490Chapter 8: The Row
Harry woke up feeling warm and relaxed, he hadn't ever had that good of a night's sleep before. No nightmares either, that was odd. It took a moment for him to realize that yesterday did happen and it wasn't a dream. Everything with Draco had been real. He could feel the steady heartbeat of Draco underneath him letting him know that at some point in the night he had cuddled into him. He could feel Draco's arms wrapped around him holding him tightly to him. He sighed happily. It felt wonderful being in his arms. He wanted to wake up like this every day. Part of him wondered how a single night could have changed things so drastically. Was it normal to feel this attached to someone overnight? It's not like he is a stranger, he has known Draco for seven years. Sure, they hadn't been the best of years but he understood Draco on a deep subconscious level. He could honestly say he knew Draco better than he knew Ron and Hermione. Harry knew a lot about his best friends but nothing like he knew Draco. You don't bare your soul to someone without forming a connection. Draco was the only person he had ever told his whole life to before. A little voice in his head snidely told him that Draco could ruin him with the information that he told him last night. But the rest of him just knew that Draco would never do that. And not because of how much Harry could tell about Draco either. There was something between them know. Whatever it is, it's wonderful. It's strange how much has changed. Yesterday Draco was just an old rival. He hadn't hated him, specially sine he saved Harry's life but they were far from friends. And now... now they were something. Something real and tangible.
Something had woken him up but he was too tired to remember what. He could hear whispers. That sent all thoughts of falling back asleep away. His survival instincts kicked in. Harry strained his ears trying to figure out who and what they were saying. He cracked his eyes open slightly but couldn't see anyone. So that meant they were behind him. Not a good tactical advantage for him.
"Who do you think it is?" Harry recognized Pansy Parkinson's voice. Harry grinned. Oh this will be good. "I have no idea, I can't see his face." It took Harry a couple seconds trying to place the second voice. He wanted to smack himself when he realized it was Blaise Zabini. The slytherin was always on the quiet side. Hardly heard him talk. Of course, Draco's best friends would come and check up on him. He grinned when he tried to picture what their reactions would be when they realized it was Harry Potter laying in Draco Malfoy's bed. Oh he was definitely enjoying this more than he should be.
"Did you know he was gay?" Pansy asked in a wounded voice. "No, he never said anything to me. But maybe he was worried to tell us." Blaise tried to reassure her. She scoffed. "Like we would care. As long as he is happy then I am happy." Harry instantly liked her for that comment. He himself had never considered liking blokes until Draco.
"Besides I have always suspected. I mean I have never met a boy who spends so much time primping his hair in the bathroom as Draco. He takes twice as long as me!" Pansy said with a snort. Blaise let out a low chuckle. "You know you are right. The signs were there all along. Remember that time I told you I found a makeup bag in our bathroom? Draco said it was his for Halloween. It was March Pansy, March. Come on!" Pansy laughed out loud. It sounded slightly muffled, like she was covering her mouth.
"Do you think they shagged?" Blaise asked with no tact. Harry almost snorted. He could get used to them if they continued to act like this. They were not behaving like the cold slytherins he knew they were capable of. But Draco surprised him last night, so he planned to keep an open mind. Pansy let out a muffled giggle. "I don't think so. They both have clothes on. I am just glad that he is finally getting past Potter." Harry stopped breathing. What? "I know what you mean. It was so sad seeing him pining after the boy all these years. Not that he would admit it." Blaise said with amusement in his voice. Harry grinned and relaxed. So Draco has been fancying him? He felt years lighter. He wanted to wake him up and snog him. The steady breathing of Draco let him know that he was still out to the world. He let out a groan letting Pansy and Blaise know he was 'waking' up. He purposefully kept his back turned to them and leaned over and put his glasses on. He saw parchment and a quill laying there. Perfect. He composed a quick letter. He could feel their eyes on him the whole time.
Harry stood with his back to them and stretched. He took a deep breath, he composed his face making sure not to let them see how amused he was and turned around. Pansy's mouth dropped open. Blaise let out a squawk of surprise. Which Harry was distinctly proud of, it is hard to get a slytherin to show emotions. He gave himself a mental pat on the back. Harry rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Morning." Harry said trying not to smile at their stunned faces. Gods this was fun.
