The library
The next day, the atmosphere in the library was different. It was quieter than usual, with only the soft rustle of pages and the occasional cough breaking the silence. The large windows let in beams of sunlight that filtered through the dust motes, casting a warm, golden hue over the ancient bookshelves.
Harry was already seated at their usual table when Draco arrived, his head buried in a thick tome about the Draught of Peace. His face was set in a determined expression, clearly trying to focus on the task at hand despite the lingering tension from the previous day. Draco watched him for a moment before making his way over, trying to suppress the strange mix of anticipation and unease that had been building in his chest since their last encounter.
"Potter," Draco greeted as he sat down across from him, placing his own stack of books on the table.
Harry looked up, his expression unreadable. "Malfoy," he replied curtly before returning to his book.
Draco smirked slightly, but the playful glint in his eyes from the day before was more subdued. He could tell Harry was trying to keep things strictly professional, but that only made Draco more determined to keep up his act. It was all part of the bet—one that was becoming increasingly complicated.
They worked in silence for a while, both of them immersed in their research. Harry was taking notes meticulously, his brow furrowed in concentration. Draco found himself watching Harry more than his own work, noting the way his fingers drummed lightly against the table when he was deep in thought, or how he bit his lip when he was trying to understand a particularly difficult passage.
After a while, Draco decided to break the silence. "You know, Potter, you're quite good at this."
Harry looked up, clearly taken aback by the compliment. "At what?" he asked cautiously.
"Potions," Draco replied smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "I mean, you're no Snape favorite, but you've got a knack for it. I suppose even you have your talents."
Harry narrowed his eyes, clearly unsure whether to take it as a genuine compliment or just another one of Draco's jabs. "Thanks... I guess," he said slowly.
Draco gave him a half-smile, letting the tension linger in the air for a moment. "Just thought I'd point it out. I know it's not often I have something nice to say."
Harry snorted softly, finally relaxing a little. "You can say that again."
They continued working, the silence between them now less strained. Draco decided to push the boundaries a bit further, leaning forward slightly as he spoke again. "You know, Potter, I've been thinking..."
Harry looked up, his expression guarded. "About what?"
Draco let his gaze linger on Harry's for a moment before he continued, his voice low and deliberate. "About our little arrangement. We make a pretty good team, don't we?"
Harry blinked, clearly not expecting that. "We're just doing a project, Malfoy."
"Maybe," Draco said with a shrug, "but I think we complement each other well. You, with your Gryffindor determination, and me with my... Slytherin ingenuity. We could be unstoppable, you know."
Harry frowned, clearly unsure of where this was going. "What are you getting at?"
Draco leaned in a bit closer, his tone becoming almost conspiratorial. "I'm saying, Potter, maybe we don't have to be at each other's throats all the time. Imagine what we could achieve if we worked together... properly."
Harry's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping back into his expression. "You're up to something, Malfoy. I don't know what it is, but I'm not falling for it."
Draco raised his hands in mock surrender. "No tricks, I swear. Just... think about it. We're stuck working together anyway. Why not make the most of it?"
Harry studied him for a long moment, clearly torn between disbelief and the possibility that Draco might actually be serious. "I'll think about it," he finally said, though his tone was still wary.
Draco nodded, satisfied for now. "That's all I'm asking, Potter."
They returned to their work, but the air between them was charged with an undercurrent of something new—something that wasn't entirely antagonistic. Draco could tell that Harry was still on edge, still waiting for the other shoe to drop, but there was also a hint of curiosity there, a small crack in the walls Harry had built up.
As they packed up their things at the end of the study session, Draco caught Harry's eye one last time, letting his gaze linger just a little longer than necessary. "Same time tomorrow?" he asked casually.
Harry hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah... sure."
Draco smiled, a genuine one this time, and walked away, leaving Harry standing by the table with a look of confusion and something else Draco couldn't quite place. As he exited the library, Draco couldn't help but feel a strange thrill of satisfaction. The bet was evolving, becoming more intricate, more dangerous. But Draco had never been one to back down from a challenge.
