Smells Like Teen Spirit
Saturday evening found the eighth years, like the rest of the school, getting ready for the ball. They were either in their dorms getting ready, in the common room getting ready, or already on the Great Hall. Everyone that was, except for Harry. He sat, on his own, next to the fire nursing a butterbeer, a distant look in his eyes. That was, until Draco came marching over to him.
"Harry, come on, up!"
"Fuck off, Draco, please."
"No Harry, now! It's the ball, we need to get ready!"
"I said no Draco! Just fuck off and leave me alone!" the whole common room was silent as Harry stormed up to the dorm, a slamming being heard as he entered. Draco just stood there, dumbfounded, before approaching Ron and Hermione.
"What's his problem?"
"Draco, what's the date today?" Hermione asked quietly.
"31st October, wh…shit. 17 years to the day." Realisation immediately dawned on Draco and any annoyance he felt towards Harry vanished and was replaced with sorrow.
Hermione nodded, "17 years to the day," she sighed. She led Draco to the sofa and sat them both down, Ron following. "For the first nine years, Harry was forced to work on the anniversary of their death. He was made to forget, it wasn't spoken about. 10 years to the day, he was fighting a troll in the girl's bathroom. Then he was accused of being the heir of Slytherin. Next year, Sirius was on his mind. Year after that, Triwizard Tournament. 5th year, 6th year, and last year, it was all about the fight to defeat Voldemort. This year is the first year that Harry has been able to grieve properly. You've lost both of your parents Draco, you know what grief feels like. We've all grieved for somebody close to us, close to our hearts, now its Harry's turn. Why do you think we've all left him alone today? Harry needs to grieve, but he can't do it alone. He needs you there. He needs you by his side. You don't even have to say anything; all he wants is your company, to know that you are there for him. Isn't that right Ron?"
"Yeah it is," Ron confirmed. "Harry puts on this brave face when people die who he was close to. The only time that mask comes down, is when it's his parents. When you grieve, you need the support of the one who you love the most, who loves you the most. For Harry that's you. Not us, you. Now come on, let's go and talk to him, see if he is alright." Ron stood up and started towards the stairs, Draco and Hermione following suit. They ascended quickly, before reaching the door. Draco stepped forward and tapped lightly.
"Harry? Harry are you alright? Can I come in? Harry?" When he received no reply, he pushed open the door to find…nothing. "He's not here."
"What?" Hermione edged around Draco into the room, confusion marring her face. "Well where is he? I didn't see him slip past us when we were talking?"
"I don't know, but his guitar and invisibility cloak are missing."
"He must have snuck out. I know…" Ron started, before digging around in Harry's trunk and pulling out a wad of parchment, holding it aloft. "We can find him on this."
"On that? That's a blank piece of parchment Weasley."
"Actually, Black, it's a map. Watch," he ordered, setting the parchment on Harry's bed and drawing his wand on it, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
To Draco's amazement, words began to appear on the parchment. "Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present the Marauder's Map? What's the Marauder's Map?"
"It's a map of the school and grounds. It shows everyone. Where they are, what they're doing, every minute, of every day." Ron answered.
"Ok…well who are Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs?"
"The inventors of the map. Surely you recognise the name Wormtail?"
"Of course, that's the worthless rat Peter Pettigrew."
"Exactly. Moony is Remus Lupin, to match his lycanthropy. Wormtail for his animagus form. Padfoot was Sirius Black, his animagus form was a black dog, more specifically, the Grim. And Prongs, with an animagus form of a stag, was James Potter."
"Harry's father?"
"Yep, the very same. Now let's find James' son, shall we?" Ron unfolded the map to its fullest extent, and the three of them began searching. It didn't take long for Draco to find him.
"There he is!" he cried, jabbing the map with his finger.
"The Astronomy Tower, of course! Ron how could we be so stupid?" Hermione questioned. She turned to Draco and answered his questioning glance. "When Harry feels like life is too much, he escapes to the Astronomy Tower. Being the tallest Tower in the castle, he feels closer to his parents there. The silence is his best friend and being that high up, being able to see so much, makes him feel insignificant and free. Free from all the pain, the pressure, everyone's expectations of him. Up there, he isn't the 'Boy Who Lived' or the 'Saviour'. Up there, he's just Harry, and nothing else matters. It makes sense for him to be there now because it gives him the peace and closeness to his parents that he so desperately craves right now."
"I see. Guess I'll have to go up there. Can I take the map with me?" Draco asked Ron.
