Back to Reality.
Draco pecked his mother's cheek before walking to get on the train.
He allowed one last glance at Narcissa before stepping onto the train, searching for some quiet corner.
He stopped in his tracks upon hearing joyful laughter and when he glanced in the compartment, he saw Harry sitting there with his friends and both men who usually come to meet Harry when the school year ends.
A stab of pain shot through his chest at the sight.
Such a happy little family while his own father didn't even look at him, staying in the other wing of the manor just to ignore Draco.
Draco felt it before it actually happened, his breath stopping for a moment, his magic sparking up.
He turned to leave but before he could, his eyes were met with the worried eyes of scared man.
Draco tried to shut his emotions down, quickly walking away and shutting himself into an empty compartment, breathing hard, trying to swallow his magic down.
- Breathe in. Yes, like that. Now breathe out. Yes, very good. In and out. In and out. Feel the buzz of your magic, pat it and carry it softly back to its room. Slowly and steadily. In and out. Yes, very good. In and out. Feel the weight lift, enjoy it and relax. Just like that. Good, Draco, good. -
Draco could almost feel Alec's presence next to him, he could almost breathe in his scent, his unique scent calming Draco down.
Draco opened his eyes just in time to see the same man he saw before slowly slide open his compartment door and step inside.
- May I? - he smiled politely before sitting down.
Draco stayed silent, watching the man before him.
- I'm Remus Lupin, your new defence against the dark arts teacher. - He held out his hand for Draco to shake.
- Draco Malfoy. - Draco was glad that his voice was steady and that his hand had stopped shaking when he shook Lupin's hand.
- I know. - Lupin smiled. - Harry has told me a lot about you, hardly ever shuts up. -
- Really? - Draco couldn't stop the surprise filling in his voice.
- Yes, we hardly ever get one letter where you aren't at least mentioned once. - Lupin chuckle.
Draco was so taken aback that he simply stayed silent, watching the man before him, wondering about Harry telling his parents about Draco.
Did he talk to his friends about Draco too?
- Here, take this. When in doubt, eat chocolate. - Lupin voice shook Draco back to reality.
Draco looked down to see a simple chocolate bar held out for him.
- Harry shared these with me. They are muggle ones. - Draco folded out the chocolate, taking a bite and closing his eyes.
He, having a sweet tooth, had missed sweets so he couldn't stop a small moan escaping his lips.
He slapped a hand over his mouth in realization, ready to be scolded for his bad behavior but Lupin only laughed.
- They are really good. Don't be ashamed of showing your emotions. -
- Thank you. - Draco took another bite of the chocolate bar.
- So, what bothered you back there? -
- Nothing. - Draco lied without even thinking about it.
- Was it Harry? You know, he really enjoyed being your friend and he would love to have you sit with us but he is also worried about you, about how you would feel spending so much time with his other friends. He doesn't want to force you into anything. And I know how hard it can be to share your friend, especially if he feels like everything to you. I know it, I have been there. - Lupin smiled kindly at Draco.
- I just… - Draco huffed out a breath, shaking his head. - I don't want him to need to choose between me and his friends. I just, I… Well, it just feels like no matter what, they will always be first place for him. Them and not me. -
- I have been there, all the time. Sometimes even now there are moments when I feel like I don't really matter to Sirius, that he will always place Harry and his motorbike before me. But you know, these dark times, they pass. They always do. Because no matter how long it takes, there will always be light after dark. Remember that, okay? - Lupin looked deep in Draco's eyes for a moment.
Draco didn't know what to say, so he just sat there, looking Lupin in the eyes till the weight seemed to lift from his shoulders and he could breathe freely.
- Do you want me to stay or would you like me to go and fetch Harry for you? - the kind smile was back.
- Stay, please, if you don't mind. - Draco put the last piece of his chocolate in his mouth.
Lupin just smiled, fetching some more chocolates from his pockets, holding them out to Draco.
- Wow, there are so many of them? How many kinds do muggles make? - Draco asked with fascination, examining the chocolates held out in front of him.
