Chapter 12

A/N: Idk if Slytherins had Charms with the Gryffindors in the book, for the sake of this story, they do. Plus, they were in the same class in the movie anyway.

Again, I don't have a Beta, and I wrote this super quickly, so feel free to point out any mistakes.

One early October morning, Harry invited Draco to the Quidditch Pitch to have a Seeker contest, only to discover that there were already two people there.

"Cedric, Tonks!" Harry greeted as the two in the air flew down to meet them. Cedric landed on the ground smoothly, while Tonks tumbled on the grass, face first.

"Ugh, at this rate, I'll never make the Quidditch team. So much for your claim of being a miracle worker, that's just false advertising," Tonks grumbled to Cedric.

"Hey, your flying didn't look half bad," Harry reassured her.

"Yes, but any time Cedric puts a Quaffle in play, I get distracted and fall off my broom," Tonks groaned. "My goal was to become a Chaser this year," she explained.

"How do you know my name, Harry?" Cedric asked, looking puzzled.

Harry shrugged. "I could ask you the same question."

"Oh, please. Any witch or wizard that doesn't know who you are is living under a rock. I mean, you have a huge line of merchandise, you're the Boy-Who-Lived, and you're the youngest Quidditch player in over a century," Cedric pointed out.

"Not just me, Draco is too," Harry replied, gesturing towards his blond friend. "Anyway, as I'm sure you've already heard, I'm a Dream Seer. In fact, I had a dream that you'd end up competing against me in a school death tournament."

Cedric looked at him skeptically. "Really?"

"Don't ask too many questions about it," Tonks warned Cedric. "He'll just go on and on about some random shit that's never going to happen. It's better to not encourage him."

"Even if you don't encourage him, he's still bound to tell you something outrageous," Draco muttered.

"Oi, Tonks! I thought you of all people would have some faith in me!" Harry exclaimed, feigning hurt.

"I lost all faith in your imaginary 'Dream Seering' when you predicted that I'd allow my future husband to call me by my first name! That's just absurd!" Tonks answered.

"I said your future husband would call you 'Dora', not 'Nymphadora'," Harry corrected. "And seeing as that's one of the tamer predictions I've made, why is that the one that jumps out to you so much?"

"Because my name is absolutely hideous!" Tonks said. "Even in the shortened form! My father only gets away with it because he's my dad."

"Honestly, I think your family needs to do away with the whole 'constellation thing'. It's a good thing that my dreams have told me that you're going to name your first born Teddy, after your dad," said Harry. "Oh, also, I'll be the godfather, of course."

"I thought you said to not encourage him," Cedric reminded Tonks. "It seems a lot like you're entertaining his ideas."

"I'm not entertaining him, I'm trying to get him to understand how ridiculous he is!" Tonks insisted. "There's two types of weird: the crazy weird, and the cool weird. While I am an example of the latter, Harry is the former."

"You act like that's a bad thing," said Harry.

"I never said it was," Tonks countered. "Personally, I like you. However, your crazy Seer predictions are even wackier than Trewelany's, which is saying a lot. It can be too much for anyone to handle. In fact, there have been rumours going around the first year Hufflepuffs that you're actually Voldemort in disguise. Some kid named Zacharias Smith claimed you wanted to kill all Muggleborns. Not that I believe any of it, of course, I just thought you should know that some kids think you're truly insane."

Interesting...it seemed as though the rumours about Harry being evil may not have started because of the Dueling Club incident, after all...Perhaps him being a Parseltoungue just gave more merit to the idea, so more people believed the crack theory.

"Well, I always knew that kid had a screw loose," Harry said, shrugging.

"Not that I don't agree with you, seeing as Smith is an absolute idiot, but you're not exactly the definition of 'sane' yourself, as we've already mentioned," Draco chimed in.

