Moonlit Revelations (A Drarry FanFiction)

Chapter Three

   It meant, inevitably, that he found himself back outside the Room of Requirement the next day as soon as Malfoy's dot started making its way in that direction, and he pulled the same trick again with the wind and the door, and this time Malfoy didn't even pause to look back and check.

Harry had prepared a cushioning charm for today's session, so he settled down in the same spot as yesterday and rested his head against the wall, feeling the tension from the morning ebb away even with the simple scales that Malfoy did to warm his fingers up. He was able to let his mind wander pleasantly as his unwitting companion worked through a lot of the songs he had played the day before, but with several new ones peppered in too; he had an impressive repertoire. He began on a new piece that he picked slowly over for about half an hour by Harry's estimate, and even though he knew nothing about how to play the piano he was still impressed at how quickly Malfoy was able to get together the new themes.

He finished on the same piece as yesterday, and it was still Harry's favourite of them all. After Malfoy left the room he sat for quite a while afterwards humming what he could remember of the sorrowful but strong melody.

And so the week went on, and Harry's obsession did nothing to dissipate, it just changed into a different kind of beast. Malfoy's private recitals became the highlight of his day, but it wasn't until the fourth or fifth visit Harry realised that under his soothing influence he was becoming able to deal with the rest of his daily routine as well. When people came to talk to him or ask for his help or advice he found he had more of himself to give again, and was happier being around people than he had been in over a year.

It was like the music was refilling his soul, and Harry found his feelings towards Malfoy softening as a result of his improved moods. He quickly came to respect the other boy's skills, moving his position on the floor so he had a better view of the way Draco's fingers worked the keys. At the start of each session, there would always be a visible line of tension in Malfoy's jaw and shoulders, but by the time he got into the second or third piece Harry could actually see it melting away.

His face was still sharp and angular when he played, but it lost the hardness that had come to define it, and Harry realised he was warming to it, that he was looking for it when he was sat in the hall in mean times, or walking down a crowded corridor. He was searching for that jolt of contentment he got from watching and listening to him when he created his beautiful music.

But nothing compared to the moment when that last piece would begin, and Harry would be torn between a thrill of excitement as the familiar melody resonate in his ears, and the sadness that came from knowing that in a few minutes, they would be done once again for another day.

It was a Saturday when Harry finally gave in to the wave of sadness that hit him, and felt his eyes get wet as he tried to blink back his tears. Their session today had been unhurried and the longest yet, and yet he was selfish enough that he still didn't want it to end. He had become addicted to Draco Malfoy and his bloody grand piano, and although he knew he was coping with the rest of his life just a little better because of it, it was still a secret that only he knew and he was well aware of how wrong it was. He sat and let the notes wash over him, knowing there was something broken in him, and the only thing he had found that came close to soothing the ache was the music of someone he had always thought he'd hated.

He was a mess.

The last few bars rang out, and Harry was careful to take a slow, silent breath inwards to calm his shaking. He'd really managed to lose it this time, and would probably need a walk around the frosty lake to recompose himself now.

Malfoy didn't stand up and stretch like he normally did. Instead he let his hands drop gently into his lap, and he gave out a tired sigh. "Are you ever going to come out and say hello?" he asked.