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! Finally! This is where the fun comes. Soon I'll be able to explain why Harry is the way he is, soon they'll be living together and I can start actually writing something that's not so… introduction-y
Anyway, thanks to anyway who reviewed! I like constructive critism so if you see something that needs to be fixed, please tell me! Also, if you have an ideas/comments/suggestions please contact me right away!
Well, here we go. Wonderful number five!
Chapter Five: Sweet Dreams
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Gorgeous, ebony Dragon-hide boots, kicked furiously at the pure white snow just outside of Hogwarts. A warm, silver and green scarf was huddled snugly around a slim pale neck, blocking any of the bone-chilling winds that nipped at the sensitive flesh. Two hands complete with five slender fingers each, were covered in black gloves that shielded the delicate fingertips from the frosted flakes that were grazing the green grass, sleeping peacefully, waiting to melt.
Draco Malfoy, very warmly dressed, was in a very foul mood.
The snow under his feet was a murky brown, complete with moist reeds of grass sticking out in irregular angles. It was also quite flat, the affect of the young boys vigorous kicking and stomping.
The sun, hidden by hundreds of stormy grey clouds, gifted the grounds with small shards of warmth, causing a sheen of sweat to develop on Draco's hairline, the result of wearing more clothing then needed and using up most of your energy to beat up the snow.
A pale hand, covered with warm material, lifted to brush stray hairs from a flushed face and to wipe off some of the work sweat that was starting to shape into little beads.
"Hey, Draco!" Called a perky voice from his right. Millicent Bulstrode, her plump face flushing excitedly with many arrays of reds and pinks. Draco frowned and walked towards her, trying not to concentrate on his body that was telling him to discard some of his wonderful garments.
"Millicent?" He said, his silvery eyelashes fluttering slowly as small flakes of snow landed on them.
He really wasn't expecting the flying ball of snow that hit him on the side of his face harshly. "What the-"
A laughing voice distracted him as Theodore revealed himself from his 'fort', clutching his stomach as if it were the funniest thing he had ever seen. "Oh Draco! You should've seen you're face!"
Millicent was also laughing merrily, her hands grabbing at the fresh snow on the floor. Draco only scowled and brushed off his clothes with his hands, muttering incoherent words every now and then.
The last week of the term had gone quickly for Draco and he was not looking forward to Christmas break the least bit. His friends were leaving to stay home with their families and he had to stay at Hogwarts and be some sort of nurse. He shuddered at the thought.
"Draco! Are you sure you don't want to join mother and I for Christmas?" Said a high-pitched voice behind Draco.
He turned around and found himself facing Pansy. She grinned brightly and shrugged. Draco sighed, "No Pansy, I'll be fine."
She gave him a sceptical look but didn't say anything. There was an awkward silence where no one had spoken until finally Blaise appeared behind Pansy and told them it was time to leave for the train.
They gave Draco sympathetic looks before heading inside the castle. Draco rolled his eyes and watched them go inside, deciding to take a tour through the greenhouse. It always seemed to have some most wondrous plants in the winter.
His walk was extremely cold, as the flesh where Theodore had hit so accurately was prickling uncomfortably. An annoyed sound escaped his lips as his arms hung tightly around his chest, rubbing them with his hands. Small clouds of frozen air slipped from his mouth as his breath became more ragged, from the cold winds that blew his perfectly combed hair from his eyes then back again, brushing the damp strands onto his already chilled earlobes.
When he finally reached one of the gardens he almost smiled. This garden was decorated very beautifully, with most of the trees glowing brightly with magnificent lights and enchanted stars zoomed about, silvery sparkles following them shimmering brightly as soft streams of sunlight reflected off of them.
His eyes followed the glowing butterflies that were grazing across frozen-looking plants then flying away suddenly, still bright as ever.
A content feeling filled his chest as he walked towards one of the swings that hung off from a large willow tree, its branches hanging in the air above his head and the few leaves drifting down to land on the newly covered grass or on the porch swing that Draco was currently slouching upon.
He was so relaxed; it didn't even occur to him that Malfoy's do not slouch.
Small snowflakes landed on his hair and he sighed contently, his nose turning a deep shade of red. Life had changed miraculously for him ever since Harry's return. Not only was his hate changing into pity but he was also going to have to spend weeks with the vulnerable idiot.
It didn't help that he felt a bit ashamed of calling Harry an idiot.
The day was passing by quickly. Pansy and the others left at around 7am and Draco was sure it was noon now. He laid his head on the cold wood and sighed, trying to relax for his last few hours of peace.
