The Consequences of Our Choices

by VanillaBean147

New ch. The choices we make shape our destiny. What if Harry had never said 'no' to the sorting hat? How would his life be different? How would the world? Harry finds himself straddling two very different realities. A mystery building in both. H/D. M

2. Chapter 2

The consequences of our choices.

SUMMARY: The choices we make shape our destiny. What if Harry had never said 'no' to the sorting hat? How would his life be different? How would the world? Harry finds himself straddling two very different worlds. H/D. M to be safe.

WARNINGS: Extreme spoilers. So, if you've only watched the movies and are waiting for the last one or have been vacationing on the moon and only recently got back, this is your warning!

AN: This picks up right where the last one left off. Also, I'll say it again SPOILERS for the last books! And this story is rated M.

Chapter Two: Twice the reality, Twice the fun. Right?

"The difference between weakness and wickedness is much less than people suppose; and the consequences are nearly always the same."

- Lady Marguerite Blessington

" Harry, I'm going to ask you an important question and I need you to answer honestly. Do you understand?"

Harry didn't trust his voice so he nodded. He looked over the older man. Professor Dumbledore was more or less the same.

Well, except not dead.

" Are you from the future or perhaps another time?"

" I..."

" Wait."

The old wizard put up a wrinkled hand before Harry could answer. Dumbleodre began stroking his beard and furrowing his brow.

" Let me ask you a different question. You are aware you don't belong here, yes?"

Harry nodded. He couldn't believe this was happening.

" Did you come here on purpose?"

Shake.

" So, you want to go back?"

Nod. " Yes."

" Do you know how you got here? Have you been here before?"

" No. And once, I think."

" Tell me what you remember."

Harry cleared his throat, which seemed much drier than usual.

" When I woke up a few days ago, this girl started talking to me like she knew who I was, but I've never seen her before. And my friends didn't recognize me."

" Your friends?"

" Hermione and Ron. And Seamus too."

Harry swore he saw surprise flash across the man's face before the professor made a noise and nodded for him to continue.

" And then again this morning. I woke up in a bed that wasn't mine. And the girl was there again. We went to breakfast. I went with her, because I didn't know what was going on. I tried talking to Hermione and that's where you came in."

" And how did you return home the first time?"

" I don't know. I went into the bathroom and when I came out Ron was waiting for me and we went to find Hermione. Everything seemed normal. I thought I was sleep walking."

" Do you remember feeling anything or seeing anything to let you know you were back home?"

Harry shook his head. Dumbledore stayed silent for a few moments and Harry tried not to stare at him. It was amazing how easily he fell back into he role of student around the older man. Even after all he had been through. Maybe part of him wasn't allowing what has happening to sink in all the way.

" Alright Harry. I think I know what's going on."

But before he could say more the door to his office burst open and a small short haired woman walked in. She looked flustered and out of breath. One hand clutched her chest as she regained her breathing.

" Professor, sorry to interrupt, but Mister Loyd's parents are here and they demand to see you."

She gave Harry a quick look, before she whispered the next part.

" It's about the incident with Miss Fisher."

Dumbledore sighed and stood up. He gave Harry a regretful look.

" Harry, please wait here. I'll be back as soon as possible."

The Gryffindor had no choice as the two professors left the room.

He stood up immediately, feeling light headed. This was all some weird dream. It had to be. He looked around the office for anything out of the ordinary. Dreams always left little clues to let you know they were really dreams and not reality. A desk drawer filled with scorpions, a table made of licorice or even a cat doing a jig, that was in the room the entire time, but he only just noticed.

As Harry was feeling the wall for soft spots made of shaving cream, the door opened behind him.

" Oh! Mister Potter. Is there something wrong?"

Harry turned around just as Professor McGonagall shut the door. She was looking at Harry with a worried expression. The Raven haired boy turned back around to face the wall he had been examining.

He noticed immediately the office was different. To his left he could see the desk was facing east now and there were two windows instead of one, but most important was the picture of the former headmasters.

Dumbledore slept soundly next to a picture of a man with thick glasses and a large nose. Harry turned back to the headmistress.

He was awake.

"Yes." There was defiantly something wrong.

The witch moved to her desk. She sat in the chair and folded her arms.

" Alright, Mister Potter, what is it?"

Suddenly Harry panicked. What if she didn't believe him? What if she did and he was going crazy? All those doctors over the summer said there could be consequences. Side effects they couldn't predict. Brain damage even. What if this was it?

The doctors had sent him away with a clean bill of health, but what if they were wrong? What if this is what they were talking about and he was going mad?

There wasn't much McGonagall could do for him, if that were the case. She'd probably send him back to St. Mungos. Harry couldn't go back there. He couldn't have more doctors poking at him asking him endless questions.

No. He refused to go through that again.

Harry didn't want to leave Hogwarts or lose his freedom. He'd faced worse in the past. Besides, if it was real, and he couldn't rule that out, after all they did deal with magic everyday, then Dumbledore said he knew what was happening, which would mean he had an answer. This didn't automatically mean he was 'round the bend.

If anything even happened again and no other side effects start popping up, then he would just ask his old professor. Maybe it was some random event that wouldn't happen again. He couldn't be sure of anything yet. There was no point in telling anyone else.

But, if not the truth, then what to tell the waiting headmistress in front of him?

" I was wondering about the volunteer group you set up. Err, what exactly is it about?"

" That doesn't seem like an emergency Potter. And defiantly not worth breaking into my office and missing the first lesson for."

Harry blushed a little. She had a point.

" It's mostly for Ginny Weasley. She's been upset lately and we thought maybe she'd be better with something to do."

McGonagall's expression softened immediately.

" Of course. I understand, but it's still not something that requires you to miss potions for. There will be a meeting tonight. The lists are posted in the dorm. You only need to sign up and show up. If that's all, Mr. Potter I have work to do and you have some where to be."

Harry knew when he was being dismissed. He was lucky to get off that easy.

" That is all, Mr. Potter, isn't it?"

Harry almost smiled at Dumbledore like question.

" Yes."

He shut the door quietly as he left.

xxxXXXxxx

He was going to tell Hermione and Ron. Really. He was.

But things happened so fast after he left McGonagall's office he never got the opportunity.

When he got to class Ron wasn't even there and Hermione didn't have an answer to their missing friend problem. She hadn't seen either of the boys all morning and figured they were together.

Once class ended they searched for the red-head, but no one knew where he'd gone.

" Harry, what if something bad happened? Something to do with the Slytherins Ginny was hanging out with? What if he found out who they were and went after them? Anything could have happened."

" Relax, Hermione. Nothing terrible happened. Ron's got a bad temper, but he's not stupid."

Harry tried to comfort his friend, but he only half- believed the words himself.

They went to the next class after agreeing if Ron didn't show-up by lunch then they'd tell a teacher. If Ron missed a meal they knew he was in trouble.

Hermione sagged in relief when they spotted red hair at the Gryffindor table.

" See, I knew we could count on Ron's stomach."

Harry laughed in relief as they entered the great hall. When they reached their friend, who was in deep conversation with a Ravenclaw, Hermione cleared her throat. Ron looked up and whispered something to the girl. She nodded and left without a word.

Hermione punch Ron in the shoulder.

" Owww. What was that for?"

" Disappearing and not telling anyone where you were."

" Hey, Harry disappeared too! I couldn't find him anywhere this morning."

Hermione looked at Harry, before punching him in the shoulder as well.

" Thanks, Ron."

Harry muttered as he sat down, messaging his shoulder.

" So where were you?"

Ron glanced around the room. More and more hungry students where coming in. He shook his head.

" Not here."

When he piled four helpings of potatoes on his plate they knew it was a lost cause. Ron started eating and not much would happen until he was finished.

Six burgers, two pies, five spoons of carrots and two more helpings of potatoes later, the three Gryffindors found a quiet room before the afternoon lessons began.

" Okay, what was so important you couldn't tell me where you where?"

" I was meeting with a source."

" What?"

" I had a very interesting chat with a boy who used to be part of the same gang Ginny was in."

Hermione made a noise, but didn't interrupt.

" He wouldn't give me names, but he told me more about them. They've been around since before the war really began. The boy in charge now, took over when his brother died. The group has one purpose and that's to find and punish Deatheaters. Since my source didn't tell me the leader's name I decided to call him Mr. X."

Ron looked rather smug about that. Harry got the feeling he might be enjoying this a little too much. Maybe Mr. Weasley had found some old cop movies and shown them to his family this summer.

" So Mr. X has been gathering students. They have about twenty now. My source told me all the outside help they had was lost when Mr.X's brother died, but I figure it's only a matter of time before they get more."

" What kind of outside help?"

" I'm not sure really. It was before Jeremy... I mean, my source joined the group. But I think he meant other people. Adults. People with power."

" Then this could be even bigger then we thought. We have to tell someone."

" We don't have any proof."

" Yes we do. The people who left the group. The professors could get them to talk."

" You mean the people like Ginny."

Hermione bit her lip.

" No. She's really fragile right now. I won't put her through anything else."

" Ron! We have to do something. People could get hurt."

" We don't know anything yet. Just let us investigate some more and see what we can find out. It's only a bunch of students right now. People like us, kids. People in pain. People like Ginny."

"They're just confused and looking for something to do with all their hurt. I think if we can get to them and just talk, we might be able to stop this with out getting anyone in trouble."

Harry didn't think he would ever see the day Ron used logic against Hermione.

"If it gets out of hand I'm going straight to the headmistress."

Ron nodded.

" But, in the mean time, I suppose, we need to help them. It's not right that this boy is taking advantage of grieving people."

Harry looked at his friend. And they say he had the hero complex. Harry knew all too well how involved Hermione got when innocent people or even house-elfs were being mistreated.

" Does that mean you're in, Hermione?"

She sighed.

"I guess. Some one's going to have to keep you two out of trouble. I thought our days of mischief were over."

Ron grinned at her.

" But I'm serious. If something happens..."

She didn't need to finish.

" And we shouldn't tell anyone we don't have to."

" Especially not Ginny."

" And as soon as we find out who the members are we go straight to the headmistress. We don't approach them or try and stop them. They might be dangerous. Agreed?"

" Agreed."

Harry and Ron spoke at the same time.

It looked like Harry wouldn't be needing a hobby after all. This should keep them all busy and was probably the least dangerous thing he'd done since his start at Hogwarts.

xxxXXXxxx

Harry was smacked hard on the back of the head. He fell to the floor. The black frames he wore would have smashed into the ground with the rest of his face, but lucky for him they flew off first.

He knew he shouldn't have visited the gardens alone any more. But he just couldn't resist. The castle seemed smaller this year.

" Don't move." Some one held a wand to the back of his head.

" We know what you're doing. Stop."

" We know you talked with Jeremy Sams. And we know you went to the headmistress. Leave this alone or you're going to be sorry. You can't stop us."

These were them. The people Ginny was spending her summer with. The people hell bent on catching Deatheaters. So they discovered Ginny had told him and Ron and they must have been following him. They mistook his visit to McGonagall's office for a threat.

Harry had a bad feeling they weren't just going to let him go with a warning. A blow to the back of the head and a scary threat weren't enough for them.

They were mad. Harry knew that kind of anger. It didn't matter who was on the receiving end of it.

They believed in their cause and were consumed by thier pain. They were willing to do anything. And that included beating up the boy who saved them all from a fate worse than their lost loved ones.

Harry realized he'd have a better chance fighting them off. He just had to wait for his opportunity.

" The war isn't over, you know. There's still evil out there. It needs to be stopped. I thought you of all people would see that, but now it's clear you're just in the way. I...ahh."

Harry jumped to his feet before the boy finished talking. He didn't have time to pull out his wand before his opponent could use his, so he tackled the other person to the ground. Harry wrestled the boy for his wand.

A sharp kick to the side made him yell out in pain. Of course the boy wasn't alone. His friend yanked Harry back and threw him face down on the ground. A foot held him in place, while the first boy got up.

