Harry carefully swirled his potion counterclockwise, counting the stirs. One...two...three...four...five...six! He sighed in relief and set down the stirring rod. His cauldron bubbled, foamed, and finally turned a creamy golden hue. Hermione shot him a quick smile from across the room as she poured her cooling potion into tiny tapered vials. Harry started to transfer the potion to his own vials when his shoulder was abruptly bumped by someone behind him. Harry quickly stopped pouring, dancing out of the way of the scalding drops that threatened to burn his face and robes. More potion splashed across the floor, hissing and steaming, before Harry righted his cauldron and vial holder.
"Watch where you're going, Potter!" Someone spat. Harry rolled his eyes, turning to face the irritating, tall blond-haired Slytherin behind him.
"Malfoy," Harry returned sarcastically, "Charmed." Draco sneered, stepping closer to Harry and staring straight into his eyes. Harry blinked quickly in surprise before returning his own steely glare, looking back into the silver eyes of his rival.
"I'm always charming, Potter. Haven't you noticed?" Malfoy drawled, "Since you're always staring at me across the Great Hall?" Harry straightened in anger and opened his mouth to snap back as a rotund figure stepped behind Draco.
"Harry! Ten points from each of your houses. Return to your cauldrons immediately or it's another ten." Slughorn exclaimed, clearly disappointed in his star student. The boys exchanged a final look, Harry flushed and furious, Draco smirking triumphantly.
"And, Harry," Slughorn continued, "Please clean the floor too. Use cloths, not a cleaning spell. This potion is finicky." Harry glared at Draco and transfigured several cloths before bending over and scrubbing the warm potion from the ground.
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Later at dinner, Harry sat next to Ron and Hermione gloomily. While his friends chatted, he ate in silence, letting his gaze drift around the Great Hall. A shriek of laughter came from the Slytherin table and Harry shifted on his seat to look behind him. He saw Pansy gasping for air while Draco pointed straight at Harry and turned to whisper something in her ear. She doubled over in a fit of laughter and nearly fell off the bench while Harry seethed across the hall. Hermione looked at Harry and patted his shoulder, leaning in to be heard over the noise.
"Don't worry about Malfoy. He's an idiot and nothing he says about you is true." She said consolingly. Ron chimed in, with his customary mouthful of food.
"She's right, mate. He's a git. Don't listen to him." Hermione wrinkled her nose at his manners. Harry halfheartedly grinned at his friends before shifting his focus once more to his still full plate.
"Besides," Ron continued, "The Quidditch game is tomorrow! You can wipe the superiority off his sniveling face then. Maybe even knock 'im off his broom!" Harry couldn't hold back a quick smirk at the thought. He grinned at Ron before quickly finishing his food and standing up.
"You're both right. I have to go study and then I'm going up to the dorm to sleep."
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Harry waved to Hermione as he prepared to take off on his broom. He loved this moment; the electric thrill, the roar of the crowd, the anticipation of the coming flight, even the biting chill of the slight wind. He glared at Draco across the field, who was leading the Slytherins in a spirited chant of "Weasley is our King!" while Ron looked at once enraged and queasy. Harry mounted his broom and, at the signal, launched into the air searching for the golden Snitch. The Gryffindors and Slytherins fiercely battled on the Quidditch field, the score swaying one way and then the other. Ron blocked the Quaffle and the crowd roared, filled with both Gryffindor cheering and Slytherin hissing and booing. Harry dodged a Bludger and dove under an aggressive Slytherin player, desperately searching for a gleam on the field. He spotted Draco circling above him, scanning the field for the Snitch. He looked at Harry and suddenly dove for the opposite end of the field. Harry, thinking he had seen the Snitch, started to follow him before hearing a faint whirring behind him. The Snitch flew past his head and he whipped around after it, barely holding on to his broom. Draco looked back to see Harry bending low over his broom in the opposite direction and swore. The bloody Gryffindor had seen the Snitch! He sped after Harry as the golden orb whirred just out of Harry's reach.
A quick whistle caused him to glance up as a Bludger soared past him and toward Harry. Harry was oblivious, leaning nearly off his broom towards the Snitch and straightening out his whole body towards it.
"Harry, look out!" Hermione screamed, "Turn left!" Harry startled and swerved on his broom. The Snitch fluttered hesitantly, giving him enough time to lunge forward and wrap it in his fingers. As the announcer boomed that Gryffindor had won '150-120', the Bludger struck Harry in the head, knocking him unconscious and sending him plummeting to the ground two hundred feet below.
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The people in the crowd gasped and screamed as one, watching the unconscious boy as he fell, almost gracefully, towards the unforgiving, cold ground. Draco hesitated for a moment and then dove after him, fighting against the wind that blinded him, diving faster than he had ever dived until he was nearly falling with Harry. Fifty feet before the ground, Draco grabbed Harry under his arms and swung him over the broom, ignoring the pain in his chest and stomach as his body was forced into his broom, fighting against the weight that tore him towards the field. Draco swore loudly, trying to pull out of his nosedive and keep Harry from sliding off of the broom. The stands were silent and the Quidditch players were watching in horror as the Slytherin failed to climb, knowing that they couldn't reach him in time. Draco leapt off of his broom just before he slammed into the ground, dragging Harry with him. He landed on his back on the field and struggled to sit up and breathe before turning towards the unconscious boy beside him. Harry moaned in pain and tried to open his eyes and sit up, but Draco pushed him back down. Harry weakly grinned at him before closing his eyes again.
"Damn it, Potter, you had better not die now." Draco whispered fiercely, carefully holding his head still to prevent further injury. It was a pitiful Muggle method, but Draco couldn't remember a single spell, much less one for immobilization. Madam Pomfrey rushed onto the field, bending down to feel Harry's pulse and his head before turning to Draco.
"That was brave, young man. He would have died. You could have too." She said sternly as she handed Draco a small vial he recognized as a weak healing potion. Turning back to Harry, she levitated him carefully using her wand and moved him off of the field to the hospital wing.
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Harry woke up to Ron and Hermione sitting by his cot, wringing each other's hands. Hermione nearly shrieked when Harry's eyes opened, but she muffled it in her hand quickly.
