Harry and Draco: Untold Secrets

I'm not sure if I needed to get this approved or not first, or if the submitting to an admin is just a suggestion. This fic has same-sex content, but there will be nothing over PG... like 10. :lol: I initially started writing it to be humorus, but I'm just not that funny, so its going to be a romance-like fic. If any staff, or member has a problem with the content, please owl me and I'll remove any specific sections that you consider to be offensive. I'd rather re-write a few parts, than have the whole story deleted.
Sorry for the long winded warning. This is my third attempt at a HP fic, so bare with me. I appriciate feed back, good or bad. Especially bad, really, its usually much more honest.
The idea for the bathroom door is here (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=111421), in "Among Hidden Memories" by GinnyPotter19. Read her fics, they're great :D

Harry sat in the windowsill of the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory, looking over the dark grounds of Hogwarts. Rain was relentlessly bashing against the windows, mirroring Harry’s mood. There was a light on in Hagrids cabin, and smoke coming out of the chimney. Harry thought reminiscently of the days that visits to his good friend Hagrid had cheered him up. The year before, when Harry was competing in the Triwizard Tournament, Hagrid had given him all the courage he needed, as he was usually able to do. How Harry wished for the days when a cup of tea, and horribly cooked cakes could give him hope.

These days Harry was usually alone, sulking in empty corridors, eating alone at the Gryffindor table in the great hall, or sitting in the library far away from where any one would bother him. His two best mates, Hermione, and Ron had been cold-shouldered by him so many times that they gave up on trying to talk to him. Neither would understand, for they had each other.

Harry thought jealously of how Ron and Hermione were always together. They tried to hide their affection, but Harry had known for years that they fancied each other. Images kept coming into his mind, ones that he had tried to shut away countless times, since the first time he met to person he longed for.

Their meeting in Diagon Alley was a blur; Harry hadn't even really talked to him then. No, he considered the first time that he met the man of his dreams to be the moment on the Express, when Draco Malfoy walked into his compartment. His slick white-blonde hair, perfectly groomed. Broad shoulders and a prominent chin...

"Stop!" said Harry aloud to himself, and buried his face in his knees, which were drawn up to his chest.

"I won't think about him..." he whispered.

Suddenly he stood up, and crossed the room in long strides, opening the door that lead to the common room. He rushed down the stairs to the painting on the wall that concealed the bathroom. Tickling the dogs’ ear, the spot that normally opened the door, he waited for the entrance to appear. When it didn't, Harry figured that the door was agitated, as it some times was, and proceeded to go to the loo just around the corner of the Gryffindor common room.

After he had stepped out of the portrait hole, the fat lady stopped him.

"Where do you think you are going at this hour, Mr. Potter?" she said, looking down at him.

Harry shuffled his feet, trying not to let his face show, "I-I… The bathroom won't open, so I'm going to the one out here. I won't be long." he stammered.

The fat lady was quiet for a moment, and then decided she believed him, "Well all right, just don't be to long. I like to sleep too you know."

Nodding appreciatively, Harry ran down the corridor and into the boys’ bathroom. He stood in front of the sink, and splashed cold water onto his face, concealing the tears that had fallen. After standing around for a few moments, trying to shake the feeling of emptiness, he remembered what the fat lady had said, and headed back to his common room.

As Harry was pushing open the door, he heard footsteps coming around the corner. Cursing himself for not bringing his invisibility cloak he quickly stepped back inside the bathroom, and waited for the footsteps to pass. Once he felt it was safe, he pushed the door back open and stepped into the hall.

"I thought I saw that door open." said the very voice Harry had been longing to hear. "I think that'll be... say 20 points from Gryffindor, for being out of bed after hours." Draco came around the corner he had been hiding behind and came close to Harry, his hand resting inside his robe, presumably on his wand.

Instinctively, Harrys hand rose to his, "Get off it Malfoy, I had to use the loo."

It was odd, Harry thought, that Draco was roaming the school at night alone. His usual cronies, Crabbe and Goyle were always right behind him, waiting to do Dracos bidding.

"Where’s your backup Malfoy?" jeered Harry, his hand still resting on his wand, "I thought you didn't go anywhere without Crabbe or Goyle to help you out of things you can't-"

Draco cut him off by brandishing his wand. Flying backwards, Harry thought fleetingly that Draco must have accomplished nonverbal spells.

"Expell-" Harry tried to cast, but again he was hit in the stomach by a spell that made him double over in pain. Draco looked at Harry with an amused look on his face, while he folded his hands behind his back and started coming closer to where Harry stood, red-faced and sweating.

"You know Potter; you really should start paying attention in class. I think that'll be another five points from Gryffindor for dueling in the corridors, so how much is that?" he paused and smirked, "Twenty five? I'd get back in bed Potter, before you run into another prefect."

Turning on his heel, Draco strutted back down the corridor. Before he turned the corner he paused, flicked his wand behind his back taking the spell of Harry, and continued, disappearing with the swish of his cloak.

Feeling the horrible clenching in his stomach wear off, Harry knelt on the ground panting. He probably should have been paying more attention in class, if they were learning those kinds of spells. But Harry doubted that whatever spell or hex Draco just used, he hadn't learned in class.

"Bloody death eater." he murmured, and walked slowly back to the Gryffindor common room.

After his run in with Draco, Harry became even more apathetic than he had been. During morning Herbology with the Ravenclaws, he had dropped several puffapods which made them bloom flowers. Harry hadn't even been paying attention when Professor Sprout had been explaining what the puffapods were needed for.

He had gone through the whole day in the same mood, casting the wrong incantations, and the worst incident, when his cauldron exploded in potions.
Harry was studying in the library because he couldn't sleep, with his invisibility cloak lying on the ground, where it had fallen of. His potions book was open in front of him, but Harry wasn't reading. The potion he made in the dungeons was cleared away by Snape without being graded, and this time Harry wasn't even angry. He couldn't even remember now what he was adding to the potion, and what he should have been.
Doodling absentmindedly on the parchment he was supposed to be writing an essay on, Harry didn't notice the pair of eyes that were studying him from behind a bookcase until a book dropped, catching his attention.

Cursing himself again, for not having his invisibility cloak on him Harry froze, and waited for whomever it was to reveal himself.

From behind the book cases came the voice Harry was longing, yet dreading to hear.
"Out after hours again Potter? Are you planning on taking away all the points your house has got?" sneered Draco, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Harry stood up and drew his wand, ready this time, "And so are you, prat."

Draco smirked, but before he retorted his eyes were drawn to the name Harry had been drawing. He snatched the piece of parchment before Harry noticed that he had seen it.

Harrys heart sank into his knees, which was what presumed was making it almost impossible to stand. Dracos face was unreadable, but he certainly wasn't wearing that awful smug smirk anymore.

Not knowing what to say, Harry hurriedly picked his invisibility cloak up off the ground and threw it into his bad, along with his potions book. Taking one last glance at Draco, who was now looking dumbfounded, he started to the door. Before he got there however, he was grabbed by the shoulder. Turning around Harry saw Draco standing before him with the same flabbergasted look upon his face, the parchment with his own name drawn across it several times was no longer in his hand.

"I-" Draco stammered.

Harry shook Malfoys hand off of him, and bolted to the door, leaving Draco standing alone, and looking quite confused.

When Harry got back to the common room, he sat down on one of the seemingly empty arm chairs by the fire, causing a very upset Crookshanks to hiss and bolt up the girls’ dormitory.

Panting from running all the way from the library without stopping to catch his breath, Harry laid his head in his hands, thinking of what an idiot he must look like to Draco.
He heard foot steps coming down the stairs that lead to the boys’ dormitory. Quickly wiping his face, he turned around and saw Ron standing at the foot of the stairs.

"Oh, Harry... its you." Ron said, looking down to his feet.

Harry felt ashamed, for what had to be the hundredth time for how he had been treating his best friend.

"Hey Ron... Err… I was just about to go to bed." said Harry, standing up and stretching.
Ron shuffled his feet, looking like he wanted to say something, "Oh… well all right. Did you get that essay done?" pausing he looked up at Harry, "Snape is such a git you know... that was completely unfair."Harry gave a fake laugh, "No… no, I completely messed that potion up. I'm almost done with the make-up work though, so I might pass the grade."

Ron looked somewhat shocked at Harrys lack of enthusiasm to bash Snape, but didn't say anything, instead his face turned rather red as he said, "Listen I err… I thought I heard you talking last night -"

Anger flared through Harry. He walked strait past Ron without another word and lay down on his four poster bed without even getting undressed. He laid in bed for a while before he heard Ron come back into the dormitory, but pretended to be asleep.
Harry didn't know why he had gotten so angry, he mostly just didn't want to re-live what had just happened in the library again, and thinking about Draco would surely make him.

That night Harry had awakened many times, due to terrifying dreams of being captured by sea creatures, twisted forums of the merepeople who lived in the great lake.

He awoke the next morning tired, and annoyed for there was a rapping at the window beside his bed. Putting his glasses on, he stretched and stood up, seeing Hedwig sitting on the out side windowsill, her beak empty.


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Will be updated regularly :D

He opened the window, letting his snowy white owl in.
"You couldn't go straight to the owlery?" Harry said through a yawn, stroking her head. He felt somewhat guilty, having been ignoring Hedwig along with Ron and Hermione. Remembering what Ron had said to him last night, Harry changed his clothes, called Hedwig to him and headed out for the owlery.

He met no one in the corridors, to his relief. He was sure that by now half the school had seen the parchment with Draco and his own name drawn all over it. The story of what had happened in the library spread from student through student, probably getting more obscene every time. Harry could just imagine walking into the great hall for breakfast, and decided he could do without it.

He walked through the doorway to the owlery, and after affectionately pecking Harrys face, Hedwig flew up to one of the tallest raptors and buried her head under one of her wings.

Harry walked over to one of the open windows, and looked over the grounds. Again, there was smoke coming from Hagrids chimney. Thinking he might join Hagrid for breakfast, instead of not eating at all that morning, he took one last sweeping glance of the vast Hogwarts grounds and turned to leave.

Taking his time on his way through the castle, Harry thought he might invite Ron, and Hermione, to go along with him. Every time he thought about them he felt guilty, and ashamed, but what was he supposed to do? He couldn't even act like he was fine when he briefly ran into them, or during class. He couldn't bare the though of telling them what was bothering him, and the way he felt for the boy who had been his greatest enemy for years.

Harry had loathed Malfoy since they met, or at least for the most part. Back in his first year he could easily shrug off the odd feelings he would get some times, passing Draco in the corridors, or out on the quidditch pitch. But as time went on, and Harry spent more and more time around Draco, he started feeling more.

It was in his first year, that Harry had learned that he wasn't attracted to girls. Hermione was a beautiful witch, with brains to boot. They had spent so much time together that some times Harry wondered why he didn't find her attractive, other than in a friendly way, and why Ron seemed to catch his attention more. He had never had romantic feelings towards any girl he met, although for one year he was extremely interested in a pretty Ravenclaw girl named Cho Chang.

Remembering her, Harry felt his face growing slightly red. He had been so confused about his feelings, wanting a woman, yet all the while his feelings for a man were growing stronger. It confused him, and after a summer away from Cho, Harry realized he was only compensating for feelings he wouldn't let himself feel.

Not having been paying much attention to what he was doing, as he so often was lately; Harry realized that he was already at the oak front doors of Hogwarts. Pushing them open, he stepped into the chilly, late November air and wished he had brought his broom. The weather was perfect, no wind, good sun; it was ideal weather to practice in. Especially since he had also been neglecting quidditch, and had even skipped a few practices, which did not do his and Angelina Johnson’s friendship any good at all.

