Harry's POV
"This is going to cost you dearly, Lucius," came a cold, raspy voice.
"My Lord, please, I did not anticipate – I had no idea –" pleaded another voice.
"I will not tolerate your excuses. Your job was simple; make sure the hallway was completed deserted, and get the blood traitor out of the way. I could easily have done it myself had I known this to be the result." There was a flash of light and a tortured scream that went as fast as it came.
"Please, my Lord," Lucius whimpered, "I have no idea who could have stopped Arthur Weasley's death. I had a few Imperioused ministry workers stationed around every possible entrance to the hallway! There was no possible way anyone could have gotten in there without any of them noticing!"
"Oh, I don't think our interceptor was there physically," Voldemort said, staring down at the graveling man at his feet.
"My Lord?" Lucius asked. "I'm not sure I understand."
"I believe that the one that ruined my cunning plan was doing so in a metaphysical sense. Of course, I doubt he understood what it was he was doing." Voldemort said, sounding slightly amused.
"Who was it, sir? Who was it that messed things up?" Lucius begged, hoping to right the wrongs.
"Never you mind, Lucius. I will deal with this matter myself. In fact…" Voldemort turned his head slowly, looking behind him – right into Harry's eyes. He smiled.
Harry sat up quickly, knocking his glasses askew. He hurriedly fixed his glasses, gazing at the silent room; everyone was staring at him, startled. Harry suddenly became aware of his heavy breathing, his scar prickling uncomfortably once more. He lifted his palm up and rubbed it hard against his aching scar.
"Are you ok?" Draco asked, alarmed at Harry's suddenness. "You're looking awfully pale!"
Harry just gave a brief nod, trying to control his breathing. Although he no longer felt sick, another discomfort settled in his stomach; fear. So Harry really was at the Ministry – for that's what it sounded like to him – in a sense. He was looking through the eyes of what, Harry didn't know. But he now knew that this attack wasn't a random act. Voldemort was behind it somehow, although he didn't understand what for. And what made things worse was that Harry had the feeling that Voldemort knew he was there too. He couldn't be sure that what he just dreamt about was a dream or another vision of some sort. But when those eyes fell upon him, Harry knew he wasn't alone in the comfort of his mind.
"You're holding your scar again," Ginny pointed out, "are you having another vision? Is it about dad?"
"No, I'm fine, really. It's just the after effects of the pain, that's all." Harry said, trying to wave it off. But even as he spoke, his voice trembled horribly and he knew that his friends didn't believe him. But he was saved from any further harassment when Sirius entered the room, brandishing a letter from Mrs. Weasley. Everyone rushed over to Sirius to hear him read the letter, leaving Draco and Harry behind on the couch. Draco turned to look at Harry.
"Look Harry, I know you don't want to worry any of us, but I know there's something going on," Draco whispered as to not be overheard by the others. Harry looked at the Weasley children and Hermione still gathered around Sirius. He was debating whether he should say anything to anyone at the moment. "Did you have another vision?"
Harry looked at Draco's worried face and knew that there was no way he could keep this from Draco of all people. At least not for long, anyway. "I'm not sure to be honest. But whatever it was – it was scary. I wish there was a way to write to Dumbledore without the fear of it being intercepted." Harry whispered, still keeping his eyes on the group.
"Well, what was it about?" Draco urged Harry.
"I don't want to worry you," Harry simply said. Draco gave an incredulous laugh, causing Harry to look at him.
"Seriously, Harry? Do you think I'm not already worried right after seeing you collapse, scream bloody murder, and talk about seeing a near bloody murder? Come off it, Harry. I think I can handle whatever it was you saw in your dreams."
Harry sighed. "The thing is, I don't think even I can handle them right now." Harry whispered as Sirius made his way over to the two, a smile on his face. Harry peered around his godfather to see the others heading out of the room.
"What are you two talking about over here?" Sirius asked, smiling at the pair of them. He leaned up against the couch, folding his arms.
"Nothing, just about what happened earlier," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders. If he couldn't talk to Dumbledore about what he saw, he at least wanted to let Sirius know what was going on.
"I see," Sirius said, giving a quick glance towards Draco, who smiled awkwardly back at him.
"Oh, sorry! Sirius, this is my boyfriend Draco. Draco, this is my godfather, Sirius." Harry said, making quick introductions. He was glad for any excuse for a topic change. Draco and Sirius briefly clasped hands.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Draco." Sirius said before letting go.
"Same," Draco said awkwardly, before letting go.
