Work Text:
The summer between 5th and 6th year is possibly the worst summer yet. Between constant nightmares reliving Sirius’ death and worrying about his friends, his mind was filled with the memory of a single kiss. It wasn’t even a very good one, but it left Harry red in the face every time he thought about it.
Then, either the worst or best thing happened. The Dursley’s finally took him out to London on a trip for the first time, only so he could carry around all the things they were buying, but still, being in London was a good distraction from everything. They had stopped into a pub for lunch, and Vernon even gave him the side of salad Dudley didn’t want. Then, some of the other patrons began gasping and pointing at the door, and a few of the servers rushed over. Harry turned to see what was causing the commotion, and saw none other than the prick that had kissed him the day before they left school, leaning against the wall, blood, dust and dirt covering his torn clothes, and some even in his hair. Harry shot up out of his seat without thinking, and ignored Petunia’s shrill yells telling him to come back. He pushed through the small crowd until he was standing in front of Malfoy.
“What are you doing here? What happened?” Harry moved to hold him up without thinking, and Malfoy leaned against him, blinking up at him. His eyes were red, and a little cloudy, like he was coming out of an Imperius. As soon as he saw Harry’s face, he seemed to crumple, he fell against Harry and started sobbing. One of the servers made eye contact with him.
“Do you know him?” He asked. Harry nodded.
“Yeah, we go to school together. I’ve got him.” The server nodded and began dispersing the crowd, leaving Harry alone with a sobbing Malfoy. Vernon was standing, and stomping over to them. Harry quickly felt around Malfoy’s body, trying hard not to think about it, and pulled out his wand, holding it where Vernon could see it. Harry wrapped a hand around Malfoy’s waist, and stood, helping Malfoy walk. “I’m going to help him. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“No you will not.” Petunia snapped. “You’ve only a week until you leave, you’ll take your things and stay away.” She sniffed. Harry nodded, and then walked Malfoy out of the pub. He took them to the nearest empty bench, and sat Malfoy down. He wasn’t sobbing anymore, but he was still sniffling. His eyes were clearer though, that was a good sign.
“Malfoy? Can you tell me what happened?” Harry asked, trying to look over him. A lot of the blood was old, and it was blending in with the dirt. Harry couldn’t tell if it was Malfoy’s or not. He wasn’t sure which was worse. Malfoy stayed silent for a moment, before taking a deep breath and trying to wipe his face clean.
“It’s best if we talk somewhere private. Too many muggles around.” Malfoy tried to sound normal, but missed by a mile. His voice was shaky, and it sounded like it was painful for him to talk. Harry nodded, and stood again.
“I know a house nearby. It’s my- was my godfather’s.” Harry shuffled awkwardly. “Can you walk?” Malfoy hesitated, but shook his head. At least he was being truthful. Harry wrapped an arm around his waist again, and Malfoy leaned against him. Harry walked slowly, but they made it to Grimmauld place easily enough. He hesitated before they made it there though.
“Is it an untraceable?” Malfoy asked. Harry nodded. “Who’s the secret keeper?” Harry chewed on his lip.
“The house is headquarters. I have to know I can trust you before letting you in.” Harry sighed. Malfoy nodded, and looked around.
“Put me on the bench. I’ll- I’ll explain everything.” Malfoy nodded at a bench, and Harry did as he was told. Malfoy was silent for a moment, before leaning back and sighing. “My father was harbouring the Dark Lord. Since he was arrested, He believes I am now responsible for my family's actions. I’ve been at the end of his wand all summer. Last night, he asked if I wanted to take the Dark Mark.” Harry tries to hold in his shocked gasp, but it doesn’t work. Malfoy glances at him. “I hesitated. He saw it. I think he used every curse there is, and then some. He tried to imperio me to do- things. Things I didn’t want to do. My house elf managed to knock his wand out of his hand, and he apparated me to that pub. He’s probably been killed already.” Malfoy begins crying again, and all Harry can think to do is hug him. Malfoy hides his face in Harry’s shoulder, and tries to calm down
“I need you to wait out here while I go get some things. I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?” Harry whispers. Malfoy nods, and wipes his eyes. Harry rushes off down the street, straight to twelve. The door opens up for him easily, and he sees that the whole place is coated in dust, even Sirius’ mother. Kreacher pops up in front of him, and frowns at him.
