Chapter Three: Healing and the Advent of Fear

Disclaimer: J. owns it all, I just have a ball, borrowing Harry and Draco from the haul, to make each other maul.

Warnings: This chapter? I think a tiny bit of language. A boy kisses.

A/N: This chapter is a little more dull. It's important for later, though! Sorry it's late; I've been behind for a week now. Finally getting caught up!

Thanks to VenustusLovesJames, Princess-Warrior 17, Water0Blossom, Gavin Ampora, Nix Calliope, Sherri Contrary, rlassie, Bananas-ofthe-WorldUNITE, Daddy's little crazy bitch, Ty, and Rufescent for reviewing! Thanks to everyone who read, followed, favourited, and reviewed! You guys rock! Remember: reviews make writers happy, and I always reply. :)

There's a thin line 'tween the dark side,
And the light side, baby tonight
It's a struggle, gotta rumble, tryin'a find it
But if I had you,
That would be the only thing I'd ever need
Yeah if I had you,
The money, fame and fortune never could compete

If I Had You - Adam Lambert

Last Chapter:

Harry's first instinct was to run outside and find out what was happening and see what he could do to help, but he glanced at Draco and his blood ran cold.

The blond was slumped over in his seat; a large shard of glass protruding from his neck and he was bleeding heavily. Harry was afraid to touch him, for fear of making him bleed out faster. He realised with sickening horror that Draco was going to bleed to death if he didn't get him medical attention right away.

Harry carefully levitated the blond, and erected a shield charm around him to move him to the bar without being jostled by the pandemonium around them.

"Aberforth!" he shouted above the din, catching the older man's attention. "I need to access the passageway into Hogwarts. I need it now!" Aberforth's eyes widened at the sight of Draco, dripping blood. With a terse nod he led the way and Harry followed him, up the stairs and into Aberforth's rooms.

"You can't get in from here," began Aberforth and Harry cut him off.

"I know." He drew in a deep breath, closed his eyes and thought of all the pleasant things he could. His parents telling him they loved him and were proud of him, Sirius hugging him, Remus teaching him how to defend himself from Dementors. Hermione and Ron, always there for him. Flying, high above the world, chasing a snitch. Draco holding him, kissing him.

"Expecto Patronum!" he yelled, releasing his stag. "Go to McGonagall," he instructed. "Tell her that there's been an attack in Hogsmeade, and she needs to firecall the Aurors. I need Madam Pomfrey in the Room of Requirement, to come through to the Hog's Head now. It's a matter of life or death. Bring lots of blood replenishing potions, dittany, and healing supplies. Quickly!"

His stag raced away with the message and he drew in another breath. Turning to the portrait of Ariana, he asked, "Could you go to the Room of Requirement and wait for whoever comes?" She nodded and left.

He glanced at Aberforth. "I don't suppose you know any healing spells, do you?"

Aberforth shook his head, regretfully. "Nothing that will help with this. He needs proper medical care. But we've got to do something to slow the bleeding."

Harry nodded. "I know. I just don't know how." He stared at Draco, willing him to stop bleeding, to stop growing paler. He was already so pale; did his skin have to be turning that chalky white colour that made Harry's blood run cold?

However Ariana returned within a few moments, and Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were with her. They climbed out of the portrait hole and gasped when they saw Draco and heard the chaos.

"No time to explain," said Harry as he levitated Draco towards Madam Pomfrey. "Before he bleeds out anymore; hurry!"

"Lay him down," ordered Madam Pomfrey. McGonagall transfigured a hospital bed and Pomfrey nodded thanks to her. Harry levitated Draco to the bed and set him down as gently as possible. Even so, his position was jostled and the blood flow seemed to increase. Harry paled.

"I'm going to need your help, Mr. Potter. When I tell you, please pour these potions," she handed him several blood replenishing potions, "Down Mr. Malfoy's throat. Understand?" He nodded.

Madam Pomfrey got to work. She poured a blood replenishing potion down Draco's throat, and began muttering healing and diagnostic spells. She removed the shard, and sure enough Draco's wound began to gush blood. She increased her chanting, and nodded to Harry, who poured the other potions into Draco's mouth. She dropped dittany on the wound. It was slowly knitting itself back together, and the potions kept him from bleeding out completely.

Soon his wound was healed, but he remained unconscious.

