Remember You

Remember You

Chapter Five

~~~~~

As the Gryffindor trio awaited their return to Hogwarts, Harry steadily became more introverted. He knew that he worried his friends, Sirius, and Remus, but he did not care. The only time that he came out of his room was to go to Diagon Alley. Even then, he was not with anybody, at least not in mind. Emerald eyes would glaze over in thought or memory, or even in a search for a head of blond hair. His searching was for naught, and Harry had a strong suspicion that Draco had talked Snape into going into Londonthe day after Harry, himself did just to avoid confrontation. Harry did not blame Draco. Confrontation was just the thing that he was avoiding as well. On the second day after Draco's unexpected departure, Harry had decided to come down to breakfast. He quickly learned that it was a mistake.

"Harry," Sirius inquired softly. "I've been meaning to ask you... where did you get those bruises on your neck from? Is it why you fainted again? If that keeps happening, I'll have to bring you to a Healer to see if there is a problem."

"And that hickey!" Ron put in. Hermione elbowed him and he fell silent. Both Harry and Charlie shifted in their chairs.

"Look, there have been reasons why I've fainted. It's usually been I've been stressed, physically exerted, or both at the same time. I don't want to talk about the bruises. It's nothing to worry about."

"Harry..." Remus said sternly.

Harry sighed, raked a hand through his hair and stared at his plate. "Fine. Draco and I got into a fight, okay? He just pushed me into the wall and held his arm over my throat."

"What?" Sirius asked, his voice a deathly quiet.

"Stop, Sirius," Harry admonished tiredly. "He had every right to strangle me. And I'm not saying that because I'm a victim and trying to defend him. I really deserved it."

"Is that why he left, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly. "What happened?"

"Nothing," he mumbled in return. "We... we just... we broke up, all right? We're not together anymore." A collective gasp went up around the table.

"But the hickey!" Ron exclaimed again. "It wasn't there when we were swimming but when I saw you after you woke again, it was there."

"Not that it's any of your business," Harry snapped. "Draco and I had a sort of a uh... break-up snog? He gave me the damn hickey!" Ron looked dubious, whether the fact that it was from Draco or about the break-up snog, Harry was uncertain. Suddenly, Ron's eyes lit up and he turned to Charlie with a glare that could have melted ice. Charlie actually sunk down into his chair.

"I see how it is," Ron said tightly, looking back at Harry. "I wish you would have listened to me on your birthday about what we talked about. I said you'd only get hurt... and now look at you. This is the most you've spoken since Malfoy left."

"Shut up, Ron," Harry spat out and stormed from the room.

That had been two days ago, and he still had not spoken to anybody. Solitary confinement seemed a better option than speaking about why Draco had strangled him. It was now the morning of September first and Harry's group had just run through the barrier, one by one. Harry was trailing behind Ron, Hermione, Sirius, and Remus. To his benefit, they did not try to persuade him to speak with them. They already knew that he would not speak, so it was not worth trying. The trio put their trunks on the train as usual, and Hermione claimed that she had a couple things she needed to do as Head Girl, so she bid farewell to Remus, and hurried off on her own. Ron said goodbye to Remus as well, and grinned cheekily at Sirius.

"Thanks for letting us stay, Professor Black."

Sirius grinned. "It was my pleasure, Mr. Weasley. Now, mind that you behave yourself on the train. I won't hesitate in giving you a detention when you get to Hogwarts tonight if I hear of any misbehaviour."

Ron opened his mouth to speak, but he looked unsure if as to whether or not Sirius was actually joking or not. Sirius laughed. "I'm joking, Ron. Make as much mischief as you like. Leave it to McGonagall to punish you for that!"

"Well, if a professor tells me to, why not?" Ron said to Harry in an obvious attempt to make light conversation. Harry smiled half-heartedly but it was enough to lift Ron's spirits. "I'll go get us a compartment, Harry."

"Okay." Harry watched his friend disappear onto the train and very reluctantly turned around to face his godfather and Remus. Sirius moved forward slowly and placed a firm but gentle hand on his godson's shoulder.

"Harry..." he hesitated.

"You can speak," Harry smiled. "I'm not going to break."

Sirius seemed very relieved to see Harry smiling and actually speaking again. He let out a breath and squeezed Harry's shoulder. "I know you're going through a rough time, Harry, but don't shut us out. We want to help you through it, and talk to you. Don't take us for granted now that you have us on your side again."

Harry widened his eyes a little in horror. It was true. He was shutting out his friends and family. How could he have done that when they were all he wished for the previous school year? "I never meant to, Sirius. I just don't want to talk about what happened."

"We're not going to make you, Harry. We just want to talk to you like we normally do and if by some chance, you ever do want to speak about it, then by all means..." Harry nodded his head, hesitated, but embraced Sirius in a tight hug.

"I like knowing I have somebody to talk to," Harry mumbled into Sirius' shoulder. When he pulled away, something in the train window caught his eye. It was a flash of silver-blond hair. Harry did a double take, but it was already gone. The Gryffindor shook himself. It could not be. Draco was already at Hogwarts.

"I'll be at Hogwarts tonight. My office is always open to you and I'll show you where my chambers are in case you might like to come there sometime. In fact, I have an extra room. I'll fix it up for you in case you want your own room sometime."

