Author's Note: Last update before the New Year! Happy New Year this chapter is a bit short but I will have another one up soon I hope!
JK Rowling created these character and world. I just like to play there.
To her surprise, Draco was with Harry still, pouting over books in companionable silence when she entered the Gryffindor common room. "Um, how did this happen?" She smiled at the sight of her best friend and boyfriend working together.
"Draco helped carry some books up here for me. Since no one was in the room I figured I could use all the help I could get." Harry shrugged, taking off his glasses and pinching his nose. "This is useless!"
"Just keep researching Potter. We will find something." Draco said, handing Hermione a book and patting the seat next to him. "Especially now that know it all Granger is back."
Hermione playfully hit him. "Shut up."
"Where's Ron? Why did Professor Dumbledore want to see the two of you?" Harry asked.
"He won't be coming back. They called us in about the task tomorrow. There needs to be a student as representative for each champion. Ron is yours. They wanted me to be Viktor's." Hermione said as casually as possible, trying to ignore Draco stiffening beside her.
"Why do they need representatives?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"And why would they want you to be the representative for Viktor Krum?" Draco grated out.
"Harry, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but Ron will be at the bottom of the lake. He's what you have to rescue. He's perfectly safe though, so don't freak out on me." Hermione said before turning to Draco. "And clearly I refused to be Viktor's captive. They only chose me because we went to the Yule Ball together, but as you well know I have not been interested in him since later that night when another young man strode into my life out of nowhere." She leaned in and kissed him on the lips, "I'm yours and that is basically what I told Dumbledore. You have nothing to worry about."
Gagging noises coming from Harry brought them back to the task at hand. "Get a room will you. I invited a Slytherin into the common room, but I can only take so much on the night before I likely drown to death."
Hermione reached over and slapped him. "Funny. We will find a solution and now at least we know that Ron will be unharmed. Let's get some sandwiches and tea and keep searching."
Harry nodded and called, "Dobby."
The house elf popped into the common room beaming as always when Harry called him. "Master Harry needs Dobby?"
"Dobby?" Draco looked shocked.
"Master Draco?" Dobby seemed just as shocked as he looked back and forth between Harry and Draco. "What are you be doing in the Gryffindor room?"
"He's helping me try to pass the challenge in tomorrow's task Dobby. We are probably going to be here all night, could you bring us some tea and sandwiches? And something to allow people to breathe underwater for an hour would be great too." Harry said, meaning the last part as a joke clearly.
"Of course Master Harry!" With that Dobby disappeared.
"You tricked my father into freeing Dobby. Why is he here and taking orders from you?" Draco asked, no anger, only still shock in his voice.
"Dobby is a free elf and Hogwarts was the only place where he could find a job. He even takes a small salary. He seems happy here and ever since I helped free him he's been very grateful. I almost forgot that you knew him. You have seemed nothing like a Malfoy lately." Harry said, looking a little perplexed that he seemed to like Draco.
"Dobby used to try to run interference when my father was angry. He tried to take the abuse that was intended for me. Often my father just punished us both, but I always appreciated Dobby trying. He would then come and try to help with any marks my father left." Draco said quietly, not looking at either Hermione or Harry.
Hermione reached out and took his hand, saying nothing as she looked at Harry. Harry was looking at Draco in a whole new manner. Before anyone could think of anything to say, Dobby popped back in. "Dobby has the tea and sandwiches and the gillyweed sir!"
"The what?" Harry asked.
"Gillyweed sir! It will allow you to breathe underwater for an hour!" Dobby beamed.
"You're a lifesaver Dobby!" Hermione explained as Harry hugged the elf.
"Guess not much changes," Draco said as he too offered the elf a small smile.
Hermione hugged him and then they both were surprised as Harry pulled them into a group hug with Dobby. "I might stand a chance now. But I won't forget all the help from the three of you," Harry said, spending extra time looking at Draco.
Dobby reached up and lightly touched Draco's hand. "Dobby is glad Master Draco is friends with Master Harry. Master Harry freed Dobby, maybe he can help free you too."
A trace of the Malfoy smirk appeared on Draco's face. "I wouldn't say that Potter and I are friends…"
"I think you might be wrong Malfoy. Helping me tonight pretty much makes us friends." Harry laughed.
"Well, I think the credit for saving me lies with someone else at least." Draco said as he pulled Hermione to him.
"That's fine. You require too much kissing from your savior than my liking." Harry teased.
"In your dreams Potter."
Hermione laughed and laughed at the sight of them bickering. If Harry and Draco could become friends, then anything really was possible.
