The Engagement

Back in the library Draco immediately slid into the seat next to Hermione’s and dragged her into a bone crushing hug.

“D–Draco. What’s gotten into you?” The bushy haired girl asked pleasantly surprised and hugged her friend back.

“I’m so sorry for calling you all kinds of bad names those last years. I know now, how wrong I was. You are the cleverest and most wonderful person I know, and I would be honoured calling you my friend. That is, if you can forgive me and even want to be my friend.” Draco whispered into Hermione’s ear, not trusting his voice not to crack.

“Oh.” Hermione pushed Draco back slightly to look up into his eyes. Then she cried and crushed Draco back into her arms. “Oh, Draco. Of course, I forgive you! Of course, I want to be your friend! In fact, you’ve been my friend for a while now and if you think I let you back out of this, you are sorely mistaken!”

When both calmed down a bit Hermione asked “But Draco, what brought this on so suddenly? Did something happen?”

Detaching himself gently from the Gryffindor’s arms, Draco turned to the rest of the group who were watching bewildered – and in Harry’s case jealous.
“Theo confronted me about conspiring with the enemy and called Hermione that horrible slur. So, I lost my temper a bit and we fought over the Slytherin leadership. Long story short, I stunned and obliviated him.”

Draco gave Pansy and Blaise a look that told them they would hear all the details later in the safety of their Slytherin dorms. Especially what he found out about the party last night.

“That bastard. I’ll show Theo hell.” Pansy hissed angrily.

“I hoped, you say that Pans. But don’t be too violent, I want you to persuade him to change his view.” Pansy nodded, “Okay”.

“I’m sorry, Draco. I knew, Theo was upset. I should have followed you” Blaise said in a small voice.

“Don’t worry, Blaise. I know how to take care of myself.” The blonde clapped his friend on the back and gave him a reassuring smile.

“Yeah, Draco was amazing. He didn’t even use his wand until he stunned Nott.” Harry was oddly proud. He wanted to brag about his fiancé.
“Hey, that’s it. Why don’t you come to the D.A. later and show us some moves?” Harry asked, excited.

Draco blushed prettily. “I don’t know, Potter. You don’t need me there.”

“That’s not true, Draco. You know lots of the Dark Arts. You could help us plenty.” Hermione argued and grabbed the blonde's arm pleadingly.

“Yeah, Malfoy, you should come. Parkinson and Zabini, too. It would be interesting to get a Slytherin’s perspective in fighting. We could use your cunning. Maybe you could learn something from us, too. Like courage.” Ron winked to the Slytherins.

The Slytherins looked at each other. Draco gave an imperceptible nod.
“Well,” Blaise grinned and bowed, “if you insist.”

That afternoon, when the D.A. met, Draco, Pansy and Blaise watched curiously from the sideline as the club members carried out a routine warm-up workout of attack and defense spells.

“They’re pretty good”, Blaise mumbled.

“Mmh”, Draco agreed. “It’s because Potter is a good teacher. Hermione has the knowledge but can’t explain in less professional terms. Potter seems to grasp the most important information, and combined with his practical experiences he conveys what they need to know with minimal detail.”

“What do you think they need Weasley for?” Pansy asked.

“I heard he is the tactician.” Blaise said. “That role suits him, remember first year? He apparently won that big chess game of McGonagalls.”

“I think I should have a word with Weasley, then. It seems to me they are focusing solely on being in battle. They should give the students at least a few lessons in retreating to heal and rest. Or escape.” Draco made his way to the redhead.

Draco and Ron came up with a structured trainingplan for the next month. Draco and some trusted Slytherins would show the D.A. how to counteract the spells Death Eaters would most likely use in combat. They also would plan escape routes and practice what to do in a crisis. The D.A. would be devided, so students could specialize either in battle or healing.

“Pansy is our expert in camouflage and Blaise in defence and healing. I can show you how to move in battle and using attacks with dark magic. But I understand if you don’t want to use the Dark Arts. Just know, that not all spells are inhuman and cruel.” Draco said when they rejoined their friends and they told them about the plan.

“No, that would be perfect. If the spells are not about killing people, please show us. How about you observe for today, to get a feeling for the group? We wanted to practice the Patronus Charm.” Ron asked.

