Chapter Three: Revelations

"Oh, yes... And though he has yet to arrive, your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor for the new term will be Mr. Sirius Black."

Professor Dumbledore addressed this announcement to the entire school, but his eyes never left Harry's face while speaking. He was intrigued by who the Boy Who Lived had become, even more so at seeing his reaction to this announcement.

Harry Potter seemed not in the least bit surprised that Sirius Black would be a professor that year. In fact, he almost seemed to be expecting it.

Could that be why Harry had chosen this year to rejoin the British Wizarding World? Or was there another, darker reason that Dumbledore simply did not have the heart to imagine as of yet?

Who was Harry Potter now?

Moreover, could he ever become the hero that their world so needed?

Professor Dumbledore sighed softly, knowing that only time would tell.

He continued his announcement, determined not to let his uncertainty show. "As you all know, Mr. Black was cleared of all charges last year after his capture of Peter Pettigrew here on Hogwarts grounds a year and a half ago..."

Gryffindor Table

Harry could feel Professor Dumbledore's eyes on him during the announcement of Sirius Black's name... and it took everything in his power to refrain from snorting derisively. Honestly, what did the old man expect? A gasp? A frown? A little jig, perhaps? It wasn't as if the news were a surprise to him and he wasn't about to let anyone know that it mattered to him... at all.

Harry watched as Ron's ears went slightly pink as Professor Dumbledore continued to explain Sirius Black's recent exoneration. He smirked slightly, knowing that Peter Pettigrew had hidden in the Weasley home for many years, disguised as a pet rat. Apparently, that fact was a bit of an embarrassment to Ron...

He listened as Dumbledore finished his speech with a few ridiculous words and then finally allowed the meal to begin.

Harry ate rather fitfully as he tried to keep up with the questions being thrown at him from all sides. He was relieved when Ron finally quieted them with a few choice words. Harry was then, thankfully, able to turn his full attention to his meal. The food was better at Hogwarts than it had been at Durmstrang... not that such a thing was that big of a surprise.

Once finished, he happened to look up at just the right instant and caught a moment between Ron and Hermione that made him smile slightly.

It was a small thing really; just a slight touch, but it told him a lot about the relationship between the two of them. Neither one seemed to be the type to be overly demonstrative in public... but that lingering touch...

There were some deep feelings there.

Hermione got to her feet and Ron followed her lead. "If the first years would follow us," Hermione called.

"Oi! Gryffindor first years!" Ron yelled. "This way!"

Harry started slightly in surprise as Ron and Hermione began to move forward with a gaggle of first years following them. There was a pronounced limp to Ron's stride; something that Harry had not really had the opportunity to notice before. It threw him for a moment. Wizarding medicine could do so much, especially in conjunction with the natural healing abilities of young people. What injury could have been so bad that magic couldn't have fixed it?

He opened his mouth to ask, but thought better of it before the first word could leave his mouth. "Should I follow you then?"

"Well, sure..." Ron started, stopping when Ginny shook her head.

"Not to worry brother dear," Ginny said with a smirk and a wink. "I'll make sure he gets there safely."

"I'm sure you will," Hermione said with a small smile.

Ron rolled his eyes. "As long as that's acceptable to Harry?" He looked over at Harry and got a nod of approval. He then looked sternly at his sister. "No funny business Ginevra... and that includes pranks!" Ginny stuck her tongue out at her brother and he laughed.

Harry and Ginny remained silent until the Prefects, and the gaggle of first years with them, had disappeared out the doors of the Great Hall.

Once they were gone, Harry looked over at Ginny... and was surprised at the serious expression on her face. She couldn't possibly...

But she did.

"I know you want to ask about Ron's leg and I can't tell you how grateful I am that you managed to not ask him. He would have told you... something... likely with a shrug and a grin... but it would have hurt him. And that's something I truly hate. He's been hurt enough."

"What happened?" Harry asked gently.

"I can't tell you that," Ginny said with a small, sad smile.

"Ginny..."

