Good Intentions

Chapter 8: Suspicion

"I'm so worried," Hermione said for the tenth time that night.

Ron and Hermione were huddled together in the room next to Harry's, waiting and trying to find solace in each other. Draco sat across from them with his head in his hands, trying to pull himself together. He couldn't let Weasley or Granger see him upset.

When they rushed Harry to the Hospital Wing, they had found a wide-eyed Seamus, Madame Pomfrey, and Professor Dumbledore waiting for them. Dumbledore had ordered Draco to place Harry on the hospital bed, then shooed Ron, Hermione, and himself from the room.

It had been almost an hour since then, and they still hadn't heard a word. Draco would never admit it, but he was very worried.

Hermione looked across the room at Draco and could tell he was upset. "Do you want to sit with us?" she asked tentatively.

"No," Draco without looking up. Finally, he did and met her curious gaze. "But thanks anyway." He added, giving her a small hopeful smile, then averting his gaze and bowing his head once more.

***

A little while later, Dumbledore entered their sitting room with a solemn face. "How's Harry?" Hermione asked immediately.

"Calm down, Miss Granger. Harry should be fine."

"Should be?" Draco asked quietly, not looking up.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy. It wasn't an easy fall he took. Things are going well right now, but it's still a little early to tell."

"Can we see him?" Ron asked eagerly.

"You are, of course, permitted to see him. Right now, however, he is sleeping, so I ask that you don't disturb him. Rest is what will help him heal the fastest."

"Of course," they agreed, and they quietly entered Harry's room.

"He looks so pale," Hermione said softly.

"There was a great deal of internal bleeding around his stomach and ribcage. He cracked all but one rib. He's very lucky to be doing as well as he is," Dumbledore said gravely.

It was true that Harry didn't look well. He had light blue circles under his eyes, and there was a large bump on the left side of his head. Draco had kept his distance while Ron and Hermione took their time seeing him.

"Ok. You've had your time," Dumbledore said to Ron and Hermione. "There isn't much you can do now. You may come and see him tomorrow when he's awake and feeling better."

Ron and Hermione started to protest, but thought better of it when they saw the look on Dumbledore's face. They both nodded and left quietly.

Draco took a step towards Harry's bed, looking closer at him.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked quietly.

"Hmm?" Draco asked, not taking his gaze from Harry's beaten body.

"Draco," he said again more firmly.

He slowly turned his head to look at Dumbledore, his eyes hardening. "Yes?" he asked through gritted teeth. He wished Dumbledore would just leave him alone, especially right now.

"I know you may not want to admit it, but this may be harder on you than anyone. You and Harry have grown closer together during the time you have spent with each other. I know I've noticed the change although I don't believe many others have."

"What are you trying to say?" Draco asked, hiding the emotion that was rising in his throat.

"If I had half a mind, I wouldn't rebond the two of you when Harry gets better." Dumbledore saw something flicker in Draco's eyes when he said this, though he couldn't be sure what exactly it was.

"However, I believe there is still much between the two of you that has been left unresolved."

"It's your decision, Professor," Draco said, trying to figure out where Dumbledore was going with this.

"Well, I must go. Madame Pomfrey has promised to keep me updated on how Harry is doing." Draco nodded as Dumbledore prepared to leave.

"Oh, Mr. Malfoy." Draco looked at him curiously. "I told Madame Pomfrey that you are to be the only one who can come and go as he pleases. However, do try and get some sleep."

"Thank you, Professor," Draco said, his throat tight.

***

It was a little before midnight when Harry finally woke with Draco still at his side. Draco however, had fallen asleep in his chair with his head in his arms on the side of Harry's bed.

Harry examined his surroundings, his eyes landing on Draco. He tried to sit up, but the pain in his head was too much so he attempted to reach for his glasses on the bedside table instead. But without moving his head, but he couldn't quite reach them and ended up knocking them off the table.

Draco's head sprang up when he heard the crash and saw Harry smiling, looking very much awake, and abashed. "Sorry, I was trying to get my glasses." He pointed to them on the floor.

Noticing the shattered glasses, Draco bent and picked them up, fixing them before handing them back to Harry.

Harry put them on, and sat quietly, unsure of what to do or say.

"How are you feeling?" Draco asked cautiously.

"I'm fine," Harry said, grinning widely. "Just a bit of a headache... nothing major. Did Dumbledore cast the charm again?"

