There was nothing I could do.

None of the things Dumbledore tried to tell me through his own memories were happening any time in the foreseeable future.

Harry wasn't even here. I didn't even know where he was; if he would ever come back here.

My back slumped against the column the pensive rested on, I tried to clear my thoughts, reorder them; try to make sense of everything flying around up there.

My breath was still heavy, my chest rising and falling in an unsteady pattern long after the memory had ended.

Knowing all of this was more of a burden than I would've imagined information ever could be. Maybe ignorance truly was bliss.

I spent the entire rest of my day in that room, even caught myself wondering what would be so bad about never leaving it, ever again. Though, quickly figured out food was not one of the things it produced, no matter how greatly you required it.

But I found myself back here. Whenever I needed time to myself. Whenever I felt like I still didn't process what I heard that day. And especially whenever I saw Snape.

That's what affected me the most.

I could be laughing at some silly joke one minute, catch a glimpse of Snape, and physically feel the burden of this secret weigh me down until I felt like I had no other option but to come here to calm myself down.

The white marble; the orderliness the empty room radiated was exactly what I needed to get a grip on the mess in my head.

Though, with time, I grew careless. I stopped double-checking before entering and stopped peeking around the corners before exiting the room of requirements.

It became a habit to come here after a few weeks and seeing as Wren still preferred her own company, and Draco and I still were to keep our distance, I had nothing better to do, anyway.

But, of course, my ever-growing carelessness would bite me in the ass soon enough.

"And what could it be that you require so deeply?"

I was just fortunate enough for it to be Draco, who was casually leaning against the wall next to the heavy door when I left one evening.

His words made me shriek in horror at the unexpected sound of it, and I jumped a few inches away before I recognised him and the lazy smirk on his lips.

My hand still tightly clutching against my chest, I sighed loudly.

"Did we not talk about this whole sneaking up on thing?" I muttered, my pulse slowly calming down as I shook my head.

He just shrugged, instead of answering my question casually pushing himself off the wall to steal a glance through the door I just came through.

My hand swiftly reached for the knob, and I pulled it shut quickly, the loud sound making me wince.

Amused, he quirked an eyebrow at the sudden motion, crossing his arms in front of his chest before looking me up and down intently.

"What could be in there that you come back here at least four times a week?" He repeated his initial question, altering it a little in hopes this time, it would give him an answer.

"Are you watching me, Malfoy?" I smirked, amusement lacing my voice just as it did his.

A singular laugh of his filled the otherwise empty corridor for a moment before shaking his head.

"Always," He shrugged casually, swiftly moving onto his next sentence; leaving me and the butterflies in my stomach wondering if he truly was. "All I can say is, the last time I spent as much time in the room of requirements, it didn't end well."

His demeanour turned serious, and I swallowed thickly at the events he referenced.

"You ought to tell no one," Dumbledore had said. And I knew it wasn't something I could simply not listen to.

In all honesty, I wanted nothing more than to talk to Draco about all of it. Let it all out, ask for advice, and have someone to vent to instead of having to bottle all of it up.

Did Dumbledore ever think of that? That the burden of this in a time of inaction was simply too heavy to handle all on my own?

I sighed in defeat at my own thoughts, shaking my head in an attempt to rid myself of them.

"I come here to clear my head," I mumbled honestly, knowing I couldn't, and more importantly, didn't want to lie to him.

He thought for a moment, seemingly trying to figure out whether I was telling the truth. As his demeanour softened, I came to the conclusion he did believe me, and a sad smile found its way to his lips just like it did to mine.

"What is it you're breaking your little head about?" He asked, tilting his head before opening his arms in a welcoming manner; inviting me.

And it wasn't a second later that I found myself in his arms, my head pressing against his chest while my own arms tightly wrapped around his torso.

For a moment I lost myself in the warm and comforting feeling, knowing it's all I've really needed to truly calm down. But then, when it settled in, I quickly brought a considerable amount of distance between us.

My gaze hastily flickered through the corridors, checking whether anyone was around to see us so comfortable with each other when that's the last thing we should be.

"Not here," I sighed in defeat, and he seemed to understand as his eyes fell behind me. When I turned to follow his gaze, I was surprised to see the door leading to the room of requirements still there.

Usually, it disappeared as soon as I closed the door behind me. But that obviously wasn't the case now.

When Draco went to walk around me, reaching for the doorknob, I already came up with at least ten excuses on why on earth I required a Pensieve, of all things.

None of them were satisfactory, really.

Though, when the door opened, it was something completely different I laid my eyes on.

Gone were the marbles floors, and walls, and ceilings. The pillars and columns that had decorated the centre of the room.

Instead, the room was a little smaller now; wooden floors with black and white, fluffy carpets scattered around it. There was a single, small table in one of the corners. One of those you played chess on.

I furrowed my brows, my eyes continuing to scan every detail. The lighting was dimmer, illuminating the room in a soft orange from the fireplace, and the numerous torches on the walls.

And right there, in front of the fireplace, a dark green sofa. One so big and cosy-looking, every fibre of my being wanted nothing more than to curl up on it.

Grey and white pillows were spread all over it, thin blankets decorating it even further.

"It's charming," Draco broke the silence softly, probably having an entirely different memory of what it looked like.

"But it's not mine." Stepping further into the room, he closed the door behind us before his eyes met mine, a hint of confusion at my previous statement in them.

If this wasn't what I required, and Draco was the only other person here, what was it that he required? I scanned the room once more in hope for an answer.

Was it comfort, perhaps?

"Oh," He simply stated, my gaze falling back on him just as he shook his head to rid himself of his own thoughts. "Well, let's not have that stop us," He murmured, moving towards the couch and letting himself fall on it.

He patted the space next to him, and I followed his invitation promptly.

And then, just like he did before, he opened his arms for me to bury my head in his chest. And I did just as quickly as last time.

With time, I ended up with my back against his chest and his arms wrapped around my body tightly from behind. I watched the fire intently, enjoying the way Draco's even breaths tickled my neck in the most enjoyable way.

"There's something you're not telling me," He sighed softly into the crook of my neck, his eyes closed when I turned to look at him. I turned back.

"Hm?"

"You don't just come here to clear your head. The room doesn't open up for every person who just overthinks a lot," He stated, his voice neither demanding nor angry.

He seemed completely relaxed, serene even. And then an amused huff left his lips. "If that were the case, it would stand wide open for every student at Hogwarts."

"Well, it's what I come here for now," I mumbled, reassuring to him what was the actual truth.

"And what was the reason it initially let you in?"

"I can't say." Merlin, how I wish I could. He had no idea.

He sighed. "I didn't know we were keeping secrets from each other?"

"This one is not mine to tell. Not yet."

A/N: what the fuck thank you so much for 9 million reads ??? You guys are insane it feels like yesterday that I thanked you for 8 million???

The growth is intimidating tbh lol, but I hope I satisfy all of yall with the content <3

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See you tomorrow!