Delicate crystals of ice descend from the night sky, hitting the white sheet of snow that was covering the ground as of lately. It was mid-November, the starting of winter. A shivering form made his way through the halls, the deafening silence overwhelming him as he stays invisible under his special cloak.
Taking trembling steps, he reflects back on what took place in the meeting. Sirius —bless him— looked evidently concerned, asked him if he was sick and suggested to go back to Hogwarts. But he dismissed it, saying he went here to meet up with him and discuss. He kept glancing at him through the discussion as though he was going to break down at any moment. The meeting didn't have worrying news so it wasn't of any importance.
Lost in thought, he didn't notice someone walking towards him and bumped into him. The cloak slipped off him and revealed his quivering form.
"Potter?"
Harry looked up and saw his school nemesis, Draco Malfoy, clutching his wand. His eyebrows furrowed as his eyes run over him, making him feel uneasy. He gulped, he should have paid attention to his surroundings.
"Go on, give me detention Malfoy," Harry said, standing up. His annoyance directed at him, a head ache forming. Surprise then filtered on his face when Malfoy grabbed his arm and shoved themselves in an empty classroom. "Malfoy?"
Malfoy casted silencing charms before he turned himself around to put a soft hand on his forehead. His eyes widened. What is Malfoy doing?
"You have a fever, we should go the hospital wing." Malfoy stated, the loss of warmth ran through his body as he withdraw his hand from his forehead. Only for Malfoy to pull him close against him making him flush.
"What are you doing!? And I don't need to go to the hospital wing!" Harry exclaimed, catching Malfoys' gaze. He added, "It's past curfew anyways. No need to bother Madam Pomfrey."
"And let you become sick? Potter, I take my duty as prefect seriously," Malfoy firmly responded. He saw Harry open his mouth to protest and continued before be could say anything, "And that includes escorting sick students to the hospital wing."
Harry couldn't be able to say anything as he and Malfoy left the abandoned classroom. They silently made their way towards the hospital wing under his invisibility cloak — which Malfoy looked at in wonder.
Malfoy knocked on the door when they reached their destination. The door opened revealing Madam Pomfrey's stern face which morphed into shock when her gaze landed on Harry. She beckoned for them to come inside and made Harry sit on one of the beds while Malfoy sat on one of the chairs nearby.
"Mr. Potter! What were you doing for you to get a cold?" Madam Pomfrey asked after she casted a diagnostic charm on him before scurrying away to get the necessary potions.
"Uhm.."
"Nevermind! Here, take these potions and it will gradually go away." Madam Pomfrey said as he handed him the potions. He drank the potions and the queasiness set in. A bad taste was left in his mouth.
"Does Potter need to stay here Madam Pomfrey?" Malfoy queried politely, glancing at him when he turned to look.
"Yes Mr. Malfoy. I will need him to stay here overnight so I can look after him," The matron responded. Harry suppressed a groan and instead slumped. "You may go now Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for escorting him."
Malfoy nodded and stood up. He made his way to the door before looking back at him over his shoulder. A smirk graced his features before leaving.
That prat!
"I can't believe you! Leaving us like that.." Harry tuned her out. His head ache coming back as he sniffs. The potions Madam Pomfrey gave him helped considerably and a much needed rest took away his fatigue. However, if Hermione continues to shout in his ear, he might need to go back to the Hospital wing.
"Harry! This is not how you treat your friends!" Hermione shouts at him, snapping him from his thoughts only to see Ron's bag heading towards him and hitting him. He stumbled back, thinking he would fall, when a warm body presses behind him, arms around his waist catching him. His gaze blurred, feeling faint and unsteady.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for hitting a fellow student who, let me remind you, is sick." A familiar voice stated as he held Harry tightly, letting him gather his bearings.
"Like you would know, Malfoy!" Did Ron just say Malfoy? "Let him go!"
"He's unsteady. If I let him go, he will fall."
"I'm sure it's not that bad!"
"Like you would know."
"What is going on here!?" A sugary voice interrupted the fight and casted a stern eye over the gryffindors.
"Madam-" Hermione started but was interrupted by Malfoy,
"Madam Umbridge, I was going to the great hall when these two hit a fellow student who was ill," He gestured to Harry, who was still safely cocooned in his arms. "And I deducted ten points from Gryffindor for assault. They then protested which led to an argument."
