Chapter two
Disclaimers: Harry Potter, its characters, spells, etc, is not mine. But the plot of this fic is.
Hehe^^
Author's note: this is my first Harry Potter fic so please inform me if there are any minor or major mistakes within it. R&r's are greatly appreciated. Oh and this will be a slash fic eventually. So anyone who can't handle Draco and Harry together, don't flame me, just leave
And, they will get together eventually, I just thought that it would be better if they both started out as friends first then eventually turn into lovers, hehe^^.
Oh and if some parts aren't clear, they will be cleared in the next chapters Don't worry ^^
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ' '= thoughts
= written
( )= notes, additional info ^^
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHANGES
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Early the next morning, Harry didn't even bother bidding the Dursleys farewell.
'Let them wonder how I left,' Harry thought with a small smile. 'Or let them worry if some neighbor saw me leave using "magical ways" aside from floo. That will give them something to worry and think about for an entire month or more.'
Checking that he had all his things with him, and all were in touching distance, he touched the portkey.
A split second later, he found himself on the platform, with the Hogwarts Express right in front of him. No one was on the platform yet. He was too early, not that he cared though.
As soon as he saw that all his luggage was safely hauled into the train, Harry looked for an empty compartment, which was not hard since he is the first one there, and went in.
He looked at his watch; it would take another hour until most of the Hogwarts student populace would arrive and about another hour after that until the train would leave.
It was boring to wait. But anything else was better than the Dursleys. Well, except for Voldemort, that is.
Harry heaved a deep sigh and finally pulled out a roll of parchment from his robe, as well as a quill. But these were no ordinary parchment and quill.
Both had been charmed. The quill would never need ink, yet it would always write. And the parchment, well, this particularly extravagant piece of parchment, what with lion and tiny, almost inconspicuous snake designs bordering it so that it would not get misplaced among the other parchments, was Harry's connection to Draco.
He wrote, Hey Drac, train's deserted. There's no one here.
After Harry wrote the last word, the words disappeared, sinking into the parchment. It was very similar to Tom Riddle's diary.
A few seconds later, Draco's intricately scribbled handwriting appeared. My, my, you're up early. You excited?
Once Harry's quill came into contact with the parchment, Draco's words disappeared. Of course, after that letter we received, who wouldn't be?
Yeah, me too. Harry could almost imagine Draco smiling, as he was writing this.
Are you coming over already?
Yup, just wait. My dad's already calling for me, I think he just finished fixing up the portkey. See you there. =)
Harry smiled and shook his head. A smiley face. Where on earth did Draco learn about that? Then, he absent mindedly rubbed his thumb over the words Draco had written, automatically erasing them from the parchment.
Ron and Hermione won't be here for another hour, so he and Draco could probably talk privately for an hour, at most.
Since he was already "authorized" to use magic anywhere and anytime, it wouldn't hurt to use it at this time.
Harry pulled out his wand and put a simple spell on the train, so that he would sense if anyone comes in and would also know who it was who entered. Therefore warning him and Draco if ever some of their housemates were already there, and lessening the risks of being found out by people who shouldn't.
Harry closed his eyes and laid his head on the soft cushions of the chair. He would know when Draco arrived.
A few seconds later, he sensed Draco's presence enter the train. And a few more seconds later, Draco entered the compartment and sat down beside Harry.
"Slept in on me?" Draco asked, jokingly.
"Just had to close my eyes Draco," Harry said, opening his eyes and smiling up at his friend. "Where's your dad?"
"He already left," Draco replied. "We just can't risk having him talk to you. Who knows, there might be Death Eaters spying on him."
"I know," Harry replied.
"And, speaking of risks..." Draco took out his wand and whispered another spell.
"Locked the door?" Harry asked.
"Locked and protected," Draco replied, keeping his wand. "I know you put a spell on the train entrance, but I just can't help being precautious."
Harry gave a small chuckle and Draco mock glared at him. "What is it now Mr. Potter?" he asked, with mock hostility.
"Nothing, Mr. Malfoy," he replied, a big smile on his face.
"So," Draco said, changing the subject. "How was your summer Harry?"
