Slipping Through

*

Draco started suddenly and whipped around, catching sight of Harry. "Fuck, Potter!" he exclaimed. "Are you stalking me now or something?"

Harry ignored the jibe, taking a closer look at Draco. He had definitely been crying. His eyes were slightly red and wet. As he watched, Draco raised a hand casually, wiping off any remaining tears so as not to arouse suspicion.

He pushed his way past Harry and back into the Entrance Hall, now glaring at him. "And for your information, I was not crying."

"Then what were you doing?" Harry pressed, clearly disbelieving.

"None of your business, Potter," Draco replied coldly. He moved back across the Hall, heading towards the dungeon corridors.

Harry watched him go, a kind of sadness tugging at his conscience as he did so. It was almost like he wanted to grab the Slytherin and hug him, telling him it was okay to show emotion, to act human.

"I wish you'd trust me," Harry muttered, more to himself than anyone else. Draco caught it though and stopped halfway across the Entrance Hall.

He turned around slowly, eyeing Harry suspiciously. "I still don't see why I should trust you," he said scornfully. "Why does everyone think we'd be the perfect match?"

"Maybe because we're both incredibly stubborn," Harry pointed out. Draco just huffed and folded his arms haughtily. "And because Hermione and Blaise are right, as much as I hate to admit it, we do have things in common even if you don't believe it."

Draco, who had opened his mouth to protest, shut it and appeared to be thinking. "Fine, so our idiot friends were right, so what?"

"Well, I don't know," Harry said, shrugging. "We know what they wanted us to do. Obviously, we haven't done it and probably never will. So now what?"

"Potter," Draco said suddenly, sounding thoughtful. "What did you want to happen that night at the party?"

"What?" Harry asked, caught off-guard.

Draco's expression became less defensive now and more curious, a smirk gracing his features. "The party, what were you expecting? I saw you looking at me."

"I was just... expecting for it to be a party," Harry said simply, unsure of what Draco was getting at.

"And the game?"

"I thought Pansy was drunk and it wouldn't be too bad."

"But you didn't back down when it came down to the end," Draco said, taking a step back towards Harry.

"Well... of course not," Harry said slowly. "I can't back out of things like that. I agreed to play, so I did. It's not my fault our friends are stupid."

"And afterwards, when we left, what were you thinking?"

"What was I thinking? I don't remember what I was thinking! Jeez, Malfoy! You expect me to remember that?"

"Well, I would think you would remember something! I'm sure the Mud--ggle-born kept you away from the spiked punch," Draco said, once again changing mid-word as Harry glared at him. Harry suddenly found it odd that Draco was heeding his warnings.

"Malfoy, why did you just do that?"

"Do what?"

"You didn't call Hermione a Mudblood."

"So?" Draco drawled, crossing his arms and looking bored once more. Harry now took a step toward Draco, looking at him carefully. Draco eyed him cautiously but didn't step back.

"So that's the second time you've done it."

"I-- What's your point, Potter?" Draco asked snidely. Harry could tell he was getting somewhere. Draco was looking at him suspiciously like Harry was going to find out something he shouldn't.

"You've been listening to me. You've never done that before."

"It doesn't mean I'm incapable," he sneered. "Maybe I've decided it's not worth it."

"No, you haven't," Harry said softly, watching Draco closely.

"What do you mean 'no, I haven't'?"

"That's not why you did it," Harry said, slowly understanding. "Are you hiding something from me, Malfoy?"

"What would I hide from you, Potter? I've already told you my entire life story. What's left to tell?"

"Maybe something you've kept hidden... from everyone?" Harry asked hopefully.

Draco merely frowned. "I'm not the one with secrets, Potter. Maybe it's you who has the secret."

"Me? I don't have secrets," Harry replied, a little too quickly. He did have a few, but who didn't? And actually, he had just revealed his main secret at the party a few nights ago, so it wasn't like it mattered.

"You certainly had one the other night," Draco said suggestively, swaggering forward a few steps so that he and Harry were mere feet apart.

"Well, I just wasn't planning on telling people until after I left school. It wasn't really a secret; Michael and Hermione knew, after all, and I guess Blaise knew too."

