Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic.

By Wihstrum

Chapter Eighteen: Revelations and Complications.

Bereft of speech and blood draining from his face, Draco swayed slightly as he tried to get hold of something to keep him from fainting. Harry being closest found himself grabbing the blonde before he could keel over. All the while Draco's eyes never left the face of his so-called sister.
His brain worked at top-speed: Her eyes were green whilst his were artic grey, her hair was white yet his was silvery-blonde, her face was soft and inviting but his was sharp and stoic, her cheeks and nose were covered with numerous freckles though he hadn't even had half of what she had spread over his body, and lastly; even though it was in the middle of the winter her skin remained bronze-colored while his was as pale as moonlight.

Meanwhile Harry had his own inner struggle and was frowning rather disbelieving himself.
"You are the one that has to end this nonsense, thus also stopping him from making something like me ever again. He failed to get me under his command, but who knows what happens next time?"
He recalled her saying during their first training session. Make, she'd accidentally slipped the word in her haste. But if what she'd said had been true, than that would mean Dumbledore was lying…

Draco shook his head defiantly; eyes shadowed darkly, "It's impossible... First of all, she looks about our age and we are most definitely not twins and second of all, when I was born my mother had several internal bleedings… sadly enough resulting in her uterus being removed."

Conjuring a fluffy chair for himself, Dumbledore sat down. "True." He admitted, still smiling mysteriously.

That was what it took to let Draco's patience snap and crumble to dust "Okay that's it! I want some explanations!" He stood up, unconsciously dragging Harry with him. "Now!" he added imperiously.

"First of all. How did I get here?" he held up his index finger, while his gaze flicked down to his scarred chest. "Alive nonetheless?"

"Second of all; what's the bloody hell are you babbling about Alex being my sister?" his thumb joined the index finger and his cheeks flushed red in frustration.

"And third of all…" he hissed, lifting his and Harry's joined hands for emphasis. "How?"

Although Harry winced at Draco's harsh words, he couldn't help but silently agree with him. Groaning quietly he massaged his left temple with his free hand.

"Calm down Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore ushered him gently.

But it seemed that only Harry managed to catch the distinct order laced in-between the gentle tone as Draco's fury hit boiling-point. "CALM DOWN?" he screeched, letting go of Harry's hand as he leaped forward. Only to sink to the floor bonelessly, crying out in pain.

Harry let out a sharp breath and felt like crumpling to a pathetic heap. Sharp pain seared through his chest; as the rhythm of his heart shook unsteadily, writhing on the bed and gasping for air. All of a sudden the pain ebbed away and it took a while to realize that Draco was clinging on his leg as if his life depended on it.
And it did, they were somehow bonded, Harry suddenly realized as he tried to sit up straight. "H-how long?"

"A week." Dumbledore answered solemnly.

Somewhere on the ground Draco let out a murmur of dismay and Harry quickly helped him back up the bed. All the while Alex hadn't even stirred, the only proof she was alive was that her chest rose and fell, even if it were barely visible. Her features were worn and haggard and sickly colored. Her eyes seemed to be sunken deeper into her skull, black marks surrounding them. Her white hair lay sprawled around her head, tangled and messy. But she breathed.

Apparently Draco had her noticed her poor physical health as well since he stiffened rigidly, "Is she okay?" came his barely audible whisper.

"She's suffering from magical exhaustion… but she'll be fine if she remains from using magic for the remained of this week…" Dumbledore explained with a grave tone in his voice.

"And the others…? Are they alright?" Harry queried, eyes going wide as events from last night seeped in again more clearly.

"Yes Mr. Potter, no need to panic. All four of them are doing just fine even though they, too, are not allowed to use any form of magic just as Alex is, but they weren't so badly affected. Tired and upset, yes, but doing fine." He turned his piercing gaze to Draco, the latter returning it defiantly "Your death affected them in ways they couldn't imagine."

"Death?" Draco choked out as all rebellious resistance left him instantly. He'd actually died?

"Yes. Death." Dumbledore continued to eye him thoughtfully from over his half-moon spectacles. "That's why the two of you are bonded to each other. What you used, Harry, was some form of ancient magic, forgotten over time. You traded your life-force in order to restore Draco's body and secondly you did something no-one has succeeded in doing so far: reviving a person without the actual use of Dark Magic. The other side of that resulted in the two of you being bonded with goal to fully restore each of your life-force until you are able to let go of each other again."

"And that is…in a week?" Draco spoke softly, having too much trouble to take in all this information at once.

Dumbledore's mouth was struggling to hold back a smile. "One week in which you can't separate… and a second week in which you two should be able to let go of each other for about an hour or four. The time determined of letting go should increase as the week progresses."

Bound to Draco. 24/7. How was he going to survive? Snogging and kissing was one thing, but to be with the Slytherin, all the time?