And something told him that Harry was starting to realize that too.
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As Harry and Draco packed up their materials at the end of the study session, the familiar, ominous presence of Professor Snape suddenly loomed over their table. His black robes seemed to absorb the dim light of the library, and his dark eyes flickered between the two students with an intensity that made the air feel even heavier.
"Potter, Malfoy," Snape said in his low, drawling voice, "I trust your research on the Draught of Peace is progressing satisfactorily?"
Harry tensed, as he always did when Snape was around, but he nodded curtly. "Yes, Professor."
Draco, on the other hand, offered a small, respectful bow of his head. "Of course, Professor Snape. We've made quite a bit of progress, haven't we, Potter?"
Harry shot Draco a wary glance, but nodded again, feeling the weight of Snape's gaze on him.
Snape's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he studied them. "Good," he finally said, his tone cold and clipped. "I expect nothing less than perfection from the two of you."
Snape's gaze lingered a moment longer, his lips curling into what might have been the faintest hint of a smirk. "Given your... capabilities, I trust you understand the importance of this project. The Draught of Peace is a delicate potion, and it requires both precision and concentration. I expect you both to contribute equally and uphold the highest standards."
Harry shifted uncomfortably under Snape's scrutiny, while Draco maintained a composed demeanor, though he could feel the pressure mounting. Snape's presence always seemed to magnify the intensity of any situation, and this was no different.
"Yes, Professor," Harry said, his voice steady despite the discomfort.
Snape's gaze moved from Harry to Draco. "And I assume you have been following the guidelines I set for this project? No shortcuts or personal adjustments?"
Draco inclined his head slightly. "Absolutely, Professor. We've adhered strictly to the guidelines."
"Good," Snape said. "Remember, any deviation from the prescribed methods could lead to undesirable results. I will be monitoring your progress closely."
With that, Snape turned on his heel and walked away, his robes swirling dramatically behind him. Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and turned to Draco.
"Why did he have to show up now?" Harry muttered, his frustration clear.
Draco shrugged, though he was feeling the pressure too. "It's Snape. He's always lurking."
The two of them packed up their things in silence, the shadow of Snape's presence lingering over them. The tension from their encounter with Snape was palpable, and Harry couldn't shake the feeling of being under constant scrutiny.
As they made their way out of the library, Draco glanced sideways at Harry. "You know, Potter, maybe we should discuss our next steps. If Snape's keeping an eye on us, we need to be on top of our game."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "And you're suggesting this because...?"
"Because," Draco said, his tone more serious than before, "we don't want to give him any reason to doubt us. And despite what you might think, I do want this project to be successful."
Harry studied Draco for a moment, considering his words. "Fine. Let's go over what we've got so far. We don't want to risk messing up."
Draco nodded in agreement, relieved that Harry was willing to collaborate rather than continue the underlying tension. They walked side by side to the Gryffindor common room, their previous friction giving way to a more focused and cooperative effort.
As they reviewed their notes and discussed their findings, Draco couldn't help but reflect on the situation. Playing the bet with Harry was proving more complex than he'd anticipated. The lines between genuine interest and strategic manipulation were blurring, and every interaction seemed to add another layer to their intricate dance.
But for now, the immediate goal was to keep up appearances and excel in their project. Draco knew that with Snape's watchful eye on them, they couldn't afford any slip-ups. As they settled into a corner of the common room for their research, Draco glanced at Harry, who was deeply engrossed in their notes.
"Potter," Draco said quietly, "let's make sure we get this right. We both know what's at stake."
Harry looked up, his expression serious but not unkind. "Agreed. Let's get it done."
Draco nodded, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie as they continued their work. The dynamic between them was shifting, and though Draco wasn't sure where it would lead, he was determined to navigate it with the same skill and cunning he applied to all his endeavours.
For now, it was about making the most of their partnership and ensuring they stayed one step ahead of Snape and the rest of their peers.