Draco Malfoy, Broken

***TRIGGER WARNING*** - for panic/anxiety attack     

19 - Shivers

Harry Apparated over at the designated time. He was still shaken from the nightmare he had the night before. He wanted nothing more than to crawl into a bottle until school started, but he had responsibilities. He needed to check on Draco.

"There you are, Harry," Narcissa said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Is everything okay?" Harry asked.

"Good. How was my sister?"

"She's doing well. Teddy's a handful, but she does have a house elf. Anything happen while I was gone?"

"Not really. Draco's up, but he hasn't left his room. He was really tired yesterday, but he didn't... nothing happened."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief and she opened Malfoy's door. "Goodbye sweetie, I'm going to work."

Malfoy was sitting on his bed facing the wall. He didn't say anything, but nodded. She turned patting Harry on the arm and walked out the door. Harry walked into Malfoy's room and sat down next to him.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Draco didn't respond. Harry frowned and swallowed hard. "Do you want to play the game, again?"

Malfoy looked at him, almost concerned. Harry supposed that he sounded a bit rough. "I don't know. I don't want to tell you all of it. It was subdued. It was weird, almost like a playing a memory. My dreams aren't usually so accurate. They're worse... they pull from other things... but it was just strange is all. It wasn't exactly a fun memory, but it could have been a lot worse, without an effort."

"What happened?" Harry asked.

Malfoy frowned. "It wasn't long after Christmas break. Crabbe and Goyle had tried to... have their way with Daphne."

Harry tensed and Malfoy looked at him. "She said that they got... grabby."

"It wasn't pretty. She was really upset."

"She said that they beat the hell out of you when you stood up for her."

"Yeah..." Draco said, lowered his head and looking away from him. He was closing up.

"Hey... you did the right thing. She said that they didn't try anything, again."

"It wasn't just me. They both got jinxed left and right from the other Slytherins." Draco stayed quiet, again.

Harry bit his lip and asked, "What happened?"

"Nothing really..." he said, trailing off. "Just a few broken ribs and a whole bunch of bruises."

"You act like more than that happened," Harry stated.

Malfoy leaned away from him and started rubbing his forearm... his mark. Harry waited. Draco was going to tell him or he wasn't, but it had to be his choice. It was painful to pull information out of someone if they weren't ready and willing. Minutes dragged on.

"It was the point... it was when the... I don't know how to explain it," Malfoy said, flummoxed.

"We've got all day," Harry said.

Malfoy's slate eyes looked at him. "We weren't exactly close. I was in charge... and then I wasn't. That was when the power balance shifted. They were in charge. They could do anything and whatever I said meant nothing."

Harry nodded. It kinda made sense. Slytherins are all about power.

"They find out about me... my preferences," Draco said, still unwillingly to say it aloud.

"How?" Harry asked.

"It doesn't matter... they threatened to tell everyone and let them have me."

"Whatda you mean?"

"After they beat the shit out of me, I had to limp my way to the hospital wing... through the school. No one wanted to help me. Not the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs or the Ravenclaws. They pushed me down, even hexed me. I was a Death Eater... a disgraced one. Everyone hated me."

"Blaise rescued me, even in my dream... that's why it's so strange. No one ever rescues me in my dreams. And the memory just kept going through getting treated in the hospital wing and the walk back to Slytherin. It's never done that. Nothing bad happened... after Blaise showed up, anyway."

Harry looked at him, sorrow filling his heart. "Why don't you want to tell me everything?"

"Pride," Draco said, wiping tears from his eyes.

Harry looked at him. He did not like that. "They didn't... do anything... to you, did they?"

Malfoy tightened up. "No. It was close though."

Harry sensed that he'd be intruding if he poked him anymore. It was his turn. "Mine started off on one of my standbys."

"Standbys?"

"Yeah... the dreams that always come back."

"Oh... I have those... I call them my fave five. But standbys sounds better."

Harry gave him a look, but let it go. "I was at the graveyard... where Voldemort came back. We went through the motions, death, torture and taunting... then it changed. He pushed me into a grave. I couldn't get out. Then the dirt started to come in. I cried out, but it just kept coming, slowly filling the grave and I couldn't move. I looked up and it wasn't Voldemort... it was Ron. He was shoveling in the dirt. He said that I choose this. I pleaded with him and begged him, but he just said the same thing and poured more dirt in. Slowly it came up to my head and then I was covered. I couldn't breathe and I was panicking. That's when I woke up."

