Cabin Fever (dm.hp)

E I G H T

☽ ☽ ☽

A soft whoosh of robes alerted the boys of Dumbledore's presence. In his rush to greet him, Harry toppled over the back of the sofa and landed spread eagle. He could hear Draco sniggering behind him.

"Piss off." He grumbled under his breath. He stood with a grunt, smoothed out his clothes and straightened his glasses, attempting to keep a dignified look on his face. The blonde rolled his eyes dramatically, brushing past Harry on his way to the kitchen table. Harry was only a step behind him, and accepted Dumbledore's warm embrace. He patted Harry on the back before giving his shoulder a squeeze.

"Harry, my boy. You look well." Dumbledore's eyes held their usual twinkle. "And Draco, healthier than I've seen you in years."

The paler boy flushed a delicate pink. Dumbledore motioned with his hand for Harry to take a seat next Draco. With a jolt in his stomach, Harry noticed that the old man's hand was black as night, withered. It looked dead. Harry looked up at Dumbledore with wide eyes and made a noise of protest, about to demand information, but his mentor simply waved that charred looking hand again. Harry took the hint that now was not the time. He glanced over at Draco, who had also noticed. His eyes wouldn't leave the hand, his lips parted in surprise.

"Sir, I know you're here for our lessons, but I have to ask... Is there any new information? Will we be able to leave soon?" Harry asked hopefully. Out of the corner of his eye he saw pain flash across Draco's face before he quickly composed himself, expression disinterested as ever.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I don't have anything I can tell you at the moment. You will just have to be patient, and have faith in me, in the Order. Can you do that?"

Harry nodded, feeling defeated. He noticed that Draco was once again picking at his nails, looking like he was about to explode if he didn't say something. The Slytherin took a deep breath.

"What about my family? Surely they've been asking about me. They haven't heard from me in weeks!" Draco's voice had a whiny edge to it. Dumbledore shook his head slightly.

"Nothing yet, Draco. I will alert you as soon as they come looking."

Draco ran his fingers through his hair and choked out a frustrated noise. Now both himself and Harry were in rotten moods. Wonderful.

"Enough chit chat for the time being. I think you'll be quite pleased to find that I was able to bring over potions kits for the both of you, as it is a wandless magic, we'll have no problem catching you up theoretically and practically..." Dumbledore trailed off, reaching into a small coin purse he had pulled out of the pocket of his plum coloured robes. Miraculously, he produced two cauldrons, two Advanced Potion Making textbooks, and a literal trolley stocked with ingredients. Harry made a mental note to ask how in the world he had managed that. "Now, if you could please open your textbooks to page 183...."

Harry groaned. Even in the middle of nowhere, he could not escape potions.
•••
Once Dumbledore had finished packing up the potions supplies, he bid Draco farewell but asked Harry to follow him to the front door.

"Harry, I fear that things are far more complicated than I could have ever predicted," Dumbledore's voice was a low whisper so as not to be overheard. "Voldemort's army is gaining numbers and momentum each day."

"Why didn't you say that before, sir?"

"Well... Harry, it is very important that you keep this information to yourself. The truth of the matter is, Mr Malfoy's parents have indeed been looking for him. They have assumed that he's being held hostage for various reasons. The Death Eaters have also been made aware of your absence." Dumbledore said darkly. "However, I do not believe they have made the connection between you and Draco."

"So what does this mean, sir? What's going to happen to him? To me?" Harry's anxious eyes searched Dumbledore's face for more answers. "What happened to you?!"

"It is quite a thrilling tale, but a tale for another
time nonetheless. Do not worry yourself, I will be fine. But to address your other concerns, Harry- Draco must be kept away from Voldemort and his followers until the end of the school year. That is essential." Dumbledore grasped Harry's shoulders firmly, as if he could squeeze understanding of the importance of his words into the boy. "I implore you to give him reasons to willingly stay. He could use a friend more than anything. After all, there is no stronger magic than love."

What did he mean, Harry though, talking about love? Harry didn't love Draco. Not in a million years. Did he suck him off? Sure. Did he stare at the blonde's ass for around 12 hours a day? Possibly. But love the slithery slimy git? Never.

"Harry," Dumbledore's voice brought Harry back to reality. "Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?"

"Yes, sir. Be Draco's friend so that he doesn't kill everyone. Sounds fun." Harry said dryly. They had been getting along just fine until Draco began calling his friends cruel derogatory slurs again. Harry would not stand for that.

"Harry, please take this seriously. This is a great responsibility."

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry."

Dumbledore's gave Harry a gentle smile, but the twinkle had faded from his eyes.

Harry blinked, and he was gone.