Don't Answer Me

"Next time, hang it up before it gets this bad. Seamus, you've been in front of the mirror long enough. Dean needs to be there, so go to the toilet to look at yourself. The mirror in there will drool all over itself if you ask it to." Seamus threw Harry a funny look, but he moved to let Dean look at himself.

"Harry, are you OK?" Ron asked.

"I'm fine, I'm just tired of all the noise in here. You'd think we were a bunch of girls with as much commotion as is going on in here. Neville, did you find your tie?" Neville sho;Ok, listen, skip the outfit you were planning, and wear that green sweater your grandmum gave you for Christmas last year. It will look fine."

Having taken care of everything but his own problems, Harry sat back for a moment to enjoy the relative silence. Ron turned to face him, his eyes bright with concern for his best friend.

"Are you going to get dressed soon, Harry? We need to meet Hermione in the common room in twenty minutes."

Harry exhaled loudly. "I don't think I'm going."

"What? Harry, you HAVE to go! Hermione will throw a fit if you don't go."

"Ron, she'll be fine."

"No, she won't. She's been worried that this might happen for weeks."

Harry looked up. "What? Why?"

"Because she knows you don't have a date and this evening won't be easy on you."

"I don't think anyone wants to see Harry Potter dance with a man, thus the reason for not having a date."

"You have to go."

"Why?"

"Because if nothing else, it will be time spent with Hermione where she's not going on about school work."

Harry laughed. "Alright, you've convinced me, but barely. I'll stay for an hour, and then if I'm not having a good time, I'm coming back up here."

"Fine, just get dressed already, will you? I'm tired of looking at your scrawny, half naked arse."

***

"I look like a girl."

Blaise looked up from his book. "What?"

***

Draco rubbed the back of his now naked neck, trying to ease some of the tension he felt there. 'How many people in the House know how I feel about Potter?' he wondered silently. 'I don't need people staring at us tonight if I feel like talking to him. Shit. This is ridiculous.'

Blaise pushed him gently. "Draco, come on, "Normal" align="left" style=" padding: 0.00mm 0.00mm 0.00mm 0.00mm; ">

Draco turned to his friend, relieved that he wasn't being flanked by Crabbe and Goyle that night; they each had dates for the ball, two fourth years who had been following them around like puppy dogs most of the term. "How many people know how I feel about Potter, Blaise?"

"Only Millicent," he assured him, "and only because she's extremely observant. I've already told her not to say a word about it."

"You TOLD her?" Draco hissed.

"NO, I told you, she's very observant, and she asked me a few weeks ago after you two exploded those pillows in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"And you're sure she won't breathe a word of it to anyone?" he asked.

"I'm positive about that. She doesn't like Gryffindors, but she knows the Slytherin Code of Honor."

"Ah, willing to blackmail me, is she?" Draco was smiling now.

"Always. I'm telling you, it dies with Mill and I, unless you tell anyone else."

Draco exhaled heavily, relieved. "Good. So if I decide to hang out with Potter all night..."

Blaise interrupted him. "If you're going to hang out with him all night, you might want to every once in a while, you git. He might not appreciate being called 'Potter' all evening."

"It's his name!"

"So is Harry. Use it once in a while, and you might actually get to first base." He started for the door. "Now, I have a date with Hannah Abbott. Have fun, and I'll see you later." Blaise walked in to the crowd in search of Hannah, leaving Draco alone.

Draco walked in to the Great Hall. As usual, the decorations were magnificent. The ceiling was charmed to look like the night sky, and d air. The torches were alight with green flame, and thousands of candles were lit with warm yellow fire. Two huge fir trees were charmed with candles that winked in and out, decorated by silver snowballs and garlands of red ever blooming roses that smelled like peppermint.

More than anything, he wanted to find Harry and just spend the evening with the Gryffindor, but he didn't want to seem too eager or forward. He wanted to maintain some of his cool Malfoy demeanor, and he knew that if he didn't play it right, he could easily act like a simpering, crush-stricken second year.

***

Harry tried to look casual as he looked around the Great Hall for a blonde head, craning his neck to peer around dancing couples. He turned to his left, and when he turned back, Ginny and Dean were standing in front of him.

"Oh, hey guys," he said, "what's up?"

"Nothing. We just wanted to see how you were doing," Ginny replied.

"Did Hermione send you over here?"