"I know you're curious... I just don't know that I'm the one to tell you that story. Let's just say that Ron has good reasons for hating the Slytherins. The most pressing one being the reason for that limp. Nerve damage so severe that even magic..." Ginny paused, taking a shaky breath. "They almost killed him his first year and thanks to Lucius Malfoy's interference they skipped away with nothing but a slap on the wrist and license to continue to harass him." A deep anger burned in her eyes. "I'm not one to judge an entire house on the actions of a few... if fact I know that there are a few Slytherins that are not so bad, but can you understand that after his experiences it's hard for Ron to share that view?"

Harry nodded curtly, an unspeakable emotion burning deep in his eyes. "Please tell me the whole story, Ginny," he stated seriously.

Ginny shook her head. "I just told you..." She got to her feet. "We should be getting back to the dorm..."

Harry grabbed her arm gently. "Please sit back down," he implored, a grave look on his face. "I need to know."

Ginny sat, but she stared at him silently for a moment. Harry suffered her intense scrutiny silently.

"Why are you here?" She asked finally. "And why is it so important that you know?"

"There are many reason's for both," Harry stated quietly. "There is not time, nor is this the place, for any long explanations. Just the fact that Lucius involved himself in the matter at all is enough for me to need to know what happened. There is also the fact that my brother may be rooming with some of the Slytherins that you speak of... and neither one of us is exactly on the best of terms with those kind of Slytherins."

The emphasis he placed on the last part of his final sentence gave Ginny pause. The fact that he was saying that not only he, but also the Malfoy heir were on bad terms with Voldemort's followers was not lost on her. The significance of that was somewhat astounding. Lucius Malfoy was widely thought to be Voldemort's right hand man. To have both is adopted son and blood son turn against that life...

However, it was the sincere need in his voice that convinced her to continue.

"It all started when Tracey Davis called Hermione a..." Ginny paused, and then whispered. "Well, a 'mudblood'."

Harry nodded. "What year is Tracey Davis?"

"He's a fifth year now, like you." Harry nodded. "Ron didn't even really like Hermione much back then; she tended to be a little..." Ginny paused again, realizing that she was getting off track. "But he wasn't about to let anyone call a girl and a fellow Gryffindor something so horrible... Especially not a 'greasy Slytherin git.'" Ginny frowned darkly. "Ron was never one for finesse. He's always been very upfront with how he confronts people..."

"He hit him," Harry supplied with a slight smile. Not the actions of a 'pureblood' in the minds of much of the Wizarding World... but very satisfying nonetheless.

Ginny nodded. "And Tracey challenged him to a Wizard's Duel. Dean Thomas offered to serve as Ron's second..."

"It was a trap," Harry supplied again, easily reading between the lines.

Ginny nodded. "He was a first year, a little gullible... very hotheaded. He and Dean went to the meeting place and a group of Slytherins jumped them. Tracey Davis, Crabbe and Goyle. A couple of older boys, mostly second years I think. Dean was knocked cold pretty early in the fight and they left him where he lay. But Ron..." Ginny sighed softly. "Something was being hidden in the school that year. There are a lot of rumors about what it was, but no one seems to know for sure. Because of whatever was being guarded, there was a room that was off limits."

Ginny paused for a moment, tears filling her eyes. "They threw him in there and locked the door behind him."

"What was in the room?" Harry asked softly.

Ginny shook her head slightly, as if still unable to believe that it had happened. "A giant, three-headed dog. Ron's lucky to be alive. By the time they found him... There was a lot of damage done. The blood-loss, broken bones and torn muscles Madame Pomphrey was able to fix rather easily... but the tendon and nerve damage..."

Harry nodded slightly in acknowledgement. Nerves and tendons could be regenerated. However, it was a long, painful process that was only about fifty percent effective... if you were lucky.

"He seems to deal with it rather well," Harry said, a trace of uncertainty in his voice.

"He does," Ginny said, seemingly ending the conversation there.

Harry knew that there was a lot more to the story. He also knew that Ginny was done talking. He had convinced her to tell him of the attack. Anything more than that... The emotional scars she would leave for Ron to tell... if he ever chose to.

"And the students that attacked him are still here?" Harry asked, shaking his head in disbelief. He'd thought better of Dumbledore than that...

"Yes," Ginny said. "And therein lies the reason that the Malfoy name is such a hot button for my brother. Lucius Malfoy 'talked' the board into allowing the boys to stay at Hogwarts with nothing but a slap on the wrist. He then proceeded to talk them into reprimanding Dumbledore for having such a 'violent' animal within the school and convinced the board that the dog needed to be 'disposed of'.

