~Brutal Memories~
Pomfrey peeked out of her office door seeing Harry still staring very intently at Draco and holding his hand. Four hours, four hours he had been like that. The boy hadn't moved since he got there. She thought he would go crazy soon if Draco didn't get better. She sighed and started to proceed toward the Gryffindor with the tray of food she held in her hands.
"Harry, dear," she spoke in a quiet voice.
Harry looked up, startled to see someone standing over him. His gaze turned to Madam Pomfrey before returning to rest over Draco.
Her voice spoke softly, "You have to eat."
"Not hungry," Harry grunted.
Pomfrey set the tray on the table beside Harry already knowing it would not be touched. She gave his shoulder a squeeze and turned to leave.
Harry hardly noticed the nurse's presence leave. His focus was casted upon Draco as he watched the blonde breathe. A few loose strands of silvery- blond hair fell from behind his ear. Harry tightened his grip on Draco's hand trying to reassure himself that he was still there.
A small whimper came deep within Draco's throat as his head started tossing from side to side. Harry stood up looming over the Slytherin, watching as sweat began to accumulate on his forehead. Long sounding cries pierced Harry's ear.
"Draco, wake up," Harry lightly shook the blonde's shoulders.
Draco tossed a few more times, jerking his hand from Harry's grasp. A sharp intake was heard and he snapped his eyes open looking strangely into Harry's eyes. Harry bent over him watching as the blonde's eyes grew wide. Draco backed away from Harry moving toward the end of the bed.
"Draco?" Harry looked into his eyes, "Draco? What's wrong?"
Draco slid off the bed keeping it between him and Harry. His voice was barely a whisper, "Leave me alone."
"What?" Harry started to walk around the side of the bed trying to get closer to the fleeing Slytherin. Draco just walked backward keeping his distance.
"Stay back!" Draco's voice sounded strained and worn-down, almost as if he had been screaming nonstop.
Harry stopped dead in his tracks watching as Draco practically started to climb up the wall. He grew anxious, "Draco, please. What is going on?!"
Harry saw something in Draco's eyes that he had never seen before and he knew right then and there he never wanted to see it again. A mixture of pure fear and hatred that was so strong it sent chills down his spine.
"Draco?" Harry took one more step toward the shivering teen.
"No, don't!" Draco screamed.
Madam Pomfrey came rushing in seeing the scene unfold before her eyes, "What is going on?"
"I don't know!" Harry's voice was beginning to waver.
Draco sunk to the floor curling up into a tight ball flinching horribly as if he was being hit repeatedly. Harry sunk to his knees grabbing Draco by the shoulders trying to stop him from moving.
Harry could barely make out the strained words, but what he heard scared him half to death.
"Please stop, Father. I'll do anything you ask. Just please stop," Draco's words were barely above a whisper and tears began to run down his face.
Harry scooped the boy up into his arms, cradling him in his lap on the floor, rocking him gently back and forth as he wiggled under his grasp. He smoothed back his hair tucking it behind his ears. Slowly, Draco fell back asleep in the Gryffindor's arms.
Harry looked up at Madam Pomfrey, "What happened?"
"Hallucinations! He's delirious!"
"From the virus?!"
Pomfrey shook her head, "I think it's an aftereffect from the potion he took."
Harry got so angry that he started to shake and became visibly red, "It was from the potion?!! I told you he wasn't suppose to have anything!"
"If I hadn't given him the potion he might still be convulsing!"
"No, now he's just delirious! That is so much better!"
The tips of Pomfrey's ears turned pink. She huffed before stalking right out of the infirmary, too mad to say anything, and too smart to know when to leave.
Harry watched as Pomfrey stomped out of the room. He hadn't known what had gotten into him. He had never yelled at a faculty member of Hogwarts like that, besides Snape. Something just kind of snapped inside of him and he just turned his anger out on the nearest person.
Draco struggled in his arms, again taking Harry's attention to fall back on him. Now he knew why he was so angry. Draco was having hallucinations, but what hurt the most was he was seen as Lucius. The man he hated the most.
