My brain keeps returning to this idea β what if, in POA (movie universe), Harry never realizes that the crane Malfoy sent him was a note (because I mean, who would)? Β Like he just stares at it, confused, then goes βokayβ sets it down on his desk and goes back to ignoring Snape
I mean, Draco would be furious because how dare you not appreciate my bullying PotterΒ and the next class they have together, he grabs another piece of paper, writes something along the lines ofΒ βYou suck Potterβ, folds another crane and blows it over β only for it to be left sitting on Harryβs desk again after the lesson, and Harry didnβt even look inside, he didnβt do anything with this damn crane, and Draco is absolutely seething from this lack of attention
So he does it again. Β And again. Β And again. Β
First itβs insults (because of course he hatesΒ Potter, theyβre archenemies, never mind the actual murderer stalking Harry at this very moment) βΒ βI hope you die PotterβΒ βI wish I met Sirius Black Iβd help himβΒ βYour glasses are appalling why do you still have the same ones from first year your prescription canβt possibly be the same you moronβΒ βEat a bag of dicks Potterβ β but a month goes by and heβs running out of things to sayΒ and Potter never reads the notes anyway so Draco just starts ranting about everything else he finds annoying
Soon the cranes are just a way of venting β talk about your day, fold a beautiful crane, send it to the person you definitely hate the most. Β He still tries to snark and generally antagonize every time he sees Potter, because itβs practically my duty to take the Golden Boy down a peg, GoyleΒ β but he canβt do it the same way anymore, so he takes a step back β in everything except the cranes. Β
Every day, every class, and sometimes at breakfast, a crane will land next to Harry Potterβs elbow. Β Without fail. Β Harry will pick it up, stare at it, and set it back down. Β Or maybe slip it into his bag, and Dracoβs stomach flips the first time he does that. Β
Itβs almost like theyβre friends. Β By now, Dracoβs told him things he never even voiced to his friends β that heβs actually terrified of the Dementors, that he keeps feeling like heβs not good enough, because no matter what he tries, thereβs always somebody better than him at it β that he still canβt understand why Harry didnβt want to be his friend that time on the train, seriously Potter what did I do? Β you didnβt even know me!Β β and Potter didnβt crumple any of the cranes, so maybe he doesnβt hate him so much anymore?.. Β Draco knows Potter never reads these notes, but he likes to pretend that Harry knows all these things about him. Β And maybe even cares a little. Β
Itβs stupid, and he really shouldnβt be putting any of such personal details in writing (honestly Lucius would be so disappointed, these cranes are perfect blackmail material and what the hell are you thinking Draco yells Dracoβs inner voice) β but he canβt stop. Β Itβs become a habit, and Potter stared at him for fifteen minutes at lunch today, so he canβt stop. Β Draco keeps talking, and making Harry little doodles, and trying not to smile too obviously when another crane ends up in Harryβs pocket.
And meanwhile, Harryβs going nuts. Β He just doesnβt understand what Malfoy wants from him, or why he doesnβt run into him so often anymore β and the cranes really seem to be just paper (Ron why does Malfoy know origami is this a general wizard thing or is it just him), and theyβre delicate and elegant, and he feels bad about destroying them β so he just leaves them. Β
Until, of course, he absentmindedly shoves one in his bag one day β and finds it that evening. Β Sighs and sets it on his bedside table, because what else can he do?.. Β Even if he throws it out, heβll just get a new one tomorrow. Β Or three. Β
Heβs confused, because Malfoy isnβt even so loud or dramatic anymore, itβs almost as if heβs trying not to attract attention β beyond the cranes β but Harryβs eyes are glued to him anyway. Β He knows that Malfoy has to be up to something, because of course he isΒ β but he just canβt tell what, thereβs no way to know, and holy shit Ron he just smiled at me what the hell is he planningΒ β and all this time, the pile of cranes on his bedside table keeps growing
He doesnβt lie awake at night, thinking of Malfoyβs smile. Β He doesnβt. Β Really. Β
The next day, when he gets his morning crane, he flashes Malfoy a brilliant smile, and laughs at his stunned expression like ha, two can play at this game! Β Gotcha now!Β and heβs still thinking that Malfoyβs messing with his mind β except he canβt help but think that it would be nice if Draco was really like that. Β If he really just sent the cranes over to brighten Harryβs day. Β If there wasnβt something else behind this, because heβs starting to like it. Β
All this goes on until Hermione barges into their dormitory again, in the ungodly hours of the morning, like she usually does β and stops dead, staring at the pile of cranes, Ron may have been complaining but she never imagined the true extent of this new, yet age-old obsession. Β And of course, Harry tries to protest, that itβs all for science, Hermione, I have to find out what heβs up to and this is the only source of informationΒ β but the excuses run dry when she quizzes him a bit and finds out that none of the cranes are cursed, or charmed to yell insults, or anything, reallyΒ
So sheβs likeΒ βwell have you tried to unfold oneβ and no he didnβt, who the heck writes notes inside a craneΒ anyway, isnβt it an artwork?? Β But hey, thatβs an idea, and that night the trio gets together, sitting on Harryβs bed with the crane he just got in Charms, bated breath and all, waiting for it to unleash something nasty (Harry finds himself really really hoping it wonβt)Β
All kinds of security measures done, and they unfold itΒ
Hermioneβs likeΒ βoh. Β Oohh,β and Ronβs eyebrows fly away to roam the world
thereβs a shitty little drawing of Harry and Draco holding hands, with little hearts all aroundΒ
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