Chapter Six
*~*~*
Well look at you this morning
You are, by far, the cutest
But be careful getting coffee
I think these people wanna shoot us
Or maybe it's some kinda local competition
To see who can be the rudest
~Little Plastic Castles by Ani Difranco~
*~*~*
The next day, Harry stayed in a chair by the fireplace all morning. He had Quidditch Through The Ages lying open on his lap, but stared out the window instead.
"Come on Harry, let's go see Hagrid."
"No, you go." Ron had been trying to get him up all morning, but Harry refused to budge.
"Come on mate, what's with you? You're acting really depressed, it's not very becoming." Ron sat down next to Harry and stared at him intently. "Is anything the matter?"
Harry sighed, and turned from the window. "Ron…" he started, but stopped. He couldn't go on, he couldn't tell Ron what was troubling him. He couldn't tell him that he was worried the end was near; he was worried that all the times he had faced Voldemort and lived were leading him into a false sense of security, and he expected the Death Eaters to waltz in at any second and kill him. And by himself being in danger, he was putting all his friends in danger as well. Harry just couldn't seem to get over that fact.
"Listen Harry… I understand you're worried. Well, not quite understand, but I get it. We all are. And it's normal, I promise. But you can't dwell. Why don't you go talk to Dumbledore, or Sirius, or someone? Talk to someone if not Hermione or me. Harry, something's not right with you, and you have to fix that." Ron stood up and pulled Harry reluctantly to his feet. "Go, go on. Off to Dumbledore with you." Harry sighed, knowing he couldn't fight with Ron, and walked out of the portrait hole.
He knew what was wrong. And he had good reason. Why should he worry Dumbledore? Everyone looked to him for support and guidance, him and the old headmaster. Harry had been face to face with Voldemort before; if Harry was worried, everyone else had better be. Why worry them all?
He did feel, though, that Ron had a point. He couldn't keep stewing over all this in his head; he needed to find someone to talk to. And then, a name popped up in his memory. Malfoy. But where would he be, and how would Harry get to him without arousing suspicion? In the end, he decided to try the Great Hall. When he walked through the doors, he breathed a great sigh of relief. The hall was almost empty, but sitting there by himself at the Slytherin table was Draco. Harry walked over.
"Hi," he almost mumbled. Draco looked up and coughed out a carrot.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I thought maybe… I could talk to you…" Harry looked down, suddenly embarrassed to be seeking help from his once-archenemy. Draco smiled.
"Golden Boy has to ask the loner rich kid for advice? How darling!" But when Harry looked at him, Draco had a sincere smile on his face, and stood up. "Come on, let's go." Harry followed him out of the Great Hall and up about three flights of stairs before emerging in a hidden corridor.
"Where are we?" he asked, but Draco shushed him and walked slowly down the hall, feeling the wall as he went. After almost ten minutes, Harry began to feel desperate. Just then, Draco let out a sharp "Aha!" and tapped a section of the wall three times with his wand. The wall seemed to melt away, revealing a hidden room. Draco led Harry inside.
"How did you know this was here?" Harry questioned him as they sat across from each other at the table, one of the few furnishings in the room. Apart from the rickety table, there was a small couch and a sink. Nothing spectacular.
"You're not the only one who goes wandering at midnight." Draco laughed. "So, what's up?"
Harry looked at Draco across the table and felt himself blush. Now that they were there, it seemed rather foolish to have dragged him away to talk. But Draco looked at Harry expectantly, so he took a deep breath.
"I'm… well, I'm scared," he started.
"Scared? Why?" Draco didn't laugh, as Harry expected; he looked on with curiosity and mild concern. Harry continued.
"Vol- I mean, You-Know-Who's getting stronger. I'm sure you know, what with your father being who he is and all..."
"Potter, my father isn't as bad as everyone likes to think he is." Draco snapped.
