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.

3. Chapter 3

Pairing: MxM FxF

Disclaimer: NOT MINE ITS ROWLINGS

Warning: Slight gayness, slight self harm (nails digging into skin)

O0O

Chapter 3

Harry groaned and walked quickly down the stairs, cursing the fact that he had slept through his alarm. He almost didn't make it to breakfast, people filing out as he walked through the throngs of people to the still blonde at the end of the Seventh-year table. He knew he only had a few minutes before the food disappeared, so he quickly piled a plate high with breakfast and lifted it off the table. Moments later the table was suddenly cleaned, all the platters left behind being taken away.

Harry sighed and set his plate back down, not caring if he didn't make it to his first class, because obviously neither did Draco with the man sitting there and not moving. Harry lifted his school bag and spread out on the now empty table, casting a casual warming spell as he pulled various books out of his bag and started to eat with the other. "Hey, Draco. Can you help me with this really quick?" He asked, not even bothering to look at the blonde as he felt the mans eyes drill into the side of his head. "You don't have any excuses either. I know you aren't going to class." He pulled out a small sheet of paper, the parchment filled with scribbles. "Remember when we were talking about how some dark spells should be allowed back into the curriculum? Well, I am going to make an appeal with McGonagall and Kingsley to try to get them to get some people to look at the old laws surrounding it to try to change it." Harry reached for a piece of toast and handed it to the Slytherin, not even bothering to stop talking as he saw a dainty hand grab it from the corner of his eye. "Well, I know you mentioned a couple weeks ago that I have power and should use it. So, I am. I need your help though; you know way more about moving the government then I do. Also, I am shit at essay's and all that."

"Well, you are one of the most powerful man in the Wizarding world at the moment." Draco muttered, finishing off the toast and sipping from his coffee. "Why now? Is it because of what I said?" Draco set his cup down and half turned to Harry, not bothered by how quiet it was around them as they sat in the empty Great Hall. "If I was you, I would try to change as many things now before the public loses favor with you."

"I know, you said that before. Which is why I am in a hurry. I want Werewolves and 'dark' creatures to get better rights. I want our school system to change. I want the world to change. I need your help for that." Harry slid the pile of sheets towards the blonde, blushing at the intense way the man was looking at him. "Like you said, I only have so much time."

Draco's face, impassive and cold as ever, scrunched slightly in confusion. "Why me? Why not Granger or Weasley?" He asked, voice toneless except for the small lilt near the end. He waited for the Gryffindor to answer, not glancing down at the papers near his hand.

Harry took a breath, tramping down his sudden anxiety as he raised his head and locked eyes with the man beside him. "I don't need their help. I want yours. I want Draco Malfoy to be at my side." He tilted his head slightly, his long black hair brushing his shirts collar as he stared steadily. "The person I want to spend my time with, who sees things like I do, is the person I want to be a part of my support system as I go and try to change the world. Is that too much to ask?" He leaned forward; his voice low. "I know how long this will take, but that gives me plenty of time to bring back the Draco I know. Remember?"

Draco's gaze never left his, his eyes blazing with so much emotion that Harry couldn't possibly pinpoint how many there truly was. He slowly reached forward, pulling the large stack of papers closer to him and conjuring a quill. "Your honesty is as startling as ever, even after hearing it for the last month or so. I don't why you want to spend so much time with me, being who I am and what I have done." He tapped the papers with the feathered plume, the dark purple a startling contrast to the vanilla colored parchment. "I will never understand how you act so civilly toward me, but for now I will play along as I have been for the past month. As it is better to have company, even one I am wary towards, then to be alone." He turned to the papers and barely glanced at it before wrinkling his nose. "We have a lot of work ahead of us."

Harry snorted and smiled, pulling out more books from his bag. "This is only the start believe me." He laughed when Draco sighed, the sound full of regret. "Oh, stop. I know how much you love researching and dissecting things." He rolled his eyes and pushed a book toward the blonde, ignoring the raised eyebrow from the blonde at how he knew what he did about him. "Now, I want to talk about the older laws. Anyway, how do we get this out from under the red tape successfully while also annoying the older blighters at the top?"

