Life Debt

A week went by as what Harry did during his first task was still the major topic of people's conversations. Harry continued to ignore it and mind his own business, so what if he'd used Parseltongue to talk to the dragon? It worked, didn't it, to get the egg? The following Monday of the task being over, Albus informed the champions that the egg was the clue to their next task, which was being held sometime at the end of February.

At least that meant Harry had time to figure things out, all he knew so far was that the egg screeched loudly when opened. Sirius and Remus had returned home, but said they'd see Harry soon for Christmas; Harry did say goodbye to them and Remus had begged Albus to keep a close eye on Harry because it was well known that the state Harry was in could get worse.

Albus reassured that all eyes were on Harry and would step in if it seemed like he was going to slip off the edge. Harry kept on with his classes, still only speaking when he had to and never spoke during meals, which was only if he actually decided to go and eat.

Some days, Harry decided that he didn't want to sit with everyone because all he got were unsure looks from people. It had been the same way as second year, speaking parseltongue made them uneasy or afraid of him. Right now, it was December 5th, a Monday morning as Albus stood to address the students.

"Good morning, students." Albus silenced the room. "In true tournament tradition, the Tri-Wizard's Yule Ball will be held here in the great hall at precisely at 5:00 pm on the 23rd. Fourth years and above are permitted to attend. Students third year and below will be permitted to eat in their rooms on this night. A younger student may only attend if they're date is in the range to attend. This is a formal dress event."

Harry rolled his eyes as he looked down at his plate, having not touched his food yet. He suddenly wasn't hungry. Harry sighed as he pushed his food away and put his head down on his arms. The remainder of breakfast was mostly people eating and talking, fourth years had already started to find dates for the ball. When the meal ended, Harry evacuated the hall quickly and headed right to his first class of the day.

. . .

When the day of classes had ended, Harry went right to the library to start on his work. He'd missed lunch, and dinner but didn't care. Harry had Dobby, who worked in the Hogwarts Kitchens, bring him some water and a sandwich for dinner. Harry finished his work by 7:30 pm and then put everything away as he wandered the castle halls, eventually finding himself in the Astronomy Tower and leaning on the railing and looking out to the night sky, sighing out.

The time ticked away, soon coming to 9:00 pm. Harry had an hour before he had to return to the common room for the 10:00 pm curfew. Harry found it oddly relaxing to be up this high, but also saddening because he wanted nothing more than to throw himself over the edge. Why did it matter if he kept living? Everyone hated him for ending up in this tournament. Harry felt more alone than ever before and it hurt. Harry eventually slid down to the floor, tears rolling down his cheeks. Harry pulled his knees to his chest, and held his arms as he sobbed lightly.

Harry didn't know how long he cried for, everything was just overwhelming and eventually he got back to his feet. Harry got himself outside the railing and balanced while still holding on.

"What the hell are you doing, Potter?!" Draco's voice had made Harry look over his shoulder to see the blond-haired boy with gray eyes.

"Go away, Malfoy," Harry told him. "I want to be left alone."

"It's almost curfew. Don't you think you should be getting to your tower?" Draco mentioned.

"Why do you care what I'm doing?" Harry snapped. "Leave me alone…"

"I'm not going to leave." Draco said. "I don't trust you won't let go of that railing and let yourself fall to your inevitable death."

"Again I ask…Why do you care?" Harry looked forward again.

"Look, I know we have our differences but that doesn't mean I want you to die, Potter." Draco informed.

"Plenty of others do, or rather, just don't want me around." Harry said. "It'd save Voldemort from coming to kill me. I'm doing him a favor…And since death is apparently the only way out of this damn tournament…"

"Everyone just doesn't understand how it happened. If it makes you feel better, the Slytherins know you didn't put your name in the cup and we know you don't want this." Draco told him. "Come on, Potter…You don't want to do this."

"You don't know what I want." Harry snapped.

"I know you don't want to be part of the tournament. I know you don't want all the attention or fame. I know you don't want to die…Think of the people you'd be hurting if you did this? McGonagall cares about you as a grandmother. Sirius is your godfather. Remus is…I'm guessing like an uncle. I'm sure your friends don't want this."

"What friends? Everyone's walked away…" Harry scoffed.

"Pot-," Draco stopped. "Harry, just come back over the railing and get your feet on the ground. Don't make me have to call my godfather up here."

"Oh, I'm so scared." Harry sneered. "What's your godfather to me? Sod off and leave me bloody hell alone, Malfoy."

