Title: Sound Of My Voice
Author: GrapeSmshr
Rated: PG-13
Coupling: HP/DM slashy goodness
A/N: I apologize for not updating sooner. I hadn't gotten to write much for the past week because I've been swamped with tests at school, not to mention dealing with some... family problems that are causing anger management issues on my part. But I did belt the rest of this chapter out at school this morning, so I decided to go ahead and post it. Hope you enjoy!
.
.
.
.
It turned out that the Trio weren't the only ones suffering from a grueling week. Many of the seventh-year Gryffindors decided to hold a giant Exploding Snap tournament. This lasted for a good three hours in which Parvati Patil was surprisingly crowned champion.
It was well after curfew, almost midnight, but no one was really tired enough to sleep. The noise had reached a substantially high level, and Harry had quite the headache.
Indicating to his friends that he was going to take a walk for a while, he grabbed his invisibility cloak from upstairs and headed out into the dimly lit halls of the castle.
For a while now, Harry had been feeling uncomfortable around people. Even the House-mates he had known for seven years were giving him unsettling feelings. Unless it were small groups, he really felt out of place.
Which was why he had taken to frequent walks after dark. Hermione and Ron knew he wasn't much of a sleeper these days, so they stopped questioning him and just let him be.
Walking his familiar path, he didn't even need to keep his eyes open. He knew there were a dozen steps until he turned the corner, that a suit of armor would be on the right side, standing stoically next to a painting of a sleeping wizard with tangerine-colored robes. Not far past that was a section of wall where one stone at the bottom jutted out most inconspicuously. Kicking the stone twice, Harry waited patiently until the wall swung open.
He had found this secret passage a couple of months before when, in a rather sour mood, he had kicked the wall to relieve some frustration. Now he often found himself using the passage. As he walked, the air became more stuffy, so he removed his cloak and tucked it into the crook of his arm. Reaching a large stone staircase, he began his ascent up the steep incline that would have easily killed a person with vertigo just by looking at it.
Once at the top of the stairs, only slightly winded and panting, he slowly pushed on the stone wall to swing it open. The door led to a much neglected tower that he doubted anyone knew about. Upon his first arrival, the floor had a thick layer of dust, as did the one lone window. There was moss in the corners and spiderwebs on the walls, but he had cleaned all of that up.
The tower became a haven for him, a safeplace away from life in general. It was his own space, his own escape.
When he stepped into the tower this night, though, he was not alone. And there was no mistaking that shock of platinum hair attached to the body that was currently sitting in the window, staring out into the blackness of the night. The quarter moon spilled little light into the tower, casting shadows upon the Slytherin's face as he turned around at the sound of the wall moving.
"Potter." He stood, eyes watching Harry, who had frozen in the doorway. Judging from his bewildered expression, Harry was not expecting to find anyone in the small circular room. Draco took a step forward, a hint of a smile on his face. When Harry made no move from the doorway, Draco said, "You *are* allowed further into the room. I don't bite, you know."
Still hesitant, Harry contemplated bolting. He certainly wasn't prepared for the company of anyone, and Draco at that, not after Potions earlier. Then again, he didn't want the other teen to think that he was too horribly affected, even though he was. No, he knew he'd have to face this sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner.
Curbing the urge to flee, Harry stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He stared awkwardly at his feet, unsure of what to do next. He really didn't like that feeling, either. He had come here for some peace, some rest, and now he was just more tense.
But why should *he* be the one that felt so awkward? He was the one whose safe haven had been breached, whose secret tower was not so secret any longer.
Raising his eyes, shoulders squared, Harry's narrowed eyes met liquid silver. His gaze was strong, unwavering. He refused to be the first to back down. But he could tell that Draco felt the same way. So they stared, the air in the room suddenly rising in temperature, electricity crackling between them even with their being on opposite sides of the room. The tension was now gone, being replaced with curiosity at the other's presence and an underlying self-consciousness that either felt only when near the other.