Blais arched an eyebrow. “The Patronus Charm? You’re already at advanced level spells?”

Even Draco had to admit, he was impressed. “I hate to say this, but you were right, Weasley. We could learn something from you, too.”

“Right, then. Ok, guys.” Potter called the attention of the club members. “Today we have a few guests” he gestured towards Draco, Pansy and Blaise and the club members eyed them suspiciously. “For next month they will help us learn something about the Dark Arts. Let’s be open minded about it, ok? Today we’re practicing the Patronus. Some of you already learned that last year, so you can help the others. Let’s begin.”

Seeing Potter, who hated attention, stand confidently in front of the students being all authoritative made Draco feel a little hot. Potter making his rounds and readjusting wand movements, giving tips about what to think while casting was not bad to watch, either.

When Harry finally came to Draco he said “Let’s see what you got.”

Draco took his stance and shouted “Expecto Patronum!” Silver mist shot out of the tip of his wand but didn’t manifest.

“Not too bad”, Harry said and positioned himself behind Draco. Normally he wasn’t that touchy with the students when he readjusted their stance. But he couldn’t help himself to use this chance to get a little feel of the blonde Slytherin.

Harry lay one hand on Draco's waist, with the other he grabbed Draco's arm which was holding the wand. “I think your happy memory might be strong enough and the problem lies in your posture. Also, you have to really feel it, let the joy consume you.” While Harry whispered in Dracos ear, he guided his wand repeatedly in the right movement.

Draco's breathing catched. Potter was so warm, pressed against his back. The voice in his ear was so low and sensual Draco couldn’t think clearly anymore. What had Potter said? Something about being consumed. Oh, shit. Draco couldn’t get hard right now, that was totally inappropriate. He couldn’t even remember what happy memory he had used. The only thing he could think of was Potter.

“Okay, let’s try again.” Harry said gently and tightened his hold on Draco.

Grounded by Potter's grip on his waist, Draco breathed out “Expecto Patronum”.

The silver mist formed into a solid figure, slithering through the air. “What is that?” asked Harry, fascinated by the three-headed snake that turned towards him, the middle head hissing softly.

“It’s a runespoor”, Draco explained, looking dazedly at his Patronus. He did it! And Salazar, this feeling of jubilance. He couldn’t help the giggle that escaped him. He turned his head towards Potter and said “Of course, I get a snake!” Then his laugh catched in his throat because Potter was looking at him, too, with sparkling green eyes and a happy grin on his face. Their noses were touching. Merlin, Draco was going to kiss him.

But suddenly bushy hair got into the blonde's face as he was tackled by Hermione. “Oh, Draco, you did it! Congratulations! And a runespoor, it fits you perfectly!” She cried and hugged Draco tight. In the background he could hear a frustrated groan from Pansy “So close, damn it!”, which was exactly how he was feeling right now. The runespoor evaporated.

While Hermione explained why the runespoor was so perfect for Draco and what the three heads stand for (the left head was the decision maker, the head in the middle was a dreamer and the right head was a critic), Harry nodded along, not hearing one word. Draco and he had a moment, right? Harry loved his friend dearly but right now he could have cursed her.

Ron came over and clapped Harry on the shoulder. “You okay, mate?”
Harry nodded, feeling a little faint.

“They all could do it after a couple of tries. These Slytherins are something else, I must say. By the way, how come there aren’t any Slytherins in our D.A.?” Ron asked.

Draco who successfully shook Hermione off, answered “That’s because we have our own secret club. Slytherins are special-minded and we have our roots in the Dark Arts. We wouldn’t fit in here. Also, we don’t train to fight in a war, we train to survive, so even the first years participate. Maybe you can come by sometime. I think it would be handy for the older kids to learn casting a Patronus, too.”

“Great! Do you think if it comes to the worst and the war is staged at Hogwarts, your lot can guide the younger kids and those who want to stay out of it, into safety?” Ron asked, already considering how that would improve their tactics.

“Yes, that could be arranged.” Draco said and made his way over to Blaise and Pansy, so they could show him their Patroni.

Ron looked after him and turned smiling to a baffled Harry. “Malfoy’s not so bad. You’re marrying a good one, Harry.”