"I'm sorry," Malfoy said.

"It's not your fault."

"But it is... however you wish to look at it. You stuck up for me and you're paying for it."

"I was willing to. Don't forget that. Ron wouldn't really do that to me."

"There's always some truth or meaning to dreams, Harry. It meant something, whether you believe it or not."

Harry snorted. "I just thought my mind enjoys tormenting me."

"Probably."

"Hungry? We can finish that open box of pancake mix?"

Draco nodded. "Sounds good."

"Alright... let's go... breakfast time!"

Malfoy followed him to the kitchen and started to pull out the bowls, measuring cup and mix. Harry sat down, watching him work with a smile. Malfoy mixed it up without any help. When he put the griddle on the stove he stopped like he was stuck.

"Potter, how do you turn on this... thing?"

"Oh... yeah, you push in the knob and turn it to the lite notch."

"What?" Malfoy said. Harry went over and showed him. It took a few tries, but he got it to ignite. "Huh." Draco put some oil on it and waited. Harry sat at the table.

He learns quick, Harry thought, but then he jolted. "Hey... how did you get the water to boil that day when you made me oatmeal?"

Draco smirked. "Magic. We are wizards, Potter."

"But..." Harry started. "You did that wandless magic, didn't you?"

"Umm... yeah..." Malfoy said, bashfully.

"Wow... I didn't even notice. Nonverbal, too, right? Ollivander said that you did all your spells like that."

"It was necessary, living with Death Eaters kept me on my toes."

"That's amazing. He said that it's very difficult to do."

"Most people can't do it," Malfoy said, dumping a circle of batter onto the fry pan. "It takes a lot out of you."

"He said it could have killed you."

"It could have. I didn't really care either way, so that helped." Malfoy flipped the pancakes.

"Can you do any spell?" Harry asked, his curiosity peaked.

"No... it's not that easy. Using a wand helps to focus. Plus there's limits. You take on the negative effects of the casting, where as your wand would have absorbed the feedback."

"There's feedback?"

"You've felt the aura of your spells before, right Potter? Your Patronus charm? It drains you. Your wand takes most of the feedback, but you still feel drained."

"Yeah... I guess."

Malfoy dumped the next round of pancake batter on the griddle and rubbed the back of his neck. Harry couldn't help but watch him cook. His long blonde hair was thoroughly tangled and unkempt. Harry liked it like that. Malfoy had always sleeked his hair back neat and tidy. He didn't allow it to be messed up. Harry smiled, his heart quickened.

Draco dropped a plate in front of him. There were four misshapen light brown pancakes on them. Harry was about to ask if he had problems flipping them, when he looked at Malfoy's plate. His were in a neat stack, circular and all of the same size and width. Impressive doing it by hand. Malfoy put the butter and syrup on the table and sat down, buttering his stack.

"Did you... purposely make mine like this?" Harry asked, incredulously.

"Umm... you said you liked the messed up ones. You can have mine if you want."

"No... I like them... I just... nevermind," Harry said, feeling himself go red.

Draco smirked and didn't say anything, as he ate his perfect stack. Harry plowed through his one at a time. Malfoy took their plates to the sink when he finished.

"Thanks, it was good," Harry said, as Malfoy rinsed their plates.

"Well, I learned from the best," Draco said, turning to give Harry another smile.

Harry blushed again. What was wrong with him? A few thoughts toward his nightmare and the happy, giddy feelings stopped. He didn't like not being in control of his emotions.

"Ow!" Draco yelped. He just touched the hot griddle.

"Did you burn yourself?" Harry asked, quickly getting up and walking over to him.

"I didn't expect it to still be hot," Malfoy said, wincing.

"You didn't turn off the burner," Harry stated, turning the knobs.

"I forgot," Malfoy said, grimacing. There was a line across his fingers.

"I can heal it," Harry said, looking at him.

"Okay?" Draco said, like he didn't know why Harry was waiting.

"Well..." Harry started and muttered the Burn-Heal Charm. The welts slowly disappeared. "It was a good charm to know when we were backpacking across England."

"Backpacking?"

"Muggle traveling on foot, when we on the run. We Apparated sometimes, but we had to constantly move."

