Draco decided that enough was enough. He stood up and ran between the two just as Harry raised his wand and sent Cruciatus at Lucius. Draco was caught by the spell and he fell screaming to the floor. He had never felt such intense pain before. Draco felt like he was dying as he hit the floor with a thud. Ron and Hermione rushed to his side. Luckily he had fallen out of the curse's hold and the pain had stopped. He felt Hermione brush his hair out of his face. She seemed to be speaking to him but he couldn't make out the words coming out of her mouth. He tried to sit up but found his head felt too heavy to move. Ron left the room, racing to go and get Madam Pomfrey.
The colour drained from Harry's face as he processed what had happened. He had hit his lover with an Unforgivable curse. Thank god he hadn't used Avada Kedavra. Although Cruciatus was just as bad. Something inside Harry broke as he realised just how much pain he had caused Draco, the love of his life. Harry dropped his wand in horror and took a few steps back. He ran into a desk behind him and fell down. What had he done? He thought despairingly. He stood up and ran from the room, tears falling freely down his face.
Hermione stared down at Draco's ghostly white face. He had passed out about a minute ago and Hermione kept her finger on his pulse to reassure herself that he was still alive. Come on, Ron, she implored. If he didn't get here soon with Madam Pomfrey she didn't know what she'd do. Hermione was very worried about Harry too but she didn't dare leave Draco alone. His father was still there, but he was useless. He was sitting on the floor staring at his son with a haunted look in his eyes.
Hermione took Draco's hand in her own and was relieved to feel a slight pressure. Draco must have felt her presence and squeezed her hand. She squeezed back, trying to give him some of her strength. Draco's reaction to the curse was far worse than anything Hermione had read about. Of course she had only ever seen the Cruciatus curse performed by the fake Professor Moody, until now that is. She was a bit confused that the curse seemed to have knocked Draco out. He had only been under the influence of the curse for only a few minutes, but he now looked like he had been cursed for longer. The apparent intensity of the curse surprised Hermione. Harry must be getting more powerful than we thought, she thought gravely.
Ron burst into the room, followed closely by Madam Pomfrey. Hermione stood up and moved back so Madam Pomfrey would have room to work. Ron pulled her aside and whispered to her.
"I'm going to find Harry. You stay with Draco and make sure he's okay. He's going to need someone when he wakes up," he said thoughtfully. He kissed her quickly and left the room in search of Harry.
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Ron found Harry in the place he knew Harry liked to think, sitting on a rock overlooking the lake. Ron sat down next to him and for a few minutes they both just stared out at the rippling water.
"I could have killed him," Harry said tonelessly.
"You didn't, though," Ron replied.
"I was this close," Harry said, holding up his thumb and his finger about an inch apart, "to saying Avada Kedavra, but I decided to use Cruciatus at the last minute."
Ron stared in shock at Harry's passive features.
"Is he okay?" Harry asked in a small voice.
"Uh, Madam Pomfrey's with him now. Hermione is with him too," Ron said reassuringly.
"Did you see the marks on his neck?"
Ron nodded.
"I did that," Harry admitted bleakly. "I can't believe I cursed the one person I love more than anything else," Harry's voice broke, "I would give anything to have traded places with him at that moment."
Harry turned to Ron, his face showing his distress and his eyes full of unshed tears.
"Did he say anything? He must hate me now."
"He…er…he was unconscious when I left," Ron admitted reluctantly.
The tears that had been threatening to fall started flowing and Ron moved closer to Harry and hesitantly put his arm around his distraught best friend.
"He will forgive you, you know," Ron said softly. "He loves you so much and he knows you didn't mean it. It was an accident, that's all. I was against it at first, you and him, but then I saw how happy he makes you and how much you both love each other. He will forgive you."
Ron paused, considering his next words, "You haven't been yourself lately. In fact, we've been wondering if maybe that book had something to do with it. All of a sudden you were obsessed with dark magic. That isn't like you, Harry. Draco knows that."
