Harry held his hands up at least trying to defend himself against his Uncle's hammer like fists. It wasn't doing much good but he could at least say he tried. Vernon hit Harry's outstretched arm the wrong way and Harry felt it as the bone shattered. The Raven haired teen tried to step away clutching his arm and Vernon's fist came in contact with his jaw.

Harry fell back against the night stand cracking his head off of it before falling to the floor. He laid there staring blankly at the wood grain of the floor that was slowly staining with the color of his blood as his vision began to swim and the room went dark around him.

When Harry opened his eyes again with a groan he was in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. He smiled sitting up finally Dumbledore had come to his senses and saved him from the Dursley's. He suddenly realized he could see everything perfectly but he wasn't wearing his glasses.

"Madame Pomfrey?" He called out seeing the woman in her office. She didn't seem to hear him so he tried again louder. "Madame Pomfrey?"

Still the nurse didn't hear him so he got slowly to his feet surprised to find himself wearing a black t-shirt and jeans and flip flops of all things. He shook his head going to knock on the office door. She continued sorting through files as if she hadn't heard.

Finally Harry became irritated and opened the door walking up to stand in front of her desk. "Hello?" He waved his hand in front of her face and got no reaction at all. He even went so far as to try and tap her shoulder yanking his hand back like he'd been burned when it went straight through her shoulder.

Harry looked at his hand in bewilderment he looked solid enough but.. He reached out trying to touch the nurse again his hand going straight through her arm.

"I'm in a memory." Harry muttered to the woman who couldn't hear him. "That's got to be it." He began trying to find a newspaper or something that would give him the date. Finding nothing he left the tiny office heading for the headmaster's office. But of course the gargoyles guarding the office couldn't hear him with a frustrated sigh he banged his fist on one of the gargoyles or tried to at least his fist went right through and was followed by the rest of him when he lost his balance and toppled forward onto the revolving stair case. It dumped him at the top and he lay there a moment trying to process what the hell was going on or what kind of insane dream he was having.

Harry sat up when he heard the Headmaster talking.

"How's this Fawkes? It saddens me to welcome you all back with one less amongst you. The loss of Harry Potter is a terrible one let us take a moment to reflect upon this young man." Fawkes interrupted with a squawk and Dumbledore muttered. "Yeah okay you're right."

Harry stopped cold listening to the old man. It sounded like Dumbledore was writing a memorial speech about him. "Ah, the students will be arriving any moment." He chuckled. "Time to head to the great hall."

As the headmaster exited his office Harry entered it determined to get answers he found a newspaper laying on the desk with the date of September first. The day he should be starting sixth year, he shook his head in amazement. He'd been unconscious all summer no wonder Dumbledore had written the speech they all thought he was still out of it.

Because no one could see him, Harry finally admitted defeat having no clue what was going on. He made it to the entryway just as the students began pouring in and stood there yelling at all of them until he was hoarse but still no one took any notice of him.

Harry locked eyes with Draco Malfoy as he entered the building and the blond seemed to panic a moment before shaking his head and walking quickly in the other direction and Harry was fairly certain the Slytherin had seen him.

Harry began to pursue the Malfoy heir through the crowd and had almost caught up to him when Peeves popped up out of nowhere right in front of him. "Well if it isn't wee potty potter." The poltergeist cackled.

"Peeves you can see me?" Harry asked excitedly.

"Well obviously or I wouldn't be talking to you." Peeves blew a raspberry.

"How is it you can see me but they can't?" He pointed at everyone around them that didn't even notice they were there.

"Well of course they can't see you your invisible." Peeves crossed his legs floating upside down with another cackle.

"Then how do you see me and hear me?" Harry demanded getting frustrated.

"Because I'm invisible too." The poltergeist grinned like mad before disappearing.

