Chapter 8-
Harry: Yet? It's been over 4 freaking months!
Beverly: Yeah, yeah. Just go in the projector
Harry: *glares and disappears into the doorway.*
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[Draco's POV]
I still couldn't sleep, even with the wings out. I guess I'm still getting used to this, being an angel with Proper Potter by my side and all. Even though the last three days have been pure elation, his morals do annoy me. I guess I could just go and practice blowing things up in the Forbidden Forest. I'd long gotten past my fear of werewolves; I could reduce them to ash in mere second. My powers are the only thing that work besides silver. I walked out the common room stealthily. I used to go to the Astronomy tower to think all the time. The only problem being I was usually interrupted by a couple coming in to snog. I happen to like Astronomy, thank you very much, and I don't enjoy the disrespect. Anyway, Vincent and Gregory always told me I shouldn't risk so many points for my house, but I've always been good at sneaking around. My father never suspected a thing. Besides, nowadays, I had special permission to do whatever I wanted as long as I was on school grounds. I was about to enter the forest, and it's a good thing I naturally always look around for danger first because I noticed a winged figure hovering over the pitch that could be none other than Harry Potter. The only problem being that he was 'playing around' with two bludgers and they were gaining on him. It was sad, really, a pair of enchanted balls. I'd have to teach him how to shift his attention better. I strolled over silently. He effortlessly sent one of the black-colored balls away. He could do SOMETHING right at least. The other ball hurtled towards him. He'd have trouble fighting that one off. Well, he was doing good enough. The only problem being *blast* he wasn't focusing. He turned around in midair, noticed the broken bludger and, stupidly enough, started looking around at his own eye level!
"Down here!"
I was naturally skeptical enough, but he was really doing stupid things today. The second bludger recognized me and shot towards me. Having been team captain since last year, I subconsciously caught it and replaced it into the box of Quidditch equipment. I repaired the other, placed it next to the first, and locked the case shut. I spoke to Harry as he descended from the pitch heights.
"If you're going to do two bludgers, Potter, you might want to watch your back. Be glad I couldn't sleep. That is, unless you enjoy staying in the Hospital Wing a week for stupid reasons. Wait, I take that back, you probably do."
He walked over grinning. He may be an absolute idiot, but he is cute.
"Aw, don't worry 'bout me, Drake. Thanks."
"Seriously, Harry if you can't even save yourself from a bludger."
"Aye, don't worry Dragon. That's what you're here for."
I would have flinched if it were still registered in my body's dictionary. He really depended on others too much, especially unreliable ones.
"I won't always be there to protect you, Potter."
One of these days, you'll be on your own. You should know that. How come you depend on others so much? You shouldn't rely on your luck either; it'll run out one of these days.
"Besides, if you really want a challenge, go to the Forbidden Forest."
"Well? Are you coming?"
"I always go to the forest to practice. Dumbledore's permission."
"Then
what are you waiting for?"
I froze. Well, mentally
anyway. We'd be in enough trouble, but he was practically throwing himself in
the dragon's fire [1], though I doubt he'd know the expression.
"God, and I used to wonder how you always got yourself in so much trouble."
He laughed, grinning. I don't see why, I didn't think it was funny. I sighed.
"Whatever you do, stay vigilant."
He leaned in and tried to kiss me, but I moved away.
"Not now. You need practice in other things."
"Are you saying I'm perfect at it already."
"No, I'm saying we've got more important things to do. Hurry up."
"Oh sssure. That's what you were saying."
Stupid…incompetent…geh.
"Shut up."
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[Harry's POV]
Draco and I went into the forest by a path I hadn't noticed before. It seemed to be illuminated, but that may have been because the branches were leafless, so the moonlight shone through. I was really giddy, so I was running ahead, turning around, walking backwards while I talked to, or at, Draco. He smiled at my antics but suddenly he looked down. He seemed to be completely out of it. He walked over every root and potholes, wings moving to dodge trees, so I thought he was paying attention, but when a branch fell and he tripped, I realized it was only because the he had mapped out the road in his head and instinctually moved out of obstacle's way. I walked over and, being as over-excited as I was, began enthusiastically and repeatedly poking him in the arm.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, Harry. Stop it before my arm falls off."
"…Sorry."
I backed away from the angry teenager. Now he hates me, damnit, why do I always do this? I felt something go around my back.
"Hey, it's ok. I just don't like being prodded."
Yeah, sure…
"C'mon, Harry!"
A few soft feathers brushed against my cheek, like fingers, but softer.
"Well, Draco, I can't exactly stay mad at you if you didn't mean it, right?"
He smirked and shook his head coolly.
"Oh, because you were mad."
"Quit it, Drake. I can't pay attention.
I jokingly shoved him.
"Sure, like you were paying attention to start with."
I kissed him gently, and I'm sure he didn't mind from the low purr emitting from his throat,
"Ok, so maybe you're right."
"Maybe?"
Well, there's no fooling Malfoys.
"I admit I'm practically bouncing off the walls. I'm just happy to be with you."
"Say, how about we go do something el-"
He coughed up some blood and slid to the ground, near hitting it before I caught him.
"Drake?"
He seemed to have lost consciousness and I could feel something slick and wet against my hand. I shifted him in my arms slowly so I could take a look at his back. I noticed the feathers at the base of his wings weren't rimed with crimson but fully colored. The red spread farther.
"Drake!"
I looked around and noticed a trail of blood lead into the heart of the woods. I needed to find whomever, or whatever, had done this to him, but I couldn't leave him alone. A conversation from earlier that day flashed through my mind.
[Flashback]
The cold wind whipped at my cloak so I hid from it in his. (His cloak, that is)
"Say, Draco, I still don't get the pet thing…"
"It's a creature representing your inner self."
"Well, I knew that part."
"All right then. For one, they obviously respond to whistles. They'll do whatever you feel them to, whatever is needed and they can usually talk to their master telepathically."
"Mhmm."
"Seriously, Harry, if you're going to ask me something, listen to the answer."
"I do, really."
"Right"
[End of flashback]
I could feel the rage and blood lust boiling through my veins. Once I found out… this would be painful for whatever. But first, I needed something to watch over Draco. If he got hurt anymore, he wouldn't survive. Hell, he probably wouldn't survive anyway! I whistled and my unicorn, Almorak as I had named it after a famous Viking wizard who's name had been one of the rare words I ever hear out of History of Magic, stepped into the light. All hatred, anger, and any other emotion instantly vanished. I was empty.
"No…"
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[1] That'd be the same thing as the Walking into the lion's den.
Beverly: a bit of a cliffhanger there
Harry: *rolls eyes* yes, I know SO much more than I did before.
Draco: You killed me!
Beverly: Did not.
Draco: Did so
Beverly: Not
Draco: So
Beverly: Not
Draco: So
Beverly: Say, aren't Malfoys supposed to be all resentful and cold?
Draco: Dear god no! You and Harry are rubbing off on me! GAH! *Starts running in panicked circles*
Beverly & Harry: *snicker*
Beverly: I promise I'll get the next chapter up in less than a week, mark my word. I made you wait long enough already. I probably would have attempted murder hanging over my head by now for an authoress leaving me in that bit a cliffhanger that long.
