A/n: [Pierced!Harry/PastelHair!Draco/Dom!Draco]

Warnings: Depression, drinking, self-harming and blood. Please be advised. Rated: M

A/U. DracoxHarry. I don't own Harry Potter or the likes, it'd be a gay mess if I did.

"If they don't put me away, well it'll be a miracle..." - Jesus Christ, Brand New


Harry was standing with his shoulder pressed to the wall, his eyes scanning the window as he looked out among grounds. He was holding his flask in one hand sipping the drink and his other held a book he had propped open pretending to read. He could feel himself growing tipsy, he had been begging for the feeling all day. He wasn't able to place his regular flask, one that was engineered to never run out, so he was having to drink from his back up. One that was going to run out.

And soon if he wasn't careful.

"Harry?" Hermione called from behind and he glanced over, letting the lip ring fall from his teeth and raised his eyebrow. "Hey, what's up?"

"Reading," he turned and showed her the book, "you?"

"I was going to ask if you wanted to go to dinner with us?"

"Oh?" He looked down at his watch, "yeah, that's fine." He closed the book and slipped the flask into his back pocket before picking it up and carrying it with him.

"What is the book about?"

"For potions," Harry explained, "I don't have The Half-blood Prince to fall back on anymore." He explained, stopping to sign the book out before joining her on the walk, "so I figured I'd would get one to help me a bit, I have to get through this class to be an auror - don't I?"

"Still going to do that?"

Harry shrugged, "that's what they say." He was speaking dryly barely paying attention because all he could think of was the drink that was in his back pocket and how much he wanted it - and he'd rather have that thought than one that involved Snape dying which were pushing their way to the front since he had mentioned him. Fucking idiot. He cursed at himself and glanced around taking in their surroundings, "left door." He said continuing to walk when she had turned.

Hermione raised her eyebrows, "what?"

"The left door," Harry answered again, "look at how many first years are over there." He lied as he walked, stopping to pull the door open for her.

"Oh, always observant," Hermione laughed walking in ahead of him, "Harry I was wondering..."

Harry looked over as he walked beside her, "hm?"

"I was wondering if.. I don't know, do you like Malfoy?"

"Oh," Harry chuckled, giving her a smile, "I do a bit - yeah. He isn't a bad bloke, I had breakfast and lunch with them today. Pansy is actually pretty funny."

"I meant as.. Are you gay?"

Harry raised his eyebrows, running his fingers through his hair, "yeah, I am. And I think he might just be my type." Hermione was quiet as they walked towards their table, the two of them ignoring the eyes, "I hate this place, now." Harry changed the subject, "I hate all of them."

"Harry!" She gasped in a quiet voice, giving him a look.

Harry blinked, taking a moment to realize the situation, "uh..." he cleared his throat, "I didn't mean literally, 'Mione, I just hate the staring."

Hermione sat next to him, "oh I understand that." She frowned, "I think they mean well."

"I'm sure," Harry shrugged, he was done with the conversation. He was done with all the conversations. He shouldn't have come to dinner, he didn't want to be here, "so anyway, classes, you liking them or whatever?"

And he knew that was enough to get her attention back to something else that wasn't him. Harry stared down at the plate before him half listening to her go on about the new professors, which was soon joined in conversation by Neville and Ginny and he was off the hook. He pushed the food around with his fork, and bounced his leg noiselessly under the table - each time his leg bounced he thought about the drink. The sounds around him were loud - the chatter, the conversations taking over the whole room. He tried to get lost in the noise of it but he couldn't.

All he could do was think about Snape. He saw the scene in his mind.. Snape laying on the floor of the shrieking shack, blood spilling from his neck, his own hands covered in it as he tried to stop the bleeding.

"Come here. Take them... you have your mothers eyes."

Harry shuddered, shutting his eyes. His hand was grabbing his fork so hard he could feel the metal bending between his grasp, the metal of it melding against his hand, his arm was shaking with the force. You have your mothers eyes. Take them. Blood everywhere. Harry could taste it, the metallic taste of it against his tongue, his teeth grinding against his lip.

"Potter?"

Harry flashed his eyes open, blinking a few times to focus on reality. The room was still buzzing with everyone and their conversations, he could feel it, but it was white noise falling on deaf ears because all he could focus on now was Draco Malfoy.

The Prince of Slytherin was standing at the Gryffindor table, saying his name. Again. "Potter?"

"Malfoy!" He gasped out quietly, and started to stand up but Draco waved his hand, taking the seat across from him.

"Thought I'd return the favor."

"Wh-what?" Harry asked raising the eyebrow, "what favor?"

"Entertaining the hall at my expense."

Harry looked around as if noticing the stares for the first time which was a first in and of itself because he always noticed the staring. "Oh.." He chuckled and leaned against the table top, "how are you Malfoy?"

