What Happens After Dark - Drarry

𝟙𝟙

New word count: 1.1k
Date (re)published: November 11th, 2020
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— Monday - Platform 9 3/4 - 8:13am —

The break was over, and Harry didn't know why, but it felt like so much more of a relief than a let-down. He had always loved Hogwarts, and he had always loved returning there, but now? Now he felt like he was being rescued from the Dursleys all over again. Now he felt like he was running into the castle's warm embrace after a cold winter underneath nothing but a canopy of bare tree branches.

It was nothing against the Weasleys, really. Harry loved them with all his heart, it was just that...they seemed to be less and less observant every time he went there. They didn't notice his sulking much, and they didn't notice his sort of unfortunate attitude throughout the entirety of the Holiday. He had been grateful, of course, for the different gifts and treats that they supplied him with, and the long-lasting laughter was always a relief, but Harry had felt homesick. Well, castle-sick, but...that sounded weird.

And that wasn't the only thing that was off about this Holiday. Hermione had gone part way through, something about her parents moving. They weren't going far, she had told him and Ron. They were only moving a few minutes away from their old home, but they had to be rid of the damned house, and wanted Hermione to help them redecorate her new bedroom. She had seemed excited, and Ron had become lonely when she left, and now he was doing some sort of funky bouncing dance while they waited for her to arrive on the platform.

Harry sighed, and rested a dramatic hand on the shoulder of the jumping carrot. "Ron, mate. You've got to stop with the jumping." The taller boy grumbled but stood still. Harry resisted the urge to laugh as his friend started subconsciously tapping his foot. He was restless, unable to keep his eyes focused on one thing for too long, and unable to keep his body relaxed for more than a mere second.

It was a long while before Hermione appeared around the corner, walking determinedly with her wild hair tied up in a sort of fancy configuration on her head. She looked relaxed, more so than Ron at least, like she had had a good time. She looked around for a moment once she got closer to the large crowds around the train, and Harry noticed her eyes brighten as they landed on him and Ron. Hermione bounded happily over toward the two and threw her arms around Ron's neck in an affectionate and visibly warm embrace. Ron looked shocked for a moment, before he hugged her back and let out a small sigh. Harry's heart swelled at the sight. His friends were made for each other. There was simply nothing truer than that.

As the two lovebirds hugged and caught up on the rest of break, Harry found himself looking around the platform with searching eyes. He looked around for the familiar sight of blonde hair, but saw nothing. Draco was probably late, or incredibly early and already on the train. Harry knew that they had been waiting for Hermione, but she had been punctual, so there was still a while before everyone arrived, and an even longer while before the train departed.

Harry saw a small flashed of light coloured hair, but realized with a huff that he was too late. Draco was already being tailed by his group of trusty Slytherins, and there was no way that Harry could get him alone now.

Harry felt Hermione wrap her arms around his neck quickly, and he hugged her back tight. She gave him a small kiss on the shoulder before stepping back, entwining her hand with Ron's. They all made their way onto the train eventually, but Harry saw nothing more of Draco save for a quick glance of his robes as he rounded into his compartment after purchasing some things from the trolley.

•••

— Monday - The Room of Requirements - 10:04pm —

Harry had thrown open the door with much unneeded vigor, a small smile laying low on his face. When he peered into the room, Harry could see Draco standing near the large window, looking out over the grounds. The room was back to its normal size, he realized, and Draco's chair had reappeared after its last disappearing-act a few weeks ago. The Slytherin didn't seemed to have noticed the sound of the door peeking open, and Harry closed it shut behind him with just as much soundlessness.

He made his was mutely over to Draco, and wrapped his arms around the blond's thin waist. There was a moment of shock before Draco screeched at the top of his lungs.

"What the hell? Let me go, Potter!" Draco screamed, his voice bouncing off of the vacant walls and all around into the air. It was quite hysterical, but then his voice seemed to fade and his tense body relaxed in Harry's embrace.

"No." Harry responded firmly and tightened his arms around the taller boy's torso. It was an awkward hug, mostly coming from Harry, but Draco wasn't trying to pull away. After a moment, actually, he reached around Harry and wrapped his own arms around the brunet. Harry smiled into Draco's chest. It was warm against his face, covered by a silky white shirt that had the top button undone.

"I—"Draco went to say something, but he cut himself off. "Alright."

They stood there for a while, and Harry realized that he could see out of the window is he opened just his right eye from where he was. The grounds looked beautiful this time of night, with snow decorating the grass after a few hours of falling. It was almost as if the sun had set on top of it, letting its white glow rest on the tips of the green blades as a sort of sheet. Harry wanted to touch the snow, but didn't want to feel the cold. He wanted to feel the softness of it as it rested in his hands.

He looked up at Draco. Draco's hair kind of looked like snow, Harry realized.

He liked this embrace. He liked the homeliness of it, and the fact that there were barely any words spoken to initiate it. He liked that Draco was allowing him to cling on like this, that he was allowing Harry to reconnect after two weeks of separation.

Harry enjoyed Draco's acceptance, and he enjoyed Draco's comfort, and he enjoyed Draco's company.

It was a nice feeling, to enjoy someone like this.

•••