“I’mnotasrestlessasyouare,”hesaid.“Ianverywellsitbakandenjoylivingthelifethatwasintendedformeastheheirofapure-bloodfamily.”
“Somehow,Idon’tbelieveyou,”Pottersaid,asmallsmilestartingtoformonhislips.“MaybeonedayI’llgetitoutofyou.”
Draothrewhisheadbak,sn,suddenlyfeelingaught.
“Hey,”Potteradded,nonhant,“howaboutwegooutfordrinksagain?”
Draoblinked.“What?”
“Youheardme.”
“Drinks.Again?”Huh.That…wasnotwhatDraohadexpeted.“Iholyseenoreasonforthat,”hesaidslowly.
“Um,beauseit’sfun?”Pottersaid.HealmostsoundedlikeBise.“Andsoweangettoknoweahotherbetter.”
“Potter,we’veknowneahotherforyears,there’sno—”
“Dowereally,though?”Potterinterrupted.
Draowantedtorollhiseyes,tellPottertobuggeroff,but…heknewwhatPottermeantandifhewasbeingho,theofferwasratherintriguing.Butouldhereallyriskit?TherewasareasonhehadmostlyavoidedPotterallthoseyears.
“Youwanttohaveanotherhearttoheart?”hesaid,teasingly.Pottershrugged,asifhewantedtosay‘Whynot?’“I’mnotabigfanofrowds,”Draosaid,tappingafingeragainsthisup.“AndyourGryffindorfriendsaren’texatly—”
“Oh,no.Iwasatuallythinkingit’dbejustyouandme.”
Draostoppedmoving,hismouthgoingdry.
Justyouandme.
Was—Wasthis—WasPotterasking—No,thatwasn’tpossible.Themorepusibleexpnationwasthathesimplyneededadrinkingbuddy.
“Youfreetonight?”Potterasked.
DraowilledhisheartbeattoslowdownashefoundPotter’sgazeandheldit.“IguessIouldspareanhour,”hedrawled.HetriedhardnottoreattoPotter’sgrin,butfailed.Heouldfeeltheornersofhismouthliftingupwardswithouthispermission.
“Huh.Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenyousmileatmebefore,”Pottersaidquietly.BeforethesmilediedonDrao’slips,Potterleanedforward.“Ilikeit.”
ItwasasthoughanerumpenthadsuddenlybeenletlooseinDrao’shead,stompingoneverybrainellthathadsurvivedPotter’sridiulousrevetion.