The man shrugged, "perfect of course, Potter," he raised a manicured blonde eyebrow, "eating tonight?"

Harry looked at his plate, his hand a little cramped from the grip he had on the fork which he dropped and sat back a bit, "no, I'm not hungry."

Draco leaned in careful to keep his shirt off the plate before him, "I can tell from the flush on your cheeks Potter, you've been drinking."

"Or..." Harry shot a wink across the table, "I'm just excited to see you."

Draco laughed shortly and sat back, picking up his own fork taking a bite of the dinner and ignoring the comment. Harry smirked and looked over the food, grabbing a piece of bread off the table and taking a bite. The eyes on them had died down - students still stealing glances, and the conversation had picked back up, when he took a bite of the bread he looked down in disgust the taste of blood was everywhere in his mouth.

"Your lip, Harry," Pansy said as she sat next to Draco, scooting right in without invitation.

Oh yeah. "Hey Pansy," he greeted her, wiping the blood off his mouth and took a quick drink before he continued eating.

"It's cute, not the blood... but the lip ring." She reached across the table, and slid her finger across his lip letting her index finger play with the metal ring a second, "I like it."

Hermione's eyes were narrowed as she watched this, before looking at Harry in question, but Harry was smiling and bit his lip after a second, "thanks."

"We didn't get to talk boys at lunch," she shrugged, reaching for a spoonful of potatoes, "Blaise is such a bloody drama queen."

"Was that what it was?" Blaise asked and Harry glanced over his shoulder scooting closer to Hermione and letting the man sit down, "if I recall right, you were too busy staring over at this table trying to find Neville." Draco groaned and Harry looked up curiously.

"Here we go," The blonde hissed under his breath and Blaise half stood looking around.

"Neville where are you?" He asked, his eyes scanning the table.

Harry watched as Neville perked up, looking at him. He was right next to Pansy, between her and Ginny, "hello?"

"Oh fate is mysterious," Blaise smiled, and pointed across the table to his neighbor, "she was looking for you."

"Oh?" Neville looked her over than over to Harry curiously.

"Neville, this is Pansy Parkinson, she is an 8th year Slytherin..." Harry introduced the two, "he's the cute, smart bloke I was telling you about."

The brunette girl didn't need anything else and her smile told Harry that as he tapered off, "hey, I'm Pansy..."

"I'm Neville," the boy took her hand, "Pansy like.. the flower?"

"Most people say it like an insult."

"They're mad," Neville exclaimed, "pansies are beautiful and often used as the flower for remembrance."

"Are they?" Pansy grinned, "tell me more." She added before taking a bite.

Harry chuckled, shaking his head, and caught sight of Draco's smile before the heir turned away, "how were classes Harry?"

"Fine," Harry turned towards Blaise when he asked, "how about yours?"

Blaise shrugged, "I don't know what I'm planning on doing after school, honestly, so I am taking all the basics. A couple electives."

"What electives?"

"Alchemy and Runes."

"I'm taking those too," Harry tilted his head, "probably the only two classes I even want to take honestly." He chuckled, and glanced down at his empty plate before reaching for a piece of chicken.

"Auror plans?"

Harry was picking at the baked chicken and looked over, "oh yeah, that's what they say."

"Oh?" Blaise nodded and took a bite, moving on.

"So Harry," Pansy interrupted and the raven haired boy looked up to see Neville blushing while taking a drink, her arm brushing against his, "going to introduce us?"

"How could I forget?" He joked and looked towards his friends that were sitting on his right, "Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom - which you all just met. Hermione and Ron this is Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zambini, my new friends. We met this morning over at the Slytherin table."

Ron shot a smile around, taking Blaise's hand and giving Pansy a wave, "how you guys doing?" He asked, Blaise taking that question and the two talked over Harry and Hermione. Hermione was scowling down at her plate without an ounce of interest in everyone else.

"Are we friends now?" Draco spoke up, looking right at Harry and once again it was the only thing Harry could focus on despite the conversations around him.

"I dunno, are we?"

"Do you want to be?" Draco asked with a head tilt, some of his multi color hair falling from the hold his hair gel had on them, Harry chewed on his lip rolling the ring with his teeth as he nodded. "Friends don't let friends go hungry, eat your food Potter." And Harry did just that.

The seven of them stayed at the table until the food disappeared and even after that until the house elves made them leave, they had all been doing course work. Blaise and Ron became fast friends, and even Blaise was able to get Hermione in on some of the conversation once she relaxed. Neville and Pansy were quick to hit it off, the two moving on through friendship to potential relationship in no time. Harry found it odd he felt so relaxed in this setting, he thought he should be feeling like Hermione did; tense and uncertain but he didn't. It was comfortable, falling into place like this he just felt so... normal.

