Title: Speak to me

Setting: Seventh Year, Hogwarts

Rating: R- Slash, violence?

Disclaimer: Don't own HP

Summary: Harry Potter had defeated Voldemort. But his victory had major consequences. One being the fact that Harry has totally shut himself away from any contact with anyone. No one can help. No one, that is, except a certain Slytherin enemy. (Slash HP/DM!)

Authors Notes: Ah, thanks for the reviews. I'm sorry I don't answer all your questions individually, but if you have a question that you really want answered leave me your email address and I'll email you…

For this chapter, I'll try to get Draco and Harry together again. We'll see what I can do. This one's in Draco's point of view! Enjoy!

Chapter Four: Consequences

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The bright sunlight simmered through his eyelids and his hand travelled to his eyes, shielding them from the blinding sensation.

Suddenly he felt very cold, like nothing he'd ever felt before. His eyes fluttered open and he stared at the ceiling for a few minutes.

"Mr. Malfoy" Said a worried voice from somewhere on his right. "Are you awake?"

Groaning, Draco felt himself nod. He sat up and blinked, clearing his drowsy vision. "Yea." He muttered, slipping his covers higher on his shoulder.

Promfrey nodded and handed him a cup of tea. "First blizzard of December, I hope you wear more then just your pyjama bottoms from now on…. especially considering you're practically living in those nasty dungeons."

He felt like rolling his eyes, but his chattering teeth and shivering form were more important then showing 'he didn't care'. "Yeah, sure." He said, sipping from his mug. Slowly a stream of fire went down his throat and spread through his whole body, as if entering his bloodstream.

"Right now, everyone's at dinner. But first, can you please see the Headmaster?" She asked, piling his newly washed robes on his bed.

"When?" Draco said sleepily, not even caring to wonder what exactly Dumbledore would need to say to him.

He reached Dumbledore's office in a matter of minutes. An old voice told him to enter so he opened the door and looked around the familiar room.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said from a corner of the office.

Draco had been staring at an old portrait of Mrs. Mcgonagall that was hanging among others. He felt a sudden pang in his heart and silently cursed himself for feeling any sort of pang in what small heart he had.

"Professor Dumble-" He said turning around, his calm expression set. It quickly turned into surprise when he noted the small Gryffindor, his large hollow eyes staring at him, sitting in front of Dumbledore, a confused expression on his face. "…Dore" He choked out, afraid of what this conversation would lead too.

"Please take a seat." Said the voice once more, breaking into Draco's freeze of surprise.

Draco did. He sat right beside the empty body that was in the office. He tried not to glimpse at him, but he couldn't help it. His eyes travelled to Harry and realised the boy was staring at him also. He locked eyes with green dead ones and he had to restrain himself from shuddering.

"I understand, Mr. Malfoy, that you spent the majority of the day in the Infirmary with young mister Potter?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes travelling from Draco to Harry, whom he directed a warm smile.

Draco followed Dumbledore's gaze and was relieved to see that Harry was now looking straight ahead of him, not even listening to a word. He looked back at Dumbledore and nodded. "Yes, professor, I was having an…er…stomach ache. You know, like uh, I had…" He trailed off, his mouth opened as if about to continue, his head facing Harry again, who was now looking at him as well. Draco frowned; realising Harry eyebrows were arched, as if he was thinking. Showing emotion.

"Professor," asked Draco, his eyes still locked with Harry's, not even thinking about what he was saying. "What's wrong with him?"

Dumbledore's eyebrows knitted together and it was then Draco realised what he had said. He quickly turned around, his cheeks faintly pink and his mouth dropping open. "I mean-"

"Mr. Malfoy, as you know, Harry-" He stopped, looking over at Harry's sullen face. "Perhaps we should discuss this another time." He said as Harry's eyes blanked and he looked away.

Draco stared at the small form and closed his eyes briefly before returning his gaze to the old man. "Right." He said, his voice wavering lightly.

"To the point." Said Dumbledore, his eyes seemed to have become duller. "It seems Harry needs constant attention, if not for his…." Voice faltering, he continued. "Sudden panic attacks, for his own sense of belonging."

Draco's eyebrows furrowed and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "And what exactly are you telling me this for?" He said, a bit cross.

Dumbledore's tired eyes reached Draco's and he took a deep breath. "He needs someone he recognises to take care of him, otherwise he wont let his guardian take care of him, and they would most likely frighten him." Draco's eyebrows arched as Dumbledore continued. "Considering Poppy will be taking a leave during Christmas Break and after, and Harry hasn't warmed up to our new nurse it wouldn't be a very good idea to leave him in her care."

Draco crossed his arms over his chest in his smug manner. "What about Weasley and Granger? Surely they'd love to take care of him."

Dumbledore nodded and looked at Draco in a depressed sort of way. "Most of the school goes home for Christmas holidays, as you know, and hardly any are staying this year. In fact, we only have three including yourself and Harry." He folded his hands in a respectable manner and looked at Draco seriously.

"Ronald Weasley is one of the students who have been requested home, as much as he'd love to stay and tend to Harry. I'm not sure if you remember but Arthur Weasley…" Another look to Harry and he paused. "Is injured greatly."

Draco frowned and stared at Harry as well. It wasn't as if he was listening, there wasn't any point to beating around the bush. Sure, the older Weasley had died during the war, Harry already knew it anyway.

"Yeah, so?" He asked, his eyes levelling with the tired-looking man.

"So, Molly Weasley has requested her children stay with her during the break. She's going through a very hard time and mourning over her… loss." Dumbledore said carefully, eyeing Harry who was looking extremely pale.