She gasped and scolded the two gryffindor prefects, her voice like poisoned honey, "This unacceptable behaviour! Take another ten points from Gryffindor and detention with Professor McGonagall," Umbridge then turned towards them and smiled sickly sweet. "20 points to Slytherin for aiding another student in danger. How are you Mr. Potter?"
"Uhm.. I'm okay Madam Umbridge. Thank you for your concern." He smiled, which looked more like a grimace. She seemed to accept it and went back into the great hall, ushering the other students who were watching the whole dispute back to what they were previously doing.
Looking back to Hermione, he winced. She looked furious, and her wild curly hair was all over the place. Ron was flushed in anger, his face almost the same color as his hair. Hermione huffed before she stomped away, dragging Ron with her.
"Are you okay, Potter?" He tilted his head to look up at him. What's up with Malfoy? First, he took him to the hospital wing when he saw he was ill and didn't take away points or gave out detention. Now he's helping him? The concern in those silver eyes made him feel all fuzzy.
"Uhm.. yeah. Thanks." He said as he reluctantly pulled away from the warmth and safety he felt within those arms, leaving him feel bare.
"I'll see you at class Potter." Malfoy slowly smirked as he walked away to the the great hall. His fellow slytherins following him.
Harry covered his face with his hands. He sniffs before thinking,
That prat!
Walls of bookshelves stand tall in their place, it's tomes and volumes placed accordingly. The scratching of quills on paper, the sound of pages being flipped, and the hushed talking of students were to be heard. Madam Pince, the librarian occasionally glances around the library and glaring at those who produce loud noises.
A hand skims over the books, landing on '𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦'. A book on powerful defensive charms; made by Catullus Spangle, who Harry recalled must be a former teacher at Hogwarts. Grabbing the book, he went to the nearest unoccupied table and sat down.
He doesn't go to the library often, preferring to stay in the common room to do homework or read from Hermione's book collection. However, ever since that day Hermione refused to talk to him, saying he betrayed them for siding with Malfoy. Ron, as always, agreed on that statement, calling him a traitor to the gryffindors. The others remained silent at that matter — except for Luna, Ginny, and Neville. They opposed them and stuck by him.
The practical study group that Hermione proposed to him was immediately denied out of petty and because of the risk they had if they were found. He felt conflicting emotions. This wasn't the first argument they had, yet he's feeling some sort of dread as though something is about to happen between them. He sent a letter to Remus and Sirius about what happened using one of the owls from the owlery as he thinks that Umbridge is monitoring his letters.
The letter that he then received in the great hall today was recommendations of books that he can read about defence, courtesy of Remus. The letter then descends onto how Sirius and Remus missed him, about those emotions that he felt, and if he ever needed someone to consult, he can message them if he wanted. He appreciated the offer, however he wasn't about to use almost every single owl in the owlery to message them and there is still Umbridge who is watching his every move. Who would have thought the ministry would send a toad to Hogwarts because they didn't think the education in this school is in high standards? Because they don't like Dumbledore?
Now here he is, immersed in his reading. It was interesting, to say the least. A light tap on his shoulder startled him. Looking up he saw Draco Malfoy, his famous Malfoy smirk plastered on his face.
"Good read, Potter?" Malfoy asked as he sat on the chair beside him, his book about potions placed on the table.
"It's.. interesting." Harry replied, his brow rising. Why is he here? Malfoy didn't respond, so he went back to his book and continued reading. He's sure Malfoy would just leave when he realizes that Harry's not up for conversation.
After a few moments of silence, Harry had enough. His patience was running thin. He folded the tip of the page he was reading on and slammed the book shut. He turned to Malfoy, only to see that stupid smirk playing on his lips.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry suppressed the urge to roll his eyes as that smirk got wider.
"I heard a little rumour that Weasley and Granger refuse to talk to you. How come?" Malfoy queried, his smirk still wide although a little strained.
Harry looked down, a frown on his face as answered in one word, "Argument." His eyes then widened. Why is he telling Malfoy about this? His head snapped up to deny what he said when he saw Malfoy had a thoughtful look on his face, a small frown on his lips as his eyebrows furrowed. Where did that smirk go?