There was something about the way Blaise smiled and was light hearted and Pansy was kind beneath all her walls which shone through in her eyes. He couldn't believe how he spent years listening to other people complain to him about these three and how that effected his idea of who they were. And Draco... How could he even describe Draco? The man was standoffish, but so was Harry, and on top of that he was attentive and honest, sweet too and Merlin could the guy kiss.

Now as they were all headed out the doors and up to their shared common room, they clearly having no intention of breaking apart as Hermione was now talking to Blaise about the Charms class and giving him some advice on the first lesson. Harry wasn't wasted, but he was still riding the high. He had been taking sips all night and though he thought it was unnoticed - Draco saw each one.

"I think I'll catch you guys later," Harry spoke up once they were on the stairs, "I left something in the library."

"Alright, mate," Ron smiled and turned with the four.

Draco stared after Harry, "where are you going?"

"The Astronomy Tower," Harry answered truthful, "I think I left my flask in there last night, this one isn't enchanted and runs out."

"You mean..." Draco paused and pulled out Harry's clear, glass and full flask, "this one?"

"You had it?" Harry reached out taking it from him, "how?"

"Last night after I took you back, you handed it to me." Draco shrugged, "I had forgotten about it actually."

"Oh thanks," Harry unscrewed the cap and took a sip visibly relaxing when the liquid slid down his throat, "thanks Malfoy."

"Sure," he shrugged, "I'll catch you later Potter, don't get caught." He added before heading off towards the commons. Harry watched him walk away and when he was alone in the middle of the stairwell he felt suddenly very small. The whole castle seemed to grow as he looked around spinning a slow circle. He felt like the last person standing, he felt alone. He felt more alone now then he had ever in his life.

He could see it all, all the death that had taken place. He could hear all the whispers circling his thoughts, the whispers that haunted his dreams.

Kill the spare. Give me Harry and no one will die. Take them all... you have your mothers eyes. Harry Potter. Always. Only one shall live. All you have to do is give it to me, I can show you everything. Don't you want to know the secret of your scar?

Don't you want to know the secret of your scar?

He looked down, his hands shaking and he unscrewed the flask taking a long drink. Closing his eyes but it only grew.

All the voices, and then he could hear Dudley in his ear, freak! He could feel his fist pounding against his body, his foot against his chest, this is good. He thought, slugging back another drink. Tonight he would remember that.

Nothing else. No, nothing else. Not tonight. This would do. Pain.

Punch. Pain. Kick. Pain. Punch. Punch. Punch. Pain. Kick. Kick. P-Pu-Pa-Pastel hair. Gray eyes. Whisky.


"Draco!" Blaise yelled, running into the dorms ignoring the grumbles from the few other sleeping students his eyes on the pale blonde who was still sleeping, "Draco!" He shook him roughly, "get up! It's Harry!"

Draco peeked his eyes open, and glanced to the bed that was next to his and saw it was empty. Empty and not slept in. "What?"

"It's Harry, c'mon!" Blaise was grabbing something that Draco couldn't see and then he jumped out of bed, jerking his wand off the top of his trunk while following Blaise - not bothering to grab a robe or anything. He didn't care, it was Harry. That is all that mattered.

Blaise hurried down the stairs, taking them two at a time and Draco followed closely behind coming into the empty common room, "where is he?" He asked as he looked around, expecting the mess of a man to be sitting in there crying? Or just really drunk? Or naked and running around? But he wasn't. It was empty except for Ron.

"Malfoy," Ron looked relieved as he stepped into view, "he's only asking for you."

"What's going on?" Draco demanded when the redhead turned away from him and lead the way out of the common's, Blaise following. "Blaise, what is going on? Where is Potter?" But no one answered, they just walked swiftly through the hallways, running down the stairwell and when they took the turn behind the stairwell Draco stopped.

He knew where they were going and he didn't want to go.

"No."

Blaise and Ron both stopped, looking at him, "he wants you, Malfoy," Ron answered, "he won't calm down, he just keeps saying your name."

"Tell me what's going on right now!"

Blaise swallowed roughly, and turned to look at his friend, "Draco, Harry is hurt. A lot."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"He wants to see you, Drake, he won't calm down. He hexed McGonagall.. he just wants you," Blaise's voice was quiet as he talked, his hands were shaking as he reached out for Draco, "he's completely trashed, dangerously so, it's like he doesn't even know who he is anymore. He's gone. And he's really hurt..." Blaise closed his eyes, "I don't know how to explain it?"

Ron shook his head, "I don't know I've never seen anything like this, he is messed up Malfoy."

