He let out shuddering breaths, each one faster than the rest… his vision was blurred and warped by delicate cloudy tears steadily creeping down his face like torrential rainfall. His soft features were screwed up in agony, as scarlet red blood dripped from the mangled mix of pale skin, flesh and the faint remainders of the skillfully imprinted ornate design that left a permanent mark on his forearm. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t ignore it. His head was pounding, as if thousands of thoughts were stomping around and tugging at the silver bars of their cages, the cages his mother and father unknowingly planted in his head. “Never reveal weakness.”, “You’re only as good as your public image.” “Don’t feel.”. All those silent predators slowly took over Draco’s mind, seeping through the cracks, running through his veins till they dictated his every move.
Harry never knew a lot of things. He never knew the gentle touch of a mother, or the playful laugh of a father. There were certain things he would never understand. Including emotions. He could never distinguish what he felt for someone. Whether the burning sensation he felt in his chest whenever he looked over at his so called enemy was pure, uncontrollable hatred, or something else. Something he could never seem to recognize. Or whether the feeling in his gut bringing him to the verge of tears was hatred, or guilt and anger. Not against Draco, for him.
Harry approached the other boy, trembling slightly. His mind was screaming at him, “LEAVE.” but something else in him was telling him not to. Not to ignore the growing pool of blood on the floor, or the budding tears threatening to escape his eyes.
Draco’s attention was caught by footsteps and heavy breathing, both coming closer by the second. He lifted his head, barely having the energy to keep it there. He tried to focus his trembling vision, a burst of emerald green catching his attention. He opened his mouth, fear taking control of his body, as he opened his mouth to speak, his tongue and throat as dry as a desert.
“I-I… you…”
He spoke, his voice cracking, and shaking… His puffy pink eyelids fluttered, and he stared at the ground, accepting his fate.
Harry was in shock. He never would’ve never dared to imagine this, not even in his wildest fantasies. He felt sorry for Draco. More than that. He wanted to hug him. Harry Potter wanted to hug his arch-nemesis.
He let out a trembling breath and spoke to Draco.
“A-are you okay?”
He immediately cursed himself mentally, how stupid could he be?
Draco let out a soft laugh. It started a snort, until he started softly giggling, trying to control himself. Harry couldn’t help but feel offended, but somewhere in him, something about watching Draco laugh, a genuine laugh, not vindictive, or bitter or sad, made him feel better.
Draco finally responded, still trying to suppress a giggle, “How dumb are you?”. He giggled again. “Do I look okay?” he asked, his voice dripping with pure mirth.
Harry couldn’t help but roll his eyes, a soft smile creeping into his face. “When do you ever.”
He outstretched a hand, offering it to Draco.
Draco took it.
He interlaced his fingers with Harry’s, trying to pull himself to his feet. Unfortunately, he failed miserably, ruining the moment, as he let out a high yelp and fell to the ground, landing promptly on his arse.
Harry and Draco stared at each other for a few seconds, before erupting in laughter, both of them wheezing.
After their laughing fit hand calmed down slightly, as regressed back to giggles, Harry bent down, wrapping an arm around Draco’s waist.
Draco turned bright red, immediately blushing. He repeated the same mantra in his head that he had since first year. “I despise Potter.”. It didn’t work. It usually didn’t, but Draco was very stubborn.
“I’m taking you to my dorm.” Harry mumbled, helping Draco stumble along awkwardly. He may not have learnt how to deal with what he was feeling for Draco, but he had learnt common sense. He doubted Draco wanted anyone knowing about his arm, let alone the school.
Draco’s pale cheeks were tinted pink, as he kept trying to ignore the growing tugging feeling in his gut, that was making him edge closer and closer to Harry and shift more of his weight into his annoyingly strong and firm arms.
He muttered under his breath, looking straight at the ground, “Thank you…”
Harry tried to hide the smile that was threatening to appear on his face.
“Sorry, what was that?”, he smirked, wanting to hear the sweet, sweet words he never expected to ever hear from Draco, let alone directed towards Harry.
Draco blushed harder. He knew exactly what Harry was doing, and it enraged him how hot it was. The smirk on Harry’s face, the soft affection that made his eyes crease, and made his god-forsaken beautiful viridescent eyes look even prettier.
“I said thank you, stupid git.” Draco flushed, as he blurted out.
For the rest of the way to Harry's dorm, he and Draco stayed in a comfortable silence, nothing needed to be said.
Harry had finally understood what exactly he felt for Draco.
Draco had finally broken free from the cages in his mind.