Fore note: Lots of thank you-s and a lot of hugs to Seldes Katne for beta-reading Hearts and Hourglasses before it's posted on Sugar Quill! She's a wonderful person and a fantastic beta-reader!
Chapter 20: Friends, Enemies and Rivals
Harry was furious at Draco. He had found out that the broom Salazar rode on was Draco's Nimbus 2001 and could only think that Draco had tried to get the Dark wizard to his father, Lucius Malfoy or much worse, straight to Voldemort.
Ron agreed with Harry, but Hermione was dubious. She pointed out that it would have been easier, far simpler and more effective to use a portkey. The same strategy that Barty Crouch as Mad-Eye Moody had used to deliver Harry to the Dark Lord at the Triwizard Tournament.
"It could just be an accident," reasoned Hermione, "I don't think Draco even has the skill to charm a broom. You know how well-protected those things are."
Harry glared at her, barely biting back a retort about her thinking too nice of Draco since Ron had beaten him to it. In a jealous tone, Ron accused Hermione of liking Draco Malfoy.
Hermione looked at him with an expression of disbelief. "For goodness' sakes, Ron! You, of all people, should know I do not have the slightest bit of interest in Draco! He's an obnoxious, bigoted, spoiled brat!"
"You didn't like Viktor Krum at first," Ron reminded her in a cold tone.
Harry shut out the bickering that followed and headed out of the common room. Ron and Hermione didn't even notice him leave nor did the other people in the room.
The entire school was abuzz about Professor Scaevola's near fatal accident. After arriving back at Hogwarts, Salazar had immediately been taken to the hospital wing. Godric and Helga went with him, but Harry and Draco had been ordered to report to Headmaster Dumbledore's office.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape had also been present as Harry and Draco reported to Dumbledore about what had happened at the Quidditch field. While Draco was talking, it was clear to Harry that the three adults didn't know that Draco knew about the Founders and neither had Draco given away that he knew.
"I don't know why my broom suddenly went berserk like that," Draco had said with a flustered face. He looked guilty to Harry.
"Has your broom returned?" Dumbledore had asked in a tone, which seemed too kind to Harry.
Draco shook his head. Of course, thought Harry angrily, he wouldn't want to have his broom inspected and be found out. No doubt, Lucius Malfoy will be sending a new broom to Draco soon, and not because his son needed a good racing broom to play Quidditch but for another try at kidnapping Salazar.
When Dumbledore told them they could go, Harry had wanted to stay behind and tell the Headmaster that Draco knew about the Founders, but Professors McGonagall and Snape were also there. Harry wanted to tell and explain to Dumbledore the whole truth about what had happened on the Founders' second night here at Hogwarts, including that he had cast the Cruciatus Curse on Draco. But not with his House Head there and certainly not with Snape listening.
Harry wasn't seeking Dumbledore's understanding and forgiveness for casting the Cruciatus Curse, but he didn't want to keep secrets from Dumbledore, especially on something as important as this. What happened on the Quidditch field convinced Harry that Draco couldn't be trusted despite Salazar's reassurance that Draco wouldn't betray them. Dumbledore had to be informed and warned about Draco before something bad really happened.
Harry decided to stop by at the hospital wing to check on Salazar before he went back to the Headmaster's Office to tell Dumbledore. He was irritated and angered to see Draco coming out of the hospital wing.
***
The tightness in his stomach was easing, and Draco's worry abated. Hufflepuff had told him that Lord Slytherin was perfectly fine. He just needed to sleep off the shock for now.
Draco shook his head slowly, glancing back at the door behind him. He had been so surprised when his Nimbus 2001 suddenly went crazy shortly after Lord Slytherin took off. He couldn't understand what could had happened. His broom always worked fine before. Not as fast or maneuverable as Potter's Firebolt, but it had never showed any bugs. He took care of it and maintained it regularly.
Draco's heart had frozen into a painful cold lump when he learned that Lord Slytherin had fell off his broom miles from the ground. If he had died, Draco would never forgive himself for persuading him to ride his broom.