"That's not what I meant, Potter," Draco said, chuckling softly. "So you fancy yourself a dominant boy?"

Harry was taken aback. He hadn't been expecting that. His mind drifted back to that night and he recalled the kiss he and Malfoy had shared.

"I prefer to be on top, yes," Harry told him simply. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"I'm a top, Potter. I don't bottom. That's something you better learn quickly."

"Why do I need to--" But Harry cut himself off. He had just realized where they were standing, in the middle of the Entrance Hall, right outside the Great Hall and in plain view of anyone who might come down the stairs. "Uh, Malfoy, maybe we should take this conversation somewhere else."

"Why? Scared someone's going to hear you can't top in every relationship?"

"What are you talking about?!" Harry exclaimed, completely lost.

"What I'm talking about, Potter, is--" The rest of his sentence was drowned out from a squeal to their left.

While they had been arguing, unbeknownst to them, someone had indeed come upon them just as Harry had guessed. Both boys' heads swiveled in the direction of the noise to see a fourth year girl. She was looking incredibly excited as she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, pointing at them.

"Uh oh," was all Harry managed to say before the girl let out a shriek.

"Colin! They're here! They're about to kiss!"

Harry turned to Draco, his eyes as wide as saucers. "Fuck, go!" he yelled, grabbing Draco and whirling him around, shoving his back.

"What's going on?" Draco asked, clearly confused. "Stop pushing me, Potter!"

"Malfoy, unless you want to be on the front page of the Prophet tomorrow, you will move!"

Draco actually looked as if he was considering it for just a moment as Harry continued to shunt him along, closer to the doors to either the dungeon or outside. Just then, though, the doors to the Great Hall burst open and a flood of people came out, all looking wildly around for Harry and Draco. Draco seemed to make up his mind.

He grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him down the door to the dungeons, slamming it shut behind them but knowing it wouldn't hold for long.

"What the fuck was that, Potter?! Tell your fan club to leave you the fuck alone!"

"It's not like they listen to me!" Harry exclaimed. He whipped around as he heard a pounding on the door. He backed away, taking Draco with him since Draco's hand was still curled around his arm. "We have to get out of here."

"And go where?!"

"Anywhere!" Harry yelled as the door shuddered on its hinges. "Quick! They're coming!" He grabbed Draco's arm and took off down the corridor as the door crashed open.

"There they go!" Harry heard Colin's high-pitched voice over the babble and increased his pace, running through the corridors.

He and Draco raced through the maze of dark hallways and empty classrooms. Harry knew the mob was still behind them. He could hear their voices behind him echoing through the dungeon corridors.

They whipped around corners, slipping here and there to avoid the mob that was surging behind them. At one point, Draco turned to Harry, an incredulous look on his face. "I can't believe you put up with this."

"Yeah, well," Harry said as they stood stock-still against a wall as someone came racing by, looking for them. "It's not like I want it if you couldn't tell."

Draco almost looked like he was going to laugh but had no time as Harry seized his hand once more and tugged him out, creeping along the corridors quietly. They peered down hallways, making sure they were empty before starting down them.

They were halfway down one when there was an almighty commotion. At either end of the corridor, people appeared, blocking their exit; they were trapped.

Harry sent Draco an apologetic look as the students approached, Colin at the forefront, camera in hand. Draco's eyes narrowed and Colin faltered for a second. Draco's hand twitched and Harry knew it was itching for his wand.

Draco's tongue flicked out, wetting his lower lip as his hand moved to his pocket slowly. Colin raised the camera, but in a flash of blue light, it was in flames. There was a great cry from Colin and more jets of light from Draco's wand. Soon, there was general panic as students fled, screaming; either bumping into each other in their haste or tripping over their own feet.

In the midst of all the commotion, Harry felt a hand on his arm jerk him back. He stumbled backwards, falling down onto his ass. He heard a door slam shut and a few angry locking spells, followed by a stream of expletives.

Harry pushed himself up, rubbing his ass gingerly. He looked up to see Draco glaring at the door murderously.

"That fucking hurt, Malfoy," Harry said, checking to see that he wasn't any more hurt.

"You're welcome from saving you from the cannibalistic mob," Draco replied scathingly.

