Chapter 1
Draco was up to something. Harry knew. There was a voice in Harry’s mind screaming at him to figure out what it was. Why Draco was clearly struggling to sleep.
Harry’s foot hit the floor too harsh and he saw Draco pause, glancing around him. Harry was hidden under the invisibility cloak but it almost felt as if Draco could see him.
Instead, he continued to briskly walk down the corridor. Harry sped up as well, nearly running to keep up.
Once Draco had finally reached some sort of door he glanced around once more, carefully opening it. Harry slid in quickly before the door clicked behind them both.
Harry looked around and a grin couldn’t help escaping. They were in a hidden room, one filled with flowers and clearly intended to be a garden. There was even a creek for bloody sake.
“I know you’re there, Potter.”
He froze. How could Draco know? Was it because of the slip up he made in the corridor. But even still how could Draco have known it was him?
“You’ve been following me for weeks. Go on, come out. Tell me what it is you have to say.”
Harry held his breath.
“Unless you’re too scared. Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if the wizarding worlds hero was a pussy.”
Harry impulsively threw the cloak off. His rage hot and thick in his stomach. It was ugly, Harry knew it was ugly, but he couldn’t get it to go away.
“Ah, so you were following me. I’m not- wait is that the invisibility cloak?!”
“So what if it is?”
“How did you- you couldn’t have-.. but I
“Honestly Malfoy, if you claim to be so superior you’d think you would know how to speak properly.”
“Shut up. Why have you been following me.”
“You’re up to something.”
“The famous Harry Potter doesn’t trust me, what a shocker.”
“This is serious, there’s a war going on and you’re not the only one who is affected by it!”
“DONT YOU THINK I KNOW THAT!?”
Harry paused. They had arguments, but he’d never seen Draco get worked up so quick. The blonde shoved his hands through his hair, inhaling shakily
“Why are you here.”
“I need to know what it is. What you’re plotting.”
Draco laughed. A hollow terrifying laugh. Suddenly Harry noticed the deep eye bags below his eyes. Ones Harry had just the same. Harry realized Draco face was twisted up, he tried to cover it up but Harry noticed it all the same.
“I. Cant. Tell. You. Now leave me alone Potter.”
Harry shrunk within himself. Why was he more focused on Draco than the war. Even Ron and Hermione had noticed. What was wrong with him? Draco lifted his hand to his chest and rubbed self consciously. The movements of his slim hand made Harry look away.
“Draco, I want to help you.”
“Don’t lie. You’ve never cared for me.”
“Draco-“
“Stop calling me that. You’ve always called me Malfoy. Don’t pity me Potter. I know exactly where your loyalties lie and you have never given an ounce to me. Don’t pretend we’re on the same side.”
“But we are! That’s the problem. You fall into a hole of self pity that you’re able to climb out of Draco! Honestly I could get you out. I could help you for bloody sake but your stubborn arse is too prideful to see that!”
“Why do you even want to. You know I’m going to become a deatheater. Why would you want to help me. You hate me, I know you do.”
Harry’s gut twisted. He didn’t know why. He hated Draco it was true. But, he never wanted to see his school rival hurt. He never wanted to see Draco hurt.
“I- I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? You just feel like being a bloody hero don’t you? Don’t you have enough fame. There’s no need for you to go sniffing it out. Well, I don’t want your help Potter.”
Draco stormed out of the room and locked him in. Shite. He forgot his wand. He banged on the door calling, but eventually gave up and sat against the door. He didn’t know why he wanted to help Draco. It didn’t make sense.
Harry heard footsteps and leaped up, banging on the door once more.
“Harry? Is that you? Fuck hold on.”
The door flew open and Harry came face to face with Ron.
“Bloody hell Harry, what are you doing in here?”
“It’s a long story. I was following Draco-“
Ron made the same face he always made when Draco was mentioned. A sort of wince and scowl mixed together. He only did it when Harry used first names instead of Draco’s surname. It was petty for them both to care so much of what Harry called the blonde boy. Harry stopped and shook his head.
“It doesn’t matter, how did you find me?”
“Map.”
The fell into step and walked towards the Gryffindor tower. Harry couldn’t stop thinking about Draco. Why wouldn’t he just let Harry help? Instead he has to be so dramatic and extra, acting as if Harry reaching out to help was appalling to him. Fine. If he wants to be like that then Harry didnt care. He couldn’t care less if Draco became a deatheater.
“You alright mate?”
Harry realized he was grinding his teeth. He relaxed and nodded.
“Yeah, just er nervous for you know, exams.”
“Right.”
Harry knew Ron knew he was lying but everyone seemed to tip toe around him nowadays. Even some professors. It infuriated Harry. He supposed the only one who didn’t was Draco. Not like it mattered, anyway.
-
Draco hated Harry. He hated his stupid hair that could never sit properly. Or his glasses constantly sliding down his nose. He especially hated that Harry wanted to help him. How dare he act as if Draco was some stupid damsel in distress. Draco was perfectly fine. He knew the day was coming soon. The dark lord would call him to the meeting room and he’d receive the dark mark.
He knew it was to occur over Christmas break. He had time. Harry could save him. But Harry couldn’t save his mother. He couldn’t save the punishments that would be given to her because of his actions.
Draco couldn’t hold it in anymore. He was fucking terrified. He closed his curtains and placed a silencing charm. Hot thick tears fell and he couldn’t stop them. All he could do was hold his hair to stop his hands from shaking.
He hated Potter for giving him this opportunity, because he knew he had to either sacrifice himself, or his mother. He knew she would be hurt nonetheless. But worst of all, he knew he didn’t hate Potter. Not since he had first accidentally referred to him as Harry to Pansy.
“Draco, are you in here?”
Blaise was calling his name. He knew the curtains gave him away, but he didn’t want to speak to Blaise. He didn’t want to speak to anyone.
So, he didn’t respond and Blaise knew he wasn’t in the mood and eventually left. Draco lay on his bed and stared at the wood above it. He followed every crevice marked there. It had memorized them all a thousand times and yet he checked, as he did every night.
Draco’s eyes drifted closed and soon he was caught in dreams of his mother screaming his name. He couldn’t tell if she was angry or afraid. He couldn’t tell which decision had given her greater pain. He couldn’t even tell what was wrong with him when Harry was in his dream, moving towards him with greedy hands.