Title: Stand By

Author: Danea

Previously published under another pen name at a separate site

Summary: After the events of the TriWizard Tournament, Harry finds himself depressed and terribly lonely. Even his closest friends can't see what's wrong. A chance encounter over Winter Break with one of his greatest rivals (no, not Voldermort or Snape) leads Harry down a path he certainly never expected. Rated M for language, mention of abuse/rape (non-descript), slight AU.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. I am American, therefore any misuse of British slang is simply ignorance.
Author's Notes: Thank you for the reviews!

Through the darkness, Harry could see where Sirius waited, his large form a dark patch against the rolling grass. The weather was strangely warm for December, and Sirius seemed to be enjoying it. He hadn't caught sight of Harry approaching yet, seeming far more interested in something off in the distance. For a moment, Harry considered turning and hurrying back into the castle, pretending to have never seen Sirius at all. But in that moment of indecision, Sirius turned suddenly. As he saw Harry off in the distance, he began to bark happily. Apparently, Harry's decision had been made for him as Sirius, still in dog form, began bounding towards him.

Transforming mid-stride, Sirius cried out, "Harry! I didn't expect to see you here! I thought you were going with Ron for the break!"

"No, staying here," Harry answered, allowing Sirius to pull him into a large, overwhelming hug. "There off visiting some relatives and I thought it was more of a family affair."

"So you've been by yourself?" questioned Sirius.

"Pretty much," Harry shrugged.

Sirius looked upset at that, but didn't pursue the matter. Instead, he pulled Harry down so that they both were sitting in the cool grass. The moon had just come out from behind a cloud, giving Harry a full glimpse of his godfather. Sirius had dark circles under his eyes, evidence of many sleepless nights. And he looked as if he'd lost what little weight he'd managed to put on throughout the previous year.

"How are you, Sirius?" Harry asked, concern for his godfather temporarily overriding his desire to escape back to his dorm room. Sirius looked terrible, nearly as bad as the he'd looked when he'd escaped from prison. He was rail thin and pale, and his eyes were sunken and dark. The only difference Harry could see was that Sirius's hair had remained neatly trimmed and washed.

"Oh, I've been just fine. I was staying with Lupin for a bit. Dumbledore asked me to come up to bring some papers Lupin has been working on. I'm a bit faster on my feet than Moony this time of month," Sirius replied with a smile.

"And you've been taking care of yourself, right?"

Sirius shot Harry a quick glance. "Aren't I the adult here, Harry? Don't worry about me. I've been fine. I'm just glad to see you. We haven't had much of a chance to spend time together."

"No, we haven't."

A heavy silence settled over the pair, both wanting to say more, but not sure how to begin. It had always been easier for them to speak through letters. Harry had filled Sirius in on his family situation and his trouble at school, while Sirius had given Harry a glimpse into his past and a look at his parents. But now, face to face, neither could think what to say. They exchanged a glance, both looking away with nervous laughter.

"God, this is a bit strange, isn't it?" Sirius finally said. "I'm your godfather. This shouldn't be awkward. We just need to get to know each other a bit more. Start talking a bit, you know?"

"Sure," Harry nodded.

"Okay, well..." Before Sirius could go on, a loud beeping cut him off. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, square piece of plastic. "Oh, hell," he swore, frowning at the object. "I think someone is trying to get a hold of me."

"Is that a beeper?" Harry asked, peering down at the object.

"Yeah," Sirius replied distractedly, "It's this muggle thing that beeps whenever..."

"I know what a beeper is, Sirius," Harry cut him off. "But why do you have one?"

"Dumbledore thought it might be a little too risky for Lupin to contact me using owls every time he needs something, so he suggested this instead. That way it can't be traced magically. And if I'm in disguise, I'll look like just another muggle." Sirius frowned again. "Unfortunately, Lupin chose now to try and contact me. I really do need to go check on this."

"I understand," Harry nodded. When Sirius had first brought up the idea of getting to know each other, all thoughts of depression had been banished to the back of Harry's mind. Now, the disappointment of Sirius' announcement made all the feelings come rushing back. Harry had to fight to keep a smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Sirius apologized.

"No, it's okay. I really do understand," Harry hurried to assure him. "Tell Lupin I said hello, will you?"

"I'll be back as soon as I can, Harry. I promise."

"Okay."

Sirius gave Harry a quick hug before transforming back into his animal form. Harry watched the large, black dog run off past Hagrid's hut and towards the school, feeling sick to his stomach again. This time, though, he didn't think it had much to do with food. He was upset. Yet again, his chance at having a family seemed to be nothing more than a dream. Sirius was too busy to be who Harry needed him to be. And he probably always would be.

Sighing heavily, Harry his arms around himself, a sad echo of Sirius' embrace. Thoughts began to pound through his head, seemingly determined to drive him throughly mad. The silence he had sought earlier now seemed oppressive and he wondered if it would be better to fake a smile and sit through a dinner just so he wouldn't be alone.