He made his way down the grounds, taking in the fresh air. It was the first time in weeks that he had left the castle for anything but Herbology, and one or two practices. Stopping to look over the great lake, he saw bubbles skimming the surface, and after a few seconds a humungous tentacle shot through the water, grabbing something Harry didn't see, and didn't want to see. He looked over to the tree that he, Ron, and Hermione some times studied by and saw a pale, blonde figure leaning against it, with a girl in Sltherin robes lying in his lap. Jealousy and embarrassment flooded through him, and he nearly broke into a run towards Hagrids cabin, hoping desperately that Draco hadn't seen him.

Out of breath, Harry reached Hagrids hut and began banging on his front door. Immediately Hagrids boarhound, Fangs booming barks were heard, and Harry heard him clawing the door. Harry doubled over, clutching the stitch in his side, and waited impatiently for Hagrid to answer the door. After a few minutes though, Harry decided he wasn't home, and started back up to the castle.

Averting his eyes from the lake, Harry walked quickly past where Draco and Pansy were sitting, and hurried back to the oak front doors leading into the Great Hall.
Out of breath, Harry thought that he was far enough away from the lake, and Draco, and sat down on the stone steps. He buried his face in his knees breathing heavily, and still clutching the stitch in his side, although the cramp was starting to wear off.

"Potter?"

Looking up Harry saw Draco standing at the bottom of the steps. His hands were in his pockets, and his face was slightly red, but didn't look as though it was from running.

Harrys face turned a bright shade of scarlet, and almost instantly his hands started sweating. He pushed himself up and turned away, heading back into the castle before Draco could say anything but a few mumbled words that Harry couldn't hear.

Thinking about how it was so unlike Draco to not say anything snide, and that the usual pride in his voice was somewhat softer, Harry noticed that the great hall was almost empty and decided to get a few pieces of toast before returning to the common room. Before he could get as far as the Gryffindor table however, some one grabbed him by the shoulder, and turned him around.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked, not daring to look in Dracos' face.

Taken aback, Dracos' sneer returned to his face, only for a few moments however. It seemed he couldn't think of anything to say either.

"I… what the bloody hell was that about Potter? Drawing my name all over parchment… you'd think-" he paused, his face growing even more red, "I mean it-" he noticed that his hand was still laying on Harrys shoulder, growing attention from the few stragglers who had come down for a late breakfast.

Harry glanced around noticing too, and quickly shrugged it off. Loudly he said, "Bug off, Malfoy. You can't take any points away for my eating breakfast can you?" chancing one glance at Dracos confused and angry face, Harry grabbed a piece of toast off the table and shoved past him, and out of the great hall.

Before Draco could have the chance to catch up with him; Harry took one of the shortcuts to the seventh floor, and looked for the stretch off wall that had given him solitude so many times.

"I need a place to clear my head." he said three times, pacing in front of the door. Out of no where, a door popped into existence leading to a small room, with poufy arm chairs but no warm cozy fireplace.

The first time Harry had used the room to get away, it had turned into a mirror of the Gryffindor common room. Harry had quite liked it then, but after using it so many times he had started to notice the things it lacked. Like his friends sitting with him, just taking a break or studying. Or what Harry enjoyed especially, bashing the Professors for giving to much homework, mostly Snape. Hermione didn't join in much, but studied all through the night, correcting Harry and Rons papers, or simply refusing too when she was tired of doing all their work for them.


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To busy reminiscing on days that he was actually happy, Harry completely forgot that he had mounds of homework to do, and fell asleep on the armchair.

He awoke not long later, his neck aching from the uncomfortable position he had fallen asleep in. He looked down to his watch, and remembered that it had stopped working last year, after being underwater for too long. Standing up and stretching, Harry felt grateful for it being a weekend day and lazily strolled over to the door. Opening it quietly, he peeked out to make sure no one was coming, and when he felt safe he stepped over the threshold of the Room of Requirement, and into the corridor.

Remembering that Angelina had scheduled quidditch practice today, Harry considered going. He had already used the ‘sick’ excuse quite a few times, and Harry doubted whether Angelina would buy it again, or if she even had at all.

This newfound feeling of being content felt odd to Harry, as though a large and heavy weight had lifted off his chest. He wanted to attend practice, and to actually talk to some one, instead of constantly fighting with himself, and his emotions.

Seeing peeves unscrewing a light fixture ahead in the corridor, Harry quietly slipped through one of the many shortcuts he knew to get to the Gryffindor common room.

“Sugar Quills.” Harry said to the fat lady, who swung open, revealing the portrait hole. Walking inside, Harry say Ginny sitting at one of the tables, and instead of avoiding her inviting wave, he put his hand in his pockets, and joined her.

“Harry,” Ginny said, pushing aside the homework she was working on, “You can’t get out of practice today, Angelina will go nuts. How are we supposed to practice without the seeker.” she looked up into his face, her eyes a brilliant shade of green that seemed to glitter and sparkle when the light from the window would shine in them.

Before Harry could answer she added, “You’re planning on quitting the team are you?” she asked suspiciously.
Harry grinned, and for the first time in a while it was a real grin, “No of course not, I’m the best seeker they’ve had in ages.”

Considering Ginny didn’t expect Harrys presence to much, she didn’t feel as discarded as Ron and Hermione did about Harrys new tendencies to be alone, though they hadn’t really talked since Harry had stayed at the burrow. The few times she had wanted to talk to Harry, Harry had mumbled some excuse of being busy, or having to study.

Ginny did look like she was nervous however, and Harry assumed that either Ron, or Hermione, had told her about how Harry had been treating them lately. Feeling like it was the right time to apologize, Harry stood up and said, “I’m feeling loads better than I have been lately, I think it was just the flu, so I’ll be at practice. Do you know where Ron is?” he asked.

“Yea, he and Hermione are in the library,” Ginny replied, and grabbed his arm, making him look directly at her, “Promise me you’ll be at practice Harry, I’m kind of worried about you, you know.” she said, looking completely serious. Harry could see concern etched in here eyes.

Holding her hand he said, “I’ll be there.” seeing Ginnys’ expression become impatient, Harry added, “I promise, ok?”

“OK.” she said, and let his hand go.

After running up to the dormitory to get his bag, Harry headed out to the library, waving to Ginny as he left the common room. He found them at a table near the front, both of them with their noses in books, neither talking.

“Hey…” he said, some what nervously, not knowing how they would react to him after being ignored for so long.
Hermione looked up agitatedly, then noticed that it was Harry. “Harry, hi…”

“Mind if I sit down?” Harry asked, setting his book bag on the floor beside an empty chair.

Ron, looking just as precautious as Hermione said, “No mate.. Of course not.”
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Neither Ron nor Hermione questioned what brought about Harrys new mood, but it looked as though they both doubted it would last. Harry himself didn’t know why he was feeling better than he had been lately, other than feeling greatly relieved that at least some one knew how he felt. That person being Draco was just as horrible as his confusion itself though.

After Harry had once again taken out his potions book, intent on writing the essay he had been given as make-up work, he glanced up, deciding whether he should spill his guts or not. Firstly, he thought, he should just apologize.

“Look… I just wanted to say I know I’ve been being a real prat lately,” he started, not sure of exactly what he should say, “It’s just-”

Hermione interrupted, the same concerned look on her face as Ginny had, had, “It’s all right Harry, but you should know that you can talk to us.” she looked over at Ron.

“Yea… of course, Harry.” said Ron, who looked like he wasn’t as eager to forgive Harrys rudeness as Hermione was.

Harry looked away, his eyes distant; once again he was slipping into an apathetic mood. He could tell that neither of them really wanted to speak to him, and he couldn’t deny that they had reasons to be angry. Before he had the chance to make up an excuse though, he noticed that Ron was glaring in the direction of the library entrance. Following Rons gaze, Harry saw Draco striding past the front desk, and towards where they were sitting.

“I gotta go, I forgot that I have quidditch practice, but I’ll catch up with you guys later OK?” Harry said quickly, stuffing his still undone work back into his bag.

Looking slightly confused, Ron and Hermione both just shrugged, and said “See you later Harry.”

Shoving past Draco on his way out, Harry trotted back to the common room to change. He would practice flying until the other players got there.

After Harry had changed, and got the case holding the balls, Harry walked out into the afternoon sun, considering the playing conditions. There wasn’t much wind, which was good, and the sun wasn’t directly over the pitch to create a glare. He set down the ball case, mounted his Firebolt and kicked off from the ground.

Feeling the wind rush into his face was just as exciting and exhilarating as it had been during his first Quidditch game. After a few times around the pitch, he touched back down, ready to let out the snitch. As he was opening the case, he saw a tall blonde figure running towards him.

“Oi! Potter!” Draco bellowed, quickening his stride as Harry started to mount his broom.

“Damnit Harry, would you quit running away from me?”

Becoming extremely annoyed at Dracos increasing effort to talk to him, Harry set his broom on the ground, and started walking towards Draco. Once they were five or less feet away from each other, there was a moment of silence, both glancing into each others eyes.

“Look, Draco, it was nothing personal… I’m surprised you haven’t spread it all around school by now.” Harry said, trying to sound supercilious, and snide, but there was an uncertainness to his voice.

Draco laughed, “My name on it, and its not supposed to be personal?”

“I…” Harry mumbled, not sure what to say. His sexuality was not something he felt he should be discussing with Draco.

“What Potter? Do you have some kind of man-crush on me, or something?” Draco jeered, but when Harry turned away he said, “No, don’t…. I’m serious…”

Both he and Harrys face both turned bright scarlet red, although it was much more noticeable on Dracos pale skin.

Harry stopped, and turned around again facing Draco, “What do you mean, “man-crush” he asked, not knowing how to answer. Why was Draco being so unlike himself?

Draco shuffled his feet uncomfortably, “You know what I mean Potter… Harry.”

“It’s none of your business really; who I have any sort of crush on. And no, even if I were gay I sure as hell wouldn’t have a crush on you, Malfoy.” said Harry, putting extra emphasis on Dracos name. For whatever reason Draco was being so nice, Harry was sure it wasn’t so he and Harry could have a nice heart to heart.

Anger flared though Dracos face, erasing the embarrassment that had left its red marks across it. “Fine then, Potter, but I’m sure your little mudblood girl friend, Ginny or whichever Weasley it is wouldn’t like to know you’ve been fantasizing about me, now would-”

Dracos face turned a bright shade of puce as he tried to open his mouth, but couldn’t. Harry advanced on him, his wand held high, “Don’t call her a mudblood,”

Watching as Dracos eyes worked furiously, Harry considered stupefying him and throwing him in the changing room. Deciding it’d be best to just leave him as he was; Harry turned, picked his broom back up and mounted.

Giving one final look at Malfoy, who had turned away and was running back to the castle, Harry kicked off. After a few times around the pitch, he remembered he had landed to let the snitch out, and returned to the ground again.

****

Practice went as well as could be expected, not having been flying much this year. Harry had seen the snitch quite a few times, but each time he had been hit by a bludger, because he wasn’t paying attention. The rest of the team was flying extremely well, and Harry wished that he had been more active. Monday classes proved that he should have been paying more attention there too.

Harry had Potions with Sltherin all week, and after one day he considered skipping class. Although he didn’t receive the usual taunting, the odd looks and stolen glances from Draco had begun to confuse Harry quite a bit.

Harry was confused; confused as to why Draco was acting the way he way, confused about his own unwillingness to confide in anyone, or to even have a normal conversation with his best friends. He was alone, and up until now he had been ok with it.
In the Gryffindor common room, long after midnight, Harry sat alone, yet again, finally finishing his Potions home work. He jotted down the last few lines, and rolled the paper up, glad that he had finally finished it.

Harry rubbed his eyes, and leaned back in the armchair, exhausted. Tomorrow he had his third class this week with the Slytherins, first thing in the morning. Facing the prospect of having to dodge Draco, and some how manage to stay off Professor Snape’s radar, Harry headed up to the boys dormitory for bed.

As soon as he lay down on his four posted bed, he fell asleep without even closing the curtains.

