Chapter One: Surprise, Surprise

Ahh…Back at Hogwarts…I can't believe I survived another summer with the Dursleys! I swear, the instant I'm "of age," I'm gonna whip out my wand and turn them all into toads for a week! That'll teach them…Harry grumbled to himself.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry was as crowded as ever, and everyone was buzzing with the usual first-day-of-school excitement. Most were catching up with old friends, and many were chattering about Remus Lupin, who was sitting at the staff table, apparently back as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. The first years just looked terrified. Professor Dumbledore stood up, eyes twinkling mischievously as always.

"Before we all dig into our feast, I have some quick announcements. First off, as usual, the Forbidden Forest is off-limits," he began, no longer flicking his gaze to the Weasley twins, as they had left last year. "Also, the list of forbidden items has elongated to seven rolls, I believe. This list is available in Mr. Filch's office on the second floor."

As if any of them would freely go to Filch's office…

"Also, on a more important note, our school is going to do something a little different this year." Dumbledore was no longer smiling. "As you all know, the Ministry has finally acknowledged that the Dark Lord has risen again. Since many of you are accustomed to wandering about, and have quite the attraction for trouble…" Dumbledore glanced at Harry and his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. "…we are setting up a protection system. Most of you, I'm sure, have heard of the Connection Charm." The hall erupted into alarmed whispers. "But for those of you who haven't, I shall explain. The Connection Charm is a charm that will connect two minds, much like telepathy. Each person will be able to converse with each other via their minds, and each person will know exactly where the other is at all times."

The Great Hall buzzed with whispers. Harry and Ron glanced at Hermione, who looked utterly shocked. "'Mione, we're surprised too, but you look like the world just ended," Ron chuckled. Hermione shook her head and started to reply, but she was cut off by Dumbledore.

"This is in case Voldemort, or one of his supporters, manages to get in range of a student. Everyone will have their own little guardian angel, so to speak. If one of you is attacked, your partner will be able to come and alert a teacher.

"Now, your partner will be someone in your year, and of the same gender. They will be picked randomly this evening, and tomorrow morning you will be informed who your partner is. The spell will be cast at lunch. Now, enjoy your feast!"

The students tackled their feast with a bit less enthusiasm as they digested this new information. Connect their minds with someone else? No privacy at all? Most weren't too happy with this idea.

"Share minds? I doubt it would be too bad, so long as I don't get a Slytherin," Ron said, predictably. Hermione rolled his eyes.

"You're not getting this, are you?" Harry and Ron snapped to attention. "We wouldn't be doing this spell if there wasn't a decent chance that one of us will get attacked. This is serious stuff," she said, gravely. Harry and Ron glanced at each other.

"Doubt it," Ron muttered, but he didn't look so sure of himself. "It's probably just a precaution. Anyway, if we're lucky, Harry, we could get paired together!" Hermione rolled her eyes again.

"Don't be stupid, Ron. They're selected at random. You've got a very slim chance," she snapped. Ron grumbled and hunched over his potatoes.

"Well, it could happen. Anyway, as long as I'm not with Malfoy, I'm happy."

Everyone agreed.

"This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of," Draco Malfoy snapped to Pansy Parkinson. As was custom, she mocked Draco's complaints, which caused everyone to wonder why, exactly, they were friends.

"It's not ridiculous, Dray," Pansy said. Draco rolled his eyes. "You can't always be right, you know."

"Well, I can be right ninety-nine point nine percent, and this is one of those times. There is no way that I'm letting someone else in my head," he snapped. Pansy gave a flirtatious smile that made him cringe.

"Not even if it's me?" Draco sneered.

"Especially not."

"Today will be spent getting to know our partners," Snape said icily in first period Potions. "I've got work to do, so Lavender Brown will read the list of partners. I want you all to get to know your partner this period, and if anyone starts fighting, I'll give you a week of detention. For those of you whose partners are not in this class, you may talk with your fellow partner-less classmates. Lavender?"

