Chapter Text
(1) Storms
And just like that, it was all over. But for a moment the castle seemed to run out of magic. The Great Hall had become a funeral parlour, and there was no feast to welcome anyone back home. Instead, there was darkness. And tears. And smoke. Dawn broke through the shattered windows, and those who had the stomach, brought the bodies in from outside. Harry and his friends sat huddled with the Weasleys, in mourning. Around them, Harry heard soft-spoken incantations– it was the same one– over and over again, under the glow of the raised wands.
…pacem invenire in Mortem…
…pacem invenire in Mortem…
…pacem invenire in Mortem…
“What spell is that?” Harry asked, to no one in particular.
“It’s an old tradition…like a blessing…of sorts…” Ron replied, “It means… ‘may you find peace in death’. It’s an incantation meant to help guide souls to the afterlife…”
“Oh…”
Harry turned to face the fallen in the halls, and quietly mouthed the incantation along with the cacophony of hushed voices, before trailing off when the words became a strained lump in his throat.
“Harry…look…” Hermione’s voice on his other side was a low whisper as she indicated something ahead. Harry followed her gaze, followed the indicative gesture. Across the hall, he caught sight of Draco Malfoy tucked away in the corner with his head downcast, evading confrontation. Harry took one step towards Draco- but was stopped in his tracks when the double doors to the hall swung open again.
Kingsley Shacklebolt and one other that he had forgotten the names of entered the double doors, carrying the still, dark clothed hump of Severus Snape into the Great Hall. As they passed them, Harry swore he saw Snape’s fingers twitch.
“He’s got bandages on his neck.” Hermione whispered.
“Why the bloody ‘ell would they bandage him– I mean he’s…he…we all watched him…pass away…so how can he possibly be–”
Harry was trailing after them before anyone could stop him.
“Excuse me–Kingsley. Kingsley–”
“Ahh, Mr. Potter. The Boy who Saved the World–”
“What’s going on with Professor Snape?”
“The traitor…somehow survived despite what should have been a lethal wound. He was also poisoned by venom…so I don’t know how he managed to live.” He and the other auror lowered him on an available cot. As soon as he was positioned, a soft, pained groan and a slow breath informed Harry that former Professor Snape was indeed still alive. They folded his hands over chest, and as soon as he was positioned, Shacklebolt drew his wand and casted a spell. With a bright glow and a rattle of chains, shackles appeared on Snape’s wrists.
“Gravely injured or not, he is a death eater, so these binds are to ensure the safety of everyone around.”
Harry did not react, instead he just looked down at the man whom he had so loathed up until now. He was pallor and even more sallowy than usual– he looked sickly, ghastly, actually, but the slow rise and fall of his chest once more indicated that he was alive.
How did he survive? I don’t understand. Hermione, Ron, and I…we all saw him die.
Snape moved slightly. His eyes cracked open…just barely. Just enough to see the vague shape of the young man beside him.
“Potter?” his voice came out a weak hiss. Harry knelt down on the cold stone floor beside him and met his gaze, dared touch his sleeve to indicate he was there. “...You’re alive…good…” Snape breathed. Harry swore he saw a weak partial smile tugging the edge of the man’s tight-lined lip.
“Umm…” Harry didn’t know what he was supposed to say to him.
“…however…” Snape rasped, voice quiet, strained, weak, “You are…quite possibly…the very last person…I want to see right now…”
Harry’s expression sharpened, but he didn’t have the heart to be fully angry with Snape for his snide remark., “Thanks, Professor….” he scoffed in a sarcastic response, “Good to see you too…” bloody prick… But Snape had already drifted back into unconsciousness. Harry rolled his eyes, but was quietly amused that Snape still seemed to be his usual self–it was…and though he loathed to admit it, strangely…comforting…an irritatingly familiar sense…of normalcy– mostly…but the tear stains were still there on the man’s face. Harry shook his head, got up and crossed the room towards his friends again.
He was halfway there when he once again caught the sight of the familiar blond boy with his head down in the corner. He crossed the room towards Draco Malfoy’s side.
