Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Wand Game	By : ReverieWilde Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 21854 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters in it. I make no money on the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
〪o 〫O〬 o〭

December 12 1998

Whistling a happy tune, with a goofy look on his face, Harry strolled into the Gryffindor common room. A few students sniggered, but he paid them no mind. Nothing was going to bring him down. Not this day.

“Harry,” Hermione sounded surprised.

Harry turned to her. “Morning,” he grinned.

Mouth hanging open, his friend asked, “Harry, were you in Slytherin all night?”

“Maybe,” he smirked.

“Did you, um, look in a mirror before you left?”

“No, why?” He self-consciously patted his hair down, assuming he had bed head.

Hermione lowered her voice. “Your shirt is inside out. And you’re wearing two different shoes.”

He looked down. “Oh,” Harry laughed. “I was wondering why the left one was so loose. Draco’s feet are bigger than mine.”

“And . . .” She led him to a mirror and pulled him in front of it.

“Fucking hell, Harry!” Ron shouted as he came out of his dormitory. “What did you do, let all the leeches out of the potions room?” he joked.

It was Harry’s turn to drop his jaw. His neck was covered in hickeys. Instinctively, his hand covered his neck. “Shit,” he swore. “I’m going to kill him.”

Blushing brightly as other Gryffindors could no longer stifle their giggles, Harry hurried to his dormitory to grab clothes to shower. While his was in the bath, he cast a glamour spell to hide the marks left by Draco. Though Harry was outwardly horrified and embarrassed, inside he felt high, recalling how he got those marks. He stood in front of the bathroom mirror and waved them away.

Harry showered and dressed for the day, joining Hermione and Ron in the common room before heading down to breakfast. He pulled Ron aside.

“Oi, Ron, you interested in going to Diagon Alley with me today? Or tomorrow?”

“You’re not spending the day with Malfoy, er, Draco?”

Harry shrugged. “I don’t know what we’re doing. We didn’t make plans. But I don’t want him to go shopping with me. I need to shop for him.”

Ron gave a sideways glance to Hermione. “I suppose that’s one of the perks of being with a bloke, eh.”

“What do you mean?” Harry furrowed his brow.

“You know, girls are so clingy. They need you to spend all your time with ‘em. They like to make plans.”

“Jealous?” Harry grinned.

Ron’s face dropped. “No,” he said seriously.

“So, do you and Mione have plans then?”

“Actually, no. But I spent all my money on Mione’s Christmas presents already.”

“Well, then, that’s means she’s free. Maybe she’d like to come with me.” Harry leaned in. “You could have a bit of a break. Maybe go flying,” Harry smiled.

“I like the way you think,” Ron grinned. It was the one thing they couldn’t really do together. Hermione didn’t enjoy flying and Ron did. But he felt badly going off and doing something she couldn’t join him in. “I mean, it’s not like we have to do everything together, right? You and Mal--Draco,” Ron rolled his eyes, “don’t do everything together.”

“No. I have no intention of dropping my other friends for him. I don’t expect him to either,” Harry assured Ron.

“Good to hear it.”

The boys joined Hermione as they began to make their way to the Great Hall. Harry asked Hermione if she would like to go with him to do some shopping. She enthusiastically agreed and the pair made plans to leave right after breakfast. As the trio approached the Entrance Hall, they spotted Draco leaning against the wall just outside the stairway to the dungeons.

“I see you covered up,” Draco smirked.

“I see you didn’t,” Harry replied, referring to the mark above Draco’s right collar bone.

“Thought you wanted everyone to know who I belong to.” Draco lifted a finger to Harry’s lips and gently stroked them, licking his own as he did.

“Ahem,” Hermione cleared her throat, reminding the lovers that they were not alone. Ron rubbed his neck uneasily and looked everywhere but at his friend and his new love.

“Right,” Draco composed himself and stepped back, blushing slightly. “Shall we go in?”

Harry grabbed hold of Draco’s hand, while Hermione grabbed hold of Ron’s and the foursome entered the Hall.

Harry leaned close and whispered to Draco, “How are you feeling? You don’t seem to be walking wonky.”

“It’s amazing the sorts of spells Blaise knows,” Draco winked.

Some of the students gaped as they looked up, not necessarily believing the rumors that had spread. Others had taken it in stride. Though Harry had come out publicly himself, he didn’t address his relationship with Draco to the student body at large. Regardless of the other students’ reactions, Harry and Draco decided it was best not to display too much affection in public. Neither had done that with any of the girls they had been with and they weren’t going to start now.

Releasing one another’s hands, they nodded and walked to their usual mealtime places.

“So, Ron, I was thinking,” Harry began as he dug into scrambled eggs. “You and Draco should get to know each other a little better.”

“Me and Malfoy?” Ron rolled his eyes again. “Draco.”

“Yeah, maybe you could hang out with him while Hermione and I go shopping this morning.”

