Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
It had been over a week since the horcrux hunting incident, working on homework and the essay Snape had assigned him. Draco had been staying with them a lot, helping him with his homework and even his essay. Harry had been having a hard time writing about his worth to people, he had only been able to write about his worth to the fight against Voldemort but with Draco's help he was almost done with it.
"You haven't been in the dorm for over a week," Ron said suspiciously as Harry sat at the Gryffindor table next to Neville for breakfast. He dished up his plate and poured himself some pumpkin juice.
"No, I haven't," Harry said evenly before turning to talk to Neville.
"Why not? Where are you staying?" Ron continued to demand.
"Ron, it isn't our business," Hermione said softly, her eyes slightly worried as she looked at Harry.
"Have you been suspended or something?" Ron asked.
Harry glared at him. "No."
Ron narrowed his eyes. "Then where are you staying?" He asked loudly.
"Is it something to do with You-Know-Who?" Seamus asked nervously, getting the attention of everyone at the table.
"No." Harry felt himself getting tense as his house-mates began staring at him.
"We have a right to know," Lavender insisted.
"Really? You didn't want to know anything our fourth year," Harry said sarcastically.
Lavender flushed.
"Leave him alone and let him eat," Neville spoke up, glaring fiercely at everyone.
"Just tell us, Harry. Stop trying to get attention." Ron said impatiently.
"What? You are the one who started this!" Harry protested.
"Yeah, Ron." Ginny scowled at her brother. "Just leave him be."
"Harry, go eat with Draco," Neville said softly. "They won't leave you alone otherwise." He gave Ron a disgusted look.
With a sigh, Harry picked up his plate and cup and stomped over to Slytherin table, plopping down next to Draco.
"What happened?" Draco asked, his eyes growing concerned.
"Just Ron being a prat," Harry grumbled.
"What did the weasel say?" Draco asked, glaring over to the Gryffindor table.
"He wanted...no, demanded to know why I haven't been in the dorm," Harry said. "He asked if I'd been suspended or something and then Seamus asked if it had something to do with you-know-who." He rolled his eyes.
"You have some stupid house-mates, Harry." Draco said in disgust.
"Yeah, they sound like idiots," Crabbe said before shoveling food into his mouth.
"What can you expect from Gryffindors?" Goyle added. He blinked. "Oh, sorry Harry. You're the exception since you're an honorary Slytherin." He said generously.
Harry chuckled. "Thanks."
Draco drummed his fingers on the table. "You should just sit with me for meals from now on."
"Neville is on my side. So is Ginny." Harry said softly.
"Still." Draco gave a sigh. "Okay. When you want to sit at the lion's table, I'll sit there with you." He grimaced. "I am a honorary member, after all."
"True." Harry grinned. "Just think how much that will upset them." He caught Rachel glancing his way from the end of the table and he smiled at her, his heart beating a little bit faster when she smiled back.
Draco's face brightened. "There is that."
Just then Ron stomped over to their table. "Really? You run over here to hide? When did you become such a coward?"
"When did you become such a bad friend?" Harry shot back.
Ron swallowed and looked away for a moment. "Why aren't you in the dorms?" He asked finally.
"I'll be there after this week," Harry said exasperatedly. His grounding was over then.
"It's none of your business, weasel. Now back off before I make you." Draco threatened.
"Us Gryffindors have a right to know if we are in danger -"
"I'm grounded!" Harry finally spat out. "Okay? I did something stupid and my dad grounded me, I'm staying in my room in our quarters and working on a punishment essay. Happy now?"
Ron blinked. "Oh. That's all?" He asked in surprise. "Huh. Grounded." He said slowly. "That's...new for you."
"And will likely be a common occurrence," Harry heard Draco mumble. He gave his brother a mild glare. He would protest that but...it was likely true. He scowled when Draco smirked at him.
"Well, at least someone is finally doing something to keep you from doing stupid things," Ron said bluntly.
"Sod off, carrot top!" Draco snapped at him. "Harry's business isn't your business."
Ron's face darkened. "Just wait until he does something that threatens your life or the life of someone you care about. You'll sing a different tune then."
Harry visibly flinched.
