Draco Malfoy had bruised lips, a broken nose, black eyes and fucked up cheekbones.

But none of that could compare to Harry's broken heart.

The utter betrayal of someone who he trusted above all others, despite not knowing him for long, broke Harry deep inside. He knew he would never be able to trust anyone the same way ever again.

Ron had said 'I told you so' the moment he found out, earning him a well-deserved smack on the head by Hermione, who was oddly sympathetic.

"It'll be alright, Harry," she said kindly, sitting on his bed next to him. The same bed he had been unable to leave for the past two weeks. Harry said nothing.

Despite being so unresponsive and rude to the pair, Hermione and Ron took it upon themselves to make sure Harry was eating and showering properly. Making sure he was staying human.

His teachers had dropped homework at the door, hoping he'd find the courage to open it and get involved in classwork again, making Harry question Ron's statement of the teachers being shit. All his teachers except Umbridge, that was, who had given him several detentions for not showing up to her bullshit classes, and then several more on top of that for not showing up to the detentions either! That toad never gave up!

Lying on his bed, Harry felt as if he was going through stages of depression. He couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. Life constantly felt meaningless.

All because of one boy! It was ridiculous. But Harry couldn't muster the energy to care.

A knock sounded on the door. Harry didn't get up. There was no point.

The person knocked more urgently, yet Harry still wouldn't open the door.

"Potter, I suggest you open this door now, before I break it down."

That familiar voice gave him a sense of security, but Harry couldn't quite remember who it was. He mustered the courage to roll out of bed and answer the door, gaping a little when he saw who was on the other side.

"Please come see me in my office in ten minutes time, after composing yourself a little," Snape said haughtily, despite the concern colouring his face. "Do not be late."

If this had happened two weeks prior, Harry would have intrigued and curious, wondering if Snape was going to give him any warnings on Malfoy. Now, though, Harry didn't give the shiniest shit, and merely blinked up at the man.

"No thanks," Harry yawned. "I don't know if you've heard, sir, but you don't need to warn me about Malfoy anymore. I already know everything. You were right-"

"No, Harry," Snape shook his head. "You don't even know half of it."

"What use will it do to know now?" Harry asked, anger crackling under his skin.

"Even though Malfoy's plan has failed, you are still in danger, Potter! Voldemort will stop at nothing until you are dead!" Snape said urgently.

"Voldemort..." the name sounded familiar.

Snape sighed. "It seems there is quite a lot Malfoy hasn't told you. I ask for only a few minutes of your time, Potter. I will tell you nothing but the truth, I swear it."

"How can I trust you?" Tears brimmed in Harry's eyes. "How can you expect me to trust anyone now?"

The older man looked down at the ground, but Harry swore his eyes were glistening with tears-

"Very well, Potter, I understand," Snape said, taking a few step backs. "But please, at least listen to what I have to say. You can still be saved, child."

And he walked away.

Harry bounded down the steps towards Snape's office half an hour later. He had to know. How could he save himself from this awful nightmare? Was there still hope?

Could he learn to trust again, so soon?

"Where are you running off to, Potter?" a voice called as he rounded a corner.

Harry stiffened and paled a little.

Pansy Parkinson.

"Hello, Parkinson," he said politely, turning to face her. Laughing, Parkinson took a few steps closer to him, but Harry stepped back.

"Relax, Potter, I won't bite," Pansy grinned. She seemed much more confident and carefree than she usually did. "You've finally crawled out of your dorm room, then?"

"I didn't crawl out," Harry said, and before he could stop himself he said: "but you must have, looking like that."

"Am I sensing some resentment, Potter?" she asked innocently. Harry huffed angrily. He didn't have time for silly mind games.

"No, you must be confusing it with impatience," Harry said coldly. "I'll see you some other time, Parkinson."

As he made to walk away, he felt the dark-haired grip his arm. Wincing when her fingernails dug harshly into his skin, he whirled around, furious.

"WHAT?!" Harry said, frustration clawing at his throat. Parkinson looked startled.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm so sorry-"

Harry shook his arm out of her grasp, paying no mind when she started to sob. "I don't need your pity."

"It is not pity!" she cried, confident facade falling away. "It is guilt! Overwhelming guilt! God, Potter, seeing your face that day. I can't live with myself anymore. Day after day I waited for you to show up in class or come outside to eat, so I could explain myself, rid myself of this horrible feeling. I don't want you to hurt like this!"

"But you have no reason to feel guilt," Harry said softly, tears leaking out of his eyes. "It is my own fault for not heeding your warnings. My fault and mine alone. I am the one who is sorry, for putting you through so much pain."

Pansy nodded, still not believing him. She looked hopeful for a second. "I don't suppose you'd like to talk about all this sometime."

"I don't know," Harry replied truthfully. Making himself so vulnerable around someone new was something that would take him a while to learn how to do again. He wasn't sure he would ever be able to talk to Draco's former friend without constantly thinking of his betrayal.

"That's okay," Pansy said warmly, smiling. She gave Harry a small hug before walking away. "I hope you get better soon, Harry."

Harry.

"You too."

~~~

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