Two Houses (HarryxDraco)

Chapter 37

Moments later, Draco's feet hit solid tarmac. Gone were the snowy, rolling hills of the Devonshire countryside, replaced with a long row of unfamiliar dilapidated tenement buildings. Ron stepped off of the road onto the pavement and Draco followed without prompting, coming to a stop between two adjoining houses numbered eleven and thirteen.

"I assume that the property is Unplottable?"

"You guessed right," Ron confirmed. "The address is number twelve, Grimmauld Place."

Draco pictured the words in his mind, and in the blink of an eye, a battered door with the number twelve on it materialised from nowhere. He scrunched up his nose as he took in the sorry sight of the place: it looked like it had been a grand property before it had been allowed to fall into disrepair. The once handsome townhouse now sported dirty walls and grimy windows, and an unkempt front garden overgrown with weeds was covered in litter.

"This place has seen better days," he mused.

"Yeah, well not all of us live in fancy palaces."

"I live in a Manor, not a palace," Draco corrected him before adding, "And I don't live there anymore."

"Whatever," Ron muttered. "Well, in the off-chance that Harry isn't here, I suppose you better head back to The Burrow and we can check out a couple more places."

"Thank you."

"Don't start," he grumbled. "Let's get one thing straight—I'm doing this for Harry, not you."

"I know. Still...you didn't have to."

"'Course I did," he argued. "I might not be able to stand the sight of you, but Harry's my best mate, and somehow, you make him happy. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't help."

Draco hesitated before admitting, "I know that you and I don't always see eye to eye, but I'm glad that Harry has you in his life, even if you are an insufferable git."

Ron cocked an eyebrow at him. "You're rubbish at dishing out compliments, you know that?"

"I know. I don't plan on making a habit out of it, either."

"Thank Merlin for that."

"But you are a true and loyal friend, the kind that Harry deserves."

"What he deserves is someone who isn't going to mess him about," Ron shot back. "You've convinced me enough that you love him, now you just need to prove it with your actions."

"I'll try my best."

"You better," he warned. "I think it goes without saying, if you hurt him again, I'll be breaking more than your nose next time."

Draco clenched his jaw. "Duly noted."

With that, Draco braced himself and walked up the stone steps towards the shabby black door of number twelve. He instinctively raised his hand for the door handle but paused when he saw none. There wasn't a keyhole or letterbox, either.

"Um," Draco turned to Ron. "Weasley, a little help?"

"Oh. Right, " Ron drew his wand and hurried up the steps. "I forgot about that."

Ron tapped the door once with the tip of his wand and Draco heard many loud, metallic clicks before it creaked open. Draco looked at Ron. "Is there anything else that I should know about this place before heading inside?"

Ron thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Nope, not that I can think of."

His tone was a little too casual for Draco's liking, but he had no choice but to take him at his word. As he pushed the door open and stepped inside, Ron said, "I hope for Harry's sake that the two of you sort things out."