zebiks.cc 
Potter pressed his lips together as they walked outside. At least he had the sense to look guilty.
“Is the building under a Concealment Charm?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.
“The whole premises. And they added a Muggle-Repelling Charm.”
“Yeah…Kinda risky, running a magical school in the city, isn’t it?”
Draco shrugged. “There are several others in the countryside, but it would have been a pain in the arse for the families who live here, especially the Muggle-born children, since this isn’t a boarding school. What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing,” Potter said hastily. It was obvious he wanted to comment on the fact that Draco was working with people he had once resented, calling them names and whatnot. “How did you find this place? And how did they let—um…”
“What, let me work with children? You can say it.”
Potter looked uncomfortable but he slowly nodded.
“It’s a long story,” Draco said evasively. He didn’t feel like explaining everything in detail. But he knew he had to tell Potter something. “I guess…I don’t want others to repeat my mistakes.”
Potter halted, frowning at him. “Draco—”
“Let’s not get into that,” Draco said, waving a dismissive hand in the air. “All I’m saying is…children like you or me only know what their parents, um, or guardians taught them until they arrive at Hogwarts. I know from first-hand experience how that can turn into a problem. We can’t eradicate prejudices or idiocy, but we can teach children to be more open-minded.” He tried to appear as nonchalant as possible while Potter kept staring at him. “It’s pretty simple,” Draco continued, mostly to fill the awkward silence. “Basically, Muggle- borns learn about magic before they come to Hogwarts and pure-bloods learn more about Muggles. Most importantly, they do it together.”
“But most Muggle-borns don’t know they have magic. I only found out I’m a wizard when I got my letter from Hogwarts,” Potter said.
“The Ministry has created a special department for that,” Draco explained. “Magic is traceable, even in a child who hasn’t used it yet.”
“So…what, there are Ministry workers running around the country, casting spells on children to see if they’re a wizard or a witch?” Potter asked, raising an eyebrow.
“We’re…working on that,” Draco said.
A flicker of amusement crossed Potter’s face as he finally resumed walking.
“Wow, I’m kinda speechless,” he murmured. “I had no idea you were so…”
“So what?”
“Compassionate.”
“This has nothing to do with compassion, Potter,” Draco said, wrinkling his nose.
“Well, but I can tell this means a lot to you.”
Draco said nothing. It did mean a lot to him and it was such a strange feeling to be sharing it with Potter.
“Thanks for showing me,” Potter said. Draco made a non-committal sound. “I, um, I have a confession to make.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, um…I sneaked inside when you showed Luna around and one of the teachers showed me something.”
Draco’s heart jumped. Oh no, what had Potter seen?
“She thought I might want to know that my money is being put to good use.”
Oh bugger.
“She showed me some paperwork and I saw how the school is financed.”
Damn it. So much for them keeping their mouths shut under all circumstances.
“You helped organise all those charity galas, didn’t you?”
Draco couldn’t tell if Potter was displeased or not. At least he had only found out part of the truth.
“Maybe,” he said, curtly.
“You only invited me to one gala.” That definitely sounded a little reproachful.
“You don’t like going to events like that,” Draco pointed out.
“Yeah…but still…”
Draco contemplated his options, finally deciding that honesty was probably his best shot. “Okay, look, the thing is…I invited you to that gala to raise more money. I knew if people saw you were coming—”
“So you basically used me,” Potter interrupted him. “To…help children.” Potter pressed his lips together, but, Draco realised, it wasn’t in irritation; it was to keep himself from laughing. “And, err, that’s the only reason you invited me?”
Draco almost tripped over his own feet. “What—What else would there be?”
“Draco,” Potter sighed. “Why can’t you just admit you like me?” Draco froze, his mind going completely blank. Potter seemed to be in a similar state, looking like he was berating himself for what he’d just said. “Um, you know…as a person,” he added quickly.
Draco willed his muscles to relax, forcing his lips into a smirk. “You’re…not horrible.”
“I’ll take it,” Potter said with a grin. “Although…” His grin widened. “You seem to like me enough to tell the kids stories about me.”
Oh no, here we go.
“I tell them stories about me. You just happen to be…a part of that.”
“A big part?”
Oh, that cocky bastard.
“You just have to take the lead in everything, don’t you?”
“That’s not a no,” Potter said, looking smug.
Draco’s mouth twitched, in spite of himself. Damn it! Why was Potter’s smile so infectious?
“I’m glad I came today,” Potter said.
