Room required Harry

Harry Potter was currently running to meet with Draco Malfoy.

Clutching the marauder's map and glancing at it to assure where the little point was while dashing as fast as he could just to reach the room of requirements before the blond prick got there.

That type of arrangement was NOT in his usual plans but it's been a while since it keeps happening.

Okay, it's not a while, it's been a month.

Okay, it not "keeps happening " Harry lied. He lied BIG. He messed up bad and now he has to keep it going or else... he doesn't even know what will happen otherwise.

He remembered when this lie began, a month ago, in a day like this, Harry finally spotted Malfoy in the marauder's map and literally jumped for the common door of Gryffindor, startling some of the people that were studying around.

The only reaction he heard was:
" Hang on Harry, I know that look" Of course it was Ron talking, alerting Hermione by poking the book she was reading, but It was too late, The saviour of the Wizarding world was already closing the door behind him hearing only an exasperated "Harry this better not be ..."

He didn't need to hear Hermione say the rest to complete "... about Malfoy"

Bloddy HELL of course it was Malfoy, not his fault the insufferable prick was always into some shady shite.

Harry knew it of course he was up to something. While walking (well, practically running) down the halls the boy revised his thoughts with a mix of satisfaction and anger: Everyone — especially Ron and Hermione — say he was just obsessed like always, but it's not like that. This time was different. Malfoy was different.

At the time, Malfoy's already pale skin was getting... grey. He was all gloomy these past times but now he looked sick. Also, His bony features getting even more pointy, his usually posh-silking-hair looking like an albino rat. Harry thought about something with a bitter laugh " If he wasn't dying, he was planning on killing someone"

And Harry was worried over bloody Draco Malfoy.

God. How far into the river of madness have him drowned to for putting WORRIED and MALFOY in the same phase?

But now he needs to FOCUS. Where the git is? He already looked into Slytherin common room, into the great hall, and even confronted some Slyterin's 5th years who obviously venerated him, the Prince.

Draco Lucius Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince. Sometimes... sometimes Harry wonders how Malfoy felt. Feelings, the prick must have some feelings or at least something Harry couldn't admit yet.

Harry looked again at the map, the name "Draco Malfoy" was blinking, quite literally, one second there the other nothing. Well, considering the floor of this blinking issue his best shot was the room of requirements, and that, for some reason, meant that Malfoy was ... playing with the door? Anyways, just one way to find it.

Harry remember rushing there with almost comical enthusiasm, he was so close to catching him, finally knowing what the fuck the boy had been doing all these days, and the reason why he looked like a walking corpse, but when he got there he could only see Malfoy passing in and out the door of the room of requirements, head down, looking lost and pathetic.

See, Harry wasn't really known for his wiseness or for thinking through, so he just jumped in Malfoy, pushing them inside the magic room and closing the door behind them.

Malfoy's breath was taken away, in the literal sense because Harry pressed him in the closest wall. Not knowing what to do, and by not having the slight idea where to start, Harry's plan was to make the other boy confess by pressure alone.

"What the fuck Potter?" Malfoy let out, finally, after some one-way bizarre staring contest. After all, Malfoy wasn't looking at him in the eye.

" What are you doing in the room of requirements?"

" Getting what I required " He assured with an eye roll " Now leave "

" haha, loved the joke" the tune was bored but his hands on the blonde collar are only tightening " Now split out! is it for Voldemort? what or who are you hiding here ?"

" Why do you always think that everything that I do have to do with the Dark lord? "

" Maybe because your parents are death eaters "

" OI! Show some respect you tosser, Mother have no dark mark" And while saying that, he was (finally) looking at Harry with some deep hatred in his eyes. That put him off:

" Really?"

" Yeah, really, she's different, now stop manhandling me, Potter. "

" Then why haven't you got like her? " He knows that this is definitely not focusing, that's actually absolutely tangent from what he came here to do.

" Who says I'm not? " Malfoy answered in a sneer, but oh so worthless, the fella looked so tired that the gesture was menacing as a bird chirp.

A bird, Harry? Really?
Keep up with the interrogatory and stop embarrassing yourself to yourself:

"But... you are so much like your father "

But now, the grey eyes got wide, then cold: Harry got startled and would even feel appealed with the bitterness if was not for the laugh that succeeded these dark emotions:

" I wish, really, if I was my father's copy I wouldn't be in this shitehole "

And Harry was taken aback by the surprising sincerity of his words. Drawn to knowing more, understanding more... he asked, just as sincerely as his "enemy"

" Then you are like your Mum?"

