The Rest of Our Lives
Chapter Twenty- The Draco Complex
With Iris' problems and affairs firmly behind Harry, he was better able to breathe. It not longer felt like the walls around him were crumbling and the thick air wasn't suffocating him either. Things seemed pretty well off, except for the 'Draco Drama,' as the trio now called it. The problem was not that Draco was himself, rather he was not himself, and the three Gryffindors didn't have any explanation for it.
The Saturday after Iris talked with Harry in her office, Harry found himself occupied in a stack of books. He was currently searching them for his latest spell in Defense Against the Dark Arts, with very little luck. Cursing, Harry closed the tenth book he had skimmed over. Nothing. The raven haired teen wished they had not chosen such a difficult spell, especially after the first spell's mishap. Harry stood and crossed the room toward Madame Pince's desk where she glared at the apprehensive students.
"Um, excuse me," he whispered, "Do you by chance know what books may have the spell Deru ZuMor in them?"
The librarian frowned. "And what purpose do you need to know this information?"
"It's for Defense class." He handed over the signed note from Iris allowing him to use the Restricted Section, which was so large Harry hadn't even started with yet.
Madame Pince jotted down a few titles of the books she knew offhand would lead Harry to some information. Taking the slip of parchment, the teen walked the isles of the Restricted Section, having a difficult time finding the books he needed. 'Where the hell is Draco?' he thought to himself. As if on cue, a blonde haired teen popped out behind a stack of books and nearly toppled Harry over in the process.
"'Bout time," Harry angrily grunted and thrust the parchment in Draco's hands. "Find these books."
Draco searched the titles and said they were no good. After a moment of looking he pulled down six small, black bound books. "I asked Professor Snape," he said matter-of-factly, seeing Harry's bewildered stare. "Figured we could use as much help as possible."
"It wasn't the gathering information part that got us in trouble, if you remember," Harry retorted.
Draco just smirked. "Whatever."
Harry fumed. This spell was going to be as bad as the first one and it made Harry sick. He couldn't fail another assignment; these two spells made up more than half of the class. "Don't whatever me, Malfoy. If we don't pass this spell, we are going to fail the class."
"You worry too much."
"And you don't worry enough."
"Don't patronize me," Draco suddenly grew angry. "I know what rides on this. I'm not stupid. Don't forget, I am in the top of the class unlike yourself."
Growing angrier, Harry's voice rose. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? That we failed last time because of me?"
"Yea."
"Ugh," Harry growled and threw himself at Draco, crashing into a stack of books as the two boys fell. A rather large book fell open and emitted a persistent, piercing shriek which grabbed the librarian's attention.
"Boys," she loudly whispered as she grabbed them by the ears, an old technique not used by any except the Squibs and Muggles. "You two are constantly fighting and I will not have it anymore. For one month you are suspended from this Library." She threw them out of the double doors and fiercely closed them in the boys' faces.
"Shit," Draco sighed. "Good one, Potter. Now we can't finish the assignment and we for sure are going to fail again."
Harry pushed Draco. "I will finish what I started unless you shut the hell up!"
"Oh yea?" Draco shoved Harry against the wall. "Try it."
For a second, Harry almost did, but then he realized Draco wanted Harry to slug him. There was a glint of malice in those grey orbs that the raven didn't like. He wasn't going to fall for the other's games, so he walked away.
"What? Can't live up to your promises?" Draco yelled out.
"No, I can," Harry angrily turned around, "but I'm not some toy you can wind up and then let go. I tried to get close to you because of the prophecy, and sometimes I wish I had never heard it because there is nothing worth getting to know. You use people and tell them sugar coated lies: easy to swallow, hard to digest. I'm not one of those people who just believes every word you utter. Your no God, so don't play with people's lives like one." He turned his heel and once again walked away. If he had taken the time to look back, he would have seen the sadness etched upon the Slytherin's face. The complex was not over yet.
The next morning dawned, bathed in grey clouds and a washed out background. A slight drizzle fell in thin lines across the Forbidden Forest as Harry sat waiting for the rest of the castle to awaken. Unable to sleep that night, he had woken severely early, wanting a cup of Muggle hot chocolate. However the Kitchens did not know what he was referring to, instead he settled for a cup of steaming butterbeer.
As Harry watched the small storm pass he thought of the storms he had been enduring. So far a few minor ones had come and gone, yet the larger storms seemed to be growing and intensifying. What would happen if the storms went unchecked? Would they become a cataclysmic danger or rather pitter off like a flame without enough oxygen? Harry had no answers as usual. Maybe today would bring some clarity, he hoped.
Once the rest of Gryffindor, and possibly the whole castle, was awake, Harry and them headed to breakfast. In the Great Hall a breezy buzz floated above the students as they ate, mostly about the upcoming Hogsmeade trip, the first after Halloween. Harry wasn't in the mood to fake being happy about it and concentrated on his bland oatmeal instead.
"Harry," Ron whispered in the raven's ear, "Hermione thinks you should just talk to Malfoy. I think you should forget about him. Ow!" Obviously Hermione didn't like what her other half was saying.
"Don't listen to him," Hermione leaned over the red head, "He knows nothing. Since we have no classes, and the quidditch practices were all held yesterday and Friday, you two are both free. I checked. Don't mull all day, try and patch things up." She resumed eating her blueberry flavored toast.
Harry grumbled. He knew Hermione was right, but it didn't make the situation easier. Draco was one topic he hated at the moment, along with Hogsmeade. Moments later, Harry excused himself and headed to the Library, remembering when he was kicked out that he was kicked out for the entire month.
"Should have saved yourself a trip," the snide, blonde haired Draco smirked.
Sighing and praying he wasn't too rash, he asked himself what was better, a healthy Slytherin or a slightly ill placed together Slytherin; Harry liked the later.
"Whomping Willow got your tongue, Potter?"
Harry blew out a deep breath. "You don't deserve a righteous comeback, Malfoy."
"Technicalities. What are we going to do about Raine's assignment?"
Shrugging, Harry pondered that very question. He hadn't really thought about it before, mostly hoping Madame Pince would be calm enough to listen to reason. Since that was not the case, he had no idea how they were going to pass the assignment without the necessary books. Not only that, it was due before the winter break began, therefore they wouldn't be able to use the Library when Pince went home for the holidays.
"You could sneak in and get them," Draco considered aloud.
"Why? So I can get caught and get detention? No thanks."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Your cloak, dumbass."
"Oh, yeah," Harry remembered.
"I'm with a bleeding idiot."
"Shut up."
"Or what? You're going to walk away again? Ooo, I'm shaking in my britches."
Changing the subject, Harry said, "Listen, I'll get the books tonight. We can work on it tomorrow evening in the Room. Eight o'clock, don't be late."