"Where did the others go?" Harry asked, sensing Draco's awkwardness.
"They just went to have a quick lunch before heading out to St. Mungo's to visit Arthur. You two should hurry before all the sandwiches are gone," Sirius said, giving a small chuckle.
Sirius ushered the two out of the sitting room, down the hallway, and into the kitchen, where everyone was eagerly stuffing their faces, wanting to get out as quickly as possible. Harry and Draco sat at the end of the table, slightly apart from the others. Draco grabbed two sandwiches for the both of them, and started eating his. Harry, on the other hand, still felt slightly queasy and groggy.
"You should probably eat something, Harry." Draco said, already finishing off his first sandwich. "You're still kind of looking pale."
"I'm fine. I just don't want to risk eating something so soon. I'll just have some water." Harry said, reaching for the jug of water and pouring himself a glass. The cold water felt good, washing the unpleasant residue of sick out of his mouth.
"Listen Harry, I think I'm going to stay behind while you guys go to the hospital," Draco said, looking at the group of Weasley's and Hermione as they started getting ready to leave. "It's really not my place."
"Honestly, I don't even –" Harry started.
"You two coming?" Fred said as the others gathered around the bottom of the stairs, waiting for their turn.
"Er, actually, we were thinking of staying here," Harry said, not really catching Fred's eye. Draco looked at Harry in confusion.
"You're not staying here just because of me, are you?" Draco asked.
"What do you mean, you're not coming?" Ron said annoyed. "You have to! Dad would've been dead if it wasn't for you! I'm sure he wants to thank you, Harry."
"That's the thing," Harry said, again refusing to look any of them in the eye, "I feel like this whole thing is my fault."
"Oh come off it, Harry. You didn't do anything, you just witnessed it. And if you hadn't, dad would be dead. Now come on." Ron said, turning to head up the stairs. Harry turned to Draco.
"I'll only go if you do," Harry said.
"I told you Harry, I don't belong. Really, I won't be welcomed." Draco said, looking uncomfortable as he noticed out of the corner of his eye the others looking at him. "I just think it's best if I stay behind with Sirius."
"Draco, do you remember what you said to Dumbledore when he was trying to send you and Hermione away?" Harry asked a little annoyed. Draco looked up at him. "You said that you needed to stay because I needed you. Well, I'm telling you now that I need you to come with me or I'm not going at all." Harry crossed his arms and planted his feet firmly on the ground, not moving them.
Draco sighed. He looked over at the group on the stairs, looking impatient as they waited for the two. He looked back at Harry and let out a defeated sigh. "Oh, alright then!" Harry smiled before grabbing Draco by the hand and pulled him towards the stairs, where others were eagerly running up them, glad that a decision was finally made between the two.
"Oh thank Merlin! I was wondering was keeping you lot!" Mrs. Weasley cried as she hugged Ginny and Fred. Mrs. Weasley was waiting just outside of her husband's room. "I'm afraid we are only allowed three at a time to see your father, but he will be just thrilled to see everyone!" She let go of Fred and Ginny and moved to George and Ron, and continued making her way down the line.
"How is dad, mum?" George asked, hugging his mother back.
"Oh his fine, dear! They got to him just in time. One more second and he would've – well, it doesn't matter. He will be just fine!" Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry to hug him. Her smiled faltered, when she noticed Draco. Draco could sense the uneasiness from her, and looked away as she pulled Harry into an exceptionally eager hug.
"Arthur wants to especially thank you for saving him, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said, hugging him a second longer than the others. "He wants to be one of the first to come see him."
"Oh, really Mrs. Weasley, it was nothing," Harry said, feeling his face grow hot from embarrassment. "He should see his kids first –"
"Oh tosh pot, Harry! you're practically our child! Now come! You, Ronnie, and Ginny will see him first." Mrs. Weasley said, steering Harry towards Mr. Weasley's room. Harry looked back at Draco, who just gave him a nervous wave and smile. Harry didn't have time to respond before he disappeared inside the room.
As Harry disappeared into the room, Draco looked around the others who were talking amongst themselves. Draco sat down against the wall, watching the others, feeling slightly isolated. Just then, the woman with the pink hair who had been one of the escorts, came over and sat down next to him, smiling.
"Hi! I don't think we've been properly introduced. Name's Tonks!" Tonks said, sticking out her hand, which Draco took and shook. "You must be Draco! Heard a good deal about you from Harry! He sure thinks a lot about you."
"Really?" Draco asked, taken aback by this.