"Peeves!" Harry shouted. He never thought he would want the poltergeist to stick around until now. He was the only one so far that had been able to see him and communicate with him. Harry kicked at the wall in frustration shouting as his toes made impact with the wall. "Oh now I can touch something." He growled. "And why the bloody hell am I wearing flip flops!" He yelled at no one in particular, not like anyone could see him or hear him anyway. He could probably get away with roaming naked through the hall at dinner.

For a moment he considered it then he stripped off the strange clothes and strolled down the hall in his birthday suit he had to keep checking to make sure it was his body, it was more muscular than he remembered.

With a shrug Harry strolled right into the great hall jumped up onto the teachers table and began doing a model strut down the table like it was his runway. Stopping in front of Dumbledore for a pose before continuing.

Everyone in the room continued eating unaware of his existence, All but one, Draco who was staring at him with his mouth hanging open like a fish out of water. Harry winked blowing him a kiss continuing his stroll down the table.

Pansy reached over gently shaking him. "Dray? What are you staring at?"

Draco shook his head "Nothing just a flash of something. Sorry Pans did you say something?" He asked with a smile.

"You're fiance is glaring at you." She sniffed in distaste glaring right back at Astoria Greengrass. "What did you do to piss her off now?"

Draco gave an innocent smile. "Told her I didn't care if we were married I will not sleep with her." He replied in a sweet voice.

Pansy clapped him on the back laughing. "No wonder she looks so pissed she's been telling everyone in the girls dorms to pass around pictures."

Harry headed back out into the hall putting his clothes back on waiting for Draco, The blond always went to the library after dinner and Harry wanted to catch him alone.

"See you Pansy, You know where to find me." He winked heading off to get a few books before curfew. Harry followed at an easy distance staying hidden until the were in the otherwise empty library. Quickly he close and locked the door behind him.

Draco heard the doors and jumped slightly but ignored the castle's strange ways going in search of books on pureblood law.

Harry walked around the other end of the bookshelf quickly but quietly sneaking up behind the blond he leaned down whispering. "I know you can see me Draco." In his ear.

Draco thanked all of his Slytherin training that he didn't jump or piss himself and raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to scare me Potter?" He asked while still browsing titles.

"No, I just wanted to know if you could really see me." Harry took a step back. "Why are you the only one who can see me?"

"Who knows." Draco smirked. "If you find out could you have it changed? I don't care to have a stalker." He said almost playfully.

"Maybe someone is playing a prank on me." Harry exclaimed grasping at straws.

Draco sighed turning around to face him. "I don't think anyone is playing a prank on you. I think you're a ghost."

"Ha ha funny Malfoy, In order to be a ghost I would have to be ..." Harry trailed off his eyes widening.

"Dead." Draco finished for him. "You died in July. Everyone is ruling it a suicide." He explained pulling an old copy of the daily prophet from his bag showing Harry the front page article.

Harry leaned his head against a bookshelf then slid down to the floor. "He killed me. The bastard killed me." He groaned.

"Who?" Draco asked unable to keep his curiosity out behind his mask.

"My Uncle Vernon," Harry replied absently. "He knocked me into the nightstand. I cracked my head open." He reached back behind his head touching that spot. It was perfectly fine like nothing had ever happened.

"Your Uncle as in the one you live with?" Draco asked surprised. "Your guardians?"

Harry sighed an nodded. "Yeah the one and the same."

"Did he abuse you any other time?" Draco inquired slowly losing grip on the stoney Slytherin mask he always wore so tightly concern for his rival slowly leaking through.

"Starting when I was around four or five all the way to my death." Harry nodded "Anytime I got better grades than my cousin or made a mistake or talked back or if I didn't make their dinner quickly enough."

Draco stared in shock for a moment before wrinkling his nose in thought. "But why didn't you tell Dumbledore? Or one of the teachers? Or even Pomfrey?"

Harry snorted in disgust. "I did I told Pomfrey and showed her and she told Dumbledore but he said I was exaggerating and that a little bit of punishment wasn't a problem if I deserved it." Harry realized he was rambling and snapped his mouth shut.

