Ch 3

Warnings: Same

Disclaimers: I don't own characters or places from Harry Potter. I only own any OC that appears, and Christian's house and its grounds.

A/N: Don't really care if I got no reviews. Continuing anyway. Enjoy!

Chapter Three: Delayed Arrival

Harry awoke the next morning with a terrible headache. He regretted asking Draco if he wanted to go to Diagon Alley, not wanting to go himself. As he climbed out of bed, he caught his wrist on a bedside cabinet, causing the cut to burn. Still, he ignored the pain, and walked over to a dressing room. Robes, belts, shirts and jeans were lined up on the walls. Harry raised his eyebrows and gave a low whistle, before picking out some black jeans with a matching t-shirt, and the matching robe. He quickly unbuttoned his pyjama top and threw it down, before taking of his bottoms as well. He pulled on the jeans and grabbed a white belt with rubies set into it. He pulled the shirt over his head and pulled the robe on, before running out of the room, through the living quarters and into the hall, not noticing the sword that had appeared on the Latin tapestry. Looking up and down the corridor, the Gryffindor found a door at the end. He walked through it and was transported to the Great Hall, where Dumbldore, McGonagall and Flitwick sat at the high table, with a young man standing before them. The man, who had brown hair, with hints of grey, turned around and Harry saw Remus Lupin looking at him with horror and fear.

"Uh…Harry! Glad to see you! Sorry I can't stay, I…uh…I've got to clean up the Headquarters! Yeah, they're still filthy. Well, see you soon Harry!" Lupin stuttered rushing out of the hall.

"Uh, bye!" Harry muttered back.

"Harry my boy!" Dumbldore said clearly. "Come and sit at the High Table today! Most other teachers are out shopping for the school year!"

Harry nodded and walked up to the table and sat down next to Dumbldore. Instantly, pieces of toast and jars of marmalade appeared before Harry, along with containers of butter, pots of tea and packets of cereal. Harry grabbed a bowl and some Cornflakes and some milk, tipping the last two into the bowl. Instantly, sugar crystals fell like snow onto the cereal, causing the flakes glisten. The ceiling was a beautiful blue, but the weather was cold. Harry gathered his cereal onto a spoon and sleepily put them into his mouth. He slowly chewed on the flakes before swallowing them and repeating the process. When he finished, he made himself a cup of tea and offered one to Dumbldore.

"Oh, yes please Harry?"

Harry poured Dumbldore a cup, and asked: "Professor Dumbldore sir, where's Draco?"

"He should be down any moment. He is just doing a bit of studying. The boy sure is committed!" Dumbldore replied, sipping his tea.

Right on cue, Draco opened the Hall doors and walked up to the table wearing the same as Harry. For the first time in ages, 'Nice' ran through Harry's head. The raven-haired boy mentally kicked himself.

'What the hell were you thinking you prat? You haven't got feelings for Draco Malfoy!'

'Obviously you have!'

'Shut up! Who created you?'

'You!'

Harry ignored that last bit as Draco sat at the High Table, saying hello to the few teachers there and Harry.

"Hey Harry!" the Slytherin greeted.

Harry positively melted at the sound of Draco's voice.

"H-hey!" Harry stuttered in reply.

Dumbldore chuckled quietly to himself. He thought Harry and Draco were so cute together, but kept the thought to him. After all, he didn't want a house war to start. He learned his lesson last time.

"Are we still going to Diagon Alley?" Draco asked, taking a seat next to Harry.

"Of course we are!"

"Harry, professor Lupin has requested to see you in his office. When you're ready. Don't worry, you will be able to go to Diagon Alley!"

Harry nodded, unsure of why Dumbldore had said 'his office'.

"Is he coming back?" Harry asked excitedly.

"Yes! He offered to return after my failure to find a new Defence teacher."

"AWESOME!"

And with nothing else said, Harry sped out of the Hall and up to Remus's office. The man was sitting at his desk writing on a piece of parchment. He looked up as Harry opened the door.

"Ah Harry! Nice to see you! How have you been?"

Harry, who was taken back by his professor's change of attitude, replied, "Fine thanks!"