"I'm assuming that your friends thought that you were siding with me and didn't like it?" Malfoy ignored his wide-eyed look as he nodded dumbly. He then looked at him in the eye, "How do you feel about it?"
Harry stared at him, stunned at what he was hearing. Why is Malfoy doing this? He's not boasting about his father's success, nor is he taunting him. He's actually asking how he felt about that fight between his friends. Warmth coursed through his body, feeling perplexed and giddy. What are these feelings? Noticing that he did not answer, he stuttered out, "Uh.. I.. I-I don't know. Well, I mean.. I have this.. uh uhm-"
"Potter. Calm down and take a deep breath," Malfoy advised. And Harry did just that. He's really trusting Malfoy with this? Yes. He doesn't care currently about the fact that Malfoy would probably humiliate him. Right now, he just needs someone to talk to regarding the conflicting emotions he felt.
"Well.. I'm.. sad about how Hermione and Ron just immediately gets angry at me when they see me with you, although you saved me from falling that day, and angry at how they assumed I was siding with you. I denied that accusation but they wouldn't hear any of it, saying I was making excuses and that I should know better than to talk back. Like they were scolding me! I tried to reason with them but Hermione refused to talk to me.. And Ron just keeps shouting at how traitorous I am," Harry paused, his head down and his hands fisting on his lap. Malfoy hummed showing he was listening. He continued, "This isn't the first argument we had, it's almost normal really. But I have this feeling of dread.. like something is about to happen that's going to ruin our friendship.."
Tears try to overwhelm him but he blinked fighting back, "I.. Ron and Hermione were my first friends. If they're going to break our friendship.. then I would, I would.."
"Be upset." Malfoy said after he trailed off. He heard him sigh. This is going to be the moment where he would ridicule him. He shouldn't have trusted him. Suddenly, a hand gripped his chin and tilted his head up to look at the blond in front of him, the concern pooling in his silver eyes.
"Look, Potter. I understand the situation you are in. I know that I would also feel upset when my friends would break our friendship especially when we're close.." Malfoy averted his eyes before looking back at him. "You can come to me if you want to talk or just want my company, after all my presence is one of a kind," Harry snorted, the gloomy atmosphere vanishing. Malfoy's lips twitched and continued, "I don't offer this to everyone so you are lucky, Potter."
"I appreciate it, Malfoy. I may take it up," Harry said, his hand coming up and touching the wrist of his hand that was holding up his chin. He smiled, "Thank you."
His eyes were closed, that was the reason he missed the startled look Malfoy gave him and the light blush that coated his cheeks.
"Ahem.. well.. Lunch is about to start," Malfoy said, withdrawing his hand and Harry also took his hand from the soft skin. He stood up and grabbed the untouched potions book from the table. "C'mon. Let's walk there together."
Harry nodded, the smile still playing on his lips. He stood up and took his book from the table. After talking to Malfoy about it, it felt like a weight was taken off his chest. And that offer made him happy.
After Madam Pince let them borrow the books, they made their way to the great hall. Neither of them talked but it was broken by Harry asking that one question dancing in his mind, "What does this mean about our rivalry? It's well known."
"We tell them we made a truce. Besides, they're probably talking about the fight that day. They won't be questioning about why we're being civil to each other." Malfoy suggested. Harry nodded while his thoughts were about those arms around him, his heart yearning for those arms to hold him again. A light blush painted his cheeks before he shook his head. Why is he thinking about this?
They came to a stop before the doors of the great hall. Malfoy turned to him and he said, "You may call me Draco, Potter. And no nicknames."
Harry grinned as he responded, "No promises. You can call me Harry."
Draco smirked before he went to him, an arm circling around his waist as his breath fanned his ear. His eyes widened as a flush crept up his face, his heart racing. He said in a low voice, "Well then, 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺. I'll see you soon." He pulled away from the scarlet stunned Harry and open the doors to the great hall. He waved as he walked off closing the door behind him, acting as though the intimate position he was in never happened.
That prat!
"I can't believe you! Hanging out with Malfoy!"
"So I can't hang out with other people now!?"
"He's a slimy snake! And-and he's evil!" Ron exclaimed, trying to reason Harry.
"I agree," Hermione stated, nodding. Her face dour. She continued, "His family is supporting Umbridge! Can't you see it Harry!? He's evil!"