"Yes, well, he's both insane and an idiot. I'm insane and awesome, there's a big difference," Harry replied. "My dreams have also told me that when Voldemort attacks the school during my seventh year, Smith will be the adult pushing little kids out of the way, while he runs for his sorry life. He's a cowardly little bitch," Harry said unapologetically. "Unfortunately, his sorry arse survives, while I get killed by Voldemort. Don't worry though, I come back to life after that, and kill Voldemort with Expelliarmus."

The three others on the pitch just stared at him skeptically. They then gave each other looks, as if they were silently making an agreement to ignore Harry.

"So...anyway, you're a Malfoy, right? Draco Malfoy?" Tonks asked.

"Yes. My father is Lucius Malfoy," Draco said pompously. "We're the Most Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy."

"Wotcher, Draco. I'm your first cousin, Tonks," Tonks informed him. "Of course, my mother was disinherited from the Most Nobel and Ancient House of Black, so your parents probably want nothing to do with me, which is why we haven't met until now. If you aren't too much bigoted dick, we can be friends," Tonks offered her hand.

Draco looked to Harry, as if asking for permission, before hesitantly taking Tonks's hand. Oh, if the other timeline's version of Draco Malfoy could see this Draco, he'd be horrified. Who knew how much being friends with one person could change someone? Especially if said friend established themselves as the leader…

"Your mother is...Andromeda, right? I think I've heard Mother accidentally mention her a few times. I think she misses her, but doesn't want to lower her social standing. I'm sure you can understand that," Draco remarked.

"I thought marrying a Death Eater was as low as you could go," Tonks riposted.

"If you look on public record, you'll find it was concluded that he was under the Imperius Curse," Draco said defensively, though, judging from the look on his face, it seemed like he knew that was bullshit.

"Well, I'm just saying that if Narcissa misses my mother so much, she should just contact her. After all, not speaking to your sister because she married someone you don't approve of (even though you've never even bothered to get to know the spouse) is just ridiculous," Tonks said reasonably.

Draco didn't say anything back, but looked thoughtful.

XXXXXXXXX

"Harry Potter!" a shrill voice came from the mirror in Harry's pocket. The Gryffindor common room was empty, so Harry didn't bother going somewhere else for more privacy.

"Hey, Mum, what's got your wand in a knot?" Harry inquired.

"I just had a talk with Severus! Is it true that you've already managed to get over 12 detentions after just a month and a half of school?" Lily scolded.

"Padfoot and I are very proud!" James interjected in the background. "Of course, he'd be here to tell you himself, but he's currently out de-gnoming the garden as punishment for teaching Alaina some pranks. Your mother's idea, obviously."

Harry laughed. It seemed like Alaina was going to grow up to be another troublemaker. "Did Snape also mention that pretty much all of the detentions were from him? For petty 'crimes'?" Harry asked.

"I understand that you've been talking back to him!" Lily said.

"Okay, I do tend to provoke the guy a lot," Harry confessed. "But I'm sure it's nothing he can't handle! I mean, if he can deal with Voldemort, I'm sure he can put up with an 11 year old," Harry pointed out. "Anyway, did Snape also tell you that I made the Quidditch team? I'm the new Seeker!" Harry announced.

"What?" both his parents said simultaneously, looking shocked.

"Yep, McGonagall saw me fly a few weeks ago, and decided to make an exception for me," Harry said proudly, intentionally leaving out the fact that he'd technically been breaking the rules at the time.

"Weeks ago? Why didn't you tell us as soon as it happened?" James demanded. "This is big news! Quidditch is literally one of the most important aspects of life!"

Lily rolled her eyes, obviously in disagreement with his dad.

"It just slipped my mind," Harry said honestly. "With all of the detentions, the pranking, and the mayhem I've been causing, I was a bit preoccupied. I mean, I basically bragged about it to everyone at school, so I guess I'd just forgotten I hadn't told you yet until today," Harry explained. "By the way, I smuggled my broomstick in when I came here, so you guys don't need to send it to me."

