Some one shots

Today was as normal as it could get. The train ride had been quite a bore, seeing as Hermione had been yelling at Ron the whole time for something along the lines of ‘don’t you dare run off like that again.’ Only because last week they had gone to see the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasleys and a friend of Arthur’s along with his son whose name Harry often forgets since is not like he had been paying close attention anyways.

Nevertheless, the world cup was a bust, the bulgarian team had lost and Ron whined all the way back to the tent. He always did think highly of Victor Krum which is why he was livid at his decisions that had led the team to their downfall. Fred had been mocking him and George had been trying to hold back Ron from jumping him. But of course Ron trying to rip Fred’s hair out wasn’t even the most interesting part of the night. The shouts that came from outside started sounding like terrified cries rather than the cheerful yells, a rather horrid contrast if you ask Harry.

Arthur had gone to check it out while Hermione had already figured out an escape route should something go south. The second Arthur came back he rushed to get all of them outside yelling at Fred and George to keep an eye on Ginny. The sight was ungodly. People trampling over one another, tents catching fire and the horrid screams just added to the frightening atmosphere. There were people in masks, Harry had noticed, they were matching. A black robe accompanied by a mask and a cone shaped hat. They carried torches, walking in sync.

Hermione had pulled Harry out of his trance by shouting his name. She had been pulled away by a crowd of people running for their lives, the moment he realised he tried to go after her but resulted in getting dragged the other way. Someone knocked him to the ground unconscious. Harry doesn’t remember much from that night; he just remembered seeing the only man who didn’t seem to be wearing a mask casting something into the air. Ron had been the one to find him and Hermione was chasing after him.

Which is the only reason she had been yelling at him now. He almost gave her a heart attack. ‘He’s my best friend. Of course I ran after him.’ Ron had argued, Harry chuckled and ignored their banter. Hermione was trying to make a point that she really didn’t feel like losing both her best friends in one night. Ron understood why running after Harry might have given her quite the scare.

Anyhow, right now they sat patiently as they waited for the new first years to be seated. The great hall smelled as always. Freshly baked food accompanied by a faint smell of parchment due to the fact some students studied while having their meals. Ron dug into his drumstick and Harry sipped some of his water. Hermione passed notes with Ginny who kept giving Blaise weird looks. Harry used to date Ginny during his fifth year though it didn’t quite work out. He was never really interested in anything they did but Ginny is the sweetest and kindest soul he knows, she understood and they broke it off. Ron had been upset with Harry for breaking his little sister's heart but Ginny reassured him it was nothing like that.

Harry didn’t know why nor did he truly feel like finding out but love was never a big deal to him. At least with girls. He had dated quite a few, Daphne greengrass was one she was odd, very hyper sexual Harry broke it off almost immediately. Then there was Luna Lovegood, but their relationship was based on a lie; he only dated her because she was scared of coming out and needed to see if she still really liked boys. Luna and Harry have been closer since then; he's the only one who knows about her. Then lastly, Pavarti Patil, they dated on and off until Pavarti got frustrated with Harry never wanting to do anything sexual, let alone tell her he loved her.

It’s not his fault, you know. Plenty of 17 year old boys are virgins, not just him. At least that is what he wanted to believe. He just hoped he wasn’t the only person in this school (except for fourth years and under; obviously) who was a virgin. Even Hermione and Ron had gotten it on during fifth year, which was disgusting given it was Harry who found them out. He’s never going into Minnie's dorm without knocking ever again.

Harry's thoughts were soon interrupted when a sneaky leg kicked him on his shin making him hiss. Ginny had been trying to get his attention and profusely apologised for hurting him.

“What is it?” He raised a perfect brow while clutching his shin under the table. Ginny nodded towards the front of the great hall. Seems Dumbledore had begun to speak.

“Now that everyone has been sorted I've got a couple of announcements to make.” Harry nudged Ron who was choking on a piece of chicken. Harry snorted and Hermione sighed, hitting the back of their heads making Ron spit it out.

Harry laughed madly as the boy flushed with embarrassment. Seamus shushed them and made them pay attention to Dumbledore again.

“These games are not for the faint hearted.” Harry’s eyebrows furrowed. What games? Harry thought to himself. He really should pay more attention.

