Disclaimer: Come on people, if you've gotten this far then you should know the drill by now.
A/N: I'm ungrounded. Yay! So after I posted the post I made when I wasn't suppose to be on, I stood up till 2 o'clock in the morning typing more. I probally could have waited until I had more reviews, but. . . Oh well. I would also like to include in this lovely author's note, how badly my new computer sucks. I have to type on a slower one because the new one freezes every five minutes, and it hasn't been letting me load pages. You'd be surprised at how many times I had to restart the new peice of crud and refesh the page till it finally loaded. Needless to say, if the next update takes awhile it may be because I had to find time in my classes to use a school computer that was connected to the internet. In other words my new computer sucks green monkeys. Anyway. .
[Gives a heart shaped cookie with "Draco and Harry" written on it to all reviewers again in honor of the minor mushiness in the first part. (Happy Be-lated Valentines day!)]
Usually Immaculate Aristocrat: Huh? You just preformed a penality! You confused the author. Not good, not good at all. JK. Err. . I am confused though. By the way, is this a long enough chapter for you? It better be. Anyway, Thanks!
Tsuyuno: Well, if you can track the bat down, your most welcome to kill it. You can even hang it on your wall if you like. Heh. Anyway, I hope you like the [little] H/D action there is in this. . Thanks for reviewing!
Benjis VIP: Don't you just love cliffhangers? :=P. Anyway, I'm so sorry for having you wait a whole 24 hours for this chapter. Thanks though!
yuyin: Wow, your like one of the only ones who actually voted on that. Seeing as I only waited for four reviews however, I guess that was expected. I did the bonus part in her, point of view sort of, and I did the end of the third part in Harry's. No real thoughts from him though, sorry. Anyway, Thanks!
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Past, Present, and Future.
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Part Eighteen: Rescued
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Groggily, Draco opened his eyes. The sun that was streaming from the window, was nearly blinding him. His eyes fluttered closed and open again, this time very slowly and deliberately.
He watched the ceiling, which seemed like it was moving as the sun made prisms on it. It took a while, but the realization finally hit him.
Wait a minute.. My room doesn't have a window.
He glanced around to find he was sprawled on the common room floor, his arm bent at a rather odd angle. He didn't try to move, but instead tried to collect his thoughts. It wasn't working very well as his head throbbed.
Slowly a pin prick of a memory formed in his mind. For some odd reason he kept recalling two red eyes and nothing else.
Draco tried to sit up but immediately regretted it, his arm and head screaming in pain. He fell to the floor again, realizing one thing; his arm was broken. With his good arm he fumbled numbly in his pant pockets for his wand. It wasn't there.
Bloody hell.
Something warm trickled down his neck and he, with his good arm, reached up to wipe it away. When he pulled back his hand, there was blood on it.
Great, a bloody concussion to. I'm bloody lucky I'm alive .
Draco took a slow, deep, calming breath and hurriedly sat up, pulling his arm against his body rather quickly. His whole body was screaming at him and he winced in pain, glad he had gotten the worse over with. Now all he had to do was stand.
Rather shakily Draco switched his legs around so he was on his knees, trying his hardest not to bother his arm for every time he did a surge of pain traveled through his body, immobilizing him for a short while. The room seemed to be spinning and he was beginning to think moving so fast with his head the way it was, wasn't the smartest thing he could have done.
He sat there for a long while, collecting his breath, all to aware of the blood making its way down his neck. After a long few minutes, that seemed more like an hour, Draco was on his feet. He steadied himself against the wall, leaning on his uninjured side, and closed his eyes.
Okay, I can do this. All I need to do is make my way to the hospital wing. My very slow, way to the hospital wing..
Draco's head throbbed even more when he heard the portrait yell, "Constant Vigilance!"
What the hell is it's problem?
Draco opened his eyes slightly, and regretted it as he winced and fought to keep balance. The ground he was standing on felt like it was giving, falling to the floor below. His legs were about to give when he was pulled against someone's chest. Even though Draco wondered who it was, he didn't dare open his eyes for fear of puking from the motion of the room. Someone very gently moved Draco's head so the side of Draco's face was pressed against the stranger's chest.
