Worlds Apart
by Tsarakitty
Last time:
Severus was about to mention it, when a battered and bloody body stumbled into the Hospital Wing, breathed the word "Severus...", and collapsed.
Chapter 2: Decision
I
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry- The Hospital Wing
Severus jumped up and sprinted to the figure, hoping against hope that it was not who he thought it was. When he gently turned the still body over, he groaned as if in physical pain himself. "Draco..." he moaned softly out.
Harry got quietly out of his bed and headed to Madame Pomfrey's office. If Severus was upset, then Harry would do all he could to help him. After all, he owed him, didn't he? Tapping on the medi-witch's shoulder, he conveyed without words that she was needed out in the medical ward.
Harry helped the two adults to set Draco in a bed near his own. Harry ignored the tears threatening to spill down his mentor's face and acted as though Draco would wake at any moment to join them in a game of chess (regular, not wizard).
Harry distracted Severus, while Pomfrey fussed over Draco, checking his wounds and magically cleaning him up. Severus seemed to realize that Harry was trying hard to help him, and went along with the scheme. Somewhere along the way he noticed that he actually did feel better. A warm feeling was in him, and he was actually happy. He still worried about Draco, but he could concentrate on other things now.
Harry wondered what had happened to this mysterious person, Draco. What was his relation to Severus? Could he and Draco become friends? He'd never really had a friend. But right now he didn't have time for friends. He had a mission: stop Severus from worrying, and make him feel better. Soon Severus was laughing and smiling, though he still looked a little sad. "Smile button!" Harry mouthed while poking the end of Snape's nose with his index finger. Snape actually grinned at this. Harry would be good for Draco, who tended to be too serious at times. And they'd need each other to survive the first few weeks of school.
Over the following weeks, the two boys grew to be steadfast companions. They began to sneak out of the Hospital Ward to explore the castle together. As soon as Harry received his wand ("holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple.") the two began to learn wand work, and were very soon beyond the level of most second year students, most notably in the self-defense area. They learned many things; among them was the ability to sneak out of the ward in the middle of the day. Madame Pomfrey didn't like it, but she had a soft spot where the two were concerned, despite her best efforts to hide that fact.
Though neither of the two had ever told the other the story of why they had arrived at the school two months early, they felt a sense of comradeship with each other. Their experiences were very similar, and that formed a bond that was something each was thankful for; the chance to finally have a real friend.
Both of them, as well as Severus- whom both had dubbed Sev- had learned sign language. Though several days later they woke to a happy surprise: Harry could speak! His voice was harsh, hoarse and raspy, but he could speak! He still seemed to lapse into silence and began to use sign language often, but the others didn't mind.
Harry was becoming more and more comfortable around men, but he still preferred the company of women. He always felt safer. Except for in their shared room, around Draco and Sev alone, he rarely let down his shields and showed his real self. Harry was an incredibly cynical, very quiet young man, but inside he was very sweet, and he was full of love for any one that he came across. He seemed a little too eager to please, and if anyone began shouting he freaked out a little, but everyone was very careful around him. He instinctively seemed to know who he could trust, and to what degree. Strangely, he didn't like Dumbledore very much, but everyone ignored this. All except for one person.
One night Draco approached Harry about it. "Why don't you like the headmaster? He isn't really that bad is he? I mean, sure he's a little kooky, but still... What could he possibly have done to get on your bad side?"
Harry frowned and chewed on his lip. "He is going to betray me, if he hasn't already."
Draco looked shocked. "What?! How can you know?" He shook his head slightly. "It just doesn't seem possible..."
Harry sighed. "I knew you wouldn't understand. I only came to this conclusion after much consideration. I have more than one reason. One: when I first met him, I had this strange feeling of betrayal. Like a vision of myself being stabbed in the back almost. Two: I dreamt it. Three: the way he watches me. Appraising. Like, would I react in x ways, if he did y things. His got this constant calculating look in his eyes. It's creepy, and kinda irritating. And I'm starting to have nightmares."
