Why Do You Even Care?
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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Seriously if I did, Harry and Draco would have had a hot and steamy sexual situation. It would be great…
All right Chapter 2. Yah! Don't really have much to say other than thanks for the feedback last chapter. Well, enjoy!
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Chapter 2
Draco's POV
I can't breathe well, but I'm almost there, Diagon ally. Of coarse, I couldn't go the nicer part, I had to hide. My weak body is failing me and I can barely keep my grip on the broom. I began to drift down and into the middle of an empty street until I felt my feet firmly land on the ground. I leaned up against a wall, waiting for the dizziness to pass.
It seemed to subside a little so I took that opportunity to pull out my wand and heal some of my wounds. I muttered a couple spells from various levels since I was an expert at healing charms, but in my condition and mere fact that doing on myself, it only seemed to cease most of the bleeding. My vision was getting worse and if I didn't get somewhere fast, I was going to pass out here and now.
Somehow, and I can't even fathom how, an Inn came into view. It was called 'Black Cat Inn'. Oh how original...it must have excellent service. But, it was my only option and it was all I had the energy to find. I reached for the door, and struggled to open it, but I saw the candle lit room and I was relieved. I limped, using my broom as support, up to an old, plump man reading the daily prophet from that morning. It must have been around 5am by now. It did take me awhile to finally get here; I barely got my broom to stay in the air as long as I did.
"Can I… get a room?" I rasped out.
He put down his paper; crinkling it in the process, as he settled his dark brown eyes on my features. I watched as his eyes grew in circumference…I bet I looked like hell.
"Yeah…uh…sure." He paused. "Ar' ya okay?"
"I'm fine."
"What's yer' name boy?" I placed more money up on the table than was needed for a nights stay.
"Don't ask questions." I said bluntly. Money was an international language, and I spoke it well.
The man nodded and walked me to my room. I feebly followed behind him, and he even opened the door for me. Thank Salazar it was on the first level. I nodded to him, and then put a locking charm on right as the door clicked. As I collapsed on the bed, I let my anxiety on the matter flow out with each breath, whilst letting my weariness take hold of my body.
My eyes were so heavy.
Part of me wished to simply fall asleep and not wake up. The hopeful side of me looked over each wound and picked at it a bit, secretly begging for blood flow. Maybe I would just accidentally die. But, that left the option that if I lived then what? Continue on with my life as though nothing happened?
Actually, even if I convinced myself otherwise, that's how it would be for me.
I took the risk; my eyes closing; the dim colors of the bed swirling until everything was dark, and the sounds followed suit. Then my mind was forgotten and my breathing slowed. I let myself fall asleep.
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The next morning my eyes fluttered open, the bright light of the sun beamed at me, mockingly. I glared back, but it just ended up hurting my eyes. A lot of good that did.
It seemed I lived to see another day…wasn't quite sure if I was happy about it or not. I felt so sore, my body seemed ached in places I didn't know could. I knew today wasn't going to be a great day. And, my first mistake was to try and move. I knew I had to, but every time I even moved and inch my body stung sending shock waves of pain up my slender arms and down to my legs.
Excruciatingly slowly, I moved over to the mirror. Probably mistake number two. I was so mangled. I didn't have too many swollen parts, they must have settled, my healing charm may have helped that too. I was just so multi-colored. I looked like a fucking rainbow. Anger rose as I thought of my father, images from the night before still running through my head. I hated him so much.
I glanced over to the clock and it read 10am…did I really only get five hours of sleep? It felt longer. I looked and saw the paper sitting on the dresser by my bed. I casually looked it over…until a saw the date.
"Oh shit!" I cursed allowed. I had slept all day yesterday and through the night into this morning. I had less than an hour to get to the train. "Shit!"
I didn't even have time to take a shower, nor change clothes…not that the last one really was an option. I had no clothes to change into. But, I did have a long cloak with a hood. I guess it would have to do. Now I had to find some Floo Powder. And fast. Maybe that guy by the desk had some; most every wizard or witch had some. I gathered my few things that I had in my small bag containing the remainder of my money, my lighter, one pack of drags, my daggers and 'cookie cutters'. I guess it wasn't the best supplies, but it's what I had. I'd have all my stuff once I reached Hogwarts.
I walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me. Following the same path I had as I came, I found the same small desk with the same man from when I first checked in. He looked at me; a small smile appeared through his rough features. " Ar' ya doing better boy?"
I didn't answer and he only nodded in response. "I was wondering…do you have any Floo Powder? I'm going to be late for my train to school. I'll pay you with the rest of my mon…"
"I knew you were young…still in school." He cut me off. "I don't want yer' money boy." He went to the back; I heard rummaging going on. I checked the clock by the door. 10:22 am. I was starting to panic a bit, but I told myself I still had some time.
While he was back there I threw on my ankle length, hooded cloak and stuck my hand in my pocket, but I was surprised to feel something in them. There was the money that I had bribed the man behind the desk with; I must not have felt him slip them into my coat pocket. He came back out with a small jar filled with floo powder. "Here. Take some, there's a lit fire ovr' there. Go before you're late."
"Umm…er…" I looked at him in a funny way. I wasn't used to such kindness, nor was I used to thanking people.
He could tell I was in a sort of in shock. "No need ta' thank me…ya only got about twenty minutes." I nodded faintly and went into the other room.
Salazar I was still in so much pain. I threw the powder in my hand into the fire and watched it turn the familiar green. "Hogwarts Express station!" I yelled as I stepped into the fire. The beautiful green engulfed my body, making me feel warm, but ignited every wound one my body like it was on fire. And shamefully I kind of liked it. Ungracefully, I fell out landing on my face. I glanced around, and saw that I was in the fireplace closest to the train's station. It took me a minute but finally I got to my knees and then to my feet.
I walked out of the building and saw the big, unmistakable Hogwarts Express. I glanced up at the clock and saw that it was now 10:45am. I was relieved that I had made it with time to spare. I quickly put up my hood, covering my clothes as well, before somebody could recognize me. I stepped onto the train and found a compartment on the end, purposely avoiding the regular compartments that a lot of the Slytherins went into. This particular one was empty, and hopefully it would stay that way.
I relaxed my head onto my drawn up knees, keeping my hood over my face and clothes. A cloak like this would be regularly worn over outfits…all I had to do is keep it closed until I got up to my room. But I didn't know what to do about the opening ceremony. I would have to put down my hood then. I'd just skip and listen in for the someone to say the password. I would wait until everyone was in and then go myself, avoiding and blowing off anyone that I crossed. It better work…
Nobody can find out.
"Last call for the train!" I heard some anonymous person call, taking me out of my daze. I prayed no one would sit in here; I wasn't exactly in the mood for company.
Everyone boarded and the train took off. I could here people finding compartments and luckily for me nobody came to mine.
---------- Normal POV
About ten minutes passed and Draco was still alone. He figured it would stay that way, until he heard the familiar creak of the compartment door opening up. There stood none other then Harry Potter.
"Uh…hi." Harry stated plainly, trying to peer under the hood.
Draco merely held his face closer to his knees. Harry sat down on the opposite side of the mystery person and he fidgeted a bit. "Who are you?" He finally asked.
Draco sighed and finally let his voice be known. "Leave me alone Potter, I'm not particularly in the mood." Surprisingly, his tone as sharp as usual.
"Malfoy? Why aren't you with you're friends? Have they finally ditched you?" Harry stated with a smirk.
"The same could be said for you."
Harry groaned. "No actually they started snogging while I was there. Rather disgusting sight. So out of boredom and a sickening feeling I got up and left." He paused for a moment and wondered. "So, oh mighty one, why aren't you really with you're friends? And why are you hiding under that cloak, you're ugly, but you won't burn my eyes."
Draco didn't feel like being messed with. He couldn't even get mad at his rival. "Please, not now Harry, just leave me alone."
Harry flinched at the sound of his name out of his mouth. It was so strange hearing it from him.
"You said please…and my name!" Draco thought about it, and he guessed he had. He just didn't care. "What's wrong with you Malfoy?"
"Nothing." The Slytherin replied abruptly as he reached for his small bag. He pulled out his lighter and a cigarette; lighting it with his favorite lighter and placing it in his mouth. His memory shot back to when his father lit the candle. He could still feel the pain as he had poured the wax in his cuts.
