Where Next? Who: Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter When: May 23rd, 1998, midday Where: Entrance Hall, Hogwarts What: Draco and Harry (Ron and others in background) Notes: Weird twist. Status: Complete
Draco stood with the others, reading the Ministry decree that had been posted. It declared that Hogwarts was being "evacuated" and closed until further notice. He frowned. He should feel grateful. He could return to the Manor now. Couldn't he? Why didn't it feel good to think about that?
Harry didn't know what to feel about this decree. He was almost angry, but at the same time, he could understand the reasoning behind it. The Inferi had caused a lot more damage on the school. One thing Harry wasn't able to figure out yet was where he was staying. He knew he was welcome at the Burrow, but...he wasn't too okay with going back there now. Especially with Fred gone and Ginny wanting to start their relationship up again. Harry quickly glanced around and saw Malfoy, standing closer to where the decree had been put up. He told Ron that he'd be right back and then he walked over to where Malfoy was stood. Draco was lost in thought and didn't even notice Potter until the man was standing next to him. He startled and looked at him.
"Hey, Malfoy," Harry said, pulling his bag up higher on his shoulder. "Sorry if I scared you."
"You don't scare me, Potter," Draco drawled before he even thought about. The corners of his mouth quirked up then as he realised how much like his old self he had sounded then.
"Good. Things would be boring if I did," Harry replied, smiling a little at him.
Draco wasn't sure what to say to that. He did smile a little though and shook his head at the strange man.
"We were doing good in the library, weren't we?" Harry asked suddenly, tilting his head at Malfoy. "And then these bloody Inferi had to go messing things up. Where are you going to stay?"
"I suppose I can go home now," Draco said, but his voice was flat. "Where are you going?"
"You don't sound too happy about that," Harry commented. Harry knew he wouldn't be too excited about that either, considering that was where Voldemort was staying before his death. "And I don't know yet. Could stay at the Burrow, but..." He glanced back at Ron quickly. Maybe he didn't even need to stay there, maybe he could do what a lot of the students were doing. Getting their own places to stay.
"I don't, do I?" Draco answered almost distractedly. He realised that home was as full of bad memories as Hogwarts. And less distractions. He had enjoyed having something to do.
"You do," Harry said thoughtfully, watching him quietly for a long moment. Then he got an idea. "Why don't you get a room somewhere else?"
Draco had never lived anywhere but with his family and Hogwarts. He supposed that he had the money to get a place of his own but it really hadn't occurred to him. He arched an eyebrow at Potter.
"We could...split the rent," Harry added cautiously, waiting for his reaction.
Draco blinked. Was Potter joking? Wouldn't he be going off with the Weasel or, more probably, the Weasellette, somewhere? "Me?" he asked.
"Sure, why not. You don't want to go back home, and I'd prefer not to." Harry shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Why me?" Draco asked.
Harry supposed that was a valid question. But it wasn't as if Harry singled Malfoy out of the crowd. He just thought of the idea. "Just because," he replied. "And you can't say we don't work well together."
"I suppose... that's true," Draco said cautiously. "What will your friends think of the idea?"
Another thing Harry hadn't thought yet. "Dunno yet. But I'm sure they'll understand." Draco snorted at that. "I doubt that. But if you are serious, I will consider it."
"Hey, you never know. And I'm think I'm pretty serious," Harry said, still thinking it over and nodding.
"I will think it over and come talk to you in a couple hours," Draco said. He was thinking he had better talk with his mother first.
"I'll do the same," Harry said, glancing back at where Ron stood. "Later, Malfoy."
Draco watched Potter walk away and thought he might be insane for even considering this. What if Potter figured it out? He snorted at the thought. Potter was usually oblivious, so that was actually unlikely. But could Draco handle being in close proximity to the man? Could he resist? He shook his head at himself.