Some Dangerous Liaisons

A/N: Thanks to all who have hung in there with me during the writing of this. I know it is taking me forever to update, but believe that I haven't abandoned my story. I will finish it! Thanks to all the reviewers and those who are reading!

Hope you enjoy!
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Dirty Pretty Things

“Get Professor McGonagall!!!”

“No!! They’ll put him back in the hospital wing forever this time!”

“What’s wrong with him?? He almost killed himself and Dean!”

“He wasn’t going to really do it! He was just kidding. You heard him laughing!”

“That wasn’t a ‘ha-ha’ laugh! That was an “I’m really crazy and I’m You-Know-Who’s right hand man” kind of laugh! He tried to kill me!”

“Dean, he did not! Harry wouldn’t do that! He’s been under a lot of pressure. He hasn’t been well. But we need to get Professor McGonagall.”

“What’s going on? Why is Harry on the floor bleeding?”

“Neville, it would take too long to explain. But Ron hit him in the head with a bottle. He’s been out cold and we can’t wake him up. I even tried to enervate him, nothing is working.”

Neville peered down at the drawn and worn face of his most famous housemate. A nasty, purple colored knot was growing on Harry’s forehead. Ron looked on guiltily from his seat on the back of the couch, while Hermione and Ginny crouched over him. Dean, Colin and another fifth year hovered nearby.

“Someone go get Madam Pomfrey,” Hermione said, as she gently touched the knot on Harry’s head. Rivulets of blood had flowed down the side of his face and onto the ancient carpet.

“Is it the drugs?” Neville whispered as he sat down on the floor next to Hermione. “Maybe he’s OD’d or something.”

“I don’t know, Neville! Just…go get Madam Pomfrey!”

“Wait! He’s moving!” Ginny hissed. She pushed Hermione to the side and lowered her face over Harry’s. “Harry?”

Harry blinked once and the room swam into focus. He cringed as a pair of brown eyes hovered anxiously over his face.

“What…what’s going on?” Harry struggled to sit up, but the pounding in his head and the blood racing through his veins, temporarily immobilized him. He swayed dangerously and he felt hands on his back. His mouth felt like cotton.

Ginny looked him hard in the face. “You don’t remember what happened?”

Harry’s hand flew up to his head. “Ouch! Someone hit me…wait…” He looked up to see Ron leaning against the couch. “You hit me with something!”

Ron crossed his arms and looked angry. “You were acting like a mad-man, Harry! You jumped out the window with Dean! You were going to jump with him!”

Harry blinked slowly and twisted his head to look at Dean. “I-I don’t know what to say, Dean. I’m…sorry.” He bit his lip and shook his head. “I don’t know what happened. Everything…is so weird in my head.”

Dean stomped forward with his eyes flashing angrily. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, Harry, but stay the fuck away from me and Blaise! If half of what I’ve heard about you is true, you’re mental! You should be in St. Mungo’s! If you come near me again, I’ll report you and tell the whole school you’re a drug addict!”

He turned on his heel and stomped up the stairs. Harry stared after him. Hermione turned worried eyes to Harry. She touched his arm.

“It’ll be OK, Harry. He’s just upset. He’ll come around. Come on, let’s get you up and to Madam Pomfrey.” She pulled his arm, but Ginny pushed her hand away.

“He’s not going back to the hospital wing, Hermione! She’ll never let him out!” She looked hard at Harry. “You don’t want to go back there do you, Harry?”

“No, I just want to go to my own room.” He struggled to stand up and Ginny helped him. Ron snorted from the couch.

“Ginny, you’re wasting your time. I told you, you have tits, not bits.”

“Piss off, Ron!” Ginny snapped. “You’re just jealous because I’m going to work through all of this and your slut of a girlfriend slept with some other bloke.”

Ron glowered darkly and Hermione narrowed her eyes. “You know what, Ginny? I’m sick of your dirty mouth! Maybe you need to ask your brother why I dated Seamus in the first place. You both act so high and mighty, but don’t look at your own mess! You both can go to bloody hell!”

She looked apologetically at Harry, who was still holding onto Ginny’s arm. She ran to her room.

Ron’s scowl deepened as he watched Hermione disappear up the staircase. He looked back at Harry and Ginny. “Yeah, you both can go to bloody hell,” he said weakly. He staggered off towards the male dormitories.

Neville and Colin both looked sad as they gave Harry sympathetic looks. Ginny smiled triumphantly.

“Don’t worry about them, Harry. It’s OK. I’ll take care of you. They’re not real friends if they abandon you at the first sign of trouble, right? I’ve always been here for you, haven’t I? Please let me take care of you.”

Neville and Colin moved forward to help Harry. “We’ll take him, Ginny. It’s no problem, he’s right next to my room.”

“NO! It’s…fine. I’ll take him, Neville. Don’t trouble yourself, since it was you who started the whole thing about him taking drugs in the first place.”

Neville blanched and swallowed hard. “Ginny! I would never do anything to hurt Harry! I didn’t want it to get out like this! I don’t know who spread the rumor, but it wasn’t me!”

Ginny rolled her eyes and looked at Harry, who appeared to not even notice what was going on.

“Come on, Harry. Let’s get you to bed.”

Harry looked at her and nodded. Anything to get him to his room and away from his housemates.

Harry didn’t say a word as Ginny led him upstairs to his room and directed him to the bed. She looked around for some pajamas and found a pair in the dresser by the wall. She handed them to him.

“Put those on, Harry.”

Harry looked at the pajamas and then at her. He had no intention of getting undressed in front of her.

Ginny seemed to read his mind. “Oh, come off it, Harry. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. And you must really think I’m a horrible person if you’d think I’d take advantage of this situation.” She huffed and crossed her arms, frowning. “You must really hate me.”