No words, just silence and another eye roll. Well, that was "yes" enough for Harry.

" And... In what ways are you like your mum? " He actually felt proud of himself, his tune was very friendly. He hated the git but that couldn't feel like an interrogatory anymore, Malfoy have to feel comfortable.

" Why would I say this— actually, why would I say anything about MY MUM to you, Potter?"

" Huh... " Think fast, you Idiot, he is glaring again!! "... Cause I don't have a mum"

" ... " Now Malfoy's face was neutral. Maybe that's good? Or maybe this was just the calm before the storm and Harry would be hexed in the face. A minute or two passed, he closed his eyes for a moment, even his shoulders slumped and the boy was prepared to let go, try again another day, with a better plan, maybe gather what he found (nothing) with Hermione and Ron and—

" For starts, people say I am... I am not impetuous like my father. "

Harry took maybe 2 seconds to understand that this was Malfoy's voice, very neutral and very... not moking-like, just his voice.
And then Harry wonder if that's the very first time that they are "civil" since that time they were 11 years old in a Robes Shop in Diagon alley.

" Mom is more like this, her strong feats come from wiseness, and cold calm, though I am not wise or calm either, on the contrary I wouldn't be in this ridiculous situation right now, with you, pressing me in a wall "

And Though that last phrase was indeed full of taunt, there was also something sad in the middle.

What the Fuck. Malfoy have feelings.

" And what more?" Harry asked, without thinking (like always).

" Mum Likes reading, not just for studying and growing character, but to have fun too, and I... I was raised by her so..."

Oh my god. Malfoy read novels? Hermione has to know about that.

" What books?"

" Good Hell Potter, are you here for the Dark lord secrets or to spread gossip to the 'Witch Weekly'?"

" What books?" He pressed

" Romances! Love stories, Dear Salazar, WHY am I even TALKING to you and—"

" What more?" Harry was fucking fascinated. Malfoy is really a teenager, he reads novels, does he goes for... what Ginny Called? Erotica? Does he?
Malfoy's eyes searched for his, probably looking for some proof that Harry was mad, poisoned, or not really Harry at all.

" Come on, it's not even real information" He insisted. And then Malfoy could have said 'then why do you care?'.

" ... Mum likes clothes, I— I really do care about them more than I should"

" I thought that was a pureblood thing"

" That's a pureblood's woman's thing"

" ... Hum" Harry blinked. That was something. He was sure that this has some layers of information right there. But this time Malfoy kept going on his own:

" Mum never wanted the mark, she just stays because she loves me. I think I got the mark for the same reason. "

This time Harry was beyond starled to say something. His grip on Malfoy's shirt loosening.

" Who are you, really? " Malfoy was looking at him with half suspicion and half exhaustion.

" Harry Potter "

" Really?"

Harry said nothing, because, how to prove it? And okay, he has to admit, that was strange enough. Malfoy looked down, Harry keep staring at his face, and that's how he could see each facial feature move when the other boy talked again:

" Mum fell in love with a boy by fourteen years old. I did too"

Did too what?

" Huh... "

And that was the beginning of another eye-staring contest. They are good at this, aren't they? Harry didn't know if he was really following this strange conversation of them but he was kinda mesmerized by how the gray was glinting in rage.

" Merlin be great, Potter! I am just confessing to you how much of a homosexual I am, and all you have to say is 'Hum' like an imbecile, why are you NOT going away with disgust?"

Yeah, why Harry?

" So you like boys? " Harry finally managed to let out.

" LET GO OF ME" Trembling. He was trembling by now and God, Harry's grip was strong like a leaf, the boy could break away NOW but he was shaking and using violence like a wounded animal could, cornered in a wall... by Harry.

" It's fine... it's, it's okay? That's no shame, Er... It's cool that you like someone besides your mum... is he a death eater too? You guys have death eaters dates?"

" Stop FUCKING MOCKING ME " More trembling.

Harry thought that he should just let go, but really, WHO is the HE at this phrase??

" Hey, no no no I am not mocking I am asking, I..."

Then Harry let go of his grip on Malfoy's shirt collar for a moment, just to put it there because he doesn't know what to do.

