AN: I do not own Harry Potter
A Lion in Snakes Clothing
Chapter 10: A Friend Indeed
Draco should have known something was wrong almost immediately. The signs were there, he just didn't want to acknowledge them. Hoping to maybe let it pass by in his ignorance and allow time to wash it away...it was not to be.
It had all started on the Hogwart's Express when he discovered that the compartment that Harry and the others were in just happened to be full. Granted there was one more Weasley than last year so he had merely passed it off as bad luck on his part and moved to another compartment with some blond girl jabbering on about absolute nonsense. It had almost made him want to take his chances with the Slytherin's...almost.
During the feast however it became clear that Draco was being ignored, looking to sit with Harry only to find him sitting between a nervous and blushing Millicent Bulstrode and a nervous and scared Pansy Parkinson. At first he did what came naturally and sulked, content that he didn't need Potter or his two Gryffindor cohorts. But as the days became weeks the isolation was beginning to take its toll. He, much like Harry, had maintained a reputation as someone not to be trifled with and had taught that lesson to Zabini, Nott and even Crabbe and Goyle to great effect. So great in fact that he too had earned the title of Pariah, leaving him isolated from everyone. Harry at least had Ron and Hermione, Draco had no one. Finally tiring of his exile, Draco was determined to hunt Harry down and demand to know what exactly he had done to deserve this cold shoulder.
He checked the dungeons first and was not in the least bit surprised when his search came up empty. He moved on to the Quidditch pitch with equally dismal results and likewise came up empty at Hagrid's hut. Draco marched up and down the halls getting more and more frustrated as he went. Between his new broom and invisibility cloak, if Harry didn't want to be found then he would not. He turned the corner and spotted someone who might be of use, a Gryffindor first year with a camera, who had replaced Harry's shadow and followed him around like a lost puppy.
"Hey you," Draco called out storming over to the small blond boy. The boy in question flinched and froze at the sight of the approaching Slytherin, unsure whether to answer or to turn and run.
"You're the one always trailing after Harry," Draco said looking down at the nervous boy.
"C-Colin C-Creevey at your service," he said gulping.
"Whatever," Draco scoffed with a dismissive wave of his hand, "where is Harry?"
"I...I don't know," Colin said somewhat dejected.
"You don't know? How could you not know? It seems to be your life's sole purpose to trail at Harry's heels like the other two."
"Well...he...he might be avoiding me," Colin said sheepishly.
"It would appear to be going around," Draco grumbled.
"But I did see Hermione in the library, maybe you could ask her?"
Draco frowned at the idea but decided it was worth a shot. He left Colin without so much as a word and made his way to the library. He walked towards the back to Harry's regular table and sure enough there was Hermione reading alone. He approached slowly, standing behind her trying to figure out exactly what he was going to say. Sensing someone over her shoulder, she sighed before lowering her book.
"For the last time Colin I do not know where Harry has run off to," she said not turning around.
"Do I look like some nervous twitch with a camera Granger?"
Now aware that it was not in fact Colin behind her, she spun around to see a very grumpy Draco looking down at her.
"I need to speak to Harry."
"Well he isn't here Draco."
"Really," he asked swiping his hand through the empty space of the chair across from her.
"What are you doing?"
"He has an invisibility cloak Granger, I can't just take your word that he isn't here."
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe he doesn't want to speak to you?"
"And did it ever occur to you that you should mind your own business?"
"Harry is my friend and..."
"He's my friend too!"
"Is he really? He isn't some assignment given to you by your father?"
"Do not speak of things you know nothing about you...you..."
"Go ahead," Hermione nearly snarled, "go ahead and say it. I know it's what you really think. As if I can't see the way you and your father look at me, like I'm some disease that needs to be eradicated."
"I...I've never called you that," Draco said indignantly.
"Never to my face and never in front of Harry, but look me in the eyes and tell me you've never referred to me as a mudblood."
He tried, but his gaze could not meet her accusing one as he look down at the floor in anger.
