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Disclaimer: see previous chapters.
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Chapter Three HOMEHarry tiredly walked down the corridor after exiting the plane. Too bad you couldn't apperate across the ocean. It would have saved at least a day and a half off of his trip. Harry dazedly look around for a shock of red hair that would signify that his best friend and he really did know each other very well. He almost missed it as his best friend seemed to be snuggled down on the lap of the woman running her hand through said red hair.
He walked up quietly behind him and smiled at the way the two were caring on. He walked closer so that he could listen to their conversation knowing that it was about him.
"... I just wish he would quit running. I know he is scared. I know something happened. He won't talk about it though." Ron sighed. "I have seen the look in his eyes. He tries to hide it but I can see it. It's the same look he got after Sirius died but worse somehow."
Sally said softly, "He has seen so much death. Is it any wonder that he prefers to be alone? If he is alone then he can't lose another person that he loves."
"That's part of it. God, Sal," Ron whispered brokenly, "I wish Mi was here. She would give me this Look, whack me on the back of the head, say something completely insightful and intelligent and then everything would be ok. He is alone because he loves someone who doesn't love him back. I just wish he would quit running."
"I know Ron." Sally whispered as she bent to give her husband a loving kiss on the forehead.
"Hey guys." Harry said softly reluctant to break into their married time, even if they were talking about him, but he really was tired.
"Harry." Ron exclaimed as he jumped from his wife's lap and gathered his best friend in his arms for a very manly, but tight, hug.
Harry smiled gently at his best friend as he untangled himself from him. He turned and graciously accepted the hug and kiss on the check from his best friends wife. "Hey Sal."
Sally's bright blue eyes watched him closely and seconds later she gave a brief nod and let him go. Whatever she had seen in his face must have told her something she wanted to see because she turned to her husband and demanded that they go and that there would be no talk of that terrible sport with the brooms that he was always going on about. They could talk about that later because Harry needed to use the time from the airport to Kings Cross station to rest. Ron smiled and kissed his wife on the cheek and saying nothing but "yes dear" they left.
Harry had to roll his eyes at the look Ron gave him behind his back and then let out a delighted laugh as she said with her back still turned to them, "I mean it Ron Weasley," in a very straightforward tone that booked no argument. Harry smiled at the sheepish look on his friends face as the walked out of the airport and Harry was once again on his native soil. He suppressed a shiver as the panic started to build.
The three made their way to the curb where Sally waved for a cab. Ron took this moment to talk quietly with Harry. "You ok.?" Harry nodded but said nothing. He had found, in the months that he had been gone, that he really didn't have much to say and that his life went smoother if he kept his trap shut.
As they sat in the cab Harry let his head fall back to rest on the back of the seat, he sighed as he stared out of the window not really seeing the scenery going by. He tuned out the whispering of the other two and just tried to concentrate on the reason he was here and how to get this over with as quickly as possible so that he could leave.
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They made it through the barrier and as he stepped onto the platform he felt a great surge of panic rush at him. His steps faltered as he became aware of where he was and why he was here. Biting his lip he pushed the panic down and tried to look as if everything was just peachy. By the looks on his friends faces he knew he wasn't succeeding. He was pale and his eyes were huge in his face. His breath was coming in gasps and his wide eyes were shining as with unshed tears. He hadn't the strength to do this!
He smiled at them, or at least he tried too, it came out as more of a grimace. Harry nodded his head at Ron's "ready" and when he had taken Sally's hand in his the three of them apperated to the edge of Hogwarts. The walk up was silent as Harry continued to fight the panic he had felt earlier.
Come on Potter what are you so afraid off? Harry snorted at that thought. He was afraid of everything.
As the walked into the main corridor they were met by Professor Flitwick, the little man was beaming at them, glad to see Harry back at Hogwarts even if it was under such dire circumstances. Harry smiled gently at one of his favorite teachers as they shook hands.
"Harry, nice to see you back though I wish it had not been under these circumstances." The acting Headmaster said.
"As do I, Sir." Harry replied quietly.
"I have good news. Headmaster Snape will recover from his injuries in due time." The small man was beaming even more as he said this.
Harry smiled softly at him, "That is good to hear. If you will excuse me Professor, I think I will go to the Infirmary to speak to Madam Pomfrey about the other patient."
"Yes, yes you do that. I will have the house elves prepare your room again."
Harry wanted to protest but all he did was smile and nodding his head to each of them before he turned and walked the familiar corridors to the infirmary. He stopped outside the doors and drew a deep breath before pushing them open and walking in. He surveyed the familiar surroundings as a sense of calm overcame him and he was thankful for that as it made the panic subside just a little.
"Harry?" He turned at the sound of someone calling his name and smiled gently as Madam Pomfrey came into the room. She put the sheets she was carrying down and drew him into a tight hug. Harry let himself fall into the hug of the woman he had come to consider as his mother.