"Oh come off it Malfoy. Everyone knows he's a Death Eater, practically Voldemort's right-hand man!" Draco reeled; he'd never heard anyone except Albus Dumbledore sqy You-Know-Who's name out loud. Not even his father. "Why do you act like he's so perfect, anyway? Even you know he's not."
"I thought you dragged me here to discuss you, Golden Boy, not my feelings about my father."
Harry stood up. "Well, if you're going to be so touchy about it..."
Draco sighed. "Potter, just keep talking. I'm listening, I swear."
Harry eyed Draco, but the blonde boy seemed sincere. Harry shrugged - first time for everything. "Well... Its Voldemort. He'll be coming after me when he feels he has a sure chance to succeed. I don't care about myself, but I have close friends that could be an easy way to get to me. I… I'm scared for my friends. Ron, and Hermione, and Sirius… okay, maybe not so much Sirius, as he's safe in hiding, but Ron and Hermione are easy targets. If they get hurt, or killed…" Harry trailed off, relieved at finally being able to voice his growing concerns. He looked up at Draco.
"First, a question," Draco started. "Sirius?"
"Oh!" Harry hadn't realized that within his ramblings, he had given away the fact that he knew Sirius personally and where he was hiding. "Well, you see… I meant Sirius Black. He's my godfather." Harry stared at the floor, blushing. He hadn't meant to reveal that bit of knowledge, not to Draco Malfoy.
Draco snorted. "But your parents!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, well, the thing is that he never actually killed them. It's a long story, and he blames himself for their deaths, but he's no murderer. And I keep in contact with him, since he's so worried about my safety, being my godfather and all."
Draco's eyebrows were just about blending in with his hairline, but he said nothing more on the matter. "Okay Harry. I think you need to listen to me. I understand you want to protect your friends. That is such a noble act, and you have no idea how much you already are protecting them. But you can't do it forever. They know the risks; if they care about you as much as they say they do, then they must know the risks involved. And yet, they're still around. I take it Weasley told you to talk to someone?" Harry nodded. "I thought as much. Do you see how much you mean to them? They're willing to risk everything just to stick by your side. That's true friendship. What I want you to worry about, Golden Boy, is your own hide. If you're always stressed over whether or not your friends are safe, you're making yourself an easier target than they are. Somehow, I think they'd be even more hurt if you got yourself killed. I know I certainly don't need you dying anytime soon." Draco smiled, and Harry felt his stomach and nerves immediately begin to calm. Then Draco reached up and patted Harry on the head like a child. "Feel better?" Harry laughed.
"Somehow, Draco, you do make me feel better. I never thought that would be possible!"
"No problem Harry. And, you know, I'm glad you came to talk to me." Draco stood up and stretched. "I take it this wasn't something you could talk about easily?" Harry shook his head. "Well then, I'm honored as well." Draco walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it. Looking around, he said, "I love Saturdays, don't you? Absolutely nothing to do and no one to bother you."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I was under the impression you loved being followed around by your goons and harem." Draco laughed.
"Sometimes… but its good to have a mental health day once in a while. That's how I found this place - trying to escape. I come back sometimes. Whenever I need to get away… which has been a lot lately."
"Aren't you afraid you'll get caught?" Harry asked.
"Nah. McGonagall found me in here one day. She was angry, and I was having a bad day… remember the encounter we had in the hall a while back, when you were about to hit me? I came here afterward, and she could tell something was wrong, apparently. I explained a bit to her - not all of it - because I figured she'd leave me alone. She did, and told me I could come back here whenever I wanted. It was a nice surprise, her letting me some freedom, so I took advantage of it. And it's not like I'm breaking the rules or something."
Harry thought about this. Draco needed a place to escape… Draco needed to get away from his loyal followers every once in a while… Draco was human… it was almost too much to take in.
"You know Potter," he remarked suddenly, breaking Harry from his train of thought, "you are allowed to sit down." Harry then noticed he had been standing in the doorway, and made his way to the couch. "I don't bite," Draco added.
Harry laughed. "Are you sure about that, Malfoy?"
