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Chapter Five: Back to School
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Just over a week later from their talk in the library, Draco Malfoy sat alone in his private dorm room. Today the students returned to Hogwarts. From this day forwards he couldn't just see Harry because he wanted too. It was back to behaving like before, well almost. They were going to attempt to be friends, and he had promised to be civil to Weasley and not to refer to Granger as "Mudblood" ever again unless he wanted to find himself out the door. He could live with comprise but now Harry's beloved friends had returned and they were once more the trio, where would he fit in Harry's life?
Groaning, Draco lay back on his bed sprawling out on the silver and green sheets. Soon Crabbe and Goyle would come and seek him out. They would be the first Death Eaters he had seen in a long time. Draco did not really want to face them; they unfortunately were his "friends" and probably the best access for information about his mother and about his father.
A fluttering at his window, forced Draco to sit up and stare at the white owl that knocked at the window asking for access. Reluctantly, he stood up and opened the window for the bird and glared at it with a look demanding to know why it had interrupted his peace and quiet.
It held a note up to him. And waited.
Draco took the letter and opened it. Who could be writing to him? No one but his father ever did. The hand that had written his name was no Malfoys; curious Draco quickly scanned the note.
Draco,
We both knew that our days were numbered until our classmates returned. When you stop sulking, come to the great hall for the feast. There is a door on the right of the entrance to the hall, wait there after the feast. I will join you there after the feast. I spelled it to only allow you and me into it. Dobby, one of your ex-house elves helped me do it. He said you use to be decent to him so he was willing to help.
Yours,
Harry.
Perhaps it would not be as terrible as Draco had imagined. But seeking about the castle to see Harry was going to be tricky. He would need some help with that, or a prop to help make it easier to accomplish. There was an item that could do it; very rare and expensive but it would be worth it. He would have to order it soon. Snatching up a piece of paper, Draco wrote a quick response to Harry and then gave it to the owl. "Take this to Harry Potter. I suppose he is your owner. Well go!"
The bird blinked at him and then flew off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Oh Harry!"
Harry barely saw the blur that was Hermione as she sped towards him and threw her arms about his neck and gave him a tight hug then threatened to squeeze all the breath out of his lungs. Ron was quick on her tail, giving Harry smile and saying. "All right, Harry?"
Harry just nodded as Hermione refused to let go. Ron merely laughed. Harry had received a letter from Ron earlier that week, when Hermione had come to stay at the Burrow in order to get ready for coming to school as her parents had been called abroad on business. Apparently the summer had been a busy time for them both, Ron had been pleased to announce in a typical male fashion he and Hermione were finally going out and their relationship had moved on quite rapidly from there. Personally, Harry had thought it about time. Ron and Hermione had been hitting on each for years and finally now realising they were perfect for each other.
"We are so glad your safe Harry," Hermione said as she released him. "When the Prophet reported on the attack on your aunt and uncle we couldn't believe it! I was so worried! No one knew where you were until Dumbledore told us at the Weasleys that he had secretly had you brought to Hogwarts."
Harry had completely forgotten to inform them off his whereabouts. He had been distracted a lot in the past week, because of a certain blond Slytherin but he was not going to tell Hermione that! Let alone Ron!
"That was the worrying news!" Ron exclaimed then added. "But the good news was that the Malfoys finally got they comeuppance! The whole Manor destroyed, reduced to ruins! The ministry are still looking for the Malfoy's though. Apparently they have vanished! And I didn't see Malfoy on the train so maybe we are rid of the prat!"
Just then Goyle and Crabbe wandered passed throwing dirty looks at Ron, who in turn glared back at them. Great start to the term, Harry thought. Last than an hour into being back Ron was already on the back of Malfoy, so much for the hope for acceptance in the change of their relationship. Relationship? Where had that come from? Ok, so Draco had kissed him a few times, whispered wicked thoughts to him and acted like a decent enough guy, it did not mean they had a relationship. He would have to watch out for that trip still. Otherwise he would fall in love with Malfoy.
"Something is different about you Harry." Hermione said softly looking deeply into Harry's eyes. "Something has changed."
Trust Hermione to hit it on the head, Harry decided then and there he would confide in Hermione about his problems. "I will explain later," he whispered in Hermione's ear.
Ron who had been watching the Slytherin disappeared off towards the castle. Suddenly decided to join the conversation. "Of course he had changed, Hermione! If you have noticed Harry towers over his both! You shot up over the holidays mate!"
"You have grown Harry, and filled out a bit." Hermione said examining Harry up and down.
"The warning worked. The feed me decent proportions, though I still had to work like a slave, but I am not complaining. I got some muscles." Harry said with a smile to Hermione.