He picked himself off the floor cradling Draco in his arms. Harry carefully set the Slytherin back into the bed caressing his cheek with his hand. As soon as he pulled away, Draco began to toss and turn again. Harry returned putting a hand on his shoulder watching as the blonde gripped his hand in his own as he relaxed.
Harry sat on the edge of the bed twisting himself so one leg was on the bed and the other was dangling off the side. Draco turned over and cuddled into his side. Harry flipped his other leg up and moved his body so he was laying down beside Draco.
Draco curled up to Harry's side resting a hand on the raven-hair's torso as his face snuggled into the Gryffindor's neck.
Draco murmured, "Harry," and the dark-haired boy smiled.
Harry moved his arm to around Draco's back, holding him in his arms as his eyelids slowly drooped. The morning sun came through the windows creating a light haze over his eyes that lulled him to sleep in no time.
|~*~|
Harry slowly opened his eyes looking out at the hazing visions of the infirmary. Draco was still wrapped tightly to his side, barely moving.
The Gryffindor was about to shut his eyes again, but a presence in the room made him turn his head. A dark figure stood looming over the two boys. Harry rubbed his eyes and squinted trying to process the image to his brain. What he saw kind of surprised him.
Professor Snape was standing stiff as a stone as usual looking at them. No, he was watching them. His thick, black eyes pierced over the boys making Harry try to sit up, but found it impossible with Draco sleeping on him more then the mattress.
Snape just nodded and raised his wand poising it at Harry. The Gryffindor felt his eyelids grow increasingly heavy and watched as the colors faded into a black void of nothingness.
|~*~|
Harry yawned and tried to stretch, but found his arms were still pinned down. He opened his eyes to see himself still curled around Draco. The Gryffindor smiled.
He had a strange dream. He dreamt that Snape had been watching the two of them sleep. There he was just looming over the two of them and then the dream vanished. But, why would Snape just be staring at them? Harry put the thoughts to the back of his head answering any questions with 'it was just a dream'.
Something caught his attention, it was dark. It seemed to just process in his brain, but it was night. What time was it? Harry looked over at a clock that read 10:30.
'How had I slept so long? I wasn't even tired and I slept all through the day!' Harry paused to recollect his thoughts, 'In that dream Snape raised his wand at me. That's ridiculous! It was just a dream!'
Harry moved his free arm across his robes over toward Draco, but something bumped his hand. He reached inside his robes and pulled out a box. Harry didn't need to see to know what it was. It was the ring.
The Gryffindor was certainly puzzled now, 'I know I put this in my trunk! I must be going crazy!'
Harry put the box back into his pocket, 'Unless, maybe Snape could have put it in my pocket? No, that's foolish. I kept it in my protected trunk and nobody knows the passwords but me! Then how in the hell did it end up in my pocket?!!'
A murmured stir brought Harry out of his thoughts. Draco started to slightly squirm, breathing deeply. Harry laid still; half wishing Draco would wake, but also fearing that he would be delusional if he did.
Draco inhaled and opened his eyes, "Harry?"
Harry breathed out the breath he had been holding in, "Yeah."
Draco just tightened his hold on the Gryffindor, "Thanks."
Harry raised his eyebrow, "For what?"
Draco gave no explanation, but Harry felt he didn't need one. He knew what Draco meant. That was the kind of thanks that meant thanks for being here.
"Draco?" Harry whispered into the darkness. He knew this was a delicate subject, but he thought this was something Draco should get off his chest, "Please, tell me about what your home is like."
The blonde stiffened, but Harry kept his hold on him so he could not squirm away, "Please, Draco." Harry didn't know why he needed to know, but something just told him he did.
A long period of silence rang out into the air. Draco's breathing became a steady rhythm again and Harry thought he had fallen back asleep until a whispered voice spoke out.
"I don't have a home," Draco felt the urge to go hide behind his snide remarks, but Harry's comforting hug made him think different. He couldn't hide this forever, and maybe Harry would understand. "When I was little my father did throw me down in the dungeon when I was 'misbehaving'. At the time I thought it was for my own good. I thought it was my fault why I was being treated as such. I got thrown down there for small things, not paying attention, not coming when I first was called even though I actually didn't hear him, talking when I wasn't talked to. I think I got thrown down there once for tripping over my shoelace."
