For hours and hours he traveled through the darkness trying to find some ray of light. There were swirls of blackness that surrounded him he almost choked. He could hear voices and laughter, but they seemed to be taunting him. He felt tugged and pushed all over until he stopped in front of glowing red eyes and there focused intently on him. He opened his mouth to saying something, but there was a flash of bright green and everything slid out of focus with a cold laughter ringing in his ears.
"Harry? Can you hear me?"
"Help me…."
Harry choked out gasping for air. Soft hands shook him gently.
"You're dreaming Harry. Wake up."
He gasped out and shot up blinking around. A green haze was all he could see.
"Nightmare…..I saw him again…"
"Shh, it was a merely a dream. You're safe now."
He stared towards the sound of her voice, though she blended in with everything else he saw.
I suppose hazy green is better then endless black…
He shook his head trying to push the dream to the back of his mind. His green eyes swirled from dark to light, but continued to gaze blankly in front of him.
"Here Harry, this will help."
He felt a bottle handed to him, drinking it silently he sighed as his heartbeat return to normal.
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey. What time is it by the way? Did I miss breakfast with Ron and Hermione?"
There was a pause "I'm sorry to have to tell you this Harry, but you've been asleep most of the weekend. It's Sunday afternoon."
Shock etched his face "Was it the potion? There not suppose to last that long."
"You have been through a very tragic event Harry. It's only natural that your body takes the time to rest and restore itself."
He sighed blinking silently, then paused.
"I feel like going back to my dorm Madam Pomfrey…."
She shook her head "Dumbledore said for you to join your classmates on Monday. You still have a day to prepare yourself."
"I'm ready to just get it over."
He blindly climbed out of the bed hissing at the feel of the cold floor.
"If you feel you're up to it I'll go get your things and summon your friends to escort you to your dorm."
She walked off leaving Harry to explore the area around his bed. He slowly felt his way around the ward, noting the walls around his bed. He jumped back a little as his hand felt something soft and smooth, almost like hair.
"Careful where you're reaching for mate." Ron's bright voice filled his ears making the green eyed Gryffindor smile.
"It's good to hear you again Ron. Where's Hermione?"
"She's outside with Madam Pomfrey. I'm going to help you get cleaned and dressed. You ready?"
"Just hurry, if I stay here any longer I'll go mad…."
Ron laughed and led Harry over to the bathroom. About 30 minutes later, Ron led a fresh clean Harry over to where Hermione was waiting; Madam Pomfrey had some other patients to attend to and couldn't wait. The bushy haired girl hugged Harry tightly.
"You had us so worried when you wouldn't wake up." She kissed his cheek causing a slight blush on the tanned face boy.
"Sorry to worry everyone. I just needed more rest then I thought."
They stared at him noting the change the curse did to his eyes. Usually they were one shade of green, depending on his current mood, but now many shades of green swirled around in a hypnotizing and enchanting way.
"How about we talk a nice walk before dinner? Give Harry a chance to get some fresh air."
They agreed in unison, Hermione and Ron each taking a place on Harry's sides and helped him out of the Hospital Wing, which had been his home for the past few weeks.
They walked down the stairs and corridors which were dead silent.
"Where is everyone? How come it's so quiet?" Harry blinked a few times loving the feel of being with his friends and away from the Hospital Wing
Ron rubbed his grumbling stomach and sighed "Well, I think a bunch of people went to Hogsmeade and other's are probably just wondering the grounds since it's so sunny outside." He paused running his hand through his fiery red hair. "When's dinner?"
Hermione shook her head "You can't possibly be hungry now Ron. Dinner's in about an hour…You'll live, I promise."
Harry laughed a little hearing Ron mumble he wouldn't.
They walked around soaking up the last it of sunshine for the day. Laughing and chatting, they slowly forgot how different things were.
Flushed from the fresh air and sun, the trio walked up to the Great Hall doors. Harry drew back a little stalling the inevitable.
Hermione gave him a concerned glance "We don't have to go in there Harry. It is a day earlier then Dumbledore said. We could just go to the kitchens…"
"Kitchens, Great Hall. Let's go some where I'm starved!" Ron gave an impatient groan and Hermione hit him for being so insensitive.
The bright green eyed boy sighed heavily "Let's get this over with."
As soon as the doors opened, the loud chatter and clatter or student dulled a little. Blush crept up the tan boy's face, he knew without a shadow of doubt that the attention had just turned on him.
At least I don't have to look at all the wondering eyes…..
This brought a slight smile to the Gryffindor's face as he felt Hermione and Ron lead him over to their table. As they were helping him sit down there was a roar of cheering and applause from his classmate; minus the Slytherins. Harry felt like his face was burning and his quietly tried to ignore the applause. He stared ahead not blinking when he felt a hand smack him on the back and a heavy Irish voice filled his head.
