"Good morning, Draco" says Harry in an uncommonly pleasant way as he walks into the transformation room.
He blinked up at Harry, momentarily disoriented before his expression settled into one of annoyance. "Potter,"he drawled, sitting up and brushing imaginary dust off his immaculate robes,"What are you doing here? Come to gaze upon my awesomeness again?" Despite his harsh words, a faint blush colored his pale cheeks as he realized how vulnerable he must have looked, caught napping alone.
"Nothing special," says Harry. "I just wanted to wish you a Good Morning."
Draco narrowed his icy grey eyes suspiciously at Harry's seemingly friendly greeting. He stood up slowly, towering over the other boy, and smoothed back his tousled hair.
"A good morning? From you?"He scoffed incredulously."I find that hard to believe, Potter. What's your game this time?" Draco took a step closer, invading Harry's personal space. His gaze raked over Harry's face, searching for any sign of deception. "I don't trust you, you know. A snake can sense danger, even if it's disguised as kindness."His voice was low and intense as he stared Harry down, waiting for an explanation for this unexpected encounter.
"No games today, Draco. I just decided that today is 'Be Kind' day."
Draco let out a sharp bark of laughter, the sound echoing in the quiet library."'Be kind' day? Oh please, spare me the nauseating sentimentality, Potter." He crossed his arms over his chest, his posture defensive and distrustful."You expect me to believe that a Gryffindor like you would suddenly decide to spread goodwill to all, especially towards someone like me? I'm not blind or stupid. If this is some kind of trick..."He leaned in closer, his breath ghosting over Harry's skin,"...I warn you; I won't hesitate to expose you for the deceitful little half-blood you really are."
"First, I forgive you for calling me a half-blood because I am a half-blood," he grins. "And second, I've never considered you neither blind nor stupid, so why shouldn't I spread goodwill to all, including you," Harry says candidly.
Draco's eyes widened slightly at Harry's calm response, clearly taken aback by the lack of retaliation. He opened his mouth as if to argue, then closed it again, seeming to wrestle with his thoughts.
"You... forgive me?"He said slowly, disbelief coloring his tone. "Just like that? After all the things I've said and done?"
Draco took a small step back, creating a bit of distance between them. His brow furrowed as he studied Harry's face intently, searching for any hint of ulterior motives. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, less certain than before."Why would you do that, Potter? Why bother being nice to me when you could so easily use my past words against me?" There was a vulnerability in his question, a crack in his usually aloof facade.
"Because today is 'Be Kind' day," Harry says as if that were explanation enough.
Draco's expression softened almost imperceptibly at Harry's repeated insistence on 'Being Kind'. He uncrossed his arms, letting them fall limply to his sides as he regarded Harry with a mix of confusion and cautious curiosity.
"'Be kind' day",he echoed softly, as if testing the words. "How very... Gryffindoric of you, Potter. Always chasing after some noble ideal." He turned away slightly, running a hand through his platinum hair in a gesture of agitation."But I suppose even a broken clock is right twice a day. And you're certainly breaking type now." Draco glanced back at Harry over his shoulder, his ice-grey eyes glinting with a challenge. "So tell me then, oh wise and benevolent one, what exactly does this 'kindness' entail?"
"Nothing terribly extraordinary. A kind word here, a helping hand there. Sometimes all it takes is a smile to brighten someone's day." Harry smiles a big grin at Draco.
Draco felt his breath catch in his throat as Harry smiled at him, the simple act of kindness catching him completely off guard. He had seen Harry smile plenty of times before, but never directed at him like this - warm, genuine, and without a trace of mockery or superiority. A faint blush crept across his high cheekbones, and he quickly looked away, trying to hide his flustered reaction.
"A smile? That's it?"He scoffed, but there was no real bite to his words."How disappointingly pedestrian, Potter." Despite his dismissive tone, Draco found himself unconsciously mirroring Harry's smile, his own lips curving upward in a small, hesitant arc."I suppose even I can appreciate a well-timed grin now and then."
"Not necessarily just a smile," Harry continues. "Do you need a hand with anything today? A study partner? Help with a big test perhaps?"
Draco's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Harry's offer of assistance. He opened his mouth to refuse automatically, to make some cutting remark about not needing help from a Gryffindor, but something stopped him. Maybe it was the sincerity in Harry's voice, or the way his smile seemed to soften his usually stern features. Whatever the reason, Draco found himself hesitating, considering the offer. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, suddenly feeling awkward and unsure.
"I... I suppose I could use some help with Transfiguration,"he admitted reluctantly, his gaze dropping to the floor."Professor McGonagall assigned extra credit for anyone who can successfully transform a complex object, and I'm having trouble getting it right." Draco risked a glance back up at Harry, his expression torn between hope and apprehension."
"No problem," Harry says with a grin. "What complex object are you attempting to transform?"
