CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: Adversity

A dark storm raged overhead. Far below, waves crashed violently against the cliff face. Rain pelted their faces. Wind howled.

Harry couldn't make out the words that were said, but he could read the intent of his actions as the large man stalked, veins pulsing, fists clenched, toward the blonde-haired figure tied to a nearby tree. Terror-stricken grey eyes watched his advance, arms tugged frantically, uselessly at their bonds.

Harry was unable to move, as though the ice-cold rain had chilled him to the bone and frozen him in place, rendering him a helpless spectator.

A yell ripped through the gale, harsh and accusing, angry and biting. "Freak!"

The name had broken him once, but this time the invisible chains that held him back were broken instead.

"No!"

He lurched forward.

"I won't let you hurt him!"

He seized the arm bearing down on the innocent and wrenched it away, spinning the assailant around to face him.

But the larger man laughed cruelly, as he used the momentum of the spin to turn it around on him. He found his own arm gripped by two beefy hands, and as they whirled his feet lost contact with the ground. He wriggled wildly, but could not regain what had been lost.

Then the vice-like band of pressure around his arm suddenly vanished as he was flung out into the open sky.

The ground beneath him dropped sharply away. Gravity reclaimed him and he began to plummet toward the sea, but the tide drew back, leaving bare slabs of rock to greet him.

"This is what you get for daring to defy me!" a voice called out gleefully.

Hard, unforgiving stone rushed up to meet his rapid descent –

And his skull exploded with pain as he slammed into it full force.

Harry bolted upright in his bed, awoken by agonised screams that he only realised were coming from his own mouth when his throat grew sore and his voice hoarse.

He bit down hard on his hand to silence himself, only belatedly remembering that he had set up Imperturbable Charms around his bed before going to sleep last night. The use of magic was legal again now that he was back at Hogwarts, so he didn't have to fear that he had inadvertently disturbed the sleep of anyone else. His roommates would be glad.

Malfoy wouldn't be, though. He got angry whenever Harry tried to stay silent during a nightmare. He said he preferred to lose a few hours of sleep than to let Harry suffer through his nightmares alone.

But Malfoy wasn't here with him anymore. He was in his own dorm.

Aware that he was still hyperventilating, Harry tried to remember what Malfoy would say in these situations.

"Focus on your breathing, Harry. In and out. Let your mind clear until all you know is that steady rhythm of air moving through your lungs. In and out."

In and out.

His racing pulse gradually began to slow as his breathing eased and his mind and body calmed.

He sighed, knowing that getting back to sleep would be impossible now. He fumbled for his glasses and his wand, casting Tempus to find out what time it was.

To his surprise and relief, the glowing numbers inscribed in the air told him that it was 6:03am. He had managed to sleep through most of the night and it was close enough to a decent hour in the morning for him to get up and prepare for the day ahead.

Harry slipped out quietly and availed himself of the showers. He soaked under the warm spray for longer than he usually would, enjoying the fact that today no one was going to pressure him to hurry up and finish because they were all asleep.

The castle was still and quiet when he finally ventured out into the halls. Even the portraits slumbered. In peaceful solitude Harry reacquainted himself with his home, retracing familiar steps, wandering down familiar corridors, trailing his fingers along the smooth stone walls and the intricately woven tapestries. The magic of Hogwarts seemed to hum contentedly under his touch, welcoming him back to the place where he belonged.

His aimless rambling finally led him to the Great Hall and he became aware of a strange sensation in his stomach, realising a few moments later that it was grumbling with hunger. It was something he hadn't felt since the beginning of the summer holidays. Living at the Burrow and at Grimmauld Place he had slowly built up his capacity to eat more than just a nibble at each meal, but if left to his own devices he could have easily forgotten the need for food. At long last, though, it seemed his body was finally returning to normal. He smiled a little. That was one step toward putting the Dursleys behind him.

Unlike the rest of the castle, Harry discovered that the Great Hall wasn't deserted. One other student was already there, sitting at the far end of the Slytherin table with a single plate in front of them. Closer inspection revealed platinum blonde hair…

"Malfoy!" Harry called in greeting, giving a small wave as he approached.

Malfoy started in surprise, but relaxed when he turned and caught sight of him. "Oh. Morning, Potter."

