Stars lit up the sky, the algid air scraped over his skin. The vexatious sound of snoring filled what would have been the silence that only settled over the school grounds at this time of night. Mossy eyes take in the inky shadows that seemed to reach for the ancient walls. Despite the exhaustion of his classes, Harry just could not sleep, though he seemed to be the only one. The claws of darkness grasped nothing but the grass of sprawling hills and forest, not a soul moved around. A mix of elation and apprehension filled him, his soul yearned for him to slip under the guise of his father's cloak. In the past six years, he had memorised the halls that sprawled beneath him. It was his last year, he was restless to make the most of it.
Mind made up, Harry slid off the window seat, grasping the metal pane, giving it a sharp tug. On silent feet, he crept across the floor, pushing up the lid of the trunk at the bottom of his bed. His fingers tangled into the silky robe, stuck under a stack of books. Placing the flat of his free palm against the books spines, he jerked the fabric free of its entrapment. Quietly, he closed the trunk once more, flinging the familiar cloth out and over himself. Even now, after all these years, he expected to see himself as he crossed the path of a full length mirror. An uneventful escape from Gryffindor tower awaited him, and the seventh year boy wonder crepts out of his dormitory.
It was only when he reached entrance hall that he wondered what he ought to do. Mindlessly wandering the halls might get him caught, even with his agitation, he did not relish losing points for Gryffindor so early in the year. Deciding it might be best to find a view he could ponder over, he turned back to the stairs, his feet carrying him silently towards one of the many towers. The clock tower might be a fine spot to begin. 'The shadows are convenient they're easy to hide in, should someone come looking for wandering student's.' It was a logical thought, but he knew the truth that scratched its way to the surface instantly. He liked the shadows, he had become rather skilled at disappearing into them. Like a comforting blanket, they wrapped around him, accepting him.
Stepping to the base of the stairs, he held his breath for a moment, his eyes raising to stare into the darkness above him, somewhere up these stairs, the pitch black would break way to starlight. He had just begun the climb when the soft shuffling of robes reached his ears. Immediately, Harry froze, turning his head slightly, watching from the corner of his eye as Malfoy rounded the corner. The slytherin student had, if it were possible, become even fairer over the summer. Where smooth Ivory had once been, pale porcelain now took its place. He thought not much about why Malfoy was here, caught up but what he swore was the other boy's nose twitching? He must be further exhausted than he initially thought.
Malfoy stared at the stairs, contemplating. His arms rose, crossing over his chest, his foot tapping against the stones. "Fool's errand" the voice startled Harry, who was amazed he had managed to remain unseen. That was the first words spoken aloud since he had bid a goodnight earlier to his roommates. Malfoy spun on his heels, heading down a darker corridor. Harry knew his smartest plan was to return to the Gryffindor common room and talk all this over with Ron and Hermione in the morning. It took a moment, to realize just how alone he was. Hermione had just come and taken her N.E.W.T.S. Ron had not bothered coming back at all. The thought made him queasy. Malfoy was growing further and further from him and Harry hesitated. 'The bad plan sounds more fun than the safe plan.' his legs were already carrying him after Malfoy.
Let the games begin. The blonde seemed to catch on that there was someone there, for now and then he would stop, his nose rising in the air ever so slightly. His eyes would dart behind him, and his hand would swing out. Hissing, the arm was brought back to the wizards side before he walked again. Harry kept out of reach, only moving when Malfoy did, hiding his steps under the Slytherins. Often he would crouch, ensuring best coverage from the cloak. This game continued, and Harry felt his smile grow wider with each passing round. An ironic sort of glee overcame him, using shadows against a death eater's child. He was like a child holding the toy above his younger brothers head, boasting that it would simple to grasp it. 'The best gift my father could leave me.' It was a brief thought, he did not wish to dwell on it long.
This seemed to be the right move, for only moments later, the faint sound of teachers hurried whispers echoed through halls. He easily tucked himself against a statue, crouching low to ensure he was the only thing covered. When he noticed Malfoy, a frown tugged at his lips. The fool was standing there, shoulders just barely shaking, fist clenched at his sides. Whatever it was he had to do, it seemed to have been very important. Throwing caution to the wind, Harry pulled the cloak off, not bothering to speak but dashed out. Wrapping his fingers around Malfoy's wrist, he was startled by how thin his fellow student was. No time to think, he could hear their steps now, the faint light of a glowing wand end was just reaching the end of their hall. Pulling Malfoy sharply against him, he only just got the cloak over them when Flitwick and Jurrehron rounded the corner.