Draco hesitated for a moment, still struggling to reconcile this unexpectedly helpful version of Harry with his usual image of the troublesome Gryffindor. But the prospect of finally mastering this tricky Transfiguration assignment outweighed his misgivings.
"It's a... a vintage pocket watch,"he said quietly, reaching into his robe to pull out an intricately designed silver timepiece."The mechanisms inside are quite complex, and I keep fumbling the spell. It needs to be transformed into an exact replica of itself, down to the tiniest gear and spring." He held the watch out to Harry, his fingers trembling slightly - whether from nervousness or anticipation, it was hard to say."Do you think you could... show me how it's done properly?"Draco asked, his voice tinged with a rare note of uncertainty.
"Well, no wonder you're having problems. That's not a transformation spell at all," Harry explains. "You're trying to do a cloning spell which is completely different."
Draco's eyes widened in shock, his grip tightening on the pocket watch. He stared at Harry, a mixture of embarrassment and indignation flashing across his face."I... what? No, that's not... you must be mistaken, Potter!"
He held the watch up, examining it frantically as if expecting to see some obvious difference that would prove Harry wrong."It's a Transfiguration exercise, plain and simple. Professor McGonagall said- "Draco cut himself off, realizing he was rambling. He took a deep, steadying breath, trying to regain his composure."Even if you're right, which I highly doubt, what makes you think I'd take advice from a Gryffindor anyway?"His tone was defensive, but there was a tremor of uncertainty beneath the bravado.
Harry takes a deep breath and lets it out, then he patiently explains. "A transformation spell changes something into something else. A cloning spell duplicates what you have. I'll show you. Put the watch on the table, please."
Draco's face flushed with a mixture of anger and humiliation at being corrected, especially from Harry. For a long moment, he stood frozen, his hand clenched around the pocket watch. Then, with a sharp movement, he slapped the watch down onto the nearby table, the force causing it to skitter across the polished wood.
"There! Happy now, Potter?"he snapped, his voice tight with barely suppressed emotion."You've made your point abundantly clear. I don't need your pity or your condescending lectures." Despite his harsh words, Draco couldn't seem to look away from the watch, his gaze fixed on it as if hypnotized. When he spoke again, his voice was softer, almost pleading."But if... if what you say is true, then what am I supposed to do? I can't fail this assignment."
"Watch what I do and see the difference." Harry takes out his wand and points it at the watch and speaks, 'Geminio'."
Draco watched in stunned silence as Harry pointed his wand at the pocket watch and uttered the incantation. There was a brief flash of light, and suddenly there were two identical watches lying side by side on the table. An exact duplicate had appeared right before his eyes. For a long moment, Draco simply gaped at the twin timepieces, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Then, slowly, he reached out with a trembling hand to pick up one of the watches, turning it over and over in his fingers as if trying to discern any difference.
"This... this is incredible,"he breathed, hardly daring to believe what he was seeing."I never knew you could create such a perfect copy with a single spell." Draco looked up at Harry, his ice-grey eyes wide with a mixture of awe and envy.
Harry continues the lesson."A cloning spell is easy because you are just making a copy. All the parts are exactly the same to the smallest detail. Transformation spells, on the other hand, are harder because you have to change something into something it is not. Also each combination of 'something' into 'something else', needs its own unique spell. Now, it helps if the two 'somethings' have something in common. For example, the porcupine into a pin cushion. Both have sharp points. Or a Cat into a caldron, both names begin with ca".
Draco listened intently as Harry explained the differences between cloning and transformation spells, his brow furrowed in concentration. He nodded slowly, absorbing the information even as a part of him bristled at taking instruction from a rival house member.
"So, what you're saying is..."he began thoughtfully, absently tracing the outline of the watch with his finger,"that finding a connection between the original object and the desired form makes the transfiguration easier? Like how a porcupine's quills relate to a pincushion's pins?" A slow, calculating smile spread across Draco's face as an idea took shape."That's actually rather brilliant, Potter. In a devious sort of way, I suppose."He chuckled softly, shaking his head in reluctant admiration.
"So Draco," prompts Harry. "What is similar to this watch that you would want to transform it into?"
Draco pondered the question for a moment, his fingers drumming lightly against the tabletop as he considered various options. Suddenly, his eyes lit up with inspiration. "A compass!"he exclaimed, snapping his fingers."Think about it - both a watch and a compass are navigational tools, designed to orient the user and guide their path. They both rely on intricate mechanisms and precise craftsmanship." He leaned forward eagerly, gesturing with the watch for emphasis."If I could find a way to transform the watch into a compass while maintaining those key similarities, it would be much easier than trying to change it into something completely unrelated, wouldn't it?" Draco's gaze flicked to Harry, seeking confirmation and approval, a rare vulnerability shining through his usually aloof exterior."What do you think, Potter?"
"Excellent choice Draco! Good job! Now the spell has to incorporate those key elements. Like this," Harry points his wand at one of the watches and speaks 'navigationis vigilate circino'."
