Part III:
Telepathy Takes its Toll
Meanwhile, in the Slytherin common room, Draco Malfoy woke with a start. He had awoken from a vivid dream, sitting in an armchair by the fire, but couldn't remember what it had been about. He knew one thing for sure: someone needed help. He, whoever it was, was going to die. But someone else was reassuring him. A girl. Hearing other's thoughts was unnerving him. Then he thought back to Potter. Again, he tried to be nice, but it turned around as an insult. Of course, it wasn't exactly a Malfoy's instinct to be nice…especially to a Gryffindor…but then again, he didn't choose this life…. Draco rubbed his eyes, straining to hear the voices again, but to no prevail.
The clock in the common room struck three o'clock. Oh, man…he thought, I'm supposed to be in Potions…. He sighed and heaved himself out of the armchair, setting off for the Potions classroom.
********
After a while, Harry finally regained use of his arms. His throat was very dry, so Hermione helped him gulp down some water. He had gotten back the colour in his face, and was feeling almost entirely back to normal, so Madam Pomfrey let him out. Ron and Hermione escorted him to Potions class on either side of him. Thankfully, it was the last lesson of the day. Harry felt extremely drained, although he insisted on going to class. He wasn't exactly sure why he wanted to go to class so badly, with everybody staring at him, and Potions was, of course, his least favourite subject.
Sure enough, as Harry sat down at the back of the dungeon with Ron and Hermione, people stared at him and whispered behind their hands. He ignored them; he was busy screwing up his tolerance for the lesson. Malfoy shot him a strange look from the front of the class.
Snape stormed in, his long black robes billowing out behind him as he walked briskly to the blackboard.
'Today we will discuss healing potions,' said Snape in his usual soft, deadly voice, as if it was the most ludicrous topic he could think of. 'Tell me, Potter, what are the ingredients of a Pepper-Up Potion?'
**********
'Tell me, Potter, what are the ingredients of a Pepper-Up Potion?'
Draco thought Harry looked startled at the question. Hermione's hand shot into the air.
'Er,' said Harry nervously.
Suddenly, Draco heard the female voice again.
Bicorn horn and mandrake root…bicorn horn and mandrake root…
'Bicorn horn and mandrake root,' Harry said at once. Hermione dropped her hand. Snape looked disappointed.
'How about a Grand Pepper-Up Potion, Potter?' he hissed, clearly trying to get Harry to screw up.
'Um…uh…' came the reply. Then, almost immediately—
Octopus powder, two bicorn horns, three mandrake roots…
'Octopus powder, two bicorn horns, and three mandrake roots,' Harry reeled off.
Snape was murderous. 'Very well,' he said with difficulty.
Another voice, this time male, entered Draco's head.
Thanks, Hermione.
Anytime, Harry.
Suddenly realising who they were, a thought struck him. If he could hear them, maybe they could hear him….
So, Potter, thought Draco, Granger's feeding you answers, is she? Shame, shame, shame…
Who's that? said Harry.
Harry? asked Hermione.
No, that's someone else…
Well, that shouldn't be too hard, now should it?
Ron?
No, guess again.
There was a pause.
MALFOY! Hermione's voice screamed. Harry and Draco put their hands on their heads in pain, unnoticed, thankfully, by anyone else.
Jeez, Hermione, calm down…
Sorry, Granger, I didn't think you would get all jumped up about me talking to you inside your head…
Malfoy, stop it!
What is this, three-way calling? said Harry.
Huh?
Never mind.
I'm serious, Malfoy, shut up now! Hermione ordered.
Maybe you could just tune us out for a while? I want to talk to Potter.
What do you want to talk to me for?
Just go, Granger.
Fine.
Bookluver101 has left the room.
Oh, very funny, Potter.
You really think so? Harry asked in mock surprise. I don't know, I was actually trying for sarcasm…
As Malfoy couldn't think of anything to say to this, they didn't say anything for a while.
You know, this is really weird. Harry said. First I can hear one of my best friends inside my head, then I can hear my archenemy as well. Hm, maybe I should save a place for that big stupid purple dinosaur…
That's what I wanted to talk to you about.
What, the big stupid purple dinosaur? Harry teased.
No, you stupid prat. I don't even know what the hell you're talking about…
Lucky for you.
So anyway…
There was silence.
Remember yesterday when I asked about your scar? Draco said at last.
Mm, yeah.