"P-Potter?" Blaise asked weakly like he couldn't believe who was standing there. "Call me Harry, Blaise. I think we will be spending more time together so no need to call me by my last name." He stretched out and offered his hand to the boy. Blaise looked down at too long for Harry's liking, he was about to pull his hand away when Blaise reached out and gripped it. Harry let out a small smile and then held his hand out to Pansy. She quickly shook his hand. "Pansy. Blaise. It is nice to see you but I unfortunately have some packing to do. Please see that Draco gets my note, will you?" They both nodded still not saying anything. Their faces were still surprised. Harry grinned. "Thank you. I will see you another time. Good day." Harry smirked when they nodded again with no words. He waited till he was down the stairs and out of their tower to start laughing. He laughed all the way to the Gryffindor tower. He was still chuckling when he entered the common room.
He groaned internally when he saw that Ron, Hermione and Ginny were sitting there waiting for him. They looked surprised to see him laughing. "Harry where have you been?" Hermione demanded shrilly. Harry really did let out a groan this time. "What's so funny mate?" Ron asked raising an eyebrow. Harry walked over to his favorite chair by the fire and sighed as he sank into it. He was not looking forward to this.
Harry ignored Ron's question. "I went to the quidditch field to think last night and lost track of the time." He said a little vaguely hoping that they would let it go. Hermione and Ginny shared a look. Gods, he hated that girls could do that. Have an entire conversation with just a look? No wonder he never understood them. Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You lost track of time? All night? I can tell by your clothes that you didn't sleep outside." Harry groaned again at her deductions. What was she? An investigator? Did she think she was his mother? Why does it always have to be fifty questions when it comes to his motives. Can't a guy not tell his friends everything he does. It's not like he would care if Hermione or Ron was gone all night. Good for them. How was it any of their business anyways? Ron frowned. "Were you with someone?" He asked. Merlin, was there no privacy anymore? Harry chanced a look at Ginny, worried about her reaction. He could care less if she disagreed but he was not interested in a row right now. She had an eyebrow raised but she didn't look upset. No, she looked curious. Good so she at least was taking the breakup well. He never loved her per say, but she was a good friend. And he really did consider her family.
"I was with someone but it is not like that. We are just friends." Harry said quietly. Internally he smirking. Friends for now. It wasn't exactly a lie. Ahh the perks of being a closet slytherin.
"Harry, you seem more... normal today. What happened?" Hermione asked bluntly. Harry snorted at her lack of tact. Reminded him of Blaise. At least she wasn't afraid to tell him the truth. "Well last night down at the quidditch pitch I had a nice long conversation and talked about... stuff and it really helped me." Harry grinned thinking about Draco. Ron frowned again crinkling his forehead. "You can talk to some chick you just met but you can't talk to us about it?" Harry's grin vanished. He frowned at Ron's jealousy. "Ron it's not like that. You know I would talk to you about it if I could. It's that we have so much in common, more so than I ever imagined. They told me about their life and I told them about my life. It was almost therapeutic and cleansing. I only told them about myself after I learned somethings about them. If I didn't find a reason to tell them about me then I wouldn't have. It's not that I like you less, it's just they understood me Ron." Ron was still feeling a little stung, he crossed his arms across his chest and looked away. Hermione and Ginny shared another look. Gods, that was really starting to irritate him. They both realized Harry's lack of gender when he spoke of the other person.
"Harry." Hermione said gently. Harry was instantly on guard. He knew that tone. That was her 'I am going to be gentle in a delicate situation' tone. The tone she used when she wanted to prevent him from flying off the walls. "You weren't with a girl, were you?" Ron's mouth dropped open in utter shock. Harry blushed despite trying not to. "Erm… well no."
Ginny grinned at Harry's discomfort. She was happy that he snapped out of the funk he had been in. Even though they weren't together she was glad to see him doing better. It slightly stung that he was completely over her. She had understood why they had to break up during the war but she had hoped they would get back together now that it was all over. But to see him happy like this was giving her the closure she needed to move on. She was so happy she could kiss whoever helped him.
