The Second War, the First Love

Chapter 1

Author : Cornette

Disclaimer :JK Rowling, Woohooo!

Spoiler : Book Five

`You can go to your usual room, Harry, dear.` suggested Mrs. Weasley cheerfully. `Dinner`ll be ready soon.`

`Yes, Mrs. Weasley.` replied Harry, with mutual cheerfulness as he dragged his trunks and Hedwig`s cage upstairs. Although Grimmauld Place no 12 clean and tidy now, it still feel empty, neglected more than ever.

Harry continued his steps, wondering how Hermione and Ron will react when they saw him. Because he didn`t send them letter or such. It feels good, though, went back to his friends after only two weeks in the Dursley.

Harry stopped in front of the room that Ron stayed. Without bothering to knock –he heard someone pacing inside- Harry pushed the door open. He froze instantly. For in the very room exist a person Harry loathed most, Draco Malfoy.

`What are you doing here?`muttered Harry, dumbstruck. Malfoy, who hold several clothes in his hand smirked humorlessly.

`Same question to you, Potter.` answered malfoy, his silvery hair looked striking in the dim room. He walked and pick a few clothes more very calmly so that Harry`s mouth fell.

`Harry! Welcome!` yelled Hermione and Ron, breathlessly from behind him. They were both pink in the cheeks and out of breath, clearly they had been running upstair. Hermione attacked him with her hugs while Ron rumpled his hair fondly.

`Come on, Harry! We`ve got loads to tell yo – Malfoy.` Ron`s happy talk cut into deep growl as he noticed Malfoy.

An unwanted surge of relief warmed Harry`s inside. He thought he had just seen a hallucination. But Ron saw him too, and it means Draco Malfoy here was real. How come Lucius Malfoy`s son, a future Death Eater, their arch enemy, stood here where Harry supposed to sleep and, above all, the secret Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix?

`Don't cry, Weasley. You can sleep with Potter if you wish. I`d move to other room now.`sneer Malfoy irritatingly. At the moment he said `now` he passed them three, clothes piled in his hands.

`Wha-?`Harry managed to mutter after he came back from shocked state. Hermione sighed as she glanced sideways at fuming Ron.

`He had a bad time, okay? He run from his house to found Dumbledore, who took him here. Malfoy joined the Order of the Phoenix –no, Harry, just him- and Dumbledore insisted us to be good to Malfoy.` said Hermione quickly. Harry gasped at this loudly.

`WHAT!! He joined the Order? Malfoy? He could be a spy, and killed us all!` cried Harry in disbelief.

`Yes, we knew. But it was Dumbledore…` Hermione hung the words, and Ron snorted.

`He works with the adults, Harry! They let him in! The worst part is Mum forced me to share my bedroom with him. I am sick with his smug face! And I have to be alert anytime! You ought to know, Hermione, I bring my wand to bed every night! I get goosebumps all over me! SEE! He`ll curse me if he has a chance! I KNEW!` yelled Ron, frantic.

Hermione managed to surpress her laugh into a small smile, but Harry couldn`t help laughing.

`Go on, then, laugh!` snapped Ron, furious.

`Sorry, Ron. It`ll be my worst nightmare too, sharing a room with Draco Malfoy. Imagine his pointed face near you all night! Well…urm…however, Ron, since Dumbledore let him in, I don`t think we could change anything` said Harry, thoughtfully.

`Oh, Harry…` whispered Hermione dreamily, looking up with awe. Harry cocked a surprised eyebrow at this. Hermione dashed downstair quickly before Harry could asked anything.

* * *

Harry`s spirit lifted itself for the next few days. With so many friends around, and the usual busy aura in the Order, he was quite content. There were so many people now, went in and out in Hurry. The old gang, Lupin, the Weasleys, Tonks, Dung, Mad-Eye stayed for some lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, The Weasley Dinamic Duo –Fred and George- was very busy with their job nowadays they stayed only in the night.