Harry smiled his first true smile since the day he kissed Charlie. "Thanks," he replied, truly meaning it. It was true that Harry could easily go to the classroom that he and Draco had shared before, but he was not so sure he wanted to do that now. Even if the classroom had been an option, Sirius's offer was nice enough to make him smile. "I'll keep that in mind." Harry then turned to Remus and smiled again. "When will I see you again, Remus?"

"Oh, I'm not sure. I might be up there soon to discuss business with Dumbledore or to see Sirius. I'll make sure to come see you if I do."

"Okay, that sounds great!" Harry gave him a quick hug as well, and then turned back to Sirius. "Have you heard anything on Hedwig?" Harry tried to keep the strain from his voice, but he was having a hard time. Hedwig had been his first present from his first friend in the wizarding world... Actually, Hagrid had been his first friend ever. Just the thought that Harry had failed Hagrid by not taking better care of Hedwig was a terrible thought. The Gryffindor hated the thought that Hedwig might be dead. It just added to the ache of losing Draco.

Sirius shook his head sadly. "We haven't found her yet. Don't lose hope yet, though, Harry. She could come back at any time."

Harry nodded his head slowly and sighed. "Okay. I'll see you later, Sirius."

"Remember what I said, Harry," Sirius replied.

The young Gryffindor waved to both men and hurried onto the train in search of Ron. He wandered down the hallway, giving out his hellos to people he knew and he briefly wondered where Sierra and Austinwere. Due to Harry's confinement the past couple days, he had not seen much of them.

As he passed a compartment, Hermione's voice drifted out. Intent on giving her a fright, he quietly pushed the door open and looked inside. He stopped himself from moving in all the way, however, when he saw who was with Hermione. Harry furrowed his brow. Blaise Zabini was sitting on a seat by himself, leaning forward so that his elbows were resting on his knees. Harry followed Zabini's gaze and saw Draco Malfoy, looking completely miserable. His hair and clothes were as immaculate as ever. If anybody would see him from afar, they would think that he was the same arrogant Malfoy that he always was. But as close as Harry was, he could see the dark circles under his eyes, no doubt from lack of sleep... Then there was the solitary tear running down his cheek as he looked into his lap, refusing to meet Hermione's eyes.

Harry let out an agonised breath, knowing that he had caused Draco Malfoy to cry. It was something that he had always thought the Slytherin to be above... or something. Maybe Malfoys just were not supposed to cry. Then again, how could somebody go through life without crying? It was a human instinct to cry when all the heart-felt emotions filled up the body up, pushing the tears out, pushing the emotions out in gut-wrenching sobs. Zabini made a move as if to comfort Draco, but Draco glared at him, so he settled down into his previous position. Harry gritted his teeth at the look of concern on the boy's face.

"Oh Merlin, Draco," Hermione was saying. "I knew this was bothering you. So, don't you dare call me a Mudblood again because I know you've changed. No matter what you say, I can see that you've started to like Ron and me -"

"Complete and utter bollocks," Draco muttered as he angrily wiped the tear away. "I was doing it for Potter.... He obviously didn't appreciate anything I did for him." Draco sniffed and began straightening his robes. "Anyway, I have only come on the train because of my Head Boy duties. Shouldn't we make rounds in the corridors?"

Hermione glanced at her watch. "We'll do it when we're done here. It won't take that long since we do it in shifts. Now...what were you talking about, Draco? I mean, why don't you think Harry appreciated anything?" Harry held his breath, willing Draco not to tell her. He wanted to be the one to do it.

Draco looked at her shrewdly through glossy, silver eyes. "You mean he hasn't told you why we broke up?"

"No," Hermione answered softly as she looked away from Draco's and Zabini's gaze. "I probably shouldn't even be telling you this because Harry will probably be furious if he finds out I have said anything about it, so don't say anything, please."

"Okay," Draco nodded. "Blaise won't say anything either. Go on."

"Well... he's been acting strangely ever since you left. The only thing he told us was that you strangled him and that he deserved it. He only told us that much because Sirius asked him about the bruises and then we all pushed him into speaking about it."

Draco winced. "I gave him bruises?"

"Yes. They were awful looking, but they're fading now. Anyway, that was two days ago, and that was the last time he spoke. He basically shut himself in his room and would not come out except for when we went to Diagon Alley. And Ron said that he saw him flying at about three this morning. I don't know if he's getting any sleep."

Draco's face twisted into a nasty smile. "Good," he said heatedly. "He deserves it. Let him torture himself."

"What did he do, Draco?" Hermione asked desperately.

Harry chose that moment to close the door and continue on his way. It was five compartments from Hermione and Draco that he found Ron alone in a compartment, yelling at Pigwidgeon to calm down. Ron grinned sheepishly and finally pulled out one of his school robes and threw it over the cage. "Bloody bird," he muttered as he sat down. Harry smiled slightly and rummaged in his bag and found a Muggle book that he had found in Sirius's library. There was actually a whole section of Muggle books because, apparently, Sirius's grandmother had enjoyed reading Muggle literature. Over the past couple days, Harry had immersed himself in the TheChronicles of Narnia and found them to be quite good. He was currently on the second one, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Harry noticed Ron studying the book dubiously as Harry took a seat by the window. Deciding that no time was better than the present, Harry forced a grin and held the book up.

"It's a Muggle book that I found in the library at home." Harry paused for a moment, relishing in that fact that he could say that simple word and mean it. Home. Ron seemed to get it and smiled. "Anyway, it's pretty good. There are seven books to this series. I already finished the first one yesterday."

Ron frowned. "So... you're going to spend the train ride reading?"

