Draw The Line

The First Step: Chapter 29

Wednesday meant potions, which was a class Harry had with Draco.

They were on better terms of course, but Draco and Harry had been avoiding each other after what had happened after the last party. It was simply too awkward. Not to mention, Harry was still slightly upset over Draco's rejection.

"Today we will be brewing a potion called . Does anyone know what it does?" Slughorn asked. He was standing at the front looking around at everyone. Harry often felt like he was in a glass jar around him, like some sort of attraction.

Hermione was quick to raise her hand and Slughorn happily called on her. "It's a potion made from the Alihotsy plant, sir, it causes uncontrollable laughter."

"Correct Miss. Granger! Ten points to Gryffindor! Now does anyone know the ingredients?"

When no one actually raised their hand, Slughorn moved towards the board to write up the ingredients and directions and soon everyone was set to work.

Harry and Draco set to work as they normally did, working in harmony and complete silence. Harry still felt the awkward tension, but it wasn't as strong while they were working.

"Can you go get the Alihotsy leaves from the pantry? We need more than I have in my potion kit," Draco asked.

"Sure," Harry said before quickly hurrying off.

When he entered the room, though, he quickly realized he probably should have asked what they looked like. His eyes traveled over the many jars and glass containers and then decided he should start looking on the left side first.

Draco was stirring the potion back at the table and had been for some time before deciding to check what had held up Harry. He looked the potion over to make sure it was okay to leave and then headed back to the store room.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked when he walked in to find Harry shuffling around the jars on the bottom shelf.

"Ugh!" Draco's sudden appearance startled Harry and he groaned when he hit his head on the shelf above him. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm looking for the leaves." Harry rubbed the back of his head as Draco rolled his eyes at him.

"They're over here," Draco said as he reached for a small box on the right side.

"Oh," Harry said, and then suddenly he had an idea. He quickly stepped in front of the door, successfully trapping Draco in the room.

"Uh- what are you doing?" Draco asked warily, glancing at the door behind Harry.

"I want to ask you something, and you've been avoiding me."

Draco didn't reply, only stared hard at the door.

"Last Friday... I know you remember it or you wouldn't be acting like this. Did you mean anything by it?"

"No," Draco said, but the answer was just a tad too quick.

"Draco-"

"No, it didn't mean anything, now if we can get back to our work-"

"Draco, I'm not asking for much here. I just want you to be honest at least," Harry said and Draco finally turned to look at him. Harry could see the fear lurking in his eyes, but he pressed on, "I like you. A lot. I don't want to pressure you, and if you really don't want to I'll back off, but I wanted to ask you out. On a date."

Draco sucked in a breath, and stared intently at Harry.

"It doesn't need to be some grand thing and we don't have to tell anyone, but I'd like to go on an actual date with you."

"You want to go on a date with me?" Draco finally said, eyes drifting down to the box of Alihotsy leaves he held in his hands.

"Was that not clear?" Harry gave a little laugh. "I want to, if you'll let me."

"I can't. My father-"

"Doesn't need to know. We can keep it a secret and we can always blame it on our punishment if we're caught," Harry said, and a bit of a mischievous look came about his features.

Draco felt himself start to crumble as he saw the look on Harry's face. He really loved him and that look was beyond cute. If his father didn't know, why shouldn't he enjoy himself a little bit...

"Alright," Draco said, a blush dancing its way across his cheeks.

"Really?!" Harry said and the way his eyes lit up, it made Draco want to melt.

"Yeah, I would like to. As long as my father doesn't know."

"My lips are sealed," Harry said, miming zipping his lips shut.

Draco figured it was a muggle thing as the gesture made no sense, but it flooded him with a sense of happiness at how happy Harry looked.

"We should get back to the potion before it boils over."

"Oh shi- I forgot about that!" Harry said quickly, jumping away from the door and tugging it open.

Draco shook his head, following, "git."

A/N: Wow! 5k reads! Thank you guys so much!

Also, thank you all for the birthday wishes, you guys are all too nice!

Since the quarantine is nearing a close and we're all slowing going to go back to our usual daily lives, Draw The Line is going to return to an update schedule of once a week unless I decide otherwise. I want to make sure I can build a pretty big bumper so I don't have to go back on hiatus. Thanks for your patience!

*Image not mine, it belongs to alek.dar on Instagram*