Second Chances (Drarry)

Home is where the heart is

"Hey, Draco, what are you writing?"

The Gryffindor boy's dormitory was usually quiet this time of day. Soft light filled the room with silent, dusty sunrays. Red and gold warmed the room and made it feel inviting. Somehow, Draco's own bed seemed grey in comparison. After his discussion with the talking hat, Draco had turned the curtains of his bed Slytherin green. It was meant as a reminder of who he was. Now it was a bright contrast against the rest of the room.

Harry didn't wait for an invitation as he sat down beside him on the bed. The entire mattress dipped under the weight, causing Draco to spill a bit of ink on his letter. He cursed, but ignored it otherwise.

"Just a letter to Theo."

"Oh. Do you have a plan already? Can I see?"

"No." Draco quietly lay down the quill. Potter startled and Draco let him stir a second before he diverted into a lie. "I don't have a plan. And I'm telling him that we're still brainstorming. But I thought it would be good for him to know that we're still on it."

Harry nodded. He seemed to believe him, for now, although he did have that suspicious glint about him that he used to wear back when he had thought Draco was up to no good. Which in both cases, was the truth. "It really is difficult to solve this. Would you like to go on a stroll with me? The weather is rather nice outside. And I feel like I haven't talked to you in days." His smile was almost infectious.

Draco shook his head instantly. The last he needed was to get even closer to Potter. "I'm behind on homework."

Harry frowned. "Surely that can wait for an hour?"

Draco was reminded of Neville at that moment. Draco would actually like to go with him... And he was supposed to give in sometimes. But there were still things he needed to take care of and they were running out of time. "We still don't have a plan."

"We could brainstorm on our way?" His eyes lit up with barely concealed hope.

"And be overheard?"

Harry bit his lip, somewhat disappointed. "Draco, are you alright? You seem off lately."

Draco inhaled a breath. "I'm fine. More than fine. Just stressed is all."

Harry nodded. "Even more reason to go on a stroll. Come on." Harry jumped to his feet. "You'll be able to think better once you've had some air."

"It's past 8."

"And? We still have two hours until curfew." Harry rolled his eyes and pulled at Draco's hand to get him to stand up. Draco sighed and eyed the letter with worry. He rolled it in with one hand and sealed it shut with his wand, before putting it in his nightstand.

"Fine. But if it rains -"

"Then I'll magic us an umbrella. Stop moping!"
Harry dragged him out the room. The only person they ran into was Neville, who wished them a pleasant date. Harry gave Draco a startled frown and Draco knew he would have to tell Harry about the fact that Neville knew about their relationship. And he would surely have to endure Harry's overwhelming smile for the rest of the day.

He did.

Had Draco paid more attention, he would have noticed that something was afoot. But he didn't. Alas, he didn't even know what he could have paid attention to. Maybe the lack of Gryffindor's in the common room would have given him a pointer.

'Dear Theo,

Don't worry, everything is going fine. I'm not going to tell you the specifics, in case the letter is caught, but I wanted you to let you know that things are in motion.
In case you want to report to the others, tell them that the owner of the 'Hogshead' is gone and that this will be a good place for your peers to meet.