tick-tock | a drarry tale

XX.

The next few weeks flew by quickly. Everyone endured the O.W.L.S and were now in the summer break mood: wanting to go home. Harry recently got a letter from Sirius, stating that if he wanted to, he could stay with him for the summer. Harry smiled as he read the letter; anything to get away from the Dursleys. The Gryffindor Quidditch team just recently won the Quidditch Cup, and now the season was over. Harry avoided the celebration that went on in the common room. He could've helped won that cup if it wasn't for Draco.

He was now sitting in the courtyard, circling his fingers around his temples. The headaches had subsided throughout the winter and early spring, but now they were back. Harry was always in pain, which led to him being more agitated and snappy. Snape has been cancelling the Occlumency lessons regularly now. Harry tried doing the small exercises Snape suggested, but they weren't helping. Why was he cancelling? Did he not want to help him anymore? Did Dumbledore know?

"Harry?" a delicate voice asked. Harry looked up and saw Luna standing over him. He smiled weakly.

"Luna, hi," he managed, placing his hand back on his temple. Luna frowned, tilting her head to the side.

"What's wrong with your head?"

"I just have a small headache," he explained. "It's no big deal." But it was a big deal. Harry was becoming paranoid: What if this was Voldemort? What if he made Harry attack his friends again? Luna nodded.

"Well, I hope you feel better soon." Silence flooded in and Harry began tapping his knee. "Anyways," Luna spoke up, "I just saw you sitting here alone. You seemed lonely." Slowly, Harry stood up, his legs cracking.

"I just wanted some alone time. With the O.W.L.S out of the way and my headache, I just wanted a breather." Luna smiled that sweet smile she always gave.

"I understand. I always look forward to alone time. What are your plans for the summer?"

"I'll be going back to my aunt and uncle's house," he lied, not wanting to tell her about his godfather.

"Ah, that sounds fun. I'm just going back to Dad's," she shrugged. Harry nodded, remembering that her mother was gone. They looked at each other for a few moments, then Luna said, "I'll let you get back to your alone time." Harry smiled as she turned on the balls of her feet and made her way through the courtyard.

As she walked up the steps leading to the corridor, Draco rounded the corner, running into her. Harry heard her gasp lightly, and watched as Draco put his hands up. Luna bent down, retrieved her fallen books, and shyly slid around Draco. Draco looked after her, then over to where Harry was standing. Harry shifted on his feet and began to walk the opposite way.

"Potter!" He heard Draco call out. He stopped and turned towards the Slytherin, who was hastily making his way over to him.

"You could've helped Luna pick up her stuff," Harry snapped as Draco neared him. Draco frowned.

"So that's her name, that's what I thought." They haven't spoken since the scene in the library a couple weeks ago; there was tension floating inbetween them. "I don't like this, Harry," Draco said softly, making sure their peers wouldn't hear them. Harry crossed his arms.

"And you think I do?" he asked. Draco licked his lips nervously.

"No, I never said that," he sighed. "Can we go somewhere more private?" Harry looked around them, the courtyard was getting more crowded. He glanced back at Draco and shrugged. Draco started walking, Harry turning and following him. They walked through the corridor and reached one of the bases of the towers. Draco turned back around, facing the Gryffindor. "I want things to be the way they used to be." Harry looked up to the ceiling.