Harry wiped the remaining tears from his face. He managed to give his friend a small grateful smile.
"I'm going to go see him now," Harry said quietly. They both stood up and walked silently back into the castle.
In the hospital wing, Draco was lying in one of the beds, apparently asleep. Hermione was sitting next to him, staring worriedly into space. Harry pushed open the door and gasped with shock when he saw Draco.
He's so pale, Harry thought, so fragile.
Hermione stood up and offered Harry her seat next to Draco. He slipped into it and took Draco's white hand in his own tanned one. Ron slipped his arm around Hermione's waist and she leaned against him gratefully.
"Has he woken up yet?" Ron asked quietly.
"Briefly, but nothing he said made sense," Hermione said sadly, as Harry choked, remembering what happened to Neville's parents when they were hit by the curse. "Madam Pomfrey gave him a sleeping potion so his body can recover," she added.
Hermione squeezed Harry's arm supportively and she and Ron left to go to their first class of the day.
Harry sat silently for a while, just holding Draco's hand and softly stroking it. After a while, the emotional roller coaster he had been on caught up with him and he lay his head down on the edge of Draco's bed on his and Draco's still joined hands and slept.
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The mood in Potions that morning was sombre. Snape had explained the situation briefly and the entire class looked stunned. Even the Slytherins were shocked by this news. Snape especially looked appalled. Probably because his favourite student had been injured by the student he loathed the most, Ron thought spitefully.
Ron angrily stirred the potion. He had no idea what they were doing and he was grateful that Hermione was able to push aside her anguish and concentrate on what they were supposed to be brewing. He knew it was her way of coping, losing herself in her work. He always knew when something was bothering her, because she would work even harder than usual.
Crabbe and Goyle looked shaken. Ron just hoped they would report this back to their fathers. Perhaps Harry's apparent skill in dark magic might make the Dark Lord think twice about confronting Harry. Ron knew that Draco was not a weak person and for him to be affected so deeply by the curse worried Ron but also filled him with a cautious optimism. Harry had (eventually) told him the story of what happened when Cedric and he had touched the Triwizard Tournament Cup and had been transported to the graveyard. You Know Who had used the Cruciatus curse against Harry and Harry had been okay to duel with him not long after. Harry was obviously more powerful than You Know Who. Hopefully the upcoming battle would be the final one.
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Hermione stabbed at the goblin ears she was supposed to be finely slicing up to add to their potion. She couldn't concentrate today. Usually she could push everything aside and focus solely on her work. But today….today was different. Today her best friend, who she would trust with her life, had hurt someone he professed to love. She knew he hadn't done it on purpose, but the fact remained that he had been casting an Unforgivable curse, and he had been trying to hit Draco's father.
Hermione had to admit it made her nervous. Harry had looked ashamed when he and Ron had entered the hospital wing. That had made her feel a bit better. He had obviously been struggling with the idea of using dark magic to defeat Voldemort. Hermione had seen the battle raging in his mind – light versus dark – and she had been worried that the dark side had won.
Hermione looked up from the shredded goblin ears, which were useless now that they had been butchered, and was startled to see Professor Dumbledore talking quietly with Snape at the front of the room. Dumbledore noticed her staring and indicated for her and Ron to follow him. They left their things where they were and followed the headmaster into the hall.
"Ron, Hermione, I'm sure you know why I am here. I need to hear your version of this morning's incident," Dumbledore said and looked at them expectantly. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, both feeling very uncomfortable at having to discuss Harry. Hermione decided to speak first, she had been thinking that Dumbledore should know what was going on for a while now.
"It started this morning at breakfast," she began carefully, "Ron and I were already at Gryffindor table when Harry came in…"
"You are so sexy when you're angry," Ron whispered in Hermione's ear. She giggled softly as she reached for a piece of toast. Her hand collided with someone else's and she looked up, startled, to see Harry. He hadn't said anything to either of them and hadn't even sat down. Hermione studied him more closely. He looked tired, she decided, pushing aside the niggling thought that tired didn't look like that – darkness did.