Harry awoke the next morning, tired and hungry. All the days of skipping dinner, and breakfast were quickly catching up with him. He looked over at Ron’s bed that was empty and guessed that he and Hermione were already down in the Great Hall.

Getting dressed and stowing his wand in his pocket, Harry left the common room, and took a few choice short cuts to the great hall. He found Ron and Hermione sitting together, at the far end of the table, and joined them, mumbling a good morning.

Hermione had a serious look on her face, as she was reading the Daily Prophet. Her eyes skimmed down the page quickly, and she turned a page, her expression becoming even more furious.

“I can’t believe this!” she exclaimed shrilly, “They’re chucking Professor Flitwick!”

Ron choked on his scrambled eggs, and bits of toast fell out of Harrys open mouth.

Ron was the first to speak, “Don’t tell me they’re sending in another Ministry person? We’ve already got to deal with that toad woman!”

“Why would they want to fire Flitwick? He’s been teaching here for ages!” Harry said, concerned.

Hermione took a breath, her voice shaking with anger, and said “Listen to this-”

Harry listened while Hermione read the Prophet, and when she had finished he and Ron both wore the same angry look that Hermione had.

“I knew it,” said Ron, “This guy better not be as bad as Umbridge, or I might just drop out. What’re they trying to do, ruin Hogwarts?”

“I’m guessing so, considering that we’re probably not going to learn anything from this one either.” said Hermione, sighing. “You just can’t learn defense against the dark arts without practicing it.” looking quite angry, Hermione slammed down the paper in front of her plate, and began stabbing at her bacon.

Harry picked up another piece of toast, deciding not to say anything. He was quite as mad about the staff replacements going on at Hogwarts as the other two were, but bickering about it wouldn’t do any good. Instead, he stood up and said, “I forgot my book in the common room, I’ll meet you two in class.”

“All right mate,” said Ron through a mouthful of eggs, earning a reproving look from Hermione, “Just don’t be late, Snape’s been livid lately… well more livid than usual.”

“Yeah,” Harry said, waving.

The dungeons were just as dark and dank as ever. Harry spotted Ron and Hermione already setting their things up, on a table close to the front. Professor Snape entered the dungeon moments after Harry, drawing the curtains closed as he walked to the font. Without a word he drew his wand, and magically copied words onto the blackboard.

“Begin.” was all Snape said, and sat down eyeing the students maliciously. He was obviously not happy about something,

From across the room, Harry saw Draco. He was still setting his things up, and every few seconds he would glance up at Harry. Harry noticed that his hair wasn’t as well cared for as usual, instead it was slightly greasy, and seemed to lack its usual shine. Draco was also less talkative than he usually was. During class he would pass notes, or whisper to the fellow Sltherins, and more times than not Harry was the butt of the joke. Today though, he was quiet and looked as though he was in a bad mood.

Determined not to catch Draco’s eye, Harry set to work.

Halfway through class, and after many mishaps with his potion, Harry was sweating profusely and leaning over his cauldron. Hermione however, was looking quite pleased with herself, as usual, and looked as though she was nearly done with her potion.

On the other side of the class room, Draco was looking just as displeased with his work as Harry was, but didn’t seem to care as much. After a loud bang from his own cauldron, he simply leaned back in his chair, bored.

“Mr. Malfoy,” said Snape, “Is there a problem?”

Draco looked up, annoyed, “No Professor.” he said, shortly.

“I suggest, that you pay attention to your potion, Mr. Malfoy.” said Snape, looking malevolent.

Draco, and the rest of glass turned their attention towards Draco’s potion, which was near boiling over his cauldron and sending up purplish sparks. Hurriedly, Draco waved his wand, putting the fire out, which caused the whole contents of the potion to explode, landing on most of the students who were near, including Draco.

The potion, however, had no effects on anyone, rather it just seemed to stink like hell. Draco cursed loudly, trying to wipe the greater portion of his potion of his face.

Snape stood up, and walked slowly towards Draco, and cleared the mess with a simple wave of his wand. “I would like to speak to you after class, Malfoy.” he said, and returned to his desk.

The rest of the class was silent, and after Snape bellowed for them to return to work, they all bent their heads and cared to their own potion. The bell rand not long afterward, and every one but Malfoy quickly started to leave.

After packing his things up, Harry stood up and went to follow Ron, and Hermione, who were waiting for him beside the door. As he started to walk away though, Professor Snape’s drawling voice came from behind him.

“Potter.” he said, and Harry turned around, annoyed.

“Yes, Professor?”

Snape crossed his fingers, and set his hands on top of his desk. “Your work has been less than your normal average.” he paused, eyeing Harry, “And that, I must say, is saying something. If you keep up with this work, I will fail you. Understood?”

“Yes, Professor.” Harry said, and turned away, ignoring Draco‘s sneer, and joined Ron and Hermione at the door.

“What was that about?” asked Ron.

Harry shrugged, not wanting to admit to his failing grades, “He’s in a bad temper, I guess I’m his favorite person to take it out on.”

Hermione looked at Harry suspiciously but said nothing as they headed towards Care of Magical Creatures.

The chilly November air was aided by the wind, making it quite cold. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Gryffindors walked down the grounds, towards Hagrids seemingly empty hut.

Professor Grubby-Plant was waiting for them by the edge of the forest. Her silver hair brought up neatly in a tight bun that she wore at the back of her head.

“We’ll wait for the rest of the class, before we begin.” she said shortly.
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The Slytherins arrived not long later, Draco bringing up the rear, again without Crabbe, or Goyle. Professor Grubby-Plank announced that they would be sorting through asphodel, to find the ripe ones, and throw out rotten ones.

Harry glanced over at Draco, who was yet again silent, and alone. Crabbe and Goyle were talking to each other, a few feet away from where Draco stood, leaning against a tree.

Grubby-Plank cleared her throat and said, “We’ll be working in pairs today class. To avoid mingling I will pair you up.” she named off the students who would be working together, most pairs groaning at her choices until finally there were only two people left. To Harry’s frustration, he was paired with Draco.

“Get to work.” Professor Grubby-Plank barked.

Draco did not join Harry immediately, but stood quite stationary. Ignoring this, Harry set to work picking through the asphodel to find ripe ones, from the bundles that Grubby-Plank had set out.

Half way through the lesson, and only after being threatened to be sent to his head of house for not participating, Draco finally joined Harry.

Speaking quietly, Draco kneeled down in front of Harry, “Look, Potter, can we just talk?”

Harry glared up at Draco, “And what, exactly, would you like to talk about Malfoy?”

Sighing impatiently, Draco ran his fingers through his hair nervously, “Look- I… I’m not sure what to say. Will you just tell me what this is about.” he said, and pulled out the parchment that Harry had drawn on.

Shocked that Draco had kept it Harry snatched the parchment out of his hands, and stowed in his own pocket, fearful of any one seeing it.

“I told you… I was just…” Harry stumbled over his words. Draco was not the kind to want to talk about anything, especially not with his worst enemy.

“Why can’t you just drop this. It’s not like we’re friends, and it’s not like you give a damn, so why are you acting like you do?” Harry asked.

Looking as though he was trying to give a dieing man bad news, Draco cleared his throat, “Because… because I do, ok. I care…” seeing the unbelieving look on Harry’s face, he corrected himself, “Not about you, Potter. It’s just… well… are you gay or not?”

Harry choked, not believing that he had heard correctly. “Am I gay?” he asked, setting down the rotten plant in his hand.

“That is not any of your business, and why-the-hell do you care?” Harry said quickly.

“Damnit potter!” Draco said, loudly enough that a few fellow classmates turned their heads. His voice lowered, Draco went on, “Four years solid dislike, I get that, but what the hell is wrong with you and I having one civil conversation?”

Cutting him off, Harry said, “Oh I dunno, maybe because you’re the biggest prat I’ve ever had the displeasure of knowing, you believe in pure-blood supremacy, you don’t give a rats *** about anyone but your self, your father is a death eater, you support the man who killed my parents! Would you like me to go on, or are those good enough reasons?” Harry was almost shouting as he stood up and walked over to the bins, dumping the ripe, and rotten plants into their right place. As he turned around, it came as no surprise that Draco was right behind him.

He spoke very slowly, and so quietly that Harry could barley hear him, “Did you grow up in a home where other peoples ideals were forced on you? Were you told to believe and act as they did, or you’d be thrown into the streets, disinherited?”

Impatiently, Harry cut Draco off again, and shoved past him, “Yes, I did! But you don’t see me parading around, pushing aside anyone who crosses my path, making other people’s lives miserable, do you?”

“Harry,” Draco said, sounding desperate, “I don’t choose to follow Voldemort, I never have. Do you remember the first time we met?”

Of all the things for Draco to bring up, he had to mention the first time Harry had ever seen him. Although, he didn’t know which time Draco was talking about.

“Vaguely.” Harry answered shortly. The bell rang, and the rest of the class started picking their things up, Harry along with them, eager to get away from Draco.

“I asked you to join me in my compartment, I wanted to be friends.”

So he was talking about the day on the Hogwarts express. Confused as to where Draco was going with this, Harry faced him and listened.

Realizing that Harry wasn’t going to run away yet again, Draco continued, “You rejected me, Potter, not the other way around. I offered you friendship, and you turned me down.”

“Because you were being a prat!” Harry exclaimed, “You insulted Ron, you insulted me, you insulted the few people I had met at that time, all in the time span of about three minutes!”

In a soft, almost regretfully sad voice Draco laid his hand on Harry’s shoulder, and looked him directly in the eye, “Because you…” he paused and looked away, “Oh forget it.”

He walked past Harry, his head hanging low, so unlike Draco. However horrible he was, he never lost his pride, and he would never try to make amends. Watching him stalk away, Harry though it just might be time to give him a chance.

Cursing himself already for even thinking about it, Harry ran to Malfoy yelling “Wait… wait!”

Draco looked astonished as he turned around, and stopped walking, though for once he was the one to be silent.

“I-- why do you want to know if I’m… well, gay?” Harry asked, embarrassed and already angry with himself.

Draco was staring holes into his shoes, and kicking the ground. After a few moments he said, “Because… well… I’ve never been one to try and sneak into the girls dormitory you know?”

Harry couldn’t help but to laugh, “Seriously?”

“No, I’ve confided the things I’ve been ashamed of all my life into the boy that I’ve hated for the past four and some odd years, because I’m feeling lonely today.” Draco said, with a trace of his usual snide voice.

Harry faltered, yet again not knowing what to say. He looked at Draco as if it were the first time he was actually seeing him. His eyes weren’t so cold, really, and thinking back on it, his supercilious smirk was honestly kind of cute.

“Well, I.. I think we should get to class… Mcgonagle’s been livid with me lately…” Harry said.

“Yeah… I’ll err.. See you around Potter.” Draco said and turned away.

Harry stood still, and watched Draco walk away. What had just happened?




Three months passed, and the friendship between Harry and Draco grew. It was rocky, and quite unsure at first, but in time they found that they had many things in common; mostly, the fear and loathing of the Dark Side.

Draco confided in Harry, things that he had never told another soul. How horribly his family treated him, even though in public, Lucius Malfoy made it seem as though Draco were the only star in the world that shone. How Lucius constantly told him that he would offer him, his only son, to the Dark Lord, at any moments notice. Draco was terrified of Voldemort, terrified of his own father, and Harry could sympathize with him.

Although at first, Harry didn’t trust Draco at all, soon he was telling him all about his own childhood, and the horrid muggles that he lived with; things he had never even told Ron, or Hermione. Draco was sympathetic with Harry and how he had to grow up, mostly because he had to endure the same treatment.

And although their friendship was growing, both knew that they neither of their groups of friends would ever accept them. They weren’t a couple, but as friends, they would be taunted by Slytherins, Harry would be further hated by the Gryffindors, all of which already thought he was a lying, attention seeking prat.