Sliding a hand around Malfoy's waist, Harry hoped he could keep the Slytherin still long enough to keep them from being expelled. When Malfoy twisted slightly, his grip tightened, pulling the other closer to him. His eyes left the teachers, no longer considering them quite as bad a threat. Taking in the uncomfortable look Malfoy was giving him, it took all his strength not to huff, lifting his free hand he pressed his index over his lips. Curling the digit, he motioned for Malfoy to move with him. One step at a time, they progressed across the hall to the statue.
It was a waiting game now, and Harry's mind was drawn to the uncomfortable position he was currently in. As tall as they both were, they had to stay close. Malfoy's earlier attempt at mutually assured sabotage, left them at an odd angle. His arms was still wrapped around the Slytherin's waist. He could use this to make things both a bit less comfortable and a bit more comfortable. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand again, muscles coiling in preparation. Using his grip, he pulled Malfoy flush to his chest, his hand slamming down across the blonde's mouth. It was then Harry realized he stood just a bit taller than Malfoy, and from here, he had an impressive view of those furious grey eyes. His hand slid along the others side a bit, flattening them both to the wall when the teachers moved. The sound kept Malfoy quiet, so Harry dropped his hand.
Their breath mingled, both giving off the scent of mint, mixed with faintest scent of whatever it was they ate at supper time that night. It was warm though, being buried under a cloak and flush to one another was not helping. Relief came when the teachers seemed to finish whatever it was they were doing down this particular hallway, and left in a hurry to tend to whatever it was they must do next. Malfoy seemed almost in a daze at this point, the anger in his eyes faded. Harry pulled the cloak off, the cool air snapping Malfoy from whatever momentary lapse he had.
"What was that, Potter." Malfoy hissed, he had moved away, but stayed close enough that Harry could hear him. Neither was willing to chance yelling just yet. "What were you even doi-" his voice faded and the dots connected. Harry waited for the smug look to cross the others face, but instead, he was faced with brief flash of concern before Malfoy turned away. Malfoy's hand clamped down on his arm, covering a spot Harry had seem him cradling before as well, when he swung the arm out to check for followers. What mess had Harry gotten himself into this time around?
"That was me saving your skinny ass from being expelled!" Harry was not done arguing over this, but Malfoy had lost the spark. Annoyed and left to stew in his own unruly temper, he reached out and grabbed his peers wrist. Met with resistance, he spun around, green blazing and meeting the steel gaze of Malfoy.
"Let go Potter" he growled, it was an impressive one. Harry however refused to release the wrist he had grabbed. With his free hand, Malfoy drew his wand, eyes darkening. "Potter." he ordered.
"Oh come off it." He groaned, turning and pulling harder against the other. Whether Malfoy was weaker than he looked or just gave in, Harry was moving finally, pulling the Slytherin behind him as he did. Silence overtook them for the moment, the silver robe bunched up in Harry's free arm. The sound of stone cracking announced the arrival of the room Harry had been hoping to find. "The room of requirement" he breathed, reaching out and pushing the door open, dragging Malfoy inside. He knew, on the other side of that door, all proof of their entrance was erased, including the door itself.
Harry finally dropped Malfoy's arm, turning to face the Slytherin, a grin crept onto his lips, this was not where he expected to end up, but he was certainly amused by the turn of events. "Why the grin Potter?" Malfoy actually sounded curious, not sneering his name as usual.
"I came out tonight with no plan, I was heading to sit atop the clock tower." He did not miss the look that crossed Malfoy's face, however brief. "I noticed you, followed you, saved your rear and now we are in the room of requirement. It turned out to be a slightly more thrilling night than I had partially planned."
A roll of his eyes and Malfoy pushed past Harry, fingers trailing along the pointed tips of the objects stored in here. A mountain of treasures that had been hidden away. "Did you not hide the Half Blood Prince's potion book in here?" Harry was suddenly trapped under a curious gaze, it was not often, well, never, had he and Malfoy just talked.
