𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃| ✎

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

KEEP YOUR ENEMIES closer, they said. Never did Harry anticipate that claim would be taken so literal. He certainly knew that anything having to do with Draco Malfoy was already troubling in and of itself. Being bound to him, however, was a whole new level of demented.

The sun was high overhead, casting a brownish-green hue through the trees. The shade may have appeared cool, but it offered little protection against the midday heat. The thick foliage under the canopy seemed to have stopped all traces of a much needed breeze.

The invisible girth adorning their wrists suddenly tightened — Harry unexpectedly yelping at the sudden close contact as Draco brought his lips to his ear.

"Any luck?" he asked softly.

Harry shook his head, frowning down at his hands as he fiddled with the time turner. That was the only answer he needed.

It was strange though. In the absence of immediate danger, Harry was finding himself thinking sometimes about exactly who he was stuck with. Though Draco had taken a decisive step from his old loyalties, the nagging compassion for Malfoy had hit him like a punch in the stomach — low in his gut. He didn't have to care about him, but he could certainly listen, even as Malfoy ended up oversharing. He just needed the right confirmation that this would certainly be the only encounter. That they would go their separate ways once all of this was over. Everything would return to normal.

Harry sat and pondered for a moment watching as Draco turned to look up from the spot they were sitting; his face blank and emotionless as he brainstormed.

No, this wouldn't be the last time.