Chapter 3
“I’m absolutely awful, Pansy. I don’t know how many times you need me to tell you this until you finally understand.” Draco has been ranting to Pansy ever since the two of them woke up after their night at The Hog’s Head.
They hadn’t stayed there for long since Draco was a lightweight and Pansy knew exactly what to get him to make him forget the fastest. He had had about 5 shots before he was hanging off of Pansy and she was hailing a taxi to take them home. Draco was in bed by 9 and out by 9:15, and Pansy had never been happier.
“I still think you’re overreacting, Dray,” Pansy starts, “You’ve had exactly one lesson that lasted for 2 hours. Nobody can become a pro in that amount of time, not even you.” She sighs and makes her way towards where Draco is sitting at the head of the table. “You need to give it time to become easier before you decide to give up. Plus, if you give up now, you’ll never get a date with Hot Pottery Guy.” She sends a wink Draco’s way and watches with satisfaction as he blushes.
Draco takes a deep breath, thinking. “I just don’t want to go home and tell my father that I’ve failed yet again,” Draco’s voice shifts, “He has finally accepted that his only son is gay, I don’t need to give him another reason for him to think I’m a disappointment again. I just got him back.”
Pansy, sensing his mood falling, decides they need to do something to get Draco’s mind off of everything. She quickly decides that they’re going to go shopping. She’s been wanting a new dress and Draco desperately needs a new date night outfit for when he and Hot Pottery Guy eventually go on a date.
She takes him to the mall and Draco lets her pick out his clothes. He ends up with a nice white button-down, some black skinny jeans, and a black jean jacket. She also talks him into getting a pair of Docs to complete the outfit. The outfit isn’t completely out of his comfort zone, but it’s definitely different. However, Draco’s pretty sure he has these exact jeans at home, but he isn’t going to tell Pansy that. He’s thankful for the trip and for his friend. He definitely needed something to take his mind off of pottery, and this trip to the mall is perfect.
It doesn’t take them long to find Pansy’s new dress since she knows exactly what she wants and where to find it, and soon they are on their way to grab some dinner before heading back to Draco’s for a movie night.
They decide to pick up a pizza and rent Love, Simon on their way home. Draco, having seen the movie at least 10 times prior, falls asleep during it without fear of missing out on anything, and it isn’t long after the movie ends that Pansy falls asleep too, both of them curled up on Draco’s couch.
Before Draco knows it, it’s morning. This, of course, means it’s Wednesday, and he has another night of pottery scheduled with Harry.
The day passes by slowly, and Draco gets more and more anxious as it continues. He feels better after his day with Pansy, but he’s still nervous about it all. Draco really doesn’t want to fail, and he definitely can’t tell his father that he did, so he continues to push through the day. Soon enough the clock strikes 4 and he starts his walk to Potter’s Pottery.
Harry and Draco get started as soon as Draco arrives, and Draco tries to calm his nerves during the lesson. It goes by quicker than the rest of the day has, and Draco is almost sad by the time it’s over. He’s definitely still got a long way to go before he can call himself a potter, but he does feel slightly more confident about today’s lesson. He made an actually bowl-shaped bowl, and even though it is slightly lopsided, he’s excited to show Pansy. Draco knows he can’t disappoint her like he has disappointed so many others in his life, and he’s truly proud to call her his best friend.
The next week and a half passes by in a blur with Draco focusing on nothing except for pottery and Pansy. Soon, Draco is on his 6th lesson with Harry, and he’s feeling much better about his own pottery. Even though nothing has been quite perfect yet, he has some creations that are pretty damn close.
Draco is proud of himself. Harry has been an excellent teacher, and Draco doesn’t think he could have asked for a better one. Harry has been extremely kind and patient throughout the entire process, and it definitely helps Draco’s confidence in himself and his creations. Today, they are working on vases. Draco’s is almost finished, and he’s pretty happy with his work today. It’s definitely the best thing he has made so far, and he’s actually looking forward to painting it afterward too. When the lesson on vases started, Draco immediately knew he was going to make one for Pansy. He wants to show her how thankful he is that she helped convince him to go with pottery. He thinks about it and ends up deciding to paint black pansies on the outside of the vase when it’s finished. She may be slightly embarrassed about it, but Pansy’s favorite flower has always been pansies.
He finishes the vase just as the lesson is over, and he hands it off to Harry so it can be put in the kiln later. He’s being extra careful today, and he knows that Harry has noticed, though he hasn’t said anything. Draco’s thankful. He’s lucky that he’s found such a great teacher, and it looks like they might become real friends too.
Throughout their lessons, Harry and he have been talking quite a bit – and not just about pottery. Draco has filled Harry in on why he was really looking for a new hobby, and Harry has talked a little about his home life. Harry has been shyer towards opening up to Draco, but he can tell that it’ll happen eventually. After all, they can only talk about pottery for so long before they just end up repeating the same things over and over again.
Draco thanks Harry as he leaves and, before he’s even out the door, begins to look forward to their next lesson together.