The compartment was filled with warm laughter from Lupin before he started explaining muggle chocolates to Draco.
They end up talking all the way to Hogwarts, only when the train was slowing down did Lupin finally stand up and leave to get his stuff, giving Draco some more chocolates, promising to get him some other kinds too.
Draco didn't mind the silent drive up to the castle, he felt light, finally agreeing with Alec that talking can help.
All the way to the feast, Draco was deep in thought about Alec, already missing him more than he should, so he didn't noticed how he had sat down at their house table and how Harry was trying to wave and smile at him. All he saw was a glimpse of a deep scowl from Harry before he went out of the great hall together with other Gryfindors.
- What's up with him? - Blase stopped next to Draco, waiting their turn to get out of the great hall.
- How could I know? - Draco just shrugged, already feeling way too exhausted and wanting to sink into a deep sleep.
- Are you okay? - Blase tried to catch Draco's eyes.
- Just tired. -
And just like that, their conversation ended, Draco's mind getting way too cloudy for him to be able to actually engage in conversation.
The first couple of days were fully exhausting so by thursday, Draco was already on edge. He was snapping at everyone who came close, his sass level on peak.
It was their first Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson with Lupin and Draco wanted to enjoy it but the arithmancy lesson before had driven Draco crazy, his magic was zumming like an angry wasp and his mind was starting to cloud with dark, angry clouds making his head ache.
So when Lupin explained the lesson, Draco simply felt annoyed.
- This class is ridiculous. - He snapped at Crabbe and Goyle standing next to him.
And with every person taking their turn, his annoyance just started to grow and his magic zummed even angrier.
He fell back on purpose, not wanting to do the thing. He had no desire to show his fear to the rest of the class.
What would happen, what would he see?
Himself being under the cruciatus curse for way too long?
Harry and Alec and Dobby and his mother leaving him, abandoning him like he deserves?
Lucius trying to kill him again and saying what a shit son he is?
Draco had no desire to find out.
So when the bell rang just when it would be his turn, he turned around to leave without another glance back, but he was stopped before he could reach the door by the soft call of his last name by Lupin himself.
Draco huffed out a breath and turned back, stalking back to the front of the class where Lupin was waiting.
When the door closed, leaving them alone, Lupin didn't say anything, he simply nodded for Draco to sit down before he pulled out some chocolate from his pocket, giving it to Draco.
Only when Draco have aten half of the chocolate already did Lupin finally speak.
- What is upsetting you? -
Draco let out a dry laugh, he really liked how forward Lupin was.
- I am not even sure, I guess, all this is still just a bit too much for my mind. - Draco sighed before stuffing more chocolate in his mouth.
- After the long sickness, Harry mentioned it, yes. Do you want to talk about it? -
- No, I already have a therapist to talk to. I simply haven't got time to owl him yet. -
- You have a therapist? - Lupin tilted his head a bit to one side, searching Draco's face.
- You have a problem with that? - Draco snapped back, sitting up a bit straighter just to feel the annoying ache spread through his back bone.
- Of course not. It's good that you have someone to talk to. -
Draco let his body relax back in the chair, he was starting to feel sleepy again.
- About today's lesson. You didn't find it good enough, more like foolish, did you? Why didn't you want to have a go? - Lupin leaned back in his own chair facing Draco.
- I have no desire to see what will come out of that closet. - Draco said in a bored voice, his body starting to feel heavy yet again.
- It can help to know and understand your fear, Draco. -
- I am too tired for that, okay? No one would understand what will come out of that closet, no one. And I don't need their pity. I'm a Slytherin. - Draco pushed himself up from the chair with a bit of difficulty.
- I understand that. But if you want to, you can come to me and do it while we are alone, just for you and not for others to see. I won't hold you back too much more, I see that you are really tired. Here, take some more chocolate. - Lupin put yet another different kind of chocolate bar in Draco's hand before smiling warmly at him.
Draco just nodded before walking away, he needed to get to his bed, to put up a silencing charm before he was about to pass out.
He felt just so damn tired and heavy.
