Ghost at the end of the table

by SweetSalt23

Harry stared, even though he tried not to, his eyes constantly going back to the ghost that sat at the end of the seventh-year table. He felt something in his chest as he took in the mere shadow of a person who for years had always had his attention. This attention was vastly different however, the feelings fluttering in Harry' chest unfamiliar when it came to the new Draco Malfoy.

2. Chapter 2

Pairing: MxM

Disclaimer: NOT MINE ALL RIGHTS BELING TO JK ROWLING

Warning: Light blood (accidental self harm)

O0O

Chapter 2

Next day

Harry skipped down the stairs, ready to put his plan into motion. He had realized that night that all the times that Draco had responded to him was when he had been warm. It would require some experimental things on his part, but he would do anything to see that flare of light come back to the usually feisty blonde. He paused outside of the Great Hall and took a deep breath in. Afterwards he adjusted his shoulder bag and walked in, heading straight to the blonde man at the end of the table. Before he could get there though, Blaise Zanbini stood up and blocked his path. Harrys wand was immediately in his hand, but he kept it hidden. "What do you want?" Harry asked calmly, eyes hard.

"Just wondering what you were doing to Draco." Blaise point blank asked, his voice friendly but face deadly serious. "Wanted to make sure you weren't trying to hurt him is all. Just trying to protect a fellow Slytherin is all. Don't want poor Draco consorting with the wrong sort." He leered and shrugged his shoulders, the Slytherins that were sitting down around them nodding and giggling to themselves. It caused anger to ripple up the Gryffindors body, but he didn't show it just yet.

Harry snorted and rolled his eyes to cover his irritation, full out laughing in the other man's face before he flicked his wand and made the Slytherin's feet glue themselves to the floor and arms to become pinned to his side. "I very much doubt that you care about him. Not with how it has been usually." Harry's laughter slid away and his face contorted in anger, the others around them stiffening at the frightening aura that spilled from him. "I am going to say this just once. Don't you ever question me again. If you lay a hand on me or Draco, it might end up somewhere other than your body. Clear?" Harry lowered his voice to a growl, the shadows around his body deepening. The floor danced with thin whisps of darkness, the light around his body dimming. "I don't want your useless chatter get in the way of what I want. Now, have a nice breakfast, Zanbini. That is, if you can break my spell." He sheathed his wand and walked away, hearing whispers explode out from behind him as the thin darkness around him sank back into his shadow.

He sighed and slid in beside Draco, pressing his leg against the other and making their morning ritual coffee. It took him a moment, carefully preparing them as he nudged the blonde's leg hard with his. Just as he was about to slide the coffee over a pale hand reached out to grab it, startling him.

"Thank you, Potter."

"Y-You're welcome…" Harry muttered, about to scoot away but deciding he didn't have the energy. "Surprised to see you so awake." He said without thinking, grimacing at his tactlessness. "Sorry….." He shifted uncomfortably, fidgeting with his fingers as the hot feeling of anxiety welled up because of his carelessness. Before it choked him up he quickly reached into his bag and pulled out his potions homework, spreading it out on the table beside him.

"It's alright." Draco lifted the coffee and took a drink, his back ramrod stiff and posture tense. He continued to drink as he watched Harry, the man rummaging through his bag for a writing utensil. "Why are you trying?" He suddenly asked, the silence around them broken by his carefully muttered words.

Harry paused, looking up in confusion. "What? Trying what? To do my homework? I know it will be bloody awful, but at least it will be done." He shrugged, pulling out a pen and pulling the papers closer to him as he hummed. "I'm not like you. I am not very good at this."

"That isn't what I meant." Draco set his coffee down, the porcelain clicking softly against the hardwood table. "Why are you trying? Trying to get a reaction out of me?" His voice was monotone, even as his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why?" He slowly turned toward the other man, his hands folded on his lap and his eye intense. "Why now?"