"Harry! You're awake! How are you? How's your head? Do you remember what happened?" She stammered quickly. Ron chuckled and gently squeezed her shoulder.
"He seems fine, 'Mione. Maybe let him breathe a little?" Hermione flushed and awkwardly patted Harry's hand.
"Sorry Harry. I was scared for you. If Malfoy hadn't caught you when he did, you both would have died." Hermione stated softly. Harry sat straight up in surprise.
"What did you just say?! Malfoy caught me?" He nearly yelled in disbelief. "What exactly happened?! All I remember is the bloody Bludger and then I woke up on the field with someone holding me still. I tried to smile and thank him, but I passed out."
Hermione rapidly told Harry what had happened.
"...and then you tried to sit up, but Malfoy pushed you down and held you still. He was shaking, I think he was in shock, but he didn't let you move at all until Pomfrey came over. Then she took you here and Malfoy staggered off the field. Someone tried to help him, but he pushed them away. I think he's coming here now. It's been about an hour since you fell." Harry put his head in his hands, threading his fingers through his hair and making it stand on end.
"I can't believe that bloody Draco Ferret Malfoy, of all people, nearly died trying to catch me!" He mumbled through his hands. "I can't bloody believe it!" Hermione glanced over at Ron and raised her eyebrows. Ron raised his back, lifting his hands to say What do you want me to do?. Harry lifted his face from his palms as footsteps and irritated voices entered the hospital wing. He nearly grinned when he saw Draco futilely trying to pry Madam Pomfrey's strong hand from his upper arm, insisting that he was fine and didn't need help, that "Potter's the one who got bloody hit in the head!". He stopped when the witch leveled a glare at him.
"You hit the ground, Potter nearly landed on you, and you went into shock! SIT DOWN, Draco!" She ordered. Draco finally obeyed, sitting tensely on a cot and pulling his shirt over his head. Harry suppressed a gasp, ignoring his earlier embarrassment at nearly landing on Draco. Bruises spread down Draco's chest where he had slammed into his broom after grabbing Harry. His stomach was red and raw from landing and sliding on the field and he held his shoulder stiffly; he had nearly dislocated it catching Harry as he fell. Madam Pomfrey tutted disapprovingly before handing him another vial of potion which healed his skin. She muttered a quick spell to heal his shoulder and Draco winced as his bone moved back into place. Harry grimaced sympathetically and looked away. When he looked up, he yelped in surprise. Madam Pomfrey was looming over him while his friends tried to suppress their laughter.
"Good to see you awake, Harry. Sit up and take off your shirt." She commanded. Harry meekly obeyed, only to fall backwards from the throbbing pain in his head. The healer's lips flattened in concern.
"That's a concussion, Potter. Let me help you." She gently helped him out of his robes and shirt, exposing his injuries from the fall. His weren't nearly as bad as Draco's; only his shoulder and his chest where Draco had grabbed him hurt. Hermione sighed in relief.
"Draco got the worst of it. He cushioned your fall, catching you like that on the field." Madam Pomfrey stated as she handed him a bitter tasting potion and pushed him back against the bed.
"Rest, Potter. The potion will take effect quickly." She said. "And you, Mr. Malfoy, can stay right here," she yelled without looking around. Malfoy looked temporarily shocked before he regained his composure and sidled back to his cot. He settled himself gingerly on the bed, wincing as his still-stiff shoulder hit the mattress. Hermione and Ron were herded out the door by Madam Pomfrey, Hermione waving at Harry as she trotted along. Draco and Harry were left to sleep.
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As soon as Madam Pomfrey left the room, Draco jumped up and started pacing. Harry settled back against the pillows, trying to ignore the lessening pain in his head. He watched the boy walk back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...dozing off until a thought awoke him.
"Thanks, Malfoy," he droned sleepily, "I would've died." The blond snapped from his thoughts and turned to face the nearly incoherent, messy haired boy lying across the room.
"You would have," he replied shortly, "Maybe the Bludger finally knocked some sense through your thick skull." Harry scowled at his response.
"I'm being grateful, you git." Harry mumbled.
"You should fall asleep. It's hard enough for you to think when you're fully awake, and I don't want you damaging the precious head I nearly died to save." Draco sneered cruelly. Harry glared at him.
"Last time I thank you." He spat before rolling over and falling asleep. Draco sighed in resignation before climbing into his own uncomfortable cot. Across the room, Harry started snoring quietly and Draco groaned.
"I'm not going to sleep at all," he muttered.
Hours later, Draco was still awake. He wanted to toss and turn, but his aching shoulder forced him to stay still. He needed to think, to move. He had a mission. He was the Chosen One, he was special, he had responsibilities like an adult. And yet, he still felt like he wanted to hide under his quilt, where he could take off his mask and be an adolescent. He sighed and sat up, putting his elbows on his thighs and his face in his hands. He shifted slightly, leaning forward, and winced when he heard the metal frame of his cot squeak accusingly. He heard an answering squeak across the room and groaned internally, sitting up straight. Harry looked blearily at him.
"Dija hear tha?" He mumbled, stretching. "The bedframe creaked," Draco replied, smirking. "I know it's scary, but go back to sleep." Harry was already slumping back towards his pillows and rolling over. Draco lay back too and stared up at the white ceiling before yawning widely and finally succumbing to sleep.
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Hermione and Ron's faces brightened as Harry strode into the Great Hall. Hermione smiled at him and shifted closer to Ron, allowing Harry to slide onto the bench. Harry chuckled at Ron's surprised, smug face and started piling his plate with pastries, eggs, and bacon. Hermione quirked an eyebrow.
"Are you really eating all that? You have almost the same amount as Ron!" Hermione laughed as Ron scowled at her, unable to talk through his bite of muffin. Harry replied, amused.
"I haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday, remember?"
"Yes, but quidditch is after lunch. Didn't you eat then?"
