Golden Protector

Chapter 10: Mark

o0o

Since all classes were over for the day the halls were swimming with students.

Harry was walking with Malfoy down to dinner and the auror was a couple feet behind them. He'd had to avoid a couple of the younger students who looked at him like he was a god or something. He'd always been treated differently ever since he came to Hogwarts but it was never like this.

"How about you come to my room tonight and we can start ingraining the finer points of potions into your mind." Draco suggested as they walked.

"I can't. There's something that I have to do." Harry had to deny the offer. "Don't you have to wait until Snape talks to McGonagall anyway?"

"No need. She signed it already." Draco stated as he pulled a form out of his pocket for the Gryffindor to see. Potter raised an eyebrow at him. "Just to let you know, I haven't been carrying this around all day. McGonagall just gave it to me."

"I wasn't going to say anything, though it doesn't change the fact that I can't do that tonight." Harry shrugged.

"You practically beg me to be your tutor but when I suggest we put it into practice you blow me off. What do you have to do?" Draco asked indignantly like what could be more important than learning potions.

"I promised Ginny that I'd finally sit down and settle our relationship." Harry admitted, not looking forward to that evening. "I've already blown her off once so I can't do it again."

Draco felt a pit form in his stomach. He thought their relationship was finally over. If Potter had a girlfriend again he'd spend a lot less time with him. "You aren't getting back together are you?"

"No" Harry shook his head adamantly. "I just don't feel that way about her anymore. She feels more like a sister."

"Then what's the problem?" Draco asked confused. They weren't dating or getting back together again so it was just a conversation with his ex-girlfriend. What was so scary about that?

"I haven't officially broken up with her yet." Harry admitted sheepishly.

"How could you have not broken up with her? It's been months since the end of the war." Draco said incredulously. "And didn't you two live in the same house over the summer?" He asked remembering Potter mention once that the Weasley family had moved in with him.

"Yes, but I've just been putting it off. Whenever she'd bring it up I'd just say I'm not ready, but now I'm pretty sure I never want to get back together." Harry sighed in exasperation. "The thing is I've strung her along for so long now I'm afraid to tell her, so every time I catch sight of her outside of class I high tail it the other direction."

"I think…oomph" Draco's foot caught on something and he lost his balance. Suddenly he was falling and the stone floor was getting closer fast. He felt arms catch him and he was held against someone's chest. Pushing out of the persons hold he looked up expecting to see Garrott, since you know it was his job to protect him, but instead he met Potter's face instead.

He heard laughing. Looking up at the culprit he glared when he saw Goyle with some seventh year Slytherins. Apparently when his body guard had heard his voice approaching from a different hallway he'd taken the chance to stick his foot out and trip him.

"Oops" Goyle said completely not serious about it. He laughed and his minion followed his example. When they walked off you could still hear them cackling to each other.

"What a bastard" Harry growled.

"Hey, I used to do exactly the same thing." For some reason Draco felt like Potter was insulting him indirectly. "I've grown past that point in my life though."

Harry remembered perfectly fine what a little terror Malfoy used to be.

Draco hadn't been to the Slytherin common room this semester but he suspected what was going on down there. Goyle was trying to take his place as the ruler of Slytherin. He was succeeding too. He wasn't delusional that he still had any true power in his house anymore though.

He wasn't the Slytherin Prince any more.

Draco didn't want to think about it though. He would just have to use Potter's problems to take his mind off of his own. "Back to what I was saying before… I think you run away every time you see her because you don't want to hurt her feelings." Draco stated his opinion. "You're too much of a Gryffindor."

"What are you my therapist? From one emotionally unstable person to another." Harry replied sarcastically back to the Slytherin's comment.

"My emotions are fine" Draco replied to his reference but at Potter's blank stare he crumbled. "Fine, I'm as emotionally screwed up as you are." Being raised in such a strict family and actually taught to hide your emotions from a young age was hard on a person. During the war it more than likely saved his life though.

"I'm supposed to meet her after dinner in the common room." Harry said as they reached the landing overlooking the entrance hall.

"If you're missing tomorrow I'll know who the culprit is." Draco stated when he caught sight of the Weaslette who sent a glare in Potter's direction before entering the Great hall.

o0o

When Harry entered Gryffindor tower after dinner Ginny was already waiting for him. She was sitting on the couch with her arms crossed. "Let's talk in my room." She suggested standing up and walking towards the stairs.

He followed her to the senior girl's room. Since not as many girls returned this year the 7th and 8th years were sharing a room.

Harry sat on Hermione's bed and waited for the red head to talk. She sat on her own bed that was directly opposite and made eye contact with him.