Even Prof Dumbledore, once in a blue moon turned up, once again looking merry. He gave orders and helps to his fellow members. Then he`ll spoke to Harry privately before giving him Occlumency Lesson ( which Harry mastered by now). After that, under all their noses, he vanished. Still, Harry caught the idea that however short Dumbledore visit was, the atmosphere will be fine again.

Harry spend most of his time talking to Harry and Hermione. For Fred and George was in their shops and come to the Grimmauld Place late at night. But Harry got packages almost everyday, labelled `Newest Invention from Weasley Shops`. Contained innocent looking sweets, several toys, and potions, signed by `Fred and George Weasley`. Hermione kept saying that it was all dangerous, although a big `Edible` writing was there in every packages. Harry appreciated it all, so he save them in his trunks.

But, when Harry traced the dark house alone, or feeding Buckbeak, memories of Sirius kept hitting him.He swallowed the truth raw and fresh, and it pained all over him. Harry couldn`t help stayed for long time in Sirius`s Room, for hours sat waiting. Or strolled in the dim corridor, in the living room, and he kept glancing at the tapestry of Black family.

Harry knew he was acting very stupid, idiotic. Somehow he still hoped Sirius`ll pop from nowhere, noticed Harry and they`ll chat together again. When the thought wavered, he felt sick and sorry. Harry promised Lupin not to think about that again.

It was Lupin who got knocked down. He was silent and white-faced for days. Then suddenly got sick. The whole house went panic as Lupin`s illness grew worse everyday. It wasn`t even full moon, and he looked more and more thin and tired. Nobody understand what`s his sickness. He got bad fever, couldn`t eat, and at some point couldn`t even woke up.

When they were about to take him to St Mungo`s (Mrs Weasley and Hermione cried), Dumbldore came. He was very worried when he saw Lupin. But it was Dumbledore! He gave a few drops of blue liquid into Lupin`s mouth and ordered them to take care of him in shift. `Do not leave him alone.`. Nobody dared to ask why, but they were all relieved because Lupin seemed to getting better very slowly.

It was Harry`s turn when he heard Lupin mumbled and rolled unconciously. Harry caught something like `Padfoot…Prongs`. He was sweating yet very pale. Harry knew how it felt. It must be hard, two of his best friend died, one be came a traitor, thought Harry grimly.

Only when Lupin woke up in the morning, then saw Harry, he gasped as if he saw a ghost. Harry swore Lupin mouthed `James` in wonder before blinked. He was the calm Lupin again.He made Harry swore afterward, to be strong, to forget all of the worst memory about Sirius and remmember the happy ones.

The only annoyance in this peaceful time was Malfoy. To Harry and Ron`s fury, everybody seemed to like him, especially Mrs Weasley. Harry, Ron and the twins just couldn`t make themselves spoke to that git. Mostly Ginny, like Bill too, ignored him. It was Hermione who had the patience to have a small talk. Ron hated this attention, and tried to bring it once.

`I thought you didn`t like my mum, Malfoy.`said Ron coolly, with a hidden sarcastic tone. Malfoy looked a bit alarmed.

`Well, I`m wrong then. You gave me the wrong impression.`quipped Malfoy fast, before leaving Ron.

True, he worked with the Order. Dung told Harry that Malfoy was very useful because he could break the Dark Side codes, and could predict their movement well. Harry and Ron felt the same, they didn`t care. Malfoy smugness was unbearable. Once he found out that Harry and Ron were forbid to join The Order nor attend the meeting, he kept throwing them insulting looks. Harry had to admit, however, Malfoy`s manner was perfect when he meant to. It made him ashamed everytime Malfoy helped somebody with the politest manner ever. Very bizzere, though.

* * *

`This`ll take forever, Harry!`moaned Ron, when they entered. A big Ballroom, in Grimmauld`s Place. Mrs Weasley forced them to cleaned the house all over again because it was dusty again now. Harry could see the fine marble floor and huge pillars –each curved with white serpent-, and the crystal chandeliers. The huge dome above him gave a spacious, elegant and lavish sense.