"Very early morning," Harry observed. "You're not usually up this early, are you?"

Malfoy shrugged. "Apparently my sleeping habits have changed somewhat."

Harry felt a pang of guilt, thinking that he had to be the reason, but Malfoy cut him off before he could even start to apologise.

"It's great actually; it means I get to catch the sunrise more often."

"And get first pickings at breakfast, I see," Harry said, eying the plateful of bacon, eggs and toast. "Where's mine? I'm hungry!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than there was a pop behind him and an excited voice said, "Master Harry Potter sir! How good it is to be seeing you!"

"Hi Dobby," Harry greeted the elf fondly. "It's good to see you too. How are you?"

Dobby beamed brightly, bouncing on the balls of feet clad in horribly clashing odd socks. "Master Harry Potter sir is wishing to know how Dobby is! Master Harry Potter sir is still so nice to Dobby! Dobby is good, sir, very good! Is Master Harry wanting breakfast?"

"Yes, ple-"

The house elf popped away and reappeared moments later with a heavily laden tray bearing enough food for three teenage boys, not just one. "It is an honour to be serving you breakfast, Master Harry Potter sir. Dobby wouldn't usually get to see Master Harry if he wasn't awake so early." His bat-like ears wilted slightly. "Dobby feared he wouldn't ever get to see Master Harry."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"House elves is not to be seen, sir. They is meant to work without getting in students' ways."

"You're not in the way," Harry assured him. "You can come and see me whenever you like… er, within reason. No midnight visits though, if you don't mind."

Dobby's huge eyes grew wide. "Oh yes, thank you, Master Harry Potter sir!"

It was a nice feeling, to be able to make someone feel so happy so easily. He knew it was because Dobby had lived a very lonely life and he understood the extra value friendship held when it was a rare commodity. "No problem. Thanks for the meal, Dobby – although I don't know if I will be able to eat it all!"

"That is no trouble, sir, no trouble," Dobby replied cheerfully. "Dobby must be getting back to work, sir, but Dobby will be seeing you!" Another pop punctuated his departure.

Malfoy was staring at the space the elf had just vacated. "He seems… so happy," he said slowly, almost wonderingly.

Harry nodded. He remembered the last time that Dobby had come up in conversation, Harry had yelled at Malfoy for the way his family had treated the little elf. But Malfoy was a different person now. At least Harry hoped so, although he knew that long-held prejudices were hard to break. "He has a good life here."

Malfoy looked at him. "And a good friend. You are a rare wizard, Harry Potter."

He shrugged. "We're not so different, Dobby and I."

Confusion, and what might have been shame, flashed across Malfoy's features. "All my life, I was taught that house elves were inferior beings, fit only to be our servants. But you treat him as an equal."

"He has thoughts and emotions and dreams just like we do," Harry pointed out. "And he has a tremendous amount of power; he just chooses not to use it most of the time. If they wanted to, though, and if they worked together, house elves could probably overpower us and rule this world. It wouldn't surprise me if that was the reason why they were forced into servitude in the first place; because wizards were afraid of them. Just because they have a different role in society doesn't mean their worth is any less than ours."

Malfoy's expression was thoughtful as he tried to wrap his brain around the concept. "Most people don't think that way."

Harry offered a wry laugh. "Well, I've never claimed to be normal."

Malfoy smirked. "True. So are you going to eat that or what?" He snagged a plump sausage from Harry's tray.

Glancing around to make sure that no one else was around to judge them, Harry sat down beside his friend, for now choosing to ignore the silver and green banner hanging over their heads.

Malfoy looked at him strangely for a moment, then shook his head and huffed with amusement. "Only you, Potter."

Harry spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "What can I say? I've never really been one for following the rules."

Malfoy snorted. "No kidding. I seem to recall a certain young Gryffindor sneaking an illegal dragon through the halls of Hogwarts after curfew…"

"Hm, I seem to recall a certain young Slytherin getting in trouble for being out of bed snooping around that very same night…" Harry retorted.

The playful banter went back and forth between them as though it were the most natural thing in the world. It was surprisingly easy to make light of conflicts they'd had in the past that had felt so serious at the time but now just seemed childish and silly. Harry had great fun teasing Malfoy about the 'Amazing Bouncing Ferret' incident, which nearly started a food fight between them until Malfoy got him back with an impersonation of his antics during the Quidditch match he had spent being chased by a rogue bludger. The exaggerated expressions and postures he pulled had Harry laughing harder and more freely than he had in months. It felt good.

