Chapter 4
"Speaking"
(Thinking)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Harry potter, just merely my plot idea.
Harry woke up groggily and looked round the common room curiously. Hearing a light snoring sound from beside him, he noted that the Slytherin boy was slumbering beside him. Harry touched his eye gingerly and rose, letting the blanket slide off him. The slytherin common room was not different from his own, apart from the customary colours that the school insisted that they associate with the houses.
Harry walked to the fire place and back sitting and resting his back against the sofa. He looked down at his chest and shuddered at the thought. He let his mind wander back to the other evening.
Being alone in a castle with none of the students to talk to Harry had wandered outside, for some fresh air. Most of the children's parents had requested them home or Dumbledore had requested they go home for their own safety. The teachers had followed the headmasters advice and gone to seek loved ones.
Harry had remained as always with no place to go. Snape who had no family had also remained. What surprised Harry was that Malfoy had stayed. He was fully aware that the older boy had a home to go to, and was probably safe anyway being a death eaters son. Still it kept Harry on his toes and didn't leave him completely bored, (Even if the boy was a pain in the arse sometimes.)
Not intending to go any further then Hagrid's hut, Harry had set off at a brisk pace. Even if he was advised against flying outside without a member of staff to watch him, Harry still believed that exercise was a good pastime. While on his walk he had been startled to hear a cry of pain from what had sounded like an animal in the forbidden forest.
Harry gave a jerk on the sofa as he remembered what happened. How it had been a trap appealing to Harry's soft nature, how even with his extensive training with the DA and his knowledge of skills, he had been over whelmed.
Harry pulled the blanket over himself and settled more comfortably on the sofa. Draco muttered softly in his sleep and shuffled around, and then one grey eye snapped open. "Glad to see your not dead Potter." He murmured before giving a huge jaw splitting yawn.
Stretching and pointing his wand at the fire he got a cheery fire going. "It gets a bit cold down here in the dungeons." Draco offered as explanation.
"Yeah I quite often fall asleep in front of the fire in the common room. Do you ever think how its odd Malfoy? How our two houses hate each other even though our residents never get to know each other. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff get on fine. Just our houses."
"That's because your house is just filled with courageous know it alls."
"And yours with sly underhand doers."
"Ah but Potter you are forgetting that the slytherin master trait is that we are ambitious and determined."
"Then you forget that I am loyal and fair." Harry chuckled lightly. "I cant believe I was nearly put in this house. I wonder how my life would have turned out if I had been put in this house. I would have to over throw you as seeker."
Draco digested the information without letting his disbelief shine through. "You know that would have caused a bit of a scandal. The worlds last hope in the darkest house. Would have been interesting though." Draco rose to his feet and went upstairs, returning with some new bandages, and a basin of water. Putting the basin near the fire to heat up, he sat next to Harry.
Sitting in silence only interrupted by the crackling of the fire, the boys stared lost in their own thoughts.
"Listen Potter I know we dislike each other, but I apologise for what my father did. It was underhand and disgusting. Only a weakling picks a fight with his "Groupies" beside him on Hogwarts grounds." Draco told the boy looking away.
Harry smiled gently. "You don't need to apologise Malfoy we might not agree due to having different upbringings and different houses, yet it was not you who performed the act. I only hope when you do join the "Groupies" you fight more as a man, not a mouse."
"I wont be joining the death eaters." Draco told Harry quietly, moving over to the fire and grabbing the basin of water, and inserting a cloth, waiting for it to heat up. "My goal is to one day be well known in the wizarding world as myself, be that a dark wizard or a light wizard I don't mind, just respected."
Harry chewed this thought over in his head for a moment. "On an unbiased view I would say a dark wizards power is that of fear. A light wizards is that of trust. Both have many different powers, but what controls your outcome is your heart." Harry said thoughtfully.
