Harry was still waiting to find out what should be done with himself. Most of his classes were easy to pick up. He had a newfound love of Herbology and apologized profusely to a very smug Neville for any of his past comments.

There were two problems that Harry kept running into. The smaller of the two problems was potions, and he was thinking about asking Slughorn for tutoring sessions.

Defense was Harry's main problem. It was only the second week, and he had almost gotten so mad he blew the classroom to smithereens. The room was vibrating, and if it wasn't for Draco, the castle would have gotten a new floor to ceiling window.

Every single class, Professor Avens tried to make an example of Harry. He would select him for all of his demonstrations no matter who else volunteered. He would push Harry much harder than he needed to, and he was furious every time Harry used a strong Expelliarmus against him.

"There are other spells to use than that silly one."

"Expelliarmus was good enough for Voldemort, it's not good enough for you?," Harry taunted.

"That's how you defeated him?," the professor asked with a laugh. "True child's play. So much for the best defense teacher you've ever had right?"

Harry wordlessly and wandlessly had the Professor bound and pressed against the wall, hovering off the floor before he could even blink.

"I hope that was a sufficient demonstration. Class dismissed," Harry spat through gritted teeth, storming out of the room.

Draco was quick to catch up to him, sliding an arm around Harry's waist.

"Potter, you're hot."

"Thanks."

"No, you're burning up."

Draco dragged Harry into a bathroom, where Harry immediately tensed up.

"Do you not remember what happened the last time we were in a bathroom together?," Harry asked through clenched teeth.

"I'm reminded every time I take my shirt off, but thanks for the reminder Potter."

"I didn't mean... I still have nightmares about it."

Draco shut his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath, and then wet some paper towels. He placed one on each of Harry's wrists, and then gently wiped his face with the other.

"Thanks."

"You're right, one self-sacrificing idiot is plenty."

"I'm going to see McGonagall, and I'm removing defense from my schedule."

"What are you replacing it with?"

"I don't care. I'll take another free period. More independent research. I'd even move my schedule and take more potions. Maybe I should, I have no idea what I'm doing, and it's going to fuck up my research project."

"I could tutor you, if you want."

"Why would you do that?"

"Someone has to stop you from killing yourself or those around you."

"And that someone is you?"

"Like I said Potter, I'm cursed. Are you okay now?"

"As okay as I can be."

"Let's speak with the headmistress before that idiot beats us there. I think Longbottom would be a better defense teacher than him."

"I think a dedicated worm could do a more efficient job. It's like he wants me to get angry and snap."

"He wants to know how much power you're hiding. Everyone is curious about it, and when you get mad, the magic rolls off of you in waves."

"Does it?"

"The room was vibrating Potter."

"Huh."

"You're absolutely mental, did you know that?"

"You've been telling me that for years, in different wording, yes. I may have picked up on the fact that you don't like me."

"Didn't."

"Didn't what?"

"I didn't like you. You're tolerable now I suppose. Depends on if you start treating me like an arse again. Only time will tell."

They walked the rest of the way in silence, bumping into each other on the way up.

"Come in," she greeted. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. Here for detention for fighting I presume? Honestly boys, I thought we had outgrown this-"

"No Headmistress. Potter and I weren't the ones fighting."

Draco quickly filled her in on the situation as Harry was once again getting agitated as he tried to explain it himself.

"I see," she said curtly. "Is he still down there?"

"As far as we're aware."

"Dismissed. I'll send for you both later. I know it's incredibly difficult for you, but please try to stay out of trouble Harry."

"Would you believe me if I said this is my trying?," he asked with a sigh as he turned to leave.

"This is me trying? A Taylor Swift fan are you?," Draco questioned as they walked down the stairs.

"Caught me red handed. She has some mental lyricism."

"Who knew you had taste?"

"Oh I totally would've guessed you were a Swiftie."

"Really? Guess my favorite album then."

"Oh you definitely give me Lover vibes because you seem like a closeted romantic, but I have to say your favorite is Red."

"Fuck you Scarhead."

Harry laughed, all the way to the arts room.