"Better than all of my other summers combined," Harry replied. "I was able to go to Ron's place a few times during summer, I receive mail more often than before, and of course," Harry indicated the parchment, "I get to talk to you everyday. What about your summer?"
"Never better," Draco replied coolly. "For basically the same reason as yours. I've never really had real friends my whole life. Oh sure, I have friends, but those "friends" of mine would do anything, mind you, anything to get me, my father and mother out of the way so that their families could have a higher position in the Death Eater ranks. You're my 1st real friend Harry. And my parents are very happy that I have finally found a friend I could really count on."
"Really?" Harry asked. "Well, I have friends I can really count on. But none of whom I can really relate with when it comes to magic."
"Yeah, I guess in the whole student population at Hogwarts only the two of us could really duel on the same level." He looked at Harry and smiled, "You're a Gryffindor, what do you expect? Of course you have friends you can trust your life with. Slytherins aren't very good company if you aren't THAT evil or in league with the dark lord."
"I know," Harry said, sadly. He knew what Draco had to go through with the Slytherins, and he could not help but extend his feelings to his friend.
Draco felt Harry's sadness, so he decided to lighten the mood. He leaned closer to Harry, eyes twinkling with mischief, and said in a hushed tone, "Now that Dumbledore's given us complete access to the school grounds anytime and the permission to use magic anytime, anywhere, what do you plan to do with this new "authority" given to us?"
Harry smiled. This would be a really fun year.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry and Draco spent the next hour planning some "friendly" mischief that would make Fred and George proud. But most of the hexes they planned to use were all safe, simple and easily reversible.
Both boys talked and laughed at each others jokes and ideas like they've never laughed before.
But soon, some of their friends and housemates began to arrive. So, as much as they loved each others company and would rather talk the whole way to Hogwarts, they had to separate.
And, as much as they hated it, from that time on until they reach the safety of Dumbledore's office, they have to, once again put up the old façade of being age old enemies.
It was a good thing that Draco left, because a few minutes after he did, Ron and Hermione entered the compartment.
"Hi Harry!"
"Harry! How was your summer?"
Harry turned away from the window and flashed both Ron and Hermione his most genuine smile. "Hi Ron, Hermione. My summer? Fine, I guess. You guys never stopped mailing me that I felt like we were never apart, even during the summer holidays."
Ron and Hermione sat down on the chairs opposite Harry's and were both smiling, obviously very happy and proud that they were able to at least help Harry survive a summer with the Dursleys, even a little bit.
Suddenly, Harry noticed something. "Hey Ron, where's Ginny?"
"Oh, she's with some friends in another compartment," Ron replied. "I guess she's already gotten over her crush on you. Which is a good thing I guess."
"It is," Harry confirmed. "I love Ginny like a little sister. And I'm happy that she can already accept that."
"Boys," Hermione suddenly interrupted. "Have you done your Potions essay yet?"
Ron's face colored as he replied, "Barely wrote 2 feet of parchment. I can't imagine how anyone could make at least five feet."
"You could say that," Hermione agreed, surprising both boys. Hermione's never had any problem with assignments before. This is the 1st time she actually admitted that an assignment was hard. "I barely made four feet. How about you Harry?"
".Um...."
"How long is your essay?" Hermione pressed.
"Seven feet."
"What?!" both Ron and Hermione exclaimed.
"I'm not answering any questions," Harry declared, afraid he might give away unnecessary information to his friends. Of course, he and Draco talked about their assignments for almost the whole half of summer. But there was still another reason. And he had no plans of telling Ron or Hermione about either reasons, no plans at all.
Hermione wanted to ask more questions, but she recognized the look on Harry's face. She knew he won't tell her anything more, so she didn't press on.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogwarts without any sort of encounter between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins.
But, when Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way up to the Great Hall, they found their way blocked by Draco, Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, get out of the way Malfoy," he said in a very irritated voice.
"Who are you to tell me what to do Potter?" Draco sneered and directed his insults at Ron. "You know, your robes are getting shabbier every year. Someday I might hear news that one of your siblings is working with house elves just to have food to eat, or worse, I might hear news about the "Great Weasley Family" begging for food out on a cold and almost deserted Muggle street."
