September first dawned on a once again flustered Burrow. All but two of the teens were running around searching for this and that, Fred and George even looking for a missing shoe on Mrs. Weasley's orders. Hermione and Harry were wisely holed up in Ron's room. Their trunks packed and animals safely in their cages. Hedwig once again miffed at being locked up and Crookshanks not fairing much better.

Regardless the two spoke quietly to each other about what the next year was going to look like.

"I don't know what you're worried about, Hermione."

"You don't know what I'm worried about? Harry. There is a Dark Lord searching for your blood at the moment. That plus your penchant for getting into trouble, it- well it just spells trouble."

"I have one professor and two Aurors being assigned to watch me at any given moment. All of the professors have been told about my invisibility cloak. The map is hidden in the bottom of your trunk only to be used for emergencies." Harry gave an exaggerated sigh, "I'm not going to have any fun this year am I?"

Hermione shook her head hiding a smile in disapproval, "Oh. Hush you. Just be glad I didn't tell the Professors about the Map."

"I am, trust me. They probably would have stripped it of its magic by accident while trying to make it work."

"They're not that bad."

"That's what you think. Could you imagine Lockhart trying to get it to work? I doubt they would do it on purpose but even you said it was complicated magic."

"Complicated for me and the Marauders at the time. Not our Professors."

"Hermione. Most of the teachers would admit that you can best that at some part of their specialty."

"That's ridiculous. They taught me all I know."

"You taught you all you know. You and books. The professors have pointed you in the right direction-but it's all you."

"This is a pointless discussion. And completely off topic. This is about you and the things you'll have to deal with this year."

"You mean like my busy-body friends having their postions threatened by even busier-body body guards."

"Harry! This is serious, you can't be joking about stuff like that!"

"Fine, all joking aside. I should be completely hassle free this year. No adventures. No battles. No midnight wanderings for any reason up to, including and beyond insomnia… It's going to be one great big bore."

"I know you. IF there's any chance what-so-ever that you could put yourself in danger to save someone else- you'll do it. And you know that."

"It's not my fault I have a saving people thing going on."

"Then whose fault is it? Mary Poppins'?"

"Nah- Jiminy Cricket." Hermione stifled a giggle, "Do you have any idea how annoying it is listening to a cricket say 'What do you think is the right thing to do?' all day and night?" The girl shook her head, "And you wonder why I throw myself into life threatening situations."

This time she couldn't hold back the laugh and Harry joined her soon afterwards. Their laughter managed to pass the time and soon Molly Weasley's voice was echoing off the walls of the Burrow.

(0,0)

Draco stood at the door to the Menagerie and fingered the charm he wore beneath his robes. A charm designed to protect him from the allure of submissive Veelas and to disguise his scent. The problem is it also kept him from smelling other Veelas. The temptation to take it off and see, to go back inside was great.

The warning his father and mother had repeated over and over since his seventeenth birthday echoed in his ears. The charm had come in the owl post the day before his birthday and had been around his neck ever since. Taking it off would leave him susceptible to the allure of other Veelas. He couldn't let that happen.

Dropping it back under his robes he moved back inside the store.. It was only moments later that he heard Harry's voice ringing out.

"No! Please, just leave me alone. Alone!"

Draco hurried among the rows of cages until he saw Harry being pinned by a large man. Without thinking raised his own wand and he let ropes fly towards the werewolf. Harry's own voice rang out in a shout as he turned to look at the blonde.

Standing tall, he raised his head and looked expectantly at the smaller male. But the words of thanks that he was waiting for never came. Instead words of outrage and anger rang through the air between them.

Anger that Draco would attack the raven's mate. He had chosen the alpha. The dominant Veela had no right to do something like that. Words of hate turned the air to fire and all the blonde could see was red. The flames grew closer, stronger, and brighter. Twisting between them and separating the blonde and the raven from each other.

Suddenly Harry called out in pain. Draco stumbled forward. But the flames grew too high. Harry was lost among them. Their voices rang out amongst the roaring flames and Draco watched as the Gryffindor reached a hand out to him.

Without hesitation, the blonde stretched out his own. Reaching his fingers to brush against the other's. Just as their fingers were about to touch Harry was consumed by the flames. His screams filling the air.

"No! Harry!"

A voice rose from the flames, softly caressing Draco's years, "Young Master Malfoy."

(0,0)

"Young Master Malfoy needs to be waking up now. Today is the day yous needing to be going to the Hogwarts school. Needs to be waking up now."

"Nilla?"

"It's being me, young Master. Is yous being awake now?"

"Yes, Nilla. Tell Mother I'll be down for breakfast shortly."

"Yes, young Master."

Draco sat up in bed willing the sound of Harry's screams to stop ringing through his ears. He knew it was a dream. Harry hadn't hated him and he most definitely had not been burned alive at the Menagerie. It had been a dream.

But that didn't stop Draco's heart from racing at the moment. Shaking his head once again to try and erase the noise, the Ice Prince of Slytherin dressed for the day. Hearing his mother's voice, Draco knew it was time to leave the sanctuary of his room.

Draco joined his parents at the table, dressed in acceptable muggle wear. Also known as the clothing he had seen some of the muggle-born students wear to King's Cross for the past six years. A pair of jeans, while not entirely comfortable they were definitely more flattering than standard trousers, and a decent button up shirt unbuttoned over a plain undershirt.