"I thought as much," she said frowning. "I tried so hard to be your friend Malfoy, for his sake, but you could never be friends with someone like me. Harry is very important to me and I won't let you or the other Slytherins or even the Gryffindors hurt him. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Draco said through gritted teeth, "I apologize for disturbing you."
He marched from the library unaware of the set of green, calculating eyes that followed him.
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Draco barley registered Lockhart as he prattled on about form and safety again. He knew the man would select Harry to duel first and he hadn't even waited for the dull twit to name an opponent when he volunteered himself. If Harry was surprised by this he didn't show it and it infuriated Draco even more. The two presented their wands and bowed before heading to either end of the stage. They held themselves at the ready with Lockhart giving his final instructions.
"On my mark you may begin. Remember you are to try and disarm only, we don't want any accidents. On three, one, two..."
"Everte Statum!"
"Protego!"
A murmur went through the crowd as Draco's spell fizzled against Harry's shield. Draco and Harry both frowned, Draco for Harry anticipating his jumping the gun and Harry for correctly deducing Draco would.
"Excellent work Harry," Lockhart said gushing, "not many second years can perform a shielding charm. I myself wasn't able to use that spell properly until almost the end of my third year."
"Git", Snape and Harry both thought.
Undeterred Draco resumed his stance and continued his assault.
"Everte Statum! Petrificus Totalus!"
Again Harry effortlessly blocked both spells causing Draco to become incensed.
"Come on Potter fight me! Or is hiding like a coward all your good at?"
"Make yourself worth fighting and I may," Harry said smirking. The sound of laughter from the crowd made Draco see red.
"How dare you speak to me like that! As if I were your muggleborn little pet over there," he said motioning with his wand at Hermione and glancing at her.
"Everte Statum!"
The spell caught Draco unaware and full in the chest, causing him to be hurled into a wall. He heard and felt his arm break just before slipping into unconsciousness.
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Draco woke slowly, his mind a haze and his arm numb. His bleary eyes peered about the room to find himself in the Hospital Wing, off in the corner at the far end of the hall. He then noticed Harry sitting in a chair next to him, half his body hidden by his cloak, a somber look on his face. The moon was high in the sky, so he could only assume he had been out for quite some time.
"One of these days," Draco said hoarsely before sitting up, "Snape is going to catch you on your late night excursions and then you'll be in a world of hurt."
"How are you feeling," Harry said quietly.
"Oh, we suddenly find ourselves the time to speak with me. I should have let you break my arm at the start of the year, it would have saved us all some trouble."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know the spell would throw you so hard. I saw you pointing your wand at Hermione and you were angry and..."
"And what? You thought I would hurt you're precious girlfriend," Draco snorted.
"The thought did cross my mind...and we're just friends."
"Well I'm glad to see you think so highly of me."
"You haven't given me much reason to think otherwise. I know you've been reporting back to your father about me."
"I'm sure Granger has mention you to her parents as well," Draco said dismissively.
"Her parents are also not suspected Death Eaters, possibly still loyal to my greatest enemy."
"What do you want Harry," Draco sighed laying back down.
"I want the truth. I want to know why you wanted so badly to become my friend."
Draco sat back up, looking into Harry's eyes, the scrutiny and distrust just hiding beneath the surface. He knew he had a choice to make, one that would have far reaching consequences and one that could prove to make his life very difficult indeed. Sighing again, he turned his eyes back to Harry's expectant gaze.
"The truth...the truth is that my father wanted me to get close to you so I could spy on you. He wanted to know more about you, your personality, your abilities, whether or not you were an enemy or an ally."
Draco noted with some sourness the surprised look on Harry's face, evidently the last thing he had expected to hear was the truth.
"When I came with you to help Granger it was because my father wanted me to be your friend. But I came with you to protect the Philosopher's Stone because you are my friend."
Harry said nothing, quietly contemplating on Draco's words. Draco himself exhaled, figuring in for a knut in for a galleon and decided to lay his cards on the table.
"I was shunned by the others when I started hanging out with you, Granger and Weasley. After a while I began to realize that the others are stupid and weak. They're an undisciplined mob and they lack vision, ambition. You do not. I enjoy getting in and out of trouble with you, it's fun and it was nice to know I had someone looking out for me."