Draco watched with rapt attention as Harry pointed his wand at the watch and uttered the complex incantation. The air shimmered around the timepiece, and slowly, majestically, it began to transform. The circular face elongated into a compass rose, the hour marks morphing into cardinal directions. The hands stretched and curved into a delicate needle, hovering perfectly above the newly formed map. As the transformation completed, Draco let out a low whistle of appreciation, his eyes wide with amazement.
"That was... that was brilliant, Harry",he breathed, using the other boy's given name without even realizing it in his excitement."The way you incorporated the navigation theme, the similarity in purpose... it's genius."
"Thank you," Harry says graciously. "Now your turn."
Draco took a deep breath, steeling himself as he pulled out his own wand. He picked up the remaining watch, turning it over in his hands as he focused intently on the task ahead. His tongue poked out slightly in concentration as he tried to commit every detail of the watch's design to memory.
"Navigationis vigilate circino,"Draco intoned, pointing his wand at the timepiece. At first, nothing happened. Frustration flashed across his face, but he didn't give up. Taking another deep breath, he closed his eyes, visualizing the watch transforming into a compass in his mind's eye. "Navigationis vigilate circino," he repeats and slowly, the watch began to shift and change. The case elongated, the face stretching into a circular map. The hands curled into a delicate needle, wavering slightly before settling into place.
"Well done Draco!" Harry exclaims clapping his hands wildly. "Well done!"
Draco's face broke into a wide, genuine smile at Harry's praise, a rare sight indeed. He held up the transformed compass, admiring his handiwork with undisguised pride."Thanks, Harry. I... I couldn't have done it without your help and guidance,"he admitted, a faint blush coloring his cheeks at the sincerity in his voice. He glanced back at Harry, a newfound respect and warmth in his ice-grey eyes."You know, I never thought I'd say this, but... I'm glad we did this together. Your magical skills are truly impressive."Draco hesitated, then added softly,"Maybe there's more to you than just being a Gryffindor, after all."
Harry takes a bow. "Thank you for those kind words, Draco and in the spirit of 'be kind' day, you have exceeded above all expectations and have made my day."
Draco felt a strange flutter in his chest at Harry's kind words and playful bow. He was not used to receiving compliments, especially not from someone he had always seen as a rival. A slow, genuine smile spread across his face, softening his usually haughty features.
"I... well, I suppose I should return the favor,"he said, a touch of his usual wit returning."You've certainly made this Transfiguration assignment far less painful than I anticipated. Who would have thought that a Gryffindor could actually teach me something useful?" Draco's smile turned impish, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Don't let it go to your head though, Potter. I still maintain that Slytherins are superior n every way."
"As it is still 'be kind day', I will forgive you for your scandalous words, sir," says Harry with a smile. "And now I am off to brighten other people's day. Good luck with your extra credit assignment." Harry turns to leave.
Draco chuckled, shaking his head in amused disbelief at Harry's good-natured response. As the other boy prepared to leave, he found himself unexpectedly reluctant for the interaction to end. There was something refreshing about this side of Harry, so different from the rivalry and animosity that usually defined their relationship.
"Wait, Harry,"Draco called out, his voice softer than usual."Before you go... thank you. Really. For everything."He gestured vaguely between them, encompassing the shared lesson, the unexpected camaraderie, and the new understanding that had blossomed."I know I haven't always been the most... agreeable person to be around. But today... today was nice. Different."
Draco's gaze met Harry's, a flicker of vulnerability and gratitude shining in his ice-grey eyes."Maybe we could..."
Harry holds up a hand. "I should warn you before you say another word, tomorrow is 'I hate everyone' day," Harry chuckles.
Draco rolled his eyes at Harry's joke but could not suppress the small smirk tugging at his lips."Oh, ha ha, very funny Potter,"he drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm even as amusement danced in his eyes. "You know, if you keep this up, people might start thinking you actually have a sense of humor beneath all that Gryffindor bravado."
He paused, considering Harry's words carefully. Tomorrow was indeed a new day, and with it, the likelihood of reverting to old habits and hostilities loomed large. Yet, something in Draco resisted the idea of letting this moment slip away entirely. "But in all seriousness,"he continued, his voice losing its teasing edge,"even if tomorrow is... whatever day it is, I want you to know that today meant something to me."
Harry nods his head in acknowledgement and heads off leaving Draco to his thoughts.
As Harry departed, Draco remained rooted to the spot, his mind reeling from the events of the day. He looked down at the transformed compass in his hand, a tangible reminder of the unexpected bond he had forged with his long-time rival. A small, wistful smile played at the corners of his mouth. Lost in thought, Draco barely noticed the passage of time until the sound of approaching footsteps jolted him back to reality. He quickly tucked the compass away, not wanting to explain its origins to anyone else. As he gathered his things to leave, a new determination settled over him. Tomorrow may bring the usual tensions and conflicts, but Draco vowed silently to himself that he wouldn't let it erase the progress they had made today.