I am so very sorry that I have been so slow on updating this story.

Hopefully you will forgive me and read it anyway. I Promise to do better in the future.

Please enjoy. :)

Warnings: Cursing, manipulation

"Talk"

*Telepathic talk*

'Thoughts'

Parseltongue

~Flashback~

-Dream-

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I'm just using the characters for my own pleasure. :D

Chapter 4: Home sweet home, or not?

It was now the last Monday in the vacation. On the Sunday at the end of the week, they were supposed to get on the train to Hogwarts. Harry and Draco had decided to go buy their school supplies. Harry had told Draco that he could borrow some money. The blond teen had grudgingly agreed to that, since his father hadn't unfrozen his vault yet. They had become really good friends in the past week, and after living together, they agreed that they should call each other by their real names and not their surnames. They hadn't really had any big fights, which were quite impressive, since they had been enemies for six years.

At the moment they were walking down Diagon Alley and talking. "Hey, Harry, what is next on the list?" Draco asked. Harry looked at his list and read for a bit. "Uhm, I think that we need to go Slug and Jiggers Apothecary, we still need to restore some of our potion ingredients." Harry said and pointed in the direction of the apothecary. Draco nodded and they started walking down the street towards the shop.

When they entered the apothecary it was filled with students and adults. The boys ignored everyone that looked at them, and went over to one of the desks.

They had just paid for their stuff, when a screeching voiced flowed towards them. "HARRY! Is that you?" A girl's voice yelled. The boy in question shuddered and grimaced. He looked at Draco, who was watching him with sympathy shining in his eyes. Harry then looked in the direction, which the voice had come from.

There was Ron and Hermione. Ron was looking at Draco, and Hermione was already running towards Harry. "Where have you been? What have you done to your hair? What's up with the new clothes? We have been soooo worried about you!" Hermione ranted at him, when she came to a hold in front of them. "Uhm, hi Hermione, maybe you should breathe between you questions, then I think it'll be easier for me to actually understand them." Harry said while flinching when the girl latched onto his arm. Draco growled in anger when he noticed Harrys flinch. The raven had confessed earlier that week why he didn't like human contact that much. He stepped closer to Harry, as to give the other teen a sense of comfort. Harry noticed this and gave a small smile to Draco.

Hermione nodded and then noticed Draco; she frowned at him and then looked at Harry. Ron was finally catching up with Hermione and was now standing next to her, while glaring at Draco, who was completely ignoring them, his attention solely on Harry.

"Hey mate, what are you doing with the ferret!" Ron said through clenched teeth. Harry looked at him for a moment, complementing on how to answer the question. "Well, we are shopping for our school supplies." Harry answered. Ron glared at Harry for a moment. "Yes, I can see that! But why are you with a death eater! He is probably just trying to take you to voldy and get some extra points!" Ron said in anger. Harry gave Draco a small comforting smile. The blond was looking murderous. "If that was Draco's plan, then I'm sure that he would have taken me to Voldemort while I was sleeping, and since he hasn't done anything yet for the past week, I believe he's safe to be around! Besides why do you care? You haven't even tried to contact me, until the twins confronted you about lying about writing to me! Now if you would excuse us, liars! We haven't had lunch yet, so we are quite hungry. Are you done, Draco?" Harry said and turned to the blond boy next to him. Draco nodded and they left the shop. Hermione and Ron both stood there gaping after them. What had just happened?

-0-

As the week proceeded the two boys became even closer. They had fallen into a comfortable routine and had become great friends. Both were a little saddened about the fact, that they could have been great friend years ago, if things had turned out differently.

They had discussed a lot of different things including the war. Draco had praised Harry for coming to the conclusion that he needed to hear Voldemorts side of the whole thing, before deciding which side to fight for.

Right now both boys and Asha were laying in the queen sized bed in a deep slumber. Today was the day they would go back to Hogwarts. Harry was looking very much forward to see how people would react to his new look. Harry had gotten Draco and the Weasley twins to promise not to tell anyone about his vampire blood. Everyone had agreed that it would be a nice surprise for people when they finally found out. Draco had found a special glamour that would make sure that when Harry got angry, no one would be able to see that his nails, teeth and eyes changing.

Both boys were roughly woken by the sound of an alarm clock ringing. Harry growled irritated. Lately the fact that he was more than human had begun to show. He growled more and hissed more. Harry sat up in the bed and looked at the blond sleeping next to him. He scowled. "Dray wake up!" Harry said irritated. Draco groaned and turned around, facing away from the offending noise. Harry huffed in anger. Suddenly an evil smirk adorned his pretty face and his eyes glinted. He put his hand on the blond and pushed.

