After Potions on Tuesday, Harry excused himself from his friends to nip to the bathroom. He had just opened a cubicle door when a voice behind him made him nearly jump out of his skin.
"For someone who wanted me to do some digging you are ridiculously hard to get alone to talk to about it" Zabini said in an exaggeratedly annoyed voice.
Harry whipped round "Zabini, I'm uh - kind of about to use the toilet here"
Zabini smirked with amusement and leaned back against the sinks. "I can wait then" he shrugged casually.
Harry sighed "Fine" he stepped back out of the cubicle "So you talked to him?" Zabini nodded.
"Well, what did he say?"
Zabini repeated what Draco said, minus anything about his father, explaining that the doctor said that time away from magic and extreme stress had caused his magic to be a little turbulent, and that he'd exhausted himself too much last Friday.
"I said we should get a doctor's note for McGonagall so he could space his practical assignments out, but he wasn't going for it"
"Why not?" Harry asked.
Blaise bit his lip "Listen Potter, you never heard any of this from me okay? And don't go talking to him about it, he needs to be as far from stressed as possible right now"
Harry nodded in agreement.
"He doesn't feel like he deserves any favours from anyone after the part he played in Dumbledore's death and the Death Eaters coming into the school"
"At the expense of his health and magical abilities, and possibly being put back in Azkaban?" Harry asked, shocked.
"We're Slytherin's Potter, we do tend to have a little too much pride to go round begging for favours"
"Okay" Harry said, "Let me see what I can do about it, now get out so I can pee"
"Yes Saviour of the Wizarding World" Blaise said, mock bowing "I shall let you mount your throne in peace"
"Gross" Harry replied "Please never do that again"
"As you wish" Blaise said, maintaining his bow as he backed out of the bathroom, chuckling to himself.
These Slytherin's were going to be the end of him, Harry thought to himself, rolling his eyes.
But now he had to go talk to McGonagall and see what she could do. Harry felt determined to give Malfoy as best a chance as possible to pass this year and regain his health and freedom.
- 0 -
That evening after dinner, Harry made his way to Dumbledore's old office where McGonagall now resided, he knocked on the door and McGonagall called him in.
"Mr Potter?" She addressed him, looking surprised "What can I do for you?"
Harry looked around the room, it looked almost exactly the same as when Dumbledore was there, he noticed.
"I didn't have the heart to change anything" McGonagall said sadly, noticing his gaze.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind you changing things" Harry said, looking over her shoulder at Dumbledore's portrait, who's eyes still seemed to hold a sparkle as they peered over his half-moon glasses.
She glanced backwards over her shoulder "Yes, so he keeps telling me, but anyway, what is it you wish to talk about Mr Potter?"
"Um, it's about Malfoy"
McGonagall tutted "Oh not again, I was hoping you two might actually be able to put your differences aside this year, you were always so vicious to each other, but after the war-"
"We have Professor!" Harry interrupted and McGonagall stopped and raised her eyebrows at him disbelievingly.
"Oh?"
"Yes! This is actually me wanting to do something to help him, but he can't know I was here" Harry looked down bashfully.
"Potter, you know this is your last chance for a quiet year if you plan to become an Auror?" she asked.
"Yes I know, but this feels important" Harry replied "Malfoy has been under a lot of stress since - well I guess since sixth year really, with you know, his task..." Harry started apprehensively, glancing at Dumbledore's portrait again.
McGonagall nodded, her eyes hardening at the memory of Dumbledore's death and suddenly Harry didn't know how to talk about this. No wonder Malfoy had refused to ask for help.
McGonagall could see Harry's hesitation and cut in.
"Potter, I know Mr Malfoy got himself in too deep into a situation he was not prepared for, he was given an awful choice to make and as you stated in his trial, he still couldn't go through with it, even though it meant possibly himself and his family being killed." She paused for a second, turning and making eye contact with Dumbledore's portrait who smiled and nodded at her.
"Albus offered him protection" she continued, "protection which I have tried to honour by taking him in at Hogwarts this year, but if something else is going on Potter then I will continue to try to protect him, he does not belong in Azkaban" she said softly, then her voice hardened "I can't say the same for Lucius however."
"I completely agree with you there Professor" Harry muttered, thinking of Lucius' smug face as he walked out of the Ministry a free man.
"So tell me what's going on" McGonagall prompted.
"Well, Malfoy's been under a lot of stress and had a few months in the summer where he couldn't use magic and still has the threat of Azkaban over him" Harry rushed through "He was in St Mungo's in the summer because he tried to perform a spell and collapsed and then last Friday in Defence the same happened and basically the stress is causing him to become exhausted if he performs too much magic too close together so I was wondering if there was a way you could organise the Professors so that practical assignments could be more spread out? He did a complex charm then a Patronus one after the other and was in a lot of pain" Harry explained.
McGonagall looked thoughtful "And that was the diagnosis of the doctor in St Mungo's? Stress?" she asked.
"That's what I was told" Harry said.
"By whom?"
"I uh - I can't say"
"I see"
McGonagall hesitated, "Professor Lupin did mention the incident to me, he said he was sent to the Hospital Wing with you, I will ask Madam Pomfrey for her diagnosis to make sure it was the same problem"
"Oh uh, she won't be able to tell you" Harry blushed "Malfoy refused to go to the Hospital Wing"
"Did he say why?" McGonagall seemed mildly alarmed.