Lord Slytherin had told him that he didn't like brooms. He preferred to ride things with four legs. They're much more comfortable, he had said. Draco had then remembered that the Cushioning Charm hadn't been invented a thousand year ago and had convinced him to give today's modern broom a chance. Draco had also been keen on seeing Lord Slytherin fly.
Draco never expected what would happen next, and when he turned around to head back to the Slytherin Dungeon, he was surprised to find Potter standing behind him.
His immediate reaction was that he didn't want to deal with the other boy right now. He nodded at him brusquely and moved to pass him. But Harry blocked his way.
Irritation flared. "What's your problem?" Draco said snappishly.
"You are!" Countered Harry instantly, his green eyes flashing with anger. He opened his mouth to say something else, but stopped himself. They were in a hallway. Someone might overhear them.
Draco tensed when the other boy's hand closed around his arm. He pulled away immediately and looked at Harry with fury. "Potter," he said coldly, "I warned you not to lay a finger on me-"
"Go ahead and curse me," hissed Harry defiantly, catching Draco off guard. He seized Draco's wrist and dragged him forcibly through the hallway.
Draco tried to dig his heels into the floor and wound up stumbling and almost falling to the floor. Harry was pulling him too quickly, and his grip was too strong for Draco to break. Having been always unimpressed by Potter's small wiry form, he was surprised by the other boy's strength.
Draco tend to forget he and Harry were around the same size.
"Where are you taking me?!" Draco demanded. He was infuriated. People were jumping out of Harry's way as he marched through stairs and corridors with unwilling Draco in tow. They were starting to receive weird looks, especially from other Slytherins and Gryffindors they met along the way.
"We're going to see Headmaster Dumbledore," answered Harry bluntly. His words had just registered in Draco's mind when all of a sudden, Potter stopped. Propelled forward by inertia, Draco barely kept himself from crashing into the other boy's back.
They were at the gargoyle statue guarding Dumbledore's office.
"Fizzing Whizbees," Harry told the gargoyle, which jumped aside. He proceeded to drag Draco up the moving spiral staircase. Draco finally tripped and hit his knee against the edge of a step.
He yowled in pain and jerked his arm away from Harry. He bend over, wincing as he rubbed at the injury. He lifted the hem of his robes and pulled up his pants leg to examine his knee and saw that a bruise was forming, showing prominently on his pale skin.
"YOU IDIOT!" Draco yelled at Harry, standing a few steps above him. The other boy smirked down at him, saying, "Oh, quit whining, Malfoy. It's only a little bruise, and boy do you scream like a girl."
Draco saw red, but before he could counterattack, they arrived at Dumbledore's door. Harry opened the oak door, and much to Draco's disgust, he grabbed his wrist again and pulled Draco into the room.
Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, and the expression on his old face said that he had been expecting them. Draco didn't see the amusement in the Headmaster's eyes at the sight of Harry pulling Draco along with him. When Harry stopped in front of his desk, he kept his hold on Draco, who stared furiously at the hand keeping his wrist prisoner.
"Yes, Harry, Draco," said Dumbledore, one white brow lifting upward in question.
Draco flinched when Harry's fingers tightened on his wrist. He glanced at the other boy's profile and saw that Potter seemed nervous. The muscles of his face and jaw were tense.
Realization struck Draco at the same moment Harry began talking.
"Sir," said Harry in a voice that quavered a bit then firmed, "I have to tell you something. About what Draco said about me hexing him and hitting-"
"I don't believe this," muttered Draco with disbelief. Potter was at it again, being courageous and assuming all responsibility. He was so sick of all his righteous crap.
Harry gave him a sideways glare then looked back to Dumbledore, who was watching them intently. He continued, "Draco wasn't telling the truth-"
"You're suicidal, that's what you are, Potter." Draco was shaking his head, feeling nauseated.
"Shut up, Malfoy!" Again, Harry's hand tightened around Draco's wrist, threatening him with pain to quiet, but Draco wasn't taking it from him anymore. His other hand suddenly clamped down on Harry's wrist and twisted it.
Harry's eyes widened in surprise then a hiss of pain escaped from him as Draco increased pressure while twisting at the same time. His fingers loosened from Draco's wrist, and Draco then twisted Harry's entire arm and slammed it against the other boy's chest, knocking Potter almost off his feet.
