Third Place - Angst

"Go the bloody hell away."

Harry rolled over at the mumbled curse. The knocking came again and he reached blindly for his glasses. As the world came in a bit clearer he sat up. Then was immediately pulled back down.

"Draco, someone is at the door."

The blond hair on the pillow was all he could see of Draco's head. "I just ordered them away," came the muffled reply. "Go back to sleep."

The pounding on the door got a bit louder. Harry smiled.

"I don't think they heard you, my liege."

The face appeared and there was a definite gleam in those eyes. "Hmm, my liege. I think I like that better than master."

Harry glared and punched Draco in the arm. Then his eyes widened. "We argued last night."

"Yes, I was there. Wonderful recap. I liked the beginning and end bits best," Draco drawled. Harry ignored him.

"I just hit you!"

Draco narrowed one eye. "Yes, again. And thankfully it was this shoulder and not the one with the chunk of flesh missing."

"Draco," Harry was interrupted by another knock. "Hold the bloody knocking!" he yelled at the offending portal. Draco smirked.

"Nice, Potter. Royal commands suit you." Harry stared back at the smug man and glared.

"I'm pretty annoyed with you right now. What the hell is going on?"

Draco shrugged. "How should I know? I wasn't the one knocking so why you should be annoyed with me is beyond my comprehension."

"Draco," Harry said firmly. "How was I able to argue with you, get mad at you, yell at you, and now, just hit you?"

Sliding out of bed, Draco began pulling his pants and trousers on, which had somehow ended up on the floor. Harry filed that bit of untidiness on the blonde's part away for future tormenting. But then he refocused when he realized Draco hadn't answered.

"Draco?"

"Yeah yeah, I heard you. But it appears we have rude and inconsiderate company and they better be quick because I am in desperate need of a shower," he grumbled as he made his way to the door. Harry threw the covers off of him and slid in front of the door just as Draco got to it.

"Sod the visitors! I want you to answer my question. See! Look! I just went against what you wanted. How come I can do that?" Harry asked as he stood his ground. Draco sighed, looked up at the ceiling and then stared down into Harry's eyes.

"Move out of the way, Potter," Draco said calmly. Harry gasped and immediately averted his eyes. How could he challenge a Supero? He slid away from the door.

"Yes, Draco. I'm sorry, Draco," he whispered as he began to kneel to beg forgiveness. Strong hands stopped him and made him look back into silver eyes.

"That's why," Draco said. Harry blinked and then he flushed in anger. Another knock was heard. Both ignored it.

"You can control it!" Harry accused. Draco crossed his arms and looked completely unrepentant.

"Yes. In so far as I can turn off the dominant thing with a bit of work." He raised an eyebrow. "Did you think you were just out-thinking me and mollifying me with your excuses for why you needed to go against me all the time? Not likely, Potter. You cannot out-Slytherin a Slytherin. But I congratulate you on your cunning," he drawled.

"You can turn it off? You mean it's on all the time," Harry questioned.

"It's a natural thing, but with Severus's help I've gotten quite good at keeping it off without even thinking about it."

"Severus? You mean, you've been seeing him while I was with him?" Harry asked in astonishment.

"Well, we aren't two-timing you," Draco smirked. "Yes, I asked him to help me control it a bit more and we've been working on it for a couple of weeks. In fact, that was why he showed up in the woods yesterday. I had been late to a practice session and while looking for me, no doubt to harangue me for it, he saw me go in after you."

"You've been learning how not to dominate me?" Harry asked, more to himself. Draco shrugged.

"I wasn't sure if I had mastered it or not without you to practice on, but Sev said he could smell a difference every time I got it right. Apparently, the more aggressive I got the more on-edge he got. Very interesting, from an academic point of view," he mused. "I believe I shall write a paper on myself and how I have evolved and become a perfect Indago Supero."

Harry closed his eyes and shook his head. "You do that, Lockhart."

"I'll have you know-," Draco was interrupted as again the door was knocked upon. Both of them huffed and Draco flung open the door. At that exact moment, Harry realized he was still completely naked. He yelped and jumped behind Draco. Draco laughed.

"It is good to see you boys are still able to entertain each other," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Ah yes, we have entertained each other all night," Draco drawled. Harry pinched him for his blatant innuendo to the headmaster. Draco didn't even flinch. Dumbledore chuckled as he came into the room.