It was much later when he found himself drowsing off and he stood up abruptly; He had to go meet Snape and Dumbledore soon, something that he was dreading for the passed two and a half weeks. Soft gusts of wind blew at the edges of Draco's face, gently tousling his hair, carrying it from once side of his perfect face to the other.
When he reached the Entrance Hall of the castle, great relief washed over him. His legs had grown numb with the walk and the gloves he had bought for himself seemed incredibly thin. As soon as the relief washed over him, though, great fear replaced it. Draco looked nervously around the room for signs that someone was there and then walked inside, eyes darting suspiciously around as if expecting someone to jump out at him.
Dumbledore, Harry and Snape were all waiting outside of Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was wearing a cheerful smile; Harry a confused depressed expression and Snape a sneer. Draco tried to scowl, but all he came up with was a confused expression, somewhat like Harry's.
"Mr. Malfoy." Said the cold voice of Professor. Snape.
Draco looked in the direction of his godfather with interest, wondering if he could possibly get him to change the headmaster's mind.
"You're room is ready." Snape said, his voice icy but dull all the same.
Draco gazed at Snape for a minute before moving his head to stare at the headmaster. He stared back smiling. There was a pause before he locked eyes with Harry, who was staring at the ceiling.
"Fine." He said calmly, watching as Dumbledore nodded.
They stopped at a large portrait, not to far from Dumbledore's office. Draco scowled realising it wasn't anywhere near the dungeons. In fact, they were so far away that it would take at least ten minutes to even reach the dungeon staircase.
The portrait held a knight holding a large sword; ready to slash it at anyone who dare intrude. Dumbledore smiled and turned around to face Draco.
"He doesn't answer to passwords, he only allows certain people to enter. I've already informed him about you two." He said, his smile still very visible.
Draco rolled his eyes. "So then how do we get in?" He asked irritably, the fear of spending the whole Christmas holiday with Harry nicely covered by his calm voice.
Dumbledore's hand hooked on the edge of the portrait and he swung it open. "It will only open if you're allowed it." Dumbledore told them while stepping inside. Snape soon followed.
Draco stared at the hole then at Harry. "Go inside." He instructed, his voice wavering only slightly.
Harry stared at him then looked at the hole frightfully. He moved away from it and stared at Draco, his green eyes swallowed with fear.
"It's just the entrance, Potter." Said Draco irritably, wondering how he was supposed to live with Harry for two weeks.
Harry looked somewhat confused before taking a cautious step towards the portrait hole. He gave Draco one last worried glance before steeping inside and disappearing through the dark hole.
Draco stared at him go before walking grudgingly towards the door, his slightly tousled hair falling into his eyes. He was much too distracted to even notice, which was saying something. A Malfoy not concentrating on their hair was bad enough, but having it so dishevelled was a whole different story.
When he finally reached the floor he looked around. It was a pretty ordinary room. A large black sofa sat in the middle behind a large wooden table. Two armchairs circled the table in an elegant way. The floor was also polished wood but a large blood-red rug was on the floor under the table. Two beds, about the same size as the ones in the dormitories, were in each far corner of the room. They both had black hangings, which Draco was grateful for. At least he had some privacy.
There was a door beside one of the beds and Draco assumed it led to the bathroom. In one of the unoccupied corners was a large desk with a chair and a few rolls of parchment lay scattered among quills and books.
The most breath taking though was the last corner. A large roaring, cozy fire was ablaze, sending waves of warmth to radiate around the whole room. The small flickers of light it caused made the object next to it light brightly.
The object was a mini Christmas tree. It was decorated quite wonderfully, with many Green and Red decorations. A large angel was sitting on top singing a soft Christmas carol and Draco smiled. The tree was decorated not with lights, but with small glittery snowflakes. Many small, wrapped boxes sat underneath it, the shiny paper reflecting the tree's sparkles perfectly.
Christmas was truly the most beautiful time of year.
A small noise disrupted Draco and he turned around to face Dumbledore who was smiling a little less now, more of an understanding way. He was resting his arm on Harry's shoulder; the boy seemed to trust Dumbledore more then anyone else.
Draco walked towards them a smug look on his face. "It's nice." He said finally, his eyes catching a glimpse of the brightly lit tree.
Snape looked at Draco carefully. "The headmaster will be busy for much of the Christmas Holiday, so if you have trouble with anything come to me immediately. As for instructions, there's a roll of parchment on the desk over there, it will tell you if you need to do anything for young Mr. Potter." He looked at the mess on the table and then back at Draco. "I'll most likely be in my private chambers in the dungeon."
Draco nodded, watching Harry whose head was swivelling around the room curiously.
