Mood Mint Madness Pt.4

DRARRY SLASH! No like, no read!

The mints showed up the next morning, as promised, and Hermione immediately took over operations, taking a mint herself as well as strategically giving several of the other Gryffindors samples as well. She had spent the previous evening drawing up a chart, and as soon as the package arrived, meticulously counted out how many there were to work with.

"We must not allow Malfoy to get ahold of these ones," Hermione said sternly. "Therefore, they will remain in my bag. It has Anti-Jinx charms all over it, so it should be harder for him to get into."

Harry's had a hole in the bottom corner, and his ink bottle had fallen through it three times already. So he simply nodded his approval of the plan.

He really hoped that Hermione came up with some sort of answer soon, because he really disliked playing games when he didn't know all the rules. And playing he was, if Malfoy's behaviour was anything to go by. He really didn't know what any of this meant, all that he knew was that rather than fighting as they had done previously, Malfoy was doing something he could only classify as flirting.

This worried him greatly.

He was great at fighting and duelling, make no mistake about that. He was all fired up and ready if Malfoy was throwing curses at him. He knew how to handle it, and was confident in his ability. But this wasn't the kind of "wand-handling" Malfoy was after, or so it seemed, as strange as that sounded.

Malfoy had taken to sneaking up behind him in the halls and brushing by him unexpectedly, sliding the entire length of his side along Harry's as he passed. It wasn't really that different from his usual violent shoulder-check, but these interactions didn't cause bruises. What they did cause was Harry to blink in confusion, because he didn't know how to react to this.

Just this morning he'd looked up to exchange their usual heated glare over breakfast across the Great Hall, and instead, Malfoy had fixed him with a burning look from under long, blond lashes. The fire in his gaze was still there, but it was different in a subtle way that made his stomach flip-flop in an unnerving fashion.

"Hey, mate," he said to Ron while they were waiting outside of Potions. "Did you notice Malfoy is acting weird around me?"

Ron shot him an odd look. "Mate, he snogged you in a deserted corridor. I'd think it was fairly obvious what he was after."

Harry flushed. "Yeah, but Ron, it's Malfoy. He has to be up to something."

Ron snickered. "He's 'up' alright."

"This is a serious affair, Ron!"

Ron grinned. "I'll say."

"You're taking this very calmly," Harry huffed out, cheeks still stained crimson.

"At least he's not trying to off you," Ron said, obviously having fun at Harry's expense. "Or should I say, he's more likely to 'get you off?'"

"You're a great help," Harry answered sarcastically. He still had no solution to what he was supposed to do about it. If he went by Ron's suggestions, he'd end up... well, he didn't actually know where he'd end up, but it probably wasn't good.

He was still confused the next day, after his classes had ended and he was on his way back up to Gryffindor tower. He was pretty sure that Malfoy was behind him again, following and waiting for an opportune moment to do his shoulder-rubbing thing again. The area between his shoulder blades prickled and he nervously waited for Malfoy to make his move.

He was not disappointed. A moment later, as he felt the warmth against his back as Malfoy approached, he turned and quickly pinned Malfoy to the wall. Malfoy didn't seem at all perturbed by this treatment, and in fact favoured Harry with a slow smile that showed the glint of teeth behind his smirk.

"Fancy meeting you here, Potter," he said in a low voice, one that sounded slightly scratchy.

"What are you trying to do, Malfoy?" Harry demanded angrily.

"I'm trying to get your attention, Potter," Malfoy's voice thrummed into a purr. "Looks like it's working."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry snapped, suddenly aware of how close he was standing to Malfoy. He hadn't even thought his actions through, and now he was shoving the blond prat up against walls. He felt his cheeks heat and gritted his teeth against the feeling.

Malfoy leaned forward to put his mouth right next to Harry's ear. His warm breath ghosted over the outside shell, and Harry felt a tingle run down his spine to coil contentedly in his stomach. "I think you do, Harry."

Harry's breath caught in his throat, and he couldn't think of anything to say. He should probably step back right about now, but his feet were frozen in place.

"No answer, hmmm?" Malfoy tilted his head slightly, and his eyes met Harry's, grey eyes sharp and intent on his face. "So what are you going to do?"

