Chapter Eight
Harry looked out the window, following Draco's gaze. The snow was falling slowly, covering the ground with a soft white layer. The silence in the room was broken only by the soft sound of the wind outside. Harry sighed and looked back at Draco. He seemed so distant, so oblivious to what was happening around him.
— Why are you always looking out the window? — Harry asked, caressing Draco's chest covered by his pajama shirt with the palm of his hand.
— I like the snow. — Draco said without taking his eyes off the window. Harry looked at his face, seeing his gray eyes shine. — It's pretty.
— I also think the snow is pretty, but also... sad. — Harry said. — It's lonely.
Draco, still without taking his eyes off the window, replied softly:
— Maybe that's why I like it so much. And why it never changes. — Draco's voice was soft, almost a whisper, as he kept his eyes fixed on the world outside.
Harry frowned, confused but curious.
— Does it ever change?
Draco took a deep breath, as if the words were hard to say, but needed to be said.
— Yes. No matter what happens, how chaotic or confusing everything around me becomes… The snow always falls the same way. Always white, always cold, always… the same.
Harry remained silent, realizing the depth behind the words. He knew Draco wasn’t the type to share his feelings easily, and that made the moment even rarer.
— Sometimes, I feel like I’m stuck in a storm that never stops. — Draco finally looked away from the window, and Harry could see the glint in his gray eyes. — The weather… The people… Everything seems so confusing. I forget things, I lose track of where I am or what I’m doing. It’s like the world around me is constantly changing, leaving me behind.
He paused, his throat visibly tight, before looking back at the window.
— But the snow… It never does that . — Draco murmured, keeping his eyes fixed on the window. — It’s constant, silent, predictable. It doesn’t confuse me. It doesn’t leave me lost.
He knew his words sounded strange, perhaps even childish, but he couldn’t express it any other way. The snow was the only thing in the world that seemed unchanged, unchanging, while everything around him slipped through his fingers like sand.
Harry moved beside him, but Draco didn’t look at him. He felt his hand touch his, a hesitant gesture, almost shy, but firm.
— You’re not alone, Draco. — Harry said, his voice low and steady. — I’m here.
Draco wanted to believe. He wanted to trust that “I’m here,” but the words were lost in the noise of his mind. Still, he didn’t pull Harry’s hand away.
For a moment, he just stared at the snow, searching for something in its movement, something he could understand.
— Sometimes…, — he began, his voice shaking slightly. — it feels like the snow is all I have left. It's cold, but... it reminds me that some things can still be... clear. — he took a deep breath, feeling his chest tighten. — Only now... it seems like even that is receding.
Harry squeezed his hand lightly. Draco didn't need to look to know that the other boy was still there. It was strange how the simple weight of Harry's presence could bring something close to calm.
— It won't go away. — Harry said.
Draco looked at Harry, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in his eyes. He felt that, somehow, those words carried more weight than anything else Harry could have said.
I know, I know, it took me a long time, but hey, I'm back.
I apologize, I wasn't in a good phase and, even though the story is already ready, I still need to translate it, and that takes some time.
And I know this chapter is short, but I'll try (I'm not going to promise anything) to post another chapter tomorrow.
I appreciate all of your patience. And the comments too, I haven't answered all of them yet, but I've read them all and I'm really happy with all of your support and how much you're enjoying it.
One more thing: I recently discovered that it is not common to use — for English speech and that this can be a bit strange for English readers.
Do you guys prefer me to use quotation marks or leave it like that?
Thank you for your patience.
Anyway, DON'T FORGET TO LIKE, COMMENT AND SHARE TO HELP.
See you in the next chapter!