back than he could possibly have imagined, but managed to keep a straight face after a fashion.

Potter's hand in his definitely helped.

What Draco had not expected, though, were the bets.

Apparently, all their cohorts had thought it wise to wager on his fucking love life and had taken sides during the last few days. Millicent, Theo, Patil Two, Goldstein, Macmillan and Thomas were the sceptical ones whereas Daphne, Blaise, Hermione, Boot, Patil One, Finnigan and Weasley were the shippers - or at least, that's what Draco thought he'd heard.

He watched with a certain annoyance as a cashmere scarf's worth of sickles was gathered at the centre of the table.

At first, Potter's grip was tense in his hand, but the more money changed hands, the more he seemed to relax.

"Why, Dean, you could have shown a little faith!" He exclaimed after Thomas solemnly swore he would give his due to Finnigan at a more appropriate moment.

Draco gritted his teeth during the division of the winnings. But if he had assumed they would resume their activities and leave him alone after that, he was wrong.

Because naturally, placing actual wagers on the issue of their private relationship-thing wasn't enough. No, they had to know every fucking detail now, didn't they? After that, Draco and Potter were asked a bunch of embarrassing questions - from who had kissed who first to, to Draco's utter mortification, did Potter join Draco before or after midnight - because of course, they had been bored shitless without them this morning and had bet on everything possible.

Draco just couldn't believe his ears.

The more questions Potter answered, the more Draco wanted to cast Unforgivables on the lot of them.

"They're not even trying to be discreet about it," he grumbled.

Potter laughed heartily. "I guess we haven't been either."

"I still can't believe they all bet on us." Draco said icily.

"You're one to talk!" Potter elbowed Draco.

"Ouch." Draco scowled at Potter who was grinning like a fool. "And anyway. I wager on little things, not on people's private life. I feel violated."

Potter shrugged, clearly shooting for casual, and missing the mark somewhat spectacularly. "But it's a good thing, right? It means they're accepting it."

Draco didn't reply. He was having trouble imagining any good in it, but he wisely refrained from saying as much.

Draco studied Potter's features while the man laughed at something he hadn't caught. His body language was revelatory, and Draco took the measure of how much Potter had been worried, despite what he had said before. One would have thought living for your friends' approval was Hufflepuff trademarked, but clearly some Gryffindors were sappy prats as well.

Anyhow, the huge grin on Potter's face was sort of contagious and Draco had to leave the group to hide his rising smile.

He wandered about the house for a few minutes and when he spotted a basket of fruits on the kitchen counter, he suddenly realised how hungry he was. He took an apple for himself and another for Potter because he was feeling generous.