“What’s he talking about?” Ron asked and Harry nodded in agreement. Ginny pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

“Seriously you two? Don't you pay attention?” Ginny whisper-shouted at them. Hermione waved a hand dismissively.

“I’ll tell you boys later.” Harry opened his mouth to speak but soon closed it back up as the hall doors swung open revealing a chorus of young women. They looked elegant, wearing a blue dress tight at the torso and loose at the legs. They wore a similar colour jacket and a blue headpiece. They moved elegantly and almost flowy. As if they were swimming. Ron looked mesmerised earning a right earned slap to his shoulder by a jealous mione.

“Welcome ladies, Welcome!” Dumbledore kissed the hand of a ‘blimey, that one big woman’ quoting seamus. The woman was large to say the least, bigger than Hagrid that’s for sure. Is that even normal? Harry was more concerned for her well-being than anything.

“Now the boys of Durmstrang, please give them a warm welcome.” Suddenly the atmosphere had changed from lively to thrilling. The doors swung open once more but this time with so much more force. The young men stepped in, one did a couple of front flips. It’s like they had a whole choreography planned out. All of them were strikingly good looking. Not that it mattered. It was just an observation. Victor Krum emerged along with a peculiarly good looking blond. Ron's heart was leaping out of his chest at the sight of Krum. If Harry didn’t know him he’d think he was crushing on Victor.

However Harry’s attention wasn’t at all on Krum but on the blond. He had a powerful jawline that looked like it’d cut. His cheekbones are prominent and proud, thick eyebrows and slightly thin lips stretched into a line. He had a pointed face and Harry couldn’t tell from far away but his eyes had a slight grey tint to them. He wasn’t smiling, he was serious. As if everything and everyone were below him. He was tall, taller than Harry that’s for sure. The outfit he wore looked tight on his muscles as if they needed to breathe. His cuffs rolled up to his forearms exposing his veiny thick hands. He wore rings on his fingers, almost all of them keeping a few naked. He had a silver chain on his neck and an eyebrow piercing.

Harry didn’t know how long he had been staring; all he knew was that it was enough for the two to make eye contact. The boy had a slight drunken look to his eyes; they were droopy and enchanting. Merlin they were… Harry quickly looked away. What the actual fuck potter. He thought to himself as he settled himself comfortably in his spot.

“Please make them feel welcome as they’ll be staying the entire year.” Dumbledore ended his speech. Harry’s jaw dropped to the ground. The whole year?!

***

“Draco Malfoy.” Luna settled in Harry’s bed with a paper from the daily prophet. Harry laid on his back staring at the ceiling.

“Draco Malfoy?” Harry questioned. She placed the parchment on the ground and laid on Harry’s belly staring at the ceiling as well.

“He's quite popular they say.” Harry had asked Luna to look into the random blond boy for research purposes. It had been four days since they had arrived and Harry hadn't seen him since. Luna had found out he came from a very rich family called the Malfoys. Apparently they were purebloods. The fact his parents might be related was slightly off putting to Harry. He was also a great seeker but wasn’t in the bulgarian national team, Harry wondered why that was.

“Interesting.” Luna sighed and got off of Harry’s belly making him sit up in confusion as to where she was going. She grabbed the daily prophet once more and laid on her stomach next to him. She rested her chin on her palms.

“Can I ask why you’re so interested?” She chuckled. Harry rolled his eyes and laid back down.

“I’m not sure.” There was a slight hint of frustration in his tone that didn’t go unnoticed by Lovegood.

Luna studied the picture on the front cover of the magazine. It was Malfoy and his parents. Lucius Malfoy had been awarded with something to do with the ministry of magic where he worked. He had made the front pages with his family. Malfoy was in every single one. Harry took the paper from her making her snicker and lay with him. He flipped through the pages. ‘One of our best….’ ‘Lucius malfoy makes headlines…’ ‘Draco Malfoy is the next big thing…’ Harry paused at his name. It was some sort of praise on his seeker skills while also diving into the question of ‘Will Draco Malfoy decide to never try out for the bulgarian team?’ That was a good question. Harry wondered why he hadn’t already if he was such a good seeker as people claimed him to be.

