Shadows of Fate

Chapter 3: Prove It

The following day, Harry trudged to detention again with a heavy heart, the words "I must not tell lies" etched into his hand in angry, swollen letters. The pain was worse this time, a burning reminder of the injustice that had befallen him.

As he left Umbridge's office, Draco was waiting for him in the corridor, his expression tight with concern. His eyes immediately fell on the bloodied hand, and a mixture of anger and worry flickered across his features.

"What did she do to you now?" Draco asked, his voice low.

Harry shook his head, not trusting his voice. He couldn't bear to recount the humiliating details of the blood quill and the scars it left behind.

Without a word, Draco took Harry's hand in his own, examining the wounds with a mixture of anger and sorrow. The Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry seemed insignificant in the face of the injustice Harry was enduring.

"We need to get you out of here," Draco declared, determination in his eyes.

He led Harry to the Slytherin common room, casting furtive glances around to ensure no one saw them. Once inside, he guided Harry to a secluded corner, away from prying eyes.

"Sit," Draco instructed, conjuring a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth with a flick of his wand.

As Draco carefully cleaned the wounds, the stinging pain began to subside. The tension between them was palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the vulnerability they shared.

Blaise and Pansy, always quick to notice any deviation from the norm, approached with sly grins.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Pansy teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Blaise raised an eyebrow. "Potter in the Slytherin common room? This is a rare sight."

Draco shot them a warning glare, but Pansy continued, "Is this a secret rendezvous? Are you two finally admitting your undying love?"

Draco scowled. "Shut up, both of you."

Ignoring Draco's protests, Pansy turned to Harry with a knowing smirk. "So, Potter, when's the wedding?"

Blaise added, "We always knew you two were destined for each other."

Harry, feeling a flush of embarrassment, mumbled, "It's not like that."

Draco finished tending to Harry's hand, shooting a glare at his friends. "Get lost, both of you."

As Blaise and Pansy retreated with laughter, Draco sighed, leading Harry to his dorm, his gaze softening. "They love making a fuss."

Harry couldn't help but smile as they walked through the door, the tension between them momentarily lifted. "They're not entirely wrong, though."

Draco arched an eyebrow, curiosity in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Harry hesitated, searching for the right words. "I mean, what are we, Draco?"

Draco's gaze lingered on Harry's, a moment of unspoken understanding passing between them. "If you're asking if we're boyfriends, then yes. Yes, we are."

Harry's heart skipped a beat, a mix of emotions swirling within him. "Prove it."