Through His Eyes
Part 3
By: Dark_T-K
Dumbledore limped to where the others were. The group was sitting on the fountain in the center of the square with Harry laying in front of them. They all seem to be resting since none cared about Harry's predicament.
"I take it the antidote was injected properly and you are all relaxing?" Dumbledore said. The entire group jumped.
"Sorry Albus. We were taking a breather after knocking Potter out." Arthur said. The others glared.
"Well he was watching, we knocked him out." Sirius said. Dumbledore smiled happily.
"I take it there were no problems?" The group all coughed and stuttered nervously. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Harry was the problem sir. Wouldn't hold still for anything. We did manage to inject him and he passed out." Dumbledore nodded.
"Very good. Where are the aurors Arthur?" Dumbledore asked as he looked around for the large group of wizards.
"They left Albus. Took the captured Death Eaters to Azkaban. The others are gathering the lost ones." Arthur said sadly. Dumbledore patted Arthur on the shoulder.
"There, there Arthur. Percy was a fine man." Arthur gasped, but he wasn't too shocked. Everyone knew that hardly anything got by Dumbledore. "Let's get everyone back to Hogwarts, shall we? I know Mister Potter is going to need some time to get this all straightened out." The group sighed heavily and gathered their belongings. Harry was carried by Draco and Ron as the used a portkey to return to Hogwarts.
After Harry was left in a secured locked room, Albus called all of the group to his office. The group talked happily as Dumbledore took his seat.
"Well done everyone, well done. We completed our task this time. Not only did we capture many Death Eaters, we reclaimed Harry and gave him the antidote." The group cheered, except for Severus and Draco.
"Don't get your hopes up." Draco spat. "Just because we have Potter doesn't mean he's on our side." Hermione and Ron instantly shrank back while Remus and Sirius both nodded.
"Now let's not be too hasty Draco. I'm sure Harry will want to fight, even if he has some issues with the people on his side." Dumbledore said reassuringly. Snape rolled his eyes and Draco sighed.
"Headmaster, you know very well Potter is furious with those four. I doubt he'll want to see them or worse, work with them." Snape growled. Hermione and Ron looked to Dumbledore.
"An excellent point Severus." Hermione hugged Ron tightly. "But you underestimate Harry. If we give him time, he'll come around." Hermione sighed happily and released a few tears. "Until he is ready, you four must keep your distance. I doubt Harry will want to see you or be around you at first." The four nodded.
"Well now that it's settle that the four musketeers can't go see Harry, I think I'll go check up on him. I'm sure he's just dying to see someone." Draco said sarcastically. Albus shook his head.
"Just be careful Draco, Harry might attempt something." Albus warned. Draco nodded and left.
"You think it's wise, Albus, to let Draco go see Harry?" Hermione asked. Albus chuckled.
"Minerva asked the same thing when I left Harry with his aunt and uncle. I don't regret doing that or this to him. Harry needs a friend, Hermione. He lost his in a false trail, now he must gain them back. Only this time, you will have to earn his trust instead of the other way around." Hermione sighed. Ron rubbed his temples, while Sirius and Remus left for the night.
Harry woke to find himself in a comfortable bed with a slight headache. His body ached all over and he wore a dark purple robe. Harry felt a pair of glasses next to him and put them on, instantly his vision returned.
"Ugh…where am I?" Harry said groggily. He didn't recognize the room in which he was kept in. His surroundings were different from what he remembered. "Where is this place? This isn't Riddle Manor…" Harry said looking around again. Instead of Slytherin colors of green and silver, gold and red decorated the room. His bed was definitely a four poster bed and it was decorated in deep blue and black colors. "I don't remember coming in here…" Harry said confused.
"That's because you haven't been in your right mind for a couple of days and were recently transferred here." Said a familiar voice from behind. Harry spun around to see Draco leaning on the doorframe. Harry gaped for a minute or so. "What's wrong Potter? Snake got your tongue?" Draco joked. Harry in a flash zipped across the room and enveloped Draco in a bear hug.
