Classes and his Attention
Harry and Leo had both been sorted into Gryffindor to the surprise of no one. Likewise, Malfoy and Nott were sorted into Slytherin, and while that meant he wouldn't see the blond as often as he like it was enough they shared plenty of classes.
Harry's fame didn't help in getting close to Malfoy seeing as most of the kids crowded around him and Leo when they ventured the hallways. Harry, unlike his father, didn't like attention so he left it to Leo who had the training in order to handle them and get them to back off without allowing anyone to make an article out of it.
Leo is regal in a way Harry isn't due to his friend having the Lord training that he did. Dad claims he never really took his own training seriously so he didn't force Harry to take the lessons and thus Harry never did.
He never really cared about it until Malfoy pointed it out.
"I must say, Black that was rather impressive," The blond said after Leo had gotten the three Ravenclaws who were bothering Harry about that fateful Halloween to leave. "I think it's a good example of how well you will run your estate by the way you handled that situation. "
"Thank you, Malfoy. Sometimes the best weapon is a good argument" Leo chips not missing a beat. "Though if they had continued I would resort to Lord Edicate number thirteen"
Harry didn't know what rule that was but the way Malfoy's pretty silver eyes light up with humor let him the other did. "Why thirteen when you could go for nineteen instead? It would send a better message."
"And risk flames getting out of control? I think not."
Malfoy laughs, making butterflies flutter in Harry's stomach. He wants to be a part of the conversation but he can't seem to find a good opening. He shifts foot from foot until he can't take it anymore and blurts out "We could also punch them in the face!"
The other two freeze, and while Leo smiles because yeah the other half-blood would, in fact, also throw fists after a while, Malfoy looks less than impressed. Harry chuckled awkwardly, blushing bright red but unable to stop. "Just aim for the nose."
"Or the neck! They never protect the neck" Leo adds
"Right," Malfoy says after a moment's pause. He nods to both of them and straightens out his robes. "Well, I best get to potions. Godfather hates when students arrive late"
"Uncle Severus is your godfather?" Leo asks to which Malfoy nods once then spins on his heel and walks away. Harry watches the way Leo's mouth thin out in displeasure at the dismissal and even he can say that was pretty rude. Malfoy he comes to realize over the course of the weeks they have been in school together isn't perfect, in fact, he could be what one calls a snobby brat, but he is still the prettiest person he's ever seen and somehow despite the imperfections or because of them Harry finds he likes Malfoy all that more.
It makes him seem real, instead of the perfect painting come to life upon their first meeting.
Watching Malfoy walk, he snorts. "I can see the resemblance."
"Hmm?"
"Malfoy's school robes blow behind him like Professor Snape's do"
Leo throws his head back to laugh and Harry joins him. They meet up with Ron on the way to the classroom, share the joke that still had them gigglingly like loons. The three arrive in Potions in such high spirits he nearly missed Nott placing a large leaf on top of Leo's head.
Without uttering a word the brown hair boy also pressed a smooth round rock into the Black's hand and stroll back to his table where other Slytherins were seated. He had already been sitting there, with Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe but had sprung to his feet the moment he saw them arrive.
Malfoy leads over to Nott, speaking in soft tones, but Harry is too far away to hear what they say.
Leo takes the leaf off his head, stares at it in his open palm alongside the rock, and then pressed them to his chest whispering "I've been blessed."
Ron gives Harry a confuse look but he shakes his head. He doesn't know what that was about either and finds he doesn't want to. Nott is a bit of a loon. He only really talks about his books or spends time outside collecting random objects.
Rocks, leaves, flowers, and sticks to name a few.
Despite the fact they are engaged Malfoy didn't really spend time with him on his little outings. They were civil and were spotted in public together often but Harry after spending so much time watching Malfoy realized that Nott was often left to his own devices.
Malfoy spent more time with Crabbe and Goyle, running around turning up his nose at some students and playing games.
Harry informed Leo of this little observation and soon his fiancee coincidentally was always outside studying when Nott was. Sometimes he would help the Slytherin find an "extra crunchy leaf" or a "shinny rock" and he come back to the tower with a goofy smile and a healthy blush that had nothing to do with the cold.
Harry didn't really see the appeal of an odd but intelligent (Nott was third of the year behind, Hermione and Malfoy) boy like that but that's why he fancied Malfoy and not Nott.
