Phase One – Smiling
Gulping nervously, Draco made his way to the library.
Today at breakfast, he'd got a letter from one of the school’s owls. The note requested his presence at the library after classes and was signed with the initials HG.
Draco had looked up to the Gryffindor-table in surprise. But the bushy haired girl was immersed in a book. Cold dread crawled up Draco’s spine. Was Granger going to punch him again because of his apology-letter? Draco knew it was risky to write the muggleborn witch; the act alone could be considered presumptuous.
Drawing in a deep breath, the Slytherin entered the library. He wasn’t going to run anymore. If Granger wanted to punch him, it was only just for all the bullying she had to endure from him.
“Granger”, he said in greeting when he found the girl in a secluded reading area in the arithmancy section. He was glad his voice didn’t crack.
“Hello, Malfoy. Have a seat.” The Gryffindor looked up from where she was pouring over thick tomes and scattered parchment.
Stiffly, Draco took the chair across from her. Granger considered him a moment, then she smiled at him. “I got your letter, yesterday. I can’t say I’m over the slurs yet, but I appreciate the sentiment. So, thank you.”
Draco drew his eyebrows together, frowning. “I did not write to you so you could thank me.”
Granger’s smile widened. “I know. But I wanted to.”
Draco was really confused now. “Was that all?” He really had no idea why he was summoned to a private meeting. It could not be just for a ‘thank you’, could it?
Granger proved him right when she let out a little sigh. “No, I–” she hesitated and fiddled with the parchment in front of her. Then she looked up determinedly and carried on. “Do you want to study together? I’m in need of a study partner who actually shows an interest in academics. Ron and Harry rather spend their free time flying or some other stuff. And it gets pretty lonely sometimes to always revise notes on your own.”
“What?” Draco blinked, pretty sure he misunderstood.
“Do you want to study together?” Granger repeated.
Draco opened and closed his mouth several times before he managed a full sentence. “Why would want to do this with me?”
Granger pushed a curl behind her ear which immediately sprang back in her face. “Well, you are one of the smartest students in our year.” Then her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she admitted, “And I thought it would help you get over your muggleborn prejudices. You could ask me anything about muggles. And it would also help me getting over my own prejudices against Slytherins. We could both find closure with the benefit of preparing for NEWTs.”
Draco cleared his throat into the following awkward silence. “Well. Uhm. Your proposal sounds like a win-win situation. I wouldn’t befit my house if I were to decline such an offer.” He wanted to make amends and Granger presented him with the perfect opportunity.
Granger rewarded him with a beaming smile. “Great. I took the liberty of creating a study-timetable for us.”
“Wow, Granger, thanks.” Draco said a bit overwhelmed.
“Call me Hermione, Draco” she grinned at him.
Draco found his lips twitching into an answering smile.
“Why are you two looking suspiciously smug, today?” Hermione asked her best friend and boyfriend at dinner.
Trying to hide their shit-eating grins, Ron and Harry responded simultaneously “It’s nothing.”
Hermione narrowed her eyes at them. “Uhuh.” Her eyes twitched from one boy to the other and finally settled on Ron, deeming him the weaker target. She stared him down mercilessly. “What are you up to?”
Ron tried avoiding the penetrating gaze but to no avail. He squirmed in his seat, his face growing redder by the second until he finally cracked. “It’s nothing awful, I swear. We just asked Parvati and Lavender to upgrade Harry’s wardrobe.”
Hermione huffed. “And you didn’t ask me to help?”
Harry rubbed his neck sheepishly. “Well, you were busy studying in the library. We didn’t want to disturb you with such a simple matter.”
“But, Harry! I would have made time for you.” Hermione said, sounding hurt.
“We know”, Ron reassured her. “We know how important NEWTs are for you, so we wanted to give you your peace. Also, we always have your full attention after dinner. You can still help Harry get his hair right?” he offered.
“Alright. I think the charms I used in fourth year should suffice. Why the sudden interest in appearances, though?” Hermione asked.
“Oh, it’s just, doing it now seemed logical. First year without any evil wizards breathing down my neck and all that. So I thought, why not focus a little on myself for once? Self-care, self-love, you know?” Harry said.
“Uhuh.” Hermione said again, looking doubtful but letting it rest for now. Her friend had a valid point after all. Maybe she would treat herself to some new quills, too.
The next morning before breakfast, all the clothes Harry had ordered with Parvati’s and Lavender’s help were directly delivered to the Gryffindor’s dorm. They ordered Express Service, not paying the extra fees because Harry had played his saviour card.
Excited, Seamus, Ron, and Harry opened the packages. They stood in a sea of clothes, all of them with no clue how to combine them. When Harry, at last, was dressed in leather trousers and a Hawaiian shirt, Dean took pity on him.
“I said I wouldn’t help, but Merlin, Harry, I can’t let you go out like this” he shook his head at the sight of the raven-haired boy.
So, Harry ended up with smart brown corduroy trousers and a form-fitting, grass green cashmere v-neck-jumper with thin yellow lining. His round glasses were replaced by black, modern square frames.
