Secrets

Secrets

Chapter Four

Even when he was only half way to the quidditch pitch, Harry could clearly see Draco flying high above the stands.

As he walked closer, he realized the other boy probably didn't see him since he was zooming by, looking lost in thought.

Harry stood in the middle of the field for a few minutes before his presence was noticed.

Draco came to a halt and slowly drifted down to the ground.

"It's when I feel most comfortable and at peace," he said, gesturing to the air above them.

Harry gave a small, understanding smile. "Yeah, I know how that is."

Draco looked at Harry for a moment and then began walking toward a bench at the end of the pitch, with Harry in tow.

"There's just something about it. The wind hitting me in the face, the feel of it through my hair...it's just calming. And when I'm up there, it's like an escape. I'm high above everything without a care in the world and I love it. I can just leave all my problems down here on the ground," Draco sat down as he reached the bench. Harry remained standing, just looking at Draco in confusion, yet with understanding. "Sometimes I just don't want to come down, you know? That if I just stay up there, everything will be fine."

"But it doesn't work like that," Harry said softly. Draco smirked.

"No, I don't suppose it does. I have to think about this logically. I would have to come down eventually to eat or go to the bathroom. And I can't very well sleep up there. Logical Harry. Don't you ever just want to escape from it all?"

"Well, sure, doesn't everyone at one point or another?"

Draco shook his head.

"No, I'm not talking about everyone. Not everyone has had to deal with some of the shit you go through; some of the shit I go through. I know not even you and me are going through the same stuff, but I know that we can relate to each other more than you know. That's why I asked you to meet me here."

Harry just waited for the boy to continue, not wanting to discourage him by saying something wrong.

Draco sighed. "You noticed I was gone, right? I had to go home briefly. My father didn't trust me. Thought I might squeal." Draco pulled up the sleeve of his robe and displayed an array of cuts, bruises, and burns covering the length of his arm. "It's not just my arms. All over. He was showing me who was in charge. That if I talked to anyone about some of the things I've seen, I would get much worse than this."

"Then why are you telling me this?" Harry asked, not removing his eyes from the lacerations on Drano's arm.

Draco laughed, dropping the sleeve.

"That is exactly what made me decide to tell someone. Ironic, huh? He pushed me too far and I'm not going to take it anymore. I'm gonna push back," Draco smirked. "He always told me not to let anyone walk all over me. Not to take shit from others. Bet he never thought Id use that against him. The funny thing is, I had no intention of saying anything until my little trip home."

"No intentions of saying what? What is he threatening you for?"

"Last summer I saw some horrible things. Things done at the hands of my father. Lives ruined. All the torment and pain. It was," Drano's voice cracked, "horrible. He wanted me to be like him. He wanted me to do what he was doing. So I stood there with my wand in my hand, and I tried...I really did, but I couldn't do it. I felt sick to my stomach and what did he do? He laughed at me. Then he said something that I didn't quite catch. I hit the wall behind me. Hard. Everything blurred and I looked up and could faintly see my father standing over me. He told me I was weak. That I was a pathetic excuse for a Malfoy and that he wouldn't tolerate it. Then I guess I blacked out. The next time I saw my father, I told him I wanted nothing to do with any of it. He wasn't happy about that. But he knows me. He knows I'm strong. When I make up my mind, it's set in stone. Sure, he tried to break me, but finally he realized that death would be the only way to deal with me. But as much as he resents the fact that I want nothing to do with his...cause...he doesn't want to see me dead. I am, after all, his only son. Only heir."

Harry's eyes flashed with anger. "But he'd rather see you in pain? Oh that's really nice. We have to go to Dumbledore. Tell him what you just told me. He can help."

Draco jumped up and faced Harry. "NO! We can't!"

"Malfoy, he's hurting people. It has to stop!"

"Please, you have to understand. If my father goes to Azkaban, my family will be ruined. I'll be ruined."

Harry sighed. "I wont tell...for now. But I seriously think you should consider going to him. He really can help."

"Yeah, and then I'll be taken away from my family, and then I'll be broke. I may as well be a goddamn Weasley."

Harry took a step closer and stared coldly into Drano's eyes.

"The Weasleys are good people. They're a million times better than your father will ever be, money or not."

Draco made a low growling noise at the back of his throat and threw himself at Harry.

"Fuck you!" Draco cried, as the two wrestled to the ground. "Fuck you! Why did I ever think I could come to you? They're all I have and you want to take them from me!"

Harry managed to roll himself onto Draco and pin the struggling boy's arms down at his side.

Harry stared down into the other boy's face and realized he was crying. His thrashing slowed down, but he continued repeating himself over and over again.

"You bastard. I hate you."

"I'm trying to help you. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm not trying to take away all that you have. You can do better than that. You don't need your father," Harry said soothingly, easing himself off of the now-steadied boy.

Draco sat up and wrapped his arms around his legs. He buried his face into his knees and wept.

Harry wrapped his arm around the blondes shoulder and leaned him against him.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Harry whispered softly.

This is so weird. I don't think anyone would believe their eyes if they could see us right now. I never thought I would see Malfoy cry. He always seems so cool and collected. As far as I know, Malfoy's aren't allowed to cry. His father must have done a real number on him.

Draco pulled away from him.

"I don't know why you even want to help me. I've done nothing but try to pick fights with you and try to make your life as miserable as possible. I don't deserve so much as a second glance from you, much less your help and possibly your friendship."

"Nobody deserves what you've been through. If you need anything, just tell me. And if you decide to go to Dumbledore, I'll be here if you need support."

Draco glanced at Harry and smirked.

"Harry Potter. Boy wonder and everybody's favorite super hero."

"Hardly," Harry mumbled.

If I was really a hero, I would have stopped the bad guy before he hurt anybody. It's already too late for that.