`Right on, Ron. This will take forever.`repeated Harry as he gazed at the far corners. He remembered something then turned to Ron. `Do you know any magic…`

`We`re not allowed.`replied Ron automatically. Harry was surprised, how could he forgot it ? Not after last years incident.

`Then let`s start.` suggested Harry darkly. He dragged the full bucket of water and a mop to one corner. Ron followed nearby.

`Boys! Need help?` asked a women, as she walked in the pillars with admiring glances, knocked several battered chair as she made her way toward them.

`Tonks! Hi!` greeted Ron, grinning. Orange haired Tonks in front of them beamed.

`I`ve been here before, you know? When I was just a kid. Mrs Black always throw a big ball here, full of superb food, music, and beautuiful people dancing here.` said Tonks animatedly, her face dreamy as she tiptoed around. Harry could imagine so.

`I was never allowed, though.`shrugged Tonks. Ron and Harry stare at her uneasily, they knew the relationship between Tonks mother and Black familiy wasn`t good. `Pity the house was empty for so long! Here, let me help you!` screeched Tonks, cheerfully. Ron and Harry exchange worried looks . With Tonks `help`, they had to double their work.

`Thanks, but-`

`Don't mind! I`m glad to help you!`shriek Tonks, excited, grabbing Ron`s mop and started to mop the floor wildly. Harry jumped back to avoid Tonks `mop attack`.

`TONKS!`shouted Mrs Weasley.

In surprise Tonks turned, her dirty mop slapped Ron right in the face. Ron blinked.

`Oh, Tonks, let them work. The others are waiting for you! Come, we have a meeting now!` called Mrs Weasley from the doorway.

`Okay, Mrs Weasley.` called Tonks back. She turned to Harry and Ron, oblivious to Ron`s wet face. `Sorry, Harry, Ron., I`ve got to go to the meeting. I`ll help you later, fine?`

`Oh, its okay if you`re busy, Tonks. Don`t push yourself.` said Ron quitely, with a fake smile. Harry waited until Tonks turned before burst out laughing.

SPLASH!

Harry was soaked in instant. Tonks had just kicked a bucket –full of water- with her high heeled shoes as she dashed outside.

Dripping and grumpy, they mopped the dusty floor. Harry was satisfied, tho, the marble floor sparkled beautifully. They had just finished when they heard someone shouting, then a bang with a shriek. They froze.

`Hermione!`

Both Harry and Ron gasped. They throw their mop then ran at their top speed. Harry kicked the door hastily, only to find an angry-looking Malfoy stood near a white-faced Hermione, who lay on the floor, shaking.

`Hermione!` shouted Ron as he rushed to Hermione`s side, helped her to sat.

`What are you doing to Hermione?` asked Ron, trembling lightly as his anger rose within him. Malfoy looked at Hermione, breathing rapidly.

`Nothing.` said Malfoy stiffly. Harry raised his wand.

`Answer .` demanded Harry coldly. This git! He wont let him made his friends life miserable anymore. Sirius had left this house for him, and for split second Harry wanted very much to kick Malfoy out. Malfoy himself, was still looking angrily at him.

`Quick! Or-`

`Harry! Don`t!`cried Hermione, speaking for the first time. Then Mrs Weasley hustled in, looking cheerful as usual. She stopped at the odd sight of them.

`What happen?`she asked. Harry felt numb. It was too late to lower his wand now. He didn`t want Mrs Weasley to be mad or upset again. The nasty silence filled the room. Harry hoped Hermione and Ron could say something, but they were as silent as he was.

`Hi, Mrs Weasley.`

A voice said brightly, it`s not Harry who spoke. He realized after seconds that the voice belong to Malfoy.

`We can`t handle a Boggart and P- Harry help us. We all know he is very outstanding in Defense Against the Dark Art.` said Malfoy, not forgetting to slip snide remark. Harry made a face as if that`s what happened.

`Oh, that's so kind of you, Harry, dear.`said Mrs Weasley fondly to Harry. They all breathed in relief when she went back downstair.