"You take that back Malfoy!"
"Make me, Weasley."
Harry groaned inwardly. Draco was a great friend, but he was a damn great actor too, and he could be such a pain in the ass if he wanted to.
They were barely even up the stairs of Hogwarts yet, but they had already started a commotion which would be the cause of detentions or worse. And, when there was commotion, there would be very curious bystanders. In this case, most of the Gryffindors, Slytherins and even a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were crowding around them, trying to see the "action".
Ron was too angry to say a word, but his face was slowly turning into crimson as his anger voltage began rising.
Draco used this silence to his advantage. "Scared Weasley?" he taunted. "Going to hide behind Potter again, are you? Be a man!" Then he backed down and Harry thought his acting was over, but Draco wasn't done, he wasn't a Malfoy for nothing. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. You can't face me like a man, because you're a WEASEL!" Then Draco and the rest of his Slytherin pals laughed like crazy.
That was it. Harry could almost hear Ron's anger meter pop. Even Hermione had no words to say at the insults Draco was throwing at Ron, it was certainly worse than his usual.
"Shut the hell up Malfoy!" Ron all but screamed at the still laughing Slytherin. He began advancing on the blond to beat him with his bare hands. But Harry put his hand on Ron's shoulder.
Ron looked back at him, confusion clearly etched on his face. Harry just shook his head. "Relax Ron, there is no reason for us to get into trouble because of a Slytherin."
"Oooohhhh," drawled Draco, pouting but still had that evil gleam in his eye. "Potter's afraid of getting into trouble. Since when has a Gryffindor ever been afraid?"
"I believe that is enough from you Mr. Malfoy," said a voice from behind them.
"Professor Lupin?!" most of the students gasped, most of them in fear. Because it was public knowledge that the sandy-brown haired professor turned into a werewolf whenever there is a full moon. But some of them, loved his presence and were just very surprised at seeing him back here at Hogwarts.
"Yup, it's me," he assured them. "Now, will all of you please make your way into the Great Hall, peacefully" he had directed that last word to Draco and his gang.
It was a momentary cease-fire, though it wasn't a peaceful one. Because all through out the rest of the night, Ron was shooting Draco looks that could kill a mountain troll and Draco sneered at him from across the hall, unfazed.
Soon Dumbledore started giving his start-of-term speech and announced that Remus Lupin would be their DADA teacher once again, since the position was vacant. And he declared that the professor was safe because Snape had already made a stronger potion for Remus' transformations.
After that and the Sorting Ceremony, the feast began.
When, they were almost done with their food, Prof. McGonagall came up to Harry and said, "Prof. Dumbledore would like to talk to you in his office after the feast."
So, after the feast, Harry told Hermione and the others that he had to go and leave for Dumbledore's office. They were curious of the reasons, but Harry just shrugged at them, claiming that he had no idea why he was summoned, although deep inside he did know.
So, he made his way to the professor's office after saying the password to the stone gargoyle.
Once he was upstairs, he realized that Draco was already there waiting for him, along with the professor.
"Prof. Dumbledore," he greeted.
"Hello Harry, take a seat."
Harry took his seat opposite Draco's and could clearly see that the blonde's eyes were clouded for some reason.
He could not help but worry. "What's wrong Draco?"
Draco looked up at him and asked softly, "You're not angry at me?"
And then, Harry realized what was bothering Draco so much. He leaned back on his chair and smiled at the Slytherin. "If you're worrying about the earlier incident involving Ron, well, I'm not angry. He is though, but I'm not."
"You're really not angry?"
"I'm not," Harry confirmed, and that calmed Draco down.
"Now that you two boys are settled," Dumbledore interrupted. "I think that it is time for us to talk about the business at hand. I requested Remus to resume teaching here because he is one of the most capable wizards that I know of. So I can trust that we can tighten up our school's security a bit, aside from the usual wards we put around the castle."
"Speaking of wards professor, I fear that Harry and I haven't checked the wards we set up around the castle since we left for the summer holidays," Draco said.