Harry could feel his anger rising, but he knew it wasn't the time to get angry. Especially not now, "Your father is a Death Eater." Harry stated this as a fact as opposed to a question.
"Yes. He has been ever since I could remember. Usually, I got thrown back downstairs or locked up in my room when there was a meeting at the manor, but I still remember this one time so clearly when I was fairly young and my father forgot all about me. I was left to myself as I sat quietly in a chair, watching as men in white masks and black robes I had never seen before enter through the front door. My father was coming in my direction, but seemed to busy to notice I was there. Fearing of being locked in a room I hid behind the couch.
"The meeting started and I peeked out behind the couch unseen from where I was, but I could see everything. The group of men were talking about Voldemort. I never knew who he was, but I overheard my father talking nonstop about whom he was and his followers. He talked about it in such a grand way he even made me want to follow him too, but I was oblivious as to what he was talking about. All he talked about was the great power he had and the wealth he shared, but that wasn't what I saw at the meeting.
"A little girl about as old as I was then, about six, was brought before the gathered men. She looked so frightened and was visibly shaking. Her eyes were bright red and she looked like she had stopped crying only because she was too weak to let the tears build in her eyes. I was confused as to why the men were laughing at the broken girl. What I saw wasn't worth laughing at. She was pale and had long blond hair from what I could tell underneath the crusted red blood. There were bruises all over where her skin was visible. She sat huddled in a small ball on the rug, hugging her knees to her chest weakly, almost as if she had no strength to sit up."
Draco stopped, almost as if he couldn't go on with what he was saying. Harry hugged him closer to his chest. Draco inhaled and continued, his voice getting weaker.
"Three men started to kick her and a few others were throwing her on the floor. Each in turn laughing and enjoying the brutal treatment the girl was receiving. As she laid on the floor, finally being left alone, her eyes caught mine. I saw so much pain and fear in her eyes it almost made me start to cry, but I couldn't. I was too scared myself.
"One of the Death Eaters must have followed the little girl's gaze because he started to walk over to where I was. I was alarmed and hid myself back behind the couch, but all he did was stand in front of the hole I was in and continued the meeting with his back to me.
"I heard the words 'Avada Kedavra' and a sharp, high-pitched scream that burned its way into my head and down into my soul. I just sat there and curled up into my own little ball between the couch and the wall squeezing my eyes tight listening as men laughed.
"I don't know how long I hid behind that couch, but I didn't come out on my own. I was grabbed by my shirt and pulled out. The meeting must have been over because there wasn't anyone there except for the man who pulled me out from my hiding space. I stared in fear, but the man just pulled me to his chest and rocked me back and forth.
"He must have been at the manor before because he knew his way to my room. He sat on my bed and just held me as I cried and shook in his arms. I cried for the little girl. She had seemed so frightened.
"It was a wonder when I stopped crying that I didn't try to run away from the man. He himself had on a white mask and black robes, but I had never been held before and didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms. He took off his mask and I saw the stranger. He had a pale face and neck-length black hair. His features were those I had never seen before. Instead of the usual malice I got from my father or the distant looks I got from my mother I saw patience and kindness. He sort of smiled at me to reassure me that everything was alright and I felt as if it was. After I was done sobbing into his chest he set me on my bed and left. I had nightmares for years about that little girl and the man wishing he would come back, but he never did.
"It wasn't until years later that I knew that man saved my life. He had hidden me from view from the rest of the Death Eaters. And it wasn't until I came to Hogwarts that I knew who the man with the black hair was. Imagine to my surprise when I found out it was Professor Snape."
Harry didn't know if he should have been shocked or not. He was stunned to an extent, but it just wasn't as surprising as he thought it would have been.
Harry drew the blonde even closer into him. Draco had seen a lot when he was so young. It made him frustrated that he couldn't make the bad memories go away.
"So what happened when you realized it was Snape?"
Draco thought back to first year, "When I first saw him, it didn't mean anything. I didn't notice who he was. But then it hit me after classes were over and I was in my dormitory. After I realized who he was I made my way to his chambers and knocked on the door. When he opened it he was kind of moody like he is in class."
"Moody?" Harry interrupted.
"Ok, he was being a down right bastard."
