Chapter 3
When Harry woke up, it was to Ron throwing his robe at him,
“Come on, mate. We’re gonna be late.”
He said it like he was supposed to be more concerned than he actually was, not bothering to stifle a yawn. Harry groaned and rolled over onto his side, blindly reaching for a pillow with his eyes closed before chucking it at Ron.
“Hey! It’s not my fault we’ve gotta eat breakfast.”
“It’s your fault for not letting me sleep.”
“Nah, that’s not fair. You know Hermione would eat both our heads if I let you sleep in.”
Harry groaned again before sitting up. He took a minute to wake up a bit more before he speedily got ready, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to tame it down a bit before heading down to the Great Hall with Ron.
Hermione was already sitting at their usual spot with a plate by the time Ron and Harry made an entrance. Harry couldn’t help but glance over at the Slytherin table in hopes of catching sight of Malfoy.
And catch sight he did. Malfoy was already looking at him when Harry finally spotted him. He froze, unsure of what to do. He just looked, and Malfoy looked right back at him. He had a hint of a smile on his face, probably from laughing with his friends, but it still lifted the corners of his eyes as he looked at Harry.
He must’ve been staring for a bit too long because Ron waved a hand in front of his face, bringing Harry’s eyes back to his friend.
“Still asleep there, Harry?” Ron joked, slinging an arm around Harry’s shoulders and pulling him over to their table.
Harry turned his head to look back at the Slytherin table, but Malfoy didn’t meet his gaze again. He sat down next to Ron and Hermione and ate his breakfast. He made jokes and laughed with his friends, but his gaze kept wandering to the Slytherin table. He didn’t know why he wanted Malfoy to look at him again so badly, but a part of him hoped he would find Malfoy already looking at him again when he looked up. He didn’t. Malfoy didn’t look at him at all the whole rest of breakfast, much to Harry’s annoyance.
After breakfast, Harry headed to his classes. He went through his schedule like normal, barely hanging on to his patience as time seemed to move ten times slower when he was really looking forward to something. This something in particular wasn’t only his study session with Malfoy later today, it was the joint Potions Gryffindor had with Slytherin. Now, this was usually his least favorite class. Why wouldn’t it be? A room full of Slytherins, his least favorite teacher, and a subject he hates.
But the thought of maybe getting Malfoy to look at him again made him antsy to get to that class as fast as he could.
Harry and Ron sat in their usual spot, towards the back of the classroom, with a perfect view of Malfoy’s seat which was a row in front of them across the aisle. Harry pulled out all of his potion work from his bag, smiling faintly down at the textbook Malfoy never makes him read.
Class went by way too fast for Harry’s liking. Malfoy hadn’t looked at him one time, even when he was called on and got the answer correct, much to Snape’s surprise.
“Correct, Mr. Potter. It looks like Mr. Malfoy is doing you some good.”
That was all he said, but Harry had still smiled slightly to himself, glancing over at Malfoy, hoping to see a small hint of his approval, but he didn’t get anything, not even a glance. Harry sighed deeply, turning back to his notes. If he did better, maybe he’d get Malfoy to look his way again.
Soon, class was over and it was time for lunch. After lunch, he had his study session with Malfoy. He packed up his back, carelessly putting his potions things into his bag. He was startled slightly when he seen Malfoy come up to him, saying briefly,
“I’ll see you after lunch, Potter. Don’t be late.”
Harry looked up at him, but Malfoy was already walking away.
Harry watched him go.
He probably looked like some dumbstruck fool with the way his mouth hung open, his hand still shoved halfway into his bag.
Ron frowned beside him,
“What the hell do you think his problem is?” Ron asked,
Harry just shrugged before saying automatically,
“Who knows what Malfoy’s problem ever is…”
Both Harry and Ron met up with Hermione outside of the entrance to the Great Hall once they left the classroom.
“I heard you’re doing better in potions, Harry. That’s wonderful! So the study sessions with Malfoy are really helping? It’s a bit surprising really.” Hermione said once they were sat down.
Harry paused for a second as he reached for a roll to put on his plate.
“Uh, yeah. I guess they’re helping. Malfoy’s not so bad a teacher.”
“He is quite smart, once you get past the snobby and bristly exterior.” Hermione stated. Harry chuckled a bit at that.
“He’s quite funny too.” Harry said without thinking much.
“Malfoy? Funny? You’re joking, mate.” Ron replied on Harry’s right, mouth full of food.
