Fancy A Sweet?

One perk of being a legal adult in Hogwarts was that they could go to Hogsmeade on a school day. They did have to be back before seven but that was more than enough time to walk around, grab a bite and maybe buy a few things. And on this particular day, Defends Against The Darks Art ended early, so they decided to go and grab lunch at the Three Broomsticks.

So off went Hermione, Ron and Harry to Hogsmade. The air was getting a bit chillier but it was still a nice walk.

“I want to swing by the book shop real quick.”

“Quick as in quick?” Ron smirked, teasing Hermione with a soft kiss to her cheek. “Or quick as in two hours?”

“Quick as in until I find what I need.” Hermione replied with an eye roll and a blush she tried to hide.

“Let’s eat first.” Harry decided and walked straight to the Three Broomsticks, not waiting for a confirmation because he would be damned before going book shopping with Hermione without eating first. Let alone with an empty stomach while his friends acted so nauseatingly close. His friends caught up to him just by the entrance. Given that it was a weekday, it wasn’t that crowded and Harry managed to slip pass without being noticed. He hoped he had this much luck for the rest of the trip.

The place looked incredible. Madam Rosmerta got a sizable donation to fix the Inn and she did an amazing job restoring it during the summer. She kept the overall structure the same but it was all new. Somehow even cosier than before.

The food, as always, was amazing. Warm, inviting and filling. Add the sweet butterbeers and it had Harry feeling normal. This was normal. Sitting with his friends, eating a good meal and having fun.

“So what do you need from the bookshop?”

“A new tome of ‘Magic Laws and its Impact on Us.”  Hermione said after eating. “I have another version, and I have read it a couple times but this one has the changes from the war and I want to freshen up before starting my internship at the Ministry.”

“Good thinking.” Ron spoke with his mouth full, mid chew, he then took a long sip of his drink before continuing. “Maybe we could find something Aurory for us. Hopefully with pictures.” He joked, smiling at Hermione who rolled her eyes.

Godric, Harry must be so excited! His stomach turned into a major knot. Funny how happiness, thrill and excitement could manifest like that.

He took a massive bite of food just to avoid talking, nearly choking but he thought he hid it well. It only got him a mild worried look. But the mild ones didn’t last long. They got distracted with other things. Once Harry was able to swallow, he talked.

“I want to swing by Honeydukes.” Harry wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Need to restock on candy.” Ron agreed eagerly. Hermione nodded.

“After the bookshop. It wouldn’t hurt you two to pick up something to read.”

Both groaned, mostly to piss of Hermione who gave them a deadpan look. Harry smirked at Ron.

“Maybe there is a new version of Quidditch Through the Ages?”

“One with more pictures.”

“Hilarious.” Hermione shook her head, finishing her food. They ended up laughing and paying for their meal. Even though Madam Rosmerta insisted on giving it for free, it felt wrong to not pay when Harry could afford it, he tipped too. 

It felt nice to be able to.

Ron and Harry went through the whole sports section of the bookshop. Once they were done with that, they followed Hermione around for an hour before boredom was stronger than their friendship. They started groaning every time she picked up a book. Hermione ignored them for around six books until she turned around.

“How about you two make yourself useful,” She tore her list into three pieces and gave a piece to each of them. “And find these.” Without waiting for an answer, she turned around and moved to the next section.

They glanced at each other and shrugged. Each going to look for what Hermione needed. Harry wandered around the shop. It wasn't crowded yet. It soon would be, with the holidays coming up and all, then it would be unbearable to come to Hogsmeade, Harry was sure of that. But for now, Harry would enjoy it.

So much magic and all that and they haven’t had a spell to find books right away? Maybe they do and Harry just didn’t know. No, wait. But Hermione would know so they just didn’t have a spell for this. Damn, why are all the names this long? 

Trying to look for the damn books, he looked through the shelves and heard some people talking. Normally, he would just ignore it. He was quite good at that actually, at tuning out the rest. But then he heard:

“Yes, the Malfoy boy is at Hogwarts.”

“Terrible, terrible thing. I can’t believe they allow it.”

Why couldn’t people ever just leave him alone? He could never catch a damn break, could he? Why was he feeling such…anger? Was it anger? He was sick of all the talking, that’s for certain. He was just…just…Why couldn’t they just leave it be? And just mind their own damn business?

A few books were knocked off the shelf and he heard the people complain, he saw his hand hovering where the books used to be and moved away when they turned around the corner. Hoping they wouldn’t see him and think- what exactly? What was he even doing?

