I - harm -
The week flew by and their first apparition lesson was about to start after breakfast in the Great Hall. As Harry arrived with Mione, several classmates were already present, including Ron. Ron didn't seem to take any notice of the two of them, instead he was preoccupied with Lavender. Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat and pulled Harry to the other end of the hall. There were plastic hoops scattered around the room on the old marble floor. The participants were asked to place themselves behind a hoop, which the two did accordingly.
A few Ravenclaws were waiting behind them and there was no one in front of him until the blond Slytherin came striding towards them and stood directly in front of Harry. But Harry hardly had a chance to think about it because the chubby man who was going to teach them how to apparate, began to explain how to change places properly.
It was then up to them to get inside the hoop. However, nobody mastered this challenge on the first weekend. Harry couldn't concentrate on the task at hand anyway. He was far too busy eyeing Draco. However, neither Hermione nor Malfoy seemed to have missed this. Fortunately, they both kept quiet.
He spent the afternoon practising Quidditch and had arranged to meet Draco in the evening. When Harry wanted to leave the common room after dinner, he was stopped by his friend. He had no choice but to face her. "Where are you going?" she enquired. She seemed to be trying to sound as trivial as possible. "Nowhere," Harry replied, perhaps a little too quickly. Mione gave him a knowing look and he realised that she wasn't going to give in so quickly. "Harry, can we please talk?" "But I" - "Please" she almost begged him, whereupon Harry nodded and they settled down in a secluded corner of the room. "What's up?" "Harry, I wonder where you always go and somehow you're different, I don't know, you've changed, but in a good way I suppose and you're more cheerful than usual" She rubbed her face uncertainly.
Harry didn't say anything back, he knew what she was getting at. "I think I know what's going on, you don't need to be ashamed of your feelings, we can talk openly, can't we?" she asked cautiously. Harry nodded "It's possible that I'm in love." he said hesitantly, staring at a red rug. The rug had a surprisingly interesting pattern, Harry noticed. "I know and I think I know who it might be, but please tell me, just in case I'm wrong." Harry was silent until he started to speak.
"Hermione, I think I like boys too," he stuttered to himself and was unsurprised when she nodded knowingly. "Well, he's well fuck this, it's... Draco," Harry finally managed to say and Hermione began to grin slightly.
"I knew it," she whispered. "So, does he know? You haven't told him yet, have you? You're scared, I mean sure it's Malfoy he is an asshole, but who knows maybe, I mean the way he looks at you sometimes, so I don't want to get your hopes up but maybe he does like you." A huge torrent of words left her mouth quickly and uncontrollably. Harry interrupted her, "He knows, I think." Hermione looked surprised, "And what does he say, are you two together?" she asked rather curiously.
Yes, that was a good question, were they together? Harry had never talked to Draco about it before, were they really together like a real couple? Or was it just some kind of fling? "Well, um, I don't really know, we've just started this whole thing, whatever this is, but I think maybe," You could tell the girl was almost exploding with joy. She threw herself at Harry and hugged him "Oh I'm so happy for you, even if it is Malfoy, but I just want at least you to be happy. But promise me to be careful, you know who he is and what people come with him. This is dangerous, like seriously. Love can trick your mind, just don't get irrational."
"Thanks, I will" Harry whispered. "And you?" The black-haired boy wanted to change the subject quickly so that she wouldn't question him any further. Somehow it made him uncomfortable. His friend turned quiet and seemed dejected, she looked around the room and stopped at Ron and Lavender. Harry followed her gaze "I see, it'll be fine, believe me, he'll get it eventually." – "Do you really think so?" she whispered. Harry looked at his watch and was almost shocked that it was already so late " Look, I really have to go now, okay." She nodded.
"Where are you meeting? In the Room of Requirement? Then you'd better take your cloak of invisibility with you, you don't want to run into Filch." Harry nodded and grinned at her, she smiled back and Harry made his way to the seventh floor. He hoped to find Draco there, after all he was already half an hour late.
