FROZEN

by WretchedWriter (formerly known as WretchedScar)

© December 25, 2003, continued April 2004 onward.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its entities belong to J.K. Rowling.  No infringement intended.

HP/DM; Rated R

Hey all I know it has been FOREVER and a day since I updated – I'll try and get better about that.  I hope everyone is doing well and thanks for the reviews – greatly appreciated.  Here's a small bit to enjoy.  And as always the steamy stuff is located (not here at FF.Net – Merlin forbid) but at my personal site "Lifetime of Darkness".

Enjoy!

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            "First things first," Draco stated rather calmly as the three of them walked towards the outer area of Hogsmeade.  It was a free weekend and they were going to make the most of it.  "We're going to Bart Gustinson's for the goods."

            "What goods," Harry questioned, feeling a bit nervous.  He wasn't sure what they were doing, where they were going or why.  Frankly he didn't know anything and it was not sitting well with him.

            "The goods," Blaise smirked, reaffirming what he already didn't know.

            "Right that helps," Harry muttered, tightening his scarf around his neck to keep what little warmth he had against the winter locked inside his cloak.

            "Do you think we should tell him now?" Blaise raised his eyebrows towards

Draco as they walked quickly along, passing various shops, moving down quiet side streets and pass fewer and fewer people.  "Or wait and surprise him with it later?"

            "I think it's more fun to leave him in the dark."  They stopped abruptly, outside of a run-down old store made of weathered, gray wood.  Draco moved an inch closer to where Harry stood, his eyes steadily looking into the other boy's, "Are you scared of the dark, Potter?"

            Harry raised his chin, "No."

            Draco looked at Potter quietly for a moment, sizing him up.  He ignored Blaise shifting from foot to foot trying to dance off the cold.  "Yeah right," he stated quietly, pushing past the other boy and leading the way inside of the small building.

            "Stay here and babysit boy-wonder; I'll find Gustison," Blaise offered, moving towards the rear of the shop and out of sight. 

            Draco snorted and stood, arms folded watching Harry.

            Harry hated being under such close observation and especially by Draco Malfoy.  He tried to appear calm, non-phased and moved about the store, looking in the dusty glass covered display cases.  After regarding a few items, he started to gather where he was.  A bit of anger boiled up in his blood and he turned around to regard his nemesis, "We shouldn't be here."

            "And why not," Draco's lip curled up in a sneer.  "Too good for you?"

            "It's full of dark articles, if I was seen in here . . ." Harry started to ramble off what he had heard in his mind time and time again. 

"Oh that's right, have to keep up the pretense that you're the wizarding world's savior – wouldn't be caught dead with the son of a deatheater and you most certainly wouldn't give into the temptation of being seduced by the dark arts." Draco said fiercely. 

            "You don't understand," Harry stated seriously, his brow knitted together in frustration. 

"So much better than the rest of us, Potter.  That's how it is.  Never curious as to how we live or why we live the way we do!"  Draco continued onward, moving forward – advancing on the other boy.  "Sometimes some of us," he leaned in closer, his chest touching Harry's, his face so close his breath seemed to mingle with the other boy's, "-sometimes some of us just don't have a choice in the matter.  Ever think of that?"

Harry didn't move, he could only breath – and very, very quietly.  "And what's my choice then, Malfoy?  Answer me that."

Draco was a bit surprised at Harry's calm response.

"What choices as the 'boy who lived'," Harry sneered the title, "am I given?  I can't indulge in my curiosities – dark magic or otherwise – I can't been seen with questionable characters, I have to always be prepared to either fight for my life or die trying.  Do you think this is all a great big adventure for me?  That I enjoy who I am?  I hate myself, Malfoy.  Sometimes I know it'd just be easier to die.  Sometimes that's the only choice I'm left with that makes any sense at all."

Draco closed his eyes and put a little distance between him and Harry after a bit of silence had procured between them.  He opened his eyes to look at the other boy. 

Potter's face had fallen, he looked defeated – much like he had the other night in the snow, crumbled up amidst its freezing embrace.  It was an awkward moment for two sworn enemies.

"Maybe one day . . ." Draco started, not knowing where he was heading.

"Maybe one day," Potter started interupting, not looking at the other boy, "someone will think to ask me what I want and I truly will have it – no consequences attached."

"Hey guys!" Blaise came from toward the back, interrupting the terse moment.  He held in his arms a rather large wooden crate that he juggled to balance.  "Got the goods – ready to head back?"

He looked at Malfoy who stood, his arms crossed looking rather 'thrown off' and then at Potter who looked as though he had just admitted to having lost a million points for gryffindor and knew – knew – he had missed something.

The silence continued.

"Not to be pushy," Blaise sighed, "but this is getting rather heavy what with me standing here holding it all by my lonesome self."

"Right," Draco started, taking out his wand.  He did a shrinking spell and watched as Blaise pocketed 'the goods.'  Without even another glance at either of his friends he turned to leave.  "Let's go."

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To be continued . . .