Chapter 2: An (Un?)Fortunate Find
First off, I adamantly refuse to believe the following characters have died: Severus Snape, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Fred Weasley. Also, George does not have a large, gaping hole in his head. One of these beloved characters even makes a special appearance ;) I just can't stand the thought that any of these characters are dead. Though I don't know if all of the above listed characters will have a role in this story (I'll try to though).
Secondly, thank you so much for all the alerting, favouriting, reviewing, etc. I woke up this morning and was shocked to see how many views this story had! Over 100! In just a day! I did not expect that many. In less than an hour this story had over 10. Maybe that's normal for this site, I'm not quite sure. But still, you people are wonderful!
Thirdly, I am so sorry for the cliffhanger in the previous chapter, but I hope this one makes up for it. I have no idea when the next chapter will be posted, probably in the next week or so, since I have break soon. Also, for a tad bit of useless information, I've written all of this in class. I even got yelled at once by one of my teachers. This just goes to show my dedication to this story...Anywhos, here is chapter two!
Harry Potter climbed onto the train just before the doors were being closed. He peeked into a few compartments, disappointed to find them full of students. Too tired to search for Ron, Hermione, and the rest, he decided the last compartment would be empty. Sliding the door open, Harry gasped in shock. Draco Malfoy laid in a puddle of blood, unconscious, his body bent in ways it should never naturally be. Malfoy's body still shook and convulsed from pain, a sign of the cruciatus curse. Harry kneeled down next to Malfoy, not caring if his robes absorbed the other boy's blood. Turning the Malfoy heir's face toward him, Harry saw the full damage inflicted on the blonde. Blood and tears had dried on his face, and a black mark was forming around his left eye. His nose was broken and lip split. Malfoy looked worse than Death itself, and Harry knew this all too well. The brunette knew he needed a professor or someone to help Malfoy. As Harry eased himself off the ground, careful not to further harm Malfoy, the Slytherin let out a blood curling scream, sounding like a baby mandrake.
Unsure of what to do and panicking, Harry knelt next to Malfoy. "Shh. It's okay, er, someone will come and help soon," Harry said while flitting his hands. Soon he decided to lean against the wall next to the door and nest Malfoy's head in his lap. The Slytherin soon calmed down, and Harry's prediction came true.
"What in the name of Merlin was that noise?" Severus Snape said whilst slamming the compartment door open. Snape's eyes soon found Harry cradling Malfoy's head. "Potter, what did you do to him?" Snape said, with fire flaming in his coal-like eyes at seeing Harry holding his beloved godson.
"Nothing sir, honestly. I didn't do anything. I was about to get help when he started to scream. I don't know who did this either..." Harry managed to stutter out. Even with knowing Snape's secrets, the reinstated potions master still unnerved him.
"Of course you don't, Potter. Don't be preposterous," Snape ground out with his trademark sarcasm, but the usual malice in his voice was not there. Harry ignored Snape's comment. "Move aside now. I must attend to Mr. Malfoy until we arrive at Hogwarts, where Madam Pomfrey can properly examine him."
"But sir-" Harry started to explain what occurred when he first moved away from Malfoy.
"I said move aside, Mr. Potter."
Harry did as instructed. But as soon as he carefully slid himself away from Malfoy, Malfoy screamed in pure agony. Snape immediately dropped down onto his knees next to his godson. This was the first time Harry saw his professor look truly panicked, aside from the pensive memories. The Gryffindor crawled back next to Malfoy and grasped his hand tightly. Malfoy calmed down slightly, but still emitted soft whimpers of pain.
"Potter, I don't believe I would ever come to say this, but stay with Draco. I am unable to do anything but simply charms, nothing near what he needs. I will inform Madam Pomfrey so she will be ready to examine him upon reaching Hogwarts," the Head of Slytherin explained. Harry merely nodded in reply while Snape waved his wand, muttering healing charms. Malfoy's nose fixed itself and lip healed, but he still looked broken.
Harry watched as Snape exited the compartment. "Well Malfoy, it's just you and me. Never thought the day would come, eh?" Harry asked while looking concernedly down at Malfoy. The other boy just whimpered while his eyes fluttered open slightly.
"Potter?" Malfoy moaned.
"Erm, yeah. It's me. Don't worry, we'll be at Hogwarts soon," he lied.
The beaten boy just weakly nodded before falling into the welcome arms of unconsciousness once more. Harry soon followed and he fell asleep with a sleeping Malfoy in his arms.
(Line)
Harry awoke when he felt the slight jerk of the train coming to a stop. He glanced down when he noticed a comfortably warm weight on top of him. Malfoy. Harry's eyes widened, but hen the memories of earlier that day rushed back to him.
He looked down to better see Malfoy. The blonde still appeared the idea of perfection, despite his overall bloodied and bruised body. Harry gasped silently at the thought. Malfoy, perfection? Shaking his head, Harry realised he had to hurry Malfoy to the infirmary for help. Harry slid one arm underneath Malfoy's knees and the other around the boy's shoulders, and stood, cradling Malfoy to his chest. Despite being enemies, Harry could not bring himself to leave Malfoy in the compartment. What if the people who so brutally beat this fragile boy came back? Would Malfoy even survive? He had barely done so this time. The Gryffindor shook his head, clearing his mind of these thoughts, replacing them with determination. He poked his head out to peer into the hall. No one was there, and Harry sighed in relief.