For the first time in months Draco smiled, his eyes snapping fire. "Two birds with one stone, Harry."

Harry laughed, a small ball of happiness lighting in his chest. "Course." With that they bent down and discussed the laws and process to break it down.

O0O

Harry groaned and cracked his neck, eyes widening as food popped onto the table around them. "Oh, Merlin. It's lunch time." He muttered, shocked that so many hours had passed by without him noticing. He glanced around at the mountain of books and piles of paper, headache brewing behind his eyes at how much they had covered. Of course, Draco didn't really speak all that much, more pointed and quirked an eyebrow at things. However, it was the most Harry had ever gotten out of him and he was giddy with happiness. "We did so much. Hopefully next time around we can start to make official drafts." He left a piece of parchment and grimaced at all the red marks that Draco had made on it. "You are bloody brutal by the way. Not that I would want you to change that, but I will have to have more coffee next time."

Draco merely shook his head, reaching forward for food and sliding a plate toward Harry. "Here." He said simply, making them both cups of coffee. His lips twitched when Harry moaned and yanked the coffee from his hand, downing it in one go.

"Merlin, you are amazing." He smacked his lips together and slammed the cup down. He hesitated as he stared at the blonde, the man busy making them another cup of coffee and cleaning the mess around them. "Can I ask you something?" He shifted on the bench, timid now that Draco's attention was suddenly focused on him. "If you don't mind."

"I will not answer if it is something I do not wish too." Draco replied instantly, his eyes narrowed.

"Oh, of course not!" Harry raised his hands, shaking his head. "I was just wondering…" He left his arms drop and shoved his hands underneath his thighs, trying to keep the hot wave of emotion down. "Why you allow me to be so close to you? Physically, I mean. You could have told me to go away at any point. Why keep me around? I know you don't trust me. I wouldn't want you to this early on. But the hate…..its disappeared." Harry rattled off, nerves dancing along his arms and legs. A ball of intense heat started in his chest and moved down to his stomach, the overwhelming feeling of furious anxiety choking him up as he waited for the blonde to answer. Moments ticked by, time slowing as they stared at each other.

Draco tensed and brought his hands into his lap, pressing his fingers together. "That's for me to know." He whispered; his voice quiet even as people began filing into the Great Hall. He stared into the Gryffindors eyes. "However, I will say that you've grown on me." He paused, flashing a very small smile before it disappeared. "Like a fungus."

Harry startled, laughing as people started to stare at them and whisper. "Well, what can I say? It will be difficult to get rid of me." Harry quickly began to pack up his things, not wanting other people to see what he is working on. He turned to his plate and started to eat, glancing at the blonde out of the corner of his eye. He can't believe the progress he has made, even if an inch to him seems like a mile he will celebrate in private. Away from the prying eyes beside him.

O0O

Harry took a deep breath in, staring at the edge of the forbidden forest. He hasn't stepped foot here since the battle of Hogwarts, to afraid to face the spot where he had died. Even now he refuses to take one step closer, merely staring into the dark that seemed to cloak the woods in shadow. He had come here for one thing, too remember why. To have the reminder that he is alive, that he needs to know the breath that he breathes isn't faked. That he is real.

He comes here on nights like tonight. When the shadows get to close when their whispers ring to loud. When the pressure constantly at his back presses to hard. Even now as he stares blankly into the forest, he feels the darkness reaching out to him.

He shook his head and turned, distancing himself from the whispers of the forbidden forest.

O0O

Harry snorted and walked into the Great Hall, Ron and Hermione beside him. "I don't know why people care so much about who I spend my time with. Honestly, as if they know me." Harry shook his head, staring down at the newspaper that Hermione had thrust at him this morning. "I'll ask Draco what he thinks. That devious mind has to be good for something."

