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CHAPTER SIX

He was mine. She couldn't have him. But she did, she had him. More than I did.

The despair that rose in my chest was stronger than anything I had ever felt before. I let it fester until I could take no more and with a harsh cry started to pound on the window in front of me. My hits made the glass shake in its frame but it obviously had an unbreakable charm on it because that is all that it did.

I heard the door crash open behind me but did not stop pounding the glass before me. I only registered the screaming as my own when hands pulled me gently away from the window and laid me on the floor. I moaned and curled in a little ball, too overcome with my hurt once again to understand what was going on. I could hear his voice calling to me but I dove for the blackness, wanting it to desperately take my pain away.

With one last harsh cry I sank into the blackness with a wish to never surface again.

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Waking up when all you had wanted to die would piss just about anyone off. Needless to say, I was furious. I thought if I died he could live. He wouldn't hurt anymore because I wasn't there to hurt him.

Didn't I say I hated my friends? Well, if I didn't, I'll say it now. Merlin, they get on my ever-loving last nerve.

I don't know how they did it, who they called, or what they had to promise, but here I was awake, in a strange room, alive. Right then, I hated so fiercely, they should be glad I was alone.

The room was done up in dark colors, without my glasses I couldn't tell if it was blue, black, green or dark red, just that the whole atmosphere of the room was...muted. It also made me feel safe for some odd reason. My body felt different, not as sore or as...dead, as it had been feeling lately. That made me think that I had been here for a long time, a very long time.

I tried to look around the room to see if it could give me any clues as to were the bloody hell I was, but I could see nothing but vague outlines of what could only be furniture. There was a glass of water on the table beside me and I wanted it, badly. My throat was dry. Slowly I raised my arm towards the glass and was surprised that I was able to do it.

Shakily I maneuvered the glass to my lips and with the help of my other hand was able to tip it enough for the cool, clear, liquid to flow into my mouth. Water had never tasted so good. As I was putting the glass back, slowly of course, I saw my glasses. Putting them on I was now able to look about the room. I saw I was in a very eloquent looking room. From the satin looking drapes to the bearskin rug before the roaring fire, yes, this room just screamed money.

My thoughts were broken into by the opening of a door and my mouth fell at the vision that walked in. Long pale hair that shined in the firelight, sharp blue eyes that saw at first glance that I was awake. Soft pink lips that lifted in a smile.

"Welcome back, Mr. Potter." Soft melodious voice that was music to my ears.

Not knowing what to say I just nodded. This woman looked awfully familiar. She went to the fire and with a pinch of powder watched until the green flame was occupied before saying two words, "he's awake."

I didn't hear what the response was. In fact I wasn't really listening. There must have been something in the water because I was growing sleepy again. I tried to protest but the only sound that came from my throat was a whimper. It did get the beautiful creatures attention and she whirled to face me. With a gentle smile she said, "sleep, questions will be answered when next you wake."

I really didn't want to go to sleep again without the questions I had running through my mind answered, but the drug I had ingested left me with little choice. With a glare and a growl I succumbed to the pull of the healing sleep I still so obviously needed.

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It was nighttime the next time that I awoke. I reached for my glasses and looked about the room. I was alone again. Sighing, I thought that I should be used to that feeling, after all, I had made sure that alone was exactly what I was going to be. This was the first time that I had a chance to think about the last thing that I could actually remember happening to me.

Pounding on the glass after seeing my Love with another. Screaming for death to end the hurt. Hoping and praying that the blackness that was approaching was the final end so that I didn't have to see that ever again.

Not wanting to think about that anymore in the fear that the blackness would come back, I tried to get up. Big mistake. I guess I was still too weak.

I managed to push the heavy quilt down and pull my legs to the side. That first action brought a light sheen of sweat to my now shaking body. My heart sped up and my breaths quickened but I still thought that I could do it. I got my legs to the side of the bed but I was now sitting at a very uncomfortable angle. I pushed with my shaking arms until I was leaning against the large pillow I had been propped up against. I knew that was as far as I was going to be able to go for a while.

I leaned against the pillow and waited for my still weak body to quit its shaking. I hated being weak but I knew that what was wrong with me was entirely my own fault. No pity party here, I thought, I knew where to place the blame.

