Returning to Hogwarts for their 8th year was strange. Their friends, classmates, and family members were dead, traumatized, and paralyzed, everything had changed.
Not many students returned to Hogwarts. Which was normal, most students went elsewhere for more specialized learning is what they wanted to do with their lives.
But this year it was mostly because they didn't want to return to a place where so many things happened. The ones returning mainly wanted a feeling of familiarity after the war.
Or on the other hand, Draco Malfoy er, no, Draco Black had to come back to Hogwarts on part of his parole. After Harry Potter spoke at his trial he was sentenced to House Arrest (not at the manor, it was still filled with too much dark magic, but a small cottage they owned instead), as well as his mother, until the next year of school where he would then be on 'House' Arrest there.
Draco knew that this year was going to be tough, with everyone hating him for being a…a… Death Eater.
"It's not like I wanted to be a death eater even. I'm just so afraid of going back. Can we please just convince the Auror to let me stay here?" Draco whined, a small pout on his face.
"I think it'll be good for you to be with people your age to adjust. Plus it's good to have this education." Narcissa smiled at her son.
"I get it. But I'm just afraid." Draco and his mother both had a court-ordered therapist, Healer Garcia, and she had Draco in the habit of 'announcing' his emotions.
"I understand that. But I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think. You've changed darling. They'll see it."
-
Draco takes a deep breath, watching as the 'Golden Trio' walks into 9 ¾. "You can do this Draco. You can do this." He whispered to himself, getting a strange look from the Auror who was sent to watch him.
"Are you riding the train with me?" He asked, looking over at the Auror.
"No. I'm handing you over to Headmistress McGonagall. She is to keep an eye on you on the train and at Hogwarts. Now c'mon. Get moving."
Draco was handed over to McGonagall once they got on the train platform. "I know I have already discussed this with your mother and your Auror. Your therapist will Floo here every Saturday for your weekly sessions. But this year won't be that different for you. You are not allowed to leave the grounds of Hogwarts, and no Hogsmeade visits. But everything else is good. Don't be hexing your classmates and everything will be fine."
Draco gave a small nod. "Thank you for having me back, Headmistress."
"You will have to sit with me on the train. I hope you don't mind."
"No problems with that Ma'am." Draco looked at her. "I was planning on sitting alone, so this is a pleasant change of plans."
-
Harry Fucking Potter (and Granger and the Weasel) all sat in the same carriage as Draco.
"I wanted to thank you properly for the letter you wrote me." Hermoine looked at him, a small smile on her face.
As part of making amends for the actions he did, his therapist had him write letters of apology to those he hurt. Everyone from the golden trio had sent one back thanking him. Harry had even sent him back his wand. A lot of the other people he sent it to had written back as well.
Luna, on the other hand, had yet to reply. Of course, Draco felt awful for what his Father did to the poor girl. But he felt Luna would forgive him, he was the one who snuck down to give him food, comfort, whatever he could to try to help.
Tears welled up in Draco's eyes, he blinked them away. "Th-Thank you." He whispered, unable to make eye contact.
"It meant a lot to me as well." Ron smiles, "Mum enjoyed the one you wrote her. I don't know if she sent one back. But it did mean a lot to her."
Tears welled in Draco's eyes again. "Can you please stop making me emotional?" He asked with a small sniff.
"So. Headmistress, since there are so few 8th years are we still staying in the shared dorm?" Harry expertly changed the subject.
"Ah yes. The 8th years will all be living together no matter what house. I'll announce who you are all bunking with when we get there."
"Please tell me I'm with Ron." Harry looked at her.
Draco guessed after all their time together, living together, on the run together, Harry had trouble sleeping alone. Honestly, Draco can't blame him. He struggles with that himself. Mainly sleeping on a mattress they had set up in his mother's room.
"How many people are in each dorm?" Draco looked at her.
"This year we have 8 students in your year returning. 4 girls and 4 boys. So 4 in each room."
"Do we still have a curfew?" Ron asked.
"Yes. Your curfew is midnight. Then you'll have to be in the common room. Mr.Black." Draco looked over at her, "Your curfew is slightly earlier. At 10pm you will have to be in the common room."
"Oh. You changed your name?" Harry asks.
"Oh… Uhm. Yes. Mum and I decided to go back to her… Um. Maiden name."
"I like that. Draco Black." Harry smiles. "Rolls nicely on the tongue."
