Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Roundabout Way	By : kelle611 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 18532 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. No profift was made from this.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Pairing: Harry/Draco

Prompt #: 28 .

Rating: strong NC17

Word Count: About 35K.

Summary:: Veela are very sexual creatures, and when Harry wakes up on his 18th birthday he finds himself unbelievably horny all day long. Draco walks in on him in a restroom and finds Harry wanking, and since he's wanted Harry for a long time he's happy to offer to "scratch the itch" for him. Since neither realizes that Harry's a Veela who's just come into his inheritance, they also don't realize they've just bonded by having sex - until the distance nearly kills them both when they part ways afterward. Now they've got to live together while they figure out how to undo the bond...

Warning(s):(highlight to read)*a lot of sex, some on the rougher side but all consensual, bonding, mild D/s concepts, mild violence, sexual harassment, dirty talking Draco, mention of mpreg but none present, mentions of past abuse*

Beta: A huge thank you to niteshine.

Note Written for Valentine Veela fest on livejournal, comments are love and all feedback is highly appreciated.

Disclaimer: This piece of art or fiction is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros. Inc. No money is being made, no copyright or trademark infringement, or offence is intended. All characters depicted in sexual situations are above the age of consent.

X_x_X_x

Harry woke to his arousal once again, the throbbing coming from his groin driving him to distraction. With a sigh, he reached for his length without even opening his eyes, sighing happily at the blissful feeling as he engulfed himself in his hand. He was just about to start stroking when he heard a sharp intake of breath. Green eyes snapping open, Harry turned his head to the side. Staring over the edge of the bed were two bloodshot eyes, framed by grey, leathery skin and large floppy ears. Harry stared in horror at the house elf for a moment before letting loose an inarticulate cry and yanking the covers up to his chin in a defensive maneuver.

"Kreacher!" he screeched, "What are you doing here?"

"Kreacher is waiting for Master Harry Potter to wake," the house elf cooed, a noise that had Harry cringing back into his pillow, "Kreacher make Master Harry Potter breakfast. Does Master Harry Potter wish to eats now?"

"Sure," Harry squeaked, "Just, just go and I'll be right down."

"Kreacher has Master Harry Potter's food," the house elf declared before hopping onto the bed, a tray of food in his hands, "Kreacher be feeding Master now."

Kreacher had then proceeded to attempt to hand feed Harry his eggs while straddling his chest, only leaving the room when the brunet physically kicked him out of his bed and ordered him to leave. Laying in bed, Harry was incredibly disturbed by what had happened, the elf's near obsessed gaze had been incredibly disconcerting. What was worse, his arousal hadn't waned in the least, he was still fully erect and overly sensitive. Not even the thought of Mrs. Black naked and rubbing lotion on herself could make his prick fall limp, though it did almost make him vomit up the small amount of eggs Kreacher had managed to cram in his mouth. He definitely needed to see someone about this, it just wasn't normal. Unfortunately he'd have to wait a while, he was due at the Ministry for the last day of the Malfoy trials. With a sigh, Harry levered himself out of bed, glaring balefully at his erection as he got dressed. Luckily his robes did a wonderful job at hiding his predicament, the loose fabric folding over his length in a way that perfectly disguised it.

Heading downstairs, Harry was careful to avoid his apparently insane house elf and not wake the portrait of the crazy old bat. He really didn't want to deal with either of them at the moment, he didn't think his sanity would last if he did. What was really starting to concern him was that despite his worry and unease, all he wanted to do was rub himself off through his robes. He desperately wanted to blow off the trial and simply lock himself away to wank for the rest of the day. He didn't even care that his orgasm would probably be just as weak as those the previous day, he craved it. Harry resolved once again to go straight to St. Mungo's as soon as the trial was over, he had to find out what was wrong with him.

He almost made it out of the house undetected, he was just grabbing a handful of Floo powder when he felt a sharp tug on the hem of his robes. Wincing, Harry looked down at the house elf clutching his robes and staring adoringly up at him.