"Oh, er, right. I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday." Harry grinned sheepishly, swallowing the last of his eggs. Hermione sighed in exasperation. Boys, she thought. They miss a meal and the world ends. The door to the Great Hall swung open, and Draco Malfoy swaggered in with his classic sneer. He strode over to the Slytherin table, sliding onto the bench. Harry watched him suppress a wince as another Slytherin clapped him hard the on his sore shoulder. The Slytherin jeered at him. Harry could barely make out the words, but it sounded like;
"Oh, did that hurt, Draco? Poor wittle Dwaco, who's now a bloody hero after saving Potter. What will your...father think?" Harry's face reddened in anger and he lept up from the table, striding across the room. The entire school watched the Gryffindor walk over, place his hand on the table behind Draco and glare at the other Slytherin.
"Leave him alone," Harry commanded, his voice steely. The Slytherin smirked, uncowed.
"Or what, Potter? You'll attack me? Stun me? Hex me?"
"Don't tempt me," Harry said through gritted teeth. Draco tried unsuccessfully to tamp down his panic. Both boys were leaning in towards each other aggressively, stopping his escape, and Harry's arm was barring him in place. He replaced his sneer and viciously shoved Harry's arm away, ignoring the pain in his shoulder as he moved.
"Get away from me. I stopped you from being smashed to pieces, not offered to be your best friend." Draco spat in disgust. Harry stepped back, glaring at him and walking away. As the Slytherin boy next to him smirked and laughed with his friend about 'the bloody idiot', Draco turned and whispered to Pansy.
"What is wrong with him?" Pansy shrugged.
"He's confused. His savior complex is interfering with his head." Draco cracked a smile and Pansy turned internally gleeful at his expression.
"I'm glad you find me amusing...Draco." She purred, resting her hand on his shoulder and gently massaging it. Draco internally grimaced, but tried to maintain a pleasant face as he reached over and brushed her hair behind her ear. I don't need more enemies, and she could be a valuable ally.
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Harry bent over his parchment in the library, tapping the end of his quill on the table. His essay on Herbology lay unfinished beside him and he had moved on to his copying and translation of Ancient Runes. He was flanked by Ron and Hermione, Ron looking frustrated while Hermione was deeply absorbed in her Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook, her eyes wide.
"Harry! Did you know about this?" She exclaimed. Harry startled from his concentration and turned to find her textbook nearly shoved in his face.
"It says that Tom Riddle was one of the best Defense students ever at Hogwarts. At that time, their teacher taught them about dark magic, but not how to do it. According to this, the professor gave Tom private lessons to "quench his relentless thirst for knowledge about defensive magic". You-Know-Who killed his old professor to ensure that he couldn't teach magic to anyone else." Harry looked her.
"No, I didn't know that. Why is that important? Voldemort's an evil murderer, I know that, and I DON'T CARE HOW HE CAME BY HIS MAGIC!" He shouted. "I DON'T BLOODY CARE, AND I DON'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE HE'S KILLED!" Hermione recoiled, startled, and then glared at Harry.
"I was trying to help! Maybe if we learned more about this professor," she stopped Harry's next words with a fierce look, "we could find out more about how to defeat You-Know-Who." Harry looked at her, his eyes wild.
"I...I...I'm going to the dorm." He stood brusquely, shoving his chair under the table and storming out, leaving his quills and parchment scattered across the table. Hermione turned back, upset and frustrated, but not before she saw Harry raise his left hand to his face and rub viciously under his eyes. Ron was still sitting in his chair, staring at Hermione open-mouthed.
"What the bloody hell is wrong with him lately?" He asked indignantly. "He had no right to treat you that way!" Hermione smiled at him quickly, trying to banish the prickling in her eyes. Ron's face softened and he stood up and moved towards her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, rubbing her back softly.
"Please don't cry," he said gently, "I'll go talk to him." Hermione stood slowly and hugged Ron, looking out over his shoulder as he held her and murmured soothingly, running his fingers through her soft hair.
"I'll go with you," she said, stepping back and wiping her eyes. "I need to talk to him too."
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Hermione and Ron walked into the Gryffindor common room, heading straight for Harry's dorm. Opening the door, Ron led Hermione to Harry's bed and threw open the curtains. The bed was empty. Hermione furrowed her brow and turned to the other occupants of the dorm.
"Where's Harry?" She inquired. The other boys turned to look at each other.
"Er...well, he didn't say. He came in here, grabbed his cloak, and left." Neville muttered. Hermione looked shocked before viciously running her hands through her long hair in frustration. Ron looked pleadingly over her head at the boys.
"Oh, bloody fine. He's probably in the Astronomy Tower, but he'll hex me if he thinks I told you." Seamus Finnigan huffed. Hermione grabbed Ron's hand, fleeing from the dorm and dragging him with her. They ran towards the Astronomy Tower, Hermione nearly flying up the spiraling staircase. They skidded to a stop in the top of the tower, looking around for Harry. The space was bare, without good places to hide, but Harry was nowhere in sight. The window was open, letting in freezing wind and turning the stone floor icy. Hermione began to panic.
"Harry? Are you up here?" She yelled, feeling her voice catch and tremble slightly. Ron muffled a surprised yelp behind her, and she turned around to see Harry's invisibility cloak tumble to the floor, revealing him next to the window. His body was tense and he was gripping the edge of the window, shivering as the cold air blew his hair back from his face. Hermione rushed towards him, pulling the window closed and nearly hitting Harry in the face. He flinched and turned away, bending down to pick up his cloak before balling it in his hands. Hermione tried to look at his face, but he turned away from her, shaking out his cloak and wrapping it around his shoulders. He disappeared except for his head and started to walk out of the tower. Ron blocked the door and grabbed Harry by his shoulders, shaking him.
"What is wrong with you?" Ron fiercely whispered, "Wake up, mate." Harry flipped his cloak over his face and shook off Ron's grip, disappearing into the night. Hermione moved closer to Ron, ensuring that Harry couldn't leave. They desperately searched the room for signs of him, but Harry was gone. Suddenly, the window swung open, and the wind blew off Harry's cloak, revealing his head as he jumped. Hermione screamed and ran to the window in time to see Harry mount his broom and fly off just before he hit the ground. Hermione slumped against the wall, pressing her face into the stone, her head swirling with relief, anger, and fear. Ron hung back awkwardly before folding her in his arms. Now, Hermione did cry. She held Ron as they both sobbed, confused and terrified for their best friend.