While Harry recovered his balance, Draco turned back to Dumbledore. "Potter's just being a stupid git, Headmaster. Pay no attention to him."
"Don't listen to him," yelled Harry, "he knows about them! He tried to get Lord Slytherin to the Death Eaters yesterday!"
Draco froze, his eyes flicked to Harry. ... So that's what he's thinking... Suddenly he was boiling mad. He thinks I'm that stupid?!
"You moron! If I was doing that, why would I use a broomstick?!"
"How else are you going to do it?!"
"Portkeys, Floo-"
"So! You have been thinking on the ways!"
"You don't send the person being kidnapped off alone on a broom! Somebody can follow him especially if there are witnesses!"
"You sound like quite the expert on how to pull off kidnappings, don't you?!"
In the back of his mind, Draco grudgingly thought that Potter was getting better at comebacks, and he was doing a good job of making Draco look guilty in front of Dumbledore.
"Both of you." Draco looked at Dumbledore who had stood up. The eyes behind half-moon glasses observed them shrewdly. "I want a full explanation from the beginning from each one of you."
Draco cursed Potter silently. It was already complicated enough without getting Dumbledore involved, and after the trouble he went through to make sure Harry wasn't sent off to Azkaban. ...Perhaps Dumbledore favored Potter enough to even let him off with casting the Cruciatus Curse... It was too big a risk. Draco could only hope Harry was intelligent enough not to tell Dumbledore about Crucio.
... Why do I even bother with him... He's such a nuisance...
Harry was facing Dumbledore again, looking directly at the old wizard's face, but Draco could see that his eyes didn't meet Dumbledore's eyes quite straight.
He's afraid, thought Draco, feeling satisfied and then annoyed. Why did Potter have to be so stupidly brave and bull-headed? It was insane. Couldn't he tell the difference between being self-sacrificing and being suicidal?
Let him go off to Azkaban then, thought Draco darkly. Let Potter be so honest and courageous, if that's what he wanted. ... So noble, so damn noble. He wouldn't allow himself to owe anything to Draco Malfoy. Stupid Gryffindor pride-
Draco suddenly realized that Potter was exposing everything, risking going to Azkaban to protect Lord Slytherin from Draco, whom Harry thought was plotting to send the Dark wizard to the Death Eaters.
That broke the proverbial straw on the camel's back. Draco was utterly furious at Harry. He was incensed at the other boy.
Lord Slytherin isn't even his House's Founder, and he's trying to protect him?! Why should he care?! He doesn't even like Lord Slytherin! He hates Slytherins! But noooo! He has to be a hero! He also has to protect Salazar Slytherin!
Draco was so sick of Harry Potter. At this point, he'd volunteer to escort Potter to Azkaban himself. Let the Dementors have him! Draco Malfoy would be rid of the torment that was Harry Potter, the Boy who Lived, forever.
He lifted his hand and grabbed Potter's shoulder. Harry turned towards him with an impatient look, which turned to surprise when Draco pulled him back away from Dumbledore.
"I'll explain to the Headmaster first," Draco said coldly.
***
Later, outside of the Headmaster's office and standing beside the gargoyle statue, Harry was staring at Draco thoughtfully. The other boy looked tense, the expression on his pale sharp face was a mixture of irritation and anger. Draco looked like he was thinking very hard on something. He didn't even seem to notice or to care that Harry was standing beside him.
He lied again... Harry was confused. Draco had lied again, this time straight to Professor Dumbledore. The explanation Draco gave to the Headmaster started out truthfully enough. Draco confessed that he found out on his own who the Accreditation Professors were really are. He volunteered to escort Professor Scaevola, who was actually Lord Slytherin, because he wanted to get to know his House's Founder better.
Draco admitted that when he saw Harry with Lord Gryffindor, he couldn't resist the opportunity to provoke the other boy into embarrassing himself in front of the two Founders. And then, after that, Draco lied.
