Chapter 3

Harry had been thinking about what happened in that dark room with Draco since quite a few days before. The day after that happened , the blond boy didn't even come to classes all day . He just couldn't get it out of his head , the why. Sometimes the few second looks coming from Draco were clear, obvious insecurity in his eyes, letting out his lack of confidence in Harry not to tell his situation to everyone .

Harry tried to understand what Draco could be feeling to be able to do something like that, but he couldn't , it was simply unimaginable . That moment was the lowest that the Slytherin had had, at Harry's eyes . He never looked in so much pain, so fearful, angry, as powerless and as finished, all together , but at the same time, never seemed so human .

He shouldn't think too much about it , but until then , not thinking seemed impossible. The attempt to get distracted with something else always worked, but not for long. The thought always came back to him, and everything now seemed even a bit desperate . Having to see Draco in all classes made it even more difficult, but unavoidable .

He understood what someone could feel when he just falls apart in front of someone else, even more being someone who never looked anything less than perfect at everyone else's eyes. Then, being in that state in front of someone that is considered to be an enemy must've been even harder for Draco.

The heroic sense inside Harry , of always wanting everyone well and safe , told him he had to do something about it , but he knew this was something that was not going to happen. Draco would never let it happen , nor did he know if he wanted to . He was Draco Malfoy .

- Harry ? – Neville's low and careful voice sounded in his ears , pulling him from his thoughts . He looked at his right side and his friend's face was close . - You don't look well .

- I'm fine , Neville . I was just thinking . - He said , as he looked in front to notice Snape still continuing his class .

- Oh, sorry . - Neville said , looking even a little embarrassed. Harry patted his shoulder , smiling .

He wasn't able to avoid looking back , trying not to be noticed , as he had done 15 minutes before, to see Draco playing with his wand in his hand , the only thing that seemed to entertain him since the beginning of the class . Draco however , seemed to feel the Gryffindor's look over him . Once grey eyes met green eyes , Harry looked forward again, but abruptly, making noise with the chair , which fortunately Snape ignored .

Further back, in one corner of the class room, Draco was now not paying much attention to his wand, but with his eyes on Harry's back . His anxiety seemed to be at an extreme and the constant looks from Harry were making him crazy. Draco had just become too self conscious about what had happened. He tried to convince himself that it wasn't a big deal, but he couldn't control himself. Even tho everyone has noticed he wasn't the same, his image of a certain power wasn't yet lost and he didn't want to seem weak, and that was now threatened.

The ring announcing the end of the class made itself heard in the class rooms, and being the last class of the day, everyone packed their stuff and immediately left. Harry turned back, still with a book in his hand, noticing that he was alone, with Draco, who just got up. Both felt awkward. Not looking to anything else other than the floor he walked over, Harry was now heading to the door, but something interrupted him.

- Potter ! - The blonde's voice sounded loud and Harry slowly turned back to face the other boy, who took a deep breath before speaking again . - Why don't you just stop looking ?

- I wasn't looking . - Harry lied , thinking that could work. He put everything he was holding.

- Oh , don't play stupid, and don't try to make me seem like it . I saw perfectly , I notice it . All the fucking time, Potter . You could at least fake it better. The amount of pity you express when you look at me. I don't need it, you know ?

- I don't pity you , Malfoy . I.. just…

- Oh , please. You what ? – Draco asked. His anxiety was still at a very high level . – You couldn't keep it to yourself, wasn't it? You told your friends . For sure...

- That's not true . – Harry said, serious . – I assured you that day, I said I was not going to tell and I didn't . I'm not so bad as you think I am, you know ?

- I don't trust you , Potter .

- Yeah, but you'll have to, you don't have another choice do you? Look, we may not even get along , but I know what you may be feeling . Stay calm. I won't say anything to anyone.

- No, you don't know . – Draco spoke . Harry went back to get his stuff , and turned to go. The blonde was fast to interrupt again. In one stride , he reached Harry and grabbed his arm. Harry turned again, but lost his balance , falling over the blonde boy.

For very few inches , their faces did not touch . Both looked into each other's eyes . Harry , once again , had a glimpse of Draco's mixed feelings , and even looking was almost unbearable .

- Please . – Draco murmured softly . Harry just nodded .

Finally , the blonde decided to trust . Even not liking to admit it , Harry was more honest than he had ever been . Unable to contain his face starting to get a little redder , Draco manages to get out from under the Gryffindor , running out of the class room , leaving Harry, static, sitting on the floor.