Harry sighed. “Ginny, I’m sorry. I don’t hate you. I’m…Merlin. This has been the worst few weeks of my life. I’m just tired.” He stood up and began stripping down. Ginny gasped when she saw the scars on his body.

“Harry! Gods! What happened?” She reached out to touch the slightly puckered flesh.

Harry pulled away abruptly and he hurriedly pulled the pajama top over his frame. “It’s nothing, Ginny. I’m fine.” Images of tearing his own flesh raced through his mind and he grimaced slightly.

Ginny tilted her head, but didn’t comment. Despite his weight loss, the dark shadows under his eyes and unhealthy tone, Harry still looked beautiful to her. She longed to hold him close and cover him with kisses.

She smiled instead. “Well, it’s bed for you. Come on, in you go.”

Harry chuckled at how much she sounded like her mother. He decided that he wouldn’t insist she leave first because he was too exhausted to start another argument. He climbed into his bed and snuggled down into the soft comforter. He shivered and moaned softly and Ginny leaned over him, kissing his lips gently.

Harry snuggled deeper into the soft comforter as tremors continued to wrack his body.

Ginny stood watching him.

“Harry, are you all right?”

Harry emitted a low moan and Ginny made a decision. She climbed into the bed next to him and wrapped her arms around him, brushing her fingers through his dark hair.

“Don’t worry, everything is going to be perfect. I won’t let anyone near you to hurt you again.”

--------

Harry woke to see a pale leg draped across his hip. He sat up quickly and saw the leg was attached to Ginny. Ginny?

Harry pushed Ginny’s leg away from him and slowly got out of bed. He ached all over and he wasn’t sure why. But the bigger question was why Ginny was in his bed.

“Ginny? Wake up.” He nudged her roughly.

Ginny grunted and yawned. She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Harry.

“You’re up. How’re you feeling?” She sat up and swung her legs out of bed.

Harry shrugged and cleared his throat. “I hurt. All over.”

Ginny smirked. “Well, you did have quite a night. That was quite a scene with Dean and my stupid brother hitting you in the head with a firewhiskey bottle. I should owl Mum and tell her he’s become a drunk.”

Harry hung his head. “I don’t know why that happened with Dean. It…happened so fast.”

Ginny came around to stand in front of him.

“Don’t worry about them, Harry. It was just an accident. Ron said you’ve been…well…doing drugs or something. Is that true? I don’t believe that crap about Malfoy. And he’s engaged anyway. To Parkinson. Everyone knew he was going to marry her. All week, they’ve been showing off the engagement ring. I think it’s ghastly. Big, ugly thing…but they seem happy.”

Harry missed the calculated smirk that crossed Ginny’s face because he had looked away towards the bathroom.

“Ginny, I’m going to take a shower, OK? Ummm…thanks for looking out for me.”

Ginny stepped a bit closer. “It’s no problem, Harry. Everyone treated you so horribly. I’m here for you always. It’s nice to be…needed again.”

Harry winced at the hope that flooded her face.

“Yeah…thanks again, Ginny. Maybe I’ll see you later or something.”

Ginny’s eyes widened and she let out a gasp. “Oh…Harry. Yes! You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that. I’ve missed you so much!” She laid her head on his chest. “You have no idea what I’ve gone through. I love you so much, Harry.” She ran her hands over his chest. “I won’t ever let you go again, Harry. We belong together.”

Harry abruptly pulled away from her. “Ginny, please. Don’t start that again. I just want to be friends. Why can’t you understand that?”

Ginny looked as though Harry had slapped her, but then her gaze became cool. Harry blinked.

“I understand perfectly, Harry. It’s you who don’t understand. But you will in due time.” She tossed her hair back and left him standing there to gape as she stormed out of the room.

“And everyone is saying I’m crazy!” Harry snarled to himself.

He removed the rest of his clothes and headed for the shower. Harry let the hot water run over him for thirty minutes. His mind was racing with everything that had happened the night before. Snape, seeing Draco and Blaise, the confrontation with Ron, almost killing Dean and now Ginny. And on top of all that, he felt terrible. The ache in his bones continued and he never felt warm. It was the exact opposite of before.

He didn’t want to think about Draco. Seeing him last night felt like a knife in his chest. And now Ginny had confirmed the engagement and everyone knowing about it. He had been a fool to get involved with Malfoy. Was it really the demon that had guided him to Draco? That would make sense. But Harry wished it had taken his feelings with it when it left.

Because right now, he felt like he wanted to die.

------

After he had finished showering, Neville poked his head through the bathroom door.

“Harry? You want to go get something to eat? It’s almost the end of lunch.”

Harry couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten.

“Yeah, I’ll go.”

Neville beamed and waited for Harry to finish getting ready. He had missed his friend and was extremely worried about his health. Despite Harry’s stint in the hospital wing, he looked worse now then he did before the break.

By the time they had reached the doors of the Great Hall, Harry was beginning to have second thoughts. From the sound coming through the doors, it seemed that the hall was still full of students. He had hoped that he would be able to avoid most of them.

“Neville, I think I’ve changed my mind. I’m not really all that hungry.” He turned to leave, but Neville grabbed his arm.

“Come on, Harry! Please. I don’t want to eat alone.”

Harry sighed. “Fine.”

As soon as they entered the hall, it seemed that the noise stopped abruptly. All eyes from every table were fixed on them as they hurriedly walked to the Gryffindor table. Harry didn’t look at anybody but quietly picked up a sandwich and forced himself to take a bite.

A low buzz began again as everyone resumed their conversations, albeit the conversations were now all about him.

He looked up when he felt a body sit down next to him. Hermione smiled at him.

“I’m glad to see you in here because you really need to eat. You’ve lost a lot of weight. And I’m sorry about abandoning you last night. I just get…so mad sometimes.”