He nearly ran into Luna as she was headed the opposite direction, “Oh– Harry Potter. You’ve come for Draco too? You can try…but he didn’t want to talk to me, so, he might not want to talk to you either. Good luck.” and off she half-limped, half-skipped towards his friends, a little more sluggish and less bouncy than before.
Harry evened his breath and continued on his way. He stopped at the corner of the table across from him.
“Hey.”
Draco jumped a mile out of his seat, but seemed to relax just slightly when he saw who was talking to him..
“Sorry…mind if I join you?”
Draco studied him for a moment, dumbfounded, blinking as he processed what had been said to him. He managed a weak nod. Harry sat down across from him.
“Umm…” What am I even doing here? “How…how are you?” Again, Draco stared at him for several moments without words…and then spoke, turning up his nose.
“How am I? Are you mocking me right now, Potter?” Draco demanded in a hiss so similar to his father’s it triggered a skittering of shivers down the line of Harry’s spine.
“No. I’m not. It’s a legitimate question.”
“Here’s a legitimate question back– how do you think I am?” Draco exclaimed coldly.
“Properly rubbish I imagine.” Harry replied, offering a sympathetic smile.
Draco did not smile back. And instead said, “You’d be right about that, Potter.”
“Malfoy, look, I just wanna say I…I appreciate what you did out there- throwing me your wand…that was…I mean…” the words faltered in his throat.
“You…saved my life from that fiendfyre. I was just…repaying a debt. That’s all. And it cost me everything.” Draco choked out the words, averted his gaze.
“And got you your freedom.”
“What?”
“I saw…I know you don’t believe it but I know. I could tell you were being…tormented and used…I’m not daft. And I suppose I’m…glad you got out of that.”
“Why are you saying all this to me, Potter? What do you want from me?”
“...To make sure you’re alright. That’s all.”
“Well I’m not…as I said– I lost everything. I can never go back home because of what I did. I’ll be disowned, stripped of my family name…pruned from the family tree, I know it…my friends are all gone… my parents will never forgive me…I have…” his voice broke, “I have nothing left…nothing…”
“…You can stay with me at Grimmauld Place, if you’d like.”
Draco perked up slightly, met Harry’s gaze straight on, “What? Stay with you ?” Draco’s face rushed with heat as a deep pink color returned to his pale cheeks for the first time in months.
“My godfather left the house to me…and there’s plenty of extra rooms. It’ll just be you and I…and Kreature…and, Ron and Hermione’lll be around, I’m sure, but I doubt they’ll live there, and the others will pop in and out, but for the most part it’ll just be us. It’s no fancy hotel and it isn’t the nicest place, but it's a roof over your head, and you’ll get your own bedroom. It’ll do for a place to lay low until you get back on your feet.”
“I know I’ve…been there…” Draco replied, “But…why are you offering this to me? I mean…”
“Look– with all this being over…we’ll be in a time of peace…and so it’s only right to make amends and restart. Rebuild. Recover…and we’ve got to start somewhere. And this is where I’m choosing to do that. So, what do you think, Malfoy?”
“I don’t really have a better alternative, do I?” he scoffed, and shook his head.
“...Right…so then…meet me in the main courtyard…after dinner…so we can go…”
The rest of the evening passed in a hazy blur. They had a Funeral Procession for the Fallen 50. Kingsley Shacklebolt was appointed the Minister of Magic, and his first act of legislation was to make McGonagall the Hogwarts Headmistress. There were speeches to honor the fallen, mourning songs and rituals.
Voldemort's body was incinerated. His ashes “evanescoed”- to ensure he never returned again. The professors erected a beautiful, magnificent garden at the edge of the back of the castle ground, and it was in that Garden the Fallen Fifty were Buried as equals.
The injured were moved back into the infirmary to be overseen and tended by Poppy Pomphrey and other healers they brought in. The ones with the worst injuries– including Snape, were transferred to St. Mungos.
There was then a great feast held in the remnants of the Great Hall. Speeches were given, songs were sung, memories of the fallen honored and shared.
