A Series of Connecting the Dots

Authors Note: Many thanks to Robert who beta'ed this chapter for me. It's my turn again, lets see what I can make of Laurel's last cliffhanger.

Chapter 5 Draco Of Lions and Dragons

I decided the best course of action after the bathroom incident was to give Potter a bit of space. We had no shared classes through the day, so lingering gazes across the Great Hall would be all I would permit myself. I was far too eager to pull Potter in more fully, but I needed to keep my wits about me and refrain from being careless. It wouldn’t do to rush things along, and although potter seemed less suspicious than I anticipated, he was still a volatile potion on the verge of exploding. It would be prudent to let the pot simmer for a while before bringing things back up to a boil.

Yes, seducing Potter would be like brewing a complex potion; one false stir and all of my efforts would be for not. In the end, if I did my job correctly, I would have Potter bottled, stoppered and delivered directly into the hands of my master.

A shiver coursed through my body as I even bothered to think the word ‘master’. I tried very hard not to refer to him as that unless demanded to by my father or the Dark Lord himself. I’m not sure why, but the title unsettled me. I’m a Malfoy. I should have no master, but Lord Voldemort is clearly my superior, as well as everyone else’s, so why did it fill me with such a vile feeling?

Chalking it up to the strict Malfoy upbringing of always being the best was the easiest way to banish the illness from my gut, so that’s what I did.

Even though I had strict plans in place to hold back my attentions on the Gryffindor, breakfast was more eventful than I had anticipated.

I was pleased to note that no Ravenclaw blue clashed with Potter’s Gryffindor red, and that he walked into the Great Hall alone and remained that way throughout breakfast. It had been the same the night before at Dinner as well, which made me wonder if Corner had broken things off with Potter after all- or perhaps it was the other way around.

I saw Harry look up on occasion, always trying to coyly pretend he wasn’t seeking me out, but like magnets his green eyes seemed to locate me across the vast sea of bodies. I, on the other hand, was not attempting to hide that my interest was almost solely devoted to him, which wasn’t really a ploy as much as the way I truly felt. Lucky for me, it bent well toward the part I was playing.

Suddenly, the rest of Slytherin had melted away into the background of this new chess game between Potter and I. Every thought I had revolved around ways that I could trick him. Endear him further to me; every word I spoke was calculated to the syllable to be what the Gryffindor wanted or needed to hear in that very moment.

Still, things veered off plan more than I liked, and though I had plotted carefully not to interact with him for a time, when I saw him abruptly leave his half finished breakfast and quickly exit the Hall, I was compelled to follow.

I wondered if he was arranging to meet with Corner in secret or if the other students had quietly ridiculed him, thus driving him away. I begrudgingly had to admit that any jealousy I had felt for Potter had quickly drained away when I saw how completely his so called ‘friends’ had abandoned him. I couldn’t imagine that the Golden Boy was used to living the isolated life that had been thrust upon him of late. I myself had been raised –as most pureblood heirs were- to understand that no one could be trusted. I alone held the key to my victory or failure and I could not rely on someone else to help me with it. At an early age I was taught that a person was only a ‘friend’ when they could do something for you. Take what you can and give nothing back; not exactly the Malfoy family motto, but it might as well be.

I was pondering the Gryffindor’s problematic new state and trying to figure out where he’d disappeared to when I literally ran right into him. Textbooks went flying and Potter ran a small, irritated hand through his hair, adjusted his glasses and then took a quick step backward, as if he was startled to see me standing there. We locked eyes for a moment before he shot me a very annoyed look and pursed his lips crossly.

“Jesus, Malfoy,” he began to rant, sighing at the mess our collision had made of his books.

I tried for a smile, sure that the mirth I felt at causing the boy to stumble would come through but hoping it wouldn’t look too malicious. “Sorry, Harry,” I offered, trying to make him more flustered with the combination of his given name and an apology from my lips all at once. Surely even Potter would have to realize what a rarity that was.

He didn’t say a word in response but I could feel his emerald stare boring into my back as I leaned down to gather his strewn books. I was curious as to whether or not Potter was aware of the massive gesture this presented. I’ve only once dropped my own books, it was Third year, and I was rushing to the greenhouses when I tripped on a stone in the path. Even then I made a frightened looking first year pick them all up. Never have I picked up after someone else, and without magic even! It was preposterous really, but Potter did seem additionally stunned by my task, which made the labor worth the effort.

“Here you are,” I added while he watched me with wide child-like eyes. It was as if he’d seen Santa Claus come to life right before him and I stifled a laugh. Eventually he reached out and accepted the offered books with a mumbled ‘thanks’.