Dean answered. "Yeah, they insisted, even though I told them you're a big boy and can take care of yourself."

Harry laughed. "Well, thanks anyway. I'm fine."

"That's great. I'm going to go get some punch. Harry, can you dance with Ginny, keep her out of trouble for me?"

"Sure, I..." He didn't finish. Ginny grinned and pulled him out on the dance floor for a slow song.

The Weird Sisters were performing, and they were mixing their own songs with covers from 1980's British and American Muggle songs. While Harry and Ginny danced, they were singing 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police, and Harry sang along in Ginny's ear.

"Well, aren't you just multi-talented, Mr. Potter? Not only can you save us all from horrible evil, but you can sing too." She grinned, watching Harry blush deeply at the complement. "And you look pretty hot tonight."

"Ginny!"

"What, I can't tell my friends when I think they look good?" she asked. "I just call it like I see it, Harry dearest."

"Thanks," Harry mumbled, still embarrassed.

"So who were you looking for earlier?"

"No one in particular," Harry lied.

"Yeah, I don't believe that. What's his name?"

"Ginny, really, I wasn't looking for anyone, just looking around to see what everyone was wearing." Ginny raised an eyebrow and frowned. Harry put his forehead on her shoulder. "That sounded really stupid, didn't it," he mumbled.

Ginny rubbed his back. "Yeah, it did, but I know you were lying, so it's OK. He must be pretty special if you don't want to tell anyone about him."

"No, it's not that, it's... embarrassing, actually."

"Is it Crabbe or Goyle?" she asked.

"NO! Shit, no!"

"Then what's the problem?"

"What if I told you that it was another Slytherin?" Harry asked softly.

"As a house, it's certainly not my favorite, but it has a few who help redeem it. Blaise is pretty nice, and he's never been one of these 'pureblood or Slytherin only' types; in fact, he's over there dancing with Hannah Abbott right now. But I don't think it's him," she drawled, "cuz he's over there dancing with Hannah."

Harry shook his head and bent down to whisper in her ear, "It's Draco." He then pulled Ginny closer so he didn't have to see the look on her face.

"Oh!" she said, somewhat surprised. "Well... Harry... he really isn't that bad this year."

"Then why do I feel so silly about this?"

"Because for five years, Malfoy has been an insufferable ass to you and your friends. You want to believe the best about people, even if it's him. He has changed, for the better in my opinion, and you have a hard time hating people who don't give you a reason. Harry," she said, pulling away from him so she could look in to his eyes, "that's a good quality. Didn't Professor Dumbledore say that it was your ability to love that would save you?"

***

Ron pulled Hermione to him and kissed her mouth hungrily, and she responded in kind. At the back of her mind, she thought, 'I should be embarrassed about showing him this much affection in public.' As Ron continued to kiss her though, her thought changed to, 'Oh, sod that,' and she kissed him back harder.

When she finally pulled away from him, they both had huge smiles on their faces.

"You really do look terrific tonight, Hermione."

She blushed wildly. "Thank you. So do you. I knew that robe would look perfect on you."

It was his turn to turn the color of his hair. "Thanks. Uh, Hermione, I have something to tell you." His smile vanished.

"Uh... what is it?"

"I... oh boy, this is really hard. Hermione, I.... Iloveyou."

Hermione was relieved that it wasn't serious. "Ron, I know that. I love you too," she said lightly.

"No, Hermione, I love you." He looked in to her eyes, and waited.

She looked back, then her eyes widened. "You mean, like....?"

He smiled. "Yes, like that."

She pressed close to him, and took a deep breath. "Ron, I love you too," she spoke softly in to his ear.

***

An hour later, Harry had forgotten that he was going back upstairs like he told Ron. He'd danced with Ginny several times, had stolen Lavender and Parvati away from Seamus for a couple of fast songs, and he and Ron had serenaded Hermione in a harsh falsetto, which embarrassed Hermione beyond belief but made the other two laugh and the people surrounding them clap in appreciation.

The three best friends were sitting at a table relaxing and drinking pumpkin juice when Blaise Zabini walked by with Hannah on his arm. Hannah waved at the three of them and said hello, but Blaise only smiled slightly and nodded. Hermione nodded back, then stood up as they passed.

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me for a few minutes, I have some things I need to go take care of."

"Alright," Ron replied, "see you in a few."

Harry looked confused. "Where's she going?"