But time slipped away from them and other students began to enter the Hall. Potter was just beginning to reconsider the wisdom of his seating choice when Blaise Zabini caught sight of him and turned red in the face.

"What the hell are you doing in our territory, Potter?" Blaise barked, storming up to them.

"Eating breakfast," Harry deadpanned.

Blaise sneered. "Think you're funny, do you? You're not welcome here, Potter."

"Why? There's plenty of space." He knew that wasn't what Blaise was referring to, but the morning had been pleasant up until this point and Harry wasn't in the mood to have it ruined by some arrogant Slytherin who had issues with change.

His face darkened. "How can I make this clear to you, Gryffindor? Get the hell out!"

"Or what? You'll make me?" The moment the words left his mouth Harry regretted them; he wanted the other boy to see reason, not to provoke an attack – but it was too late.

"Damn straight," Blaise snarled. He grabbed Harry's shoulder and forcibly yanked him around, wrenching him off the bench and throwing him to the floor. Remnants of a nightmare flashed through his mind, but instinct guided his hands to strike first, jarring his arms but preserving the skull that had been damaged enough already. His body tensed, expecting blows to follow.

"Don't you dare, Zabini."

Harry scrambled to his feet and found Blaise and Malfoy facing off against each other, the former with a furious glare met by the latter's coldly determined one. The moment stretched out, allowing more students to enter the Hall and teachers to start filtering in as well. Blaise wasn't stupid enough to try anything more with so many witnesses around.

"Don't let me catch him here again," he said in a low voice. "You're in hot enough water as it is."

"Thanks for the warning," Malfoy replied, an edge of sarcasm to his tone. His next words, however, were deadly serious. "But let me warn you. Touch Potter again and I will show no restraint in my retaliation, no matter who is watching."

Blaise backed up a step, staring at Malfoy as though he were a stranger. "What happened to you, Malfoy?"

"I woke up," he said bluntly. "I would advise you to do the same, before the war heats up and you discover too late that you are on the wrong side."

Harry noticed Malfoy's grey eyes flick to the other Slytherins who were watching the exchange and realised that although he was addressing Blaise directly, he was talking to them, too.

Blaise bristled. "I'm not on any 'side'."

"Don't kid yourself. Impartiality has no place in this conflict. If you try to stick to the middle ground, you will get caught in the crossfire."

"You think you are any safer? By standing with him," he shot a disgusted glance at Harry, "you have placed yourself right in the target zone."

"By standing with him, I have allied myself with the future victors of this war," Malfoy retorted. He delivered the line with such surety that even Harry was tempted to believe him.

"You really think you can trust this scrawny brat with your future? You're a fool, Draco. Blind faith is something I would expect from a Hufflepuff, not from a Slytherin. You should know better."

"It isn't blind faith. It's strategy. You-Know-Who fears exactly two people in this world: Dumbledore and Potter. He is purported to be the most powerful Dark Wizard of all time and yet he feels threatened by them. For good reason. Just look at the history, Zabini; look at the facts. Potter has already defeated him once and thwarted his plans numerous times since, hindering his every move, blocking him at every turn. And now there is all this business about a 'Chosen One' which, be it truth or conjecture, has You-Know-Who running scared. From the looks of things, the odds are stacked highly in Potter's favour and I for one am not stupid enough to bet against him."

Harry swallowed, not sure if he was deserving of such a resounding endorsement. But he knew Malfoy wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it. He didn't know if that should encourage him or frighten him, but he found it did a little of both.

Blaise frowned, thoughtfully, but he still didn't look convinced. "You're risking a lot, Draco. You can hardly expect the rest of us to do the same."

"It would be in your best interest."

Blaise opened his mouth to argue, but Malfoy shook his head. "Just… think on it, Blaise. You don't have to decide right now, though the time is fast approaching when you will have to choose. But in the meantime, you should be clear on one thing. I will not allow you, or anyone else, to bring Potter harm. Tread carefully."

