thirteenth lotus leaf

Theodor entered the room. As far as the candlelight revealed, his friends were not in the room. He gently closed the door behind him. "I think I need an explanation."

Theodor jumped and turned around. Draco was sitting in the darkness. His legs were spread apart, and he was holding something in his hand. His gaze was very sharp, and it made Theodor tremble. Before he could open his mouth, Draco whispered a lumos into the room. He raised his wand, and a dim light came out of its tip. This sharpened his piercing gaze and eerie shadowy lines. He brought the object he was holding closer to the light of his wand. He made sure Theo made eye contact with the object. Theodor's hands were shaking. There was a suffocating atmosphere in the room.
"Would you like to explain why this came out of your chest?"

Theodor clenched his trembling hands. Then he forced himself to look at the gaze of the eerie blonde. "You'd better start with why you rummaged through my chest."

The blonde's face contorted into something that couldn't be called a smile. He let out small giggles in the dark. "I see you're still arrogant, or should I say foolish? Did Gryffindor rub off on you?"

"I think if Gryffindor were to rub off, you'd be the first patient."

Draco breathed at Theodor's words. He straightened up from where he was sitting and shook his head in disapproval.
"I thought you were smart because you hang out with Ravenclaws, I mean, the disease and all." He waved the notebook in his hand nonchalantly.

He put the arm holding the notebook on his knee and leaned forward. The pressure in the room increased. Theodor was struggling not to give in. The blonde narrowed his eyes again. They looked transparent in the dark with the effect of the lumos. They were completely empty and ready to swallow. Theodor straightened his spine again. He tried to defy Draco's intense pressure by raising his chin. "Explain."

"Why did you rummage through my chest?"

"Don't talk like I've never done it before, Nott, now give me an answer." Draco's transparent eyes locked with his coal eyes. "How dare you steal the diary from me?"

Theodor tensed at the accusation. "I didn't steal it from you, I just-"

"Cut the lies-" Draco took a deep breath. He was trying to control himself and not curse his childhood friend. Theodor could tell this from the tip of the lumos wand approaching him.

He took a deep breath. He knew his blonde friend was invincible in such attitudes. He knew how to dominate the environment and put pressure, and he never gave up, Theodor knew him well enough to know these things. He breathed slowly. Giving up, he raised his hands. He was still having a hard time understanding how a cute blonde who looked smaller than him at his age could be such a poisonous brat. Surrendered, he leaned against the wall next to him.

Draco raised an eyebrow and waited for him to speak. He still hadn't changed his oppressive sitting position. "I have no idea what it is, whether it's a notebook or a diary or whatever. When you fell asleep, I decided to put you to bed so you wouldn't complain about the pain in your waist in the morning..."

Theo prevented the gaudy green blanket thrown over Draco from slipping and placed it back on the boy's shoulders. He sighed at his friend who was sleeping on his belongings in a mess. Although Draco had become smarter in recent years, he still hadn't given up being a spoiled brat, and it seemed like he was forgetting to take care of his own health. Theo had noticed the moment of change in him in his early years, and it was a great thing. It was certain that the blonde would be the leader of Slytherin, whatever he did, Slytherins would imitate him, whatever he said, they would do it. Theo knew this because this event had nothing to do with pureblood. Theo, like the others, saw Draco as a leader. Although Draco didn't own this position, everyone had accepted him. And Theo was grateful that his friend didn't put pressure on his house. It was as if Slytherins were breathing a sigh of relief that there wasn't another oppressive person. Theo was very happy that his friend had become a better person, but something felt very wrong to him. Draco's shoulders seemed to carry a heavy burden. No matter how perfect his posture was, Theo noticed the occasional slip of his smile, his distracted gaze, his short-term hand twitches, his grasping of his left arm, and his blank stare very well. He had seen the boy since childhood. He had seen the carefree boy at balls, family gatherings, pureblood conflicts, and documented heirloom agreements, and this boy was completely destroyed after a year, as if someone else had taken his place.

Theo decided to help his tired friend by ignoring this issue. He gathered his books and put them all in order. But then he felt something pulling him. It was like a spell, like a curse. And it had aroused a violent fear in him. His lungs were racing. This fear was a black worn book pressed on the sleeping delicate Draco's face. Theo grabbed the book with heavy breaths. It was as if an energy had filled him. His hands started to tremble with the cursed magic. He threw the book as he held it. It fell right into the chest. Theo looked in fear. Even though he didn't intend to, he had to keep Draco away from that thing. If the blonde could sleep so carelessly at his head, he was more careless and his self-preservation instinct was worse than Theo thought. Without a second thought, Theo grabbed the books he had read before from the shelf and threw them into his half-full chest. He didn't even care whether the books were damaged or not at that moment. He closed the chest with a high groan. He wiped a sweat that was dripping from his forehead down his nose. His hair was sticky.

Theodor felt sticky again as he told the story. Draco had calmed down as he listened to him and was sitting in a sweet sitting position, leaning back, as if they were having their usual tea chats. Although Theodor smiled slightly at this thought, his inner ribs were trembling with fear for his friend.

In the morning, after potions class, while Harry was wandering aimlessly in the corridors, his eyes caught a strange painting on the wall. In the painting, there were strange creatures floating in the air and sparkling stars. In front of the painting, there was a strange girl with her blonde hair falling messily over her shoulders. The girl's eyes sparkled with a dreamy expression, as if looking into another world. Harry remembered seeing her with Draco before. "Hello," Harry said, approaching the girl.

The girl turned to Harry and smiled with a wide smile. "Hello. I'm Luna Lovegood."

"I'm Harry Potter," Harry said.

"I know," Luna said, as if it were very common. "I've heard a lot about you."

Harry was a little surprised by Luna's strange behavior. "Really?" he asked.

"Yes," Luna said. "They say the Nargles are following you and creating strange thoughts in your mind."

Harry didn't understand what Luna was saying. "Nargles?" he asked.

Luna nodded. "Yes, small, invisible creatures. They usually enter people's minds and create strange thoughts."

Despite Luna's strange explanations, Harry was strangely enjoying talking to her. Luna was giving strange information about the wizarding world that he had never heard of. "Do you know Draco Malfoy?" Harry asked suddenly.

Luna's eyes lit up. "Ah, Draco," she said. "I know a lot about him."

Harry looked at Luna curiously. "What do you know?" he asked.

Luna looked at Harry with a mysterious smile. "Draco's heart is as bright as the stars and as mysterious as dark secrets."

Harry didn't understand what Luna meant. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Luna shrugged. "Draco's heart is captive to a forbidden love."

Harry's heart raced. "A forbidden love?" he asked.

Luna nodded. "Yes," she said. "Draco is captive to a forbidden love, and this love is dragging him into a labyrinth of dark secrets."

Harry was impressed by Luna's words. He was deeply worried that Draco was captive to a forbidden love and lost in a labyrinth of dark secrets. "We must help Draco," Harry said with a determined voice.

Luna looked at Harry and smiled with a mysterious smile. "Maybe," she said. "But to save Draco's heart, you must first solve the secrets of your own heart."

"The secrets of my heart?" Harry asked in surprise.

Luna nodded. "Yes," she said. Harry was even more curious about Luna's words. "What do you mean?"

Luna looked at Harry and smiled with a mysterious smile. "The secrets of your heart are intertwined with Draco's secrets," she said. "And both of your hearts are in the shadow of a forbidden love."

As Harry was trying to understand Luna's words, Draco approached them. There was a strange expression on his face that worried Harry. "Harry, I need to talk to you," Draco said, his voice serious.

"Of course," Harry said, giving Luna a curious look. "What happened?"

Draco looked around and noticed that Luna was still there. "Luna, could you leave us alone?" he asked.

Luna looked at Draco and smiled mysteriously. "Of course," she said. "But remember, Harry, the secrets of your heart are intertwined with Draco's secrets."

Luna winked at Harry and left. Harry, confused by Luna's strange words, turned to Draco. "What happened, Draco?" Harry asked. "Why do you look so worried?"

Draco took a deep breath. "Theodor and I talked last night," he said. "And... and he told me why the diary came out of my chest."

Harry frowned. "The diary? Tom Riddle's diary?" he asked.

Draco nodded. "Yes," he said. "Theodor said the diary was emitting a cursed energy and he hid it in his chest to keep it away from me."

Harry was worried by Draco's words. "So, where is the diary now?" he asked.

"We put it back in Theodor's chest," Draco said. "But... but it can't stay there until we destroy this diary. I don't want to risk Theo any further."

Harry understood Draco's concern. "You're right," he said. "But how are we going to destroy the diary?"

Draco thought. "There must be something," he said.

Just then, Luna came back to them. "Have you seen Apollo?" she asked, her voice anxious.

Harry and Draco looked at Luna in surprise. "Apollo?" Harry asked. "Who's that?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "Apollo, Draco's snake," she said. "I gave him that name."

Draco gave Luna a stern look. "How did you lose Apollo?" he asked.

Luna shrugged. "Anyway," she said. "Have you seen him?"

Harry and Draco shook their heads. "No," Harry said. "Why did he disappear?"

Luna looked at Harry with an anxious expression. "I don't know," she said. "But we have to find him. Apollo is very important to Draco."

Harry was suspicious of Luna's words. "Why is he so important to Draco?" he asked.

Luna looked at Harry with a mysterious smile. "Apollo is a part of Draco's heart," she said. "And Draco's heart is captive to a forbidden love."

Harry was even more confused by Luna's words. "A forbidden love?" he asked. "Are you saying Draco is captive to a forbidden love?" he asked as if he was hearing it for the first time.

Luna nodded. "Yes," she said. "And this love is dragging him into a labyrinth of dark secrets."

As Harry was trying to understand Luna's words, Draco gave her a stern look. "Luna, stop talking nonsense," he said. "We need to find Apollo."

"I was looking for him until you came," Luna said.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Were you waiting for him to come out of a painting or something?" he asked.

Luna looked at him with a distant look and then shook her fluffy hair. "Maybe I was hoping the real Apollo would know," she said. Draco took a deep breath.

"Okay, kids, there's very little time left for the next class. Harry, you're on search duty with me, and Luna-"

Luna turned to him excitedly. "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it," she said. Luna nodded without losing her excitement and skipped away.

Harry looked at his new strange friend and gave Draco a playful look. Draco gave him a warm smile and then took Harry's arm. Harry was praying inwardly that this would become a new habit for him.

"Come on, Harry, Arthur is waiting for us. And Apollo is nowhere to be found."

Harry's heart froze when Arthur was mentioned.

When Harry and Draco arrived at the place where Arthur was waiting, Arthur was not there. Draco frowned and looked around. "Where is this kid?" he murmured.

To get Draco's attention, Harry hugged his neck and rubbed his hair against his cheek. Draco was surprised and embarrassed by Harry's sudden and excessive closeness. He tried to act calm. His cheeks were already burning.

"Harry, please," Draco said softly. "You don't have to do this. Are you okay, aren't you?"

Harry ignored Draco's words and hugged him even tighter. "I just missed you," he murmured.

Draco took a deep breath but gently took Harry's arms and moved him away a little. "Harry, I know you miss me," he said kindly. "But we'll be late for class. And you know we don't want to keep Snape waiting." Draco was very aware that he would become stupid if he got too close to Harry.

Just then, Arthur ran up to them, out of breath. "I'm sorry," he said, panting. "I was a little late."

Draco looked at Arthur with a relieved expression. "It's okay," he said. "Let's go."

The three of them started walking towards the class. Harry was still not leaving Draco's side and was ignoring Arthur. Arthur was uncomfortable with Harry's behavior and started to stand closer to Draco.

When the class started, Harry was still not leaving Draco's side. He kept asking him questions and distracting him. Professor Snape was uncomfortable with Harry's behavior but didn't treat him harshly. Draco noticed that he was a bit kinder after a year. Maybe he wasn't as close to his godfather as he used to be, but he was eager to get close to him again.

"Potter," Snape said, his voice softer than usual. "Try to pay attention in class. I know Draco will help you."

Everyone was aware of Draco's concern and affection for Harry. Draco was worried about Harry and was always kind to him. This was very clear to everyone.

At the end of the class, Harry was still struggling with feelings of jealousy. Draco and Arthur had decided to go to the library together after class. Harry didn't want to join them, but he didn't want to be alone either. So, he reluctantly joined them.

In the library, Harry was still trying to stay close to Draco and was ignoring Arthur. Arthur was uncomfortable with Harry's behavior and started to stand closer to Draco.

Draco was uncomfortable with this situation and turned to Harry. "Harry, please," he said patiently.

Harry was hurt by Draco's words but backed away. Draco and Arthur silently buried themselves in books. Harry continued to watch them, struggling with feelings of jealousy and anger. But Draco's kind behavior towards him and the knowledge that everyone was worried about him softened Harry's heart a little. And he didn't miss the fact that Draco moved away from Arthur and moved closer to Harry. Harry's eyes lit up at this move. He quickly joined them and started studying with new motivation.

"Harry, am I seeing things or is that a 3rd-grade book in your hand?" Draco asked playfully, forming his eyes.

Harry swelled with this attention. His green eyes sparkled with interest as he raised his book. "Would you like to give my glasses a chance, sir?" Harry laughed jokingly. Draco joined him. His gray eyes filled with joy as he clapped his hands.

"With or without glasses, you can never escape my sight, Harry."

Harry watched Draco with wide eyes. Draco found this so sweet that he gently tapped Harry's head three times with one hand.

Harry was very happy that his studies finally caught Draco's attention. He would definitely be Draco's new library friend. And he found himself learning more about this strange world.

"I think I know what it is, Harry," Draco whispered, leaning forward. He covered his mouth with one hand, trying to hide their conversation from Arthur.

Harry was very happy to think of their secret and the knowledge that Arthur would never learn about it. Knight 2 Rat-Squirrel 0. Harry was counting the hug as if it never happened.

"When you have a moment, the evening would be best."

Harry nodded as calmly as possible. He was looking forward to the evening.

Harry, if he ignored the morning, could be said to have had a very nice day. Until he was dragged to the Quidditch field. After a tough training, he dragged himself to his room. He was about to quickly change his clothes and throw himself on the bed when he stopped at what he noticed. He had almost crushed a snake. It was a white-scaled, strange little snake. Harry put his hands on the bed and leaned towards the snake's neck. "Hello little friend. Who are you and what are you doing on my bed?"

The snake raised its head from where it was dozing and looked at him. It stuck out its tongue and hissed slightly. "I'm Apollo. And I'm very aware that this bed is yours."

Harry looked at the snake in surprise. He wasn't really expecting an answer. Then he realized that there might be magical creatures. He shrugged and continued. And if this Apollo was the snake Luna was talking about, Harry was having the best day of his life. "Draco is worried about you, he's been looking for you all day."

The snake blinked at him a few times and watched him. "Draco can handle my absence." Then he put his head back on the bed.
Despite Harry's repeated calls, the snake didn't answer, so he poked its slippery, hard scales. The snake looked at him again with a limited hiss. "What is it, Potter?"

"You have to go back to Draco."

The snake seemed to be thinking, then shook its head in denial. "If Draco wants me, he can come and get me, I'm not going anywhere."

Harry went to Draco as he had promised, with a few bites on his hand. "Harry, I think I'm sure about the operation of this diary now, but Hagrid-" Then he stopped when he noticed his excited, wrinkled face. "What happened? Why are you looking so weird?"

"I found Apollo!"

Draco's eyes lit up with joy. "Really? You're amazing, Harry, where was he?"

Harry now scratched the back of his neck shyly. "...Actually... I mean, I didn't exactly find him. I think he found me. I suddenly found myself talking to him. It was a bit... weird conversation." Harry stammered under Draco's curious gaze. "I think... I think snakes can philosophize too?"

Draco raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Philosophy? Apollo? What nonsense are you talking about, Harry?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know, Draco. He told me about the meaning of life, the secrets of the stars and stuff. He even... even talked about you."

Draco's eyebrows furrowed even more. "About me? What did he say?"

Harry smiled mischievously at Draco. "He said the magic would be broken if I told you." "Well, do you know where I found him?" he asked. "He was in my bed."

Draco frowned. "In your bed? Why was he there?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. But... but I think he wants you to come and get him."

Draco sighed in annoyance. "You should have grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and brought him here."

"Believe me, I tried." Harry showed his bite-filled hands. "He's a bit too stubborn, like you."

Draco looked at him in surprise and then chuckled. He wrapped his hands around Harry's hands. He shook his head as he laughed. "Wasn't one bite enough, you idiot?" Harry grinned at him. "I'm not one to give up easily."

Draco now looked at the wounds with a bit of worry. "I can see that."

"So, are you ready to enter Gryffindor?"

Draco's face was filled with horror. "I'm not so sure I want to go to the lions' den." He looked at him nervously. He still hadn't let go of Harry's hand. He smiled reassuringly at Draco. "You won't be the only snake." Draco raised an eyebrow at him. "Apollo is there too." Draco now rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Harry noticed the grip on his hand tightening. He didn't dare to look down at where their hands were clasped. Draco looked at him resolutely. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go to your den."

Harry couldn't help but grin at him. They walked towards the Gryffindor side hand in hand.

When they arrived at the Gryffindor common room, the warmth and liveliness of the environment surprised Draco. The red and gold colors on the walls, combined with the fireplace that filled the room, made Draco feel a sense of familiarity he wasn't used to. However, this warmth wasn't enough to reduce the tension inside Draco, who was holding Harry's hand tightly. "Where's Apollo?" Draco asked, looking around.

Harry took him to his empty room. He pointed to his bed. "He's there," he said. "But he doesn't seem to be in a good mood."

Apollo was curled up on Harry's bed, his eyes half-closed. Draco slowly approached the snake. "Apollo," Draco said, his voice worried. "Why are you here?"

The snake slowly opened its eyes. "Draco... you came."

Draco hugged the snake and stroked its scales. Although he didn't understand the snake's hissing, he hugged it. The snake turned to Harry. "It seems like the right time now, raven. Draco seems to be cold."

Draco noticed Harry standing in surprise. He raised an eyebrow at him. Harry quickly ran to his closet and started looking for something.
The snake slowly slid down. "Apollo?" He went down from his legs to Ron's cheek. "What's wrong, buddy?" The snake came back to his hand.

Draco had come to the head of the bed. Harry's attention seemed very scattered. Draco looked suspiciously at where his snake was hissing wildly. He was sleeping on a made-up bed, a red, scruffy, disheveled-feathered rat. Draco grimaced. He would recognize this rat anywhere he saw it.

He tried to cast a quick lock spell, but before he could do that, his snake lunged forward and swallowed the rat whole with its tiny mouth.
Draco looked at him in horror. He whispered and yelled at the snake. "Apollo! What are you doing, spit it out. That's a human."

Apollo shook his head. Draco could see the bulge in his body. He raised his index finger and threatened the snake. "Don't you dare try to digest it! Did you hear me?"

"Draco?"

Draco turned around startled. Harry was looking at him, having opened a bright red blanket he was holding. Draco grinned at him and walked into the blanket. He put his head on the blanket with a shy grin. He leaned on the place right above Harry. Harry wrapped his thin arms around him with the blanket he was holding. They both chuckled. Harry took them out of the common room. He made sure the blanket stayed on Draco.

That evening, Draco threw away his cotton quilt and buried his head in Harry's coarse blanket that scratched his skin. He fell asleep next to the screams of the rat he had forcibly removed from his snake.

Draco had pretended to believe that it was really a rat and scolded his "undisciplined" snake in front of the rat. Then he made a cage for the disgusting creature and threw it inside. He swore to the rat that he would represent it to its owner as soon as possible tomorrow. Of course, Draco wasn't going to do this. Tomorrow morning, he would first write a letter and send it to his mansion, his home, his mother. If Narcissa Malfoy screamed when she opened the package she received from her son that day, that was her problem. Draco lay on his bed for a short time, feeling relieved. Then he got up cheerfully and went down to breakfast.

A few days later, he heard the news that Sirius Black was being brought to trial, which should have taken place years ago. As Draco folded the newspaper and focused on his meal, he thought of his cold-eyed mother, his uncle who grinned eerily, and his sweet, close-eyed, deadly aunt. He chuckled slightly.
There was no turning back if the Black family made a decision.