First of all I would like to thank Miyako Suou for taking time to review chapter 1. I hope to hear from you soon again for more comments and suggestions.
Also thank you to Gemstones and IAmVenalAngel for adding The Quest in their story alert list.
Hope more of you leave your reviews so I will know if you like the chapter or not.
CHAPTER 2
Draco and Harry didn't join their friends for dinner in the Sunshine room. This room is called as such because of its color scheme of yellows, oranges and a little bit of gold with teak furniture made the room seem bright and breezy.
Therefore Hermione, Blaise, Pansy and Ron tried their best to make their guest as welcome and comfortable as they could.
"Have some dessert, Cormac." Pansy generously offered as she handed the other a platter full of different dessert items.
Cormac gratefully accepted the platter and chose a medium-sized chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting. The others also made their choices when Pansy passed the platter around.
"I hope you will excuse Draco and Harry's absence. They usually disappear like that doing other important things, mostly work." Blaise explained while Cormac nodded in understanding.
"It's fine. Actually I feel like I'm abusing your hospitality by staying for dinner."
"Don't be silly!" a voice from the doorway announced. Unnoticed to the group the oak double doors leading to the high-ceilinged sunshine room had open and Harry and Draco were walking casually towards the group convened at the dining table.
"I'm Harry by the way, Harry Potter." Harry offered his hand to the new comer which Cormac shook slightly.
"Sorry about earlier must be tired that's all. Anyway did anyone think of saving me some treacle tart?" The raven-haired president asked as he took his seat the head of the table.
"Of course I know how much you love them so I decided to save you two slices before Ron decides to devour them completely." Hermione handed a small plate where two slices of treacle tart lie while eyeing Ron who was sitting beside her, in disgust, who has a mountain of dessert on his plate.
"Thanks 'Mione. Hope you enjoyed your dinner Mr. MacLaggen. How about you Draco what do you want?" Harry gave the blonde a small smile as the latter took the seat on his right.
Hermione handed another plate to Draco filled with cream puffs.
"Thanks." The blonde accepted the plate and started on his dessert.
"Where were you?" Ron asked.
"I've been researching." Harry replied giving everyone a satisfied expression as he took a bite of his treacle tart.
"I've talked to my father about some important business matters." Draco answered.
"Why is there something wrong?" Blaise asked in curiosity.
"I'll tell you later." Then he looked pointedly at Cormac who was right across him.
Blaise nodded while Cormac didn't missed the pointed look directed towards him.
"Why are you dressed like that Harry?" Pansy asked noticing that the raven-haired president was dressed in business attire.
"Oh, I have business to attend to after dinner." He smiled.
"Harry you know you're not allowed to do any work." Hermione replied in a serious voice.
"No need to worry. I'm going with him." the young Malfoy stated bringing attention to his own attire
"But it's already 7pm, isn't it a little late for business meetings?" Hermione asked reluctant to allow the raven haired and the blonde to leave.
"Don't worry; we're not leaving the manor. Our associates will be the ones coming." Harry smiled at Hermione then turned to Cormac to talk to him about things.
After sometime Cormac finished his delicious dessert "Well I'm really grateful for the hospitality and the dinner it was great but I really must be going now. It's getting a little late. It's best to get back to the Gryffindor dorms." Cormac stated as he got up from his seat.
"Oh, okay." Harry smiled and then. "Jefferson!"
The man who welcomed Cormac at the front doors appeared by Harry's side.
"Yes Young Master."
"Please ask Andy to prepare the car, wait for Mr. MacLaggen and bring him back to the Gryffindor building."
"Yes Young Master." Jefferson immediately exited the Sunshine room to give Andy, the chauffeur the instructions.
"You don't really need to do that. I can walk plus it's not that far from here." Cormac explained.
"Nonsense. I'm a Gryffindor myself and I stayed there for a semester and I know for a fact that it's not a short walk from here to there plus it's a little late." Harry insisted.
Not long after Jefferson entered the room again and announced that the car was ready.
