the miracle of us || drarry

08 | almost caught

Draco lounged across the only couch in the living room of 12 Grimmauld Place, hands over his eyes, shielding them from the intruding sunlight. He hadn't the slightest idea why he was so tired, considering he had done nothing all day, and had pretty much done nothing for the past few months.

Harry had gone to work hours before, and Draco had alternated between attempting to draw and attempting to sleep. Key word: attempting. Both had been unsuccessful.

Draco sat up again, eyes scanning the room. He was surprised at how comfortable he felt now in the house. He leaned back again, letting out a quiet sigh as he ran a hand through his messy hair.

Suddenly, there sounded a knock on the door.

Draco froze with his right hand still in his hair. He stared at the door, wondering if he had just imagined the sound or not. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, fighting to gain his full attention. The blonde stayed there for a few more seconds, heart beating fast.

If that was Harry, he wouldn't have knocked at all, obviously. It was his house.

So who was it?

Draco held his breath, waiting, and the knock sounded again.

"Harry?" a voice called. "We need our Time Turner for today. Are you there?"

"I don't think he's in there," said another voice, deeper than the first. "He's at work, remember?"

Draco bit his bottom lip, frantically searching for a hiding place.

"Do you think we should go in there, anyways?" the first voice asked. Draco's heart beat a little faster. He scurried over to the kitchen, looking for somewhere big enough for him to hide. His eyes fell on the cupboard under the sink, just barely big enough to fit his body, and with a final glance at the door, he lunged over to the cupboard and shrank himself down, curling his back, so he could fit in it.

The cupboard was uncomfortable, needless to say. Draco tried to get somewhat comfortable, but failed. He grunted, folding his legs beneath him in an effort to fit inside, and a click sounded at the door. He froze, his heart pounding out of his chest. He held his breath, his entire body tensed up.

The door opened, and Draco heard footsteps outside. He was afraid to breathe for fear they would hear him.

"Grab the Time Turner and let's go," the first voice said, his tone impatient. "We're gonna be late."

"Yeah, yeah," the second voice murmured, exasparated. Draco pursed his lips, eyes closed. The footsteps sounded until they were in the kitchen.

"I think I found it," the second voice yelled, from right outside the cupboard. Draco inhaled sharply at how loud he sounded.

There was a jingling, like a trinket bumping a table. And then the footsteps receded, and he heard a muttered exchange of conversation. Then the door closed and there was silence.

Draco let out a breath, relief flooding his body, and kicked open the cupboard door violently. It was beginning to get unbearably stuffy in there. He rolled out of it, breathing hard.

He wiped a sheen of sweat from his forehead and thanked Merlin that the two people hadn't tried to search for more.

--

Harry tapped his foot, sighing heavily. Another day of work finished.

"Farewell, Harry Potter," said the machine, and before Harry could apparate out, a voice behind him called his name.

He turned around to see two of the new, young  Aurors: Archer, lively and impatient, and his partner, Bruce, strong and passive. Archer waved his arm towards him.