The old wizard waved a dismissing hand. "Do not worry Draco. I have checked them thoroughly and they are holding up quite well, I must say. Now, what I am worried the most is your training. Both yours and Harry's."
This got the attention of both boys and both leaned closer to listen more attentively.
"As you can remember from your experience last year, you two made remarkably well in your academics as well as in your personal training with me. But, I can clearly see that through those fine performances, you two are under very heavy pressure."
"Not entirely professor," Harry said. "Not to sound too proud sir, but all of our exams include only the most basic of magic. Magic that Draco and I can easily perform even without wands. I seriously doubt that we would have a very hard time."
"Ah, but you forget about the assignments your teachers always give you every after class, Harry. And most of your exams collide with your training schedule. Well, I have decided that since you two have already mastered more than what is necessary in the Hogwarts curriculum, both of you will be given freedom to sit in or cut class if you wish. But if you do cut class, the only reason is to train, is that clear? I do not want you two wasting precious time."
Both boys nodded.
"Okay, you may leave."
And, as both boys were about to leave the room, he added, "There is a room on the third floor corridor that will be off limits to everyone except to the two of you. It's concealed in the wall. But it will open once you touch it. You can go there anytime you want. Oh, and if you don't want to rouse any suspicion, better use that invisibility charm I taught you last year. And, if someone gets too nosy, a simple memory charm will be able to get them off your tail," he added, with a twinkle in his eye.
Both boys gave a curt nod and exited the room.
As soon as they were outside, both boys Apparated to the third floor corridor. Most of the students were already in their House common rooms, so there wasn't anyone on the third floor.
Not speaking a word at all, they looked at the huge blank wall before them and both boys touched it. Almost at once, the wall opened up to reveal a passageway.
Still in silence, both boys entered it. And, well, needless to say, it took their breath away.
The passageway disappeared once again and both boys finally found their voices.
"Is this really happening Harry?" asked an incredulous Draco as both of them dropped on the soft cushions of the couch in the center of the living room. "1st it was the personal training last year, then the permission to use magic, then the unlimited access to the whole school ground, then we can cut class, and now we have a whole room all to ourselves?!"
"Not to mention that he actually gave us permission to cast spells on out fellow students," added Harry, also incredulous.
Draco shook his head, trying to clear it. "And look at this room Harry, I can barely call this a room, and it almost rivals that of my own home."
True enough, the room extravagantly set up. There was a very comfortable couch on the center of the living room. And in front of it is a fireplace, the fire positively there because of a charm. Above the fireplace was a giant painting of a lion and a snake, peaceful and showing no hostility to the other. It looked like a House common room, except that unlike the common room, only both boys were allowed here.
"That's how Slytherins and Gryffindors should act with each other," Harry said softly, indicating the painting.
Draco nodded and then both boys took to the task of exploring their new little "home".
There were two bedrooms on both sides of the living room, one was in red (had red cushions, red linens, etc, you get the picture^^) and the other was in green(had green linens, etc). Obviously, one was for Draco and the other was for Harry. Both rooms had their own bathrooms. Both rooms also had access to three other rooms, the library or the study room, the dining room and the "dueling room" as they had so nicely named it. The third room was a very big and barely had any furniture in it. Obviously, Prof. Dumbledore put it there for both boys' training usage, it was well warded so that it would hold even after being bombarded with hundreds of spells and curses and nobody from the outside will be able to sense any magical activity within that particular room.
"Are you still going back to your Common Room?" Draco asked Harry, after they had finished touring the place.
Harry shook his head. "No. What about you?"
"Nope," Draco replied. "Okay then. Goodnight?"
"Goodnight. Let's do some more exploring tomorrow. I'm too tired to move."
"No complaints here," Draco said.
And with that, both boys disappeared into his own bedroom and effortlessly Apparated their things into their new and more comfortable bedrooms.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's note
What do you think? Please review this and tell me what you think about it. The plot is not yet presented in its entirety and there are still a few other "holes" I have to fill in about Harry and Draco's friendship during the next few chapters. The more review I get, the more I will write, so if you want to see this finished, you know what to do ^^.
