Loss
by Breninblack

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, settings or names. They are merely my playthings. Please don't sue.

Author's Note: Heads up to anyone reading this story: there will be eventual Harry/Draco slash. Some people have an aversion to this particular pairing, so I'm warning you now. Also, this story takes place in Harry's sixth year. While I realize that the sixth book is already out, you must bear in mind that I wrote the bulk of the beginning of this story before it's release.

This story was inspired by Xylodemon's Harry/Draco fic entitled Phoenix Song. It is one of my favorite Draco/Harry fics of all time and I encourge those of the appropriate age to go check it out after they've finished reading and reviewing my story.

Please review! I love to get comments about how you think I could improve the story or just simply stating that you enjoy the story. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Chapter Note: I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. Does the fact that I'm uploading three at once make up for it?

.:two:.

Harry awoke some hours later. Everything in the hospital wing was silent. Seamus was gone, he must have already woken up or not even slept at all and Hermione was lacing up her shoes. At the foot of his bed were his clothes, all freshly laundered and free of bloodstains. He quickly changed, just before Madame Pomfery reentered the room.

'I'm glad to see at least someone's up,' she said sadly.

'Is he going to be okay?' Hermione asked. Harry was glad she had asked. He wasn't sure he felt comfortable voicing his concerns just yet.

'In all my years here, I have never seen a bludger do quite this much damage. They're inspecting the bludger now for magical tampering. Right now, the boys chances don't look very good. Quite bad, actually.' It was the first time Harry had ever thought he had seen tears in Madame Pomfery's eyes.

It must be really bad, Harry thought.

'Do his parents know? Why aren't they here?'

'That's the worst part. Owling them was the first thingthe Headmasterdid after leaving here. But they replied and said they were too busy. Your own son is dying and you're too busy to come see him? It's a shame. Though when he was here, Lucius never showed much interest in other people's well being... But that's nothing you children need to be worrying about. Hurry along now, I'm sure you'll want to get back to your friends.' She made a shooshing movement with her hands and the two Gryffindors left the infirmary.

'Can you imagine that? Your own family not coming to see you when you're on your death bed?' Hermione asked in disbelief.

'My family's dead, 'Mione.' His parents would never be able to come even if they had wanted to.

'I know, Harry, but if they were alive, could you imagine if they didn't come? You heard her. She said they owled back saying they were too busy. Who's too busy to see their kid when they've been hospitalized with fatal wounds?'

'Obviously the Malfoy's are.'

'I feel sort of bad for him. I know he's Malfoy and everything. And I know we're supposed to hate him and all, but I can't help feeling sorry. He's going to wake up—'

'If he wakes up.'

'—from this terrible accident—'

'If it was an accident.'

'Stop being so cynical! I know a lot of people hate Malfoy, but does anyone hate him enough to kill him?'

'Ron probably does.'

'Yes, but Ron's not on Ravenclaw's team. Anyway, I was saying it's going to be horrible for him to wake up from this terrible incident and there's going to be no one there. Imagine how bad he'll feel.'

'Why do you care so much about Malfoy?'

'The fact that it's Malfoy is beside the point! If it were anyone else I'd be just as concerned!'

'Even Voldemort?'

'Alright, so maybe not him. But do you honestly not feel the least bit bad about what happened?'

Harry sighed. 'I suppose I do. I guess it will be a little tragic that he's probably going to wake up to only Dumbledore and Pomfery.'

She was right though. He felt horrible about it, even though he hadn't had anything to do with the actual accident. All he had done was break Malfoy's fall. But he had seen it for himself – that crack was pretty vicious.

That evening in the common room nearly all of the 6th years were lounging around. The usual talk was talked— quidditch, complaining about homework, quidditch. They were all sitting around discussing quidditch when Ron started in about the match earlier that day.

'Did you see how they both hit him at the same time? That was bloody awesome!' Ron said enthusiastically.

Seamus and Harry quickly became quiet, but Hermione was outraged.

'Ron! How can you say that? Did you not see what happened?' she exclaimed.

'Well of course I saw what happened. I was right there!' Ron defended.

'I noticed you moved away real quick like when he came flying into the stands. How can you sit and talk about him when he's lying up there unconscious with a crack in his skull from ear to ear! His parents won't even come because they are too busy! How would you like that if your parents were too busy to see you, even if you were on your deathbed? I don't think you'd like it one bit.'

The whole room hushed. Immediately Hermione realized she had probably said too much. But what was done was done.

'Blimey, 'Mione, I didn't know he cracked his skull. I just thought there was a lot of blood. I didn't know his parents wouldn't come either. I'm sorry.'

'You should be! And don't even think about saying a word to him about it when he wakes, that would be just as bad!' Hermione said and she stalked off to her room.

During the first week that Malfoy was in a coma, no one was too worried. By the third week, people were starting to wonder. But by the time the fifth week rolled around Pansy Parkinson was in tears because 'the love of her life was dead and it was all because he had risked his life being the best seeker Hogwarts had ever seen'.

Everyone kind of felt bad about it, but Hermione, Seamus and Harry felt the worst. They had caught him, been there when he had been just barely awake. They had been the only students to see the actual damage and worst enemy or not, it was still upsetting.

But then one afternoon, after Transfiguration, a hush came over the hall as Harry was walking down it. Then the crowds of students suddenly parted. Through it came a very somber, very alone Draco Malfoy. Harry could see as he walked past, the large scar that tore across the pale boy's face. Malfoy shot a — meaningful? — glance towards Harry but walked away without a word.

Had Harry been old and had he had a bad heart, he probably would have gone into cardiac arrest right there in the corridor.

i Breathe/i he thought. There were several things wrong with this scene. Firstly, Draco Malfoy had walked past him without saying a word or even sending him a sneer. Secondly, Draco Malfoy had been alone. Thirdly, was that a glimmer of...what was that a glimmer of? There had been something in the look that Malfoy had given him that Harry couldn't quite place.

Oh my god, I think the world is coming to end.

But you already knew that, didn't you?

He shook his head and walked on to his next class.