sesheta66 | Eyes For Each Other (H/D, PG-13)

Title: Eyes For Each Other
Author:

sesheta_66
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~ 2263
Pairing/Characters: Harry/Draco
Challenge: For

ruinithil's birthday prompt of "not-so-secretly-pining!Draco, pretending-to-be-hetero!Harry with Ginny, Hermione AND Pansy getting them together."
Disclaimer: The author is not responsible for underage readers. Please observe the ratings, warnings, and age of legal consent for your country. The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

"Hermione, may I have a word?" Pansy asked. The two of them worked together in the Ministry's Department for Muggle Wizarding Relations. In the "New Ministry," purebloods were often paired up with those that had a Muggle upbringing, to learn from each other and to improve service all round.

"Sure, Pansy, what is it?" she asked her partner.

"In private," she said, motioning her head in the direction of the door. "The cafeteria has too many ears." They didn't miss the grumbled hmph from Marietta, the local gossip. Hermione grinned as she noted the spots that had appeared on Marietta's face in fifth year still hadn't completely faded.

When they entered the boardroom, Hermione asked, "What did you want?"

"I want to know what the hell Potter is playing at!"

Hermione had no idea what Pansy was talking about. "What?"

"I mean, does he like women or men?"

"What?" Hermione said again, not having the slightest clue what she was talking about.

"I said -- "

"I heard what you said, but where's this coming from? You know perfectly well that Harry's dating Ginny."

"And how's that going?"

"Well, it's not really … I mean to say they might as well still be in school for all they … Wait! Why are you asking me about Harry?"

"Because he's partnered with Draco."

"So?"

"So Draco is … well … smitten."

"He's what? I thought they hated each other."

"Not any more. Apparently they've been getting along famously, and … well … Draco fancies him. He's quite insufferable actually."

"But Harry's straight," Hermione said.

"Is he?" Pansy asked. "Or is he in denial?"

"Well … "

"What was that you were saying about him and the weaselette?"

"Well he's never said anything to me, but Ginny has been getting … frustrated lately. She is starting to wonder if they'll ever … you know."

"They haven't slept together?" Pansy screamed indignantly. Hermione shook her head. "What … can't he … you know?"

"What?" Hermione blushed furiously. "I don't know. And before you get any bright ideas, I'm not going to ask him."

"Why not? You're his best friend."

"One of his best friends. That's not something I --"

"Oh, and you fancy Ron could be more tactful?"

"Er … point. But I can't just … "

"Too true. But you could be more subtle … more sneaky."

"More Slytherin, you mean?"

"Exactly," Pansy said with a triumphant smile.

"But what about Ginny? This could -- "

"Oh, don't you worry about the she-weasel; just leave her to me," she said with a glint in her eyes that made Hermione very worried indeed.

"So, did you ask him yet?" Pansy asked Hermione two weeks later. She had asked her every day since they had had their initial conversation. Hermione still hadn't plucked up the nerve, and shook her head.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Hermione, I thought you were a Gryffindor. You know, brave, fearless, and all that rot."

"Yeah, but -- "

"No more buts. If you don't ask him tonight, I will."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean at the Ministry function tonight. If you haven't asked him by say 9:00, all bets are off and I will just handle it myself."

"Why the rush?"

"Because Draco is becoming unbearable. He's even taken to gazing off with a far-away look. It's disturbing as hell."

"But he knows that Harry isn't gay, right? So why did he fall for him?"

"Well you see, Hermione, that's why you have to ask him. Draco is convinced that Harry is gay, only he's afraid to admit it. And if he really is straight, I want this all figured out soon. Draco is having a party at the Manor in three weeks' time and he plans to invite Potter."

"Okay," Hermione said, although without much conviction. She suspected that Draco was planning more than just an invitation.

"And he plans on making a move on him that night. I don't know what he'll do if Harry rejects him, but in all fairness … who knows how Potter will react? You need to get an answer tonight, or failing that at least plant the seed."