And a thousand thanks to those who reviewed. I love you guys ^^
Disclaimers: Harry Potter, its characters, spells, etc, is not mine. But the plot of this fic is.
Hehe^^
Author's note: this is my first Harry Potter fic so please inform me if there are any minor or major mistakes within it. R&r's are greatly appreciated. Oh and this will be a slash fic eventually. So anyone who can't handle Draco and Harry together, don't flame me, just leave
And, they will get together eventually, I just thought that it would be better if they both started out as friends first then eventually turn into lovers, hehe^^.
Oh and if some parts aren't clear, they will be cleared in the next chapters Don't worry ^^
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ' '= thoughts
= written
( )= notes, additional info ^^
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHANGES
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Early the next morning, Harry didn't even bother bidding the Dursleys farewell.
'Let them wonder how I left,' Harry thought with a small smile. 'Or let them worry if some neighbor saw me leave using "magical ways" aside from floo. That will give them something to worry and think about for an entire month or more.'
Checking that he had all his things with him, and all were in touching distance, he touched the portkey.
A split second later, he found himself on the platform, with the Hogwarts Express right in front of him. No one was on the platform yet. He was too early, not that he cared though.
As soon as he saw that all his luggage was safely hauled into the train, Harry looked for an empty compartment, which was not hard since he is the first one there, and went in.
He looked at his watch; it would take another hour until most of the Hogwarts student populace would arrive and about another hour after that until the train would leave.
It was boring to wait. But anything else was better than the Dursleys. Well, except for Voldemort, that is.
Harry heaved a deep sigh and finally pulled out a roll of parchment from his robe, as well as a quill. But these were no ordinary parchment and quill.
Both had been charmed. The quill would never need ink, yet it would always write. And the parchment, well, this particularly extravagant piece of parchment, what with lion and tiny, almost inconspicuous snake designs bordering it so that it would not get misplaced among the other parchments, was Harry's connection to Draco.
He wrote, Hey Drac, train's deserted. There's no one here.
After Harry wrote the last word, the words disappeared, sinking into the parchment. It was very similar to Tom Riddle's diary.
A few seconds later, Draco's intricately scribbled handwriting appeared. My, my, you're up early. You excited?
Once Harry's quill came into contact with the parchment, Draco's words disappeared. Of course, after that letter we received, who wouldn't be?
Yeah, me too. Harry could almost imagine Draco smiling, as he was writing this.
Are you coming over already?
Yup, just wait. My dad's already calling for me, I think he just finished fixing up the portkey. See you there. =)
Harry smiled and shook his head. A smiley face. Where on earth did Draco learn about that? Then, he absent mindedly rubbed his thumb over the words Draco had written, automatically erasing them from the parchment.
Ron and Hermione won't be here for another hour, so he and Draco could probably talk privately for an hour, at most.
Since he was already "authorized" to use magic anywhere and anytime, it wouldn't hurt to use it at this time.
Harry pulled out his wand and put a simple spell on the train, so that he would sense if anyone comes in and would also know who it was who entered. Therefore warning him and Draco if ever some of their housemates were already there, and lessening the risks of being found out by people who shouldn't.
Harry closed his eyes and laid his head on the soft cushions of the chair. He would know when Draco arrived.
A few seconds later, he sensed Draco's presence enter the train. And a few more seconds later, Draco entered the compartment and sat down beside Harry.
"Slept in on me?" Draco asked, jokingly.
"Just had to close my eyes Draco," Harry said, opening his eyes and smiling up at his friend. "Where's your dad?"
"He already left," Draco replied. "We just can't risk having him talk to you. Who knows, there might be Death Eaters spying on him."
"I know," Harry replied.
"And, speaking of risks..." Draco took out his wand and whispered another spell.
"Locked the door?" Harry asked.
"Locked and protected," Draco replied, keeping his wand. "I know you put a spell on the train entrance, but I just can't help being precautious."
Harry gave a small chuckle and Draco mock glared at him. "What is it now Mr. Potter?" he asked, with mock hostility.
"Nothing, Mr. Malfoy," he replied, a big smile on his face.
"So," Draco said, changing the subject. "How was your summer Harry?"
