Title: Save Me From The Dark

Author: Princesspepper

Pairing: Harry/Draco (suggestion of Ron/Hermione, but, of course, that is not important).

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story (they belong to J.K. Rowling) nor to I own the song "Bring Me To Life" (by Evanescence).

(A/N) This is perhaps one of my personal favorite chapters. The words you see in between paragraphs in brackets are the words to "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence. The song is what sparked the idea for this (including the title). And thanks for the reviews!

This chapter is dedicated to: SquishSquish, ozumas girl, Alluring Cellar Door, MishapsErrors, adina, and Liteblueyes! Thank you for allowing me to continue!

(Chapter Three: Fresh Cuts)

As Harry stormed his way towards the dungeons for his first class, he ran his hand through his hair thoughtfully. He was furious at Draco for blowing him off like that, but there was something else there too… he couldn't help blushing as he remembered the way he had locked eyes with the Slytherin just minutes earlier. He started remembering all the things he saw in Draco's eyes…

"Harry, are you feeling alright? Your cheeks are a bit on the pink side…"

Harry snapped his head up with a start at the sound of Hermione's concerned voice. He was quite flustered at the fact that she noticed his blush, but thankfully, she thought he was sick, because she had never seen Harry blush before.

"No, I'm fine 'Mione, just a bit warm…" Harry dashed off to the Potions classroom before Hermione could question him further.

Hermione stood there, quite bewildered for a minute, pondering what could possibly be wrong with her best friend. First he stares into space for five minutes, then he runs after Malfoy, and lastly he ditches her after her questioning him. "Very odd indeed," Hermione whispered to herself. And right then she promised she would watch Harry very closely she was quite worried about him.

As Harry rounded the corner to potions class, the thought crossed his mind that he would most definitely have to face Draco this period. Snape had a horrible habit of pairing the two of them when they worked on a potion (cliché I know, but why not?) and Harry was positive today would be no different.

But when Harry walked into the classroom, he was shocked to find himself disappointed that Draco was not there. Snape began the lesson and Harry found himself watching the door for any sign of the blond.

To Harry's delight, not five minutes later, Draco entered the classroom looking quite disheveled. His normally gelled back hair was hanging loose around his jaw line, and very messed up at that. His robes weren't laying the right way, and his eyes looked hollow, as though he had been extremely upset but tried hard not to cry. Harry found himself thinking that Draco looked quite sexy like that, but quickly shook his head, discarding the thought.

Harry noticed one last thing before Draco took his seat. Draco seemed to have what looked horribly like blood all dried and caked on his wrist. Harry blinked a few times; sure he had imagined it, until Draco saw him looking and quickly tugged down his sleeve. Harry found himself devastated. He didn't know why, all he knew is that—somehow— he managed to start caring about Malfoy.

(How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb.
Without a soul
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find me there and lead it back
Home)

Harry locked eyes with Draco for the second time that day. Again, he saw Draco's thoughts frozen behind his silver eyes. Although his eyes were clouded by despair, Harry could see everything he was thinking. Right there. Plain as day. It was that longing again. It thoroughly scared Harry, but also intrigued him beyond his comprehension.

Snape's gruff voice dragged Harry and Draco back to Earth. As Harry had predicted, Snape had paired him with Draco once again, much to their hidden delight. Harry didn't know what the hell was wrong with him. First he ditches his best friends to chase after his archenemy, and now he was happy that he was paired with said archenemy! Well, Harry thought, archenemy wouldn't be the right word. Technically Voldemort is my archenemy…Draco's more like my rival…-wait, did I just think of him as Draco? AGAIN! Harry and Draco both tried desperately to hide their enthusiasm as Harry hauled his cauldron over to Draco's desk.

Harry was in such utter disbelief that he was starting to actually like Draco that he decided that he would have to be extra harsh, because he had to convince himself this wasn't happening (go figure…). It couldn't be true. Harry hated Draco. Didn't he?

Draco was thrilled. Of course, Snape always paired him with Potter, but it never got old. This was great. Now he had an excuse to stare at Potter. Why does he have to be so damned sexy? Draco thought as he watched Harry drag his things over to sit next to Draco. There was the slight concern that Potter may have seen the blood on Draco's wrist… but no, Draco wouldn't bother himself with that. He had to enjoy this.

