Fuck Amortentia

"Harry can we please stop this?" Ron whined as the Golden Trio sat in the library studying. Harry could have sworn Charms wasn't this hard before.

"Stop what Ron?" He knew damn well what Ron was talking about but it was the hundredth time this week he'd asked and the answer was still no.

"Tailing Malfoy! Listen, mate, I know you've been hot for him since sixth-" Ron was cut off when Harry threw a wad of parchment at his head.

"Shh! Keep your voice down Ron." He glanced over his shoulder. The Slytherin in question didn't seem to have noticed and was still bent over a book, chewing absently on the end of his quill.

"Honestly Harry, he's an absolute idiot if he doesn't know by now. You've been playing bodyguard and trying to flirt all week long. And don't get me started on sixth year." Hermione smiled up at him and Harry felt a strong surge of gratitude for his friends.

After the Amortentia incident Harry had come clean to them that his obsessive stalking of Malfoy sixth year hadn't been entirely just because he thought he was up to something. He did think he was up to no good and he had been right, but it also had a lot to do with how absolutely infuriatingly good-looking he found him. He thought he'd just let it pass by since Malfoy hated him but since the Potions incident Harry's crush had come back full force. His friends weren't exactly thrilled about it but it seemed like Hermione had known all along and Ron was so insanely easygoing now he had just shrugged and said "I don't get it but alright".

If he was being honest his infatuation had probably started fourth year. It was weirdly endearing when someone went through so much trouble to make you feel something, even if they were trying to make you feel terrible. Those badges had to have taken a lot of work which showed that Malfoy was thinking about him an almost disturbing amount. Since then the blond had been a constant in Harry's thoughts as well.

People were royally pissing him off with the hexing attempts and insults. He obviously didn't hate Draco and it was really nobody elses business so he didn't understand why everyone was being so ridiculous. So yeah, they were following Malfoy. For his own benefit, and if Harry got to check him out and miserably fail at trying to flirt then that was just a bonus.

The Gryffindor was just a bit confused now though. He had been trying to flirt all week to no avail. It didn't make sense! Malfoy had just been his pretentious snarky self. Him smelling Harry from the love potion meant he was supposed to be in love with him but Harry was beginning to feel like he'd have better results trying to hit up McGonagall. Harry sighed when the bell rang signaling the end of their study period.

"Brighten up Harry, it's Potions." Hermione said elbowing him as he kept an eye on Malfoy. He had forgotten and gave her an ear-splitting grin.

"Oh god, you're like some lovesick Hufflepuff." Ron said rolling his eyes but he couldn't help but smile too. It was nice to see his friend so happy.

Harry slid into his seat in Potions.

"Hey Malfoy." He tried giving his most charming smile. The blond waved his hand at Harry and pointed to the board. They had been brewing a new potion each day from the ones they had to identify last week. It was supposed to be a review of the last seven years to prepare the eighth years for their NEWTs so even though some of these potions took a month to make the base of each was given to them pre-made so they could finish the brew in the allotted hour. Easy stuff. Except today it was Amortentia. Of course. Harry groaned, the snickering and whispers had already started.

"May I remind you that not only are you adults, that this potion will tell all of you if you're in love with someone as well." Eidelbrach said as he walked between the tables. He patted Harry on the shoulder and winked at him and he smiled back.

"It's disgusting the way that man so blatantly flirts with you." Malfoy sniffed from beside him as they began preparing ingredients.

"Eidelbrach? No way." Harry snorted.

"Oh please, if you were a third year they'd throw him in Azkaban. He's constantly touching you and smiling." The Slytherin scowled as he crushed his Ashwinder Eggs. Harry put a hand on his chest and feigned surprise.

"Why Malfoy, if I didn't know any better I would think you're jealous!" He exclaimed. Malfoy glared even harder as he resolutely ignored the brunette. Harry sighed. He'd get him eventually.

*****

Draco had been doing his absolute best ignoring Potter's blatant flirting. He knew this had to be boredom on the other boys part. There was no way he was actually interested so therefore Draco would just wait for this to pass. He appreciated the Golden Trio going out of their way to make sure he was safe, no that he'd ever admit that, but he wasn't about to make a fool of himself. He set down his stirrer and watched the spiral of smoke come up from the cauldron. His nose was flooded with that culmination of smells that was absolutely Potter. It was almost disorienting smelling it with the real thing next to him.

"What do I smell like?" Potter asked curiously while looking into the cauldron. Draco closed his eyes.

"Like broom polish, and magic itself with a little hint of treacle." He replied softly and looked away. How embarrassing. He felt a hand on his back and his stomach flipped when he looked into those earnest green eyes. "What do you smell?" He felt the question leave his mouth before he could stop himself. Potter's smile turned mischievous.

