Chapter Text
Draco swallowed nervously, staring wide-eyed at Harry, who stood two steps below him, “H-hey.”
Harry blinked a few times, wondering if he'd finally cracked and was now imagining companions. “Hi.” He responded, quickly flicking his eyes around the stairway to see if any of his other mates had materialized. He climbed the last few steps, stopping to stand level with Draco on the landing. A light vanilla scent wafted over him, and he was sure he wouldn't be able to imagine that. Perhaps he was dreaming? He ran a hand over the parchment he was still clutching, certain the texture was real. They stared at each other in silence for a few more seconds, and Draco had to fight his natural inclination to fidget as panic slowly built in his chest. “What are you doing here?”
Draco released the breath he was holding. Harry didn't sound angry or upset, more curious than anything, so he hoped that meant he wasn't going to react poorly once the shock had worn off. “How about I explain over a cup of tea?” Draco asked with a small smile.
Harry nodded and turned around to head back down to the kitchen, and Draco followed silently a few steps behind. When Draco entered the kitchen, Harry had already filled the kettle and was placing it on the hob. He retrieved two cups and the tea tin, silently observing Draco as he brought everything to the table. The boys sat down across from each other as they waited for the water to boil, and Harry watched Draco's fingers lightly tap out a pattern on the tabletop.
“I guess I should start at the beginning.” Draco said with a self-deprecating smile.
Harry nodded, his face neutral yet inquisitive, and Draco flicked his eyes down to the tabletop before forcing himself to make eye contact. He revealed that Voldemort had been living in the Manor since his return, which caused Harry to suck in a sharp breath. He cited this unwelcome occupation as the catalyst for his change in both allegiance and belief, explaining that after seeing the madman in action, and how his father behaved toward him, he had become disillusioned and was no longer a supporter of the cause. He spoke about the conversations he'd had with Severus, Pansy, and Blaise concerning their planned friendship with the Golden Trio, as well as Draco's expressed desire to be free of the Dark Lord's clutches.
Harry stood to retrieve the whistling kettle, filling both of their teacups as Draco described the demand his father had placed on him over the winter break, and how he'd formed a plan with Snape to get out before he was forced to follow through. Harry clenched his jaw angrily as he envisioned Draco being held down and the Dark Mark forced onto his forearm, and he was relieved that Draco was able to escape such a fate. Draco finished his tale by recapping how Snape had gotten him out of the Manor and brought him to Grimmauld Place just before the expected ceremony could begin.
“So, you live here now?” Harry asked.
Draco searched his face for any sign of disapproval, “I guess, until Severus moves me somewhere else, if that's okay with you.”
Harry shrugged, “You can stay here as long as you like.”
Draco smiled as relief flooded through him, “Thanks.”
Harry returned the smile and took a sip of his tea, “What will you do about schoolbooks and things?”
“I have a small vault in my name, one that my parents can't touch, so I'll live on that until I can start my career.” Harry nodded, absently rolling and unrolling Dumbledore's letter as his mind drifted toward thoughts of a career, and the fact that he still hadn't really decided on one for himself. “What's that?” Draco asked, pointing at the parchment.
Harry looked down, “Oh.” He stilled his movements, “It's a letter. From Dumbledore.”
“What-” Draco began to ask what the letter was about but realized it was none of his business. “Is everything okay?”
Harry smiled, “Yeah, he asked for my help with something.” Draco lifted an eyebrow. “He didn't say what, but he's coming to get me tomorrow.”
“How long will you be gone?”
Harry frowned and unrolled the parchment. He scanned the letter, then looked back up, “He doesn't say.”
Draco rolled his eyes, unsurprised that Dumbledore hadn't shared all of the information with Harry. They looked at each other, and Draco was trying to come up with a way to ask all of the questions he was dying to ask without prying or scaring Harry off when the decision was taken out of his hands.
“There are some things I've been wanting to share as well.” Harry smiled sheepishly.
