Growing Love

Courting

Draco walked through the archway of his secret hideout. He looked around and...

Nothing.

It wasn't empty no. Because there was a huge snake curled up in the middle of the area. But there was nothing else. No rose, no Harry... nothing. Draco let out a defeated sigh. He was about to leave when something caught his eye. Strange how things seemed to appear out of nowhere. Or is it really?

He walked closer. It was a plastic goodie bag of his favorite sweets. He jumped with a squeak when the giant head of the snake nudged him. He placed a hand over his racing heart.

"The fuck." He breathed out.

But now that the snake had moved he saw something else. It was green and looked like some sort of silk cloth. He raised an eyebrow and walked closer. He paid no mind to the snake leaving the area. And because he paid no mind to that he didn't notice anything else.

It took him one too many minutes to actually register the whole area. The green silk cloth covered a box. And on top of the silk was a single rose. The snake had walled off a rather small cozy area. In the area was a fluffy blanket. On the blanket was the six pillows Snape had taken from the common room. They formed a sort of arch. In the center was the stuffed snake. At the bottom was another blanket rolled up. Close to the wall was a basket. On the opposite side of it all stood a person.

"Took you long enough. I thought I was going to freeze to death. Good thing Adriana showed up when she did."

Draco frowned. "Adriana?"

"My hybrid spirit snake."

"Oh. So what's this?" Draco picked up the box.

"Open it."

"Harry I'm not in the mood for games."

Harry smiled. "Yet you ran around chasing clues looking for me."

Draco huffed. He stuffed the silk in his pocket after sending the rose off to be with the rest. He opened the box slowly and eyed Harry. Inside the box were two separate things. One was a ring. No not an engagement ring. Don't jump the broom. It was a family crest ring. The other thing was a hand crafted, white gold, with emerald eyes, statue of a ferret.

"What is this?" Draco asked.

Harry chewed his lip. "I know it's not like one hundred percent by the book traditional. But ammm... It's a courting gift. I planned on sending it to you before time got away from me."

Draco frowned. "You. Harry James Potter. Saviour of the Wizarding World. Muggle raised wizard. Know about the very old tradition of courting?"

"I stumbled across it when I was reading up about history. I had the ammm ferret made during the summer. The family ring I found in one of my vaults." Harry was shifting from side to side now.

Draco slipped the ring onto his middle finger and it adjusted immediately. He closed the box and shrunk it down to fit in his pocket. Harry still hadn't looked at him. Draco reached forward and brushed his fingers over Harry's cheek. Harry leaned into the touch.

"I hate you." Harry jumped back. "Let me finish. I hate you for staring this courtship because now I can't kiss you. And I really want to kiss you."

Harry sighed. "So... you're accepting."

Draco smirked. "Yes of course. How could I say no to the Harry Potter. The boy I've had a crush on since 3rd year. So what's all that?"

"Our first date. Something special. To impress. I hope I impressed you." Harry smiled.