A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry]

Chapter 14: Facing Fears

The ancient stones of Hogwarts seemed to hold onto the night's chill like a memory that refused to fade. The corridors, dimly lit by the flickering light of enchanted torches, felt even more silent during the half-term break. The usual lively chatter and hurried footsteps were replaced by a stillness that pressed in on the walls, amplifying every sound in the emptiness. The castle, so full of history, had its own kind of quiet—a silence that weighed heavy, full of memories and secrets that hung in the shadows.

Harry lay awake in his bed, staring up at the dark canopy, his thoughts still tangled in the remnants of a nightmare. The images had already faded from his mind, but the feelings remained—unease, fear, and a strange hollowness that he couldn't quite shake. He rubbed his hands over his face, trying to will the tension out of his body, but the weight in his chest lingered. The darkness in his quarters felt too thick, too close, and the silence was suffocating.

With a sigh, Harry swung his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed a sweater, pulling it over his pyjamas. He needed air, space—anything to distract himself from the restless energy swirling in his mind. He slipped into a pair of slippers and quietly left his quarters, the door clicking shut behind him.

The corridors stretched out before him, long and winding, bathed in the soft, golden glow of torchlight. Harry walked without any real destination, letting his feet carry him through the familiar halls. There was a strange comfort in the solitude, the way Hogwarts' very walls seemed to breathe with life, even in its quietest moments. The old stones under his feet felt like an anchor, grounding him.

As he wandered, a faint noise broke through the silence. It wasn't loud, but it was steady—a rhythmic thud followed by a soft whoosh, like the sound of something cutting through the air. Curious, Harry followed the sound down a darkened hallway, his footsteps light against the stone. The noise grew louder as he approached an open classroom door.

Peeking inside, Harry's eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room. At the center stood Draco Malfoy, his wand raised, facing an enchanted training dummy. Draco moved with sharp precision, his body twisting and turning as he cast spells, each one flowing smoothly into the next. His platinum hair gleamed in the flickering torchlight, and there was an intensity in his movements, a fierce concentration that Harry found oddly captivating.

For a moment, Harry simply watched. There was something almost graceful about the way Draco moved, the sharp flick of his wrist, the way his wand cut through the air with purpose. It was clear that this was a routine for Draco, a practiced method of releasing the tension that knotted inside him. Harry recognized it because he'd done it himself—losing himself in the repetition of magic, letting the act of casting spells quiet his mind.

After a moment, Harry cleared his throat softly, stepping into the room. "Malfoy," he called, his voice low enough not to startle him.

Draco spun around, his wand still raised, eyes flashing with surprise. He quickly lowered his wand, his expression shifting from shock to that familiar guardedness. "Potter," he said, his voice smooth but cool. "What are you doing here?"

Harry offered a small smile, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "I could ask you the same thing. Couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk. Heard something and thought I'd check it out."

Draco's posture relaxed slightly, though his eyes remained wary. He flicked his wand, and the dummy stopped moving, slumping into stillness. "I come here sometimes," Draco said, his tone casual but controlled. "It's easier to focus without distractions."

Harry nodded, leaning against the doorframe. "I get that. I've had a few rough nights myself. Thought a walk might clear my head."

Draco glanced at him, studying Harry's face for a moment, as if assessing the truth in his words. After a beat, he seemed to accept it, and his shoulders lost a fraction of their tension. "The castle does feel emptier during the break," Draco said softly. "It makes the silence seem louder."