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 sex scene. It would be great…
Beta: fyrelement. I love her to death…she's the best ever!!!! Check out her stories and review, she's really amazing! Thank you fyrelement!!!
Hey Chapter 4…yah…I really like doing this fic. I'm pretty constant with my updating. Heh…that's a first. Thank you everyone who has been reviewing!!! It makes me move faster, truthfully. But, more importantly I love writing it and love the fact that you guys like it. So thanks bunches.
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Chapter 4Draco woke up, the next morning with his back against his headboard. He looked around, realizing that he had lived to see another day. He groaned.
Why did I have to live? He sighed. Well, next time they'll be no mistakes.
He glanced down at the deep, risen gash across his wrist. It had scabbed up now and horribly covered in dried blood. Looking around, he noticed that the side of his bed and part of his leg were stained a shade of red. He peeked his head out from the canopy and was relieved to see that his dorm mates were still asleep. As thankful as he was for that, the truth remained that he couldn't hide from them forever. Nor could he skip another day without a proper excuse, so he had to do something.
Draco did a cleaning spell to get the blood off on his sheets, but it drained him of most of his energy. He hadn't noticed how weak he had gotten. He struggled to move the curtain around his bed. His wrist started to burn and ache. It hurt him so badly. He snuck off into the boys' bathroom. He looked into the mirror, trying to figure out how he could hide the bruises on his face. Clothing could disguise the rest. Gazing into the mirror he could plainly see purple bruises and scratches. He wasn't swollen, but everything was still predominant.
How the fuck am I going to hide them?
He thought on it for a minute until it hit him
GIRLS!!
Merlin, not in that way…but girls… He thought then continued. How do any of them hide anything? That cover-up…make-up shit. It would work on my bruises. I would just have to steal it from someone…but who's as pale as me?
In truth there were very few, he was paler than most of the people he knew, but there was this quiet second year.
She puts on that cover-up, and she's very pale. So with that thought, Draco silently slipped into the girl's dormitory.
I think this is where she is…Sarah was it? Oh well… Draco saw her sleeping form and quickly opened her unlocked trunk. The trunk smelt heavily of perfume and nail polish. It took all of Draco's will not to cough or gag. He saw the item of interest… a small, skin colored tube.
This has to be it! He paused, it better be it!
So he quietly shut the trunk and snuck back out into the bathroom. His breath was heavy now… he was so worn out. It took him a couple of minutes to gain enough energy to get up. Placing his hand on the sink he pulled, forcing his wobbly legs to comply. He fell once, on the first try, but the second time he got it.
In about thirty minutes the rest of the Slytherins would start to wake up. So Draco walked out of the bathroom, leaving the make-up there. He retrieved his uniform, shampoo, etc. and went back to the bathroom, out of breath once again. As quickly as he could possibly manage, he took a shower and then dried off.
Putting on his clothes, he then stared at the mirror. He held up the feminine products, repulsed, but he was desperate.
It took him a while, actually, and people had started to bang on the door and complain. Finally, Draco studied the mirror one last time, deciding he did a pretty good job. He slipped the products into his pockets.
You could still see the scratches, but the bruises, for the most part were hidden. He just kind of looked like he had been sick, which conveniently matched his excuse for yesterday's absence. His hair hung low…just a little above his eyes. He didn't feel like messing with it. He did one last check over himself before slipping on his customary Malfoy mask.
Draco took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door. "About time Draco!" Blaise yelled towards his friend as he started to enter the bathroom himself. He turned around to face the blond Slytherin, voice softening slightly. "Are you feeling better today?"
Draco was surprised at first, not thinking anyone would ask that, but he shook it off. "Yeah…I'm fine."
"Good, I'll have someone intellectual around today…can't get much out of Crabbe and Goyle except for 'food' or 'huh'…sad really." Blaise smirked and then closed the door.
Draco sighed as he made his way to the common room. He's only sucking up for my money, nothing more. But Blaise was right about one thing…Crabbe and Goyle weren't exactly award winning conversationalists, to say in the least. I guess maybe I was a bit more entertaining then they were. Draco caught his breath and decided to leave the Slytherin common room to roam the halls until breakfast began.
It started soon after, and he got a seat next to his 'friends'. By the end of the period, he had only nibbled at a single piece of bacon and sipped a glass of pumpkin juice. Why am I not hungry? Everything I look at makes me feel worse.
Instead, he decided to scan the Daily Prophet, at least looking like he was doing something, but he hadn't read a damn word. The letters swirled together, and he felt his eyes flutter, but he managed to regain his composure before everyone had been dismissed to go to their first class.
