Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Everything belongs to J.K.R and WB and whoever is involved with the editing + publishing + distributing of the books.

Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Draco/Hermione, Ron/OC

Rating: R (for future)

Setting: Story starts summer before 6th year.

~*~*~*~

That very night, the Veritaserum was administered to Draco in Dumbledore's office.  Besides Draco, only Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape were there.  Draco's suspicions about Snape spying for Dumbledore was confirmed and Snape was surprised to know that Draco is offering to do the same thing.  After the effects of the Veritaserum wore off, Draco had no idea what he had said, but from the looks on Dumbledore's and Snape's faces, he had been approved.

"Its best that you stay out of this, Draco." Snape advised.

"He killed my father."

"He killed many people, directly or indirectly.  I didn't see you gallivanting off to avenge them."

"They are none of my concern." Draco stated.

"Yet, the death of your father is enough to make you switch sides?  A little cold isn't it?"

"I'm a Slytherin, sir, as are you."

Snape fell silent after that.  Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Draco, as pleased as I am that another promising youth has join our side, I must remind you that the desire for revenge can be a good thing if utilized properly but if you allow this desire to embitter your heart, it will lead to dire consequences.  I've seen many who had fallen prey to a life of bitterness and emptiness."

Draco didn't respond.

"Do you understand me, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes, sir."

"Stay here while I send for Harry."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry scrawled out the last word for a Charms essay in a flourish, relieved that the assignment is done.  Slamming the book shut, he took off his glasses, stood up and stretched, his muscles aching after 2 hours of work.  Ron looked up enviously from his parchment and yawned.  "I still need 6 more inches till I'm done.  Do you think Flitwick will notice if I wrote a little bigger?"

"Yes he will, Ronald Weasley.  Professor Flitwick is short, not stupid.  If you had listened to me and did this last night, you would not be in this predicament. Keep on writing." Hermione remarked from her place across from Ron, not once looking up from the numerous thick books opened up around her and her parchments, where she was feverishly writing out her extra assignment from Snape.

Ron rolled his eyes and made a face at Hermione.

Hermione looked up something from one of the books and resumed writing.  "I saw that."

"Aww, 'Mione, at least look at me when you want to scold me."

Hermione chuckled and threw a leg from a leftover Chocolate Frog at Ron, who caught it gratefully and shoved it into his mouth.

Harry smiled, enjoying the presence of his two best friends.  They were sitting in front of the fireplace in the common room.  Since it was quite late, all the other Gryffindors had gone up to bed.  He sat back to relax into the squashy armchair and tried to clear his mind of all thoughts.  As he concentrated on the crackling of the fire, he drifted off.  The next thing he knew, Ron was asking him a question.

"Harry. Wakie-Up!"

"Hmm…what?" he murmured, slowly opening his eyes and looked at a slightly blurred image of Ron.  Realizing that he still had his glasses on the table, he decided not to put them on yet.  He found them annoying, and had always wished for contacts, but never voiced this to the Dursleys.

Ron paused in his writing and looked up at Harry. "Did you apologize to Ginny yet?"

"Oh. Erm…" Harry suddenly felt queasy and shook his head.

Ron grinned. "Be afraid, Harry. Be very afraid.  Ginny is like a Howler. The longer you avoid it, the bigger the boom."

Harry stared at Ron for a moment then gulped.

Hermione laughed softly and reassured Harry. "Just be sincere, Harry.  Nothing works better than that.  I doubt she can stay mad at you for a very long time."

Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"

Hermione just smiled and went back to her essay.  Harry could hear her muttering under her breath and he caught the words "boys" and "dense"

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Harry squinted towards the windows, where the sound was coming from but gave up with a sigh.  Putting his glasses back on, he walked over and realized it was an owl.  Letting the owl in, he untied the letter from its leg.  The owl hooted and took off.

Harry,

Please come to my office at once.  Professor Snape will be at the gargoyle, awaiting your arrival.  Keep this note with you incase a teacher or Mr. Filch delays you.

Professor Dumbledore

Harry pocketed the letter and frowned.  What could Dumbledore possibly want to talk to him about this late into the night?

"What was that Harry?" He turned around and shrugged at Ron. 

"Dumbledore wants me in his office right now.  Don't wait up."

Hermione frowned.  "We'll be right here, waiting for you to come back."

Harry gave her a small smile and left through the portrait hole.