Chapter 20: Never Enough Solution

Disclaimer: I created Harry Potter, his friends, his professors, and his world. The ideas all came from me, but I told them to some English lady on a train once, and you know where that went…

Disclaimer2: This is to make that former disclaimer null and void. I was just seeing how it was to be Nancy Stouffer. *washes hands after typing name* I didn't create Harry and his world, so don't you think differently! Also, I didn't create the musketeers. (Er…you can kick me if that spot is too weird…)

Chapter 20: Never Enough Solution

Life began to edge back to normal—though maybe a little quieter—as March was replaced with April. Draco was never as quick with a jeer as he had once been. In fact, he hardly spoke to anyone at all. Not even the Slytherins were friendly toward him, for those that didn't look at him as a traitor felt he deserved his loneliness for all his years of malice. This didn't seem to faze the boy, though, for he still walked about the castle as though everyone were willing to do his every whim.

Harry, Ron, Azar, and Hermione were busy getting together a study group and even putting aside time for the extra work. It surprised Harry how willing Ron was to hit the books. In fact, he began to wish Ron weren't so persistent about it. He was getting more annoying than Hermione.

The last night of Easter Holidays, Harry sat awake in bed, just thinking. He had found himself doing that more often, especially about what life was going to be like after Hogwarts. Next year there would be a class to prepare them for the real world, and he was looking forward to that. Sometimes he felt so lost, it would be nice to have someone sort things out for him.

'Maybe I should do what little kids want to do and be like Dad,' he thought, just jokingly, but it hit him strangely.

He didn't know what his dad had done for a living. Nor his mother, for that matter. He'd wanted to know in his first year, but Dumbledore seemed to think it needed time. So here he was, almost five years later, and still knew nothing about them. He reached through his curtains and into his bedside table, pulling out a worn sheet of paper.

Hermione hadn't been all too willing to give it back to him, but, Harry thought with a smile, it was probably for different reasons than the obvious ones. He brandished his wand and then watched as the map of Hogwarts squirmed into view. Sometimes he just enjoyed looking at it and seeing where people were, wondering what they were doing. Most of the halls were empty, except for two dots walking together, labeled 'Remus Lupin' and 'Catherine Connerly'.

"Ah, that can't be good…" he whispered, grinning.

After all, he had seen the way Sirius had looked at Professor Connerly, and that Remus had smiled at her the same way. But Harry knew they'd figure it out somehow. Marauders stuck together. He hoped that he and Ron would be such friends when they got older.

And it was with these musings that an idea struck him. Harry probably never would have imagined it if he hadn't happened upon a spell the other day… Revero Detinu…

"Perfect…" he smiled

****

"So, do you know why Harry wanted to meet us in an empty classroom in the middle of the night?" Ron asked Azar as they walked down the hall.

"No idea."

"Oh, good. We're all in the same boat at least."

The corridors were silent but for their footsteps, sounding more like a bat's shuffling wings. Near them, a torch flickered in a nonexistent wind, causing them all to jump. Hermione gripped Ron's arm.

"Is it just me," she whispered, "or are the halls a bit eerier than normal?"

"It's not just you, Herm," Azar said, eyeing the torch.

They continued on lighter feet, coming at last to the classroom door. As Ron reached for it, the door inexplicably creaked open a crack.

"What is going on here?"

"It…was a draft," Azar concluded, "This is a castle, after all."

Gulping slightly, Ron pushed open the door and gingerly walked through. The hairs on the back of his neck rose sharply as he felt something rush by him, yet there seemed to be no source.

"Stop clogging the doorway, Ron," Azar said, playfully shoving by him.

"I don't like this," he said with a bit of a frown.

"Don't like what?" Hermione asked, coming in herself.

"A 'draft' just rushed past me into the room."

The two girls looked at him, a little bewildered. Suddenly, a small crash came from near the room's blackboard. The three stared for a moment, then began inching their way toward where the noise had come from.

"What is it?" Hermione asked, trying to look over Ron.

