AN/ Oh yeah! Canada beat Belarus and is in the running for gold this Sunday! And Canada is playing the States! Wooh! I can't wait 'til Sunday!!!!
Oh and I'm also done this chapter. Yay! It's a good day. Onto the important stuff.
Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter and am also a compulsive lair. What does this tell you?
Thank ya kindly to:
Catalyst -Yadda yadda Beta blather. You rock like always.
Boongar Girl - She didn't get to read all of this chapter but said she liked what she read. Thanks buddy. Hope you had a good time at Rendezvous.
To the nice reviewing people (and the not so nice ones too, I'm sure.):
black no. 1 - Glad you likesies. Hee hee, very easy to stop where I know it annoys people the most.
Antigone - Continued as soon as I could. Hope you like this chapter.
Danielle - No need to beg really. Finally posted chapter four.
RaevenWynter - Your poor victimized Draco? Huh uh. MY Poor Victimized Draco. And your Lucius threats scare me not. I have he who should not be named but may be E-mailed under my payroll. But just in case. I'm hiding under my bed 'til I post the fifth chapter.
Akutsuin - Ooh, I'm in someone's favorites. Cool. Eep, hope this next chapter is good, too.
Thank y'all. Reviews make me very happy.
And here we go…
******
When Draco eyes rolled up and then closed Harry actually thought man had died. His eyes stung , becoming heavy and full of tears. He blinked once and two tears spilt down, ran down his nose and dropped on to Draco's pale face. They created a small star shaped splash mark on his right cheek. Harry felt like giant hands were ripping at his intestines and pinching his throat closed. His breathing came out wheezy.
Oh! Oh God. He's dead.
He thought it had hurt when the blonde had left. This hurt more. Draco was gone for good. Forever. His voice rose in his throat wanting to scream in anger but the scream wouldn't come. For a moment he hated Draco and loved him at the same time.
Why did you come back to die you bastard? Just when the pain finally went away. Damn you!
Then he saw the robed chest raise as the supposed dead man breathed. Not quite believing he pushed over and laid an ear on his chest. Hearing a steady heart beat, color came back to his cheeks.
"He's alive." Harry murmured to himself. He lay a had gently on Draco's chest and breathed slowly as his vision swam. The colored spots finally faded away after a few minutes of feeling the blonde chest rise. It was ok. Draco wasn't dead. Harry gritted his teeth and made a fist. He also wasn't going to let Draco die.
"You can't just come back like this and die. You'd just love to make me fell guilty like that, wouldn't you?" Harry whispered to the still form. He'd do every thing in his power to make sure that Draco didn't die.
"You'll be fine." He assured himself, pulling up Draco's sleeve again. He used Draco's wand to create a long piece of shimmering gold cloth. He tied to around the bloody wrist nervously. He had no idea how to help the man. The skin beneath the blood housing the half-Dark mark was turning blue. Besides binding his wrist and, hopefully, stopping the bleeding, he didn't think he could do anything else. He could barley treat normal injures let alone the magical sorts. He felt lost.
Footsteps behind him made him stand up and whirl around quickly. His Aunt Petunia had come up behind him and she held it far away from her, between pinched fingers, like the two halves of a ripped envelope held some horrible disease. She dropped them to the floor before Harry could grab them then rushed without saying a word back to the living room with Vernon. Harry leaned over and grabbed them looking at them inquisitively. Holding the two pieces together he could tell it certainly was from wizard post and his name was written in Draco's hand. A bit nervously he pulled the paper out from with in. The three pages were still crisp white but torn in half messily and the tight handwriting seemed almost ineligible. Harry took a calming breath to hold the rage that emerged focused on his aunt then looked at the letter almost helplessly. He placed it on Draco's chest.
"I'll be right back." He promised. He quickly walked by the living room door, refusing to look at his relatives least he hex one. It took him five tries with Draco's wand to open the cupboard under the stairs. He pulled open his old school truck, grabbing his wand from the very top. He sighed as he grasped it. It seemed happy to be back in his hand, somehow, and, regardless of the circumstances that had forced him to take it out, he was happy to have it. He grabbed a roll of spell-o-tape and tucked Draco's wand in a folded robe and shut the truck. He'd come back for that later.
