Draco found Harry, knees drawn close to his chest, seemingly trying to get as small as possible and take up as little space as he could. He was sat in a high-backed chair, in the library, shivering, even though the fireplace was lit and crackling. He didn't seem to notice Draco was in the room until he was stood in front of him, and only then because Draco placed a hand on Harry's knee. Harry's head snapped up so fast Draco was surprised he didn't get whiplash, his eyes where shiny and red, but there weren't any tear tracks.
They stared at each other for a few moments, before Draco sighed, and grabbed hold of Harry's hands, ignoring his protests, he pulled him up and turned them around. Draco dropped inelegantly into the chair and pulled Harry down onto his lap.
"I'm not a child Draco." Harry protested, though he shifted and made himself comfortable.
Draco hummed but didn't say anything.
"Is he gone?" Harry asked after a few moments silence.
Draco just hummed again and tried to hide his smile when Harry made a frustrated sound in his throat and tried to glare and failed.
"Draco." Harry warned.
Draco sighed dramatically, ignoring Harry rolling his eyes and the small twitch of his lips turning upwards.
Pleased he'd managed to cheer Harry up a bit he gave in.
"They're all gone, apart from Severus and Remus." He pondered telling Harry everything he listened to now, but figured he might as well.
"When you left, Severus said how Dumbledore treated you like a pawn in his own games-" He felt Harry flinch and rubbed his hands soothingly up and down his back. "-and that he won't even tell you half of his plans but Dumbledore denied and said that he did what he did for everyone's safety" Draco couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice at the last word, and was rewarded by a small chuckle. Weary of his next words, he tightened his arms around Harry.
"Kingsley and Tonks got a call from the Ministry, they," He faltered a bit before ploughing ahead. "They think they found the people you saw in the attack and they think they found your uncle." He finished in a rush.
After a few moments silence he focused his eyes on Harry's and was greeted by an unidentifiable look on his face.
"Arthur went to identify him...and he sent Molly, Ron and Hermione home." He said quietly.
It was Harry's turn to hum then.
"I heard the floo go a few times and heard Ron and Hermione arguing. I'll have to write to my aunt." He finished absently.
Not sure what to do, Draco squeezed Harry tighter. Deciding to continue what he heard, he spoke again.
"Dumbledore said he'd speak to you soon and that he was truly sorry and regrets any pain he as caused any of you." Draco quoted back Dumbledore's words. "There was more, Remus started saying that we need to work together and not have a single leader, but then I kind of blanked the rest of it out." He admitted sheepishly.
Harry let out a startled laugh and relaxed against Draco's chest again.
Draco was pleased Harry didn't seem too upset about what Dumbledore had said, he knew that Harry would be worried about his Uncle, whether it was his body or not, but Draco knew he'd get through it. Hopefully they would have a few more days peace before focusing on the war again.
"Remus and Severus are up to something." Draco muttered, out of nowhere.
"What? How did you figure that out?" Harry laughed, turning round to stare at Draco.
"When everyone left, Severus was smirking and Remus looked shifty." Draco narrowed his eyes at nothing.
Harry snorted. "How do you know they didn't just want you out the room to have sex on the kitchen table?" He quipped innocently. Trying and failing not to laugh at the terrified look on Draco's face.
"Why would you even say that?" Draco cried, shuddering at the thought. "Oh merlin, Harry, that's my godfather, ugh I can imagine it. I'm never going to able to look at them again." Draco said dramatically, humouring Harry.
Harry continued to laugh, while he stood up.
"Come on, let's go get something to eat." He said, pulling Draco up with him.
"But Harry, what if they are." Draco moaned pathetically, while despite his words, standing up. He was secretly pleased that Harry wanted to eat, he was sure they'd have to force him to eat once he'd woken up.
Lunch had been interesting, Harry had started whispering what Severus and Remus could have been up to, whenever Draco started to eat or took a sip of his drink, causing him to splutter and nearly choke several times. They both knew that Severus and Remus hadn't done anything, but it was nice to laugh and joke. They'd both given Harry and Draco several questioning looks and glares, before Severus had given up and muttered something about "Stupid bloody teenagers." though it came out slightly fond and left the room. Remus had just been happy that Harry seemed to be fairing okay with the recent news and the spell. After they'd eaten, Harry had asked Remus what had happened once the Weasley's left, stating that Draco had blanked out, much to Draco's embarrassment and Remus' amusement. It turned out he hadn't missed much, just Remus and Severus convincing Dumbledore that he need to stop hiding secrets from people and that they needed to work together, though they both unashamedly added a bit of a guilt trip, but to at least Remus, it had been only to get the man to listen. After their talk, Remus had gone to sort through information that could be useful for the Order, while Draco and Harry spent the rest of the day talking and joking.