"That is ridiculous" Draco shook his head. "I was always told you were a spoiled pampered brat,"

"Strange I always thought the same thing about you." Harry scowled crossing his legs with a sigh and found himself floating up off the floor coming face level with the blond.

He gave a shout flailing his arms around which did nothing other than to turn him upside down while still floating. Draco did his best and held it in for as long as he could before he felt like his ribs would crack before he burst into laughter.

"It isn't funny." Harry glared getting himself back up right he reached out trying to push the blonde his hand going straight through Draco's shoulder.

Draco's eyes went wide and he put a hand to his shoulder. "That was weird." He murmured. "Usually when one of the ghosts goes through you it's like a bucket of ice water. That was more like..." He paused unsure of what it had felt like. "Like a static shock or pure magical energy." He finally decided.

"Great so now I'm just a glob of energy that only you can see." Harry sighed stretching out to float on his back. "People are going to think you're crazy if you keep talking to me too you know." He pointed out.

Draco chuckled. "Do you really think I would talk to you in public?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

Harry kept the hurt out of his voice and expression the best he could manage. "No I guess not. Not that that's any different from when I was alive."

Draco smiled softly, "Well that and I would prefer if I were talking to you here and not the crazy ward at Mungo's. Someone has to keep you in check no?" he teased.

"Don't worry about me." Harry sighed dejectedly. "I won't bother you." He righted himself and with some concentration placed his feet on the floor and his hands in his pockets walking with his head down to the library doors.

Draco stared after him for a second debating on letting him go before shaking his head. "Harry wait." He bit his lip. "I'm sorry I'm just a little stressed out over this arranged marriage thing. Nothing she does matters I still can't find a way around it." He sighed.

"Cheat on her." Harry replied turning back but not coming any closer. "Or catch her cheating on you."

Draco snorted. "I would cheat with one person and I doubt he would want me and I've caught her cheating with two different men and sent pictures of it. Didn't matter." he said almost growling before pulling out a bar of muggle dark chocolate.

"Try the one on the top shelf bound in leather the title is worn off but it might help." Harry pointed towards the book he was referring to "it's full of loop holes and things to get around laws and contracts." He still hadn't moved any closer nor was he moving to the door. He wasn't entirely sure which way he wanted to go and had to wonder if that had been what landed him as a ghost in the first place.

Draco nodded heading up the ladder to get the book before looking down at Harry. "Why are you helping me?" he asked.

Harry shrugged finally coming back sitting down on the edge of the table. "Because it felt like the right thing to do, or maybe because you are in the same situation as I was before my untimely death or it could very well just be that I wanted to stare at your arse which I have a very nice view of with you on that ladder." He grinned mischievously what was Draco going to do about it, curse him?

Draco turned bright red and bit his lip. "Hey, if you're going to check it out you've got to be willing to enjoy it." he teased.

"Who said I wasn't enjoying the view?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow stretching out on his back floating again just above the table.

Draco smirked. "Because you haven't made a pass at me yet." He teased.

Harry frowned. "Draco do you really want a ghost, a dead guy. Hitting on you?" He questioned sitting up crossing his legs he rested his elbows on his knees and his chin on his fist giving Draco a calculating look.

Draco's smile turned sad and he looked away. "I would prefer not to think of you as dead." He whispered.

"Yeah that makes two of us." Harry scoffed. "But the reality of the situation is I am. I can't touch you. I can't touch anything." To prove his point Harry floated over to the blond and tried to run his fingers down his jawline. His finger tips slipped through like they weren't even there.

A shiver made its way down Draco's spine and he blushed looking down. "Yeah but I can feel something when you touch me." he spoke softly.

"Really?" Harry asked sadly. "Because I don't feel anything." He moved away quickly back to the table sitting on the edge of it.

Draco smiled softly touching the place where Harry's fingers had lingered still feeling a tingling sensation. "Well maybe we can find a way around that, then you can touch any guy or girl you want." He offered putting his mask back up.

