Smokin' Hot

*

Harry walked eagerly to school Monday morning with Ron and Ginny. Ginny was unusually quiet, well, perhaps not so unusual since she was always quiet around Harry.

Ron talked enthusiastically about the tennis team’s chances at state this year while Harry was only vaguely listening. He knew he ought to be paying more attention to Ron and what he was saying, but Draco was obscuring his thoughts at the moment.

“Hey, Harry,” Ron said suddenly, breaking into Harry’s thoughts. “Do you think Malfoy’ll still be allowed to play? I heard he got caught skipping class the other day.”

“Huh?” Harry asked, distracted, but he had heard Draco’s name. “When did he get caught?”

“Well, I don’t know if it’s true,” Ron said shrugging, “but it seems like something he would do, right? Hermione told me he does it all the time, and he still gets everything he wants. Stupid ferret.”

Harry rolled his eyes at what Hermione had done to him. It would be impossible for Ron to accept Draco, especially with what Hermione thought of him. Ron was desperately in love with Hermione, he just hadn’t realized it yet. Therefore, he listened attentively to everything she told him about people in general, mainly Draco Malfoy.

“He’s not that bad, Ron,” Harry said as they turned a corner and headed toward the school. “Hermione just doesn’t know him very well. Tell me, does she like anyone who gets better grades than her and does less work?”

Ron looked guilty for a second. “Well… no, but that doesn’t mean he’s not cheating.”

Harry just shook his head and sighed. It was pointless. He’d just have to tell Hermione to lay off.

As they walked up to the school, Harry caught a glimpse of Draco. He was leaning casually against his black Mercedes with a cigarette held in his hand, looking as if it was made to be there. Blaise was beside him, talking about something or other.

Harry kept his eyes on Draco until they reached the front doors and had to go inside. They met Hermione just inside. She fell into step beside Harry, watching as he tore his eyes from the door. She gave him a suspicious look but said nothing as they continued on to their lockers.

The first half of the day passed incredibly slowly, or at least it did to Harry. He couldn’t help eagerly awaiting the bell to ring for each class.

He knew it must look suspicious, or more suspicious than usual, since he was always looking at the clock, but he just wanted to get the day over with so he could get to his detention. He half-hoped he would be the only one there and that Draco would be there as well.

After what seemed like forever, it was time for lunch. Harry joined Ron and Hermione as they took their normal seats outside under the large beech tree that stood on the outskirts of the school property. They normally chose to eat outside because there were less people and the weather had been so nice lately, it was hard not to.

Hermione, of course, had brought out half a ton of books with her and dumped them next to herself as she settled down with her lunch. Harry and Ron just rolled their eyes and began talking about sports.

“Hey, Harry,” Ron said eagerly. “Does the team need another Forward?”

Harry frowned and paused. He knew Ron was eager to get on the soccer team, but Harry had seen him play and knew that he was fairly uncoordinated. He wanted to give Ron a chance, and seeing as how he was team captain, he had the power to give Ron a try, but he felt it was useless.

Instead, he usually reverted to suggesting a different sport; tennis. Ron liked tennis as well, but found it discouraging whenever he was put against Draco, who was easily the best on the team. Ron always lost, and though Draco didn’t taunt him about it, Ron seemed to take his silence as thinking that he was above him.

Harry didn’t know how he was going to get Ron around his dislike of Draco. He had been silent so long that even Hermione looked up from her book, watching the scene carefully. She was always wary of Ron’s feelings, no matter what she said otherwise.

“No, I think Michael’s going to be fine. It was just a sprain,” Harry said finally, taking a bite of his sandwich to avoid anymore questions.

Ron looked disappointed for a second but said nothing and began eating slowly. Hermione watched him for a second then returned to her book.

Harry sighed and leaned back against the tree. He felt bad for rejecting Ron, knowing he’d had to face demotion his whole life; he had a large family and was often shunted to the side in favor of his older brothers. But Harry knew it would be a bad idea to let Ron on the team. He had two left feet and wouldn’t be a very good runner.