"Nope, just refused, said he just needed to sleep"
"And that cured him?"
"Well um - that and maybe the Potions I um - stole from the Hospital Wing?" Harry suggested, biting his lip with a guilty expression.
McGonagall raised her eyebrow at him, but Harry saw a twitch of a smile on her lips. "I'm glad that cloak of yours is still coming in handy" she said with mild sarcasm.
"Well I can't legally get any information from St Mungo's now that he's 18, it would really have been best if he had gone to the Hospital Wing to see Madam Pomfrey but we can't do -"
"Wait what?" Harry asked "What do you mean?"
"Well when you are all underrage, the headmaster or headmistress of Hogwarts is technically a guardian so we can ask for your medical records if we have concerns, like a parent can, but now that your year is all of age, we can't do that. But if you're treated within Hogwarts then we have access to that information"
Harry sat back thinking, is that why Malfoy and Zabini both refused the Hospital Wing, so that Lucius wouldn't have access to the information? It was definitely plausible.
"- can do Potter"
"Oh sorry Professor, what did you say?"
"I said I'll see what I can do about the Professor's and coursework Mr Potter. Mr Malfoy should not have to go to Azkaban due to stress"
"Oh, thank you Professor I appreciate that" Harry said gratefully and stood to leave. He made eye contact with Portrait Dumbledore again, who had a more serious expression. He gave Harry a nod. Did he know something about this too?
- 0 -
To Harry's delight, Potions on Wednesday was currently going as well as it did on Monday and Tuesday, and he was excited because in a couple of hours he would be going to meet Mr Blackwell from the DMLE to talk about his future.
They had got results back from the Potion but they were a little off so they tweaked the formula and started experimenting on their second batch.
Harry watched Draco closely, trying to see signs of abuse, trying to cast his mind back over the years and think if he'd ever seen anything out of the ordinary, but nothing came to mind. He hadn't known Draco then, he hadn't ever looked out for anything like that, he had just always thought Malfoy was up to something, a clone of his father.
"Potter I know I'm devastatingly handsome, but if you could tear your eyes away for one second to help me with this potion that would be fantastic" Draco suggested dryly. He could feel Potter staring at him intensely for the entire lesson so far and it was starting to creep him out.
Harry just cleared his throat embarrassed "Yeah you wish Malfoy" he said trying to regain his composure.
"Yes, I wish you would help me with this potion" Draco rolled his eyes.
There was nothing visible to be seen, and Malfoy was avoiding magic so surely he wouldn't be able to cover it up. Though he guessed Zabini could have done it for him. Could he ask Zabini about it? No, because he'd heard Zabini say it in a private conversation and he'd have to admit that he knew Malfoy was gay, and that would ruin the friendship he was building with Malfoy. He glanced at the blonde beside him again, he seemed... fine. Apart from the Patronus fiasco, he was actually in quite a good mood most of the time, he was dating someone even, a man. Surely he wouldn't risk that? Unless it was love? Harry felt a knot form in his stomach at the thought of Malfoy being in love. He remembered Draco's hand lingering on his for a little too long in Potions, did he hold hands with this other man? He thought back to when Draco was held in his arms in the bathroom. Did he get held in another man's arms and tell each other they loved each other.
"Potter?"
Harry's eyes snapped up. Draco was looking at him with slight worry in his eyes.
"Huh?" Harry asked, his mind clearing of those thoughts.
"Are you... okay? You looked upset just now" he asked quietly so as not to attract any attention.
"Oh sorry, just deep in thought" Harry forced a smile.
"Oh don't do that Potter, you might hurt yourself" Draco joked lightly.
Harry smiled properly at that.
"You're such a prat"
"But you've got to keep me around because I'm good at Potions right?" Draco asked, and Harry didn't think he imagined the hint of searching in Draco's eyes as he asked, which he was confused by, why was Malfoy feeling insecure about his Potions skills?
"Yes Malfoy, you are the best at potions" Harry said in an exaggerated praising tone "Next time I'll get you a gold star"
"A gold star?" Malfoy tilted his head in confusion.
"It's a muggle thing, they give out gold star stickers to little kids when they do well on their homework" Harry explained.
"I'm guessing you've never had one then?" Draco smirked jokingly.
Harry took a deep breath about to protest "I - actually no, no I haven't" he admitted, suddenly feeling a bit put out.
"Aww don't be sad Potter, when me and you finish this Potion and get straight O's I'll get you the biggest gold star" Draco said as if speaking to a child.
"Prat"
- 0 -
Harry got dressed out of his school clothes and into a different shirt and trousers, wondering if he was over or underdressed. What was somebody supposed to wear to a dinner with a potential future employer? He attempted to tame his unruly hair before giving up as he did every day and giving himself a shrug in the mirror.
He was interested to meet this Blackwell. Malfoy seemed to think he was a positive influence on the Ministry after the war so Harry was hopeful that it meant he could pursue his dream of being an Auror without getting dragged into the corrupt Ministry.
He said a quick goodbye to Ron and Hermione and headed to Hogsmeade, arriving at a new, expensive but quaint little restaurant at 6.40pm, five minutes early. He walked up to the entrance desk.