Harry laughed, glanced out the window and then down to the book. But then his gaze slowly drifted back out to the platform. The late students were being rushed onto the train by their parents and the hustle and bustle was slowly filtering to a calmed state. But what Harry was looking at, was Sirius and Remus. Sirius was looking at the opposite end of the train, perhaps looking for Harry, but Remus was studying Sirius. The look was unmistakable. Harry had seen Ron and Hermione look at each other that way when they thought nobody else was looking. Harry, himself had given Draco that look numerous times. Even Draco had been caught staring at Harry like that. It was a look of undisguised love. Remus reached out slowly and placed his hand on Sirius' elbow. The latter turned and met his friend's gaze. The darker man smiled and to Harry's great surprise, moved the arm that Remus was touching so that their hands brushed over each other.

Remus moved a step closer, letting their hands drop and whispered something so that Sirius would be the only recipient of his words. Sirius smiled again, even a bit shyly and nodded, his cheeks turning pink. Harry could not help the involuntary gasp that escaped him. Sirius was never shy. Sirius never blushed. The young Gryffindor watched as the older men's hands brushed discreetly over each other again, and Sirius gave a short reply.

"What's up?" Ron asked curiously. Harry watched as his godfather and friend Disapparated before turning to Ron.

"Gasp of realisation," Harry muttered.

"What?"

"Realisation."

"About what?"

"Sirius and Remus."

Ron growled in frustration. "You might have to elaborate because I don't know what you're talking about."

"On my birthday, Sirius said that he was in a new relationship that was quite fragile, so he didn't want to say who it was with. Well, I was just watching those two and Remus said something... and here's the weird thing... it made Sirius blush."

Ron raised his eyebrows. "Sirius blushes?"

"Apparently."

"I don't know why I find that so shocking, but he doesn't seem the type to be embarrassed easily."

"Not to me either," Harry said. "I never knew that they fancied each other."

Ron seemed thoughtful on this for a few moments. While he was thinking, the train began moving slowly out of the station. "It might be more than that, Harry. Think about it. They've known each other since they were eleven years old. They might have realised that there was something more between them before Sirius was thrown into Azkaban. They might have had a relationship before all that mess. What if they loved each other? What if they love each other now?"

"It's possible," Harry conceded. "Well, I'm happy for them if that is the case; and they're finally getting everything back together. Though, I wish Sirius would tell me for certain though."

"He will. Don't worry about it."

Harry nodded and looked out the window, staring outside as the Londonbackground slowly turned into rolling hills and small houses dotting the landscape. Before long, he turned his attention away and began reading his book. Ron had lain down on his seat, and was now snoring softly. Harry was so deeply involved in the words, that he never heard the compartment door open, and he certainly did not notice anybody entering until a sneering voice broke through the peaceful silence.

"Hey, Granger! I found your sidekicks! You might want to come quick. Potter is trying to read a book. We don't want him stumbling over the words." Harry jumped slightly at hearing Draco's voice so suddenly, but kept his gaze on the now blurry words. He pretended to get done with a page and turned to the next. Ron had also jumped up from his sleeping position and was now glaring angrily at Draco.

"Get out, Malfoy. Leave Harry alone."

"On the contrary, Weasel, I've been invited to stay by Granger. I'll stay as long as I like."

"I think Harry is capable of reading by himself. And I invited you to stay," Hermione said as she stepped up behind him, "if you promised to be nice."

"I don't--"

"Make promises," Harry finished as he pretended to turn another page. Harry felt rather than saw Draco's sneer and Hermione's smile.

"Harry!" she exclaimed. "If I had known all it would take to get you talking again was Draco acting like a prat, I would have got him near us a long time ago!"

Harry sighed and closed the book. "Yes, thank you, Hermione, for bringing that to everybody's attention."

Hermione clapped her hand over her mouth. "It didn't take Malfoy to get him talking again, Hermione," Ron said. "He was talking about that book he has, and about Sirius and Remus." Hermione pushed Draco onto the seat next to Harry and she took the seat next to Ron. Both Harry and Draco stiffened and moved as far away from each other as possible.

"Really? What about Sirius and Remus?"

"I think they're together," Harry replied, fanning out the pages of the book. "Remus made Sirius blush and they were looking at each other with that look."

"What look?" Ron asked.

Harry sighed. "You know. That look that you two are always looking at each other with. The look that I look at Dr... That you two look at each other with," he repeated. He blushed and looked out the window. "The look that says, 'I'm so goofily in love that I don't care what anybody thinks.' That look." Draco shifted uneasily. An awkward silence followed.

"Well, that's good for them," Hermione finally said brightly. "I never would have thought but they seem to make a good couple."

"Yes," Harry agreed. "They do."

Ron soon fell asleep on Hermione as she read a book, Draco fell asleep against a wall, snoring even louder than Ron, and Harry watched him, an aching feeling filling his entire being. He wanted to say something to Draco when he woke up; and he thought about it the entire ride. He wanted to tell Draco how incredibly sorry he was, how much he loved him, how he would do anything to make it up to the Slytherin, anything. He especially wanted to tell Draco how he did not want them to be apart. When the train pulled into the Hogsmeade station, Harry hardly even noticed. Draco had curled into a ball beside him in his seat, and Harry was indulging himself by running his fingers through his silky hair. Only when Hermione and Ron got up and left without a word did he notice that they were at Hogwarts. Harry reluctantly took his fingers from Draco's hair, smoothed down what he had messed, and gently shook him awake. He stood as Draco stirred and opened bleary eyes and looked up at Harry. A faint smile quirked the corners of Draco's mouth, but it quickly turned into a frown. All words escaped the Gryffindor as he stared into the silver eyes. What had he planned on saying telling Draco again?