"We'll have to get him back to the infirmary," said Madam Pomfrey.

Harry nodded, never taking his eyes off Draco. "Will he be alright?"

"The worst danger has passed. He should be fine with some rest."

There were still screams and shouts and crashes echoing from outside, but Harry couldn't bring himself to care. He knew, in a detached sort of way that there was an attack of some kind going on; most likely death eaters on the run making a last stand. He could hear the pops of Apparition sounding from outside, whether from people coming or going he couldn't tell.

"Poppy, it might be a good idea for you to come back once you have Mr. Malfoy settled into the hospital wing. Merlin knows how many others there are who need medical attention as soon as we can give it." Madam Pomfrey nodded her assent, as she began levitating Draco towards the open portrait hole.

Headmistress McGonagall turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, the Aurors are on their way. I'm going to see how many of the student s I can get back to Hogwarts through the passageway. Will you come with me?"

Harry hesitated. He knew it was the right thing to do. But he also knew that Draco would be waking up soon, weak, disoriented, and most likely quite frightened. He didn't need to be alone, too. If Madam Pomfrey was going to be leaving…

"If it's all the same, Professor McGonagall, I think I'll wait with Draco."

The look of surprise on her face startled him a little. Was it really so out of character for him to do this? He shifted uncomfortably. He knew what was expected of him. He would go out and fight, alongside McGonagall, alongside the Aurors, he would save people. That was what he did.

"The Aurors will be here any minute; that may have even been them arriving a moment ago; it probably was. I've fought enough for one lifetime." Harry's voice was tired.

McGonagall's face softened. "Of course, Mr. Potter," she murmured. "I understand."

"I just nearly watched my date die," Harry continued. "I'd like him not to be alone when he wakes up. I'd like to be able to explain to him what happened and reassure him that he'll be fine while he freaks out and acts like the spoiled prat he is." His tone was one of exasperated fondness. McGonagall raised a brow but did not comment. Harry was grateful for the discretion.

He honestly wasn't sure how he would answer questions if he were asked about Draco. How did he feel about the blond? He was falling for him, yes; but how deeply had he fallen so far and why on earth did it have to be him? Why had they begun their affair in the first place? Didn't they hate each other?

"You'd best get going, then," Professor McGonagall observed, gesturing to Madam Pomfrey's retreating back. He nodded, and hurried after the nurse.

"Harry?"

Harry woke with a start. He'd dozed off in his chair waiting for Draco to wake up. He leaned forward, eyeing the frightened blond and giving him a small smile.

"Glad to see you awake again."

"What happened?" Draco's voice was weak; hoarse. His blond lashes fluttered against his cheeks as he struggled to remain conscious. "How did I get here? What's going on, Potter?" The Slytherin was demanding, but in such a feeble, frightened voice that Harry's heart ached. He reached out and Harry took his hand, stroking it with the pad of his thumb.

"Hush, it's okay now." Harry drew in a breath. "There was some kind of attack on Hogsmeade. The window got blown out and some glass lodged in your throat. You were bleeding out, so I called for Madam Pomfrey and got you transported back to the castle once she stopped the bleeding. You're perfectly fine now, you just need lots of rest." He schooled his voice to be calm and as soothing as possible.

Draco lay still, eyes closed, and Harry thought he might have gone back to sleep. Then he spoke. "Thank you."

"For what?" Harry was surprised.

"Saving me. I'm sure without your help I wouldn't have come out so lucky." Draco admitted grudgingly. "You seem to do that a lot," he murmured.

"Do what?"

"Save me." His voice was soft, and his breathing evened out. Harry wondered if the blond even knew what he was saying. Somehow he doubted that it was a confession he would have heard otherwise. He smiled at his sleeping… boyfriend? Lover? Paramour? He wasn't sure what Draco was to him, but he decided that was alright, for now. He'd worry about that once Draco was feeling better.

He settled in for a long wait, still holding Draco's hand. Madam Pomfrey eventually returned, and he smiled at her and reported in hushed tones that Draco had woken up briefly before falling back asleep. There were wounded who were brought in as well, and the Hospital Wing was bustling with a flurry of activity for a while.

It finally died down as the other patients quieted and soon the only sounds were breathing and the odd cough. He watched Draco for a while longer before a noise caught his attention. Turning, he saw Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zambini entering the Hospital Wing. They looked frantic.