Hermione frowned at that, glancing sidelong at the other Gryffindor. "You know, Harry. If I didn't know better, I would think you liked Malfoy." She sniffed, gaze knowing. "I mean, it wouldn't be strange, but it's definitely different."

"What of it? He is an interesting bloke. I don't hate him and he see's things like I do. Well, most of the time." Harry grinned as he thought back to yesterday when he and Draco had ventured into the library together. Harry had something off hand and the slight quirk of an irritated eyebrow was enough to know that he didn't agree with whatever it was he had said. "He doesn't show it, but I've been watching him for years. I know when he disagrees with me."

Hermione sighed, shaking her head and shrugging. "Well, good luck, I guess. Personally, I wouldn't want to talk to a statue but you've always been a bit strange." She giggled and slapped Harry on the arm before waving and heading in a different direction. "See you next class."

Harry waved, bumping his shoulder against Ron's before walking down the length of the Seventh-year table to press himself against Draco. He was going to try the light force today, since the last time he tried to do something on his list it was a disaster. However now he was back to seeing how many other things would make the blonde aware besides warmth. Harry would never try to make him cold again, just the thought of it is sickening.

He quickly began making them coffees, staring at the blonde from the corner of his mind. It took far longer for Draco to realize he was there, not nearly as fast as when Harry spelled the area around them with heat. Harry shrugged and slid the mug down, reaching into his bag for a sheaf of papers while also piling his plate high with food. He feels rather then sees Draco tense, the blonde edging away from him slowly. "Now that you are awake, take a look at this for me." He shoves the papers into the blonde's hands, the man simply staring at him. "Oh, stop being dramatic. We've been doing the same dance for almost a month now. Come on, look at this." He places his palm against Draco's and pushes, gasping when the skin on skin contact caused electricity to zap up his arm. He snatched his hand away, his wide eyes staring into Draco's dumbstruck one. "What the fuck was that?" He breathed, just now realizing that Draco and he have never really touched before. Up until now there has always been a sort of distance between them. "Draco, what the fuck was that?"

The blonde shook his eyes, gaze now thoughtful. "I'm not sure." He replied, his voice monotone except for the thin layer of surprise underneath. "It could be several things, honestly." He rubbed his hands together, the sheet of papers forgotten between them.

Harry frowned, slowly reaching for the Slytherins hand. He was now more curios then wary. "Will it do that every time?" He asked, glancing up to search the blondes face before sliding the pads of his fingers against the back of Draco's hand. He was expecting the zap, but still startled when it happened. He didn't stop however, sliding his fingers across the Slytherins palm. The blonde's skin was warm, the pale color a contrast to his much darker skin. It was very pleasing to look at. He heard Draco draw a sharp breath as Harry rubbed his thumb across the sensitive tips of the blonde's fingers. He saw how the other's hand twitched, the thin muscles underneath flexing. He slowly dragged his fingernails across the man's wrist before he realized what he was doing. He gasped and snatched his hand away, blushing a deep red. "I'm s-sorry, Draco!" He muttered, scooting a bit farther away and he shoved his hands between his legs. He felt heat bubble in his stomach but he ignored it, instead staring at the ground. He heard Draco clear his throat but he refused to glance up and see the look of disgust on the others face. "Sorry…."

"Harry, it's fine." Draco shrugged, flexing his fingers before reaching toward the sheet of papers between them. "I'll look into…. that, later on. For now, however, you wanted me to look over this. Yes?" Draco dragged the pile toward him, his face once again cold and impassive. "Also, your coffee is cold."

Harry snorted immediately, resolving to let his little slip lay in the past. "You are such a burke." He shook his head and pressed his nails into his palm before reaching forward. "Tell me if you find anything on…. that." He threw a quick grin towards the blonde, snorting when the man merely hummed and raised an eyebrow. He groaned when he saw the man conjure his famous purple quill, knowing that his papers would be a mess of red pretty soon. "Please, go easy on me."

"No promises."

"Merlin."