“What? You want me to spend time with Malfoy by myself? Are you mental? It’s hard enough to be around him with you there.”

“That’s because you don’t really know each other,” Harry said. “He’s a great flyer. You two could practice Quidditch together.”

“It’s not a bad idea, Ron,” Hermione chimed in. “If things work out between them, we’ll all be spending more time together.”

Ron grumbled. He knew Hermione was right. He liked it so much better when Harry was dating Ginny. The four of them got on so well, it was easy. Adding Malfoy to their group was going to be difficult.

“Come on, Ron. Remember how he helped you in Dervish and Banges,” Harry nudged.

“Harry,” Ron said through gritted teeth. “Shush.” He glanced sideways at Hermione.

“I think it’s a splendid idea,” Hermione agreed, pretending not to notice the way Ron was trying to shut Harry up. Though, she couldn’t imagine how Malfoy could have helped him out.

“But not just the two of us, alone,” Ron complained. “I need a buffer or something. You know, ease into it.”

“I say jump right in,” Hermione said. “Like swimming.”

“Oh, I know. Why don’t you play chess?” Harry suggested. “You know I’m not a challenge for you. He’s very good.”

“And it would give you somewhat of a distraction while you talk and get to know one another,” Hermione added.

Ron grumbled again. He glanced over at Malfoy sitting with his usual crowd. “What about everybody else?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if I have to get to know him, so do you Mione. And Parkinson. She’s practically attached at the hip with him.” Ron straightened up. “I think Mione needs to spend time with Pansy.”

“What?” Hermione gasped.

Harry grinned. “He’s right Mione. You should. Zabini as well. We all ought to make an effort.”

“That’s different. I agree we should make an effort with Draco.” Hermione sipped her pumpkin juice before continuing. “After all, he’s not so bad. He did ask me to be his writing partner,” she smirked. “But the others . . .”

“Are his best friends,” Harry reminded her. “Now, unless you all want us to stop hanging around you, we all need to be at least civil.”

Ron sighed heavily. “Fuckin’ hell. Something tells me this relationship of yours is going to be more work for us.”

〪o 〫O〬 o〭

“It’s been a while since you and I spent any time alone together,” Hermione commented as she and Harry strolled down Diagon Alley. Small flurries fell from the cloudy grey sky dusting their hair lightly. The pair turned into Quality Quidditch Supplies and shook the snow from their hair. A man, dressed in robes, quickly waved a wand at them.

“You’re getting the floor all wet,” he complained and muttered a Drought charm.

“Sorry,” Hermione said. She and Harry walked further into the shop to take a look.

“What do you need here?” Harry asked.

“I want to get Ron a new Quidditch helmet. The one he wears is hideous.”

“It’s his good luck helmet, Hermione. He’s not likely to trade in for a new one,” Harry informed her.

“That’s just superstition, Harry. It doesn’t really bring him good luck,” Hermione frowned.

“I know that. And you know that. But Ron believes it,” Harry said.

“Well, then it’s time to start a new tradition.” Hermione picked up a black leather helmet. “This one is quite stylish.”

Harry shrugged. “I don’t think Ron cares what he looks like on the Quidditch Pitch. But, if you want my opinion, that one is nicer.” Harry pointed to a gold helmet with a burgundy velvet lining and laughed.

“Now you’re just making fun,” Hermione nudged him in the side. “May I?” She indicated that she wanted to put the black helmet on Harry. He slumped his shoulders and allowed her to place it on his head.

Hermione began tucking his hair in when she noticed a very faint mark on Harry’s neck.

“I think your glamour charm is wearing off,” she smirked.

“What?” his hand instinctively went to his throat.

“The marks are still very faint.” She pulled his scarf a bit tighter around his neck. “There. Now they won’t show at all.”

Hermione stepped back and looked at her friend. She took the helmet off him and carried to the clerk. Harry fussed with the scarf while she paid for Ron’s gift. And soon the two were out on the street once more. The snow had stopped, though it was still very overcast.

Hermione and Harry walked to three more shops before deciding it was time to stop for a bite to eat. They settled into a corner booth in the Leaky Cauldron and began to get unbundled as the fireplace kept the tavern warm and toasty.

Hermione reached out a hand across the table. “You may want to leave your scarf on. Or I could cast another charm.”

It was too hot to leave on the scarf, so Harry consented to Hermione’s spell. She was better at most of them than him anyway. Glamour charms were something he never had practiced before.

With a flourish of her wand, Harry’s secret was once again hidden. The server came by and they ordered soup and crackers, with butter beer on the side.

The pair made small talk about the weather and such, but Hermione couldn’t help stare at the places on her friend’s neck where she saw the love bites.

“Is there something you want to say Hermione?” Harry finally addressed the fact that he’d noticed her gawking.

“It’s really none of my business.”

