A Nightmare in Heaven

Chapter 6

The rest of the school year proved to be uneventful. Harry managed to keep his distance from Ron, more so than he had thought he'd ever want prior to the holiday break, and spent more time with Draco in the Room of Requirement. They mostly studied, occasionally played exploding snap or chess and often they found themselves just enjoying each other's company. It was strange, in the beginning. Harry hadn't ever really been around anyone other than Hermione that was okay with silence. Everyone else seemed to be agitated when they were quiet and that usually meant Harry needed to diffuse the situation by trying to change the topic or by staying overly upbeat about something ridiculous. Bringing up the latest gossip floating around the school seemed to help as well, and had even resorted to making things up just to keep Ron entertained.

Sometimes he swore he should just write a bloody book and start making money off of some of the things he'd made up. Believable, but still ridiculous.

The OWLs came and went in a blur; Harry and Draco were beside themselves and Hermione was an absolute wreck by the end of it all. And in a strange way, Harry was a bit disappointed that they were done because that meant they were going home. And although the Dursley household was incredibly strict and unhealthy, Harry was glad he wouldn't be spending any more nights sharing a dorm with four other boys.

Draco, ever polite, said he'd owl Harry during the summer to which Harry vehemently insisted that he not do that. When prodded about it, Harry simply said his family didn't like owls and wouldn't appreciate it. To that, Draco asked if he could send an owl once a week in the super early hours of the morning to ensure Harry's family didn't know about it and Harry nodded. He could make that work, as long as they kept to their normal schedules.

Draco kept to his word and didn't send an owl until the second week of them being out of school. It was some sort of pygmy breed, small enough to be mistaken for a regular bird if you glanced at it. Harry let the bird rest on his shoulder and read the note attached to its leg.

'Dear Harry,

'How's your summer so far? I know you don't enjoy being away from school and wanted to check in on you. Anything interesting happening?

'Mum's gotten into a few arguments with me lately. I think she's under the impression that I'm lonely and that I'll never be bonded-or even married-to anyone if I keep going the way I am. Personally, I think she's off her rocker. I've still got time to find someone to fall in love with; after all, it's not like I'm going to keel over.

'Please let me know by return owl how you're doing and if you require any supplies. I can only imagine how difficult it is to live without having access to things you may need.

'Draco'

Harry picked up a pen and, upon not being able to find any spare parchment or paper, simply wrote his response on the back of Draco's letter.

'Draco,

'I appreciate the offer to send things I need-which mostly consists of anything edible that can be kept at room temperature. Aunt Petunia has decided she doesn't want her curtains closed when I'm home for the summer and she simply cannot stand the idea that a neighbor might spot me with the family so I'm not allowed out of my room.

'Well, I am allowed to use the loo but that's only during designated trips. They have to let me out for that to happen.

'The bird was inconspicuous, I never thought Draco Malfoy would send such a tiny thing. Not at all up to Malfoy Pompous Standards, I'd say. He's cute though, does he have a name?

'Harry'

In the last two weeks, Harry had learned that the owl's name was Sparticus and was a part of the breeding program that the Malfoy family funded. Draco had the idea a few years ago to breed miniature and pygmy owls when he realized that women enjoyed tiny animals so much more than their full sized counterparts. The idea had made them quite a bit of money, and his mother didn't mind at all when he requested one.