"Better than all of my other summers combined," Harry replied. "I was able to go to Ron's place a few times during summer, I receive mail more often than before, and of course," Harry indicated the parchment, "I get to talk to you everyday. What about your summer?"
"Never better," Draco replied coolly. "For basically the same reason as yours. I've never really had real friends my whole life. Oh sure, I have friends, but those "friends" of mine would do anything, mind you, anything to get me, my father and mother out of the way so that their families could have a higher position in the Death Eater ranks. You're my 1st real friend Harry. And my parents are very happy that I have finally found a friend I could really count on."
"Really?" Harry asked. "Well, I have friends I can really count on. But none of whom I can really relate with when it comes to magic."
"Yeah, I guess in the whole student population at Hogwarts only the two of us could really duel on the same level." He looked at Harry and smiled, "You're a Gryffindor, what do you expect? Of course you have friends you can trust your life with. Slytherins aren't very good company if you aren't THAT evil or in league with the dark lord."
"I know," Harry said, sadly. He knew what Draco had to go through with the Slytherins, and he could not help but extend his feelings to his friend.
Draco felt Harry's sadness, so he decided to lighten the mood. He leaned closer to Harry, eyes twinkling with mischief, and said in a hushed tone, "Now that Dumbledore's given us complete access to the school grounds anytime and the permission to use magic anytime, anywhere, what do you plan to do with this new "authority" given to us?"
Harry smiled. This would be a really fun year.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry and Draco spent the next hour planning some "friendly" mischief that would make Fred and George proud. But most of the hexes they planned to use were all safe, simple and easily reversible.
Both boys talked and laughed at each others jokes and ideas like they've never laughed before.
But soon, some of their friends and housemates began to arrive. So, as much as they loved each others company and would rather talk the whole way to Hogwarts, they had to separate.
And, as much as they hated it, from that time on until they reach the safety of Dumbledore's office, they have to, once again put up the old façade of being age old enemies.
It was a good thing that Draco left, because a few minutes after he did, Ron and Hermione entered the compartment.
"Hi Harry!"
"Harry! How was your summer?"
Harry turned away from the window and flashed both Ron and Hermione his most genuine smile. "Hi Ron, Hermione. My summer? Fine, I guess. You guys never stopped mailing me that I felt like we were never apart, even during the summer holidays."
Ron and Hermione sat down on the chairs opposite Harry's and were both smiling, obviously very happy and proud that they were able to at least help Harry survive a summer with the Dursleys, even a little bit.
Suddenly, Harry noticed something. "Hey Ron, where's Ginny?"
"Oh, she's with some friends in another compartment," Ron replied. "I guess she's already gotten over her crush on you. Which is a good thing I guess."
"It is," Harry confirmed. "I love Ginny like a little sister. And I'm happy that she can already accept that."
"Boys," Hermione suddenly interrupted. "Have you done your Potions essay yet?"
Ron's face colored as he replied, "Barely wrote 2 feet of parchment. I can't imagine how anyone could make at least five feet."
"You could say that," Hermione agreed, surprising both boys. Hermione's never had any problem with assignments before. This is the 1st time she actually admitted that an assignment was hard. "I barely made four feet. How about you Harry?"
".Um...."
"How long is your essay?" Hermione pressed.
"Seven feet."
"What?!" both Ron and Hermione exclaimed.
"I'm not answering any questions," Harry declared, afraid he might give away unnecessary information to his friends. Of course, he and Draco talked about their assignments for almost the whole half of summer. But there was still another reason. And he had no plans of telling Ron or Hermione about either reasons, no plans at all.
Hermione wanted to ask more questions, but she recognized the look on Harry's face. She knew he won't tell her anything more, so she didn't press on.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogwarts without any sort of encounter between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins.
But, when Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way up to the Great Hall, they found their way blocked by Draco, Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, get out of the way Malfoy," he said in a very irritated voice.
"Who are you to tell me what to do Potter?" Draco sneered and directed his insults at Ron. "You know, your robes are getting shabbier every year. Someday I might hear news that one of your siblings is working with house elves just to have food to eat, or worse, I might hear news about the "Great Weasley Family" begging for food out on a cold and almost deserted Muggle street."