Ron took a swig of his juice but didn't look at him. "Oh, just some prefect stuff to take care of, I think."

"Shouldn't you be going too?"

Ron grinned. "Nah, let her take care of it."

***

Hermione approached the table full of Slytherins and took a deep breath. Blaise had told her that Draco would say yes, but she was still apprehensive about the whole thing. A Gryffindor with a Slytherin was still unusual, no matter WHAT Blaise Zabini had to say about it.

She stepped in front of Draco while his housemates watched, giving her hostile looks. "Draco, will you dance with me?" she asked confidently.

He looked up at her. "I thought you were here with Weasley."

She nodded. "I am, but he's hanging out with some guys right now, and I still wanted to dance. Might as well pick the next to next best looking guy in the school for that."

Draco cocked an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "I'm flattered, Granger. But who's the next best looking guy in school, assuming that your favorite red head is the best?"

"Well, Harry, of course. Now are you going to dance with this filthy mudblood or not?"

Draco stood up and offered his arm to her. "Of course," he said, smiling. As they walked away, he could hear some of the low comments of his housemates. "Ignore them," he said, "they don't have the least bit of interest in making things better. And you are NOT a filthy mudblood."

Hermione put her left arm around his neck and clasped her right hand with his left, while he wrapped his right arm around her waist. She looked right at him and smiled. "I know, I only said that for their benefit."

"Yeah, well, sod them. They don't have any idea what's really going on behind the scenes."

Hermione changed the subject. "I like your hair."

The subject of his appearance always got Draco talking. He smiled slightly. "Thank you. Millicent did this for me tonight, and she did a good job, I think."

Hermione swallowed the rude remark she wanted to make about Millicent Bullstrode, and nodded. "Yes, she did."

Thirty seconds of uncomfortable silence later, Draco looked Hermione in the eye. "Granger, I know you didn't ask me to dance just to talk about my hair. What's going on?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "I had a conversation with Blaise two days ago after potions."

Draco dropped his eyes to the floor. "Oh, wonderful."

"Malfoy, look at me." He looked up, frowning. "He didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I know that you find Harry attractive, and I know that he feels the same about you." Draco's eyes widened, and he started to speak, but Hermione hushed him. "I also know that you genuinely like Harry, and Harry likes you as well. But meanwhile, you are making each other miserable because you won't admit it."

"Do you realize what most of my housemates would DO to me if they found out I how I felt about Harry? The first thing they'd do would be to owl their parents, who would tell my father."

"I didn't say you needed to tell anyone who doesn't already know, because I think that would be stupid and dangerous. All I think you need to do is tell Harry how you feel."

"Why?" Draco challenged.

Hermione looked at him thoughtfully. "Well, you tell me. Is there anyone you'd rather spend more time with?"

"No."

"Is there anyone who has been as accepting of you as Harry has been over the past four months?"

"No."

"Is there another man that you find even remotely attractive?"

"Yeah. James Marsters."

"That you know personally. And when did you start watching Muggle television?"

"When I saw him in vampire makeup. But in answer to your question, no, no one else inside school, or outside school for that matter."

"Then why don't you want to tell him?"

"Because I'm not ready for that yet!"

Hermione was silent for a minute. "Then can you show him?"

"Does he want me to, Hermione?"

"He hasn't said as much, but I've seen his face when he looks at you, Draco. He tries to hide it, but he looks like he's swallowed a love potion. He's miserable when you're in a snit with him, he can't stop smiling when you two have had a good homework session, and if you hadn't noticed, he's been looking around for you all night long." She paused, looking up in to Draco's eyes, which were stormy with controlled emotion. "At least spend some time with him tonight. Blaise, Ron, and I can cover for you for a while."

Draco remained silent through the rest of the song.

***

When Hermione came back to the table, Seamus, Dean, and Ron were telling Harry stories about their DADA partners.

"I don't know what you're all so upset about," Seamus said. "Blaise and I get along fine."

Ron turned on him. "That's because you're working with one of the few sane people in Slytherin, you bonehead. Try working with Goyle for a while!"

Hermione sat down next to Harry. "I'm sorry, gentlemen, but Pansy Parkinson trumps all your partners." She started to reach out for Ron's glass of pumpkin juice, and bumped Harry's hand. "Oh, I'm sorry, Harry."

Harry looked startled; Hermione had slipped a piece of parchment under his hand when she had bumped him, and she was eyeing him intently. He furrowed his brows, and she nodded slightly so that no one else noticed.

