Harry looked at the small vile before him from where he sat on his bed.
Everyone had left for breakfast but when Ron had questioned the scarred boy about if he was coming or not, Harry had opted to say he'd forgotten something, and stayed behind.
He wouldn't be here forever, not even through all of breakfast, simply long enough to make a decision.

Draco had been seemingly more annoying since the beginning of eighth year.
But after a particular run in with him...making the boy cry had made him also reflect on what the hell he was doing.

It wasn't what Harry traditionally found annoying about Malfoy, such as his obsession with making Harry's life more difficult than it had to be- in an negative way- no, now it was less negative and more...complex.
Now what annoyed Harry was how the other had become nicer to him, and it drove him mad that he didn't get more of that kindness earlier if at all this year. Only when he saw the boy one-on-one and was able to hold up a conversation with him- which wasn't too hard when it came to their interests, but was difficult when it came to both their naturally awkward ways.

Regardless of the fact that the boys could hold a conversation, Harry enjoyed Draco's company- and longed for it more than most things. It would be so simple to just ask Draco to hang out sometime...but this felt different.
It was probably due to the fact that the two had been at each other's throats for so long that it just felt so foreign to seek out positive attention from the other.
That being said, what positive ways Draco had been treating Harry with were simply Draco's version of being nice.
He was quiet, and no longer teased Harry. He called him by his first name almost as often as he called him by his last, though it still made Harry smile every time heard his name come from the mouth of the other.
But it wasn't as if Draco was being kind. He spoke to Harry when the opportunity arose, no more or less...and Harry relished in those moments. He wanted them to be more than just the few times he bumped into the other in the halls or on the quidditch field- in class or in the great hall- he wanted it to be...established. To hang out with the other one on one.
He just...couldn't find the courage to ask-

Of course, of course he couldn't ask Malloy the simplest of things, just to hang out. Bloody brilliant it was- inconvenient- there was just no way he could muster up the emotions to do so- and he'd know, he tried so often.
Every time for the past month, every instance in which he spoke to Draco, he tried to follow it up with asking if he was available after school for a broom ride, or even a bloody walk.
And nothing- Harry became tongue tied and...he'd had enough.

Staring at the liquid in the vile, Harry nodded. It wouldn't take much- only a drop- it didn't have to last at all that long, only enough for him to make it to the great hall and talk to Draco. Easy, right? And he wouldn't even be using all of his liquid luck.

Raising the vile to his lips, Harry stuck his tongue out and pressed the glass to it. Only a drop stuck to the other's tongue before he closed the vile and swallowed.
It was enough, as he instantly felt himself become energized and free of all insecurities- having an exact feeling of where to go, he headed for the great hall.

***

His original plan had been to stop by the Gryffindor table and check in the Ron and Hermione, and then I to talk to Draco. His intuition led him elsewhere.

With a smug grin on his face as he arrived at the Great Hall, Harry's feet led him to the Slytherin table, where a particular blonde sat the edge, discussing something or other with Pansy, which was quickly interrupted when Harry arrived, sitting on the empty space of bench across from him.

Draco's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity, "Potter? What are you- why are you here?" His voice was low as he bent gently over the table to address Harry, trying to ignore the whispers and glances that were shot their way, including Pansy's.

"Why wouldn't I be here? Seems like an awfully nice day to switch things up a bit, don't you think?" Harry hummed happily as he reached for a plate and began placing some food on it before setting it down before him.

"What's your angle?" Pansy defended, lifting her shin.

"Can't say I have one right now." Harry sighed, "Not one regarding you, that is- not to be offensive of course, I'm sure I could make an ordeal up from what Hermione has told me about you though." Harry winked.

Pansy blushed furiously and shrank down, glancing away.

"Seriously, Potter, why today?" Draco cocked a suspicious eyebrow.

"Can I not have an excuse to see your face?" Harry leaned forward with a smile.

Draco's usually pale face was dusted light pink, "I-I beg your pardon-?"

"I wanted to see you." Harry's voice quieted in to something genuine.
He watched as the blonde pressed his lips into a tight line and continued to blush, "I-I suppose that's- fine?"

"Oh it's more than fine from where I'm sitting." Harry leaned against his hand.

Draco made a few undignified noises before clearing his throat, "If I didn't know better I'd say the golden boy's fascination of tampering with things he doesn't understand is getting in the way again." He muttered through gritted teeth.

"Oh, I understand completely." Harry sat up.

"Then, please, enlighten me." Malfoy snorted.

"Well, I was wondering if you were free tomorrow for us to go broomstick riding, hm?" Harry cocked an eyebrow.

Draco's jaw dropped slightly at Harry's boldest and struggled for words- Pansy took them from him before he could respond.

"Like a date?" The girl gaped in amusement.

