Thanks again to vernieklein for a great review. I do hope I manage to keep some sort of plot going though :D these early chapters are developing the boys relationship with JKR'S story running along in the background I am just using artist licence to involve Draco in a different way :D

...

In the Library.

Draco paced the dungeon, a look of concern on his face, shooting an icey glare at anyone who dared to come anywhere near him or had the audacity to speak to him. He was scared for Harry, he had just heard that Snape was going to be refereeing Harry's next Quidditch match, he wouldn't have believed it if he had not seen it for himself, but, for some reason his Godfather had decided to try and hurt Harry, he couldn't challenge him about it knowing full well that his father would find out, so for now he would have to do whatever he could to protect Harry. He was so frustrated , he couldn't go to Harry, just walk up to him in the corridors, imagine, and he had told Harry long ago, in no uncertain terms that he would not be responsible for him being up all night before a game so they had agreed not to meet when Harry had a game.

'Urgh!' he groaned and flopped down on the sofa snatching a chocolate frog from Goyle's hand as he did.

'Hey!' exclaimed Goyle, but was immediately silenced at the look on Drcao's face. Draco unwrapped the frog catching it just before it escaped his grasp. He bit the head off as he looked down at the famous wizard card,

'Oh great, bloody Dumbledore.' Draco was just about to throw the card on the fire when something caught his eye, this something caused him to sit bolt upright and nearly choke on his chocolate.

'Shit,' he said as he glared at the gathered Slytherin's who were now staring at him.

'Fuck' he thought , 'now I really need to speak to Harry, or (he swallowed ) bloody Granger'.

...

Draco and Hermione had never actually spoken. They both knew and accepted that each other was a part of Harry's life. Neither of them could, or indeed would, change that. Draco even begrudgingly held a little respect for her as she had never uttered a word to anyone, not even the weasel , about his meetings with Harry. He was also very grateful for the fact that Harry had someone to talk to, it killed him that he could not talk to anyone about his friendship with Harry so he was grateful that the Gryffindor could.

Over the past few months Harry had talked openly with them both about the package, and the possibilities of what it contained, Draco was aware of Hagrid's slip up and the search for Nicolas Flamel.

Harry jokingly referred to himself as an owl, as, easily the two most intelligent students in their year shared their thoughts and ideas through him.

Draco had failed to find Harry so trudged to the library looking for Granger. He knew that this was his best chance to find her and he was not disappointed. The bushy haired Gryffindor was at a table, almost hidden, at the very back of the library, he almost had not seen her, the pile in books in front of her was so tall that he could just about see the top of her head.

Draco took a deep breath after a quick glance to ensure that they were alone and walked over;

'Hey,' he said quietly. Hermione jumped and almost dropped the book she was pouring over.

'Hey,' she said looking around nervously in case she was being ambushed, ' What's up Draco?'

Draco started at her in complete shock, she had said his first name, he could not form any words, he simply continued to stare at her. Hermione shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, 'sorry' she said realising what she had done, 'I was never one for the last name thing, and Harry talks non-stop about you when Ronald is not about , and, obviously he calls you Draco, It just kind of slipped out but I am sorry,' she finished, watching him carefully.

Draco wasn't even listening, 'He talks about me non-stop?' he asked.

Hermione gave a small chuckle, she was finally getting to see the other side of this friendship and by the pink tinge slowly creeping up Draco's neck she felt she was justified in her thoughts on it.

'Yep sure does,' she smiled as Draco just got redder at this,' I have had to shut him up many times before Ronald hears.' She smiled at Draco. Draco felt the heat in his face, he smiled back and then quickly changed the subject;

'You can call me Draco, it's okay, we only speak in private anyway.'

'Yes of course,' said Hermione shutting the book in front of her.

'I need you to see this.' Said Draco handing her the chocolate frog card. She looked at him, then at the card.

'I don't collect...'

'Read it.'

Draco watched Hermione's eyes grow wide.

'Draco I could hug you,'

'Watch it Granger,' said Draco with a startled look.

