Why Do You Even Care?

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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Seriously if I did, Harry and Draco would have had a hot and steamy sex scene. It would be great…

Beta: fyrelement / starlit gossamer I love her to death…she's the best ever!!!! Check out her stories and review, she's really amazing! Thank you fyrelement!!!

Well, everyone, I want to give a special, SPECIAL thanks to my beta. She is extremely busy, and yet she still finds time to do this for me. I love her to death. Here's chapter 11, hope you enjoy it! And really you should check out my beta's work. Her name, other than fyrelement, is starlit gossamer. She does amazing work! Check it out!

Everyone who reviewed THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I'm past the 200 mark!!!! 200!!!! I cant believe it. It made me so happy, I couldn't believe everyone liked this story. Oh…it makes my cold and lonely nights warm!!!! Lol. Sorry, I'm eating plain cookie dough again. Thanks everyone!!!

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Chapter 11

"So… that's it?" Hermione asked dully. "That is your brilliant plan?" Her chest heaved heavily, anger starting to rise. "You want us to just waltz in and rescue Malfoy if there's a problem?"

"No, er, not exactly. And, I didn't say 'waltz' on in there, I said 'sneak'. I have my invisibility cloak right now - we can use it."

Hermione made a sound of exasperation. "Thank Merlin you came to me before you pig-headedly went in there on your own. You would have been captured by Lucius and handed over to the Dark Lord!"

"Ah come on 'Mione, I'm not loud when I have it on!" Harry protested, trailing behind her as she paced.

"Yeah, and what did you mean 'thank Merlin you came to me'? What about me!?" Ron yelled.

Hermione rubbed the bridge of her nose with her left hand; as her right was flexing and relaxing – her own way of dealing with the ignorant idiots she considered her best friends. "How have I managed to deal with you two for this long? Harry, every witch and wizard has a magical signature. It's not really noticeable, but with proper spells and barriers it could be. Lucius Malfoy is Voldemort's right-hand man, don't you think his house would be covered in wards to detect those signatures?"

"Oh… guess you're right." Harry murmured. "If that's so, then how can we do it?"

"Simple. We place a spell on each of us to mask our magical signatures… but that means you cannot use magic while under it. If you do, your magical energy gets the best of you. It will break, and we will be screwed."

"And… you know this spell, Herm?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Yes. One of you - well, that would be Harry – will place the spell on me and I will, in turn, place it on you two." Hermione said calmly.

Ron scowled and turned away from his girlfriend. "You give me no magical credit. I am capable of doing spells too you know."

She sighed and looked at the red head. "You're right, I'm sorry." Hermione leaned and planted a tender kiss on his cheek.

"So I can do the spell?" Ron chirped.

Hermione glanced at him, cocking an eyebrow, for a minute before standing up and stating simply, "No." She grabbed a few books, and gestured for the boys to look at them. Ron huffed angrily, but when finally looking at the spell, he was somewhat relieved. The red headed Gryffindor doubted he would be able to even pronounce the words correctly.

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"Alright," Hermione said after awhile, having just run over the kinks and in the main strategy of their plan, which she had pounded into the two boys' heads. "I think that's it; we leave to follow him bright and early in the morning. All Ron and I have to do is send an emergency owl to Fred and George to steal Mr. Weasley's car. We really need it to be able to follow Malfoy. It shouldn't be too hard; those two can pull off anything." She got up, giving her boyfriend a hand as well. "Well, Harry, we're off to send that letter. Maybe you should go back to Draco. Maybe he'll talk."

They left to go their separate ways.

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Draco's eyes fluttered open, seeing only what was illuminated by gentle moonlight. Moving slightly, his body stiffened at the cold feeling of the soft, empty sheets around him. Searching frantically, for Harry and his warmth, his blind fingers grasped a small piece of parchment, no doubt left by said boy. Tilting it carefully as if it was as fragile as spun glass towards the soft light, he could make out the simple words.

Draco,

I will be back shortly, promise. At most 9:30.

-Harry

Draco crumpled the note and threw it with all the strength he could muster. It wasn't that he was mad at Harry or anything; he was just stressed in more ways than one, and the piece of paper seemed like a good victim to let his frustrations out on. Not that it did much good… it was paper after all.

The Slytherin knew what he wanted to do. He also knew he shouldn't do it, but the urge was too strong, and what he would undoubtedly receive at 'home' stiffened his resolve. Hastily, Draco reached into his bag, which he kept close by, yet hidden, and grabbed his trusty knife.

Usually, he would take more time with this, reveling in it, but he was just so angry; so tense; so impatient for everything to happen, and yet prayed for time to stand still. He just wanted it now. He needed it now.

He unsheathed the dagger and held it to his forearm.

I'm sorry I'm so weak. He wastalking to no one in particular, but he felt it needed to be said; or at least thought.

Draco's thought process slowed and blurred out of focus as angry, stressed tears streamed down his face. With no hesitation, the blond bent over his forearm, taking everything out on it.

For making my father hate me so.

Slash.

For making me a freak.

Slash.

For involving Demetri.

Slash. Slash.

For having Harry care about me when it's pointless.

Slash. Slash. Slash.

For making me so fucking weak!

Slash. Slash. Slash. Slash. Slash.

And through it all, he couldn't see; couldn't breath, only able to witness agonizingly poisonous thoughts flow into his mind.

It had happened all so fast. The slashes were quick. There were few breaks between, if any. The thoughts had zipped in his mind so quickly, as soon as they came, they were gone and on to a next. The only thing happening was here and now. The only thing real was his flesh, mind, and dagger. Until he could feel a sudden warmth spreading across his arm.