"Harry? Uhm. I was wondering how Teddy and Andromeda are. We've been writing but it's different from seeing them." Draco looked at him nervously.
"They are both doing fine. Teddy is getting big. But I'm sure they are updating you on everything. Last time I was over Teddy referred to you as Cousin Draco."
And again, tears well up in Draco's eyes. "Thank you."
-
Upon arriving at Hogwarts, the 8th years who came back, a very very small group, huddled around Headmistress McGonagall, She did roll call.
"Nevile Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Susan Bones, Sue Li, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Draco Black, Hermione Granger." McGonagall paused. "I will escort you to your rooms then we will go see the new students be sorted."
"So. You're the only Slytherin returning?" Neville asked Draco.
"I guess so. It was a part of my parole. I know Pansy is going to a muggle university as part of hers. I'm not sure about anyone else. Pansy is the only one who still really talks to me."
"I wanted to thank you for your Letter. I know I sent you back an owl. But I wanted to thank you again in person. It seems you've really changed." Neville smiled at Draco.
"Thank you. I've worked through a lot of why I did the things I did with my therapist." Draco nods. "She's definitely helped a lot."
Neville nodded. "I started seeing one after the war as well. She's great. I got permission to leave campus every Wednesday to see her."
"Healer Garcia is going to Floo here every Saturday. I'm glad I still get to see her."
"You have to stay on campus right? I can stay with you so you're not lonely on trips and things."
"Thank you Neville but it's okay. I would prefer you to have fun and get out." Draco smiled at him.
"No, it's okay. I'd honestly rather just. Stay at the school. It's safe there."
"I understand that. I'd love to spend time with you."
"We can play chess! Ron taught me how to play and I really want to beat him."
Draco laughs. Something most likely none of his current classmates have heard, Harry looked back at him. A smile on his face. Happy that Draco is able to be himself.
-
At the sorting ceremony, all the 8th years sat at one long table. They cheered when people got sorted into their houses, and listened to Headmistress McGonagall give a speech.
"I know the effects of the war ring deep within all of you. And I wanted to let every single student here know my door is always open if you need anything. We have a mind healer or therapist as you'd say in the hospital wing if you want someone to talk to as well. I want you all to have a good year here. A safe year here."
Draco was tearing up, as well as many others. Ron was almost sobbing, Hermione had her arms around him, and Harry had his hand on his shoulder. Everyone seemed to be comforting each other, but Draco. 'Because you were part of the reason this isn't a safe place. You let them in. You helped the bad guys. You still have the dark mark even. You are the reason these people's friends, classmates, parents, and siblings are DEAD.'
Draco ran out of the great hall, hyperventilating. "Where to go. Where. Can't commons. People. No." He shrunk into a ball on the floor.
Unable to breathe, he curled tighter and tighter into himself.
"Draco." Luna's soft voice flew down on him. He whimpered.
She sat down on the floor next to him, "I just want you to breathe. In, 1…2…3 out 1…2…3. And again." She repeated this until Draco was no longer hyperventilating.
"So-Sorry. I-I'm Sorry."
"No need to be sorry, it's not your fault. None of it was." She smiled at him. "Now come with me. I want to take you to Madam Pomfrey."
He nodded. Shakily walking with Luna, leaning on her.
-
"Hello Ma'am." Luma great her, "Draco had a bit of a panic attack. A lot of hyperventilating. I just want to make sure he's okay."
"Oh, dear. Mr. Black. Come come. Sit."
"L-let He-Headmistr-tress kn-know where I-I-I am." He tells Madam Pomfrey, as Luna helped him to a chair.
"Of course dear. You don't worry about a thing. Just relax for a few moments."
-
McGonagall came to the hospital wing right after hearing Draco was there. "Oh, poor dear."
"I-I'm sor-sorry Headmistress," Draco told her.
"And what are you sorry for?" She asked.
"Un-Under watch. I-i'm so sor-sorry. D-Don't m-make me go th-there." Tears pooled out of his eyes.
McGonagall sat down next to him, "You have done nothing wrong. My only rules for you are to stay on the grounds. That doesn't mean certain rooms or only the castle, you need to stay on the grounds. The other rule is a curfew, which for you is 10 pm without a valid reason. Say astronomy classes, or having to be in the hospital wing. You are not being sent away. You are staying here. And you have done nothing wrong."
