Marked

The Thieves

Chapter 19: The Thieves

Draco couldn't sleep again; he was exhausted, but he hadn't quite recovered from the pain that continued to throb steadily throughout his body, emanating viciously from his left wrist.

He didn't want to look at it. He didn't want to acknowledge its existence. But he also didn't want his tossing and turning to keep Granger from her much-needed heavy slumber, so he'd slipped outside, pausing only to kiss her cheek and listen to her contented hum of satisfaction, a girlish sigh escaping from her lips.

Good dreams, he hoped.

He'd been outside for perhaps five minutes, conjuring a small jar of flames that he'd seen Granger use before, when he heard a sudden rustling behind him, catching the opening of the tent flap.

"Sorry," he murmured, turning around. "I didn't mean to wake you - "

"You didn't."

It was Harry. Not what he had been expecting, though it could have been worse.

"What are you doing up?" Draco asked, eyeing the raven-haired wizard skeptically.

Harry shrugged. "He's . . . excited about something," he said, gesturing to his scar. "I can't see anything, but I can tell. Something's got him all worked up."

"Granger doesn't trust that connection," Draco noted warily.

"I know," Harry said curtly. "But I figured you'd keep it to yourself."

"Did you?" Draco smirked. "Trying to bond with me again, Potter?"

The other wizard grinned, moving to sit comfortably beside Draco. "Always," he said, stretching his legs out and leaning back. "What about you?"

Draco grimaced. "Why am I awake? Same thing," he muttered. "Kind of."

Harry nodded, looking at Draco's wrist. "Have you told her?"

"What would be the point?" Draco asked, shrugging. "She'd only worry. And there's nothing she can do."

"That's why I haven't told her, either," Harry said grimly. "And how I know you'll keep it between us."

Draco stiffened. "I'm not - it's not like I'm keeping a secret from her - "

"No," Harry replied, smiling. "Of course not. But that's just it, isn't it?" he asked softly. "You don't need to explain it to me."

They sat for a moment in silence, considering their respective scars.

"We should talk about the horcruxes," Draco pondered aloud after a while, kicking his legs out in front of him. "Right?"

Harry seemed to hesitate. "I've got a better idea," he said bluntly, rising to his feet. "Wait here."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me what to do, Potter - "

But he'd already disappeared inside the tent, emerging only a few seconds later with his cloak in one hand and Draco's glasses in the other.

"Here," he said, handing him the frames. "Put these on."

Draco stood, sighing loudly. "What are you playing at?"

"I'm sick of talking," Harry said listlessly. "Let's go for a walk."

"A walk?" Draco asked, wrinkling his nose.

"Yes," Harry said, speaking slowly and patronizingly. "A walk."

"Where?"

"Just come with me."

"But why - "

"Just come with me."