leeding.harrywantedtotellhimsorry,sorrythatlifewaslikethis,sorryhismotheraskedthisofthem,sorrythatdrao’sfatherdidwhathedid,justsorry,sorryforsomanythingsthatweren’thisfaultandthatheouldneverfix.hewantedtofixthem,butouldn’t,justpulleddraotohim.“hewasmyfather.”

therewasn’tmuhthatouldbesaidafterthat.theystaylikethatforafewminutes,thendraopullsaway,tearsstillstaininghisfaeandeyesred,hisvoiesrathyfromtherying.harryanstillfeelthetearsonhisshirtdrying.

“whatever,right?”draoughed,butitsoundedwrong,beausenothingaboutthisouldbelessfunny.“hedidwhathedid,andnowthere’snothingthatanyoneansayaboutit.”

“hetriedtokillme.”harrysaysagain,dumbstruk,beausethis,thisoionrightnow,whatdraomustbefeeling,thatwassomuhworsethananythingthatharryhadtodealwithwhenitametohisparents.whenthey’redeadandyouneverknewthem,theyanneverdisappoint.“i’msorry,drao.”

hereahesouttohim,totryandpullhimbak,butdraojustbarksoutaughthatheutsoffbeforeitreallygetsstarted.“merlin,harry.”draosmilesathim,tiredbutalmostfondinaway.“iknow.it’sokay.”

harryjustnods,beausethereisnothingheansaytothat.andwhatwouldhesayanyways?anotherrenditionofhowthisisnotdrao’sfault,howharrydoesn’tbmehim,howtheyarefriends?

beausetheyaren’tfriends,notreally.thisisnothowyoufeboutafriend,thisisnotwhatyoudotoomfortafriendwhentheyarehurtingandyouarehopelesstohelpthem.theystoppedbeingjustfriendsalongtimeago,butnoneofthatwillhelpthemwiththis.

chapter15

harry

hehearssreaming.