The Other Side of Dark

Sometimes you don't need danger, potions, or poisons to live a full life. All you need is love. Harry and Draco need to learn that lesson. With disappearing Unspeakables, unknown evil, and a history of hatred to contend with, the lesson may come too late. HP/DM

Warnings: Graphic Sexuality , Language, Minor Drug Use

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J. K. Rowling. No money is being made off of this story and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is made solely for my twisted pleasure and enjoyment.

Chapter 1 - Acid and Alkaline

"Fuck you, Malfoy."

"Ah, and once again, the dulcet tones of Harry Potter fill the room with undying wisdom", said Draco Malfoy. It was said innocently, sincerely almost if one wasn't paying too much attention, but Harry could almost feel the smirk in his voice.

"This isn't going to work", Harry announced, barely suppressing a groan. Honestly, how Kingsley expected them to work together for more than five minutes without them slaughtering one another was beyond him. He shot Kingsley a pleading look for good measure.

If Harry didn't know better, he could have sworn that Kingsley Shacklebolt had just rolled his eyes at him.

"Harry, you're my best Auror, and Draco is one hell of a field operative. You won't even need to spend that much time together. Draco will be out collecting intelligence. He'll brief you nightly, and you and Ms. Cho will work together to analyze the data and come up with possible leads. Or perhaps it doesn't bother you that we have Unspeakables disappearing left and right". His voice carried such finality that Harry knew it would be pointless to argue. He nodded, resignation marring his features.

"Yes, Sir."

He gave Malfoy a death glare and waited for him to drop dead. When that didn't happen, he sighed, and left the room. This would be interesting, that was for sure.

"Kingley's gone completely mad", Harry whinged. "I mean, really, what's he thinking?"

Ron sat on Harry's couch, butterbeer in hand, and listened to Harry tell him about the events that had unfolded in the last few weeks. It had started inconspicuously enough. An Unspeakable hadn't shown up for work one day. Although it was unusual, no one had thought anything of it. But one day turned into two, and then three. On the fourth day, another one had gone missing. And four days after that, a third. That's when the ministry had become concerned. And when the first missing Unspeakable had shown up the day before, dead, Kingsley had decided he needed to act, and quickly. And so here he was, paired with Draco Malfoy of all people. And they only had three days until another dead Unspeakable would pop up, if this maniac planned to follow a pattern.

"Bloody hell, Harry. I know Kingsley must be desperate, but really? Malfoy? He shouldn't even be there."

Harry silently agreed, but said nothing. He was suddenly very tired. He turned on the television and put on replays of a recent Quidditch match. Hermione had created a spell that transferred the replays one could view with omnIoculars to the television and set everything up for him as a birthday gift. She was definitely brilliant, that one. Ron and Harry sat in silence for a while, enveloped in sharp dives, blocked goals, and near deal experiences via bludger before Ron stood up.

"I've got to get going, I suspect. 'Mione will have my head if I'm out all night."

Harry gave him a small smile, and stood up as well. "Yeah, I need to be going to bed too. I have to meet with Malfoy tomorrow to go over things and I'll probably need every ounce of energy I have."

Ron gave him a pat on the back and a sympathetic smile before flooing home.