Their only time together, was stolen away in the Room of Requirement. Most weekends they would meet, and study together, some nights they would meet up, lonely, in need of some one to talk to. They found in each other their own counter parts. Harry was modest, and restrained; Draco bold, and unafraid to speak his mind, no matter the circumstances. Never after the day they were paired in Care of Magical Creatures did they speak of their preference to men.

One night, in the Room of Requirement, which had formed into a small, cozy room with a fire roaring merrily, Draco lay on the floor, leaned against pillows reading a book on famous wizards from the library, and Harry laid with his head on Draco’s stomach, reading Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard. It was the Saturday night before a trip to Hogsmead.

They never talked about being in a relationship, but both had taken to sitting close together, or laying as they were when in privacy

“Harry,” Draco said, distractedly, “Weren’t you born in Godrics Hollow?”

Harry looked up at Draco, “Yeah, why?”

“Isn’t your name, Harry Potter?”

Harry laughed, “Why, Draco, I think it is.”

“Only, it mentions here something about a famous young boy, who was born in Godrics Hollow, who’s famous for… wait I forgot… oh yea, being a complete idiot when it comes to reading.”

Harry laughed again, but was confused. Draco leaned up and took Harry’s book, turning it over.

“You were reading it upside down.” Draco said.
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Feedback Please (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=113967)! :)

Disclaimer for this passage: I did not write the explanation of wolfsbane. It is on HP-Lexicon.

After saying their goodbyes, Harry went back to the Gryffindor common room, and Draco towards the Slytherin common room, that was near the dungeons. When he got to his four poster bed, he remembered that he had left his invisibility cloak in the room of requirement, and deciding not to risk being caught out of bed, he resided on getting it tomorrow.

At breakfast the next morning, Harry sat at the Gryffindor table with Ron, and Hermione, who were bickering about the replacement teacher for charms.

“At least this guy can’t force us to learn it all from the textbooks.” said Ron, cutting off a piece of sausage.

“Yes, but he’s teaching us fourth level charms!” said Hermione, argumenitivly.

Harry didn’t understand why they were so defensive; they were on the same side in thinking that Professor Lash was unfair, and mediocre. Harry glanced across to the Slytherin table, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and others who were near Draco were laughing at a joke he just told. Draco had a supercilious look on his face, and looked as though he was enjoying himself.

The bell rang and Harry, smiling to himself, joined Ron and Hermione on their way to charms. The friendship between the three of them had gotten better, but Harry was still some what reserved. He tried to deny it when he started feeling guilty, but maybe Draco had rubbed off on him.

Harry had potions after lunch, which he had spent in the room of requirement with Draco, and he walked down to the dungeon alone, hoping he wasn’t late. When he entered the classroom, Draco was already there (they left the room at different times, as to not draw attention) and so was Snape.

“Tardiness, Mr. Potter,” Snape said lividly, “Is not allowed in my classroom. Ten points from Gryffindor.”

“But Professor-”

“Would you like to make fifteen points?”

Harry said nothing, but glared at Snape. Cursing under his breath, Harry sat down beside Ron, setting his bag on the cold, stone floor. Snape had been in an even worse mood than normal, not long after term had started. Harry didn’t have time to contemplate this, however; he had assigned a potion that Harry was sure was over fifth grade level.

As the students started preparing their potions, setting their fire to mild, Snape walked about the classroom. “Can anyone tell me what Wolfsbane is for?” he asked.

As usual, Hermione’s hand went straight up in the air, and as usual Snape ignored her. A pretty girl from Gryffindor, Harry wasn’t sure of her name, raised her hand at the same time. Snape ignored this to.

“No one.” he stated, and stopped pacing as he got back to the front of the room. “Wolfsbane is not a cure for lycanthropy, as some might think. It only works to prevent the extremely dangerous dementia which would otherwise accompany the transformation from human into werewolf. It takes eight days to brew, so you will only be starting this potion. You will continue your work in the continuing week, and I will make the necessary additions whilst you are not in class. However, I will not correct your potion in any way. Today you will begin, following the instructions I have on the board-” he paused, flicking his wand to the black board, on which words started to appear, “An essay on the ingredients and their effects and uses in the potion will be due in one weeks time. Begin.”

Harry groaned with the rest of the class as be began crushing aconite into fine powder. By the end of class, his potion was sending up red smoke, and giving off a terrible smell. The rest of the class’ potions looked the same, except Hermione’s who was sweating profusely, and still stirring. Hers was a light pink, and didn’t smell quite as bad.

The rest of the day droned by, and all Harry thought about was the few hours he would spend with Draco in the Room of Requirement; although he thought it better to not stay to late. He didn’t go get his cloak, deciding to just use the map and hope for the best. To his luck, it worked.

Harry stood before the wall on the seventh floor, and paced thrice thinking “I need a place to meet Draco…”

Draco was already there, and to Harry’s horror he wasn’t alone. Ron and Hermione were gagged, and bound together by ropes; they were staring at Harry looking confused, both of their faces had bruises. Ron’s lip was busted, and dried blood dripped on his chin.

Draco stood behind them, on his right his father, and on his left a porky looking man, with a malicious glare in his eye. Harry stood, befuddled; his mouth was open and for a few seconds he was unable to speak.

“Well, well, well… this is quite a predicament, isn’t it?” said Lucius Malfoy, sneering. Draco’s expression was even more snide than his fathers. He looked proud, and kept glancing up at his father, as if awaiting his approval.

“Lucius,” it was the porky man who spoke, “What an opportunity this is… you should recognize it as thus! Lets just kill him eh’? Say he put up a fight, and it was un avoidable… we will be rewarded above no others! Revered!”

“No, Exavery. Our orders are to bring him to the Dark Lord.” Lucius said plainly, “If the three of them get… ah, a bit hurt during the process, then by all means, it is unavoidable.”

“How did you get in?” said Harry, still glued to the spot. The door to the room was still open.

“Well, that wasn’t such a problem, now was it?” said Draco, laughing, “Portkey.”

“But last year… Dumbledore had to tighten the security. He put charms up… I’m sure…”

Hermione and Ron were looking back and forth from Draco to Harry. Silent tears were sliding down Hermione’s face, and Ron tried his best to comfort her, though his arms were bound.

“There will be time for talking later,” said Lucius, and Exavery drew his wand, “Now, you have a long overdue appointment with death, Potter.”

Before Harry could dodge the spell, he was bound and sent flying across the room, knocking him into the wall. His vision slightly hazy, Harry looked up and saw Draco advancing on him, his back turned to his father and the other Death Eater.

He mouthed something that Harry didn’t quite catch, and jerked him up by the ropes that were around his stomach. After throwing him down by Ron and Hermione, he joined his father again, grabbing an old quill that way lying on one of the tables.

“It leaves in one minute.” Draco said, looking down at his watch.

Harry looked frantically at Hermione, she and Ron looked just as terrified as he was. How did this happen? Harry cursed himself for ever trusting Draco. But everything that Draco had told him had sounded so… honest. It all fit, but then again, it was Draco Malfoy. Harry thought he had, had someone he could talk to, he thought he had really known him. And now, bound along with the only two people who had never wronged him, Harry saw what a huge mistake it had been.

Harry wondered how three bound passengers, two full grown men, and Draco were all going to leave by porkey. He didn’t have to much time to ponder this however, for Draco had drawn his wand and pointed it straight at Harry.

“Draco, there’s no time for that now!” said Lucius, walking towards the three on the ground. As he and Exavery kneeled down before them, Lucius impatiently beckoned Draco. There was on few seconds left…

“Stupefy!” bellowed Draco, aiming his wand at his father. Exavery turned around, confused, but his hand was still on the quill, and in the blink of an eye he was gone. Harry watched Draco, becoming even more confused by the minute.

Draco grabbed a log out of the fire, and tapped his wand on it, saying “Portus.” he turned his father over, who was heaped on top of Harry’s legs. Harry noticed that Draco’s hand lingered some what on his leg, and Ron watched, bemused.

Lucius Malfoy disappeared just as the other Death Eater had. Draco pointed his wand at Harry, who although was not gagged, watched Draco silently.

“Relashio,” Draco said, and the binds fells off all three of them. He noticed that the door was still open, and quickly went to shut it.

“Ok, we don’t have much time. I didn’t stupefy the big bloke… oh bloody hell, I didn’t stupefy him.” a look of panic fluttered across Draco’s face, and he looked as though he had just noticed this major flaw. He ran over beside the chair and picked up Harry’s cloak, pocketing it. Then he picked up Harry’s bag, and after digging through it he found an ink bottle, and said the incantation again.

“Grab this, he said quickly, holding it out to the other three. Harry immediately obeyed, overwhelmingly relieved that Draco hadn’t set him up. But he wondered how Ron and Hermione had been captured.

“Do you think we’re brainless, you conniving git?” spat Ron, standing up and grabbing Hermione.

“Ron-”

“This conniving git just saved your life, Weasley. Take the damn portkey, or as soon as term is over you won’t even make out of the train station.”

“Ron, it’s alright, let’s go.”

“Harry?” said Hermione, “what’s going on… I-”

“We don’t have time!”

“But where’s it going?” Hermione asked, her eyes were flitting back and forth from Harry to Draco.

“To where you’ll have a chance to live; take the portkey.” demanded Draco.

Reluctantly, Ron and Hermione extended their fingers. The four of them looked at each other nervously, and after a few seconds they were off. The last thing Harry saw was dozens of people in dark masks appearing in the room of requirement.
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Ugh I don't like this passage, but I had to get the DEs in some how. Feedback would be nice :) Links in previous posts.

I've switched this from fifth year to seventh! Will make changes in earlier chapters later.
__________________________________________________ _______________
They landed hard on soggy ground. Hermione and Ron both fell, landing in a particularly muddy spot, but Harry was caught by Draco before he hit the ground. Immediately Draco pulled his wand from beneath his robes and started pacing around them, muttering incantations.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, who were trying to wipe the muck off each other.

“How did you two get involved in this?” Harry asked.

“I had to capture them.” said Draco, still pacing around in a circle. Finally after a few moments he sank onto the ground, sighing.

“If you hadn’t just got us out of there Malfoy-” started Ron, but Draco cut across, “You’d what? Curse me? Yeah because that went so well in second year. Slugs… good memories with you, Weasley.”

Ron started to advance on Draco but Hermione held him back. “If you ever touch Hermione again, I swear I’ll-”

“Ron, stop it. He had to make it look believable, didn’t you?” Harry said, sitting not so close to Draco.

Ron gave Harry a quizzical look.

“Yeah, I did. And now look where we are. I just risked my life for you, all three of you. I’d like to see a little gratitude.”

“Gratitude?” said Hermione, who rushed in front of Draco, her face only inches from his, “I’ve got to study, we’ve all go to! Exams aren’t that far away! You brought us into this! If it weren’t for you, your damn father wouldn’t have been able to get in! Nor that other Death Eater!”

Harry stared at Hermione, who was screaming. He hadn’t expected her, the logical one to jump to conclusions without thinking things through. He was wondering too why they had been brought into this. After all, Voldemort wasn’t the kind to bring anyone who wasn’t in his way down.

“I brought you,” said Draco, glaring up at Hermione, “And your stinking ungrateful little boyfriend (“Not my boyfriend!”) along because I knew Harry would be dreadful without you. You three are inseparable, attached or something. You think I’d want Potter here moping around while we’ve got work to do?”

“I risked my own neck again to do it too. My father was suspicious as to why I would want to bring you two. The Dark Lord didn’t order for you two to come, so I had to do some pretty quick lying to convince him of your worth.”

Ron disregarded this last thing Draco had said. Seemed to Harry that processing the thought that Draco had done something seemingly nice was just way out of Ron’s believing.

“And just what work do you have in mind? How do we know that this isn’t just another trick?” Ron spat at Draco, taking Hermione by the arm and pulling her away. He shot a look at Harry, obviously wanting him to speak up. Neither Ron nor Hermione could figure out why Harry was so quick to believe Draco.

