Slipping Through

*

The Boy Who Lived, the Malfoy Heir, and their Secret Love Affair

Harry looked up at the headline as it was slammed down on the table in front of him. He couldn't help but blush at the picture on the cover. His photographic self was hurrying out of the picture while Draco tugged him back, giving him a suggestive look.

He looked up from the Daily Prophet at Hermione, who was standing next to him, her hand flat on the paper from when she had slammed it down in front of him.

"Yes, Hermione?" he asked, trying to act casual.

"You lied to me!"

"What?" he asked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You told me, and everyone else in the school, that you two shagged!" she exclaimed, sitting down rather more violently than necessary on the bench next to Harry.

"We did," he said slowly. "What are you talking about?"

"No! When I asked, you hadn't! You lied to me!"

"Are you going to believe everything that rubbish paper publishes?" Harry asked calmly, reaching around her for the marmalade.

She glared at him, her eyes burning. "You told me, last week, that you had done it, and then this comes out saying you just got together yesterday!"

"I can't help it that Colin makes up lies about me," Harry said, glancing down the table to where Colin sat, clutching his camera protectively; his face was covered in a purple gel that was presumably healing his injuries. He caught Harry's eye and gave a frightful start and scooted further down the table.

Harry couldn't help smirking as he watched Colin edge away. He looked up at the Slytherin table and caught Draco watching him. Draco smirked at him then turned back to his own table. Harry sighed quietly and looked to his left to find Hermione watching him suspiciously.

"What?" he asked her impatiently.

"Why didn't you just tell me, Harry?” she asked, looking at him imploringly.

He sighed tiredly. "Because you were so adamant about it. I just didn't want to. Besides, it was funny." Harry shrugged and went back to eating his toast. Hermione merely rolled her eyes.

At that moment, Ron showed up at the table looking tired but extremely cheerful. Both Harry and Hermione, looked over at him with curious expressions on their faces. Ever since that night of the party he hadn't seemed quite right.

"Ron?" Hermione asked carefully. "Are you okay?"

Ron turned to her, a goofy smile on his face. "I've met the most wonderful girl," he said dreamily.

Harry and Hermione exchanged an incredulous glance then looked back to Ron. "Who?"

"Pansy," Ron sighed, staring off dreamily.

"Pansy?!" they both exclaimed together. They looked quickly over to where Pansy sat next to Blaise, a most unusual smile on her face. Instead of it being snooty and haughty as it usually it was, it was truly happy.

"She's amazing," Ron breathed, his eyes unfocused as he gazed dreamily off.

Harry and Hermione shared one more glance before shrugging and leaving well enough alone. They spent the rest of the meal in relative silence; only Ron's dreamy sighs broke the silence.

Finally, near the end of the meal, Hermione scooted closer to Harry once more, and Harry was sure he was about to endure another lecture on why it's rude to lie.

"Listen, Harry," Hermione said in a low voice. "There's something I need to tell you. It happened a while ago and I guess you should probably know."

Harry gave her a questioning look. "What?" he asked slowly.

"You know Draco was tried for being a Death Eater? Well, it was my testimony that got him off."

"What?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I saw him at the last battle. I know you didn't, but he was there. He didn't try to defend himself against anything. It was like he didn't know how. I saw his dad abandon him and I just couldn't let him die! They let him go because he never lifted his wand against the Aurors. I just thought you ought to know." Hermione watched him apprehensively.

Harry was silent for a moment as he absorbed the shock. So Hermione was the reason for Draco's second chance? He could have kissed her, but he knew that would not please Draco much.

Obviously, Draco knew this already. Ron must have known as well and had just been beaten into submission by Hermione not to tell Harry.

"You-- Oh my-- Hermione!" Harry shouted and she winced, obviously thinking she'd done wrong. "Hermione, you are the best friend I've ever had!" He hugged her suddenly and tightly and she looked shocked, too shocked to speak for once at least.

"I... thanks, Harry," Hermione said when he finally released her. Harry jumped up from the table, looking round the Slytherin table for Draco but saw that he wasn't there.

He sent Hermione one last thankful smile before leaving the Great Hall, intent on finding Draco. He was about halfway across, passing by a broom closet when a hand shot out and dragged him inside.

It was completely dark but Harry knew it could only be one possible person.

"You know," came a voice from his right. "The papers have you pegged as some sort scarlet woman."

Harry was silent for a moment. "Actually, I think green is more my color."

He could practically hear the smirk crack across Draco's face as he stood in the dark cupboard. He felt a body shift closer to him and a hand on his chest.

"And you haven't forgotten our deal?" Draco drawled, his hand creeping further up Harry's chest, to play idly with Harry's collar.

"You mean," Harry replied in a husky voice. "Your obsession with dominance?"

"I wouldn't call it an obsession," Draco replied, his finger sliding under Harry's collar and over his neck lightly. "More like a rule."

Harry laughed for a moment, leaning down until his forehead rested against Draco's. He could feel Draco's hot breath ghosting against his lips.

"Then we'll just have to break those rules," he whispered, his lips nearly touching Draco's.

"You can bend them all you want," Draco replied. "But, Harry, in the end, I always get what I want."

He pressed his lips forward, pulling Harry into a searing hot kiss.


~~**~~


A/N: It's over! Yay! One less I have to post. And my Italian is over too, yay! No more Italian ever! So happy. Share in my happiness and review! :D