The rest of the year was a bit of a blur for Harry. Draco still wouldn't talk to him, but nothing too weird had happened. He tried to focus on his exams and not on the way Dumbledore seemed to watch him like a hawk. He ignored the pounding in his head and the fake stutter on Quirrell's tongue. He didn't want to get involved with any of that. He stuck to reading as many laws as he could to prepare himself for his future. He wanted this. It wasn't as easy without Draco, but he wasn't going to give up even if it felt like a gaping hole without him.

"Why do you reckon Quirrell isn't here?"

Harry glanced past Susan to look at the head table. Sure enough, the space where Professor Quirrell usually sat remained open. Harry shrugged, not deeming the question needing an answer. Susan rolled her eyes at him. Harry didn't actually talk much. It had been part of what made Draco so upset. Harry seemed to float beside them as if he didn't exist in the same space as them. He was always just out of reach staring off into space like he was a thousand light-years away.

"Have you talked to Ron today?"

"Yes. We made plans to hang out together this summer."

"Good. Have you already settled your stay at Neville's?"

"Susan, you are not my parent. I appreciate the consideration, but you don't have to check on me."

"I know. I just don't want you to have to spend the summer alone."

Harry couldn't really blame her for that. He squeezed her hand softly before focusing back on his food. His friends had all set up a schedule so that he could spend the least time at the orphanage as he possibly could. Last-minute they had to cover for Draco's slots because he had stopped talking to them, but they had smoothed out details easily enough.

"I know you miss Malfoy."

"Of course I do."

"Why don't you tell him that?"

"He was very clear that he didn't want my friendship."

"You two are so stupid."

"Susan."

"Okay, how about stubborn shits?"

"I think I prefer stupid."

"They both fit perfectly."

"I would hex you daily if you weren't my best friend."

"You threaten to hex me daily either way."

"Yes, but I never do it."

"Because you love me."

Harry got an odd look on his face. He wasn't used to using that word. Especially not in response to Susan. He never understood how she threw that word around so casually. She didn't hesitate to tell them all how much she cared for them. She was always hugging them even Ron who she still ranted and raved at. Harry secretly thought that Ron enjoyed the attention. Ron had told Harry that she reminded him of his mother. There was no question that Susan was passionate. She was the first to stand up for what she believed. Hermione had really liked that up until they almost went to blows over a topic. Harry smiled softly remembering Justin yanking Hermione away while Harry wrapped Susan into a bear hug to make her focus on him instead of Hermione. Ron had smiled to himself for the next week at the memory of Susan's temper being taken out on someone other than him for once.

"You don't have to think so hard about it."

"I was remembering you almost getting punched by Hermione."

"Harry!"

"Great memory. You would have smoked her, but I still want to see your reaction to getting punched."

"You're a little monster."

"But you love me."

"I do."

Harry always had a bit of a disconnect for the word love. He felt like it was sacred. He couldn't bring himself to use it as easily as Susan. He never directly told anyone that he loved them. It felt cheap when he tried to push the words from his mouth. He instead tried to show them as much as possible. He glanced across the hall at Draco. Apparently, he was failing at that. He loved Susan, but Ron, Draco, and Neville felt like a part of him. He knew he couldn't survive without them. He was barely surviving without Draco.

"You need to talk to him before you go home. You can't let this last the summer holidays."

"He made it clear that he doesn't want to hear from me."

"Harry, please. I hate seeing you like this."

"Fine. I'll attempt to talk to the princess."

Harry got up from his seat ignoring the way that the other Slytherins glared at him as he walked over to Draco.

"Draco, can we talk?"

"Did Bones force you to come over here?"

"Drake… please don't be like this."

"Fine."

Draco stood up following Harry out into the halls. He crossed his arms defensively and glared down his nose at Harry. He wasn't going to be the first one to apologize. He was going to make Harry work for it.

"I know I am not the best at expressing my feelings. I'm sorry if I made you feel excluded. You know I wouldn't have gone running off after her if it wasn't for Susan. I never want you to feel like you are not one of my best friends."

"You left me behind for Granger."

"I went after Susan. She would have gone with or without me."

Draco sighed softly. He couldn't stay mad at Harry when he was actually taking the time to apologize. He pretended to brush his robes off to busy himself from giving in too quickly.

"As long as you aren't picking some muggle lover over me."

"I don't know. Ron and Neville are really something."

"I didn't mean them!"

"You need to be more specific then."

"Ugh fine I concede."

"Brat."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"I do."

"You don't."

"Go back to your puffs."

"So that Pansy can whine about me?"

"Yes."

"Later princess."

"Don't call me that!"

Harry slipped back into his seat beside Susan letting her take his hand again. He didn't mind her casual affection even if he wasn't used to it. She was a steady presence at his side, always willing to be the voice of reason.

"There, now second year won't start off bad."

"Now you've jinxed it."

"I hate you."

Harry just smiled and stole a bite of her pie. Susan smacked his hand away with a playful glare. Harry was dreading going home. As much as he was acting like he was annoyed with Susan's mothering, he was glad that he had friends who were willing to rescue him from the orphanage. He hated it there. He loved being here in Hogwarts surrounded by his friends. Susan was a lifeline. Ron was practically his other half. Neville was like a brother and the weeks without Draco felt like losing a limb. He didn't want to bear the two months off without them.