all the wrong choices // drarry

cold

Harry stopped trying to get through to Draco at around one o'clock in the morning. He realised that his attempts were futile and Draco wasn't even listening to what he was saying. He got into the shower and stewed in his thoughts, thinking about how soft Draco's lips were and how kissing them had made Harry feel like they were the only two people in the world.

Harry had an inkling of why Draco had stopped kissing him and understood. He wished that they could have gone one. With a tingle that ran from the tip of his spine all the way down to his feet, Harry wondered what would have happened if they had gone on. He spent the rest of his time in the shower thinking about the events that may have taken place if Draco had not cut their kiss short, and continued to think about it as he drifted off to sleep later on.

When he woke up hours later, he checked the Marauders' Map and saw that Draco was still in his room. Perhaps he had left during the night, but Harry didn't care. He was angry with Draco now; angry that he was being so childish and shutting himself away. All through the day, Draco remained in his room. Harry wondered, as the sun set, if he had finished all his homework yet, seeing as there was little else he could be doing.

*

Draco fell asleep in the early hours of the morning and woke again late next day. He didn't know if Harry was still outside the door, but he didn't dare make any attempt to find out. For most of the day, Draco was trapped with his thoughts. He kept refilling his water jug with a wave of his wand. He was careful not to drink so much that he would need to use the toilet, but enough so that he was replenished.

When the sun began to set outside, Draco's stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch and rumbled hungrily. He knew that dinner would be starting around now, but was nowhere near hungry enough to risk facing Harry in the Great Hall. He did, however, seriously need to use the toilet. He could just relieve himself in his cauldron and Vanish the contents, but he did not think that his moral standards needed to sink so low purely so that he wouldn't have to face Harry Potter.

He moved the chest of drawers from the door and unlocked it, then carefully and quietly poked his head out in the corridor. It was, mercifully, deserted. He tiptoed towards the common room and was relieved that it was also empty. He crept into the bathroom and returned a few moments later, finding himself face-to-face with Harry. His eyes fell from Harry's face to his hands, which were holding a plate of food.

"Hi," said Harry quietly, and Draco felt his heart melt. He looked away from him.

"I - er - I've brought you some dinner," Harry went on, holding up the plate of food. "I thought you could use something to eat; you probably don't have any food in your room other than Honeydukes sweets..."

Draco continued to stare resolutely at the floor. He wished he had thought of the stash of sweets in his room. Instead, he had consumed nothing but water all day. The aroma of the food was carried to Draco on the draught coming in through a gap under the window, and his stomach growled hungrily. Harry seemed to read his mind and took a tentative step forward. Draco stepped back uncertainly and Harry rolled his eyes.

"Oh, don't be so ridiculous," he snapped. "I'm giving you the food, Draco. I've no desire in kissing you again; your sulking has put me off."

This last comment was a lie: Harry wanted very much to kiss Draco again. He understood, however, that the chances of there being anything between them were slim, and if anything were to happen, it would surely end very quickly, so he kept to himself.

"Thank you," Draco mumbled, picking up a bit of roast potato with his fingers and tossing it into his mouth. His stomach grumbled again, and he took the plate to one of the desks, sitting down to eat. Harry hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether or not he should remain in the common room. His thoughts were interrupted, however, by a sudden tapping at the window. Harry turned and saw the handsome tawny owl he had sent to the Burrow sitting on the window ledge.