Harry smiled as the blond hummed under his breath as he sprawled on his back on the blanket Harry had brought, staring up at the sky. There was never silence around him anymore; he had confided to Harry that he hated silence, as the only time it was ever silent in the manor was when Lucius was angry.
Harry, for his part, was not so forthcoming in sharing secrets, refusing to tell Draco what condition troubled him, though the blond kept insisting that he could help if only he knew what it was. Draco insisted he assist Harry with the household work, knowing that Harry's relatives were angry enough at his mere presence, and he needed them to at least accept it well enough that word of it didn't get out to anyone besides Tonks, who had come to interrogate them both that night, and was now a regular visitor.
Draco walked through the door to find Harry lying stiffly on his stomach, sobbing into a pillow, obviously unaware of his entrance. He moved to comfort the dark-haired boy, but before he could reach him, Harry spoke.
"Stupid Dursleys," He muttered angrily into the pillow, unaware of Draco's curious ears. "Starving me, making me weak. Why did you have to leave? If you hadn't, I know I wouldn't have to deal with this. Your mother would have noticed, she would have gotten help." Draco realized that Harry was talking about him now. "You never let them starve me. I wouldn't have been weak enough for it to take hold if I'd been fed properly, stupid freaking muggles. So concerned with your darling bully that you ignored how he almost killed me every day. Ignored all the bruises; telling people that I taunted him to explain them. If I hadn't had to deal with that, I would have been strong enough to fight it. But I wasn't. I didn't even notice the first signs; I just thought it was from hunger. And by the time I got to where there was people who could help me, it was too late. If you'd bothered to check on me every now and then, they wouldn't have dared treat me that way." Harry had cried all this out in between sobs, and Draco found he could listen to no more. He walked over and gently lifted Harry, now wary of hurting him, and lay down next to him, pulling Harry into his arms. Harry gasped, and attempted to get away when he realized that Draco had heard him, but Draco held firm, and in his weakened state, Harry couldn't get away. "Well, now you know," he muttered bitterly.
"Yes," Draco said softly, unwilling to argue with him when he was so upset. "I know a little, at any rate." He pressed a gentle kiss into Harry's temple, pulling Harry's head onto his shoulder, cradling the other boy's body against his own, one hand comfortingly rubbing Harry's back firmly, massaging the tight muscles, and Harry moaned softly as he relaxed into Draco's embrace. He had known that the few diseases that were incurable in the wizarding world were nurtured by neglect as a small child, but he had not wanted to admit it, forcing himself to hope that there was another answer to explain Harry's pain, something that he could fix. He gently rocked Harry back and forth until the tiny boy fell asleep, silently wondering how he could have avoided realizing how abused Harry had been; his small stature alone should have clued him in, the boy was smaller than several of the other students years younger than him. While being a little short for his age, Draco practically towered over Harry.
Harry sat curled in Draco's protective embrace, shivering madly. Abruptly, Harry started screaming, and Draco was glad they'd talked Tonks into setting a silencing spell around Harry's room, or else his fat uncle would be barging in to demand he quiet down, and realize that Harry was sick with a magical illness, and more than likely throw him out.
"Harry, what is it?" he asked, almost frantic in his desire to help, even though he knew there wasn't really much he'd be able to do.
"Hurts," Harry managed to groan out after a moment. "Like I'm on fire . . .." He screamed again, then buried his face into Draco's jumper, jaw clenched. Draco stroked his hair, trying to sooth him before his thrashing hurt him, or made him hit Draco, holding him tightly.
"Harry, why does yours hurt you so much, when mine wasn't pain?" Draco asked Harry during a lull. Harry shrugged tiredly.
"Dunno. I've got that disease, remember?" Harry looked resigned. Draco decided very quickly that he didn't like that expression on Harry. He moved to sit next to the other boy, pulling Harry up against him, and dropping tiny kisses on Harry's neck. They hadn't kissed since immediately after Draco's illness, as Harry wasn't sure what Draco wanted from him, and was therefore uncomfortable with intimacy. At least, that was what Draco assumed it was; he had never asked. Harry jumped, panic briefly crossing his face. Draco hadn't pushed it before, since he'd felt guilty that Harry had fallen ill only days after, convincing him that he'd made his friend ill.