`I didn`t do anything. .` began Malfoy, turning to Ron and Hermione. `Coincident. It`s a wandless magic`

`Why don`t you get a grip of yourself!`said Ron furiously, stood up. Hermione moaned weakly.

`Tell her to mind her own business first.` retorted Malfoy nastily. Harry glared at him and Malfoy glared back with his grey eyes. He just wanted to curse this annoying boy in front of him. Made him vanish, forever, didn`t care if he went to Azkaban for that. Harry surpressed it with great effort.

________________________________________________________________________

`Come in!` answered someone . Feeling VERY stupid, Draco forced his foot stepped inside. The room that Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley stay looked quite girlish. They succeeded changing the room that Draco believed dirty and dim before to shine with a touch of pastels, flower and such here and there.

Hermione was sewing something that looked suspiciously like a blue sweater. She bent her head seriously while Draco grow more uneasy.

`Hey, Gin, where`s the other? Is Dinner ready?` asked Hermione, without even looking up.

`Eh-`

Hermione looked up and when he saw Draco her mouth fell into a perfect `O`. She stared for some times and then in the end blinked to conciousness. Draco was still standing awkwardly, his hands in the pocket. Hermione broke the silence at last.

`Oh…hi! I thought you were Ginny. What`s is it?` asked Hermione carefully. For a split second Draco considering to run, because his stomach gave a jolt that he didn`t knew what it mean.

`Nothing important.`said Draco, tried to be calm. He felt he was getting more nervous if he stood all of the times and glance at the peach sofa in front of the window. `Can I-?`

Hermione followed his gaze.

`Sure, sit down please.` said Hermione, waving her hands to the couch. Draco walked across the room then sat. As his body sank in the soft couch, his confidence rose.

`What are you doing Granger?` asked Draco, beating around the bush before talking to the point (that`s when he felt like it). Hermione stopped.

`You can call me Hermione.` she said, shrugged.

`….Hermione?`repeated Draco, correcting his previous words. They both blushed because it sounded real strange.

`I`m knitting. Mmmmm, a birthday present for Harry. I`d be thankful if you don`t tell anybody.`added Hermione quickly. Draco couldn`t help snorted.

`Why do everybody loves him very much? Because he is a great hero?`demanded Draco, his temper snapped unconciously. It`s enough for 5 year he got overshadowed by Potter`s popularity. Plus in this very Headquarters, Draco was fed up to saw how everybody adore Potter, gave the best ones (everything!) for Potter, when he didn`t do anything at all. Draco regreted his outburst. Hermione`s brown eyes filled with pity. Hermione shook her head in earnest.

`No, not because of that. Maybe a few people pity him. He – he didn`t have parents and will never have one. I, myself still can`t imagine how does it feel, grew for ten years alone and in the middle of that horrible family. But – but- I think every body take care of Harry becausehe is an ordinary boy – I mean usual in most of things. I think we all could see a bit of ourself in him. And Harry survived, only him from Voldemort. You see, he is like…our hope.`said Hermione wisely. Draco fell silent. After thinking –although he choose to kiss Snape to admit it- Draco felt that Hermione got the points.

`D`you know he had nightmares?`asked Draco after a long pause. Hermione stared in surprise then smiled.

`Well,you must knew it from meetings or someone else. Harry doesn`t get it like before, because of his Occlumency lessons. But, he said it was worse…always..about…Sirius.`said Hermione in a barely audible whisper. She bent her head and blinked several times.

`I never know that Black was Potter`s godfather.`said Draco truthfully.

`Hmmm…Harry, Harry was so fond of him.` said Hermione hoarsely, she let out funny noises and started rubbing her eyes. Draco wondered wheter Potter cried too, if what Hermione said was true. When Hermione looked up again, she didn`t cry, only her eyes were very red.

`Sorry. I`m stupid. Please don`t tell Harry or Ron.` said Hermione grimly, and Draco nodded. Of course he wont, Potter and Weasley will kill him straight away if they found out he enter Hermione`s room.

`I get nightmares, too.`said Malfoy, his voice louder then he meant too. Hermione frowned anxiously.

