The Noctis Codex | DRARRY

TWENTY-FIVE

Harry reached down to retrieve the book, but as soon as his fingers brushed the cover, it flew up out of his grasp. Pages fluttered like wings as it landed back in his hands, settling open to a blank sheet. As he held it, faint lines of ink began to form, and a strange rhyme appeared in thin, silvery letters:

"Two shadows chained by time's own thread,
To sever bonds, a tear must shed.
When both hearts beat in steady rhyme,
Only then can they halt the bind."

The letters were so faint they seemed ready to vanish at any moment. Confused, Harry glanced back at the blond, who leaned in, brows furrowed as he reached out. The moment Draco's fingers touched the page, the words deepened in color, becoming bolder and clearer.

They exchanged a bewildered look, reading the lines over again. "What... what is that supposed to mean?" Draco asked, his voice thick with frustration and slight annoyance. "Two shadows chained by time? A tear must shed?"

"I don't know. But it's... not helping at all."
They flipped through a few more pages, hoping for a follow-up or explanation, but when they turned back to the verse, the page was empty, the words replaced with the usual arcane symbols and spells.

This caused panic to rise in them. What if this was some kind of twisted hint? They'd need to write it down somewhere, before they forget.

Immediately, a quill and parchment appeared beside them, as if summoned by their need. Taking up the quill, they began jotting down the poem from memory, pausing to read it back in their minds and make sure every line was correct. They slowly pieced the verse back together, both occasionally glancing at each other, sharing the quiet certainty that these lines might held the answer they were searching for.

As they finished, the fatigue of the day began catching up with them. Draco stifled a yawn, his eyelids growing heavier.

"Is a separate room really necessary?" the dark-haired asked softly, casting a sad glance at him.

Hesitation filled the Slytherin, shifting uncomfortably. "You know I'd like to go back, but if my father finds out... He insisted I move to another room. Said it's dangerous otherwise."

"That doesn't make sense. Being close is safer. You know it is."

Draco rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away. "Believe me, I know. But that's what Lucius wants."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair as he glanced at the fireplace. "Then... maybe we could stay here tonight? Just this once?"

"It's too risky," the blond replied, his voice barely a whisper. He looked torn, almost painfully so. "If we get caught... if he finds out somehow... I can't put you in that kind of danger."

The disappointment in Harry's face was unmistakable, and Draco's expression softened. "I wish we could, honestly. I hate it as much as you do. But if anything happened..."

Reluctantly, the Gryffindor nodded, a resigned understanding settling between them. "I get it. Just... doesn't make it any easier."

With a faint, almost teasing smile, Draco nudged his shoulder. "Can't get enough of me, can you?" His attempt at lightness came through, a small comfort against their shared frustration.

Harry huffed a laugh, his gaze warming. "Guess that's true. Still feels so unfamiliar."

After a while, Draco pushed himself up, hesitating at the doorway, his hand resting on the frame as though he couldn't quite bring himself to leave. In a swift motion, he turned back, closing the space between them in a heartbeat. His hand found Harry's cheek, tilting his face up, and his lips met the other's in a slow, tender kiss. When he pulled back, his voice was barely more than a murmur.