"Where's Draco?" he heard Blaise ask Madam Pomfrey. His tone was clipped and worry seeped through. "We heard he was here."

"He's alright, isn't he?" Pansy sounded desperate and scared.

"He's fine," Madam Pomfrey assured her. "He's sleeping right now."

"Can we see him?"

"Certainly, dear."

Madam Pomfrey gestured towards Draco's bed. The duo looked over and spotted Harry. He waved awkwardly as they walked over.

"Potter?" Pansy sounded dumbfounded, and Blaise had one brow arched so high it was lost in his fringe.

"Hi," he offered, feebly.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was… there when he got injured. I didn't want him to be alone when he woke up." He glanced down at the hand Draco was still clasping. He felt their eyes follow his.

"Well, his friends are here now," Pansy said, after a pregnant pause where she and Blaise stared pointedly at him and he didn't leave. "You can go."

There was a sudden uproar at the door to the hospital wing, and Harry recognized the voices he heard.

"Ron? Hermione?" His eyes were wide.

"Harry!" Hermione ran over and launched herself at him. Over her shoulder he saw Luna, Neville, and Ginny as well as Ron hurrying over. "Harry," Hermione said, her face buried in his neck. "We were so worried when we heard you were in here!"

"Oh, err, I'm fine, Mione," Harry said, somewhat uncomfortably. He had a mouthful of frizzy brown hair and that was something he'd grown resigned to happening whenever she hugged him over the years. "I wasn't hurt." He awkwardly patted her back with his free hand.

"Then what were you doing here?" Ron looked at him with honest curiosity.

"Potter was just leaving, right, Potter?" Pansy shot him a pointed look. Her gaze fastened on his and Draco's joined hands again, and the others' gazes followed. Harry was starting to wish he'd just let Draco's hand drop. It was too late now; besides, Draco had a firm grip for someone who was unconscious.

"Harry, what's going on?" Hermione pulled back and studied his face.

"Why are you holding Malfoy's hand?" Ginny's eyes narrowed.

"If you're not hurt why are you here?" Neville simply looked concerned, not angry.

"Oi! What's with the ferret, mate?" Ron's face was flushed.

"Don't call him that!" Pansy growled, practically launching herself at Ron.

"So many wrackspurts in here," observed Luna solemnly. "It's a mercy any of us can think at all!"

"Get lost," Blaise folded his arms over his chest.

They all seemed to be talking at once, and at high volume. Draco shifted where he lay and let out a whimper. Harry almost didn't hear it. But he did, and it was responsible for his next actions.

"Silencio!" He hissed, casting a wandless silencing charm on the group. They continued babbling at each other for a moment before realising they had lost their voices. Then they gaped at him. He glared back.

"Draco needs to rest," he said, his voice low and even. "You're all too loud. All of you," he eyed Pansy as he put extra emphasis on the last sentence. "You want to be here, you be quiet and respect that this is a hospital wing, not a common room. Now get out or shut up!"

If they'd gaped at him before, that was nothing compared to the looks of astonishment he was getting now. Harry rubbed his temples with his free hand. He supposed Madam Pomfrey would have taken care of the noise problem if he had left them to be loud for a few more minutes, but he hadn't wanted Draco disturbed any more than he had been already.

He wondered how he would explain all this to his friends when they asked. Why he was there, why he was holding Draco's hand, fuck; even why he was calling him Draco.

He and the Slytherin had agreed to keep their new… relationship… under wraps, for the time being. What they would say and if they would say anything was going to be largely contingent on the results of their date – which had gone rather well until it all went to hell. Harry supposed that getting your throat half torn out by a rogue windowpane sliver was hardly the best way to end a date, but it wasn't like he could just ask Draco where they stood right now.

Harry had been caught in a rather interesting and unexpected situation now. And Draco wasn't conscious to ask what he wanted Harry to say. Harry was going to be winging it, to both his friends and perhaps Draco's as well. It made him uncomfortable and he felt horrid. He wasn't that good at lying, and he doubted that he would be able to keep up any out and out lies for very long. He didn't want to say anything that Draco didn't want him to, either, but the odds were that he would be grilled within an inch of his life before Draco even woke up.

Harry sighed. This was just bloody brilliant.

