He turned on his heels, ready to leave when he heard Potter snigger. Oh! Oh, that bastard!
“Fuck,” Draco spluttered.
“Like I said, predictable,” Potter laughed. The snow crunched under his feet as he walked around Draco until he was facing him.
“It’s okay. You do your thing with Luna. I don’t want to intrude.”
Ugh. Draco didn’t know what he hated more, the fact that Potter had easily played him or that he was being disgustingly understanding. It made Draco want to tell him everything. He wanted Potter to see it for himself. But he couldn’t. Draco wasn’t ready. Taking Potter there would expose him.
Unless…Unless he told everybody in advance Potter was coming and they were to keep their mouths shut under all circumstances. Maybe, Potter getting a little glimpse wouldn’t be the worst thing? Draco had no idea why, but a part of him wanted to share this with Potter, let him in on the work that was so close to Draco’s heart.
“Whatever, Potter. I don’t care if you tag along or not.”
“Really?” Potter’s face lit up, which made it that much harder to take back what he had just said.
“Really,” Draco sighed.
“Alright, just owl me the address then.”
Draco watched as Potter mounted his broom and waved at him as he zoomed off.
Salazar, this better work! Draco really didn’t need any more complications in his life.
Tuesday, 21 January 2003
Complication number one: Potter was wearing that stupid wool coat again.
Complication number two: Apparently, he had tried to tame his hair.
Complication number three: Potter was good with kids.
Draco had instructed him to wait in the courtyard while he and Luna had gone inside, so Draco could show her the place. One of the teachers had soon offered to take over, to which Luna had heartily agreed, urging Draco to go back to Potter.
So here he was, lurking behind a tree as he watched Potter carefully get down on one knee and tap his wand against a little girl’s finger.
“There we go. No more splinter,” Potter said quietly and smiled at the girl. She was still crying, hiccuping every now and then. Potter reached up and gently brushed away a tear from her cheek. For the love of Merlin, did he really have to do that? Draco inwardly groaned.
“What’s your name?” Potter asked, playfully nudging her little nose. The girl just kept hiccuping.
“Her name is Celia,” Draco said, unable to stop himself. He went over to them and knelt down beside Potter.
“Celia. That’s a pretty name,” Potter said softly, smiling at her. “How old are you, Celia?”
Her brows furrowed as she looked down at her hands. She wrapped one around the other, slowly lifting one finger…two fingers…three fingers…When she lifted the fourth, she looked at Draco in silent uncertainty. He smiled at her, patting her head, and nodded. Still tear-stained, but now beaming, she turned to Potter and showed him her hand.
“Wow, four years,” Potter exclaimed, enthusiastically.
Draco ignored the warmth spreading in his chest, and patted Celia again. “Does it still hurt?” he asked. She blinked a few times, new tears rolling down her cheeks, but, finally, she shook her head. “Good,” Draco smiled.
Celia’s eyes darted between him and Potter before she leaned over to Draco, grabbed a handful of his robes and placed her head against his chest. She liked doing that.
“Are you Mr. Malfoy’s friend?” she asked, regarding Potter closely.
“Um…” Draco could practically see Potter starting to sweat. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his eyes darting to Draco’s. Oh fuck.
“Did you go to school together?”
“We did,” Potter said, turning his attention back to Celia. She seemed to be thinking hard, her grip on Draco’s robes tightening.
“Can you fly really good?”
Potter laughed, the skin around his eyes crinkling. “Well, I’ve been told I do quite alright on a broom.”
“Oh please,” Draco snorted. “You know how good you are. You would have beaten me in that race yesterday if it hadn’t been for that bird.”
Potter’s eyes found his once more, all warm and soft, sending Draco’s heart into a frenzy.
“Are you good at doing magic?” Celia asked, obviously getting more excited.
“Oh, you know, I—” Potter chuckled at Draco’s exasperated expression. “Yes. Yes, I am.”
“Can you show me?” Celia asked, lifting her head from Draco’s chest.
“What do you want me to do?” Potter asked.
“Um…” She looked around, her blond curls bouncing this way and that.
“Ah, I know,” Potter said. He took out his wand, his eyes never leaving Celia. Wordlessly, he flicked it several times and Draco wondered what he was doing. Right beside them, the snow suddenly lifted off the ground and whirled around like a small tornado.
“Whoa!” Celia’s eyes were wide as she watched the snow slowly transform. Draco couldn’t help but laugh when he realised what Potter was doing.
“Oh, a snowman,” Celia shrieked in delight. She clapped and giggled as the snowman started dancing around them. It was good to see her enjoy herself like that.
“Impressive, huh?” Potter said to Celia, wiggling his eyebrows. Draco snorted, drawing his wand as well. Within seconds, a second snowman danced around them, while Celia squealed and jumped up and down. Smug, Draco turned his gaze to Potter. Oh boy. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. He barely moved his wand, his eyes locked with Draco’s, the grin on his face widening.
“Ah!”
Reluctantly, Draco tore his gaze away from Potter, only to see…Oh, that bastard! The two snowmen were now dancing with each other, it almost looked like they were waltzing, while a dozen of little snowmen flounced around them.
“Showoff,” Draco muttered, eliciting another laugh from Potter. Draco doubted he would ever tire of that sound.
“Mr. Malfoy,” Celia said, tugging at his robes. “It’s him, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice quivering with excitement.
“What?”
“It’s him,” she said, lowering her voice almost conspiratorially. “The one you’re always telling us stories about. It’s him, right? Right?” Before Draco could say anything, she turned back to Potter, beaming. “Mr. Malfoy said you’re the best flyer he’s ever seen.”
Potter blinked.