"I'm very proud of you for sneaking your broomstick in! I didn't manage that as a first year! As for not telling us about making the team? As long as you've managed to cause a considerable amount of chaos, I guess that's a valid excuse...ow!" James exclaimed as Lily smacked his arm.

"Honey, I'm proud of you, but you need to focus more on your studies! If you still want to be an Auror, you'll have to do well on your OWLs, and you can't accomplish that if you don't have the basics down!" Lily lectured.

"Mum, I'm a genius. Just ask any of the professors, well, except Snape, anyway. I can do all the first year spells with my eyes closed. What's the point in doing the work if I already know the stuff?" Harry argued.

"He's got a point, Lily...OW!" James yelped again. "Stop hitting me!"

"I'll stop when you stop encouraging bad behavior!" Lily snapped back.

"I'm just saying, Sirius and I never put much effort into schoolwork, and we both became Aurors. If Harry gets good marks without having to try, I don't see the point in studying," James said reasonably.

"He might be fine now, James, but that doesn't mean he'll be ahead forever! What about when the material gets more difficult? If he doesn't develop good study habits now, it could come back to bite him in the arse later on!" Lily exclaimed.

"Alright, Mum. I'll create a study timetable and be the most diligent student ever," Harry lied. Honestly, even if he was concerned about his grades, he'd never do that. It just sounded like way too much work.

Lily looked skeptical, but accepted his answer. "Honey? Just please, try not to rile up Severus anymore. I know you guys got off on the wrong foot, but he's a good man."

James coughed loudly, looking like he was trying to hide a snicker.

"Okay," Harry relented. "As long as he doesn't show blatant hatred towards me, I will do my best not to make his hackles rise. I make no promises, however."

His mother sighed, "I guess that's the best I can hope for. You are too much like your father for your own good."

"Funny, Snape says the same thing. No wonder you two get along so well," Harry remarked. "Though, he gets mad whenever I thank him for the compliment, which is weird. I do try my best to thank him whenever he mentions it, but he sings the same praise so often, sometimes, it's hard to keep up with the thank yous," Harry said innocently.

James howled with laughter. "I'm proud of you, son. You truly are a Marauder!" "Look, we have to go, but we'll talk to you soon. Love you, Prongslet!"

"Stay safe, honey. Don't do anything dangerous, especially when you play Quidditch!" Lily added. "I love you, honey."

"Love you too," Harry answered. No matter how long he'd been in the past, it never got old to say 'I love you' to his parents. He never missed an opportunity to do so, because he knew what it was like to not have them in his life. He just prayed each day that he wouldn't be the cause of their deaths again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

October 31st, 1991

"She's a nightmare! I'm telling you! No wonder she hasn't got any friends!" Ron exclaimed as he, Harry, and Draco walked out of Charms class. Unbeknownst to him, of course, Hermione was trailing behind them a few feet behind them as she chatted with Neville. Honestly, how could Ron be so unobservant?

"I think she was just trying to help you rectify your pronunciation, which is hardly a crime," Harry said reasonably. "And she's one of my best friends, so you're wrong about her not having any friends."

"Oh, please. For once, Weaselbee is right! The Mud...Granger just likes to make everyone feel bad! Just because she knows stuff doesn't mean she has to shove it in everyones' faces! The other day in potions, she wouldn't let me do anything, because apparently I wasn't being 'careful enough'," Draco scoffed. "The only friend she's got is you, and that's because you somehow tolerate everyone."

Harry opened his mouth to defend one of his oldest friends, but it was too late. Hermione pushed past them, sobbing. "Hermione, wait!" he cried out. Harry turned around to glare at Ron and Draco, before running after her.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Once Harry and Hermione had made it to the girls' bathroom, Hermione locked herself in a stall.

"Go away, Harry," Hermione weeped. "You heard them, no one likes me! That's why I'm a loner with no friends!"

"Look, they might be my friends, but they're also 11 year old idiots," said Harry. "You're brilliant, Hermione, and they know that. They just don't like having someone correct them, even when they're wrong. And I'm your friend, Hermione."

