Chapter 4 – Danger

Harry was still awake. Today had actually been… fun. Draco had surprised him in the morning, coming up with a perfect plan to go to Diagon Alley without being seen. Draco owned an Invisibility Cloak and suggested Harry could buy him anything he needed. He would tag along, unseen by anyone.

And so they did. Of course, Harry ran into Draco's father and had a rather unpleasant conversation with him. But he now knew that Lucius was trying to hide the fact that Draco had run away.

Harry could see Draco's face when he was talking to his father. Draco knew a spell to reveal himself to another person, even though he was hidden under the Invisibility Cloak. Harry couldn't help but notice that Draco was terrified of his own father.

That had been a bit of a downside to their field trip. Draco had been pretty quiet after that. They finished shopping and returned to the Leaky Cauldron.

It was Draco's idea to eat dinner in their room. Harry didn't argue with him. After dinner, there had been more Firewhiskey and jokes about Draco having a bad influence on 'the Gryffindor Hero'.

And now it was late, but Harry couldn't sleep. He was wondering if he and Draco could ever be friends. He had never imagined his sworn enemy to actually be a person, with his own problems and emotions. He never expected to share a room with the Malfoy heir, let alone share his feelings and childhood experiences with him.

I actually enjoy being around him, Harry thought. He has his own scars. I think he understands a bit more about my predicament with the Dark Lord than Ron and Hermione ever could.

-

He was in his old room. He could hear his father shout: "Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! I'll hold him off-"

His mother picked him up and locked the bedroom door. It was a futile attempt to keep whoever was trying to get in out of the room; a flash of light was seen and the door simply exploded.

His mother's voice hit his ears. "Not Harry! Not Harry! Please – I'll do anything…"

"Stand aside… Stand aside, girl…"

The sickening green light hit his mother. Harry fell down and looked up. But before he could take in the form standing over him, the green light returned and hit him as well. Pain ripped through him and he screamed.

-

"Harry! Wake up! You're dreaming!"

Someone was shaking his shoulders, trying to get him back to the world of consciousness. Harry gasped and opened his eyes. He was blinded by his own tears and completely lost in a panic attack, trembling and hyperventilating.

A pale hand slapped his face.

"Merlin's Mercy, Harry, snap out of it."

With a look of horror and despair on his face, Harry finally recognized Draco and clung onto him like he was drowning.

Sobbing violently into Draco's shoulder, Harry choked out: "He killed them… He killed them…"

"Ssshhhh. He's not here now, you're safe. It's over." Draco held Harry tight, stroking his back and whispering soothing words into his ear.

"How am I ever going to win?" Harry sobbed. "He just kills everyone who gets in his way. I don't want to die, Draco…"

"You're not going to die. Don't be ridiculous. You're safe here, and you will be safe at Hogwarts. Stop worrying about the future. It's pointless."

"You and your stupid logic," Harry sniffed. "How can I not worry about the future? The fate of our world depends on it!"

His breathing became irregular again. Draco sighed, anticipating more hyperventilating and another panic attack. As Harry grew more anxious, the lights began to flicker and the windows were rattling like they were going to crack.

"Harry, calm down. Calm down, damn it!"

There was nothing to be done. The roof began to cave in. Draco looked up terrified and in a desperate attempt to try and distract Harry from his attack, he covered Harry's mouth with his own and kissed him.

The wild flaring magic immediately ceased. The room became eerily silent.

Draco broke free from the kiss and stared at Harry, trying to regain himself.

Harry stared back incredulously.

"You…"

"Yeah, me," Draco spat. "I had to do something. You almost made the entire building collapse!"

"I… I'm sorry…" Harry said, still staring at Draco. "It's never been this bad… But you…"

"Oh get over it, Potter," Draco said dismissively. "I stopped you. I happen to value my own life, thank you."

"You could've hit me." Harry wiped his tear-stained face.

"Piss you off in that state? Are you mental? You would've killed me!" Silver eyes were shimmering in the dark.

"I could never kill you," Harry whispered.

"Hell yes you could," Draco hissed. "You would've killed me, yourself and a dozen other guests in the process. Merlin's Mercy, Potter, I never realized you were this dangerous."

Harry raised his hand in defense. "Don't. Please don't do that."

"Do what? Tell you the truth? You scared the hell out of me!"

"Don't tell me I'm a freak." Green eyes looked up in defeat. "Don't shut me out because of what I am."

Draco huffed. "In case you didn't notice, Potter, I'm still here. Any other person would've run away screaming by now."

Harry stared down at his fidgeting hands and whispered: "I just need someone… to be there for me. Please…"

Draco rolled his eyes and said: "Promise me not to do that again and then get your arse over here, Potter."

Harry obliged hesitantly and sighed when he leaned back against Draco's chest.

"Now relax. And that's not a request, it's an order." Draco's hands were resting on Harry's. Within minutes, Harry fell asleep, completely exhausted.

Draco, however, stayed awake for quite some time, frowning into the dark.