"What about you're father, your family?"
"I've told my father what he wanted to know, but I didn't tell him everything. He doesn't know you have an invisibility cloak. He also only knows a handful of the spells you actually have in your arsenal. He also has no idea about what really happened at the end of last year. There are rumors and hearsay but he doesn't know what we did or why. I know you don't trust me," Draco said looking away, "you shouldn't. But despite everything you're my only friend...and I dislike being alone."
Harry studied his fellow Slytherin, trying to find the truth underneath his words. He thought back to his own life, before Severus and wondered what it might have been for another five years without a friend in the world. He thought of lonely nights under the stairs and the same lost look on Draco's face as he once had.
"Or perhaps in Slytherin, you'll make your real friends," Harry said quietly causing Draco to look at him curiously. "The sorting hat said that at our first year. I would like to think that it's true."
Harry rose, wrapping his cloak around him and checking to make sure the coast was clear.
"Get some rest and then we can talk. I still don't entirely trust you, but I don't like to be alone any more than you."
With that Harry was gone leaving Draco with much to think about.
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Draco paced the Hospital Wing, trying to sort out exactly what had happened. Harry was off explaining events to Dumbledore and Weasley was currently with his sister who was still semi hysterical. She had awoken in a panic and had not stopped either sobbing or apologizing since they had returned. All the while clinging to him as if she might float away if she let go.
Next he was trying to wrap the idea that the Dark Lord or at least a younger memory of him had attempted to kill Harry and by extension himself. And with a bloody Basilisk of all things.
"He dare call us a disgrace to Slytherin," he muttered to himself, "clever enough to destroy you."
Movement caught his eye as Hermione began to stir, stiff limbs slowly flexing as the draught began to take effect. He walked over to her side and watched as her skin gained its color and her fingers began to move. Suddenly she shot up, fumbling through her robes for her wand, unaware of where or when she was.
"Relax Hermione," Draco said grabbing her attention, "you're in the Hospital Wing."
"Basilisk! It's a Basilisk," she said trembling.
"We know, we got your note, it's dead," he said rolling his eyes.
"Dead?"
"Harry, Weasley and I just returned a few hours ago."
"How long was I petrified?"
"Only for a week or so. Not that it matters since final exams have been canceled."
"Canceled," Hermione groaned.
"Right I forgot you're not like anyone else," Draco sighed.
"Where's Harry...and Ron?"
"Weasley is with his sister. She was somehow caught up in this mess, something to do with a diary she had. I'll let Harry explain it. He's with Dumbledore as we speak doing just that."
"And why are you here?"
"Because I have nothing better to do and I told Harry I would wait for you to revive to let you know he was okay."
Hermione sat quietly, looking around the ward as the others began to come to.
"Thank you Draco."
"I told you I had nothing better to do, no need to thank me."
"No...thank you for going with Harry, for helping him."
"He's my friend Hermione," Draco said looking away, "of course I was going to help him."
"You're calling me Hermione," she said, amusement clear in her voice.
"I suppose I am. Don't read into it anymore than me trying to coexist with you for Harry's sake."
"We don't have to be enemies," she said frowning, "we could be friends."
"Please," Draco scoffed, "we can't just erase everything that's happened between us and start over."
Hermione was thoughtful for a moment before extending her hand at him.
"What are you doing," he asked skeptically looking at her hand.
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid we've never met before. My name is Hermione Granger from House Gryffindor."
Draco looked at the hand and back to her expectant expression, his lips betraying him as they rose in a small smirk.
"Draco Malfoy from the noble House of Slytherin," he said grasping her hand which she shook heartily while smiling at him. "This is disgustingly cliched, you are aware, yes?"
"You hush and stop ruining the moment."
"I still think Weasley is an idiot by the way."
"Baby steps Draco, baby steps."
I initially was going to write the second school year as I had before splicing Harry, Draco and Ginny's stories with one another, but I disliked the way it made everything flow and decided to dedicate one chapter to each of them as the year passes. Ginny will be next, followed by Harry which will tie the three together.