Shiary – All in due time ;)

Allietheepic7 – No, I didn't, I just changed its name.

Kairan1979 – Oh, Narcissa definitely won't be siring another heir. And it really was hardly a smart move of Lucius, but he's hardly a smart man. That little slimeball, licking half-bloods' robes like the little suck-up he is...

Geetac – Thanks for the review

Gruffard – He's busy with the Stone, but he hasn't forgotten... yet.

Penny is wise – I know. But Harry's an eleven year old boy, who didn't grow up with the Dursleys like in cannon. Here, he doesn't know what it's like to be insulted and pushed away.

Lolerator – Can't say... You'll find out soon... *evil laugh*

Chapter Eleven: Crossroads

Draco was running through the dark castle, trying to find Harry. He knew the right thing to do was go to Uncle Severus, but he was too ashamed to. What would his godfather think of him when he saw the letter? Nothing good. And Draco didn't want to disappoint him. The man had practically raised him. Lucius rarely had time for his family – he preferred to spend his time at Malfoy Manor in his study, drinking and scribbling threats to the Minister for Magic.

Draco came out of his thoughts as he bumped into something considerably larger than himself. Cursing, he stood up and squinted at the figure.

"Weasley," he said coldly. "What are you doing here?"

Ron glared. "I could ask the same about you, Malfoy," he spat.

"I want to see Black," said Draco quietly.

He didn't want to give too much away to Weasley by calling Harry by his given name.

Ron no longer looked angry, just puzzled. "Why are you two meeting so often? He should have been a Slytherin! He's a Black, for Merlin's sake!"

"We're relatives," said Draco neutrally. "Weasley, don't let Hogwarts Houses dictate your life. Not all Slytherins are evil."

Perhaps he could teach Weasley a lesson. Perhaps, if he did well, Uncle Sev would be proud of him.

"Name one who isn't," said Ron, his anger flaring up again.

"Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Blaise Zabini, Terence Higgs, to name a few," said Draco. "The celebrated Auror Alastor Moody was a Slytherin, Weasley. Is he evil, too?"

Ron glowered at him. "What do you know? Dad says you Malfoys are all –,"

"I'M NOT LIKE MY FATHER!" raged Draco, unable to keep his feelings in any longer.

Raise your Occlumency shields, he reminded himself. Remember what Uncle Sev taught you.

Ron backed away. "Just stay away from me and my brothers, Malfoy."

Draco swallowed audibly; knowing it would be the last time someone would call him that. He was no longer a Malfoy. He was a no one.

"I told you where I was going. It's your turn now, Weasley," said Draco.

The larger boy clenched his jaw. "Kitchens," he said finally.

Draco tried to remember his mother's teachings. Be polite to everyone, regardless of their wealth or blood status. They didn't choose that lifestyle.

"There's a shortcut behind the fourth knight on the left," he said knowingly.

Ron looked at him suspiciously, but nodded and headed in that direction. Draco took off again, hoping to find Harry soon. The other boy had promised him he'd be by the Defence against the Dar Arts classroom. But he was nowhere to be seen. Draco passed the Charms corridor when he heard a voice.

"Neville," hissed Harry's voice. "Why are you out of bed?"

"I was in the Hospital Wing," muttered Longbottom. "I don't know the password to the common room."

Harry looked at Neville fondly, but also a bit irritably. Draco inched closer, trying to catch what Harry was saying. Harry must have heard him, because he stopped talking and leaned forward slightly.

"Is that you, Fred, George?" he whispered.

Fred and George? Was Harry awaiting more people? Draco felt someone grab his shoulders, pulling him back. He spun around and struggled out of their grip.

"Jameson," he said as he caught sight of his captor.

"Draco?" said Harry, trying to figure out what was happening.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake," muttered Tonks. "Lumos!"

The four stared at each other.

"Where are Fred and George?" asked Tonks. "They should be here!"

"Why are you lot meeting here?" demanded Draco. "Don't you share a common room? Can't you talk there?"

Neville, too, looked confused. "H-harry, why i-is Malfoy –,"

"There you are!" exclaimed two new voices.

Fred and George had arrived.

Harry sighed, cursing himself. How big a mess had he created? Draco wanted to speak with him about his father, Tonks and the twins wanted to go through the trapdoor and now they had to tell Neville everything.

"Draco," said Harry. "Give me the letter and go back to bed. Neville –,"

But Neville had already figured it out. "We're in the forbidden corridor!" he said. "You're going to see what's in the classrooms here!"

"Be quiet, Neville," pleaded Harry. "Draco, give me the bloody letter already!"

Draco handed him the crumpled paper. Harry hid it from view and read it under his own wand's newly produced light.

His eyes seemed to widen at every sentence. "Draco, I-I –," his voice seemed to get stuck in his throat.

"Don't," said Draco. "Is Longbottom telling the truth? Are you that stupid, Harry?"

Harry snorted. "Maybe you and Tonks really are cousins," he muttered under his breath.

"Look, you either come with us –," said Fred.

"Or you go back to bed without telling a soul," finished George.

"Lurking around here isn't an option," said Tonks.

"I'm coming," said Draco immediately.

Merlin knows I won't be able to sleep any time soon, he thought miserably.

"What is it with you lately?" demanded George.

Draco clenched his jaw. "I'm not above telling Professor Snape you're out of bed. He'll have you in detention until you're eighty."

"You'll have to explain why you're out of bed, too," smirked Tonks.

"Draco's coming," said Harry, avoiding further argument.

"Neville?" asked Fred and George in perfect unison.

The younger boy stayed silent. "I'll c-come too," he said after a moment.

"Lovely," said Tonks brightly. "Shall we?"

"Which classroom was the dog in?" asked Harry.

George pointed his wand at a door. "Alohomora," he said quietly.

"Fair warning," said Fred. "We don't know how to stop it from eating us."

Neville and Draco groaned.

They all stepped inside and looked up in horror.

The beast was about as tall as the average double-decker bus and three times as wide. It was black as coal, with glowing yellow eyes boring into the six children. Its fanged mouths were opened wide, drooling. The beast's heads snapped in different directions, pulling on their chains.

Only then did Harry realise what he had truly done. I should have gone to McGonagall, he thought ruefully.