The Noctis Codex | DRARRY

NINETEEN

In the stillness of McGonagall's office, tension wove through the air as they sat in silence, each aware of the weight of the decision they faced. The headmistress folded her hands, studying them with a mixture of concern and resolve. "Draco," she began carefully, "with the curse developing as it has, you and Mr. Potter must stay close. The simplest solution would be for you to remain here over the holidays."

"That won't work. My father's strict; he insists I come home every holiday. If I don't show up, it'll raise questions. He'll know something's wrong."

A murmur ran through the room. Snape, leaning against the mantel with his usual unruffled demeanor, broke the silence. "Then perhaps Potter should accompany you to Malfoy Manor. It would explain the need for proximity and satisfy any concerns Lucius might raise."

Draco's head whipped around, disbelief hardening his expression. "That's even worse," he hissed. "Inviting him home would be dangerous. My father will notice if something was off, and he'd start asking questions I can't answer." He hesitated, eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and uncertainty. "Besides, I've never brought anyone home before."

"I understand, Mr. Malfoy," she replied gently. "In that case, we'll go with the first approach. You'll remain here, and I'll send a letter to your father, explaining that you need to stay over the holidays due to a large, collaborative project for Potions. Something that requires focused work in the labs."

A humorless chuckle escaped the blond as he glanced at the headmistress, shaking his head. "That won't convince him, Professor. Lucius won't care about a project—he'll think it's an excuse. He might even come here himself to make sure I'm telling the truth."

When Harry looked over at the other, he noticed the strain in his expression. "It's worth a try. Better than being separated and risking to die."

Snape exchanged a glance with McGonagall, then nodded. "If it comes to that, Mr. Malfoy, you won't face it alone. We'll have measures in place if Lucius arrives, and we'll support this cover story. In case this incident makes the news, we'll all be unemployed when school starts again."

Draco's gaze dropped to the polished floor, the fight slowly draining from his posture. At last, he nodded, though his voice was low and resigned. "Alright... if you're all so certain. But when he comes, if he suspects anything, it'll be up to all of us to convince him."

McGonagall gave a reassuring nod. "And we will," she promised. "For now, you'll remain here, safe with Mr. Potter. We'll take each day as it comes and deal with whatever questions arise."

Draco nodded, a small, reluctant glimmer of hope hidden beneath his guarded expression. Though the idea filled him with unease, he sensed for the first time that perhaps—just perhaps—he wouldn't face this ordeal entirely on his own.

—

The castle corridors were quiet, shadows stretching across the floor as the boys made their way to the room McGonagall had prepared. Since their dormitories were too far apart from each other, they must retreat to a shared room, according to professor Snape.
Most of the students had already left for the holidays, their laughter and chatter fading to memories, leaving the halls feeling hollow and deserted.

The room was small but comfortable—cozier than the drafty dormitories, yet not quite home. Harry glanced around, noticing the narrow beds against opposite walls. It was still bigger than his cupboard back at the Dursleys', he thought, though that wasn't saying much. He set his suitcase down beside the bed on the left, glancing over at Draco, who hadn't said much since they'd left the headmistress's office.

After a moment of tense silence, the dark-haired  decided to speak, his voice breaking the stillness. "Draco, about... what happened earlier—"

"It was a mistake, Potter. Just... heat of the moment. Nothing more." Draco's jaw tensed as he quickly interrupted, eyes fixed on the floor. The words came out clipped and forced.