"Hello there Harry. Good to see you're well. You had us all worried mate. I heard you took some heavy damage from the battle." Beams at him "There's something different about you…" Rubs his chin "Ah, you got rid of you glasses. Very trendy Harry."
"It's a good look for you…" Harry turned towards the last voice
"Cho? Is that you?"
The pretty raven haired girl smiled "Of course it's me Harry. How are you feeling?"
She sat down next to him and gave his hand a squeeze, Harry was at a lost of words. They hadn't spoken since their disastrous relationship during 5th year. His eyes blinked only seeing green.
Grey eyes watched as Harry was escorted in the Great Hall and they closed as he took in the sight. It had been months since he seen Harry, though he doubted the Gryffindor remembered their encounter. Draco remembered it vividly, seeing as he dreamed about it each night.
His eyes turned a shade darker as he watched Cho Chang swooning over the tanned boy. The whole wizarding world knew about the blonde's help in saving his once enemy Harry. And now everyone was speculating as to his reason for doing such a thing, and if they leaned towards love for the dark haired boy. His feelings for Harry were something of a mystery even to him, but he did know that Cho wasn't good enough for him. Everyone had witnessed their disastrous relationship and break up, but back then Draco laughed saying Potter couldn't satisfy himself if he was given lessons on the matter. And now as he watched her with him, he felt his blood boil and causally stood up and walked over to them.
"Well, I'm good Cho. How are you?"
"I've been worried sick thinking about you." She smiled and batted her eyes.
Harry couldn't help but blush and wonder why she was paying so much attention to him
"M-Me? Whatever for?"
"You have such an enticing way with words Potter…"
The icy smooth voice hit Harry like an ice cold shower and he glared towards the blonde.
"I don't recall anyone giving an invitation for gits to open their mouths."
Draco held his breath as the piercing green eyes turned on him. He knew Harry was blind, but that didn't seem to take away their sparkle. He put on his best smirk.
"This is why Weasley hasn't spoken yet…"
Ron choked on his food and glared at Draco, but was silenced by Hermione's hand.
Harry stood up so quickly that his equilibrium was off balanced and he fell. But instead of hitting the hard ground he handed in soft arms and was surrounded with the scent of vanilla and spice. The aroma was so tantalizing that Harry barely heard the gasp from his fellows' classmates.
"Watch yourself Potter, or next time you'll end up kissing the concrete."
Shock ran through the green eyed boy and he blinked around wishing he was able to find the door and run out. He reached out for Ron or Hermione.
"I need some air…."
Hermione jumped up and grabbed his hand and motioned for Ron to get Harry's other side. Followed by Neville, Ginny, Dean, and Seamus they left the Great Hall leaving all eyes on a speechless and slightly blushing Draco Malfoy.
Harry dropped in to the nearest armchair he could find and took a deep breath.
"What in bloody hell is Malfoy trying to do? Huh? I mean he usually comes over and starts things, but stopping me from falling in front of the whole school? What's he playing at?"
Harry ran his fingers through his hair as his friends gave each other worried looks.
"Um, Harry. We forgot to tell you that since Voldemort's defeat…quite a few things and people have changed…" Hermione paused. "Including Draco…."
"Draco? Since when are you two on first name bases?" Smirks "I bet the git changed so he wouldn't get put in Azkaban…."
Ron looked at Hermione then Harry "Well, it's not exactly like that mate. Remember when we said two Death Eaters were missing at that fatal encounter between you and Voldemort?"
Confusion etched Harry tan face "Yes…"
Ron took a deep breath "Well, besides Snape saving you, so did Malfoy."
Harry busted out laughing "Are you bloody kidding me? Is this some trick to try and get me to smile or something? Well it's rather weak…seriously Malfoy, saving me? It's preposterous…."
Silence followed and Harry began to wonder if they were telling him the truth.
"But it's Malfoy….I mean he couldn't have…." He paused and blinked towards them "Why would he do such a thing?"
"That what most of the wizarding world is trying to figure out." Ginny shrugged watching Harry closely.
Seamus laughed a little trying to lighten the mood "Yes, there's even polls going on about his reason. It seems the most popular is him being smitten with you."
Harry choked as he heard Seamus' last sentence.
"What? Him smitten with me? That's not possible, we're both guys…"
"Harry, the correct term would be he's possibly gay. But from the rumors around school, I'm guessing he's bisexual." Hermione replied knowledgably.
"Well, whatever he is…." Eyes go wide "Wait a minute….you guys are ok with this?"
Hermione smiled "Well, of course we are Harry. The wizarding world isn't really particular on same sex couples. I mean they are way more accepting then muggles."
Harry silently took this all in and stood up "Ron, Dean, or Seamus can one of you take me up to our dorm. I suddenly feel drained…"
His friends exchanged looks as Ron helped Harry up to their room. A few minutes later, the door shut leaving Harry to his thoughts. An hour later, sleep had taken him over and he tossed and turned trapped in his unconsciousness.