Draco stayed silent, allowing Harry to progress at his own pace. He slowly shared how he'd been taking Occlumency lessons from Snape since before Christmas, due to the mental connection he shared with Voldemort, answering the question Draco had posed months ago about what Harry did in Snape's private quarters every week. Draco worked hard to not recoil at that revelation, his only outward reaction being one of shock as his mouth dropped open. Yes, Snape had told him about the vision Harry had about the Department of Mysteries, but he hadn't realized it was caused by a connection with the Dark Lord.
Harry chuckled and continued, sharing that the connection sometimes gave him glimpses of what was happening with Voldemort in real-time, thus convincing him that what he saw at the Ministry that morning was real. He choked up as he skirted around speaking of Sirius directly, and Draco attempted a joke about his History of Magic O.W.L. Harry smiled sadly, pausing to collect his thoughts.
He struggled to explain how Kreacher had tricked him, pulling a gasp from Draco as he revealed that Narcissa was involved in Sirius' death. Draco thought he couldn't feel any worse about his familial relations, but this revelation proved him wrong. His face contorted as he realized that the whole plan likely wouldn't have worked without his mother's participation, and he reached across the table to squeeze Harry's hand in apology.
Harry looked down as the pale hand covered his own, swallowing thickly. He knew Draco was not involved, and he appreciated the silent support. Draco retracted his hand, and Harry missed the warmth immediately. He continued, giving Draco a brief overview of what happened at the ministry and the aftermath. Draco gasped when he shared the prophecy, shaking his head in disbelief when he explained that Dumbledore believed he'd either have to kill Voldemort or be killed by him. Draco promised himself then and there that he would do whatever was necessary to ensure Harry survived, even if that meant laying down his own life.
Harry explained how Grimmauld Place had come to be his, and what he'd done with Kreacher, relieving Draco's curiosity. He smiled as he relayed that he'd never have to go back to the Dursleys, sparking Draco's memory of when he'd eavesdropped on Harry and Severus that first day.
“Why did you ever have to go to them to begin with?” Draco asked, hoping the subtle approach would work.
“Well, they are the last of my living relatives.” Harry said with a sneer.
Draco nodded, realizing he was going to have to ask directly if he wanted an answer to his specific question. “What about, erm, blood protection?”
Harry startled, “Oh, um well...”
Draco watched as Harry considered his response, relieved when he began to respond. Harry explained about the blood magic Dumbledore insisted Lily invoked with her death and how it was believed he was safest with a blood relative because of it. His words got heated as he explained what Snape had shared with him at that very table weeks ago, how it was not necessary to return to that horrid house, and he stopped abruptly. “How did you know about the blood protection?” Harry asked with narrowed eyes.
Draco blew out a breath; he was hoping to avoid sharing that bit, and thought he'd managed to do so. “I may have heard Severus mention it.”
“When?” Harry asked, his eyes widening.
Draco cast his gaze down to his clasped hands, “When he brought you here.” He looked back up at Harry, watching as a flush crawled up his neck.
“You've been here this whole time?” Harry asked, cheeks pink with embarrassment. Draco looked back down to the table and nodded. “I-I-I have to go.” Harry said, quickly standing from the table and all but running up the stairs.
Draco sighed and watched Harry's hasty retreat, his shoulders sagging as the bench seat across from him rocked from Harry's abrupt movements. He couldn't tell if Harry was angry with him or simply embarrassed that he'd witnessed his emotional outbursts. He pictured Harry's flushed face, noting how attractive he looked with the bright spots of pink on his cheeks, then shook the inappropriate thought from his mind as he stood and cleared away the remnants of their tea.
Harry remained elusive the rest of the day and late into the next. Draco understood but hoped he would soon be over his embarrassment; he didn't relish the thought of spending the rest of the summer being avoided by the one person he most wanted to spend time with. He sighed, re-reading the same sentence he'd been attempting to absorb for the last hour. He was seated in a chair in the drawing room, legs hooked over one arm while his head rested on the other, trying and failing to read about unintentional mind connections. He wanted to be somewhere Harry could easily find him in the off chance that he came looking, and figured near the stairs on the First Floor was one of the best places to station himself.