"And… we have to be touching each other." Came the hoarse reply. Apparently the blonde couldn't quite believe what was being said. "All the time?"

"Yes…" The smile flicked onto his face "Preferably skin-to-skin contact." He smiled full-out now, rather close to grinning, disturbingly out of character both young men found.

"Bloody Merlin." Harry breathed rather desperately.

"As for how you got here…" Dumbledore went on quickly as Draco's right eye twitched. "You should thank six people for that…"

Remembering the scene of the circle Harry whispered "Blaise, Hermione, Ron, Finbar, me and…" Sadly, he looked over to the sleeping form in the bed next to theirs "Alex."

"Correct." Dumbledore answered "And that's where your blood tie lies…"

Draco frowned and unconsciously leaned closer to Harry's warm torso. "So I really am…" he swallowed convulsively, "Her brother?"

"Theoretically… yes." The ancient wizard said "Technically… no."

Risking a look at Draco's face, the Gryffindor saw he was close to getting a nerve-breakdown.

"Let me explain: Officially, Alex could never be your sister." He said clearly; leaving the information to seep in.

"As she is not human." came another voice, which was distinctly different, colder and sleeker then the Headmaster's.

Snape glided closer to their bed, moving like a shadow with as much noise. His gaze lingering on Harry and Draco's entwined fingers with disgust, and especially as he saw Draco leaning ever-so-slightly against Harry's shoulder. But he continued, even if it were with more venom: "Her vessel bears the same genetic composing as yours; the blood that runs through both your veins is related. In theory."

"Vessel?" Harry whispered.

A sneer was directed at him "Yes, Potter, vessel. The body we created for It to live in. 'Alex' itself, didn't have anything to do with being human at first."

"She what?" Draco slurred.

Snape seemed edging nearer to losing his patience, "Alex, is in fact the first magic essence with an 'intelligent' awareness, as if so to speak."

Dumbledore took back over "We humans find ourselves worthy enough to decide what is or isn't intelligent. Sadly enough there are numberless interpretations to the word 'intelligent'. You should ask young Mr. Ganad for more insight…"

"Anyway…" Snape drawled, not really appreciating the interruption "The original plan was to imbue the 'aware magic' into a dragon, or something powerful… as she was designed to be the ultimate weapon for war. But then a dragon proved to be too big and obvious for enemies in a tactical battle… we thought long, deciding on the perfect disguise for a lethal weapon. We chose a young woman."

"And 'we' being?" Harry growled despite his efforts not to.

Snape looked at him calculatingly, after a while he answered, without diverting his eyes "Lucius Malfoy, The Dark Lord and I…"

Harry nodded, secretly admiring for the Potions Master's honesty.

"Speaking of which… As we sought out the ingredients for creating an empty vessel, we stumbled upon a complication. Besides the very rare ingredients already needed such as a Wyvern's Heart, Nectar of the Desert Flower Bayan, Materialized Moonlight and a Dragoon's Skeleton… we needed blood and seed. Seed of a man… Lucius was the one who took on that responsibility.

The vessel was completed, the aware energy fused with it. It was a success…" He sighed and looked at Alex's face and Harry was surprised to see genuine sorrow "And that's when I called upon Abus's help… I realized I'd created the perfect weapon, with no free-will nor the ability to question her actions."

With a vexed sort of sigh, Snape paused, eyes narrowing against the upcoming headache "And that's something nobody deserves; all should be able to have a choice. The solution was rather obvious; we had to give her a personality. Of course, that was a very delicate task; and the only way to know whether we succeeded was to leave her to develop it further on her own accord. I am very pleased with results."

"That still doesn't explain how she got me here…" Draco said with a leaden voice. Yet Harry knew that beneath the dull tone of his voice a veiled pain lurked, of forcing himself not to feel what he instinctively wanted to.

"One can't apparate someone else. But the identical genetic structure you both share and your weak state allowed her to manipulate your body as it was drifting in unconsciousness. To achieve such strong display of High leveled energy, bordering on the edge of Dark, a lot of strongly concentrated magic was required…"

Dumbledore looked at them intently "Why exactly she chose the five of you to achieve that goal is beyond me… but such actions never come without even greater consequences…" The old sorcerer scratched his beard thoughtfully.

The question 'what consequences' must have shown on their faces because Dumbledore smiled at them, "But now your primary concern is to get better… Poppy will be here any moment with something for you two to eat and drink, along with your medicines…" And then he stood up, snapped his fingers at which the fluffy chair disappeared with a 'plop' and turned to leave.

Snape seemed having trouble deciding on how to behave. Eventually he said, tone bordering on respect, "It has only begun, and I hope you are as strong as everybody seems to think you are, Mr.Potter…" And strode out, robe billowing behind him.