Harry laughed. “Since when did that ever stop you? But I don’t suppose you want to hear any sordid details about my love life, now that it involves Draco.” He took a sip of butter beer.

“Not true, Harry,” Hermione protested. “I want to hear the same as I would if it were anybody else.”

Harry considered the honesty of her statement. Did she really want to hear him go on about another man? He had to admit, he’d been dying to tell someone of his wonderful night with Draco. But who would want to listen?

“I want you to be happy.”

“I am Hermione. I know, it doesn’t make sense. A year ago, if you would have asked me, I would have said that I planned to get back together with Ginny and marry her someday. I thought that would make me happy.”

“Lots of things changed since then,” Hermione reminded him. “Ginny did too.”

“I had a dream about last night. Actually, I’ve had a couple of them.”

“You mean about coming out to Hogwarts?”

“No, I mean spending the night . . . in Draco’s bed,” he blushed. “The first time, I dreamt that he held a wand to my throat when I woke up and he cursed me. I woke up before I died in the dream.”

“When was this?” Hermione asked.

“While we were still out finding Horcruxes. Back in the Spring.” Harry continued. “The second time, it started out just like the first one, but when he pointed the wand at me, he mumbled a spell and fixed my hair.”

Hermione giggled. “You do have awful bed head.” She paused, thinking. “So, is that what happened last night? Or rather, this morning?”

“No. He did pull his wand, but just to remove the charms he put up. In fact,” Harry flushed again. “He messed my hair up further and told me it was . . . sexy.” He said it quickly and practically in a whisper. “You don’t really want to hear all this.”

“Yes, I do. Harry, I want to hear that this is what you want. And that Draco is treating you well. He is, isn’t he?”

“Oh, yes. He’s been great. I was so inexperienced and he’s had to be so patient with me.” Harry hesitated telling her the importance of the night before, but once they began talking about it, he wanted to tell her everything. He lowered his voice and leaned forward a bit. “Last night was the first time we . . . you know, actually shagged.”

Hermione’s eyes widened, but she swiftly composed herself. “Really? But you’ve been seeing each other for two months now.”

“I told you he’s been patient.”

“Well, that’s a good thing. I’m glad you didn’t rush into it the way most couples at Hogwarts seem to.”

Harry nodded, then frowned. “How long did you and Ron wait?”

“Uh. Well, that’s different. Ron and I knew each other for so many years. We were already best friends. . . “

“Hermione?”

“Oh, all right. It was right after the battle was over. But we were so filled with emotions, of every sort. Relief, but mainly grief. We needed to feel something positive. It probably wasn’t the best timing,” she conceded.

Harry chuckled. “I’m sure I would have done the same. If Molly didn’t keep Ginny glued to her side after that.”

Hermione smiled. “I believe a lot of people took comfort in one another that night.”

They sat in silence contemplating the days following the Battle of Hogwarts. The server brought their soup and asked if they needed refills on butter beer. They declined and switched to lemonade.

Quietly enjoying his food Harry noticed that Hermione looked like she wanted to make a comment or ask a question. She kept pausing as she brought her spoon to her mouth, as if to speak, but then continued to eat.

Harry put his spoon down. “Hermione, you know you can say anything to me, right? Or ask me what you want to know?”

“Am I that obvious?” she snickered. She put her spoon down as well. “Well, since you’ve given me permission . . . you told me, that night in the Potions room, that if you let yourself, you could fall in love with Draco.”

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

Hermione went on. “And seeing as you’ve taken that big step, have you allowed yourself to do that? Have you fallen in love with him?”

Harry had been asking himself the same question. Answering yes meant opening himself up, making himself vulnerable. Not only to Hermione, but to his own fears.

“I think maybe I have,” he said softly.

“Have you told him?”

“No. I can’t. What if he doesn’t feel the same?”

Hermione smiled gently. “That’s a risk we all take.” She reached across the table and lay her hand on his. “But what if he does?”

“That’s even scarier,” Harry joked.

When they finished their meal, Hermione suggested they get back to Hogwarts. It was almost two o’clock and McGonagall would be expecting them back soon.

“There was one more place I wanted to go,” Harry told her. “Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop.”

Smiling widely, Hermione nodded. “I think we have time for one more stop.” She linked her arm through his and they left the tavern to walk down the Alley toward their destination. It began snowing again, a bit harder than before.

The sweet shop was crowded and Harry split off from Hermione to get some Liquorice Wands. He knew Draco liked them very much. So did Harry. As he perused the shop, he also picked up a few Cauldron Cakes. The Sugared Butterfly Wings caught Harry’s eye as he queued to pay for his items. He remembered Draco mentioning them during one of their conversations. He picked up a tin and added them to his order. He would save the Butterfly Wings for a Christmas gift. The other sweets he would share with Draco right away.

Hermione also ended up purchasing Liquorice Wands along with some Pumpkin Pasties.

