Summary: When Harry went down into the Chamber, instead of trying to save Ginny he got distracted. Amazing what one little difference can do.

Questions? Comments? Limericks? Put in your review. I'll answer if I can.

-Pseudonymous

Wanna see, who you are

Every inch, every scar

...the drama you are drinking

and the dark thoughts you are thinking

Draco Malfoy stifled in yawn, which Malfoys did not do in public, and searched for something to entertain him. His father Lord Malfoy was still in a session of the Wizengamot and while Draco had attended as an observer before and part of his heirship training today he just couldn't find it in him to sit through it. A quick instruction to neither shame the family nor killed, in order of importance obviously, was thrown in his direction and he'd been on his own. The novelty wore off after an hour. He mused that if he'd come here in mid afternoon when the purebloods did the walks it may have been more interesting but as it was he had yet to spy a suitable companion his own age. Holding in another yawn, Merlin he needed to stop by the apothecary and fetch a Pepper Up, silver eyes caught sight of a new book store to the left in one of the off alleys. He gave a mental shrug, since Malfoys didn't use such low-class body language, turned down the alley and ducked inside.

Draco slowed his steps when he came face to face with a small, doll-like boy who was blatantly staring at him. Staring wasn't anything new to Draco, he was stared at for lots of things. He was stared at for being the Heir to his father the current Lord of his family, he was stared at for being rich, for his looks, any number of things really. This was different. This boy in front of him had a look of unholy glee on his face that he couldn't imagine meant good things for him. He swallowed, keeping his composure the best he could and watched the boy flip open a small journal of some kind, scritch something in it and snap it shut again.

The boy looked up, halting Draco's inspection of the other boys clothing, which appeared to have been chosen for the sole purpose of making the boy as doll-like and fragile looking as possible. That's was very manipulative. He approved.

"Morning Draco." He sent a beaming smile at Draco, eyes closing part way.

That voice. He knew that voice. For a moment Draco was speechless and unnerved and confused. How could this possible be..?

"Good morning...Harry..." Draco replied, slowly, eyes flickering over the boy.

"Yup it's me! Come on I need your help with something.'

Merlin it really was Potter! He didn't get much of a chance to come to terms with that before he felt a small hand in his and he was being pulled back into a darkened corner of the store. Draco cursed when he felt himself blushing. This was Potter damn it, he shouldn't be blushing...even if the pretty git was dragging him to a corner and pushing him down...ohdearsweetmerlin. Emerald green eyes beneath long lashes stared up at him beseechingly and Draco had to cross his legs and clear his throat awkwardly. That smile was sweet and dark and he couldn't tell if Harry was flirting with him or planning to kill him. Either way brought up a number of uncomfortable questions he was a bit young and unprepared to deal with.

"You know my birthday is coming up soon, right Draco?"

Draco choked on his spit.

"Er...is it? I mean yes I know, er, everyone knows..."

A low laugh.

"Yes I guess the do don't they? And you know turning thirteen is a big deal, of course you do you just had your big party didn't you?"

Draco blinked. What were they talking about?

"Yes I did, it was quite the affair though Nott's family just had to have his two days before mine, it was a bit of a scandal." Hang on.

"Your thirteenth is coming up...you are the Potter heir aren't you?"

Another blinding smile.

"Got it in one! So, since I'm live in the muggle world when I'm not at school, did you know?, I obviously can't have my party with them so I need a proper person in the wizarding world to help me because I honestly have no idea what I'm doing."

Draco sat up straighter, falling into his mask, heart rate settling now he knew he was neither being solicited nor murdered.

"Oh, and so you came straight to the best did you?" He asked, puffing up a bit in spite of himself.

"Of course! Who else would I ask? Ron? Of course he does come from a pureblood family though not as grand as yours..."

Draco knew he was being flattered and buttered up but he couldn't help being a bit offended that Weasley of all people had been considered before him.

"The Weasel!? Don't be ridiculous he wouldn't know a thing about it. You said you live with muggles? Have you gotten your inheritance test finished and ready yet? Do you have a sponsor? Why do you live with muggles?"

"My what test?"

The Slytherin pulled out a pocket watch, cursed, stuffed it back, heaved a long-suffering sigh and began pulling the dark-haired boy along behind him, through the store and out into the Alley.

"To Gringotts!"

Harry raised a brow at him and opened his mouth.

"Hush Harry, we need to hurry if we're gonna get this done in time. I don't know why on earth you didn't come to me sooner. Waiting until the last minute, honestly! Bloody idiot Griffindors."

Rather than be offended, as he expected the other boy to be, he was surprised to realize Harry was amused. He only gave a half shrug and allowed himself to be pulled through the crowd, the blonde muttering insults and asking questions he didn't wait for the answers to, the entire way.