Gosh, I'm back again!
It feels really good to be updating so quickly on this story! It's so unusual for me! Normally I sway backwards and forwards between stories and can never really stick with one for long, so I'm really putting my all into this! I hope you guys appreciate all of the updates!
I do love hearing from you saying good things like 'Yay, another update!' rather than' Why haven't you updates yet?' –sweatdrop- I'm sorry I'm so unreliable!
Also, I'd like to take a moment to address something. I've had a surprising amount of reviews asking 'Is Harry some kind of creature?'
…
-facepalm-
Yes! Harry is a creature! I've actually dropped a buttload of hints, but I'll admit that most of them are very well hidden. My plan with this story was always to be very subtle in the beginning, and work my way up. This chapter marks the first of many where questions will finally start to be answered! So chin up reviewers, you'll find out the truth eventually!
Disclaimer: Not mine, never has been, never will be. The plot however, is all of my own creation.
88888988888
Draco sighed tiredly, eyes drifting over his plate with clearly visible disdain. Deciding it really wasn't worth sitting at the table any longer he stood, leaving his still full plate behind him as he headed out into the hall.
'Draco!'
He stopped in his tracks, stomach sinking as he turned to face the girl, 'Yes Pansy?'
'You didn't eat again!' she accused, walking towards him rapidly to poke a finger into his chest, 'It's not healthy! So either you tell me what's going on, or you get your butt back in there and eat!'
Draco frowned, 'Nothing's wrong, I'm just not hungry Pansy.'
'Oh sure, nothing's up!' she cried, throwing her arms wide, 'Except something obviously is! You've hardly eaten anything since we got to school, and I'm sure you weren't eating before then, it's a wonder you're not fainting in the halls!'
Draco rolled his eyes, 'Oh please Pansy, stop being so dramatic!'
Pansy huffed, her hands moving to rest on her hips as she turned her most fierce gaze on the other boy, 'Draco I am not being dramatic, I'm being caring! So now you are going to come back into the great hall with me, and you are going to eat!'
Draco wanted to argue with the stubborn girl more, but a brief wave of dizziness forced him to grudgingly acknowledge the fact that she may be right. Sighing, he nodded in defeat and turned back to the hall, stomach roiling at the mere thought of food.
Pansy watched him go sadly; there wasn't much she could do for him, but at least she could see he didn't starve himself to death. Turning on her heels she followed him back into the great hall.
88888988888
Harry groaned, eyes blinking open slowly as he tried to understand what had happened to him. He tried to sit up, and with a gasp of pain fell back to the floor instantly, needles jabbing at his spine as a wave of agony shot through his system.
He eyed the room warily from his prone position on the floor. It was dark, pale moonlight filtering through the large window of his bedroom, illuminating the two tired looking portraits, and the soft outline of two miserable looking doxies.
'Harry dear, don't try to move too much, just rest.'
Orion's soft voice reached his ears in a pitch far too high and he groaned, curling onto his side as he pulled his limbs up to his body, excruciating pain emanating from his every joint, from every inch of skin caressed by the cool night air.
He led like that for what felt like hours, before tentatively uncurling himself, and rising slowly to a sitting position. His head buzzed like it was filled with hornets as he shook himself wearily, pain slowly ebbing away.
Beside him the two doxies were curled together, watching him worriedly. Flx' face was clearly marked where he'd been crying, and Harry smiled at him gently, 'It's okay Flx, it's alright, I'm fine.'
Flx let out a high pitched whine and flew straight at Harry, curling close to his neck as he grasped the pale human with his hands, seemingly needing to feel for himself that his beloved human was still alive.
Harry chuckled to himself, a small smile lighting his features now that the worst of the effects seemed to have passed.
'You really had us worried there Harry…' Phillius sighed, 'We thought we'd lost you.'
Harry shook his head, 'No, I'm alright. Seems like I didn't get enough poison to actually kill me. I should probably take some of that antidote I made in potions though, just to be sure.'
He stood slowly, surprised to find that no pain accompanied the move. His jaunting movements quickly began to smooth out as he walked to the cabinet he'd placed the potion in, and removed it.
