The corridors of Hogwarts had never been quieter.
Classes had resumed, students trickled cautiously through the hallways, and the whispers that once haunted Harry had faded into silence. The danger was over—for now. The Chamber was closed, the monster defeated, and Ginny Weasley safe in the Hospital Wing.
But the echoes lingered.
---
In the Hospital Wing
Harry sat by Ginny's bedside, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Madam Pomfrey had said she would be fine—tired, but fine. Still, Harry couldn't help but feel responsible.
If I had figured it out sooner…
A quiet knock made him glance toward the door.
Draco stood there awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot. "You look like hell."
Harry gave a faint smile. "Thanks."
"I mean—" Draco hesitated. "You did… alright. In the Chamber."
"You would've done the same."
"I wouldn't," Draco said honestly. "That's the difference."
There was silence.
Then Harry asked, "So why are you here?"
Draco's eyes flicked to Ginny, then back to Harry. "Because I don't want you to think… you were alone down there."
Harry tilted his head. "But I was."
Draco stepped closer. "Not really. You just couldn't see us."
---
Meanwhile – Snape's Office
Snape stared into the flames of his private hearth, expression unreadable. The report to Dumbledore lay on the desk—neatly written, thoroughly detailed, and utterly hollow.
He had saved Harry. Again.
But this time, something was different.
He had seen the boy bleeding, gasping, trembling in that cursed chamber—and Snape had not felt vindicated or bitter. He had felt fear.
Fear of losing him.
Fear of watching this child—Lily's child—die the way too many others had.
And then there was Draco.
The boy was changing before Snape's eyes. And while that made him proud… it also made him nervous. Attachments could be dangerous. Especially when the lines between friendship and something deeper were starting to blur.
Snape poured himself a glass of firewhisky, then let it sit untouched.
They had survived.
But the war—the real war—was still far ahead.
---
That Night – Astronomy Tower
Harry leaned against the cold stone railing, looking out at the stars. The sky was clear, as if the world had exhaled.
Draco joined him quietly, their shoulders barely brushing.
"No one believes what we saw," Harry murmured.
"I don't care if they do," Draco said. "I believe you."
They stood in silence, both lost in thoughts too complicated for words.
Finally, Harry whispered, "Do you think it's really over?"
Draco didn't answer right away. Then: "No. But we've got time. And maybe this time… we won't be alone when it comes."
Harry looked at him. "We?"
Draco met his gaze. "Yeah. We."