"You snore," Harry said simply and left the compartment.

Draco's indignant sound of disbelief followed him along with an angry yell. "I do not snore, Potter!"

Harry smiled and stepped off the train, feeling ready for the new school year, and maybe for the long process of winning Draco back.

***

The jet of red light shot from the orb and hit Harry square in the chest. He smiled to himself, thankful that he remembered to lie on his bed this time. The force of the light pushed his body further into the mattress, and he lay still for a few moments after he heard the orb resealing itself. It was only the second day of lessons and he had already used the orb three times since his return to Hogwarts. On the first day back, Dumbledore had summoned Harry to his office to meet about the orb.

"Sit, Harry." Harry complied and folded his hands neatly in his lap. "Would you like a lemon drop?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling merrily.

"Erm - sure. Thank you."

Dumbledore beamed. "Now why is it that everybody else always refuses?" The Headmaster asked his student as he handed over a lemon drop. Harry popped the sweet into his mouth and grinned slightly.

"I don't know, sir. They don't know what they're missing."

"Indeed." The blue eyes twinkled even more. "Now, down to business, Harry. Have you watched the orb since your birthday?"

"Yes, sir."

"I assume that you've been careful to mimic your first actions and have not spoken?"

"I have, sir."

"Good, good. I informed Madam Pomfrey of this red light that hit you. She, of course, wasn't too happy that she hadn't been told straight away, but as it seemed to do no harm to you, I didn't see a reason. Has it happened every time since?"

"Yes. Have you figured out what it means?"

"Not yet. I don't know if I will. As I said before, there are no books on the orb. But I am trying to work it out for myself."

At that moment, a knock came at the door, and Dumbledore granted the person entrance. Much to Harry's chagrin, it was Madam Pomfrey. She tsked when she saw Harry and bustled over to him. "Ah, right on time, Poppy," Dumbledore greeted jovially. "Poppy will be doing a few tests on you to see if the orb has done anything to you internally. I really don't see a reason to worry."

"You never know with objects like... those, Headmaster," Pomfrey admonished. "I should have been informed straight away. You have not let it hit you again, have you, boy?"

"Erm - yes, I have."

"What do you feel like when it hits you?" she urged through pursed lips.

"I just feel really calm... sedated, I suppose you could say. There is really nothing wrong with it."

"You never know. You could be sick without feeling a thing wrong with you. I've seen it countless times when I could have done something from the start, but nobody ever thinks that they can get sick." Madam Pomfrey, with silent thanks from Harry, continued to cast spells over him in silence. Dumbledore sat back in his chair with an amused look on his face. After nearly twenty minutes of tests on Harry's body, Madam Pomfrey looked up at Dumbledore with a huff. "I can't find anything wrong with him. I'm not as good with the Dark Arts testers, myself, but I'm good enough. There isn't a thing wrong with him."

"So, may I go back to the Gryffindor Common Room now, then?" Harry asked impatiently. He was getting really tired as he had been sitting on the train all day.

"I would like a small word with you first, Harry, if you don't mind. Poppy, thank you for checking him over."

"My pleasure, Headmaster." She offered a small smile and hurried out of the office, closing the door behind her.

Dumbledore continued as soon as she left. "Now, Harry, I must stress the importance of keeping the orb safe."

"If I may, sir, why is that so important?"

"It is one of a kind, and in so being, very valuable. Besides, you want to keep that so you can watch your parents, now don't you?"

Harry smiled brightly. "Of course."

Dumbledore seemed to ponder Harry for a few moments, but then blinked and shook his head, as if coming to a decision. "All right, I think that covers everything. You may go return to your Common Room, if you like. Unless you have some more questions for me?"

"No, sir."

"Okay. If you ever need to speak with me about something, don't hesitate to approach me."

Harry smiled. "Thank you, Professor. I'll keep that in mind."

Harry was secretly relieved that he could continue to watch the gift. He was really starting to like the orb. Not just because he could he look, smell, and feel his parents, but also there was the red light. It seemed to calm his mind and body. Harry always felt as though he did not have to do any thinking for himself for a few minutes afterward. It was a light, carefree feeling and he often found himself wondering if that was what Muggle drugs made you people feel like.

Presently, the dark-haired boy lay on his bed, staring up at the scarlet hangings above him with a benign smile. With each use of the orb, the feeling lasted at least two minutes longer than the last, and it had yet to wear off. "Oi, Harry!" Ron's voice called up the stairs. "What the bloody hell are you doing? Get your arse down here! We're going to be late for dinner."

Harry, in his carefree state, smiled and stood from his bed, ready to go down. He felt that had he not just used the orb, he would have told Ron to sod off. But all seemed well now. "Coming!" he called placidly.

Hurrying down the stairs, Harry found Ron and Hermione waiting for him while they held hands. They both smiled brightly at their friend and turned to leave. "What were you doing, Harry?" Hermione inquired. "You sure look peaceful."

"Nothing. I was just resting," he lied as he climbed out of the portrait hole, and began walking down the hall at a fast pace.

"Are you having trouble sleeping at night?" she asked worriedly, puffing to keep up.

"No. I was just resting," he insisted.

