CHP 4

Author's Note: A new challenger, Snape steps up to the battlefield. Harry casts Plead. Snape deflects and casts Snark. Snape is the winner. :)

When Harry awakes he is not in his cupboard. Firstly, he is in a warm and soft bed. Secondly, there is someone in the warm soft bed with him. Harry tries to remember how he got here, but all he recalls is being saved, and then going all hysterical on Snape and… Draco! That's who's in bed with him, it's Draco. He could recognize his smell anywhere, faintly of honey and rosemary. Harry stiffens in surprise when Draco mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like "turkey" and wraps his arms around Harry resting his chin against the top of Harry's head. As soon as Draco stops moving Harry relaxes and brings his arm around Draco as well, one slipping under each his arms, he breathed in the sweet smell that was purely Draco and smiled knowing that here, he was safe.

Harry screams like a little girl when Snape burst into the room(Something he would deny even under Veritaserum) saying, "Up! Or you will be late for class." Snape turned on the bright overhead lights, Harry only noticed because it woke Draco up and he started whining about it. "You have fifteen minutes until breakfast starts, I expect to see you there." Harry sits up and looks in what he believes to be Professor Snape's direction, because of the whooshing of his robes and his grumpy voice.

"P-P-PP… Professor Snape, what am I going to do?" Harry was afraid of being left alone again. So much of his life was spent alone and he didn't want it to happen again.

"Well there has been a change of plans I am having someone floo over from St. Mungo's with a modified wheelchair. You will continue all of your classes with Draco. He will guide you to and from class and meals, when all of your treatment has been finished. You need several bones reset you know. Then will you be allowed to walk around by yourself. You will stay off your ankle as much as possible and Draco will make sure of that. Won't you?"

"Yes, yes I will. One question; how does the wheelchair get up and down the stairs?" Harry felt relieved he had been wondering the same thing.

"It has a charm inlaid in it that will float you just above the steps you are going up or down. It is very handy, especially for Hogwarts. We don't get as many disabled wizards as you would think, but every once in a while we will and we loan one of these from St. Mungo's." Severus smiled at Draco pleased he was taking all of this well. "It will be ready by the time you finish breakfast. Stop by Minerva's office and pick it up. Until then Harry will have to be helped."

" Wait! You mean someone's going to carry me to breakfast. Do you know how much attention that will bring? Ughh, can't I just stay here? Everybody will be staring at us. Pleasssseeeeee? I don't want all the attention." Harry had curled up on himself, his legs were in half lotus and his arm had somehow ended up under his knees, his head was tucked near his feet. His voice was muffled somewhat by the bed, but Snape still understood him.

"No. You will go to breakfast and eat a whole meal. Before you leave I want Draco to come up and get Harry's potions for me as well. Do you understand?" Snape was not in a good mood as soon as Harry started whining. He may feel bad about the Dursleys, but he thought Harry was just making stuff up to get out of breakfast. He was still Snape after all. He galloped(yes, galloped) through the door his robes billowing magnificently behind him.

"I'm sorry Harry. I don't know what's gotten into him. We don't have to go if you really don't want to. We can call a house elf and take breakfast here. Whatever you feel like." Draco turned to Harry slowly untangling Harry from himself until he was sitting upright again. He embraced him, pulling him into his warm embrace. Harry drew in a faltering breath his shoulders heaving.

"No, we'll go to the hall. He was kind enough to help me so I owe him this much at least." Harry raised his head and sighed. He was starting to get used to being blind, most of the time he was in the cupboard the light was off anyway. It was starting to be more of a nuisance than anything else, but if there was one thing Harry knew how to do; it was how to survive. Harry stood up and holding his arms slightly in front of him started to walk. After bumping into 2 tables, 4 lamps, and tripping over 3 rugs Draco finally took pity on him and guided him to the bathroom.

Harry showered after Draco showed him where all the soap and stuff was, complaining the whole time about how many lamps Snape had. Harry finished with his shower and Draco helped him out of the tub. He gasped when he saw the state Harry's body was in. So many bruises and scars. They covered his entire body from his neck down. Draco breathed in trying not to show Harry how worried he was and helped him dress.

"I can dress myself Malfoy! You don't have to dress me like I'm a little baby."

"Please Potter, you dress like a 4 year old was trying to dress underwater and in the dark. I will dress you so you have at least a modicum of style." Draco chuckled as he said this, trying not to give away that he just wanted to take care of Harry. They finished getting ready and prepared themselves for breakfast.

Auther's note: Hello! How are you? Make sure to get plenty of sleep tonight and stay safe when you travel to work or school or anywhere.