The Things No One Notices (A HP Fic)

Chapter twenty-one

Dean and Draco had created a strange sort of repour with each other. They had been traveling together for almost two months at this point. They never talked about what they were doing. Or what they left behind. Or why they even did it. They merely walked, ate, rested, stopped at a lake to wash-up, and walked some more.

Draco grumbled, as he struggled to fix his hair. It was getting in the way and he had no idea how to handle it. He had not had a hair cut in months. It was bound to become as obnoxious as it currently was. He had stopped putting gel in it long before he had run away from Hogwarts. It was easier to maintain without putting copious amounts of gel in it, like he had done so many mornings before. His time in the Hospital Wing, at the cottage, and being on his own had really changed him. He no longer cared about trivial things. But right now, he was going to strangle someone if his goddamn hair kept getting in his eyes.

Dean, noticing Draco's frustration, stood behind the blond. Silently, he took the blonde's hair into his hands.

Draco jumped at the contact.

"Sorry," Dean whispered. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine," Draco said, softly.

Dean took the comb out of his pocket and gently ran it through Draco's hair. This was not the first time this has happened. And it would not be the last. The two said nothing as Dean pulled Draco's hair back. 

Dean spoke softly. "Do you want me to cut it?"

"No," Draco said. "I was going to grow it out anyway."

"Are you sure? I mean, I've noticed how frustrated you seem with it."

Draco chuckled softly. "It's not that. I mean right now, it feels impossible."

Dean laughed. "It looks impossible."

He rolled his eyes. "What I was saying, is that it's only a bit of an inconvenience right now, but it won't be for long." He took a breath. "I think I need to pick up where Harry and I left off."

"What are you talking about?" Dean asked. He combed Draco's hair into a bun at the top of his head.

Draco sighed, staying in Dean's soft hold for a second longer. "I'm going to go after the last two Horcruxes. It's really the only option I have. I'm assuming Harry's doing the same thing. I might as well admit I can't put it off any longer."

"I'll go with you."

"Are you sure?" He stepped out of Dean's hold.

"Yeah. I mean we've already been traveling together for a few months now. It would be stupid to separate."

Draco knew that Dean had a point. They had been traveling together for a while now. It would not only be stupid, but feel weird as well, to be on their own again. It was better to stick together.

"Alright. But, even if I tell you, do you still want to go with me?" he asked.

"Where are we headed?" Dean asked.

Draco looked towards the distance. He knew where they had to go. He knew what they were looking for. He knew what they had to do. A hard look was set in his eyes.

"Hogwarts," he said, almost coldly. He turned to face Dean. "It's infested with Death Eaters. We're both wanted by them. Are you ready for this?"

Something flashed in Dean's eyes that was hard to read. He knew he had to do this. It would be ridiculous to back out now.

"Absolutely," he said.

~~

Petunia thought she was dreaming. Walking up the pathway in swishing black robes, was the most hideous man she had ever seen. There was something about him that sent fear shouting through her veins. She locked the front door and closed the blinds. There should be no way that he could get in now. Or so, she hoped.