With those final words Malfoy strode away and Harry followed him. He noticed how the Slytherins parted for them; some almost against their will, others with what appeared to be grudging respect. Harry didn't understand all of the undercurrents and politics that were going on, but he did see one thing: Malfoy had always been an influential member of his House and though his position had been dealt a serious blow the day before, it was clear that he was intent on making a comeback.

Harry wondered if he would be successful. Without even consciously realising it before, Harry had always considered the students of Slytherin a lost cause, automatically assuming they would follow a darker path simply because they had been Sorted into the same house that Voldemort and other Dark wizards had belonged to in their youth. But Slytherin didn't hold exclusive rights on evil – it had been a Gryffindor who had betrayed Harry's parents, after all – and in fact some of its members had ultimately proven themselves to be good – Regulus Black, in turning against Voldemort, Snape, if Dumbledore was to be believed about his true allegiance, and Malfoy.

Harry remembered looking at Malfoy last year, with the words of the Sorting Hat's song still fresh in his memory, and thinking 'It wants all of the houses to be friends? Fat chance.' Yet here they were. And if Malfoy could change, maybe he could convince others from his House to change, too. If he actually managed it, if Slytherins really began to turn, if Hogwarts truly did unite as one…. The implications were staggering.

"Harry!" Hermione called, breaking him out of his thoughts. She was waving a hand in the air to catch his attention, though it wasn't necessary; her bushy hair and Ron's trademark red were not hard to pick out in a crowd. "There you are! We were worried!"

"Yeah mate, don't just vanish like that," Ron added once Harry and Malfoy had reached them. "We had no idea where you'd gone."

"Sorry." He was touched that they, too, wanted to protect him, but it was also a little overwhelming. It was probably unfair to think so, but sometimes it felt like he had bodyguards instead of friends. "But you know… we're back at Hogwarts now. It's not like I'm going to be set upon by Death Eaters if I leave Gryffindor Tower by myself to wander around for a bit."

"Harry, you can't just assume that you're safe because you're at school," Hermione said. "Remember Quirrell, and the Basilisk and-"

"I remember, Hermione," he interrupted, annoyed. Did she remember that he had faced all of those threats pretty much single-handedly? He could take care of himself; she didn't have to mother-hen him all the time-

"I think what Potter means is that he is entitled to a bit of space," Malfoy cut in before Harry could blurt aloud what he was thinking and later regret blowing up at his friends. "And that he didn't intend to give you cause for concern."

Just as quickly as it had arisen the tension diffused.

"Have you two had the chance to get your timetables from your Head of House yet?" Hermione asked.

"Mine is sweet," Ron told them happily. "I have so much free time…"

"That time is for studying," Hermione admonished him sternly.

"We're N.E.W.T students now," Malfoy added. "The professors will be piling on the homework from day one, and that's not even counting all the revision we will have to do for tests and exams…"

"Precisely, Ronald." Hermione sounded a little bit too pleased at the prospect and Ron groaned.

"Harry, why do I get the feeling that we're going to have two crazy academics hounding us this year instead of just one?"

Malfoy raised his eyebrows, but Hermione didn't take offence; she just smiled almost evilly and Harry suspected she was glad to finally have back up. It was probably a good thing, because when Harry and Ron were left to their own devices they tended not to get much work done.

Professor McGonagall approached them, then, and Malfoy excused himself to go talk to Snape about his own timetable.

"I have approved all of your subject selections, Mr Potter," McGonagall told him, "but I noticed that without an 'Outstanding' O.W.L result you are unable to continue with Potions under Professor Snape. I'm afraid that Potions is a vital requirement for entrance into Auror training, so you may have to ask Professor Snape for special consideration, or else look into getting tutoring-"

There was no way that Harry was going to ask Snape for a favour, especially since he had never enjoyed the class in the first place. "Actually, Professor, it's okay. I've changed my mind about what I want to do after school."

McGonagall's nostrils flared. "You can't give up on your dream because of one set back, Mr Potter. I swore last year to help you become an Auror and I intend to keep my word."

"No, I mean, I appreciate that Professor, but once the war has ended – and it will end," a burst of passion entered his voice, "I don't really think I will want to be a Dark Wizard Catcher for the rest of my life." He shrugged a little and her expression softened.

"What else did you have in mind?"

"Teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts maybe? That subject seems to be one of the few things I'm good at and I had some experience with teaching other students in the DA last year…"

"Hm." She eyed him critically. "Teaching is not a walk in the park, Mr Potter. A Professor must excel in their field and be made of stern enough material to be able to deal with any situation and any student they encounter. The future of each pupil is largely dependent on the quality of the education they receive and that is a tremendous responsibility to bear. It is not a field to be entered into lightly."

Harry deflated. She didn't think he was cut out for it?

"However, if you are willing to commit to it wholeheartedly, teaching is a very rewarding career. Apply yourself and I think you could do well, Mr Potter."

He relaxed into a relieved smile. "Thanks, Professor."

"Well, if you are not taking Potions this year, you have an empty time slot in your timetable. May I recommend Care of Magical Creatures? The content covered in N.E.W.T level classes includes magical beasts classified under the XXXXX category, which will compliment your DADA knowledge nicely."

Harry remembered that Horcruxes could be destroyed by dark creatures and he also recalled the numerous occasions he had come up against such beasts as dragons, Acromantulas and Basilisks and barely escaped with his life. Learning more about them could definitely be valuable.

"Alright," he answered.

"Excellent. Hagrid will be pleased to be teaching his favourite student again this year. Mr Weasley, you can join Mr Potter."

"But that will cut into my free time-"

McGonagall frowned down her nose at him and Ron fell silent. She held her hand out expectantly, palm up, and Ron sighed but obediently handed over his timetable to be altered.

McGonagall then tapped her wand on a blank sheet of parchment for Harry; when she handed it to him the details of his timetable for the year were laid out on it.

"Same as mine," Ron said, peering over his shoulder as McGonagall left to talk to another student. "We have a free period first up today; excellent!"

"You should use that time to go to the library and look in the Restricted Section for any more information on Horcruxes," Hermione suggested. Ron scowled at her, but Harry conceded that it was a good idea. He also wanted to find out more about Rowena Ravenclaw, and if anywhere was to have a detailed account of her life surely it would be the library of the school she had co-founded.

Unfortunately, even when he worked out what, if any, Ravenclaw artefact had been appropriated by Voldemort to be used as a Horcrux, he would still be no closer to finding out where it was hidden. He hoped the flash of inspiration he needed would come sooner rather than later, but puzzling out the warped logic that dictated the actions of his enemy was no simple task. He was grateful that he at least had his friends to help him.

ooOOoo

Out of the corner of his eye, Severus noticed Draco Malfoy heading his way.

In fact, he had been keeping tabs on the boy from the moment he entered the Hall and saw him sitting at the Slytherin table next to none other than Harry Potter. Unsurprisingly, events had escalated rather quickly once other students had begun to arrive and for a moment it had seemed Malfoy and Zabini were on the verge of coming to blows, although in the true nature of Slytherins it had turned to verbal sparring instead. Even from the careful distance Severus maintained so as not to look like he was paying attention, he could clearly see that Malfoy's posture was at once defensive and threatening. Apparently the protectiveness Malfoy had uncharacteristically shown over Potter that day when Severus had bumped (all too literally) into them at Hogwarts was not an isolated incident after all.

Dumbledore, curse him and his twinkling eyes, had been right. Impossibly, Malfoy spending the summer with Potter had somehow changed their relationship from bitter rivalry to… mutual friendship? Severus could not believe it, and yet the truth was staring him in the face. They weren't even being secretive or covert about it; their friendship was out there for everyone to see. Did Malfoy realise what a dangerous game he was playing? He had to – he was a Slytherin, after all – but if his ability to stand up to his peers just then was anything to go by, their disapproval and the precarious position it left him in did not cow him.

As unexpected as this turn of events was, Severus discovered he was proud of the boy. Unfortunately, he could not afford to let that pride show. They had both made the difficult decision to break from the Dark Lord and could potentially feel a sense of camaraderie in that, but there the similarity between their situations ended. The Slytherins all knew about Malfoy's betrayal, which granted him the freedom to be open about his new allegiance, but Snape was a spy and his very life depended on façades and secrecy. In all likelihood Malfoy would need his support, not just as his Head of House but as someone who knew what he was going through, but Severus couldn't give it to him. For the sake of appearances, Malfoy was now just as much his enemy as Potter was supposed to be. If any Death Eater children caught wind of anything else, it would get back to their parents and the Dark Lord by extension faster than he could plead loyalty. The risk was too high.