He said Harry cast Stupefy on him, and that he was knocked out. When he woke up, he found that he was in a room he'd never been in before with Professor Scaevola, who told him everything was all right. It was here then that he told Lord Slytherin that he knew who he really was. Lord Slytherin told his companions that Draco knew, and they asked Draco not to tell others about them. Draco agreed, but Harry, who had also been there, didn't trust him.
Lord Slytherin, however, backed Draco and assured Harry that Draco wouldn't reveal that they were back at Hogwarts. After this, Draco spent as much free time as he could with Lord Slytherin.
Draco then confessed that he lied to Professor Snape about Harry accidently hitting Lord Gryffindor instead. He wanted to get Harry in trouble and a lot of detention, but Draco assured Dumbledore that he never intended to betray Lord Slytherin's trust. He didn't Owl his father and didn't tell any of his friends about the Founders.
Draco insisted that, what had happened with his Nimbus 2001, was an accident. He admitted that he didn't even know what spells to cast on a broom. He certainly couldn't charm it to fly as fast as it had when Lord Slytherin used it. When Draco said that, that Harry began to have doubts that Draco was responsible for his broom acting the way it did. Draco's Nimbus 2001 had matched and even outflown Harry's Firebolt.
Harry also began to consider that perhaps it was because of Salazar that the Draco's broom flew in that manner. A flier's skill affected the performance of a broom. State of mind also influenced its behavior. In his first year and in his first flying lesson, Neville, on his broom, had suddenly shot up many feet into the air without intending it. He had been so nervous that his broom reacted the way it did.
Maybe Salazar Slytherin was just a really bad flier.
Dumbledore seemed to accept Draco's explanation without a doubt. When he asked Harry his side of the story, Draco shot a glare at Harry, his pale gray eyes clearly challenging Harry to refute the explanation he had just given to Dumbledore. Those same eyes were surprised when Harry agreed, confirming to Draco's story.
After hearing this version of that night, Dumbledore had then decided to shorten Harry's detention from three months to just three weeks, much to the boy's relief. He also gave Draco detention for provoking Harry and for lying to his House Head. Draco looked disgusted when Dumbledore said that both he and Harry would have to report to Mr. Filch together.
"This will encourage both of you to learn to tolerate each other's company," Dumbledore had said with an amused twinkle in his eyes before dismissing them with a warning not to get into trouble again.
That's why Draco is seething right now, thought Harry, waiting for the other boy to start cussing at him and blaming him for the detention he had gotten, but Harry was more concerned about why Draco had lied again about the Cruciatus Curse. This was the second time Draco had covered up for Harry.
If Harry didn't know better, Draco seemed to be trying to protect him. The idea was alien to Harry. Draco hated Harry. He'd made it clear since first year. He'd always been causing trouble for Harry, trying to get him expelled and everything. Getting Harry sentenced to Azkaban must have been a godsend to Draco Malfoy.
... Why then had Draco lied twice and kept Harry from being sent to the Dementors?
Draco suddenly growled softly and stalked away from Harry without a single word. Startled, Harry he went after Draco.
"Draco-"
"Go away, Potter!"
"I need to ask you something. Why did you lie?"
Draco stopped all of the sudden and turned around. Before Harry could react, Draco suddenly grabbed the front of his robes, dragged him towards a door, opened it and hauled Harry inside an empty classroom.
Before locking the door, Draco flung Harry away from him, causing the other boy to crash into the teacher's desk. He then pulled out his wand and cast a silencing charm on the entire room.
Harry straightened defensively and watched Draco warily. The expression on the other boy's face seemed calm, but there was a look of deadly intent in his eyes.
He slipped his hand inside his pocket, ready to pull out his wand. Draco must be planning to do something serious to Harry since he had soundproofed the room. Harry was surprised when Draco pocketed his wand.
Draco looked towards Harry and smirked when he saw that Harry had his hand inside his pocket. He sneered, "Lord Slytherin is right. You, Gryffindors, are quick to get to your wands."
Harry glared at him. His fingers did twitched around his wand at Draco's words. The other boy had an irritating talent of getting under Harry's skin with so little effort. Silently, he pulled his hand out and asked stonily, "Why are we here?"
