Carpe Diem
Chapter XV: Carpe Diem
"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."
Latin: Seize the day, put no trust in tomorrow

Much to Draco's surprise, the sun did rise the next morning, just as it always had. Maybe Harry's possible impending death wasn't the end of the world after all. It was just the end of his world.

He had cried himself to sleep at Harry's bedside sometime late in the night, still clutching Harry's hand in his own. He could feel the dried tears on his pale cheeks and this is what told him he had fell asleep crying. Curiously, he glanced over at Sirius to see if the older man had woken up yet. He hadn't and Draco wasn't going to be the one to wake him, not when Harry was still… asleep. Yeah, that's it, he's just asleep. Draco thought to himself with a snort. If only sleep was all it was.

Draco just sat there for hours. He had thought about going to breakfast, alone, down in the Great Hall, but quickly dismissed that idea. He found himself feeling nauseous at the thought of food. Besides, he really didn't think he could pull himself away from Harry for that long. Not when it was questionable if Harry would ever wake up.

The one person Draco saw that morning besides Harry was Sirius, who remained asleep. Occasionally he would stir or mumble, obviously lost in the dream world. Draco imagined he was dreaming of Azkaban and the horrors that had been inflicted upon him while he was there.

And so, of course, Draco was surprised when the door opened around noon to reveal Hermoine behind it.

"What are you doing here?" was the first thing out of his mouth when he finally regained the power of speech.

"Dumbledore notified me of Harry's condition last night, and asked that I come. He thought that Harry needed a friend, besides you, and thought I would handle all this better than Ron. I suppose he's right, though I must admit I'm surprised."

"Surprised?"

"About you and Harry's situation. It's hard to comprehend you are no longer the bad guy."

"Our situation? What are you talking about?"

"Don't pretend I'm stupid Malfoy, I know you and Harry have become friends, whether you admit as much to me or not. Don't worry, I won't spread it around. I'm just glad Harry had some one there for him after what his uncle did."

"Obviously I wasn't enough. He's still like this," Draco fought to hold back sobs, trying to hide them from Hermoine.

"Draco, it's alright to cry. This really is affecting you, you really do care about him, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. More then you could ever understand. He's the first real friend I've ever had, and I don't think I can lose that. Not now, not when I've come to need it so badly."

"Draco, if, if you wanted, I could be your friend. So could Ron, whenever you two get around to telling him. He'll understand Draco, just like I do."

"Harry will still always be my best friend. I can't lose him Hermoine, I don't think I can do that. It hurts so much, is it supposed to hurt this much?" Draco was shocked to find himself crying. Hermoine shocked him even more when she took him in her arms, trying to soothe the weeping boy.

"It's alright. The reason you hurt is because you love him." Draco panicked at this, but her next words calmed him. "He's the first friend you've had, so of course, the pain of losing him would be even worse. Besides, you won't lose him. We won't lose him. Harry is the strongest person I know he won't go without a fight. Especially when he has people who are back here depending on him."

The two were silent for awhile after that until Hermoine broke the silence.

"Draco?"

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever heard the term 'Carpe Diem'?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what it means?"

"Yes. It means 'Seize the day.'"

"Well, maybe you should do that."

"What do you mean?"

"Seize the day. Tell Harry how you're feeling. I know he can hear you. Get it all off your chest, it'll make you feel the better."

Draco could see the sense in her words and nodded in agreement. "Alright. I'll try it."

"I'll leave you two alone." Hermoine made her way to the door.

Just as she was about to walk out the door, Draco called to her. She turned back to face him, an expectant look on her face.

"Thank you." This was all he said to her, but it was enough. Somehow those two words were able to express the depth of gratitude he was feeling in a way he never would have been capable of. Giving him a smile she nodded, before turning and leaving, closing the door behind her.

Turning back to the boy he loved, Draco took a deep breath and seized the moment.

To Be Continued

Author's Note: Okay, there's Ch 15. Hope everyone liked it. Hope you also noticed I put up the real 14, which I actually did, like, last week. Sorry this one took so long. I had to fight with myself not to just let Harry die. Some part of me wants to write the death and aftermath scenes so badly. But I do like writing this series, so I just couldn't bring myself to do that. But then again, if I don't get what I consider is enough reviews, I might just do that anyway. So consider yourself warned. Anyway, till next time,
See ya.