"I have a reservation at 6.45 under Blackwell" he said, feeling out of place here. This was a far cry from The Three Broomsticks. There was soft piano music playing in the background and each table was lit with candles.
"Mr Blackwell has already arrived Mr. Potter, this way please" and Harry followed him to table by the window where an exceptionally attractive man, who looked to be around 30, was sat. As Harry neared, he stood up courteously from the table, reaching forward and shaking Harry's hand with a beaming smile and friendly, confident eyes.
"Mr Potter, good to meet you at last" he spoke as he shook Harry's hand.
"Good to meet you too Mr Blackwell" Harry replied as he sat down, slightly entranced by the handsome man in front of him.
"Finlay, please" he said smiling.
"Finlay" Harry said, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks "Harry then" he replied and Finlay smiled in response.
"Well I appreciate you getting in touch Harry" Finlay said, "I know you aren't the biggest fan of the Ministry, and for good reason, but I'm hoping that we can make some positive changes there." Harry nodded and Finlay suddenly laughed "But look at me getting straight down to business! Let's order first and get to know each other a little before I get too carried away"
Harry looked at the menu and automatically raised his eyebrows at the prices, not that he couldn't afford it but this way out of his normal spending habits.
They ordered their food and Finlay picked out a bottle of wine for them, the waiter filling their glasses.
They cheers-ed their glasses with a small clink and each took a sip. Finlay set down his glass and looked at Harry.
"So how has Hogwarts been so far this year? Last year for you" he asked in a friendly tone.
"It's been good" Harry answered "Quiet compared to what my years usually consist of" he joked.
Finlay chuckled "I can imagine"
They talked a little about Hogwarts and the teachers, Finlay saying that he had been a Gryffindor as well, laughing about anecdotes of McGonagall and other teachers, and both talking about how awful Umbridge was.
Harry had found it difficult to talk to the attractive man at first, being thrown by how good-looking he was, but as they ate and the wine flowed, he found it much easier.
As they spoke about Umbridge, Harry mentioned her ridiculous detentions and showed Finlay the back of his hand, where the faint outline of "I must not tell lies" still remained.
Finlay scooted closer to him round the table, and gently touched Harry's hand, peering at the scar. His hand never left Harry's as he looked up into Harry's eyes, Harry thought they maybe flickered to his lips for a second but maybe he imagined it.
Finlay blinked before removing his hand and saying "For such a ridiculously small woman, she was the absolute worst. I had to go to her office once and it was just an onslaught of pink and kitten plates everywhere" he shuddered.
"Oh I know, I've been there" Harry reminded him.
They got on to talking about Aurors.
"I really think you'd make a great addition to the team Harry" he pitched "They're an exceptionally talented group of people, of all ages. I appointed a new head to the Aurors as well this year, who's a good bit younger and has some really great ideas for the department. It's really given them the opportunity to get out from under the Minister's thumb and work a lot more freely. Are you coming to the Ministry party on Saturday?"
"Well I got the invite but I hadn't really decided yet, I tend to avoid these things" Harry said honestly.
"Well I can't promise that Scrimgeour won't pounce on you and parade you around the room" he said, rolling his eyes "but it would be great to see you there, and I can introduce you to some of the Aurors, they can maybe tell you some of their first-hand experiences"
Harry thought for a second before nodding slowly "Okay, sure" he smiled "I'll be there".
"Perfect" Finlay beamed at him, and Harry felt caught off guard again at how handsome he was.
Their dinner wrapped up, Finlay paying for the meal "Ministry tab" he had said with a wink, and they both said their goodbyes, agreeing to meet on Saturday at the party.
Harry cast a quick Tempus on his way back, 10pm! Where had the time gone? He had actually had a lot of fun, and was feeling more sure of his choice to be an Auror.
He went back to Hogwarts in high spirits.
- 0 -
Draco had also left just before 7pm on Wednesday, looking forward to his date with Finlay. He had given himself a pep talk beforehand and decided that today, they would go further. You can do this, he told himself.
He arrived in the Penthouse Suite and for the first time he had arrived before Finlay. Shrugging, he poured himself a drink and wandered around the Suite for a little bit, realising how comfortable he had gotten there. Fifteen minutes passed and Draco settled in on the sofa, maybe he just got caught late at work, or one of the Ministry workers stopped him to talk. He waited until 8pm, then 8.30pm. Maybe he'd forgotten? Or maybe he's bored of you since you're refusing to have sex, he thought, and felt a stab of guilt and pain.
Sighing and realising he wasn't coming, Draco took the floo to Hogsmeade where Blaise, Pansy and a couple of other Slytherin's had said they were going for a drink that evening.
As he walked through Hogsmeade he passed by the new, fancy, couples restaurant with big glass windows and out of habit, glanced in, only to freeze on the spot a second later.
It was Finlay... with Potter, sitting cosied up at a window table together, having a candlelit dinner. As he watched, Finlay moved closer to Potter, reaching out and holding his hand, and looking at Potter's lips. Potter wasn't moving away.
Draco didn't want to see this. Feeling the sting of tears at the back of his eyes he dropped his head and hurried past the window and made towards a new bar called The Steaming Cauldron.