"I dunno. Stay behind me; I'll protect you," he said, holding out an arm, "Harry?"

When no answer came, Ron leaned in farther, holding up his wand.

"Lu-"

The slamming of the door interrupted him, followed quickly by three screams as they spun around.

"Don't do that, Harry legs!" Azar yelled.

"Whoa, little jumpy, are we?" Harry said with a laugh, walking over to them, "I was just closing the door. Sorry I didn't warn you first."

Ron, looking extremely pale, was clinging tightly to Hermione, who looked like she was having trouble breathing. Realizing he was squeezing the life out of the poor girl, Ron quickly let go.

"So much for protecting us," Hermione gasped.

"Sorry," Ron said sheepishly.

"I have a feeling I missed something here," Harry said, lifting an eyebrow.

"Heh…Yeah!" Azar exclaimed, "I dunno what's going on, but it's just creepy. I enjoy nightly walks a lot better in that cloak of yours. Hey, wait… Harry, were you following us and pulling pranks?!"

"What? No."

"You promise? 'Cause you know I'll beat you up if you're lying."

"I promise," Harry said, trying to hold back a laugh, "I have absolutely no idea what you guys are talking about."

"Why did you want us to come down here?" Hermione asked, getting to the point.

"Ah, that. I've been thinking," Harry said with a slight smile, "that it's about time I followed in my father's footsteps. What do you say we let the Marauders live again?"

"Excellent!" Ron cried.

"You mean, we'll be like the Marauders?" Hermione asked tentatively, a smile spreading on her face.

"It's not often you get a good idea, Harry legs," Azar grinned, "but when you do, it's a doozy."

"Thanks, Zarina. But I don't want us to be Marauders only in name. I found a spell," he said, brandishing a book from one of the empty desks, "It's something like that 'blood brothers' ceremony, but a lot more binding. We shall never be apart. Not in spirit, anyways. Whenever we feel something strong, it'll flow through everyone."

"Will we be able to read each other's minds?" Hermione asked, a little wide-eyed.

"No, I don't think so. We won't even feel the same things all the time. Just when the feeling is strong. We can help each other if we're in danger or things like that."

"You guys wouldn't want to know what goes on in my twisted little mind, anyways," Azar grinned, "So we're going to be like the musketeers? All for one, and one for all?"

"Yeah, you could put it that way," Harry nodded, "So, are you all up for it?"

A collective nod went through the friends. Then Ron, with a mischievous smile, put his hand in the middle of the circle they had made.

"You for it, Athos?" he asked Harry.

"You bet, Porthos," Harry smiled, setting his hand on Ron's, "How about you, Aramis?"

"Definitely," Hermione said, following suit, "D'Artagnan?"

"Let's do this," Azar grinned, placing her hand on top of all of theirs.

"Do you have room for a fifth musketeer?"

They all turned around in surprise, just in time to see a sheepish Draco take off his invisibility cloak. He walked over into their weak wand light.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Ron said, glaring.

"I just happened to hear your plans in the Great Hall, Weasley, and I followed you here, planning to freak you out a bit."

"So you were the one who made the torch flicker and all of that," Hermione frowned slightly.

Draco ignored the statement. "I want to join you. I want to be a Marauder."

Ron snorted with laughter. "You? A Marauder? You'd bring disgrace to the very name."

Draco's eyes narrowed, but he didn't make a comeback. "I've proven myself loyal to the resistance. Even Dumbledore trusted me with an important job," he said, straightening up a bit.

"Cleaning the toilets isn't an important job," Ron smirked.

Draco just turned away from the boy, looking straight at Harry.

"Will you let me join?" he asked, his eyes pleading.

"Depends," Harry said suspiciously, "Are you Philippe or Louis?"

"Huh?" Draco asked, completely lost.

"Enough with the book references, Harry legs," Azar laughed, "Besides, that's not even a good one. We're not going to try and make Malfoy king any time soon."