Blinking, Harry considered the wizard's words as it reminded him of Finbar's words; The Wheel of Fate Turns… we cannot stop it… How much more did Finbar know?
And what was his part in this, save for ultimately trying to bring down Voldemort… More likely me being brought down by The Dark Lord, Harry thought bitterly.

Furthermore musing was interrupted as Draco suddenly murmured; voice soft and raw with emotion and frustration "I need to sit down…"

"You're already sitting…" Harry pointed out.

"Then I need to lie down…" the Seeker retorted, his chest felt painfully tight. With that he let himself fall back into the welcome soft blankets with a loud groan.

Feeling distinctly uncomfortable Harry slipped his hand out of Draco's tight grip, resting it on the other's knee instead. Great. What now?

Poppy came in not so long after, and made them eat a big chunk of chocolate with some Pumpkin juice to flush it down. Both were forced to down some awful tasting liquid and Harry suspected she'd slipped some sleeping draught into Draco's. A very strong one, so it seemed, since he keeled over as if he were hit with a stunner.
That left Harry the tedious task of pulling his dead weight completely onto the bed and tuck him in. Draco was not very cooperative even if he were asleep, he just clamped onto Harry's arm, leaving the other crouched over rather immobile. With some nudging and prodding he crawled under the blankets next to Draco, pushing him off carefully. He was absurdly shy and didn't know why. Making sure one last time their ankles were touching Harry submitted to the welcome sleep himself.

Eyes fluttered open drowsily as the first gray hues were recognized as dawning morning, filtering through the curtains. That and Draco's head resting on the same pillow as his, face turned towards him, sleeping silently. Harry didn't want anything else than to lean over and meet those slightly parted lips with his own, but he found himself holding back. Would Draco allow him? A hollow feeling settled in his stomach as he thought about it. Besides being forced of holding on to each other, no hint of anything else had been shown. What if last week had only been a fling in Draco's turbulent and confusing emotions? Just one of those spur-of-the-moment things that meant nothing. He'd probably never expected to come back. Literally.
Why did this upset him so much? This was Draco, a sharp painful voice inside his head spoke through the confused haze of his mind… He hated you.

He allowed a trembling hand lifting up to touch Draco's cheek. One last time… he promised himself.

The moment the tip of his index finger made contact with Draco's skin, the eyelids of the previously thought to be sleeping Slytherin slid open.

"Good morning…" came the muffled greeting as he blinked a few times, fighting off the last shreds of sleep.

Harry didn't dare to utter a word nor a sound. He just looked at Draco with wide green eyes, sadness and terrible confusion evident even if he tried so hard to shield it.

"What?" Draco asked with some trepidation. "Did I grope you or something when I was knocked out?"

The expression in Harry's eyes softened, melted by the complete obliviousness in Draco's voice.

"Hn." Draco sighed, casting a reproachful look at him "You are weirded out by this." At 'this' he wriggled his leg Harry hadn't realized that had been entwined with his own. He moved to pull back some more.

In complete reflex Harry put a hand on his waist "No! No it's okay…" he stopped in mid-sentence, not knowing what exactly he should say.

Draco cocked an eyebrow and huddled away into the blankets, constructing a warm cocoon for himself. Settling down, he looked at Harry again, calculatingly. The Gryffindor swallowed audibly as the blonde trailed a finger over his jawbone, adding a little more huskily "Or was it because I didn't grope you enough?"

"I-I---I…" Harry stammered, cheeks crimsoning red.

Rolling his eyes and deciding to show him mercy, more because he was too tired to tease him some more, he wrapped an arm around Harry's waist and drew him close. "You Gryffindors really are too innocent and deprived of an outside life for your own good."

They lay in silence for a moment each enjoying the closeness and warmth of the others body.

He seems so cold… but feels so warm. The thought had barely crossed his mind and Harry found himself leaning forwards, seeking out Draco's lips and hands moving to hold the Slytherin's face, grazing the side of his cheek. He felt him responding and within a dizzying instant Draco was kissing him back, with tenderness Harry had never expected. His fingers trailed through Harry's thick black hair, causing the Gryffindor to get lost in the sensation. Feeling encouraged as slate eyed youth didn't object at all, he ran his tongue over Draco's lower lip. And pulled back, startled, as he felt a little ridge that shouldn't be there.

He winched as he recognized the healed-over split lip he'd delivered him little more than a week ago. Looking into Draco's eyes again, Harry raised a hand and covered the little scar with his thumb. When he removed it, the wound had disappeared, as if it never where there before.

"Couldn't you heal this one instead?" Draco muttered, hand covering the torn flesh on his chest.

Very slowly, Harry's hand traveled down from his face, over his neck and collarbone, to his chest to linger on the rough skin. "You've been touched by a curse. A very dark one, it can't be healed or removed."

