I Swear This Time I Mean It ✔️

Chapter 12

{Shorter chapter because there's a lot to unpack here, but do you all prefer I update in a more specific time frame or as I get my chapters completed? Feedback is appreciated! ~ J}

Lunch had passed by with more staring than usual, especially because Harry was now open about his friendship with the Slytherins. Draco was still on the receiving end of some glares that Harry did not hesitate to return. It was nice to see the glare that was once directed at him being given to other people.

They had potions after lunch, and Draco was genuinely impressed with how well Harry had been doing in the subject. For his part, Harry had no interest in the subject matter itself. He just liked how brightly Draco smiled at him when he did something well. It was enough for him to get passing marks on his solo assignments, at the bare minimum. Draco had no issue brushing his hand against Harry's to tell him a correction or give him some advice, which Harry was immensely grateful for.

It was now after their last class of the day. Harry was telling McGonagall where he would be this weekend, and Draco was packing a few things for the weekend. There was a knock on the door, and he unlocked it with a flick of his wand, instructing the person to come in.

"Erm, Malfoy? Can I speak with you?"

It had been about two weeks since Ron had last "spoken" with Draco, and Draco really didn't feel like being insulted in the safety of his own room. This was his space.

"If you're here to lecture me about how to treat your family, you can save your breath, Weasley. Your family has been more kind to me than I deserve, I do not intend to jeopardize that. If there is another matter you wish to speak about, then you may come in."

Taking a deep breath, Ron entered the room, closing the door behind him, before awkwardly sitting on Harry's bed.

"Oddly enough, I believe you. Harry wouldn't put my family into any harmful situations, I know that. Look, I shouldn't have spoken to you the way that I did. I went about it all wrong, and my emotions were running high. I wasn't thinking, and I sure as hell didn't expect to be getting a wake up call from you of all people.

I was angry at the situation, and I in turn became angry at you, because no offence, but I've always found it easy to get angry at you. I ignored the fact that you were there for Harry when neither myself or Hermione were. I thought I was doing what was best for him by keeping him out of the public eye, but in doing so I didn't even give him a choice, I just made him feel excluded and alone. That wasn't my intention, I just wanted to protect him, but I went about it in the wrong way.

I took some time to think things over, and as long as dinner tomorrow goes well, I can try to get used to whatever you two have going on. I'm not going to make Harry choose because he's allowed to be friends with whoever he wants. Even if he no longer wants to be friends with me."

Draco's back had been turned to Ron as he continued to pack, but he rolled his eyes before turning around to face Ron.

"You're his best mate, of course he still wants to be friends with you. He still cares for you, he's just been trying to give you space to work things out. Harry has been worried about further upsetting you and losing you completely.

I understand being insecure about things Weasley. I'm waiting for the day Harry sees me again in the way that you still see me, and wants nothing to do with me. All I can do is try to make my peace, but nobody owes me anything. Just because I give an apology does not mean I am entitled to forgiveness. It's up to the person that I've hurt to decide how they wish to handle the matter."

"That wasn't what I came here to talk to you about, Malfoy. I wanted to know if you'd be able to teach Hermione and I the spells to be able to communicate with Harry better? I can see that he shuts down around me, and it hurts. I want to try to make him more comfortable."

"I'll teach you on the condition that at some point in the next week you speak with him about this. You're both long overdue for a talk. I'll meet you in Granger's room in a few minutes once I'm done packing."

The last thing Harry expected to see after reading Draco's note and going to Pansy and Hermione's room was Draco, Ron, and Hermione sitting on the floor together in a circle. Pansy wasn't in sight, further adding to his confusion.

"Erm, hello?"

"Have you packed yet Harry?"

"Almost."

That was a lie and they both knew it. He hadn't even started, but Draco had taken the liberty of packing a few things for him.

"Go pack, I'll meet you in a few minutes so we can go."

"Okay? See you tomorrow", he said, confusion still lacing his voice as he awkwardly waved to Ron and Hermione.

As soon as Draco closed the door to their room, Harry was in his face, demanding answers.

"Is everything okay? Did something happen? What-"

"Harry, relax my darling", Draco cut in with a laugh. "Granger just had a question about something I had more expertise in. You saved me from having her talking my ear off actually. Did you finish packing what I had set out for you?"

"I did. Thank you, my Prince."

"Anything for you Scarhead."

Harry gasped quietly.

"We need to send him home with us! I-"

"Already taken care of Harry."

"I have the best person in the whole world", Harry replied with a grin.

"Don't ever forget it. I could have the pick of the lot you know", Draco teased, walking towards Harry.

"I could have someone who would actually wear my Gryffindor robe", Harry retorted.

"I'm telling you Potter, red is not my color."

"Oh but it is", Harry argued, closing the distance between himself and Draco until they were face to face.

Harry reached out to caress Draco's face lovingly as he continued to speak.

"Have you seen how pretty you look with a blush on your face? How stunning you are when your whole face is red from laughing so hard when I say something stupid? The way that those freckles that I love so much stick out when you're sunburnt because you're too stubborn to listen to me and put on sunscreen? I think my favorite is times like right now when you get so flustered by my words that you bite your lip in the way that drives me crazy, and you just get so warm and touchable", Harry finished in a soft whisper.

The last sentence had been spoken as Harry had turned Draco around in front of a mirror, Draco's back pressed against Harry's front. Once he had finished speaking, Harry had attached his lips to Draco's neck. Draco was a quivering mess at Harry's words, and couldn't help but let a low moan escape as Harry bit down gently on his neck. He whimpered when Harry pulled away, missing the contact immediately.

"Are you ready to go home now?"

Home had a lot of important things, like privacy and a bed. Draco didn't even need to be asked. He grabbed his bags and Harry's, immediately shrinking them down and putting them in his pocket.

"Eager are we?", Harry teased.

"If you don't do anything about it, I'll apparate elsewhere and take care of it myself", Draco snapped, tired of the effect Harry's teasing had on him.

"You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I? I have my own hands Potter, I don't need yours."

"I'll make you eat those words."

"We'll see", Draco replied with a shrug, walking out of their room, a barely contained smirk on his lips.