Harry smirked, "Better."
"Anyway, so I was kind of frightened of him like most first years normally are. He didn't seem like the man who had held me that night five years ago. I almost turned around and ran back to the common room, but something made me stay put. I think it was his eyes.
"After asking me what I wanted three times he got sick of me standing there and pulled me into the room. I sat on a chair and he waited patiently until I found my voice. It was his patience that made me speak. I would love to have a picture of his face as I told him about that night. He hadn't recognized me as supposed. I thanked him for saving my life and pretty much left after that."
"So that's why Snape likes you best."
Draco chuckled, "That's why."
"God, Draco, and all this time I thought..."
"That I was a spoiled brat?"
"Well, kind of."
"Now you know the truth."
The words came so suddenly and seemed to slip out that Harry almost hadn't realized he said them, "I love you."
Draco's body went stiff and rigid under Harry's grasp. He didn't say anything and the silence felt like an eternity to the Gryffindor. Harry was growing anxious, afraid he shouldn't have said that, but it wasn't his fault! It just slipped out!
Finally, Draco lifted up his head and, now that his eyes were adjusted to the dark, gazed into Harry's. He stared in almost pure disbelief, but Harry's spine melted as he heard, "I love you, too."
Harry smiled. Those four little words that usually meant nothing to him just felt as if they were the whole world. Warm tingly feelings washed over his body as his heart became so light it felt as though it would rise up and out of his chest. His soul was beyond the infirmary. It was flying high in the clouds way up in the starry night sky.
Draco brushed his lips against Harry's weakly, almost as if he couldn't muster up the energy. He laid back down beside Harry as the Gryffindor snaked a hand up over Draco's chest feeling his heart beat into his chest.
"I was going to give this to you at Christmas, but its only fifteen minutes away," Harry pulled out the small green and red box.
Draco gasped slightly, "Harry, I can't. I didn't get you anything."
Harry smiled, "I know. You have your reasons, but please open it."
Draco delicately opened it, setting the ribbon and paper on the table beside the bed. He fumbled as he opened the little white box gazing at what lied inside. Even though it was dark, the small ring seemed to give off a silvery glow.
Harry rested his lips to Draco's ear, "Will you be mine?"
Draco lifted his head up and kissed Harry with a little more force then the last kiss signifying his answer. Harry slipped the band onto Draco's ring finger and kissed him again.
Draco broke the kiss and laid gingerly back onto the bed breathing heavily as if that small movement made him use so much energy. Harry's hand still rested on his chest. He watched the clock as the minute hand slowly moved to 11:59.
Harry pulled the blonde closer to him hearing as his breathing decreased slowly, listening to him fall asleep. Draco's chest rose slower and slower, almost too slow. Harry looked back up at the clock. Midnight, and that's when it happened. The pounding beneath Harry's hand ceased and Draco's breathing stopped.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Author's Note: Ok. *sees the angry crowd of fanfic readers running at her with torches, whips, wands, dementors, and Cheez Whiz* I'll be going now. Uh. Sirius! *runs into Remus's house where I have been currently hiding* Sirius!
*Sirius looks out the window* Shit! What the hell did you do now?!! *rubs the bridge of his nose with his finger and thumb* Never mind. I know what you did. We have to get out of here before they tear you apart. Seriously, the things I do for you. Remus!
*Remus comes into the room* I know, I saw the mob. We better hurry or we won't make it out of here.
*Sirius smirks at Remus* Maybe we should just leave her here. Why the hell should we risk our lives to save someone who goes and gets their self into trouble on purpose?
*I look at him nervously* Siriussssss!
*Remus just stares at Sirius in disbelief* Because she's the one who did us a big favor. How could you forget?
*Sirius shrugs* I didn't forget. I wouldn't leave her here to die. At least not by Cheez Whiz. That's too horrible, even for this evil author.
*I smile* Authoress.
*Sirius rolls his eyes* Authoress.
There is pounding on the door and glass begins to shatter as various objects are thrown into the window (not to mention a person or two).
*I stare outside* Sirius!
*Sirius just looks amused* Come on then.