Ups.

He busied himself wandering around the shop, tuning everything out until he bumped into Ron and Hermione. It felt like it took forever but according to Hermione and Ron, it was only 15 minutes.

“Felt longer. Honeydukes?”

The shop still took Harry’s breath away. Rows and rows of treats that went on as far as the eye could see. And Harry was feeling a bit…off. So he took one of the large baskets and looked around the shop, grabbing anything that vaguely caught his eye.

“Wow, Harry! Going all out.” Ron picked up just his basics. Six Chocolate Frogs and a Pepper Imp. Hermione stocked up on deluxe Sugar Quills and some Toothflossing Stringmints.

“I said I was restocking.” Harry went to the register. He accepted the praise, smiled awkwardly, and refused to get everything for free. He just took his bags full of sweets and left the shop with his friends. Feeling better.

Back at Hogwarts, after dinner. He shared some with his friends while they played a round of Exploding Snap. He laughed so hard until tears came out of his eyes while they were eating ‘Elephant on a Bicycle’. Ron almost fell off his bed when Dean roared at him. His teeth keep chattering after eating two ‘Ice Mice’. It was fun. It was normal.

He had a peaceful dreamless sleep that night.

\\\

Even though he tried very hard to keep Luna away from him. Once she set her mind into something, nothing would stop her.

And she was set on being Draco’s friend.

It started the first day of Hogwarts. She walked over to him while he was hidden in a corner of the library, sat next to him and studied. It was odd. Draco tricked himself into thinking it was because the library was full, or that maybe she liked that place, or that maybe it was the only place without Nargles, Wrackspurts or whatever creature she was obsessing about at that time.

That excuse got harder to use when she sat with Draco a third time at a completely different table.

“May I help you, Lovegood?”

Draco did his best to be polite. He would have rather been harsh and mean and then tell her to get the fuck away and never talk to him again. But after everything they went through…Draco didn’t have it in him to be mean to her.

“How nice of you to ask.” Her voice felt otherworldly sometimes. It had an airy quality that gave her a soft fairy energy. “I have been having a bit of trouble with my Transfiguration essay. It seemed that no matter how much I write, the letters keep getting all scrambled. See?” She showed him her paper and indeed, the letters were all mixed up.

Draco, never one to turn down an intellectual challenge, took the parchment and looked into it. He checked Luna’s inkpot and quill. 

“Where did you get this quill?”

“It appeared on my bag, I’m not quite sure if it is my old one. But I didn’t have any other.”

Draco looked at it against the light. Of course Luna would have an enchanted quill.

“I will give you one of mine.” Draco put the odd quill aside and handed her one of his spare ones. She tried it on, her handwriting had a quirky element to it. His childhood governess would have found it terrible but Draco liked the extra swirls that she added at the end of most capital letters. “Is it better?”

“It is much better, Draco. Thank you very much.” She smiled at him. It was too much, she didn’t have to be grateful, she should hate him, she should hex him when he walked past her. Actually, Draco shouldn’t even dare to talk to her.

“Don’t thank me.”

“Why not?”

“Lovegood…”

How could he tell her that she should hate him? Despise him? 

“You apologised, Draco.”

“That means nothing.”

“I saw you back there, at the manor.” Luna dipped her new quill in the ink and watched the excess ink drip back into the pot. “You were so sad. Not even Wrackspurts wanted to be around you. That’s a lot of sadness and fear to have in a person.”

It’s difficult to leave Draco speechless. Not many were able to shut him up. But Luna had the ability to always leave him without a way to answer. 

As much as Draco tried, at the end there was no way to get rid of Luna. He couldn’t talk sense into her.

“Luna, you shouldn’t hang around with me.” He said to her another time she tried to talk to him in a busy corridor.

“You don’t want to be seen with me?”

“No, it’s the opposite. You shouldn’t be seen around me.”

“Why not?”

She was so unaware of everything around her. Well, no, that wasn’t quite right. She had a different way of seeing the world and she was very aware of everything around it, it was just that she was aware of things that others simply didn’t care to see. Which was interesting.

But also very annoying, because that proved she had the ability to understand the clues around her. She just didn’t give a fuck about the social clues that Draco care about.

He never got her to understand how damaging hanging around him could be. Draco even tried to tell her about the creatures his filthy aura would attract and that could attach to her. But that only got him a new necklace that smelled weird. She made him wear it for a week and told him that he was now free of whatever he appeared to be infested with.