He'd found the book he was trying to focus on while perusing the library shelves the night before, after Harry had abandoned him in the kitchen. While it wasn't strictly about connections of the mind, it was about Legilimency, and there was a chapter about the dangers of forming a mental attachment. Draco decided to read through it in case it contained any helpful information on Harry's condition, but he was having a difficult time concentrating on the words.
He was listening intently for any noises, hoping that one of them was an indication that Harry was looking for him, and he straightened up as he heard the soft sound of a door closing. He stood and approached the drawing room doorway, looking toward the Second Floor as he hoped the door was to Harry's room. After a few moments, where he didn't see Harry descending, he ventured down to the Ground Floor. Hearing voices, he slowed his steps.
“-ready?”
“Where exactly are we going, Professor?”
Draco recognized Harry's voice and assumed Dumbledore had arrived to retrieve him.
“I would like you to accompany me to visit an old colleague and perhaps offer your assistance.”
There was a beat of silence, and Draco imagined Harry frowning at the Headmaster.
“How would I be able to help?”
Dumbledore chuckled, “Shall we go?”
Harry gasped, “Professor, what happened to your hand?”
“That is a story for another time.”
Draco heard the sound of the door again, then a nearly silent pop of disapparation, and looked around the corner into the empty entrance hall. He sighed and silently wished Harry good luck before heading down to the kitchen for dinner. After eating, he busied himself by reorganizing his wardrobe, making a mental note of the things he needed to replace or repurchase. He wondered how he was going to get to Diagon Alley to buy his supplies once the book lists arrived. Would he be escorted by someone? Would he need to wear a disguise? Would he be allowed to go at all?
Harry was gone for several hours, arriving back at Grimmauld Place just before midnight. He wandered into the kitchen for a snack, having missed dinner, and was surprised to find Draco nursing a cup of tea at the table.
“Hi.” Draco said hopefully.
Harry yawned widely, “Hey.”
Draco pinched his lips together to keep from smiling at the adorable sight, “How was your secret mission with Dumbledore?”
Harry crossed the kitchen and pulled down a plate from an upper shelf, “It was weird.” Harry responded with his head shoved in the larder.
Draco waited until Harry finished preparing his meal and took a seat across from him, “How so?”
Harry took a bite of his sandwich, chewing as he gathered his thoughts. Draco waited patiently, looking down into his tea so that he wouldn't be accused of watching Harry eat.
Harry slowly recounted his trip with Dumbledore to visit Slughorn, and how the Headmaster had thanked him for his help when he hadn't done much more than speak with the man. He said he didn't want to be 'collected' as Dumbledore had warned him the professor might try to do, grimacing when Draco suggested it might benefit him in the long run. He mentioned that he didn't seem like much of a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, based on the way he attempted to hide from Death Eaters, and wondered what the rotund man could possibly teach them.
Harry popped the last bite of sandwich into his mouth, narrowing his eyes at the smile on Draco's face. “What?” He asked, covering his mouth with his hand.
Draco shook his head, “Nothing.” Harry gave him a face that made it clear he was not believed and Draco chuckled. “We should get some sleep.” He said, standing from the table and stretching.
Harry nodded and followed suit, placing his plate in the sink before following Draco up the stairs.
They parted on the First-Floor landing, wishing each other a good night. Draco turned before entering his room to watch Harry climb the stairs to the Second Floor, then entered his room with a grin. He was glad Harry had seemingly gotten over his embarrassment, and he couldn't wait to spend the rest of the summer alone with him.