His parents were less than impressed with his appearance, but they had also dressed for the occasion. His mother in a floor length black skirt and a green shirt, completed with a simple black jacket. His father in black trousers and a button up blue shirt. Which is something he usually wears under his robes anyway.

Dinner was an extravagant feast this morning, as though ignoring the fact that Hogwarts' food was nearly as good as his home cooked meals and often came with even more servings if he desired them. But none-the-less he piled the fare onto his plate.

An hour of somewhat stilted conversation later and Draco finally managed to escape the table on the pretense of checking to make sure the house elves hadn't missed packing anything. Of course, he had already checked the trunk last night and was positive the last of it had been packed this morning.

It was mostly an excuse to escape from the sympathetic looks his mother kept sending him and the apologetic and hopeful looks from his father. The Dark Lord had been making his parents' lives miserable. And though Draco was sure his father deserved it, at least in part, he was tired of the man expecting Draco to not only follow in Lucius' footsteps but to improve the older man's standing.

Draco would never have joined if it wasn't for his parents. He had learned at a young age to put up a mask for the world. Only the house elf loyal to him knew of his true beliefs about the war. He didn't think Dumbledore and the Order of Geese, or whatever it was, were right about accepting muggle-borns fully into the culture, but he also didn't think everyone not of pureblood needed to be destroyed. He knew of maybe ten families who were completely pure blooded. And most of them only had one or two heirs. And all of them were cousins. Talk about a slippery slope to extinction.

There had to be a middle ground.

He lay across his bed and fingered the charm around his throat. When he got his Inheritance- he wasn't sure what to think. He hadn't changed much to be honest. He had grown a couple of centimeters and his muscles had defined a little more. He'd thinned out and his magic had grown a little more powerful. Really the entire school had noticed or guessed at something, but the surprise had been mild and only those closest to him had guessed that it had been his Inheritance. Especially since he had been so isolated last year.

A dominant Veela was far from surprising. He was a strong personality usually, only his family could ever get him to do something he didn't want to. And then it was only with strong protest on his part. In the end he usually gave in, but it was the principle of the thing. The fact that he stood on his own was the main point, giving in to protect his family was just something he had to do.

(0,0)

Draco stood on the platform awaiting the train. They still had half an hour or so until the train pulled out and he was waiting with some of the other Slytherins. Their compartment had already been claimed with their trunks, but no one was in a rush to sit on the train before they had to. Draco had situated himself so that he could see the entrance as everyone walked onto the platform.

It was a self-defense mechanism more than anything else. Always good to have an idea of who came into a place no matter where you are. Or that's what he would say if anyone chose to ask. That is if anyone even noticed his placing or his lack of focus.

Every time the gate opened, Draco glanced over. Shifted his grey eyes to the entrance as yet another entered. Each glance he was sure to maintain his usual smirk and calm air. Blaise rolled his eyes at his friend's distraction but continued his story without hesitation.

The blonde was about to finally give up and tune into his friend's words, when the exact person he awaited walked through the gate. With only five minutes until the train left he was sure that certain people would not be coming to school this year. There was danger lying ahead for several of the students. He had kind of hoped that the Inheritance would make sure that H-

And there he was. Running late as per usual. The black head of messy hair appeared between the red-head twins and Draco could not turn his eyes away. He remembered hearing that the twins' joke shop had declared September 1st a store holiday. But the fact that they were here was still strange. He could hear Blaise rolling his eyes once again.

Which meant he was not doing a good job at hiding the glare he directed at the two older boys. It wasn't like Harry needed to be around them like that. Besides if there had been any doubt in Draco's mind that the teen had gotten his Inheritance, it would have disappeared at that moment. All eyes were facing him in an instant and the boy dropped his eyes for the briefest second. Draco curled his toes in an effort to keep from going over to the Gryffindor. All of the other boys (except for the purebloods, most of them were prepared with charms similar to Draco's) were in a similar position, a few even moved forward a step or two.

A second and a deep breath later Harry was glaring down everyone, he quickly turned his eyes away when the green passed over him. He felt them pause for a moment before his gaze moved on. The blonde waited for a moment before glancing back up again.

Then the rest of the Weasley's showed along with a few others- such as Mad-Eye, that pink-haired Auror, and Shacklebolt. Which basically meant that they were here as Harry's guards. Judging by the way Harry was trying to leave as quickly as possible was a good sign that the teen was not exactly in favor of this idea.

Draco tuned into the whispered conversation the teen was having without any qualms. Okay maybe there were a few guilty twinges, but really if it was a conversation on the platform with hundreds of other students around it couldn't be that private.

"Look. You guys really don't have to come on the train with us. I have the charms you all made me. Anti-apparition. Anti-House elf. Anti-Portkey. Hell, I even have one that will take me straight to Hogwarts if someone with a Dark Mark gets too close to me. And I'm still wondering how you guys managed to get that one around the Anti-Portkey charm. Seriously how effective can it be if one little change gets around it?"

"Harry. You're babbling. And it's not a simple charm. Basically it's based on a- we probably shouldn't be talking about this here. The point is that we're coming."

"You really don't have to…"

"Give it up, Mat- Harry. You've been trying to talk them out of it since we left the house hours ago. It's obviously not going to work."

The Weasel poked his head around one of the twins. He was pulling something behind him and minutes later a not-quite-as-bushy head of hair moved around him and began dragging him towards the train. Harry muttered something Draco didn't catch and followed his friends to the train. His six shadows following him, like loyal dogs.

