Sullen and drowsy, Draco Malfoy had been up to work all night, the phantom-like light of the moon casting an ethereal glow onto his work that fulfilled the eerie aura of his bizarre plan. Sitting cross-legged with a slouched yet attentive posture, he watched the cauldron before him as it sizzled with an amorous cadence, almost mirroring the way a snake coiled its skeleton, the surface of his creation appearing luminous with a rosy hue. Its subtle flames dissolved into the breezy air of the Room of Requirement, its movements breathing forbidden enchantments. He made his way to swirl the dainty continents, his gaze following the gossamer consistency in the potion he had been prohibited from producing—A love potion, for Harry Potter.
With a sharp and steady gaze, he stared at the creation before him, questioning why he had chosen this potion out of all the options he could have gone for. But he reminded himself that it was most effective, especially for a vial designed to make someone expose their secrets, and it wasn't because he had loved him, that was something he frantically convinced himself to believe. His expression softened, and unaware of his trance, thoughts continued to drift through his head, and he had just allowed it, blissfully unaware that he was absent-mindedly staring into the vial before him. The potion resumed its dreamy coils, and the fact that it felt as though it consisted of a part of Draco's soul, it was like meditation to watch it in real life.
But before he could continue his daydream, he heard the doorknob behind him twist open, and he almost immediately clambered off his feet as if he were prepared for any intruders coming nearby. As his eyes alertly darted around the place, he spoke out with a bitter tone: "Who's there?"
Once he saw the familiar jumble of brown hair, circular glasses, and emerald eyes, the life in his skin sank away, leaving him as pale as paper. "Potter! What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice draped with palpable frustration as he strode toward his enemy.
Caught off guard by the bluntness in his voice, Harry's eyebrows furrowed. "Malfoy, what are you doing? What are you planning?"
He instantaneously raised his voice. "It's none of your business! Get out!" In a moment of heat, he seized Harry's collar and shoved him against the nearest wall, causing the other boy to let out an involuntary choke. "Leave me alone, Potter! You're always sticking your nose in other people's business!"
Now breathing heavily, Harry stepped closer once he had regained his composure from the unexpected shove, determined for answers. His eyes had fleetingly focused on the cauldron, and Draco swore that his soul had left his body. But when Harry opened his mouth, his eyes went to the potion again, and now his curiosity was piqued.
"What is this?" Harry pondered, his eyes now entirely focused on the vial on the ground.
Draco's eyes widened, and in an act of desperation, he seized Harry's collar to pull him back. "Leave it-" He would've finished, but an idea came to him. With a forced sigh, he bent over to grab the potion, shoving it in Harry's face. "Drink it. Drink it now," he said, his voice low and intense.
With utter bafflement, Harry gawked at him, seeming to not understand the sudden demand. "What the..." When he realized what he was being offered, the volume in his voice was now urgent. "Malfoy, you're insane!"
Gritting his teeth, Draco snatched Harry's arm, the consequences of his actions now foreign to him. He had to make him drink it. "It's either drink it or you won't be seeing another glimpse of your life."
For a moment, Harry's face had lost its colour, but after a glimpse of a horrified reaction, he lunged forward in a hopeless attempt to snatch the vial off him, but it had only made them draw so near to each other that they could've done much more if they didn't stop themselves... Realizing their proximity, Draco let out an instinctive gasp of shock, his body seeming to have frozen. The sudden movement had forced their faces to be inches apart, meaning that they were pressing into each other, the heat radiating off one another. There was a fleeting softness that had wrinkled in Draco's eyes, and at that moment he appeared conflicted, unknowing of what to do. Harry was just as astonished to find himself in this position.
"Draco, what do you want from me?" Harry asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Malfoy had paused briefly at his statement, his eyes wide and conflicted. Then, before Harry could say anything, Draco went to seize Harry's arm in an act of aggression and to receive his vial. But before he could make any more moment, it slipped from his hand, sending it plummeting into the floor. It had bashed into pieces, leaving the potion to spill everywhere, meaning that its effect was now neutralized. Stumbling back, the two boys gasped heavily, their faces flushed from the immense wrestling that they had participated in.
"What is wrong with you, Malfoy?!" Harry yelled, shaken by the entire situation.
"Nothing is wrong with me-" Draco's lips curved downward in disdain. "JUST GET OUT!"
Not needing to be reminded twice, Harry turned on his heel before dashing out of the room. Casting one last dismayed look at Draco, he slammed the door, hoping to never see his presence again after that moment. Meanwhile, Draco stood in the center of the room, his heart pounding with intensity and his ribcage expanding and relaxing with intense speed. Abnormal silence flooded the room, and as he reached for a wet wipe, he exhaled, greatly troubled by what had just happened.