Fighting a Dragon
Harry spent most of his time in the library, reading, preparing and researching any type of information that could help him in the tournament. He mainly did it because of Hermione, she said it was better to read and be prepared for what comes next, but… what exactly comes next?
Harry knew nothing about the tournament, and he definitely knew less about the first task. How was he supposed to prepare if he didn’t know what was he fighting against? Ridiculous, if you ask him.
He felt delicate arms hugging him from behind, the person was so close he could smell the soap they used. Draco.
“Hey you.” Draco said and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
Guilt.
That’s the first thing that came to Harry’s head. Guilt. He was still shocked about what he had said to William. Why had he done it? He didn’t know. He had no idea. All he could think of was how wrong he was. How messed up it was. He betrayed Draco, and it was unfair. Draco had done nothing but take care of him, protect him. And what had he done? Talk behind his back, reveal his deepest secrets.
Harry would understand if Draco never wanted to talk to him again once he founds out. Damn it. He would probably never forgive someone if they did that to him. It was just unforgivable.
“Hi.” He said awkwardly.
“Is something wrong?” Draco asked.
He shook his head and stood up to look at him. “Just tired.” He hugged Draco again. Properly, this time.
Harry thought Draco’s hugs were the best in the world. Hermione’s are great, Ron’s as well, even Dumbledore gives good hugs, but Draco? Harry lived for them. They made his heart beat faster and he felt butterflies in his stomach all the time. It was wonderful, more exciting than magic! And if Draco’s hugs were great can you imagine his kisses? That was by far the best thing Harry had felt. Ever.
They were soooo good. Harry loved—
Harry came back to reality when he felt Draco’s ribs. Those weren’t there last year. Or… no, they weren’t. Those were new. I mean, Harry noticed Draco was thin, he had always been a thin tall boy, but since last year he seemed extremely thin. And now he could feel Draco’s ribs, which weren’t there last year… that was something to worry about.
“Umm… Draco?” He said.
“Yes?”
“What are you doing here?”
Draco pulled back, smirking. “Oh, I just wanted to see my beautiful boy. Or am I not allowed to do so? Since you are the great Triwizard champion, who has a very busy schedule?” He teased.
“Oh, piss off.” He said. “I was just wondering. Of course you can visit me. Whenever you want to, actually.”
Draco grinned. “Okay! Sorry. Just kidding.”
“What do you want to do? I’ve been reading since the morning and I think I deserve a little break.” He smiled.
“Hmm… I dunno. What are you up to?” Draco asked.
“Fancy a meal?” Harry proposed.
“Not really.”
Harry knew Draco skipped lunch. He must be hungry by now. “Oh c’mon! I’m starving! Pleaseeee…”
Draco made an awkward face and then sighed. “Alright. Just for you…”
Harry’s face lightened up. “Thank you!! Come on, let’s go!” He held Draco’s hand and guided him to the kitchens.
When they arrived Harry ate all his meal. It was so good he felt like licking the plate, but — obviously — he wasn’t going to do that. Not in front of Draco.
Draco was a slow eater. Harry had finished everything when Draco had just started with his chicken. He ate all the vegetables first, after that he ate half of the chicken and his smashed potatoes were untouched. “I’m full.” He said.
Harry wished he would’ve eaten more, but it was a progress. Step by step.
“Thanks for eating with me.” Harry said.
‘Thanks for trying’, he kept to himself.
*
“Dragons.” Harry said to Draco. “That’s the first task.”
Draco’s eyes widened. “What?!”
Harry gave an awkward shrug.
“What do you mean dragons! That’s —that’s barbaric! Completely dangerous!”
“That’s the point…”
“But- but— ugh!” Draco started biting his nails.
Harry placed his hand on Draco’s. “Stop it.”
“Sorry. I tend to do it when I’m nervous.” He placed his hand on his thigh. “But seriously… what are you going to do?”
“Hermione said I was allowed a wand, she offered to teach me some spells that I could use against the dragon.”
“That’s… brilliant.”
Harry smiled. “Yeah… she’s very helpful.” He casted a Tempus to see what time it was. “Oh.” His cheeks flushed.