"You really shouldn't smoke." Harry said making a face, though he couldn't deny he loved the smell of them.1
Draco pulled the drag out of his mouth; blowing out the smoke lingering in his lungs. "Thanks, mum, I'll keep that in mind." He murmured, but even it was a sad, pathetic attempt to regain his appearance as a Malfoy.
Harry only smirked and finally asking a question to him once more. "Why are you hiding under that thing, anyway?"
Draco didn't answer for a minute but finally let a lie flow out. "I'm not hiding, I'm just cold." For a while the two sat in silence, not bothering each other. Until Harry check his watch and they would be there soon. He quickly changed into his uniform not caring if Malfoy was there.
Once he finished he went over to his rival. "Hey Malfoy are you up? You'd better put on your uniform, we're going to be there soon." But it seemed the Slytherin had fallen asleep. Harry walked over to Draco to wake him, but as he got closer to him curiosity got the best of him. The dark-haired male hesitantly pulled down Draco's hood.
It was like a horror film. He looked so bad that there was no way it could possibly be real. Especially to Malfoy! He was praised with money and followers!
The light-haired teen's black makeup was running down his face. Small, scratched in cuts were there, along with bruises galore. It was so horrifically unreal.
"No...no…no…stop." The teen suddenly mumbled in his sleep. Harry stared down at his unpleasantly scrunched up face. Wanting to see if he was alright, Harry let his hand creep closer until the Slytherin shot out of his seat; eyes wide with fear.
Draco didn't know what to do. He had seen him, he was seeing him.
What should I do? Draco thought.
Harry took in all of the eccentric and unexpected attributes of his rival. Black netting with a tight shirt over it and pants with chains and zippers on them. A spiked collar around his neck and random rings dressing his fingers. Last but not least, a piercing on his right ear. It came as a shock to Harry, he didn't think Draco dressed that way. In contrast to all the black, he looked even paler than usual, but it was almost sickly how skinny he was. Had he always been that skinny?
Draco quickly went to grab his cloak when suddenly Harry pulled it out of his hand and put it behind him. The teen was too weak to even have a chance to Harry's normal strength.
"What happened to you Draco?" He asked.
He didn't reply, only looked down as his feet. He could see his bruises on his hands, and felt the stinging pain course through his body. Draco held up his head defiantly and gazed into his rival's eyes.
Harry lost his capability to breathe. He had looked into the Slytherin's eyes before, but they were never like this…never this dark. Never this dull. His once mercury colored eyes used to sparkle at least a little through his glares. They had a sense of pride to them, smug and superior as they may be, they at least had life.
"Draco…what happened?"
"Stop asking me that! Just stop it!" He yelled as he quickly walked past to get his cloak. Harry surprisingly let him. He was at a loss of words, not sure of what to think happened. Maybe it was nothing, maybe Draco just got in a fight that he was no match for.
Draco draped and tied the cloak around his neck. He let his head raise to stare at his counterparts. "Why do you even care anyway?" Not waiting for an answer, Draco flipped up his hood and left the compartment.
Harry felt the train come to a stop and the door opened up. He grabbed what he had and left the compartment. Down the strip of the hall, he saw Hermione and Ron coming towards him.
"Hey Harry we're sorry, really." Harry ignored them…he didn't even hear them truthfully. The Gryffindor watched the cloaked figure walk until he was out of sight. What had happened to Malfoy…and why did he care?
I must be imagining things. It was only a stupid fight I know it…I don't care what happened to the stuck up prat. I hope it hurt when he lost in that fight. He thought arrogantly.
"Harry…?" Ron asked his best friend.
" Hmmm?" Harry replied, not really paying attention to them. Finally Harry sighed and looked at his friends with a smile. "Let's go." They exited the train and headed on in to Hogwarts.
Why can't I get this sickening gut feeling that it isn't what it seems?
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Well, that was Chapter 2. Hope you liked it. I hope I'm not moving the story too fast. I like SOME suspense. Well review, they make me happy and keep me going! They get me to write faster. Review or I'll send the purple people eaters on you!!! I bought them on Ebay! sticks out tongue
Suraka-chan