" Hah" bitter laughter, again "Such a soft tune, have you forgotten who are you talking with, Potter?" And despite the defiant words, his voice sounded a mist of scared and tired. Very tired.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Malfoy got comfortable into his situation between Harry's hands and the wall, closing his eyes and laying his head back, as worn out as he looked, face relaxing now, it looked more like Sleepy.

" It's... it's Okay, Malfoy, don't be tense"
He could hear the Hermione in his head screaming sense into him but somehow he is dumber than he thought.

Malfoy finally spoke, breaking the awkward silence, and actually babbled:

"Am I delusional? I don't think It's you, really, maybe you are someone in Polyjuice to shame me, or perhaps you are the real Potter who lost his important memories about me... then you could also be the Potter in my Head, my head-Potter talks in this tune with me"

Harry almost screamed at him, something very intelligent like "WHAT"

Especially because he was serious!

But Merlin, he wanted to know, if Malfoy was feeling stupid and that stupidity made him talk... then so be it.

Now Malfoy's eyes are closed as if meditating. And Harry took the opportunity to do all the pained expressions he wanted and put his just-now-made-plan into action:

" And what else... " He mustered the courage to not shutter" Your ... er, Head-potter does? "

" You normally holds my hand"

Not he, you.

" When I was younger I found it disgusting and pooftah but now I find a need to do it, never done in real life but seems so... necessary"

When Malfoy fell silent, Harry took his right hand of Malfoy's collar and hold the Slytherin's right hand in his. That seem to do the trick, Malfoy was back into talking:

" Head-potter is charming, but only for me. He keeps provoking me in the hallways but instead of glaring he smiles at me "

No, this was getting strange. By instinct, his hand tensed, and consequently closed more around Malfoy's. That made the ferret actually smile. Malfoy. smiling.

Very eloquently he said: " Huh "

Okay, Very well. Actually NO, actually, what the flying FUCK. Malfoy being gay is okay? But him liking Harry?? Harry of all people??

Think, Potter, what do you want to discover now? You came here for the Dark secrets and now you have a gay git in front of you.

Finally, he spoke again:
"And why is that? "

By which Malfoy easily answered:

" Mother says I am a romantic, but that's awful you know " Now he seemed comfortable enough to speak more casually and started caressing Harry's hand with his thumb.

Harry's eyes dropped to the hands, totally different shades, Harry never put much thought about his Indian blood but now looking at the white-pale hand handling his with care he felt like everything he knew tumbled down.

For starters, he tough Malfoy was racist. Harry's heritage is still Indian even if he never got to explore it. But maybe he's just racist just with muggles... and YES that's it, he have to remember what horrible things Malfoy said to Hermione and Ron and how he couldn't let himself forget.

Harry didn't know how much time he spend there, looking, thinking, trying to canalize all the heavy feelings between them. But suddenly Malfoy opened his eyes a little, and the white eyelashes fluttered, browns frowning in confusion.

" I... I don't think that's a dream "

" Why would you think that? "

" I have never felt this before"

"What?" A drop of sweat. He has to think about an excuse now.

" Yo— Potter's hands in mine... this feels too real, I don't think... am I in a dream?"

Wow? A dream is actually an awesome excuse. Thanks, Malfoy?!

" Let's say you are... what is missing?"

Now he has fallen straight into a trap hasn't he?

" You haven't kissed me yet "

Oh.

Haha, wow.

That's very bold for a Ferret huh, wow, so he DOES like Harry huh? Ha...haha.

Harry swallowed dry the saliva in his mouth and asked:

" Head-Potter would do that?"

And Malfoy actually blushed. The git's cheeks really got red.

That's too much, now it was Harry's turn to think he was the one dreaming. What the fuck was that coy version of the Slytherin Prince? Harry really wished to punch himself (or punch Malfoy?) But his actual wish was to see more of this side of the blonde.

To seek to watch your enemy in a blushing confused state. Why would he do that? And somehow — Don't ask him, he doesn't control his brain — the image of this Draco Malfoy squirming under him was dizzying.

Instead of answering, Malfoy bends his head down, staring at their feet, but still not letting go of Harry's hand. Full minutes passed like this, and Harry kinda wanted to congratulate himself for his amazing resilience in standing still in front of Malfoy without freaking out. At least not on the outside.