Harry grimaced as he choked down his sandwich. “I hadn’t really noticed.” He put the sandwich back on the plate and reached for some pumpkin juice. His nausea increased.

“Yeah, you have. And you look like you haven’t slept in weeks. Are you sure Madam Pomfrey let you leave? Did she say anything to you about…things like what happened last night?”

Harry shrugged. “I really don’t know, Hermione. She just acts like I’m going to be the next Voldemort or something, the way she kept looking at me up there.” He scowled darkly.

Hermione sighed and lowered her voice. “She’s just worried. We all are. I was so scared for you at the…ritual. We all thought you were going to die. We just want to help you. Help you get better.”

Harry looked down at his plate. “How many people know about that, Hermione? Everyone is looking at me like I am Voldemort.”

Hermione shook her head and leaned in closer. “I don’t think anyone knows about that, Harry. Even though Ron is being a prat, he hasn’t told anyone. Well…except that stupid outburst last night. But no one was really paying any attention to him. He’s been ranting all week about ‘people betraying him’. Honestly, he’s in a right snit. I wished he would just shut up.”

Harry snorted dryly. “Fat chance, that. You know Ron. He’s like a Death Eater with a Muggle in its mouth.”

“Harry, that’s a horrible thing to say!”

Harry rolled his eyes. “So? It’s the truth. He’s been an arse most of this year. I don’t really care right now. He shouldn’t have hit me.”

“Well, maybe if you hadn’t jumped out of the window with Dean, he wouldn’t have! Someone had to stop you!”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “I see you’re back to defending him, eh? Guess you two worked things out.”

Hermione pursed her lips. “Hardly. Believe me, I’ve had enough of the Weasleys for this year.”

A shadow fell across them and Hermione sat back with an anxious look on her face.

Harry frowned. “What’s the matter, Hermione?”

“Unlike you, Mister Potter, Miss Granger knows when to shut her mouth, albeit, it took the better of seven years for that lesson to sink in.”

Hermione’s eyes blazed with anger, but she wisely kept quiet. Harry let out a low groan. Please…not now.

Severus’ eyes flicked over the top of Harry’s head. Harry kept his eyes on his plate. Maybe if he ignored Snape he would go away.

Yeah, right.

“Mister Potter, it would seem that you left the hospital wing without Madam Pomfrey’s approval. I believe that a detention will be in order for your usual insolence.”

Harry raised a shaky hand to run fingers through his hair. Severus watched the shakiness with interest.

“Mister Potter, you will look at me when I’m speaking to you.”

Harry’s head whipped up to glare at Snape.

“Anything else…sir?” It was hard to keep the anger out of his voice. And the fear.

Severus took in the boy’s pale, sweaty face.

Severus ran his tongue over his teeth. “You will report to detention tonight at seven, Potter. And eat up, you’re going to need your…strength.” He gave a knowing smirk and turned on his heel. Harry’s heart sank and he stared morosely at his full plate.

Neville scooted close to them again. Neville had perfected the art of invisibility whenever Snape came anywhere in the vicinity.

“I’m so glad that I don’t have him for class anymore.”

Hermione clucked irritably. “He’s so unfair! I mean, really! ‘It took seven years for that lesson to sink in…’ Ughhh…” She glanced up at Harry and frowned.

“Harry? Are you all right? You don’t look so good. You should really go back to Madam Pomfrey’s.”

Harry had gripped the table as a wave of nausea hit him full on. He struggled to keep what little bit of lunch he’d eaten inside of him.

“I’m…fine.” He reached for the pumpkin juice, took a sip and promptly vomited right into his plate.

Neville jumped up in shock and banged his leg against the table. He howled in pain and every head turned to stare.

Just in time to see Harry paint another coat of vomit across the Gryffindor table.

“GROSSSSSS!!!”

“EWWWWWWW…”

Harry was mortified, but was in too much pain to really care. As his insides heaved mercilessly, he was astounded to realize that he could still make out Draco’s blond hair, which was attached to his very concerned looking face, which was staring at him from the Slytherin table.

Hermione leapt up as well, but reacted much better than Neville. She grabbed her wand and quickly vanished the mess. She started rubbing Harry on his back, trying to calm him down.

Whispers began rising in pitch.

“Merlin, he looks terrible.”

“Remind me never to try drugs…”

“I’d take care of him…let him get addicted to me…”

------

Hannah Abbott leaned over and whispered to Ernie at the Hufflepuff table, “Thank god Justin isn’t here to see this. He’d be over there playing nursemaid. I don’t think I can handle any more Malfoy conspiracy theories.”

Ernie rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it. He hasn’t shut up all week about Harry’s disappearance. But now that he’s back…”

Ernie glanced at the unfortunate Gryffindor, who was now attempting to shove Hermione away from him, no doubt preparing to flee the Great Hall in utter disgrace.

Ernie turned his attention back to his housemate.

“Justin needs a swift kick in the arse, Hannah. This whole thing has been a right mess. He can’t handle someone like Harry. And Malfoy…” He lowered his voice and looked around anxiously. “Malfoy marrying that Parkinson cow is just a ruse. Mark my words, Hannah. This thing is hardly finished. Justin is going to get hurt if we don’t step in and stop him from making a bigger fool of himself.”

Hannah frowned. “Well, what if we’re wrong, Ernie? I mean, everyone knows that Malfoy was set to marry Pansy. They’ve been together forever. I still can’t believe that he was…with Harry. Maybe Justin will get back together with Harry. It would make him so happy.”

“Hannah, you didn’t see Malfoy’s face when he came to our dorm. I know what I saw. Malfoy is only marrying her probably because his mother is making him.”