There was a long moment of silence.

"So...?" Harry said nervously just to get the conversation started.

"I'm just going to come right out and say it. This is a question I've been wondering since the beginning of term." Ginny exclaimed.

"What?" Harry asked, though he was pretty sure he knew what the question was. It was probably 'Are we still a couple?'

The red head shifted nervously before blurting it out. "Are you and Malfoy going out? It would make so much sense if you were." Ginny asked. She had been watching him a lot lately and his eyes always followed Malfoy when he entered the room.

Harry could feel his heart stop at what she was implying. "We're just friends. I'm not gay just because I don't want to go out with you."

"Well you weren't that interested about going past kissing" Ginny said as evidence. With all her other boyfriends they were very interested about getting to second and even third base but with Harry she felt none of that desire for her. It was more like he was using her for a front.

"I wasn't ready for sex yet." Harry snapped.

"Harry you're a teenager, you should be dying to get into your girlfriends pants." Ginny replied back as evidence. When she'd offered to have sex with him and he turned her down she suspected something was off.

Suddenly the door was slammed open and Hermione and Ron entered locked in a tight embrace attached at the mouth. You could hear the noise of the smacking of their lips and saliva being exchanged.

"Hey!" Ginny yelled indignantly.

Hermione immediately pushed her boy boyfriend away at the sound of one of her roommates yelling. Ron tried to lean in to continue kissing but she grabbed his chin and directed it so that he could see for himself they had company.

Ron turned an interesting shade of red. being caught in a moment of passion by your sister and your best friend was not the most pleasant feeling.

"I'm sorry. Usually there isn't anyone in here right after dinner" Hermione apologized sincerely.

"Are you guys done with the room because..." Ron had the audacity to ask.

"You are not having sex in the room I sleep in." Ginny decreed gripping her hair like she was going to rip it out.

"It's a little too late for that" Ron mumbled under his breath. Hermione smacked him on the back of the head and blushed profusely. The red head just shrugged at his girl friend as if silently communicating "What, it's true?"

Ginny glared and threw a pillow at her brother's head. "How am I ever going to sleep in this room again now that I know you've been doing that in here?" She couldn't stop her imagination from making up images to go along with the thought.

Harry was saved by Ron's stupidity. It seemed Ginny had completely forgotten about their conversation in light of fighting with her brother.

"Get a different room. I don't want you to ever use what is currently my bedroom for your nefarious activities." Ginny yelled. "This room is off limits."

"Fine, we'll find somewhere else!" Ron snapped in irritation as he dragged Hermione out behind him and slammed the door. They were most likely going to end up in the astronomy tower.

Once they were left alone again Ginny turned her attention back to him. "See, that's how you should feel about your girlfriend; unable to keep your hands off her." She point towards the door her brother had just made a dramatic exit out of."The only explanation is that you're gay." Ginny rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

He thought too soon. "I feel like this is more about your ego. Like you don't think I should be able to keep my hands off of you." Harry huffed in frustration.

"You shouldn't. I'm gorgeous." Ginny said as she flipped her long fiery red hair over her shoulder. "Any boy should lucky to have me. I've had many offers already this year; I just haven't taken any of them up on it because I want to make sure we are done. Are we?" She raised an eyebrow in question.

"Yes, we are done for good." Harry confirmed.

"Good I just wanted you to say it." Ginny said calmly like she'd known this was coming for months. "Seriously though, are you interested in Malfoy that way? He's good enough looking I guess but his personality could use some work." She rambled.

"Whatever Ginny" Harry said as he stood up to leave. Not wanting to sit there and listen to the girl speculate his imaginary romance with the Slytherin. He stopped at the door and turned around to address her "Still friends though?" He asked nervously.

Ginny rolled her eyes "Of course" He gave the red head a blinding smile before leaving.

o0o

After potions they were walking through the cold stone dungeons on their way to the next class.

They picked Garrott up after who had to wait outside for the whole class. He didn't seem happy about it at all.

"You have to convince Snape to allow me to monitor his classes again." Garrott demanded his charge.

"I don't think that's going to happen. Once Severus decides something it's usually set in stone." Draco shook his head.

"I've been entrusted with your safety. How can I do that properly if I have restrictions like this put on me?" Garrott complained.

"Sorry but no can do." Draco said because really he just didn't want the auror to be allowed to attend his potions class again. With the auror not looking over his shoulder as he tried to concentrate everything went much smoother and he felt less tense.

As soon as they'd got back to their quarters the night before Garrott had gone straight to bed. Draco had been left alone to do homework. It was nice having some alone time.

"I can do a better job protecting Malfoy." Harry claimed with confidence. "You haven't even fought in a real battle."

