Chapter Three
Draco had never expected to see Potter standing in front of him whilst bawling his eyes out. Mostly because he didn’t usually cry, but also because he didn’t think he’d care. He expected Potter to pay no attention, merely walking away when he had seen him. But there he was.
Potter looked no different than he had last year, maybe his face had matured a bit more, but other than that, no difference. When he really thought about it, he hadn’t seen much of Potter this year. He didn’t think they were any classes together, but they had to be. He had potions and arithmancy with Gryffindor's, so unless Potter had just arrived, or stayed back in fifth year, Draco just simply hadn’t been paying attention. Last year it seemed that Potter was everywhere he went. Right in his view at dinner, in the library while Draco was trying to study, even in the courtyard when he just wanted to have a bit of time to himself. But this year? He was nowhere to be found. Until, of course, Draco had tears streaming down his cheeks and he wasn’t really able to breathe. The ‘perfect’ time for Potter to show up. Really, how unlucky could one person be?
Potter had mouthed some words and when Draco didn’t respond he had a confused look on his face. Of course Potter would be stupid enough to not know. Everyone knew, how did he not? This made Draco even more aware of the fact he would never be able to hear again. Everything he would do brought him back to that. He tried and tried to push it aside and forget about it, but it always came back. I guess Draco had just finally held it in too long. He was about to get up and walk away when Potter had lifted his hands.
‘Sorry, I forgot about what happened.’
Draco was dumbfounded. Harry Potter could speak sign language? Out of all people it was bloody Harry Potter? The one person he actually didn’t want to talk to, was one of the only people who were able to talk to him? This was such bullshit.
‘Fuck off’
‘Really Draco? I’m not going to leave, somethings wrong’
‘And why would you care? You’re Harry Potter, I’m Draco Malfoy, honestly just leave me alone’
Draco hadn’t realized he stopped crying until he felt his eyes tear up again. He had to admit, talking to him wasn’t all bad, but he still turned away from him anyway.
The one thing that was good about being deaf was that if you didn’t want to continue a conversation, you just had to close your eyes or look away. Usually, people would get the hint you aren’t in the mood to talk, but not Potter. He had been tapping on Draco’s shoulder for 30 seconds and it had really started to irritate him.
‘Will you stop that!’
‘What’s wrong’
‘I’m not telling you that’
‘Well if you won’t tell me, will you at least just let me be here?’
‘No, go away’
‘I’m not leaving’
‘You’re such a prick’
‘And you’re sad’
Draco was more annoyed than ever. He didn’t get what the massive deal was. He cried, people cried. Maybe not Malfoy’s, but people cry and Draco was a person more than he was a Malfoy in the current moment.
‘Literally why do you even care Potter’
‘I’m going to say this once, and I’ll leave after if you really want me to, but I know you don’t have anyone to talk to Draco. I know how lonely you feel right now. I don’t know what it’s like to be deaf, but I know what it’s like to be alone. If you ever want to talk, I will be there, but I doubt that will be anytime soon, because you obviously have some childish shit to get over still’
Potter had gotten up and started to walk towards the stairs when Draco had regretted his choices. Potter was right. He had no one. Sure, he had his friends, but were they really his friends anymore if they couldn’t even speak to him? And were they really his friends if they didn’t even try to communicate with him? He was alone, and he was going to be alone forever if he didn’t take up Potter's offer.
Draco grabbed his wand and threw it at Potter, hitting him in the leg.
‘I’m sorry
Potter smirked and grabbed Draco’s wand and walked over to where he was sitting.
‘Don’t be, I'm the one who should be sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.’
‘Look I don’t really wanna talk about it. I’m not the best at talking about shit like that, but I just’
Draco trailed off and lowered his hands. Potter had sat down next to him, giving Draco his wand back.
‘You just..?’
Draco took a deep breath. He had never had a problem with being alone. He usually liked being alone. No loud noises, no one annoying him with their annoying voices, but it was all different now. He could be in a middle school dance and never hear any loud noises, or anyone's annoying voices. He was always alone now, and sometimes he just needed a break.
‘I just don’t want to be alone. You don’t have to stay though’
‘I’m staying’
Draco never knew how fast anyone's opinion could change. Especially when it comes to their opinion on another person. However, he understood now. One simple conversation could change your perspective because you get to know the person deeper. Before this, the only interactions between him and Potter weren't exactly pleasing. Though they were frequent, they were always about the same thing. He had never actually gotten to know the boy better than a couple of insults, but this conversation had changed everything Draco thought he knew about the boy. The main thing being that he didn’t care for anyone other than himself. He had now realized Potter cared for everyone, maybe a little too much.
Draco yawned. It had to be past curfew now. He wasn’t sure how he was going to get back to the dungeons without getting caught, being he couldn’t hear any footsteps that could be coming his way, but he didn’t really care. Draco rested his head on the boy's shoulder, yawing again. The only thing he cared about was the fact that he finally wasn’t alone.
He could finally breathe again.