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Ron startled awake later, pulling back the curtains with his wand and peering out into the dorm. A dark figure stumbled towards the bed next to him, breathing quickly.
"Lumos," Ron whispered, illuminating the figure. He saw Harry's face, red and scratched, his eyes squinting into the bright light from his wand.
"What are you doing?" Ron hissed angrily, but stopped when he took a closer look at Harry. He looked miserable; his eyes were red and his face was streaked to his chin with tears.
"I'm going to see Hermione. I ha..ha...have to apologize." He hiccuped. Ron glared at him.
"You think she wants to see you right now? After what you did to us?" Harry didn't respond, instead turning and climbing awkwardly into his bed.
"You're right. I'll see her tomorrow," he said, his voice thick. And then,
"I'm so sorry, Ron." Ron exhaled heavily before turning over, putting his back to Harry.
"Go to sleep." Harry shifted in his covers, closing his eyes and trying to sleep. Images of Hermione frowning, flinching, screaming, crying, all because of him, flashed across his eyelids like films from a projector. He let out a quiet wail of shame and anguish, burying his face in his pillow and pressing the images from his eyes until he saw only flashes of light. Exhaustion overcame him, and he melted into his comforting blankets. I'm sorry, Hermione. He thought to the bright eyed, witty girl in his mind. I'll make this better, I promise.
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Harry stumbled into the Gryffindor common room the next morning, trying to straighten his tie and wake up simultaneously. When he walked into the room, many of the Gryffindor boys in Harry's year stared at him. He shifted uncomfortably in the door, scanning the room for his friends. He saw them sitting at the other end of the room, studying together, but Ron's arm was around Hermione's shoulders and she was leaning her head on him tiredly. Under normal circumstances, Harry would have smiled at their affection, but he was too tired and miserable to. Seamus cleared his throat and pointed at Harry. Harry nearly left when all the eyes in the room turned towards him, but resisted the urge.
"Hermione, Ron, can I please talk to you?" They exchanged a look before standing up and walking towards Harry cautiously. He led them back to the boys' dorm, gesturing for them to sit on his bed before he sealed the curtains and cast a silencing charm.
"Hermione and Ron, I'm so sorry. I was stressed and upset and I just snapped. I just...I can't think about Volde-sorry, You-Know-Who, all the time." They watched him in silence as he spoke.
"And I don't expect you to forgive me quickly, and I know I hurt you, and scared you. I'm so sorry. You're both people that I care about and I never meant to hurt you, and I was out of control and scared." Hermione shifted slightly closer to him, observing the tears that he was trying to ignore as they welled up in his eyes.
"Where did you go?" She asked. "After you leapt out the window?" Harry looked back at her.
"I went to the Forbidden Forest. There are so many obstacles that I can't think about anything else when I fly." Hermione nodded. Silent until now, Ron spoke up.
"You hurt us, Harry," he said coldly. "Hermione was miserable and scared, I was terrified for you. How could you do that to us?" He glared as he hissed his last sentence, the only sign that his composure was unstable was his voice cracking. Hermione looked up at him, ready to bite back, before realizing that he was right and turning back to Harry. He absently stroked her back, feeling her relax slightly as she leaned into his comforting touch.
"Yes, Harry, why?" She asked cooly. "We're your best friends, yet you've told us nothing about how you're doing lately and then you scream at me in the library." Harry tried to calm himself, fighting the sudden rush of misery that engulfed him. Two tears slipped from behind his glasses and he angrily scrubbed them away.
"I don't know. I've just been miserable lately, thinking about You-Know-Who, and Malfoy is being a git, and then you started talking in the library and I just lost control. I couldn't think about other innocent man that was killed for being kind." He was crying in earnest now, utterly failing to stay calm, and turning his face away from his friends. He released the spell on the curtain, allowing it to spring open cheerfully, oblivious to the mood it concealed.
"You can go now. I'm sorry for interrupting your morning. I'll be a better friend, I promise." Hermione and Ron shared a glance before climbing off the bed together. They barely heard Harry whisper.
"Do you hate me?" Hermione glanced back before walking away. Just as she and Ron reached the door, she briefly turned around.
"Harry, I could never hate you. But right now, I'm hurt and angry, and you need to prove to me that you're better than this." She saw his face crumple slightly, but he managed to nod as she walked out. Though Hermione's anger was avenged, she couldn't help but feel a painful twinge of empathy, as though someone had poked their wand against her heart.
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Harry wasn't at breakfast the next morning. Hermione and Ron ignored it, enjoying their food and conversation. Hermione found that she truly enjoyed making Ron laugh; his eyes shone and he always swept his hand through his coppery hair as he chuckled. Ron noticed her happiness and felt his chest tighten slightly when he looked at her flushed, joyous face surrounded by tendrils of bouncy hair escaping from her messy bun. She began talking animatedly about the complexity of the potion they were making today, but he couldn't listen fully. Her eyes shone brightly and her hair danced about as she talked and gestured excitedly. He subconsciously brushed her hair out of her face, tucking the loose strand behind her ear as he smiled at her. She trailed off, blushing.
"My hair is just a mess. I don't understand why it won't stay put. I practically need to charm it!" She laughed, gathering her hair back into its simple tie. Their breakfast started to disappear and Hermione stood up from the table, grabbing a red and gold napkin and two pastries. Ron quirked an eyebrow at her questioningly.
"What's that for?" Hermione looked up from wrapping the food in the napkin.
"It's for Harry. I'm sure he'll be miserably hungry." Ron sighed, a grin touching the corners of his lips.
"What?" She flushed slightly. "I might be angry with him, but he's still my best friend." Ron took her hand and pulled her out of the Great Hall, walking with her to their first class. In the corridor, he stopped and Hermione turned to look at him. Setting both hands on her shoulders, he leaned down and kissed her softly, brushing his lips against hers briefly. Hermione blushed, but returned the kiss, smiling as she closed her eyes. They heard a suppressed yelp of surprise as footsteps rounded the corner. Ron stepped back and turned around to see Harry, looking embarrassed.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were here. I assumed you were in class already." To his surprise, Hermione laughed.
