Chapter 11: Farewell to Fear

Suffice to say it's been an interesting year, with those two on more than good terms by now. I suddenly realize my reason for being here. It was not only to learn new things, but to do some good again. Hell it brought back memories of the days with Sakura and the rest. You have no idea how exhilarating it was to cause some mischief in the name of good, but I think I already ranted about that in my previous letters. I only wish you and Spinel could have been here. I'm excited to see you two again, I've missed you both. I wont be home till later tomorrow so don't worry about picking me up at the train station, I'll take a cab.

See you soon,
~ Eriol

Eriol folded up the letter and quickly made his way down to the owlrey before bed time. He knew the letter would arrive by the next morning and he didn't want to worry his guardians about how he was getting home. He hopped on his broom and took off into the warm night air in his light summer robes. It would get him there and back faster than walking.

Before he knew it his letter was carried off by a snowy white owl and he was zipping back up to the sky. He took a moment to float in the air, staring down at the castle and the multitude of students doing their last minute things before bed time. It had been an interesting first year for Eriol, and with everything wrapping up for their departure he could only imagine how much things had changed.

He still remembered Dumbledore and other teachers announcing the final results of the year. Gryffindor had won the Quidditch cup, but it had been Slytherin that won the House. A mighty roar had erupted from the Slytherin table, but unlike years before, Gryffindor also offered their applause and the rest of the Great Hall followed suit. Dumbledore had taken the opportunity during the pandemonium to secretly raise his cup to Eriol, a broad, knowing smile on his face. Eriol accepted it graciously, he knew that with the new 'Alliance' between Harry and Draco the two houses had become much more comfortable with each other; enough to start mingling their seats together in classes, much to Snape's horror. Of course the competition between all houses was always fierce to be the best, some things never changed, but the atmosphere was now warmer with less fights and more cooperation. Slytherin wasn't evil, Eriol found out throughout the year, underhanded? Yes, with a bad rep to boot, but not evil.. and it had only proved itself more since he arrived through the doors of Hogwarts. Sometimes change, if only a little, was good.

After his reflection Eriol made his way to the Slytherin dungeons, through the common room and up to his dorm. He crossed the room to where his bed rested and stopped momentarily looking at the empty one next to him. He smiled. Draco hadn't had a single nightmare in months, and even when the rare one dared to show, he had been much more open about discussing it with Eriol; and the two had spent those nights up in comfort. Suddenly the door swung behind him.

Draco appeared, his cheeks pink and his hair tussled slightly. He stood up straight and preened himself presentably, before striding to the beds.

"Just said goodnight to Harry haven't ya!" Eriol teased as the boy approached.

Draco offered him a sly grin in response and began to change out of his clothes. Once settled he sat on the edge of his bed and his once excited expression grew slightly melancholy. Eriol knew what it was for.

"You don't have to go back Draco. You can come with me if you like. There is no problem there, I have plenty of room. No one will bother you.." Eriol comforted.

"No, I have to face my father. I have to stand up to him, make my own decisions." Draco replied drumming his fingers nervously against the bed post.

Eriol sighed, "But that can be dangerous."

Draco brandished a determined smile, "I know. But whatever happens, I know I have you and Harry to give me strength when I need it. I have hope now, something I didn't have before, and with it I can stand up to my fears."

Eriol smiled back, "Why, Mr. Malfoy..how utterly un-Slytherin of you!"

Draco smirked his trademark grin, "Not if you knew what I have planned for him."

Eriol rolled his eyes, he somehow regretted teaching him a few of his tricks now. And yet he knew if it would help, it was good..Draco would need all he could.

Eriol rested a firm hand on his shoulder, "Good luck to you my friend."

Draco nodded, and they drifted off to sleep.

~*~

"Eriol!" Draco drawled, "Heellp meee!"

The thin blonde boy couldn't seem to pull his luggage down the stairs, the next morning. Meanwhile Eriol was straining to reach behind a statue and pull his hissing cat out.

"If you can't tell, I'm a little busy here!" Eriol grunted, "Spinel would have been less trouble."

Suddenly the cat went limp behind the statue and the massive stone began to move. Eriol turned to see Crabbe and Goyle hoisting the marble figure aside to allow for more space. Next to them Hermione had her wand raised in the air, Ron next to her brandishing a grin and a wink. Eriol smiled as he retrieved his stunned cat.

Meanwhile Draco's trunks teetered on the edge of a step, but it was all too soon before a scarred forehead appeared beside him to help steady the luggage.

Draco smiled.

"Didn't think I'd let you go through this alone did you?" Harry said lifting the trunk opposite Draco.

"I don't have to go through anything alone with you now, is that it?" Draco smirked.

"You stole the words right out from his mouth." Eriol joined in, followed by the previous small group who all had cases of their own yet crowded the two boys to help with the other things.

