Mixed Messages (A Drarry Fanfic)

Scared Potter?

(Harry)

Harry hurried to Potions, knowing he was already late. He had been talking to Ginny about what Draco had said, and was more confused than ever. Draco had been nothing but cruel and mean to her, then again, he was the same with Harry. He just couldn't understand why Draco would say such a thing. He slipped into Potions, waving to Professor Slughorn as he scrambled to his seat. Slughorn just sighed and went back to teaching. He was talking about some powerful love potion, but Harry wasn't interested, after all, he had Ginny. Ginny was perfect for him. She was smart, courageous, kind and everything Harry wanted. Maybe Draco too... Harry shot a nervous look at the grumpy Slytherin, who was watching the teacher with unusual interest.
"Now the potion is meant to attract you, so it smells like something you love or value...let's see, who'll test it out?"
Professor Slughorn asked. Harry glanced at Hermione, confused as to why her hand didn't shoot up in the air like usual.

Apparently, Draco noticed too.
"Aw, scared Mudblood?" He taunted. Professor Slughorn clapped his hands happily. "Ah! Draco! Thank you for volunteering!" Draco glared at the teacher and the stormed over to the potion, eyeing it like he thought it might bite him. Slughorn winked at Hermione and Harry.

Draco cautiously took a whiff of the potion, his face paling.
    "Well, what is it, dear boy?" Professor Slughorn asked.
    "It's er... fresh rain and um... green apple." Draco choked out, his face an unearthly shade of purple.
    "Ah! Yes, very well. Now who else?" Slughorn asked. Harry vaguely wondered what the significance of those smells were. It was no secret Draco had a thing for green apples, but fresh rain? That seemed too...simple. Lavender raised her hand and boldly stepped up to the cauldron.
   "Oh! It smells like lavender soap, cherries and cinnamon buns!" She exclaimed, winking at Ron. Ron turned scarlet and studied his shoe intently.
    "Yes, yes, very nice, very nice," Slughorn muttered to her, then turned to beam at Harry, "and what about young Potter?"
Draco laughed from across the room, obviously recovered from his embarrassment.
    "Yeah, Potter. What do you smell?"

Harry gave him a weird look as he stepped forward and inhaled the potion. His nose immediately flooded with strong cologne. Harry stepped back in puzzlement. He sniffed again. This time he could also detect the scent of sugar cookies in the oven. It was most perplexing, and he didn't realize he'd been staring until Professor Slughorn asked "well?"
Harry lifted his eyes to him.
    "Uh. Cologne and sugar cookies."

The class began to chatter excitedly. Draco began to laugh.
    "Wow, something nearly as weird as you." Harry turned to give him a piece of his mind, but Hermione stepped forward.
    "Oh shut it! Leave Harry alone, Malfoy." Draco snickered.
    "Oh Potter, whatever will your girlfriend think of this?"
Ron glanced at Harry.
    "You have a girlfriend? Why didn't you tell me, mate?"
Harry shook his head.
  "No! I don't. Malfoy's just being a liar."
Draco chuckled.
    "Oh am I? The why did I see you snogging Ginny in the hallway? Oh wait. Did you not know?" Draco asked, fake innocence dripping from his words. Ron went white. Slowly, he turned to Harry.

    "Ron, I-," Harry began, but Ron stopped him.
    "Is it true? You've been snogging my sister behind my back? I'm..I'm your best mate! You aren't supposed to keep this from me!"
Ron turned and stormed from the room, much to Slughorn's dismay.
    "Alright now, that's enough! We are going to brew this love potion, and you will be in partners. Since you and Malfoy can't behave yourselves," Slughorn said, turning to Harry, "you are the first pair. Grab a book and turn to page 783."

Harry knew better than to argue. He nodded his head and trudged over to the shelves, grabbing a tattered book and then stomping his way over to Draco. Slughorn shook his head and proceeded to pair Hermione with Neville. Harry couldn't tell which pairing would be more disastrous. Harry flopped into a seat beside the blond and flipped to the page. Both he and Draco were silent, and then Harry cleared his throat and pointed to the page.
    "Uh. Well. Could you go gather some Unicorn tears from the "rare" shelf?" He asked. Draco snorted.
    "No, Potter. You can get it yourself. I'm not your house elf."
Harry rolled his eyes and stalked over to the shelf. This was going to go disastrously.

He set all the ingredients onto the table and studied the writing, trying to see under the scribbles of some previous owner. Suddenly, Harry felt a hot breath on his neck and turned, so suddenly he collided heads with Draco.

    "Ow! Bloody hell! Can't you watch what you're doing, Scarhead!?"
Harry felt rage well up inside him.
    "Maybe you shouldn't get so close then. What were you doing anyways?"
Draco rubbed his head, looking insulted.                "Trying to read, obviously. What's wrong with your book?"
Harry noticed his cheeks flushed a bit, and he felt suspicion rise. If it was anyone else Harry would've suspected he was...smelling him? Harry sighed.
    "I dunno. Someone's written all over it and I can't see the recipe. I suppose we'll have to listen to these instructions."

    "Ugh, Potter. You're going to ruin this!" Harry glared.
    "Then why don't you get your own book, Malfoy, and do something useful for once?" Draco laughed.
    "I would, but there's only enough books for one partner to have one. We'll have to share your book. Believe me, I'd rather have a proper book, not a useless hand-me down scribble book."
Harry rolled his eyes.
    "If it bothers you so much, why don't you go complain to Slughorn? While you're at it, go complain about us being paired together. It is what you do best."

Suddenly, Draco grabbed Harry's tie and pulled him so close to the Slytherin he could feel his breath on his cheeks. Draco's steel gray eyes stared intently into his.
    "No, Potter. Complaining isn't what I do best. Not that you'd bother to find out."
Harry found his eyes wandering Draco's face nervously. Draco noticed and barked out a laugh. It sounded like glass breaking. He pulled Harry a smidge closer, raising his eyebrow.     "Scared Potter?"
He breathed. Harry shivered. Draco suddenly glanced at Harry's lips, released Harry's tie and turned back to his potion.
    "Now then, Potter. What do we do now?"