“What happened?”
“It’s just… er- talking about Hermione… she said she wanted to practice as soon as possible and I might have forgotten that she said today… at this exact time.”
Draco snorted.
“Is it okay if I go? I don’t want to make her wait…” he said embarrassed.
“I see…” Draco said dramatically as he put his hand on his chest. “You’ve chosen Hermione over me, but it is fine… I won’t forbid you to see her, go where your heart belongs…” he finished with a fake sob.
Harry bumped his shoulder and laughed. “You’re an enormous prat, did you know?”
Draco laughed in response. None of them moved for a while.
Harry tensed a bit. “But I really have to go… is it alright if I…?” He said hesitantly.
Draco chuckled. “Of course, Harry. Go! Don’t make her wait.”
“You sure?”
“Yes! I was only teasing you. Now go!”
“Okay! Thanks.” He kissed him in the cheek quickly. “See you later!”
Draco left the place they were sitting and walked to his room. He was quite tired, and a nap seemed like the perfect way to spend his afternoon, since Harry wasn’t there and he was going to be completely alone.
But when he was waking through the corridors a group of Gryffindors stood in front of him, blocking his path.
This was not good. “Do you mind?” He gestured the corridor.
The Gryffindors didn’t move. He rolled his eyes and tried to walk away, but William grabbed his arm harshly.
“Ow! What is it?” He asked furiously as he tried to remove his arm from the boy’s grip.
The boy didn’t stop at all. He just tightened his grip, it was hurting a bit.
“Lovely to see you, Malfoy.” William said, clearly disgusted by him. “What are you doing here?”
He glared at him. “Just walking.”
“All alone?”
“No,” he said sarcastically. “Don’t you see my group of friends behind me? There’s Pansy, Blaise… of course I’m alone, you idiot.”
William tightened his grip. Okay, now that was hurting a lot. This time Draco pushed him away violently, his arm was finally free.
“If you don’t mind, I have somewhere else to be.” He tried to walk away, but as always, the Gryffindors stepped on his way.
“What do you want?” He asked annoyed. “You clearly want something, so just go on with it and stop wasting my bloody time!”
“As if you had something better to do, Malfoy. I bet none of your friends is waiting for you, because you don’t even have friends!” William said.
“That’s not true!”
Harry was his friend. Well, more than that, but still.
“It is!”
Draco scoffed. “Who do you think you are?”
“Someone better than you, who has friends!”
“But how could you have friends? If you’re nothing but a selfish git, an oblivious person and terrible pain in the arse! Nobody would want to be friends with someone like that— OW!”
William punched him right in the face. He closed his eyes, why was it hurting so much? He felt blood dripping from his nose. That’s why, definitely a broken nose.
He heard laughs coming from the other Gryffindors, clearly enjoying the moment. He opened his eyes to look at William, who had a smirk and a proud look on his face. Idiot. All of them were idiots!
Exhausted of fighting he tried to walk away one more time. Luckily, they didn’t stop him.
He went to Madam Pomfrey to get his nose fixed and get some potion for the pain because it was hurting like hell. He stayed there for a while, like an hour or so. By then Harry must’ve finished with Hermione.
He went to his room and there he was Harry. Eating chocolates in the bed. “Hey you! I— what happened to you?!” Harry stood up and walked towards him.
He smiled awkwardly. “Hey…”
Harry touched Draco’s bruised cheek with his thumb and Draco flinched. He felt his blood boiling. “Who. Did. This?”
Draco sighed. “William. We had a little argument after you left, and… well, things didn’t end up great for me.”
“A little argument? Look at you… you’re all bruised.” Harry shook his head and walked past Draco.
Draco frowned. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to murder him.”
“What?!”
“You heard me.” Harry reached for the door, but Draco grabbed his wrist.
“No, you are not.” He said firmly.
“I am. This is enough. He thinks he can hurt you and nothing will happen?” Harry scoffed. “Hell no.”
Draco sighed. “Harry this is nonsense.”
“But—”
“There’s no but. What are you even going to go? Punch him?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“It’s worthless, Harry. And stupid. If you punch him then they’ll want revenge, and what is that? More punches. It’ll end bad for you and me. I won’t stop you, but… please think about it. Do you really want to hurt him?”
