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What do you even know about the world of Gourmet, Potter? It's not like you would've ever had a chance to have the finest french cuisine on your pallet." He sneered at the boy once he was alone in the hallway. He had heard him talking to Bones about the world of Gourmet.
"Why do you always feel the need to butt into everything, Malfoy? I wasn't even talking to you." The bespectacled boy replied in an almost bored tone. He missed the passion that used to be there in his voice. Even the hate was better than this carefully masked indifference.
He knew he had to maintain a distance from the Wizarding World's golden boy after the war, it wouldn't be good for his image if he was seen quarrelling with the golden boy, but how was he supposed to do that when he saw the despair in his once rival's eyes?
"No way I would be able to stay out of it when you are talking about stuff you clearly don't know." He huffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest and frown on his face.
"And just how do you know what I do and do not know Malfoy?" He asked with an exasperated yet somehow amused voice.
That was better than the earlier indifference. At least some of that sparkle was back in the bespectacled boy's eyes. He'll take anything over that.
Leaning towards the boy, he taunted, "Are you implying that you know about Gourmet, Potter?"
"I don't have time for this Malfoy!" He hissed, as his feet moved away from the source of antagonism.
"Wait! I challenge you Potter, you won't be able to suggest a place that offers true Gourmet."
That stopped him in his tracks. Turning back, he replied, "Is that so? And you think you can?"
He scoffed, "Of Course I can! I challenge you to find a better place than the one I suggest." He has no idea what he's even doing right now, but as long as he doesn't have to see that sad expression on Harry's face, it doesn't really matter.
"Is that so? You fancy yourself a true Gourmet expert then huh?"
"Considering that I've had one of the finest pallets my whole life, I'd say so."
"In that case, why don't we make this challenge of yours a bit more interesting. Let's pick 5 major types of cuisines instead of just one."
"You're on Potter. Be prepared to lose."
This was better than he expected. He had no idea what he was going to do, but he suddenly had 6 dates? Was it a date? Non-date? Food tasting non-date? with Harry. The guy he was sure would never again look at him. He'd take whatever he can though.
"What if you lose, Malfoy?" He asked with a smirk, and Draco didn't know how to slow down his wildly beating heart at that look.
"Ha! Fat chance Potter. But I'll do one thing that you ask if I do lose, and the same for you if you lose." He said with confidence. He wasn't kidding when he said that he was an expert afterall.
The smirk became even eider, almost turning into a grin. "You're on Malfoy."
"This Sunday. French." He stated, before stalking off towards his dorm.
He just secured 5 non-dates with Harry Potter! What was he going to do! Especially since he didn't think Harry was interested even a bit. Especially considering the history they shared.
He didn't even know when he had started to think of the other boy so much. Or when his own hateful glances towards the other boy turned into concerned ones. Unknowingly, he had started caring about the other boy and the concern had developed into strong feelings before he even realised it.
He could only make the best of the situation now though. He was probably about to make a big fool out of himself if Potter was actually knowledgeable in the field, but that would be a small price to pay for the time he would be spending with Potter.