"Yes, I do remember such nights from my own youth," he said. Harry shadowed Draco as he shut the door and turned to face the old man.

"I have brought Harry a change of clothing as his trunk is still in Professor Snape's chambers." Dumbledore pulled a small pouch out of his robe and effortlessly enlarged it. Draco passed it over his shoulder to Harry.

"Thank you, sir," Harry called out as he quickly began dressing.

"Do not mention it, my boy. I decided since I was on my way here I would save the house-elves a trip."

"Oh? And why were you on your way here?" Draco asked in his normal aggressive manner. Harry rolled his eyes and wished Dumbledore would just smack the arrogant prat one of these days.

"I have come to see how Harry is and how you are, Draco," the headmaster said as he lowered himself into the armchair near the garden door.

"Make yourself comfortable," Draco drawled nastily. "And why would you ask after me?"

"The events that took place yesterday were quite disturbing to us all," Dumbledore said with a significant look at Draco. Harry stepped around, now fully dressed, and questioned Draco with a look. Draco sneered and brushed past Harry.

"Yes, fine. Well, we are all peachy, no thanks to your pet were-wolves," Draco sneered.

"Draco! They weren't setting up camp in the school. You can't blame it on the headmaster," Harry argued.

"Oh no, I blame you and your idiocy. But that has already been discussed." He turned to look at Dumbledore. "So, as you can see, we are well. Anything else?"

"Yes," the older man said. He turned to look at Harry. "Harry, I must ask if you have fully considered your decision since yesterday afternoon."

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir. I have."

"And have you come to a final decision?"

"It hasn't changed since yesterday," Harry stated firmly.

Dumbledore nodded. "I see."

"That's it? Nothing more? No stirring words of wisdom?" Draco sat sprawled in a chair by the table, his elbow resting on the surface. "Oh, wait, I forgot. You are the bloke who usually sent Harry off on suicide missions, aren't you? My my, how did that slip my mind?" he said nastily.

"Draco, stop it!"

"No no, my boy," Dumbledore said. "We all react in many different ways when scared for a loved one."

Draco sat up straight. "How dare you! How dare you imply that I am scared!"

"Harry, it is always amazing the things that people will do when driven by fear for a loved one. Sometimes, those who care for us go to great and desperate lengths to protect us. Never reprimand them when they do so. Just know that they do it out of love." Dumbledore smiled, eyes sad. Draco seethed but remained quiet.

"Yes, sir," Harry murmured, watching Draco.

Dumbledore sighed as he rose from the chair. "Very well. I shall leave you two to your day." The old man glided to the door. He turned to look at Harry as the younger man opened the door for him. "You are expected at the infirmary before dinner. Madame Pomfrey has a specialist coming from St. Mungos to attend you tonight."

"I'll be fine, sir. You'll see." Harry smiled. "I'll be embarrassed when the healer comes all this way for nothing." Dumbledore returned the smile, patting Harry's cheek gently.

"Yes, I am sure you are right. But we will let Poppy have a bit of reassurance, hmm?" Harry nodded.

"See you this evening, Harry." He turned towards Draco. "You as well, Draco. I hope you both enjoy your day." And then the headmaster was gone.

Harry shut the door and leaned back on it. Draco was still sitting with a sour look on his face.

"I just don't get why you are so nasty to him," Harry remarked casually.

"And you never will, Potter. You worship that man and will not see one fault." Before Harry could argue, Draco stood up and began taking his trousers off. "Come, let's take a shower. I believe there is a mirror in there that has been desperate for a viewing of you."

Harry pursed his lips at the silky invitation. Then he smiled and followed Draco into the bathroom.

"Gods, I hate winter," Draco said. He glowered out at the slowly setting sun. "We will move to France, or perhaps Greece. There the sun does not set until nearly six or so."

"The moon does not rise for at least two hours after sun set," Hermione stated as she tracked the sun as well.

"Who wants to play some Exploding Snap or charades?" Harry said in an overly bright voice. They had made him sit on a hospital bed, but that's all they succeeded in doing. He refused to lie down or any other such nonsense. They were treating him as if he were an invalid.

