Chapter XVII: It Doesn't Even Matter
"I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
And lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter"
--In the End, Linkin Park

School started soon. Draco knew this of course, he just hadn't really thought of the effects of this fact. If Harry hadn't woken up by then, he didn't know how he would make through the days. He would be figured out for sure, and he knew he couldn't afford that. At least if he woke up, he would know that he would be alright, and he would see him everyday.

He hadn't moved from Harry's bedside the whole time he had been there. Madam Pomfrey would bring him and Sirius meals, but he would seldom eat them. He just didn't find himself hungry. Some days he forced himself to eat, just so he wouldn't become sick as well, but he never actually felt any feelings of hunger. He knew he was shutting down as well, but was unable to stop it. He knew his only hope was for Harry to wake up.

It was the third day of Harry's coma. It had felt like an eternity to Draco. Sirius was still asleep on the other side of the bed, but Draco was awake and found himself just watching the boy he loved. Without even being aware of it, he started to speak.

"I've tried to imagine what my life will be like if you don't wake up. I can't do it Harry. I can't picture a life without you in it. If you die Harry, so do I. That's all there is to it. You said you love me, and I believe you, as I love you too. If you really love me, please don't do this to me. This is killing me Harry, as surely as it's killing you, and I don't want either of us to die, not when we have finally found so much worth living for. Look Harry, I know you're scared. It's okay, I understand. Hell, I'm scared too. This position we're in, it's a scary thing. But what's even scarier to me is the fact, that, well that you've given up. I thought that we had something that was worth living for. Obviously, not for you. First you tried to end it, but I won't let you do that. We can make this work and we will, because I will not go back to being alone, not after I know what it feels like for someone to truly love me for the first time in my life. We got so far Harry, our relationship was really starting be something. I could see that it was going to last. But I guess it doesn't even matter. Not in the end. With this, this coma, you possibly dying, I've realized how much you mean to me. I've lost it all Harry. I don't have anything in this world but you. But I guess you don't care. Maybe I never meant that much to you to begin with. Cause if I did, you wouldn't be doing this to me. If you really loved me, there is no way you could make me suffer like this." Draco was crying by now, his voice muffled, his face buried in his arms which were on the bed.

Draco was to busy weeping to see. He didn't see the twitch of Harry's eyelids. He didn't see them open. He didn't see Harry's hand raise off the bed. He lifted his head at the light stroke of his hair. He gasped.

"I do love you, Draco. I love you so much."

The noise Draco made surprised them both. With a strangled cry, he buried his face in Harry's neck, neither boy noticing that Sirius had awoken at Draco's outburst and was now watching the two of them with a wistful look on his face. Instead the two of them slowly rocked back and forth, knowing they had much to talk about, but at least they were together.

'Oh Remus,' Sirius thought, to himself, 'how I miss the days when we were this young. How I miss being able to hold you in my arms and be held by you as well. When will we have that back again? We both want it, I know we do, you said as much when I was there. Why must this all be so hard? Oh, Remus, I miss you, love.'

From the door of the room, Albus Dumbledore watched. Harry was awake. He knew Sirius and Draco would be alright now. There was still much to be sorted out between the three, but that would all come in due time.

To Be Continued

Author's Note: Well, there is Chapter 17, 18 should be out soon, or at least I hope it will be. Reviews are always a nice incentive to get the next part out though, if anybody was interested.