"Normally, we would be. However, Ron decided to make us late." She said, ruffling Ron's hair affectionately. Harry quirked a quickly-melting smile and sidled past them in the hall. He pushed open the door and disappeared inside. His friends moved to follow him, but they were stopped by a crash and a groan.
"Really, Potter? Now you're tripping over your robes?" Hermione could hear the sniveling smirk on Draco's face as he mocked Harry.
"I didn't bloody trip on my robes! You tripped me, Malfoy!" Harry growled in frustration before Professor McGonagall silenced them. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, raising their eyebrows in exasperation before pushing open the door to the Transfiguration classroom.
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Professor McGonagall looked sternly at her students.
"Granger, Weasely, Potter, Malfoy. You were all late. 15 points from Gryffindor and 5 points from Slytherin." Draco and Harry glared at each other, Harry clenching his hands into fists as the Slytherin stepped closer. The professor cleared her throat pointedly, her wand in her hand. The two boys separated before finding that all the seats in the room had been taken by people and their class partners. The only bench left wobbled and had suspicious lumps under the surface of the golden wood.
"Potter, Malfoy, you are now partners. Everyone else is taken." Ron smirked at Hermione and mouthed taken?. She tried to suppress a giggle as Ron whistled suggestively at Harry, causing him to flush in anger and glare. Ron sheepishly stopped, realizing that his joke had gone awry as Draco smirked in Ron's direction. He looked away quickly, picking up his wand as Professor McGonagall started talking. Draco slid onto the bench, followed by Harry, both boys' shoulders tense and their posture angry. Hermione kept a subtle eye on them as she took notes and practiced the spell. Turning iron into wood was challenging, but Hermione managed perfectly and Ron, following her lead, adopted a childish look of triumph as he too performed the spell. Harry and Draco were both struggling, clearly distracted by leaning as far away as possible from each other. The professor noticed and declared,
"You two, if you cannot perform the charm this instant, you will stay after class for remedial lessons." The boys slouched forward, resigned, both attempting to cast the spell at the same time, getting distracted, and causing the iron to melt and warp into a rough wood grain. Harry glared at Draco, silencing him as he attempted to cast the spell again.
"Ferroligno," he spoke clearly, flicking his wand up and down quickly. This time, the transformation was complete and iron turned into a smooth, wand-shaped twig. Hermione clapped quickly and Harry smirked infuriatingly at Draco. Draco, Hermione noticed with surprise, looked away instead of smirking back. He cast the spell flawlessly and then leaned back on the bench, looking away from Harry silently. Harry looked at Ron. What's with him? Harry mouthed. Ron shrugged, quizzically observing Malfoy's pale face and his twisted expression.
"And who can tell me the use of this charm?" McGonagall looked at her distracted students with stern irritation. Hermione raised her hand.
"Anyone besides Ms. Granger?" The professor implored. "Surely one of you must know." Harry shifted uncomfortably as she looked at him before turning her gaze to Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy, what is the use of the Ligno Ferrum charm?" Draco looked up, startled.
"It can be used to fool an enemy into picking up a false wand or to disguise an iron weapon." He answered cooly.
"That is correct, Mr. Malfoy. Five points to Slytherin." Draco slumped back against the bench, lapsing into perfect silence. Harry glanced at him through his eyelashes. The Slytherin's eyes were nearly closed in exhaustion, his face was tight and even paler than usual, and he sat hunched with his arms crossed on his stomach. Harry nudged him gently.
"Are you okay?" He whispered. Draco shut his eyes and shook his head. Harry stood up, startling the boy next to him.
"Professor, Malfoy is ill. He needs to get to the hospital wing." The woman looked at Draco, noting what Harry had observed.
"Of course. Please assist him, Mr. Potter." Draco sat up to protest, but immediately folded over in pain. He just nodded and slid across the bench, letting Harry help him up. He started to walk across the classroom by himself, taking short steps before Harry tried to stop him. Draco shook off his arm and slid his eyes subtly to the other Slytherins, who were watching him. Harry stepped back, choosing to follow Draco as he stumbled out of the classroom, standing straight despite the obvious pain it caused him. Once he and Harry were alone in the hallway, Draco slumped against the wall, his breath fast and shallow. Harry stepped closer to him and pulled Draco's arm over his shoulder, helping the tall blonde stand and walk. Draco didn't protest, gritting his teeth as they went down the spiraling stairs. Halfway down, Draco slumped completely on Harry, forcing both of them onto the stairs.
"I just need to rest," Draco panted. Harry looked at him in concern. He was weak and tired, his eyes closing and his back hunched.
"Draco, it's impossible for you to do this. Let me get my wand. I can levitate you to the hospital wing." Draco just nodded against Harry's shoulder, half-asleep.
"Wingardium Leviosa," he whispered, levitating Draco and walking to the hospital wing with him floating in the air.
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Madam Pomfrey hummed contentedly in the hospital wing as she helped a first year place a small bandage on her elbow. She had tripped on an uneven stone in the hallway, which Madam Pomfrey had already leveled. The first year beamed at her when she stood up and then skipped out of the hospital wing.
"Be careful, dear. The hallways have a mind of their own!" She yelled after the girl, turning back to the task of organizing the cupboard of potions. Footsteps entered the room.
"Madam Pomfrey! He needs help! I don't know what's wrong with him." She turned around, startled at Harry's panicked voice. The unconscious form of Draco Malfoy floated in the air behind him, slowly lowering down as Harry tired and started to lose his concentration.
"Set him on the bed, now, Harry." He flicked his wand, laying Draco down gently on the the nearest cot as he slumped in exhaustion. The woman walked briskly over, waving her wand over Draco. The stream of magic that flowed from her wand turned a deep green, shot through with streaks of bruised purple. She turned to Harry.
