- I’m so sorry - said a blonde boy sitting On starway of the East Tower. He was surprisingly small like that - his legs pulled up and shoulders shaking; different from his every day demeanor, which Harry observed on a Daily basis.
- I’m so sorry - the boy repeated, head buried in his hands ,choking on tears.
Harry stood there, not knowing what to say or do. There he was - his enemy or friend he didn’t know what to call him. He was his enemy just hours Ago, but after everything that went down that evening he wasn’t sure who Draco was for him anymore.
-I’m sorry too - Harry said quietly, sitting down next to Draco – I’m sorry you had to choose like that, it wasn’t fair of them, they are never fair.
- I didn’t have to choose at the Tower - said Draco looking up - I knew for a long time. I couldn’t admit it, but I knew.
He paused looking at his hands. The silence drowned on them again and Harry wondered if there was a right thing to say. He slowly took Malfoys left hand and squeezed it.
- It’s done now, you did the right thing, I never thought you could be brave -said sarcastically
Draco released a breath with a hostile laugh
-Fuck you Potter.
But he didn’t let go of Harry's hand, instead he looked up and gave him a small smile.
- I have no idea what to do now. Don’t have a home to go. He will kill my parents if they take me back, that’s for sure! Can’t stay here, not after what Snape did. He will come back and take me. I’m fucked Potter, alone and fucked!
-Welcome to the Club, I don’t know what I’m going to do without Dumbledor. We Can’t stay here for the next year they will come for us.
-fuck fuck fuck - said Draco pulling his hair – It’s all so fucked up! All this war, politics and this lunatic trying to kill us ! Why did my parents agree to this in the first place? Now I’m sitting here with you. What a shitty joke.
Harry laughed a little signing
- I get you, it’s so weird. I’m sitting next to a boy who was my enemy for the last 7 years - chuckled to himself - and now instead of trying to kill him, I’m holding his hand and feeling bad for everything that’s happened to him. What a life! Ha! Next thing we defeat Voldemort together. Wouldn’t that be a cruel joke?
Malfoy laughed looking up at the ceiling wiping the last few tears away.
- Absolutny terrible.
Harry smiled at him and squeezed his hand once again.
- Good thing I never had a good sense of humor.
- True. You were never funny, your chivalry takes too much space in your brain for jokes.
- But it would be fun or Just ironic. If after all those years we did it together. Kill him.
Malfoy let go of Harry’s hand and held himself.
- Could you trust me? After everything
- I don’t know, I Can try. I trust the men I see now . He’s not proud, he is brave and he apologized - he paused - which I Accepted. I'm sorry too, for everything.
-Harry I... - Draco stopped mid sentence.
Overwhelming silence filling the tower became painfully aware.
-Someone is coming, we Can’t stay here. it’s not a Good idea to be seen together, not for you especially - He stand up pilling harry up
- Wait, don’t go. Stop. Listen. I don’t mind reall-
- Harry, it’s not Good for you to be seen with a death eater.- He hissed.
- Wait! First trust test. Take this and wait for me. We'll meet when they go - he whispered handing Draco the invisibility cloak.
- you little ....fine. - taller one whispered putting in on harshly – I’ll be waiting in-
He couldn’t finish when two bodies bursted to the room in an enormous speed
- HARRY! Oh Merlin There you are! We didn’t know where you went after they found the body! My Merlin you scared us! - they hugged him tightly still shaking from the run
- I’m sorry guys, I Just needed to think.
- Great place you chose mate! Perfect to give us a panic attack! Didn’t you think that they might come back for you!? Or that Malfoy might try something funny, or any Bloody Slytherin!
- Don’t say tha.. - Harry tried to say but got interrupted.
- We have to work together Harry! Especially after today, without Dumbledore - Hermione sighed - we are all as scared as you!
-Never know who you Can trust! Bloody snape. He was in Order, he was a prick, yea but still. Dumbledor trusted him. And now…
-I know!Don’t you think that I already know!? I’ve seen it, I relive that moment every hour and try to make sense why it happened. Don’t scold me on trust Ron, I never trusted Snape! No one ever listened to me! I wanted you to help me watch Malfoy and none of you helped. If anyone would trusted ME then maybe Dumbledor would be alive.
