I Need You For Hope

Chapter Eight

Ron's head hit the table for the third time in the last ten minutes. He silently cursed stupid History of Magic. A class Ron sadly discovered was mandatory for seventh years. At the beginning of the year it wasn't so bad but he'd had Harry in there with him so it was slightly bearable. But now Harry used every chance he could get to skip out and missed the last few classes, leaving Ron to waste away the time by himself. Hermione was there as well but she was the only one in the class who paid attention and took notes word for word as Professor Binns droned on.

Picking up his head, Ron scanned the classroom the Gryffindors shared with the Slytherins, and eventually his gaze stopped on the bowed head of Draco Malfoy. The ferret was hunched over parchment, furiously scribbling, but Ron was sure it wasn't anything about what Binns was speaking about. He couldn't help but be curious about what Malfoy was writing about and whether or not it pertained to Harry. But then he thought that was unlikely. Why would he be writing about Harry? Maybe he was writing to Harry?

Ron glanced at the door and straightened when he noticed Harry had actually come to class today. It was still painful to know Harry preferred to sit so far away from him and Hermione. He didn't even move to acknowledge Ron's presence, but at least he was there, slouched in his seat. His eyes were pinned on Professor Binns though Ron knew Harry was staring straight through the professor to the wall and Ron wished to know what his friend was thinking about.

He turned back to look at Malfoy again. He didn't know Harry was there and it looked like only Ron was aware Harry finally showed up for a class. Neville and Dean were sleeping behind him and Seamus' head was bent low over his desk and he was being amused by drawing anything and everything he could think of and making it come to life. Once in a while laughter floated around the room from Seamus' direction when he drew something he thought particularly funny.

Ron moved closer to Hermione, glancing down her blouse as he did so. She gave him an annoyed look, but did not move away. " Harry's here," he told her quietly. " Don't make a big deal out of it though." He was pretty sure overreacting would only make Harry want to leave again, class be damned. Hermione nodded her understanding, though she chanced a peek at Harry over her shoulder. Harry was still frowning off at nothing.

Hermione faced the front and softly sighed while putting a hand in Ron's face and pushing him away. There was a time and place for ogling and this wasn't it. She picked up her quill to resume her note taking, though she wasn't paying as much attention to the Professor as before. From the short glance she noticed subtle changes in Harry. His body was leaner, toned better then he was a month ago. She was happy to think Harry had been grabbing regular meals in the kitchens too. That was something she had worried the most about. Since he stopped going to the Great Hall for meals Hermione was never sure he was eating properly. Forgetting to eat was a frequent tendency of his. But he did look healthy, for the most part. Harry looked almost normal again except for the eyes. They were still dark and hollow and it always made her sad to see.

On the other hand… Hermione looked back again. Harry wasn't staring at the wall anymore. His brows were furrowed in thought while a small frown hovered on his lips. He was obviously thinking about something and she thought it was a blessing he didn't look completely dead inside. He stared intently at Malfoy now, studying his bent head with such a deep searching look that Hermione felt a glimmer of hope for her friend.

She glanced at Malfoy to see if he noticed he was being watched but it didn't look like it. His eyes were glued to the parchment in front of him. She inwardly huffed and willed Malfoy to turn his head and see Harry.

HDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD

Draco was writing nonsense really. Only thoughts and questions passing through his mind. It all seemed so pointless though. Useful answers never came to mind and his frustration continued to grow. Yet he continued to write down these feelings despite that. He started with the intention of keeping his mind occupied enough to keep from thinking about Harry. But in the end, just like everything else, that failed and now every thought, feeling, and question he wrote down was all about Harry one way or another. Sometimes he closed his eyes to block out the words, not wanting to see them… only to be assaulted with the vision of emerald eyes shining with betrayal at him from behind his closed eyelids. His eyes were quick to open whenever that happened. Unfortunately for Draco it happened quite often.