Looking directly at the crown of Malfoy's hair he felt some strange urge to sniff it... Because, er, because he... he never smelled Posh shampoo that's why, yeah, and—

Harry's poor excuses to himself were cut by Malfoy looking up again, and looking into the boy's eyes, he found some bizarre sparkle there.

" I know what is happening. "

Well,
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fu—

" You are a illusion made by the room of requirements."

And Harry felt so grateful that Malfoy's brain is this twisted and crazy to the point of finding not one, but TWO "good" excuses for Harry not being real.

" Am I right, Harry?" And now Malfoy is looking deep into his eyes, actually using the hand that is not holding Harry's — The left one — to hold the side of his face. That was Harry's time to blush.

Voice so hopeful, hands this soft, Harry couldn't enshroud the mesmerized answer:

" Yes "

Then he saw Malfoy's face turn bright as a child's. Maybe the expression of receiving presents? Something pure like that, he could really say that Malfoy was in awe.

" I must be the luckiest bastard in the world" His eyes running through Harry in a believing-non-beliving ecstasy " The room made you just for me?"

" ... Yes"

And he felt shy listening to the words 'just for me'.

___________

If Harry himself got his hands into a time-turner, stopped his past self, and said " You will be cuddling with Draco Malfoy in about 10 minutes " he wouldn't believe it. He probably would have hexed himself from the future.

Yet, here he is, actually: here they are.

Between feeling shy and confused, Harry didn't got much time to let his thoughts cook, a sudden 'pop' was heard from their left, and... somehow they have ended up in a bed because Malfoy's excitement was translated into cuddles.

Harry didn't exactly understood what happened, one moment he was pinning Malfoy against a wall (ohmygodwhyphaseitlikethis?) and now he is back-hugging the git into a VERY comfortable mattress.

The only good thing about it all is that Malfoy was also acting bashful now, he didn't lead the other boy to bed by hand or something like that. The Ferret just walked away from the other boy's grip and lay down in the middle of the newest furniture in the room.

What made the boy who lived follow? A single whispered "Harry..."

Coming near the bed he could only see Malfoy's back, the white-blond hair getting kinda long in the neck part now that he was staring... only to be interrupted by the blonde himself; the boy turned just enough to see where Harry was, and in one smooth move took his right hand (that's a second time already!) and wrapped Harry arm around himself. Of course, this made the boy fall into bed, and even worse: fall exactly into spooning Draco-sodding-Malfoy.

He tensed. Malfoy did too.
After all, what we have here is two teenage idiots who are supposed to hate each other, in the same bed, awkward-cuddling.

But then Malfoy interlaced their fingers, making use of the hand he stole to pull Harry in this situation, and for some reason it made both relax a little. Harry was not feeling disgusted somehow. He thought that he could survive, especially because the git in front of him smells good, as crazy as it sounds, and his nose was directly into the nape of said git: so if he, PERHAPS, er; sniffed his hair would it really be anything other than natural?

Harry was just about to list the pros and cons but then got a fright when Malfoy started to talk again:

" Mum never wanted the mark, she didn't like the choices father made, and I think I am the same, but I don't think I love father anymore. "

Back to the 'Why me and my mum are the same' talk? He guess it was safe zone, even if they are hugging in a bed and Harry felt like smelling Malfoy's hair, and that's not safe at all.

" So you don't want the mark?"

" Hah. " Malfoys bitter laugher hummed through Harry where they are touching "I never wanted any of that."

He took a few deep breaths, his ribcage going up and down making the distance between Harry's torso and his back wider and closer, wider and closer, wide and closer until the courage was gathered gain;

" I'm pathetic you know? By fear I just mimic father, like the marionette I've always been. The marionette I'm being right now"

And that was clearly something important, something obviously about death eaters. That kind of information was exactly why he was there, so Harry didn't push through. Malfoy is a coward, he had to bit his tongue and wait for the said coward pace.

" You don't even know what I am doing here, do you? I don't think so, I don't think the room knows either because if it knew, obviously wouldn't have rewarded me with you"

By then, Harry's brain was half strategically thinking of how to get deep into Malfoy's secrets, and half repeating the last words:

'Rewarded me with you'

" I would never thought that you are this sappy, Malfoy " Harry finish his own inter monologue with an awkward laugh, but the other didn't seem to mind.