They continue to argue. Hermione and Ron bashing Draco’s character over the years and Harry trying to defend him. They eventually made up and promised to meet later in the dormitory. Harry let them go and after a few minutes took the stairs down. When he reached the bottom he whispered
“ Draco?? “
A tall blonde figure emerged from the shadow making his way towards harry
- I’m sorry! Shit. Listen. I didn’t want to do all those things, I swear… It's just.. I didn’t know how to handle this rejection, and then everyone loved you! And I just-
- Hush, slow down! What are you talking about Draco? From the start – harry said grabbing and calmly striking the other boys hand with his finger
- First year - a hiccup noise – First year when you didn’t want to be friends with me, it never happened before! And they were saying all those nasty things on muggles at home. I just – hiccup noise – I was so angry at you! You didn’t want me! I get it now of course I was awful ! I don’t expect anyone to ever forgive me
- I forgave you – said shorter boy witch a clear voice – I forgave you that moment at the tower
- No you didn’t! I wouldn’t. You are not stupid Potter, why would you forgive me just like that . I made your life miserable I..
- But I did. I was surprised myself at the beginning, don’t get me wrong! When Snape betrayed Dumbledore I thought I could never trust again. But now, I’m looking at you and in feel I can finally see you. Without that anger you had
- I still had it . I'm still angry, Potter.
- Good. So am I . But you're different. It's good anger. Determination
They both sat in silence for a minute contemplating words they just said
-I don’t know if I could forgive you, if the roles had been reverse.
-I bet! you are a petty one draco.
They both chuckled, and harry glanced quickly at malfoys worm smile
-Oh merlin it’s toon weird
-The weirdest
-What are we friends now ?
-If you’d like to be
Malfoys coy smile changed into a smaller, shy one
-I could use a friend- he said quietly
-Then it's settled, you have one
As he was saying those words he wasn't sure how that happened. Why did the change occured? He spend so many years despising Draco, but now all he felt was a deep need to make this boy feels better. That revelation surprised him. He never thought of himself as someone especially empathetic, he knew People though he was. But he never felt connected. People were Always only Good or bad in his eyes before. If anything he felt petty and angry. He could not believe he was leading that conversation with such stoicism. " Maybe i'm cursed?" he thought to himself
Draco's cheeks turned a little pink at his words, which made Harry's blush in return . He could only hoped Draco couldn’t see him well in the shadowed tower. It lasted a few seconds before Malfoy's eyes darkened again .
-It’s a nice thought, to have a friend. But you forgot Potter, I’m a death eater. I have a mark. It will always be there.
Harry stiffed a little, truly had forgotten about the mark part. Did it hurt getting one ? Could they try to remove it? Surely if he asked Hermione for help she would find a way. She would ask questions, which he can’t give answers to.
-You are not a death eater. You're 16. They didn’t give you a choice.
-Yes they did, I could have said no! I could –
-And what? Die? What great options you had! Almost as if the most dangerous man in the world had complete control over your family and friends! You didn’t have a choice Draco! You have one now and you had it in the Tower, but then? Don’t feel guilty for their crimes.
-If I died back there, when he asked, it would be better for everyone
-Your mother wouldn’t be better
-Pfff… she could flee the country and not look back. - a pause - She doesn’t have a mark, you know. Voldemort never made her get one, I don’t know why. She is very proud, maybe that’s why, or he just didn’t care. My father would be dead by now that’s for sure, maybe he is already dead …. Fuck.. what have I done
He started crying again, big tears coming down his sharp nose and landing on his pink lips. . Harry sat there in silence, filled with guilt for not recognizing sooner what had been in front of him.
-I thought you were evil, all those years. - he started - I spent the last one following your every move. I don’t know if you noticed, I wasn’t very discreet with my mission. I wish I could see sooner what I understand now. It’s as I have been looking at your but never really saw you. You’re not a death eater Draco. You did bad things but you're not bad. Might not believe me now, but you will see it one day.
-I did
-Huh?
-I did notice you following me. Not at the beginning. Around Christmas. You were everywhere like a bloody ghost.
He stopped crying but didn’t wipe his face, dreds of tears still remaining on his cheeks
-You're bizzare Potter, I truly don’t understand you. But Thank you. I mean it.