Draco's half considered plan of seducing Harry were quickly dashed the next morning, as the sound of several pairs of feet on the stairs woke him. He immediately reached for his wand and stood from his bed, creeping silently to the door to listen. He huffed when he heard the distinctive voice of a weasel as he knocked loudly on Harry's door. He looked up as he heard murmuring overhead and footsteps entering Harry's room, then placed his wand back on the bedside table in order to get ready for the day as several people moved above him. If he had to deal with Weasley, he decided he might as well look good doing it; he pulled out a pair of well-fitted black trousers and a deep blue button-up, nodding in approval when he held them up to himself in the mirror. He got dressed and styled his hair as he heard footsteps head back down the stairs. He absently wondered if Harry had told his friends that he was also in the house but decided it didn't matter too much as he planned on crashing their time together shortly.
Draco descended the stairs, following the sound of voices down to the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway, leaning his hip and shoulder onto the door frame and crossing his arms as he smiled charmingly. Harry was mid-sentence when he glanced to the door and stumbled over his words.
“Harry?” Ginny asked as Harry quickly slid his gaze down Draco's lean form.
Harry and Hermione sat facing the kitchen entrance, while Ron and Ginny had their backs to him. Hermione glanced behind Ginny to see what had caught Harry's attention, smiling broadly when she saw him. “Draco!”
Ginny and Ron whipped around so quickly it was comical.
“What is he doing here?” Ginny asked scornfully as Ron scowled.
Draco's smile widened as he pushed off the door frame, “I can't visit my friend?”
Hermione's eyes lit up, “Is Blaise here, too?”
Draco shot her a sympathetic look as he sat down on the other side of Harry, “Sadly no, just little old me.”
Hermione's shoulders drooped momentarily in disappointment, but she offered Draco a warm smile.
“How long are you staying here?” Ron asked, eyes narrowed.
“To be determined.” Draco answered nonchalantly.
Ginny crossed her arms with a huff while Ron looked between him and Harry suspiciously.
“Why don't we have some tea?” Hermione asked brightly.
The group had tea together as Harry shared the odd trip he went on with Dumbledore the day before. Ron's raucous laughter at Slughorn's attempt at hiding as an armchair was interrupted by an insistent tapping on the high window. They all looked up to see several owls crowded in front of the glass, and Harry suddenly remembered something Dumbledore had mentioned in passing.
“That's right!” Harry gasped, turning back to face the rest of the room, “Dumbledore said the O.W.L. Results should be arriving today.”
Hermione squeaked and practically leaped over the table in her haste to open the window and allow the birds entry.
“Why didn't you tell me?” She asked in a high-pitched voice, “I haven't prepared at all! What if I didn't get the scores I need to continue to N.E.W.T. Level in some of my classes? What if I didn't make enough to be Minister for Magic one day? What if I failed them all and get kicked out of Hogwarts? What if-”
Harry placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, holding out a tightly rolled piece of parchment with her name on it, “'Mione, I'm sure you did far better than the rest of us.”
“Speak for yourself.” Draco sniffed.
Hermione's anxiety eased, and she joined in as Harry laughed at Draco. She smiled at Harry in thanks, then nodded determinedly and unrolled the parchment. “Oh.” She said as she read through her scores.
Harry couldn't tell if it was positive or negative. “Oh?”
“Well, that's alright.” She said, rolling up the parchment.
“How did you do?” Harry asked.
“I got ten 'O's and an 'E'.” Hermione didn't look or sound disappointed, but Harry knew that singular 'E' was going to be on her mind for a while.
“That's fantastic 'Mione!” Ron grinned.
Hermione beamed and asked what the boys had received. They each untied their own parchments and scanned them quietly. Harry was surprised that he'd scored higher than Hermione in something, but if he had been forced to guess, he would have picked DADA, even with that toad of a woman teaching. He was not surprised he'd failed the History of Magic and Divination exams, happy he'd already decided to drop them anyway, but he frowned at his Potions score. Even though it was higher than he had feared, he knew that Snape wouldn't allow anyone into his N.E.W.T. Level classes with anything below an Outstanding. Since he only scored an Exceeds Expectations, he wouldn't be able to continue the subject. He thought he'd be more disappointed that he no longer had the option of Auror as a career, but he wasn't, not really. He knew he wasn't the greatest at Potions, and he didn't expect Snape to make an exception for him simply because they were now on friendly terms, so he accepted the grade with grace.
