Draco had taken the last week very seriously, no more had he teased Harry, no more had he run around the school looking for pranks to pull. Instead he had buckled down and re-read every text book he had. He spent his time looking over past homework, and remembering what he had gotten wrong in exams past.

When end of the year exams began he found himself ready to take them. It was sweltering hot, especially in the large classroom where they did their written papers. They had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an Anticheating spell.

They had practical exams as well. Professor Flitwick called them one by one into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tapdance across a desk.

Draco had finished his relatively quickly, but laughed watching Goyle's pineapple charge off the table and take a head dive down to the floor. Flitwick gave him a chance to try again, and Draco was relieve to see his friend's pineapple finally wiggle a tap dance out.

Professor McGonagall watched them turn a mouse into a snuffbox — points were given for how pretty the snuffbox was, but taken away if it had whiskers.

Draco of course had made a snuffbox that had intricate snakes running down the side, it even opened up to reveal some odds and ends trinkets. McGonagall smiled as she picked up the box, congratulating Draco on the best snuffbox of the class.

During History of magic Draco had more trouble remembering about who invented self stirring cauldrons. He kicked himself slightly for allowing his mind to wander, and focused once more on the test. He knew the answer he had read a History of magic twice before… then the name came to him and he scribbled it down as fast as he could.

Their very last exam was Potions, which of course was the easiest. Snape had taken to standing close to student, wanting to be sure there was no cheating. He inwardly grimaced as he went by some tables that had green water, knowing that they had not stirred their potions correctly. Draco offered his potion first, knowing he would receive full marks.

Severus Snape looked down at his first year class, they had all turned in their final papers and potions, and were eagerly awaiting his word of freedom. The Slytherins were on the edge of their stools, knowing the words were coming. "Congratulations you are done with exams." Snape said in his almost monotone voice. Cheers erupted from the dungeons, and Snape's eyebrow arched a little. "BUT! The other years still have their exams. If I catch anyone in the common rooms, or any little parties, there wont be a next year at Hogwarts." He said coldly.

The room grew quiet, as the dark man motioned for them to leave. Once away from the classroom a couple more students let out a soft cheer.

That night Draco went to professor Snape's office, the head of Slytherin wanting to spend time with his god-son. They talked for hours, mostly commenting on the year that was coming to an end. Draco told Professor Snape about what he had seen in the forest, and what Harry had said about the Sorcerer's stone. Snape seemed to freeze at this, "How do you know about the Sorcerer's stone?"

"I don't know what it is, but Harry seemed really bent on it. He didn't say much about it, but he seemed pretty disturbed by it." Draco looked up in surprise as Snape got up and grabbed his cloak.

"Stay here Draco." Snape said as he rushed out of the door.

Draco gritted his teeth, following Snape. "Why what's wrong?"

Snape put a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Listen, you need to go back to your dorm, it's already past curfew. You need to do this for me Draco." The boy sulked as Snape left up the stairs. If Snape thought he could just boss Draco around like that and tell him what he could and couldn't do, Draco would find something to occupy his time. He smiled, with Snape out he could look at the memories in his Pensive.

He waited a few minutes then opened up the dresser, looking at the basin with white swirling mist inside. He put his face down into the bowl, feeling the weird pull of the pensive into the old memory.

Draco could see that Snape was in the infirmary, he looked beaten and battered. Dumbledore was by Snape's side, smiling at the child. "Mr. Snape, how are you feeling today?"

Severus moaned, "Like I've hit a tree."

Dumbledore seemed to smile at this, "Indeed. What you saw tonight. You must not tell anyone about Remus."

"He's! Professor! He's a Werewolf!" Snape yelled, moving too quickly he grabbed his shoulder in pain.

"Lie down Mr. Snape." Dumbledore said, pushing the young man down on the bed. "I know what he is, and I assure you that we will not allow this to ever happen to anyone else. Please, I implore you to see past this. Tell me do you know Mr. Lupin well?"

Severus looked taken aback and he hung his head low, "Yes…"

"Then you know he is a kind child, one that would never hurt you." Dumbledore smiled slightly, "His friends are far more vicious then he could ever be."

Severus nodded, "What will happen to Black?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "He will be severely punished."

Severus seemed pleased enough by that. Draco could tell Severus had little choice, but to accept the terms of his silence. Dumbledore left, allowing a blond haired man to race in. "Sev! Sev!" Lucius hugged the hooked nosed boy tightly, "What happened?"

Dumbledore looked on from the doorway, waiting for Severus's response. "Whooping willow got the best of me. James played another trick on me… should have known better." Snape said, and Dumbledore left them.

Lucius looked angry, he clenched his fist. "Severus, this is my last year! What am I supposed to do, leave you here to get beaten…" He rubbed Severus's cheek with his hand. "I've only just found what's important. How am I supposed to-"

Severus put his hand over Lucius's mouth, "It's two years. Two years and I will be free from my parents, we can begin again. No matter what those prats do, they can't possibly make me feel worse when I have something to look forward to."

Draco pulled himself out of the pensive, he wasn't sure of what had really happened to Severus. Obviously if he had been attacked by a werewolf, it hadn't bit him. He had known Snape well enough to know he wasn't a werewolf, but had there really been a werewolf at Hogwarts? Draco could hardly believe it to be true, he went back to the dormitory where he saw Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini gathered around setting off small fireworks in the room.

Zabini had swiped some from a sixth year, and they were enjoying watching the lights dance in the air into different shapes. Draco watched for a while as well, before snuggling into the warm covers.

Crabbe was shaking him, "Draco! Draco! Harry Potter's Dead!"