Draco swallowed roughly and pushed past the two of them, walking towards the infirmary, pausing at the door when he saw Pansy and Hermione standing next to it McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey and Slughorn with them. But he didn't talk he just opened the door and walked in.

Harry was standing in the middle of the room, his back to Draco and he stood unmoving. Quiet.

"Potter?" Draco called out from the door, shutting it behind him.

"Go away."

Draco cleared his throat, "don't think I can do that, Potter. I heard you were asking for me."

"That's what does it, huh? Just me asking for you?" Draco almost laughed, but remained quiet, "I don't want you to see me like this."

"Like what?"

Harry lifted a shoulder, "like this."

"What's going on, Potter, no one will tell me anything."

Harry shrugged again, "does that bother you?"

Draco sighed, "I'm not playing this game with you Potter," he reached out and took the handle when a spell shot across the room and right into the door. He whipped around, his wand out ready to defend himself when he saw Harry. He wanted to gasp, to throw up.. but he couldn't give Harry that satisfaction. Or was it his own pride that he couldn't bruise? He didn't know anymore. He looked at Harry, standing still and quiet, only his eyes moved and they scanned his face.

"This isn't a game Malfoy!" Harry screamed, "this is my life."

"This is my life too, Potter!" Draco roared back, his resolve breaking instantly, "you think you're the only one in the whole world going through this? You think you're the only one that got fucked up from the war?" Draco's voice was loud and cut through the silence.

"Oh fuck off Malfoy, you got off scot-free. I made sure of that."

Draco scoffed, "is this what it's like to owe Harry Potter a favor? Take me now then, because this isn't worth it."

Harry's laugh was quiet, hollow, and he looked to the side, "I don't need anyone Malfoy." Freak!

"Oh I can tell," Draco snapped, "you're so warm and welcoming to everyone, it's like you're fine."

"I am fine!" Harry jerked his head, freak!, and looked back at him. His wand was pointed right at Draco and he glared, "I especially don't need you." You know the spell Harry, say it...

"Do it," Draco sneered, crossing his arms against his chest, "go ahead, Potter, show the world how fine you are. Can't stop drinking, you bloody hurt yourself, ignoring your friends, hexing professors and what is it you're planning to do right now? Kill me? Curse me? Hurt me?"

Kill the spare. Harry was shaking, his breath coming out in hot burst, "I'll do it!"

"Don't think there is a single thing you can do to me that hasn't been done before!" Draco answered and he showed his bare left arm, "I grew up in this life, Potter, that was misery. Because if it wasn't my father beating me or my mother touching me, my aunt had a go and Merlin did I love disappointing Voldemort because he always had a fun way of trying out things on all of us kids." Draco was shaking as he spoke, his voice going from a scream to a quiet whisper, "but that's okay you're the only one with problems, Savior-of-the-World, let us bow before him."

Harry blinked his wand dropping, not just his arm but his wand to the ground and he sunk down to his knees. Two wide green eyes staring up at Draco. There was blood everywhere. Harry was covered in it, from top of his head running down his face, his neck and some on his shirt. The whole left side of his face caked in it - some of it dried, some of still drying and some wet and fresh. Harry stared back, his teeth tugging across his lip. Draco approached him, walking out across the room only stopping when he was a little more than arms length away, "what did you do?" Draco asked quietly, he could smell the alcohol. It was so strong he could almost taste it and had to clear his throat to fight back the burn.

"I still hear him," Harry whispered, and he shut his eyes, "I still hear his voice in my mind, I want him out."

Draco stared at the cut that was slicing along the lightning bolt scar, "he's not here Harry. He's gone."

Harry stared up at the other, his eyes watering and he reached out for the paler one wrapping his arm around his legs and leaning towards him, his clean cheek brushing against the material of Draco's sleeping pants, "help me, Draco, because I can't do this alone."

Draco wasn't sure what to do so he stayed still and stroked Harry's hair, "first things first, we need to get the cut cleaned up." Harry nodded silently his grip tightening and that told Draco he wasn't going to let go anytime soon so he turned slightly and used his wand to open the doors to the infirmary.

When they entered it was like a wave, they were loud and worried and the 7 of them were hovering. McGonagall was staring with a frown sharing whispers with Slughorn, Hermione was knelt down with Madam Pomfrey who was cleaning Harry's injury and Blaise, Ron and Pansy were practically breathing down Draco's arm. The three of them staring in horror.

Draco was growing tense, but he stayed still, his hand never leaving Harry's hair and Harry never let go of his leg. His arm was wrapped around Draco tightly and his clean cheek was pressed to his leg with his eyes closed. Draco watched Pomfrey work; she moved quickly cleaning the cut and trying a few silent spells to close it up but it stared it's ugly head right back at them.

