Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Italics: thought or emphasis

Bold: dream or flashback

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Chapter 8: Mood Swings

Harry Potter woke in the Hospital Wing of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on a snow-white Christmas Eve. However, the Boy Who Lived was not as happy as every other student in the castle's walls. The lightning-shaped curse scar was burning again, and he'd passed out the night before, hence his present condition.

Harry sighed and sat up. He looked around at the familiar white curtains drawn around the bed. He moved them slowly. As the curtains gathered to his right, a gasp escaped his throat. His emerald eyes widened as they fell on the chair at his bedside occupied by none other than Draco Malfoy.

The platinum blonde's eyes were drooped as if he'd almost been asleep. He was still in his Hogwarts robes of the day before, which Harry could tell because they were not neatly pressed like all Draco's clothes were when he first put them on in the morning. His hair was slightly messier than usual, which almost made Harry giggle with amusement. However, the Slytherin prince was still beautiful. A smile spread across Harry's face as the boy looked up to meet his green eyes.

"Oh, Harry..." Draco said, the name escaping him. "You're awake." And as he said it, he himself seemed more awake as well. His silver eyes opened and showed hardly any emotion, but the emotion it showed was not hate or bitterness, but relief, with a hint of concern. Harry smiled wider.

"Yeah... We have the day off?" he asked casually. His own eyes held his love for the Slytherin. Draco blinked at the casualty.

"Yeah. Yeah, we do. It's Christmas Eve," he answered. Amusement flitted across Harry's face.

"Is it? Hm..." he said, he eyes saying more than his mouth. He was staring intensly at Draco, who could feel his stare, but avoided it.

"Yeah... So what happened?" Draco asked.

"Hm?" Harry asked, apparently having lost track of where he was and why.

"Why're you here? What happened?" Draco asked again.

"Oh, I passed out," Harry answered all too simply. Draco raised an eyebrow and met the green eyes he knew he couldn't resist. Harry stared into those silver eyes for a long silence. "Alright, my scar was burning again. It's not as if it's unusual."

"Maybe, but that doesn't make it a good thing," Draco answered. Harry's eyes widened at the concern.

"Are you, Draco Malfoy, concerned about me, Golden Boy?" Harry asked, intrigued and hopeful. Draco shoved his hand over Harry's on the edge of the bed now.

"Don't be stupid," he whispered. Draco noticed he was conciderably closer, and his heartbeat increased. Harry leaned closer, tilting his head slightly, slowly moving closer. Draco's mouth parted slightly, and he realized there was a hope building rapidly in him.

Harry was moving all to slowly in Draco's opinion. He wanted it badly. Too badly. He let out a whimper-like sound and pressed his lips to Harry's. Harry, on cue, moved closer with a soft sound as well. However, just as Harry parted his lips to allow Draco's begging tongue entrance, they jerked away as Madam Pomfrey entered the room.

Harry greeted her calmly, but Draco found himself cursing her in his mind.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Oh, Draco!" Hermione Granger exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Draco as he left the Hospital Wing after deciding Madam Pomfrey wouldn't. Draco smiled, glancing around to see no one was watching before wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Sheesh, what did I do?" he chuckled. Hermione looked up, her eyes almost brimming.

"You talked to him! I'm so proud of you!" she exclaimed, hugging him tighter. Draco smirked and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"I kissed him."

Hermione gasped and almost kissed him herself. "Ooh!' she giggled girlishly. Draco felt redness rise in his cheeks at the thought of the kiss.

"We didn't get far though," he added. "Madam Pomfrey came in." Hermione nodded, still smiling broadly.

"I'm so proud of you!" she repeated. Draco smiled his answer.

They parted soon after that at the sound of footsteps. Draco headed towards the Slytherin common room for some sleep while Hermione went to visit Harry.

Draco looked down at his feet and was startled to realize the bulge in his pants had grown while he wasn't watching. Draco bit his lip and sped up, dodging the common corridoors to avoid anyone noticing. Harry had done this to him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Draco welcomed his bed with open arms. He smiled. He had finally gotten that kiss he'd wanted for so long.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"I only get closer, Harry," spoke Voldemort in the fog of Harry's sleep.

Harry furrowed his brow. "What do you mean...?" he mumbled.

"Protect him."

Harry awoke in the middle of the night, his scar burning to Hell. He whimpered, but allowed no other sound to escape.

Voldemort is here. Here at Hogwarts, Harry thought, knowing it was true. He had to tell McGonagall.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Kibbles Kat-Nip," Harry said to the gargoyle that guarded the staircase that led to McGonagall's office. The gargoyle lept aside, and Harry stepped onto the revolving spiral staircase. He stepped off at the door and knocked hard; he knew McGonagall would be sleeping.

Indeed McGonagall looked was in her nightgown and night cap when she answered, but she was alert, knowing that whatever anyone at her door at this time was here for a good reason.

"Professor," Harry breathed. He'd run here.

"Mr. Potter, enter," she said, stepping aside. Harry obeyed wearily. "How may I help you?" McGonagall asked sharply, obviously grumpy.

"Professor, I think Voldemort is near-- maybe in-- the school," Harry replied. McGonagall stopped tugging her nightdress and stared at him. "I mean, my scar never burns like this. I feel like he's getting closer."

McGonagall sat. "Well...all I can do is watch extra carefully, Harry," she said carefully. "I'll send a dozen to search right now, another in the morning, and another tomorrow night. From that, we'll just be on the look out."

Harry stood, his fists starting to clench. "Professor, it's Lord Voldemort," he said, trying to be polite. It only made him angrier when she flinched at the name.

"I know, Harry, but we really can't do anything more unless you can offer proof."

"What better proff do you need!" Harry exploded. "I'm 'the Chosen One' only when it's an insult, but never when I can actually help! We all know I have the "bond" with Voldemort, so why can't you just trust my instinct! WHY DOES EVERYONE MAKE ME SPECIAL EXCEPT WHEN IT MATTERS!"

Harry stormed out of the headmistress's quarters, unknowing and uncaring how many detentions he'd just earned. Little did he know that the one person who could calm him was waiting.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

Hope you liked! I know Harry blew up a little to fast, but hey, he's been in and out of the hospital because of this guy, he's a little frustrated when they won't do anything about it! Anyway, Draco keeps getting softer, eh? But he's fading into it, just as the real Draco would. I'm getting better and better at Harry I think. How'd you like McGonagall's kat nip? Review please!

Next Chapter: How can Draco calm Harry of such rage when Harry's trying to push him away? Can Harry explain to Draco what's going on without revealing any information that might get him hurt? Find out next time on Lion's Love!