A/N: Woot! The long await prequel to Mad World! I know, I know. It's sure taken long enough, but I thank all fo you who were patient enough to wait for it. I post this in celebration for the Half Blood Prince movie release today!! Heck yeah! So here it is. Warnings: anorexia, slash. If anything else comes up I'll be sure to let you know.

Disclaimer: Nope. I own nothing.

Chapter One--------- Details In The Fabric

Harry stepped into the Great Hall, releasing a sigh of relief at having finally gotten away from his clingy cohorts. He appreciated them, honest, but sometimes he just needed space. Room to breathe. He sighed as he settled into his seat at the Gryffindor table, the only one awake so far. There were a few Slytherins sitting across the hall and of course, Snape, at the Head Table. His thoughts had turned to the events of the past year without meaning to. The smirk on that handsome face, the hunger in Tom Riddle's eyes in the Chamber of Secrets as he saw life for himself so close to his grasp. What must that feel like? To be trapped in some cold unforgiving book for decades, alone? Harry could sympathize. He'd been alone for a very long time. Even with his friends he often felt as if he couldn't relate to them. Alone.

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he almost didn't notice the very plain looking nondescript barn owl land in front of him. It held a simple note in it's talons, rolled up with a piece of ribbon. He frowned. No one ever sent him mail. Never. He apologized to the grumpy looking owl for having nothing to give it but the creature seemed more interested in getting back to the owlery to sleep. Harry unrolled the note and frowned.

'Meet me in the third floor corridor, second classroom down on the left. It's a new year, and time for a fresh start. Come alone and so will I.'

It was signed simply D.M. in an elegant script. Draco Malfoy? He glanced over at the Slytherin table and there he was, watching him back. This time, however, his usual sneer or smirk was missing. Instead, Malfoy was simply watching him, as if waiting for his answer. Harry gave him a soft nod, earning one in return. If it was a trap, he would be ready for him. If not then…well, this could be good. Malfoy as an ally was better than Malfoy as an enemy. Perhaps they could even be friends?

~ o ~

I walked alone down the hallways, tryign not to feel the bitterness eating a hole inside me. People usually flocked to try and suck up to me, unless their precious Savior was anything less then perfect. Lying two faced bastards. It was a double edged sword though. I despised them for their fickle attentions and yet craved it more than anything. I wanted to feel loved. I wanted to feel like I wasn't just a lump of worthlessness. I wanted peace. Control. I guess that's why I was entering the Room of Requirement in the dead of night to meet my school rival. I was chasing a dream, a wish. Draco was already inside when I arrived, sitting in an overstuffed black armchair. He was in his pajamas, his hair rumpled and a cup of hot chocolate in hand. There was a cup set for me as well sitting across from him before the second armchair. There were biscuits on the small table as well. Peanut butter, mmm. He gave me a cocky grin once I sat down across from him.

"I almost thought that you would decide not to come." He said lightly, but there was no coldness to his voice like usual.

I shrugged lightly.

"So…What's this all about? What did you mean in that note?" I asked, hoping in my most fervent wishes that this wasn't some cruel joke.

He sipped his cocoa relaxedly.

"Exactly what I said. I want to start over. We both got off on the wrong foot in first year and this is going to go on forever unless we end it here. What do you say…friends?" He asked, his usual snooty manner gone to be replaced with a vulnerability of his own.

I realized in that moment that we were both, for all of our hot headedness and previous dislike for each other, still just kids. We were only thirteen and Draco was right. I didn't want more enemies, I wanted more friends. Real friends. I gave him a sheepish smile and nodded. He must have caught up on my mood as of late because after a comfortable silence, he frowned, stirring his cocoa thoughtfully.

"Are you alright…?" He asked lightly, and there was a softness in his eyes that I had never seen before.

I plastered on my usual smile. You know. The one you give people when you just want them to back off and stop asking you about it.

"Why the concern? We've only been friends for two minutes so far." I joked but we both knew that it was a poor attempt at distraction.

He lifted his nose and replied in a mocking, faux stuck up air.

"Well, I can't have my friends waxing poetry anytime soon!" The playful manner fell away though and his seriousness returned, "But really…what's wrong? You seem sad. You have ever since first year."

His powers of observation astounded me and I was so…moved that anyone actually cared enough to ask me. I guess that's why I started telling him what I had been thinking, how I had been feeling. I told him everything and instead of pretending to be interested or playing it off or even laughing at me for it, Draco actually listened. In fact, I learned that night that he felt the same way as I did. We were in the same boat and a camaraderie, a close companionship formed between us that night that withstood even the events of the next day.

~ o ~

I stepped out of the Gryffindor Common Room, determined to get down to the Great Hall before the other lions did. Success! I really didn't need to be interrogated by them about why I wasn't in bed last night. I just wanted a nice piping hot piece of toast and an apple. I never got much to eat at the Dursley's so I seized the opportunity to eat good at Hogwarts. I had just entered the Great Hall when I was met at the door by my newest and, I could already tell, soon to be best of friends.

"Harry! Come here, I want to introduce you to the other Slytherins." Draco said, as perfect and chipper as ever in the morning.

I couldn't help but grin. Now that he wasn't doing his best to accost me at every opportunity, I could see what an intriguing and charmingly amusing personality Draco Malfoy had. I followed him over to the Slytherin table somewhat nervous that the others wouldn't like me. What if they still only saw me as the Gryffindor Golden Boy? My anxiety seemed ill founded however. It appeared that Draco vouching for me was more than good enough for them and the moment I stepped up, Blaise Zabini spoke up first.

"Thank Merlin, I thought Draco would never get you over here. Dray's been singing your praises for days now so I knew you'd warm up to him eventually." The Italian boy laughed, earning a half hearted glare from the Slytherin Prince.

I snorted. I couldn't see Draco singing anyone's praises but that he said so made me feel very welcome. They were all sharp witted and funny, and all of them seemed to take Draco's word on my character to heart. Thanks to Draco, I now had not only one new friend but several. I couldn't wait to tell him how much I appreciated it. We'd decided to meet in our usual spot again tonight to hang out together. It was going so well until the rest of the school started filing in for breakfast. First were the whispers and stares. When Ron stepped into the room, his face turned red and I knew that it wasn't from embarrassment. Dray saw the expression on the Weasley's face and nudged me lightly.

"Hey, your Weasley's here. If he gives you any trouble, you have a place over here." He said softly, his eyes dead serious.

I gave him a beaming smile and after Pansy had wrangled a promise to let her do a makeover on me and agreeing to walk to Potions with them after breakfast, walked over to my house table. I was met with looks of confusion, disgust and betrayal.

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