Chapter 1: A New Beginning It was just another day at Hogwarts. Or so Harry Potter thought. He had no idea that in a few minutes his life would be in peril.

It was early March. Nightmares of what happened to Sirius almost a year ago still plagued him. Harry didn't feel depressed like he thought he would, yet nor was he happy. He felt cold, numb, lifeless. He knew that he had never felt complete or whole, but this was different. Harry felt as though he had no emotions. Only one thing gave him any tiny amount of pleasure: flying.

Harry happened to be flying as he thought of everything that had happened to him. He didn't notice that he had drifted away from the Quidditch field. He also didn't notice that he had drifted over to the lake. He didn't notice Draco Malfoy until he heard the boy calling to him. "Hey Potter!"

Harry turned to see Draco waving toward him. After Draco's father had been locked up, he hadn't been as rude as he usual. In fact he had been quite friendly.

As Harry was pondering this, he felt his scar flare up in pain. He lost his grip on the broom, losing consciousness as he fell.

Draco had been looking for Harry. He wanted to befriend the boy. During the summer Draco had changed. No longer was he the rude, arrogant jerk he used to be. Now, although occasionally still rude and arrogant, he was a better person.

Draco had found Harry flying over the lake. Though he was confused to why somebody would be flying over the lake, he decided to ask Harry once he landed. He had seen Harry look at him. The next thing the young Malfoy's mind registered was the sight of the other boy falling.

Draco ran toward the lake. Without hesitating or thinking he jumped in to save Harry. He grabbed the boy about ten seconds after he had penetrated the surface. Draco dragged the boy onto shore. He checked Harry and found him not to be breathing.

Draco considered using magic, but in his current state it was unadvisable. He was panicked and therefore could mess up a spell and kill Harry. He threw the idea of getting help out as soon as he thought of it. Harry would be dead by the time he got back with help.

He was really frightened now. It was then that Draco recalled how to perform CPR. There wasn't any choice, it was Harry's only chance of survival. Draco gave three thrusts to Harry's chest then did mouth to mouth.

On the second set of thrusts Harry coughed up all the water in his lungs. His breathing returned to normal. Draco made sure of this and picked up his wand. He got Harry's broom, "Accio Firebolt!", knowing that Harry would be quite angry if anything happened to it. Draco then proceeded to pick up Harry and carry him up to the Hospital Wing.

8

Harry awoke in a strange place. Glancing around he realized that he was in the Hospital Wing. He remembered seeing Draco, his scar had hurt, then there was darkness. Upon further inspection of room, he found Draco Malfoy sleeping next to him.

Draco chose that moment to wake. He saw Harry looking at him. "Harry, you're awake!" Draco quickly enfolded the other occupant of the ward in a hug. Under his breath he muttered "Thank god."

Harry's first thought was, 'This feels good.' He mentally slapped himself. 'Since when do I enjoy anything involving Draco?' He almost passed out. 'Did I just call Malfoy Draco?' "Uh, Draco?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Why are you still hugging me?" Draco immediately let go, blushing. "And why, pray tell, are you here?"

"Two reasons. Well, first off I saved your life. Yes as hard as it is to believe that your arch-rival would save you its true."

"And your other reason?"

"Well I had gone to find you. I wanted to know if you and I could reconcile. I mean I've wanted to try to be your friend for a while."

"Why?"

"Well since my father was put away in Azkaban and released I've realized that I never really believed what my father taught me to believe. When I looked inside I realized that my father had brainwashed me and that I was barely anyone of my own accord. The only thing that I knew to be true was that if I wanted to become a good person I would have make true friends."

Draco outstretched his hand in a friendship gesture. Harry had been watching him closely during that whole speech. He knew there were more reasons than Draco had supplied for wanting to be his friend but everything he had told Harry was true. Harry could see it in his eyes. No one was that good an actor.

They had been in this situation once. Over six years ago, when they had met for the second time on the Hogwarts Express. That time Harry had refused knowing that Draco was not a good person. Now however things were different. Harry accepted the hand. It was a new beginning.

Harry had been released from the Hospital Wing later that day. Draco had gone to talk to the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Harry went there after being released. He needed to tell Dumbledore of his scar hurting. He told the gargoyle the password, and knocked on the headmaster's door.

"Come in." Harry walked in to find Dumbledore still talking to Draco. "Harry, good I need to talk to you." He turned to Draco. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, sir. There is no mistaking it. I knew once….."

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy I know. I will take care of it personally. You may go." Draco got up, nodded to Harry and exited the room. "Harry, please sit."

"Sir, my scar-" Dumbledore quieted him.

"Voldemort has once again attacked a village. I assume that is what caused your scar to hurt. However we need to discuss something more pressing at the moment."

Harry sat in the chair that Draco had been sitting in. "What is it sir?"

"Are you in a relationship?"

"No, but I was planning on asking someone out."

"I'm afraid I cannot allow that."

"What?"

"Harry, from this moment on you are not allowed to pursue a relationship unless I ok it."

"Forgive me for asking but why?"

"I cannot explain that at the moment Harry. Just trust that it is for the best."

"Alright."

"I know that this question is going to be personal but once again trust me. How intimate have you gotten in a relationship?'

Harry blushed. "Not that far sir."

"Good. Now one last question." Harry waited for a very intimate and embarrassing question to be thrown his way. "Would you care for a lemon drop?"

Harry just laughed.