Gorgeous

“You four are excused; Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, sit back down.”

They pulled out the two chairs in front of McGonagall’s desk, sitting down silently. She sighed and looked at the both of them, making it feel like when they were little kids again.

The woman sat up and folded her hands together, “you both have gotto get over this vendetta—it’s been eight years.” She said, exasperated.

Harry sat up as well, “this wouldn’t be a problem if Malfoy could keep his mouth shut.”

“Don’t act like you’re any better, Potter.” Malfoy narrowed his eyes and turned towards him, his frown sour.

“Are you joking—“

McGonagall drew her wand and silenced them both, “will you two ever grow up?

She undid her spell as they turned back towards her, “you are now adults; act like it. We’ve fought an entire war and it’s still the same thing with you two. You both need to behave maturely now because we’re not going to be here to hold your hands anymore. Especially you, Mr. Malfoy.”

Harry saw Malfoy hang his head in his peripheral vision, white-blond hair falling forward. Harry knew that since he and his family were Death Eaters, it’s been harder. All eyes on him. Harry knew what that was like, of course, but Merlin was it hard to be empathetic when it came to Draco Malfoy.

McGonagall shook her head and exhaled, “if I have to pair you both in every single class, if I have to tell every professor to put you both together, I will.”

They both looked up at her, speaking simultaneously, “what?!”

“Will you two act mature willingly?”

The two went silent for a moment, looking at her then each other. Harry stared into Malfoy’s eyes, trying to read him, before he turned his head away. Harry turned as well, rolling his eyes at the other’s stubbornness.

“Well. That’s what I thought.”

Harry’s eyes stayed on the dark, smooth wood of the desk, refusing to look either at Malfoy or the Headmistress. He could hear McGonagall taking a deep breath and setting her hands atop the wood.

“You both are excused.”

…

“I didn’t mean to say what I did back there. About the boyfriend thing.”

The walk back hadbeen silent—until Potter opened his stupid mouth again.

Draco kept his eyes forward, “yeah, well, you still said it.”

Potter looked down to his shoes, moving slightly behind Draco. They walked distantly, Draco’s arms stiff at his sides and Potter’s hands stuffed in his pockets. The silence was loud, only accompanied by their soft footsteps.

Potter, deciding to speak again, “but do you like…?”

“Blokes?” Draco finished for him, deadpan.

He silently nodded, looking back and forth between Draco and the floor, pushing his glasses up his nose. Draco was quiet for a moment, thinking of the words. What to say to the annoyingly, and frankly, dangerously curious boy beside to him.

“Not your business.” He responded tersely, earning a sigh from the other.

“But Blaise isn’t my boyfriend.” He almost laughed at the thought. He glanced over and saw Potter nodding, understandingly.

“It’s okay if you are, you know, gay.”

Draco scoffed and rolled his eyes, “oh, shut up.”

“You have to be nice to me now, remember?” Potter smirked and Draco glared at him, giving him the finger. He wished he could wipe that smile right of his smug face.

A few steps later, they reached the Potions classroom. Draco opened the door and walked in, not stopping to hold the door for the brunet; also not stopping to see him staring at him hard as if trying to explode his head.

“Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy,” greeted Professor Slughorn, “welcome back. Oh, and, I saved you both seats here in the front.”

The man gestured cheerfully to a couple empty seats in the front row, right next to each other.

“Great,” Draco mumbled, “guess this starts now.”

…

“So, how was it sitting next to your secret admirer all day?”

Hermione hit him up the back of his head, earning an “ow!” from the boy.

“What you’d expect having to be with Malfoy.” Harry exhaled, trying not to think about how this was going to be life for however long it would take until they were on good terms—or whatever met Miss McGonagall’s expectations.

“I’m exhausted. Can we stop talking about him? I already have to deal with him far too much.” Harry complained, Hermione and Ron both agreeing.

They continued to talk of other topics as they made their way to the Great Hall, but Malfoy was still very present in Harry’s mind. Even in his thoughts he was stubborn; whenever Harry tried to push him out of his head, the thoughts resisted and before he even knew it, he was thinking of him again.

Malfoy. What an arse. How stubborn can one be? Truly, it’s impressive how he’s managed to be so bloody bitter all these years. Wish I could punch that arrogant, perfect face. If he does fancy me, he has a weird way of showing it.

“Harry?” Hermione called loudly, waving a hand in front of his face.

“Hm?” He snapped out of his thoughts, looking up at the two others, who were looking at him concerned. They’ve stopped walking and were now standing at the doorway.

Hermione and Ron shared a look.

“Sure you’re okay, Harry?” Ron asked, “is it about—“

“I’m fine, promise!” He replied too quickly. There was a moment of silence before they continued on. He pushed Malfoy out of his head and focused on his friends’ conversation.

…

“Fun having to be fixed at Potter’s side, is it?”

Draco rolled his eyes at Blaise and sarcastically replied, “loads. Just brilliant.”

“It’ll to be fine; you just have to learn to get along.”

He scoffed and smoothed over his blonde hair, footsteps falling harder as a scowl plastered over his face.

“Get along? Me and Saint Potter? Don’t think so.” Draco spat, keeping his head up. He could vaguely hear his stupidity and stubbornness over his pride, but he decided to ignore it.

“At least try.” Pansy groaned in frustration.

“Not you too, Pansy.” He complained

She moved in front of him, stopping him in his tracks and holding onto his shoulders; “Merlin’s sake, we can’t afford to have anymore trouble. You can’t. I don’t like it either, but if you just try to be nice, maybe it won’t be as bad as you think. Just try, Draco.”

He was silent for a moment, contemplating her words, before exhaling and nodding.

“Fine.”

“So have your…feelings…for him just—“

“Yes.” Draco cut her off as he continued walking. He knew he was lying, and he knew they knew as well. But for now, yes; he was over Harry Potter.

…

“Morning.”

Malfoy said as monotone as ever while sitting down next to Harry. He was surprised he even spoke to him, let alone greeted him. Well, seems like they’d be getting off to a decent start today.

“Uh, morning.” Harry greeted back.

He watched Malfoy pull out a heavy, Advanced Charms textbook, sweeping a pale hand over the cover. The book looked fairly new, the cover shiny.

Apparently, he noticed he was staring before Harry did.

“What are you staring at?” Malfoy said more than asked.

“Can we share? I forgot mine.” Harry heard him let out an annoyed breath and fought the urge to take the book and throw it at him. But, he could act civil.

“Fine.” He replied in an exasperated tone, sliding the book between the two of them.

“You know,” Harry spoke, apparently daft enough to open his mouth again, “you don’t have to act so irritated every time I speak.”

“I’m not acting.”

He scoffed, “‘course you aren’t.”

Malfoy turned towards him, continuing what Harry started, “you don’t have to say everything that’s on your mind. You should be grateful I’m sharing with you.”

“Grateful? Okay—thanks for being a total arse. Good to know some things never change.”

Harry could feel the anger in Malfoy’s stare, could tell his ears were burning. Surprisingly, he stayed quiet. They stayed like that even as the professor walked to their table.

“You boys alright here?”

They replied simultaneously, never looking away from one another, “just fine.”

In the corner of Harry’s eye, he saw the professor walked away after a moment. The two looked back down to the desk and calmed down.

“Why can’t we just get along?” Malfoy muttered under his breath.

“Because it’s us.”