"Sounds laborious. Thanks," Malfoy muttered, rubbing his fingers.

"Oh, it was fun... and no... it sucked."

"You were with Granger and Weasley the whole time?"

"Yeah... well Ron left for a few weeks."

"Dare I ask?" Malfoy asked, looking at him concerned.

Harry felt uneasy about talking about it, but he just needed to share his pain, if only a little bit. "It was bad... I think he thought that Hermione and I were getting together... but it was... a lot of things."

"He's such an idiot," Malfoy huffed. Harry gave a half-hearted shrug.

"So I noticed that there's a wand by your bed," Harry said, out of the blue.

Draco flinched. "Yes? I'm allowed to have a wand."

"It looks used."

"Well, I'm not rolling in money anymore, Potter," he growled, upset and turning away from him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to imply...."

"It's not a big deal, Potter. The Hogwarts letter came yesterday, so we went to Diagon Alley."

"Our letter came?" Harry asked and then Popped! out of the flat. He found it on his bed wrapped in his blankets. It must have come when he was sleeping. He Apparated back to Draco, who gave him an exasperated look.

"Found it. It must've came when I was sleeping," Harry said, opening it.

"And you didn't notice an owl fly in and back out?"

Harry quickly perused the letter, ignoring the remark, and nodded. "More electives? They're keeping us busy. You already got all your stuff then?"

"I... still need one of my defense books. I was spotted and we had to leave."

Harry's eye twitched, annoyed. "Alright, I need my books. Let's go to there, now."

"Harry, I don't have any... money," Draco admitted, chagrin.

"Don't worry, I got everything," Harry said.

"I'm not... my mom told me about the magic card, Potter."

"Did she?" Harry said, not denying anything. He even smiled a bit.

"You're spending a lot of money on me... us...."

"So?" he growled. "I have the lasting remnants of the Potter and Black family's fortunes in my vaults, Malfoy. You think I enjoy having money because my parents and godfather died for me?"

Malfoy's breath hitched. Harry hadn't been this angry in awhile. The venom in his voice couldn't be misunderstood. But Harry backtracked when he saw Malfoy avert his eyes. He was tense like there was a threat. Harry grimaced when he realized that he was the threat.

"Sorry. I have anger problems," Harry said, and Malfoy looked at him, still unsure. His jaw was clenched. Malfoy's default response to stress was to stop talking. It wasn't easy to undue years of abuse between Voldemort, Lucius and Vance.

"Really, I'm sorry." Harry put his hand on Draco's shoulder. Malfoy trembled under his touch. Harry could sense that he was slipping into a flashback. "Draco! Look at me... look right here."

Harry pulled his head up, to force him to look. Draco's grey eyes were opaque. They flickered back and forth between reason and pain. Life and death.

"I'm so sorry, Draco," Harry said and Draco's eyes stabilized, clearing up and focusing on him. "Are you okay?"

He only nodded, still lock-jawed. Harry sat down at the table, putting his elbows on the table and burying his face in his hands.

"Shit... I didn't mean to take it out on you," Harry said. He felt Draco pull the chair next to him.

"Harry, most people... get money when their loved ones pass on... it's called inheritance. You're their legacy. You shouldn't be upset that they trusted you with all they had to give you," Draco whispered.

Harry considered that and sighed. It made sense. "You know that Sirius Black was your mum's cousin?"

"Yeah..." Malfoy said, uncertainly.

"That means the Black's vaults would have gone to your mom and her sister... sisters technically."

"If your godfather hadn't named you his heir? If that's what you're getting at... it's yours Harry. I'm glad you got the Black inheritance. It's better than some asshole like my father or a crazy radical like my aunt. You'll do right by him... by your parents."

"But I'll still make sure your mom is okay."

"That doesn't mean you need to pamper us, Potter. I think after everything we could do with some humility."

"You think you need more of... whatever?"

"I think going back to everything like it was before, isn't healthy either."

"I'm not showering you or your mom with luxury, Malfoy. You need your school supplies. Your mother needs to eat and pay her rent. I know you'd hate being more in my debt, but... if this is the humility you're looking for... it's here. Accept my help. There are no strings. You aren't in a position to deny you need help. Unless you want to take more from your mother?"

Malfoy's grey eyes darkened to charcoal. "Fuck you, Potter. You have no idea...." But he dropped his gaze, unable to keep up the vitriol. He wiped the tears from his eyes.

