Truth

For the next few weeks, Harry noticed Estella Malfoy was keeping a low profile whenever they came across in class. She had been avoiding him. Harry suspected that she thought he would tease her about her boggart. Too bad he was not slytherin. He wouldn't do that unless she did something really horrible to him.

As the next Hogsmeade trip approached, Harry was sure Estella would not accompany him. So on the trip day, it was a surprise that she showed up. As they made their way to honeydukes, both of them barely talked. Harry wanted to ask her about the boggart incident but he had a feeling that she would snap at him. Moreover, when did he have any interest in what happened in her life?

Harry had planned to meet Ron and Hermione later in Hogsmeade. He hoped that they would sort out their differences by the time he showed up. They had been fighting and Harry was tired playing the middleman. So he went along with Estella who showed no interest in meeting up with her friends. She showed no interest in him either. Harry was sure that she was so busy trying to act normal that she wasn't even paying attention to the shops around. She had again used the same glamour charm on her turning her into brunette. He wished she didn't use the charm on her lips. He liked the red plump original one compared to the thinner version. She even used a glamour charm on him to 'make him less ugly'. Harry didn't object since it meant he didn't have to worry about people recognizing him. She had turned him into a blonde pale boy with freckles. Harry decided that it would be the last time he'd allow her to transfigure him into a mini Malfoy.

After walking around in silence for so long Harry decided to talk anyway "Malfoy , you are not meeting any friends today?"

Estella looked startled. "Er..No.. Daphne and Tracy have dates today. So I 'd rather not interrupt"

"What about you Potter?" asked Estella curiously.

Harry didn't want to tell her that he had set up his best friends on a date. "I am meeting my friends later. Ron went with Dean and Seamus while Hermione is in the bookstore. She takes ages there" Lied Harry. He was pretty pleased with himself for sounding convincing.

"Oh we can go the Halens's witchcraft gallery then. Even though you don't seem to be intelligent enough to appreciate artwork" drawled estella.

Harry scowled in response and they made their way to the gallery. Apart from the occasional insults against each other, Harry had to admit Estella was good company. She had a dark sense of humor and took great pleasure in teasing him. But they got through the day without the trademark words like squibs, mudblood and scarhead. He noticed that she had a beautiful laugh. There was an innocence about it that surprised him.

"So Malfoy, who is that man that the boggart turned into?" Harry asked cautiously. They had spent the last hour talking quite civilly to each other.

Harry saw Estella's demeanor change from relaxed smiling face to cold fury.

"None of your business Potter" sneered Malfoy.

"You didn't seem to be thinking on the same lines when you had forcefully grabbed me back in the classroom" said Harry defiantly

Estella considered him for a moment before her eyes flashed dangerously.

"Are you threatening me Potter? If you think you can get away by telling everyone about it then…"

" I am not interested in humiliating you. In case you forgot I am Gryffindor, not slytherin. I was just curious" said Harry coolly.

Estella looked bewildered. She kept looking at the painting of the wizard in the portrait who was scratching his beard.

"I don't live in the past Potter nor do I ever remember it" said Estella after a long moment. Harry didn't press for more details and they continued exploring the Hogsmeade village.

Harry's Hogsmeade trips came to an end when Snape had captured the marauders map from him. Harry had rushed back to Hogwarts after draco had spotted him with Ron. Snape had interrogated him about the map but was not able to prove anything. Harry assumed Estella came back alone after he hadn't turned up. Luckily she had not been caught by Snape and probably her brother had told the story to her.

As the year ended, Harry was happy. He had helped Sirius Black to escape with Buckbeak. He had a godfather now. Harry felt bad that he wasn't able to prove Sirius's innocence but the fact that Sirius was out there safe made him happy. As he got into Hogwarts express, he ran into the Estella Malfoy. Her blonde hair reminded him of her brother.

"Shove off malfoy" growled Harry. Estella looked stunned at his behavior.

"The train is not your father's property Potter" scowled back Estella.

" Atleast my father is not a former death eater who bribes the ministry to kill innocent animals" snarled Harry.

"But the hippogriff escaped." Said Estella with eyes glinting at him.

"Doesn't make your father any less of a killer" said Harry

"I heard you were claiming Black was innocent. He too escaped. " said Estella quietly as her eyes gleamed.

Harry felt uncomfortable. It looked like she suspected him . Harry raised an eyebrow at her

"I wonder how you managed to help them escape and fool the ministry. Quite cunning I must say .You are more slytherin than you think. Potter" said Estella quietly and left him without waiting for a reply