Harry froze at that, staring down at the parchment as he gathered his thoughts. He sighed and looked up, fiddling with his pen nervously. "You are something I have always focused on." He swallowed against a dry throat, trying to be as honest as possible so the blonde didn't shut him out. "You were a constant. You always had this…energy about you that I admired." Harry spread his hands wide in a dramatic gesture, trying to show how big the blonde's personality was. "Now…..now its gone." He suddenly glanced up and dropped his hands, the light in Draco's eyes blazing bright. "I want it back. I want Draco back." He muttered, blushing at his word choice even as he stared steadily at the Slytherins face. He felt how hot his face was, but he ignored it, waiting for the blonde to respond.

Draco nodded slowly and grabbed his cup again, sipping at it. "Alright." He replied simply, before he drained his cup and stood. "See you in our next class." He nodded to Harry and left, his robes billowing behind him.

Harry gazed at the blondes back, not knowing if him being honest was the best route or not. Well, only time will tell I suppose. Harry sighed and turned back to his homework, deciding on distracting his mind from the intense moment he had shared with the Slytherin.

O0O

Harry tossed and turned, growling and staring up at the ceiling angrily. "Go to sleep…" He snarled, throwing himself to the side and sighing when the shadows seemed to loam above him. "Fine, fine…you win." He huffed, swinging his legs off the bed and standing. He slipped his feet into his shoes and walked out of his single room. Seventh years where gifted their own small bedroom, allowing some semblance of privacy. Even though it was no bigger than a large closet Harry was happy to have his own space for once in his life.

He opened his door and started making his way through the dorm, creeping quietly and approaching the exit without a sound. The air around him seemed to be made of still glass, no sound penetrating as he headed out through the portrait door and into the very quiet hallway. The walls breathed silently around him as he passed it by, the shadows following him through the chilly passageway. Darkness encased the corridor around and above him, only broken by a lone torch every few footsteps. The flame seemed dimmer at this time of night, the light flicking dully as Harry walked silently underneath.

The air crackled with the soft groans and sighs of the castle, the dark licking across his shoulders and neck. The damp dust swirled around his feet, his stance tense as he stalked through the empty halls toward the main entrance. Just as the shadows pressed hard onto his shoulders, he reached the thin light of the moon outside.

Harry breathed in deep and soaked in the chill crisp air, releasing the muscles in his arms and back. He quickly headed towards the lake edge; the water glistened bright, beckoning him forward. With a soft sigh he fell onto the smooth pebbled shore, crossing his arms over his legs as he allowed the small sounds of the gentle waves lull him into a dissociative state. Second, minutes, hours went by with Harry sitting still as the stones beneath him, nothing but the water and moon to keep him company. The air gradually became chiller the longer he sat, the waves never-ending and the gentle breeze caressing his hair with chilly fingers.

Shivers wracked his body from time to time, the air around him embracing him in a quiet sphere of soft noise. Just as the moon began to move toward the edge of the forest Harry stood and brushed himself off. He stretched his arms high and moaned, the sharp cracking sound of his bones causing him to gasp in pleasure pain. He slowly relaxed his arms and flexed his legs, the cold that had seeped through his skin making it hard to move. He allowed himself a moment before he started walking, his eyes suddenly catching on a flash of bright white blonde from high above.

Harry quickly looked up and saw the pale silhouette of Draco sitting atop the astronomy tower, the lone figure causing Harrys heart to pound. "Merlin, that man…." Harry shook his head and continued toward the castle, ready to fall into bed and gain some much-needed sleep.

O0O

Harry groaned and slumped into the chair of his first class, not even bothering to say hello to the blonde that sat still as a statue beside him. He knew the man wouldn't really respond at the moment, and Harry needed some time to collect himself before he started his ultra-amazing plan. Which was really only seeing if warmth was the only thing that made Draco aware. Harry wanted to set his plan into motion, however, yesterday was a bit of a headache. Now, he was rearing to go. After he took a light doze of course.