"Th-thank you." He whispered.
"I'm going to have you take some calming drought and I'll send you with a dreamless-sleep potion." She handed him the calming drought which he swallowed. Then she handed him the potion to take later. "Headmistress, you can walk him back to his dorm whenever he is ready."
They nodded at her. Draco let the calming drought fully kick in before going back to the dorm.
-
"Hello, Draco. I was worried are you feeling better?" Luna asks after he walks into the common room.
"Mmm. Y-ys, Mad-Madam P-Pomfrey gave m-me calming drought."
"Yeek that bad?" Sue asked, "Glad you're doing better now."
Draco nodded, going to sit down as he still felt the tiniest bit shaky.
He nodded off slightly in the common room listening to the two girls talk about the classes they were excited for. Calming by the words they spoke, reminding him of home. Of his Mother.
Harry and Ron soon burst into the lounge starting Draco.
"Sorry, Draco didn't mean to startle you." Harry quickly told him.
"Very very sorry mate," Ron added.
"I-it's fine." Draco slurred still half asleep, curling into himself on the sofa.
"C'mon, let's get him into bed." Ron sighs. "Reminds me of you Har," he teases.
"Shush." Harry blushed. "He'd definitely sleep better in a bed though." He walked softly over to Draco. "C'mon." He whispered. "Time for bed."
"Mmkay." Draco rolled over sloppily getting off the couch. Standing on shaking legs he grabbed Harry to avoid falling over. "C-c-calming drought is app-apparently still ve-very much w-working." He muttered.
"You got calming drought?" Ron asked. "Panic attack huh? Had my fair share if you need anything you can let me know."
"Th-thank you," Draco said.
"Did Madam Pomfrey give you anything else to take before bed?" Harry asked.
Draco pulls a potion vial out of his pocket. "T-thank you f-for helping m-ee, Har-Harry."
"Of course. Now take your potion and go to sleep. Nevile wakes up early."
-
"Good morning!" Neville exclaims. "First day of class. Gotta get up everyone. Breakfast time."
"Ugh." Draco groaned, "Nope. Send me home. Whyyy!?"
"Okay, so Draco is not a morning person," Harry mutters.
"Shh," Ron tells them. "It's so early."
Eventually, Draco and Ron both got out of bed, barely made it in time for breakfast, and then rushed to their classes.
Everyone chooses their own classes based on what they might want to do. Draco had no idea what he was going to do. His house arrest ends when he graduates, but it's unlikely that anyone would hire him.
Draco just signed up for anything. Divination, potions, herbology, and charms.
Very small class sizes lead to the teachers having tons of time to go over every question and a lot of personal time to ensure everyone understood. It was really really nice.
"Very good work on your potion Black." Professor Slughorn told him.
"Thank you, Sir." He nodded. Bottling up his Draught of Peace he had made.
"Hmm. Yes, I would recommend that you all keep a sample of your potions. I imagine that something like this will be very helpful for you all." Slughorn announces to the four in the room.
Susan bottles up for potion, as well as Hermione. Harry's potion didn't come out just right but was still usable. He decided to just take some of 'Miones.
"It'll be nice keeping a couple of these," Susan says with a sigh.
Draco nods, "Less anxiety at the tip of my fingers. Next, we should make calming droughts. Just keep 'em stockpiled."
Susan laughs. "We really should."
"Honestly." Hermione joins in. "Madam Pomfrey's already got to be annoyed with how often she's seen us and it's the first day."
"Hey now, I've only been there once," Draco adds.
"Me as well," Harry says.
"I took Ron there after breakfast," Hermione says.
"Luna woke me up last night so I could walk with her to get dreamless sleep," Susan adds.
"I'll need to head there tonight to get some," Draco adds.
"We have a cupboard with free supplies for you, and I will be happy to check any personal potions you make. Actually. I require me to check any personal potions. Can't have any negative outcomes on my hands." Slughorn tells the class. "Please feel free to come after dinner to make some or start some potions."
-
"Draco, do you have any plans after dinner? I'd love a game of chess." Ron asks, "You're the only one I have a competition with." He glares at Harry.
"I was going to go to Professor Slughorn and make some calming drought."
"Oh? That's cool." Ron nods.
"I figured I'd keep a couple in the common room for any of us to use. Maybe make a large batch and give some to Madam Pomfrey. I'm sure everyone is needing them."