"Yes." The moment the words came out of his mouth was the same moment he could feel the happy-go-lucky feeing drain from his body and horror strike through him. His grin fell to a horrified look that he quickly hid by looking down.
What had he just said? He hadn't meant to ask Malfoy out like that- why did he say yes? That's not at all what he had intended- and...why was his only regret in him saying it versus meaning it- oh Merlin, Malfoy must-

"Alright then." Draco took in a breath, standing up, "But you had better not be late like you are to all your classes. I'm not as forgiving as your teachers, Potter."

Harry looked up, stunned at what Draco had said before exiting- and if he hadn't known any better, he might have said he saw the twitch of struggle that Malfoy gave to hide a growing smile on his face.

***

"You did what?" Hermione's voice came out shrill with disbelief while Ron's jaw nearly touched the floor.

"It was an accident!" Harry argued, "I didn't mean to actually-"

"An accident? Mate, you don't just slip and fall and- oops, will you go out with me?" Ron pinched the bridge of his nose before sitting down on the chair adjacent from Harry, the three currently in the Gryffindor common room near lights out. Hermione paced in front of Harry, who's chair faced the fireplace with Ron next to him looking like a disappointed father.

"Ronald is right, you couldn't have accidentally done this, Harry." She turned to him, "So why did you-?"

"I still had some- some liquid luck...left and- well, I just meant to ask to hang out-"

"Harry! You used one of the most powerful potions to ask for a play date?"

"Well there's no play about it now." Ron snorted, rolling his eyes as he stared at the fire ahead.

"I don't know what I was thinking! It must have been a side affect-" Harry tried to defend himself.

"There aren't any side affects, it gives you what you want, Harry." Hermione emphasized as she now stood before Harry with a knowing look.

It took the messy-haired boy to comprehend what she had said for a moment before he whispered, "Oh..."

"...You want to...you have the hots for Malfoy?" Ron could hardly get the words out.

"Shut up, Ron! I don't-" Harry groaned, striking a hand over his face. He only looked past the hand on his face, glasses askew, when he felt a gentle hand on his knee and opened his eyes to see Hermione crouched before him with an apologetic look.

"We aren't here to judge you, Harry..." Hermione kept her eyes trained on Harry's as she snapped her fingers at Ron when he looked like he might object, "If this is...how you feel...those are your feelings and we're here to support you..."

Harry felt his face burn as he let out a groan, "It's just...ever since the war ended...he's been so- so different...quiet and resigned and...not mean...nice, maybe? To me? And- not in a way where he's putting me up on some pedestal...but like he actually wants to talk to me...or see me? When others aren't there? Or maybe when they are? Because he said-" Harry choked in his own words and sunk down deeper into the chair, "Merlin's beard, he said yes..."

"You already said that-" Ron began, but Harry's epiphany interrupted him.

"M-Malfoy wants to- to go- with- me?"

"It would seem like that." Hermione smiled gently before she got to her feet, "So, what's the plan...?"

Harry covered his face this time to hide a nervous smile, "I'he got a date tomorrow..."

***

Harry felt himself begin to panic after nearly half an hour of searching for the vile of liquid luck he'd kept. He needed it now more than ever. Finally giving up, he groaned and headed out into the common room to find Ron and Hermione curled up against each other, murmuring. They paused when they saw Harry.

"Ready, mate?" Ron piped up.

"Not yet- can't find my...you know." Harry glances at the others in the room who didn't seem to pay attention, though you couldn't be sure.

Hermione caught on, sitting up from where she laid with Ron on the couch, "You don't need that, just be yourself."

"Great- and what if that's not good enough?"

"He said yes to you, Harry." Hermione frowned at her friend.

"When I was hyped up on potions!" Harry spat out quietly.

"That can't be the only reason he said yes." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I flirted, with him, Hermione." Harry whispered as he sat down in the chair beside the couch, "He very wel-"

"He's known you for seven years now, I don't think he'd judging you all on yesterday." Ron argued.

"He could he romantically!"

"Just go now and worry about messing up later- you're going to be late." Hermione raised an eyebrow.

Harry looked helplessly at his friend before scowling, "You two are of no help," He muttered, half jokingly, which was clearly gotten from the closeness of the group. He quickly ran to get ready.

***

Harry's nerves only peaked as he got closer to the quidditch field, heart pounding and mouth dry as he got a few steps further, finally entering, broomstick in hand.

"I thought I told you not to be late, Potter." A bemused Draco leaned against his broomstick in the center of the field.

The statement should have made Harry uneasy, but hearing Draco only made him smile.

"Let's see if you're still as great as you were last time we faced off in quidditch." Draco hopped onto his broomstick.

"I wasn't aware we were playing." Harry snorted as he stood before the blonde.

"Racing, of course." Draco kicked off, "And I've already got a head start!"

