✍︎︎9✍︎︎

Harry without warning, eyes flung so wide each iris was a perfect circle of green. The boy was drenched to the bone in sweat. His breaths were heavey and quick as the beads of liquid ran down his cheeks and forehead. His cheeks were red and hot to the touch.

Harry frantically searched his surrounding. He seemed to calm slightly when he realised he was at Hogwarts and in his bed. He took a shaky, deep breath and closed his eyes.

Harry looked down at his clothes and grimaced at the soaked t-shirt and joggers. He threw his covers of off his body. As he stood from his bed, he realised the sun was only just rising. Harry sighed quietly, 'I really wanted to sleep properly tonight.'

Harry made his way into the bathroom and peeled off the clothes which clung to his body. He gagged slightly and threw them in the wash basket and watched it magically disappear. He stepped into the shower and turned it on.

It's temperature immediately relaxed Harry's muscles and cooled him down. He sighed in content.

After washing his hair and body to get rid of the sweat, he wrapped a towel and wrapped it around his body and walked back into the room to grab his clothes. Luckily, all the boys were still asleep - he thought, until he heard slight giggling from from Dean's bed and Ron's bed seemed kind of flat, which was very unusual for him.

He quickly changed into his uniform. Harry decided it'd be boring to just wait until the rest woke up so he went down to the field.

As soon as he walked out, he took a deep breath of fresh air - something he definitely needed. Harry's eyes took in the grey scenery before walking to a tree and sitting below it.

It hadn't rained in a while so the ground was dry and the only thing covering it was a few brown leaves. He leant against the trunk and sighed once more.

For the first in a long time, Harry could relax. Completely relaxed, without the thought of Voldemort or the Dursley's or death eaters. He could finally take a minute to admire the world around him and appreciate it.

As the sun rose over the distant trees, the light hit Harry's face and gave him a sort of glow. The rays bounced of the the black lake and it shimmered in the new sunlight.

"Enjoying the peace, I presume?"

The voice pulled Harry from his thoughts and back to reality. He turned his head and saw Draco. Harry blushed in only his presence.

"I guess... it's nice to not have to worry about saving the world you know?" Harry said without thinking. For some reason, he felt... comfortable with Draco for the very first time.

Draco stalked closer to the tree which Harry leant on and Harry could help but admire the boy. He was so tall, his hair was perfectly styled, of course and, the rare times he smiled, he looked handsome. However, Harry would never admit that out loud.

"I wouldn't but I guess that would feel nice," the blond smiled at Harry which earned a light laugh from the black-haired boy.

"I um... you left something the other night," Draco began and he blushed slightly, "your drawing book."

Harry became red instantly, he knew exactly what Draco had seen. 'Shit,' was his first thought that came to mind.

"I couldn't help myself - your drawings...are amazing. I'm flattered that you drew me," the blond smirked at the reaction he got from Harry.

"W-well- ..." Harry was so embarrassed he couldn't talk. Draco took pity on him and pulled the book from his pocket and and handed it to him.

"Thanks," mumbled Harry, still crimson.

"You should be proud of them," Draco smiled and sat next to him.

The two of them sat in silence for a few seconds before Draco let his head fall forward.

"I- I wanted to um- to apologise," he started, unsurely, "I know the way I treated you and your friends was out of order. It was uncalled for and I've realised that's not who I am. I was following my father's demands and I got carried away sometimes... I just wanted him to be proud of me," Draco frowned as he remembered his father. He sniffed quietly and looked away from Harry; vulnerability might've been his worst nightmare.

"I forgive you, though I can't say for my friends," Harry smiled to the older boy.

"Why are you up anyway?" Harry asked cautiously, he knew the boy was fragile and he wasn't looking to intrude.

"Couldn't sleep," the blond said simply, "And Blaise wasn't in his bed so I came to find him." Draco shrugged lightly.

"You?"

"I- um..." Harry debated on telling him. Only the Weasley's really knew about his nightmares. He found them embarrassing and he thought he was weak because of that.

"You don't have to tell me," Draco said quietly.

Harry shook his head and replied, "I-I get these... nightmares about the war and him. Sometimes I hurt myself while I have them- I hate it. I'm sorry, you probably don't care-"

"Potter," Draco said firmly, "Sometimes I get them too. I know what that's like."

"I find this so weird," Harry giggled, "I mean, we always fought back in the day and now, here we are, comforting each other... it's not that I don't like it because I do. It's nice to talk to someone who really understands about the war and everything we went through was quite similar and- merlin I'm rambling aren't I? I'm  sorry once I start stalking I can't sto-" Harry rambled, which was cut off by a chuckle from Draco. Harry blushed pink, biting his lip.

"I know what you mean," Draco smiled still laughing slightly, "This is very strange to be civil with a lifelong enemy."

After that, they talked about their years together at Hogwarts and their Quidditch matches. The two boys felt like they were old friends catching up with each other's lives.

While they talked, Harry admired how carefree Draco looked. He looked truly happy when he talked about his mother and father. Harry smiled at Draco's grin The talked until the sun was completely over the forest, both realising it breakfast was beginning.

"I still can't believe we lost to Hufflepuff in third year," Harry laughed and Draco snorted quietly while smiling.

"Yeah that game was... eventful. In the worst part," Draco smiled awkwardly.

"Also do you remember that on time when you, Theodore and Crabbe were messing with Ron and Hermione?" Harry smiled at the thought.

Both of them stood up and began walking towards the castle.

"Yeah and then something really weird happened... that was you!" Draco's eyes widened as he scowled playfully. Harry began laughing hysterically.

"Merlin! We thought we were getting possessed or something," Draco laughed too before jokingly shoving Harry, which made Harry laugh even harder.

"The-the looks on y-your faces!" He giggled.

"It was not that funny," Draco tried to say seriously but he was laughing also.

"From my point of view, it was hilarious," Harry grinned, trying his absolute best not to laugh again.

They walked into the castle and finally they both calmed down.

"Hey, Potter?"

"Call me Harry," Harry smiled, "We're friends now, right?"

"Yeah," Draco scratched his neck, awkwardly, "so I was wondering- me and the other Slytherins are going to have a party in the common room tomorrow night and I was going to ask if you wanted to come."

Harry smiled and nodded, "sure, what about my friends?"

"Yeah, they can come too."

"Ok I'll- I'll see you in class?"

"Yeah, bye...Harry."

"Bye, Draco."

As soon as Harry turned away from the the blond, a bright grin spread across his face and a pink blush appeared on his cheeks. He shook his head quickly before practically running to breakfast.

He walked through the halls as they became crowded at a fast pace but finally he made it to his destination.

"Harry where have you been?" Ron asked stuffing his face. Harry sat down, still smiling as he looked across to the Slytherin table.

His eyes met with Draco's and Harry began to wonder how he'd gotten here before himself but he no longer cared as soon as Draco smiled at him. Harry smiled back and turned to his friends, ignoring the previous question.

"How would you guys like to go to a party tomorrow night?"