He needed sleep, and he really needed to talk to Alec about all this.
On Friday Harry was able to finally catch Draco by himself. Draco was taking a walk back to school, falling behind, trying to clear his head a bit.
Harry ran up to Draco from behind, wrapping his hands over Draco's eyes, but before he could laugh out a "guess who's there", Draco had let out frightened half scream, trying to pry Harry's hands off, and then a shot of pain was making Harry fall backwards down to the ground.
Draco had turned around, shaking madly, his magic was zumming like static, his mind was going way too fast for him to understand anything.
He couldn't breathe, his body was starting to ache, his muscles already pulling tightly.
- Draco… What the…? Draco! -
He felt his body falling but he couldn't stop it, his heart was beating way too fast and way too strong, it was gonna break out of his chest.
Was that blood or his magic zumming so loudly inside him? Or was that outside?
And where were the light going? Who was turning off the blue of the sky?
He didn't even feel his body hitting the ground, he didn't even hear what was going around him.
He couldn't breathe and his heart was trying to leave him.
And the dark, the ah so knowing dark, was back, piercing its claws around Draco, chewing him like a piece of gum.
He was just way too tired to go through this all over again, so all he did was close his eyes and let it all wash over him.
- I don't know! I didn't mean it! I just put my hands over his eyes and was about to ask him to guess who's there when he started to panic and then he kinda like hexed me without even touching his wand and then he just fell! I didn't mean for him to panic! How could I know that?! - someone was panicking somewhere near Draco.
- Harry, calm down! Right now! - said a stricken voice.
- I didn't mean to hurt him… - this Harry mumbled before falling silent.
- I know. - the stricken voice said, now gently.
Draco groaned.
Why couldn't they all shut up and let him sleep?
Draco let out a loud groan, trying to roll to the side, his eyes slid slowly open, revealing Harry and Lupin standing next to his bed, Lupin's arm thrown over Harry's shoulder in a fatherly manier.
-Oh, Draco! - Harry made to touch Draco but Lupin stopped him, noticing Draco's flinch even before it actually come.
- Easy. I'll go get Madam Pomfrey. - Lupin nodded before walking away, leaving Harry standing a bit confused.
- Don't look so dumbstruck. At least sit down. - Draco yawned, finally curling on his side, starting to feel comfy enough.
- I'm sorry for what happened. - Harry sat down.
- It's okay. Did I hurt you? I didn't mean it. - Draco huffed out a long breath.
- What the hell actually did happen? Why did it happen? - Harry searched Draco's eyes.
- I guess it's time to tell you. - Draco sighed. - So you know I was sick. I barely made it out alive. It left its marks. I get overwhelmed really easily. I had problems controlling my magic so I was seeing a therapist. Alec. I'm already a lot better thanks to him. This week has just been a bit too much and you scared me, kinda setting my mind in overdrive, i guess. Something like that. -
- But, are you alright now? - Harry asked, worried, stretching out his hand for Draco but not exactly touching him.
- Kinda, at least as good as I can be. I'm just tired, that's all. - Draco let their fingers brush against each other, enjoying the warmth spreading through him.
Madam Pomfrey and Lupin came.
-I would like to keep you here tonight. And you need to drink these too. - She was fussing around Draco, checking everything.
- What are they? - Draco eyed the potions suspiciously.
- Muscle relaxant draught, some vitamins, and dreamless sleep potion. You should drink them and rest. - She looked pointedly at Harry before walking away.
Draco ground again, already feeling the sweet taste of relief that the sleeping potion would bring. He needed to battle himself not to eagerly snatch at the potion and down it in one gulp.
- Draco… - Harry started but Draco cut him off, still watching the small vial with the potion.
- You know, I actually can't drink it. Alec would be so mad. - And with that, he drank the potion in a couple of glups, putting the vials back down and trying to relax against the pillows but Alec's disappointed face kept popping up in his mind so he turned his gaze to watch Harry. - You don't need to sit here like I'm dying. I'm not. I'm perfectly okay. Just need to rest. -
- We really should talk. -
- Ah, you're starting to sound like Alec. - Draco groaned, feeling the potions already kicking in.
