Who's your Savior?

                                        

                                              
Who's Your Savior?
ONE SHOT
Published: June 22nd, 2024
Trigger warning: date rape drug, nonconsensual sexual contact, attempted sexual assault
The party was hopping.
Someone... Dean probably... had smuggled in a muggle radio and enchanted it to run without electricity. They had even brought some base speakers to make the room impossibly loud. Harry's ears were ringing, and his head actually hurt. He wasn't feeling it, but for the truce, he was going to hold out as long as possible.
The end of the war had brought peace. They had stumbled through a painful mourning period and war trials over the summer. Reparations and prison sentences were handed down. Most of Voldemort's supporters were given life. Their children were given more leniency.
Harry eyed the Slytherins hiding in the corner, occupying a large L-shaped couch. Parkinson was making out with Daphne Greengrass while Nott and Goyle watched gleefully. Zabini was on guard watching the crowd, and Malfoy didn't show any emotion. Malfoy, as far as he knew, was forced to come not only to the party but to Hogwarts as well.
Harry had testified for Malfoy and fought against any prison time. The Wizengamot had given him probation and required him to return to Hogwarts. Kingsley had also strong-armed Harry into going back as part of the deal. Kingsley said that he really needed a year off to recover. Therapy sessions were mandatory for all students, young and old.
Malfoy's grey eyes finally turned to him as though sensing that he was watching him. Harry gave a small nod, and Malfoy returned it. Harry continued on walking through the party. The truce had been established on day 1 of being back. Harry had already sent Malfoy back his wand when he was released from prison and received a terse "Thank you" in response. But before they had entered the Great Hall for the Welcoming Feast, Malfoy had called him back to the Entrance Hall.
He had waited until they were alone before meeting his eyes. "Why?" Was all he said.
Harry couldn't really articulate why he had clamored so hard for his release. The public and Wizengamot surely didn't want to let him go, and Harry had stretched the truth and guessed Malfoy's intentions about his forced enlistment. He even called him a child soldier, similar impressment in muggle high-violence cultures.
"Did you want him to win?" he asked instead.
Malfoy grimaced and shook his head. "I still...."
"Did some fucked up shit? So did I. Did you kill anyone?"
"I hurt people."
"Again... so did I. Cruicoed and Imperioed them. We had to survive. I understand it, Malfoy."
Malfoy's eyes flashed, dangerously. "You don't understand me at all, Potter!"
Harry shrugged. "I probably don't, especially since I hauled your ass out of the flames, literally and figuratively, and it seems like you are yelling at me."
Malfoy had the decency to blush. "Thank you, oh Chosen One. Guess you're my personal savior then?"
Harry snorted and just turned to leave, done with the conversation.
"Wait... I'm sorry. Seriously, thank you for... everything."
Harry sighed. "You're welcome, Malfoy. Let's not make this any more awkward."
Malfoy scowled. "You don't want anything?"
Harry looked at him, confused. "Why would I... no, never mind. Nothing... I want nothing. I did it because it was the right thing to do. There's only one thing I want. Some peace and fucking quiet. I'm tired of fighting everyone and everything. I never wanted to come back."