It’s well past midnight in the Slytherin dorms, the stone walls humming faintly with the enchantments that keep the cold at bay. The fire in the common room had long since died out, but Draco’s bed is still warm from where he’s been tossing and turning for the better part of an hour. Sleep doesn’t come easy these days, not with everything happening outside Hogwarts, not with everything he’s expected to become.

The dorm is quiet when the door creaks open softly. He tenses out of habit, wand close at hand, until he sees you step in, wrapped in your blanket, hair messy and eyes tired.

He doesn’t say anything at first. He just watches you cross the room, silently climb into his bed like it’s the most natural thing in the world. You don’t say anything either. You just snuggle up behind him, your arms wrapping around his waist like a lifeline. Your cheek rests gently against his back.

Draco grunts at the sudden weight and warmth, but he doesn’t pull away. If anything, his hand immediately finds yours, fingers intertwining without thought. He shifts slightly, glancing at you over his shoulder.

“Everything okay?” he murmurs, voice rough from exhaustion and emotion he never quite learned to name.

“Just couldn’t sleep,” you whisper, almost like an apology.

Draco is quiet for a beat, then turns fully to face you. He pulls you close without hesitation, wrapping an arm around your waist and pressing a kiss to your forehead, soft, tender, like he’s afraid you might disappear if he blinks.

“Me either,” he says quietly, brushing a thumb against your cheek. “Let’s try again together, hm?”

You nod, already melting into him. You tuck your head into the crook of his neck, where his heartbeat is steady and real and safe. His scent, clean, a little sharp, like mint and expensive soap, is enough to ground you.

Draco holds you like something precious. And as your breathing slows, syncing with his, you finally start to drift off—to the sound of his soft sighs and the way his hand never stops tracing gentle circles on your back.

Sleep comes easier when he’s holding you like this. When he’s letting himself be held, too.