After sleeping through his first class and barely getting through the next he had a free period before lunch. That's when he started to plan. He quickly wrote a list of things that would be interesting to try to get Draco to react to him, nothing mean and nothing to intense. Just warmth, cold, feathers and maybe light force. Like a hand pressing down on someone's arm. Harry gnawed on his pen and rolled his eyes at himself, the list very small but it was better than nothing. He wrote a title on the top and grinned, shoving it in his bed and heading toward lunch.

Draco's list

O0O

Harry nearly skipped to lunch, bypassing everyone and beelining toward Draco. He quickly sat but kept a slight distance, noticing the blonde didn't acknowledge him yet. Well, hopefully that will change soon. Harry swished his wand to cast a warmth spell and waited, watching as the muscles in the blonde's body started to loosen. As the Gryffindor watched he made both of them some coffee, placing it in front of the blonde just as Draco seemed to blink himself to awareness.

The Slytherin quickly glanced around in a slight panic before he saw Harry sitting beside him. "Thank you…" Draco muttered after a long pause, his back stiffening once more as he grabbed his mug and brought it closer to him. He breathed in the heat that wafted up towards his nose, his eyes never leaving the Gryffindor beside him.

Harry flushed at the attention and glanced at the table, fiddling with the mugs handle that sat in front of him. "No problem…." He shrugged lamely, sipping at his coffee for something to do. He placed it back down on the table and reached into his bag, pulling out some books to read to pass the time. He didn't really want to engage the Slytherin in conversation at the moment, hoping that the blonde would start first.

The hour passed by like this, with Draco staring at the Gryffindor as the lion read through his textbooks to get through the time. Harry, not really wanting to embarrass himself like last time decided to keep to himself. It didn't last long however, when the blonde opened his mouth and sighed.

"You know, if you are going to gain my attention you should at least be somewhat entertaining." Draco sighed, his eye almost sparking with emotion. It took Harry's breath away. "You seem very absorbed in that textbook. Theory of magical cores that interesting to you?"

Harry snorted, rolling his eyes and slamming his book shut. "Not really, but since this is the first year I can learn without someone trying to kill me I am trying to make the most of it you know? Also, it is kind of interesting. Magical theory of dark and light is pretty eye opening. I mean, it can't believe that there are so many spells that are labeled dark! Some of them are less harmful then the Wingardium Leviosa spell! You could literally make a ton of rocks fall from the ground and kill tons of people! Like, some of these dark spells are so childish its-." Harry froze, flushing as he realized he had just babbled away in front of the ice prince. He stuttered and pressed his hands hard into his thighs, ears hot with embarrassment. "S-Sorry…" He felt anxiety bubbling up slowly, his eyes trained on the table in front of him.

Draco merely sipped from his cup, quirking his eyebrow slightly. "No, go on. You do have a point. Continue." He set his mug down and turned toward Harry, folding his hands in front of him. He waited patiently even as the Gryffindor sputtered, his eyes alive with emotion.

"O-Okay….anyway, so our government…"

O0O

Harry gestured wildly with his hands as he talked rapidly besides Draco, the two of them walking from the great hall to their next class. "Magic theory is amazing! I just don't understand how people could leave these spells to gather dust. Like, of course some of them should definitely be illegal. But I think spells are only limited by your imagination and you could kill people with simple spells that a second year could learn." Harry grinned and bumped Draco's shoulder, the warming spell that he kept casting causing a flush to rise up high on his cheeks. "Anyways, you haven't really said anything….." Harry scratched his neck, digging his nails in to keep the anxiety away. "Have something to add?" He asked lamely, squeezing one more time before dropping his arm. "I've been doing all the talking."

