Shattered Moment

Harry wasn't as oblivious as some people assumed. He might not have been the most understanding boyfriend (well, ex-boyfriend, now) that Cho had ever had; he might not always sense the warning signs before Hermione blew up at him; but he did notice things. Important things. Things such as the behaviour of his arch-rival, Draco Malfoy.

Harry knew that Draco always visited his compartment on the Hogwarts Express - every year, without fail (well, excluding second year, with the flying car and all) - en route to Hogwarts. He knew that Draco didn't miss a chance to mock him (but what about the time when the Slytherin found out about the 'remedial Potions'? Why didn't he spread the news to the rest of the school? Harry was still a little unsure about the answer to that). He had also noticed that Draco tended to ridicule Harry's friends because he knew that it would gain Harry's attention (though, Harry grudgingly admitted, he does have surprisingly good rhyming skills).

But what Harry didn't know was that Draco spent as much time observing him as Harry himself watched Draco.

---

Harry clutches his wand, nervously. However, when Professor Flitwick points him to his examiner, he sees Draco Malfoy at a nearby table and his hands stop shaking. He doesn't know why, but somehow, the presence of Malfoy calms him.

As Harry approaches the testing table, he catches sight of the grey eyes gazing intently at the object of their scrutiny. So intently that the wine glass that he is levitating falls toward the ground.

And in that single moment, the cold, indifferent mask that Draco is always wearing drops and shatters.

In that single moment, an array of raw emotions flickers across Draco's face - confusion, hatred, jealousy, lust.

In that single moment, Harry sees the truth. The truth behind Draco's every action.

It feels as if time has frozen - that no one else exists but the two of them. The barrier caused by five years of enmity and tension between them collapses. The pieces lie, edges sharp and dangerous -- not unlike the boys themselves. It is as if a new window has opened - new possibilities emerge - perhaps with this new-found understanding, they could heal the wound that has torn them apart, perhaps they could start anew, perhaps...

But at the sound of the broken glass, Draco hurries to turn his attention back to the task at hand.

The tentative bond that had almost formed breaks apart.

The clamour of students and teachers returns at full volume.

"That's it."

Professor Tofty's voice brings Harry out of his reverie. He smiles ruefully, realizing how ridiculous his ideas were - after all, he has observed Malfoy for five years now; he knows that Malfoy is a righteous prat - the sudden exchange between them could not have changed anything at all.

Harry does not look back.

---

In later years, Harry will recall that day and wonder what exactly had happened then. He will wonder what would have happened if the moment had lasted longer, if the wineglass did not fall at all, if he hadn't shunned the idea that there was more to Malfoy than just the cold and cruel surface ... Harry will feel slightly regretful at not turning back around, to seek out those silver eyes that burned with hatred and lust.

But he will remember, always remember, that instant when everything seemed so clear and pure - and just so right.

He will remember that shattering moment... and how it ended.

~Fin~