Disclaimer: No, not mine. Just a few characters are mine.
A/N: Hey people. *looks past a big shield. Some daggers are embedded in the metal of the shield* It is good to see you again. Moreover, I loved it to see that you love my other story as well. So you can congratulate yourself: I will continue writing it. I received enough reviews to keep me going.
*looks at the reviews she got for Love and Destiny and then on the ones she got for BHaH* In fact, I got more for my new story. Hmmm…..
Oh, by the way. Sorry for the shield. But I have to protect myself. *winks* Hello, Alyannah. *I hope I wrote this in the right way*
Oh, I opened an account *is it called that?* on www.deviantart.com. There I will put my drawings and I will write there when I will update my stories. When you want to know how long a chapter will take look there. My name on deviant art is Pixie Distelblum.
Enjoy this chapter.
*Gruesse an meine deutschen Leser. Es ist schoen zu wissen das ich welche habe.*
*********
Chapter 7
*********
Draco's face looked peaceful and beautiful, pale even against the white pillow and his usually neat blond hair lay unruly around his head. In addition, the white light in the Hospital wing made him look even paler. Deathly pale.
Narcissa Malfoy hated the light. Before anyone around her could react, she lifted her wand and muttered a quick spell. At once, the light changed into a soft light orange colour.
Narcissa just shrugged at the raised eyebrows she received and stepped at Draco's side. Soft and carefully, her fingers touched one high cheekbone.
"Your son lost a lot of blood, but I was able to replace it." Madame Pomfrey murmured her eyes slightly narrowed because of the change in her place. However, her eyes were gentle as she looked down onto her patient. "He will feel weak for the next couple of days and shouldn't exhaust himself."
"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey." Lucius smiled at her, but his face was overshadowed with weariness and worry. Nevertheless, in his silver eyes glowered a hidden anger as they were lying on his motionless son.
Narcissa felt her heart reaching out to him. She knew he tried to hide his feelings from her, but after the long years of them being together she had learned how she to hinder him closing the bound between them. Of course, it helped that she felt the same as him--despair and fear about what could have happened.
Today they could have lost the only son that they still had.
Lucius lifted his gaze and met hers, slightly smiling as he felt her in his mind. For every other person it was a cold smile, but for Narcissa it was not only the smile, but also the love she felt to the bond that made this smile warmer than anything else did.
"Well, this are very good information." Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them together as if they were cold. "And I think Mr and Mrs Malfoy want to be alone with their son for a while."
A satisfied smile appeared on his face as Narcissa and Lucius nodded. Blue eyes twinkled in their usual way. "Good. Then I will leave you now. However, I wish to talk to you before you return to your home. Could you come to my office when you're ready?"
Lucius nodded. "We will come."
Dumbledore smiled again. "Good. Good."
He looked at Snape and Madame Pomfrey and just nodded, before he turned and left the Hospital wing with long steps, quietly muttering to himself. Never before had anyone in the room seen him walk in such a hurry before.
With silence between them, all turned their eyes back to the sleeping Malfoy heir.
Tenderly Narcissa brushed a bang of disarrayed blond hair out of her sons face.
"When will he wake up?" She asked, not taking her eyes from his face. She felt a longing in her to see the amazing silver eyes again that her beloved Lucius had to his son.
With a thoughtful expression, Madame Pomfrey laid one hand carefully on Draco's forehead.
"It is possible that he wakes up tomorrow morning, not earlier. He is weak and needs his sleep."
Narcissa swallowed a sigh. She had hoped that Draco just slept for a few hours, so that she could talk to him. Now she had to wait.
"Thanks, Madame Pomfrey. I appreciate it that you care for my son so much."
The school nurse returned her smile and nodded.
"You don't have to thank me. Now excuse me. I have work to do."
With another smile to the two men, she turned and walked to her rooms in the back of the hospital wing. Three pair of eyes followed her until the door closed.
Snape stepped to the foot end of the bed and looked down at his favourite student.
"Well, that was to expect. The wound was not that deep, but he had lost a lot of blood because nobody could attend to it." Snape face darkened and his hands tightened around the bedstead. "He was lucky that he didn't die. Just a little while longer and it would have been to late for him."
Narcissa nodded, shuddering from the thought. Just a bit longer and she would have lost her son.
"It was close. Too close. When Harry hadn't……" She stopped, suddenly remembering something. Her eyes searched the room for the person she missed.
"By the way. Where is Harry?"
To her totally surprise a slight blush appeared on Snape's pale face. She shared a puzzled look with her husband. Who would have thought that the cold Potion Professor was even able to blush?
"Do you know where Harry is?" Lucius asked his mouth slightly curved up in a smile.
Snape shook his head to get rid of the blush. "Well, yes I know. Right now he has detention with Filch."
Only her amusement prevented Narcissa's mouth to fall open in surprise.
"Detention? What did he do?"
Snape's sigh was deep.
*****Flashback*****
"Time for you to die, little kitten. Say goodbye to this world."
The sharp blade aimed at the stunned Harry who could just stare at the man who would kill him.
//And I always thought I would be killed by Voldemort.//
\\ Will you just sit there and do nothing?!\\
"What?"
Harry's eyes widened in shock at the sudden voice in his head--and at the same time he could make out a slight light blue barrier surrounding Draco and him, just second before the blade came in contact with it.
