AN: I know, this one is very short. But I just HAD to add a fluff chapter. This is a cute moment of relief. I'll update soon. For some reason I just felt like I needed to keep this separated from the upcoming chapter.
Draco
I'm sitting in class, trying to pay attention when all can notice are two things. One: Harry is holding my hand under the table. Two: Goyle keeps glancing at me every few seconds and whispering to Crabbe, smirking at me. They're laughing at me. I fight back the urge to tug on Harry's sleeve like a small child, telling myself I can handle it. I know they aren't going to say anything directly to me, in fear that I'll run crying to Harry, but they'll still talk behind my back. And it still hurts.
But I need to be strong. I can't let Harry do everything for me, despite how much I want to. I'm already inconveniencing him enough as it is. He's gotten detentions because of me, missed classes because of me, and I'm causing him so much stress. Harry would be so much better off without me...
But then I feel his hand grasping mine and the thought of trying to live life alone in unimaginable. I've rested my whole life in his hands, and if he were pulled away from me now I wouldn't live through it. Pansy is going back and forth between staring sympathetically at me and glaring enviously at Harry. She doesn't care though. Not really. No one ever has. I grip Harry's hand tighter as the thought overcomes me. He turns his head from the front of the room to look at me, concern in his eyes, silently asking me if I'm okay. I offer him a weak smile. I'm getting through all of my classes today.
Harry
By the time dinner comes around, it seems that word of Draco and I have spread through the entire castle. Stares and whispers follow in awe, but everyone is generally supportive. Draco seems to like the idea of us being in the open simply because it gives him reason to never let go of my hand. I believe it has something to do with an attachment issue he has. He needs to feel connected to me at all times. The Slytherin table is glaring at me, and I take notice that Zabini is talking widely to the lot of them. I desperately hope for Draco's sake that he keeps his mouth shut tonight. Though I certainly would love to hit him again.
I talk with Hermione, Ron and Draco in pleasant conversation throughout the meal, glad that today has been somewhat uneventful. Once I'm sure that Draco has, in fact, eaten something, I tell Ron and Hermione that I'll see them in the common room later. They bade a pleasant goodbye to both Draco and I and we leave the Great Hall. Once in the corridor, Draco stops walking, and look at him.
"What's wrong?" I ask, sensing a general level of distress.
"You're talking me back to my dorm..." he pouts. I keep forgetting how childlike he can seem. "I don't want to go back there." He's shaking his head. "Not now." I smile.
"I wouldn't go jumping to conclusions, you know." I tell him. I almost laugh at the confusion on his face. "Just come on." I say, tugging on his hand. He follows me, seeming weary.
Draco
We've been walking for awhile now and I'm just realising where we're going. I feel my face light up.
"Harry... are we?" he just puts a finger to his lips in a smile and starts to lead me up the stairs of a gigantic spiral staircase.
We reach the top, and as many times as I've seen it before, the sight takes my breath away. There's so many stars. I start to walk toward to tower wall, but I don't get too far before Harry tightens his grip on my hand, preventing me from advancing. It's clear that he isn't letting me within three feet of the edge.
"I thought you might like a bit of air." He says softly, love in his voice. I feel a smile light up my entire face as we stand, hand in hand, staring at the array of stars above us. There's so many.
"I always feel so small when I look at the stars." I tell him. "I come out here when I feel alone. It just... it helps to think that... someone clear on the other end of the country could be looking at the very same sky right this moment. It helps me forget how alone I am." I know I'm rambling but I've never had anyone to tell this to before. "They're so... open... and free... I've always come out her wishing I could fly away... become one of them." My voice is choking up and I scold myself. "I just... don't feel... trapped here." I sniff and wipe at my eyes with my free hand. I look over at Harry, who is gazing intently at me, and for once, I don't feel the need to take the express lane to the bottom of the tower.
"You're not alone, Draco." He tells me, passion in his voice. "Not anymore." And then the tears are streaming down my face as it hits me how alone I really have been all this time.
"When I was little," I say. "I used to sneak out of the house at night and stare at the sky. I used to wish on every star I could find that someone would come and save me." Harry wraps his arms around me tightly. "I'd just dream and dream that I wasn't out there alone." I stand there, in silent tears, in Harry's arms, staring up at the silver diamonds in the sky that offered me my only childhood comfort.
"I'm right here." He whispers. I feel his breath on my ear.
"Looks like my wish came true." I whisper back, not bothering to wipe the wetness from my cheeks. "Will you save me Harry?" I ask him.
"Of course, Draco." He tells me. "I wouldn't dream of it any other way."
And then his lips are on mine.
The stars shine brightly above. This happiness is so rare for me.
And I'm drinking in every moment of it.
When the kiss breaks apart, I find myself speaking before I realise it.
"Thank you." I tell him. He smiles.
"What for?" He asks.
"Everything." I hear myself answer. "For being there for me when no one else was. For being the shoulder to cry on that I so needed. For just... caring at all. Thank you." He reaches up and strokes my cheek tenderly.
"Anytime." He tells me. "It's my pleasure." I melt into his arms, and together, we watch the stars. And I know, at the that moment, that he will be the one to save me from myself.