As they left the shop, Hermione made a suggestion. “I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier, about getting to know one another better. Perhaps we should all go to Hogsmeade or gather in one of our common rooms.”

“Hmm. I like that idea. But we’re all paired up except for Pansy, so maybe we shouldn’t go out. It will seem too date-like and she’ll be left out.” Harry had another suggestion. “Instead of meeting in one of the common rooms, we could go to the Astronomy Tower. Draco and I met there a couple of times. No one really goes there this time of year.”

“I’ll talk to Ron, you talk to Draco,” Hermione suggested. A group setting seemed much more agreeable way to get to know Draco and his friends. She was pleased that Harry approved.

As Harry and Hermione found their way back to the Leaky Cauldron to use the floo, Harry was thinking about the dreams he described to Hermione.

“Mione, remember the dream I told you about? The one with Blaise and Draco talking like they were setting me up?”

“Yes. But I thought we decided that was simply your own fears manifesting themselves in your sleep.”

“Except that, they really did have a conversation similar to that. Draco told me himself.”

Hermione stopped in her tracks. “What?”

“No, wait, not like that. He wasn’t really planning anything bad. I’m not explaining this well.” Harry took a breath. “Okay, what I mean to say, is that both dreams started out one way, negatively. But then changed over the course of time. And when the events actually happened, they were not bad at all.”

They continued on, walking into the tavern.

“So, you think your dreams are prophetic, but only to a point.”

“Or maybe only as far as I can understand,” Harry said. “Can you imagine if I had had a dream about waking up in Draco’s bed and him telling me my hair was sexy, back in the Spring? I’d probably think I was going mad. It was odd enough that I was in his bed at all.”

“I see what you’re saying,” Hermione nodded. “Have you had any other recurring dreams?”

“I have. But they are much more confusing.”

She picked up a handful of floo powder and threw it in the fireplace. “Professor McGonagall’s office.”

Harry followed and when he walked through, he noticed the professor glancing at the wall clock. He and Hermione were ten minutes late. Thinking quickly, Harry took out one of the Cauldron Cakes he bought.

“For you, professor,” He smiled brightly.

Not usually one to be bribed, McGonagall looked at the treat and smirked. “Thank you Mr. Potter. But next time, please be punctual.”

The Gryffindors strolled to their House still discussing Harry’s dreams.

“So, what other sorts of dreams have you had?” Hermione asked.

“Well, one I’ve had a couple of times involved children that looked a lot like you and Ron. I’m not certain if it’s supposed to be your children or younger versions of the two of you.”

“How can it be the future if it’s me and Ron?”

“Then I guess you’re going to have miniature replicas of yourselves someday,” Harry smiled.

Hermione smiled as well. “That dream doesn’t sound so bad. What are the children doing in the dream?”

“Nothing much,” Harry replied. “It’s just a snippet really. Although, in the last one, they seemed to be in a zoo or something. I caught a glimpse of a white animal and some sort of flowering shrubbery.”

Dreamily thinking about Harry’s vision, Hermione wasn’t really paying attention to him as he told her about another dream, in which Draco had a wand pointed at Ron, shouting “Avada Kedavra.”

〪o 〫O〬 o〭

As Harry followed behind Hermione on the way to their House, someone grabbed him and pulled him into an alcove. He didn’t have to guess who it was. Immediately, Draco’s lips were on his. The blond held him close and ran his hands down to Harry’s bottom and squeezed.

“What took you so long?” Draco murmured.

“Did you miss me?”

“Not at all.” Draco kissed Harry’s neck and began working his way down.

Giggling in a most unmanly manner, Harry pushed him back. “Oh, no you don’t. I’ve already got one glamour on me.”

Draco pouted.

“Besides, this isn’t exactly private,” Harry said. “I have to put my packages away. Come on.” He took hold of the Slytherin’s hand and led him to Gryffindor Tower. “Oh, and I got us some treats.”

The blond perked up and happily escorted his lover through the castle. In his hurry to get to his dormitory, Harry tripped and fell forward, bringing Draco with him. Both boys landed on the hard stone floor heavily, slapping their palms to the point of stinging. Draco’s wrist was scraped open and Harry banged one of his knees hard enough for it to swell immediately. Harry’s packages flew out in front of him, spilling Liquorice Wands onto the floor.

Pushing himself up slowly, Draco asked, “You all right Harry?”

“Yeah. Are you?” He held his hand up to his chin. “Sorry, I don’t know what happened. I just tripped---.” Harry stopped when he heard giggling from around the corner. He realized what happened. Furious, he got up and drew his wand.

“Why don’t you come out!” Harry shouted. “Or are you too much of a coward to let me see who threw that trip jinx?”

Terry Boot and Stephen Cornfoot stepped out from behind a large pillar. They too, had their wands drawn. Boot was still laughing.

“What the fuck did you do that for?” Draco hissed, drawing his wand, as well.

