A/N Aha, got this done quicker than I thought I would!

Again, some lines from the book. However, like before, I've changed bits of them to suit the slightly different personalities, in particular, Harry, seeing as he's not exactly as... vocal?... in this story.

Anyway, enjoy :)

Harry woke early the next morning, and for a moment, couldn't quite put his finger on why he felt so glum.

'Hey, Dean! You coming or what? I want to get down before he wakes up!'

Ah. Seamus... Harry rolled over onto his side and put on his glasses, before pulling open the curtains surrounding his four-poster bed. Seamus abruptly turned a faint shade of pink, and rushed out of the dormitory.

'Does he think he'll turn into a nutter if he stays in a room with me too long?' Harry asked loudly, as the hem of Seamus' robes whipped out of sight.

'Don't worry about it Harry,' Dean muttered, making his way across the dormitory to follow Seamus down to breakfast, 'he's just... Well...' Apparently Dean was finding it too difficult to articulate exactly what Seamus was, as he just shrugged his shoulders at Harry, and followed his friend down to the Great Hall.

'Forget it Harry,' Ron said, while Neville nodded his agreement. 'He's not worth it.'

Harry nodded, fake smile firmly in place. 'Yeah, I know.'

As they made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast though, Ron and Hermione arguing as usual, Harry couldn't help thinking about Seamus' reaction to him last night. He knew there would be some people who wouldn't believe him, but he hadn't honestly expected his own classmates to turn against him like that... He shook himself slightly. It had upset him, sure, but he had dealt with worse... He shouldn't let it bother him. As they made their way through an old tapestry, hiding a shortcut behind it, Harry's mind drifted back to the evening he had spent with Draco. Now that could be a bigger problem... He was sure Draco wouldn't tell anyone what he had found out now, after all, if he was going to, surely he would have done it by now? But still... it made him anxious to think that someone knew so much about his life away from Hogwarts. No-one had ever known that much about about him before! Let alone cared enough to actually try and help him...

He looked up, to find that Ron and Hermione had stopped arguing, and were both staring at him, slightly concerned expressions on their face.

'Harry, what is it?' Hermione asked. 'You seem a bit... distracted.'

Harry hesitated.

'Seamus reckons Harry's lying about You-Know-Who,' said Ron, when Harry didn't respond. Harry breathed a small sigh of relief, and silently thanked Seamus and his narrow-mindedness, for unwittingly providing the perfect excuse...

'Yes, Lavender thinks so too...' Hermione said, looking at Harry sympathetically. 'I told her to keep her big mouth shut of course...' She sighed. 'You know, this is just what Dumbledore expected. Do you remember what he said at the last end-of-term feast?'

Harry and Ron both shook their heads blankly.

'About You-Know-Who,' she continued, 'He said that, "his gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust..."'

Harry and Ron both stared at her. How on earth did she remember things like that?

'...And the Sorting Hat's warning was the same: stand together, be united...'

This time, Ron cut her off. 'Yeah, and if that means we're supposed to get matey with the Slytherins... fat chance!'

Harry nodded his agreement, but wondered, as he did so, whether he actually believed that any more... He had always hated all Slytherins on principle, and a week ago, his reaction would have been exactly the same as Ron's. But maybe... maybe he had judges them too quickly? After all, he'd been prejudice against them since almost the moment he had entered the castle! And Draco had certainly proved many of his preconceptions to be wrong. Maybe trying for some, 'inter-house co-operation', wasn't such a bad idea after all... Harry was still deep in thought as they entered the Great Hall, and sat down at the Gryffindor table. As his eyes wandered idly across the Hall, he noticed a pair of grey eyes, watching him. Draco. Harry felt himself blush slightly under Draco's gaze and he looked back down at the table, as he remembered exactly how he had broken down the night before. He panicked for a moment. What if he comes over? What if he tells Ron and Hermione!? He forced himself to relax, as he remembered what Draco had said to him last night...

'You. Are. Not. A. Freak. Ok? You're a wizard. It is not your fault any of these things happen to you. Don't ever think it is... you have got to stop thinking the things your uncle says are true... From now on, I'm here whenever you need me...'

Harry blushed even harder as he thought about everything Draco had said to him. He honestly could not remember anyone having ever been so understanding, anyone ever having listened to what he had to say, and genuinely cared so much... He looked back up at Draco, and found that he was still watching him from over at the Slytherin table, concern evident in his eyes. He smiled at Harry, a tiny smile. Blink and you'd miss it. But Harry saw it. And this time, Ron didn't. Harry smiled back, tentatively.

