"So, what classes are you taking this year?"
"Arithmancy and Politics."
Harry wasn't quite sure why it surprised him, but the fact Hogwarts even had a politics class still threw him off a bit. "What's it like? The political class I mean?"
The blonde didn't answer at first, instead gazing off into the darkening sky as the duo walked along the path near the castle. Finally, she spoke, "It is mostly historical things right now and basics. My sister said that in the future it will be very… demanding, of my time and attention."
"Sounds tough, plus Arithmancy is a difficult class too, at least that's what I've been told." She nodded, still staring off into the distance as if her mind were elsewhere. "You don't sound very excited about them."
"They are useful to take, my parents will be pleased."
"What about you? What do you want to take?"
Her attention snapped back to him, confusion, and a flicker of anger in her eyes, "It doesn't matter what I want. There are expectations."
Harry met her stare without so much as a flinch, "I know a little bit about 'expectations'. If all you do is try and make others happy you never will be, and eventually you won't meet them and then no one will be happy."
"You… don't understand." It wasn't an insult, wasn't a harsh retort, and had no annoyance. Instead, the blonde sounded tired, strung out in so many ways that he couldn't help but feel bad for her.
Yes, there had always been other expecting things from him, one way or another, but in his previous life it had never been family, at least none that mattered. "So, explain it to me."
She looked uncertain, whether in his ability to truly grasp the truth or her own in portraying the situation. "My parents… they have always praised my older sister, always paraded about her achievements, showed off her grades, her participation in groups, how much everyone loves her. But me? I'm just… a spare. They want me to succeed, not because they want what's best for me but because it would be embarrassing if I didn't."
"Cleo…" he rubbed his hand over his face, trying desperately to think of the correct words. He wasn't good at this, wasn't good at cheering people up or giving heartfelt speeches. "You're right, I don't know what it's like being compared to an older sibling or just being seen as a secondary in my family, but you can't live like this. You need to find your own path to being happy because living for the expectation of someone else… you're going to wake up one day and realize you don't have anything, and I think it would be better to be happy with who you are and what you've accomplished rather than working for what someone else wants you to be."
There was still uncertainty in her eyes, but something popped into his mind, a last-ditch effort to reach her.
"What do they think about Quidditch?" She looked away, and he knew it was his chance, "They don't like it, do they? Probably think it's a kid's game or a waste of time or something else."
She nodded slightly, reluctantly.
"How did you feel when you play though?"
She opened her mouth, and once more he was surprised at the raw honesty and joy in her voice, "Like I was somebody. Not a Malfoy or the daughter of Narcissa and Lucius, or Pandora's little sister. It felt like I was me, like everyone saw me for once."
His own lips turned up into a wide smile, "It felt right, like you were meant for it." She quickly nodded in silent agreement, "Then you need to find other things that make you feel the same way."
****
Harry Potter wished he could've said he was genuinely surprised but based on how everything had been going thus far in the year, and really since he arrived in this alternative world, he truly wasn't.
'Malfoy kissed me' wasn't a phrase he ever thought he would say, or hear, or even see written down, but it wasn't as horrifically nauseating as he would've thought. It was different than with Luna, or Grace, or his sisters, or anyone else for that matter. Less calm, passionate, and explorative and more… desperate.
Within seconds she was pushing forward, forcing him to back up against the wall of the castle, and perhaps into a little more privacy during their walk around the outside of Hogwarts. He hadn't known the younger sister could be so direct and demanding. If he was being honest, it was hot, not that he would ever admit such a thing to anyone.
Her hands pinned his wrists to the walls, not that she truly had the strength to do so but it was an interesting sensation nonetheless and reminded him of Grace's own dominance. The rest of the kiss, naturally, was sloppy and inexperienced and moments later she broke it panting with a flushed face and burning desire in her eyes.
"H-Harry, I… can we…"
Ironically enough he had thought ahead and taken a potion to prevent any sort of undesired consequences but it certainly didn't mean he was blinded by lust. "No bragging."
Cleo pulled back a bit, blinking in confusion, "Wh-what?"
"Bragging, I don't want to hear rumors or bragging about how you shagged me. Don't fucking do that."
She quickly nodded, "No, no I wouldn't…"
"And be nicer to my family, I'm not expecting you to be Amy's best friend but if you ever want a repeat of tonight think a little before you speak or act."
Again, a quick nod and he made a mental note to say the same thing to his sisters. It was easy now to look back and see his own relationship with a certain blonde ponce wasn't entirely on the fault of the other party.
Mostly? Yes, Draco was a bigoted jackass, but he had pushed the Slytherin's buttons as well. In this world there were far fewer reasons for such animosity.
"Okay"
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