"It's Professor Snape, and you should be worried about it because if anyone finds out you're considering to off yourself; you're going to get a lot of attention when all the teachers refuse to let you out of their sight. And here I thought you didn't want all the attention?" Draco remarked. Harry looked away from him, eyes casting to the long drop below him.

"Look, I know you're feeling anxious and hate this…You haven't had it easy since coming to Hogwarts, being attacked by you know who. I've not made your experiences here pleasant either. But Harry, you've always stood so brave in the face of all that happens. Why now do you resist and doubt yourself? I know it's crap that you got stuck in the tournament."

"But is this how you want to deal with it, actually considering to end your own life?" Harry felt tears starting to fall again. "This isn't how to handle this. Killing yourself isn't the answer. It never is, Harry. You're here for a reason, and you'll never find it if you cut the story short from playing out." Draco moved closer, putting his hand out next to Harry. "Don't let this be how your story ends, Harry. This isn't what you want. Trust me, you don't want to do this."

Harry shook, his eyes glanced to his left where Draco's hand was extended out to him. Harry was more than upset, now with himself. How could he ever think this was okay? Ending his life, throwing away his mother's sacrifice? No, Harry would not kill himself. He would defeat Voldemort. He would make sure Peter Pettigrew was captured and served the time Sirius had to pay for with his cowardice.

Harry would give this tournament his all and he'd show everyone that they couldn't bring him down. The most shocking part of this was that Harry got found by Draco Malfoy? That's who found him up here and actually comforted him, was trying to save him? Would wonders never cease?

Harry felt Draco bumping his arm, lightly grabbing hold of it. "Come on, Harry… Please? Take my hand, I'll help you. Let me help you?" Draco urged. Harry felt Draco's hand touch his own and trying to hold it. Harry shakily lifted his hand and gripped Draco's. The man let out a breath he'd been holding in.

"Good…Good, now, turn slowly." Draco instructed. Harry moved slowly until he was facing Draco, and then the blond-haired boy worked to help Harry back inside the railing. Once his feet were on the ground, Harry's knees gave out and he hit the ground. Draco lowered himself with Harry, putting an arm around his shoulders. "It's okay, Potter."

Harry sat on that ground of the Astronomy tower, sobbing quietly. Draco stayed there next to him, trying to get him to calm down. "I'm such an idiot…" Harry sniffled.

"Well, it definitely wasn't your best thought-out decision," Draco told him. "But hey…You're only fourteen. It happens to everyone. I'm sure you're not the first to feel so down that you want to end it…And I'm certain you won't be the last either, Potter."

"Why are you even here?" Harry asked him, trying to wipe his eyes.

"Astronomy is secretly one of my favorite things to study next to potions." Draco admitted. "I come up here every night before curfew. It's peaceful. I just happened to see you here this time and given where you were, it seemed pretty obvious what you were thinking about. I've suspected your true feelings about everything were driving you into a depression since two weeks ago when you snapped at me."

"It amazes me that you'd be concerned for me, someone who hates me whereas the people I thought were my friends haven't noticed anything…" Harry said.

"I don't hate you, Potter," Draco informed. "I hate that you didn't take my friendship, but I don't hate you."

"You insulted Ron…You reminded me of the bullies I had in the muggle world. If you hadn't come off so arrogant, I might have taken your hand." Harry remarked.

"I suppose that's a fair reason." Draco shrugged. "But look…I don't hate you, Harry. I'd grown up hearing about the boy who lived, who somehow defeated the dark lord. I know it was your mother's loving sacrifice that made the curse rebound and hit him, but still; you are the boy who lived."

"Blocking the three unforgivable curses has never been done, and you were able to escape the killing curse." He said. "Between you and me, I always thought you'd be a pretty awesome friend to have. I demanded my father send me to Hogwarts over Durmstrang just to be able to meet you." Draco informed. "Tell anyone that and I'll have to hex you."

"Who am I supposed to tell, Malfoy? I don't have friends right now. Maybe Hermione, but she's keeping her distance." Harry muttered.

"Too bad you're not in Slytherin; we wouldn't have cared or gotten on you about things. Sure, it's weird that you ended up picked as a second champion…But we wouldn't have turned our backs on you. The snakes are very loyal like that." Draco teased.

"Too bad you can't change your house once it's picked…" Harry sighed.

"You don't have to be in Slytherin to have our loyalty, Harry. Just our friendship, that's enough." Draco told him. "I'm sorry I've been a prat to you all these years. I was a bit of an arrogant arse," He added. "This is a mistake I'd like to rectify, if you'd reconsider my offer?" Draco mentioned calmly. Harry looked at him.

