Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters in the series.
A/n: Wow, honestly, thank you so much for the wonderful reviews. And look, Paddy is updating way before her deadline date, so yeah for her. I can only thank you guys, since your support just blows my mind. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and always remember to review! kappak:) I'm glad you like him.
The Loft
Chapter Ten
On Loss
The much anticipated rain, a wish that Draco didn't get until late October, seemed to pour from the sky uneasily. The clouds broke and the sun emerged, on and off throughout the days, leaving wet though very bright weather. Along with the torrent, a wind had breezed through, blowing away vender carts, and raising skirts.
The rain came in slow bursts, and when everything misted over into a quiet gray, it was murky and low for the inhabitants of the loft. No one on the streets had any aversion to the weather, just because of the new and fresh feeling that came after the rain, and even those select few not savvy with flowers, were right to assume that the weather was good for growth.
Blaise Zabini stood outside Fleur-de-lis, his arms tucked into his jacket, and his eyebrows scrunched from the wind. A long thin smoke trail sizzled from his cigarette, and he switched his weight as he gazed out at the wet and dreary street. The clouds had taken over, spreading a gray chill across east New York, and they seemed to Blaise as endless.
He was currently standing in a puddle, just outside the stoop where he could hear the muffled laughter and chatter from inside. People passed by him in the streets, some with umbrellas, some that simply made do with coats over their heads.
The rain lashed down in drip dropping gushes, and the sound of water hitting pavement, and wind against stone was relaxing to Blaise. He watched the cars honk and gather into traffic, as feet splashed into puddles, and the sky thundered above them. Blaise took a drag of his smoke, suddenly aware of how cold it had gotten. The late afternoon sun was nowhere to be seen as he dropped his cigarette into the puddle at his feet, watching as the embers slowly simmered out. He turned to go back inside, his arms wrapped around himself against the wind.
The bell over the door jingled, and let in a spray of dripping water all over Blaise's shoulders, he scowled, and tried to brush it off, nearly tripping over a lethal looking plant beside the door. Muttering to himself, he came into the shop quite cold, and watched as Remus and Harry teased Dennis, who was sitting on the counter sulking. They were playing cards, and Remus was moving around plants, each of them indifferent to waiting within the shop until the rain subsided. Blaise looked at the antique clock above the counter and grimaced, wondering when Draco would decide to show up.
He sat down on the stool with a sigh, suddenly very down. Remus brushed the soil off of his hands, yawning, before telling Dennis to get off of the counter. Dennis gave Harry a ten and ignored him. The botanist shook his head, before stating it was time for coffee and disappearing into the back. Blaise sighed again.
Harry glanced up from his cards. "What's the matter?"
Still, Blaise looked morosely away.
"Go fish," said Dennis, who seemed oblivious.
"Blaise, what's the matter?"
"Nothing."
Harry looked at his hand before giving Blaise a glare. "Somehow, I doubt that."
Blaise suddenly sat up."Have you ever wanted something so much your chest aches like a thousand needles plunging into your heart?"
The brunette blinked, before exchanging an uneasy look with Dennis.
He shrugged. "I guess..."
"Then you know how I feel, yeah? It's fucked up Harry, fucked up."
Harry's brow furrowed a bit."What's the matter?"
Blaise slumped in his seat and buried his head into his hands in frustration. He gave a loud grown."I hate Halloween."
While reaching for a card, Harry suddenly stilled, turning to look at Blaise carefully.
"Why is that?"
Dennis cackled as he got another match and Blaise glared at him before slouching down dejectedly. He sighed.
"Blaise?" Harry questioned, suddenly very nervous.
Dennis tapped him on the arm to go fish but the artist wasn't listening.
With his hands raised to the ceiling, Blaise suddenly said, "Why? Why must 'Crotch Fire' play on Halloween? Why?"
Harry stared. "'Crotch Fire'?"
"Only the greatest band in the history of hardcore Metal."
Dennis nodded. "Yeah, hardcore."
"It sounds like some kind of warming lubricant, I know, but they're fantastic. Anyway, I can't go because Hermione always makes me dress up with her cousins and go trick or treating. The costumes Harry," he stood up and shook Harry by the shoulders, "...the costumes!"
Blaise raised his hands to the sky, again. "Why?"
"That's it," Harry said, and they both looked at him. Harry's tone had been cold, and very unlike his usual casual self. The artist looked at Blaise as if he had told him he was a transsexual, which quickly turned to anger. Both expressions foreign on the brunette's face.
