The One With The Patronus

chapter seventeen; held back tears

"Draco, get to whatever class we have next, I believe its Muggle studies. I need to have a chat with someone," With that Pansy skipped off, which was extremely unusual considering she never skipped. Like never. Anyway, Draco had more pressing manners to ponder, like the fact that Harry bloody Potter hated him, and he hadn't realised.

How could he not have realised it that time they kissed? Harry had seemed confused but Draco just assumed it was because he didn't realise what was happening, not because he was kissing someone he hated.

Well it was fine, because the feeling was mutual, completely- then he broke down in tears that he'd been holding in for a time that felt like years, but was just a few minutes.

He sobbed for all the times they could've been friends, all the times he smiled at Draco, all the times they spoke about nothing. But then he stopped his wailing, and realised something. It was all an elaborate lie, that the poor, stupid, Potter had set up to laugh about him with all his equally worthless Gryffindor friends, and Draco wasn't having it. He hated Potter just as much, maybe even more, than Potter hated him. Draco would despise him to his dying day. This resolution was made as he sat in the Slytherin dungeon, with fish swimming past the windows, and the tang of salty tears in his mouth.

Hermione's POV

When Harry dragged her off to the common room, Hermione had been extremely scared. She doubted Harry would find her meddling very useful, and she didn't want to know how he would punish her. Even if he ignored her, she could always get ahead in class, or get Ron to have a manly chat with him.

Harry plonked her down on a chair, and stared at her, his eyes blazing.

"How did you know about however the hell he looked? And I know you started that bloody chant. What have you done?"

"Look Harry, after you told me about Malfoy, I had to find out what was going on!" She could see the flames slowly dying, if only a small amount, "When you helped him up it just seemed the perfect opportunity, so I cast a tripping hex. I'm sorry but I did think it was for your own good, and I still do," When he didn't reply, she tapped his knee, "you're not cross are you?" If he was she couldn't blame him, but hopefully he wouldn't be. Please don't be.

"I can't believe you watched me makeout with Draco," Thank Merlin he was making jokes, "but really, please keep your nose out of my business. Also I can't believe you let me stop you from going to classes, you're slipping!"

Shit. "I thought this was a free period!" She said as she hit his arm, but it made no difference to whether he let her up or not.

Apparently it did, as soon he was pulling her up and they were running through the corridors. Hermione winked at the portraits as they flew by, until she saw a familiar face, beckoning her. Pansy wanted to talk.

"Harry I just realised I have a meeting with McGonagall, I'll meet you in....?" She trailed off, for once not entirely sure what class they had.

"Potions 'Mione, we have potions. Okay I'll explain, tell me what she wanted later!" Harry was speeding down the corridors, and Hermione went to Pansy.

"What's up?" She questioned, seeing the dark look on Pansys face.

"During DADA, when Draco was in Harry's mind, he found out that Harry hated him. At least that's what he thinks. And now he's all worked up about it and we need to fix this. Any ideas?" She spat out Harry's name, like it was poison. Wow, she was really protective over Draco.

"Well to be fair, he did torment Harry for quite a few years. It would be hard to just let it go. But we both know that he doesn't anymore, so I have no idea why Harry thought it at the time,"

"I don't care about why, I care about my friend and how to make him smile. So we need a plan. You're smart, aren't you?"

Hermione was surprised at the blunt way she put it, but nodded anyway. "I have a few ideas," she dropped off conspiratorially, and she and Pansy went into an empty classroom to discuss them.

Draco's POV

Potter was late, probably out canoodling. To distract himself from the excruciatingly boring lesson, Draco made a mental list of the girls that he would be with, to make fun of them.

Hermione? She seemed to be more attracted to red-headed weasels, but maybe she and Harry are having a candid affair. Now that would be interesting, the two do-gooders in a lovely, helpful relationship, because of course they'd go out of their way to make everyone's lives easier.

Padma? Maybe he'd wanted to get back at Weasel for something, so went for his ex. Oh if it was real Draco would piss himself, not literally of course.

Maybe it was a boy? He tried to think of boys it could be, but it hurt too much. Because some of them Draco liked for himself, and it would be painful to think of them with scum like Potter.

Hugging him, kissing him, feeling his torso, it would be much too painful to imagine. This didn't stop him from imagining it, though.

"Malfoy, my boy, get chopping! This potion won't make itself," Slughorn chuckled to himself, and went back to his marking, completely oblivious to the fact that all the students were just messing around.

Draco missed Snape, he knew how to teach. And he made life at home a little more bearable, as his father dialled down on the beatings. At least now he wouldn't have to worry about his father.

Oh Merlin, here comes Potter. Apparently it's too much effort for the golden boy to brush his hair, or tie his tie correctly.

Draco focused on the potion, chopping and juicing and powdering all the right ingredients, until he had the perfect Alihotsy Draught.

"Sir, I've completed the potion," he drawled, keeping his gaze firmly away from the boy sat to his right.

"Good job Draco, very good job. This is so good that everyone can leave early!" He announced to the class.

Slughorn clapped Draco between the shoulder blades. "Between you and me boy, I need a meal. This," he patted his stomach," doesn't feed itself,"

Everyone dispersed, and Draco was left at a loose end. Usually he'd go to the clearing and practise, but there were too many memories there now.

"Malfoy, you alright? You were pretty pale last period," The concern killed Draco, and he put up his walls.

"I am fine, Potter. I feel blessed that you've even deigned me good enough to be concerned about, so thank you very fucking much," He bowed to make his point clearer, "Good day, Chosen One," With this he walked off, holding in the tears for the second time today.

Why did Harry get him like this?

okay I haven't updated for a while and I am so sorry. everything is tiring me and I will try to update more frequently :)
xx