"Please escort Mr. MacLaggen then Jefferson. Thank you." Jefferson, Harry's faithful butler smiled and motioned for Cormac to follow him.
"Thanks again for the great evening Mr. Potter and please call me Cormac, Mr. MacLaggen makes me feel old."
"Alright then, then you must call me Harry." Harry said with a smile making Draco snort on his third cream puff and the others smile.
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After dinner Harry and Draco went to the a different study room not far from Harry's to meet with their business associates while their friends went back to Harry's personal study to start researching on the Grand Shrine in Ise.
Right after the meeting Harry and Draco went to meet up with their friends.
"Augh! I hate meetings!" Harry exclaimed as he plopped down on a sofa beside Blaise.
"So how did it go?" Blaise questioned as Draco sat on his other side loosening the light pink tie around his neck.
"Well but that doesn't mean I enjoyed…" pausing to look at Harry "That we enjoyed it."
"Most of them think that we're still too young to handle family affairs and business deals and such so you know they treat us like we don't know what we're doing." Draco explained tiredly.
"So what did you guys discovered so far? Any more interesting stuff?" Harry asked shifting to lay down his head on Blaise's lap.
"Not much, just the same as we already know based on Draco's story." Hermione replied from her position in front of the wide computer screen on the wall.
"Harry showed me an article earlier, it's about certain bystanders or visitors of the Shrine seeing a glowing blue light coming from the Shrine of Amaterasu." Draco related waiting for Harry to confirm his story, but when he turned his gaze to the other, they noticed that Harry had fallen asleep yet again.
"Harry's asleep again?" Ron exclaimed as he walked towards the sofa.
"He's probably recovering considering it just happened last night." Pansy replied as she stood up from the chair beside Hermione and walked towards the group.
"Well I don't know with you guys but I'm extremely tired so I guess I'd better retire for tonight. I'll bring Harry up with me." The blonde stated as he stood up and carried Harry in his arms.
"Good night Draco." The group of four said chorus watching the blonde exit the study carrying a sleeping raven-haired man.
Pansy immediately turned to her friends and stated with a smile. "Isn't it unusual that Harry and Draco seemed to be getting along well these past few days?
"Yup, it seems unusual, may be because Harry's been very patient and tolerant to Draco's behavior?" Ron mused.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Pansy turned around and went back to Hermione's side to help her with the research.
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For what seemed the third in two days, Draco carried Harry back to his room. He had trouble opening the door, afraid that any slight movement will cause the sleeping man in his arms to wake up. But despite of his struggles Harry remained fast asleep in his arms even as he placed him gently on his bed.
Draco didn't understand why he was being nice to the raven-haired man, never did he imagine getting along with him, even tolerating him, but here he was standing by the man's bedside watching him sleep peacefully.
Draco started to remember the first time Harry and he met. It was during one of his parent's and Harry's godfather's business meetings together. Draco's father and mother were close friends of Harry's parents James and Lily, but the youngest Malfoy didn't have the chance to meet the older Potters because apparently, according to his mother, Uncle James and Aunt Lily are both dead living Harry to live with his godfather, his mother's cousin, Sirius Black.
'He was around eight years old at that time just like any other business meeting his father and mother told him to keep quiet and do not disturb them. So that left him at one corner of the conference room of Malfoy Industries playing with a few things his father had allowed him to bring. When the glass doors slid open to reveal an older man wearing a gray suit with a young boy in tow with messy raven hair, wearing a green shirt and brown shorts but that wasn't what caught Draco's attention but startling emerald green eyes of young boy watching wearily at the people in front of him.'
At that time Draco couldn't help but smirk because his father and mother look intimidating at first glance, so he could understand the wary look in the boy's face. Narcissa Malfoy despite wearing an expensive looking a red business suit kneeled in front of the young boy and smiled at him kindly.
"You must be Harry."
The boy nodded but didn't speak up.
"My name's Narcissa, but you can call me Aunt Cissa if you like." She said again with a smile.