A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his reverie. It was Hermione. He looked up to see seven pairs of expectant eyes on him, and he realised that he hadn't cancelled the silencing charm yet. With a groan, he pulled out his wand and prepared to end it. He hesitated.

"You can all keep quiet?" he asked, eyeing them warily. Seven heads bobbed, with varying degrees of irritation and exasperation showing on their faces. He waved his wand and ended the charm.

There was a low murmur as the group tried and found their voices.

"So, wanna tell us what that was all about?" Hermione gave him a careful look. Harry thought fast.

"Draco and I are friends."

There were murmurs of disbelief and the group looked skeptical.

"Friends? With that ferret?"

"Shut up, Weasley, or I'll shut you up!"

"Quiet!" warned Harry, glaring again.

"Draco and I have been spending time together recently," he continued once he was sure no one was going to start up again. "We've been developing a friendship, of sorts. We haven't really talked about it to our other friends because it's so new, we didn't want to make a big deal out of it. We could end up deciding we hate each other again soon. But so far we get along."

So far, what he'd said was true. Sort of.

"Since when are you guys friends?" Pansy looked almost offended by the suggestion.

"Since we bumped into each other in the library and ended up talking for a bit." Harry felt bad about the lie. But it wasn't really a lie. They had bumped into each other in the library, and they had talked for a bit earlier today. If it weren't for the snogging they could have been considered the beginning of being friends.

"I don't get how you ended up waiting with him, though." Pansy's eyes were narrowed. She seemed to know there was something he wasn't telling and she wanted to find out what it was.

"Because I'm the one who was there when he got hurt. I sent a Patronus to McGonagall and got her to bring Madam Pomfrey to heal him before he could die on me. It was close. I've been waiting with him since then so that he wouldn't have to wake up alone."

"Well, his real friends are here now," Blaise put in. "You don't have to stay anymore." He glared pointedly at their joined hands.

"He doesn't seem to want to let me go," replied Harry, a smile curving on his lips. "He's gripping my hand pretty tight for someone who's unconscious."

"Blimey, Harry, you can't want to stay, do you?" Ron looked incredulous.

Harry sighed. He wanted to stay with Draco, but realised that he would only complicate things further by doing so. Not to mention he was famished, having missed supper.

Reluctantly he pulled his hand away from Draco. The blond whimpered, and his lashes fluttered. Harry paused, wondering if he was going to wake up. But Draco stilled and he forced himself to turn back to his friends.

"I'm starving," he said, smiling. "Can we stop at the kitchens?"

"Definitely!" agreed Ron.

"I don't see why not," added Hermione. The others made murmurs of agreement as well.

Harry sighed inwardly and followed them out of the wing. He couldn't help glancing back as he left, to see Pansy and Blaise fussing over Draco. Pansy looked up and brown eyes met green. Her own mocha coloured orbs narrowed. Clearly, she thought he was up to something.

Harry couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about a certain platinum blond with the greyest eyes he'd ever seen, sleeping in the hospital wing. He wondered if Draco had woken up yet.

His friends had peppered him with questions, which he'd done his best to evade, throw off, or lie his way through. He knew Hermione didn't believe half of what he'd said, from the looks she gave him, and he had a feeling Ginny didn't either. Neither girl vocalised her opinion, however, which left Harry feeling grateful and a little saner than he would have otherwise.

He finally climbed out of bed and threw on his invisibility cloak. Tiptoeing out of the dormitory, he crept through the common room and out the portrait hole. He broke into a jog and hurried to the hospital wing.

He slowed as he reached the door. Slipping inside, he made his way over to Draco's bed. Harry looked down at him for a moment, then sat in the chair beside him. Draco stirred.

"Pansy? Blaise?" He opened his eyes and sat up groggily. Harry hesitated, then pulled the cloak off. Draco started. "Oh, it's you," he said wearily.

Harry felt unaccountably nervous. Had the blond expected him to be there when he woke? Was Draco upset with him?

"I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier," he offered. "Your friends kind of kicked me out."

Draco smirked. It was faint, but there. It warmed Harry's heart. He leaned back against the headboard, propping his pillow up behind himself.

"Sounds like them," he offered, dryly. "Not trusting the Gryffindorks."

"I think Pansy thought I was up to something," smiled Harry, choosing to ignore the Gryffindorks comment.

"Potter, aren't you always up to something?"

