Chapter 15
"So do you have any ideas for this potion then?"
It was pretty late by now but neither of the boys could sleep.
"Nope. Not one." Harry sighed defeatedly. "Every idea I've thought of has already been done!"
Draco just nodded, he'd felt the same too.
"Ugh I can't talk about it anymore I'll go crazy, I reckon it's why we both can't sleep." Harry ran his hands through his messy black hair.
"Uh okay, what would you like to talk about then?"
Harry racked his brain for something, anything to talk about.
"How was your summer?"
Draco seemed struck by the question at first but then he swallowed and answered.
"Well it was quite boring actually, I was uh, on house arrest all summer and my father...is in Azkaban, as you probably know, so yes, very quiet. Not that I'm not grateful or anything! It was, very kind of you to do what you did, at the um, trial. Not many people would have done that, and I don't think I've thanked you properly. So thank you, I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you properly and I'll be forever in your debt."
Wow, that was a lot Harry thought. But it had just confirmed what he'd already suspected. Draco Malfoy had in fact grown as a person.
When Harry looked at him, he was nervously picking at his bed sheets, eyes trained on the floor. Although he'd changed generally for the better, Harry could tell he was so insecure now. Or perhaps he'd always been insecure but he was only now beginning to show it.
"Draco...you don't have to thank me. You've already saved my life, and your mother too. You didn't deserve to go to Azgaban. Merlin, having Voldemort live in your house for a year is punishment enough. You know I could see some of the things he was doing, because of our link. The death. Nobody deserves to go through that."
When he finally looked up at him, Draco's eyes were shiny and wet, but he gave Harry a small smile, which Harry returned.
Breaking their peaceful moment, Duri, who had been sleeping on top of Draco's trunk, stood and began meowing loudly.
"She wants to go out." Draco said, stretching. "I'll take her, won't be long."
"I'll just come with you, it's late so maybe you could do with my protection. For Duri's sake."
They both laughed.
"Harry, I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself...but if it means that much to you, I suppose it won't hurt to have someone to use as a human shield."
"Ha ha very funny."
As they walked through the dark cold corridor, Harry didn't really care if they got caught, he liked that it was just the two of them, plus the cat. Duri ran on ahead while they walked side by side.
"You know, being partnered together for this potion thing means we're going to be spending a lot of time together? Are you sure your friends are going to be okay with that?"
"Well yeah? They don't really have much choice do they."
"It's not just them though, what about your girlfriend and the rest of Gryffindor and the school. I'm not very popular you know, nobody wants to be associated with an ex death eater."
"Draco, Ginny and I broke up a while ago. And to be honest I couldn't give a damn about everyone else. I've spent a long time living my life for other people, so I think I have the right to choose my own friends."
"Alright, but don't blame me if your popularity among the rest of the students decreases. Anyway I think we should head back, I don't fancy getting detention thank you very much."
He called for Duri who came running back with her tail held high and they started back to their room. When they did return, Harry found that sleep came a lot easier to him.