"Not telling." He said and looked at his fingernails.

"Potter!" Draco frowned. "I thought Gryffindors were all about fair play. I told you now tell me."

"I think you're mistaking Gryffindors with Hufflepuffs Malfoy. Besides, I have some cunning as well." He raised an eyebrow and the blond gulped. That look couldn't be good, but he was so curious. Who did Potter smell? He had to know or it would eat him up inside. At least he would be prepared to see it in the papers or hear it from someone if he knew ahead of time. Maybe then, it wouldn't hurt so much. "I'll tell you, but you have to do something for me too."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

"Nothing crazy. I want you to go for a walk with me. After dinner tonight."

A walk? That was it? He could do that if it meant knowing who Harry Potter was in love with.

"And you have to actually talk to me." The brunette added. Draco sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Fine. After dinner. In front of the Entrance Hall doors. Nine." Draco replied trying to seem as bored as he could with his heart threatening to break his ribcage. It sounded like they were going on a date.

Potter grinned. "See ya then, Malfoy." He stood up and walked out as the bell rang leaving behind a very suspicious and excited Draco.

"Stop fidgeting or I will strangle you Draco Malfoy I swear." Pansy said exasperatedly as Draco once again straightened his robes. He couldn't help it. It was eight fifty-five and he was so nervous he was bound to spontaneously combust any minute, he was positive. Pansy had agreed to wait with him since he could barely hold a spoon at dinner his hands were shaking so violently.

"He's not showing up. This was all a joke I can feel it. I bet him and Granger and the Weasel are somewhere under that stupid cloak of his laughing at me. Why did I agree to this?" He covered his face with his hands.

"Sorry to diappoint." Draco's head snapped up to the top of the steps where Potter stood casually.

"Byyye." Pansy whispered as Potter descended the stairs. When he reached Draco he bumped his shoulder. "Lake?" He asked jerking his head. Draco nodded. The two walked in somewhat comfortable silenced until they reached the waters edge, their shoulders bumping every so often and sending electricity down the blonde's spine. It was a warm night, the surface of the pond only disturbed by a tentacle splashing every now and then.

"So, when did this whole," The Gryffindor gestured awkwardly between them, "thing start?"

Draco tried to pretend he wasn't blushing furiously. "Such grace with words Potter, are you a poet?" He asked and smirked when he noticed the mirrored blush but continued. In for a Knut and all that."If I'm being honest with myself? Fourth year." Potter's step faltered a bit but he kept walking.

"Huh. So the 'Potter Stinks' thing was pulling pigtails." He mused and there was a smile playing at his lips.

"I suppose you could say that." Draco was beginning to pray the giant squid would sweep him up and drown him so he didn't have to face this horribly embarrassing conversation.

"So if you fancy me, why have you been trying so hard to ignore my pretty obvious attempts to flirt with you?" Potter was frowning as he plopped down onto the small hill they were on. It looked out over the lake and almost all of the castle. Draco loved this spot. He sat down and huffed. "Malfoy?" The other boy pressed.

"Because I figured you're pulling my leg. It's a joke to you or your bored or something, alright?" He snapped. He didn't want to be doing this but Potter was so frustratingly persistent.

"I wouldn't do that." Draco turned to look and there it was plain as day. Potter wasn't messing with him. He had that same open and honest, beautifully innocent expression he had when he talked to everyone else. A face that until recently, hadn't ever been directed at him. Draco had to look away or he'd never be able to collect himself again. He could fall apart under that gaze. He looked down at the grass. "Why would you think that?"

Why would he think that? Why wouldn't he? "Because... You being interested in me just doesn't make sense. I've been a horrible person for a long time, especially to you. And you're just so very… good. In every sense of the word. That's why I…" The Slytherin trailed off. He couldn't finish that sentence. He couldn't say it out loud. There was a long silence as they waves of the lake gently pushed up against the shore. He heard a faint rustling of grass before he felt a warm hand covering his. He looked up in shock.

"Do you still want to know what I smelled in the potion today?" Potter's eyes were so intense Draco was scared he was going to burn. He swallowed loudly.

"Yes." He managed with a whisper and licked his lips nervously. Potter crawled up onto his knees in front of him still grasping his hand.

"It smelled like… Old books. And something fresh and expensive, like cologne." Draco could hear his heart in his ears but he couldn't look away as the other boy scooted closer. "And the Potions classroom, with a bit of chocolate." Draco closed his eyes as a hand threaded through his hair.

Potter's face was so close to his he could feel his breath ghost across his lips as he spoke.

"It smelled like you."

And Harry Potter kissed him. He kissed him as open and honest and brave as he was down to his very core. And all Draco could think was…

I fucking love Amortentia.