Draco's scream could be heard as he fell out of the bed and landed on his stomach. The room became filled with Harry barking laughter. "I'm so going to get you for that, Potter!" Draco said while sitting up and glaring at the raven haired boy. Harry laughed a little more. "Right, Malfoy, I'm almost completely sure that you can't overrule my new hearing and smell senses." Harry said while smirking at the blond. Draco scowled. "That's not fair!" Draco whined and then pouted. Harry grinned and looked at the clock on the night table. "Draco its nine o'clock we need to get ready, the train leaves at eleven." Harry said while he got up from the bed, and into the bathroom, he needed a shower.

Draco watched as the formerly known golden boy left into the bathroom. He got up from the floor and petted Asha for a moment, the panther had grown a lot on him since he met her. She was still only the size of a big housecat, but she really was a sweetheart. He looked around the room and started packing.

After about 15 minutes Harry emerged from the bathroom in a towel. Draco never really got used to seeing all Harry scars but he refused to show any form for emotions when he saw them. He didn't want Harry to think, that he was less worth because of them.

Draco smiled at Harry. "Are you finished in the bathroom? I have already packed most of my stuff, so I just need a bath." Draco said while looking at Harry. Harry noticed that Draco tried not to look at his body, he felt slightly hurt by this. "Dray, if you feel repulsed by my body, just say so." Harry said, while trying to keep the hurt he felt, out of his voice. Draco's eyes widened and he hurried over to Harry and hugged him.

"Harry I don't feel repulsed by you, that's not it." Draco said slowly. "Then what is it?" Harry asked unsure. "It's just that when I see your scars, I can't help but feel angry and sad that you had to go through all that pain by yourself, I don't want you to think that I pity you or anything like that. I know that you are strong enough to handle these things by yourself. But please remember that I care a lot about you, and I don't want you to ever go through things like that again." Draco said in a shaky voice. Harry nodded and burrowed his face into Draco's neck. "Thank you." Harry whispered. Draco nodded and squeezed Harry a little before letting him go. "I better get finished." Draco said and went into the bathroom.

Harry smiled a little after the blond. He looked back at Asha who was looking at him with concerned eyes. "We have a great friend, don't we?" He said to the black cat. Asha purred and flicked her tail a little. Harry laughed and petted her on the head. "I better get packed." Harry said to her.

After both boys and panther were finished packing, and Harry had paid for the room, they left the hotel. They walked through the Leaky Cauldron and grabbed a cab to the train station. They entered platform 9 ¾ about ten minutes before the train would leave. Harry lifted Asha into his arms, so that she wouldn't be lost in the crowd. Both boys got their stuff onto the train and found an empty compartment.

Harry was looking outside the window and spotted the Weasleys. Harry noticed that neither Ron nor Ginny seemed to look for him. The twins were looking directly at him and gave a small nod. Harry grinned and gave a small wave. He then noticed Hermione stomping over to Ron and they started a heated discussion. Ron shook his head and Hermione sighed. "Looks like the Weasel and Mudblood are looking for you." Draco commented and pointed at the two now arguing teens. Harry gave a small laugh. "Yeah, looks like they are. Too bad that they are wasting their time." Harry said. Draco looked confused for a moment. "What?" Harry asked. "You aren't correcting me for calling her that?" Draco asked unsure. Harry shrugged. "While I don't like the term mudblood, I don't want to defend her, she isn't my friend anymore." Harry said and gave a small smile to Draco. Both felt the train give a small jump as it started.

About a half hour later the compartment door was wrenched open. Both boys and panther looked towards the door. Ron and Hermione were looking from him to Draco and back to him again. "Harry what the hell are you doing with the ferret! Why didn't you come to the Burrow?" Ron Weasley yelled while his face slowly was turning a darker shade. Harry growled angrily. "Don't call Draco a ferret! He is my FRIEND, unlike you! I have a right to spend time with him! I didn't come to the Burrow, because that is where the order is at the moment. Besides I wouldn't want to intrude on you and Hermione's precious time! If I remember correctly, you told me on the train ride back to London that I couldn't come to the Burrow this summer!" Harry yelled in anger. The compartment was swirling with magic as Harry lost control of it. Draco sensing that Harry was losing control quickly placed a hand on his arm, to calm him down.

Hermione and Ron paled during Harrys rant. "Harry please understand, we tried to contact you multiple times during the holiday, besides you didn't write to us." Hermione said in an attempt to reason. At this Draco felt rage fill him up. "You didn't write to Harry until after the twins cornered you about your lies. You two told everyone that you were writing to him, while you in reality didn't lift a finger! He couldn't write to you since his owl was killed at the beginning of the summer!" Draco coldly stated. Both Ron and Hermione blushed at his words. "That's… we… uhm…" Ron stuttered embarrassed. Draco sneered. "How about you leave, weasel! And you too, mudblood!" He sneered at them. Both looked at Harry as if he would say something to defend them. Harry just glared at them.