Draco thought this over while unwrapping Harry's bandages. "The heart is the weakest and strongest organ. It sustains life yet can end life, either emotionally or physically." Draco sat back on his heels. "I understand the dark lords plans of domination, yet it is underhand. I mean what wizard cannot take out a baby?" Draco said angrily.
"One who is protected by the weakest organ, which can produce the strongest feeling." Harry answered, removing his top with one arm.
Draco looked upon Harry for a few moments, then raised the damp cloth to his chest removing the dried blood. "Why did you chose the light side Potter? Together with the dark lord you could have the world at your feet."
"In fear, not respect. Why rule the world if you cant make people want to be with you, or respect you and know who you are?"
"But you could make people respect you, by fearing you." Draco said passionately.
"All I want in life is a family, not the world. I would trade everything for my parents, even flying."
"So this is the great hero who is going to save our souls hey? I'd rather trade my soul with you know who to be honest."
"Hero's are an extension of reality." Harry grimaced as Draco rubbed over a particular sore area. "I'll never forget the determination in your eyes when we duelled, you wanted me dead." Harry chuckled.
Draco smirked. "Not dead, just upstaged. But then you go and have to be a bloody snake speaker."
"Accidental I promise."
"Triwizard contest?"
"Ploy to kill me and get Voldemort stronger."
"Slytherin's heir?"
"Ploy to kill me."
"Philosophers stone?"
"ploy."
"So what your saying is you have an attempt on your life nearly every year, yet you escape unharmed with more popularity then before, that correct?" Draco asked.
"Got it in one."
"And you still don't want to rule the world even though you have a large amount of magic?" Draco asked.
"No" Harry answered simply.
"Bloody Gryffindor's." Draco gently pressed the cloth to Harry's swollen eye and rubbed. "So potty you going to stick around for a while, or give me peace and go back to your tower?"
"Now where would the fun be in that if I left you. Besides you'd miss me." Harry said gently.
"I can assure you I wont." Draco said.
Harry hung his head for a moment. "You know it feels like no one wants me around for Christmas, not even my enemy." Harry shifted his uninjured eye and locked his gaze with cool grey ones.
"Welcome to my world Potter." Draco sighed for a moment. "Well I guess Dumbledore wouldn't't be to impressed if I left his golden boy alone. So you can squat here for a few days."
Harry smiled and moved his gaze. "Its Christmas eve the day after tomorrow is it not?"
Draco nodded his head, wrapping Harry's head back up, to prevent his cuts getting infected. "We should retire soon its getting late. You for one could use some beauty sleep." Draco said with a smirk.
Harry growled and rose limping towards the bedrooms.
BREAK
Draco lay on a bed, the covers bunched round his hips as he waited for Harry to come out the bathroom. He was wearing a pair of silver boxers as the common room was quite a reasonable warmth. He heard the toilet flush and watched as Harry limped out, in a baggy shirt down to his knees. The Gryffindor gave Draco the impression that he was drowning in it. A forest eye shyly rose and met silver and Harry shrugged, and shuffled near the foot of Draco's bed.
"Something the matter Potter? Mermaids in the can or something?"
"Err Malfoy I was wondering…" Harry trailed off ringing his hands. Draco raised an eyebrow waiting.
"Yes Potter you where wondering what?"
"Oh never mind forget it." Harry said with a sigh. Shuffling over to the bed he got into the bed and shuffled around getting comfortable. He took off his glasses and dropped them on the floor, turning so his back was towards the other occupant. Moments later Harry felt the slight tilt of the bed, and turned back.
"You never let wind of this Potter, its only because I need my sleep. No funny business." Draco said firmly and turned on his side.
Harry smiled and fell into sleep.
BREAK
Harry was standing in a desolate room, complete with cobwebs the obligatory dusty antiques. His eyes turned with the sound of a knocking on the door. "Enter." Was issued from his lips, his voice sounding not quite his own. A pale blonde figure waltzed in arrogance in every aspect of his stride. "Malfoy?" Harry briefly wondered.
He was correct on some level yet it was senior not junior. Harry looked down to where his feet were twitching as a snake coiled up on them.