"Good! Harry, I have something to show you!" Remus said, standing up and walking over to a chest near the entrance. He pulled a long, black case out of the chest and opened that to reveal a staff with carvings of thorns on it and an orb on the end.

"Harry this is the Staff of Rena. It detects dark magic, and holds unimaginable power. I'm giving you this because he's growing stronger. We fear he may attack."

Harry carefully took hold of the staff, and instantly, glowing vines twisted around his body. The vines turned into an emerald beam, which closed into his body completely. A furious wind blew in the office.

"Wow!" Harry muttered under his breath. "Was that supposed to happen?"

"Of course! Now, I believe you have an Alley to go to? Oh and Harry? Ron will be coming over to Hogwarts soon. Molly told me last night!"

"Ok, thanks!"

"Bye Harry."

"Bye professor!"

Harry slowly walked out of the office, the staff in hand. It was long enough to touch the floor and for Harry to hold it. He automatically placed it on the floor every two steps. When he walked through the Hall's doors, Draco raised an eyebrow at him and admired the staff.

"Cool isn't it?"

"What is it?"

"The Staff of Rena."

Dumbldore smiled and pulled a goblet towards him, and cast 'Portus' on it.

"Your ride gentlemen!"

Harry walked over to the table and placed the staff on it. On Harry's will, it shrank to the size of a pencil. The Gryffindor placed it into his robe pocket, before walking over to the Portkey Dumbldore had placed on the table and Draco joined him.

"On my count then?" Dumbldore asked, receiving two nods from the rivals. "Three!"

Harry felt his breath catch in his throat as Draco's arm touched his, caressing it slightly.

"Two!"

Draco inwardly groaned as his arm collided with the Gryffindor's, secretly hoping for that arm around his waist.

"One!"

Both Harry and Draco touched the goblet, and were sent to Diagon alley with the familiar jerks behind their navels. The Great Hall disappeared, and was instantly replaced, by a bright, golden shop. This surely was not Diagon Alley. A man with brown hair walked through a door at the end of the rectangular room.

"Oh! Hello! And who might…"

He broke of for a second, before saying, "Are you Harry Potter? Gods it's true! He really did give it you!"

"What you mean this?" Harry asked pulling the staff out of his pocket and enlarging it. The orb on the end had a black mist inside it.

"He has! You really have it!"

The man rushed into the back room again, returning with a small rope with tassels hanging from it. He slowly wrapped the rope around the small platform that held the orb and the orb's mist turned violet.

"Those tassels will float when dark energy is near," the man informed Harry, watching him closely.

"Thanks. Excuse me, but who are you?"

"Oh, I'm Matthew Robins."

"And where are we?"

"Oh, we're in Diurn Alley. It's a Light Arts Alley. We sell anything that cancels out Knocturn Alley's products. Sort of like that staff. A staff the opposite of that was sold at least fifty years ago in Knocturn Alley. No one knows who bought it. No one knows who sold it. Anyway, Mr Potter, what are you doing here? No one is supposed to know of this places existence!"

"We touched a Portkey, and it brought us here," Draco replied.

"You…you're Draco Malfoy aren't you?"

"Yes," Draco muttered in reply.

"I've heard of you and your father. Buying everything from Knocturn Alley and other Dark Arts shops around Britain! What would you be doing with young Harry?"

"We've come to get our school stuff for the upcoming year!" Harry answered irately. "So, how do we get to Diagon Alley?"

Matthew clapped his hands and Harry and Draco appeared in Madame Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. A young girl with blonde hair and chocolate eyes walked up to them and said, "I'm Laura Malkin. I'm helping out here while my aunt's off sick. So, Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, how can I help you?"

"We're here to get our school robes!"

Laura Malkin pulled out the tape measures and they started to measure Harry's arms, Draco's waist, Harry's head and Draco's ankle. Finally, they disappeared and Harry's robes appeared in one neat pile and Draco's in another.

"Gryffindor and Slytherin?" Laura asked.

Both students nodded. Laura pointed her wand at Harry's robes, and a Gryffindor badge appeared on the chest, and then she pointed at Draco's.