"Draco! My word I haven't seen you since…" Harry didn't finish his sentence. He just buried his head into Draco's shoulder and squeezed. Draco began turning colors.
"Harry…please…let…" Harry squeezed harder, Draco turned blue "GO!" Harry looked up and gasped. Harry immediately let go and backed away.
"Sorry Draco, just a little overjoyed. I haven't seen a friendly face in ages." Harry said lowering his gaze to the floor. Draco caught his breath and recomposed himself.
"It's quite alright Potter. I expected worse believe me. Better a bear hug that squeezes the life out of you for friendship, then you trying to claw me to death trying to escape." Draco smirked. Harry snickered a bit. They both hugged again, only this time more gently.
"I should run you know. Being broken out of Azkaban and then being held against my will won't look to good with the ministry. I'll get the kiss for sure this time." Harry said pushing Draco away then heading over to the couch. "Guess you're here to read me my rights and ask me for my last words before I become soulless?" Harry said turning his broken stare towards Draco. Draco burst out laughing.
"G-d Potter you are funny. Why would I come here to take you to your doom? Besides, things have happened since you were out." Draco said. Harry looked at Draco pleading for him to continue. "While Voldemort had you tied up like a caged lion, Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley put together enough evidence to free you. You're an innocent man charged on a crime Voldemort committed. You're free Harry." Draco didn't see it coming, but Draco was bowled over by an overjoyed Harry who hugged him again, toppling the two over.
"Thank you!" Harry cried as he bear hugged Draco in absolute happiness. "You don't know how much this means to me…" Harry said as he buried his head into Draco's robe and cried. Draco patted Harry's back trying to soothe the ex-criminal.
"There, there Potter. If you don't stop you'll soak my robes with your tears." Harry chuckled and looked up at Draco. Draco grimaced seeing Harry's eyes. Harry's eyes were so cold and distant. They held nothing but pain and little happiness. "Now let's get you up and running. First, we'll get rid of you're prisoner haircut. You look like Sirius when he tried to attack me." Both laughed.
"Thanks Draco…I haven't been this happy in…years." Harry said looking down again. "Being out of Azkaban is great, I though for sure I'd be back as soon as I was found. Thinking of going back…made me think of how good it felt to be out. You don't know what it's like…" Harry said miserably.
"Why don't you tell me after I've cut your mop top." Harry and Draco laughed again, both enjoying the others company.
"Voila. You are now a new man Potter." Draco said allowing Harry to see his new look. Harry gasped. His hair was the length he had it when he was in school. He still looked relatively hot for his age. His eyes stood out more promptly and his scar once again, poked out through his now shorted bangs. "So…how do you like it?" Draco said hoping for a good remark. Harry felt his hair, his bangs, then last his face.
"You've done a wonderful job Draco…I haven't seen my scar in ages…I don't think my eyes have ever shown this much since I was arrested. You've really outdone yourself." Harry said as a renegade tear ran down Harry's cheek. Draco sighed miserably. Harry couldn't put the past behind him. With Draco, Harry let out his pain. When he met the others, anger would surface and erupt like a volcano. It depended on who Harry trusted. If you were trusted, Harry let you see the true him, the person who desperately wanted a normal life, but in the presence of those who abused his trust, anger appeared out of no where.
"The past hurts, doesn't it?" Draco asked rubbing Harry's back. Harry stifled a sob and took a deep breath.
"I look back and see what I had, what I thought I had. I remember friends, happiness, and my innocence. Now all I see is pain. Sirius was right, you can't forget all the pain." Harry said as he looked up into his reflection. "Do you know what I dealt with in there?" Harry asked. Draco shook his head. "Everyday I was fed slop. I could barely eat when I first arrived. The pain…it almost killed me. Even worse was the nightmares and the screams of my parents. I swear all I did was look for a way to kill myself everyday. I thought I would go insane with those alone. Thank Merlin for Dumbledore. He visited me when I needed him most. He brought comfort when I was in absolute misery." Harry said as he turned to face Draco. Tears were running down Harry's face. Draco watched as the small diamonds ran down Harry's cheeks and dropped to the floor. His pain made Draco's eyes tear slightly.
