Chapter 6: Pillow Revelations and Secret Passages
Sixth chapter up and ready to go. Sorry that it took me this long to update but over the past few days I've been finishing up the last of my finals. (And I'm stressing about them nonetheless. Argh!) Anyway, thanks for all the reviews! *grins happily* I think that this story may only be a few more chapters but I'm not really sure yet. (I haven't had time to plan it all! *takes a deep breath* Anyway. . .) But otherwise, the warnings for this chapter are the same as every other chapter and I hope you enjoy it.
Oh yeah, before I forget, same rule with the feedback as the other chapters. Thanks.
Now to the other thank you's:
ShadowsLight: I don't like school either but thanks for finding time to review again. ^_^ I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Fanny chan
Desertwren: I entirely agree with you on the trust thing concerning Harry.
Amyli: No worries. Constructive criticism is what helps me write stories. I know that the characters are a little OOC but I've never been able to keep them fully in line with Ms. Rowling's description of them. Anyway, I'm glad that you were interested enough to review. Thanks.
Letherion
KawaiiAngel4: No kiss this chapter but definitely soon. (Maybe in chapter. . .)
Shireen Mclean
Barbara
Jabberwocky
Miko
Squabble
Grey Malfoy
Lady Doncaster: Lol, I know, too many questions but I promise everything will be revealed in the end.
Cat: Yep, it was definitely mushier and I saw that too. Just didn't have enough time to change it after I wrote it and I was too stressed by finals to even try at the time.
~Mary~
Now on with the story. . .
Chapter 6: Pillow Revelations and Secret Passages
Draco smiled in satisfaction as the last bandage was secured into place and he stepped back to survey his work. "There you go. That should last for a while."
"Thanks." Harry whispered gratefully. He winced as he scooted back in his bed so that he could lean against the headboard. "So do you know who that was that attacked you?"
"I have no idea." The blonde answered as he took a seat on the foot of Harry's bed. "He kept his hood drawn the entire time."
"Do you think that he was the thing we saw down in the dungeons?" The Gryffindor questioned, worry evident in his eyes.
Draco agreed thoughtfully. "I am sure of it and now I really hope that Gryffindor Tower is safe."
"Well, he still has to know the password to get in right? And not to mention we did put up some protection wards."
They sat in silence, considering those facts but both knew that Harry was as much trying to convince himself as he was Draco.
Finally, the Slytherin sighed, turning to face his companion. "Why don't you get some rest? That fight must have taken a lot out of you."
"I suppose." Harry struggled into a lying position before looking up at Draco who had stood up.
"I'll be—" The other boy cut him off though.
"Wait Draco. Could you—I mean well, considering what just happened—would you mind staying here with me?" Blushing lightly, Harry toyed with the edge of the covers. "You don't have to. It's just that it didn't really bring up pleasant memories." He shuddered as he burrowed further under the blankets.
Draco fidgeted as he suddenly remembered what he had almost admitted to himself before he had rushed out of the common room earlier that day. "If it'll help you with your nightmares."
"Please?"
"I—" Not able to resist the pleading expression anymore, the blonde sighed as he removed his robes before climbing into bed beside Harry.
He was mildly shocked when the raven-haired boy curled up close to him and after a moment's hesitation, Draco wrapped his own arms around the smaller form. Studying the wild mass of silky black locks, he slowly nestled his face in Harry's hair, breathing in deeply when the other wizard didn't voice any complains. Draco smiled as he felt the other relax into his embrace and then when he felt his. . .friend's breathing calmed into those of a sleeper's, he raised his hand to run it carefully down Harry's face; tracing his forehead, cheek, jaw, and then his lips.
