Malfoy shrugged. "Definitely a change. Usually, you're the one saving me."
Harry snorted. "Guess that makes you the Savior, then."
He laughed. "No... maybe your personal savior. I don't care about the rest of the world."
Harry rolled his eyes, but it kinda sunk in what he said. How... direct it was. Malfoy had watched him as much as he watched him.
Malfoy sighed. "Well... I might need some help. McLaggen and Smith have powerful relatives. And... you're probably the only one who would believe me."
Harry went cold. Malfoy had really taken a huge risk... a potentially costly one... to save him. Breaking his probation would mean... Azkaban.
"Fuck no. I won't let anyone...."
"To quote Smith... no one will believe a Death Eater."
Harry snarled. "I'm going to fucking hamstring them if they dare try to...."
Malfoy laughed, darkly. "Just can't handle me having one on you, huh, Potter?"
Potter looked at him, confused.
He laughed again. "Gotta take back your Savior role. Huh? Don't worry, I'm just joking, Potter."
Harry let out a breath. "Yeah... no... I owe you a lot. I don't know... how I would have survived that. I'll be lucky if it's not already in the paper."
"It probably is. I did publically defend you and carry you to my room."
Harry's eyes went wide. Someone had to have noticed. "Fucking hell."
They both jumped when an owl knocked on his window. Malfoy got up to answer it.
"Well, that didn't take long. They made a complaint. McGonagall wants to see me."
Harry got up, snatched the parchment from his hands and read it.
"Here, Potter, please read my post," he said, sarcastically, but Harry ignored him.
McGonagall only wrote that she needed to see him immediately. "Shut it... let's go see the headmistress. Don't suppose you have a non-green shirt to wear?"
"Sure... I have a few grey ones."
Harry didn't really have a choice in the matter. He took what he could. But Draco gave him a muggle black t-shirt with the words, "I'm sexy and I know it," on the front. He gave Draco a weird look but put it on. Draco just smirked.
He walked down the steps with Draco beside him, but Draco stopped halfway down. "Wait, we'll add more wood to the fire if we go down together."
"Personally, I could care less."
Draco frowned. "They'll talk."
"So? Let 'em."
Harry had no qualms about a walk of shame. Draco gave him a worried look but still followed him down the steps. The looks in the common room were more of confusion than surprise. No one said anything until Ron and Hermione came down.
"Harry! Where have you been?"
"We were worried when we came back from the hospital, and you were gone! You weren't in your room, and we couldn't find you. Where did you..." Hermione trailed off and eyed Malfoy.
Ron wasn't oblivious for once, either. "Harry... why are you with Malfoy?"
Harry swallowed hard. He didn't know where to start. Draco, however, didn't hesitate.
"Relax. I didn't steal the Savior's virtue. He just passed out, and I was gracious enough to grant him use of my floor rather than the hallway."
Hermione's eyes widened. "But Harry... you weren't drinking that much... I was watching you. What happened after we left?"