"Kreacher make Master lunch," the elf cooed, holding up a cloth bag, "Kreacher makes sure all Master Harry Potter's favorites is there. Kreacher want Master to be happy, Kreacher do anything for Masters."

"Uh..." Harry grimaced slightly as he took the bag, "Thank you, Kreacher. I need to go now, you can let go of my robes..."

"Kreacher miss Master Harry Potter while he is away," the elf lamented as he released the hem of Harry's robes, "Kreacher make home perfect, Kreacher do anything for Masters."

"Great, thank you." Harry quickly threw the powder in his hand into the fire as he backed away from the elf. Calling out his destination, Harry's last sight of Grimmauld Place was of the distinctly forlorn looking elf standing in his sitting room.

Stumbling out of the Ministry Floo, Harry quickly righted himself and banished the soot from his robes before looking around. Reconstruction of the Ministry was mostly finished, there hadn't been too much to do after Voldemort's fall. It was really more of a redecoration than anything else, erasing all the hateful and oppressive propaganda the former dictatorship had displayed. Most Ministry workers milled around in groups or hurried to their destinations, but a large group had stopped to stare at Harry. Forcing a smile onto his face, the brunet began to make his way towards the lifts, desperately trying to avoid conversation with his adoring public.

"Mr. Potter," a squat, balding man breathed as he came up to him, jogging slightly to keep with the reluctant brunet, "I'm Walter Burming, the head of the Muggleborn Reintegration Committee. I'm responsible for saving the poor souls who were prosecuted. I'm very important, I can get you into any area you want to go. Why don't I give you a tour?"

Harry cringed as the man, Walter, tried to wrap his arm around the brunette's shoulders, pushing their bodies together in what was surely supposed to be a suggestive manner. The worst part was that the instant they made contact Harry's erection twitched appreciatively, as if this man was just what he needed. Quickly extracting himself from Burming's hold, Harry noticed the looks of rage from the onlookers who were following him, several of which looked as if they were about to approach as well.

"I know where I'm going," Harry said quickly, coming to a stop in front of the lifts and pushing the button with more force than was strictly necessary, "No need for you to get involved."

"I'm sure I can be of some service," Walter insisted, running a finger down Harry's arm, "I have complete access after all."

"I'm fine," Harry said, doing his best not to snap at the other man as he batted away the offending finger.

"I'm head of the Unspeakables!" a petite blond woman suddenly exclaimed, brown eyes riveted on Harry as she pushed Walter out of the way, "I know all the world's secrets!"

"No you're not!" an angry red-haired man yelled, shoving the blond woman out of the way so he could lean over Harry, "I am. I can give you a tour, show you everything you've ever dreamed of."

"I invented the Floo!" another person clamored.

With wide green eyes, Harry stared in horror as a mass of twenty people crowded around him, each yelling out their accomplishments in a desperate bid to get his attention. He had his back pushed up against the lift doors as he tried to keep his erection as far away from the crowd as possible, he didn't want any of them to know just how aroused he was and mistake it being for them. He had no doubt that these people would try to take advantage of his state and didn't know if he'd be able to deny them. He was just getting ready to start throwing hexes when the lift opened behind him.

Stumbling into the blessedly empty lift, Harry cast a shield over the door and hit his floor number, desperate to get away from the frenzied crowd in front of him. His precaution turned out to be a good idea as they tried to surge en mass into the lift after him. Slamming against the barrier, the crowd seemed to become even more desperate, the people in front slamming their fists against it as they tried to get in. Harry had never been so relieved in his life as when the door slid shut, separating him from the group who were trying to get at him.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Harry's mind desperately tried to figure out what was going on. There was always some hero worship when he went to the Ministry, but never the frenzy like that. Whatever curse or potion that had caused him to become constantly horny had to be affecting those around him as well, there was no other reason for it. Maybe it caused him to release some sort of pheromone or allure. Whatever the cause, Harry needed to get it fixed immediately. As soon as the trial was over he'd be gone, hopefully the team at St. Mungo's would be able to figure out what was wrong with him.

