Snake Eyes, Lion Heart

Draco Malfoy. Harry Potter. An unlikely pairing, yes. The Slytherin Prince is facing problems with the Royal Court, and The-Boy-Who-Lived is no longer sure of who he is. Through heartbreak, bouts of tears, and utter confusion, the Snake lays eyes on the Lion, while the Lion gives his heart to the Snake.

Snake Eyes, Lion Heart

Chapter 2

// Harry Potter //

Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table, eyes dancing at the sight of such a wonderful breakfast. The most luxurious thing the Dursleys had given him for breakfast the summer before school had been a burnt, butter-less piece of toast. As Harry began to pour himself a glass of pumpkin juice, the doors to the Great Hall opened loudly. Three students walked in: smug looking Draco Malfoy, archenemy, and his two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley.

Draco was looking quite pleased with himself, as usual, but flushed ever so slightly when his eyes fell on Harry. The Gryffindor blinked, finding Draco's behavior to be... odd. As Hermione and Ron approached the bench on which Harry sat, he smirked; Hermione had Ron by the ear, acting as iff Ron's shouts to let go meant nothing.

"-mione! He pushed me into that amour on purpose, and you know it. That filthy, rotten.." Ron continued his rant, letting off a few choice words which made Hermione scowl.

"Still! You had no right, whatsoever, to attempt to curse him, no matter how fun it would have been. You could have lost us house points if a teacher would have seen, you know! And you could have at least asked me which curse to use first. I don't think Malfoy was frightened by your 'I'll curse you into next season' threat." She released her deathgrip on his ear, only-Harry noticed-because she needed both hands to butter her toast.

Harry chewed on his lip, glancing backwards at Draco, who had seated himself as far away from the Trio as possible. He opened his mouth to break the silence, only causing more. "You know.. I'm beginning to think that Malfoy isn't so different than us." Crickets seemed to chirp and he fought off the dumbstruck looks of Hermione and Ron by speaking only more. "Hear me out, here; he's ambitous. Cunning. Brave. Witty. Sma-"

Ron and Hermione both interrupted him at the same time. "-evil!" It was Ron who continued. "Come on, mate. What's gotten into you? You are listing things we have in common with your enemy! Are you attempting to make us lose our breakfast, or what?" Harry's cheeks reddened slightly and he stared down into his pumpkin juice, just as Hermione batted Ron rather harshly on the shoulder.

No one spoke another word the rest of breakfast.

// Draco Malfoy //

Draco waltzed down the corridor rather quickly, a touch of anger to his step. They had talked about him, behind his back, in public; the infamous Trio of Hogwarts had gossiped about him! It was an outrage. Their beady Gryffindor eyes locked onto his and the Mudblood and red-head shouted the word 'evil' so loud that the future, unborn child of Draco's had heard it-not that he actually had a child on the way. Not since the last time he had checked, anyhow...

Shaking the thought of having possible, future love children off, he rounded a corner and the stairs leading towards the potions classroom came into view. Potions really was one of Draco's favorite subjects. It was fascinating, really, how one could achieve so many things by simple brewing a few plants and ingredients together. Not only that, but it was taught by the most witty, cunning, amazing-Draco coughed, feet smacking against the marble stairs-professor ever known to Hogwarts: Professor Snape.

Snape, as most students called him, had shoulder length black hair, coated thickly with grease. His cold black eyes were like pits, being both frightening and breathtaking at the same time. Draco envied and admired Professor Snape, really, for his talent, smarts, and.. let's say.. other things.

// Harry Potter //

"Late again, Mr. Potter. That's the second time this week. Five points from Gryffindor." Snape's voice cut the silence of the classroom. Harry gulped and shut the classroom door behind him with a bang. He jumped slightly and began to walk towards his best friends, Ron and Hermione.

"Ah, ah, ah - not there. I'm afraid that seat's taken, Potter," Professor Snape said behind his sneer, smug look.

Harry stared at the empty chair. "But, Profess-"

"Silence!" Snape hissed, continuing. "Sit there, by Draco for today. And I suggest you do so quickly and quietly; you're disrupting my class. And what are all you staring at? Continue copying the notes!" It took Harry ages to weave his way in and out of the maze of glaring Slytherins and hushed Gryffindors.

Great. An entire class period stuck next to Draco.

His behind had just met the chair when Draco hissed between clenched teeth, "Think you can make a big entrance every class, Potter? Keep it up and Gryffindor will have negative house points."

"Oh, sod off, you git. Just leave me alone and keep your hands to yourself." Harry rolled his eyes and blinked as Draco yet again did an unbelievable thing; he blushed, just like at breakfast. Something was going on... and Harry intended to figure out what it was.