Seeing her with her arms around Draco had broken something in me. And coming right after the semi-fight we had had, well...I thought I had lost him. I still felt that sense of loss deep in my gut and I knew that he was gone. Once again no one to blame but myself.

Hearing a soft birds cry I wanted to make it to the window alcove to see if I could look out and tell where I was. With a sharp groan and an indrawn breath I used the table beside my bed to pull me up. Good thing the table was made of really sturdy wood because it had to take all of my weight. The pain in my legs was excruciating. I finally managed to get the shaking in my legs under control and I used the wall and a chair to make my way to the bay window. I settled myself as comfortably as I could onto the cushions of the window before I looked out to see what I could see.

When I was able to look out of the window I was amazed at the breathtaking view. A beautiful garden that went on for as far as I could see. Stone paths and alcoves with little ponds and what looked to me to be a maze in the far distance. I had never seen a more stunning view. Unfortunately, the view didn't give me a clue as to where I was. Though it did reinforce my earlier thoughts that this place belonged to someone very well off.

I didn't know anyone that rich. Except for Draco, I think his family is the second richest in all of the Wizard world. Why would I be in Draco's house? Am…am I in Draco's house?

The door opened and I slowly turned my head and saw that lovely woman from before and I knew that I was in Draco's house for standing there in the doorway was his mother. She looked frantically around the room before she saw me sitting at the window. I saw the tension leave her body and was concerned.

"Is everything all right?" I managed to croak out loud enough that she could hear across the wide expanse of my room.

"Yes, I was just concerned when I did not see you in the bed." Mrs. Malfoy assured me.

"What am I doing here?" I asked in as cold a tone as I could manage. A look of confusion crossed her face as she stared at me. Did she not know why I was here?

"You were sent here to get well. I assure you, Mr. Potter, I am fully qualified to take care of you." Ah, there is the haughty woman I remember.

"I am not doubting that, Mrs. Malfoy. I only ask why I am here and not at Hogwarts." Again I made sure my tone was cold though I did add a bit of respect into it, after all, she had watched over me for a very long time.

"I was told that it was no longer safe for you there and that you needed to heal." I could tell that that was not all by the fact that she wouldn't look me in the eye.

"By whom?"

"Excuse me?"

I sighed, obviously she had been told not to answer my questions. "Who told you this? Who sent me here? Why am I here?" I fired the questions at her. She drew herself up to her full height and looked down her nose at me. Her stance reminded me of Draco and I could not stop the flinch as I watched her. I hadn't meant to make her mad I just wanted answers.

"My son." Was her now cold reply as she watched me for my reaction.

I had already known the answer to her question I think. All I could do was nod my head. "Is…is he here?" I asked hesitantly as I looked at her in apology.

"No, he could not be here until after dinner. I did not expect you to wake again until then." She answered understandingly. She moved gracefully to sit beside me and took my hand in hers. "He was so very worried for you."

I sighed, "I hurt him."

"No, you scared him." I looked to her and realized she must have been told the whole story of how we danced around each other for years and then when we had finally realized what we wanted it was too late because he had to asked Pansy to marry him.

I weakly tried to get up to stand but didn't have the energy and I flopped back onto the seat behind me in an ungainly pile.

"Here, drink this." She handed me two vials and though I was horrid at potions even I could tell a they were a general healing potionand a pain-relieving potion. Taking them with a grateful look I quickly downed them both trying not to grimace at the dry taste that was left in my mouth.

"He is marrying her." I knew my voice was defeated and I couldn't stop the tears from gathering to fall from my eyes.

"No, he is not." She said very firmly as she tightened her grip on my hand.

"But…" I looked at her with the first faint hope in my eyes, "he asked her."

"He had too." Mrs. Malfoy explained gently, "before his eighteenth birthday he had to be engaged to get his inheritance. He turned eighteen two weeks ago and the paperwork was finalized the next day. He thought he had no chance with you so, he asked her. He told me he went to see you but never had the courage to say anything to you. If your friends had not of told him everything that you were going through then, yes, he would have went through with the marriage."

"What are you saying?"

"As of two weeks ago the engagement has been broken."

"He did that?"

"Yes, for you."

"Why?"

"I do believe my son loves you, Mr. Potter."