There was still no response from Hermione, but Harry could still hear her quiet whimpering from outside the stall. Deciding that the best thing he could do was show her he was there for her, Harry sat on the other side, and the two of them skipped the rest of the day's classes together.

Harry couldn't help but feel like there was something big that had happened during Halloween in the last timeline, but for some reason, whatever it was had completely slipped his mind.

At once, Harry's brain seemed to be working again, and the memories of an ugly, smelly monster came back. Wait...those weren't memories, he could smell it right now, and the sounds of heavy footsteps were getting closer to them. Shit, the troll!

How was it that he could still remember the exact date of the day he'd first kissed Ginny, but had forgotten about the troll?

"Hermione, we have to get out of here!"

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Draco walked towards the Gryffindor table for the Halloween feast and searched for Harry. Unfortunately, Longbottom and Weasley were the only ones there. Draco briefly considered just sitting at the Slytherin table with the rest of his House, but quickly shot down that idea. One, because he didn't actually have any friends in his own House, and two, because he was concerned about Harry, and Longbottom and Weasley might know where he was. Besides, as much as he hated to admit it, Draco was actually beginning to slightly...enjoy spending time with Longbottom and the blood traitor, not that he'd ever admit it. And though Draco knew he should hate the Mudblood, Granger, he often found himself impressed by her intellect and magical talent. He was actually feeling quite guilty about making her cry.

"Weasley, Long...Neville," Draco said, sitting down at the Gryffindor table. "Where are Harry and Granger?"

"I heard Parvati and Lavender say that Hermione's been crying in the girls' bathroom all afternoon. Harry's been in there with her," Longbottom informed him.

Draco dipped his head guiltily and saw Weasley do the same. However, he briefly forgot about his missing friend and the Mudblood when the feast began. Thousands of live bats fluttered through the air, and mountains of food appeared on the golden plates.

Just as Draco was about to help himself to a pumpkin pasty, Quirrell dashed into the Great Hall. "TROLL! TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS! Though you ought to know."

The pathetic teacher then dropped to the floor in a dead faint.

There was an uproar as students from all Houses screamed and pushed each other out of the way, some nearly trampling over other students.

"Silence!" Dumbledore rumbled. "Prefects, lead your Houses back to their dormitories immediately.

Draco briefly wondered how that would help the Slytherins, seeing as their dormitories were in the dungeons, when another thought came to his mind — Harry and the Mudblood didn't know about the troll.

Weasley's older brother spoke up. "Everybody, follow me! Stick together, first years! No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders! Stay close behind me, now. Make way, first years coming through! Excuse me, I'm a prefect!" Of course, he didn't seem to notice that there'd been a Slytherin sitting at the table.

"Weasley, Longbottom!" Draco hissed. "Harry and Granger! They don't know about the troll. We should get a teacher, maybe they can help."

"All the teachers have left already, they're needed in the dungeons to get rid of the troll, we'll have to go ourselves," Longbottom said, looking pale but determined. "We have to rescue Harry and Hermione."

"Oh, all right," Weasley snapped. "But Percy'd better not see us."

The three of them ducked down, out of the elder Weasley's sight, before joining the Hufflepuffs going the other way, and sneaked into an abandoned corridor. Right when they turned a corner towards the girls' bathroom, they heard footsteps creeping up behind them.

"Percy!" hissed Weasley, grabbing him and Longbottom and shoving them behind a statue.

But it wasn't Weasley's older brother, it was Severus Snape. He walked down the corridor quickly and disappeared. Draco noted that it looked like he was headed towards the third floor corridor, but before he had time to wonder what his Head of House was doing, Weasley spoke up.

"Do you smell that?"

Draco wrinkled his nose as he took in the foul odor, and when he looked to the end of the passageway on the left, he saw it. The ugliest, scariest thing he'd ever seen. It was the troll.

As the troll headed towards a doorway, the three of them tip-toed closely behind, absolutely terrified. "Hey," Longbottom pointed to a key. "Let's lock it in."