Harry could hardly process what was happening before Draco disappeared over the edge of the arena.
He swiftly mounted his broom and was out of the area in flash, speeding up to Draco and catching up in no time, lagging behind by a few feet only.

Draco looked over his shoulder with a smug smile, "Not had, Potter. A little rusty- but not bad-" with that, Draco sped forward.

Harry grinned at this. How had he ever been nervous? Broomstick riding was his thing, he knew it backwards and forwards, backwards and- ahead of him he focused on Draco's figure. His uncut hair whipping back in the wind, a wide, genuine smile on his face, arms flexed and ready to turn at any moment.

Harry was practically melting with adoration. Of course he'd said yes to this being a date. Of course this was how he felt for Draco- he'd known in for awhile, and hadn't exactly been trying to hide it from anyone but his own acceptance.
And allowing himself to freely think these thoughts, admire this blonde in front of him, he felt blissful and relaxed-
A bit too relaxed.
It wasn't until it was too late, going fast over an open field of yellow grass, that Harry felt himself begin to slip off his broomstick.
The only thing he could think of as this happened, was how it never had happened. He knew how to ride a broom- he did- but...how could he not have been distracted? Even now, as he fell, all he could focus on was Draco, his figure getting smaller for a moment before he seemed to notice he had no perused. Harry closed his eyes and braced for impact.
He'd fallen from higher so he was sure he'd survive- but it would hurt, he knew that much at least.
The wind whipping past him, it felt like an eternity before he hit the ground. And when he finally did- it wasn't as he expected, it was abrupt and soft and- floaty-
Harry opened his eyes to witness Malfoy balanced on his broom, legs locked against it as he raised his wand with both hands, levitating Harry mere inches off the ground before letting out a labored sigh and letting him gently hit the ground, landing on his back with his robes bunched around him.
It only took a few second before Draco was knelt at his side.

"Are you mental, Potter? What were you thinking?" Draco was looking over the other skeptically.

"You." Harry groaned as he flung an arm over his face.

"M-Me?" Draco seemed to realize what Harry meant and his face turned bright red.

"This wasn't supposed to happen- it wouldn't have if I'd just-" Harry sighed, covering his face with his hands, "I feel stupid." He felt a hand on his that gently took one away from his face to reveal a quizzical Draco.

"That's because you are- what do you mean if you'd just? If you'd just what?" He cocked his head.

Harry shook his own, "Doesnt matter, let's just-" He huffed as Draco pushed him back down by the chest with a stern look.

Harry scowled, "It's nothing."

"Then you won't mind sharing." The blonde pointed out from where he knelt in the tall grass beside the savior.

Harry sighed deeply, "I may or- may not- have used some...liquid luck...to....ask you out..." He mumbled.

There was silence before a quiet giggle- a giggle from Draco.

It made Harry sit up, "You're not mad?"

"Of course you use one of the most powerful things- for something so stupid-"

"Hey!" Harry snapped, unamused, "It wasn't stupid!"

"You could have just asked normally." Draco snickered.

"I-I didn't know that.." Harry looked down shyly.

"You really- used liquid luck- to ask me out?" He blonde smiled.

Harry sniffed with a shrug.

"That's adorable, Harry." Draco chuckled.

Harry felt chills run through him and he shuttered happily, "H-How's that?"

Draco dipped his head to meet Harry's downcast gaze, "You think I'm that important...?"

"Of course you are!" Harry looked up, "Why wouldn't you be?"

Draco's eyes softened, "I guess I- just haven't been used to being seen like that..." A hand gently rested on his own.

Harry gave Draco's hand a squeeze, "I could- change that-"

There was a pause and Draco snorted, "You're a hopeless romantic, Potter."

"Hopeless? I'm on a date, aren't I?" Harry whispered it like he hadn't announced this in front of the great hall.

"Well, should we...get back to it?" Draco stood up and pulled Harry up with him.

"You...don't mind that I don't have the liquid luck affect...?" Harry murmured.

"Oh please, you didn't need that. I would have said yes if you'd fallen on your face- well, maybe not right away, but...eventually.." He teased.

Harry allowed himself to be pulled up, "You git."

"Your git? Is that what I said? I'm your-"

"You're whatever you'd like to be- except for a winner-" Harry races to his broomstick and hopped on.

"Not fair!" Draco protested as he swiftly mounted his broom, "I saved you!"

"And I saved you, your point?" Harry smugly grinned at the blonde.

Draco rolled his eyes with a scowl, "Just don't get distracted looking at me again, would you?"

"I would." Harry winked.

"Oh, you think you're so cute." Draco snorted.

"Do you?" Harry leaned towards the other.

Draco gave a dignified sniff, "Perhaps."

"Well then, I think I feel quite lucky as is."