Asha sensing the bad mood decided to do something. She jumped down onto the floor and turned to the two intruders. She flashed her teeth and gave a loud, and threatening growl while slowly advancing towards them. Hermione gasped, as she noticed what animal it was, and quickly dragged Ron from the room.

As Hermione was dragging Ron from the compartment she was speculating. What had happen this summer? Everything had been going as it should. But then suddenly Harry decided to go against the headmaster. What was going on? And surely it couldn't be good that Harry was spending so much time whit that bloody snake!

The two teens entered their compartment. "Hermione why did you drag me out of there? I was just about to punch that stupid ferret!" Ron hissed in anger towards his girlfriend. "Ron, don't you ever read? That creature in there is highly dangerous! It protects those that mean something to its master. And it hurts those that don't, it reacted badly towards us. We need to talk the headmaster when we get to Hogwarts." She said in a calm tone to Ron. The boy nodded.

Back in the compartment with Harry and Draco.

Harry was thinking about something and Draco was starting to get really curious. "Dray, do you think it's possible, that a student can get resorted?" Harry asked slowly. Draco looked sharply at Harry. "Well, a student can be resorted at any time. Why?" Draco asked. Harry grinned. "Perfect! You'll see, my friend." Harry said while smiling at Draco. Draco scowled. "How about telling me now?" He said. Harry shook his head. "You'll have to wait like everyone else." Harry smirked. Draco pouted and looked away. Harry grinned and petted Asha a little. As the train got closer to the school both boys got dressed in their robes.

The sorting this year was over quickly. Many parents had decided that their children should be enrolled in another school in another country, because the Dark Lords prime target went to Hogwarts. Harry made sure to keep away from his so called "friends" and minded his own business. When the feast was over he noticed that Ron and Hermione left in a hurry. He shared a small look with Draco and got up and followed them. He had brushed up on his spell work during the summer and had become quite good. He disillusioned himself and followed the two teens.

They stopped in front of the gargoyle that led up to Dumbledore's office. Harry sneered as Hermione said the password and the gargoyle jumped to the side. They walked up the stairs and the two teens entered the office. Harry stayed outside. He put his ear to the door and listened in.

In the office

Dumbledore looked up from his desk. "Ron, Hermione please take a seat and tell me, what it is that is so important." Dumbledore said while folding his hand over his beard. Hermione gulped and began her speech. "Well sir, as we came onto platform 9 ¾ this morning we couldn't find Harry. We first found him after the train had started moving. He was in a compartment with Malfoy! We believe that Malfoy must have done something to Harry, they act like they are great friends and it's not even the first time we see them together. We met them in Diagon Alley. Harry is acting strangely different than he did last year. He ignores us and he treats us like traitors." Hermione finished while wringing her hands. Ron had been sitting and nodding while listening on what she said.

Dumbledore didn't say anything for a moment. "Well, I think that we should keep an eye on him. For now we must just wait and see what happens. You two have to try and get on his good side again. It won't do to lose our greatest weapon against Voldemort. Do you understand your mission?" Dumbledore said while ignoring Ron's jump at the name. Hermione nodded and Ron grumbled a small yes. "Good, now leave!" Dumbledore said irritated and watched the two teenagers leave. 'These two incompetent idiots! All this trouble might make me lose my weapon. I need the boy's cooperation to win over Voldemort. That stupid boy will not ruin my carefully made plans!' Dumbledore thought angrily.

Outside of the office

Harry was fighting his anger. 'How dare that old man! Making me a weapon! Who does he think he is? I need to talk to Dray soon about making me an appointment with Voldemort!' Harry thought irritated. He cancelled his disillusion charm and knocked on the door. "Come in." said Dumbledore's voice from inside. He opened the door and entered.

He watched as Dumbledore's face lost some of the color. Harry put on a cheery face and smiled at the old man. "Hello Professor. I hope I don't interrupt anything?" Harry said in a sickingly sweet tone. Dumbledore shook his head. "Hello my boy, uhm how long had you been standing outside?" Dumbledore asked. "I just arrived." Harry said. Dumbledore looked into Harrys mind, but didn't see anything. 'Hm, he obviously has gotten better at occlumency, which could turn out to be a problem.' Dumbledore thought.