"Well… no." Draco smirked.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Harry went back to the common room. Ron was sitting in a chair by the fire, playing chess. Harry sat across from him, noticably more cheerful than that morning.
"Ron, why are you playing chess by yourself?" Harry asked. Ron glanced around the room before turning back to Harry.
"I'm not. I just finished a game with Hermione."
Harry looked down at the board skeptically. "But Ron, there are still moves left. The game isn't done."
Ron shushed him. "Sure, you and I know that, but she doesn't. I just tell her the game is over and she won, and she walks away all happy and radiant. It works out well for everyone."
Harry chuckled and moved one of Hermione's pieces. "Except you. Can you just imagine how your reputation as chess master would go down the drain if people found out you were losing to Hermione, of all people?"
"Somehow Harry," Ron said, as he moved his knight up to Harry's king, "I think they'll catch on. And check mate, by the way."
Harry stared at the board. "Incredible..."
Ron leaned back and sighed. "Still got it! So, where'd you go this morning, anyway?"
Harry glanced up sharply. What could he say? He couldn't very well tell Ron where he had been, he'd never understand. "I took your advice and went to see Dumbledore. You're right, he helped." Ron raised an eyebrow.
"You're sure Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Positive, why?"
"Because Dumbledore left early this morning for the Ministry of Magic, McGonagall told Hermione in the library this morning. Where were you, really?"
Harry sighed. "I was… with a friend."
"Come on Harry! I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything. Who were you with? Was it some girl, eh?"
Harry almost laughed out loud. "No, I wasn't with some girl. I was with... uh... Malfoy."
"Malfoy? Harry, you didn't get in a fight with him, did you? Because if you did, I'm ashamed. You could have come get me, you know! "
"No, I didn't get in a fight with him..."
"Get in a fight with who?" Hermione asked, pulling a chair over to their table and kissing Ron on the cheek.
"Harry beat up Malfoy today," Ron told her.
"I did not!" Harry insisted nervously.
"Oh Harry, you were with Malfoy today? Did it go well?" Hermione asked, grinning.
"How can it go well, Herm? It's Malfoy!" Ron asked, taken aback. Hermione just smiled and looked at Harry.
"It went… well. You were right, Hermione. Draco sure is… well, Draco. I think we had a breakthrough."
Meanwhile, Ron was staring at Harry and Hermione in turn, completely lost. "Okay, back up. Would someone please tell me what I missed? What are you talking about, Harry?" Harry gulped.
"Ron… you know how Dumbledore is always saying we should try and create better bonds with our enemies, bridge the gap between houses, and just get along, what with You-Know-Who and all?" Harry started, nervously twirling a chess pawn in his hand.
"Yeah… Oh Harry, you didn't!" Ron cried, jumping up.
"It was Hermione's idea!" Harry retorted, pointing at his other best friend.
Hermione gasped. "Harry!" She turned to Ron, desperate. "I just told him to be nicer, that's all!"
Ron looked at Harry, then Hermione, and back at Harry again. "You didn't… you can't have… oh, Harry!" He turned to glare at Hermione. "And you approve? You suggested it?!"
"Ron, the Headmaster's right, and Draco is in need of a friend or two right now. Just calm down, okay?"
"I will not calm down!" he roared, and Hermione reeled back as if she'd been slapped. "I'm losing my best friend to my enemy, and my girlfriend is going right along with him!"
"Ron, you aren't losing me, or Hermione. We're just trying to prepare ourselves for Voldemort!" Harry cried, jumping up as well. "Honestly." Ron just stared at Harry, then turned on his heel and stalked up to the dorm room. Harry turned to Hermione.
"Well… that went better than I was expecting."
Hermione smiled. "He'll get over it. Give him time, Harry. He's just a little… shocked. I mean, it is Malfoy. It'll all work out." Harry smiled and gave Hermione a hug. But before he could walk off after Ron, she grabbed his arm. "Oh, and Harry? When Ron calms down, could you maybe ask him to stop letting me win at chess? I feel like a fool every time."
