Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I am just borrowing the characters for some fun.

Warning: This story will contain swearing, scenes of torture and sexual innuendo. Eventual Slash.

Summary: Nothing is going to plan. The order is three days late to pick him up and Lucius Malfoy has somehow managed to get out of Azkaban. Remus always wants to talk, but Harry can't bring himself to even think of what happened in June. It was time to face facts: Harry's life belongs to the cause and his own feelings don't matter. Begins after Order of the Phoenix. Drarry.

Chapter 26: Truce

The next few days again settled into a steady routine. Something had definitely shifted between Harry and Draco's relationship ever since the first Gobstone game. As far as Harry was concerned the Slytherin boy was still a git, but lately he was also less harsh. Even his dig's seemed to be less pointed. The daily homework sessions had become more cooperative. They often studied the same thing and helped proofread each other's answers. Draco also sometimes joined Harry and Remus in their work out. Harry noticed that he was more apt to join them in the afternoon's than on the days they woke up early to run.

Before he knew it Christmas came and went in a world wind of presents and food, in between games of gobstones. The day had been quiet, but memorable. Despite not celebrating Christmas for religious reasons, the Malfoys still exchanged gifts and had helped make a luxurious feast.

Harry was rather pleased with his haul. Ron had given him a massive collection of sweets and a Quidditch Magazine subscription. Hermione had sent him some beautiful stationary and a set of warm reading socks. Mrs. Weasley had sent him her customary sweater and baked goods. The Weasley twins had of course sent along a collection of joke shop goodies, and Ginny had given him a book on Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Remus had thoughtfully gotten him some posters that he could use to decorate his room. One was even a blown up and laminated picture of Ron, Hermione, Ginny and himself from a lazy afternoon at The Burrow. Harry liked the idea of making the room even more his own, and he knew that it was what Sirius would have wanted.

Probably the most surprising gift of all had come from the Malfoys and Snape. It was a rather plain silver chain that had a small intricately designed green stone hanging from it. Harry held up the celtic knot to examine it even closer. It was a lovely gift, but Harry was not one to really wear jewelry.

"Severus, Narcissa and myself have placed several protective charms on the stone. That particular type of Jadeite stone also has protective properties. As long as you wear that necklace, small offensive charms will bounce right off you." Lucius explained. "It won't counter darker or more complexe spells, but it should help if you have a fight at school."

"Thank you." Harry tried to make his voice sound as weighty as possible. It was definitely a thoughtful gift. He opened the clasp to put it on.

Narcissa smiled. "Draco has had one for a long time. They are a traditional gift among pureblood families. "

Harry glanced over and Draco lifted his arm to display a small bracelet with a similar stone on it.

"This is great." Harry let the cool stone fall against his skin.

Snape huffed. "Anything to help prevent you from spending so some much time in the hospital wing, Potter."

Harry's haul, of course, had been nothing compared to the veritable mountain of presents that Draco received. The blonde had received several presents from each parent, and then a joint gift from both of them. Snape had also purchased Draco a rather fancy looking set of defense books. He had a few other presents from fellow Slytherins as well. To Harry's confusion, Draco had looked rather forlornly at his pile of gifts.

"I didn't get anything from Pansy, Crabbe or Goyle this year." Said Draco, looking knowingly at his parents and Snape. "I guess it's already starting."

"What's starting?" Harry looked back and forth between the rather despondent faces of the Malfoys.

Draco rolled his eyes and ripped at a piece of wrapping paper. "I'm a traitor now, So Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle won't talk to me. You must have noticed that I missed the last week of school before break, I was trying to lay low."

Harry stared. He had never liked Pansy, Crabbe or Goyle. In fact that in itself was probably an understatement, but he couldn't imagine how he would feel if Hermione and Ron just stopped talking to him for good. For some reason he had not even considered that there would be social consequences for Draco's change in loyalties.