"And Ron didn't want that?" Harry asked, somewhat surprised.

Ginny shook her head. "Fluffy belonged to Hagrid... and really, it was just doing its job. The Slytherins knew that the room was off limits and they knew how dangerous it would be to throw Ron in there... no matter what they may have claimed later. In fact Ron thinks..." Ginny paused, not sure if she should share that tidbit of information.

"Ron thinks...?" Harry prompted.

Ginny sighed, but relented. "He thinks... and Hermione agrees, by the way, that getting Fluffy out of the way may have been part of the plan..."

"One less obstacle in the way..." Harry whispered. Ginny nodded. "What happened to whatever was being hidden?" Harry asked finally. "Is it still here?"

Ginny shrugged. "Don't know. One of the professor's tried to steal it, I think. He died a rather horrible death from what the twins tell me... but then, you can never trust anything that the twins tell you. After that," she shrugged again. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Harry was silent, his mind racing. He had to find out what had been in that room... He didn't object as Ginny once again suggested that they head back to Gryffindor Tower.

Slytherin Table

Draco sat silently at the Slytherin table, eating mechanically, his mind lost in thought. He could feel the eyes of his two friends on him, but ignored them. He only consented to look at them when Pansy poked him, rather hard, in the side.

"Ouch!" He hissed in annoyance. "What was that for, Parkinson?"

"Well, it's nice to see that we're actually not invisible. I was beginning to worry."

"Is there a reason that I should be talking to you, Pansy? Because last we met I don't remember anything particularly intelligent coming out of your mouth."

Pansy's face reddened and she glared darkly at him. "I wish to hell we'd gotten Harry instead of you Malfoy," she hissed. "He can carry on an 'intelligent' conversation, whereas you are more at home speaking to the..."

"Truce!" Blaise exclaimed holding up a hand.

Draco ignored him. "It's not exactly a secret that you prefer Harry's company to anyone else's," he stated with a malicious smirk. "Honestly, the way you pant after my brother..."

"Drake!" Blaise exclaimed, shock and fear coloring his voice as he watched Pansy in concern.

Thankfully, she smiled... though it was a tight and somewhat frightening smile. "Well, I've never heard Harry complain about any attention that I may have sent his way... so if you have a complaint about how I conduct myself around him... I suggest that you take it up with him... I'm sure that the conversation would be very educational... for you."

There was silence as the two boys stared at her with a mixture of disbelief and horror.

"Gah!" Draco exclaimed finally, seemingly unable of putting forth a coherent sentence.

Blaise was luckier. "Really Pans, I think there was far too much implied in that statement for either Drake's or my comfort. Please, do control yourself in the future."

Pansy smiled, this time with better humor. "I will if he will."

Draco nodded slightly in agreement. Honestly, he'd known that his brother's relationship with Pansy could only be described as... complicated... but really, that was all the thought that he wanted to give to the matter.

The three remained silent for a while, Draco looking down somewhat sullenly at his food, Pansy studying him carefully and Blaise ignoring both of them.

Pansy finally spoke. "Drake, I have to ask... What's with the hair?" The fact that Draco had always been a bit vain about his hair made her wonder what could possibly have possessed him to shave it off.

Draco went bright red. "Lost a bet," he grumbled darkly.

Blaise snorted and turned to look at Draco in disbelief. "And here I was thinking that you'd learned your lesson about betting against our snake charmer years ago."

"Yes, well, he can occasionally talk me into one that seems like easy money... If only I could remember that a sure thing is never a sure thing when it comes to Harry."

"And just what was this bet?" Blaise asked, trying not to sound as curious as he was.

"We sent Orion to Dumbledore about three weeks before term was to start with our transcripts and a letter explaining that we wanted to attend Hogwarts. We removed any mention of our names from the documents. I said there was no way that Dumbledore would just accept us, no questions asked. Harry said, 'wanna bet?'"

Pansy and Blaise laughed. "Two of the scariest words in the English language..."

"C'mon Drake," Blaise continued, getting to his feet. "We have to get the latest Slytherins to the dorms... and that includes you."