" I... " Malfoy started, but cut himself to take another deep breath " ... Sorry Room-Harry, I am still a coward, I don't think I am ready to admit some things out loud"

Harry blinked a few times. Malfoy having some self-awareness was a good surprise.

" I know this feeling... as if its not only in your head anymore, if you say it to the universe to hear, what you fear will just materialize and hunt you down " once again Harry caught himself being sincere to Malfoy, of all people. And it was getting worrisome. Someone has to do something because Harry is starting to think of this as an illusion too.

" Hum, that was a very good translation of my thoughts, the room did you so well, it's great..." A yawn finishing the sentence.

Harry agrees that the boy in front of him looks half dead and needed some rest and all... but would Harry have to stay with him??

"Oi, Malfoy"

And was replied with a quiet hum, sounding sleepy. But Harry want to keep him awake, so he could just NOT be stuck with this guy.

" Hey Malfoy" He tried again "What's with the 'room-Harry" nickname? "

" Oh I am sorry," he said, not sorry at all " How would your highness prefer to be called?"

Bitter Posh git.

" Just Harry. "

" Seriously? " The startled tune was accompanied by Malfoy's head trying do compete with an Owl by turning his neck as much as he could. The grey eyes once again catching Harry's attention, and quite literally, he didn't know what to do about the reactions he keeps having.

" Seems only natural, right? " Good job Harry, keep it casual. " And you have called me Harry already today"

" But that's because it's what I do in my head!" Malfoy sound exasperated "This is different, the room made you so... palpable that I only know it's not you YOU, Like, you-Potter, because I would have been hexed or punched by now"

Malfoy clearly tried to say the last bit with indifference, but being this close was better than Veritaserum; heart beating lauder, voice shaking slightly... fake disdain was even better than honesty coming from Malfoy. He really cares for Harry, doesn't he?

" And why do you think that?" He tried, even if he knows that in normal circumstances the boy would be totally right about the punching.

" Because I made all the wrong choices" A sigh, followed by a total forced throat clearing "And because he is the bravest idiot I have ever know, your clone is amazing, Harry" And the restrained smile in his words could be heard even if Harry wasn't this close.

Although by now Harry got a grip on the fact that Malfoy somehow fancies him, this was in another level of... fondness. How can someone be this proud and this smitten at the same time?

Harry doesn't reply, and Malfoy yawns again.

" Room— ah, Just-Harry... would you mind if I sleep? This is the exact replica of my bed back home and I— I mean, I kinda missed it?"

Other than the fact that he was spooning the ponce, he was also very comfortable. " Of course not, you look tired enough."

"I do? Hum...G'night"

" Good Night " He replied, holding a laugh that wanted to escape maybe for the absurd situation he is in. But it ceased when he felt the boy in his arms all tense again:

" Will you be here when I wake up?"

" No, I don't think so"

" And will you be here next time? "

" ... I don't know"

" I see, if the odds are this uncertain... I require the best cuddle of all my life! "

And this time Harry laughed out loud. What a surprise, who is this is in front of him, really? The words don't match the tone of voice and for sure they don't match the body language, is it where lying to yourself all the time gets you? Now Harry got himself thinking that perhaps Malfoy was more of a mess than himself.

" Salazar, Merlin, and all the greatest " Malfoy censured him

" What?" Harry lift himself a little using his elbow, still with the remains of the good laughing, just to see the Ferret's face. And for the second time in this day, he was blushing profusely.

" You cannot do these things " His tone was serious, like a command.

" These what?"

" I guess you are a ilusion so maybe you don't know..." Now the tune was full of suspicions and his eyes narrowed " ... But I am not accustomed to having you in my good graces, hearing you laugh _with me_ it's... it's not good for my health"

And finished the scene by putting his free hand on the heart-side of his chest.

"Oh my God, you are so dramatic! " And Malfoy smirked, Harry let himself fall back into the mattress again, laughing once more." Go sleep Malfoy, perhaps, if you wish enough I will be here tomorrow too."

Shit Harry, what are you compromising to? A few good laughs with the second worse person you know and it's already like this?

In a last yawn, Malfoy said:
" As I would ever stop requiring you. "

Then: Little hustle of the sheets; securing Harry's hand in his; relaxing his frame.

As Draco Malfoy fell asleep Harry Potter just remembered that both of them are still using their shoes, and thought that next time they have to remind to take them off.