*~*~*
Well look at you this morning
You are, by far, the cutest
But be careful getting coffee
I think these people wanna shoot us
Or maybe it's some kinda local competition
To see who can be the rudest
~Little Plastic Castles by Ani Difranco~
*~*~*
The next day, Harry stayed in a chair by the fireplace all morning. He had Quidditch Through The Ages lying open on his lap, but stared out the window instead.
"Come on Harry, let's go see Hagrid."
"No, you go." Ron had been trying to get him up all morning, but Harry refused to budge.
"Come on mate, what's with you? You're acting really depressed, it's not very becoming." Ron sat down next to Harry and stared at him intently. "Is anything the matter?"
Harry sighed, and turned from the window. "Ron…" he started, but stopped. He couldn't go on, he couldn't tell Ron what was troubling him. He couldn't tell him that he was worried the end was near; he was worried that all the times he had faced Voldemort and lived were leading him into a false sense of security, and he expected the Death Eaters to waltz in at any second and kill him. And by himself being in danger, he was putting all his friends in danger as well. Harry just couldn't seem to get over that fact.
"Listen Harry… I understand you're worried. Well, not quite understand, but I get it. We all are. And it's normal, I promise. But you can't dwell. Why don't you go talk to Dumbledore, or Sirius, or someone? Talk to someone if not Hermione or me. Harry, something's not right with you, and you have to fix that." Ron stood up and pulled Harry reluctantly to his feet. "Go, go on. Off to Dumbledore with you." Harry sighed, knowing he couldn't fight with Ron, and walked out of the portrait hole.
He knew what was wrong. And he had good reason. Why should he worry Dumbledore? Everyone looked to him for support and guidance, him and the old headmaster. Harry had been face to face with Voldemort before; if Harry was worried, everyone else had better be. Why worry them all?
He did feel, though, that Ron had a point. He couldn't keep stewing over all this in his head; he needed to find someone to talk to. And then, a name popped up in his memory. Malfoy. But where would he be, and how would Harry get to him without arousing suspicion? In the end, he decided to try the Great Hall. When he walked through the doors, he breathed a great sigh of relief. The hall was almost empty, but sitting there by himself at the Slytherin table was Draco. Harry walked over.
"Hi," he almost mumbled. Draco looked up and coughed out a carrot.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I thought maybe… I could talk to you…" Harry looked down, suddenly embarrassed to be seeking help from his once-archenemy. Draco smiled.
"Golden Boy has to ask the loner rich kid for advice? How darling!" But when Harry looked at him, Draco had a sincere smile on his face, and stood up. "Come on, let's go." Harry followed him out of the Great Hall and up about three flights of stairs before emerging in a hidden corridor.
"Where are we?" he asked, but Draco shushed him and walked slowly down the hall, feeling the wall as he went. After almost ten minutes, Harry began to feel desperate. Just then, Draco let out a sharp "Aha!" and tapped a section of the wall three times with his wand. The wall seemed to melt away, revealing a hidden room. Draco led Harry inside.
"How did you know this was here?" Harry questioned him as they sat across from each other at the table, one of the few furnishings in the room. Apart from the rickety table, there was a small couch and a sink. Nothing spectacular.
"You're not the only one who goes wandering at midnight." Draco laughed. "So, what's up?"
Harry looked at Draco across the table and felt himself blush. Now that they were there, it seemed rather foolish to have dragged him away to talk. But Draco looked at Harry expectantly, so he took a deep breath.
"I'm… well, I'm scared," he started.
"Scared? Why?" Draco didn't laugh, as Harry expected; he looked on with curiosity and mild concern. Harry continued.
"Vol- I mean, You-Know-Who's getting stronger. I'm sure you know, what with your father being who he is and all..."
"Potter, my father isn't as bad as everyone likes to think he is." Draco snapped.