"Classic Gryffindor, you have to be Fearless," Draco muttered, but Harry only winked at him.

The room was empty, and Harry happily went into the booth in the back. Pressing the broadcasting button on purpose this time, he decided to play This is Me Trying.

"I've been having a hard time adjusting
I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting
I didn't know if you'd care if I came back
I have a lot of regrets about that
Pulled the car off the road to the lookout
Could've followed my fears all the way down
And maybe I don't quite know what to say
But I'm here in your doorway

I just wanted you to know
That this is me trying
I just wanted you to know
That this is me trying

They told me all of my cages were mental
So I got wasted like all my potential
And my words shoot to kill when I'm mad
I have a lot of regrets about that
I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere
Fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here
Pourin' out my heart to a stranger
But I didn't pour the whiskey

I just wanted you to know
That this is me trying
I just wanted you to know
That this is me trying

At least I'm trying

And it's hard to be at a party
When I feel like an open wound
It's hard to be anywhere these days
When all I want is you
You're a flashback in a film reel
On the one screen in my town

And I just wanted you to know
That this is me trying (And maybe I don't quite know what to say)
I just wanted you to know
That this is me trying

At least I'm trying"

Harry felt much better after that, aimlessly strumming, waiting for something he didn't know. Casting a tempus, he realized it was about time for their next class.

"Ready?," he asked Draco.

"Not particularly, but this will have to do for now."

"I didn't know you painted."

"It's not a hobby my father supported. I haven't in a long while."

"You're talented."

"Thank you."

Draco wasn't sure if he was supposed to address the elephant in the room.

"I learned guitar from my godfather. This is really the first time I've picked it up since he passed."

"You play nicely."

"If you have any requests, let me know," Harry teased, bumping Draco's shoulder as they entered the classroom. "I owe you one."

Draco smiled softly to himself during class, once again thinking about Potter. They weren't friends, not yet, but somehow he was starting to let him in.

After class, McGonagall personally came to get Harry, and Draco decided to follow even though he wasn't invited.

Draco waited inside the entrance, sitting on the stairs for Harry to come back.

"Harry, I'd like to let you know that Mr. Avens has been fired."

Harry snorted before he could control himself. "And he thought the position wasn't cursed anymore. Serves him right."

"Your classmates have corroborated the story that he has been targeting you ever since classes began. Why didn't you come to me?"

"I thought it would get better. It didn't, so I came to you this morning."

"After he was stuck to the wall."

"It was deserved."

"Be that as it may, I'm now in a predicament. I'm in need of a skilled professor."

"Headmistress-"

"I know you have your other courses to take, Harry. I was hoping that some of your classmates from the DA could help you run it, until I find someone suitable. I'd like you to sit in on the process this time. You would get credits of course."

"Then you know Hermione is already in."

"Sleep on it. I'll cancel that class for today, and I'll fill in for the rest of the week. If you say no, I won't be offended. I know Remus would be proud of you either way."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me."

Harry was so lost in thought walking down the stairs, he almost tripped over Draco.

"Merlin Potter!"

"Sorry! Why are you on the stairs anyway?!"

"I wanted to make sure you weren't going to have a meltdown and blow anything else up."

"You're funny."

"One of my lesser known traits. Well?"

"She wants a couple of us to teach defense until she finds someone else. I told her I would think about it."

"Being associated with you means there will never be a normal year of anything doesn't it?"

"That would be correct. Leave while you still can," Harry deadpanned.

"How else would you ace potions then?"

"I'm just looking to pass."

"We'll see about that. Come on, we can catch Slughorn before class."

Things had been moving very quickly for Harry as of late. Not only were he and Draco Malfoy on okay terms, he was going to help him with potions.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy! What can I do for you both?"

"I need extra help in potions, and Malfoy offered to tutor me."

"Are you sure you need extra help Harry my boy?"

"Absolutely certain."

"Well, I suppose during your free period you're welcome to use the lab, as long as you clean up after your selves. I'll leave you a list of potions you are not to brew unless I am directly in the room. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir, thank you."

"Excellent. Let's devise a studying schedule then."