Chapter 3

                                        

                                              
Chapter 3
                              
Published: 9/25/2021
                              
Clingy was not something Draco thought the Chosen One would be, but he definitely changed his mind after a few days with Potter haunting his every step. He was grateful, especially after seeing the glares and cracking knuckles of his fellow students everywhere he went. But no one tried anything the moment Potter showed up. Now, Potter walked him everywhere: to class, to eat, even to the loo, which was awkward.
                              
If Potter knew he was saving him from a barrage of beatdowns, he never mentioned it. He just talked... incessantly. Draco wouldn't have been able to get a word in edgewise, but for the few non-rhetorical questions Potter asked, like if he wanted to eat. In class and at lunch, Potter sat right next to him, even if he (they) went to the library. There, at least, Potter would shut up.
                              
But... Draco was safe. No one was punching him or threatening him. If he could just accept Potter's annoying habits, then he would survive. He was going to take the offer of safety. But he also noticed that Potter was being ostracized by his friends. No one sat with them when they ate or in class. No one came to visit Potter in their room. Did Harry throw his mates over for him? Draco wondered. He was half-tempted to ask, but didn't. The status quo was in his favor. Why do anything that might change that?
                              
"Ready for dinner?" Harry asked, when they were in the library, loud enough to get a Shhh! from Madam Pince.
                              
"Y-Yeah," he mumbled, closing his book and putting it into his bags.
                              
Potter immediately started into the same conversation they had left off when they arrived at the library, like there hadn't been any interruption.
                              
"So, if you believe it, Percy... that stuck up ponce... actually purposed to Penelope, after ignoring her through the whole war. She was so pissed and hexed him bad. It was hilarious. And then... she said yes! Isn't love crazy?" Potter said, loudly and did give him a pause, to see if he wanted to contribute to the conversation.
                              
Draco gave him his classic why-are-you-talking-to-me look and just kept walking. Potter, unfazed, then went on to explain how everyone, and their brother, reacted. Chatterbox was a new adjective he came up with to describe Potter. As they walked into the Great Hall, he was still explaining everything he could possibly think of regarding Percy Weasley. Even after several days, dozens of students still watched their progress in condemnation, as they sat down at their table. He could feel the glares at his back as he filled his plate and ate, while Potter pattered on.
                              
"Hey, Harry," Longbottom said, suddenly, and sat across from them. "How's the... umm... everything going?"
                              
Potter shrugged. "Okay. Not making much headway."
                              
Headway? Draco wondered, but didn't say anything. Talking was not something he was interested in doing.
                              
"Oh... well... umm... so, how have you been, Draco?" Longbottom asked, looking at him unexpectantly.
                              
"Okay," he muttered and stabbed his food. He felt uneasy as Greg and Pansy glared at him from a few tables down and mumbled something low about "waiting until the traitor is alone".
                              
"Don't worry. We won't let anything happen to you," Longbottom said, angrily, and Draco gave him a quizzical look and then to Potter, who was equally annoyed. Neither seemed to want him to get his just desserts. They were mad on his behalf.
                              
"They're not being discreet about their plans," Potter muttered.
                              
Draco nodded and looked at his food. So, Potter was paying attention. He was usually a brick.
                              
Potter sighed and shrugged, but Neville (no Longbottom, he mentally checked himself) leaned closer. "Draco... you don't have to be afraid."