Harry entered the room and realised that it looked exactly the same as last time. He looked round quickly and saw the blond Slytherin sleeping blissfully on the sofa. Harry bent down and looked him in the face, gently stroking a strand of hair from his forehead, but Draco didn't move. Harry couldn't resist and gently placed a kiss against his pale skin. Draco's eyelids fluttered open and immediately grey met green. They both began to smirk and Draco slowly straightened up to sit down. Harry immediately sat down next to him and leaned against his shoulder.
"Where have you been?" the blond asked in a quiet voice. "Hermione stopped me and asked me ... about us" Draco's eyes widened "How does she know, so you told her, so she knows?" "Yeah, she practically found out on her own" Draco nodded faintly.
"We have to be more careful. Well, I was wondering when you were going to tell Granger and Weasley anyway. What's wrong with him, he's just snogging." "I don't know, it's getting on my nerves because Mione is in love with him. He doesn't realise anything and is making out with Lavender, but he actually likes Hermione too. Well, that's why they don't talk to each other anymore." – "That seems rather unfortunate" Draco mumbled. Harry wondered if Draco had told anyone about this thing they had going.
Harry sensed Draco's absent-mindedness and wondered what was going on in his head. "What are you thinking about?" he hesitated, "My family and the Dark Lord, you know?" Harry nodded. "My father is in Azkaban and my mum made the Unbreakable Vow for me, with Snape, to support me in my task." Silence. "What task," Draco fell silent and Harry let him take his time. "You know you can tell me anything, no matter what it is." Draco nodded "I can't, I don't know how, I mean..." he couldn't get anything else out.
They just looked at each other. "Promise me you won't hate me," Harry nodded again and looked deep into his eyes. Draco moved and carefully pushed up his left sleeve, Harry was almost sure he knew what was underneath but seeing it then was something else again. Harry had suspected it for weeks, months even. The black ink of the Dark Mark shimmered on his pale skin.
Draco kept his head down and stared at the floor. Harry gently grasped Draco's chin and lifted it up to look at him properly again. A few tears rolled down Draco's eyes, which Harry gently wiped away. "Hey, I know you don't want to be like that, I know you're not like that and it doesn't show you, to be honest I figured it would be there. It's not as bad as you think" Harry whispered. "But it is, I'm part of a group of murderers who spread fear and terror and try to kill you." he whispered through his tears.
"But I don't care do you understand, we will fight and we have something he doesn't have, something worth fighting for, us" Harry replied.
"I like you too much Harry Potter" "I do like you too Draco" and slowly they kissed.
There was a light, gentle, innocent kiss hanging in the air, which slowly turned more passionate. Harry's hands buried themselves in Draco's hair, who leant over the Gryffindor. Draco placed his hand on Harry's cheek, pulling him closer. Their tongues battled as Harry began to unbutton Draco's shirt, but he gently turned away from him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to, I just," Harry stuttered uncertainly.
"No, it's not you, it's fine, you didn't do anything wrong, it's just" he faltered "I don't deserve to be by your side." Draco settled down next to Harry and heard him say, "that's not true, I want you here." Draco had to smile slightly.
"But, my task, I just can't do it, it's killing me, you see. The Dark Lord has given me a task to fulfil, otherwise he'll kill me," he said dryly. Harry was shocked, worried and visibly overwhelmed as to what he should do now. "He won't, maybe I can help you," was the only thing he could think of. "Hardly, my job is to kill someone, but I can't, I don't want to be a murderer" Draco shivered "Who?" Harry wanted to know "Dumbledore" Draco whispered. "Oh"
Harry had expected anything but this, how could he even begin to kill Dumbledore himself, Dumbledore could not and must not die. "Will you promise not to tell anyone, not even Weasley or Granger?" Harry hesitated but nodded again. Silence. "How are you going to try?"
