I Understand

A Morning Off

Draco hoped a day off would help.

Seeing Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived Twice, so broken and haunted by the same thing he was, hurt him.

Funny how quickly he grew to care for Harry. After 7 years of mostly hate, it took a week and a half to become friends. Almost 3 days to develop a crush on him. Though it wasn't anything big, it was still there.

"We should go to my room before Nott and Blaise wake up. Nott won't ask too many questions, but Blaise won't leave us alone." Draco said after and hour of sitting and talking about nothing.

"Yeah, I guess. Just give me a second to write a note to Ron. I won't tell him where I am so they won't look for me. I'll take the Map though, to make it seem like I'm not still here." Harry said as if he'd been thinking about it.

"Lovely." Draco said standing and helping Harry up. He let go of Harry's hand, though he really didn't wan't to. 

They walked down the hall quietly. As they reached the Gryffindor room, Harry left and opened the door. He left a small crack and Draco's eyes were assaulted by shades of red and orange that seemed to bright for anyone to sleep with.

Harry came back and they continued to the next door. Draco pushed open the door softly. He knew neither boy in the room was a soft sleeper, but he didn't want to wake them, just in case.

Draco waved to his bed, which he was glad he had made that morning. Harry sat down awkwardly.

Of course it was a little awkward, they had only been on good terms for a week and a half. Draco sat next to him, hoping the awkwardness went away soon.

Eventually, Harry sat a back against the bed frame and laid his legs out in front of him. Draco sat across from him, pulling his legs to his chest.

Then they heard the shifting of blankets and the sound of someone getting out of bed. Probably Nott, Blaise made a lot of noise in the morning. Draco swiftly closed the curtains to his bed and held a finger to his lips, telling Harry to stay quiet.

Harry nodded and leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He probably hadn't gotten much sleep. 

Draco heard Nott get ready and leave. As Nott open the door, he heard Pansy say a brief hello and come into the room.

Draco gave a small smile as he heard Pansy jump onto Blaise's bed to wake him.

"Morning! Time to start the day." Pansy said as Blaise groaned. He heard the moving sheets and a loud thump as Pansy pushed Blaise off the bed.

"Hey! Why did you do that?! I was getting up!" Blaise grumbled and stood.

"No, you weren't. Come on, breakfast time. Get dressed you buffoon." Pansy told him demandingly. 

Blaise sighed and mumbled something about early risers. Draco stifled a laugh. They weren't actually together, because Pansy had a not so small crush on a girl neither boy could figure out. But it didn't stop them from acting like a newly married couple.

"Draco?" He head Pansy say softly, of course she would ask.

"I'm up. But if you jump on me, I'll murder you. You know I will." Draco said from behind the curtain, sure Pansy wouldn't really care that Harry was there, but Draco didn't feel like explaining.

"Are you okay? You're usually out of bed by now. Are you feeling well?" Her voice was laced with concern. He really should try to mend their friendship.

"I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night. I'm going to skip classes and sleep some more." Draco said. He knew she might challenge it, but he was going to stay.

She stayed quiet for a minute, as if wondering what she should say. She sighed, and Draco knew he won. "Okay. Just eat today." They heard the door open and two set of footsteps started to exit. "Have a good day, Dray." Pansy said. The door closed softly as they left.

"Dray?" Harry asked giving a small smile.

"Don't. She won't stop calling me it, no matter how many times I ask her to." Draco sighed, but that was Pansy.

"Sure, Dray." Harry said winking at him. Draco heart fluttered.

"Not you too. Please, I deal with it enough." Draco mumbled, but he honestly wouldn't mind a pet name from Harry.

Draco opened the curtains and locked the door. "Locking me in? What do you plan to do with me in here?" Harry asked jokingly. Draco fought a blush.

"If I had an axe..." Draco said fake thinking.

"Kinky."

"You'd know all about kinks wouldn't you?"

"I'll demonstrate for you if you ask."

"Well, if you insist." Draco looked at Harry for a split second before both boys started laughing. "With all this flirting I might think you gay." Draco said, his heart stopping, maybe he was gay? Or bi? Draco had a chance if he was bi.

"Only when I'm sleep deprived. How about you? You didn't even hesitate to 'flirt' back. Is Dray gay?" Harry teased. Draco heart sunk. He could tell him, should tell him, get it out there.

Instead he just rolled his eyes. "You started it last time I checked. Ask again when I start the 'flirting'." Draco countered. Maybe it was a a bad idea to come out to a guy. Who was on your bed. With the door locked.

"Will do." Harry said. Draco walked over to a chair and sat down, his back against one arm rest, his legs thrown over the other. "Ah, proper posture at it's finest." Harry teased at his position.

"I have perfect posture, I can assure you. The finest teachers in the world taught me. Do you doubt them?" Draco shot back. This banter was relaxed, fun, calming.

"I guess I've just been sitting wrong my entire life." Harry said. He was now sprawled on his back on Draco's bed, he looked tired.

"Do you want breakfast? I can call a house elf." Draco offered. Besides, he should eat too, Pansy had told him to anyways.

"You can do that?" Harry said looked over at Draco slightly confused.

"Yes. Have you never tried to get the house elves to come to your dorm? I even know most of their names." Draco said, slightly unbelieving. Maybe it was a Slytherin thing.

"No, I've never tried. I just go down to meals like a normal person." Harry said, looked up at the canopy over the bed.

"Pompi!" Draco called softly. A large, yellowish elf appeared and bowed. 

"What can I do for you?" He asked in s scratchy voice.

"Can we get breakfast in here today? And lunch?" Draco asked politely. The elf nodded and vanished.

"Would you look at that." Harry said sitting up and throwing his legs over the side of the bed.

The the elf appeared again and handed each boy a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. Each boy thanked the elf has he left, and started to eat.

Harry ate quickly, nearly inhaling all the food. Draco raised a amused eyebrow. It wasn't as bad as Crabbe or Goyle had been, but it was still a little bad. Draco nearly laughed as Harry finished while he was  still on his toast.

Harry laid back down and Draco picked up The Hobbit to read while he ate.

A few minutes had gone by when he looked up at Harry to ask him if he was any good at riddles, when he saw the other boy was asleep.

He was breathing slowly, and had a peaceful look about him. Draco figured it was best to let him sleep, so he ate and read in silence.

Draco hoped Harry could make it through the year, things were a lot more pleasant when Harry was there.

Wow, as update not in the middle of the night! Who knew it was possible? Don't forget to comment and vote.

Stay safe Darlings.