The Lion and the Snake

Part 2: Promise

Ron, Harry, and Hermione spent the remainder of their morning either in the library or in the Gryffindor common room playing games.

"You know," Hermione spoke as the three of them sat in front of the fire. Hermione was sitting in her favorite armchair, a book propped open on her lap. Harry and Ron looked up from their game of Wizard's Chess. "We should visit Hagrid- and we should go before the sun sets."

"Well," Harry replied. "We don't have anything else to do." Ron nodded and cleared away their game. As they were heading down to the entrance to the school, Harry remembered that he had forgotten his Christmas gift for Hagrid.

"I had been meaning to send it to him by owl post, but with all the Quidditch practices I totally forgot. I'll just run up and get it," Harry said quickly. Hermione was looking disapproving that he could forget to send a gift.

"Fine, but hurry back. We'll meet you there." Harry nodded and hurried back up the stairway to the Gryffindor common room, his robes flowing behind him. As he strode past a broom closet, he heard whimpering from inside. He stopped in front of it. He knew this pathway well- this wasn't a chamber or secret passageway. He pressed his ear to the door. Whoever was inside was crying. He tried the door- locked.

"Ex-excuse me?" Harry said. "Are you alright in there?"

"Go away," a voice spoke, a familiar one, although he couldn't put his finger on who it was.

"Listen," Harry muttered through the door. "I'm not going away until I know that you're okay."

"Go away," the voice sniffled again.

"Getting my wand out-" Harry said. "I'm going to use Alohamora if you don't either come out or say you're okay."

"I said go away."

"What house are you in?" Harry asked, trying to pinpoint the person.

"What is it to you?" the voice retorted.

"I wanna help you," Harry said softly.

"Fine. Come in- what do I care. Just as long as you're not-" Draco Malfoy never go to finish, however, since he was interrupted by Harry breaking the lock and opening the door. Harry stopped short. 17-year-old Draco Malfoy was curled up in a corner, his eyes red-rimmed from crying. Draco frantically wiped his eyes and turned away. Harry couldn't help but get the feeling that Draco crying had to do with him.

"Get out, Harry. I mean- Potter. Go away."

"You said I could-" Harry began.

"I didn't know it was you," Malfoy said, still not turning towards him. Harry heard him sniff.

"You can call me Harry," Harry said softly. "If I can call you Draco." The blonde nodded feebly. Harry walked towards Draco. "I've always liked Draco more than Malfoy." Draco became red but still didn't turn to face the brunette. Draco had been acting very strange around him recently. He kept blushing and Harry kept catching the Slytherin looking at him in classes. Harry didn't dare think much of it- in case it was something besides the possibility that Draco could like him. NO matter what he told himself, he couldn't deny that Malfoy was crazy cute or that Harry wanted him.

"Potter- Harry I mean," Draco whispered nervously, wringing his hands. "I-I've been thinking. We're sixth years. This hatred between us- it's gone on too long- I think." Harry nodded. "Everyday I hate myself more for what I did to you. I'm so, so, sorry. So, I was wondering if, you'd be willing to- be friends....?" Draco trailed off and blushed. He gazed into Harry's eyes for the first time. They smiled shyly at each other. Harry nodded, unable to speak. Draco grinned. Although he tried to hide it, Harry was relieved that he and Draco were friends. He had always hoped that they would be, and besides, who wouldn't want to be friends with the adorable Draco Malfoy?

Harry gently took Draco's chin and turned his head toward him. Draco was shaking. A shinning tear rolled down his cheek. Harry reached out with a shaking hand and wiped it away with his thumb. He put his arm around the other boy's trembling shoulders.

"Draco- what's wrong?" Harry asked. Harry's mind went back to what it might have been years ago; does this mean that he cared about Draco? He clearly did, seeing as he had chosen to console the Slytherin instead of leaving. Seeing as how he wanted to spend every moment with him and keep him safe from everything evil in the world.

"Nothing," Draco said. "Nothing."Harry knew this was a lie, but didn't push it. He just looked at Draco, admiring his striking features.

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered.

"Whatever for?" Draco asked, looking at Harry.

"For all the times we fought. And this morning. I acted before I thought. I really do want to be friends...

"I promise." 

The Slytherin smiled. A silence settled between them but they were both simply happy in the others company, even if they never admitted it.

After about an hour, Draco gently shook Harry awake. Harry looked up lazily, brushing hair out of his eyes. He had fallen asleep on Draco's shoulder. Looking up, his bright green eyes met Draco's dark grey ones. The eyes he had grown to love.

But no- Harry couldn't possibly love Draco; right? He barely even liked Draco. And Draco would never like him like that. It was stupid enough to admit to himself that Harry liked Draco. He wasn't going to go get ahead of himself.

Harry suddenly remembered Ron and Hermione. They were probably worried sick.

"Draco, I have to go but..." Harry reluctantly took his head of Draco's shoulder and stood up, offering a hand to Draco. He took it and stood up too. They stood there, hand in hand, gazing into each other's eyes. After realizing he was absentmindedly running his fingers along Draco's hand, Harry awkwardly let go and cleared his throat.

"I should get going but- one question."

"Yes?" Draco responded. Harry blushed and looked down.

"Why did you stay for the holidays this year? I thought you usually went home?" Draco was a few inches taller than the Gryffindor so he looked down at Harry with sadness and hatred in his eyes.

"My parents are traveling. They didn't want me home. They mistreat me terribly, but I've grown used to it," Draco spat, the emotion clear in his voice. "What about you? You never go home for the holidays."

"Well, muggles," He began slowly, but the more he said the more the words just came tumbling out. "My aunt, uncle, and cousin are horrible to me. Aunt Petunia hates me and Uncle Vernon regularly uses me as a punching bag. Dudley loves seeing me abused almost as much as he loves food. I used to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs with all of my school stuff locked away. Now I'm locked in Dudley's old room with tiny portions of food every day. They hated my parents. They hate magic. And they especially hate me. They won't even let me mention the word 'broomstick' or 'owl post'." Harry looked down, kicking his foot against the floor. Draco gently took Harry's face in his hands, his light brown skin soft against Malfoy's hand.

"That's horrible," Draco whispered. Harry shrugged and looked away. "You should go-" Draco began. He should return to his common room and Harry probably had things to do. Besides- the longer they stayed locked in a broom closet holding hands the more unsafe it was.

No one could know about this. Not that it was anything. Because it wasn't.

"Yeah," Harry said quietly, reluctant to leave. "I'll see you around. And during the week- all of our combined classes are together." Malfoy grinned. They snuck out of the broom closet, holding hands. They went opposite directions, their hands clasped until only their fingers could touch; then they let go.