"Harry!" called a woman's voice from inside a classroom. "Come here!"

"Go on, you guys. I'll catch you up, all right?"

"What are you doing?" Ron asked confused.

"I'll be right there. I need to talk to somebody."

"Okay," Hermione said slowly and then tugged on Ron's hand, willing him to come with her. "We'll see you at dinner then."

Harry nodded and hurried into a classroom on his right from where he had heard the woman's voice. The classroom was an abandoned room with desks stacked up along the walls and a teacher's desk near the front coated with a thick layer of dust. Large windows on the walls let streams of the setting sun in. Standing in front of one of the windows was a woman, her figure silhouetted against the light of the sun. The light shone through her auburn hair, however, and gave her an angelic appearance. Harry smiled and stepped towards her.

"You wanted to speak with me?"

The woman turned but her face was still cast in darkness. "Yes, Harry. I just wanted to see how your first days of your seventh year were going?"

"It's been all right so far.... I didn't know you were coming. Why are you here?"

"I came to speak with your godfather about something that has been bothering me lately. It's nothing for you to worry about, dear. And of course, I wanted to see you, Austin, and Sierra."

Harry grinned. "Sierra loves it in Gryffindor. I spoke to her last night in the common room and she was absolutely ecstatic."

"I'm sure she is, Harry." She moved towards him and her face came into view. A beautiful smile adorned her mouth and her emerald eyes shone merrily at Harry. As she looked at the young Gryffindor, her face became more solemn and Harry knew what kind of conversation was coming. "How are you really doing, Harry? Have you tried speaking with Draco?"

"No, mum. I haven't. And I'm doing perfectly fine. I am capable of living without Draco. I did it for more than sixteen years. I'm sure I can do it for another sixteen."

"But do you want to?"

"Not particularly, no."

"Then you can't just let him go, honey."

"There's not much I can do about it, Mother!" Harry exclaimed, starting to become angry. "I cheated on him! I mean, would you forgive dad that easily if he was to cheat on you?" She was silent. "No? I didn't think so. You should know, that when you love somebody, you aren't allowed to break the trust you have by kissing somebody else... No matter how terrible the relationship is going. I made that mistake and now I'm paying for it."

"But he was pushing you away, Harry."

"I know he has a reason for doing that. Otherwise he wouldn't have been crying on the train if he didn't have--" Harry winced as his scar began to burn. He shook it off after a few moments and stared defiantly at the woman before him. "I'm sorry for losing my temper with you, mum. But I've already said that I don't want to speak to anybody about Draco. It isn't anybody's business but his and mine. All right?"

"Yes. I respect that. But you can't blame me for worrying about you."

Harry smiled slightly and embraced her in a hug. "I know. I don't blame you. But if you don't mind, I'm just going to go to dinner now. Ron and Hermione are waiting for me, and knowing them, getting worried while they're at it."

The two pulled back and she smiled. "Say hello to them for me. And if you see Austin and Sierra, tell them to come find me here. Otherwise, I'll find them."

"Okay." Harry kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you later, mum. Tell dad I say hello."

"I'll do that, dear."

Harry smiled again and then left the room, leaving his mother to wait for Austinand Sierra. He hurried his footsteps to the Great Hall and when he got there, Ron waved him over to an empty seat across from him. Harry sat down gratefully and began piling his plate with food. With a mouthful of mashed potatoes, he looked up at his two friends across from him. "Oh, mum says hello to you two." He smiled and looked back to his plate, intent on eating it all in one bite, as was the habit of growing boys at the Gryffindor table. He never saw the look that passed between Ron and Hermione.

When Harry finished off his plate, he turned his attention to his water goblet and began to drink deeply. As he was drinking, he was dimly aware of his scar beginning to burn again. He paid it no mind, but it began to burn more ferociously and without warning, erupted into so much pain that he dropped his water goblet, causing it to break his plate. Harry gasped loudly, his eyes screwed shut as he grasped his forehead.

"Harry?" Ron and Hermione asked frantically. "Didn't you take your potions today?"

The dark-haired boy did not answer however. The flickering light from the candles and the setting sun were beginning to assault his senses, and made his scar burn with even more ferocity. Besides, he did not want to admit, that no, he had not been taking his potions. Harry did not even want to think about what was in store for him, just because he had been irresponsible.

He stood shakily, looking towards the Head Table to see that Dumbledore, Sirius, and Snape were not present. He groaned loudly and walked just as shakily as he had stood to the doors. All that mattered was that he had to get somewhere that he felt safe - to Sirius' office, or Dumbledore's. Hell, even Snape's office would be preferable to the Great Hall; after all the time he had spent there the previous school year, it would offer some small comfort.

Another jolt of pain shot through his scar, impeding his progress to the doors and making his eyes water. He gasped in pain, willing the burning to stop, willing himself to stay on his feet. He took another step forward and saw through his blurry vision that Draco Malfoy was in the entrance hall, heading Harry's way. The sight of the blond sent a shockwave of comfort through the Gryffindor's body and he would have smiled had it not been for the pain.

"Draco!" he gasped out before he fell into a vision, and into the surprised Slytherin's arms.

Harry was floating inches from the floor. He looked at his surroundings, finding that he was in the same room that he had come to Voldemort in the previous year. Voldemort was standing in front of his chair, one kneeling, faceless Death Eater before him. "What do you mean, you cannot find it?!"