- What does this have to do with that Alec guy? - Harry crossed his arms over his chest, sounding annoyed.
- You just sounded like him. He is just like that. "We need to talk it all out. Express our emotions. " blah blah blah. - Draco rolled his eyes. - I actually should write to him. -
- Why? - Now Harry for sure was annoyed.
- Because I need to. What are you so annoyed for, Potter? -
- Ah, and now I'm back to being Potter while he is Alec. - Harry spat the last word with such venom, standing up, his green eyes on fire.
- You sure that you didn't hit your head on the way here? You've started babbling nonsense. - Draco felt his eyelids already start to drop.
- You are such a git. I'll see you tomorrow. - Harry just rolled his eyes before walking away, leaving Draco to his sweet sleep.
It was a warm saturday so Draco was sitting outside in the grounds near the lake, his back pressed against the tree, parchment and ink bottle in his lap, beautiful feather in his hand, his head tilted back, catching the shaded sun breaking through the coloring leaves of the big tree.
A couple more deep calming breaths before he finally started writing the letter he so needed to send.
Dear Alec,
First of all, I miss you.
Yes, sappy as it is, I do and I admit it. Stop laughing at me! Yes, I can still see you chuckling about it!
How are you? How is France?
Okay, I know that I simply need to talk about why I am actually writing this now.
Just before I start, note that I am okay right now.
Okay, so, Hogwarts so far has been… Well, exhausting. Lessons and all the pressure has been a bit too much right after summer and I guess that it all just got a bit too much for me, my mind and body.
Harry didn't mean to do it, he just wanted to finally come and hang out with me but well, I guess that my senses are still on high alert.
He rua up to be from behind, putting his hands over my eyes and everything just snapped.
I don't remember much but as I understand, my magic broke out and kinda like hexed him while my body went back to hell.
I had another attack, I guess, ended up in the hospital wing for the night but now I feel alright, I'm calm and actually enjoying some sun outside in the grounds by the lake.
( Not sun like in France but the autumn one that shines through the tree leaves. Don't want to burn peach pink. )
( I told you to stop laughing! )
There is one more thing that I need to tell you that you won't like.
I drank the dreamless sleep potion.
In the hospital wing they gave it to me along with muscle relaxant and some vitamins.
I am still here and with all my senses, don't worry, I didn't go looking for more.
Well, look on the bright side, at least I got one decent sleep and they didn't hear my nightmares.
( Do not roll your eyes at me! )
I really do miss you, I miss having you close by and I miss you being there to calm me down after another row of nightmares and helping me to fall back to sleep.
Alec, I need you no matter how much I hate saying it, I do need you.
Have you maybe had any news from Dobby? I miss him. Maybe there is some way you could at least check how he is doing? Thank you.
I hope that you will have time to write back soon and I hope that you don't mind that I have written to you since I am not sure if you still count as my Therapist or not.
With all the best wishes,
Draco L. Malfoy.
Draco finished the letter feeling his chest heavy, his eyes stinging.
He took couple of shaky breaths before pushing himself up from the ground and making his way to the owlery to send the letter to Alec.
Draco was thinking back to the relaxing evening he had with Alec and Dobby back in France, all of them lying down on the big balcony, warm wind sweeping over them, messing up their hair and clothes.
Flowery scents filled the air, Alec and Dobby were laughing, happy tears shining in their eyes and Draco felt light and as close to happy as he could in that moment.
The sun was setting and the sky had been painted in all shades of red, yellow, orange and pink, making them all seem like they were glowing, their eyes shining even brighter.
Draco was lost in the soft laughter filling the air, it was such a good evening.
Narcissa was close too, cooking some snacks for them in the kitchen behind the open french doors, she was smiling too, and humming softly with the music playing from the radio.
Draco looked at each of them in turn, trying to memorize every detail about that evening, about them being so careless and happy, he was trying to save the memory in his head, in his soul.
That was a happy moment, he was with his friends, with his family, and he was safe.