"Ah Lucius I am glad to see you are out of prison and are up and about again. Tell me how was your attack on the boy. Was your revenge enough to whet your appetite?" Harry hissed in cold monotones.
Lucius knelt upon the floor and kissed the hems of his robe. "Yes Master my revenge was enough to quench my thirst, but not enough to appease my hunger. The boy is in a considerable amount of pain, and shall be due to the magic I performed."
"That's all well and good but you owe me considerably for your last efforts. I do not appricate that. However I cannpt punish you anymore accept one way, and only then will you know how much I hate failure."
"Anything you wish of me my lord."
"I require your son to become one of us."
Harry screamed no and was quickly relased from his hold on the dark lord.
BREAK
"Potter! God damn you Potter wake up!" Harry received the feeling of being roughly shaken. His eyes snapped open to a slightly disgruntled Malfoy. "Dear god Potter I'm beginning to think I should sleep in the tower."
"He's coming." Harry gasped out.
"Who? Potter it's four in the morning, I doubt anyone is coming." Draco said realising he still had his hand on Harry and quickly removed it.
"Your father." Harry said harshly.
Draco turned and looked at Harry. "And why is that a reason for you screaming?"
"You're the newest Death eater."
Draco blinked for a moment. "And your sure of this how?"
"My mind…I dunno how, its connected to Voldemort I can share his thoughts. He was giving a speech to your father, you're his punishment."
Draco got up and looked out the window. "The dark lord is wrong, I wouldn't be a punishment it would be a relief to my father." Draco slammed the window pane with his open palm. "Shit what am I going to do?"
"Malfoy you can stay in the castle, be in the orders protection." Harry told the boy sitting up.
"NO I am not going to be used by that muggle loving fool. I'm not going to stay here and be a coward like the bloody boy who lived! You Potters always stay in hiding, look at your brave father." Draco spat nastily.
Harry rose up his eyes flashing. "Never call me a COWARD! You think I stay here because I want to! I have no where else to go. You think I enjoy hiding in the shadows? What do you expect me to do Malfoy. Trade my life like your family? Be a mindless zombie only following orders?" Harry shot back.
Draco strode over and hit Harry squarely on the jaw. "I am not my family. I am Draco Malfoy and I will live my life how I lead it!"
"Oh that's good Malfoy hit a person whos already injured, how like your father." Harry shouted from the floor.
Draco growled and grabbed Harry by the shirt pinning him to the wall. "I AM NOT MY FATHER!" Draco hissed loudly.
"Neither am I." Harry said defiantly.
Draco looked down at Harry's flushed face and gleaming eyes. His cheeks where reddened with anger, there was a large bruise forming on Harry's jaw, and his mouth was open slightly.
Not knowing what possessed him to do it. Draco angrily mashed his lips against Harry's and demanded entrance pushing his tongue against the smaller boys lips. Harry moaned and opened his mouth, arching his body against the taller male.
Draco growled his apprication and moved one hand from Harry's shirt and used it to tug the raven hair, tilting the boys head up. Harry gasped as his head was roughly pulled back and his neck was assaulted. "Ugh malfoy."
"Draco." Draco muttered against the boys pale skin. He pushed Harry to the bed and slid his leg between the boys thigh, covering him completely.
Both boys felt on fire and hands roamed and chests heaved both wanting release from the fiction they where feeling.
Draco's hands dug into Harry's thighs and flipped him onto his hands and knees. "No Draco stop." Harry managed to get out through bruised lips.
"Why not Potter? It is clear we both want this. Why stop now?" Draco asked biting Harry at the bottom of his spinal cord.
Harry gritted his teeth, "Because Draco I'm injured and I've not done this before."
Draco began to pull Harry's shorts off. "Who cares theres a first for everything."
"Because I want it to be right!" Harry shouted kicking Draco off him onto the floor.
Both boys where panting and looked at each other for a long moment. Draco rose from the floor and pulled a shirt from his bed, followed by a pair of trousers.
