Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic.

By Wihstrum

Chapter Seventeen: The Wheel of Fate Turns.

Groaning and squeezing his eyes shut Ronald Weasley ventured back into the world of the living. What had happened? He pried an eye open and was greeted by the lovely sight of Hermione betting his forehead with a cold compress. "Mione…" he murmured.

"Hey Ron." She whispered softly, smiling sweetly at him "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run-over by a herd of skrewts." He muttered and let his gaze sweep through the place. The Gryffindor Common room so it seemed. Then what were Zabini and Alex doing here? His eyes ended on his best friend, Harry, looking at him with a worried frown.

With a jolt he sat upright, remembering. "Harry! I had the strangest dream… Don't laugh, but seriously; I dreamed that Malfoy kissed you!" he sniggered at Harry's dumbfounded expression "Really! And you didn't protest! As a matter a fact, you seemed to enjoy it… It was like you two were in love…"

Finbar covered a chuckle with a cough and shook his head. Alex shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Blaise snorted. Seamus's lips pulled into a tight line, Dean seemed rather curious, and Neville looked sick.

Harry cleared his throat and looked at Ron with mortifying seriousness "You're my best friend, right?"

"Yeah, of course…" Ron answered slowly; not really understanding where the-boy-who-lived was getting at.

"And you'll always be there for me right?"

Ron arched an eyebrow quizzically "Always, I've never done differently, haven't I?"

"And you'll accept me as I am?"

"Bloody Merlin, Harry yes! You know that!" he partially shouted, eyes narrowing with suspicion. He didn't like the way his friends were exchanging knowing looks. Ron had thought they would have started laughing hysterically at his absurd dream. Instead they were being secretive. The Gryffindor was growing increasingly angrier; he didn't like being left out of the loop.

Harry wrung his hands and took particular interest in pulling on a stray strand of material from his blouse. "Even if I said that Draco and I have a relationship?"

Ron stared at him for a while, jaw slightly agape. The clock's ticking sounded deafening in the crushing silence. And then Ron started howling in laughter, tears streaming down his cheeks. Between fits of laughter they managed to get "AhaAAAAh! That's… ahaaa… A good one… HAAAAAAAAAhaHA… mate…" and finally calming down a bit he sniggered "Bloody brilliant, you looked sososo serious…"

Finbar put a hand on Harry's shoulder as support, granting the emerald-eyed youth the courage to go on "I am serious… Ron."

Ron swallowed, shaking his head fervently "No."

Harry nodded, dark strands flopping over his eyes.

"Oh no…"

"Yes." Harry said and looked in Ron's eyes with genuine honesty.

"When?" Ron screeched; voice disturbingly high-pitched all of a sudden.

"Last night." The Gryffindor whispered, sparing Ron any details.

Ron let himself drop back into the welcoming support of the couch and pillows, and held on to Hermione's hand as if his life depended on it. Or rather his sanity. "But you hated each other…"

"Well… turns out he's one hell of a kisser…" Harry tried to joke, hoping to lighten the mood. No such thing though.

Ron folded his arm over his eyes "No details." He pleaded, trying to concentrate on Hermione's thumb rubbing the back of his hand.

"I can't help the way I'm feeling…" Harry told him, eyes downcast, as if he were hoping to find an answer on the ground.

"And what if he turns his back on you? What if he betrays you?" Ron asked with a clear voice, peeking at Harry from under an arm.

The emerald eyed youth was pleasantly surprised as Ron seemed to be worried more about his safety than about the fact that he was having a relationship with their former nemesis. "I know… but I trust him." he ran a hand through his black hair.

And then Alex's soft voice answered the unspoken question. "Drake's gone back home, risking his life. He's joined the Light side… they probably won't kill him just yet. They'll ask him to prove his loyalty… thus getting Marked." Her voice choked and she looked at the bracelet in her hand palm.

"Either he accepts the invitation or they'll kill him." Blaise finished softly, bright brown eyes glazed over, conveying his pain.

Ron watched the last retreating back disappear through the portrait hole. Harry had left with Alex and Blaise, wanting to know more about what exactly was awaiting the Slytherin. With a growl he sharply punched a pillow.