Harry stood and stretched. "I'm going for a walk for a bit. I'll be back later."

"Alright, Harry. Just don't walk too long," Hermione replied.

After Harry had walked away, Dean looked at Hermione. "What was that all about?"

"You heard the man," Ron answered in place of his girlfriend, "he went for a walk. Probably just trying to stretch his legs. Hey, where's my sister, Dean?"

***

The parchment was folded so neatly that Harry knew who it was from. There were no names written down, just a simple message.

Please meet me outside the castle entrance at nine thirty

Harry looked at his watch; it was already nine fifteen, and he assumed that he'd be in the cold for a while, so he raced up to the tower to get his heavy cloak and gloves. He raced back down to the castle entrance, then stopped and walked casually the rest of the way outside.

Draco was standing in the castle courtyard. The light from the outside torches reflected on the falling snow, illuminating Draco from head to toe. While he stood casually, Harry could tell by the line of his neck and shoulders that he was extremely tense. Harry walked over to him, and the two of them stood looking at each other for a few very long minutes. Wanting to break the silence, Harry finally spoke up. "I got your note," he said softly. "Obviously. Duh."

Draco's stare was as intense as Harry had ever seen, and it made him uncomfortable. Before he could squirm, Draco forced himself to lean forward towards Harry. "Let's walk, shall we?"

Harry nodded, and they walked slowly and silently. Harry felt something brush his hand, and he looked over at Draco, thinking it was the Slytherin's cloak. Draco was peering evenly a Harry, and when he started to move his hand, he felt a slight tug. Looking down, he saw Draco's index finger surrounding his. Surprised as he was, he wove his fingers through those of his former enemy, and they continued to walk around the courtyard in silence, hands lightly twined.

***

Ron had Hermione out on the dance floor again, but his mind was not on the pretty girl he held in his arms.

"What's wrong?"

Ron started. "Huh? Oh, nothing, just wondering where Harry is. It's been almost an hour since he went for that walk."

"I wouldn't worry about it, Ron. He's fine."

"He's with Malfoy, isn't he?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, and if anyone asks, he's just taking a walk to stretch his legs. I told Draco we'd cover for them."

***

Draco and Harry had come inside the castle when they had finally gotten too cold, and they ended up at the Room of Requirement, which provided a blazing fire and overstuffed couch. They were sitting close to each other, fingers still intertwined and still silent, but each risking short glances at the other.

The silence wasn't entirely comfortable, but they both bore their discomfort well. It finally became too much, and Harry turned to Draco and spoke softly.

"You look nice tonight," he said. What he really wanted to say was that Draco looked nothing short of edible. The blonde had on a medium gray thin sweater which brought out the color of his steely eyes, and navy pants. His dress robes were of a navy so dark they looked black, and were the finest material Harry had ever seen. The darkness of his robes and clothing made his fair skin and pale hair stand out more, and the contrast brought color to his cheeks.

"Thank you. You look pretty nice yourself, Potter." 'Nice? Hell, that's an understatement, you look HOT, Harry!' his mind screamed.

"Thanks. Er... you cut your hair. It's... uh, shorter than you usually wear it."

"Yeah, Millicent cut it tonight before the Yule Ball. I told her I looked like a girl, so she cut it. I like it though. It's going to be easier to do in the morning. I could actually take a normal amount of time to get ready - you know, the same amount of time a guy takes to do their hair, not a girl."

"She did a good job. Maybe she could do something with my hair," Harry groused.

Draco laughed. "I'm not sure anyone could do anything with that unruly mane."

"Maybe not."

"So you like it then?" Draco asked, slightly timid.

"What, your hair? Yeah, I do." He smiled.

There was another stretch of silence.

"Draco," Harry asked, "what are we doing here?"

"I was hoping that you could answer that question."

"But you have an answer for everything."

"Not for this," the Slytherin replied.

"Do you need an answer?"

"It would make things easier, don't you think?" There was a hint of sarcasm in Draco's voice.

"Can you even ask the question?"

"Not yet. I want to, but I'm not even sure what the question is. But once this project is over," he said, scooting closer to Harry so that their faces were only inches apart, "we're going to sit down and find the question AND the answer."

Harry nodded slowly. "Deal."

They both turned back to the fire, and sat silently, palms pressed together, the only measure of affection they could allow themselves.