O0O

Harry gnawed on his lip, glaring down at the crumpled piece of paper in front of him. He sighed and shoved it into his pocket, pushing open the door to the library and making a beeline to where he knew Draco would be. It had been a few days since the hand incident, which Harry refused to say out loud, but have it labeled in his mind instead. Since then he had been very careful not to touch the other, at least until they found out what was going on. As he was walking, he saw a flash of red hair before he was suddenly yanked into a small alcove. He cursed, his magic sparking dark around him before he turned and rolled his eyes. "Ginny, do I have to remind you not to touch me?"

Ginny snorted, smiling even as she crossed her arms. "Yes, I know. I just ignore it. If you hurt me you hurt me." She shrugged, her nonchalant attitude toward danger almost terrifying. "Now, I know that my dear brother and Hermione have let off from the whole Draco thing. I do have to ask though…. what the fuck, Harry?" She gazed at the other Gryffindor with wide eyes, her pretty face scrunched up. "Like, it's your choice, I just want to make sure you know what you're doing."

"Ginny, it has been a month since me and Draco started to spend more time together. You could have, I don't know, asked me in the beginning? Why are you asking now?" He raised a hand, the other shoved in his pocket. "Your losing your edge, girl." He smirked, chuckling when Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"I am not. I was just busy…..with other things."

"You mean being busy with, Luna." Harry snorted and rolled his eyes, knowing how the two of them where dating. He had heard rumors that the two of them sometimes went after someone together, but that was for Harry not to know. "And I do know what I am doing! I like, Draco. He isn't so bad when you realize that he isn't actually a statue."

Ginny snorted, expression amused. "I would beg to differ, but anyhow. You've been a stranger lately. Make sure to swing by sometime. It gets a little lonely without my favorite Gryffindor." She leaned forward and hugged Harry, her sweet flowery scent rising up between them before she was gone.

Harry sighed and continued on his way, shaking his head at the way every one of his friends seem to think he was an idiot. Honestly though, he doesn't blame them. He rounds the corner and smiles as he sees the tense back of one Draco Malfoy sitting at an otherwise unoccupied table. He quickly slides into the chair beside him, careful not to touch as he cast a wandless warming charm.

"I felt that," Draco muttered, not glancing up from the book he was reading as his hair ruffles from how strong the spell Harry cast was. "I don't know why you keep doing that. Are you cold?" He asked, speaking absentmindedly as he flipped through the large tome he held.

Harry merely hummed, not answering the question as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Not important. You make any progress on the tingly business?" He asked, snickering when Draco merely glared at him over the rim of his book. It was becoming easier to read the blondes miniscule expressions, something that Harry will always take delight in. "Is that a yes, then?"

Draco sighed and reached beside him, grabbing a long piece of parchment and shoving into Harrys direction. "Here. This is all I have found." He muttered, going back to reading as Harry groaned and started to scan the paper.

Half of it made him blush, the other half horrified, and the last bit causing confusion to well up. "So, its either we are married, we have been cursed, or our magic is being weird." Harry threw the paper on top of the table. "Which do you think it is?" He asked, falling limp into his chair as he waited.

"I think the last one. I believe our magic might be very compatible. I very much doubt we have been cursed as I would have known almost immediately. Also, if we were married, we would have been informed of it by the bank." Draco frowned before slamming his book shut, throwing it onto the table on top of the scribbled-out piece of parchment. "I assume after a while; the magic will not react to much."

"What? You're saying the more we touch, the less the magic will zap us?" Harry asked, a hot red blush adorning his cheeks before he shook his head. "I doubt it is that easy." He rested his arms on the book and placed his chin on his elbow. "Nothing is as easy as it sounds with me."

"We are all very aware of that." Draco's monotone voice filled the air, the only thing giving away his amusement the thin quiver underneath. "Now, get up. We have to make those official drafts you want so much."