He paused outside, swallowing hard and trying to get himself together but he couldn't get the image out of his eyes. His own candlelit dinner with Finlay a few days ago had seemed so romantic at the time, but it was a secret, they never left the room. Here, Finlay was out with Potter for the whole world to see, it wasn't a secret, it wasn't something that Finlay was... ashamed of. Kept inside the Penthouse Suite of a hotel, never to be talked about outside of their room, nothing but sex, something Draco wasn't even giving him fully. Of course he was distracted by Potter, they were both good, honest people making a difference in the world. What was Draco in comparison? Draco shook his head trying to stop his train of thought. He went inside the bar and spotted the Slytherin's.
There was a bunch of shots on the table and Draco sat down and immediately downed three of them, much to everyone's shock.
"Whoa there cowboy" Nott joked, and Draco could tell he'd had a lot already "what's the occasion?", Nott could be an oddly endearing drunk, usually nicer than he was when sober.
"Nothing" Draco muttered "Just not in the mood to be sober"
Nott shrugged "Well cheers to that" he said happily, downing his own shot.
Blaise looked at Draco with concern. He still seemed fairly sober. Pansy on the other hand, had obviously had quite a bit already.
"Yeah cheers to that!" she slurred, picking up a shot and downing it "Ugh! Boys suck"
Blaise watched her, half worried about the alcohol consumption, and half hopeful that Pansy's relationship was going down the drain.
"What happened Pansy?" Daphne asked with interest, definitely not looking sad enough for her friend.
"Cole's just being a jerk is all" she said rolling her eyes "He's going on a Quidditch tour in America, and wants us to have an 'open relationship' while he's there" she said mockingly with air quotes.
Daphne looked delighted "Oh my gosh that's awful, typical boys" she said feigning sadness for Pansy.
"I know right?!" Pansy said and she leaned back in the booth seats, leaning into Blaise's shoulder, who wrapped his arm round her.
"You deserve better Pans" he said seriously and Pansy looked up at him with big eyes, putting her hand on his chest, and giving him a drunk smile.
"Like you Blaise-y?" She giggled.
"Yeah, like you Blaise-y?" Nott laughed. They all knew that Blaise loved Pansy, they were just waiting on her eventually realising her feelings towards him.
"Oh sod off" Blaise rolled his eyes at them all. Daphne just stared at the two of them with jealousy.
"No I really like him" Pansy slurred "You know, he's just really fit, and such a good Quidditch player, and I really like him... maybe I should go see him now and show him what he'd be missing" she staggered up off the booth, swaying on the spot.
"Yes you should do that" Daphne encouraged, eyeing Blaise up and down.
Draco was getting drunker as he sat downing more shots but shook his head at Pansy, pulling a face.
"Sit your ass down Pansy, that's the worst idea ever" he said.
"You're probably right" she said sadly "What's going on with you babe?" she asked Draco, lunging forward with glassy eyes to take his hand.
"Have you ever thought someone really liked you then actually just realised they're ashamed of you?" he vaguely heard himself ask "Because I have and it doesn't feel good" he could feel his vision spinning a little as he reached forward for another shot.
"Maybe you should slow down Dray" Blaise suggested.
"Nah Blaise don't be a buzzkill" Nott exclaimed, dragging more shots over in front of Draco "our man here needs some emotional and alcoholic support" he put a hand on Draco's shoulder "you deserve better than her man, you both" he pointed at Pansy "deserve better." He paused then threw his arms out as if a lightbulb had gone off above his head. "Hey maybe you two could get together?!"
Draco and Pansy stared at each other then burst out laughing both shaking their heads.
"Nope"
"Not gonna happen"
They drank for a little longer, at one point running out of shots, so Blaise offered to go up and pick up their next and last, he had demanded, round. Pansy sprawled over the booth and Daphne had got up to help Blaise. Draco and Nott had turned to the bar at one point and saw Daphne edging closer to Blaise, running her fingers up and down his arm, giving his bicep a squeeze and laughing at something he said, leaning forward as she laughed and subtly pushing her cleavage together as she did so.
"Daph's trying to get with your man Pansy" Nott commented.
Pansy looked over blearily "What a bitch" she said blankly, her head spinning.
As they continued to watch with interest, Blaise took a small step away from Daphne and grabbed the drinks off the bar, hurrying back.
Nott shook his head "When are those two going to realise they're perfect for each other?" he asked Draco quietly.
"Hopefully soon" Draco replied.
They finished their last round and headed back to Hogwarts on the carriages. Pansy held onto Blaise's arm the whole way, much to Daphne's annoyance, and when she stumbled for the third time, Blaise picked her up in his arms, carrying her to the carriages.
"You're the best Blaise" Pansy mumbled, snuggling into him and Blaise just shook his head, smiling a little at her.
As they passed by the restaurant, Draco couldn't help but glance at the window, but they were gone.
- 0 -
Thursday morning came, and the Golden Trio sat at breakfast, Harry recounting his dinner with Blackwell with enthusiasm.
"That's so exciting Harry!" Hermione said brightly "He seems like he's really making a difference"
"So we're going to the Ministry party this weekend then? Do you think I could meet him and the Auror's too?" Ron asked with interest.
"Absolutely!" Harry said "I couldn't have done any of it without you guys" he smiled.
"Well I have some good news too" Hermione grinned "I've got my meeting with Gethsemane Prickle after school today!"
