Harry and Draco's cooperation in potions classes ended up being beneficial for both parties - Harry really improved a lot, and Draco was not left alone. After a few hours together, they were able to talk to each other, and if it weren't for their past, maybe we could even talk about friendship. Draco was still afraid to think of Harry as a close friend – he didn't trust anyone, and most of all, he felt that he didn't deserve true friendship. He was also grateful that Harry chose him as a partner in the class. However, Harry's fellow Gryffindors did not like this and often made unflattering remarks about Draco. Draco was perhaps less bothered than Harry.
"I think I'm capable of deciding who I'm going to be friends with," Harry said firmly, ignoring his fellow students.
This angered some of them, and the result was not long in coming. Sometimes, it happened that Draco was missing some important school tool and then found it completely destroyed in an unexpected place. In the last few days, several remarkable animals, characterised by interesting qualities, have taken turns on his chair - Draco could admire spiny, slimy, poisonous and electric animals; in the first days, he accidentally touched them, in the next days, he only admired them with his eyes. Draco didn't pay attention to it at first. It seemed to him like teasing unworthy of the last year's students who had also experienced war - but then Harry opened his eyes.
"It's pure bullying, Draco. We can't ignore it."
Bullying. The word cut into Slytherin's heart. He actually deserves it!
Harry could see the sadness in his eyes, and it was clear to him.
"I forgave you everything a long time ago," he said quietly. "And I'll deal with them."
The next day, they walked into the potions classroom. Draco's desk was engraved with the dark mark. That was perhaps even worse than the vermin of all kinds. Draco felt like running away but couldn't because Harry was holding his hand tightly.
Harry looked around at his classmates.
"Does anyone have a problem here? Because if they do, they will soon have a very big problem with me.''
"You're crazy, Harry, to be friends with Malfoy," said a student sitting at the next desk.
"Ron, you'll have to respect that, Draco is a good friend of mine, and I won't let anyone hurt him. Have you forgotten the courage he had to show when he joined us during the war?"
There was a buzz in the class.
"And you've probably forgotten how he treated you for seven whole years," snapped Ron. "Harry, I don't want to argue with you about him. I like you too much for that, but personally, I wouldn't trust him too much."
Draco lowered his eyes. They talk about him here as if he wasn't even here.
"I need some air." He broke away from Harry and quickly ran out of the airless classroom. Harry ran after him.
"Are you okay?"
Draco nodded. "You don't have to protect me. I can handle it. I deserve the way they treat me."
Harry took his hand. "No one deserves to be bullied, and you certainly don't."
"Thank you, Harry. For everything." Draco squeezed Harry's hand. It was a gentle squeeze, but it gave Harry courage. He looked into Draco's eyes. The eyes don't lie. He saw gratitude and tenderness in them. He carefully approached Draco's mouth and planted a soft kiss on his friend. Draco pulled Harry close and kissed him as urgently as if his entire life depended on it. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but together, they could do it. They hugged for a while and exchanged kisses, then returned to the potions classroom, hand in hand. Meanwhile, the dark mark had disappeared from their desk.
