Bonds of Pain

Bonds of Pain

Chapter 6

In which Draco tries on a Hat

~Looks like I'll have to take care of both of them for the next month,~ Severus mused. Draco and Harry had been in the Hospital Wing for four days, bullying, goofing off, and generally driving Poppy to distraction. Potter might not be able to talk, but it seemed that Draco was talking for him. The pair were a handful, and no one knew quite what to do with them.

The boys had insisted that their beds be moved as close to each other as possible, and Severus often saw them asleep, as now, almost spooned, with Draco throwing a protective arm over Harry's shoulder. Odd how life worked out sometimes. Dumbledore seemed delighted by the strengthening bond, and he had personally loaned the boys several dusty books on mind-bonds from his own private collection. Confined to their beds at the beginning, the odd pair were devouring the information as their bodies steadily strengthened.

Harry had already moved up from broth to stew, bread, and mashed potatoes at each meal, and Draco was nearly back to normal fare. His godson's appetite was at a normal level for a fifteen-year-old boy, but there were times when Potter had to be cajoled to eat more or sleep longer. Sometimes there were odd silences where they would interact as if speaking in each others' minds (something Albus had said was possible), and they would suddenly burst into giggles or laughter. After other silences, one might help the other with something, not an audible word passing between them. Draco would often chatter away to his silent friend, brief silences coming after each comment as if Harry was answering. The one-sided conversations were hard to follow, sometimes even impossible.

The changes in his godson were obvious to Severus. Draco had become incredibly open, describing incidents to his friend that the Potions Master had never been told about. Draco simply spilled his life before Harry to be judged. The blond also defended his friend fiercely whenever the dark boy was threatened. Strangest of all, however, was his blatant self-assurance. Few told Poppy Pomfrey what to do, but Draco was willing and able to challenge her.

Within three weeks of their unexpected arrival, Severus Snape agreed with his young charges: Draco Malfoy needed to be Resorted.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~Are you sure you want to do this, Draco?~ Harry asked his friend. Being Resorted was a huge step, rarely taken by anyone.

{I'm doing it, and that's that, Harry. If I stay in Slytherin, I'll end up dead or under the Imperius. I'd rather be in Hufflepuff.} His mind flashed back to their very first conversation, just over four years ago in Diagon Alley. Harry could see how important this change was for his blond friend.

His friend. Five weeks ago, Harry would have recommended St. Mungo's to anyone suggesting that he'd be friends with Draco Malfoy. Now he wasn't sure whether Ron Weasley or Draco was his best friend.

~I'm hoping the Hat will put you in Gryffindor with us,~ Harry thought, patting the paler boy's shoulder. ~I don't know what I'd do without you if the term were to start before I got my voice back and you were in another House.~

{You'll survive, like you always do. I hope I'll be there, though.} He could feel Draco's nervousness through the bond as they walked towards Dumbledore's office.

"Starburst," Draco told the gargoyle calmly. It slid aside at the new password, allowing them access to the tower office. The headmaster was sitting behind his desk when the pair of boys came in.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ah, there you are. Please, both of you, sit down. I believe the Hat would like a bit of time to chat with Draco." As he and Harry sat in a pair of armchairs before the desk, Draco looked around. He'd never been up here, unlike Harry.

There was the phoenix, Fawkes, dozing on its perch. Several former headmasters were dozing in their frames overhead, and shelves lined the walls to head height. They were covered with a multitude of books, occasionally interrupted by odd objects. A carved stone bowl of some silvery liquid served as a bookend, a silver and ruby sword lay along a bare shelf, and a crystal ball spaced more books.

Dumbledore lifted the Sorting Hat from its home on the shelves and gently carried it towards Draco. Fearing a repeat of his original Sorting, Draco leaned forward and allowed it to sink over his eyes.

[Ah, Draco Malfoy again. I take it you're here for more than idle conversation. Resorting, perhaps?]

~Er, yes. I can't stay in Slytherin anymore. Not only would they tear me apart, I don't think I'd fit in anymore.~

[I can see that. Your ambition no longer comes first. I never thought I'd see this in a Malfoy...]

~See what in a Malfoy?~ Before, the Hat had barely touched his head before coming to a decision.

[Courage, my dear boy. You're overflowing with it. Nothing comes between you and your friend anymore, and you won't let anything. You're even willing to make peace with his friends. I never thought I'd see the day a Malfoy was in...] "Gryffindor." The Hat spoke the last word aloud, not yelling as it would in the Great Hall in two weeks at the Sorting.

As Dumbledore lifted the Hat to return it to its dignified perch on the bookshelf, Draco looked at Harry. The other boy's green eyes danced with joy, and the grin he bore only made them twinkle more.

{I can't wait until Ron hears. D'you think he'll send a Howler?} So that's what that twinkle really meant. Mischief in the making.

"He probably will. I'm just wondering how loud it'll be." Harry chuckled, and Draco saw the headmaster trying to hide a similar smile.

"I imagine you boys would like to go to Diagon Alley to purchase your supplies for the term, then?" Dumbledore asked. Both of them nodded. "You don't mind Severus accompanying you, do you?" Blond and black hair shook in unison. "I'll have him meet you in the infirmary, then."

As they left the office at a near run, Draco glimpsed a huge grin on the old man's face.

How will the shopping trip go? What will the Gryffindors think of the new Draco? Find out Friday on the next chapter!

Beth Weasley