They had Care for Magical Creatures. He got up and headed down the hallway; unaware of the stares he received from a sole Gryffindor.
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Draco managed to make it, though stumbling a couple times, but he achieved his destination still intact. His cut was increasing in pain and he hadn't had time to wrap it up after his shower.
Hagrid stepped out of his hut, mumbling something about playing with some type of creature; oh, it was a fairy. How pretty. The activity was just for fun; today was going to just be easy because it was the first class.
Harry had watched Draco arrive. He was moving about the place like he was drunk, limbs slightly wobbly. The Gryffindor watched the Slytherin gather around as the teacher instructed. Hagrid started class and Harry listened, understanding what they had to do, but when he glanced by over to Draco he saw that the blonde hadn't been paying attention in the slightest. He just stared at his hand like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Hagrid started to pair up people, and it happened to be a Gryffindor with a Slytherin.
" 'Arry why don't'ya be Malfoy's partner." He called out.
Harry outwardly groaned, but was secretly relieved. He walked over to the distracted teen, who hadn't noticed him coming, nor heard that Hagrid had paired them up.
"Malfoy… Malfoy!" Harry yelled right next to the zoned out boy. Draco shook his head, surprised to see him.
"Hmm?" Draco said, his response dulled by lack of energy.
"Hagrid paired us up? We have to just play with these little creatures all class, okay?" Harry said. Really the lesson was to get the pixies to get accustomed to people, not that they were hostile, but they were usually shy around them. Usually.
"Mmhm." Draco mumbled, not really in the speaking mood.
The Slytherin opened the crate next to him, the metal nails sticking out. The blond teen reached in and grabbed the friendly fairy. A small, sad smile spread across the boy's features as he played with the flighty being. She smiled and let Draco play with her wings as she danced on his palm. After awhile, she sat down and relaxed, tired from prancing around. Draco waved his other hand back and forth to give her a breeze. She smiled again.
The sight mesmerized Harry. Something was apparently wrong with Draco, other than the bruises. He looked as thought he was going to pass out right on the floor.
Not to mention the abrupt kindness and attention he was showing towards the fairy; the sight being quite foreign to Harry's green eyes. It seemed Draco liked to interact with the creature. It was kind of odd, after all the years Malfoy spent being a prick and cruel to everyone and everything.
And then…seeing him playing with one of the smallest of creatures while being almost loving, enjoyment evident on his face… It was a rare sight indeed, and nobody else had noticed it but Harry.
Harry slowly walked over to Draco and bent down next to him. Draco looked over, watching the raven-haired boy smile at the fairy and offer his hand to her. She bowed and accepted, gently flying over to the Gryffindor's slightly tanned palm. Malfoy watched Harry for awhile, as Harry had studied him.
Finally Harry looked over to his right and noticed the gray eyes staring at him. They couldn't break away. Harry could for once see the pain in Draco's normally fathomless eyes, he felt as though he was experiencing it himself. Draco could tell Harry was searching for answers.
Why am I not looking away? Why am I letting him see…me…not Malfoy, but Draco.
Suddenly a squeak was heard from directly in front of them. It had been the fairy, obviously wanting to catch their attention. They watched her motion for them to do something. She tried to push Harry closer to Draco, and though at first Harry was hesitant, the pixie huffed admonishingly and he gave in. Now their shoulders were touching. She smiled, but had more in store.
She flew over to the dark-haired boy's right hand and pulled it to go in front and in the center of the two. Then she flew over to they light-haired boy's left hand and put it directly next to Harry's, making them both stretch, closing the space between them.
She made them intertwine just the pinkies to make a bigger, kind of flat surface for her. She flew over and made herself comfortable. She pretended to be relaxing with her eyes closed, lying on both of their hands so they wouldn't move them. She smiled once more and squinted one eye to see the boys looking at each other once again. Then she closed her eyes again, inwardly giggling.
It had been a couple minutes now, that stubborn, cute fairy remained where she was. But when she tried to force Draco's hand to Harry's, the blonde felt the cut reopen slightly. But, Draco blew it off, thinking it wouldn't bleed too much or at all. He was still worn out and not feeling well, his mind muddled. Draco's eyes glazed over, and his head started to bob. He shook his head, trying hard to stay awake.
Harry noticed it. He had almost touched him when he heard a squeak come from their joined hands. Harry was the first to look. The fairy shook her hand, trying to get a red liquid off of her. Harry stared, realizing that there was a little bit of the crimson substance on his own hand. Following the source, he saw that it was coming from Draco.
Draco looked up around that time and saw what had happened. He saw the blood flowing onto his hand, seemingly coming out of nowhere as the wound was still hidden by his sleeve. He jolted up from his kneeling position, but his head couldn't take the sudden movement, and made the world spin round. Falling on the ground, debris puffing up around him, Draco felt a quick jolt of pain from his right hand.