Harry snorted, not budging even as Draco whipped out his wand and sent a tickling hex. He probably should be worried about his old enemy pointing a wand at him, but honestly, he knew the blonde wouldn't try to hurt him anymore now that Voldemort wasn't threatening his family. "Gotta try better then that." He mumbled, not even bothered at the way the blonde's lips twisted a bit at the end. "Oh, stop being a baby. I have the official drafts in my bag." He pushed the bag toward Draco with his foot, closing his eyes and smirking at how the other man merely sighed.

Over the past month they had fallen into a rhythm, not saying anything personal about each other, but both still watching and catching hints of what the other is trying to not say. With that going on in the background they are also both head deep in the official drafts and laws, trying to prepare before Harry goes up in front of the entire Wizarding world and rips the rug out from underneath them all. Draco and Harry haven't yet addressed the easy way they spend time together, more so trying to keep everything between them light and not burdened with things like the past war and old loyalties. Even now Harry fights the urge to ask why Draco even bothers to be around him, but he decides against it.

"Hermione is actually very invested into this. I would love to pit your two together, but I wanted to ask first. I've been going to her with all this stuff and she agrees with almost everything you've proposed." Harry fidgeted, glancing at Draco. "I promise she doesn't hate you."

"She doesn't like me either."

"Well, she hasn't really met you. Not like I have." Harry muttered sighing and pushing himself up right. "I think we need all the help we can get. She is really good with politics. Trust me." Harry leaned forward, crowding into the Slytherins space. "You are the one I want most at my side when I take this to the higher ups, but Hermione would be a great asset. You know she will be."

Draco pursed his lips before nodding, his gaze intent. "Fine, but I don't want to hear of anything before."

"I know," Harry smiled, bumping Draco's shoulder with his before reaching into his bag. "Now, official reports. There is a lot. I think we should start with the ones for dark creatures' rights."

Draco sighed, conjuring his purple quill in preparation for a long evening.

O0O

Harry jumped through the open portrait and headed for Hermione's room, banging on the door and shoving it open. "Hermione! Draco said yes! Tomorrow we will all go over the drafts and send in the final at the end of the week!" He rambled, throwing himself at the bed and bouncing on it before settling. "I am so excited to get the ball rolling."

Hermione, sitting at the small desk next to the bed, sighed. "Harry, your making a mess of my bed." She scolded before a small smile fell onto her lips. "He did, did he? Well, I am surprised he allowed it. It will be much easier than you going back and forth between us. Now, have you told him about the papers? I doubt he gets them."

Harry groaned and shook his head, glaring at the ceiling. "No, I haven't. We were to busy arguing over how many rights to give to much darker creatures. It would be bad if we gave them rights then they turned around and fucked us over, you know? Ill let him know tomorrow. I have it in my bag, at the very least."

Hermione sighed and waved her hand, the thick sheets of parchment flying from Harrys bag and onto the desk in front of him. She flipped through them before she paused, her mouth pressed in a thin line and eyebrows slightly raised. Harry immediately tensed, knowing that that expression didn't bode well for him. "Can I ask you something?" Hermione's voice was quiet, her body language closed off.

"Yes?" Harry raised on his elbows and swung his feet off the bed, sitting up and facing the other. He fidgeted with her purple comforter, anxiety welling up as she paused. "What?"

"Are you sure you are doing this for the reasons you think?" She finally asked, turning in her chair and tugging on her hair. "I'm just not sure of your reasoning. I know you were obsessed with him before the battle, but I thought it would go away." She shrugged her shoulders, her long hair falling across the back of the chair. "I just want you to know that whatever happens, me and Ron will support you. No matter what."

Harry sat there confused, but he shrugged. "I mean, sure? I don't know what the fuss is about but I'm glad you'll support me." He smiled and leaned back onto his elbows, staring at the pristine room around him. "I do have a question though. If you help me with this, and all of it goes through, what do you think will happen?" He asked, nervous about the future of change that he wants the others to help him achieve. He knows that Kingsley will help him no matter what and thinks the same as he does on some of the old laws towards the kinds of creatures that people have no reason to fear.