Harry couldn't see anything but the pebble in front of his face. He struggled to flip over but the foot held strong.

" What are you...merlin, what did you do?... we should go... He got the point...and we already..."

" Shut-up!"

So the boy holding him down didn't agree with Harry's original attacker. That was good, maybe he could use the boy's doubt to his advantage.

Harry stopped struggling and strained his ear. He could hear foot steps. Some one was running. Either away from the yells he made or towards them. Harry wasn't sure which he wanted. These people were violent and pissed off. He didn't want some innocent bystander getting hurt. But he also didn't want to get beat up.

The sound of a spell being used and the yelp of some one behind him didn't make things any clearer.

Then the foot left his back. He heard voices, but couldn't make out what they were saying.

He stood up. Three blurry shapes appeared before him. Two were moving away.

" Cowards!" Somebody yelled.

Harry squinted into the darkness. Two of the figures were disappearing. He turned to the third. The person was't moving.

Harry took the person's lack of movement as a sign he was safe now. When the other person standing near him didn't say anything he dropped to his knees, searching for his glasses.

" Get-up. I have your glasses."

Harry stood and took them from the hand reaching out to him.

" Malfoy." Harry said in surprise.

" Potter." He replied, with a smirk.

Harry frowned.

" Bloody pillocks."

Harry took the glasses from Malfoy and pushed them up his nose.

" What did you do to piss off that lot? And why were they using masking spells? Do you have some strange fetish, Potter? Or did you attack them for no reason too? Still wouldn't explain why they were disguised though."

Harry wasn't in the mood for Malfoy's sarcasm right now.

" Ron and I have been trying to get proof that there is a gang plotting revenge against former Deatheaters."

He smirked to himself. Blunt honesty. That should shut the Slytherin up for a minute.

" Stalking some one new? I'm hurt, Potter."

Maybe not.

Malfoy didn't even blink as he brought a hand to his chest in fake despair.

Harry snorted.

"Here."

Harry took the white handkerchief Malfoy offered, unsure of what to do with it.

Was Malfoy challenging him to a duel or something? He'd read about something similar in a book once.

" It's for your head. You're bleeding."

" Oh, ummm...Thanks."

" I just don't want you to bleed to death. They'd probably find a way to pin it on me."

The silence grew between them until Harry figured they spent enough time not insulting or throwing curses at each other. It would be wise not to push their luck much more. He went to sit on a bench and leave Malfoy to his night.

He had a lot to think about now. He wasn't too worried about Ron or Hermione being attacked. They should be safe in the common room.

Harry didn't get a chance to think about it any more. His thoughts immediatly went to the blonde that sat beside him.

" So, this is pretty real, huh? Should I be concerned?"

Harry had to think for a minute before he understood what the blonde was saying. He got hit harder than he thought.

Malfoy was asking if they were going to come after him. He was a former Deatheater. It made sense the Slytherin would want to make sure he wasn't in danger.

" I honestly don't know. It's what I'm trying to find out."

"It's probably not very smart of you to be out so late and all alone then. But then again I always knew you were a little dim."

A sharp retort was on the tip of Harry's tongue, before he realized something. There was no malice behind that comment. Malfoy wasn't trying to make him angry or start a fight. It was almost like he was teasing Harry. In a rude way, but still the comment wasn't meant to provoke.

Shrugging, he decided to roll with the punches.

" You might be right."

They sat in silence, until Malfoy, not even saying goodbye, just stood and walk towards the castle.

Harry went in soon after.

xxxXXXxxx

For some reason Harry wasn't worried about Hermione or Ron being attacked even after that night. He was sure the threat to him was made by some members of the group that just grew impatient. The anger they had bottled up and held onto since the end of the war was starting to spill over, but if they were smart they wouldn't risk doing something like that again. From the way they ran when Malfoy showed up, it was clear they weren't serious or prepared for the attack against Harry.

But it was a sign that whatever moves they were going to make would be going down soon.

He told his friends the next morning as they went downstairs. Today was the start of the volunteer clean up group.

Of course Hermione was concerned, but they talked her out of telling. Harry still had mixed feelings about the group. He was attacked, but only one boy came off as junior serial killer in training crazy. The other hesitated and even attempted to argue. It showed Ginny was right and Ron too.

Not everyone in the group was pure evil. They just allowed their grief to take over. In fact, Harry believed they weren't dealing with evil at all. These people were just lost and looking for something to blame. It was easier to seek out revenge than deal with heartache.

Harry shushed them as they walked into the classroom for their meeting. Ginny greeted them and grumbled about losing a Saturday. When she grinned at Ron's face as Hermione told them to get used to it because all the meetings were on weekends, Harry thought maybe she would be okay. They settled in and listened to the headmistress start the meeting.

Since McGonagall became in charge of Hogwarts she'd discovered dozens of rooms and floors that haven't been touched in a long time, not to mention the rooms destroyed in the final battle. She came up with the idea to let the students fix them up and help decide what they should be used for.

Everyone could help, but only seventh years and the eighth years were allowed in the more unknown parts. All others were assigned to much safer and simpler jobs.

Harry wasn't aware of how big a project it was going to be. Much more than he anticipated. And he'd have to give up part of his weekend. The areas were open all day on the weekends and they could come and go as they pleased.

After the general meeting, they separated into years. First paired with second and so on until seventh and eighth. Each pair had a different part of the castle. She let them all go to change if they needed it. Minimal magic would be used out of fear of damaging the castle further or creating some unknown effect.

So they were all warned to wear clothes they wouldn't mind getting ripped or dirty. When they were together again she gave them one more speech.

" Can I have every one's attention please."

" Thank you all for coming. We are going to get right to work. You may form what ever groups you like, but every one must be in a group. There are dangerous things up here and no one is to work alone. Everyone understand?"

There was a combination of mutters and nods around the room.

" Once you have your groups you may choose an area to work on. Remember, at the completion of the restoration, you will be able to make recommendations for what the space may be used for in the future. Don't fight over space, as there are plenty of rooms to go around."

"I or another teacher will be in to check on you, but mostly you'll be left alone. If there are any emergencies you can reach us easily. There shouldn't anything too dangerous here, but you never know what could happen. So watch yourselves and take care in your work."

"If there are no questions, let's get started. I will be downstairs with the younger students. I trust you all to behave."

With one final look around the room she left.

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny each grabbed a bucket and a mop. Ginny also grabbed an assortment of cleaning supplies. They picked a room far down the corridor.

Once inside they discovered it was actually more than one room. There was a door leading to a closet larger then the third floor boy's bathroom. The only reason they called it a closet and not a separate room itself were all the selves lining the wall and the fact that there was only one door and no windows.

It looked more like a mini library than a storage space, but there was an assortment of jars, boxes, an other containers giving clues to the last purpose of the room. Some books sat on the shelves, but most held what looked like old ingredients. That or some teacher had a fetish for small items and shopping problem.

Another door led to a wall. Hermione suggested it might have been a secret passage in the past, that's magic had faded when the caster left Hogwarts.

Still another door opened to a medium sized room, with no windows. They had fun guessing what that was used for.

"Torture."

" Don't be silly, Ron. They don't torture people at Hogwarts."

" I don't know. All those weird jars in the massive closet. This obviously was a potions room. Snape would have had a torture room if could have gotten away with it."

" And who knows how old it is. Dad said they used to leave students out all night when he went here. They weren't always so easy with punishments."

" Dad only said that to scare you, Ron. He didn't mean it."

" Yes he did!"

" Oh, you believe anything he tells you. Like the time he had you convinced the moon was going to fall out of the sky."

" That doesn't count! He misunderstood a muggle television report. You were scared too."

Harry was laughing so hard he had to hold the only table in the room for support.

Harry often tried to imagine what life would be like with some one else by his side. Some one who knew him like Ron and Ginny knew each other. Some one he had stories with, a history with. Even if they fought, like the siblings do, it would still be nice.

The last door in the room was locked and even though they weren't supposed to they tried every spell they could think of to open it. Along with some manual ways. They wrote it off as being another door like the one leading to a wall, but Harry didn't quite buy it. He could feel magic coming from it.

A look from Ginny, showed she noticed it too. She smiled at him and raised a brow.

Harry broke eye contact. They didn't have a lot of time to interact since they became 'unofficial' and then with her falling pray to a delusional gang trying to single handedly take out a group of dangerous wizards, Harry never got to fully feel out how things were between them.

He cared for her but didn't know how to show it any more.

When Ron splashed him with some water he knew he was zoning out. He threw a sponge at his friend and they got to work.

xxxXXXxxx

Harry jumped when he heard foot steps walking down the path. He had his wand pointed in the direction of the sound. He lowered it when Malfoy's blonde hair became visible.

He nodded at the Slytherin, who didn't turn and leave like he had in the past. Instead, Malfoy walked up to Harry and sat on the bench next to where the Gryffindor was standing.

" What are you doing?"

" I've been thinking. If you get attacked again I'll just have to come and save you. Again."

Harry opened his mouth to protest but Malfoy continued.

"It'll be easier if I'm close by. We don't have to talk or anything. It will just keep people from messing with you and causing me to have to run in and rescue you."

Harry ground his teeth.

" Won't it just put you in danger of being attacked?"

" Yes, but if what you told me is true then I'm already in danger."

Harry didn't respond right away. He did have a point. Harry debated whether or not his midnight strolls were worth spending time with Malfoy.

" Look, Potter. If people are out to get both of us, it's safer if we are together. However, if you really have a problem with it I can go."

The blonde got up off the bench.

" No. I guess you're right."

They both sat down. It was actually kind of comforting having some one near by and Malfoy was right, Harry did feel safer.

And since the blonde didn't talk Harry could pretend he was some one else.

xxxXXXxxx

" I feel like walking tonight, Potter. You can stay here if you like."

Harry wasn't positive and he'd never get the blonde to admit it, but he sounded scared. But then again he had reason to be.

The group had attacked an eighth year last Friday. Ron didn't even argue with Hermione this time.

They went to McGonagall and told her everything, which wasn't much. Ginny still wouldn't talk. Harry found that more than odd. He knew she was braver than that, but Ron refused to push her any more and Harry couldn't do much about it.

Of course they altered the story they told the headmistress, leaving out all of Ron's investigating. They hoped to get the professor to believe it was by luck that they found anything out at all.

They stuck to the story that when the student was attacked, they pieced what Ginny told them and what they discovered together. Harry wasn't sure they convinced the older woman, but she didn't say anything. Except to thank them and inform them that she'd look into it.

It was rather dissatisfying.

"Hello? Potter?"

Harry followed the hand in front of his face as it moved back and forth, before he trained his eyes on the owner. Malfoy was looking at him.

" What?"

He pushed the blonde's hand away, irritated.

" You weren't answering."

" Oh. Yeah. I'll come with you. Let's go."

Truth be told he didn't want to be alone either.

He got up and followed the blonde. They went down a path Harry had walked several times before. It was made up of tiny rocks, unlike the dirt paths that lined most of the other roads. As custom in any proper garden tall bushes framed the pathway and outlined the maze of trails within. Harry enjoyed the thought of getting lost in the turns and twists.

He took comfort in the fact that nothing from Hogwarts would really do him harm and was okay with letting his feet work while his brain drifted.

He always had his wand if he needed it.

It felt like a different world in here. He knew the castle was just outside, but in here it was just him and it felt like anything could happen.

The tall bushes, acting like a shield him from daily life, were one of his favorite things. In some parts they were plain green, dark and thick, but always magnificent. In other places they were traded out for rose bushes, still in others jasmine flowers littered the green shrubs.

All were just tall enough to separate him from Hogwarts, but not cut him off entirely.

The ones around him now were scattered with a dark yellow flower Harry didn't know the name of. Their strange smell drifed in front of him every few steps. It was almost like they smelled of whisky.

He leaned closer to the bushes and cursed the poor lighting as he tripped over a rock. He straightened himself and kept walking.

" I wished they'd put some lights out here. It's not a difficult spell, really."

Malfoy's voice surprised him. He'd become accustom to the silence.

