inflicted [h.p]

03

The weekend came and went and soon it was Monday. Harry didn't know which he preferred; weekends or school days. On weekends he didn't have to be surrounded by his classmates, but that left his mind to be his only companion. And if he let it race, it would consume him.

On school days his mind didn't race so much, distracting himself with classes and essays he didn't really care for. But his mates pissed him off. And he had to make a constant effort not to be a complete dickhead to them.

It was a lose lose situation.

Harry found himself most relaxed in potions. Perhaps relaxed wasn't the best word, but Malfoy had come to be one of the most tolerable people in the school. Not that anyone else would agree with him. Draco appeared to be just as isolated as Harry felt. He was a death eater to most, and a filthy blood-traitor to Slytherins, having chosen the good side in the battle's final moments. The boy was just as alone as Harry was.

Harry passed Draco the notes he had made as Slughorn was talking. After a few minutes the blonde wizard still hadn't started on anything potion related, still reading through Harry's notes.

"Potter can you stop tapping your bloody foot, it's distracting." Draco gritted his teeth in annoyance, not bothering to face his partner as he spoke. Harry stopped his absentminded tapping.

"Maybe if you read a bit faster we-"

"I would if i could read your bloody writing." Draco tossed the paper down onto the desk as he ran a hand through his icy hair, "That" He pinned the parchment to the table with his index finger. "Is fucking ineligible. Didn't realise that that aunt and uncle of yours didn't even care enough to teach you to write."

"You're a right arrogant twat, you know that?" Harry huffed, not phased by the insult that lacked Malfoy's usual passion.

"I'm very much aware. Thank you for the observation though Potter."

This was the most the pair had spoken since the beginning of the school year and of course, in true Malfoy and Potter fashion, it was in the form of an argument. Though this one lacked the usual malice undertones. Harry subconsciously began to grin at the spat that stood no real meaning. Malfoy was still a dickhead, even though Harry had been through so much pain and grief. And again, Harry was grateful. He didn't needed to be treated as broken as he felt, especially not by his tormentor of seven years.

Eventually the two fell back into their normal routine of silent work. This continued until Slughorn went to dismiss the students,

"When should we meet then?" Draco asked, actually turning to Harry as he spoke. After he gave Draco a confused look, the blonde continued. "Fuckin' hell Potter do you even pay attention? I'm not Granger, i'm not going to drag your arse through this class. We need to meet to create a potion of our choice some point in the next few days. I'll be in the library tomorrow at lunch. Fucking jot this down if you must, i'm not repeating myself for you again."

And with that,  Draco Malfoy sauntered off, a clear sense of arrogance on his walk. Harry admired how his confidence maintained, even though there was no one to back it.

Harry was truly fucked in the head if he was admiring bloody Draco Malfoy.

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Harry sat in silence as the trio ate together, trying to ignore the cheery chatter of the couple beside him. He was going to eat then come up with a shitty excuse to part early for bed. Half way through his cottage pie, the sound of another space being occupied caused him to look up from his meal.

"Hello Harry." Luna hummed as she sat opposite him in the great hall, Harry looked up at the girl and gave her the faintest of smiles. He had always had a soft spot for the dotty witch, despite most people finding her weird. Harry had always admired her unique view on the world. Always the optimist. He knew she wasn't as oblivious as she let most people believe. In fact Harry thought of her as one of the most observant people he had ever met. Her serene aura was now not only something Harry admired, but something he desired. She was his opposite at that moment.