“Err… look guys, we would’ve just died if it wasn’t for Draco. I don’t know where they were planning on taking us but would’ve been out numbered, and out powered. I don’t think this is a set up. I mean he stupefied his own father…” said Harry nervously. He didn’t want to explain why he trusted Draco, even if that trust had just been seriously tried.

“Thanks, Potter.” said Draco, without looking at him.

And then there was Draco returning to his typical nature. Harry wasn’t sure if he wanted to be to friendly to Draco either, in the company of his two best friends.

“Harry…” said Hermione, “What makes you believe we can… believe him?”

Harry glanced up at Draco, who was avoiding his gaze. “Because he’s in the same situation that we’re in now. And speaking of, where exactly are we?”

Draco stood up, and started pacing again. He wasn’t paying attention to the other three, who were watching him. Ron took him by the arm and turned him around. Oddly, Draco didn’t brush his hand off of him, he just simply said, “What?”

“Where in the devil are we?”

“Look around Weasley. Trees, dirt, leaves… think hard now, what does it look like?”

Ron scowled at Draco, but didn’t say anything else. He motioned for Harry to follow him, but Draco who hadn’t even been looking said, “Don’t go any further than a few feet away from this spot.”

“Why?” asked Hermione, though it looked like she understood.

“We’ve all still got the trace. If father hadn’t taught me how to deflect this- not even confining charms can- then we would’ve been found almost immediately.”

“The trace? What’s that?” asked Harry.

Ron sighed, “I keep forgetting that you lived with muggles-” he paused, as though waiting for a smart reply from Draco at the mention of muggles. To his surprise, none came. “It’s err… how the ministry can tell when an underage wizard is using magic. That’s how they knew about you blowing up your aunt.”

“Yes, but if they’re adult wizards in the house then they can’t tell who did magic. It’s supposed to be up to the parents to make sure their children don’t use it.” added Hermione.

Harry stood up, “Well there’s no point in asking why Voldemort-” Ron made a slight gasp.

“Oh, shut it Weasley, it’s just a name.”

“Why Voldemort wants me. But why now? It’s not a very well thought out plan, if you think about it. Capturing me in school?”

“But it’s the perfect plan with me there.” said Draco, his voice was quiet, and he sank onto the ground, burying his face in his hands.

Harry watched him for a moment, torn between playing the charade of enemies, and comforting him. Draco had just sacrificed himself for him and his friends, but in the back of his mind thoughts kept popping up; things that Harry didn’t want to think about. What if this was just a plan? An even more intricate plan, involving dragging them out into the middle of nowhere only to be ambushed right when they felt safe. But for some reason Harry couldn’t really believe that. Even though for four years the two of them loathed each other to the very core, Harry had found a courageous person in the man who’s demeanor was supercilious and to proud to look below his nose.

Harry nervously looked at Ron and Hermione; Hermione was staring at Draco, Ron trying not to stare at Hermione. He knew that they fancied each other… that they might understand. Hoping that Draco wouldn’t push him away, Harry dragged up all the courage he had and stood up, edging towards Draco.

Ron watched with an incredulous look as Harry sat down beside Draco, and though neither Ron nor Hermione could see, he slipped his hand on Draco’s leg, trying to comfort him. He knew what being a target of Voldemort’s felt like, and how frightened he had been that first year at Hogwarts, meeting him face to face.

Draco looked up at him, his gray eyes were misted over and his face was sunken.

Ron and Hermione were staring at the two of them, their mouths agape. Ron shuffled his feet uncomfortably and said, somewhat reluctantly as though he wasn’t quite sure what was going on, “Err… you don’t expect us to stay here all night do you?”

The sun was indeed setting, sending chilly winds through the trees. It was abnormally still in the forest; there were no birds chirping or rustling of leaves made by any creatures that might be there.

Draco looked up at him, his face still soft, “I suppose not, this was just the first place I could think of. Severus has a flat in London for me- us- to use.”

“Snape?” questioned Harry, looking quizzically at Draco.

“Severus?” asked Ron.

“Yes, Severus. I don’t suppose you all know how to apparate?”

The three of them looked at each other, they hadn't had their apparation lessons yet.

“Alright, Harry I’ll take you first.” said Draco standing up and holding out his arm.

“Wait, why didn’t you just take us there first?” asked Ron, looking suspiciously at Draco.

Draco sighed again impatiently, “Because I’m the secret keeper. You three would’ve been taken outside, and the ministry could’ve found us. Any more questions, Weasley?”

“Well how do we know that your not taking Harry to you-know-who?”

Harry took Draco’s arm, “Trust him Ron, let’s go.”

“Hold on tight,” Draco looked back at Ron smirking, “wouldn’t want to let you go.”

It happened in an instant; Harry felt like he was being sucked through a rubber tube, his ears were popping and his hand felt like it was glued to Draco’s arm. Just when he thought he was going to loose consciousness it stopped, just as quickly as it had started.

Harry hit the ground hard, and again Draco caught him before he fell. His knees were a bit shaky as he sank onto a nearby chair that looked like it was older than time, and it creaked at every slight shift that Harry made.

Draco looked at him with concern, “You alright there, Harry?”

“Yeah… yeah, just go get Ron and Hermione.”

Draco kneeled down before Harry, lying his hands on Harry’s knees, “You trust me don’t you?”

Harry looked up, and laid one of his hands on Draco’s, “’Course I do, not so sure that they do, but I guess they’re going to have to.”

“Right.” said Draco, “Be right back.”

He stood up, turned on the spot and in the swish of a cloak he was gone. Harry looked around the dark and drab flat; he could definitely imagine Snape living here. What was curious though, is why Snape had let Draco use it. As far as Harry could tell, favored students usually got better grades, and more attention; not being the secret keeping for the professor’s home.

Even though his knees were still a bit shaky, Harry stood up and walked around the room. The paint on the walls was peeling, though Harry could tell that before it might have been a deep green. The floors creaked with every step Harry took; he peeked into a room that’s door was open. The paint in here was peeling to, and there was an inch of dust on the old, four poster bed. It looked like it might have been grand in it’s younger years, though now it certainly hadn’t been slept in for ages. Harry was starting to get nervous.

There was a loud crash in the living room, and a muffled yell; Harry ran into the room and saw Draco and Ron wrestling on the floor.

“Gerroff me!” said Ron through the commotion. Draco pushed Ron off of himself and threw him onto the floor; Ron fell back and landed on a table that broke from the weight.

Harry rushed to Ron’s side, and pulled him up, “What the hell?”

Ron looked at Harry in surprise, “Harry… oh, you’re here.”

“Yeah, he’s here you damn psychopath, now I’ve got to go get Granger before she tries to run.”

And again, Draco turned on the spot and disappeared.

“I thought he had taken you to you-know-who, Harry. What’s going on? All of the sudden you trust Malfoy?”

“It’s complicated Ron, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Please, help me understand Harry. Were in Snape’s house, Malfoy’s supposedly helping us, you-know-who risked putting his Death Eaters in the school to get you, and you don’t think there’s anything wrong!”

Harry was getting frustrated, he didn’t know what was going on either, but he didn’t want to consider Ron being right. Whatever Draco was doing, he was sure there was a reason for it.

Harry sat down on a moldy couch and looked around. The flat looked like it only had one bedroom; other than that there was a small kitchen, a sitting room with little furniture and a fireplace, and the hallway that led to the bedroom and a small bathroom. There were no lights in the house, and Harry didn’t know if he could risk using magic to light a fire.

Ron stepped over the broken wood on the ground and sat beside Harry.

“You honestly trust him then?” he asked, shooting a sideways glance at Harry.

Harry paused for a moment, “Yeah, I guess I do.”

Just then Draco appeared with a struggling Hermione. She fought him off and looked around.

“Oh thank heavens, your both here.” She said, and ran to Ron and Harry, grabbing them both around the necks nearly crushing them.

Draco looked at the scene but didn’t say anything. He was obviously restraining for a snide remark because he turned around and sat at the kitchen table. Hermione finally let go of Ron and Harry and turned to look at Draco.

“Now that we’re here, would you mind explaining all this?” Hermione asked, and sat down between Harry and Ron.

Draco sat down on one of the chairs, and looked lost in thought. When he did speak it was quietly, and he didn’t look at the others.

“The Dark Lord wants Harry, obviously. But he especially wanted to get Harry out of the school; Severus and I have been planning this since we were told of Voldemort’s plan. What I don’t know though,” he paused, and glanced at Harry, “is why Voldemort is so determined to get Harry out of Hogwarts. He’s taken some major risks to pull this off, especially after last year when I failed to…” his voice trailed off oddly.

“Snape is in on this?” said Ron, “Why would he want to help us?”

“He doesn’t want to help you, Weasley.”

Ron ignored this.

“So he wants to help me then?” said Harry, “I doubt that.”

“Well don’t; as far as I know we’re going to be cooped up in here until we hear from Snape-”

“Or someone from the Order.” Hermione interrupted.

“Yes I suppose they’ll know by now too.”

Harry heard a loud grumble coming from Ron’s stomach.

“Is there any food in this place?” Ron asked, looking around the dark, and drab flat; his eyes found the kitchen and it didn‘t look as thought he held much hope.

Harry could tell that the old, peeling paint on the walls were concealing stone which did nothing for the cold that was seeping through, into the house. Draco shrugged his shoulders, and Ron stood up and entered the kitchen area. After a few moments of rummaging through the shelves and the cream yellow refrigerator, he had stale bread, and a large hunk of cheese in his hands.

Hermione looked at Harry nervously, and then joined Ron in the kitchen. They both sat with their back to the sitting room; huddled together not even trying to conceal the fact that they were whispering feverishly to each other.

Draco and Harry’s eyes met; the cold stone gray that was Draco’s was oddly diminished, as though no light would every shine in them again. Despite Harry’s uncertainness, and the mounting fear that was steadily rising in his chest, Harry locked their gaze; furiously trying to let Draco know that what ever happened, he was going to be there.

Surprisingly, Draco nodded as if understanding. Briefly Harry remembered the same feeling of his mind being read last year, when having to study Occulmens with Snape.

The moon was high in the sky as the four young students laid in the sitting room; Ron and Hermione on the floor. Hermione had fallen asleep on Ron’s shoulder, and although he looked quite pleased with this, he also looked uncomfortable. Harry and Draco were sitting on either sides of the small couch, not looking at each other. The four of them had been silent for most of the night; Harry thought that it had to be around four in the morning.

“Ron, why don’t you take Hermione into the bedroom. She can sleep in there and the three of us will bunk out here.” Said Harry, yawning widely.

Neither Harry or Draco had said anything, but as the night had gone on Draco had started responding inaudibly to Harry’s thoughts; he would nod if he agreed, or shake his head every so slightly if he didn’t agree.

As Ron gently shook Hermione awake and half carried her into the bedroom, Draco stood up and crossed the room to a pantry that Harry hadn’t noticed. From it Draco produced four or five thick blankets, and laid all but one onto the floor. He then took the remaining blanket and spread it onto the couch.

Ron came back into the room yawning wider than Harry. He covered his mouth, and said something that Harry and Draco didn’t catch.

Harry stood up and offered the couch to Ron. He mumbled a thanks and fell onto the moldy covers without even bothering to kick his shoes off.

Draco was leaning against the wall opposite the fire place, and Harry stood shivering, opposite Draco. They looked at each other momentarily, and then both made their way to the blankets on the floor, which were laid quite close together. They both sat down, their eyes locking again.

“Do you think we could use magic here? I mean, shouldn’t the Fidelius Charm block the Ministry from ‘tracing’ us?”

“Yeah, that’s how it works. They can’t detect magic here.” said Draco. He looked inquiringly at Harry, “Why?”

“I’m freezing.” replied Harry sleepily.

Draco retrieved his wand from his pocket, and lazily flicked it towards the grate which instantly roared with flames. Ron gave a loud snort, and seconds later began snoring loudly. From the hallway where the bedroom door was open, Harry could hear Hermione’s quiet snores that were barley more than heavy breathing.