"Ginny and I did, though she did all the hiding." his teeth sunk into his lip, blood welling lightly at the harsh treatment. Pulling himself up onto a table, Harry lowered his gaze.
Malfoy groaned. - "Come on Potter, don't get sappy on me." - complaining.
"Who is getting sappy Malfoy?" He bit back. Laughter bubbled from his chest, and Malfoy joined in after a moment. It was short lived, but something whispered to Harry. He knew something was bothering Malfoy. "Ginny kissed me in here. It started something I was not ready to handle." The look he received, a curled nose and a soft gagging noise. It was childish enough to make him forget the awful, awful things in their past.
Malfoy was poking through some old book, and it drew Harry's attention well enough to draw him over. Peering over the male's shoulder, his eyes scanned the titles cast aside by the white haired, ex-ferret. He almost snickered at his own mental joke. Almost. His eyes landed on a particular book. Reaching over Malfoy's shoulder, he plucked it from the pile and inspected it. He was hanging off of Malfoy at this point, to drawn into the book to care.
"What's so interesting about a book listing Animagus forms?" The question was a fair one, no sarcasm, sneering. It was an honest curiosity. There was no mention of his position this time, as Harry shifted, arms draped over Malfoy's shoulders. His chest pressed to the others back as he opened the book. Should he explain?
"I..." He hesitated for a moment before steeling his resolve. "I have been considering..." He pointed to the book, going back to lazily flipping the pages.
Malfoy tensed, and Harry knew it immediately. He peered at those hard eyes again, and the pit of his stomach roiled. Why did he care that Draco Malfoy of all people had withdrawn from him again? He was not foolish enough to think that this just might extend past this night. That somehow Malfoy and he would become friends. Their lives were too different. Harry the boy in Gryffindor who crept around at night, who was darker than anyone wanted to admit, who had been changed by the events in his past. Malfoy was well, silent, brooding. He had spent this year so far with his head in his books and his comments to himself. They had both come back, finishing their education was something that obviously mattered.
"Why?" It was soft, and Harry was not expecting it. His lips parted and he let out a long sigh, pushing himself up off Malfoy's shoulders. The book hung from his fingers loosely.
"It's foolish" He replied, not wanting to be mocked for this, anything but this reason. A hand wrapped around his wrist, pulling him back down, so he was draped over Malfoy again. His lips by the others ear.
"Tell me." It was almost a plea, as if the Slytherin just wanted to understand.
"I feel like, I might somehow turn it into a lasting connection, to Sirius." the words tumbled past his lips, quiet, but from his spot, whispering into Malfoy's ear, he knew the words had been heard.
Malfoy was silent, his fingers brushed over a book on werewolves and he flipped it open. Harry watched, curious, but eventually he opened his own book, and they sat like that. Malfoy, crossed legged on the floor, with Harry on his knees, draped over Malfoy's back like a spidermonkey. Harry was not sure how long, but it was a while, because when they decided it was best to get back to their dorms, he was stiff enough to groan. He hesitated, before setting the book down on the pile again. He missed the look Malfoy shot at him, missed the way he swiped the book from the pile and tucked it into his robes, just as he did the novel on werewolves.
Harry gathered his cloak and waited for Malfoy to catch up, throwing it over them, they huddled together, no words spoke as they snuck through the still dark halls. First to the entrance to the dungeons, where Malfoy gave a curt nod and scurried out from under the robe behind a statue. Harry watched for a moment as Malfoy hurried down the hall, then down a flight of stairs, disappearing from sight.
After that, it was swift steps through halls, up stairs, ducking if he thought he heard anything. Still under the cloak, he timed his hiss of the password to a ghost passing by. Ducking into the tower, he paused to listen to the painting scold the ghost for such a horrible prank, the portrait slamming closed. The common room was empty still, and Harry stood there for a moment, his hand raising to his chest. He hated to say it, but he missed the warmth, the steady breathing.
He shook his head, taking the stairs two at a time to his room. Quickly, he pushed the cloak into his trunk, crawling into bed as he checked the time. He still had a few hours to get some rest before he had to go downstairs or risk missing breakfast. No one dared wake him anymore, not when everyone was a year younger now.
Sleep came quick, heavy as the warmth of his blankets lulled him into a sleep, dreams invaded by a certain blonde haired man from the dungeons.