Shivering under the feather-light touch, he tried to back away, very ashamed of his no-longer perfect body, with a hiss.

"I don't think it's ugly at all…" Harry hastened to assure him, as if he'd read the other's mind.

Draco shot him a resigned look, still rigid and annoyed.

"It's a part of your life; you shouldn't want it to go away… This is who you are." Harry whispered softly "You should be proud of it."

"I bet you know all about it, don't you?" Draco replied, eyes flicking over to the Boy-Who-Lived's forehead.

Scrunching up his nose Harry mumbled "Got me there." His eyes were drawn to the artic grey of Draco's with some kind of magnetic force. An uncomfortable silence entered the lapse in the conversation and neither of them wanted to ruin the delicate moment between the two of them, but Harry had to, he needed to be sure, "I think we need to talk…"

The slate grey eyes were diverted and focused on Harry's shoulder instead. "I know." He answered softly, throat dry and croaky.

"What is…'this'?" Harry asked.

He stiffened at the change in the raven head's voice; it was gentler, almost pleading for understanding. The question was phased oddly, but he knew exactly what the other meant, "You tell me." He retorted, "You were the one who kissed me."

Harry recoiled slightly, "Was it just a kiss to you?" he couldn't help his voice growing colder, "Just something to make you feel better at the moment?" Harry continued, trying to conceal the disappointment he felt.

Cringing, Draco immediately shot back, "Fool. If it were would I be holding you now?"

Harry's heart was pounding in his chest and he looked the Slytherin straight in the eye, looking for clues as to whether their feelings genuinely matched.

Locking their eyes in a quiet stare, Draco just couldn't help but smile softly. "You think too much." and bowed his head ever slightly until the tips of their noses met. It was then when something else within is mind seemed to wake, as if didn't really know what it was looking for. Reality hit him as he realized Alex was waking up. That barely crossed his mind, before he could feel her becoming aware of her surroundings and then a whopping wave of panic nesting in as she franticly sought out his presence.

He tiredly propped himself upright on his elbow so he could look over Harry frame and saw her willing her body to cooperate as she sat up straight, green eyes wide, mouth slightly parted as she spotted him.

I'm so glad you're alright. Her mental voice shook with emotion and Draco felt a flood of feelings enveloping him, a mixture of fear and extreme bliss.Before anything else could be exchanged, her hand flew up to her mouth as she saw the huge scar marking his chest.

He cringed when he felt guilt entering his system. The damn girl was actually blaming herself for this? Hush, its okay, He told her silently, it's only a scratch. He tried in a ditch effort to assure her and immediately realized that had been about the stupidest thing he could have said.

Scratch?Came her sharp reply, You call that a scratch?

There was a surge of rebellious feeling along the link; a mental flood that did not consist of words but emotions was directed at him, images flashing before his eyes. He was momentarily disorientated, but regained his composure rather quickly, having been forced to get used to this from the moment they discovered they shared this special bond.

"Stop it Alex." Draco spoke out loud, his tone final.

This did not only startle his house-mate, but also Harry, who had been looking up at him thoughtfully for the duration of the telepathic conversation, completely unaware of Alex awakening. He rolled over to meet the sight of a completely disheveled Slytherin, gaze still sealed with Draco's. And he was struck by a sudden realization, "You can talk to each other via telepathy." He said abruptly.

Two pairs of eyes were directed at him "Very perceptive of you." Draco reacted evenly and then he tilted his head sideward while he narrowed his eyes, Finally I know why.

Alex never left his gaze, So now you know.

Why didn't you tell me? he asked slightly unsettled.

Alex gave him an incredulous snort And you would have believed me?

Draco had to affirm she was right. He never would have believed it. Suddenly he felt very unsure how to handle this; he just couldn't accept her differently. How was he supposed to treat her like family if he'd never even had siblings?

Alex must have felt his hesitation as she whispered into his mind, I know, Drake, don't worry.

Finbar's grip on the edge of the sink tightened as the buzzing between his ears once again intensified. Even though he was shaking all over his body, sweat beads pearled on his forehead and his stomach seemed to be filled with rocks. He held a hand out, skimming the wall as he re-tracked his way back to the common room. He did not understand; he'd become so adapt at reigning his Second Sight, but maybe seeing as previous night's events had shaken up his magic, these might just be the after-effects. He desperately tried to convince himself that this was true, but he knew that something fundamentally had changed.
He didn't dare to open his eyes, he just wasn't able to handle what he saw, and even more it completely unstabled him. After great effort he managed to make it into the common room, and he thanked the gods that nobody was down there at the moment. He blindly tried to make his way over to one of the slouchy big sofas, but he didn't even get halfway as he was struck by a heavy magic ripple rolling through the room. His knees buckled and he sat down, breathing ragged and hoarsely.

