Ch 13: You Got All That From Those Bloody Bumps?

After Draco spent the entire day mastering the use of his Desti-pole and Harry tried, and failed miserably, to learn a bit of Braille, everyone was a bit worn out.

Harry had tossed the book aside and flopped himself onto his back, staring at the dark, star-speckled sky in fury. "I can't bloody well read this," he snarled.

"Stop trying so hard," Hermione said bracingly and gathered the book. "You're watching your hand. Maybe you should close your eyes. You aren't meant to look anyway."

She swiftly ghosted her fingers over a line of text and said, "'through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered.' See, it's not hard, you just have to get used to it, is all."

"You got all of that from those sodding bumps?" Harry said incredulously and crossed his arms. "This is the hardest thing I have ever done, and I've faced Voldemort five times!"

Hermione closed the book and sighed. "You and Draco can learn together. By the way, where are Draco and Remus?"

Harry shrugged and began gathering the things they had brought out. "Don't know. I think they were going to have a tour of the house."

"Oh," said Hermione softly. "I… I need to talk to you."

Harry turned back to her. "About?"

She crossed her legs Indian style and chewed her thumbnail. "Ron."

The ebony-haired teen rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Figures. This is all I have to say about Ron: Until he apologizes to me, you, and especially Draco, he isn't worth talking about or to."

Hermione lowered her eyes. "He's our friend, Harry. He was your friend before I was. He…"

"He is a jealous prat," Harry quipped. "He doesn't believe people can and do change. He still seems to believe we are all eleven and Malfoy just insulted his shabby robes, your heritage, and my existing in general. Until he bloody grows up, I will have nothing to do with him."

Hermione nodded quickly. "Alright, Harry. I just wanted to ask. Now, shall we go find Remus and Draco?"

Harry grabbed the basket and said, "Let's."

The pair of them was not exceedingly difficult to find. Remus seemed to be putting the final touches on what seemed to be a gift for Harry's birthday. He pressed a bow on the green paper-wrapped box and laid it in the middle of the dining table next to a few more small presents.

"Remy, my birthday isn't for another four days," Harry groaned, though he was pleased nonetheless. Remus always made such a fuss over everyone's birthday, excepting his own, of course.

"Three days, it is well past midnight," Remus said cheerfully and crossed his arms. "Well, goodnight, you two. GOOD NIGHT, DRACO!"

"GOOD NIGHT!" Came a cry from somewhere upstairs, then a call of, "DINING ROOM!"

Harry eyed his gifts one last time with a grin and went to empty the rubbish from the picnic basket.

Hermione stretched and said, "I'm going to bed. Good night, Harry."

"Night," he said softly and yelled, "Draco, just tell that thing to take you to the bedroom. It's time to go to bed anyway."

"All right then. BEDROOM!"

Harry rolled his eyes and mounted the stairs, quickly spying Draco being led down a corridor that led to quite a few rooms that weren't being used. "Where all have you been with that thing?" The Gryffindor asked.

Draco said, "STOP!" and walked the rest of the way on his own. "I found the Potions room for Severus, and I found Remus' room and Hermione's room… I went lots of places. This thing is really useful."

"I'm glad," Harry said softly and led the way into the bedroom, throwing himself onto the bed with a huff.

"What's wrong with you?" Draco said in a concerned tone and leaned his cane against the wall.

Harry kicked off his shoes. "Frustrated, is all. Braille is a lot bloody harder than I thought it was going to be. I didn't learn a single sodding thing, and I spent all day on it."

Draco shrugged and toed off his shoes with a devilish grin. "It's because you're stupid. That can't be helped, Potter. Sorry to say it, but you're stuck that way. I, on the other hand, will be able to read Braille perfectly in a matter of days. I learn quickly."

"But yet you haven't yet learned when to shut up," Harry remarked, pulling of his shirt. "It's a wonder anyone can stand to be around you."

"What's more, it's a wonder the people I'm around haven't killed me," Draco added, taking off his cap and glasses and dropping them on what presumably was a desk...

Harry reluctantly climbed out of the bed and traded his trousers for softer sleep ones. "Surprisingly enough, you aren't too much trouble to be around. When you're asleep, that is."

Draco pulled his shirt off then his trousers, crawling into bed in just his pants.

Harry watched him settle in with a slight grin on his lips. He soon caught himself staring and rolled over, pulling the duvet up under his chin.

"That's a compliment, I guess," Draco finally said and let out a long sigh. He then turned his head toward Harry, seemingly thinking about something.

"What?" Harry said softly, studying the smooth contours of the Slytherin's face.

Draco laid an arm across his own chest. "You just smell good, you feel good. You make me feel safe, Harry."

Harry smiled. "Thanks, but I shouldn't. You're safe here because the house is unplottable. It has nothing to do with me."

Draco shrugged. "It's just the sensory of it. I woke up in this place after passing out only Merlin knows where. It's the first time I've felt secure in a long while. I'm scared to have it end."

"I'll always be here," Harry said softly, his heart warming when he saw a small smile grace the blonde's lips.

"Thanks."

There was silence for a while, then a whispered, "It's not over. They won't give up."

Harry, despite his best interest, grabbed Draco's hand. "It will all work out in the end. It always does."

Draco pulled his lower lip between his teeth and Harry looked away. "Potter, as much as I hate to say this, you're my best friend."

"Really?" Harry unwillingly squeaked, realizing that Draco hadn't released his hand.

"I know. It's sad, is it not?"

Harry rolled his eyes and switched off the bedside lamp for his own benefit. "We'd better get to sleep; it's well into the wee hours in the morning."

Draco yawned and grumbled, "Fine, I can see when intelligent conversation is not wanted. I leave you to whatever the hell you do to yourself in the middle of the night."

"Thank you. I'll try to keep it down."

Draco proceeded to wrinkle his nose in a way Harry found very becoming. "That's something I didn't want to think about."

"You're the one who brought it up."

Draco flipped over onto his side, slowly pulling his hand from Harry's to tuck under his pillow.

"Good night, Potter."

Harry smiled and retorted, "Sleep young Malfoy, a new day awaits."

Draco didn't move, just snarled, "Scratch that. Goodnight, arsehole."

"Night Malfoy."

Harry chuckled, not seeing the amused smile the Slytherin had hid under the blankets.

It wasn't until well past three o'clock in the afternoon that Draco was roused. There was a swift collection of knocks and Draco slid out of bed, throwing Harry's heavy arm off of him and padding to the door.

"Morning Remus," Draco said, deciding it was the werewolf after a quick analysis of his masculine scent and ruling out Hermione.

"Severus is here," Remus said quickly. "He needs to talk to you. It's important."

Draco scratched his chest and said, "Alright then. Let me just wake Harry and…"

"No, this is just for you, unless you want Harry involved," Remus said quietly, taking Draco's hand and leading him down the hall. "I'll leave that to you."

The Slytherin's brain finally seemed to wake up. "This is about my father, isn't it?"

Remus looked over to the blonde, trying not to let his sadness show through in his voice.

"Yes, it is."

Thanks to brionyjae for the beta!