Walking back to sit heavily on the couch, he uncorked the vial and lifted it to his lips. As he did so he inspected his thumb tiredly, only to stop suddenly, lowering the vial.
'What is it Harry?' Orion asked worriedly, Her face still pale from the hours they'd watched Harry, unmoving, unable to help.
He shook his head, 'The bite, it's gone.' And indeed it was, there wasn't a single mark on his thumb to show the trauma it had received only hours before. As he'd passed out, he'd seen the skin swell and split, but now it was fine?
He shook his head, realising that he felt completely fine; as though there wasn't a single drop of the deadly toxin left in his system. Looking down at the vial in his bandaged hand, he shrugged, and re-corked it, standing to place it back in its cabinet.
When he sat again he raised an eyebrow, and lifted his bandaged hand to his eyes. He gaze flicked from his hand, to the portraits and then back, before settling on the doxies, who still watched him with worried eyes, perhaps afraid that he would still succumb to the accidental attack.
Harry took a deep breath, and began to unwind the bandage. The inhalation caught in his throat as the white material fell away to expose pale, perfect skin, any hint of the cuts having vanished as if they were never there.
His eyes blew wide as his mind spun with the implications. A doxy bite should have taken him completely out of commission. It was possible to recover from one of course, but not as quickly as he had; not without any lingering traces. And now this?
Harry frowned, catching his bottom lip as he worried it between his teeth. He had known at the core of himself that he couldn't report to Madam Pomfrey when it happened, without having any logical reason not to. The cuts had been severe; they had bled on and off since he got them, healing slowly enough that he knew he'd be in for a few weeks of recovery. For them to heal so suddenly…
'No.'
He stood, face set as his voice filled the room with silence, breath gone from his lungs as he turned his eyes on the portraits.
'No.' He repeated firmly, before climbing the stairs towards his bedroom.
The two portraits could do nothing as they watched his retreating back, anxious doxies flitting after him.
88888988888
Harry rose tiredly as sunlight shone down on him harshly, large window not sparing him a single ray as he stumbled from his bed.
Making his way into his bathroom he stripped quickly, before turning on his shower and stepping inside, cold water bathing him in serene calm.
Mex and Flx suddenly appeared before him, sitting on the shower rack as they yawned and stretched.
Flx looked up at Harry with big, bloodshot eyes and he smiled warmly at the little creature, 'Don't worry Flx, I'm fine, see?' he held his arms out and turned under the spray, lopsided grin on his lips as he flicked a long strand of wet hair out of his face.
The doxy smiled at him in return and nodded, clearly satisfied that Harry was okay, but still feeling bad for his instinctive bite.
Harry washed himself absently, mind straying from one thing to another, until he felt a tingling touch again his spine.
Gasping he felt the caress travel down his spine as Mex pressed firmly into his back, hands trailing down the sharp curve of his back as Flx watched him worriedly from the shelf.
Harry groaned and pressed himself into the cool tile of the wall, shuddering as the soft pressure travelled first up, and then back down the smooth expanse of his back, making his body quake as a sudden and unexpected rush of pleasure invaded his system. His eyes blew wide, pupils dilated as a heady moan worked its way free from the back of his throat.
Mex removed his hands and buzzed back to his spot on the rack, eyes watching Harry questioningly.
Harry gaped at the doxy, before shaking himself and managing to stand once again, green eyes still wide and pale cheeks flushed.
He rinsed his body off and stepped out of the shower quickly. Shaking his head like a dog he grabbed a towel from the rack and slung it around his waist, before turning to look at the full length mirror spanning the far wall.
'Okay.' He said to himself determinedly, 'let's see what you're trying to tell me.'
Mex nodded at him from his place perched on the edge of the bath, and Harry turned slowly. Looking back over his shoulder he gaped.
His skin was as pale as it was possible to be, his back one great expanse of milky skin, still dripping wet, but that was not what caught his attention. He brought a hand up to the back of his neck, pulling the long wet strands of black hair out of the way, as he took in the full sight of his back.