The source of the magic ripple was closing in on him quickly, reeling Finbar's mind ever so more, but he was having too much trouble managing to breathe to ask it to stay where it was.

"Is friend of Mister Harry Potter alright, sir?" came a squeaky voice laced with clear concern.

Taking his chances, he opened his eyes as he really wanted to know what exactly he was talking to. He winched at the bright world around him when his vision suddenly went negative. It was as if the whole world was leaping up to swallow him; everything was too loud and the magical energy vibrated through the place, and Finbar felt awash with emotions that seemed to have come from nowhere. The pain in his head increased to the point where he heard himself whimper.
Then he gritted his teeth and put all his experience from what he'd learned in Firenze's sessions to use. It was tedious, but finally he seemed able to discern aura from aura. Blinking the sweat out of his eyes, he turned to look at the presence who'd just spoken to him. He blinked once again in surprise when he recognized it as a House Elf.

"Does friend of Mister Harry Potter feel not well, sir? Must Dobby find help for you?"

Finbar really wanted to say something, but he failed even more so when a second magical presence entered the room.

But he was all too glad when he heard Ron's voice: "Bloody Merlin!"

Footsteps hurried closer and Finbar mentally screamed to stay away, but Ron had already put a hand on his shoulder. He roared in complete agony and curled up in a ball to protect himself.

Ron obviously took the hint and stepped back, "Finbar! Can you hear me?"

He shuddered at Ron's raw panic, but he managed to grunt.

The redhead turned to the house elf fidgeting nervously next to him, "Dobby, how long has he been down here?"

"Dobby is sorry sir, he doesn't know." Came the quick response, "Dobby came in here to clean, but Harry Potter's friend fell down when he did. Dobby is very sorry; he didn't do it on purpose."

"It's alright Dobby, don't worry." Ron assured him quickly, "Could you get McGonagall for me?"

The Elf nodded wildly, "Dobby will do so, sir." And disappeared with a 'plop'.

Finbar's muscles contracted at that, "No m-magic…" he pleaded.

Unsettled because he did not know to help his friend Ron carefully got upright, not wanting to disturb him even more as the werewolf seemed to be trying to sit up straight. He backed away until he was standing by the girls' stairs and just prayed for her to hear him as he called "Hermione!" not much response came though and Ron gave up calling after a few more times.

All of the sudden the door did creak open and Lavender's pretty face poked around it, "Ron! As happy as I am that the two of you finally got together, this is not the time to-" Her mouth froze to an 'o' as she saw Finbar still sitting in the middle of the common room, looking even worse than a warmed up corps.

"Don't come down!" He stopped her quickly "McGonagall is already on her way, but could you please wake Hermione?"

She cast one more worried look at Finbar and nodded, hurrying back up to her room. Moments later there was some rustling and damped talking.

He let out a sigh of relief when Hermione slowly walked down the stairs, a robe wrapped tightly around her to hold out the biting cold. Assuming that Lavender had warned her as she came to as stop next to him, but he could see her struggling to keep herself from running to the dark haired youth's side. "Finbar, are you alright?"

The werewolf let out a joyless laughter "I've been better." And he smiled weakly at what he thought to be their direction.

But then his world crashed down again as the portrait swung open and McGonagall came in. With a whimper he leaned on his hands and tried to keep himself from screaming out. And the fact that Ron shot through the room to stop the Head of Gryffindor didn't make him exactly feel better.

"Professor!" Ron stopped in front of her, barricading her from approaching Finbar "Something wrong, we can't touch him, it seems to hurt him."

"Understatement." Finbar managed with a lopsided grin, followed by another groan.

The elder Wizard took a calculating look at the young man on the floor and the youngest Weasley son could see the shock in her eyes, "Can you stand Mr. Ganad?"

Finbar took a deep breath; all the way down to the third floor was not exactly what he'd been planning to do "If nobody gets too close I might be able to get there in let's say… 5 months?"

McGonagall lips pulled into a tight line "But you can stand?"

"Guess I don't have much of a choice. Hospital Wing… is Alex there?" he asked hopefully.

She tilted her head with a frown, "Yes, and so are Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy."

"What are we waiting for then?" he grunted and pulled himself to his feet. He'd been aching to see her ever since they'd been separated 'that night' and other than that, he knew her presence would help him. And then he would also be able to see Harry and the Slytherin. Obviously the Gryffindors had been burning to visit them, but all they got was a 'no' and the consolation that both of them were in one piece.

"Ron, will you keep talking to me so I know where to go?"

"Sure Wolfman." His housemate replied softly, took up what he thought to be a safe distance and started to whistle.

