Mixed Messages (A Drarry Fanfic)

Why Would You Care?

(Harry)

Harry felt jumpy the entire rest of the week. During potions, Draco refused to look at Harry, causing Professor Slughorn to yell at them. It was so strange. Harry has gotten used to the constant barrage of insults, but now... now Draco avoided Harry like the plague.

    "Harry!"
Hermione's voice snapped Harry out of his trance.
    "Sorry. Yes, Hermione?" He asked his friend. They were sitting in the Gryffindor common room; Ginny nearly in Harry's lap, Neville and Luna awkwardly sitting next to them, Ron and Hermione on the other couch, and Dean and Seamus cuddling on the loveseat.

    "I was asking if you had finished your essay for Potions. It's due tomorrow, and by the look on your face, I'd say you haven't."
Hermione shook her head disapprovingly.
Ron hesitantly reached for her shoulder.
    "Oh give him a break, Hermione."

Hermione swatted his hand away and sniffed, "don't think you've been forgiven either, Ronald. Because you haven't."

Ron looked at Harry, bewildered. He mouthed, "what now?" And watched as Hermione grabbed her bag and headed for the Girl's Dormitory.

Harry sighed and pushed Ginny away from him a bit, causing her to frown up at him.
    "Harry? Are you alright?"

Her voice sounded sickeningly sweet to Harry, even though she looked genuinely concerned.

    "I just... can you not?! I need space, Ginny!" Harry growled. Ginny looked shocked, then hurt.

    "Of...of course Harry. I'm sorry, love."

Harry felt his throat constrict. Love. Such a simple, yet complex thing. With the power to break, and mend a heart.
    "Don't.. don't call me that!"
Harry suddenly leapt to his feet and rushed to the exit.

    "Harry! Are you alright mate?" Ron asked.      
    "What? Where are you going?!" Ginny demanded.

    "I just need to think!"
Harry yelled back to them. He pulled the portrait aside and climbed through, not before he heard Seamus say loudly "I bet he's gay". Harry didn't stick around to find out Ginny's answer. Why couldn't people lay off him for one day?

He rushed down the hallways and finally ended up at the astronomy tower. The sky was a smoky blue, and a faint twinkle of stars shown through the gray clouds. A soft breeze blew Harry's hair out of his face as he walked around the tower. It was so peaceful up here.

Hardy abruptly came to a halt as he saw the figure in front of him.
    "Maybe I spoke too soon" Harry thought.

Draco turned to Harry as he tried to leave.

    "...Saint Potter. What are you doing up here?"
Instead of Draco's usual enthusiasm for being cruel, Harry only heard hurt.

    "I... I came to get some air. I-I- I didn't realize you were up here- I'll just go."
Harry turned on his heel to leave, and nearly choked when Draco grabbed the back of his collar to stop him.

    "No...please don't go." He whispered, sounding so broken it made Harry turn around to stare.
Draco shifted, not looking at him.
    "Don't leave me here..." he said softly, before sinking to his knees and crying.

Harry stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. Hesitantly, he bent down to him and wrapped his arms around the shaking boy. Draco sobbed into his shoulder, while Harry awkwardly patted him.

Finally, Draco pulled away and wiped his nose on his sleeve, much to Harry's disgust. Draco stared off towards the Forbidden Forest, his nose and eyes red from crying. Without looking at Harry he asked, "have you ever done something you wish you didn't have to do? Something so terrible that you can't escape?"