The Contract : Book II [Draco/Harry]

Chapter 6 : Fortes Fortuna Adjuvat

Potter spent the last week of the holidays obsessed with proving his hypothesis about Nott, much to Granger's dismay.

"I already agreed that he was fishy, Harry!"

Draco pretended to be absorbed in his new Potions textbook hoping to avoid Potter's ire. He was tired of agreeing with Potter's suspicions and had more pressing matters to think about. Sometimes he thought about his parents and how he was no closer to knowing where they were or if they were, in fact, still alive, especially with his Father wandless. The other times he thought about how the ring dangling around his neck kept the farce of a marriage between him and Potter alive.

" - he's a Death Eater. Don't you see? He's replaced his father."

Draco tuned back into the conversation. What was Potter raving about now?

Weasley burst into laughter while Granger looked like she couldn't decide between a pitying look or a grimace. In the end, she settled on throwing a pleading look towards Draco. Draco sighed.

"Nott's not even of age. The Dark Lord wouldn't let him join."

Potter's frown deepened, he almost looked betrayed by Draco's argument. He grabbed Draco's wrist suddenly, shaking Draco's entire arm as he continued to speak animatedly.

"You were there! Don't you remember? He yelled and jerked his left arm away when Borgin came too close. He's been branded with the Dark Mark."

Draco looked down at Harry's pale hand tightening around his wrist as he got more excited.

"- I am not so sure. Doesn't that seem a bit far-fetched?"

Even Weasley hummed in agreement at that. Draco had to gently pry Potter's fingers off his wrist. He could already see the imprints of Potter's fingers on his reddened skin. Potter didn't even seem to notice.

Rubbing his wrist, Draco watched as Potter finally stalked off. Granger exchanged a look with Weasley.

"Ron, shouldn't we say something?"

Weasley snorted, Draco waited with bated breath for Weasley's input.

"I knew this would happen."

Weasley was pointing at him. Now, it was his turn to exchange confused glances with Granger.

"Ah. So, the Inner Eye has finally opened, Seer Weasley?"

Weasley's face reddened and his finger shook as he continued with barely restrained anger.

"Shut up, Malfoy. I don't have a problem if you're suddenly - "

Weasley choked, he couldn't bring himself to continue. Draco huffed. Why was he even having this pointless chat with Weasley?

At Granger's encouraging glance, Weasley continued with a pinched expression.

"- if you're suddenly back together or whatever. Just - I don't want to see it."

Draco blinked. Just, what was Weasley talking about? He unconsciously rubbed his wrist, the flash of pain enlightening him of the reason for Weasley's rambling. Draco could feel his ears becoming warm. He cleared his throat.

"We're not."

Granger's face conveyed her barely concealed curiosity while Weasley's grimace had only deepened. Draco took the brief silence that followed his admission as an opportunity to turn around, leaving the room with quick, long strides. He could hear Granger and Weasley arguing as he left.