" When I first came here I tripped on a root, ripped my trousers wide open. Split right down the middle. I tell you, craftsmanship is not what it used to be..."

Harry stopped walking.

" What are you doing?"

Malfoy looked so earnest Harry would have laughed if he wasn't so weirded out. Malfoy was making small talk and revealing an embarrassing moment about himself. Harry eyed the blonde.

" What am I doing?"

" Yeah. That's what I said."

There was something unusual about Malfoy tonight. Harry couldn't put his finger on it. He didn't trust the boy's easy conversation. They had too much between them for it to change all the sudden. Maybe the blonde was up to something.

" Don't you...I mean...we're not friends, so why are you suddenly..."

Malfoy's face lost all emotion and he straightened up. Harry reeled at the knowledge that he was relaxed in the first place.

" I am aware of that, Potter. I simply...no. You're right. Sorry. My mistake."

Malfoy made to leave.

" Wait. I didn't mean to be rude... I think."

The blonde stood on the path and looked at him. His features were cool and emotionless. His mask was on, but there was an emotion behind his eyes that made them sparkle in a way Harry didn't trust.

Harry wondered why he didn't notice the abscence of Malfoy's usually distant attitude before this. While they didn't have deep meaningful conversations, they hadn't fought once. Now that he thought of it Malfoy was acting different, more relaxed around him since the beginning.

The realization was throwing Harry off balance.

They'd sort of bonded through their non-verbal agreement to tolerate each other in case one of them was attacked, but not to this degree.

" I'm just confused. Sorry."

Malfoy scoffed and swayed on his feet. Harry frowned.

" I understand. It's not surprising. Nobody else can stand to be around me, so I shouldn't... expect you to. You have more reasons not to than anyone."

That statement nearly knocked Harry over. Who was this person in front of him, because it couldn't be the spoiled selfish boy he'd grown up with.

" I just... Damn it!"

Harry jumped, even though Malfoy only whispered the last part.

" I'm so tired of all this. Everywhere I go, every person, can't seem to talk about anything but the bloody war or they ignore it completely. And I just don't want to anymore. My friends all act like nothing happened! And everyone else acts like I'm responsible for it all. No one will except the truth."

" I know I had my part, but I want... Nobody gets it. My friends are worse than the people who hate me. It wasn't just a bad day that you can erase with a cup of tea and back rub, you know?"

Malfoy seemed to be waiting for an answer. Harry nodded.

"I don't know how they can ignore it. It's not... It was more than... It was so..."

" Real." Harry finished for him.

"Real." He echoed. Then laughed.

Harry squinted at the boy in front of him. The blonde squinted back.

Suddenly it all made sense. The relaxed attitude. The odd behavior. The strange confessions. The smell of whiskey.

Malfoy was drunk.

But on some level, Harry understood. Despite the Slytherin's inebriated state, Harry could relate.

It shocked him to realize they actually had something in common. And such a unique thing. People who didn't fight in the war, who didn't live it, like most of Malfoy's friends, couldn't understand. Even Ron and Hermione didn't get it. His and Malfoy's whole lives seemed to be building up to that one night, to the final battle and when it ended it what was left? Suddenly there was no more pressure, no more worry, nothing to watch out for. Every one else was fighting to get their normal lives back, but Harry and Malfoy were fighting because it was their lives. They had no choice but to fight or die.

No one else understood when he tried to explain it. To them the war was an inconvenience, something temporary until they got their real lives back. Harry never suspected to survive and he figured Malfoy never did either.

His friends and people like his fans survived the war. The ones that lost something, but didn't really understand. Harry and Malfoy lived it.
They were still fighting and both of them still on different sides. Malfoy fights the prejudice against him and Harry fights the void idealization of himself. People fail to see either of them as they are or how they could be. Malfoy was just as effected by the consequences of war as he was.

Harry ran a hand through his hair. It was a pretty big epiphany to have in such a sort time span.

Oblivious, Malfoy kept talking. He was a talkative drunk.

" What if I never escape it? What if this one desicion dictates the rest of my life? Do you know what that's like, Potter? The constant weight of it. I can't live with it. The pressure is... It would go away if I could just talk or ...something, but nobody will listen and... And maybe it's too much to ask. I just want to start over. Maybe I shouldn't have come back here."

" Why did you?"

" Why not? I deserve just as much right to my...education as anyone else... Idiot."

Malfoy's sudden anger told Harry that it wasn't a good idea to stay on this topic. Maybe any topic.

" So... what are you saying?"

" I don't know." Then he looked at Harry.

" You're different now, Potter. Everyone is. Everything. Even if some people refuse to accept it. Things are changed. I just thought maybe, I could too."

Malfoy wanted to forget the war. He wanted to start over. Who was Malfoy if not a Deatheater in training?

What happened when all the pressure of choosing was taken away; choosing a side, choosing which decision was best, choosing if your life was more important than someone else's. Harry thought they both deserved the chance to find out.

" Okay. So are we friends now?"

" I don't think it'll be that easy, Potter."

" Or maybe it will."

Harry didn't expect more and the blonde didn't offer it.

" Okay, I have one more question."

Malfoy looked up sharply. It reminded Harry of dog when his master uses a word he knows will mean he's getting a treat.

" Are you drunk?"

The blonde just smirked and continued down the path.

xxxXXxxx

" I'm going for a walk tonight. Pansy told me there was a waterfall in here somewhere."

Harry got up and followed the blonde. He hadn't shown-up drunk anymore, at least that Harry had seen, and they didn't mention that night again, but things were slowing mending between them. It gave Harry hope. If he could get on with Malfoy than anything was possible.

They started down a trail lined with pale green trees. There were vines tangled around the trunks and in the branches so thick it was difficult to tell what was beyond them. Some kind of red fruit sat in the tree tops. Harry wondered if they were edible.

" I'm sure you know about the latest attack."

Harry nodded. It was on a seventh year. A girl named Patricia Linoel. She was coming back from the library when a group of students trapped her in the third floor bathroom. It was unclear what happened once they got her in there.

But from what he heard, through Ron, was that she refused to talk about it. She was locked in all night. No one from her dorm reported her missing. They didn't want to get her in trouble because she'd stayed out all night before with her boyfriend and they thought that's where she was.

When they saw him the next morning without her, they panicked. Her friends went looking for her. One boy heard crying from the bathroom. They found her inside. She was pale, shaking and sobbing, but wouldn't speak.

After a day of silence and jumping at every noise, one of her friends convinced her to tell the nurse. Still, Patricia wouldn't name her attackers or say what they did.

Harry guessed the first boy they attacked was practice. They cursed him and roughed him up, hoping to scare him. This last attack proved they were getting more daring.

" Did you know her?"

" Why? Because all Deatheaters know each other?"

Harry wanted to remind Malfoy that he was the one who brought up the topic, not him. If he didn't want to talk about it then he shouldn't have asked. But he reigned in his annoyance.

" No. She was in Slytherin, right?"

Malfoy sighed.

" Yes. I didn't even know she was... Her parents are in Azcaban."

"Are you and the junior detectives still on the case?"

Harry snorted

" Not really. Ron can't seem to drop it, but for the most part we try and stay out of it. We told McGongall what we know, but she didn't do much. I don't know what she'll do now that it's getting more serious."

" It's a sensitive subject. Most people want to pretend the war never happened and that people aren't still suffering."

Harry knew he was talking about his friends. The Gryffindor was hesitant to bring up Malfoy's drunken confession. In the end he decided to leave it alone.

The silence took over once more. They walked for an hour more, but never found the waterfall.

xxxXXXxxx

When Ron found out McGonagall did exactly nothing to solve the problem he was irritated.

When Hermione found out Ron was still following ' hot leads'- as Ron put it- she was furious.

And when Harry found out that his friends were letting these two things get in the way of their regularly scheduled cleaning of their old potions room and that he would have to spend it alone with Ginny, he was nervous.

The girl was more somber then usual, allowing her feelings of guilt and fear take over. Harry tried to relax around her, but his own worries got in the way. It always seemed like she had something she wanted to say, but couldn't. Neither of them had been alone since Harry told her it was the end of them as a couple.

She had smiled and hugged him, but they were both so preoccupied after that it never felt like they got closure. Ginny got swept away in her grief and Harry was herded to the hospital to be prodded and analyzed by strangers. With Hermione pouting and Ron following his 'lead' it left Harry and Ginny alone for the first time in a long time.

He debated getting Ron to tell Ginny never mind or at least to change the time. They could afford to miss one weekend, but Ron insisted that his sister needed this. He wanted her to have something to rely on, something that wouldn't change or disappoint her. Harry thought he was being over dramatic, but swallowed his fear and left Ron with his invisibility cloak.

When he got to their room Harry discovered no one was there. His first thought was panic. Ginny didn't mention she would be missing this weekend and there was a slightly crazed group of students looking for revenge roaming Hogwarts.

Then he remembered she might be as uncomfortable around him as he was around her. Her absence might be a good thing. Or she just might be late.

Harry walked around the room assessing how much they still needed to get done. It wasn't much. The closest was the biggest problem. They couldn't just throw out all the potions inside. There was no telling what would happen if some of them mixed together. They had to get special permission from McGonagall to use magic in order to test what each left over potion or ingredient was, before they could dispose of it.

Harry wandered over to the locked door they never could open. Ever since the first day he could feel the magic coming from it. There was more going on with it and Harry wondered if the room could be used for anything else once they were finished cleaning it. It wouldn't be safe to have a class in a room with an unknown magic source. It could lead to all kinds of interference. Harry stepped closer to the door.

" Ow!"

He nearly tripped over a bucket. He frowned at the metal container and wondered how it got there. They always put their supplies in the left corner nearest the door. Harry picked up the bucket and returned it to it's proper place. He glanced at his watch.

Only five minutes had passed but Harry left to go looking for the missing girl. He found Neville, Luna and Seamus in the room closest to theirs. He asked about Ginny, but they didn't now anything.

Harry left them to arguing over how to use a broom properly and returned to his own room. Maybe Ginny came in after he left. He didn't find her, but instead an over proportioned girl was leaning against the door jam.

" Thank goddess. I thought I got the directions wrong." Her accent was thick and she reached into her coat.

She pulled out a piece of wrinkled parchment and handed it to Harry, then she walked away.

Harry read his note.

Harry, sorry. One of the girl's in my dorm had an emergency. I'm not coming to clean, but I know you worry so I thought I'd let you know. Also, I think we should talk. Met me in the astronomy tower at eight. Send an owl if you can't make it.

Ginny

The sloppy writing let Harry knew she wrote it in a rush. The message gave him both relief and a new bundle of nerves at the same time. What did she want to talk about?

xxxXXXxxx

" It's depressing. He has to wander around in the rain. There's no sunshine, no bright sky. He's lost and abandoned, left all alone to stand in the cold."

Harry and Malfoy were sitting in front of Harry's favorite fountain. The one of the boy standing in the permanent rain storm. They were analyzing the stone figure.

" He's not lost. And what's wrong with the rain? It's refreshing, like when a new storm comes in and washes away the old. Besides, you're missing the point."

"Which is?"

"He's safe. He's protected from the rain. Nice and snug under his umbrelly."

Harry snorted he laughed so hard.

Malfoy had tried to use many muggle words over the time they spent together and at first Harry let his mis-use slide by. He didn't want to cause a fight, but now that they were more comfortable around each other he had no problem letting the blonde know when he made a mistake.

Malfoy tried to scowl at first and then he threaten Harry, but when that didn't work he joined in.

xxxXXXXxxx

" Woah."

Harry walked down stairs and into the Slytherin common room. He took a moment to adjust to the sudden lack of light and subtle touches of green displayed around the room.

He was in the dream or what-ever it was again. He briefly wondered what Ron thought of him disappearing like that. It must have happened right in front of him. Or maybe he didn't disappear. Maybe he was still there, but not seeing what was in front of him. He could be walking around Hogwarts like a zombie.