Before Draco had time to speak up, Weasley and Longbottom had already locked the troll in the bathroom, the girls' bathroom. "How thick are you two?" Draco snapped. "You just locked the troll in the girls' bathroom! Are you trying to save Harry and Granger...or get them killed?!"

"That's the girls' bathroom!" Longbottom gasped, looking even paler than he had been earlier.

Weasley's jaw fell. "We locked Hermione and Harry in with the troll!"

"No shit, Merlin! We have to go!" Draco exclaimed, dragging the two Gryffindors, quickly unlocking the door, and darting in.

Granger was lying in the corner of the bathroom, hands over her head, while Harry was shooting what looked like cutting curses at the troll. It appeared as though Harry was handling the troll just fine on his own.

Suddenly, Weasley picked up a small metal pipe, and thrusted it the troll's way. Needless to say, if the red headed idiot had just run his plan by Draco first, Draco could've told him it was a horrible idea. After all, a pipe wouldn't actually do any real damage to such a big creature, and would probably just aggravate it. Unfortunately, Weasley's aim was terrible, and instead of hitting the troll, the pipe hit Harry's wand, sending it flying across the room.

"Nice going, Weasel!" Draco said sarcastically as the troll picked up its club, and swung it Harry and Granger's way, demolishing the bathroom stalls and some sinks in the process.

Granger shrieked, ran to another corner, and cowered to the floor again, clearly too scared to do anything.

"Ron, Draco, Neville! Aim at the club, and use the Levitation Spell we just learned," Harry instructed. "You guys can do it!"

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Draco yelled together with Longbottom and Weasley.

The club rose out of the troll's hand, and turned over, before smacking its owner right in the head. The troll swayed around for a bit, as if drunk, before falling with a SPLAT!

"Is it — dead?" Granger asked.

"I think it's just unconscious," Draco replied as he walked over to the other side of the room and handed Harry his wand.

"Thanks, Draco," Harry said gratefully.

"For your wand—or for saving your sorry arses?" Draco asked teasingly.

Surprisingly, it was Longbottom who spoke up. "You know, if you and Ron hadn't been so mean, they probably would not have needed saving," he pointed out.

"Hey, what are friends for?" Weasley answered.

Granger giggled, before muttering, "thanks."

A moment later, a group of professors came bustling in, probably having heard all the commotion.

Draco rolled his eyes as he noticed Quirrell nearly faint at the sight of the troll. Honestly, how did that moron ever become a professor?

The Potions Master gave Draco a flabbergasted look before bending down to inspect the troll, probably because going after a troll was a reckless Gryffindor thing to do.

"What on earth were you thinking of?" McGonagall asked furiously. "You could've been killed!"

When it looked like Granger was about to speak up, Harry spoke over her. "Hermione, Draco, Ron, Neville, and I were headed to the Great Hall for the feast, when Hermione had to use the loo. Hermione and I told the rest of them to go on without us, while I waited for her outside. Then, a troll came stomping into the girls' bathroom. I went inside to help her out, but being just two trifling first years, we were having a bit of trouble. When Ron, Draco, and Neville noticed we still hadn't arrived at the feast, they went looking for us. They saved us. Without them, we'd be dead by now," Harry lied.

Draco was grateful that Harry hadn't told the professors the real reason for why Harry and Granger had been in the bathroom, and it seemed Weasley was too.

McGonagall huffed as she most likely tried to decide what to do with them. "Well, while it was very foolish to take on a troll by yourselves, and you most definitely should've gotten a teacher involved, I must admit that your nobility is admirable. I will reward 10 points to Gryffindor, and five points to Slytherin for sheer dumb luck. You may go."

From that moment on, the five of them became best friends. Draco wasn't sure how he felt about being part of a group that allowed in both blood traitors and Mudbloods, but he did find that he was having quite a bit of fun in their company. What he was sure about, however, was that his father would not be happy when he heard about it.