/I guess these feelings were always there. Hidden beneath all that hostility./ Draco mused to himself, his silvery eyes softening into a spring shower gray. /I wonder if he feels them too. After all, he has been acting so different the past couple of days. . .maybe I do have a chance. . .maybe he does lo—Argh! I'm getting too soft. What would Harry think if he caught me acting like this?/ Brow furrowing, Draco averted his gaze to fix on a random spot on the opposite wall. /I've changed so much. . .is this normal?/
Hugging Harry's body closer to his own, the blonde allowed his eyes to drift shut in contentment despite his thoughts. /Well, he's not awake to see me like this, so I guess I'm okay for now. I just won't. . .fall. . .asle. . ./ Nuzzling the Gryffindor's soft locks, Draco floated off to dreamland as well.
* * * * *
Harry was the first to wake the next morning. He was pleased to note that the sharp pain in his stomach had lessened to a dull throb and blew out a breath of respite. The next thing he noticed was that he was pressed fully along another warm body. Blinking a few times, Harry squinted up at Draco's blurry face. Seeing the peaceful look, the smaller boy decided that he was comfortable where he was and cuddled closer to the blonde.
He allowed himself to fall into his thoughts as he waited for Draco to awaken. /He's been acting so. . .nice lately. And he seems so protective. . ./ Harry chuckled softly to himself. /It's not everyday that my enemy would come and try to save me. I just wonder what provoked him to act this way. I guess he really wasn't joking when he said he wanted to be friends./ His green eyes warmed as he remembered what Draco had muttered to him yesterday. /And he trusts me. It's strange but pleasant to know he would put so much faith in me./
Sighing, the ebony-haired boy wriggled around in Draco's arms until he was face to face with the other. Slowly, Harry raised one hand and carefully brushed a few strands of platinum-colored silk out of the Slytherin's eyes. /How come I feel so. .. strange towards him now? I admit that I never hated Draco but even the dislike that I felt for him is gone now./
A stirring beside him shook him out of his thoughts and Harry watched in rapt attention as Draco yawned and leisurely blinked open sleepy silver eyes.
"Good morning." Harry whispered, a smile tugging at his lips as he eyes glittered.
"Mm. . .mornin'." The blonde closed his eyes again as he pulled Harry closer to himself and they laid like that for a brief second before Draco suddenly bolted up. "Ha—Harry?"
Grinning, the ebony-haired Gryffindor giggled as he glanced up at Draco through his eyelashes. "Good job Malfoy. That took you a bit."
Draco flushed a bright red, scowling a little. "Shut up Potter."
Laughing, Harry climbed out of bed and turned back. He pinched the blonde's cheek as he spoke. "Aww. . .but you looked so adorable."
Scrambling out of bed, Draco took off after the fast departing boy. But even though he seemed flustered and a little angered on the outside, the Slytherin was dearly hoping that Harry meant what he had just said.
* * * * *
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Both Harry and Draco watched attentively as the Marauder's Map came to life. "Alright, I figured that since we can't use this to locate whoever that was that attacked you, we can at least use it to find our way around Hogwarts. After all, there are more than enough secret passages here and this will help us a lot in that aspect."
Draco nodded in agreement. "Funny Harry, I thought that by now you would have every single passage memorized by now."
"Hey! I'm not that bad. Just because I've had a few adventures. . ."
"A few?" The blonde asked, one eyebrow raised.
Harry rolled his eyes and grinned, punching Draco playfully in the arm. "Whatever Draco. Let's just go."
Head bent over the map, the Gryffindor led the way down the corridor until they came to a statue of a dragon. Harry whispered the password and together, the two wizards crept into the passageway behind it.
"So what now?" Draco asked quietly.
Harry glanced over to the calm boy and couldn't help but smile slightly as he remembered his revelations earlier. /Composed as ever yet a lot more pleasant to be around now./ "Well, this will lead us to the dungeons, near the Slytherin dorms. I figure that since it was where we had first spotted that man, we can start by looking there." He then unfurled the cloth that was in his hand. "We can use this to get around undetected."
"It's not what I think it is, is it?" The silver-eyed wizard curiously fingered the fabric, glancing up at Harry in knowing doubt.
"That depends." The younger boy said with a mischievous smile. "What do you think it is?"