It was only after the tears ceased when he could clearly see his bloodstained arm. The shining, crimson liquid dripping off the edge of the sharp blade joined in the small puddle that had gathered. In shock, Draco dropped the knife to the floor, the clatter echoing, bouncing against the silenced walls.

Did I just do that? I mean of course I did it, but I only barely remember…I…He frowned. This is what I want though… right? I've wanted to die for a while now. Even my subconscious wants it…And a person's subconscious is supposed to be pro-life…

But his thoughts were cut short when he heard the opening of the portrait entrance. Harry stepped in and could see the silhouette of a sitting Draco. But when Harry continued looking with the dim light, he saw something dark, pooling on the bed, Draco's arm – even the floor.

Immediately Harry murmured a word.

"Lumos," and sharply took in an extraordinary amount of air. "Draco…" He was going to say more, but nothing would come. Almost instinctively, Harry walked over to the shivering boy and sat next to him. He pulled up the arm and examined the lacerations. They weren't that deep, but there were quite a few.

In silence, the two sat, neither able to speak. Suppressed sobs escaped from Draco's mouth, and soon his body began to move in the rhythm of the almost mute cries. It overtook him until he was unable to even acknowledge how much he was letting out. Without thought, Draco dragged his hand up to wipe the tears off his face.

Harry watched his every movement. He watched the tears fall. He watched his body shake. He watched as the ever-flowing blood continued to soak into its surroundings. He watched as Draco raised his hand and smeared blood all across his flawless, pale cheek.

Finally, he gently reached for Draco's marred arm and slowly pulled it towards him. The Slytherin watched with wide eyes. Harry leaned down and darted his tongue across the fresh wounds, causing Draco to wince, but his eyes never leaving the scene before him. He was captured, unable to look away, trapped in morbid fascination.

Harry licked across Draco's arm, claiming the crimson liquid. Eventually the blood flow had slowed to a non-critical point. Harry raised his eyes up meet Draco's; green meeting gray. The blood was smeared across the dark-haired boy's cheeks, lips, and nose. Calm jade orbs didn't betray what he was truly feeling; lust, hurt, sadness, confusion… he couldn't understand Draco sometimes. He thought he had done some good to him and yet he still continued to cut.

What if he had passed out?

Does he know he could have bleed out? Does he understand he could have died!

Or… Perhaps he knew the risks, and did it anyway – intentionally…

I just wish I could fix him. Pull him close and tell him everything will be all right. Take away his pain - or at least let me get close enough to help. Let me help him mend, let me help him sew up his ragged seams. I'd do anything just to see a smile on his face; to see that gleaming sparkle in his eyes.

I wonder if he understands that. I wonder if he even has a clue how much he means to me.

Harry abruptly leaned down and captured Draco's lips with his own. For a minute time froze; no movement, just the warmth of their lips pressed together.

But as tears formed at the corners of Harry's eyes, he began moved franticly. It was so desperate, so demanding, so angry and upset, and with his raging emotions he dominated Draco.

Draco could taste the metallic flavor of his blood lingering in Harry's mouth. It was bittersweet, and combined with Harry's unique flavor, it was irresistible. They simultaneously descended onto the bed as the raven-haired boy straddled the blond. The heated kiss deepened, Harry getting rougher, grinding his hips into Draco, causing the boy to moan deep from his throat. Harry skillfully removed Draco's shirt and threw it across the room.

Harry kissed his way down Draco's jawline, licking and nibbling the taunt flesh. He reached the crook of his neck and paid special attention causing the blond to moan in pleasure. "Ah…H-Harry…p-plea-se…wai-…oh…" At those words, Harry bite down on Draco's neck hard. Not wanting him to speak, not wanting him have his say. Stars danced in front of Draco's eyes as an immensely pleasurable pain shot through him. Harry let his grip on the boy's neck loosen. He then tenderly licked and kissed across the bite.

Forcefully, Draco pushed Harry away with his one good hand, but only enough to make him stop.

Suddenly Harry's eyes widened and took in the sight below. He let his head sag and fall onto Draco's chest and cried. "I'm sorry Draco…my emotions, they just got the best of me. I felt like I was losing you…I'm so sorry. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. Never."

Draco leaned forward and kissed Harry on the forehead. When Harry looked up, he smiled gently, thanking him for accepting his apology.

The Gryffindor lifted one leg up and released Draco. His arm had slightly started to bleed again. The Slytherin's body was coated randomly in his own blood, especially his back. Harry himself had blood on his knees and face. "Hey Draco," Harry said after his observations. "Why don't you go take a shower, okay? I'll clean up here."

The blond nodded and hurried himself into the bathroom.

Harry glanced around at his surroundings, letting the images replay through his mind. Seeing the blood, the tears; feeling the passion, and the forgiveness. It was all so overwhelming. He placed his head into his hands the shook it gently side to side.

I can't wait until I can find the answers. I can find out why Draco is the way he is. Maybe then, I'll not be so worthless. Tomorrow we follow him to his house, so maybe then, everything will fall into place.

I just hope we can pull it off.

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Lol, I had written a lot of this in the library at school. I was supposed to be doing this project for my honors English class. Hey, there were two, and I had finished the other one in two days. Oh well, I'm missing class for this. Yah!

PLEASE REVIEW. Ohhhh….I really do love reviews, they make me write faster knowing people like it! Well, hope you enjoyed it and I hope to have the next chapter up soon, I may get extra time, since I'm sick and all. coughcough Until later…

Suraka-chan