Slytherin's in D. A?!
In the room of requirement, Draco & his friends were sent a lot of odd looks but Potter seemed to ignored them as he was making sure everyone was there. Like he was doing a mental register. Then, Granger came up to the group & let them sign the parchment.
Potter finally clasped his hands together, "Glad to see all of you could find this place all right."
"Hey, Harry, what is all this stuff?" Longbottom asked.
"& why are they here?" A Hufflepuff added, gesturing to Draco & the others.
The Weasley sister eyed them up then looked at the blond, "The Slytherin's are doing O.W.L.s too. Why should they be excluded?"
Draco was surprised at her coming to his & his friends defense.
"To answer your question, Neville. These are a lot of Defense Against the Dark Art equipment. Hopefully we'll be able to get to all of it before the end of term."
He began to pace which reminded Draco of Alex of when she does pacing.
"You need to understand something before we start, though. Defending yourself from the Dark Arts has less to do with magical ability & more to do with thinking fast & a lot of luck."
He paused, his eyes seemingly finding Draco's.
"We'll be doing Expelliarmus tonight, though hopefully we can move on to other things if we have the time."
"Oh please," The same Hufflepuff began, "Professor Lockhart taught us that in second year."
"Lockhart didn't teach as much as prune himself," (Ron) Weasley said.
Potter finally moved his eyes away from the blond, "Besides, it works. I used it against You-Know-who last June. It saved my life."
This made the Hufflepuff quiet.
"Right. Well, let's split into pairs & give it a go."
Lukas & Blaise paired up, Pansy & Alex paired up, & Jack & Spoon paired up. The Weasley sister took Draco's good arm (his cast was off due to magic healing it quick but it still hurt) & dragged him to a spot to where they can practice. Silver eyes looked at Potter confused but it seemed that the golden trio was just as confused as he was.
"I know about your arm being sore. I'll be careful & make sure not to accidently send you back."
"Oh... Thank you."
They paused.
"You saved Harry from Crabbe."
"I did. Yes."
"Well, I think you are okay in my books. But, hurt anyone in my family, Hermione or Harry, & I'll gut you."
"Noted."
After a few hours of practicing they heard Potter's called for them.
"Look here, you lot! Neville's really got the hang of this one," He said, then turned to the said boy, "Go ahead again."
One of the Weasley twins tossed his partner, Ron Weasley, his wand back so Longbottom could do it again.
When Longbottom disarmed him again, he turned to Potter proudly.
"I did it! I did it!"
Potter clapped his shoulder, "Never forget this spell, Neville. It could save your life someday."
He turned to everyone.
"I know our time was short. But, we've done a lot today & I have seen some great improvement. That's it for today so I'll see you next week. Same time."
Everyone, then began to grab their things & leave while Potter began to straighten things up. He looked up & noticed Draco, by himself, in front of the framed mirror where he put the old Order Of The Phoenix & Cedric Diggory's announcement of his death of the Daily Prophet. The blond reached out & gently brushed his finger over someone on the photograph of the old order. He didn't notice the other boy walking up to him until he spoke.
"The Old order. Sirius gave me that photo."
"He looked so... He looked exactly how I imagined him. Before he was imprisoned, of course."
"Yeah?"
"& oh my Merlin, just look at Lupin's hair. It's fabulous."
Potter chuckled at that, "It is. Isn't it."
"My mother wanted to bond with my aunt Andi just before the end of the war. She hoped that when my father was imprisoned she could do as she wished. He was for a bit. I don't remember much but Dora said in a letter that she & I use to play while our mother's talked with some tea. Unfortunately, my father bought his freedom & took away my mother & I's... She was also going to be a witness to get Sirius free but as soon as my father got out that went out of the window. He almost would of been free & would of lived with us until everyone saw him as... Innocent again."
"Draco..."
"My father has caused so much shit. I don't think I'll ever forgive him. I think... I always thought that I held back from going against him because I was afraid. But, now I see that it's just..," He felt his throat clog up, "I don't want to lose my mother. I love her. She did nothing wrong & me leaving... I- I don't know what will happen to her."
"Why won't she leave too?"
"She loves my father too. I can't let her choose between us."
"I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. I'm sure, I'll figure something out before I leave."
