Chapter 10
"He's not supposed to hear-." Oh he'd definitely, definitely heard that. "Stop it." Ron looked at Harry while the shorter boy huffed. Arms crossed and stern look in his eyes. "But Ron-." "No. We won." Hermione looks between the two of her best friends and laughs softly. "Nobody can help the fact that you're clumsy." Hermione says, to ease Harry's nerves. "Can I help with anything?" Draco asks, making the trio jump up in shock. "When did you get here?!" Ron asks in shock. "You're arguing next to my door, I wanted to see what it's all about." He states matter of factly. Hermione chuckles at Ron's huff and Harry blushes fiercely. "Look... I didn't want this to happen, but then I went to- well it started with- okay see, I'm so sorry Draco. I asked if we could brew the potion again but they won't let us-." "Potter." Harry stops his ramble and looks up into the stale eyes. "Why would we have to brew the potion again? Last time I checked they worked quiet well, didn't they?" Harry shivers at the reminder of his clumsy nature and his confession from last night as he scratches his neck. "I was the last person to check on our vials and this morning when I went in with Hermione to test who'd won, they were broken on the floor. I must've dropped them on my way out. I don't get it. I'm so sorry." Draco tilts his chin up and hums. "I see, so we've lost then." Harry nods slowly while Ron beams with pride. Draco hides his smirk and looks down at Harry with a raised eyebrow. "Not the best thing you did, now is it?" Harry sucks in a breath and shakes his head slowly. Oh this boy definitely likes praise and degradation... perfect. "Well I guess your help with brewing it makes up for it, you did well on that." A cute, small smile forms on the smaller boys lips as he looks down. "Thank you." Draco hums and looks at the other two. "Well Then, who am I taking to the Yule ball, Granger?" She shows a wicked smile while an evil glint glosses over her eyes. Harry looks at her and his heart starts running a marathon. Oh no. "I'll think about it." Draco tuts and shakes his head. "No, no. You're too clever for your own good, don't go about making plans behind my back. I want a name, now. Please." Everyone looks up shocked at the last word, but Draco knew that it was all he needed for Hermione to make up her mind quickly and say... "Well then I guess you'll have to take Harry. He's the worst at asking anyone out so I have no hope for him." Draco forces his proud smile back and keeps a neutral expression on his face. "Okay. Potter, you've gotten yourself a date. Don't disappoint me will you? I expect everything perfectly well done just like you would with anyone else. I'll pick you up at your room half an hour before it starts, we'll make a great entré." Harry, too stunned to speak, turns his gaze to Draco while he swallows. He should act as if he's not pleased. Right? He wouldn't like what Hermione did, if he wasn't in love with-... right? But now Draco knew... so he didn't have to pretend? But if Draco knew and he acted so casual then... he didn't mind? "I guess." Draco chuckles lowly. "Ah, I promise I'll give you a fun evening. No pouting. You have your best friend to thank for this." Hermione shrugs with an apologetic smile as Harry looks at her while Ron tries his best not to gag. "Okay."
It was all going to plan. He knew Hermione would say Harry's name because of their late night talk, he was sure they'd had after what he said to Harry, he knew Harry would feel guilty about the potions and it was the perfect chance to test his hypothesis. Harry liked degradation. Hypothesis fact checked. What a kinky boy. Well of course it all comes from trauma, blabla, it was great information nonetheless. He'd dropped the vials on purpose, of course, Harry wasn't at all to blame. He didn't like deceiving them like this, but it was a small lie which ended up with him winning the big prize. He had Harry Potter as his date to the ball and nobody knew he wanted it all along. He guessed it was nice for weaselby to think he'd won from Draco, too. As if their potion was actually better. Draco snorts at the thought and shakes his head. "What's funny?" He looks up at Ron and shakes his head. "Nothing, Weasley. No worries, I'm not laughing with you, for a change." Not that he actually disliked Ron, but he had to keep up appearances. Ron wasn't too bad. He wasn't great either. Just... acceptable. An acceptable annoying thing, he'd gladly keep around just so he could toy with Harry some more. Granger was actually really nice to befriend. She was kind, caring and stubborn. A trait they shared. They did homework together from time to time, which led to a deeper friendship. Which led to Draco knowing that she knew what he was doing to poor Harry Potter. She scolded him for it at first, how dare he take advantage of Harry like that! But then she'd figured out, after days of watching them together, that Draco liked Harry back. Or something like that at least. She wasn't sure if he was in love, but she knew for sure that he was trying to figure it out himself too. And that he was more than pleased with his effect on her best friend. She was secretly watching him talk to Harry. Noticing the way his cheeks lifted just the tiniest bit when Harry was being cute, the start of a smile. He was still hiding his emotions, but they learned rather quickly, when he was joking and when he wasn't. So when Harry came to her yesterday, she was certain about her suspicions, they were right all along. The war has changed him indeed, not so much into a different person, but into himself. He wasn't supressing himself under the arrogant dad pleaser façade anymore. He was his true self, finally. The only thing left to do, was make him feel so welcome, that he would show them his emotions. Show them his smile, let them hear his laughter... and Hermione would make it happen. No matter the cost. Because no matter what anyone said about him, Draco deserved love too, he was worthy of friendship just like anyone else. He was her friend. A new one, yes but a close one and she wouldn't change it if she could.