"Aunt Cissy?" The raven-haired boy tried the name out.
Making Narcissa, Lucius and Sirius laugh. "Aunt Cissy is also fine." Then she motioned to the man beside her. Lucius Malfoy kneeled beside his wife and peered kindly at the young boy.
"And this is my husband Lucius. You can call him Uncle Lucius."
"Uncle Lucy?" Harry questioned again, the usual grey eyes of the Malfoy patriarch sparkled with mirth.
"Draco come here." The older man motioned for his son closer.
"Draco this is Harry Potter, he's the godson of your Uncle Sirius."
Draco came forward and offered a hand to the raven-haired boy.
The boy just stared at the extended hand in wonder.
Sirius then decided to help out and squatted beside his godson.
"Harry, that's Draco, Uncle Lucy and Aunt Cissy's son. You can go play with him while I talk to them. Okay?"
Harry nodded in understanding then took the small hand in his own. Draco immediately pulled Harry towards his toys. Everything was fine until Draco noticed that Harry wasn't playing with any of his toys.
"Why aren't you playing with the toys?"
The emerald-eyed boy continued to sit beside him quietly watching the conversing adults.
"Harry!" The youngest blonde couldn't help but exclaim but what he hadn't expected was for the emerald-eyed child to start crying causing the adults to rush to their side in panic.
Sirius immediately took Harry into his arms trying his best to calm the boy down. While Lucius and Narcissa turned on their son. "What did you do Draco?"
"Nothing father, I was just asking him why he wasn't playing then he started to cry." Draco explained in a rush.
"There's nothing to worry about Lucius, Narcissa, Harry's a little sensitive to loud noises and raised voices so I'm sure Draco didn't mean any harm." Sirius carefully settled Harry back to his feet, who had stopped crying but still have watery eyes.
"Harry, sweetheart, tell Draco you're sorry." Sirius urged in a quiet voice.
"I'm sorry Draco." The boy whispered then immediately went back to Sirius' arms.
"Well I'm not, I didn't do anything to you and then you just start crying there! Cry baby!" Draco exclaimed.
"Draco!" Narcissa stated reproachfully.
"Draco apologize to Harry at once." Lucius added.
"No, I don't want to, I didn't do anything wrong!"
The Malfoys looked apologetically at their friend. "We're extremely sorry about that Sirius. Draco's usually well-mannered in front of guests and their children I don't understand why he's like that with Harry." Narcissa explained as she patted Harry's head softly.
"It's alright. Harry's just a little sensitive with everything that has happened."
After that Draco was reprimanded as soon as they got home and even more times after that Draco and Harry were brought together by his parents and Harry's godfather by putting them in the same preschool, making them attend the same events and such."
And Draco realized that they never really got along. In school they became friends with different people Harry with Hermione and Ron, while him with Pansy and Blaise, eventually their separate friends found a way for them to tolerate each other.
Draco was driven out from his thoughts when Harry slightly shifted in his sleep. Draco decided to tuck the latter so that he wouldn't get cold.
Before he left Harry's bedchambers for his much needed sleep he again remembered something else.
"I still don't know what happened to Harry to cause him to react like that when we first met."
Then he closed the door leaving Harry in the warmth of his bed and the comfort of his dreams.
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Sunday passed by like a breeze for the small group of friends and soon they were seated in Harry's car, driven by the chauffeur to school.
Hermione even with the help of everyone was unsuccessful in gathering more information regarding the Shinto Sun goddess' shrine.
Speaking of which, the brown haired young woman sighed heavily in her position beside Harry.
"What's wrong?" Blaise questioned.
"I just couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed that we weren't able to gather more information to determine how we're going to act."
"You did your best Hermione so don't be too hard on yourself." Pansy patted the young woman in front of her on the knee.
"Thanks Pansy but it means that if we do go to Japan, we would basically be unprepared."
"I'm sure we'll be able to find something useful. Don't worry about that now Hermione we got school today, and starting the day like that will only tire you out."
