Draoawokeonhisbed.Ithadjustbeenanotherdream,thankMerlin.
Hestrethedhisarms,feelingsatisfiedatthepopinhisspineashedidso.
“Oh,thankgod,you’reawake.”
Drao’seyesroketedopen,onlytofalluponHarryPotter,sittingattheedgeofhisbedintheSlytherindungeons.
“Youpassedoutandthenyoubeamehumanagain,andyou’retootalltooverwiththeInvisibilityCloakentirely,soIhadtolevitateyoudownherewithyourfeetstikingout.Lukily,noonewastheretosee,”Harryrambledabit.
“Youweren’tsupposedtoknow,”wasallDraoouldbringhimselftosay.
“Thanks,Harry.You’reverywelomefornotleavingyouonthegrassintherainforanyonetosee,Malfoy,”Harrysaid.
“MGonagallwillkillmenowthatyouknow.”
“Well,beingkilleddoesn’tappeartobeallthatbad,”Harrysaid,notwithoutahintofbitterness.
“Potter,I’msorry.Ididn’tthinkitwouldbotheryou.”
“Itdid.”
“Iknow.I’msorry,”Draorepeated,sittingup.Asilenehungheavybetweenthem.“Itfeltliketheonlyoption.”
“How?”
“Thetrialmayhavegonewell,hadIgone,butthewholeworldhatedme.Stilldoes.EvenifIwasexoed,Iouldn’tlivewiththestaringandthewhispering.Iouldn’tliveknowingnoonereallyfaveme,”Draoexpined.
“Ifaveyou.”
“Iknow.”
Harryfidgetedwiththehemofhisshirt.
“Wedon’thavetotellher,”hesaid,finally,hiseyesmeetingDrao’s.
“Thatyouknow?No,Isupposewedon’t.Iouldjustobliviateyouandweouldarryonlike—”
“No!”Harryiedquikly.
“No?”