Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.
Warnings: language, child abuse, see intro for all
Chapter 3. Crossing of Paths
Dudley woke the next morning to the unfamiliar sounds of the city. After deciding he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, he gathered his bag and went to shower.
Harry was still sleeping on the couch when the older boy came out to find food. It was unnerving to see him like that and it took Dudley a minute to work out why: Harry's always awake first. That or he's locked up elsewhere. In all the years we've lived together I can't remember seeing him asleep like this. He looked tiny. Curled up on the couch with his arms around his knees and his messy raven hair covering most of his pale face, Harry looked innocent.
Sighing Dudley turned to the kitchen and began sorting through the random food he brought: squished bread, miscellaneous fruit, bags of noodles and rice, a box of Chocolate Crunchies, a box of granola bars, a couple bags of crisps, two cans of soup and a twelve pack of coke. He selected an apple and found a bowl for his cereal.
Harry woke achy and sluggish. After several long seconds of confusion and disorientation, the teen remembered the events of the previous night. He climbed to his feet wincing and wide-eyed. Dudley's really done it. It wasn't some joke. – Uncle Vernon can't find me. Where am I? He tensed as he heard noises from the kitchen.
"I could have fixed breakfast if you woke me." Harry murmured from the doorway shifting uneasily.
"Harry! You're up! I expected you to sleep till noon. You should sit. What about breakfast?" he was out of his seat and guiding the smaller boy to the table before Harry could get a word out. "Don't worry about it. I didn't bring making stuff. We have cereal, no milk, fruit, granola bars, and bread for toast. What can I get you?"
"Really Dudley – I can fix my own-" Harry tried overwhelmed.
"Nonsense. You're hurt. I'll fix you breakfast then you can eat it and get back in bed. I'd of brought you food there if I knew you would be up wandering. Seriously cousin, take it easy for a change. I want you to get better. Ok? Now, what do you want for breakfast?"
"Um…toast?" Harry asked tentatively, looking at his cousin as if he just sprouted extra heads.
Harry ended up eating several pieces of toast, and part of a banana before finally convincing Dudley he couldn't stomach anymore.
"Can I shower before you send me back to bed?" Harry asked half-seriously as he pushed the remainder of his breakfast towards his cousin.
"Of course Harry. I didn't mean…"He looked his cousin over regretting his bossiness. "Harry I'm not going to hurt you. I'm sorry. About everything. I am trying to make things right and I know it's going to take time to break old habits and adjust to – this – you know?" Dudley looked uncomfortable with his speech.
"I know," Harry couldn't manage anymore, this was all so eerie. I'm gonna wake up any second now and none of this will be real anyhow. He turned abruptly and went to his duffle. He found his pajamas and shower bag then hurried to the bathroom.
The hot water felt good against his skin. Everything hurt. His knee was bruised and looked swollen. Harry tried not to notice the numerous injuries as best he could while cleaning himself. He frowned as the water at his feet began running pink. Unnerved he began searching for the cut, relieved when the water turned clear again. What ever it was can't be too bad then. Ah…He found a gash running up his right calf. It looked shallow and had already stopped bleeding. He sighed and continued to wash quickly and carefully.
The dark blue pajamas didn't cover the bruises around his throat, and the pants were a little long covering his feet, but he'd had them for two years now. Harry brushed his teeth trying to ignore the visible bruises and thankful the mirror couldn't talk. The teen cleaned his mess carefully and headed out.
"Wow. Where'd you get those? Is that silk?" Dudley looked his cousin over critically.
"Um…" Harry froze, "I got them for school." He fingered the material. "Yes they're silk."
"Cool." Dudley shook his head noticing his cousin's nervousness. "Feeling any better?"
"The shower helped." He admitted. "I'm gonna get a glass of water. Which room can I sleep in?" he called disappearing into the kitchen.
"Any of them. Benny didn't say…" he was cut off by a knock on the door.
He cautiously peered through the peephole as he recognized his friend with the stranger.