Draco sighed. "I got a present from Greengrass and Zabini, though. Even Davis sent me something."

"That is definitely worth considering." Said Snape with a contemplative look. "We will have to strategize."

As they started to discuss Slytherin politics, Harry went upstairs with Remus to hang his new posters. He was much too Gryffindor for all the plotting.

By the time dinner rolled around, all talk of politics had (thankfully) been exhausted. Draco was back to his bored snobbish self, and sat at the kitchen table with a glass of wine looking on in confusion as Remus, Harry and Narcissa worked to make a Christmas feast to remember. Harry had always been forced to make meals at the Dursley's, often times meals he didn't even get to taste. So, cooking had always seemed like an annoying chore; But with the help of Narcissa and Remus he found himself having fun.

Narcissa was better at following directions then actually doing the cooking. Harry and Remus had her chop up all the ingredients for the stuffing and wash the potatoes. Remus knew the basics of what had to be done, but still seemed to be a general novice. So somehow Harry found himself taking charge. He had, after all, been making Christmas dinners from a young age.

When all was said and done, it was probably the best Christmas meal he had ever made, if he did say so himself.

On December 26th, Harry was greeted by the surprising scene of Remus and Narcissa cooking together when he entered the kitchen. Narcissa had taken to cutting up fruit as Remus flipped the pancakes. Harry raised his eyebrows at their friendly banter; clearly they were getting on much better since the summer.

He slid into a seat across from Lucius and Draco. Malfoy senior was lazily perusing the Daily Prophet and his son was still in his pajamas flipping through one of his new books.

Harry leaned in conspiratorially. "Since when do they get on?"

"What are you blathering about, Potter?" Snarked Drao, not even looking up from the table. "They've had to work together for months and not killed each other."

"Don't pretend you don't know what I mean."

That made Draco glance up. He was still in his sleep robe and, like always, had yet to put on a shirt. It would have made Aunt Petunia go spare. "As long as I don't have to cook breakfast I'm not questioning it."

"All that money and you still can't afford a shirt?" Harry rolled his eyes. "Seriously, that is not the first thing I want to see in the morning. Put on some proper clothes."

Draco eyed his old ratty pajamas. "I hardly think you are the expert on proper clothes."

Harry opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Narcissa placing a big plate of pancakes in from of him.

Lucius lowered his paper and smiled up at his wife. If you had told Harry a year ago that Lucius Malfoy could look content he would have fiercely denied it; but there was no mistaking the small upturn of his lips and the way his eyes traveled from his wife to his son. "This looks lovely, Narcissa."

She smiled. "Eat up boys, we have defense training this afternoon."

"And a work out following breakfast." Added Remus.

Harry groaned and picked up his fork. Was it too much to ask to have some free time on his vacation?

A sharp tap at the window, drew all of their attention. Their was a large black raven in the window trying to gain entrance. Judging by the parchment attached to its foot, it had been sent to deliver a letter. The adults were immediately alert. Remus and Lucius withdrew their wands and started casting to check for curses under their breath.

After what felt like hours, but was probably only 5 minutes, Remus dropped his wand to his side and shook his head. "It's clear."

Lucius opened the window and the raven flew right to Draco, almost upturning his drink. Draco looked at his father before tentatively reaching out to take the letter. The moment he was free the raven dived towards the window and out of sight.

Narcissa moved to be next to her child. "Who is it from, Dragon?"

Harry watched carefully as Draco's face paled and his hands tremored. "Its-It's Aunty Bella."

That got everyone's attention.

"Draco drop the letter!" Lucius had practically dived for it.

"It's fine. I don't think it's cursed." Draco had dropped the parchment anyway at his father's shout. "She wants me to come back a serve the Dark Lord, to restore the family's honor. She wants me to spy on you. I don't think cursing me would accomplish her goals."

Narcissa let out a strangled noise and looked towards her husband. Lucius, Harry noticed, had fire in his eyes. If looks could kill, Bellatrix definitely would have been dead.