"And what about Ginny? I thought you were taking care of her."

"My plan is already working, my dear partner. Ginny is currently being wooed by a very fine young Muggle-born wizard that is beside himself with glee that he has the chance to work with her."

"How did you manage that?"

"I have connections. That's all you need to know," Pansy said as she winked at Hermione.

"Hi Harry!" Hermione greeted him.

"Hey, 'Mione. What's up?"

"Up? What makes you think something's up?"

"Um … you asked me here for lunch because you wanted to talk to me before the party tonight."

"Oh … right. Well … um … are you going?"

"Of course I am. What's wrong with you? We all have to go, don't we? Not like they give us much of a choice," he said, although he sounded less bothered by the obligation than he usually did about things like this."

"You don't sound like your usual irritated self about it, I see."

"No?" he asked. "Well ... I'm sort-of looking forward to it for a change."

"Oh, really?" she asked, rather surprised at this news. "Why is that? Does Ginny have something special planned?"

Hermione noticed that Harry's face clouded over at the mention of his girlfriend. Isn't that odd?

"No," he said. "In fact, she's not even going."

"I thought you just said that we all have to go."

"Well, apparently there's some pressing matter that she and her partner have to attend to that couldn't wait, so neither of them will be there." Hermione inwardly marvelled at Pansy's 'connections' and made a mental note not to ever get on her bad side.

"So what's the reason for your change of heart, if your girlfriend won't even be there?" She noticed a darkness fall over his features again as Ginny was brought up.

"Well," he said excitedly, "I can't really tell you about it, but you'll see later tonight. Draco and I have been working on something really great, and … well, you'll see later." His face absolutely lit up when he mentioned Draco's name, and Hermione wondered how she could have missed that before. It's now or never, she told herself.

"Harry?" she approached him hesitantly.

"Mmm?"

"You and Draco really seem to be getting on well these days, don't you?"

Harry smiled, and Hermione could have sworn he lit up the room.

"Yeah, we really do. He's not so bad, you know, once you get to know him. And smart? Hermione, he's as smart as you. And he's phenomenal with Potions. In school, I thought it was all just Snape favouring him, but it wasn't. He really does know his stuff. And he gets so excited every time he works on a new project, it's infectious. And he's a goldmine of information about the wizarding world! Not just the pureblood mania stuff, either - all of it!"

Hermione grinned at his enthusiasm. He was absolutely bubbling over with excitement. She hadn't seen him this happy since … well, ever. She suspected that Draco wasn't far off the mark, if Harry's eagerness today was any indication of what he was like when he was around Draco. He looked and acted positively infatuated.

"Harry?" she asked again.

"Yeah?"

She hesitated, still not knowing quite how to ask her friend what she now knew she had to ask. Taking a deep breath, she dove in. "Do you like Draco?"

"Of course I like him, 'Mione. Haven't you been listening?"

Oh I've been listening alright. Have you? She wondered what his reaction would be if he saw himself talking so animatedly about his partner.

"He's really great," he continued. "It's a shame we weren't friends in school. If only things had been different … " His voice trailed off as a distant look fell over his features.

"No, Harry, I mean do you like him? Really like him?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean. I already said --"

"I know what you said, Harry." How could anyone be this slow? "You do know that Draco is gay, right?"

"Well, I've heard rumours, but --" Hermione watched as something clicked into place in Harry's mind. "But you don't … surely you don't mean … I'm not … I'm with Ginny!" he sputtered.

"Relax, Harry," she said as she noticed agitation take hold. "I'm just asking if you've ever considered --"

"Of course not! I'm with Ginny!"

"I know that, Harry, but --"

"But what? What has Ginny been saying? Is she accusing me … just because … "

"No, Harry, she's not said anything of the sort to me."

"Then … "

"It's just that the two of you aren't happy, are you?"

"Well, it can't always be … " He left the thought hanging.

"Harry, you should see how your face lights up when you talk about Draco."