“More than anything.”
“But is it really worth it?”
Yes, he wanted to say. Harry sighed and hugged Draco. “I guess not.”
Draco closed his eyes and stroked Harry’s hair, running his fingers through the dark curls. “Thank you. That’s a very wise decision.”
“I can’t believe him. He had no right to do that, he’s an insufferable human being!” Harry said.
Draco chuckled. “Definitely.”
“I swear that if this happens one more time then I’ll really punch him.”
“Okay.” Draco sighed. “If you want to.”
Harry looked at the chocolates in the bed. “Hey… do you want some chocolates?”
“Er—”
Harry walked towards the bed. “They’re really good! You have to try them.”
Draco looked curiously. “Do you have white chocolate in there?”
“Is it your favourite?” Harry asked. Draco nodded.
Harry grabbed the white one and handed it to Draco. “There you go. I haven’t tried those ones yet, I was eating the others.” He said with a sheepish grin.
Draco took a bite and… wow. Those chocolates were the best ones in the Wizarding world, and probably muggle world too. They were delicious.
Draco threw his head back, groaning a little as he chewed. “These are so good!”
Harry stared with his mouth dry, his cheeks turning into an ugly shade of pink. He stopped staring to look at the chocolate in his hand. “Told you.” He managed to say at last.
“But like… really really good. Delicious!”
Harry smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Draco smiled widely and flushed a little. “Can I… have one more?” He asked shyly. “Please.” He added.
Harry laughed. “Of course! They’re yours now, I don’t even like white chocolate that much. Take as many as you want.” He said fondly.
“Thanks… but one more is enough.” He said. “And what do you mean you don’t like white chocolate?” He asked.
“Umm… I never said I didn’t like it, it’s just— there are better options.”
Draco’s mouth flung open in surprise. “No way. White chocolate is the best!”
Harry gave a little shrug.
“Try them.”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
Draco glared at him.
Harry giggled. “Really, I don’t want to try them.”
Draco kept glaring.
Harry rolled his eyes and grabbed one from the little chocolate box. He took a bite and his pupils went wide, his eyebrows raised in shock. “This is love at first bite.”
Draco laughed. “Told you.”
*
The first task day arrived. Harry had never been so nervous in his life. He was already sweating and he felt like he could throw up any second now.
“Pss!” Someone hissed.
Harry frowned and walked towards the direction the sound came from.
“Harry? Is that you?” Draco asked.
“Draco?”
“Yes, it’s me! And Hermione.”
“Oh Harry…” Hermione whispered. “The key is to concentrate. After that you just have to…”
“Fight a dragon.” Harry sighed. He wasn’t ready.
Hermione whimpered and hugged him tightly. Harry returned the hug.
“Stealing my boy Hermione?” Draco said. Just before Rita Skeeter came and took a picture of Hermione hugging Harry. They pulled away immediately.
“Oh… young love!” Rita said. “How extraordinary! You two might even make it to the front page.” She winked at the boys.
Hermione turned red and glared at her. Draco was glaring furiously. Part of Harry wished it was jealousy, he didn’t know why, but seeing Draco jealous made him feel nice. It was… flattering.
Viktor Krum was the one who spoke first. “This tent is for champions and friends…” glaring at the woman.
She raised an eyebrow and cleared her throat. “Very well…” and she left.
Viktor looked at Hermione and returned to whatever he was doing. Hermione flushed into a deep shade of pink.
“Looks like you’ve got an admirer, Hermione.” Draco chuckled.
Hermione turned red. “Oh shut up!” She laughed.
Harry grinned at her, then he turned to look at Draco.
“Draco…” He said, trying to sound as calm as possible.
Draco stepped forward and hugged him quickly. “I know. Just… be careful. You got this, you’re Harry Potter, there’s nothing you can’t do.” He stepped back and smiled.
“What if—”
“Nope. Nothing bad’s going to happen. You’ll win.” He smiled and tucked Harry’s hair behind his ear.
Harry closed his eyes for a second, relaxing at the touch. Then, he sighed and looked at Hermione.
