Thanks Evie for the beta.

Falling Chapter Five

"Draco?" a soft, warm voice brushed by his ear only to be followed by a pair of soft lips. Draco's eyelids felt heavy, and he tried to open them but they only shut on their own again. He shifted on the sofa his body had decided to fall asleep on again, but the movement caused yesterday's robes to brush against the healing injury on his thigh. A stabbing shot of pain skirted up the entire length of his leg. It was this sudden pang that caused his eyes to open up and, in doing so, his head collided with another. "Shit, Draco," it said. "Warn a person before you go and do shit like that."

Hearing the voice again, recognition clicked, and he turned to look at Blaise. Who was now rubbing at his forehead, leaning over the back of the sofa and mumbling. Complain all you want, Blaise, but that aches going to go away just like this pain in my thighs going to go away. It's the ache in your soul that you've got to worry about, Blaise, old boy, Draco thought. The pain in your soul, indeed. Draco was an expert on pains in your soul.

"What do you want?" He asked, as he ignored the stinging sensation in his thigh.

"I thought you would want to be woken up before everyone realized that you were sleeping in the common room again. A group of Slytherins watching you sleep and whispering about you didn't seem like an ideal way for you to wake up."

"How thoughtful of you," he muttered. "Well thank you oh so much, Blaise. I appreciate it."

"There's no need for sarcasm," he replied. "I didn't think you'd want to wake up like that, so I woke you up instead. We've only been back at school since yesterday. Don't go fighting with me already."

"Just picking up where we left off," said Draco, as he stood up from the sofa and headed for the dormitory. He was just about at the doorway when Blaise's voice cut him off.

"Why'd you sleep down here again?"

"It's none of your business, Zabini."

"Back to last names, are we?"

"Sod. Off." Draco gave him a pointed glare before disappearing into the seventh year dormitory. Crabbe and Goyle were already dressed and about to leave when he came in. They nodded to him and gave him a grunt in acknowledgment but they left him alone, and to Draco, that was all that really mattered. The last time Draco had slept in the common room was right before he tried to kill himself and Blaise knew it. Blaise also knew about the cutting from before. Blaise couldn't catch on and find out he was doing it again. Draco didn't want to fight with him but he saw no other options.

Pulling yesterday's dirty robes off, he let them lay on his bed as he went for a change of clothing. The slash from yesterday was screaming out to him, a dark streak of crimson against the pale, white skin of his flesh. It still hurt like hell, and Draco knew it was mostly from not closing the wound up with a spell like he usually did. If he didn't start taking care of it, it may get infected, and that was the last thing he wanted. His fears usually made him laugh, but he was too tired this morning to get amusement out of the fact that he could slice himself, yet the thought of getting an infection made him want to cry. Death was welcomed but something like bacteria making a home inside the layers of his skin appalled him.

When Draco glanced into the mirror, he could see his face was starting to look like a sickly pallor, he could only be happy that this mirror rarely talked back. He didn't need to be told that he looked like shit. Two weeks of cutting himself, appetite loss, and insomnia was taking a toll on his body. Dark circles were forming beneath his eyes and it was no wonder that Blaise knew something was up. He was rather offended that other people hadn't noticed right away, the changes becoming so drastic. Maybe people did notice but thought he was best left alone after what happened last year. If only Blaise could catch on that being left alone was exactly what Draco wanted.

Only a few fourth and second years were left as Draco left the common room and began heading for the Great Hall. The dungeons were cold to him, colder than usual, and Draco didn't know if it was from sleeping in front of a dying fire all night or a side affect of the way he had been treating his body lately. As he entered more populated areas of the castle, Draco couldn't help but feel like a freak and the urge to snap at everyone began to manifest in his stomach. It was like he was a repellant. Wherever he moved there was a considerable amount of space around him as if no one wanted to get to close just in case he would bite. Stares were constantly set upon him. He could feel his head spinning and Draco was starting to feel faint.

"Draco," came Blaise's voice again and Draco was only vaguely aware of Blaise's arms supporting his weight. His feet kept moving but his vision was blurred. This was how he had always imagined the world would look for Potter if you snatched those glasses from his face. Shapes and colors blended together into a sardonic myriad of colors that nauseated Draco. Everything continued to grow dim and then all went dark.

~*~

Kali had slept well and when she awoke the next morning, she awoke feeling refreshed. Hermione was already dressed and waiting in the common room with a rather large book sitting in her lap when Kali arrived.

"Sleep well?" asked Hermione and Kali nodded. "We get our schedules today at breakfast. I'm so excited. Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't get lost trying to get to your classes or anything. Ron and Harry will probably help out as well."

"Great," she said. "I don't want to get lost or anything in this huge building. It's so great here. I love the atmosphere. It feels like it's been here forever."

"It practically has," said Hermione, laughing.