Finbar looked up from the book Firenze gave him; something he was really enjoying. It was about ancient magic theories. The oldest one was the Elemental theory; it talked about the seven elements needed for complete harmony… though he was vaguely confused as he could only count four: Fire, Earth, Wind and Water, but then again he only were in the intro so far.

Hermione put a hand on Ron's arm for support. She knew how hard it was for him, and she'd been so proud when he hadn't exploded to Harry. He really was the best friend Harry could wish for as he had realized that the raven head had been quite upset about Draco's sudden departure, even if he tried to joke it away.

"My best friend's dating the guy I hate the most…" He sighed resting his head in his hands. "I can't believe it… And I didn't see it…"

Hermione smiled understandingly "I think neither of them really saw what was happening until last night…"

"And then I'm not really mad because it's Malfoy of all people, but what will he do if he betrays him?" Ron asked, outing his deepest concern.

Not looking up from his dusty book, Finbar replied "He won't."

"And what makes you so sure of that, Wolfman?" Ron said on a heavy sigh.

This time he looked up and smiled lopsidedly as he tapped his index finger under his right eye.

Ron opened his mouth, then shut it. He looked from Finbar to Hermione and then at Seamus. "I don't know…"

Neville glowered. "How can you all be so calm about this? This is Malfoy we are talking about!" He stood up and paced through the room "You know what he's like. Look at what he's done to us; he called Hermione a you-know-what, he insulted Ron's family multiple times, he's been rude and mean to me. He's the son of a Death Eater." He stopped in front of the fireplace, drawing in an uneven breath. He turned around "For all I know, he's being Marked right now, as a reward for seducing Harry, winning valuable information and leading us all to defeat."

Now it was Lavender's time to speak up. "Please, Neville calm down." She twirled a lock of hair between her fingers, biting her lower lip. "I can understand how you feel and I certainly don't approve it either… but I think we should give them a chance when Malf-…Draco," she corrected "comes back."

"If he comes back." Dean added.

Next Day. Dinner.

Harry staggered into the Great Hall, head hanging, feet dragging. He hadn't eaten since Draco had left. He simple wasn't hungry and being himself, he'd already lost weight again as Finbar worryingly had pointed out he could count Harry's ribs.

Christmas had always been something he'd enjoyed at Hogwarts, seeing as everybody shared the same table, even though the table was considerably longer this year as most elder students had stayed over for Christmas. This was the safest place after all. Yet Harry couldn't suppress a feeling emptiness as he remembered last Christmas.
Sirius... God how he missed him; more than he could afford. His attempts with the mirror hadn't brought up anything save for his own reflecting scowling back up at him. A deep ache filled him and unshed tears stung his eyes. He was finding it hard to accept that he would never see Sirius again, never hear him laugh again, talk to him, joke with him, be with him, anything. He was dead.

A wave of sound, the merest whispers, shot through the Hall, higher years turning and exchanging meaningful glances with higher years from the other houses.

Harry frowned and checked whether he'd forgotten to put on pants. Then he remembered. Right… The kiss. He tried to keep his face blank as he continued his way up to his usual spot in between Ron and Hermione. He slumped down and grunted a reply to Hermione's forced cheerful 'Goodmorning!'.

Harry's anxiety shot upwards as the whispering didn't cease but continued on as he weren't there in the first place.
Seeking her out on his radar he seemed to have developed for her, he let his eyes be drawn to where he felt her. Automatically Alex raised her eyes to look at him, smiling weakly in return. Glad he wasn't the only one looking like a complete mess today… Alex was in quite a similar state; dark bags under her eyes, white hair a tangled mess, and definitely a few pounds skinnier. Her cheeks were hollow and her shoulders were clearly visible even under the thick sweater she'd probably stolen from Blaise.

He pushed his dinner around on his plate, trying to distract himself from all the gossip being exchanged around the table. Great, another thing to make him special.

That night, 1:04

Barefooted, Harry padded through the cold castle, rubbing his arms to chase away the biting cold. He'd sought refugee in his silent walks through the castle at night, trying to sort out whatever he was feeling. No way could he deny the attraction he felt for the Slytherin, but there was more…As Harry had watched him go, he had felt as if his heart had left with him. Things… couldn't have changed that quickly, could they? And then there was the dull ache in his chest that belonged to the fact that Sirius was not here. Why was it that whenever he got close to anybody, they'd get into trouble? Or worse; die.

