Mixed Messages (A Drarry Fanfic)

Anything For You

(Harry)

Harry sat in the hospital wing, wondering if he was going to explode with happiness. Draco was there, beside him, holding his hand. Harry felt a bit woozy.
Madam Pomfrey bustled over and shooed Draco away, making Harry frown.
Madam Pomfrey sighed.
    "Don't give me that look, dear. You'll get to see your boyfriend in a moment."
Harry opened his mouth, but he had nothing to say. He liked the word "boyfriend" more than he wanted to admit.

    "Drink some of this, it'll completely heal your bruise within an hour. After that, you're free to go," Madam Pomfrey called over her shoulder, as she bustled about.
Harry did, and groaned at the taste. It tasted like feet- not that he knew what they tasted like. He then stood up, thanked her, and hurried down the hallway to try and find Draco. He had so much to say to him, but Draco had to tell him why he freaked out first.

Finally, Harry caught sight of the mop of blond hair and hurried over. Draco was leaning against a wall, reading something with a scrunched up expression.

    "Whatcha reading?" Harry asked, cooing when Draco jumped in alarm. He glared at the raven-haired boy beside him.

    "Nothing," Draco huffed, attempting to hide the book from Harry's sight. Of course, that only made Harry suspicious. He snatched the book from Draco's hands, earning a whine of protest.

    "Romance novels? Didn't peg you as the type," Harry said, smirking up at the bright-red boy.
    "Well," Draco said, attempting to regain his pride, "there's lots of things you don't know about me. And it's not just a romance novel, it's also a mystery."

Harry patted his shoulder and winked.  
    "Whatever you say, Malfoy."

    "What are you doing here anyways?" Draco complained, pushing himself off the wall, and heading down the hallway.
    "Did Pomfrey heal you already?"

    "Yup," Harry said happily, walking fast to keep up with Draco, whose legs were much longer than his. A sudden, bizarre, and humiliating thought struck him. He was going to regret it, but-

    "Hey Draco! Wanna give me a piggyback ride?"
Harry said, clinging to his arm.
Draco stopped in surprise.
    "W-what?!" Draco cried, his eyes wide, and his cheeks flushed.
    "Aw come on," Harry crooned, batting his eyelashes at him.
Draco wrinkled his nose.
    "And why would I do that?"
Harry stood on his tiptoes to look him in the eyes and said, louder than he anticipated,   
    "because you love me!!"

Draco went purple, and clapped a hand down on Harry's mouth. His head whipped back and forth, checking if anyone had heard him. Fortunately, class was still in session, and no one was to be seen.
    "Keep it down!" Draco exclaimed, finally taking his hand away from Harry's mouth.
    "Do you want everyone to know?!"

    "Ah yes," Harry said sarcastically, "everyone in this empty hallway now knows all your secrets."
    "Don't joke," Draco said, sharply. Harry frowned. He felt sad. He thought they could become a couple one day but... Draco was scared to come out. Harry couldn't blame him, but it hurt. He hoped Draco wasn't ashamed of him.

Draco must have noticed Harry's sad expression, because he gently hip-checked him.  
    "Well, what are you waiting for? Hop on."

Harry's eyes widened.
    "Really?"
Draco grimaced.
    "I'd honestly rather do anything else, but... I'd do it for you."
And when Harry's eyes met Draco's, he realized something. Draco wasn't ashamed of him. He wasn't ashamed to be gay. He was just scared. But more than that? He was in love. And that filled Harry with molten joy.

Harry didn't waste another moment- he hopped on Draco's back, earning a little oof from the taller boy as the straightened, holding onto the back of Harry's legs. Harry smiled, and gently brushed a hand through Draco's locks. So soft. He saw Draco shudder, which caused Harry to laugh.
    "You're like a little kitty, purring when I pet you," it was supposed to be an innocent statement, but Harry realized as soon as it left his mouth, it sounded wrong.

    "Not like- I didn't mean- uh..."

Draco just laughed as he started down the hallway.
"Draco?" Harry asked.

"Hmm?"

"Class is about to let out..."

"I know."

"But they'll see us."

"Well... let them stare."

Harry smiled and tucked his head into the back of Draco's neck.
    "Thank you."

    "Of course, Scarhead. Anything for you."

Harry felt like he should say something, or do something really romantic as Draco set him down in front of his next class. Instead-

    "Have you been stalking me? How do you know my schedule? You're not in this class..."

Draco blushed.
    "I'm just observant..."

Harry wanted to grill him more, but he let it go. Instead he asked, "so want to tell me why you slapped me?"

Draco sighed.
    "I knew you wouldn't let it go..."
Harry glared.
    "You promised me, Draco."

Draco smiled.
    "You used my name!"

"Draco!"

"Sorry."

Draco shifted on his feet.
     "It's just... hard to talk about."

Harry really wanted to know. But he trusted Draco. He picked up Draco's hand and squeezed.
    "Ok. I get it. You'll tell me later."

Draco forced a smile.
    "I'm sorry, Harry. I want to tell you, I just... I don't want to ruin things," he whispered.

Harry felt himself grow concerned.
     "Nothing you could say could ruin us."

Draco didn't meet his eyes.
    "I have to go to class."

Just as he said this, all the students started filing out of the classrooms.

Draco gave him a halfhearted wave, and hurried away down the hall.

Harry couldn't help thinking that he'd done something wrong.