Chapter 5
Unforgettable Nightmare
Harry opened his eyes and stared down at Draco. He was being absolutely quiet, sitting in Harry's lap and sucking his thumb. He looked sadly up at Harry.
"What's wrong, Harry?" he asked. Harry sighed.
"Nothing, Draco," he replied. Draco stood up in his lap and put a hand on Harry's shoulder to steady himself - his thumb still in his mouth.
"You're lying to me," Draco pouted. Harry just looked at him. He was very aware that Draco was smart for a five year old. "Why?" Draco added.
"It's not important, Draco," Harry said, trying to end the conversation.
"Does it have to do with that boy?" Draco persisted on.
"Yes," came the mumbled response.
"What did he do?"
"He thinks I'm trying to hurt him but I'm not. I just love…" Harry cut himself off.
"Love…love, what? Draco asked.
"Leave it alone, please, Draco,"
"But...!"
"Draco,"
"Sorry," Draco whispered, moving closer to Harry and wrapping his arms around the teen's neck. Harry hugged him back and smiled.
^_^
January 4th rolled around quickly for the boys - especially for Draco, who was now seven, and currently playing hide and go seek with Ron. Yes, horror of horrors, Draco had managed to become friends with the one and only Ron Weasley over the winter holiday, when Harry had brought him home to the Burrow for Christmas. It was apparent that Draco had never had a real Christmas before. He cried for an hour straight after everyone gave him gifts. Harry knew quite well how he felt, seeing as he'd only ever known Christmas with the Weasley's. He remembered then what Severus had said about Draco not having the best childhood, and now agreed whole-heartily with the sentiment.
"Found you," Harry heard Draco scream. The scream was followed by laughter, and Ron appeared piggybacking Draco down the stairs.
"Okay, Dray, I have homework to do, and Hermione will kill me if I don't start it now," Ron said, putting Draco down.
"Aww but I'll miss you," Draco pouted. He might be three years older than when they started, but he'd probably never outgrow his pout.
"Draco," Harry warned.
"Tell, Ron bye," Draco finished for him. "I know," Ron laughed. "Bye, Ron," Draco whined. Ron picked Draco up and gave him a hug, glaring playfully at Harry.
"Hey guy, don't be sad," Ron whispered, kneeling in front of him. "Here," he handed him a rainbow pop, Draco's favorite.
"Thanks," Draco smiled. Ron replied with 'your welcome', and with a wave to Harry he left. Draco was right about to open his lollipop when…
"Is that a lollipop? You're not eating it now," Harry said from next to Draco. Draco jumped, never having noticed when Harry moved.
"But, Harry,"
"Bedtime," Harry said. "You can have it tomorrow,"
"Okay,"
"I'll be in, in a second, to tuck you in," Harry said. Draco ran from the room. "And don't open that lollipop,"
"Darn," Draco grumbled.
After tucking Draco in, Harry didn't get to bed until about 11. He had mountains of homework that he'd left to the last minute to do. It sucked not having Hermione breathing down his neck all the time anymore. She was too busy with Ron, Head girl duties, class, and tutoring to bug him. He didn't mind until he realized Hermione was the only reason he ever got any work done. He, as usual, was out cold the second his head hit his pillow.
Draco on the other had, was having quite the dreams. Though they were everything but peaceful.
"You little brat, how dare you bring that animal in here,"
"But father..."
"Get it out of my house. NOW!"
"No," Draco answered defiantly. "I won't,"
"You won't,"
"No,"
"Fine," Lucius grabbed the bird from his son's hand and pulled out his wand.
"Father! NO!" Draco screamed and reached for the screeching animal, but was kicked in the ribs and fell to the floor.
"Aveda Kadvra," Lucius growled and the bird was dead. Draco watched, heart wrenching, as life left the poor bird. Lucius dropped it in front of Draco. "Now, you have ten minutes to dispose of that dead bird," then he left Draco to sob.
Harry woke to crying. He turned over and Draco was trembling next to him. Of course, when he was six, Draco had been told what would happen each month. Snape had even told him he'd have nightmares. It didn't matter though; nothing could prepare anyone for a nightmare.
"Draco, wake up," Harry whispered, shaking him lightly. Draco's eyes opened but he continued to cry. Harry sat up and offered Draco to a hug, and he willingly complied and climbed into Harry's lap. The boy clung to him, shivering. "Draco tell me,"
"He killed her." Draco sobbed.
"Killed who?" Harry asked.
"Misty, he killed her," Draco replied. "My bird Misty. I fed her and healed her and everything but he didn't care. He didn't want me to keep her,"
"It's okay," Harry soothed, filled with rage. "He's not here. Your father won't be killing anything,"
"Shadow," Draco gasped. He jumped out of Harry's arms, running to his own bed and grabbing his cat. Picking her up, he walked back to the bed and set her on the edge. "Harry," Draco whispered softly. He climbed back into Harry's arms.
"Yes," Harry replied, rubbing circles on his ward's back.
"Don't let me go,"
"Never," Harry replied. With that they fell asleep; and Harry didn't let go of Draco. Never.
A/N: whimpers you don't hate me. Hate Lucius. Hate him. I was going to add more and make the chapter longer but 1) this story isn't very long to begin with and 2) it was just such a good place to finish. I'll try and make the chapters longer but would you rather have long chapters or more chapters. You pick. I don't care either way. Later for now.
Oh and I forgot. We must all thank my new beta for the chapter title. I was driving myself crazy trying to think of something and I like the one she gave me. claps and glares at people till they clap too
A/N: Bleh...i don't like this chapter nearly as much as i did when i first posted it.