So, he tried a different approach. She would not get away from him so he made a deal with her. They would hang around but away from people, so they wouldn’t see them together. He hoped that would persuade her to not hang out with him, but she happily agreed to their arrangement.

So now they were…friends?

“You really didn’t need to come with me, Luna.”

Luna insisted on meeting with him very early in the day, so they could go together to the Headmistress’s office to Draco’s weekly wand check. He would never tell Luna, because that would only encourage her, but he did appreciate her coming with him. It made him so nervous to meet up with Auror Smith. He could feel his hatred. 

At least it was always him. Draco knew what to expect. 

“I wanted to. You never know if the Auror might bring Wrackspurts. I haven’t seen any this year and it would be a pity to have an infestation so close to exams.”

“True.”

Honestly, it wasn’t that Draco believed her. But after everything that had happened, he had a more open mind to things he didn’t know. And Luna was a smart, talented witch. So he might as well follow along. He had followed people with far worse intentions. At least Luna hadn’t made him torture people or branded him. 

His arm itched a bit but he stubbornly ignored it. Refusing to acknowledge it.

The wand checked up was a simple and quick process. Nobody wanted to waste any more time than necessary. 

Headmistress McGonagall was always there, keeping an eye on the Auror and Auror Smith was still terrified of her. So he came, maintained a polite professionalism, did the usual spells to check for anything suspicious, there never was anything suspicious. Malfoy made sure to only use the Ministry-approved spells in his daily life and brought the signed list of spells used in class. He took meticulous care of writing every spell he used in each class and had the professor sign the list at the end of the class. Some professors didn’t want to but after a quick word with the Headmistress, none could object. 

After some time they had it down to an efficient routine. A quick wand check, a look through the spells on the list, Draco would sign a paper, and with a terse goodbye, the Auror left, without ever wasting a breath. 

The Headmistress would ask Draco the same questions, another step of the routine:

“How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

“How are the classes?”

“Difficult but I’m studying hard.”

“Any issues with any students?”

“Nothing worse than some whispers behind my back.”

“Remember to eat and check up with Pompfrey if you have too much trouble sleeping.”

“Yes, Headmistress.”

Then he grabbed two biscuits. When he came alone, he would only get one but when Luna tagged along, he grabbed two. Once outside, Luna would check him too.

“Any Wrackspurts in me?”

She had new glasses that allowed her to see Wrackspurts. They were bright pink and comically large. She circled around Draco, looking closely.

“No, you are clean.”

As if.

“Auror Smith must have such a bad vibe that not even Wrackspurts want to be around him.” Draco handed her the extra cookie and she moved the glasses up, wearing them as a headband.

“That’s a possibility. Then we must not fear an infestation.”

“And we can focus on school.”

“That’s nice.”

Draco always made sure that nobody saw them together. He liked Luna and she really didn’t deserve any more pain. 

But he was weak and selfish. Draco knew he could have worked harder to push her away but he felt so…alone. And Luna was so nice to be around. She didn’t ask stupid questions, or judge people without reason, she respected people’s boundaries but did not allow anyone to walk over her. And she was extremely smart, it was a treat to study with her.

So, as usual, Draco caved into his selfishness. And hung out with Luna every once in a while. They mostly hang out in an abandoned area of the library where nobody could see them.

“Have fun in detention, Draco.”

“I will do my best.” Draco picked up his bag. “Let me know if your father found any more Gulping Plimpies in his garden.”

It took a while for Draco to mention Luna’s father. But Luna had already told her father that he was hanging out Draco and Mister Lovegood didn’t write a letter to the school demanding that they would get Draco away from her daughter, or send Draco a cursed letter. Actually, it was quite the opposite. Luna showed him a letter where his father wrote that he was thrilled to hear about him and how he was doing. The way he wrote about him would make you think Draco was an old esteemed family friend that Mister Lovegood watched grow up and not the son of the owner of the house where they were held and tortured.

In his weekly letters to Luna, he would always add a paragraph directed to Draco. Asking how he was doing, how were his studying going, how Luna was behaving, asking for his opinion on the latest version of ‘The Quibbler’ and even recommending books and articles that Draco could find interesting. Sometimes Mister Lovegood would even add a whole letter just for Draco, asking him about potions. 

It was so bizarre but Draco welcomed it.