Draco gave him an upset look. He'd just noticed all the things that had occurred to him subconsciously. Harry had bags under his eyes, he yawned a lot, and seemed more sluggish, less alert than usual. He'd lost weight, and he'd been far too thin to begin with. "Harry, why didn't you tell me or Sev? We worry about you, and we would help any way we could. Don't you trust us?"
Harry frowned. "It's not that!" He looked distressed. "I love you guys! You're... the only family I've got..."
"That's... not necessarily true."
"Wha- Which part?"
Snape had been listening since Harry had spoken about his having nightmares. He'd actually been about to go in and tell Harry some important news. But they'd been talking and he hadn't wanted to interrupt them. But the perfect tag-line had come up, and he had taken it. "I mean that I came down here to tell you that we have contacted two of your parents' old school friends, one of whom is your godfather, but he... couldn't make it. The free one should be coming up soon. The other one may make it up later.
"You guys should get ready to go soon. We have to pick up your school supplies. We'll head over to Knockturn Alley after lunch. You should rest up." He gave Harry a significant look. Then, turning in a swirl of robes, he left.
II
Diagon Alley, London
Severus had stopped by the headmaster's office to pick up the two boys' letters, containing their supplies lists, and they were off. Upon reaching the appropriate place, Snape was heard to mutter the words, "I hate floo-ing," to which both boys nodded their agreement.
First stop: Flourish & Blotts, for books. They were required to have the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration Emeric Stitch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection Quentin Trimble
Then they were off to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where each purchased three sets of plain black robes (Draco had left all of his at his family's home, and Harry had never had any to begin with), before heading off to get parchment and quills, then for hats, gloves, and cloaks. Both already had wands (Draco's was "Beech wood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible."), so they skipped Ollivander's, and went on to the Apothecary, for potion components.
They also each bought a cauldron (pewter), a set of glass phials, a telescope, and a set of brass scales.
"Is there anything else? Oh yes, how about an owl, Harry?" Snape asked, while pointing at Eeylops Owl Emporium. Harry nodded.
Draco owned an eagle-owl ("...one of the few things I still have to my name..."). Severus absent-mindedly decided that the two of them needed to help him back on his feet. He was mostly focused on Harry, who was curiously looking around. He looked at the owls, and finally decided on a pure black one. It was very rare, and Harry instantly fell in love with it, tugging Severus' sleeve and pointing, as though he were a small child- and in many ways, he still was.
After purchasing ("A fine choice, sir, a fine choice.") and naming ("Hedwig! That's her name!") the new owl, all four of them headed over to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, where they all settled in, for a cone each. After talking for a good while, Severus excused himself to go to the restroom, leaving Harry and Draco alone.
Draco watched Harry as he looked around wonderingly at all of the buildings. Harry started and peered more closely at an alleyway. "Dray, did you see that?"
Draco shook his head. "What was it?" he asked, looking curious.
Harry smiled mischievously. "Dunno. Let's go find out." With that, and before Draco could protest, he was off.
"Harry, wait- Aw, nuts!" Draco frowned and raced to follow him. Catching up to Harry at the mouth of the alleyway, Draco stopped before he ran into the boy. "Harry, what is this all about-"
He was promptly shushed. "Do you feel that Dray?" Harry was whispering.
Draco nodded. Suddenly, between one blink and the next, both boys were surrounded. Draco grabbed Harry's arm in surprise. "Wha-"
"Shut up, boy!" One of the masked figures had shouted at them, and Draco blanched. He knew that voice.
"Father!" Draco was scared. The Death Eaters had them.
Harry peered at the masked faces surrounding them. "Now how did we get ourselves into this predicament?" His eyes unfocused slightly. "Harry, you've done it again. Now you're in trouble, you need me again. I was sleeping, and I thought I would not be required." The voice was significantly different from Harry's usual one. It was cold and unattached, though right now it just sounded peeved.
"I know, I know. Hey, it's not my fault. It's the fault of these creepy masked dudes. Which brings me to why you're awake. To hurt them. Severely. No deaths, please."
Cold-Harry frowned and pouted slightly, then he raised an eyebrow. "Now come on. Is that fair?" He turned to his companion. "Is that fair, Dray?"
