Harry
Harry did not know when it started happening, just that it was happening quickly, the problem at hand was that he found himself struggling to speak. It started with shortening his phrases, nodding his head, agreeing noncommittally, but it became so comfortable to be in the silence. A change so subtle some might not even notice it was there. Voldemort was gone, everyone was different, if Harry was too, it was nothing that seemed abnormal except for the fact that he was not getting better, he seemed to be getting worse. Going into the school year after everything had happened and pretending life was normal was hard. Maybe it was residual stress, but Harry was so nervous to talk to others, even his friends.
It was around October, and Harry's words were very sparse. His friends were concerned, asking him extra questions checking up on him, but he always played it off with an “I’m okay”. Most times they decided to just give him space to get over it on his own.
Then one day he woke up and found himself unable to speak at all. The words were on the tip of his tongue but he could not say them. He was frustrated but also very comforted by the fact that he did not speak. He went the whole day and no one had mentioned anything to him, assuming he was just having an off day. He could get by simply spectating the conversations around him in class and in the common room. No one had even talked to him directly. Harry wanted to be worried but he was relieved. He wanted to be quiet. After everything that happened in his life to put him front and center of attention, he just wanted to blend in and be quiet.
That day stretched on to two, then three, Harry had no idea how he got away with it. The conversations seemed to pass him by, and it was played off as an “Harry is just not talkative these days” from Ron with Hermione in agreement. They would whisper amongst the two of them and Harry was just their third wheel at this point anyway.
It had been a week when Harry realized he had not talked at all. Normally he would have a few words or answer a question in class, and this problem arose when the teacher called on him. Harry felt his heart drop, he knew the answer but he could not say it. Everyone was looking at him, the boy who lived, and he opened his mouth just to close it again. He attempts to speak or find some sort of diversion when Draco from across the room interrupts, “Professor,” he inquires politely, “I believe that you would simply follow clause 17, if the wizard or witch violates the law under the premise that they have been magically restricted in a way that affects their wellbeing retaliation is considered acceptable.” The Professor turns his attention away from Harry over to Draco, “Yes, Malfoy, that is correct, although I did want Potter to answer this question it was a thoughtful reply.” Draco nods his head in thanks and Harry feels his heart pounding. Why did Draco interrupt him? Draco would normally smirk at Harry waiting for him to reply as if he had known a better answer, but that normal malice was not there, only disinterest.
The class ended and all the students began packing their bags. Harry was quick to pack so that he could leave as soon as possible. He slips out of the class as soon as it is dismissed thinking that no one would bother him until he hears Malfoy call his name. He continues walking trying to ignore him as if he did not hear but then Malfoy catches up, “Potter,” his voice stern as he grabs Harry's wrist.
“Why aren't you talking?”
Then Harry's eyes soften for a brief moment before retaining their regular assertion. His breath hitches, he feels caught, why is Draco Malfoy, of all people, asking him that? Harry pulls his wrist away from Malfoy in annoyance and continues to walk away as if he was ignoring Malfoy. He knows he would usually reply, but he hopes that this will be enough to divert Draco from the fact that he is in fact unable to talk.
“Potter, you can not walk away from me, I asked you a question, and you need to answer.”
Harry froze in fear, he had to talk his way out of this, but he was scared to speak. They were now further down the corridor because of Harry's attempted escape and away from most of the other students. Draco had caught up, now facing Harry, who had reached the end of the corridor with nowhere to go.
He takes a deep breath, thinking of what he wants to say. I am talking, just not to you, but he can't. He feels embarrassed, it has been 10 seconds of him parting his lips as if he is going to say something and no words have been said.
“Well spit it out already, I don't have all day here,” Draco says with only a twinge of annoyance.
Harry weirdly does not feel so anxious, unlike the times that Hermione, Ron, Neville, honestly anyone has tried to talk to him, this feels different.
“What is it?” he says more irritably.
Harry then feels angry enough to say something in the quietest voice he has ever heard himself use, “I can’t.”
Malfoy laughs, “I can't even hear you, speak bloody louder you idiot!”
“I can't talk.”
This time Draco hears and he looks surprised, “well you are talking right now aren't you?”
Harry feels relieved by the flow of conversation, still quiet, “because you forced me to…”
“No I did not,” Malfoy retorts.
Then Malfoy walks away, as if satisfied with Harry's answer.