Tormented by our Futures (Part 1)

Chapter 6

His hair is messy and long like it was in third year, it makes him look younger. I reach out and brush a stray hair out of Potter's eye which has been twitching since he fell asleep, He shifts slightly in his sleep, tenses and then relaxes again. I know I shouldn't have done that, but there's this pull I feel like it's the right thing to do. I drag a light thumb above his eyebrow, where a crease had started to form, till Potter's face relaxed. Almost as if I wiped it away. I drag my thumb across his temple. Maybe I shouldn't be doing this. It's a bit strange. Any minute Potter could wake up and send me the weirdest look and probably have a fit or something. However, Potter has done nothing but relax to my touch, if anything he'll just fall deeper into sleep. I move my hand back to Potter's face and gently move his hair out of the way. His scar sits there along his forehead, faded slightly, I wonder if that has anything to do with the death of Voldemort. I run my thumb slowly along his scar up to the root of his hairline before retracting my hand away from Potter's face entirely. Potter hums in response, shifting slightly before falling deeper into sleep.

Why the fuck did I do that? I hate the git. Maybe it is that I pity him, but he's not the only one who's been through so much shit. Maybe I'm just scared for him. It was when the Snatchers had brought Harry to the manor that I realised how worried I was for Potter and how much I hoped and prayed he'd be alright and not end up with Voldemort. Maybe that was just because I resented Voldemort, more than Potter. I also feel like I owe Potter my life.

The second period begins and Professor Slughorn gets up off his desk and starts walking around the class, making sure that everyone is doing their work. It isn't long before he eventually makes it to the back of the class where Potter and I are sitting. Slughorn's gaze flicks from me to the boy asleep next to me, to the practically empty piece of parchment in front of Potter and then back to me. "I woke him before but he just went back to sleep," I say quietly not to wake Potter and not to disturb the rest of the class.

"Ah well best let him sleep then," Slughorn says. "Can I count on you to catch him up and make sure he doesn't fall behind?" He asks me, placing a hand on my shoulder. No, no, no please don't trap me with him any more than I have to be. I open my mouth to tell him that I can't but Slughorn cuts me off, "That's a good lad," He says patting my shoulder. I simply nod to my professor who blesses me before walking off. Shit.

I can't be stuck with Potter. Something has changed between us and I have no idea what it is. I can't deal with this. I think it's even worse now because I have time to think about it, about him. Last year I didn't, like at all. All I could think about was what I could do to stay on The Dark Lord's good side. All I could think about was when the last time I'd see my parents. I had no time to think because I needed to survive.

It isn't long before the end of Potions nears. The whole class begins to pack up and get ready to leave for lunch. I slip my book and quill into my bag and turn to the boy sleeping next to me. I lightly shake Potter awake "Come on Potter it's lunch" I say as he slowly wakes, I watch him as he rubs his hand down his face and slips his glasses back on his face.

"Lunch, yeah" He mumbles picking up his parchment and then stops. Like time just stopped, he goes completely still, I'm not sure if he's even breathing. The only thing that tells me that Potter hasn't been hexed is the small crease slowly forming along his forehead. He then takes in a breath and turns to me "I slept through all of that?" He asks.

I nod slipping out of my seat and picking up my bag "Yeah" I say. I hear Potter let out a hushed 'shit' as he slowly lowers his head back onto the desk, before sitting back up.

I spot Professor Slughorn weaving in and out of students shuffling around and making his way up to us. Looks like Potter will get detention. He eventually comes up to us and places a hand on Harry's shoulder "Don't worry Harry ma boy I've asked Mr Malfoy to keep you up to date, he'll help you." he says giving Harry a small wink before walking off. I watch Potter stare at the empty space that our professor had just created with a baffled look on his face. He looks exactly how I feel. How the fuck did he get let off so easily? He missed three full periods of Potions and is only asked that he catch himself up on the work. Lucky sod.