Harry stared at Draco’s back in a daze, trying to register what just happened.

The door slammed shut, causing Harry to shudder.

Why did he tell Malfoy he hated the title? The guy would surely make use of the information, just like he did when he known Harry was sacred of dementors in 3rd grade. Sure, it happened years ago, but still.

Harry shuddered as he thought of the said name. When he was younger, he had felt privileged to be the “boy-who-lived”. He’d beam with pride, because the name sounded nice. The origin behind the name sounded nice too, an infant killing the Dark Lord, being the savior of the world. Years later, the truth terrified him. The title justified his oddness, his connection to Voldemort, and his parents’ death. The name wasn’t there because of his brilliancy, like the tale suggested. It was there as a curse and responsibility, just like his scar.

When he met Ron and Hermione, he came to an understanding that everyone in the wizarding world recognized him, for an experience even himself couldn’t remember. If he could choose, he would rather be Harry. Just Harry. Instead of, “boy-who-lived”, nor “savior”, nor “Saint Potter” as Draco used to call him.

Why was Malfoy in the nursery anyway? Rational thoughts told Harry, Malfoy just wanted to catch him in a vulnerable state and laugh at him.

A small part of him wished it was because Malfoy cared. When Malfoy spoke in that soft voice, he almost believed that.

When Madam Pomfrey marched in minutes later, he still didn’t comprehend what Malfoy was trying to do.

Eager footsteps echoed outside the room. Harry leaned out, almost wishing it was Draco before slapping himself internally.

“Harry, are you okay?” Hermione rushed in, immediately pulling Harry into a hug.

“Hey mate, we’re so worried,” Ron appeared, out of his breath as he carried a huge bag, clinking with his every move.

“Hi…” Harry eyed the pair as Hermione pulled back, his friends taking a seat beside him.

“What’s in the bag?” Harry smiled a bit as he saw the familiar blue and gold design of the chocolate frogs.

“It’s a Get-Well Package!” Ron exclaimed with pride.

“Haven’t done one of these in forever,” Hermione continued sheepishly, eyes radiating with warmth.

“Wait, you got yourself a chocolate already!” Ron exclaimed. Harry, surprised, turned around to his bedside to see a piece of Godiva chocolate. Weird. He hadn’t noticed.

“I actually don’t know.” Harry shrugged.

“Traitor!” Ron acted mad, his mischievous grin suggesting the opposite, “Which lucky girl gave this?”

Should be “boy”, Harry mentally corrected Ron. He shuddered as he thought about the blond hair, brushed back, and the grey eyes that match it. Was it Draco? Surely not. It was a muggle brand after all.

Either way, he wasn’t going to voice his thoughts aloud, he knew his friends would be cool about his preferences, not so much about Malfoy.

Apparently, Ron noticed Harry’s daze, “Come on Potter. Stop thinking about her and tell us,” Ron slapped Harry’s leg playfully.

Harry eyed Hermione helplessly, the girl just shrugged, “Sharing is caring.”

Traitor.

“Seriously, I don’t know who the chocolate belonged to. I swear, it just appeared.”

A few seconds later, Madam Pomfrey came in to give Harry a cup of bubbling liquid.

Harry examined at the liquid suspiciously before gulping it down, trying not to gag at the horrendous smell. He wasn’t one to question Madam Pomfrey’s healing techniques.

“Maybe the chocolate sender was a secret suitor,” Ron faked a flirty tone that almost made Harry puke out the medicine. Hermione just scoffed and eyed Harry as if saying, “Why do I like him anyway?”

Madam Pomfrey raised her head in confusion at Ron’s comment, “Chocolate sender?”

“Yeah. Someone gave Harry that piece of chocolate.” Ron gestured the chocolate, still lying on the bedside table.

“Oh, that was the Malfoy boy. He looked peaky earlier, so I gave some to him. Must’ve forgotten one,” Madam Pomfrey shrugged before she left with the empty cup of medicine.

Oh.

Why did Malfoy leave it? A small warmth, like a candle flickered inside of Harry.

Harry eyed his friends hesitantly. He felt himself guilty of a crime he didn’t commit, at least not accidentally. A moment of silence passed in the trio.

Ron squinted at the chocolate, as though the chocolate itself will start confessing its sins, “I’m betting my new broom that the chocolate is poisoned!”

“Harry…” Hermione started, her gentle voice echoing in the room, “Why was Draco here? Did you know he was here?”

“I know he’s here, but I don’t know why,” Harry glanced at the chocolate before pouting defensively.

“What did he do? I’m so gonna punch him,” Ron jumped up, his face filled of righteousness.

“Nothing harmful. I swear. It’s just very … weird.”

Hermione nodded, “Maybe he’s changing for the better. At least Pansy is.”

Ron paused a moment, going quiet before he continued, “Harry’s hanging out with the white ferret. ‘Mione’s speaking for the simp. Where’s my real friends and what had you done to them?” Ron barfed, earning a few laughs from the others.