"Professor Snape," Malfoy greeted him.

Severus turned with an air of having only just noticed him and allowed the faintest flash of distaste to cross his features, just in case anyone was watching, before adopting a neutral expression. "Mr Malfoy."

Remarkably quick on the uptake, Malfoy's eyes flicked briefly to the side in acknowledgement of potential witnesses, then he pulled on a face of mild distrust and suspicion as he returned his gaze to his Head of House. "I was told to collect my timetable from you."

Severus nodded curtly and pulled out a sheaf of parchment which, with a tap of his wand, became Malfoy's class schedule. "I should inform you that I will be unable to offer you advanced tutoring this year," he said as he handed it over. He deliberately left out the qualification of 'in Potions' with the hope that the young Slytherin would read the underlying meaning of his words.

"I wasn't expecting any, sir. You have many demands on your time."

Severus offered a faint nod, satisfied that his message had been received. Their interactions would necessarily be limited to the Potions classroom from now on.

"I was appreciative of your careers advice and the arrangements you made," Malfoy continued cautiously, with a slight pause before the word 'careers'. Severus understood that he was actually referring to the day at the Manor when Severus had advised him to break from the Dark Lord before it was too late, as well as the part he had played in arranging protection for him once he had made that choice.

"Ultimately, the decision was yours," Severus said. "I believe the - job is right for you, but it will take determination, commitment and hard work to - achieve the grades you need."

Draco's back straightened and his expression hardened. "I am aware of that, sir."

Yes, the boy knew this year would not be easy, but it seemed he intended to stand by Potter's side regardless. "Good."

Severus hated to say the next part, but he knew it was necessary. "Now, Mr Malfoy, I saw the altercation you started earlier-" Draco appeared thrown by the change of topic for a moment, but he quickly realised that he had been unjustly accused and his eyes flashed with fury. He opened his mouth to protest but Snape spoke over him, "-and I must remind you that such conduct is unacceptable for a member of my House. I am very disappointed in you; I expected better from someone who claims to be a Slytherin. If it happens again, you will receive detention."

"I didn't start anything, sir," Draco retorted hotly. "Zabini attacked Potter!"

"That's not what I saw," Snape said silkily. "Potter broke the rules and deliberately goaded Mr Zabini. In fact… you can inform him that he has lost 10 points for Gryffindor." He forced a slight smile onto his features, despite the uncomfortable squirm in his gut at the shock and disbelief written all over Draco's face. Snape's blatant favouritism towards Slytherin students and tendency to turn a blind eye to their misbehaviour was hardly anything new, but Draco would never have expected to have it work against him. Severus, unfortunately, had no other choice. His students had rejected Draco and Potter; he could do no less. "My, my, and classes haven't even begun yet…" He turned with a dramatic flair of black robes and strode away, ignoring the feeling of eyes boring into his back.

I'm sorry, Draco, he thought. But this is the way it has to be.

"Was that really necessary, my boy?" Dumbledore asked quietly, leaning over to him when Severus took his seat at the staff table.

Severus sat stiffly and returned a cold stare to Dumbledore's somewhat sad and disappointed gaze. "I do not tolerate troublemakers in my House."

"But Severus, I thought that you could perhaps-"

"Out of the question," Severus snapped, dropping his voice lower to add, "and you know full well why. You cannot have it both ways." After all, Dumbledore was the one who so valued Snape's position as a spy. Even if he wanted to reach out to Draco, he could not jeopardise the mission for the sake of one child.

Dumbledore frowned, but he returned to his glass of pumpkin juice without another word, unable to argue.

Severus looked out over the Great Hall and unconsciously sought out that head of blonde hair again, despite his internal protestations that Draco's wellbeing was no longer his concern.

There. Draco was with the Gryffindor trio, smirking with amusement at the ridiculous and thoroughly unsanitary antics Weasley was getting up to with his food while Granger displayed half-hearted disapproval and Potter laughed.

Draco would be alright, Severus decided. Unlike Severus himself in his own youth, Draco had friends around him. And that could make all the difference.

ooOOoo