Coming to his floor, Harry cautiously stuck his head out of the lift and was deeply relieved to find the corridor empty. Getting out, he cast a quick tempusand saw that he actually had about forty five minutes before the trial would begin. After a moment's debate he headed towards the loo, intent on taking care of his problem if only for a few minutes. Entering the loo, Harry was happy to see it just as deserted as the corridor, he wouldn't have to postpone his wank until someone else left. Entering a stall, Harry quickly sat down on the toilet and opened his robes so he could grip himself.

Moaning softly as he took himself in hand, Harry began to stroke, enjoying the heightened sensations that wanking still caused. He was just settling into a good fantasy about a nice fit bloke when he heard the door open. Cursing under his breath, Harry froze, waiting for whoever had come in to leave. He managed to remain silent as the unknown man did his business, but when they went to wash their hands he couldn't stand it any longer. Giving in to temptation, Harry began to stroke himself once again, a low, telling moan spilling from his lips.

Harry let loose a rather undignified shriek as the stall door was thrown open, revealing a pleased and slightly vindictive looking Draco Malfoy. "Why Potter," the blond drawled, "I had no idea you were such an exhibitionist."

"Sod off, Malfoy," Harry snapped, trying to cover himself.

"Poor savior Potter," Draco continued, leaning against the stall door as his silver eyes sparkled, "Having to wank in a public restroom. What's the matter, can't get one of your fans to bend over for you?"

"I could get anyone I wanted," Harry snarled, "I just don't want some hero worshipper trying to get their claws into me."

"Well," the blond murmured, a speculative expression stealing over his face, "I could lend you a hand with that little problem of yours. Merlin knows I don't want anything from you that you're not already giving, might as well have some fun."

Harry paused, eying the blond critically. He had always considered Draco a good looking bloke, a pompous ass, but attractive none the less. The blond had actually had more than a few starring roles in his normal wanking fantasies for years. What harm could it really cause to have a bit of fun? He was young and unattached, Malfoy was likely to be married off as soon as his name was cleared so they wouldn't have to worry about any kind of commitment. Really, there wasn't any downside to it all.

"Sure, why not?" Harry said with a shrug, "How do you want to do this?"

Draco's eyes seemed to light up even as he smirked down at the brunet. "My, my Potter," he drawled, "Just giving it away to the big bad Death Eater now? Mm, I'm going to enjoy this."

Harry was about to snarl out a response when suddenly the blond swooped down on him, their lips connecting in a harsh and demanding kiss. Harry latched onto the other male as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. It was so intense, so much better than he had ever imaged, better than any orgasm he'd ever experienced and they were only kissing. He could barely imagine what it would be like once they were actually fucking if such a small amount of contact could completely blow his mind.

Harry moaned as he was hauled to his feet and slammed against the stall wall, his head snapping back at the impact and leg coming up to wrap around the blond. Malfoy snarled, using his weight to pin Harry in place as he fumbled to get out his wand. Lips working over the smooth expanse of the brunette's neck, Draco grunted out a silencing and privacy spell before thrusting the wand back into his robe pocket. His hands quickly found their way to Harry's body, fingers digging into the brunette's sides as he gripped harshly.

Harry's eyes drifted shut and a soft keening noise escaped him when Malfoy began to grind against him, the sensation shooting through him. He could barely concentrate on his surroundings, all he knew was that he wanted Malfoy more than anything he'd ever wanted before. He was only brought out of his daze when he felt hands against bare flesh. Looking down, he realized the blond had managed to open his robes fully and was in the process of unbuttoning his shirt. He didn't care about his shirt, that was meaningless in the long run, all he wanted was the gratification he knew was coming.