Bright sparks flew up where the dagger had hit. A sound like metal hitting metal was heard, echoing through the room.
After that, silence, just shortly interrupted from the sound of the dagger skittering over the ground until it was stopped from the fur before the fireplace.
A small chuckle reminded everyone of the third person in the room. All eyes turned to Alex still standing just steps before the open door, one of his hands raised.
Harry's eyes widened as he noticed a slight blue shimmer surrounding the hand. Just like the barrier that had protected him.
Alex winked at the surprised looks. "Did I surprise you? I just couldn't help it. I always wanted to be the saviour that appears in the last minute to save the princess." He shrugged and lowered his hand. The blue light vanished from him and around Harry at the same time. "About the fact that Harry is no princess we shouldn't fight."
Harry's hold on Draco's limp form tightened, but he didn't notice. All he could do was stare at the German boy as a new wave of anger rose in him.
The dead body that Aaron possessed let out a laugh, however there was no amusement in it. The lifeless eyes were hard as they sized Aaron up.
"So, it really is true. Instead of wands you use other objects in Germany."
Alex grinned and lifted his arm, and for the first time everybody could see a silver bracelet around his slender wrist.
"Well, you're right with the fact that I use a bracelet to focus my magic instead of a wand. However, you're wrong when you think everybody in Germany does it. This special use of jewellery you can only learn in Loreley."
He put his hands onto his hips and a slight frown appeared on his forehead.
"However, now we are in a really complicated situation. You want to kill Harry over there, but I can protect him with my magic. Moreover, before you think about attacking me, I better tell you that I can't just protect one person at the same time. Also, what do we do now?"
Aaron stared at him--and then let out a low chuckle. "Impressive, boy. Very impressive. I must remember to visit your school some time. Nevertheless, I'm not that dumb as you seem to believe I am. Truly, you can protect the little kitten as long as you want, but do I have to remember you that my little brother is wounded, slowly bleeding to death? He will not take any longer, so I just have to wait, you know."
A puzzled look appeared in Alex's eyes.
"Oh, I see that you don't know what that means." Aaron spread the arms of the zombie. "Then let me inform you that……."
A loud scream full of anger and hate interrupted him. Alex's eyes widened in shocked surprise and sensing something behind him Aaron turned around--and was hit in the side of the head with such force he fell backwards on his back.
With similar surprise that Alex had felt he then stared up at Harry, standing over him with a poker in his hands, green eyes blazing with hate.
"Who would have thought that?" He chuckled amused. "The little kitten shows his teeth."
Letting out another scream Harry raised the poker another time. A sickening sound filled the air.
Alex turned his head away, fighting against the urge to throw up his lunch. As he opened them again he saw Harry standing before him, his face pale and his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Harry, that was……."
Alex never could end his sentence, Harry's fist connecting with his jaw throwing him backwards to the ground--in front of the feet of a shocked looking Professor Snape.
*****End Flashback*******
A loud sneeze interrupted the silence, just barely covered from a hand raised to late. Soft laughter erupted from the few students in the room, however one stern look from Madame Pince silenced them quickly.
Harry flinched as the stern look was directed at him after that and hurried to continue putting the books back into the shelf; he just had cleaned from seemingly year old dust. It was harder than he had expected to get the books to keep standing when the shelf wasn't completely filled. Every time he leaned down to lift another couple of books the ones already standing kept falling to the side.
And there he had thought helping in the library would be an easy detention. He never had been so wrong.
"This is all just keeping me from Draco's side." Harry leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the shelf, closing his eyes. He remembered how pale Draco had looked as he was finally being brought to the Hospital Wing from a shocked and worried Professor Snape. As if he had been dead already.
He shook his head and clenched his fists. And because he had loosed the connecting through the bond he couldn't even feel how he was right now. If he was awake or if he still was unconscious. Why had Snape given him the Detention for now? Couldn't he have waited until Draco was awake?
Harry fought the longing in him, however he couldn't ignore that it was there, hurting as an open wound.
"Harry?"
Gently two hands touched his shoulder, one on each side. With a deep sigh, Harry let out all the stiffness from his body and leaned into the hold of the hands.
"Ron. Hermione." He mumbled and the grip on his shoulders tightened for a moment. Then he turned around to look as his best friends since the first year.
Ron wore a wide relieved grin on his face, while Hermione's face was darkened with a frown, her eyes scanning his face.
"We're so glad that nothing happened to you, mate. After we heard about the attack and that someone was brought to the Hospital Wing, we thought it was you."
Harry tried to smile. "I'm okay. I wasn't hurt. Draco is the one who was wounded."
// And I'm here, instead of sitting by his side.//
Ron's grin vanished and he opened his mouth, but before he could say anything Harry could see how Hermione placed her elbow in Ron's side, causing him to doubling over a bit.
He frowned. What was that about? Why had Hermione stopped Ron to say something?
For the first time ever Harry felt like his two friends shared a secret that they didn't want to share with him. It hurt; however hadn't he done the same thing about his relationship with Draco. He could have told them before they had come to Hogwarts or when he had greeted them when they arrived. But he hadn't.
His friends had all rights to keep a secret to themselves. But it hurt nonetheless.