At least Ron was with him when it happened. So if his body was going around unaware of it's surroundings then his friend would take care of him.

He and Ron where going to play a game of Quidditch, when he inadvertently walked into the twilight zone.

He sighed and looked around the room. Two third years sat by the fire playing exploding snaps. A group of girls occupied the plush arm chairs in the center of the room. One of them laughed and a red head blushed to match her hair. Harry was unnerved to find it so similar to the Gryffindor common room.

Students were unwinding and hanging out between classes. Or maybe it was Saturday here too.

He only visited the Slytherin dungeons once, but he half expected it to be filled with groups of students skulking around plotting revenge, sharing stories of torture and laughing at their evil deeds. Except for the lighting nothing appeared diabolical at all.

Still he didn't feel like pulling up a chair and having a cuppa. Besides he had some questions to be answered and he knew just who had those answers.

He needed to find Dumbledore.

Moving quickly, he worked off his memory to find the way out. No one even looked up as he walked across the room. He let out a breath as the door came into view.

It swung open before he could touch it and Harry's heart lept into his throat as blonde hair was waiting on the other side.

Harry relaxed when he realized it was not the blonde crazy girl that always seemed to be hovering over him in this place. Instantly he felt guilt at that thought.

She wasn't really crazy. He supposed she was his friend in this dream place. He recalled the pain he felt at seeing Hermione and Ron look at him with cold uncaring eyes and made a mental note to be nicer to her.

He pushed past the blonde with out so much as a glance. Or he would have if said blonde hadn't grabbed hold of his shirt and thrown him into a wall. Harry grunted in surprise and looked at his captor.

Malfoy.

He should have known. Apparently he and dream world Malfoy couldn't settle their differences. Maybe he should get this Malfoy drunk.

The blonde smirked at him and quickly glanced to his left and into the common room. Harry wanted to see what captured the blondes attention but he didn't dare take his eyes of the boy pinning him to the wall.

This Malfoy wasn't exactly friendly so far. Harry didn't know whether or not he could trust him.

Malfoy growled and released him so fast he almost tipped over.

" Watch where you're going, Potter."

Harry almost smiled at the familiar behavior that he hadn't heard in over a year.

Before he could reply three of the girls, including the blusher, walked into the passage way. Malfoy left without another word.

Harry just hoped he made it to Dumbledore's office without running into any more blondes.

xxxXXXxxx

He was sitting in the Headmaster's office once more. And it was just as off putting as before.

It didn't help that the professor was openly staring at him. He didn't say a word for over a minute. Harry began to fidget.

" Last time I was here, you said you had an answer?"

" Yes. I'm sorry. It's just you're so different. Yet, the same. It's fascinating."

"Right. You didn't come here to be stared at. Tell me, what do you know about alternate realities?"

If it had been anyone else asking the question Harry would have felt the urge to laugh. Instead, he felt a faint feeling of foreboding.

"Nothing really, sir."

" Well, they exist. Parallel universes, alternate realities, which ever you prefer."

Harry was sure he didn't prefer either.

" The theory goes that every decision you make stems a new reality. So in one world you get a promotion and in the other you don't. Even still, in a third you get fired. You see, every choice has a different outcome and therefor every choice begins a new unique reality."

" So, I'm in another reality?"

" Yes, exactly. Somewhere your world split off into this one. Or vice versa. The key now is to find out where the two worlds separated. Where the one thing went different and started it all. That might be a clue as to why you're here. So, tell me about yourself."

Harry was still wrapping his head around the whole 'multiple universes' thing.

" Ummm, I go to Hogwarts. I'm friends with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."

" So you're in Gryffindor or are they in Slytherin?"

" Why would they be... Wait...I'm in Slytherin?"

That would explain why he woke up in their dorms the other day and today.

" Yes. You're in Slytherin. Seventh year. You're friends are Abby Charlotte, Charles Billings and Christopher Melson. Your parents are dead. You are quite gifted at charms. You defeated Voldemort last year. You had a girlfriend, I believe. Miss Harmon. Lovely girl. I'm sorry, I don't know what happened between you two. You're also a..."

" Okay."

It was Harry's turn to hold up his hand. He didn't want to hear anymore. It didn't matter anyway. He was going to go home and forget this place existed. Just as soon as Dumbledore figured everything out.

"Harry, you told me once in first year that the sorting hat gave you a choice. Do you remember that? A choice between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Did you choose Gryffindor?"

" This is what the hat was talking about? This is what would have happened if I'd been sorted into Slytherin?"

" I believe so. Yes."

So this was all real. It wasn't a dream. The memory of all the times he sat in this office, the pain he felt when he realized he never would again, all of it came rushing to the surface, but Harry pushed it back down.

His mind started racing. All the possibilities, all the consequences that one decision lead to. Everything would have been so different if he had just listened to the sorting hat. He didn't know how different this world was from his own, but he knew at least one major difference. And it was sitting right in front of him.

" So… I should have said yes. Back then. To the hat. I should have said yes."

He whispered the words, mostly to himself, but Dumbledore picked them up any way.

" Why would you say that?"

Harry waved away the professor's offer of a lemon drop with his hand.

" You…"

Harry faltered. He couldn't say the words.

"Things are different here. You said I defeated Voldemort."

Dumbledore nodded.

"And this is my seventh year. So that means I did it a year earlier. I think. Anyway, so it wouldn't have mattered what house I was in. I should have listened to the hat. Then things would be…different."

Harry's frustration was beginning to peek. He wanted to scream the words 'then you wouldn't be dead', but he didn't know how much to tell the headmaster. The older man wasn't asking too many questions about where Harry was from and Harry trusted the wizard had a reason for it.

" You haven't seen everything yet."

" It doesn't make a difference. I'm responsible for everything that happened. The hat knew. It must have seen what would happen. I should have listened, but I didn't care and people died because of it. I didn't want to be in Slytherin and it changed people's lives."

Harry felt the panic, guilt and sadness that nearly swallowed him whole after the war starting to nibble at him again. The crushing knowledge that peoples lives depended on his actions was taking over.

" Harry, things aren't that simple. You couldn't have known."

" And I wished I didn't now."

The professor sat down with a deep sigh.

" The weight of the world shouldn't rest on your shoulders."

Harry didn't answer. Guilt weighed him down. He always felt he could have saved Dumbledore somehow. Now he had proof. All the emotions he had after the war were beginning to emerge again. He wished he could talk to Rose.

" Why don't you go back to the dorms and rest. I'll work on your problem and let you know if I find anything."

Harry stood to leave, suddenly wanting to get away from the older wizard, before the man saw the guilt in his eyes.

" Oh and Harry? It's important that you try not to upset anything here. I recommend you tell someone now what you're going through, so you have some help navigating your way around. Things will be very different from what you're used to at home."

" You want me to tell them I'm from another dimension? Won't they think I'm crazy?"

" Would your friends back home think it?"

" Yes."

He answered immediately.

"But then, I suppose they'd believe me. But Ron and Hermione hate me here."

" Might I remind you, you have Miss Abby and Mr. Charles to confide in. I believe they are qualified for the job. If the rumors I hear about a certain incident involving fairies has any truth to it. They can be trusted."

Harry pretended he didn't know what the professor was talking about.

" They are true friends, Harry. Perhaps, it would be easier for you if I helped?"

" How long do you think I'll be here?"

" I can't say. I'm sorry. But while you are here, please try not to draw attention to the situation. If you like I could ask Miss Charlotte up here and explain things to her."

He started talking again before Harry could answer.

" Maybe that would be better. You do need some one to show you the way tings are here. I feel it's vital that you know more about what's expected of you here. It could upset the balance if people discovered your situation."

Harry wasn't sure if he could handle the hyper active girl right now.

" I could explain it to you, but I'm afraid my take on things might be different than that of a seventeen year old's. I'm not quite as in the loop as I lead on. Yes, it would be best if she explained it to you."

" Alright. But let me do it, please. I'd like some time to think first."

" If you wish, but I strongly suggest not delaying this."

Harry wondered if this is what Dumbledore would have been like if he'd survived the war. He wasn't expecting the man to agree so easily. Too bad they never got the chance to find out.

"Try not to cause any trouble. And the Slytherin password in Coolidge."

He made to leave once more.

" And Harry, no decision is without it's consequences."

Harry nodded and left.

He wished he had Ron and Hermione to go to. But judging by what happened last time he doubted they would make him feel any better right now. Abby was his confidant now.

He let his feet take him where they wanted. He had no desire to return to the Slytherin dorms. Just the thought made him ache for home.

The guilt ripped through him. Dumbledore. Fred. Colin. Dobby. Sirius. Tonks. Lupin... All gone.

He wasn't certain if any more on the list had survived. But if even one had then it was enough. This world, him being a snake, having Ron and Hermione turned against him was all worth it. It hurt to think his actions had caused so much pain.

He wound up outside in the gardens, but he wasn't taking in his surroundings. The wind was chilly but the fresh air felt good.

He planned on staying there until he either fell asleep and woke up at home or he discovered there were prefects in this universe who actually did their job, but the weather turned on him.

When the first rain drop hit him he ignored it, but soon his hair was soaked and he was shivering so hard his glasses kept slipping off his nose. He gave in, returning to the castle just as a clap of thunder sounded over head.

After wasting a moment of longing for the marauders map, he managed to stop himself from hiding every time he heard a noise. Still, he was carful as he navigated his way through the castle. Running into someone he had a relationship with that he couldn't remember was not on his to do list today.

The options were limited with how he could get info on how to act. Dumbledore was right about one thing. Things would be easier with a how-to-be-a-Slytherin guide. He needed to find Abby.

" Potter."

Harry gritted his teeth. Too many people here said his name like that. This time it was a tall skinny boy with bad hair. It was like he was wearing a badger on his head.

This boy was glaring, so Harry guessed he wasn't looking for a friendly game of chess.

Harry managed to glare back.

" I know it was you. Spreading those rumors about my sister."

Instantly, Harry felt like a slug. He had no reason to think this boy was lying. Was he the type to spread rumors about people and call them names? He was in Slytherin.

" Umm, Sorry." Maybe the boy would accept his apologize and leave him alone.

" Sorry? Is that a fucking joke?"

If the snarl was anything to go by, then the boy wasn't buying it.

" Look I..."

Harry didn't finish before the boy slammed him into the wall.

" No, you look, you little prick, my sister cried for a week. She wrote home asking to be pulled out of Hogwarts. I don't care what they say about you. I'm gonna kick your ass."

The boy's angry threat snapped something in Harry.

He shoved the irrate brother away from him and whipped out his wand. Harry was tired of being blamed for other people's problems. This place was just another world where he was expected to take responsibility for things he couldn't control.

Well, fuck that.

He was tired of accepting people's bullshit. He didn't know this boy and he didn't even do anything.

" My amusement at how someone like you is going to carry out that threat on the person who single handedly took out the dark lord, stops when that person is preventing me from getting where I need to go."

He pushed aside the voice telling him he had no idea how this Harry defeated Voldemort. For all he knew this Harry had a heap of help. But he was on a roll.

He was trying to channel the old Malfoy. What better example of a pissed off Slytherin was there? It wasn't that difficult since he was cold, worn out and had his head messed with enough for a life time. The anger flowed easily through his words.

" And I honestly don't know what I said about your sister, but let me tell you it will be far less worse than what will happen to you if you don't piss off. Right now."

The boy had the guts to take a step forward, but the good sense to end it there. He balled his fists and stormed away.

Harry wouldn't admit it but it felt kind of good to vent. All those emotions he usually kept in, were right on the top waiting for a chance like this. Keeping up his momentum, he speed through the halls, almost hoping he ran into another student.

He must be every stereotype ever uttered about the Slytherins. Only having part of the puzzle in his hands didn't stop him form guessing the final picture. Ron and Hermione hated him, random people were so angry with him they just attacked in the halls and he was in Slytherin.

It all added up to him being a horrible person here.

