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Revolocard – You crack me up. I always look forward to seeing what you're going to write next, it always makes me smile.
Warning for this chapter: major teenage angst.
* Only four chapters left...
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Anger boiled up in Draco as he sat on the floor of the infirmary, his back up against the wall, staring unblinkingly at the office door across from him.
What he really wanted to do, was to find Ethan and beat the living shit out of him. Then find Harry and ask him how in God's name he let this happen, and finally, throw himself into the lake because he knew it was all his fault to begin with.
He'd never felt so responsible for some one in his entire life.
That was it; the turning point in Draco's mind.
He pushed himself up off of the floor and, with a new sense of purpose and determination, strode out of the hospital wing and towards Gryffindor Tower.
He rounded the last corner and saw Ginny Weasley at the back of a group of students approaching the portrait of the Fat Lady.
He hurried to catch her.
"Oi, Weasley!" he called when she was the only one left in the corridor.
Ginny turned and looked utterly shocked at the sight of Draco Malfoy hurrying towards her.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" she asked, quickly recovering her composure.
"I need to speak with Granger and Weasley, senior."
"Why?"
"It's none of your business," Draco snapped.
"Fine," Ginny replied airily. She turned her back to him and stepped towards the portrait.
"Wait, wait!" Draco grabbed her elbow.
"Well?" she asked expectantly, raising one brow.
"Fine," he sighed. "It's about Pot...Harry."
"What about him?" Ginny asked coolly.
Draco frowned at her indifferent tone. "Look, I really need to talk to them. Could you just tell them to come out?"
"I don't think they want to talk to you."
Draco ground his teeth in annoyance. "What is going on in your house? Have you all lost your minds?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about your friend, bloody wasting away before your eyes and none of you giving a damn!"
"He's not my friend-"
Ginny paused and looked Draco in the eye.
"What do you mean 'wasting away'?" she asked, hesitantly.
Draco huffed in irritation. "Harry's in trouble and I'm going to help him."
"So what do you need Ron and Hermione for?"
Draco took a deep breath and remembered his new resolve. "I need their help."
Ginny dropped her indifference and looked suitably impressed. She paused, as if carefully weighing his words. "Alright, I'll get them. Wait here."
Draco blinked in surprise and watched as the fiery red-head disappeared behind the large painting, the Fat Lady glaring disapprovingly at him as she swung back into place.
Only minutes later, a sleepy looking Ron and a disbelieving Hermione emerged from the common room, Ginny sticking close by.
"Nice p.j's." Draco couldn't help commenting with a smirk, taking in Ron's blue cotton pajamas with the shooting stars embroidered on them.
"That's it, I'm leaving," Ron announced, turning right back around.
"No, don't," Draco exclaimed hurriedly.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked. "I assume it has something to do with our conversation earlier."
"Yes." Draco nodded, glancing at Ginny. "You can go now, red."
"No way, I want to hear this."
"Gin, maybe you'd better leave," Ron suggested.
"No." Ginny refused.
"Ginny-"
"Oh, let her stay!" Hermione snapped. "We don't have time for this."
Ginny shot her sulking brother a triumphant look.
"You saw him, didn't you?" It was more of a statement than a question when Hermione addressed Draco.
"Yes. He looks...he looks like he's hanging onto life by a thread."
"I know," Hermione murmured. "It's like Harry's not even in there anymore, he's become a walking shell of his former self...hollow."
"What are you talking about?" Ginny asked, puzzled.
"Harry is using a concealment charm to hide the fact that someone-"
"Ethan," Draco interjected acidly.
"We don't know that for sure," Hermione reminded.
"Who else could it be?"
"Hiding what?" Ginny demanded.
"That someone," Ron looked pointedly at Draco, "is hurting Harry."
"More like slowly killing him," Draco muttered. "And why haven't you lot noticed earlier? I thought Gryffindors were loyal and good, and all that bollocks."
"Because no one in Gryffindor is speaking to him right now," Ron explained.
"Why not?" Draco asked. "Because of me?"