Draco just looked away from the drowning sun and met Alec's shining eyes, a soft warm hand took his and Draco couldn't help his heart skip a beat but then he blinked and the soft eyes turned into green ones and one more blink away Draco was back on Hogwarts grounds without music playing, without Alec or Dobby next to him.
Instead Harry was standing in front of him, holding his hand softly into his, not tight enough to grip, just softly holding his pale fingers into his tanned ones.
- Hi… - Draco breathed out, getting lost in the green eyes for a moment before shaking himself back in reality.
- Hi. I brought you some chocolate. Do you want to walk a bit or would you prefer to sit down? - Harry sounded a bit worried but he still smiled.
- We can walk back down to our tree and then sit down. I'm a bit tired after getting up and down from the owlery. - Draco started to walk down to the lake, letting his fingers rest into Harry's hand.
- Did you need to send a letter? You could have asked me to send it. I wouldn't have minded. - Harry fell into step next to Draco.
- Well, yesterday you didn't seem too keen on hearing anything about Alec and this one was for him. - Draco glanced over at Harry to see him furrow his brows. - Why do you dislike him so much? -
- I don't Let's talk about something else. How did you like Lupin's lessons? - Harry seemed keen on changing the topic as to avoid the argument.
Draco just shook his head before grabbing Harry's fingers a bit tighter and loving the charming smile that blooms on Harry's lips because of it.
The next week was a lot easier, Draco fell back into his studying routine so his mind wasn't so exhausted.
The letter come at sunday breakfast, there was not just a letter but a small package too.
Blaise sitting next to Draco looked curiously at the big package falling into Draco's lap and when Draco glanced over at the Gryffindor table, he saw that Harry was watching him too.
Draco just shook his head, pushing away his half eaten breakfast and standing up with Alec's letter and package clutched in his hands, making his way to the dungeons.
Draco sat down on his bed, tearing open the letter, finding it a lot shorter than he had been waiting for it to be.
Dear Draco,
What the fuck does he think he is doing?! I hope that you did hex him good and straight! I could punch him right now for hurting you again!
And yes, you can write to me whenever you please even when I am not being paid by your parents anymore, I am still your friend.
When can you go to Hogsmeade? I will meet you there.
I wish that I could meet you a lot sooner, believe me when I say that I needed to hold myself back not to go to you right at this moment, not caring that it is night and that they wouldn't let me into Hogwarts.
About Dobby, the last I heard he was traveling a bit, he asked me to send this small gift for you.
France is the same, boring without you.
I miss you a lot, Draco, and I wish that I could be with you.
I put a small gift for you in the package.
Please write to me whenever you can and I'll see you soon.
Love,
Alexander Grey.
Draco ripped open the package with shaking fingers.
On the top there was some weird looking toy from Dobby, Draco put it on his bedside table, missing the house elf even more.
Then he dug deeper into the small box.
On top were art supplies, and small box with some sweets from France, but at the very bottom there was something soft and woolly-looking.
Draco carefully took everything out, laying everything on his bed next to him before taking the last thing out and letting out a shaky breath, his heart beating extra hard against his ribcage.
There in his hands lay a worn out black jumper, way too big for Draco but still so soft and warm.
Draco pressed his face into it, breathing in the familiar scent of Alec, calming down right away.
Without even thinking, Draco pulled it on, feeling like Alec's arms were wrapped around him, locking him into a safe hug, making him all warm and calm.
Draco let his eyes close and Alec's scent take over his senses, without even noticing he drifted to sleep and for the first time in days, it wasn't filled with nightmares but with joyful times spent together with Alec and Dobby, mostly Alec.
The next few weeks went by quite fast but Draco thought that it was just because he was buried in studies and was enjoying the classes, especially Potions and Lupin's class.
Also that he was spending some time with Harry and Lupin had asked him to come for tea at least once a week, giving him some fresh muggle chocolates.
And of course, because Draco couldn't wait to meet Alec, he missed hearing his voice and his sassy jokes, he simply missed him.
So when friday evening finally came, he couldn't wait to go to sleep and wake up the next morning.
