Chapter nine: Saturday
When Draco woke again his room was once again dark. The clock beside his bed said that it was ten p.m.
"Bloody fantastic." He grumbled. One of the reasons he hated staying in the Hospital wing was that his sleep pattern was always disrupted. It must be some magic in the air or a side effect of healing potions or maybe it was the body's own magic. Whatever be the case, it never ceased to irk the blond Slytherin. He had fallen asleep roughly around lunchtime and now it was well into the evening.
Draco rolled over and got a faceful of parchment. He pulled back and could barely make out the outline of it against the pillow. Draco sat up and grabbed the parchment. After groping around a few moments on the bedside table he located his wand and with a quick Lumos, he read it.
Draco,
I saw that you were sleeping and simply couldn't wake you. You're just too cute. Did you know you look like an angel when you sleep? All peaceful and beautiful and the thumb sucking only adds to the appeal.
Pomfrey wanted me to tell you that as soon as you awake you're suppose to drink the potion she left you on the bedside table. She switched your bandages while you were out and said you were healing nicely. The potions are keeping it clean and you should be able to be out on schedule.
Though, if Pomfrey had her way, you'd never get out. I wonder if the old bird is lonely and that's why she tries to trap students in here longer than necessary. No matter, she gave me a through tongue-lashing on how utterly irresponsible I am and Snape stopped by and called me every word for 'dense' there is. I have a suspicion that he had studied a thesaurus before he came by.
Oh well,
Sweet dreams, pumpkin
Harry
Draco was a bit thunderstruck by the letter. First, Potter wrote 'Draco' at the top and simply ended it with 'Harry'. Second, he was finding more and more out about Harry James Potter and each new tidbit of information made him like the bloke all the more and it was reaching a level that Draco wasn't sure he was all that comfortable with.
With each letter he was seeing more and more of Harry's wit and charm. Who knew Harry Potter had wit and charm? Draco certainly didn't. But not only that, Merlin help him, but Draco found himself looking forward to the letters or, now, his time with Harry.
Draco shook his head to try and get the confusing thoughts out of his head. He yawned and looked around the room. His eyes landed on one of the other hospital beds that was oddly close to his own. He raised his wand higher and realized that the bed was occupied.
A mop of messy black hair was sticking out of the blankets.
When he said he'd stay with me, he meant it. Draco thought. Another thing I learned about Harry Potter, he's shamefully noble and irritatingly trusting. Not to mention absolutely adorable- I did not just think that…
A sound from Harry's bed caught the blonde's attention. The black-haired teen made a small sound that sounded half- between a sigh and a coo. The tiny sound sent Draco's pulse racing, sending shivers down his spine. Then the other boy rolled over and the blankets that had been tucked over his shoulders were now pooled at his waist and Draco found out another thing about Harry Potter.
He sleeps in his boxers. Draco realized as he recognized the waistband of a pair of boxer shorts. Draco was sure he was going to have an aneurysm. The moon was flooding into the room from the huge window on the other side and it bathed the boy in its pale light. The light and shadows mapped out ever contour and crevice of the well defined chest of Quidditch-made muscles, hardened by fighting for his life.
Draco found that his mouth was suddenly dry and he had to swallow hard. A heat was rushing through his body. It rose up from the collar of his night shirt to creep up his neck and paint his cheeks in a flush. The heat also moved downward. It expanded in his chest and shot liquid fire straight to his groin.
No, no ,no. Draco thought, furiously. I am not getting turned on by Harry bloody Potter! As if life couldn't get any worse. But no matter how much Draco tried to deny it and no matter how much he shouted at him and tried to play it off as hormones, the fact remained. He was defiantly attracted to Harry Potter and his body was pulsing and throbbing its agreement to the boy's physique.
Even if I do find Harry attractive…wait a moment, when did he stop being 'Potter' and became 'Harry'? Draco questioned himself.
Since you've become 'Draco', a voice said.
Since you've first met him in Madame Malkin's Robe shop all those years ago, another said.
Draco suppressed a groan and buried his face in his pillow. He was so confused. Deciding that he would only drive himself mad from all his conflicting thoughts, Draco decided he should write Harry back.