"You're gay?" Ron said with his mouth hanging wide open. Hermione smacked him hard on the back of the head. "Ron!" She scolded crossly. Harry smirked as he watched Ron wince and rub his head gently.
"Well maybe... I don't know. If not, then Bi at the very least." Harry said laughing at Ron's chastised face. "Who is it?" Ron asked trying to be supportive when in reality he did not want to know at all. Imagining Harry with a bloke weirded him out. But he was his best friend so he would be there for him.
Harry shifted uncomfortably. He didn't want to tell them. He may have come to an understanding with Draco but his friends hadn't. He wasn't about to tell them any of things they talked about last night. He doubted Draco was going to tell them either. Ron and Hermione had a lot bad history with Draco. They wouldn't understand. "He is just a friend. What's it matter?" He asked as he looked around the room for the quickest exit. The three of them shared a look. What is with the silent communication today?
Hermione frowned wondering why he was panicking. "Harry why don't you want us to know?" She asked suspiciously. "We don't care who he is as long as he makes you happy." Ginny said gently. Ron nodded. "Right it doesn't matter who it is. It's not like it is Malfoy. Go on you can tell us." Ron said trying to make a joke. Harry paled and dropped his face in his hands. They gasped in unison.
"Tell me you are joking Harry?! He's a bloody deatheater!" Ron exploded. There were many things Ron could handle but this was not one of them. If his best friend was into guys, cool not his cuppa but whatever works for him. But his best friend into Malfoy was wrong on so many levels. All he could think about was how Malfoy was a coward on the wrong side. The side that killed his brother. The side that tortured Hermione. The side that got Bill's face deformed. The side that killed Dumbledore. Malfoy had been a part of that side and he couldn't understand how Harry could fraternize with the enemy.
Harry raised his head and glared at Ron. "No I am not joking Ron and you know nothing about him or his life. You may think you do but you don't." He said in a dangerously low voice. His tone shocked the whole room. They never heard such anger in his voice before, or at least directed at them.
"It's Malfoy, Harry! Of course I know him! I know he is a right foul git and has been for years! He is a deatheater! His side lost the war. His father tried to kill you on multiple occasions for crying out loud!" Ron stood up yelling while clenching his fists.
Harry sat there staring daggers into Ron. "Draco is not his father. You have absolutely no idea what he has gone through so don't assume you know anything." Harry yelled back. Ron couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had Malfoy done something to Harry? Was this some kind of trick? Or had Harry finally lost it.
"Did your fight with Voldemort leave you daft? It's Malfoy!" Hermione and Ginny gasped. Harry was stunned. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was so angry. A glass on the table exploded. Ron looked at it wearily. He knew Harry did that.
"Ron I will tell you this once and I mean only once. I will be friends with whoever the fuck I want to. You have no say in it. I will do what I want. Either deal with it or get the fuck out of my life." Ron was gobsmacked. Harry was giving him an ultimatum?
"Harry, you know we trust your judgement. We do. But don't you think this is a little sudden? I mean yesterday you two were still enemies and now you are friends? It just sounds odd." Hermione tried to reason. She honestly couldn't understand what about Malfoy would make Harry defend him so strongly. Something big had to have happened between them and she was determined to know what.
"I know it sounds odd Hermione. But you weren't there last night. We talked for hours. About our lives, likes and dislikes. We talked about what made us who we are. You just wouldn't be able to understand and I'm not asking you to. You don't have to get it, I just need your support." Harry pleaded. Hermione still looked unsure. Ginny was wary but at least she wasn't hostile like her brother.
"He's just using you Harry!" Ron yelled after he got over his shock. Harry looked at him like he was insane. "How is he using me? What could he possibly gain from being my friend?" Harry asked incredulously. Why is it when the shit hits the fan Ron can't handle it? Can't he just be there for him? Friends are supposed to be there for you no matter what.