"And that's why I didn't tell you about the magic card. If it makes you feel better, when you get filthy rich again, you can buy my dinners."

Draco let out a weak laugh. "Yeah, filthy rich. Like that will happen."

"I don't think you'd settle for mediocrity."

Malfoy looked up at him and gave a weak nod. "If I could see a future... where I had choices... but what makes you think I'd get a job anywhere? I'll probably end up like my mom... in the muggle world."

"Maybe... but there's good jobs there, too. But until then... I'm here, with or without your permission."

Malfoy's shoulders dropped, defeated. "The 온라인카지노게임 of my life."

"I... I'm trying to help you...."

"I know, but it doesn't make me feel any less... powerless."

"I understand... kinda. But you'll just have to forgive me. I'm going to make sure that your mom and Andromeda are taken care of, especially since she has Teddy."

"You intend to raise him?"

Harry winced and Draco's sharp granite eyes honed in on him. Harry felt a chill down his back as the small comment ripped open that healing scab. Malfoy didn't look away and let the question hang.

"I hope," Harry whispered, the words felt hollow.

Malfoy tilted his head and grimaced when he didn't elaborate. "Hope?"

Harry shook as Draco unintentionally poked the sore wound. He dropped his gaze to the table and zoned off, cutting himself out of the conversation. He keep a tight hold on his muscles, not allowing himself to shake, as he quickly tried to squash the unexpected attack. He could barely hear his name being said. He felt Draco's hand turning him.

"Harry!" he said, but it was muted.

Harry's rapidly increasing heartbeat drowned out any other noise as his breathing became erratic. He brought his elbows inward as his tremors finally broke through and he shook uncontrollably. Tears came out as he couldn't find balance between the pain and his denial. Suddenly, Draco's pale arms were around him and tightened. His head was behind his, shushing him.

"Breathe, Harry. Just breathe," Draco whispered, taking deep breaths. "It's okay. Everything is okay. Breathe."

Harry half-heartedly tried to muscle out of Draco's death grip, but the Slytherin only clenched him tighter. He only somewhat acknowledged how Draco must feel every time he went through this and someone was holding him. Trapped and restrained. Harry put more effort into breaking Draco's grip and the frail, weak boy grunted from the effort of wrestling with him. Harry pushed harder, forcing Draco to fall backwards to the floor. Harry nearly broke free on impact, but Draco wrapped his long legs around him, cinching down. He rolled Harry to his side, putting more pressure into pulling Harry closer to his chest.

"Easy, Harry. I got you," he whispered.

Harry choked out a sob and started crying into his shoulder. It took several minutes to regain some measure of control over his feelings and a few more to stop the shaking. All he could feel was Draco's warm body wrapped around his. He finally unclenched, relaxing in Draco's arms.

The Slytherin let out a breath of relief and rested his head against Harry's. "Okay?"

"Yeah," Harry breathed quietly. He was trembling, still.

"I won't let you go... Harry. Just calm down," he whispered.

Harry pressed his face into Draco's shoulder. His tears soaking the silk fabric of Malfoy's tailored pajamas. His heart finally pumping in normal rhythm. He took long deep breaths. He tilted his head slightly and met Draco's concerned eyes as Malfoy lifted his head up.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked.

He was so close to him, inches. Harry's heart fluttered at bit faster for a different reason. Blissful shivers ran through his whole being, his blood was afire. He looked away, knowing his eyes would give him away. He nodded. Words were too much. Harry pushed his shoulder back and Draco immediately let go, disentangling his legs from Harry's. Harry pulled himself into a sitting position and leaned back up against the couch, wrapping his arms around his legs. Draco sat next to him.

"I guess I'm not the only one that happens, too," Draco said, quietly. He dropped his hand to the floor, open palm, between them: an invitation.

Harry let go and placed his sweaty, trembling hand into his. "No, you're not. Thank you. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Maybe a bruise. I'm fine though. Wasn't expecting you to push off like that."

"Sorry."

"I'm sorry, too, I didn't mean to..."

"You don't have to apologize. You couldn't have known."

"Known what..." Draco started, but realized he was pushing. "Sorry, you don't have to...."

"No, it's okay. It was just left over from last night. You helped... it's harder when you're alone."

