Everything Remains

Chapter 16- Safe and Sound?

Draco was sitting in the Slytherin common room, in the farthest corner that he liked. It was partially hidden by shadows, so peering eyes couldn't get the full effect of him sitting there. 
Draco was shaking slightly, overtaken by the immense amount of emotions he had been going through the past few weeks. 
Terrified that Harry would never wake again, angry at himself for being a part of this, enraged and almost homicidal towards Pansy for doing this at all. Heartbroken at seeing Harry like that, hysterically crying from grief, intense happiness from him waking. Horrified worry that we still don't know what cured him. 
Going through that many emotions in such a short span of time had Draco reeling, unable to stop the constant flooding of thoughts. There were way too many guesses to why he was cured all of a sudden. Was it the timeline? Was the curse only supposed to last that long? Was it because they had removed the brooch? Was it because the sunlight hit him at 43 degrees? It could have been anything. Which means that he could fall back into that state again at any moment, possibly. 

Draco was wringing his hands while his mind flipped, tossed, and turned. 
'I can't bear the thought that I was the one who did this. I'm sure everyone views me as the same old Malfoy that can't be trusted. I would never do that to him....'
'I'm not safe to be around, that much is clear. I can't allow my wants to shroud that judgment. Harry deserves to be safe. Which means... even though it will kill me... I can't be around him anymore.'
Draco was settled on his decision. The only thing he can control in this situation is removing himself and the dangers he presents from the equation. 
'No more eating with them, sitting by them in class, hanging out with them, nothing. Not even talking. I can't risk it...'
Draco was resolute. He got up from his cozy corner and walked his way to McGonagal's office. 

XXXXX

"Mr. Malfoy, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Good afternoon, Headmistress. I... I need to change my class schedule." 
"What do you mean? We're over halfway through the semester, my boy."
"I... want to take the same classes, just at different times. Please. It's... important to me." 
McGonagal looked at him with concerned eyes, a worry furrow in her brow. 
"We can make the arrangements, but do you want to tell me why this is important? Why you want to disrupt yourself and your classes?"
Draco swallowed hard. "I... I just think that it would be good for me. To get more experience with... different people." 
McGonagal sighed, not sure what to make of this. 
"Very well. If you really want to do this, take a look at the schedule and figure out how to change it around." 
"Thank you, Headmistress." 

Draco took the piece of parchment from her hands, planning out how he could cut out any lessons he might have with Harry and the rest of them. He also decided that he would start eating in the courtyard, by himself. He would have to get to meals much earlier, to stay undetected by him, but he wouldn't be sleeping much anymore anyways. 
When he was done, Draco exited the office and rushed back to the Slytherin common room, trying to stay undetected by anyone. 
'I don't know what will come first. The end of the school year, or my will to live.'

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For the next few weeks, Draco stuck to his plan. He avoided any classes that Harry might be in, ate completely alone, went immediately back to his common room and dorm when classes were out. Harry had sent loads of letters to him, but Draco refused to write back. Sirius was even getting offended, biting Draco on several occasions. "It's what has to be done, you loon!"

Draco's health was declining again. He soon lost his appetite, losing the weight he had put on over the past few months. He wasn't sleeping but 3-4 hours a night, which resurfaced his eye circles. He was irritable and so lonely that his heart ached. 
'This is what I have to do to keep him safe. I have to. He deserves to be away from me. Away from threats to his life. Away from my bullshit. This is better for him.'

..........................

It was absolutely pouring down rain this evening. It was so heavy and dense that you could barely see your hand if you lifted it in front of your face. The weight of the water drops hitting the castle was a loud noise that permeated through the corridors.