"I asked you first."
Harry grinned. "And I asked you second. Besides this is mine so I win. You have to answer me."
"You are so childish sometimes Potter."
Laughing, Harry's emerald eyes twinkled with mirth. "But that's part of my charm and that's why you love me so."
Draco nearly voiced his agreement with Harry but quickly bit his tongue to stop his traitorous mouth. Instead, the blonde just shook his head. "Crazy Gryffindor. Fine, is it an Invisibility Cloak?"
"Yep." To emphasize his point, the Gryffindor slung the cloak about his shoulders and promptly disappeared from sight. "It was my father's. I got it back from Dumbledore in our first year."
"Oh." Draco breathed, reaching out to where he had last seen Harry and brushing his fingers over the cloth. "These things are extremely rare. You know that right?"
Harry nearly gasped as he felt Draco's fingers trace down the cloak and lightly over his chest. Turning crimson, he was suddenly very very glad that he was hidden by the cloak. He had to clear his throat before he could trust his voice to respond. "I know. Ron told me when I first got it."
"I see." The Slytherin removed his hand and bit his lip as he tried to control the urge to touch the other again.
Meanwhile, to Harry's surprise, he felt a pang of disappointment at losing contact with Draco. Quickly, the Gryffindor slipped the Invisibility Cloak off and the two boys just gazed at one another thoughtfully for a long while before Harry finally broke the silence. "Well, I suppose we should get going. We can both fit under here if we're careful and I'm sure that you know we'll still have to try to be quiet."
"Don't worry about that part Harry, I can take of that." Draco grinned and muttered a silencing charm and together they huddled under the cloak.
"Whenever you're ready." The ebony-haired boy whispered and with a nod from his companion, he and Draco stole out of the passageway and into the main corridors of the dungeons.
T.B.C.
So, how did you like chapter 6? I hope that it met most expectations. Anyway, I've gotta run before I'm late again. My boss will kill me if I am. *waves* 10 reviews to the next chapter and thanks again to all that have reviewed already.
Sixth chapter up and ready to go. Sorry that it took me this long to update but over the past few days I've been finishing up the last of my finals. (And I'm stressing about them nonetheless. Argh!) Anyway, thanks for all the reviews! *grins happily* I think that this story may only be a few more chapters but I'm not really sure yet. (I haven't had time to plan it all! *takes a deep breath* Anyway. . .) But otherwise, the warnings for this chapter are the same as every other chapter and I hope you enjoy it.
Oh yeah, before I forget, same rule with the feedback as the other chapters. Thanks.
Now to the other thank you's:
ShadowsLight: I don't like school either but thanks for finding time to review again. ^_^ I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Fanny chan
Desertwren: I entirely agree with you on the trust thing concerning Harry.
Amyli: No worries. Constructive criticism is what helps me write stories. I know that the characters are a little OOC but I've never been able to keep them fully in line with Ms. Rowling's description of them. Anyway, I'm glad that you were interested enough to review. Thanks.
Letherion
KawaiiAngel4: No kiss this chapter but definitely soon. (Maybe in chapter. . .)
Shireen Mclean
Barbara
Jabberwocky
Miko
Squabble
Grey Malfoy
Lady Doncaster: Lol, I know, too many questions but I promise everything will be revealed in the end.
Cat: Yep, it was definitely mushier and I saw that too. Just didn't have enough time to change it after I wrote it and I was too stressed by finals to even try at the time.
~Mary~
Now on with the story. . .
Chapter 6: Pillow Revelations and Secret Passages
Draco smiled in satisfaction as the last bandage was secured into place and he stepped back to survey his work. "There you go. That should last for a while."
"Thanks." Harry whispered gratefully. He winced as he scooted back in his bed so that he could lean against the headboard. "So do you know who that was that attacked you?"
"I have no idea." The blonde answered as he took a seat on the foot of Harry's bed. "He kept his hood drawn the entire time."
