“Okay, but hear me out-” Draco tries again, but Harry’s still shaking his head, leaning back against the sofa.
“I’ve already been AK’d twice in my life, and neither one stuck.”
“But this one, you’d be allowing.” Draco says, poking his book. “And that way, you could possess an item. With your soul kicked out of your body like that.”
“If someone who got AK’d could possess something, we doesn’t everyone do that? Why are there no ghosts in Hogwarts who were killed that way? All of them died slowly.” Harry says. “And from what Sir Nick told me, a ghost only happens when someone’s not willing to move on.”
“What does he know?” Draco protests, lifting the book to show Harry the cover. “This was written by a former Unspeakable who’s studied death extensively for her entire career. Nearly Headless Nick is just a bloke with a neck thicker than the axe was sharp.”
“But he actually died. Did that Unspeakable ever die?” Harry asks, nodding at the book.
Draco huffs.
“Alright. Basilisk it is. Snape said that would be quick too.”
“But not immediate.” Harry says. “And if Snape AK’d me, he might make a horcrux of his own on accident, like Voldemort did with me. And it would probably be you. Do you want Snape’s voice in your head for the rest of your life?”
They’re interrupted by the front door unlocking, and Draco snatches up his wand.
“I think it’s just Dudley.” Harry whispers, but they wait for the door to open and Dudley’s round face to peek in. Draco stashes his wand away in between the sofa cushions before Dudley’s crew can see it.
“Where are Mum and Dad?” Dudley asks as he steps inside.
“In their room. They’ve been holed up there since breakfast.” Harry shrugs. “I’m not sure Remus didn’t lock them in.”
Harry’s eyebrows lift as a very handsome girl enters the house. He hadn’t expected Dudley’s girlfriend to be good looking. Right behind her is a boy who, judging by his similar features, must be her brother that Dudley goes to school with.
“Oh.” Dudley says. “Well, this is my girlfriend, Stephanie.”
Stephanie is short with long brown hair and wide-set brown eyes. She’s dressed a little bit like Bill Weasley, with an old band tshirt and chunky black boots. Her brother is wearing an enormous denim jacket, even in the heat.
“Hi, nice to meet you.” Stephanie says pleasantly, waving at Harry and Draco. “And my brother, Lucas.”
“Draco, likewise.” Draco says a bit absently as he swaps his current book for a different one.
“I’m Harry. Dudley’s cousin.” Harry says. “Draco’s my boyfriend.”
“Oh cool.” Lucas says, grinning. “Nice to meet you.”
Harry looks at Dudley, who looks at Stephanie, who looks back at him. Lucas looks at Stephanie, and Draco looks at his book. No one says anything.
“So, we can grab something from the kitchen, if you-”
“Oh yeah, sure.” Stephanie says quickly, flicking her fringe from her eyes. “You want anything, Luke?”
“Yeah, I’ll come with.” Lucas says, and the three of them wave to Harry and Draco before disappearing into the kitchen.
Harry lets out a breath once they’re out of sight.
“That was awkward.” Draco says.
Remus comes inside, closing the door quietly behind himself.