Suddenly a familiar voice startled Harry out of his musings: "Would you like a cup of hot cocoa?"

They sat at the table, two silent figures, each with their own private fears, neither of them knowing what to think or say. Steeling himself, he looked straight into Remus' eyes and said "I don't know what to do."

Remus leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. He frowned down in the brown and warm drink, inhaling the sweet scents, thinking about what exactly he should say. Periodically chewing on his lower lip he looked back up at his best friend's son. "I won't lie to you Harry…" he began hesitantly "I was rather… surprised… when he kissed you."

"Bet he felt the same way…" Harry mumbled weakly, stirring his cooling cocoa with an index finger.

He tilted his head sideways, observing the young man in front of him. "What happened between the two of you…?"

Putting his finger in his mouth and tasting cocoa, Harry frowned, seriously contemplating that question himself. "Well… I don't know really. It wasn't like –bang- there it was… but…" he shrugged "I don't know… he's changed so much and when I began to feel attracted…" he trailed off, how was he supposed to explain anyway? He didn't understand himself, starting this year he had been ready to drink his blood and just now they've kissed each other. But Draco was… intoxicating, something he'd always go back for.

Remus smiled at Harry's complete and utter confused expression. "It's not that I disapprove it Harry, don't worry." He reassured him as the-boy-who-lived glanced up at him quickly as if fearing to see nothing but disgust on the werewolf's face. "But you can't blame me for not knowing how to handle this."

Nodding, Harry grinned slightly "Don't know how to handle this myself either. Then how are you supposed to?"

Remus hmm-ed as he took a sip form his steaming mug. "I just want you to be careful…"

It took surprisingly a lot of restraint to keep himself from jumping to Draco's defense. But he could understand how others felt about their improbable relationship…
Now there was another thing to chew upon; what had they anyway? Were they a couple now? And if they were, how much of it was purely physical attraction and how much emotional?

Watching as different expressions crossed over Harry's face, the werewolf felt his heart reach out to the young Gryffindor. Trying to save Harry from his turbulent emotions threatening to suck up all his energy and inner-peace, he offered him some candy he'd brought back from his trip to Hogsmeade.

Harry picked out a Chocoball, deciding that it had been a while since he'd eaten one of those. Something awfully sugary might be able to soothe his tense body.

Reluctantly Remus helped himself to a Pepper Imp; head propped up a fist "These were Sirius favorites…" Closing his eyes, he pushed the candy in his mouth. He chewed experimentally. So far so good… Or not. Feeling like somebody had poured boiling hot lava into his mouth, he gasped for air as a burning pain tore at his tongue, mouth and throat.

While sat there clutching his throat Harry had jumped up to fetch him a glass of water. Accepting the cool liquid, he downed it in one motion.

Gasping for air he uttered dryly "Good Heavens…" a puff smoke left his mouth.

Harry stared blankly at Remus before both of them burst out in laughter. Hiccupping and holding their stomach they felt all the built-up tension relieve itself, a lazy content feeling taking its place.

Wiping away tears of laughter and settling down, vaguely realizing it hadn't been that hilarious, Harry sighed deeply. A nostalgic smile spread over his features, very similar to the look Remus had on his face.

"Moony?"

"Hmm."

"Do you think they could… hear us?" Harry whispered clumsily.

Remus' amber eyes took in the lonely longing Harry carried in his eyes. But he felt exactly the same… it was as if Sirius was closer than ever yet further away all the same. "Yes. I'm sure they can."

The Night Before Christmas.

Harry lifted a pale and elegant hand to brush away those annoying strands of silky blonde hair and keep them from flopping back into his face. Harry's latent memory pointed out that he didn't have hands like those, let alone blonde hair, but he was busy enough trying to keep up with the conversation between his father (since when did he have a father?) and the Dark Lord. Narcissa offered him some more bread. He refused; stomach had been upset ever since he'd been informed that 'Uncle Voldemort' would be staying over for dinner. They were talking about something concerning an attack that would be plotted soon, but both of them were using keywords he didn't understand. He only knew it wouldn't be pretty.