Ernie looked around and lowered his voice. “Malfoy is in love with Harry. And he’s going to make life hard for Justin if he tries to pursue Harry again. His father is a Death Eater for pete’s sake! Justin is in way over his head if he thinks he can take on Malfoy. If love makes you this stupid, make sure I never fall in love.”

“But Malfoy is still engaged. He can’t interfere with Harry’s relationships! That’s not fair! Justin and Harry deserve a chance to be in their own relationship!” Hannah argued.

Ernie stared at her incredulously. “Do you really think that Malfoy cares about what’s fair? He only cares about what he wants. And in this case, it’s Harry.”

They stole a glance at the Slytherin table. Both watched as Malfoy’s eyes followed Harry’s progress out of the Great Hall. And groaned when Justin entered the hall at the same moment that Harry was leaving and witnessed Malfoy’s rage filled silver eyes.

----

Harry just wanted to disappear through the floor. Or Apparate as far from Hogwarts as he could. He couldn’t believe he had just threw up in the Great Hall! In front of everyone! What was wrong with him? He felt shaky and he was sweating up a small storm. It felt like ants were crawling all over him.

He had just cleared the hall doors when he felt a hand on his arm. He roughly pulled away.

“Don’t touch me!” He hadn’t meant it to come out so roughly, but he couldn’t help it. The touch practically seared through his skin.

“Harry?”

Harry didn’t even bother to see who it was. He just bolted from the hall and ran for the stairs. He made it as far as the top of the staircase when he realized that someone was still right behind him.

“Harry! Are you all right? What’s wrong?”

Harry turned and saw Justin panting beside him. His large brown eyes were full of concern and hurt. He approached Harry slowly.

“Harry, I...just wanted to talk to you. Please, don’t be mad at me.”

Harry immediately felt contrite. “Justin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m…not feeling very well.”

Justin nodded slowly and put his hand in his pocket. He pulled out a small colored pill.

“Are these why you don’t feel well, Harry?”

Harry’s eyes widened and he reached for the pill. The sight of that little pretty candy suddenly made him feel so much better. If he could just have one.

“Oh…Justin. Thank Merlin. I don’t know where you got that, but I don’t even care.”

Justin closed his hand over the pill and put it back in his pocket. He watched Harry’s eyes narrow slightly.

“I got it from Malfoy, Harry. These are drugs! He gave them to you, didn’t he? He’s got you hooked on drugs??”

Harry slammed a hand over Justin’s mouth. “Shhhh…lower your voice, Justin! I don’t need the whole school to hear that.” He looked frantically around as two first year Gryffindors scurried past.

Justin scowled. “So it’s true then? I couldn’t believe it when I took this home and had my uncle take a look at it. He’s a Muggle pharmacist. He told me it was a very dangerous drug and was going to turn me in for even having it! I could’ve gone to Muggle prison for this! I knew Malfoy was trouble and I was right!”

Harry grabbed Justin’s arm and pulled him the rest of the way upstairs and towards a small alcove.

“Justin, just listen. Malfoy didn’t get me hooked on drugs, OK? It’s not his fault.”

“You’re going to defend him even now, Harry? After what he’s done? He’s a drug dealer and now he’s gone and dumped you for Pansy, to get married. And he doesn’t even care!”

The sharp pain of Justin’s words coursed through him and Harry closed his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter, Justin. I don’t want to talk about Malfoy.”

Justin reached out his hand to rub Harry’s arm. Justin had missed him so desperately. He had spent all of Christmas hols trying to think up ways to win Harry back from Malfoy. He knew he would have to be crafty and cunning, traits not associated with Hufflepuff, but he was desperate.

He was all set to bravely challenge Malfoy to a duel when they had returned to school, news that had caused minor coronaries in his Hufflepuff housemates.

Ernie was on his way to fire-call St. Mungo’s for Justin, when word had spread that the Slytherin Prince was engaged to Parkinson. Justin had crowed with delight, but upon not being able to find Harry, had turned obsessively paranoid and broodish, and accusing the Malfoy heir of keeping Harry locked in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. Ernie and Hannah had given each other worried looks.

Justin was relieved that Harry didn’t pull away. He inched closer and silently wailed at how gaunt and ill Harry looked.

“Harry, I want to help you get better. I know what drugs can do. I had a family member who…got hooked on cocaine. It was a huge secret of course, but I saw what it did to her. She got help and she’s doing well now. I want to help.”

Harry turned tortured eyes to Justin. “Justin, it’s not…that bad. I’m fine. The rumors aren’t true. I don’t even know how they got started.” His eyes roamed over Justin’s pocket that held the pill. “How many of those do you have?”

Justin frowned. “A few, why?”

Harry swallowed thickly. “Justin…can I have one? I mean…I can take it to show Madam Pomfrey. I was on my way there.” A thin film of perspiration was erupting on his forehead.

Justin pursed his lips. “I can take it for you. I’ll go with you.” He moved forward to walk around Harry.

Harry grabbed his arm. “No! I don’t want you to go. I don’t want you to…see me talk to her. Please! It’s already bad enough that I have to go to her now. Justin, don’t you trust me?”

Justin’s insides shrank at Harry’s words. “Harry, I-“

“You don’t trust me! Fine…then leave me alone. I’ll deal with things myself.” He turned abruptly and started down the corridor. Justin stood gobsmacked and then rushed after him.

“Harry, wait! I do…I do trust you. I-I just want to be there for you. I still love you! I’ve been so miserable without you. I forgive you for going back to Malfoy before hols. I know it wasn’t your fault. He’s been controlling you with these. I want us to be together again, like before, but better. You don’t need these, Harry. And you don’t need to be alone anymore. I’m here for whatever you want. Please…give me…give us…another chance.”

Justin’s eyes radiated hope and uncertainty.

Harry stuck his hand out. “Then if you love me like you say, then will you trust me enough to take the pills to Madam Pomfrey…alone?”