Ron gave her a kiss on the cheek "You'll be amazing, she'll be blown away" he grinned.
Hermione blushed and smiled. She had woke up this morning and beside her wand on her nightstand was a piece of parchment titled 'Gethsemane Prickle' with a list of character traits, skills and interests. She had smiled when she read it, Draco really had gone above and beyond for her with this opportunity.
Ron realised he had forgotten to pick up his Transfiguration homework so sped off to grab it before class.
Harry and Hermione sat for a little while longer before class started, and Hermione showed him the parchment that she had received from Malfoy. They both glanced over at the Slytherin table, where Malfoy had his back to them.
"Wow" Harry replied, his heart feeling warm that Malfoy was doing this for his friend "that's really helpful of him"
"He's so different this year isn't he? It's so refreshing not to be walking on eggshells around the Slytherin's anymore isn't it?" Hermione said, but caught a glance of Pansy "Well, most of them... We're not arguing or anything like that, but we're not even close to being friends either, we just don't really talk unless we have to" Hermione shrugged, pulling a grimace.
But as she spoke, something clicked with Harry "Wait, what did you just say?" he asked.
"About Parkinson and I not being friends?"
"No before that, about Malfoy"
"I just said he's really different this year. Is everything okay Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah" Harry breathed "Sorry I just realised something".
Malfoy was different this year, but not because he was being abused now. Because he wasn't, he was at Hogwarts away from his father, he talked about career choices that went against his father, he bought his own home away from his father, he was seeing someone, a man, for the first time, which went completely against his pureblood traditions. For the first time in his life he was getting away from his father, and his entire personality was changing because of it.
He thought about talking to McGonagall or even Hermione about it but what could he say when he had no proof? And Malfoy seemed fine just now, if he was getting away from Lucius and making something of his life, was now really the time to dredge up the past? And besides, he still had no real idea of the kind of abuse, there was still a chance he had it all wrong. He didn't want to break Draco's trust now after they'd come so far.
He would see if he could get Draco talking, they were doing so well this week, hopefully he would open up and let something slip.
- 0 -
They didn't have Potions today, but they both had a free period at the same time so he ran to the dorm and pulled out his marauders map, finding the tiny dot labeled 'Draco Malfoy' in the library.
He walked quickly to the Library and found Draco in a corner table by himself with a Transfiguration book, and a half-written essay in front of him.
He walked over and sat down beside Draco, smiling at him "Hey" he greeted.
There was a pause before Draco responded "Hey" in a much colder tone, not looking at Harry.
It was Harry's turn to pause, this was a change of tone from the last few days, what had happened? He tried again.
"What's your essay about?"
"Transfiguration"
One-word answer, no eye contact whatsoever. Harry cocked his head at Draco.
"Are you angry with me?" Harry asked, feeling disappointed by Draco's attitude today.
Draco finally looked up at him, and Harry could see anger in his eyes.
"I'm not angry Potter, why would I be angry?" Draco replied in a tone that very much contradicted his words.
Harry raised his eyebrows "Sure, you don't seem angry at all" he said sarcastically.
Draco sighed looking back at his book.
"If I did something Malfoy, you can tell-"
"Potter" he interrupted "I really just need to get this essay done"
"Oh okay" Harry said, feeling a bit hurt by the coldness "I'll let you get on"
He stood up to leave, maybe this is from the stress he's under, Harry tried to reason with himself, I'll try again later. He took a few steps away and bumped into Neville, rummaging around for books, looking anxious.
"Hey Neville, everything okay?" Harry asked the stressed-looking boy.
"Oh hi Harry" Neville said distractedly, glancing up, "not really to be honest, I'm having a bit of a Herbology nightmare"
"Anything I can help with?" Harry asked.
"Not unless you happen to have a sapling of a Dragon's Blood Tree or know how to mend an incinerated one" Neville sighed, looking upset.
"No sorry" Harry replied, feeling useless "Would Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley have one?"
Behind him he heard Malfoy snort in amusement and Harry turned round to see him shaking his head and rolling his eyes, but still looking at his essay. Harry decided to ignore it.
Neville shook his head too, but sadly.
"No they can only be found on a remote island in Yemen" he explained dejectedly "I only had one because my Grandmother went decades ago and created the perfect conditions to grow one at home, the tree died and it only had one sapling, the one I used, I've done all my work on it so far and then it got set on fire and now I've lost all my work" he looked close to tears.
"It got set on fire?!" Harry asked in alarm.
Neville nodded "One of the Slytherin seventh years that we share a class with I'm guessing" he muttered, glancing worriedly at Malfoy "I don't know which one though"
"Shit Neville that's awful, I wish I could help" Harry said honestly, feeling angry for him.
"I can start something else I guess and hopefully catch up" he sighed.
Harry felt useless but wished him good luck and left the library.
- 0 -
When Harry had walked up to Draco in the library, Draco had tried to be calm, all he wanted to do was shout at Potter, to take out on someone how worthless he felt after being stood up, after realising that he was just someone's shameful secret, he was holding Finlay back from being with someone he could actually go out with.
But he couldn't say any of that to Potter, he couldn't shout at him because no matter how well they'd been getting on this week, in the back of his mind, the Auror's words from Azkaban wouldn't leave him. One wrong word to him or his friends and you can say goodbye to your freedom.