Draco coughed violently, some sort of liquid coming from his mouth and down his chin. It was probably blood. He was about to cough again as the stranger ran a hand over his neck and down his chest. Draco relaxed almost immediately.
All the time the man (Draco was positive it was a guy,) kept one arm supportively around his waist. His touch was almost soothing as he shifted a little and trailed his fingers around Draco's head wound.
A chill ran down Draco's spine as he whispered in his ear, "Its going to be okay."
Something pricked at his mind, like he should know this person, but Draco was to groggy to remember much of anything.
He felt the man shift some, so what he whispered next was unidentifiable. All he knew was after the stranger spoke a calming feeling surged through his body.
The unsteadiness he had been feeling just moments before passed and his stomach slowly calmed.
The man picked him up, cradling Draco in his arms. He felt the man press his hand gently against Draco's cheek so his head was resting on his shoulder. Draco felt the darkness wrestling him to sleep again, but he fought it.
Draco felt like he was miles away from the events that followed. He could hear the man's footsteps, but they seemed to echo in the distance. He could hear the concerned voices demanding to know what happened, but they drifted into a dull humming in the back of his mind.
The only thing he was totally and completely aware of was the steady breathing of the person holding him and the scent of pumpkin spice that engulfed him.
It was then, even though it was probably tinted by the drowsiness of what ever healing effects the man had performed on him, and his unsteady thought process, Draco vowed he never wanted to leave.
Soon after it felt like he was floating, and very slowly, Draco drifted into a deep sleep.
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Part Nineteen: Dazed and Confused
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When Draco awoke he was laying in a soft bed that smelt rather sterile. He could hear voices in the distance but they didn't make sense. He took a deep breath and tried to focus.
"...broken Dumbledore, I performed the spell to fix it and it didn't work. How could that happen?"
"I don't know Poppy," Said a voice Draco recognized as Dumbledore's, "First I believe we'll have to wait for Mr. Malfoy to regain consciousness. Maybe then we can get to the bottom of this."
Draco heard a pause in the conversation as someone came storming into the room, their cloak swishing behind them.
It can't be..
"What's happened?" Demanded Snape.
Draco let out a small sigh of relief and someone near him squeezed his hand.
Who is that?
Draco's thoughts were interrupted when Madame Pomfery spoke.
"He's been Injured Severus he has a--"
"Obviously Poppy. Get on with it." Snapped Snape.
"He has a broken arm that won't mend, and he had a concussion wound on his head but--"
"What's he doing here?" Interrupted the Professor.
The person holding Draco's hand shifted and Draco could smell them. Pumpkin spice.
The scent was surprisingly soothing and Draco concentrated. Soon enough the events of the previous hours came rushing back to him, up to the point of his rescuer coming anyway.
Madame Puffery's voice became impatient. "As I was saying Professor, we were lucky Mr. Potter came when he did. If he hadn't the effects it had on your godson would be most permanent. And if you would kindly stop interrupting, you wouldn't be getting so aggravated, and I wouldn't be tempted to throw you out of my hospital wing."
Draco's mind screamed, Potter?!
"Just wait a minute Poppy, I demand--"
"Severus, calm down. Everyone here is worried about Mr. Malfoy and his safety, and the best thing to do if you want to help, is to keep your head on your shoulders," Said Dumbledore softly.
The Potion's master was clearly aggravated as he said,"But Dumbledore! For all we know your little golden boy could have done this--"
"Stop, right there Severus," Said the headmaster, his voice soft and commanding. "I will not have you making wrongful accusations until all of the evidence is in place. As I said before, I believe it would be in everyone's best interest to leave and have Poppy contact us when he wakes."
"Sir?" Asked Harry form besides Draco.
Draco silently fumed.
"Yes Harry?"
"He's already awake. He has been for the past ten minutes," Said Harry in a blunt tone.
