A Nightmare in Heaven

Chapter 5

The two spent almost every waking moment in each other’s company the entire holiday. They got all their homework done within the first two days and spent the rest of their time flying, chucking snowballs at each other, helping the professors decorate and in general just being teenagers together. Draco complained about Pansy’s crush on him, Harry complained about Hermione’s incessant study schedules and the both of them complained about ancient runes. 

Harry found that he enjoyed Draco’s company for more than just studying. He was bright, always had an opinion on things, had a secret love for snow and genuinely cared about what Harry had to say. It was too bad the holiday was so short lived-he’d love to be able to spend more time around Draco and getting to know him better. 

And on Christmas Eve, the two went to the Room of Requirement to find the same cozy room that had been there before but this time it was decked out with a large tree near the side of the fireplace. Baubles were sparkling, but not necessarily in an annoying way. The couch was large and plush with the table full of special holiday treats to munch upon. 

Draco plopped himself down after tossing his robes aside, leaving Harry to gawk at his attire. He was clad in muggle jeans and a button down shirt in a champagne gold colour that made him look positively ethereal. Harry barely had time to shove his jaw back into place before Draco turned to him. 

“Happy Christmas,” he said. 

“Y-yeah, happy Christmas to you as well.”

“Mother sent me an owl. Specifically, she asked about you since I mentioned we’d been getting along quite swimmingly.”

“Oh, she did?” Harry was shocked. He didn’t think Draco’s parents would be very happy about him since, according to Ron, Lucius had been a death eater and was livid when Voldemort had died. Draco nodded, pulling him from his thoughts. 

“Oh yes, she wants to know all about you apparently. I think she’s going ‘round the bend just a tad, but you didn’t hear that from me. She’s paranoid that I’m going to end up single and alone all my life if I don’t date anyone at school and to be quite frank I would rather resolve a few things first before I start showing my interest in anyone.” Harry nodded. After all, it only made sense. 

Or...that wouldn’t have made sense to him when he was younger and he wondered why-or even when-his opinion on that changed. Sure it would make sense if you had something major that was taking up a lot of your time and energies but wasn’t being romantically involved with someone supposed to help you improve yourself and your life?

He must have spoken out loud, because Draco answered him. 

“Well sure, in theory. It depends on the situation, I suppose. Sure, I could wait until I get my vain streak to calm down a bit but I would do a lot better if I had someone around me to remind me when it becomes a bit obsessive that it’s alright to let something like a single hair out of place go. But if it’s something like...like if my mum just got really sick and was dying. That’s about the worst time to start dating someone, because that will take all of my energy and effort to be there to support her.”

“But you need someone to support you, too!” Draco smiled at that. 

“Right, but I wouldn’t be starting a relationship at that point in my life. If I’m busy supporting someone who truly needs it that I’m close to, then learning to support a relationship at the same time isn’t going to result in a good relationship. And that’s not fair to me or the other person. But if I’ve got relationships that are already in good standing-for example, us-I wouldn’t shut you out just because mum fell ill. I’d rely on you to help me. But I most certainly wouldn’t expect an almost stranger to help me through that.”