"Oh, you know what I meant. The musketeers were for Philippe and against Louis, so-"

"It's still not a very good comparison. You could have made a better one."

"You guys finished discussing books?" Ron asked, a little amused, "We have a few more pressing matters at hand."

" 'Pressing matters'?" Harry asked, surprised, "Man, what's happened to you since I got back?"

"I grew up a bit," he said, smiling at Hermione, "But anyways, what are we supposed to do with the Death Eater wannabe?"

Catching everyone off guard, Draco's fist suddenly connected with Ron's jaw. The boy did a half twist, falling to the ground. But apparently Draco hadn't thrusted all of his anger out in that one blow.

"Don't call me that, you muggle-loving momma's boy!" he cried, leaping onto Ron.

It wasn't long before the two boys were nothing but a tangle of flying fists and kicking feet. Harry had his wand out, but was afraid he might stun Ron instead of Draco and so he watched nervously. Azar looked like she was holding back the urge to start yelling, "Fight! Fight! Fight!" Hermione, on the other hand, was actually doing something. She rushed over to the boys, trying to separate them.

"Stop!" she yelled, "Stop it right now! This is stupid!"

She practically dove in between them, pushing them apart. Ron, not realizing what was going on, swung another blow, hitting Hermione right on the cheek. With a gasp of surprise and a look to match, Hermione fell back. Ron and Draco instantly stopped fighting and rushed over to her.

"Oh, Hermione, are you okay?" Draco managed to say through a cut lip.

"I didn't mean to! I thought you were him!" Ron said, peering through his blackening eye.

"I-I'm okay…" Hermione said, a little shocked as she held her cheek, which was bruising fast.

"You rotten little weasel! Look what you've done!" Draco cried, looking as if he were ready for another fight.

"If you hadn't started it, this never would have happened!" Ron yelled, all set for the next battle.

"SHUT UP!!!"

Hermione was sitting up now, the anger flashing in her eyes greater than Ron and Draco's combined. She grabbed both of them by the necks of their robes and pulled their faces close to hers.

"Can you for once stop fighting?! I don't know if you've ever heard of it, Draco, but there's a little something called self-control! Use it!"

Ron smiled a little smugly, but cowered when Hermione turned her gaze on him.

"And Ron!" she spat, "You may have grown up a bit, but you'll need to grow up a heck of a lot more if you're not past name-calling and fist fights! Now can we talk about this like semi-civilized people?!"

Both Ron and Draco nodded guiltily, getting to their feet. Hermione stood up also, the fire still blazing in her eyes.

"So, you want to be a Marauder, Malfoy," she said, trying to get everyone's mind back on the subject at hand.

"Why do you even want to be one of us, Malfoy?" Ron asked, his good eye narrowing, or wincing; Harry wasn't sure.

"I'm not like you guys," the boy answered, looking at the floor, "I've never had a true friend. Those that I once dubbed my loyal sidekicks would now gladly make me see the light…that horrid green light…"

A glimmer of pity shown in Ron's eyes for a brief moment, but he quickly shunted it away. "Well, you can't just be our enemy one moment and our friend the next, Malfoy. A true friendship is something that takes years to build. It can't just suddenly happen!"

"I know that, Ron. But if I didn't ask like this, would you even consider not hating me for a day?"

Ron looked at the ground, blushing slightly. He knew Draco was right.

"I never really got a chance to know you, Draco," Azar suddenly interjected, "but from what I saw, you're one purpose in life was to pester these three. And now you want to be friends?"

"People change…"

"Wrong. People don't change."

"But-"

"Ah, ah, ah. Let me finish. People don't change. They simply bring forward characteristics that they had kept hidden. But how do we know you've done that?"

"I just have, okay?" he said, more desperate than agitated, "You can't prove a thing like that without time and trust."

"Trust is something hard to give to an enemy, Malfoy," Harry said quietly.

"Please. Let me try…" Draco said, eyes pleading with him.

Everyone looked at the green-eyed boy, expecting an answer. Harry knew that the decision was his.