Draco tensed and didn't say anything else. Harry let the silence brew while he clenched Malfoy's... no... Draco's hand.

"I can't raise him. I can't even take care of myself, much less a kid. Hell, I should be around him, the shape I'm in. I don't even know why she keeps letting me come over, hungover, bereft, and uncommunicative. You think you don't have a future? Phh... my destiny is done. It's finished... defeat the Dark Lord... prophecy and all. There wasn't a post script, you know? I served my purpose."

"You saved me. I don't think that was prophesied."

Harry looked at him, and gave a weak smile. "Did I?"

"You're going to be an amazing wizard, Harry. It's not over. Have you not been paying attention? Apparating through wards? That Patronus Charm of yours? You are powerful."

"Says Mister I-don't-need-a-wand-to-cast-spells."

Draco smiled. "You're just in a rut, Harry."

Draco called him Harry... quite a few times, actually. He tried not to blush at that realization. He had switched to calling him Draco in his head at some point during the morning.

"Yeah..." Harry said, wiping the rest of his tears on his free sleeve. "We should get going. Another fun filled ride on the Tube or Apparate?"

Draco shrugged, unwilling to commit. Helpful, Harry sighed.

"Hey, I need to stop by my house. We can walk from there. Get some fresh air, eh?"

"M'okay."

"Don't sound too excited."

"Maybe I don't want to go back there. What if they see me, again?"

"They won't. We can wear our hoods up."

"I did wear the hoodie, Harry. Why don't you just go without me?"

"I can't leave you here by yourself."

"I'm not a child, Harry. I'm been alone for the last 4 months."

"Not exactly. But I have been, too. I-I don't really want to be alone," Harry said, looking determinately at the floor, his hand still in Draco's.

Draco looked at him and didn't say anything at first. "Okay."

Harry slowed loosened his fingers and heaved himself to his feet. Draco rose up next to him and mumbled that he was going to change. Harry wrote a letter to Narcissa, in case they returned late. He said she could come by his house, but he realized that there was no floo powder by the fire. He Popped back to his house, grabbed the half-bag he had and returned to the flat. Draco was still in the bathroom, most likely un-messing up his hair.

Harry picked up the book on the coffee table. It was a self-help book dealing with post-traumatic stress. As it had been checked out from Narcissa's work, he figured it must be hers. He wondered idly if she got it for herself or for understanding Draco. Both were unpleasant choices.

Draco emerged after ten minutes, his hair in place and Harry put the book down, already through two chapters.

"About time, Princess," Harry chuckled.

"Prat."

"Git," Harry retorted, standing up and walking over to him. "I left your mom a note, in case we take awhile."

"Good."

"Ready?" Harry said, lacing his fingers around Draco's hand.

***

Draco landed in the kitchen of Number 12, slightly more graceful than the last time he had arrived. Potter-Harry hadn't let go of his hand, yet. The air was stale, like Potter hadn't opened a door or a window in a long time. He was surprised that the floor and table wasn't littered with liquor bottles. There was quite a collection of old plates and food.

"Sorry... I wasn't expecting company," Harry said, letting go and heading upstairs. "I'll be back. Feel free to look around."

Draco did just that. Last time, he had been too horrified and broken to let his eyes wander. Draco walked into the sitting room where several large comfy black couches were. The fireplace looked cleaned and sparse. In fact, there were no decorations anywhere that Draco could see. Perhaps Potter didn't have any mementos to display. However, this being the Black family homestead, there should have been hundreds of magical items. Draco walked further down the hall, checking in rooms and then to the next floor, discovering the Black family tree, similar to the one the Malfoys.

Draco could see burn marks in some spots that were now patched with names. Sirius Black and Andromeda Tonks. New lines formed in different writing. Ted Tonks to his aunt Andy, Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin, and at the bottom, Teddy Lupin. Potter had even found the familial connection to the Weasleys and added them on the wall. Hermione's name was next to Ron's. Draco reached out and touched the spot below Sirius Black's name. A dotted line went down to one name: Harry Potter.

"He would have adopted me, if Pettigrew hadn't framed him," Harry said, making him jump.

He dropped his hand from the wall. "I'm sure. Sorry, you said I could look around."

Harry shrugged, "I did. I don't care. You can look. There's not much left. I put everything in the attic, including the screaming portrait of Sirius's mum."

