Chapter Four - Two Cups
Two nights went the same, of finding Malfoy sitting in his place next to the lake and joining him, in complete silence. Somehow it felt comfortable to know that in the night he would be able to find something that some might describe as not completely depressed. The third night, Harry found himself alone, at the tree, the whole night. He was ashamed to admit that he missed Malfoy's presence next to him, but silently hoped it meant that at least Malfoy could get a good nights' sleep. That made one of them.
The fourth night Malfoy had arrived before him, and Harry gladly sat down next to him, hoping for another night of comforting silence. Malfoy, however, suddenly broke the rule, just as dawn was breaking, and he had starting walking back to the castle.
A few meters gone, he suddenly turned around, looking Harry straight in the eye, and said, "Time to be a student again Potter," and walked away.
The day after, Harry brought hot tea and two cups.
As he reached the lake with his tea and cups, he noticed Malfoy wasn't there. He tried to ignore the bubble of disappointment that went through his stomach as he sat down by the tree.
His thoughts shifted from horror to disappointment and emptiness. Even the lake and moon didn't seem to calm him. It was after somewhat 30 minutes a shadow approached the tree, and Harry felt a surge of calmness reach through him, he wasn't alone anymore. As Malfoy sat down some feet away, Harry slowly poured the tea into the two cups and put one besides Malfoy. At first, Malfoy didn't acknowledge his move at all, yet after a few minutes, he reached for his cup and slowly sipped.
"It's Strawberry tea," Malfoy said softly.
"Yeah, it is."
"Strawberry tea is my favourite."
"I know," Harry spoke quietly.
Malfoy seemed to contemplate this conversation, and continued to sip his tea.
The rest of the hours were endured in silence between the two, but Harry felt proud of himself regardless.
After many cups of tea, Malfoy slowly stood up, paused as if wanting to say something, but decided to walk away in silence. Harry understood his thanks anyway.