Chapter 3
Draco knew Harry didn't look good; he was a deathly pale color and looked like he hasn't eaten in a week. His hair was matted down as Harry had grown it out over the summer and now touched just below his shoulders. His eyes were green, an electric green, but now dull from everything that's happened.
"Yes," Draco sighed. "He just needs some rest and food. He…he's not well, you guys and I want to help him. I really want to help him, truly." Draco tightened his grip on the green-eyed boy.
"Oh, the poor boy. He looks so…scared, and sad." Pansy sniffled, rubbing her eyes.
Blasie rolled his eyes at Pansy. "Give it a rest, he'll be as good as new when he gets some rest and some food in him."
"I know! But, look at him. Drake, I want to help him too! Please let me!" Pansy begged, clutching her hands in front of her. She hoped that Draco would let her help him with Harry and wanted the poor boy to know that he still had friends.
Harry groaned, shifting closer to the blond and growing restless. Draco looked down at the small boy, laying his head down on top of Harry's. Draco whispered soothing words to him and petted his hair back, away from his eyes. The raven-haired boy quieted down and was leaning on the blond.
"I know, Pans, I know. Whenever I cannot be around, for whatever reasons, will you guys promise to look after him?" Draco looked up at his friends in the seat across from him.
Pansy and Blasie looked at each other then at the blond and nodded, "I promise."
"Good," Draco nodded, sitting back in his seat and watched the broken boy in his arms. "When I come into my veela inheritance, I hope he's my mate. Rather than someone that I don't know too well." Draco said softly, rubbing his knuckles along Harry's cheek. "I've grown so attached to him, in such a time too."
Pansy smiled at her adopted brother, who was watching Harry. 'I hope so too Drake, I hope so too.'
The rest of the ride to Hogsmeade was quiet as Pansy, Blasie and Draco talking between them as Harry was sleeping quietly. Harry stirred only once on the trip, going back to sleep as soon as Draco told him.
Soon enough they reached the village and Draco woke Harry up as they came to a stop, hoping that the boy had enough time to wake. Harry woke fine, not having slept for very long and was able to stand but still eyeing the two new Slytherin's that joined them.
"Harry," Draco said to the boy and wrapped an arm around the said boy, bringing him in close. "It's ok. They will not hurt you and if they do, they'll have to answer to me, and they won't like that too much. So relax and enjoy the trip. Now, where do you want to go first?"
Harry nodded, although he was still tense before whispering to Draco, "Can we go to Honeydukes first?"
"Sure," the blond smiled at Harry, who beamed back before turning to the other two. "Hey guys, Harry wants to go to Honeydukes first. Are you coming with or taking off on your own and met up some where?"
Blasie and Pansy looked at each other, like in a silent code before Blaise answered, "We'll come with you, want to get to Honeydukes before the younger students get there and get all the good stuff and whatnots."
Harry beamed again at the two before smiling and tugging at Draco's arm. "Can we go now?"
"Ok, ok, we're going! Come on, before Harry here has a sugar defect or something like that." Draco, Pansy and Blasie laughed as Harry pouted and turned from the group, walking a few steps away.
Draco smiled at the two behind him before walking up behind him and putting his arm over Harry's shoulders. Pansy and Blasie looked at the two before catching up, Pansy on Harry's side and Blasie next to Draco.
"Hi," she said to Harry. "I'm Pansy Parkinson." She now had her arm linked through Harry's.
Harry, being shy like always, blushed and replied softly, "Harry Potter."
Pansy giggled, "Nice to meet you! Don't worry, I won't eat you alive like some others I know." She looked past Harry and Draco to glare at Blasie.
He glared right back, trying his best to look fierce before breaking out into a grin and laughing. "Awe, don't worry. I won't eat him alive, he's to cute too!"
They laughed at Harry, who was looking sheepishly at the scene around him while Draco replied in between laughs, "I guess I'll have to protect you from these two now too."
That got a smiled on Harry's face, looking up at Draco before nodding and yelling out, "To Honeydukes!"
They all laughed again as they made their way through the throngs of students and village people before coming upon the store. There was candy everywhere, some looked like muggle candy but having a wizard twist to it. As the students were mostly 6th and 7th years, but there were a few 5th years.