Lavender Brown approached Professor Snape's desk and accepted the list of partners. Snape disappeared into his office, and Lavender hopped onto the desk, crossing her legs.

"Is it just me, or is Snape being freakishly civil?" Seamus Finnigan said, loudly.

"Maybe he woke up on the right side of the bed," Dean snickered. Quite a few people rolled their eyes at the lame joke.

"Maybe you guys should listen up so you can find out your partners!" Lavender said, loudly.

"Maybe we don't want to listen to you," Malfoy snapped back.

"Tough cookies for you!" she replied, easily. "All right, Blaise Zabini and Hannah Abbott." Blaise sniffed huffily, obviously displeased. "Oh, Parvati, you're so lucky, you're paired with Padma!" Parvati and Lavender squealed with girlish delight, before Lavender continued the list. Seamus Finnigan and Justin Finch-Fletchley…Pansy Parkinson and Mandy Brocklehurst…Oh, poor Mandy…" Pansy turned red with fury, and snickers circled the room. "Me and Lydia Moon…She's nice…Kevin Nott and Ron Weasley…Hermione Granger and Susan Bones…Har—Oh, geez."

Lavender stared at the parchment, her brown eyes getting wider every second. The Gryffindors leaned in, dying to know what was wrong, while the Slytherins rolled their eyes at Lavender's dramatic show.

"Um…H-Harry and…" She trailed off, shooting frightened glances at Harry. He leaned back in his chair and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Just spit it out, Lav. It can't be that bad," he said, though he wasn't entirely convinced of his own words.

"Oh, um, all right…" She took a deep breath, hiding her face behind the parchment. "HarryPotterandDracoMalfoy, Vincent Crabbe and Terry Boot, Ernie Macmillan and Dean Thomas, Millicent Bullstrode and Eloise Midgen…" Lavender trailed off, curious to see Harry's reaction.

Apparently it was taking a minute for the news to sink in. Both boys were staring at nothing in particular, seemingly in shock. Then simultaneously they shouted, "WHAT!"

Harry and Draco fumed, both furious that they were going to have the other in their head. "There must be some sort of mistake!" Harry was muttering. "I can't have Malfoy in my head for a whole year! I'll die! If I ever got attacked, he'd probably just leave me!" Ron leaned over to whisper to him.

"Man, I feel for you, mate. But I talked to McGonagall, and she said that anyone who didn't report that their partner was being attacked would be expelled and prosecuted in front of the Wizengamot!" Feeling slightly relieved, Harry leaned back in his chair.

"So, are we cursed or something? We both got Slytherins!" Ron shrugged his shoulders.

"Probably. But look at it this way, at least against Malfoy and Nott, we've got a fair fight. Think of if we got Crabbe or Goyle!" Harry nodded in agreement.

"You shouldn't be getting into fights with your partner," Hermione chastised. "It defeats the purpose of this whole thing!"

"Hey, I know I'm not a teacher, but could you listen to me?" Lavender interrupted with a pout.

"Sorry, Lav," the three said in unison. She cleared her throat and continued reading the list.

"Sally-Anne Perks and Lisa Turpin…and Gregory Goyle and Morag Macdougal. That's it for this class. Now go chat with your partners like Professor Snape said. Civilly!" she added with a pointed look at Harry.

"Hello, Potter," Draco drawled, slipping into the seat Ron had abandoned. Harry bit his tongue before turning to face Draco.

"Hi, Malfoy," he said with a strained smile. There was an awkward silence before Draco said, "Anything I should know before we're bonded so I won't be shocked?" Harry made a face at the oddity of the phrase "we're bonded."

"I'll let you be surprised," he replied. "Anything I should know about you?" Draco smirked, and Harry realized the answer that was coming.

"I'll let you be surprised."

"Well, you all seem to be getting along well," Snape said, stepping out of his office. "Everyone talking with their—" Snape cut himself off as his eyes fell on Harry and Draco. "Don't tell me you two have been partnered!" Both boys nodded, grimly. "Oh, boy. That's what we need; a chance for you two to fight physically and mentally."