Draco was trying to avoid looking at the gaping wound, his stomach churning from the blood that continued to spill over the split skin. He couldn't imagine the pain Harry had to put himself through to do that, he couldn't imagine the pain Harry had felt to even want to do that. He couldn't imagine any of it, it made his body ache at just the thought. It made him sick. Draco drug his hand through Harry's messy wild hair, the Gryffindor was humming and seeming practically oblivious to the matter at hand as he clutched Draco's leg.

Draco and Pomfrey met each other's eyes, the older woman frowning deeply she had tears in her eyes as she and Draco shared the look. He understood the look, he understood all of it. "Potter," Draco said stepping back, the man almost falling forward startled by the sudden movement and he reached out for the blonde again. "Get up, we need to lay you down."

"Oh," Harry heaved himself off the ground, still reaching for Draco and ignoring everyone else. His friends were watching nervously, McGonagall was frowning - Pomfrey explaining the circumstance, "to bed?"

"That one," Draco nodded at one of the infirmary beds, "we have to do some muggle patch work." He explained trying to ignore the hand that was sliding down his arm to his own hand as they walked. Harry laid up on the bed, and as soon as his head hit the pillow he groaned softly, "you okay?"

"I don't feel so good," Harry admitted and reached up towards his head, Draco slapped his hand away with a glare.

"Don't touch your head," he instructed and pulled up the chair next to his bed.

Pomfrey was assessing the cut, "tergeo," she said and re cleaned the cut before numbing the sight and busying herself with quick wand work to stitch up over the scar, "you okay Mr. Potter?"

"A little sick," he whispered his eyes shutting as he talked, "I don't feel so good." He was squeezing Draco's hand tightly, and dragging his thumb over the other's palm, Draco was doing his best to ignore both his thumb and the self-inflicted scar. "It's gonna be there for a while, huh?"

"Magic doesn't heal dark cuts, dark magic, dark thoughts, Mr. Potter," she answered and held up the bandage wrap about to fit it over his head, "it'll be there forever."

"Draco," Harry waved her away.

She blinked and glanced to the Slytherin who sighed and jerked his hand from Harry's to stand, taking the bandages from her. She pulled the curtain close around them and Draco could hear her shooing the others out, while he unrolled the bandages, "I'm not helping you with this wound when you're sober," Draco spoke around the quiver in his voice.

"Blood make you queasy?"

"That amount of blood does," Draco answered, frowning deeply before moving his long cool fingers over Harry's head, the bandage falling into place.

"How bad is it?"

He ran his thumb over top of the bandage lightly, starting just past his temple and across Harry's forehead to stop just between his nose, "it's big and ugly, Potter, you shouldn't have done that."

Harry swallowed roughly, "I can hear him, Malfoy, I need him gone."

And then their eyes met and Harry relaxed, Draco bent slightly coming eye level with him, "c'mon, let's get you cleaned up." He nodded and gave Draco his hand, the Slytherin helping him stand. Harry was humming as he walked and Draco led the way up the stairs and through the hallways finally coming before the painting.

"We gotta stop meeting like this," Harry said suddenly and turned a wide smile to Draco who only rolled his eyes in response before giving the password to open the doors.

He nudged Harry in, and looked him over, "stop humming Potter, most people are asleep right now."

"Oh," Harry quieted down and held fast to Draco as if he was scared the other was going to leave him, he even hooked his arm around his waist, "okay."

Draco led the way up the stairs and stopped at a bathroom door, "I'll be right back," Draco sat him on the toilet, "don't do anything." He added, shutting the door behind him. Draco lit his wand and moved over to Harry's trunk digging through it for clothing coming up with boxers and a t-shirt.

"Put the light out!"

"Oh piss off," Draco sneered back, heading back to the bathroom. When he entered he almost left, the sight before him wasn't bad per say but it did startle him. Harry was standing naked, leaning against the wall and looking at the water, "what part of do nothing didn't you understand?"

Harry looked over his shoulder, his face, neck and chest clean of blood now, "I thought I'd start a shower. It's safe enough."

"Mmhm," Draco looked away, setting the clothing on the counter, "well hurry up, I'm tired. And don't get your head wet Potter."

"You could join? To help?"

"Maybe another time," Draco smirked, kinda enjoying the way Harry flushed.

He stepped into the warm water, "another time? I'm holding you to that Malfoy."

"M'kay," Draco answered and tilted his head back against the cool tile wall listening to Harry shower. He could hear the water dropping in heaps as Harry moved and heard the humming starting all over again. It didn't last too long and soon the water was off and Harry was stepping out, Draco did his best to keep his eyes trained forward not attempting a glance and getting caught. He was a Malfoy after all.

Harry dried and changed quickly, "okay, Malfoy, you can stop with the painfully obvious looking away."

