Just Friends

owl's eyes

DRACO'S POV

There I was, sitting on the floor of a busted corridor; a bird and Potter keeping me company.

"You don't think it hurt, did it?" I asked, keeping my gaze on the bird. I heard Potter take a sharp breath in, almost as though he didn't know whether to spare my feelings or not.

"I don't think so," he finally breathed out. I didn't know if I believed him or not, but I wanted to. "I think you should see her though-"

"Are you mad?" My voice raised a little louder than had intended and I turned my head to face Potter. "I-I can't do it. I don't think I can bring myself to see her like...that." All my dreams had been flushed away in an instant. The silence in this hall had thrown me into the reality of my situation and it gave me time to think. It was honestly the worst thing that could have happened to me and it was driving me mad. One moment I had a future with Y/n, raising the most powerful witch or wizard in the wizarding world. Together; just the two of us. We had each other for the rest of our lives. And now the promise of that life was gone.

"We'll go when you're ready then, Malfoy," Potter responded, twisting his shoulders and getting more comfortable against the concrete wall. There was a moment of silence between us where we both turned our heads to face forward, staring at the blown-off doors that used to lead into the school.

"You don't have to stay here, you know," I finally said, keeping my head facing forward. I heard Potter's light breaths in the silence, probably considering what to say next.

"Yeah, I know," he answered. Again we sat in silence, although it wasn't uncomfortable as I had thought it might have been. The bird sat on my knee and was quiet for the most part; chirping ever so often for attention but otherwise well behaved. Potter shifted on the floor and turned to look at me. I didn't move, but I felt his glace and saw his face out of the corner of my eye.

"Hey, Malfoy," he started, followed by a cough to clear his throat. I still didn't face him but acknowledged his words with a slight nod. "I'm not sure if this is the right time to say this, but I can't think of another chance. Ever since first year-"

"Malfoy!" someone called out. Now they caught my attention. Their voice sounded out of breath and their tone was urgent. My head spun around and I grabbed the bird in my hands, standing up and looking for the source of the voice. Footsteps echoed somewhere nearby and soon after, Weasley showed up in the doorway to the Great Hall.

"Ron?" Potter stood up from the floor and looked at Weasley, confused and concerned. "What's the matter?" Weasley placed his hands on his knees and leaned over, panting; trying to catch his breath.

"M-" Weasley tried but was still out of breath and took a few seconds before speaking again.

"Honestly Weasley, what?" I was growing impatient and snapped at him.

"Malfoy, you have to see her."

"What happened to her?" I was desperate for an answer as the reminder she was gone came flooding back into my head. "What happened to her?" Weasley ignored me and turned back into the Great Hall, running just as he had before. "Fucking hell," I mumbled, covering the bird with my hand and running into the hall. The redhead I had seen not even moments ago was gone. Potter had followed behind me and was standing beside me as I stopped. The stretcher Y/n was laying on top of was now empty.

"Where's she gone?" Potter asked as if I'd know.

"No bloody idea," I scoffed. Again, a moment of silence with Potter where neither one of us moved or spoke. Sure there was the background noise of all the people in the Great Hall but it was still. In the corner of the room, I saw Blaise who stood, holding Luna tightly in his arms. They were whispering to each other but were way too far away for me to understand it.