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Draco spent the rest of the day wandering the castle. He avoided the seventh floor corridor, but still kept thinking he caught glimpses of Potter out of the corner of his eye. How he was managing to follow him quite so well Draco wasn't sure, but it put Draco on edge. Maybe he was just paranoid now too.
It was almost nightfall by the time Draco thought of a new release. He stole quietly into his dorm and back out again, broomstick in hand. The Slytherin knew that flying at night wasn't the wisest of ideas, but frankly he was bored. He wasn't yet ready to return to the room of requirement and continue with his mission.
The air was bitterly cold. It was almost enough to make him turn back, but instead Draco just cast a warming spell and headed for the pitch. Thinking back, it had been a while since Draco had been on his broom. The stress of his mission had led to him missing many practices and even a game. They couldn't kick him off the team of course, he was a Malfoy.
Pushing off into the air Draco felt the cold bite harder. His warming charm would do little once he really got going.
Merlin had he missed flying. When he was younger, not that he'd ever admit it, Draco used to pretend he was not a boy on a broom but a dragon like his namesake. He loved the feeling of freedom it gave him, to go zooming off, above where his mother's voice could reach him. It was a freedom he had not felt in years.
Being naïve had been so much better. Draco could fill miles of parchment with the things he wish he didn't know. He wish he didn't know his father was a killer; that his old teacher, Charity Burbage, had been tortured and devoured by Nagini; that he would soon have Dumbledore's blood on his hands or be dead. In that instant however, he just wished he didn't know there were spells around Hogwarts. He wished he could fly away on this broom and not have to stop.
These were childish notions of course. His father would scold him if he knew how fanciful Draco was being.
It wasn't until Draco felt like icicles were forming on his hands that he finally came down. He landed in a heap, too stiff to be graceful. He recast the warming spell and began to traipse back to the castle. He was just circling around the forbidden forest when he heard voices.
"It's just getting worse professor. I don't think I can go back there again, they didn't seem too happy to see me. You-know-who has won them all over now." It was the oaf Hagrid.
"Not to worry Rubeus, you did what you could. I fear you-know-who is gaining more than just giants. Every day he gets stronger. It is only a matter of time, I fear, until the castle is breached."
"You can't say that Dumbledore! You-know-who would never attack the castle, not while you're here."
"I know my friend, I know."
Hagrid and Dumbledore disappeared into the tree line. Something about the brief conversation seemed to unsettle Draco. It sounded as though Dumbledore thought he would die soon, but if that were so why hadn't he confronted Draco? Did he think that it would be someone else's hand that would give the final blow? That was silly, other than Snape and himself there were no deatheaters in the castle. Dumbledore couldn't know he was one of course, but surely he suspected, with that great mind of his? Especially after yesterday's events…
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Harry had given up keeping tabs on Malfoy around dinner time. He couldn't say why he felt responsible to make sure he was alright but he did. Hermione seemed to be getting tired off it.
"Are you even listening to me? What's gotten into you Harry?"
"Huh? Oh I'm fine."
"You've been disappearing off all day; you've barely eaten and spoken even less. You're my best friend Harry, I know when something is bothering you."
"I'm fine 'mione. Stop worrying. Anything new?" Harry nodded towards the Evening Prophet. He didn't really want to hear the latest doom and gloom, but he didn't want Hermione nagging him either.
"Not much. They've made another arrest, some shopkeeper in Cokeworth. Apparently had connections to Snape's family years ago."
Harry nodded and picked at the mashed potato on his plate. It didn't surprise him that Draco wasn't in the hall. The more he thought about it the more he realised that he hardly ever saw the boy in here. There were other ways to get food of course, but Harry didn't think Draco was bothering. His cheekbones had defiantly seemed more prominent actually.
Why am I back to worrying about him? He is a grown man; he can take care of himself.
The little voice in the back of his mind whispered a 'can't he?' at the end of that thought, but Harry pushed it away realising Hermione was talking again.
"…don't know why they can't just get a room. It pathetic really, subjecting us all to that." Harry realised that Ron had just arrived, his arm wrapped around a very giggly Lavender who was trying to nibble his ear as they walked. Hermione pushed her food away. "I think I'll go to the library." And with that she stormed off.
Ron noticed that Harry was now on his own and so steered Lavender to where he sat. Harry didn't feel he particularly wanted to watch their vomit inducing displays of affection either, but with a plate full of food before him he had no way to politely escape.
"You alright mate?" Ron said, folding himself onto the bench opposite Harry. Lavender slid in after him, so close she was practically on his lap.
"Yeh. Still got some homework left to do so I ought to go soon." In truth, Harry had all of his homework left to do. An unproductive day following Malfoy round meant he had two un-started essays due Monday. Ron's face fell. For a happy moment Harry thought it was because Ron actually wanted to spend some time with him, then he realised this was not quite accurate.
"I have too. The one for Snape is just impossible! I would ask Hermione but she isn't talking to me still."
Harry bit back the snide comment about it being Ron's fault they weren't on speaking terms. Being the friend in the middle was starting to drive him crazy.