He couldn't maintain the small laugh that crawled from him at the image of Harry telling his guards to 'sit' and 'stay.' Blaise raised an eyebrow but smirked as though laughter was the only response he could have expected. The blonde recovered and continued to maintain his expression of bored aloofness. Not even realizing anything beyond himself. It wasn't until Blaise laid an arm over his shoulders that he recognized the sound of the warning whistle as the Express prepared to leave his station.

Laughing along with his friend, he followed the group as they headed to their compartment. He settled into his seat listening to more gossip as the group prepared for the long journey. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of his final year at Hogwarts. He leaned further back into the seat and waited for the inevitable confrontation between him and the Gryffindor Trio.

(0,0)

Harry was not moping as he sat in his compartment with his bodyguards and Ginny. Well three of his body guards anyway. Moody and Shacklebolt had gone with Ron and Hermione to the Prefect's car for the start of the ride.

Truthfully, his guards were expecting his moodiness. After all, they were trapped inside a car with three guards and no likelihood of seeing any of his friends because Fred and George were currently booby trapping the door. But that wasn't what caused the focused frown as he looked out the window at the passing scenery.

His mood was directly connected to the blonde he had seen only five minutes ago. The other teen had brushed by him as they got onto the train, but the other hadn't even noticed. Moody had flipped along with the twins, it had been Tonks who stepped in and told them it was a harmless rivalry and Shacklebolt had reminded Moody that they were there to guard Harry. Not beat up on children. Moody hadn't really been pleased with that response.

Harry let his mind drift to the sight that had greeted him when he walked onto the platform just ten minutes ago. Malfoy had been standing with his posse. Nothing unusual about the sight, his usual smirk on his face as he listened to his friend's story. For a second he thought the other teen was watching him, but he was pretty sure it was just a trick of the light, it was hard to see with all of the steam on the platform.

Anyway it had been about then that the eyes of every of age wizard in the place at turned on Harry. Every. Single. Eye. Well except for the purebloods, but he supposed Hermione was right and they had been wearing protective medallions like all of the Weasley boys now wore 24/7. Apparently most of them had them (except Bill didn't wear his anymore for the sole reason that it was pointless) but they didn't even think to wear them the morning after his Inheritance.

After yet another wonderful tangent, his brain focused once again on the purpose of this flashback. Which was the part about Zabini and Malfoy. While Harry had been arguing with his guards about their lack of being needed, the blonde had laughed. Being a curious Gryffindor he had looked up and what he'd seen had made his stomach burn.

The blonde was smiling openly at the Italian boy and his friend had been giving him an undoubtedly fond look. Hermione had elbowed Harry when his sentence trailed off, but the teen hadn't been able to get that picture out of his mind. To make matters worse the Italian boy had guided Malfoy to the train.

All of his friends had been concerned when Harry had actually started growling. Even Hermione, who kept looking back and forth between Harry and the Slytherins. Before they could ask he had shoved his way closer to the door and Malfoy had slipped right by him. Even knocked into him and the blonde never even glanced over.

Harry dropped his head against the window creating a solid thunk that echoed around the carriage. Ginny was sitting as far away from his as possible, still not talking to him, and only spared him a glare before turning her nose back to her book.

With any luck no one had figured out his obvious crush on the blonde. And he could carry on trying to find his potential mate.

(0,0)

"You've got to be kidding me! It's obvious he's crushing on Malfoy."

"It could be any one of those Slytherins, Ron."

"Oh please, Hermione. Zabini smiled at Malfoy and Harry was practically growling. He looked ready to attack when he touched Malfoy. It's obvious. It's obvious to me! And I have the 'emotional capacity of a teaspoon' according to you."

"Exactly. So forgive me if I don't take your ideas seriously. Harry has hated Malfoy for years. That's not going to change on a whim. You saw how determined he was to prove Malfoy was up to something last year."

Ron gave Hermione a look that clearly showed he was questioning the functioning of her brain, "Yes. I saw Harry following Malfoy around for the entire year, even after the kid stomped on his face and broke his nose. Harry was obsessed with Malfoy."

"He was determined to prove something was wrong with Malfoy. To prove that he was guilty. He hates Malfoy and his family and the entire dark side."

"Just because you hate someone doesn't mean you can't like them. Just because he's crushing on Malfoy doesn't mean he's going to actually like the slimy git right away."

"So why ruin this for him? Why get his hopes up and then send them crashing down. That is if he was crushing on Malfoy."

"Whatever, 'Mione. We can do this your way like we planned, but you only have another two weeks before I tell Harry that I think it's Malfoy."

Hermione wasn't listening already caught up in something Ron had said earlier, "You're right."

Ron looked up in shock, "What? Hermione, are you feeling alright?"

"Oh ha ha. No- what you said about Harry growling and then nearly attacking. It was Zabini. That's who Harry is considering as a potential mate. He exhibited all of the signs. Jealousy and aggressiveness. He even moved out of the way when they tried to get onto the train!"

"Malfoy ran into Harry. He didn't move."

But Hermione was lost in her thoughts again, thought Moody shared a look with Shacklebolt. Something interesting was going to come from this, they only hoped they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. Or Shacklebolt did anyway. Moody looked far too excited by the concept.

(0,0)

Harry managed to escape his thoughts and body guards for all of five minutes.

The desperate need to find the restroom left Tonks deciding to stay where she was. Fred and George had told him he had ten minutes to get back or they would go looking for him. Which basically meant he had about a minute before they came running around the corner acting like Molly when she was worried to prove a point to Tonks who was probably yelling at them for letting Harry go off on his own.