Just then the chauffeur just announced that they had arrived. Andy, Harry's driver opened the door for Draco who casually stepped out and stood confidently at the school's front steps waiting for his friends to join him. A few students are already making their way towards the building so most of them stopped to admire the impressive stretch limousine that usually drive them to school.
Harry was just right behind him and was at the middle of straightening his school uniform when the blonde's spine tingled, getting into action he push Harry back to the car, "Duck" then a series of loud bangs were heard.
"Draco!" Harry exclaimed as the blonde was able to duck before he got hit. When the bullets seemed to have stopped raining on them Harry exited the car to check on Draco.
"Are you alright?"
Another bang was heard and this one met with its target. Harry held onto for support when his shoulder shot with pain and caused him to tumble to the blonde's embrace. Draco felt something wet and warm on his hand upon touching the other man's shoulder.
"Shit!" Hermione and the others got down from the car and rushed to their friend's side.
Harry was shot based on the blood freely flowing from the area of his left shoulder blade.
"Shit!" Draco exclaimed again while Hermione and the rest tried their best to lessen the flow of blood. Harry was still leaning on to him for support, while trying his best to stay awake.
The school's security at the entrance immediately surrounded and some even scattered around to survey the area. Most of the students who had arrived gathered around curious. Someone was even taking pictures that extremely pissed Ron off.
"For heaven's sake!" He harshly took the camera from the taker's hand and shouted angrily at the gathered crowd as to how inconsiderate they are.
Hermione with the help of Draco and Pansy was able to prop Harry up. They took Harry back to the car and instructed Andy to get them to the hospital immediately.
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It seemed as if they were waiting forever for any news about Harry until Severus Snape exited the emergency room a little after lunch to assure the small group.
"He's going to be alright." A sighed of relief passed through the group.
"Can we see him?" Hermione asked, with her brown hair in disarray and her usually clean uniform stained with Harry's blood.
"Not just yet. The doctors and the nurses are just settling him on his own recovery room so you have a couple of hours to clean up" clearly talking about Hermione's clothes "possibly eat and get some rest before facing him. I'm sure Harry would not be pleased to see that he had made you all worried." The professor/ doctor explained. "I'll leave you now to your own devices; I still have to check on Harry to ensure that everything is fine."
Pansy offered to go with Hermione to get clean and to look as presentable as possible for their visit with Harry. Ron mentioned something about getting food for everyone leaving Blaise and Draco.
"I need to go Blaise."
"What? Why?" Blaise stated in disbelief.
"Don't look at me like that. It's not because I don't care about Harry. I just want to have a meeting with the school's security. I can't believe they weren't able to detect the sniper. Any of us could have been hit by those bullets." Draco sighed rubbing the bridge of his nose hoping to prevent a pounding headache.
"Have you called Sirius?"
"Not yet. I'm sure Harry would not like me to alert his godfather unless it's extremely necessary."
"You think it's wise not to tell the man?" Blaise questioned.
"No, but I can't make that decision on my own. I'll consult with Harry as soon as he wakes up."
Blaise nodded and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"I'll see you later then?"
"Yeah. I'll come back as soon as I can."
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"Explain to me how that sniper got in and out of the school without being detected by any of you!"
Draco Malfoy was back at Hogwarts grounds, to be specific in the security office releasing his wrath at all the security personnel of the school gathered in the office looking solemnly at their irate boss.
"Did you realize that the owner of the school had almost been killed by this lax in security. I'm sure many of the students' parents will soon be questioning our school's security."
Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts Headmaster, carefully placed a comforting hand on Draco's shoulder.
"I want each and every one of you on guard! I don't want a repeat of this incident in the future! Understood?! Or else I would have to report this incident with Sirius Black." Draco exclaimed.
The security personnel all said 'Yes' and immediately dispersed to go back to their positions.
"I've already alerted the police of what had happened here. They are currently investigating for any leads as to who did this." Albus took the younger man's arm and ushered him towards his office.
"I can't believe they got through the security just like that, professor."