Justin tentatively reached into his pocket and pulled out five pills. Harry’s eyes widened and he let out a long breath. Justin had these all this time? He only needed a couple. He would give the rest to Madam Pomfrey.

Justin felt the pills in his hand. Oh god…if he gave these to Harry…he would be his. Harry would love him for this. It would show that he trusted Harry and what was a relationship without trust? Harry Potter.

Justin loved him so much. He wanted Harry with every fiber of his being. Those moments they had been together last term had been the best of his life. He wanted more…for it to last forever. Justin knew he wasn’t special though. He didn’t have much that would keep Harry’s interest, except unconditional love and someone devoted entirely to his well-being.

He wanted Harry well.

Justin looked back into impossibly green eyes that were surrounded by dark circles of baggy flesh.

He closed his hand around the pills. Merlin give me strength….

“No, Harry. I’m not going to give you these. I’m going to give these to Professor McGonagall. She can tell me what to do with them.”

Harry snarled angrily and he grabbed Justin and shoved him into the wall. “No you won’t give those pills to McGonagall! You’re going to give them to me! Now!”

Harry grabbed Justin’s wrist and tried to force his hand open. Justin yelped and fought against Harry’s attack. Harry was bigger than Justin, but in his weakened state, Justin was able to push Harry away and grab his wand. He pointed it at him. Harry bristled furiously.

“Harry, please! Don’t make me use this against you! I love you, OK? But I’ll hex you…I will. You’re not yourself, right now. You need to go to Madam Pomfrey’s right now! I’ll take you! But don’t do this.”

“I’m not going! Just give me the pills, please! I’ll do whatever it is that you wanted before, OK? You want a relationship, right? Well, we can do that…but only if you give me one…just one. You can do whatever you want with the rest…Justin…please.”

Justin’s mind and heart were screaming two very different things. And it was deafening.

His wand hand shook as he pointed it at Harry.

“Harry, please. I-I can’t. It’s making you sick. Look at how you’re acting. This isn’t you at all. You just attacked me! You were head of the DA, you fight against Dark wizards and you’re the most honorable person I know! And look at you…you’re ready to beat me up over these! Harry, can’t you see that! You need help!!”

Harry stared at Justin as though petrified. His mouth worked but no sound came out. He fell away from Justin and hit the floor with a loud thump. Justin gaped as he saw who was standing behind him.

Hermione.

With her wand out.

“Hermione? What did you do to him?”

“I just put him in a Body Bind, Justin. I didn’t want him to…hurt you or himself.” Her mind was keenly tuned into last night’s activities.

“He wouldn’t have hurt me! He was just a little upset, that’s all.”

Hermione rolled her eyes and levitated Harry from the floor. “Justin, please don’t say anything about all of this, OK? Harry has been through enough. I’m going to take him to the hospital wing.”

Justin nodded. “Look, Hermione. I love Harry. I don’t know if you knew about us or not, but I would never do anything to hurt him. I know about his drug problem. I just want him better. I won’t tell anyone.”

Hermione gave Justin an appraising look. He seemed genuinely concerned for Harry’s well-being. She knew how doting he was before the holiday. She also knew that Justin was a bit obsessed with Harry, just as Ginny as. That was not healthy and she didn’t want to give the Hufflepuff any false hopes.

Even though she did not approve of Draco Malfoy in the least, she saw how much the Slytherin also cared about Harry. And how much Harry had cared about him…at least that’s what the images had shown during the ritual.

“Thanks, Justin. Harry will come to appreciate that when he’s well. Just give him some time, OK? You’ve been a good friend to him.”

Hermione quickly cast a Notice-Me-Not Charm and hurried away with Harry in tow.

Justin watched them go and he turned to go back down the staircase.

He didn’t see the red light of the stunner that hit him in the back.

Nor did he feel the hands that reached into his pockets and removed the pills.

“Ennervate.”

Justin blinked. “What the hell…!”

“Obliviate!”

-----

The look on Madam Pomfrey’s face when Hermione entered with Harry would have melted granite.

“Put him on that bed, Miss Granger.”

Hermione placed Harry on the bed she indicated. “Harry got sick in the Great Hall, Madam Pomfrey. He vomited and was shaking and was sweating a lot. And just now, he was threatening another student.” She hesitated on mentioning what had happened the night before.

Poppy nodded. “Yes, he’s suffering from withdrawal. All these months of taking those drugs were numbed by the demon presence. Now that it’s gone and he’s no longer being buffered by it, he’s hit full scale withdrawal.”

Hermione rubbed her hand across Harry’s arm. “Will he be all right? How long will he be like that?”

“Not too much longer thankfully. We’ve finally got what we needed from St. Mungo’s.”

She pointed her wand at Harry. “Finite Incantantum!”

Harry sat up abruptly and pointed an accusing finger at Hermione. “You hexed me, Hermione! How could you?”

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off by Poppy.

“Mister Potter! I daresay that you have finally crossed that final line with me! I can’t believe the arrogance that you have displayed by simply ‘discharging’ yourself! And in the middle of the night! Such blatant disrespect…” She trailed off and Harry blinked when he heard an expletive leave her lips.

Harry jumped guiltily and stared at Poppy.

“I’m sorry, I was ready-“

“Do I look like I care that you’re sorry? Now hush, while I finish what I’m doing.”

She pulled her wand and began casting diagnostic spells over him. After several moments of muttered ‘hmmmsss’ and ‘ohhhhss’, she consulted her floating parchment.

Poppy pursed her lips. “You are going through withdrawal from the drugs you’ve been using. With pure wizarding drugs, there is an antidote that can be taken to help alleviate the suffering. But the drugs you’ve taken have been mixed with Muggle science or chemistry. This is going to require a different solution. I knew this was going to be a problem when I tended to you during your…ordeal. We have finally received the required ingredients from St. Mungo’s for a new potion. Professor Snape has kindly agreed to brew it for you. He said it would be ready tonight. He says you are to get it from him personally so he can explain the instructions.”

Harry’s spirits sank. Of course it would be Snape. So not only did he have detention with the man, now he had to get a potion from him as well. This was not working out well at all.

“I can give you a Calming Draught to give you a little relief, but that’s all I can do. You’ll just have to suffer with it until tonight. I’m sorry.”

Hermione gave Harry a sympathetic look and took his hand. “Harry, I can stay here with you if you want.”

Harry looked up into Hermione’s face. “Thank you, Hermione. I’ve don’t deserve your friendship. After everything that I’ve done…and…oh…Justin! I can’t believe that I did that to him. Is he all right?”

Hermione nodded. “He’s fine. He understands and he says he just wants to help. But don’t worry about all that right now. Just try to rest until you have to go to Professor Snape and get the potion.”

He nodded weakly and took the potion that Madam Pomfrey handed him.

-----

Pansy was afraid of Professor Snape.

Even though he was her Head of House and had never done a nasty thing towards her, the man terrified her.

It didn’t help that he was Draco’s god-father and that her soon to be husband practically worshipped the ground the man glided over.

She needed some advice about how to handle Draco and his moods. Narcissa hadn’t been much help in her owl she had sent, so Pansy decided to take a different approach.

She would ask Professor Snape for advice on Draco.

She had left the Slytherin common room to head to Snape’s classroom. She knew he often did detentions on weekends, so he most likely would be in one of the labs.

Pansy poked her head around the door of the potions classroom. She saw no sign of Professor Snape anywhere, but the candles were lit, meaning that he had been there and would return. She noticed a bag sitting on the floor in front of the desk. A Gryffindor tie hung carelessly out of it.

Pansy smirked. A Gryffindor’s open bag just waiting for a nice little hex. Pansy pulled her wand and stalked over to it. Let’s see…what hex would be hilariously funny to do? She thought for a moment and settled for a bug crawling jinx. She smiled and was just about to cast the spell when she heard a small sound from the corner of the room.

She lowered her wand. Maybe it was Professor Snape in one of the storerooms. But then where was the missing Gryffindor? She frowned and then heard it again. It sounded like a whimper.

Pansy raised her wand again and moved slowly towards the noise. She had passed Professor Snape’s desk, a place that no student had ever crossed before. Who would want to? Behind the desk and off to the left was a door, hidden in a small nook. There was another door in there? In all her years here, she had never noticed it before. It was slightly ajar.

Pansy moved toward the door and cautiously peered around it. It looked like another storeroom, but this one had a few pieces of furniture. There was a cauldron sitting in the middle of the table, bubbling softly. And…

Pansy’s eyes widened.

Well…there was the missing Gryffindor.

Professor Snape was standing very close to Potter.

Too close in Pansy’s opinion.

His hand was caressing Potter’s face. Potter looked like he was going to be sick. He also looked suspiciously dazed. Pansy watched in revulsion as Professor Snape’s hand grabbed Potter’s and pulled it inside his own robes. A look of bliss crossed the potions master’s face and he moved forward to gently kiss Potter on the neck.

Pansy’s mouth fell open in shock.

Professor Snape was talking.

“Yessss, Harry…just like that.” His voice was even lower than normal and he almost sounded like…he loved Potter or something.

She could tell that Potter’s hand was moving quickly under the robe.

Pansy backed away from the door, almost tripping over her own feet.

She hurried back to the classroom and ran for the door, her heart thumping in her ears and her stomach twisted in knots.

Professor Snape and Potter?? What until Draco hears about this! He’ll never want to touch Potter again.

She froze at the door.

This was wrong. No matter how much she hated Potter, he didn’t deserve to be treated like that by a teacher. If he were in his right mind, she wouldn’t have really cared. But it was obvious that he was doing this against his will. She had seen that glazed over look on too many faces. It was either a Confundus Charm or the Imperius Curse.

But Professor Snape would kill her if he knew she’d seen what he was doing with Potter. This was none of her business. Potter was supposed to defeat the Dark Lord, so surely he could handle a teacher? But it didn’t look like he was handling too much of anything…well, maybe he was handling something…like Professor Snape’s cock.

Pansy made her decision. She turned around and called out loudly, “Professor Snape?”

A few tense moments passed and Pansy waited, rubbing her hands nervously. She saw Professor Snape appear from the side of the classroom with Potter in tow. She released the breath she had been holding and swallowed thickly at the look of pure rage on the man’s face.

“Ummm..Professor. I’m sorry to disturb you but I have a House matter to discuss.” She chanced a glance at Potter, who was still standing dumbly behind him.

“And you must discuss this with me right now, Miss Parkinson?” His tone was ice cold.

Pansy raised her head boldly. “Yes, sir. It’s important.”

“Very well, Miss Parkinson.” He turned to Potter, who was uncharacteristically quiet.

If Pansy hadn’t known that something was going on, she would’ve missed the almost imperceptible flick of Professor Snape’s wrist in Potter’s direction. Potter blinked twice and looked at her.

“You will follow instructions to the letter, Mister Potter. Report back to me any changes that you experience. Now get out.”

Harry hurried forward and reached to grab his bag. He looked at Pansy again. She was not looking him in the eye, but slightly past him. And her cheeks were flushed. Had she seen anything?

Harry didn’t wait around to find out and he quickly fled the classroom. Once outside he leaned up against the wall and thanked the gods for Pansy Parkinson.

After Harry collected his thoughts, he straightened up and headed away from the classroom. He turned a corner and ran straight into…

Draco.

