Title: Solus
Author: UrumiChan24
Pairings: Draco/Harry, Ron/Hermione (in the background)
Warnings: for now-none, later-language, some violence maybe even mentions of rape, aside from that beware of my bad english (I'm a Polish girl btw xP) and punctuation errors (I'm not sure if there is ANY interpunction at all ;3)
Summary: Voldemort's flooding Harry's mind with unsettling dreams making him feel that he's left alone by everyone and send's one of his man to take adventage of boy's loneliness and make him join the Dark Lord.
A/N: Crappy summary and all, I know, but I'm posting it ONLY to see if it's worth publishing for others to read or I should keep it hidden in the darkest corner of mah laptop and write it only for pleasure of writing (and getting the ideas out of my head :3) it's not even a full chapter yet so... yeah, If U stumble upon this piece of crap and care to read tell me what U think and I may (or may not) keep working on it.
„Everything's clear?" Cold voice resounded through the hall as equally cold eyes stared at the man kneeling before him.
„Yes, my Lord. Everything will go as planned. I, myself, will see to it." Man bowed obediently.
„Excellent. Soon you'll be mine, finally mine." Bone chilling laughter echoed in the chamber making the man on the floor shiver. „And you know who will be punished if you fail. Right Lucius?" He hesitated for a moment then nodded, not daring to look up.
„Yes, my Lord." Blond repeated bowing his head even lower, praying for this meeting to finally end.
„Then I hope you will try your best to make this plan a successful one. You can go now Lucius." Red eyes shot him one last glance before moving over to a huge snake laying by his bare feet in some creepy parody of a dog. „Soon Nagini." He hissed, almost lovingly, hearing a quiet *pop* signaling Malfoy's deportation. „Soon Harry Potter will be finally ours." He petted huge head of his snake smiling to himself.
X X X X X
„Harry, we're here already. Wake up." Hermione's voice brought him back from his light nap; he didn't even noticed when he dozed off. „You okay? You're awfully pale." Girl touched his forehead with her hand and looked at him worriedly.
„I'm fine, just tired. I couldn't sleep that's all." He smiled weakly at her, got up and left their compartment. The fact was he wasn't all right at all. He felt weak, his head hurt and he felt like puking. He had nightmares every night and even during the day when he was trying to take a nap.
It was always the same dream, same thing happening over and over again; he was all alone, everyone left him and Voldemort finally got him, tortured and killed in the end in a very slow and painful way. But he wasn't scared of pain or death itself, no, he was all by himself, everyone just turned their back on him and walked away, not caring about him.
That's what terrified him the most.
„What's up mate?" Ron's voice was too, a little worried. Do I really look that bad, brunet thought.
„Tired." He answered truthfully.
„Oh, okay then." He seemed relieved. „Hermione told me there was something wrong with you. She's overreacting as always, eh?" Redhead laughed and gave him, what seemed like, a light friendly punch in the arm. Seemed 'cause brunette went stumbling backwards and bumped into someone walking behind them, almost falling down. However, instead of cold stone he felt a pair of warm arms wrapped around his waist and helping him back up.
„Sorry and thanks." He mumbled inaudibly trying to control his spinning vision. He slowly turned around and almost fell again. He was staring into silvery cold eyes of his enemy of over six years.
„Stay away from him Malfoy!" Ron's angry shout came from behind him before he even thought about opening his own mouth. Slytherin looked at Weasley, who was ready to pounce at him and beat him to a bloody pulp.
„Calm down Weasel." His always present smirk crept onto his thin lips, working on Weasley worse than red on a bull.
„Why you-"
„I'm not speaking with you, so piss off." Malfoy said calmly looking back at Harry,smirk suddenly fading away. „You okay, Potter?" His voice was... kinda caring? Gryffindor was now completely confused. Malfoy was worried? Worried about someone other than his selfish, narcissistic self? Worried about HARRY POTTER? Malfoy? The end of the world was nearing.