Loud screams and commotion finally reminded him he couldn't stay in the cupboard forever. Funny how when he was younger it was the last place he ever wanted to be. He steeled himself for what was out in the kitchen. His Aunt and Uncle had come out of the living room. Vernon bellowed mindlessly out the front door and Petunia just screamed incoherently. When Vernon spotted Harry, he turned to his nephew and began bellowing at Harry about bewitching his boy and doing insane freak murders. Harry looked at the open living room door open front door and bellowing uncle and just barley resisted rolling his eyes. So, Dudley had left the great sanctuary of the living room and all the great protection it provided from the two queer wizards in the kitchen. Oh and, of course, it was all Harry's fault. He couldn't take his relatives right now but Vernon went on bellowing and Petunia went on screaming.
"Shut up." Harry whispered under his breath. Neither noticed. A spot of spittle flew at Harry and he felt it land wetly on his face. Vernon was now yelling about how worthless Harry was and how worthless his parents had been. No matter. He wiped the spit off his cheek.
"Shut up." Harry breathed straining not to go berserk. More yell screams and accusations. Derogatory terms for Harry and Draco's sexual preferences. Harry hands tightened into fist when he noticed he held his wand like it was the first time. His eyes glistened with an inner fire.
"SHUT UP!" He screamed finally. He had a moment of silence. Vernon opened his mouth to counter attack. Oh no! Not this time.
"Quietus!" Harry bellowed first. More then a moment of silence. Vernon opened his mouth wordlessly and Petunia gurgled slightly. Vernon was just able to catch her as she fell back in a faint. He looked over at Harry purple faced but unable to enunciate his rant. Harry actually smiled.
"Get back in the living room please and take Aunt Petunia with you." Vernon mouthed an argument but Harry shook his head. "Don't make me turn you into a pot bellied pig."
That was all it took. The large beefy man rushed with his wife back to the living room. Harry hurried a locking spell behind him shutting the door with such a seal zeal that the house shook. Harry swallowed hard taking in a shuddering breath. He lay his head in a hand for a moment before heading back to the prone body on the floor. First, he checked to make sure the man hadn't died during the commotion. He hadn't. Harry wondered if that was a blessing or a burden.
Blessing. Please don't die.
Harry ignored his thoughts and just sat himself down beside Draco. He smiled sickly.
"Sorry it took so long. I was held up." The blonde didn't answer of course. Harry didn't expect him too. He just couldn't stand looking at Draco. He wasn't like he looked when Harry watched him sleeping. He looked like a dead man. Harry took another careful breath and set to work taping the letter. He lined the pages up carefully so they fit perfectly with out reading a word. After that was done he considered taping the envelope together even though it was fruitless. He did any way then tucked the fixed letter back in it and set it back on Draco's chest. Harry stared at Draco's face.
"This is all your fault." He started. "I only had to stay here a few more months then poof I was gone. I would be living at the Burrow living the high life. I could go on hating you and blaming you and pretending it didn't hurt. If you had just died and not talked to me it would have been fine. But no, of course, you had to come and play the perfect bastard and ruin it. All your fault"
Harry closed his eyes the took the letter out of the envelope.
"Now, lets see what's my fault." He began to read.
Draco was being up front and truthful. That wasn't good. Afraid. Harry's heart sank. That was never good.
Loved you. Harry could feel himself start hyperventilating. He tried to regulate his breath so the black spots would go away.
"I was yours?" Harry asked eyes not straying from the letter to even look at Draco. Fuck! Fuck, this just got better and better. Oh, gods.
Forgive me? Oh yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes! If only I had heard you say it, yes I would have. Now?
One word?
"My choice?" Harry screamed shrilly. "My choice. One word?" He threw the letter on Draco's chest, picked it up again glanced at it and threw it down again. Harry jumped up, too stimulated to stay sitting. That stupid letter was supposed to...
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck and fuck.