"How did you manage to stay sane? And fit?" Draco asked hesitantly. Draco hated having to make Harry relive his past. Harry was one person who'd you think would want to have a new life. Harry never complained about his life, never asked for another, he just lived with the horrible one he was given. The man was a saint, and Draco knew that now.
"I stayed sane thanks to two things. Dumbledore's visits and the fact that I was innocent. I trained in my cell to pass time and try to forget why I was there. It worked, I never remembered any of it til I stopped." Harry got up and went to the window. "We take for granted all the beautiful things Draco. I did most of the time. When I was young, this was all just a setting, a place to be. When I was in Azkaban, I would have given anything to just see the grass. I had a window, but all I saw was dead lands. None of the scenery changed, none helped me." Harry said looking outside.
"Would you like to tell me, the rest I mean? I know how hard it is, living in a hell mouth. I did for all my childhood. Tell me everything, get a load off your chest. Release everything so you can start over." Draco said sitting on a nearby couch. Harry looked over to Draco.
"I can't start over til Voldemort is dead. But you're right, I'll tell you everything and get it out. It might just help me in a way nothing else has. Just promise me I won't see them anytime soon. I can't promise I'll be able to control myself. No after all this…" Harry sat down next to Draco and the long story began.
Draco walked up wearily to Dumbledore's office. Harry had finished with his story and fall asleep after crying. Draco had tucked in the pain-stricken man and headed out. Of all the years in his life, he'd never thought he'd have to deal with Harry this way. Harry went form bold, courageous, brave, and smart to pained, scared, hurt, and angered in so little time. The Golden Boy no longer had his golden glow. In fact, he held no light at all.
"He used to be so adventurous, now he won't even leave his room in fear of hurting himself. Azkaban is truly a horrible place." Draco said. Draco muttered the password and head up. He knocked lightly.
"Come in Draco." Came Albus' voice. Draco opened the door and walked in. Remus and Sirius had already left. Hermione and Ron were still there. "How is Mr. Potter Draco?" Albus asked kindly. Draco collapsed in an empty chair and sighed.
"In all my years Albus, I never thought I'd see The Great Harry Potter break down and cry in front of me. Never had I imagined it. It was truly painful to watch." Draco said putting his face into his hands.
"Did he tell you everything Draco? All his pain, his suffering, his emotions?" Albus pushed on. Draco nodded.
"Down to the very last thought he had. I can't even describe how he felt. I can say though is, you two" Draco looked over to the couple "Just stay away. He can't handle you. He can't handle the pain. He can't even put the past behind him." Draco glared. "Worst of all he can't handle himself."
"Easy there, Draco. I assure you that these two will not interfere. I must ask, how did Harry take the information about him being used?" Dumbledore questioned. Draco sighed.
"I couldn't tell him. I didn't have the heart. He has so much pain he's confused. He's angry yet he's scared. He's happy yet he's depressed. He doesn't know what to do or what he wants. I think I'll wait til he's sorted himself out before telling him other things." Albus nodded in agreement.
"I think it's best Draco if you were to stay with Harry in his time of need. Until he is ready, I don't want him doing anything he can't manage. Just make sure you can clear him of what ails him and try to relieve him of his anger. I'm sure it will do Mr. and Mrs. Weasley some good if you did." Draco nodded. Draco got up and headed to the door the paused for a moment.
"One thing Albus, before I return to Harry." Draco said turning back around to face the trio behind him. Albus nodded. "I want Harry to relive some of his more…happier moments. I was wondering if you could fetch his old school gear. It might come in handy when I'm trying to get him relaxed. I especially want his photo book. That will help a lot." Draco said.
"I'll see what I can do Draco." Draco nodded politely.
