Opine

Chapter 1 ⚡ Progress

Stars lit up the sky, the algid air scraped over his skin. The vexatious sound of snoring filled what would have been the silence that only settled over the school grounds at this time of night. Mossy eyes take in the inky shadows that seemed to reach for the ancient walls. Despite the exhaustion of his classes, Harry just could not sleep, though he seemed to be the only one. The claws of darkness grasped nothing but the grass of sprawling hills and forest, not a soul moved around. A mix of elation and apprehension filled him, his soul yearned for him to slip under the guise of his father's cloak. In the past six years, he had memorised the halls that sprawled beneath him. It was his last year, he was restless to make the most of it.

Mind made up, Harry slid off the window seat, grasping the metal pane, giving it a sharp tug. On silent feet, he crept across the floor, pushing up the lid of the trunk at the bottom of his bed. His fingers tangled into the silky robe, stuck under a stack of books. Placing the flat of his free palm against the books spines, he jerked the fabric free of its entrapment. Quietly, he closed the trunk once more, flinging the familiar cloth out and over himself. Even now, after all these years, he expected to see himself as he crossed the path of a full length mirror. An uneventful escape from Gryffindor tower awaited him, and the seventh year boy wonder crepts out of his dormitory.

It was only when he reached entrance hall that he wondered what he ought to do. Mindlessly wandering the halls might get him caught, even with his agitation, he did not relish losing points for Gryffindor so early in the year. Deciding it might be best to find a view he could ponder over, he turned back to the stairs, his feet carrying him silently towards one of the many towers. The clock tower might be a fine spot to begin. 'The shadows are convenient they're easy to hide in, should someone come looking for wandering student's.' It was a logical thought, but he knew the truth that scratched its way to the surface instantly. He liked the shadows, he had become rather skilled at disappearing into them. Like a comforting blanket, they wrapped around him, accepting him.

Stepping to the base of the stairs, he held his breath for a moment, his eyes raising to stare into the darkness above him, somewhere up these stairs, the pitch black would break way to starlight. He had just begun the climb when the soft shuffling of robes reached his ears. Immediately, Harry froze, turning his head slightly, watching from the corner of his eye as Malfoy rounded the corner. The slytherin student had, if it were possible, become even fairer over the summer. Where smooth Ivory had once been, pale porcelain now took its place. He thought not much about why Malfoy was here, caught up but what he swore was the other boy's nose twitching? He must be further exhausted than he initially thought.

Malfoy stared at the stairs, contemplating. His arms rose, crossing over his chest, his foot tapping against the stones. "Fool's errand" the voice startled Harry, who was amazed he had managed to remain unseen. That was the first words spoken aloud since he had bid a goodnight earlier to his roommates. Malfoy spun on his heels, heading down a darker corridor. Harry knew his smartest plan was to return to the Gryffindor common room and talk all this over with Ron and Hermione in the morning. It took a moment, to realize just how alone he was. Hermione had just come and taken her N.E.W.T.S. Ron had not bothered coming back at all. The thought made him queasy. Malfoy was growing further and further from him and Harry hesitated. 'The bad plan sounds more fun than the safe plan.' his legs were already carrying him after Malfoy.

Let the games begin. The blonde seemed to catch on that there was someone there, for now and then he would stop, his nose rising in the air ever so slightly. His eyes would dart behind him, and his hand would swing out. Hissing, the arm was brought back to the wizards side before he walked again. Harry kept out of reach, only moving when Malfoy did, hiding his steps under the Slytherins. Often he would crouch, ensuring best coverage from the cloak. This game continued, and Harry felt his smile grow wider with each passing round. An ironic sort of glee overcame him, using shadows against a death eater's child. He was like a child holding the toy above his younger brothers head, boasting that it would simple to grasp it. 'The best gift my father could leave me.' It was a brief thought, he did not wish to dwell on it long.