A/N: Here's another chapter for this story. I have been writing like a crazy woman to get to the end of this story, but I realized, about 30 pages too late that where I wanted to go wasn't going to work with the way I was writing it so I had to go back some. Anyway, it doesn't affect things too much and it won't interfere with chapter posts so don't worry about that. Thank you for all the reviews. I love it!

Harry's POV

I sat there for several moments, contemplating if I should go after Malfoy or not. Things had been going well, up until I opened my big mouth about the donations. I didn't understand why he wanted it kept a secret. It showed that he was making amends for his family's part in the war. Why would he want to keep that private? I suppose it was the same way he wanted to stay away from everyone. I sighed and stood up. Tibbles had disappeared so I wandered towards the foyer and glanced up the stairs. I could see a faint light coming from up there so I started up the stairs. It wasn't long before I had found Malfoy's room. The door was open a crack. He was standing in his sitting area, looking out the window.

I tapped on the door and saw him jump slightly. I winced. "Can I come in?" I called out. I saw him nod and stepped into the room. I looked around, taking in the spacious area. His room was huge. He had more wardrobes than I had ever seen, even in a clothing shop and his bed was huge. He had a grand writing desk and a large sitting area with several bookshelves. It was done up in the same neutral colors as the rest of the house. I couldn't help, but be in awe. "This is quite the room you have here," I complimented.

"It's a bit much, but what can I say, my father liked grand things," he commented, his tone a bit snide.

I walked over to the sitting area and got a whiff of something I hadn't smelled in a long time. I looked around for anything that would give off that scent, but saw nothing. "Lemon drops," I whispered.

Malfoy turned to look at me. "What did you say?" he asked.

I sniffed the air again and Malfoy looked at me peculiarly. "Lemon drops. I smell lemon drops."

He looked around in confusion. "Well, Potter, there's nothing here that would smell like lemon drops," he responded in annoyance.

I looked at him. "Dumbledore always had lemon drops. I believed you before, but now it's even more so. Malfoy, I think that Dumbledore wants you to follow my path for a reason. Please consider it. I'm sorry about the whole donations thing. I promise you, I won't tell anyone. I know that you want to keep that private even if I don't completely understand why. I hope you'll consider my offer. I've taken up so much of your time today. I hope that I'll see you soon," I told him sincerely. I started for the door.

"Potter?" he called out.

I stopped and turned to look at him. "Yeah?"

"Thank you. Despite the last ten minutes, it's been a pleasant day with you," he said quietly.

I smiled and nodded. I gave him a wave and left his room. I headed out of the manor and as soon as I was past the gates, I apparated to the ministry.

When I arrived at the ministry, I went up to our office again. Hermione was not at her desk and actually, there was no one there at all. I glanced at my time piece and realized that it was well past closing time. I walked over to my desk and sat down. I hung my head in my hands and sighed. The day had both been productive and bizarre at the same time. I had experienced different emotions today in regards to Malfoy. I don't recall a time I was ever really concerned for him. No, that's not true. I felt genuine concern for him in sixth year and when I rescued him from the Room of Requirement. If anyone should be reached out to in our program, it was him. He needed so much more than just our program. He needed to believe in something again and find hope. Even from the grave, Dumbledore knew what he needed. Now if only Malfoy would see it.

I looked up and noticed an envelope on my desk. I frowned and picked it up. I didn't recognize the script on the front or the seal on the back. I waved my wand over it and found nothing sinister about it. I sighed and broke the seal, opening it up. There wasn't much written, but what was written made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Your mission is futile. If you continue, you will be stopped. We will stop at nothing.

I read it several times and then folded it back up, placed it back in the envelope, and placed it in my cloak. I stood from my desk, trying not to shake, and left the office and went straight to the auror department.

I went straight to Ron's office. I had to show it to him first to make sure I wasn't overreacting before taking it to the head auror. He was sitting behind his desk looking a bit frazzled when I walked in. He looked up at me quickly, looked back down, and then back up again as he realized it was me.

"Oh, thank Merlin, mate, I needed a break," Ron said as he closed the file he was looking at. He smiled at me. "What's up?"

"Tough case?" I asked, gesturing to the file.

He shrugged. "Just confusing, I suppose. There are only bits and pieces of clues and nothing concrete can come out of it at this point. Frustrating."

"Ah, well, let me give you a distraction then," I said as I handed him the letter. I saw a curious glint in his eye as he took the letter from me. He opened it and read it several times. He sat back in his seat and rubbed his chin in thought.

"Where was this?" he asked.

"It was on my desk when I came in a bit ago. I haven't talked to Hermione yet, but I'm guessing it came in by owl. Do you think it's someone being serious or just some hate mail?" I asked.

He frowned. "I don't know. Did you do detection spells on it?"

