Living with Draco wasn't turning out to be so bad after all. Draco had changed as he had gotten older. He still teased and made fun, but it wasn't with that same cold malice as his first few years at Hogwarts.
Snape had paired them together for a semester-long project in potions, so they were spending a bit of time together. They had even played a round of Wizards Chess in their common room last night to take a break from their project.
Harry had been back at school for almost a week now and still had made no progress in healing. In fact, he seemed to be getting even worse. Harry kept placing charms on himself and covering himself in bruise paste to keep himself from appearing ill, but he felt awful.
He tossed and turned in his bed, coughing so violently that tears pricked his eyes because of how much it hurt to breathe. His head felt like it was on fire and he couldn't seem to drink enough water. It was still dark outside, but as he fell to the floor beside his bed, he wished it were morning so he could go get some food. Maybe his body just needed more nutrients.
Harry coughed again, his whole body shaking with it. He couldn't manage to get himself off the floor. He lay like that for a few more agonizing minutes before he pulled himself up to his bed and passed out on top of it.
When Draco awoke the next morning, he was surprised, but not concerned, to see Potter nowhere to be found in the common room. They usually ran into one another getting ready in the morning for classes. It had been eerily quiet around their dormitory that morning, but Draco had figured the Gryffindor must've gone to breakfast early. He'd see him in potions anyway.
But he didn't show up for potions class that day. While sitting through the lecture he thought about where the boy had gone off too. Hogsmede maybe. Lucky bastard. Draco wished he wasn't in this classroom right now and was instead doing anything else.
When class ended Draco got up to leave, but Snape stopped him. "Where is your roommate Malfoy? Skipping class is he?"
Draco shrugged, not really caring.
"Come on then. That boy will have detention in the dungeons for skipping lessons. Bring me to your dormitory to check his quarters." Snape motioned for him to follow.
Draco's heart skipped a beat, smirking at the thought of Potter getting in trouble. He led the professor back to the dormitory and had him follow him in, showing him to his rooms. "I didn't see him this morning, so he might not even be here Professor."
He nodded back to him in acknowledgment.
Snape knocked loudly on the boy's door, Malfoy standing behind him. "Potter, we're coming in."
They walked into a messy room. Potter's sheets and blankets were on the floor and a few books were spread throughout. Potter lay on the bed, his back facing them.
"Enough lazing around Potter. Get up." Snape demanded.
Potter ignored him, not even moving. Snape grunted, obviously annoyed and marched up to his bedside, while Draco watched in amusement from the doorway. Snape's face fell as he approached Potter and concern took over his face.
Snape layed a hand to the boy's face and pulled away quickly, "Malfoy. Go get Madame Pomfrey and tell her to meet me in my quarters."
Snape picked Harry up into his arms and Draco got a full view of him. He was pale as a ghost, dark circles under his eyes. He was sweaty and had nasty bruises around his neck, like he had been strangled. Had someone attacked Potter in his sleep? He looked very ill.
"What's wrong with him Professor?" Draco asked curiously. Any amusement in Harry getting punished for skipping class was gone.
"Not now Draco. Go."
He didn't have to be told twice. He raced out of the dormitory.