"I am also most astounded Draco. But I am sure you have an idea who did this."
"Of course only Riddle would do something like this. I just didn't expect him to cause any physical harm with such mundane means considering the power he holds."
The headmaster nodded solemnly. He took a seat behind his desk and offered the other man some tea.
Draco politely declined. "I have to get back to the hospital and check up on Harry."
"Don't worry too much Draco everything would be alright." The Hogwarts Headmaster whispered consolingly.
"I just feel bad." Noticing the confusion on the older man's face he decided to expound.
"I feel bad because I promise Sirius that I'll look after Harry while he's away and this thing had occurred on my watch."
"So that is why you're more tolerant of Harry."
"Hmmm…"
"Well bring Harry my regards Draco and don't tire yourself too much."
The blonde just nodded as he took his leave. No matter what the headmaster had said he still felt as if he failed.
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Draco was on his own, the others had told him that Harry had briefly awakened when he was out and that he forced them to go home, staring at his acquaintance. "Funny" he mused. He hadn't really thought of Harry as a friend more of an acquaintance that he had tolerated for years. But as he gaze at his pale face he realized that maybe he did considered Harry as friend after all he wouldn't have felt this worried if he hadn't had a single concern for the other man. He continued to muse at his and Harry's relationship for a couple more minutes when he was distracted by Harry slightly shifting on the bed, then a groan was heard.
"Harry?" Draco whispered, stood up immediately to get a better look at the raven-haired man.
"Hmmm…" emerald eyes met silver.
Noticing that Harry couldn't speak properly Draco patted Harry's hand reassuringly and went to call the doctor.
Severus entered the room followed by the young Malfoy and started to examine Harry who was gazing at him with curious emerald eyes.
"I'll replace the oxygen mask with the nasal cannula since it seems that you can breathe more properly than before. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded in understanding and lay still while Severus removed the oxygen mask and immediately replaced it with the cannula.
"How are you feeling?" Severus asked his patient.
"So…re…" Harry rasped out.
Draco offered him a glass of water which the latter gratefully accepted, with the assistance of the blonde and his doctor, Harry was able to drink without spilling any.
"Is there a part of your body that hurt in particular?" the doctor asked as he inspected Harry's IV and heart monitor.
"Left shoulder, chest…"
"Hmm…yes…I suggest that you refrain from using your left arm and shoulder actually no movement whatsoever. When I discharge you I'll have to put it in a brace so when it wouldn't hurt as much when you accidentally move it." Severus emphasized accidentally being extremely serious that there is no way Harry should move his shoulder.
"I shall be taking my leave now. Try to get some more rest Harry, you as well Draco." Severus gave an affectionate smile to his godson.
Draco returned the smile before turning back to Harry. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine…Wha---aat are you doing here?" Harry asked slowly.
"I stayed to keep you company."
This elicited a small chuckle from Harry but he suddenly winced "Since when do you willingly offer yourself as company?"
"Oh shut up. I wanted to discuss a few things with you."
"Alright I'm listening…"
"I haven't told your godfather about what happened…and I want to know if you want me to tell him…"
"You know my answer to that, I don't want to bother I'm sure he's already stressed out as it is without me adding to his troubles."
"Yes I assumed that much but what do you plan to do? As soon as he gets back he'll probably hear from everyone. It's not exactly as secret of you being shot in front of the school where students were arriving." Draco explained.
"I'll tell him when he gets back but not now…" he was about to add something else when Draco's phone started to ring.
"Hello?"
"Draco!" Harry could faintly hear Blaise frantic voice through the phone.
"Why?"
"You better turn the TV on and check out the news channel."
Harry and Draco exchanged a quick glance of confusion but Draco followed his friend's suggestion ad move to turn the TV on, on the right channel.
Harry could feel his heart plummeted to his stomach. Flashing across the screen were photos of him this morning right after he was shot.
"Shit!" the blonde and the raven-haired men exclaimed in unison.
"You just summed it all up Draco." Blaise stated over the phone.