"For his trial!" Ron yelled at Harry like was stupid. Harry paused frowning. "What trial? He never mentioned a trial." Hermione raised an eyebrow in surprise. Ron was shocked.
"Harry, Malfoy and his parents are being tried for their crimes in the war." Ginny said quietly. Pain seared through Harry at the thought of Draco being put into Azkaban. "He didn't even mention it Ron. If he was using me don't you think he would have asked for my help?" Harry asked before he turned around and stomped out of the common room and made his way to the great hall. He could hear them scramble after him. He wished they would leave him alone. He was not in the mood to have a fight. His great mood from this morning vanished. Harry sighed internally.
He was lost in his thoughts of figuring out how to help Draco with his trial. He would be damned to let him go to Azkaban. He wondered why Draco never mentioned it to him. If Draco didn't want to tell him then he was going to respect that but he was going to help regardless. Harry was so consumed with his thoughts that he didn't even register that Ron was yelling at him.
Ten minutes previously (Draco's room)
Draco woke up and instantly knew Harry was gone. He panicked for a moment. Did Harry regret staying the night? It wasn't as if they did anything but maybe Harry was rethinking everything. He shook his head to clear the panic. He opened his eyes and groaned. He could have slept longer but now that he was awake there was no way he was going to be able to fall back asleep. He reached out a hand to the side of the bed where Harry had slept. It was still warm so he hadn't been gone too long. He noticed a piece of parchment on the pillow. He sat up quickly and didn't even notice his friends watching him. He looked over the letter.
Draco,
I am sorry that you have to wake up to a letter but I had to leave so that I could pack. Perhaps we can meet in the Great Hall for breakfast? I wouldn't mind if you brought Blaise and Pansy with you. I would like to get to know them too since they are your friends. I was serious about spending more time with you so be prepared to be bombarded with letters till you can see me. I was going to wake you but you looked so peaceful that I couldn't bring myself to disturb you.
I have had nightmares daily since I was fourteen but last night was the first night that I slept without one. That is another thing that I have to thank you for. Again, you are my own personal savior. You have no idea what that means to me. I will see you at breakfast should you decide to come.
Harry.
Draco grinned and plopped back down on his pillow and let out a happy sigh. The thought of seeing Harry again gave him butterflies. He loved that Harry kept calling him his savior. Even if it was false, it filled him with so much warmth. There was a loud cough. He let out a very un-Malfoy like screech as he jumped up.
Blaise and Pansy started laughing hysterically from the bed next to Draco's. Draco glared at them. "Bloody hell you scared me! Don't ever do that again!" Draco warned darkly. The previous screech made his threat very hallow. They shared a look and grinned at him. Draco rolled his eyes. "Why are you two watching me sleep? Quite creepy if you ask me. I am sure you could have found something else to amuse yourselves with." He drawled. Blaise snorted. "We had come to check up on you but imagine our surprise to find Potter in your bed. Care to tell us what that is about?" He smirked as he saw his best friend grow flustered. Not often one gets to see a Malfoy as anything other than cool and collected.
Draco blushed. "Well I came across him last night in the quidditch field and we talked through a lot of things and we are friends now." He explained in a rush. Pansy raised an eyebrow. "Friends? I don't know about you but my friends don't sleep in my bed." She said suggestively waggling her eyebrows. His blush grew bigger. "Yes. For now." He replied with a mischievous grin. They all broke out in laughter. "So you have a plan on catching yourself a Gryffindor?" Pansy asked thrilled that Draco was finally feeling like himself again. He had been so depressed for ages. If Potter was the reason for the new spring in her best friends step then she'd welcome him with open arms.
Draco smirked. "Not sure yet. I think he likes me but he has been through a lot so I am going to take my time to make sure he is okay, before we rush into anything." Blaise was shocked at Draco's patience. Which is something the Malfoy heir is not known for. "You really like him, don't you?" Blaise asked quietly. Draco smiled gently. "I do Blaise. I really do." Pansy and Blaise smiled at each other.