"You will do no such thing. We left that life for a reason." Lucius' voice was dangerous.

Draco wouldn't meet anyone's eyes and stared down at his plate of untouched pancakes. "What if Dumbledore wants me to? It would provide an advantage to the Order. Don't we follow his orders now?"

"Dumbledore can go hang. I won't let anyone lay a hand on my son." Lucius moved around the table, so he could sit on the other side of the young Slytherin.

The display of affection was so profound that Harry had to avert his eyes. No one had ever tried to protect him like that.

"Draco," Remus' voice was much gentler. He waited to continue until he had the full attention of the blond. Harry couldn't help but notice that he looked terrified. "Things aren't like that over here. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. No one will force you to spy. In fact, I think that most of us will heartily argue against it. Severus provides us with more than enough information."

Draco's shoulders seemed to relax. Harry's eyes flicked between Remus and the Malfoys. Had Draco really thought that Dumbledore would force him to spy, whether he wanted to or not? He was forcibly reminded that that was exactly how Voldemort operated. Maybe Draco had expected similar treatment on the side of the light?

Narcissa reached forward and crumpled the parchment into a ball. "You won't go anywhere near Bella ever again if I have anything to say about it. That-She-She is not my sister, and Bella is more mad than we thought if she thinks she could ever come between Malfoy family loyalty."

Narcissa threw the paper into the fire and stormed out of the room. Lucius squeezed his son's shoulder and then followed her out of the kitchen.

Remus was the first to move. He reached out and began piling fruit onto Draco's plate. The Slytherin started at the movement. "Best eat up. We didn't cook these lovely pancakes to sit out uneaten. You'll need your strength-both of you."

Harry took a tentative bite of his breakfast. He wanted to do something to break the tension. He owed Draco, after all, for what he had done when Harry had his nightmare. "Everyone knows you couldn't spy. I mean-You can't even dress yourself properly. We have these things call shirts an-"

A bit of strawberry smacked Harry in the face.

"Shut it, Potter." But Harry could hear levity in his insult. Somewhere in the past week he had discovered that Draco Malfoy did have playful insults.

Harry scooped up a bit of pancake with syrup on it and tossed it back. "Make me."

Draco was staring at him opened mouthed with bits of syrup in his hair.

Remus slowly finished his bite and whipped his face with his napkin. "Now then that sounds like a direct challenge. Rules are that you can't leave the kitchen or use magic."

With that the werewolf grabbed the bottle of whipped cream and sprayed it all over Harry's face. Harry sputtered and wiped at his eyes so he could see. Remus was looking at him with a distinctly mischievous smirk and Harry was reminded that in his youth Remus had been the brains behind many of the Marauders pranks.

"You're dead!" Harry lunged for the chocolate sauce, intending to pour it on Remus' head, but he wasn't able to get very far because Draco had begun pelting him with fruit.

From there things only became more chaotic. At first Remus and Draco paired up against him, and Harry was quickly cornered behind the counter. Harry had been forced to roll to the fridge to get more ammo. Then, Remus had turned on Draco and Harry had paired up with his school rival to help get the werewolf back. Within half an hour the kitchen looked like an absolute disaster. If Aunt Petunia ever saw a mess like this she would probably faint, but then again she couldn't clean it up with a flick of her wand.

"Would somebody please explain what's going on here? Now."

Harry froze in the middle of his assault to look at the Malfoy patriarch standing in the kitchen entrance looking mad. Draco dropped the tomato he had been about to throw.

"That would be my fault." Said Remus, standing up. He had bits of food in his hair and all over his clothes. "I encouraged them. Don't worry, I will clean it up."

Lucius was giving the room a look of disgust. "Draco, Go clean yourself up at once. You too, Mr. Potter."