Malfoy raised his head a fraction, and his nose brushed Harry's cheek. "You should stop me now, Potter."

His lips hovered over the corner of Harry's mouth. "Are you going to..."

They slid over his cheek, butterfly fragile and strangely soft. "...stop me..."

"Potter?" The word was barely an exhale against Harry's mouth before their lips connected.

Harry didn't stop him. He gasped slightly in surprise, and his eyes flickered for a moment before sliding shut. His arms were braced on the wall behind Malfoy's head, and they trembled as Malfoy's clever hands found their way to Harry's hips and pulled him unresistingly closer. Malfoy tilted his head and fit his mouth against Harry's more firmly, lips trying to coax a response out of him.

He still tasted like cinnamon, but this time he was spicy-sweet rather than spicy-hot, like hot chocolate. He chased the flavour with his tongue, licking at the seam to Malfoy's lips. They parted, and it was hotter, slicker and... well. Harry pushed closer and felt Malfoy's fingers grasp his hipbones tighter.

A moment later, he was pushed back, and Harry let Malfoy step away. It didn't even occur to Harry to try and stop him, or force him back against the wall. Malfoy's eyes had hazed over into a misty silver, and his lips were red and wet. Malfoy parted his lips as if to say something, hesitantly, but then he escaped before either of them could speak a word.

He'd kissed Malfoy. What was going on? He still didn't know what the hell all of this even meant, but he'd been unable to resist, not when Malfoy had been pressed that close, warm and pliant in his arms. Harry groaned and covered his face with his hands. He didn't think he'd ever be able to forget the taste of that particular flavour.

He hurried back up to Gryffindor tower, flustered and confused. When he burst into the common room, he was glad to see that Ron and Hermione were by the fire waiting for him. Hermione looked excited, and it looked as if triumph gleamed in her eyes.

"Mate, you look like you got the snog of your life," Ron laughed and observed him with amusement. "What, did you give in to Malfoy's flirtations then?"

"What?" he asked, mouth agape. How did Ron know?

A moment later, it became clear that Ron hadn't actually known when his friend gaped right back. "Oh Harry, you didn't, right? I was joking, really I was. I just didn't want to know anything if Ginny was involved..."

Harry had no idea where that Ginny-related thought had come from. He'd given no indication that he felt anything toward Ron's sister other than friendship.

Hermione surprised them both by interrupting. "Harry! You really can't let Malfoy get to you! I've figured out what the mints do, and I guarantee he's trying to trick you."

"What?" Harry asked again, still hopelessly bewildered. Malfoy's expression had seemed pretty damn genuine to him, but then again, what did he know?

"They show allegiances, Harry," Hermione finally took pity on him and explained. "Red is for enemies, Green is for friends, Orange is for neutral."

"What's purple for, then?" he asked hoarsely.

"People who are susceptible to seduction from that particular person, no matter what side they are currently on." Hermione looked troubled. "So that's what Malfoy's trying to do, he's trying to seduce you to Voldemort's side."

"Right," Harry felt his stomach tighten, and bit his lip. "So that's why Snape is green, not cause he likes us at all, but because he's on our side?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "And that's why I'm worried, because if Voldemort's side gets any of these mints, then Snape will be in danger of being found out! And anyone else who relies on neutrality or pretending to be on Voldemort's side is also in danger."

"But we can use this to make sure we're not betrayed!" Ron grinned. "We've been making lists to make sure everyone close to you is on our side. I'm going to go owl the twins about this!" Ron stood and scampered up the stairs.

"Have I shown up as purple for anyone else?" Harry whispered once they were alone.

"No, Harry," Hermione frowned. "Not even to Ginny. Harry, this is dangerous, if I'm right, then Malfoy has a chance of actually succeeding in seducing you!"

"You're right," Harry nodded. "Have you told Dumbledore yet?"

"Not yet, I was waiting for you to get back," Hermione still looked worried. "Just be careful, okay Harry?"

"I'll be careful," Harry promised. "Let's go see Dumbledore."

As he and Hermione stood, he thought of Malfoy. Sure, Harry was already proving to be easily seduced by Malfoy, which would have given the Slytherin the upper hand. But it didn't, not when Malfoy was purple for Harry as well. He could be seduced right back.

Malfoy was right: the game was on.