The thought should scare him, make him feel ashamed or guilty, but some how he wasn't any of those things. Something was freeing in knowing people hated him. It was so different than the people he usually met. The people who thought he was a saint, that he was a hero, some perfect thing.

The people in this world saw him as a person. A prick, but still it was such a change from his regular life that he smiled at the idea. No one here knew him. At least not the real him. No one expected anything of him.

He had a free pass to be a jerk. He didn't have to fake smile his way through life or nod politely while he listened to another story of how much he meant to someone he never met. This was an opportunity to...

What?

What was he thinking, he couldn't do this. He couldn't hurt people for his own wants. Just because it felt good. He was better than that.

But Dumbledore did say he should act like the Harry in this world. People might get suspicious if he started being nice. He had to keep up the act, and if it gave him a thrill to finally tell off some idiot then he would just have to accept that and deal with the consequences later.

Could he live with the guilt?

Harry growled at the empty corridor. He was sick of all the bloody choices.

He was clearly confused on what to do and decided to see where the moments take him. He couldn't control everything. That was one idea he'd always had trouble with, but he promised rose he'd work on it.

Harry suddenly found himself in the dark. He stopped walking and took out his wand. Nothing happened when he pulled it out and flicked his wrist like he had thousands of times previous.

He fought the rising panic down after the fifteenth time. What was going on? Did his magic not work here or was there something wrong with the castle? The lights being out lead him to favor the latter.

But Hogwarts ran on magic, not electricity.

Feeling his way to the dorms he wasn't one hundred percent sure were in the first place, was much harder then it sounded. He tripped twice and almost fell down a flight of stairs. At least that made him think he was headed the right way. The Slytherin dorms were in the dungeons.

Half and hour latter and still in the dark Harry gave up completely. He sat down and put his head in his hands. He took comfort in the thought this would at least keep him out of the Slytherin dorms. See, he was using Dr. Rose's methods.

He dozed off feeling lonely and worried and missing home more than ever. The nap would have been a longer, but a crushing pain in his knee caused him to wake with a yell.

" Potter?"

That name was making him feel like another person. The voice was familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Unlike all the other times he heard his surname here this time it wasn't filled with anger or disgust, just curiosity.

Maybe this was some one who didn't hate him.

" Yeah."

" You alone?"

He knew that voice.

" Malfoy?"

" Are you?"

Harry didn't want to fight. As exciting as this new persona he was trying out was, fighting with Malfoy was nothing new.

" Yes, I'm alone, but..."

The blonde moved suddenly, causing Harry to freeze and stopped talking. He prepared for a punch or an insult. The blonde was pretty ticked off earlier when he shoved him into the wall.

Malfoy kneeled down in front of Harry. Peppermint drifted across the gap between their mouths. Before Harry could register that it was Malfoy's hand cupping his face, Malfoy pressed their lips together.

Harry flung his arms around in shock. He tried to pull back, but the wall behind his head didn't let him get far. Malfoy followed him, pressing in closer and trailing his tongue across Harry's bottom lip.

" Mffgh"

Harry gained control of his flailing limbs and placed them on Malfoy's shoulder. The blonde pulled back. Harry could still feel his breath when he spoke. The words ghosted over his face.

" What?"

Harry didn't know where to start. His former enemy was kissing him. Malfoy's lips were on his. His tongue was... He took a calming breath that didn't calm.

" Just, wait a minute."

Wait a minute?

That's the best he could come up with. How about, ' Fuck off', 'get away from me' or he could go with a classic and just punch him in the nose.

" Wait a minute? Are you joking?"

See, Malfoy agreed. It was a lame thing to say.

Then the blonde was on him again. Pressing his body even closer this time. The heat felt good on Harry's chilled, damp skin. Somehow the blonde's tongue made it all the way inside his mouth. Harry made a noise of protest. His grip tightened on the blonde's shirt.

Then the lights came on.

Malfoy pulled back and looked around. He growled in frustration. Harry felt the vibration, as their chests were still pressed close together.

Harry got a face full of blonde hair as Malfoy threw his head into his shoulder.

" Damn, I was hoping that would last longer."

He nipped Harry's neck once and then pulled away. Harry didn't move.

" I have a test to study for and a paper to co-write. Peters will pitch a fit if I ditch him again. But..."

Harry was looking up at the blonde who was giving him a look he'd never seen before. Malfoy licked his lips.

" I could make an excuse. We all know I'm going to end up writing the paper on my own anyway. We could go find a place..."

He took a step towards Harry, who jumped to his feet. He was prepared to run if he needed.

" No! I mean. You shouldn't do that. School work is important."

Harry was surprised he was able to string together any words at all. Shocked was an understatement to describe him right now.

Malfoy stopped moving. He gave Harry a look that the Gryffindor couldn't decipher.

" Harry, is everything alright?"

Harry nearly jumped out of his skin. He was tense already and hearing Malfoy use his first name scared him for some reason more than it would have if the boy had shouted at him.

This whole place was wrong. It was like backwards land and he wanted out.

" What's wrong?"

Voices came drifting around the corner and saved Harry from having to respond. He didn't know what was happening, but he guessed Malfoy wanted it secret.

" Nothing. Go. We'll talk later."

Harry forced himself not to run down the hall. He passed two first years on his way and smiled at them for saving him. One smiled back, before the other shoved him and whispered something in his ear. The smile left his lips.

Harry kept walking. He was still dazed when he walked into the Slytherin common room, with no idea how he found it. He longed for something familiar, but settled for entering a near empty room.

He spotted blonde hair.

Abby jumped over the chair, a tall sandy-haired boy followed and a just as tall dark haired boy lead up the rear.

They surrounded him before he had a chance to speak.

" Harry, what would win in a fight? A basilisk or a Bogart?" The fairer haired teen asked.

" That's not even a question, right Harry? Of course a basilisk. One look and you're dead. How do you fight that! You can't."

" Yeah. Unless, you're a Bogart and you turned into a basilisk and killed it first."

" A basilisk wouldn't be afraid of itself, you idiot!"

" Why not? It's probably the only thing that can kill it, right Harry?"

" Ummm, I guess."

Despite his near terrifying experience upstairs and his anguish and worry all the way down to the dungeons, listening to these two oddly put him at ease. He smiled when they both stopped to think about his answer.

"See, Harry agrees. It'd probably turn into a basilisk." The dark haired boy answered.

" Good. Then either way the basilisk wins!"

" No. The Bogart would win, because it was smarter then the snake."

" Snakes are smart and they aren't afraid of anything. Right, Harry? Have you ever asked one?"

Harry was speechless. They knew he was a parseltoungue. And they weren't treating like a disease? His friends always made him feel dirty for being able to talk to snakes. These people didn't even blink.

" Ummm,sorry, but I need to talk with Abby."

Both boys nodded and went back to the couch, still arguing. The blonde girl was smirking at him. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

" Is there somewhere private we could go?"

" Always trying to get me alone. Potter, you bad boy."

She winked before leading him upstairs.

"Why are you wet?"

He ignored her and kept walking.

When they got to the rooms Harry recognized from earlier she put a locking charm on the door and sat on what he thought was his bed.

" K, spill. I know you're just dying to tell me everything. What's her name? Is she prettier then me? Do you love her? Have you guys made loooove. Does she..."

" Stop! Just listen for a minute."

Harry ran his hand through his hair. He didn't know how to start and wasn't sure he trusted this person with his secret. She only talked about dating. It was annoying. How could some one so superficial ever help him?

Abby got off the bed and put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

" Hey, are you okay? What's wrong?"

Harry frowned.

" Harry?"

He closed his eyes a pretended it was Hermione or Ron he was talking to.

" I went to see Dumbledore. He told me I could trust you."

" What? You needed him to tell you that?"

" Yes, because I'm not Harry." The hand left his shoulder. Harry opened his eyes and looked at the girl. She was eyeing him wearily.

" At least not the Harry from this world."

" I'm from another reality or something."

Harry sat down on the nearest bed. Saying out loud was even more surreal.

" Merlin, I should just let Dumbledore explain it."

" No. I think I got it. You're from another dimension. That pretty much explains a lot."

" That's it? You just except it?"

Harry couldn't believe this. Maybe she was unbalanced.

" No. But you're clearly freaking out over this. One of us needs to be grounded."

"You have been acting odd lately. So, the other day at breakfast when you said you didn't know me, it was because..."

" Yeah."

Breakfast? That was weeks ago. But she was talking about it like only a few days passed. Time must move slower here.

" And you're sure?"

" Sure about what?"

" That its not some weird amnesia thing? Or maybe you're going crazy?"

The hopeful tone in her voice made him frown. Of course he knew who he was.

"Dumbledore seemed sure, but I don't know."

" Where's my Harry? Does he switch places with you? Did he disappear? How long are you here for? Why are you here?"

Harry got the feeling her cool acceptance was not going to last long.

" I don't know."

" That answer is making me a little pissed off."

" Sorry."

She walked over to him. He scooted back.

" Lets go."

" Where?"

" To see Dumbledore. I need answers."

" I just came from there."

" Yeah, well, you're about as useful as my Harry is about getting answers."

Harry let the girl drag him from the room. He kept hoping the whole way back to the office that he would disappear and go back home, but nothing happened.

When he reached the gargoyle guard, he made one last attempt to return home. He shut his eyes tight and focused on his world.

" Stop trying to leave. I need to know what's going on and I don't want you disappearing on me."

The headmaster didn't seem at all surprised to find them there. A slight smile was on his lips. After explaining to Abby the abbreviated story of what he told Harry earlier, the girl still wasn't satisfied.

Hearing it a second time didn't make things any more easy for Harry either.

" Where's my Harry."

Harry felt like a bug. He was intruding on this other persons life and didn't even think to ask what happened to the boy that belonged here.

" Miss Charlotte, I think you misunderstand. He is your Harry. He just had different experiences. You can not change the essence of a person, just the details."

" Is he this cryptic in your world?"

Harry was put on the spot. It was the first time since they entered the office, either of the other people even acknowledged him. He didn't have an answer. He didn't have a Dumbledore anymore.

Harry opted for shrugging and mumbling,

" You can't change the essence of a person."

" I hate you both." Dumbledore chuckled at the girl's response.

" I don't believe the other Harry is in danger nor do I believe he is in your world, Harry."

" You're sure? He's okay."

Harry was touched by how much this girl cared about him. The other him, anyway.

" I wouldn't worry."

" Never a straight answer. Arrghh."

Harry smiled. He knew that frustration. He must have become immune to it.

" Fine. So what? You want me to make sure no one finds out about this? I have to train him to fit in?"

" If you would. We don't know why he's here or how long he'll be staying."

She glanced at Harry and he could see the wheels turning in her head.

" Miss Charlotte, I know I don't need to remind you, this is quite serious. No one can get suspicious. Especially with the recent current events."

Harry's head perked up at that.

" What events? Does it have anything to do with the black outs?"

" Harry, you are in a very unique situation. I'm sorry to say, the fate of two worlds is in your hands. There are some things that should not be discussed, because even an idea. One thought, a tiny seed you didn't realize you even carried can still grow into an oak tree. And an oak tree from this world, could destroy yours."

"Ignorance, in this case, is bliss."

Harry had never been more confused in his life. There was something they weren't telling him. Something big.

" What are you taking about?"

" Harry, I beg you, do not push this. It could have devastating effects on both worlds."

Push what?, he wanted to ask, but he held his tongue.

" It is important that you do all you can not to arouse suspicion. No one must know you don't belong here."

Harry nodded, despite him not knowing what the man was talking about.

" So how long do you think this is going to last?" Abby seemed to understand well enough.

" I can't say. But for now it'd be best to keep as much knowledge of the separate worlds, just that. Separate."

" Do you understand?"

Harry frowned at the two pairs of eyes on him.

" I thought you wanted me to learn how to fit in here. How can I do that if I don't lean about this world?"

" Yes, you should learn just enough to mimic this world's Harry, but nothing outside these walls is your concern. You can become acquainted with all the gossip and inner circles of Hogwarts, but it stops there. Maybe, Miss Charlotte, even some of that might be too much. This is not your reality, Harry. Do you understand?"

