Chapter Text
Harry crept into the bathroom, intent on exposing Malfoy for cursing Katie Bell. Though, when Harry finally saw Malfoy, it was not the smug daddy’s-boy he had always hated. Malfoy gripped the sink so hard his knuckles turned white. His hair was ruffled, and his torso heaved with every breath. Malfoy sobbed as he muttered to himself. Harry could not believe he was actually crying. He couldn't see Malfoy’s face, and felt a sudden fear of this new, vulnerable version of him. Harry suddenly slipped on the slick floor, attempting to reveal himself before he landed. He opened his mouth in attack.
“I know it was you, Malfoy!” Harry shouted, catching himself. Malfoy whirled around, a look of terror etched onto his pale face. A glint of madness shone in his icy blue eyes as his complexion glistened with tears that still cascaded down his face. Malfoy whipped out his wand instinctively, causing Harry to do the same. They shot hexes, each swiftly shielding them. Malfoy desperately ran through the bathroom, attempting to find cover. Harry continued to shoot spells at him under the stalls. Soon, Malfoy was caught off-guard in the open, trying without success to muster a spell from his wand. Harry said the first spell that came to mind.
“SECTUMSEMPRA!” he shouted as Malfoy was blown backwards onto the tiled floor. Large gashes began to rip through his body as blood pooled around him. Terror crept through Harry’s previously confrontational expression. Malfoy writhed on the floor as he stood frozen in fear. Soon, though, Harry realized the severity of the situation. Rushing to Malfoy’s side, he ripped off his jacket and tried to cover the wounds. Feeling stupid, he grabbed his wand and tried to heal Malfoy with magic. He wracked his brain for spells that would work, trying to recall what Madam Pomfrey had once said to him.
“Episkey!” Harry said triumphantly, but all it did was cause Malfoy to moan in pain, vibrating as the pool of blood grew. Harry began to cry.
“Wake up, Malfoy! This is your fault! I’m going to be expelled for this!” He said these things in anger, knowing they weren’t true. Malfoy’s eyes did not open. Harry ran across the bathroom to where he had left his bag and pulled out the Half-Blood Prince’s textbook. He cursed under his breath for trusting the evil book. Hermione was right, it was clearly full of dark magic. Right then, however, the book was his only hope of finding a countercurse. He scoured the notated pages, finally finding the page where Sectumsempra - for enemies - was scrolled in the margins. He read the page up and down, pleading for a cure. Harry heard a mumble from behind him and turned, surprised to see Malfoy’s eyes open while they glanced at Harry with fear.
“I’m trying!” Harry shouted desperately as he looked away from Malfoy’s fearful expression. Finally, he found a spell: Vulnera Santentur - Heals. Harry recalled it from somewhere. He grabbed the book and ran back to Malfoy’s side. Harry knelt down, blood soaking his shoes.
“Vulnera Sanentur,” he muttered. Slowly, Malfoy’s eyes refocused and the pool of blood receded.
“Vulnera Sanentur,” he said again, this time more confidently. The wounds Harry had covered up miraculously began to stitch themselves together, the skin looking brand new within moments. Harry couldn’t believe his eyes. Malfoy sat up, looking at his arms with new appreciation. He began to stand, but crumpled over in pain. Harry gasped and caught him before he hit the floor.
“Are you okay?” Harry asked, immediately realizing what a dumb question this was.
“Everything hurts,” Malfoy sobbed into his robes. He looked up into Harry’s eyes with agony.
“You did this to me. You-” he pulled away from Harry but gasped as pain seared up his side. Malfoy couldn’t move. And there was only one person who knew he was here.
“I…need…your…help.” Malfoy muttered as Harry’s eyes widened.
“What did you say?” Harry asked slyly.
“I’m not repeating it.” Malfoy grumbled. Harry grinned.
“Alright, alright. Where does it hurt?” he asked, trying not to sound condescending and failing.
“Everywhere,” Malfoy said icily. Harry nodded.
“Uh…I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.” Harry said with caution. Malfoy glared at him.
“What is it?” he asked. Harry braced himself.
“Well… I can take you to the common room. The Gryffindor common room.” Harry said through his teeth as he prepared for a snide remark. Malfoy, however, only looked mildly annoyed.
“Fine,” he said. Harry raised his eyebrows.
“You’re… okay with that?” Harry asked suspiciously.
“I don’t have a choice, do I? You could just leave me here.” Harry thought that was an absurd idea, but he did recall the reason Malfoy was injured was because they were dueling. Harry helped him onto his feet. Malfoy grunted and groaned, but didn’t ask Harry to stop. Soon, he was fully supported with his arm around Harry. They hobbled to where Harry had left his bag and Malfoy offered to carry it with his free arm. Harry shook his head and slung it over his shoulder. It was strange how friendly Malfoy was being…
They had made it not far down the hallway when voices loomed ahead of them. Malfoy gasped and shoved himself off of Harry, hitting the wall and letting out a yelp. Harry rushed to hide behind a corner. As the voices passed, Harry recognized an odd feeling of rejection that sat bitterly with him after Malfoy pushed away. He came out of the shadows to find Malfoy mumbling to himself while sitting on the floor. He looked up with surprise.