.o0o.

Draco sat at the Slytherin table, watching the doors into the Great Hall. He was sure Harry would be more willing to trust him after last night. After all, he hadn't told anyone, had he? And sure, he hadn't actually done much... but he'd sat there with him. He'd listened. He'd been there, and he was sure that would mean something to Harry... After all, it was more than Weasley or Granger had done. Draco looked down at the table, thinking. He'd have to get Harry away from them if he was going to get him to talk to him again. That would be difficult... they could extremely overpowering at times. But he had to manage it somehow. Harry obviously didn't feel at all comfortable with the idea of them knowing... Draco snorted. Understatement... Harry was terrified at the idea of them finding out!

He looked up, to find that Harry had just entered the Hall. He watched, as he made his way over to the Gryffindor table, frowning slightly, apparently deep in thought. Draco scowled. 'Weasley and Granger haven't even noticed!' he thought to himself. He continued to stare at Harry, willing the boy to look over in his direction. After a couple of minutes, Draco finally caught Harry's eye. He looked embarrassed, flushed pink, and promptly turned back to the slice of toast on the plate in front of him. Draco almost smirked, but caught himself just in time. 'That is not what Harry needs right now,' he thought to himself. Despite the decision he had made to help Harry, he realised, as he sat there, that it would be a while before he completely broke the many hostile habits he had acquired over the years... But he'd manage. He was a Malfoy after all! He could do anything he wanted when he put his mind to it. After a few moments, Harry looked back up. Draco smiled, very slightly, and nearly fell off of the bench he was sat at, when Harry smiled back. Sure, it was the smallest, shyest smile Draco had ever seen on his face, but it was there... He looked back down at his breakfast, smiling broadly, only to find Pansy staring at him, looking somewhat incredulous.

'Yes?' he snapped.

'You... I... What on earth...' She stopped, apparently deciding to change tact. 'Well...' she began, voice silky smooth, clearly deciding to play with Draco for a bit, before revealing what it was she actually wanted to say. 'You do realise that I happen to have rather good eyesight?'

'Of course I do. Goes well with that damned hearing of yours...'

'Yes, quite,' Pansy continued, smiling mischievously. 'And you do also realise, that I'm rather observant?'

'Yes. Anything worth gossiping about, and you've heard it, seen it, instigated it most likely...'

'Well then,' Pansy interrupted, 'would you mind ever so much, telling me why you've been staring over at Harry Potter for the past ten minutes?'

Draco stiffened ever so slightly. 'I was reliving the detention with him I supervised last night,' he lied. 'It was most... enjoyable,' he smirked.

'Aaaa, but then my dear,' she asked, in a surprisingly good imitation of Professor Twelawney, 'why then did you smile at him? And, if I'm not very much mistaken, he returned the smile, no?' She grinned impishly at Draco.

'I... Well I...' Draco stammered. 'I don't have a clue what you're talking about,' he finished, defiantly.

'Draco, don't lie to me,' Pansy snapped, etherial tone gone completely. 'You should know by now that I can always tell when you are lying to me and I don't appreciate it...' Her eyes narrowed dangerously. 'So spill,' she said, reverting so quickly to her usual cheery demeanour, that Draco was half-certain he had imagined it.

'I... But I...' he sighed, wondering how on earth he was going to get around this. 'Pansy, I can't tell you... And before you go off on one at me, just listen, ok?'

Pansy glared at him, clearly insulted at the insinuation that she was unable to keep her mouth closed.

'I'm not going to lie to you, you'll just figure it out anyway... But I really cannot tell you what it is. I promised.'

Pansy considered him for a moment. 'Are you dating him?' she asked.

'WHAT?! Draco spluttered. 'No... I mean... NO!' Half of the Slytherin table turned to look at the pair at Draco's outburst. They both glared at them, and were quickly left alone. 'Why the hell would you think that?!'

'Well...' Pansy said. 'Up until now you've hated him, and then all of a sudden you're smiling at him across the hall, and then beaming so hard when he returns it that your face almost splits in two!'

'Right,' Draco said, calming down slightly. 'Well, no, ok? I am not dating Potter!'

Pansy stared at him for a few moments. 'Fine,' she said eventually, apparently accepting what he had said as the truth. 'I believe you.'

'Thank you.'

'But you will tell me right? When you can. Before anyone else? Because you know how much I hate for someone else to find out a good bit of gossip before me?'

Draco frowned. 'You know, Pansy, its really not the sort of thing you should gossip about...' He stopped, at the death glare Pansy was now giving him, 'But yes, yes, of course! You'll be the first to know!'

