Say it. For me.
CHAPTER ONE
Disclaimer: Neither the characters or locations are mine; they belong to J. K. Rowling and various affiliated companies. No plagiarism or copyright infringement is intended. All characters will be returned safe and sound with smiles on their faces and food in their bellies. :D
A/N: So…I get little ideas in my head that distract me from the more important matters at hand, like the multitude of uni assignments building up, studying for my driving test, etc, etc… But I can multitask. :) Enjoy the story; I think it will be a few chapters at the very least…
Draco stood before the mirror, staring at himself intently, a small wrinkle between his eyebrows as he frowned. I can't tell anymore, he thought, who I really am and who they believe me to be. He leaned closer, trying to find the answer. A soft knock on the door drew him out of his studies. He knew who it was, and turned to face Harry as he entered the room.
'Potter.' He whispered.
'Malfoy.' Harry responded.
Since the war had ended an uneasy truce had been struck up between Draco and the Golden Trio, although Harry was the only one who truly seemed to…like him. They still referred to one another by their last names, but without any of the malice they had before. Harry ran his hand through his hair, grinning in that stupid manner he had.
'Hey Malfoy, you look good.'
'Don't I always?' Draco asked, raising a pale eyebrow.
'Well, yeah. But that's not the point. Are you ready to go?'
'Almost.'
It was graduation today. Draco felt touched that Harry had come here, to him, rather than stayed with his friends.
'Potter, you cannot graduate looking like that. It's…'
'Intolerable?' Harry asked cheekily.
'Precisely. Let me fix your tie, you obviously have no idea how to do it yourself.'
Harry grinned; of course he knew how to tie his tie. He simply had a plan.
'I will let you fix my tie if you let me do something.'
'What?' Draco asked warily.
'Trust me.'
Harry stepped over to Draco, whose breath caught in his throat. He stood extremely still, concentrating on breathing as Harry's fingers ran through his hair.
'There.' Harry whispered. 'Now you look more like Draco and less like Malfoy.'
Draco looked in the mirror, wondering how Harry had known what he had been thinking. His hair was almost as messy as Harry's, but more artfully done. He knew Harry was only trying to help, but his image was important…
'I…can't…' he muttered.
'I know,' Harry responded with a sad smile. 'But you let me do it anyway. Fix my tie, then fix your hair, and then we can go.'
Draco straightened Harry's tie quickly, trying to steady his breathing as his fingers brushed against Harry's throat and he felt the pulse leap. He then returned his hair to its immaculate state and smiled weakly.
'Let's go.'
--
Harry grinned inanely, surrounded by his friends and their families. He was so glad to have finally graduated; sure, there were good memories at Hogwarts, but also plenty of bad ones. Death had always followed him here. But that didn't mean he would feel particularly glad to leave. Especially since he was sure he would never see Draco again. Speaking of Draco… he thought, looking around. The few Slytherin's who had graduated had left and he spotted Draco standing alone in a corner, his lower lip trembling. Harry knew he was trying not to cry. He excused himself from his surroundings and wandered slowly toward Draco, giving him plenty of time to hide his tears if he so desired. When he got close enough he was astonished to see that he had not, and, looking in his eyes, felt a lurch in his heart at the pain in them.
'Malfoy?' he whispered.
Draco snuffled pathetically, embarrassed. He knew it shouldn't matter that he had no family to be here, but still…here he was, crying in a corner. Harry reached out and wiped a tear away.
'Come on Malfoy, stop crying.' Harry muttered, not knowing what to do.
Draco smiled crookedly.
'I'm trying. Really. Do you think I want everyone to see me so weak?'
'It's…understandable.'
'I shouldn't be so sad, you know? My family, they're all monsters. It's just… You looked so happy. You have your whole life ahead of you. I just have a dusty old mansion and a smeared name.'
'You have your looks.' Harry said, trying to bring a proper smile to Draco's face.
'What are looks when there is no one to appreciate them?'
'I'm sure you could have anyone you wanted.' Harry said, ignoring the fact that Ron was calling his name.
'I don't think so.'
Harry leant forward and Draco shivered as warm breath tickled his ear. How does Potter always smell like toffee? He wondered.
'You could have me.' Harry whispered before returning to his friends.
Draco leant heavily against the wall, his knees weak. Was that a statement or an offer?