Drarry; A Comfort Story

Chapter 13

Harry's POV

Draco sits next to me. I smile at him and he smiles, too. We both look back up at McGonagall who continues speaking.

I grab his hand from under the table and I see a slight smile form on his face, out of the corner of my eye. He then decides to interlock our fingers.

It's hard to pay attention to Professor McGonagall's words when Draco is right there. I manage to listen with some difficulty, anyway. McGonagall then excuses us, about 50 minutes later.

Draco stands up and drags me with him. We're about to go to lunch, fortunately. I really need this break.

When we get to the Great Hall, Hermione and Ron are already sitting at Gryffindor table, with Pansy and Blaise across from them, chatting away.

I sit next to Ron and Draco sits next to me, our hands still interlocked. Draco hesitantly lets go of my hand so he can eat. That's understandable, obviously, but I hate having to let go.

"Hey mate," Ron greeted.

"Hey,"

"You seem a little down mate, what's up?"

"It's nothing Ron, it sounds... stupid and you wouldn't understand."

"Fine, keep your secrets."

I continue eating and once I am finished, I walk out of the Great Hall, and start to my common room. I stop, hearing footsteps behind me. It startles me, but then I hear that unmistakable, sweet voice I always love to hear.

"Harry?"

"Yes, Draco?"

"You okay? Did I do something wrong?"

I turn to face him. He looks genuinely worried, and it breaks my heart to hear him think he did something wrong.

"Of course not! Why would you think that?" A hint of panic in my voice.

"Well, you have just been.. Down lately. I figured that I did something."

"It's not you, and I guarantee that unless you really tried, it never will be you. I just have too much on my mind, I have other problems. It's me, not you."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"You know the majority of it," I actually really would like to talk about it, but I don't know how much patience and attention span he has.

"I'll listen, I want to help you. We can go someplace more private, if you need. Just know that I will give you time, if you feel like you need to keep it to yourself for awhile."

I love his sweet voice and his understanding of me. I need him to understand one more thing though.

"I feel comfortable around you, Draco. I don't know what I would do without you."

There. I said it. I just hope he understands.

"Alright, let's go to the Room of Requirement and talk, then?" He asks.

"Yeah, let's go."

Draco's POV

I grab his hand and lead him to the Room. I think about what he had said, and I'm so glad he feels comfortable around me. Makes me happier than I ever thought it would.

We reach the wall and I stand there, before pacing in front of where the door should be, picturing the room I want.

There's a king size bed in one corner, 2 armchairs and a couch surrounding a blazing fire, and a restroom in another corner. It comes to life, and we walk in.

I sit on the couch and gesture for him to sit next to me. He hesitates, and then curls up on my lap instead. That was unexpected.. And he's surprisingly light.

I put my arms around him and rub his back in small circles. I hope that's at least a bit comforting.

He's tense, but he then starts to ease. I kiss his forehead and he looks up at me with a small grin.

It's silent for a few minutes. But it isn't an awkward silence. It's a comfortable, peaceful silence.

Remembering our original reason we came, I break that silence.

"Alright, what's on your mind? You have my full attention." I say quietly.

"Same old things. I'm worried about the upcoming retake of the NEWTS, and where I'm going to stay over the summer, just about the future in general. And what if Vold- He Who Must Not Be Named finds a way to come back? What if one of his followers tries to hunt me down and kill me in honor of him?"

He starts to sob. I can't bare that. I hold him tighter and kiss his forehead repeatedly.

"Shh, Harry. I'll help you study, I will find you a place to stay, it could be with me if you like. Maybe you could come to the Manor, I know it would bring back memories, but I assure you, he is dead. You killed him, you saved everyone. I was once a follower-"

"Forced follower, you didn't want to, I know." He interrupts.

"Yes, I was a forced follower of him once, I will make sure no other will be after you. I will protect you, okay?"

"Alright, but about the Manor thing, I don't mind. I want to thank your mother for saving me during the War."

"You have thanked her numerous times already, but I have to admit, so have I. My father is in Azkaban, he can't do anything. My mother would love to have you stay."

"Then I just might, if it's okay with her."

"It will be, but I'll ask her as it gets closer to the end of the school year, okay?"

"Okay."

He stops sobbing. His breathing steadies. His eyes slowly start closing. All is quiet.

Harry soon falls asleep in my arms. I hold him close, as an instinct to protect him.

He stirs every once in a while, and every time he does, I kiss his head and rub his back, until he stops.

After a while, I start to nod off, too. I wake up a while later, with Harry trying to get up. I start to stir, then I open my eyes.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."

"All is forgiven, I needed to wake up anyway, I hadn't meant to fall asleep. Where are you going?"

"I was trying to get to dinner without waking you, but that clearly failed. Since you're up, you wanna come with?"

"Sure."

He helps me up, and we leave.