Chapter Forty-Four - An Awakening
As Harry slowly awakened after a peaceful sleep, he felt a weight on his left shoulder. Confused, he looked over and stared right at Draco, curled up at his side. His eyes were puffed and slightly red from last night's expenses, he felt his dry cheeks and his lips slowly bursting. After having slept well, and apparently for hours, he still felt exhausted.
In some way there was also a lot of relief. The aching in his shoulders, the pressure in his head, it had left him overnight. How much of his mind had always been corrupted by the constant angst of Voldemort's threat? Having had Draco's realistic and relativizing input cleared both their heads from the unreal dangers that had haunted them. Harry couldn't believe the luck of having gotten such an amazing friend as Draco, with his sarcastic, but always true comments, hitting the mark painfully, and somehow still always showing how much he cared. Yesterday had been one of the most ridiculous nights of Harry's life, of which he found to have had quite enough of really. Once again, so much had happened, but this time he also felt unconditionally loved, exhausted, but energetic and more awake than ever. Ready to live.
Next to him Draco stirred. His hair was tossled, his cheeks red, and eyes puffed. He slept with his mouth half open and an arm was awkwardly draped across Harry's chest. Harry found it adorable, he looked peaceful, beautiful— Wait, what? When did he come to think of Draco as beautiful? Sure, he had realised the blondes' hair was incredibly soft and he was in great shape, but beautiful? That was not what he— Draco suddenly stirred, shaking Harry from his thoughts. Harry tensed, what if Draco woke up right now? What would he think? What would he do?
He knew only one thing right now, he had to leave. Slowly but surely, Harry removed himself from his position under Draco. He didn't know what to do, just to get out before Draco could wake. As he closed the door behind him, he slid down to the floor. His mind whirled a million thoughts per minute, unsure of his sudden awakening and fondness of Draco. What did this mean? He sat there for some more minutes, cast a quick tempus and realised that dinner would start in half an hour. If he was quick, he could get back to the common room before all the uproar would start.
Harry practically ran back to the common room, looking for safety, peace. He did not want to be confronted by anyone.
After what felt like an hour, he finally closed the common room door behind him. To his luck, he saw Hermione and Ron conversing at their usual spot by the fireplace, and empty common room around them. As the door closed, they looked up to the sound, their faces relieved as they saw their best friend. "Harry! Where have you been all day? We were so worried!" Hermione spoke as she ran right at him to clasped him into a hug. "I'm sorry Hermione, I was doing... things?" Merlin that sounded shady.
Hermione looked at him exasperated and knowingly. She sat back on the couch next to Ron, both of them waiting for him to speak.
Harry fidgeted a bit, looking for something to say. What would he say? Would he tell them everything? Maybe just the horcruxes? Or maybe only that he was a horcrux? He felt so conflicted. He knew they would be there for him, but he was tired of talking about all this and thinking about what could go wrong and- "I think I like boys."