- Draco, will you go to hogsmeade? - Harry asked him, stopping next to Draco near the library.
- Yeah, of course I will go. Won't you? - Draco pushed the last book back in his bag before looking up at Harry.
- Of course I will. I want to ask, maybe, if you would want to come with me? - Harry pushed his hands in his pockets, looking at Draco nervously.
- Aren't you going with your gryffindor friends? - Draco furrowed his brows.
- Well, yeah, but I would like you to come with us too… -
- Aha, they would be thrilled to have me. No, thank you. - Draco pulled his bag over his shoulder, ready to go down to the dorms, after all, curfew would start in a bit.
- It wouldn't be so bad. They are not so bad. - Harry said defensively.
- To you, idiot. Not to me. Anyway, I am meeting Alec. -
- What? Why? - Draco could hear annoyance in Harry's tone so he cocked one of his eyebrows up.
- Because we are friends. -
Harry just huffed out an angry breath.
- You are busy anyway! - Draco threw his arms up. - What do you want, for me to sit and wait like a patient puppy? -
Draco couldn't help but snap and to his surprise, a big smile spread over Harry's lips.
- What are you laughing at? - now it was Draco's turn to start get annoyed.
- I missed you being sassy. - Harry just laughed. - Anyway, maybe join us after? Remus will be meeting Sirius and then they will come to three broomsticks to meet me, so you could come too, Remus would like to have you too. -
- Sirius? - Draco felt puzzled.
- Yeah, Sirius Black. My godfather. I grew up living with him and Remus. You have probably seen him at least a couple times, he came with me to Kings Cross. -
- Wait! You want me to meet your guardians? - Now Draco was at a real loss. - Why? -
- I prefer the word Parents but yeah, and well, because you are my friend. A good one. So why not? - Harry just shrugged without knowing how fast Draco's heart had started to beat.
- I… I am not sure… - Draco wanted to sit down, or even better, lie down.
- Okay, just think about it, okay? We will meet around three. If you want to, then just come. - Harry smiled before brushing his fingers against Draco's pale ones. - I need to go now or Hermione will bite my head off for not doing the divination homework. -
And just like that Harry sped off in a different direction, leaving Draco feeling fully confused.
He slowly went down to their dorms and without even saying anything simply got into bed, pulling his curtains shut and casting a simple silencing charm. He slowly changed into his silk pj's, sliding under his blanket.
Draco's mind was still buzzing when he pulled the simple black worn out jumper out from under his pillow and hugged it close to his chest, breathing in the calming but slowly fading scent of Alec.
He didn't notice when he fell asleep, he didn't feel like he had slept at all when he finally woke up around five in the morning.
Draco lay for a moment in his bed, simply for lying under warm blankets, before getting out into the chilly dorm air.
Without any rush he took a hot steaming shower, taking a bit longer just for the feel of hot water washing over his skin.
When he stepped out next to a mirror he saw that his hair had grown longer already, he brushed his fingers through them, not feeling up for styling them any way today.
So he just let them dry naturally while going down to the great hall to catch an early breakfast.
He quite enjoyed the silent hall, slowly sipping his morning tea and even managing to eat a bit of cooked egg with a half of a toast.
Draco still needed to work on his eating skills but knowing Alec, he would make sure to feed Draco full by the end of his visit.
Draco was one of the first ones to walk out of the castle and start his way down to hogsmeade.
The weather was pleasantly warm so he enjoyed that he didn't need to put a jacket or hat on.
He saw Alec waiting for him patiently by the very start of hogsmeade.
He was dressed in all black, black jeans that were hugging his legs perfectly, combined with a leather jacket and sunglasses thrown over his eyes.
When he noticed Draco he pulled his hands out of his pockets and rushed to meet Draco, gripping his hands in his own warm ones, trying to control himself not to pull Draco into a bone crushing hug but instead pressing Draco's cupped hands against his chest and leaning down to Draco as close as he could without actually touching him, his breath tickling Draco's cheek.