"What? I think if he was awake Mr. Potter," Spat Snape, "We'd all be aware of that by now."
"Well if you don't mind Professor," Said Harry in a dangerously low tone, "Some of us aren't as smart as we used to be."
"Did you hear that Dum--"
"Enough children," Stated Dumbledore in an amused tone, and even though Draco couldn't see the old git, he could imagine the man's annoyingly twinkling eyes.
In a calm voice, the headmaster asked, "Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco slowly opened his eyes. His sight landed and focused on his godfather who's face bore no emotion. He inwardly shuddered, what a lovely way to wake up..
"He's awake," tutted the nurse, scampering off to get something.
Draco's eyes moved from his Godfather's face to Dumbledore's to Potter's.
Bloody hell, it was him.
"Draco? If you feel up to it, try to recount the events leading to your injuries," Dumbledore paused, taking a seat on the other side of Draco's bed and asked, "What happened?"
"I don't remember," Said Draco drowsily. He just wanted to sleep-- this whole event was giving him a headache.
The headmaster looked at him over his half moon spectacles, "Try to remember Draco."
Draco sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Concentrate.." Coached Dumbledore.
Draco let out a slow breath, groaning inwardly at having to do this, and tried to focus. Whether or not Draco was expecting a lot of images, or a vivid memory as clear as day, Draco only saw the back of his eyelids.
This is useless..
Draco opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. "Nothing."
"Are you sure Draco?" Asked Dumbledore softly, peering over his half moon spectacles again.
"Yes. All I remember are two red eyes and then wonder boy here, coming to help." Said Draco, crossing his good arm over his chest stubbornly.
His eyes moved from the ceiling to his godfather when the man asked, "Do you think wonder boy, could have been the one to hurt you Draco?"
This earned a rather rude glare from Harry.
"No, I remember that part clearly. I woke up, and like the idiot I was born from, tried to move with a concussion. I was about to pass out again, when Potter showed up."
Snape looked surprisingly disappointed his godson hadn't given a different answer.
"Do you have any idea who might have reason to harm you Draco?" Asked Dumbledore.
Draco stole a glance at Harry who was studying him closely with his green gaze. It was rather unnerving. Their eyes meant briefly and Draco shivered, looking back at Dumbledore.
He looked the headmaster right in the eye and calmly said, "Like I said before, No."
Dumbledore sighed and leaned back in his chair, tiredly rubbing his eyes under his glasses, "Well then, do get some rest Mr. Malfoy. I believe Poppy will be checking in on you soon. Severus, Harry, in the hallway please."
Severus nodded and turned, stepping swiftly from the hospital wing, his cloaks billowing behind him. Dumbledore stood and followed with haste, while Harry begrudgingly rose. He looked and Draco and gave a crooked half smile.
Draco scowled slightly and said for no apparent reason, "I don't need your help Potter."
Harry quirked an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. "Really now?"
Draco was about to say something else when Dumbledore called for Harry again. The raven haired boy gave Draco another half smile before retreating to the hallway. Draco watched him leave with a mix of confusion and gratitude.
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Part Twenty: Knowledge is a Powerful Thing
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Dumbledore sighed and took his glasses off. He rubbed his eyes briefly before putting his spectacles back on and looking from Severus to Harry.
"Harry, do you know who would be out to harm Draco?"
"No sir," Said Harry honestly.
The greasy haired professor standing next to the headmaster, snorted and sneered, "You wouldn't be lying now would you, Potter?"
Harry looked at him and the two stood like that for a short while, both of them challenging each other with their eyes before Harry spoke, "Professor, if you don't mind me saying-- sod off."
"Mr. Potter.." Scolded Dumbledore, giving Harry an amused but scolding look over his spectacles. "Say your sorry now, I will not have any student of mine disrespect a professor like that."
Harry rolled his eyes and tossed a look at Snape, "Fine. Sorry, sir."
Snape scowled.
Dumbledore hid a smile and nodded, "Now, are you positive you don't know anything about Draco's attacker?"
Harry nodded, staring at the floor and shuffling his feet.