"You take that back Malfoy!"
"Make me, Weasley."
Harry groaned inwardly. Draco was a great friend, but he was a damn great actor too, and he could be such a pain in the ass if he wanted to.
They were barely even up the stairs of Hogwarts yet, but they had already started a commotion which would be the cause of detentions or worse. And, when there was commotion, there would be very curious bystanders. In this case, most of the Gryffindors, Slytherins and even a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were crowding around them, trying to see the "action".
Ron was too angry to say a word, but his face was slowly turning into crimson as his anger voltage began rising.
Draco used this silence to his advantage. "Scared Weasley?" he taunted. "Going to hide behind Potter again, are you? Be a man!" Then he backed down and Harry thought his acting was over, but Draco wasn't done, he wasn't a Malfoy for nothing. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. You can't face me like a man, because you're a WEASEL!" Then Draco and the rest of his Slytherin pals laughed like crazy.
That was it. Harry could almost hear Ron's anger meter pop. Even Hermione had no words to say at the insults Draco was throwing at Ron, it was certainly worse than his usual.
"Shut the hell up Malfoy!" Ron all but screamed at the still laughing Slytherin. He began advancing on the blond to beat him with his bare hands. But Harry put his hand on Ron's shoulder.
Ron looked back at him, confusion clearly etched on his face. Harry just shook his head. "Relax Ron, there is no reason for us to get into trouble because of a Slytherin."
"Oooohhhh," drawled Draco, pouting but still had that evil gleam in his eye. "Potter's afraid of getting into trouble. Since when has a Gryffindor ever been afraid?"
"I believe that is enough from you Mr. Malfoy," said a voice from behind them.
"Professor Lupin?!" most of the students gasped, most of them in fear. Because it was public knowledge that the sandy-brown haired professor turned into a werewolf whenever there is a full moon. But some of them, loved his presence and were just very surprised at seeing him back here at Hogwarts.
"Yup, it's me," he assured them. "Now, will all of you please make your way into the Great Hall, peacefully" he had directed that last word to Draco and his gang.
It was a momentary cease-fire, though it wasn't a peaceful one. Because all through out the rest of the night, Ron was shooting Draco looks that could kill a mountain troll and Draco sneered at him from across the hall, unfazed.
Soon Dumbledore started giving his start-of-term speech and announced that Remus Lupin would be their DADA teacher once again, since the position was vacant. And he declared that the professor was safe because Snape had already made a stronger potion for Remus' transformations.
After that and the Sorting Ceremony, the feast began.
When, they were almost done with their food, Prof. McGonagall came up to Harry and said, "Prof. Dumbledore would like to talk to you in his office after the feast."
So, after the feast, Harry told Hermione and the others that he had to go and leave for Dumbledore's office. They were curious of the reasons, but Harry just shrugged at them, claiming that he had no idea why he was summoned, although deep inside he did know.
So, he made his way to the professor's office after saying the password to the stone gargoyle.
Once he was upstairs, he realized that Draco was already there waiting for him, along with the professor.
"Prof. Dumbledore," he greeted.
"Hello Harry, take a seat."
Harry took his seat opposite Draco's and could clearly see that the blonde's eyes were clouded for some reason.
He could not help but worry. "What's wrong Draco?"
Draco looked up at him and asked softly, "You're not angry at me?"
And then, Harry realized what was bothering Draco so much. He leaned back on his chair and smiled at the Slytherin. "If you're worrying about the earlier incident involving Ron, well, I'm not angry. He is though, but I'm not."
"You're really not angry?"
"I'm not," Harry confirmed, and that calmed Draco down.
"Now that you two boys are settled," Dumbledore interrupted. "I think that it is time for us to talk about the business at hand. I requested Remus to resume teaching here because he is one of the most capable wizards that I know of. So I can trust that we can tighten up our school's security a bit, aside from the usual wards we put around the castle."
"Speaking of wards professor, I fear that Harry and I haven't checked the wards we set up around the castle since we left for the summer holidays," Draco said.
