La Bise
His friends reacted just as Draco predicted. Pansy was elated by the idea of a new boy joining their group — apparently the two she already surrounded herself with were too standoffish.
Blaise’s eyes narrowed at the announcement and his response was effective at communicating his feelings on the matter: “No.”
“He's right over there, Blaise,” Pansy said. “We can't exactly say no.”
Blaise looked across the corridor to where Harry stood, playing with his fingers. He met Draco's eyes. “I can and just have. I don't need anyone following me like a lost puppy,” he said. “And frankly, I don't think either of you should be entertaining this.”
“We're not entertaining anything, Blaise,” Draco said. “Harry could use our expertise, especially yours. He needs to observe the behaviour that's expected of him before he can engage in it.”
“Harry? It was Potter this morning,” Blaise frowned. “Feels oddly familiar.”
“This is not at all like Flint. I have no special attachment to Harry. Once Snape finds his progress satisfactory, he is free to associate with whomever he pleases,” Draco said firmly, unwavering even when Blaise raised an eyebrow.
“Please, Blaisey?” Pansy pleaded, grabbing his arm and pouting up at him. “Like Draco said, it will only be temporary.”
Blaise glanced down at her, back at Draco, then lolled his head back and groaned. “All right,” he relented, rubbing his forehead. “But if I find any reason to mistrust him,” — he locked eyes with Draco — “Or if he turns into another Flint, this arrangement is over.”
Draco had no intention of falling for Harry, so he nodded firmly at Blaise’s terms. “Great. Shall I let him know?”
“Yes!” Pansy squealed, clapping her hands. Before Draco could even think about walking over, she'd already floated halfway across the corridor toward the brunet.
Draco followed her lead, arriving at the two as Pansy introduced herself.
“. . . Pansy Parkinson, nice to meet you! You're very attractive, Harry!”
Harry blushed fiercely as he looked down at her. “Er. . . thanks,” he said. “No one’s told me that before.”
“More people should!” Pansy said with a kind smile. “It would put more confidence in your stance; help you fit in better here! Draco mentioned you were struggling.”
“Did he?” Harry said, glancing up at Draco.
Draco offered a small one-shoulder shrug.
“Oh, don't be upset with Dracey,” — Draco didn't miss the subtle raise of Harry's eyebrows — “He was right to come to us. I've already noticed so much about you we could fix.”
Harry's eyes widened and though he didn't show it as apparently, Draco was curious as well.
“Really?” Harry said.
Pansy nodded as she reached for his hair. She pulled slightly on a particular long lock sticking out above his ear. “You could do with a haircut. Luckily, I have an appointment tomorrow with the best hairdresser in South England. Francois would be more than happy to cut your hair — once he's done with mine, of course.” She took a step back and scanned the boy up and down. “And your clothes don't fit right either. Is it fashionable amongst the lower class to wear clothes two sizes too big?”
Draco was almost impressed with Pansy’s observations, but he expected no less from his best friend.
“N-no,” Harry answered. “These are my cousin's.”
Pansy tilted her head. “Why are you wearing your cousin’s clothes? Do you not have your own?”
Harry shook his head.
“You poor thing!” Pansy said, her hands over her heart. “We must get you clothes of your own.” She turned to Draco. “It looks like tomorrow will be an excursion! Draco, you will be joining us, of course. Blaise?”
They turned to their reluctant friend who still had not situated himself from across the corridor.
“You will join us, won't you? It wouldn't be the same without you,” Pansy said.
Draco half-expected him to say no and broodingly walk away, but Blaise nodded once and that was that.
Pansy smiled widely and met Draco’s eyes. “It’s a plan then, isn't it? Everyone meet me at the lily garden by the north fountain tomorrow at 10. Try your best not to be late, Francois hates that.”
“Thank you, Pansy,” Draco said. “I can tell this arrangement will provide successful results.”
“Of course,” she replied, “but you know better than anyone, Draco, that my services are not free.”
Draco sighed. He should have known Pansy would do this. He just hoped it wasn't nearly as embarrassing as last time.
“What is it, Pansy?”
“You're aware, Draco dearest, of the Delacours’ planned visit?”
Draco nodded. The Delacours were relatives of the Malfoys, albeit a few generations removed. His parents were hosting them at the manor for the few days they would be in England and they would be attending a political gala his father and associates were organising.
“Well, since your father's gala is the only opportunity I'll have to see Fleur, I mustn't give her the impression that I'm single!” his friend whined.
Draco was slightly shocked but mostly disappointed at her answer. He'd truly believed Pansy had grown out of her obsession with Fleur.
“Fleur will know you and I are not together,” he said.
Pansy let out an exasperated breath. “Obviously. I would never date you.”
Draco barely refrained from rolling his eyes and his glare was quick and sharp as he noticed Harry about to laugh. Harry’s mouth shut just as quickly as it had opened.
Pansy turned back to Harry and took his hands. “That's where you come in, Harry! Once we neaten you up a bit, you would be a perfect pretend suitor for me.”
“Me?” Harry said, caught off-guard.
“Yes! You're handsome enough,” she said. She grabbed his face with one hand, squeezed his cheeks in, and moved his head so he was looking directly as Draco. “Don't you think so, Draco?”
Draco was in no way willing to entertain this. “Pansy, this is ridiculous—”
“Answer the question, Draco.”
He sighed and looked at Harry.
The boy’s skin was tan and clear and behind his round glasses, he had bright green eyes that reminded Draco of one of his mother’s polished emerald necklaces. His lips weren't thin — not as thin as Draco's anyway — but they were a healthy brownish pink colour which could be attractive. His other features were perfectly average to Draco and someone more interested in a person's physicality might describe Harry as good-looking.
“If you think so, Pansy, then he is,” Draco stated simply, making it clear he was not to be pulled into any of her antics.
Pansy pouted. “You're no fun.”
“Can we move on from this so we can have dinner before the hall closes?” Blaise suddenly said from behind them and they all looked at him.
“Yeah, I'd also like to have dinner,” Harry said, his speech slightly muffled as Pansy’s fingers pressed into his cheeks.
Pansy let go of him. “I think I'll skip. Say hello to Daphne for me,” she said. She tiptoed up and Draco leaned down so she could kiss his cheek and he kissed hers.
When they straightened, Harry looked rather surprised.
“You guys kiss?” he said.
“Kissing is good for the soul,” Pansy said. “Now come here.”
Harry hesitantly bent over and as Pansy kissed his cheek, he met Draco’s gaze and Draco let himself laugh slightly at the distress in the other's eyes. He laughed even harder when Harry’s lips made contact with Pansy's cheek and she made a sound of disgust and wiped her cheek with sleeve.
“We'll have to work on that,” Pansy said, wiping her sleeve on Harry’s shirt and patting his chest. “Blaisey! Come kiss me goodnight!” Despite her words, she walked over to him and hugged him tightly.
Harry filled the space Pansy left between him and Draco, wiping his lips as he did so. “Please tell me we don't have to do that.”
Draco shook his head, a smile coming to rest on his face. “We could, but I have a feeling you would be very uncomfortable with that.”
“I prefer my kisses in the form of snogging,” Harry said.
Draco's eyebrows arched at that. “I wonder what lucky girl the famous Harry Potter is snogging?”
“Or boy,” Harry shrugged.
Draco only paused for a moment before he smiled at Harry.
“Or boy,” he corrected himself.