„I'm... fine?" He replied hesitantly, taking a step away from the blond, ready for some kind of trap prepared for him to fall into and humiliate himself. But nothing happened, what confused him even more. Young Slytherin came up to him and looked him straight in the eyes.
„Be careful, okay? Potter." He felt weird chill run down his spine at the tone of his voice. It sounded almost affectionate. He felt REALLY dizzy now and to make things worse blond boy, while walking away, lightly brushed brunette's cheek with his fingers.
„What the BLOODY hell was that?" He heard Ron's voice as if it was coming from behind some fog or something. He was completely dumbfounded, rooted to the ground, not able to say anything. What, indeed, the FUCK was that supposed to mean? If it was some kind of joke then Harry was SO not laughing. Stupid prick! Making fun of him like that! He had two girlfriends and neither of those relationships worked out but it didn't mean that he, Harry was gay!
Because that's what it was all about, right? His face was all red from anger... and embarrassment.
„Harry? You okay?" Hermione squeezed his arm lightly trying to catch his attention. „Don't bother with it Harry, it was a stupid joke. And completely distasteful at that. Stupid idiot, behaving like a brat. It's not going to work if he acts that way." She mumbled to herself, confusing the poor Wonder Boy even more and almost dragging him into the castle. „Come on Harry. Feast will begin in a moment. You have to eat something, you look like a corpse." She nagged while still pulling him by the arm.
Brunet however was deep in thoughts, not listening to her at all. What if he really was gay? And that's why it never worked out between him and Cho and later with Ginny? That would explain his lack of interest in girls and dates and... other things. He blushed at the thought. Every time Ginny was trying to go any further with him than just a kiss he would back out immediately. He felt uncomfortable with her being so close to him, kissing and touching him in ways no one ever did. And that's what freaked him out! When Malfoy touched him it wasn't unpleasant at all just the opposite; it felt nice and warm (even though it was barely a brush of fingers).
„Harry!" Ron almost shouted at him, breaking his train of thought. „Eat. Or Hermione will bite your head off. And then mine for not making you eat." Redhead whispered to him and stared at him expectantly pointing at his plate, now full of food.
„Sorry. I'll eat so don't worry about your head." He smiled and dug in. Maybe he was reading too much into it, it really was only a stupid joke and nothing else. He busied himself with his food and conversations with his friends, throwing all thoughts regarding Malfoy out of his head and trying to enjoy himself.
X X X X X
It was dark everywhere, darkness all around him. Everyone left him again. Soon there will be a cold, pale, thin hand reaching for him from that darkness. Reaching for him, closing around his throat in steel grip, chocking him, killing him slowly. He'll wake up soon, barely suppressing chocked scream from leaving his mouth, almost crying, cold sweat making him shiver all over.
He waited terrified as nothing happened. Something was different, only he didn't know if it was good or a bad kind of different.
Finally he saw it.
Pale hand with long slender fingers reaching to him. He gulped, reading himself for what was to come next and almost jumped in surprise when it gently took hold of his hand. Fingers delicately wrapping around his own digits. Weird, he thought, that hand was soft and warm, lightly squeezing his own as if trying to tell him that everything's fine, that he's safe. And he really did feel safe; he felt calm and at peace, felt he wasn't all alone anymore, that there was someone willing to help him and take care of him.
He could fall back into peaceful dreaming again.
Only who was that? That touch felt so familiar.
X X X X X
„Harry!" He turned unconscious gaze at Hermione who was terrified, staring at his left hand. He looked down himself and saw that his finger was bleeding. Hard. It seemed that instead of dried root he was cutting for their potion, he tried to cut his own finger. „What are you doing spacing out like that? You could hurt yourself really badly!" She nagged not caring about all the students and Snape staring at them.
„What is all that yapping about, Granger?" Cold as always voice of their professor reminded them that they were in the middle of their class. Hermione instantly regained her I-Know-Everything pose and looked at him.
