“You’reinsufferable,that’swhatyouare.”
ThereisamusementinPotter’svoie,andDraomissedthat,thesoundofhisvoiewhenhe’shappy.Hewisheshedidn’t.
Potterstartstowalkagain,andDraorosseshisarms,sitaroundPotter’sshoulderstokeephimselffromfalling.HeburieshisnoseinPotter’snek,letshimselffeelthewarmthofPotter’sskinandallowshimselfthisoneminuteofweaknessandselfishness,beause,hepromises,thiswillbethesttime.
HewantstokissPotter’snek.
Instead,hesays,“Letmedown.”
Potterturnshishead,looksathimfromtheornerofhiseye.“bsp;youwalk?”
“Yeah.”
Potterkneelsdownandletsgoofhislegs,letshimsteponthegroundonhisownandstraightenhimselfup.Immediately,Potterstandsandlooksathimover,looksathimworriedly.“Areyouokay?”
No.Hisvision’sdimmingagainandhefeelslikehishead’sabouttoburst.“Fine.”
“Youlooklikeyou’reabouttothrowup.”
“Mustbeyourimagination.”
Potterrollshiseyesandtakeshisarm,pullsitoverhisshoulder.Oneagain,they’repressedtogether,whihisjustaswell,beauseDrao’skneesbukle.
Potter’shandisaroundhiswaistinaninstant.“Merlin,Malfoy.Youanaskforhelp,youknow,”hemuttersthroughgrittedteeth.
Drao’svisionlears,justabit,andhetriestostraightenhislegsonemore.
Potter’svoieisnearhisearandit’ssoft.“Youanaskmeforhelp.”
AndDrao,inhisdelirium,replies,justassoft.“Iknow.”
Heknows.
Theastlehallsarequietwhentheypassthroughthem.Gonearethestudents,andtheonlynoisethatehoaretheirfootstepsandheavybreathing.Draospendsthetriptryingtofousonkeepinghimselfawakesomuhthatittakesawhileforhimtonotiethatthey’realreadyinfrontofaveryfamiliarstonewall.
Heughs,aquietughterofdisbelief.“Potter,whydoyouknowthewaytotheSlytherinommonroom?”
Pottergrinsathim.“Tradeserets.”Henudgeshishintowardsthewall.“I’lltellyouwhenwegetinside.bsp;youstandnow?”