He listened with interest though to Longbottom's problems with his Dragon's Blood Tree, snorting with laughter as Potter suggested buying it in town.
Longbottom was still on his list, he had bullied him relentlessly over the years and needed to make amends for it. Malfoy Manor held an extensive plant nursery and gardens with a huge variety of rare plants and trees, one of Draco's favourite being the Dragon's Blood Tree, and he knew they had plenty of saplings growing. How to get one without going to the Manor and being trapped by his father was the only question. He would need to think about that. He would also need to find out who had set Longbottom's sapling on fire. He was in the same class as Longbottom but hadn't witnessed any bullying, he would have to do some digging into that too.
The answer to the first problem came sooner than expected though as that very afternoon he received a letter from his father saying that he was at a conference in America that would run over into the weekend and he wouldn't make it to the Ministry party, and his mother was away to see friends in France. Draco felt his spirits lift. Sure he would have to still mingle, and schmooze with the Ministry officials but avoiding his father was the most important thing to him right now, the only way he could ensure that he could complete his list. And bonus, he could slip into the Manor grounds after school today, pinch a sapling then get out of there with no problems.
He also received a letter from Finlay, apologising for standing Draco up without notice, it had slipped his mind, he had organised to see Harry Potter without thinking of the day. Draco swallowed hard, he didn't deny that he'd been with Potter at least but it had looked so... romantic. Not like any old work meeting. He tore the letter up and set it on fire. He would see him at the Ministry party at the weekend but he needed to get his thoughts in order first.
- 0 -
Draco flooed into the Manor foyer, immediately being greeted by one of the house elves who confirmed that his mother and father were not there.
Draco went out the front door and headed into the large greenhouse in the grounds, which spanned over an acre of land. Individual charms were placed over each plant to give them the exact conditions that they needed. His mother used to love coming out here and looking after every single plant, especially one that produced these large butterfly-type leaves that would flutter off the plant when the sun shone, but she never did anymore, leaving the charms to do their thing and asking the house elves to maintain them. Draco kept walking until he found the ones he was looking for. He knew from Herbology class that Neville's plant was around twenty weeks old. Looking at the planting dates on these, the closest match was nineteen weeks. That would have to do. He picked up one of the weather-charmed glass boxes under the tables and slipped the sapling in, the box immediately changing it's conditions to suit the plant.
He was making his way out of the greenhouse when he suddenly noticed another group of plants. They were short and stubby with a dark brown root and long bright orange leaves. He stopped and stared at it for a second, a long-forgotten memory flooding back to him.
He must have been about five years old and he was running around the greenhouse around his mother, laughing his head off at the large butterflies that flew off the plant and fluttered around his head. Careful Draco, his mother had laughed, turning back to her plants. Draco had kept running, but tripped over one of the table legs and crashed into a spiky plant. One of the spikes went straight through his leg and secreted an acid that caused him so much agony, he had fallen and screamed, clutching his bleeding leg. His mother had run over and cut off the spike pulling it out. Don't worry, she had shushed him gently, healing the wound, the injury wasn't fatal, the acidic pain was temporary, it just needed to run it's course. Here's something for the pain, she had said, and taken the small dark brown and orange plant off the shelf, plucking off a leaf and crushing it a bowl, it turned to liquid. Open up darling, she had said and she had fed Draco the liquid, the pain disappearing immediately. He had stared at his mum in awe, and she smiled, hugging him, a Phoenix Tear Plant she had explained, incredible healing properties in each leaf.
The memory ended, and Draco felt sadness overwhelm him, his mother had loved him once, though Draco could hardly recall it. When did it all change?
Not wanting to stay any longer, he grabbed another glass case and put one of the Phoenix Tear Plants inside. Maybe it would work with their potion if their next batch failed.
He looked up at the Manor, would this be the last time he was ever here? In the sunny autumn evening it looked like a grand, majestic castle. A warm glow settled over it in the evening sun. A normal person looking at it wouldn't guess the horrors that had gone on inside.
Draco looked down at the ground, walking inside and flooing back to Hogwarts.
- 0 -
"It was Harper" Blaise murmured to him. He was writing a homework essay as Draco sat down beside him in the common room. The Gryffindors were all in a bunch together playing wizard chess so Draco put the two small plants in his trunk until he could talk to Longbottom alone.
"Really?" Draco asked surprised, he had asked Blaise about the Herbology incident, playing it off as a worry for his own plant.
"Yep, heard him talking about it at dinner" Balise nodded "apparently Longbottom was doing a similar project to him and was doing much better, his precious little ego couldn't handle it" Blaise rolled his eyes.
"Typical Harper" Draco said, rolling his eyes, he was known for being stroppy and competitive, worse than Draco had been pre-war.
Blaise looked at him "Are you still worried about your own project?" he asked curiously.
Draco tilted his head at him, wondering what he was getting at "I mean, I'm not sure, I doubt he would do anything but who knows. Why?"
Blaise smiled, and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Because fun fact about Harper, he lost his virginity to his muggleborn cousin, I walked in on them at a party last year. His parents don't know, he's betrothed to a pure blood from Sweden and that would really ruin the vibe of their upcoming wedding don't you think?"
Draco looked at him in jaw-dropped shock for a second before bursting out laughing.