Then he hollered for Hermione to fix his hair. Hermione came into the boy’s dormitory, rolling her eyes at the chaos of discarded clothes. “You are aware that you have to wear your school uniform and robes, yes?”
“Oh”, Harry deflated. “I did not think of that.”
Patting his shoulder consolingly, Hermione said “There’s still the weekend, Harry. You can flaunt your new wardrobe, then. Do you want me to do your hair?”
Sighing, Harry agreed “Yes, please.”
“Something is different about Potter”, Draco grumbled while glaring alternatingly at the Gryffindor war hero and his lukewarm tea.
Pansy lifted briefly her face from her own tea. “You’re right, the boy wonder looks surprisingly fetching today.”
“He has a new hairstyle and new glasses”, Draco observed. “Has he suddenly decided that he’s too good for the birds-nest-look?”
“Huh. Now that you’re pointing it out, I see it. Still messy, but in a ‘just shagged’ way. It’s neat.” Pansy mused and turned her attention back to her tea.
„Is he trying to impress someone with his stupid sex-hair? Stupid Potter and his stupid new glasses, making his stupid green eyes even more expressive.” Draco scowled at his now cold tea like it personally offended him.
Greg slid a waffle on Draco’s plate, slicing it into eatable pieces. Then he prodded Draco’s mouth until he parted his lips and Greg shoved a waffle piece along with some fruit in.
Draco glared murderously at Greg. „’fff a’mh gettin’ fffat, a’mh goin to ki’ ya”* he said around his mouthful.
When he finished chewing, Greg calmly asked “Better?”.
Grudgingly Draco nodded. “Better.”
“Seamus, are you sure Malfoy fancies me?” Harry inquired, his eyes never leaving the Slytherin table.
“Yeah, mate. A hundred percent sure.” Seamus whispered back.
“But he’s getting fed by Goyle!” Harry hissed. His stomach heated with hatred towards the blonde git.
“I’m sure it’s nothin’, Harry” Seamus reassured him. “He doesn’t seem to enjoy being force fed that much.”
Harry shot another glare at the Slytherin table as if trying to burn a hole through Goyle’s head. “Why can’t Malfoy just eat by himself?” he wondered aloud. Stupid, spoiled Malfoy, licking his lips all sensual and getting fed like a prince.
Seamus gave Harry a calculating look. “Are you sure you can do this, Harry? You seem awfully invested in Malfoy. And if I didn’t know better, I would suspect you have a crush on him.”
“I–what?” Harry spluttered. “I don’t have a crush on Malfoy! I hate him, okay? I have to know my enemy, is all.” He added defensively.
“Alright, alright, Harry. I believe you.” Seamus said. “Well, it’s time to implement the plan. Give the git a smile!” He grinned mischievously.
Harry looked up to Malfoy and startled when the Slytherin already stared back. Maintaining eye contact, Harry willed his lips to turn up into a smile, one corner after the other.
Draco let out a horrified squeak, startling his friends. Potter had caught him staring and now his face was scrunched up in a horrible grimace. It almost looked like an attempted smile but reminded Draco more of a serial killer who has chosen his next victim. Evidently, the victim was Draco.
“He’s going to kill me” the blonde whisper-shouted at the questioning gazes of his friends.
Following the line of Draco’s petrified stare, his friends burst out laughing. Gaining back his self-control the blonde hissed indignantly, “You think Potter plotting my painful demise is funny?”
“Draco, darling” Pansy said between giggles, “I think this is Potter’s really bad attempt at flirting.”
“Flirting??? With whom? Is he trying to win back the Weaslette by murdering me and then presenting my cut-out heart as a token of love?” Draco screeched hysterically.
“Salazar, you’re deranged, Draco” Blaise said incredulously.
“Potter’s flirting with you, Draco” Greg offered, the loyal friend he was. “Even I noticed.”
“No. Nuh-uh. No way. Absolutely not. Never ever is Potter flirting with me. He’s planning murder!” Draco shook his head vehemently, his thoughts swirling. He was feeling quite dizzy, his head was killing him. See? Potter’s plan already worked!
“Please excuse me” Draco staggered to his feet. “I have to write my testament. Tell my mother, I love her. And give my father the finger for me.”
The blonde hastily left the Great Hall, missing the amused and pitying looks his friends shot him.
At the end of the day, Draco was a terrified mess. Not only had Potter ‘smiled’ at him three more times. No, he had winked at him, too! Twice!
Merlin, and did it look ridiculous. And scary. And all sorts of wrong. Potter really wanted to kill him. All his stupid smiles and blinking eyes made Draco giddy to no end.
The worst part was, now that he knew he would inevitably die, he did not know when. Or where. Or how. Though death was certain, the ignorance of the details was wearing him out. Which resulted in Draco jumping and shrieking his lungs out in fear whenever he heard Gryffindors laughing, and whenever he saw red robes or black hair.
Finally, he decided to get more information from the one person, he was certain knew everything and had pretended to want to be his friend.