With a sigh he whirled his wine around in the crystal goblet, studying the little vortex he'd created. He really didn't like being toyed with, it was really starting to grate his nerves; first the whole forced polite and caring welcome he'd received, secondly the amount of presents he'd received early for his Christmas and now a celebrating dinner.

Realizing the conversation was over, Harry's guard tightened once again. Lucius looked at him. This was it.

And then the dream changed, Harry was pulled back, as if floating to the ceiling and looking down on the scene beneath him. Suddenly it all made sense, as he saw Draco leaning back casually on his chair, legs crossed, foot bouncing up and down to vent his nervousness.

This was no dream… this was really happening. Yet different than all other experiences he'd had before. First of all he'd started off in Draco's point of view and now he was observing the scene in some detached manner, as if watching memories in a pensive; only he could feel the tension thicken and unspoken conversations being held.

Lucius dabbed his lips with a linen napkin "A toast to my son." He said, pausing as he rose from his chair; a small smile pealing onto his face "A genius."

Draco tried to ignore the boring stare of Voldemort and any other signs of confusion. Not wanting to have to look at either of them, he lifted a bite of lobster from his plate.

"But I'm curious, son, how did manage to win that old fool's trust?"

Draco stared at him, baffled; lobster dropping unceremoniously back on his plate with a splat. They thought it was a set-up. He let out a small laugh, but didn't really know what to say. The damn irony of it all.

His father smiled generously at him and it pained Draco to know that it would be the last time. It pained him to know his father only did so because he thought his own son had betrayed Dumbledore's trust, ready to spy for the Dark Lord and crawl in submission.

"Don't look so surprised son!" Lucius said jovially "I'm really proud."

Now Voldemort rose from his chair, the hammering in Draco's skull increasing. He still hadn't said a word and somehow Draco knew he wasn't fooled, even as he was perfectly composed; eyes and facial expression devoid of any emotion. The Dark Lord was prying into his brain; it felt like mud being dug up in a clear river.

Lucius continued his speech, unaware of the growing tension between The Dark Lord and his son "So…" he said almost excitably "Our Master has decided that it would be entirely appropriate if you were initiated too."

Draco stared at them blankly, mind reeling. Only one realization rang clearly in his head 'I'm toast.'

He took a deep breath and rose himself now, even though he couldn't stop his fists from trembling "Never." He said softly. Narcissa gasped, covering her mouth with a delicate hand.

The expression on his father's sharp face would have been amusing if the circumstances hadn't been life-threatening.

Louder now, he repeated "Never. I'd rather die."

A few seconds passed away in crushing silence.

"Naturally." was all the Dark Lord said as he waved his hand dismissively. "Lucius!"

Narcissa was sobbing softly, whispering pleading sounds as she scrambled up and ran to Lucius' side. "Darling!" she tugged at his arm desperately "Please! Don't…"

Lucius shrugged her off harshly, finally coming to his senses. "Prepare yourself boy." He said hoarsely.

It surprised Draco how calm he felt, even though it saddened him to know his own father choose that maniac over his own blood. He raised himself defiantly, meeting equal slate grey eyes without blinking.

Lucius' wand shook as he pointed it at Draco's chest "Crucio!"

Harry screamed to no avail, trying to reach Draco; a tremor ran over his spine as he heard another voice scream the blonde's name in unison with him. Alex! She was here! Suddenly a piece of this puzzle clicked in place. Not even a week ago, he'd shared a nightmare with her; he'd even cried her tears. And right now, although he didn't know how it was possible, Alex seemed to be connected to Draco in some way, and Harry in turn was connected with Alex. He was seeing what she was seeing. This was Alex's vision.
He cried Draco's name out again, sheer panic taking over the ability to reason clearly. But then his eyes widened when he saw that although the Unforgivable had hit him in full force, Draco was till standing, head thrown back, eyes pressed shut, fists shaking. He was fighting against the Dark Curse. Impossible.

