The Noctis Codex | DRARRY

SIX

"You're... you're joking, right?" Ron finally managed, leaning forward, his voice pitched with a mixture of horror and fascination. "You and Malfoy—breaking into Snape's office? That's insane, Harry!"

"I know it sounds crazy," said boy replied, keeping his voice low. "But the book is connected to these dreams somehow. Snape's the one who took it, and I'm sure he's hiding something. We can't let this go."

Hermione looked even more stunned than Ron. "Harry, I get that this book could be important, but sneaking into Snape's office... it's beyond risky! Even if he's distracted with a class, he's bound to have extra protections around it. And Malfoy of all people—how can you trust him on this?"

The dark-haired hesitated, unsure how to answer. The truth was, he wasn't entirely sure he trusted Draco, but since the nightmares began, things felt different. He had seen pieces of Draco's past, his fears and regrets, and that had shifted something between them.

"Look, I don't expect you to understand," he finally said, glancing between his friends. "But this has to be done, and right now, Draco's the only one who knows how to get in without setting off half a dozen charms."

"But how did you even get to this point with Malfoy? This isn't just about working on an assignment, Harry. You're letting him in, trusting him with... this," the girl gestured, meaning everything unsaid.

Nodding, Ron agreed. "I get you're seeing weird things in these dreams, but Malfoy's still a Malfoy. For all we know, he's setting you up."

Harry clenched his jaw, pushing back against the doubts rising in his mind. He wanted to tell them how Draco had been there, how he'd pulled him from his worst moments in the nightmares, how he'd seemed like someone else—someone who understood in a way no one else did. But how could he make them understand that?

"It's different now, all right?" he told them, his voice tight. "I don't know how to explain it, but... there's something bigger going on here, and I need him to help me figure it out. We're getting that book, and I'm not asking either of you to come with us. Just... trust me."

Hermione exchanged a wary look with Ron, her expression softening only slightly. She sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Fine, Harry. But please, be careful. You're risking a lot with this... with him."
—
The corridor outside the Gryffindor common room was quiet, the distant murmur of students echoing down the hallways. Harry paced back and forth, his invisibility cloak bundled under one arm, glancing anxiously at his watch. He couldn't help feeling the tension mounting as each second ticked by.

Finally, a figure appeared at the end of the corridor, and Draco walked briskly toward him, his expression tight with determination.

"About time," Harry muttered, trying to mask his own nerves with impatience.

Draco's eyes narrowed. "You could at least act like you're grateful, Potter. I've got as much to lose here as you."

A huff escaped from the younger one's lips, but he said nothing, pulling the cloak out and gesturing for Draco to step closer. As the blond drew near, Harry felt the air shift.

Draco glanced at the cloak, then at Harry, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "This thing better work again. If we're caught, it's Azkaban-level trouble."

"It works, Malfoy. Just don't step on my feet."

They moved close enough that the cloak could cover them both, and as they settled into the concealment of the fabric, Draco's shoulder brushed Harry's, close enough that he could feel the slight tension in Draco's frame. For a second, the discomfort was almost tangible, but neither of them backed away.