Scars

Author : Vampire Gurl

Rating: PG-13 or R to be on the safe side

Pairing : Harry/Draco

Disclaimer : I do not own Harry or Draco or any characters of the Harry Potter series, except Lucia who came from my imagination.

Summery : "Everyone has scars from this war. Some physical, mental, or emotional. We must find the strength to overcome them, because if we don't, that bastard still wins." Post-War. H/D.

Author's Note: Reviews are always welcomed. wink wink

Flashbacks = Italics

"The Letter"

The inky black sky held no light. The stars did not twinkle nor did the moonlight shine tonight. The gloomy and ominous darkness covered the area like a thick blanket shielding everything from its view. Silence engulfed the area adding to its gloomy nature. A chilly wind blew strongly around the area, picking up leaves in its wake. The area seemed deserted of any life, except for the cricket that everyone once and awhile broke the silence with their song. If one had a keen eye, they would see the telltale signs of a battle.

No leaves hung on the branches of the surrounding trees. The bear branches cast eerie shadows on the floor. Branches and leaves littered the ground when they had been blown away from their homes. Close by, buildings still lay in ruins. Some had no windows, some had caved in roofs. Debris littered the area. The bodies had been buried but if one were observant, they would see the blood marks that many have tried to conceal.

This spot marked the end between the fight of light and dark. This was the final battle between Good and Evil. This was the final battle between Lord Voldemort and the Boy Who Lived. The spot that marked then end of a war was turned into a cemetery for all those that had perished in the fight.

The battle lasted a long time and killed many in its wake. So many had died for their cause. Many had died by accident. Among the causalities were Bill Weasley, Susan Bones, Terry Boot, and others.

Harry saw these names as he walked through the cemetery. He read off the names of the people he knew, which were engraved into the hard, smooth marble. Cedric Diggory, Vincent Crabbe, Luna Lovegood, Seamus Finnigan, Sibyll Trelawney, Blaise Zabini, Cho Chang, Pansy Parkinson, Hannah Abbott. So many surprises on whom were on which side. Pansy died as a spy for the side of light, while Cho Chang died as a follower of the Dark Lord. Shocking indeed, there were so many shades of gray.

Nothing was as it seemed to be at the beginning. Narcissa Malfoy proved to be a loyal deatheater, while Lucius turned out to be another spy for Dumbledore. Draco became part of the Order along with his father so he will not have to take the dark mark. They proved to be a much-needed force against the side of dark.

Harry and Draco had called a truce once it was revealed that he was there to help. On that last battle, Draco had stood along side Gryffindor's Golden Boy.

Harry sighed and finished his walk through the graveyard. This had become almost a ritual of sorts for him. He would walk through the cemetery and place some flowers on the graves of his parents and friends. Afterwards, he would walk past St. Mungo's. Once he reached the hospital, he would pause. He would stop right outside the building as if to debate whether or not to walk in but he always looks away from the hospital and continues to walk to his flat. Once he reached his flat, he would climb into bed and fall asleep.

Tonight was different. He did not go to bed. Instead, he sat in a chair by the window next to his nightstand. On the rich mahogany stand was a note, which was addressed to him. For a year, this letter had laid there. For a year it had remain unopened. The lightly aged envelope stood there seemingly taunting the raven-hair boy.

Today was the first anniversary of the final defeat of the Dark Lord. Today was the day that Harry had marked off on his calendar. He was going to summon his infamous Gryffindor courage and open that damn letter. Then depending on what the letter said determined if he would finally step into St. Mungo's.

This letter was given to Harry on the day of the 'Great Battle'. On that day, Harry was preparing for an upcoming battle when Draco walked in to help him. Since Lucius and Draco had joined them, they had proved to be valuable fighter for their cause. Draco helped Harry whenever he could and the two had become much closer. To Harry, he started to became attached to the blonde but refuse to admit any feelings in case the Dark Lord was to find out.

On that day, Draco gave Harry that very letter that Harry was starting at.

It was lunchtime and Draco had persuaded Harry to sit, eat, and rest. The sun was shinning and there was not a single cloud in the perfect, crystal blue sky. Harry could never refuse Draco when he pleaded and he had a point. He did need to save some energy for Voldemort. While eating a varied selection of foods, Draco suddenly pulled out the letter.

"Harry, I want you to have this. I don't care what you do to it. You can read it or burn it. It doesn't matter to me. All I ask is that you open it or destroy it later on tonight once were safe at home." Draco said in a solemn voice.

Puzzled Harry took the letter and put it in his pocket.

"Alright Draco." Was Harry's only reply.

