Sleepy Smiling

Sleepy Smiling
Chapter 1

Harry Potter scowled from underneath his invisibility cloak as Draco Malfoy ran into yet another empty classroom.

“Harry!” The other boy’s voice, which at the start of the apparent hunt had sounded merely frustrated, had taken on a worried edge.

Glancing in through the open door, he watched as Malfoy peered under several desks, a muffled curse spilt from the Slytherin’s lips as he gracefully thwacked his knee on a chair leg.

Harry had been watching this routine for almost an hour now; Draco’s fruitless search having carried him the length of the school. He was on to the last rooms of the Charms corridor, and the fun of watching an increasingly desperate Malfoy looking behind bookcases had by now dispelled. Curiosity overtook Harry, and he silently pulled off his father’s cloak, stowing it in the backpack slung over one shoulder.

“Alright, Malfoy. What are you doing?”

Draco noticeably flinched at the interruption, looking up to see Harry Potter leaning casually against the door frame, arms crossed and green eyes cool.

“None of your business, Potter,” he drawled, just loud enough for the dark-haired boy to hear. His casual tone was belied by his slightly flushed cheeks and flashing eyes, and he inwardly cursed himself for shouting quite so loudly.

“So your running around the school at night, shouting my name isn’t my business?”

…Shit. Draco paused, “Exactly.” Dusting off his white school shirt, he walked out into the corridor, tensing momentarily as he brushed past Potter.

Harry’s eyes widened as Draco disappeared into another classroom. What the… he thought, as he followed the Slytherin to the next room. He pulled himself up onto a desk and grinned at Malfoy’s obvious agitation at his continued presence. “You should’ve locked the door. So, you’re really not going to tell me what you think you’re doing?”

“I know what I’m doing, and I also know it doesn’t involve you.” Draco ran a hand through his hair, annoyed at himself for letting Potter’s cocky attitude get to him. He’s right, should’ve just locked the door.

“Then why- .”

“Draco! Have you found- Why are you here?” Blaise Zabini halted in the doorway, turning in confusion to Draco, “Is Potter helping too?”

“Helping do wha- .”

“God no,” injected Draco quickly, “He was just leaving, weren’t you?” He made a note to thank Blaise later, his interruption saving Draco from having to think up a decent explanation.

Blaise stepped inside the classroom, glancing awkwardly at his fellow seventh years. The two boys in front of him had barely spoken a word to each other all last year. But now…from the tension in the air it seemed like the two were back to their old ways, and all in less than a week. “Um. Well alright then. See you, Potter.”

“What-? No! I’m not going anywhere until you-.” A flash of movement in the corridor caught his eye. Harry slid off the desk and sprinted out after it, ignoring the stunned faces of the Slytherins. A few moments later he was back, cupping a brown bunny rabbit in his tanned hands.

“Harry!” Harry looked up sharply at the unfamiliar sound of Draco Malfoy saying his given name. Squealing it, more like. The blonde walked towards him and reached out for the rabbit, his grey eyes shining.

“What-get lost Malfoy! You’ll just throw it in a potion or something.” Harry said, and held the rabbit away from the boys outstretched hands.

Draco faltered and took a step back. “Look at the collar, Potter,” he said, a scowl crossing his features at the other boy’s accusations.

“Collar? Oh.” Noticing for the first time the soft black band around the rabbit’s neck, Harry twisted it around gently to read the silver lettering ‘Property of Draco Malfoy’. “He’s yours?” Disbelief evident in his tone, he reluctantly handed the creature to his old rival.

“Yes, he’s mine. What, I can’t have a pet?” Draco glared at Harry, daring him to laugh as he held the bunny to his chest.

“Uh, no. You can have a pet. Didn’t think it’d be a bunny rabbit though.” Harry grinned, “Wouldn’t a big black eagle be more your style?”

“Oh, he was, originally. My father sent before he was…you know. But then Blaise here accidentally transfigured him, and I decided I liked it better this way. He doesn’t attack me half as much now.”

Blaise had blushed slightly at this, but neither of the two glanced his way. Watching the exchange with interest he realised he was probably witnessing the first ever conversation between the pair. Hiding a smile, he took a step towards the door and called out to his housemate, “We should probably tell the rest they can stop looking now.”

Harry watched as Malfoy nodded, and a flash of emotion appeared in the boy’s silver eyes. Disappointment? Unlikely… He was shook from his thoughts by Malfoy’s suddenly less self-assured tone, “Hey Potter, no need to tell everyone about this, alright?”

“I suppose.” A half-smile briefly lit up Draco’s face before he turned and followed Blaise out the room. Just as the sound of footsteps was starting to fade, a thought occurred to the Gryffindor and he raced from the room.

The sound of rapidly approaching feet made Draco pause mid-way through his conversation with Blaise over where Pansy was likely to be, and he turned around to see a dishevelled-looking Harry Potter slow to a walk behind them. Well, more dishevelled than usual, anyway. He always looks he’s just…Um. Focus, Draco. “Forget something?” He drawled calmly, heart thudding.

“…Malfoy, is your rabbit called Harry?” asked Potter, his green eyes gleaming in the half-light. A blush quickly crept up Draco’s usually pale face as he grasped for something to say.

Zabini stepped in smoothly for his friend, “God Potter, not after you. Draco has an uncle called Harry, right?”

Harry watched from beneath his dark lashes as relief flooded Malfoy’s features. The boy quickly nodded before practically running along the corridor. Blaise grinned briefly and winked at Harry before chasing after his friend.

Harry Potter found himself genuinely smiling for the first time in what seemed like months as he made his way to the Gryffindor tower.