With a snarl, Harry reversed their positions and practically attacked Draco's trousers as his lips sought out the blonde's. Kissing the other male almost violently, Harry managed to get Malfoy's fly undone and his hand practically dove in. Gripping the rigid length he found, Harry began to stroke, his hand moving quickly in an attempt to excite the blond further. He let out a yelp as he was spun around and pinned to the wall once again, Draco's hands tugging his trousers and pants down to reveal his arse.

"Wanted to do this for a long time," Malfoy breathed, his lips working at Harry's neck, "Wanted to bend you over a desk and fuck you senseless for so many years. I'm going to fill you up, Potter, going to make you scream my name. You want that? You want me to fuck you against this bathroom wall?"

"Yes!" Harry cried, pushing back against the blond desperately. Every fiber of his being seemed to be vibrating, desperate for the release that was being promised to him. All he wanted, all he could think about, was Draco buried deep inside him, filling him, completing him. He hadn't even realized how desperately he wanted to be filled until that moment, how empty and incomplete he felt. He needed this more than he'd ever needed anything and he was going to get it even if it killed him. Harry sighed in relief when he felt the lubricating and stretching charm used on him and pushed back expectantly.

"Such an eager slut," Malfoy groaned as he reached down to completely free himself from his trousers, not bothering to remove any of his clothing, "Can't wait to have me in you. I'm going to ruin you, Potter. No man will ever satisfy you like I'm about to."

Harry was about to snarl out a response to being called a slut when suddenly the blond slammed home, filling him completely and almost violently. Crying out in pained pleasure, Harry's hands moved up to clutch at the top of the stall wall, holding him steady and grounding him somewhat as he pressed his face against the cool metal of the wall. Panting heavily, the brunet tried to adjust to the sensations running through his body. Every fiber of his being seemed to be on fire, but all he wanted was to burn. The warm puffs of breath against the back of his neck as Draco tried to regain control of himself were driving him insane, the points where their bodies touched tingled in the most distracting way, he wanted more of it, wanted all of it.

With a moan Harry clenched around the length buried inside him, pushing back simultaneously and getting a snarl from Draco in response. He barely had time to consider the sound before Malfoy pulled out and slammed back into him before setting a brutal pace. Harry cried out sharply when the length in him brushed against his prostate, sending a whole new, much more intense, burning pleasure through his body. He was near mindless with it, the pure sensation completely over riding all thought.

"You like that?" Draco gasped, grasping Harry's hair and yanking his head back, "You like me fucking you like this? No one else can do this to you, no one else can make you feel like I am. You'll remember this forever Potter!"

Harry cried out wordlessly at the onslaught, thrusting himself back against the overly aggressive blond enthusiastically. No fantasy could compare to this, no imagined liaison or quick, anonymous fumble stood a chance. He wanted more, anything that the blond was willing to give him. Still, something wasn't quite right, he needed something else. Suddenly he realized exactly what was bothering him and with all the strength he could muster shoved Malfoy away.

"Hey!" the blond cried, "What's the big idea?"

Rather than responding to the indignant question, Harry turned and grabbed Malfoy. Dragging the blond closer, Harry smashed their mouths together in a violent kiss that was more teeth than lip. Shimmying out of his trousers completely, Harry wrapped one leg around Draco while grabbing hold of the stall once again. Using the top of the wall as leverage, Harry hoisted himself up so that they were the right height. Catching on, Draco quickly realigned himself and slammed back into Harry's entrance.

Breaking the kiss, Harry flung his head back and keened out his pleasure. This was so much better, this was what he had needed. The way Draco pinned him with his body against the wall and took him savagely, the way teeth now worried his neck, it was perfect. Even the burn in his arms made it better. He relished the tightening in his gut this time, knew somehow that this was going to be so much better than his past few wanks.

Forcing open glazed emerald eyes, Harry looked down at Draco. The blonde's eyes were closed tight in concentration, a look of sheer bliss on his face. His hair bounced slightly with each movement, yet somehow remained as immaculate as ever. Only a slight sheen of sweat hinted at the exertion that he was using to fuck Harry into the wall. As if sensing the brunette's gaze on him, silver eyes cracked open to gaze up at him. That was all it took, one look into those lust blown eyes and Harry was lost. With a cry Harry came, his orgasm more powerful than anything he'd ever experienced. He was barely aware of the fact that he had moved forward until he tasted the sharp tang of blood, his teeth firmly clamped onto the side of Draco's neck.