"I'll give you one week to prove yourself," he finally said, "If by then we all agree to let you in, you're in. If not, you're not. Agreed?"

"You give me an ultimatum, and then ask if I'm agreed? What other choice do I even have, Potter."

Harry's eyes narrowed and Draco realized that his chances of getting in were just lessened a notch.

"Okay, I'm agreed," he quickly said, holding out his hand to shake on it.

Harry shook his hand, then walked out the door. Hermione and Azar followed suit, but Ron simply brushed by Draco as if he weren't even there. Draco sighed, finding himself alone in the dark room.

****

"I can't take another second of this!" Ron yelled as he came through the portrait hole.

"Can't take what?" Hermione asked, looking up from her ancient runes.

"Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed, flopping into a chair between her and Harry, "He's acting so…so…"

"Nice?" Hermione offered.

Ron shuddered. "Now those are two words I never thought I'd hear together. But he is acting…nice. And I miss the cocky, snot-nosed Malfoy. This one is just bizarre. He practically offered to spoon-feed me."

"Why do you think we've been hiding in here the whole day?" Harry said, flipping through his history notes.

"Harry, I can't take this for a week," Ron said with an almost frightening intensity, "Just tell him he's not in."

"Now that's not fair, Ron," Hermione scowled, "He's trying the best he can."

"An even better reason not to let him in."

"Don't you have an ounce of sympathy in you?"

"Not for that boy."

"Ron, we're not just going to be that rude."

"You want to be friends with that Slytherin?!"

"Well, no, but-"

"I can't take it, Hermione!!! We have to do something about it!"

"Relax, Ron," Harry said, trying not to smile, "I've got an idea."

"Yes! What do I need to do? I swear, I'll do anything!"

"I'll be back," Harry said, rushing up the stairs.

When he came back, Hermione had managed to take some of the franticness out of Ron. Harry walked up to them and brandished a tiny vial with a small amount of light blue fluid in it. Ron just looked perplexed, but Hermione's eyes lit up.

"Harry Potter… Azar's right. You sometimes do have the best ideas."

"What? What is it?" Ron asked, peering at the vial.

"Sickeningly Sweet Solution," Harry smiled.

"What?! Draco's being sickeningly sweet enough, and you want to give him this?!"

"Whoa. Down, Ron," Hermione laughed, "It's more than that. See, this stuff makes you your true niceness, not the fake stuff Draco's dishing out. Trust me, it'll be a lot better."

Ron mumbled something about using garbage to make a dumpster smell good, but eventually agreed.

"So, he needs to eat this stuff?"

"Yes. All you need to do is put some in his food," Hermione said, handing him the bottle.

"Me?!" Ron gaped, "Oh no! I'm not going up to Draco until this stuff is well in his stomach!"

"Ah, ah, ah, Ronnikins," Hermione smiled, "And I quote, 'What do I need to do? I swear, I'll do anything!'"

"Ah, shoot."

"Dinner would be a good time to do it."

"Yeah, you could even put a drop in your own and just ask him to check your food for poison," Harry grinned.

Ron chose to ignore that. "How well does this stuff work, Harry?"

"Dudley was doing dishes, Ron. That's nothing short of a miracle."

The boy smiled slightly. "Think we could slip some of this into Snape's pumpkin juice?"

****

"Double potions," Ron groaned the next day, "After that Divination class, I don't think I'll be able to take it."

"Azar says he's acting moody," Harry added.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, in her own words, Snape's acting like someone stuck his wand up his butt."

Hermione snorted. "So he's his usual self, eh?"

"Harsh, Hermione," Ron grinned, "but accurate."

After Draco held the door open for them, they sat at a table a little closer to Snape than they would have preferred, but it was the furthest one not already taken.

"So, the famous Harry Potter has decided to grace us with his presence."

Harry looked up at Snape, a little confused. "Uh, excuse me?"

Snape just turned away and walked to the other side of the room.

"What was that about?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow.