- Hi. -
- Hey. -
They breathed out at the same time, Alec let out a cheery laugh.
- I missed you so much. And gosh, it is so much wetter here in England! And where is your jacket? Draco! - Alec let go of Draco's hands and pulled off his own leather jacket, softly and carefully enough not to touch Draco too much, put it on Draco. - Here, now that's better. -
Even while Alec was left in just a tight black t-shirt, Draco couldn't complain much, he loved the feeling of wearing Alec's jacket.
- Thank you, I wasn't even cold but you will be after a couple minutes. - Draco gripped Alec's hand back in his, starting to play with his fingers almost right away, bringing a big smile over Alec's lips.
- It doesn't matter, at least you won't be cold. - Alec let his nose brush against Draco's temple, making a soft shiver run down Draco's spine.
- I missed you. - Draco mumbled, pressing a bit closer to Alec, their bodies almost touching, breathing in his scent, letting his cold nose brush against Alec's collarbone.
Now it was Alec's turn to shiver, gripping Draco's fingers a bit tighter.
They stayed standing like that for a couple minutes before Alec finally stepped back, still not letting go of Draco's hand.
- Let's walk around a bit. Do you need anything from any shop? -
- Yeah, couple things for studies but nothing much. Also, I would like to buy some sweets. - Draco started to walk in sync with Alec.
- More sweets? You already ate all of the ones I sent you last week? -
- Kinda. -
- You and your fucking sweet tooth. - Alec shook his head, musical laughter filling the air.
- Oh, shut up, will you? You love good sweets just as much as I do. - Draco let his shoulder brush against Alec's, pulling him into the first of the shops.
They ended up going to almost every shop in the street, Alec buying everything that Draco needed.
- Let's go to eat something, I'm hungry and you probably are too. Did you eat any breakfast? - Alec still was holding Draco's hand in his.
- I did manage to eat half of a toast and almost all of a cooked egg. Plus tea of course. -
- You need to try and eat more. That will help your mind stay clean too. -
- I know, I know. I try my best to eat, okay? -
- Don't get grumpy. - Alec pulled Draco a bit closer, opening the three broomsticks doors for him.
Draco let Alec order for them both but when he tried to pay, Alec just softly swished his hands away, paying himself, carrying everything to the table in the corner.
- I could have paid at least for this. - Draco sat down, taking a sip from his butterbeer.
- I know, but I am paying today, so just enjoy. - Alec took off his sunglasses, taking a sip of his butterbeer before pushing a plate with their food closer to Draco.
Draco just rolled his eyes before starting to nibble on their food but Alec started a conversation, making Draco forget that he was eating at all, so only when Alec was starting to grin like mad did he notice that he had eaten everything on the plate.
- Ah, I knew this would happen. You always knew how to work your magic around me so I would forget about everything. - Draco leaned back in his chair, stretching a bit.
Alec just laughed, finishing his butterbeer before stretching himself, Draco's eyes following his hands' movement.
Alec smiled softly before stretching his hand out for Draco to take in his.
Draco started to play with his fingers.
- Why did you paint your nails? I thought that it was just for girls to do? - Draco looked up at Alec but couldn't read his expression.
- Nah, not just for girls. It's just that they are usually the ones painting their nails but it hasn't been forbidden for guys to paint their nails too and I like to paint mine. Also, this colour reminded me of you. - Alec looked foundly down at Draco.
- Oh, so, I could paint my nails too? - Draco asked with sudden interest, sitting up a bit straighter.
- Of course, only if you want to, but yes. - Alec smiled again, pulling Draco's other hand in his, intertwining their fingers together.
- You will need to paint mine when I get back to France. - Draco said with a sudden idea bursting in his mind.
- You are coming back to France? - Alec sat up straighter too, leaning closer to Draco, his eyes shining.
- Yeah, I thought that I could spend this summer there too. I really liked spending the whole summer with you. -
- Well, at first it couldn't be seen. - Alec joked.
- Oh, shut up. - Draco softly pushed Alec's face away, making him laugh.