"What do mean, that's it?" Blaise said rudely. "It's fucking 'Crotch Fire'!"
Harry jumped off the counter, and Dennis yelled 'hey!' as his cards were dropped to the floor. The artist made for the door, but Blaise caught his arm.
"Hey, wait..."
Harry pushed him away. "Just...you...so stupid! I thought you were serious."
"Yeah," Blaise said slowly."I was serious. What's the deal?"
Shaking his head roughly, the brunette frowned before tearing out of the shop. The bell tinkled madly and both Dennis and Blaise looked at Harry's form from inside the shop curiously.
The cold air from outside stung Harry's face as he leaned against the flower shop wall, folding his arms around himself against the cold. He placed a hand across his brow and cursed, cursing himself for making such an embarrassing scene back in there with Blaise. The door opened again, and water dripped steadily down the roof and over the cover of the shop. Blaise stood by him suddenly, wrapped in his jacket as well.
They stood for a while, watching the cars pass and the sky get blacker. The rain made the streets slick, and inside the gargantuan puddles, courtesy of the potholes nick named abyss, they could see their blurry reflections and chilled faces. Blaise cast a look at his companion, who was flushed from the cold. His eyes were vivid, and his hair hung about his face. Harry's cheeks were rosy from embarrassment, and Blaise refrained from placing a hand on his shoulder. Harry bit his lip.
"I'm sorry."
Blaise shrugged."What was that all about?"
Harry's expression turned impassive to taciturn, as if tamed by the sudden calm, even as the wind and rain splashed about them. The artist suddenly turned to him and smiled, his hands in his pockets for warmth.
"I don't much like Halloween either."
Blaise had to wait until Draco showed up, which wasn't until late. He'd waited around for a while, perfectly fine with joking around with Remus, Dennis, and Harry, who acted as if nothing happened. Though he did seem withdrawn, Blaise thought, any other emotions that could have possessed Harry were lost to him, because in being a very closed minded, and decidedly oblivious person, Blaise hadn't noticed.
Halloween fell on that Sunday, and Dennis had come over to talk about the dance he was supposed to go to at school. Further reminder of the holiday only proved to depress Blaise, and silence Harry. He talked less and less throughout the day.
When Draco came in, Blaise nearly jumped on him to relieve the sudden tension.
"What are you doing here?" Draco asked.
"You don't remember? We're going for Halloween costumes tonight, you know it's Hermione's favorite day."
Draco shrugged off Blaise's arm and walked towards the stairs. Blaise caught up with him and dragged him back to the group."We talked about this."
"Hello Mr. Malfoy," Dennis said, shuffling the cards.
Draco smiled at him insincerely.
"It's raining."
Blaise looked at him."No? Really?" He scuffed his feet on the floor and smiled at Harry.
"The floor seems kind of muddy, Harry, you slacking on the job?"
Harry glanced up from the plant he was helping Remus spread fertilizer on, and suddenly seemed nervous.
"Um..."
The botanist, who watched the two interact, placed a hand on Harry's arm lightly.
"He was joking, Harry."
He looked down again at the plant, distracted once more. Dennis, who sat atop the counter, glanced at Remus who glanced at Blaise. Draco sniffed.
"The stupid rain is messing with my allergies."
"Well," said Blaise, clasping his hands together happily. "Since you've forgotten, shall I call Hermione and cancel?"
Draco shook his head.
"Oh no, you're not using me as an excuse."
They scowled at each other, and Remus told Dennis to get off of the counter.
"Fine. But you're coming with me, then."
Draco sighed heavily, looking longingly up at the staircase, no doubt envisioning a night of peace.
"No, Blaise."
His friend pouted. "But I can't wait! I don't want to get the last costume, it's always the m&m, always!"
The blond rolled his eyes, smoothing down his suit.
"Blaise...she's not my girlfriend. And if she was, I think I'd kill myself. Just because you're dumb enough to agree with everything she says...go be an m&m for all I care..."
"I do not fucking agree with everything she fucking says!"
"Language," Remus warned, and Dennis grinned.
"Speaking of which Mr. Hypopocrite..."
"Hypocrite."
"Whatever," Blaise waved a hand. "You let Pansy drag you around like a fucking puppy."
"Language."
Dennis hopped down and took off his jacket, throwing it at Remus who scowled.
"Who's Pansy?"
"His fucking fiance, that's who. Now she's a fucking bitch."