“Watch where you’re go-“ Draco hissed, but stopped short. His eyes widened when he saw who it was.

Harry pulled his bag back onto his shoulder. “Yeah…sorry about that.” He walked around Draco.

Draco whipped around and grabbed Harry’s arm. “Potter! What are you doing down here?”

Harry scowled. “Back to Potter, eh? None of your business, Malfoy”. He jerked his arm out of Draco’s grasp. “I don’t have to answer to you.”

Draco sneered. “Fine, Potter. Be an arse, then. I was just making conversation. Being polite.”

Harry smiled. “OK, well here’s a polite tip then. Get lost. You’re fiancée is just around the corner with Snape. No doubt waiting to show you wedding china.”

Draco’s eyes narrowed. “You were with Snape? How cozy.”

Harry ground his teeth. “And what’s that supposed to mean? He had something for me!”

Draco scoffed. “Yeah, I’m sure he did. His arse in the air for you. Just like everyone else in this fucking school.”

Harry turned crimson. “Just shut up, Malfoy! You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!”

“Oh I don’t?? I saw you with him, Potter! I saw you with Severus during the ritual!! That pretty picture’s been stuck in my head for weeks!”

Harry paled. “You saw that?? It showed you all…that?”

Draco turned away. “Yeah, I saw you stick it to my godfather. How perfect. And I was there when my best friend had your cock in his mouth!”

Harry’s throat constricted and a hollow feeling filled his stomach. He felt tears burning the back of his eyelids. He forced himself to keep it together.

“It wasn’t my fault, Draco…it wasn’t…” His breath caught and he knew any minute he would probably be crying. How humiliating!

Draco looked at Harry sharply. “Oh my god! Are you about to cry? This is rich.”

Harry’s tears dried up with the shot of anger that spiked through him. “NO! I’m not crying! Piss off, Malfoy!”

He turned to go, but was grabbed roughly by Draco. “I wasn’t done talking to you, Potter!”

Harry shoved Draco’s hand away. “Well, I’m done talking to you, Malfoy! Get off me and go find Pansy!”

Draco grabbed Harry’s robes and he jerked the boy forward. Harry struggled against Draco’s grip, but his bag fell down his arm, hindering him.

Draco snarled, “Potter! Just listen to me! I didn’t want this! The engagement just happened. I couldn’t stop it!”

“How does an engagement just happen? You had to know about it! You told me you weren’t with her anymore!”

“I’m not! I wasn’t! My mother…Pansy…she found out…about the drugs and us…and blackmailed me. I didn’t want to agree but I didn’t know what else to do! You were…gone and I didn’t know where you were or how to help you!”

“Well, I’m gone for good now, right? So everything should be just fine for you now! All’s well in the Malfoy kingdom! The precious heir is marrying the pureblood princess!”

“What the bloody hell is wrong with you, Potter? Did you hear what I just said? You Gryffindors are so fucking stubborn! You don’t listen to anything but what you want to hear!”

“I hear just fine, Malfoy! I hear wedding bells for you and Pansy. So just leave me alone!”

“So you can run back to that Hufflepuff? Is that what you want?”

Harry shook his head in disbelief. “What? What does that have to do with anything? You’re the one getting married, so don’t worry about who I’m running back to! It’s none of your business!”

“The fuck it isn’t! You are my business and if you think that it’s over just like that, then you don’t know me very well, Potter!”

Harry opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by Draco slamming his lips against his.

Harry instantly responded, dropping his bag to the floor with a crash. He wrapped his arms around his blond lover’s neck and worked his lips furiously against him. Draco pulled Harry forward, crushing the boy to his chest, his lips and tongue working just as hard and fast.

They both came up for air, gasping. Draco looked at Harry and Harry stared back, no words between them.

Harry ran his hand gently over Draco’s cheek and Draco closed his eyes and turned and kissed Harry’s hand.

Harry moaned softly and Draco opened his eyes. He grabbed Harry by his robes and pulled him towards the door of a nearby classroom.

Harry put up no argument. Despite a small weak voice giving some warning about Snape sending him to Azkaban.

Once inside the room, Draco spelled the door shut and pulled Harry back into a passionate kiss, backing up until Harry hit the back of a desk. Harry ran his hands through Draco’s hair, while Draco nibbled down Harry’s neck and collarbone.

Harry moaned and Draco’s hand wandered down to the front of Harry’s pants. He felt the large erection and Draco gave a groan.

“Gods, Potter…”

Harry sucked in his breath while Draco continued to rub his cock through his pants. Harry quickly put his hand on Draco’s.

“Shit, Draco…”

Draco unbuttoned Harry’s pants and pulled his cock out. It was warm and thick in his hand and Draco’s mouth watered. He quickly got down on his knees and hungrily took him into his mouth.

Harry’s cock pulsed in his mouth and Draco sucked eagerly, his hands holding Harry’s hips in place. Harry moaned loudly as he felt the wet heat of Draco’s mouth pleasuring him.

“God…soo…good…” Harry panted. He looked down to see Draco’s lips pursed around his length, sliding in and out of his mouth. Harry whimpered and he thrust forward greedily, wanting more.

Draco pulled Harry’s firm arse closer to him, taking him in as far as he could. Harry cried out and came. Draco swallowed the familiar tasting snack. He loved Harry’s taste. The cock was still spurting when Draco heard Harry gasp.

“Draco…fuck me…now.”

Those words went straight to his already rock hard erection. He was so hard it was painful and he didn’t need to be told twice. He stood up so fast that he made himself dizzy.

Harry’s head was thrown back and he was yanking his pants the rest of the way down. He sat back on the table, with his arse right at the very edge.

“Now, Draco…please…”

Draco hurriedly cast the lubrication spell and lowered his pants. He ran his fingers down the cleft of Harry’s buttocks and felt the tight puckered opening. He pushed his way inside with his fingers and Harry writhed. By the time Draco had the third finger in, Harry sat up on his elbows and looked hard at Draco.