Harry ate with his friends and chosen family.
“What are you gonna do now, Harry?” Neville asked, “I mean… it’s all over…”
“Sleep.” Harry answered, “Peacefully.”
A few weak chuckles momentarily lifted some of the sorrow from that hall.
-xXx-
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Hermione asked when she, Ron, and Harry slipped out of the Great Hall into the decimated courtyard, “all this being over…what are we going to do now?”
“Figure out how to return to our normal lives.” Ron replied, squeezing Hermione’s hand, “You know– as normal as the lives of wizards and witches can be., innit…”
“Well…we do still have an entire school year at Hogwarts we need to finish.” Hermione said, “McGonagall said she expects us to return in the fall. And she mentioned that Hogwarts is going to have to be rebuilt over the summer…so I suppose that’s one…realtively normal thing that’s going to happen…”
A silence fell over them.
“I don’t think…things are ever really gonna be the same after all this, Ron…” Harry said quietly, “The Dursleys are gone, so I’m gonna go officially move into Grimmauld Place. You all are welcome any time.”
“I…don’t really have family to go back to, either…” Hermione murmured, “I obliviated myself from my parents’ memories to protect them.” she sniffled, wiping the tears springing out of her eyes.
Ron squeezed her hand, “Yes you do. I mean…I know it won’t be the same, but my family has already agreed to take you in. As far as mum’s concerned, you’re already her daughter-in-law.” Hermione’s cheeks flushed pink and she chuckled her tears away. She smiled at Ron. He smiled like a buffoon back, pulled her in, and kissed the top of her head. Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
Footsteps echoing on the stairs and crunching in the dirt caught everyone’s attention. They all looked up in unison. As soon as he saw who had approached, Ron’s gaze turned to ice.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Ron’s voice was a sharp bite. Draco glared back at him, but had no snide words to say in response.
“It’s fine, Ron. I asked him to meet me out here.”
“For what?”
Harry got up from the stone bench and crossed the courtyard to Malfoy. “I’ll catch up with you later.” He lightly clapped Malfoy on the shoulder, and with a slight push they headed towards the bridge, away from Ron and Hermione.
“So why’d you call me out here, Potter?” Draco spoke when they were out of earshot, out of sight.
“To return something of yours.”
Harry took the Elder wand out of his coat back and handed it to him.
“What the hell is this? That’s not mine.”
“Actually it is. The Elder wand belongs to the person who either disarms or kills the previous owner. And you were the one that disarmed Dumbledore the night he died. So it is yours.” Harry replied. Draco reached up and took it with a shaking hand, brushing Harry’s hand with his fingers. A gentle, warm ripple skittered down Harry’s arm. Draco stepped back slightly and gave it a wave, testing the feel, the weight of it. A sparking jet of light shot out and took another chunk off one of the pillars. Draco’s eyes widened.
Harry forced down an amused, half-lipped smirk, “Something you should know though. That wand is the deadliest, most powerful wand in existence, and it’s been used for a lot of death and destruction. But that said. It still belongs to you, technically. So it’s yours if you want it. Yours to decide what to do with it..”
Draco turned up his nose. “Why would you–What kind of daft idiot gives his former rival this sort of weapon?”
“I’m not “giving” it to you. It’s yours.”
Draco scowled at it, “I don’t want this ghastly thing– I–”
“Would you rather get rid of it, then? You could toss it over the bridge and be done with it.” Harry suggested, “But, ultimately, it’s your wand. So, choice is yours.” Then he added, “also, for the record, It was briefly used by Voldemort, if that makes a difference.”
“In that case, I definitely don’t want it.” He gritted his teeth, “in fact I’d like to see it destroyed . Let’s break it. You and I, Potter. Let’s snap it.”
“Works for me.” They seized opposite ends of the wand, gripped it taut.
“On the count of three then.”
“One…” said Harry,
“Two…” Draco continued.
“Three.” they said in unison. With one flick of their wrists the wand snapped in two. The core glinted, and sparked, then went out with a puff of thin smoke. As soon as the wand snapped, it was as if a weight had lifted from both their shoulders.