I stared at her in shock and my face flushed in embarrassment. "I-I-"

She smiled at me and chuckled, "I thought that would get to you."

I could only look at her and try to keep the faint hope from before from blooming in my chest. I so wanted her words to be true. Please Merlin let her words be true.

"I love him."

She patted him on the knee and stood, "good. Now, lets get you showered and dressed for when he gets here."

I felt my face flush but I stood on shaking legs to follow her to the bath, hoping with all of my being that Draco did still love me.

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I had just finished the light meal of broth and crackers that Mrs. Malfoy, she had insisted that I call her Narcissa but I had politely declined until Draco said it was okay, had brought me when the door opened and a cloaked figure rushed in.

Without thinking I lunged for my wand. In my panic I didn't hear my name called out but thankfully I was still weak so that I was slow and had only gotten my fingers wrapped around my wand when the rushing body hit me and knocked me back onto the bed. The second the arms wrapped around me I knew that it was Draco. With a sob I turned to burrow as far into the arms of my Love as I could get. From far off I heard talking and then the door closed quietly and we were alone in the room.

"Don't you ever do that again, you hear me!" Draco whispered as he placed kisses all over my face.

"I'm sorry." I whispered back as I pulled him tight and gave him a kiss that made my own toes curl with want.

For several minutes we kissed and just held each other until the fear that we had for each other was eased somewhat. I finally pulled back to take a good look at him and he looked better than I had seen him in a long time.

"You are so beautiful." I whispered to him. I loved the blush that graced his cheeks at that.

"Why did you send me here?" I finally asked. A shadow passed over his face but he nodded once before he got up and making sure I was comfortable sat in the chair by my bed.

"When you collapsed we were all scared for you. The only one we could trust was Madam Pomfrey so we took you to her." I watched as he talked and I could see the fear that he had for me all over him. It made my love for him soar in my chest and I couldn't stop the soft smile. "She stabilized you but warned us that you couldn't stay there. The Headmaster had already figured out that something was going on and Hermione couldn't hold him off any longer. Greg was almost caught when the Polyjuice potion ran out as he was making his way from the Great Hall that night at dinner. We all knew we didn't have much time but we didn't know what to do. Vince got an owl from his father warning him of an attack later that night so we knew we had to get you out of there."

He reached over to grab my hand and we shared a loving smile. I knew, in that moment, that no matter what came at me from then on I would no longer be alone. I had friends and I had an amazing love that would be there for me when I needed it. I had never felt better in my life than right then.

Draco lifted my hand and settled a kiss on the back of it that seemed to burn my skin. I couldn't stop the hiss of breath that came from me nor the desire I knew that was shining in my eyes. He smirked at me before he continued on with his story, "when Ron came running into the infirmary saying that Fudge was on his way down, we panicked. Madam Pomfrey gave you a potion that knocked you completely out and we got you out of there with the help of your trusty invisibility cloak." He leveled a glare at me and I just smirked back. With a roll of his eyes he went on, "I got you to the Leaky Cauldron and then I owled my mother and she agreed to take you in. You are in her family home in France. You have been here for over a month."

"And Voldemort? The Ministry? Dumbledore?" I asked in a voice that I knew was cold but couldn't change it.

"Does it matter? They will all have their time, this is our time now. Can we deal with one problem at a time right now? Mainly your health that my mother has spent weeks on improving." Draco said sharply.

"She has been very kind." Draco was blushing at my compliment and it made me smile again. "I owe her much."

"No, Harry, we owe her nothing."

"We?" I asked hesitantly.

"You can't be thinking that I will ever let you go after this, can you?" Draco demanded in the haughty way that had made me first come to love him.

"Will you?" I had to ask just to be sure.

"Never." He promised as he stood up to lean over me. "You, Harry James Potter belong to me, Draco Nicholas Malfoy."

"Forever." I promised. Whatever came would come. But that was worry for another day.

"Forever." He agreed before we kissed to seal our bargain.

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Life is about pain. Pain is about hurt. Hurt is about healing. Healing the hurt is painful.

Finding the one to both hurt and heal you, that is life.

THE END

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Thank you very much for reading this story. I can't express my gratitude to each and every one of you more than this: THANK YOU.

LMG