"Huh, I bet there was some fun surprises from a house and family this old."

"You have no idea. Once a set of robes attacked Ron," Harry said and then frowned after the last word.

"Get what you needed?" Draco cut in.

"Yeah," Harry said, shouldering a muggle backpack. "Hermione added an Extendable Charm to it for my birth—"

"Birthday? It's okay, Harry. I'm not that fragile."

"Uh huh, okay with walking?"

"Yeah... you're right fresh air would be good."

"I'm always right," Harry laughed.

Draco snorted and followed Harry out the door. It was an hour walk to the Leaky Cauldron, Potter informed him and he still approved. He needed to rebuild his muscles if that run from the park two nights ago was any indication. He was never the most athletic person to begin with, but he could at least hold his own.

Potter talked to him the whole time about all the muggle things they encountered. Draco listened incredulously but took everything with a grain of salt. Potter tended to exaggerate the truth and answered many questions he had with "magic". He couldn't really believe that the muggle lifts went upward with Hovering Charms or that the muggle news had seers that could predict the weather. That was crazy. No one could predict the weather, if Trelawney was any indication.

"So... what electives were you going to take?" Harry asked.

Draco frowned. He didn't want to take any, but there didn't appear to be a choice. "I was going to take Advanced Magical Theory, Curse-Breaking and Home Economics."

"H-Home Economics?" he shuttered surprised.

"Yeah. My mom said it's about cooking and house management," Draco said, unsure of Potter's reaction.

Harry stared at him with a wide grin. "I have to tell you Draco... there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking it... but... it's... mostly... I don't even know how to say it without sounding like an asshole."

"Spit it out, Potter," Draco said, annoyed.

"Draco, girls usually take that course. I'm not saying that you can't, it's just... people are stupid, sometimes."

"I see, so you're saying I shouldn't take it?"

"No, I did not say that... I want you to understand that... problems might arise. I think the class would be awesome. I don't have any idea how to cook with magic or clean."

"My mom said it was about managing money, too. I never had to do that before."

"Okay. It's a good idea. I didn't want to turn you off it. I didn't want you to be surprised."

"Thanks, I guess. What you are taking?"

"I haven't really looked at the list, actually," Harry said and pulled out the letter, perusing it. "Huh... I think I'll have to take Magical Law and Politics. I'm a warlock, I should know what the fuck I'm doing, even with Hermione telling me how to do everything."

"I agree. It's a good choice," Draco said, supportively.

"I don't think I need any muggle classes. Urg, Goblin Politics? Could you imagine? You'd probably have to learn the language, too."

"I imagine you'd need a lot of politics after breaking into their vault, stealing their dragon and destroying the main lobby."

Harry threw his head back, laughing easily. Draco's face lit up watching him. "I'm surprised they even let me back in the place. But let's see no for Alchemy, Astrology, Auramancy, Divination, I'm rubbish at Art and as much as I like Hagrid, I'm never taking Care of Magical Creatures."

Draco nodded. "No kidding. Blast-Ended Skrewts? Bloody menace, even if I was an asshole in class."

Harry shrugged in reluctant argument. "Curse-breaking? I can't say that sounds particularly interesting? Why are you taking it?"

"I figured it was like trying to solve a problem. I like Arithmancy... so I thought it'd be a similar."

"Sounds like... work."

"Study and patience," Draco said.

"Sorry... not my cup of tea. Magical Theory?"

Draco frowned. "I kinda want to study more of...."

Harry waited for him to continue, but Draco didn't. "More of?"

They walked for another block, before he answered. "The wandless magic."

"Okay, why was that so hard to get out? You're amazing at it already."

"I don't think they'll let me, it's not a subject taught at school, but I thought if I understand more of the theory, it'd help me develop it more."

"I don't know about that one myself. Ollivander said they didn't teach it at school. Magical Engineering and International Relations sound daunting... or First Aid? I'm not bad with it after eight months roughing it. But Wandlore sounds pretty cool."

"I almost thought about taking that one, but I opted for Magical Theory."

"Well, I won't have to decide until we get to school, anyway," Harry grunted.

"Unless it needs a book."

"True, there's the Leaky Cauldron," Harry said, and flicked his hood over his head. Draco did the same, pulling the strings tighter.

"It'll be okay. I won't let anything happen."

"So, you say," Draco whispered, as they entered the Leaky.

