Let’s talk business
“I still can’t believe you agreed to that“, Ron Weasley said through a mouth full of chocolate frogs. “I mean, it’s a bloody genius strategy. But still, it’s Malfoy!“
Hermione Granger rolled her eyes in annoyance as she looked up from her book. “Oh, Ron, come off it. You’ve been talking about nothing else for weeks. You better put just as much energy into your studies!“
“But it’s Malfoy! He’s a slimy asshole! He tortured us for years!“, Ron exclaimed, spluttering chocolate all around him.
“Well, you boys definitely enjoyed the daily fighting. You pranked him too, you know“, Hermione countered with her nose scrunched up in disgust at the flying chocolate drops.
“Yes, we pranked him, as in funny. He was making life hell, as in gruel. We certainly never went as far as he did. And he called you ‘Mudblood’!“
Hermione gave Ron an angelic smile, “And I punched him in the face once, I think we’re even now. I think, it is really mature of Harry to go through with this and move on from this childish feud.“ She nodded encourangingly to Harry.
“I feel very sorry for you, mate. To think you eventually have to kiss or do even more ... things... with the ugly ferret“, Ron shuddered in revulsion.
“I don’t think he’s too bad if he keeps his mouth shut“, Harry smirked as he remembered the animal incident in fourth year. Draco as a little ferret with his white fluffy fur looked quite cute.
Ron was a little shocked. “I didn’t know you swing that way. Since when do you like blokes?“
Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Honestly, I don’t know. I never thought that much about it. I just recently realized that I don’t mind about gender.“
“That’s okay, mate“, Ron patted Harrys shoulder to show him that he would accept Harry no matter what.
“I think that’s wonderful, Harry“, Hermione shipped in. “Love isn’t determined by the sexual organ“, she smiled knowingly.
“Not that I have much of a chance to find love now, anyway“, Harry muttered quietly, a bit frustated. His two best friends heard him though and exchanged worried glances.
“You know, I’ve been thinking that we could use that strategy, too. We could set Neville up with Luna from Ravenclaw and Ginny with some nice bloke from Hufflepuff. Building relationships with the other houses and gaining more allies... that could be pretty good“, Ron wriggled his eyebrows to lighten the mood again. But before he could continue his philosophic thoughts their compartment door was sweepingly opened.
“Potter“, the blonde Slytherin nodded a greeting and sat gracefully across to the black haired Gryffindor, pointedly ignoring the other two members of the Golden Trio. Blaise and Pansy followed and gave a cheerful “Hello“.
Taken by surprise the Gryffindors eyed the Slytherins suspiciously. “We know we’re all gorgeous, you don’t need to oggle“, Pansy said sarcastically. Blaise snickered and Draco sneered his typical Malfoy-sneer.
“Why are you here?“, Ron demanded, proud not to answer with a sarcastic remark himself, wanting to show he was more mature than the Slytherins.
“You should have seen this coming, it’s Draco’s tradition after all. Besides, he missed Boy Wonder here so much“, Blaise laughed and gained a murderous glare and punch on his arm from his blonde friend. The Gryffindors couldn’t suppress a grin and the tension faded immediately.
“Well, darling“, Harry winked to tease his fiancé, “aren’t I getting a kiss as greeting?“ Said fiancé grimaced, “You wish“.
The blonde hid further emotions in a mask of indifference. “I’ve come to clarify how we will interact with each other in school. I don’t know what you have planned, my father just told me to be civil and to not tell anyone about our ... situation.“
Harry suppressed a smile as Draco tried to avoid the word ‘engagement’. He then said as if he was presenting a business deal, “Well, we will act as friends. That means working together in class, greeting each other in the hallways, no insults, and no hexing each other.“
Draco nodded, he thought of that much. “I can’t promise to not make snide comments if you are doing something stupid. It is in my nature to point out people’s stupidity. Ask Pansy.“
“Oh, yes. Not a day goes by without a snippy remark. It’s his way of showing affection“, Pansy added, grinning widely at her blonde friend who gave her a push with his elbow.
“Dumbledore would like us to spend some of our free time together. He says, even if this whole thing is just politics we will have to get to know each other for better collaborating“, Harry continued his business.
“We could study together, all six of us. It’s not just Harry and Malfoy who have to get along and collaborate for real house unity after all“, Hermione chipped in. Secretly she wanted to discuss school topics with the blonde Slytherin for he was always at the top of the class rankings right after her. As much as she loved her two Gryffindor friends, she longed to share her intellect with an equal even if it was with the person who insulted her. She was sure she could learn much from the pureblooded boy, especially about the Dark Arts.
“That’s acceptable. We have to do homework either way. If we meet up for study time we won’t have to cut our free time that much“, Draco gave his approval, relieved he wouldn’t have to waste his time when he had to meet with the Gryffindors and didn’t have to be alone in the lions den.
“Good, that’s it then“, Harry concluded satisfied that the blonde didn’t fight against his demands. As much as he enjoyed quarreling with his former rival, he quite liked their civil exchange. He found Draco almost tolerable.
“Excellent“, Draco stood up, nodded curtly at the Gryffindors and left the compartment without further ado. Blaise and Pansy followed after saying goodbye.
Falling back into his seat Ron exclaimed, “Wow. I can’t believe there were no insults or hexes“. Hermione and Harry agreed wholeheartedly.