Fucking Blaise. Him and his drunken libido. And me. Stupid idiot that I am. Draco looked over at his friend and scowled, prepared to stay mad at his best friend for at least half a year if Harry never came to believe what happened was an accident on Draco's part. Satisfied with the amount of glaring passed to Blaise within a class time, Draco returned gray eyes to his desk and worried and sank further down into his own depression.

His eyes were almost as empty as Harry's. Understandable considering he was feeling pretty damn empty as well. It was always so painful to think about… Harry in his arms. Harry's mouth sliding over his. Bodies melding perfectly together. The heat… The heat was fantastic and Draco wanted it back so much...You need to think about something else. Draco dropped the quill to rest his head in his hands before closing his eyes, trying desperately to send those taunting memories away.

He thought about Blaise and how the wanker managed to talk to Harry. That was a week ago and Blaise was certain something he said must have gotten through. Draco's shoulders sunk further down in disappointment. He wasn't so sure Blaise had succeeded in any way.

Harry was very stubborn. Even if he believed it was a misunderstanding, he would hold on to the pain of being betrayed that night. It would make his goal to reach death easier. Make it easier for him to leave this earth when he kept himself detached from anyone he cared about. Draco wasn't certain this was what Harry was actually doing. But it's what he would do if planning to eventually take his own life.

He jerked his elbow away from the corner of the desk when he saw something climbing onto it. Lips curled into a sneer of disgust when he realized it was a caterpillar. He lifted his History text, preparing to squash the impudent insect when he noticed it wasn't real. The insect was made out of paper.

What the hell? He lowered the book and watched the small worm thing unfold into a tiny scrap of paper. He instantly recognized Granger's handwriting. Malfoy, Harry's in class. Look. Don't make it obvious. Draco stiffened without meaning to. Two days had passed since he last saw Harry. And their eyes had not made contact since the party. It was torture to go all day, every day without looking at the Gryffindor. Blaise had only been kidding when he once mentioned Draco to be in love with Harry Potter. But it was the truth. Draco knew that now, after having a taste of him, there was no one else he could ever want. There was no hope for his future without Harry.

After a couple of minutes another note appeared and he watched as it too uncurled. What the hell are you waiting for? Look, you idiot! Really, somebody should read to Granger the definition of patience. He was trying to prepare himself in case Harry was sending him another death glare. Each and every glare Harry sent his way was just as effective as a stake through the heart. It hurt a hell of a lot. And worse, because he knew he deserved it.

Draco took a breath and carelessly glanced over his shoulder. The Gryffindor had taken to sitting as close to the door as possible in classes he actually attended. And he was there now, slouched forward in his seat and making Draco want to grimace over his posture. But Draco kept his face blank as his eyes finally met dark green. Draco's limbs began to tremble in relief when he realized there was no glare this time. Only an intense study that could mean anything. Harry wasn't easy to read this time and Draco had the impulse to turn away. But… he wanted to look at Harry, study him, and savor what he could. And if he looked away, that might make him look guilty. Draco knew he was partly to blame for what happened, but he never meant to hurt Harry and he wasn't going to do something to make Harry believe otherwise. Looking away like a guilty wanker, for example.

He steadied his breathing, his shaking hands, and continued to face Harry who hadn't moved his gaze away or corrected his horrible posture. Harry's eyes bore into his and the Slytherin was almost certain his mind was on display and Harry could see exactly how much he needed him. If Draco didn't know Harry was a lousy Legilimens, he would have thought that's exactly what was happening, and worse, there was no way he could pull his gaze away even if he wanted to.

HDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD

Harry stepped into class with a silent groan. His self-control was slipping, obviously. That's the only reason why he was here now. It certainly wasn't because he wanted to learn something. It must be the Gryffindor in him because he needed the truth no matter what else happened. He didn't want to leave…here hating Malfoy for something that had been out of his control. He ignored the voice pointing out he was only making up excuses as he settled into his seat.