So he was going to take the most of it. He was wandering the compartments until the inevitable happened. Which meant he stepped around a group of Hufflepuffs, ignoring their hands that reached out to pet him. Seriously, just cause he was short and had big eyes and fluffy hair or whatever- didn't mean he was something to be petted.

He was mumbling to himself about the unfairness that was being a submissive Veela boy. At least the female Veelas were faced with jealousy from the other girls and if he was into girls the boys would be jealous and hating on him. Since he was into guys- all of the girls who would be jealous were too distracted by how cute he was.

"Seriously unfair. Really completely and totally unfair. So unfair that-"

"Potter, we get it. Everyone knows that me getting brains, money, and good looks leaves everyone else at a disadvantage. But everyone else has accepted it and moved on. What's your problem?"

"Ha ha. Very amusing. Can we move on now?"

Draco actually seemed shocked by the lack of response, "Alright. You're no fun when you're moping. Well unless I made you mope. Then it's highly amusing."

"Grow up, Malfoy. I've got to get back. Pleasant talking with you as always."

Harry was pretty impressed with the amount of sarcasm he managed to layer onto his voice.

"Wow. Your guard dogs still got you on a leash then?"

The Gryffindor walked away refusing to acknowledge the other boy. He really did need to go back. Fred and George would need no reason to flatten Malfoy if they got even half of a chance to do so. He had made it three steps before the blonde had cut in front of him again.

"Potter. You are absolutely hopeless. Look what if I could help you get rid of your guard dogs for a while?"

He snorted, apparently he found it impossible to ignore the Slytherin for long, "You don't think I've tried? They're refusing to leave me alone."

"Alright, well what if I could give you something better than a guard dog?"

"Better than three trained aurors and the greatest pranksters to pass through Hogwarts? I don't think so, plus none of them would ever trust you."

"I can make it so that no one at school will bother you."

"You and your posse are the only ones who bother me at school."

"Exactly."

"Yep. You've officially lost your mind."

"Fine, this is why I don't act nice towards lousy Gryffindorks."

"And this is why I don't trust snakes. They never do anything helpful."

Harry winced at his own words and couldn't help taking them back, "Alright, look. How about we call a truce this year? Not friends cause I doubt that can work, but no more rivalry?"

"Potter. If no one else has managed to make us stop being rivals, I doubt we could."

Harry nodded, slightly bummed that the other teen had turned him down. He turned and started to head back to his compartment. He stopped instantly when Malfoy's hand landed on his shoulder.

"But how about we make it a 'friendly' rivalry or sorts."

The Gryffindor couldn't hide his grin as he turned to face the other teen, "Deal."

Grey eyes stared at the offered hand and glanced up at Harry, something close to a smile on his lips, "Déjà vu, ay Potter?"

Green eyes rolled but he barely hid his flush when the blonde's cool palm brushed against his own, "Déjà vu."

The moment that they touched seemed to go on longer than really needed as they continued to look at each other. Harry got lost in the feel of safety as he stood close to Malfoy. The desire to-

"Harry!? Where'd you go?"

The teen winced and looked over his shoulder, "Looks like I got to run."

"Back to your guard dogs with you. You're not Courting with one of them, are you?"

"What?" Harry was already pulling away but froze at the question.

"Nothing. See ya around, Potter."

And Malfoy was gone, replaced almost instantly by two red headed joke shop owners.

"There you are, Harry."

"'Mione and Ronnikins are on their way back."

"Figured it be better if you were seated when Moody and Kingsley appeared."

"We like our heads where they are, you know?"

Harry nodded and absently let the twins lead him off. How did Malfoy know that Harry was a Veela? Did that mean he was one too? A bunch of kids had mentioned his change last year and all of the Gryffindors had noticed. How could Harry have missed? Did he go through his Inheritance? Was he Courting someone? Zabini?

Black hair flew as he shook his thoughts free. Guessing would get him nowhere. Looked like he had found a mystery to solve this year anyway. This was a record.

(0,0)

Draco slipped into the compartment a few doors down just as the twins came into sight. He settled into his empty seat and looked around at the eyes trained on him. Silence filling the space.

"What?"

"Potter, Draco? Potter?" Pansy was unsurprisingly the first to speak.

"What about him?"

"You just offered to protect him. And then agreed to be friends with him."

"He's a submissive, you can't tell me you didn't notice that. It's my instincts."

"Not with that necklace you're wearing. It's supposed to protect you from their Allure." And one day he was going to pay Blaise back for not going with him on this.

"It's not Allure. It's instincts. Plus his Allure is exceedingly powerful. Even Blaise felt it through that charm on his neck. And that's protected his family for thousands of years."

"First off, it's technically designed to work against Dominant Veelas. After all who's going to complain about being a Submissive Veela's mate? Secondly, I can't technically mate with him anyway, human here."

"Not everyone knows that though."

"Draco! Focus, this is not about Blaise. This is about you offering your hand to Harry even after he turned you down first year."

"He offered me this time, to clarify. And we're not friends, I'm just not going to be actively trying to ruin him and he's going to return the favor."

"As I said friends."

Draco glared at Pansy and went to argue his point again but he was cut off by Blaise.

"She has a point, Draco. For you that is basically being friends."

And he was officially not talking to either of them.

"But the point is, why?"

"Honestly? I have no idea."

(0,0)

"Friendship, Harry? With Malfoy?"