"Of course! I didn't think that I would be meeting you this soon. Was pretty surprised to see, actually! How did you end up part of this crowd?" Tonks asked.
Draco couldn't help but smile at this strange woman. She just radiated energy so positive, he couldn't help but feel his nerves melt away. "I was with Harry when he had he vision. I insisted on going with him to make sure he was ok."
"Well that was sweet of you!" Tonks said. "You must really care for him."
"I do," Draco said softly, looking down at his trainers.
"Hey," said a voice that caused Draco to look up. Harry was heading out of the room and towards Draco and Tonks. Draco smiled and stood up as did Tonks.
"That was pretty quick." Draco said. "How is he?"
"He's good. He's very tired and sore, but he seems pretty cheerful." Harry said, shrugging. "And I didn't want to stay in there too long. I know everyone else is anxious to see him."
"That's good to hear. Listen, while everyone else is having their turn, why don't we go for a walk?" Draco suggested.
"Sure. Can you just let the others know, Tonks?" Harry asked Tonks, who was watching the two of them with a big grin on her face.
"Oh yes, of course! Go, go, have your little walk!" Tonks said, shooing them away playfully.
Harry gave a wave of thanks before he and Draco set off down the hallway, no set destination in mind. They walked on in silence for a few moments; Harry had a vague idea as to why Draco wanted to get him away from the others. He was hoping if he stayed quiet, Draco won't bring it up. But alas, that was not the case. As soon as they rounded the corner into a deserted hallway, Draco grabbed Harry by the arm and pulled him into an empty ward room. He shut the door quietly behind him.
"You ready to tell me about that dream of yours?" Draco cut right to the chase, folding his arms in front of him.
"I've already told you and everyone else what I –"
"Oh, don't get cocky with me Harry! You know very well what I'm talking about." Draco said, annoyed, giving his famous Malfoy glare he and Harry used to share. Harry gave a defeated smile at this.
"Yeah, I knew what you meant. Alright, I did have another dream – well, a kind of dream. More like a vision, really." And went on to explain what he saw and heard; how Voldemort knew Harry was there when Mr. Weasley was attacked, how it had happened at the Ministry, and worse still, that there was at least one death eater working in the Ministry.
"And he didn't say a name?" Draco asked, sitting on the empty bed as Harry was regaling his tale. "Of the death eater, that is?"
"No, just that he had failed him," Harry said. He refused to tell Draco that it was his own father that Voldemort was talking to. He didn't think Draco could handle that bit of information at the moment, and even more so, he didn't think it mattered whether he knew or not. Draco sighed.
"You have to tell someone, Harry. This could very well be real, just like your other vision." Draco said.
"No, I can't! The only person who really needs to know is Dumbledore, and I can't talk to him until after we get back to school." Harry said, taking a seat next to Draco. He stared at his trainers, thinking hard.
"Harry, you need to tell someone right away. I don't think that this is something that should wait until we get back. You could tell Sirius or Lupin, I'm sure they have ways of getting in contact with Dumbledore without the risk of interception." Draco said, watching Harry.
Harry sighed, looking up to meet Draco's beautiful gray eyes. He sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll tell Sirius. But you have to promise me you won't tell the others. I want to make sure I completely understand it before they get involved." Harry said.
"I promise. No, wait! I pinky promise!" Draco said, holding out his hand with his pinky out. Harry laughed, remembering when he taught Draco that. He held out his own hand, grabbing Draco's pinky with his own, gently squeezing it. They both smiled.
Harry leaned in, kissing Draco softly on the lips. Draco lifted his hand and cupped Harry's chin, bringing him closer. So close, in fact, that Harry soon found that he was almost on top of Draco. Harry threw out his hands on either side of Draco, catching himself before he fell on Draco, who was leaning on the bed. Draco reached up, wrapping his arms around Harry's neck. The kiss grew more passionate, their breathing more ragged as neither one wanted to come up for breath. Just as Harry was inching his hand under Draco's shirt, a sudden light spilled into the room. He sprang off of Draco, who also sat up, startled. Ron and Hermione were standing at the door, both looking rather exasperated.
"Why is it I'm always the one to walk in on you guys?" Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"Really, you two," Hermione said, her hands on her hips, "we have got to stop finding you two like this."
"Come on, mum says it's time to go. Dad needs some more rest." Ron said.
Draco and Harry looked at each other and smiled; of course that wasn't their second or even their time they have been caught making out by Ron and Hermione, and they knew it wouldn't be their last either. They got up and followed the other two out of the room, Draco and Harry holding hands all the while.