It took longer than Finbar had feared for already his strength was giving up on him as they passed the fourth floor. The only reason he didn't give up was that known to be pure Gryffindor willpower and loyalty to the people he wanted to be with in the Hospital Wing. He concentrated hard on the conversation between Hermione and Ron before him.

Hermione shivered, and pulled her cloak around her. Under it she was only wearing her nightgown and the slippers on her feet did not held out the cold any longer.

Almost shyly and aware of McGonagall's eyes on them, Ron wrapped a protective arm around her. Of course he had not expected her to yelp in surprise.

"Ron! You are burning hot!" she put a hand to his forehead and shook her head in disbelief "Oh dear, you're feverish!"

The redhead gave her an odd look "I feel fine, although I've been feeling a little anxious after…what happened."

"No really Ron, this is not normal." She said urgently and touched his hand, "You're warm all over…"

Bright blue eyes turned to his girlfriend "Really 'Mione, I'm okay." But he had been feeling different, not bad, just different. He'd blamed it on Malfoy's sudden urge to play the valiant hero and them needing to save his skinny ass on Alex's behalf for doing so, but now he actually doubted that.

Harry was just spooning the last of his chocolate pudding in his mouth when the door was swung open only to let in his best friends. Truly relieved he shuffled to the edge of his bed, yet did not stand up as Draco was just blinking dazed and bleary eyed as he tried to focus on what was disturbing his much needed sleep.

"Ron! Mione!" he said with a big smile, but it was slapped away as he saw Finbar literally dragging himself after them. With a loud sigh the werewolf sat down in the middle of the room and took a deep breather.

Meanwhile Alex had caught on to the situation and was already forcing her weak body to cooperate as she slipped out of bed. Ignoring Pomfrey's disapproving shriek as she commanded her to get back in bed, the white-haired girl sank down to the floor next to the Gryffindor. Carefully she put a hand on his still bare torso, "Finbar?"

He let out a relieved laugh and slumped down in her arms "Just hold me." Was all he asked from her.

She wrapped both her arms around him, shifting him closer to her, defiantly trying to ignore the swarms of butterflies at the close contact "You're shaking, what's wrong?"

"Dobby found him like this in the common room, we couldn't touch him." Ron explained as he walked over to Harry's bed. And freezing to the spot as Draco finally poked his head out from under the blankets, blonde hair sleep-mussed and rubbing his eyes. And bare-chested. And in the same bed as his friend.

"You're alive!" was the first illegible thing he got over his lips.

Artic grey eyes were directed at him, "Glad to see you're so concerned about my well-being, Weasel, I'm delighted." Came the flat response. Running one hand through his blonde hair and resting the other on the small of Harry's back, he sat up. Immediately his eyes widened as he saw Alex trying to help Finbar to his feet. "What's going on?" he demanded, once again feeling that very un-Malfoy-ish wave of protectiveness coming over him.

"We don't know." Hermione provided, tilting her head at the Slytherin sharing a bed with Harry "Are you okay?" she asked tentatively.

Draco surely did not know how to react to that. Certainly not if it was a person he'd been calling a mudblood for five years. "I'm alright." He answered eventually and adding a little softer "Thanks."

This in turn took Hermione of guard. She smiled at him. Draco blinked.

Meanwhile Pomfrey pushed her way through the –in her opinion- much too crowded Hospital Wing and over to the Gryffindor leaning heavily on Alex.

Ron opened his mouth to stop her, but Finbar shook his head, "I'm okay now Ron. It's gone for now."

Reluctantly handing Finbar over in the care of Madame Pomfrey, Alex staggered back to her bed and sat down on it, eyes never leaving the nurse casting several diagnostic spells on the young man.

"I don't understand." The nurse said, "He seems alright."

McGonagall pursed her lips in a pensive way, "Can you explain what exactly happened Mr. Ganad."

Finbar leaned back on an elbow and ran a hand over his face, "It started this morning. I woke up, having to throw up, but it's not that time of the month yet."

"What are you, pregnant?" came the blonde Slytherin's vaguely amused retort to that.

Clear morning-blue eyes were narrowed at him, not hostile but sagacious, "I'm lycanthropic." Was the blunt reply, before he continued, "Anyway, 'it' was like in the beginning, but then ten times worse. It was too much; I didn't know what was happening."

The head of his house nodded solemnly "I'll speak with Firenze about it." She took a glance at her watch "As a matter a fact, I'll see to it right now, he always gets up early in the morning."

Finbar's eyes followed the retreating back of the professor and then switched to Harry, "You alright there Harry?"

The raven head cocked an eyebrow and cast a sideways glance at Draco, "Yeah…" he said with a soft smile "I'm alright."

"Madame Pomfrey?" Hermione spoke up, "Could you please check Ron too? He's burning hot with a fever."

Ron protested immediately, "I'm fine 'Mione!" but he was already undergoing a diagnostic spell.