"How are you so sure that his family supports Umbridge? Just because he's a member of the inquisitorial squad does not mean he likes it!" He retorted. He glared at them, his face twisted into a scowl. However, his mind was in complete turmoil. Does Draco support Umbridge? What if this is some kind of ploy to make him expose Sirius' whereabouts even though he's innocent? Can he really trust him? The feeling of uneasiness crept up to him. Add in the trepidation he was feeling, making him sick to the stomach.
"I'm not close to Malfoy whatsoever, but he's been nice to Harry these past few days. While you two hit him because Harry didn't tell you where he went and instantly start screaming at him when Malfoy talks to him! Hell, even when he's in Harry's vicinity!" Ginny rebuked. Her fists were clenched and a disapproving frown was set on her features.
Hermione's jaw unhinged, failing to create a response to that. While Ron's face became red in anger. The others came down to see what was happening and were standing near the stairs to the boys and girls dormitories, trying to make themselves invisible. Ron then suddenly yelled, "You are all traitors to the gryffindors! Standing up to the evil slytherins!"
"Not all slytherins are evil." Neville piped up beside him.
"Yes they are! Since you're going to be with the slytherins, then you are evil as well!" Ron bellowed, "How about you go and boast with Malfoy huh!? You are so rich and the popularity you're getting must have boosted your ego, huh Harry!?"
"You don't know me, Ron. I would never do that!" Harry argued. Does Ron even know him? The popularity he was getting was because of his hero complex — he found out about it when he saved Hermione from a troll that Professor Quirrel let loose — and the rivalry between them and the slytherins. It's overwhelming.
"Shut up!" The red head shouted. Hermione looked uncertain but still remained at Ron's side. Ron's nostrils flared in anger, his lips drew back in a snarl. The trepidation he was feeling increased, fearing what's going to happen was something he wouldn't like.
Ron finally shouted the words he feared would come out of his friends mouth, that made him crumble into pieces, "We should have never been your friends! We're done!"
Everyone gasped, shocked. Harry's eyes widen and sadness overtook him. How could he? He trusted him. He's breaking those ties that he foolishly thought would bring them closer. His eyes glistened. He was so foolish.
"Fine. It was nice knowing you Ronald, Hermione." He said with an air of finality before he turned around and left the common room, hearing the distant sounds of shouting. He went to the only place he could think of that can seclude him from everyone. He ran and ran, his eyes welling up with tears, his breathing rapid. His eyes were clouded by a haze, seeming to feel like he was drowning.
He ran until he crashed into a hard wall and stumbled back. Suddenly, hands caught his wrists and his head snapped up to see Draco.
"Harry?" Draco asked, worry emanating off him. He dismissed the slytherins behind him, who were giving him odd looks, and they left.
"Harry, are you okay?" He asked again. His eyes taking in the tear-stricken face of Harry's. Realizing Harry is not going to respond soon, he pulled him close against him. Warmth went through his body and he fisted Draco's robes as he sobbed into his shoulder. A hand rubbing circles on his back, silently comforting him.
He calmed down after a while, burying himself into Draco's shoulder as he recollected his thoughts. Draco, who noticed he relaxed, suggested, "Do you want to talk about it?"
He nodded, pulling away and led him to the Room of Requirement. He walked past it three times and a door materializes infront of them. He opened the door and walked into the room, Draco right behind him taking in everything with his brows rose. The room was quite simple. It consists a blue loveseat to the right, a blue armchair next to it and a coffee table in the middle. A fireplace was lit at the left, the flames dancing. He sat down on the loveseat while Draco sat on the armchair. His heart ached at the space between them, wanting to sit next to him but he pushed it aside. He took a deep breath and told him what occured in the common room.
At the end, he was on the brink of tears. His first friendship was broken into pieces. It's like a bridge collapsing into a pit of darkness, never to be seen again. The acceptance, love, and trust trailing after the bridge. He felt the couch dip beside him and a hand holding his. He turned to Draco to see him wearing a murderous look that slightly unnerved him. He hesitantly spoke, "Draco?"
That seemed to bring him out those thoughts he was lost in and looked at him. The look that he had on disappeared and a soft smile made his way onto his face, making his heart flutter. Draco rubbed his hand as he said, "If they can't accept our companionship, they don't deserve you. Especially with their behavior that day."
