Hey there, I hope you will like the story.

If you want to support me and read the chapters earlier, you can visit akenohimejima com

Make sure to thank the supporters that make these stories possible by checking out the My Supporters on my profile!

Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are Already Available on akenohimejima com

Chapter 1 - Whispers in the Dark

The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows along the stone corridors of Hogwarts. The castle, ancient and alive with its own magic, hummed softly under the weight of secrets buried within its walls. It was the beginning of Sixth Year, and Harry Potter was finding it harder than ever to ignore the way his destiny loomed over him like a storm on the horizon.

It wasn't just the war, the prophecies, or even Voldemort's ever-growing presence that made his skin prickle with unease. It was something far more immediate, something unsettlingly human. It wasDraco Malfoy.

Harry had always considered Malfoy a nuisance, an arrogant thorn in his side since their first year. But something had shifted. It was no longer just verbal sparring in the corridors or cold glares across the Great Hall. There was something in the way Malfoy carried himself now - a tension, a secrecy, a weight that made his sharp features seem even more fragile, as if he was balancing on the edge of something dark and dangerous.

Harry had noticed it, even if he didn't want to admit he cared.

Tonight, the air felt heavier as he patrolled the castle for Prefect duties, a task he normally despised. His footsteps were muffled against the ancient stone as he turned a corner near the Astronomy Tower, pausing when he caught sight of a figure in the distance.

Malfoy.

Dressed in his Slytherin robes, the platinum-haired boy was leaning against the stone wall, staring out one of the enchanted windows that revealed the night sky. But he wasn't watching the stars. His posture was stiff, his expression guarded, as if waiting for something - or someone.

Harry narrowed his eyes. He should leave. He should turn around and pretend he hadn't seen Malfoy at all. But something about the way the moonlight caught his pale features made it impossible to look away. Before he could stop himself, he stepped forward.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

Draco turned sharply, his silver eyes flashing with something unreadable before his usual sneer appeared. "None of your business, Potter."

Harry folded his arms. "You're acting strange."

Draco scoffed. "And you're as nosy as ever."

Harry should have left it at that. He should have walked away, let Malfoy stew in whatever dark thoughts plagued him. But he didn't. Instead, he took another step closer, lowering his voice.

"What's going on with you?"

Draco's sneer faltered for the briefest moment. His lips parted as if to speak, but then he clamped his mouth shut and turned away. Harry saw the flicker of hesitation, the unspoken words hanging between them like a spell waiting to be cast.

"Just leave it, Potter," Draco muttered before disappearing down the corridor.

Harry stood there for a long moment, heart hammering in his chest. Something was wrong with Malfoy. And for reasons he couldn't yet understand, he was going to find out why.

Later That Night

Harry couldn't sleep. His mind replayed the encounter with Malfoy over and over again. There was something unsettling in his rival's eyes - something beyond their usual enmity. It was as if Malfoy was burdened by something too heavy to carry alone.

Tossing off his blankets, Harry climbed out of bed and grabbed his Invisibility Cloak. He didn't have a solid plan, just an unshakable instinct that told him Malfoy was hiding something, and he needed to know what.

Sneaking through the castle was second nature to him by now. He moved silently through the corridors, heart pounding as he reached the entrance to the Slytherin dormitory. He had no idea how to get inside, but fate had other plans.

The entrance door creaked open, and a hooded figure stepped out. Harry ducked behind a pillar, holding his breath as the figure walked past. As the hood slipped slightly, moonlight revealedDraco's face.

Harry acted on impulse. He stepped forward, grabbing Draco's wrist. The Slytherin gasped, wrenching free and reaching for his wand, but Harry was faster.

"Draco, stop," he whispered urgently. "What the hell is going on?"

Draco's breathing was ragged. His fingers trembled around his wand, but he didn't hex Harry. He looked torn - caught between lashing out and breaking down.

"I told you to stay out of this, Potter," he hissed. But his voice lacked its usual venom.

Harry took a cautious step closer. "I can't. Not when you look like you're about to fall apart."

Draco's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he shoved past Harry and disappeared into the shadows.

Harry watched him go, his determination solidifying. Whatever Draco was hiding - it was big. And Harry was going to figure it out, no matter what it took.

End.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Thank you for supporting me to become a full-time com