The fact Leo could listen to Nott go through facts and facts about rocks without ever getting tired just made him more sure he had to get the contracts broken so they all could be happy. First-year had gone by in a whirlwind of activity and sadly he hadn't made much progress on Malfoy even though he tried so much.
Every time he tried speaking to him, his mind still blanked and he often said something wrong. Harry also started to sweat a lot around him which left him feeling gross.
"Eyes on your caldron Potter" Professor Snape snapped as he walked by blocking Harry's view of Malfoy and Nott working on their potions. Blinking he turns his head away in surprise he has been staring at the blond without realizing it.
"Sorry" He mumbles which causes the man to huff but he thankfully walks away to yell at Longbottom who was making his caldron shake again.
"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione asks. She carefully stirs the potion under Leo's careful eye. Both of them were potion partners and took their work very seriously. Harry had chosen Ron as his partner.
"I'm fine."
Ron, who also strung the potion Harry was guilty of not helping with snorted dismissively. He says in a teasing voice that has Harry every flustered that Malfoy may hear. "Don't worry 'Mione, Harry is just staring at Malfoy. He's ensnared by his beauty leaving me to do all the work. Again."
"Have you tried talking to him, Harry?" The witch asks. "You know you won't get anywhere with him if you can't hold a conversation"
"He did talk to Malfoy this time. He told Malfoy we should punch people for being fangirls earlier today in fact" Leo answers unhelpfully.
Ron winces "Mate....why would you say that? That's a bit too...muggle for the likes of Malfoy."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing wrong with muggle like 'Mione but trust me when I say it won't get Harry very far with Malfoy. His whole family is like that."
Harry sighs "I don't know. I wasn't thinking and he's not like his father Ron. I told you."
The redhead rolls his eyes. "Sure, mate. Love blinds and all that."
Leo hums. "Nott says Malfoy uses the m-word a lot and that it makes him uncomfortable."
"M-word?"
"Mudblood"
The witch's face twitches. "Oh, that word. I don't like that word."
"No one decent likes that word," Leo says dicing up the next ingredient with a hard look in his eye.
Harry frowns but he can't argue the fact that yes he has heard Malfoy say it too. It makes his plan on marrying him slightly strain if he's honest. But he wants to try and explain to Malfoy that it's a bad thing because he knows that Malfoy looks up to his dad and sometimes love really does blind.
If only his brain could function correctly around him.
"I know it's not alright-"
"Black." A soft voice interrupts them. All for Gryinddors turn to Nott who is standing at their table again. Over his shoulder, they could see Malfoy turning in a bottle potion to Professor Snape. Seems they had finished.
At once Leo's face softens and adoration sparks in his eyes. "Hi Nott."
"Hi. Did you like the stone? I found it in the Black Lake"
"I did! It's lovely, thank you for giving it to me" Leo chirps which make Nott smile. Harry is momently reminded that despite being so strange the other boy was in fact attractive. Leo's cheeks pinked.
"You're welcome. It's nicknamed the Slytherin Stone even though it has nothing to do with Salazar Slytherin. It's not valuable or anything just pretty." Notts kicks his feet for a second then adds "It's called that because some Slytherin Alumni students a few hundred years ago found them by chance and realized they only get that kind of green shine in the Black lake. It's tradition for Slytherin to throw an end-of-year party on the same day they found the stones.....would you like to come to the party?"
Leo's eyes go wide "Y-yes of course!"
Nott smile widens looking less nervous. "Great! It's this Friday at seven. It's outside now that the weather is warm enough, so casual wear is fine and there be some bonfires. Food will be provided as well. You all can come too, just say your my group's plus one."
He waved his hand to his Slytherin friends who jerk their chins out in agreement from their own table when they look over to them. Harry's heart squeezes when he realizes he could say I'm Malfoy's plus one and wants to cheer in joy.
"We'll be there!" Leo says. "And we'll be as cool as the Slytherin Stones."
Nott giggles. "You're adorable Black. See you Friday."
He walks away just as Harry realizes something. "I have to owl Mom to send me my leather jacket before the party!"
"Why?" asks Ron, who was trying his best to hide how excited he was to be going to the Slytherin party. Well, the snake house had a bad reputation their parties were the stuff of legends. None of his older brothers had ever been allowed to go as much as they tried.
"Uncle Sirius said leather jackets make smart boys weak."
Leo took out a piece of parchment looking determine "If I ask Aunt Lily to send it with mine through my hawk we will be ready by Thursday. Dad knows what he is talking about, after all, he got Father to marry him."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Boys."