I jerked awake, sweating slightly. I looked over to the source of the frantic piercing screams. Potter lay thrashing in his bed. I hesitated for a second. His screams grew impossibly louder. Fuck it! I pushed the blankets back and ran to his bed.
"Potter!" I shook him violently but he didn't wake.
"NOOOOOO!" He screamed. I panicked and ran to the bathroom, looking frantically for anything to hold wat-the toothbrush holder! The toothbrushes flew across the bathroom. "NOOOOOOOOO!" Pierced the air again.
"Come on, come on, come on!" I told the water flowing from the faucet as it took forever to fill the holder. Finally the water started spilling over the top. It was then that I remembered that I could wandlessly, and wordlessly cast Aguamenti. I dropped the holder back into the sink and turned off the water.
"NOOOOOOOOOO! NO,NO, NO, NOOOOOO!" His sobs seemed to be wrenched from his throat. I ran back to his bed as he was writhing like he was in physical pain. I casted the spell right at his face, drenching him with the sheer force as water downpoured from my open palm. He jerked awake like a zombie coming out of a grave. He grabbed his glasses and wand, suddenly standing.
"...Potter?" I asked after a few seconds, coughing slightly. He froze and then blushed so profusely I could see it in the unlit room. He cleared his throat awkwardly, then lowered his wand.
"Sorry about that...just a-"
"Nightmare?" I asked, not even daring to be snarky at a time like this. He nodded. "Are you going to be ok?" I asked concerned.
"Should be." He nodded awkwardly, then sat back down on his bed.
"Any reason you had such a nightmare?" He looked away and mumbled a response. "Huh?" I asked, he sighed.
"I didn't realize I ran out of dreamless sleep until I went to bed last night, so I couldn't take it."
"How often do you take that stuff?" I asked figuring the last thing he'd want to do is think about his nightmare. He coughed.
"Nightly." I whistled softly in surprise and sat down next to him. That's crazy, not good for his health at all.
"Pomfry'd kill you if she knew." He groaned at the very thought. "So would Hermione." I added as an afterthought. I would too...I want to, but it's not my place.
"You call her Hermione now?" He asked trying to change the subject.
"Only when she can't hear." I responded causing him to laugh. A comfortable silence filled the room. Well, comfortable for me at least, I looked over to Potter. He had a soft smile on his face, but his eyes seemed miles away. "You wanna go for a walk?" I asked surprising myself. He turned to me questionly, and opened his mouth only to close it a second later, His smile widened.
"Yeah, not?" I blinked, he turned on the lights.
"I'll get changed then." I said standing and moving towards the chest mother packed for me. I decided on some business casual slacks and a pressed collared grey button down. Potter snorted. "What?" I asked, I thought I did good. I left the matching tie, vest and cuff links in my chest.
"Just wear these." He said handing me a t-shirt and a pair of muggle jeans. I picked them up questioningly. "Don't worry they're very in right now. Ginny had me get them, she's all about fashion."
"Won't people freak out if I'm wearing the Harry Potter's clothes?" He blushed slightly.
"I...it's...you're-"
"Different?" I asked softly. His cheeks started resembling Weasley's hair. He sighed and ran a hand through his much darker hair.
"The Dursley's never let me have my own clothes, it was always hand-me-downs from my cousin who was three times my size, and they dyed all the clothes an ugly grey so his friends wouldn't know. When I moved out I bought my own clothes that were...you know, mine. So when others try to wear them...I just get...protective. But you-"
"Experienced the Dursley's." I finished for him, nodding my head in understanding. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah." He said smiling slightly, which caused me to smile. What an awkward fool, cute...but a fool. I took off my pj shirt and grabbed the t-shirt he gave me. There was a few beats of silence before a rush of commotion as he made his way to the bathroom, slamming the door closed. Was he…? No...he couldn't have been staring...could he? I smiled to myself at the idea but, that's all it was...a fantasy. When I was dressed, hair brushed and all, I made my way down stairs and started a pot of tea. I pulled out some strawberries and raspberries, slicing the former thinly and pressing the latter slightly to allow some juice to run into travel mugs before plopping both berries into both of the mugs. When the tea was steaming, I filled the cups three-fourths full, and filling the remainder one-fourth with ice. I sipped at mine unwittingly making a small noise of contentment.
"You really like your tea don't you?" Potter asked out of nowhere. I practically jumped out of my skin, then coughed embarrassed.
"Yes well...the small pleasures in life and all of that." He simply smiled. "Care to try some?" I asked handing him his mug. He took it and looked at it questionably before setting it down.
"Tea isn't really my forte. I'm more of a coffee person." I gave him one of my mother's looks, and his eyes widened comically, but I kept a straight face.