"No," Draco said refusing to look into Harry's eyes and trying to figure out what seemed so different about him.

"Come here," Harry said, his eyes wide.

"What?" Draco asked confused.

"Come here!" Harry said, stifling a giggle and motioning for Draco to come closer.

Draco slowly and suspiciously got out of his chair and leaned slightly over the bed's railing.

"Closer," Harry said, not stopping the giggle this time. "I have something to tell ya!"

Draco raised an eyebrow, puzzled at Harry's strange behavior, but did as Harry asked.

When Draco finally leaned in, Harry took hold of the front of his robe. "You know what?" Harry asked in a singsong sort of voice.

"Wha-?" Draco started to ask, but before he could finish, Harry had grabbed his robe in both hands and pulled him forward. Harry kissed him and at that moment, Madame Pomfrey decided to come in.

"Harry, dear? I thought I heard noises... are you finally awa--." She stopped in her tracks. "Good Heavens! Harry, let go of him at once!"

Harry gave Draco another long kiss then let go of his robes, allowing Draco to sit back down in his chair.

Draco's cheeks were flushed and he looked back and forth between Harry and Madame Pomfrey, not knowing what to think.

"Draco, dear, I'm sorry about that. You'll have to excuse Harry. The potions I've been giving him make him a bit senseless and silly at times." Then she turned to Harry. "Harry, you know you don't want to do that. It isn't proper."

"Yes, I do!" Harry pouted. "I kissed Draco because I wanted to.. and I'll do it again if you would be so kind as to leave." Draco look horrified at this.

"Besides," he added giggling, "we've kissed before, haven't we Draco?"

Pomfrey's eyes went wide as she turned to Draco who looked positively disturbed. Draco shook his head quickly before she could guess anything.

"Very well," sniffed Madame Pomfrey in disapproval. "I'll be in my office if either of you need me. Please remember, Mr. Malfoy, he isn't in his normal state of mind."

***

"What's the matter, Draco?" Harry asked him after Pomfrey had left.

"Nothing," Draco said, trying to calm down.

Harry scooted over in his bed. "Come here," he said, patting the empty spot on the bed next to him.

"I don't think so," Draco said warily. He was apprehensive as to what Harry might do next. The situation would have been extremely funny if Draco wasn't still horrified at being caught snogging with Harry... in the Hospital Wing of all places!

Here Draco was, sitting alone with The Boy Who Lived, who was completely balmy, but Draco couldn't summon up the willpower to laugh.

No, he would save that for later. Much later, when he could laugh, and laugh and laugh... while Harry was right there in front of him, and able to understand why.

***

"You feeling any better, mate?" Ron asked Harry the next day before dinner.

"Of course I am, Ron!" Harry said rather loudly and a bit too cheerfully.

"Err... right. Well that's good." Ron still wasn't comfortable with the fact that Harry would be easily excited about things for a while.

"We've brought you notes and your homework from the classes you missed today," Hermione said as if she were talking to a five-year old, pronouncing everything very loudly and clearly. She set a stack of books and parchment in a chair next to Harry's bed.

"Thanks A LOT, Hermione," Harry said loudly, pouting at her. "Now I'll actually have to DO my homework."

Hermione just smiled weakly at him.

"Well, Hermione and I have to go. We'll be late for dinner and then we have loads of homework to do..." Ron said after about ten more minutes of idle chat with Harry.

"Ron, don't be silly," Harry said in his giggly voice. "Everyone knows you never do your homework."

Ron blushed at the truth in what Harry said. "Ah, yes... right. Well dinner is waiting."

"Hermione?" Harry asked, pouting again.

"We've got to go, Harry. I promise we'll come back soon."

***

"Dra-aco!" Harry said in a singsong voice.

"Yes?"

"Can I have a goodnight kiss before I go to sleep?" he asked innocently.

"You don't need a kiss."

Harry whimpered. "But I want one."

"A small one then?" Draco asked. He didn't like it when Harry was like this. He couldn't say no to Harry... but considering his current state of mind, he felt as if he were taking advantage of him.

"Oh, alright then," Harry said, looking disappointed yet excited at the same time.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, waiting on Draco to kiss him. Draco sighed, but couldn't stop the small smile that was forming on his lips. His lips made contact with Harry's and tried to make it as brief as possible in case someone came in... but of course Harry wouldn't allow that, and immediately deepened the kiss, his hands tangling in Draco's hair.

***