"I wasn't." Draco answered quickly and looked over, "you are going to drink this before we leave this bathroom or we're not leaving."

"What is it?"

"A sobering potion," Draco answered, holding out the small bottle, "drink it."

Harry looked at him, frowning, "I don't want to."

"Then I guess we better get comfortable," Draco shrugged, relaxing back against tile wall.

"Why do I have to?"

"I said so."

"I like the hangover."

Draco looked down, raising his eyebrow, "what?"

"I like the hangover, it comes with a headache and a headache means I don't have to hear their voices."

"Well, you got me now, Potter," Draco answered and opened the bottle, "drink up."

"What does that mean exactly? I got you?"

Draco groaned quietly running his fingers through his multicolored hair, "Potter I'm exhausted, it's 3 in the morning we have classes in six hours... can we please talk about what that means when we wake up?"

Harry reached out for the bottle, "is it a good thing?"

"Do you want me?"

"Yes."

"Then I guess it is, drink it."

"You're so bossy Malfoy," Harry tilted his head back and drank the potion, almost grimacing the moment he swallowed it. Everything was clear, nothing was spinning or fuzzy. Everything was crystal clear. He looked at Draco blinking slowly, and felt a wave of emotion knock into him, staggering backwards his hand reaching out to grip the wall and steady himself, "I..."

"Tomorrow we can talk all you want," Draco whispered, and reached out a slow hand, "but right now we're going to bed." Harry nodded slowly and pressed up against the other, wrapping his arms around him tightly. He buried his face against his bare chest, Draco hugged him back before taking his hand and pulling him out of the bathroom.


Harry woke with a scream building that was quickly silenced by the stroke of a hand on his face, he opened two wide eyes and looked over to see Draco staring down at him with a deep frown, fingers trailing over his face, "you're alright Potter, just a dream."

"Just a dream," Harry whispered his eyes never once leaving Draco's. Pastel hair. Gray eyes. Draco.

Draco dropped his hand and rolled away from Harry, "get dressed Potter, we have classes in a few hours."

"How'd you know I was waking up?"

"You punched me," Draco explained, his hand covering his side where a red mark was, "other than that you slept like a baby."

"I-I'm sorry."

"You being sorry isn't getting dressed. C'mon, I am not waiting around for you lazy git." The Slytherin rolled his shoulders as he spoke and grabbed a set of clothing from atop his trunk before heading over to the bathroom where a Hufflepuff was making his way in, that was until Draco pushed him aside.

"Hey!"

"Hi," Draco shut the door on his face. Harry chuckled before sitting up his bed was right next to Draco's something he hadn't noticed yesterday and something that told him wasn't a coincidence, he dug through his trunk to find clothing - settling on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and his jacket. He started running his comb through his hair and felt a tug when suddenly all of last night came crashing back around him.

Harry froze dropping the brush and walked over to a mirror with wide eyes, looking at the bandage around his forehead. I'm not helping you with this when you're sober, came into his mind. He was reaching up to undo the wrap when Draco approached. The pastel haired angel had an untied tie around his neck, and a white button up that covered his arms. He grabbed his bag off the ground to shoulder it, "alright Potter, Blaise said everyone was waiting on you for bre- don't. Don't touch it."

"Shouldn't I change the bandage?"

"Go see Pomfrey before classes but don't do it yourself." Harry nodded, dropping his hand, "Blaise said they're waiting on us, c'mon."

Harry gave an annoyed look and grabbed his own bag off the ground, "okay."

"What was that look for?"

"I don't know, nothing," Harry shrugged and started walking away, that was until Draco came around and stood in front of him.

"The only way any of this works, Potter, is if you're honest."

"It's not that... it's just embarrassing."

"What?" Draco raised a brow, "like, what you did?"

"No..." Harry groaned, "I just wanted us - because I wanted to talk."

"Oh Merlin," Draco huffed and turned around.

"See!" Harry pleaded running after him, the two happened upon the others waiting around the fire place. Hermione and Ron were leaning against each other, Pansy was perched on Neville's lap and Blaise was reading a paper of notes.

"Let's go," Draco called not bothering to stop as Harry hurried after him, the others quickly falling behind.

Harry grabbed for Draco, who ignored this by side stepping him, "oh c'mon Malfoy, what was it you just said?"

Draco gave a sneer, "Potter, shut up."

"What's going on?" Blaise asked, sliding up towards them and away from the couples behind him.

"Draco won't talk to me now," Harry sighed, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets.

Blaise arched a brow, "find that hard to believe the man did sleep with you."

Harry couldn't help but flush, and turned away a second, "I said something embarrassing... and now he won't talk to me."

"Oh come off it," Draco shook his head, "you're just one of those gu- those people that like to have conversations about everything."