"Where you going?" Harry asked.
"I need to think." Came Draco's curt reply as he left the room.
Harry watched the boy go, after touching his lips with a bewildered look, he settled down to sleep.
BREAK
Harry looked through his photo album for the sixth time, before he put it on his bed sighing dramatically. It was early in the afternoon and Draco still hadn't come back. Harry rose from the bed, and put on his glasses, followed by a pair of trousers and left the dorm.
Limping down the stairs he looked around the common room hoping for a chance encounter, but no luck. Sighing once again, he limped out of the portrait picture and looked down the corridors.
Harry walked down the one leading hopefully to the great hall. He was looking for Dumbledore. It was clear that Draco was now uncomfortable with the Gryffindor around, and he needed advice.
Coming eventually to the headmasters griffin, he halted. Unsure if he should wait or try and get in, he looked around. Hearing a cheerful humming, he decided to wait. Sure enough the headmaster came around the corner. "Why Harry my dear boy. What are you doing out of bed. I thought young mr malfoy would keep a better eye on you then this."
Harry grunted and shrugged. "I was wondering headmaster, have you had any developments on this I mean." Harry pointed at his chest.
Dumbledore conjured a bench and gestured for Harry to sit. "Unfortuantuly not my dear boy. Any healing spells or magic used on you is a hazard. It might wear off, or dissolve, but we do not have the proper resources here. I requested Dobby to try and remember if Lucius has any dark magic books. But I shall have to ask Draco about that."
Harry nodded tears stinging his eyes. "Headmaster I take it this means I wont be able to go to Hogsmead for a while."
"I'm afraid not Harry, unless a teacher is present. We cannot have you in danger can we my dear boy."
"So I guess its more hiding in the castle."
"My dear boy staying alive is not hiding. Your young and fragile the day will come for you to spring from your trap and fight, but now is not the time. For now do an aging man a favour and stay away from trouble." Dumbledore said sadly.
Harry nodded depressed. "Then Headmaster could you do me a favour and pick my Christmas presents for my friends?"
"Of course that is not a problem Harry, just hand me a list and I shall get someone on the case." Dumbledore pulled a sheaf of paper and a quill and handed them to Harry.
Harry thought for a few moments and wrote everything down.
"My Harry what a lot of people, seems like you have many a friend. I noticed that you included mr Malfoy."
Harry blushed and nodded. "I guess it's a kind of thank you. You know for rescuing me and all."
"I see, I'm glad you two might finally be getting along. Now its time dear Harry that you should go back to your bed next to Draco and concentrate on getting better. Is there anything you would like me to bring you from the library perhaps?"
"No thank you Headmaster but thank you. I'll be leaving now." Harry rose and gave Dumbledore a slight nod before walking back the way he came.
Harry was lost in thought as he walked back to the dungeons. Wondering if he had done the right thing in ordering his nemisis (Who he had kissed) a present, he came face to face with the portrait. "Shit I don't know the password." Harry mentally hit himself. After all the time he stayed in the dorm he had never learnt the password.
Deciding it was probably best not to kick the wall, Harry went in search of Draco.
BREAK
Draco was hiding in the astronomy tower thinking about things. He had kissed and tried to shag Harry potter. Harry bloody potter of all people. He didn't know what had happened. True the boy was enjoyable to look at but he was a pain in the arse.
Draco put it down to raging hormones. He hadn't had a good shag in a while. What was really getting to Draco was the fact his father was going to turn him into a death eater. Without considering his own sons feelings.
Draco rose and looked out the window his arm resting against the pane. He could see all of the grounds from the castle to the lake. A dark figure caught his eye and he looked closer. He recongized the unruly hair and small figure.
"Damn you Potter. Sod the dark lord I'll kill you myself." Wrapping his cloak around him and he left the tower leaving his thoughts behind.