"My lord, I'm sorry. But it has just disappeared--"

"I know that you imbecile! It disappeared months before I killed the Potters! Do not tell me things that I already know! I want to know where it is, and then I want it within my possession!"

"My lord... we are doing the best we can to find it again, but we suspect that Dumbledore has it."

The Dark Lord moved his tall form towards the cowering Death Eater. "Tell me..." he whispered in a menacing tone. "How do you expect me to do anything useful without it?"

"I.... I do not know, my lord."

"Which is precisely why you should search harder. Things like this just do not make themselves known to you. You have to dig deeper. And I suggest you do so quickly... or suffer the consequences."

"I shall do my best to please you, my lord."

"See that you do better than that, Avery. Your best does not always please me. Crucio!"

"Wake up, Potter! Stop screaming!" said a harsh voice in Harry's ear. He flinched away from the voice as he opened his eyes. Standing over him was the intimidating figure of Severus Snape. The Potions Professor wore a very angry scowl. "Didn't I tell you to inform me when you ran out of your potions, Potter? Then we could avoid displays such as the one you put on for all the students this evening."

"I didn't mean to forget... I just forgot."

"Obviously," Snape said scathingly. "I have prepared some more for you. Granger and Weasley are delivering them to your dorm as we speak. I left you a dose on your bedside table. Drink it up and then you may return to the Gryffindor Common room. Dumbledore wishes to speak with you in the morning about what you dreamed. He was called away on urgent Order business a few minutes ago, or else he would be talking to you, and not I. Do not let this happen again. I will leave you two to it then."

Harry furrowed his brow. Leave who to what? Snape left the infirmary and somebody cleared their throat beside him. The Gryffindor jumped and looked over to see Draco sitting beside him. The Slytherin smirked. "Don't look so surprised, Potter."

"Why not? You don't speak to me anymore."

"True. But if you remember, I'm the one who caught you from falling on your fat face. Besides, after Granger and Weasley said that you were probably dreaming of Voldemort, I was curious, so I stayed to talk when you woke. So, here I am." Draco gestured grandly with his arms, smirking. Normally Harry would think his smirk was sexy, but now it was unbelievably irritating.

"Oh.... What makes you think I'll tell you?"

"Because you can't resist me," he stated simply as he leaned back in his chair.

"Keep dreaming, Malfoy."

"Oh, I do dream, but not of you fancying me. Yes, my dreams are much better than that. I dream of cute little bunny rabbits, flowers, sunny days, and snogging red-haired men named Charlie Weasley."

Harry swallowed thickly and looked in his lap. "I said I was sorry," he whispered.

"What are you talking about, Potter?" Draco asked innocently. "I really do dream of that. It's always been something I've fancied doing... I've always wanted to snog Charlie Weasley in the middle of a field full of flowers and cute bunny rabbits on a nice sunny day. Or maybe just a library would do." Draco shrugged.

Harry nodded his head dumbly. "Well... maybe your dream will come true some day." He grabbed one of the vials on the bedside table and downed it in one drink.

"Yeah, why wouldn't it, right?" Draco continued. "I hear he likes libraries." Harry clenched the glass vial tightly.

"Shut up."

"What? You asked me what I dreamed about."

"No," Harry replied tightly. "I didn't. If you recall, you asked me what I dreamed about."

"Oh, I suppose you're right, Potter. What did you dream about? I bet it was Charlie Weasley as well, right?"

"No." Harry squeezed the vial even tighter, making it shatter in his hand. The glass punctured his hand and blood dripped onto his blanket and down his wrist, but he did not register the pain or the blood. He could hear blood pounding in his ears, and felt himself clenching his jaw. "I dream of punching your face in."

"Now, now, no need to get violent. Besides, you've already injured me enough in the past year. Maybe you should just think of that time you knocked me off my broom, or that time you cut me so much you almost made me bleed to death. Shouldn't those memories satisfy your craving for violence? Merlin, Potter, and here I was thinking that I actually got you back from the Dark side. Perhaps it didn't work after all? Are you actually a Death Eater?"

"Shut up!" Harry yelled finally.

"Malfoy!" Ron yelled as he burst into the infirmary. "Get away from him! He's already been through enough tonight without you aggravating him." Harry sighed with relief as Ron dragged Draco to his feet. With irritating calm, Draco plucked Ron's fingers from his robes and stepped away, wiping imaginary dust from his robes.

"I'd rather that your filthy hands didn't touch me, Weasel." He smirked superiorly as Ron turned red, and approached Harry. He eyed Harry's bleeding hand critically. "You might want to have that checked out, Potter. We wouldn't want the Golden Boy to bleed to death, now would we?" Draco smirked again and leaned in close so that his lips were brushing Harry's ear. "By the way, say hello to your master when you see him again." Draco chuckled as he stood and walked out of the infirmary. Ron laid a comforting hand on Harry's trembling shoulder.

"I'll go get Madam Pomfrey for your hand, mate. Just ignore Malfoy. He's just angry. Hopefully Charlie will talk him out of it."

"Charlie?" Harry asked curiously.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? He began writing to Malfoy after he left the Manor and he says that he at least received a reply a couple days ago. It only said to sod off, but he thinks it's a start. I'll be right back with the nurse."