*I grab my laptop and Sirius disapparated the three of us far away just as the door brakes down.*
Pomfrey peeked out of her office door seeing Harry still staring very intently at Draco and holding his hand. Four hours, four hours he had been like that. The boy hadn't moved since he got there. She thought he would go crazy soon if Draco didn't get better. She sighed and started to proceed toward the Gryffindor with the tray of food she held in her hands.
"Harry, dear," she spoke in a quiet voice.
Harry looked up, startled to see someone standing over him. His gaze turned to Madam Pomfrey before returning to rest over Draco.
Her voice spoke softly, "You have to eat."
"Not hungry," Harry grunted.
Pomfrey set the tray on the table beside Harry already knowing it would not be touched. She gave his shoulder a squeeze and turned to leave.
Harry hardly noticed the nurse's presence leave. His focus was casted upon Draco as he watched the blonde breathe. A few loose strands of silvery- blond hair fell from behind his ear. Harry tightened his grip on Draco's hand trying to reassure himself that he was still there.
A small whimper came deep within Draco's throat as his head started tossing from side to side. Harry stood up looming over the Slytherin, watching as sweat began to accumulate on his forehead. Long sounding cries pierced Harry's ear.
"Draco, wake up," Harry lightly shook the blonde's shoulders.
Draco tossed a few more times, jerking his hand from Harry's grasp. A sharp intake was heard and he snapped his eyes open looking strangely into Harry's eyes. Harry bent over him watching as the blonde's eyes grew wide. Draco backed away from Harry moving toward the end of the bed.
"Draco?" Harry looked into his eyes, "Draco? What's wrong?"
Draco slid off the bed keeping it between him and Harry. His voice was barely a whisper, "Leave me alone."
"What?" Harry started to walk around the side of the bed trying to get closer to the fleeing Slytherin. Draco just walked backward keeping his distance.
"Stay back!" Draco's voice sounded strained and worn-down, almost as if he had been screaming nonstop.
Harry stopped dead in his tracks watching as Draco practically started to climb up the wall. He grew anxious, "Draco, please. What is going on?!"
Harry saw something in Draco's eyes that he had never seen before and he knew right then and there he never wanted to see it again. A mixture of pure fear and hatred that was so strong it sent chills down his spine.
"Draco?" Harry took one more step toward the shivering teen.
"No, don't!" Draco screamed.
Madam Pomfrey came rushing in seeing the scene unfold before her eyes, "What is going on?"
"I don't know!" Harry's voice was beginning to waver.
Draco sunk to the floor curling up into a tight ball flinching horribly as if he was being hit repeatedly. Harry sunk to his knees grabbing Draco by the shoulders trying to stop him from moving.
Harry could barely make out the strained words, but what he heard scared him half to death.
"Please stop, Father. I'll do anything you ask. Just please stop," Draco's words were barely above a whisper and tears began to run down his face.
Harry scooped the boy up into his arms, cradling him in his lap on the floor, rocking him gently back and forth as he wiggled under his grasp. He smoothed back his hair tucking it behind his ears. Slowly, Draco fell back asleep in the Gryffindor's arms.
Harry looked up at Madam Pomfrey, "What happened?"
"Hallucinations! He's delirious!"
"From the virus?!"
Pomfrey shook her head, "I think it's an aftereffect from the potion he took."
Harry got so angry that he started to shake and became visibly red, "It was from the potion?!! I told you he wasn't suppose to have anything!"
"If I hadn't given him the potion he might still be convulsing!"
"No, now he's just delirious! That is so much better!"
The tips of Pomfrey's ears turned pink. She huffed before stalking right out of the infirmary, too mad to say anything, and too smart to know when to leave.
Harry watched as Pomfrey stomped out of the room. He hadn't known what had gotten into him. He had never yelled at a faculty member of Hogwarts like that, besides Snape. Something just kind of snapped inside of him and he just turned his anger out on the nearest person.
Draco struggled in his arms, again taking Harry's attention to fall back on him. Now he knew why he was so angry. Draco was having hallucinations, but what hurt the most was he was seen as Lucius. The man he hated the most.