Finally having stepped off the train, Harry carried Malfoy to a thestral-driven carriage and set him on the seat. Malfoy pitifully whimpered at the loss of contact, and Harry quickly sat down beside him. Malfoy's whimpers quieted, and he went back to sleep. Upon reaching Hogwarts, Harry once again carried the Slytherin bridal style. By then, the welcome feast had started. Harry cursed under his breath: Ron and Hermione were sure to badger him later for missing the feast and ask where he was. The trip to the infirmary was slow. Even though Harry was fit, he was not that fit. Carrying another person was a bit much, even for The Boy Who Lived. Though Harry had to admit the sleeping boy was much lighter then he had originally thought.
Thanking the stars that no person (or ghost) saw him carrying Malfoy on the way to the infirmary, Harry laid Malfoy on one of the many beds. Harry peered around the long room for Madam Pomfrey and spotted a thin beam of light escaping from the mediwitch's office. Softly knocking, Harry opened the door to her office. Malfoy made pitiful noises upon Harry leaving his side.
"Um, Madam Pomfrey...Malfoy, erm Draco Malfoy needs your help. He's beat up pretty bad. I already laid him on one of the beds.." Harry awkwardly trailed off, then quickly returned and grasped the other's hand again.
"Oh dear. Let me come see him," Madam Pomfrey said while she bustled over to bed and to attend to Malfoy. A soft gasp escaped her when she saw the state of Malfoy. "Harry, sweet, please go to the cabinet and grab my potions bag," Poppy Pomfrey instructed whilst running tests using her wand.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Madam Pomfrey," Harry murmured nervously. The cabinet was on the far side of the room. Malfoy was sure to scream in utter agony in the time it took for Harry to be away from him.
"Harry, dear, please do as I said," Pomfrey ordered gently but with a stern look.
"I, erm, can't be ugh...be away from Malfoy," Harry winced while stuttering the words out awkwardly and sheepishly.
"And why not, Mr. Potter?"
"Whenever I let go of him, he screams." To show her Harry unclasped Malfoy's hand. As if on cue, Malfoy's face scrunched as if a child, and let out several pitiful mewls. Feeling guilty, Harry held Malfoy's hand again and he silenced at Harry's touch.
"Hm, very interesting. Fine then, I'll get the bag myself. Accio potions bag." Harry rolled his eyes at the obvious solution to the problem. His muggle brought up really showed through at times.
"It will be a few days till Mr. Malfoy is feeling well once again. He has three broken bones, two broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, fractured cheek bone, and broken wrist. Not to mention visible injuries as well. He will have to stay here for a week or more, depending on the speed of his recovery. Until we discover why he has this attachment to you, I request for you to stay here with him, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey stated with a pointed look.
"Um, I'll stay here with Malfoy. But what about classes?"
"I'll have you both excused till he is better. I'll widen the bed so you may lay down as well," Pomfrey did as she said she would, and then began to heal Malfoy. Harry clambered onto the bed and rest himself closer to Malfoy then he would have preferred. A few episkeys and blood replenishing potions later, fresh pajamas and warm food were handed to Harry. "Here, some clothes and food for you. Surely, Mr. Potter, you would not like to sleep in bloodied clothes with an empty stomach."
Harry changed quickly and resumed his position next to Malfoy. Malfoy's clothes had been changed as well, Harry noted. Not that he had noticed.
Harry ate the food and then snuggled into the bed, inching closer until he was right beside Malfoy. Only because I'm cold, Harry told himself. He turned onto his side and studied the blonde. Malfoy's breathing was finally back to normal. He watched Malfoy's chest rise and fall slowly. His eyelashes fanned against his cheeks, and were so blonde they were almost invisible. The Slytherin was paler than usual, which slightly frightened Harry. Harry blinked at the emotion. Frightened? For Malfoy? The Gryffindor pushed the thought aside and went back to watching Malfoy. His hair was almost white, and looked so soft. Harry wanted to feel his hair, to run his fingers through it. Tentatively, Harry carded his fingers through the other boy's hair. It felt amazing at Harry's touch. It felt like stroking a baby swan. Harry marveled at Malfoy's hair. The brunette paused when Malfoy sighed, but resumed petting the other's hair when Malfoy fell back asleep. Eventually he stopped and retracted his hand back, only to have Malfoy snuggle into his chest. Harry could only simply stare at the slightly shorter boy, but then unfroze and wrapped an arm around the other, bringing him even closer. Harry could feel the blonde's cool breath on his exposed chest, and shivered. At first he regretted having not fully buttoned his shirt, but swallowed that regret. The small puffs of air felt good. Harry closed his eyes, and drifted off into peaceful sleep-which he had not had in a long time.