He was never a particularly well built person, so he wasn't surprised to see the small bumps his spine made as it trailed from the base of his neck to the small of his back. But he was pretty sure a spine wasn't supposed to be black.
The marks were harsh against his pale skin, the bone most clearly visible at the top of his back between his shoulder blades, where the deep black was most prominent. They paled to a dull grey at the top of his neck, and small of his back, where the bones were furthest away from the skin.
Harry closed his eyes and sighed.
Shaking his head he walked back into his bedroom, grabbing his clothes as he got ready for the day ahead.
88888988888
Harry was sat on the grass near the lake when a familiar voice reached him.
'Potter!'
Harry turned, growl already working its way from his throat as he turned on the other boy.
Draco threw his hands up, palms wide in the universally accepted sign of 'I'm unarmed' with a rather snide 'you dick' added by the curve of his raised eyebrow. 'Sorry, Black. No offence, it's just going to take a little getting used to.'
Harry nodded, turning back to the lake, 'What do you want Malfoy?'
The boy sighed behind him, 'Snape sent me to give you a message, he wants to see us both in his office at eight tonight.'
Harry turned to look at him again, 'He what? Are we in trouble or something?' he asked.
Draco just shrugged, 'I have no idea. But if we are I'll be pissed, we're the best damn students in that class!' he huffed.
Harry laughed, 'Well that's true.'
Draco grinned at him cheekily, before turning to go, 'Well, I guess I'll see you tonight then' and he was gone, leaving the other boy to his thoughts.
Harry frowned at himself, the slight quirk of his lips telling him more than his flummoxed mind seemed capable of. That had been the first conversation he'd ever had with the pale Slytherin that had ended in a smile on both their lips.
As nice as that was, he was pretty sure it wasn't supposed to leave him feeling as pleased as he was. Shrugging to himself he turned his gaze on the lake, and his mind to other things.
88888988888
Draco closed his bedroom door behind him, throwing himself onto his bed with little care as he sighed contentedly.
He had a few hours until he was due in Snape's office, and had decided on a small nap to pass the time. His eyes slid idly to the basket on his bedside table, a present from Pansy in the hopes that he might eat something.
He suddenly realised he was really hungry, and reached out for an apple, biting into it with relish.
Lying on his bed he ate in silence, before looking at the leftover core, and frowning; this was not right.
Standing, he threw it into the bin in his bathroom and moved to sit on the edge of his bed, eyes downcast as he plucked at the covers. Sighing, he led back and rolled onto his bed, curling in on himself as he tried to find sleep, even if it was only for a few hours.
88888988888
'Harry Black, you are requested at the headmaster's office.'
Harry scowled at the messenger, the first year slowly shrinking under his gaze as she shuffled her feet uncomfortably.
'Thank you' he said at last, gathering his books as he stood from his seat, weaving his way through the tables packed with studying students, and out of the library.
He dumped his things in his rooms before making his way to the headmaster's office. When he was at last stood before the large door, he took a deep breath, and knocked.
'Enter.'
Harry did so, noticing the plush pink armchair once again waiting for him, his demeanour grew colder.
'Professor?' he asked as much as greeted, not at all pleased to be in the other man's presence.
'Harry, I've asked you here because I've heard some quite unsettling things.' The old man surveyed him over the rim of his glasses, hands steepled before him as he watched the boy like one would a particularly delicious slab of meat.
'Such as?' Harry bit out around the anger rising in his throat.
'I've heard that you've removed yourself from the Gryffindor tower, you know I can't allow that. May I enquire as to where you're living now?'
Harry's eyes widened with sudden understanding, before a lazy smile curled across his lips. 'Yes, I have moved to new quarters. And no, I will not tell you where.'
The soft smile and twinkle in the old man's eyes didn't disappear, but Harry was certain he saw them harden, 'That is unacceptable. You are to move back into the Gryffindor tower immediately.'
Harry's smile didn't fade in the slightest, 'I'm sorry professor, but the answer is no. I like my new quarters, there are no rules against them, and as such I intend to remain exactly where I am.'