"Aren't you a prefect?" she asked the blonde, who once again nodded. She pointed at Draco's pile and the Hogwarts Crest appeared.

"So how much?" Harry asked.

"Ten Galleons for the lot."

"On me Harry!" Draco said, taking the money out of his pocket. He handed the gold over and Laura smiled, waving them goodbye as they left. "So Harry-who-now-owes-me-five Galleons, where next?"

"You said it was on you!"

"I was only joking, Harry you don't owe me anything! So, where next?"

"I need to get my books."

"Flourish and Blotts it is!"

They walked down the Alley to the bookstore and bought their schoolbooks, along with a diary each (Harry bought a black diary, with emerald writing and Draco bought a green one with silver writing) and Harry bought several Light Arts books, with three Dark Arts volumes. The rivals then bought two new cauldrons each, some new Quidditch Gloves and finally, two strawberry and vanilla ice creams. They were sat outside the Ice Cream Parlour when someone cleared their throat behind them. The turned around and saw Ron with long, messy red hair and I fang earring. He was wearing all black, just like Harry and Draco, except with boots with silver crawling up the sides. At his side was Hermione, whose fingers were laced with his own and a boy with almost the same style as the red head.

"Ron?" Harry whispered amazedly. "Is that you, with Hermione? Are you holding hands? Who's that? How long have you looked like that?"

"Hi, yes, yes, yes, this is Pheenix, and I've looked like this for a week!"

"Wow Weasley! I never thought you would actually look cool!" Draco commented, earning a scowl from Ron.

"What are you doing here ferret face?" he snarled.

"I came shopping with Harry!"

"You don't say? Why are you with Harry?"

"I've forgiven him Ron! Can't you do the same? I know us Gryffindors are supposed to have pride, but can't you at least forgive him?"

Ron gave a long, angry sigh, and moved to say something but Hermione cut him off. "Harry! Why didn't you tell us? You could've at least told me!"

"I knew it would somehow get to Ron and that was the last thing I wanted! He'd have probably sent me a Howler on Gryffindor Pride and a Gryffindor not even looking in a Slytherin's direction! I repeat: that was the last thing I wanted!"

"Harry you stupid prat! Why? Why did you have to go and make friends with Draco bloody Malfoy? I cannot believe you are now friends with him! I cannot believe you didn't even tell me!"

"Ron SHUT UP!" Harry yelled, causing the red head to recoil in fear. "IT IS NOT UP TO YOU WHO I AM FRIENDS WITH! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN PISS OFF!"

"HE'S A BLOODY MALFOY! HE'S TORMENTED YOU AND PRETTY MUCH RUINED YOUR LIFE!"

"Ron just shut up!"

Everyone turned to Pheenix, a look of surprise on his or her faces.

"Just get over it! Harry can be a friend with whomever he wants! He deserves happiness more than anyone in the world. Just give Draco a chance."

Harry looked at Pheenix appreciatively. Someone had a bit of sense around here then?

"Thank you Pheenix! See Ron? Last night all I saw in Draco's eyes was hope. There was no famous malicious glint or anything!"

"Harry, he's a Slytherin! He's sneaky, rotten and pathetic! I don't care if you trust him, 'cause I, most definitely, will not! So, Harry, tear the wool from over your eyes and realise that Draco Malfoy is a pathetic, arrogant, slut! He's a mistake. The result of rape!"

Draco snapped. He stood, knocking the table over, ran over to the offending Gryffindor, and punched Ron's stomach. Three times. Harry ran over and grabbed the blonde, and tried to pull him back.

"Get of me Harry!" Draco snarled, thrashing his arms wildly. "That RAT deserves to die! If he so much as thinks the words rape and slut I'll…GET OFF ME!"

"Draco Malfoy needs a Gryffindor to hold him back does he?" Ron taunted. "I suppose it's not his fault he hasn't got any real parents!"

Harry accidentally let Draco go, but reached Ron before the blonde. He grabbed the red head, and repeatedly punched his face.

"Harry no!" Hermione screamed!

