Written for Writer's Month 2022. Prompt #9: Echo.
Happy reading!
Harry was walking around the castle, passing the time between the classes. He turned a corner and found himself in the corridor leading to the girls' bathroom where Moaning Myrtle spent most of her time. He thought back to all the stuff that happened in that bathroom – brewing Polyjuice, finding Tom Riddle's diary, entering the Chamber of Secrets. After all that he wasn't very eager to revisit the site – and, to top it all off, he was sure to be subjected to Myrtle's lovesick look and giggles the moment he stepped inside. He had nothing against her, generally, but he didn't fancy being in a relationship with a dead girl – that was creepy.
He was just about to turn around and walk away from that part of the castle when he heard a sound coming from the bathroom. It wasn't the usual sound of Myrtle wailing or flooding the toilets – it sounded more like a living person, presumably one of the students.
His curiosity piqued, he approached the bathroom, frowning in concern. He didn't really think there was a high chance of someone being in big trouble there but he could never be too sure. He reached the door of the bathroom and peaked inside and, to his surprise, saw Malfoy inside.
The blond boy was standing in front of the mirror, leaning on the sink with his hands. His breaths were heavy and tense, and his frame was lightly shaking. Harry was conflicted. On the one hand, it was Malfoy – the boy who had been his rival and nemesis for the past five years and then some. On the other hand, he looked truly distressed, and Harry was reluctant to just leave him. While he was contemplating the best course of action Malfoy raised his head and saw him in the mirror.
- Go away, Potter! Come to mock me?
The words were harsh, yet the way they were said was filled with despair. Harry blinked and made his decision. He walked inside the bathroom and closed the door.
- I don't want to mock you. I don't like seeing people suffer – not even you, Malfoy.
He came a step closer to his pale schoolmate.
- Yeah, Saint Potter – he said with a derisive sneer; however, Harry found its power greatly diminished by the red-rimmed eyes, tearstained face and the quiver in his voice.
- Anyway, you can go now.
Obviously, this wasn't going to be easy. Seriously, even having a breakdown Malfoy was difficult.
- Well, now I'm curious to hear why you're having a breakdown in a girls' bathroom, Malfoy – you can't expect to just leave.
Malfoy scoffed at him.
- Like I'd tell you.
Harry almost laughed at that – the blonde was so arrogant it was getting amusing.
- Why not? Does it maybe involve some kind of a – secret? Come on, Malfoy – I already know you're sneaking off to the Room of Requirement almost every day, doing something secret and probably against the rules, if not the law as well. Also, I heard you say you can't do it, and I doubt you were talking about schoolwork, yeah? So, I'm guessing you got a task form Voldie dearest that's giving you trouble, huh?
The Slytherin quickly hissed at him.
- Don't say his name, Potter!
Harry met his gaze straight on.
- Why wouldn't I say the name of the madman you willingly decided to serve?
To Harry's surprise, Malfoy actually flinched at that.
- Yeah, willingly – that's the word.
Whatever he expected to hear, that wasn't it. He tried to call Malfoy on his bluff.
- What, are you trying to tell me you were Imperioused? Like father, like son – and I don't buy either one's story.
Malfoy turned his head away.
- Yeah, Potter – just go away. You can't possibly understand it, so leave.
Once again, Malfoy managed to surprise him. Could there be more to his story?
- Really? Why don't you try me? What is it that I can't understand? If you don't claim to have been cursed, how do you think you didn't join willingly?
Harry was truly interested now. He had suspected Malfoy of taking the Mark from the beginning of the school year – however, he never thought there was anything more to it.
- I was as good as Imperioused – I had no choice! My parents are followers – I have to be one as well, whether I like it or not.
Malfoy sounded desperate – like he really didn't want to do what he allegedly had to.
- You don't have to. You could be your own person – be a voice, not an echo of your parents and their mistakes.
The blonde just shook his head in fierce denial.
- We'd all be dead – both me and my parents. Don't you get it – he gave me the task hoping I'd fail, so he could kill us all anyway! There's no other way!
Harry looked at the boy he'd known for so many years, who was now having a nervous breakdown.
- It sounds like your Lord treats you no better than his enemies. Seriously, why your family is on his side eludes me.
Malfoy just shook his head once more.
- It was good before – at least that's what my parents say. During his first rise to the power, being the follower of the Dark Lord brought power, prestige, respect. It was an honour, and it brought many benefits with it. However, now my family isn't in his good graces anymore – my father was already on thin ice over his renouncing the Dark Lord after you defeated him, and the fiasco at the Ministry last year was the last blow.
Harry flinched at the mention of the battle at the Department of Mysteries, the painful memory of losing Sirius to a trap still fresh in his mind. However, he pushed it to the back of his mind, focusing on the boy in front of him.
- Now we can't get out. My father would if he could – he's lost all the respect and reputation he had, and been turned to a slave to the Dark Lord once he escaped from Azkaban – but there's no way out. So we're stuck this way.
Malfoy turned away from him once more, looking like he was wondering why he even told all that to the bloody Boy-Who-Lived.
- I could get you a way out, if you wanted.
The blonde spun around and looked at him once more.
- Yeah, right. Don't make me laugh, Potter.
Malfoy's look was once again filled with derision. Harry took a step closer.
- I could, really. If you and your family truly don't want to serve Voldemort anymore, our side can give you a way out. Protect you.
There was a look of disbelief in Malfoy's eyes – he wasn't ready to just take it at face value.
- Why would you do that? What's in it for you? And don't give me that "that's what the good guys do" nonsense, either – I want to know the real answer.
If the situation were any less serious, and if he and Malfoy were any friendlier, he might have laughed at the typically Slytherin question – everything had to be a part of an agenda, a trade. Still, he knew the blonde would never believe him without an answer, so he gave him one.
- Well, look at it this way – we help you get out, and Voldemort has three less people on his side fighting against us. Also, there is that saving people thing I've been told to have.
Harry looked straight into Malfoy's eyes, allowing a small smile to appear on his face. Malfoy looked at him for a moment; then, apparently, he decided that the reason Harry gave him was enough for him. A silence descended on them for a few seconds and then, finally, the Slytherin gave him a curt nod. Harry nodded in return.
- I'll go work it out with the others – expect me to contact you within the week.
He turned to leave the bathroom.
- Alright. Yeah, I guess... I guess I should thank you, Potter.
Harry looked back at the boy, seeing the gratitude in his eyes.
- Don't mention it, Malfoy.
He walked out of the bathroom, leaving the Slytherin alone in there once more. Draco looked at the mirror and saw something in his eyes, something that he hadn't seen for months, maybe even years. Hope.
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