Why did he think saying that would help? It didn't. He looked at the table and with a few quick step sent it over in a tremendous crash and shatter as the dinner plates and serving bowls hit. That didn't make him happy. He wanted to hear more smash sounds. He wanted to break a lamp. All the lamps were in the living room. He didn't want to go into there and accidentally kill his aunt. Or maybe he did. He took his wand and with a few loud screams turned the table into a large lamp. He smashed that with a crash. That wasn't enough. He opened all the cupboards with a bang and began to smash every single plate and glass in the kitchen. Finally, he ended up sitting over, Draco banging his fist on the floor, howling. After a few minutes he stilled and tried to take calming breaths. His hands clenched helplessly, still feeling the urge to destroy something. He glanced around at the wreckage he caused, stunned. All the drawers and cupboards were open and bare of their contents, which were strewn across the floor along with food and water when he smashed a vase full of roses. He did feel slightly better, actually. He turned back to Draco and bit his lip.
"So, I did leave you. Or we both left. Whatever happened, it happened." Harry brushed Draco's blonde bangs carefully. "But since you're here now, whether I like it or not, I'll take care of you. I promise." He kissed his thumb and ran it across Draco's dry lips. "I'll take care of you now."
He sighed and headed back to the cupboard. Where should he go? St. Mangos? He smiled, a ghost of a smile for a second. No, he knew the two persons who could possible help. Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledor. If anyone could help, he'd find them at Hogwarts. He had to go home to Hogwarts. Besides if he went to St. Mungos, the Aurors would lock Draco up without waiting for Harry's explanation.
His stomach clenched. The Aurors. Well, this would look great on his resume, aiding and abetting a Death Eater. Well, an almost Death Eater. What he was planing to do was definitely illegal. In fact, what with the new codes after Voldemorts's return, he could get himself a life sentence in Azkaban. His and Draco's best bet was to get to Dumbledor and explain what was happening. He was sure the school head could come up with a plan. Harry dragged his trunk back to the kitchen. Right now he'd have to come up with his own plan to get there.
Something non-detectable.
Harry caressed his fire bolt fondly. He set it aside and decided no. He wasn't sure how he would take Draco on that without injuring him more. Besides, brooms could be detected. The same thing went for Apparating. That could be tracked with a simple spell. He wanted to stay off both the Death Eaters and the Aurors radar. If he took the Knight Bus, Ernie and Stan would undoubtedly squeal on him, even if he hid Draco somehow. He didn't want anyone to know where he was going. Harry massaged his temples slightly. It didn't seem like any type of wizard transport could take him where he wanted to go and the Muggles' public transportation couldn't go that way. Unless he drove it.
Unless he drove it. That was it! He looked up at the kitchen window. It was getting late but if he left now maybe.....? He pulled a spare robe out of his trunk and laid it on Draco. He grabbed his self-inking quill and a parchment. He scribbled out a quick note, a plan forming in his mind. He stood up.
"I'll be right back." He promised Draco. Harry hurried past the living room door with his uncle pounding and up the stairs to his room. Opening Hedwig's cage, he handed her the note. She looked at him curiously. He shook his head.
"Just take it to Ron, ok?" She hooted an affirmative and Harry pulled open a window. Hedwig gave him one glance before headed off for the burrow. Harry then scoured his room and grabbed anything of his he wanted to keep from under the loose floorboards. He left all of the perishables but made sure he grabbed every parchment and letter. Then he also grabbed the comforter. He said goodbye to his room and headed back downstairs. He took the stairs two at a time and upon reaching the kitchen, wrapped the blonde in the yellow comforter. He stared at the unconscious face for a few moments, wishing the gray eyes would open. They remanded closed and Harry just viewed the face. Purple bruises from no sleep weighed the closed eyes laced in long feminine eyelashes. The skin seemed thin and worn, dirty with mud and perspiration. He ran a hand through the hair, taking time to marvel at its silkiness, despite its uncleanness. Then he stood, hefting the man up in his arms, still head lolling back. Holding the dead weight to his chest, he hurried out the kitchen and through the front door.