Besides, Ron was disappointed enough for the both of them. “Oh no!” He moaned, “I only got an 'E' in Potions. That means I can't be an Auror! What am I going to do with my life?” Ron cried. He slumped forward, allowing his head to rest on the table with a dull thud.
Harry looked at Draco and rolled his eyes.
“I'm sure there's plenty more you can do Ron, don't be dramatic.” Ginny said, trying to catch Harry's eye.
Ron straightened up to look at his sister, “That's easy for you to say, you haven't had to take them yet. Just wait until this time next year!” He huffed.
Ginny shook her head, “Harry got an 'E' in Potions too, and you don't hear him whinging.”
“Well, he has a tonne of options, what with all those Quidditch teams wanting him, doesn't he?” Ron glared at the floor.
Ginny gasped, and Ron looked up at Harry apologetically once he realized what he'd said.
Harry frowned at him, then grimaced and turned to Ginny as she addressed him, “You've gotten offers from Quidditch teams?”
“Yeah.” Harry answered, not meeting her eyes.
“That's great Harry! Why didn't you tell anyone?”
“I told some people!” He said defensively before shaking his head at the absurdity of what he'd just said. “Besides, I wanted to keep it a secret.”
“Ron and Hermione don't count.” Ginny said with a pointed finger, ignoring the fact that Harry had just said he wanted to keep the information quiet. “Why don't you look surprised?” She asked, eyeing Draco suspiciously.
“Oh, I already knew, too.” Draco said airily. Never mind the fact that he was the last to know and Harry didn't tell him until weeks after he'd told the other two.
Ginny huffed, “So I'm the only one in this room that didn't know?”
“Look at it this way Gin, you're one of the few at Hogwarts that do know.” Harry frowned, “And I'd like to keep it that way if you don't mind.” He added.
Ginny pursed her lips but nodded, “Do you know what team you're going to go for?”
He sighed, “I don't really want to talk about it right now, Gin.”
Harry hadn't given it much thought, as most of his time had been spent either focusing on the O.W.L.s or trying not to focus on Sirius. He felt a twinge of guilt at the hurt look Ginny gave him, but not enough to force himself to have a conversation he knew would quickly devolve into a circular argument about which team was better. Draco briefly ran his hand down Harry's arm as a means of comfort, patting the top of his hand where it rested on the table before drawing back. Ginny watched this display with a sneer, irritated that Harry didn't seem to have the same hangups with Draco touching him as he did with her.
Hermione steered the conversation back to the O.W.L. Results, asking Draco how he did. While he kept the specific results to himself, he said that he'd achieved high enough scores to continue on the road to becoming a Potions Master. Harry rolled his eyes, not surprised in the least, and they all discussed what classes they planned to continue now that they knew which ones were possible. Ginny chimed in with what classes she would be glad to be rid of after Fifth Year, attempting to both argue the merits of Divination while trying to commiserate with Harry's lost interest in the subject. She briefly mentioned that she was looking forward to attending more of Firenze's classes, as the Centaur had chosen to stay on as a secondary option at Hogwarts, much to the displeasure of Trelawney. They ate lunch, a gigantic Shepard's Pie that Mrs. Weasley had dropped off a few days ago, and that Harry and Draco had no hope of finishing by themselves, and hung out in the kitchen for several more hours. As evening approached, Harry and his guests stood and began saying their goodbyes.
“You shouldn't have to be stuck in this stuffy old house by yourself, mate. You can come stay at the Burrow!” Ron said, clapping Harry on the shoulder.
Harry glanced at Draco in amusement, trying to contain a laugh at the look on his face. “I'm not alone, Ron.” Harry said with a raised brow.
Ron rolled his eyes, “Well yeah, not now. But when Malfoy leaves you will be.”