“She’s helping with the draft, Rights and Social Status of House-Elves, she’s not what you guys expected,” Hermione defended, “Honestly, she had done more work over these months than what the both of you had done over these years, combined.”

“I destroyed a horcrux, I think I done enough,” Ron assured, his freckles highlighted in the light.

Hermione chuckled lightly before she turned abruptly, taking out what it seems like, the Daily Prophet, “Let’s get some actually good news, check this out.”

“I completely forgot!” Ron grinned.

Harry took the paper.

A picture of an oversized man stared at back at him. His pursing lips and dull, sunken eyes gave shudders to Harry.

“Rxxx Lestrange Charged to Azkaban: The Recapture Everyone Wanted”

“Isn’t his son attending Hogwarts?”

“Yeah, pretty sure it’s a first year,” Ron shrugged. He wanted to go and help the boy. Even if Lestrange was a Death Eater, that still doesn’t erase the fact that he’s a father of a 11-year-old son.

“What will happen with him?” Harry asked, frowning.

“Keep him at Hogwarts, maybe find foster parents.” Hermione elaborated, “Look Harry, we all get it. This boy is young, nervous about going to school. And his father just got arrested, never seen for the rest of his life. It’s not fair, but there’s nothing that can be done.”

“Yeah, I know,” Harry nodded, “So is it true, that the Ministry is catching Death Eaters, even stricter than before?”

“Darn right!” Ron beamed in excitement, “You know how many went off-the-hook last time. They’re sparing no one right now!”

“We’re more than halfway through our list,” Hermione added, her smile hiding a tint of pride.

“List? What list?” Harry never heard of it before.

“‘Mione made it, it’s a list of Death Eaters at the battle, the thing gets directly sent to the Ministry.” Ron beamed as though he had made the lists.

Hermione laughed lightly, her cheeks turning pink out of slight embarrassment. A moment of silence passed through the trio before Hermione turned to Harry, “So, when will you get out?”

“A couple days later.”

Harry laid on the common room couch. No one was back yet because last classes still hadn’t finished. He had been released from the grasp of Madam Pomfrey just yesterday. The hospital event concerning Draco happened a few days before that.

He hadn’t chased after Draco about it. Although Ron questioned and interrogated Harry at every opportunity he could. Hermione ignored it, stating there’s nothing to say until more happened. Weirdly, Draco had been the one to find him, just this morning.

He was going down the corridor with Ron when he caught eyes of the blonde boy. Draco stood in the courtyard, his head turning around as if searching for someone. A beam of sunray lit up Draco’s face, making the blond squint, quite cutely. Harry felt himself being dragged into a daze, until Draco laid eyes on him and stopped his search.

Harry turned immediately, dragging a puzzled Ron with him.

“Potter, wait up!” Will he just stop? Harry dreaded the encounter, Draco surely will laugh and tease, like always.

“Pomfrey said you’re back. Are you alri- I mean, how are you feeling?”

Huh. That’s new, Harry eyed Draco suspiciously.

“Uh… Fine, aspirins are helping,” Harry finished, turning to leave.

“Aspirin? What’s that - Weasley remedy?” Draco glanced at Ron before back at Harry. Harry felt his face growing hot under Draco’s curious glances. He didn’t know what to focus on, Draco’s sudden curiosity at medicine or his insult at Ron.

“It’s just Muggle medicine, bloody daddy’s boy.” Draco’s gaze flickered in confusion before it hardened.

“Whatever scar-head,” Draco sneered before leaving. His robes flaying with each step. Harry soon lost sight of the boy in the crowd of students.

When Harry turned to look at Ron, the redhead stared at Draco’s direction with disdain.

“One day I’ll kung-fu that smug face,” Ron whisper-shouted, rather loudly to make sure Draco heard the threat. Few students turned their heads at Ron with curious glances.

“I don’t think he knows what kung-fu means. How did you know anyways?” Harry glanced at Ron.

“Hermione and dad made us watch some Muggle cartoon,” Ron whispered, Harry stifled a laugh.

“My parents like Hermione more than me,” Ron grinned slightly, “Always had, although Hermione believed it still wasn’t enough, so what can I do?”

“I’m glad the smarter one has control in your relationship,” Harry teased, earning a harmless slap to his head.

“Let’s go,” Harry dragged Ron away as he saw Draco conversing with Professor Slughorn, glancing back every few seconds.

Back in the common room, Harry closed his eyes and sighed. Maybe the hospital event with Draco was a whole joke.

He stared at the Draco’s forgotten chocolate, just on the counter. The golden wrapping reflecting the fireplace.

Maybe he could return this. Or not. Yeah, that was a bad idea. He hadn’t uncovered whatever hidden intention was behind Draco. Until that, their motto will remain like always.