"Hey Big D! Thought we'd knock instead of bargin' in. How the hell have you been?" The red head entered grinning
"Benny J. what's up man? Who's this?" Dudley eyed the blond.
"This is one of my connections. I called in a favor. He goes by the code name 'the Prince'. Prince meet Big D., Dudley meet Prince."
XXXxxx
Harry took his water out to the living room as the boys exchanged greetings. He stopped in the doorway with a small gasp, dropping his glass.
"Malfoy?" he asked incredulously. Another gasp and he was looking down the barrel of a gun.
The raven haired teen froze staring. It wasn't Draco, it wasn't even his father, but from the reaction, Harry had no doubt this was a Malfoy. A Malfoy using a muggle gun. A Malfoy who knew where he had run to now because he apparently knew his muggle cousin's muggle friend. I think the room is spinning. What the hell is going on?
"I think we need to chill out." Benny J. spoke softly holding his hands out in an appeasing gesture.
XXXxxx
The Prince stared at the boy in the door way. A wizard. No one else would recognize a Malfoy. He had a nasty black eye and a ring of bruises around his neck. This is the kid I'm supposed to help.
He had been briefed in the car. A friend's cousin was being abused, and bad from what Benny knew. The kid wouldn't go to the cops (with good reason) but the cousin convinced him to run away. He was here to create new identities for the boys and keep them from getting themselves caught.
Really it was a simple mission. The boys were unlikely to make big news much less need fake histories or documents. He was involved because Benny's father wanted the boy kept out of trouble and the kid requested him specifically. Damn crime lords can't keep a good contact to themselves. They have to tell everyone they know about me. It didn't matter, he was getting some big money for the relatively cushy job of playing babysitter for two months.
At least, it hadn't mattered until the damned raven haired boy recognized him. He watched the boy for a moment longer, those green eyes impossibly wide and frightened.
"I think we need to chill out."
He shrugged easily and put the gun away. He settled back and watched the boy shake himself. There was something about him that made the Prince want to either pull the gun back out or pick the boy up and cuddle him. I do not cuddle. Damn voices.
"Let's sit. Watch that glass, kid." His voice was low and silky.
As the blond settled in a chair Dudley got a clear mental picture of a big cat, and the impression of danger and power. As if the gun wasn't a clear enough sign of that. He has to look intimidating too. Royalty suits him.
"What the hell?!? I thought you were here to help, not wave a gun around at Harry like that! Shit." Dudley was angry and protective, not liking the intimidation.
"I'm fine Dudley." The boy said quietly, settling on the couch. "What's this about?"
"Oy kid you know how to make a fucking awesome entrance! Shit man."
"Harry this is Benny J., Benny this is the cousin I told you about. Anyhow Harry, Benny knows some people in high places, and he offered to help. These guys are going to make sure no one finds us. That's how it was explained to me at least." He turned to the other guys curious.
"Correct" was all the blond would say to that.
"Honestly!" Benny snorted. "The Prince is a genius at the undercover thing. He is legendary. We can make you disappear. It'll be fuckin' awesome! I can't wait!"
"Well you'll have to wait till tomorrow at least. Harry's not doin' anything today. He's hurt." Dudley glared at his friend for seemingly not caring about the reason behind the disguise.
"Damn it. Oh well." He held his hands up and turned sheepishly to Harry. "Sorry kid. I didn't mean to sound like that. Someone really fucked you up ya know? I'm just not good with sick people. I ignore them mostly. Ya know?"
"Um…okay. I'm fine really." Harry looked confused and even more so at the incredulous looks he received for his reassurances.
"Harry," Dudley started in a slow quiet voice "you're not 'fine'. You were hurt bad and even if your injuries weren't half as nasty as I know they are everything would still not be 'fine'. Do you understand that?" The room felt heavy and tense.
"I – Dudley seriously, I am okay and were here now, so what's the big deal?" Harry asked. He was honestly confused and just wanted the subject dropped. I'm just fine.