"You BASTARD! You know about my fucking past! You know how I feel about other people getting shit about it! Draco's parents love him! So do I!"

Everything stopped. Harry's eyes widened in shock, as did Draco's and Hermione's, while Pheenix's eyebrows were raised. Ron looked like he was ready to be sick. It was very lucky Diagon Alley was quiet today. After one minute of unnatural silence, Draco finally stepped forward towards Harry, who didn't move.

"Harry?" Draco whispered. "Is…is that true?"

Harry didn't reply. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times, making him look like a fish. He walked past Ron and ran towards the Leaky Cauldron. A thousand thoughts ran as fast as he did through his mind, but all of them were drowned out by the words repeating in Harry's head.

Harry!" Draco and Hermione yelled, both watching him with sad eyes. Hermione turned to her boyfriend, who was trying to get back up, and took in a deep breath, ready to scream at him.

"YOU IDIOT! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO AND DO THAT? YOU WAIT TIL YOUR MUM HERES ABOUT THIS; THERE'LL BE HELL TO PAY. AND DON'T THINK THAT SHE'LL BE THE ONLY ONE!"

"Shut it Hermione!" Ron spat as he stood up straight. Hermione raised her hand and slapped Ron's face, pushing him back down.

"As much as I hate weasel, I think we should go and find Harry!" Draco pointed out. "I found that last statement very interesting, and I want to find out if he meant what I thought he meant."

"Come on then."

The two ran off in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron. The sky became black and little drops of rain fell on their heads. They ran through the entrance to the pub, and scanned all the tables, finding no Harry.

"Damn it!!" Draco swore to himself.

"Well he's been hiding from teachers and Filch for years. We're nothing compared to them!"

Draco scanned the room again, and found Tom the innkeeper wiping some glasses clean. He rushed over, almost knocking over some tables.

"Tom! Have you seen Harry Potter?"

"Yes, he used Floo Powder to get to Hogwarts!"

"Damn it!"

"Dumbldore left a Portkey here las' night in case Mr. Potter and yourself couldn't get back! You can use that! It's the can of muggle coca cola on the bar!"

"Come on Hermione!"

They rushed over to the can and counted from three, so they touched it simultaneously. After the familiar jerk, they appeared in the castle's dungeons. Draco led Hermione up through a series of secret passageways when they appeared in the Charms classroom.

"How did you know about that?" Hermione asked dumbfounded. She had seen the Marauder's Map many times since Harry had acquired it, and had never seen the passage before.

"Simple. Only people who are on speaking terms with Slytherin House can find that passage. It's charmed or something."

"Well, why did you bring me here?"

"Because that dungeon is miles under the castle. The only reason I found it, was because I getting lost on my first day and somehow travelling all the way down there. Don't ask me how, cause I don't know myself! Now let's go to Harry' rooms!"

Before Hermione could ask, Draco had run out of the classroom and to the moving stairs. When he got to the top, he walked through a bookcase that had been used to cover the corridor of rooms, and to Harry's tapestry. He slowly raised his wand and a soft ringing sound emitted from it.

"Harry?" Draco called out softly. "Harry are you in there?"

When no reply came, Draco pushed through the tapestry and up to Harry's room. On the bed lay all of the items Harry had bought that day, and the robe. Draco sighed in frustration.

"Where the hell is he?"

"Hey, his brooms not here!" Hermione pointed out. Sure enough, there was no sign of Harry's Firebolt. She walked over to the opened window, and watched the lake. As she watched the forest sway in the breeze in rhythm with the waves, an idea crept into her mind.

"Let's split up! We'll be able to cover more ground that way. And because I'm a terrible flyer and you're brilliant, you can check the grounds while I search the school! Sound fair?"

"Yep. Accio Nimbus 2001!" Draco's broom appeared at his side, and he hopped on. "I'll meet you back here in one hour! If we haven't found him by then, we'll have to go to Dumbldore!"