Harry didn't fully, but he wasn't overly concerned with the happenings of this place.

Dumbledore seemed to think he would try and save them or do something stupid. Which did sound like him, but now he just wanted to survive this and go home. He wasn't looking another fight. The last one was still fresh in his mind.

But if Voldemort was gone then what was going on here? Something major, something effecting magic and something important enough to get Dumbledore like this. Harry shock his thoughts away.

" Yes."

He bit off the sir. It was amazing how even after all he'd been through Dumbledore still made him feel so young.

" Good."

The atmosphere shifted.

" Harry, Abby, it is important that we get everything back in its place as soon as possible. Harry you need to tell someone on your side about this. So we can work it on both ends. Having a hole like this is not a natural event and we must find a way to close it before it gets out of hand."

" Do you have anymore concerns, Miss Charlotte?"

" Do have anymore vague non-answery answers, Professor?"

xxxXXXxxx

He held his breath and waited before opening his eyes. Two days. Two whole days. And he was still here.

The weekend allowed him to hide from the rest of the Hogwart's population, but now it was Monday and he had classes. He had to leave his room and act like the Harry that belonged here.

He thought of home and how people must be worried about him. He debated faking illness to avoid going outside, but it would only lead to questions if he missed class.

Abby was waiting for him downstairs. Charles and Chris at her side. They told the boys when they returned from Dumbledore's office about Harry's secret. Charles was a little confused and Harry figured he was more of a Goyle then a Ron. Chris patted him on the back and welcomed him to this universe.

He then acted like Harry was an alien and asked all kinds of questions, before Abby sent him away. After that Harry went to his bed chambers and stayed there. Chris and Charles brought him food. Abby tried to visit him a few times, but he managed to convince her he needed time to think.

Now his time was up.

" Morning Gorgeous."

He was greeted by his new blonde friend.

Harry gave her a weak smile.

" You can't be so serious all the time, and don't slouch. Christopher! I thought you said you would help him dress."

Abby was frowning at Harry's robes. He didn't know why. He was wearing the uniform.

" He wouldn't come out form behind his curtain. The boy knows some powerful charms, Ab."

She scoffed.

" You have to change."

" Why? Aren't we supposed to wear our uniforms?"

" Yes, but we never do. Quick, before some one sees you." Abby turned him and pushed him upstairs.

" But won't we get in trouble if we're not wearing them?" Harry didn't want to cause any problems.

All three of his 'friends' laughed.

" Not you." Chris muttered, as if that explained everything. Harry frowned at him.

" Look. If you didn't spend all weekend hiding in your room, I could have explained things to you. But now we don't have time. I'll let you know as we go. Hurry up, I want breakfast."

They were in the room now and Harry didn't move. He didn't know where to start.

Charles was laying on his bed and Chris was leaning against the post smirking.

Feeling stupid, Harry went to the trunk by his bed and opened it. There was a charm on it, making it bigger on the inside. And good thing, because there were so many clothes Harry was curious if he could wear them all in a year.

He pulled out some trousers and a blue shirt.

" Those don't match."

Harry looked at the garments in his hands. Black pants and a dark blue shirt. He wasn't a fashion expert, but even he knew blue and black could be worn together.

" They don't?"

" You can't pair Greshnew pants with a Perry shirt."

Harry blinked at the girl in front of him. Was that supposed the mean something?

" These things are important, Harry. Details are everything. If you're off your game and some one notices..."

There it was again. That thing Dumbledore was talking about in his office. The thing he wouldn't actually say. It was like Voldemort's name. It just wasn't spoken about out loud. Harry wanted to ask what would happen if people knew this Harry was missing, but he trusted Dumbledore.

It didn't matter anyway. He wasn't staying here and wasn't getting any more involved then he had too. He'd play along for now.

" Why don't you do it then?"

" Are you giving me permission to dress you?"

" Sure."

She moved so fast Harry nearly tripped getting out of her way. She stared intensely at the wardrobe before her, but quickly pulled out a green top and a pair of black pants that to Harry looked identical to the ones still in his hand.

At least they were comfortable, Harry noted as they walked out of the Slytherin common room ten minutes later. He changed fast, but was still prevented from leaving. His hair was the reason this time. He didn't know what was done to it, but after Abby was done he felt bald and smelled like something sweet.

He wanted to complain that men shouldn't smell sweet, but was rushed out of the bathroom before he could even look in the mirror.

As they walked upstairs Harry tried to listen to Abby and remember what she was saying, because it must be important, but he got distracted by the way people they passed were looking at him.

He received the out right glares and evil eyes, which he was ready for, but it was the other looks that he was surprised by. People didn't smile at him exactly, but they watched him. One group of boys stopped talking and stared as they walked by.

Harry felt like he was in first year all over again. People all wanted to get a look at him and didn't hide their fascination with his every move. He was confused about it all. Didn't these people see him everyday? He thought his popularity would ware off by now, but there wasn't a single person who didn't acknowledge his presence.

His companions didn't notice, so Harry figured it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.

In all thirteen girls winked at him, five people tripped on themselves and eight students ran from him. Ten scowled as he walked by and seven he scared just by returning their look.

By the time Harry got to the great hall he was ready to sit some where and rest for a bit.

" Okay."

Abby turned and gave Harry an appraising look. She grabbed his shoulders and straightened his back.

" Head up. Don't talk to any one that doesn't talk to you first. I'll try and fend most people off. It'll be hard though, you talk a lot. But maybe they'll think you're in one of your moods."

And with that he had no choice but to walk through the door.

Harry kept his eyes glued to the wall as they walked to the Slytherin table. He avoided looking at the Gryffindors. If he just didn't do something embarrassing, like trip or bump into some one he thought he'd be fine.

It worked. Once they were sitting, Abby on his left Chris on her left and Charles on Harry's right, Harry took his eyes off the wall.

His heart lept into his throat when he saw Malfoy sitting across form him. The blonde caught his eyes and Harry couldn't help but stare back. He'd never seen that look before.

" Draco, did you finish your potions essay yet?"

Malfoy took his eyes off Harry and moved them to Charles. Harry let out a breath and poured some pumpkin juice into a cup.

" No. And when I do you can't copy from me."

" Well, he can't copy from me anymore, last time I let him he copied everything. Word for word. Including my name...Moron. I got detention for a week."

Abby spoke as she put a pancake onto her plate. Malfoy laughed and Harry's eyes went to him once more. He studied the subtle differences between this Malfoy and his. The blonde was more relaxed and without that pressure the Malfoy from his world spoke about.

Harry wondered if this Malfoy made different choices. Maybe he didn't become a Deatheater here. Harry beat Voldemort so he must be on the side of good, even if he is in Slytherin. Maybe Malfoy joined him.

So another life was ruined because he choose Gryffindor.

He wasn't sure why he was surprised to find the blonde here. He was in Slytherin as well and he always did want to be Harry's friend. Maybe he never refused Malfoy's hand in first year. Maybe they'd been friends all along.

Harry was curious to find out.

" Not hungry, Harry?"

Harry brought his eyes up from the spot he was staring at. Malfoy was looking at him. Harry thought he could get over the concern in his voice and the use of his first name. He and Malfoy from his world were just starting to get along, so it wasn't impossible to imagine. It was funny how his thinking changed from just a few weeks ago.

Still he needed some time to adjust.

"Not really." He muttered.

Abby kicked him, telling him he gave the wrong answer.

" Actually, I'll have some toast."

He grabbed a piece off the plate and began smearing it with butter. That seemed to satisfy Malfoy who went back to talking with Charles. Abby leaned into him.

" Don't be so casual. It's okay with Draco, but watch it around others."

" So Malfoy and I are friends?"

" Yeah. Sort of."

She said it slowly and gave him one of those looks that made him feel like he was stupid.

" Why? You're not in your world?"

" No. Well, sort of. Now."

He leaned in closer so they wouldn't be overheard. The girl on the other side of Abby was too enthralled by her breakfast to be paying them attention anyway, but the table was not empty. And Harry knew Slytherins were sneaky.

" We fought ever since first year, but then recently we've been... more tolerable towards each other."

" That must be hard. What do you do around the common room and in class?"

" Ummm, well in class we fought or ignored each other. The common room wasn't really a problem, because I'm in Gryffindor."

" What?"

Several people stopped talking and turned their attention to Abby, who was looking at Harry like he just told her he was pregnant. She wore a mild mixture of disgust and shock.

" Abby? What's wrong? Did Potter finally admit he's a prancing ponce who likes to wear woman's underware?"

Harry frowned at the use of his sur name from Malfoy's mouth. So maybe they weren't friends.

" We all knew that already."

Chris laughed, but he was watching Abby carefully.

The blonde girl ignored everyone and stood up. She grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him from the great hall.

" Okay. Clearly I underestimated the grave differences in our worlds. So you need to tell me more."

Dumbledore didn't explain this part the other night and now Harry wished he did.

He tried to tell her as best he could how he choose Gryffindor instead of Slytherin and how it lead to another reality.

" Wow. I can't imagine you as Gryffindor geek."

Harry could tell she was having trouble with this so he let her insult go.

" So, we're not friends either?"

" No."

He didn't want to admit he didn't think she existed in his world.

" What did you mean when you said Malfoy and I are sort of friends."

" You are. You bicker a lot. It's not fighting really, but you don't always get along. One week your playing chess or cards every night or doing homework together and the next you're bitching about how he's a complete dolt who's never going to change or you're scaring first years with your fights."

"Don't get me wrong, you're always arguing with him, but sometimes it's more intense. I think you're both crazy, because no matter how bad it gets I can tell you both get some sort of pleasure out of it. It's like you can be a whinny little bitch around him, but like most people he doesn't take your crap. But I like having him around. He's one of the few who sees you as you are, not what you act like."

" What do you mean?"

" You put on a show for everyone. I love you, but you're a dick sometimes. You show off, you're rude and you don't care who you piss off. But it's part of your charm."

" I sound awful."

" You're not. Not really. You just don't have a normal life and you try and fill it with other things. Like your reputation or your fans."

" My fans?"

" Yeah, you love them, when you don't hate them. You even manage to make an appearance at their meetings every once in a while."

" Meetings?"

" Yeah. Your fan club. They meet every Tuesday night or maybe it's Wednesday's now. I forget."

" I can't believe it. I actually have a fan club. Malfoy must love this."

"Oh, he makes fun of you for it on a regular bases."

" But it's only because you're lonely, I think. You're parents...Are they, in your world..."

" They died when I was a baby. Everything is the same up until first year."

" Well, your childhood left you lonely. You never had love. Now you... God. This is so weird. I'm telling you about yourself."

Harry eyed the girl in front of him. This was uncomfortable for her too.

" Thank-you. For helping me."

She shrugged and gave him a smile.

" You're still Harry."

Then the blonde gave him a searching look, like the kind Hermione used to. Harry felt awkward all over again.

" It's so surreal. I can't believe I didn't notice it before. You're so different, but not."

She hit him in the arm. She was reminding him of Hermione more and more. It was even the same spot his bushy haired friend had hit earlier. Thankfully it wasn't still sore.

" What was that for?"

" Not telling me. You must be completely lost. I thought you were at least from Slytherin. I didn't know it was so different for you."

"Oh!" Her sudden exclamation startled Harry.

" What?"

" That's why you tried to talk to Granger, because she's your friend where you come from."

Harry nodded, feeling like an alien once more.

"We're friends in my world."

" Wow. No way. I can't see that at all. It so weird."

" How long have we been friends?"

" I came to Hogwarts in second year. You and Charles were already friends, then Chris joined us fourth year."

Harry tried to imagine that. Not knowing them from first year, like he did Ron and Hermione. They still seemed close.

" So now that I know you know nothing of what it means to be a true Slytherin, I will have to help you."

Harry smiled.

" But first, class."

Some how her vow to help, made Harry feel better.

He walked out of the classroom and into a person.