I could hardly contain my laughter at his open shock, so I simply smiled at him and turned to leave. As soon as I was certain he could no longer see me, I sprinted to the nearest empty classroom and let myself breathe through the laughter that filled me. His face had been priceless, and had I known how much easier it was to get a rise out of him through simple kind gestures, I might have taken up the habit years ago.

Clearly he had noticed that the minor good deed had been out of the norm for me. I kept playing his bright green stare over and over in my mind, smiling at his obvious shock and dismay. My mood was immediately sobered, however, when I looked down to see the Dark Mark quickly emerging into view. The ointment’s power was fading, making the mark appear in nearly black relief on my pale white forearm. I swiftly pulled my robe sleeve down and rushed off to the Slytherin dorms.

Chances were I wouldn’t run into Potter again any time soon, nor would he be likely to notice what was hidden under my robes, but I often seemed to get carried away when I was near him. I couldn’t run the risk of it. I decided that carrying the cream with me might be the more advisable method from now on.

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I noticed that Potter was beginning to spend a good deal of his free time in the library –alone- and that twinge of pity that had driven me after him during breakfast accosted me once more. It had been fairly easy to ignore him after our run in on the stairs because Pansy was once more flapping her lips about my plans for the Golden Boy, and I had to run interference. It was all I could do not to hex her before Harry could catch wind of the rumor, but that would be strongly frowned upon. I didn’t need my father bearing down on me after his most recent letter, which showed a lack of his usual disappointed disposition toward me. I had no intention of sullying that now.

I was too preoccupied with the ring on my finger to think much about the gossiping slag, though. A million questions had surfaced throughout the day as I fingered it during class. It was an odd weight on my hand and kept pulling my attention toward it. It was halfway through Runes when I thought of what might be my most brilliant idea ever –and that’s saying something.

There was no opportunity to do anything about it until after dinner, however, so as soon as I was finished, I made the trek down to the Slytherin common room where I scribbled out a quick and precise letter to my father.

Father,

Your gift was most generous, but I had a question about it. You mentioned that the ring has the power to transport someone from the manor, even through Hogwarts wards. Would it also transport someone else, were I to bring someone along for an extended visit for instance?

Draco

I didn’t want to say too much, for fear that he knew nothing of my plans to capture Potter, though I was certain he would approve. I didn’t want to run the risk of his interfering with my plans or getting the Dark Lord’s hopes up that I would succeed. I was confident that my victory was imminent, but to have Voldemort’s displeasure looming over me like a circling vulture would not make things any easier.

I delivered the letter to Snape, who I knew would in turn get it discreetly to my father. The potions master was grading papers when I arrived, and I could tell he was aware of my presence, though he gave no indication toward me. I cleared my throat, and still he avoided my stare until finally it seemed he was ready to grace me with his attention.

“Mr. Malfoy,” he greeted coolly. “What brings you here so close to curfew?”

“I need you to get this to my father,” I replied levelly, placing the folded parchment on the desk in front of him.

He took it with a swift movement, and it disappeared in the depths of his thick black robes before I could blink. I nodded and turned to leave but his hypnotic voice drifted over me and made me halt.

“A word,” he said, and I turned to agree at once. Every Slytherin learned early on not to defy the Head of House any request. “There are rumors circulating of your plans for Potter.”

“And?” I replied carefully, not knowing what exactly he heard, but Snape was unwittingly observant, so chances were he knew quite a bit.

“And- I believe you have more in mind than sneaking your way into the Gryffindor’s knickers,” he told me crudely.

“That’s because you’re far more perceptive than my housemates,” I offered. “I’d prefer that your revelation not extend to my father or the Dark Lord, though. I don’t want their wrath if I fail.”

“If you fail you’ll be dead,” Snape intoned coldly, and a shiver ran up my spine.

“Not if they remain none the wiser,” I countered.

“The price on your head for tricking Potter will be high, and many will be bidding, but the highest amount will not be paid from the Slytherin camp, Draco,” he replied vaguely.

“I’m not following you,” I told him honestly. I swear the man was spending so much time with that old crackpot Dumbledore that he was beginning to sound just like him.

“Do you really think the Gryffindor’s will allow such a slight to go unanswered? They may hate the boy right now, but many are still loyal enough to what he stands for to enact revenge upon the man –or boy- who brings him to his end,” Snape replied, his obsidian eyes slithering across my face.

“Well, that’s just more incentive to succeed,” I replied, though my pulse had shot up a bit.

“Or incentive to stop before it’s too late,” he corrected.

“It’s already too late,” I told him honestly, and it was. I had already sunk my fangs to deeply into Potter’s succulent flesh. I would see this thing through and get my reward, even if it killed me in the end.

