Chapter Three 'Bewilderment'
Harry was momentarily transfixed, before Hermione's order to run reached his ears.
The fire was quickly transforming, shaping into terrible beasts, changing as it grew, consuming everything in sight. Crabbe took off, with Ron and Hermione on his heels. No more spells were fired, everyone just ran, desperate to relocate the exit. Harry sprinted after his companions, aware of Draco trying to drag an unconscious Goyle along. Harry knew there was no way Draco could escape, and for reasons he could not yet explain, he knew he didn't want that to happen. Hermione and Ron had paused, having lost sight of Crabbe, and turned to Harry for a plan of escape. Harry spotted some old brooms, tossing one to Ron, and climbing onto the other. Ron and Hermione shot into the air, sharing a broom, and Ron flew straight for the exit.
Harry lingered above the flames a little longer, searching for the diadem through the haze. Just as he was about to lose hope altogether, he spotted Draco and Goyle, perched halfway up a tower of odds and ends. Harry heard Ron call out to him, urging him to leave before the fire burned them all to a crisp, but chose to ignore his friend. He dove for Draco, hauling him onto his broom. Harry rose above the inferno again, dodging what appeared to be the tail of a dragon, constructed entirely of fire. He whizzed around again, scanning for the diadem, and saw it falling towards the flames, where it would be lost forever. Tuning out Draco's screams, he flew as fast as he could manage, catching the diadem and flipping back towards the roof, Draco holding on so tight it hurt. Harry heard Hermione calling out to him, and turned to see her with Ron and Goyle all on one broom, dashing towards the door.
He focused on the opening that was growing gradually smaller as the doors closed, almost willing the broom to go faster. Harry and Draco slammed into the wall of the corridor outside the burning Room of Requirement, only to be greeted by the firing of more deadly spells. He watched as Ron and Hermione ran into the battle, and he tried to get up and join them, only to find Draco was pinning him down. Harry rolled out from underneath the young Death Eaters body, and stood up, quickly assessing the damage around him. Harry leant against the wall, catching his breath, while Draco rose to his feet too. Harry prepared to Stun Draco, but when Draco's eyes met his, he didn't feel any need to attack, or defend. Draco stepped cautiously towards Harry, quietly expressing his thanks. Harry held out his hand, expecting Draco to shake it, calling a truce of sorts. Draco ignored Harry's gesture, and Harry lowered his hand, waiting for Draco to say something more. The tall blonde stayed silent, studying Harry's face. Harry watched as various things crossed Draco's mind, his expression changing with each new thought. His eyes darted to Malfoy's hands, rising slowly, reaching out to Harry. Harry wanted to move away, but he was pressed against the corridor wall, nowhere to run. He chose to stay still, silent, and patiently wait for Draco to speak. Malfoy's hands moved to cup Harry's face, and Harry froze.
Draco leant forward, narrowing the already tiny gap between the two, pausing mere centimetres from Harry's face. His eyes lifted slightly, finding Harry's momentarily, before he closed the space entirely.
The kiss was short, but sweet, and Harry never moved to break it, instead finding himself on the verge of participating. He considered it, before remembering it was Draco Malfoy, his sworn enemy, kissing him, not Ginny. Draco broke away, and continued down the corridor without a backwards glance, leaving Harry conflicted and bewildered.