How it all came to be, a H/D story
Title: How it all came to be
Author: a_clairvoyante
Rating: PG-13?
Wordcount: 2182
Notes: Written for Back to Hogwarts.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended and I make no money out of this.
Summary: Four Hogwarts students have a plan.
Ron remembered how Harry and Malfoy had met on the Hogwarts Express perfectly well.
They had been in one of the compartments on their way to their first year of school.
The compartment had seemed big and despite it's somewhat run-down interior comfortable until the snooty little Malfoy had yanked the compartment door open and strode into their little world.
Harry and him had just been making friends and Harry had been very shy. But what he answered to Malfoys speech wasn't shy at all.
Ron wasn't to sure about Hermione's plan. But he did not dare voice his doubts.
Right now they were standing in front of the Slytherin Common Room.
Ron had tried everything (doing homework, playing sick, actually taking a Vomiting Pill) but Hermione had seen right through him.
“Ron, Harry is your friend! We have to help him and if that means collaboration with the Slytherins we will still do it!”, she had said. Ron had vowed to not speak and - heaven forbid - touch something in the snakes' den. Hermione could do all the talking if she was so damn sure about Harry being in love with Malfoy of all people.
But maybe if the door wouldn't open soon they could get back to their Common Room and play some chess and later on go to bed?
Hermione wouldn't want to stay in such plain sight after the curfew after all.
But luck wasn't on Ron's side.
“Who's there? Hermione, is that you?”
Pansy Parkinson embraced Hermione. Ron couldn't believe what he was seeing!
“Come on in you two. You know where my corner is, Hermione. I'll just inform Blaise you're here then.” And off she went.
“Come on, Ron. It's really nice in there. They did some redecorating. And they have lots and lots of books! It's really fascinating.” Ron felt off balanced as Hermione dragged him through the green themed room. It was still dark with expensive looking velvet couches, stone and stained wood wherever he looked. But there were some nice paintings as well. One showed a summer meadow, another a lake. But he was sure every one of them had at least one snake painted on them.
Hermione pressed him down on a cosy arm chair. She sat right opposite him on a couch.
“I've brought some cookies.”, said Parkinson and sat down next to Hermione.
“Well, I brought some Pumpkin Juice”, said Hermione and smiled at a uncomfortable looking Blaise Zabini.
Zabini sat down next to him.
“I guess you're wondering why we invited you here”, said Parkinson while she arranged the cookie plate and poured all of them a glass of pumpkin juice.
Hermione thanked her and took a sip of her juice. Only her death glare stopped Ron from slapping the glass out of her hands. “I've been here before. And there was never anything mixed into my drinks. I' much rather drink anything here than something the twins have been near to.”
Ron gulped and sat back, his eyes never leaving Hermione.
“Well, after we've been so rudely interrupted”, Parkinson sent a sour look his way, “We can now carry on. We are here to help Draco and Harry find their love for each other.”
Zabini spluttered. That had been Ron's reaction at the first time Hermione had spoken to him.
“Their love for each other? Are you out of your minds? I mean they're throwing punches at each other every chance they get!
Just yesterday I went down to the Quidditch pitch to pick up Draco for dinner. Potter was there before me. All I could do was separate them. They were rolling around on the ground - and a Malfoy never does anything that plebeian! He was all dirty - and trying to throttle each other.
Draco has some really mean scratch marks down his back and I believe Potter has a blue ear?”
“And a bite mark in his calf!”, threw Ron in.
“It's a miracle how they still have hair. They're pulling each others all of the time after all.”
Mind you, Zabini seemed to be intelligent. Ron leaned back with a confident smile.
“But don't you know that boys pick on their crushes' ponytail even when their quite young?”, interjected Hermione.
Pansy's smile was certain of success. “Blaise, have you ever watched Draco in the Great Hall?
First he walks in as if he owns it, barely bestowing any of the four tables a single regard. He takes his favourite seat and as soon as he is sitting the glances start.
At first I thought it was some Gryffindor girl he didn't want any of us snakes to know about. But he was always so down when Harry didn't take any notice of him or even worse, wasn't there at all.
He never starts eating in earnest until Harry is in the Great Hall.
And the last time he was eating peas without complaint? Harry was sporting a somewhat tight fitting shirt.
Don't you see it? He's head over heels but he doesn't know it yet.”
Well, that's a bit stupid thought Ron. How could one not notice that one was in love? He intently did not look at Hermione. He had not been in love long, he had had Lavender before her. He could not help his grimace.
Hermione was looking at him a bit funny. But before she could reprimand him Zabini spoke again.
“Well, yes. Now that you point that out... Back a few years he used to have a recurring nightmare at least once a week. Now he doesn't have it that often anymore but it always starts with him talking about detention in the Forbidden Forrest.
I got him to tell me about what he was dreaming once.
You still know back when he and Harry got detention first year? Apparently they had to roam the Forbidden Forrest with Hagrid at night. I know that Draco was afraid of his own sneezing back then. It must have been really hard on him.
Well, anyway. From what I could gather the detention ended when they came upon a creature feasting on a unicorn.
Draco is always crying towards the end of his dream and sometimes he screams for Harry to not get near to 'that thing'. He's always very embarrassed after that dream.”