“Because we don’t want to see you fucking bum chums traipsing all over the goddamned castle holding hands like a couple of fairies.”

Harry leveled his wand at Boot, ready to hex him with the first thing that came to mind. But Draco put a hand on his arm and forced it down.

“Don’t. He’s not worth the trouble.”

“Now who’s the coward?” Boot said mockingly.

“Think it’s funny?” Draco taunted. “Keep laughing areshole! Rictusempra!”

“Protego,” Harry followed, in preparation for a return hex, pulling Draco behind him.

Terry Boot stood laughing uncontrollably, holding his sides. Cornfoot cast a disarming spell, but thanks to Harry’s quick thinking, it was deflected.

Stepping out from behind Harry, Draco cast a Jelly Legs Jinx at Stephen. The Ravenclaw fell to the floor, dropping his wand.

Boot begged, “Make it stop!” Clutching his belly, he continued to twitter hysterically as tears streamed down his face.

“Leave us alone, Boot,” Draco hissed. “I’ll remove the charm, but if you ever do anything like that to Harry again, I’ll do a lot worse.”

Boot could only nod his agreement. Draco waved his wand, releasing Terry from his pain. He retracted the jinx on Stephen as well. The two pairs glared at each other.

Sneering, Boot said, “You two are disgusting. You and all the other queers around here.” He brushed himself off and marched away, Cornfoot right behind.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Draco asked. He bent down to pick up the Liquorice Wands that fell. Harry tried to bend down to help, but his knee gave out. Reacting swiftly, Draco reached out and caught him before he fell. “We should get you to Madame Pomfrey.”

“No, I’m all right. I just need ice or something,” Harry insisted.

Draco picked up the candy and packages, then put his arm around Harry’s waist. The Gryffindor put his arm around Draco’s neck and the two hobbled the rest of the way up to the Tower.

Harry gave the password and the pair stepped through the portrait.

“Harry, where have you--” Hermione gasped when she saw that his chin was bleeding. “What happened? I thought you were right behind me.”

“A couple of--”

“I tripped,” Harry interrupted Draco’s explanation. “I took poor Draco down with me,” he chuckled.

Draco, going along with Harry, told the other Gryffindors, “His knee is banged up. Someone needs to look at it.”

Hermione asked one of the third years to go to the kitchens to get ice for Harry, while Draco and Ron helped him up the stairs to his room. Ron looked away and shifted uncomfortably on his feet as Draco began to unbutton Harry’s jeans.

“Oh, please. His trousers have to come off to get to his leg.” Draco rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you’ve seen him in his pants before.”

Ron only huffed. It was one thing for the boys to see one another in their pants. It was far different seeing Harry’s lover removing his clothing.

Just then, Hermione came into the room. “Oh my. Sorry.”

“Jeez Mione. You think you’d never seen Harry in his pants before,” Ron said, mimicking Draco’s sentiments.

“Actually, Ron, I don’t think I have.”

“Oh. Right.”

She bent down to look at Harry’s knee, and asked Draco, “Did you try to heal it?”

“I haven’t done anything yet. I’m not sure what to do.”

“It’s fine, guys. Really,” Harry insisted. “Aunt Petunia always just gave me ice if I got hurt.”

“Well,” Hermione began, inspecting the injury closely. “It only looks bruised. But are you sure you don’t want to go see Madame Pomfrey?”

A few minutes later, the third year Hermione sent for ice came running into the room, out of breath.

“You didn’t have to run. I wasn’t going anywhere,” Harry joked. “Thanks.”

Hermione placed a pillow under Harry’s leg and put the ice pack on top. “If it doesn’t feel any better, or the swelling doesn’t go down by tomorrow, I’m going to insist that you go to the hospital wing,” Hermione informed Harry.

“Yes, Mum,” he said sarcastically.

“In the mean time, stay in bed for a while.”

Draco raised his hand, grinning. “I volunteer to stay with him.”

Ron couldn’t help groaning out a small, “Ugh.”

“So much for our idea to get everyone together, Mione. I’m not going to be able to get all the way up to the Astronomy Tower,” Harry said.

“What are you talking about?” Ron frowned.

“Harry and I were thinking we should invite Pansy and Blaise to a small get together. So we can all get to know each other better.”

“What?” Draco questioned. “When did you decide this?” He wasn’t sure how he felt about the two groups co-mingling. He was perfectly happy to see Harry mostly by himself, but occasionally with the other two parts of the trio. But throwing Blaise and Pansy into the mix? He didn’t see that going well.

“I’m not saying we’re going to be best friends or anything, but we should at least try to get along, shouldn’t we?” Hermione pointed out.

“I don’t know,” Draco rubbed the back of his neck. “Plus, there’s Harper, Blaise’s boyfriend. He doesn’t seem to go anywhere without him.”

“Then invite him as well.”