Sweat pearled on his forehead, he couldn't breathe, and he could feel his heart protest in his chest. But Draco didn't scream, he didn't even whimper. He would not give them the satisfaction. He refused. It would all be over soon anyway.

The rushing between his temples became deafening, but he could make out Voldemort's furious growl, "Damn boy…" and he knew a second wand was being pointed at him. A wand that held the same core as Harry's. Such irony.

"Crucio!"

The second Unforgivable joined the first.

Draco was moved from his feet with enough violence to kill. He went hurtling through the air and landed sharply against the wall. He stumbled and fell to his knees, coughing up bright ribbons of blood that spattered and then sank into the expensive carpet. He could hear his mother's piercing scream, faint in his ears. He bit his tongue and drew blood, yet he didn't even realize it; all his remaining sane and coherent thoughts focusing at the unbearable pain in his chest. His mouth fell open in a soundless cry, eyes widening in horrification as the pressure in his chest doubled. And then the last wave of agony consumed him, the alien throbbing in his torso releasing itself through a deathly explosion. Pain pierced him one last time. Blood was dripping from his body. He could feel it.

DRACCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Harry screamed the name out loud, while Alex's voice rang in his head in unison with him. As soon as the clear sound ebbed away it was replaced by an all-consuming pain in his forehead. Or maybe it had been there all along, because he could already feel warm blood seeping from his scar, down his nose and over his chin. Shocked, Harry opened his right hand and caught the drops dripping steadily from his face. Within seconds a puddle had formed in his palm.
He stumbled from his bed, falling to his knees. Rustling and damped voices was all that came through. Someone touched his shoulder. Instinctively he bolted up, fists flying. Alex training sessions were starting to pay off. He only swatted air though, as he was too weak and disorientated.

"Harry…" Ron slumped down next to him on the cold floor. He didn't look too good. Another movement caught his eye as Finbar leaned against the wall, panting heavily. "We have to go outside Harry." Ron mumbled.

Harry shook his head in confusion. "W-what?"

"She is waiting for us…" he breathed, trying to pull to himself to his feet "I have to go there. Help her."

Trying to shake Ron out of his trance, Harry pleaded "Ron! Are you okay?"

The redhead caught Harry's gaze, his eyes clear. "It's okay." And then he staggered out of the room.

Finbar pushed himself of the wall "The Wheel of Fate turns." He murmured, looking at Harry with a pained expression. "We cannot stop it." Then he followed out after Ron.

Seamus, Dean and Neville gathered around him. "W-w-w-ha…" The Irish boy surprisingly enough managed to stutter.

He turned to look at them. They were unaffected. Speaking of which… going outside didn't seem to be such a bad idea. Outside would be much better. No why would he? Why would he want to go outside? Trembling in frustration he made a decision. "Guys; warn Dumbledore and tell him to go outside…"

Before any questions could be asked, Harry sprinted after his two friends. "Bring Pomfrey too!" he yelled as he ran down the stairs, into the Common Room and just in time to see Hermione hop through the portrait hole. Harry hurried after her through the hallways, catching up with her.

"Hermione!"

"I have to go…" she slurred "Outside. She needs our help."

Harry's mind worked in top-speed. What was going on? Suddenly he understood; Imperious. Oh no. His friends were possessed. Buy why them? He could feel the voice urging him to comply, but he'd always been able to throw it off. Weird enough his companions still seemed to have a choice themselves. They didn't want to resist.
Realizing they were running down the marble staircase and nearing the Entrance Gates, he tried to blank his mind and follow his instinct instead. The door was already open and snow sprayed in as a dancing waterfall, coating the floor white with flakes. The soles of his feet left narrow footprints in the cold layer as he passed through the gates and into the night. The moon was high in the sky, stained a pale yellow.

Skidding to a stop, Harry took in the scene in growing horror:

Alex sat serenely in the white snow, legs folded neatly underneath her, and arms spread wide with palms facing forward. Her entire body glowed with a soft golden light. A muggle surely would have mistaken her for some sort of angel, but a wizard, such as Harry, could feel the air brimming with strongly concentrated magic. But it was a force he'd never felt before, it sharpened his senses and made his soul call out in recognition.