"Thanks," Harry said blandly. He looked around and realized they were once again in the same room as always.

Draco had moved over to the couch and had sat down on it. Harry glanced over at the door where he heard the sound of voices outside it.

"Could we break it down?"

"Filch will kill us."

"Can't you unlock it magically?"

"No, Malfoy put some special spell on it."

"We could always pick the lock."

"Pick what now?"

"Never mind."

Harry rolled his eyes and moved over to the couch and sat down with a sigh. He turned to look at Draco. "So we're safe for now?"

"Until they learn N.E.W.T level unlocking charms, yes."

"But now we're stuck here."

"Basically, unless you learn some magic trick to control your puppy."

Harry scowled at Draco for his nickname, though had to admit he was right. He sighed again, settling into the couch, knowing it could be a very long time until they got out of that room.

They were silent for a while. Draco was rubbing his temples like he had a headache. Harry stared out the window, his stomach rumbling, reminding him that he'd missed lunch and that dinner was nearing.

Draco looked over at him when it grumbled for the third time. "For Merlin's sake, Potter, eat something."

"What? We don't have anything here," Harry said, looking around.

"Do you really need to ask that question?" Draco asked rhetorically. "Haven't you lived among wizards for long enough?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it's just not something I think of off the top of my head," he replied. He took out his wand and gave it a wave. Immediately, a tray of Sugar Cookies appeared, along with a glass of milk.

"Sugar cookies?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with them?" Harry asked, grabbing one and taking a large bite.

Draco scoffed and rolled his eyes, disgusted. "You have no taste, Potter." Draco now took out his wand, giving it a wave. Next to Harry's tray appeared a silver tray laden with assorted fruits and berries.

Draco chose a blackberry and popped it into his mouth, giving Harry a sarcastic smile. Harry just rolled his eyes. They sat in silence for a while, each eating their respective foods.

Outside the door, they could still hear the murmurings of the group trying to figure out a way in. Harry only hoped they wouldn't find a seventh year willing to help them. He was quite content to stay in that room with Draco.

He was taken aback as that thought surfaced in his head, but it was true. He was content to stay there with Draco... what an odd occurrence.

He shook away the thought as he reached down for another cookie. He looked down and realized he only had one left. He glanced over at Draco, who was munching a strawberry and gazing placidly out the window. Harry looked down at the cookie once more.

"Malfoy, do you want this?" he asked, offering the cookie.

Draco looked at him and then the cookie, his expression skeptical.

"I'm sure all that sugar can't be completely horrible," Harry said quickly, correctly interpreting his silence.

"Well," Draco hesitated. "Sure, thanks, Potter." He took the cookie and bit off a tiny piece of it. Harry gave him a small smile and turned back forward, staring out the window.

Draco paused and set down the cookie. He looked over at Harry and then away. He looked like he was contemplating something. He came out of it though, reaching over to his tray and selecting a large, sweet boysenberry. He picked up and stopped again. He looked back over at Harry.

Harry was staring out the window until it suddenly felt too quiet in there. He looked over to find Draco watching him. He had a plump, purple berry in his fingers as he looked at Harry.

"Malfoy? Are you okay?" he asked carefully.

"Do you want it?" Draco asked, indicating the berry.

Harry's eyes flickered to the berry for a second then back to Draco's face. He nodded. Draco scooted forward on the couch, lifting his hand with the berry to Harry's mouth.

Harry opened his mouth slowly, allowing Draco to slip the berry inside, his finger brushing Harry's lip. As he came away, the berry left a red juice stain on his finger. Harry caught his hand as he went to set it down in his lap. He brought it back up to his face and licked the juice off, his eyes never leaving Draco's face.

Harry swallowed the berry, his tongue continuing to clean off Draco's finger, though it was more than clean already. Finally, Draco pulled his hand away, staring at Harry. He shifted forward, still staring deep into Harry's emerald eyes.

Harry hesitated for half a second before he reached out and pulled Draco to his lips.


~~**~~

A/N: I made a big faux pas. I forgot that this fic was on a different chap here and somehow skipped chapter 4 in the process of posting here. But I fixed it now! The chapters are right, and the real chapter 4 is up now. I'm so sorry. But you can go reread if you feel... in the meantime, please review!