"What I would like to know, is, how the person that attacked you was able to enter Hogwarts after all. Hogwarts is the safest place in all England."
Obviously it was not when it came to Aaron Malfoy, but Harry kept this thought to himself. He had no right to tell his friends about Draco's older brother. However, he could tell them, with a few exceptions of course, what had happened. Maybe Hermione even could help him with a few questions that he had since then.
"I think we should go to one of the table in the back." He murmured. He glanced at Madame Pince. She was busy at her desk, occasionally glaring at a few one years at a table in the middle of the library.
As silently as they could the three sneaked to the back of the library, where there stood one big table under one of the windows. It was seldom that one of the students came here, so that they mustn't worry that someone listened into them talking.
With a deep sigh, Harry let himself fall into one seat. He hadn't realized how exhausted he was until now. Slowly he could feel his shoulders starting to hurt; it was like a warm glowing in his muscles with the difference that it wasn't a comfortable feeling.
Hermione sat herself opposite him. In her eyes, he could clearly see that she wanted answers.
"Well?"
Harry took a deep breath, before he started to tell his best friends what exactly had happened the day before just leaving out the fact that the attacker had been Draco's older brother.
When he was finished, Harry slumped back in his seat, waiting for his friends to react.
Hermione was the first to break the silence around them.
"This man really used necromancy?" She asked, leaning forward with a well-known gleam in her eyes.
Harry nodded. "Do you know something about it?"
"Not much." She shrugged. "Necromancy isn't part of the magic we know and learn about in Hogwarts. And even books about it are very rare and nearly impossible to get without a lot of money."
An angry light appeared in Hermione's eyes, clearly directed at the fact that there were books that she couldn't read, causing Harry and Ron to share a slightly amused look.
"And of course, books about necromancy are also forbidden." Hermione added, glaring at her friends after she had noticed their shared look.
Surprised Ron's eyebrows shot up. "When they are forbidden, how did this Alex guy know about it?"
"Maybe because those books are not forbidden in a certain private school." An amused sounding voice said.
All three flinched and turned around at the same time.
Alex Lange grinned and waved at them, lazily leaning against a shelf.
"Hello."
Harry kept silent, glaring at the other boy, while his friends breathed out a 'Hello'. He felt as if he was burning with hate and he needed all his self-control not to jump up and run away. He never wanted to see the German again and surely, he didn't want to talk to him.
To his dismay, he noticed Hermione eyeing the red-blonde curiously, interest shining in her eyes.
"Are to trying to say that you can read such books in your school?"
Alex grin widened and ignoring the glare out of green eyes, he pushed himself away from the shelf and stepped forward until he stood before their table.
"Well, not everybody. You have to choose a special class and then you are allowed to get into the restricted area of our library where the books about necromancy are." With a smooth motion, he let himself fall into the seat beside Harry. "And I can tell you, the authors of this books knew what they were writing about."
Hermione's excitement was shining out of her eyes. Eagerly she leaned forward.
Ron rolled his eyes in Harry's direction, but he didn't notice it.
"So, you know about necromancy. You can tell me about it. I've waited so long for the chance of getting more information about it."
"Sure, I could tell you about it. That would help you to understand your enemy, too." Relaxed Alex leaned back, a satisfied smile on his lips. "But of course there has to be a little incentive for me to tell you. There is a lot to tell and explain."
Suspiciously, Harry looked at him. What did he want now? Not that it surprised him after what had happened in Draco's rooms.
"A little incentive?" Ron asked, seemingly sharing Harry distrust as he eyed the other boy. "And what do you want? Shall we go to the kitchens and get you something or what?"
"No, nothing like that. But something equal sweet." With a bright smile, Alex turned around and gazed at Harry, who returned his look with glowing eyes. "As incentive I want a kiss. A kiss from you, Harry."
For a moment Harry thought he hadn't heard right. Speechless he sat in his seat, staring at Alex, while his words continued to repeat themselves in his head. Then their meaning finally hit him.
"You want what?!" Harry screamed, jumping to his feet.
"Harry. Not so loud." Hermione admonished.
Harry ignored her. Panting he stood before Alex, who still sat relaxed on his seat, meeting Harry's anger filled eyes with his own calm ones. How could he demand such a thing?
"You have to be crazy when you think that I would kiss you after what you've done yesterday. Or rather haven't done."
"Harry." Hermione stood up and took Harry's hand, trying to pull him away from Alex, but Harry freed himself from her grip without looking.
Alex chuckled and slowly rose until he stood before Harry. "You're right. That's want I want. And you have no other choice when you really want to know about Necromancy. So, what is it?"
Harry opened his mouth to tell Alex what he could do with his knowledge; however before he could say a thing Hermione grabbed him and pulled him toward her.
"Harry, don't do anything stupid." Hermione whispered urgently. "Listen, he is the only one we can ask about Necromancy and we can't loose this chance."
Harry snorted, not bothering to keep his voice down. "You mean you can't loose the chance. However, we don't know if he is the only one who can tell us. What's with the other three that came with him? Maybe they know about Necromancy, too."
"They don't." Alex answered, watching them both. Harry shuddered in disgust as he noticed the hungry gleam in the light green eyes. "I'm the only one from us four that studies Necromancy."
"What a coincidence." Harry spat. "Thanks for the offer, but I think I pass. I try my luck elsewhere."