"First years," Pansy called softly, getting to her feet. That was all the prompting that the youngsters would get. If they didn't follow... well, that was just tough luck for them... If they were lucky, they'd find a helpful Hufflepuff. If they weren't...

Draco stood and followed his friends out of the Hall, only sparing a quick glance to see where Harry was. Seeing that his brother had already left the hall, he shrugged and continued through the doors.

Headmaster's Office

As soon as both Harry and Draco had left the Great Hall, Dumbledore got to his feet and made his way to his office. Sirius Black was waiting for him beside the gargoyle.

"Good evening Sirius," Professor Dumbledore said distractedly. "Cockroach Cluster." The gargoyle moved out of the way, revealing the twisting staircase to his office. "Come up. We have many things to discuss."

"You all right, Professor?" Sirius asked uncertainly. He'd never seen Dumbledore this out of sorts.

"I shall explain in a moment," Professor Dumbledore said, making his way up the stairs. Sirius followed.

"Sorry I'm so late professor," Sirius said, hurriedly explaining. "I was seeing solicitors and barristers about petitioning for custody of Harry. It went longer than I expected, but I didn't want to leave in the middle of anything. They're starting the research..."

Professor Dumbledore interrupted him abruptly. "Harry Potter has arrived at Hogwarts, Sirius."

Sirius stopped mid-sentence and gaped at Professor Dumbledore. "What!? Where is he? Where has he been? Is he all right? Good gad man! Speak! Where is he?"

"Settling in to the Gryffindor dorms I imagine," Professor Dumbledore said slowly. Sirius turned and was about to rush out of the room when Prof. Dumbledore stopped him. "Not quite yet Sirius! There are some things that you must know first."

Professor Dumbledore's tone stopped Sirius dead in his tracks. "What?"

"Mr. Potter arrived in the company of one Draco Malfoy." Sirius gaped at the Headmaster for a moment and then sat down hard in the nearest chair. "He attended Durmstrang for the past four years. Lucius Malfoy is his guardian."

There was total silence in the room as Sirius attempted to absorb this information. He shook his head slightly. "What the hell is the Wizengamut playing at, Albus?" Sirius asked finally, his voice weak. "Lucius Malfoy?"

"Exactly my question, Albus," Minerva said as she entered the office. "To send Harry Potter to Malfoy Manor to be raised! What were they thinking?"

"Perhaps that anywhere was better than a muggle home?" Severus provided, entering behind Minerva. "Though I don't know what you're all worried about. He was sorted into Gryffindor, wasn't he?"

Sirius regained some of his color at this reminder. "Well, that's a good sign, isn't it?"

Minerva sighed. "It would be a better one if we didn't know that he had to threaten the hat in order to be placed there. The Sorting Hat was quite determined to place him in Slytherin."

"Bah!" Sirius exclaimed. "A Potter in Slytherin? Never happen!"

"It wouldn't have been the first time," Albus said slowly.

"What do you mean?" Minerva asked. "As far as I know, all Potter's have been Gryffindors... maybe an occasional Ravenclaw."

"A very occasional Ravenclaw," Severus said snidely.

Minerva glared at him. "It will do you well to know that after Slytherin, the Hat's second choice for house for our young Mr. Potter was Ravenclaw. Gryffindor came in third. It will do none of us any good to underestimate him. No good at all."

"I concur, Minerva," Dumbledore said seriously. "I see you spoke to the Sorting Hat?" Minerva nodded. Dumbledore opened his mouth to continue but Sirius interrupted.

"I want to know which Potter was a Slytherin, Professor," Sirius said insistently.

Dumbledore sighed. "And that also brings us back to why young Mr. Potter was placed in Malfoy Manor. Abigail Potter was placed in Slytherin many, many years ago. Her family was incensed, of course, but there was nothing to be done. They came to accept the placement, as many other parents have had to over the years. What they couldn't accept was Abigail's choice to marry Alastair Malfoy, Lucius's grandfather."

"Abigail Malfoy was a Potter?" Sirius gasped.

"She was disowned when she refused to call off the wedding. As you know, Alastair was a supporter of Grindelwald early in his rise. His views were apparent even back when he was here at Hogwarts with Abigail. Her family refused to support her relationship to someone with such dark beliefs."