"That's so thoughtful Draco!" Sue smiles.
"Would you like some company?" Luna asks.
"Sure. It'll be fun."
-
The two, Luna and Draco, giggle and talk while Draco mixes the potion. Slughorn sits at his desk watching.
"Sir?" Draco calls out. "Can you please check this?"
"Of course Mr.Black." He comes and checks it, "That looks lovely. You have done a great job. I'm sure Poppy would love some for her stash."
"Well of course." Luna nods, "I've seen quite a few people needing them."
"I'll walk with you down there," Slughorn says.
-
"Some of my students have decided to help you Madam Pomfrey." He called.
"Oh hello!" He hands her the bottles of calming drought. "Oh Draco, thank you so much."
"Of course Ma'am. Uhm. Is there any way I can get some dreamless-sleep?" Draco asked.
"Oh yes, dear. Would you like some more for tonight as well Ms.Lovegood?"
Luna nodded.
"There you are, dears. Thank you. Have a good night!"
-
Draco put a couple of the calming drought potions on the table in the common room, next to the drought of peace potions they also all had set out for each other.
He then sat on the couch, working on his homework as Ron and Neville played chess.
"God mate. Homework already?" Ron asked.
"It's not due yet but if I get it done I don't have to do it later." Draco shrugged.
"You're a lot like Mione." Ron laughs.
"Shush." Draco blushed.
Not long after this conversation, Draco finished his homework, putting it back away before laying down on the sofa.
"Am I walking you to bed again?" Harry laughs entering the common room with Hermione.
"Awe. Move over Draco, I want to sit down." Hermione laughs.
"Ughhhh." Draco groaned sitting up, "what time issit?"
"10:30 about," Harry tells him.
"Mmm."
Hermione sits on the opposite end of the couch as Draco, well Harry sits in the middle.
Everyone talks peacefully, Sue, Luna, and Susan all joining as well. Draco drifts off the sleep on the couch, falling into Harry's shoulder.
"Oh look at him." Luna giggles. "I think this is going to be a normal occurrence."
"C'mon Draco. Let's get you to bed." Harry laughs.
"Noooo." Draco whines, cuddling himself into Harry.
"Alright. Alright. You stay right there for now then." Harry wraps his arm around Draco.
Eventually, everyone decided to go to sleep, and Harry was yet again helping Draco to his bed.
"You-You're s-si ni-nice." Draco stuttered out.
"Do you need a potion before bed?" Harry asks.
"Ye-yeah." Draco pulls out his dreamless sleep, taking it in one big gulp.
Tonight he notices Harry takes one himself.
"Goodnight Draco."
"Ni-night Har-Harry."
Draco lay down, waiting for his potion to kick in. 'I want this fucking stutter gone.' He thinks.
-
A week passes by fast and Draco is in an abandoned classroom with Healer Garcia.
"How was your week?" She asked.
"It's been fine. I think Madam Pomfrey is getting sick of seeing me every day." Draco sighs.
"Oh?"
"First day I needed calming drought. I've needed Dreamless Sleep every night. My stutter seems to be so awful every night. I'm just so nervous about waking everyone up with screaming."
"Have you had many anxieties since getting here?"
"Yes. Most of them are about everyone hating me. Which doesn't seem to be happening. But it still could. Maybe their hi-hiding it r-really well."
"Deep breaths. C'mon know." She breathes deeply, having Draco follow.
"Thank you." He wipes his eyes. "Uhm. Yeah." He breathes deeply again.
"Of course. Are you comfortable talking more about that or would you like to move on to something else?"
"Luna forgave me. I think. She hasn't said anything but she's…she's very nice to me. She took me to Madam Pomfrey on the first day. It was just… Really nice."
"I know about your attack on the first day, have there been any others?"
"Uh… Not many. Not as many as I thought." He sighs, "I've had three. The one on the first day. Then another when a-a third year." He took another deep breath, "A third year threw a hex at me. Harry was with me. So when I started freaking out he took me to the closest classroom. Which was Slughorns and he gave me calming drought. Harry freaked out after me, working himself into one as well. It was not a fun time."
"It doesn't sound like it. Did you talk to McGonagall about this?"
"Of course. Slughorn called her straight to his classroom."
"And your other one?"