Outside students were loading into the carriages that would take them to the train station for their ride home.

Eriol turned to Harry and Draco as they made their way outside. "No Voldemort this year it seems? Too bad..I sort of wanted to meet the fellow."

Harry and Draco narrowed their eyes playfully at the sorcerer, "No..we had WORSE this year!"

Eriol grinned as they finally stepped into their carriage. It wasn't long before the masses reached the Hogwarts Express. Harry of course was taking his time saying goodbye to Hagrid who came to see them all off among some other teachers who volunteered to come along. Trelawney was begging Eriol for cards, Snape was giving Draco a stern talking to as the boy nodded his head away, McGonagall was giving Hermione an extra transfiguration book to read ahead, and even Dumbledore stood amidst the crowds of children waving to them all as they boarded the train. In time the group managed to settle into their cabins and wave from the windows as the train whistle blew and started on it's way to London.

By now, it was a common sight to see the Slytherin and Gryffindor pair side by side. Harry managed to sneak his hand on top of Draco's unnoticed by Hermione and Ron, except for Eriol who only grinned at them. Crabbe and Goyle suddenly appeared at the compartment doorway, treats in hand.

"Hey Draco! Get a load of these!" Crabbe said showing off his donuts.

"Yeah there's plenty more where these came from! Come on we'll show you!" Goyle chimed.

Draco of course was too love-struck to feel any hunger except for the one beside him. "Strangely I'm not feeling too hungry boys." he said throwing his ex-nemesis a glance.

Eriol spoke up, "Ron, Hermione and I will join you though!"

Crabbe and Goyle shrugged as Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement. The 3 got up swiftly following the two goons out. Eriol turned briefly.

"I thought you two could use some time alone, before reaching the station." Eriol smiled.

Draco and Harry only looked on sadly as it reminded them that this was the end of their adventure until next fall. They nodded and Eriol left them.

Harry gave Draco's hand a small squeeze.

"Are you scared, Draco?" Harry asked uncertain.

Draco had turned his gaze to the window.

Harry felt a small squeeze of the hand in return.

"I suppose I'll be going back to the dreadful Dursleys..what a lovely summer I've got ahead of me.." Harry continued with a sigh.

"I'd rather have your family than mine. I've got a lot of explaining to do when father spies me giving you a kiss goodbye that's for sure. I don't fancy whatever will happen afterwards to say the least." Draco chuckled fakely.

Harry smiled in return, but Draco's expression grew more somber.

"We're two of a kind Harry, but I never would have admitted that until now. I never truly believed a word my family told me..though it became such a common thing, to hate other's who weren't pure-bloods and to follow the dark path to Voldemort's side. And yet..I always knew inside that Draco Malfoy was never meant to follow anyone. That includes my parents and Voldemort. I'm my own person, but I'd have never had the strength to think so until I surrendered to my true feelings. Something that would have been impossible without our good friend Eriol..and you.." Draco said wistfully..

"Draco.." Harry said, caught up in the sincere emotion in the air.

"There really is something about you Harry Potter..something I used to find intimidating." Draco whispered, tracing over the scar adorning Harry's head. "The reason for my deep hate and confusion. It might be unexplicable but, it's no wonder you have defeated the Dark Lord time and time again. Though I was raised to believe he was invincible, I now see the mistake my family and all those who follow him have made. It's a dangerous road for me now Harry, as I'm caught in the middle between truth and lies, but know that no matter what happens from now to next year and the next..I am on your side."

"And I'm on yours." Harry said flinging himself onto Draco in a tight embrace as if they had just told each other the end of their story.

They stayed this way, shedding silent invisible tears onto one another until the train arrived at King's Cross.

Eriol all too knowingly gave them their time alone, aware that this moment might be their last contact for a long time as their future was uncertain. Once outside the couple was rejoined and surrounded by all their friends; Ron, his family, Hermione, a few fellow Gryffindors like Seamus, Dean, others like Justin and even some Slytherins. Eriol of course gave his warm good-byes to the two boys and the other students. Ron stayed by his best friend Harry's side. Hermione was called off by her parents, and slowly one by one the group dissipated, returning to their ordinary lives.

Eriol walked up to the exit of the station but stopped and turned briefly in time to see the Malfoy family making their presence known. Focusing his eyes and intensifying his hearing from the distance he was at (like he had done so many times during Sakura's challenge), he saw Draco reach down and cradle Harry's hand in his own with a brave look in his eyes. Then, standing proud and defiantly before the scowl of his father and the horror of his mother, his lips parted to say the words..

"Father..Mother..I have something to tell you."

Eriol closed his eyes, a small satisfied smile on his lips, then walked out of the station.

"Be brave, Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter.." Eriol whispered into the air, as he turned and climbed into his cab.

~ The End ~