After a few minutes of silence, Ron seemed to come back to himself, engaging Harry in conversation again while Hermione read her book.

“Do you think Lupin’ll be back?” Ron asked as he picked apart his sandwich; it was corned beef, definitely not his favorite.

“I hope so,” Harry said sincerely.

His favorite teacher by far was Mr. Lupin. He’d been close friends with Harry’s parents before their death and Harry had come to look at him as a close friend as well. Unfortunately, Lupin had cancer and, therefore, was often gone for health reasons.

“Did you write the essay?” Ron asked in a muffled voice as he stuck some chips into his mouth.

Behind her book, Hermione rolled her eyes and hoisted it higher, blocking them out.

“Sort of,” Harry said. “I mean, I wrote part of it, but I couldn’t get the end right.”

“Can I see it?”

Harry rolled his eyes but pulled out his essay and handed it over to Ron, who read through it quickly. This was too much for Hermione, it seemed.

Setting down her book, she glared at the two of them, but mostly Ron. “Ronald Weasley,” she said sternly and he set down the paper carefully, knowing what was coming. “You shouldn’t be copying off Harry, and you, Harry, shouldn’t be letting him copy! How are you ever going to learn anything if you don’t do it yourself? It wasn’t that difficult of an essay and you had an extra week to write it.” She reached over and plucked the essay from Ron’s hand.

“Hey!” he exclaimed as she handed it back to Harry, giving Ron a hard look.

“You write your own essay, Ronald, or I’ll tell Mr. Lupin why it looks just like Harry’s.”

Ron scowled and grumbled under his breath but pulled out his essay and a pen and began to scribble down something. Harry said nothing but tucked his own essay away in his notebook. He knew better than to challenge Hermione when it came to schoolwork.

Lunch ended and they gathered their things, heading to English. Harry was distracted by thoughts of his unfinished essay as they came to the classroom. Hermione opened the door and went inside, accidentally, or perhaps not so accidentally, letting go and it nearly hit Ron in the face.

Ron scowled but banged the door open, following her in with Harry close behind.

“Careful, Ron,” came a soft voice from the front of the room. “That door isn’t invincible.”

Harry looked up to see Remus Lupin standing at the front of the classroom, an amused smile on his face. Ron merely grunted and went to his usual seat, but choosing to sit further away from Hermione than usual. Harry, on the other hand, went up to Lupin.

“You’re back,” he said cheerfully.

“Yes,” Lupin sighed. “They’ve been trying some new treatments. They think maybe this one will help the occurrence rate.”

Harry frowned. “Do you think it will?”

Lupin just gave Harry a sad smile. “I’ve learned to live with it, Harry. If it works, then that’s good. Now, enough talk about me. How is your essay? I expect it’s wonderful what with all the extra time you got.”

“Er…”

Lupin smiled. “I see. Well, no worries, but you are turning them in today.”

“Great,” came Ron’s mumble from behind them, and Lupin laughed.

“Now, take your seat, Harry, it’s almost time to start.”

Harry grinned and went to sit down next to Ron and Hermione. He was glad to see that Lupin was taking it well. He slipped in between Ron and Hermione and took out his essay, hoping that it wasn’t too horrible. He couldn’t remember writing it; his mind had been much too preoccupied with thoughts of Draco lately.

Slowly, the rest of the class came in, taking seats and greeting Lupin happily. They were always much happier to see him back because usually when he was gone, Snape had the unpleasant duty of taking over.

Harry looked up as Draco and Blaise came in the room just as the bell rang. He watched Draco hopefully as the two boys crossed the room. He was disappointed, though, as Draco didn’t so much as glance his way. He was wearing his cool, unconcerned expression as always.

Lupin cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him. He smiled and his grey eyes sparkled. “Hello, everyone! I hope you’re doing well and my absence has not allowed you to become lazy and not do your homework?” This was met with an unintelligible grumble of disagreement. Lupin continued. “I certainly hope not because I’d like you to pass in your essays now.”

There was a rustle of movement and about half the class handed in their essays. Lupin collected them and set them on his desk, then turned back to the class.