He looked down and saw one of the nails from the crate had completely run threw his palm. Draco gazed dully at his hand, leaking blood. He dimly wondered how much more he could lose. Going on like this, he'd be a dry husk before the end of the month.
Why is it not hurting like it should? I have a fucking nail through my hand, and it's not hurting!
"Oh god Draco!" Pansy yelled as she pointed to the blood accumulating on the ground. Hagrid turned around and knelt by Draco's side, noting the small puddle at his feet.
I take back my last thought. DELAYED EFFECT. Damn, this does hurt. Bet you it's that big oaf's fat fingers that is the cause. That's the last time he touches me.
"Ye best get ov'r t'Madam Pomfrey's." Hagrid said hurriedly, shaking the Slytherin out of his trance. " Harry, take 'im."
Harry nodded and helped Draco up, slinging an arm over himself. They walked up the hill, leaving a trail of scarlet droplets behind them. Leaving the field, they turned around the corner of the school, heading the quickest way to the infirmary. As soon as they were beyond of the rest of the students' prying eyes, Draco fell to his knees once more.
"Draco!" Harry said alarmingly.
Draco put on his trademark smirk, though very weak. "That's the second time you've called me by my first name, Potter." He glanced up and looked into Harry's eyes, making the Gryffindor shiver.
"Come on Draco, we better get going…" Harry said softly, holding out his hand for Draco to clasp, which he refused. Draco gripped the nail, and with the little strength he still possessed, he jerked it out. The wound started to bleed even more. "Malfoy you shouldn't have done that, come on…we'd better go before you lose too much blood."
"Potter, just come here and hold out your wand. I can't do it too well to myself."
"Do what?" Harry asked, getting a bit worried.
"Aim your wand at my wound and say Terminzis." Malfoy said.
"But…shouldn't we let Madam…"
"No, I hate her and vise versa. Plus, it's an easy spell; you'll get it first try." Draco stated confidently.
"What will it do?" Harry asked.
"It'll stop the blood flow for awhile, but if not treated it'll wear off." He paused and looked at Harry sternly. " Just trust me on this one."
"I trust you as far as I can throw you Malfoy." Harry stated irritatingly.
Malfoy genially smirked, in what seemed like such a long time. "I'm quite light I'll have you know." He paused. "Come on just do it, please."
Harry gave in and pointed his wand at Draco's hand. "Terminzis!" A thin, white beam emitted from his wand, hitting the wound.
"Pretty good Potter." Draco smiled softly, examining his rival's work.
An awkward silence came and passed.
"Well, Draco, we still have to go and get it healed, so let's go." Harry insisted.
"Alright, but I'm not going to Madam Pomfrey." Draco pouted.
"Who else is going to heal that? I'm sure as hell not doing any more of your spells." Harry verbally pushed, but when he looked Draco again he was slightly horrified, yet amused…in an odd, corky kind of way. "Merlin Malfoy, are you five?"
Draco was pouting, still, and giving Harry 'the look', making the Gryffindor cringe
"Come on, that's an all-time low…is this how you get your way all the time? Malfoy, you're getting it healed and that's that!"
Malfoy looked at him and sighed. "Alright, if I must get it healed, let's at least go to Snape."
"You want Snape to do it…why? And doesn't he have class?" Harry inquired.
"He's an expert at healing potions and spells. He's the one who taught me all I know about them. And this, coincidentally, is his free period." Draco said. "Come on then." Harry reluctantly nodded. Draco attempted to get up, almost falling, when Harry, almost instinctively, caught him and helped him to his feet. Draco brushed himself off primly, but his eyelids fluttered. Harry wrapped an arm around Draco to help him walk. For most of the way neither of them spoke.
Harry couldn't stand being so quiet. He wanted to ask Draco a few questions, but he wasn't sure if he should. He was distracted completely and Draco knew it. Draco knew that they couldn't go much further without something being said, although Snape's door was just ahead of them.
"All right Potter," Draco took a second to catch his breath. " I know you've got something to say so just spit it out already."
Harry just looked up at Draco. Before, he knew exactly what he wanted to ask, but when given the chance, his mind blanked out.
"Well…it's just…" He was cut off by the door to Snape's classroom swinging open and revealing the Potions master himself. It took Snape a minute to take in what he was currently looking at. Finally he opened his mouth and eyed the boys oddly.
"Well, this would be a sight I never expected to see. May I inquire why Mr. Potter has his arm around you Mr. Malfoy?"
"Severus…" But Draco cut himself off.