"No, funnily enough it wasn't the fact that Harry was shagging a male Slytherin, even if it was you, that bothered them," Ron answered. "It was the fact that he completely lost it one night and insulted our entire house, including me and Hermione, in the middle of the common room."
Draco frowned. "That doesn't sound like, Harry."
"No, it was very strange," Hermione agreed.
"A spell?" Draco wondered aloud.
"Perhaps."
"Maybe polyjuice," Ron suggested.
"No student could brew a polyjuice potion," Draco informed him patronizingly.
"Oh, yeah?" Ron challenged.
"Ron!" Hermione silenced him quickly.
"So what's the plan?" Ginny asked.
"This doesn't involve you," Draco said firmly.
"Actually, we do need her," Hermione spoke up. "Ginny, I need you to do whatever you can to repair the damage Harry caused to his relationship with the rest of Gryffindor. Try and get them to at least be willing to forgive him. He's going to need as many friends around him as possible for this to work."
"I'll try," Ginny spoke with conviction.
"What are we going to do?" Ron asked.
"I assume you're here because you want to help?" Hermione turned to Draco.
Draco nodded. "I still can't stand the two of you, but I need to help him."
"Likewise," Ron growled.
"The three of us," Hermione continued, ignoring the radiating animosity between the two boys. "Are going to give Harry a little surprise tomorrow."
* * * * * * * * *
Harry looked up as Ethan placed a breakfast tray full of scrambled eggs, bacon, French toast, and warm maple syrup, on his lap.
"What's all this for?" he asked curiously.
Ethan settled himself down on the bed next to Harry and grinned. "We're celebrating the beginning of Christmas holidays."
"But that's tomorrow," Harry pointed out hesitantly.
"I know, but I also wanted to apologize for my behaviour lately. I haven't been myself; moving to a new school, the seventh year course load – the stress was really getting to me. I feel like we can start all over again, especially with all this free time ahead of us."
"Really?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Oui, mon amour."
Harry smiled and felt slightly optimistic about Ethan's promise.
"So you forgive me?"
"Of course," Harry replied quickly. "I should've realized how hard it's been for you here."
Ethan kissed him on the cheek and reached for something on his bedside table.
"What's that?" Harry asked apprehensively, his smile fading.
"It's to mend your arm."
Harry's eyes widened as he accepted the blue vial and stared at the smoking potion. "Where did you get it?"
"We were making them in class, and I decided to pilfer some and give it to you."
"Thank you," Harry breathed, hardly daring to believe it.
"Go ahead, drink it," Ethan encouraged.
Harry closed his eyes and drank down the entire contents.
"Sorry, I didn't have time to flavour it," Ethan apologized with a smile.
"That's okay, it doesn't really have any taste anyway."
Harry felt a strange tingling in the pit of his stomach, then it spread through his veins and blood stream, gravitating up towards his right arm. The tingling changed to a pleasant warm sensation, then there was a slight tightening of the entire arm, the bones coming together. Then it was all over.
Harry cautiously raised his arm and flexed it in amazement.
"All better?" Ethan asked.
"Yes," Harry said in disbelief.
"You look surprised."
"No." Harry was quick to deny. "It was just so fast."
Ethan chuckled good-naturedly and helped himself to a piece of French toast.
Harry smiled as he continued to get the lingering stiffness out of his newly healed arm.
He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and his heart felt lighter. No more pain in his arm, Christmas holidays start tomorrow, and Ethan had apologized – it was shaping up to be a very promising day.
* * * * * * * * *
"What the fuck?!"
"That sounds familiar," Ron remarked wryly.
He and Draco shoved Harry's struggling, sheet covered body into a chair and stepped back, catching their breath.
Hermione closed the door to the Room of Requirement and turned to face Harry as he wrenched the sheet off of his head.
The room was completely bare, but for the one wooden chair and some dusty windows lining the far wall.
Harry gaped soundlessly at the three of them, his face quickly turning red in outrage.
