Losing Pain

Chapter Three

"So do you think you're ready to go back to classes, Harry?" Dumbledore asked his prized student for what seemed like the hundredth time to the teen. It most likely was too.

Harry gave the headmaster his best smile and nodded. Faking became the fastest way to get him out of the place so far. He didn't need to wreak his chances by a tiny frown. Dumbledore smiled back and his eyes twinkled. Inside his mind, Harry was picturing himself ripping out the man's eyes so they would never twinkle again.

"That's good. You've missed quite a lot of classes. Anymore and you probably wouldn't have enough time to catch up."

Harry wanted to scoff. Dumbledore thought he was behind? He was almost a whole year ahead by the first day of school. Did he ever care about him? No, he was always more interested in how Harry could make him look better. It was always Dumbledore, Dumbledore, Dumbledore. Not once was it about Harry.

"Well, I hope to see you good and well Monday morning."

"As you, Professor." Harry replied with a grin that was plastered on his face until the old man had left.

The grin immediately disappeared once the door was closed.

***

Harry flexed his wrists again, still not used to the feeling of being free of his bonds, even though they had already been off for almost a week. He put his arms behind his head and just stared at the ceiling like he usually did.

"I hear that they're letting you out tomorrow." A familiar voice spoke.

Harry smiled and turned to face his new found friend. "Yeah, except I'll most likely be on constant watch until the end of the year. Then I'll be dumped off at my aunt and uncle's where no one will care what happens to me."

"It's better than being stuck in here." Malfoy looked around at the Hospital Wing. There were about twenty beds in the room, but only Harry's had been occupied the whole time he was here. He wondered if Dumbledore made sure it was that way.

Harry took his own look at his surroundings. The bed wasn't the best and he hated the hospital smell, but it was better than seeing his Gryffindor classmates. He didn't know how to answer, so he just shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess I shouldn't have even said anything." Malfoy knew what Harry was thinking. He wouldn't have wanted to go back either if he had the same life as Harry.

"How are we supposed to talk again?" Harry asked, a look of slight pain on his face.

"Maybe this is the end of it?" Malfoy didn't look like he was sure, but he didn't want to say he'd miss the talks he had every night with his supposed enemy.

"Yeah, maybe it is." Harry turned back to look at the ceiling. He didn't want Malfoy to see how emotional he could get. Only once had Malfoy seen him cry and that was the only time it was going to happen.

Malfoy looked at the hurt teen lying on the bed. Already the kid had plenty of problems to deal with. He didn't need another one. Without thinking about it, Malfoy grabbed his friend's hand and squeezed it tightly. A tingling feeling went through his hand and up his arm, but he ignored it and stared straight at Harry. "Harry, look at me."

Reluctantly, Harry did as he was told, used to being ordered around. He stared into Malfoy's grey orbs with his own green ones. The same tingling feeling went through Harry. Harry didn't ignore the feeling and stared at their hands.

"Harry, look at me." Malfoy said again. Harry looked back up. "We'll find another way to talk during the night. But you have to promise me you won't let yourself end up in here again."

"I...I can't, Malfoy." Harry's eyes filled with tears again. He hated talking about his 'problem.'

Malfoy shook his head and squeezed their hands tighter. "Just promise me you won't end up in the hospital again. I can't tell you to stop cutting completely, but I'm telling you to never get put back here." Malfoy kept his eyes on Harry, never letting them waver.

Harry bit his lip, but nodded. He would try anything for his only friend, even if the task seemed almost impossible.

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter is so short! But I promise I'll make up for it with lots and lots of chapters! Hopefully you liked it anyways.