Draco looked to Harry, eyes pleading to get him out of this conversation with Hermione.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Harry said instead. “I don’t know them either, and if I’m going to spend any time in Slytherin . . .”

“Oh, I see, blackmail,” Draco smirked. “You’re becoming more and more Slytherin all the time.”

“Why don’t we just invite them here?” Hermione suggested.

“What?” Ron asked incredulously.

“Well, Harry can’t go anywhere and we can play a game or something. Very informal. Will you ask them, Draco?”

The way Hermione said his name, not with its former spite or animosity, softened Draco’s demeanor. For a moment, he thought perhaps he could be part of their group, an accepted member. By Hermione and Harry, anyway.

Draco shrugged, “I’ll ask. But I can’t guarantee anything.”

“Why don’t you go talk to them,” Harry told Draco. “Ron and Hermione will keep me company. You can come back later.”

“What about supper?” Draco asked. “How are you going to do that?”

“You can stay with Harry while we go,” Hermione put forward. “We’ll bring you both some food.”

Reluctantly, Draco agreed and left for the dungeons. Hermione questioned Harry again about how he fell, but he deflected her questions and changed the subject. He noticed Ron’s discomfort with the Slytherin on Harry’s bed. And even more with the prospect of having to entertain Blaise and Pansy.

Dean and Seamus joined them in the dormitory and Hermione extended the invitation to their gathering. Seamus decide he wasn’t going to miss it for the world. If for no other reason than to get a shot at Pansy.

〪o 〫O〬 o〭

“Harry?” Ron called as he opened to door to their room carrying a tray with two plates of food.

He walked in to see Harry still lying in the same position on his back, but with a large conspicuous lump under the covers. The lump appeared to be bouncing slightly.

“Blimey, Harry! You could have warned me!” Ron shut his eyes and stood helplessly holding the tray, not knowing if he should put the tray down or run out of the room with it.

Laughing, Harry tried to calm the redhead down. “Ron, wait. Draco isn’t doing anything but playing a prank on you.”

Harry threw the covers off, revealing Draco, who was trying so hard not to laugh that he was practically convulsing. Under the blanket the movement looked much more unsettling to Ron. Finally releasing his laughter, Draco fell backwards on the bed.

“He was simply adjusting the ice pack,” Harry explained. “He thought it would be funny to play a trick on you.”

“I never knew you had any sense of humor,” Ron said dryly.

Composing himself, Draco replied, “I have an excellent sense of humor. I wish I could have seen the look on your face, though.” He began laughing again.

“It was pretty funny,” Harry said, laughing as well.

Ron himself, couldn’t help but smile. He enjoyed seeing Harry having fun, even if it was at his expense.

“I guess it was funny,” Ron conceded. “But only because nothing was going on,” he added, implying that Ron would not find it humorous if he ever did catch them in the act.

Ravenously hungry, the boys cleaned their plates while they talked about plans for the night. It had been decided that Blaise, Harper and Pansy would join the Gryffindors and Draco in the boys’ room. Seamus offered up some butter beer and Dean told Ginny to come as well. Molly Weasley had just sent some baked goods and Ginny said she would bring them. It was shaping up to be a party, if only the guests could get along.

Hermione re-examined Harry’s knee and saw that some of the swelling had gone down. She refroze the ice that had melted a bit in the hours since first putting it on Harry’s leg. Reluctantly, she agreed with Harry that a trip to Madame Pomfrey was probably not necessary.

〪o 〫O〬 o〭

“Where’s Neville?” Hermione whispered to Ron.

“He and Luna had plans already”

“They make a very cute couple, don’t they?”

Ron shrugged. How was he supposed to know? “I guess.”

Hermione and Ron joined the rest of the party, choosing to sit on the end of Ron’s bed.

“So, you’ve never been in Gryffindor?” Ginny awkwardly asked the Slytherins. The entire group, sitting scattered around the room, sipped butter beer or firewhiskey or pumpkin juice quietly. Every so often, someone would make some mundane observation or ask an impersonal question. But for the most part, they simply glanced around at one another.

Finally, Draco looked to Harry and sighed. “Shall I ask the first question?”

Harry didn’t know why he didn’t think of it before. It was how he and Draco first got to know more about one another. There wouldn’t be any binding spell here tonight, but the conversation would get moving.

“First question?” Ginny asked. “Didn’t I just ask a question?”

“That wasn’t a question. That was small talk,” Draco waved her off.

“Draco and I played sort of a question game at the wand parties. The rules were that we had to answer honestly and completely. And no subject was off limits. It definitely cut out small talk,” Harry explained.

“So, I’ll go first,” Draco reiterated. He glanced around the room, deciding who to question first. “Ginny.”

She sat up straight and appeared startled. The ginger got nervous as she anticipated what Draco could possibly want to ask her.

“Was it really a surprise to you that Harry’s gay? Or did you have your suspicions?”

Ginny could feel her face warm.