He did not risk it and let his parole officer know about the letters. They did a whole thing about checking Mister Lovegood for spells and curses, also Luna. Draco was mortified when it happened and tried again to get Luna to stop hanging out with him, to which Luna and her father replied.

“But why, Draco, would we stop talking now that we have the Ministry's approval?”

Again. Speechless.

That happened a few weeks ago, right before the Quidditch incident. It’s not like they hang out every day or anything. At least once a week they meet up in their free periods to study together, read The Quibbler or check on whatever creature Luna was looking for.

Their next meeting would be near the Great Lake, they would be looking for any Moon Frogs’s nests and clean up the edge so they could reach the shore easily. Draco wasn’t sure if Moon Frogs needed to reach the shore or if they even exist. But at least he had a weekend plan that wasn’t just studying.

Luna gave him one last smile before going to the Great Hall. Draco took the opportunity to check a few books since most students would be at Great Hall having dinner. He still had a lot of time.

\\\

Detention time rolled around. At dinner time, Harry saw Malfoy walk into the Great Hall, grab an apple and a sandwich and leave. So, just to avoid a hungry, angry Malfoy at the detention, he took a few candies with him. He remembered that Malfoy got a box full of sweets quite often in the earlier years of school. And he always took his tea with way too much sugar. So it was a safe bet to assume that he had quite a sweet tooth.

Just like the last two times, Malfoy got there first. He was leaning against the wall, reading a book. Once he heard Harry coming closer, he threw him a deadly glare because how dare he arrive three seconds late. Harry waved at him and Malfoy rolled his eyes, walking inside the Potion’s Classroom, slapping the door shut before Harry could enter.

“Someone is in a mood.”

“I’m not in a mood.” Draco put his bag and book on a table and took off his robe. “Let’s just get started.”

“Sure.” Harry tried to hide his smirk when he put his bag on the table. “But first, fancy a sweet?” He opened his bag and took out an assortment of candies. Malfoy’s face was priceless. This seemed to shock him so much he forgot to put on that awful neutral I-feel-nothing face. Amazing.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I got a bunch, take your pick.”

“So you are sharing these with me from the kindness of your heart?” Malfoy glared at him. “Do you think I’m stupid or something? Who knows what you put in those.”

“No. I’m not stupid. I know you get pissy when you are hungry and we have a lot to do. So.” Harry showed him the array of sweets at his disposal. “Pick something.”

“No.”

“Come on, it’s either this or we will end up in a fist fight and I'm not feeling like beating you up tonight. I know us. It always ends up in a fight.”

“And some candies are going to stop that?”

“Oh for Godric’s sake, Malfoy! I’m not trying to poison you!”

“I don’t believe you!”

Harry roughly tore open a chocolate wand, keeping his eyes set on Malfoy’s. His eyes hardened. He took the chocolate, leaned closer and bit it, chewed it a bit before opening his mouth, showing the half eaten chocolate.

“See?”

“You are disgusting.”

“And you are hungry.” Harry waved the rest of the chocolate wand at him. Malfoy seemed sceptical, his hand twitched a bit. Either to punch Harry or grab the chocolate wand.

“Scared, Malfoy?”

Something changed in his eyes then, a gleam. He reached over and grabbed the chocolate wand, without taking his eyes off Harry’s, he bit into it and ate it. He didn’t show him the half eaten chocolate though. Harry felt weirdly disappointed, but shook that off because what a fucking weird thought.

“Let’s get polishing.” Malfoy grabbed some Crystallised Pineapple, a few Chocolate Frogs and a few Jelly Slugs. Harry smirked, grabbing a box of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.

Worked like a charm. Malfoy ate the Jelly Slugs while they set everything up. After a few cauldrons, he opened the first Chocolate Frog, he caught it before it could jump and ate it. He made a face when he checked the card.

“Bad card?”

“I got a sucker.” Malfoy showed him the card. Harry stared at his image in the card. Then at Malfoy, who didn’t seem to be saying it…He said it like an asshole but his face seemed like he was joking.

“Could be worse.”

“Yeah?”

“Could have gotten Lockhart.”

Malfoy snorted and opened the other one. “Ugh. Did you buy the special Gryffindor pack?” He showed him the card. Godric Gryffindor standing proud. Harry couldn’t help but to laugh. Malfoy threw the cards at him and went back to polishing and Harry followed suit.

They lasted about ten cauldrons before they started trying different Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.