He eased himself out of bed and headed toward his bag on the chair Harry had slept in on Draco's first night. He reached in the bag and pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill and a bottle of ink. He went back to his bed, picking up his portable writing desk along the way. Once settled back under the thick woolen hospital blanket and nestled amongst the pillows with the desk balancing on his knees he dipped his quill in the ink and began to write.
Once finished with his letter. Draco sent it over to Harry's bedside table with a spell and put his writing materials back where he had gotten them from. He then reached over to his own table and downed the medication that Madame Pomfrey had left for him. He laid back and stared at the ceiling until he felt the dizziness and drowsiness of the potion take affect and shortly after, was fast asleep.
XxXxX
Harry woke with a start as a loud clatter followed by an even louder curse resonated off the stone castle walls. With lighting fast reflexes, Harry had his glasses jammed on his face and his wand poised and ready. What he saw before him was…nothing. Actually, it wasn't nothing. He could make out an overturned tray of medical instruments in the hazy darkness of early morning, but other than that, Harry was completely alone.
He glanced over to Draco's bed and noticed that the blond was not in it. A few tense moments went by and the only sound was the thumping of Harry's heart. Finally the black-haired boy lowered his wand but his eyes stayed wide and alert. He yawned and stretched and looked around the room once more.
That's when the parchment on his bedside table caught his attention. At the sight of it, it was as if a dozen doves had just been released in the pit of his stomach. His heart sped up and his blood thinned causing his head to buzz. He reach forward and quickly snatched up the letter.
Harry,
First off, I do not suck my thumb. How undignified! A Malfoy would never do something so plebian. Nor do we snore, snort, belch, pass gas or do anything that would alter our prim and proper image. It simply isn't done.
As for Pomfrey and Severus, it is nice to know that you have been well reprimand for you idiocy, but do not fear, my dear, I have a few choice words for you as well. You don't think that I would allow you to injury me and not retaliate do you? In fact, at this very moment I am extracting my revenge.
Draco,
P.s. Green is really your colour.
Harry finished the letter and was a bit confused by the end. What revenge? And what was he talking about 'green is really your colour'? Harry pondered that as he got out of bed and headed for the loo. Once there he did his business and went to the sink to wash his hands. While doing so, something caught his eye.
Harry looked up and nearly had a heart attack from shock.
Harry was…green! Not just his eyes but his hair and his skin as well. Every inch of him was Slytherin green. He looked like the creature from the black lagoon. Harry nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a giggle behind him. He whirled around.
Suddenly coming into view, was Draco, a silvery fabric pooled at his feet.
"You-you turned me green!" Harry cried at the sight of the blond. Draco couldn't take it anymore; he doubled over with laughter, clutching at his sides. Harry grabbed the pillow from behind his head and hurled it at the other boy. It smacked Draco squared in the face and sent him to the floor. "It's not funny!" Harry pouted, but as much as he wanted to be angry, there was no way he could, not with Draco, not at that moment. The blond Slytherin was practically rolling with laughter. His pale face was splotchy, his hair in disarray and fat tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"Yes-yes….it…is!" He wheezed as he gulped for air. Harry couldn't help himself; he too broke down into pearls of laughter.
"What's going on in here?" Boys both quickly sobered and turn to face a rather disgruntle Madame Pomfrey; Draco looked up from the ground. The matronly woman glared at the pair, her hands on her hips causing her robe to open slightly revealing her floral nightdress, her wiry gray hair was pulled up in curlers and a few wispy hairs had escaped and hung about her head.
"Uh…" Harry said unhelpfully.
"Mr. Malfoy!" She shrieked. "What are you doing out of bed?"
"But-but…" the blond tried to say as he scrambled up off the floor, but the mediwitch would hear nothing of it.
"Now, Mr. Malfoy, you know you are in my care for another two days. During that time you will be confided to bed rest. Now, scoot!" She scolded, rushing forward to shoo the boy back into his bed.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," He intoned as he crawled into his bed. Harry chuckled but quickly turned it into a cough when she turned her attention on him.
"As for you, Mr. Potter, you are to watch over him. How is it that he got out of bed on your watch?" She questioned him. Harry's mouth flew open to defend himself but upon remembering the sever tongue-lashing he had received yesterday from the nurse, he quickly closed it again. "You are to be looking out for him and help ensure his full recovery."