"I know. I read Hogwarts, A History before coming to school here."

"Finally! Someone else who has read it! It's my favorite but I can't get Ron or Harry to pick it up."

"Boys," she said, laughing. "Chivington was nothing like this. Much more modern, and it wasn't a boarding school or anything so I didn't sleep there."

"You said you lived with your aunt, right?"

"Yep. My aunt, Serena, and her husband, Martin. Aunt Serena is my dad's sister. They have a son named Servius and we went to school together. He was only a year behind me so we had a lot of the same friends."

"That's like Ron and Ginny."

"I noticed that, the only exception being that they're brother and sister. We were only cousins. I wish I could have came here instead. I loved Chivington and I've got great friends there; but my dad's here. This is home."

"What was it like being away from your dad all the time?"

"Well, I really never knew anything else. I was born when Voldemort was at the peak of his power, and with my mum dead, my dad got kind of paranoid. He didn't want to lose me, too, so he sent me to his sister. I grew up writing to him, and only seeing him for two months out of the year. Sometimes he'd come over for Christmas but it was rare. No matter what, though, he always showed up for my birthday."

"That's nice. At least you had that. It must have been difficult."

"I missed him when he was gone," admitted Kali. "I miss him now and I just spent the whole summer here with him. It was the first time I got to come here instead of him coming back to Aunt Serena's."

"Well you just got your dad back. I can understand why you'd miss him already. I already miss my parents and my best friend from home, Melanie."

Kali's face was of an understanding sympathy. "Well, I guess you're waiting for Ron and Harry before you go to breakfast." Hermione nodded. "I'll meet you down there, then. There's something I have to do before I go to breakfast. Don't worry. I'll find my way."

"Okay. If you get lost, though, just ask anyone who isn't wearing Slytherin colors. They'll be sure to guide you in the right direction. Slytherins would have you standing in the middle of the Quidditch pitch wondering where the food is."

Laughing, Kali said, "I'll remember that." She slipped out the portrait hole and headed down. Instead of going to the Great Hall, she headed for the dungeons and on her way there, caught sight of a pale, blond boy sagging in the arms of a taller, tanned, and dark haired boy. Both were Slytherins according to their colors. "You need some help?" she asked grabbing the dark haired boy's attention.

"Could you?" he asked and Kali nodded before grabbing the pale boy's left side to put half his weight on her.

"Where to?"

"Common room, I guess. Best not to take him into the Great Hall like this and he'll castrate me if he ends up in the hospital wing on his first day back."

"Lead the way," she said.

"You're the new girl, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. Kali Strauser. I'd offer you my hand but I'm busy supporting your friend."

"He's not my friend. He used to be, but. . ."

"Sorry."

"It's okay. I'm Blaise Zabini. I'd accept your hand but I'm also busy supporting my former friend."

"What happened to him, anyway?"

"I don't know. He was walking along and he seemed alright but then he started getting slower and I just got him before he passed out. I really should take him to Madam Pomfrey but he'd kill me."

"He's Draco Malfoy, isn't he?"

"You've heard of him."

"It's hard not to with all the gossip going around."

"Yeah," said Blaise, sounding sad. "I wish people would stop talking. It doesn't do him any good, as you can tell. I was hoping that the summer would do him some good but he seems to be in just as bad shape, if not worse, now than when he was when break started last June."

"Poor guy," she mused. "I mean, the gossip spreads like wildfire, and there are so many versions. I guess it really would take a toll on a person."

"Especially a private person like Draco," said Blaise. "I reckon you should hear the real story and not just the rumors that Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil are spreading."

"If you want to," she answered.

"Well - see - Draco's whole problem stems from his father. They were never really close and Lucius, that's his dad, was always distant in expressing any feelings. The Malfoys are a big name among the elite. They've got a lot of money and Draco was rather spoiled, but Lucius wasn't real keen on being a dad to him. It was suspected that Lucius was a Death Eater-"

"One of Voldemort's followers?"

"Right in the inner circle. No one really knew for sure. Draco heard stories but the charges against Lucius were cleared the first time. I don't think Draco ever really believed his father was a Death Eater. Lucius was distant and Draco just got so depressed. He couldn't deal anymore and he started cutting himself and healing the wounds. I found out and I confronted him about it but he gave me the cold shoulder and continued doing it. A few weeks later he made a few gashes in both his arms and didn't bother to heal them. Ruby Cabot, she's a fourth year, found him. He just barely lived and when Lucius found out, he came to school right away. Finally broke down and told Draco he loved him. Even turned himself in to the ministry for being a Death Eater. He was going to go to Azkaban for a few months and then he'd be on parole but he wanted to say goodbye to Draco." At this, Blaise started getting choked up. "It was Draco's request. With the war, there were a lot of dementors around the school against Dumbledore's wishes and when Lucius came to see him - well - they were starved and. . ." His voice trailed off.