"I think he likes you." Pansy said smirking at the way Draco's face lit up. "Why? What did he say?" He asked in a rush. Blaise smirked. "He told us to call him Harry and said that he would be seeing more of us most likely. I think he was implying that he would be around you more." Draco blushed. On the inside he was screaming with joy. He jumped out of bed and threw on a change of clothes and used a charm to make himself clean.
"What are you in a hurry for?" Blaise asked amused. Draco handed him the letter while he looked himself over in a mirror making sure he looked good. Blaise raised an eyebrow and showed Pansy the letter. She let out a little squeal. "Oh Draco he so likes you." He looked at her through the reflection in the mirror. "You think so?" He asked biting his lip. They both snorted. "Yes." They said in unison. Draco grinned at them warmly. Blaise looked over the letter one more time raising an eyebrow. "What is this about you being his savior?" Draco flushed all over again at the words. Not in embarrassment but pleasure. He loved that Harry thought that. Pansy's eyes widened. Draco cleared his throat. "It's nothing. Alright let's go." He demanded and stalked out of the room. He was not about to tell them any of the things Harry and he talked about. That was between the two of them. They shook their head in disappointment as they followed him out. Perhaps they could weasel the details out of him later.
They didn't pass anyone on the way down. There was only a couple people eating breakfast. The castle was nearly empty. The destruction was still all over the place. There was a crew of workers cleaning up the rubble. House elves could be seen doing odd jobs around the castle. Everyone else had left and gone home. The only reason he had stayed was to talk to Harry and to make sure his godfather was okay. Severus had been recovering in the hospital wing. Severus was released last night at some point so he had no reason to stay after breakfast. They sat down at the empty Slytherin table. Draco was too nervous to eat. He was about to start freaking out in his impatience when he heard yelling. He looked up curiously. The yelling was getting louder the closer they got to the great hall.
"Oi! I am talking to you!" Ron yelled at Harry as he ran after him. Harry had been steadily ignoring him but it was getting harder and harder. Couldn't he take a hint? Hermione and Ginny stayed silent not picking sides nor joining in. They came along to make sure nothing happened. Harry was about to walk into the Great Hall when Ron yelled again. "Coward!" Harry whirled around angrily. Draco was stunned to see Harry and Weasley arguing. The anger on Harry's face should have been enough of a warning but Weasley was never the brightest. Even Pansy and Blaise paled a little at the anger on his face. He was the savior of the wizarding world for a reason.
"What did you just say?" Harry asked in a low voice. Ron looked scared for a moment before he plucked up the courage to keep going. "You heard me. You are running away from me." Ron said as he glared. Harry let out a humorless laugh. "Running away? No Ron I left so I wouldn't hurt you. But you seem to not value your life. Watch what you say to me." Harry warned darkly.
Blaise, Pansy and Draco shared worried looks. They never saw him lose control like that. Apparently neither had Harry's friends. They were stunned.
"Do you hear yourself Harry? He has already corrupted you. You need to forget about Malfoy. He is obviously messing with your head. Is it a potion? We can get you checked out. Come on, let's go see Madam Pomfrey." Draco glared. They were arguing about him? He didn't want to come in between Harry and his friends. He knew how much they meant to Harry.
Harry tried to reign in his anger, it was difficult with the shite Ron was spewing. "Ron I told you earlier either get used to this or get the fuck out of my life." Draco gasped quietly. "You would choose him over me?" Ron asked incredulously. "In a heartbeat." Harry promised. Pansy and Blaise shared a proud look. Their opinion of Harry increased tenfold. Draco was stunned. Did Harry mean it? Why? Why would he say that?
Ron was gobsmacked. "After everything we have been through Ron, I had hoped that you would be there for me. What does it matter to you who I am friends with? I am not asking you to be his friend. I am not asking you to even like him. I am just asking you to support my decisions like I would do with you. He saved me Ron." Draco's face flushed as Pansy and Blaise sent him questioning looks. Ron shook his head sadly.
"You really have been addled by the fight. You should get your head looked at to make sure Voldemort didn't screw with it." Everyone gasped. Harry couldn't keep away the anger. Every single glass window in the Great Hall shattered. Ron paled. Harry took a step closer to Ron. Who instinctively took a step back. Ron could see the anger on his face and it scared him. Ron was up against the door. He had nowhere to go.
