Chapter 20
Over the coming weeks Harry and Draco became even closer, almost inseparable. Harry had even began sitting next to Draco in all of their lessons. Every time their hands accidentally brushed against each other while writing Harry, felt an electric current shoot through his body.
And he'd began to notice all the little things about Draco he hadn't seen before. Like the way his face crinkled when I was working hard at a potion, or when he got excited about a new cat fact he'd learnt his eyes lit up like a child at Christmas. After all this time of basically stalking Draco he'd never noticed the little things, maybe if he'd noticed them a little sooner, his life would be completely different.
But it stayed like that for a while, and each day Harry learnt something new about Draco, and each day fell in love with him a little more. Not that he admitted that to himself. It was as if Draco was the only person giving meaning to Harry's life now, like rescue rope for a drowning man.
The only really excited thing that had happened in Harry's life in these weeks was the announcement of the Holiday Ball. The headmistress had announced during dinner in the great hall that Hogwarts would be throwing a Holiday Ball the night they complete their first term. The attire was formal and there would be both magic and muggle music played.
Harry didn't feel dread like he did when he went to the Yale Ball all those years ago. He was excited, it would be good for the remaining Hogwarts students to have a night to forget about all the shut they'd been through. Plus he was sure someone would be able to smuggle some firewhisky into the punch.
The only problem Harry had was who he was going to go with. Ron and Hermione were going to go together, obviously. Harry knew who he wanted to go with, but the matter of asking was a tough one. He didn't want to come off as obsessed or like a typical love struck teenager, he didn't even know if Draco were gay for gods sake. But he couldn't think of anybody else he would want to go and enjoy himself with. He thought his best bet would be to bring it up casually when it was just the two of them.
Which is exactly what he did.
They'd just got back from dinner, full and happy, and Harry knew he had to ask them or he'd just bottle it.
"So...you excited for the Holiday Ball thing?"
"Yeah it looks alright, don't think I'll be going though."
Not a great start.
"Oh, why not? I thought that would be right up your street? Wearing fancy clothes, getting all dressed up and smart..."
Draco just smirked, something sad behind his eyes.
"Well yeah it normally would be, but I don't think it'll be a good idea. You know? Ex death eater shows up alone, not a great look."
Shit, Harry was going to miss his opportunity if he wasn't careful.
"Well I'm not going with anyone...yet. Maybe we could go together? Just as friends of course, nothing weird, just that I know you want to go, even if you try to pretend it doesn't matter. And I'm not going with anyone so?"
Draco just stared at him with those sea like eyes and blinked, rapidly. And Harry wished he hadn't because he looked so adorable like this, and all he wanted to do was run to him and grab him and kiss him and- god he was losing himself. He wanted him so badly but he couldn't, he just couldn't. Harry could not and would not destroy the friendship they had built.
"Yes."
"What?"
"Yes I'll go with you."
Harry couldn't help but grin, g couldn't help that he liked getting what he wanted.
"Oh, and Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Not in a weird way."