Harry handed Draco the half of the wand in his hand, “Here. You get rid of it.” Draco nodded gently and cast it into the water with all his might. It vanished beneath the surface, never to be used again. They leaned over the edge of the wall in silence, watching the soft summer wind send ripples across the water.
“So how does it feel, then? Having made an important choice– the right choice—on your own? No ramifications. No strings attached.”
“I don’t know. Strange.” he drew in a deep breath, “It’s only like second time i’ve properly been able to do that…”
“Well. There’ll be a lot more opportunities for you in the future.”
“How about you? I mean– now that you’ve done your job as the so-called Chosen One, you’re completely free to make your own choices too.” Draco pointed out.
“Dunno. Haven’t really thought about it.”
“Didn’t think you did. You Griffyndors aren’t really known for using your heads, though, are you?” Draco sneered.
“Well, Slytherins aren’t particularly known for openly using your hearts, though, are you?” Harry replied.
Draco met Harry’s gaze. There was a short silence between them, before a smile tugged at Harry’s mouth. Draco’s lip twitched into a smirk and they shared a quiet, breathy laugh.
“I have something else for you, by the way.” Harry said. He pulled another wand out of his pocket, “This is yours.” Draco glanced between Harry’s face and the sleek, silver-handled wand in his grasp. He took it without a word.
“It’s a good wand,” Harry said, “We got on well. But, it’s not mine.” Draco pulled back the hem of his suit and placed his wand back in its sleek black holster, swapping it with the wand that was in there.
“What am I supposed to do with this one? It’s my…my mother’s…”
“I can have Hedwig–” with a jolt in his stomach and the sinking of his heart he cut himself off, “No, I can’t have Hedwig do it, she….” Harry trails off again and swallows the lump in his throat, “We can owl post it back to her, if you want.”
“I don’t know…” Draco replied, “I don’t know if I want to give it back…”
“Again, it’s up to you.” Harry said.
Draco nodded slowly and looked back out at the view with a deep sigh. He leaned heavily against the railing, eyes glossing over as he gazed out at the setting sun. Harry observed the other boy’s face, watching as his face melted to a melancholic, tight lipped expression.
Harry was going to ask him if he was alright, but he already knew the answer to that. The pain behind his eyes, the stiffness in his posture– the redness that seemed to have permanently stained them since last year.
How can I comfort him? Harry thought, I mean, it’s clearly what he needs right now but how do I got about it?
There was stil a part of Harry that thought Draco would hex him if he tried to touch him. And Draco likely wouldn’t have an answer if he asked.
A breeze passed around them and a shudder rippled across Draco’s wiry, thin frame. Harry shrugged off his jacket and draped it over the blonde’s shoulders. Draco stiffened, and then glanced skeptically at the bespectacled boy.
“What’s this for?” Draco asked.
“I thought you could use a bit of warmth.” Harry said, “And I wasn’t sure how you felt about hugs, so…jacket…”
Draco rolled his eyes and tugged the jacket tighter around him. Then he promptly turned away, a bit of pink returning to his cheeks. Harry nodded briskly.
“Anyway. You probably need some space, so I’ll just, uhh…head back towards the castle….” Harry promptly dismissed himself.
“Potter!” Draco sharply called after him. Harry turned over his shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“When’s the last time you washed this? It smells like smoke, dirt, and cheap cologne.”
“ Really? When have I had time, Malfoy?” Harry scoffed, “Fine. If you don’t want it, give it here, then.”
Draco tugged in tighter around his shoulders. “I didn’t say it smelled bad, though, did I?” he continued. “I don’t mind it.” Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes, and continued back to the courtyard. Draco watched him leave. He swore the stiffness in is shoulders had softened some, but at the same time he didn’t want Harry to leave just yet. He just didn’t know how to stop him. Or how to communicate that.
Later, as the crowds started trickling out, Harry, Ron, and Hermione could be found in the Gryffindor common room next to the crackling fire– which had gone miraculously untouched by the battle. It was just them currently, but soon others would start to file in.
“A bunch of us are camping out in the common room tonight,” Ron said, “Are you staying?”
“Uhh…that sounds great, guys, really…but no I…I think I’m just gonna head out to Grimmauld place.” I need to get Draco where his parents won’t think to look for him. “But before I go I, I need to tell you something, just so you aren’t surprised when you come.”
“Of course, Harry. You can tell us anything.” Hermione reassured.
“You saw what Malfoy did, right? This morning during the stand off.”
“He switched sides.” Hermione confirmed, “He ran right in front of Voldemort, and then threw you his wand to arm you against him.”
“Yeah. He did the right thing after all.” Harry furthered, “And because of it…he essentially lost everything. And now he can’t go back home. That’s what he told me anyway. So I’m taking him back to Grimmauld Place with me. Until he gets back on his feet.”
Ron promptly choked on his hot chocolate.
“Oh, so that’s why you wanted to go back to Grimmauld Place.” Hermione realized.
“No…absolutely not…you’re joking, right Harry?” Ron was in complete disbelief.
“I’m not.” Harry replied.
“But you can’t– I mean, he–”
“I can’t just leave him after he helped me save the world, Ron. He has nothing.”
“And if he betrays you– tries to attack you, what then?”
“He won’t.”
“But how can you be so sure?” Hermione asked.
He summarized everything Draco had done this year– refusing to sell him out at Malfoy Manor, commanding Crabbe and Goyle not to kill him, switching sides…and even touched on some of what he had seen Voldemort use him for. He wrapped it up by explaining the situation with the Elder Wand.
“I think he’s changing for the better, guys. And I want to do what I can to support him…also…I feel like…I sort of owe him really– I nearly killed him last year for one thing, and then…well…the rest is history…not to mention, I feel like as we’re entering a time of peace, it’s a chance for us to patch things up. Start fresh. There’s no point in rivalry…rivalries turn to hate, then hate makes enemies, and then enemies cause conflict, and conflict…”
“Leads to war.” Hermione finished, “I understand.”
“I mean I guess it makes sense, but I don’t like it at all.” Ron added, “I think you’ve got some iron balls, Harry. This is right mad, it is. But, hey, who am I to question the decisions of the man who just saved the world, eh?”
“It wasn’t just me, Ron.” Harry replied.
“...But if he tries anything, we’ll kick his arse.” Hermione declared.
“Don’t worry. If he does, I’ll send him right back to his parents in a gift box.” Harry reassured, “But I really don’t think he will.” They trailed off to mutual, comfortable quiet.
“...And then they were roomates.” chimed in a familiar voice. The trio looked up to see Ginny peeking in from the portrait entrance.
“Oh my gods, they were roomates.” George appeared over his sister’s shoulder.
“Roomates? Who’s roomates? Boys and girls aren’t allowed to be in the same dorms.” There was Percy. And then all at once, the Gryffindor common room gained three Weasleys.
Ginny promptly sat down beside Harry, brushing his shoulder. As soon as she did, he noticed something rather strange. It felt different than usual. What was different about it was that much of that warm, fuzzy butterfly feeling she gave him seemed to have dwindled a bit. In fact, it was quite faint. How long had it been like that?
“I think it’s very noble of you.” she said. Harry smiled at her.
“Thanks Ginny.” He replied.
“...He doesn’t deserve it.” She added bitterly.
“None of us deserve any of what’s just happened.” Harry put in, “Speaking of–” he looked up at Percy and George, “How’s Fred?”
“He’ll be along.” Percy replied.
“Madame Pomphrey said he’ll pull through.” George added. The group let out a collective sigh of relief.
“...But it’s gonna be a pretty long recovery.” George finished.
“I’m glad he’ll be alright, though.” Harry said, “That’s a relief.”
“So am I. I thought i’d lost my favorite brother.” George said.
“Oi!” Ron scoffed. Percy rolled his eyes.
“We’ve been together since before we were born. I’d be lost without ‘im.” George continued, “So I’m glad he’s gonna be alright.”
“That’s essentially what they said about Professor Snape, too.” added Percy, “He’ll have permanent ramifications though. The snake’s venom damaged some of his nerves, so he’ll have a permanent physical disability, they’re saying.”
“I still don’t understand how he survived.” Hermione said.
“Mum seems to think he survived because of Harry.” Ginny explained, “Because he didn’t let him ‘die’ alone. It was a selfless act that essentially kept him hanging onto the brink of death before someone found him.”
“It probably had something to do with my mother, honestly.” Harry said, “It was her love that saved me…became part of me. I touched him, so some of that magic could’ve transferred over to him and kept him alive. Speaking of Snape. We were wrong about him. You won’t believe what I saw in the Pensieve…”
-xXx-
“…Well regardless of what you saw, he’s still an arse.”
“And he used the worst of the Unforgivables. He’s a convicted Death Eater. He’ll be sent to Azkaban as soon as he’s recovered.” said Percy.
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” Harry replied.
“You’re not serious…” Ron huffed, “Bloody ‘ell Harry– first Malfoy and now Snape?”
“It’s the right thing to do. If I don’t advocate for them…no one will. And after all the losses we’ve had…I want to help save who I still can.” Harry said. “So if I have to be a Witness for the Defense during his trial, I will. But anyway…that’s beside the point…” he glanced up at the clock across the room, “Shit, I’ve got to go. I’ll write to you– and come visit me at Grimmauld Place whenever you’d like. Doors’ always open.” And with that, he headed out of the common room.
He met Draco in the Viaduct courtayrd. He was a hump on a partially collapsed section of the wall. He sat silently, and only moved to tug Harry’s jacket around him. When he heard the crunch of Harry’s shoes on the dirt, he glanced up with dull, tired eyes.
“About time, Potter. I thought you stood me up.” Draco said.
“Stood you up?” Harry echoed, “I couldn’t have, even if I wanted to. It’s not like it’s a date.” The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
Draco seemed to perk up at the sound of this. Harry was glad the dark obstructed the hot rush of embarrassment that coiled around him and reddened his cheeks.
“No.” Draco replied, “It’s far from that.”
“Anyway. Sorry for making you wait. I was preparing our ride.”
“How long does it take to fetch a broom?” Draco huffed.
“It’s not a broom. There’s supposed to be rain, so I had to make other arrangements.”
“Then how are we flying?”
“First class.” Harry answered.
Draco’s nostrils flared in annoyance.
“Cut to the chase, already, Potter. I am in no mood.”
“Before I show you, I want to let you know that despite her appearance, she’s completely harmless.” Before he could say anymore on the matter, the sound of hoofbeats and the rattle of the wheels of a carriage. From the archway, Luna Lovegood, barefooted and cleaned up, and dressed up as a coachman, appeared in the courtyard, walking a thestral tacked to a small, covered carriage.
Draco veered back away from the creature. “What in the seven hells is that?” he gasped.
“It’s a Thestral.” Luna said, “They’ve always pulled the carriages.”
“How the bloody hell am I just now seeing that horrific thing?” Draco demanded, reeling backwards as his stomach roiled with disgust at the creature.
Harry stepped towards the creature, moving slowly so as not to spook her, then he reached up towards her. With a snort and a nicker, and she gently nudged him with her nose, inviting him to give it a light stroke.
“They’re only visible to those who have seen death.” Harry replied.
“Oh…” Draco paled, “I see…”
“They’re quite gentle, really.” Luna added. She turned back to the thestral and offered here a morsel of raw meat, “This is Eowyn. She’s the alpha mare of the herd and one of the fastest, smoothest flyers. She’ll be pulling your carriage to London tonight.”
“We thought a covered carriage would be safer than a broom or apparition.” Harry said, “Especially there’s still…you know…Death Eaters roaming around. Anyway. Ready?”
Draco nodded grimly, face turning pallor. Luna pulled open the door, “Your chariot awaits you, sirs~” she airily declared, a soft smile on her face. Draco and Harry clamored into the carriage.
“Here’s the cloak, by the way.” Harry said, handing it off, “You sure you’re okay to drive?”
“Perfectly, thanks.” Luna nodded, and closed the door, concealing Harry and Draco inside. They sat down across from each other in the dimly lit cabin. It was warm inside. Draco immediately claimed the blanket and sulked against the window, Harry reposed against the opposite bench.
The carriage began its rickety ride across the bridge.
“Once we’re in the air, you may want to get comfortable. It’s a bit of a drive.”
WIthin moments, the carriage began to pick up speed.
“Preparing for take off.” Luna declared.
“Hold on.” Harry said to Draco.
The rattle of the carriage was an earthquake in the cabin. Draco shoved back against the wall, and firmly held on across both sides, bracing himself. Harry took hold of a convenient handle that had materialized.
“Here we go~”
WIth a single, powerful leap, and a gust of air, Eowyn soared over the edge of the Viaduct bridge. The wheel of the carriage missing the wall by a hair. Draco’s hand slipped from the wall and he lurched forward, immediately crashing and falling into Harry. The force of his body caused them to crash to the floor.
Draco gasped upon contact. The carriage dipped sideways sharply before readjusting.
Draco lifted his torso, only to find Harry pinned directly beneath him. Their breaths caught in their throat. Heat rushed into their cheeks. His heart punched wildly against his ribcage, and his entire body engulfed with heat. Draco’s pulse throbbed against his diaphragm. Their chests heaved against one another as they tried to find their breath again.. And for a moment all they could do was stare at each others’ red-rushed cheeks and wide eyes in the candlelight.
Something stirred in Draco’s stomach. A sudden wave of a feeling he’d thought he’d buried in the past. Harry stared up at him from where he was pinned to the floor. Draco slightly parted his lips, opened his mouth like he was about to say something. What was happening now was something that had only ever been in Draco’s wildest dreams. Heat curled down his spine. His head spun. Beneath him, Harry flushed a deeper shade of red. Every inch of Draco’s frame ached with a deep, throbbing pain.
“Dammit… ” Draco whispered, in a voice that was almost entirely inaudible. There couldn’t be a worse time for this….
…Now that I’ve got him right where I want him…it’s all…
Harry’s fingers twitched, his hand moved, and then pressed lightly against Draco’s side…pushed him away, mind racing with “ what the hell this? Why do I feel like this…what the hells…”
“S-sorry. Ahem.” Draco lifted himself up slightly, “I slipped.”
“It’s…no, it’s fine…”
Every inch of Draco’s body screamed “no” as he pulled away, let Harry up, and sank back onto the bench of the carriage. Harry lifted himself up on his arms, his pulse roaring so loudly he couldn’t here the wind around the flying carriage.
“Did you…hit your head?” Draco asked.
“Nah. Just fell on my back. I’m fine though.” Harry replied, “You alright?”
“Yes. You broke my fall with your…strong, robust…torso…”
Harry sat back on his own bench and cracked a small smile in the candlelight that made part of Draco’s insides melt.
“Strong and robust?” Harry echoed, “That’s a new one.” a weak chuckled escaped his lips, “...That’s hardly the description i’d use.”
“Hmm…it must be your aura, then.”
“...Must be…”
Draco stared at the world below. The school was small speck of indsecernable shapes and lights behind them now. Hogsmeade was a city of ants. Soon, they’d be crossing into the rolling Scottish Hills.
They faded to silence. Draco peeled off Harry’s jacket, then his own blazer and cast them aside. He loosened his tie. The air had gotten suddenly clammy, and cast it aside. He watched the glittering stars above them, trying to distract himself by picking out the Zodiac constellations. Harry unzipped his worn zip up sweater, picked up a small, beaded purple handbag from the floor, and reposed across the bench. He opened the bag and felt around inside for the snacks he knew Hermione had put in there. WHen he found the bag of butterbeer popcorn, he pulled it out and opened it. He popped the salty-sweet, starchy snack food into his mouth. Draco glanced his way before continuing to sulk out the window.
“Malfoy, are you hungry?” Harry asked.
Draco perked up slightly. “I could eat.”
“Would you like a bit of butterbeer popcorn?”
“No, thank you.”
Harry reached back into the bag and felt around a bit more. His hand closed around a smooth, rounded object, and he pulled out a perfectly ripe apple. “How about an apple?”
Draco sat up and studied the shiny green, red, and yellow fruit in Harry’s hand. “I’ll take that. Give it here, will you?” Harry came him a disapproving look.
“...If you don’t mind…” Draco grumbled.
Harry tossed it across the carriage. Draco caught it in his hand, wiped it off with his sleeve and bit into it with a scrummmch. He chewed it for a moment. Harry couldn’t help but watch the bobbing of the prominent adam’s apple on the blonde’s neck.
“It’s not as good as the green ones, but it’s an adequate pomme, Thanks.”
“Sure.” Harry took a few more handfuls of popcorn before losing his appetite. They descended back to the silence. Harry put away the popcorn, pulled out a radio, and then adjusted himself on the bench. “Can you hand me my jacket?” Harry asked.
Draco tossed it over. Harry balled it up to use as a pillow, shoving it in the corner between the backrest and the window, and curled up on the bench, tucking up his legs and tucking in as comfortably as he could.
“You alright if I put on quiet music?” Harry asked.
“I don’t much care.” Draco answered.
So, put on music Harry did. When he turned the dial to one of the music stations, it was playing the soft string chords and folkish melody of the band White Witch. They listened to the enthralling chords. Thunder hummed and rumbled, and the storm welled up outside. Raindrops began to fall slowly against the glass of the windows.
At the same time, the haunting voice of the White Witch herself began to play out of the speakers and lull them away from the carriage.
….Did I ever really care that much
Is there anything left to say?
…I haven't felt this way I feel
Since many a years ago
But in those years and the lifetimes past
I did not deal with the road…
And I did not deal with you, I know
Though the love has always been,
So I search to find an answer there…
By this point, the warm summer rain had begun to patter lightly against the carriage, and Draco watched the droplets slide down the glass like the warm tears straying from his eyes and spilling slowly down his cheeks. Across from him Harry yawned, “I’m exhausted…” he said, “I’m gonna try to doze a bit. Wake me if you need anything or whatever…” Draco nodded, but didn’t look back at him. Harry Potter had no business seeing him cry again.
Every hour of fear I spend
My body tries to cry
Living through each empty night
A deadly call inside…
Draco fiddled with his rings. The dark mark beneath his sleeve tingled like pins and needles. He sighed against the water-stained glass. I’m so tired…tired….
That final thought faded away. And then The only thing his mind was currently doing was keeping his unconscious functions going– his pulse, his breath, the magic rippling under his skin, the nerve signals reminding him of how heavy his shoulders were, how badly his body ached, how his eyes burned…but that was all. There was nothing else. The rest was lost in the tears falling down his cheeks.
…never have I been a blue, calm sea,
I have always been a storm…
Always been a storm
Always been a storm
I have always been a storm…
…We were frail…
Draco glanced at Harry through his blurring, heavy lidded gaze. Rain pattered against the carriage. The White Witch’s echo filled the cabin. He welcomed it like a poignant embrace and adjusted his position, leaning. He studied Harry in the candlelight.
The slow rise and fall of his shoulders, and the deep, slow breaths indicated the other boy was fast asleep.
Idiot. Draco thought, Falling asleep in the presence of your former enemy…I could kill you if I really wanted.
But of course, Draco didn’t want that.
….Then what do you want, Draco?
...I don’t know…
Harry’s sleeping lump was distorting in Draco’s vision. His head tilted, his eyes fluttered. The White Witch’s voice engulfed them on all sides. Her voice, the background vocals were a gentle, melancholy lull….
I should have known from the first
I'd be the broken hearted…
What does that make you, then, Draco?
A Slytherin with no ambition…a blood traitor without a family…
…. Storm….
Who are you Draco?
Nothing. No one…
Draco stole another glance at Harry to distract himself from his own thoughts.
…I loved you from the start…
….Storm….