the track to my heart // drarry

twelve

Draco came back to his room quickly, he stood awkwardly near the door, staring around at the cramped and small room. There was barely any space in the room, it was small and cluttered with belongings spilling across the floor.

A bed, a study table and a cupboard were the only pieces of furniture there along with a small nightstand. A photo frame took most of the space on the square shaped wood next to the bed. Without thinking, he picked it up and found himself staring at a man who looked exceedingly similar to Potter and a woman with red hair and green eyes identical to Potter's. They were dancing in a park. Autumn leaves falling down around them as he twirled her around. She was laughing and they were young, free and happy.

"I wish I could have met them," Harry whispered, standing next to him. Draco ran a thumb over the frame, "I'm sorry," he whispered back, careful not to break the brittle silence. He lifted his head to look at Potter.

"It's not your fault," Harry said, a little louder, "It was just a matter of trusting the right people." He looked sad, his mouth turned downward into a sad little frown.

Draco didn't know what he meant by trusting the right people but he decided not to pry on the topic, Potter already looked like he was about to burst into tears at the mention of his relationship, or lack thereof, with his parents.

"Can I ask you a question?" Draco kept back the photo carefully, his slender fingers brushing the frame again, giving one last glance at the young couple dancing happily.

"Anything," Harry breathed out, giving him a small smile.

"Why do your relatives talk to you like that?" He scowled, mouth turning sour just by their mention, "Don't they know that you're the Chosen One?" He let out a small bitter chuckle at the end.

Harry grimaced, "It's complicated," He said slowly, huffing and sitting down on his bed all the while avoiding Draco's inquisitive gaze.

He sighed before explaining, "My aunt never liked my mum because she was magic. She felt left out and despised her for being different. The hatred increased When she married my dad," He closed his eyes and took a long breath, "When they died and I was left at their doorstep, the hatred grew even more," He let out a bitter laugh, "They don't care for me. I've been a burden on them ever since I came here."

Draco let out a shaky breath, "Ever since I was a kid, I thought you lived with people who gave you everything and worshipped the floor you walked on. I thought you had everything, that you were loved and given every luxury I couldn't even imagine. I always wanted to be friends with you, but I acted like a complete dick,"

"I was wrong," He sat down next to him, "If I had known about this, I would have never said all those cruel things to you. I wouldn't have treated you with so much cruelty,"

Harry tutted, cutting him off. "Don't say anything, I don't like pity. I've had enough pitiful glances my entire life thrown at me. I don't want another one. Not from you."

Draco nodded, "Okay, I won't pity you."

"Thank you,"

"But you deserve an apology from my side, okay? I'm sorry," Draco placed a hand on his arm, his fingers wrapping around the warm skin.

Harry placed a hand on top of his very pale one, "I forgive you,"

Draco snatched back his hand quickly, "Why would you forgive me this quickly? I've been tormenting you for five years! You should take more time. Hold a grudge."

Harry snorted, "I'm bad at holding grudges,"

"Then try, Potter, it's the least you can do," He rolled his eyes, "Say that you don't forgive me. Let me feel some guilt."

Harry laughed, "Why are you so insistent on me not forgiving you? You should be happy that I accepted your apology."

Draco flushed, "Just say what I told you to."

Harry sighed, "You aren't going to listen to me, are you?"

"Nope." He said with an air of determination.

"Okay." Harry nodded, succumbing to his request, "I don't forgive you. But-"

Draco let out a soft groan.

"-I will forgive you in the future if I feel like it."

Draco pursed his lips, "That was good enough."

Harry grinned at him.

They didn't talk much after that. The previous friendliness that weaved through the air morphed into awkwardness and they avoided each other as much as they could for the rest of the morning. Although, avoiding the other was quite difficult when they were holed up in that small room, barely a few feet apart from each other.

The morning went past and the sun came up, indicating that it was noon. The rays of the fun filtered through the glass and made the room even warmer than before. Draco pulled at the collar of the shirt he was wearing. During hot afternoons such as these, he sat under a tree and enjoyed the shade or sat in some muggle restaurant for some time before leaving inconspicuously. But now, he was imprisoned inside a room with sweltering heat where he felt like he was suffocating.

"Are you hot?" Potter questioned when he saw the weary and annoyed look on his face. Not to mention the sweat that was pooling at his temple and neck.

Draco swallowed, "Only a little," He was not going to take off Potter's jacket. It had made him feel safer than any spell ever could.

Harry shook his head at his stubbornness, "You can just ask for something else to wear. It won't kill you." He walked to his closet and took out his cotton black t-shirt with the logo of ACDC written in big bold letters at the front. He handed the t-shirt to Draco who took it hesitantly.

"ACDC?" He asked, "The one who made this forget the alphabet?"

Harry let out a short laugh, "They are a band." He explained, "Sirius' favorite. He gave me about ten t-shirts on Christmas last year with the same logo but different colors."

"Huh," Draco said absent-mindedly as stared at the t-shirt with mild amusement. Harry turned around to tidy up his closet, so Draco decided to change. Wearing Potter's jacket made him feel safe so he figured that wearing the t-shirt won't hurt him either.

He pulled off the jacket reluctantly and pulled off his t-shirt, making sure that Potter's back was still turned with a sideways glance at him.

Harry was just closing the door of the cupboard and turning around just as Draco was slipping on the t-shirt over his torso. He caught a glimpse of his toned stomach and thin, pale waist before it was covered with the cloth. He turned away abruptly, a red hue covering his face. He thought he had stalled enough by rummaging without reason between his clothes to let Draco change quickly in his presence.

Harry turned around cautiously again, smiling hesitantly at Draco who ran an impressive hand over the t-shirt and giving Harry an approving look.

This day was going to go longer than expected. Harry had to keep him locked up in his room for more than twenty four hours without letting his relatives know about his existence.