Draco slowly stood up, his eyes on Ron. "He has a psychotic maniac after him, how is that his fault? And I doubt he ever put a wand to your head to make you go on all those adventures. You chose to, Weasley. You knew from the start his life was in danger and you befriended him anyway. Perhaps you did because you genuinely liked him or perhaps you did only because you wanted to be part of his fame."
"That's not true!" Ron protested.
"Really? Didn't you turn on him fourth year because you were jealous of him being a champion? And he forgave you, way too easily in my opinion. Because that is who is he is. And who are you? Someone who once again turns on your best friend. I get that what happened at the ministry scared you but to blame Harry? Tell me, did he ask you to go with him to the ministry?"
"No, he didn't." Hermione appeared by Ron's side. "We insisted on going with him." She gently touched Ron's arm. "We did."
"Still," Ron said stubbornly. "Being his friend -"
"You're not." Now Harry stood up, leaving his plate of food practically untouched. "You're not my friend. Either of you. Not anymore. So just leave me alone." He glanced at Draco. "I'll be in our quarters." He then stalked from the hall, not looking back.
Draco quickly called Dobby.
"Draco Malfoy called Dobby?" The elf asked brightly.
"Harry just left, will you make sure he gets to our quarters safely?" Draco asked.
"Anything for Harry Potter!" Dobby nodded and popped away.
Draco then looked at Ron in disgust. "You're pathetic, you know that? So much for loyalty and true friendship. And what did I tell you I would do to you if you upset Harry again?"
Ron rolled his eyes and started to turn away.
Quick as a flash, Draco had his wand out. "Cerebrum Tumultuariam!"
Ron stumbled and dropped to the ground.
Hermione gasped. "Ron? Are you okay?" She knelt down next to him.
Ron looked at her, eyes practically crossed and glazed over. "Hermie? You so perty, Hermie," He slurred as if drunk. He gave her a sloppy grin.
Hermione sighed and glared over at Draco.
Draco smiled and shrugged. "He was warned."
"What is going on here?" McGonagall demanded as she approached, glancing at Ron who was now sprawled out on the floor.
"Jelly brain jinx," Draco said cheerfully.
"Mr. Malfoy, casting spells on students is not allowed." McGonagall said sternly. "Unless in class and part of your lesson."
Snape appeared, looking at Ron who was batting his hands in the air aimlessly. His lips quirked for a moment before his expression evened out. "It will wear off in five minutes or so. Although, I don't see much difference from how he acts in my class." He remarked.
McGonagall narrowed her eyes at Snape before turning back to Draco. "Mr. Malfoy -" She started to said strictly.
"Minerva, I will deal with my Slytherin." Snape interrupted. "Mr. Malfoy, come with me please. We will discuss your detention."
"Weasel was being a git to Harry. Again." Draco told his godfather as they left the hall. "I'd warned that git what I would I do if he upset my brother again so being jelly brain jinxed is his own fault."
"What did he say to Harry?"
Draco told him and watched Snape's face darken with anger. "Perhaps you should have hexed his mouth shut. Permanently." He took a deep breath. "I will deal with Weasley. Perhaps his parents should be made aware of his bad attitude. As for you..."
"I really have detention?" Not that it would make Draco regret jinxing that weasel.
"You do. You are to stay in my quarters for the rest of the week and help Harry with his essay." Snape said.
"I've been doing that anyway," Draco said in a puzzled voice.
"Hmm." Snape smirked.
Draco grinned. They went to Snape's quarters, assuming Harry would go there. They found him sitting morosely on the sofa.
Harry glanced up at them. "You didn't have to follow me. You should go finish your meal." He said tonelessly.
"Good idea," Snape said. "Dobby!"
Dobby popped into the room. "How can Dobby help you, Professor Snape?"
"Can you bring us three breakfasts? We are going to finish eating in the kitchen."
"Of course, Professor Snape!" Dobby said brightly before snapping his fingers and disappearing.
The three walked into the kitchen and immediately three plates appeared on the table full of scrambled eggs, waffles and bacon. Three cups also appeared, two filled with pumpkin juice and one filled with earl grey tea. "I suppose Dobby isn't so bad after all," Snape remarked as they sat down. "Still an odd one, though."