He never smiled in these pictures Harry noticed. Actually Harry had just realised there was not a single picture in sight of a smiling Malfoy. He must not do it often or at all. But that’s silly who never smiles. That makes no sense.

Luna left a kiss on his cheek telling him she was off to a super duper secret date with some girl named Katie. Harry had helped her plan this date a couple days back calling it the ‘Operation: Lesbian Luna’ earning a snort from her. He had helped her pick a secluded place somewhere where no one would see them. Luna explained how it wasn’t that she felt like no one would support her in fact she knew her dad would be supportive. It was more about the fact that they don’t need to know. It’s her life and for once she has something she doesn’t need to share with the public, Harry understood well he didn’t understand since he was straight. But he saw what she was getting at.

He stayed looking at the pictures of Malfoy and his family for a while before deciding to take a shower. He huffed before putting down the said magazine on his nightstand and rushing to the showers. It was already night and the moon casted a warm glow on the common room. It was empty, all but a simple fire that someone had left burning on the fireplace. It was always cosy this way, when everyone had gone to sleep leaving Harry by himself. It’s not like he disliked his friends or anything but sometimes they could be a little too much. Especially Hermione. She would get on Harry’s back about the O.W.L.s or how he wasn’t taking care of himself properly.

Harry’s footsteps made the wood writhe in agony. The quieter it was the louder the wooden floor was, as if it was in pain. The floor was cold on his bare feet, he took longer strides to stop the floor from making anymore noises and waking up a rather annoying ginger ‘head boy’. Harry was just glad it was Percy's last year at Hogwarts, which sounds like a mean thing to say but merlin if only you knew him. When Harry entered the common room showers it seemed someone was already showering or they had just finished. The place was steaming hot like they had just showered with boiling water. His breath hitched in his throat when he saw Malfoy, with a towel hanging low on his hips. V-line and perfect abs full on display.

You see, the Beuxbatons and Durmstrang students were staying at Hogwarts. But none of them were staying inside Hogwarts until the giant squid decided that the Durmstrangs boat was a horrible decoration to its home and poked holes in it. The boat flooded and now it’s being repaired, which led to the Durmstrang students staying inside Hogwarts rather than their boat. They had to be divided inside the houses and some people had to get more beds in their dorms, thankfully there weren’t that many of them. Now that that’s out of the way at least you know why a dripping wet Malfoy was standing in front of Harry looking like he was carved from marble by Michealangelo himself.

Harry swallowed the nothing in his throat and looked somewhere else. Malfoy who hadn’t noticed him certainly now has due to the fact Harry screeched the second he saw his own reflection. What? I was jumpy.

“Evening.” Malfoy spoke. His voice is husky and raspy, a slight Bulgarian accent to it. Very monotone as if he had better things to do than speak with him.

Once he finally made eye contact with the boy he realised the blond was staring at him as if Harry had escaped St Mungos. Which was ridiculous but then Harry was thinking to himself while staring into his own reflection.

“Evening.” Harry squeaked out then mentally cursed himself for sounding like Ginny when she was twelve crushing on him.

Malfoy raised a perfect arched brow, the one that was pierced and shook his head slightly turning back to the sink. Harry studied him for research purposes. He had a tattoo on the back of his neck, a pair of angel wings. There was something that caught his eye but then vanished making Harry think he had imagined it, scars. They looked huge and horribly painful but they were fading like a slight blink showing them little by little as if there was a charm covering them that was almost to its end date. Soon it stopped blinking and it was just Malfoy’s unscarred perfect slender pale back. That was a lot of information to describe someone’s back. Harry cringed at himself.

Harry sighed and it took every ounce of courage to walk towards the tall handsome boy. He settled on a sink nearby fishing his toothbrush and toothpaste from his pockets as he had brought them with.

“Uhm so are you doing it?” Harry breathed out. Malfoy looked at him confused and Harry realised he should have probably added some context.

“The triwizard tournament you mean?” Even his voice sounded expensive. His accent was thicker than Harry's, a more, modern middle English tone to it. Malfoy kept his gaze on the mirror as he brushed his teeth. Harry nodded with a small “yeah.”