"Potter, I just don't get you," Draco said, breaking the silence and making Harry jump in surprise. He seemed to materialize out of the darkness, coming to stand beside Harry. "Why are you in such a rush to off yourself when you've got someone that obviously cares for you?"

For a moment, Harry felt panic set it. Draco must have seen Sirius. He was sure to report him. "What are you doing here anyway?" Harry yelled, jumping to his feet. "Were you spying on me?"

"Oh, get over yourself," Draco rolled his eyes. "I wasn't spying on you. As if I had nothing better to do with my time. I just happen to walk by. It's not as if you were being secretive out here. You're in the middle of a bloody field."

"How long have you been sneaking around out here?" Harry cried, anger and panic evident in his voice.

"Do you mean how much did I hear?" Draco asked smugly. A dark smirk curled his lip. He looked like the cat who'd caught the canary. "Would you be referring to certain escapee? Namely, Sirius Black, Azkaban's most wanted. Also known as Harry Potter's godfather."

Harry's heart plummeted. This was his worst nightmare. They'd worked so hard to keep Sirius safe, and now Draco could ruin it all. "You going to run to your daddy, Malfoy?" Harry cried, near hysterical. "Just so he'll give you a pat on the head! Or maybe you'll go straight to Voldermort, your Dark Lord!"

"My Dark Lord?" Draco echoed.

"I'm sure you are the perfect little Death Eater in training. Have you killed anyone yet, Malfoy?" Harry spat.

"Watch your tone, Potter. In case you'd forgotten, I'm the one with the power to destroy your life. You might want to be a bit kinder to me," Draco hissed starting to lose his calm as Harry continued to verbally attack him.

"Destroy my life? You've been destroying my life every chance you get since I met you! You and your whole lot! You're so hell bent on making sure my life is crap that you can't see anything else! Why do you hate me so fucking much?" Harry screamed. His face was red with exertion and he was panting heavily. Draco looked wary despite his own anger.

"Potter..." Draco began. Before he could finish his sentence, Harry stumbled forward. The world shifted beneath his feet as his head began to spin. As he fell, Draco caught him under the arms, lowering him to the ground.

Harry still felt as if the world was spinning, despite the fact that he could feel the ground firm underneath him. He was vaguely aware of Draco hovering over him. Their was a cold hand pressed against Harry's cheek, and he turned towards it, inviting the coolness against his skin. Draco sighed, watching Harry's eyelids flutter.

"Potter, are you alright?" Draco asked. "Are you in pain? Potter?" Harry didn't reply to the questions. He was making a soft, moaning noise in the back of his throat, finishing off his look of total helplessness. "Oh, come on!" Draco cried. "This is getting ridiculous, Potter."

"It hurts so bad," Harry mumbled, his words thick. "Please don't...anymore...I can't."

Draco cast an odd glance at the other boy. "What are you on about?"

"No more, no more. I...hurt..." Harry moaned. "You can't! No! No!" Draco was beginning to seriously worry now. Harry was making no sense at all, at least none that Draco could discern. As he began to cry, Harry's cries turned desperate. "Please! I don't want...you can't do it! No...no!"

"Hush!" Draco quieted Harry, glancing around the grounds nervously. "The last thing either one of us needs is to be found now!"

"Don't touch!" Harry screamed, violently jerking away from Draco's hand. "No more! Please!" Turning onto his side, Harry curled into a small ball, burying his head in his chest. Draco watched, unsure of just what to do. He'd never seen anyone act the way Harry was acting.

"Potter, I'm going to give you some more of that potion. I need you to relax so you can drink it," Draco instructed. He hoped the potion would help the situation, but to be honest, he wasn't sure. Harry fought back at first, but Draco managed to get enough of the potion into his mouth. Harry seemed to calm instantly.

"Potter? Are you done with your little fit?" Draco asked after a moment. He nudged the other boy with an elbow, trying to gauge his lucidness.

"Don't poke me," Harry grumbled. His eyes remained firmly shut. "Didn't anyone ever teach you not to kick someone when they are down?"

"No, actually. In my house, the rule is get your kicks in before they get back up and curse you," Draco replied with a smirk. He would never admit it, but he was relieved to hear the other boy talking again. The way Harry had been acting had scared him. "Besides, it was my elbow, not my foot."

"Oh, big difference." With Draco's help, Harry managed to sit up. "I feel like I got hit by a truck," Harry sighed. "What the hell happened?"

"You got all hot and bothered about your dear godfather, and then you bloody passed out!" Draco answered. "Probably overrode the numbing potion."

"I'm beat."

Draco frowned lightly, considering the situation. Harry still sat on the ground, head cradled in his hands. Despite the fact that Draco had a lot more he'd like to discuss with Harry, especially concerning Sirius Black, but he had the feeling that Harry wasn't up for much more excitement. It was no fun goading the other boy if he'd just pass out again. So Draco had to wait.

"I'll help you to your dorm, Potter. Wouldn't want you freezing to death out here." Draco grabbed Harry under his arms, pulling him to his feet. "But if you pass out again, I'm leaving your heavy ass on the castle steps."