- You wish. - Alec just laughed, softly brushing back Draco's hair. - It's grown out again. -
- Yeah, I haven't thought much about cutting it since last time. - Draco shook his head, remembering how he had let Alec cut his hair a couple days before he needed to come back.
- Oh my, that ended up being such a mess. - Alec started to laugh, throwing his head back a bit.
- But still, it was fun. I will think about what to do with my hair. -
- I like it like this, then you don't look so cold. - Alec let his fingers brush against Draco's hair one more time.
- Well, Thank you. - Draco put all the sass he could into the simple phrase, making Alec break out laughing again and earning Draco punch him softly in the shoulder that end up making Alec laugh even more.
Draco let the joy spread through his body, shaking his head fondly.
They talked for hours more, Alec laughing a lot, filling Draco with joy and making him feel light.
In yet another laughing fit and Draco trying to push Alec's face away, Lupin approached them.
- Good evening, boys. I am sorry to interrupt but Draco, it is time to come back up to the castle. Gates will close in half an hour. - Lupin smiled fondly down at Draco.
Alec had stopped laughing, gripping Draco's hand in his and putting it back down on the table.
- It is so late already? - Draco turned around to look out the window to see everything being dark outside already. - I didn't even noticed. Sweet Salazar! -
Draco jumped up in sudden panic but Lupin just smiled at him.
- Don't worry so much, we can go up together so you are not in any trouble. I'll wait outside. - with a polite nod to Alec he walked outside.
- I'm sorry. I should have checked the time. - Alec had stood up too, grabbing Draco's hand to calm him down.
- I am such a fool. - Draco murmured, trying to take off Alec's jacket but Alec just shook his head.
- Leave it on, it will probably be cold outside. - all the fun and laughter had left Alec, making him look simply dark.
- But you'll be cold! -
- Nah, don't worry. - Alec led Draco outside and he was right about the cold, it had gotten pretty chilly outside, cold wind swishing Draco's hair in his eyes.
Alec softly pushed it back, leaning in close.
- Write to me, please. Whenever you can. I will visit you in your next trip to hogsmeade. - Alec whispered in Draco's ear, letting his lips faintly brush against it before nudging Draco's temple softly with his nose, breathing in his scent.
Draco let his hands rest against Alec's chest for a moment, enjoying the feel of Alec's heart beating against his pale hands. He let his nose brush against Alec's collarbone, breathing in his scent one last time before letting go.
Alec just smiled at him, squeezing his fingers one last time before letting go, watching Draco go back to the castle with Lupin.
Draco glanced back several times, trying to spot Alec just one more time but it was too dark outside to see far away.
Only when they were already almost back did Lupin speak.
- It looked like you had a great time. -
- Yeah, Alec is really great. - Draco pushed his hands deeper into Alec's jackets pockets. - He will freeze his ass off. -
Lupin laughed, shaking his head.
- Sorry. - Draco mumbled, feeling a bit ashamed.
- No need. Harry said that he had asked you to join him. -
- Oh, yeah. But well, I didn't want to interrupt your day. Harry said that his godfather would come too. -
- Yeah, Sirius did come. But anyway, Harry was kinda sad seeing you being with Alec and ignoring him completely. -
- I didn't ignore him! - Draco stopped suddenly, looking up at Lupin.
But to be honest, he had fully forgotten about Harry's invitation while being with Alec.
- It's okay, I'm just saying that he was a bit upset. - Lupin shrugged.
Draco didn't answer, he thought that he would be upset too if he were in Harry's place.
They didn't talk anymore getting back to the castle.
- Good night, Draco. - Lupin smiled at Draco before starting to climb the stairs.
- Good night. - Draco mumbled, walking down to the dungeon, feeling like he could sleep for a week.
Author note. Sorry for such a long wait. Life have been a real hell, but well, lets survive in spite of everything! How did you like this chapter? What do you think of Harry and Alec? And about Lupin becoming a friend of Draco? What do you think will happen next? What would you like to happen next? tell me everything! thank you so so much for reading! I have already started new chapter and i hope that i will be able to finish it a lot earlier.