"Hi, Harry," Ron said warmly, "want to practice Quidditch after Charms this afternoon?" Harry shook his head as he grabbed a couple of pieces of buttered toast.
"I have a private lesson with Lucius Malfoy this afternoon. See you later" He was about to hurry off when Hermione called him back. He was obviously reluctant to be held up, but he turned to listen.
"Where are you going now? We have almost an hour until Potions," Hermione asked curiously.
"Er, I have a lesson with Lucius this morning as well," he said quickly and left the Hall.
Ron and Hermione stared at each other, bewildered. What on earth was Professor Malfoy teaching Harry?
A few minutes later Draco entered the hall and sat down with the two of them. Hermione was shocked to see the bruises and obvious bite marks down Draco's neck.
"Draco, what happened to your neck?" she asked, not entirely sure she wanted to hear the answer.
"Harry happened," he replied succinctly.
"TMI," Ron said with a dismayed look on his face.
"What?" Draco asked with confusion.
"Too much information," Ron explained.
Draco nodded and managed a small smile.
He looks upset, Hermione thought with concern.
"So where is Harry?" Draco asked, a little warily it seemed to Hermione. How could Harry hurt him like that? It didn't make sense, Harry was such a caring, tender person normally.
"I think he's with your Dad," she replied, "What's the deal with that?"
Draco sighed.
"He's teaching Harry about the dark arts. I think it's having a detrimental effect on him," Draco confided.
"Oh my god," Hermione exclaimed, "Harry wouldn't dabble in the dark arts."
"He's doing more than dabbling, Mione," Draco stated grimly. "He's…it's like he's obsessed with it. It's consuming him. I'm really worried about him."
"I think we should go and see what's going on," Ron said calmly.
They quietly opened the door and crept into the classroom and sat down at the back. Hermione immediately noticed the intensity in the air. The classroom was in total disarray and Harry and Professor Malfoy were moving around the room, wands pointed at each other. Hermione looked at Draco, silently asking him what was going on.
'Duel' Draco mouthed. She turned back to watch in terror.
To Hermione's horror Professor Malfoy sent a stunning spell towards Harry who expertly blocked it and sent a body bind spell back. Professor Malfoy also blocked it and sent back another spell Harry's way.
Half an hour later, it seemed they were at a stalemate. Neither one could get a clear shot at the other. The horror Hermione had felt earlier increased as they both began using the Unforgivable curses. Hermione felt, rather than saw, Draco's distress so she put her arm around him, silently showing her support and understanding. Hermione was shocked that Harry could use an Unforgivable on anyone, but especially Draco's dad.
Suddenly Draco stood up and ran between the two just as Harry raised his wand and sent Cruciatus at Professor Malfoy. Draco was caught by the curse and he fell screaming to the floor. Hermione ran over to him. She brushed the hair off his face. He looked pale and he was covered with a sheen of perspiration.
"Draco? Are you okay?" Hermione asked anxiously. He didn't seem to hear her. "Draco! Can you hear me? Oh, god, he doesn't know what I'm saying," Hermione started babbling then snapped herself out of it.
"Ron, go get Madam Pomfrey. Quick!" she ordered urgently.
Ron left the room, racing to go and get Madam Pomfrey.
Harry turned white and dropped his wand. He took a few steps back and ran into a desk behind him and fell down. He stood up and ran from the room.
Hermione stared down at Draco's ghostly white face. He had passed out about a minute ago and Hermione kept her finger on his pulse to reassure herself that he was still alive. Come on, Ron, she implored. Professor Malfoy was still there, but he was useless. She turned to him and noticed that he was sitting on the floor staring at his son with a haunted look in his eyes.
"Professor Malfoy? Are you okay?" No response.
Hermione turned back to Draco and took his hand in her own and was relieved to feel a slight pressure, Draco must have felt her presence and squeezed her hand and she squeezed back.
Ron burst into the room, followed closely by Madam Pomfrey. Hermione stood up and moved back so Madam Pomfrey would have room to work.
