The side of the road
Harry sat in silence after Draco told him everything he knew about his parents and his past. Draco waited for the big blow up. In fact, he was tensing so hard he was half expecting to be thrown out of the car. "I understand if you want me to leave." Draco said slowly. Draco liked to think he was brave to look at people head-on, but he could not even turn to look at Harry's expression. What if he never wanted to see Draco again? It was a very fair assumption, Draco knew 'muggle-raised' wizards were prone to outbursts. Draco realized then that throughout him talking to Harry, he had never once thought of him as just a mudblood or a halfblood. Was Harry really changing him that much?
"I don't want you to. But I don't think I want to be on the side of the road anymore." Draco finally chanced a look to see Harry blinking away tears. Draco's heart did a mysterious dip, but he fought away the urge to do something as crazy as put his hand on Harry's again. Harry was too distracted to notice, but Draco didn't want to bet that he'd be distracted again. "Okay, where to?" Draco breathed, pretending not to notice. It amazed Draco that Harry believed Draco without even questioning him. "Wait-why do you believe me?" Draco asked as Harry drove off. "It just makes so much sense. I couldn't have been found for no reason. And... I know there's something different about me."
Draco clenched his wand. "You're not different, Harry. Well, your past is, but you're just like me... and other wizards, of course." Draco added nervously. All of Draco's charm had evaporated once he had saw the tears that had threatened to spill from Harry's eyes. Harry really was a infectious disease where Draco was concerned. He couldn't even think straight. "These other wizards... would they like me?" Harry asked, turning the car onto a wooded area where they wouldn't be seen by anyone on the road. Draco immediately tensed, Harry might have thought he was being considerate to his emotions, but this just endangered him.
Draco faked a laugh. "Of course. In fact, lots of people treat you as a celebrity. You defeated the Dark Lord, after all." Draco bit his tongue. He was not defeated. He clenched his wand again and wondered if he could somehow do a wordless spell. No, Harry already knew. It was best to get it over with. "Do you mind if I... show off my magic?" Draco said stupidly. Harry would know better. Harry swallowed and nodded. Draco got out of the car and looked back at Harry, who was looking forward solemnly like a wounded animal. It would never get easier for him. Draco wanted more than anything to just drive off with him into nowhere.
Instead, he set up charms and enchantments around the car as Harry watched. It wouldn't stay for long, especially with it being muggle technology, but Draco doubted- even if he liked to think otherwise- that they would stay for long, by themselves where no one could see. Shut up, Draco. He told himself vehemently. He got back in the car after doing a mental-checkup on himself and his lower region. "I'm in trouble, aren't I." Harry asked Draco when he slipped back inside. Draco sighed. "Yes. But I'm here to keep you safe." Draco told him in a rush. Harry looked at him with wide eyes. "Me? Are you crazy? You're in danger just be being here with me!" Harry yelled.
Harry's spot in the woods
Draco followed Harry out of the car as Harry had abruptly got out to pace out in the woods. "Merlin's pants, Harry, please get back in the car!" Draco yelled, feeling like he was dealing with one of the angry peacocks back at his estate. Except this time, this 'peacock' could do more than bite. Draco wondered about the full extent of Harry's power as Harry caused a tree to blanch away from him. Was it true that he contained part of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? "Did you do that? Wait-Did you just say Merlin?" Harry asked, stopping in front of the now bent tree. "No. And yes, I did. It's a wizard expression. You could use it if you want." Draco began, before stopping himself.
"Harry, get back in the car." Harry looked at him with fire in his dark green eyes and Draco found himself at a loss for breath before Harry angrily turned away and sat down on a rock instead. Draco glared back at him. "You're not indestructible, you prat. Now get up." Draco balled his fists as Harry continued to ignore him. Okay, so maybe he wasn't a Slytherin after all. He was a real pain in the arse. Definitely a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. It was time for manipulation. Draco lowered himself down next to Harry even though Harry gave him a warning look as he got close like a disgruntled kneazle. "What if I told you you could see the school I go to. It's amazing."
Draco wouldn't go as far to say it was amazing, but some things needed to be exaggerated. Harry looked up with wonder before catching himself and looking back down. "Why are you ignoring me? It's not exactly a cakewalk to be responsible for your safety either." Draco told him angrily, and Harry began to look like a kicked puppy. "I don't want people hurting themselves because of me. It's why I'm always alone. Most people choose to stay away from me, anyways." Harry admitted. Draco sat down on the grass at once, praying he wasn't sitting on bugs. "What about that girl?" Draco asked, thinking about the strange girl from before.
"Mari? She was the first person to think I wasn't a freak." Harry smiled slightly. "She is one of the few friends I have, yes." Draco bumped into Harry on purpose, relishing the feeling when his arm bumped Harry's. "Once you see the Wizarding World, I doubt you'd ever be without a friend." Harry's smile went grim, and Draco wondered what he did wrong. "That's the problem. They won't like me for me. And the other part will want me dead..." Draco took out his wand and placed it in Harry's hand. "Want me to teach you a spell?" He asked, not knowing how else to make Harry feel better. How to make him forget that he-they, might die.
Harry nodded and moved over to make space for Draco on the rock. Feeling a surge of confidence come back in him, Draco hurried to sit next to him. "This is the simplest defense charm you can use to protect yourself. It's called the Disarming charm." Draco put a small rock into Harry's hand. "Hold that, please." Draco said with newfound confidence. "Now, with a wand, or your wand, when you get one, make a swirling movement, like this-" Draco did the swirl, "And say Expelliarmus." Draco pointed it at the rock and watched as the rock flew out of Harry's hand with blue sparks. "That was amazing! Can I try?" Harry asked, and Draco grinned.
TBC -