"But what about those points they said? Does your family actually support Umbridge?" He asked Draco with urgency. He needed to know, the nerves getting to him.
Draco seemed surprised before he softly reassured him, "Oh no, I don't. She made me a member of her squad because my family 'supposedly' supports the ministry. My father wants to be a member of the wizengamot as his current position is being on the school board governors, so he didn't pick a side between the headmaster or the ministry. However, the public assumed he supported the ministry. My mother didn't take part in it, she's not fond of politics. I think Umbridge is too pink in my opinion. And the forms of her detentions from those rumours disgust me." He finished off, grimacing.
"Oh." Harry sighed in relief. His nerves fading away.
"No need to worry about that, Harry," Draco said. He queried with a slight frown on his face, "Are you okay?"
Is he okay? It still aches thinking about the two of them. He's not okay, but he's willing to move on. He won't forget his time with them, the memories they made together, but he will keep moving forward. He needs time to adjust. He spoke, "I am. Thank you." A smile graced his features, thankful for his companionship. Who would have thought he would find trust and welcome arms from his rival?
Draco hummed and pulled him close, one arm draped on his shoulders. A pink tint light up his cheeks and he relaxed, breathing in the scent of green apples. They settled in a comfortable silence, neither talking.
The silence did not last long as a reluctant voice spoke, "Harry?"
"Yeah?" He answered, turning his body to his right so he can look at him, his knees on the other's lap. He toed his shoes off, therefore he missed the blush that overtook the startled blond's cheeks and the twitching hand.
"Uhm.." He coughed. Harry never seen Draco this awkward, it's.. it's cute. He squeezed the hand on his shoulder in encouragement. He began hesitantly, "I.. I know I haven't been the kind to you these past years and I apologize. If I could go redo what I've done to you back then, I would.
These past few days left me content and I like your company. You're sarcastic, you're energetic and sometimes you're mischievous like the gryffindor you are. Honestly, you're amazing and I would like to spend more time with you," He paused and Harry was glad he did because his face was a pretty shade of red. His heart was racing, his eyes were widened and his breath got caught in his throat. Merlin's beard, he thought. These feelings were back and they were stronger than before. Draco proposed the last thing he expected, "Will you go with me to hogsmeade this weekend?"
Silence then followed his question that made Draco even more nervous— although he covered it.
"Yes." Harry accepted after a few seconds taking in what he said.
"Yes?" Draco repeated, surprised and hopeful.
"Yes. Of course!"
"Good," He relaxed and held him tighter. Harry was feeling happy and excitement was thrumming within him. A grin worked its way on his lips as Draco teased him, "Make sure you wear thick clothing, we don't want you to catch a cold again."
Cheeky prat.
"Harry! Your hair is a bird's nest!" Ginny exclaimed as she tried to brush the untamed madness on his head for the umpteenth time. She complained again, "How can you even live with this!"
"Just leave it alone Ginny, it's no use." He sighed. She slumped and stopped, huffing as she grabbed his scarf on his bed before handing it to him.
Suddenly, the door opened and Ron came in. He glanced at him and he went to get his own scarf on his truck before he left the room swiftly. His heart ached a little and hurt was prominent on his face.
"Hey," Ginny patted him on the arm as he turned towards him. She smiled, "Don't mind him. He's not worth of your attention. Don't let him sour up your mood."
"Thanks Gin." He said as he gave her a smile back.
"It's nothing," She rolled her eyes, "Hurry up. You have a date."
After finishing his outfit, he left the common room as Ginny and Neville said their good luck's. He went down the stairs as quickly as possible and he ran until he found Draco waiting for him outside.
"Hey Draco." He greeted as he catched his breath.
"Hello Harry." Draco said. He stood properly and looked at him. His breath hitched, he looked so gorgeous. He was wearing a black overcoat, underneath it was a forest green shirt that fit his toned body. He had on black trousers with matching black oxfords, looking polished and brand new. His scarf was placed on his neck, it's slytherin emblem proudly on display. A pink tint coloured his cheeks when he saw the smirk that played on the slytherin's lips as his eyes danced in amusement and delight.
