CHAPTER NINE
Disclaimer: Neither the characters or locations are mine; they belong to J. K. Rowling and various affiliated companies. No plagiarism or copyright infringement is intended. All characters will be returned safe and sound with smiles on their faces and food in their bellies. :D
A/N: Bum-bum-bum! :D
Harry woke to a shrill scream piercing his ears. He looked at the man he'd brought hime but he seemed just as surpprised as Harry feltt.
'What the hell is that?' the man hissed.
'My housemate.' Harry responded, realizing that was all it could be. 'Wait here.'
Harry stormed over to Draco's room and flung the door open. Draco was lying on the floor, shivering, his head pressed to his knees.
'Malfoy!' Harry cried.
Draco lay very still, not wanting to believe that Harry had heard him. He'd tried to be quiet, oh-so-quiet, but...he'd felt such pain. He hadn't felt that since... Harry stared increduously at Draco's bare torso, fighting an urge to trace Draco's scars with his fingers, his lips. He'd never seen Draco without his shirt, and the scars...it looked like he'd been whipped repeatedly.
'H-harry?' Draco whispered.
Harry shook his head, snapping out of it.
'Listen Malfoy. I won't have the Ministry coming down on me again for Muggles reporting screaming from somewhere that isn't there.'
He muttered something softly and Draco's room was briefly filled with a bluish light.
'Just a little something I picked up oyt of necessity. Scream all you fucking like.'
Harrry stalked off, leaving Draco staring after him. What did you mean, Harry? he thought, pressing his face to his knees once more, feeling the dampness of tears soaking through his pants. It was just a nightmare, that's all. Just a nightmare...
--
Draco stood staring into the fridge, enveloped in its cool breath. It was well stocked, but not with food.
'Kreacher?' Draco asked.
The elf appeared next to him with a soft pop.
'Yes Mister Malfoy?'
'Why is there no food?'
'Oh, Mister Potter sends Kreacher when he is hungry. Is Mister Malfoy hungry?'
Draco nodded and the elf vanished, obviously to get some food. Draco jumped at a noise behind him and turned around to find a stranger standing in the kitchen.
'Oh, hello. Are you the screaming housemate? I'm-'
'He doesn't care who you are. I thought I told you to leave.' Harry snapped.
I'm going. Jeez.'
The door slammed behind him. Draco raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Could this unpleasant man be the same boy he'd fallen in love with?
'See something you like Malfoy?' Harry snarled.
'Something I used to.' Draco whispered, stepping toward Harry.
He raised a hand almost as if he were to caress Harry's cheek, but stopped just before touching, letting it fall back to his side. He sighed and stalked from the room. Harry scowled, mad that he'd wanted Draco to touch him. He swore softly before leaving for work.
--
And so the weeks passed. Harry was avoiding Draco like the plague, not wanting to feel what he had before. Draco didn't matter to him. Or so he told himself. Draco didn't catch more than the first syllable of any of Harry's lovers names before they were thrown out of the house. Every night Harry cast the silencing spell and more often than not Draco awoke, his throat raw and bloodied. They were just dreams, though. That's all. He was safe. A few months after moving in Draco thought he might go mad. He couldn't believe Harry felt anything but loathing for him. He stared bleakly into the fire, waiting for Harry to come home, another stranger in his arms. He didn't look up when the front door opened and, feigning sleep, manageed not to get into a confrontation. Why can't that be me? he thought sadly.
--
Harry pushed the stranger – he hadn't even bothered with his name – against the wall, kissing him angrily.
'Who's that freak in the other room?' the man asked.
'He doesn't concern you.'
'He's fucking creepy. Seriously. I didn't know you had a penchant for albino's.'
'Get out.' Harry said, surprised at the rage he felt.
'What?' the man laughed.
'Get the fuck out of my house!'
Draco raised an eyebrow as the stranger stalked past, the door slamming behind him. He then turned his gaze to Harry, who was standing over him, face contorted with fury. Suddenly Harry's lips were on his, violent and angry and oh-so-perfect. Harry pulled away, his eyes blazing.
'You too. I want you out of my goddamn house! You've been ruining my life since we were kids, but I will not put up with it anymore. Get out, now. In the morning you can get your stuff after I have left for work. I never want to see you again Malfoy. Never again.'
Draco nodded stiffly, still processing the kiss, and left the house, shivering as the cool night air embraced him. He knew he needed to warm up...and he knew the best place for that was a pub.
A/N: Oh-oh! Poor Draco...poor Harry. I just threw the kiss in because Harry was so angry. But it fits, no? And I know this chapter and the previous one were kind of short, and the next one or two might be as well, but it just happens that way. I get to the spot I want to end it at and, well, end it. But if you truly minded you wouldn't still be reading, now would you.