"But how does all this explain Harry's placement at Malfoy Manor?" Sirius asked. "There must have been someone more closely related?"

Professor Dumbledore shook his head. "Abigail was James' Great Aunt. James was an only child, as was his father. Abigail was his grandfather's only sibling. Harry is the last of the Potter line, so Lucius Malfoy is his closest magical blood relative. I'm not sure whether or not James was even aware that they were related, or how Lucius found out. All I know is that the relationship must have been enough for the Wizengamut to feel comfortable placing him there, despite Lucius' ties to Voldemort."

"Their stupidity continues to amaze," Sirius said darkly. "The hope of the Wizarding World sent to live with Voldemort's right hand man. No matter their reasoning, that has to be the worst decision they've ever made."

"I agree," Minerva said darkly. "To think that they believed that Lucius Malfoy was a better choice than his Muggle relatives..."

"Have you spoken with him Albus?" Sirius asked softly. "Do you... Do you think that they treated him all right?" He took a deep breath and asked the question that was on all of their minds. "Which side is he on?"

Professor Dumbledore sighed softly. "I haven't spoken with him, Sirius and no, I don't know which side he's on. All I know is that he wanted to be in Gryffindor and that he's somewhat fiercely protective of his 'brother.'"

"His brother..." Sirius said slowly, his voice full of disbelief. "Draco Malfoy, his brother... What house is he in?"

"Slytherin," Snape supplied helpfully.

"Great," Sirius said darkly. "Any other earth-shattering surprises for me?"

"No," Minerva supplied in place of Professor Dumbledore. "But I would recommend that you leave Harry to settle in tonight. I don't think that he's quite ready to have you descend on him in a fit of well-meaning questions and, knowing you, accusations. Let him get used to being here."

"Minerva..." Sirius wheedled.

"I mean it, Sirius. Leave him be!"

"But..."

"Don't make me stun you Black," Snape said, the look on his face saying that it really wouldn't be an inconvenience in the least.

"Fine," Sirius stated petulantly. "I have to go let Moony know anyway. I'll be back in time for morning classes."

"Fine," Professor Dumbledore said benignly.

Sirius left, soon followed by Severus and Minerva, leaving Professor Dumbledore alone, with nothing but his own depressing thoughts as companions. He was soon pacing around his office...

Before long, he found himself standing in front of an old wooden trunk that rested in the corner of his office. He studied it for a moment as if it held the answer to all the questions bouncing about in his head. Finally, he opened the trunk and began sifting through it. It didn't take him long to find the package that he had prepared many years earlier... when his hope had been great. Had Harry arrived at Hogwarts as a first year, he felt sure that he would have had no hesitation handing it over... But now...

Should he have faith that the son of James and Lily would use it well...? Or should he cave to the misgivings that abounded in his soul?

The decision wasn't an easy one, but in the end he did the only thing that he could. James had left the cloak in his care, but it had always been meant for Harry. He would not deny the boy this connection to his father.

Using the spell usually reserved for Christmas morning, he banished the package to the end of Harry's bed in Gryffindor Tower.

Only time would tell if he'd made the right decision.

Gryffindor Common Room

Harry followed Ginny into the Common Room, shifting uncertainly as the room went silent upon their entry. He ignored them, nodding as Ginny pointed out the fifth year stairs.

"Thanks, Ginny. I appreciate you showing me around."

"No problem," Ginny said. She caught sight of some of her friends in the far corner. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Harry nodded. He looked around the common room, feeling the many eyes resting on him... No one approached him though.

Ron was one of the people studying the perplexing young man who had just joined their ranks. He wasn't quite sure what to make of this new transfer. There were so many things to consider, not the least of which being that he was Harry Potter.

Harry Potter, who, despite being raised by the Malfoy's, appeared to be a good guy. Someone that Ron would like to have as a friend. And if he thought about it that way, deciding what to do really wasn't that much of a decision. He shrugged slightly, choosing to put aside his pride and his prejudices and apologize.

He approached Harry boldly and held out his hand. "Truce?"

Harry looked surprised, but shook his hand. "Sure, but I think that you more than made up for anything you may have said on the train. You were quite helpful dinner."