Harry stared disbelievingly after Ron's retreating form. Charlie was writing to Draco? What was he saying? Was he saying that it was all Harry's fault? Was he saying it was all Charlie's fault? Harry's heart skipped a beat with the next thought. Was he trying to convince Draco that Harry was not at any fault and that he deserved a second chance? As quickly as his excitement, came, it went. Of course Charlie would not go that far. There had been two people in that library and Harry kissed back. He might not have initiated the kiss, or even really wanted it, but he was still partly to blame. The younger Gryffindor had kissed back and it did not matter that Harry was feeling unsure of himself with Draco. It did not matter that Harry needed to be comforted. All that mattered was that he did not stop it before it went too far. He had pulled Charlie down for more... Harry had moaned for it, he had desperately kissed the older man back... Harry cheated, broke Draco's trust and heart, and that was all that mattered. Charlie could now try to set things right, but it was really up to Draco to do the forgiving.

"Mr. Potter!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as she rushed into the infirmary. "What have you done to yourself now?"

Harry looked to his bleeding hand, but said nothing. Ron waited a few moments to see if he would say something, but seeing that nothing was coming, he spoke for his friend. "It wasn't his fault, Madam. Draco Malfoy was here, making him mad."

The nurse tsked, gently took Harry's injured hand, and began healing it. He would have preferred to think in peace but Ron came around his bedside and began speaking excitedly about Quidditch. "I spoke to McGonagall on my way back here from the Common Room, Harry," he gushed. "She said that we'd be holding try-outs for the new Chasers and for Seeker if you wanted somebody to train for next year. I think all of the seventh years should do that, don't you? I mean, just because we're leaving, doesn't mean that we shouldn't want Gryffindor to hold onto the tradition of winning."

"Right. Did she say anything else?"

"Yes, she said something about her discussing with Madam Hooch the need for a new captain." Ron grinned and elbowed Harry in the side, earning him a reproving glare from Madam Pomfrey. "It's only obvious that it's going to be you, Harry. You've been on the team since first year and you're by far the best player on the team. You completely deserve it."

"Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don't think I want it."

"What?" Ron exclaimed. "Are you mad? Of course you want the job! It's Quidditch captain, Harry! You have to take it!"

"First of all, we don't even know if I'm going to be offered it yet. Second of all, I'm not good at the whole strategizing thing. You're a great chess player so that has to transfer over to Quidditch. Besides, you've been a Quidditch fan your entire life. I only just found out about it when you told me on the first train ride here. I think you should get it."

"All good points, but..."

"But nothing, Ron," Harry said firmly. "We both have our opinions on who should be Captain, so let's just leave it there, all right?"

"Fine. But if you turn it down next week, I will pummel you."

Harry did something that was a rare sight... He grinned. Ron's entire face lit up with a grin even wider than Harry's. He clapped Harry on the shoulder and squeezed gently. Harry's grin became even wider. "I know, Ron," he finally said. "You'll try to pummel me. But let's face it, I'm a whole lot stronger than you." Ron made an indignant sound in the back of his throat, but Harry was saved from his response when Madam Pomfrey told him that he was free to go. The dark-haired boy thanked her and jumped from the bed, quickly walking to the exit.

"I don't think you know what you're talking about, Harry!" Ron called as he tried to catch up. "Just ask Charlie! I can throw a pretty mean punch. After I figured out what happened between you and Malfoy, I cornered him and I really made him sorry for ever trying anything with you."

Harry stopped and turned. Ron was just coming out of the infirmary and was closing the doors. "You did what?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I just punched him a few times, but you should have seen the bruises!" Ron exclaimed triumphantly. "I hit him in the stomach and he actually fell to his knees with that one, and then he begged me to stop! It was brilliant!"

"Ron," Harry admonished tiredly. "You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to, Harry, honestly. You're my best mate and I hate seeing you the way I've seen you the past couple weeks. It's been terrible. I admit that I don't like Malfoy much and probably never will, but if he makes you happy, then I'm happy."

Harry smiled a little. "Thanks, Ron. But things are so complicated right now, I don't know if we'll ever get back together."

"Aside from Charlie, what else is going on?"

"It's nothing," Harry waved him off and turned around to walk back to the Common Room, but Ron stopped him and spun him around.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, but I want to know. Please? What was going on?"

Harry sighed and raked a hand through his thick hair and walked towards the closest window so that he could look out it. "No!" Ron cried, looking to the left where two knights stood, guarding either side of the infirmary. "Don't go there! Come sit over on this other wall!" he exclaimed, gesturing to the wall opposite the window.

"Er - why? What's wrong with the window?"

"Er - I... well, that is to say that I, uh... don't like looking outside when it's dark. The stars are in the sky and they look all... menacing." Ron looked unsure of this for a moment, but then he nodded his head firmly. "Yeah. They look menacing."

"Menacing?" Harry shook his head. "Ron, I sometimes wonder if you should be in St. Mungo's instead of in school." He heard a snicker from the knights and he jerked his head to the side, looking for the source, but Ron violently pulled on his arm, nearly sending him into the opposite wall. "What are you doing?" Harry exclaimed angrily.

"I'm sorry. It makes me feel better to stand further away from windows because of the stars. The further away they are the better."

"Ron... Never mind. I'll let you stay in your own world."

"Good, I like it here. Anyway, you were going to say what was going on with you?"

"Fine," Harry sighed, leaning his back on the wall. "Everything was fine on my birthday, and even a week after that everything was fine. But then that day when we were in the kitchens, Draco and I were alone. I... well, certain things happened that I'd rather not share with you because I'd rather not be spewed on right now--"

"Too much information," Ron choked out.