"Today, class, we will be making a sleeping draught," Snape was saying, but Draco wasn't listening; he was staring at Harry. "If the potion is made right, it should make the drinker drowsy for approximately one minute, and then they will fall asleep for about five minutes. If it is not mixed right, however, the drinker will instantly pass out on the spot, but for only thirty seconds. One person from each pair will test the potion, so I suggest you take great care in making it. Now begin!"

Draco only noticed that Snape had finished talking when Harry rose from his seat to gather the ingredients. Draco didn't know what potion they were making because he was so distracted, but no matter, because if it went wrong, Snape would blame it on Potter. Draco smirked to himself at the thought. Just because he had a crush on Harry didn't mean he didn't enjoy seeing him suffer! Draco was ever the sadist.

Harry returned with the ingredients moments later and began mixing the potion. He instructed Draco to add the snake venom and to stir exactly fifty times. But, again, Draco was staring at Harry, the way that his soft pink lips formed the words that he was reading… so Draco lost count…

In the middle of the lesson, when the potion was brewed, Harry filled a vial of the potion and carefully handed it to Draco.

"What's this, Potter? You want me to taste it?" Draco snapped as he took the vial from Harry. As he did this, their fingertips brushed and sent a jolt that shot through Draco's entire body, making it very hard to concentrate on what he was saying.

"Well, Malfoy," Harry spat, "after all, you do claim to be the best at potions, and you handled the most delicate parts of the recipe, so why not? You aren't afraid you messed it up, are you?"

The sad truth was Draco was terrified that he messed it up. He was sure he must have. And since he wasn't even paying attention at the beginning of class, he didn't know what he was getting himself into. But, as always, his ego got in the way. He downed it in one gulp.

At first, he didn't feel anything odd, and he thought he must have brewed it correctly. But that was when his world went black…

(Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become)

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.Harry's POV.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

I caught him. I don't know what got into me, but I caught him. His weight dragged me to the ground, for I can't say I am very strong. His head lay in my lap. The stupid git must have brewed the potion wrong. I was mad, but I was also thrilled. There I was, with the best looking boy in school in my arms. But I wasn't to think like that. At that point I was still convinced that there was nothing between me and him. My obsession was nothing more than the kind one would have with his enemy. But, really, who is that obsessed with their enemy? It never really occurred to me before just how strange it was between the two of us. I guess this had to happen to help me realize… to help me realize that he meant the world to me.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.Draco's POV.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

As I came to I felt like a truck had hit me head on. I slowly opened my eyes to find myself gazing into emerald green. Harry Potter was holding me and staring into my eyes. I thought I was dreaming. Everything was hazy.

"Harry…" I whispered as I reached my heavy arm up to touch his face. I saw his beautiful eyes widen in panic as he dropped me to the ground. My head hit the floor with a crack and everything went back into focus. To my utter horror, I had not been dreaming.

"Malfoy! What was that about you little git!" Potter was screaming at me. I did not want this. How could he be mad at me? Didn't he feel that spark? I sure as hell felt it. Anger clouded my eyes, when all I really wanted to do was cry.

"Well Potter, if you hadn't messed up the potion I wouldn't have passed out! It's your fault you twit!" I hissed at him in an angry whisper, hoping Snape wouldn't notice we had gotten into another fight.

"MY FAULT?" Potter hissed back, "It was you! I told you to only stir the solution fifty times! You can't even count…" grumbled Harry as he threw his things into his cauldron and pushed it back to his own desk. I needed to be alone. This was too much. I can't have him mad at me.

"Well I'll be off to the lavatory then, I must wash myself off from your filthy hands!" I shouted across the room before storming out. As soon as my back was to the room and I was sure nobody could see me, my eyes welled up with tears.

"Malfoys never cry…" I could hear Lucius's cold words echo in my head as tears streamed down my cheeks in steady patterns. I cried from embarrassment. I cried from humiliation. But mostly I cried from rejection. I wanted Harry and he didn't want me. But that's how it always went with Draco Malfoy.

(Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life)

As I stumbled into the boys' washroom I fumbled around in my large pocket trying to find the little knife. I found it and locked myself in a stall. I flicked the blade out and pressed the cool metal to the skin on my arm…

But for the second time in my life I cut too deep. As I watched the blood spill out of my fresh wound I briefly thought, 'Is this the end?' And for the second time that day, my world went black.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.Normal POV.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Back in potions class, time was inching along very slowly. Snape lectured monotonously for the remainder of the lesson, but Harry was not paying attention. He was thinking about Draco again. Harry could have sworn Draco looked quite stricken when he left the dungeons, he hoped he wasn't upset. 'But why would he be,' Harry thought, 'he doesn't care what I think. But why should I care if he was upset? I was trying to upset him…' But Harry couldn't help feeling bad anyway.