Harry stood and almost slipped on his way to the door. Draco bust out laughing as Harry fought to regain his composure, so Harry gave him a playful shove. When they had almost made it to the door Lucius stopped them. He gave both boys a contemplative look before spelling away the worst of the food mess so they didn't trail it through the hall.

The levity of the Christmas and Boxing day gave way to a melancholy the closer they got to the end of break. It was one of only a handful of winter breaks that Harry could ever remember wanting to never end. Surprisingly Draco seemed to feel the same way. During the last few days of break the youngest Malfoy sulked around and hid in his room as much as possible.

On New Year's Eve they all gathered in the living room to celebrate the new beginning. Midnight was still at least half an hour off, but Narcissa insisted that it was a time for togetherness. Even Snape had been roped into coming.

The adults were sitting on the couch in a deep discussion about politics, and Harry and Draco had been relegated to sitting on pillows by the fire. For the time being the boys had come to a kind of truce, Maybe even a tentative friendship. Draco sighed and flipped through his defense book. Harry was laying on the ground flipping through his new quidditch magazine.

Draco sighed again.

"Oh for God sakes, what's the problem?" Snapped Harry.

Draco looked affronted. "Nothing."

"You keep sighing. So either tell me what's wrong or shut up about it."

The Slytherin snapped his book closed and sat up straighter. "You really want to know?"

"If it will make you stop, than yes."

Draco narrowed his eyes as if looking for something. He must have found whatever he was looking for because he nodded and began speaking. "Fine. I've sent Pansy 3 owls since the beginning of winter break and she sent them all back to me unopened."

Harry blinked. All this moping was over Pansy Parkinson? Eww. "So? She's kinda a bitch. Not to mention one of Voldemort's werewolves."

"I wouldn't think you would judge someone for being a werewolf, Potter." Draco glanced around the room, as if he was not sure where to look. "She won't talk to me because of my families change in alliance."

"Well good riddance then."

Draco gripped his book until his knuckles turned white. "I've known Pansy since birth. I know you Gryffindors think we're all a bunch of prats, but she was my friend."

Harry opened and closed his mouth. He wasn't sure what to say about that. Whenever he had seen Pansy with Draco she was always hanging off him, well...or plotting Dumbledore's death. "The last I saw her with you she was trying to get you to hurry up and kill Dumbledore. So I would have to say the good riddance still pretty much sums up my feelings,"

"Spying, Potter?" Draco Tisked. "How Slytherin of you. Pansy was looking out for me. She knew that I was bad at this stuff and she didn't want to see my whole family killed."

"Looking out for you?" Said Harry incredulously. "She was threatening you!"

"That's how she tries to motivate me." Draco Shrugged. "It worked. She helped me come up with the idea for the food spell that almost choked Dumbledore to death."

"Lovely." Harry deadpanned.

Draco signed for the third time that night. "But now she won't even talk to me. When I get back to school it's going to be horrible. No one in Slytherin will talk to me, probably."

Harry bit his lip. For the second time in as many days Harry thought about what this change would mean for Draco socially. "I'll talk to you. But I won't hang off you like she did."

"Hang?" The blond let out a chuckle. "That was for show. She really didn't want Knott to get any ideas. His family is also in the sacred 28 and she head that his parents wanted to arrange a union. The best way to stop that was to ward off Theo and make his pride hurt by having him think she was into me."

Harry shook his head. He didn't understand all that pureblood crap. "I thought you were dating."

Draco laughed out loud at that. Harry saw Snape glance over to make sure that they were both alive. "I thought everyone knew by now. You don't exactly keep up with the gossip, do you?"

"Knew what?"

"I'm a poof, Potter." Said Draco dryly. "It's pretty common knowledge ever since I was caught sucking face with Anthony Goldstein last year."

Harry's mouth went dry. How was he admitting this so casually? "Oh."

