Chapter Eleven - Lets Make It More Comfortable
The lake started feeling like a safe haven now. Without it, there was almost no quieting the chaos in his head. Breathing had become more and more difficult through the days and Hogwarts was starting to feel less and less like home. It didn't feel safe anymore. All the screaming and duelling kept bringing Harry back to the graveyard. Luckily the lake was there, the serene calmness, the never-ending silence, only the wind's ever smoothening presence.
Well... and of course the sleek blonds presence. It still felt like a relief every time he saw Malfoy's shape sitting at the lake the moment Harry stepped out of the castle. He still hadn't abandoned him. Tonight the tea was already waiting to be poured, a fancy box probably filled with those delicious chocolates, and... a small plate of fruits?
When Malfoy had been to the great hall, Harry did not know. He must have gone to the kitchens and actually demand fruit, only fruit.
The idea of Malfoy going to the trouble of getting fruit just because it was healthier than chocolate seemed absurd, nevertheless more than plausible. Harry wouldn't complain. It was healthier and God knew he needed the nutrients if he was to survive the Dursleys next week. The only problem was he just wasn't hungry.
Of course, somehow, Malfoy read his conflicted emotions as he smirked up at Harry, too proud for his own good.
It felt peaceful being here again, but some tension would not leave his muscles as he took his cup of tea. Strawberry again. He smiled. After the debacle yesterday, Harry had no idea how to talk to Malfoy. What to say even. His mind felt confused, and so he just sat there, drinking his tea and trying to let his thoughts drift to the lake's beauty.
The bow of fruit kept sitting there, staring in a way only food can. Harry knew he should eat healthier, should focus more on giving his body the necessary nutrients. Right Harry maybe you should do this. Maybe you can do this. A new goal he might be able to achieve. A small one, but important nevertheless.
After a few minutes of contemplation of whether he could start the food that Malfoy had brought and had still left untouched, he decided that his goal had to be achieved, no matter the consequence. And so, without care (or just a little perhaps) he started eating the strawberries and small cuts of melon. Harry felt so proud to actually be eating healthy! He quickly noticed he had not eaten anything today for his stomach started aching- perhaps he became a bit over enthusiastic with inhaling the fruit. Trying to eat as many healthy fruits as possible while also leaving something for Malfoy, as well as not making his stomach hurt took more contemplating than he had expected halfway his eighth bite. Luckily, the stretching awkward silence was interrupted by a haughty humph.
When Harry looked up to see what Malfoy had to say about his eating, he was already sipping his tea as if nothing had happened. However, the pink blushes on his too pale a face were giving it away, and if Harry could raise one eyebrow he definitely would have done so now. Perhaps he could make that another goal.
And so, Harry braved himself and started the actual conversation. "What?" Okay, so it wasn't a proper conversation but what should he care.
Malfoy startled as Harry talked, if not for the blush Harry would have easily been fooled by the haughty pointy mask, and sadly, the raised eye-brow too. Gryffindor courage boosted, Harry squared his shoulders as he came on to the challenge, "You huffed, what can you possibly say against me eating healthy fruit while you brought it and left it untouched?"
"One has to eat strawberries next to chocolate to discern the taste best. The chocolate is too good for you to just inhale them, as are the strawberries... honestly, it's like you were raised by Neanderthals." An eye roll was included followed by a smirk, "And no, the melon is not meant for the chocolate, but it is healthier than a daily treacle tart. Glad that you at least picked up on that.
"That is just ridiculous, what if I am not in the mood for chocolate?"
"Who in Merlin's beard would not be in the mood for chocolate?!"
"Well... you know... people, random people in this world."
"Very articulate Potter, thank you for being so specific and building up a proper argument. And well, in the hypothetical outrageous case that another being would not be in the mood for chocolate, then that person will not eat strawberries either."
"What, so a person cannot eat strawberries without chocolate?"
"Why now Potter, you are finally making sense. However, in the rare occasion this is the case, very rare mind you, one can of course eat strawberries without chocolate. It is just not proper and really not done when another goes through the trouble of procuring both ingredients."
"You are actually serious? God, how hard does your life have to be, these rules are hilarious."
"The life you call hilarious gives me strawberries with chocolate though, I would hardly think you should complain about that?"
Harry couldn't help it, he laughed. It was just too ridiculous a conversation and somehow Malfoy had managed to make his posh life sound like something you want. I mean, who indeed does not want strawberries with chocolate. The surprised horror look on Malfoys face made Harry laugh even more.
"What, you are speechless now? Are you telling me that after all these years, all I had to do was laugh to make you look this horrified", he managed to say through his laughter. Merlin it was good to laugh again.
Malfoy, looking downright flushed and annoyed. "Well, I still did get the last word though, it is not as if you have anything to say against my reasoning. So laugh all you want Potter, but your wizarding culture has been broadened by the knowledge of my lesson of chocolate and strawberries. Which as an afterthought may also have improved your manners. And once again, I still don't hear you say anything against my arguments."
"You are aware that in the muggle world strawberries are often used with chocolate, especially with fondue deserts where you dip it into melted chocolate, right? You saying my wizarding culture has been broadened is thus terribly wrong."
The absolute horror on Malfoy's face was priceless. "Muggles eat melted chocolate after dinner? And put their hands into it to be able to eat chocolate strawberries? That is ingenious and horrifying at the same time."
Harry couldn't stop laughing, actual tears were now running down his face.
"Oh, laugh at me all you want; you are still the neanderthal only eating strawberries without chocolate as well as apparently fondueing with chocolate and without magic to float the fruits through it. It is scandalous and very messy indeed, however intriguing it might be. Now as long as I bring this food, eat sophisticated and do not educate me on muggle culture ever again, I would not be able to bare the horrors of what I hear."
Finally able to catch his breath and understanding the seriousness of Malfoy's last sentence Harry became more solemn again. It was dangerous business discussing muggle culture with a Malfoy, however silly it might have been. Malfoy could not go home safely with muggle knowledge, and honestly, why would Malfoy care. Still Harry felt a bit lighter in his chest for Malfoy had indeed gone through the trouble of bringing food as well as almost complemented a muggle activity.
While picking out the chocolate piece that looked the smallest and selecting the reddest strawberry, the smile could not entirely leave his face when he saw the slight approving nod of Malfoy while he too was selecting his first bite of the day.
Nothing more was said that evening, but Harry hadn't laughed in weeks, nor had he had such a normal conversation and enjoy it, let alone that this conversation was with Malfoy. It was quiet now. At the lake as well as in his head. Perhaps he could sleep a few hours before sunrise. Perhaps not.
In the end Harry woke up due to the hustling from the castle, having fallen asleep underneath the tree. Malfoy was nowhere to be seen.
Only a bowl of melon left behind and a teacup with a stasis charm cast on it.
The ice was completely broken.