"The big deal is that you're not ok. Not really. I'm not a shrink, but even I know people aren't okay the morning after someone tries to murder them!" Dudley continued exasperated. Is he lying or does he really believe he's fine now? I mean, he has to be upset or something!
"But he didn't murder me," Harry pointed out logically.
"That doesn't make what happened any less real or the event any less traumatizing because 'he' isn't here now." The Prince interjected quietly.
"I'm not traumatized." Harry protested stubbornly. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine…
"You're not 'fine' at the very least. And to avoid talking in circles while you are in denial, you can go to sleep. I can discuss preliminary safety measures with your cousin and get started on your new identities."
"No." Harry asserted suddenly remembering who was here, and not liking the dismissal. Like hell I'm gonna let a Malfoy alone with my cousin while I sleep.
"No?" the Prince asked narrowing his eyes.
"I don't trust you." His eyes making it clear why.
"Perhaps we could settle this in privet?" he asked, looking the wizardling over. This needs to be dealt with now. He was pleased when the boy nodded and stood, moving toward one of the rooms.
Harry hoped the room he chose was a bedroom. He was tired and achy and well past the point where he physically needed the extra hours. Relieved, he looked around the blue room finally settling on the bed and looking at the older boy. Wizard, Malfoy…
"You're a Malfoy." It wasn't a question. "What are you doing here?"
"I am a Malfoy; however you are to refer to me as the Prince or not at all. I do not need a big mouthed little brat like Benny knowing my name. As to why I'm here I made that clear earlier. Weren't you listening?" the blond lifted an eyebrow looking remarkably like Malfoy, Draco that is.
"I don't believe you." Harry stated firmly.
"You said yourself I'm a Malfoy, now you don't believe it?" he asked mockingly.
"That's not what I meant and you know it!" Damn him if he thinks I'm going to let him hand me over to his father or Voldemort.
"Listen here wizardling, I am here because I am getting big bucks to baby-sit you lot and insure that you are out of your relatives hands. I am here as a muggle as far as you are concerned, and as far as I am concerned, you are a muggle."
"That's supposed to be comforting coming from a Malfoy?" Harry interjected.
"Whatever you think you know about me or my family little wizardling, you can forget." He growled leaning in close as his face hardened and his voice dipped into deadly tones. "I am not a man to be messed with, and you are getting on my last nerve. Whatever you may think of my family name it has no bearing on this conversation."
"I beg to differ. How am I supposed to trust you not to go running home or even straight to your bloody Lord to tell them about this place?"
"I doubt my father would give a damn about you one way or another. As for the Dark Lord I owe him no allegiance." He glared at the little brat.
"You're joking." Harry gave him a funny look.
"Believe what you wish wizardling. I have a job to do, and I intend to do it." His lips twitched as he gave the boy a once over. "Honestly, who do you think you are that the Dark Lord would be interested in a little bit like you?"
Harry froze his emerald eyes going wide. "You really don't know?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, feeling dizzy.
"No." Prince started slowly taking in the boy's suddenly frightened and uncertain body language. "Tell me."
Harry swallowed and shook his head, suddenly wondering what the older guy would do if he knew. He pulled a gun on me for just knowing who he was, how would he handle finding out my name?
"I could always just ask your cousin."
"I want an Oath that you will not tell anyone I am here and that you won't harm me or give me over to people who would, up to and including your family." Harry swallowed trying to look confident.
"Who are you?" he asked again gazing at the green eyed boy who seemed to think he was that important. "I told you before I do not intend to give you away to anyone looking for you, just the opposite. If you feel it is necessary…do I have your word that you will cooperate if I give you such an Oath?" at Harry's nod he shrugged. "I swear on my life and magic to not reveal the identity or location of…"
"Harry James Potter."
"…Harry James Potter until he says otherwise, nor will I allow any harm to come to him within my control, so long as he is in my care. So mote it be." He looked the boy over again as the magic washed over them. "Satisfied?"
