Chapter 3: Voices

Yes, contrary to popular belief I am alive! And back with another chapter no less. I know it's been quite a while since the last update but I've just been busy and suffering lots of writer's block. I hope everyone can forgive me. Either way, I won't delay you any longer. Here's the next chapter and of course the same warnings as before. Enjoy and please review. Thanks to all that have already.

Chapter 3: Voices

Voldemort. . .

Blood. . .so much. . .

Blood. . .screams. . .horror. . .

. . .So much. . .

Blackness. . .

Voldemort. . .Voldemort. . .Volde. . .

Draco woke with a start, his breath coming in shallow pants as he his silver eyes darted about with lingering traces of panic from the terror-stricken dream. The unfamiliar surroundings offered no comfort as his graceful fingers dug into the hard earth beneath him and above, the gray clouds swirled with vengeance. As thunder boomed in the distance, a chilled wind caressed its icy tendrils along his exposed flesh, sending waves of shivers up his spine. With the rising tremors, Draco could feel the whimper trying to claw its way out of his throat as he curled into a tight ball and shut his eyes to the elements.

Abruptly everything stopped at once, the stormy weather that had dominated his world vanished and was replaced with an encompassing warmth. With it came the sense of another's presence which couldn't be ignored as Draco cautiously peeked out from the shelter of his arms. He jerked back and sat up in one fluid motion as his gray eyes met an all familiar emerald; a scowl set firmly on his features.

"Potter."

The one word convey the malice and contempt he felt at seeing the other boy as well as knowing that his rival had seen him in his vulnerable state. However, the Gryffindor's expression never wavered from curious and startled.

"Malfoy?" His eyes slowly swept over their surroundings. What had seemed harsh and unforgiving to Draco only moments before was now warm and inviting with the lush rolling plain of grass underneath and the bluest skies above. "Where are we?"

"How the bloody hell should I know? You're the one that probably brought us here. What did you do Potter?" With each heated word from his mouth, Draco could feel his composure returning and he angrily brushed clean his robes while climbing to his feet.

Harry felt his own anger rise with Draco's as he scrambled to his own feet and glared directly into the blonde's eyes. "Now hold on a minute Malfoy! How can you pin this on me? You were probably messing with something you weren't supposed to be messing with again and got us both into this!"

"You're one to talk Potter. Telling other people not to meddle."

The brunette could feel a slightly embarrassed and irate blush spread across his cheeks as his eyes narrowed. "At least I do it for a good reason."

"The ever present hero." Draco mocked, his fists clenched at his sides. In the back of his mind, he noted, like ever other encounter with Harry, how the Gryffindor was always able to get him riled up.

Harry resisted the urge to strike Draco and only gritted his teeth before spinning around on his heels and marching off. Above, the sunny sky began to darken again, clouds racing in from the distant as the first drops of rain to a torrential downpour splashed on the two wizards' faces.

"What is with this weather?!" The blonde shouted through his frustration as he went after Harry. "And how dare you walk away from me?! No one walks away from Draco Malfoy!"

Green eyes narrowed, the Gryffindor turned partially to face the oncoming Slytherin. "Well, apparently Malfoy, someone just did."

Draco could feel his anger heat up, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he stared daggers at the boy before him. "How dare you Potter." Thunder struck in the distance and in that flash, the blonde leaped towards his rival only to go through empty air. He grunted in pain as he hit the ground and quickly sat back up but the other boy was gone.

Harry had vanished into thin air.

"Hey! Har, wake up!"

Harry grumbled at the insistent shaking and tried to roll over to go back to sleep when the voice came again. "G'way."

A pillow landed on his head and his covers were yanked away as he finally blinked bleary eyes up at his assaulter; only to make out a big, fuzzy blob. Sighing, he reached for his glasses and put them on as Seamus finally came into focus. "You do know this is the holidays right?"

"We're going down to Hogsmeade today remember?" The boy threw the pillow and it landed on Harry's head with a thump. "Now come on mate. We're leaving in about half an hour."

It had already been some time ago that Harry had ditched Seamus and Neville, wanting his privacy today, and as a result found himself wandering alone down the snow-encrusted street. The few white flurries gently danced around him as the season seemed to give another small reminder that Christmas was on the way. He paused as something in a window caught his eyes and just as he was turning, Harry heard Draco's voice calling his name.

"Potter!"

"What the -- Malfoy -- " The black-haired boy turned around to give the other a piece of his mind only to find no Draco in sight.

/What in the world? . . ./

For a second he scanned the crowd of merry wizards and witches but there was still no sign of the other boy. He peered down an alleyway cautiously before passing off hearing Draco's voice as part of his imagination and continued down the street. Passing by all the shops, Harry only vaguely noticed all the items on display as he had finished his Christmas shopping weeks ago; there was only one destination in mind, The Three Broomsticks. Right then, his mind was only set on getting a butterbeer and fading into the crowd to enjoy a nice winter day in peace. If he was lucky he could also pretend, even for a little while, that school, homework, Voldemort, and everything else didn't exist.

"Potter!"

Harry jolted a bit at the ferocity of the Slytherin's voice this time and his eyes narrowed as he scanned the streets. However, the voice that was so loud to him was ignored by everyone else. . .it was almost as though they didn't hear it.

/I'm going crazy. That's what it is. All those encounters with Voldemort has finally caught up with me./

"Trust me Potter, you never needed Voldemort to make you qualify as insane."

"That's it. Where are you Malfoy?" A few passer byers stared at Harry strangely but he brushed off their looks. He was too busy searching for the meddling blonde to care right then and it's not as if he hadn't been receiving those looks ever since he set foot in the wizarding world. "I know you're here."

There was a snicker but Harry couldn't place it as he spun to look in a different direction.

"Now how could I be here when I'm supposed to be at home?"

/Stupid ferret has nothing else bett --/

"Watch who you're calling a ferret there Potter or I'll get you in your sleep."

Harry couldn't help the shock that ran through him when Draco spoke his thoughts aloud. He blinked in astonishment through the silently falling snow and stood frozen for a moment while he entertained the thought of the other boy reading his mind; it sent shivers up his back just to think of the blonde in his every thought. "This isn't funny anymore. Where are you Malfoy?"

He could almost feel the Slytherin rolling his eyes as the other responded. "Are you that dense Potter? Where else could I be if I can hear your thoughts? I'm in your head. . .I'm in you."

To be continued. . .

Well that's it for chapter 3. I'm working on chapter 4 already so that will be out sooner. The more reviews the quicker. nudge nudge wink wink