"I'm excited about our project. I told you --"

"And you and Ginny … well, you seem more like brother and sister than boyfriend and girlfriend."

He looked like he was considering what she had said before answering. He let out a heavy sigh, and with slumped shoulders replied, "I think you're right, 'Mione."

"You do?" she asked, eyes wide as saucers.

"Not about … well … that … but about Ginny and me." He looked a bit wistful. "I love her, you know, but … well … "

"You're not in love with her?" Hermione offered.

"Yeah. I think I really do see her more like a sister."

"You need to tell her, Harry, right away. She has a right to know. It's not fair to leave her clinging to the false hope that someday … "

"You're right. I suspect it won't be that big a surprise anyway," he said, looking resigned. Do you mind if we cut lunch short so I can go talk to her now, then?"

"Not at all," she said. "But Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Think about the other stuff I said too." At his confused look, she added, "About Draco. Just think about it, Harry. You may not realize it, but when you talk about him you look more happy, more alive than I've ever seen you."

"I do?"

"Mm-hmm," she said smiling. "And it looks good on you."

He didn't look up at her, but rather stared down at his feet, brows furrowed, looking confused.

"You don't have to do anything, Harry. But don't close off the possibilities that lie in front of you. I want to see you happy, and maybe … just maybe this is the way."

Harry looked up at her, face unreadable. "I'll think about what you said."

"Good," she said and gave him a hug goodbye.

"Yes, I talked to him," Hermione announced as she entered their office after lunch.

"And?"

"And Draco's right. He's got it bad."

"What?!"

"Yeah, only he doesn't know it."

"Stupid bloody Gryffindor!"

"Shut up!"

Pansy laughed, nudging Hermione so hard she lost her footing. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

"I suppose not. He's talking to Ginny right now. I'm afraid she might not take it so well."

"Well, then, it's a good thing she's got Stephen there to help console her. He'll be more than happy to help her get through the break-up."

Hermione grinned at her.

"Oh, and I can't wait to tell Draco!"

"No!" Hermione shouted. She held a hand up to cut off Pansy's rebuttal. "He's still in denial, Pansy. Let him work it out in his own time, would you?"

"I thought you said he had it bad?"

"He does, but he doesn't realize it. He's still not convinced. Let's let him get through one thing at a time, yeah?"

"Oh, alright," she huffed. "You know, Draco's been pining for him for a long time. He deserves --"

"Just give Harry some time. You already said that Draco's having a get-together in a few weeks. After all this time, what's a few more weeks anyway?"

"Fair enough."

"So, still think he needs time to 'absorb' things?" Pansy laughed. She and Hermione were watching Harry and Draco from across the room. They were talking animatedly, and it was clear - at least to Hermione and Pansy - that neither of them had eyes for anyone else.

"Perhaps not," she said. "But he did say they were excited about their new project."

"Right. I'm sure Draco's hand on Potter's arm has so much to do with this new venture. Oh, and the way Potter is hanging on Draco's every word? Merlin's beard, I swear Potter's undressing Draco with that look!"

"Well … " Hermione began, before gasping in surprise.

Harry had leaned in to say something to Draco, and had wrapped his arm around his waist in the process, pulling their bodies closer together. As Harry pulled back from speaking, the two of them gazed into each other's eyes before coming together in a gentle kiss, little more than a brush of lips. Hermione heard Pansy let out a small choking sound from beside her, and she looked over to see her partner blinking back tears.

They watched as their two best friends smiled at each other, then left the room, clearly no longer interested in being around anyone else.

Hermione felt a warmth inside her as she realized that her friend was finally going to be happy. As she looked over at Pansy, and they grinned at each other in triumph, her heart skipped a beat. Oh, God! What was Ron going to say?

Current Mood: accomplished

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From:

knic26.livejournal.com

Aww!! That was so sweet!

From:

There's Always Fiction

Eyes For Each Other (H/D, PG-13)

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