Draco pulled the covers out from under himself, and Harry did the same. They lay there silently as minutes droned by, neither wanting to speak; to give light to the situation at hand. Finally Harry sat up abruptly, and Draco looked at him quizzically.

“Whas’ a matter?” he asked.

“I just don’t get it. I mean why would Snape want to help me? I can understand why he would want to help you, but definitely not me. And why would Voldemort try to capture me from school? What’s so important that he had to get me out of there, and risk doing it right under the whole staff’s noses?”

Draco sighed, and he pulled Harry down on top of him. Harry’s heart started beating furiously, and an odd feeling in his stomach started to erupt as Draco combed his hands through Harry’s messy hair. Harry started to run his fingers along Draco’s arm, and shut his eyes tightly. Whatever mess he was in, this moment was worth the trouble.

“I wish I could tell you Harry, but Severus has kept a lot from me. All he told me was what to do; not why.”

“Well that I can believe.”

“Mmm.”

Draco slowly nodded off; they had tried to stay up so that they could talk privately but both of them were simply to tired. Harry started to nod off, listening to the steady rhythm of Draco’s heartbeat.

Sometime during the night the two boys had separated. Harry awoke the next morning to a chilly wind that had blown through the broken window above the couch; on which Ron still laid asleep. He looked to his left: Draco wasn’t there. He looked up and saw Draco sitting at the kitchen table reading the Daily Prophet.

“Morning.” said Harry. He looked through the window and saw the sun was still low, casting orange and pinkish hues all throughout the sky.

“How’d you get that?” Harry asked awkwardly. Last night had been great, to fall asleep in Draco’s arms but it was still weird for the two of them to be so close. Especially now, since they were going to be under the constant eye of Ron and Hermione.

Draco set the paper down and rubbed his eyes. Neither of them had gotten much sleep, as it couldn’t be to early.

“Nicked it out of a bin, this is a mostly magical community. I used your cloak.” Draco said. He reached into his pocket and handed the cloak over to Harry, who took it and ran the silky material through his hands.

“Oh… listen er… last night,” Harry began. He wasn’t quite sure what to say though. They’d never talked about any sort of romantic relationship

Draco looked uncomfortable, “Sorry Harry, I just… well it’s no secret that we like each other, you know?”

Harry looked at Draco, surprised at his bluntness. It wasn’t really a secret, with the way that they were around each other, but it was still a bit awkward to think about being with a boy…

“Well no, it’s not. But don’t you think, I mean, I’ve never been with another guy.”

“I haven’t either.” said Draco softly, staring holes into the table surface. They were both red faced, and staring anywhere but at each other.

Harry looked around the kitchen, it was dark and bleak and the appliances looked like they had been there for ages. There were many Muggle appliances, like a coffee maker and blender; neither looked like they had ever been used.

Draco stood up and left Harry at the table. He went into the bathroom rather quickly and Harry stared in the direction feeling more confused than ever. Draco didn’t return after a few minutes, and Harry stood up and examined the coffee maker.

After looking through all the cupboards he couldn’t find any coffee, or coffee filters to use. Deciding to go into town later on to get what they would be needing, under protection of the invisibility cloak, Harry went to the bathroom and knocked quietly on the door.

“Draco, you alright?”

“Fine, I’m fine.” came Draco’s drawling voice.

Harry stood before the door for a moment, then backed away and went back into the kitchen. Ron and Hermione were still asleep in their respective places, and Harry thought it couldn’t be any earlier than seven in the morning. Harry looked down at his broken watch and removed it, setting it on the table. It was due time for a new one.

Harry leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. He had hoped to hear from Snape or someone from the order late last night, but no word came. Today hopefully they would hear of their plan of action. Here in this house they had nothing, no idea of what to do; nor any idea of how to do anything. Getting food though was definitely a top priority thought Harry, as he felt his stomach grumble. He hadn’t joined Ron and Hermione last night, it was still odd to be around the two of them. His best friends… nearly strangers now.

Harry heard a door close and Draco entered the kitchen again, his eyes looking slightly red. Draco looked at Harry and then sat down, avoiding his gaze.

“Where’s the nearest store?” asked Harry, keen to not reopen the discussion they were just having, “I thought we could go nick some food under the cloak.”

“Er, I’m not really sure. I’ve only been here once, and it was only inside the house.”

Harry felt guilt rising in the pit of his stomach. He had made Draco come here; he may have never asked him to, but Draco had done it for him.

“Oh, well I’ll go alone. Unless you’re up for some exploring?” Harry added, smirking a bit, trying to make things friendly.

Draco’s face lit up almost unnoticeably. It seemed that something exciting was much more intriguing that sitting about the dark and drab house all morning.

Their adventure into the town however, was not exciting in the least. They spent most of their time walking around, seemingly in circles trying to find a grocery market. Then once they had wandered the streets for an hour or so they found a quaint little town which consisted of a small church, a market, a cemetery, a cheery little pub filled with bustling town folk, and various other shopping places.

“You’re on my foot!”

“You’re other foot is showing!”

“Pull the damn cloak down then!”

Harry’s foot was throbbing as he and Draco, huddled together, hobbled towards the market that was in sight a block away.

“Remind me again why we have to use this damned cloak?” spat Draco, annoyed because his back was hurting from having to haunch over for the past hour and a half.

“I dunno’, it just seemed like the smart thing to do as there are bloody Death Eaters looking for us, not to mention the Ministry by now, if they’ve found out that we’re gone from school.” replied Harry sarcastically. This outing wasn’t going how he had planned.

The two boys stopped in front of the market’s doors, and stood still waiting for a customer to open the door for them to slip through, unnoticed.

“D’you really expect any Death Eaters to show up here, in this small little town?”

“Do you have any Muggle money to pay for the food we’re about to steal?” Draco looked over at Harry, and when Harry didn’t replied he nodded and said, “Didn’t think so. Go!”

A short man carrying a walking stick ambled slowly through the door, giving them just enough time to slide past him. Harry thought he had brushed the man’s shoulder but he just walked right past, mumbling something to himself.

Harry looked around, it was a small market and the checkout girls looked bored, as they slumped behind the registers passing items through the scanner. Draco motioned for Harry to move forward and together they found the bread isle.

“How’re we supposed to do this without any one seeing? I mean floating food might look a bit suspicious.” asked Harry, watching as a middle aged woman stuffed packages of bread into her shopping cart.

“I dunno… let’s just grab it when no one’s looking.” suggest Draco, watching the woman too, and waiting for her to leave.

Once she had, Harry scanned the isle looking for the cheapest brand, but then remembered that he wouldn’t be buying it. Living with the Dursley’s, Harry hadn’t received very much pocket money, but on the rare occasions that he had, he had learned to be very careful with it. Meanwhile Draco had already grabbed two loaves and stuffing them under his cloak.

They walked slowly through the store, acquiring items here and there until finally their cloaks were stuffed so full that they couldn’t fit anything else in them. The walk back to Snape’s small little flat required much better movement skill as both boys were having to constantly make sure their stolen goods weren’t falling out of their cloaks.

When they finally reached the darker side of town, where the mere sight of the houses held no light like the other cheery cottages, and the foundations looked like they were liable to come crashing down at any moments notice; Harry and Draco stood before the house that was just becoming visible. It looked like the house in-between the other two was pushing them aside, and the residents didn’t notice a thing.

Harry and Draco walked through the threshold, and Harry immediately pulled off the cloak. As the door slammed Ron jumped up with a start, looking around the room. He mumbled something incoherently and Harry chuckled a bit, before making his way into the kitchen, unloading the mounds of food he and Draco had brought back.

Just then, Hermione came into the room, her clothes wrinkled and her hair frizzy and much of it sticking up, out of place. She stared at the food that Draco was removing from his cloak and then at Harry.

“How’d you two get all this?”

“Nicked it.” replied Draco shortly, before putting the chilled food in the refrigerator.

Harry took sausages from the table and set them by the stove. After looking through the cupboards below the sink he found a frying pans and set two of them on the stove, setting the temperature to medium.

Hermione sat down at the table and Ron joined her, bidding good morning. Hermione replied with the same sleepy voice, and Draco, his face oddly stony, joined Harry at the stove with a package of eggs.

Soon there was the sound of sausage and bacon frying, and smells wafting throughout the entire house. Harry and Ron were arguing lightheartedly about Quidditch; Harry bent over the stove frying the meat, beside Draco who was tending to the eggs. Neither of the boys had learned any household spells, and Harry was regretting this, though he didn’t have the heart to insult the already moody Hermione (“You couldn’t have let me grab some books before you kidnapped me?”) by asking her to cook the food.

To Hermione’s great pleasure Draco had found a small collection of books in the bedroom, after they had all finished eating breakfast. Hermione wouldn’t even touch one of them, that even by the cover which had no title, looked dark and like it held subjects that she didn’t wish to delve into. She had flipped through the pages upon opening it, her face becoming even more disgusted by the second until she finally threw it across the room, shooting a nasty look at Draco; as if he had written the book.

She now sat on the couch with her nose buried in one of the books: “The Tales of Beedle and the Bard”, a collection of wizarding fairy tales. Ron was sitting behind her flipping through another book, frequently stealing glances at Hermione. His ears turned a bright shade of plum when Harry caught him doing this.

Harry was sitting at the kitchen table; Draco had disappeared into the bedroom and hadn’t been out since he found the books and gave them to Hermione. Harry was just about to go see what he was up to when Hermione called him over.

“Look at this symbol, Harry.” She said, pointing to an odd picture at the top of the page. Ron looked over at what she was pointing at. The story was “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” and above the heading there was a picture of a stick and circle inside of a triangle. Harry examined it for a moment, then looked over at Ron who wore the same confused expression.

“What about it?” Harry asked.

Hermione pursed her lips, “It doesn’t look like the other ones- like it’s been drawn onto the page.”

“I wouldn’t know why… I’m going to go check on Draco.” said Harry, and he walked to the hallway and knocked on the bedroom door.

“Yeah?” came Draco’s voice.

“It’s Harry, can I come in?”

“Er- sure.”

The door opened with a creak and Harry stepped into the room. Draco was sitting in the chair beside the desk; parchment was spread all about the desk haphazardly, and as Harry drew closer he could see the ink stains and time withering of the desk.

“What’s all this?” Harry asked, staring at a the parchment.

Draco stood up and started pacing the room, “They were in the drawers,” he answered, “Most of it is old lesson plans, official documents from the Ministry, things like that. I thought I might find some thing that would help us.”

“Help us do what? I thought we were just stuck here.”

“Well, we are I guess. But I can’t just sit out while the wars raging on, outside of these walls. I mean, Harry, people are dying, most of them by my fathers hands I’m sure. I may have helped you evade the Dark Lord, but that’s not enough.”

Draco stopped pacing and leaned against a wall, his back towards Harry. Suddenly he kicked it, and slammed his fists, creating a hole.

There were loud footsteps and Ron burst through the door, his wand held high in front of him. His eyes fell on Draco, then Harry.

“You alright, er- both of you?”

“Fine.” said Draco flatly.

“Yeah, I’m alright”

“Oh, well… alright then.” Ron exited the room, looking over his shoulder before he shut the door. Once his footsteps had died away Harry stood up and approached Draco cautiously.

“So you- well you’ve decided to really join us then? I mean you’ve helped us and all, but I thought that was just for-” Harry stopped before saying “me”.

Draco turned around, and Harry was sincerely shocked to see a single tear escaping his gray eyes, “You. I’ve done everything for you, Harry.”

Draco grabbed Harry by the shoulders and threw him against the wall; Harry stared into Draco’s eyes, and he stared back only for a moment. Before Harry knew what was happening Draco kissed him full on the mouth, pressing his body harshly against him. Harry’s eyes were wide open in shock, and he pushed Draco off of him, and wiped his mouth.