"He's ill, but it's curable. He seems to have taken a poorly made potion and it's poisoning him." Harry sat down on the cot next to Draco's, trying to regain some of his energy after using so much magic. Madam Pomfrey strode across the room, returning rapidly with what Harry recognized as a bezoar. He shuddered, recalling the night when his best friend almost died, but he banished the thought as the woman gestured to him.
"Sit him upright. It will make it easier for him to swallow." She opened Draco's mouth, placing the bezoar inside and casting a quick incantation that made him close his mouth and swallow. Draco coughed and opened his eyes, the pain in his body decreasing slightly. Harry started to lower him down, but stopped when Draco grabbed his wrist.
"Don't. I need to sit up." He muttered through the pain that any movement seemed to bring. Harry nodded understandingly and again pushed Draco up into a seated position. He groaned slightly as he moved, clutching his stomach and bending forward as the pain passed. Madam Pomfrey looked on with concern and approval.
"Yes, Draco, stay seated. Harry, please help him. He'll be too weak until the bezoar takes complete effect." Harry nodded, turning his eyes to Draco as he scowled at the medic. He hated feeling weak and Potter was here to witness every second of it. His fellow Slytherins would mock him, or worse. As Madam Pomfrey walked away, Harry leaned in and whispered.
"This never happened. You fought off the effects of the potion on your own, but Pomfrey made you stay." Draco nodded and relaxed slightly, relieved that Harry understood.
"Thank you." He whispered back. Harry smiled slightly, readjusting his arm to relieve the cramp in his shoulder. Draco looked at him questioningly, noting the strange motion. Harry flushed slightly.
"Oh, it's nothing." Draco shifted over slightly, nodding at the empty half of the bed. Harry sat down awkwardly, shaking his arm slightly to loosen the muscles. He started to raise his arm to support Draco again, but Draco waved him away.
"Give me the pillow. I can use it as a brace." A look of comprehension dawned in Harry's eyes and he carefully stood up, keeping his hand on Draco's back until he had the pillow against him. Then, he sat down behind Draco, propping the pillow against his side and letting Draco lean on him. Draco lay back as his breathing slowed, his head drooping into the pillow as he slumped against Harry, deeply asleep. Madam Pomfrey passed them several times as she bustled around the room, smiling at Harry faintly as she saw him, attentively watching the sleeping boy.
"Harry?" She called to him, making him jump in surprise. "You are excused from the rest of your classes. Thank you for your assistance." Harry nodded at her.
"Thank you, Madam. I'm glad to help." He said cheerfully, before turning his attention to Draco again.
"And Harry?"
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey?" She strode across the room.
"He can lay down now. You don't have to hold him." Harry sighed, relieved, standing up and stretching slowly as the woman gently lowered Draco onto the bed. She started to cover him with the blanket, but Harry stopped her.
"I can take care of him." He said earnestly, pulling the blanket over Draco and carefully lifting his head on top of the pillow. Madam Pomfrey smiled internally. I hope this lull in rivalry lasts, she thought. It would be wonderful for house unity. Harry's face softened as he looked at the vulnerable Slytherin. I hope this will last. Maybe we won't fight all the time anymore.
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Nearly three hours later, Draco woke up, squinting into the bright hospital wing. He propped himself on his elbows, yawning and stretching his back, cat-like. Forcing his eyes open and turning his head, he found himself staring directly at Harry. Or at least, his back as he kneeled down, comforting a sniffling third-year as Madam Pomfrey healed his bruised ankle.
"It's all right. It's not a bad injury. It could have been worse, but you landed very well." Harry crooned soothingly, rubbing the boy's back. The boy offered him a watery smile which Harry returned brightly.
"See? It's all healed. Stand up...careful now." He cautioned, nearly picking the boy up as he stumbled. The boy regained his footing and trotted out of the hospital wing.
"Thank you Harry!" He shouted happily from the door. "...And Madam Pomfrey." He added sheepishly, slipping away. Harry smiled, spinning around to straighten the bedsheet and nearly falling over.
"Draco! You scared me! How long have you been awake?" Draco froze in the middle of his stretch, his arms reaching above his head, his back arched. Harry arched an eyebrow at his strange position and Draco relaxed.
"Not long. I didn't wish to interrupt." He replied, his voice strained as he again stretched his stiff muscles. Harry's eyes flicked over Draco, but he blushed and turned around as Draco's back curved lithely.
"I'm glad that you're feeling better. Madam Pomfrey said that the bezoar would work quickly." He stated, briskly straightening the blanket. Draco rolled to a sitting position on the bed and quickly stood up, straightening his shirt.
"Oof," he exhaled, dropping back onto the bed, pressing his palms to his temples as the headache vanished. Harry spun around.
"You alright?" He inquired.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just stood up too quickly." Harry nodded, turning back to fluffing the pillows.
"Never thought you worked with the children in here." Draco said, quickly realizing the snotty tone he had used when Harry shot a glare at him.
"What is that supposed to mean?" He seethed. "I help in the hospital wing occasionally." Draco winced.
"I didn't mean it like that, Potter. No need to be hasty." He shot back, forgetting to keep his voice calm. "I was merely expressing a thought." Harry snorted.
"You're rubbish at apologies. Oh wait! Malfoys don't apologize, right?" Harry asked innocently, his face contrasting with the venom in his tone. Draco stood up again, stepping closer to Harry as he glared back.
"No, they don't apologize, especially not to gits like you!" He spat, looking down at Harry, staring straight into his eyes, which had widened slightly with surprise. Harry eyes flickered away and he bit down on his lip.
"Sorry." He mumbled. "I overreacted." Draco stepped back slightly, surprised by the quickly changing moods of his rival.
"You're sorry?" He echoed in disbelief. "Why are you being nice to me?" He internally groaned at the incredulity in his voice; it made him sound like a child. Harry ignored his tone.
"Why not? I'm sick of our bloody rivalry, Malfoy. You saved my bloody life and now you want to go back to hating each other?" His voice rose as he again met Draco's gaze, nearly yelling at him. Now, Draco looked away from the flashing eyes that glared at him.
"No," he replied evenly. "I don't. But it can't change overnight." Harry nodded.