Malfoy cried out, whether in pain from the bite or pleasure Harry wasn't sure, and erupted into Harry's passage. The brunet panted heavily as he felt the wet gushing within him, laying his head on Draco's shoulder as he tried to catch his breath. He couldn't help but groan slightly when Draco pulled out, a line of cum running down his leg. Letting go of the top of the stall, Harry slowly lowered himself to the ground and leaned back against the wall. Draco seemed to be just as exhausted as he was since the blond simply leaned against him, panting just as hard.

"You bit me," Malfoy muttered eventually.

Barking out a laugh, Harry tilted his head to get a better view of the blond. "That's all you can think of?" Harry asked, "Not how bloody amazing that was?"

"That goes without saying, Potter," the blond sneered, "I'm a Malfoy, we are the best at everything we do."

"Hmm," Harry murmured, "Of course. We need to get ready for court."

Draco levered himself off the brunet with a groan, stumbling back slightly on wobbly legs and surveying the man in front of him. He couldn't help but smirk at the sizable hickey he'd left on Potter's neck and the freshly shagged look that his horribly mussed hair produced. With a small, indistinguishable sound, Draco pulled out his wand and quickly fixed his appearance before casting one more look at the brunet.

"Well?" he said, one eyebrow raising imperiously.

"Hmm?" Harry hummed, running a hand through his hair contentedly and basking in his arousal free post coital bliss.

Rolling his eyes, Draco gestured at Harry's discarded trousers. "Aren't you going to get dressed?"

"Oh," Harry blinked owlishly at him, trying to shake off the sense of peace and completion he was lost in, "Right, court."

Fishing his wand out of his robes, Harry quickly cast the necessary spells to right himself before glancing over at the blond once again. Draco simply gazed back for a moment before huffing and cancelling the privacy charms around the stall. Cracking the door open, the blond found they were still alone and quickly exited, making his way over to the sink to inspect himself in the mirror.

"I hope you realize this changes nothing between us," he said, glancing back at the lethargic looking brunet, "It was just a shag."

"I know that," Harry snapped, something inside him curling unpleasantly at the declaration, "I didn't go into it wanting anything other than a bit of fun. We'll go to court, I'll get you and your family out of trouble, and then you'll go off to marry some pureblood and I'll go off and be the savior of the wizarding world. Nothing changes."

"Good," Draco nodded, "As long as we understand each other."

Harry simply nodded in a distracted manner before checking his appearance in the mirror. Forcing himself not to look at Malfoy again, he exited the bathroom and hurried down the hall to the court room. Part of him wanted to remain and cuddle the blond, but the majority of him was quite adamant that he not let their liaison affect him. Another part was slightly concerned that he wanted to cuddle, but he figured it was just post shagging habits coming to the fore. What really caught his attention that for the first time in over a day he wasn't hard, he actually felt satisfied. Whatever curse or potion that had been effecting him must have finally dissipated, he wouldn't have to go to St. Mungo's after all.

X_x_X_x

Harry had mixed feelings about the outcome of the Malfoy trial. On one hand, he was glad that Draco and Narcissa had only gotten house arrest as their punishment, on the other, he wasn't happy that Lucius also received the same sentence. Draco and Narcissa didn't really have a choice, Lucius did. Still, a part of him was deliriously happy that Draco wouldn't be put into Azkaban and he had no idea why. It ate him up inside to think of the blond locked on that island, the gloom that surrounded it sinking into his soul and destroying him. That he didn't have to worry about that was a great relief.

