Shifting Loyalties - A Drarry & Severitus Fanfic

Chapter 17 - Quills & Quarrels

September 1990
Severus's Quarters, Hogwarts

Weeks had passed since Harry and Draco had last seen each other, and the absence felt like a gaping hole in their daily lives. The halls of Hogwarts, usually filled with their laughter and bickering, seemed oddly quiet without Draco's cheeky remarks or Harry's endless teasing. Both boys were restless, their minds consumed with thoughts of their missing friend.

Harry stared out of the window in Severus's quarters, watching the leaves turn shades of amber and gold as fall descended upon the castle. He missed Draco's smirk, the way his friend could turn any mundane moment into a scheme for mischief. Even his father's occasional scolding had become a fond memory, a mark of their friendship that seemed to thrive on chaos.

"Hey, Severus!" he shouted, attempting to draw his guardian's attention. "Can I go visit Draco? I'm bored!"

Severus, sitting at his desk with a mountain of grading papers, barely looked up. "You're not bored enough to face a mountain of homework, I presume?" he replied dryly, his quill scratching against the parchment.

Harry huffed, crossing his arms dramatically. "I'll do the homework later! Please? I miss him. It's been ages!"

"Two weeks, Harry," Severus replied, raising an eyebrow. "You're hardly suffering in solitude."

"I am suffering!" Harry insisted, his voice climbing in pitch. "My best mate is stuck at Malfoy Manor, and we need to plot some mischief before the school year starts! You can't expect me to just sit here and pretend it's all fine and dandy when I could be stirring up trouble with Draco!"

Severus sighed, knowing that this was a losing battle. "Very well. Write him a letter, then," he suggested, his tone suggesting he didn't believe that would calm Harry's spirit.

"Can I use your fancy quill?" Harry asked, his eyes lighting up.

"No," Severus said firmly, but his lips twitched with a suppressed smile.

"Fine! I'll just have to write it with my own!" Harry grumbled, reaching for his own less impressive quill. He settled at a small table, his brow furrowing in concentration.

___

**Malfoy Manor**

Meanwhile, Draco was also feeling the absence keenly. He lounged in the plush confines of Malfoy Manor, surrounded by the luxurious furnishings that his family was known for, yet it felt cold and empty without Harry's raucous energy. With his father increasingly busy with Ministry work, Draco found himself longing for the camaraderie they shared.

"Can't believe I'm stuck here with nothing to do," he muttered, kicking at the plush carpet beneath his feet. "It's like a tomb in here."

With a flick of his wand, Draco summoned a quill and a piece of parchment. "Time to write to Harry," he said, a determined glint in his eye. He settled into a chair and began to write, the ink flowing smoothly as he crafted his words.

Dear Harry,If you think I'm going to write you a long, mushy letter about how much I miss you, you're sorely mistaken. The Manor is as dull as ever, and Father is off being all 'serious' at the Ministry. Honestly, you'd think the man was running the whole country or something.I suppose I could throw a grand party in his absence, but it wouldn't be nearly as fun without you to annoy.