Cabin Fever (dm.hp)

F O U R

☽ ☽ ☽

Nightmares tore through Harry's sleep that night. He woke in a tangle of sweat drenched sheets, a scream escaping his lips. He covered his mouth quickly, reminding himself that there was someone else in the cabin with him. Someone he did not want to know about his nightmares. He thought about the dream. It didn't seem like the wild scenarios his subconscious would come up with. Flashes of Malfoy's parents, screaming and writhing in pain while he cackled above them. A glimmer of objects he couldn't quite place the significance of. Voldemort's snake, Nagini, slithering towards him, ready to strike. Harry took a deep breath. He pulled off his soaked shirt, cringing as it slowly peeled off of his body. He glanced at the alarm clock on his nightstand. The glowing red numbers read 6:23 in the morning. Harry was conflicted as to whether or not he should just get up and have a shower, or try to get a bit more sleep. He decided he would sleep better with clean sheets, at least. He stripped his mattress and got new bedding from the hallway closet. Once everything was in order, he laid back down and closed his eyes, trying to relax. His attempts were futile. He looked back to the alarm clock. 7:12. Harry was about to give up on sleep when his door slowly opened. Malfoy stood there in his pyjamas, hair tousled, worry in his eyes.

"Hey." He said softly.

"Hi." Harry replied, matching Malfoy's tone.

"Are you okay? I heard you earlier but I didn't want to bother you..." Malfoy ran a hand through his hair, staring intently at Harry.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about it." Harry snapped. Why was Malfoy pretending to care? He had made it very clear last night that he didn't.

"You sounded scared."

"I'm not scared, Malfoy. Just forget about it." Harry rolled over, sinking his face into his pillow. He felt his mattress dip down and flipped over again. Malfoy was sitting at the foot of his bed, still staring at him with concern written all over his face.

"I can't really forget about something that wakes me up at the crack of dawn."

"Why do you even care?! You could easily just ignore it, mock me even. I don't understand whatever game you're playing. I don't want to be apart of it. I've embarrassed myself enough." Harry found his glasses. Malfoy's face became clearer. He looked divine, softer, touchable. Malfoy scooted closer, sitting near Harry's knees now. They'd never been this close before unless they were trying to rip each others throats out.

"I'm not good at this." Malfoy said, furrowing his brows. He began picking at his nails, a habit of his Harry had noticed when he's feeling anxious.

"Not good at what?" Harry propped himself up on his elbows.

"I'm not good at showing how I feel. I was taught to bury my emotions." Malfoy said softly, looking down at his hands.

"You seem comfortable showing hate." Harry was becoming increasingly frustrated. What was the point of this conversation?

"Damn it, Potter! Can't you see what I'm trying to say?" Malfoy rubbed his temples, as if Harry was giving him a headache. "I don't... I don't hate you, Potter. I've been angry with you. I guess you're not the only one holding onto the past."

"What, you're still mad I didn't shake your hand when we were eleven?" Harry couldn't believe it. All of that tormenting he'd received over the years was just revenge for something that happened when they were children.

"I know it sounds ridiculous. Trust me, I know. Over time, it just got easier to stay angry with you. Since we've been here though, I've began to wonder why I was upset in the first place. You weren't the first nor the last to reject my friendship. I realized, its because I knew deep down that you'd bring out the best in me. So not having you close to me, brought out the worst." Malfoy blurted this all out very quickly, as if he didn't really want Harry to understand what he was saying.

Harry sat in silence, processing this information.

"Just, never mind. I shouldn't have said anything." Malfoy began to move back to the edge of the bed, but Harry sat up and caught his wrist. It felt so fragile, like he was made of china.

"No, no. I'm glad you said something. I've been feeling the same way. It's taken up so much time and energy, fighting with each other. I'd like to at least try to be friends, acquaintances, even." Harry noticed he was still holding onto Malfoy, and released his hold on the fair boy, and brought his knees up to his chest.

"I think I'd like that." Malfoy gave Harry a soft, genuine smile. Harry yawned, still exhausted from his sleepless night.

"I'll let you get some rest." Malfoy said. He stood up and stretched his arms above his head, revealing the soft skin Harry had dreamt about a few nights before.

"Would you stay? I don't sleep well alone." Harry asked, feeling embarrassed that he would let himself be this vulnerable around Malfoy, who was his nemesis a week ago. Malfoy glanced at the door, then back to Harry. He nodded slowly, and stepped towards the bed, looking unsure but not unwilling. He laid on top on the covers as Harry relaxed back into a comfortable position. His exhaustion quickly overcame him, despite his racing heart. He was on the brink of falling asleep when he felt Malfoy gently run his fingers up and down his back, the soft touches lulling Harry into the first dreamless sleep he'd had in weeks.