Malfoy shrugged. “I might.” He spit out his toothpaste and rinsed his toothbrush. He cleaned his face and Harry watched with curious eyes. The boy was nothing like Harry expected. He had thought the boy might’ve told him to piss off and go wank himself a new one.

“Same.” Harry gulped. Malfoy turned to him and lifted his chin a bit looking down at Harry as if he was trying to figure him out. Harry looked away and paid attention to brushing his teeth.

There was something about his eyes, Harry had initially thought they were grey and he figured he was mistaken but he wasn’t. His eyes were cloudy, foggy and dull. Almost as if there was no light in them. As if life was missing from them.

“Name.” Malfoy finally spoke, he wasn’t asking, he was demanding. Harry was trying to ignore that a still dripping wet Malfoy was oddly close to him.

“Potter, Harry Potter.” He spoke quickly in a weakened voice. A slight flush crept up his cheeks as Malfoy looked at him like he was amused, almost as if he knew who he was.

“Well, Pottah. Be seeing you.” Then he was gone. Walking into the changing rooms leaving Harry alone and confused. It was weird, the feelings he gave him. Harry wanted to find out more about him, about those scars he was so sure he saw. They looked painful and Harry didn’t care to think about why Malfoy in pain bothered him. It didn’t.

***
Potions. Good Merlin, how horrid. It was a class in which he struggled the most and somehow Malfoy had managed to beat Hermione sending her to spiral into an unknown abyss of her own mind. The students (beauxbatons and durmstrang) while there they had to attend classes and keep up with their grades if they intended on competing for the tournament. No one was expecting much from them since they probably don’t get taught the same thing but Malfoy had managed to master his first class of the day and crawl up quickly on Hermione's enemy list. Her eye twitches every time someone brings up the fact he was doing a better job.

Harry had managed to take this to his advantage with something along the lines of ‘Hey you should make my potion and make it better than him’ how Hermione hadn’t caught up on it was beyond him. He now sat back and watched Hermione cut up her ingredients for his potion while her hair was puffed up from frustration, all the while Draco skillfully cut his with patience as if he had been doing this his whole life. Harry watched him closely for pure curiosity and nothing else. Ron was blabbering in his ear how Hermione looked like she was about to chop someone’s head off if they looked at her wrong.

Malfoy had made acquaintances during his time here. A boy by the name Theodore Nott who reminded Harry of Malfoy to some extent. They were both purebloods with a high academic record. Theodore Nott was quite the intelligent bloke; it makes sense how they’d both get along well. On the other hand Harry had noticed the watchful eye of Pansy Parkinson the most annoying slytherin in Harry’s opinion, he disliked them all but merlin, was she a pain. Parkinson had made his life all the more miserable than it needed to be, he was already being chased by a man without a nose he didn’t want much less need her bullying everytime he tied his shoes wrong. Which is another way of saying she’d make fun of him for anything. Yesterday he tried to throw away a piece of parchment by crushing it into a ball and throwing it into the trash, needless to say he missed and she stood up and started howling like a madwoman. It wasn’t even funny she was just trying to embarrass him.

Seems she’s crushing on Malfoy. Perfect. Maybe now Harry can do something to embarrass her; he just needed to find out how.

Ron nudged Harry and puckered his lips, he had red lipstick messily put on and was now making kissy noises at Harry. Harry bursted out in laughter along with Ron, Hermione flushed embarrassed and grabbed her lipstick from him hitting his head. Snape breathed through his nostrils and approached their table making them shut up immediately.

“What is the meaning of this?” Professor Snape tapped his fingers on the table as if waiting impatiently while wearing his signature scowl.

“Sorry sir, just having some fun is all.” Ron quickly used a cleaning spell to get rid of the lipstick on his face. The Professor didn’t look the slightest bit amused.

“Might I remind you Mr.Weasley and Mr.Potter that your grade in my class is so low it is clawing at your ankles now, get. to. work. Five points from Gryffindor will be taken for your lack of judgement.” Harry flushed embarrassed as everyone watched them get reprimanded. Snape walked off after confiscating Hermione’s lipstick leaving her angry at the two of them.