There was a sudden awkward silence, and Draco glared at Blaise intensely. Blaise frowned and followed his gaze to Harry, who seemed unaffected. In fact, it was only Draco who seemed reluctant to admit at having a fiancé, seeing as Harry was still off in his own little world. Draco gritted his teeth at him, his handsome face flushed and stature completely stiff. He started up the staircase with Blaise behind him, still chattering.
When they were gone, Remus turned to Harry, his mouth open to ask him something, but Harry was staring intently at the plant beneath him.
"He's engaged?" he suddenly asked.
Remus glanced at Dennis, who frowned.
"I think I heard something about it in the papers...he's marrying her for money no doubt..."
"Dennis!" Remus admonished.
There was an awkward silence, once again, and Remus looked at Harry as the brunette placed the potted Begonia roots he was fertilizing on the ground.
"I think it's likely he'd marry for money," Dennis said. "Jerk."
"That's assuming a lot, you know."
Remus turned back to Harry.
"Do you want to take Halloween off? You haven't had a day to yourself in a month."
The artist looked up at him and smiled, his beryl eyes suddenly happy. He hopped up on the counter where Remus was marking checks; disturbing the botanist's work.
"Sure. I'll paint all day."
Remus smiled back.
"When is the art show?"
"In early December, I've got a month before I have to go to the hanging, and then the show opens on a Saturday. I don't usually do art shows, but well...freelance isn't all that great when you're unknown."
"I don't know about that," smiled Remus. "How many pieces are going into it?"
"Twelve, for me, the front pieces are a few new artists I suppose. I've got the back."
Remus looked up, surprised.
"Harry that's wonderful! You didn't tell me that!"
The brunette grinned and glanced down shyly, and Remus clapped him on the shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. He suddenly changed his mind and gave the artist a shove, and he went toppling to the ground. "Now get off my counter."
Dennis burst out laughing.
"Hermione, no. I'm sorry. No...what?.. .I am fucking sincere."
They all turned to look at Blaise, as he came stomping down the stairs yelling into his cell phone as if his life depended on it, in which, when it came to Hermione, it very well could have. Harry got up from the floor and glared. He turned to Dennis, rubbing his bottom.
"You should come to the opening. I'm not sure who'll be there, but there will be free food."
"Free food!" Blaise exclaimed, closing his phone with a snap. "Can I go, Harry?"
"Did you just hang up on her?" Harry asked.
"No. So what are we talking about?"
Dennis swung the stool around, before leaning back; making it tip dangerously.
"Harry's art show."
"Well it isn't my art show."
"Really?" Blaise lit a cigarette. "Say Harry, Draco and I might go out tomorrow for Halloween, if Hermione isn't talking to me, why don't you come with?"
Harry thought for a moment, his eyebrows creasing. "Have you asked Malfoy about this?"
Blaise smirked, shaking his head in amusement."Do I look stupid? I want you to go, there's this party at the Waldorf we might hit. I think if I show up with you in tow more people will talk to me."
"Not a chance," Draco said from the stairs.
He'd changed into a casual though elegant shirt and slacks, and looked more approachable if not quite as intimidating as before. Outside, the rain suddenly started to pour, and Blaise whooped excitedly.
"No costume shopping. Looks like I'm staying here tonight, Draco."
Draco's eyes were on the rain outside and he cursed.
"You can stay as well Dennis, I know you have to walk," Remus offered.
"Really!" The teen said, excited.
"Sure. Go call your mom, we're closing anyway."
While Blaise trailed after Draco and up the stairs to the loft, Remus and Dennis conversed quietly, before moving into the back. Harry, who stood looking out the window, suddenly came aware of himself and shook his head forcefully. He switched the open sign to closed and went outside to bring down the gate. The rain was coming down fast and in huge droplets, and Harry's back soon became dotted from the water dripping off of the roof.
He brought the gate down slowly, his hands cold, before locking it into place. He stood in the rain for a moment, watching the traffic and staring into space. The buildings were slick with wet rain, and windows created spider webs of water drops. Puddles gathered and the smell of liquid on asphalt reached his nose. He scrunched it up, annoyed, before wrapping his arms around his torso.
He thought for a moment, on his latest painting, aware of the memories it dredged up, and things that he'd really rather not talk about. Tilting his head, a new idea came to the brunette, and his fingers itched to test it out with black acrylic and some chalk. As for the ever irritating Mr. Malfoy, and the thought came to him suddenly; he thought this Pansy deserved Draco, seeing as they were both made for each other when it came to being absolute snobs. Harry sighed.
