So this is my prequal to "If Things Had Been Different" Well, at least, I plan it to be. It should end up that way anyway...
So far there's really no pairings but I intend it to be Harry/Hermione later on. Don't have plans for the others right now. I also don't know how long it will take me to get this story finished or how long it will be. I'm just playing it by ear right now.
Disclaimer: Yes, you caught me. I am Rowling. The owner of all of the magic world! The richest woman in Europe and future ruler of the world!... Never mind, that's only in my dreams...... Anyway, I really don't own these brilliant (and not so brilliant *coughGinnycough*) characters though I think the idea can be considered mine for now... All well, on with the show.
Oh and sorry for any typos/misspellings/whatever... Tell me if you find any please.
Before the End
"You can not be serious!" came an exasperated voice from the headmasters' office. "He's a Malfoy, a trainee-Death Eater, not to mention we've hated each other since our first year! How can you even think this would be a good idea?!" the voice continued for a few more minutes.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, letting the boy with glasses and unruly hair rant about all the reasons this was not a good idea. Then the boy stopped, out of breath and slightly red in the face.
Dumbledore didn't speak for a few more minutes after that but finally uttered a simple statement. "He has asked to be saved." It was enough and both the headmaster and boy knew nothing more needed to be said.
All the anger Harry had been feeling towards Dumbledore for making this decision without consulting him dissipated at those words and Harry felt exhausted.
"Fine." And Harry stood up and walked out of the headmasters' office.
A few minutes later, Harry was getting bombarded with questions. "What did Dumbledore want?" "Was it You-Know-Who related?" "Have they found him yet?" And so on and so fourth.
Harry uttered an almost unheard "Later" and went up to the dorms of Gryffindor tower, ready to sleep after the day he had had. It started early with double potions, where he, of course, got detention for the rest of the week. Then it was off to History of Magic, with Professor Bins trying once again to bore them to death. The only good things were DADA class and that before even half of Snapes' detention was done, Harry had been summoned by Dumbledore, which, looking back, had turned out to be a curse in disguise.
Harry just wanted to curl up in bed and sleep the rest of the week away. And it was only Tuesday!
The next morning didn't seem to hold any more relief. His friends still wanted to know what was going on and Harry had awoken with a huge head ache. He managed to hold off their questions until breakfast started.
"So, why did Dumbledore summon you last night?" Hermione asked as Ron started stuffing his face.
Harry glanced over to the Slytherin table and saw his long time rival sitting alone near the end of the table. 'Maybe his friends don't approve of his choice.' Harry thought vaguely.
"Harry!"
He heard his name and noticed both Ron and Hermione were now looking at him, concern showing in their eyes.
"What?" He asked innocently, not realizing he'd been staring into space for the better part of five minutes.
"We've been asking you what Dumbledore wanted." Ron said through a mouth full of food.
"Oh." Harry replied. "Well, he wanted to talk to me about my living arrangements for this summer. I'll be staying at Order Headquarters instead of going back to the Dursleys'."
"That's great Harry!" Though there was something in his voice that told Hermione that wasn't all Dumbledore had said. "What else did he want?"
'Damn, leave it to Hermione to know there's more going on.' Harry thought inwardly. "Well, uhm… you see, there's going to, uhm, be a new house… guest." He said the word cautiously; like he wasn't sure it was right.
"Who is it going to be?" Hermione asked, now intrigued.
"Yeah mate, who's going to be staying with you at HQ? Anyone we know?" Ron said, but with his mouth full it came out as mumbles and slight gibberish.
Both Harry and Hermione looked at Ron, amusement and disgust raging war with both of them. Before either emotion could win, they heard a familiar drawl from behind them.
"So Potter, already telling them about your new prisoner?" Came Draco Malfoy's voice.
"Prisoner? You asked Dumbledore for help! And now I'll have to deal with you all summer, locked in that old house!" Harry was letting his anger take over.
"I didn't know the old geezer would lock me away in some "safe" house for the whole summer. And if I would have known I'd be locked there with you I would have rather taken the mark." Malfoy retorted coldly.
Through their little battle, Ron and Hermione had remained silent, piecing together what they were saying.
Ron couldn't take it any longer though. It had to be some sort of sick joke. "Malfoy?!?!" He pretty much shrieked, drawing the attention of the rest of the Great Hall that had not already been watching the two boys. "He's the new "house guest"?!?!"
Harry turned to Ron. He'd almost forgot that his best friends were still there. He bowed his head slightly. "Yes. As some trial or joke from Dumbledore, we will be forced to stay in the same house for the majority of the summer." He finished, sounding miserable.
"I have the utmost confidence in the both of you." Harry jumped as he heard Dumbledore's voice. He had walked up behind the group and placed a hand on both Harry's and Draco's shoulders. "I think you'll find you have much in common once you get past your arguing." With a smile he then turned and walked away.
"He's completely nutters." Draco said once Dumbledore was out of hearing range. Harry only nodded in agreement.
Next chapter will be up whenever I have time/feel like updating it.