He rubbed his head and looked around. Abby was gone. The door he just walked out of was a wall. The hall was filled with strangling students, one of which was talking to him.

" ...So sorry. I didn't see you."

" It's fine." He did just appear out of thin air after all.

He waved the boy off and went to find Ron and Hermione. He was home. He had to find out how long he was gone and he had to let McGonagall know what was going on.

xxxXXXxxx

" Harry!"

The Gryffindor turned around. He was coming back from McGonagall's office when someone shouted his name.

Her confirmation of alternate realities existing made Harry relieved he wasn't crazy, but scared he was caught up in something powerful. The headmistress informed him not to worry and that she would look into it.

All in all Harry left her office feeling fully dissatisfied. She wasn't any more helpful than Dumbledore had been and she was even less interested in the details of the other world.

He was on his way to find Hermione and Ron, and discover just what happened after he left. They couldn't have been too worried because McGonagall didn't even know he was missing.

" Harry, where have you been?"

Ron caught up to his friend.

" I turned around and you disappeared. Come on, we're going to be late now. Everyone's already on the pitch."

" What? Ron, what day is it?"

Ron looked at him funny.

" It's Saturday. Remember, we're going to play Quidditch before we have to go to our part time jobs as muggle maids."

Harry frowned. That was the plan they made right before he left. He and Ron were going to play a quick game, before they met with Ginny and Hermione to clean their class room. But that was impossible. He'd been gone over two days.

" Wait. Why am I telling you this? You already know. Where did you go? And what's wrong with you?"

" It's Saturday? How long was I gone then?"

" Harry, is everything alright? Did you eat something Seamus gave you? Because he's going around trying to get people to eat this cake. I think it's a trick, like it'll give you warts or something, but maybe it confuses you."

" Just tell me how long I was gone first, then I'll tell you everything."

" Okay... Maybe fifteen minutes. I turned around to ask Dean if he wanted to go with us and then you were gone. I went to our room then to the pitch. You weren't there, so I was walking back to double check the dorms and saw you here. Were you talking to McGonagall? Is it something about... you know what?"

" No. It's not about the gang. Are you sure it was only fifteen minutes?"

Harry couldn't believe it. Time must work differently there. That means he could be over there months before any one really noticed he was gone.

" Yes. I'm sure. Harry, what's going on?"

" Come on. We have to find Hermione."

xxxXXXxxx

A whole month passed and Harry made no more trips down the rabbit hole. He was hoping it was a permanent situation. Perhaps Dumbledore had fixed the issue or the hole was patched up. Either way Harry was happy.

However that happiness was dampened as the attacks on students only got worse. Three more people were trapped in rooms and all refused to talk about it. What ever happened to them scared them badly. The group was getting reckless, which was the only good thing. It meant they'd be making a mistake soon.

Malfoy told Harry that the last boy, George Carmel, wasn't even a Deatheater. His Aunt, who he'd only met once, was accused by her co-worker.

Harry wondered why they weren't going after the more obvious ones. Not that he wanted them hurt, but everyone knew Malfoy, Pansy and several other Slytherins were not only from a family of dark lord supporters, but had taken the vow to Voldemort themselves.

And yet, all these no name, barely bad students were being attacked.

" Maybe they want to be low profile." Ron had suggested.

But Harry reminded him, they attacked him without worry of who would find out. It made no sense why they would be going after people who had weak connections rather then the ones wearing the dark mark.

" Because they're cowards."

Harry looked at Malfoy. They were sitting on a bench after having walked around for twenty minutes, searching for the elusive waterfall.

" But they attacked me." He explained to the blonde what he'd told Ron only hours before.

" One of them attacked you. And you said the other tried to argue with him. No one else from the group was even there. Add that to the fact that they ran away when I showed up and it leads to just a bunch of scared kids playing Aurors."

" I don't know. They have enough power to keep people quiet. No one attacked will even tell what happened. And if Ginny won't talk either, it must be something bad."

" Maybe. Or maybe they're using a spell."

" What kind of spell?"

" There are lots. The unbreakable vow is not the only way to keep people from talking."

" I've never heard of anything else."

" Well, you aren't the brightest student are you?"

Harry sent him a fake scowl. There weren't many real insults between them now.

" Actually, the spells are old and not talked about any more. I heard about them from my grandfather. But my father never spoke of them at all. If we're dealing with one of those spells then it could explain why people aren't talking."

" I guess. But wouldn't McGonagall have thought of that."

" Most of them aren't detectable and like I said not everyone knows about them. There are versions of the unbreakable vow that would be untraceable. And they could threaten the Deatheaters to agree to the spell and even not to practice dark arts any more. If that's even what they are doing."

" You don't think that's why they're attacking these people?"

" Think about it, Potter. All these people being attacked aren't exactly threats. Why haven't they gone after me? Or Goyle? Or the dozen others like us?"

Harry had thought about it.

" If it's really what they want and they're willing to preform dark magic on people, disproving my theory of them being cowards, then they have another agenda."

" But what? You said it yourself, none of the students are doing anything wrong. Why go after them? And why lie about it? Why make it seem like they are going after former Deatheatersif they aren't?"

" Well, I didn't say I had any answers."

Harry snickered.

" Potter. It's here."

Harry tensed and reached for his wand. A hand stopped him.

He looked up to find Malfoy staring at him.

" Relax. No wonder you go around attacking innocent people."

" Innocent?"

" Just look."

Harry followed Malfoy's gaze to his left. A set of grey rocks lit up by tiny lights surrounded cool blue water cascading into a deep pool, lay just in front of them. The waterfall.

" We've finally found it. You know I was beginning to doubt it even existed."

" Come on let's get a closer look."

Only as they moved toward the waterfall did Harry realize Malfoy's hand was still resting on his. The blonde let go and went to sit in front of the rippling pool of water. Harry waited a minute before following.

xxxXXXxxx

Harry walked out of Transfigurations class and into an empty hall. He spun around uselessly before he gritted his teeth and accepted the fact he was alone and in the other universe. He sighed and tried to decipher which part of the castle he was in.

He didn't notice before, but now that he looked hard enough, he could see the differences between the realities. The colors were duller, more drab. The doors hung crooked and the walls sunk into the ground. It was like some presence was pulling on this world, draining the magic from it.

When he found an old suit of armor he recognized he started the downward journey to the dungeons. It was a little over a month since he'd been back here, but time moved differently in this world. According to his other experiences more time should have passed here. He just hoped not enough time for them to change the Slytherin password.

He would write Dumbledore a note informing the wizard he had returned. The walk to his office seemed too long to make tonight. Harry doubted he'd learn anything new anyway. Abby or some one else had to have an owl he could borrow.

The halls were deserted and moonlight spilled through less and less windows as he made his way down. It was defiantly night and probably past curfew. He was careful as he walked. He may have had a free pass to be out after curfew in his world, but here he was a seventh year student.

He was so busy trying to be silent that he didn't notice the person stalking him.

As Harry rounded a corner he was shoved into a small closet. A broom fell over as the person who pushed him slid in behind Harry. The Gryffindor had his hand on his wand while he prayed his magic worked here.

He never got the chance to find out. A hard body smashed into him before a pair of lips covered his open mouth. Hands grabbed hold of his ass and drew him closer to the body.

Despite his shocked state Harry could tell this was not the first time this person had pulled him into an empty closet.

And he knew instantly it was Malfoy.

The thought didn't make him as repulsed as he thought it would. In fact Harry felt a small tingle go down his spine.

Malfoy was moving against him in a rush. Pulling his jacket off and undoing his belt. He dropped the Gryffindor tie around Harry's neck without a second glance, before sliding his hot tongue in Harry's mouth.

Harry made a gurgling sound and tired not to be shocked at how soft the other boy's lips were.

Malfoy moved his lips to a spot on Harry's neck he wasn't aware he had, or that it could make him feel like that.

With his own mouth free, Harry spoke up.

" Malfoy."

Malfoy chuckled into Harry's neck and tugged his pants around his ankles.

" Potter." It was matter of fact, smug-like and teasing.

Harry flashed back to his world. He's heard Malfoy, the real Malfoy, say his name like that before. Harry could even picture the look on the blonde's face as he smirked. His lips curving as he watched Harry with those cool grey eyes.

It was so familiar, Harry got dizzy.

" Hey."

Harry didn't look him in the eye. Malfoy's thumb traced his cheekbone.

" Where are you going?"

He doubted he could go anywhere with the grip Malfoy had on him.

So he might as well give in, right?

It didn't feel as wrong as it should have. And if Malfoy was up for it, then he might as well play along. He wasn't able to deny his curiosity with every inch of Malfoy's hot body pressed into him so snugly.

Plus, he didn't want to make the blonde suspicious.

" Nowhere."

Malfoy smiled and Harry knew it was the right answer. And if he didn't, Malfoy's kiss would have persuaded him. He ignored the annoying voice telling him all the answers he should have given instead.

It was too late to turn back. And it felt so good to have some one close to him, someone touching him. Harry gave in to the small part of him that wanted to know what Malfoy tasted like again.

Ever since the first kiss, which Harry hadn't fully been present for, he found himself thinking of it more and more. Especially, when he was around the Malfoy from his world. He was beginning to worry about it. It was just a kiss after all and not even one he remembered well. It shouldn't have distracted him so much.

Yet, some how it did. He never had much control when it came to Malfoy. It seemed the other boy always found a place in his thoughts.

Harry wasn't imagining them walking off into the sunset togther, but he had entertained himself by picturing the look that would appear on Malfoy's face if he told the other boy what his alternate reality twin had done. On occasion, he even let himself think what the blonde would do if he tried to re-create the kiss in his world.

Harry thought it would be interesting to compare them, that's all. He certainly didn't have any feelings for the blonde. It probably wasn't even that good anyway. Harry new memories played tricks on people and to have a foggy one to go off didn't help. Malfoy was probably a terrible kisser.

Harry should at least find out. He would kiss Malfoy one more time before putting an end to this. He just needed one proper kiss to tell.

He balled Malfoy's shirt to pull the blonde closer, but apparently Malfoy had other plans. He wiggled out of Harry's reach and slipped his fingers under the hem of Harry's shirt. Harry closed his eyes at the sensation or maybe it was the reality that Malfoy was touching him, but popped them open as material was pulled over his head.

The shirt dropped to the floor as Malfoy stepped into Harry's space.

" I love your skin."

Harry's stomach muscles jumped as Malfoy's fingers slid down his chest and kept going. Harry was memorized watching the pale digits and how they contrasted with his naturally darker tone. Malfoy's hands were rougher than he imagined. When Harry thought of the blonde he pictured manicures and expensive hand cream, but there was something about those hands that almost scratched at him.

Malfoy started placing delicate open mouthed kisses on Harry's neck. He sucked at the skin between Harry's neck and collarbone. When he bit down Harry's hips bucked forward.

" We'll get to that. But, I'm not done yet."

The words were carried on Malfoy's hot breath and slid over Harry's skin making him shiver. Harry tried to get the blonde to kiss him again by tugging on his hair, but Malfoy just nipped at Harry's neck before pulling his head back.

" I love touching you like this, Harry. You're so soft."

Malfoy ran his hands up Harry's sides and back down to his hips. He gripped Harry's waist and ran his thumbs over the skin above Harry's trousers.

" Yet hard."

He fanned his fingers over Harry's chest, brushing a nipple and making Harry lose his breath. Then his hands were everywhere. His chest, his arms, his hips, his ass. It was like Malfoy was smearing some invisible paste on him or something.

" Wanna... damn... H...Harry."

Harry opened his eyes and focused on the blonde. Harry looked at Malfoy looking at him. Their eyes met and something deep in Harry's gut shifted. He lost his hesitance and reached for the boy to pull him closer. Suddenly all his previous worries didn't make sense any more.

Malfoy was dragging his fingernails over Harry's chest. That would explain the roughness. Harry bent to get a closer look and see if Malfoy did get manicures, but his view was obstructed by mess of blonde hair.

" Shit."

