Word Count: 974

~ Chapter 16 ~

What do you most value in friendship?

"Merlin," Potter shouted, swerving. "Draco, head back for the house, I'll meet you there."

"I'm not just going to—"

"Draco, go!" Potter shouted, before shooting three spells down. One of them met its target, one of the figures crumpling to the floor. "They're more than likely after you. Call Kreacher and have him alert Kingsley to my position, and then stay in the bloody house."

Draco thought about arguing, but he knew that they needed Auror assistance, so he flipped his broom around and shot through the sky towards the safe house. Pushing his broom as hard as it could go, Draco could only hope that he'd be fast enough.

The thought of something happening to Potter was more awful than he cared to think about—and he was going to have to save that thought to analyse when he wasn't sick with fear.

…

Harry dodged and swerved in the air, returning fire when he could as he waited for backup to arrive. He didn't think they were real Death Eaters, the spells weren't powerful enough and the aim was bloody awful, but adrenaline was rushing through him regardless.

He thought he'd left this behind.

Finally—it could have been five or fifty minutes, he didn't have any idea—Kingsley arrived on the scene with four Aurors. Harry landed on the grass when the three attackers were in magic-suppressing cuffs.

"I told you to stay in the safe house," Kingsley said, raising his eyebrows as the Aurors Apparated away with their criminals.

"I was bored," Harry complained. "I hate being cooped up, Kingsley, and it's been days."

"I can widen the wards a little," Kingsley offered. "Enough that you and Draco can at least play a seeker game."

Harry nodded gratefully. "That'll be brilliant. Did you see him?"

Kingsley shook his head. "I didn't, but Kreacher seemed to think he was in a bit of a state, worried about you."

Harry chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Who'd have thought of it? Draco Malfoy, worried about lil old me."

"I knew you two would get along, given the opportunity," Kingsley said, eyes twinkling in a way that reminded Harry decidedly of Dumbledore. "Everything is fine at the house?"

"Yeah. Let me know what those jokers were playing at, eh? I want to know who they are and who they were after."

Kingsley nodded. "Will do. I'll send a letter over with Kreacher later today, okay?"

"Thank you."

"Apparate back," Kingsley said, cuffing the back of Harry's head. "Put Draco's mind to rest that you're fine. And stay within the wards, okay? I'll have them fixed up by tomorrow morning."

Harry nodded, and clutching his broom, turned on the spot.

…

"Merlin, Potter," Draco said, shaking his head when Harry appeared in the doorway, windswept but otherwise seemingly fine. "Are you okay?"

Harry nodded. "I'm good. Kingsley and the Aurors turned up before they even landed a spell, I promise."

Nodding slowly, Draco relaxed into his seat. "That was too much adventure for me. I don't know how you do it and seem so relaxed about it."

"Exposure?" Harry suggested. "I'm relatively sure they weren't actual Death Eaters, but Kingsley said he'll write later on today and let us know who they were, and what they were playing at."

Draco pursed his lips. "I'm not sure I even want to know, honestly."

Snorting, Harry sat down. "It's up to you if you read the letter or not. I figure information is something I'll always want to have, even if it's not something I particularly want to know."

"You really need to stop being so Slytherin," Draco complained, rubbing a hand over his face. "It's creeping me out."

Laughing, Harry waved his hand. "What's the next question?"

"You're actually asking for one?" Draco said, eyebrows raising. "I thought you were just indulging me?"

Harry huffed. "Just read the damn question, you asshole."

Draco did, and then said, "I value loyalty the most, I think. There's no point having friends if they're just going to turn around and stab you in the back at the first opportunity, is there?"

"You're right," Harry agreed. "Loyalty is important. I think, for me, honesty is the biggest thing. I've had too many people try and hide things from me, that now, I just… can't do secrets. If it's something I should know, that I expect to be told, you know?"

Draco nodded, chewing his bottom lip thoughtfully. "You're right. I never really thought about that, but… yeah. Honesty."

Harry's stomach growled, breaking the silence and making them both laugh.

"I can't believe you're hungry after all that," Draco said, shaking his head. "Did it shake you even a little bit?"

"Of course it did," Harry said, shrugging. "But I'm a growing boy and I need my food. Besides, adrenaline always makes me hungry."

"You haven't grown since you were fifteen," Draco scoffed. "You're tiny."

Harry mocked hurt, pressing a hand to his chest. "How dare! You can make your own dinner for that! I'm shocked and appalled that you'd say such a thing!"

Laughing, Draco shook his head. "You're such a dork, Potter."

"And you've got a really bad memory. I told you to call me Harry, didn't I?"

"So you did. Sorry, I'll try harder."

Harry nodded and then winced when his stomach growled again. "I can't be bothered cooking," he admitted. "Do you mind if I have Kreacher make us food? He's a good cook, I swear."

Draco shrugged. "Whatever is fine, I'm not really that hungry. Still feel a little sick."

A sympathetic look on his face, Harry nodded and called for Kreacher to make a simple dinner of soup and sandwiches.

He smiled when Draco emptied the bowl of French Onion soup. Kreacher really was good at that.