Chapter 1
“Fuck! I’m going to be late for potions!” Harry said, rushing down the hall. After staying late in transfiguration, he had to rush through lunch so he wouldn’t be late, but it was in vain.
“So, pretty boy potter thinks it’s ok to be late?” Snape sneers as Harry walks through the door. Class is only getting started.
Taking a seat next to Ron and Hermione, Harry inwardly groans. He forgot that they had potions with the Slytherins, and as per usual, he was getting glared at by Malfoy. Oh, how he hated his snide remarks, his cruel words for Hermione.
The raven haired boy was jolted from his train of thought as Snape asked “And what is the use of gillyweed, Potter?” Harry thought, and said “to make someone able to breathe underwater.”
“5 points from Gryffindor.” Snape continued “it makes it so that you have gills.”
Malfoy shot a snide look at Harry, and Hermione looked like she could throttle him.
_._._._._
“Glad that was over!” Ron says. They walk in silence for a few feet before Ron blurts out “Hermione? Can you help me with my essay? I barely understood a word Snape said!” Looking over, she said “fine... But you need to pay more attention if you are going to pass your O.W.L.S.!”
They wordlessly agree that it is too snowy outside, and head up to the common rooms.
“Password!” The fat lady shouts. In unison, the trio say “pig snouts .” As the painting swings open.
They are greeted by the sight of a quiet, empty common room, except for a frazzled Neville looking for his toad.
“Ron! Have you seen Trevor anywhere?” He said, looking under the couch. “Sorry, mate, good luck though!” Said the ginger.
_._._._._
After studying for what seemed like hours, the tired trio retreated to their separate dorms.
_._._._._
It was early, and Harry woke with a start. He heard someone take shallow, short breaths, and looked over.
Seamus was under the covers, and Harry looked just in time to hear a long exhale, then Seamus muttered “scourgify”.
Harry wanted to erase the image of Seamus jerking from his mind, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, so he grabbed his cloak and hopped out of bed. He was about to walk off when he went back and grabbed his broomstick.
He made his way up to the roof, and looked out at the cold February sky. Mounting his broom, his spirits began to rise as he did the same.
Zipping through the treetops, he climbed higher and higher until the moon was bright on his green eyes. Taking in the view, he looked down. Past the castle and the lake, past Hagrids hut, past the forest, and into the distant reaches of the horizon.
He felt his mind clear with a breath of the frosty air. He looked down once more, and saw a little blob of light. Swooping down carefully, he saw it was Malfoy.
Trying to fly away, he felt a surge of panic, and he barley had a second to register what was happening before he saw the ground approaching, and fast. He knew he couldn’t stop himself in time, so he held on to his broomstick with all of his might.
Screwing his eyes shut, he prepared for the pain. But it never came. Opening his eyes, he just had time to register that Malfoy had caught him. Flicking his wand, he unceremoniously dumped the younger boy to the ground.
“If you tell anyone, you’re dead, Potter.” Draco said, stalking off to the castle. Harry sat upright, a blanket of snow around him, and he thought to himself. He wondered why Draco had saved him, but didn’t ponder much before he was overcome by a wave of exhaustion.
Harry barley made it back to the dorms before he collapsed on his bed, not bothering to throw the covers over him.
_._._._._
The raven haired boy awoke to sunlight piercing his eyes. He saw everyone getting ready for the day, and he moved to join the fray.
Ron came over and said “Ready for charms? We have it with Slytherin. Again.” Harry groaned at the thought. “Hey, look on the bright side; we don’t have Snape!” Said Harry. Ron weakly smiled.
Hurrying down the stairs to breakfast, the duo became three once more as they found Hermione.
“Bloody hell! You look like a wreck!” Said Ron to Hermione. Her hair was in a mushroom cloud around her head, and she had bags under her eyes.
“You stayed up studying again, didint you!” Harry butted in. She faintly nodded and said “sure, let’s go with that”.
Arriving at the doors to the great hall, Ron Said “aren’t you the one that’s always lecturing us on the importance of sleep!?”
She perked up in defense and replied “ at least I’m not sneaking around school grounds with a broomstick at 3 in the morning!”
Harry put his head down and said “ it was too loud and I couldn’t sleep.” Whispering, he added “Seamus. Again.”
Ron Said, sounding sullen, “I didn’t hear anything.” He quickly added “not that I want to!”
Ron was saved by them arriving at their seats, breakfast laid out before them. After loading their plates high with food, they talked about all of their class work as they ate.
Harry glances over at the Slytherin table, and caught a glimpse of Draco’s pale face, before he was pulled back to the Gryffindors.
The rest of breakfast passed in a blur after Harry saw Draco. Well, time for charms, he thought to himself.
_._._._._
Walking in, harry saw that the only empty seat was next to Draco. Oddly enough, he didn’t feel mad about it, only slightly... happy? After years of hating him, the boy who lived was happy to see Draco. He silently cursed himself, and took his seat.
After trying to understand how to make a feather levitate, Harry realists something he needed to do. Taking out his portable quill and parchment, he wrote a note that read “meet me on the roof, at 2 o’clock, tonight. H.P.” And slipped it across the table. As Draco read it, a look of odd satisfaction spread across his face.
Both boys went back to work, trying to levitate the feather,but only getting a few inches off of the ground. In front of Harry, Hermione already had her feather zipping around the classroom, doing summersalts around in the air.
After finally levitating his feather, Mr. Flitwick collected Harry’s supplies. Everyone rushed out, excited for lunch, but Harry all but forgot what had happened.
_._._._._
The rest of the day had passed without incident, including transfiguration and dinner, and Harry was anxious for tonight. Lying in bed, he set an alarm on his wand for 1:45 so he might try to get some sleep.
After fitful dreams, Harry woke to a ringing in his head. Taking his cloak, he slipped out of the dorms and into the halls.
After a few minutes, he heard Ms. Norris roaming, and he held still, making sure the coast was clear.
When he reached the roof, he saw a pale figure, silhouetted against the silver moonlight.
The silence was shattered by Draco saying “so, what is your reason for dragging me up here this late at night?”
Harry said “why did you save me, last night?” He was met with “ I couldn’t bloody well have a corpse in my hands, especially yours!”.
“I don’t know... but I kinda think I like you. I’ve been thinking about it and all of a sudden, I feel happier when you are around. Don’t get mad... or anything.” Said harry, rather meekly. Draco laughed, and said “ Potter, I’ve liked you since we first met eyes. I just don’t know how to show you.”
And with that, Harry ran over to Draco and embraced him. He looked up into Draco’s eyes, and in that moment knew he wanted nothing more that Draco. He gave a small nod, and Draco nodded back.
For a minute, they stared into each other’s eyes. Draco’s were deep in thought. Harrys were studying his features. His sharp jawkine, his hair, his skin.