“Thank you, ‘Mione. I hope I’ll remember the spells you taught me.” He said.
Hermione chuckled.
Then, Dumbledore and Mr. Crouch entered. “Champions! All of you gather around.”
Dumbledore started saying something, looking a bit concerned, he looked at Hermione and Draco and frowned. “Miss Granger— Draco… what are you doing here?” He asked.
Hermione and Draco shared embarrassed looks. “Umm— sorry, sir. We’ll just… go.” Hermione said and left.
Draco walked past Harry and squeezed his shoulder before he left. “Good luck!” He whispered. “Not that you need it anyway.”
Harry nodded and watched him leave.
*
Hermione and Draco sat together. Some Gryffindors were looking at them weirdly and whispering things, Draco told Hermione it would be better if he just left, but Hermione insisted and said he shouldn’t pay attention to them.
It was when Ron arrived when things got tense. “Hermione?!” He said in disbelief as he stood in front of them. “What are you doing with him?!”
She looked at him and replied calmly. “Watching the tournament, and if you don’t mind your blocking our view.”
Ron looked at Draco with disgust. “What have you done to her, you evil snake?!”
“What are you talking about, Ronald?”
“He must’ve poisoned you—”
Hermione scoffed. “He did not do such thing!”
“Then why are you sitting with him of all people!?”
“Because we both care for Harry! We want to support him.”
“Malfoy caring for Harry?” He scoffed. “That’s the most mental thing you have ever said. Are you even listening to yourself? You’re ridiculous!”
Draco saw Hermione and how she tried to act angry, but he could notice that what Ron said had hurt her.
“Don’t call her that.” Draco said dryly.
“You of all people shouldn’t be telling me what to call her.” He said furiously. “Weren’t you the one who called her a Mudblo—”
“Enough, Ronald!” Hermione yelled as she stood up. “If you don’t stop this — whatever it is — then we’ll just leave.”
Draco stared in awe Hermione. She was defending him.
Ron looked at her up and down, as if she betrayed him. “Fine. Enjoy your company with that evil snake.” He said coldly before he scoffed and left.
Hermione froze for a second, looking at him as he left. Then, she sat again.
“Are you okay?” He asked shyly.
A tear left from Hermione’s eye, she wiped it off and sniffed. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.” She said. “He’s been more of an idiot than he usually is these days.”
Hesitating, Draco squeezed her shoulder. Hermione smiled in return and Draco felt relieved she hadn’t been disgusted by his touch. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine… just Ron being a—”
“Not about that. About what Ron said… I really am sorry… I don think of you like that anymore.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “Don’t worry. I have forgiven you, it’s in the past now, but I really appreciate you recognised your mistakes. It’s not good judging people just for their blood status.”
He looked at his shoes and sighed. “I know that now… it was completely wrong. My father had poisoned my head with all of that rubbish— and I know it’s no excuse— but it was the only thing I knew… then I realised what I had been doing was wrong and I felt like shit. I was worried you would’ve never forgiven me… and I hoped we could just start again, but it seemed impossible to me”
She smiled. “It was a bit hard at first, I have to admit I thought about it the night Harry told me about you. I never said anything to him because he was terrified.” She chuckled. “You should’ve seen him… he was so scared I was going to stop being his friend just for having a crush on you…”
Draco felt himself flush a bit at that part.
“but that was nonsense! Even if you weren’t my favourite person in Hogwarts Harry has the right to date whoever he wants, I couldn’t say something… so I just told him I supported him. After that I was awake all night, thinking about you and this whole situation; in the end, I got to the conclusion that if Harry saw something in you it must’ve been because you were a nice person on the inside. My friend isn’t crazy, so if he trusted you… then so did I. Then you stopped bullying others and all that… but it was when you apologised to me that I knew you had really changed, so of course I forgave you. We all deserve second chances, and if these Gryffindors can’t see that… well, then they are the ones who are ridiculous.” Hermione said.
Draco felt like he was going to cry any second now, Hermione was being so nice to him after all he did. She was one in a million. Most of the people don’t forgive really easily, but even though, Hermione forgave him. Him, who had being rude since the moment they met, him who had called her a Mudblood, him of all people. That was just another proof of how kind and big her heart was.