"I told you to watch what you say to me. I meant it. One more insulting word out of you and what happened to the windows will happen to you." Harry warned. Part of him wondered if he should feel sorry for threatening him, he was his best friend but a bigger part of him was disgusted at Ron's behavior. How could he be so thick?
"Harry he is a deatheater! His kind killed Percy! Think about what this would do to your image. You are the savior, a friendship with Malfoy would ruin you. He has always been a git to you. He has never cared about you before now. He isn't worth-" His words were cut off. Harry punched him so hard a sickening crack could be heard across the silent room. "You don't even know him Ron. I won't stand around and listen to you berate him. You called me a coward but that word belongs solely to you. The war is over Ron. If we are to start a change in the world to make sure that nothing like this happens again then you need to look past your own prejudices and your ignorance. Draco is an amazing person and if you bothered to even look you would see the same thing." Harry's anger was waning the more he talked about Draco. It amazed him that even thinking about him calmed his anger. He looked to Hermione who had her mouth open in shock. Ginny was torn between shock and anger. Why was Harry being so protective of Malfoy? He never got like that when they were dating! And Harry was just friends with him! Was it really necessary to punch Ron? He was just speaking his mind.
Draco blushed at his words. Harry was defending him! He loved it. No one had ever stood up for him like that. Not even his parents. He swore he fell even further with him at that moment. Pansy and Blaise shared a knowing look. If they had any doubts about Harry's feelings before, they were wiped away now. It was obvious how much Harry cared for Draco. This type of anger went way past friendship.
"Get him away from me Hermione. Take him to the hospital wing. Or home. I don't care which. Just get him the fuck away from me. Just looking at him sickens me." Harry said bitterly not even bothering to look at Ron. Hermione and Ginny grabbed a hold of Ron and turned to take him away. Hermione stopped and looked over at Harry.
"I'll talk to him. He'll come around." Harry shook his head. "I don't care if he ever does." Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "You can't mean that." She choked out. Harry looked at her sadly. "I do. After everything we have been through. All the sleepless nights. All the memories, the good, the bad and the bloody worst. Ron is willing to throw it all away for his own hatred. He talks about the prejudice of the slytherins. Hypocritical arse. That is not a friend of mine. Just go." Harry told her. She nodded and they took off without another word.
Harry took a calming breath trying to will away the remaining anger. He raised his hand in the air and the glass repaired itself instantly. All evidence of his anger wiped away. Draco raised his eyebrows. Wandless magic? Not even a spell with a wand would have repaired all the windows instantly. He would have needed to redo the spell a couple times. There was just too many windows. He looked over to his friends and saw their surprise as well. Harry turned around and saw that Draco had seen the whole thing. He was mortified. Perfect, they just had to see that. He groaned as he walked over to him. "Well this is embarrassing." He said as he sat down and clunked his head against the table. They laughed. Draco rubbed Harry's back.
"It wasn't embarrassing Harry. It was bloody brilliant. Thank you, Harry. No one has ever defended me like that before." Draco said proudly. Harry lifted his head and looked at him surprised. Draco smiled gently. "I told you to embrace it and you did. It was amazing." Harry smiled. The more he thought about it he was glad that he let out his anger. It felt good. He felt free. He laid his head on Draco's shoulder and closed his eyes.
"Thank you. I don't know how you do it. You have this uncanny ability to make everything better." He said with a sigh. Draco chuckled. He lifted Harry's chin with his fingers. "It's a secret." He whispered as he stared into Harry's eyes. Harry's breath hitched as he looked into those beautiful gray eyes. "I like secrets." Harry whispered back. Draco smirked. "Is that so?" Harry nodded not trusting himself to talk. All he could think about was how close their faces were. A cough jarred him from his thoughts. He looked over to see Draco's friends. He jumped slightly breaking the trance they were under. Draco glared at Blaise. Pansy smirked.
