nicevenn

* I made a minor change to the last chapter. Namely, the different groups are allowed to get together for a limited amount of time each week. I just found it too restrictive not to let Hermione cause some trouble. ;)

Title: The Problem with Slopes 2/25
Author:

nicevenn
Pairing: Harry/Draco, possibly a mention of others
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowing, Bloomsbury/Scholastic, and Warner Bros. No copyright infringement is intended.
Wordcount: 320
A/N: This fic is being written for my advent table at

hd_seasons. It is also intended as a gift for

nursedarry for her charity donation last year. Her prompts were Harry’s Patronus and Harry leaving his socks on during sex, both of which will appear later in the story.
Summary: The students of Hogwarts have earned themselves a ski trip, but is it a reward or a punishment?

Harry yawned and rubbed his eyes. It was too early to be up on a Saturday and listening to Ernie go on and on about how they should be using these two weeks to study for their N.E.W.T.s, not to go skiing.

“You might want to start covering your mouth when you yawn, Potter. You’re a celebrity. You never know when someone’s going to snap a picture.”

Harry smiled to himself as Draco joined them in the courtyard. He couldn’t help but notice how Draco’s insults had changed since the end of the war. They lacked their former spark, as if their only function now was to keep up the status quo.

Draco’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t realise that was so funny.”

Harry ignored him and instead sought out Neville, who seemed to be the last one out of the castle. Neville’s brow was furrowed as he watched the red smoke swirling inside his Remembrall.

“Hi Harry, Ernie, Terry... Draco.” Neville deposited the Remembrall in his coat pocket with a sigh.

The first three boys mumbled a greeting in return. Draco gave a barely perceptible nod.

Over in one of the groups bound for Argentina, Ron looked at Harry with pity. For both of them, Harry imagined. Hermione was coming to Colorado as well, and Ron was stuck with Blaise Zabini, Zacharias Smith, and a couple of Ravenclaw boys.

Harry shrugged, as if to say, “Oh, well.”

“All right, everyone,” said McGonagall, clasping her hands together. “Gather around your Portkeys. On the count of three, you will be transported to your assigned locations.”

As McGonagall began to count, Harry reached for their Portkey: a miniature black cauldron. The tips of his ring and pinky fingers touched Draco’s gloved hand. Their eyes met, and all Harry could think about as he felt the familiar jerk behind his navel was that he’d never felt softer leather.

Tbc...