“Oh. You didn’t leave.” said Malfoy. Harry was confused.
“Um, no…? Why would I?” he asked.
“I dunno. Just felt like a possibility.” Malfoy stated, looking down at his hands. Harry did not know what to make of this. He almost…pitied him. Could this really be what Malfoy was used to; people abandoning him? Harry considered this as Malfoy leaned on him, feeling oddly comforted.
They continued on towards the Gryffindor common room. Harry knew the way, but still took a few wrong turns when the staircases changed. Eventually, they reached the Fat Lady portrait. Draco eyed her cautiously from afar.
“Do you really think she’ll let us in?” he asked. Harry nodded.
“I’m sure. I’ll just tell her we’re fetching something for Dumbledore.” Harry assured him.
“And… you don’t think she’ll notice-” Malfoy stopped and looked at their configuration: Him; two arms wrapped around Harry’s shoulders, and Harry, one arm supporting him from the back, the other holding his bag and wand. They were certainly in close proximity. Malfoy’s face flushed.
The Fat Lady glared at the duo as they approached.
“Who is this?” she asked. Harry was quick to respond.
“This is my friend-” he glanced at Malfoy as he said this, who looked surprised. He shook the moment off. “Uh, like I was saying, this is…” Malfoy cut in.
“...Draco,” he said quietly. The Fat Lady continued glaring.
“And why is he wearing Slytherin robes?” she pried. Harry put on his best charm.
“You see, he was sorted into Slytherin, but has always adored Gryffindor. I offered to show him around, you know, to prove how great our house is.” The Fat Lady was tickled and gladly let them through. Harry dragged Malfoy up the spiral stairs to the boys’ dormitory, where he collapsed onto Harry’s bed in exhaustion.
“Why are there so many stairs?” Malfoy said between gasps of air and whimpers of pain. Harry looked at him in amusement.
“Does Slytherin not have stairs?” he asked. Malfoy considered this.
“Not like these. Our common room’s near the dungeons,” he said. Harry sat down on the bed next to him after throwing his bag across the room. Malfoy looked up and saw how close they were. He pushed the butterflies in his stomach away, knowing this was only a distraction. He did not have time for distractions. There was an awkward silence before Harry offered to get Malfoy a change of clothes.
“Sure,” responded Malfoy, still distracted. Harry began to dig through his trunk, attempting to find a set of robes for him. Malfoy glanced down at his own white shirt, which was soaked with blood and water. He looked around curiously, noticing a Chudley Cannons poster over one bed. Who would ever support such a terrible team, he thought to himself.
“Aha!” said Harry as he pulled out a clean set of robes. “These should do.” Malfoy managed to get off the bed and stand, grabbing the robes and… not doing anything.
“Er- is there somewhere I should change?” he asked, flushing red and not meeting Harry’s glance. Harry’s eyes widened in realization.
“Oh. There-uh- isn’t really anywhere else.” Harry didn’t know why this was weird. The boys always changed in one room. So why did it feel weird? Malfoy cleared his throat and untied his tie, throwing it on the bed. As he began unbuttoning his shirt, Harry turned around. This was so weird. Harry fiddled his thumbs while he tuned out the sounds of Malfoy’s clothes hitting the floor. After a painfully long while, Malfoy tapped Harry on the shoulder, startling him.
“All done,” he said, showing off his new attire. Harry nodded.
“Oh, your tie is wrong. Here, let me help.” Harry began untying the tie, but Malfoy turned around to face him. Harry moved his hands to his lap. Malfoy stared into Harry’s eyes. For the first time, neither of them looked away. The tension was palpable until it was smashed. Malfoy leaned in and Harry knew. His breath caught. Harry knew why it was weird, and he didn’t pull away.
Harry had known magic since the day he was born. He had felt it heal him, destroy him, and lift him off his feet. He had never felt magic like this. Harry had kissed Cho Chang in fourth year, and that was different. That was awkward. But this- this was indescribable. Malfoy’s lips awakened a part of Harry that he had hidden away. They were kissing on Harry’s bed in the Gryffindor common room. Anyone could have walked in. Anything could have happened, and yet, nothing did. When Harry’s eyes opened and he was fully conscious, he pulled away. Malfoy stared at him, expressionless. He got up.
“I should go,” Malfoy said, limping to the doorway. Harry shook his head, still dumbfounded. Malfoy disappeared down the staircase, silently struggling to hold himself up. Harry came to his senses.
“Wait!” he called, running towards the stairs. He heard a thump and a cry as Malfoy fell. Harry rushed after him, but Malfoy got up and hurried down the stairs and through the common room. Harry cried out for him, but the Fat Lady portrait had swung closed.