Darkness and Shadow
Chapter 11
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Disclaimer: Harry & Co. belong to J.K. Rowling, blah, blah, blah, blah, etc, etc…
If I'm alive and well,
Will you be there holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side,
With my superhuman might.
3 Doors down – Kryptonite
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Harry took the steps to the tower two at a time as he climbed. Whose idea was it to put in so many stairs anyway? Someone needed to lodge a complaint with Dumbledore, he thought, panting from the work out. Leaning against the wall he paused to catch his breath.
When he finally got to the top he found Draco curled up with his knees against his chest in one corner.
Kneeling in front of him he reached out, and lifted Draco's face to meet his. He took his thumb and gently brushed off the tears.
"What's wrong?"
Draco pulled his face back and gave Harry a fierce shove. "Go away."
Harry caught himself, and refused to leave.
"Fine, I'll go then." Draco said.
Harry grabbed him before he could move, and pulled him close. Draco struggled and shoved away from him but Harry held him tight.
"Get out of here Potter," he spat. "I don't want you here. Can't you get that through your thick skull?"
"I'm not going anywhere, Draco. Talk to me." He smoothed his hair back gently, the way he had wanted to in the Room of Requirement.
Draco finally collapsed against him, giving up the struggle. "Everything is so messed up, and I can't tell you half of it." He sniffled, and wiped his face on Harry's robes. "I don't know what to do…"
"Why don't you tell me what you can?" Harry rocked him back and forth.
"I've been having all these bad dreams, and I can't sleep. I've tried not sleeping, but I can't keep that up for long. I don't want to eat anymore. I just don't have any appetite."
What are the dreams about?"
"I…I can't tell you that."
'I can't tell anyone,' thought Draco. 'If I admit it, it might be real, and I can't allow that.'
"That's ok…"
Draco continued, "I don't think I'll live to the end of the year Harry. My father…" He raised his head and held Harry's gaze firmly.
"Why would he…?" Harry trailed off in confusion. Why would Lucius or Voldemort kill Draco? He'd been training as a Death Eater for years. Hadn't he?
"Well, that's the worst thing…" he whispered. Expecting to be rejected, he leaned forward and kissed Harry gently on the lips.
'Oh my God,' thought Harry. 'I'm kissing Draco Malfoy!' It was a dream come true. He stared at the other boy in shock for a moment.
Draco turned his face to the side, and waited for Harry to shove him away, or storm out of the room. Harry's arms loosened slightly, and seeing that as a refusal Draco started to back away, the sadness and embarrassment evident in his eyes. Harry tightened his grip. Moving over to lean against the wall he pulled Draco onto his lap.
"My knees were starting to hurt from kneeling on that cold hard floor," he said with a smile.
Draco looked at him in surprise, and Harry leaned forward and pressed his lips against the Slytherin's in a soft kiss, before releasing him. He didn't want to pressure him when he was upset. Draco gave him a delighted smile. Pulling Harry forward into another kiss ran his tongue over the brunette's lower lip causing him to open his mouth slightly. He slipped his tongue into the other boy's mouth deepening the kiss. Harry let out a soft moan and threaded his fingers through Draco's soft blonde hair.
"Don't worry Draco, we'll find a way out," Harry whispered pulling back after a good deal of kissing.
Draco fell asleep on Harry's lap as the Gryffindor stroked his hair. Even though he was exhausted from all the crying, he still slept peacefully for the first time in weeks. Harry sat there caressing the Slytherin until his thighs and his legs were numb. Eventually, he dozed off as well.
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Draco woke early with Harry's arms still wrapped around him. Harry was still asleep and his head had fallen to one side. He looked so lovely it seemed almost a shame to wake him.
Raising a hand to caress one cheek he softly called his name, "Harry… Wake up."
"Mmm… I don't wanna…"
"We have to get back or people will miss us."
"Let me sleep. Nice to sleep with no bad dream…" Harry trailed off and nuzzled Draco's hair. It smelled softly of vanilla and cinnamon.
Draco's eyes widened as he realized that his dreams were nightmare free as well. Turning so that he straddled Harry's legs, he planted a hard kiss on Harry's lips. Harry's head slammed back against the stone wall behind him. Ignoring it he kissed Draco hungrily. Draco slid one hand behind his head and gently rubbed where it hit the wall.
When they pulled apart Harry smiled, "Well that's one way to wake someone up."
"We need to go. It's almost 5:00. People will be waking up and notice we're gone."
"I can't feel my legs…"
Draco laughed, and gave Harry a hand up.
"Ow!" He shook out his legs as the feeling returned. Dancing from one to the other he complained, "Argh! Pins and needles in my legs! Ouch! Man, it hurts!"
Draco covered his mouth trying not to laugh, but the amusement in his eyes was obvious.
"So you think my pain is funny do you?" He stalked over to where Draco stood, and grabbed his arms with a frown, although his emerald eyes were dancing with delight. He threaded his fingers through the blond boy's hair, and pulled him forward kissing him softly. "It's nice to see you happy Dray."
Harry tossed the invisibility cloak over both of them and they walked down to the dungeons.
"Don't tell anyone about last night…please," Draco whispered.
"I won't but we need to talk. Come to the room an hour early tonight."
With a nod he squeezed Harry's hand tightly before stepping into the Slytherin common room. Harry walked upstairs alone and slipped into the dorm without disturbing anyone. They were all so used to Neville's snoring that nothing short of a freight train was loud enough to wake them anymore. He lay down hoping for an hour of sleep before he had to get up for breakfast.
In about an hour Harry found himself being woken by Ron who had pushed him out of bed.
Pulling himself off the floor he asked, "Nnng… Ron what the hell?"
"Get up lazybones. Geez I don't know how you can sleep like that. I thought I'd have to dump a bucket of cold water on you."
"Like you're one to talk. Anyway, it's nice to get some decent sleep for once."
"Hurry up. I'm hungry." Ron's stomach rumbled in agreement.
Harry laughed. He grabbed some clothes and ran for the showers.
Both of them entered the Great Hall in a good mood that morning. They sat down and filled their plates with as much as they would hold and started eating.
"You two seem awfully cheerful this morning. What's the occasion?" asked Hermione.
"Any night I sleep without nightmares is a good night," replied Harry.
Hermione looked at Harry and raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
Harry caught Draco's eyes across the room. His sneer was still in place, but his eyes softened noticeably as they caught the emerald pools twinkling at him from across the room. He pulled himself together quickly in case anyone noticed, and turned back to the conversation.
"Sorry, what was that Pans…"
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