„Professor, Harry's hurt." She announced in an important tone.
„Maybe if he tried harder to use some of his remaining brain cell's and paying more attention to what other's are saying about sharp knives instead of flying somewhere above Quiditch pitch, he would be still in one piece." He whispered venomously, making couple of Slytherins to giggle and Gryffindors to look at him with murder written all over their faces. „Malfoy. You seem to be finished. Take Potter here, to the hospital wing and stay with him until he feels better. I told you to be careful with that root." He spat, his glare never leaving Harry's face. „I'll let professor McGonagall know why you're absent."
Blond only nodded. Grabbing his and Harry's bag - and Harry himself by the arm – they hurriedly left the classroom, leaving whole room of students gaping after them in confusion. Malfoy helping Potter, without a word of protest?
X X X X X
Harry felt he was being dragged through corridors by someone but his mind was too foggy to recognize who it was.
„Where are we going?" He mumbled, suddenly feeling weak in the knees.
„To the hospital wing." Someone replied. Now he barely saw anything, he was so tired, so sleepy. „Come on. I'm not going to carry you there." He felt warm hand slipping into his own and giving him a light tug. He knew that warmth, knew that touch, knew that soft palm. He knew it for sure but Harry wasn't given much time to ponder over it 'cause the next thing he knew was that he was gently pushed down onto soft mattress and covered with warm blanket making him feel all cozy and sleepy again.
„Okay, Mrs. Pomfrey will come to you soon." Draco prepared himself to leave when brunette grabbed his wrist.
„Don't leave." Harry murmured inaudibly, slowly starting to doze off. „Don't leave... me." He breathed and closed his eyes, fast asleep, with his fingers still wrapped around other's wrist.
Even though the grip on Draco's hand was loose enough for him to easily slip away from it he didn't do it and smiled instead. Okay maybe it wasn't a normal smile – more like satisfied smirk – but smile nevertheless.
He brought one of the stools closer to brunette's bed and seizing his hand again, sat down making himself comfortable.
Madam Pomfrey, who just came back from back room with some potion in hand, was met with strange but oh so heartwarming scene of Draco Malfoy sitting next to sleeping Harry Potter, holding his hand and looking at his sleeping face with small smile wandering on his lips.
X X X X X
„... the hell are you doing here?"
„I was told to... "
„... that doesn't mean you..."
„Do us a favor and shut up Weasel. You'll wake him up."
„Too late." They heard brunet' hoarse voice. He was already wide awake; someone woke him up. He stared annoyed at three blurry silhouette's.
„Told you."
„Shut up Malfoy! Stupid ferret. I bet you were plotting against Harry again. Good thing we came to see him." Redhead kept yelling at blond and murmuring to himself in turns. Ron was pissed, Harry thought in amusement. But wait, did he said Malfoy? What was that git doing here?
He reached for his glasses (trying to remember when he took them off and if it was even him who took them off) and sat straight in his bed.
„What is Malfoy doing here?" He asked his friends, still a little sleepy, completely ignoring the Slytherin.
„That's what we were trying to ask him before Ronald here, almost jumped at him ready to punch him in the face." Hermione stated calmly already sitting at the foot of Harry's bed, not bothered in the slightest with blond's presence. She smiled at him. „You feeling better?" Harry smiled back at her but wasn't able to reply.
„I told you already." Malfoy hissed exasperatedly, rubbing his temples furiously trying to prevent upcoming headache. „I was told to take him to hospital wing - which I did as you can see. Then I wanted to leave when he was safely tucked in his bed, but he grabbed my hand and refused to let go. Besides I was asked to stay with him until he felt better." He explained trying hard to keep his cool, but just one glance at that red mop of hair and freckled face drove him mad.
„Yeah right. Like Harry would ever EVER touch a stinky, snobby, bleached scumbag like you. Not by his own free will." Weasley sounded so confident it almost hurt.