“Thank you, Hermione. I needed to hear that.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome.” Then, she stretched out her hand.
He frowned. “What?”
“You said you hoped we could just start again, so this is us starting again.” She giggled. “Hello, my name is Hermione Granger.”
Draco grinned and shook her hand. “Hello, Hermione. Nice to meet you, I’m Draco Malfoy.”
“It’s a pleasure! Do you think we could be friends?” She asked.
“Absolutely.” He replied without hesitation.
They both turned their head when they heard the dragon. The first champion was already fighting against it, now they just had to wait until Harry’s turn.
Finally, Harry went out there. Draco saw he just stood there, like frozen in time. His eyebrows knitted in concern. “What is he doing, Hermione?! It’s going to kill him if he doesn’t move!”
Hermione shared the same look of concern.
The dragon blew fire and Harry hid behind a big rock. Draco’s stomach sank to his feet, he swore that the concern was going to kill him.
“Draco relax! You’re as pale as a ghost. Harry’s going to be fine.”
Then, they heard Harry said ‘Accio firebolt.’
What a clever git, Draco thought. Of course he was going to use his broom, he was a great flyer.
Harry jumped on his broom and everyone cheered. “Yes! Yes, Harry!” Hermione said.
“Well done!” Draco shouted. A smile grew on his face.
Harry was going to be alright.
Then, the dragon’s chains broke and he started chasing Harry in the air. They both flew away until they were out of sight. Draco’s concern returned.
“I can’t see! What if he’s already dead?!” Draco said.
“Calm down! Harry’s really good in his broom, I know he’ll make it. He has to.” Hermione said, trying to believe in her own words.
Draco’s stomach twisted, he was going to throw up really soon. Concern was killing him. The most stressing experience of his life, from the pitch they could only hear some noise coming from the castle, but they couldn’t see anything.
Harry could’ve fallen from his broom, maybe the dragon ate him or the fire burnt him or—
“YES! YES, HARRY!” Hermione shouted.
Draco looked up and saw Harry returning. He stood up and cheered. “YES, HARRY! YOU MADE IT!”
He could finally breathe again, the colour returning to his skin. Hermione was right, he did seem as pale as a ghost.
When Harry was in the tent he looked at Hermione, asking her if they could go, she nodded and they ran to the tent.
When they entered and Draco spotted Harry he threw himself all over him. Not caring if other people saw or heard, he needed to touch Harry, to see if it really was him, if he was breathing and it wasn’t an illusion.
Harry hissed in pain and Draco stepped back immediately. “Oh, I’m so sorry! Sorry! How could’ve been so stupid? Please forgive me!” He said anxiously.
Harry chuckled. “It’s alright. My body hurts a bit, so just hug me carefully … and not so tight.” Harry said.
But Draco just kept staring at him in horror, like if he could break Harry in a million pieces if he touched him.
“C’mon! It’s really fine.” Harry said. “If you don’t hug me then I’ll go.”
“You sure?” He asked concerned.
“Yes.” Harry rolled his eyes. “Now come here!”
Draco stepped closer and pulled Harry into a caring embrace. His arms were barely putting pressure in Harry, he held him as if he was the most fragile and vulnerable thing in the world.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. I was worried for you, the whole time…” Draco whispered.
“I’m glad too. I’m still alive so I can still hug you!” He said fondly.
Draco stepped back and looked at Hermione. “You should ask Hermione… she said I was as pale as a ghost.” He chuckled.
She laughed and stepped closer. “True. Draco was paler than usual, he looked like he was about to faint or throw up!” She hugged Harry quickly. “Thank god you’re alive.” She pulled his hair. “Don’t you dare scare us like that again.”
Harry rubbed his now bald spot on his head. “That hurt.”
Draco laughed. “I like her. That was a good one, Hermione.”
She smiled, proudly of herself.
Harry groaned loudly. “Why do you two hate me?”
Hermione and Draco shared looks and laughed.
And eventually, Harry joined them too. Laughing hurt a bit, since he was all bruised, but it was worth it.