"Before you say anything," Hermione intercepted. "Let me just say that we're here to help you."
"I told you before - I don't need your help," Harry said dangerously.
"I think you do," Ron spoke up. "Or maybe I should just lift that concealment charm and let it speak for itself."
"Then maybe I just don't want your help," Harry shouted angrily, rising out of the chair.
Ron and Draco quickly pushed him back down.
"Don't touch me!" Harry yelped, recoiling from Draco's touch.
Draco flinched, but held his gaze.
"Please, just listen to us," Hermione pleaded, stepping forward to kneel in front of him.
Harry scowled and glared at her.
"Harry, we're not angry with you," she started softly. "We know you're hurting and in some kind of trouble, and we only want to help you."
"You're beginning to sound like a broken record," Harry grumbled.
"Harry-"
"Just leave me alone," he said weakly.
"I can't." Hermione shook her head. "I'm not going to let you do this to yourself. Just tell us what's wrong."
"There's nothing wrong with me," Harry ground out, the steely edge returning to his voice.
Hermione paused and placed a hand over his. "Is someone hurting you, Harry?"
Harry swallowed and looked away; feeling embarrassed, ashamed, weak, and wanting to just disappear.
"Is it, Ethan?"
Harry turned back to her sharply and threw off her hand. "What do you care?"
"Harry, I do care-"
"No, you bloody well don't!" he shouted, jumping up and rushing for the door.
"It's locked," Ron informed him tonelessly.
"Then unlock it!" Harry demanded, frantically turning the knob.
"No."
"Let me out!" he screamed furiously, pounding on the door.
"Harry, calm down," Draco said in concern.
"You!" Harry raged, turning around. "Do not get to tell me what to do. Why are you even here?"
Draco watched him silently.
"You want to know what's hurting me?" he yelled at all three of them. "My life. That's the problem."
"What are you saying?" Ron asked in alarm, glancing at Hermione.
"I'm saying that there really is nothing wrong. This is exactly what I've come to expect from my life, I'm actually sort of getting used to it."
"But he's beating you!" Ron cried.
"So?" Harry challenged recklessly. "At least he loves me. And who's to say that I don't deserve it?"
"Harry-"
"No, Hermione," he interrupted. "I know what you're going to say, but this isn't some text book case that you can analyse and fix, because this isn't text book. No one else could possible have the life that I've been cursed with. I don't want your pity and I don't want your help. I'll deal with this on my own. I managed just fine living with an uncle who beat, starved, and threw me in a cupboard for eleven years, and I can deal with this, too."
"But you shouldn't have to," Hermione protested, tearfully.
"But I want to," Harry said quietly, almost pleadingly. "This is all I have."
"No, it's not," Ron said, determinedly. "You have us, and we're not going anywhere."
Draco winced and knew what was coming as Harry shot an accusing glare his way.
"I think I remember hearing that before," he said sarcastically. "You didn't answer me before; what are you doing here, Malfoy?"
"I want to help you, and for what it's worth, I'm sorry about what happened."
"Oh, you're sorry?" Harry laughed sarcastically. "Alright then, all better. Job well done, guys."
"Harry-"
"I'd really appreciate it if you didn't talk to me at all, Malfoy. You're just another nightmare that I'm trying to forget."
"Harry..." Draco whispered, stung.
"What were you expecting?" Harry asked quietly. "That I'd trust you? That I'd welcome you back with open arms? Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but that will never happen. I've found someone else. Someone who's not ashamed to be seen with me, who truly loves me."
"That's not love," Draco said darkly.
"And you would know?" Harry snorted. "Or is love making someone fall for you and then dismissing them in front of the whole school as nothing more than a thorn in your side – a discarded toy that you've grown weary of. A whore, as I seem to recall."
Draco distantly felt the sting of tears as he listened to Harry pour his heart out.
"I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt to see you again...Draco, because it does."
Harry paused, before delivering the final blow.
"Maybe Ethan does hurt me once and awhile, but at least he didn't break my heart."