"Harry!" Hermione protested. "Who do you want to ask? There is nobody who will answer our questions. Just do it and then we will know everything what your Attacker knows. It's only a kiss."
Harry whirled around, forcing his arm out of Hermione's grip.
"Then why don't you do it?" He hissed, before hurrying away from his friends and Alex Lange.
His friends watched him as he vanished between the shelves, shocked about his behaviour.
After a speechless minute, Ron jumped up as well. Until now he had just watched, torn between his own shock about what Alex wanted his best friend to do and the fact that they needed the information from the German.
"I will follow him." He announced and without awaiting an answer he run after Harry.
Hermione just let out a deep sigh and fell back into her seat.
"He changed so much." She whispered. Moreover, she knew who had caused this change in one of her best friend. However, she would make sure that wouldn't last long. Soon the potion would be ready and then……
Slowly she raised her head and looked at Alex. Maybe she could even……
"Say, what would you say to another arrangement between us?"
Alex raised one eyebrow. "I'm listening."
**************************************************************************************
"Harry!"
Harry ignored the call and continued hurrying down the corridor.
"Damn, Harry, wait up!"
From one moment to the other Harry stopped and whirled around, glaring at Ron, who stumbled, surprised about the sudden stop. He raised both hands, gasping slightly from his run.
"Man, Harry. Don't look at me like that. I'm your friend."
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. But it wasn't easy. There was so much anger in him.
"I know, Ron. I'm just so mad at……at the whole situation."
He shook his head and slowly started to walk again.
Ron followed him. "I can't say that I understand what you mean, mate. I mean, we have to know about this Dark Magic stuff and he just wants a kiss. What's so bad about it? I mean, it would not be your first kiss, wouldn't it."
Harry fought down a new wave of anger. First Hermione and now Ron. Why couldn't his friends see that it mattered, at least for him?
"No, Ron, it would not be my first kiss. But that's not why I'm so angry. First, I can't kiss Alex, because I don't like him. Yesterday he just stood there while I tried to save Draco. He just stood there. And second……"
A light blush blossomed on Harry's cheeks and he stopped. He couldn't tell Ron. He wouldn't understand.
With a deep sigh, Harry shook his head and looked at the confused Redhead. "I can't explain so that you would understand me. So, just go back to Hermione and tell her I'm sorry, okay? We will find another possibility to get the information we need."
This time Ron just stood there and watched as Harry turned and walked away from him the second time.
"What's wrong with you, Harry?"
*********Flasback*********************************************************************
Dumbly Harry stared down at Alex Lange. He couldn't think straight any more. His head was hammering with pain and even the slightest movement awoke a new wave, nearly blinding him.
"Mr Potter. What is the meaning of this?"
Groaning slightly Harry raised his eyes and looked at Professor Snape standing in the doorway, his dark eyes wide in shock.
Harry opened his mouth to explain--how should he explain?--but a light moan from behind him cleared his head of all thoughts expect one.
Draco.
From one moment to the other Harry hurried to the side of the blond still lying beside the couch. The ground around him was covered in blood like his shirt and trousers, but Harry didn't mind and kneed beside him.
"Draco?" He asked, hesitantly reaching out a trembling hand and brushing away some hair. Tears gathered in his eyes, but he ignored it.
Pain filled silver eyes opened just an inch, looking up at him with a slight distant look in them.
"Draco?"
A bloodied hand rose slowly and touched Harry's cheek. Harry's grabbed it and held it close, smiling at the silver eyes.
"Don't worry, Draco. We will get you to Hospital Wing and there Madame Pomfrey will have you up again in no time."
A slight smile appeared on pale lips. Then the silver eyes began to close again and to Harry's fear he felt how the connection between Draco and him vanished. In panic, he grasped one cold hand in his both of his.
"Draco?"
A chilling cold spread out in him, letting him shiver inside.
He looked down at the closed eyes, fighting for every breath.
"Draco!"
*****End Flasback*******************************************************************
As careful as he could Harry touched the pale face before him, marvelling in the warmth radiating from it. It wasn't much, but for him it warmed him more than any blanket.
It showed that Draco was still alive.
Silently Harry shifted his gaze to the two sleeping figures with him in the room. Lucius Malfoy sat on one chair on the other side of the bed, leaning against the back and on his lap, her head on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around him sat Narcissa. Both were sleeping peacefully, but Harry could see the worry in their faces.
When they would wake up in the morning they surely would be stiff from this kind of sleeping arrangement.
With a content sigh, Harry shifted his gaze to their son again and leaned his head down to place a soft kiss on Draco's brow.
"I even can't understand it myself." He whispered, leaning his cheek against one of Draco's. "I can't understand it. But what happened yesterday finally showed me what I feel."
Harry closed his eyes and lowered his voice to a mere whisper. "I love you, Draco Malfoy."
***********************************************************************************
Well, Harry finally said the three magic words. However, Draco is asleep, so he couldn't hear it. Or is he? *Looks at her writing* Well, I really can't decide if I like what I wrote. I hope you like it. In the next chapter, there will be some happy fluffy times for Draco and Harry. It's time for that.
And what are Hermione and Alex planning? I know it, but you have to wait. Just that much--it won't be pretty for Draco and Harry. Please don't forget to review.