Draco stormed into the library, fuming. “Granger” he hissed. “I demand–”
“Hermione!” Granger reminded him gently. “And hello to you, too, Draco” She smiled at him brightly, unaware of the turmoil of emotions swirling inside her study partner.
“Hermione”, Draco conceded. “I can’t take it anymore! When is it going to happen?”
Frowning, the Gryffindor asked, “What is going to happen?”
“Me being murdered! Don’t you dare suggest you aren’t in on Potter’s nefarious plotting!” Draco declared, dramatically pointing a long, manicured finger at the witch in accusation.
“I–what? Draco, I assure you nobody’s planning to murder you. At least not in my knowledge…Why would you think that?”
“Because! Potter has been smiling and winking at me all day!” Draco shouted.
“Harry has been doing that?” Hermione asked, eyes widening.
Draco halted his impending tantrum by gaping at the Gryffindor girl. She really seemed unaware of Draco’s predicament. Deciding to trust her for now, he slumped into the seat next to her, burying his head in his hands. “I’m doomed.”
Peeking through his fingers, he asked Hermione, just to be sure, “You’re truly not wanting to kill me?”
“Oh, Draco” Hermione shook her head indulgently, “You’re so naïve. If I were plotting your death, do you really think you’d notice?”
“No, you’re too smart for that”, Draco admitted grudgingly.
“Soooo” Hermione drew out the vowel, “Harry has been smiling at you. And your conclusion is he is planning to kill you?”
Why did she sound so amused, Draco wondered. Nobody was taking him seriously, nowadays. Oh, what has his life become?
“What else would make Potter smiling at me like that if not imagining me suffering an untimely and most gruesome death?” Draco sneered.
“Well, purely theoretical, some would assume such behavior as flirting.” Hermione grinned at him.
The Slytherin just groaned out loudly, thumping his head against the desk. “Not you, too” he mumbled into the wood. “My friends told me the same. I think you’re all having the same disease called spouting rubbish.”
Taking pity on him, Hermione changed the subject. “Did you already do your transfiguration homework?”
Grateful, Draco leaped up from his crouching position and threw himself into a heated discussion.
Later that evening, Hermione stormed the common room, dragging Harry and Ron into a secluded corner.
“Word is going around that Harry is flirting with Draco Malfoy!” she said gleefully. “What do you have to say for yourself, Harry?”
Said boy exchanged a glance with Ron. “Uhm. It’s kind of true?”
Squealing, Hermione launched into Harry’s arms. “I’m so proud of you, Harry! I wondered when you would figure out that you’re bisexual. And you’re letting go of your grudges against Draco.”
Ron mouthed perplexed ‘Draco?’, and Harry, equally puzzled, shrugged his shoulders. Hermione, unaware of the boys’ bewilderment, rambled on. “I have to admit, I’m not surprised at all. You really were obsessed with Draco in sixth year, it makes so much sense! But Harry, you could have told us!”
“Ehm” Harry said, overwhelmed. Wait, he was bisexual??
Hermione looked at him expectantly. Gaining control over his shock first, Ron said lamely, “Yeah, mate. You could have told us.”
Clearing his throat, Harry mumbled. “Right. Sorry?”
“Oh, Harry! You have nothing to be sorry about. It’s perfectly alright. Just know that we’re always here for you” Hermione reassured him gently. She elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs.
“Eh, right. You can talk to us.” Ron added dutifully.
Helplessly, Harry said, “Apropos, can I talk to you, Ron?” The boys glanced at Hermione.
“Of course, I’ll leave you boys to it”, she said and winked before sauntering away.
After the witch left, there was silence for about two seconds before both Ron and Harry exploded simultaneously.
“You’re bisexual?” – “I’m bisexual?”
“Wait, why are you sounding so surprised? It’s your sexuality!” Ron exclaimed.
“I didn’t know I was bisexual!” Harry shot back.
“Huh. Well, are you? Bisexual?” Ron asked hesitantly.
“I–I don’t know. I never thought about it” Harry stuttered.
“That’s alright, mate. You can think about it now.” Ron patted Harry’s shoulder.
“And what if I really am bisexual?” Harry whispered, suddenly feeling frightened.
“Well, then it should be easier for you to seduce Malfoy. Like Neville said, the bloke is fit” his friend replied cheekily, drawing out a chuckle of Harry.
“Are you sure, you’re not the bisexual one?” he teased.
“Urgh, no!” Ron said, looking green. “But seriously, it’s okay if you are, Harry. Just, please. Whatever you do, I never ever want to discuss details of your sex life!”
Harry could live with that, he decided. He wasn’t especially keen to hear from Ron and Hermione either.
“So, do you fancy Malfoy?” Ron asked tentatively.
“Merlin, no! I hate him!” Harry immediately denied vehemently.
The red head seemed unsure. “But sixth year…”
“He was up to something! And I was right!” The raven-haired boy defended himself.
“Alright, just wanted to make sure” mumbled Ron, obviously relieved.
“Right. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s join Hermione. That was enough emotional talk for at least a month!” Ron exclaimed, and they did just that.