Harry felt anger rise as he felt how the headmaster tried to get inside his head. He quickly crushed the feeling and kept smiling. Dumbledore frowned and then quickly smiled as he noticed Harry looking at him. "So Harry, what can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked while his eyes twinkled a little. "Yes headmaster, you see lately I have felt as if I am in my wrong house. I think that I have been through so much the last couple of years, and all these things have changed me. I was wondering if you would let me be resorted." Harry said in an innocent and little sad voice. Dumbledore frowned. "But Harry my boy, I'm completely sure that you belong in Gryffindor, you don't really belong in any of the other houses." Dumbledore said, completely missing the glint of anger in Harrys eyes. "Well Professor, if I really do belong in Gryffindor, then I will of course stay there. But my wish is that you at least will let me be sure, I think I deserve it for all I have done." Harry said while staring directly into the headmasters eyes. His eyes were making the older man nervous. "Yes, allright. You will have your wish. Shall we say that you will be resorted tomorrow evening?" Dumbledore said with a sigh. Harry nodded and gave the man a small smile before he left. Dumbledore looked after the teen and then turned to where his phoenix would be. But Fawkes was gone.

Harry grinned as he left the headmasters office. He quickly walked towards the Gryffindor tower. As he rounded a corner he bumped into someone. Both landed in a heap of limbs on the floor. A groan slipped from Harrys lips as he felt an elbow in his ribs. The other person had obviously been running, so when they collided it sent both of them to the floor. Harry took a deep breath to calm his smoldering anger. The scent that greeted his nose was familiar. "Draco?" He asked unsure and looked down. His eyes were greeted with a mop of blond hair that was buried in his chest. "Harry?" A muffled voice said before two silver eyes looked into his eyes. Harry sighed. "You're heavy. Get of me." Harry said with a small smile.

Both teens quickly got on their feet's. "I was looking for you. I saw Granger and Weasley walking towards the tower, but I didn't see you. Where were you?" Draco asked while brushing his robes to get the wrinkles from the fall away. Harry grinned. "You'll see tomorrow evening." He said before walking away. Draco huffed and yelled. "Potter! That is not fair!" Harry just waved at him over his shoulder. Draco huffed again and walked down into the dungeons.

As Harry came to a hold in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, he came to the realization, that he didn't have the password. "Shit!" Harry murmured. Just as he was about to walk to McGonagall office, Neville came around the corner. "Hi Harry, what are you doing?" The boy asked. Harry sighed and looked at the tall boy. "I don't know the password." Harry said. Neville nodded. "It's Bravery." Neville said as the portrait swung aside. Harry smiled and nodded his thanks to him as they entered.

The first thing Harry saw was Ron and Hermione. Harry felt dread fill him up. As soon as the two teens saw him they got up from the couch they had been occupying. "Harry I think that we should talk." Hermione said. Harry scowled at them. "We need to talk? Hell no! I don't need to hear anything from you two! Just as I didn't hear a thing from you most of the summer! Luckily I have real friends now! Stay away from me and I will leave you alone!" Harry hissed and walked up the stairs to the boys' dorm.

Hermione was looking at Harrys retreating back. She turned towards Ron. "It's worse than we thought!" She whispered to him. Ron nodded. They had to do something more drastic, if things were to return normal again.

As Harry entered the dorms he flopped down onto his bed. He felt like screaming into his pillow. But that wouldn't change anything. He felt something soft brushing against his head and looked up. His eyes met startling green eyes and black fur. "Hi Asha, how are you, do you like Hogwarts?" Harry cooed at the Black Panther. The creature purred at him and nuzzled its face into his hair. Harry laughed and picked her up. He cradled her into him and burrowed his face into her fur. "I have no idea how I am going to survive this year." He said and lay down on his back. He placed Asha on the bed and got up. He changed his clothes into a black silk pajamas bottom and grabbed a book about vampire's mates. He jumped onto his bed, spelled the curtains close and put up a silence charm. He settled down between the soft sheets and started reading.

How to find your mate:

Vampires are quite unique. Their mate is usually another vampire. The vampires mate is someone that matches the vampire in strength, personality and heart. The mate will be of the sex that the vampire prefers. When a vampire finds their mate, their bloodlust will begin. The bloodlust will only be directed towards the mate. Both mates will smell delicious to each other and it will be hard for them to not touch each other. The vampire will also feel a strong urge to mate. After the first time they mate, the dominant partner will be very protective towards the submissive partner. Vampires also go into heat once every year. This usually happens during February month. If a vampire hasn't found its mate, then the heat won't occur.

Harry continued with his reading for a little longer before he decided to go to sleep. He placed the book in his suitcase, and spelled it close with a strong spell, before he snuggled into Ashas body. He quickly fell asleep to her soft purring.

TBC.

So that was the chapter. What do you think? Please review. I like your comments a lot and some of them give great inspiration. Thank you a lot :D

I hope you still like the story and that you will enjoy the following ones.