"Charades?" Draco turned away from the window and rested against the sill. "Is this some sort of muggle game?" He seemed cautiously interested.

"Yes, Draco. It is about pretending to be something your not. Your father, perhaps? You'd be very good at it."

Snape entered the room and completely ignored the sneering blonde. Instead he walked to Harry's bedside and began poking through the food on the tray.

"You have not finished your biscuit, Potter. And here I thought we must needs put the sugar under lock and key," he drawled darkly.

"I wasn't all that hungry." Harry shrugged.

A black brow rose in an arrogant fashion. "Really, and I would have laid odds that it was instead your tedious way of voicing discontent at being made to eat here in the infirmary."

"Well, it is crazy. I could have had my meal in the Great Hall," Harry groused.

"But Harry, I thought we had a lovely picnic here," Hermione said, attempting to lighten the mood as she had all day.

"Very well, if you are not hungry than I suppose that could be a sign of complications. I will contact Madame Pomfrey." Snape smirked when the biscuit was gulped down before he had even finished speaking. "Hmm, well, do try to finish the rest of your meal as well, Potter. Must keep up your strength. Or is that bravery. Draco, have I got that right? You feed a Gryffindor's bravery or his strength. I never can remember." Draco laughed as Snape circled around and sat in an armchair on the other side of the room.

Ron shook his head and came to sit next to Harry. "I'll play Snap with you," he said sadly. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Ron, this isn't a wake, you know." He nudged his friend in the arm. "Come on. All of them are freaking out for no reason. That's got to be worth a smile or two."

Smiling bravely, Ron nodded. "Sure, Harry. But, do you want me to shut the windows? It's getting dark."

"Brilliant plan, Weasley. Do you think shutting the windows causes the moon not to rise?" Draco said nastily. Ron's face reddened.

"I'm just trying to help, you arse!"

"Oh, and if the windows are shut, how will we know the time is at hand, Weasel King?"

"Boys, stop it," Hermione called out.

"Does it really matter if we know? We know now and that doesn't help does it?" Ron yelled back, ignoring Hermione.

"Nothing will help, you idiot!" Draco snarled.

"Stop it!"

The two combatants and Hermione turned to look at Harry who had become pale. "Just stop. Arguing is definitely not going to help," he whispered.

Draco immediately left his post and came to stand by Harry, glaring at Ron. "Good going, Weasel. You have succeeded in frightening him!"

Hermione grabbed Ron's arm. She shook her head and he swallowed whatever epithets he had been about to hurl at the blonde's head.

Draco had surreptitiously laid his hand on Harry's back and was moving it in slow circles. Hermione and Ron could not see it, but Harry felt it and was grateful for the warm contact.

"I'm not afraid. I just don't want to hear any fighting right now," Harry said. He looked toward Snape and saw that the potion master was casually watching the scene with a blank look on his face. Turning his attention back to his friends, he gave them all a smile. "This is a really strange situation and we are all stressed out so let's just think of something else, right?"

Draco scoffed but the warm caress didn't cease.

"What would you like to do, Harry?" Hermione asked. "A game, you said?"

"Sure. Or, we can tell each other our hopes for when we leave school," Harry suggested.

"I haven't brought my nightie for this little slumber party," Draco said sarcastically. Harry was certain he heard a chuckle from the far side of the room. He looked up at Draco.

"Then what do you suggest? We've got time to kill," he ignored Ron's wince, "so let's fill it."

"I suggest that you call in Madame Pomfrey, get this over with and then you and I go back to our room and shag until morning." He looked at Hermione and Ron. "They can bed each other if they like, but why they would want to is beyond me" he casually remarked.

"Draco!"

"Malfoy!"

Draco just smirked. Glaring up at him, Harry snapped, "If you haven't anything pleasant or helpful to say, shut it."

"Mr. Potter, Healer Dewitt is here," Madame Pomfrey said as she bustled in, a young man in a healer's robe following in her wake.

"If you will all just step back, we shall do a quick scan," she said, banishing the food tray sitting on the bed. Hermione and Ron quickly moved. Draco didn't and Pomfrey didn't ask him to.

"Hello, Mr. Potter," Dewitt said with a smile. "How are you feeling right now?"

"Haven't you anything helpful to ask?" Draco said aggressively. "How do you think he feels?"

"Draco!"