He peered out at the shadows, shifting his load so Draco would be more comfortable. Not that the unconscious man was even aware of Harry carrying him. Harry doubted the blonde would be discomforted if he was flung over Harry's shoulder like a sack. Frowning, Harry shook that thought from his head and headed towards his destination. Dudley's truck. Harry figured he could make it to the Burrow by the next morning, hopefully, since he also was planning on driving.
Harry had been taught how to drive. The only problem was he had been taught by a wizard and not a muggle. Harry had been staying at the Burrow one summer when Mr.. Weasley had acquired a new car. He didn't tell Mrs. Weasley but this time he didn't give it flying powers, so it wasn't that bad. Anyway, he decided that all his sons (including Harry and excluding Charlie) should learn how to drive a muggle car. Without the aid of magic. Harry was called a natural driver, being the only one who didn't either hit the house or cause a fire (Or, in Percy's case, both). Harry also figured he understood most of the muggle road laws and could dive the truck without getting stopped by the police.
Harry looked at the truck for a moment. There wasn't much to it. It was black, four doors, four wheel drive. Harry really didn't know much about trucks and didn't see the big deal about it. Dudley called it his baby sometimes but it just looked like a dumb vehicle to Harry. Of course, to a muggle, his fire bolt might just look like a dumb red broom. Harry shrugged. He pulled open the door and laid Draco across the back seat. He arranged the comforter around the body before pulling himself out of the cab. He looked around the yard. Nothing yet. He shut the door and headed back in the house for his trunk and broom. He added a few weight and protective spells before sliding them in the truck's bed.
"What are you doing with my truck?" Came an angry, anguished cry. Harry smiled. Good, Dudley finally showed. He lost the grin and turned to his cousin leaning against the truck.
"I," Harry said carefully "am taking your truck."
Dudley stopped short and glared back at Harry small eyes narrowing. "No, you're not." He finally declared. Harry crossed his arms. He was taking Dudley's truck weather the man liked it or not. Harry pulled his wand out and held it causally. Dudley's eyes widened in fear and his hands immediately went to his rear.
"Yes, I am."
Dudley gulped nervously but then in an act that for him what seemed somewhat brave made fist by his sides and stepped closer to his smaller cousin. He scowled.
"No, you're not. It's my truck. Leave it alone!" Dudley's face started to redden in a mock up of his father.
"I don't think you understand me, Cus." Harry said coolly. "I'm taking your stupid truck, whether you like it or not."
"Over my dead body."
"Look!" Harry snapped. "Who has the magic powers here? You don't want me to use them on you do you?" Harry just needed his big bulk of a cousin to hand over his car keys. Why'd the man have to be so difficult ? Harry didn't have time for it. Dudley went slightly pale for a second at Harry's threat then seemed to recover.
"I'm still bigger then you." He sneered pulling himself up to his full high, which was a good many inches over Harry. Harry clenched his wand painfully, frowning unhappily, ready to hex Dudley if need be. The larger man pushed him and Harry lost his footed stumbling back. Dudley stood in front of his truck arms out wide in an effort to keep Harry from it.
"My truck." Dudley inspected his vehicle. "Ahhh, you scratched it!!"
Ok, this is getting ridiculous, Harry thought. Out loud he said, "I did not."
"Did too." Dudley insisted. "And what's that other freak doing in the back seat?" The man asked looking in the back.
"I," Harry said gritting his teeth. "Have to get him somewhere before he dies. To get to that somewhere I need to take your stupid truck."
"I thought this freak was trying to kill you."
"It was a misunderstanding. Get you fat bulk out of my way and give me the keys." Harry decided to take the direct route to get what he wanted. Dudley shook his head.
"Why don't you go your freak ways? Thought the fireplace or on your broom? Why don't you leave my baby out of it?" Dudley leaned his back against his truck protectively and glowered at Harry. Harry glared back.
"Because that's why!" Harry shouted. "So, let me borrow your truck. I promise I'll bring it back." Maybe someday, somehow.
"No!"
Harry gritted his teeth and with much trouble spat out "Please."
"No." The man stopped for a second and his blue eyes closed for a second as he pondered. He snapped them open and grinned evilly. "Maybe. What's in it for me?"