Harry looked at Ron before glancing at Hermione, and then back at his food. He shrugged,
“He’s not so bad. When he’s not being a pointy git and all.”
“What, so you’re like best friends now, the two of you?” Ron asked, teasingly, a grin on his face.
Harry shook his head. He didn’t know why he was but he could feel himself blushing.
“Wouldn’t call it that. I’m not sure if you could even call us acquaintances.”
“But not enemies?” Hermione asked.
Harry raised his eyes to the Slytherin table, landing immediately on Malfoy who was talking to Zabini about something.
“No. Not enemies.”
After lunch, Harry headed to the classroom he was supposed to meet Malfoy in. He didn’t know why he was nervous this time. Last time he was nervous because he was late, but this time he was on time just like he promised. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t know what to talk about.
Malfoy is probably going to be all business when they’re in there, which is fine with Harry, as long as he’s not being a stuck up git. And as long as there’s a possibility he’ll see night time Malfoy again.
He walked into the classroom without hesitation this time. Malfoy was already there, predictably. He turned his head to look at Harry as he walked in. It took all of Harry’s willpower to not stop in his tracks as his gaze landed on him. He watched as Malfoy glanced down at his watch before smiling slightly.
“You’re on time, Potter. That should go in a records book somewhere.” Malfoy joked.
“I promised, didn’t I?” Harry said back, moving to sit in his seat next to Malfoy.
Malfoy stared at him for a minute, eyes squinted slightly, like he was waiting for something.
“What?” Harry asked, hand immediately going up to his hair to smooth it down, self-consciously.
“What? You’re not going to say something ridiculous like, ‘I always keep my promises’?” Malfoy asked, his voice doing what Harry thought might be an impression of him.
Harry stared at Malfoy for a second before bursting into laughter,
“Was that an impression of me?” He asked through laughter. Malfoy was grinning at him,
“Of course it was, Potter. It sounded exactly like you!”
“I do not sound like that! And I’ll have you know, I do always keep my promises, I just thought that was already implied.”
Harry said, laughter dying down. He wiped at his eyes underneath his glasses.
Malfoy just shook his head,
“I knew you’d say some cheesy shit. The Chosen One always keeps his promises.”
He pushed the parchment of instructions toward Harry. Harry looked down at it before looking back up at Malfoy who was looking at him expectedly. Somehow Harry had forgotten this was why they were here in the first place.
He sighed as he took the parchment,
“I seriously hate potions.”
Harry complained, scanning the ingredients list before grabbing the right ones out of the ones Malfoy had put out.
“I know, that’s why you suck at it. But we’re getting there.”
“Careful, Malfoy. That was almost half-way to a compliment.”
Harry looked quickly over at Malfoy and flashed him a grin which earned him an eye roll in return.
Most of the study session went the same way. They teased each other, and there were much less insults from Malfoy than there was the week prior. Soon enough, they had finished and Harry had bottled the potion, holding it up for Malfoy to see.
He didn’t expect for Mafloy to reach up and barely hold the bottle in between his fingers while Harry also held onto it, in order to inspect it. Their fingers barely brushed, but it was enough contact to send Harry’s face flaming. He kept his cool for the most part though, holding still as Malfoy looked at the potion.
He was caught even more off guard when Malfoy looked back at him with a smile,
“Almost well done, Potter. I might even say that I’m a good influence on you.”
“There it is. The halfway mark. Be careful, or by the end of the week you’ll actually be complimenting me, Malfoy.”
Harry retorted, shoving the potion vial into his backpack.
“You wish, Potter.”
Malfoy said, doing the same wand flick he always does, all of his stuff going into his bag neatly. He lifted it off the floor and slung it over his shoulder.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Potter. Don’t-”
“Be late. Yeah, I know, I won’t be,”
Harry interrupted before adding,
“I promise.”
He winked after he said it which earned him a disgusted sound by Malfoy and a flick of his hand,
“God, you’re awful. You’re lucky I still show up.”
Malfoy said as he began to walk out the door.
“See you tomorrow, Malfoy.” Harry called after him. All he got in return was a middle finger over the shoulder which made him laugh.
His cheeks hurt from smiling as he put all of his stuff away. He glanced at the potion vial in his backpack and thought about Malfoy’s fingers brushing against his own. He got embarrassed just by the thought of it, but he liked it. And he wanted it to happen again.
What does that even mean? Harry ran his hand through his hair in frustration as he slung his bag over his shoulder.
It didn’t hit him until he was in the common room and saw Hermione helping Ron on his homework.
He had a crush on Draco fucking Malfoy.