With A Dragon's Heart

wonderful reviews and your incredible support! How lucky can one author be? So thank you! *Big hugs to all of you!* Many of you have asked me if I was ending this story anytime soon or how many more chapters are there? And my reply is this: I have no bloody idea! My two young boys, Draco and Harry are still a far cry from being healed and I’m not going to rush it by doing a quick fix nor will I keep writing until they are. (We’d be here for years!) But I can tell you that revenge will be coming soon to those who have hurt them. (What? You thought I’d let them get away with it? Pshah!) ….

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who offered me your brilliant, constructive critiques… you know who you are…*winks*… and tell you thanks a lot… now I have to write the bloody thing all over again! Hahahaha! I really do hate rewriting...*sighs*… Any volunteers? Also a HUGE thank you to my friend and beta lady, Jane, aka Luciology on LJ. Your no-holds-bar advice is exactly what I need! Again, thank you all for reading my little story! … Annie



CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: The Next Day pt 2

“It’s good to see that *someone* got some sleep last night!” Snape bellowed.

The two boys scrambled away from each other, jumped off the bed, and hid behind it, revealing only their eyes.

Snape’s lips were pressed tightly and his eyes were narrowed into slits.

“I was hounded all day yesterday and now this morning,” Snape growled through clenched teeth. “Enough! Get out of bed and attend breakfast!” he ordered, giving absolutely no room for argument.

The Potions Master spun around and disappeared from sight. Draco and Harry exchanged worried looks and then couldn’t help but snigger.

“I think we should shower first.”

“No, I think *you* should shower first,” Draco joked.

“Funny.”

Then they sprung off the floor and ran to the bath at the same time.

“Hey! You said I could go first!”

“No,” Draco corrected. “I said I *think* you should go first. Slytherins *always* go first,” he laughed as he pushed Harry back.

Harry stumbled backwards, then crossed his arms and slid down the wall.

“Great,” Harry muttered. “He’ll probably be in there all morning.”

“Perfection takes time,” Draco called out.

Harry rolled his eyes and mimicked the other boy’s words.


~*~*~*~*~


Both boys were still adjusting their fresh, clean clothes when they started to walk out of the room. Harry suddenly grabbed Draco\'s arm and the blond wrenched around with a snarl.

“What?” Draco said irritably, looking down at the unwanted hand.

Harry scoffed at him as he jerked it away. “What’s *your* problem?”

Draco looked away quickly and then back to an angry Harry. “Sorry. Old habit.”

Harry’s anger faded as he realized that he too would have problems adjusting to this new ‘friendship’. His brows softened and whispered, “What should we tell everyone?”

Draco took a deep breath and thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s best if we didn’t say anything.”

“You know that’s not going to work. At least with *my* friends that is,” argued Harry, but not viciously.

“Look, Potter. Tell them whatever you want. *I* don’t have to explain myself to anyone.”

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought. “I want to tell them about what happened. I do. But…”

Draco sighed, knowing full well what he was referring to. “Harry, it’s time. I couldn’t care less about them, but they are your friends and they really need to know.”

Harry nodded, glancing away. “I know. I just…I don’t know how to tell them,” he whispered.

The Slytherin boy raised Harry’s chin enough to meet his grey eyes.

Draco smiled softly and barely nodded his head in agreement. He closed his eyes briefly and smirked before opening them. He couldn’t believe he was about to suggest this. “Why don’t we tell them together? Would that help?”

The Gryffindor’s face lit up and nodded with glee. He lunged himself at the other boy and hugged him tightly.

“Hey! You’re wrinkling my clothes!”

Harry pulled back but kept his hands on Draco\'s shoulder. “Thank you, Draco.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he mumbled. “I’ll probably regret this.”

The blond turned back around to leave but Harry caught him again.

“Now what?”

“When? And where?”

“I’ll ask Snape to arranged it.”

Harry raised both brows. “Do you honestly think he’d be willing to help with…this?”

“Hey, I’m a Slytherin,” Draco said cockily.

Harry rolled his eyes.

“Come on, Potter,” he said, tugging his robe. “I’m starved.”


~*~*~*~*~


No sooner than Harry had entered the Great Hall when his two best friends ambushed him. Draco brushed by them with a grunt and headed to the Slytherin table. Hermione and Ron began asking several questions that over-lapped each other, all the while dragging him to their usual seats.

“Harry, what’s going on? What happened?”

“Did Malfoy do anything to you?”

“Please tell us, Harry. We’ll understand whatever it is.”

“I’ll kill him you know. Just give the word.”

“Ron. Hermione. Relax. Everything’s all right. I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“How can we *not* worry? You’ve been gone all night!” Ron exclaimed.

“Harry, please. We’ve been so worried,” Hermione pleaded, gripping Harry’s arm.

“And that bastard Snape wouldn’t tell us anything!”

“Look, guys. I’ll explain everything, but right now all I want to do is eat.”

“Eat? How can you think of eating...”

“Ron! Let Harry eat. He said he’ll tell us,” Hermione chided.

The redhead grumbled and started picking at his food, glancing over to his friend periodically. Harry, however, peered through his fringe to look over at Draco and wondered what he was telling *his* friends. It seemed that he was amused with the all attention he was getting, but said nothing, only nodding his head every now and then. Draco looked over to Harry and shrugged with a smirk.

Harry was almost finished with his meal when he was plagued with non-stop questions again. Draco caught Harry’s attention when he stood up and walked over to where Snape was sitting. The Professor was clearly not happy. Snape continued to sneer at his godson until saying something back and gave him one fast nod. Draco turned around and headed back to his seat. He whipped a quick look at Harry and made a face that said ‘Told you so’ and Harry rolled his eyes once more. Draco didn\'t return to his seat though, he walked right passed it and left the room.

“Hang on guys. I’ll be right back.”

His two friends shouted out complaints, but Harry ignored them and caught up to Draco just outside the Great Hall.

“Admit I was right,” was the first thing out of Draco\'s mouth.

“Oh shut up and tell me what he said.”

“What do you think he said, Potter? Honestly,” Draco snorted.

“Gods, you’re such a prat.”

Draco grinned mischievously. “I know.”

“Well?” Harry said, exasperated.

The blond looked up to the ceiling as if to say silently, ‘Why me?’ but arched an eyebrow when he noticed Harry had crossed his arms over his chest.

“Oh for… In one hour in the Potion’s classroom, Potter.”

“Thank you,” the Gryffindor snapped.

Harry spun back around on his heels so he could go face the commotion that was still going on in the Great Hall. Draco smiled as he watched him storm off.

“You’re welcome, Potter,” Draco snickered to no one. Old habits *were* hard to break.


~*~*~*~*~


“I can’t believe you agreed to this Harry! I can’t believe *we* agreed to this!”

“Ron, *please*. My ears are starting to hurt!”

“But, Hermione, this is MALFOY we’re talking about! MALFOY!”

“I heard you, Ron. I heard you the first time!” Hermione huffed. She quickly paused to close her eyes and to take a deep breath to calm herself before turning her gaze back to her redheaded friend.

“Look, Ron. We both know who he is and what he’s capable of. But the fact of the matter is, he *did* help Harry.”

The hot-tempered Gryffindor grunted then turned his head to stare at the dingy dungeon wall. “Gods, it’s depressing down here,” he muttered just so he could have the last word.

The young woman sighed loudly at him, clearly knowing what he was doing. *Boys,* she thought with frustration. She noticed for the first time that Harry was no longer sitting next to them. She scanned the room and saw him leaning against the wall in a corner. Hermione rose to her feet and maneuvered around the desks that separated them.

“Harry, I am so sorry if we upset you. It’s just that Ron can be…”

Harry barely waved his hand, dismissing her apology. “It’s not that, Hermione. It’s just…”

The heavy doors abruptly opened and Professor Snape stalked inside just as he always did when a class was in session. Behind the Potions Master was Draco Malfoy with all of his arrogance surrounding him. Ron leapt off his chair, ready to punch the smug boy in the face. Snape stopped short in front of the furious boy and scowled. Their eyes locked briefly until Hermione intervened.

“Professor, I can’t thank you enough for doing this for Harry. I know he really…”

“Miss granger,” he said evenly, finally tearing his black eyes away from Ron. “I’m doing this for *Draco*, not Potter.”

Hermione blushed and nodded.

“Now, can we please get this over with as soon as possible as I have seemed to have lost a lot of *sleep* last night,” he said in a low and demeaning voice, as he shot an evil glare in Harry and Draco\'s direction. “And would like to recover some of it.”

The two accused boys lowered their heads, glancing sideways at each other.

“Today, people,” Snape insisted.


~*~*~*~*~


The four young wizards arranged the desks so they could set up chairs in a circle. Snape of course took the top of the circle followed by Draco, Harry, Ron and then Hermione. However it wasn’t quite a circle. More like two half circles separated with enough space between them that the three was facing the two. A strange silence fell over the group. It seemed everyone was waiting for another to begin. Snape took a deep breath in exasperation, but Harry finally spoke up before the Professor could spout off.

Clearing his throat loudly, “I’ve been wanting to tell you both…for awhile…why I have been… uh, different.”

“Brilliant start, Potter,” Draco whispered, rolling his eyes.

“Shut it, Malfoy!”

“Ron! You’re not helping,” Hermione snapped. “Go on, Harry.”

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” Harry said, looking at the ground as he started to stand.

Protests from the other four shouted loudly.

“Harry! Please. Ron didn’t…”

“Oh no you don’t, Potter!”

“Mr. Potter, I am here out of…”

“Let go of him, Malfoy!”

Everyone was standing, ready to grab Harry, but it was Draco that had held him in place.

“I said let go of him! What are *you* doing here anyway?”

The young Slytherin opened his mouth, but it wasn’t his voice that cried out.

“Because I asked him to, that’s why!”

The four of them went silent as they watched the angry boy panting with rage. His eyes were narrowed and locked with the redhead’s.

“Harry,” Draco whispered, gently shaking him. “Harry,” he said a little louder. “Harry!”

“What?” he snapped, breaking his stare with Ron to look at him.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. It was a bad joke,” he said grinning softly. “You don’t have to do this, but … you know as well as I do… that you should.”

Harry closed his eyes, took a deep breath and held it. Hermione and Ron watched the interchanged between the two boys in shock with mouths open wide. They both thought the same thing, but it was Ron who said it out loud.

“’Harry?’ Malfoy called you ‘Harry’?”

Draco lifted his eyes and gave Ron an amused look while Ron narrowed his eyes and sneered.

Harry released his breath and looked up at Draco. “You’re right,” he said, slowly nodding.

“Of course I’m right. I’m always right.”

Ron opened his mouth to whip out an insult but the young witch next to him pulled on his arm hard. She shook her head ‘no’. Ron frowned at her then plopped down his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. The other four took their seats again and Harry glanced, one by one to each of them and He briefly closed his eyes again before he spoke. This was going to be more difficult than Harry thought. He flinched when he felt a hand on his leg and looked up. Draco smiled warmly at him and nodded as if to say ‘it will be all right, I’m here for you.’ Again, Ron and Hermione mouths fell open again.

“Mr. Weasley,” Snape started, clearly to get the boy’s attention. The redhead turned his head, mouth still agape. “It took a lot on Mr. Malfoys part to convince Mr. Potter to talk to you both, so I suggest you try to be a friend and *listen*.”

Ron’s face turned scarlet and sheepishly glanced at Hermione who had an eyebrow raised in agreement. The freckled boy curled his head down and nodded.

