The Group Chat ✧ drarry + others

twenty two

Harry and Draco walked out of the school and onto the outer campus with no particular destination in mind.

Draco's eyes were still puffy and red, and his usually swept up dusty pink hair was down, bangs resting against his forehead. He looked like a proper mess, but Harry, for some reason or other, still found him beautiful. But he'd never admit that aloud. Especially not when he was still figuring out his feelings for the grey-eyed boy.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asked, glancing at the boy beside him. Draco took a deep breath and wiped at his eyes once more. "A bit better...Still in shock, but better. I'm just glad we don't have classes today."

Harry nodded in understanding. The two slowly made their way to the Shrieking Shack, the cold wind blowing against their faces and tousling their hairs. "I know I said it already, but I'm sorry about what happened."

"It's whatever," Draco shrugged and sat down on the hill next to Harry. He pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, resting his chin in between his knees. Harry watched as he curled himself into a protective position and smiled sadly.

"We both know that's not true, but I'll let it slide."

Draco rolled his eyes at him and muttered, "Shut up."

The two sat in a comfortable silence for a while, basking in each other's presence. Harry glanced at Draco every once in a while, feeling his stomach jumble up any time he looked at his face. He took a deep breath, trying to still his quickly beating heart.

He knew he felt something for the other boy, something much more than just liking him as a friend. Which was something else that he was still trying to wrap his head around: being friends with Draco. He had tried to start a friendship with the Slytherin when their 8th year had started, but it didn't turn out to be easy as he thought it would be. Who knew a group chat would bring them this close?

"Thanks..." Draco said, looking over at Harry.

Harry turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. "Hm?"

"Thanks for...all this...I know we were never on good terms with each other. If it wasn't for Pansy adding you to the Slytherin group chat, I think we'd still be at each other's throats. I'd have to thank her for that," he chuckled softly and sighed, running a hand through his hair. Harry smiled and nodded. "It's alright...Yeah, I'd have to thank Pansy for that, too. I'm actually glad I got along with you guys, especially you. I've wanted to start anew with all of you this year."

Draco's eyes widened slightly. "With me?"

"Yeah..." Harry looked at him and shrugged. "I've wanted to try being friends with you, but...I didn't even know where to begin and we were still pretty hostile towards each other...So, I'm really glad that I got added into that chat and was able to get this close to you."

A faint blush bloomed on Draco's cheeks and he quickly looked away. "Merlin, stop being such a sap already." Harry laughed at his reaction and began standing up. He brushed off the dirt off himself and reached his hand out towards Draco. "C'mon, we should go back inside. Dinner's starting soon."

Draco looked at Harry then at his hand, his cheeks becoming redder. Harry shrugged it off as just him being embarrassed and didn't think it was anything else but that. But a small part of him still hoped it was something more.

The Slytherin slowly took his hand and stood up with his help. He brushed off his pants as well, and made his way back to the castle with him, cheeks still red.

The two didn't speak a word all the way to the dungeons where Draco was greeted by Pansy throwing herself onto him and hugging the living daylights out of him. She thanked Harry for finding him and promised him a treacle tart. Harry laughed and said it was fine.

"Really, though, thank you," she said, smiling softly, still keeping Draco at a close proximity. Harry smiled and nodded. "Of course...I'll see you guys at dinner."

"Definitely. Hey, why don't you come join us?"

Harry's eyes widened slightly, thinking about the consequences it'd bring, and nodded slowly. "I'll...I'll think about it."

"Well, you can join us whenever you want, we don't mind."

"Thanks", he smiled. "See you...Bye, Pansy; bye, Draco." He waved them goodbye and walked away. In the distance, he heard Pansy squealing and yelling, "He called you Draco!" at her best friend. Harry tried to keep himself from blushing as he made his way back to the Gryffindor dorms.

a/n: kind of a weird chapter but we're getting some progress!! i really like where this story is headed hehe :3