The artist really did hate Halloween. Sure, there were leaves and wind, and the weather just on the cusp of being freezing. It was nice to hand out candy and go to costume parties. He bit his lip and turned around, walking back into the shop. Halloween always made him uncomfortable. A day of remembrance, maybe, but still a holiday he'd hated since he was nine years old. The day his parents had been murdered.
----------------------------------------------------
Draco couldn't sleep that night. His head was spinning from his allergies, and though he'd taken medicine, it hadn't seemed to have helped. Outside, the rain stopped if only for a short period of time. He walked out of his room and saw the boy, Dennis, sleeping beside Harry's mattress, and tufts of hair sticking out from the couch, where Draco assumed Blaise had bunked. He sighed and walked to the refrigerator, turning on the stove light and grabbing a glass.
He looked back down at the floor, and suddenly noticed that Harry wasn't among the others. Getting out the milk, of which he'd gotten just to piss Harry off, he glanced around for the brunette but couldn't see him anywhere. His eyes found the backpack beside Harry's painting. The pack sat harmlessly, tape barely keeping it together, and paint stains all over its pockets and straps. He glared distastefully at it, before his eyes caught the draw string to the roof. He walked up the spiral staircase and over to it, his glass of milk in his hand, and pulled the ladder down.
When he stepped out into the freezing night, he saw Harry sitting on a chair facing the city, bundled in a blanket and wide awake. Draco thought for a moment that maybe he should leave, now that his curiosity had been curbed, but then Harry turned his head to look at him.
"Couldn't sleep?" Draco asked, clearing his throat.
"No," Harry smiled tiredly.
"Me neither."
Draco watched Harry as he looked up at the cloud covered night, and his body gave a sudden jolt. Harry was so beautiful...his long ebony hair that Draco was sure was as soft as it looked. Those large, lovely eyes, and that sweet, charismatic smile. The blond had never seen anyone as wonderfully good looking as Harry, inside and out. He was interesting, smart...no..no, infuriating...annoying, he was a complete idiot.
"Are you sleeping up here?" Draco snapped.
Harry swept his hair back.
"No, I just came out for some air."
Draco nodded stiffly. "It's cold."
"So go back inside."
"Maybe I will."
"It's going to start raining anyway, it smells like it," said Harry.
"I can't smell anything."
Draco stood by the chair and pushed his hair behind his ears.
"That's because I was being smart with you."
"Were you really? That's a first."
Harry tucked his leg underneath himself as the wind tussled his hair.
"Not this again."
"What again?"
"You being so hostile all the time. Don't you get tired of it?"
"I'm awake aren't I."
"Now who's being smart. And don't say you started it, it'll make it worse."
Draco shook his head, frowning. "Make what worse?"
"Never mind."
The blond groaned."You're the most complicated person I've ever met..."
Harry laughed. "How many people have you exactly met?"
"A lot, and they were all pretty complicated."
"You should get some sleep."
"And you shouldn't, I'm guessing."
"I don't have to work tomorrow."
"Ah, the leisure time you're lucky to have. I envy your bum status."
Harry sighed, bringing the blanket up to his shoulders and sinking lower in his chair.
"Maybe you should leave before we start fighting."
Draco looked down at his glass.
"Maybe I will."
The brunette grinned. "Wouldn't want to catch a cold."
Draco tried, as he turned away from that smile, to block out the look on Harry's face. The way he folded in that chair, or even the artist's voice. He found his attempts unsuccessful, and gave up trying to ignore it. Instead, that grin bothered him all night, and not even milk, bought just to anger and irritate said brunette, would get him to sleep.
----------------------------------------------------
The next day was as wet as the first, and the rain continued its silent fall. Halloween morning began with Mrs. Sprout waking them all up cheerfully, they all trudged down the stairs to see her in a large green circular outfit. Blaise, ever subtle, exclaimed, "What the fuck are you wearing?" and Mrs. Sprout giggled happily. "I'm a Brussel Sprout, do you get it?" Needless to say, none of them laughed. She asked them where their costumes were, and Blaise suddenly had someone to call, Harry had to water, and Dennis had to help Harry. So much for vegetable suits.
Customers came in throughout the day, buying different flowers for parties and such festivities. The only other Holiday that was this busy for Remus was Easter, so he made sure to have helping hands close by. Remus had his mind somewhere else when Blaise and Draco left, and it still continued to drift when Harry asked him a question.
"What on earth is the matter Remus? Hello? Remus?"
Harry flashed a hand in front of the botanist's face, and Remus shook his head, blinking.