Frowning after the third one, she put a hand to his forehead like Hermione had done, "Psychically nothing's wrong with him either, but you are right, his body-temperature is unusually high…" another spell was casted on him Pomfrey was shaking her head in utter disbelieve, "As a matter a fact, your body temperature is… b-but that's impossible."

"What?" Ron screeched; he did not like that look.

"It's 47 degrees."

The redhead found himself shaking his head at that, "But I feel okay!"

"H-how can that be?" Hermione said with an uneven and concerned tone as she experimentally touched Ron's face again, "No wonder he's all hallucinatory."

"Really now? I'm positive that's just the Weasley-way of life." Draco mused.

Ron's ears now turned pink and he gave a rather acid glare in the blonde's direction, "I'm not hallucinating, I'm fine! I really am!"

"Okay or not." Pomfrey grumbled and pushed a chunk of chocolate in Ron's hand "Eat." And even a bigger one in Finbar's hand. The werewolf's stomach lurched and he wrinkled his nose at it.

The six young wizards lapsed into an uncomfortable silence and only the scrunching of Ron devouring his chocolate and the nurse leafing through a huge tome, casting numerous glances in the redhead's direction, was audible. None spoke, but all of them felt one thing: something was missing. And that 'something' suddenly staggered into the Wing as if on cue, looking possibly even worse then Finbar.

It was Blaise.

No one knew why they all let out a relieved sigh as something clicked into place. But there was no time to think about that either as Pomfrey burst out: "You shouldn't be here, back to where you came from!"

The brown haired aristocrat gave her a cool glare, backed up by Snape's oily drawl, "He is here on my behalf."

"Don't worry Poppy, it is okay, we'll be gone soon." Dumbledore told her lightly as he nudged Blaise further in the room.

He sashayed up to the little crowd already gathered around the two beds, coming to a stop at the end of Harry and Draco's, "Glad to see you alright." He greeted, but not without a very funny glance in Harry's direction and an even odder one at Draco.

He still can't get over the fact that you are, in fact, gay and snogging your arch-enemy Alex provided mentally with all the subtly of a sledge-hammer.

Draco shot her a withering look, before turning his attention back to his dorm-mate, "Thank you. But may I ask what the hell happened to you? You look awful."

Blaise gave him a sour grimace, "Well thanks, that makes me feel a lot better." He ran a hand through his wavy brown hair, "But actually I've been having trouble sleeping. Nightmares about people being slaughtered." Everybody caught the clear expression of uneasiness on the Slytherin's face as he silently confessed, "It's me slaughtering them."

"Great, just what we needed: a stark-raving psychopath." Ron exclaimed all the while keeping a weary eye on Blaise.

"Ha.Ha.Ha." he returned "I am amused."

The rustling of robes announced the Head of Hogwart's arrival "Good morning," Dumbledore greeted cheerily, "How are we all feeling today?" the youngsters exchanged a look before all muttering different responses.

"Sir, what about our Christmas? Neither of us has received presents." Ron asked hopefully, he'd been burning to question someone about this highly disturbing matter.

"Ah yes." Dumbledore said with a faintly amused smile, "I am the one who's to blame for that. I found it wiser that all of you passed your recovery without too much excitement. But-", he continued as Ron summoned an enormous pout on his face. "-after contacting your parents after previous night's events, she insisted on having you home to spend the rest of the week and celebrating Christmas."

Ron grinned openly.

"And," The ancient wizard went on, "She's also asked whether Miss Granger and Mr.Potter were interested to spend the remainder of their holiday there as well."

Smiling brightly, Hermione carefully took hold of Ron's warm hand. Harry wanted to open his mouth to accept, but snapped his jaw shut with a click as Draco shifted next to him.

"I can't." he said dully.

Ron's eyebrows shot up, "Why not?" he exclaimed.

"I can't leave Draco."

This drew an overly irritated look from his best friend, "Oh c'mon Harry, don't be going all emotional now!"

"Ron." Harry interrupted warningly "I can't! And he can't either."

"What?" the redhead exclaimed, confused, "Will you please just tell us what you're talking about?"

Draco was watching the display with amusement and leaned back into the pillows comfortably, "He's saying that he and I are bound to each other. Nasty after-effect from magic he pulled off as he healed me."

Ron's heart sank, "How long?"

"About two weeks." The raven-head muttered in disappointment. He really wanted to go.

"Speaking of which, naturally, I informed Molly of your –unusual- situation." Dumbledore said calmly, smiling at Harry, "And she might not have been too eager about it, but she did agree to host Mr. Malfoy there as well, seeing as it is only for four more days."

"Him?" Ron spluttered.

"Me?" Draco uttered.

"No way!" they both exclaimed.

Draco sneered, "Me and Weasel? Ha, not in this life."