Harry grinned, looking at the store in amazement—like he's never saw it before, before going in and the smell of the candies assaulting his nose. They poked around the store for a bit, each picking up candies of each of their liking before Harry smelled the most delicious scent and stopped suddenly, making the others bump into him.
"Harry?" Draco asked, "What's the matter? Are you ok?" Pansy and Blasie looked at Harry, who was gazing at the shelves.
The raven-haired boy nodded, his eyes searching the shelves before landing on what he smelled. "I'm fine, very fine. I just want some blood pops, they look so good." He whispered, nearly salivating on the spot. "Can I have some? Please?"
Draco looked at him, bug eyed. "Blood pops? Are you sure?" He saw Harry nod before reaching up and grabbing a box. "How many?"
"I don't know, how long will a box last?" Harry asked, looking at the three Slytherin's.
"Um… a box should last about a few weeks to a month, depending on how much they person likes them. They are usually for vampires who don't like drinking blood from people." Blasie stated, looking at Draco with raised eyebrows.
Pansy looked at Harry, looking like she want to ask a question but afraid of the response she might get. But it was too late as she blurted out, "Are you a vampyre, Harry?"
The three boys looked at her before looking at Harry who shrugged and answered, "I don't know. Wanna find out?"
"How about after we get out of here? Everyone is close to staring at us." Everyone in the group agreed and went to stand in line, they didn't have to wait long and soon everyone was out of Honeydukes.
"So," Blasie said, looking at Harry, who was already opening up a box and pulled a sucker out.
Harry looked at the three before sticking it in his mouth and sucking on it. "Don't taste too bad, couldn't live on it but good." He twisted it around in his mouth, pulling it out and pushing it back in.
"Oh god," Blasie groaned softly. "That looks so fucking cool."
"Well," Draco smirked. "Looks like we've got a part vampyre on our hands." The blond took the bag from Harry and cast a shrinking spell on his and Harry's bag before putting them into his pocket.
Pansy grinned and clapped her hands, "That is so cool!" The raven-haired boy rolled his eyes at her and moved around, looking at everyone.
"Where to next?" Harry asked around his lollipop, looking at them and smiling. "I'm kind of hungry for real food now, though."
"Yeah, me too." Pansy agreed, slipping her arm through Harry's again and set off for the Three Broomsticks. "Can I have a lick of that?"
Blasie and Draco looked at each other and smiled, happy that Harry was able to get over insecurities and the two Slytherin boys ran to catch up to Harry and Pansy.
Harry glanced at Pansy with a bewithered look on his face, "Are you for real?" She nodded and he shrugged, handing her the sucker. "If you want to, sure but I don't think you're going to like it very much."
Pansy licked it experimentally before wrinkling her face with disgust. "Ugh, that tastes so gross!"
The boys laughed as Harry took the sucker back and stuck it into his mouth, shrugging. "Whatever, I like it! It tastes quite well too me." Harry giggled.
Draco rolled his eyes, hugging the small boy. "Of course, you're part vampyre."
Harry stuck his tongue out at Draco and pouted as they laughed at his childish gesture. They continued their way to the Three Broomsticks, huddling together for warmth against the chilling winds. Soon coming upon it, they found a booth in the back and quickly sat down, all pealing off their cloaks.
"Who's hungry for what?" Blasie questioned, looking over the menus that the waitress left them and took their drink orders. Pansy shrugged, reading the specials over as Draco looked over at Harry, who was licking happily at his sucker.
"Hey Harry, would you like to split a meal together?" He asked, looking back at the menu as Harry looked up.
"Sure, what were thinking?" Harry moved closer to Draco in the booth, looking down at the menu over his shoulder.
"What sounds good to you?" Draco leaned back in the booth, looping an arm over Harry's shoulders. Harry looked up at Draco as he leaned back into his chest, before looking back at the menu.
"Umm…I don't know," Harry trailed off, sucking on his sucker. "How about…just some regular sandwiches and soup?" He asked, looking up at Draco.
"Sounds good. How about you two over there?" Draco grinned and looked across the table, seeing Pansy and Blasie stop whispering between them.
"Huh? Oh yeah, that's fine." Blasie stuttered out when Pansy elbowed him in the ribs.