The professor sighed heavily and shook his head. “I should know better than to argue with a Malfoy, but when the time comes I’ll happily be the one to tell you ‘I told you so’.”

“That’s very generous,” I replied sarcastically. “Is that all?”

“Yes, saving your worthless skin was all I had planned to discuss. Out with you,” he replied with a wave, went back to his paperwork, and back to ignoring me.

I rolled my eyes and made a hasty exit before Snape changed his mind and decided to lecture me again.

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I didn’t feel like going back to the common room after my chat with Snape, so I decided I would see if my favorite Gryffindor was out and about. Luck was on my side because the moment I rounded the corner I was staring into his wide green eyes as he was leaving the library- yet again.

“Hey,” I greeted, as I approached him. He looked a tad flustered and it made me wonder if I had interrupted something, but it looked as though he was still alone.

“Hi,” he replied awkwardly, and I smiled at the sight of his flushed cheeks.

“Still an outcast I see?” I observed and he just shrugged.

“Yes, well I’ve come to accept it,” he responded, but the tone was far more bitter than it should have been had he been truthful.

“Have you?” I asked, not trying to hide that I was on to his denial.

A lingering silence floated between us, and I noticed his feet shifted beneath his robes nervously. I trained from a young boy not to have so many telling gestures. I could almost always force the desired expression onto my face without giving away any of my true emotions.

Finally, he huffed a brief ‘No’, and I watched his eyes shine with sorrow. “But what other choice do I have?” he added.

“You could join me in Slytherin,” I offered teasingly. He and I both knew he’d be just as much of an outcast there. Though the fact that he was nearly sorted into Slytherin did intrigue me. I could only imagine the amount of fun I would have had with him if he’d shared my dorm. “Apparently you belong there anyway.”

“Oh, Mike would love that,” he said with a laugh, and I could feel my shoulders tense without my permission.

“So there’s still a Mike then?” I asked lightly, hoping not to give away the murderous rage I felt toward the Corner boy. I tried to remind myself that he was merely an obstacle that needed to be dealt with, nothing more. Certainly nothing to get so upset over, but I still didn’t know the depth of their relationship, which unnerved me.

He looked at me quizzically for a moment, as if I’d asked the wrong question. “Yes, there’s still a Mike,” he said at last.

“Interesting,” I lied. I didn’t find it interesting at all; I found it irritating. “How did he take the bathroom incident?” I asked, hoping perhaps he begged for the Gryffindor to keep his worthless arse instead of Potter begging him.

“Oh, he was very pleased,” Harry replied, his voice thick with sarcasm.

The image of Corner telling Harry off after finding us in such a compromising position made me laugh. I wondered how long it took Harry to convince his boyfriend that he wasn’t interested in me, which was obviously a lie.

“He wants me to stay away from you,” Harry blurted, confirming my assumption that Potter had fibbed his way out of breaking up with Corner. He then paused, watching me too carefully.

This was a test, but it hardly mattered. My reaction would have been the same even if I hadn’t been playing a part. I shot him my trademark smirk and let him see in my eyes how much the notion amused me. “He said that?”

“Not in so many words, but yes,” he replied levelly, and my heart skipped a beat or two. Harry looked angry, maybe even resolved. Could Corner have actually convinced him to stay away from me? That just wouldn’t do.

“Do you plan to?” I asked worriedly, though I tried not to make it too terribly obvious. I’m certain I failed though, because Potter’s face formed the hint of a triumphant smile and I silently groaned having fallen into his trap.

“I make my own rules, Malfoy,” he replied softly and walked away abruptly.

I was dumbfounded at first, and had Malfoy’s been permitted to gape, I surely would have done so just then. The little lion snot manipulated me, which was unacceptable. Still, I couldn’t keep the smile from touching my lips as I thought of what a worthy opponent I was taking down. I used to think that Potter was a waste of my time and breath, but no, he was turning out to be multifaceted and explosive, which made for a very entertaining challenge.

“Well, well, there is a bit of Slytherin in you after all,” I whispered to no one in particular as I made my way down to the dungeons and back to the dorms.

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I woke up the next morning covered in sweat and probably the hardest erection I’d ever had. I could only recall snippets of the dreams I had been having, and all of them centered on Potter. It was making me impatient, but I couldn’t afford to be that way. Still, the feeling of invisible lips all over me filled me with a sense of determination that I had yet to muster. I would do this, and my reward would be Potter’s silken body under mine. I could just picture him sweating and groaning with every thrust. I could imagine the vivid clarity of his eyes when his orgasm hit and the way my name would sound whispered in his dulcet tones.