„I already told you." Blond squeezed through his gritted teeth. „He was already asleep at the time and I didn't had much choice so I sat here and waited."
„But of course Malfoy." Ron said mockingly. „You couldn't just take your manicured hand away from him, right? What? You were worried about him waking up?" Again that mocking tone. Malfoy only took a quick glance at Harry, who was very amused with the whole scene, and mumbled.
„Yeah. Actually that's exactly why I stayed with him. Besides he looked more at peace when he held my hand." Despite his cheeks slowly turning pink (such an un-Malfoyish action) he stood straight, head high and chest pushed proudly forward. „ And cute." He added quietly, gaze dropping. Harry's smile faded immediately and now he looked like he was hit in the face with some wet, dirty rag.
Ron was the one to break the awkward silence that fell in the room. „That's bloody nasty!" He shouted staring at the blond with utmost disgust. „You're – OW! 'Mione! What was that for?" Ron whined and looked at Hermione, who was now retrieving her hand after smacking red head's head. Hard.
„Just shut up already, okay? Stop accusing Malfoy about everything bad that happens to Harry. It's clear that he's not going to hurt him. Right?" Her expression went from annoyed to slightly playful as she looked at Draco with knowing look on her face.
„Yes..." Slytherin nodded eagerly, thinking that THAT girl was scary. She gave him an approving nod and smiled widely. Did she know something?
Ron only stared between them, completely clueless. Harry himself was feeling more and more confused as well. What was it all about? World went mad while he was sleeping? Or maybe HE was mad?
„Hey! You know something! Right? You know something and you're not telling me!" Ron was back with his yelling and he obviously demanded explanations. „He's a freakin' ferret 'Mione! It's obvious he's planning something."
„Oh shut up!" Girl grabbed him by his tie and pulled him down for a heated kiss. When they parted red head was also red faced and he looked like some nasty curse hit him, straight in the face.
„Um... Hermione?" Harry finally found his voice. He still wasn't sure what was going on around him today. „Is he still alive?" He asked unsure, pointing at his still petrified friend afraid that he might stopped breathing.
„Don't worry. At least he's shut up." Hermione stuck her tongue at the brunet and almost dragged poor Weasley out of the room, murmuring to herself. „I always wanted to do it."
Harry burst into giggles when he heard her.
„Well, that was quiet unexpected." Malfoy's voice surprised him, making him jump on his bed. Shit! He was still here?
„Uh... Malfoy?" He began uncertain. „You can go too."
He felt uncomfortable in Slytherin's presence after the thing at the station but now, after what he said couple of minutes ago, he felt just... endangered. What if he was serious? And he's going to try hitting on him or something? He gulped nervously; just thinking about it made him shiver. He and another guy? He and MALFOY? Yeah right, he wouldn't allow it even after his dead body.
„I guess." Blond looked at him like abandoned puppy and his voice seemed so dejected. Harry felt himself blush involuntarily; Malfoy looked so pitiful... and cute? „Bye then. See you." Blond kinda waved at him and very slowly left, like he was hoping for Harry to maybe stop him.
„What. The. Heck." Brunet mumbled to himself tiredly, covering his face with his hands, feeling his cheeks still burning lightly. He threw himself back onto soft pillow, wishing for nothing else than a long, hard sleep to come. „This day is completely fucked up." He murmured, slowly dozing off and finally falling back to sleep, haunted by unsettling dreams of pale hands, cold voices and him yearning to feel that warm touch.
X X X X X
A/N: Okay, so I changed a little in this chapter (not much though) and it's a little longer than it was so it's kinda finished (finally). Since I don't have internet at my grandma's place (where I'm currently staying and helping her) and I don't really have time to write (or strenght and will after all the house choirs and running errands) so I don't know when the 2nd chappy will be out, sorry. I only know that the second part is already finished and now I'm trying to write 3rd chapter so... Yeah wish me luck xPPP