Draco rolled his eyes as they fell into their usual fights. Potter really liked to hold the fact that he wasn't present at the final battle over Garrott. He continued to walk with them following bickering behind him.

"I'm serious. You don't have enough experience. Greyback's a werewolf, and not one like my friend Lupin who took wolfs bane ever full moon to suppress the wolf." Potter and Garrott stopped walking to glare at each other. Their argument had taken a more serious turn.

"Have you ever seen a werewolf transform, because I have. The way there bones break and elongate as they grow fur over there body and sharp teeth that could rip anything to shreds." Harry looked the auror in the eye to see his reaction.

Draco felt a chill go down his spine the more the boy said. "Potter shut up." Draco snapped over his shoulder as he speed walked away. The way he was describing were-wolfs it was freak in him out.

It made him remember the one time Greyback had cornered him at the manor last year close to the full moon. He was lucky that Voldemort chose that time to use the drawing room. It was the only time he was every grateful for the dark lord's presence.

The Slytherin had managed to get out of the dungeon and was striding across the entrance hall away from the great hall. He had to jog to catch up with him. Harry grabbed Malfoy's arm to stop him from walking away. "Where are you going?"

"I just have to drop my bag off at my room. You should go to lunch though; your friends are waiting for you." Draco indicated with his head in the direction where Weasley and Granger were waiting for him.

Before Harry could say anything the blond had already dashed up the stairs.

.

Draco was walking through the entrance hall on his way to lunch after dropping off his potion text when he felt a tingling feeling. He ignored it because it was so subtle you could mistake it for the feeling you get when someone's starring at you without your knowledge.

Stepping through the doors he stopped in surprise. People were pointing at him and whispering which wasn't unusual but it had dropped off lately. What could he have done to start it again? He only looked down when someone yelled "Death eater!" He blanched when he saw that someone had transfigured the sleeves of his robe short; showing his dark mark.

Turning around to dash out of the great hall he was met with a laughing Goyle.

His hands made fists at his sides in anger. If he only had a wand, his old body guard would be in pain. Glaring as he walked around the laughing lug on his way to the stairs.

Garrott followed his charge.

.

Harry frowned at every ones' reactions. The laughing and the jeering were completely uncalled for. It wasn't common knowledge if Malfoy had the dark mark or not though it was always a possibility that he did.

Without thinking he dashed after the blond getting weird looks from some people. When he reached the portrait of the charms master on the second floor he spoke the password and nothing happened. 'Dam, they must've finally changed the password.' Harry thought to himself. He debated knocking when he heard raised voices on the other side of the door which took the question out of it.

...

Draco went to slam the portrait behind him to take his anger out on something but only managed to catch his auror in the door.

"You're supposed to be protecting me, making sure no one can attack me, but you let someone perform a spell on me." Draco snapped at the auror.

"It was only a harmless prank. No harm done." Garrott tried to placate the boy. He knew he hadn't done a very good job.

"But what if it hadn't been harmless? How can I trust you to protect me against Greyback, if you can't protect me against mere school children?" Draco yelled.

"You're over reacting." Garrott rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

"Maybe Potter's right, you don't have enough experience. I might just have to request another auror to take your place." Draco expressed his feelings.

Garrott grabbed the boy's wrists and dragged the willowy boy towards him. "Are you threatening me?" He asked while glaring into the grey eyes. He couldn't fail at this. If he was removed from this mission it would mean that he'd failed and would have to reapply to become an auror, which would take months and set him way back.

They both stopped when they were disturbed by a knock at the door.

"Malfoy, you ok in there?" Potter's voice could be heard muffled through the portrait.

Draco sighed in relief when he was released. Rubbing his wrists he went to answer the door. He never felt so relieved to see scar-heads face before.

Harry could see how agitated the blonde was. He wasn't sure if it was from the scene in the great hall or the argument he'd just over heard. "Do you think I could come in?"

Draco was so happy that the other boy had suggested it instead of him having to ask, because he didn't want to be alone with his auror right now. "Sure." Opening the portrait wider to leave enough room for the other to enter.

Harry stepped in and looked for the aurors position. He was by the mantle taking calming breathes as if to cool down. It looked like it was a really good thing he'd followed so he could interrupt before things escalated. He knew how easy it was for Malfoy to annoy someone to the point they wanted to punch him in the face.

Malfoy grabbed his wrist lightly and started to lead him to what he knew was the boy's bedroom. He could see the auror send a glare in their direction as they disappeared into the room.

Garrott glared at the door when his charge slammed it behind him.

.