Dumbledore looked at them both before smiling. "Well then, we'll be going. Try and get comfortable with the situation, Mr. Malfoy. We'll be back tomorrow morning to make sure you've settled."
With one last smile, Dumbledore and Snape retreated from the room leaving Draco and Harry in a not so comfortable silence.
Finally Draco looked up from the rug he was currently staring so intently at and gazed at the raven-haired boy who still had yet to take his eyes off Draco. "Potter, stop staring."
Harry's eyes automatically met Draco's before he turned away and started exploring the rest of the room.
When the silence was a little less intense Draco strode over to one of the beds, choosing the one further from the bathroom. He took off his warm boots and his damp socks feeling a cold chill overcome him. He threw off the rest of his slightly wet clothes and cast a drying spell on them immediately.
When they were dry, he hung them up and chose himself black pyjama bottoms, and taking Madam Pomfrey's advice, a black button up nightshirt.
The window that was just above his bed was still streaming in streaks of sunlight so he jumped off his bed and walked towards the portrait hole in quick, long strides.
Until, of course, a small hand pulled at his arm. Draco turned around and looked at Harry whose eyebrows were arched and his face completely terrified.
"I'm just going to get something to eat, Potter." Said Draco tugging his arm away.
Harry looked at him for a minute before puling away. His eyes burned a whole through the blonde, his intense, yet emotionless, eyes peering wonderingly at Draco's face. His gaze moved from the boy to the portrait and he frowned. Draco saw his hand restraining from clutching back on to Draco's arm. With one last glance at Draco, Harry blinked slowly and then stalked over to the armchair and sat down curiously, watching as Draco left.
The hallways were dark and deserted, making Draco a bit cautious about where he was going. He had never really stayed for many of the Christmas Holidays and seeing the huge castle so empty spooked him just slightly.
A few minutes later, he found himself staring at the portrait that led to the kitchens and tickled the pear, waiting to be granted entrance.
When he returned with enough food for two people, he found Harry dozed off on the chair, a book lying loosely in his lap. Draco walked over to him and put the book away with an exhausted sigh. Taking care of Harry was like taking care of a small child.
"Potter?" He said softly, setting the food on the table and attempting to shake the boy awake. "Are you hungry?" He asked when Harry opened one of his eyes slightly.
Harry closed his eye and then rolled over onto his other side, making a small muffled sound.
Draco rolled his eyes and shook him again "Are you sure you're not hungry? You're as thin as a stick."
The brunette opened his eyes and yawned, huddling his knees to his chest, making sleepy faces at the table.
When Draco finished his dinner, he looked over at Harry who hadn't even touched his plate. His orange juice still slightly too full, vibrating dangerously close towards the opening of the cup. His chicken, that was once warm, trailing delicious puffs of smoke, was now lying cold and juiceless on his plate. The delicious, sinful chocolate cake Draco managed to scoop up for them was sitting lifeless in his bowl, hardly looking as delectable as it had just a little while ago.
"Not hungry?" Said Draco watching the plate with hidden concern.
Harry, who was currently hiccupping like he had just eaten the biggest meal in the world, which he had not, looked up from his current favourite place on the floor. Slowly his eyebrows arched and he gave a small-distorted sigh.
Draco tried smiling, and was sure he failed, before slipping off his chair and sitting beside the confused-looking boy. "It looks as if you haven't eaten for weeks." He said lightly, his hand subconsciously grabbing Harry's fork.
Harry watched Draco's movements and Draco smiled, this time succeeding. "I can assure you, this food is not poisonous." The fork piled up some potatoes and was slightly lifting from the plate.
Harry's eyes sparkled, like they held some sort of amusing secret. Draco's grin faded into a tiny smile as he commanded: "Open."
Harry stared at the food then at Draco before his mouth opened into a small slit and Draco emptied the utensils contents into the dark cavern. He grinned as Harry chewed, his face showing mild disgust. "You shouldn't have left it for that long. Of course it's going to be cold."
Harry got through a few more bites before groaning and turning away, settling his head on the headrest. Draco smiled and dropped the fork back onto the tray, helping Harry to his bed. The raven-haired boy sat on his bed for a while, before his wariness took affect and he collapsed on his bed with a small sigh of comfort.
Draco did the same, his eyes watching Harry's small movements until the boy fell asleep. His eyes, though he could not see, were filled with an amused kind of peace. He sighed and let his luscious blonde hair fall onto his pillows before falling into a deep, dreamless slumber.
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Authors Note: Dull chapter? Maybe. I'll try and make them a little more exciting from now on. Anyway, not many notes for this chapter, the next one will be another sort of filler chapter but the one after that will be a lot better! Promise!
-Shadow