"I am merely ascertaining if Mr. Potter is experiencing any pain or discomfort?" the healer replied calmly, ignoring Draco's rudeness and aggressive body language.

"Do you not think he would have mentioned something about that? Truly, if you are an expert I would need to question the state of our healing profession. Obviously you believe your patients are masochists or are incredibly stupid."

"Draco," Snape said, appearing at the foot of the bed. "Allow the man to do his job and desist with your mollycoddling of the boy."

The tips of Draco's ears turned red, which fascinated Harry no end. "I was not mollycoddling," Draco rasped.

"Really? If I had not been looking at you, I would be certain it was your mother in this room," Snape drawled. Draco glared, then summoned a chair to the bedside and threw himself in it. "Now," Snape said to the two healers, "as it seems entirely redundant and unnecessarily upsetting to young Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you skip your scans. If the boy were in pain he wouldn't tell you anyway, being the idiot he is."

Harry mimicked Draco's glare at the potions master as Madame Pomfrey exchanged a look with Dewitt. Sighing, she said, "Very well. But, Harry, I do hope you tell us if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort. It is quite vital you are truthful with us."

"Yes, ma'am."

The two healers summoned chairs a few meters away to give the group and themselves privacy. They began a quiet discussion, occasionally pausing to look over some document. Hermione and Ron had settled onto the bed next to Harry's.

"Father."

Harry looked up at the doors to the infirmary and saw Lucius Malfoy making his entrance. The man looked as calm and collected as usual, except for a slight tightening at the edges of his eyes. If Harry hadn't become so adept at reading Draco, he'd have never noticed.

Draco rose to greet his father. "Father, you will not believe the incompetents they have assigned to Harry." Harry rolled his eyes and hoped that said healers had not heard the incredibly rude comment.

"Draco, I require your presence at home immediately," Lucius said without preamble. Draco's brow lowered in confusion.

"Now?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes. It is of great importance."

Draco pointed back to Harry. "And this isn't?"

"Yes, yes, of course it is. But I require you at home post haste. So come," Lucius actually grabbed Draco's arm and tugged him in the direction of the doors. Harry sat up straighter in concern. He wasn't afraid, but Draco wouldn't leave him now, would he?

Draco easily tugged free, anger beginning to mold his face. "What could possibly require my presence at home? At this exact moment?"

"Do not speak to me in such a manner, boy. We do not discuss family matters outside of the family. You will come with me now," Lucius said, his eyes glinting hard and his face an arrogant mask. But Harry saw him glance out the window at the night sky and suddenly knew what Lucius was doing.

"Lucius," Snape said quietly from his position not a meter away at the foot of Harry's bed. "You can not protect him from everything."

"Stay out of this, Severus," Lucius snarled. He grabbed again at Draco's arm. "My son is coming with me now." Draco pulled free again.

"No, I am not!"

"Draco, you will accompany me now. I shall not repeat myself. I am your father and you will do as I say!"

"Lucius, do not make an enemy of your son," Snape said.

"I told you to stay out of this!"

"What the hell is going on?" Draco's face was a mixture of anger and confusion.

"He doesn't want you to watch me die," Harry spoke up. Draco spun to look at him in surprise. "He believes I am going to die like you described, and he doesn't want you to witness a thing like that. He doesn't want you to get hurt."

Snape inclined his head to Harry. "Very good, Potter. If only you paid so much attention in class."

"Draco, now!"

Spinning back to look at his father, Draco stared for a moment. "No, I am not going. If Harry dies then I will be here," he said quietly, his face never once losing its superior appearance.

Lucius was barely holding his composure. "And what good will that do, boy? I assure you that his death will be properly recorded and there will be no doubts of his demise."

"I am not here as a record keeper, father," Draco snarled. "I am here so that he is not alone!"

"His little friends are here, Severus is here, the healers are here. I assure you the boy will not be alone."

Draco crossed his arms over his chest. "I am not going anywhere. I am staying with Harry."

"Draco, you do not know what you are saying," Lucius said as he neared his son. He spoke in a hushed voice. "I was there when the Dark Lord attempted to recreate some of Grindelwald's experiments. You do not wish to see what will occur." He leaned in close but Harry was still able to hear the words he spoke to his son. "I understand your feelings, my son. But you do not wish your last memories of him to include the nightmare that is to come. Come with me now. The boy will understand."