The old wizard waved a dismissing hand. "Do not worry Draco. I have checked them thoroughly and they are holding up quite well, I must say. Now, what I am worried the most is your training. Both yours and Harry's."
This got the attention of both boys and both leaned closer to listen more attentively.
"As you can remember from your experience last year, you two made remarkably well in your academics as well as in your personal training with me. But, I can clearly see that through those fine performances, you two are under very heavy pressure."
"Not entirely professor," Harry said. "Not to sound too proud sir, but all of our exams include only the most basic of magic. Magic that Draco and I can easily perform even without wands. I seriously doubt that we would have a very hard time."
"Ah, but you forget about the assignments your teachers always give you every after class, Harry. And most of your exams collide with your training schedule. Well, I have decided that since you two have already mastered more than what is necessary in the Hogwarts curriculum, both of you will be given freedom to sit in or cut class if you wish. But if you do cut class, the only reason is to train, is that clear? I do not want you two wasting precious time."
Both boys nodded.
"Okay, you may leave."
And, as both boys were about to leave the room, he added, "There is a room on the third floor corridor that will be off limits to everyone except to the two of you. It's concealed in the wall. But it will open once you touch it. You can go there anytime you want. Oh, and if you don't want to rouse any suspicion, better use that invisibility charm I taught you last year. And, if someone gets too nosy, a simple memory charm will be able to get them off your tail," he added, with a twinkle in his eye.
Both boys gave a curt nod and exited the room.
As soon as they were outside, both boys Apparated to the third floor corridor. Most of the students were already in their House common rooms, so there wasn't anyone on the third floor.
Not speaking a word at all, they looked at the huge blank wall before them and both boys touched it. Almost at once, the wall opened up to reveal a passageway.
Still in silence, both boys entered it. And, well, needless to say, it took their breath away.
The passageway disappeared once again and both boys finally found their voices.
"Is this really happening Harry?" asked an incredulous Draco as both of them dropped on the soft cushions of the couch in the center of the living room. "1st it was the personal training last year, then the permission to use magic, then the unlimited access to the whole school ground, then we can cut class, and now we have a whole room all to ourselves?!"
"Not to mention that he actually gave us permission to cast spells on out fellow students," added Harry, also incredulous.
Draco shook his head, trying to clear it. "And look at this room Harry, I can barely call this a room, and it almost rivals that of my own home."
True enough, the room extravagantly set up. There was a very comfortable couch on the center of the living room. And in front of it is a fireplace, the fire positively there because of a charm. Above the fireplace was a giant painting of a lion and a snake, peaceful and showing no hostility to the other. It looked like a House common room, except that unlike the common room, only both boys were allowed here.
"That's how Slytherins and Gryffindors should act with each other," Harry said softly, indicating the painting.
Draco nodded and then both boys took to the task of exploring their new little "home".
There were two bedrooms on both sides of the living room, one was in red (had red cushions, red linens, etc, you get the picture^^) and the other was in green(had green linens, etc). Obviously, one was for Draco and the other was for Harry. Both rooms had their own bathrooms. Both rooms also had access to three other rooms, the library or the study room, the dining room and the "dueling room" as they had so nicely named it. The third room was a very big and barely had any furniture in it. Obviously, Prof. Dumbledore put it there for both boys' training usage, it was well warded so that it would hold even after being bombarded with hundreds of spells and curses and nobody from the outside will be able to sense any magical activity within that particular room.
"Are you still going back to your Common Room?" Draco asked Harry, after they had finished touring the place.
Harry shook his head. "No. What about you?"
"Nope," Draco replied. "Okay then. Goodnight?"
"Goodnight. Let's do some more exploring tomorrow. I'm too tired to move."
"No complaints here," Draco said.
And with that, both boys disappeared into his own bedroom and effortlessly Apparated their things into their new and more comfortable bedrooms.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's note
What do you think? Please review this and tell me what you think about it. The plot is not yet presented in its entirety and there are still a few other "holes" I have to fill in about Harry and Draco's friendship during the next few chapters. The more review I get, the more I will write, so if you want to see this finished, you know what to do ^^.
And a thousand thanks to those who reviewed. I love you guys ^^