“Draco! What the hell?” Harry was not appalled, nor shocked by Draco’s act; he was fearful of what might happen. Scared of what Ron and Hermione would think, scared of being in love with another boy, but mostly scared that Draco’s intentions might not be as he said.

“Harry I… I thought-” Draco’s face fell, his lips were quivering.

Harry braced himself, his mind racing furiously, almost as fast as his heart was beating; and after taking one sweeping look at Draco he pushed him onto the bed, flinging himself on top of him. This time Draco was the one wide eyed, but for a full minute they gazed into each others eyes, and at that moment Harry knew that the stars would only shine so long as those sparkling, gray eyes were staring back at him.

Harry rolled over onto his back and stared breathlessly up at the ceiling. He could hear Draco panting beside him, though he couldn't figure out whose heartbeat was pounding in his ear.

The two boys laid in silence, neither looking at the other. Harry's lips were nearly aching from the furious kisses and his palms were still sweaty. Harry ran his hand through his hair, and let his arm rest above his head; his chest was rising and falling rapidly as if he had just ran a million miles. Funny, how falling in love can feel.

Harry's eyes widened as it hit him; his mind started racing faster than his heart and suddenly he didn't want to lay still. Resisting the urge to get up and run away; far, far away from where he laid, his arm resting against Draco's, Harry sat up and ran his hands through his hair again.

"I'm sorry, Harry." Draco's voice was barley audible, and along with the thousand other feelings, Harry felt the familiar twinge of guilt rising in the pit of his stomach.

"For what?"

"You... you look nervous or something."

Harry sighed, "No, not at all. Just-" he paused, not knowing whether Draco would feel the same if he confessed how he felt, "don't be sorry, Draco, there's nothing to be sorry about."

The bed moved as Draco sat up and put his arm around Harry's shoulder, "You're right, nothing at all." Harry turned to see a wide smile spread across Draco's face and the guilt slipped right through him. He had held his feelings in for years; at least now he knew that Draco liked him.

They stared silently at each other for a few minutes before they both stood up from the bed. Harry tried smoothing down his hair a bit; if it looked anything like Draco's, which was sticking up in odd places, the two of them would look pretty conspicuous. However, Harry doubted whether either Ron or Hermione would ever guess what they had been doing.

Harry rolled over onto his back and stared breathlessly up at the ceiling. He could hear Draco panting beside him, though he couldn't figure out whose heartbeat was pounding in his ear.

The two boys laid in silence, neither looking at the other. Harry's lips were nearly aching from the furious kisses and his palms were still sweaty. Harry ran his hand through his hair, and let his armrest above his head; his chest was rising and falling rapidly as if he had just ran a million miles. Funny, how falling in love can feel.

Harry's eyes widened as it hit him; his mind started racing faster than his heart and suddenly he didn't want to lay still. Resisting the urge to get up and run away; far, far away from where he laid, his arm resting against Draco's, Harry sat up and ran his hands through his hair again.

"I'm sorry, Harry." Draco's voice was barley audible, and along with the thousand other feelings, Harry felt the familiar twinge of guilt rising in the pit of his stomach.

"For what?"

" You... you look nervous or something."

Harry sighed, "No, not at all. Just-" he paused, not knowing whether Draco would feel the same if he confessed how he felt, "don't be sorry, Draco, there's nothing to be sorry about."

The bed moved as Draco sat up and put his arm around Harry's shoulder, "You're right, nothing at all." Harry turned to see a wide smile spread across Draco's face and the guilt slipped right through him. He had held his feelings in for years; at least now Harry knew that Draco liked him.

They stared silently at each other for a few minutes before they both stood up from the bed. Harry tried smoothing down his hair a bit; if it looked anything like Draco's, which was sticking up in odd places, the two of them would look pretty conspicuous. However, Harry doubted whether either Ron or Hermione would ever guess what they had been doing.

After taking a few paces around the room, Harry turned to see a familiar sneer on Draco's face. It was unsettling for a moment until he noticed that it didn't meet his eyes; sunlight from one of the few windows in the house was creating a sort of sparkle onto the soft grey.

"What?" Harry asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Draco let out a rough laugh, "I just never imagined this day."

"Yeah… I know what you mean."

"Have you dishonored your family, and your loyalty to the Wizarding World?" asked Draco. His cool voice was playful, but there was something else behind the innocent tones.

Harry faltered for a moment; Draco wanted to talk about his loyalty now, of all times? Harry didn't want to distrust Draco, but he couldn't hold himself back from asking the questions that were still burning in his mind.

"Draco, I want to believe that you wouldn't want to do anything that would hurt me," he started, unsure of how to go one, "But… not only are you a Malfoy, your Draco Malfoy. I mean… we were eleven when we met; we were kids, and we'd hated each other from the very first time we met. What's changed?"

Draco, imitating Harry, ran his hands uncomfortably through his hair. Over the three months that had passed the two boys had found that they shared many habits.

"I don't know how to explain it Harry, you don't understand the life in which I was brought up. For so long I wanted to believe that my father's ideal were right; that pure-bloods had more right to the Wizarding world, and that the Dark Lord's ways were right. "

Harry listened, but he wasn't hearing what he wanted to hear. He wanted to know why Draco wanted him. How two people could go from archenemies to friends, and maybe so much more. Yes, understanding why Draco would convert from the Dark Side was important, but right now, Harry wanted to know why Draco wanted him.

Draco was watching Harry with an intense stare, awaiting some kind of reply. When he didn't get it, he continued.

"You gave me an opening, Harry, not only were you this source of… good–I mean to say-I don't know what to say, Harry. I can tell you about my past and the motives I had, but I don't know what I'm doing now. I've never betrayed those who have helped me. I've never disobeyed by father, let alone the Dark Lord's orders. I don't know what I'm doing, all I know is that from the moment Severus told me about the Dark Lord's plan I knew I had to protect you."

"You're a brave man, Draco Malfoy."

"You're a good man Harry, and I'd never say another word against that."

Harry hoped that his face didn't let on the immense relief he felt. It troubled Harry that he distrusted Draco, but he had good reason for it. Those reasons would hopefully never have to be spoken aloud, but for now, further questioning might seem intrusive.

Harry sat down at the writing desk and started shuffling through the papers that were scattered across it. Among the many formal looking papers, one stood out. Curiously, Harry picked it up and read

“could have ever been friends with Gellert Grindelwalk. I think her mind’s going, personally!

Lots of love,
Lilly”

Harry stared at the ripped piece of parchment, his eyes blank as his mind registered. It couldn’t have been his mother, he thought, she and Snape weren’t even friends. Or were they? Harry had never been told about the relationship between Snape and Lily… only his fathers. Before he could think any harder on the subject, however, Harry heard a loud yelp in the sitting room.

Draco and Harry both looked up nervously before retrieving their wands from their pockets. Cautiously, they made their ways to the door, and slowly opened it; the end of the hallway wall blocked their vision into the sitting room, but they didn’t need to remain unseen for much longer.

“Ronald Bilius Weasey, your mother and I have been so worried! And Hermione, I’m sure yours are worried to death!”

Mr. Weasleys’ voice carried into the bedroom and Harry’s heart sank: Neither he or Ron had realized that the school would notice their absence. After a quick look at Draco, Harry pushed open the door and stepped out into the sitting room. Ron was holding his foot and Hermione was looking like a little girl who’d just been told off; Mr. Weasley was rarely ever mad.

“Harry, my heavens am I glad you’re here! We’ve been so worried!”

“Yeah… I know. I’m sorry Mr. Weasley, but there wasn’t much we could do-”

“I’d like to hear all about why you‘ve run away from school, and you three can tell me all about it once we’ve gotten home.” his tone reminded Harry of Mrs. Weasley so much that it was scary.

“How’d you get in here?” came Draco’s drawling voice. It held none of the earlier softness that he had used with Harry.

“How did I-” stuttered Mr. Weasley, glancing over to Draco, who entered behind Harry, “How did you?” he gave Ron a meaningful look but Ron just shrugged.

“He brought us here,” said Harry, speaking up, “It’s alright Mr. Weasley.”

Mr. Weasley gave Draco a steely glare that Draco returned, and Harry, who didn’t want any more conflict, especially after what had just happened, stepped between the two of them.

Ron, who noticed what Harry had done changed the subject abruptly, “We can’t go home dad, we’ve got to stay here.”

Hermione nodded in agreement, though she kept quiet.

“Why not? Do you know what it took for us to find you?”

“The house is protected-”

“I know that, how else do you think I would’ve gotten in. The Burrow is under sufficient protection, and I’d like you to come home now.”

Draco said nothing, but turned and went back into the bedroom. Ron, Hermione, and Mr. Weasley all watched him go.

“What’s he doing here, Harry?” questioned Mr. Weasley with a puzzled look on his face. “I thought he was behind this, not a part of it.”

“He’s not, he saved us.”

Harry looked at Hermione in disbelief; had she just defended Draco? Ron was looking quizzically at her too, but she ignored them. Mr. Weasley’s look was the most incredulous, however.

“We can’t leave him here alone… could he come back to the Burrow with us?” she asked, and Harry was even more shocked to see a look of concern on her face.”

Mr. Weasley looked troubled, “Hermione, I don’t want to leave him either, but look at his father! He could be feeding information to you-know-who. If we let him under the Fidelius Charm then he could take others. I’d be putting my family into great danger!”

“Mr. Weasley,” said Harry, “He’s had a lot of chances to kill us himself, or call others to do the job. He could’ve led the Death Eaters straight to us. I trust him.”

Mr. Weasley didn’t look convinced but he nodded his head in agreement. Hermione didn’t look pleased with this, but she looked relieved.

"Well… gather your things then, and get Mr. Malfoy."

Harry nodded and walked into the bedroom. Draco was sitting at the desk, rocking the chair on its back legs; he looked worried.

"It only took them a day to notice we were gone, I thought it'd take longer than that." Draco said, his slightly ruffled hair lying across his face.

"You don't know Mrs. Weasley. Look… err, did you see this?" Harry pulled out the piece of parchment baring Lily's signature. Draco took it and studied it closely.

"I did see it, but I didn't think it was… your mother." Draco said, handing it back.

Harry took the letter and stowed it back in his pocket, deciding to show it to Hermione and Ron later. He looked around the room trying to remember if he had brought anything but remembered that he only had his invisibility cloak, and that was stored in his robes.

"Well then, let's go." Harry said, trying to sound cheery.

Draco looked confused, "That bloke's gonna' let me come?"

Harry laughed, "You didn't think I was going to leave you here alone, did you?"

Draco sighed regretfully, "I don't want to impose, Harry. For all the things I've said to and about the Weasley family, I'd be hardly welcomed there; whether Arthur says it's ok or not."

Harry stared for a moment, starting to get used to Draco's way of using peoples given names. He wouldn't let Draco stay in this dark and cold house alone, however, and wasn't going to give up so easily.

"You're on our side now, Draco. What you have got to understand is that we've always wanted you to be. We –the Weasley's and the whole of the Order would welcome even your family, if they were ever to want to come to our side."

"You remember what Dumbledore told you –the night that you brought the Death Eaters into the school?"

Draco's face became stony, and he was unable to look Harry in the eye. He nodded briefly.

"He offered you, your mother, and even your father safety, even though you were threatening to kill him. He was right in that, even though I hadn't known why up until a few months ago." Harry paused, and something that Dumbledore had told him so many years ago flickered through his mind, "It is our choices, Draco, far more than our abilities that show us who we truly are. Choose to prove who you've become."

"Sounds like something the old man would've said." Said Draco shortly, "Alright, but I want you to know that just one crack at me and I'm coming back here."

It was the old, condescending tone of Draco's that made Harry smile, "Deal."