Draco turned his head slightly to gaze into his father's eyes. "No. I am staying here." Draco walked back to his chair and sat down. "Besides, Father. Don't you know the hero always survives?" he asked with a smirk, head cocked to the side. Lucius stared at his son, the war of emotions evident in his tense shoulders and glittering eyes.

"Lucius, come have a drink with me," Snape said suddenly and moved back to his chair in the corner. Lucius looked at Harry hard, Harry stared right back.

"I hope for your sake that you live, Potter. If you do anything at all that causes ill to my son, I shall not rest until you are punished. I hope you do not forget who was instrumental in the Dark Lord's resurrection. I assure you I shall bring your half-dead and decomposing carcass back to life in order to seek my revenge." His voice was so cold it could have created ice. Harry did not drop his eyes and instead stared back calmly.

"I know you will, sir."

Draco was standing up to confront his father when Lucius turned away to follow Snape.

"Holy Cricket! I thought he was going to attempt to murder you right here with witnesses!" Hermione breathed.

"My father has become overemotional in his old age," Draco snapped as he gracefully flopped back into his chair. "Pay no mind to him. He will not ever touch you," he informed Harry. The brunette smiled.

"He loves you, I don't blame him for it. It's actually a bit weird to see that Lucius Malfoy has any warmer emotions."

"That was warm?" Ron asked, eyebrows raised in incredulity. "I'd hate to see what he does when happy."

"Do not talk about my father, Weasely. You haven't the intelligence to comprehend such greatness," Draco snapped.

"I can talk about anyone I want, ferret! And if your dad is great, I'll eat my hat!"

"Draco."

"I had no idea you could afford a hat," Draco drawled nastily.

"Both of you stop it!" Hermione ordered.

"Draco."

"You know, Malfoy, I am getting really tired of your money cracks," Ron growled.

"Oh? I had no idea that poor people's money was so cheap that it cracked. Ours is quite solid."

"Draco."

Draco turned to Harry. "What, Potter?" he snapped. Harry lifted his eyes from his clenched hands. He was completely pale and his entire body trembled and sweated. Draco stood up immediately and grabbed Harry's hands.

"I think..." Harry whispered, tears falling slowly from his eyes. "I think I was wrong."

Draco turned white as a sheet. "Harry?" He glanced outside. "Harry, the moon hasn't risen yet! You still have time until the moon rises!"

Harry tried to smile but only came up with a grimace. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm an overachiever again in the things that suck." He gasped as pain lanced through his middle and up his back. He grabbed his stomach and moaned in agony.

"Father! Father! Somebody!"

Harry heard the terror in Draco's voice as he shouted for help. As he fell back on his bed, he wished that he had helped Lucius get Draco out of there. He wished that Hermione and Ron were with their families and not calling for Madame Pomfrey and screaming his name. He wished that he hadn't been so stupid as to go into the forest and kill him and an innocent baby. Would he get to meet his child in whatever place they ended up? Would he or she hate him for messing up their chance to live?

Another shot of pain ripped through his body and Harry knew he must have screamed. It hurt so much he couldn't imagine not screaming.

"Harry? Harry? Please open your eyes, please!"

Harry struggled to open them, but he was wrapped in the pain.

"Harry! Open your eyes! Now!

His eyes cracked open at the command. Silver eyes, washed in pain and fear met his own.

"Don't think you're leaving without saying goodbye," Draco whispered. "It's rude."

Harry's lips forced themselves into a smile. "Sorry," Harry whispered back. He felt Draco's hands on his face, holding him still even as his body was twisting in pain. He saw past Draco's shoulders Hermione and Ron huddled together, Hermione's face buried in Ron's chest. He could hear Pomfrey and the healer shouting information and instructions back and forth.

He forced his eyes back to Draco's. "You were right," he said through his teeth as another crushing pain wracked his body.

"I'm always right, Harry. When will you ever learn that," Draco answered. Harry reached out towards Draco with a fisted hand and brushed the tear away that had begun its slow trek down the pale cheek. Draco grabbed and kissed the knuckles. Then Harry saw nothing as his body was twisted and contorted in pain until his mind finally succumbed and he knew no more.

Indago - Chapter 57

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