"Thank you." Harry eyed the other uncertainly waiting for questions or any kind of reaction but none came.
"Go to bed then. I will see you around lunch time no doubt."
XXXxxx
Harry managed to get another two hours of sleep before the nightmares woke him up. He lay there shaking and sweating as silent tears soaked his pillow. Why won't it stop? I'm so tired. Why won't it stop? Please, why won't it stop? God make it stop.
His head was pounding and his chest hurt. He sobbed once, trying to stop his tears. Instead, he went into a coughing fit, choking and gasping. He sat up trying to breathe and giving up on staying silent. It hurt so much to cough. There was a knock on the door and he heard Dudley ask if he was alright. Harry tried to answer, but found he couldn't form the words between the racking coughs.
The door opened quickly and his cousin was there holding his shoulders as they shook. Someone thrust a glass of water into his hands. He spilt part of it on himself and choked on his first sip before the cold water soothed his throat. After his breathing calmed Harry found himself being closely examined by all three boys.
"Harry…You need a doctor. You're hurt-"
"No. Dudley I can't. Someone could recognize me. I won't go."
"You're messed up pretty bad kid. You need to see a doc. Shit man. You don't look good at all."
"No."
"Please Harry. What if something's broken? I can't just sit here and pretend you're perfectly healthy. You're hurt and sick, and I don't have the faintest idea in how to take care of you."
"No doctors, no hospitals. I'm fine, it's just a cough."
"You are not fine. How about we compromise?" Malfoy interjected. "I know first aid. I can examine you and see what I can treat. If I believe you are in life-threatening condition, you will go to a doctor who I can guarantee won't ask questions. No don't interrupt. If you are not critical, you don't have to go and I will heal you as best I am able." He gave Harry a pointed look as he said 'heal' and the brunet shifted slightly. "It would be best if you simply went to the doctor either way…"
"No. I guess you can look me over. I'm not dying," he stated more confidently "so you can all stop fussing. You won't pretend to get me to go to the doctor either way?"
"No, it will be an honest assessment. Do you want lunch first?"
"I'm not hungry." He ducked his head at their looks. "Maybe later."
"Do you want your cousin to stay in the room? I will need you to take off your clothing."
"No. I'll be okay. You want to do this now?" Harry shifted uneasily, chewing his lip.
"Why not? Benny, Dudley why don't you go watch TV? We can resume our discussion after I examine the boy."
"I'm not a boy." Harry grumbled as the others left.
"All the same. Can you get yourself out of those pajamas; you can leave the boxers on?" he settled back, turning around to give him some privacy.
The Prince turned back to the boy as he felt the bed dip. The raven haired boy was sitting uncertainly in the center of the bed looking down and chewing on his lip. Nervous habit, I'll have to remember that one. His breath caught as he looked the boy over. Aside from his face and neck, the boy's torso was littered in dark, ugly bruises. One leg had a massive bruise and that knee was nearly twice the size of the other. His other leg seemed to be cut open and beginning to scab. His upper arms were circled in deep bruises, blurred at the edges where older bruising was beginning to heal. The worst of it though was the scarring. Dozens of tiny scars stood out brilliantly against the black and purple bruises covering his chest and stomach. This has been going on for years. He thought to himself, his eyes caught on a pattern of scars that clearly spelt out the word 'FREAK', perfectly healed. That has been there for years.
"What did he do to you wizardling?" he murmured aloud.
"Nothing." Harry protested automatically, flinching at the Malfoy's abrupt focus.
He sighed before pulling out a PDA and taking notes on the wizardling's appearance. "Can you turn so I can see your back?"
He fought back a growl looking at the damage. The boy's back was as badly bruised as his front with one exception. Up and down were long thick scars where he had obviously been whipped at some point, and the crisscrossing patterns indicated it was more than a one time deal. The Prince startled out of his furious musings when Harry began to tremble slightly.
"Okay. I'm going to examine you now. If you could lay down on your back for me."