Draco hummed, his hands in his robe's pockets. "I don't like to talk all that much anymore." He muttered, his eyes going dull for a moment before he snapped to look toward the Gryffindor at his side. "I thought about what you said the other day." He said, his voice low and monotone. "I don't understand what you meant. You never really knew me, so how would you go about trying to bring the 'old' me back?" He questioned, eyeing the people that parted for them like the red sea.

Harry stumbled, not expecting the question as he ignored the people whispering around him. "I-I…..I didn't know you well but that doesn't mean I didn't know you at all." Harry shrugged, tugging on his bag strap as he avoided the Slytherins sharp gaze. "It's not really the old you I want back; you were to much of a prat." Harry quirked a small smile before becoming serious again. "It's that I want that energy that used to pour out of you to do so again."

Draco quirked an eyebrow, following Harry through the door to their class. "You dream to much, Harry." He whispered, walking to his seat as the Gryffindor froze in place behind him.

Harry. He called me Harry. He thought, a smile blossoming on his face as he followed after the blonde.

O0O

Harry sighed and stared at the ceiling, ignoring the shadows whispering around him. I can't believe it. He called me by my name. Harry giggled and turned on his side before freezing, his eyes going wide as he shot upright. "I…did NOT just giggle like a schoolgirl." He whispered, horrified. "No, get it together Harry. A little progress shouldn't be this exciting." He clenched his fist in front of him and nodded, reaching into his bag to pull out a folded piece of paper. "Still, a little is better than none." He sighed and leaned back against the mound of pillows, shifting into a comfortable position. With a wave of his hand he turned on the bedside lamp, unfolding the small bit of parchment.

Draco's list

Warmth, cold, pressure, light touch-

Harry chewed his lip and reached for his pen, scrawling messily on the paper before smiling. "There, that should do it." He snorted, giggling before tossing the sheet beside him and staring at the ceiling.

Endless chatter

O0O

Harry yawned, falling into the seat of the desk and slumping against it. Around him his classmates did the same, the chatter quiet as the people around him fell into their seats and talked softly to each other. Harry pressed his cheek against his hand and stared at the silent Slytherin beside him, disappointed his had missed breakfast.

He huffed and grabbed his wand, swishing it and causing him and Draco to become encompassed in a cold bubble. He folded his arms and waited, wondering if being cold would have any effect. He watched, curios to see what would happen. Within seconds the Slytherin tensed and shiver, his empty eyes seeming to grow haunted. His frame trembled harshly, and he squeezed his hands together, his fingernails slicing into his skin. Blood welled up and flowed out onto the desk, the soft splatter startling.

Harry gasped and lunged forward, casting a wandless warmth spell so strong it caused his hair and Draco's to ruffle. He quickly grabbed the blonde's hands and forced them open, cursing at the red lines of blood that filled his palms. He felt the air thicken, the heat growing almost unbearable as he tried to push the cold out of the other man's thinner frame. Harry quickly grabbed his wands and started healing the blonde, uncaring that class was starting in mere moments.

The Gryffindor sighed and cleaned the blondes hands up, turning the mans hands this way and that to make sure he got all the cuts healed and the blood cleaned off. He froze when Draco suddenly wrenched his hands free, the blonde man glancing around in confusion as he calmly allowed his mask to fall into place. "Potter. What are you doing?" He asked quietly, his frown deepening when the Gryffindor just stared at him. "What?"

"You don't…..you don't remember? You cut your hand, so I was healing it." Harry replied slowly, his face one of mass confusion as he gestured lamely towards the Slytherins unmarred palms. "You were bleeding and everything."

Draco froze, his face still as stone. "I apologize. My mind went elsewhere. Thank you for helping." He replied stiffly, nodding his head. "I think you should sit now, class is about to start." He muttered, glancing away from the confused Gryffindor and to the front of the class as the teacher walked through the door.

Harry stared for a moment before slowly sitting, never taking his eyes off the blonde beside him. He ignored the whispers around him, focused solely on the Slytherin who never once glanced in his direction.

