Two Pairs of Ice Skates
December melted into January, the cold winter air still nipping at people’s noses. Trees were sprinkled with snow, icicles hanging from the branches beautifully.
Christmas was long gone, yet Hogwarts kept their decorations up for just a tad longer. It was comforting for Harry, to see garland and tinsel swimming along the walls, twinkling stars and lights mixed around.
He received a small amount of joy walking the halls late at night, blue moonlight seeping through the windows, mixing with the golden rays of the light fixtures.
He avoided admitted that he enjoyed the nightly walks more when Draco tagged along, always shoulder to shoulder.
It gave the Gryffindor a fuzzy feeling in his chest, a feeling he tried desperately to get rid of. Yet it kept returning.
“I hate winter,” Harry mumbled one evening, Draco walking by his side. He wrapped the scarf Hermione had gifted him tighter around his neck, even the halls were frigid.
“I love it, to be honest,” Draco smiled. When Harry cocked an eyebrow, he explained. “There’s quite a lot to do. I used to build snowmen with my mother when I was little. Pansy, Blaise, and I would usually have snowball fights around this time.”
Harry couldn’t help but admit that it was heartwarming to see the blonde sink so deep into his words, trailing on and on. He seemed so passionate about his enjoyment, it sent another fuzzy feeling straight to Harry’s stomach.
“Granger informed me on all the muggle sports that happen around this time of year, I’ve always wanted to try skiing, snowboarding sounds rather difficult, i mean..” He continued to ramble, and Harry found himself lost in the pair of silver eyes before him.
“And ice skating! Merlin, I love ice skating,” Draco said almost drunkenly, closing his eyes for a moment, dreaming as if he were gliding on ice. Harry used that moment to pull his eyes towards something, anything else. He stared at the ground, the fuzzy feeling still buzzing in his chest.
“Harry, would you care to join me tomorrow? The lake has frozen wonderfully, it’ll be perfect for skating,” Draco beamed, his tough facade fading into nothing within that moment.
The Gryffindor winced, he’d never been skating a day in his life.
Yet looking over at the rarely cheerful Slytherin, it was impossible to say no.
The next morning, Harry had followed Draco out towards the Black lake. The blonde was right, it was frozen over beautifully.
Draco carried two pairs of skates over his shoulder, his other hand preoccupied helping the Gryffindor through the icy woods.
Harry squeezed Draco’s gloved hand tightly in fear of tripping, hearing a chuckle from the blonde as the traveled onward.
“When’s the last time you went skating?” Draco questioned as he knotted the laces on his skates.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, “Uh, try never.”
“Harry Potter, the boy who lived, has never tried to skate on ice?” The Slytherin laughed, standing to his feet. He looked down in pity at the boy, struggling to get his own skates to cooperate.
Without a word, Draco bent down and took over, tying them tightly. He locked eyes with Harry, who mumbled a small ‘thanks’.
They stepped out onto the ice, Harry gripping Draco’s hand firmly. He trailed behind the blonde, who was so effortlessly graceful with his movements.
Harry let go of his hand, standing still. He attempted to keep his balance as he watched Draco skate on his own, he was like a dove.
Harry watched in awe as the cynical, despicable boy he once knew took flight. He found himself unable to take his eyes off him, the way he spun and glided across the eyes was simply mesmerizing.
Finally gliding over to the hesitant boy, Draco took his hands. He skated backwards slowly as he helped Harry find his balance.
“See, now you’re getting it,” Draco smiled. Harry felt the wind knocked out of him. He’d never taken the time to notice just how gorgeous that smile was. Nor the little dimples Draco had.
Not too much time passed and Draco had whisked Harry around the lake, still hand in hand. Showing off a trick or two, just to boast, he giggled seeing Harry’s mouth agape.
Harry hadn’t felt this happy in a long time, seeing his roommate drift on the ice with such ease made his brain melt. He could stay in this moment however.
He’d spoken too soon, hearing a crack. Refocusing, he was able to see for just a moment as the ice underneath Draco shattered, and he fell into the frigid water.
“Draco!” Harry cried, rushing to his aid. He stumbled to his knees, peering into the water, trying to find the Slytherin.
Draco had fallen unconscious, most likely due to the sudden fall, and was sinking under the icy water. Harry tugged off his skates and jacket in a hurry and dove into the water, feeling the burn of the freezing liquid.
The water was dark, his eyes unable to see clearly. He saw tuffs of blond hair and swam down. Clutching onto Draco as best he could, he began to climb to the surface. His air became limited, the kicking of his legs weakened.
Grabbing a hold of the ice desperately, he pulled himself along with Draco out of the lake. He was still knocked out, his body freezing. Harry shrugged off the unbearable coldness of his own body and picked up Draco as fast as he could, being careful of the ice.
Once making it to solid ground, he began to sprint to the infirmary, not before taking off his jacket and wrapping it around Draco.
Bursting through the doors, he carried Draco over to one of the nursing beds. He called for Madame Pomfrey urgently, already placing a warmth charm on Draco, who was still unconscious.
When Madame Pomfrey witnessed the boy, she gasped, rushing off to call the headmistress. Soon Mcgonagall was racing to the infirmary, Ron and Hermione behind her. When they arrived they were shocked.
“It was an a-accident, I swear, we- we went out t-to the B-black Lake to skate and he-“ Harry found himself incapable of getting words out, the odd feeling of tears choking his throat returning. Plus the lack in body temperature caused his lip to tremble. “We should’ve t-told someone, I should’ve b-been more c-cautious, I knew it w-wasn’t safe, I-“ He found himself enclosed in a tight hug from Hermione, who whispered a warmth charm, dowsing them both.
Madame Pomfrey returned with a dampened cloth, placing it on Draco’s forehead.
“Mr Potter, do not blame yourself, I believe that it was merely an accident. But you must not leave school grounds without permission, especially without telling anyone, or go the Black lake and skate. It is not in condition for human weight.”
Madame Pomfrey passed a quilt to Harry, who quickly wrapped it around himself.
“You will stay here till he wakes, I assume,” Mcgonagall inquired.
“I wouldn’t have it a-any other w-way, headmistress.”