“We will be starting a new section today. We’re finished with analyzing literature, now we’re going to do a poetry unit!” His tone was upbeat and enthusiastic, but that wasn’t the response he got.

There was an outbreak of groans and grumblings of dislike at the announcement. Ron groaned and Hermione gave him a sharp look. Harry sighed and frowned. He’d always hated analyzing poetry.

“The good news is,” Lupin said above the noise, “you won’t be doing it alone. You’re going to be working with a partner to analyze several poems by an author. At the end of the unit, you’ll do a presentation on them to the class.”

Harry didn’t think that sounded any better. At the very least, though, he might be able to work with Hermione, who would know everything. But what would Ron do then? Harry always hated having to choose between the two.

“Before you start whispering to your neighbor,” Lupin said, seeing students begin to nudge their friends, “I’m going to be choosing the partners. I know, I know,” he said over the refreshed groans and sighs, “but you are seniors and since you will probably never see these people again, I think it’s important you work with someone you don’t know very well. Who knows, you just might learn something about yourself in the process.”

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged disheartened looks. Who would Lupin pair them up with?

Lupin reached over to his desk and plucked a paper off it. “I’ve already chosen them,” he said. “Let’s see… Michael and Seamus, Hermione and Millicent, Ron and Blaise, Harry and Draco—”

Harry perked up when his name was mentioned with Draco’s. He glanced over at Draco, whose eyes were resting on him and glittering in the dull light of the classroom. Beside him, Blaise didn’t look very happy at all.

“Okay, those are your partners. Go sit with them and I’ll be around to give you your poet!” Lupin smiled enthusiastically at all of them as they pulled themselves unwillingly to their feet.

Harry gathered his things and went over to Draco, who had made no movements to join him. Harry sat down quietly, not knowing what to say. He was saved the trouble when Lupin came to them first.

“Alright, boys,” he said, “you have a wonderful poet. Her name is Edna St. Vincent Millay. She wrote many poems and I think you’ll find her enjoyable. For the presentation, you need to choose a few poems to analyze and interpret them to the class. It doesn’t have to be somber. You can make it fun. The project isn’t due until May. Think of it as your final.”

Then he left them alone. Harry took out his literature book and flipped to the back, looking for the woman’s name. He glanced at Draco, but Draco said nothing, just leaned back in his chair casually.

“Here’s a poem by Edna,” Harry said, flipping to the middle of the book. He pushed the book to Draco and watched as he read it through.

Safe upon the solid rock, the ugly houses stand:
Come and see my shining palace, built upon the sand!

Draco made a noise of interest and pushed the book back. He let his chair fall to the floor and looked at Harry, his silver eyes piercing through him. “Listen, Potter,” he said quietly, looking around to make sure no one was listening. “Despite outward appearances, I am very interested in my grades. If you fuck up this project, it won’t be pretty. Be prepared to pull your weight.”

Harry was taken aback by Draco’s serious tone. He hadn’t exactly gotten the impression that Draco cared about his schoolwork. Maybe he wasn’t as much of a slacker as he had previously thought.

“Okay,” Harry agreed. “When do you want to start working on it? We’ve got three months.”

“Two and a half months, Potter,” Draco corrected him, grabbing the lit book and flipping through it. “We’ll make arrangements.”

“Okay,” Harry said slowly, wondering why Draco didn’t seem to be making eye contact with him. “I just have work and things to do too.”

Draco made a small noise of acknowledgement and continued flipping through the book. Finally, just before the bell rang, he turned to Harry while grabbing his bag and standing up. He smirked down at Harry, his eyes glittering in the dull light of the classroom. “See you in detention,” he said lightly before sweeping out of the room with Blaise at his side.

Harry had half a mind to go after him, but was prevented as Ron and Hermione appeared on either side of him, Ron saying something about Harry having a bad partner while Hermione remained silent, her eyes taking in Harry and her mouth thinning.

“Yeah, Ron,” Harry said distractedly as they walked out of the classroom. Harry’s only thought was of the detention that couldn’t come soon enough.


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A/N: Yay chapter 8 :) Please review!