"I was with Hermione studying. And someone dropped a book in the library. It was embarrassing." He put his head in his hands to hide the blush.
"All reasons are valid reasons. You don't handle loud noises well. And that is okay."
'Thank you." He sighs. "I miss mum. A lot."
"That's completely understandable. Have you Owled her?"
"Of course," Draco says quickly. "Every day. I just miss her so much. I have one of the blankets she made with me. But I've been too anxious to take it out of my trunk."
"Are you afraid of someone judging you?"
"Yes. I know for a fact no one will. They'll be like one question or a comment like 'hey cool blanket' and that will be it. But it's so hard to do. I can hear my Father just judging me in his head."
"He is not here. He is not going to be back."
"I know. I need to stop living in fear of someone who isn't here."
-
Evening hit and everyone was in the common room. Draco was busy doing any assignments he had, too busy to focus on the time.
He looked over at the clock after finishing his essay, "Shit." He muttered.
"What was that Draco?" Hermione asked.
"I… I forgot to go get a potion from Madam Pomfrey." He sighs.
Hermione quickly looks over at the clock. "Oh god, it's one?' She exclaimed, "I'm so sorry Draco."
"It's fine."
Tonight was one of the first nights that Draco didn't fall asleep in the common room. Far too anxious to even think of sleep at the moment.
"Heading to bed soon, Dray?" Ron asks on his way to the room.
His brain takes a moment to process the words, "Y-Yeah."
Draco quickly grabbed a bottle of calming drought hoping it would help him sleep. Ron is standing waiting to walk with him.
"You good Mate?" Ron asks.
"For-Forgot to ge-get the. The uh." Draco squeezed his eyes shut taking a deep breath, "Dreamless sleep from Pomfrey."
"Ah I'm sorry mate, I think Harry might have a couple."
Draco nods. Then joins Ron on the short walk to the bedrooms. Ron put his arm around Draco's shoulder, grounding him.
"Harry?" Ron whispered.
"Huh?"
"Do you have any dreamless sleep?"
Harry sat up, putting his glasses on. "Yeah of course. You don't normally take it, everything okay?"
"Draco didn't get a chance to see Madam Pomfrey."
Harry quickly grabbed his bag pulling out some of the potion, which he walked to Draco.
Draco was pulling out the blanket from his trunk, laying it over his bed.
"I normally have a couple with me if you ever can't get one." He tells Draco, handing it to him.
"Th-Thank you."
'Damn that stutter.' Draco thinks as he gulps down the potion.
-
Sunday passed by slowly, everyone went out. But Draco. Neville insisted on staying until Draco told him that he didn't mind.
Draco lay around the common room, he wrote a letter to Mum, and finished all his assignments.
With a sigh, he decided to head to Madam Pomfrey's so he wouldn't forget his potion again tonight.
The walk was uneventful, almost no one in the halls.
"Ah, Mr.Black! How are you doing today?" Madam Pomfrey greeted.
"I'm… Alright. Thank you. How are you doing?"
"Very well, dear. Thank you."
"I was uhm. Wondering if I could pick up some dreamless sleep?" He asked.
"Of course dear." She quickly got him the potion, giving him a couple extra that he shoved in his pockets. "Would you like some tea?" She asked.
"Oh. Sure. Thank you, Ma'am." He sat down at a small table that was set up.
"I'm curious if you've been able to sleep without potions?"
"Uh. No ma'am. I wasn't able to much at home either."
"I hope you are able to."
"Me too." He sighs. "Uhm. Do you know of anything that would help with stutters?"
"Oh?"
"I seem to get them when I'm nervous. And then they don't go away with anything. Even after calming drought or other potions."
"Hmm. I'll look into it for you Mr.Black."
-
After meeting with Madam Pomfrey Draco went back to the dorm to lie down. After tossing and turning in his bed he gave up. Grabbing his mum's blanket he dragged himself to the common room.
He peacefully snored laying across the couch, not even woken up by everyone coming back from their day out.
"Awe look at him," Susan whispers.
"Always the common room." Harry sighs, causing Luna to giggle.
Everyone sat around the common room avoiding Draco and staying quiet.
"Are we going to wake him for dinner?" Hermione asked.
"I mean. If he's not up yet of course. But we still have an hour." Ron shrugs, wrapping his arm around Hermione and kissing her on the cheek.
Again they fell into a comfortable silence. Until Draco started screaming.