The wall behind Professor Binns wasn't particularly interesting to look at. But it gave him something to do while debating with himself. Hogwarts would soon be behind him in a week's time. He was ready to seek Voldemort out, and then… his own end. Trying to find closure like this was stupid and pointless. Did it really matter if Draco never intended to hurt him? Should he care if Blaise was telling the truth about that night or not? No, he shouldn't care. But he did care, Merlin help him. He cared too damn much!

Harry scanned the room without actually moving his head, trying not to draw any attention to himself. Ron and Hermione were trying to act as if he weren't there. Inside he thought it funny. They weren't doing a very good job of ignoring him, and he was more amused then annoyed by this. Dean and Neville were behind them and several seats over from Harry, and both were sound asleep. Neville's cheek was plastered against the desk with both arms thrown over it, hands dangling over the edge. Dean's head was tipped back against the wall; mouth wide open and slack jawed. Harry was surprised he wasn't snoring. Seamus certainly wasn't bothered by it and amused himself by drawing cartoons.

Further down from Seamus was Parkinson. She sat in the far corner and Harry narrowed his eyes as they lingered on her a moment. She better have given correct and current information, otherwise he was about to end up wasting a lot of time and then, worse, he would have to start the search all over again. He wondered if he should ask Draco after all… But Draco, being the smart intelligent bloke he was, would immediately know what Harry was about and start asking questions he was not prepared to answer.

Harry couldn't delay any longer and finally looked at Draco. He tried and failed several times to refer to Draco as Malfoy, but that never worked out. In his mind the blonde would forever be Draco. It was really quite annoying. So now he was looking at Draco, who sat in the middle of a group of Slytherins and yet Harry had the distinct impression the blonde was very much alone. Weird.

Draco looked over his shoulder at Zabini and glared. Harry denied it almost immediately, but he felt a small blossom of pleasure knowing Draco was angry with Zabini. It was probably over something not related, but still… Without realizing, Harry dropped an arm on his desk and leaned forward to study Draco's profile more closely. Fine, yes. He missed looking at the blonde. But who wouldn't? And yes. He wanted Draco to look his way. He wanted to see what was in those gray eyes.

Only… Draco didn't seem to be aware of anything except for the parchment in front of him. And then his head was in his hands and Harry quickly looked away when Draco squeezed his eyes closed as if pain. It was hard enough simply watching Draco; he didn't want to be distracted by suddenly worrying about the bastard as well. He couldn't afford to worry about anyone but himself. When he looked back he was surprised to find the blonde had moved into another position. Draco had his textbook raised over the desk poised to hit something with it. Harry sat back and shook his head in confusion. What the hell? Harry returned to his previous position as the blonde slowly lowered the book. Draco was studying something at the corner of his desk. The view was not a good one for Harry so he tried craning his neck to get a better look but Draco's head was bent low over his desk and he was shielding whatever it was with his arms.

Two seconds passed before Draco visibly stiffened. Harry moved to the edge of his seat wondering what was going on and it never occurred to him how odd it was being so curious about what Draco was looking at. He just wanted to know what was going on. And then he caught Hermione flicking her wand under her desk. Green eyes followed the point of her wand and found there was a paper caterpillar inching its way up the back leg of Draco's table. Oh, so that was it. He recognized the caterpillar as a note since he had been the recipient of those on more then a few occasions. So Draco was finally aware he was in class today.

Hermione's interference was shrugged off. He wanted to see Draco's face anyway. She helped him out in the end. But would Draco look at him and if he did what would he see? Guilt, perhaps… Harry rather believed a smug smirk. He continued to believe Draco played him like a fool.

The sneer forming on Harry's face froze when the gray ice of the Slytherin's eyes suddenly assaulted him and he nearly lost the ability to breathe. The blonde was certainly not smirking. If anything he looked apprehensive. And then his eyes flickered and Harry was sure this was when he would see it. The smugness. The sneering gaze Draco used when he wanted the world to know he was better then anyone and anything else around. But there were no sneers, no trace of smugness... Draco's face remained the same but his eyes were pleading and swimming with remorse.

