Chapter 2
Draco ignored his everyone’s confusion at his good mood for the remainder of the day.
He carried on happily practicing nonverbal spells in Defense Against the Dark Arts, even though Pansy was being dreadful.
He performed each attempted spell extremely well, even though Blaise wouldn’t stop staring, or firing countless questions.
When the time came, Draco practically skipped to the Great Hall for dinner.
Blaise, who entered a few minutes after, was still watching him apprehensively as they sat at the Slytherin table. Draco dumped some soup into the bowl in front of him.
He noticed a smile coming across Blaise’s face, but completely ignored it. He chatted with Pansy about what she had worked with in the Herbology class earlier that day. She had loads of free time this year, so she decided to ask around to see if any teachers needed a bit of help. Professor Sprout had been delighted, instantly offering her a job.
Draco snorted when she briefly told the story of how she almost was cut by a third year who had been moving a bit too fast between stations.
Pansy gave Draco a smile, turning to answer a question that a girl in the year below them asked. Draco lifted his spoon to his mouth, his eyes scanning the Gryffindor table, purely out of habit.
As he looked, he saw Blaise smirk. “So… You and Granger, huh?”
Draco choked, accidentally breathing in some soup. He began coughing loudly, and gasped for air. Once he could breathe properly, he exclaimed, “What?!”
Blaise rolled his dark eyes. “You practically sprinted after her at breakfast, and neither of you were at lunch.” Draco’s face heated slightly.
“U-um… No. No, I-I was only asking her about- er- about,” Draco paused for a moment, his mind racing to think of an excuse. “Potions!” He shouted, and Blaise jumped. “Y-yeah. I was asking her about our last potions assignment.” Draco stated, feeling proud of himself.
Blaise was not amused.
“Yeah right, Draco.” He huffed. “You’re absolutely ace at potions.” He said, looking at Draco sternly, with a hint of a smile. “If you aren’t having an affair with Granger, what is it really about? Might it be about… hm, let me think. The chosen one? The golden boy? Could it be Perfect Potter, or maybe Saint Potter, you know? The one with the scar and broomstick,” Blaise said with mock suspicion.
Draco didn’t meet Blaise’s eyes, trying to find a way out of answering.
“Um, well… the thing about that is-” Draco abruptly stopped, stood, and ran.
“Draco!” He heard Blaise bellow from behind him.
Heart beating wildly, Draco bolted out of the Great Hall. Blaise was running after him, but he didn’t even think of slowing.
After running for a short while, Draco dove into a shadowed hallway, praying that Blaise had not seen him. Blaise didn’t appear, so Draco thought he had lost him.
The moment he relaxed against the wall, however, Blaise burst from the corridor and yelled, “Locomotor Mortis!”
Draco’s legs were instantly bound together by invisible forces, and he fell pathetically to the ground. Cursing, Draco moved into a sitting position. Blaise was laughing. He took a few deep breaths.
“Tell me!” He ordered, suddenly serious.
Draco huffed, shaking his head. “Can’t say.” Blaise glared at him, taking a menacing step forwards. “Fine! Merlin, I was only asking her about Har-Potter! About Potter!” Draco caught himself.
Blaise gave him a look strongly resembling the one Hermione had given him when he let Harry’s name slip.
“Oh,” Blaise spoke, his voice returning to a much more normal volume. “So, what’d she say?”
Draco groaned. “I can’t say.” Blaise rolled his eyes.
“Fine,” He spoke, moodily performing the counter curse. Draco murmured his thanks, standing shakily. Blaise turned to leave.
“Listen, Blaise,” Draco started, and Blaise stopped. “I really can’t say, it’s pretty serious, and I have to keep it secret. You know I would tell you if I could. ” Draco mumbled, knowing Blaise was offended. Blaise turned to face him.
He sighed dramatically. “Of course I do, you prat.” He smacked the side of Draco’s head, and gave him a smile. “And good luck with him,” He winked. Draco blushed profusely, suddenly feeling that it was hard to breathe.
Draco smiled slightly. “Thanks mate, I’ve-um… gotta go.” He turned, starting a fast walk towards the library.
“I knew it was Potter!” He heard Blaise shout, just before a blushing Draco turned the corner.