HP
A couple weeks later, Harry was in the library working on an essay for Transfiguration. He frowned at his essay, he was having trouble with it. Thankfully, Draco was meeting him here and he knew his brother would help him. His brother had gone to a prefect meeting which should be over soon. With a sigh, he decided to work on his Charms essay but realized he had left his Charms book in his dorm. Not really thinking about the fact he wasn't allowed to go anywhere without someone with him, he began hurrying to the Tower. Hopefully he would be back in the library before Draco got there.
"Harry!"
Wand quickly in hand, Harry turned. He frowned at the sight of Pansy Parkinson hurrying towards him with a smile on her face.
"I've been looking for you. Here." Pansy said sweetly, holding out a plate of cookies. "I made them. Try one?"
Harry glanced at the cookies and then at Pansy, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What's wrong with them?"
"Nothing!" Pansy insisted. "They're good, honest!" She shrugged. "They're just a token gesture. You are a honorary Slytherin, after all. If you don't want one..." Her face fell.
Hesitantly, Harry took one cookie. He didn't trust her and there was no way he was going to actually eat it. "I'll take it with me."
"No, try it. I want to know what you think of them," Pansy said, looking hopeful. "One little bite?"
Before Harry could say anything, Dobby popped in front of him looking frantic.
"Harry Potter sir! Do not eat that! Dobby has heard -"
"Back off, elf!" Pansy snapped. "It's just a cookie! Harry, eat it."
Dobby took the cookie from Harry's hand and popped it in his mouth.
"No!" Pansy gasped.
"Dobby!" Harry said in alarm. "What did you do to it? Is it poisoned?"
Dobby gave a sigh and his eyes turned dreamily to Pansy. "Mistress Pansy is so beautiful."
Harry blinked while Pansy shut her eyes. Suddenly he understood. "A love potion? You wanted me to love you?" He asked her incredulously.
Pansy glared at him. "Don't flatter yourself, you prat!" She hissed. "If you were under the potion, you would do what I wanted. Like leave the safety of the castle."
"And get caught by death eaters and taken to Voldemort," Harry said flatly.
"One bite was all I needed -" Pansy gritted her teeth when she noticed Dobby smiling toothily at her. "Stop that!"
"You is so pretty," Dobby said earnestly. "Would Mistress Pansy like flowers?" A bouquet suddenly appeared in Dobby's hands and he thrust them at her. "Candy?" A box of chocolates appeared and he pushed that into her arms. "Dobby knows. Socks!"
Harry began laughing as Dobby showered her with gifts.
Pansy threw everything down on the ground and stepped back, looking disgusted. "Get away from me, elf!"
"But Dobby loves you!" Dobby pleaded.
"Yeah? Then kill Harry Potter!" Pansy ordered.
Harry tensed as Dobby blinked and looked at him. Dobby shook his head. "No, no. No killing. Let Dobby take you for a walk, under the moonlight." He sighed dreamily.
"No! I order you to kill Harry Potter!" Pansy shouted.
Dobby frowned. "Dobby is a free elf." He huffed. His eyes brightened. "Did you want more socks?"
"No, I don't want any stupid socks!" Pansy snarled. She glared at Harry. "This is your fault!"
"Mine? You poisoned the cookies," Harry smirked.
"What is going on here?"
Harry turned to see Draco quickly approaching. "Uh, Pansy offered me cookies that she poisoned with a love potion," He said. "I took one but wasn't going to eat it as I obviously don't trust her. Dobby showed up to warn me and he must have thought I was going to eat it because he ate it instead. Now he is in love with her." He explained.
Draco began laughing. "Oh, that's priceless," He gasped through his laughter. "I can see the wedding invitations now -"
"Shut up!" Pansy wailed.
"Your parents couldn't ask for a better son-in-law," Draco continued snickering.
Harry began laughing.
"I said to shut up!" Pansy stamped her foot in frustration.
"I know!" Dobby snapped his fingers and a neon yellow tea cozy appeared in his hands. He pushed at Pansy. "A hat for you, my love!"
"What...this isn't a hat, you moron!" Pansy threw it down where it landed on the pile of socks, candy and flowers she had already thrown on the floor.
"I guess we need to get an antidote," Harry said, looking at poor Dobby who was gazing at Pansy with love filled eyes.