"No pranks, tricks, or traps. Nothing attached…I offer you a full truce in ending our rivalry, and my friendship, Potter." Draco put his hand out to Harry. "With me you also get the Slytherins, though. Once you're accepted into the circle, you gain everyone. No questions asked."

"You mean it, you want my friendship?" Harry asked him.

"I do." Draco nodded.

Harry finally extended his hand and shook Draco's. "Feels weird after the last three years of our jabs at each other." Harry admitted.

"I'm sure that'll fade with time, think of it as starting over." Draco assured. "Are you alright?" He finally asked right out.

"I've realized the stupidity of my actions earlier…I didn't think I'd slipped so far into the feelings of despair over the situation. I hate that everyone thinks I did it on purpose, that I'm only looking for glory or more fame…" Harry sighed. "I hate that the people in my house avoid me like the plague, talk behind my back…Right now, being in Gryffindor doesn't feel like it used to, or what McGonagall said first year before the sorting; that your house was like your family…" He looked down. "I still really don't like being in the tournament. I hate the looks I got after I spoke Parseltongue…I mean, come on…Everyone knows I can do it and has since second year…"

"I think there was more shock that it worked on a dragon, who just gave you the egg without a fight. I admit I was pretty shocked myself, but impressed too. Even Sev was and you know it's hard to impress that man." Draco chuckled.

"Sev?" Harry inquired.

"Short for Severus, Snape's first name. I'm his godson and the only one allowed to call him Uncle Severus, Sev, or Uncle Sev. As long as we're alone when I use those nicknames. In public with others, I have to call him sir, Professor, or Professor Snape." Draco informed. "All the Slytherins know about this, so it's nothing new to them if I call Snape by one of those names in our common room."

"It's almost curfew…" Harry sighed.

"You should get back to Gryffindor. We've both got a distance to go if we want to make it on time." Draco got up and helped Harry next. "Listen to me, Harry…I am your friend now and I'm here for you. If you need anything, let me know. And if you don't want to sit with your lions because you don't feel liked or accepted by them…I invite you to sit with me and the other Slytherins. It might be a shocker that you do, but honestly…Stop caring what others think."

"Everyone is already giving you dirty looks about something you didn't do…This time, give them a reason. At least then they have one to be the way they are." He told his new friend. "Seriously, just come right over. I sit towards the side of the table closest to the head table at the front of the hall. I'll let them know tonight when I get back that you're my friend now and I bet you they'll cheer." He chuckled.

"Thanks…" Harry stated. "And for earlier, getting through and stopping me…You were right. I didn't want to do it. I'm just so sick of all the stuff that happens every year…" He confessed.

"I would expect that you would be." Draco agreed. "I think anyone in your position would have felt the same, Harry. Sometimes we all need someone to make us see right again." He informed. "You're welcome, Potter."

"We should both leave before we get in trouble. Um, see you around?" Harry asked.

"I'm sure we will." Draco replied calmly.

The boys left the Astronomy tower and went their separate ways to get to their common rooms. Harry reached his just five minutes after curfew, but he hadn't been caught. Thankfully, the common room was just about empty and Harry went right to his dorm to get ready for bed. Draco, however, wasn't so lucky. His godfather had been informed that Draco left after dinner and hadn't returned yet, so Severus was waiting for him against the wall as Draco walked down the dungeon corridor.

"Are you aware that it's past curfew, Mr. Malfoy?" Severus informed.

"Yes, Professor," Draco replied. "I'm sorry…I didn't time leaving where I was right."

"And where exactly were you?" Severus asked.

"The Astronomy tower, Uncle Sev…You know how much I like it up there." Draco stated.

"You're not telling me everything," Severus remarked, arms folded. "You've been gone since dinner, which let out at 8:30 pm, and it's now 10:15 pm. You're never up there this long. Just until 9:30. What caused you to be so late tonight?" Draco was quiet, he couldn't tell him about Harry. "Speak, or I'm taking points and you're getting detention."

"I was with Potter…" Draco finally said.

Severus was quiet, though surprised. "You were with…Potter?"

"Yes, sir," Draco responded.

"And why were you with someone you can't stand long enough to break curfew?" Severus asked.

"We were talking…" Draco replied.

"Draco, stop giving me half answers. I am asking as both your teacher, and your godfather…You will tell me everything, or you lose points, get detention all next week, and I'll tell your parents." Draco stiffened. "Why were you with Potter?" Severus demanded.