“Ooh, that’s pretty juicy, Dra,” Pansy grinned. “I think I’m going to like this game. But what makes you think everyone will answer honestly? She probably won’t---”

“No,” Ginny said, before Pansy could finish her sentence. “I thought it was a possibility.”

Harry was shocked. “Did everyone know but me?”

There were a few snickers around the room. Seamus spoke up. “Well, maybe we didn’t know at the time, but looking back, there were signs . . .“

“But really,” Ginny continued. “I only thought that because I didn’t want to believe that I just wasn’t attractive enough.” Before Harry could protest, Ginny put her hand up. “I know you said that wasn’t why you broke up with me. I’m okay with it all now. Really.”

Harry smiled at her and nodded. “Your turn then Gin.”

She looked around. She and Blaise had been lab partners for two weeks and he seemed pretty straight forward, ironically, but Pansy was a mystery.

“Pansy, why do you shag everyone? Don’t you have any self respect?”

“Ginny,” Harry chided.

“No, it’s all right Harry. No subject is off limits, remember.” Pansy took a sip of her drink before answering. “I suppose if you want to psychoanalyze it, you would believe I’m punishing myself for throwing away love when I had it, and now I’m having lots of sex to try and make up for it.” She took another sip. “Or maybe I simply love shagging. It feels good, with the right lover. And I want to do it while men still find me attractive. I don’t see why it’s okay for Theo to bed a different girl every week, but if I do it, I’m a tart.”

“But you’re our tart, luv,” Draco smiled. “And it’s your turn.”

Pansy did her best to hide her melancholy and asked Hermione a question. “Granger,” the Slytherin looked pointedly at her, then at Ron. “Don’t take this the wrong way Weasley, but I’ve always wondered, Granger, why you didn’t go after Harry rather than him. He’s hardly your equal.” She gestured to Ron, who scowled.

“Oh, yeah, none taken,” he said sarcastically.

“Harry? And me?” Hermione almost laughed, but she didn’t want Harry to take it the wrong way. “We’ve been like brother and sister from the day we met. I’ve just never thought of him in a romantic sense. I’m certain it’s the same for him.” Almost as an after thought, Hermione added, “And Ron is very clever. And brave. Without Ron’s help, Harry and I couldn’t have accomplished all we did last year. He just doesn’t clamor for attention over it.”

Ron sat up straighter at Hermione’s defense of him. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“All right, Granger, your turn,” Pansy rolled her eyes.

Hermione’s eyes immediately went to Draco. “Why Harry? Of all people, why choose someone you despised at one time?”

“As I recall, you and Ron didn’t get along for most of your years here,” Harry butted in.

“Now, Harry, it’s a good question.” Draco patted Harry’s arm to quiet him. “Why Harry?” he repeated. He looked at his partner for a moment. “I don’t know. He has many wonderful qualities I wasn’t able to acknowledge before. And faults that I was sure were there, I struggle to find now. I didn’t choose him. Fate chose for me. And . . . fate chose well.”

The corner of Harry’s mouth curled up at the private reference. He had no idea what Draco was going to say. But somehow, he summed up what Harry thought as well. He leaned forward and gave Draco a tender kiss, which, of course, Draco reciprocated.

“Aw,” Harper said, and squeezed Blaise’s arm.

Ginny found herself smiling at the display of affection before Ron loudly cleared his throat.

“Well, it’s still weird for the rest of us,” Ron muttered.

As the group started chattering again, Hermione noticed that Pansy had looked away while the boys kissed, appearing somewhat pensive. Since the girl didn’t seem particularly sentimental, Hermione thought Pansy’s first explanation for her behavior was spot on, though it was intended to be sarcastic. And Draco was that lost love of which she spoke.

A few more questions were asked and then, strangely enough, they began talking amongst themselves. Seamus made his way closer to Pansy, who seemed to be back to her usual flirty self. Ginny and Blaise talked academics, while Harper left Blaise’s side to offer his services to Hermione. At first she was insulted, but when she found out that he was the one who did Parvati’s hair, she gave him a second listen.

Ron was sitting alone finishing his butter beer, when Draco approached him.

“Look, Weasley. Can I call you Weasley?” Draco appeared to have a bit more to drink than Ron thought. “Right, I think if I’m going to be shagging your best friend, maybe we ought to get to know each other better.”

Ron’s eyes grew big and he got flushed. He didn’t expect Draco to come out and say they were shagging. It was definitely one of those things you pretended not to know about your friends.

“So, Ron.” Draco put his arm around his shoulder. Ron hadn’t nearly enough to drink for that. He gingerly removed the arm and scooted away a bit. “I hear you like to fly, and play chess. I like to fly and play chess. Not at the same time, mind you. That would be stupid.”

“Yeah, I play chess. And you know I fly. I’m on the Quidditch team.”

“Great, maybe I can play with you sometime,” Draco grinned. “I mean, chess. I don’t really want to play with you. You’re not my type.”