"Do you think that he was the thing we saw down in the dungeons?" The Gryffindor questioned, worry evident in his eyes.
Draco agreed thoughtfully. "I am sure of it and now I really hope that Gryffindor Tower is safe."
"Well, he still has to know the password to get in right? And not to mention we did put up some protection wards."
They sat in silence, considering those facts but both knew that Harry was as much trying to convince himself as he was Draco.
Finally, the Slytherin sighed, turning to face his companion. "Why don't you get some rest? That fight must have taken a lot out of you."
"I suppose." Harry struggled into a lying position before looking up at Draco who had stood up.
"I'll be—" The other boy cut him off though.
"Wait Draco. Could you—I mean well, considering what just happened—would you mind staying here with me?" Blushing lightly, Harry toyed with the edge of the covers. "You don't have to. It's just that it didn't really bring up pleasant memories." He shuddered as he burrowed further under the blankets.
Draco fidgeted as he suddenly remembered what he had almost admitted to himself before he had rushed out of the common room earlier that day. "If it'll help you with your nightmares."
"Please?"
"I—" Not able to resist the pleading expression anymore, the blonde sighed as he removed his robes before climbing into bed beside Harry.
He was mildly shocked when the raven-haired boy curled up close to him and after a moment's hesitation, Draco wrapped his own arms around the smaller form. Studying the wild mass of silky black locks, he slowly nestled his face in Harry's hair, breathing in deeply when the other wizard didn't voice any complains. Draco smiled as he felt the other relax into his embrace and then when he felt his. . .friend's breathing calmed into those of a sleeper's, he raised his hand to run it carefully down Harry's face; tracing his forehead, cheek, jaw, and then his lips.
/I guess these feelings were always there. Hidden beneath all that hostility./ Draco mused to himself, his silvery eyes softening into a spring shower gray. /I wonder if he feels them too. After all, he has been acting so different the past couple of days. . .maybe I do have a chance. . .maybe he does lo—Argh! I'm getting too soft. What would Harry think if he caught me acting like this?/ Brow furrowing, Draco averted his gaze to fix on a random spot on the opposite wall. /I've changed so much. . .is this normal?/
Hugging Harry's body closer to his own, the blonde allowed his eyes to drift shut in contentment despite his thoughts. /Well, he's not awake to see me like this, so I guess I'm okay for now. I just won't. . .fall. . .asle. . ./ Nuzzling the Gryffindor's soft locks, Draco floated off to dreamland as well.
* * * * *
Harry was the first to wake the next morning. He was pleased to note that the sharp pain in his stomach had lessened to a dull throb and blew out a breath of respite. The next thing he noticed was that he was pressed fully along another warm body. Blinking a few times, Harry squinted up at Draco's blurry face. Seeing the peaceful look, the smaller boy decided that he was comfortable where he was and cuddled closer to the blonde.
He allowed himself to fall into his thoughts as he waited for Draco to awaken. /He's been acting so. . .nice lately. And he seems so protective. . ./ Harry chuckled softly to himself. /It's not everyday that my enemy would come and try to save me. I just wonder what provoked him to act this way. I guess he really wasn't joking when he said he wanted to be friends./ His green eyes warmed as he remembered what Draco had muttered to him yesterday. /And he trusts me. It's strange but pleasant to know he would put so much faith in me./
Sighing, the ebony-haired boy wriggled around in Draco's arms until he was face to face with the other. Slowly, Harry raised one hand and carefully brushed a few strands of platinum-colored silk out of the Slytherin's eyes. /How come I feel so. .. strange towards him now? I admit that I never hated Draco but even the dislike that I felt for him is gone now./
A stirring beside him shook him out of his thoughts and Harry watched in rapt attention as Draco yawned and leisurely blinked open sleepy silver eyes.
"Good morning." Harry whispered, a smile tugging at his lips as he eyes glittered.
"Mm. . .mornin'." The blonde closed his eyes again as he pulled Harry closer to himself and they laid like that for a brief second before Draco suddenly bolted up. "Ha—Harry?"
