Chapter Text
Waves lapp against the shore, sending mist puffing into the air. The courtyard is green and warm, sun glinting off the lake and ripples dimpling the surface. I’m curled beneath a tree, my head in Harry’s lap. He strokes my hair lovingly, brushing my hair with his fingers.
“And you’re sure no one will find us here?” I ask him worriedly, chewing my nails nervously.
“Yes I’m sure! Everybody is in Hogsmeade right now, we’re the only ones here.” He replies, noosing reassuringly. His eyes are like emeralds, piercing right through me, as if x raying my body, searching for any small crack, any tiny fracture. It reminds me of Dumbledore's stare, except he looks out on a whole crowd, Harry’s stare is focused on me. Just me.
I look up, studying him. His face is a mask of concern, eyebrows tilting downward, creating adorable creases on his forehead. I feel heat creeping up my cheeks and hurriedly look away, not wanting him to see me flustered.
“Draco, are you okay?” Harry asks, tilting my chin up with his finger. “You look… anxious.”
“I-I’m fine!” I say, but I can't bring myself to meet his eyes. “I just…”
“Don’t want to be seen.” Harry finishes, shaking his head. “I know you're not out yet, but is it such a bad thing to be seen with me?”
I look at him incredulously, sitting up so fast my head spins. ”No! You're the best thing that has ever happened to me! How could you ever say that!”
Harry blushes profusely, “we-well, I just thought, because you never want anyone to see us together…” He looks at me quizzically, his eyes crinkling at the edges.
I blush, realizing the depth of what I just said. Harry smirks at me. He loves to watch me get flustered.
“I’m the best thing that has ever happened to you? Oh, really? And here I thought you hated me!” I punch him in the arm and flick his cheek playfully, knowing that there was no way I could ever dislike Harry.
“Whatever.” I say, rolling my eyes. Harry sits up and turns to face me, his mood turning serious.
“I know you don’t want to be ridiculed for being gay, but I almost never get to spend time with you, and when I do, you're always distant and on edge. Are you happy, Draco?”
“Yes!” I reply fiercely, grabbing his hand. “It’s not just that. It's…” I pause, unsure of whether to share.
Harry looks at me tenderly and puts a hand to my cheek, gently cupping my chin in his palm. “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me, but I want you to know that you can always confide in me. No matter what.”
“Alright.” I take a deep breath, bracing myself. “I don’t want people to see me with you because, well, we're supposed to be enemies! We’re not supposed to be dating! If my father knew...”
“Draco, it's okay, we can carve our own destiny, remember? We can make decisions our ancestors didn’t.”
“But Gryffindors and Slytherins aren’t supposed to date!” I cry, my eyes swimming in tears. “We’ll be outcasts!”
Harry looks at me, smiling. “But we’ll be together.” He says, taking my hand again. “No more whispered conversations, or hiding from friends. No more lies. Or worry. And,” he pauses, looking me in the eye, “ No more secrets.”