Disclaimer: Nothing but the individual story itself belongs to me, yadda yadda yadda. All JK Rowling, yadda yadda yadda. :]

Notes: Okay, well this is a firstie and I'm not the best of writers. Criticism is greeted whole-heartedly and I hope you like the story.

Chapter 1

He was woken suddenly by a loud snore emanating from the bed across from his: Ron. Harry, feeling disheveled and more than slightly annoyed, groaned inwardly. Why, why, why, why, did Ron have to be such a noisy sleeper. He gripped his pillow to his ears, but to no avail. Harry prepared to throw something large and heavy at his best mate, but Dean was faster to it.

"Shut up Ron! Please, just for tonight!" followed by a white object flying through the air at Ron, barely missing his bed, and thudding to the floor.

Ron, who seemed oblivious to it all, continued to snore as obnoxiously as ever.

Harry got up and grabbed his wand on the bedside table. Pointing it at Ron, he gave it a twitch and muttered "Silencio." Immediately, his friend's snores were stifled into soundless breaths.

"Thanks mate." called Neville who seemed wide awake now. "You gotta teach me that so I can use it on my grandmum."Harry smiled at Neville, and whispered, "I'm going out for a bit, you guys go back to bed before the spell wears off."

Harry shouldered on his coat and Invisibility Cloak, hoping that no one, even Filch, would be out this late in the night, but taking no chances. He whispered the password "Violet pudding" at the sleeping portrait of the Fat Lady, who snorted but swung open on autopilot.

He walked down the stairs, automatically stepping over the vanishing stair that had almost screwed him over in his fourth year, and strolled down the left corridor. Thinking about nothing in particular, he was shocked to hear footsteps approaching him from the other side of the hallway. Startled, Harry stood still and hoped that this person, whoever it was, would pass him by unnoticed.

When Harry saw the noise's owner, his eyes squinted suspiciously. Draco Malfoy, he thought viciously, remembering the scene less than four months ago when he planned and succeeded, with Snape's help, the death of the headmaster of the school. It was the first time that Harry had seen Malfoy since the abrupt end of the last school year.

His pale blonde hair was slicked back with the exception of a few tendrils that framed his even paler face. He had grown considerably since Harry had last seen him, and his face was gaunt, his eyes hollow and harrassed. He felt a stab of pity for his foe, and remembered what situation he was in at the time of Dumbledore's death. Draco had been in a lose-lose situation and was forced into following the orders of Voldemort or dying. Harry caught himself and quickly shook off the feeling.

Why would he be skulking around at this time of night? he thought as Draco passed Harry. Draco stopped in his steps, turned, and looked straight at Harry, who had froze. Draco, eyes filling first with anger that transitioned into bemusement, strolled to where Harry stood and smirked, bending down to meet Harry's green eyes with his own ice blue. Jesus, he grew taller, thought Harry.

"I see you. Just thought you should know." Draco drawled, seeming amused. Startled, Harry jumped, and noticed that his Invisibility Cloak was on the ground next to him. Shit Harry thought. It must have slipped off when Malfoy passed.

"What are you doing this late at night, Malfoy? Planning to kill McGonagall?" Harry snarled. The grin that was tugging at Draco's lips halted, and his eyes hardened.

"That," said Draco stiffly, "isn't any of your business." He paused and turned, walking away. "I haven't seen you, you haven't seen me. Deal?" Harry nodded, which Draco couldn't have seen, and kept his eyes on his enemy until he was out of sight. Harry could have sworn he heard Draco say "I've changed, Potter. It's a shame you haven't."

A bit taken aback, Harry walked back to the common room, ignoring the adventurous beast in him that chided Follow him! Follow him! You might be able to save a life! He entered the room he shared with four others, only to hear snores produced not by Ron, but by Neville.

With a roll of his eyes, Harry flicked his wand at Neville's direction, murmuring Silencio, and went to bed, suddenly exhausted.