I think we need to start a clean slate. You know, be friends. No one has to know. It can be…our little secret.
I dunno, Malfoy. I can't help but think you're up to something…
Look, Potter, yesterday I was actually about to say something nice, but it just came out wrong.
And your point is…?
My point is that you can trust me.
Again, they were silent.
You know what, Malfoy? Harry thought irritably, Could we talk about this some other time? I'm trying to hear what Snape is saying.
Wow, that's a first.
Well, there goes the I-want-to-be-nice approach.
No, I'm serious, that's a first.
Well, in any case, I'd rather listen to Snape than you.
I know perfectly well that you don't give a damn what Snape has to say.
So what if I don't?
Just hear me out.
Why should I?
Listen, Potter, I just want to help…
First of all, you never said that—
Well, now I have.
And secondly, Harry continued, ignoring Draco's response, I don't need your help. What makes you think I do?
You know things. You see them, I hear them. If we could put them together, then maybe we could get some answers.
Harry was dubious. Was Malfoy actually trying to help him? Maybe he had a little too much to drink last night….
Hey, I can still hear you, Potter…
Well, why do you suddenly what to change?
Listen, I may be a Slytherin, and a Malfoy to top it off, but that doesn't mean I don't want some crackpot old have-brained bastard that needs a make-over to take over the world!
True, but is this some kind of joke, Malfoy?
Potter, if it were a joke, wouldn't I be laughing by now? Genius…
Kiss my ass, Malfoy.
Oh, I know you'd love me to, but it is my belief that it would be highly unsanitary.
CRASH.
There was a loud thud as Harry's chair hit the floor with a clatter; his fist smashed into Malfoy's face, sending him reeling backwards. Catching his balance, Malfoy rammed his elbow into Harry's stomach, causing the taller and physically better-built boy's emerald green eyes to widen in pain behind his glasses. Malfoy, being smaller and somewhat faster, took this opportunity to give him an uppercut that sent him sprawling. Harry's foot flashed out, catching Malfoy's shin, and causing him to topple over backwards. In a flash, Harry was on top of him, smashing his head repeatedly on the floor. Bringing his knee up into Harry's stomach, Malfoy knocked the wind out of him, causing him to crash down on the floor beside him.
The entire classroom stared bug-eyed at the two boy's struggle. Hermione and Ron scrambled over, helping Harry to his feet, while Ron 'accidentally' stepped on Malfoy's wrist. In a flash, Snape was there, taking an unreasonable amount of points from Gryffindor, and picking Malfoy up off the floor. Panting from the adrenaline rush, the boys glared menacingly at each other, swearing colourfully back and fourth through their telepathy.
'DETENTION!' Snape barked. 'To Mister Harry Potter for an unprovoked attack on Mister Draco Malfoy!'
Harry shot Draco and Snape a look of pure venom as Ron and Hermione half-lifted him back on his chair (after Seamus had righted it).
*********
'Way to go Harry!' Ron shouted enthusiastically, thumping his injured and far less-than-happy friend on the back—they had just walked out of the Potions dungeon, and were headed off towards the Great Hall for dinner. 'You sure beat the crap out of old blondie!'
Harry looked down at his ripped and torn robes and his bruised stomach, where Malfoy had elbowed and kneed him. He wiped the blood away from his cut lip. 'Yeah, but I didn't fair too well, either, did I?' Malfoy, he had to admit, was pretty strong for someone so puny, but he would NEVER on his life admit to even thinking that.
'But where on earth did all that come from?' Hermione asked. 'The last thing I hear before I stopped listening was "I can help"—'
'You were listening?' Harry said indignantly.
Hermione looked up at him guiltily. Ron was bewildered.
'What?' he said incredulously. 'Are you two still doing that?'
'Er, yeah,' Hermione answered. 'Uh, I was feeding him the answers for Potions class.' She grinned.
Ron smiled. 'So, you were using your potentially dangerous powers to cheat in Potions class—finally you have seen the light!'
Even Hermione had to laugh at that. Still sniggering, they sat down at the Gryffindor table.
Harry had nearly finished eating when Malfoy caught his eye. Harry glared at him.
What do you want now, Malfoy?
Oh, nothing. I just decided that I won't help you anymore.
Oh, good. Now I only have to listen to your real voice.
Potter, you can't just tune me out, you know. I don't even know how Granger managed to do it. You know how hard it can be?