"It can't. But it could with more time." He spoke softly, turning back to straighten the already impeccable bed before striding strongly out of the room. Draco watched him go, observing the strong line of his shoulders, the way he put his own mask up, prepared himself for the world outside the wing with unshakable confidence, giving nothing away... like a Malfoy, Draco thought, turning to smooth his own bed.
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Later in the Common Room, Harry again wrenched his attention towards his unfinished schoolwork. The noise in the room was unbearable; as if to prove Harry right, the Gryffindors let out a collective roar of laughter at the antics of two first-years. Harry sighed in exasperation, staring at his nearly-blank parchment. Fully blank, actually, if he didn't count the various drawings scattered around the edges. Giving up on his schoolwork, he let his eyes drift around the busy Common Room, lit with a soft glow from the flickering fireplace. In the shadowy corner, he could just make out two figures talking. As he watched curiously, the taller of the two bent down and, taking the other's face in their hands, kissed them rather passionately. Harry blushed, embarrassed to be watching such a private moment. Yet, he didn't look away, starting to grin as his eyes adjusted to the light and he recognized the fluffy, caramel hair that obscured the figures' faces. His best friends broke apart, turning to walk out of the corner, and Harry quickly looked away. His gaze snagged on a particularly good doodle on the parchment. A simple, slender face looked out from the page, pale hair falling into its eyes. It looked, Harry realized with a start, like Malfoy. It was a simple sketch, but the perfectly smooth hair and nearly feminine face were undeniably familiar. He groaned and buried his head in his hands. Why am I drawing Malfoy? Have I forgotten that he said he wanted to hate me? He glanced at the drawing again. His eyes are wrong, he thought, bending forward with his quill in hand. They're darker and wider...like a storm cloud grey, with streaks of silver. He shook his head. Bloody hell?! Why did I think that?
"You alright mate?" Harry yelped, instinctively covering the drawing with his hand and spinning around at the same time. Ron and Hermione looked startled and Harry grinned at them weakly.
"Sorry, you just startled me. I didn't hear you walk behind me." Ron laughed.
"Where's your head lately?" He said good-naturedly, peering behind Harry at the parchment. "Oi, who's that?" Harry quickly shifted his hand to cover the sketch.
"No one. Just a drawing." Ron eyed him suspiciously.
"Yes, Harry, who is it? It's quite good for a sketch." Hermione said kindly. Harry grew flustered, shifting nervously.
"Er...really. It's nothing." Hermione and Ron looked at him with clear disbelief, but turned and walked away, hand in hand. Harry exhaled in relief, turning to the parchment and carefully scratching Draco's face with his quill, the ink rendering it unrecognizable.
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The next morning, Harry stumbled blearily out of his dorm to find an irritated Ginny fidgeting with her robes impatiently. He winced internally, instantly becoming wary. When she saw him, she straightened up and strode closer to him purposefully, her shoes clicking on the floor aggressively.
"Where have you been?" She demanded, poking her pointer finger in his face. "Why have you been avoiding me?" Harry frantically scrambled to come up with an excuse while she stared him down. He gave up and decided on honesty.
"Because I've been a bloody mess lately and I couldn't...I don't know. I'm sorry, Ginevra." Ginny narrowed her eyes at him.
"Really? That is the worst excuse I've heard. 'I've been a bloody mess lately?'" She mocked, continuing to glare.
"So I suppose avoiding my eyes, pretending not to see me in the corridors, hiding in the Room of Requirement-don't lie to me, Harry. I know you did." She silenced him, watching him as he crumbled under the force of her words.
"I really am sorry, Ginevra, but..." Ginny again silenced him.
"So it's Ginevra, now? My name is Ginny." She hissed, hiding her flash of hurt under another glare.
"I suppose you're calling Hermione by a nickname now? You certainly seem quite close." Harry gaped at her before he realized her implication and snickered. Ginny leaned closer to him.
"What?!" She yelled suddenly. "What is so funny?" Harry quickly sobered.
"Ginny, Hermione and I are just friends. She's dating Ron, didn't you know?" Besides, he thought, I'm not sure I even... Ginny looked shocked.
"My brother is dating Hermione? Why did I not know? No offense to him, but what does an amazing girl like 'Mione see in my animal brother?" Harry chuckled at her words.
"Truly, I've wondered the same thing." Ginny seemed relieved, her jealous face relaxing. A silence stretched out between them.
"Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?" Harry blurted. "Maybe we could spend the day together and I could make up for ignoring you." Ginny startled at his outburst.
"Yes, I'd like that." She smiled at him, as he internally panicked. Ginny turned to walk away, her anger fully melted.
"Wait! Ginny…" Harry grabbed her sleeve gently. She turned back questioningly.
"Yes?" Harry flushed, but locked his eyes on hers.
"Ginny, I...I'd love to go with you as friends. I didn't mean, well, as a date, I suppose." Ginny tore her sleeve away, her anger surging as she crossed her arms.
"Would you please decide how you feel about me? I know you used to like me, but now what?!" She yelled at him, her frustration cracking her voice.
"Oh, Ginny, I'm so sorry. I do like you...I love you, but you're like Hermione or a sister. I couldn't ever like you that way." He spoke softly, hating himself as he watched her emotions shift and whirl on her face.
"Fine." Ginny said finally. "At least that's the truth." She seemed relieved as she stepped closer to Harry.
"Then, I'd like to do this once." She mumbled, leaning in and kissing him softly. He almost stepped back in shock, but surrendered to her lips. He owed her, he supposed, for hurting her, so he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, breaking the kiss. She hugged him back before stepping away.
"I'm sorry." Harry whispered. "I didn't want to hurt you." Ginny just looked at him.
"It's fine. I'll see you sometime. 'Bye Harry." She said blankly, turning slowly and walking down the corridor. Harry watched her go, unsure if her posture was defeated or slumped with relief.
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"How lovely." A silver voice drawled behind Harry. He spun around, finding himself looking at none other than Malfoy. The Slytherin detached himself from the stone he was leaning on and strode over to Harry. Even the way he walks speaks of wealth, Harry thought with irritation. It's seeped into his blood. Draco stopped a few steps away and raised a perfect blond eyebrow.
