A/N: Hi everyone. This is my first fanfic so please bear with me. I am trying to keep the story as close to DH as possible but there will be some times where it will stray slightly. This is also being written without a beta so if there are any spelling or grammar errors please don't hate me. Obviously I am not J.K. and don't own any of these characters, I am only borrowing them. This is rated mature for future chapters but I will warn you when it gets that far. Until then please read and review. Thanks!

Chapter 1

Harry ran up the final few steps to reach Dumbledoor's chambers. He paused for a second in the outer chamber when he saw the door to the office was closed. Or at least mostly closed he realized as he started across the floor. The office door was cracked open and as he got closer he realized that Dumbledoor wasn't alone. Harry tried to back away quietly to wait by the door until he realized who it was. Snape and Dumbledoor seemed to be deep in discussion and while Harry tried to walk away curiosity got the better of him and he crept closer.

"Are you sure that is the best idea?" Dumbledoors voice was tinged with concern and maybe a small degree of hope.

"He is already regretting agreeing to take on his mission. I believe he is starting to understand that he is in way over his head but he is scared. I already started dropping hints that he should get out while he still can. That he has a chance." Snape's usual sneer was missing from his voice. To Harry he almost sounded like he was pleading with Dumbledoor to believe in his words.

"And if he agrees, what then?" Dumbledoor now sounded concerned.

"There are those that still don't believe that I am truly with them. He wouldn't have that problem. While he may not have the standing that I do he has something I don't. He is practically invisible in that house. Nobody notices him until he is needed. He will be able to listen in on things without anyone expecting a thing." Snape sounded a little more relaxed now that he knew Dumbledoor was taking him seriously.

"You of all people know the risks and hardships involved. Do you think he can handle it?"

"He is stronger than anyone gives him credit for. All he needs is a chance and a purpose that doesn't involve death and darkness. Give him the chance and you will give him the light he needs to push back the darkness."

Silence descended on the room and Harry started to turn away, confused by what he was hearing but worried about getting caught listening in. Harry jumped as Snapes voice started again, louder and more intense than before.

"Stop acting like you aren't going to agree to this. We both know that Harry is going to need all the help he can get and having someone on the inside will be indispensable. We both know he will never trust me. He doesn't trust me now and that is nothing to how he will hate me later."

"After everything the two of them have been through do you really think Harry will trust him?"

"Harry is going to have to get over it. Its not too late for them. They need each other." Snape finished of a whisper, barely audible to Harry. He leaned closer, his curiosity overriding his sense of preservation when he got caught.

"I will do what I can to bring him around. You have to be sure though, absolutely sure that you will keep up your end of things. Do not raise that poor boys hopes if you aren't willing to follow through. If you tell me you can do this then I will trust in you, and I will trust in him"

"You know you can trust me. And I promise you can trust Draco."

Suddenly the door was pulled open and Snapes face loomed before him, a look of shock quickly replaced by his usual sneer upon seeing Harry. Harry jumped back in surprise... And jerked awake.

Sitting up quickly Harry squinted around, one hand reaching for his wand, the other for his glasses. Finding both he whispered 'lumos' while shoving his glasses on and finally taking stock of his surroundings.

The peeling wallpaper and dingy furnishings of the sitting room at Grimmauld place came into focus as Harry came fully awake remembering where he was. The dream still haunted him as he took stock of the rumpled empty blankets lying on the floor and other couch. Hermione and Ron where not in the room but Harry was sure they weren't too far. They never were these days.

Harry thought back to his dream and it dawned on him that it wasn't a dream at all. It was a memory. A memory of the last night of Dumbledoors life. The night he had entered the cave with Dumbledoor, and the night that Dumbledoor lost his life at the Astronomy Tower. Harry always avoided thinking about that night but now he forced himself to think back. To remember that night in full.

He had never got a chance to ask Dumbledoor about the conversation he had with Snape that night. He didn't want to think about what it meant now but bits and pieces of the conversation were coming back to him and as much as he didn't want to admit it they filled in the gaps of questions that had been plaguing him since long ago. The memories of 6th year had haunted him. Snape and Draco both sneaking around the castle. Overheard conversations that now made sense after remembering that conversation between Dumbledoor and Snape.

He never told anyone about everything that happened that night on the Astronomy Tower. How Draco was lowering his wand, how Dumbledoor had talked him into changing sides, and how no matter how badly he didn't want to believe it how Dumbledoor opened himself up as if expecting it when Snape lowered his wand and said those fateful words that took Dumbledoors life.

Harry looked back on that night with new eyes as the conversation between Snape and Dumbledoor shed light on everything. He understood now that Dumbledoor was trying to save Draco even as he put his own life on the line. Even knowing that he would soon be dying either way, he still tried to give Draco a chance to get out from under the Dark Lords thumb.

Harry leaned his head against the back of the couch that had turned into his temporary bed. Thoughts ran round and round as a steady ache begin to build at his temples. He didn't like where his thoughts were leading him and he knew that Hermione and especially Ron would not like the plans that were already half way formed. Because Snape was right about at least one thing. He needed all the help he could get.

To say that Hermione and Ron did not like Harry's plan was an understatement. Thankfully Hermione didn't need too long to get over her shock and anger before seeing the benefits in what Harry was proposing.

Ron on the other hand barely managed to listen to the whole plan before storming out of the kitchen muttering under his breath about 'completely bonkers' and 'utterly insane'. Somehow that made Harry worry more than if he had blown up and yelled at him. Hopefully Hermione would be able to talk him around after they went over the details of his 'completely bonkers' and 'utterly insane' plan. Because Harry was hoping to give Draco the second chance he missed.

Draco jumped as an owl he didn't recognize flew through his open window and landed in front of him as he sat sipping his coffee in his room at Malfoy Manor. The tawny owl gave him an impervious stare as he held his leg out for Draco to take the letter from him. Draco took the letter and fished a piece of bacon off his plate to feed to the owl before taking a closer look at the unfamiliar handwriting.

Draco frowned and glanced around before opening up the letter and scrolling to the end to see who it was from. He had no idea who 'Henrietta J. Griffone' was or why she was writing to him but it seemed like she knew him.

After reading through the letter twice without a glimmer of recognition he put it out of his mind for now, finished his coffee and prepared to start his day. Etiquette dictated he would have to respond, and Malfoys were proper in all things. But the letter could wait a day or two surely.

Dear Draco Malfoy,

My dear Draco, I hope this letter finds you well. It has been quite some time since we last spoke and I wonder if you even remember me. It wasn't until recently that I remembered our time together and thought I would write to see how you have been fairing. Though if you do not remember me I suppose I shall understand.

If you do not remember me why don't we make a game of it? Let me know and I will give you a clue in my next correspondence to you.

I shan't write anything more this time in case I give myself away so please do respond to this letter soon. I do look forward to getting reacquainted after all this time.

Sincerely Yours,

Henrietta P. Griffone

August 4th, 1997

To Henrietta P. Griffone,

While I appreciate your attempt to contact me you are correct in assuming I do not in fact remember you. Nor am I able to promise rekindling our acquaintance. Please do not think me to terribly rude to say I do not have time to be playing games with persons unknown. Either state where we met or do not contact me again.

Sincerely Yours,

Draco L. Malfoy

August 7th, 1997

So there it is. Chapter 1 complete. I will do my best to update weekly on Wednesday afternoon. Review please!