Ron shrugged. "That's my job," he said. "Keep the peace, protect the new students... give my brother's a hard time. I am really sorry about what happened on the train, though. The Malfoy name is a bit of a hot button for me." Ron studied Harry as he spoke, nodding in acceptance at the lack of surprise on Harry's face at his words. "Ginny told you, then?"

Harry nodded. "I asked her, convinced her to tell me. There's a lot going on here that can't be easily explained... and I need as much information as I can get... as soon as I can get it."

Ron nodded slightly. "And it has something to do with Lucius Malfoy and..."

"Voldemort," Harry supplied easily. "Yeah. There's a lot more to it than that, but tonight is not the time for explanations. Just know that Drake and I are not you enemies. Nor are Blaise and Pansy. Soon enough, I'm sure that we'll all be fighting on the same side."

"Good to hear," Ron said with a slight smile "You'll get a pass with a lot of people because you're Harry Potter. For me, your actions so far are more important. You seem like a nice enough person and I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, Malfoy relations or not. And I guess I'm willing to take your word on Malfoy, Parkinson and Zabini... So, no hard feelings?"

"Not from me," Harry said with a meaningful look.

Ron sighed softly. "I'll apologize to the git, okay? And I'll try to be nice... if he is."

Harry laughed slightly. Oh yes, Ron would fit in quite well. "I'll work on it," he said.

"Good enough," Ron said. He caught sight of Hermione watching them with approval and grinned. "And I think that I might have just scored some points with my girl," he shared softly, making sure that Hermione couldn't hear him. "See you!"

Harry grinned as Ron made his way across the common room and flopped down next to his girlfriend. He turned away as Ron began whispering in Hermione's ear, causing her to blush a flattering shade of pink.

He shook his head in amusement before looking around the room and then down at his watch.

"Somewhere to be?" Ginny asked with a grin.

"I promised to meet Drake in the library before curfew," Harry said with an answering grin. "Give me directions?"

"You only have an hour before curfew... It might be easier if I showed you."

"That's all right Ginny," Harry said with a shrug. "Just point me in the right direction. I'm pretty sure that I can find my way without too much trouble."

Ginny nodded and followed him out through the portrait hole. She quickly directed him through the many turns and staircases between Gryffindor Tower and the library. Harry nodded throughout her explanation, easily committing her directions to memory.

"Thanks Ginny," he said with a grin. "I promise to be back in time for curfew."

"Please do," Ginny said. "Because I'll get it from Hermione and Ron if you're not. You let him go alone on his first night in the castle... nag, nag, nag. Who knew Ron was so much like my mother?"

Harry laughed as she turned and reentered the common room. Once she was gone, he drew a map out of his pocket and easily followed the instructions on it... heading in the opposite direction from the library.

Slytherin Common Room - Darkest Corner

Blaise and Pansy maneuvered Draco into the darkest corner of the Slytherin Common room. They had sent the first years up to their rooms and most of the upperclassmen had either disappeared up the stairs or hadn't yet returned to the dungeons. They were alone for the moment.

"Time to spill, Malfoy," Pansy said softly. "Why are you and Harry here? What's your plan? And how come you're so disenchanted with your father all of a sudden?"

"Not so sudden," Draco said darkly. "The man is an ignorant sycophant with delusions of self importance. He may have had us fooled when we were children... but we grew up."

"What did he do?" Pansy asked softly. It must have been bad. The venom in his voice... When they were children, Draco had idealized his father. She wondered how she could have missed this during all the time they'd spent together over the summer.

Draco shook his head, as if unable to bring himself to say the words.

"What's Harry's plan?" Blaise said, knowing that this question they might get an answer for.

Draco glared slightly at this implication that he was taking orders from Harry... but soon smiled in acknowledgement. Harry had always been the planner. "We're taking over the school," he said nonchalantly. "Want in?"

Pansy gasped in surprise. "You're what? To what end?"

Draco looked around him cautiously. "Death to all Death Eaters my dear. And death to that withered old has-been Dark Lord. Harry is set on defeating him... and I'm going to help."

"Why the change Drake?" Pansy hissed, keeping her voice as low as possible. "You two were being groomed for the inner circle. Everyone knew that!"

"Well, things changed!"

"Not good enough Malfoy!"