"Isn't it clear?" Draco said condescendingly, "To talk. Why did you think I cast a silencing charm? We wouldn't want anyone to hear us and find out about the Founders now, do we?"
Harry nodded stiffly, and Draco continued in a smug tone, "Now, what was that you asked me just now... Oh yes... Why did I lie?"
Harry tensed when Draco began to walk towards him in slow deliberate paces. "Why did Draco Malfoy lie, wonders Harry Potter," said Draco softly in a low dangerous tone.
"Why did he lie?" Draco began micmicking Harry's voice, mocking him, "Why did he keep me from being thrown into Azkaban for casting the Cruciatus Curse on another human being? Draco Malfoy has no reason to help me. Why did he save me?"
Harry's hands tightened into fists, but he forced himself to keep still. Despite that Draco was clearly doing his utmost to antagonize him, what he was saying was true. Harry was wondering why Draco had helped him.
Draco's face then turned revolted. "You're probably thinking I was trying to protect you, didn't you, Potter?" He inquired softly.
Harry blinked and nodded slowly; Draco made a rude noise. "Thought so," he declared disgustedly, "that's just like you, Potter. You think the entire world revolves around you-"
"No, I don't!" protested Harry vehemently.
Draco matched his tone, gray eyes flashing like cold silver. "You think I lied for you! For you! Everything just has to be for you, about you, because of you! YOU!"
"That's not true!" Harry insisted; his voice shook with anger.
"And so humble too," Draco said contemptuously, "Everyone's hero, Harry Potter. I am so sick of you."
As he stared into Draco's hateful eyes, Harry remembered something else.
On the Hogwarts Express, Draco extending his hand out to him.
"You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort," Draco had said, "I can help you there."
Then, the angry and embarrassed light in his eyes when Harry rejected him.
Harry had forgotten, but Draco had tried to be friends with him. When he didn't, he had made perhaps his greatest enemy.
"You're just angry," Harry said softly to Draco, "because I wouldn't be your friend."
Pale eyes widened and narrowed at this. "Because of you again," hissed Draco, and Harry's hackles rose. Draco was starting to make his point clear to Harry. Everything did seem to be because of him. Even Ron had pointed that out to him.
Then suddenly, Draco began to chuckle. Harry stared at him, utterly confused. Draco seemed to be laughing at himself. He watched as the other boy recovered quickly, straightened his posture and walked away from Harry, shaking his head.
"Lord Slytherin is right," whispered Draco suddenly. His voice was so low that Harry could barely hear him, but he could hear the tired amusement in the other boy's tone.
Harry was confounded by this sudden change in Draco's mood.
"... What do you mean, Draco?" Harry asked curiously. Draco turned back to Harry, who couldn't help but notice that the corner of Draco's mouth was twitching. Then, it stilled, and Draco became suspicious. He looked at Harry carefully as if judging him, as if he was deciding whether or not to tell him.
After a few moments, Draco shrugged and told Harry, "Lord Slytherin told me that I was too obsessed with you."
"... What?" Harry couldn't believe what Draco had just said.
Draco sighed wearily. "You don't even care. He's absolutely right. I've wasted too much time on you."
Harry didn't like the fact that Draco was making him feel guilty over something he didn't even understand.
"Draco," snapped Harry peevishly, "what the hell are you talking about?"
Draco stared directly at him and said, "It's about our relationship, Potter."
... What relationship?! Harry's retort was delayed when Draco continued.
"We're enemies, right?"
"... Right."
"Do you consider me as a rival?"
"... what's the difference?"
Draco explained, "Enemies don't like or hate each other, but they usually can stand each other as long as the other isn't bothering them. Rivals compete with each other. They want to beat and surpass the other."
Harry nodded slowly and began thinking of the times when he and Draco competed with each other. The first thing that came up was Quidditch.
"Yes, I suppose," Harry answered Draco, "we're both Seekers for our House Teams."
Draco folded his arms. "How do you consider me as a Quidditch player?" He asked pointedly.
Harry hesitated, and Draco sighed again. "Never mind, Potter, I can read the answer in your face. The point is that I consider you as a rival, but you only consider me as an enemy. It's a one-sided relationship, so it's not worth the aggravation on my part."
