A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry]

Chapter 9: Breaking the Ice

The last rays of the setting sun bathed the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom in a soft, golden light, casting long shadows through the tall, narrow windows. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, shimmering in the warm glow. The room, still and quiet, smelled of aged parchment and polished wood, evoking a sense of calm that clashed with the turmoil brewing inside Harry Potter. He stood at the front of the room, absently stacking books on his desk, though his mind was far from the task at hand.

Harry glanced at the clock on the wall. He knew Draco would arrive soon, and the thought twisted his stomach with tension. Their argument from the previous day still hung heavy between them, unresolved and raw. Draco's cold dismissal, his refusal to acknowledge that they could move beyond their past, had struck a nerve. Harry had tried, time and again, to offer a truce, but Draco's icy exterior made it feel impossible. Still, they had to work together—tonight, if nothing else, they would go over the Halloween party plans. Harry exhaled slowly, steeling himself for the meeting ahead.

A soft knock on the door broke Harry's thoughts. He looked up to see Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway, a roll of parchment in his hand. The light behind Draco cast him in silhouette, but as he stepped forward into the room, the light revealed his pale face, as composed and unreadable as ever.

"Potter," Draco greeted, his voice formal and measured. He approached the desk, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. "I've brought the draft of the plans for the Halloween party. We should go over them."

Harry nodded, his expression neutral. "Alright, let's have a look."

Draco unrolled the parchment and spread it across the desk. Neat, precise handwriting detailed the layout of the Great Hall, decorations, safety measures, and entertainment options for the party. It was meticulously planned, and despite his lingering frustration, Harry couldn't help but be impressed by the thoroughness of Draco's work.

They stood side by side, their shoulders nearly brushing as they reviewed the plans. The silence between them was thick with unspoken tension, their earlier argument still hanging in the air like a cloud. Harry could feel the tension emanating from Draco, his rigid posture betraying the calm façade he tried to maintain. Harry kept his eyes on the parchment, unsure of how to break the silence without stirring up more conflict.

Suddenly, Draco cleared his throat, the sound almost tentative. "Potter," he began, his voice quieter than before, his usual confidence tempered with something more hesitant. "Before we continue, there's something I need to say."

Harry looked up, surprised by the shift in Draco's tone. When he met Draco's eyes, he saw something unfamiliar—a flicker of uncertainty. Draco wasn't often vulnerable, and Harry could see that whatever he was about to say, it wasn't easy for him.

"I... overstepped yesterday," Draco continued, his gaze dropping to the parchment between them. His words were slow, measured, as if he was choosing each one carefully. "I said things I shouldn't have. I was out of line. The truth is, I don't know your struggles, and I had no right to assume otherwise."

Harry stayed silent, sensing how difficult this admission was for Draco. His irritation began to fade as he listened, recognizing the effort it took for Draco to admit fault.

Draco took a deep breath before continuing, his voice lower now, as if he were speaking more to himself than to Harry. "Being here at Hogwarts, it's been... different for me. These last five years have given me a chance to rebuild something, to prove that I'm more than my past. When you arrived, it felt like all of that was being threatened. Like suddenly, the things I had worked so hard for didn't matter anymore." He paused, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I let those insecurities get the better of me. And for that, I'm sorry."