𝐖𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐔𝐏 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋

Chapter 14

Josh stared at Draco's wide grin as he put on his coat and ordered the owl –stupid shitty owl, Josh added to himself- to come with him. The cigarette in his two fingers was long forgotten, which was a waste, really, and as soon as the thought crossed his mind the "lethal stick" was immediately back between his lips. Harry smiled politely as Draco waved them goodbye and told them both the same old "see you tomorrow" before turning his full attention back at Harry. Marie waved back with a soft smile on her face and Josh wanted to snort at how stupid and clumsy that idiot… Harry wasn't it?... seemed to be as he tried to speak to the blond while opening the door for Draco at the same time.

'Man… isn't he stupid…' Josh sighed and stared at the cigarette in his fingers. 'So retarded…'.

It was something, Josh had to admit, he never had seen so far. Harry had never seemed so uneasy and awkward with his blond friend before. In fact, Harry had never blushed that much when talking to Draco before. Heck, Josh thought, he is acting like a little schoolgirl in love.

Wait a minute…

"Marie…" Josh said, grinning a little, and the raven woman looked at him with a curious expression on her face at Josh's amused tone of voice.

"What is it?" she asked, titling her head a little to the side.

"We were right…" Josh said and smiled. "But Draco is the only one who doesn't know and the other boy… well, he realized it just now…".

Marie 'ooh'-ed at his words and unconsciously looked back at the now closed door of the coffee place.

"Just now?" Marie repeated then she smiled. "You want to help Draco out, don't you?"

"Like heck…" Josh exclaimed, suddenly angry, and stared at the consumed cigarette in his fingers. "I don't give a damn about Draco and his fucking love life…"

"Isn't he your friend?" Marie asked, secretly smiling. Josh snorted and disappeared in the back room as if nothing had been said.

"I shouldn't talk to you…" Draco said, serious, after while he and Harry walked side by side in silence. "Not after the things you did to me…" the blond stared in front of him and not once he looked up at the slightly taller boy beside him. Harry sighed:

"Draco… I was busy…."

"Hmph…" the blond boy grunted and Harry hoped Draco had believed him. His brilliant plan to let Draco get used to being alone had resulted to be a total failure. Harry needed Draco. Harry wanted to be near this cocky, arrogant, boy. As crazy as it may sound Harry couldn't leave him.

Harry had tried to remember all the things Draco had done to him while at Hogwarts. All the hatred, the spiteful remarks and the fights, everything just to recall the feelings he had back then for the boy and in a way make it easier for him to let Draco go. It was useless and somehow it felt as if… as if even back then… no! That was plain stupid! No! No! No! Back then Harry hated him!

"Harry?" the soft voice threw him out of his muddled thoughts. Harry looked down at Draco, who had in the meantime stopped before a sign without Harry even noticing. Harry stared at Draco's pale skin and the way he was frowning at the huge wooden sign.

Harry could say whatever he wanted. Harry could try everything but it would be hopeless and he knew it. Harry couldn't, didn't want to stop loving Draco.

"What is it?" Harry asked then. Draco looked up at him and frowned again.

"Is a zoo an eatable thing?"

Harry thought that in that moment London, no, the whole world had stopped and was now staring at them. Even Draco's owl was staring at his owner as if he had gone mental.

"Oh, so that's a zoo…." Draco whispered as he stared at the animals around them. "Look at that! I never thought I would see a real leopard in my life!" he suddenly shouted. Some kids stopped to stare at him, then started running, giggling like mad.

"Draco!" Harry whispered, blushing. "You are making a fool of yourself!"

"Oh, who cares?" Draco exclaimed. "I'm free to do whatever I want! No one knows me!"

That's right, Harry thought, no one does. "But you are embarrassing me!" Harry said. Draco stopped and looked at him. "Really, you are acting like a child!"

"What if I am?" Draco said and suddenly he smiled. "I don't care and neither should you…"

"Were has that blond jerk that cared what everyone thought gone to?" Harry exclaimed and suddenly Draco started laughing, taking Harry totally aback.

"Come on!" Draco took Harry hand in his. "I want to see the penguins!" and as soon as the words left his mouth Draco dragged Harry away to say animals. They stopped before the vast pool where the penguins were. "Look, Harry…."

Harry had been in a zoo before. Draco had not but Harry couldn't understand why the blond boy acted like this, so differently from that boy he had known for seven whole years.

Then Harry stopped caring altogether as Draco smiled at him.

Still hand in hand.