Pawprints

12. Harry Tries New Things

Severus huddled closer into his jacket, pulling his scarf tighter around his neck and shuddering as he rubbed his hands together and let out a puff of air, watching the white clouds that appeared around him. It was the last week of November and the air had grown extremely chilly. There were constant downpours and faint snowfalls. The weather was absolutely miserable but so beautiful, absolutely perfect to take Ajax and Black on walks.

Ajax and Black had become well trained by now to go on their own and return. They were supplied with magical collars that had location charms cast on them. If Severus thought Ajax was in trouble all he had to do was cast Locus oculus and he would be able to see where Ajax was at that moment.

Severus walked into the Great Hall, breathing in the warm air and the smell of spices that permeated the room. He sat at the Head Table, smiled his usual predator like grin at the others and sat back in his chair, sighing softly as the warming charms on the chairs soothed his limbs. He scanned the room, mind foggy as his muscles relaxed as he basked in the warmth that surrounded him.

His eyes were drawn to Potter, who was chatting animatedly with his friends, a smile dominating his face and emerald green eyes twinkling. Potter had abandoned his round spectacles and was trying to get used to a Muggle contraption called contact lenses. They looked vile to Severus, and he had heard many a gory story about the lenses getting stuck and having to fish them out from your eyes. 

Severus wished Potter would rather keep his eyesight bad as it is, rather than fiddle with these lenses and probably lose his eyesight completely. Unfortunately, the loss of Potter's glasses highlighted his beautiful features, his angelic face and chiselled jaw were more prominent than ever and his shaggy hair framed his face, making his eyes stand out in contrast.Potter looked up at Severus, almost as if he had felt Severus staring at him. He gave Severus a small smile, cheeks flushing as he looked away before anyone noticed. Severus sighed, Potter was adorable.

Draco watched Severus as he looked at Harry, noting the look on Severus's face. His eyes looked dreamy and his gaze didn't leave Potter. Severus seemed to be falling hard for the boy, but Draco knew that the two of them had a physical connection but wasn't very sure if they shared much emotionally He knew that the lessons they had brought them closer and that Potter had started opening up to Severus. Potter would talk to his friends about his lessons and Luna was a part of these conversations. She would occasionally tell Draco about Harry and his progress in his lessons.

Although Draco and Harry were civil with each other and had accepted each other into their social circles, they were not necessarily friends. More like acquaintances. They had certainly shared a laugh or two when they all went out to Hogsmeade on the weekends, and Draco knew Harry was slowly warming up to him.

It would be Professor Slughorn's dinner that Friday for his club members, and this year all of the Eighth Years had been invited. The whole of Dumbledore's Army as well as a few other students from influential families were invited. Luna had needed to get new dress robes and Draco had accompanied her to Diagon Alley. It had been a very fun experience for Draco compared to his normal shopping trips. Luna tried on so many outfits and what fascinated Draco the most was her expression as she tried them on. She had finally decided on dark green robes with black accents and shiny olive green highlights.

Draco knew it was a lot different from what Luna normally chose to wear and that the colour she chose was out of respect and love for him and was another way of showing him how much he meant to her. He was extremely touched and he had let her know that he understood her gesture that night. Draco sighed and smiled to himself as he remembered the passion they shared that night, how soft her skin was and how beautiful she looked as she sighed, her golden hair tumbling and her hands gripping the sheets. But a gentleman never tells.

Ron poked at his roast chicken. He had some plans for Christmas and they were worrying him. He needed to talk to Harry in private and get a deferent perspective. Hermione noticed Ron playing with his food and lightly tapped his thigh. He gave her a small smile and shook his head. She squeezed his hand gently and went back to buttering her dinner roll. Ron tried to signal at Harry that he wanted to talk to him in private after dinner. Harry was talking to Neville, body slightly angled away from Ron as he spoke. Ron tapped Harry's arm. Harry gave Ron a quick look, nodded and went back to talking to Neville.

Ron frowned. Harry's scarf had slipped and there were familiar blueish red marks on his neck. They looked painful and the duo of love bites stood out starkly against his pale skin.Who was Harry's vampire?

Harry turned to Ron and Ron gave him a pointed look. Harry blushed and shifted his scarf. Ron grinned and Harry looked at his food, heat rushing to his cheeks.

"I need to speak to you about something, can we head to the dorms saying we need to sort out our outfit for Slughorn's?"

Harry nodded at Ron. "Slughorn's is on Friday?" asked Harry as he popped a few roasted cloves of garlic into his mouth.

"You're seeing a vampire for sure," Ron said as he sniggered at Harry.

Harry blushed and looked away, a slight smile on his face.

Suddenly the hall was filled with the smell of pumpkin spice, and everyone sighed breathing in the comforting smell. Smiles filled faces as the house-elves brought in steaming portions of pie and a huge cheer went up in the Hall. The elves beamed and bowed before scuttling off to the kitchens.

Harry heaped a huge mound of pie and whispered to Ron who was staring at the pie as if it was the love of his life. "Hermione looks jealous at the way you're staring at the pie. Should I tell her you're going to propose?"

Ron choked. "How did you know? That was what I wanted to talk to you about anyway"

"I saw you looking at those rings mate, and trust me she'll say yes"

Ron beamed and dug into his pie. He looked up at Hermione and gave her a cheeky smile. A slow soft smile filled her face and she ruffled his hair hugging him close.Harry sighed as he watched the two of them. How he wished he had that.

As they were getting ready for bed, there was a loud groan from Harry."For Merlin's sake, I forgot to take these lenses off. Man they're bloody annoying, I'm just gonna go back to my glasses"

Loud cackles of laughter broke out in the dorm as Harry sighed and walked towards the toilet. "We told you mate, those Muggle things are hard to use" Ron added at Harry's retreating form.

"Yeah mate, my mum's contacts have gotten stuck in her eyes so many times. They're nasty pieces of work anyway" chipped in Dean who was laying with Seamus in their double bed.

Harry heard the swish of robes and felt a pair of familiar warm hands encircle his waist.

"The lenses were great cos I could see your eyes, but these glasses make you so sexy."Severus bent to kiss Harry and Harry moaned in anticipation. Severus held Harry's face in his hands and kissed him softly on the forehead.

"Goodnight Potter"