"Like I'd ever let you set one foot in our house." Ron spat back.

"That is what your mother said, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore said firmly, "She found it necessary for Harry to rest and feel comfortable after what had happened."

Ron seemed completely against it and was still shaking his head in dismay.

"It's your call, Ron." Harry told him silently.

The redhead fell completely silent and was torn between into agreeing for his friend's sake or refusing. His blue eyes settled on Harry's neutral but earnest face, yet he saw in those green eyes that Harry really wanted to go. He let out a sigh in exasperation and covered his face with a hand "Alright."

The Gryffindor tried to keep tone steady, "What about you?" Harry asked Draco; voice giving away nothing.

Draco was about to reply something among the lines of 'over my dead body' when Alex interrupted that thought before he could vocalize it Drake, look at him, he really wants to go

But this is Weasley! he requited as if that was a good enough of an excuse.

I think you're just scared to find out you might enjoy it there Alex answered paradoxically. Besides Ron was there to save your sorry ass when it came down to it.

Draco gave her vilest glare he could muster, not believing that she was actually talking him into this. Her green eyes conveyed a hopeful plea and the stray realization crossed his mind that Alex psychologically and spiritually as much human as they were, even if her body was not. "Fine." He snapped grudgingly.

Harry stifled a smile at the complete contempt in Draco's voice, not able to hide the abhor he still nourished against the Weasley's, after all he still was Draco Malfoy. "Thanks." He said with a smile and rested a hand in the nape of Draco's neck, rubbing the pad of his thumb over the soft skin there.

Absently Draco sighed something under his breath and shot Ron one last dark look.

"What about us?" Finbar queried as he glided of his bed, only to sit next to Blaise who'd taken up the end of Alex' foot end.

The two remaining Slytherins nodded.

"I kinda want to know what the homebase sends me." Finbar said, "As I haven't seen them in four months…" he plucked his goatee, trying to shake off the faint sensation of homesickness.

"Same here." Blaise agreed.

Dumbledore gave them a warm smile, "How does tomorrow morning sound to you?"

The two of them nodded, save for Alex, "Do I still have to stay here?" was her main concern, and without Draco or Harry she was doomed to stay their alone, prattling in her boredom.

"Well, seeing as I've convinced Poppy to let Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter leave, it would only be fair enough that you were allowed to do so as well."

"Okay, works for me." She said with a lopsided grin.

Smiling broadly, the Headmaster clapped his hands "Well then, you two better get packed then, as they'll be here to collect you at 2 in the afternoon."

Not completely able to press back a groan, Draco crawled over to Harry's side so they could get out together. He angrily ignored the gasps as his chest was exposed for all to see now. The Gryffindor plucked his cloak up, draped over a nearby chair and swung it around their shoulders. But then Draco froze "What did I have on me when you found me?"

The smile cracked down, and was replaced by a much graver one, "Only your clothes, which were torn, and that necklace." Dumbledore said calmly.

Draco's hand grasped the birthstone hanging from his neck, surprisingly still intact. He swallowed as a nauseating panic crept through his skin, "My wand."

"Was not found." Snape said, speaking for the first time even though he'd been standing there all along.

He clenched his teeth, "What am I supposed to do now?"

Clumsily Harry ran his hand up and down Draco's back, trying to make him feel better, as he understood what it meant for the Slytherin.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said truthfully and put a hand on his shoulder. Draco did not even try to shrug it off, everything what had ensued two nights ago ever so painfully real in his mind. He had nothing left, no family, no home, no wand, no nothing. Draco suddenly came to the realization that the foundations of his old life had been completely ripped away. It was an insecure feeling and he hated to feel insecure.

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God, can you believe I was simply trembling when I updated this chap? I am so nervous, and very afraid to find out what you guys think of it… If it weren't for the wonderful comment I got from my beta Keiko-keket, I probably wouldn't have dared to put this one online.

Please, I really beg of you, review. Realize that it are your reviews that keep me going. The more reviews, the faster I update since it boosts my moral. I know it sounds pathetic, but it's the truth; I live of your reviews to keep me motivated for this story.

Further more I really want to express my gratitude to Ash Knight, who has been so incredibly friendly to review my first 3 re-edited chapters. If it weren't for the time Ash Knight had taken for those reviews and the time to reply my e-mail, I probably would have gone crazy with uncertainty. So therefore, thank you very much, you really don't know how much this means to me.

Once again, the 3 first chapters have been re-written, I would still appreciate any reviews left on those chapters. ReallyReally, it means a lot to me. I will keep revising the story here and there.

And I stress: if any of you have a suggestion or advice on something about the story or an event in it, now is the time to tell me! Of course no dramatic changes will be made, but little things like 'What about Hagrid's classes?' and things like that can be added.