A/N: It would appear I've been convinced to continue posting this... I've received some lovely reviews and somehow I couldn't totally leave you hanging. So to everyone who reviewed, this is for you, THANK YOU!

I hope you like this. If you do, let me know. It's the only way you might get more chapters as this story as whole is still on the back burner.

Chapter 2

It was quite a few weeks later when Harry felt something poking his side. When he went to check he found a paper bird flittering at his side, occasionally poking him. He immediately knew who it was from and so carefully took it and hid it in his bag. When he looked up and around he found his friends still engrossed in their conversations and food.

He turned back to his own food as well but used the first chance he had to escape, saying he'd forgotten something and would see them in class. Once he was out of the great hall and had walked a few corridors he found a quiet spot and brought the paper bird out again. He unfolded it carefully, anticipating what it would say.

You've kept your word so far. I will give you another chance to prove yourself.

Meet me by the lake tonight, after dark.

That was it. No greeting, no sign off. No exact place either. The lake was huge after all, how was he going to know where to go. He sighed and ran a hand through his messy black hair. He was just going to have to be early to try and figure it out. At least he'd been contacted. Though, of course, he wasn't surprised in the slightest that it wasn't a request for a simple meeting but an offer to prove himself. He couldn't help a chuckle at that. Well no matter, he hadn't really expected anything to happen, so he was pleased anyway.

Draco hadn't exactly known either if he would send the bird. He'd written it in the middle of the night after yet another nightmare. Then he'd carried it around for two days before actually sending it off. Now he wasn't sure he'd done the right thing. As it was too late to recall the bird he pushed it out of his mind though. He'd left the great hall a little early to be alone and once he was sure to be unobserved he'd charmed the bird to fly to Harry as unobtrusively as it could. Then he'd walked away, knowing no other would be able to read his note, he'd made sure of that.

He spent the entire day fighting with himself, wondering whether he would go or not. He had more than enough reasons against going and only a few that spoke for it. He knew that if he didn't show up and was questioned for it he could always say he'd been there but Potter had obviously been in the wrong spot. The directions purposefully hadn't been precise.

As the time ticked on he came no closer to a decision. He'd tried busying himself with his homework but he couldn't concentrate for long. His mind kept drifting to that night in the bathroom. Going over what had happened, what had been said, how it had made him feel. It was confusing. He'd spent day after day and week after week pondering it without getting anywhere. Eventually he had enough of trying to do his homework and instead decided to go for a walk.

He'd left the castle, hoping the fresh air would help clear his mind. While it did for a moment, he soon had the same thoughts running in circles again. Still, he kept on walking, paying no mind as to where his feet where taking him. That was, until he reached the lake. As if they knew what he need, his feet had brought him to the exact spot he had thought of where he would, potentially, meet Potter. And now he couldn't seem to get the energy to move anywhere else.

He had spent a long time walking around, the sun was already setting on the horizon. Soon it would be entirely dark. Then he'd find out whether Potter would show or not. He wasn't anxious. Either way he didn't entirely care. It wasn't like he had anything specific to talk about or like he even felt the need to talk. He would just let things enfold on their own and see what happened.

He had sat down with his knees once again drawn to his chest, his arms wrapped around them. It was something he did subconsciously when he was lost in thought. He'd never choose such a weak position. But then, out here in the dark it wasn't like anyone was going to see him. He couldn't tell for how long he had sat with only his thoughts for company but his guard was up immediately when he felt someone poking at the barriers around his mind.

His father had taught him Occlumency and he had been taught well. Even his own father could no longer read his mind. Hadn't been able to in years in fact. It was no effort to shield his mind, it was something he did subconsciously. Feeling the probing of a strange mind he sent out his magic looking for that other person. While his guard was up, he knew he wasn't in immediate danger. If someone had wanted to harm him, they could have done so already.

Finding the other person's magic trail he focused on it until he was led to their mind. There was no shield and it was quiet easy for him to enter. He knew almost straight away that it was Potter who had found him after all. The thoughts were somewhat messy, he saw snapshots of the Gryffindor common room, conversations with various people, classes he'd attended that day. Homework he'd started on but then discarded.