Hermione reached in to her bag and pulled out an enormous old book.

'I never thought to look in here' she whispered, ' I got it out of the library weeks ago for a bit of light reading.' Draco raised his eyebrows at this but said nothing.

'I knew it,' she said with a smile. Just then they heard footsteps approaching . Draco grabbed the top book from Hermione's book pile and went to the table to his right, he quickly dropped his bag and opened the book at a random page and started to read. Draco and Hermione could still see one another but he was hidden from the person who had just arrived by a large book shelf, he relaxed and continued to read.

...

Harry was fed up, he hadn't been able to see Draco for days and it would now be even longer due to Quidditch and, Harry didn't know whether he was imagining it or not, but he seemed to be running in to Snape every time he turned a corner. With a grunt he headed to the ibrary, he knew Hermione would be in there, he wanted to know if she had found anything else, and frankly, it would be a welcome distraction.

When Harry finally spotted Hermione she was staring in disgust at the pile of books in front of her. Harry took this to mean that she had still had no luck in finding out any useful information. He slumped down opposite her, groaning as he put his head in his arms on the table, he dropped his bag and gave it a good kick for good measure.

'It's not fair Hermione, why won't he see me the night before the game Hermione was about to say something but Harry stopped her, ' I know, I know it's best for me blah blah blah, but once a week is just not enough, I wish I could tell him that, jeez, I can picture it now, Draco I need to see you more, he'd laugh in my face, ' Harry whined, Hermione tried to stop him but Harry continued, oblivious, continued, 'It's sooooooo annoying, ' he groaned, ' just staring at his back in Potions and then sometimes having to wait two weeks to even speak to him properly, don't get me wrong I know why, it's just hard, and it actually hurts not to talk to him, I miss him 'mione.' Harry slumped on the desk as he was did not see Hermione's small knowing smile as she saw the wide eyed look of complete shock on Draco's face. 'How is this normal?' continued Harry, 'I don't miss Ron like this, mind you he is always bloody there isn't he? God Draco would laugh if he could see me now, I'm such a sad git, and, to top it all off Snape's bloody stalking me.'

'He's what?' snapped the voice of a very familiar blonde.

...

Draco heard someone come in and slump on the table opposite Hermione. From where he was sitting he could not see who it was, he just hoped they wouldn't stay long so he could leave. He turned the next page of the book and his eyes opened in shock as he heard a very familiar voice, his eyes grew wider as he listened. Harry was there, Harry was talking, Harry was talking about him! Draco's eyes widened even more as Harry continued. He has no idea I am here , talking about me like this, he has no idea that I feel exactly the bloody the same , I can't let him know I'm here it would embarrass him, thought Draco, but I also can't hear him hurting like that. What the hell do I do?

Just then he heard something that made his mind up for him.

He jumped up and strode over to Harry, he was there in a second, he looked down at him slumped over the desk;

'He what?'

...

Harry either could not or would not lift his head up off the table.

'Harry,' said Hermione, 'Draco asked you a question.'

With that Harry's head snapped up, Hermione had said Draco , Draco not Malfoy, he had to be dreaming.

'Draco?' he asked.

'Yes' said Hermione in an amused tone, 'Draco' inkling her head towards the blonde Slytherin. Harry slowlyturned his head and grinned sheepishly.

'Hi,' he said.

'Hi yourself,' smiled Draco.

'How long were you there?' asked Harry. Draco let a huge grin spread over his face. 'The whole time.'

Harry groaned and banged his head on the table. Hermione stifled a giggle and Draco raised an eyebrow.

'We'll talk later and you can tell me about all the times that you were staring at me in Potions.' He smirked.

Harry groaned and banged his head on the table again,

'Enough Harry you'll hurt yourself,' said Draco sternly as he put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

'Sorry Drake,' he mumbled.

Draco glanced at Hermione who had resumed reading, she did not look in the least bit surprised by the affectionate nickname.

Draco took a quick look around then sat down next to Harry;

'So tell us about Snape.'

...