CHAPTER SEVEN

Disclaimer: Neither the characters or locations are mine; they belong to J. K. Rowling and various affiliated companies. No plagiarism or copyright infringement is intended. All characters will be returned safe and sound with smiles on their faces and food in their bellies. :D

A/N: I know, I know. But still…

Harry was bored. It was that simple. Early in the break Luna had stopped by with her dad as they passed through to some exotic location in search of who knows what. Neville had stopped by once, but couldn't come again…trouble with his gran. Both Ron and Hermione had been by numerous times, but they had recently begun dating so he was seeing less and less of them. So maybe he was lonely too. He hadn't dated anyone since Cho. Sure, he and Ginny had made a go at it, but both had quickly realized there was nothing there. He still couldn't believe he'd actually kissed Draco, but the Slytherin scarf served as an ugly reminder of his foolishness. How could he have jeopardized their friendship? He sighed, nursing his eggnog and staring into the fire that was slowly dying. He could relight it, or ask Kreacher to, or just leave it be. He settled on the last option, sinking deeper into his chair as he relaxed. As he dozed off he heard the loud crack of apparition and sat up with a start. He tiptoed to the door, his hand on his wand. He waited for the knock of a friend and with none forthcoming grew concerned. He figured it was one of two things: either someone who wanted him dead or a friend who was hurt. Hoping it was the second one he unlocked the door and eased it open. Huddled on the porch was a pile of rags that on closer inspection revealed ice-blonde hair.

'Draco?' Harry gasped.

He received a moan in response as Draco toppled forward. Harry grasped his limp body around the chest and pulled him inside, depositing him near the fire. He began to remove Draco's damp clothes, but the boy slapped his hands away.

'Can do it myshelf…' he mumbled.

'Draco…' Harry whispered.

'Am fine. Lemme do it…'

Draco sat up and fumbled at his clothes for a moment before lying down, exhausted and frustrated. Harry made to help again but Draco fixed him with an evil glare.

'Gimme a minute…I'll do it…you'll shee…'

Draco's eyes glazed over and his body relaxed. In a way, Harry was relieved that he'd lost consciousness, and quickly removed his clothes before he could regain it. He gingerly covered Draco with a blanket, but not before looking him over. He was battered and bruised, much worse than when Ron had attacked him. Looking at his naked body Harry felt the first twinges of arousal and dropped the blanket. He didn't want to admit that he was falling for the Malfoy…he didn't even want to admit that he might be gay. He sighed and made for Hedwig's cage. He got the owl out and wrote a quick note to Severus, attaching it to her leg.

'I don't know where he is, girl, but please…find him.' Harry whispered before Hedwig took off.

Harry returned to the living room, stoking the fire to ensure a warm blaze, before retiring to the couch. Despite his best efforts he soon fell asleep, wondering what had happened to Draco, and why it had brought him here.

--

Severus sighed impatiently at the owl rapping on his window. He just wanted to be left alone. Nevertheless he allowed it entrance, taking the letter from it. Professor Snape, he read, I know you have no reason to, but please come to Grimmauld Place as soon as you read this; we have need of your expertise in potions and the like. It may be a matter of life or death. Yours sincerely, Harry Potter. Oh, and it's not my life that is in peril. Please hurry. Severus sighed angrily, but knew it was not some trite matter that caused Potter to hunt him down this way. Despite the dislike he felt for the boy, he realized urgency was a must in this situation and so quickly packed a few necessary items before apparating to Grimmauld Place.

--

Harry awoke with a start to the loud crack of apparition. Please God, let it be him, he thought as he opened the door cautiously.

'Potter. I hope whatever you needed was indeed as urgent as you proclaimed; I was making great progress on- Oh dear lord!' he proclaimed, rushing to his godson's prone body.

Draco was stirring, his body coated in a feverish sweat. Severus gathered the boy in his arms.

'Potter, he needs to be in a bed, now…did you remove his clothes?'

'Uh…yeah…they were wet…' Harry responded softly, leading Severus through his house.

'Good thinking. The fever would be stronger had he remained in them. Now, leave us be…I will do all I can for him.'

With that Severus pushed Harry out of the room he had been led to and shut the door in his face. Harry slid down the wall, burying his face in his hands.

'Please let him be alright…' he whispered.

--

Severus opened the door to find Harry asleep outside of it, tear stains on his cheeks. He gently shook his shoulder and, when the boys eyes opened, pressed a finger to his lips indicating that he should be quiet. They went downstairs and sat in the living room before the dwindling fire.

'Is he ok, Professor?' Harry asked hopefully.

'He's…alive. Let him sleep, and ensure he drinks the potion I left. But tell me, Potter, why did he come here?'

'I, I don't know. I was sleeping and I heard something and when I went to look he was on the porch, nearly unconscious.'

'Hmm… Did he tell you what happened?'

Harry shook his head. Severus stood and touched the boys shoulder gingerly.

'Take care of him, Potter. For some reason he is reaching out to you. Make sure he drinks the potion.'

'You're leaving?'

'I cannot stay here, I am sure you will be fine. You can follow basic instructions?'

Harry nodded, enraged that the adult was leaving him in charge. He escorted Severus to the door and, when the Professor had left, slammed it shut angrily. He then stole up the stairs to the room Draco was in, easing the door open and peering in at him. Severus had worked wonders; much of the visible damage had vanished. But Draco was still feverish, and was tossing and turning as if in the grips of some evil. Harry entered the room, closing the door behind him, and sat in a chair, watching. Draco cried out in his sleep and then his eyes opened wide, darting about the room.

'Where am I?' he croaked.

'You, you are in a room at my house, Grimmauld Place.'

Draco's eyes settled on Harry.

'Harry?'

'Hi.' Harry whispered, smiling faintly.

'How did I get here?'

'You just showed up on my porch. I couldn't leave you outside. Professor Snape was here…'

'He was? Is he still here?'

'No…he had to leave.'

Draco stared at Harry for a moment, unsure of what was happening. Was this some elaborate prank? And then he remembered…his father… He cried out again and pulled the blankets over his head. He felt Harry sit on the side of the bed, but heard nothing.

'It was my father, Harry. He…he…' Draco began.

'Don't tell me if you don't want to.'

'No, I… He saw…memory… My father saw my memory of, of…the last day of school, before we left. He, he went insane. He locked me in the basement and he…he tortured me. He claimed that I had been revealing Death Eater secrets to the other side. I finally escaped and…I guess I came here.'

'I'm so sorry, Draco…' Harry whispered.

Draco slowly pulled the blanket down so he could look at Harry, whose eyes glimmered with tears.

'Don't cry…' Draco whispered.

Harry smiled and wiped a hand across his eyes.

'Harry, I…I'm frightened of what he will do to me…once he finds me, that is.'

'He won't do anything to you. Whilst you are in my home you are under my protection, and that of my friends. We will guarantee your safety.'

'But after that? When I recover and have to leave?'

'Who said you have to leave?' Harry muttered, averting his eyes.

Draco remained silent. Harry made to leave the room, but Draco called after him.

'Don't leave me…'

Harry turned back, seeing the fear on Draco's face. For his father to have caused such terror… Harry sat back down on the bed. Draco moved over so Harry had room to lie down. Within moments the two boys were asleep, each dreaming of the other and the love they thought they could never have.