"Don't get your hopes up," I grumbled as I slumped back in his seat.
"Christ, you fucking Slytherins," Harry mumbled as he stepped up to seize my collar, bringing my shocked face close to his. "You know I can do this. We're gonna figure out how, and then I'll pry that poison from your arm with everything I have. Do you trust me?"
My cheeks flushed as he stared down into my eyes intensely. In lieu of an answer, I only blinked and nodded.
"Good. Only a fool gives up before he's even tried." I swallowed at the confident smile on his face just before he closed the gap between our lips, kissing me once.
"Well, I'll be taking a late-night visit to the Restricted Section tonight regardless." Hermione interjected as Harry released me. My heart was thudding loudly in my ears as I adjusted my collar. "Could I borrow your cloak, Harry?"
"Sure, I'll bring it to you tonight before bed," he answered as he shoved his hands into his pockets nonchalantly. Wait… Cloak?
"Sorry, you're still in possession of a Deathly Hallow?" Harry and Hermione both offered me confused looks as if this was a normal thing. "Right, no, of course. Savior of the Wizarding World, casually lending out legendary magical items to close friends for teenage shenanigans."
We shared a chuckle just as the bell signaled the end of our free period, and the lighthearted mood from our banter soured. Dread gripped my heart, but I tried not to let it show as I gathered my things and stood.
"By the way, don't think I haven't noticed you two passing notes nearly every class. If Harry's grades start slipping more than usual, I'll hold you personally accountable." Hermione poked a finger in my direction, and I grimaced sheepishly.
"Alright, alright, mum. It's only the first week."
She hummed noncommittally before pivoting toward the exit and stalking off. Harry turned to me, and I winced at the cautious observation on his face.
"Ready?" He offered me his hand, and I cleared my throat before taking it.
"Yeah," I lied. Off to Astronomy we went.
As we walked, the image of Harry petitioning Dumbledore's portrait on my behalf flashed behind my eyelids, and I was torn between calling off the whole endeavor and wishing there was another way to remove my Dark Mark. He'd probably be more than willing to help, but I just can't bear the thought of asking for it after what I did.
But… I can't bear the thought of living my whole life with this thing in my arm, either.
A cold sweat broke on my brow as we approached the tower, and my legs stopped moving. Harry stopped as well, quietly watching me.
"Actually..."
"Go. I'll find you after class."
With a grateful glance at his sympathetic face, I turned and sprinted back toward the Room of Requirement. It wasn't a conscious decision, but it's where my legs decided to bring me.
Pain struck my heart as I watched Draco race back down the hall from where we'd come. I hope he'll be okay.
Resolutely, I ascended the tower. It was up to me now to absorb the material for both of us now, and I intended to do just that.
First the Herbology project, and now this… Draco makes me want to be a better student.
I groaned internally at the thought of actually putting in effort, but my concern for him quickly overwhelmed the dread as Sinistra did her usual headcount. Once her eyes locked with mine, I subtly shook my head, and a graceful expression of understanding was her silent reply.
As motivated as I was to pay attention to her lesson, half my mind was with Draco, wherever he was.
He'd better not be… Hurting himself. Fuck, I wish I could be with him right now. Did Hermione's mention of Dumbledore set him off? I guess it'd make sense that he'd feel some sort of way about my asking him for help with Draco's Dark Mark… I imagine having that in your skin is somewhat similar to having Voldemort in my head. Of course he'd want to be rid of it.
I'll do anything I can to help him. Clearly, it really affects him. Those scars on his arm must've been a year old. Beneath the fresh ones, of course. I'm going to pull that shit out of his skin if it's the last thing I do.
The rest of the class broke my reverie by pulling out their respective textbooks, so I did the same. Shit, I need to pay attention. Stealing a glance at the page the boy next to me opened to, I followed suit. My mind still wasn't in it, though, as I wondered could I reach him with Legillimency from here? It's not typically a nonverbal spell, you'd have to be within casting range, but…
Hesitantly, I reached out with my mind and searched the castle. A million different thoughts drifted across my perception before I found what seemed to be a black hole of anxiety. Assuming the worst, I honed in on it.
From this distance, I couldn't make out any specific thoughts, but Draco's emotions flooded into me and I had to fight the urge to break out in tears. Panic, guilt, and frustration knit themselves together into a wholly unbearable emotion that gripped my heart like a vice. I wonder if he can feel me still.
Hopefully, I tried to send waves of comfort, forgiveness, and calm toward the festering angst I was picking up from (most likely) him. My efforts were rewarded with a sense of shock, and I knew my feelings had reached him. However, this shock was quickly replaced with humiliation, and my heart ripped open slightly.
Draco…
The rest of class passed by in a blur, so lost in thought was I about his well-being. Did I go too far?
The second class ended, I whipped out my Marauder's Map, frantically searching for his name. He was in the Room of Requirement. My legs had never run so fast as they did then, and I was at the door within seconds.
I need to find Draco, I repeated in my head as I paced before the door. However, the normal eighth-year dorms opened before me. He must be in his room. My feet carried me even faster to his door, and I had thrust it open before I even had a moment to consider the enchantments that would've prevented me.
What I found was a crumpled, weeping blond beside the bed. He turned a shocked, tearful expression up at me as I hastened to his side.
"Draco."
No words formed on his lips as I sat beside him, pulling his head into my chest. He allowed this, despite the tension in his body. We sat like that silently for a good three minutes as he gradually relaxed. My fingers stroked his arm until his sobs receded into deep breaths.
"It's okay," I asserted before he could (predictably) apologize. "I'm here."
His arms unfolded from his chest to wrap around me, and a smile unraveled my frown. I pressed a kiss to the top of his head.
"W-why do you l-like me so much?" He asked.
"I hope one day, you'll understand. You're fucking ace, Draco."
He wiped his eyes and nose before turning his puffy, reddened face up toward me. I smiled again.
"Th-thank you," he stuttered quietly as he attempted a returning smile. This forced expression only ripped my heart open further.
"Let's skip Transfig. I'm sure McGonagall will understand."
He sat up suddenly, tearing himself out of my arms.
"No, I h-have to go to class," he hiccupped.
"Draco…"
With another sniff, he clumsily ambled to his feet. I watched dubiously as he ran a hand through his hair and went about collecting his things.
"Fuck this. I'm not gonna lock myself in my room the rest of the day and avoid my studies."
"Blimey, you sound like Hermione."
He shot me a frown, which I returned with a teasing grin. Standing, I took hold of his arms and looked him dead in the eye.
"It's really okay. If you want to stay in bed, I'll stay with you. You don't have to feel like you owe anyone-"
"I owe myself." He asserted as he wiped his eyes once more. I released his arms, appraising him uncertainly. "I want to go to class."
I assessed him a moment more before sighing.
"Okay. Let's go to class."