"Alright, alright. I'll tell you…But in your office or room. Somewhere not in the open." Draco sighed.

"Follow me." Severus led Draco down the hall and into his quarters. Once inside, Severus closed the door. "I normally don't care what my snakes do, but when they start breaking the rules; we have a problem. Out after curfew and you tell me you were with someone you can't stand? Is there something I'm missing, godson? Do you and Potter have some secret relationship going on?"

"Okay, two things first…Both of those statements are false. Potter and I are definitely not having some secret love affair, Uncle Severus. And if we were, I'd have been way more careful. Secondly, I don't hate Potter, I never have. He rejected my friendship and we've both taken verbal jabs at one another ever since first year. But I don't hate him." Draco informed and took a breath. "I went to the tower and found him there first…"

"And what allowed you to lose track of time?" Severus urged.

Draco looked down some. "Potter was going to kill himself." He finally admitted.

Severus's eyes widened. It wasn't often the potions master lost his stoic facial expression, but hearing from his own godson that Harry Potter was going to end his life was enough shock to make him lose his focus and suddenly look concerned. "You should have called me right away." Severus said.

"There wasn't time, Uncle Sev…Harry was on the outside of the railing, leaning forward and only holding on with his arms behind him to grasp the railing…" Draco said. "I just…Reacted. He told me to leave him alone, I said I wouldn't go because I didn't trust he wouldn't let go and fall to his death. I talked him down, got him to take my hand and I helped him back inside the tower itself; he hit the ground on his knees and broke down for a good twenty minutes in my arms."

He closed his eyes. "I didn't have time to call you or anyone else. I saw him about to jump and just…Acted on it. To be honest, I didn't even think he'd respond to me. I thought seeing me would make him worse and he'd jump anyway. I had my hand on my wand the entire time, ready to cast a levitation spell, or the one that slows down how fast you fall. I-I'm sorry, Uncle Severus…I just didn't know what else to do but try and get him to see that what he was doing wasn't the way to go."

Severus sighed. "You…Did the right thing." He stated. "In that situation, you did the right thing by talking him down. But as soon as he was in the tower, you should have called for help. All the teachers have seen the signs of withdrawal, isolation, and classic markers of him having depression. We all said it would get better…None of us thought he was at the point of wanting it to end. To consider taking his own life…" He looked at his godson.

"I don't think anyone realized how much this was weighing on him…" Draco admitted. "But he knows that killing himself isn't the way to go, we talked about it after he calmed down. Harry just got overwhelmed by it all, Uncle Sev. The tournament itself, all the people who turned their backs on him…He believes this was a trap set by the dark lord, and he's…Tired of fighting. All he wants is to be Harry Potter, not the boy who lived and certainly without all the fame. Harry just wants to be a normal student." He paused. "I told him I didn't hate him, that I was angry about him not taking my friendship…I offered it again and this time, he took it. That's why we lost track of time…We were putting an end to our rivalry, and becoming friends. Amongst discussing that he'd never try something like this again…"

"Hm…" Severus sounded. "Fifteen points to Slytherin for being there for a fellow classmate." Draco smiled some. "But do not make it a habit of being out late. Tonight was extenuating circumstances…"

"Of course, sir," Draco replied. "Are you going to tell anyone about…" He trailed off.

"It's my duty as a teacher to report it. Just because he says he won't do it again doesn't erase the fact he's suffering from a severe depression and driven low enough," Severus said.

"Just…Let me work with him a bit, Uncle Sev. I think a lot of it was because of how alone he felt. I get other houses giving him a hard time, but his own? McGonagall said our houses were supposed to be our families. Gryffindor betrayed him…He said he doesn't even feel welcome or accepted there anymore. I told him that I can't change his house, but if he wanted to sit with some actual loyal friends; he can sit with Slytherin during meals, or us in classes." Draco informed.

"Work with him, but the first sign of things looking like he may slip back into wanting to kill himself…No hesitation, Draco. Report it to me." Severus warned.

"Yes, Uncle Severus. I promise…But I think he'll be alright with time. He's not alone anymore; he has me and all of Slytherin. This doubles to send a message to the rest that they messed up and lost Harry Potter for good. He may forgive them one day, but it'll never be the same." Draco reminded.

"Indeed. Now, off to bed with you." Severus said.

Draco nodded as he got up and left the office, then reached his common room. It had been an interesting day with things and people lost and gained. All anyone knew right now is that the yule ball was in eighteen days and it was something to look forward to.