"Thanks. It will mean a great deal to Harry if he were to do something he enjoyed. Oh…before I forget and leave." Draco said looking over to Hermione. "Harry specifically asked for a few old things he knows you two have of his. You might want to plan on returning them. Oh, and if you want to get on his better side…" Draco said holding them in suspense. Dumbledore chuckled.
"What?! How can we get him to trust us sooner?! Tell us Malfoy!" Ron shouted nearly jumping out of his seat to grab Draco by the collar. Draco smirked.
"You're Potter's friends. You figure it out. But here is a small clue to help you. Potter hasn't had sweets in six years. I suggest you start loading up on some of those Chocoballs. Harry might be more forgiving if he sees his old friends giving gifts of sweets. How can he stay mad on a empty, yet tempting offer." Draco mocked. Ron roared and almost kicked Draco out of the office and down the stairs.
"Out! Out! Don't you dare mock us like that Malfoy! Next time I swear I will throw you down these stairs." Draco chuckled and left. Dumbledore tried to keep a straight face.
"He's right Ron," Hermione said at last. "Harry always softened when eating sweets. You know that. And Chocoballs, they're Harry's favorite. I always managed to calm his temper when tempting him with a Chocoball. Draco was just teasing you. He wants Harry to trust us…he just can't help being Malfoy." Hermione said.
"I agree Mr. Weasley. Draco can't help being the arrogant man he is. It comes from being around Severus too much. But I guarantee he was only offering his help." Albus said calmly.
"I know. But…Merlin he's just so annoying! He knows what buttons to push and how to push them! He'll never give me a rest!" Ron growled.
"We'll see. Anyway, we'll take his advice and send Harry some sweets. Maybe Draco is right. Maybe old tricks do work. Like my mother always said, you can teach a old dog new tricks."
Draco walked back to Harry's room. He thought quite a bit, and didn't even realize where he was heading.
"Potter was so fearful of going back, yet his anger just pops out of no where…I wonder if he's emotionally damaged." Draco said reaching the room. Draco muttered the password and walked in. The instant Draco was inside, he felt something was wrong. Very wrong. Draco walked further into the room only to see Harry, huttled in a fetal position on the bed. As Draco moved closer, he could see Harry trembling and sobbing quietly.
"Harry?" Draco whispered. Harry gasped and sat up quickly. He didn't hear Draco enter.
"I'm sorry…I didn't hear you come in." Harry said trying to hide what happened. Draco didn't drop it though.
"What's wrong? What's bothering you?" Draco said softly. Harry shook his head.
"Nothing wrong. I'm fine." Harry lied. Draco saw through Harry's lie and pulled Harry into an embrace. Harry tensed for a moment before breaking down and sobbing on Draco's shoulder. "Shhhh…it will be ok. You're safe." Draco whispered as he rocked his old school rival.
"Every time I'm left alone…I can't stop remembering what happened. The day of the trail…it still haunts me. When Hermione and Ron testified against me…their own friend!" Harry howled out. Draco tighten his embrace and let Harry cry.
"You have every reason to cry Harry. What they did…it's unforgivable in my eyes. In time you may come to forgive them, after all, you had a lot going against you." Draco said. Harry looked up with his pain-filled gaze.
"Did you believe I was guilty? That I was a murderous traitor like everyone else?" Harry asked in a low whisper. Draco kissed the top and Harry's head.
"No, I didn't. I believe that if you were to show your true colors, than they wouldn't have been supporting Voldemort. All your life was dedicated to stopping him, not helping him. People just couldn't see through the false evidence. It shows how much faith they had in the Boy-Who--Lived." Draco said getting up and tucking Harry into bed.
"Don't call me that. I've never liked that name." Harry said starting to drift asleep. Draco smiled slightly.
"The what would you like me to call you?" Draco said softly. Harry opened an eye and yawned.
"Harry. Just Harry." And he fell asleep and knew nothing more.
T.B.C.
Authors Note: I'm glad all of you are enjoying my stories. Please send my ideas on what you think should happen next. Be warned that this is an angst story and I want no humor, romance, or horror til after I get Harry past his mopey self. Thanks a lot.