Grinning, the ebony-haired Gryffindor giggled as he glanced up at Draco through his eyelashes. "Good job Malfoy. That took you a bit."
Draco flushed a bright red, scowling a little. "Shut up Potter."
Laughing, Harry climbed out of bed and turned back. He pinched the blonde's cheek as he spoke. "Aww. . .but you looked so adorable."
Scrambling out of bed, Draco took off after the fast departing boy. But even though he seemed flustered and a little angered on the outside, the Slytherin was dearly hoping that Harry meant what he had just said.
* * * * *
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Both Harry and Draco watched attentively as the Marauder's Map came to life. "Alright, I figured that since we can't use this to locate whoever that was that attacked you, we can at least use it to find our way around Hogwarts. After all, there are more than enough secret passages here and this will help us a lot in that aspect."
Draco nodded in agreement. "Funny Harry, I thought that by now you would have every single passage memorized by now."
"Hey! I'm not that bad. Just because I've had a few adventures. . ."
"A few?" The blonde asked, one eyebrow raised.
Harry rolled his eyes and grinned, punching Draco playfully in the arm. "Whatever Draco. Let's just go."
Head bent over the map, the Gryffindor led the way down the corridor until they came to a statue of a dragon. Harry whispered the password and together, the two wizards crept into the passageway behind it.
"So what now?" Draco asked quietly.
Harry glanced over to the calm boy and couldn't help but smile slightly as he remembered his revelations earlier. /Composed as ever yet a lot more pleasant to be around now./ "Well, this will lead us to the dungeons, near the Slytherin dorms. I figure that since it was where we had first spotted that man, we can start by looking there." He then unfurled the cloth that was in his hand. "We can use this to get around undetected."
"It's not what I think it is, is it?" The silver-eyed wizard curiously fingered the fabric, glancing up at Harry in knowing doubt.
"That depends." The younger boy said with a mischievous smile. "What do you think it is?"
"I asked you first."
Harry grinned. "And I asked you second. Besides this is mine so I win. You have to answer me."
"You are so childish sometimes Potter."
Laughing, Harry's emerald eyes twinkled with mirth. "But that's part of my charm and that's why you love me so."
Draco nearly voiced his agreement with Harry but quickly bit his tongue to stop his traitorous mouth. Instead, the blonde just shook his head. "Crazy Gryffindor. Fine, is it an Invisibility Cloak?"
"Yep." To emphasize his point, the Gryffindor slung the cloak about his shoulders and promptly disappeared from sight. "It was my father's. I got it back from Dumbledore in our first year."
"Oh." Draco breathed, reaching out to where he had last seen Harry and brushing his fingers over the cloth. "These things are extremely rare. You know that right?"
Harry nearly gasped as he felt Draco's fingers trace down the cloak and lightly over his chest. Turning crimson, he was suddenly very very glad that he was hidden by the cloak. He had to clear his throat before he could trust his voice to respond. "I know. Ron told me when I first got it."
"I see." The Slytherin removed his hand and bit his lip as he tried to control the urge to touch the other again.
Meanwhile, to Harry's surprise, he felt a pang of disappointment at losing contact with Draco. Quickly, the Gryffindor slipped the Invisibility Cloak off and the two boys just gazed at one another thoughtfully for a long while before Harry finally broke the silence. "Well, I suppose we should get going. We can both fit under here if we're careful and I'm sure that you know we'll still have to try to be quiet."
"Don't worry about that part Harry, I can take of that." Draco grinned and muttered a silencing charm and together they huddled under the cloak.
"Whenever you're ready." The ebony-haired boy whispered and with a nod from his companion, he and Draco stole out of the passageway and into the main corridors of the dungeons.
T.B.C.
So, how did you like chapter 6? I hope that it met most expectations. Anyway, I've gotta run before I'm late again. My boss will kill me if I am. *waves* 10 reviews to the next chapter and thanks again to all that have reviewed already.