Ron glanced over at Harry, who was busy talking with Hermione and Harper. “Yeah, all right.” He would do it for Harry. “Excuse me.” Ron got up and moved over to Ginny.

“Ronald, did you know that Harry and Draco planned that whole thing?” she asked accusingly.

“What whole thing?” Ron was beginning to think he was better off back with an overly friendly Draco.

“The Potions project. Blaise and Draco faked their fight--”

“No, it was a real fight,” Blaise corrected.

“It may have turned out that way, but they planned it so that Harry and Draco could be partners. And I lost Hermione over it.”

“Hey, we came in second.”

“But Hermione and I may have won.”

Blaise crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, she came in third.”

“That’s only because she got stuck with my idiot brother.”

“Oi, I’m right here,” Ron complained. He got up and tried to join another conversation. He glanced at Pansy and Seamus. No way was he cutting in there. Whatever Harper was saying to Harry and Hermione, he was using huge hand gestures. His friends were laughing, but the faces Harper was making were enough to give Ron pause. He almost didn’t see Dean sitting in the corner by himself. Ron wandered over.

“They’re all a bit much, eh?” Ron joked.

“What?”

“Malfoy and his friends. They’re very ‘in your face’. Don’t you think?”

Dean shrugged. “Whatever.”

“Something wrong?”

Dean looked over at Ginny. “Has she said anything to you about me?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Like maybe she’s not happy with me or something.”

Ron took a sip of his butter beer. Relationship talk. Great. This night was a total bust for him.

“No, why?”

“I think she’s going to break up with me,” Dean said quietly.

“What makes you say that?” Ron couldn’t help his curiosity.

“She just seems . . . down. Like there’s something on her mind. And whatever it is, Gin’s not telling me about it.”

“Well, Ginny hasn’t said anything to me. Not that she confides in me or anything.” Ron frowned. “You know, it’s getting near Christmas. It won’t be the same without Fred. Maybe Ginny’s just been thinking about him a lot. I know I have.”

Dean hit his forehead with his palm. “Oh, how could I be so stupid? I asked her to spend Christmas with me. She seemed horrified that I would even suggest it. That’s probably why.”

“Yeah, we’re all going to the Burrow. Me and Hermione, Ginny, and all my brothers, and Harry. It’ll be crowded, but why don’t you come too?”

Dean drew his brows together. “She didn’t invite me.”

Ron took another sip of butter beer. He didn’t know what to say to that. He glanced at the small clock beside his bed. It was late, one-forty. At the risk of being called a party pooper, Ron decided it was time for everyone to leave.

“Oi, I’m going to bed. I think it’s time for lights out,” he announced.

“Excellent idea,” Pansy agreed. “Which bed is yours, Seamus?” His eyes went wide and he pointed. Pansy jumped on and slipped under the covers.

“Well, if she’s staying, I’m staying,” Draco said, lying on Harry’s bed.

“Well, I’m not staying in here with all of you,” Ginny said. She held her hand out toward Dean. “You coming?” He took her hand and they left for her private room.

“Come on Harper. Let’s go,” Blaise pried him away from Hermione.

“Just give it some thought,” Harper begged her. “You won’t be disappointed,” he called as Blaise dragged him out.

Ron looked hopefully at Hermione. “Are you staying as well?”

She bit her lip. She hadn’t actively planned to spend the night in Ron’s bed before. It wasn’t as if they’d never had sex. She and Ron booted Harry out of the room plenty of times. But this was the first time she was thinking about spending the entire night with him. And waking up with him. It seemed a big step to her. Even though Harry had already spent the night with Draco and they’d been seeing each other for a much shorter time. And it appeared that Pansy was going stay, and she wasn’t even dating Seamus.

“Please?” Ron whispered.

“All right,” Hermione finally said. “But I’m going to get ready for bed. I’ll be right back.”

“What about you, darlin’?” Seamus asked Pansy.

“I figured I could use your toothbrush,” she grinned. “I don’t need pajamas.”

“Holy shite,” Seamus whistled. “You’re somethin’ else.”

Harry looked down at Draco, who had already fallen asleep. His knee was feeling a bit better, so he made his way to the loo to get ready for bed. Although he wanted Draco to stay, he wished the blond hadn’t had too much to drink. Harry noticed that Pansy kept filling his glass with firewhiskey and he lost track of how much he had drunk.

When Harry made it back to bed, Hermione was dressed for bed and standing awkwardly next to Ron’s bed, waiting for him. Harry limped over to her.

“This is strange, isn’t it?”

“To say the least,” she agreed. “I think I liked it better when we were all sneaking around,” she chuckled.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s like a big sleepover party.”

“I don’t think Seamus and Pansy are going to get much sleep,” Hermione giggled. “I just hope they remember to put up a silencing charm.”

〪o 〫O〬 o〭
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The Wand Game