Chapter 6
A Few Not So Simple Problems
As time went by, Draco continued to have nightmares, and Harry was right there with him through them all. Days turned to weeks, and weeks to months, all which brought along the aging of Draco. The boy in question was currently eleven, and instead of doing his homework, his mind had wondered to other things.
"You know Harry, this is too weird," Draco stated.
"Hmm?" Harry said, looking up from his homework. What he found staring back at him was the arrogant little prick he'd met seven years ago. Only, Harry realized that it wasn't really the Draco he'd known - this Draco was more caring and loving now, because of Harry.
"One memory remembers you the same age and height as me, and meanly not accepting my friendship; but here you stand, sit, as my friend, my…"
"Your what, Draco?" Harry smiled.
"My Harry," Draco replied. "My keeper, mine,"
"Possessive aren't we," both boys looked up to see Hermione, and then Ron who was peeking out from behind her.
"I'm starting to regret giving you that password,"
"We wanted to see Draco," Ron pouted. "He is eleven today," Ron's eyes landed on Draco. "Creepy," he said. "Bloody he..."
"Ron," Harry and Hermione cut in.
"Sorry," Ron apologized. "It's just so wicked scary seeing Draco like that. He looks like Malfoy,"
"He is,"
"You know what I mean,"
"Stop talking about me as if I'm not sitting right here," Draco scowled.
"Sorry Draco," they chuckled.
"Regardless of whether you wanted to see us, you guys need to leave," Harry said lightly.
"But, Harry," Draco whined.
"Draco has homework,"
"But,"
"That he need to finish,"
"Fine," Draco growled. "Later then,"
"Yeah, sure," Ron replied. "Forgive me but I can't deny that brat anything," He whispered to Hermione, who giggled as they left. Draco stared at his homework and after two hours of silence he got up. Harry was asleep over his books.
"You work too hard," Draco whispered. He walked over to Harry and looked at what he was reading. The cover read "Alternating Properties of Potions". It seemed he was looking for a cure for Draco. "Harry," Draco shook him. Harry whined and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"Argh, did I fall asleep?" he asked. Draco nodded. "Go to bed, Harry,"
"I need to finish this."
"You have practice in two hours and you'll be too tired to even stand," Draco argued. "Go to bed."
"Yes mommy," Harry smirked. Draco glared at him.
Yet, it was because of Draco's advice that when time for practice came rolling around, Harry was pumped for it. Draco wanted to watch so he sat in the stands with Hermione and Ron, who were arguing. Draco was for once just watching Harry, and not competing against him and found Harry was quite good. This being a practice only for Harry, Draco got to watch as he zipped around the field in search of the snitch - it was almost like he became one with his broom when he flew.
Draco glanced at Hermione and Ron and noticed they weren't watching him at all. He slipped out of his seat and down the edge of the stands, quickly turning to the left when he heard Harry coming from that side. The snitch was right in front of him. Draco came up with a mischievous idea then; how pissed would Harry be if he snatched the snitch from the sky. Timing it carefully, Draco leaned forward, stretching... and felt his fingers close around the snitch.
After he got over the momentary shock of actually catching it, he realized he was falling
Harry saw Draco slip from the stands and fall quickly, plunging towards the ground. He pushed his Firebolt to max speed, racing to stop the blonde before he reached the ground. He just managed to catch him by jumping and cushioning his fall. Where Harry smiled from being able to catch the boy, Draco was shivering.
"Harry," he squeaked.
"Draco, are you okay?"
"I never realized how far a drop that was," Draco said.
"What were you even doing? Why were you even leaning over the side like that?" Harry frowned.
"I was trying to catch the snitch,"
"And where are Hermione and Ron?"
"Arguing," Draco replied. Harry growled. He picked himself up of the ground and carried Draco towards his room. As he walked, the sound of Draco screams echoed around him. Ron and Hermione came busting in seconds later.
"Harry…I…oh my gosh, we're so sorry," Hermione panted.
"Yeah, we weren't paying attention," Ron added guiltily. Harry ignored them and continued to his and Draco's room. He laid the boy on his bed upon arriving and told him to wait there until he came back. Harry closed the door the room and found his friends waiting for him.
"WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME," Harry screamed. "WAS SO IMPORTANT," he advanced on his friends as he screamed. His voice was practically thundering with rage. "THAT YOU WEREN'T WATCHING HIM?"
"Um,"
"Um is right! There was nothing," Harry hissed.
"Harry, we're sorry. He's not a little kid anymore. He can watch himself," Ron said in a soft, scared voice.
"I'm not saying guard over him like when he was five, but honestly, keep and eye on him would you!" Harry sank in his arm chair. "I only ask you for one thing and that's to make sure he's okay. Could you two even do that for me?"
"Harry," Hermione whispered.
"Go, please," Harry growled.
"But…" Hermione covered Ron's mouth. She looked sadly at Harry and took Ron's hand, leading him from the room. Harry checked his watch - it read 9:01. It was late enough; so he pulled on his PJ's and went into the other room with Draco. He found Draco asleep. So Harry crawled into his own bed to try and get a peaceful night's rest also, but peaceful dreams never came.
"Today I think I shall kill you, Harry Potter,"
"I beg to differ," Harry scoffed.
"Just look around you silly boy and you'll see everyone has left you. They've all deserted you. Your friends who claim to love you are all gone,"
"He's not alone," both men turned to see Draco Malfoy standing next to Harry.
"Malfoy," Harry nodded in recognition.
"Potter,"
"You…so this is where you've been all this time,"
"Looks like it, doesn't it," Draco replied.
"You took up residence with the enemy; and I had such wonderful plans for you, Draco,"
"I'm sure you did," Harry mumbled.
"Fine by me," Voldermort sneered. "If you fight with him, you die with him, it's a simple as that," Voldermort aimed his wand at Harry's heart. "You would've made such a good little Death Eater,"
"Harry, wake up," Draco shook Harry while screaming his name, panic clear on his face. "Harry please, wake up," Harry finally opened his eyes and fell right out of his bed. He sat up immediately and stared up at Draco, who reached out his hand to help him up. "What, happened," Draco asked. "You were screaming bloody murder,"
"Um, a dream," Harry replied. "You wouldn't remember it yet,"
"Who was it about?" Draco asked cautiously.
"Voldemort," Harry replied. Draco quivered.
"Oh," Draco replied. He sighed and stared at Harry like he was going to say something, but didn't.
"Say it," Harry said, reading his mind.
"Would you come sleep with me," Draco asked.
"What? Why? I thought you were too old for that,"
"Well, uh, you need it," Draco lied. "It'll make you feel better," Harry saw right through it, but agreed anyway.
"Okay," Harry replied. He pulled back the sheets allowing Draco to climb in first then climbed in after him. Harry had expected Draco to keep his distance but he scooted closer and hugged Harry to him, quite like he did only months before. Harry hugged him back.
"Thanks, Harry," Draco whispered.
"What for?" but it was too late because Draco had already fallen fast asleep. Harry sighed. "You're welcome," He smiled. "Idiot boy doesn't even know how much I love him," he added and followed Draco to the world of dreams. This time neither one of them would awake from nightmares.