And so the four children and one very disheveled looking Mr. Weasley put the house back as it was, and to Harry's suggestion, took the mounds of food that he and Draco had taken from the Grocery Market. Harry kept the letter he'd found stashed in his pocket, keen on showing it to Hermione. They were just about to go, after deciding on Draco taking Harry and Hermione by side-along apparation, and Mr. Weasley taking Ron, when Mr. Weasley said something unsettling.

"Odd, isn't it, that Severus would have a flat here?"

Draco suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"What's so odd about it, dad?" asked Ron.

"Well, I thought that he lived on Spinner's End, according to Dumbledore. It's odd that he would also have a flat here in Godric's Hollow."

"Godric's Hollow?" asked Harry, a look of utter disbelief on his face. He rounded on Draco, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Harry, I-" Draco looked at a loss for words.

"You knew that my parents lived here! They're burried… they're burried here." As soon as the anger had came, it diminished as the realization dawned on him. His parent's graves laid in the Cemetery that he and Draco had seen.

"Harry, I'm sorry that this is such a shock for you, but we really must go. Molly's going to be so worried by now…" Mr. Weasley looked sympathetic, but impatient at the same time. He was fiddling with the ends of this robes and trying not to look at Harry.

"I can't just leave," said Harry, turning to look at Ron and Hermione, who were standing in the shadows of the room, obviously trying to stay out of the situation. It seemed that they had grown as distant from Harry and he had from them.

"Then we'll stay." Stated Draco, with a challenging look at Mr. Weasley.

Mr. Weasley shot a look at Draco but didn't reply, "Harry, I understand completely why you would want to stay here and visit… It’s just not safe, you know. You can't possibly think-"

Draco interrupted him, "If you could find us so quickly, what makes you think that the Death Eaters wouldn't be able to? They haven't been able to get us yet, so what's another night?"

"Harry," said Hermione, finally joining in, "If you want to stay then we will too." Her voice was quivering slightly, and it didn't sound in the least that she actually wanted to stay.

"Yeah, mate. We're behind you." Piped up Ron, looking more curiously than ever at Draco.

Harry was wholeheartedly delighted to know that the two of them were willing to stay in this dungy house another night for him. Especially since the prospect of a comfortable bed and proper food was looming so close; but he could sense that they were only wanting to help, not really wanting to stay.

Harry turned away from everyone and ambled towards the kitchen table. He gripped the sides trying to steady himself; he didn't know why he suddenly felt so unstable. Admittedly he had monetarily enjoyed the thought of himself and Draco sharing a night alone; but at the willingness of his two best friends to put aside their grudges against Malfoy and ask him to stay for Harry's sake, Harry was overcome with grief.

He had wanted to visit Godric's Hollow since the end of last year but with classes, his uncertainness of his feelings for Draco, his friendships with Ron and Hermione growing more distant by the day, it had been pushed from his mind. Even the looming threat of Voldemort seemed less important compared to Draco…

"Harry?" said Hermione, uncertainly, but Harry waved his hand behind him to silence her. He turned to face the four of them.

"Mr. Weasley, I'm sorry but I have to stay here. I know it's dangerous but Draco and I have already left the house and nothing happened. Ron, Hermione, you two can go. I know you don't want to stay, and I know that I've been being… a real prat lately. You don't have to stay here for me."

"What about Mr. Malfoy here?" asked Mr. Weasley, looking terribly uncomfortable, but not willing to argue.

"Severus wouldn't want me to leave Potter in his house alone." Said Draco in a forced bored voice.

Mr. Weasley shuffled his feet uncomfortably, "Well alright then, I guess I can't stop you. Molly's going to be furious with me… Well Ron, let's go. Hermione I'll be right back."

Ron looked briefly at Harry, "See you in a bit."

And they were gone. Hermione looked oddly up at Harry and suddenly rushed towards him, pulling him into a bear hug.

"Oh, Harry, be careful won't you?"

"Hermione, I-"

"Just say yes, Harry, and don't do anything stupid!" she said, as her eyes became misty.

"I won't… Hermione, I really am sorry for the way I've been acting…"

"I couldn't imagine what you're going through, Harry… I just wish you would talk to Ron and me." It sounded like she had been wanting to say this for quite sometime. Harry was shocked –she knew?

"I –err-" Harry managed to stutter, completely lost for what to say. Draco was eyeing the two of them suspiciously, but decided to hold his tongue.

Before they could say anything else, Mr. Weasley popped back into the room.

"Harry, be careful won't you?"

"Of course, Mr. Weasley, thank you."

Mr. Weasley looked momentarily at Draco before motioning to Hermione to take his arm. Hermione gave Harry a look full of meaning before taking hold and vanishing.

In the silence, Harry looked over at Draco and they stared at each other for a long moment. The longer he stood there, the more it dawned on him that he was in Godric's Hollow. Where he was born… where his parents had lived, and died. Before he could control himself he fell into a heap on the floor, a boy on the verge of breaking.

The night that followed Ron and Hermione's departure was subdued. Harry and Draco lay silently together; neither had spoken a word since they found themselves alone. Draco was continuously stroking his fingers through Harry's hair, trying without words to comfort him.

A million thoughts were racing through Harry's mind, and for the first time since the start of term, even the confusing relationship forming between he and Draco was the least of his worries. He had never spent so much time dwelling on his parents before, but now that he was in the very town where it had all began; where Lily and James Potter had lived, and where Voldemort had ended their lives, it all seemed so much more real. A battle was approaching.

It was around midnight when Harry sat up suddenly, shooting out of Draco's lap. Draco looked at him expectantly.

"We've got to go." Harry said. Despite how he had felt so compelled to visit his parent's graves earlier, he was slightly doubtful now, but he knew it just had to be done.

Draco seemed to notice the worry that Harry was trying to conceal.

"Let's go now." He said simply, in a forced calm voice. He looked almost as nervous as Harry did.

Surprised by Draco's readiness, Harry bent over and picked up his invisibility cloak from where it had fallen on the floor. Without another word the two boys stood up, and threw the cloak over themselves. Before they got to the door Harry stopped and turned to Draco.

"Thanks," he said, "For staying."

Draco smiled sadly, "What… did you think I was going to leave you here alone?"

Harry nodded and opened the door leading out into the dark streets. The gloom of the depressing looking neighborhood bored into the two boys as they made their way through, walking slowly so as to not pull the cloak up to far.

As they passed through the gloomy looking houses, and into the cozy cottages, Harry wondered which one might've belonged to his parents, and himself when he was a baby. They all looked so welcoming, like maybe there was a family still waiting for him in one of them. Throughout all the years that Harry had lived with the Dursleys, he had always imagined having a proper home. Being welcomed where he lived, and being loved by those who lived with him. The only place that had ever felt like home was Hogwarts, and now he didn't even have that.

Harry felt an arm wrap around his middle and abruptly pull him to a stop. Harry looked over at Draco, and then in front of him where three cars were whizzing past. He would have walked right into him – Harry almost laughed at the thought of what the drivers would've have thought.

"Thanks," Harry said, and Draco nodded, not removing his arm but keeping a firm grip on Harry. It felt warm and comfortable, and Harry never wanted Draco to let go.

"I couldn't imagine doing this without you, Draco." He said, as the sound of drunken men filled his ears. They must be getting near to the village.

"You could," said Draco, his tone not faltering at all, "You're strong Harry. Stronger than you think."

Harry laughed bitterly, "Why? Because I've –"

"Not because of the things you've done," Draco interrupted impatiently, "But the things you're capable of. You were raised by the worst of muggles, fought off different sorts of evil nearly every year; you were bombarded by the knowledge of your God Father and had him ripped away from you… and yet, you are still able to love, and to trust. You trust me, even though I never gave you any reason to."

Harry, although touched by what Draco had said, was distracted by an unsettling site. There before him stood an immense statue carved of stone; there were three people – a young man, his wife, and a small baby boy who resembled himself very much. Just in sight behind the statue was a large graveyard; there was overgrowth covering nearly every gravestone, and Harry couldn't see the end of it for the dark.

Harry took a deep, steadying breath and walked past the statue, Draco at his side. Draco glanced uncertainly at Harry, a curious look on his face, but he walked on and didn't question Harry's indifference towards the monument.

Once they had walked through a dozen or so rows of gravestones, Harry felt that it was safe to remove the cloak from himself and Draco. Now that he could see Draco properly, he was oddly taken by the way the moonlight shined on his white-blonde hair. Shaking the feeling, he returned to searching for his parent's graves.

They had split up, both of them looking through separate rows, kneeling down before most of them, trying to make out the names. After nearly an hour, Harry heard Draco calling him, and when he looked over his shoulder, he saw Draco beckoning him over to where he stood.

Harry, who had just uncovered a stone that read "Ignotus Peverelle", which bore the same odd symbol that Hermione had showed him, pushed himself off the dewy ground and walked slowly towards Draco. Anxiety was building in his chest – a lump formed in his throat, and when he reached Draco he had to stifle a gasp. Draco had indeed found his parent's tombstone.

Harry looked down at the stone and then up at Draco. Draco's grey eyes were filled with such sadness that, in that moment, Harry felt the full weight of Draco's loyalty, and possibly love. It was overwhelming. Harry was torn between sadness and joy, loss and new beginnings. Ron and Hermione had filled the gap that his parents had left with their death, but there was always that lingering feeling of being alone in a world full of people. In that moment beside Draco, Harry did not feel alone. He knew, without a single doubt, that Draco would never leave him.

Feeling lighter than he had in years, Harry kneeled down before the stone and brushed away the remaining dirt and vines that were covering the names of his parents. He no longer felt sad, or abandoned, as he had for so many years of his life. He no longer felt like there was no place for him. His parents had died heroically – his mother had made the greatest sacrifice of all. A smile spread across Harry's face as he traced the letter's of his mother's name.

"Why don't you say something, Harry." Suggested Draco, "I'll be over here if you need me."

Before Draco could walk away, Harry stood up and grabbed his arm, "No… I want you to stay."

Draco stared at Harry for a moment, but didn't disagree. Instead, he slipped his hand into Harry's and sat down on the ground, pulling Harry down with him. Harry pulled his knees up to his chest, seeing Draco do the same. He took a deep breath, and began.

"Hi mum, dad… its Harry. I'm sorry that I haven't come to see you before… Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon would never have allowed it. I don't know how you were related to her mum… you can't have been anything like her."

Harry paused. He had never thought of what he would say to his parents, had he the chance. Speaking to a cold stone wasn't quite as satisfying as it would be to actually talk to them.

"I er… I'm doing well in school – at least I was. Doesn't look like I'm going to be finishing this year. I'm good at Quidditch though, dad. I wish you could've seen me play sometime… Or maybe you could have played with me… I've heard so many times how good you were at Quidditch. I guess I got my skills from you."

A tear escaped Harry's eye as he went on, "I – I have the greatest friends. You'd like them, mom. Hermione's the smartest witch in our class, probably in the whole school. I've heard that you were too. Ron's great, he's been my best mate since the first day on the train. His family's sort of taken me in as their son. It's nice, but it could never replace the home that I could've had with you."

"And now there's Draco," Harry continued, glancing at Draco out of the corner of his eye before returning his gaze towards the names on the stone. "I don't know whether you'd approve or not, with him being the biggest prat for the first six years we knew each other."

Draco let out a laugh and Harry smiled, "But he's really not that bad, you know. He's saved me, and I – I love him for that."

Harry went silent. It had slipped out of his mouth so easily. Draco's grasp on Harry's hand grew firm and before he knew it, Draco pulled Harry into a kiss. Harry felt warm tears gliding down his face and he couldn't tell whether they were his or Draco's. When Draco finally pulled away he let go of Harry's hand, put both of his softly on Harry's face and said quietly, barely audibly, "I love you too."

"How touching."

Harry and Draco jumped, staring widely around for the source of the voice. Harry's heart nearly leapt out of his chest at the sight of Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape, and the portly man, Exavery, standing resolutely behind him and Draco. Harry's hand automatically went to his wand, and he and Draco jumped up, brandishing their wands like swords.