Harry flushed. "You're the one who's good at aggravating me," he told Draco testily. But Draco shook his head, saying, "I'm just an annoyance to you, Potter. You, on the other hand..." Draco looked tired. "The last four years... I have spend too much time trying to get the better of you."
"... Draco-"
"It wasn't worth it," Draco interrupted him brusquely, "Even after I thought I've finally beaten you. When you were crushed by the thought of going to Azkaban for casting Crucio on me, I thought I had finally won over you... But I wasn't the one who broke you, it was Cedric Diggory. You didn't even care for yourself, much less bother with me."
... I meant that much to Draco... Harry was beginning to feel like a heel. "Draco," he said uncomfortably, "I'm-" He was cut off by a flash of warning in Draco's eyes.
"I will throw up if you start feeling sorry for me," Draco declared, looking nauseated.
Anger flared in Harry. "Just what do you want me to do anyway?!" he yelled at Draco.
"Ignore me," stated Draco firmly.
Harry was taken aback. "... What?"
"Ignore me," repeated Draco, looking irritated, "You don't bother with me. I don't bother with you."
"But-"
"Look, Potter, you didn't want me as a friend so I became your enemy. Now, I want to be neither. You will cease to exist for me."
Six minutes ago, Harry would be delighted by Draco's decision. Now, the idea of Draco ignoring him bothered him more than Draco aggravating him.
"Draco, I'm not going to ignore you," said Harry stubbornly. Draco gave him a look of disbelief, and Harry suddenly realized that he sounded like he wanted to be friends with Draco.
"I can't ignore you," said Harry quickly, covering up his confusion and awkwardness, "You know about the Founders, and I'm not convinced you're not going to hand them over to Voldemort."
Draco gave him an incensed look. "I am not going to betray them," he snapped, his pale eyes lit with fury, "I promised Lord Slytherin I wouldn't tell anyone about them!"
"So what?" Harry countered glacially, "You're a Dark wizard's son. Your father is a Death Eater. Promises mean little to your kind."
"So why then do you care so much about Lord Slytherin?" Draco's eyes were icy. "He's a Dark wizard. He's one of our kind. I'm sure if he knew about Voldemort, he'd like to meet him."
Harry's insides turned cold. "You will not tell him," he said forcibly.
Draco's eyes shone with a malignant gleam. "So that's why you wanted to convince Dumbledore that I planned that broom incident," he said softly, "You're not worried for Lord Slytherin. You're scared of what will happen if he helps Voldemort."
Harry's muscles locked as Draco's voice turned sinister. "You have good reason to worry, Potter. If my kind ever finds out that Lord Slytherin has returned, the Dark wizards will rise in fervor and-"
"You seem to forget that the other Founders are back as well," said Harry through gritted teeth.
Draco laughed harshly. "You really don't know much about Lord Slytherin, do you Potter?"
"... What do you mean?"
"You'll find out on your own sooner or later, but I'm sure you have an idea of what he is capable of. On the other hand, you don't seem as confident with the others since you don't think the three of them can handle Lord Slytherin. A lack of faith in Gryffindor, eh Potter?"
Harry moved towards Draco menacingly. "He can take care of him! I just don't want them wasting their time watching out for Slytherin! Are you going tell him about Voldemort?!"
"I might," said Draco lazily.
"It won't do you any good anyway!" Harry was so angry he was spitting the words out. "He's not staying in this time long enough to help Voldemort!"
Draco froze. "... What do you mean, Potter?"
"Find that out for yourself!" With that, Harry shoved pass Draco and stomped to the door. He flung it open, exited and slammed the door behind him. But Harry didn't have the satisfaction of hearing the door slam since Draco had silenced the classroom, and Harry was outside when he slammed the door.
Draco had told Harry to ignore him, and Harry wished dearly he could ignore him. For someone who decided not to bother with Harry anymore, Draco just did an excellent job of infuriating him.
As Harry marched off back to Gryffindor Tower, he realized belatedly that he still didn't know why Draco had kept him from being sent to Azkaban.
To be continued.
Chapter 20 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.
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