"Do you remember the necklace the girl touched?" "Katie, so that was really you," Draco nodded. They were silent, each of them lost in thought until they finally drifted off into the land of dreams, side by side.
*
The days dragged by and Harry resolved to ask Slughorn about the memory again. However, his teacher kept avoiding him, always seeming to find reasons for his absence or changing direction as soon as he saw Harry. This didn't make it any easier for the black-haired boy. Ron's birthday was approaching. He was already busy unwrapping his presents and eating the first sweets. Harry was watching his prince on the marauders map, but he was still lying in his bed, daydreaming.
The two friends were just about to get ready for breakfast when Harry noticed Ron's strange behaviour. He was looking around dreamily and was desperate to see a certain Romilda Vane, whom Harry knew only vaguely. He couldn't imagine what Ron suddenly wanted from her until he saw her box of chocolates on the bed. Ron had already devoured half of it and it had clearly contained a large dose of love potion. Harry could think of nothing better than to take him to Slughorn on the spot.
Draco was awake by now and walked towards the Room of Requirement, he visualised the place with the Vanishing Cabinet before he entered. He had to work on solving his task somehow. The cabinet seemed to be his last chance. He tried again and again, but it never really worked, whether with living creatures or simple objects. He spent half the day there until he finally lost his nerve and gave up for the day. Exhausted, he left the room, wished desperately for a new setting and entered the room again. This time it was a cosy little room again. Draco snuggled into the corner of the sofa and listened to the rain beating against the large windows.
Harry had just said goodbye to Hermione in the hospital wing, who was sitting at Ron's bedside holding his hand. Ron was poisoned by an old bottle of Brandy, but he was able to save him just in time with the help of a bezoar. Harry had also learnt that the bottle was supposed to be a gift for Dumbledore and Slughorn couldn't remember how he came to be in possession of the liquid. His mind rattled and he realised that Malfoy must have mixed in the poison.
Suddenly he felt an urgent desire to see Malfoy and anger built up inside him. The Gryffindor stormed out of the hospital wing through half the castle in a rage to find the Slytherin.
He decided to head towards the Great Hall and suddenly caught sight of an all too familiar blond in the crowd. His adrenaline shot through his veins again and he felt an unprecedented hatred. He ran towards him and shouted "Malfoy" at the top of his voice through the corridor. Some students looked up in surprise. Draco turned round, smiling, but when he saw the look on Harry's face, his blood froze and he stood rooted to the spot. Harry ran towards him and hissed 'come with me, now'. Draco did as he was told and followed Harry.
They headed straight for the nearest boys' toilet. As soon as Draco had closed the door behind him, Harry began to shout. "How could you do that? I thought you were different, you said you didn't want to kill anyone! How could you do something like that to him. Have you ever thought about how many people you're putting in danger with your actions? First with Katie Bell and now this?" Draco had never seen Harry so furious. He had been terrified and took a step back from him with every word Harry threw at him.
Draco had no idea what had got into him. He quietly tried to reassure his friend, but in vain. "Harry, I don't know what you mean, what's wrong?" Harry pointed his wand at him and fired the first curse. "Don't call me Harry, Malfoy! Why don't you go back to your Death Eater friends, you don't seem to need me!" A second curse followed. Draco tried to defend himself, he was completely overwhelmed. When he heard Harry's words, he slumped and fell to the floor. The black-haired lad didn't even register it and fired "Sectrum Sempra" at his opposite. A spell he had never tried before and didn't really know its effect.
Draco cried out in pain, Harry walked up to him and saw what had happened. He stood there petrified, the paralysis not letting up, shocked by what his eyes were telling his brain. Malfoy lying on the wet floor. His white shirt was covered in blood and his face was contorted in pain. Tears streamed from the blond boy's face, his head snapped to the side and he blacked out. Harry heard banging behind him and someone pushed him aside. He saw a man in all black lunge at Draco. And then everything went dark and quiet.