"Pom." He whispered softly. This was home. This was what he had been missing. He had missed her so much. "I am sorry." He apologized for leaving her.
"It's ok Harry. I understood." She whispered back and then everything was all right between them again.
He stepped back from her hug and she sighed as she let her arms fall. She would content herself with the fact that he was back and ask her questions later.
"Professor Flitwick said that Headmaster Snape will recover." He said softly.
"Yes give him a few days and he will be back to running this school with an iron hand." She said with a chuckle.
"And the other patient?" Harry asked quietly.
Madam Pomfrey noticed that he didn't say Draco's name but did not comment on that fact. Her face grave she began to tell him of the injuries that he had sustained.
Harry listened to the list of injuries and he understood why they had called him to come and help. Madam Pomfrey was a fully qualified Medi-Witch but she was only a level five. Few people could make it to level seven, let alone level nine, and besides Harry there were only two people alive that were above a level six. The list of Draco's injuries was long and Harry was beginning to doubt even his skill could save the other man.
"Can I see the patient?" Harry asked quietly when she was done telling him what was wrong.
"This way." She said and he followed her to a separate room where they had put him. Harry flinched at the first glance he had of Draco Malfoy since he left. His right arm and both of his legs were immobilized in muggle casts, there was a halo around his head, and his face was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. It was heart breaking to see, the last time he had seen him he was healthy, and here he was just barely hanging on to life.
It was obvious they had an oxygenation spell on him because Harry doubted he was breathing on his own, not with his injuries. It was a miracle the man was alive. Looking at him Harry felt the familiar panic start to rise and he had to go to the window and take deep breaths before he calmed down enough to turn and look at him again. As it was he missed the sympathetic look he received from Madam Pomfrey.
"How?" He asked softly when he had gained control again.
"Headmaster Snape said that he must have realized what was happening before he did because they were adding unicorn hair to the potion and talking when he suddenly flung himself at him and knocked them both down. The next thing he remembered is waking up in the hospital. They were arguing about something he says but would not say about what. He thinks that Draco may have already added the hairs and when he saw that the Headmaster was about to add more he tried to stop him but it was too late."
He nodded and started firing off questions to Madam Pomfrey about what they had and had not done for him. As he listened to her answers he heard the door to the room open and he turned to see Pansy standing there. God! Why did she have to be there?!
"Mrs. Malfoy, I do not think you should be in here right now." Harry said gently.
"I'm not." Pansy replied with a wave of her hand. Harry looked confusedly at Madam Pomfrey. Was Pansy there too? Did she have a head injury?
"Pansy..." He started to say softly but she ignored him and walked up to stand by Draco's side.
"Will he be ok?" She asked never taking her eyes off of the unconscious man before her.
"I do not know yet, Mrs. Malfoy. I just got here and have not had the time to get all the information I need to answer that question." Harry said softly coming to stand beside her. "Please, we will let you know as soon as we do have those answers."
She nodded but did not move. "Mrs. Malfoy?" Harry said softly.
"I'm not you know." She said abruptly turning to face the startled man beside her.
"What?" Harry asked softly not able to hide the confused look on his face.
"Mrs. Malfoy. I haven't been since the day he took this job." She snarled as she turned and quickly left the room.
Harry turned to Madam Pomfrey and asked softly, "what was that about?"
"I guess she is still bitter that Mr. Malfoy left her when Headmaster Snape offered him the job here. I heard him say one time that it was the best thing for him, this job." She watched him carefully as he took in the fact that the man he loved was no longer married.
Harry turned from her knowing eyes and stared out of the window, seconds later he sighed and turned back to her and resumed asking his questions his green eyes haunted. It didn't matter if he was single or not; Malfoy was straight, Harry was gay, and never the two shall meet.
After running out of questions to ask Harry devised a plan of care for the patient and as Madam Pomfrey left to get the things he had requested he finally walked up to the man laying in the bed and took a good close look at him. If he looked close enough Harry could see past all the swelling and bruising and see the face of the man he had somehow come to love three years ago. Not being able to stop himself he took this opportunity to run his hand through the soft silver white hair, something he had only dreamed of doing.
"I will make you better, Love. This I swear to you." He whispered softly as he let his finger trail down the cheek and across the lips of the unconscious man before him.
He turned and left the room not seeing the mans eyes flutter open and the surprised look in them as the man on the bed relived what he had just heard wondering if he had imagined it.
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It had been touch and go a few days before when Draco had developed a high fever that nothing Harry did seemed to lessen it. It wasn't until Harry ordered the muggle casts cut off and the limbs secured by magic that Harry realized what he would have to do in order to heal Draco. He would die if Harry didn't do this.
He went to find Ron first. He would need to understand the consequences if what Harry had planned didn't work. He found him in the Great Hall having lunch with the returned Headmaster.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, so good to have you back." Snape said in his usual condescending manner. Save the greasy gits life, more than once, and you would expect a little better treatment, but NO not Snape.
