"Voice?"
"Hi there, Harry."
"You're right. I'm lonely."
"Yeah. I know. Me too."
"You're sure we can't meet somewhere?"
"Yes, quite sure."
"Hmm. That makes me sad."
"Me too."
"I did really well on the potions assignment. I think Snape is in shock."
"He probably thinks you cheated."
"Well, I kind of did."
"Snape never said we couldn't work together on it. His own fault."
"I wonder why these pipes are set up this way."
"It is rather odd."
"Maybe someone did it on purpose."
"You give Dumbledore way too much credit, trust me. Tons of things happen at Hogwarts that he doesn't have the faintest clue about."
"You think?"
"I know."
*
"Harry? Harry, are you awake? Please wake up."
"Voice? Are you alright."
"Argh."
"Nightmares again?"
"Yeah."
"II wish I could hug you right now."
""
"Aw, voice. Are you crying? Tell me where you are. I'll come to you, no one needs to know."
"I"
"It's okay."
""
"Do you want me to talk to you for a while?"
"Yeah. That would benice."
"Let me tell you about my cousin Dudley. This is a funny topic"
*
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Um"
"What is it?"
"Oh, forget it."
*
"Harry."
""
"I'm so sorry."
"Why did you do it, Draco?"
"Youyou know it's me?"
"Of course I do. Christ, Draco, I'm not a complete idiot."
"But"
"Why did you try to break my skull open? It's only pure luck that Ginny called me over before that stone hit the floor."
"I"
"Draco?"
*
"Draco, come on. I'm going to keep hammering on this pipe until you answer me."
"Oh, Harry."
"Why? Why do you keep trying to kill me? You're going to get yourself expelled."
"It's not on purpose."
"Imperius."
"Yes."
"Your father?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"They want you out of the way, Harry. I can't see you without trying something."
"Did you set up the pipes on purpose?"
"No. That was justlucky."
"Is this whole thing a sham?"
"No. God, no. It's not. My father has no idea I talk to pipes, I swear."
"Really?"
"ARGH. Yes. Harry, I can't take this anymore. I can't. I don't know what to do."
"I do. Meet me in front of the Transfiguration classroom. Right now."
"I"
"Draco, come on. No more of this. Go."
"I'll try to kill you again."
"I know. I'm ready for it."
*
Harry stood in the shadows, waiting for Draco to appear. If he didn't move at all, Draco wouldn't see him there. One swift move, Finite Incantatum, and Draco collapsed onto the floor, face first.
Harry didn't say anything. He put his wand back into his pocket and sat down on the floor. He pulled Draco into his lap, stoked his hair, and closed his eyes. Draco's face was wet. It was over.
*
"Draco?"
"Hi, Harry."
"You alright?"
"I'm okay."
"Tomorrowwill you show me how to become an animagus?"
"Hmmyeah, I think so."
"Great."
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"I"
"Yeah. Me too."
Finis