As Harry regained consciousness, he was lying in his bed. He was alone in the room, which was just as well, because the terrible images of what had happened immediately came to him. His eyes were burning, what had he done to Malfoy? How was he feeling? Why had he been so angry? How could Draco do something like that? Hadn't they decided to find a way together? Had he been so wrong about him? How was Ron actually doing? How much time had passed since then? Questions upon questions to which he could find no answers. He felt the salty liquid rolling down his cheeks and cried himself to sleep.
Ron was back to his old self and Lavender had broken up with him. He seemed quite happy about it himself, even if he couldn't remember why. Hermione was all the happier to be rid of this toad of a girl. But neither of them managed to get Harry out of bed or even speak to him on this gloomy Saturday morning. Harry even skipped Quidditch practice in the afternoon, even though he was the captain and the match against Ravenclaw was coming up next week. He didn't care, he didn't know where his head was at. He was glad that Ron was feeling better again, that was clear. But he didn't know what to feel for Malfoy. There was hatred, fear, guilt, sorrow and worry.
Every now and then he checked the map to see if the Slytherin was still in the hospital wing, then he put the map aside again but stayed in his bed. He had drawn all the curtains. The darkness surrounded him and no one could see him. That was fine with him. When he didn't want to leave his mattress for dinner either, he exceeded Hermione's patience limit. She tore aside the fabrics around his bed and only now realised the heap of misery lying there, curled up between blankets, with teary red eyes.
She had never seen Harry like this before. She realised immediately that there could only be one reason for this. Lovesickness. She looked at Harry in shock, then told him not to run away, to which Harry replied with an ironic grunt and hurried off to her own dormitory. Shortly afterwards, she returned armed with several bars of chocolate, threw them on Harry's bed and shooed all the other boys out. She told them not to come back into their room until she gave permission. Mione sat down on the edge of the bed with him.
The two of them talked for a long time. First about what Draco had done and what Harry had done as a result, then about his feelings and finally about everything and nothing. The pile of chocolate got smaller and smaller and Harry's mood grew, if only slightly. Harry was always enjoyed talking to Hermione about anything and everything. She understood him and was empathetic. Harry thought this is how it must feel like to have a sister. Hermione had even managed, after they had talked for over three hours, to stop Harry from thinking about a certain 'block of ice' that had been buzzing around in his head all day.
She said goodbye to her best friend as the other boys were starting to push and wanted to go to bed. Harry was feeling much better now. He had drawn the curtains again, but he was mentally stable. To his relief, the other Gryffindors fell asleep quickly and left him in peace, so that Harry only heard the regular breathing of his mates as he let the last piece of chocolate melt on his tongue.
Harry couldn't sleep that night, he was far too agitated. He decided to put on his invisibility cloak and sneak into the hospital wing. He hadn't really thought about whether this was a good idea.
Peaceful silence reigned in the corridors of the castle. Here and there the light of the moon fell through the large glass windows and every now and then he heard sounds from the paintings, but he was the only one in the hallways. The whole castle was asleep. As quietly as possible, the Chosen One opened the big old wooden door to the hospital wing, but how could it be otherwise, it began to creak. The door lock, it seemed to Harry, clicked as loudly as if he had let a dragon loose on the castle. Harry paused. Silence. No one had noticed him.
Gently, he tapped towards the Slytherin's bed. Apart from him, there were only two other students lying here, two third years he only knew by sight. The light of the moon shone in here too, illuminating the hall. There he lay, on his back, wrapped in a warm blanket, his eyes closed and his hair tousled. Pansy and Blaise must have been here during the day, because there were two chairs next to the bed and sweets on his bedside table.
Harry sat down, his eyes fixed firmly on Malfoy. Slowly, without him realising it, tears were running down his face again. He didn't know whether Draco was still unconscious or not, whether he was in pain or not, or how he felt about him, he didn't know anything. He didn't dare to say anything, nor did he dare to touch the blond. He just stared at him until he fell asleep himself, the cloak of invisibility wrapped tightly around him.