I nodded. "Of course. I didn't recognize the script and wanted to be sure," I replied.

He nodded knowingly at me. I may not be an auror, but I still had the auror instincts. "Let's take it to Head Auror Smythe and see what he thinks. It could just be hate mail, but just to be sure."

"Thanks. Should I call Mione?" I asked. Ron shook his head. He didn't want to involve his girlfriend if it wasn't necessary. Even though Hermione could handle her own, Ron was still very protective of her. It made me smile and feel a bit sad at the same time. Ginny and I hadn't worked out after the war. It was amicable and we are great friends, but I hadn't dated anyone since her. I liked to say it was because I had been so busy at Dream Big, but that wasn't entirely true. To be honest, I hadn't found anyone else that piqued my interest enough. I sighed inwardly, oh well, I was only 20, and I had plenty of time to find my true love. I followed Ron out of his office and to the head auror's office. We were let in immediately. Ron had to mention my name, but oh, well.

"Mister Potter, how nice to see you again. How can I help you today?" Smythe offered, a bit too sincerely.

I lifted my eyebrow and glanced over at Ron who was trying to hide his smirk. I looked back over to Smythe. "I received a letter today and I wanted to see if you thought it was a legitimate threat or hate mail," I explained. Ron handed him the letter and he looked over it, frowning.

"I'm not positive. Auror Weasley, why don't you look into this some?" he stated as he assigned Ron to the task.

I glanced over at Ron who looked partially relieved, but also a bit annoyed. I knew why. Head Auror Smythe was not very willing to give Ron, or any other second year auror for that matter, a chance at any bigger cases. He took the letter back from Smythe and we left his office. When we returned to Ron's office, he sat down heavily in his seat and sighed.

"Sorry, mate. I know this isn't exactly the type of thing you want to do, but I do appreciate it," I apologized.

He shrugged. "Not your fault. It's fine. I'm glad to help out. I'll pop up to your office tonight and check around your desk and see what I can find out from Mione. You look knackered though, mate," he pointed out.

I hadn't looked at myself since this morning so I really had no idea how I looked. "It's been a long day. Thanks, mate. Let me know what you find out. I'll check in tomorrow. Night," I said, suddenly feeling tired. I stood and stretched.

"Night, Harry," he said absently as he looked at the letter again.

XXXX

Draco's POV

I had been afraid to go to sleep that night because I wasn't sure what my dreams would bring me this time. However, I had no more visits from Dumbledore, but I did dream about Potter. I suppose they were more memories over our years at Hogwarts, but he was in a starring role. I wondered if I chose his path if he would stop consuming my every thought. Something that did happen in my dreams wasn't a memory. It was just Potter, looking the way he does now, and smiling at me in a way that made my stomach flutter. It was intriguing and I wasn't sure what it meant.

Morning came too quickly it seemed and I found myself staring up at the ceiling. I could see the pathways in my mind and as I looked at them, I noticed that Potter's path was becoming brighter and brighter while my path was become darker and darker. It appeared that I was finally making my decision. I wondered if I should talk to Potter one last time, just to be sure. The address that he had given me popped into my head. I picked up my time piece and noted that it was 8:15 am. I wasn't sure if he'd be at the address that he had given me, but I figured it was worth a shot.

I got out of bed, quickly dressed, and brushed my teeth, making sure I was presentable. Tibbles met me in the foyer and handed me a pastry. I nodded my thanks, stuffing it unceremoniously in my mouth as I walked down a hallway that led to our floo room. I stepped over to the only working floo and stepped in. "12 Grimmauld Place!" I called out as I threw floo powder down.

It wasn't, but a moment later, that I was stepping out of the floo in a kitchen. I looked around and realized that I was in someone's home. I immediately felt embarrassed and like I was trespassing. I reminded myself that Potter had given me the address so if he caught me, he only had himself to blame. I walked to the nearest door and stepped out into a foyer. This home seemed familiar to me, but I wasn't sure how. It seemed surprisingly cheery, but I could also see hints of how old it was. I turned to my left and looked up a set of stairs. A pop sounded behind me causing me to jump. I turned around and saw one of the oldest elves I had ever seen standing there looking up at me with a scowl.

"Can I help yous?" the elf croaked.

"Um, I, uh, am looking for uh, Potter, Master Potter," I stammered.

The elf frowned deeply at me. "And yous are?" he questioned. I wasn't sure if the elf was being protective of Potter or he was just not a very nice elf.

"Uh, Draco Malfoy," I said with almost a questioning tone. He seemed to brighten slightly when I said my name.

"A pure blood," he commented, smiling in a weird way. Okay, this elf was creeping me out.

"Yeah, sure. Listen, is Master Potter here or no?" I really wanted to get away from this elf.