Hermione nodded in agreement, and rushed down the stairs and into the corridor, while Draco sped out of the opened window. First he searched the boathouse but there was no sign of life (apart from a few flying seahorses), then the edge of the forest. He slowly rose higher into the air to look into the forest. Not one twig moved in the summer light. Draco pulled his broom around and headed off towards the grounds. The grass beneath him was as green as ever and like the forest, never moved, but there was no sign anyone had been walking on it. He flew over to the gamekeeper's hut, but the half-giant was standing outside, feeding some crows and muttering about how boring the birds were. He checked every tower and turret, but still finding no Harry. Draco started to panic as the end of the hour was almost up.

"That's it! Up!"

Draco pointed his broom towards the roof of the highest tower, and flew to it as fast as the broom would take him. On one the edge sat Harry Potter, his knees drawn up to his face, with his Firebolt lying next to him.

"Harry!" Draco called out.

"Draco…" Harry whispered. "Come to laugh?"

"What…no! Of course I haven't Harry! I've changed for the better! Hermione and me were worried about you!"

Harry raised his head away from his legs, and looked at Draco, whose grey eyes were cold, and caring at the same time. Draco landed carefully on the side and sat next to Harry.

"I don't hate you for what you said. You can't help your feelings. I understand too well about it. It isn't just a muggle feeling, though most probably, the only reason they have a love, is for the sex. It's not like that in the wizarding world!" Draco slowly raised his hand to Harry's face and caressed his cheek. "But it's too soon for us! If we just give it time, I think it would work."

Draco knew the hour had long gone by now, but he was enjoying the smoothness of Harry's pale skin to care. A small wind blew Draco's hair into his face, so he just pulled it to the side with his middle finger.

"In case I never get this chance again," he whispered, leaning over. He removed his hand from Harry's cheek and slowly kissed the warm skin.

"Harry? Draco?"

Draco's lips instantly pulled away and turned towards the intruder: Hermione.

"Draco! You should've brought him back! I've been worried about the both of you! What the hell have you two been doing all this time?"

Harry stood up with his Firebolt in his hand, climbed and flew down, with Draco and Hermione following. He flew towards his tower and through the window. Hermione gave Draco a questioning look that clearly meant 'What the hell have you done to him?' Draco shrugged his shoulders in reply. When they landed in Harry's room, they set their brooms near the window and walked over to Harry's bed, where he was sat. Draco and Hermione stood at the end of the bed quietly, looking at Harry.

"I'm sorry!" Harry whispered at last. Hermione walked over to him and hugged him lovingly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for!" she wept.

"She's right Harry!" Draco said walking over to Harry's other side. "You've done nothing wrong! I'm the one who should be apologising. I shouldn't have done that on the roof. I'm sorry."

Draco sat down and caressed Harry's hand.

"I think…I think we should…give it a try I mean. I love you. I love you and I want to be with you!"

A tear rolled down Hermione's cheek.

"OH DRACO!" she squealed, before running out of the room.

The two boys watched her leave, and Draco turned back to Harry, who was now lying back and had his eyes closed. Draco leaned over him and kissed his silk lips. Harry's eyes snapped open, but he responded to the kiss. Draco's arms snaked around Harry's shoulders, and then his neck, while Harry's slid around Draco's waist. They ended the kiss after two minutes, and Harry stared into Draco's silver eyes.

"Draco…" he whispered.

"I love you Harry," Draco breathed.

Draco rested his head on the pillow while Harry rested his on Draco's chest. When Hermione walked in later, they were both fast asleep

Meanwhile, Christian Saato was sat in the study of his tower in Hogwarts, writing in his journal.

I finally arrived in Hogwarts today, and Ryu insists that I tour the castle tonight, and send him a map of it as soon as possible.
Even on my first day I've noticed strange things, even for a school for witchcraft and wizardry! Though I am used to ghosts, never have I seen one so quiet. According to a nearly headless ghost (Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington), she was the Grey Lady. Strange, she didn't seem any greyer than the normal ghost.
I've received two messages from Leon and Ryu today, both wishing me luck (and Ryu reminded of the map) and a book called Hogwarts: A History. What I've read of it is good!
I won't write anything else for today!


Well, there you go! Ten pages it took! Please review, as it would mean a great deal to me!