Chapter 31
The year slipped by in a whirlwind of hectic days and stolen moments, of classes and laughter, of books piled high in the library and afternoons spent in Hogsmeade.
Classes followed one after the other without pause, and while some professors seemed determined to make them suffer before the exams, others merely offered instructions, aware that by then it was futile to demand much.
In the library evenings, Hermione tried to keep everyone in line, but with a group like theirs it was a hopeless task. Ron spent half his time complaining about how useless some subjects were, Blaise always found some excuse to distract him—usually by sneaking up next to him and whispering something that made him blush furiously—and Draco and Harry often ended up exchanging low-key jibes, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.
One evening, the Ravenclaw sighed audibly as she watched the scene unfold before her: Blaise with his head resting on Ron’s shoulder, Ron pretending not to be entirely uncomfortable—yet not moving—and Harry and Draco whispering to each other with looks that said everything and nothing at once.
«Does anyone really want to study here?» she asked, crossing her arms.
«I am studying!» the redhead protested.
Hermione blinked «Really? What have you read so far?»
Ron cast a desperate glance at the open book before him, only to discover that it was upside down. His boyfriend stifled a laugh, and Harry lowered his gaze with a half-smile.
Seated in the elegant lounge of the Slytherin Common Room, the emerald-green fire crackled softly in the fireplace, casting dancing shadows on the dark stone walls. The armchairs were plush and inviting, and the atmosphere was relaxed—a rare moment of calm before the storm that would mark the end of the school year.
Harry was comfortably leaning against Draco, the blonde who, despite pretending not to pay much attention to the conversation, was practically pressed against him with a naturalness that had become all too familiar.
«I’ve received some offers from a few teams.» the dark‑haired guy said, glancing at Ron, who immediately straightened up with interest.
«And I think I’ll accept becoming a professional for a couple of years—until Draco finishes his specialization in Potions, then I’ll join him permanently in Valmoria.»
The blonde nodded slightly, not letting go of the shorter one.
Ron cleared his throat «As for me, I want to join the Aurors.» he declared with a determination that brooked no doubt, and Hermione nodded in approval of his choice.
The Ravenclaw crossed her arms and turned to Blaise «And you? What will you do?»
«Something at the Ministry, obviously.» replied Zabini with a shrug «Where else could I showcase my innate elegance and political talent?»
«Are you thinking of running for Minister?» teased Draco.
Zabini laughed «No, I’ll leave that to Hermione.»
Harry raised an eyebrow «I can definitely see Hermione as Minister of Magic.»
The redhead made a face «Yeah, but poor us. We’d all be forced to follow ridiculously strict rules and absurd study programs until retirement.»
Hermione shot him a withering look, though a small, amused smile escaped her «Don’t exaggerate, Ron. Anyway, yes, I’d like to work at the Ministry—maybe reform some outdated laws...»
«Or completely overturn it.» added Malfoy with a mischievous little smile.
The brunette simply replied «Perhaps.»
The crisp air of Hogsmeade was filled with the scent of Butterbeer and sugary sweets as Hogwarts students wandered the village’s cobbled streets. The winter sun cast a golden light on the compact snow, creating an almost fairy‑tale atmosphere.
Harry walked calmly with the group, his hands tucked in the pockets of his cloak, while Blaise and Ron engaged in an animated discussion about something.
The blonde, who had remained silent beside Harry until that moment, suddenly grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him away from the group without a word. The dark‑haired guy staggered slightly in surprise.
«Draco, what—?»
«Shh, we need five minutes without these plebeians.» he said simply, glancing at the others.
As soon as they disappeared into the winding streets of Hogsmeade, Blaise did the same with Ron, grabbing him by the cloak and dragging him in another direction.
«Hey! What the hell—?» protested the redhead, but Zabini merely smiled innocently.
Meanwhile, Hermione continued walking for a few meters before stopping, looking around with a confused expression.
«Did they just leave me like this? Without saying a word?» she wondered aloud, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.
It was then that she heard a familiar voice.
«Hermione!»
Ginny Weasley greeted her with a smile as she hurried over.
Hermione sighed theatrically «Oh, thank goodness. For a moment, I thought I’d been abandoned.»
Ginny laughed «Well, now you’ve got me. Fancy a Butterbeer?»
«Absolutely.»
Hogwarts on Valentine's Day was always a riot of fluttering enchanted hearts, magical choirs singing inopportune serenades, and a worrisome number of chocolates with questionable effects. The romantic atmosphere seemed to infect the entire castle, but for Harry it was merely a reminder that people just couldn’t leave him alone.
«I think they've broken the record for gifts for Harry this year.» Hermione commented, eyeing the pile of packages, letters, and sweets stacked on the Great Hall table.