"What were they thinking?!" The blonde was extremely angry.
"Ron was able to confiscate all the cameras this morning someone must have slipped pass him." Blaise heard Draco sigh.
"How are we supposed to keep this from Sirius when Harry's photos are splash all over the news?" Draco replied angrily.
Harry patted Draco's arm comfortingly well as he could move his hand. Draco felt slightly calmed by the warm hand. "Call a student assembly tomorrow." Draco had suddenly shifted to vice-president mode.
"What are you planning?" Harry asked as Draco ended the call.
"To give the student body a piece of my mind."
Harry sighed heavily. "By tomorrow, we should expect Sirius at our doorstep."
"You couldn't have said it better."
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Draco stayed with Harry for the rest of the night he even made an effort to find the latter a good breakfast. He personally requested the hospital kitchen to make bacon and eggs with toast and freshly squeezed orange juice. When the food was delivered, Draco couldn't help but smirk at the certain advantages of being the heir of an extremely powerful and wealthy family with extremely powerful and wealthy connections.
Harry smiled at the sight of food. "Hmm…" Draco piled Harry's plate for him then placed it in front of the other, Harry replied with a bright smile before digging in to his food with gusto.
By the time Harry finished with his breakfast, Draco was already on his third cup of tea reading the front page. "What exactly do you find amusing in that paper?" The president of the student council couldn't help but ask when he noticed the look of amusement on the blonde's face.
"This…" Draco turned to the paper so Harry could see the headline.
POTTER HEIR SHOT BY HIS OWN FRIEND
Harry immediately reached over to grab the paper out of his vice president's hands.
HARRY POTTER, KNOWN FOR BEING THE RICHEST BACHELOR IN EUROPE, A POST WHICH HE SHARES WITH CLOSE FRIEND DRACO MALFOY, WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN SHOT YESTERDAY IN FRONT OF HOGWARTS UNIVERSITY.
WITNESSES STATED THAT EVERYTHING STARTED AS USUAL. THE FAMOUS POTTER LIMOUSINE PARKED IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL STEPS, THE CHAUFFEUR, AMBY, WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR OF HIS YOUNG MASTERS.
DRACO MALFOY, THE MALFOY HEIR, GOT OUT AND STEPPED BACK A LITTLE TO GIVE WAY TO HIS FELLOW HEIR WHEN THE YOUNGEST MALFOY APPARENTLY PUSHED YOUNG HARRY BACK THAT CAUSED HIM TO GET SHOT.
IT SEEMS THAT THE SNIPER, HAVE BEEN HIRED BY THE MALFOY HEIR SO THAT HE COULD FINALLY TAKE THE POSITION OF THE RICHEST BACHELOR IN EUROPE. APPARENTLY DRACO MALFOY WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY LAST NIGHT BY THE POLICE ACCORDING TO SOME ACCOUNTS BY WITNESSES THAT LIVE NEAR POTTER MANOR.
THE READERS AND STAFF OF THE DAILY PROPHET WISHES THE POTTER HEIR TO GET WELL SOON AND BE MORE CAREFUL FROM NOW ON IN CHOOSING HIS FRIENDS.
"Who wrote this crap?" Harry exclaimed.
"Skeeter of course, who else will come out with such bull…"
"You definitely did not try to kill me, you actually pushed me to get out of the way. And you weren't at the manor all night since you stayed here with me."
"Well that newspaper certainly lacks credibility. Hopefully Sirius read something much closer to the truth."
"Aren't you worried that the police will arrest you?"
"Honestly, Harry how naïve can you be? The police would never dream of arresting me."
"Why because you're all high and mighty?"
"No because nobody would believe such a stupid story. I called the Malfoy Family attorney and being extremely efficient as soon as he reaches the office he will be filing a libel suit in my behalf."
"That was extremely fast."
"Well on the best work for us Malfoys."
"Yeah, yeah…"
Draco couldn't help but chuckle, it was so easy for them to revert back to their usual friendly bickering. He couldn't stop himself from remembering a few years back when their bickering was anything but funny or friendly for that matter.
