Time Heals All Wounds?

Chapter 4-Unexpected Meeting

He wandered aimlessly through the corridors with the unsigned permission letter crumpled in his fist. Harry released an exasperated sigh and turned towards the Tower. On his way up the stairs, two hands grabbed each of Harry's arms and dragged him towards an alcove. Harry began to panic and thrash to get away from his captors, but their firm grip on his arms was inescapable. Once in the alcove, Harry was promptly released. Harry wheeled round quickly, ready to attack if necessary. However, he was shocked to come face to face with the Weasley twins.

"What can I do for you two?" Harry enquired with a sigh. As happy as he was to see that it was them rather than someone more unpleasant, he still wasn't in the mood for this.

"Well Harry,"

"we have something"

"for you." The two went back and forth in their normal speech pattern, before George produced an old looking piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it over. The brunette looked at the parchment in him hand and then raised an eyebrow.

"It's blank."

"Harry, Harry, Harry,"

"of course it's blank."

"Otherwise, anyone could"

"read it." With that, Fred stepped forward and tapped the parchment twice with his wand "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good"

Harry watched in awe as black ink quickly spread from the previously blank parchment in his hand. "The Marauders Map?" he read "Is this a-" Harry began to ask but was cut off by George.

"Map of Hogwarts? Yes."

"It has served us"

"well, but we feel"

"your needs are greater"

They spent a few minutes pointing out the best passages into and out of the school and after reiterating how important it was to wipe the map when not in use, they sent Harry on his way.

Quickly and quietly, the raven-haired boy made his way through the passage that lead to Honeydukes. Once the boy exited the tunnel, he creeped up the wooden staircase into the sweet shop. Harry was so stunned by the well-lit shop and all the brightly coloured sweets wrapped in a variety of different packets and tubs, that he didn't notice the person in front of him until it was too late. He collided with them and everything they were holding tumbled onto the floor. Harry immediately dropped to the floor and tried to collect all the fallen sweets into his arms as quickly as he could. All the while, mumbling how sorry and how stupid he was. When he had collected as many as he could, he carefully stood up and offered them to the boy. To Draco Malfoy.

_ _ _ _ _ _

As soon as those bright green eyes met his own silvery blue ones, Draco watched Harry pale significantly. To the point that his normally lightly tanned skin would put Draco's own to shame with its lack of colour. Worried, he put an arm out to steady Harry. When the other boy felt the hand on his jumper clad elbow, he jumped away from it. Draco had expected it, but thought he would try anyway. The Slytherin was shocked when after a moment, Harry moved back and relaxed into his touch. After a quick look around the busy shop, Draco gently but firmly instructed Harry to stay there.

"It is quiet here, so you should be able to avoid bumping into anyone else. I am going to go pay for these and then come right back, I promise." He then expelled a small sigh of relief when Harry nodded his consent and quickly made his way over to the till. As the woman rang up the purchases, Draco kept his eyes on the dark-haired boy stood in the corner of the shop pretending to look at the sweets on the wall in front of him. The boy kept his head down and nervously fiddled with his fingers.