Blaise was already sitting in the snow next to Alex. Noticing their presence, he smiled slightly up at them, yet fear spoke in his eyes. He took the young woman's hand in his right and held his left out to Harry. He cast one last glance at Alex' face, whose eyes had been closed the whole time. Slowly, he kneeled into the snow next to Blaise, accepting the offer of his hand. Hermione sat down next to him and automatically he entwined their fingers as well. Finbar lowered himself next to her and finally Ron between Finbar and Alex. A circle had been formed.

Alex opened her eyes. They were brimming in the dark as two unearthly big, green fireflies. She mouthed a 'thank you'.

And then it began. She tilted her head backwards, eyes looking up in the sky as her lips started to form words of a language that didn't really exist, yet one that every living being knew. A language every presence carried deep within them, a language every one could speak, if only they searched for it. The language of the soul.
A sharp pain shot around the circle as her mantra became more urgent, words and sounds spilling fluently from her lips. Each one of them could feel something respond deep within them, as if it had been awakened from a long slumber. Harry could hear Hermione gasp next to him as each one of them began to glow as well. Suddenly a glittering dome of pale yellow light enclosed them as if a bowl had been overturned onto the circle.
The air around them started to buzz as Alex continued to extract magic out of them, concentrating in the centre.
Harry groaned as the suction intensified, a last hurdle of gathering magic reaching its peek. And then if went fast: the light seemed to shape between them. First there was only light. But the light thickened and swelled until it was no longer light.

A horrified shout left Harry's lips as Draco suddenly lay in their midst. Slate grey eyes stared lifelessly up at the sky, mouth open and dried blood on his lips. Chest split in two. Literally. Tears rolled over his cheeks as he could simple see into his body, and make out the crushed ribcage, torn tissue and shredded flesh.

Every soul within earshot turned cold at the keening wail that rose from Harry's lips.

Thankfully it also shook Alex out the stupor of initial shock. She crawled over to his body, cradling him close to her, biting back her own tears, swallowing her cries. No time now, she needed to bring him back. Make him breath. She had to tell him. Tell him that they needed him. Tell him that she loved him. Tell him that they were…

The nauseating smell of burning flesh penetrated her nostrils to the point of having to vomit. But instead she gritted her teeth and covered the wound with her hand. Barely, the gash was wider than the full length of her hand and about five times longer. The mantra rolled once again from her lips as she rocked back and forth slightly, but the words were laced together in a song, an eerie prayer.

At first nothing seemed to happen. And nothing really did until… Draco was breathing once more. Somewhere during Alex's ancient mantra, everyone exclaimed softly as they noticed Draco breathing in time with Alex; slow, careful breaths. Blood bubbled up from his lips and from jagged cracks in his skin, but he was certainly more alive than he had been a few moments ago. All eyes were transfixed by the chilling sight of one woman trading half her life away to save a friend. As the minutes ticked away, Alex's shirt became soaked with Draco's blood and her own skin became paler in contrast. The healing spells could no longer hold back completely the havoc she was wreaking on her own body, and her skin shaded to a pale, deathly gray.

With a shot off sheer panic Alex realized she could not save him. Not without having to trade her own life for his. Shaking her head franticly, Alex looked up, her gaze sweeping one last time through the circle. Wait! Her eyes landed on Harry's tear stained face. If only…

Suddenly Harry keeled over, writhing in the snow as if he ingested snakes. He could feel something that didn't belong to him creeping through his body making his intestines twist and turn within him. Suddenly he heard a voice as he retched again:

Sorry! Oh Harry I'm so sorry… I-I didn't mean to hurt you.

Unbelievingly he raised his head, only to see Alex's body lying lifelessly in the snow while Draco's contracted with spastic movements. Within seconds he was bowed over both bodies, trembling in pure shock.

Harry! It's okay! I'm okay!

"A-Alex…?"

Yes, it's me. No time to explain now. Help me…please.

"H-how?" he stammered out loud.

You can heal him. Only you can…

"B-but I…"

No time Harry! Please! We have to be quick! Feel me. I'm right here.

The hairs in his neck rose as a wave of soft bustling energy washed over him.

Right here.

Deep within him something responded.

Feel me. Don't worry. You'll know. We'll do this together. He's still here. Bring him back.