And then Draco mouthed the words, " I'm sorry."

Harry blinked. Draco continued to look at him with expectation and he blinked again before looking around. No one seemed to be paying attention to the two of them. Except for Hermione and Ron, but they weren't going to be in on this if it actually was a joke planned by the Slytherin. He knew that without doubt.

Harry's eyes narrowed when he looked back at Draco. The git's face was exactly the same. He was not supposed to act this way! Malfoys brag and sneer and smirk. They're arseholes to the tenth degree! And not once had he ever heard Draco apologize for anything to anyone. Not once! Until now… This was not what he wanted to see.

Draco's lips moved again and even if he couldn't hear it, Harry could see the pleading in the blonde's eyes. " Harry… Please. I'm sorry."

HDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD

Probably a mistake, Draco thought as he watched Harry escape the classroom as quickly and quietly as a ghost. Not particularly the smartest thing he ever did, but he was unable to stop his lips from moving. Draco's head tipped back and he covered his face with his hands. A frustrated growl slipped past his fingers, waking most students up from their stupors. Blaise looked in time to see Weasley pelt the back of his head with a large wad of paper but Draco sat there in despairing silence without retaliation.

" What the fuck, Malfoy?" Weasley hissed. " We haven't seen him in ages!"

Granger nudged him. " Stop it. He's gone. Can't be helped now."

Draco grabbed his stuff and transferred to the seat next to Granger. He would have laughed at Weasel's shocked face if he hadn't more important things to worry about.

" Where does he go? What's he doing?"

Weasley's face turned three shades redder and he looked properly affronted. " Like we would tell you!"

" We're not sure what he's been up to, but we've made a few good guesses." Granger answered him.

" Hermione!"

" Ron…"

Draco waved an impatient hand in front of Granger's face. " What good guesses?"

Granger looked the Slytherin side of the classroom. " We'll talk about this later. You two should get back to taking notes."

Weasley snorted when Draco stared back in disbelief. Granger then glared at Weasley until he picked up a quill and prepared to pretend to take notes. Behind him, Draco heard Thomas, Longbottom, and Finnigan laughing at the Weasel. That was until Granger turned around and glared at them too. Draco thought moving away now would be a brilliant idea since there was no way in hell he was going to start to take note, but then Granger's glare was on him and he found he couldn't move out of his seat. The only thing he could do was to take out his ink, parchment, and quill. He wanted her help after all. Best not make her mad. He sneered at the paper in front of him and then sneered at transparent back of their History Professor. Binns was boring and Malfoys do not listen to boring people.

Draco sighed and dipped his quill into the ink. The tip remained in the black liquid as his thoughts ran away once again. Harry wasn't boring. He was the exact opposite of boring. When he wasn't being psychotic, that is. What the hell was wrong with Harry anyway? Why the fuck did he want to die? He had friends. He had family- in this case he meant the Weasley's. He has adoring fans, fantastic Quidditch skills, and vaults full of Galleons. Draco was sure of that. As his future partner, Harry had to be checked out financially. Draco was relieved and pleasantly surprised when he learned exactly how wealthy Green Eyes was. So yeah, Harry had money. Thank Merlin. So financial problems was obviously not the reason for the death seeking. Draco was understandably confused. He had no idea why Harry was so depressed. The stupid Gryffindor was going to destroy Voldemort. Draco was sure Harry wouldn't fail in that and he was pretty sure that's the outcome Harry knew would happen as well. So once snake face was gone, Harry wouldn't really have any problems. Why would he want to die then?

Draco released the quill and fingered the parchment. Perhaps Severus might have an idea. They never really discussed the why of Harry's suicidal thoughts. Only of what they could do to prevent it. If they could discover why then it might be easier to find a better way to help the Gryffindor.

Draco had to endure the rest of History of Magic and his next class Transfiguration before Granger would give it up at lunchtime.

" Eating is what people usually do at lunch, Granger." Draco drawled when he found her again waiting just outside of the Great Hall. " We had time after History of Magic."