“Lemon.”

“Grass.” Harry spit it out, swiping his mouth with his sleeve. Malfoy picked up two red ones.

“Cherry or Tomato?”

“Maybe Chili Powder.” Harry took one. “I’m hoping for Strawberries. Ready?” Malfoy nodded, Harry counted till three and they both tried their respective jelly beans. Harry gagged, coughing a bit.

“Chi-li.”

Malfoy laughed as he finished his. “Tomato.” He transfigured the Chocolate Frog cardboard into a glass and filled it with water. Still laughing when he handed it to Harry. “Not bad actually.”

“Th-anks.” Harry drank it all, Malfoy filled it up again. Harry raised one eyebrow at him as he grabbed the cup again.

“I don’t want you ruining the cauldrons with your spit.”

“You don’t want the cauldron to be spit-shined?” Harry got a cauldron closer to his mouth, sticking his tongue while keeping his eyes on Malfoy.

“Ew!” Malfoy took the cauldron away and polished it extra hard. Harry couldn’t help but to laugh, grabbing two new ones.

“Banana.”

“Envelope glue.” Harry made a face. “Why do you always get the good ones?”

“Because I have been eating these since I was a kid.” Malfoy smirked.

“You asshole! You recognize them?”

“I know a few by colour. We used to make bets back in the day.” Malfoy shrugged just as his alarm rang. He turned it off and stood up.

“That’s cheating.”

“It’s strategy.”

Harry stood up and helped Malfoy put away the cauldrons. Malfoy casted a Tempus again.

“You are in such a hurry to get rid of me?”

“We are too close to curfew, Potter.” Draco said as he put on his robe and then picked up his bag. “Unlike you, I can't get in trouble.”

“Here, take some for the road.” Harry handed him a few Sugar Quills. Malfoy glanced at Harry's hand for a second, holding about five Sugar Quills. Harry shook them a bit and Malfoy rolled his eyes, grabbing them and tossing them inside his bag.

“If you insist.”

“See you in the next detention.”

“Sure.” Malfoy grabbed three Jelly Slugs before walking out of the classroom. Harry smirked. A full two hours of hanging out without a fight and all it took was a few candies.

\\\

Draco walked out with a small smile on his face, chewing on a Jelly Slug. He turned a corner, hoisting his bag higher up on his shoulder when someone cut him off.

“You are a hard man to find.” That was the gritting voice of Macmillan. Merlin, he was actually having a good time. “Hey, don’t tense up. I’m here in good faith.”

“It’s a bit late to be wandering the halls, Macmillan.”

The prick showed him his ‘Prefect’ pin with pride as if it meant something. “I got certain privileges.” He said the last word weirdly, as if it meant something else. It made Draco’s skin crawl. “It’s kinda late for you.”

Draco took a few steps back to get some distance from the idiot and his tacky cologne. But the ass took it as an invitation to get closer. His fists got tighter, squeezing the rest of the Jelly Slug.

“I had detention. I’m on my way to my dorm.”

“All by yourself?” 

Draco’s back hit the wall and he pressed himself against it, trying to get as much distance between them as he could. The other smirked and rested his arm against the wall. His eyes looked down and then all the way up.

“You are looking good.”

“Thanks.”

“I mean it. You are looking better. There's more colour on your cheeks…” His hand was dangerously close to his face and Draco wanted to bite it off.

“Malfoy!” No other than the Boy Saviour’s voice, followed by his footsteps down the hall, getting closer and closer. It distracted Macmillan long enough for Draco to move away from him just as Potter rounded the corner. “You forgot your-” He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes moving between Draco and Macmillan. His eyes finally set on Macmillan and narrowed.

“Harry! Long time no see.”

“Yeah.” Potter looked back at Draco, with a weird look on his face. Draco couldn’t figure it out. Did he think that Draco did something to the asshole? Because if it were up to him, he wouldn’t even touch Macmillan with a 3 metres stick. “Malfoy, you forgot something at the Potions classroom.”

“Really?” Draco moved away, not acknowledging Macmillan anymore.

“Good night, Macmillan.” Potter turned around with Draco.

Draco could swear he felt the ghost of a hand in his back but when he glanced at Potter his hand was down by his side. His other hand was holding his book.

“Here, you left it behind.” Potter handed him his book, Draco looked at it and took it. “I didn’t know you and Macmillan were-”

“Me and that asshole are nothing.”