"Draco is right. That was brilliant." Blaise praised ignoring the daggers his friend was glaring at him. Harry flushed as he looked down shyly. "Erm thanks." He was uncomfortable about praise. Not many people ever congratulated him before. He busied himself with grabbing food to cover up any awkward pauses. The rest of the group exchanged puzzled looks. Draco shook his head letting his friends know that he had no idea what that was about.
When Harry composed his face, he looked back up pleased to see they were all eating as well. "So what are all of your plans for the summer?" He asked curiously, changing the subject. Pansy and Blaise looked at Draco who tried to discreetly kick them. This did not go unnoticed by Harry. He was slightly amused that Draco didn't want to tell him about the trial. It filled him with warmth. How could Ron think that Draco wanted to use him?
"Um well my family has something planned in about a month and if everything goes to plan then I will have the rest of the summer to do absolutely nothing." Draco said looking down at his food. He did not want to tell Harry about the trial. He was so nervous. He didn't want Harry to intervene on his behalf. Which knowing Harry he would do. He was not about to trouble Harry over his problems when Harry had so much going on already. Pansy and Blaise shared worried looks.
"Well before your family trip do you think we could spend some time together? I want to show you around to some parts of my life." Draco looked up, his face lighting up. He smiled warmly at Harry. "I would like that." Harry smiled. He was glad that his anger hadn't scared him off. Maybe it was a Slytherin thing.
"You know we could always plan a way to get Weasley back." Pansy blurted out. Harry looked at her considering the thought. "Hmm. And what would you do?" He asked curiously. His question surprised the table. They thought for sure that Harry would have tried to convince her otherwise.
"My my it looks like there is more to the golden boy then we thought." Blaise said with a smirk. "I can see why Draco is interested in you." Draco flushed and aimed a kick at him. Harry himself blushed and looked down at his food with a smile on his face.
"Do add spiders to whatever plan you cook up." Harry said after he calmed his blush down. "Spiders?" Blaise asked curiously. Harry snorted. "Do you remember our third year when we were learning about boggarts?" Draco was the first to figure it out, he burst out laughing. Once the other two remembered what Ron's boggart had been they quickly joined in on the laughter. Harry smiled at them. He was beginning to really take a liking to them. They were not at all like he had thought they would be.
"You are wicked. I like it." Draco said smiling. Harry blushed but smiled back. "Is there a story behind his hatred of spiders?" Pansy asked. "Oh Merlin yes." Harry said as he launched into the explanation of what happened their second year. By the end of it they were all laughing and looking at Harry with respect. "I can't believe you made it out of there alive. You were so young. I am impressed." Blaise said with a slight awe to his voice. Harry shrugged and looked down at his food embarrassed. "Erm well I have always been good at surviving. I was already adjusted to dangerous situations. I guess it was just second nature." While Harry played with his food the others frowned.
"You don't like compliments?" Pansy asked gently. Harry looked up at her. "I just don't get them often and they make me uncomfortable." Harry whispered. Everyone looked sharply at him. What was he talking about? He's the savior of the world for crying out loud. Harry saw the looks and shook his head. "Everyone knows who I am and knows what I have done but everything I do is expected of me. Already mapped out. So if I do something good it has already been assumed. They praise me for who they think I am but not for what I actually do." Draco reached over and pulled Harry into a hug. Harry sighed at the contact and closed his eyes.
Pansy and Blaise shared a concerned look. They had no idea who this Harry was. They like everyone else had just assumed that they knew him. "Well then I will spend every day filling your head with compliments till it makes you cocky." Draco teased running his fingers through Harry's hair. Harry laughed warmly. "Is that so I will be just like you?" He asked cheekily. Draco snorted with a smile. "Prat. I will have you know I am not cocky. I just tell the truth." Harry laughed out loud enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. Harry pulled away from the hug and instantly missed the warmth. He laid his head on Draco's shoulder not wanting to completely let go of his contact. Draco smiled widely at that. He looked up to see Pansy and Blaise smiling at the duo. Draco rolled his eyes at them. With his friends and Harry by his side, Draco knew he could handle whatever life could throw at him.