Then he found himself going backwards in time. He could tell as the people were all getting younger. Still none of the images were interesting or made much sense to him. That was until they had passed the memory of Harry's first time on the Hogwarts Express. The letter from Hogwarts and the reaction of his relatives. It wasn't pretty. Still further back in time they went.

Memories of times spent in what appeared to be a broom cupboard, loud thumbing noises as his cousin trampled down the stairs. The dust that came loose and made him cough and sneeze. Throughout the memories he saw there were a few constants, his fat relatives, shovelling food in their mouths while Potter got little or nothing. His red faced relatives shouting at him, waggling their fingers in warning. And of course, the cupboard under the stairs. The darkness when he was being punished and had no light.

The few conversations he got to listen to were often the same; how he should be happy to have a roof over his head, how they had taken him in, out of the goodness of their hearts and how could he behave so badly rather than being thankful to them.

He tried to dig deeper to find more. To find something else. Something less... traumatic. As he dug deeper he suddenly started to feel a resistance. Of course this only encouraged him and he went on but all of a sudden he was kicked out of Potter's head. He was startled by the force of it and knew if he had been standing he'd likely have fallen backwards. As he was sitting, he merely braced himself with his hands, his eyes now wide open and staring at Potter, who sat only a few feet from him. His eyes closed, his head lowered and turned to the side, away from him.

Draco stared open mouthed, feeling both confused and shocked. He tried to access Potter's head again but his walls were strong and impenetrable. He was obviously skilled in Occlumency as well. But then why had he allowed his memories to be searched that way. It made no sense.

At long last Potter took a few deep breaths before opening his eyes and looking at Draco again. He smiled weakly. "I think I mentioned I had no one to talk to. Did I also mention I had no where else to go?"

"Why'd you show me all that?" Draco asked back.

"You wanted me to prove you could trust me. I figured by letting you see some of my memories I might actually achieve that. Or at least make you understand a little more, let you know you're not the only one with problems. My childhood wasn't as bad as it could have been but it wasn't exactly happy."

"But..." Draco shook himself, trying to sort his thoughts. "I didn't see any magic..."

Potter chuckled but it was a hollow sound. "No, you wouldn't have. The Dursley's can't do magic and they ignore its existence entirely. I'm a freak to them. As is every wizard or witch."

"Did you not have friends though? Someone... anyone to play with at least?"

"I was a nuisance to them, a servant in a way. Not a child that might have needs or dare I say desires. Actually, I learned not to want anything, never mind desire something. I just hoped one day things would get more bearable. We're not really hear to talk about me though, are we?"

"Well my troubles hardly compare..."

"We're not here to compare who had the worst childhood either though. I just wanted to show you that I know what it's like to be isolated. I hoped it would help you open up."

"So you can be a hero and make it go away?" Draco shook his head. "I don't think so."

"I may not be able to make it go away and it has nothing to do with that hero complex everyone keeps referring to. Sometimes talking about things helps, you know?"

"Have you talked about your childhood?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A little." Potter just shrugged.

"And did it help?"

"Yes. It doesn't make it go away but I guess it eases the burden, if you like."

Draco stayed quite for a long time. He just looked out over the lake, watching the moon reflect on the water's surface. Eventually he said, "I don't think I'm ready to talk."

"Then you don't have to. We can sit in silence for a while if you want? Or we can talk about something else, something neutral?"

"Like how bad you are at potions?" Draco sneered.

"Oi! It's Snape's fault. He's a bad teacher!" Potter protested but had a hint of a smile on his face.

Having opened the box, they continued bantering both surprising themselves that it didn't turn into a full on fight but remained light hearted teasing. At some point Potter ended up sitting right next to Draco, an arm around him pulling him closer until the blonde's head was resting against his shoulder.

Having cast warming charms on themselves early on they stayed by the lake for a long time. Sometimes chatting, other times letting a comfortable silence surround them. Both thought at different points that it was odd how well they were getting on. Not just that they weren't fighting but that they were enjoying being in each other's company.

It was therefore with some reluctance that they parted. They'd already been out way beyond curfew and if discovered would likely serve detention until the end of the school year. Still, both thought it had been a good evening.

They walked back to the castle in silence and then parted ways to sneak back to their respective rooms. There were no smart parting words this time. No promise of meeting again, nor even an encouragement to do so. They gave each other a small smile, a slight nod maybe and then turned away.

tbc