Harry knew Draco didn't want to share the details of his new living arrangements and simply shook his head. “I'll think about it.”
Ron nodded as if the matter had been settled, “Great! We'll come back and visit soon, I'm sure. At the very least we have to celebrate your birthday.” Ron said with a wide grin.
Harry smiled sadly. He'd never really been one to want a large party for his birthday, mostly because he'd never had any celebration at all until Hagrid brought him a cake on his Eleventh, but he was disappointed that Sirius was no longer around, now that he could finally celebrate one with him. “Yeah, wouldn't want to miss that.”
Ron and Ginny said goodbye to Harry, completely ignoring Draco, while Hermione hung back. Ron turned around on the stairs as he realized Hermione wasn't behind them.
“You go on, I'll be right behind you.” Ron narrowed his eyes and Hermione huffed, “I just want to discuss Arithmancer Wenlock's work on the number seven with Draco.” She crossed her arms, “Is that something you'd like to be present for?”
Ron grimaced, “No, thank you.”
Hermione nodded sharply, “That's what I thought.”
The redheads continued their way up the stairs, and the trio in the kitchen silently listened as they crossed the entry hall and stepped out the front door, only speaking once they heard the crack of apparition.
“Neither of them can apparate,” Draco stated, “How are they getting home?”
“Oh, Mr. Weasley wanted to sit in the park across the road and observe all of the Muggles, so he took them.” Hermione responded as she slid into Ginny's recently vacated seat.
“How are you getting back, then?” Harry asked as he returned to Draco's side.
“Floo of course. Honestly, Harry, it's like you forget you're a wizard sometimes.” Hermione rolled her eyes fondly.
Harry ducked his head, “Right.”
Draco watched the exchange with a smirk, “So, Hermione, why did you really stay behind?”
“There's obviously more that Harry couldn't share with those two around, and I don't know when we'll have a chance to be alone like this again.” She smiled. “Plus, they're kind of driving me crazy already.”
Harry and Draco laughed, “How so?” Draco asked.
Hermione huffed, “Well, for one thing, Ron won't leave me alone. He's constantly around, like he's trying to make up for the last year of being an arsehole.” Harry let out a surprised laugh and Draco gasped and lifted his eyebrows. He'd never heard Hermione speak that way before. “And Ginny won't stop asking me about you, Harry.” Hermione said with an eye roll.
“What does she ask?” Draco questioned. He knew he had no reason to be jealous, but emotions were called irrational for a reason.
“All kinds of things! She wants to know his favorite food, his favorite color, if he's said anything about her, if I think she has a chance with him.” Hermione huffed and raised an eyebrow at Harry, “It's very taxing.”
Harry sighed, “I”m sorry 'Mione, I promise I'll talk to her the next time I see her.” He grimaced, he wasn't looking forward to having that conversation.
Hermione smiled softly and patted his hand in thanks, “So, what have I missed?”
Harry took a deep breath; there was plenty that he wanted to tell her without Ron around. He leaned forward and began at the beginning.
“How did Professor Dumbledore react when Professor Snape told him?”
Harry had filled Hermione in on everything that he'd learned since their last patrol together. After stressing that she would help Harry figure out how to defeat Voldemort and not die, being extremely apologetic for harping on how they treated house elves when Kreacher's duplicity was revealed, and pleased that Harry never had to return to the home of his Muggle relatives, she'd moved on to the fact that Snape had removed Harry from the Dursley home without Dumbledore's knowledge or permission.
Harry shrugged, “I'm not sure exactly; I haven't spoken to Snape since he brought me here, but Dumbledore wasn't very happy about it when he came to get me yesterday.” Draco pursed his lips but stayed quiet. “He said that it was imperative that I go back to the Dursley's and stay there until I turn Seventeen, but when I asked him why Grimmauld was safe enough to be the secret headquarters of the Order, but not safe enough for me to live here, he couldn't answer.”
Hermione raised her eyebrows, “He didn't even try to give a reason?”