Dumbledore stood tiredly, eyes passing over the younger man dismissively as he spoke his next words, 'You will do as I say Harry, or I will have you forcibly moved.'
Harry's face turned cold, as did his tone, 'Professor, you have no right to move me. I've checked the school rules and there is nothing in them about a student having their own rooms. If you try to find out where in the castle I am staying, or try to remove me, I will have you brought up on legal charges.'
'You do realise I could have you expelled for this Harry?', the headmaster asked quietly.
Harry grinned, turning his back on the professor as he opened the door, ready to leave, 'Again, if you try professor, I will bring legal action against you. Trust me, you don't want to fight me on this one, or it just might be you who's kicked out of Hogwarts.'
He turned his brilliant smile on the headmaster, eyes shining with laughter, 'Goodnight professor.'
Then he was gone, leaving the old man to his quiet rage.
88888988888
'Harry!'
Harry turned, startled by the sudden intrusion into his thoughts. 'Hermione?'
She ran up to him, large smile plastered across her face, 'Oh Harry, it feels like it's been forever! We never seem to have class together anymore!'
Harry smiled, 'It's good to see you too Hermione.'
Ron trailed somewhat behind Hermione, greeting Harry with a little less enthusiasm, having seen him earlier that day, 'Hey mate, what's up?'
Harry shrugged, 'I just finished a meeting with Dumbledore, he's not pleased I've moved out of Gryffindor.'
Hermione gaped at him, 'You did what?'
Harry smiled, 'Yeah, I moved out a couple of days ago, I have my own rooms now. I think I just needed a change.'
Ron grinned, 'And I like having the room all to myself!'
Hermione however was scowling at him, 'You can't do that Harry, it's against the rules!'
Harry grinned, 'Actually it's not, I checked.'
Her scowl didn't budge though, 'Did Dumbledore tell you to move back to Gryffindor?'
Harry's smile faded a little, 'Yeah he did, but I told him no. When he threatened to expel me I told him I'd bring legal action if he even tried.'
Hermione gasped, taking a step back, 'You did what? Harry how can you say things like that? Dumbledore wants what's best for you, you should do as he says! For that matter, you should let the order go back to Grimmauld Place! What were you even thinking kicking them out?'
Harry's features turned dark, 'No. Dumbledore screwed me around all last year, he's the reason Sirius is dead Hermione! If he'd just been straight with me from the beginning, none of it would have happened!' He took a step away from her, shaking his head angrily, 'I thought you understood my position on this!'
She gaped at him, 'You thought I would understand you going again Dumbledore? None of what happened last year was his fault! He's right Harry, he's always right and you should do as he says!'
'Enough!'
Harry's heart shuddered to a stop as he pulled in a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, 'Enough Hermione, I don't want to hear any more.'
He turned quickly, trying to leave as he attempted to pull his shattering control back together.
'Harry James Potter, you will listen to me!'
Harry snapped.
'It's Black!' he cried, turning on the girl with anger flaring deep in his eyes, hatred roiling in his gut, 'Don't you tell me what I will and will not do! I don't owe you anything, and you don't own me!'
His tone turned cold as he took another step closer, grabbing Hermione's robes and pulling her forward, startling a noise from Ron as he watched in disbelief.
'If you ever call me Potter again, Granger, I will make you regret it.' He hissed quietly, hard eyes conveying the truth of his words.
He released her and turned quickly to leave, robes sweeping behind him as the girl stared at his retreating back, outrage flickering in her eyes.
He had a meeting to get to.
88888988888
Well there you have it! I hope you like it so far! Also! I know I'm going to get questions about this, so I'll clear it all up before that even starts. Draco does NOT have an eating disorder. Don't go getting all emo on me guys, that's not what this story is all about; there'll be no uber angst here, at least none of the suicide/self harming/eating disorder kind. XP
Thank you so much for all of the reviews I've received with the release of each chapter, it's you guys who keep me updating!
So how about another writer-spurring-into-action review? :D
You've made it this far, is it really that hard to push the button?