"Your going to have all the girl drooling, Harry." Hermione said hugging her arms around Harry's waist. "What happened to your cousin?"
"He is here."
Ron groaned as Harry spoke. Ron disliked Dudley more than Harry did. Over the past week, Harry had ignored Dudley in favour of Draco. Dudley had apparently been sent to the hospital wing by Professor McGonagall who thought it was time he got into shape and as punishment for upsetting Filch and a dozen or so portraits and a couple of ghosts by walking right through them he would be helping the house elves with certain duties around the castle and Filch would supervise him when he helped Filch with his duties. Snape had also been brewing some potion for Dudley. For what end, no one knew.
"That pompous ass of a cousin is here!" Ron groaned. "I suppose I should be glad Malfoy isn't. Malfoy!"
Spinning around, Harry found himself looking a smiling Draco. A wicked gleam sparkling in Draco's silvery eyes that promised trouble. Crabbe and Goyle weren't about. Draco had obviously gotten his note. Harry only hoped he would not stir things up. Please Draco, Harry begged with his eyes. Draco arched an eyebrow at Harry and walked up to him and stopped about a pace away from Harry to look at him.
Harry felt Hermione release him and regard Draco. Draco had grown during the summer, both of them were about six feet tall, as well as lean but muscular. Hermione noticed the look that was exchanged by Harry and Draco and in one got it that both of them had been here since that fateful day and that this was the change in Harry. Draco Malfoy had somehow changed too. Hermione decided she would get to the bottom of it, later.
"Weasley." Draco greeted Ron as he turned his attention from Harry. "What were you saying? Glad Malfoy isn't here? Where else would I be?"
"Dead!" Ron spat his face turning red. "Or at the side of your master!" The colour drained from Draco's face. Harry instantly acted, disengaging Hermione from him and closing the gap between him and Draco. He grasped Draco's shoulder and squeezed it comfortingly, surprising both Hermione and Ron; Ron's mouth hung by his feet, whilst Hermione just raised her eyebrows.
"What on earth is going on Harry?" Ron demanded as he recovered.
"Draco arrived here before I did with Dudley," Harry explained turning to face Ron and Hermione. "Voldermort attacked the Malfoys first then me. Draco hasn't heard anything Ron. Dumbledore has told us nothing."
It was Hermione who responded to Harry. Sadness filled her eyes as she reached out and grasped Draco's hand in a comforting gesture. Relief filled Harry, as Draco allowed Hermione to offer him comfort. He had been half afraid Draco would pull back, forgetting his promise to treat Hermione with respect. Draco's response though made Harry happy. Glad that maybe they could all be friends.
"I am so sorry, Draco." Hermione said softly. "It must be difficult for you. All I know is that your home was left in ruins; the ministry is reported to still be looking for you and your mother. Of course your father remains in Azkaban."
"Thank you," Draco said his voice husky with emotion. "I suspected something like that had happened. Thank you Hermione for putting it straight, can I call you Hermione. Granger seems unfriendly."
"What the bloody hell is going on?" Ron demanded storming up to them. "First Draco is being nice to Hermione and acting like the past five years haven't happened!"
Harry began to say something but Draco silenced him. "You're right Weasley. The past five years can't be forgotten. But Harry and I have sort of buried the past. We are friends of a kind, and well I am trying to turn over a new leaf. So would you like to let sleeping dogs lie and start over? I can promise to be nice, and control Crabbe and Goyle. Not promising about Snape but I can try to get him to lay off in Potion's class."
Harry could see the wheels turn in Ron's mind. Getting Snape off his back in Potions would be probably worth being friends with Draco. Plus he would not upset Hermione anymore. That was the big bonus, Harry knew Ron was thinking as they would be no more "Mudblood" comments flying about. The school would probably breath a sign of relief no more flying curses in the hallways.
"All right," Ron grumbled. "But don't think you can call me Ron, Malfoy. I still don't like you and I am not about to trust you. But if your friends with Harry, I can put up with you and maybe if you prove yourself to me I might begin to like you a tiny bit but don't push your luck."
"Wouldn't dream of it Weasley," Draco beamed. "Oh and I think you make a better Weasley than a Crabbe. Or were you Goyle?"
"Why you!" Ron growled as he lunged.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lucius Malfoy gladly twisted the ring that had been returned to him along with his other possessions. Before him lay a map of Britain. He had just found out what he assumed was Draco's location. Narcissa had been clever in the fact she had given Draco her enchanted locket. It was comforting to know where his son was, when he had signed the papers Fudge had gave him, he had disbelieved his claim he knew were Draco was. Dumbledore, despite being an old fool did not trust Fudge. It made Lucius feel better that Draco's location was hidden, but how long would it remain so.
