Summary: The Room of Requirement only appears when someone is in great need of it… so when Draco finds it with Harry inside already, what does Draco do? Or the one where Draco and Harry actually don't hex each other into oblivion.

Set during in the Order of the Phoenix.

For Sara — thank you so much for beta'ing my stories, I really appreciate it! I wrote this short story for you as a thank you. Hope you like it!

Draco needed a minute to himself, a moment to think. He was a Malfoy, for Salazar's sake! Why were he and his friends being used, making them look like idiots by the Umbridge women? This wasn't how this year was supposed to go and he was absolutely fed up with it. But he was in too deep and he couldn't exactly get out, not without disappointing his Father and his reputation on the line.

As he walked through the corridors, not really sure where he was or what he was doing – he heard a creaking sound. Like, a door being opened, or closed. He had a funny feeling in his stomach as he furrowed his eyebrows together, glancing at the large wall next to him.

Draco's eyes widened, mouth parted open slightly as an oak wooden a door, beautifully carved with different Hogwarts animals on it and swords across said door — kind of like the swords were guarding it. This was it, this was the way in. It was what Umbridge was searching for. He should get Filch… but those thoughts quickly subsided. It was different. The door was different from what he had seen with Crabbe and Goyle. And all he wanted was to be to relax, and to be himself.

Perhaps, for just five minutes.

His instinct was telling him to open the door, so, instead of ignoring it, instead of getting Umbridge, he opened the door with a heavy grunt, pushing them with a bit more force than he had expected.

The first thing Draco saw was a lot of red on the walls, red and gold patterned wallpaper. Much like what he'd imagine the Gryffindor common room would be like. He noticed the fire, which warmed him as he closed the doors. And the room itself was a small one, much smaller than he expected. About the size of his bedroom at Malfoy Manor. He took off his black blazer, putting on one of the red armchairs, and leant on the chair, closing his eyes.

Thank you.

He didn't mind the red, actually. Being honest, it used to be his favourite colour when he was younger. But that soon changed when he found out what he was meant to like. How he was meant to behave as a Malfoy.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

No, he thought. He knew that voice from anywhere. Harry Potter. What was he doing here? In his moment of sanctuary?

Draco opened his eyes and searched to find the Gryffindor in question. It made sense the room was red, but what was going on? Why did the room invite him in, if Potter was here already?

"I could ask you the same question," Draco spoke quietly, he didn't snarl. He didn't put up an act. He was just tired. He couldn't deal with it anymore. He found Potter sitting on the dark red sofa, reading a book: Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Potter didn't look like himself, though. He looked worn out, just like Draco felt.

"I needed a break," Harry replied. "You?"

"Yeah, you and me both," Draco answered tiredly, collapsing on the armchair while running a hand through his long hair. Being stuck with Potter in the Room of Requirements wasn't nearly as bad as being with Umbridge and her Squad. Really, this was quite mild. He didn't mind. Not that he'd tell Potter that.

"Can I ask why you haven't snitched on me yet?" Harry questioned softly.

Draco shook his head in disbelief. "Wouldn't you like to know why I didn't hex you the moment I saw you?"

"Well, that was going to be my next question," Harry replied with a sheepish smile, but with questioning, untrusting eyes.

Draco really couldn't care less as he started to close his eyes half way through replying. "Gryffindors, you and your questions," he mumbled, "I didn't snitch on you because I was more interested in getting just one minute where I could get away from all that horrible pink," he said, "I didn't hex you because I couldn't be bothered to. Alright?"

There was silence for a few moments. Draco thought he had gotten Harry to understand his situation as his tiredness took over. He was nearly asleep, getting comfortable in the armchair when he felt a warm, soft blanket cover him.

"Get some rest, Draco."

"Don't tell me what to… do…" Draco replied, half asleep. But a second later, he added a much kinder response. One that he would deny if asked about.

"Thank you, Harry."