Whenthehouselears,itisonlyhimandDrao,alone.
They’releaningupthekithen,throwingawaybottlesandevaporatingtheleftoverfood.HarryantellthatDraoisfollowingbehindhimandleaningthespotshemissed,eventhoughitreallydidn’tmakeadifferene.Itwasstilltheleahousetohaveeverexisted.
“Youreallythinkthiswillkeepgoing?”Draoasks.HisvoiewassoquietthatHarrybarelyheardhim,buthefeltit,too,theneedtotalkaboutimportantthingsinhushedvoies,likeitmightmakethemlessreal.“Morefighting?”
“Ithinkwehavetotry.”Harrysaid,anditwasridiulousthattheyweretalkingaboutbattlepnswhilehewasholdingawashraginhishand.“Wean’tjustgivein.”
“Youould.”Draodidn’tneedtotalkloud,now,beausehewasloseenoughthatHarrywasremindedofthatalmostkissinfrontofHermione’sapartment.Wean’t,Draohadsaid,tearinghimselfaway,andthenHarrywasleftstaringatemptyair.“Yououldletsomeoneelsehandleit,forone.Givethematurntobeahero.”
Harrywantedto.Hehadwantedtofeelwhatitwasliketoliveanormallife,wherethenightmaresweren’tvisitinghimeverynightandhewouldn’tbewishingthatallhisfriendswouldomehomesafelyfromamissionhehadsentthemon.“Ian’tjustwalkaway.”Drao’shandshadfoundhiswaytothepoketsofHarry’shoodie,andHarrydidn’tknowwhattodowiththat.Hewantedtopushhimaway,likeDraohadpushedhimaway.“That’snotwhoIam.”
Draosmiled,then,abeautifulandwistfulexpressiononhisfae.“Iknow.”HishandsreahedouttosmoothdownHarry’shair,tryingtotamethewildtanglethatitalwaysforms,andthenitfellaway,disappearing.“I’mgoingtohelpyouthistime.”
Harrydidn’twantthat.HewantedDraosafe,athome,whereHarrydidn’thavetoworry.Buttherewasnoauseforthatkindoftreatment,whenDraowasinsistingthattheywerenothingmorethanftmates.“Okay.”Hegrabbedontohishand,butDraojustshookhishead.No,hehadsaidandmusthavemeantit.Wean’t
Chapter18
Drao
Winterisslidingintospring,aquarterofhisprobationsentenedone,andDraohadfoundhimselfompletelyandhopelesslyinlovewithHarry.