And then, automatically, he reached out to Draco's limp form and resolutely placed both hands on his chest. And then he spoke. An ancient instinct carried him away on a language he didn't understand. And almost immediately the damaged home of Draco's soul responded, and the wound twisted under his shaking fingers. But his immense relief couldn't compare to the horrified shout leaving his lips as agonizing pain exploded within his own chest.

Trust me! I won't let you go. I promise.

Harry nodded, not really realizing it was rather unnecessary. Thus he gritted his teeth, as he shared his own life with Draco, starting to rock back and forth just like Alex had done. His lips moved faster, the prayer turning more desperate. Sweat beaded on his forehead, refusing to give up on the young man he'd only just begun to know. The mantra became groan and finally a shout, followed by roaring in his ears, an unbearable flash of pain and then… nothing.

Darkness. Complete, never-ending and ever-lasting darkness. He couldn't remember how long he'd been here; he didn't even know where 'here' was. There was no here, no there, no nothing. Just this endless darkness. He could go up, he could go left, right and down. But he'd always end back up here. If he'd really moved at all. He couldn't tell.
Utter dark turned slowly to a ruddy haze, and by the time he'd floated to the top of his formless dreams, he began to be aware of several things. He was alive. That fact hit him like a sledgehammer.

Eyelids were drowsily pulled up to reveal watery, confused slate grey eyes. Groaning, Draco sat up, clutching his head. His attention though was rather quickly drawn to something stirring besides him.

"Arck!"

Within a heartbeat both young men were standing at either side of some unknown bed. He met the equally startled expression of Harry looking all tow-headed, sleep-mussed and adorable. He only was wearing nothing but low-slung white linen trousers.

Draco came first out of his stupor. "Wow, déjà-vu…" he said with a lopsided grin and started to walk around to the back of the bed, realizing they were in the hospital wing. Huh?

Letting out a relieved snigger Harry moved to stand next to him, willing the fuzzy fog clouding his brain to go away. Draco turned to look at him, shrugging.

Harry's eyes widened, and his breath hitched.

Tilting his head sideward, Draco squinted at him." What?" he asked, before smirking full-out "See something you like?"

It was then Draco realized the expression wasn't one of pleasant surprise. His eyes were pulled in the direction Harry was staring. Trembling, he raised his hand to his chest. Fingers traced the long scar that ran diagonally across his chest. His once stainless and faultless skin was carved by rough, reddish scar, running from his right shoulder down to the left side of his ribcage.

And then images came flooding back into his mind as a tidal wave. His usual look of smugness and haughtiness was replaced by sheer panic and terror as a sharp ache pierced his chest. That ache suddenly intensified, unbearably. He let out a strangled, sharp cry as he fell to his knees, instinctively trying to bundle up.

Within his own pain, he hadn't noticed Harry doing exactly the same thing. Both young men were gasping for air, clutching the place where their heart thudded unevenly against the protesting ribcage.

As in a dream, both moved a hand towards each other without even realizing it. The moment their fingertips brushes, they entwined their fingers. The pain left as soon as it had come.

"What the hell is going on here?" Draco demanded at no-one in particular, as he got up more straight to his knees. Harry nodded in agreement.

"Hush…"

Both heads turned to look at Dumbledore whom was looking at them with uncovered amazement. "You'll wake your relative…" he said, gesturing at the bed next to them.

Scrambling up to his feet, dragging the Gryffindor with him, Draco frowned at the previously unnoticed form sleeping soundlessly in the bed next to theirs. Alex.

"My best friend." he corrected.

Dumbledore smiled at the Slytherin in an enigmatic way, blue eyes twinkling softly.

"Your sister."

---

BEFORE anyone goes: 'His sister? That's so cliché!' …wait me out on this one cause it doesn't quite turn out how it usually does in most fics... But then again I love evil cliffhangers XD

People, I need you to be painfully honest on this chapter with me, because I will go as far as re-writing it all over again, cause this chapter is crucial to the WHOLE DAMN STORY! (can you tell I'm a little stressed out about it?). And other than that, I'm aware that it might be a little dramatic, but I just couldn't resist, geheh…