CHAPTER 12

DISCLAIMER: I am not the owner of any of the characters that appear in this story. They're are JKR's property and WB's too. So please don't sue me ok?

RATING:  PG-13
PAIRINGS: H/D R/Herm G/N

A/N: Ok, I don't usually thank my reviewers but I've been writing this fic for sooo long now that I though I'll make an exception. I want to say that if your name is not here, sorry. I read ALL the reviews and I appreciate them. Thanks for taking your time and send me a little comment.

Well, this chapter is dedicated to: ddz008, The Demonic Duo, wanderingwolf (thanks for being so honest ;)..), Shellbert, em parker, Eleena Thea, Megs5, Frizzy and Angel Dreamseer for being my first reviewer!! ::grins::

Again thanks to Ohood and Lisa, my betas!! I love you girls!!

Sunday 3:OO P.M    HOGWARTS' GROUNDS

The group of young wizards and witches gathered around the school's enormous doors. Harry was leading them followed by his two best friends, who were bickering like an old married couple. Ron was completely covered in mud.

"I told you the portkey wouldn't be perfect Herm. But no.... our know-it-all think that she can't make any mistakes." shouted a furious Ron to his girlfriend.

Hermione had an offended expression on her face, but she was trying to hide it.

"Oh! And you think you could have done it better?" asked the girl.

"May I remind you that it is impossible to apparate within the school grounds?" said the witch with a condescending tone.

"And obviously your idea or returning here walking wouldn't have been accepted by the others." she pointed her injured and exhausted friends and waited for Ron's reaction.

The red-head only mumbled incoherently.

The others had been looking at the pair clearly amused.

Ginny was trying to stiffle her laughter and Neville winced when his girlfriend wrapped her arm around him.

The rest had also suffered various injuries, nothing too serious, but they were extra careful with Draco and Severus.

"Ron, bring Professor Snape to the hospital wing and tell Madame Pomfrey what happened." commanded Harry. Then, he look around until he spotted Angelina, who was trying to hold an unconscious Draco. He approached the girl and said:

"I'll take care of him." and then he gave more orders to the others.

"You can go to the hospital wing too, there you'll be healed. But I need someone that can explain everything to Dumbledore."

His words were met with silence.

"I'll go." said Hermione bravely.

Sunday 3:45 p.m   HOSPITAL WING

"Come on, drink this boy. The taste is not very nice, but it'll help you with that bleeding nose." Madame Pomfrey gave Fred Weasley a golden goblet filled with a reddish substance.

At least twenty beds were still occupied by the DA's members. A few of them had already returned to their common rooms and the ones that no longer studied there but were fully recovered, were having a cup of steaming coffee in the Great Hall.

Draco and Severus were laying in two large beds near a big window. Harry was sitting in a chair at the end of Draco's, looking tenderly at the blond, who was sleeping pacefully thanks to one of Pomfrey's sleeping draughts.

Snape was also resting there, but he was awake, his eyes never leaving his godson's sleeping figure.

"I'm glad we got him back safe and sound." said the professor softly.

Harry looked strangely at the man. At first he didn't pay attention to him because he thought it was impossible that Snape has spoken to him. But after he was convinced that there was anybody else near, he adventured a reply.

"I am too. I thought that I was going to lose him forever. I can't even begin to imagine what Lucius could have done..." he paused "Well I know, and that's the scariest thing."

"I know. I didn't want my godson to follow my footsteps. He doesn't deserve to live like that." replied Snape.

Harry glanced at the black-haired man at his right. Have he heard right? His godson?

"Sorry Sir, but is Draco your godson?" asked the Gryffindor timidly.

"Yes. But if I discover that you've said to someone else, I'll have your head in a platter, understood?" menaced Snape with his silky voice.

"Ok, S-S-Sir" managed to stutter Harry, who decided it was the best time to go. He was stopped by the professor again.

"Potter wait." Snape sighed deeply. He looked very uncomfortable.