The fact that he was so relieved was extremely puzzling to him. There was no reason for Harry to feel anything towards the Malfoy heir, their one off shouldn't have changed that. Still, Harry found himself fighting the urge to approach the blond and congratulate him on his relative freedom. Draco hadn't even glanced at him when the sentence was delivered, hadn't acknowledged the role Harry had played in it. Part of him wanted to snarl and demand the recognition that he deserved, to preen and show his worth, but he suppressed it the best he could.

Deciding that he would rather not find out what would happen if he gave into his urge to approach the blond, Harry exited the courtroom without even a backwards glance. Smiling in what he hoped was a convincing manner, Harry made his way through the crowd of reporters waiting outside. The brunet stubbornly refused to answer any of the questions yelled out at him, it wasn't really his place to comment anyway. He'd leave that to the Malfoy's, let them create the image they had to live with. Merlin knew he'd had to live with the image that others created for him far too often, he wasn't about to force that on anyone else if he could help it.

Finally making his way to the Ministry atrium, Harry quickly got into the cue for the Floo. He wasn't horny any longer, something he was abundantly happy about, and decided that he would definitely forgo a trip to St. Mungo's. What would he say to them anyway? That he'd been really horny, but that he was fine now? No, there was no reason to go through that. Still, he didn't feel completely settled. It was as if something was gnawing away at him, a small bit of discontent that he was certain would go away. It most likely had something to do with Lucius getting off so lightly for his crimes.

Flooing home, Harry groaned slightly as he was once again accosted by his house elf. Kreacher practically launched himself at the brunet the moment he stepped out of the floo, small arms wrapping around his legs as the elf stared up at him.

"Kreacher be missing yous," the elf cooed, "Kreacher makes Master's favorites, Kreacher do anything for Master Harry Potter sir."

"Uh," Harry stammered, blanching slightly at the adoring tone the house elf was using, "Thank you, Kreacher. I just need to go clean up and then I'll be right down."

"Kreacher can cleans Masters," the elf exclaimed, leaning forward and licking Harry's leg.

Stumbling backwards out of Kreacher's grasp, Harry stared down at the seemingly entranced elf. "No," he said as soon as Kreacher started forward, pointing one finger at the elf in an accusing manner, "That's alright. Kreacher, I need you to go and make sure the food is perfect. It has to be perfect and you need to pay extra special attention to it and neverlet it out of your sight. Is that clear?"

"Kreacher wills not let Master down," the elf said seriously, his face hardening in concentration.

Harry let out a sigh of relief when the elf turned on his heel and marched in the general direction of the kitchen. He definitely didn't want Kreacher anywhere near him right now, he didn't know if he could handle another sponge bath attempt. He was definitely going to have Kreacher checked over for any curses or potions, something was seriously messing with the elf's head. At the very least he had gone completely senile, though Harry had always expected Kreacher to become even more unagreeable when that occurred.

Cautiously going up the stairs, Harry kept a close lookout just in case Kreacher decided that being in his presence was more important than watching the food. Once he'd managed to make it to his room with no interruption, Harry let out a soft sigh. Despite the cleaning charms he'd used after his little tussle with Malfoy, he was feeling decidedly crusty in places he'd rather not. All Harry wanted was a nice soak and a change of clothes, though for some reason he was feeling exceptionally fond of his outer robes. He could make out the faint lingering scent of Draco's cologne on them, something that was strangely calming. Shrugging off the slight sense of unease that caused him, Harry quickly grabbed an extra set of clothes and headed to the bathroom.

Setting his things down on the bathroom counter, Harry quickly filled the tub and stripped. Stepping into the steaming water, the brunet sighed happily, laying back and letting the heat soak into his muscles. For the first time in months he felt relatively content, his muscles languid and mind at ease. The only thing that was bothering him was a small sense of yearning, as if something was missing that would make the moment perfect. Concentrating on that small feeling, Harry realized that something was indeed missing, but he couldn't figure out what. He wanted whatever it was, wanted it with him, wanted to hold it and cherish it. The realization that he didn't have it, that whatever it was would never be his fully was like a punch in the gut.