Some letters opened by themselves, whispering overly saccharine phrases that made Harry shiver.
Draco, seated next to him, drummed his fingers on the table with an expression growing increasingly sour «I don't understand why they still send you gifts. Everyone knows we're together.»
Harry sighed, picking up a note that smelled of roses, and tossed it among the others «Stop being jealous. You've received plenty of letters and gifts too.»
Draco crossed his arms «Yes, but I have the sense to ignore them.»
«Oh, of course—just like last year, when you cast a spell on some Ravenclaw guy just because he sent me an overly sappy letter?»
The blonde raised his chin with a haughty air. "I didn't mean to hit him. He tripped on his own."
Ron, Hermione, and Blaise, sitting in front of them, exchanged amused glances.
«I must say, every year the gifts for Harry just keep increasing.» Blaise observed with a little laugh.
Ron nodded, biting into a slice of bread «At this point, we should have bet on how many he'd receive.»
«Very witty.» grumbled the dark‑haired guy, casting a glance at the ever-growing pile.
Draco, apparently fed up with the conversation, absentmindedly knocked the entire pile of gifts off the table. With a loud thump, the packages tumbled onto the floor, startling a few nearby students.
«Oh, what a disaster.» the blonde said with feigned innocence, before huffing and rising with a dramatic gesture.
Harry watched him walk away, then rejoined the others.
«That was childish, even by his standards.»
Hermione giggled «And yet you still love him.»
The day had been long and strangely lonely without Draco around. At lunch, Malfoy had decided to be “busy” with Snape over some mysterious matter, and Harry hadn’t even had a chance to see him between classes. He found himself stealing glances at Draco’s empty chair even during dinner, ignoring Ron’s jibes and Hermione’s understanding look.
Now, with the sun setting and tinting the sky in fiery red hues, Harry made his way toward the Astronomy Tower, where Draco had asked him to join him. He found Draco there, leaning against the stone balustrade, his gaze lost in the horizon.
«Draco…» Harry began to speak, but before he could say another word, the blonde turned slightly and, in one swift, sure gesture, pulled him close. His hands gripped the fabric of Harry’s uniform as their lips met urgently.
The Gryffindor didn’t resist, letting himself be swept away in that kiss that tasted of regret and unspoken things. Draco’s fingers slipped through his hair, drawing him even closer, as if he wanted to erase the time they’d spent apart.
When they finally broke apart, Harry looked up at him with a raised eyebrow «Do I have to keep worrying, or can I take it for granted that everything’s resolved?»
Draco snorted, pressing his forehead against his «You’re impossible.»
«I know.» Harry replied with a smile, gently brushing his cheek with a finger «Now, will you tell me why you spent all day avoiding me?»
Draco remained silent for a moment, then shifted slightly and slipped a hand into the pocket of his uniform. He drew out a silver chain with a delicate, intricately worked pendant that seemed to pulse with an almost imperceptible light.
«So that you, too, will have something of me forever.» he said softly, fastening it around his neck with precise gestures, then, almost absentmindedly, he brushed his left ear—the one marked by the bite.
Harry lowered his gaze, letting his fingers glide over the pendant. There was something strange—or perhaps familiar—in the sensation it gave him. A spark of warm, enveloping magic, much like Draco’s own presence.
«It’s imbued with my aura.» Draco explained, watching him with a mix of satisfaction and apprehension «I asked your father for help.»
Harry slowly lifted his gaze to meet his. Draco’s hair was tousled by the evening wind, with silver hues catching the soft light of the sunset. His eyes were vigilant, yet there was a trace of vulnerability in the tension of his jaw, as if he were waiting for a reaction that might hurt him.
Harry said nothing.
He simply grabbed him by the green‑silver tie and pulled him abruptly close.
Draco let out a small sound of surprise before their lips met again—this time with fierce intensity, without hesitation. Harry kissed him as if he wanted to brand him once more, to imprint something eternal upon him.
Draco smiled against his lips, his fingers gripping his waist.
«You like it?» the blonde asked as he pulled away.
Harry lowered his gaze again, his fingers tracing the newly received pendant. It was a thin, irregular yet elegant piece—resembling a small shard of black crystal wrapped in intricately intertwined silver filaments. Its surface seemed to change slightly with the light, as if dark, liquid hues flowed within, veined with subtle golden and silvery glimmers.
When he brushed it with the tips of his fingers, a slight vibration ran through his skin. It wasn’t merely a jewel—it was alive with magic, imbued with Draco’s essence. He could feel the pull of his aura, the one he had come to recognize: white with silver tones, intense and refined, yet with a warm core that only he could perceive.
Harry clenched his fingers around the pendant for a moment, feeling the familiar warmth pulsing within. Then he lifted his gaze to Draco «It’s perfect.» he murmured.