Let the Games Begin

Harry made his way to the end of his table, watching out of the corner of his eye as Draco slipped into a seat between Crabbe and Pansy. He smiled as Draco coldly pushed Pansy away and then brushed off Crabbe's poor attempts at conversation. To be honest, Harry didn't watch any of the sorting ceremony or listen to Dumbledore's speech. He would, however, have had to have been both deaf and stupid to have not heard Dumbledore call out his name to the entire school in a last minute announcement.

"Harry, my boy, do come up front so that we can have a better look at you eh?"

Harry stood and slipped from his seat, walking calmly toward the front, watched like some sort of god descended to earth. What they didn't know was that their normally unshakable Harry Potter was, absolutely furious, and he didn't have the faintest inkling why. Wait, yes he did. He hated being Harry Potter and hate those who only saw him as the idol Harry Potter and so, he hated every single being on the planet, the special exception being Draco.

"I have something to present to our, Mr. Potter. We tried to owl him of course but it seems that his mail couldn't get through so I saw fit to announce it here, against the better judgment of Professor Snape."

Harry stopped at the front, trying to mask his loathing and once again glanced to Draco. Draco had a look that seemed to read, 'figures, he's always the special one' this made Harry even more livid.

"I am proud to notify you of your election by popular vote as our new Headboy!"

Cheers rang out from around the room as Dumbledore easily pinned the shining badge upon Harry's chest, Dumbledore raised his hands and gradually the room quieted.

"Would you like to say something, Harry?"

And Harry turned and looked out at the amassed students, and with a brilliant smile plastered upon his face, raised his middle finger to the entire room and said, "Go to hell." and calmly walked out of the hall, now ringing with shocked silence.

His pace slowed once out of the hall and he breathed a sigh of relief as he leaned back against the wall. A soft smile played across his face as he watched the stars through the window across but his attention was soon diverted by the sound of foot steps approaching from whence he came. Harry slowly tallied the number of people it could, eyes closed, counting the foot steps until whoever it was was right in front of him, blocking the starlight from the open window.

Of course to the number of people he did expect, Draco was not one of them, or at least not very high on the list but, there he was, standing in front of Harry outlined by celestial light.

Harry watched him with half lidded eyes, "You look like a god, Draco."

Draco didn't answer but the look on his face, even he wasn't sure why he had come. He seemed to struggle against his own will but was he fighting to stay or fighting to leave?

Harry pushed himself up from the wall, stepping forward and carefully wrapping his arms around Draco.

Draco stiffened slightly, his breath caught in his throat, his mind was confused but his body wasn't, it knew Harry's embrace, his scent, his touch. His mind and body acting almost as separate entities, every new 'memory' caused Draco to lose his grip a little more each time. Now, Draco could barely remember why he didn't want Harry to hold him, he couldn't think of why he hated Harry. Emotions that never existed before surfaced and his mind was cluttered with flashes of a life that never happened.

"Oh, god, Draco. I miss you so much." Harry's voice echoed softly, almost broken, as if on the verge of tears.

"Don't cry." Draco heard himself say.

Harry's arms loosened and let go of Draco, eyes searching Draco's own and his face was pained with loss.

"I'm sorry, Draco. I shouldn't, not if don't, if you don't remember." Harry shook his head softly and with a one last touch along Draco cheek, Harry turned away and walked of. Leaving Draco alone in the shadowed corridor, alone with his thoughts, and memories.

TBC