"No!" protested Harry. "I only get up to something when I'm trying to fight evil." He cocked a playful grin at Draco, who snorted with laughter.

"Yes, because sneaking out of the castle through secret passages and snogging in the library stacks isn't getting up to anything at all. And that's just what I'm aware of lately."

"No, I'm still fighting evil. Cause it would be a sin not to take advantage of such snoggable lips," said Harry with a smirk of his own. Draco lifted a brow at him.

"Well, well; we aren't a corny sap at all, are we?"

"Of course not. Would you be caught dead with me if I were?" Harry grinned. Draco, however, sobered.

"I hear I would have been if it wasn't for you." His voice was soft, serious. He silvery eyes shimmered and his hair seemed to glow in the moonlight. His blond lashes dusted against pale alabaster skin. He was beautiful. "Thank you, Harry."

"You're welcome," Harry replied, a trifle off-kilter, both because of Draco's words and the way Draco looked in the moonlight. "Though I really didn't do much."

"Madam Pomfrey said your quick thinking was the only thing that let her get to me in time. Said I would have bled out if you hadn't kept a clear head."

Harry flushed. "I did what I had to do. I couldn't watch you die, Draco." His voice was soft and tender. It was the closest he'd come to acknowledging his feelings for the blond.

Draco smiled at him; a real smile, not just a smirk. "And for that I thank you." There was something undefinable in his gaze as he looked at Harry. "That's twice now that you've saved me from certain death. First in the Fiendfyre, now here." The boys stared at one another for a long moment.

On sudden impulse, Harry leaned forward and brushed his lips across Draco's. It was nothing like any of the snogs they'd had previously. While those were frantic and passionate, this was gentle and tender. Almost loving.

Somehow it seemed more intimate than anything they'd done so far, and Harry felt his face flaming as he pulled away.

Draco stared at him with a bemused expression on his face.

"Why Potter," he drawled. "You really are a sentimental sap, aren't you?" He sounded amused, and for a moment Harry felt angry.

"Just human, is all," he retorted. "I almost had to watch you die, and I was helpless to stop it, because I didn't know any advanced healing spells. I think under the circumstances I'm allowed to be a trifle sentimental."

Draco sobered up again. "I'm sorry," he offered, and Harry gaped. Draco scowled. "I'm allowed to say sorry once in a while, Potter."

Harry closed his mouth. "Sorry. It's just… not very like you. What I mean is, I never thought I'd hear you say those words, for any reason." He kept backpedalling, but was apparently only capable of making things worse. "That isn't what I meant." He huffed in frustration, and Draco's frown turned to an amused smirk.

"Sure it isn't, Potter,' he sneered.

"When did I become Potter again?" Harry couldn't keep the question back. Draco cocked his head at him.

"Force of habit. You saved my life; I guess the least I could do is call you Harry."

Harry smiled. "At least something good came of this," he offered.

"Oh?" Draco lifted a brow.

"Yeah… I know what I want to do with my life, now."

Draco snorted. "I don't really see what my near death experience has to do with snake milking, Po– Harry."

Harry snorted back. "It doesn't. I want to be a healer."

Draco nodded. "Good for you."

They were silent for a few moments, before Draco spoke again. "Harry, what happened?"

Harry tried to recall everything he'd been told at dinner by the others. "Well, apparently it was an attack by a group of Death Eaters, claiming Voldemort was back and had ordered them to go there. At least that's what they got out of the ones the Aurors captured."

Draco's eyes went wide. "He's not, is he?" There was an undercurrent of terror in his voice, and his eyes flickered to the Mark on his arm.

Harry snorted. "Of course it isn't. He's dead. Gone. You were there; you saw it." He felt driven to reassure the other boy, to let him know that all was well; he was safe.

Draco nodded, looking slightly relieved. "Of course."

Harry tossed about for other conversation topics, and soon the boys were engrossed in a discussion about the Quidditch League and which teams were most likely to make it to the World Cup.

Suddenly Draco cried out, grasping his arm, face white and eyes wide and frightened. "Harry!" he cried, and Harry stared in horror at his left forearm.

Somehow, using power only Voldemort should have had access to, someone was summoning Draco. The Dark Mark was burning.

A/N: I know, in canon the passage to the RoR was destroyed by Neville's Gran - but for the sake of my story they kept it in case of emergencies. :-P