"They didn't give him the dementor's kiss, did they?" she said, afraid to hear the answer. Blaise didn't answer but he gave a slight nod before casting a concerned look down at Draco. "Sweet Merlin," she whispered.

"Draco hasn't been the same since then. Not even remotely what he was like when he was cutting himself. I told you we used to be friends and it's true. Draco doesn't consider anyone his friend anymore though. He said he didn't want my pity but I didn't pity him. I cared."

Hearing the tone of Blaise's voice, Kali cast a sideways stare at him. Then she said, tentative and almost wondering why she was asking at all, "Was there something going on between you and Draco?"

Angry or offended might have been a response she expected, but Blaise did neither. Instead, he just laughed and shifted Draco's weight. Draco was still out cold. "Am I that obvious?"

Kali was thrown for a second by his response but she quickly recovered. "Not exactly 'obvious'. It's just the way you talk about him. It's the tone of your voice, really. You sound like you love him very much."

"I do," he replied. "I want him to get better but he keeps pushing everyone away. I don't know if I'm trying to hard and it's just pushing him farther, but I want to help him so badly. Just - don't tell anyone, okay? If anyone knew we were together once. . .no one even knows that we're gay."

"Your secret is safe with me."

"Thanks," he muttered. "We're here." They stopped in front of a stone wall with Draco supported between the two of them. "Polaris." The entrance opened up and Kali helped Blaise carry Draco into the common room. "Thanks again for helping me."

"No problem. I'll see you around, okay?" Blaise nodded and Kali left the Slytherin common room with thoughts of Draco Malfoy swimming through her head, as she continued through the dungeons. Stopping before another section of stone wall, Kali said "Unicorn Blood" and the slab slid open to allow her entrance.

Kali entered a low lit room just like she had been told she would. Another doorway was directly across from the one she had just entered through, and to her left there was a bookcase filled to capacity with glass doors protecting the books. To her right was a long room with an open hearth at the very end. There were many bookcases filled to capacity, she could see, each covered by glass doors. The furniture was made of mahogany, the upholstery silver and black without it giving it a cold atmosphere. Sitting on a table by the door was a note. Picking it up, it read:

Kailah,

You're late. I would love to stay and welcome you with open arms and perhaps you got lost in the dungeons but I could wait no longer. I went for breakfast in the Great Hall and I advise you do the same. I've seen your schedule and with History of Magic first period, you're going to need the energy. Binns is still teaching the same curriculum he taught me and it was boring then. I'm talking from personal experience.

Please come by tonight after dinner. I feel like a fool but I miss you already.

You were sorted in Gryffindor. Just like your mother. I also saw that you made friends with Potter. I am now disowning you. Even if you are a Gryffindor, I know you're still a Hufflepuff at heart. See you tonight.

Love,

Dad

Folding the parchment, Kali shoved it in her pocket before heading back up to breakfast. There were various stares from stragglers as she, a Gryffindor, made her way through the dungeons and headed for the Great Hall. When she entered, she saw that Hermione, Harry, and Ron were already there and eating. She guessed this is what happens when you get sidetracked by carrying unconscious boys back to their common rooms.

"Hey, Kali," said Hermione as she sat down. "We have our schedules already and we got yours for you."

Looking down at her schedule, she smiled upon seeing she had History of Magic first today.

"We don't have Potions until tomorrow so we're sustained torture until then," explained Ron. "Even if we do have Binns first at least we won't have Snape for a whole day. My mind is still on holiday mode. I'm not ready to face Snape again."

"Honestly, Ron, it won't be that bad," said Hermione. "We'll be making Polyjuice Potion this year. I hear the seventh year curriculum is amazing."

"I'm with Ron," said a rather frightened looking Neville. "I wish we could just drop Potions."

"It wouldn't be so bad if Snape wasn't breathing down your neck waiting for you to mess up so he can take points away," said Harry. "Half of our mistakes are made because he's looming over us on purpose just to distract us. I wouldn't dislike Potions half as much if we had a different teacher."

"I still won't forget how he treated Hermione when Malfoy made her teeth grow fourth year," snapped Ron. "Slimy git. If he would have retracted his sodding head from his ass. . .any moron could have seen what Malfoy did. He just wanted to be a prick."

"Ron!" Hermione scolded.

"What?" he said throwing his hands up in defense. "He did it to you! You should be furious about it."

"Well I'm not and you should learn to let it go, too."

Ron just slumped in his seat and frowned.

Kali didn't say anything and none of the three noticed that she was frowning as well. Throughout the entire breakfast she ate very little and then it was off to History of Magic with Hermione, Harry, and Ron as her personal tour guides. She was happy to be out of there and going to class. In fact, she was more than happy to welcome such a distraction.

*~*~*~*~*

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