“What is wrong with you two?” She hissed. Hermione shoved the potion towards Harry who rolled his eyes at the fact he now had to do it himself. However what made the situation even worse was that Malfoy was watching him, as if he was judging. Harry wanted to hide his face in his book, why'd he care if Malfoy was judging him. He didn’t.

***
Something you’ve never told anyone. A secret. Harry had his share of those. Mostly kept things like he hated the way Hermione smothered him or how Ron had the ugliest laugh that made him cringe. Those secrets were just silly things he kept. A true secret. His scar. It gave him horrid migraines and nightmares. It only used to hurt when you-know-who was around but now it hurts day and night.

Harry had insomnia, due to this, he’d go to madam pomfrey and ask for her strongest sleeping pills, though they never worked. Once he asked if she could up his dosis and she said she’d lose her nursing licence if she gave him anything stronger. He had laughed but it was true he already had a strong dosis anything else and he’d have to go begging on the roads for drugs. None of his friends knew of this, hell, if Harry would ever let them find out.

He often found comfort in the Astronomy tower or by the lake. It was comforting at night to see the stars or watch how the moonlight casted a halo-like glow on top of the lake as it shone down on top of it. Nevertheless the scar on Harry’s forehead wasn’t the only one. He doesn’t know how it got there or who in Merlin’s name had done it, but he had a giant scar going across his stomach. It was as if someone had tried to slash him in half. The memory seemed to be missing from Harry like it had been taken from him leaving him with a lingering sensation that a part of his life was ripped away.

It may also be one of the reasons Harry never lets anyone see him naked. He’s scared. The scar is huge and dare he say ugly. His cousin Dudley would make fun of him for it; that's how Harry knows he’s had it a long time. Ever since he was little. Again who thought it was a good idea to try and slash a baby in half, probably you-know-who.

Harry laid down on the grass beside the lake staring up at the starry night. There was a half drunken whiskey bottle next to him and an open pack of cigarettes. Harry knows it’s wrong but it’s the only thing that gets him through the night. Cigarettes and Whiskey.

There’s better ways, Harry. Luna's voice lingering in his ear like a broken record. ‘Better ways! Promise you won’t drink any more’ Harry had promised, yet of course he didn’t keep it but as long as she didn’t find out what was the big deal anyways. It’s just alcohol. Harry heard footsteps, long strides and rocks kicking, he was a little too drunk to care.

“Alive Pottah?” Harry didn't need to be sober to connect the voice to the owner. Plus only one person calls him, ‘Pottah’. The voice didn’t sound concerned oh no, he sounded amused.

“Funny, I didn't expect the so-called chosen one to be out here drunk.” Harry heard liquid swish around in the bottle as it was picked up by curious hands.

“You’ve heard.” Of course it was only a matter of time before someone told Malfoy about his adventurous time at Hogwarts. Harry really couldn’t get away with anything.

“Course I’ve heard, Pottah. You’re quite famous aren’t you.” His tone is judgmental. Malfoy inspected the bottle and clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“Not even the good whiskey then.” He put the bottle back down next to an annoyed Harry.

Harry sat up and grabbed the bottle roughly. “Come to judge my taste in liquor?” Harry chugged a shot and placed it back down. He finally decided to look up at Malfoy. He wore a black suit with his hands firmly inside his pockets, he was looking down at Harry with those drunk eyes of his.

“Nah.” Malfoy chuckled. A deep throaty chuckle. He looked up at the stars. “It’s so busy in there with the ball preparations and all.” He sighed. The blond looked back down at Harry, his perfect eyebrow going up in an arch.

“You don’t look like the hero of Hogwarts to me.” Harry furrows his eyebrows.

“Piss off.” Malfoy hummed. Harry stood up and walked to the lake. Malfoy studied him.

“It’s below freezing, you’ll get hypothermia.” Malfoy warned, Harry simply ignored him and slapped face first into the water, the cold shock knocking him sober.

Malfoy rolled his eyes and sighed. “Put your name in the goblet yet?” Harry asked as he floated on his back. Malfoy walked to the edge of the lake and nodded.

“Yeah, you?”

“Yeah.” Harry swam back to him. It was absolutely freezing.