Bye.
A/N: Hey people. *looks past a big shield. Some daggers are embedded in the metal of the shield* It is good to see you again. Moreover, I loved it to see that you love my other story as well. So you can congratulate yourself: I will continue writing it. I received enough reviews to keep me going.
*looks at the reviews she got for Love and Destiny and then on the ones she got for BHaH* In fact, I got more for my new story. Hmmm…..
Oh, by the way. Sorry for the shield. But I have to protect myself. *winks* Hello, Alyannah. *I hope I wrote this in the right way*
Oh, I opened an account *is it called that?* on www.deviantart.com. There I will put my drawings and I will write there when I will update my stories. When you want to know how long a chapter will take look there. My name on deviant art is Pixie Distelblum.
Enjoy this chapter.
*Gruesse an meine deutschen Leser. Es ist schoen zu wissen das ich welche habe.*
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Chapter 7
*********
Draco's face looked peaceful and beautiful, pale even against the white pillow and his usually neat blond hair lay unruly around his head. In addition, the white light in the Hospital wing made him look even paler. Deathly pale.
Narcissa Malfoy hated the light. Before anyone around her could react, she lifted her wand and muttered a quick spell. At once, the light changed into a soft light orange colour.
Narcissa just shrugged at the raised eyebrows she received and stepped at Draco's side. Soft and carefully, her fingers touched one high cheekbone.
"Your son lost a lot of blood, but I was able to replace it." Madame Pomfrey murmured her eyes slightly narrowed because of the change in her place. However, her eyes were gentle as she looked down onto her patient. "He will feel weak for the next couple of days and shouldn't exhaust himself."
"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey." Lucius smiled at her, but his face was overshadowed with weariness and worry. Nevertheless, in his silver eyes glowered a hidden anger as they were lying on his motionless son.
Narcissa felt her heart reaching out to him. She knew he tried to hide his feelings from her, but after the long years of them being together she had learned how she to hinder him closing the bound between them. Of course, it helped that she felt the same as him--despair and fear about what could have happened.
Today they could have lost the only son that they still had.
Lucius lifted his gaze and met hers, slightly smiling as he felt her in his mind. For every other person it was a cold smile, but for Narcissa it was not only the smile, but also the love she felt to the bond that made this smile warmer than anything else did.
"Well, this are very good information." Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them together as if they were cold. "And I think Mr and Mrs Malfoy want to be alone with their son for a while."
A satisfied smile appeared on his face as Narcissa and Lucius nodded. Blue eyes twinkled in their usual way. "Good. Then I will leave you now. However, I wish to talk to you before you return to your home. Could you come to my office when you're ready?"
Lucius nodded. "We will come."
Dumbledore smiled again. "Good. Good."
He looked at Snape and Madame Pomfrey and just nodded, before he turned and left the Hospital wing with long steps, quietly muttering to himself. Never before had anyone in the room seen him walk in such a hurry before.
With silence between them, all turned their eyes back to the sleeping Malfoy heir.
Tenderly Narcissa brushed a bang of disarrayed blond hair out of her sons face.
"When will he wake up?" She asked, not taking her eyes from his face. She felt a longing in her to see the amazing silver eyes again that her beloved Lucius had to his son.
With a thoughtful expression, Madame Pomfrey laid one hand carefully on Draco's forehead.
"It is possible that he wakes up tomorrow morning, not earlier. He is weak and needs his sleep."
Narcissa swallowed a sigh. She had hoped that Draco just slept for a few hours, so that she could talk to him. Now she had to wait.
"Thanks, Madame Pomfrey. I appreciate it that you care for my son so much."
The school nurse returned her smile and nodded.
"You don't have to thank me. Now excuse me. I have work to do."
With another smile to the two men, she turned and walked to her rooms in the back of the hospital wing. Three pair of eyes followed her until the door closed.
Snape stepped to the foot end of the bed and looked down at his favourite student.
"Well, that was to expect. The wound was not that deep, but he had lost a lot of blood because nobody could attend to it." Snape face darkened and his hands tightened around the bedstead. "He was lucky that he didn't die. Just a little while longer and it would have been to late for him."
Narcissa nodded, shuddering from the thought. Just a bit longer and she would have lost her son.
"It was close. Too close. When Harry hadn't……" She stopped, suddenly remembering something. Her eyes searched the room for the person she missed.
"By the way. Where is Harry?"
To her totally surprise a slight blush appeared on Snape's pale face. She shared a puzzled look with her husband. Who would have thought that the cold Potion Professor was even able to blush?
"Do you know where Harry is?" Lucius asked his mouth slightly curved up in a smile.
Snape shook his head to get rid of the blush. "Well, yes I know. Right now he has detention with Filch."
Only her amusement prevented Narcissa's mouth to fall open in surprise.
"Detention? What did he do?"
Snape's sigh was deep.
*****Flashback*****
"Time for you to die, little kitten. Say goodbye to this world."
The sharp blade aimed at the stunned Harry who could just stare at the man who would kill him.
//And I always thought I would be killed by Voldemort.//
\\ Will you just sit there and do nothing?!\\
"What?"
Harry's eyes widened in shock at the sudden voice in his head--and at the same time he could make out a slight light blue barrier surrounding Draco and him, just second before the blade came in contact with it.
