"Harry," Weasley whines, you can't honestly expect me to trust the prat."

"We've got to test this out," Potter responds. "I don't like it any better than you."

They're sitting in Weasley's office, along with Granger, discussing their plan for Potter's big speech in support of Scorpius's campaign.

"You'll know that you can trust me soon enough," Draco says. "It should already be clear. What could I possibly stand to gain from cursing Potter?"

"You don't need a motive when you're pure evil," Weasley spits. "But fine. First, you cursed his Spectroculars, because you're a prat. Then you got pissed that Harry left the auction early, and you just couldn't resist. You cursed the rest of your patients to cover it up."

They don't have time for Weasley's fit, so Draco doesn't encourage him by arguing.

Granger seems to agree, because she brushes past her husband's words. "All right. If we're going to do this properly, we need a game plan."

"Don't we already have one?" Potter asks. "I support Scorpius publicly and see what happens. Anyone who knows anything won't doubt that my influence will make his chances of winning higher. They won't bother waiting to curse me."

"And what if Malfoy curses you himself so we think his flimsy theory is true?" Weasley growls. "I don't think he should have his wand."

Draco's mouth falls open. "No way. The perpetrators came after me, remember?"

"Your business, not you," Weasley brushes off. "That's hardly as concerning as you want to make it sound. You'll be perfectly safe."

"I'll be without my magic."

Granger tips her head to the side, thoughtful. "Well ... it's worth considering."

"What?!"

"Just think about it. How else are we supposed to believe there's no way you're doing this?"

"You can't imagine that I have self-preservation instincts? All of this is killing my clinic."

"We could pair you with a tactical team of Aurors," Weasley says. "They'd make sure no one tries to hurt you at the next event, and then you'd be tucked away at home, safe and sound with your absolutely ancient wards."

"You think I want to be wandless around Aurors? No. You're not to tell a single soul outside of this room I'll be without it. That's the safest way."

Granger looks surprised. "You're agreeing?"

Draco winces. This really is too much. "I want to figure out what's causing this just as much as you do. If I don't, my patients will suffer for it."

"We'll have to keep you locked up at the Manor until we know for sure whether or not Harry's been cursed."

"Fantastic." He finally lets go of his last vestiges of control. "But I won't be left alone during the event. And I won't be leaving my wand in your care."

Granger sighs, settling in for a long night of bargaining. "Where, then?"

~

"So, you'll be sticking with me for the day, huh?" Potter asks.

Scorpius's campaign booster is surprisingly well-attended. Everyone wants to know why he thinks he deserves a position like this, and why the papers promise Harry Potter will have something to say about it.

"Thrilled, aren't you?"

"Oh, just tickled. Watch your feet."

Draco sees the rock in the grass just soon enough to avoid falling and looking like a fool.

"That's your outfit?" he asks. "Really, I thought you had some sort of fashion sense, after what you wore to the auction."

Potter's dressed in some atrocious Muggle garb that looks like a cross between a proper suit and a pair of red, tartan pyjamas.

"If I'd known you thought I looked so good, I'd have let Hermione choose my outfit again."

Draco falters, his throat feeling strangely tight. "Well. You look like a prat, is all I'm saying."

And he does. But Draco doesn't mind.

"Right."

"Right."

Potter grins at him, and Draco feels distinctly unbalanced, knowing he's being made fun of but not sure he minds.

"So," Draco starts, desperate for a change of topic, "what points are you planning to cover in your speech?"

"I was planning to wing it."

His mouth falls open. "Wing it. You can't wing it. You'll sound like a buffoon."

"I think best on my feet."

"Erumpents think best on their feet! You sound half-awake even on your best days, and it's only because you're so bloody impressive that people don't tell you so."

They come to a stop in the waiting area at the side of the stage, a little bar that provides just enough shade on either side for them to be comfortable. "I never knew you found me impressive."

"I — I'm not saying that you — you're completely distracting from the point."

Potter leans across the bar between them, chin propped on his hand. "Which is?"

"You should have planned a speech! This isn't just about Scorpius, either, it's about catching the bastards who are willing to harm innocent people to meet their ends. You have to prove your word isn't just complete garbage!"

Potter taps his fingers on the counter, considering. "Hmm. Well, you make a good case for it. Maybe next time."

"There's not going to be a next time."

"I think you could convince me to do this again."

Draco turns the choke that strangles out of him into a scoff. Good Merlin, Potter needs to stop looking at him like that. "When would I have occasion to do that?"

"Beats me."

He hears a roar of applause and says, "That's your cue," because all the other ridiculous things he wants to say are on the tip of his tongue, and he can't let them slip free.

"Ah, so it is." Potter pulls a set of notecards out of his coat pocket as he backs away with a little salute.

Draco gawps. "I thought you said you were winging it!"

Potter shrugs, bounding up the steps to the stage and casting an Amplifying Charm.

Draco shakes his head. He can't believe Potter pretended not to have prepared to ... what, to get a rise out of him?

He's torn between the flush rising to his cheeks and the irritation thudding in his heart. Potter is not charming. He's trouble. He's a whole mess of feelings Draco's never bothered to deal with and never plans to. Never, he reminds himself firmly.

Potter's speech ends up being perfect. He shines on stage despite how much he hates it, golden and bright as the sun.

Draco is resolute. He will not fool himself into thinking Potter can do anything but burn.