" I'm sorry, Malfoy. But I didn't."

" Anyway, tell me what I want to know." He commanded as he looked into the Hall and scanned for Harry. Absent as always.

" Let's go to the kitchen first. Ron's meeting us there."

Draco's frustration escaped him as a growl when she walked away. He hated following. Detested it. He was a leader, not a follower. But this was for Harry, and so he followed with minimal complaining.

HDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD

" That's your guess, Granger? You think he's training to go after You-Know-Who alone?" Draco asked in disbelief once he and two-thirds of the Golden trio settled at a table. Granger had immediately started by telling him her idea and Draco thought it surely must be a joke. No one wanted to find the Dark Lord… not to mention alone. But Granger stared steadily back at him with no indication that she was joking. " Not only is that ridiculous," he went on, " it's suicid-" Draco paled and she finally nodded.

Weasley snorted. " Yeah, it's a good thing Harry's not trying to kill himself. He would have an easy job of it."

Draco sneered at him. " And you call yourself his friend."

Weasley sat up straight and glared across the table at him. " I am his friend, Malfoy. What of it?"

" Granger, talk to him. Fill the clueless bugger in on what should have been apparent to him long ago. I can't be bothered." Draco stood and began to pace the length of the table. He couldn't move beyond that as the floor was covered with busy house elves rushing about. Why the hell were they in the kitchen anyway?

As Granger went on to tell Weasley the obvious, Draco tuned them out. That made a hell of a lot of sense. Harry seeking the Dark Lord. That's just like Harry. Take the fight away from those he wished to spare from pain. Pack it all on his back and march the desert alone. Separate and detach from his friends and family, anyone having a connection, go after the bad guy and kill two birds with one stone. That would explain Harry's disappearances and the subtle change to his physique. Subtle and very nice, in Draco's opinion. If only the life was back in Harry's eyes. Draco felt a stirring in his cock just thinking about it. He rushed to sit back down and scolded himself. Now was not the time to start fantasizing about Harry's gorgeous body.

" Blimey." Weasley whispered when Granger was finished explaining. Draco wondered how Weasley could have missed the signs, being so close to Harry and everything. But Weasley was known to be as thick as Crabbe and Goyle sometimes.

" Right. Now that we're on the same page…" Draco turned to Granger, " you must know where he goes."

" No one does. He's very good at disappearing." She looked at Weasley when he nodded. " And we try and follow him at times, but somehow Harry always disappears without a trace."

" We thought maybe the Room of Requirement," Ron admitted. " But he's never there when we get in. We've tried random classrooms, secret passageways… And everything is so much harder because he has the map and his Invisibility Cloak."

Draco perked up. " Really, an Invisibility Cloak? Wicked! What map? Hey!" Draco snapped his fingers. " Lunch! Now, please!" He ordered the lazy house elves that were pretending they weren't there.

Weasley nodded excitedly. " Yeah, we used to get up to all sorts of fun with the cloak."

" Not fun when you get into trouble." Granger muttered. " Like the time we snuck out to the Great Hall at midnight and then you and Harry ended up caught by Filch." She snorted and looked at Draco. " He caught them butt naked. It was so funny. You should have seen your face, Ron! Brilliant!"

" Filch gives me the creeps every time he looks at Harry and me now." Ron said with a humongous shudder.

Harry, as fate would have it, entered the kitchen just then, covered with the same Invisibility Cloak. For a moment he thought about leaving when he heard voices, but since he was hungry and he was under the cloak, he continued deeper into the kitchen, not caring if there was someone else around. Thanks to his cloak, he could grab lunch and go without being bothered. Dobby and the other house elves knew when he was about and Dobby swore not to tell anyone he frequented the kitchen often. Turning the corner, the main kitchen area came into view and Harry stopped short when he noticed who exactly occupied one of the worktables.