"Friendly rivalry, Hermione."

Ron gave Hermione a pointed look but bit back whatever he was planning on saying.

"This is just so random, Harry. You do remember that you've hated him for seven years right?"

"Technically, I've only hated him for six. But yes, I am well aware of that."

Hermione gave him a look that clearly stated she was not in the mood for his sass, "Why be friends now?"

"Because we've gotten older? Because we're supposed to be adults now? Because it's one less thing for me to have to worry about this year? Because we're supposed to be the 'good guys'? Seriously, take your pick."

Hermione bit her lip, and shook her head. But Ron was the one who spoke up.

"That's all well and good, Harry. But why are you really doing this?"

"All of those reasons. But it also gives us a chance to get closer to the Slytherins. See if they are who we think they are. Get to know the enemy, you know?"

Ron and Hermione exchanged looks that both clearly said, 'See! I told you!' Harry would try to figure out exactly what they were arguing about later. Right now he had snacks to buy.

(0,0)

The rest of the trip was uneventful, except when Neville accidentally set off one of the twins' booby traps while trying to visit the other Seventh years. Everyone had been impressed when the teen stepped around the corner. The summer had been good to him.

Especially when he disarmed the booby trap in only seconds after it was activated. The twins had been horrified at the sight. It was a product that they had been working on for months and to have Neville disarm it was… They shuddered and immediately started asking him how he did it.

Neville had grinned at them, "I found a plant that can neutralize basically any Weasley product. Then I found out how it worked and had a family friend make it into a spell."

"We're ruined, Gred. Ruined I say, ruined!"

"Not if I don't tell anyone. The family friend I asked, loves your guys' products, he wouldn't risk shutting you guys down. No worries."

That didn't stop the twins from moping the rest of the train ride.

They were still moping when they got off at Hogsmeade, The carriage was one of the last ones since Moody wanted to be able to get out without a huge crowd of 'meddlesome brats' in the way. Thankfully it was empty, as there was no room for anyone else once they had all gathered in. As it was Hermione was practically in Ron's lap.

Not that either of them seemed to be complaining about this fact.

They walked up the lawn towards the main doors and Harry immediately found the group of Slytherin seventh years. Zabini was walking away from them and up the castle steps with an arm around Malfoy's shoulders and his head turned so that they were barely a breath away from each other.

This time, Harry wasn't able to stop himself from going up to the other to. He just barely managed to keep his wings hidden beneath his robes as they started to show. Hermione called after him but the teen forged ahead into the crowd. He was on Hogwarts' grounds now, not much could happen.

He stopped trying to push forward about a meter behind the two boys and let the momentum of the crowds finish his task for him. Five seconds later he was tripping over his feet and accidentally crashing into Zabini. Both of them fell to the ground leaving a traffic jam for everyone else to move around.

Of course seeing as it was Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, most of the students were watching them waiting for the explosion.

"Oi! Watch where you're going!" Malfoy's voice was strong and clear as he moved to help the other Slytherin up.

Harry swallowed as the blonde spent several long moments helping the other boy stand and brush off his robes before even looking at the Gryffindor. The raven haired teen had managed to pull himself to his own feet and start moving away. He really didn't need to see this, what had he been thinking?

"Potter?" Malfoy sounded horrified, and why wouldn't he? Having to put up with Harry twice in one day.

"Sorry, Zabini. I didn't mean to run into you there. Just tripped over my own two feet. Are you okay?"

Zabini frowned but nodded, "Fine, Potter. Your friends are worried though."

Harry glanced over his shoulder where Ron and Hermione were trying to shove through the crowds, "Right then. See you guys in Potions."

And the teen disappeared into the school.

(0,0)

"Did Potter just apologize to Zabini? A Slytherin?"

"What happened to him over the summer?"

"I'm starting to think his Inheritance screwed up somehow."

Hermione heard the words but could only watch as Harry moved away from the two Slytherins and into the castle doors. Her eyes tracked him and looked back to see both of the boys watching Harry walk away. Grey eyes looked almost hurt as he left. Brown eyes looked curious, and carried a small half smile with them, as though Zabini knew something that they didn't.

Suddenly, Zabini was moving towards the door, not running just strutting forward. Shocked the students moved aside. But it wasn't long before they were all being crowded forward to see what would happen. The Italian was pushing the few people entering the Great Hall to the side. He stopped in the doors and looked around.

"Oi, Potter! You think an 'I'm sorry' is enough? You knocked me onto the ground. Accident or not, I think you at least owe a meal. Don't you?"

Green eyes blinked, obviously surprised that the Slytherin would talk to him, much less want to eat with him. Giving the other teen a skeptical look he slowly nodded.

"Great. Obviously we can't do it now, but why don't you join us for breakfast tomorrow? Promise we won't poison your food, or have the house elves do it."

"Guess I'll just stay away from my pumpkin juice in the morning, shall I?"

Zabini laughed, "Careful thinking like that people will start to think you're a Slytherin."

"The horror. Tomorrow morning, then?"

"I'll be waiting. We'll think of this as the next step away from that horrible rivalry you and Draco have concocted. Shall we?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Whatever you say."

"See you, Potter."

"Zabini."

Eyes were still trained on those two as they moved to their own tables. Even the teachers seemed shocked by the almost amiable nature between the two boys. Even if they weren't exactly rivals, they had never been friends before this.