Harry begun to get worried when the lesson ended and Draco had not returned from the washroom. He took it upon himself to find out where he had gone. He quickly left the potions classroom to avoid ambush from Ron and Hermione. Harry ran his fingers through his already tousled hair while thinking of how he was going to do this without arousing suspicion.

He decided that he would pop into the washroom, see if Draco was there, wash his hands (to make it look like that's why he was in there in the first place) and leave. Simple enough…

When Harry finally arrived in the lavatory, he nervously glanced around. Draco was nowhere in sight and neither was anyone else. He heard no sounds coming from anywhere in the room. But then he noticed something very odd indeed. One of the stalls was closed and locked. He called out to see who it was, but nobody answered. Finally, curiosity got the best of Harry and he strode over to the stall. Slowly, as not to fall, he peeked under the door…

Harry's breath caught in his throat as his eyes took in the sight before him. On the floor of the stall, he saw what was unmistakably Draco Malfoy, sprawled in an unnatural position. What was more; the floor was covered in blood. Blood that was streaming from the unconscious boy's wrist.

(Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead)

"Oh Malfoy, what have you done?" Harry groaned sadly as he searched his pocket frantically for his wand. When he found it, he used the 'alohomora' charm to unlock the stall, and then threw it open desperately. Harry lowered himself to the floor, dropping his wand beside him with a clatter. He cradled Draco's unconscious form and lifted his injured arm. Slowly, Harry lifted the sleeve of Draco's robes to see the wound.

Once again, Harry's breath caught in his throat. All along the boy's arm, Harry saw scars differing in depth and length. Some looked much newer than others. Harry's eyes welled up with tears of sadness and shock as he saw the offending wound that caused Draco to pass out.

It was much unlike the others, those having been lines. It was a broken heart. One just like the one Harry had carved into his own skin over a year before. A thousand thoughts crossed Harry's mind at once. 'Isn't it such a coincidence that right after I yell at him he goes and does this?' Harry thought, but he instantly dismissed it, it couldn't be possible. This was Draco Malfoy. He didn't feel. 'Well,' Harry thought, 'that isn't true if he does this…'

It was then Harry realized he should be helping. There he was, cradling a dying boy, and all he could do was stare. Harry performed some quick healing charms that stopped all the bleeding, but Draco was still quite unconscious. Harry took this opportunity to observe this fallen angel in his arms.

(All of this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me)

He looked at the way his beautiful silver eyes were half open, staring blankly at Harry. His pink lips were slightly parted, and he was drawing ragged breaths. His long blond hair was falling into his eyes. Harry brushed it aside only to discover how soft it was. He longed to touch it more.

(I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything)

Harry slowly shook the Slytherin, hoping to wake him. It wasn't working. He ran over to the sink and wet some paper towels, quickly running back to Draco and cradling him again. 'I quite like him like this…' Harry thought with a morbid smirk on his face. He started patting Draco's face with the wet towel. He stirred slightly, drawing a relieved sigh from Harry.

"Malfoy, wake up! Are you alright?" Harry whispered. He watched as Malfoy slowly blinked and then opened up his beautiful eyes fully.

"Harry…" he whispered hoarsely, "Wha—what happened?"

"You passed out, Malfoy. You nearly bled to death. How are you feeling?" Harry responded to the confused boy.

"Like I want to die." Answered Draco honestly. Harry could tell he was not all there. He was still half unconscious.

"Malfoy, I've got to get you to the hospital wing. Stay right here. I'll-" started Harry, but Draco interrupted him.

"NO! Wait, stay here," murmured Draco, sounding quite desperate. "Please don't leave… I'm scared…"

"Scared of what?" Harry whispered, not quite sure if he wanted to know the answer.

"I'm… I'm scared… that you will never love me." Draco gasped out in an unsteady voice. And with that, Draco Malfoy passed out in a dead faint for the third time that day.

(Without thought, without a voice, without a soul
Don't let me die here
There must be something more
Bring me to life.)

(End Of Chapter Three)

(A/N): So, whadja think? PLEASE let me know! Until next time,

XOXO Princesspepper OXOX