What the fuck were Ron and Hermione doing here with Draco of all people? Did they do this often? Since when do they socialize outside of a dance floor or classroom? And they were socializing…happily? Harry eyed them speculatively as the house elves served them lunch. He raised an eyebrow when Draco mumbled thanks to the elf who dropped off his lunch.

" I want to know two things." Draco began by holding up two fingers in front of Ron's face. " What the hell were you doing in the Great Hall at midnight, and why were you and Harry naked? If you give me an answer that causes horrible visions, I will kill you Weasley. So choose your words wisely."

Hermione giggled. " Not like that, Malfoy. It was one of the twins' pranks that backfired…"

Harry's eyes widened. She wouldn't! She would never tell Draco… Harry's cheeks started to burn with embarrassment as Hermione went ahead and told Draco about the covert mission Fred and George sent them on last year. Somehow everything had gone wrong and the twins' product malfunctioned. The twins swore the wrapped boxes were supposed to open and the person who looked in them would then shrink to the size of the box and the prank would only last a few minutes. But instead of their bodies shrinking, their clothes shrank and disappeared, leaving them nude. Hermione was quick to grab the Invisibility Cloak and put it on before Harry and Ron knew what happened. Then she refused to give it over.

" And you stood there giggling the whole time until Filch opened the door." Ron said with a frown before turning to Draco. " Then we didn't see her till the next day at breakfast."

" I certainly wasn't about to hang around and get in trouble. From the beginning I told you it was a bad idea. Trusting one of Fred and George's pranks. That was stupid."

" Granger's obviously the smart one." Draco snickered.

Ron frowned." If it was so stupid then why'd you come with us? You lost your clothes too!"

" Yes, but she didn't stick around to get in trouble." Draco replied to Ron.

Harry stood back and watched Draco with his friends. Friends he continued to push away. It was hard seeing them like this. Then they started to speak in serious tones. Draco began like he was picking up on something they'd been talking about before Harry came to the kitchen.

" So you have no idea where he goes?"

" We never did try the Chamber." Hermione said thoughtfully, returning to their previous topic. " That would be a perfect place and only Harry can get down there because he's a Parselmouth."

" Surely Dumbledore knows how to get down there now." Draco surmised.

" Yeah, and Snape."

Hermione looked between Malfoy and Ron, and was relieved to see they were as relaxed around each other as they had been at the Slytherin party. She suspected that night their civility to each other had been largely due to the alcohol. But it seemed, in both cases, the two wizards were being civil for the sake of Harry. And that was even better.

" He was looking all right though, in class." She said. Draco and Ron nodded. " And I don't think he's been skipping meals like we first thought."

" Then he's been sneaking into the kitchen." Ron said with a small amount of jealousy. Draco sneered at him before an idea struck him. He sat up straight and started grinning.

" Then we'll lay in wait for him here."

" We?" Ron asked in surprise.

Draco gave him a disbelieving look. Hermione sighed and roll her eyes, " Ron, they do fancy each other."

Ron shook his head violently as his temper flared as it was prone to do." But you're the one who did this, Malfoy! You must be joking if you want me to trust you with my best mate again. You're the reason why Harry wants to die!"

Draco gripped the edge of the table. " I didn't mean for it to happen." He ground out. " How many times must I swear it? I'm half to blame for it, yeah, but I never wanted to hurt Harry. Stupid Blaise is not the one I want!" Draco lost his poise and slammed his fist onto the table. Several nearby house elves squeaked in fright and scurried off. Harry's breathing hitched at the determination and honesty shining on Draco's face. He was definitely not prepared to see Draco this way.

" Okay, Malfoy… Calm down. And Ron, Malfoy is not the reason for Harry wanting to end his life. Understand?" Ron reluctantly nodded. " All right, now let's think about this…" Hermione ran her hand over the table. Draco grimaced when she finally held up an index finger covered in crumbs from Ron's sandwich. " Firstly, we can't ambush him here. I really don't think we can ambush him anywhere."

" Well why not?" Ron asked.

" What then?" she asked back. " Are we going to rope and gag him? You think he would like that? You think that's going to get through to him or help in any way?"