Apparently they weren't the only ones who were flabbergasted. In fact, the only one who seemed unaffected was Neville Longbottom. The other teen sat down next to Harry and asked him if he was crazy before commenting on the fact that waiting for the Sorting to finish was the longest part of his year. All he wanted was to eat, but he apparently had to wait.

Harry and the twins laughed along with him. Ronald shouted his enthusiastic agreement and Hermione merely rolled her eyes and reminded them that it was tradition. It was clear that the moment wasn't as naturally as it usually was but it managed to give everyone at least a sense of normality.

(0,0)

Eventually everyone had grabbed their seats and the tables were quiet as McGonagall lead in the new first years. They all migrated in a terrified herd as they made their way through the tables and up to the stool that the head of Gryffindor stood next to. The worn hat resting on the stool by her side.

Harry flashed back to the view he had as a frightened eleven year old trusting Ron's word and making an enemy of Draco all before he was Sorted. That had seemed to be the most important moment of his life. And here he was six years later waiting to meet his Mate.

The rip at the bottom of the hat parted and a clear voice rang throughout the Great Hall.

"I am a hat as you can see

"Taken from a Founder's head

"And charmed to become, well me!

"I'll look to find what's not said

"And from there you go

"To a House one through four.

"Some will be friends, others a foe

"But life will never be a bore.

"I'll sort the good and gentle folk

"To join the kind Badger's clan,

"The ones whose minds invoke

"Wisdom- Will join the Raven band.

"If you speak of bravery and heart

"You'll be lead to the Lion's den for sure,

"While the sly and cunning will depart

"For the Snake's home to be secure.

"Beyond this job I have but one-

"A single turn of wisdom, a warning,

"The words I speak, I've already begun:

"The fate leading to the near ending

"It lies on the shoulders of one man,

"Of recent not a child, he stands on his own

"An Acceptance or Rejection will turn the land

"His choice to follow heart or follow bone

"Will shape the future, glory and power in dark

"Or light with love and prosperity, will bear his mark

"Follow him and you will win, dark or light

"So long as he chooses to help your plight."

The room rang as the words settled in the air, as suspected all eyes turned to Harry as though suddenly more wary of his friendship with the Slytherins. As one the room suspected he was once again the only one who could save them.

The raven sunk lower in his seat and decided to think on his own Sorting as he watched this one. The Sorting Hat's song would likely come back later to haunt him, but for now he would push it away.

"Broadfoot, Jennifer."

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Almost an instant response.

If he had thought being in Slytherin would have made his life miserable, he couldn't imagine what it would be like if he couldn't find his mate. According to Ron's and 'Mione's calculations, he had until January 31st to Court his mate. And have it hopefully end in a Claiming. If one resulted in a Refusal he had a fifty-fifty shot that it would either extend the period or shorten it.

"Moorey, Aqueious."

A slight pause, "RAVENCLAW!"

Apparently it related to how attached he grew to the potential mate. If it was like parting from a friend or leaving a new sibling, then the temporary bond would be enough to give him another few weeks or so. But if it was like being torn from the one person he loved. If he had already entered the Claiming with or without his knowledge-

"Tockabin, Lucas."

"GRYFFINDOR!" Not quite instantaneous, but almost…

-It would be detrimental. His Veela would withdraw entirely and suffer. Which would draw a strain on his magic, and could shorten his time or kill him. After he heard that, Harry resolved to remain unattached until the Claiming was a sure thing. Or even after if he had that choice.

But that chance wasn't one of the best. He was finding more and more things to like in people now a days. If you add that to the undeniable urge to please his mate and the wonderful smell, he wasn't sure he would stand much of a chance.

"Wyvone, Anessa."

"SLYTHERIN!" As with Draco, years before, the hat hadn't even settled on her head before it was shouting out her house.

The girl smirked and Harry couldn't help but laugh at the uniquely Slytherin expression on the eleven year old. A couple of the other Gryffindors looked at him like he was crazy but as the last first year sat at their new table, that was when Harry realized that this year was going to be different. Up at the platform staring down at the students through black eyes was Severus Snape.

"You all know the rules, but for the sake of our newest students I shall repeat them. The Forbidden Forest is still forbidden. Entering the forest without permission and a teacher present will result in serious action on the part of myself and the head of the offender's house. Forbidden items include Weasley products and they will not be tolerated."

Snape's glare focused on the Weasley boys who were currently standing along the wall by the Gryffindors. They gave a cheeky wave.

"As you can see there are a few new members of staff to make up for the obvious changes. Slughorn is once again teaching potions and is the new Head of Slytherin."

A brief pause for applause, mostly from the green table.

"Professor McGonagall has taken on an assistant for this year in hopes of a sabbatical next. Professor Delacour will be teaching 1st through 4th years under Professor McGonagall's supervision and will be assisting with the 5th through 7th years. Muggle studies will no longer be taught." He continued talking over the whispers that comment raised, "Finally, teaching Dark Arts: Attack and Defense, which will replace Defense Against the Dark Arts, is Professor Kenelm Morituri."

Hermione choked and paled, she ignored the questioning looks in her direction, merely moving her hand in a vague direction. The implied 'later' was understood and even if they respected that they were beyond curious. Around them small smattering applause was trying to fill the room but Defense being changed left them all a little off base.

"Now, all of you feel free to stuff your faces like the ungrateful creations you are. Your Prefects will show the first years to the common room following dessert. Class schedules will be handed out tomorrow at breakfast as per usual."

With a nonchalant flick of his wrist food appeared on the table looking as delicious as ever. Ron dug in instantly while Harry turned to Hermione.