"Wait. Why did you want to give Harry a love potion?" Draco asked suddenly.
"So I would be prone to doing what she wanted, like leaving Hogwarts grounds and getting caught by death eaters," Harry said dryly.
All amusement fled Draco's face. "Excuse me?" He said dangerously, taking a step towards Pansy.
"I – I don't know what he is talking about," Pansy stammered. "It was just supposed to be a joke."
"You're lying," Draco hissed. "Expelliarmus!" He caught her wand and then pointed his own at her.
"No! Don't hurt my love!" Dobby wailed, pulling on his ears. "She's my heart, my every breath -"
"Forgive me, Dobby. Stupefy!" Harry caught the elf before he fell to the floor. "Dad will be able to fix him."
"After he does that, tell him to meet us at Dumbledore's office," Draco said, his wand still trained on Pansy.
"Draco, you can't turn me in!" Pansy gasped.
"I can and I will." Draco glanced at Harry. "Later we'll talk about why you were without an escort. Again."
Uh oh, Harry thought as he carried Dobby to the potions classroom where Snape had said he would be grading papers for the afternoon. "Dad?"
Snape looked up from his grading, eyes wide. "What happened?" His eyes darkened as Harry explained. He summoned the antidote and poured it into Dobby's mouth.
Sputtering awake, Dobby sat up and looked around. "How did Dobby get here? What happened?"
"Don't you remember?"
Dobby nodded. "The cookies! Dobby heard the cookies were filled with love potion!" He said frantically. "A plot to hurt Harry Potter!"
"Yeah, I knew something was up," Harry sighed and patted Dobby on the shoulder. "Thanks for helping me out, Dobby."
"Anything for Harry Potter sir," Dobby said sincerely. He shuddered. "Dobby remembers thinking he loved her. Ick! And Dobby wants his socks and tea cozy back!" He disappeared.
Harry chuckled.
"Come with me. I will walk you to our quarters where you will stay," Snape said pointedly. "While I go make sure Miss Parkinson is properly dealt with."
HP
Harry was building a tower with his exploding snap cards when Draco and Snape walked in. He looked at them expectantly. "What did Dumbledore say?"
"He was furious with Miss Parkinson. She is now confined to her dorm room, her wand has been confiscated except for classes, she even has to stay in the dungeons for her meals." Snape said. "I also added numerous detentions with Filch and a thousand lines."
"Wow," Harry said with wide eyes.
"She'll also be the laughingstock of the school once everyone finds out a house elf was in love with her," Draco said.
"How would anyone know?"
"I'll tell them." Draco smirked. His smile faded and he glared at Harry. "You were by yourself. Why? I left you in the library."
Harry sighed. "I left one of my books in the Tower. I was going to get when Pansy intercepted me."
"Haven't we talked about you not walking anywhere alone?" Snape huffed. "Do you need to be grounded again until it sinks in that you do not go off on your own?"
"No. I'm sorry."
"That's what you said last time," Draco said in a frustrated tone.
"I'm really sorry?" Harry offered. He flinched slightly at the glowers he got in response.
"This isn't funny, Harry!" Draco snapped. "Parkinson wanted to poison you and lead you to your death."
"I was never going to eat something she made," Harry scoffed. He wasn't stupid.
"What if she had stunned you? What if some of the other Slytherins had jumped you? You were already attacked this year, Harry!"
"If there is no one trustworthy to walk with you, then you will call Dobby to escort you," Snape said firmly. "This is a rule. No exceptions. If I find out you have disobeyed me, I will ban you from Quidditch."
"But -" Harry's eyes widened as he started to protest.
"I mean it, Harry." Snape said firmly. "Do you understand?"
Harry slumped in his seat. "Yes, Sir." He said glumly.
Snape sighed as he looked at his son's dejected form. "Come here." He held his arms out.
Harry stood up and hugged him.
"Your safety is important to me. And to your brother." Snape said quietly. "I understand that it seems overprotective but I don't want to see you hurt again. So for me and for Draco, please do not walk through the castle without someone trustworthy with you." He pulled back. "All right?"
"All right." Harry said with a smile.
"Now that that is settled, what is the best way to get the news out about Pansy and Dobby's love affair?" Draco asked with a mean little smile, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
TBC: