At Your Doorstep

Chapter 3: Where Am I?

.: Flashback :.

“You have something I want Harry Potter…” A voice hissed.

Harry groaned and forced his eyes to open; all he saw was darkness, except for a flickering candle light in the back of his dingy cell.

“I… You’ll never get it bastard…” Harry spat; he then coughed, blood trickled out from the corner of his mouth, “No matter what you do to me, you’ll never get it.”

Harry closed his eyes and breathed through his mouth; it hurt everytime he took a breath. He was lying on his side, his skin was warm and the coolness of the ground underneath felt almost comforting. Harry knew the infections in some of his wounds were causing him to heat up; pain racked his body so Harry didn’t even bother to move at all.

“You’re one stubborn man aren’t you Harry?” The voice sounded so far away to Harry…

“… Call me whatever you want,” Harry grounded out; he clutched his stomach and felt a bump near his ribcage. His rib was broken and most likely his lung was punctured.

Harry opened his eyes again and saw someone moving stealthily closer to him. The person’s face was covered by the shadows and Harry didn’t recognize the voice.

“Do you wish to die Harry?”

Harry shakily brought his hand to his mouth and wiped the trail of blood away; he dropped his hand back down onto the floor. The cut on his arm opened wider from the movement and Harry bit his parched lips to stop himself from screaming in pain.

“I… I rather die you filthy bastard!” Harry snarled and felt warm blood seeping out from his gash on his arm.

Harry heard the man chuckled and shuffling of clothes meant his captor was crouching before him. The green eyed man felt the tip of the man’s wand under his chin. The person was so close yet Harry still could not see his face…

“You may find your wish granted sooner than you think,” The mysterious man spat.

Harry heard more shuffling; the wand was gone from under his chin. Harry looked up and the last thing he saw and felt was a flash of red that came forth from the wand and a burst of searing pain.

Then he knew nothing more.

HPDMSS

Harry screamed; a layer of sweat covered his face. He slowly opened his eyes and blurry images assaulted him. Harry then blinked a few times and adjusted to the sunlight in the room.

‘Room? Where… I thought I saw Snape and Malfoy before I…’

“How are you feeling Potter?” a voice sounded to his left.

Harry moved his head slowly to the side; each movement gave him bursts of pain, but he felt slightly better than before, when he was held captive in that dark, cold cell…

“Who… Where am I?” Harry asked hoarsely; his throat felt like sandpaper. He swallowed a few times and found that it hurt to do so. Harry tried to sit up but a hand stopped him; the green eyed man flinched and the other person pulled his hand away.

“I’m sorry…” the person apologized, “You’re at my house Potter. Well mine and Severus’.”

Harry looked up and saw a head full of silver-gold hair. His gaze went lower and found a pair of intense stormy grey eyes. They were filled with sorrow and something else. Harry swallowed again before he spoke.

“Malfoy? What am I…” Harry coughed, “What am I doing at your house?”

“We would like to ask the same question," Draco moved closer, "How did you get here in the first place Potter?” the blond asked; Harry was taken aback on how Malfoy had actually spoken to him without any malice, “Do you remember anything before you passed out?”

Harry closed his eyes; images of the red light, the dark room flashed across his eyes. He remembered feeling intense pain across his chest then wishing with all his might to escape that hell room. Harry remembered a tingling sensation before he was sucked into a dimension and then landed on a grass covered ground a moment later. Harry had felt rainwater falling on his face. Everything was so hazy to Harry he was surprised he recalled all these things. Then he saw himself clawing the dirt ground, trying with all his remaining strength to crawl up to the house before him. Harry knew he never saw the place before but had felt he would be safe inside. He was halfway up the stairs when darkness took over.

“I… remember some things,” Harry whispered; he tried to sit up again and this time he let Malfoy hold his arm and helped him. Harry folded his hands on top of his lap before continuing, “I think I Apparated here… But I’ve never been here before and I don’t know why I actually landed here out of all places.”

Harry started coughing and Draco reached to the side and handed Harry a glass of water. The blond held the glass as Harry took a few sips of the cool water. The raven-haired man sighed and leaned back against the headboard.

“Why are you treating me so nicely?” Harry muttered; Draco set the glass down on the bedside table and arched his eyebrow.

“What do you mean Potter? Would you rather have us leave you outside and let animals eat you?” Draco scoffed, “People might walk by and see your dead body and think we’re murderers.” Draco turned his head away to the side and smirked, “I assure you Potter that is the last thing me and Severus want people to think.”

“You both hated me…”

“That was the past you thick headed Gryffindor,” Draco sneered, “If I can put it behind then so can you.” The blonde’s expression softened as he looked at the pale face of Harry, “Besides, you’re badly hurt… You have to let us treat you.” Draco patted Harry’s covered legs lightly; Harry jerked his legs away.

“I don’t… I don’t want you to touch…” Harry shifted away from Draco.

“You were screaming last night, saying how you don’t want us to touch you… Do you remember?” Draco asked; his grey eyes peered deep into the emerald orbs.

“Not really… I wasn’t fully conscious was I?” Harry looked down at his hands and started to twirl his thumbs, “But I do remember fainting again…”

“You were delirious Potter,” Draco told the other man, “Severus treated most of you wounds, but he said your internal injuries would have to wait until you’re fully awake.”