He picked himself off the floor cradling Draco in his arms. Harry carefully set the Slytherin back into the bed caressing his cheek with his hand. As soon as he pulled away, Draco began to toss and turn again. Harry returned putting a hand on his shoulder watching as the blonde gripped his hand in his own as he relaxed.
Harry sat on the edge of the bed twisting himself so one leg was on the bed and the other was dangling off the side. Draco turned over and cuddled into his side. Harry flipped his other leg up and moved his body so he was laying down beside Draco.
Draco curled up to Harry's side resting a hand on the raven-hair's torso as his face snuggled into the Gryffindor's neck.
Draco murmured, "Harry," and the dark-haired boy smiled.
Harry moved his arm to around Draco's back, holding him in his arms as his eyelids slowly drooped. The morning sun came through the windows creating a light haze over his eyes that lulled him to sleep in no time.
|~*~|
Harry slowly opened his eyes looking out at the hazing visions of the infirmary. Draco was still wrapped tightly to his side, barely moving.
The Gryffindor was about to shut his eyes again, but a presence in the room made him turn his head. A dark figure stood looming over the two boys. Harry rubbed his eyes and squinted trying to process the image to his brain. What he saw kind of surprised him.
Professor Snape was standing stiff as a stone as usual looking at them. No, he was watching them. His thick, black eyes pierced over the boys making Harry try to sit up, but found it impossible with Draco sleeping on him more then the mattress.
Snape just nodded and raised his wand poising it at Harry. The Gryffindor felt his eyelids grow increasingly heavy and watched as the colors faded into a black void of nothingness.
|~*~|
Harry yawned and tried to stretch, but found his arms were still pinned down. He opened his eyes to see himself still curled around Draco. The Gryffindor smiled.
He had a strange dream. He dreamt that Snape had been watching the two of them sleep. There he was just looming over the two of them and then the dream vanished. But, why would Snape just be staring at them? Harry put the thoughts to the back of his head answering any questions with 'it was just a dream'.
Something caught his attention, it was dark. It seemed to just process in his brain, but it was night. What time was it? Harry looked over at a clock that read 10:30.
'How had I slept so long? I wasn't even tired and I slept all through the day!' Harry paused to recollect his thoughts, 'In that dream Snape raised his wand at me. That's ridiculous! It was just a dream!'
Harry moved his free arm across his robes over toward Draco, but something bumped his hand. He reached inside his robes and pulled out a box. Harry didn't need to see to know what it was. It was the ring.
The Gryffindor was certainly puzzled now, 'I know I put this in my trunk! I must be going crazy!'
Harry put the box back into his pocket, 'Unless, maybe Snape could have put it in my pocket? No, that's foolish. I kept it in my protected trunk and nobody knows the passwords but me! Then how in the hell did it end up in my pocket?!!'
A murmured stir brought Harry out of his thoughts. Draco started to slightly squirm, breathing deeply. Harry laid still; half wishing Draco would wake, but also fearing that he would be delusional if he did.
Draco inhaled and opened his eyes, "Harry?"
Harry breathed out the breath he had been holding in, "Yeah."
Draco just tightened his hold on the Gryffindor, "Thanks."
Harry raised his eyebrow, "For what?"
Draco gave no explanation, but Harry felt he didn't need one. He knew what Draco meant. That was the kind of thanks that meant thanks for being here.
"Draco?" Harry whispered into the darkness. He knew this was a delicate subject, but he thought this was something Draco should get off his chest, "Please, tell me about what your home is like."
The blonde stiffened, but Harry kept his hold on him so he could not squirm away, "Please, Draco." Harry didn't know why he needed to know, but something just told him he did.
A long period of silence rang out into the air. Draco's breathing became a steady rhythm again and Harry thought he had fallen back asleep until a whispered voice spoke out.
"I don't have a home," Draco felt the urge to go hide behind his snide remarks, but Harry's comforting hug made him think different. He couldn't hide this forever, and maybe Harry would understand. "When I was little my father did throw me down in the dungeon when I was 'misbehaving'. At the time I thought it was for my own good. I thought it was my fault why I was being treated as such. I got thrown down there for small things, not paying attention, not coming when I first was called even though I actually didn't hear him, talking when I wasn't talked to. I think I got thrown down there once for tripping over my shoelace."
