Harry came to with the sensation of sandpaper scrubbing against his cheek and the feeling of eyes on him. He blinked his eyes open, everything looking a bit hazy. The white-blonde of Draco Malfoy's hair was the only thing he could really see.

Draco touched Harry's hand gently. "Are you alright?"

Harry frowned and looked at him, brushing the back of his hand over his cheek-where the sandpaper was. A tiny mew and whiskers caressed his hand. Whisper. He closed his eyes, pulling the kitten onto his chest.

Draco frowned. "Are you alright? You just keeled over for seemingly no reason."

Harry opened his eyes again and nodded. He pushed himself up, Whisper sliding down to his lap. He looked around carefully, then glanced at his bed and began to pull himself into a standing position.

"Here, let me help," Draco said, pressing his hand into the dark haired teens hip. Harry stiffened at the touch, but the blond payed it no attention.

Standing with Whisper curled into his arm, Harry gave him a small, quick, smile and took a seat. For the defeater of the greatest dark lord, he couldn't believe how weak he'd become. The ex-Gryffindor's stomach flopped uncomfortably.

Draco backed away and looked around. "Well, I'll leave you be then. Severus has a watch on the rooms, so don't try to leave." He gave Harry a small look. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Harry watched him leave with a frown. He was locked in here? He let out a breath, bringing the edge of the comforter over him and Whisper as he layed down. He could learn to live with it.


The next day, Harry rubbed the remnants of a shaky sleep from his eyes. The nightmares were going full force and he was lucky that Snape's watch couldn't go through his illusions of a perfectly sleeping boy. He could live with being stuck in the room all night-but that didn't mean he was okay with the Potions Master knowing of his sleeping habits.

He dressed quickly, his hands looking like drunken, white spiders as he tied the green and silver tie around his neck. If he could just get his hands to look normal, he'd live with what the rest of his body looked like. Not that he was particularly keen of looking at himself.

Harry drug his teeth over his lip. A little illusion to make them normal wouldn't hurt, right? No one would even notice. He glanced at Whisper who was fast asleep. No one would know. Harry concentrated hard on his hands, the shimmer and tingle of magic sliding over his skin. He'd have to keep them pale, though he longed for the tan of his glory days. He'd liked himself then.

Shaking his head, he flexed his new fingers and admired the strength they had. Much better than the bones. He nodded once to himself, finished getting dressed and grabbed his bag. He opened his door began to make his way out of the Slytherin common room. He'd just made it to the door when Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode came up to him, hands held and smiles on their faces.

"Where do you think you're going all alone like that, Harry?" Pansy asked, arching an eyebrow in his direction. Harry stared at her and hoped that he could convey a hungry sort of look. She simply stood there, waiting for an answer.

Harry looked down and blinked, then pointed to his stomach.

"Oh." She smiled and laughed. "Sorry! We'll go with you. Millie and I are always the early bird eaters."

He nodded slowly.

Millicent smiled. "You should know that we don't go out alone. It's kind of a rule." He nodded again, making her smile a little more. "And I know you're not going to be talking or whatever, but I can't read your expressions. I've never been able to read people."

They began to make their way out of the common room, the stone door grating shut behind them. What was Millicent trying to get to? If she didn't want to talk with him, that wasn't really his problem, was it?

"What Millie's trying to say, is that she'd like it if you could do magic words for speech. It'd be really useful for all of us, actually." Pansy flipped her hair and hooked her arm with Harry's.

Harry waved his hand in front of him, the word Okay appearing where his hand left.

"Perfect!" They both gave him a small hug. Harry stiffened and gave them a curt nod. Why did everyone want to touch him? He refrained from sighing.


Draco made his way to breakfast with Blaise in tow, wondering where the ex-Gryffindor had managed to go. It was only nine in the morning! Draco thought he was an early riser-not as early as the girls, but he was early enough.

When he entered the Great Hall, he had to hide his surprise at the chuckles surrounding his table. Blaise's eyebrows furrowed together at the sight. "What's so funny, do you think?"

Draco shrugged a shoulder elegantly. "Who knows." He pulled him along. "We'll have to see."

They arrived at the table and he squeezed into his spot in front of Harry while Blaise sat beside the dark haired teen.

"Finally up, Draco?" Pansy asked, beginning to load his plate. Her eyes were watery and she was failing to hide her large smile. "It's about time."

"You've missed some great moments," Millicent giggled, covering her mouth.

"What?"

Blaise made a face and looked over Harry-his expression was brighter than normal. He grinned. "Have you been telling jokes, Harry-J?"

Harry blinked at him, eyes wide. Millicent giggled even harder and Pansy began to snicker.

"What is so funny?" Draco moaned. He hated being out of the loop.

Pansy spewed her eggs in the most ungraceful way and clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh, merlin, Draco. Harry here is a master spy. He's seen so much-he was telling this story about McGonagall-" She began laughing again.

Blaise and Draco exchanged looks. "Pansy..." The blonde began.

The Italian cut in. "Harry doesn't talk?"

"Not out loud," Millicent said.

Draco looked at Harry, eyebrows furrowed together. What? He gave a sheepish smile and tapped the air with his fork. Asked me to talk like this.

His jaw dropped. Why hadn't he thought of this before? "It's brilliant."

They all talked, Draco's eyes remaining on Harry's slim form. His graceful fingers fluttering about the air. He looked so lively-so healthy. It was hard to think that he'd been sick and frail just a day or so ago. It wasn't long before the two of them had to head off to Potions.

He stood and motioned Harry with. "Come on. We've got class to go to." Harry nodded and gave a barely noticeable wave as he moved around the table and met Draco on the other side. They walked in silence.

Today was going to be great-Draco could just tell. He glanced over to Harry with a smile, pausing when he saw the other had stopped-his face and body looking perfect. "What?"

"Hey, kiddo!"

Draco looked to the voice and choked on his saliva.

There, grinning with long matted hair and tatty clothes stood Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.


AN: Hey everyone, sorry for the late update, but, life happens as you know it. Still going to try to get another chapter out sooner rather than later, though! I love you guys so much that if want to have a little story or whatever dedicated to you, I'd love to write one for you! Just give me a PM. Also, once I get halfway through Nihility (who knows when that'll happen) I'll begin the next story. So keep voting for the story you'd rather read! Thanks everyone for sticking with me! 3!