"Just thinking Harry, that's all."
The brunette looked skeptical, but let it go.
The honest truth, for Remus though it was hard to admit, was that he couldn't get his wretched mind off of Severus Snape. As disgustingly romantic as it sounded, Remus' first meeting with the man had confused him, and made him considerably pleased. He wasn't stupid, he knew when someone was hitting on him. After dating Sirius, who was about as sharp as a doorknob, he needn't look carefully at these things. No slandering on Sirius' part, but they just hadn't worked, hadn't had the charisma that he had suddenly had with Severus. Sirius deserved someone less demanding than Remus, for that was what he truly believed.
He also debated whether having any hope at dating the other botanist had any merit, he didn't fancy it did, so he kept his thoughts to himself. It was hard not to feel elation when he remembered the way the other man had leant across him, or simply the look in this dark, ebony eyes. Remus sighed, he shouldn't hope, he knew.
Halloween was dreary that year, and though it had rained all night and half the day, when the kids started trick or treating it was damp, but no longer raining. Possibly, the silent hopes of thousands of little children were heard, and the torrent subsided. Mrs. Sprout, dressed up as well, a sprout, chuckled over Dennis' Musketeer costume, and Remus decided to dress as a hippie. They all sat around waiting for Dennis' mom to show up, he left for the dance and Harry came down from the loft with paint all over his shirt and in his hair.
"What are you supposed to be?" said Mrs. Sprout. Harry looked confused for a moment, before putting his paint brush behind his ear.
"Nothing."
Mrs. Sprout shook her head.
"You're just nothing? On Halloween?"
Harry looked at his feet and nodded, suddenly tense. Remus thought fleetingly, not again.
"Say Harry, what are doing tonight? You've been painting all day, how's about giving it a rest?"
Harry shook his head.
"I have to finish. I've only got six pieces done..."
"So you're half finished..."
"No Remus, I don't..."
"Why don't you go with Blaise and Draco, I know Blaise invited you..."
The brunette suddenly snapped, his eyes bright with fury, and his face flushed.
"I don't want to, alright? I don't want to be around that... jerk! I don't want to go!"
There was silence, and Remus looked unsurely at Mrs. Sprout. Harry calmed down a bit, staring at his feet in shame.
"What did he say to you now?" Remus asked.
Harry shook his head. "The usual."
"When?"
"Last night...I got up, had to climb over Dennis and Blaise, who rolled off the couch." Harry shrugged. "He was...nice."
"Wait...he was nice?"
The artist nodded, before adjusting the brush behind his ear. "He asked me if I couldn't sleep, and I said no, and he said 'me neither.'"
Remus waited for more, but Harry didn't say anything.
"That's it?"
Again, he was silent.
Abruptly, Remus' brain decided to work for him, and everything snapped into place. Harry was lying. There was no encounter, no Draco bashing, nothing...Harry was trying to make up for yelling at him, yelling at him for something having nothing to do with Draco Malfoy. Or did it? Remus didn't know, but he had caught on, and he let Harry go back up to the loft with a nod. Remus wondered how someone could be as complicated as Harry.
When the sun had gone down, Mrs. Sprout sat outside on the stoop with her bag of multi-colored candy, ready to pass them out to the children in costumes on the street. The wind had picked up a bit, blowing away wet leaves and drying puddles. It wasn't until half past eight that Blaise came in wearing an m&m suit, and Remus laughed his ass off, accordingly. Draco shook his head and said, "It's your fault."
Blaise jumped around them in his suit, his hair flopping madly in front of his face.
"Is Harry going with us, Remus, did you ask him?"
Remus shook his head.
"He doesn't want to go."
Draco stopped Blaise from jumping around."You invited Potter?"
"What's with the last names? Yeah, I like him, even if you don't."
Draco sniffed.
"I never said I didn't."
Blaise went 'ah ha' and pointed."So you do like him."
The blond gave a very rare blush, and frowned. "What?"
His friend danced around them, looking completely ridiculous in the round yellow m&m, Draco watched him in frustration until he managed to shove Blaise away, who fell to the floor with a plop.
"You could try convincing him," tried Remus.
"Do it." Blaise said from the floor.
"You invited him without my consent," Draco said, looking down at Blaise.
"I don't need your consent you fucking crazy." Blaise pushed away the raised part of the yellow suit that covered his face as he spoke, before laying his head down on the floor. "Crazy..." he mumbled.
"Get up, come on."