"I've only ever seen the Cruciatus curse performed by the fake Professor Moody, until now that is, but it seems strange that it knocked Draco unconscious. He was in the line of the curse for only a few seconds, but he looked like he had been cursed for longer. It really surprised me that it could be that intense. Harry must be getting more powerful than we thought," Hermione finally finished explaining the event.
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.
"Ron, you saw Harry after the incident, how did he seem to you?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"He was extremely upset," Ron said tersely. Hermione glared at him for being so rude to the headmaster.
"Thank you for your honesty," Dumbledore said, "you may rejoin your Potions class now." He proceeded off down the corridor in the direction of the hospital wing (although his office is in that general direction, Hermione thought).
Suddenly she remembered the book and its possible connection to Harry's dramatic change in attitude.
"Wait!" she cried out, chasing after Professor Dumbledore, "there's something else."
Dumbledore stopped and turned around. Hermione stopped in front of him.
"Yesterday, in the library, we found some information about an event in 1879 where a wizard defeated the evil Lord Devoltorm by using some sort of magical barrier to protect himself. Ron and I came to tell you about it but we couldn't get into your office. Draco and Harry were looking in the restricted section for more information about this barrier and Draco said that Harry had been flipping through a book he had pulled out at random and found a page called 'How to defeat the Dark Lord'. But as soon as Harry had read the information the words disappeared off the page. Draco said it was after that that Harry started acting strangely. They went to ask Professor Malfoy about the barrier and that's when these dark arts lessons started," Hermione finished, satisfied that Dumbledore had all the information.
"What was this book called, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked inquiringly.
"Er…I think Draco said it was called 'The Darkest Dark Magic Ever'," she replied. Dumbledore nodded pensively and continued walking. Hermione stared after him. She felt Ron catch her hand and tug her back towards Potions. This did not look good, she thought depressively, Dumbledore did not look happy.
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Draco woke up groggily. He recognised it as the after effects of a sleeping potion. I'm okay, he thought joyfully. His mood came crashing back down when he felt a weight on his hand and saw Harry's head lying on it. He was asleep. Draco's eyes scanned Harry's face anxiously. He noted the tear-stained cheeks and the dark smudges under his love's eyes. Draco smiled selfishly. Harry has been here all day, he thought contentedly. It was now dark outside although Draco had no idea if it was the same day that Harry had cursed him. Just the fact that Harry appeared to have worried about him warmed Draco inside.
Of course Draco was angry with Harry. In fact he was planning on having a few words with him about it later. Although it was an accident that Harry had hit him with the curse (Harry couldn't have known I would run between them, Draco thought reasonably) but the fact remained that Harry had been directing the Unforgivable curse at his father. Draco hadn't forgotten that his father had been just as bad, encouraging Harry in his endeavour into the dark arts and cursing Harry just as much as Harry had been cursing him. Draco planned to have a little chat to his father later on too.
Draco carefully pulled his hand out from under Harry's head and gently trailed his finger from Harry's ear, along his jaw to his lips. Draco softly traced Harry's lips and felt Harry smile. Harry's eyes fluttered open. He sat up quickly.
"You're awake!" he said awkwardly, not daring to look Draco in the eyes. Although Draco couldn't see his lover's eyes, he could see from the way he was sitting slumped in the chair, the shame and degradation Harry was feeling right now.
"Harry, look at me," he commanded firmly. Harry's eyes darted around the room before finally settling on Draco's silvery eyes. Draco was stunned by the self-hatred in those beautiful emerald eyes. He held out his hand and Harry took it.
"It wasn't your fault, Harry. You didn't know I was going to run between you. It was a stupid thing to do, but I couldn't stand to watch you two duel any longer. I should have just left the room but no, I had to try and stop you," Draco said derisively.
"What about the bruises that were on your neck?" Harry asked, knowing full well that those injuries were his fault. Draco grimaced.
"And the scratches down my back?" Draco asked quietly. Harry looked surprised, then nodded, he didn't remember doing that but knew that he must have.
