The Mind Switch...

Story by: Snapes Apprentice

February 23rd, 2005

Chapter 16: Bloody Web We Weave

(A/N: Hey guys. I am sorry I haven't updated in..forever, I just haven't had the time. So I have 3 updates for you this time. w00t! Please read and review. Thank ya's!)

Harry wasn't paying close attention to Blaise as she was talking away about home and her recent social life. He gave a soft sigh, and turned to look as the other students were enjoying their meal.

Harry watched as the brown haired replica of himself started to head out of the Great Hall, turning to look at him. He gave an intake of breath, watching the intent stare fixate on him. He gave a small nod as 'Bathroom' was understood between the two of them.

He looked down and poked at his food with his fork, moving the small bits and pieces of his hardly eaten steak around.

"Draco, are you listening to me?" Blaise whined, eyeing him with distaste. He looked at the black-haired girl and rolled his eyes. "Of course I am listening, Zabini." he replied to her whine, making the girl smile innocently.

"Well? What will it be? Yes or no?" she said with a grin, knowing perfectly well he didn't hear one word.

He put his hands in the air, as if shrugging. "Sure. Why not?" he answered, looking up at the teacher's table, searching for Hagrid.

"Good." she said excitedly, and kissed his cheek. "Hogs Meade it is. We can catch up on everything. A week from today."

He turned to her, awestruck. "I will talk to you later, lover." she said quietly, standing up. He watched her pick up her one suitcase, and head towards the Slytherin Common Room.

Harry slowly stood up, and pushed his chair in, heading towards the stairs. He quickly hurried up them, dodging the traps in the stairs, finally making it to the prefect's bathroom.

He stared at the dent in the wall before shaking his head, entering the foyer. He stopped dead in his tracks, and stared at Draco, watching his arm. Blood was dripping from his still frame, hitting the ground with no sound. Draco sat upon the countertop, the blood stained razor in his left hand.

He raised his eyes towards Harrys, and gave a small jump. He rushed over to him, there eyes boring into one another as Harry closed the gap. He grabbed the red razor, and threw it to his side, it hitting the wall with a small clink.

"What in the..." Harry stopped and took a breath, before looking at him again. "What did you think you were doing to yourself? To me?" His voice rising, pointing to the razor to his side.

Draco pushed himself off the countertop and landed on the ground, the blood on his arm slowly racing down to his fingers. "I have had a lot on my mind." Draco stated, his voice deathly calm.

Harry just stared at him for a moment, his heart racing. "What would have been on your mind so much that you took it upon yourself to cut your arm?" Harry asked softly, watching the blood drip from his fingertips.

"A lot of things. For one, Blaise is here. She wasn't supposed to be here for 5 more days. In that time we could of found a way to get back to our own lives."

"What will happen when people find out about what happened in the common room? Pansy can't keep a secret as good as this one for very long." He said confidently, watching him like a hawk. "What will happen?"

Harry looked away from the stare. Draco pushed himself back onto the counter, finally breaking away. They were both silent for a few minutes, before Harry gave a dramatic sigh and stood before him again. He took Dracos arm in his hand, and wet a paper towel in the faucet behind the bloody one.

" I can't stand looking at it any longer. I have to help." Harry said with a soft smile. He pressed the towel down on his cuts, making Draco give a barely noticeable flinch. Draco focused on his arm, as Harry watched him.

"No sarcastic comebacks? What's the matter with you?" Harry said jokingly.

Draco shrugged, not making eye contact. "I am getting used to you."

He gave a satisfied smile at the answer, but looked down. "How deep did you cut your arm?" Draco looked up at him, eyebrow raised. "How should I know? I just cut it to feel a different pain. When you walked in, the blade was to my arm. You made me jump, and I practically stabbed myself." He replied, not caring that his voice was raised.

Harry studied him. He saw a glare come from Draco. "What do you keep staring at, Potter? God, stop staring or I am going to hex you."

Harry replied coolly, a smirk on his face." Nothing important."

Harry blinked as he saw a shiver run over Draco. He softly kept his gaze locked on him, as the other closed his eyes, opening them to stare at him. "H-Harry...I need to talk to you."

Harry's stomache twisted into a knot, but stayed calm. "What is it, Draco? Are you hurting?"

Draco shook his head. "I have to tell you something. I should have t-told you before. But I didn't know how well you would have took it if I told you then."

Harry held his breath, waiting for him to continue. "Well, what is it?"

He looked down as Draco focused on him. "The night I fainted in the kitchens, it wasn't because I was starving or anything. I woke up in the hospital wing, and Dumbledore came to me. He sat down and proceeded to say that...that I, you, have a rare hereditary blood disease."

"It is called Angiodema. It infects 1 out of 75,000 people. He has an idea of what can cause it, but isn't positive. Foods you eat, things in the air, and a lot of different things. It causes swelling, hives, fainting of course, and more. Dumbledore thinks we can find a cure, but he isn't positive. I.. you will proably be stuck on medicine for a long while."

Harry watched him, dropping Dracos arm in the process. "Why didn't you tell...tell me before, Draco?" He said, anger rising, and pushed his shoulders. "I have a right to know. It only is ME we are talking about."

He gave a shaky breath and picked his arm up again, holding the cloth down with more force. "Damn you, malfoy. Why didn't you tell me this in the hospital wing? I am more angry at you then scared right now."

Draco glared right back at him. "I was going to tell you Potter, but Dumbledore would of suspected something, you ass."

Harry said nothing, but continued to glare at the boy.

Harry and Draco both turned as the door opened. Harrys eyes went wide as he seen the last person on earth that he cared for. Professor Snape entered, carrying a glass jar, stopping when he seen both of them. He looked at them both with a little shock showing on his curved face, but covered it up quickly. " Mr. Malfoy...Mr. Potter. What would a Slytherin and a Gryffindor be doing in the prefects bathroom alone?" He said in a soft, silky voice, adding emphasis on the last word. Harry said nothing, but kept his eyes on him, slipping his hand away from Dracos blood stained arm.

†Snapes Apprentice†