Harry giggled at the two as Draco snickered and the waitress came back with their drinks, four butterbeers and took their orders. The four talked between themselves, about everything they wanted too. They were having fun, being able to be themselves and not someone else, like they would to in the school.
They were still talking when Ron and Hermione had walked in, with some of the other Gryffindor students and Ron and Hermione were holding hands. The group walked right by them, getting the bigger table behind Harry's.
The green-eyed boy glanced at them as they past, hoping they would see him and Draco's arms tightened his hold on the small boy, glaring at the Gryffindor's as they walked. Harry sighed, looking back at the table.
"I'm sorry, Harry." Pansy and Blasie said to the trembling Gryffindor, who nodded his head and wrapped his arms around himself.
"It's ok, it's not your fault." Harry whispered, his voice shaking. Draco hugged Harry tighter, trying to draw the pain away from him. He buried his face in the blonde's chest, his body heaving with small sobs.
"Shh, it's ok." Draco laid his head on top of Harry's, stroking his hair softly. Harry sobbed for a few minutes before they died out, and Harry's body just started shivering.
The raven-haired boy nodded against Draco's chest before pulling back to look at him in the face. Harry's face was streaked with tears, and his eyes were filled with unshed tears.
"Ok, I'm ok. I'll get over," Harry nodded as Draco wiped away the tears with his thumb. Pansy and Blasie looked at the two and smiled sadly, hoping for Harry that his Gryffindor friend's would come around.
"If you're sure," Draco said to Harry softly, pushing back the hair from in his face. Harry nodded to Draco's unspoken question. Harry stayed leaned against Draco, even when the waitress brought the sandwiches and soup.
"So…" Blasie said, trailing off as he took a sip of his butterbeer.
Pansy shrugged, picking at one of the sandwiches. "So what? Anyways… Ignore him, Harry. We should go get you some robes and clothes, not that it's anything against you! It's just fun."
Harry giggled at Pansy, also picking at a sandwich and eating it. "It's ok, I know what you mean."
Draco smiled as he too picked up a sandwich and started eating it. Blaise rolled his eyes at Pansy and she laughed. The four of them eat the sandwiches and talked quietly between themselves, laughing. They stayed there a little while after they eat, letting their stomachs digest some of the food.
Before they left, they all argued who would pay for the meal. It was kind of like a game, seeing who would get their way and if they really wanted too be there with them.
"I should pay for it, I'm the one who wanted to come here." Pansy argued, stomping her foot on the ground.
"No way, I'm the one that should pay for it. I eat the most!" Blaise cried, pretending to throw a fit. He waved his arms around and stomped his feet.
Draco rolled his eyes at them, "I think I'm the only one that isn't stupid like you two."
Harry giggled, looking up at Draco. "Whatever you want to do. But I could pay for it too, you know, I do have the money for it."
"We know you do, but that's ok! Because one of us is going to pay for it, so you better just get over it now." Pansy pointed out to Harry as he rolled his eyes.
In the end, Draco got his way and ended up paying for the bill himself. Pansy and Blasie cried fake tears as they left the Three Broomsticks. As they left they all agreed that next time Harry would pay, as he insisted it because he was the one who got hungry first.
"So, what are we going to do?" Draco asked as they walked through the village. Pansy and Harry had linked arms again as Blasie walked along side of Pansy and Draco next to Harry.
"Well, Pansy said something about new robes and clothes or something to that effect, so I say we go with that because it's something to do." Blasie grinned, looking at Draco.
Draco rolled his eyes at Blaise and draped an arm over Harry's shoulders. "Would you like to go?"
He nodded, "Yeah, I'd like that. It'll be fun." Harry smiled and giggled, looking at the blond, who in return hugged him and ruffled his hair a bit.
They continued their way through the village, passing through students and some professors, alike. The time to get to from the Three Broomsticks to the robe shop took at least fifteen minutes, stopping at a shop and looking in the window at the display.
It was always fun in Hogsmeade, no matter what time of year and whether it was the first visit or the last. The students only got to go once or twice a month, depending on their behavior before hand in their classes. Sometimes, they, as in the students, would buy a ton of candy or little things around to last them until the next visit.