Draco felt several eyes turn to look at them as they entered and walked through to the back alley, but no one said anything. Harry tapped the wall and they walked into the busy remnants of the lunchtime rush.

"Florean never came back," Harry mentioned.

"He's dead," Draco whispered and Harry looked at him. "Greyback...."

Potter nodded and didn't ask anything else. His fingers found his and interlocked. Draco didn't flinch at all anymore. How he could have ever associated the touch with negative thoughts is beyond him. It was so comforting. Draco had never held hands with anyone like this. It made him feel like he wasn't alone.

"George hasn't come back to the shop, either. Lee Jordon has been running it. He knows how to make all of the products, so he's been making a lot of money for George, and I guess me."

"You?"

"I gave them their startup. They gave me and Lee 10% of the business."

"Investing in business, now Potter?" Draco chuckled.

"It was my Triwizard winnings. I wanted no part of it," Harry said, glowering. Draco tightened his grip and Harry smiled approving.

"Potion supplies?" Harry said, and pulled them into the Apothecary. "Get whatever you think your mom might need, too."

"How would I know...."

"You're Snape Junior, figure it out," Harry snapped, letting go of his hand and grabbing his own ingredients to refill his kit.

Draco grunted, but became extremely interested in the ingredients in front of him. He smirked like a kid in a candy store. Potions was the one subject he always loved. His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the bottles and put them in a basket.

After a half-hour, Harry came over. "You've been smiling since you came in here."

Draco gave him a smirk, but asked slightly embarrassed, "This isn't too much?"

"No, what do you need asphodel for? Fluxweed? And is that valerian root?"

"I'm surprised you know that. We are in our NEWT year, Potter. I just need some Dittany and I'll be done."

"Why?"

"It's good to have around the house, Potter. You said to get things my mother might need," Draco said, quietly.

"Yes, of course. How about some poisoned dragon liver?" Harry asked smirking.

"Not necessary and overly expensive."

Harry smiled wryly and paid 8 galleons and 7 sickles for their supplies. The attendant put everything in Cushioned, Unbreakable, spill-proof bags. Harry carefully stuffed it all into his backpack.

They walked out and passed the Quidditch Quality Supplies store. The new Firebolt Edge was in the front case. Draco couldn't help but admire it. He could see Harry looking at it, too.

"Still got a broom, right?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Yeah, unless someone broke into my mom's flat and stole it while we've been here."

"Hopefully not. I don't have time for another adventure called 'Harry Potter and the Search for Draco's Broomstick'."

"Hmm... sounds racy," Draco drawled and immediately went red.

Harry turned to him with his mouth open, stopping to stare at him. Draco averted his eyes, mortified that he had just said that to Potter, flirting almost.

"Sorry... I didn't mean..." he started babbling.

"It's fine, Draco," Harry laughed. "I just wasn't expecting that. You don't usually joke around."

"You bought me potion supplies, it was bound to lift my mood," Draco muttered, still blushing.

Harry laughed, again. "Yeah, okay."

"So... hypothetically... if I didn't have a broom... what was the point in that question?" Draco said, looking at Harry. Was he really going to buy me a broom? he wondered.

"You have to have a broom, Draco! Quidditch is coming! Merlin, I haven't played since..." he started, but trailed off when he remembered what had happened.

"Since you gave me a new scar?" Draco said, smiling. "And you got pulled off the year before that when you beat the shit out of me?"

"Umm... yeah," Harry said, frowning. "Sorry...."

"You do have temper problems. Perhaps you should avoid causing me bodily harm if you want to stay on the Quidditch team this year."

"I'll see what I can do," Harry light-heartedly sneered. Then he leaned in to whisper, "I'll make no promises though, Draco."

Draco felt shivers up his spine and his heart skipped a few beats. Potter-Harry went on walking like nothing had occurred. Draco kept staring at him as they walked. Draco... he kept calling him Draco. His first name. Like it was normal, like they were friends, close friends. Even when he had called him Potter, Harry hadn't switched back. Draco's heart squeezed tighter as he finally recognized that he wanted more. More than just friends.

Harry glanced at him, staring past his iconic glasses into Draco's molten silver eyes. Draco's stomach fluttered and his knees were weak. He reached forward and took Harry's hand. Harry obliged him, taking a firm grip and bringing Draco in closer. He had never been happier.