Harry nodded but said nothing as he took his seat beside Ron and filled his plate. He ate more sparingly than usual and when he was done quietly requested to speak to both of the men in the infirmary within the hour. He nodded to them once and left the Hall to go back to his patient not knowing he was the subject of their conversation.
"He has changed." The Headmaster said.
Ron grunted. They really didn't like each other but they had begun to learn to tolerate the other for Hermione's sake. He knew that the Potions Master missed his wife dearly. Just as much as Ron missed his best friend.
"Too much." Ron replied.
"Does he ever raise his voice?" Snape questioned.
Ron shook his head sadly. "Not for a very long time."
"I always thought he could use a little...restraint while growing up. But this, this is actually scary."
Ron nodded his head in agreement as both men rose to head to the infirmary to see why Harry needed to talk to them.
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"Absolutely NOT!" Ron yelled at his best friend.
"Ron..." Harry said softly but was drowned out by Ron's yelling.
"Mr. Weasley!" Madam Pomfrey's admonishment was ignored by the angry red head.
"Are you INSANE, Harry?" Ron yelled his face red from the force of his anger.
"No I am not Ron. This is the only way. I will do this." Harry stated softly but with an edge of finality to his voice that was unmistakable.
"Mr. Potter," The cool voice of Snape stopped Ron from yelling again, "I am sure you know what you are doing. My only concern is for your welfare."
Harry raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing about the obvious lie. "I know Sir. Ron, I have to do it this way. It is the only way to save him. Soon his systems will start to shut down and then it will be too late. The potion that they were working on mostly went onto him when it exploded. Snape was able to recover faster because he had only a little bit on him." Harry explained gently.
Madam Pomfrey watched the young man she had come to think of as her own son. She had been here when Harry had realized what he would have to do to heal Mr. Malfoy. She had also voiced her objections and had been over ruled. She, of all those in here, knew that this was the only way to heal his injuries and she understood the dangers as well. She had pointed each and every one of them out to the stubborn boy and he had blown them off as inconsequential. She knew why Harry was doing this but she didn't understand his reasoning. They could get the Unicorn Blood from a dealer easier but he would have nothing to do with that idea, only stating that this way was the only way the blood would be effective in the potion.
Snape looked from one to the other not understanding what they were talking about now. He was about to do something very dangerous, yes, but nothing that needed this much drama. It was times like these that he wished he had an ounce of Dumbledore's knowledge. He would know exactly what these two men where talking about. Even without that knowledge Severus was sure it had more to do with the fact that what Harry was going to do was dangerous.
"May I ask what this is all about? Going to the unicorns is dangerous yes, but you have good intentions Mr. Potter, they will see that and give you some hairs."
Harry shook his head and said softly, "It is not the hairs that are needed Professor."
"I see." The Headmaster, a Potion's Master himself, said finally understanding the grave danger that this man was putting himself into in order to help a man that had always hated him.
"This is the only way." He said softly but firmly.
"I still don't like it Harry. You know what will happen if they reject you, don't you?" Ron pleaded.
"I do." Harry said quietly. "You know why I have to try Ron, please, just be there for me."
Ron nodded and went to comfort his friend by laying his arm across his shoulders. "When will you go?"
Harry smiled gently at his best friend before saying softly, "Tonight, within the hour actually. Headmaster, do you have a vial that I can use, preferably one on which I can cast a stasis charm on?"
The Headmaster nodded and went to retrieve the requested vial from his personnel stock. He returned minutes later to find Ron and Madam Pomfrey gone and Harry standing at the bed watching the man sleep.
"Is this the only way Mr. Potter?" He asked and was happy to see that he still had his silent walk down to a fine art when the raven haired man before him gave a start and swung to face him his wand automatically falling into his hand.
"Yes, Headmaster it is." Harry said softly as he put his wand back into its hidden place in his sleeve. "The potion that you were brewing has seeped into his skin, shutting down all of his internal organs. The bones I can heal, the blood can be replenished, but...Unicorn Blood is the only thing that will heal him now. I have managed to keep him alive but even with all of my knowledge I can not re-grow a heart. Soon his will stop beating and..."
"And you can't have that can you, Mr. Potter?" The Headmaster asked in a voice reminiscent of Albus Dumbledore's all knowing tone.
Harry blushed but just nodded not meeting the eyes of a man he respected but did not really know.
"I see." Severus Snape replied and for once he really did see. He understood more now and he felt sadness for what the man before him had lived with for probably many years. This explained a lot and he finally understood Harry's reasons for leaving months ago.
"I had better go, Sir." Harry said softly and taking one last look at the man on the bed he turned and walked from the room heading out into the Forbidden Forrest to offer himself to the Unicorns in order to save a man who would never know what he had done.
The Headmaster of Hogwarts looked down at the man in the bed and murmured, "I hope, for his sake, that you are worth what he is about to do Mr. Malfoy."
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Thank you again to all that read this story, your comments and criticism is appreciated.
No authors notes this time. Just…
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