"Oh come off it Malfoy. Everyone knows he's a Death Eater, practically Voldemort's right-hand man!" Draco reeled; he'd never heard anyone except Albus Dumbledore sqy You-Know-Who's name out loud. Not even his father. "Why do you act like he's so perfect, anyway? Even you know he's not."
"I thought you dragged me here to discuss you, Golden Boy, not my feelings about my father."
Harry stood up. "Well, if you're going to be so touchy about it..."
Draco sighed. "Potter, just keep talking. I'm listening, I swear."
Harry eyed Draco, but the blonde boy seemed sincere. Harry shrugged - first time for everything. "Well... Its Voldemort. He'll be coming after me when he feels he has a sure chance to succeed. I don't care about myself, but I have close friends that could be an easy way to get to me. I… I'm scared for my friends. Ron, and Hermione, and Sirius… okay, maybe not so much Sirius, as he's safe in hiding, but Ron and Hermione are easy targets. If they get hurt, or killed…" Harry trailed off, relieved at finally being able to voice his growing concerns. He looked up at Draco.
"First, a question," Draco started. "Sirius?"
"Oh!" Harry hadn't realized that within his ramblings, he had given away the fact that he knew Sirius personally and where he was hiding. "Well, you see… I meant Sirius Black. He's my godfather." Harry stared at the floor, blushing. He hadn't meant to reveal that bit of knowledge, not to Draco Malfoy.
Draco snorted. "But your parents!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, well, the thing is that he never actually killed them. It's a long story, and he blames himself for their deaths, but he's no murderer. And I keep in contact with him, since he's so worried about my safety, being my godfather and all."
Draco's eyebrows were just about blending in with his hairline, but he said nothing more on the matter. "Okay Harry. I think you need to listen to me. I understand you want to protect your friends. That is such a noble act, and you have no idea how much you already are protecting them. But you can't do it forever. They know the risks; if they care about you as much as they say they do, then they must know the risks involved. And yet, they're still around. I take it Weasley told you to talk to someone?" Harry nodded. "I thought as much. Do you see how much you mean to them? They're willing to risk everything just to stick by your side. That's true friendship. What I want you to worry about, Golden Boy, is your own hide. If you're always stressed over whether or not your friends are safe, you're making yourself an easier target than they are. Somehow, I think they'd be even more hurt if you got yourself killed. I know I certainly don't need you dying anytime soon." Draco smiled, and Harry felt his stomach and nerves immediately begin to calm. Then Draco reached up and patted Harry on the head like a child. "Feel better?" Harry laughed.
"Somehow, Draco, you do make me feel better. I never thought that would be possible!"
"No problem Harry. And, you know, I'm glad you came to talk to me." Draco stood up and stretched. "I take it this wasn't something you could talk about easily?" Harry shook his head. "Well then, I'm honored as well." Draco walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it. Looking around, he said, "I love Saturdays, don't you? Absolutely nothing to do and no one to bother you."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I was under the impression you loved being followed around by your goons and harem." Draco laughed.
"Sometimes… but its good to have a mental health day once in a while. That's how I found this place - trying to escape. I come back sometimes. Whenever I need to get away… which has been a lot lately."
"Aren't you afraid you'll get caught?" Harry asked.
"Nah. McGonagall found me in here one day. She was angry, and I was having a bad day… remember the encounter we had in the hall a while back, when you were about to hit me? I came here afterward, and she could tell something was wrong, apparently. I explained a bit to her - not all of it - because I figured she'd leave me alone. She did, and told me I could come back here whenever I wanted. It was a nice surprise, her letting me some freedom, so I took advantage of it. And it's not like I'm breaking the rules or something."
Harry thought about this. Draco needed a place to escape… Draco needed to get away from his loyal followers every once in a while… Draco was human… it was almost too much to take in.
"You know Potter," he remarked suddenly, breaking Harry from his train of thought, "you are allowed to sit down." Harry then noticed he had been standing in the doorway, and made his way to the couch. "I don't bite," Draco added.
Harry laughed. "Are you sure about that, Malfoy?"