Harry scoffed, "like most people, Malfoy!"

"Not him," Blaise shook his head, "Draco prefers to just go about life, not having conversations and controlling it."

"Then how are we supposed to talk about that stuff..." Harry made motion at his head, "and last night, like you said we would if you don't talk?"

"That's a different conversation, Potter, that's about you. Not, you and me."

"So there is a him and you, huh?" Pansy asked having come up closer, sliding through the doors after them.

"No, there isn't." Draco hissed, "there is a Harry Potter and a Draco Malfoy and not a Harry and Draco."

"That's oddly confusing," Ron chimed in, "I mean there's a something - you did sleep with him last night."

"Thank you!" Blaise clapped Ron on the shoulder with a big grin.

Draco turned around, glaring at all five of them, "there is about to be five seriously injured students if they don't shut up."

"Oh come on Drake," Pansy giggled, "chill out, you know we're just teasing you." She reached out and fixed his hair, then grabbed Neville's hand and the two started towards the Gryffindor table.

"And if you think we're sitting over here every stupid bloody meal," Draco continued, "just because there are more of you - you're wrong."

"Why do you think you have to sit with us, if there isn't a you and him to worry about?" Hermione answered smartly, following after them with Ron in hand.

Ron and Blaise laughed loudly, "nice one Hermione."

"Oh, I hate her," Draco scowled, stomping along. Harry stood at the door smiling, Draco may say there is nothing. There is no him and he, but Harry hadn't seen Draco that passionate and red faced in a long time... "C'mon Potter!" Draco added, snapping his fingers at Harry who laughed and ran to catch up.

They only had a few classes together, Harry and his new friends. Where Ron, Hermione and him were in nearly every class together. Blaise, Pansy and Draco were only in a few of the same ones. Blaise, Draco and him shared Alchemy and Ancient Runes, and all six of them shared DA, Potions and Transfiguration.

And right now they were all crammed around a rectangular table in Potions, with three cauldrons brewing. Slughorn had suggested pairs of two to work through the list of potions that were on the O.W.L.s, naturally Ron and Hermione paired off and Blaise had sat with Draco, so Pansy scooted over to Harry.

"I suck." She greeted him, "but no problem for you, right Harry? You were a prodigy our 6th year."

"A prodigy?" Ron rolled his eyes, "nice laugh, the man can't brew for shit. You two are fucked."

"Language," Hermione chided as she set her cauldron up.

"Well, they are!"

Pansy pouted, "Drakey, please trade with me!" She whined as she stood up heading around towards him, "I don't want Harry and I to fail!"

Harry smiled, leaning against the table with his chin propped up. Draco glanced over, "I don't want him if he's that bad."

"Uh!" Harry gasped, "I'm not that bad, I just need coaxing."

"Not helping your case, mate," Blaise smirked and slung his arm around Pansy, "I like you more than Draco, Pans, he's an asshole to work with."

"I am not!" Draco snapped, but jerked his head as if to call Harry over. "I just like things done a very specific way, and you don't like to do them that way Blaise."

"Asshole."

Draco let out an annoyed sigh, and grabbed one of the copies of the list off the table reading through the 15 or so of them, "we have to brew all of these for our OWLs?" Harry asked with a deep sigh, leaning against the table as he looked at the list over Draco's shoulder.

"No," Hermione shook her head gathering his attention, "we'll brew Draught and Liquid Luck - more than likely. At least Draught for sure, it's always on there. The others we will need to know the properties of, ingredients, all the specifics of them and they will set up questions as if you were doing it what would you do next, or do different, or how would you save it...? That's all."

"Oh, yeah, that's all," Harry grumbled and picked up his wand tapping his cauldron as it set up, "well, what's first?" He asked, peering at the list.

"An invisibility potion," Draco answered setting the list down as Harry opened his book and glanced over at it, "that's not the course book."

"Oh I know," Harry put his hand on the page, "I found it in the library, it's about Potions like their properties and the stuff Hermione was explaining, I figured since I am bad at the course I would need some extra help."

"Oh," Draco looked at him with a raised brow, he... is so bloody sexy. Self improvement is absolutely stunning on you Harry Potter.

"What?" Harry asked with a sigh, "I know, it's dorky. Whatever."

"I.. It's fine," Draco nodded, "a good idea."

"Thanks Malfoy," Harry muttered through his blush, his mood swing coming and going like a drop of a hat, and turned back to the page reading the passage while Draco got his own book out to get a look at the ingredients. "Okay," Harry said after a minute, pushing the book away, "I got two hands and a eyes to read with - what do we need?"

Draco looked over, he had been slightly hunched over the book with his left leg bouncing as read the list, "I'll get the ingredients, Potter." He then got up and walked away leaving Harry with Ron and Blaise.