"Of course. When you're done, just touch the map with your wand and say, 'Mischief Managed', otherwise anyone can read it."
"Thanks." Draco folded up the map and was just about to leave the room when Ron spoke up again.
"Oh and Draco? Good luck mate." Ron offered a small smile, which Draco returned.
"Thanks Ron. Hermione." He nodded in acknowledgement to her before leaving to make his way to the Astronomy Tower.
xxxDHDHxxx
As Draco approached the Tower, memories started to hit him. This was the place Dumbledore died. The place he almost killed Dumbledore. He was lowering his wand, he was! But then stupid Bellatrix and stupid Greyback had turn up, didn't they? Dumbledore would have kept them safe, he would of. And Severus…Draco stopped. Severus was the one to murder Dumbledore. Severus, the man he trusted and respected more than his father, killed Dumbledore on that horrible night up here. Yes, Severus was actually a spy, and a hero, but that didn't take away the fact that he murdered the one man that could have provided Draco and his family peace and safety. But Draco couldn't think of that now. No, he was here for Harry. Harry was the main priority. Draco had to put all feelings aside and just get to Harry so he could support him. Harry must always come first. Draco continued climbing the spiral staircase, and as he got closer, he could here guitar chords and a soft voice singing. When he reached, he paused. There was Harry, sitting on the edge, playing his guitar and singing. Draco stood quietly and listened.
"There's no time, for us.
There's no place for us.
What is this thing, that builds our dreams, yet slips away from us?
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Who?
There's no chance for us.
It's all decided for us.
This world has only one, sweet moment, set aside for us.
Who wants, to live, forever?
Who wants, to live, forever?
Who?
Who dares, to love, forever?
When love must die…" Harry sang.
Next followed a set of guitar chords, and Draco crept closer to him, before sitting down next to him, nodding at Harry to keep playing. When it came to the next verse, Harry went to carry on singing, but Draco interrupted him.
"But touch my tears, with your lips,
Touch my world, with your fingertips.
And we, can have, forever.
And we, can love, forever,
Forever, is our today."
At the next line, Harry sang as well.
"Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Forever, is our today."
Together, after a pause, they whispered the last line; "Who waits forever anyway?"
Then, there was silence. Silence, as Draco and Harry sat, side by side, staring out into the night. The silence grew, and when Draco couldn't take it anymore, he decided to speak, but Harry beat him to it.
"Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you, Draco, for being here. I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier."
"Don't mention it, I understand. I'm sorry for not realising what the date was. You need to grieve, I understand, so I'm sorry for coming across as heartless."
"It's ok. How did you find me anyway?" Harry enquired.
"With this." Draco picked up the map that was lying at his side and showed Harry. "Ron and Hermione showed me how to use it."
"Ron? Since when have you been on first name basis with Ron?"
"Since earlier. He's not that bad really. Don't look at me like that Potter, he's not. Anyway, I went to look for you in our dorm, and when I discovered you'd gone, they showed me the map and how it works, and we found you on it. Then I came up here to you, stop you from being alone."
"Again, thank you Draco, I appreciate it." Harry dropped his head onto Draco's shoulder and they sat there again, lapsing into silence, Draco casting a warming charm around them. It was a couple of minutes before Harry spoke again. "17 years. First time I've ever been able to grieve for them. Draco, I miss them so much. What I wouldn't give to see them again." Draco could hear the heartache and tears in his voice, without actually being able to see him.
"Well couldn't you use the Resurrection Stone?" he asked.
"I dropped in the Forbidden Forest last year. I don't know where it is." Harry admitted with a shaky laugh.
"Couldn't you summon it?" Silence. "You haven't tried have you? Honestly, must I do everything around here?" Draco once again drew his wand and cast a non-verbal summoning charm. After a couple of seconds, something small and black came flying towards them and Draco caught it using his seeker skills. In his hand was the Resurrection Stone. Harry sat up abruptly before taking it from him.
"I don't believe it. I didn't think that would work." He stood up and stepped further into the Tower, Draco following.
"Well you didn't try did you? Go on, try it, see if it works."
Harry nodded, before turning the Stone three times in his hand, picturing his parents. He opened his eyes…
A/N2: Well, well, well. Cliffhanger much! I decided to divide this chapter into two otherwise we'll be here all day, what with having to do the ball as well! But now it's over to you. Should the Stone still work or no? Answers must have reasons, and leave your answer in a review. Remember, the quicker I get three reviews, the quicker you guys get a new chapter!
Also, the song Harry and Draco sing, if you don't know it and want to find it, is called Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen. :)
xxxxx