Then I wondered if he was a screamer instead. Perhaps I had it all wrong and he wasn’t a delicate rosebud but actually like his fierce feline namesake. Maybe Potter would bite and claw and scream for me. Either way, he would be mine.

I snuck to the shower and let the warm spray soak into my skin as I wanked myself off to images of Potter riding me. It was the most vivid fantasy I’d ever permitted myself about the boy, and I got a bit carried away with it; so much so that I was startled when a sharp throat was cleared behind me.

Turning around, I spotted a very amused looking Blaise who only had eyes for the cock in my hand. “I could take care of that for you,” he offered with a wink, but I rolled my eyes.

“Thanks. I’ve got it under control,” I muttered. I made the mistake of letting Blaise blow me in Third year, and now he stalks me like I have the only dick in Slytherin.

“I can just watch then,” he whispered, licking his lips and I rolled my eyes yet again, feeling distinctly less turned on all of a sudden. I looked away and quickly finished my shower, walking passed a disgruntled looking Blaise on my way back to my trunk. I dressed quickly and went to breakfast, where my eyes found Potter sitting alone once again at the Gryffindor table.

The dreams flowed back all at once, and I let the lust pour into my eyes so that my gaze reflected it when Potter looked up. It was starting to become a new game, trying to see how quickly I could make the Gryffindor blush. I smiled at him, and he nearly smiled back. Then I caught sight of his Ravenclaw boyfriend watching our exchange about the same time as Potter did, so he sneered at me instead.

Chuckling to myself I got up, took the apple I hadn’t finished, and stuffed it into my robe pocket. I waited there until more students began filing out, and as soon as I saw Corner I walked up beside him, throwing my arm over his shoulders and matching his stride step for step.

“You and I have a bit of a problem,” I informed him simply.

“Oh?” he asked, a mixture of fear and loathing in his voice. “How do you figure?”

“Well, you seem to have Harry, for now anyway, and you see, I want Harry. I’m sure I don’t need to point out that a Malfoy always gets what he wants,” I added with a smirk.

He tried to throw my arm off but I was taller and clearly more powerful, so he was denied. “Harry loves me,” Corner reasoned as if that meant anything.

“Has he said that?” I asked. “Because he certainly hasn’t mentioned that to me.”

“Why would he? Harry can’t stand you,” he growled, a little bolder than I expected. It appeared that Corner would put up more of a fight than I had anticipated.

“Is that right?” I mused, letting my voice show Harry’s boyfriend just how preposterous I thought the statement was. It was true of course, but it was also true that Potter was attracted to me, probably more so than he was to the inadequate Ravenclaw beside me. “Well, I suppose you have nothing to worry about then, hm?” I asked, and with a wink I walked away toward the Potions classroom.

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Potter arrived with only a moment to spare before being docked house points. He quickly took his seat at the table with me and shot me a weak smile.

“So, how have you been?” I asked, trying to make civil conversation and not bring up his snub in the Great Hall.

“Since last night?” he asked with a curious grin. “Fine. You?”

“More than fine, I’d say,” I replied, remembering the dreams I’d had the night before.

“How nice for you,” Harry replied sarcastically.

I merely shrugged, and we worked in virtual silence from that point. I was in the middle of stirring the potion when I looked over to see Potter staring at me as if I were a book he could study.

“What?” I asked, creasing my forehead into a deep frown.

“Tell me something?” he said.

“Tell you what?” I asked, not understanding his meaning.

“Something, anything, but it has to be honest,” he amended.

I chuckled and shook my head. “Does this mean you don’t think I’ve been honest?”

“Should I?” he asked and I chuckled again.

“That’s not really for me to decide,” I told him.

“Then tell me something,” he repeated. I wasn’t sure why he was so adamant, but I fell for it, well, partially. I thought for a moment until I recalled the perfect story to reel him in with.

“When I was a little boy, I used to have a pet dragon. I called him Leo because he had fiery golden scales, and the crest of his head flared out like a lion’s mane. One night Leo snuck off and got outside somehow. He flew beyond the grounds and went missing. Father found him later that week and told me he’d been killed with a muggle shot gun,” I told him, letting my face spell out how sad I had been when I lost my favorite childhood pet. “Father never liked him; especially after I named him Leo, even though I thought I was doing the lineage proud by choosing a constellation. I used to say that I would be in Gryffindor because my dragon was a lion and I wanted to be strong and brave just like my pet. Obviously, father didn’t care too much for that line of thinking. I sort of suspect it was father who killed my dragon.”

“Malfoy, that’s so sad,” he whispered, and I just looked away.