"With you Harry, I have no idea. But we will be ready for whatever comes." Hermione grinned and grabs the top paper, waving it at him. "You are ready to change the world around you and you will do anything to make it happen. I will stand by you, and so will everyone else. Ron, Neville, Luna, Ginny, you name it. They are only waiting for you to ask them." Hermione set the paper down and rested her chin on her hand. "I want to see our government change for the better, and thankfully the new Minister is doing a grand job. However, I think he needs a push." Hermione gnawed in her bottom lip, her eyes unfocused as she thought of the future.

Harry nodded, before pausing. "Hey, what do you know about compatible magic?" He suddenly asked, going off their conversation into one that has been bothering him since this morning.

Hermione froze, her eyebrows raising. "It's very rare, why?"

Harry tensed, frowning before determination filled him. "Tell me everything you know."

O0O

Harry sat on his bed and read over the sheet of parchment Hermione gave him. He growled and pushed it aside, slightly disappointed that Draco hadn't shared this bit with him, but then again he didn't really think Draco had any reason too. Harry remembered what Hermione had asked him earlier, and even thinking back on it Harry was still filled with the same confusion.

Are you sure you are doing this for the reasons you think?

Harry sighed and stood, slipping on a pair of shoes and a warm cloak before leaving his room. The same sentence seemed to replay in his mind, and the words from the parchment floating in and out of focus. He had Hermione tell him everything about the compatibility of magic, soaking up everything she said even as nerves danced along his spine. He now knew how rare it was, and that some legends even said it that it made two spellcasters more powerful because they feed off each other. Harry thought it was interesting, however Hermione said there wasn't enough cases to tell whether or not it would make him and Draco stronger. He didn't know why Draco never mentioned it, and he wasn't going to ask. Now, as he walked up toward the Astronomy tower the same sentence played in the back of his mind.

Are you sure you are doing this for the reasons you think?

Harry sighed and pushed ahead, wondering at what his friend was trying to tell him. He knew that she was quick to pick things up, but he had no idea where to even start with this. He decides to leave it alone and hope that with time it will make sense. He quickly makes his way up, determined to ignore the shadows muttering to him. His feet barely touch stone as he faults up, wanting to get away from the darkness that loomed behind him. He makes it to the top quicker than he ever has, the cold wash of moonlight beckoning him away from the dark whisps of black that pulled at his feet.

He grins and walks forward, just now realizing that Draco was in his usual spot. Harry slowly made his way over, sitting beside the blonde but not bothering to 'wake' him up. Harry was glad for the company, but he knew how Draco would push him away if he was aware of him being here. Harry sat there for what felt like hours, watching the moon fall toward the horizon as time passed.

Harry gazed absently at the blonde, watching the moon through his clear deep-water eyes. He traced the way the man's hair brushed against his collar, the thick full strands swinging in the breeze. Harry continued to stare as the whispers from his shadow called out, ignoring them in favor of his favorite pastime. Just as the night fell into the dim weak streaks of dawn, Harry stood. He gazed down at the still blonde and smiled, running his fingers across the man's shoulders before turning and leaving.

Are you sure you are doing this for the reasons you think?

O0O

AND ANOTHER ONE! Now, I don't really know how long this will take but I really do want it to be long. I am not very good with slow burn so I am practicing with this fanfic. Also, I will be going with some darker themes then I usually do so be warned for future chapters. However, I will put a warning before hand just in case. Also, have any ideas for opposition on the two ends? Government? Secret second dark lord? I'm curios to see where you guys think this will go. Of course a Drarry ship isn't a ship without some burn but it won't be like others. I really do want this to be enemies to friends THEN to lovers. But again, not very good at that but we will see! Also, my uploading will be random but I will try to post every week! Sometimes, on Sunday i have a lot of time so there might be two in a week instead but who knows. Anyway, thank you for the reviews! If you guys want i can start replying to them at the end of my chapters. It would be fun to get some feed back from you guys! LOVE YOU ALL AND GOODBYE