Summer five years ago…
When Harry, Draco and friends were only fifteen years old…
It was Harry's fifteenth birthday and of course Sirius being the good and great godfather that he was prepared an absolutely fun party for his beloved godson. If there's a party everyone should be invited so Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts University, where Harry was studying in secondary school was the first on the list. Next was Harry's teachers, Minerva McGonagall, Pomona Sprout, Filius Flitwick, Severus Snape, Poppy Pomfrey as well as family friends like the Grangers with Hermione, the Parkinsons with Pansy, the Weasleys with Ron, the Zabinis with Blaise and the Malfoys with Draco of course.
Fifteen year old Draco didn't want to attend "Potter's" birthday because its boring and too childish.
"Don't be silly Draco!" His mother admonished.
"You're mother is right. We should be here because Harry's your friend and he's family, his parents to be exact were one of our closest friends." His father added making him scowl.
"That and because I could already imagine Harry's adorable expression when he finds out that Sirius prepared a surprise party for him!" His mother gushed.
Sometimes his mother could really be sophisticated and elegant but when it comes to Harry it completely disappears, probably because she absolutely adores Harry.
When they entered the room, Sirius welcomed them happily, explained to them that Ron just went out to pick Harry up from his music lessons. "They'll be here any minute now, while everyone should take their places."
True to his word, not soon after that they took their positions, was the sound of tires rolling over gravel could be heard. Soon they heard faint footsteps and snatches of the conversation Ron and Harry were having.
"You go on Harry. Sirius seemed really excited to deliver the good news." Ron Weasley said.
"Oh, okay then."
The doorknob turned and in came Harry dressed in a blue shirt with a white jacket over it and jeans with blue sneakers.
"SURPRISE!"
Draco could still remember the emerald eyes widening in shock while he was given a bear hug by his godfather. Everyone gathered around the birthday boy to wish him a Happy Birthday except Draco. Blaise nudged him on the side while he calmly took a sip of soda.
"What?"
"Aren't you going to greet him?"
"NO." came the short answer.
"Why not?"
But Draco was stopped from replying when Harry moved towards them giving them both a smile.
"Thanks for coming, guys!" Harry exclaimed.
"No problem Harry. Anything for you." Blaise replied.
Then an awkward silence enveloped them. "Draco…" Blaise whispered.
"Enjoying yourself Potter?"
"Uh, yeah, certainly didn't expect this." Harry said sheepishly.
"Really? I thought you just acted surprised for Sirius' sake. I mean you didn't actually think he'd forgotten your birthday after all he absolutely adores you. And you absolutely love the attention everyone bestows on you." Draco stated waiting for Harry to take the bait.
"What? If you must know I don't like attention directed to me."
"Really…then how come it's always on you?"
"You're such a bastard Malfoy!"
"Hmmm…" the blonde just smirked, very contented for being able to irk the raven-haired.
Quickly losing patience Harry punched Draco on the face causing the blonde to spill his drink on himself.
"Why you attention hugging twit!"
Draco delivered his own punch.
Draco could remember that it took a lot of people to get in between them to completely stop the fight. He could also remember his parents shouting at him for getting in a fight.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Harry's voice shook him out of his thoughts.
"Nothing."
"Come on! Tell me!" Harry begged giving Draco the puppy dog eyes and a big pout, his usual means to get what he wants.
"Just remembered you're 15th birthday party is all."
Harry blushed a deep shade of red; Draco had discerned that the other could also remember the incident.
"What brought about that particular memory?"
"Nothing just thought that now we bicker from time to time but we never get to any physical fights anymore."
"Yeah, I think we're much better now."
"Yeah I guess you're right. I better go call Severus to check if he could discharge you already."
Draco mused that Harry looked much better this morning. Although according to the raven haired man, he's still a bit sore, and small pinpricks of pain still race through his shoulder and chest, he looked less pale than last night and nasal cannula was no longer necessary to help him breathe so the nurse removed it earlier. Even the heart monitor and the IV were removed.