Harry jumped extremely startled as Luna immediately went to comfort Draco.
"You're okay, you're okay Draco. You're in the common room at Hogwarts. Nothing is going to hurt you. Deep breath in. 1…2..3… And out. 1…2…3. In. 1…2…3. Out. 1…2…3. Harry, can you grab a calming potion?"
"Of course."
After about 10 minutes Draco had calmed down enough to speak. "I-I-I'm s-so sor-sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Harry told him. Draco patted the side of him Luna wasn't sitting on. And Harry quickly moved to sit next to him.
Harry wrapped an arm around him.
"Do you need anything Draco?" Sue asked. Draco shook his head no.
"Not wanting to speak, Dray?" Harry asked.
"St-stutter." Draco shakes his head.
"Would you like me to sneak into the kitchen and bring you some dinner?" Harry asks.
Draco nods, then shakes his head. "St-Stay?"
"Of course."
"I can run down there," Ron says.
"Thanks, mate," Harry says, Draco cuddling into him.
Harry can feel Draco lightly crying on his chest. He pets his back comfortingly. "C-Can you-you t-talk?"
"Oh. Uhm. So Harry, are you going to watch quidditch tryouts?" Neville asks.
"I think so. It sucks that we can't play."
Draco's breathing was normal, and the tears had slowed.
"I think that it makes sense." Sue says, "since there's such an age gap between us and some of the other players."
"That's very true." Hermione nods.
"You're allowed to fly, you could probably get some people together to play an unofficial game." Susan chimes in.
"I'd watch that," Neville says.
"You've always hated heights." Luna giggles.
They continued chatting until Ron got back, a freed house elf behind him.
"Thank you for helping Ron." Hermione thanked the elf.
Draco perked up looking over at the elf. "Kreacher!!"
"Master Draco! Oh my. I never thought I'd see Master Draco again!"
"I'm so excited to see you." Tears welled in Draco's eyes again.
"How is Mistress Narcissa?"
"Mum is doing amazing. She'll be so excited when I send her a letter saying you're here."
"And Master Harry! Kreacher loves seeing Master Harry."
"Of course Kreacher. I didn't know you worked at Hogwarts! Great to see you."
"Kreacher will let you all eat. Great to see you Master Draco, Master Harry."
Kreacher apparated back down to the kitchen.
"Here, Dray. Eat." Ron said, handing over a plate.
"T-thank you, R-ron."
Everyone ate in relative silence,
"Are you doing better or would you like me to walk you to the healer we have?" Harry whispered to Draco.
"I-I'll b-be fine, d-domn't worry. Just a night-ightm-m-mare." Draco whispered back.
"I'm always here to talk."
"T-thank you."
-
Draco yet again fell asleep on Harry in the common room. "Is this going to be just a normal thing now?" Hermione asked.
"I think so. I'm okay with it." Harry smiled. "C'mon Draco it's time to go to bed."
"Mmmkay." He rubbed his eyes and pushed back his short blonde hair.
Going to stand up he took a small tumble. Harry caught him. "Alright, mate?" Harry asks concern in his voice.
"Y-yeah." He clung to Harry, having him lead the way.
"Is the stutter a nervous thing or a tired thing?" Hermione asked, followed by "I'm sorry that seemed rude."
"N-Ner-nervous. Or w-when I-I t-take p-potions."
"So you'll take a calming drought to ease the anxiety and then the stutter stays?" She asks.
"Y-yeah. I-it s-sucks."
They approached the boy's room and Hermione wished them a good night.
Draco grabbed a dreamless potion quickly not wanting a repeat of the common room before he took it he realized something. "H-har?"
"Yeah?"
"I-I l-left my bl-blanket." Tears welled up in Draco's eyes again, a sob leaving his mouth.
"What's going on?" Ron woke up.
"Forgot a blanket. Don't worry." Harry quickly summoned the blanket wandlessly. "I'm sorry we forgot it, Dray."
"T-t-thank y-you." Draco sobs again. "S-sorry."
"No reason to be sorry." Harry smiles at him. Harry sits down on Draco's bed with him.
Draco gives him a confused look, not wanting to speak.
"You seem to sleep better near me, and with what happened earlier I figured I'd stay right here tell you fall asleep."
Draco smiled at that, then gulped down his potion."T-talk t-to me?"