Harry looked up at the blond then at his arms. It was true; he found no gashes or cuts whatsoever. All that was left were thin, pink scars.

“Thank you…” Harry murmured, “If I Apparated anywhere else… I might’ve died.”

“Don’t thank me Potter, Severus was the one that healed all those cuts,” Draco’s lips curved up into a smile, “He’s at the shop right now and should be back at nighttime.”

“Shop?” Harry asked, befuddled, “What shop?”

Draco chuckled and placed both of his elbows on the bed and leaned closer to Harry. He placed his chin on top of his folded hands.

“Severus retired from Hogwarts three years ago; you didn’t know that did you?” Draco almost laughed at Harry’s confused expression, “Well he left and came here to open a flower shop. Just so you know there are witches and wizards living in this village so Severus’ shop also acts as an apothecary.”

“Does Snape sell flowers as potions ingredients and normal bouquets?” Harry asked; he found himself interested in learning the new lives of his former enemies.

“Yes he does; he specializes in Aromatherapy, if you know what that is,” Draco answered. Harry nodded slightly to tell the blond he knew what it was.

“Severus makes oils for people that are in the treatment. They’re mostly for elderly people though,” Draco sat back in his chair and crossed his legs, “He told me that, if you permit it, he would like you to be treated with Aromatherapy as well.”

“Me?” Harry’s eyes widened, “Why?”

“Aromatherapy not only calms a person’s mind, but it also helps with injuries such as yours,” Draco waved his arms at Harry’s chest area, “Massaging with the specific essential oils would help you heal nicely.”

“It doesn’t… sound that bad I guess,” Harry frowned, “But I don’t think I… I’m ready to let you…”

“Touch you?” Draco asked; Harry nodded, “Potter, I don’t know what your reasons are, and we’re not going to pressure you into telling us. But we do wish you will tell us when you think the time is right.”

“I will… I owe you guys only so much after all you’ve done for me,” Harry looked away from Draco, “Give me time and I promise you’ll know why.”

Draco smiled and both men sat in silence. It wasn’t until Harry started his coughing fit again did Draco moved and gave Harry his water. The Gryffindor took the glass graciously and took huge gulps of water to soothe this throat.

“Thanks…” Harry smiled wryly as he handed the glass back to Draco, “So… uhm… do you work at the shop?”

“Huh? Oh yes, I work as Severus’ assistant,” Draco replied, “I deliver the oils to the elderly that cannot come to the shop themselves.”

“I see…”

Harry had a small smile on his face; he hadn’t smiled so much ever since he was captured by that man. Each day in that cell was passed with pain. Harry thought he would never see sunlight again while he was there. Now, there was so much sunlight Harry thought he might melt from the brightness.

“You know, once you are well enough, you can come with us to the shop,” Draco offered.

Harry stopped smiling and looked at Draco as if the blond had three heads.

“Go to the shop? Are you guys… letting me stay here at your house?” Harry blinked at the blond owlishly.

Draco laughed, “Of course, we’re not throwing you out into the wilderness you know.”

“I… I don’t know what to say…” Harry muttered; tears were swimming in his eyes. It had been awhile since anybody cared about his well being.

“Just rest for now, Severus will be glad you’re awake and that you are healing nicely,” Draco told the other man; he reached across the bed and held Harry’s cold, clammy hands. The green eyed man did not flinch away this time and Draco was inwardly happy about this. “I’ll check on you again later, okay?”

Harry relished in the warmth Draco’s hand radiated. It felt nice, but Harry still wasn’t sure if he could so easily trust him and Snape. But somehow, he knew that these two would do him no harm. In fact, Harry hadn’t felt so safe in other people’s presence for a long, long time. He politely wrenched his hand away from Draco’s and gave the blond a small pat on the hand. He slunk down into the blankets and looked into Draco’s eyes.

“Thank you and Severus for… For doing all this,” Harry said softly, “but I do hope you both will understand if I still… act guarded around you.”

“It’s alright Potter, we won’t force you,” Draco said and stood up from his chair, “Rest now.”

Harry yawned and snuggled deeper into the blanket; he winced when he moved his foot. Draco noticed and frowned at Harry.

“Severus fixed your broken ankle last night, but it might still be sore.” Draco informed, “Try not to move it so much.”

“Oh… okay,” Harry’s eyes fluttered close, “I’ll… see you later Draco…”

Draco was about to walk to the door when he heard Harry called him by his first name. At first, the blond was shocked but then he smiled.

“Rest well Harry…” and Draco made his way to the door and left.

HPDMSS

.: Flashback :.

“You have what I seek Harry Potter…”

“No… No… you’re not getting it…” Harry whimpered in pain; he was tied to a chair, his arms twisted painfully in the back.

“What you have, hidden deep inside you, is the power I seek…” The voice hissed.

Harry screamed as he was enveloped in red and everything was black.

HPDMSS

A/N: I hate having to put "flashback" for the parts that are suppose to be italicized. But I can't make the text into italics : Sorry about that...

Yay! Thank you letlijah for telling me how to italicize! :D