Harry bit his lip as Malfoy replaced his hand with his mouth. His warm lips left tiny kisses over Harry's stomach and Harry slammed his head against the wall when Malfoy mouthed him through his pants.

Thoughts of stopping this before it went too far floated past Harry's mind and out again, as Malfoy mumble against him.

" Mmmm, love the way you feel."

His face nuzzled Harry's hardness, making the Gryffindor gasp and buck his hips.

Malfoy's heavy breath seeped through the material as his hands gripped Harry's hips. He held Harry against the wall and unzipped his trousers, tugged down his pants and licked the tip of Harry's penis.

Harry shouted into the empty closet.

" Shhhh."

The air that hit his dick as Malfoy tried to quiet him didn't make his request easy. Harry turned his head to the side and balled his fists as Malfoy took him into his mouth. Hot wetness enveloped him and he swore he could feel Malfoy swallow around him. Tight heat slicked back and forth as Malfoy's wet lips slid around him.

Harry never felt this much pleasure before. It was intoxicating. He could fly off the ground right now if he tried, hell, he could be flying and not even notice as long as Malfoy kept doing that.

He was moving in rhythm with Malfoy, pumping, thrusting, moving with him, against him, inside him.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

Harry came with another shout, his hand tangled in blonde locks.

Malfoy waited for Harry to finish before he straightened, twisted around and pressed into him. He grabbed Harry's hand and placed it over his own length. He pressed his ass into Harry's spent cock and moved Harry's limp hand up and down his shaft. His face twisted up and back to lean on Harry's shoulder as he rutted against him, his breath hitting Harry's ear in short wisps.

Harry's free hand pressed into Malfoy's stomach, while his other hand urged him as best he could to climax. It was only fair he feel as good as Harry just did. On impulse he turned his head so he could capture Malfoy's mouth. The blonde jerked against him and tore free to shout through his own orgasm.

The sight of Malfoy with his hair sticking up where Harry was gripping moments before and arching back into him as his body was racked with pleasure was almost enough to get him hard again. He held his arm across Malfoy's stomach and basked in the post bliss after glow.

After a minute of nothing but breathing Malfoy spoke.

" Is it me or does that just keep getting better?"

Harry wasn't sure what to say. It was his first time doing anything like that, but if it got any better than he wasn't sure he could survive it. Malfoy turned so he was facing Harry.

" Sorry. I have to go." Malfoy rested his head on Harry's shoulder. His finger was playing with a strand of hair curling at the nap of Harry's neck. The raven haired boy fought the urge to cling to the body holding him.

" I was on my way to meet Jeff. Stupid boy skipped out on our meeting today to get laid. Now I have to stay up late to make up for it, but it didn't turn out to be such a bad thing afterall. When I saw you and couldn't resist." He kissed Harry's neck softly.

"Never can."

Harry swallowed.

With his post bliss waning, awkwardness slowly crept back into his body and he was highly aware of his pants still around his ankles and his lack of shirt. Still, he didn't want to let go just yet.

He simply nodded.

Malfoy snaked his hand up the back of Harry's neck and pulled his head forward. Their lips met one final time before he let go, adjusted himself, did a cleaning spell, and left.

Harry stayed in the closet a full ten minuted before he was sure he could walk without having his knees buckle.

He just got off with Malfoy. Not even the Malfoy he'd known for eight years, the Malfoy he'd grown up with. No, it was a Malfoy from another dimension. Who didn't know he wasn't the Harry from this world.

He needed some time to think.

He spent the next hour contemplating what happened and what it meant. In the end he decided it wasn't anything to worry about. He was young and single. Technically, there was nothing wrong with what happened. No one was hurt or forced.

And it was... not the worst experience he'd ever had, if he was being completely honest. Who was he kidding? It was amazing. In fact he had never felt that excited before. It was thrilling and terrifying all in one. He was still buzzing from it.

The implications of that were too much to think about, but he didn't have to worry about it. He made peace with it by reminding himself that this wasn't his life. He didn't have to live with the consequences. All he had to do was survive until he got home again.

In the meantime, he could accept certain facts.

One, Malfoy was attractive. Two, he wouldn't mind repeating that. And three, this world might not be so bad after all.

It actually worked out in his favor. He was supposed to embrace this Harry's life and make sure no one knew he didn't belong. So if he had to keep up a secret affair with Malfoy to do that then he would.

The more he thought on it, the more Harry felt the tension leave his body.

He didn't have to be good here. He didn't have to follow rules or be careful what he said around who or worry about the war. That freedom he was feeling before was returning. This was like another chance. He could blow off steam and let out some of the anger Doctor Rose said he had inside, but wouldn't let out.

This could be his therapy. It might even help him.

Dumbledore was working on getting him home and McGonagall knew about everything on his side. When he disappeared in front of Ron and Hermione they must have guessed what happened and went to her. Either way he always wound up home eventually. He was tired of being the one to figure everything out all the time. Let the others do the work this time.

While he was here he might as well make the best of it.

He was almost smiling, his head filled with all kinds of notions, as he walked back to the Slytherin dorms.

" Harry?"

The raven haired boy looked at his 'friend'. Abby met him half way across the room.

" It's me...the er, other Harry."

" Oh."

The tiny blonde moved her face less then an inch from Harry's.

" Weird. I can tell the difference now. Altough I should have known. What are you wearing?"

Harry stepped back.

" Hang-on. Why do you look like that?"

Harry looked down, searching for what ever made him seem odd too her. He had stuffed his Gryffindor tie in his pocket.

" Like what?"

" Like you just...how do you English put it...got shagged?"

Harry felt his cheeks flame. This girl was nothing if not blunt. Not to mention too damn observant for her own good.

Or maybe he just wasn't as good at hiding things as the other Harry was.

" Harry Potter! You know who my Harry's sleeping with? You have to tell me."

" I... don't think I should."

Abby's face pinched into a mixture of anger and outrage.

" You better. Or I'll... crap! You don't care about your reputation here."

Harry tried not to look smug at her failed attempt to blackmail him. What-ever dirt she had on this Harry wouldn't affect him.

" Don't worry. I'll find something to use against you."

" Harry! Hey, great. I've been meaning to ask you, remember last week you mentioned my hair looked... like a retarded bird confused it for a nest. So I was thinking about getting it cut. What do you think? I like my long hair but it's getting warmer and I could use a change."

Harry looked between Abby and this new girl standing before him.

" I, um...It looks fine now."

Abby made a sound and the long-maybe-soon-to-be-short-haired girl beamed at him.

" Excuse us, Trisha. Harry and I have something important to do."

Without waiting for a response Abby grabbed Harry's hand and lead him away. She called to Chris and Charles, who immediately followed.

Once more Harry found himself in his alternate reality twin's room. He was almost getting used to it.

" Okay. Since you ditched me last time. Now we have time to teach you properly."

Harry was eager to testing out his new identity.

" Sounds fine, but first, do any of you have an owl I can borrow? I want to let Dumbledore know I'm here."

Abby only pointed to a cage in the back of the dorm.

A sharp pain hit Harry as he walked up to the snowy white owl's cage.

" Hedwig." He said, softly.

All the memories of his former owl came rushing back. The first time he met her. How she would nip at his fingers when she was hungry. How she was his only companion those long summers at the Dursley's. How he talked to her more than any one during those months.

Her dead body going limp.

He stroked the friend he thought he'd never see again.

" Ummm, Harry? Do you need some alone time with the bird?"

It was Charles who spoke. He was trying to joke his way around the awkward moment Harry's grief had created.

" Parchment."

Harry cleared his throat and tried again.

" Do you have any parchment?"

Some one handed him a quill and paper. He didn't see who. His eyes were fixed firmly on white feathers. He blinked back tears. He attempted to focus.

In his note, he made sure to mention that he told McGonagall and his theory of time moving differently here. There wasn't anything else he thought was important so he wrapped it up and gently tied the note to his owl's leg.

Hedwig hooted before she took off into the night sky. Harry didn't move away from the window right away.

" Harry? Are you alright?"

Abby was touching his shoulder.

" I'm fine."

He pulled him self together and sat on his bed.

" So, what do I need to know? Tell me the instant guide to Slytherin survival."

Abby gave him a look, but didn't push.

" Well, first of all, maybe you shouldn't be so..." Abby struggled for her words.

" Weak." Chris finished for her.

" Christopher! That's not what I was going to say."

" It's what you should have said. People are talking. After the incident in the great hall and the secret meetings with Dumbledore, not to mention the fact that you keep tugging him around like a little puppy, people are starting to notice."

" Chris!"

" Why do I get the feeling I'm missing something important?"

Harry looked between the friends, who both went silent. He knew they were talking about something, but they weren't saying it out right. It was that thing they weren't supposed to tell him.

" Never mind. Chris is just upset because he can't get any from Jessica and he wants to make everyone as miserable as he is."

The boy crossed his arms and sat on the bed, coming close to what looked like pouting. It must be a Slytherin trait. Harry caught Malfoy doing it on more than one occasion.

" You do need to assert yourself more. Like downstairs, when trashy Trisha asked you basically the most point-less self involved question ever, you should have told her to stuff it."

Harry frowned.

" Well, maybe not those words, but she should have left feeling like you shouted it at her."

" I don't think I can. I don't like to be cruel."

" It has nothing to do with being mean. Well, mostly. It's about power. You have it, people flock to you, trying to get a piece and you have to push them away or else you loss it."

" So what if I do? I don't want it, anyway."

Chris popped his head up from his pillow.

" Are you sure this the same Harry?"

" Sort of. He's just had a different life."

" How different again? He's acting like a Hufflepuff."

" Worse. He's in Gryffindor."

" There's no way this is going to work."

Chris threw his hands up before he flung himself back on the pillow.

" I am sitting right here." He reminded the other boy.

Harry hated when people talked about him like he wasn't in the room.

" Sorry. I just haven't had enough time to explain everything properly to them."

That made Harry think of something.

" How long was I gone for?"

" About three days."

Harry's mind started piecing everything together. Three days went by here, but it was a month for him at home. But when he's here for two day's it's fifteen minutes in his world. But at first, it seemed like they were running at the same time. It made no sense, except the gap was getting wider each time he made the trip over.

" Anyway, it's vital that you try, Harry. We need you to be more..."

" Slytherin." She nodded at his answer.

Harry knew what they wanted. An older version of Malfoy. His stomach flipped at the thought of the blonde, but he pushed on.

" Okay. I can try."

" Let's practice. I want to be sure."

Harry was then given permission to insult them. Chris, Charles and Abby took turns acting out different scenarios with him. He had to turn down invitations, dates and gifts. He had to practice casually working into the conversation that he had saved all their lives only a year ago.

Even though no one in the room would tell him how he did it exactly.

They made him practice his looks and general 'attitude'. According to them, his posture was a mess and he dressed like a poor child. He didn't remind them he'd grown up that way.

It was only after Dumbledore returned his message, with a few words of regret and a theory that he'd most likely be here longer then the last visit, and topped off with a fresh warning not to learn too much about this world, that he finally started taking the girl in front of him seriously.

Abby retreated to her dorms around one in the morning. Harry sagged in relief when she shut the door. Chris walked up to his bed.

" I'm sorry for earlier. Don't tell her, but Abby's right. I really want to get Jessica. She's turned me down three times this year, but eventually I'll wear her down."

" Anyway, I'm sorry, mate. I know this is hard for you. Don't let Abby intimidate you. She means well."

" Thanks."

Harry just wanted to sleep and wake up at home, but he had a feeling Dumbledore was right. He was going to be in this place for a while longer.

Chris clapped him on the shoulder and left the room. Charles, who only spoke when he was pretending to be an 'admirer' Harry had to fend off, walked from his own bed to Harry's.

" If you want to talk or anything I'm here."

Then returned to his own bed, closed the curtains and was silent.

Harry did the same. He was a asleep before Chris returned from the bathroom.

xxxxXXXxxx

AN: Wow. That was long! And no cliff hanger. Seems wrong. Oh well. Please review.