"What was up with the freak out?"

"It wasn't a freak out, it was just… Do you know what Morituri means?"

Harry shook his head and Ron mimicked the motion, "What?"

"'Morituri' comes from the gladiators. It's part of the saying 'Those who are about to die, salute you.' It means 'those who are about to die.'"

Ron shrugged, "So, it's a name. 'Weasley' is meant to be a comment on a person's tendencies to run and hide, to sneak around, and to get out of things unscathed. Almost all of my family have been in Gryffindor."

"That's not really a good example, Ron." Harry gave his friend a pointed look, "I think it's safe to say that all of you have snuck around breaking rules and keeping secrets. Plus I know for a fact many of you have a knack for getting out of things."

"Yeah, but the 'run and hide' part of it makes it seem more Slytherin."

Hermione rolled her eyes and tried to laugh along with the rest of the table. Harry wasn't fooled. As Harry watched, he noticed she couldn't help her eyes drifting back up at the new teacher sitting at the head table.

Despite Harry's attempts at focusing on the conversation rather than all of the eyes on him and the assault of the loud room, new smells, and shifting candle light on his new senses. He thought he had adjusted over the summer with the Weasley's. Diagon Alley had difficult, but he had made it through alright before the werewolf thing.

The train had been a little more challenging, but it had been easy enough to shut the compartment door and ignore it when it became too much. Here there was no door. All of the voices in the room were competing for his attention. His nose was confusing the scent of turkey and treacle tart with that Ravenclaw's perfume. He picked at his garlic potatoes and other heavily seasoned foods but his appetite was gone.

Without the ability to focus on conversation or food. The hours for the feast passed incredibly quickly. He was startled by the touch of a hand on his shoulder.

"We're going to lead the way up to the common room. You going to head up with us?"

Harry stood and started to nod. When he heard the high pitched twittering of the eleven year olds echoing in the entrance. Before he knew it he was shaking his head, "I actually think I'm going to go outside for a few minutes. Then I'll come up one of the backways."

At first Hermione looked like she was going to protest, then she paused and bit her lip. Nodding after a pause she stepped closer to give the boy a hug.

"Alright, the password is 'Lion's Den.' I'll see you before breakfast tomorrow, okay?"

Harry smiled, appreciating the fact she was giving him space.

"I'll be there, promise."

"You better, mister. No getting kidnapped the first night back. It's not tradition."

Harry laughed, "Right the problems always start the second week."

"And don't you forget it!"

Hermione walked off with a final 'Night, Harry' before she lead the noisy little ones up the complex staircases. Eventually they would all figure out a way to get around them, but for now his secret passages would be safe.0

Harry nodded to the twins and the three of them slipped out the main doors and onto the darkened grounds.

(0,0)

"What's going on, Harry?"

The teen shrugged, hunching his shoulders over a little more, "It's just…loud. And with the staring, and smiling, and helping. Plus the smells and talking and lights and colors, its just…"

Fred smiled at him, "Loud?"

Harry's lips pulled up into a smile and he nodded his head, "Something like that."

"You did realize it was going to be a transition, right?"

"Yeah, I just… I guess I just hoped it wasn't going to be this…"

"Loud?" Fred interrupted Harry with a smile.

"Overwhelming. I handled Diagon okay after the initial shock, but it's a little different being in a stone castle with everything basically trapped inside. I feel like I'm hearing conversations still echoing from decades ago."

"It'll get better. You learned how to deal with us loud mouths at the Burrow, after all."

"If you need, we can see about that deafening spell again."

Harry immediately shook his head. As uncomfortable as his headache was-the disconnected feeling that came from dampening his new senses was a hundred, possibly a thousand, times worse. It felt like he was cutting off a part of himself. As annoying as it was to hear conversations from miles away, needing your neighbor to speak into your face to understand them? Yeah, no. Never again.

"I'll learn to deal with it, just needed a break." He snorted as a thought occurred to him, "Maybe I'll get a pair of earmuffs."

The twins stared blankly at him, "A pair of what?"

"Earmuffs. They're a muggle thing used to keep ears warm. And you can hear basically nothing through them."

"Oh, the fuzzy things? We have those, we call them ear warmers. But what do you mean you can't hear through them?"

"I've seen those, too. The wizarding ones are spelled so that you can hear through them. Muggle ones are like having pieces of fur stuffed into your ears. You can't hear anything."

"Oh."

The raven sighed, "Unfortunately, I think going around with a pair wouldn't be inconspicuous or keeping a low profile or being constantly vigilant or basically body guard approved."

"I would approve."

"But that's mostly because-"

"Neither of us would really-"

"Mind if you looked like-"

"A bigger fool than you-"

"Usually do."

Harry shook his head, "You know that's almost more bearable with the super hearing, except when you two comment under your breaths while the other is talking. Then it's like hearing the same voice in stereo yet talking about something completely random. Two words: Headache. Inducing."

The twins gave two identical and completely unrepentant shrugs.

Harry looked up at the darkening castle, shoulders falling a little as he realized how late it was getting. Time to practice being a rule abiding student, this was going to be the lamest year in Hogwarts history if it kept going like this.

"Better head back."

"You don't want to sneak up?"

"Promised Hermione. Plus- No map. No cloak. Means if I get caught by any of the new professor's or the Headmaster, or the Head Boy or Head Girl, or a Slytherin prefect, or a Ravenclaw prefect. Or basically anyone who's going to be roaming the halls, except the Heads and that's only because Slughorn loves me for some reason."

