What Others Don't See (H/D)
Title: What Others Don't See
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: G
Word Count: 500
Challenge: dracoharry100’s challenge #119 - Air
Summary: After all those years of stalking watching, it seems that Harry and Draco are able to read each other rather well.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
What Others Don't See
He strutted into the room, head held high, taking in the assemblage of witches and wizards here, an air of entitlement surrounding him. Gone was the post-war shell of a man who was shunned by the masses. Harry had watched him cower, hide, and draw into himself more times than he could count over the years.
Now, however, he was reminded of the self-important, snobby rich kid he'd met all those years ago. The one that radiated self-confidence.
Draco Malfoy was back.
Harry smiled. He found it refreshing - and reassuring - to have the world right itself this way.
As he watched Draco work the room, Harry noticed that he wasn't as confident as he appeared, though he doubted anyone else had noticed. Years of watching every move the man made gave Harry an advantage.
He noticed the barely-concealed disgust as wizard after wizard shook Draco's hand in false greeting. He watched Draco's back stiffen and his jaw tighten as he spoke with them. He watched those grey eyes harden and a protective wall surround him.
Determined as always to do what was right, Harry crossed the room to join him.
"Draco," he interrupted, "feel like getting some air?"
"Potter."
Harry leaned in, so the other man wouldn't hear. "I thought we'd got past that," he said. "The name is Harry, remember?"
"Of course, Harry," he replied, motioning to the gentleman across from him. "As you can see, we were having a conversation."
Harry looked at the other man - some hot-shot with connections to the Ministry, if Harry remembered correctly. He felt sure the air between them was thick enough to slice with a knife. "Terribly sorry," Harry lied. "I just need a few words with Draco here, and I'll return him to you."
"No problem, Mr Potter."
*****
The air outside was cool and refreshing.
"What was so important that you had to drag me away from Mr --"
"You are," Harry cut him off.
Draco's facial expression went from annoyed to confused. Frowning, he asked, "What are you talking about, Potter?"
"It's Harry."
"Whatever."
"You looked … well, uncomfortable. And I thought you could use a friendly face."
Draco's brows disappeared under his fringe. His jaw dropped, and Harry was amused at finally - finally! - being able to render him speechless.
He recovered in short order. "Is that what you are?" he asked. "A friendly face?"
Harry shrugged. "I suppose."
"I don't need rescuing, Potter. I'm quite capable of handling the situation."
"I know." Harry drew a deep breath of air before explaining. "It's just that you shouldn't have to handle the situation. You should relax and enjoy yourself."
"Is that what you do at these functions?" Draco asked. "Enjoy yourself?" Harry frowned. "Seems to me you're just as uncomfortable at these things as I am. Possibly more."
Harry looked at him, wondering when Draco had become able to read Harry as well as Harry read him.
"Come on, Harry," he offered. "Let's handle it together."
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: G
Word Count: 500
Challenge: dracoharry100’s challenge #119 - Air
Summary: After all those years of stalking watching, it seems that Harry and Draco are able to read each other rather well.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
What Others Don't See
He strutted into the room, head held high, taking in the assemblage of witches and wizards here, an air of entitlement surrounding him. Gone was the post-war shell of a man who was shunned by the masses. Harry had watched him cower, hide, and draw into himself more times than he could count over the years.
Now, however, he was reminded of the self-important, snobby rich kid he'd met all those years ago. The one that radiated self-confidence.
Draco Malfoy was back.
Harry smiled. He found it refreshing - and reassuring - to have the world right itself this way.
As he watched Draco work the room, Harry noticed that he wasn't as confident as he appeared, though he doubted anyone else had noticed. Years of watching every move the man made gave Harry an advantage.
He noticed the barely-concealed disgust as wizard after wizard shook Draco's hand in false greeting. He watched Draco's back stiffen and his jaw tighten as he spoke with them. He watched those grey eyes harden and a protective wall surround him.
Determined as always to do what was right, Harry crossed the room to join him.
"Draco," he interrupted, "feel like getting some air?"
"Potter."
Harry leaned in, so the other man wouldn't hear. "I thought we'd got past that," he said. "The name is Harry, remember?"
"Of course, Harry," he replied, motioning to the gentleman across from him. "As you can see, we were having a conversation."
Harry looked at the other man - some hot-shot with connections to the Ministry, if Harry remembered correctly. He felt sure the air between them was thick enough to slice with a knife. "Terribly sorry," Harry lied. "I just need a few words with Draco here, and I'll return him to you."
"No problem, Mr Potter."
*****
The air outside was cool and refreshing.
"What was so important that you had to drag me away from Mr --"
"You are," Harry cut him off.
Draco's facial expression went from annoyed to confused. Frowning, he asked, "What are you talking about, Potter?"
"It's Harry."
"Whatever."
"You looked … well, uncomfortable. And I thought you could use a friendly face."
Draco's brows disappeared under his fringe. His jaw dropped, and Harry was amused at finally - finally! - being able to render him speechless.
He recovered in short order. "Is that what you are?" he asked. "A friendly face?"
Harry shrugged. "I suppose."
"I don't need rescuing, Potter. I'm quite capable of handling the situation."
"I know." Harry drew a deep breath of air before explaining. "It's just that you shouldn't have to handle the situation. You should relax and enjoy yourself."
"Is that what you do at these functions?" Draco asked. "Enjoy yourself?" Harry frowned. "Seems to me you're just as uncomfortable at these things as I am. Possibly more."
Harry looked at him, wondering when Draco had become able to read Harry as well as Harry read him.
"Come on, Harry," he offered. "Let's handle it together."