Draco shot up, "WHAT?"

Goyle nudged Crabbe, " He's not dead!" Goyle looked at Draco, "heh, he's in the hospital wing though. Said he'd fainted."

Crabbe chuckled, "Wonder what happened to make him faint, think he saw the Bloody Baron and keeled over?"

Draco ignored his friends harmless joking, and got dressed. At breakfast he pulled away from his friends, taking the opportunity to walk down to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey was at the front office, and she looked at Malfoy curiously. "Who are you here to see, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco thought for a moment, but answered truthfully, "I wanted to see Harry Potter."

She shook her head, "You are a friend of his?"

"Um… no… but…"

She looked curiously at Draco, but then a shadow came from behind him. "Pomfrey… I assure you Draco means only good intentions, he just wishes to see that Harry Potter is safe."

Severus Snape stood behind Draco, a hand on his shoulder. Draco smiled up at his mentor, and Madam Pomfrey let him pass. Draco came up to the bed where Harry Potter lay, his friends were in the ward as well. Ron was unconscious, but Hermione was reading a book sitting between her friends.

Draco scooted back, unsure of what to do. She looked up at Draco, unsure of why he was there. Severus waved for her to come with him, "Mrs. Granger, I have something to discuss with you." She eyed them suspiciously, but followed Snape out of the hospital.

Draco sat beside Harry's bed, he smiled down at the pale faced boy. "What did you see that scared you so much?" He pet Harry's hair softly, starring down at him. Draco's blond hair was falling in his face, and he noticed he had forgotten to slick his hair back in his rush to see Harry. He waved his wand feeling the strands of his hair pull into place. He knew Harry wouldn't wake, and he had little time before Hermione would return. He pulled out a quill and took some parchment from the nightstand next to Harry and began writing.

Dear Harry,

This year didn't start off the way it ought to have. I wanted so much for us to be friends, but I was selfish in wanting you to choose my friendship over that of your current ones. I want to apologize for the names I called you, and for the mean things I have done. I know now that Gryffindor and Slytherin can never be friends. Even if we were, my house would have my head. I couldn't face my father knowing the disappointment he'd feel. It's better this way, but I need you to know… if things had been different I would have liked us to be real friends.

Draco Malfoy

Draco tucked the letter into Harry's pocket, smiling down at the body. "Good bye, Harry Potter." With that Draco left, and he did not see Harry Potter again until the last dinner of Hogwarts.

The Great hall was beautiful when Draco and his friends walked in, and they quickly took their seats in the almost full table of Slytherin. It was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's winning the house cup for the seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.

Severus Snape smiled to himself, this would be the record for holding the house cup the longest. He was proud of his students, but also of himself. He looked at Dumbledore who approached the podium to address the students.

"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts… Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table.

Draco pat his friends on the back laughing and cheering with his house.

"Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."

The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little. Draco looked to Severus who's eyes turned cold to the headmaster.

"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…

"First — to Mr. Ronald Weasley…"

Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn.

"… for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

At last there was silence again.

"Second — to Miss Hermione Granger… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Hermione buried her face in her arms; Harry strongly suspected she had burst into tears. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves — they were a hundred points up.

Slytherins were beginning to talk amongst themselves, unsure of what was going on.

"Third — to Mr. Harry Potter…" said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. "… for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points — exactly the same as Slytherin. They had tied for the house cup — if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point.

Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent.

Draco's face was sullen, he knew what was coming. With the return of the Boy-Who-lived it was obvious that what ever house he lay in, they would be winning the house cup. With this obvious show of favoritism Dumbledore had stolen the House cup that each Slytherin had worked tirelessly to get. Students that had studied countless hours, just so they could get a few points answering correctly in class. Others that had gone out of their way to do favors for teachers just to scrape a few points back into their pool, all of it was for nothing.

"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

Draco looked horrified, they had been so close. The year had been over… and they should have won. Gryffindor had erupted with cheers, and Draco could see the Weasley twins making faces at the Slytherin table. Draco just wanted to go home, rather then suffer this embarrassment, but it went on further still.

"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration."

He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Snape was shaking Professor McGonagall's hand, with a horrible, forced smile.

Draco looked at Severus, who seemed to be glaring daggers at Harry Potter. He watched as the man took another look at Dumbledore, and it seemed Snape really wanted to kill the old man.

Draco got his marks as Severus passed them out, each slip of paper flying in the shape of a snake to them. Draco opened his to see that he had perfect parks, even getting 110 points on Flitwick's test. He looked in the upper left hand corner to see his standing amongst all first years, he clenched his teeth, he was second. His eyes went to Hermione who was smiling at her number one standing. His father would not see the effort he had put into school all this year, nor the hard hours of work. No, his father would see that Draco Malfoy had been beaten by a Mudblood.

When the feast was over, Draco packed his trunk, and said goodbye to the little room he had shared with his friends. Zabini walked with him to the platform, "Have a good summer, Draco," and the boy left to join Millicent at the Train.

Draco took one last look at the school. He'd finally be back home, to his mother, his father, and to his house elf, Dobby. Rancor squawked in his cage, eyeing the white bird, Hedwing ruffling her feathers at his rude call. Draco walked on the train, took his seat, and watched the castle become smaller and smaller in the distance.

AN: Thank you very much for your kind comments, and for those who have kindly put my story on their alerts list. I am honored to have so many readers from all over the world. I hope you enjoyed my work. I will beginning writing the next installment, so I hope you will read that as well. There will be more yaoi and less Shonen-ai as they get a little older. Again thank you very much for reading!

India Jackson