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A couple of hours later, Harry and Draco were on their way home. "I'll just drop you off. I'm going to school for the general assembly.
"Can't I go with you?"
"I don't think that's such a great idea."
"Why not?"
"Severus clearly stated that you're not allowed to attend any stressful events especially because of what happened to you last Friday and yesterday."
"Please? I promise I'll just sit down like a good boy and listen to what you have to say."
The Malfoy couldn't understand why he suddenly developed a soft spot for Harry but he did. He would agree to anything the latter asks him to do.
"Alright but you better keep your promise to stay on your seat and don't draw attention to yourself."
"Okay."
Draco then pressed the intercom informing Andy to go directly to the school instead.
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"Why did you bring him here?" Blaise asked as he saw Harry sitting inconspicuously in the crowd of students talking to Hermione, Pansy and Ron.
"I couldn't say no to him."
Blaise stared at him curiously. "Used the puppy dog eyes."
"Ah, you're the newest victim of those emerald eyes."
"Yeah, it should be illegal to have those kind of eyes."
The two friends joke around while they waited for the students to take their seats. Draco and Blaise would facilitate the whole assembly so the other members of the council could just relax and listen to the discussion.
As soon as Draco stood up on the podium, raised on top of the stage, the student body immediately quieted. Draco had to stop himself from smirking at the effect he has on people.
"You must be all wondering why we called everyone here so suddenly." He took a paused and motioned for Blaise to start the slide presentation.
"It has come to our notice that certain people or a person was/ were able to obtain pictures of what had occurred yesterday. I'm sure I don't need to elaborate on which event I am talking about."
A flash and it was projected in front of all the students scanned pictures of the newspaper articles published just that morning bearing headlines similar to that of Daily Prophet
HARRY POTTER BETRAYED
POTTER HEIR CRITICAL
ETC…ETC..
"I am actually sure that the news of Harry being shot here yesterday at the school would eventually leak through the press and eventually to the wider public but what I didn't expect were these."
Another flash and the next slide came to view. It was a slide displaying pictures of Harry when he was shot while his friends were all gathered around him.
"I am absolutely sure that these photos were leaked through the press by a student or students here in the University and I must have never been appalled by such inconsiderate feelings." Draco again paused waiting for his words to sink in.
"Didn't you even respect Harry's privacy? Oh I'm sure most of you think that its okay since Harry has always been kind and generous towards but I believe that this photograph leaks to the press has to stop! I am therefore informing all of you that you will undergo questioning for any leads as to who was malicious enough to actually send such pictures to the press."
"And if that person or persons are to be identified I myself will deal with them and arrange the necessary punishments."
"You are all dismissed." Draco stepped down from the podium and went the stage towards his friends.
He met Harry's reproachful eyes.
"I did what I think was right."
Harry didn't say a word then look a way towards his other friends.
The friends left the school, went back home in relative silence. Most of them were shock with Draco's pronouncement that he would punish those who would be found guilty for those abhorrent pictures.
When they exited the limousine, Harry probably in a little pain needed assistance from Draco to walk towards the manor.
"I shouldn't have allowed you to come with me."
"Shut up Draco. I'm fine. I'll just go up to my room and get some rest before dinner."
The blonde did not respond, he didn't want to irk the man further in case that in causes more pain.
Blaise and Ron opened the double doors and the group assembled inside the entrance hall, their eyes adjusting to the slightly dimmer lights when a tall man with shoulder length black hair wearing a black business suit appeared in their range of vision startling them.
"When did you plan on informing of what had happened?"
Harry's eyes widened.
Sirius Black has returned from Paris.
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STARTED: OCTOBER 25, 2008 FINISHED: OCTOBER 30, 2008
AGAIN I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY GRAMMATICAL AND TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR I MAY HAVE COMMITTED.
AND I HOPE TO GET MORE REVIEWS FROM YOU SOON.