If I Could Walk 500 Miles

Draco was annoyed. Potter had refused to budge from Honeyduke's until he knew what was going on. But Draco wasn't in the mood to deal with his attitude right now. "What the bloody hell does it matter, Potter? You don't have to go back! Who cares why?"

"I do."

"Too bad then. See you." Draco left the candy store and began the trek back to Hogwarts. He was nearly to the far end of Diagon Alley when he heard Potter's voice.

"You just want to get me in trouble."

"No."

"Then why? You've hated me for how long? And now you show up and rescue me from my family? What are you getting out of this, Malfoy?"

Draco spun around and shoved The Boy Who Lived hard. "I'm getting bloody nothing! I've already lost everything! Just because there has to be something in it for you doesn't mean the same for me!"

Harry rubbed his chest lightly. He would have bruises from how hard Draco had pushed him. "Malfoy, you've never done anything without getting something in return. And what do you mean you've lost everything?"

"Don't get the Prophet do you, Potty? Well, if you did, you'd already know that Lucius Malfoy has gone the way of Merlin… dead and defunct!"

Harry watched Draco march off toward the castle that housed Hogwarts. "I know a shorter way."

"What?" Draco turned around. "You what?"

"If you trust me," Harry answered. "I can show you a shorter way."

The boys walked back into town and entered Honeyduke's again. Harry led Draco to the basement and tapped lightly on one of the bricks in the wall. A doorway opened up, and he stepped into the darkness. He felt the anger coming off of the blond Slytherin as if it were an actual physical presence. "So, what about your mum? Is she okay?"

"Go to hell, Potter."

"I'm just asking. You're angry. I'm trying to find out why you came to get me."

"My mum is as dead as Lucius is. Leave it alone."

Harry sighed and continued down the dark tunnel. After a few minutes, a light appeared ahead. He could hear shouts and footsteps further down the tunnel. He thought for a moment that he could recognize one of the voices. "Professor Lupin?"

A brown-haired man came running down the tunnel. "Harry! Where have you been?" Lupin grabbed Harry and pulled him behind him. "What are you doing here? I was coming to Diagon Alley to find out what had happened! Did you even think before you left Privet Drive?"

Draco groaned in disgust. "Get out of my way. I don't have time for this. Snape's probably looking all over for me."

"You sound upset by that."

"Wouldn't you be? He's a Death Eater."

Harry pulled away from Lupin and stepped in front of Draco. "So was your father."

Draco's eyes seemed to flash with an emotion that Harry couldn't identify. "That's right, Potter. Lucius was a Death Eater. So who cares right? I mean, that makes Snape my best friend, doesn't it?" He ran off down the tunnel towards Hogwarts as Lupin began pulling Harry after him.

"What were you thinking, Harry? Sirius and I were out of our minds!"

"How did you find out so quickly?"

Lupin sighed, "Albus called us here. He says he has a surprise for us but then he sent Sirius away to find you. I haven't been able to speak with him yet. Hedwig got here a few minutes ago."

"What's wrong with Malfoy?"

"His father's dead. What else needs to be wrong, Harry?"