"By Christmas? Will you have enough time?"
"If I can't then I am not leaving."
"You promised!"
"I didn't promise! I am not leaving my mother! I am not even sure if he loves her just as much. What if I leave & he uses her against me! Plus, I have to get Pansy out too, remember?!"
"Drac-"
"What if it was Weasley &... Sirius? What if they took Pansy & my mother's place. Would you leave so easily?"
"... No, you're right... I'm sorry. I just... I just want you to be safe that is all. Maybe if you leave then who knows? Your mother & Pansy will follow. I am pretty sure your mother is a lot stronger that she looks & Pansy will find the way out judging the way she was when we played D & D."
"I can't rely on 'what ifs'."
"You'll just have to. If you stay you'll be forced to become one of them."
Reluctantly, Draco nodded, "Fine. Okay. I'll-I'll leave. I'll send my mother a coded letter that only she knows & hope she will follow. Maybe, I can get Pansy to live with Spoons or Jack or..."
"Is your arm okay? You look like you are in pain..."
"My arm's fine," He croaked, "I'm going to head."
Potter grabbed him before he could move & pulled him closer.
"Draco."
"Potter," He said, forcing a smile as he was looking down since he refused to look up into those eyes.
"It's gonna be okay, alright? It's gonna be fine."
"If you say so."
The Gryffindor gently pulled him in for a hug & wrapped his arms around his waist/mid back. The blond froze up but slowly allowed himself to relax & hugged back. His arms wrapped around his neck easily since he was taller & he found himself liking the way his chin felt on the Gryffindor's shoulder. The arms wrapped around him were well built but also secure & warm.
It was nice.
Sure he wasn't use to it since his friends are not built like him but it didn't feel awkward at all. He honestly was so confused on why he liked it.
"I promise. If I have to. I'll get them out. I doubt I'll be alone though. Pretty sure Sirius would if you asked him to," Potter said, nuzzling closer.
"I rather not let him get himself exposed like that. Remember my father is still highly respected in the ministry... For now, that is. Maybe once the ministry sees evidence of him returning then maybe he might-"
"You & I both know that will never be enough. If he does see him, he'll be killed &... It would be a waste."
"Shame this has to happen, hm?"
"Yeah."
Potter tightened his grip on him seemingly not wanting to let go when Draco tried to pull himself away.
"Potter. What are you doing?" The blond asked, amused.
"Hugging."
"I am aware of that. But why aren't you letting go? I would like to get back to my dorms."
"When will be the next time I'll get to hug you?"
"I-..."
"See? Now, let me enjoy this."
"Oh Merlin, really?"
"Yep."
"Didn't take you for a cuddly type or a clingy one."
"& I didn't know you liked them. So, there you go. We learned a lot today. Academic & non academic."
The blond huffed out a laugh before turning his head to bury it into the other's neck.
"You're so weird, Potter."
"Call me Harry. & yes. Yes, I am."
"Hm? Why?"
"I think we are close enough to be in the first name bases."
"Even though you've been calling me 'Draco' before all this."
The blond felt his body being pressed against him even more, "Well, I think so. & you should too."
"You sound like a toddler! & Po-Harry, when you said closer I didn't think you meant physically!"
Potter- Harry chuckled.
"Potter get those hands away from there!"
"Oh, why? You ticklish?"
"This is a trap..."
"Maybe it is..."
The Gryffindor poked his sides making him yelp & try to wiggly his way free. The other wasn't having it & soon as the blond turned to face away from him (still in his grip), he grabbed around him to get to his stomach to tickle him.
"Ah! No! Please, mercy!" The Slytherin screeched, fighting back as he couldn't stop laughing.
He bent forward as a reflex & felt Harry get him even easier as he bent with him.
"Hey Harry, wanna get a late night snack-"
They froze & turned to Weasley & Granger who paused in the doorway with wide eyes.
"What is going on here?" The red head asked, confused.
"Your maniac of a friend tickle attacked me!" The blond whined, still chilling in the said 'maniacs' arms.
"I can see that... But, why?"
"Ask him!"
Harry grinned at them, "Keep him on his toes."
"I doubt any deatheaters would tickle attack him, mate..," Weasley said.
"You never know."
The other two just rolled their eyes.