"You're a good guy Blaise, but sometimes you make Slytherin house really proud"
Blaise blew him a kiss and Draco left him to his essay, settling down on the window seat and picking up his Transfiguration book.
He would deal with Harper tomorrow.
- 0 -
Harry hoped Draco would speak to him later but the Slytherin was resolutely ignoring him. That evening, not long before bed, Harry walked up to him in the Common Room, where he sat reading a book on his own. Harry sat down on the window seat beside him, but Draco didn't look up.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked him quietly.
"Nothing" Draco replied simply, still not looking up.
Harry decided to take a gamble.
"Is it the Patronus?" Harry asked.
He was met with silence.
"Are you worried about Defence Class tomorrow?" Harry specified.
"What's there to be worried about?" Draco said icily, still looking at the page, though Harry could tell he wasn't reading anymore "I was just ill last time, I'm not ill now"
"Is it your father?" Harry asked, before he thought the question through.
Draco's head snapped up and the look he gave Harry was of pure hatred "Excuse me?"
Harry swallowed, knowing he'd crossed a line.
"Is he still pushing you to work for the Ministry?" Harry asked weakly, knowing he couldn't claw his way out of that question.
"Potter, it's not his decision, I'll do whatever the fuck I want" his voice was venomous.
"Won't he be angry, aren't there Malfoy traditions to uphold or something?" Harry didn't know why he couldn't stop, but he was getting a reaction and when Malfoy wasn't in full control was when he was most likely to slip up, he was already angry, what was there to lose.
"Those are for me to worry about Potter, and none of your fucking business" he hissed, putting his book down.
"Are you worried about it?" Harry pushed, knowing he should stop.
"No, because my father is my family, and family is everything to us" Draco only just bit back his old retorts about Potter not having a family and so wouldn't understand. He wouldn't rise to this, he knew Potter was trying to get to him.
Harry opened his mouth to respond but at that moment Hermione breezed in, beaming.
Harry glanced at Draco one last time, who was glaring daggers at him, before he went over and greeted Hermione, they sat down with Ron and she told them all about her meeting, how well it went and how greatly she'd got on with Prickle.
"She said I could have a real future in her department" Hermione said dreamily "She admired my research and work ethics"
"That's incredible 'Mione" Ron beamed, pulling her in close for a kiss.
"Great job Hermione! You deserve that after all the work you put in" Harry grinned at her.
"Thanks guys" Hermione smiled, her cheeks still flushed.
As they were calling it a night, Hermione hesitated, glancing over at Draco on the window seat. "I'm just going to go say thanks to Malfoy" she said quietly.
"What?" Ron asked, bewildered "Thanks for what?"
"Oh Malfoy's the one that got me the meeting and gave me all these helpful tips about Prickle" Hermione explained, biting her lip, forgetting that she hadn't told her boyfriend.
"Huh" Ron said, looking over at Malfoy suspiciously "Well I guess as long as it went well" he said slowly.
"It really did" Hermione whispered happily.
Ron nodded, casting one last suspicious glance at Malfoy before heading up the stairs.
Harry looked over at Malfoy too and sighed.
"Good luck" he muttered to Hermione "he's been in a really bad mood today"
"I'll give it a go" Hermione said lightly, smiling sympathetically at Harry.
- 0 -
Friday came and Harry walked into Potions, sitting down beside Draco, who already had all their equipment and ingredients out.
"What's going on Malfoy?" Harry asked, as Malfoy greeted him coldly again. He was beginning to get exasperated with it.
"We're trying the new ingredients today Potter since the Boom Berry didn't work" Draco said without emotion, avoiding Harry's eyes.
"I didn't mean with the Potion, I mean with you and me" Harry whispered angrily.
"I don't know what you're talking about" Draco shrugged.
Harry shook his head, annoyed "Fine Malfoy, have it your way, go back to being shitty, maybe Ron was right about you not changing"
Draco froze beside him, the colour drained from his face. Weasley was a big believer that Draco belonged in Azkaban. Shit, had he gone too far? He was still angry and hurt, but it wasn't worth risking Potter sending him back to Azkaban.
Draco continued in silence, internally panicking, trying to work out how to fix this, what excuse to use for his behaviour, he didn't want to go back to Azkaban. But Finlay was the only good thing he had, and Potter had come along and as usual, Draco was pushed aside.
Harry glanced over at Malfoy since he'd dropped into silence, and was surprised to see that he looked like he was freaking out, his entire face and body were tense, his eyes looking anguished, his hands shaking a little as he chopped up a root for their potion.
Harry gave him some space to work through his thoughts, rolling his eyes at the turbulent blonde. What had gotten into him?
Harry added his ingredient to the potion and asked Draco what to do next.
"We need to squeeze the juice out of those beetles" Draco said, and his voice was slightly less cold, but Harry could hear a small tremble in it.
Harry started to cut it in half so he could squeeze the beetle.
"Malfoy are you okay?" Harry asked.
"If you use the flat of the knife to crush it you'll get a lot more juice" was all the reply he got. Harry looked at him, but he was still avoiding his eyes.
Harry did so, but part of him couldn't help but worry about Draco, had Lucius done something to him? Is that why he was acting more like his old self?
"Has someone hurt you?" Harry asked him, crushing the beetle, which worked as Draco had said "or threatened you or said something?"
