Chapter 25
"Yeah that's fine, maybe try and relax your arm a bit, yeah like that."
They'd decided to practise in their room, it was just about big enough and offered them the privacy they needed. The two beds had been turned sideways and pushed flush against the wall to give them a bit more space.
"Now this is very important, you have to think, well actually relive the happiest moment in your life. But it has to be something powerful, something that really affected you."
Draco just looked at him with confusion written on his features, and then he shook his head and shut his eyes.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Nothing.
Not even a wisp of light.
"Don't worry nobody gets it the first time. Try again."
This time Draco furrowed his eyebrows and squeezed his eyes so tight there were thousands of little creases decorating his face. This gave Harry the opportunity to really let himself soak Draco in without the fear of his catching his eye. His lips were a soft pink, as if Draco spent too much time buying them in either frustration or anxiousness. His skin was luminous and smooth like fresh cotton, all Harry wanted to do in this moment was run his hands all over it. In this proximity Harry could faintly smell Draco's scent. It reminded Harry of a garden with thousands of different flowers after it had been raining all night. One particular scent he could identify was a hint of lavender.
"Expecto Patronum!"
There was still nothing.
"Harry this is useless, I'm never going to do it."
"Yes you will, we just need to practise. If you don't mind me asking, what memory are you using?"
Draco lowered his wand and turned to look at Harry. His hair was delicately disheveled and reached past his ears now which made him look so pretty. His face concerned Harry more, he looked utterly surrendered, as if he believed he'd never do it. If only Harry could just show him how good he actually was, to make him believe in himself.
"My last Christmas before I came to Hogwarts."
"I think you'll have to pick one a little more powerful than that, can you think of something?"
He looked unsure and maybe a little sad but nodded. Harry knew better than to ask, although he desperately wanted to.
"Okay then remember it, let it consume your thoughts."
For a few seconds Draco said and did nothing but stood there with his wand outstretched and eyes closed.
"Expecto patronum."
Harry wasn't surprised when wisps of magic grew out of the end of Draco's wand and began filling the room. The glow highlighted his prominent cheekbones and straight perfect nose. Draco held onto it for a minute or two, watching the silver light with disbelief. Eventually he let go and it faded away.
"See! I told you! You've just got to get the hang of it! It won't be long now before you manage to cast your patronus in animal form."
"Wow, I didn't think it would actually happen! Thank you Harry, I probably wouldn't have ever been able to do it if it weren't for you."
"Yes you would, you're one of the best wizards I know. You're even better than Hermione at potions!"
He said nothing in response, but his cute pink blush and small laugh said enough.
It didn't take them long to put the room right, and they made small talk about the new season of Quidditch whilst doing it. Harry loved these small moments, when it was just him and Draco and he didn't have to worry about people judging them, or the disapproving looks his other friends gave him.
The day had been so wonderful for Harry that he'd completely forgotten that the Holiday Ball as only in two days time.