"I think his wand just shifted a little," Ron answered, making Harry smile.

"You're partnering up today," Snape said after the signal for class to start came, "Just follow the instructions on the board. Oh, and Potter. You're potions have been lagging recently, so you should partner with someone who can help your lack of skills. Join Mr. Longbottom at his cauldron."

Harry gaped, at a lost for words. It wasn't that he objected to being partnered with Neville, but…well, he didn't think he was that bad at potions. Harry slowly moved his things over next to Neville. They set to work, Harry forgetting Snape's moodiness until the professor started pacing the aisles.

"Potter! I said mince the conallabel leaves, not slice them. Could anyone be more stupid?"

"Professor, I don't see-"

"I've never seen such carelessness. If you're not careful, this potion could act as a poison! And what would have happened when Longbottom tried it? Only thinking of yourself, weren't you, Potter?"

"No, Professor. You-"

"Of course, why should you care about anyone else? Who else matters, other than the wonderful Harry Potter?"

Harry was growing angrier. "What are you-"

"Do not interrupt me, Potter. Selfish and rude; no wonder you're so popular. Just a big-headed windbag."

"Look here, I-"

"Of course, what could I expect from the offspring of James Potter?"

Snape turned coolly back to the front of the room, not realizing the effect his words were having on Harry. The boy looked ready to explode.

"So how's Juni doing, Professor?" Harry said maliciously.

Snape froze and then turned slowly toward him. "How do you…?"

"Pretty sad life, being a muggle chemistry teacher," Harry went on, his eyes narrowing as he stood up, "But what can you expect? After all, she had you for an older brother."

"Why you-" Snape spat, brandishing his wand with his left hand.

His arm froze, however, halfway through performing a curse, as if he suddenly realized what he was doing. Harry's anger had drained from him, along with all the color in his face. He was now pale and wide-eyed, gripping the desk behind him. He was the only one who had seen it; the fury that Snape's face had held, the complete hatred. His eyes now glanced at Snape's upraised left arm, seeing that horrendous tattoo, and he knew that he had just been playing on death's doorstep.

Snape finally got his composure back, replacing the wand. With ultimate loathing in his voice, he said, "Mister Potter. You and I shall have a little chat after class about appropriate topics to bring up in school. Be thankful I can keep my temper."

Harry nodded, sinking slowly back into his chair as Snape returned to the lesson. When class was over, Ron and Hermione tried to linger but Snape shooed them with a look. As Snape closed the door, Harry couldn't help but feel that he'd rather face Voldemort again than be alone with the Potions teacher right then. The man strode over to his desk, leaning on it with one hand, his back to Harry. He seemed to be thinking hard about his next move. When he finally turned around, his face was hard.

"Well?" he spat, making Harry wince, "What have you to say? Any more insults? Care to offend me again?"

Harry just gulped.

"What, your courage disappeared with your friends? Are you afraid of the former Death Eater?" Snape asked, walking up to Harry, clouds coming to his eyes, "Or did I knock some sense into you? Do you now realize that with one flick of my wand I could become known as the most loyal of all Death Eaters? The one who vanquished Harry Potter."

Harry's anger won over. "Why do you have to make my life so awful?! Haven't I been through enough misery?!"

"You think you're miserable? You don't know the meaning of the word misery," Snape hissed, "My family was so poor we'd have made the Weasleys look loaded. We were lucky Juni turned out to be a squib, or else my parents would have gone without food for weeks. But you are not going to turn this discussion into a sob-fest about tough times. You, Harry Potter, are the most insolent student I have ever had, and I doubt any will top you. Of all people, I'd think you would at least have some respect for me. Fear, at least."

"Why should I fear you?" Harry said, glaring, "I've seen enough pain and death in my life; I've no reason to fear them."

Snape's face contorted with an anger greater than any he'd ever shown. "You? You know pain and death and don't fear them? Try living my life, Harry Potter! Then we'll see if you fear pain! Get out, now!"