The elf nodded and was still smiling weirdly at me. "He is upstairs, in his room. You mays go up there," he responded, gesturing towards the stairs.

I nodded and didn't wait for much else from the elf before I was making my way quickly up to the next floor. I had no idea which was Potter's room and supposed I should have at least asked the elf, but then again, I didn't want to talk to him any more than I had to. I glanced at the doors along the hallway and noted that they were all closed. Instead of opening a bunch of doors, since I didn't know how many people lived there, I decided to use a locator spell to see if it could show me to Potter. I cast it quietly and soon it was sending me to the left of the stairs. I followed it and it stopped at a door at the end of the hallway. I reached out and knocked quietly. There was no response so I turned the knob and the door popped open. It didn't squeak which was lucky for me because when I peeked in, I noticed that it was a bedroom. I lifted an eyebrow as I stepped into the room quietly.

Once inside, I looked around. The room wasn't as stately as mine, but it was unique and simple. The color scheme was in reds and golds and I knew instantly that I was standing in Harry Potter's bedroom. When my eyes fell onto the four poster bed, my eyes widened in interest and I felt my stomach flutter. Potter was lying on the bed with one bare leg exposed from beneath the blankets, part of his bare back was exposed, and his hair was a mess that made me think things that I shouldn't be thinking. My mouth felt dry and I couldn't look away. I wasn't expecting this nor my reaction. I watched in awe as he started to stir and move. My thoughts wandered to what might be under the blankets and I felt my cheeks coloring and a flush coming over me. This was so bizarre. I had never really experienced what I was feeling and it made no sense to me. Why was I having these thoughts about him?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely registered the spell that was shot at me. I noticed it just in time to duck and roll onto the ground. "Potter, it's me!" I cried out, hands above my head.

"Malfoy? What in the hell are you doing here?" Potter demanded from above me. I moved my hands and attempted to look sheepish, but instead my mouth dropped open and my eyes widened as I looked at Potter stand above me in nothing, but his pants. It was a sight to behold. He was looking down at me with a lifted brow and then he smirked at me and crossed his arms. That was enough to knock the sense back into me.

I scrambled up and adjusted my shirt and trousers. I took care to smooth out the invisible wrinkles while I collected my thoughts. "Your house elf let me in. For Merlin's sake, Potter, put some clothes on," I chided, my voice higher than I wanted it to be.

He rolled his eyes at me and walked away, awarding me with a view that was not helping me keep my thoughts in the right place. Why does he do this? How does he do this? I watched, sadly, as he put some sweatpants on and a t-shirt. "Ah, Kreacher. No doubt he heard your name and sent you right on up," he commented.

I frowned, wondering if this happened often. "Does that happen often around here?" I questioned feeling a bit jealous and possessive all of a sudden. Dammit, stop Draco. You're being ridiculous. He laughed at me and shook his head.

"Merlin, no. I only give that address out to people I want, which amounts to about ten people and all of them are close family friends. What I meant is that Kreacher has been the elf of this house for a very long time. It was my godfather, Sirius's house, his family's house, and the Blacks were definitely sympathizers to Voldemort's cause. Not Sirius and a few other family members, but most of the rest of them. Your mother is a Black, no?" he commented, quelling my thoughts.

I looked around again, realizing why this place was familiar to me. My mother had spent many years as a child here, visiting her cousins. It also made sense why Kreacher would let me in easily enough. He knew who I was. "Well, I suppose in the case of getting into your bedroom, it pays to be related to my mother," I joked.

Potter smiled at me and chuckled. "Yes, I suppose so. What brings you here this morning?" his eyes looked hopeful and it helped me make my decision a lot easier. Granted, seeing him the way I did before he nearly stunned me, helped a lot too.

"I choose you," I stated. My eyes widened as I realized what I had said and the expression on Potter's face looked quite similar to how I imagined mine did. He looked completely surprised, not about my choice, but more about my wording. I could feel my face heating up. I cleared my throat. "I mean, I choose the path you're on," I clarified.

He still stared at me and I saw a tint of pink to his cheeks. "Right, uh, I knew what you meant. That's wonderful, Malfoy. I'm truly pleased with this," he stated. He reached his hand out and I stared down at it for a moment. I was taken back to our first year on the train when I extended my hand to him and he denied it, not that I blame him. This time it was his hand outstretched and it was my decision to make. I lifted my hand and took Potter's hand and we shook. I'm pretty sure we both held on longer than we should have and I know I was blushing and I know that he was too. We let go and stood there awkwardly for a moment. He cleared his throat. "Have you had breakfast yet?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Not really, no," I replied.

"Well, care to join me for breakfast?" he asked, hope in his tone again.

I nodded. He smiled and turned, walking out of his room. I followed him and as I was following him, I felt something peaceful settle over me. It made me feel like I had made the right choice. Potter was the right choice.