Bright sparks flew up where the dagger had hit. A sound like metal hitting metal was heard, echoing through the room.
After that, silence, just shortly interrupted from the sound of the dagger skittering over the ground until it was stopped from the fur before the fireplace.
A small chuckle reminded everyone of the third person in the room. All eyes turned to Alex still standing just steps before the open door, one of his hands raised.
Harry's eyes widened as he noticed a slight blue shimmer surrounding the hand. Just like the barrier that had protected him.
Alex winked at the surprised looks. "Did I surprise you? I just couldn't help it. I always wanted to be the saviour that appears in the last minute to save the princess." He shrugged and lowered his hand. The blue light vanished from him and around Harry at the same time. "About the fact that Harry is no princess we shouldn't fight."
Harry's hold on Draco's limp form tightened, but he didn't notice. All he could do was stare at the German boy as a new wave of anger rose in him.
The dead body that Aaron possessed let out a laugh, however there was no amusement in it. The lifeless eyes were hard as they sized Aaron up.
"So, it really is true. Instead of wands you use other objects in Germany."
Alex grinned and lifted his arm, and for the first time everybody could see a silver bracelet around his slender wrist.
"Well, you're right with the fact that I use a bracelet to focus my magic instead of a wand. However, you're wrong when you think everybody in Germany does it. This special use of jewellery you can only learn in Loreley."
He put his hands onto his hips and a slight frown appeared on his forehead.
"However, now we are in a really complicated situation. You want to kill Harry over there, but I can protect him with my magic. Moreover, before you think about attacking me, I better tell you that I can't just protect one person at the same time. Also, what do we do now?"
Aaron stared at him--and then let out a low chuckle. "Impressive, boy. Very impressive. I must remember to visit your school some time. Nevertheless, I'm not that dumb as you seem to believe I am. Truly, you can protect the little kitten as long as you want, but do I have to remember you that my little brother is wounded, slowly bleeding to death? He will not take any longer, so I just have to wait, you know."
A puzzled look appeared in Alex's eyes.
"Oh, I see that you don't know what that means." Aaron spread the arms of the zombie. "Then let me inform you that……."
A loud scream full of anger and hate interrupted him. Alex's eyes widened in shocked surprise and sensing something behind him Aaron turned around--and was hit in the side of the head with such force he fell backwards on his back.
With similar surprise that Alex had felt he then stared up at Harry, standing over him with a poker in his hands, green eyes blazing with hate.
"Who would have thought that?" He chuckled amused. "The little kitten shows his teeth."
Letting out another scream Harry raised the poker another time. A sickening sound filled the air.
Alex turned his head away, fighting against the urge to throw up his lunch. As he opened them again he saw Harry standing before him, his face pale and his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Harry, that was……."
Alex never could end his sentence, Harry's fist connecting with his jaw throwing him backwards to the ground--in front of the feet of a shocked looking Professor Snape.
*****End Flashback*******
A loud sneeze interrupted the silence, just barely covered from a hand raised to late. Soft laughter erupted from the few students in the room, however one stern look from Madame Pince silenced them quickly.
Harry flinched as the stern look was directed at him after that and hurried to continue putting the books back into the shelf; he just had cleaned from seemingly year old dust. It was harder than he had expected to get the books to keep standing when the shelf wasn't completely filled. Every time he leaned down to lift another couple of books the ones already standing kept falling to the side.
And there he had thought helping in the library would be an easy detention. He never had been so wrong.
"This is all just keeping me from Draco's side." Harry leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the shelf, closing his eyes. He remembered how pale Draco had looked as he was finally being brought to the Hospital Wing from a shocked and worried Professor Snape. As if he had been dead already.
He shook his head and clenched his fists. And because he had loosed the connecting through the bond he couldn't even feel how he was right now. If he was awake or if he still was unconscious. Why had Snape given him the Detention for now? Couldn't he have waited until Draco was awake?
Harry fought the longing in him, however he couldn't ignore that it was there, hurting as an open wound.
"Harry?"
Gently two hands touched his shoulder, one on each side. With a deep sigh, Harry let out all the stiffness from his body and leaned into the hold of the hands.
"Ron. Hermione." He mumbled and the grip on his shoulders tightened for a moment. Then he turned around to look as his best friends since the first year.
Ron wore a wide relieved grin on his face, while Hermione's face was darkened with a frown, her eyes scanning his face.
"We're so glad that nothing happened to you, mate. After we heard about the attack and that someone was brought to the Hospital Wing, we thought it was you."
Harry tried to smile. "I'm okay. I wasn't hurt. Draco is the one who was wounded."
// And I'm here, instead of sitting by his side.//
Ron's grin vanished and he opened his mouth, but before he could say anything Harry could see how Hermione placed her elbow in Ron's side, causing him to doubling over a bit.
He frowned. What was that about? Why had Hermione stopped Ron to say something?
For the first time ever Harry felt like his two friends shared a secret that they didn't want to share with him. It hurt; however hadn't he done the same thing about his relationship with Draco. He could have told them before they had come to Hogwarts or when he had greeted them when they arrived. But he hadn't.
His friends had all rights to keep a secret to themselves. But it hurt nonetheless.
"What I would like to know, is, how the person that attacked you was able to enter Hogwarts after all. Hogwarts is the safest place in all England."
