Brave As A Noun

Draco was sick of everything, everything appalled him. In the mirror was his own reflection, one of pale skin and no longer his signature neat blond hair, his eyes drifted and glared over his appearance.

Appalling

He’d be starting his eighth year on a terrible note, all the things he had done over the years had come back to haunt him and most of the memories resided in the very school he was in.

His glare turned downward to his forearm, once again appalled by the sight, just the look of the dreadful tattoo made him sick to his stomach. He held so much regret and guilt he was sure that he didn’t have room for anything else.

Fixing his uniform collar Draco grabbed his things and left for class.

He could feel them, the stares. He could hear them as well, the chattering of students, whether they were talking about him he couldn’t care less. Looking down Draco walked at a brisk pace and hurried to his destination.

For some reason it appeared that every person in class had decided to come early, the classroom full of students turned their attention towards Draco as he walked into the classroom, a pit of nausea forming in his stomach.

Sucking in a breath Draco walked to any empty seat, not bothering to see whomever he sat next to.

A voice expelled a clearing cough which alerted Draco in their direction, there sat none other than Harry Potter.

Oh fuck

Draco immediately looked to the book that was in front of him, hoping to distract himself from the boy.

It wasn’t as if Draco was scared of Harry, it was more like he was scared of his reaction to him being there, not just sitting by him but by Draco being back at Hogwarts in general. Fortunately the boy who lived spared him no glance and turned to the Professor that was currently talking.

Draco had always been good at potions so this class should have been a breeze but with the ordeal with Snape now being dead and Harry being next to him, the class was not as simple anymore.
The classroom felt so empty even with all the other students, maybe it was the fact that his favorite class was no longer taught by his favorite teacher. Potions never felt the same, it was all dull. It had become more of a chore rather than an interest for Draco.

It was saddening being here at Hogwarts but if Draco wanted any way of providing for himself in life he needed to finish school.

The professor exclaimed that they would be working in pairs for the year and just Draco’s luck that tablemates were their designated partners.

Harry Potter

Draco opened his book to the page of the potion that they would be brewing, without consulting Harry, Draco went off in search of their needed ingredients. Before he could get very far a hand tugged on his robes, causing Draco to peer at the other.

“So what exactly is your deal Malfoy? Do you just not talk now?” Harry spoke in a questioning and sneering tone while staring at Draco.

Draco pulled back his robes and darted off to gather the things they needed.

It was an awkward event brewing the potion with Potter, Draco made no sudden movements and simply focused on the potion, wherever Harry moved to something Draco backed off not wanting to confront him, even if what he was doing was incorrect.

Finally the potion was done, it turned out well because Draco had been fixing any of Harry’s mistakes. Putting the completed potion into vials, Draco's eyes glanced over to his deskmate. Harry was unfortunately staring right at him, making Draco quickly turn away, this action caused some of the potion to spill onto Draco’s hand burning him, he hissed at the pain and dropped one of the vials on the floor causing it to shatter and go everywhere.

Harry abruptly moved towards Draco and grasped his injured hand, Draco winced as tears formed on the edges of his eyes, Draco looked up at Harry making eye contact. Soon enough Harry had grabbed a cloth and started to dab away any remaining potion.

“Are you alright?” It was then Draco had realized that people were staring at them, many people. Draco stumbled back but his movement was refused by Harry who in turn pulled out his wand. Draco flinched, shutting his eyes.

A healing feeling overcame the pain in Dracos burned hand, he opened his eyes to see Harry’s wand where his previous injury was. Draco moved to open his mouth to thank him but the action failed, leaving Harry and him to look at each other.

“Does your hand feel better?” Harry inquired. All Draco could do was nod in assurance and hurriedly leave the classroom.

Hallways were a horrible feeling, Draco passed students and his anxiety grew, his breathing increased as he tried to walk faster. He would give anything to get away from it all, after all he was a coward.

It was the end of the day and Draco could finally go back to his dorm, he was almost at the entrance to the dungeons when Harry Potter blocked his path.

Draco gave him no response, he just looked at him silenting hoping he would move away.

“Malfoy we need to talk” Harry grabbed Draco arm and just like that Draco followed.

Oh god

This was it Draco thought, he was going to get what was coming to him, no shock there. Dracos inner thoughts burned like turmoil, what was Harry gonna do? Kill him, torture him? Or maybe he would lead him back to moaning myrtle's bathroom and curse him with sectumsempra once again.

Draco had been so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t realized where in fact he was going, Harry led them to a corner in the library that had 2 chairs and a small table. Now Draco was utterly confused.

Harry sat down on one of the chairs and instructed for Draco to do the same. Draco did just that but that didn’t stop his anxiety from rising at the growing suspense.

“Malfoy”

Oh

Draco gulped and fidgeted with his hands, picking at his nails mercilessly.

“You're acting differently, what's wrong- What's going on with you?” Harry peered at Draco keeping an intent gaze on him.

Draco still didn’t speak, after all he couldn’t. Draco looked down.

“So- You just won’t talk?” Draco paused for a moment, not wanting to answer. He opted for moving his hand side to side insinuating that what Harry guessed was sort of correct.

Harry then dug into his bag, pulling out a paper and quill. He pushed them towards Draco.

Locking his eyes onto the objects Draco hesitates to grab the quill. Eventually he picks it up and starts to write, who knows what possessed him to do so.

You can’t tell