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey." He said glumly. The mediwitch looked between the two, gave a decisive nod and turned to leave.
"Oh, and Mr. Potter, a quick cleansing spell will take care of that green." Harry could've sworn he heard laughter in her voice. With that, the motherly old woman swept from the room.
"Well," Harry said once the door shut.
"Yeah," Draco replied.
"Quiet!" Madam Pomfrey ordered from the other side. Both quickly shut their mouths and slid under their covers, and were dozing in seconds.
XxXxX
When both boys woke again, the room was full of bright sunlight. Draco felt like his head might implode. He sat up and put his head in his hands and groaned.
"You alright there, Draco?' Harry questioned from the bed next to him.
"Yeah, I'm alright. It's just all this sleep is messing with my biological clock. Makes everything go wonky." He replied. Harry nodded; he had been in the Hospital Wing numerous times and knew the side-effects of healing potions and old-fashioned bed rest.
"It'll take a couple days to get everything back in order." Harry said. Draco just nodded and looked out the window. It was a beautiful day. The pair sat in silence for a few moments before Draco broke it.
"You don't have to stay with me today. I know you probably want to go to Hogsmeade." He said, looking down at his hands. Harry's head snapped up.
"No way. I'm not leaving you here all by yourself." He told the blond. Draco sighed heavily.
"Look, Harry, I don't need you to baby-sit me. I'm not a child."
"I know that!" Harry cried. "I- it's just…" He left off.
"It's just what?" Draco asked his tone sharp. Harry looked at his feet.
"I want to stay." He said quietly. Draco's mouth flew open is shock.
"You what?' He asked, incredulously.
"I want to stay." Harry repeated, still refusing to look at the blond.
"Why the bloody hell do you want that?" Draco questioned.
"I don't know!" he shouted. "I know it's odd, trust me, I know. I know that I'm supposed to hate you but ever since we started the letters, hell, maybe even before, I just…want to spend time with you."
The Slytherin was , for once, speechless. The pair sat in silence for a few moments before Draco spoke.
"I'm glad you want to stay." He said softly. Harry looked up quickly, but Draco was staring out the window. "Ever since I've come back to school, I've been different. I'm not sure why, but I have. And it seemed that after a few months, I was forgotten. But when you wrote that letter…it made me feel like someone still remembered me, still knew I existed…still cared. I know that's ridiculous." He ran a hand threw his hair and sighed heavily.
"No, it's not." Harry said. "I know how it feels. Sometimes I wonder if the people who care about me only care about my name, not about me." Draco looked at him in a bit of shock.
"How can you say that? You're bloody Harry Potter."
"See, that's what I mean. I'm not just Harry Potter, Boy Who Lived, sometimes I just want to be Harry, just Harry. But no one ever gives me that. They all idolize me."
"I never did." Draco said quietly. "I hated the Boy Who Lived. He always got all of my father's attention and everyone else's respect. I always had to work so hard for what I got, it was simply handed to you."
"I never asked for it." Harry cried.
"I know you didn't. I mean, if you really think about it, who would? Sure, my parents can be a right pain in the arse, but I wouldn't trade them to live with a bunch of muggles, relatives or no. I suppose I always found it a bit absurd that you'd get all this fame for something that not only happened when you were a baby but cost you your parents."
"I have to say I agree." The pair once again lapsed into silence. It was an oddly comfortable silence. One would think that it would be awkward, not just because it was between two supposed rivals but because the aforementioned rivals had just agreed on something.
"So, I know you hate Harry Potter, Boy Who Lived, but how do you feel about Harry Potter, mediocre student and disastrous chess player?" Draco looked at the black-haired boy for a moment as if he were deep in thought.
"I think that, that is someone I'd like to get to know a bit more. And play chess against." He said after a moment. Harry's face broke into a wide grin.
"Alright, I think I'd like that too."
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((AN: Alright, alright! I know it's been soooo soooo long since I've updated. It's just been a stressful time. Lots of school stuff and college stuff and just plain stuff. I know it's not my best work but my next chapter will be up soon and be real good. I promise!)