“Harry?” Hermione asked softly. “Please tell us..”

Harry lifted his eyes to his young friend and nodded. “It’s really hard, Hermione.”

“I know, Harry. But please … try. We want to help too.”

The raven-haired boy took a few short breaths and straightened himself right in the chair. “Okay.”

Biting his lower lip, Harry’s brows wrinkled, trying to sort out his rapid thoughts. He timidly looked over to his two best friends who were waiting patiently. He gave them a forced smile and they instantly smiled back.

Harry let out a quick sigh and began.


~*~*~*~*~


“After my first year at Hogwarts, things started to … change… at the Dursleys.”

“Like what?”

Harry pursed his lips together and looked away, ashamed. Hermione shushed Ron and Draco gave one loud grunt at him.

“S-sorry,” Ron whispered.

“Go on, Harry.”

Harry nodded and shifted his eyes to the floor. “Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were a little more… lax with me, but Dud-...” he stopped as the word got caught in his throat. A hand was immediately on his leg. Harry patted the hand and nodded to indicate that he was all right. “Dudley…” he took another breath. “Dudley and his friends… uh… treated me differently.”

Hermione and Ron listened quietly as their best friend told of his nightmare that happened ever summer, all the while gripping each other’s hands and tears running down their face. Every once in awhile the young witch covered her mouth in horror and the young wizard wiped his nose. Harry, who hadn’t been looking at anyone at this point, glanced at the two of them then quickly looked back down.

“And the bad dreams I’ve been having have been about… that,” Harry finished as he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Harry barely lifted his face and peered over at them through his fringe. Ron and Hermione were frozen in their seats, faces drained of all their blood. Realizing the hideous tale was over; Hermione jumped out of her seat, her hand covered her mouth, and began searching for the nearest loo. Professor Snape called out after to her to help.

Ron sat motionless with his eyes blurred and obviously out of focus. Draco, who had been intently watching Harry throughout this, noticed Harry’s dark and embarrassed look change to confusion. He followed his stare and saw Ron’s face still iced over with terror.

“Ron?” Harry asked quietly. “Are you all right?”

His friend blinked once and croaked, “Yeah.”

“Are you sure? It’s all right if…”

And that’s when Ron’s body thawed. “NO IT’S NOT BLOODY ALL RIGHT!”

Harry flinched and jumped up, knocking the chair over.

“You mean to tell me that this has been happening for four bloody years and you couldn’t tell me?! Your BEST FRIEND?”

“Weasley,” Draco warned.

“NO! And you shut up, Malfoy!” Ron yelled. Turning back to Harry, “And that’s another thing! How is it you told MALFOY and not me? Malfoy of all people! Suddenly *Malfoy* is now your best friend?”

“No, Ron. It’s not like that,” Harry exclaimed, shaking his head frantically.

“How long has *he* known about it? Is that why you didn\'t come to me?”

“Ron, wait. Let me…”

“You don’t have to explain anything, Harry! It’s obvious why!” he cried, pomnting down to the two boy’s hands interlocked. “I didn’t know you needed *that* kind of friend!”

Harry took in a sharp breath and jerked his hands away from Draco and fled out the back entrance.

“Harry! Wait!” Draco yelled out. The normally pale boy’s face was red-hot from anger when he turned to confront Ron. “You stupid idiot! How dare you!” he screamed. “Do you know how hard it was for him to tell you what happened?”

“Oh, but he had no problem in telling you…”

“Shut up! The only reason he told me was because I beat it out him! Literally!”

Ron grimaced.

“That’s right, Weasel! I can’t believe that he spilled his heart out to you and all you care about is your bloody pride!”

“I-I…”

“He finally told you because he needs your help not your petty jealousy, you selfish bastard!”

Draco huffed one more time before running out in search of his friend. Ron was still standing there unable to move. One part of his body did move, however, and it was only because the liquid blocked his vision.


~*~*~*~*~