What they didn't realize, was at that same time, Draco Malfoy was walking around and watching people. He had been told by Professor Snape to keep a watch on the students and ensure that they weren't doing anything untold and to report back to him with his findings. Snape had been to Dumbledore's office, and told him in a letter that ingredients were missing from his storage room, ingredients capable of brewing the strongest and potentially the most harmful of potions. Of course, Dumbledore, the blubbering fool didn't any letter, and when Severus attempted to bring it up again just Dumbledore sent him on his way, hence the reason Draco was looking for anything amiss.
As he was walking, Draco saw both Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter walking hand in hand, with looks of pure loathing on their faces. Although he wasn't one to 'poke a raging Dragon' he felt that something had happened to cause both boys, who were generally mild-mannered and kind to those around them to behave this way.
"Potter?" Draco called out, causing both the other boys to stop and turn towards him.
"Malfoy." Potter spoke, and what caused Draco to blink was the politeness of it, and the fact that he could tell by looking at Potter, that things were going to start changing in their rivalry.
"What can I do for you?" Harry asked with a neutral expression.
Draco sighed softly, "I'm not sure what's going on, and it's really none of my business, but I wanted to warn you. Some ingredients have been stolen out of the potions store, and Professor Snape has asked me to keep a look out for who I think it might be."
He stepped closer to them, and looked around. "The ingredients that were stolen, were to make Amortentia. I wanted to warn you, because I've seen the looks that Weaselette gives you, and there are rumors going around the school, and what the I and the Slytherins saw this afternoon out on the grounds concerning her and you." This time, Draco sighed again, running a hand over his face. "I also wanted to apologize for the last 4 years. I know I haven't been someone that you could see yourself being friends with, after the way our first encounter started, but I wanted to say I'm sorry. I was having to live a life as a true pureblood, wearing a mask and couldn't let anyone seeing me acting as anything other than that. I know I've made your life hell, and those of your friends as well, you included Longbottom, but I'd like to take this opportunity to make things right."
Harry and Neville were standing there stunned. Never in the last 4 years, did they imagine that Draco Malfoy would apologize to them, and warn them about potential danger. Both were extremely happy for the fact, and Harry for that matter had always regretted not taking Draco's hand in first year. So now, it was both of their times to make things right as well.
"Malfoy, thank you. On both accounts; for warning me, and for apologizing as well. I've never hated you. I would be glad to have a friend like you in my corner in the coming months." Harry smiled at him and stuck out his hand for Draco to shake. "Name's Harry." He smirked as Neville chuckled softly beside him and offered his hand as well.
Draco was over the moon, and actually gave a genuine smile to them both. "Draco." He said as he clasped Harry's and Neville's hand.
Lucius Malfoy was hiding out in one of his many smaller estates that came to him as being the Malfoy Lord, (at least in name). Combing his regal looking and shimmering blonde hair, he tried to make himself presentable. Lucius always prided himself on being the perfect pureblood in appearance and in actions. However, recent events was showing him that things were not all they were made out to believe. He'd been thinking things through since the night of the disaster when his Lord fell for the second time. When Potter had called his lord Tom, Lucius began looking around, and noticed where they were standing; at the simple gravesite of Tom Riddle Sr. an ordinary looking man. He was still unsure about things, he began listening closely to the things that Pettigrew was saying. When he said 'bone of the father...' it clicked in Lucius' head that his Lord wasn't even a pure-blood like he'd always stated, but he was a half-blood. This grave was filled with nothing more than muggle filth. It all started to make sense, and he was beginning to be afraid of how his life had turned out. He vowed then and there to find a way out of this.
As soon as he started to worry, he saw Pettigrew lean closer to Potter and whisper something to him. When he did that, he saw Potter nod slightly. What happened next scared Lucius even more.
As soon as Potter's blood went into the cauldron, and his Lord stepped out, he began to falter and stumble. When his Lord started screaming, Pettigrew released Potter and told him to leave, and that his life-debt was paid. Potter looked at him and growled, "Not until the rest of our agreement is finished and you turn yourself in you traitorous rat!" As soon as he finished speaking, he ran to the Diggory boy's body and called the cup to him and vanished.
When Potter was gone, Lucius turned back to his Lord and gasped in surprise. His Lord, Lord Voldemort known as the most evil and violent Wizard in all of Britain was on his knees, breathing heavily and blood was gushing out of his mouth. Everyone rushed towards him to find out what was wrong, and as soon as everyone got close, Tom Riddle burst into flames and then turned into ashes right before their very eyes.
He knew right then and there that he had to get out of there, and make sure his son was safe, no matter the cost.
Lucius realized that being on the run, that he could not handle the responsibilities of the mantle of Lord Malfoy. He felt the Magicks around him shift as if reacting to his situation. Looks like Draco is now Lord Malfoy. He sat down wearily. He wasn't sure if he was happy about it, or if he was scared. Part of him was happy, because that meant that Draco would take over for him with all the family businesses and the Family Magicks, but the other part of him was scared that now whoever was controlling the remaining Death Eaters would go after his one and only son.
As soon as that thought went through his head, he jerked in surprise, and gave a small smile. Severus should be able to help us. I know I can't go to Dumbledore, but I should be able to get to Severus. He jumped up to find some parchment and a quill, and wrote his oldest, and dearest friend a short missive, requesting a meeting between the two.
Severus,
I know it's been a while since you heard from me, but I'm in a quandary. I am in need of your help with something, and am requesting a short meeting with you. If you could help me, I would be greatly appreciative towards you.
Thank you old friend.
Lucius Malfoy
He whistled softly for his owl, and when he came through the window, he tied the letter to his leg. "Take it to Severus, but don't let anyone take it from you except Severus himself."
With that, the regal looking owl flew out the window and towards Hogwarts. Lucius sat himself down in a chair, and sighed softly. He couldn't figure out how his life had gotten so messed up. When he was younger, he'd thought that the Dark Lord was the way to gain power. He had power, and money, and wasn't afraid of letting the world know it, but as time went on, his Lord has begun losing his mind. The night he went after the Potters, Lucius was fearful. He'd never thought that the Dark Lord would go after a child, no matter what a fraud has prophesized. It was that night, when he witnessed the dark mark on his arm fade, which he realized he'd made a mistake. He knew that no matter what happened after that, he'd do anything to protect his precious son, and that was a vow he'd always keep.