Ron lowered his head as he shook it. " No."

" Don't know about Harry, but I would like to rope and gag him very much…" Draco paused and his eyes glazed over as he thought about it. " Maybe not gag, but definitely the rope part. I think we'd have fun."

Harry choked on his next breath and for one wild minute he thought he'd been heard as the three at the table fell silent, though Draco's eyes were shining brightly and if Harry wasn't mistaken, the look in the blonde's eyes told him he was still fanaticizing about the rope and gag right there at the table. Against his will, his own body was reacting to the look on Draco's face. Certain parts were tingling and tightening, sending heat waves of desire through every inch of him. He was surprised the three at the table couldn't feel the heat coming off him.

" Malfoy…" Ron warned. " I don't want to hear anything about that. Get enough of that from Seamus and Dean."

Draco smirked. " You're just jealous."

Hermione clapped her hands. " Attention, please."

" Listen, Granger. Let me have a take on trailing him. I'll have better luck at it."

" Oh I bet you would." Ron snapped. " Being the slimy slithering git that you are." Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron, but Draco continued to smirk.

" Thank you, Weasley. I take that as a great compliment."

" He could be in here right now if he's using the cloak." Ron suddenly said. The three students fell silent and their eyes searched the kitchen. Even though he knew they couldn't see him, he felt if he moved they would. They finally decided Harry was not in the kitchen and went back to talking. Only then did Harry gather enough courage to move and headed to the door as quietly as he came. He couldn't stand to hear anymore. Not when his head was already buzzing with doubts.

HDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHD

Defense Against the Dark Arts followed lunch and Draco approached the class with apprehension. He was so nervous… Harry might attend this class as well. He came to History of Magic, so it was reasonable for him to think Harry would come to DADA as well.

" Draco, what are you doing walking with the Mudblood and her pet Weasel?" Pansy asked coming up beside them with a disgusted sneer for the Gryffindors.

Weasley opened his mouth as his face took on a remarkable likeness of a tomato, but Draco held a hand up to stay his speech. " Fuck off, bitch." Draco said in Weasley's place. " I've more important things to think about now and I don't have the time to converse with gold digging harpies at the moment. Come back in a million years. I might have time then."

Granger snorted, then tried to hide her snickers against Weasley's shoulder. Parkinson looked stunned for about two seconds before she gathered her ammunition.

" Really, Draco dear. Watch your language or I'll have to tell your daddy. You know how he gets when angry."

Draco stopped walking and his hands clenched into white knuckled fists. " Never talk about him to me again." He was unable to keep the rage from lacing each and every word. Rage coming from the greatest betrayal of his family. His father's disownment of him was still very painful. Probably always would be.

" Oh, I do apologize." Pansy's smile was saccharine. " Does Drakie Poo miss his mummy and daddy? Would you like me to send them an owl for-"

Pansy's voice was suddenly cut off. She turned venomous eyes onto Granger and Weasley, thinking they cast the Silencio spell, but they only raised amused eyebrows and gazed over her shoulder while Draco stared down at her with pale features and a twitching eyebrow… if she weren't a woman Draco would gladly fatten her lip. Maybe he'd do it anyway despite her female organs. Her face resembled a small animal instead of a woman anyway. He was drawn out of those thoughts when Granger nudged him and lifted her chin in the direction behind Pansy. Draco's eyes widened minutely as the man of his dreams approached with a dark look on his face.

" Parkinson. You shouldn't speak if you have nothing good to say." Harry's eyes flickered as he glanced at Draco. But then his eyes hardened once again as he came to stand outside of the classroom door. " I believe I've just done the world a huge favor by cutting off your horrid voice." And then he went in.

Pansy gasped in outrage before rushing into the class behind him, no doubt heading straight for the Professor. Draco dropped his eyes to the floor and relaxed his hands.

" He just helped me, right? What does that mean?" Draco turned to the Gryffindors beside him. " Am I forgiven?"