Draco leaned back on the pillows, not seeming to notice Harry's reaction. "I'm sure Pansy will come around. Sure, she's more vicious than me, but she doesn't want to be anyone's follower. She's very independent. Crabbe and Goyle are a lost cause though. Being a Death Eater is the only way they can really gain any power. They're not really smart enough to do anything but follow."

Harry nodded along as if he understood everything he was saying. Inwardly his mind was frozen on repeat. I'm a poof. Potter. It's pretty common knowledge. And yet Harry didn't remember hearing anything about it. And Draco's parents didn't seem to be mad about it either.

"Fancy a game of Gobstones?" asked Draco

Harry nodded again, still processing.

The blond setup the board as he blathered on about Slytherin gossip. He didn't seem to notice that his playing companion was hardly talking.

At 5 to midnight Narcissa interrupted their game to hand them each an envelope. "Don't open it until 12. If the fortune is bad throw it in the fire. If it's good you keep it."

Harry fingered the small envelope as the countdown began. Remus had cast a spell to count down the last minutes before midnight. When they got to 0, the spell exploded in a burst of multicolored lights. Harry hardly noticed because he busied himself opening the envelope to see his future.

A planetary alignment reveals that there is an old enemy you are destined to meet with a new perspective. It will happen at the most unexpected time; you cannot plan for it. Keep your heart and mind open and things will end well for you.

Harry glared at the tiny bit of paper. He knew that there was someone he was destined to meet. That was nothing new. And of course he could not plan for a meeting with Voldemort! But what did keeping an open heart have to do with anything?

Next to him Draco was folding up his fortune and then tossed it in the fire. Remus followed suit. Snape and the senior Malfoy's kept theres. After some deliberation Harry tucked his into his pocket. It wasn't exactly a bad fortune, just predictable.

The three remaining days of winter break went by far too quickly. Harry wasn't ready to go back to classes, and dorm rooms and well...life. Unfortunately the march of time did not slow, and before he knew it he was hurriedly checking to make sure he had not left anything in his room the morning of their departure.

"HARRY, HURRY UP PLEASE." Called Remus.

"COMING!" He did one final glance around the room before picking up the handle of his trunk and dragging it to the door.

The Malfoy's and Remus were waiting for him by the fireplace in the kitchen. Lucius seemed to be giving his son a pep talk. Draco seemed to be decidedly annoyed at whatever his father was saying. Harry turned away; ever since New Year's he could not seem to prevent himself from staring.

"I expect to see nothing below an Exceeding Expectations." Said Lucius "I don't care what else is going on, you need to keep those grades up."

"Yes, sir." Muttered Draco, looking put out.

Harry was startled by Remus shrinking his trunk without warning. He picked it up and handed it to Harry.

"Thanks, Remus."

The werewolf pulled him into a hug. "Have a good rest of term, Harry. Owl me if you need anything. You can also tell Lucius or Narcissa if you need me, because they will be staying here until the manor gets sorted."

Harry smiled. "Will I be coming back in summer? After I go to the Dursley's, of course."

"If I have anything to say about it you will." Remus ruffled his hair. "Now don't get into too much trouble."

Narcissa laughed. "You may as well ask for the sun and the moon Remus."

"Hey!" Harry turned to her to comment further but was interrupted.

"That's enough. It's time for you both to head back. The Hogwarts express has probably already arrived." Lucius ushered them both toward to the fire while holding out the floo powder. "Call for Professor Dumbledore's office."

Draco was the first to go through. Harry waited a moment before following. As always, he landed in a heap on the hearth, feeling nauseous. The only form of wizard travel that didn't make him want to vomit was flying.

"Welcome back boys!"

Harry hurried to right himself. Draco was smirking at him, so Harry elbowed him.

Dumbledore was gazing at both of them serenely from over his half moon spectacles. "I trust you had an enjoyable winter break?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Yes, Professor."

"Very good." Dumbledore smiled. "Harry I will be in touch about those lessons we discussed."