Obviously it was not when it came to Aaron Malfoy, but Harry kept this thought to himself. He had no right to tell his friends about Draco's older brother. However, he could tell them, with a few exceptions of course, what had happened. Maybe Hermione even could help him with a few questions that he had since then.
"I think we should go to one of the table in the back." He murmured. He glanced at Madame Pince. She was busy at her desk, occasionally glaring at a few one years at a table in the middle of the library.
As silently as they could the three sneaked to the back of the library, where there stood one big table under one of the windows. It was seldom that one of the students came here, so that they mustn't worry that someone listened into them talking.
With a deep sigh, Harry let himself fall into one seat. He hadn't realized how exhausted he was until now. Slowly he could feel his shoulders starting to hurt; it was like a warm glowing in his muscles with the difference that it wasn't a comfortable feeling.
Hermione sat herself opposite him. In her eyes, he could clearly see that she wanted answers.
"Well?"
Harry took a deep breath, before he started to tell his best friends what exactly had happened the day before just leaving out the fact that the attacker had been Draco's older brother.
When he was finished, Harry slumped back in his seat, waiting for his friends to react.
Hermione was the first to break the silence around them.
"This man really used necromancy?" She asked, leaning forward with a well-known gleam in her eyes.
Harry nodded. "Do you know something about it?"
"Not much." She shrugged. "Necromancy isn't part of the magic we know and learn about in Hogwarts. And even books about it are very rare and nearly impossible to get without a lot of money."
An angry light appeared in Hermione's eyes, clearly directed at the fact that there were books that she couldn't read, causing Harry and Ron to share a slightly amused look.
"And of course, books about necromancy are also forbidden." Hermione added, glaring at her friends after she had noticed their shared look.
Surprised Ron's eyebrows shot up. "When they are forbidden, how did this Alex guy know about it?"
"Maybe because those books are not forbidden in a certain private school." An amused sounding voice said.
All three flinched and turned around at the same time.
Alex Lange grinned and waved at them, lazily leaning against a shelf.
"Hello."
Harry kept silent, glaring at the other boy, while his friends breathed out a 'Hello'. He felt as if he was burning with hate and he needed all his self-control not to jump up and run away. He never wanted to see the German again and surely, he didn't want to talk to him.
To his dismay, he noticed Hermione eyeing the red-blonde curiously, interest shining in her eyes.
"Are to trying to say that you can read such books in your school?"
Alex grin widened and ignoring the glare out of green eyes, he pushed himself away from the shelf and stepped forward until he stood before their table.
"Well, not everybody. You have to choose a special class and then you are allowed to get into the restricted area of our library where the books about necromancy are." With a smooth motion, he let himself fall into the seat beside Harry. "And I can tell you, the authors of this books knew what they were writing about."
Hermione's excitement was shining out of her eyes. Eagerly she leaned forward.
Ron rolled his eyes in Harry's direction, but he didn't notice it.
"So, you know about necromancy. You can tell me about it. I've waited so long for the chance of getting more information about it."
"Sure, I could tell you about it. That would help you to understand your enemy, too." Relaxed Alex leaned back, a satisfied smile on his lips. "But of course there has to be a little incentive for me to tell you. There is a lot to tell and explain."
Suspiciously, Harry looked at him. What did he want now? Not that it surprised him after what had happened in Draco's rooms.
"A little incentive?" Ron asked, seemingly sharing Harry distrust as he eyed the other boy. "And what do you want? Shall we go to the kitchens and get you something or what?"
"No, nothing like that. But something equal sweet." With a bright smile, Alex turned around and gazed at Harry, who returned his look with glowing eyes. "As incentive I want a kiss. A kiss from you, Harry."
For a moment Harry thought he hadn't heard right. Speechless he sat in his seat, staring at Alex, while his words continued to repeat themselves in his head. Then their meaning finally hit him.
"You want what?!" Harry screamed, jumping to his feet.
"Harry. Not so loud." Hermione admonished.
Harry ignored her. Panting he stood before Alex, who still sat relaxed on his seat, meeting Harry's anger filled eyes with his own calm ones. How could he demand such a thing?
"You have to be crazy when you think that I would kiss you after what you've done yesterday. Or rather haven't done."
"Harry." Hermione stood up and took Harry's hand, trying to pull him away from Alex, but Harry freed himself from her grip without looking.
Alex chuckled and slowly rose until he stood before Harry. "You're right. That's want I want. And you have no other choice when you really want to know about Necromancy. So, what is it?"
Harry opened his mouth to tell Alex what he could do with his knowledge; however before he could say a thing Hermione grabbed him and pulled him toward her.
"Harry, don't do anything stupid." Hermione whispered urgently. "Listen, he is the only one we can ask about Necromancy and we can't loose this chance."
Harry snorted, not bothering to keep his voice down. "You mean you can't loose the chance. However, we don't know if he is the only one who can tell us. What's with the other three that came with him? Maybe they know about Necromancy, too."
"They don't." Alex answered, watching them both. Harry shuddered in disgust as he noticed the hungry gleam in the light green eyes. "I'm the only one from us four that studies Necromancy."
"What a coincidence." Harry spat. "Thanks for the offer, but I think I pass. I try my luck elsewhere."