O0O

Harry muttered furiously to himself as he walked toward the large double doors that led outside, deciding that skipping classes was for the best at the new revelation he had received mere hours ago. He was just about to make his way out the door when he felt an arm grab him, the sudden panic of being touched causing his vision to go red and heart to pound. He whirled around and thrust out his hand, pushing the person away with magic that was flickering with shadows.

"Harry! Wait!"

Harry froze, his hand outstretched even as the magical barrier disappeared like smoke. "Ron! You know not to just grab me like that!" He snarled, dropping his arms and glaring. "I might hurt you!"

"I know, I know!" Ron held his hands up, glancing at the floor as the thin wisps of darkness seemed to melt back into Harry's shadow. "I am really sorry, mate. I was just in a rush to catch you before next class started." He shuffled awkwardly, rubbing his neck with his hands. "I didn't mean to scare you." He muttered, looking concerned.

Harry sighed, glad he hadn't hurt his friend. "Please, be more careful next time." He turned and starting walking out of the castle, the crisp air enfolding him. "If you want to talk, we will be doing it outside. I need the air."

"Yeah, that's fine." Ron jogged to catch up, shoving his hands into his pants pocket. "I wanted to talk about what happened in first period." He sighed and shook his head, his long red hair falling into his eyes. "I saw how you helped Malfoy."

Harry immediately tensed up, his eyes gazing straight ahead as he continued to make his way toward the lake. "And?" He asked, voice monotone. He shoved his hands into his pockets, clenching his fingers hard to tamp down the sudden anger. He knew his friends didn't approve of his choice, but the constant badgering was becoming a little much. "Come to talk me out of it?"

"Actually, I didn't. I came to tell you that me and Hermione will respect your wishes." Ron smiled when Harry whirled around, the Gryffindor's face one of disbelief. "No, really. I talked to her and let her know that if we don't believe in you know after everything then we would be questioning everything you did just because our opinions might be a little different. I don't like Malfoy and neither does Hermione, but we both know he isn't truly evil. Voldemort was evil, Draco Malfoy is not." Ron raised a hand and grabbed Harrys shoulder, squeezing tight. "We don't want to have a rift in our friendship, mate. We won't stand in the way, promise." Ron sighed, a look of pure torture on his face before he continued. "We can even…help."

Harry laughed at the irritation on the redhead's face, a weight off his shoulders. "Thanks', mate. But I think I will be fine." He hit Ron's shoulder and turned, waving at the other man as he began to walk away. "Thanks, but no thanks."

"Just please don't do anything stupid, alright?!" Ron called out, shaking his head when Harry merely laughed. "Damn chit." The Gryffindor turned and headed for the castle, excited to tell Hermione that their friendship was in no real danger.

Harry sighed and sat on the pebbled beach, leaning back against the large rock that sat by the shore. "Merlin…." He muttered, the happy feeling of his friend's approval sitting lightly in his chest. He shook his head and leaned back, closing his eyes as the breeze lifted from the waters and flowed around him. He thought back to this morning, his happiness fleeing as he remembered the look of utter terror on Draco's face. It caused his heart to constrict painfully, the idea that he has caused that pain and fear unbearable. He quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out the list, not bothering to lift his head as he stared at it.

Draco's list

Warmth, cold, pressure, light touch, endless chatter

Harry reached into his pocket and grabbed his wand, crossing off the word cold before sighing and allowing his arms to fall to his side. "Well, fuck….." He muttered, crossing his arms over his eyes. The paper in his hand fluttered, the parchment a mocking reminder of what could go wrong if he took the path toward failure. He breathed out his nose harshly and stood, preparing to go to the castle and drown himself in the prefect's bath.

O0O

Hello! Sorry it is taking me so long! I dont know where this story will go but i am hoping for something a little...darker...which i ssomething really new for me. PLease let me know what you think, i do read all reviews that people post and try to get better over time. I lvoe you guys!