Title: Juxtaposition

Rating: PG-13 for now, I guess. Will be R later when the slash comes along.

Pairing: Harry/Draco

WARNING: Alternate Universe and Slash in the later chapters.

Summary: AU. What if Harry Potter wasn't the Boy Who Lived…what if everything went quite, quite differently and Harry was the sidekick instead. Is there really nothing special about Harry? Or can appearances be deceiving?

Disclaimer: Not mine. I just run off with them and torture them horribly.

Author's Note: Got attacked by the plot bunny and it wouldn't let go.

Review: You people inspire me. It's appreciated. But if you don't…there's not much I can do, eh?

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Prologue:

Halloween 1981

Lucius Malfoy shuddered as he watched the Dark Lord prepare to enter the farmhouse. Lately, his lord and master had become even more fanatic, no longer stopping at eradicating muggles and half-breeds, but even moving on to those purebloods that opposed him.

Lucius always prided himself on self-preservation, and recently his instincts had been kicking in more often than not, telling him to find a way out, and soon, before he was drawn so far into the depth of the Dark Lord's insanity that there would be no return.

"Now…" his master hissed, and as one the Death Eaters moved forward towards the Burrow. They burst through the door, relishing the screams that started up as soon as the people inside caught a glimpse of the dark cloaks and masks. Wands ready, they entered the shabby living room, where they were confronted with a family of redheads, all brandishing their wands.

There was no talk, just curses flying back and forth, and Lucius drew towards back, watching in detachment as several of his fellow Death Eaters fell. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a redheaded boy sneak away, no doubt to fire call the aurors. Let them come…they were ready.

No sooner had he thought that when all around him popping noises sounded and the aurors appeared, immediately holding several Death Eaters at wand point. Lucius saw Molly Weasley desperately shepherd her children out of the room.

At the opposite of the room, he saw James Potter kill Bellatrix LeStrange, his wife's sister. He felt nothing, could only look on as Voldemort turned towards the black-haired man and strike him down from behind. As he looked at James Potter's dead body something akin to anger flashed through him.

Lucius prided himself an honourable Slytherin, although some would say there was no such thing. He picked his battles with great care…but there was nothing honourable about striking your enemy from behind, he though in distaste. His self-preservation instinct grew, giving him a headache with the amount it was screaming at him.

Suddenly a wail arose from a crib in the corner, and Voldemort turned towards it with a malicious smile. Striding towards the one year old Weasley, he raised his wand, revelling in the scream Arthur Weasley gave when he saw the Dark Lord near his youngest child.

Lucius frowned. Something was urging him closer. He stayed in the shadows of the room, seemingly impervious to the flying beams of light. Now he was directly behind his master, who didn't seem to sense his presence. He almost stumbled, and glanced down at the broken body of James Potter. The eyes were open, but there was no fear, nor hatred. Only defiance, and perhaps, before he had died, some amount of sorrow. Didn't James Potter have a wife and child much like himself? Lucius involuntarily raised his wand.

Nobody paid attention, no one was looking towards the Dark Lord, save for Arthur Weasley who was desperately struggling to reach his child in time.

"Avada Kedavra!" It was shouted, but it was unclear by whom. The entire room stopped as Voldemort let out a scream and smoke appeared to rise from his persona. Lucius stared at his writhing master, watched him crumble in front of his eyes. He slunk back into the shadows, going…going…gone.

Arthur Weasley stared at the retreating shadow before throwing himself towards the crib where his youngest lay. Suddenly there was a burst and the Dark Lord vanished. Many of the Death Eaters fell to the floor in pain, and the aurors dropped as well, covering themselves from the explosion. It rattled the glass panes of the windows of the Burrow, the shards flying around. No matter how close Arthur Weasley held his son, he still felt the sharp edges cut into his child.

Then it was over. Moody, as leading Auror, stood up and ordered the Death Eaters to be taken away for trial. He hurried over to the red-haired man, who was cradling his child.

"Arthur?" Arthur Weasley's unseeing eyes met his. Moody put his hand on the shell-shocked man.

"Arthur, is the child all right? Do you need to go to St. Mungo's?" Dazed, the Ministry employee managed to shake his head and Moody nodded, deciding it was best to leave the family for a bit.

"I'll be back later with the paperwork." With that, he disappeared. Molly Weasley rushed into the room, screaming in relief and fear as she saw her son mostly unharmed in her husband's arms.

"ARTHUR!! Are you all right? Is Ron? OH MY GOD, he's bleeding…" she took the child from him, cooing gently at the infant and fussing over the cut on his neck that she knew would leave a scar. Then she turned to her husband, who hadn't spoken at all in the last few minutes.

"Arthur? What…what happened? Talk to me Arthur…" Arthur turned his blue eyes to his shaking wife.

"He…he's gone. Voldemort has…disappeared." His wife's large eyes turned to his.

"Is he dead?"

"I…I'm not sure. But…he fell…he was trying to hurt Ron…he's gone, Molly. He just…vanished. I heard the spell…I HEARD IT. Yet, Ron's alive…he…he's alive!"

He drew his wife to him in a tight embrace as they stood in the ruins of their living room. One by one the other children gathered around their parents and Arthur Weasley felt tears roll down his cheeks. His family was safe. They were alive. Ron was alive. Then he frowned through his tears, thinking of Lucius Malfoy. Had he saved his son? Or was he merely supporting his master?

Shrugging, he clasped his family to him, vowing to think about it at a less pressing time.

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"I swear I know what I SAW!" she growled at the editor who remained looking sceptic.

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named raised his wand, said the Killing Curse and FAILED. He FAILED to kill that little boy! That must mean something!!! It's a great story, damnit! That little boy SAVED us!"

Her editor didn't look impressed.

"You're telling me to print something that will put the faith of the wizarding populace in a small boy? Don't be silly…" She growled, frustrated.

"This is a BIG story - and if you don't run, I'll find someone else who will!!" Annoyed at her threats, and not wanting to miss out on a potentially good article, he sighed.

"Ronald Weasley - The Boy Who Lived…I guess we could run with that…"

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