(A/N: Alright, I'm back again, I guess when inspiration strikes I can't stay away for very long. Hopefully it holds out and I can deliver you guys plenty of fic to read. Anyway, on with the show!)

The North Wind Blows

Part 24

Both boys watched as Narcissa left the room, her delicate movements ensuring that the door closed behind her with hardly a sound. Once she was gone they climbed out of the bed, each taking a turn to use the restroom that had been added off of the room before picking out their clothes for the day.

Harry's room had become something of a second room for Draco over the past weeks. He had several sets of clothes in a spare wardrobe, books on the shelves, and toys tucked into the corners of the room. Between the two of them, the room still felt too large. But their Mind Healers had assured them that eventually they would get past their need to share a bed and a space, and that it was simply part of healing to depend on someone. Harry wasn't entirely certain when he was going to be able to allow Draco that freedom, the idea of sleeping where he couldn't protect the other boy was somewhat horrifying to him. But again, that was something that would probably come with time and healing.

After they were dressed and had ensured that they were presentable, Draco sighing heavily as he attempted to tame Harry's mop of hair to no avail, they made their way towards the Library. It was quite a walk with such small legs, but both knew the way by heart and felt confident enough to go without an adult to escort them. Independence from parental figures and adults in general was something that they had been trying their best to learn. It didn't always work, as both of them still needed someone to comfort them after a nightmare, but doing simple things without supervision was becoming easier.

"The magic is quiet today. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing," Harry commented, frowning as he tightened his robes around his chest to combat the cold. September wasn't always the warmest of months and it was almost over.

"Is it the weather maybe? There's a storm coming later tonight and Mother always says that things get quiet before a storm," Draco said with a glance toward Harry.

"It could be. How do you know it's supposed to storm?" Harry asked, it wasn't accusatory, he was truly curious as to how someone could predict the weather without the paper to tell them what was coming.

"I dreamed it. I know it sounds silly but every time I dream about a storm, it storms," Draco admitted and shrugged, they were at the top of the stairs and it seemed that he was hesitating over something.

"That's pretty cool. Maybe you have a talent for seeing the future?" Harry guessed, stopping two steps below Draco and turning to face the other boy, frowning at the stormy expression that had overtaken Draco's face.

"I might. That's the problem Harry. If I can see the future then I don't like what I've been seeing. Maybe it is something that can change, but I see you and me growing up to hate each other. We're at school and you're in Gryffindor and I'm in Slytherin and we hate each other so much," Draco said quietly, eyes downcast and fists clenched at his sides.

Harry instantly climbed backed up the steps and wrapped his arms around Draco. He knew he should have asked first, but the situation at hand seemed like it called for a bit of invasion of personal space.

"That's never going to happen. It can't. I won't let it. We don't even know if we will be going to Hogwarts. And I sure as heck won't let them put us in different Houses," Harry said firmly and started to relax when Draco's arms came up to wrap around him. It wouldn't do for them both to show up to the Library looking upset, the adults had gotten better about trying to fawn over them, but first thing in the morning it would be hard to avoid.

"You're right, it's probably a nightmare. I mean, I don't usually see something so far in the future anyway. I think what gets me is that it keeps happening. Do you think that's something to talk to one of the Mind Healers about?" Draco's voice trembled but it was obvious that he was regaining control of himself bit by bit.

"Yeah, I mean, it's worth a shot. It might be an insecurity issue and they could help you to get yourself around it. For now though, just remember that I could never hate you, you're my brother," Harry assured and gave Draco's shoulders a final squeeze before stepping back, doing his best to smile as he did so.

"Thanks Harry, you're a good brother," Draco said, wiping the start of tears from his eyes and giving a slight sniff.

"I try to be," Harry responded and gently linked his elbow with Draco's, leading the both of them down the stairs.

They fell into a comfortable silence as they closed the rest of the distance to the Library, the echoing of their footsteps on the marble floors the only real sound that accompanied them. Harry was certain that the floors changed at will from carpeted, to marble, to tile with rugs, it was one of the quirks of the house, much like Hogwarts with its uncertain staircases and false doors. At least in the manor the floor plan never changed so they were never at risk of getting lost and needing to summon help from an adult.

Once at the doors to the Library both boys paused to check one another over, each correcting out of place robes as needed. Then they nodded to each other and opened the doors to the bright sunlight and warmth of a room that was being occupied. But Draco frowned almost instantly, looking around the room in concern.

"Where's Mother?" he asked as they stepped inside to join Lucius, Severus, and Tom.

"Ah, Draco, Harry, good morning. Narcissa told me to tell you that she would be with you shortly, she decided to go and wake Dudley so that he could enjoy breakfast with us instead of in his room alone," Lucius said graciously ignoring Draco's lack of a proper greeting.

"Oh, well I suppose that's good then. Sorry, it's just, she said that she would meet us here, I got concerned," Draco admitted and Lucius smiled indulgently, patting the couch beside him to invite the boys to come and sit.

"That's perfectly alright Draco, I know that you are dreadfully worried about her, it is understandable that she be your first concern," Lucius assured and gave Draco a brief hug around the shoulders when he took the offered seat. Harry meanwhile hopped into the unoccupied seat between Tom and Severus, grinning at the realization that they had made the space for him. As much as they were all still learning how to deal with one another, it was still nice when they treated him special.

(A/N: Well there it is for now folks, I hope you liked it and that you will leave me a review to let me know what you thought.)