Harry shook his head, “Nope. There's got to be another reason he wants me to go back, but I just can't figure out what it is.”
“Maybe he just wants you under someone's control.” Hermione said thoughtfully, tapping her finger on her lips.
Harry scowled.
“But how would Potter be under a Muggle's control?” Draco asked with furrowed brows, “He can use wandless magic, so it's not like they could do much to him.”
Hermione glanced at Harry, but he refused to meet her stare, “I'm sure Professor Dumbledore knows Harry has that ability, but I also think he knows Harry would never use it to intentionally cause them harm, no matter what happened to him.”
Harry shot her a warning look as Draco asked, “What do you mean, what happens to him?”
Harry shook his head, “It doesn't matter. What matters is I never have to see them again.” He stood from the table and crossed to the sink, floating the teacups behind him. “Do either of you want more tea?” He asked with his back turned.
Draco sent Hermione a confused look, but she just shook her head sadly. “No, thank you, Harry, I think I should probably head back.” She stood from the table, and Draco stood with her. They walked over to the fireplace together, and Hermione glanced back at Harry before wrapping Draco in a hug. “Take care of him.” She said quietly.
Draco quailed at the sudden contact, having never touched Hermione in any sort of meaningful way before, but nodded at her request. She said goodbye to Harry's back before being whisked away by the floo, leaving Harry and Draco alone again. Draco turned to Harry, studying his stiff shoulders and rigid back as he washed the teacups by hand, and cleared his throat.
“So, Potter,” Harry's shoulders tightened further in preparation for whatever he thought Draco was going to ask, and Draco frowned. He could tell that Harry didn't want to talk about his Muggle relatives, or whatever it was that Hermione had alluded to, and Draco wasn't planning to ask, not now at least.
“Want to get your arse handed to you at Wizard's Chess before dinner?”
Harry laughed and looked over his shoulder with a raised brow, “How do you know I won't kick your arse instead?”
Draco smirked, “I've played other strategy games with you before, I have no doubt I'll win.”
He knew Draco was correct, but he wasn't about to go down without a fight, “You're on, Malfoy.”
Draco beat him thoroughly all three rounds they played, even though Harry put more effort into those matches than he ever had before, and by the time their stomachs were growling Harry had forgotten all about the conversation he was avoiding having. They ate dinner at the kitchen table and made a plan to start looking through the Black Family library the next day for anything useful that they hadn't already found in the Room of Requirement. They climbed the stairs together, parting on the First Floor like they had the night prior, and after Draco watched Harry continue on to his room, he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
'What is it that he doesn't want to talk about? What doesn't he want me to know?'
“What do you want for your birthday?”
Harry and Draco were sitting in the library, flipping through the few books they had found while hunting for new and interesting battle spells. It was July Twenty-Third, and they hadn't discussed Harry's birthday since Ron, Ginny, and Hermione had visited on the Thirteenth, and even then, it was only mentioned in passing.
Harry lowered his book to meet Draco's penetrating gaze, “You don't have to get me anything.”
“That isn't what I asked.” Draco quirked a brow.
Harry took a breath, “I don't want anything.”
Draco narrowed his eyes but said nothing. They both returned to their books, Harry flicking his eyes over to Draco every so often.
“I didn't get you anything for your birthday.” Harry pointed out after half an hour of silence.
Draco lowered his book, suppressing a grin when he saw the flush to Harry's cheeks as he stared resolutely at his own. “So?” He asked. Harry darted his eyes over the top of his book briefly. “Gifts aren't transactional, Potter. Just because you didn't get me a birthday present doesn't mean I can't get you one.”
Harry shook his head minutely, “I don't want anything.”
Draco huffed, “Fine, how about I get us both a present?”
Harry lowered his book, “Like what?” He asked, pulling his brows together.
Draco smirked, “You'll see.”
It was Harry's turn to narrow his eyes, but that didn't faze Draco in the slightest. He continued to smirk as he returned to his book, quietly formulating a plan as he stared at the page.