Chapter Five: Back to School
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Just over a week later from their talk in the library, Draco Malfoy sat alone in his private dorm room. Today the students returned to Hogwarts. From this day forwards he couldn't just see Harry because he wanted too. It was back to behaving like before, well almost. They were going to attempt to be friends, and he had promised to be civil to Weasley and not to refer to Granger as "Mudblood" ever again unless he wanted to find himself out the door. He could live with comprise but now Harry's beloved friends had returned and they were once more the trio, where would he fit in Harry's life?
Groaning, Draco lay back on his bed sprawling out on the silver and green sheets. Soon Crabbe and Goyle would come and seek him out. They would be the first Death Eaters he had seen in a long time. Draco did not really want to face them; they unfortunately were his "friends" and probably the best access for information about his mother and about his father.
A fluttering at his window, forced Draco to sit up and stare at the white owl that knocked at the window asking for access. Reluctantly, he stood up and opened the window for the bird and glared at it with a look demanding to know why it had interrupted his peace and quiet.
It held a note up to him. And waited.
Draco took the letter and opened it. Who could be writing to him? No one but his father ever did. The hand that had written his name was no Malfoys; curious Draco quickly scanned the note.
Draco,
We both knew that our days were numbered until our classmates returned. When you stop sulking, come to the great hall for the feast. There is a door on the right of the entrance to the hall, wait there after the feast. I will join you there after the feast. I spelled it to only allow you and me into it. Dobby, one of your ex-house elves helped me do it. He said you use to be decent to him so he was willing to help.
Yours,
Harry.
Perhaps it would not be as terrible as Draco had imagined. But seeking about the castle to see Harry was going to be tricky. He would need some help with that, or a prop to help make it easier to accomplish. There was an item that could do it; very rare and expensive but it would be worth it. He would have to order it soon. Snatching up a piece of paper, Draco wrote a quick response to Harry and then gave it to the owl. "Take this to Harry Potter. I suppose he is your owner. Well go!"
The bird blinked at him and then flew off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Oh Harry!"
Harry barely saw the blur that was Hermione as she sped towards him and threw her arms about his neck and gave him a tight hug then threatened to squeeze all the breath out of his lungs. Ron was quick on her tail, giving Harry smile and saying. "All right, Harry?"
Harry just nodded as Hermione refused to let go. Ron merely laughed. Harry had received a letter from Ron earlier that week, when Hermione had come to stay at the Burrow in order to get ready for coming to school as her parents had been called abroad on business. Apparently the summer had been a busy time for them both, Ron had been pleased to announce in a typical male fashion he and Hermione were finally going out and their relationship had moved on quite rapidly from there. Personally, Harry had thought it about time. Ron and Hermione had been hitting on each for years and finally now realising they were perfect for each other.
"We are so glad your safe Harry," Hermione said as she released him. "When the Prophet reported on the attack on your aunt and uncle we couldn't believe it! I was so worried! No one knew where you were until Dumbledore told us at the Weasleys that he had secretly had you brought to Hogwarts."
Harry had completely forgotten to inform them off his whereabouts. He had been distracted a lot in the past week, because of a certain blond Slytherin but he was not going to tell Hermione that! Let alone Ron!
"That was the worrying news!" Ron exclaimed then added. "But the good news was that the Malfoys finally got they comeuppance! The whole Manor destroyed, reduced to ruins! The ministry are still looking for the Malfoy's though. Apparently they have vanished! And I didn't see Malfoy on the train so maybe we are rid of the prat!"
Just then Goyle and Crabbe wandered passed throwing dirty looks at Ron, who in turn glared back at them. Great start to the term, Harry thought. Last than an hour into being back Ron was already on the back of Malfoy, so much for the hope for acceptance in the change of their relationship. Relationship? Where had that come from? Ok, so Draco had kissed him a few times, whispered wicked thoughts to him and acted like a decent enough guy, it did not mean they had a relationship. He would have to watch out for that trip still. Otherwise he would fall in love with Malfoy.
"Something is different about you Harry." Hermione said softly looking deeply into Harry's eyes. "Something has changed."
Trust Hermione to hit it on the head, Harry decided then and there he would confide in Hermione about his problems. "I will explain later," he whispered in Hermione's ear.
Ron who had been watching the Slytherin disappeared off towards the castle. Suddenly decided to join the conversation. "Of course he had changed, Hermione! If you have noticed Harry towers over his both! You shot up over the holidays mate!"
"You have grown Harry, and filled out a bit." Hermione said examining Harry up and down.
"The warning worked. The feed me decent proportions, though I still had to work like a slave, but I am not complaining. I got some muscles." Harry said with a smile to Hermione.