“It’s life, Potter. We live until we don’t anymore,” I replied sullenly, milking the story for all it was worth. In reality, I almost did shed a tear or two for my lost pet and my cruel father, but I was a Malfoy, and Malfoy’s don’t cry.

We were silent again after that, but Potter kept glancing at me, so I decided to get a bit of a rise out of him in exchange for the truth he got from me. “So Potter, top or bottom?” I asked, nearly laughing as his eyes widened, and a flush tinged his delicate cheeks. He really was stunning when he blushed.

“Pardon?” he asked, looking like he hoped I was referring to something more mundane like bunk beds.

“Sex, Potter,” I replied bluntly. “You got to ask me something personal, now it’s my turn. Are you a top or a bottom?” I still hadn’t gotten him to open up about how far he’d gone with Corner, and taking him off guard seemed to be the best way to get a truthful answer out of him.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he replied snidely, but the blush still burned crimson red on his face.

“I would, that was sort of the point of my question,” I replied, not letting his blow off phase me.

“How about you then?” he asked, turning it around on me. Normally I wouldn’t stand for such a thing, but I wanted to watch him squirm.

“Top, always,” I replied, letting my tongue flick out and wet my bottom lip. “Your turn.”

“What if I’m a top, too?” he asked defiantly.

“Are you?” I asked curiously. I didn’t see Potter that way, but maybe Corner did.

He rolled his eyes and gave me a petulant sort of pout, which just made me want to sink my teeth into his bottom lip. “Well, I’m afraid you’ll never find out, as I have a boyfriend, remember?”

“I remember, but if I’m not mistaken you also had a boyfriend that day I pinned you in the bathroom and you were certainly welcoming it then,” I replied, letting my eyes sweep over him.

His blush deepened, but his words didn’t betray him the way his face did. “I think the operative word there is ‘pinned’, Malfoy.”

I laughed then, a light and indulging chuckle. “I’m not daft, Potter. You enjoyed every minute of that. You’re plenty strong enough to have refused me, but you just stood there like a limp doll waiting for me to take you as my own.”

“I was not,” he argued, his lips tightening into a frown.

“Are you sure about that?” I whispered in his ear while I trailed my fingertips up his thigh. He shivered beneath me. I saw his eyes flick to where the Professor stood, but Snape was paying us no mind as I dug my fingers into the flesh just below his groin.

He hissed a sharp intake of breath and his eyelashes fluttered slightly, making the green orbs beneath them disappear behind a curtain of black.

“Does Corner make you this hot?” I asked, letting my voice purr across his body.

“Mike’s a good person,” he countered, avoiding my question.

“Clearly the same can’t be said about me, but I think I have more to offer than you’ll ever get from Corner,” I replied, my fingers still dangerously close to his growing erection.

“Like?” he asked sharply. It seemed the question sparked something within him and he began to pull out of my trance.

“I can challenge you in ways he never could. You and I are a matched set, Harry. We’re two sides to the same coin. Dark versus light, hot versus cold, our passion could burn brighter than any flame you’ve ever seen,” I whispered, not even knowing where the words came from but knowing they were true the moment I spoke them out loud.

“I don’t want a challenge. I want someone to hold me, care for me, and love me,” he replied softly, and then looked away as if he hadn’t meant to say so much.

“What if I could provide that as well?” I asked, my eyebrows raised and showing the curiosity I felt. Is that what it would take to bring Potter to me? Love? Could I simulate that well enough that Potter would believe me and follow me? Malfoy’s can do anything.

“You can’t,” he replied sullenly.

“Are you so sure?” I asked, letting my grip trail up to his trim waist, but he pulled away.

“Yes, I’m sure,” he answered firmly. “At most you and I can be friends, but that’s all.”

“That’s not good enough,” I protested before I could reel myself in.

He rolled his eyes, but the blush had faded from his cheeks and I could see that he was serious now. “It’s that or nothing.”

I narrowed my gaze and shook my head. A Malfoy doesn’t give in that easily, and we certainly don’t respond well to ultimatums. With a deep breath I pushed all of my anger at Harry’s audacity to make demands of me aside and gave him my a weak smile before pushing a lock of jet back hair behind his ear and letting my fingers trail down his soft jaw line. “If that’s what you want,” I offered, making him see how much the idea hurt me, then I turned back to my work.

He just sat there and stared after me, but he didn’t say a word to either agree or counter what I had said, which was what I wanted. So long as I wasn’t shut out I could still win him. When class ended I gathered my things and shot him a shy smile. “I’ll see you later, Harry,” I told him and then left before he could answer, giving him a bit of his own medicine.

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Authors Note: And as things heat up, where will we find our pair next? Your turn Laurel!