Slowly

It hadn't blossomed overnight, nor had it hit him one day and left him confused and irritated. It had started slowly. It had started when he looked over the top of his charms text and saw Harry laughing; his face happy and relaxed. Beside him, Pansy had wordlessly taken his Charms text and turned it right side up before handing it back to him. He hadn't noticed, really.

Harry tended to do things slowly in Potions. He moved fluidly, and took his place at the desk beside Draco. It was one of those hazy afternoons that brought with it four-hour double potions periods and the promise that something vile would be brewing soon. Before them, Snape placed a selection of herbs and the body of a dead bat. Harry had wrinkled his nose then, and Snape took 5 points for what he called 'disrespect of ingredients'. It was silly, he knew, but he didn't notice that as much as the way Harry's eyes were green fire on Snape's back when he moved on.

They worked companionably, Draco taking on the task of removing the eyes of the bat while Harry cleanly sliced off the wings. Draco wondered what Harry's lower lip tasted like, but he suspected it was somthing good with the way the other boy kept running his tongue over it. He hoped Snape hadn't noticed him watching, and when Harry sighed and lowered the flame on their cauldron, all Draco could think about was the fact that Harry's hand had brushed his own.

Snape walked back up the the front of the room and there were a pair of blinking red bat eyes attatched to the back of his robes. Harry looked over at Draco and rolled his eyes as Snape droned on, one corner of his mouth quirking into a grin. The sneer that was forming by habit on Draco's lips morphed into a reflection of the grin and Harry hid a snicker in his cupped hand. Draco wondered then what it would be like to be snarky with Harry, instead of merely snarky at him.

The remaining hour and a half moved on slowly, and eventually the bat eyes fell off. Harry was gathering his books when Draco spoke. "Potter. Go flying with me later."

To his credit, Harry seemed unphased. He shrugged once and nodded. "All right. After dinner then." And with that, he left.

The sun was nearly down when Draco walked out onto the pitch. Harry was standing with his broom, face turned to the wind, and opened his eyes as Draco approached. "Hi."

"Potter." Draco walked beside him and watched as a bolt of lightning illuminated the sky. The thunder rolled in behind it slowly, and he mounted his broom. "We'd better get on with it before it rains."

Harry nodded, but didn't move. "I don't mind the rain, but the lightning throws off your magic for days."

Blinking, Draco stared at him for a full moment before Harry began to laugh. "I'm kidding, git. Come on."

Draco let the insult slide and ascended. They flew in lazy circles around the pitch, and he couldn't help but flinch whenever lightning flashed. The storm was getting closer now. Harry bumped into him on his right side, nearly knocking him from his broom, and pulled his glasses off so he could wipe the rain away. Draco was struck by how clear his eyes were, and how good they looked when filled with playful mischief instead of contempt. "There's a spell for that, Potter," he pointed out, "rubbing like that won't get you anywhere in this rain."

"Oh no?" He grinned at Draco, and flew off. Draco followed close behind, squinting as the rain fell harder. When it was clear that they weren't going to be able to fly any longer, they landed. Draco was soaking wet, and he could feel mud creeping into his socks, but Harry was smiling and he didn't really mind. He told Draco to follow him and so he did.

They walked over to the bridge leading to Hagrid's hut and sat down somewhere towards the middle. It was dark now and the rain had chilled Draco's skin; he was glad that the covered bridge gave them some shelter from the pouring rain. "So, Potter... "

Before he could blink, Harry moved forward and kissed him. He was frozen in place for a moment, pinned both by the weight of Harry in his lap and the pleasant realiazation that Harry also kissed slowly. He was thankful that the Gryffindor courage had inspired Harry as he likely wouldn't have done this himself. Before too long, Harry pulled back and smiled at him, his cheeks flushed. "I... er... "

Draco let his hands fall to rest on top of Harry's thighs and returned the smile. "Yes, you er."

There was another kiss then, one that promised more. "Slowly... slowly," Harry whispered.

Draco agreed.