Harry could feel his anger rising, but he knew it wasn't the time to get angry. Especially not now, "Your father is a Death Eater." Harry stated this as a fact as opposed to a question.
"Yes. He has been ever since I could remember. Usually, I got thrown back downstairs or locked up in my room when there was a meeting at the manor, but I still remember this one time so clearly when I was fairly young and my father forgot all about me. I was left to myself as I sat quietly in a chair, watching as men in white masks and black robes I had never seen before enter through the front door. My father was coming in my direction, but seemed to busy to notice I was there. Fearing of being locked in a room I hid behind the couch.
"The meeting started and I peeked out behind the couch unseen from where I was, but I could see everything. The group of men were talking about Voldemort. I never knew who he was, but I overheard my father talking nonstop about whom he was and his followers. He talked about it in such a grand way he even made me want to follow him too, but I was oblivious as to what he was talking about. All he talked about was the great power he had and the wealth he shared, but that wasn't what I saw at the meeting.
"A little girl about as old as I was then, about six, was brought before the gathered men. She looked so frightened and was visibly shaking. Her eyes were bright red and she looked like she had stopped crying only because she was too weak to let the tears build in her eyes. I was confused as to why the men were laughing at the broken girl. What I saw wasn't worth laughing at. She was pale and had long blond hair from what I could tell underneath the crusted red blood. There were bruises all over where her skin was visible. She sat huddled in a small ball on the rug, hugging her knees to her chest weakly, almost as if she had no strength to sit up."
Draco stopped, almost as if he couldn't go on with what he was saying. Harry hugged him closer to his chest. Draco inhaled and continued, his voice getting weaker.
"Three men started to kick her and a few others were throwing her on the floor. Each in turn laughing and enjoying the brutal treatment the girl was receiving. As she laid on the floor, finally being left alone, her eyes caught mine. I saw so much pain and fear in her eyes it almost made me start to cry, but I couldn't. I was too scared myself.
"One of the Death Eaters must have followed the little girl's gaze because he started to walk over to where I was. I was alarmed and hid myself back behind the couch, but all he did was stand in front of the hole I was in and continued the meeting with his back to me.
"I heard the words 'Avada Kedavra' and a sharp, high-pitched scream that burned its way into my head and down into my soul. I just sat there and curled up into my own little ball between the couch and the wall squeezing my eyes tight listening as men laughed.
"I don't know how long I hid behind that couch, but I didn't come out on my own. I was grabbed by my shirt and pulled out. The meeting must have been over because there wasn't anyone there except for the man who pulled me out from my hiding space. I stared in fear, but the man just pulled me to his chest and rocked me back and forth.
"He must have been at the manor before because he knew his way to my room. He sat on my bed and just held me as I cried and shook in his arms. I cried for the little girl. She had seemed so frightened.
"It was a wonder when I stopped crying that I didn't try to run away from the man. He himself had on a white mask and black robes, but I had never been held before and didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms. He took off his mask and I saw the stranger. He had a pale face and neck-length black hair. His features were those I had never seen before. Instead of the usual malice I got from my father or the distant looks I got from my mother I saw patience and kindness. He sort of smiled at me to reassure me that everything was alright and I felt as if it was. After I was done sobbing into his chest he set me on my bed and left. I had nightmares for years about that little girl and the man wishing he would come back, but he never did.
"It wasn't until years later that I knew that man saved my life. He had hidden me from view from the rest of the Death Eaters. And it wasn't until I came to Hogwarts that I knew who the man with the black hair was. Imagine to my surprise when I found out it was Professor Snape."
Harry didn't know if he should have been shocked or not. He was stunned to an extent, but it just wasn't as surprising as he thought it would have been.
Harry drew the blonde even closer into him. Draco had seen a lot when he was so young. It made him frustrated that he couldn't make the bad memories go away.
"So what happened when you realized it was Snape?"
Draco thought back to first year, "When I first saw him, it didn't mean anything. I didn't notice who he was. But then it hit me after classes were over and I was in my dormitory. After I realized who he was I made my way to his chambers and knocked on the door. When he opened it he was kind of moody like he is in class."
"Moody?" Harry interrupted.
"Ok, he was being a down right bastard."