"What was that with the little Weasel?" Harry glared at him.
"Don't call her that, you rich brat, and it's none of your business!" Draco stepped closer.
"Really, Potter? Giving me orders? I'll call the Weasel whatever I want." Harry held his gaze.
"Fine, Ferret." Draco merely smirked.
"As if that would actually insult me. I like to think of that as a reminder of the time I was unsuccessfully attacked by a Death Eater." Harry smirked back.
"I'd say successfully. You turned and ran like a child. And you should have seen your face." Draco glared warningly, sending a thrill of adrenaline through Harry. Fighting with Malfoy was normal and his life was completely off the rails. He could use a few minutes of normalcy, no matter what it was. He kept talking.
"You looked terrified. Couldn't tell your father about that, could you?" Draco stepped even closer, his mouth curling into a sneer. So close, his height cast a shadow on Harry in the otherwise light-filled corridor.
"I would suggest you stop, Potter." Draco stated in a soft voice, its velvet tone concealing the threat like fine cloth hiding a deadly blade. Harry just looked back, his eyes slightly wild, desperate.
"No, Malfoy." Draco's mercury eyes glinted with the challenge and he leaned his face closer. His hair fell into his face and his pointed nose nearly touched Harry's as they both tensed, ready to pounce.
"Is that so?" Draco whispered, their faces so close that he could feel Harry's hair brushing his own. Harry glared, refusing to back down from Draco's oppressive closeness. His confidence was shaken though, and he licked his lips nervously.
"Get away from me, Malfoy." He whispered back, compelled to match Draco's tone. Draco didn't move.
"No, Potter." He said in a soft voice, a parody of Harry's own words. Suddenly, Harry grabbed Draco's shoulders, forcing him against the wall. Draco jumped, turning to try and escape Harry's grasp, but he didn't manage to free himself before the stone touched his back. He met his opponent's eyes again, finding them as close as they were seconds ago. Inexplicably, they rushed closer as Harry brought their faces together harshly. Draco barely had time to gasp indignantly before Harry's lips were on his, his eyes still open, his hands gripping Draco's shoulders. The moment stretched and then broke sharply as Harry pushed himself off of the other boy's shoulders and ran down the corridor as fast as he could possibly go.
"Stop!" Draco yelled. Harry slowed down to a walk as he turned around the corner, but didn't stop or look back. Draco growled in frustration, running his hand through his immaculate hair and ruining it. Why did he do that?! He wanted to scream. How dare he touch me?! Draco clenched his hands around his hair and pulled it, the stabbing pain focusing him. He breathed once deeply before straightening his disheveled robes and hair and swaggering out of the corridor.
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Harry sulked later in his bed. The curtains were drawn and magically sealed closed and he was staring upwards without seeing anything. Why did I do that? That was bloody stupid! He'll kill me! He brooded miserably and then groaned in resignation and turned over, absentmindedly playing with his hair. He saw the curtain twitch and then spring open, revealing an infuriated Hermione and a sheepish Ron.
"Harry!" Hermione nearly shouted, "I've been talking to you for ages! Care to explain why you missed dinner and are now sulking in your bed with a Muffliato charm on the curtains?!" Harry glared at her.
"No, not really." He said moodily. Hermione scowled at him, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. Harry used his wand to try and pull the curtains shut. Both Ron and Hermione grabbed them, overlapping their hands. Harry sighed dramatically and rolled over, facing the other still-closed curtain. Hermione stamped her foot in frustration and Harry briefly grinned at her childish antics. Ron awkwardly patted her shoulder.
"Maybe we should go, Hermione. He's…" he trailed off as Hermione leveled at fierce glare his direction.
"Why are boys so dense?! He's clearly upset and, as his best friend, I have a right to know why he's avoiding everyone and sulking like a child!" She shrieked. Harry groaned resignedly and turned back over to face her. Hermione shot a triumphant look at Ron before turning to Harry.
"What's wrong?" She asked, with more than a trace of her previous annoyance. Harry rubbed his hands over his face and mumbled.
"I...er...well I...IkissedsomeoneandIdon'tthinktheywantedmeto." Hermione looked at him startled.
"You kissed someone?!" Harry blushed and looked intensely uncomfortable. Ron pretended not to hear and started inching away. Hermione glanced over at him and waved her hand. Ron sighed in relief and then shot an encouraging smile at Harry before quickly walking out of the dorm. Hermione pounced the second he left.
"Who did you kiss? Why do you think they were upset?" She asked quickly. Harry grimaced.
"Well, I can't say. Er, I mean...uggh. I can't tell you." Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose, breathing deeply.
"Why can't you tell me? Do you think I'll be upset?" Harry nodded awkwardly, his face coloring again.
"I won't be upset. I don't care who you like." She reassured him. Harry laughed humorlessly.
"Then why are you asking me?" Hermione looked at him like he was some especially disgusting potions ingredient.
"You are an absolute oaf, Harry Potter. Are you so blind that you can't see that I care about you?" Despite her words, her tone was one of deep hurt. Harry instantly reached out to her, grabbing her hand.
"Oh, Hermione, I know you care. I care about you too. This is just, well, hard to talk about I suppose." Hermione looked up at him.
"Harry, you can talk to me about anything." Harry smiled at her briefly, moving over and gesturing for her to sit down.
"'Mione, I need you to be honest," he said nervously. She sat gently on the edge of his bed and looked at him with her warm brown eyes.
"Of course I'll be honest. You're my best friend." Harry genuinely smiled at her, sitting up and leaning his head on her shoulder.
"Thanks, 'Mione." Hermione absently stroked his hair, waiting for him to continue. He took a deep breath and blurted,
"It wasn't a girl." He leaned away, looking at her face. He was surprised at how calm she looked. She blinked once, possibly in surprise before saying quietly and tenderly,
"Harry, I don't care. I love you like a brother and I really don't care if you like men or women or both or neither." He looked at her, relief evident in his bright eyes. He settled back onto her shoulder, hiding the few tears in his eyes from her vision. He was so relieved. He couldn't lose his best friend because of who he had realized he was.
"I love you too, Hermione."