Just before the Slytherin had split up with the Gryffindor's, Granger had pulled the blond to the side to talk in an alcove as Weasley pushed Harry head. For once, Draco didn't question it & just let it happen. He doubt Granger would kill him in an area where he could easily be found & he also doubted that she could carry him (to get rid of the evidence).
Maybe he was overthinking things.
"What did you do to Harry?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you drug him? Curse him? What did you do to him?"
"What makes you think I did anything to him?"
"You & him are uncomfortably close!"
"... Okay, I think you're just being overdramatic... Which is strange since I usually am. But, I haven't done anything to him. I just opened up to him a few time & saved his arse during quidditch."
"Still doesn't make sense!"
"Calm. Maybe, he & I out sass one another to cancel the rivalry or something?"
"Malfoy, he hasn't laughed or joked around like that since 2nd year!"
"He hasn't?"
"Nope! Ron & I, we have tried cheering him up! & you come along & suddenly he's able to laugh so easily with you!"
The blond frowned, "Did something happen to make you all tense with one another."
"That should not matter! You had a rivalry with him remember?"
"Which stopped in second year & was replaced with Nott's antics," He said, in monotonous tone then sighed, "Look, my friends have changed me & I am a lot happier with the way I am. We'll be seeing a lot with one another so I see no need to get into this or you'll start to hate me even more. You should be asking Harry this not me. I can't read his mind nor do I know him well... In fact, he knows me a lot more because I can't keep my antisocial, oversharing trap shut... Anyways-"
"What made him tickle you? What made him laugh as loud as he did when you mouthed something to him at breakfast this morning?"
"I-... Look, why don't you stop a serious approach with him all the time? You see, what it looks like to me is that you seem to make him confront things all the time when he needs to sometimes forget & not think about things. Maybe instead of saying, 'Hey, Harry how you feeling? Did you do this? Or have you thought about this? Or I did this...' & instead maybe say things like, 'Mornin/ afternoon, Harry. Go to Hogsmeade with me will you? I need a tea buddy/ I need to look for this book. Come stretch your legs with me. Come sit with me, Crookshanks has been stolen again & I need something to pet while I read. Get on my lap'. Heck, opening up to him about your problems as well! Maybe, if he's being angry with you & you are going through moon week you could say & that you are not in the mood then he might calm himself. I dunno. What I am saying is, I don't think when I talk with him or be serious with him a lot. Because, trust me. I know he's going through a lot. So I wing it. & I joke & tease him without any harm. That is all I'm doing."
She frowned at him.
"Sometimes, Granger. People don't want to talk about things. They generally just want something... Just something to do/ talk about to make them feel normal again. I get that you are worried but still..."
"I see... Thank you, Draco... It seems to me that you do care?"
"I know I was surprised too."
"Honestly, it was a good idea," Lukas said, sitting on Blaise's lap who was on one of the Slytherin common room's couches.
Draco took a seat next to them with a grin & pulled out one of his books from his bag.
"Told you. Now, we'll be able to get a lot of help for O.W.L.s & defend ourselves better."
"Which is amazing. I thought I'd never pass but there is hope," Lukas said.
"A slight one."
"I thought you love me."
"I do but I got to be honest."
The Slytherin pouted making Blaise snort then he turned to Draco.
"Got anywhere with your mother? Or Pans?"
"Nope."
"Want me to try with Pansy?"
"If she doesn't listen to me, she won't listen to you... She wants to be there."
"Look, we will figure something out. But, take that offer. Stay with Potter during Christmas. It would be good for you. Maybe, your aunt will have a better chance convincing your mother."
"I'm not so sure. But, okay..."
His silver eyes seemed to darken when he looked at his hands to the letter he had written to mother. He re read the code before putting it under the letter Sirius gave him not that long ago.
A line on it had caught his eye the first time he read it & when he looked at it he found himself sinking it in.
Recreate our own family tree. The Blacks, Potters, Tonks, Lupin & you/ mother.
He remembered writing back to ask where they were going put it. He was awaiting the answer.
He glanced at Lukas & Blaise who were looking at cards from Lukas' mother/ younger sister. It was their 2 year anniversary the next day.
Fondly, Draco smiled as he remember the gift he got for them.
After all, they were his family too.