"Shh, relax. I'm not going to hurt you, Harry." He continued placing gentle kisses all over Harry's face and neck as Harry slowly relaxed into his advances, though his breathing remained just slightly erratic. When his eyes fluttered closed, Draco placed soft kisses on each eyelid, and Harry sighed quietly and almost collapsed against him. Draco wrapped his arms around the slight frame, resting his head against Harry's. They sat like that for a long time, Harry occasionally writhing and tensing in Draco's arms as the pain increased.
There was an inquisition waiting for them when they returned to Privet Drive. The Aurors had dropped them off back at the park after the questioning was finished, letting them walk back into the protected area on their own instead of setting the alarms off by apperating in. Tonks was perched on the edge of Harry's bed, grinning cheerfully, and Remus Lupin and Arthur Weasley were standing somewhat uncertainly beside her, obviously escorting the headmaster, who seemed to be incensed that nobody had noticed when Harry had left. They all –except Tonks- froze when the door eased open, spinning to face it.
"Wotcher Harry," Tonks said cheerfully, taking full advantage of the others' shock. "Cousin."
"Hello cousin," Draco replied calmly, while Harry glared at the others who had invaded his room. "Having a bit of a camp out?" Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes, what are you all doing in my room, anyway?" He gave the headmaster a pointed look. "Somehow, I doubt this is a social call." Dumbledore looked vaguely embarrassed at the reminder of how he'd ignored Harry all year.
"I came to check on you, as nobody had seen you in over a week my boy, and we were getting worried. Imagine my surprise when I found that you weren't here at all, and nobody had any idea that you'd left." Harry and Draco exchanged looks with Tonks, both wearing identical smirks. Apparently Dumbledore thought that his 'grandfather' persona would be the one to coax information out of Harry.
"Yes, so sorry, I forgot to leave a note." Tonks burst into giggles. Draco guided Harry over to sit beside her with all the aplomb of someone who had been doing such things all his life, settling down on his other side, absently wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders when the other boy leaned against him, attention focused on the three men standing before them. Remus blinked as he looked between the two boys, marveling at their sudden closeness.
"Managing mischief, Harry?" he asked, subtly requesting more information. Harry grinned at the Marauder cheerfully.
"My mischief is far from managed, Moony, old pal." He tilted his head. "Perhaps you could assist with the management of mischief, for old times sake, don't you know." Remus relaxed at Harry's apparent willingness to let him in on whatever plans he had.
"Perhaps I could," he murmured, abruptly conjuring a thick rug, which he sprawled on, looking up at the three on the bed. Harry nodded at him, then turned his attention to the other two, still looming imposingly over him.
"So, how long have you been here, headmaster?" Harry asked nonchalantly. Dumbledore frowned slightly at the flippant tone.
"About 10 minutes. We were just about to set out to look for you." His tone was reprimanding, and the normal twinkle in his eye was dim.
"I apologize headmaster. I did not mean to worry anyone." He glanced at Arthur out of the corner of his eye.
"Ron's been trying to visit you," the redheaded man commented. "That's what tipped me off that there was something off. He's been by 5 times in the past week because you were never available." Harry winced. He had forgotten to ask Ron for a little time that week. He had known that the redhead was getting worried about him, being practically alone all the time, but with Draco ill, then falling ill himself, he hadn't had time to write. Well, he was alone as far as Ron knew, anyway. Draco scowled and wrapped his arms possessively around Harry's waist.
"Yes, young Mr. Weasley has been most dismayed." Harry smirked at the headmaster's comment.
'He'd be even more dismayed if he knew the company I was keeping,' he thought sardonically. The feud between Ron and Draco was legendary throughout the school. Most of the fights between Draco and himself had been instigated by Ron, or by Draco's sniping at Ron. Draco smiled sweetly at the two waiting for an answer; he figured the shock value would distract them long enough for Harry to collect himself, as he appeared lost in thought.