Pansy smiled at him. 'Good. Come on then, we have to get to Transfiguration.'

Draco breathed a small sigh of relief, before getting up, and following Pansy out of the Great Hall.

.o0o.

'Today, you will be attempting to vanish the mice in front of you, using the incantation you learnt last lesson,' Professor McGonagall said, sharply. 'Now, I understand this is much more difficult than anything you have attempted in my class so far, but, I nevertheless expect you to have made at least some progress by the end of the lesson.' Neville audibly gulped, and began fidgeting with the sleeve of his robes. Professor McGonagall gave him what she apparently thought was an encouraging smile, and Harry had to hold back a laugh, when Neville looked even more worried. 'Now, get into pairs please, and begin.'

Harry looked over at Ron and Hermione, and found that they were, once again, completely oblivious to the rest of the world, being involved in an argument over something Ron had apparently done that morning at breakfast. He looked around, and found that Draco was staring right at him. He quickly looked back down at his desk.

'Mr Potter,' Professor McGonagall began, eyebrows raised. 'Are you going to find yourself a partner or will I have to do it for you?'

'Uuuum, no, professor. No, I'll just.. uuum...' He quickly stopped, as he realised the only person left without a partner, was Draco. Where the hell was Neville?!

'Mr Potter, I am waiting.'

Harry made once last, desperate scan of the room, before gathering up his books, and heading over to Draco's desk.

'Oooh, if it isn't Gryffindor's Golden Boy himself!' Harry heard Blaise Zabini say from the desk behind them. 'Shame, Draco. You'd have been better off on your own than with that egotistical twat!'

Harry stared straight ahead, ignoring Zabini's taunts.

'Cut it out Blaise,' Draco drawled. 'It's bad enough I have to share a desk with him, without you persistently reminding me.'

Harry heard Zabini laugh, but refused to turn around. He stared, unseeing, at the blackboard. So much for Draco wanting to help him...

.o0o.

Draco watched, somewhat amused, as Harry desperately scanned the room, seemingly looking for any space that wasn't next to him. At last, he seemed to admit defeat, and trudged over to where Draco was sat. Draco opened his mouth to speak to him, but was cut off by Blaise Zabini...

'Oooh, if it isn't Gryffindor's Golden Boy himself!' he said, his voice dripping with disdain. 'Shame Draco. You'd have been better off on your own than with that egotistical twat!'

Draco felt heated anger building up inside of him. 'Cut it out Blaise,' he drawled, trying desperately to keep the anger out of his voice. Blaise stared at him in shock, and Draco realised his mistake. He wasn't supposed to defend Harry! 'It's bad enough I have to share a desk with him, without you persistently reminding me.' Blaise seemed satisfied with this quick recovery, as he gave a short laugh, and turned away.

Draco turned to Harry, to find him staring blankly at the blackboard in front of them.

'Uuum, Harry?' he began, having made sure Blaise was fully engrossed in helping Pansy. 'Are you ok.'

'Fine, Malfoy.'

Draco looked at him for a moment, confused, and then it clicked. 'Harry, I didn't mean that, you know?' he began, 'But don't you think it would have been ever-so-slightly suspicious if I hadn't at least attempted to insult you? I mean, we havebeen at each others' throats for the past four years... I think Blaise may have noticed if I'd just started being nice to you...!'

'Of course.'

'Harry please, you're the one who doesn't want anybody to know! I'm just doing my best to make sure no-one finds out!'

Harry looked up at him, brows furrowed. 'So, you don't...' Harry looked embarrassed, 'you don't, actually mind? You know, sitting with me?'

'Did you listen to a word I said last night?' Draco asked, incredulous. How on earth could Harry still think he hated him? It was infuriating how slow he could be...

Harry flushed. 'Sorry,' he whispered. 'It's just easier to believe the bad things sometimes...'

Draco at once felt all the annoyance leave his body.

'I know,' he whispered back to him. 'But you have to believe what I've said to you, ok? I'll happily stop insulting you if that's what you want. I just thought, at least until I'd spoken to you again, that it might help. You know, so that people didn't realise anything had changed?'

Harry was silent for a moment, then nodded.

'Good,' Draco said. He lowered his voice again, so that it was almost inaudible. 'If you want, I'll be in the Charms classroom, on the third floor, tonight. 8 o'clock? I'll wait till 9.' With that, Draco turned back to the mouse he was supposed to be vanishing.

'Evanesco!'

A/N And another chapter ends... Thank you for all the reviews, makes a very happy happy writer! :)