"If you ever do that again I will personally hand you over to Voldemort," it was an empty threat and they both knew it but it conveyed the message Draco wanted to get across perfectly.
"I am so sorry Drac," Harry said, launching himself at Draco. Harry pulled Draco into his arms and held him closely. The tears started flowing again as he realised just how close he had come to losing Draco. "I love you so much. I never want to hurt you again."
Draco held on as Harry purged himself of all the shame he was feeling. Draco smoothed Harry's hair down his head and kissed his neck. He knew he would follow Harry to the end of the world and back again if he asked it, but he never wanted to feel afraid that Harry would hurt him again. It wasn't the physical hurt Draco was concerned with. He could handle that. It was the emotional hurt Draco was worried about. The depth of his feelings for Harry shook him as he realised that all Harry would have to do is break up with him for Draco to feel like the world was ending. How easy it would be, he thought uneasily, for Harry to kill me without even lifting a finger. Draco exasperatedly pushed the thoughts aside. The man sobbing on his shoulder right now would never hurt him, Draco thought. This whole thing has rattled him, he won't lapse back into complacency. Actually, it could have been a blessing in disguise. If this hadn't happened, who knows how much deeper Harry would have sunk into the dark arts. Draco's injury seemed to have snapped him out of it.
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Hermione was walking towards the library. She continued walking and reached out to push open the door. She banged into the door when it refused to open. Hermione's eyes widened in shock. It was locked. The library was never locked at this time of day. She read the sign posted on the door that she had ignored before.
The library is off limits to students until further notice.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Damn, Hermione thought uncharacteristically. Why would they close the library? She wondered if it had anything to do with the book Harry had read. Dumbledore had seemed quite disconcerted when Hermione had told him about the book. Hermione hurried back to the Gryffindor common room to tell Ron the news.
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Draco had been allowed to leave the hospital wing late that afternoon, on the condition that he stayed in bed for another 24 hours. He was now lying on top of a mountain of cushions with the blankets tucked up around him. Harry had been fussing over him ever since he had gotten back to their apartment.
Draco smiled. Harry was being so sweet. Back to normal now, he thought with satisfaction, back to being the man I fell in love with. Harry was taking a shower now and Draco could hear him singing something. Draco closed his eyes, glad to be back in his own bed.
He was dozing lightly when he felt a wet nose nuzzling his neck.
"Not tonight, Sirius," Draco murmured sleepily. He heard Harry chuckle and felt relieved that Harry had taken it for the joke it was intended to be. He'd regretted the words as soon as they'd left his mouth, Harry could have taken it seriously and been upset. Draco felt Harry's arms pull him into a loose embrace and they both fell into an exhausted sleep.
The next morning was the first time they'd actually woken up to find the other one still there. Draco stretched with satisfaction and found himself writhing against a hard body. He opened his eyes and as his eyes adjusted to the light he become aware of a pair of green eyes staring back at him.
"Do have any idea how beautiful you look when you sleep?" Harry asked smiling down at Draco with eyes full of desire. Draco smiled back.
God it's hard to keep my hands off Draco, Harry thought hungrily, and when he squirmed beside me, it was all I could do not to ravish him.
Draco was watching his lover, fully aware of the thoughts running through his head. He smiled wickedly and reached up to pull Harry's head towards his. Their lips collided in a fiery kiss that took their breath away. Harry pulled away reluctantly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked anxiously, worried about Draco's health, "Madam Pomfrey said you should rest for 24 hours and it's only been about 12."
Draco smiled at his concern.
"I feel fine, really," he said reassuringly, "I want you so much…I ache for you…do you think you could help me with that?" His voice trailed away as he moaned. Harry's fingers were tracing lazy circles around Draco's nipples.
"I think we can do something about that," he whispered in Draco's ear and then his tongue snaked out and licked Draco's ear, nibbling on his earlobe. Draco gasped, Harry has an incredibly talented tongue, he thought deliciously.
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~to be continued~