Icicle Fingers (Drarry)

Chapter 10

•Harry•

Initially, Lupin's first lesson had been the most fun Harry had ever had in a classroom. The rest of the class, even the Slytherins, visibly agreed with him. Well, all except Malfoy. Harry had pondered as to why, thinking things such as "Wow, can't he let himself have fun for once. Must he always be so bitter?".

As the rest of the students were laughing with glee, making the boggart squirm, Malfoy was stone-faced as usual. Even though his full attention was fixed on finding a way to make Dementors funny, Harry could sense a strange solemnness in the usually mischievous blond. He didn't even make fun of Ron's spider, clearly in some void of his own.

Harry understood why now. It was horrible, to understand. He wasn't used to this smaller, feeble Malfoy. He was used to a sharp-tongued Malfoy that towered over him. Not a Malfoy that stood there silently, doing nothing to defend himself. A Malfoy shaking furiously with terror, eyes wide open and glued to the floor.

A Malfoy that was on the verge of tears.

And that was why he made Ron and Hermione leave him behind. Hermione's eyes were still red, and there were obvious trails where tears had rolled down her face. Ron had been strangely quiet, gazing far past Harry. Harry had also excused himself to the bathroom, but knew that they understood what his real motive was.

Now he stood outside the bathroom door, listening. He didn't want to walk in yet, as Malfoy was clearly very overwhelmed. It created a strange pain in his heart, hearing the usually stoic boy cry. Each sob sounded as it was forcefully pulled out of him.

Taking a deep breath, Harry pushed the door open.

"Malfoy?" he said, as softly as possible while still making noise. He wanted it to be known that he came in peace.

"What do you want, Potter." Malfoy replied, lacking his usual venom, voice weak and slightly high pitched.

"I was worried," Harry replied, feeling slightly awkward. "So I came to check on you."

Malfoy said nothing, making no noise other than the occasional sniff or uneven breath.

"Is it okay," Harry spoke again, feeling even more awkward. "If I walk over to you?"

He moved one foot forward, the click of his shoe echoing around the room.

"Do as you wish." Malfoy said, hoarsely. He sounded so defeated, causing Harry's heart to twist uncomfortably.

Each step echoed as heavily as the first, the array of sinks rotating in the corner of his eye.

A blond boy with painfully pink eyes and nose suddenly appeared in front of him, looking back at him with glittering, storm-grey eyes.

Draco Malfoy was strangely beautiful, in the most sorrowful way Harry had ever seen. A strange need to touch him filled Harry's heart, to make sure he was real. That this was really Malfoy.

"C-can," he forced out, feeling more awkward than he had in his whole life. "Can I give you a hug? You look like you need one."

Malfoy looked surprised, red-lined eyes widening slightly. After a moment of stillness, he nodded stiffly.

Harry stepped closer to the tall, and quite thin blond, slowly opening his arms. Until he stood right in front of Draco, and tentatively wrapped his arms around him. The other boy tensed, before slowly sinking into the embrace.

Then he started shuddering, and Harry could feel tears hit his shoulder, soaking into the fabric of his robes.

Then Draco Malfoy was full on sobbing into his shoulder, and Harry was holding him securely in his arms. He could feel long, bony fingers dig into his upper back. Not in a way that would intentionally create pain, but like he was holding onto Harry for dear life.