"Well… no." Draco smirked.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Harry went back to the common room. Ron was sitting in a chair by the fire, playing chess. Harry sat across from him, noticably more cheerful than that morning.
"Ron, why are you playing chess by yourself?" Harry asked. Ron glanced around the room before turning back to Harry.
"I'm not. I just finished a game with Hermione."
Harry looked down at the board skeptically. "But Ron, there are still moves left. The game isn't done."
Ron shushed him. "Sure, you and I know that, but she doesn't. I just tell her the game is over and she won, and she walks away all happy and radiant. It works out well for everyone."
Harry chuckled and moved one of Hermione's pieces. "Except you. Can you just imagine how your reputation as chess master would go down the drain if people found out you were losing to Hermione, of all people?"
"Somehow Harry," Ron said, as he moved his knight up to Harry's king, "I think they'll catch on. And check mate, by the way."
Harry stared at the board. "Incredible..."
Ron leaned back and sighed. "Still got it! So, where'd you go this morning, anyway?"
Harry glanced up sharply. What could he say? He couldn't very well tell Ron where he had been, he'd never understand. "I took your advice and went to see Dumbledore. You're right, he helped." Ron raised an eyebrow.
"You're sure Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Positive, why?"
"Because Dumbledore left early this morning for the Ministry of Magic, McGonagall told Hermione in the library this morning. Where were you, really?"
Harry sighed. "I was… with a friend."
"Come on Harry! I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything. Who were you with? Was it some girl, eh?"
Harry almost laughed out loud. "No, I wasn't with some girl. I was with... uh... Malfoy."
"Malfoy? Harry, you didn't get in a fight with him, did you? Because if you did, I'm ashamed. You could have come get me, you know! "
"No, I didn't get in a fight with him..."
"Get in a fight with who?" Hermione asked, pulling a chair over to their table and kissing Ron on the cheek.
"Harry beat up Malfoy today," Ron told her.
"I did not!" Harry insisted nervously.
"Oh Harry, you were with Malfoy today? Did it go well?" Hermione asked, grinning.
"How can it go well, Herm? It's Malfoy!" Ron asked, taken aback. Hermione just smiled and looked at Harry.
"It went… well. You were right, Hermione. Draco sure is… well, Draco. I think we had a breakthrough."
Meanwhile, Ron was staring at Harry and Hermione in turn, completely lost. "Okay, back up. Would someone please tell me what I missed? What are you talking about, Harry?" Harry gulped.
"Ron… you know how Dumbledore is always saying we should try and create better bonds with our enemies, bridge the gap between houses, and just get along, what with You-Know-Who and all?" Harry started, nervously twirling a chess pawn in his hand.
"Yeah… Oh Harry, you didn't!" Ron cried, jumping up.
"It was Hermione's idea!" Harry retorted, pointing at his other best friend.
Hermione gasped. "Harry!" She turned to Ron, desperate. "I just told him to be nicer, that's all!"
Ron looked at Harry, then Hermione, and back at Harry again. "You didn't… you can't have… oh, Harry!" He turned to glare at Hermione. "And you approve? You suggested it?!"
"Ron, the Headmaster's right, and Draco is in need of a friend or two right now. Just calm down, okay?"
"I will not calm down!" he roared, and Hermione reeled back as if she'd been slapped. "I'm losing my best friend to my enemy, and my girlfriend is going right along with him!"
"Ron, you aren't losing me, or Hermione. We're just trying to prepare ourselves for Voldemort!" Harry cried, jumping up as well. "Honestly." Ron just stared at Harry, then turned on his heel and stalked up to the dorm room. Harry turned to Hermione.
"Well… that went better than I was expecting."
Hermione smiled. "He'll get over it. Give him time, Harry. He's just a little… shocked. I mean, it is Malfoy. It'll all work out." Harry smiled and gave Hermione a hug. But before he could walk off after Ron, she grabbed his arm. "Oh, and Harry? When Ron calms down, could you maybe ask him to stop letting me win at chess? I feel like a fool every time."