“Show me that you love me…and not her.”

Draco’s heart pounded at those words.

He pushed the head of his throbbing cock into the hot hole. Harry hissed, but opened his legs wider. He pushed in more and grabbed Harry’s thighs. The tight heat almost undid him, but he fought to keep from coming.

He had something to prove.

Draco made love to Harry in that dungeon classroom that night.

Every slow sensual thrust that Draco made sent shivers down Harry’s spine. Draco found Harry’s prostate and he thrust so gently against it, that Harry was begging and practically in tears from desire.

Draco looked down at the boy beneath him as Harry bit his lip and tossed his head from side to side, whispering Draco’s name and encouraging his movements. It was then that Harry opened his eyes and they locked on Draco.

Draco couldn’t hold it anymore and his hips bucked forward, slamming into the moist hole. He leaned over and Harry lifted his head to meet his. They were so close their noses were touching and Harry silently mouthed.

I love you.

“God, Potter…only you…always you…” Draco held Harry to him, as he emptied his love into Harry’s willing passage.

Draco continued to hold Harry, his breathing heavy. Harry kissed his cheek and Draco looked at him. Harry smiled sadly.

“What are we going to do?”

Draco pulled out of Harry and quickly cast cleaning spells on both of them. He began putting on his clothes.

“I don’t know, Potter. But I’ll figure out something.”

Harry slid off the table and pulled up his clothes as well. “Snape has forbidden me from talking to you anymore. He practically told me he’ll have me sent to Azkaban if I do.”

Draco’s head popped up. “What? He’s blackmailing you? I can’t believe that!”

Harry snorted. “Well, if he finds out about this…”

“He can’t do that! I won’t let him. That’s ridiculous!”

“Yeah well, he can pretty much do whatever he wants. But he at least gave me the potion for the withdrawal. He could have let me suffer.”

Harry had spent the long afternoon doused in sweat and tremors, writhing in pain. Hermione had bravely held his hand through it all, wiping his brow with cool cloths and reading to him. Harry twisted in agony while he tried to find comfortable positions.

The first taste of the withdrawal potion had soothed the sharp ache in his body. He had wanted to cry in relief. He had to take the potion for three days in order to purge him completely of the addiction. He hadn’t wanted to think about the rest of his time with Snape. He couldn’t exactly remember what had happened, but he knew it was bad, whatever it was.

Draco looked at Harry’s face. The dark circles were still there, but not as pronounced.

“I want to kill that Bulstrode fuck for getting you hooked on that shit. Azkaban is too good for him. I’d hex his balls off and watch him bleed.”

“He’s in Azkaban? Why? How?”

Draco nodded. “We went and found the bloody bastard. Him and that half-breed. He’s in Azkaban, but I don’t know what happened to the other one.”

“You did that…for me?”

Draco stared at Harry for a moment. “Yes.”

“Who went with you?”

“Severus and Lupin. Lupin took care of the werewolf, since they’re both bloody animals.”

Harry frowned at this, but Draco shook his head. “I don’t mean it like that. I mean, I don’t like werewolves, but Lupin is all right I guess. He’s a friend of yours, so he cares about you. He worked hard to help you…and me.”

Harry smiled at that. “I know how hard that must have been for you to say. You actually said something nice about someone I care about.”

Draco snorted. “Well, don’t get used to it. I still don’t like Weasley. And Granger…”

Harry held up his hand. “OK…that’s enough. I don’t want to talk about that.”

“Come on then, we need to get out of here.” Draco headed towards the door and Harry followed. When they reached the door, Draco turned towards him. He kissed him gently on the lips.

“I’ll figure this all out. You…get over this drug thing.”

Draco left out of the door and Harry waited a few minutes before he left out. He realized he’d left his bag out in the hall. He picked it up and headed to Gryffindor Tower and a well-deserved rest after the day’s activities.

-----

It was past midnight when Harry felt someone standing over his bed. He jumped up, grabbing his wand.

“Lumos!”

Ginny stood there, her hands clenched in a tight fist.

“Ginny? What are you doing in my room?”

“Harry, remember when I told you that you didn’t understand that we were meant to be together?”

“Ginny! It’s the middle of the night! What the hell do you want?”

“No Harry, it’s what do you want.”

“I don’t have time for games. Just…get out. Please.”

“I saw you, Harry. I saw you with him, tonight. I had detention with Snape. And I saw your bag in the hall. I wondered where you were and I saw the closed door. I’m so glad my brothers are inventors, Harry.”

A wave of panic went through Harry. “What are you talking about Ginny?”

“I SAW YOU! I saw you with Malfoy!! He was shagging you, Harry and he was sucking you off! And you were letting him!!”

Harry got angry. He threw the covers back and swung his legs out of bed. Ginny didn’t move.

“It’s none of your business, Ginny! What I do with my personal life is my business!! We’re not together anymore, Ginny! I’m tired of this shit…just leave me the fuck alone! Now get out of my room before I do something that I’ll regret.”

“I’m afraid that I can’t do that, Harry. And I don’t regret what I’m about to do. Not at all.”

“And what are you going to do, Ginny? Blackmail me, tell everyone?? I don’t even give a damn what the hell you do! You have no fucking idea what I’ve gone through the last few months…so do your worst. I don’t give a shit!!!”

Ginny smiled.

And slowly pulled her wand and pointed it at Harry. “Stupefy!!”

Harry didn’t duck out of the way fast enough. The spell hit him and he fell backwards onto the bed.

Ginny calmly walked over to him and climbed on top of him. She reached into her robes and pulled out…

A pill.

She leaned over and kissed him.

And lovingly put the pill in his mouth.