Harry glanced at Draco, unsure if they were dismissed or not. The Slytherin shrugged.

"I'm sure you have many friends to catch up with and mischief to find. Have a good term boys."

Now that was a clear dismissal. Harry didn't need telling twice. Both teens practically ran down the stairs out of Dumbledore's office. They walked next to each other in silence until they reached the grand staircase. Harry chanced a look at Draco. It felt strange, like they could go back to being enemies or grow their budding friendship.

"Good luck with Pansy."

Draco snorted and turned to go down towards the dungeons. "See you in class, Potter."

Harry rolled his eyes and began his ascent. Maybe they would not be friends after all, although that had been nice for Draco. He continued to contemplate the blond Slytherin prince as he walked. How was he going to survive the common room? Or the dorms? He would have to sleep with his eyes open.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't immediately notice the yelling when he entered the common room.

"These muggleborns are threatening the way we live. They shouldn't even be allowed at Hogwarts."

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THAT'S THE MOST DISGUSTING THING I HAVE EVER HEARD."

"Of course you would think that, Granger. You're one of them. I won't be surprised if you had helped write these letters."

Harry quickly took stock of the situation. Hermione was standing in the middle of the common room arguing with a seventh year Gryffindor. Harry thought he was the same one that 'mysteriously' went missing whenever there was a full moon. Most of the rest of the students were gathered around watching. Harry was dismayed to see some of the other kids nodded at the other boys claims.

"What's going on?" Said Harry striding over to stand by Hermione's side.

"Come to save the day, Potter?" The boy rolled his eyes and thrust a piece of parchment into Harry's face. "Someone left these notes on a bunch of pureblood and halfblood student's beds threatening them. I think it was clearly the Muggleborn Anti-Persecution Group."

"Of course you do!" Shrieked Hermione, "That's what Voldemort wants you to believe. He wants you to turn on the muggleborns; you're playing right into his plan."

"That's what you say, Granger. I'm still not convinced that you didn't write these letters yourself. Everyone knows you think your better then us." Shot back the boy.

"Didn't you try to free the house elves last year?" Added another student. "She's got all kinds of stupid ideas that go against wizarding tradition."

"The house elves are-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Ron had appeared from the dorm room stairs, his prefect badge prominently displayed. "Don't you lot have better things to do? Go unpack. Atkinson already went to notify McGonagall. Anyone who continues to stand here and argue will get a detention."

The crowd mumbled angrily, but nonetheless began to disperse. Harry led Hermione over to a table by the window. She looked shaken. Now that her anger had disappeared her eyes began to water.

"I would never leave letters like that."

"I know, Hermione." Said Harry, patting her arm awkwardly. He had never been good with crying girls." You were right. Voldemort probably made the letters to egg people on."

Ron arrived at their table and threw himself into a seat next to her looking frustrated. "You okay? Don't let those pricks get to you."

Hermione sniffled. "I can't believe they would turn on me like that."

"Don't take it personally. They are scared. People do stupid things when they're scared." Said Ron, sounding wiser than his years. He wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders. "How about the three of us sneak down to the kitchens to have some pie? You can tell us all about your skii trip."

"That would be nice." Hermione gave a watery smile.

Harry looked on knowingly. Ron had more game then he thought. "You know, I still have to unpack. Why don't the two of you go?"

"Oh. We don't mind waiting for you." Said Hermione.

"No." Harry shook his head. "You go ahead."

Ron stood and Hermione followed suit. "See you later, mate."

"See you later." Harry winked at Ron when Hermione wasn't looking, and his ears went red.

Harry watched as his two best friends made there way across the room toward the portrait hole. Ron's arm had sipped off her shoulder, but he still was gripping her hand.

A/N: Thank you so much for all the lovely new follows and reviews! I won't be updating for at least three weeks as I will be unable to access the internet. Don't worry though, I have lots of plans to write this summer! Thanks for reading and please review! :)