"They tried to kill him, all right!" Draco hissed, his grey eyes like ice. "Those damned, sniveling cowards tried to kill my brother! No one gets away with that! Not even my father!"

"Well damn," Blaise said, a shocked look crossing his face. "That does explain a few things."

"Indubitably my dear Zabini," Pansy purred. "The question is, what are we going to do about it?"

"Do, Parkinson?" Draco questioned.

"They tried to kill Harry, Drake. Do you honestly think that I of all people would just let that go? Not on your life. Any enemy of yours is an enemy of mine. And that goes double for your brother."

"I quite agree," Blaise said. "So that's why Harry is playing nice with the Gryffs? Trying to jump-start a revolution so he can take control of the school?"

Draco sighed. "Well, you know Harry. He probably actually likes them, as annoying as they may seem to you and me. That whole fight for the underdog, hero of the people thing he has going for him."

"Ah yes," Pansy said, nodding her head slightly. "That. It would annoy the hell out of me if it was anyone but him."

The three were started out of their reverie by a fourth voice. "Did I hear the delightful word revolution coming from this corner? If so, where do I sign up?"

"Daphne!" Pansy exclaimed. She looked around anxiously, relieved to see that the other fifth year girl was the only other person in the vicinity. A few other Slytherins were now in the common room, but they were well out of earshot. "How much did you hear?"

Daphne Greengrass smirked slightly. "Enough to know that this year is going to be the most interesting one this place has seen in ages..."

"That's what I said," Blaise said with a grin. Draco just groaned, already going over how he was going to explain this situation to Harry. Not that Harry would be mad at him. He was more mad at himself for not paying closer attention. Neither he nor Harry knew anything about this girl. And Draco simply didn't have Harry's talent for reading people. He might have to play things up a bit... He needed to keep her quiet, at least until Harry could talk to her.

"Oops," Daphne said. "Someone doesn't seem too happy to see me..."

"Oh, Drake's fine," Pansy said, waving a pale hand dismissively in his direction.

"Yes," Blaise added. "We vouch for you, so as long as he doesn't tell his brother..."

Draco looked at him in disbelief, silently thanking Blaise for the opening. "You think that I'll be able to keep something like this from Harry? Are we mental as well as morally bankrupt?"

Blaise snorted. "What's your problem?"

"You and Pansy, fine. You've long since passed the 'Potter test', but a stranger? Someone he hasn't met and knows nothing about? You honestly think that it would be a good idea not to tell him about that?"

"Well..." Blaise said slowly.

"Hey, I didn't hear that much," Daphne said, suddenly feeling a bit nervous about having listened in.

Draco raised his eyebrows at her questioningly.

"Well, just that your father tried to have Harry Potter killed and a bit about a revolution and taking over the school..."

Draco sighed. "If you know what's good for you, you'll keep what you heard to yourself. I don't have the skills necessary to oblivate you; otherwise, I already would have done it. Harry doesn't have that restriction. He might decide not to, so long as you don't cause any trouble for him." He looked down at his watch, ignoring the shocked looks worn by the other three Slytherins. "And speaking of my brother, I need to find him before curfew. Can someone point me in the direction of the library?"

Pansy shook herself slightly. "I'll show you," she offered, trying not to sound too eager.

"Not tonight Parkinson," Draco said with a quick smile. "Besides, you'll see him tomorrow in class... Just point me in the right direction."

Pansy sighed, but gave him directions to the Library, which Draco quickly memorized. He left the dungeons and started out, not pulling the map from his pocket until he was sure he was alone.

Draco easily followed the directions on the map and soon found himself standing next to Harry on the seventh floor of Hogwarts, opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barby. They walked back and forth three times in front of the wall, concentrating on what they needed and a door soon appeared in front of them.

They glanced at each other, both shrugging slightly. Harry reached out and opened the door, both of them looking around the hallway cautiously before entering the room.

The space they found themselves in was perfect for their needs... of course, that was its very purpose. Their intel had served them exceedingly well in this case.

"Room of Requirements," Harry mumbled to himself, studying their new environment. "Perfect."

"Quite," Draco said with a grin.

Harry looked over at his brother and noted a slight nervousness to his manner. He smirked slightly. "So tell me Drake... just what did you do that you shouldn't have?"