The whole outfit made him insecure of his own appearance. He himself was sporting a cherry red cardigan with a white turtleneck shirt underneath, although the collar was covered by his red and yellow scarf. He had on his black jeans and brown comfy boots that Ginny insisted he wear. His self-consciousness vanished when Draco complimented him, making his blush deepen.
They ambled towards hogsmeade, their conversations amid the sea of noise. They reached hogsmeade, layers of snow covering the cobbled pathway. Fragile and delicate crystals fall from the sky and some attempted to catch the snowflakes with their tongues, laughing all the while. It was beautiful, like a piece of art.
He turned to his companion beside him, surprised to see him staring at him with such emotion made his heart skip a beat. Those feelings came back as he locked his eyes with those grey ones. Before, he didn't know what these feelings mean, it was confusing. He spent all night thinking about it and he was pleased with the results of his discovery: Definitely attraction, it was intense than the time he felt it for Cho or Cedric. There's fondness and care. And there's those gentle touches that he gave him, the affection and warmth. He's sure he took a liking to Draco, but it isn't quite right.
"Shall we go to the Three Broomsticks first?" Draco asked, breaking his gaze and shaking him out of his musings.
"Sure. I'm craving some food right now." He said as he walked off in the direction of the tavern. A chuckle rang out from behind him as Draco followed his lead.
The bell rang as the door for honeydukes opened. Two laughing figures stepped out of the shop and they stood there until their laughter died out.
"I can't believe he did that." Harry shook his head as he realized the absurdity of the situation Macmillan was in. Draco snorted and they strolled aimlessly in hogsmeade.
"Y'know, I really enjoyed today," He began as they came to a stop before the path back to Hogwarts. He fidgeted when Draco turned to look at him. He continued, "I would like it if we could do it again?"
His nerves settled within him when the slytherin didn't respond and was still staring at him intensely. He did not dare look at his gaze for fear of seeing the disdain in those eyes. Did he not enjoy their trip? Did he do something wrong? Was he too persistent?
A soft voice broke him out of his panic, sounding happy and excited, "Of course, I would love to."
His eyes widen and a flush crept up his face as he felt joy at the response. A smile worked its way onto his companion's face and his heart beat picked up at the genuine happiness that was shown. This was no mask, it's true. He looks so sincere, so enthusiastic. His heart clenched when he saw the appreciation in his eyes. He looked so cute and-
He likes Draco.
He. Likes. Draco.
The sudden realization made him panic and yet he finds himself content. The blush on his cheeks grew hot and his heart rate was beating rapidly that he might need to get it checked. An unfamiliar but welcome feeling worms it's way within him, settling it's place in his heart. It all makes sense, those feelings all makes sense.
Feeling Draco staring at him, he snapped himself to reality. Draco had a frown on his face and his forehead was furrowed. He asked hesitantly, "Are you okay, Harry?"
A pleasing feeling washed over him, leaving him fuzzy and warm. Harry continued to stare at him, memorizing every single detail on his face. When he came to the blond's lips, he couldn't help imagining his own pressed against his. But he needs to collect himself, he needs to-
Draco wrapped his arms around his waist and scanned a concerned eye over him. The touch drove him crazy but he-
Screw it.
He grabbed Draco's collar and pulled him down with a gentle force of his hands. Soft but cool lips meet his own and the taste of sweet apples overtook the flavor of chocolate. The mouth on his started to move after seconds of comprehension. It was slow but yet so bliss, the feeling of euphoria overwhelming him. The arms around his waist tightened and his arms moved from it's place to surround the slytherin's neck, supporting himself.
They pulled apart panting and out of breath, their cheeks flushed red. He glanced at Draco through his lashes and saw him smiling uncontrollably at him. He returned that smile with one of own before he laid his head on his shoulder. They stayed like that, in each other's arms.
Draco broke the comfortable silence when he asked, "As much as I like for you to kiss me again, what brought this up suddenly?"
He twitched as he felt hesitant to confess, fearing to be left alone. But when he looked at those grey eyes shining with affection and warmth, he softly confessed his feelings.
Draco eyes widened but his face broke out into that beautiful smile he saw moments ago. He responded, "Harry, I like you too."
He was sure he looked positively happy and the only response that he could give was to press their lips together again.
Lovable prat.