Slowly letting himself sink further in the water until only his nose and eyes were above the water, Harry tried to squash the blooming sense of despair that threatened to over take him. Yet, he couldn't. He would never have the one thing he wanted most. He didn't even know what it was that he wanted most, there was no way for him to fix the situation. Without even realizing it, Harry began to whine lowly in the back of his throat, his new found anguish demanding some form of recognition.

"Master needs help?" a croaking coo asked.

Yelping loudly, Harry flailed in the tub, wide emerald eyes turning towards the overly attentive house elf staring at him from the doorway as water splashed onto the floor.

"Kreacher!" Harry exclaimed, "I thought I told you to watch the food!"

"Kreacher must takes care of Master Harry Potter," the elf said, "Kreacher needs to watches him, make sure Masters be happy. Kreacher makes Masters happy."

Harry sputtered incoherently as the elf approached him, a sponge in one hand and a maniacal glint in his eyes.

X_x_X_x

Harry curled up on the couch in his sitting room, staring morosely into the fire. The sense of anguish that he'd experienced earlier hadn't lessened at all. If anything it seemed to be getting worse with each passing moment. He felt horribly alone, abandoned and worthless. Kreacher had only made it worse with his attempts at affection earlier. Harry was just about to curl up tighter and try to sleep when the Floo flared to life, the green flames catching his attention and a brief sense of hope filling him. He deflated when Hermione stepped out of the flames rather than, well he didn't know who he wanted to show up, but it wasn't her.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, her face paling slightly as she took in the extremely disheveled appearance of her friend, "What happened to you?"

"Nothing," Harry muttered, sinking back down into the couch.

"Are you sick?" the bushy haired witch asked, placing a hand on his forehead to check his temperature.

"I'm fine, Hermione," Harry snapped, smacking her hand away. The contact from his friend felt wrong somehow, he didn't want her touching him.

"You are not fine," Hermione said, "You look like you had a fight with a hippogriff and lost. You didn't look anything like that this morning at the trial."

Harry just hummed noncommittally, turning over so his back was to his friend as he curled up tighter. He didn't want her around, he just wanted to wallow in his despair alone. He heard Hermione huff indignantly and was about to turn and snap at her to leave when his stomach growled loudly.

"When was the last time you ate?"

"Dunno," Harry said, "Last night maybe. Doesn't matter, don't want to eat anyway."

The witch just sighed heavily behind him. "Kreacher, could you come here please?"

"He won't come," Harry said, "I had to knock him out earlier."

"What?"

"He kept trying to give me a sponge bath, I think he's gone completely barmy."

"Fine, I'll make you something to eat. Get up, let's go to the kitchen."

Rather than replying, Harry just curled up tighter. He didn't want food, he didn't feel like he deserved it right now. Whatever he was longing for didn't want him, had abandoned him, he wasn't worthy enough. If he wasn't good enough he shouldn't eat, he should just fade away without a fuss.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice had taken on a worried edge, "Harry speak to me."

"Just go away Mione," Harry said, his voice catching slightly, "Just leave me alone."

"Harry you seem really sick... Come on, let's get you to bed, the couch is no place for you to sleep."

"No," the brunet said petulantly, "I have to stay by the Floo."

"Why?" Hermione asked, clearly puzzled, "What does the Floo have to do with anything?"

"Doesn't matter," Harry muttered, "I just have to stay right here, just in case."

"Harry, you're starting to scare me. Tell me what's wrong, do I need to get a Healer?"

"No, just let me sleep."

Hermione backed away from the motionless brunet, her mouth turned down in a worried frown. Deciding to give him some time, she conjured a blanket to drape over her friend before heading towards the kitchen, intent on making some soup for when Harry got up and was ready to eat. Listening to her receding footsteps, Harry turned back around to stare at the fire once again. He wasn't sure why he felt such a compulsion to stay there, but he knew he had to, just in case what he longed for came through.