"Shut up," Harry laughed. "Nothing big happened, and I don't want to say too much because otherwise I'd be betraying Draco's trust even more, but he got freaked out. I think I know the cause of it, but I don't know why he should be scared. When he left, he said that he'd make sure that you and Hermione were around us all the time. After that..." Harry drew a shaky breath, willing himself not to show weakness in front of Ron. "He just started being really cold towards to me. You probably noticed that he started calling me Potter again. He never spoke to me and when he did, he reverted back to how he used to be... you know, before sixth year. Well, even during sixth year, he was like that but it wasn't as bad. I don't know what I did. Maybe it was his intention."

"What was his intention?"

"Pushing me away. Maybe he wanted to break up with me, or something. It would make sense with everything that he did."

"Somehow, I doubt that."

"How would you know?" Harry asked, letting it come out with more acid that he intended.

"I..." Ron faltered. "Well, I did see you two together sometimes when I wasn't being careful about where I was looking. I saw how he was with you and I don't think he would push you away so suddenly like that."

They fell into silence for a few moments,the only sound surrounding them was a quiet fluttering sound. "Do you hear that?" Harry asked.

"Um... no?"

"Yeah, you do. You're such a bad liar."

"Okay, I do hear it, but it doesn't mean I know what it is."

"I didn't say you did know."

"Oh."

They fell into silence again, both listening to the soft fluttering noise. Harry peered down the hallway. It was getting hard to see since only the torches beside them were lit, so he had to strain to see the into the darkened surroundings. Harry looked to the knights that stood on either side of the infirmary and then to the end of the hall where a statue stood at the top of the stairs. Suddenly, the light reflected off a shiny surface, catching Harry's attention. It was a small silver object, flying in mid-air with glowing green eyes. Harry stepped towards Ron a little, unsure of what it was. He blinked a few times as the object flew closer and then broke out into a smile. "It's Wally!" he exclaimed.

"Who?" Ron asked confused.

"Wally! The dragon I bought for Draco last Christmas. I wonder what it's doing up here? Draco loves that thing."

Harry watched with a broad smile as the little dragon flew up to him and perched on his outstretched arm. Wally coughed, sending a small jet of fire and then looked at Harry imperiously. "You've been spending a lot of time with Draco, haven't you?" Harry laughed. The dragon did not make another move for a few moments but then, quite suddenly, started flapping his wings furiously without actually taking off into the air. "Whoa! What's wrong with you?"

As soon as Harry spoke, a piece of parchment appeared above the wings, and Wally stopped flapping them. "Neat trick, that," Ron said impressed.

"I didn't know you could train them," Harry replied awed as he took the parchment. Wally took off again and curiously enough, flew behind one of the knights by the infirmary. Unrolling the parchment, Harry read.

Potter,

McGonagall asked me to request your presence in her office tomorrow after lunch. After that, Black wants you in his office. Black also wanted me to say a few things that were on my mind. I don't know what he was talking about, so here it goes.

Sod off.

Sincerely,

Draco Malfoy

Harry growled low in his throat and turned to Ron. "Do you have something to write with?"

"No. But Hermione taught me a new spell the other day that allows you to write with your wand."

"Well? Show me!"

"Pushy. Just say scriva, and then hold your wand like you would a quill. But don't actually touch the parchment while you're writing, otherwise the spell will terminate."

"Scriva," Harry murmured and then positioned his wand over the backside of the piece of parchment.

Malfoy,

Here's a thought... you sod off.

Harry Potter

Ron read it over his shoulder and chuckled. "You do know that he will never stop teasing you for that lame comeback."

"I don't care. Where'd that damn dragon go?"

As if Wally had heard Harry, he flew to the Gryffindor from behind the knight. Harry held the parchment out uncertainly. "Um... take this to Draco?" Wally let out a large plume of fire, dissolving the parchment and then flew back to the knight. Harry turned to Ron with a disbelieving look on his face. "That was... different. Do you think that's the way he gets messages to people?" Ron shrugged, smiling a little.

"I don't think you're ever going to get back together with Malfoy that way."

Harry shrugged and began walking away from the infirmary at last. "I'm hoping that this is just a phase. Maybe he'll stop being a jerk one of these days and want to be with me again. Then again, he probably doesn't even like me anymore. He seems to be pretty chummy with Blaise Zabini. Hermione is still friends with him, right?" When Ron did not answer, Harry turned around and stared. Ron was facing in the opposite direction giving two thumbs up, nodding his head vigorously with an insane looking smile on his face. Harry coughed. "Erm - Ron? What are you doing?" Ron jumped and turned to look at his friend, looking oddly sheepish.

He shuffled his feet. "Er - you see that statue at the end of the hallway? Well, I was.. Uh... talking to it yesterday and I've well, I've become friends with it.... He's pretty cool," he finished quietly as his face turned red.

Harry stared in disbelief at his best friend, his face slowly breaking out into a grin, and then finally burst into laughter. The dark-haired boy bent over, clutching his stomach in hysterical laughter as Ron laughed sheepishly. Harry finally stood up and wiped the tears of mirth from his face. "Oh, Ron... you are... you are something. I just don't know what." Harry turned from his friend, intent on getting back to the Common room to do homework. He shook his head as his shoulders shook in silent laughter. "Oh, Merlin, that felt good. Thanks, Ron." The green-eyed boy continued to laugh quietly to himself as he walked down the hall. If he had turned around, he would have seen Hermione stepping out from behind a knight, Wally sitting on her shoulder, congratulating Ron on a job well done.