Weasley shrugged, but was looking in better spirits after seeing the emotion swirling in Harry's eyes. " Looks like you didn't completely fuck it up after all."

" Though he didn't look entirely pleased to see any of us." Granger commented quietly as they walked into the room.

Draco separated from the Gryffindors and headed over to the Slytherin side. He may be cooperating with two halves of the Golden Trio, but that didn't make him a bloody Gryffindor and he wasn't about to sit down with Granger and the Weasel for more time then absolutely necessary. He sat at his regular place in the middle of the classroom while his classmates arranged and settled around him. Harry was sitting at the back once again, and Draco felt his eyes on him. He briefly thought about hanging it all and going to sit beside Harry, but those green eyes darkened in warning as if Harry knew exactly what he was thinking. Draco preferred to stay alive, unlike some people, and decided sitting across the room would be better.

Harry snorted quietly to himself and continued to watch. Without fail the Slytherins did this, arrange around the Slytherin prince. Even Parkinson was doing it, after several glares from her fellow classmates. Draco relaxed into his seat and ignored what was going on around him. He was still their undisputable leader, despite his switch of sides to the Light. Harry couldn't help feeling the highest respect for the blonde. Slytherins jump at the chance to backstab to save their own skins, but somehow Draco had managed to keep his title as leader. That command of respect and natural leadership was something Harry found incredibly attractive.

Stop thinking about him. The voice from the dark whispered. A low silky voice that always had Harry thinking about the abyss. The voice drew him into the controlled darkness, the quiet and the warmth. It was odd, Harry thought while resting his head on the desk and closing his eyes. The darkness was warm. When he slept and floated, nothing could disturb or frighten him. Fear could not penetrate the warm darkness always cocooning him.

Harry smiled against his arm. He was almost there. All he needed to do was plan out the journey to Voldemort, kill the psychotic bastard, and then he would be free. And he wouldn't have to fear and wonder about his future. Wondering where to go once he was of no more use to the world. Who says you would become useless? Your fears are unjustified and simply stupid. Harry inwardly groaned. Having Draco's voice in his head was bad. Green eyes peaked over his arm to look between the rows of students. Draco was smirking at Parkinson who tried to complain to Zabini about being silenced, but the Italian studiously ignored the bint. Ron was having a time laughing and pointing at her, doing a great job of building Parkinson's anger. Hermione shook her head slightly at her boyfriend's antics, but left him alone in order to give the DADA Professor her undivided attention.

Professor Travelone. Harry didn't hate the Professor, but he didn't like him either. Travelone had to be the most boring teacher at school. Older then Dumbledore, always hunched over, a head shorter then Harry, and always going on in the same boring tone. Harry was sure Professors Binns and Travelone were related some how. And it was so easy to drift away into unhelpful thoughts the moment Travelone began his lectures.

Harry's gaze invariably moved back to Draco. He scowled when he realized the uneasiness he felt was fear. Fear of Draco. Fear of losing sight of his goal. It was impossible to look at Draco and continue wish for the darkness. It just seemed wrong. The Slytherin looked anything but dark. Blonde hair, pale skin, and intense eyes… Gray eyes always piercing Harry with some deep meaning that did nothing but shoot white-hot light into Harry's head even as he tried to figure out what the Slytherin's eyes were telling him. Yeah, he had trouble thinking about the darkness when Draco was a bloody bright beacon…

Harry frowned. Thinking about Draco would lead him nowhere fast. So maybe Draco was mostly innocent. The blonde really did want him and everything with Zabini had been an awful misunderstanding. So what? Getting mixed up with Draco now would be foolish and he had plans. He was leaving and taking no one with him. Maybe he would accept Draco's apology, but that was all. If he wasn't careful Draco could swallow him. Harry couldn't have that. The darkness was the only thing Harry wanted to surrender to now.


A/N: Sorry for the long wait between updates for this story. Just really busy trying to get out chapters for LA. I'm determined to see that story finished no matter what. So anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter! Have a great weekend!