better than fighting || drarry fanfiction

thoughts spiral

Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. That's where Draco decided to run off to. I hid myself behind a wall so he couldn't see me. He was breathing heavily, with both hands clutched onto either ends of the sink. I stood there, confused, scared... excited?

"What's wrong?" Myrtle hummed softly. She hovered just beside Malfoy which startled him a little.

"Forget it..." He huffed, "nobody can help me...he said he'd kill me if I don't do it! But I can't...I just can't!" His whole body was shaking and I could faintly hear tear droplets falling into the sink. Or maybe that was the leaky faucet, but his shoulders were shaking. He was crying. He was actually crying. Maybe it was the shock, or maybe some part of me actually felt bad for him because right then and there, my mind was thinking one thing and my body was doing another. I slowly walked towards him.

His face perked up when he heard my footsteps and he quickly pulled out his wand, turning over to face me. Naturally, I pull my own wand out. This wasn't new to us—having mini battles in between classes and sometimes after school. It was quite exhausting. However, this time I didn't aim at him, or even threaten him with it. Instead I kept my wand down low and slowly walked closer to him.

"Step back!" He yelled, still quivering. I ignored him and continued to walk closer. I dodged the hex he aimed at me. "Expelliarmus!" I shouted, causing his wand to drop to the ground. Draco stepped back, still facing me. He was frozen still and didn't attempt to pick up his wand. So vulnerable.

I finally made it so that I was right in front of him. He continued to breathe heavily. His eyes were red and glistening.

"Draco it's...it's okay." I hesitated. I've never done this with him before. It was all foreign. But in that moment, I didn't see an insufferable scumbag. I saw a boy...a shattered soul—who needed a friend.

"How much did you hear!?" He yelled.

"Draco...I don't want to fight. Just let me help you."

"You heard what I said to Myrtle, no one can help me. I'm trapped! And why do you care, Potter?!" He cried out.

"Hey...it's okay. Everything is going to be fine." I replied softy. He was still shuddering and my head was spiraling with thoughts that never crossed my mind until now. At this point, I had no control over my body. I filled in the space between us, and pulled Draco into a hug. He gasped softly but slowly relaxed into it. I felt my robe soak up with his tears as he clutched onto my back so tightly, I wouldn't be able to pull away even if I'd wanted to. He was cold, and I was warm. My heart was beating faster than I could think. Was this really happening? Was I hugging Draco? I raised my hand up towards his head and gently started running my figures through his messy, blonde hair. It was usually perfect, not a single strand was out of place, but this time it was almost as bad as mine. I was fully aware of the situation now. I, Harry Potter was embracing my one and only arch nemesis—Draco Malfoy.