Slowly Draco shook his head. He'd been staring at Harry-not-Harry with his mouth hanging open. Harry smirked at him. "You can close your mouth now, Dray." He did, with an audible click. "That's better. Now, what say you we... kick some butt."
Draco nodded and both whipped out their wands. The Death Eater's jumped into action at this movement, started out of their Harry-induced shock. Most of them shouted "Expelliarmus!", though there were a few "Crucio"s, and even a "Petrificus Totalus!". But Harry sent up a shield, which buckled, but still managed to hold.
Then Harry rolled up his sleeves, waved a hand through his shield to dispel it, and charged at the nearest Death Eater. He sent a kick out sideways that caught the figure in the gut, chopped a hand down on it's neck, and spun away. The next one was dispatched with a solid kick to the crotch, and then one to the head, and the one after that had it's arm broken and it's nose crushed. Their was a short scream ending in a gurgle, as Harry crushed someone's throat. One after another they were dispatched, dropping like flies, while Harry moved gracefully through them, like a deadly dancer, one whose partner was death.
The last one was disposed of with a sharp jab to the solar plexus, and Harry stood still at long last, moving whatever was in his mouth to the fore. He turned his head and absently spat a finger at it's owner. Draco shuddered, as Harry wiped blood from his face onto his sleeve. Harry noticed, and stepped towards him. He muttered something to himself that sounded too much like "Better do it before he stops me..." for Draco's comfort, and pushed forward to kiss Draco gently on the mouth. Harry tasted like copper.
He pulled away smiling. Then he frowned slightly. "Harry, take over. Snape is coming, and he doesn't sound too happy." Harry shook his head and returned to normal, just as Severus huffed into view.
"-rry?! Drac- " He fell silent at the view that greeted him.
Draco smiled nervously. "It's not what it looks like- Well, okay, it is. But they attacked us first. Sorta. So Harry kinda...kicked their butts..." he fumbled out, shrugging again
Severus looked at Harry in shock. Harry smiled disarmingly. "None of it's mine. But the clothes are ruined." It took both Draco and Severus a moment to realize that he was talking about the blood. On his clothes.
Severus spluttered. "You- They- You could have been killed! I don't care about the clothes!" He took three long strides and folded Harry into a hug. "Be careful next time..." he muttered into his hair.
Harry smiled uncomfortably. "Yeah, sure."
Draco caught Harry's eye and raised one pale blond brow. "What ever happened to no deaths?" Harry just grinned.
III
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
They'd gone back to Florean Fortescue's to collect Hedwig and pay for their ice cream. Then Snape had summoned stretchers for the purpose of carrying the many injured Death Eaters, to turn them in to the Ministry of Magic. They called Dumbledore through the floo network and asked him what they should do. He asked them to take the still living ones to the Hospital Wing, and the dead ones to his office. Severus asked how; the headmaster just grinned. "You'll figure it out, I'm sure." Severus groaned.
After somehow sending the unconscious and/or injured bodies of the Death Eaters to Hogwarts- via the Floo Network- Harry, Draco, and Severus themselves piled through- literally, since Draco tripped, knocking Harry and Severus in- and landed roughly in the Great Hall ("God, I really hate to use floo!"). After much cussing ("Damn!"), yelling ("Hey, quit it Sev! Your elbow's in my stomach!" "Well you're on top of my hand!"), and much general cursing of each other's parentage ("Why did your parents inflict you upon the world? They should have drowned you!" "Yeah? Well, I thought yours had! Ow!"), they managed to disentangle themselves ("Finally! I can breathe again!").
Severus looked around. The bodies were gone, presumably to the Hospital Wing. He dusted himself off and looked down. Harry was lying passed out on the floor. Severus paled in shock and alarm. "Draco!"
"Hm? Oh no!" Draco crouched down beside Harry's body. Both were barely breathing, Draco from fear, Harry from... something else.
When Draco reached out to touch him, Harry's skin was hot, and he was sweating very badly. He looked as though he were murmuring to himself, but there was no sound coming from his mouth. "What's wrong with him?"
Draco just shook his head.
I would like some feedback on whether or not to continue, because I won't bother posting it if no one likes it.
