Cuts Run Deep

The Library

~Draco's POV~

I can't sleep. Since the war, I barely do. Every time I try to, I wake up in a cold sweat from nightmares. I can't stand it. Lack of sleep has made it hard to focus on my studies. Most students don't know this, but the library is open after hours for fifth years and above who need to study. After the war, I became positive that I wanted to become a healer. When I heard we were allowed to come back to Hogwarts since we missed a lot of school last year, I figured I should take the opportunity.

Besides, being here gives me a chance to get away from home, With my father in Azkaban, my mother is the only one ever with me. I know she cares about me, I just can't stand her always watching me. She says she wants to make sure I'm alright, but it doesn't help her hovering over me all the time.

After Potter defeated You-Know-Who last year, I thought that the dark mark would disappear. Go away or fade or something. Of course it didn't. Whenever I look down at my arm, it's a constant reminder of what I was, what my family was a part of. I can't stand it. The thought makes my head pound.

I push all these thoughts to the back of my mind and focus on my book. It's a textbook for History of Magic class. It's actually pretty interesting. I wish I had more time to read. It's such a simple way to forget everything that's happening around me and slip away to another world, a better world.

"Draco?" I hear my name called and it startles me. I pull out my wand and look around. The voice sound familiar, but I don't see anyone else in the library.

"Who's there?" I ask, still looking around. I see a figure appear in front of me. It looks like they're taking something off. A cloak maybe? I recognize the shorter, stockier figure with messy hair that always still managed to be cute... wait, what? I shake off the thought and say, "Potter?"

"Yeah, sorry. It's me. Forgot I was wearing this." He holds up a cloak. I stare back confused. He seems to read my thoughts and continues, "It's an invisibility cloak from... my Dad. He left it in Dumbledore's care when he died."

"Oh," I respond, "That's nice..." I avert my eyes back to the book in front of me. I can't help but feel guilty. Even though I didn't kill him, I can't ignore the fact that Dumbledore is dead and I was supposed to be the one to kill him.

I look up again and realize Harry's just standing there kind of awkwardly. I hesitate, but then say, "Would you like to sit down?" He looks at me with astonishment and I can imagine what he's thinking: Draco being nice... to me? Why?

Well, the truth is, I never really hated Potter. Sure I've said some horrible things, but I think it was because I was jealous. I mean, his life seemed so perfect. After fourth year, I even started to feel a little bad for some of the names I called him. Plus, he saved my life last year. I think it's time I made it up to him, in secret of course.

"So... why are you here? I thought the library was off limits after hours." Potter says as he sits down. He seems a little tense and definitely looks tired, but I suppose I don't look much better. That's just what happens when you don't sleep or eat for a while.

"Contrary to popular belief, the library is open after hours to students fifth year and above who need to study, which includes me." I say casually. "That also means that you can stop using your cloak to sneak around Potter." He blushed at that comment. Wait... he blushed? Maybe I'm just imagining things.

"Oh, um, got it." he replies shortly. "Thanks Malfoy."

"Draco, call me Draco." The words coming out of my mouth surprised me. I guess it would be nice to hear my actual name again every once and a while. Plus I want nothing to do with the word 'Malfoy'.

"Okay, er, thanks Draco." He said. "By the way, you can call me Harry too." I smiled and he smiled back. I'd forgotten how nice it was to genuinely smile at someone.

After a few more moments of awkward silence, I look up a Harry one last time. I think it's time we put our foolish rivalry behind us.

"Hey Harry...? I know I've been horrible to you in the past, but I think I'd like to start over if that's okay with you." I nervously put out my hand for him to take, just like in our first year.

After a moments hesitation, he grabs my hand and says, "I'd like that."

And in that moment, everything felt normal.

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Hi everybody! Thanks for reading!

I'll try to update at least once a week, but here's the second chapter early!

For people in 2020: What's been your favorite and least favorite part of 'self quarantine'?