"You might like it." I snipped slightly.
"Er...right." He took a big gulp. How typical of a Gryffindor, didn't he know a small sip would have sufficed? If he didn't like it, well at least there would have been more for me. "Hmm...this is pretty good." I smiled at his compliment.
"Passionfruit iced tea with some berries." I replied. He looked into the cup and pulled out a strawberry slice, then plopped it into his mouth.
"Yummy." He confirmed with a goofy grin on his face. "You got your tea smile again." He told me. My face fell in surprise, could it be that Potter's happiness has become one of my small pleasures in life now? How absurd. He's only using me to get back at the Dursley's. His face turned to one of puzzlement after my own abrupt expression change. "As you said, there is nothing wrong with it."
"Oh, no I know, I was just thinking is all. Is 'tea smile' really the best name you could come up with?" I asked teasingly, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Whilst you have tea is the only time it appears so...yes? Would you prefer 'content kitten getting ears scratched smile' better?" My eyes widened in horror.
"Dear Merlin. No. You wouldn't, would you?" He laughed lightly.
"Not if it would bother you." He had a smug smile on his face.
"How utterly ghastly. Where on earth did you come up with that?"
"It's the only other time I've seen such a cute, contented smile."
"Malfoys are not cute!" I roared. His eyes widened as a finger flew to his lips.
"Shh."
"Malfoy's are not cute!" I whisper roared.
"Typically I'd agree, but that smile...I don't know…" He said teasingly.
"Shut it Potter, are we going to walk or not?" I asked, my feathers ruffled. He stepped aside and made a bow, gesturing towards the door.
"After you." I stormed forward, tea still in hand when suddenly it dawned on me. Did the Harry Potter just call my smile...cute? No! I told myself, desperate not to get hurt. It was only a joke. Potter followed behind me, giggling like a first year girl.
"Child." I hissed between my teeth, which only caused Potter to giggle some more. Though I would deny it till I was blue in the face, and kneeling over, my own 'tea smile' returned. We sipped our tea and wandered around the park for an hour in silence, aside from Potter's occasional onslaught of giggles, before heading back to the Weasley residence. Even that was agreed upon without one word spoken. We placed, now empty, mugs into the sink and headed upstairs for our separate beds. I was slightly concerned for Potter and a recurring nightmare, When he wasn't looking I cast a spell that would make me extra sensitive to any noises he made. I finally understood how he didn't want to leave someone alone when they were in such a emotional turmoil. I would have to apologize to him about the other night, if roles had been reversed...like they were tonight, I wouldn't have let it be...just like I hadn't. But it really was a wonder that Weasley and Hermione hadn't come storming in. He wasn't kidding when he said he took care of himself. Even though I woke him and walked with him, I could still tell he wasn't taking any solace in the fact that I was there. He managed to have himself laughing without me doing a thing. What a terribly lonely life he was leading. The next thing I knew it was morning and the stifled yawn Potter made sounded like it was screamed next to my ear.
"You ok?" He asked in a voice much louder than intended when he saw me jump awake after his yawn.
"Yeah, fine." I replied trying not to wince. I grabbed my wand and wordlessly ended the spell I placed last night. "So, last day on the field huh?" I asked conversationally.
"Yeah, they don't really need me anymore but…"
"You miss it." I guessed. He nodded. "Why do they have you as a desk jockey?" I asked out of curiosity. Honestly, it was surprising to see Potter at a desk all day. You would think after the Dark Lord's defeat they would want him on the field every day. He cleared his throat uncomfortably, annnnd I really shouldn't have asked that.
"They consider me too high a risk. I constantly put my life on the line instead of stopping and thinking for a second. Besides I'm much better at the paperwork aspect, and I enjoy it."
"So...if you're too high a risk, why ask you for such a dangerous case?" I asked despite my mind telling me not too. He gave me a devious grin.
"Because I'm still one of the best." Then he winked. That's the second time he fucking winked at me! My face must have shown...I don't even know! Something because Potter started laughing like no tomorrow.
"Fucking child." I sneered playfully, which caused him to laugh harder. He's so full of himsel-I paused in my own thoughts. The very last thing that man could ever be was full of himself. Yet, despite everything he's been through he has found a way to enjoy himself. I hate to say it, but I'm almost...jealous. I got up and headed straight for the shower.
A.N. I know it's short, and I am so sorry for the delays in updates. Im working 64-70 hr work weeks with only one day off, I just got married and I have next to no just me time. I do promise I have more of this story written and so much more to come. Please don't give up on me or my baby. Comments would literally make my day 3 I love all of you lots.