“Kreacher, I need a way to let someone in. I think I need Arthur Weasley.” Harry pants. Kreacher frowns even deeper.
“I will not help you let mudbloods into the home.” Kreacher shakes his head. Harry sighs.
“It’s Draco Malfoy.” Kreacher perks up, and snaps his fingers. A piece of paper appears in his hands, and he gives it to Harry. It’s the same paper Harry was given when Dumbledore took him here. “Thank you.” Harry rushes out, and leaves the house again. Malfoy is still at the bench, and looks up when he sees Harry coming. They make their way down the street, and he hands Malfoy the paper. Malfoy takes in the house, and smiles slightly.
“My mother grew up here.” Harry smiles at him, and helps him in. Harry takes him to the closest sitting room, and the fire lights up for them.
“Kreacher, Malfoy needs some healing potions.” Harry calls out. Multiple potions appear beside him, blessedly labelled. “Can you take your shirt off? So I can see what’s wrong.” Malfoy nods, and begins taking it off. Harry frowns when he takes Malfoy in. There are scars across his chest and side, some old, some new. There’s a steadily bleeding gash on his stomach, and when Harry moves to see his back, its red and raw, with far more cuts and bruises across it. Malfoy must have curled into a ball. Harry asks for some thread and a needle, and gives Malfoy a pain killing potion. He makes sure he uses the numbing potions before he begins stitching, and focuses on his task.
“You’re very good at this.” Malfoy muses. Harry hums.
“I’ve had to stitch myself up ever since I was a kid.” Harry admits. He finishes Malfoy’s back, and moves to kneel in front of him to get his stomach stitched up.
“Were you really that adventurous?” Malfoy raises his eyebrow. Harry rolls his eyes.
“Far from it. But sometimes people go too far.” Malfoy falls silent, and Harry finishes the stitches on his stomach. He wraps him up, the bandages covering almost all of his torso. Kreacher shows up once he's done, and next to Malfoy appears some clothes.
“Dinner is cooking, it will be ready in a few hours. Will you be needing anything else?” Kreacher asks. Harry considers for a moment.
“Some water, and maybe sandwiches, if you don’t mind.” Kreacher nods, and leaves with a pop, leaving a pitcher of water and two glasses, as well as a plate full of sandwiches. Malfoy pulls on the shirt Kreacher left, and Harry passes him some water. They sit and eat in silence, and Harry looks around. He can still see where Sirius left some of his things. His slippers are next to the fireplace, and there’s black fur all over one of the chairs.
“Your family must be expecting you.” Harry snorts and shakes his head.
“Nah, I’m getting my stuff tomorrow and leaving. My aunt kicked me out at the pub.” Harry explains. Malfoy shifts.
“I think I misjudged you.” Malfoy mumbles between bites of his sandwich. Harry shrugs.
“Most people do.” Harry kicked his feet up onto the couch, crossing them at the ankle.
“I'm sorry. For the last day of school.” Malfoy fidgeted, picking the crust off his sandwich. Harry tilted his head at him.
“Are you sorry for kissing me, or are you sorry for running away?” Harry asks carefully. Malfoy goes red and stares at the sandwich in his hands. Harry sighs. “You don't need to apologise.”
“I do. I shouldn't have done that.” Malfoy frowns. “I just- I was overwhelmed with my father's arrest.” Malfoy continued picking at his crust. Harry put his legs back down, and shifted closer. He gently wrapped his hand around Malfoy’s wrist, halting his picking, and looked into his eyes.
“Malfoy. Draco.” Harry said softly. Draco finally looked back at him. “You don't have to apologise.” Draco barely hesitated before leaning forward again. This kiss was wildly different from their first. This kiss was soft, and dry, and slow. Harry had time to reciprocate, and reciprocate he did. He pulled Draco closer, falling back and resting against the armrest, pulling Draco on top of him. Draco winced, but pushed forward, running his hands through Harry's hair.
They stop kissing eventually, but stay curled up together. Kreacher brings them dinner, and they eat on the floor by the fire, exchanging glances and laughing. Draco takes a few potions before they settle for the night, sharing a bed. It all comes so easily. Even when Harry jolts awake from yet another nightmare, Draco is there to calm him down, and wrap around him.