A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry]

Chapter 16: Breaking Through

The night descended upon Hogwarts with a quiet grace, the fading light casting the grounds in a soft twilight glow. The sky above was painted in deep shades of indigo and violet, with a few stubborn stars beginning to pierce through the fading dusk. Inside, the castle was alive with the warm glow of torches and hearths, their flickering light bouncing off the ancient stone walls. The Great Hall buzzed with energy as students chattered, ate, and laughed, their voices echoing off the high, enchanted ceiling.

Harry sat at the staff table, absentmindedly staring at the meal before him. His fork twirled slowly in a pile of mashed potatoes, but his appetite had long disappeared. The events of the day were distant in his mind; instead, he found his thoughts circling back to Draco Malfoy.

Over the past few weeks, something had changed between them. Slowly but surely, the icy wall that had stood between them for years had begun to thaw. Their conversations had grown more meaningful, their silences less tense. Harry wasn't sure when it had happened exactly, but there was now an understanding, a tentative bond, between them—something fragile, but real.

But Draco had been conspicuously absent from dinner that evening. And while it wasn't unusual for him to skip meals or withdraw into himself, something about it bothered Harry tonight. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a pull, an urge to check on him.

With a soft sigh, Harry set down his fork, pushing his plate away. He gathered a few slices of bread, some cheese, and a goblet of pumpkin juice, tucking them into his cloak before rising from the table. He slipped out of the Great Hall, unnoticed by most, his mind already wandering toward the dungeons where he suspected Draco might be.

The corridors were quieter now, with students either still in the Hall or lounging in their common rooms. The evening air felt cooler as Harry descended toward the lower levels of the castle, the familiar chill of the dungeons wrapping around him. His footsteps echoed lightly against the stone floors, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows across the walls. He moved with a sense of purpose, though the unease in his chest made his pace quicken.

As he neared the Potions classroom, Harry noticed a faint glow coming from beneath the door. He paused for a moment, his hand hovering over the door handle. He knew Draco valued his solitude, especially after long days, but Harry couldn't shake the feeling that Draco needed someone tonight—even if he wouldn't admit it.

With a quiet exhale, Harry pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Draco was seated at his desk, hunched over a stack of parchment. A lantern on the desk cast a warm, golden glow over him, highlighting the sharp lines of his face and the strands of blond hair that had fallen across his brow. His expression was focused, though there was a weariness in the way he held himself—a heaviness that Harry recognized all too well.

"Draco?" Harry called softly, stepping further into the room.

Draco's head snapped up, his grey eyes narrowing in surprise before shifting to a more guarded look. "Potter," he said, his voice clipped, though not as sharp as it usually was. "What are you doing here?"

Harry offered a small, non-threatening smile, pulling the food from his cloak and placing it on the corner of Draco's desk. "You missed dinner. Thought you might be hungry."

Draco's gaze flickered to the bread and cheese, then back to Harry, his expression unreadable. He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "And you thought I needed company as well, I assume?"

Harry shrugged, trying to keep things light. "You know me. Always meddling where I'm not wanted."

Draco snorted softly, though there was no real malice in the sound. He eyed the food for a moment, then sighed, reaching for a slice of bread. "I wasn't hungry earlier," he admitted quietly, tearing off a piece of the bread and popping it into his mouth.