"I guess we could work on them together, up in the common room." He added the last bit thinking it wouldn't be a good idea to disturb Hermione in her sanctuary. He also left out any mention of Lavender on purpose.
"That would be great mate. Do you even understand what Snape was going on about?" Harry managed to eat the rest of his dinner, and wait for Ron to finish his, uneventfully. Lavender seemed to grow bored of their conversation on potions so turned to talk to Parvati. They were standing to leave when Ron said:
"I think we ought to go to the library. I've got no chance on this essay without some dull book to explain it to me." Knowing it would probably set Ron off if he explained his reasons for avoiding it he nodded, hoping they could get in and out without incident.
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Harry had never particularly liked the library. He thought it was the way that books seemed to eat sounds, making it always muffled. The dust too didn't help much either. He preferred working in the warm and airy common room, up in the tower. He was just looking up from Plants of the Tasmanian Forest when he saw a head of white blonde hair dart past the end of the row. Putting the book down he muttered a lame "Bathroom" to Ron and walked quickly after him.
Looking down each row in turn, he saw Malfoy ducking into the restricted section towards the back. Curious, Harry followed. Draco was reading the spines of the books. He had started halfway down, making it look like he was just continuing his search. Pausing, Draco pulled a heavy, leather bound book off the shelves. Resting it on the ledge, he began to leaf through the pages.
Harry stood transfixed. It was almost as though he was looking at someone else. Sure, he was still handsome with blonde hair and a grey tinge to his face, but the wild look was gone. He looked calm, methodical. Back in control. The Slytherin shut the book, slid it back onto the shelf and continued down the line. A moment later he paused and pulled out another one. After flicking through a few more pages, he paused. The barest hint of a smile crossed his face.
Draco pulled out his wand and muttered a copying spell, moving the words onto a scrap of parchment. Draco folded the parchment into his pocket and replaced the book. Harry had to hurriedly hide behind the next isle as the blonde boy left.
Once Draco was out of sight Harry snuck back round. He pulled out the book he thought Draco had been looking at. Defensive Objects for avoiding the Dark arts. It was a slim book, published during the first wizarding war. Why had it been of interest to Draco? And why was it in the restricted section?
Harry slipped the book inside his robes and went back to Ron. He'd have time to look at it later.
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Hermione saw Draco slip out of the restricted section and frowned. He looked happy, and that couldn't mean anything good. Just as she was thinking this she saw Harry slip out too. This deepened her frown. What was Harry up to now?
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In five days' time it would be Slughorn's Christmas party. Harry had thus far been putting the idea out of his mind, having more pressing matters to deal with. It wasn't until Hermione cornered him at breakfast Monday morning that he realised the predicament he was in.
"They are getting desperate Harry, I heard Romilda Vane talking about slipping you a love potion. You need to get a date and soon." Harry nodded, his mouth full of cereal. Hermione looked like there was something else she wanted to discuss, but at that point Ron entered. Yet again, Hermione vanished. Before Ron and Lavender could reach him someone else slid into Hermione's vacated seat.
Speak of the devil…
Romilda leaned in towards Harry. She practically purred his name.
"Harry, I was wondering when I'd get to talk to you. I was thinking that me and you could maybe go for a walk this evening?" She reached over to touch the back of Harry's hand, providing him with a view right down her cleavage. Harry coughed and looked up.
"Sorry I have… er… plans for tonight. Can't."
"But Harry-"
"Sorry." Harry stood to leave but Romilda kept hold of his hand.
"At least take these with you." She pulled a box of chocolate cauldrons from nowhere and pressed them into his hand. Harry nodded stiffly and made for the exit, making a mental note not to touch the chocolates.
Harry nodded at Ron as he made his escape. He power walked out of the Great Hall and straight into Malfoy.
"Oi watch it! Oh it's you. What do you want Potter?" Harry was still flustered from his encounter with Romilda and couldn't get any words out. "What's the matter? Weasel got your tongue?" Draco was sneering at Harry.
"Back to your cocky, irritating self I see." Draco frowned.
"Back to your meddlesome, obnoxious cloud of self-righteousness I see. Oh wait, you never left it, did you?" Harry was struck by the urge to punch Draco right then. He might have done too, had Snape not materialised at that point.
"It's time for your session Draco. I don't recommend you keep me waiting."
"I've told you, I don't want to talk to you." Draco's voice had gone so icy cold that Harry actually shivered.
"You'd rather talk to Potter?" At that, Malfoy shot Harry a glare that said 'this is all your fault'
"I have nothing to talk about."
"Trust me, I hardly like the situation Draco, but you talk to me or you talk to Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore doesn't keep Veritaserum in the inner pockets of his robes."
"Stop acting like a child and making a scene. My office, 5 minutes." Snape swept off towards the dungeons.
Harry felt a little uncomfortable having been forced to ear wig into that conversation. He felt he ought to say something at least.
"If you don't want to talk to him you could talk to me. I don't keep Veritaserum in my robes."
Shit. That wasn't what I meant to say at all. What a rubbish joke that was, why the hell did I just open my mouth?
Draco looked a little shocked. He didn't say anything as he turned away, but Harry thought he saw another of those tiny smiles play with his lips.