He was met with silence and he turned to Draco, shocked to see Draco staring at him, his eyes back to being cold, eyebrows raised in an "are you serious?" kind of way, before looking away, shaking his head, whether as an answer or in disbelief, Harry wasn't sure.
I guess that's the best I can hope for today, Harry rolled his eyes.
The class went on in silence, Draco just giving him occasional instructions and when it ended, Draco just packed up everything and left, not saying a word to Harry.
Harry shook his head, bloody Slytherins, he thought.
- 0 -
Defence class was shared with the seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin's and Malfoy winked at Blaise, before dropping himself into the same double desk as Harper. Harper looked at him in surprise, and a little bit of fear, but didn't say anything as Lupin called for them to turn to a page in their textbooks and read and take notes about Patronuses and the why they chose the forms they take. Draco just gave Harper a sarcastic smile and they got on with their work in silence.
As the lesson ended and everyone started packing up their things, Draco leaned in closer to Harper, the noise of everyone's scraping chairs and chatter covering their conversation.
"So I heard you incinerated Longbottom's plant" Draco said quietly.
Harper looked at him for a second but shrugged smugly "and what if I did?"
"You're not going to do it again, or hurt him or his project in any way, I don't care how much better than you he does in class" Draco levelled him with his best Malfoy smirk.
"What's it to do with you?" Harper asked coldly "Is he your boyfriend Malfoy? Are you getting busy in the greenhouses?" he smirked.
Draco rolled his eyes at the childish response and leaned in closer, packing up his things.
"No, but I did hear a fascinating story about who you were getting busy with last year" he whispered "I don't know that your Swedish fiancee would be into incest, do you? Or your parents for that matter" Draco smirked as Harper's face went white and he froze.
"So how about you leave Longbottom alone, yeah Harper?"
Harper nodded frantically, then quickly packed up his things and sped out the room. Draco turned to Blaise and smiled. He noticed Potter also watching him.
- 0 -
Harry was glad for the end of classes that day, and he went back to the dorms and dropped his books off with Hermione before dinner. Ron was deep in conversation with Zabini about the new model of broomstick coming out next month and Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry, but she was smiling.
"It's great to see them getting on" she said, "it gives me hope for the future of Hogwarts, if someone as stubborn as Ron can get on with a Slytherin"
"Yeah, it's a miracle" Harry said smiling, but he felt his smile turn sad when he glanced at Draco who was talking just fine with Pansy across the room. It was definitely something personal against Harry.
"Are you two still getting on?" Hermione asked.
"He's been cold with me since yesterday morning" Harry said "I have no idea what I've done, we got on great on Wednesday, I was worried he might have been hurt, or somebody had threatened him or something"
"Maybe it's just the stress?" Hermione suggested.
"But he seems fine with other people"
"That's true" Hermione admitted "Last night he asked me all about the meeting I had with Prickle and seemed genuinely happy for me"
Harry threw his hands up "What did I do?"
Hermione gave him a sympathetic look "Let's go to dinner"
They left for dinner, followed by Ron and Blaise who were still talking, Seamus, Dean, Pansy, Nott and Daphne.
Harry wondered back to what he'd seen today, Malfoy sitting with Harper, the dodgy looking conversation they had. Harry thought back to the only other time he knew of that Malfoy had interacted with Harper, when he'd paid Harper to take his place as seeker while he struggled to fix the vanishing cabinet and let Death Eaters into Hogwarts. Harry felt concerned, was this part of the reason for Malfoy's attitude change? Was he into something again?
- 0 -
Draco found himself alone in the dormitories with Neville, finally.
Neville still seemed down and as he glanced around the room and noticed he was alone with Draco, he started to speed up putting his things away. Draco rolled his eyes, they guy had beheaded Nagini, that damned snake which Draco had to watch devour traitors and muggleborns on his dining room table, and somehow he was still nervous around his Slytherin classmate.
Draco dropped his own bag and reached into his trunk, pulling out the glass box in which the sapling sat. He walked over to Neville.
"Longbottom" he addressed him.
Neville jumped and spun around, looking nervous, but stopped still when he saw the plant.
"Is - is that a, a -" he stuttered, staring at it in awe.
"It's a Dragon Blood Tree sapling" Draco confirmed "We didn't have any twenty-week-old's like you were working on, the closest I could get was nineteen weeks, I hope that can still work"
"It - it's perfect" Neville replied "But they're so rare, I couldn't possibly take this from you"
"Longbottom, I don't know how to say this in an unpretentious way, but we have plenty"
Longbottom stared at him for a moment "Oh well, okay, if you're sure, um thank you Malfoy, this is an absolute lifesaver" he hesitated "I don't really know how to pay you back"
"You killed that disgusting snake" Draco said with a shrug, his tone casual "Not having to watch it eat people on my dining room table anymore has been great"
"Oh" Neville said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly "right"
Draco passed the glass case over to Neville and turned to leave.
"Well thanks again Malfoy" Neville said "Do you mind if I hang on to this case for a while? Just so I can keep the plant safe outside of class?" he asked this slightly nervously, not wanting to accuse Slytherin's in front of Draco.
Draco turned back at the doorway "Sure" he shrugged "but Harper won't be bothering you or your project anymore" he smirked, then left.
Neville was left stunned, the whole thing processing in his mind.