Chapter 24
The next morning, Harry's silencing charm must have worn off because he could hear his friend shuffling around the room. What time was it? He couldn't tell as the curtains blocked everything out. Swiftly he opened them and bright burning sunlight flooded in.
"Good morning, or should I say afternoon?" Draco smirked.
"Merlin, what time is it?"
"Eleven? Maybe half past? You've missed breakfast."
Harry's stomach gurgled in agreement, much to Harry's embarrassment.
"I did try and call you, but you obviously couldn't hear me."
"Oh yeah, um, couldn't sleep so I thought maybe using a silencing charm could help or something."
"Oh, did it?"
"Yeah a bit."
"Cool."
Harry's stomach rumbled again, right on cue.
"You should eat something, most important meal of the day or whatever."
"Yeah I'll go down to the kitchens now, fancy coming?"
"Yeah, why not, I need something to distract me from the defence homework."
As they walked through the mostly empty corridors, Harry felt as though he needed to say something. Memories of last night kept flashing in his brain, making him blush randomly.
"So...how is the defence work going?"
They'd been learning about patronuses and how they were helpful. The class had been set the task of learning how to cast their own patronus, something Harry didn't need to worry about.
"Shit, if I'm being honest."
It took Harry by surprise, that Draco was struggling this. He knew that he was a powerful wizard, nothing ever seemed to faze him when it came to magic.
"I just can't seem to do it, I've tried almost everything. Maybe you just have to be good and not an ex-death eater."
"You are good, not just good actually, brilliant." He blushed, "but it isn't about that really, it's more about being in control of you emotions, and memories."
"I'll never be able to do it, I think I'll just have to accept that."
Draco's mouth had turned down slightly in a frown, his eyes glazed over with sadness.
"You will be able to! I can help you, I even taught Neville how to do it!"
They'd reached the kitchens now, house elves chattering in delight, apparently they'd missed him.
When the both of them had tucked into some scrambled eggs on toast, Draco finally responded to Harry's offer.
"You'd...you'd really do that? For me?"
"Yeah! I don't see why not? You've helped me before, with potions and stuff."
"But this is different." He mumbled, steaming cup of black coffee in his hands.
"Fine then we can find a way for you to pay me back properly after, I've been told I'm quite a good teacher you know." He grinned cheekily.
"Fine, when would Mr. Potter like to start?"
"No time like the present."