The Binding Potion- A Drarry Fanfiction

The Binding Potion- Chapter Eleven

Harry's P.O.V (Wednesday)

I feel like I'm on fire.

My entire body seemed to have contorted in shock at Malfoy's touch. Now, my fingers reside under Malfoy's hand and I, frankly, don't know what to do about it or why my body is reacting this way. What in the name of Merlin is happening to me!? I wrack my mind for possible answers and one presents itself, but I quickly push it away. No way is that the answer. I won't even allow myself to think about it. One question I will allow myself to ask though is...

Why has Malfoy yet to move his hand?

Surely he has noticed his mistake. Is this some sort of challenge? Testing who will wuss out and move their hand first? No, that's ridiculous. We have gotten over the phase of petty arguments... right? I glance towards Malfoy's direction from the corner of my eye, trying to pick up any giveaways on his face about his feelings on the situation, but his face reveals nothing. He just looks content and calm, reading his book. Merlin, has his jawline always been so sharp? Wait what? Confused by my own thoughts, I simply surrender to the situation and do nothing. Five minutes go by before the first class bell rings in the distance, indicating it is time to make our way out of the Great Hall. Malfoy snaps his book shut and begins to stand up, separating our touching hands in the process. He looks completely unbothered like he didn't even notice. I should think nothing of it as well, but I don't. I care and I don't know why. This is a nightmare and a confusing one at that. Malfoy wishes his friends goodbye and I do the same.

Four out of five of our classes go by without incident. All of them involved individual work so not much conversation was exchanged between Malfoy and I. I also found myself over-analyzing breakfast in my head quite a lot. One thought keeps popping up that I, at first, beat to death with a mental metal bat whenever it popped up, but now I am forced to at least let it into my head. What if I like Malfoy... like, like like him? I am not gay, because I know I like Ginny. Plus, I am technically still dating her even though we haven't spoken in months. Do I still even like her like that? I am surprised by my own thoughts. Of course, I like her! We are just... going through a rough patch. My head is starting to hurt from all this overthinking, I need to just stop. Malfoy and I have one more class, Potions, so I need to focus on surviving that.

We make our way to Potions in silence. I catch a small smile residing on Malfoy's lips as we walk down the winding corridors. I have caught that smile on Malfoy's face multiple times today and I don't know what it is about. I wouldn't have found it weird if Malfoy didn't have a resting bitch face. If he is smiling, there is a reason. Maybe it's about breakfast? No! Stop thinking about that! I need to focus! As I battle my thoughts, Malfoy and I arrive in Potions and take two seats behind one cauldron. As per usual, next to the cauldron is all the ingredients we need to make whatever potion we are making today and the instructions on how to make it. Mr. Leafgally enters the room and starts talking about whatever we are doing today, but I am not listening. Before I know it, everyone has started working on their potions and I have no idea what's going on. So much for being focused. Malfoy must have noticed my confused expression as I can hear a sigh from next to me. I turn to face him and see him shaking his while looking mockingly "disappointed":

"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, Potter. When will you learn Potion requires your full attention and focus?"

I roll my eyes and respond:

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just tell me what's happening"

He smirks in triumph at his victory of proving me inattentive and says:

"We are making a fast-growth potion. It's usually used in Herbology in cases of emergencies when certain plants are needed right away. It's usually avoided because it has been known to diminish their magical property potency. First, we need to slice the jumping beans into four slices. You will do that while I begin peeling the rainbow cabbage"

First, wow he is such a nerd. Second, wow he is bossy. I don't want to cut the jumping beans, this is what got us into this binding mess in the first place! The last thing I want is to spill a growing potion with lessening magical effects on me. Still, pride stops me from retorting or admitting defeat. I begin to start to try and slice jumping beans for the second time this week and, unsurprisingly, am failing at it terribly. I look over to Malfoy to see if he has seen me being a complete mess and he, unfortunately, has, judging by his disappointed look and raised eyebrows. But, instead of getting mad like last time, he simply asks me:

"Do you want me to help teach you how to slice those?"

I am surprised by this offer and am, at first, hesitant to agree because I still would like to keep some of my pride intact but, in the end, I give in and accept his offer.

"Yeah, that would be nice."

I am slightly startled when he stands up and makes his way behind me, but I attempt to keep my outward appearance unbothered. He leans down, his chest touching my back, and reaches his hands out in front of him. He grabs my hands to help guide me through the process of cutting the jumping beans. Apparently, the beans are not alone in jumping at the moment if you know what I mean. My heart is pounding out of my chest and my face burns red. His face is positioned over my left shoulder as he whispers instructions that I don't catch a word of. I watch as he guides my right hand, which is holding the knife, over to a jumping bean in which he has pinned down with my left hand. He slices it effortlessly using my hands and we do this for two more of the jumping beans.

"Do you think your ok to do it on your own now?" he asks in a quiet tone.

"Huh?"

"...Do you think your ok to do it on your own now?" he asks again, this time with a bit of confusion grazing the edges of his voice.

"Oh.. ye-yeah"

I want to slap myself for being so stuttery but use all my strength to keep focus and try and remember how he used my hands to cut the feisty ingredient. In the end, I am able to cut the beans effortlessly with the memory of his hands on mine. It takes a good ten minutes before my body returns to a semi-normal functioning level. I also begin to notice the whispering and curious stares being sent towards Malfoy and I's way. I look over to Malfoy to see if he notices the stares of our classmates, but only notice the same small smile he has been wearing all day grow slightly wider in the firelight of the boiling cauldron.