Harry smiled shyly, placing his hand in Draco's.
"I'm sorry, this was so spontaneous…I hadn't planned talking to you now, I just needed to tell you—"
Harry placed a gentle hand on Draco's cheek.
"Sshh…don't say I word. I understand,"
"But you do like me—"
"Sshhhh, just trust me…"
Harry leaned in slowly as Draco shifted his feet and placed his arms around Harry's shoulders.
"Just trust me…"
"Draco, you look pale," said Crabbe, placing a firm hand on Draco's forehead, checking the temperature. Draco brushed it away harshly.
"Get your hand off my head, silly oaf," said Draco with more sourness in his voice then intended. Crabbe shuffled his feet.
"You were staring off into space, mate, I got a tad worried and your face was turning pale and—"
"Tell it to me later,"
"Right, course, will do!"
"I didn't mean that,"
"Right."
Draco heaved himself up from the Slytherin table in the Great Hall and rested his head on his palm. He didn't care if it was the welcoming feast. Draco could care less what time it was. He stood slowly, breathing heavily.
I need rest.
Draco gazed distantly at the Gryfindor table, young and new wizards filling their stomachs with rich food, their faces flushed and red from the excitement and the anxiety of joining Hogwarts.
I remember when I too was that young… that ignorant.
He scooped himself a large amount of mashed potatoes, as his gaze drifted eagerly to a familiar face sitting across the room. Draco sat back and sighed. Just sighed, not romantically or sadly, he just gave his lungs a sufficient sum of oxygen. Across the hall, Harry smiled and chortled with his friends, drinking and feasting, like Hogwarts was his home and pride and joy.
Ironically, it is his home. I'd die to have a home so welcoming. So jovial, so—
"Are really gonna eat that much?" asked Goyle, pointing at the mound of potatoes on Draco's plate. Lost in thought, Draco had drowned his golden platter in golden, buttery goodness.
"No, you twit. You can eat it,"
"Excellent," said Goyle gleefully and grabbed his spoon. Draco looked back across the hall. He caught Harry's eye, as Harry frowned in his direction.
"I hate you," Harry mouthed.
I want you. And god damn I need you. What about you, Harry? Do you crave my as well?
Draco knew the answer to that question without a moments' thought. Draco loathed the answer, the harsh truth,
Things can't get worse.
Draco was horribly mistaken.