Harry smirked, "Better."
"Anyway, so I was kind of frightened of him like most first years normally are. He didn't seem like the man who had held me that night five years ago. I almost turned around and ran back to the common room, but something made me stay put. I think it was his eyes.
"After asking me what I wanted three times he got sick of me standing there and pulled me into the room. I sat on a chair and he waited patiently until I found my voice. It was his patience that made me speak. I would love to have a picture of his face as I told him about that night. He hadn't recognized me as supposed. I thanked him for saving my life and pretty much left after that."
"So that's why Snape likes you best."
Draco chuckled, "That's why."
"God, Draco, and all this time I thought..."
"That I was a spoiled brat?"
"Well, kind of."
"Now you know the truth."
The words came so suddenly and seemed to slip out that Harry almost hadn't realized he said them, "I love you."
Draco's body went stiff and rigid under Harry's grasp. He didn't say anything and the silence felt like an eternity to the Gryffindor. Harry was growing anxious, afraid he shouldn't have said that, but it wasn't his fault! It just slipped out!
Finally, Draco lifted up his head and, now that his eyes were adjusted to the dark, gazed into Harry's. He stared in almost pure disbelief, but Harry's spine melted as he heard, "I love you, too."
Harry smiled. Those four little words that usually meant nothing to him just felt as if they were the whole world. Warm tingly feelings washed over his body as his heart became so light it felt as though it would rise up and out of his chest. His soul was beyond the infirmary. It was flying high in the clouds way up in the starry night sky.
Draco brushed his lips against Harry's weakly, almost as if he couldn't muster up the energy. He laid back down beside Harry as the Gryffindor snaked a hand up over Draco's chest feeling his heart beat into his chest.
"I was going to give this to you at Christmas, but its only fifteen minutes away," Harry pulled out the small green and red box.
Draco gasped slightly, "Harry, I can't. I didn't get you anything."
Harry smiled, "I know. You have your reasons, but please open it."
Draco delicately opened it, setting the ribbon and paper on the table beside the bed. He fumbled as he opened the little white box gazing at what lied inside. Even though it was dark, the small ring seemed to give off a silvery glow.
Harry rested his lips to Draco's ear, "Will you be mine?"
Draco lifted his head up and kissed Harry with a little more force then the last kiss signifying his answer. Harry slipped the band onto Draco's ring finger and kissed him again.
Draco broke the kiss and laid gingerly back onto the bed breathing heavily as if that small movement made him use so much energy. Harry's hand still rested on his chest. He watched the clock as the minute hand slowly moved to 11:59.
Harry pulled the blonde closer to him hearing as his breathing decreased slowly, listening to him fall asleep. Draco's chest rose slower and slower, almost too slow. Harry looked back up at the clock. Midnight, and that's when it happened. The pounding beneath Harry's hand ceased and Draco's breathing stopped.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Author's Note: Ok. *sees the angry crowd of fanfic readers running at her with torches, whips, wands, dementors, and Cheez Whiz* I'll be going now. Uh. Sirius! *runs into Remus's house where I have been currently hiding* Sirius!
*Sirius looks out the window* Shit! What the hell did you do now?!! *rubs the bridge of his nose with his finger and thumb* Never mind. I know what you did. We have to get out of here before they tear you apart. Seriously, the things I do for you. Remus!
*Remus comes into the room* I know, I saw the mob. We better hurry or we won't make it out of here.
*Sirius smirks at Remus* Maybe we should just leave her here. Why the hell should we risk our lives to save someone who goes and gets their self into trouble on purpose?
*I look at him nervously* Siriussssss!
*Remus just stares at Sirius in disbelief* Because she's the one who did us a big favor. How could you forget?
*Sirius shrugs* I didn't forget. I wouldn't leave her here to die. At least not by Cheez Whiz. That's too horrible, even for this evil author.
*I smile* Authoress.
*Sirius rolls his eyes* Authoress.
There is pounding on the door and glass begins to shatter as various objects are thrown into the window (not to mention a person or two).
*I stare outside* Sirius!
*Sirius just looks amused* Come on then.
*I grab my laptop and Sirius disapparated the three of us far away just as the door brakes down.*