It was Draco who backed down first, averting his eyes momentarily to collect his thoughts. When he looked back up, Harry was sitting in the window, watching him, studying him. One thing he noticed was that, in the silence, there was an intensity to everything that happened, including Harry's current scrutinizing stare.
He couldn't help himself. Draco found himself confessing, "I saw you come in here about a month ago. I was on my way back from the kitchens when I saw you open the passage." He had been quite surprised to see the wall open up by itself. He was even more surprised to see Harry appear from underneath what Draco found out was an invisibility cloak. He hadn't followed, though he had wanted to. The only reason he was there now was because of what happened earlier. He felt inextricably drawn to the Gryffindor, had been for a while.
But now he had a new reason for this obsession, this unheeding need to get close to him. He wanted to know what made the other teen tick. He wanted to know what had happened to him on that day, the day when everything changed. He wanted him to be like he used to be, witty and social. He wanted him happy. He wanted him.
Period.
And to accomplish that, he would have to get to the root of Harry's problems, meaning that he was going to have to get him to talk. He didn't have any real plan, any strategy. He was hoping to pick up some hints along the way to help him out.
He turned his eyes away from Harry, scanning the room. "This is a nice place," he observed. "Have you been up here often?"
Harry nodded once, a slight smile on his face from the compliment. It was obvious that he was very attached to his little hideaway.
"It's nice to get away from everything once in a while, isn't it?" Draco continued, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Harry's smile faltered a bit. "The quiet, the lack of interruption by anyone or anything... It's the ideal setting." He continued in his sideways glancing as he saw a frown mar Harry's features. It would take a little more ebbing, a tiny push to get some sort of reaction, so Draco plowed on.
"Did you notice the date? Friday the thirteenth. The thirteenth of May. Seven months to the day."
Harry screwed his eyes shut. He had in fact noticed the date, had been thinking about it all day. Seven months. Seven long months has passed by in a flash, leaving nothing memorable behind. What was there to remember? He wanted to forget. All of it.
But for some reason, Draco just wouldn't let it go, wouldn't let him forget. "What a day. I don't think anyone is quite the same now. Sometimes I find myself peering over my shoulder, wand raised, at the slightest noise," Draco admitted with a sheepish laugh. "I guess that's what happens when you experience the fun of dodging Unforgivables."
By this time, Harry's breathing was hitched and ragged, air puffing out of his mouth in little gasps. He couldn't quite suppress that little ball of emotions that was rumbling in the pit of his stomach. Anger. Despair. Hatred. Fear. Fear of being found out, of Draco finding out...
He rose from his seat, looking at anything that wasn't currently Draco Malfoy. He didn't want this--couldn't do this. He started to cross the room but was pulled back by a hand encircling his slim wrist. Helpless, angry eyes bore into liquid silver, trying to be intimidating but not quite pulling it off.
Increasing the strength of his grip, Draco tsked softly. "This time, I get to leave first." Releasing Harry's arm, he set his jaw in a straight line and walked away, leaving Harry to slump against the ground like a defeated ragdoll.
Yes, he was going to get to the bottom of this. He was going to get Harry to talk again, he just knew it.
.
.
.
.
This fic has taken a different turn than what I originally intended. I started writing the next chapter this morning, then realized that the plan I had in mind pretty much contradicted what I had written in an earlier chapter. So I'm gonna have to do some more thinking... No worries, though. If I try hard enough (or get inspired enough, hint hint) I may be able to get another chapter out by this weekend. So please review! I could really use the encouragement right now. I love you guys!
.
.
.
.
Thanks to:
Freestyle-death: Woohoo, three chapters in one day! Isn't it so much cooler when you find a fic after a few chapters are already posted? I'm hoping the rest of the fic writes itself...
curlytop: Ahh, adding more interaction with more characters... I'm working on it!
Felton's Gal: Hey, football coaches are encouraging, so I appreciate it!
Icy Flame: Hehe, thanks! It's great to hear that my imagination isn't cliche!
BratPrincess-187: I keep working on making the chapters longer, but I would be giving stuff away too soon... I'm trying to make the last chapter a super long one!