Hermione, Ron, and Draco were silent, not knowing what to say to that, watching as Harry turned away from them and wearily leaned his forehead against the wooden door.
"I'm finished talking. Let me out," he whispered pitiably against the grain.
Ron and Hermione glanced at each other, while Draco stared sadly at Harry's back. Hermione raised her wand and released the locking spell.
Harry heard the click of the bolt and let himself out without a backward glance.
"Now what?" Ron asked, turning to Hermione.
"This is going to be much harder than I thought," she said slowly. "He needs something to pull him out of this, something to fill him with strength again. He's so resigned, like he doesn't even care what happens to him anymore. If only Remus or Sirius were here..."
"God, so much has happened to Harry this year," Ron exhaled in frustration. "Losing Professor Lupin, Sirius, the whole thing with Malfoy..."
"Hey, I'm standing right here!" Draco exclaimed indignantly.
"Sorry, but it's true. And that's not even including You-Know-Who, who has yet to make his yearly appearance of havoc-wreaking."
"It's almost as if..." Hermione trailed off, deep in thought.
"What?"
"As if it's all just a little too much."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked in confusion.
"You think Ethan is working for You-Know-Who?" Draco asked.
"I don't think so," Hermione frowned in concentration. "Dumbledore would know if he's from a Dark family or not, and keep an eye on him. I think it's more likely that he's just a twisted individual who is maybe jealous of Harry and likes to see him suffer, or maybe hoping to someday be a part of V-Voldemort's gang."
"Or both," Draco muttered.
"Do you know anything about him or his family?" Hermione asked Draco.
"No, I've never heard of him before. No one in Slytherin has."
"That's strange..."
"So, are you saying that we should deal with Ethan ourselves and not through, Harry?" Ron asked.
"I don't think Harry is going to co-operate," Hermione said distractedly.
"He's too bloody proud and stubborn," Draco sighed.
"Lunch is almost over," Ron announced, glancing at his wrist watch. "What's the plan?"
"Are you staying at Hogwarts over the holidays?" Hermione asked Draco, starting to walk towards the open doorway.
"Yeah, I'll be around."
"Tomorrow, I'm going to go to the library and see if I can find anything on the Fiori family in the History of Wizarding Bloodlines section. Also, I'll see if I can somehow get my hands on his student file from Dumbledore's office."
The three walked out into the corridor and stood watching as the door blended back into the stone wall and vanished from sight.
"Meanwhile, you two should keep an eye on, Harry. Make sure he doesn't get worse, not that it will be easy to tell, what with that concealment charm on him all hours of the day. Also, Draco you should find out anything you can about, Ethan. Eavesdrop on his conversations if possible."
"At least now we know that it's Ethan for sure," Ron said. "Why don't we just go to Dumbledore?"
"No," Hermione said firmly. "Harry would hate us even more. We'll try this first, and go to the headmaster as a last resort. Let's try and keep an eye on Ethan whenever we can."
"I'd better go before someone sees me with you two," Draco said nervously.
"Heaven forbid," Ron muttered, with a roll of his eyes.
"I'll contact you if I find anything," Hermione called after him.
Draco waved a hand in acknowledgement as he walked away.
"I don't know why we're bothering to include him in helping, Harry." Ron glowered "It's his fault in the first place. Harry is more likely to talk to us, than to him."
"Because Draco still loves him."
"How do you know?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Hermione smiled. "Why else would he come to us for our help? Besides, in the end true love conquers all."
Ron pretended to gag as the two friends headed off to their afternoon classes.
Vincent Balkwill stepped around the corner, and stared after the two Gryffindors with a malevolent smile.
* * * * * * * * *
"Hey, Ethan!"
Ethan swivelled around in his DADA chair and smiled in greeting at Vincent, who was just entering the classroom.
Vincent sat down beside him and dropped his heavy text books to the table top with a loud thump. He leaned towards Ethan conspiratorially, a secretive smirk on his ape-like face.
"What?" Ethan asked with a curious smile.
"I've got something to tell you..."