How was Harry supposed to know that later that day would be the finial battle not just the little fight they had been so certain of. How was he supposed to know that Draco was going to fight with him every step of the way? How was he supposed to know that Draco was going to be severely injured while protecting him? How was he going to know that what happened to Draco would torment him along with that blasted letter?

That letter was Harry's last link to Draco. He fears to open it because he would have nothing else save for necklace. A necklace with a silver dragon pendent that he found on the battlefield the day after.

Taking a much-needed breath, Harry reached out for the letter. Trembling hands grasped the letter and held it. Carefully he opened it and unfolded the letter. Steadying himself, he began to read.

Hey Scarhead! (Harry smiled at the Greeting. Somewhere along their time together, that name had become a nickname and not a term of verbal assault.)

How are things? Yeah I know, war is bad but your doing a great a job. Where others would have crumbled, you preserved and achieved even more.

I write this with the knowledge that this letter will be place in your hands tomorrow. Yet, I must have written a dozen of copies before this one. If you are reading this then I thank you as I write on paper what I could never find the words to say in person.

Harry, you are an amazing person. You have over come so much in your life. All you ever wanted was a normal life and you deserve one. You have the weight of the world on your shoulders since you were a baby. I wish people who look past the Boy Who Lived and see the Harry I see.

The Harry I see is caring compassionate. He is gentle and loving and only wants to live his life as himself. I see a boy who has captivated me. Yes, that's right, captivated. This leads me to something else I could never say alone.

I love you Harry, completely and unconditionally. I always have. Whatever happens, whatever the war brings just remember that I love and care for you. When you think no one is with you or that you are alone remember I am always with you.

I do not expect anything at all. You do not need to pledge your undying love or anything of the sort. I do not expect it at all. You can just destroy this letter and act as if you never read it. I just wanted you know that there is someone here who loves you just as you are and does not except anything from you at all.

Yours Always,

Draco Lucius Malfoy

Once Harry finished the letter, tears started to fall from his face. He held the letter close to his heart. He cried for what could have been. Never in his wildest dreams had he hoped Draco loved him. He sobbed for the past that could never be replaced. He mourned the lost of the one person who never expect anything more than he could give.

He continued to sob until he no longer had the energy and fell asleep still holding the letter.

It was the final battle and Harry was up against Voldemort. Draco was not too far away and was fighting off deatheaters that were headed towards Harry. Everything was moving so fast that it was difficult to follow until Voldemort casted a curse. That curse was moving towards Harry. Caught off-guard he was paralyzed as the curse headed towards him. Everything suddenly switched to slow motion. Harry did not see the casting of the curse but he did see a bruised and bloody Draco take hold of him and turn him away from the blast. Harry saw the dark blue curse hit Draco squarely on the back. He saw Draco's face contort in agony and him falling to the ground, unconscious.

Harry awoke with a scream.

"No, Draco please. Come back, you can't leave me." He muttered as he sobbed.

Taking a deep breath, he calmed down. He then carefully folded the letter and placed it in his pocket. He stood up and left his flat. He walked the familiar path and ended up in front of St. Mungo's. He entered and went to the room he knew but never dared to enter. When he got the room, the door was closed. He knocked and Lucius Malfoy opened the door.

Lucius had change drastically. Well-kept hair now hung wild around his head. The deep circles under his eyes suggested very little sleep recently. The usually clean and pressed clothing now contained wrinkles. His face no longer a harden mask. His face now showed clearly exhaustion, sadness, and grief.

"Hello Harry." Lucius said in a grave voice.

"Can I see Draco sir?"

"Yes, was just on my way out. I have to run back to the Manor. Can you watch him for about an hour or so?"

"Yea,"

"Then I'll be back."

With that Lucius walked out and Harry walked carefully into the room. In the room was a bed that Draco laid on. The moonlight shone on him, showing numerous bandages on him. The curse on Draco was horrible. It places you in a coma and the wounds you had at the time stays with you. The cure was unknown because the exact curse that was used is unknown as well.

Draco has been in a coma for one year. The wounds from the battle were still on him. The gash on his head, the deep cut on his forearm, the slice on his right shine, the stab wound on his waist all were bandaged. Potions prevent blood-lost and bandages along with more potions prevent infections.

Harry sat down next to the bed and took a hold of Draco's hand. He then just poured out his feelings.

"Draco, I'm so sorry. I read the letter. I love you so much. Why did you leave me? Why did you have to be stupid and save me? Why do you love me? No one understands me like you. I need you Draco. I read the letter and I need to hear to you say those words Draco. I never came before because I didn't want the finality of you being gone If I didn't see you I could still pretend, to some degree. You haunt me in my dreams and while I'm awake. Please…"
Harry again broke down in tears and sobs. He held Draco's hand tightly during his hysterical cries. He never felt Draco weakly squeeze his hand back.

TBC

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