Localfreak: Thanks for the encouragement! I actually got a 98 on the test... got it back this morning! Woohoo!
Who cares what my name is: Was this a soon enough update?
Dream 27: Aww, thanks! Hope you liked this chapter!
DaughterofDeath: Here's a new chapter!
A Happy Little Bumble-bee: I know, they're both all traumatized. Yeah, I dunno where that came from, but I thought it appropriate that Draco killed his own father. As far as explanations go, I may or may not include one.
N.U.Washa: Thanks for pointing that out. I even wrote that, too, and I know better! I tried to fix it, but ff was being dumb, so I'll do that later. But I appreciate the grammar check!
oracale: Thanks, I try!
SheWolfe7: Ah, I think everyone (reader-wise) wants to hear what Harry has to say, but none more than Draco...
Crystalstorm21: Thanks so much! I'm trying to update as fast as I can!
Queen Antigone: Hehe, well, I plan on making Draco's tactics very... persuasive...
Emeline: Heh, thanks! Yeah, it's kind of hard writing a story where one of the main charas doesn't talk, but I'm having fun trying!
CuriousDreamWeaver: Thanks! I'm trying to get both POVs since I think it's critical to get both of their takes on the situation. I just hope I'm doing everyone justice...
GoddessMoonLady: I know, poor, poor Harry. But it'll get better, I promise!
dwadwadaw: Ah, if only they were real... They'd have a bunch of fan-crazed maniacs chasing after them at all times!
someonesgurl: Thanks! I have that last bit all planned out for the most part... Should be good!
Mel: Hehe, thanks for that! I'm gonna try to update soon!
polar springs: Your review made me laugh! I'll get to updating again, I promise!
Alexis-Greenleaf: Thanks so much! I'm generally weary of having them exchange 'I love yous' in the story, too early or even at all. I tend to cringe at the fics that have them admit their love for one another after one chapter. I must say that taking an angsty approach is quite entertaining. It's nice to take another road for once. But I am still planning on my cotton candy ending!
Thanks to everyone else who read but didn't review! I appreciate and love every single one of you!
Author: GrapeSmshr
Rated: PG-13
Coupling: HP/DM slashy goodness
A/N: I apologize for not updating sooner. I hadn't gotten to write much for the past week because I've been swamped with tests at school, not to mention dealing with some... family problems that are causing anger management issues on my part. But I did belt the rest of this chapter out at school this morning, so I decided to go ahead and post it. Hope you enjoy!
.
.
.
.
It turned out that the Trio weren't the only ones suffering from a grueling week. Many of the seventh-year Gryffindors decided to hold a giant Exploding Snap tournament. This lasted for a good three hours in which Parvati Patil was surprisingly crowned champion.
It was well after curfew, almost midnight, but no one was really tired enough to sleep. The noise had reached a substantially high level, and Harry had quite the headache.
Indicating to his friends that he was going to take a walk for a while, he grabbed his invisibility cloak from upstairs and headed out into the dimly lit halls of the castle.
For a while now, Harry had been feeling uncomfortable around people. Even the House-mates he had known for seven years were giving him unsettling feelings. Unless it were small groups, he really felt out of place.
Which was why he had taken to frequent walks after dark. Hermione and Ron knew he wasn't much of a sleeper these days, so they stopped questioning him and just let him be.
Walking his familiar path, he didn't even need to keep his eyes open. He knew there were a dozen steps until he turned the corner, that a suit of armor would be on the right side, standing stoically next to a painting of a sleeping wizard with tangerine-colored robes. Not far past that was a section of wall where one stone at the bottom jutted out most inconspicuously. Kicking the stone twice, Harry waited patiently until the wall swung open.
He had found this secret passage a couple of months before when, in a rather sour mood, he had kicked the wall to relieve some frustration. Now he often found himself using the passage. As he walked, the air became more stuffy, so he removed his cloak and tucked it into the crook of his arm. Reaching a large stone staircase, he began his ascent up the steep incline that would have easily killed a person with vertigo just by looking at it.