Malfoy must be such a sissy. At least Harry only screamed if he-who-must-not-be-named was involved, Ron thought. He made a conscious effort to not remember that 'that thing' had been he-who-must-not-be-named himself.
“You see?”, Hermione asked. “In the charms classroom Harry wanted to sit in the second row really desperately - and for a reason I must add! He just needs to turn a bit right and there, right in front of him, sits Draco. And he turns right quite a bit.
He's always sighing and his grades have dropped. He can't seem to leave his eyes off of Draco.
I even caught him drawing on his parchment once. I duplicated it, of course.”
She proudly showed a piece of parchment. It was covered in hearts and some squiggly Ds and Ms.
Ron thought he might be sick any moment now. Or he might faint, but that was a bit to girly, he decided.
That night they had planed like lunatics.
They had not been able to come to an agreement until Ron had suggested the usual set up method.
They had a Hogsmead weekend in two days after all.
“But that's way to common!” “Do you have a better idea, Parkinson?”
“Well, the idea is the only realistic one so far. But we need to work on it. I'm sure Harry and Draco will start a fight if we leave them just like that.”, remarked Hermione.
“We need to have a controlled environment. Draco would never behave anything else than perfect in a classy establishment. How about Potter?”, asked Zabini.
“He's grown quieter but Malfoy still brings out the worst in him. I don't know how he would behave in a classy environment. I think he's never been out in anything classy-er than the Three Broomsticks.”
Parkinson gasped for breath. “Well, that's sad, but anyway. I think I have an idea. How about we throw them into the îlot solitaire together? It opens in three days, but I know the owner. I'm sure he could be persuaded to have a pilot run.”
“Oh, you're a genius. Harry can't say no to a single being in need!”, beamed Hermione.
And that is why Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to Hogsmead in evening gowns.
Hermione let them into a small alley. After a few meters she stumbled and hit Ron with a shriek.
“Oh, I shouldn't have come in those heels. Ron, can you hold me up a bit? I think I sprained my ankle.”, said Hermione with a facial expression twisted in pain.
“Do you think you can carry on? Or should I lead you home?”
“We can go back to Hogwarts, Hermione. That's no problem at all.”
“No, Harry. The owner of îlot solitaire really needs our help. He's just so nervous about the opening tomorrow.”
“But you're in pain!”
Ron knew there was no other way.
“Herm, can you lean onto that wall for a moment?” He grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him a bit further into the alley. “You know, I really would appreciate the time with Hermione. I think I might want to ask her out, maybe? Could you go to that restaurant for us please? And please excuse us?”
“Ok, sure mate. Good luck”, Harry smiled.
Ron could see Hermione taking a big gulp of air and shifting her weight. Her pained expression was on her face as soon as they came back to her.
“Ron, I want to go home, but I really don't want to leave the owner in the cold.”
“Harry'll go and I'll bring you back to Hogwarts.”
“I'm sorry I ruined this guys.”
Pansy watched as a solitary Harry Potter made his way into the restaurant. Draco was already seated. Blaise and she had used the same trick Hermione and Ron had used.
Now they'd watch from opposing building. She was really excited.
“What's happening?”, a bouncy Hermione asked after nearly running down the door.
“Harry just came into the room. He's being led to Draco.”
“Aren't they adorable”, interjected Blaise sarcastically.
Harry was stiffly taking a seat while staring angrily at Draco. Draco on the other hand used his poker face well.
A waiter brought the menu and after one last look both buried their heads behind their menu cards.
The waiter came back and Draco seemed to be in his element. He ordered something and requested the wine card.
Harry had a dazed look and got red-faced as the waiter asked for his wish.
“Oh, he doesn't speak any French.”, whispered Hermione.
He looked to Draco seeking for help and Draco ordered something for him as well. Harry smiled.
Their conversation looked a bit stilted but luckily there were no irate faces.
The waiter brought the starters and the four watchers had to restrain their laughter. Harry wasn't the least bit inscrutable as he desperately tried to use the right cutlery.
“Oh, look. Draco's giving subtle hints!”
Both of them got through the starters with no more awkward situations and Ron was really surprised about Harry's main course. It looked like a fancy version of his all time favourite!
With the main course came an increased intake of wine and their glances got more and more noticeable and held more heat with every acknowledgment.
Throughout dessert Draco was shifting in his seat. They finished their meal quickly.
Thanking the staff and the chef they nearly fled out of the restaurant to stop just outside the door and fasten their lips to each others.
“Wow, they're really at it.”, said Pansy. “You know what? How about you follow them inconspicuously and I'll talk to the restaurant owner. But tell me what happened!”
So three watchers followed Harry and Draco on their slow journey back to Hogwarts. They were actually running, but had to stop every now and then to snog heavily or get in a few gropes.
Ron still wasn't sure whether he wanted to see this, but Harry seemed to have fun.
Finally they reached Hogwarts' entrance.
“Where to now?”, Harry asked breathless.
“I mean, Ron and Hermione are in Gryffindor Common Room.”
“Blaise and Pansy are in Slytherin.”, Draco thought.
“That means Prefects Bathroom. It should be empty now.”
Harry smiled, grabbed Draco's hand and dragged him behind.
They left three content matchmakers behind who couldn't follow but were pretty sure what would be happening in the bathroom.
“Oh, they're having hot sex and I can't be present. Isn't that unfair?”, sighed Blaise.