"Our Harry's broken, Gred!"

His twin gave a solemn nod, "He's turned to the side of the good boys and girls."

"These are dark times indeed."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah. Now let me show you a secret passage I found, it wasn't even on the map. Of course it is now."

"It changed?"

"Yeah. I did a little research, or rather asked Hermione a simple question and she went crazy with the research. But the map was designed to kind of tap into the minds of everyone. Anyone who was in Hogwarts during the time and since has their knowledge of the castle burned into the map. And that's how it shows where people are. Between us and the portraits…"

"Huh." Fred and George looked at each other, then George frowned.

"What about the Chamber of Secrets? He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named knew where it was and he's been there and from what you said he's been back to the castle since the map was made."

Harry shrugged, "I just have a theory about that one. He's practiced in Occlumency, the map couldn't access his mind."

"And the Room of Requirement?"

"How do you guys know about that?"

"Ronnikins doesn't know how to keep a secret. Why isn't that on the map?"

"Because not everyone knows what it is. To some people it's one thing, to everyone else it's something completely different. Which means the map goes with the best answer, which is nothing. Once again, still a theory."

"That's…wow."

"That's what I thought. Now come on before I get detention my first night back. That's one occurrence I would prefer not to repeat."

Fred and George followed Harry as they headed back towards the castle.

(0,0)

Harry was prepped and ready to go. On his feet and already given up fixing his hair by the time Neville woke up. Seamus was getting out of the bathroom and pulling on his shirt by the time Harry was pulling his robes over his shoulders. And Ron was still asleep in his bed.

He smiled at his friend and threw a pillow at him, the red head's snoring stuttered and failed. A few seconds later, tired eyes were blinking up at him. Seeing his friend already dressed he frowned.

"Why did you decide to get up so early?"

"Woke up and couldn't go back to sleep."

Ron nodded, the message received. After their third year they had gotten used to this. Harry would have a nightmare and so long as he was sure it wasn't a vision or something to do with the Great Bald Snake they wouldn't talk about it. Without another word, Ron rolled back over.

Within a minute the snoring had started again, albeit quieter than before. Harry shook his head as he grabbed his red and gold tie. He had thankfully learned how to tie it without Hermione's help, something Ron had still not quite mastered. He finished the knot and reached for his bag. A quick feather light charm later and Harry was ready to go.

He looked over at his still sleeping friend. Even if he woke him now, they would be late to breakfast, and Harry did have an appointment after all. He shrugged as he headed towards the door and down into the common room. He would just make sure to have some eggs, toast, and bacon for him when they headed to their first class.

Stepping into the room he was unsurprised to find Hermione sitting on one of the plush chairs rereading one of her new school books.

"Morning!"

Brown eyes turned to him with a smile, "Morning, Harry! Where's Ron?"

"Snoring. Last I checked anyway."

"Well, we need to be heading out if we're going to eat with the Slytherins this morning." The girl tucked her book back into her bag as she rose.

"I thought I was eating with them?" Harry raised an eyebrow at her as she started towards the staircase.

"Everyone knows if they want to deal with you they have to put up with us. We're kind of a packaged deal you know. I'll be right back."

Harry's lip curled up on one side as she headed up the stairs. The complaints drifting down the stairs seconds later made him laugh out loud even as he reached up to cover his ears from the bombardment. Although he was laughing even harder when Hermione came down the stairs five minutes later with a disgruntled and slightly wet Ron behind her.

"She came in and started throwing spells at me, mate!" Harry bit down the instinct to lash out at the term, he was a friend it was okay to be called 'mate.' The other teen still slipped up on occasion.

"That's what happens when you sleep in late after staying up late. I don't put up with tardiness."

All three of them were heading to the portrait hole when Ron suddenly stopped. And groaned.

"I forgot my books and stuff." Without thinking he pulled out his wand.

"Honestly, Ronald! It will take you three minutes to walk upstairs and grab it. Use magic when you need to, not as the only way."

"But you just woke me up with a bucket of water in my face and then transfigured my pajamas and then thrown my robe at me with magic! Isn't that a double standard?!"

"It would have been an hour if I had waited for you to do it on your own. And as I said I despise tardiness. So go grab your bag so we can go."

"Have you ever noticed the only time she's okay with frivolous magic is when it makes me miserable?"

Harry couldn't help laughing at his friends waiting for Ron to disappear up the stairs before turning back to Hermione.

"You just love torturing him, don't you?"

"Of course not, it really is good for him." She held under the pointed green look for all of three seconds, "And the torture may be a little entertaining too."

Harry grinned at her and shook his head, "I knew it. I'll meet you down there, okay?"

A loud crash came from upstairs and Ron's cursing could be heard by both of them seconds later, "Alright. Save us seats?"

"Nah. You'll come barging in any way." With that Harry opened the portrait hole and slipped out.

"I resent that remark."

"You resemble it and you know it." Harry called over his shoulder with a grin as he headed down the hallway towards the stairs.

I was going to keep going with this chapter, but I think this is a good place to end especially since I've been promising this chapter for a week now. I really am going to get the next one up in the next week or so because I've been gone for a week. I love reviews and hearing from all of you. And I actually do write faster and better with reviews (I have the stats to prove it).

As always please feel free to point out any mistakes I made. And I love you all! Oh and check out my FB page for more fun stuff that I'm hoping to get around to posting eventually! Just search "DanniCat"! Thanks again!