"Your going to have all the girl drooling, Harry." Hermione said hugging her arms around Harry's waist. "What happened to your cousin?"
"He is here."
Ron groaned as Harry spoke. Ron disliked Dudley more than Harry did. Over the past week, Harry had ignored Dudley in favour of Draco. Dudley had apparently been sent to the hospital wing by Professor McGonagall who thought it was time he got into shape and as punishment for upsetting Filch and a dozen or so portraits and a couple of ghosts by walking right through them he would be helping the house elves with certain duties around the castle and Filch would supervise him when he helped Filch with his duties. Snape had also been brewing some potion for Dudley. For what end, no one knew.
"That pompous ass of a cousin is here!" Ron groaned. "I suppose I should be glad Malfoy isn't. Malfoy!"
Spinning around, Harry found himself looking a smiling Draco. A wicked gleam sparkling in Draco's silvery eyes that promised trouble. Crabbe and Goyle weren't about. Draco had obviously gotten his note. Harry only hoped he would not stir things up. Please Draco, Harry begged with his eyes. Draco arched an eyebrow at Harry and walked up to him and stopped about a pace away from Harry to look at him.
Harry felt Hermione release him and regard Draco. Draco had grown during the summer, both of them were about six feet tall, as well as lean but muscular. Hermione noticed the look that was exchanged by Harry and Draco and in one got it that both of them had been here since that fateful day and that this was the change in Harry. Draco Malfoy had somehow changed too. Hermione decided she would get to the bottom of it, later.
"Weasley." Draco greeted Ron as he turned his attention from Harry. "What were you saying? Glad Malfoy isn't here? Where else would I be?"
"Dead!" Ron spat his face turning red. "Or at the side of your master!" The colour drained from Draco's face. Harry instantly acted, disengaging Hermione from him and closing the gap between him and Draco. He grasped Draco's shoulder and squeezed it comfortingly, surprising both Hermione and Ron; Ron's mouth hung by his feet, whilst Hermione just raised her eyebrows.
"What on earth is going on Harry?" Ron demanded as he recovered.
"Draco arrived here before I did with Dudley," Harry explained turning to face Ron and Hermione. "Voldermort attacked the Malfoys first then me. Draco hasn't heard anything Ron. Dumbledore has told us nothing."
It was Hermione who responded to Harry. Sadness filled her eyes as she reached out and grasped Draco's hand in a comforting gesture. Relief filled Harry, as Draco allowed Hermione to offer him comfort. He had been half afraid Draco would pull back, forgetting his promise to treat Hermione with respect. Draco's response though made Harry happy. Glad that maybe they could all be friends.
"I am so sorry, Draco." Hermione said softly. "It must be difficult for you. All I know is that your home was left in ruins; the ministry is reported to still be looking for you and your mother. Of course your father remains in Azkaban."
"Thank you," Draco said his voice husky with emotion. "I suspected something like that had happened. Thank you Hermione for putting it straight, can I call you Hermione. Granger seems unfriendly."
"What the bloody hell is going on?" Ron demanded storming up to them. "First Draco is being nice to Hermione and acting like the past five years haven't happened!"
Harry began to say something but Draco silenced him. "You're right Weasley. The past five years can't be forgotten. But Harry and I have sort of buried the past. We are friends of a kind, and well I am trying to turn over a new leaf. So would you like to let sleeping dogs lie and start over? I can promise to be nice, and control Crabbe and Goyle. Not promising about Snape but I can try to get him to lay off in Potion's class."
Harry could see the wheels turn in Ron's mind. Getting Snape off his back in Potions would be probably worth being friends with Draco. Plus he would not upset Hermione anymore. That was the big bonus, Harry knew Ron was thinking as they would be no more "Mudblood" comments flying about. The school would probably breath a sign of relief no more flying curses in the hallways.
"All right," Ron grumbled. "But don't think you can call me Ron, Malfoy. I still don't like you and I am not about to trust you. But if your friends with Harry, I can put up with you and maybe if you prove yourself to me I might begin to like you a tiny bit but don't push your luck."
"Wouldn't dream of it Weasley," Draco beamed. "Oh and I think you make a better Weasley than a Crabbe. Or were you Goyle?"
"Why you!" Ron growled as he lunged.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lucius Malfoy gladly twisted the ring that had been returned to him along with his other possessions. Before him lay a map of Britain. He had just found out what he assumed was Draco's location. Narcissa had been clever in the fact she had given Draco her enchanted locket. It was comforting to know where his son was, when he had signed the papers Fudge had gave him, he had disbelieved his claim he knew were Draco was. Dumbledore, despite being an old fool did not trust Fudge. It made Lucius feel better that Draco's location was hidden, but how long would it remain so.