Chapter 2: Getting to Know You Part 1

Bird song and sunlight greeted Harry's vision and ears. He carefully opened his emerald orbs and carefully looked around. It was a warm, spacious room, in dark woods, and shades of green. The bed was four poster and in emerald green sheets. Already, Harry summed up he was in a Slytherin's home. He carefully inched his way out of bed and thought he'd be fine to walk on his own to the bathroom but ended up kissing the floor. He struggled in the sheets, which tangled him even further. He heard the door open, footsteps, the clinking of a tray and then footsteps again coming towards him. Harry thrashed weakly but a good natured chuckle stopped him. The owner of said chuckle took the chance to untangle Harry from the sheets and back away, to show he meant no harm. Harry looked up and saw a calmer, healthier version of his former rival, Draco Malfoy.

"Before you ask," Draco began. " I suggest you eat something. You've been bedridden for at least two months."

"How did I get here?"

"I brought you here." Draco said as he placed the tray closer to Harry. "Tell me, what do you remember?"

"I remember hearing you and Ron going at it. You said a lot of things..."

"Now is not the time," The young Lord cut in firmly. "I promise you, when the time is right I will tell you."

"I'd rather know now." Harry said. "I've been through enough shit to last me a lifetime. You said you wouldn't treat me like a damned doll don't do it now."

"Fair enough." Draco said. "Long story short, things are not what they seem. What you told Volemort that day was completely true. You have no idea on how right you were."

"About what, being a pawn?"

"About all of it Harry." Draco said. " It was all about two views who were battling it out to make their points. They didn't care who was in the way. As long as they got what they wanted. Volemort wanted for only those with magic to have their own world Dumbledore wanted it to be shared. You were the keystone in all of this. I knew then as I know now, that you never wanted this. You just wanted to be yourself. You were never given a choice in anything. To me, that's a crime in itself. And I understand that more than you think."

"You always had a choice..."

"I made my choices close to the end. I was ordered to kill Dumbledore, I didn't do it. I didn't want to. I felt no need to. Dumbledore always wanted to see the good in all. Volemort couldn't see good at all because he wasn't shown any. You're different Harry, yes you had bad in your life too but you were shown goodness and love. I know I'm the last person you'd expect to hear this from, but I'm only telling you what I see."

Harry listened to the blonde and ate in silence. He couldn't believe what he heard and drew up a conclusion. The blond was 100% barmy!

"Ok, who are you and what did you do to Draco Malfoy?"

"I'm right here."

"My ass," Harry said, causing the blonde to choke on his tea. "The Draco Malfoy I know is an arrogant, pompous..."

"Brat..." The blonde finished calmly as he recovered. "Yes, that was me but I grew up. I was cruel yes, but could you imagine if I didn't treat you as I had how you'd turn out to be?" Now it was Harry's turn to do a double take. He hated to admit it, but the blond was right.

"So what happens now?"

"Well, after you've finished, you'll freshen up and I'll give you a tour of the Manor. There have been a lot of changes since the last time you were here."

"Malfoy, what happened to your parents?"

"Before we continue," The blond said in a light but firm tone. "I think it's best to drop childhood rivalry and call each other by first name. I've been the one who tended to your every need after all."

"My every need?" The ravenette asked then blushed. Oh man that means he...

"Oh please, I have the same thing." The blond chuckled. "And I didn't mind. Did you know you have a birthmark in the shape of a Phoenix on your..." Harry glared at him and covered the blond's mouth.

"Finish that sentence Draco and I'll make your life a living hell." The blond chuckled around Harry's hand and despite how he felt, Harry couldn't stay angry with his host. He was just being himself and without the seven year death warrant hanging over him, it was a bit charming. Just a bit? His mind teased. Harry shut it up. There were more things to think on. He followed the slightly older male to the kitchen and his eyes widened when he saw Draco prepping to cook.

"Since you've been bedridden and haven't had anything heavy for quite some time, and that soup was just to hold you over, we'll start with light meals and work our way up." Before he could say anything Draco beat him to the punch. "And I've been cooking since I was small. My parents weren't too crazy about it but I still did it anyway. Why should I stop something I love doing?"

"Who taught you?"

"I taught myself. And despite what you think, not all cooks eat their mistakes."

"I can cook too but until Sixth year, I was pants at Potions."

"You had Uncle Sev's potions book didn't you?"

"How did you...?"

"Who do you think put it there?" The blond said with a smirk. "Of course, I had to act a great deal throughout our school days. I should've gone into acting for a career."

"So you never really hated me then..." Draco looked up from his task of turning pages in his book and sighed.

"No Harry I never hated you. Oh don't get me wrong there were times I was jealous and yes, I acted on that. But like I said, I had to hide a lot of things. Even Uncle Sev had to hide how he felt."

"That I know." Harry said as he sat at the table, watching Draco gather things for a light meal. "He told me to take his tears and in the Pensive, I saw his memories. I hated so many people for the wrong reasons...so many years..." At this, he felt his blood boil and his anger rising. "I hate myself..." He felt his eyes burn with unshed tears and he felt a pair of strong arms around him. Harry just fell into the embrace and at that moment, he let out a heartbroken sob and his walls came down. The arms that held him didn't ease up at all. A strong graceful hand followed in comforting, long fingers stroking his hair and a soft rich baritone voice whispering that it was alright to let it go. Harry obeyed this time. He was just tired, angry and lost. The moments ticked by but his host didn't rush him at all. He knew Harry needed this. That cry, was just the begining and like all beginings, healing would take time. Finally, Harry's emerald orbs met silvery blue greys.

"Thank you Draco."

"Anytime Harry. I'm always here if you need me. I swear, you will get through this. It will not be easy but we will take this in stride." Harry nodded and sighed. Although his mind was a bit muddled, and his heart heavy, he was relieved that he had the blond to lean on. After wiping the last of his tears away, he turned to the blond who was multi tasking with making a salad, bread and a light pasta dish. Despite it all, Harry was impressed.

"Hey Draco, would you like some help?"

"Sure, but could you clean yourself up first? You look like shit." The ravenette growled lightly and threw a potholder at the blonde.

"Oh shut it blondie!"

"You forgot handsome!" The blond retorted. The levity caused both men to laugh. It was just what they needed and both thought the same thing: yea, this could work.

I know it's a bit short but there's more to come, promise!