He rubbed his hands together to warm them before touching the boy. He started at the boy's head, feeling for injuries or tenderness, moving down to his neck, apologizing quietly when the brunet stiffened and nearly panicked. He continued down the boy's body touching, pressing, and asking quiet questions and typing notes. He took a pulse reading and observed his breathing.
"I'm going to press on your ribs gently, let me know if anything hurts, more than the bruising. Okay, deep breath for me." He paused as Harry whimpered in pain.
"Hurts," he confirmed, obviously remembering earlier reprimands
"Okay. Last thing and this is very important, so I need you to answer honestly." He waited for a nod of confirmation. "Good. Were you ever touched or used sexually?"
"WHAT!!! No. Never! Ugh." Harry looked horrified and shocked by the very thought, and he was satisfied that this was an honest answer.
"Thank God for small favors. Moving on. You have two options at this point. You are in bad shape. You have a lot of internal injuries and a broken collarbone. This puts you outside my abilities for first aid; however, I could heal you magically in small bits."
"Magically."
"Don't interrupt. Now here's the flip side to magic. I am completely off ministry radar, and intend to stay that way. This means I am limited to mostly wandless magic and potions. It will take weeks, possibly months to heal you completely and you would have to trust me to use magic on you freely. My magic technique is a bit – different than anything you've probably experienced before and you would have to take my advice and instructions without argument."
"That sounds fair. Do you really do wandless magic? How come the ministry can't track that, that doesn't make sense? What kind of magic do you use?"
"Questions later for now hold still, I'm going to start on your internal bleeding before I go fetch my potions and an overnight bag. I get the feeling I'm going to need it." He closed his eyes and clapped his hands and rubbed his palms together slowly, then faster focusing on the magic; very carefully he leaned over the boy pulling his hands apart and placing them forcefully on his abdomen.
Harry gasped as the magic zapped into him and sped around, joining his own in healing his injuries. It was unlike any kind of healing he had ever experienced.
"I saw that in a movie once 'The Karate Kid' and had to learn how." Malfoy grinned, "You'd be shocked how much your magic will respond to you if you are determined." He winked and stood stretching. "Eat something while I'm out. Potions are bad on an empty stomach."
Harry began to feel drowsy and spent. Something about the healing left him exhausted.
"Oh about your new look. Is there anything in particular you want to do or don't want to do?"
"Like what?" he asked rubbing his eyes.
"Well your cousin is wanting piercings or a tattoo and will dye his hair but refuses to cut it."
"Um I don't think I want to let someone poke me with needles. Honestly dress me in Slytherin colors and clothes that fit and no one would recognize me." Harry shrugged skeptical. "Aren't you supposed to know how to do this stuff?"
"I just wanted to see what impressions you already had. The other boys are being near impossible with their preconceptions. So nothing that hurts you and I have free range on your new look?" he confirmed his eyes glinting oddly and Harry nodded uncertainly.
What have I gotten myself into? Harry shivered as the older boy slipped out of his borrowed room. He yawned and settled into the pillow already drifting off.
A/N: Soo. Didja like it?
About Dudley: he is very uncertain how to act around his cousin. He has been trying to come to terms with the fact that his Father is a highly abusive person, and he helped aid the abuse. He is not very smart, and wouldn't be the type of person to read books to figure out how to help someone who has been abused. He is trying to handle his cousin based on stuff he's seen on TV or the movies. He's had a year to think about it and Harry's reactions don't always make sense to him.
About Malfoy: I deliberately didn't call him by his full name or provide a description of him for two reasons. Harry only sees him as a Malfoy right now, and no, he doesn't know how they are related, but all Harry sees is the name and the family as a whole. Malfoy himself has been raised away from his family. He goes by 'the Prince' and relates to that name more than he does 'Briar Malfoy'. There's a lot more to this that will come up soon.
A/N 2: How would you feel if I made Harry an Empath? I hate stories that have too many random factors tacked on. I can make it feasible and realistic, or I can leave it out. It's not a key factor in my story. Let me know!!