Harry silently made his way to the Eight year table head hung low to at least attempt to hide his impressive black eye. The repeat seventh years, or what they called eighth years, all shared one table because there were so few of them. In fact their year only held about Twenty two students, seven Gryffindors, five Slytherins, six Ravenclaws, and four Hufflepuffs. Harry walked over to his usual seat between Draco and Pansy, across from Luna, Neville, and Blaise. Although there had been a significant boost in unity amongst the eighth years Ron still had a distinct dislike of Slytherins, and refused to be near Harry when he interacted with them. Harry was surprised when Hermione, who used to lecture him nonstop about growing up and simply making amends with the Slytherins, decided to stand with Ron on this front.
Blaise looked up upon Harry's approach and leaned over to whisper to Draco "Looks like the weasel's getting a little more forceful with the Chosen one"
Draco looked up following his friend's line of vision and gasped nearly dropping his spoon as he spotted the abused darkened flesh surrounding Harry's eye.
Without saying a word Harry sat down and began sullenly piling food onto his plate in no real mood to eat.
"Good morning Harry" Luna was the first to venture a greeting breaking the stunned and worried silence that surrounded the six. Harry didn't even glance up but murmured something that barely passed as a greeting.
Being able to take no more of this Draco spoke, "Merlin Harry! What the bloody hell happened to your eye."
Harry glared at the blond beside him but it was somewhat lessened in potency by his injured eye.
"Nothing of your concern" Harry murmured a slight edge to his voice that Draco couldn't quite place.
"Look Harry, we decided to drop our stupid feud awhile ago and become friends, as a friend I think I have some right to be concerned about you."
Harry didn't respond but did feel a tiny twinge of happiness at hearing of the other boys concern for him.
"Harry" Pansy ventured slowly not wanting to evoke the wrath of the raven haired boy having felt it before "Did Weasley do this to you?"
Harry flinched at the name but said nothing. The flinch and flash of emotions that quickly went by in Harry's eyes did not go unnoticed by Draco who swore to tear the little shit apart piece by piece if he had done this to Harry, which Draco had little doubt that he did.
"Harry. . . " Neville questioned genuine fear in his eyes as he looked at his friend and then down the table to where Ron was sitting and not so subtlety flirting with Hermione. Harry quickly glanced up and looked to where Neville was staring frowning disapprovingly. Harry suppressed the pain that he knew would show in his emerald eyes and tried to hold back tears of sorrow, pain, betrayal, and frustration he felt well up at the sight of his boyfriend flirting so openly with his other 'friend'. He desperately tried to deny Ron's voice in his mind as he recalled what Ron had said the night before.
'You little shit' Harry bit his lip to hold back a whimper he felt at the cold tone devoid of all emotion save for disgust and hatred. Draco looked at Harry in concern wondering what he was thinking.
'You've always been a freak' Harry wasn't aware of himself shaking his head as he was fighting not to believe the words he had heard many times before.
Harry shivered as he recalled Ron's mirthless chuckle and the enjoyment that had flashed in his icy blue eyes as he had kicked Harry.
Harry winced as he heard Ron's laughter float over to him from somewhere down the table and wondered why that left Ron when he was around Harry. Instead he was replaced with a pitying boyfriend that took it upon himself to rid Harry of his many problems by being cruel and resorting to physical violence.
Harry shuddered and felt sick as he remembered the hand ruthlessly clenching in his hair, yanking him, painfully tossing him into the hard wood of the nightstand and then Ron harshly kicking him in his now sore ribs. Draco continued to watch Harry in concern that was growing at an alarming rate. The blonde knew that he would do just about anything for the dark haired beauty beside him and hated to see him in such obvious distress. He was definitely going to hurt the little weasel later but first he had to help Harry. Before he could do or say anything Seamus came behind Harry and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder to get his attention to ask him something.
Harry, alarmed at the sudden contact as he was lost in his horrifying memories of the night before along with many others that had resulted in injuries that could be better hidden, jumped about a foot in the air.