Once at the top of the stairs, only slightly winded and panting, he slowly pushed on the stone wall to swing it open. The door led to a much neglected tower that he doubted anyone knew about. Upon his first arrival, the floor had a thick layer of dust, as did the one lone window. There was moss in the corners and spiderwebs on the walls, but he had cleaned all of that up.
The tower became a haven for him, a safeplace away from life in general. It was his own space, his own escape.
When he stepped into the tower this night, though, he was not alone. And there was no mistaking that shock of platinum hair attached to the body that was currently sitting in the window, staring out into the blackness of the night. The quarter moon spilled little light into the tower, casting shadows upon the Slytherin's face as he turned around at the sound of the wall moving.
"Potter." He stood, eyes watching Harry, who had frozen in the doorway. Judging from his bewildered expression, Harry was not expecting to find anyone in the small circular room. Draco took a step forward, a hint of a smile on his face. When Harry made no move from the doorway, Draco said, "You *are* allowed further into the room. I don't bite, you know."
Still hesitant, Harry contemplated bolting. He certainly wasn't prepared for the company of anyone, and Draco at that, not after Potions earlier. Then again, he didn't want the other teen to think that he was too horribly affected, even though he was. No, he knew he'd have to face this sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner.
Curbing the urge to flee, Harry stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He stared awkwardly at his feet, unsure of what to do next. He really didn't like that feeling, either. He had come here for some peace, some rest, and now he was just more tense.
But why should *he* be the one that felt so awkward? He was the one whose safe haven had been breached, whose secret tower was not so secret any longer.
Raising his eyes, shoulders squared, Harry's narrowed eyes met liquid silver. His gaze was strong, unwavering. He refused to be the first to back down. But he could tell that Draco felt the same way. So they stared, the air in the room suddenly rising in temperature, electricity crackling between them even with their being on opposite sides of the room. The tension was now gone, being replaced with curiosity at the other's presence and an underlying self-consciousness that either felt only when near the other.
It was Draco who backed down first, averting his eyes momentarily to collect his thoughts. When he looked back up, Harry was sitting in the window, watching him, studying him. One thing he noticed was that, in the silence, there was an intensity to everything that happened, including Harry's current scrutinizing stare.
He couldn't help himself. Draco found himself confessing, "I saw you come in here about a month ago. I was on my way back from the kitchens when I saw you open the passage." He had been quite surprised to see the wall open up by itself. He was even more surprised to see Harry appear from underneath what Draco found out was an invisibility cloak. He hadn't followed, though he had wanted to. The only reason he was there now was because of what happened earlier. He felt inextricably drawn to the Gryffindor, had been for a while.
But now he had a new reason for this obsession, this unheeding need to get close to him. He wanted to know what made the other teen tick. He wanted to know what had happened to him on that day, the day when everything changed. He wanted him to be like he used to be, witty and social. He wanted him happy. He wanted him.
Period.
And to accomplish that, he would have to get to the root of Harry's problems, meaning that he was going to have to get him to talk. He didn't have any real plan, any strategy. He was hoping to pick up some hints along the way to help him out.
He turned his eyes away from Harry, scanning the room. "This is a nice place," he observed. "Have you been up here often?"
Harry nodded once, a slight smile on his face from the compliment. It was obvious that he was very attached to his little hideaway.
"It's nice to get away from everything once in a while, isn't it?" Draco continued, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Harry's smile faltered a bit. "The quiet, the lack of interruption by anyone or anything... It's the ideal setting." He continued in his sideways glancing as he saw a frown mar Harry's features. It would take a little more ebbing, a tiny push to get some sort of reaction, so Draco plowed on.
"Did you notice the date? Friday the thirteenth. The thirteenth of May. Seven months to the day."
Harry screwed his eyes shut. He had in fact noticed the date, had been thinking about it all day. Seven months. Seven long months has passed by in a flash, leaving nothing memorable behind. What was there to remember? He wanted to forget. All of it.
But for some reason, Draco just wouldn't let it go, wouldn't let him forget. "What a day. I don't think anyone is quite the same now. Sometimes I find myself peering over my shoulder, wand raised, at the slightest noise," Draco admitted with a sheepish laugh. "I guess that's what happens when you experience the fun of dodging Unforgivables."