X_x_X_x

Harry pulled the blanket over his head in an attempt to drown out Mrs. Weasley's worried muttering. If he had the energy he would have berated Hermione for getting the Weasley matriarch, but at the moment he couldn't find any. He knew his friend was worried, she'd been trying to get him off the couch for the past two days, all the while forcing him to eat. He supposed his absolute refusal to eat anymore was what brought this on, but he was still rather annoyed that his friend had tattled on him.

Harry moaned in protest when the blanket was stripped away, one hand raising partially to follow it before dropping back down. "I'm fine," he muttered, curling further into himself.

"You are most certainly not," Molly said, "Now hold still while I check you over."

If Harry could have found the will to roll his eyes he would have, but at the moment he just didn't care. What he longed for hadn't come back to him, for two days he'd held a vigil in front of the fire place, never sleeping as he awaited it. If he'd known what it was he might have been able to go to it, but as it stood he simply had to wait. Letting his eyes fall closed, Harry listened absently to Molly cast her spells.

"I don't know what's wrong with him," Hermione murmured off to the side, "I can't find any illness that matches his symptoms. I've gone through the library, but nothing seems to match. He won't eat or drink, he's obsessed with the Floo, and he barely reacts to anything I do anymore."

"He doesn't seem cursed," Molly said, an edge of worry creeping into her voice, "And there's no sign of any of the illnesses I know how to check for either. Perhaps we should take him into St. Mungo's to be checked over?"

"No!" Harry exclaimed, his eyes snapping open as he sat bolt upright, "I can't leave! I have to stay by the Floo!"

"Harry, calm down," Hermione soothed, her hands coming up in a placating gesture, "You need to see a Healer, something is seriously wrong with you."

"I'm not leaving," Harry hissed, "I can't."

"Harry," Molly started, only to be interrupted as the Floo flared to life.

Harry sat up expectantly, only to slump in defeat as Ron stepped out and began to dust the soot from his robes. He couldn't take it anymore, couldn't take the absolute despair eating him up. With a strange, almost bird like wail, Harry let himself fall back onto the couch, eyes staring up at the ceiling blankly. He was distantly aware of worried voices, but it didn't matter anymore, he was alone, he would never be complete ever again. Curling up on himself once again, Harry let his mind go utterly blank and his magic wrap around him.

"Oh Merlin," Mrs. Weasley murmured, "We have to get him to St. Mungo's now!"

"What?" Hermione asked, looking between her still friend and the older witch, "Why now?"

"He's going into magical shock," Molly said, ignoring the gasp from her son, "His magic will destabilize and kill him if something isn't done immediately."

Gasping as the gravity of the situation hit her, Hermione moved forward to take hold of Harry, only to be thrown back as his magic lashed out. Falling to the ground, Hermione looked towards Molly for guidance.

"Ronald, grab that blanket and help me get Harry onto it. If we can't touch him then we'll have to carry him some other way," Mrs. Weasley said, her eyes hardening.

"Right Mum," Ron said.

With some careful maneuvering and more than a few violent falls as Harry's magic tried to keep them away, the group managed to get the unconscious brunet onto the blanket. Wrapping him in the fabric so only his head was visible, Ron picked Harry up before Apparating to St. Mungo's, Hermione and Molly right behind him.

"We need help here!" Ron called as soon as he landed in the hospital waiting room.

A young Healer immediately rushed forward, his wand at the ready. "What seems to be the problem?" he asked.

"He's gone into magical shock," Molly said from behind her son, "We don't know what caused it, he was just lying on the couch. His magic won't let anyone make skin contact either."

Conjuring a stretcher, the Healer motioned for Ron to deposit his friend. "Merlin," the young man breathed, "That's Harry Potter."

"It doesn't matter who he is!" Hermione exclaimed, "Help him!"

"Right," the Healer said, his tone becoming professional once again, "Please have a seat and we'll do everything we can."

Hermione, Ron, and Mrs. Weasley watched as Harry was hurried away, a group of Healers forming around him as he disappeared through a set of double doors.
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The Roundabout Way