"Well for one girls hold no interest for me, and for two, You've got problems of your own to deal with don't worry about me." Harry sighed. "But it is almost curfew just so you know." He floated back into the air wondering where he might find Peeves and if the poltergeist could help him at least learn how to touch objects.

Draco nodded picking up his books heading out of the library. He stopped and turned back looking at Harry. "If you need a place to sleep there is an extra bed in my room." He blushed slightly. "Odd number of Slytherin's." He shrugged before rushing off.

Harry had to contemplate that for a moment wondering if he could sleep or needed to sleep. After thinking about it a moment he decided it would be an answer he received with time and went to find Peeves.

He located the bizarre little creature in the trophy room drawing obscene pictures on the walls with left over pudding from dinner.

"Potty!" The poltergeist greeted cheerfully. "You've figured it out!" He cackled.

Harry nodded. "Yes and I need your help,"

"My help?" Peeves asked flipping upside down. "Why one earth would you need help from lil ole me?" He asked with a laugh.

Harry rolled his eyes before mimicking Peeves actions flipping upside down crossing his legs. "Because I don't think I'm a normal ghost."

Peeves eyes lit up with joy and he laughed jovially. "Come my dear dear friend. Let me take you under my wing."

Draco pulled the book to his chest as he walked down to the snake pit. He smiled sweetly at Pansy but blared when he saw Astoria hanging all over another snake. He had always hated the slut that she was and could see Daphne was more ashamed then anyone around.

Harry stayed with Peeves for several hours learning what ghosts and poltergeists and other beings of energy but not body could and could not do. He also learned he could touch objects just like peeves but it took serious concentration to do so.

"Okay Casper that's enough for tonight." Peeves blew a raspberry. "If I feel like it I'll show you some more tomorrow night."

Harry rolled his eyes at the new nickname throwing a pebble at the Poltergeists head. He dodged it with a cackle. "I like you much better dead Casper." He stated with a nod of his head before vanishing.

Harry headed down to the Slytherin dorms. He had learned he only needed sleep about once a month and it wasn't so much sleep and recharging the energy which he was made up of, still he had a few other things in mind other than sleep.

Harry started off with Astoria Greengrass wondering how she would react to being encased from the neck down in cherry jello before moving on to a few other select rooms finally heading to Draco's. The brunette sat down on the window seat in the room alternating between watching Draco sleep and staring at the full moon in the sky.

Draco whimpered as the dream started again. He let out a scream when Voldemort walked forward and slowly ran a hand down his chest. He turned away and let out another scream when he was punished in his dream by a Crucio.

Harry jerked his head back to Draco who had begun to thrash in his sheets. He it his lip not entirely sure what to do, He still couldn't touch people. Then what Draco had said in the library hit him. Draco could feel his energy. Harry moved over to sit on the edge of the bed reaching out to trail his hand along Draco's jaw just close enough that his fingertips trailed along the surface of the blonds skin without going through.

Draco shivered as it felt like a wall of safety formed around him and he turned moving closer to the safety. "Are you always going to be here harry?" he asked in his sleep.

Harry bit his lip unsure of how to reply Peeves had said he could be stuck here forever or he could just be waiting for his time to move on to what came after. The poltergeist never really explained the 'what came after.' "For as long as I can." He whispered into Draco's ear.

Draco shivered again and curled up with his pillow pulled close and as close to harry as he could get. "I love you hero." he mumbled in his sleep.

Harry blushed at the words wishing he could have had the information when he was still alive. He made his choice at that moment to keep Draco safe for as long as he was capable of doing so, He laid there next to him watching his deep even breaths until the sun began to peek over the horizon before getting up and pulling the blankets up around Draco's shoulders.

Harry headed out to the gardens plucking a rose from one of the vines and returned to Draco's room with it laying it on the nightstand before going to Astoria's room to watch the fun happen.