By this time, Harry's breathing was hitched and ragged, air puffing out of his mouth in little gasps. He couldn't quite suppress that little ball of emotions that was rumbling in the pit of his stomach. Anger. Despair. Hatred. Fear. Fear of being found out, of Draco finding out...
He rose from his seat, looking at anything that wasn't currently Draco Malfoy. He didn't want this--couldn't do this. He started to cross the room but was pulled back by a hand encircling his slim wrist. Helpless, angry eyes bore into liquid silver, trying to be intimidating but not quite pulling it off.
Increasing the strength of his grip, Draco tsked softly. "This time, I get to leave first." Releasing Harry's arm, he set his jaw in a straight line and walked away, leaving Harry to slump against the ground like a defeated ragdoll.
Yes, he was going to get to the bottom of this. He was going to get Harry to talk again, he just knew it.
.
.
.
.
This fic has taken a different turn than what I originally intended. I started writing the next chapter this morning, then realized that the plan I had in mind pretty much contradicted what I had written in an earlier chapter. So I'm gonna have to do some more thinking... No worries, though. If I try hard enough (or get inspired enough, hint hint) I may be able to get another chapter out by this weekend. So please review! I could really use the encouragement right now. I love you guys!
.
.
.
.
Thanks to:
Freestyle-death: Woohoo, three chapters in one day! Isn't it so much cooler when you find a fic after a few chapters are already posted? I'm hoping the rest of the fic writes itself...
curlytop: Ahh, adding more interaction with more characters... I'm working on it!
Felton's Gal: Hey, football coaches are encouraging, so I appreciate it!
Icy Flame: Hehe, thanks! It's great to hear that my imagination isn't cliche!
BratPrincess-187: I keep working on making the chapters longer, but I would be giving stuff away too soon... I'm trying to make the last chapter a super long one!
Localfreak: Thanks for the encouragement! I actually got a 98 on the test... got it back this morning! Woohoo!
Who cares what my name is: Was this a soon enough update?
Dream 27: Aww, thanks! Hope you liked this chapter!
DaughterofDeath: Here's a new chapter!
A Happy Little Bumble-bee: I know, they're both all traumatized. Yeah, I dunno where that came from, but I thought it appropriate that Draco killed his own father. As far as explanations go, I may or may not include one.
N.U.Washa: Thanks for pointing that out. I even wrote that, too, and I know better! I tried to fix it, but ff was being dumb, so I'll do that later. But I appreciate the grammar check!
oracale: Thanks, I try!
SheWolfe7: Ah, I think everyone (reader-wise) wants to hear what Harry has to say, but none more than Draco...
Crystalstorm21: Thanks so much! I'm trying to update as fast as I can!
Queen Antigone: Hehe, well, I plan on making Draco's tactics very... persuasive...
Emeline: Heh, thanks! Yeah, it's kind of hard writing a story where one of the main charas doesn't talk, but I'm having fun trying!
CuriousDreamWeaver: Thanks! I'm trying to get both POVs since I think it's critical to get both of their takes on the situation. I just hope I'm doing everyone justice...
GoddessMoonLady: I know, poor, poor Harry. But it'll get better, I promise!
dwadwadaw: Ah, if only they were real... They'd have a bunch of fan-crazed maniacs chasing after them at all times!
someonesgurl: Thanks! I have that last bit all planned out for the most part... Should be good!
Mel: Hehe, thanks for that! I'm gonna try to update soon!
polar springs: Your review made me laugh! I'll get to updating again, I promise!
Alexis-Greenleaf: Thanks so much! I'm generally weary of having them exchange 'I love yous' in the story, too early or even at all. I tend to cringe at the fics that have them admit their love for one another after one chapter. I must say that taking an angsty approach is quite entertaining. It's nice to take another road for once. But I am still planning on my cotton candy ending!
Thanks to everyone else who read but didn't review! I appreciate and love every single one of you!