"Of course. Uhm…" He pauses to think. "About what?"
"H-how d-do you kn-know Kreacher?"
"I freed him. He was the Blacks, which you know. But he was living at Grimmauld Palace. He was so sad being there. So I asked him if he wanted to be free, and gave him a sock. He was very excited. Dobby I think must've gotten him a job in the kitchen. I'm very happy he's here. I know McGonagall is treating them well."
During Harry's talking, Draco nodded off. Harry stood up and tucked him in with his seemingly special blanket. "Goodnight Draco." He whispered.
-
Harry was spending time with Ron in between classes.
"I'm sorry you WHAT?" Ron exclaimed.
"Keep your voice down!" Harry scolded.
"You have a crush? On Draco?" He muttered. "God it makes perfect sense. He clearly likes you. He wanted you to comfort him. He hasn't hugged anyone but you. Which surprised me. Honestly, him in general has surprised me."
"He's surprised me too. I knew his Father had an effect on how he acted. He just wanted love. I felt the same at the Dursleys as a kid until you and your family took me in."
"Him taking the Black last name was a Wow. Like I can't imagine a bigger 'fuck you Dad' than that!"
"I know! It's weird to think that Sirius was related to him in some way. But knowing his childhood I can't imagine Draco's was good. Especially with him taking the mark as a punishment, and everything his Dad did. But I really really like him."
"Mione thought you had a big crush on him in 6th year." Ron giggles.
"Because I did." Harry smiles.
"Really?"
"Yeah. That's why things didn't work out with Ginny. I like blokes."
"He's definitely changed. And I would support you two."
"Now I just need to figure out how to ask him out. And then plan a date that takes place on Hogwarts grounds."
"Picnic near the lake, go on a walk, honestly you could probably just stay with him next weekend instead of leaving campus. He would like that. Then you could just cuddle on the couch, visit Kreacher maybe?"
"Sounds brilliant. Know. When do I tell him I like him?"
"I've never told someone I like them! Minus being fucking drugged with love potion. Mione and I are just somehow together."
"So ask her instead?" Harry laughs.
"Yes!"
-
Draco was lounging around the common room with Neville.
"So what happened last night?" Neville asked.
"It's so embarrassing." Draco covers his face with his hands. "I left my blanket down here."
"Yeah? Doesn't sound too embarrassing. You like your blanket. I sleep with a teddy bear." Neville shrugs.
"Really?"
"Yup. He sits on my pillow. I tuck him in after I wake up."
"My mum made that blanket. And I just really really miss her. I didn't know Harry could do wandless magic."
"Yeah he's quite good at it."
"It surprised me. It was amazing." Draco smiles. "Gods, I think I like him."
"Think? Dray, you like him so much. You might be in love."
Draco's face turned bright red, "shush!"
Neville laughed very hard, causing Draco to laugh as well. "Bloody hell I am, aren't I?" Draco laughs. "How do I tell him?"
"Easy. He likes you a lot. He never lets me or even Ron and Hermione give him as much physical contact as you do."
"Really?"
"Only person who did was Ginny when they were a thing. But then Ginny realized she was a lesbian and Harry likes men."
"So you think he'd say yes if I asked him on a date?"
"Definitely."
"How do I plan a date that takes place at Hogwarts? Doesn't seem very romantic."
"The lake is really nice this time of year. You can sneak into the kitchen and get some food and have a picnic?" Neville thinks aloud.
"That would work. Thank you for the idea."
-
When Harry and Ron got back, Neville and Draco were playing wizards chess.
"Hello!" Neville greeted them when they came in.
"Ooo chess?" Ron immediately got excited.
"Here take my spot." Draco got up, going to sit next to Harry. "Harry… I was wondering if you'd like to stay with me this Sunday? We could go on a walk near the lake."
"Like a date?" Harry smirked.
"Yes." Draco smiled. "So. Are you agreeing?"
"Of course Dray."
"Fuck yeah!" Ron cheered. "I hope you have a great date."
"Oh god." Neville's eyes went wide. "Ron, we've made a mistake letting them get together."
"What?"
"They're going to want to shag in our room." Neville covered his face with his hands.
"Oh my god!" Harry shouted, laughing.
Draco was chuckling as well. He pecked a quick kiss on Harry's cheek and leaned into his side. " I feel safe next to you."
"I'm glad, Dray. I'm glad."