As Harry neared the Slytherin table, a blond bullet shot out and pulled him into a tight hug. "Where have you been? I have been worried sick about you, all night and day," Draco frantically questioned.
Harry slowly extracted himself from the vice-like grip and took a seat between the blond and another year mate, Daphne Greengrass. Looking back at his friend, he replied, "It's a long story, but let's just say that our head-of-house and I now have a better understanding of each other." Draco looked at him blankly, clearly not understanding.
For the next few weeks, nothing of great importance happened to Harry. Suddenly, it was Halloween, the day Harry's parents had been murdered. Harry had been like a zombie all day, going through the motions but not taking anything in. By the time classes had finished, Draco was becoming increasingly concerned. He hauled Harry to Professor Snape's office and rapped on the door, hollering, "Professor Snape! Professor Snape."
The door swung open to show their teacher in casual clothes, a pair of black slacks and a crisp, white button-down shirt. Severus was drained from both the day of classes and due to the date, "Draco, Harry? What are you doing here?"
"Well Sir, I am not sure if you remember but today is the 10th anniversary since Harry's parents died and it has left him a little distraught," Draco replied for his friend.
"Of course I know the date idiot boy! It is the day I lost my best friend." Severus snapped harshly. He immediately regretted this reaction when he saw the shock and fear in those sharp, forest eyes. He breathed a deep breath, sighed and spoke in a quieter tone, "boys, please follow me."
He spun around and walked directly across the room to a bookcase and pulled out a book with a teal spine. As he extracted the book, the two adolescent boys heard a rumbling. The bookshelf skated sideways to unveil a doorway. When Harry stepped through, he noticed he was in the same corridor as he had been as those weeks ago. This time, the professor directed them straight across the hall. They entered the same sitting room, and each took a seat around the fire pit, Harry choosing the position that was closest to Severus.
"S-sir?" Harry spoke up hesitantly, once everyone was comfortable. At the motion of Severus's hand, he continued, "What did you mean before? When you said today was the anniversary of your best friend dying?"
Severus looked suddenly uncomfortable. "Draco, would you mind giving us some privacy?" Severus questioned but quickly added, "it's not that I don't trust you or that Harry doesn't trust you. This is because it is a private matter between the two of us."
Draco looked ready to argue until he saw the look of sheer devotion on Harry's face, "Okay, I will be in the common-room when you are done." Severus got up from his seat and showed the young boy out of his quarters.
