Harry wasn't sure what prompted him to go into the 3rd floor bathroom but he'd passed the door, then quickly doubled back. Frowning slightly he pushed open the door.
Standing over one of the sinks was Draco Malfoy, who immediately looked up, eyes bloodshot. Harry had an intense feeling of deja vu, having been in almost the same situation only two years previous. There was silence for several moments before Draco finally spoke.
“If you're going to hex me again then go ahead and get on with it.” His voice was hoarse from crying and Harry just shook his head.
“I'm not. I'm sorry I ever did.” Draco waved his hand dismissively.
“The past is the past.” Harry wasn't listening. When he moved his hand the sleeve had shifted ever so slightly and he had caught a glimpse of red. In a few quick strides he had grabbed his wrist. “What the hell Potter?” Draco flinched and tried to pull away but he pushed his sleeve up to his elbow.
The dark mark on his arm was covered in cut after cut, leaving the skin shredded and the tattoo almost beyond recognition. Draco became very still, watching him closely for his reaction. Harry pursed his lips, studying the damage for a moment before pulling out his wand, waving it over his arm to heal the wounds. When he glanced up he saw that Draco was crying again.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Draco just shook his head, using his free hand to wipe away his tears. He hesitated momentarily before asking very gently. “Do you want a hug?” Draco glanced up, uncertain, but nodded slightly. He released his wrist and wrapped him in a tight hug, letting Draco dissolve into a fresh round of tears against his chest.
- - -
“Mate, listen, I would literally rather fight Voldemort all over again then you go back to being obsessed with Malfoy.” Hermione smacked Ron in the head with a folded newspaper, making him spill his drink. “Hey! I’m just saying.” Harry just shot him a halfhearted glare and returned to watching Draco push food around his plate, listening politely to whatever story Pansy was telling him.
They had parted without a word after the hug and Draco had avoided Harry since. The only times he saw him were in classes and at meals but Harry had been watching him intently. Pansy glanced over, then elbowed Draco, nodding towards Harry. She said something that made a faint blush spread across his cheeks before glancing over at him and raising his eyebrows slightly.
“Harry, honestly just go talk to him.” He glared at her too, then looked over at Draco and gestured to his food. Rolling his eyes Draco took a bite, then gave him a “happy?” look. Harry nodded and turned to his friends.
“First of all, I’m not obsessed with him. I never was.” From Ron’s other side Dean laughed so hard he banged his head on the table. “I wasn’t!” Seamus just shook his head.
“Sure Harry.” He glared at them but continued.
“And while I would love to talk, he’s been avoiding me like the plague.” Hermione pursed her lips but they let the topic drop.
- - -
“Malfoy!” Several student’s heads turned but Harry didn’t care. As Draco slipped down a small hallway Harry strode after him, taking advantage of the fact that most students scurried out of his way rather quickly. After turning the corner he saw one of the doors swing shut, an abandoned classroom. Quietly making his way down the hall he opened the door and stepped in. Draco was standing there, looking positively mortified.
“You didn’t need to run from me and hide.” A small flush of pink spread over his pale cheeks.
“I did no such thing!” Harry gave him a look. “Why did you want to talk to me anyways?” He ran a hand through his already unruly hair.
“Because I’m worried about you!” Draco scowled, hands forming fists beside him.
“Then stop being worried! It’s stupid, forget about it.” He went to walk around Harry but he stopped him, bracing a foot against the door to hold it shut.
“No, we're talking whether you like it or not.” Draco glared and tried to shove him away from the door but Harry grabbed both of his arms, holding him in place. He yelped in pain and Harry immediately released his grip. “Fuck I'm sorry, can I-”
“No, you bloody can't! Stop trying to… stop trying to be a hero all the time just leave me alone!” Harry hesitated.
“Listen, I'm not trying to be a hero. I care about you more than I care to admit. You've been one of the only constant things in my life since I was eleven, even if it was only a constant pain in the arse. And I'm terrified that I'm losing you so please just let me help.” Draco stared for several moments before pulling his sleeve up. “Thank you.” Harry grabbed his wrist and healed the wounds with a quick flick of his wand.
“I uh…” Draco paused. “I care about you too, I think.” Harry bit back a grin.
“You think?”
“Shut up, I'm not good with feelings.” Harry obediently remained silent and Draco continued. “You know I really did want to be friends. I think when you turned me down it uh… upset me.”
“I'll say.” He glared. “Right, sorry.”
“So I'm sorry for my behavior.”
“Apology accepted. Though I don't believe you need to apologize, nor that's what this is about.” Draco hesitated.
“Do we have to?” Harry nodded.
“We definitely do. Because this is probably also why you aren't eating.” He sighed.
“It's… I hate it. It reminds me every day how terrible of a person I am. And everyone hates me, the only person who will talk to me is Pansy.” After a pause he added. “And you I suppose.”
“You were a child and you didn't want to do it. You're not a terrible person and you definitely don't deserve this.” He gestured to Draco's arm. “You are a wonderful and intelligent person.” He sniffled softly and Harry wrapped him in a hug. “Yes, there are some people that aren't going to like you, but the majority of them, like me, don't blame you at all.” Draco melted into his embrace.
“Promise?” He laughed bitterly. “I sound like a child.” Harry chuckled.
“I promise.”