Chapter 14
Somehow things for Harry went from good to better. During their potions class Slughorn called everyone to attention.
"I thought as a very talented class, you'd all like to participate in an extremely interesting and exciting project. I'd like you all to get into pairs and work together until the end of the year to create you very own original potion. This potion can be for anything that isn't harmful to you or to others. So if you could all pick a partner and write your names on this piece of parchment here please."
The trio looked at each other awkwardly. It was always difficult for them when they were asked to choose a partner, but then Harry had an idea.
"You know I think it'll be easier if you two just go together, it'll be good for to spend some time together, without me."
Hermione's face contorted into concern.
"Harry, I really hope you aren't trying to isolate yourself, like you did during the summer- no don't deny it."
"Hermione I promise I'm not, it's just I think it'll be good for me to do this project with someone new, and besides I could do with a larger circle of friends, even though I still love you both."
"Yeah c'mon 'Mione, you have to admit he's been a lot happier since we came back. And you can't blame him for wanting to get out there, now that he and Ginny broke up."
Harry only felt a little guilty. It wasn't like he was lying, he just wasn't telling the whole truth.
"Well alright, who are you going to partner with then? I think everyone has a partner Harry...oh except for uh-"
"Is everyone into pairs? Oh Mr. Malfoy, well I you could join and make a three...oh Harry my boy, you too? Well that settles it Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, if you could both go to that desk there, thank you. That worked out well!"
Harry's plan had worked, and he hadn't even had to try and get Draco as a partner subtly, Professor Slughorn had done that for him.
"Well it is rather convenient" the soft voice came beside him, "it'll be easier than trudging round the castle to look for you, to make you actually contribute to this project. I could just lock you in our room."
The thought of them being locked in their bedroom, together, made Harry's skin tingle a little. Which was weird, definitely weird, not nice.
But he gathered himself quickly.
"As if, I bet you're dying to get your name all over this, letting you do that is like letting you win!"
He had to admit though that below the surface, he really enjoyed this, their friendly banter.
"Oh merlin, aren't the Gryffindor's supposed to be chivalrous or something?"
"Yeah, maybe that's why the sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin."
He couldn't help but drop that one. He watched at mms the head next to him turned, grey eyes bulging in surprise.
"You what?! You have to tell me the whole thing!"
"Yeah maybe one day, if I have time, now c'mon write our names down. Your handwriting is better than mine anyway."
"So demanding. You'd think you were the chosen one or something."
It was funny, if you didn't understand it, you'd think Draco's sarcasm was harsh or cold. But it wasn't, Harry saw the true humour beneath it and the warmth. He never meant a word, really.
The lesson continued with Slughorn and the class discussing different ideas for potions they could create.
One Slytherin girl Harry didn't recognise recommended a potion that could make you more creative for an hour, when it turned out the pupils had no great ideas.
"You all have plenty of time to think of something and create it so don't panic. I just hope some of you won't forget and do it all at the last minute, yes I am looking at you Mr. Finnegan."
Harry had no doubt that they (probably Draco) could come up with something good eventually. It was almost a good thing because it would mean they could spend more time together.
After the lesson it was dinner time, so he and Draco went their separate ways after a friendly goodbye. It was strange, but they both had an unsaid agreement that they wouldn't be too obvious with their friendship. Some people at Hogwarts weren't so accepting of change, on both sides.
When he, Ron and Hermione came together again and sat on the Gryffindor table, he knew it was only a matter of time before they would start questioning him about his new potions partner.
"Are you sure you're okay with it though Harry?"
"Yeah it's one thing to share a room together, where you can ignore each other, but a project means talking!"
He was starting to have enough of this if he was honest.
"Yeah well that'll be fine Ron. I actually think he'd changed a lot from what he used to be like before. I think we're becoming friendly or something, he's not such a git, ya know?"
Ron looked like Harry had just told him that he was going to grow out his hair and dye it pink.
"I'm serious! I think the people from Slytherin could do with some slack, I know most of them were on Voldemort side for a while, but can you blame them? If your parents were you'd probably do the same."
His friends said nothing, so the subject changed to how Neville had plucked up the courage and asked Luna to go to the Three Broomsticks with him on a date, and Harry really didn't mind.
He'd become so focused on getting Draco to let his guard down and be his friend, he'd been neglecting his already existing friends.