It took Harry a second to understand what his cousin meant and then he gapped. What's in it for...? Bloody Hell "How about I forgive you for all the horrible things you did to me during my childhood?" Harry asked frowning
Dudley shook his head. "I don't care if you do or if you don't." The man rubbed his thumb and finger in the money gesture. "Goods or money only, freak boy."
Harry sighed. He remembered that one time when he compared Dudley to Draco when he first met the blonde. He could see Dudley would not have been out of place as a Slytherin. Greedy bastard. Harry walked over to the truck and Dudley jumped back slightly. Harry didn't attack the man, just pulled himself in the truck's bed and opened his trunk. He sorted through his trunk, looking for something that could be used to bribe Dudley. He pushed aside his invisibility cloak and Marauder's map. Finally, he pulled out a bottle and tossed it down to Dudley.
"There." He said. "It's a strength potion." Harry remembered when they had made that stupid potion in Snape's class. They had all gone out to the forbidden forest and uprooted trees. "It doesn't work long but it'll work."
Dudley eyed the red glass bottle. "Its probably poison." He declared. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Right on because it makes sense to keep poison in a bottle marked Strength Potion."
"If someone wanted to steal it." Dudley said, defensibly.
"Why would any one. It can be bought anywhere and I made it in my 6 year." Harry cried aghast. Dudley shook his head any way.
"Something else." Harry couldn't help but note that Dudley pocketed the bottle of supposed poison. Harry rooted again through his trunk there had to be something. Robe. Robe. More texts. Harry briefly considered giving Dudley his Monster Book of Monsters but decided against it. It had been a gift and besides the book was quite docile now in his old age. The book mostly slept the day away, purring. Finally, Harry had hit something cold. Perfect. It was a stupid all gold caldron Harry had won in a contest. He never used it because Hermione said gold wasn't good to brew potions in and it was smaller the his school one anyway. He passed it down to Dudley.
"There gold. Real gold. Can I borrow your truck now?"
Dudley's piggish eyes widened as he fingerd the gold and finally he nodded. "Fine."
Harry rolled his eyes. Finally. He closed his truck and made sure it was safe for a trip. He added a waterproof spell just in case. He jumped down and held his hand out to Dudley. The man eyed it carefully.
"What?"
"Keys."
"You need keys?" Dudley asked surprised.
"Yes, I need keys." Harry growled. "Hand 'em over."
Dudley sighed and placed his gold on the ground to search his pockets for keys. When he pulled them out Harry snatched them out of his hands and pulled open the driver sides door. halfway in he stopped.
"Oh, one more thing."
"What?" Dudley asked suspiciously eyeing the caldron that was back in his hands, like it would turn into a snake.
"I sort of cursed Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon and they won't be able to speak until someone comes to undo it."
Dudley shrugged. "Take your time, then." And headed back in the house to figure out how much he could get for his gold. Harry closed the truck door and put the keys in the ignition. Harry turned back to the unconscious Draco. He brushed the white bangs away from closed eyes.
"I'm just taking you to the Burrow. I'll get Hermy and Ron's help and have you fixed in no time." Harry tuned away and stared out the windshield.
He wasn't going to let Draco Malfoy die on him.
"I promise." He whispered and pulled out of the driveway.
*******
Finally! I don't like this chapter much. Nothing much happened. Well, except for Harry wrecking the house, cursing his uncle and aunt and bribing Dudley to take his truck. I was really considering calling this chapter Harry Has a Hissy Fit.
Ah, well. I'm proud I finally got it done.
Keep an eye out too because I almost done Chapter 5 and it will be posted soon. The reason it took so long to write this chapter was because Chapter 5 was much more fun.
You will finally get some Harry/Draco action because the next chapter is my flash back one. It's how the two got together so you get them doing stuff.
Uh, no sorry not that stuff. Take it down a peg. They're just kissing.
Any way, if you liked this chapter, hated this chapter, love this story, hate this story, like my writing or just plain loathe me, please review. It shall make me want to post faster. Unless you say you hate me then I'll probably feel bad.
:(
Ta Ta Goggled Monkey