Draco made towards the stairs, taking them two at a time, but with elegance, before opening the door to the loft. The stereo that had magically appeared, from what he guessed was Harry's paycheck, played loud music that echoed throughout the loft. Draco liked the band, but would not admit it to Harry, who seemed completely distracted with his painting. Draco walked towards him, and watched Harry's smooth pale wrist move to some kind of rhythm, spreading paint across the canvas.
He cleared his throat.
"Are you coming tonight?"
Harry didn't not look at him as he painted, and Draco took a moment to observe the painting. He wanted to say to Harry, 'I like it.' or, 'why is it so dark', or even 'I'm sorry, it's obvious to me you're not overrated'.
"Are you coming or not?" He snapped, instead.
Damn his infernal mouth, he cursed, couldn't he be polite just once...
Harry turned his bright green eyes onto Draco, and the blond was suddenly ashamed and very distracted by those very green orbs.
"I hadn't planned on it, no." The artist stepped away and washed his brush, throwing the cloth stained with paint over his shoulder.
"Why not?" Draco snapped.
Harry shrugged. "I don't do Halloween parties."
"Why not?"
"I don't have a costume." Harry stepped back onto the tarp and shuffled through his paints.
"Neither do I," Draco said.
"I beg to differ!"
They turned to see that the yellow m&m had indeed gotten up from the floor. He raced into Draco's room, ignoring the 'what the?' before coming out with what looked to Draco as rags. Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"I figured you wouldn't need it any more, Wonder Bread boy, so I took the liberty of making it into a costume."
Draco looked closer at the garment, and suddenly his mouth dropped open. "That's my Armani!"
Blaise wagged a finger at him. "It used to be your Armani, now it's your costume!"
He marched up to Draco and put the pants, which had been cut off and rubbed in dirt, and the now torn and stained jacket, up to Draco's body.
"You're a cast away! A very hot cast away might I add..."
"Blaise!" Draco growled. "I can't believe you..this was-"
"Three thousand dollars." Harry and Blaise finished for him. The yellow m&m cocked his head. "We know. There you have it, go change."
Draco looked at the ruined suit and then laughed sarcastically.
"Not on your life, Zabini. I'll go to the party as Draco Malfoy, thank you very much."
Blaise stomped a foot. "But then no one will talk to you! That's guy's a fucking asshole."
"Ha. Ha."
"Look," Blaise tried. "You shave your legs anyway, so what would you be revealing with those pants? And we all know how sexy you are with your top open...especially now that your sternum's fixed."
"No, Blaise, I'm not doing it. We'll go as ourselves, now go change."
Blaise pouted, before turning on his heel and slamming the door. His yellow suit got caught and he had to open the door again to tug it out. Draco turned to Harry, who was dabbing paint onto the canvas indifferently.
"I'd like you to go."
What? Draco thought, not knowing what had possessed him to say that. Harry seemed to be thinking along the same lines, and turned to stare at him, unsure.
"You would?"
Draco swallowed.
"Well, see, Blaise wanted you to go, and he's such a whiney...well, he'll complain all night, and..."
He stopped, seeing as he no longer had Harry's attention.
"I think it would be alright...really..."
Harry turned to him and tilted his head, thinking. "I'd really rather not. I need to finish this for the show."
"Show?" Draco asked.
Harry set down his paint and nodded, distracted. "December." He looked back up at Draco, wiping his hands on the cloth. "You can go if you like."
"To an art show? I go to some. I doubt this one will be spectacular if you're in it."
Draco cursed violently in his head. He cursed having a stupid sharp tongue, and he cursed finding enjoyment in torturing other people. Couldn't he just once, be a nice guy?
Harry however, simply smiled.
"I think you're right on that one. Thanks for the invite to the party, but I think I'll pass."
Draco shrugged one shoulder. "If you're sure."
"I'm sure."
Blaise came out of Draco's bedroom wearing the torn Armani jacket and the jeans, stating he was about to take trendy New York by storm. They left the way they came, with the easiness that only came to someone who had endless possibilities in front of them.
Harry looked back at his canvas, and looked down at the candy Mrs. Sprout had given him when he'd walked out into the shop. He popped a butterscotch into his mouth, his eyes on the window where the wind blew against the stained glass.
The canvas in front of him seemed endless in the amount of work it needed, and in an effort to concentrate better, Harry turned up the music and blocked out the voices from downstairs, and of closing of doors.
His paint brush led him across the vast black of his background, something conjured just for his own Halloween spirit. He waited for midnight, when the nightmare would be over.