"Harr-" Seamus began but was quickly cut off.
"So- Sorry Shay I didn't m-mean to startle you. I. . . I gotta go see you later, yeah?" without waiting for an answer Harry got up quickly practically running from the great hall just needing to get away leaving a very worried Draco in his wake.
Pansy gave her friend a knowing look and spoke quietly "Go after him Draco; we wouldn't want you pissing yourself now would we?" Draco gave his friend a thankful look and a weak smile at her attempt at humor during a stressful moment for him and hastily left although somewhat slower than Harry had.
Draco started jogging slightly as he reached the entrance hall looking wildly around for the emerald eyed boy that had captivated his attention since the first day they had met at Madam Malkins, and had since then simply helped only increase his attraction to the Gryffindor.
Draco stopped as he heard what he thought sounded like stifled sobs coming from a classroom two doors down to the left.
Cautiously he opened the abandoned classroom door and peered inside. Looking around carefully he spotted a small figure in the corner sitting atop a desk hunched over. He quietly made his way over and stood before the tearful boy.
"Harry?" Draco questioned.
Harry's head snapped up and he looked to Draco with panic in his eyes. Draco noted in dismay the fear, guilt, and self loathing. Draco swore to Salazar that he would hurt the weasel for this for what seemed like the fifth time that day. Carefully he prodded Harry to scoot over as he sat next to the boy on the desk. He tentatively wrapped an arm around his sobbing frame and pulled him into a gentle embrace. Hesitating momentarily Harry clung on to Draco as the tears continued to flow as if his life depended on it, all the while Draco whispering soothing nothings into his unruly hair.
After about ten minutes Harry sat up rubbing his eyes ashamed of his childish behavior.
"'m sorry" He murmured not meeting Draco's gaze.
"Don't be Harry" Draco said so gently that Harry looked up to meet a love filled gaze.
Not thinking about Ron anymore whatsoever Harry felt drawn toward the blonde boy before him. He relished in the intoxicating smell of him and his eyes took in his angelic face and he didn't even notice himself leaning closer until their faces were mere centimeters apart. Harry felt Draco's breath ghosted over his lips and knew that it would be so easy to have his lips caught by his in a captivating kiss if just one of them leaned a tiny bit closer. Just as they both decided to take a chance and lean in, the door opened to reveal Hermione and Ron. Harry and Draco jumped apart in surprise but were quick to notice the two holding hands.
"Oh! Harry, sorry, why are you in this old room." Hermione inquired equally surprised.
"I, um-" Harry stuttered.
"What exactly were you doing in here with my boyfriend Malfoy?" Ron said eyes narrowed.
"I was just consoling him after he was upset" Draco replied eyes also narrowed "Isn't that your job, you know you being his boyfriend and all" Draco hissed remembering his earlier anger at the red head.
"Shut it Malfoy" Ron growled, then turning to face Hermione "Sorry Mione looks like we'll have to, er, talk later alright?"
Hermione slightly pointed in disappointment. Then, sending a small, but oddly smug smile in Harry's direction she smiled and then flounced out. Harry looked slightly puzzled but Draco thinking he had a more accurate idea of what they were really about to do, simply grew more livid.
"Harry" Ron asked turning to his boyfriend "Class is about to start you coming?"
Harry gave Draco a sideways glance and shook off the longing that instantly welled up inside him. Nodding absently he made his way over to Ron and only slightly flinched when he slid his arm around his slender waist.
"See you tonight Draco?" Harry said causing Draco to smile at the slight eagerness in his voice.
"Of course" Draco nodded.
Ron snorted in derision "Not if I can help it" he muttered pulling a weary Harry out of the doorway.
AN: Ok, so another chapter down!!! I just would like to say thank you so much to my awesome beta the-4gotten-marauder and remember make me happy and review!!! Please?
Reviews are Love! =D