"Well, fine. Granger then…. I don't see why you're asking for my advice on this matter, surely there are a lot of others who would know what's best for Harry. I, of course, haven't even spoken to him on civil terms what were you thinking when coming-"

"Draco, Hermione is a lady, she wouldn't be able to care for Harry even if she was staying, which she isn't." Said Dumbledore, now a little bit impatient. "As for your other problems? Well, Draco, I've come to you for a specific reason. You're the only other person Harry has had contact with since his return."

Draco's eyes opened at least an inch wider before Dumbledore continued. "And, since you have no one to take care of you over your break and have to stay anyway-"

"I hope you're not implying what I think you are, Dumbledore!" Said Draco, his voice commanding and very Malfoy-like. He had earned all the Malfoy treasures, he could surely command this old man to not think anymore on the subject.

Dumbledore's eye flinched as if very annoyed. Which was quite odd for the kind man, of course, Harry's return had changed many people of their usual ways, including himself. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy, I am certainly implying what you think. That is, if you're thinking correctly." Though his exterior was breaking, his voice was still soft and gentle.

Draco looked suspiciously around and then landed on Dumbledore's semi-amused face. "And what exactly would be correct thinking?" He said, his eyes studying the old mans slight smile.

"Correct thinking would be thinking what I am thinking, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said, with a hint of his old self.

Draco rolled his eyes and stood up. "If you're not going to-"

"Mr. Malfoy. I am hoping you'd take the responsibility for Harry over the holiday break." He said, his words causing Draco's steps to falter. Slowly Draco turned around, horrified.

"What?"

"Yes, you heard correctly. I am indeed asking you to take care of Harry until Ronald comes back. You are the only one Harry seems to recognise, other then Miss. Granger and Mr. Weasley of course, and the reason for this is most likely because you have become familiar in his eyes."

"What are you thinking? We hate each other!" Draco said angrily, his usually calm-cool face now blazing red with anger.

Only Dumbledore noticed Harry's slight flinch at the words. "It is only a request, Mr. Malfoy. And I would like it if you could keep your past six years of venom in the past. There's no need to bring it up now, considering Harry can hardly remember anything…" He stared at Draco who was calming a bit.

"If it's only a request, then I am not going to do it. I have my own rights in this matter and my decision is no, good day Professor." Said Draco, his pace quick.

"Just think about it, Mr Malfoy." Said the old voice before Draco shut the door behind him.

--

The common room was eerily quiet as Draco sat in a leather armchair drinking a small mug of coffee. It was entirely bitter which made Draco wince while taking a sip.

The day had been extremely long and tiring. He leaned back and leaned his head in the cushiony headrest, sighing with pleasure.

Sleep, that's what he needed. Good old wonderful sleep.

And he would have done it too, if an image of a helpless, frightened face didn't disrupt him every time he tried. All Draco seemed to be thinking about for the past two hours since his 'meeting' with Dumbledore was the confused face of Harry Potter.

And it was killing him.

But it wasn't his fault the boy was born with such a screwed up life; it wasn't his fault at all. So he shouldn't have felt even the least bit guilty! Not at all. It was that worthless little stick of a kid, Potter's fault. He should've had to take care of himself. He's was a grown boy after all…

And yet, that didn't ease Draco at all, because of the stupid little argumentative part of his brain. The justified one. It kept telling him Potter didn't have a choice as to how he was born; he didn't have any choice towards his destiny.

And he was a grown boy, but he sure didn't act like it. He acted like a four-year old child who was frightened of even the friendliest person.

If it was anyone's fault to his guilt, it was his own. As much as Draco hated to admit it, he was curious earlier this morning and just had to get comfortable in Potter's books. Just had to go to the infirmary and play nice. Just had to have that stupid fraction of a fraction of a heart.

But why did he have to do it? He surely didn't care about Potter….At least that much was for sure.

Then why exactly was he on his way to Dumbledore's office? He made no note to that and just concentrated on his guilt. That just had to be there.

--

The hopeful look on Harry's face could melt anyone's heart. But of course, Draco didn't have a heart, not a full one anyway, so he just scowled at Dumbledore's newly twinkling eyes.

"I'm glad you've changed your mind, Draco. We will get you and Harry a room for yourselves and have it ready the week before the holiday break. It will be somewhat like the infirmary, so you wont have to worry about having to conjure Harry's medicine, it's all there. As for yourself? There's an extra bedroom and a bathroom, it should be comfortable enough."

Draco just tapped his shoes uncomfortably on the floor, knowing perfectly well Harry was staring at him. "Good. I'll be going now." He said in a dry voice, walking towards the door.

"Goodbye Mr. Malfoy, and thank you, of course."

Draco just slammed the door shut.

"The consequences of having a heart and caring." He muttered angrily to himself, letting the spiral stairs lead him back down towards the corridor.

And all he could think about the whole way was that stupid hopeful look in those partially emerald eyes.

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Authors Notes: I know, the living together thing in stories is common, but I'm trying to make it so that it's necessary. And just in case I haven't explained it enough:

Dumbledore picked Draco to take care of Harry was because Harry was familiar with him, having recognised him and spending almost a full day with him. He hasn't gotten a chance to talk to anyone else considering everyone is afraid of him. Also, Draco is the only one staying during the holiday other then another person, who I am planning to make like… a second year or something.

Poppy or Madam Promfey is going on a leave for Christmas holiday; I'm hoping you're assuming she also lost loved ones in the war. I would have added it but I'm not sure what kind of family she has! Sorry!

Also, just to answer any stray questions… You'll find out what Harry went through, though the third chapter did explain a bit of it. Maybe I'll get Harry talking, I have to find a perfect time for it to happen though. I've already got most of that part planned!

Anyway, once again, Thanks so much for the reviews! I really enjoyed reading them! If you have any questions be sure to ask me!

-Shadow