Draco sighed in relief to be in his safe room once again. He flopped onto the bed on his back and tried to calm down. Starting to list ingredients for the polyjuice potion in his head to sooth him.

Harry looked at the Slytherin worriedly. He looked much more disheveled than he usually did with his precariously transfigured short sleeves and his hair looked messed up like he'd only seen it after a scuffle.

Draco felt the mattress give way beside him as the other boy joined him on the bed. He didn't think that they had a close enough relationship for that action but at the moment he didn't care.

The silence was broken by Potter's voice. "Are you ok?"

Draco breathed heavily through his nose once. "I guess." He sighed. "It was too much to hope that everyone would forget I had the dam thing."

"It's just like a muggle tattoo now. It's not even active anymore." Harry said to comfort the blond.

"It's a symbol, proof that I was once Lord Voldemort's property." Draco said upset.

The way that Malfoy referred to himself as an object that had once been owned unsettled him. "My scars just a symbol too. I consider it proof of everything I had to go through, and I'm still here. You should too."

Draco thought about all the hard times since he got the mark on his arm. All the times he could've given up and perished but pushed through. "Wow, you actually made me feel better."

Harry smiled at the snarky response to his heart felt words. "It's what I'm here for." He put his arms behind his head to preen in accomplishment.

They both jumped when a knock came at the door.

"You have charms in ten minutes." Garrott's voice could be heard through the door.

"Fuck." Malfoy exclaimed. Climbing off the bed he made his way towards the door.

Harry propped himself up on his elbows and observed the Slytherin's appearance. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

"What?" Draco's hand fell off the door knob he was just about to turn. Turning around to look at the Gryffindor questionably. The boy gestured to his body. Looking down he realized he was still wearing the transfigured robe. "Fuck." He pulled the robe off and threw it on the floor.

Shooting a look at the clock on his dresser." We have to go." Malfoy pointed out before walking towards the door and opening it up.

Harry followed behind the Slytherin. He watched Malfoy grab his bag before leaving through the portrait. Making him realize he'd forgotten his bag at the Gryffindor table. Well hopefully Hermione grabbed it for him. The auror glared at him before following his charge out the portrait so Harry shot a glare back.

Harry fell in step with the Slytherin as they made the short trip down the hall to charms classroom.

The class started to whisper as they entered together. He wasn't sure if it was because of what happened at lunch or if it was the fact that they actually came to class together instead of just meeting here.

Harry followed Malfoy to his usual seat in the back. Hermione held his bag out from her aisle seat for him to retrieve it. "Thanks." He whispered to her as he passed by.

"Everyone!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed to gain the classes attention. "Today we will be going over memory charms. You'll need this charm if you wish to go into becoming an Obliviator for the ministry." Many students rolled their eyes thinking about how they weren't pathetic enough to fall into that job. It was for losers.

"I'm sure most of you already know the incantation for this spell but have never actually cast it. Who would like to remind us?" Flitwick addressed the class. Hermione raised her hand.

"Yes Miss Granger." The professor pointed at the girl.

"Obliviate." Hermione answered after putting her hand down. She'd only ever performed the charm once on Dolohov but she'd never forget the experience.

"If performed properly the charm will remove a certain memory, what will happen if performed improperly?" Flitwick asked and both Harry and Ron's hands shot into the air, remembering Professor Lockhart.

"Mr. Weasley." Flitwick smiled at the redhead that usually wasn't very active in his class.

"It can erase a large part of a person's memory and cause brain damage." Ron answered.

"Very good, 10 points to Gryffindor. There is only one way to break a memory charm placed on a person. What is it?" Flitwick asked ominously.

A lot of people looked confused. They never heard of a way to break the charm, that's why there was a ward in St. Mungos dedicated to the spell damage it made when it went wrong. Even Hermione was a little thrown off. Harry saw Draco's hand go up out of the corner of his eye.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy." Flitwick acknowledged the Slytherin.

"The reason why no one has heard of a cure for the charm is because it is not for the faint of heart. It will never be used by the healers at St. Mungos. The only cure is torture." Everyone one looked wide eyed at the blonde as he revealed the answer. "Though once you've been cured your body and mind has been damaged beyond repair." Draco answered remembering watching the Cruciatus curse being performed on someone to get information in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor.

"That's a very thorough answer Mr. Malfoy, 20 points to Slytherin." Flitwick squeaked. "Since we can't be going around casting the spell on other classmates, this is going to have to be a practical lesson. Get out your text books and turn to page 68. There will be an essay due next class on the spell." Flitwick informed the class. Many grumbles could be heard. Ron's being one of the loudest. Draco was probably the only one happy about it other than Granger.

…TBC