"Harry!" Hermione protested. "Who do you want to ask? There is nobody who will answer our questions. Just do it and then we will know everything what your Attacker knows. It's only a kiss."
Harry whirled around, forcing his arm out of Hermione's grip.
"Then why don't you do it?" He hissed, before hurrying away from his friends and Alex Lange.
His friends watched him as he vanished between the shelves, shocked about his behaviour.
After a speechless minute, Ron jumped up as well. Until now he had just watched, torn between his own shock about what Alex wanted his best friend to do and the fact that they needed the information from the German.
"I will follow him." He announced and without awaiting an answer he run after Harry.
Hermione just let out a deep sigh and fell back into her seat.
"He changed so much." She whispered. Moreover, she knew who had caused this change in one of her best friend. However, she would make sure that wouldn't last long. Soon the potion would be ready and then……
Slowly she raised her head and looked at Alex. Maybe she could even……
"Say, what would you say to another arrangement between us?"
Alex raised one eyebrow. "I'm listening."
**************************************************************************************
"Harry!"
Harry ignored the call and continued hurrying down the corridor.
"Damn, Harry, wait up!"
From one moment to the other Harry stopped and whirled around, glaring at Ron, who stumbled, surprised about the sudden stop. He raised both hands, gasping slightly from his run.
"Man, Harry. Don't look at me like that. I'm your friend."
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. But it wasn't easy. There was so much anger in him.
"I know, Ron. I'm just so mad at……at the whole situation."
He shook his head and slowly started to walk again.
Ron followed him. "I can't say that I understand what you mean, mate. I mean, we have to know about this Dark Magic stuff and he just wants a kiss. What's so bad about it? I mean, it would not be your first kiss, wouldn't it."
Harry fought down a new wave of anger. First Hermione and now Ron. Why couldn't his friends see that it mattered, at least for him?
"No, Ron, it would not be my first kiss. But that's not why I'm so angry. First, I can't kiss Alex, because I don't like him. Yesterday he just stood there while I tried to save Draco. He just stood there. And second……"
A light blush blossomed on Harry's cheeks and he stopped. He couldn't tell Ron. He wouldn't understand.
With a deep sigh, Harry shook his head and looked at the confused Redhead. "I can't explain so that you would understand me. So, just go back to Hermione and tell her I'm sorry, okay? We will find another possibility to get the information we need."
This time Ron just stood there and watched as Harry turned and walked away from him the second time.
"What's wrong with you, Harry?"
*********Flasback*********************************************************************
Dumbly Harry stared down at Alex Lange. He couldn't think straight any more. His head was hammering with pain and even the slightest movement awoke a new wave, nearly blinding him.
"Mr Potter. What is the meaning of this?"
Groaning slightly Harry raised his eyes and looked at Professor Snape standing in the doorway, his dark eyes wide in shock.
Harry opened his mouth to explain--how should he explain?--but a light moan from behind him cleared his head of all thoughts expect one.
Draco.
From one moment to the other Harry hurried to the side of the blond still lying beside the couch. The ground around him was covered in blood like his shirt and trousers, but Harry didn't mind and kneed beside him.
"Draco?" He asked, hesitantly reaching out a trembling hand and brushing away some hair. Tears gathered in his eyes, but he ignored it.
Pain filled silver eyes opened just an inch, looking up at him with a slight distant look in them.
"Draco?"
A bloodied hand rose slowly and touched Harry's cheek. Harry's grabbed it and held it close, smiling at the silver eyes.
"Don't worry, Draco. We will get you to Hospital Wing and there Madame Pomfrey will have you up again in no time."
A slight smile appeared on pale lips. Then the silver eyes began to close again and to Harry's fear he felt how the connection between Draco and him vanished. In panic, he grasped one cold hand in his both of his.
"Draco?"
A chilling cold spread out in him, letting him shiver inside.
He looked down at the closed eyes, fighting for every breath.
"Draco!"
*****End Flasback*******************************************************************
As careful as he could Harry touched the pale face before him, marvelling in the warmth radiating from it. It wasn't much, but for him it warmed him more than any blanket.
It showed that Draco was still alive.
Silently Harry shifted his gaze to the two sleeping figures with him in the room. Lucius Malfoy sat on one chair on the other side of the bed, leaning against the back and on his lap, her head on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around him sat Narcissa. Both were sleeping peacefully, but Harry could see the worry in their faces.
When they would wake up in the morning they surely would be stiff from this kind of sleeping arrangement.
With a content sigh, Harry shifted his gaze to their son again and leaned his head down to place a soft kiss on Draco's brow.
"I even can't understand it myself." He whispered, leaning his cheek against one of Draco's. "I can't understand it. But what happened yesterday finally showed me what I feel."
Harry closed his eyes and lowered his voice to a mere whisper. "I love you, Draco Malfoy."
***********************************************************************************
Well, Harry finally said the three magic words. However, Draco is asleep, so he couldn't hear it. Or is he? *Looks at her writing* Well, I really can't decide if I like what I wrote. I hope you like it. In the next chapter, there will be some happy fluffy times for Draco and Harry. It's time for that.
And what are Hermione and Alex planning? I know it, but you have to wait. Just that much--it won't be pretty for Draco and Harry. Please don't forget to review.
Bye.