Harry left hurriedly, a little perplexed but relieved to be out of there alive.

****

"Sirius?!"

Harry had entered the Gryffindor common room to find his godfather sitting in the nearest chair. He rushed to him happily, but Sirius just stood up slowly, almost wearily.

"Is there somewhere we can talk in private?" Sirius asked, almost in a sigh.

"My…dormitory I guess," Harry said, not sure if he should feel panicky yet.

He led the way up the stairs in silence. When he opened the door, he called, "Anyone in here?"

A 'thump-bump' answered him.

"Oh, hi, Harry," Neville said from his place on the floor, his face a little red, "Er…I was just going, bye."

Neville rushed out of the room, clutching a stack of papers. Harry let Sirius in, quietly closing the door behind him.

"What is it, Sirius?" Harry asked quietly.

"It's…the Rileys."

Harry felt his heart give an unwelcome leap, but nodded slowly.

"They-they were killed, Harry."

Harry's legs nearly gave way and he suddenly felt extremely sick. Sirius took him in a firm embrace, and Harry let the sorrow surround him.

"They were at a school play," Sirius explained softly, "Voldemort and his followers just burst in… Oh, I'm so sorry, Harry."

"It's all my fault, Sirius!" the boy wailed into his godfather's chest, "I led him to them. They're gone… all because of me!"

Sirius took him by the shoulders, looking him straight in the eye. "Harry James Potter, I've never heard such nonsense. It was a random attack. No, no, no, don't try to argue with me. I promise you, Harry, Voldemort didn't know you had been there."

"You can't know that, Sirius," Harry said quietly.

Sirius hugged him again, holding him as if never to let go. "Never blame yourself, Harry. It's Voldemort who's done this. It's Voldemort who's destroyed families. Believe me, it wasn't your fault."

They were silent, Sirius rocking Harry slightly, acting as the father he never had a chance to be.

"Promise me you'll never die, Sirius," Harry whispered.

Sirius blinked away the tears trying to come to his eyes. "You know I can't do that, Harry."

"You have to. He's taken away so many people I've cared about… Please promise. I can't bare to lose another dad, Sirius…"

The man couldn't stop the tears this time. With firm resolution, he whispered, "I promise."

~*~*~

A/N: *sigh* I'm really not liking how these chapters are coming out. Oh well… Next chapter! That should be good… I should have action in that one!

As usual, thank you SOOOOO much for the reviews!!! I know there was a bit of weirdness going on w/ ch. 19 for a while, but it's fixed now. *cheers*

Raven of Death: Thanks! Yeah, Draco is acting weird. Poor lil' prat. Another study session, eh? Hm, might work…

Naralina: Thanks! Yeah, the bathroom scene was a little strange. I really wanted it in there to insinuate something, but it didn't work out as well as I wanted it to. *sigh* That's what happens when you have to take out a line that you absolutely love, and then you try to make things work so you can put it in, but it doesn't and you end up not using it at all! Er…yeah. "pure magic in the writing"? Oh, wow. Now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. ^_^ Thanks, Allison.

Berkeley Halperin: They're back. *ducks for fear of rotten fruit* I had to kill them! But Juni's not dead, and this isn't her last appearance either. Si, Hermione esta muy inteligente y un poco simpatico. ^_^ Thanks!

Fay: Er…hehe… That just seemed an Azar thing to do. ^-^ Draco does need a girlfriend, doesn't he? But who'd want him right now? *ignores Lady Grizabella waving her hand frantically* Thanks for the review!

Jona: Oh, I know. I need to do a lot more action. After my constant attempts at killing Harry in the last one, this one must seem pretty dull. I promise more is to come, and that fic 7 will have LOTS of action. *raises eyebrows* "oh noble one"? ^_^ Interesting… Thanks, Jo!

Lady Grizabella: Thanks! Yeah, poor Draco.

Lord of the Net: Thanks! I'm off to read it right now!

Well, love y'all!

Be excellent to each other!

-Ady