tags: drarry, hogwarts eighth year, soulmates au
Harry drifted close to the walls as he walked through the dark castle hallways heading for the Great Hall where Dracoâs dot on the map had been last. Inside, the sconces along the walls were unlit but the candles still hovered over the long student tables. The flickering flames added new stars to the enchanted sky above which was clear and bright with a billion pinpricks of light.
Draco was sitting on the edge of the head teachers table, swinging his legs back and forth idly as he craned his neck back to look up at the false sky. The moon shone through the windows behind him, crowning him with a silver halo of light.
Harry leaned against the door frame, taking a deep breath to brace himself. The thing was, he had always rather noticed Draco, his hair and his voice and the way he gestured. Harry had noticed him a great deal more than anyone else and he didnât even really realize he was doing it unless someone pointed it out. He just found his eyes drawn to the flash of white-blond hair and turned when he heard his voice. Harry wondered if maybe everything had been leading up to this in some sort of roundabout way and if it had, and what Ron said was true, then Draco must have felt it too, a bit at least.
Harry took the silencing spell off his shoes and pulled his cloak off.
Draco jumped slightly when Harry crossed the floor and then glared. He waited until Harry was closer so he could keep his voice down to a hiss, âAre you stalking me, Potter?â
Harry stopped at the bottom of the risers leading up the head table, looking up at Draco. Before he could answer, Draco threw in another barb.
âI should say, stalking me again. You never do know when to leave well enough alone. Always poking your nose where it doesnât belong, trying to make things right,â Draco sneered.
Harry hesitated and then nodded, âYeah.â
Draco twitched backwards, looking more surprised than when Harry had first startled him.
Harry took a deep breath, âYeah to all of it. And Iâm afraid am really stubborn as well.â
After a drawn out bit of silence, Draco said, âYouâre a nutter.â
âMaybe so,â Harry said, stuffing his hands in his pockets, âSo I was thinking, I could start sharing time.â
âSharing time?â Draco asked after a pause, still looking at Harry as if he had gone rabid.
âWell, thatâs what you called it.â Harry said, slightly defensively, âJust ask me something.â
Dracoâs eyes narrowed, âWhat sort of something?â
âAnything you want?â Harry said trying not to roll his eyes.
Dracoâs eyes narrowed further and he looked Harry over and then around the room, as if expecting a trap. Once satisfied, he asked, âWhat happened in the forest?â
Harry groaned. Of all the things he had to ask, it would be that.
âI knew you were full of shit,â Draco said quietly, his voice lacking its normal venom.
âThatâs not it,â Harry said, pushing his hand through his hair, âOnly three people know what really happened, your mum, Ron and Hermione and the last thing I want is it getting out-â he waved a hand at the world in general, â-there. Itâs bad enough as it is with the press and papers and this stupid kiss thing.â
âAww,â Draco said with a melodramatic pout, âPoor Potty, doesnât want all the world to love and adore him, bowing, grovelling, kissing his feet?â
Harry frowned at him, âYouâve got to know I hate it. If you know me at all, youâve got to know I hate it.â He sat on the risers, his back to Draco, scrubbing his hands over his face, âI was cornered by a group of second years today. Twelve years old. I swear to Merlin they only went up to my waist.â
Behind him, Draco choked a laugh down into a snigger.
âVery funny,â Harry muttered.
Draco jumped off the table and reluctantly sat on the steps near Harry, âI wonât tell anyone about whatever happened in the forest.â
Harry glanced over at him sidelong.
âI wonât!â Draco said petulantly.
Harry draped his hands over his knees and stared at them fixedly, âI died.â He took a shaky breath and quickly added on before Draco could ruin the moment, âI went into the forest and Voldemort killed me with an avada kedavra.â
âYou donât look very dead,â Draco said.
âI came back,â Harry smiled faintly, âDecided it wasnât for me.â
Draco grinned for a split second before wiping the expression from his face, âVery funny, Potter, but that doesnât make any sense. People donât just come back from the killing curse.â
âWell, there were a lot of factors involved,â Harry said, thinking of the deathly hallows and being a horcrux but it was too soon to share that just yet. âDumbledore always said love was the strongest magic there is. I was going to die to protect them, everyone in the school.â
âSounds like bullshit to me,â Draco said.
Harry shrugged, âAsk your mum then. She was there, she saw me get hit by the curse. Voldemort asked her to check I was dead and she lied to him, so she could find you.â He shivered and squeezed his hands together, âHow about we talk about anything else now. How are you doing on the potions assignment?â
Draco studied him, his shoulders relaxing, âI finished it yesterday.â
Harry grimaced, âAny pointers?â
âWhat do you have so far?â
Harryâs grimace deepened, âI havenât started it yet?â
Draco closed his eyes like he was in pain, âItâs due in two days, Potter.â
Harry shrugged guiltily, âI finished the Defense paper.â
âWe still have a week for that!â Draco said in dismay.
âIt was more interesting!â Harry said defensively.
Draco rolled his eyes, âFine. Meet me in the library tomorrow after classes and I shall assist you, out of pity, of course.â
Harry grinned, âIâll see you there.â
Part 1 ~ Part 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4 ~ Part 5 ~ Part 6 ~ Part 7 ~ Part 8 ~ Part 9 ~ Part 10 ~ Part 11~ Part 12 (you are here!) ~ Part 13 (Coming soon!) ~