Chapter 10

This chapter is a little short, sorry, it was originally my longest chapter at nearly 5,000 words. I decided to split it into two chapters. I hope you all enjoy! As always thank you for reading, please follow/favorite and review!

Harry sighed and closed his eyes. He could feel a headache brewing and his strength beginning to fade.

"Headache?" Draco asked.

"Mhmm. I take it it's the potion."

"You would be correct but that's not the potion I want to discuss. The elf, Kreacher I take it, mentioned one. What is it?"

"As I mentioned he gave me a sort of 'gift'. The best way I can explain it is he took away emotions and feeling's he thought would hinder my decision to do the right thing. I can't feel remorse, happiness, love, excitement, or basically anything that the old Harry would use to drive his decisions. I also can't feel pain to a certain extent. Most of the time I faked being in pain so they would think it was working. The damage was there and getting worse but I never felt it until it got to my bones."

Draco sat quietly and listened as Harry went on about all of the thing he did and didn't feel. He listened as Harry described in detail each of the forms of torture he endured. He fought back the feeling of nausea that was building with each more horrifying thing he heard. It was his Harry that they had done this too. After Harry told him what Blaise had done his nausea was replaced with seething anger. He tried his best to keep a calm face but knew Harry could see right through it.

"So basically the point of the increased pain tolerance was so that I wouldn't be affected by the pain of my core disintegrating until it was too late. So between the physical toll of time travel and the deteriorating core I needed a way to heal the physical manifestations, hinder the pain, and slow the process. Thus I created the core potion. It's not a cure but it's a temporary fix- that is if it's taken."

"And unicorn blood is an ingredient?"

"It's the most important one. Even though the other ingredients contain healing components without the blood it isn't strong enough."

"Where did you get it?"

Remember in first year there was a slain unicorn in the Forbidden Forest? Apparently, Severus collected the blood and has had it stored all these years. Now it seems I've run out."

"Ignoring the fact that you called him Severus there's more than just what he had at the school-"

"If you're about to say Spinner's End, don't, I've depleted that as well." Harry interrupted.

"Actually I was going to say the potions room here. I have some. He gave it to me many years ago and when I moved in Hermione had all my stuff brought here from the Ministry vaults. I'm not sure how much I have but it's something. Though, it can do more than just kill you, I might be able to find another ingredient given there's enough time."

"I've already tried. Nothing else will work. And at this point I'm pretty certain I can't die."

"You might be reconsidering that statement in the morning when that potion wears off." Draco retorted.

They sat together for a long time discussing the events of the past year and half. Draco told him about the inquiries and how he had occupied his time since coming to Grimmauld Place. Harry told Draco about Severus being his dad and filled him in on his parent's lifelong connection. He told Draco about some of his missions and base camp. He explained everything about the portkeys and Anderson the bar keep. By the time they finished the sun had nearly set, the last light of day peeking through the curtains.

"It's Christmas you know. We should go downstairs and sit by the fire with Hermione. I can help you." Draco urged.

"My head is pounding and I can barely see straight. I can feel it wearing off."

Draco's brow furrowed, "it hasn't quite been twelve hours yet. The effects must wear off faster with more damage. I've only brewed one successfully and I don't have what I need to make another."

Harry smiled softly as he laid back into the pillows, "you've taken quite a liking to potions."

"I have. I think I want to be a healer, if they'll let me, once my sentence is finished."

"When will that be?" he asked with a more serious tone.

"They threw out some numbers but were never specific. I have a feeling they'll try to drag it out for life."

"I won't let that happen. Once I'm better I'll see what I can do."

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Draco said solemnly.

"I didn't promise but I understand. I failed you. I'm sorry."

The room was quiet, both boys lost in thought about what could have been after that day. There was a small knock on the door before it creaked open. Hermione walked in, her face puffy and red, eyes swollen from crying. She moved to sit back where she had been earlier but stopped.

"I need to know that you regret it. That it was the only thing you could do or you would be dead. I need to know that you- you aren't becoming like him- like Voldemort."

"'Hermione I can't. I'm not quite sure myself."

Hermione's gaze moved to him, fear and confusion written on her face, "Harry-"

"Hermione he needs rest and we need to talk. Let's go see about some dinner. I'm famished and I'm certain the two of you are as well." Draco said ushering her out of the room, leaving no room for discussion from either party.

Harry relaxed into the bed. It was soft and warm and for the first time in hours he felt like he could breathe a normal breath. Draco was intoxicating. He knew that if he had the capabilities he would be overwhelmed by the man who had spent the whole day mere inches from him. He allowed himself to drift off to sleep with thoughts of Draco on his mind.

It was much later when he awoke and he was suddenly alerted to someone else I the room. A hooded figure stood at the foot of his bed and he tried his best to discern who it was.

"Lucius?" he hissed.

"My dear Harry. It seems we find our paths crossed again."

"Death." He spat. "What are you doing here?"

"You've fallen behind on your quest and I must say I'm disappointed."

"Oh come off it. You know where I've been."

"Yes and though unfortunate it is not the reason for my being here."

"Why are you here?" He asked trying to sit up. Evidently the potion had nearly worn off as he found this to be impossible.

"I've come to release you from our deal."

"But not enough lives have been saved. Isn't the world still unbalanced or whatever it is."

"As it seems the living have determined this to be an opportune time to procreate. Though not fully restored, enough balance has been reached, I can release you from your obligations."

"You mean you can restore my feelings?"

"And your pain."

"What about my core, will it heal?"

"The damage had been done. It won't fade any further but I cannot say it will ever be restored."

"Do it." Harry said.

"I do hope we do not see each other for a very long time Mr. Potter." Death said with a wave of his hand.

Harry felt a warm sensation wash over him. He felt as though the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. The ice cold sensation he had grown accustomed to dissipated. He was happy, sad, and confused all at once. It was then the immeasurable pain hit him. He could feel the broken bones, each gash and cut, all the pain he should have felt the past six months hitting him at once. He screamed, a blood curdling scream, as he was paralyzed from the pain. He screamed and screamed unable to hold himself back. Tears streamed down his face unhindered.

The door swung open as Draco and Hermione burst through freezing as their eyes landed on Death. He swirled his cloak and disappeared; leaving them to stare at the spot he had been. Harry continued to scream pulling them from their confusion.

"Draco my wand!" Hermione called barely audible over Harry's cries for help.

As Harry's screams intensified Draco struggled to focus on helping Hermione heal him. Each time Harry let out another wail he felt a knife plunge into his heart.

"Hold him or he'll hurt himself more thrashing like that!" She hollered.

It took everything he had not to cry as Harry let out an ear-piercing scream at his added weight. Harry fought back against him, his heart sinking each time he had to push harder. Eventually Hermione forced a potion into Harry's mouth. They waited for him to quiet and still. Both breathe a heavy sigh of relief as he fell asleep. Draco pulled back from him and plopped into the chair still next to the bed, Hermione following suit.

"What did you give him?" he asked.

"A coma inducing potion. When he's healed, he'll wake, but until then this is how he'll be."

"Any guess how long that'll be?"

"I have no bloody clue."