"Mr. Potter, I would like you to know if your lying you will not be helping yourself or Mr. Malfoy."
Harry smirked, looking up, "Why would I care what happened to Malfoy?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled even more then usual, "I think you know Mr. Potter. Now, I would like to speak to Severus alone, but I would like you to know if anything comes to mind that my door is always open."
Harry nodded and went to go back into the hospital wing after giving Snape a last challenging look that was clearly meant to say, try to stop me.
"Mr. Potter," Called Dumbledore, "Remember, knowledge is a powerful thing."
Harry quirked an eyebrow but nodded and continued on his way.
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Draco was drifting into a deep sleep after Madame Pomfery had given him some pain killers, when Harry walked in. The Gryffindor smiled, watching the rhythmic pattern of the Slytherin's chest rising and falling, his silver blond hair sprawled around his head on the pillow, glowing as if it were a halo. He was surprised the boy could look so innocent when sleeping.
Harry pushed off from the door frame and silently pulled a seat up besides Draco. Draco flinched in his sleep and mumbled something that sounded a lot like, "Not again. ."
Harry knitted his brows together and watched Draco toss and turn some. It was quite apparent he was having a nightmare of some sort. Harry settled back in his chair and thought, his gaze never leaving Draco. It was weird, after all of those years of fights and petty feuds, Harry was the one sitting beside Draco when he was hurt.
Very weird.
Draco let out another mumble, his face contorting into a look of pain, and no longer did he look like an angel one would see in religious books, but something one would see in old paintings. Harry frowned slightly, trying to remember the name of those creatures as he took Draco's hand in his own. The boy's hand was more slender then Harry's, and Harry smiled slightly as he rubbed the back of the Slytherin's hand with his thumb in a circular manor, to comfort him. The boy almost immediately calmed.
Harry's smile was sad as he continued to watch Draco sleep.
If the boy only knew how much he did need Harry's help.
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Bonus Part
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Every thing was falling into place.
It was only the right thing to do, he had killed her, so now she would kill him. If not directly, but indirectly, she would kill him. It was only fair.
One by one, everyone he loved and cared for would disappear. She would make him suffer and she would watch, enjoying every minute of it. She would torture him until he took his own life, and if he didn't, she would take it for him.
Yes, it was a good plan if she said so herself. Flawless, and carefully planned. After all, she had had over a decade to form it.
It was amazing how much time one had after they were dead.
She would first kill his father, which wasn't hard to do. Through careful research and spying, she had learned he was in the wizard prison called Azkaban. How predictable, she thought. He always was a fool.
She had also found that he was basically, on the death sentence. This pleased her immensely. She wouldn't have to get her hands dirty. Not for him. No. She would, while waiting for the elder Malfoy to die, strike the younger Malfoy's mother, which would be easy enough. His mother was in the manor, all by her lonesome. In her foolishness and anger, she had fired the guards when she heard one of them speaking badly of her soon to be dead, husband.
Of course Madame Malfoy had taken extra precautions, she had put more enchantments and spells around the manor, but they would be easy enough to break . After all, most enchantments and spells only worked on the living, and, well, the ones that did work for the dead.. There were ways around those.
Yes, everything was falling into place. Tonight would be the night.. Tonight would be the night Madame Malfoy would be no longer.
Then after his parents, it would be his godfather. She knew that one may provide to be more difficult, seeing as he was guarded by the magic of Hogwarts.. but if someone was as foolish as the young Malfoy had been the night before, and without knowing it, had invited her inside..
The girl laughed. How stupid the living were!
Her laugher was short lived however, as she watched a raven haired boy interact with the young Malfoy. Yes, he may be a bit more difficult. There was something off about him... He was living, yet she couldn't sense him.
Somehow, he had cheated death.
No matter, her plan would succeed. It had to. First his parents. Then his godfather. Then the raven. Yes, it would work perfectly..
It had to.
Remember young Draygon. . . Less then one week.
Yes.. She hissed, Less then one week.
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5 Reviews = Next 2 parts; Revised Chapter.