"Potter, just go away. There really is no reason for you to be here," Draco said, exasperated. Potter was following him around like a lost puppy.

Draco had gone to his room to get his books so he could finish his Ancient Runes assignment, and Potter had followed him to the threshold of his room. He then went around, looking for various places he could sit and write out his homework in peace, but Potter wouldn't let up. When he sat on the rock that jutted out a bit over the lake, Potter plopped down right next to him.

"Well, there's nothing else for me to do," Potter said as he stretched out and lounged on his elbows.

"No homework? Projects? Interviews?" Draco asked, his voice a disinterested drawl.

Potter laughed. "None that I can think of. Being friends with Hermione really has its advantages. She makes sure we get our homework done the day it's assigned, otherwise she'll nag you until you do it."

"Interesting," Draco supplied in a voice that suggested the opposite.

"So what are you doing?" Potter asked when he saw Draco wasn't going to say anymore.

"Ancient Runes," Draco sighed.

"Bunch of gibberish if you ask me," Potter chuckled.

"I didn't so…" Draco trailed off as he finished drawing a symbol.

After a moment of awkward silence, Potter said, "Sorry." Draco looked at him as if he'd grown another head. "I just…I know you want to be alone, and I get that—I want to be alone sometimes, too—but you're always alone. You're always locked in your room, or in the library or somewhere. I never see you walking to classes with someone, or in the common room with us, or sitting with people in the Great Hall. Well, I never see you in the Great Hall, anyway, which isn't good for you, you know. You never eat—"

"Potter, get to the point," Draco growled.

"It's not good to be alone all the time. It gets to you. I mean, I don't want to offend—"

"Your very presence offends me, Potter."

Potter ignored him. "But, have you seen yourself?"

Draco paused. He has. He saw bits and glimpses of himself everyday. "I try to avoid reflective surfaces," he said in a small voice.

"You know, when everything…ended," Potter started, staring at his hands in his lap. "I holed myself up in Grimmauld Place. I kept to myself, I didn't talk to Ron or Hermione or anyone. I stopped eating, stopped sleeping…stopped living," he turned to Draco, who sat completely still, staring at the paper in his lap, but not really seeing it.

"I would never wish that upon anyone," his voice was so soft, Draco needed to look at him. Potter was staring at Draco with so much intensity, almost too much. Draco wanted to look away, but he couldn't, not when Potter was staring at him like that. "I want to help you, Draco."

The use of his first name brought him back into the moment. He blinked, and realized just how close he and Potter were. Their noses were just a couple inches apart, breathing the same air. He pulled away and averted his eyes from Potter's otherworldly green gaze. He cleared his throat to make up some time before responding.

"Harry!" a voice called from behind them. Potter turned and waved to the person while Draco quickly began packing up. He felt Potter's eyes on him before the hand on his arm.

"Draco, please," Potter pleaded. His hand tightened a little. Draco couldn't meet his eyes.

"You can't save me from this, Harry," he whispered before gently pulling the hand off his arm. He held onto it for a while, marveling in the warmth and rough fingers before dropping it.

He spun on his heal, and all but ran to the castle.

Always running away, you stupid coward.

Draco couldn't help agreeing with the voice this time.

Author's Note: Dang, y'all, I feel like I'm on a roll. Just call me butter! But like for real, I feel like I am a writing machine, and it's amazing.

Anyway, thank you to all of you who have favorited, followed, and especially, reviewed. All of you are amazing, though there was one person who reviewed, and lordy loo... To the Guest that reviewed, 'I know how it feels,' you broke my heart, sweetie. I just...I can't. I really hope you don't, love.

As always, reviews are very welcome, and thank you, beautifuls!

Disclaimer: Although I hate to admit this, I would hate to get sued for everything I own more. I don't own Harry Potter.