“Why was he all over you then?” Potter’s expression changed. ”Is he bothering you?”

“Why dont you mind your fucking business for once Potter, how about that?” He pushed Potter out of the way, walking in the direction of the Dungeons without looking back he just knew. 

“Don’t follow me.”

\\\

Harry wasn’t going to follow him. He just took a step. That’s all. Anyway, it was late. He walked to the Gryffindor tower. Not far from the Potion’s classroom, he passed the Ravenclaw Prefects.

Which was odd, because he just saw the Hufflepuff Prefect in that area. Wandering around the Potion’s classroom which was clearly not his sector. So what was that idiot doing there? What did he want with Malfoy? To attack him? Was he hoping to find him alone? It couldn’t have been a coincidence. This clearly wasn’t his sector. So Harry wasn’t being unreasonable for worrying. Not at all. Not one bit. 

It’s not that he cared about Malfoy. It wasn’t that. It’s just that… People bothering Malfoy fucked up the Quidditch game. His Quidditch game. 

And who the fuck did Macmillan think he was that he could go around bothering Malfoy?

Harry had never seen them interact. Not now nor before. So he was certain they weren’t friends. Besides, Malfoy didn’t look comfortable around the idiot. So, obviously Macmillan was bothering him. And not just in passing, the asshole went out of his way to find Malfoy.

When he was with Harry. In detention with Harry. 

He took a deep breath as he climbed the stairs. Flexing his hands a bit. Godric. Was he getting upset because of Malfoy again? Because Macmillan was bothering him? Because he was all over him? Why was he all over him? Why did he think he could do that? Who gave him the right to bother Malfoy? No one. That’s who. No one gave him the right. It wasn’t-

“Looking a bit upset, boy. Everything alright?” The Fat Lady broke through his inner ramblings. When did he get here? He was at the bottom of the stairs just a moment ago…

“Just tired. Audi me Rugien.”

“Well, go to bed then!” the Fat lady opened the door. “It’s late.”

“I know, I know.” Harry sighed as he walked in, grateful that no one was in the common room. He was too on edge to interact with anyone. His skin felt like it was crawling, almost itchy…His muscles so tight. He felt…so…angry?

And for what? 

He was actually having quite a pleasant time with Malfoy until Macmillan decided he had the right to go and bother him. Ruining his night. 

Harry walked to his bed quietly, not wanting to wake anyone up. While emptying his pockets, he found Malfoy’s handkerchief. Should he return it? He ran his fingers across the extremely soft and probably very expensive fabric, then over the embroidery. It was kinda soothing and Malfoy hadn’t asked for it back so…He saved it in his drawer while he changed into his pyjamas. He first got under the covers but his skin still felt like he was overheating so he opted to just lay on top of them. Not quite sure why but too tired to think about it, he reached over for the handkerchief and kept running his thumb across the silky fabric and the embroidery, following the design.

Eventually he fell asleep.

\\\

The whole Macmillan thing was still bothering him the next day. Ugh. Because of course it was. Why did people insist on ruining his day? Why was Malfoy always in the middle of it all? Why was Macmillan bothering him? Who else was bothering Malfoy? And consequently running Harry’s day? Somehow it was always like that. And man wasn’t that unfair? It was so unfair. Who gave the people the right to just-

“Malfoy got you in a sour mood?”

Harry jumped at the sudden voice, he lifted his head and looked at Seamus.

“I’m not in a sour mood. And if I was, it wouldn’t be because of Malfoy.”

Macmillan was the problem this time. But he didn’t owe Seamus an explanation. He didn’t owe anyone a fucking explanation.

“The day after your detention you are always in a sour mood.”

“I’m just tired.” Harry sighed. “I didn’t sleep well and I don’t want to do my homework.”

That sounded so…normal. How nice. Not wanting to do homework, that feels so good. It’s so trivial, so unimportant in the grand scheme of things. 

“Well, let’s ditch this and do something else then!” Seamus said with a smile, closing his book. “Who else is in?”

“Not us.” Ron, the traitor, dropped three thick books on the table and sat next to Harry with the biggest grin on his face. “We have to study for the tests that are only three weeks away.” He wrapped an arm around Harry. “Right, Harry?”

“Really?”

“Hermione’s orders.”

Harry groaned and Ron patted his back. “I know. But she said we get to do it here instead of the library. So, we got that going for us.”

“Yeah, right.” Harry dragged his school bag closer. “So what do we have to do?”

