the track to my heart // drarry

nine

Draco rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet as he stood on the train station waiting for the next train. 

The train came with a loud rumble, making his hair rustle. The elder woman behind him hissed, waiting for him to move but he just stood there, staring at the open doors and the metal seats of the locomotive. 

His feet were stuck on the floor, he couldn't move. He had been doing the same for the past five trains. 

The elder woman pushed past him, muttering about how kids these days were stubborn brats and flopped onto one of the seats, staring at Draco with a beady eye. 

Draco seemed unfazed, although his shoulder hurt slightly. He was torn between running into the train or back to where he came running from. It was a difficult decision. 

"Oi! Blondie!" She shouted from inside the train, "Make your choice! The train will leave soon, it's the last one for the night." 

Draco opened his mouth and closed it again, a chord struck in his brain and he finally made his decision. It was like a million thoughts struck him at once like lightning and he felt electricity tingle his toes as he turned on his heel and ran away towards number four Privet Drive. 

***

Harry didn't know he was crying. The tears had tumbled down his cheeks like the dripping of a broken tap. He didn't know they were falling until the emotions overflowed, making his chest squeeze uncomfortably. 

He sniffled and wiped his nose with the back of his sleeve.

He had fallen for a sodding Malfoy and it was all his fault. He knew what was going to happen, but a part of him held onto that silver lining that maybe, just maybe, Draco would return his feelings and not act like a complete dick. 

He wiped away the tears and swallowed a glass of water and collapsed on the couch into a heap, curling into himself. 

He closed his eyes, trying to sleep. 

Bringing Draco to the Dursleys probably wasn't a very good idea. But it had to be done, Draco almost died. Yet the slick git couldn't understand the severity of the situation he put himself into. He could get help from the Order and be safe, get a place to live and food on his plate. Harry didn't want him scrounging for money on the streets and getting mugged every other day. 

Harry huffed in his sleep and sat up. Now Draco Malfoy wouldn't even let him sleep peacefully. Curse his beautiful smile and gorgeous eyes for that. 

Harry tensed as there were frantic knocks on his door. His heart leapt in his chest, hoping for Draco Malfoy. 

He walked to the front door, peering through the hole to make sure it was him. His heart gave a delighted flutter. 

"Potter! Open up!" Draco shouted, placing a hand on the knot in his side. He hasn't exercised this much since, well, forever. 

Harry opened the door and let him tumble in and onto the ground in a tired heap. 

Harry crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at him, trying to look smug and foreboding but a small smile creeped onto his lips. "Look, who's back," He tutted.

"Shut up," He panted and stood up with the help of the wall, walking into the living room as Harry followed him. 

Harry offered him a glass of water. 

Harry was still mad at Draco but it didn't mean he would let him die of thirst. The blond looked like he had run a marathon.

"You ran all the way here?" Harry found himself sitting next to him.

Draco let out a contented sigh, his breath normalising, "Yeah." 

"Why? You could've walked." Harry rolled his eyes, "Or take a cab."

"From what I remember, I got robbed." Draco gave him a pointed look. "Besides, I didn't want to miss my train, my last chance." 

"Train? Chance?" Harry asked, confused. 

Draco smiled softly, "I was standing on the station and I saw five trains go past me. They came, they stopped for me but I didn't step in, I just stood there. My mind screamed for me to go in but my feet didn't budge,"

"There was this elder woman who literally shouted at me to make a choice and that it was the last train for the night." 

"Huh," Harry said, "And what's it got to do with you running here?" 

Draco sighed, "You have asked me so many times if I need help. I do need help, of course, but I was too scared to ask for it. I felt like it would make me look weak and vulnerable. This is my last chance to board the train. I need help. My last chance is you." 

Harry felt his lips curl upwards and nodded, too shocked to speak anything. He looked down at his hands, finding the best way to tell him that Dumbledore would be visiting soon. 

Draco stared at him so he could memorise his face. He stared at his lips a little too long for his liking. He wanted to kiss him, very badly, but he couldn't. Not when the Dark Lord was after the both of them and the Death Eaters would kill him on sight. 

Harry finally looked up at him, slowly. "Uhm, I got a letter from Dumbledore. He's visiting next Friday." 

"Oh, are you going to tell him about me?" 

"Yeah, he's going to get you a safe place." Harry nodded, "I promise."

Draco nodded along and leaned back into the couch. "You know, this couch is way more comfortable than the train seats." 

Harry barked out a laugh and leaned back as well. They slipped into silence as exhaustion finally took over them and they drifted into a deep sleep.