Harry looked up, about to speak, but was distracted by the stately owl gliding in his window. It landed on the headboard of his bed, beside Tonks, who attempted to retrieve it's burden, only to receive a warning clack of beak. She quickly withdrew her hand before the owl could decide that she was ignoring her warning and attack. Harry stifled a chuckle at their antics and crawled over the bed to take the letter, ignoring the curious looks from the 'responsible adults' in the room. Remus and Tonks exchanged grins at his unconscious secretive behavior.
He flopped over onto the bed to read the missive, frowning absently. Sitting up suddenly, he dropped the note onto the bed beside Draco and walked over to his desk to reply before his company managed to drive it out of his head. Narcissa would be upset if he forgot to reply.
Dear Narcissa,
Is it really necessary for you to be so formal? Formality has always made me uncomfortable, you should remember that.
I would be delighted to stay with you for the remainder of the summer, especially as it's just been discovered that I haven't been staying where the Order thought I was. I think I'm in deep shit now. Dumbledore was waiting in my room when Draco and I returned, along with Arthur, Remus, and Tonks.
What say we meet up at the park at noon tomorrow? That gives me enough time to get out from under the microscope for a bit, though I'll likely have to have an escort 'so they can make sure I'm safe.' More like so they can make sure I don't run off again. I'll get Tonks and Remus to escort me. I could get away with murder with them. I'm sure that Draco would send his love, if I mentioned I was writing you. I don't want anyone to know though, because present company would probably try to forbid it. I knew that I would forget if I waited though, and that would upset you. I didn't want to do that.
Eagerly anticipating getting out of here,
Harry Potter
He smiled as he tied his reply to the bleached owl. At least, he thought it was bleached; as far as he knew, there was no species of owl that was solid white.
"Mother always has had exotic tastes," Draco commented as the owl disappeared. Harry grinned at him.
"So you recognized the owl then?"
"No. You left the letter setting right next to me. What else did you expect?" Harry laughed.
"I really should learn not to expect the impossible from you, Co." Arthur looked puzzled.
"Not reading your mail is impossible?" Harry shrugged.
"He's a Slytherin." He gave Draco a pointed look, and the blond decided to allow Harry to handle this one on his own. Mainly because it looked like Harry would verbally decapitate him if he tried to help. "He'll assume that if I leave it where he can get to it, he's allowed to read it." Draco looked at Harry consideringly, then lit the letter on fire. The black-haired boy, who had been expecting this move, didn't even jump, but the same could not be said of the other's in the room, all of whom besides Remus were considerably startled. Remus chuckled softly at the other's surprise. Sirius had had the same habit of incinerating all correspondence. When questioned, he had breezily announced that it was the only way he could keep his brother from reading his mail, and that he had to stay in practice. He also spelled his letters to incinerate 5 minutes after they were read. Remus wondered if Draco had that habit as well.
Professor Dumbledore was rather nonplussed by the cheerful banter between the two boys, as well as the fact that Draco had arrived with Harry, when as far as he knew, the rivalry between the two boys had been growing since they had started school. He didn't know what had changed their relationship, but he wanted to. There were far too many unknowns in a situation he had thought he understood perfectly.
'Ah, the failing of the old,' he thought, amused at himself. 'They assume there is nothing left to learn about a subject on which they are knowledgeable.' Harry scowled slightly at his renewed twinkle.
Draco sprawled out on the bed, and Harry followed his example after a moment.
"If you don't mind, sirs, I'm rather tired, and it seems that Draco is as well. Perhaps we could continue this discussion another time?" or never? The Headmaster's twinkle intensified.
"Of course, my dear by, of course. I'll be in touch with you in a day or two." Make it two, please make it two. Dumbledore and Arthur headed out the door. A quick glance proved that Remus was napping on his rug, and Tonks was leaning comfortably against the head of the bed. Shrugging, Draco shifted to curl up with Harry, who stiffened.
"Harry?" Draco questioned, confused by Harry's apparent fear. Harry had never had any problem curling up together before. "Harry, what's wrong?" Harry shook his head tightly and buried his face in his arms. Draco sighed and sprawled on his back, pulling Harry over to rest on his chest. Harry jerked back, but Draco tightened his grip and Harry subsided, resting tensely against him. Draco ran his hand comfortingly against Harry's hair, whispering soothing nothings into his ear into he relaxed.