BREAK
Harry had been trudging round the castle for hours looking for Draco. Giving up the search he had gone into the grounds for a spot of fresh air hoping that Draco might be sulking outside.
He sat on a bench under a bare black tree, wrapping his arms around himself. He wished he brought a cloak with him, it was freezing. "Great all alone and its bloody cold."
Harry felt a warm cloak encompass his shoulders and a silky voice whispered in his ear. "You know that's the first sign of madness. Talking to yourself." Harry pulled the cloak round his shoulders some more, and turned to face Draco.
"Thank you. I was actually looking for you. I don't know how to get back in to your common room."
"Who says your coming back up?" Draco asked.
"Sorry I just assumed that you where looking after me."
"Yeah I guess I'm the med wizard for the time being. So come on and get out of the cold, your supposed to be resting." Draco put his hands in his pockets and stalked off.
"Malfoy wait up!" Harry rose to his feet and staggered after the boy.
"My names Draco." Draco said not looking at Harry.
"Then call me Harry ok?" Harry said with a smile.
"Deal." Draco smiled offering his hand.
"Deal." Harry shook the offered hand.
BREAK
Harry woke on Christmas day snuggled up to Draco's side. The older boy was oblivious sleeping quietly or so Harry thought. Draco had awoken a while back but hadn't moved, letting Harry have his sleep. He was aware that Harry had rose up from under his arm, and was fumbling for his glasses.
Draco opened his eyes a slit and saw that Harry was studying him. He chose this moment to yawn and wake up. Harry blushed and turned away looking towards the presents.
"Merry Christmas wanna see what we got?"
"Yeah chuck them over." Draco murmured.
Harry picked up all the presents and placed them between himself and Draco. Draco received quite an alarming amount of presents from his mother, including many books on dark spells, and a portkey from his father. "I think I'll disgard that." He then opened a present from Pansy which was a bear holding a heart saying "to my darling." Draco pulled a face. "And that." opening some more trival gifts from other pure bloods of usless things he stopped at two presents he hadn't noticed.
Opening the first book shaped one, he read the cover "Parseltongue and Latin translations." Draco nodded his head in apprication. "This is from you I take it?" Draco asked. Harry blushed and nodded, pointing to the other. Draco picked it up and nearly dropped it when it shuffled.
Unwrapping it, he unravelled the hungerain horntail that was given to Harry in the forth year. It looked at Draco and snarled, flapping its wings, before turning in a circle and going back to sleep. "A dragon for a dragon. Sorry but I didn't have much time."
"No its nice Harry very nice. But why did you buy me a present?"
"That's what friends do."
"Ah but I thought we where mortal enemies?"
"I think we're old enough now to overcome bikering. I mean I think we're past that stage when you saved my life."
Draco lowered his head thoughtfully. "You know the school will expect us to fight. We will still bicker, but in private I think we can be civil, I mean it looks like we're on the same side at least until I think things over." Draco watched as Harry opened his presents.
Harry recived a book on Anigmas forms, some new gloves for flying, a horrid jumper with a snitch on it, and some sweets. Draco reached under the bed and pulled out a box. "No this is so you don't feel lonely anymore."
Harry looked at the box puzzled but pulled the lid of. Looking in his face split into a huge grin of amazement and he lifted a black furball out of the box. Looking up at Harry was a tiny kitten, black with white paws and chest and amber eyes. It looked up at Harry and mewed gently.
Harry laughed delighted and stroked the little kitten on the forehead. The kitten looked down and purred settling down to sleep.
"Thank you Draco. I've never had a pet before." Harry placed the kitten on the pillow to sleep. He looked at it softly.
"It's a boy and he still needs a name." Draco said gently moving his presents onto another bed. Harry thought and looked at the kitten. "Maxwell I think. Yeah that's his name." Harry smiled. He got up to Draco and engulfed him in a hug. "Thank you Draco. This is the best present besides my album."
Draco stiffened in the hug not used to affection. But he softened into it and returned the favour. "Your welcome…Harry."
TBC
