It was during Defence Against the Dark Arts, that Harry fell asleep on his desk. His mouth was gaping open, and his breath was slow and even. But he looked very peaceful, for almost the first time in a long time. Harry's eyes had sleep circles making him look almost like a raccoon, and he always seemed tired.
Ron kicked Harry, when he saw Professor Snape coming there way, but Harry didn't even stir. Professor Snape came up to Harry, his robes swishing audibly, grabbed his ear and pulled. "Did you think my lessons are a time for your beauty sleep Potter? See me after class," Snape said and released Harry's ear. He bent down, and hissed, "Open your eyes Potter, or I will have to do that for you so you will never close them again."
Harry groaned, rubbing his ear and asked Ron why he didn't wake him up. Ron said he did, but Harry was sleeping very deeply. Ron couldn't help but be concerned as to why Harry wasn't getting much sleep. He wondered if it was his lessons about You-Know-Who that were keeping him up.
Little did he know it was something else that kept Harry up.
As Defence Against the Dark Arts ended, Harry loitered at his desk, clearing up. Professor Snape walked over to him and stood in front of Harry.
"I shall not be there for our lesson today. But you will practice with Draco Malfoy, and I shall he asking him to be merciless. I think that is punishment enough in itself. It will be like your earlier lesson with Malfoy," Professor Snape told Harry and turned to leave.
"But Professor, not Mal-" Harry protested weakly as Professor Snape interrupted "Those were the Headmaster's terms that both you and him agreed to. I would have put this off longer, but you brought this on yourself. Don't make your punishment worse. I'm scheduling Detention for you to clean out the Potions cupboard as well, considering the fact that you still continue to disagree and whine. You can use this room for your lessons. Be here as soon as Dinner ends."
As Professor Snape left, Harry sighed. Harry's guilt, his fatigue and need to be loved by the blonde git would be exposed. Harry decided to strengthen his mind somehow, before facing that blonde twat and a fricking Potions cupboard.
On his way out of the class, Harry couldn't help but think that Draco Malfoy had somehow become more mature. Maybe it was just the pensive look on his face, or his piercing mercury gaze.
Harry told Ron and Hermone all that had occurred. Ron patted his back, and gave Hermione a grimace. They continued with their dinner, and as Harry was taking a sip of water, he saw Malfoy leaving the Great Hall. He bade his friends farewell, and left the Hall to Ron's yells of encouragement.
Hermione pulled at Ron's robes "You git! Stop embarrassing yourself and Harry" she moaned. Ron gave her a grin, and immersed his face in a treacle tart.
Harry groaned to himself softly as he approached the Potions Classroom. He closed his eyes and sighed.
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Harry climbed the stairs to the Astronomy Tower, and hesitated not wanting to start something so wrong, even though it felt so right.
Telling himself to be a man, and not so much of a wuss, he entered the tower and realised he was alone. He walked over to the balcony and leant out, trying to find his favourite constellation Sirius, the Dog star.
Harry was mesmerised by the vastness and velvet inky black of the sky. He didn't hear the soft footsteps behind him or the soft cough.
A hand touched his shoulder and Harry gasped in surprise. He turned around, ready to defend himself.
It was just Draco, looking dejected and afraid, his normal cocky attitude gone. Harry relaxed and looked at Draco expectantly.
Draco cleared his throat.
"Potter I- er , I need to talk to you about something important and I don't know what will happen and I need to know because I can't sleep. I keep thinking and I can't even think properly anymore everything's so confusing and I can't, I just can't" Draco spoke rapidly, voice cracking, and gasped for breath.