Snape eyed him funny. "I told you not to call me that in front of other students."
"Sorry professor." He murmured.
Snape sighed and opened the door to his classroom. "Forget it Draco, come inside and tell me what's going on." All three of them entered the classroom and made themselves comfortable.
"So, what exactly do you need?" Snape questioned, still looking at Draco with uncertainty. Something's different about him…
"Nothing really, I just wondered if you could heal this, that's all." Malfoy tried to smile.
Harry grumbled in his chair. Why is he being so fake? That's not how he was earlier. He's starting to piss me off. What the hell is up with him!
"Why didn't you just go to Madam Pomfrey? It's her job to do these type of tasks, not mine." Snape glared. Draco just looked at him and alarmingly looked down at the ground and didn't move.
What…was that? Snape thought, almost scared by the reaction of Draco. He would have normally made some sarcastic comment to annoy him or scowl under his breath… at least.
"Here Draco, let me take a look at it." The Potions Master said, then examined it and walked over to his cabinet to get about three different vials. While he was mixing them together, he questioned Draco further. "How did this happen?"
"I fell on an opened crate and onto a nail; it went straight through." Malfoy answered, trying to sound like he was fine.
"It's not like you to be clumsy." Snape stated flatly. He then walked over with the potion. "Now this particular one you pour directly on the wound. Now move back so I can do it." Snape had one of his arms on the back of Draco's chair. As the young Slytherin sat back, his cheek hit the side of Severus' arm. Once Draco had sat back, he poured it on the wound, and they watched as it closed up.
Now three things are bothering me. Harry thought, still staying completely quiet, grumbling to himself. First off: Draco's a fucking liar and too good of an actor. Secondly: Is it just me, or do those two seem abnormally friendly? And thirdly: I'm feeling just a bit left out! Harry was huffing to himself, acting like a child who didn't get his way.
"Thanks Sev." Malfoy said, smiling to his teacher.
For fucks sake… that just adds to number two…Sev? SEV?! Am I missing something here? Harry finally stood up, knocking over his chair.
"All right!" Harry said aloud, catching their attention. "Am I missing something? What is going on between you two?"
Malfoy hid his head on his knees and couldn't help but laugh. Snape turned around to clean the vials. "Merlin Potter, he's my godson!"
"Godson?!" Harry was in somewhat of a shock. Snape went on mumbling to himself over at the counter. Something about 'Just as idiotic as your father, god knows what you were thinking…' and a few other rants and colorful words.
Harry heard soft, barely audible breathing close by. Looking to his left, he noticed that Draco was asleep on his knees, still up in his chair. Harry sighed and stared at the Slytherin with hurt eyes. He wished he knew what was wrong.
"Why do you stare at him like that?" Snape asked, putting the now clean vials away.
"Oh, it's nothing."
Snape shook his head.
"You lie about as well as your father…when it was something he did wrong, he could lie like it was a sixth sense. But, when it was about something important, he couldn't hide it. You can't fool me Potter."
"I'm worried about him…" Harry answered truthfully. Snape was actually surprised he had said it.
"Why? I thought you of all people you wouldn't care an ounce about him."
"That makes two of us." Harry grumbled.
Snape looked at him strangely. "Well, what's bothering you so much as to worry about him?"
"I don't exactly know all the details. I just know something's up with him."
"Anything else?" Snape pressed.
Yeah, the fact that he hasn't eaten, his face is covered in bruises, god knows where else, not to mention the mysterious blood coming from his arm, he's barely staying awake, his concentration level has been reduced to that of a gnats, he's quiet, and for the love of it all, he's been civil! That's right, no snide remarks to my face, none. He's drifting from his friends. He's done a complete 360 and it's driving me insane.
"No." Harry said curtly to Snape, not making eye contact. "Should I leave him with you Professor?"
"Yes, that's fine. I suggest you get back to class." Harry obliged, walking to the door. He took one last glance at the sleeping form of his rival, his enemy, and the one thing that wouldn't leave his mind, before he shut the door.
Snape shook his head. You're a terrible liar Potter.
Harry fell against the back of the thick door. Placing his hand over his forehead, he let out an overwhelming sigh of concern.
Damnit, I really do care.
Finally, he lifted his head up, only to see a long strip of empty corridors. Getting up and placing his hands in his pockets, he walked down the hallway. He glanced back one last time at the dark, polished wood.
I'm going find out what's wrong with you Draco. And I'm not going to give up until I do.
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Okay, well, hope you enjoyed it. I'll have Chapter 5 up soon. Please review…or I'll send trained kindergartener ninjas on you. They're vicious…they'll kill on sight.
Suraka-chan