"Don't hurt Draco. He's the only thing I've got. He doesn't deserve to suffer even more." he looked at the Gryffindor without hatred nor coldness, just plain honesty.

The boy didn't know what to say. Could he possibly know about Draco's feelings for him? He decided he couldn't ask more from him and nodded.

"I won't Sir. You have my word." and with that, he left the room leaving a thoughtful Severus Snape and a wide awake and surprised Draco Malfoy.

Sunday 5 p.m    HOGWARTS' GROUNDS

I'm so tired of being here

Supressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

Because your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone.

It was freezing outside, but Harry needed time to be alone. Too much had happened, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to cope with everything.

First he discovered that Draco was in love with him. And then, when he was trying to act normally with the boy, the blond disappears.

Oh! And he couldn't forget Voldemort.

This wounds won't seem to heal

This pain it's just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase.

He still didn't believe that the DA had returned. He had felt very guilty when his first plan failed, but the things that had taken place later had been even more effective that his rudimentary planned rescue mission. In times like this he felt lucky for having such good friends. They had put their lives in danger for him.

The thought of Hermione breaking the rules and Ron being rational for once still susprised him.

A crooked smile appeared on his face.

"I guess people change when they see danger ahead of them." he whispered.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I've held your hand through all of these years

But you still have all of me.

And that lead him to the next question. How did I feel when I knew that Draco was suffering?

The answer popped out without thinking too much.

Scared.

Alone.

Guilty.

Empty.

He had imagined the Slytherin's face lifeless, silver eyes dull and sad.

But the thing that he had dreaded the most was that Draco would change. That he would be the same hateful boy again, the one that had tormented all those years.

A blond boy, that would no longer feel the same for him.

And that astonished him.

You used to captivate me

By your resonating light

But now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams

Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me.

Did he need that affection to feel complete and safe?

Was he selfish for thinking that?

But he couldn't find any answers because someone came from behind him and gave him a hug.

This wounds won't seem to heal

This pain it's just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase.

Harry inhaled the woman's perfume and let out a deep sigh. **Could it be her? It had to be** he thought.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I've held your hand through all of these years

But you still have all of me.

He could sense her presence even if she wasn't with him anymore. If there had been a "them", because he wasn't even sure.

"Hi Harry. I was in the Great Hall with the others and saw you leaving the castle. I thought you'd like company." said Cho while she tightned the hug.

"Hello Cho. Thanks, I needed fresh air. I've been in the Hospital Wing since we arrived." replied Harry, who was feeling rather irritated with the girl for no apparent reason.

"Oh! Yes. I had forgotten. You brought Malfoy there." she stopped for a moment and continued.

"Was he causing you any problems, Harry?" asked the girl whose voice was clearly laced with hate.

"Why would Draco cause problems? I don't get you." answered the Gryffindor who unwrapped Cho's arms from his torso hastily.

"Well there's a rumour that he fancies you." she said disgusted.

"When I heard that, the first thing I thought is that you don't need more absurd problems. You are a hero." her eyes gleamed with admiration.

"You are the Boy-Who-Lived." she added dreamily.

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone

And though you're still with me

I've been alone all along.

Harry looked angrily at her. So this was the real Cho he had loved? Another groupie who only saw the fame and glory.

He felt utterly disspointed. He'd thought that she was different.

"Let Draco and me alone." he spat angrily.

"I think you should go now. I want to be alone." and he began to walk.

"But what about the Ball? When are we going to meet?" asked Cho happily.

"I need to know that because I'll use the Hogwart's Express to come here."

"You won't need it. We won't go to the Ball together." Harry was talking very coldly.

"What????" asked a furious Cho.

"You can't do that. I've told all my friends I was going to go with you. And I already have the dress. You can't do that." she repeated.

"Well, come to the Ball. Wear your perfect little dress and your perfect smile. But you're not going with me. Goodbye Cho." and he left her there without even looking back.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I've held your hand through all of these years

But you still have all of me.

All of me.

My immortal by Evanescence