“Oh, Hermione, the love of our life, left us,” Ron pulled out a scroll and tapped it on the table. “A handy list.”

“Hurray.”

“Yes.” Ron unfolded the scroll, which comically did a few humps across the table with how long it was. “Let’s get started.”

“What did she promise you that got you so chirpy?”

“You don’t wanna know, mate.”

That’s how he spent most of his Saturday, half-studying and half-napping in the Great Hall. He wrote one half-decent essay, started two shitty ones and read about a quarter of a required reading for Potions. And he was done. He loved Hermione, he really did. But enough was enough.

“Okay. Words have no meaning anymore.” Harry pushed the book away. “And your scroll has more scratches than words. I say we call this study session over.” Ron looked at him. “I will tell Hermione you put up a fight.”

“Works for me.” Ron spelled his hands clean, vanishing all ink traces and began to put his things away. “I’m knackered, dude.” Harry agreed as he helped him pack up their things. “Let’s drop these at the library and pick up Hermione.”

Each of them took a few of the thick books and went to the library. Once they got there, Ron gave Harry a sheepish smile and Harry rolled his eyes before nodding. Ron gave him the other books and went to look for Hermione while Harry went to check the books.

“Hi, Madam Pince.”

“Finally.” Madam Pince motioned Harry to leave the books on the table. “I have a few student’s looking for these. Don’t go yet, Mister Potter. I still have to…” She left the sentence unfinished as she spelled a few notes to go to the respective students who were waiting for the books. She stood up to check something while some student walked over to the table.

“Fucking finally.” Harry heard someone whisper and when he turned around he almost crashed into Malfoy.

“Hey.”

Malfoy looked a bit surprised to be addressed directly. He glanced around before narrowing his eyes.

“Hi. Would you…” He gestured towards the table that Harry was blocking.

“Oh shit, yeah.” Harry moved aside, Malfoy went to pick up one of the books. But another student bumped hard into him, pushing him out of the way, grabbing the book Malfoy was going to grab. They were snickering at each other as they walked away.

When Harry turned back to look at Malfoy, he had already walked away to his table, going through the books he already had as if he was looking for an answer. Then he looked back at the guys who took the book, they were still snickering at their table with the book there being unused. Malfoy was a few tables over, he was looking over at his notes with a touch of desperation. Well, it looked like desperation to someone who knew how to look at Malfoy. To everyone else, Malfoy looked like a regular student doing his homework. But Harry knew him better. The book was the one they needed for Charms. Hermione got her hands on it and saved the parts that worked for the half-decent essay Harry and Ron wrote. The whole class must be trading it for the answer. Would Malfoy accept his notes?

He would probably spit at them. Nah, spitting no, too commoner for Malfoy. He would probably look at them with an insane amount of disgust and then throw some mean yet witty comment that would either make Harry laugh or punch him.

“Why are you still hoarding my desk?” Madam Pince came back, looking as busy as ever. “Off you go.” 

“Sorry.” Harry made a face when she shushed him. He turned around to find Hermione and Ron, noticing that Malfoy had left his desk to probably find another book that would not help him. 

Those assholes still had the book and they didn’t even need it. Harry didn’t know them. If he did, he didn’t remember them. So why were they bothering Malfoy? Withholding a book was so ridiculously childish and cruel. So stupidly cruel. Were they in his class? Harry couldn’t remember their faces but he hadn’t been good at remembering faces lately. But that didn’t matter. He walked over to the table. 

“Hey. You done with this?”

The two students looked shocked that Harry was talking to them. Ugh, great. It was gonna be one of those interactions.

“All you- yours, Harry.” One of them said in awe. They rushed to give it to him and Harry gave them an awkward smile. “Thank you, Harry. For everything.”

“Yeah…sure.”

He pulled the book closer to himself, nodding at them awkwardly before walking away from their table and their adoring eyes. It was easier to act grateful for the praise in front of the press or a crowd. But it was getting harder and harder to keep up the act when it was just him alone. Especially at Hogwarts, which was supposed to be his safe space, his home. This was the last year this would be home. And…

“Harry, finally.” Hermione said. “We thought you got lost.”

Oh damn. When did he get here? Oh well.

“Very funny.”

“Let’s get going. I’m starving.” Ron wrapped an arm around Hermione’s shoulders and they turned around. Just as they were leaving, Harry gave Malfoy’s table one last glance just in time to catch him finding the book Harry had left for him.