`Really? Do you feel okay? Tell me – oh, if you don`t mind- of course.` asked Hermione softly, watching him.

Warm feeling poured from Draco`s inside for this girl. It felt good to be trusted and worried. Surely the lucky brat Potter won`t let her go.

`I`m fine. But my dream`s quite annoying, always the same dream. I`m in the manor, then Father came. You know, he gave me Cruciatus Curse before I ran outside. It felt so real…the pain and the darkness outside. I ran, but I think it`s the dark way that stressed me. It was long, long, dark, without a clue about the end of it.` said Draco heavily, closed his eyes and shivered as he remembered the vivid memory of his dreams.

`Oh…`Hermione was lost for words in second. `I`m sure it felt scary.`said her symphateticly. Draco couldn`t stand seeing that kind of face and avoid Hermione`s gaze.

`Better than in real life.`said Draco lightly, try to joke. But the effect was bad, Hermione looked more sad.

`Do you mind telling me why you are here?` asked Hermione, pleaded. Draco was about to go, but he stayed his feet. Draco sighed.

`I don't know.`

`What?` asked Hermione, prexpeled. Draco watched the attic seriously.

`I really don`t know. For 15 years life in my family`s fine. I enjoy all the rules in the Malfoys. And then- then those people came with their hood in the Manor. Everything about Mudbl- ehm- Muggle-born and Dark Arts stuff wasn`t for fun anymore. There was a dislike feeling which never turned up before when I saw them killing people too easily.`Draco stopped. Long pained shrieks and jeering laughs filled his ears. Draco laughed humorlessly.

`Dislikeness, only that. I don`t know why I searched for Dumbledore and really don`t know why he brought me here. Really. Maybe he shouldn`t. What if my dislikeness gone and I go home with tons information about the Order?` asked Draco, more to himself. He was worried about it, scared.

`No way.` said Hermione coolly, although her face was white as the wall. `Dumbledore trusted you… I trust you.`

`Thanks.` said Draco suddenly, grinned at Hermione. The weigth that accumulated in his chest for almost 2 weeks got lighter. Hermione replied his smile shyly.

`How about you? You are not going home again?` asked Draco, wanted to keep the conversation light. Hermione laughed and the colour filled her face again.

`I suppose Mum and Dad getting bored at their daughter who never comes home. I was in home for 1 weeks in this year! I was worried about the Order and hurried back here.` explained Hermione, grinning.

`Your parents aren`t lonely?`asked Draco, who knew that Hermione was the only child too.

`Don't worry. My `lovely` cousin Jane made sure it won`t happen. Nice, girl, actually, only she tried too hard to get my parent`s attention. She has been staying in my house since last year. And believe me, it`s suck when you go home, and find somebody stay in your room.` said Hermione, cheerfully. Draco laughed at this.

`Kids, come down! Dinner is ready!` Mrs Weasley`s yell, echoed magically, almost like Hogwarts bell surprised them. Not long afterward they could heard noises of Fred and George coming down stair. Draco knew they were off today.

`Girls! Lets eat!` callled the twins as they continued downstairs, to the second landing. Draco waited until their footsteps gone before he looked straight at Hermione.

`Listen, this is why I talk to you. I`m sorry. About yesterday, I loose my temper, I didn`t mean to let out wandless magic.`said Draco quitely.

`Oh, forget it. It was my mistake too.`

`Not only that. Eh- those previous year. I know I could be a very irritating in some ways.` said Draco in honest. Hermione smiled kindly.

`Never mind. I`ve already forgave that long time ago.`said Hermione

When Draco went downstair for dinner while Hermione collected her threads and noodles, they were both amazed about how much they talked to each other.

To be continued….

This is another story from me! Special one, please, please review, I want to know do you like it or not! As usual, this is full of gramatical errors. Forgive me, okay! About the story, I think this`ll be long. So please, review! Oh, this set 2 weeks after the Order of Phoenix (I`m sure you have read it). There will be lot of conflict here, stay tune! Byeee!