Harry lay staring at the ceiling above the bed he shared with Draco, who was laying on his stomach, hair splayed over the pillow in peaceful slumber. Harry couldn't help but be slightly envious, they'd gone to bed two hours ago, and Harry had only managed to get around one hour of sleep before waking up with vivid nightmares of his time under the spell. Not wanting to wake Draco he'd managed to calm himself down and slow his racing heart, but hadn't been able to get back to sleep.
Grumbling to himself, Harry shifted out from under the quilt, careful not to disturb Draco. Once out he pulled on a pair of socks and grabbed his jumper that lay of the bedside chair and quietly padded out of the room.
He softly walked down the stairs, careful not to disturb Mrs. Blacks' portrait, he thought about going to the kitchen but decided against the cold room. He turned and made his way to the library. With a flick of his wand he lit the fire, and heat blasted into the room, creating a dancing flick of light across the bookshelves.
Harry walked up to one of the bookshelves and ran his finger tips across the spines of the many books. He stopped suddenly at one and bent his head to the side, reading the words, "History of Wards and Protection." humming softly to himself, he gripped the book and pulled. He blew the dust from the cover, coughing slightly as some ended up in his lungs. The book was rather large, and on the front had an old drawing of a Wizard, making complicated patterns in the sky, in front of a small manor.
Harry took the book and walked over to one of the large armchairs in front of the fire, settling himself comfortably, he placed the book on his lap.
He wasn't sure why he'd even chosen this book, but something seemed to sing out to him, and he felt compelled to read it.
Harry flicked through some of the pages, bypassing spells he already knew like 'Protego' and turned to the chapter about Wards.
The book mentioned many simple wards that Harry looked passed, including the 'Fidelius Charm', though not really a ward, it could be used in the same sense, and as protection over someone's home.
As Harry read, he made notes on some paper that he'd acciod. He had started to wonder if wards could be used in battle, like Protego, though some of the incantations where long and the wand movements complicated, there was always a chance that they could be helpful.
He was so engrossed in the book that he didn't notice the door open, or the person enter the room, only when a shadow loomed over himself did he look up, and nearly dropped the book when he jumped. In front of the fire, stood Severus, black robes over dark pyjamas, eyebrow raised, looking down at Harry.
"Hi?" Harry said sheepishly.
Severus' eyebrow rose, impossibly higher.
"And what, are you doing reading at three in the morning?" Severus drawled.
Harry blinked a few times, not realising that he'd been reading for two hours.
"I didn't realise it was that late." Harry muttered. Seeing that that didn't seem to answer Severus' question, he sighed. "I couldn't sleep."
"Ah." Severus said understandingly, Harry was glad he didn't have to explain about his nightmare, he really did not want to relive it and that Severus' didn't question further, he knew how much Harry hated dreamless sleep or any kind of sleeping potion unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Sir?" At Severus' look, Harry quickly corrected himself. "Severus, do you know if you can use Wards in battle?"
Severus looked momentarily shocked that that question, before he composed himself. He moved towards the seat opposite Harry.
"I'm not even sure why you would want to use Wards in a battle, the amount of time and magic it would take to place them, you would most likely be attacked before you could finish them or too magically drained. I suppose, you could, if you were strong enough, and I am fairly sure there are only three wizards who are strong enough to use wards during a battle and have a chance to survive. Though if I find one of them, using wards during a battle, he shall not want to live if he survives." Severus said, looking pointedly at Harry, who had the decency to blush.
Harry pondered over Severus' words, he wasn't sure how he would of used Wards in a battle, even if he could, but he still couldn't help but be curious about seeing if it worked.
"Okay, so what if," Harry knew he was pushing his luck. "I tried to use wards in a mock battle. Say if you and Remus attacked me, but with really simple spells like, hair colour jinxes." He hastened to add at the narrow eyed look he was getting. "And I tried to put up Wards at the same time. I mean I'd be safe, and wouldn't really get hurt, just maybe a bit tired." Harry pleaded.
Harry could see the thoughts going around Severus' head, and he hoped that he'd win.
"If we did this, you would try once, before taking a break, and you would take replenishing potions before and after. It would be regulated, and you most not use Wards in battle, if they work." Severus said, his voice baring no room for argument, and Harry was only too happy to agree.
"Very well." Severus stood. "We will talk about this in more detail Mr. Potter. Now go to bed." He ordered, before sweeping out of the room and down to the kitchen.
Harry smiled to himself, he stood and padded up the stairs to his bedroom with the book. Feeling that he might be able to get some sleep now.
A/n - I quite like this chapter, i hope it makes up for the last one! I'm not sure what to dumbledore though, I think i'll do a poll at the end of the next chapter :) enjoy! xx