I can sure try…
You're such a jackass. I don't even know why I even suggested becoming friends…
Harry snorted and finished eating.
Finishing before everyone else, he got up, heading out for some early Quidditch practise.
At the same time, a small group of very large Slytherins stood up—not including Malfoy, who didn't seem to even notice them—and followed Harry out of the Hall.
Harry saw them following him and quickly turned a corner and slipped into an empty classroom. The evil-looking boys walked right past, muttering to each other. Once they were out of sight, Harry darted out and headed the opposite direction. He was turning another corner, when who should he meet, but those burly Slytherins. They leered at him menacingly, cracking their knuckles and advancing on him. Harry backed up until his back was pressed against the wall. There was no escape.
'What do you want?' he hollered. 'What the hell—'
But his words were cut short as a large fist was thrust into his stomach once again. Another hit him hard against the face, almost knocking him out. Gasping for breath, he pulled out his wand, but his wrist was pinned to the wall and it fell out of his grasp, clattering to the floor. He braced himself for another blow when—
'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!'
Three of the bullies spun around stupidly, two of them still holding Harry to the wall. He looked up to see who had shouted—it was Malfoy.
'Let go of him!' he said fiercely. They didn't move.
'But—we heard that he beat you up in Snape's class,' one of them ventured dimly.
Malfoy gaped at him disbelievingly, pulling out his wand.
'Clear off!' he snarled, and the five boys dropped Harry and fled as if a bomb was about to go off.
Draco dashed over to Harry and held out his hand.
'Are you alright?' he asked roughly.
Harry glanced up at him, annoyed.
'Yeah, sure, I'm just fine. Me and those guys back there just had a rousing game of Yatzee then went out for ice cream with sprinkles. No, how do you think I'm feeling?'
Malfoy raised an eyebrow and dropped his hand.
'Wow, becoming Quidditch captain has really sharpened your verbal skills, hasn't it?'
'Watch it, Malfoy. If I wasn't feeling like this right now I would most likely hit you again for that.' As he spoke, he coughed violently, and blood oozed out of his mouth. He wiped it away with a shaking hand. Malfoy grimaced.
'Oh, that looks delicious. I'm so glad I just ate,' he said, watching Harry on the floor. 'And you're welcome.'
Harry glared at him again, struggling to get to his feet, but failed and slumped against the wall.
'There's a good idea,' Malfoy drawled. But then a more serious expression took the place of the sneer. 'Look, how about you stay here, and I'll go and get Granger and Weasley. You will be here when I get back, won't you?'
'Does it really look like I'm going to stand up and run a mile?' Harry asked waspishly. 'As if you'd care, anyway.' Draco looked stung.
'I'll be right back,' he said, and dashed back towards the Great Hall.
At the Gryffindor table, Ron and Hermione were laughing. It seemed that Neville had somehow managed to half-Transfigure Seamus into a rabbit, meaning he had the long fuzzy ears, whiskers, and buckteeth, but the rest of his body was normal. Hermione was just pulling out her wand to change him back when Draco Malfoy came sprinting towards them.
'Granger!' he gasped, skidding to a halt in front of her. She shot Ron a quizzical look, and he shrugged.
'What is it?' she snapped. But Malfoy was too out of breath to answer, so he seized her wrist and pulled her out of the Great Hall, Ron right behind them. Draco led them down a corridor to where a huddled lump was slumped against the wall.
'Harry!' Hermione shrieked. She fell on her knees next to him. 'What did you do to him?' she hissed at Malfoy.
'I didn't do anything!' he said indignantly, finally regaining his breath. 'I was just walking along here, minding my own business, when I found a bunch of idiots beating the crap out of him! And for your information, I called them off!'
Hermione and Ron's jaws fell to the floor in shock. Ron turned to Harry and said quietly, 'Is that true?' Harry nodded. After a while, Hermione spoke.
'Here, Harry, let me fix those cuts,' she said, pulling out her wand again. Ron glanced menacingly at Malfoy, who turned around and dolefully sloped away. Harry gazed after him over Hermione's wand.
Hey, Draco, he thought.
What?
Thanks.
*********
A/N: Well, here you go! I would also like to thank my good friend ObSeSsIvE_compulsive_ 666 (a.k.a Crissy) for helping me with this chapter. The first fight scene was her doing. She prodded me along for the second one, even though I wrote it. She has also helped me with future chapters. So thank you, thank you!