"Oh, you weren't joking..." Harry said looking at Blaise.

"No," he shook his head, "when it comes to potions, Draco is the one and only for his. You won't ever do much after the first time you mess up."

"I haven't even messed up yet!"

Blaise shrugged, "you'll figure it out."

Draco came back and placed the things on the table, "okay we put the ones we use last nearest you and the ones we use first closest to me," he explained while setting them on the table, "but these three we will have to mix prior and add slowly so make sure to note that, Potter," he continued while pulling his knife out.

"Okay," Harry took his quill and scribbled on the paper almost word for word what Draco said, "mix prior and add slowly'..." he dropped his quill and pulled out his knife, while looking at the book seeing they needed fine cuts of whatever root was laying in front of him.

"Actually..." Draco started reaching out to pick it up, "I can cut, I don't mind."

"Draco," Harry groaned, "I am capable of things, okay."

"I know you are, I just... well how about you get the potion started? It's just the syrup and stiring counter clockwise for three minutes."

"Oh that's boring," Harry grumbled and picked up the syrup, he poured it into the cauldron and got the stir stick doing as Draco said - counter clockwise. Three minutes. The blonde finished before much more than 45 seconds had passed and he was staring over Harry's shoulder, "Draco," Harry started, "I was wondering."

"No."

Harry sighed and looked over his shoulder at Draco with a grumble, "please."

"Later," Draco answered, "now pay attention to the potion or you're done." Harry smiled and looked back at the potion, oh Draco, you controlling man.


Harry was perched on the edge of his seat, hands gripping the table tightly. He wanted out, he wanted a drink and he wanted it now. He felt like he was dying. His whole entire body was throbbing, he was focusing so hard on what Professor Theery, the new DA Professor, was saying that he wasn't paying attention. This was the worst idea he had had after the war. Coming back into this room. He could just imagine Snape standing there teaching, he could practically hear his voice which meant it was all he could hear and that voice was turning into thoughts.

Your father was a jerk. A bully. Take them... You have your mothers eyes. Always. You're just like your father. How amazing it is to be the boy-who-lived, to just know.

You. Have. Your. Mothers. Eyes.

Harry's teeth ground down against his lip, ripping the scabbed over skin off painfully, his lip ring sliding through the hole. He slid his tongue over the blood. Take them. You have your mothers eyes.

"Mr. Potter, perhaps you know this one?" The silence that followed echoed in the classroom as all eyes turned to Harry, who was staring straight ahead very obviously not paying attention, "Ah, see, it was such a boring topic I've managed to lose Mr. Potter," the Professor started talking nervously shuffling through his papers and glancing around.

"Harry!" Hermione whispered urgently, shaking him.

"Take them!" Harry gasped out, a few of the other students shared curious looks before glancing back at him. Harry looked to Hermione ignoring the whispers, "wh-what?"

"Professor Theery asked you a question."

Oh. He looked over at the tall man, "yes, sir?"

"It was boring," he started apologizing to Harry, "it was stupid, really. I was only trying to get an understanding for how much my students knew - I know your last few years were traumatic. I mean I don't have to tell you this." He cleared his throat and looked around with a deep frown, "forgive me, Mr. Potter, I'll continue with my lesson."

"Forgive you?" Harry shifted in his seat, and leaned against the desk top, "Professor," he spoke up and Theery froze looking at him in question, "what was the question?"

"I was inquiring about horcruxes - I figured they would be a good topic to start on, seeing as they are what fueled you-know-who."

"I'm aware," Harry answered stiffly. He had been prepared to back Professor Theery but now he wanted to leave. Even more than he did before, his hand shook and he gathered it in a fist to hide it under the table. "What about them?"

"I was asking if you knew how many he had?"

"7."

"No, it was si-." Theery flushed a dark red stopping immediately, and looked around the silent room.

Harry was practically quivering in his seat. He couldn't remember the last time he wanted a drink as bad as he did now. Give me Harry Potter and no one will die... Harry jerked his head, stretching his neck, "sure, six." The room grew stale and Harry pushed his chair back, wood scraping against the concrete floor, "Professor do you mind if I use the bathroom?"

"Go ahead," Theery answered in a quiet tone. Harry gathered his books off the desk, and shoved them in his bag before shouldering it and turning out of the room.

Draco was tense watching Harry leaving the room was the hardest thing he had to do in a long time. He could see the other shaking, his whole body was basically one big quiver and it took everything for him to keep his seat and not follow after him. He perched himself on the edge of his chair waiting for the rest of the tense and awkward lesson to finish, not even bothering to listen. He couldn't tell you what was talked about or more importantly what the lesson even was - he just wanted out. He wanted to find Harry and make sure he was okay.