Disclaimer: I'm not J.K.R...Thanks for noticing.

Warning: SLASH...yummy

Dedication: This one's for Cole

A/N: Thanks so much to my beta, truthfulchaos, you rock, love ya doll.

The 'Not so Golden Boy': The Running Boy

Harry walked out of the Potions room, Hermione and Ron in tow.

"What was going on with you and Malfoy in there?" Ron asked.

"Huh? Nothing," Harry said, trying to walk a bit faster.

No luck on Hermione's end though, she was right beside him in a few seconds. "There was something, Harry," she told him. "I haven't seen you smile like this in a long time."

Harry tried to wipe the look off his face and walked on. "There was nothing going on with me and Malfoy."

Hermione wasn't satisfied, but she let it slip.

Harry hurried up to Gryffindor Tower and to the bathroom in the 7th year boys' dorm.

He locked the door and leaned over the sink. Looking in the mirror Harry saw what Hermione was talking about. He looked... happy.

Running a hand through his messy hair, Harry decided that he just needed some more time to himself.

"So what you're saying is that you're punishing yourself for being happy," Draco said, leaning against a pillar in the owlry that night.

"No," Harry protested. "I'm just saying that we're spending a lot of time together, and it's starting to show."

"Because you smile more?"

"Yes."

"You're messed up, Potter."

"I know, I told you that." Harry looked over to the window where Hedwig was perched.

"And I told you that I'm not backing off. I'm not letting you run from me Harry." Draco walked over so he was standing in front of him.

"I'm not running," Harry said, meeting Draco's eyes.

"Yeah and I'm not gay," Draco scoffed before leaving.

Harry stood, frozen, one question on his mind. "Is he?"

Harry doubled over in Transfiguration class a few days later. He clutched his fore arm and Blaise and Pansy exchanged looks. They knew what this meant. Voldemort was calling the inner circle.

"Mister Potter, is everything alright?" Professor McGonagall asked.

Harry sucked in a breath; Draco tried not to meet his gaze. "Infirmary," he gasped.

"I'll take him!" Blaise jumped up.

McGonagall gave him a funny look, but nodded. Blaise led Harry out of the classroom.

"You okay?" Blaise asked.

"I'll be fine... I just need to go." Harry stood the best he could as Blaise took out the portkey Pansy had slipped him.

"Try and stay conscious." Blaise smirked as Harry disappeared.

"What the Dark Lord doesn't want to admit..." Lucius Malfoy was briefing Harry as they made their way through Riddle Manor to the meeting room. "Is that he can't do this without you. His powers were divided between the two of you that night that your parents died. Two halves make a whole, Harry. And you are half of the Lord's whole."

Harry nodded. "I'm going to guess we're preparing for war, then."

"You guessed right, Potter," Voldemort answered as they entered the room.

Harry and Lucius bowed.

"I'm sure you're all wondering why you're here. We did only have a meeting two days ago. Well... I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING!" Voldemort yelled.

Wormtail flinched at the Dark Lord's feet.

"Goyle! Why haven't we moved in on the Ministry!?"

"I... um...the-Fudge you see," Goyle Sr. stuttered.

"Silence!" Voldemort pointed his wand and the other man was on the ground in a matter of seconds.

Harry held his breath.

"Malfoy." Voldemort turned to Lucius. "I expect more men in the Ministry's walls by Sunday."

"Yes, my Lord."

Voldemort stood and stared at Lucius a moment longer. "What are you waiting for!?"

"Potter." Voldemort looked at Harry. "Feed Nagini." Harry let out the suffocating breath.

"Lestrange! I want Bellatrix out of Azkaban and in this room by Friday," he said to Rabastan. "Now, everybody out! Potter, stay."

Harry dropped Nagini's food plate and waited until the room emptied to approach Voldemort.

"Yes, my Lord?"

The Dark One sat in his chair. "You think I'm oblivious to your pain, don't you?" he asked.

Harry lowered his eyes to the floor.

"I'm sure you remember the bond we share."

"Yes."

"Then maybe you'll realize that I can not only sense your pain, but I can feel it as well."

Harry nodded.

"I hate seeing you like this, Potter. After everything, you came out faithful to me; you are, indeed, worthy of the praises others give you. If only they new you were a servant to the Dark...What if I told you I can make the pain stop, Harry?"

The Gryffindor looked up. "How?"

Voldemort smiled maliciously. "I can take your magic."

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