Notes: Thanks to my lovely beta, I got this chapter done rather fast. ^_^ Expect quick updates on this story, as I'm really getting into it. Though it might be a few days before the next chapter- I have to finish some other stuff first.

Chapter Two: The Situation

            "Ah, Mr. Malfoy… Mr. Potter." Professor Dumbledore beamed at the two boys over his spectacles, his fingers lacing themselves together. "I'm glad you both are still fully formed." His smile was rather overly bright in a way that reminded Harry frighteningly of the Weasley twins.

            Harry blinked. "Fully formed?" he asked, pushing his glasses farther up his nose. "I'm sorry, sir… I don't think I understand." He cast a glance towards Malfoy who sat rigidly in the seat next to his own. The other boy had not said a word on their whole trip to the Headmaster's office, and now he felt quite nervous. A bitching, snarling Malfoy he could handle. But a silent, mysterious one? Now that was scary.

            "Fully formed, Mr. Potter. I'm glad that neither of you is missing a limb or has been transfigured into something particularly ugly."

            Malfoy shot Harry a nasty glance. "That's all good and well Headmaster, but why exactly are we here?"

            "It has to do with Mr. Weasley's Wizard cold," Dumbledore explained, picking up a small purple flag and transforming it into a clay ball that he began to work with his fingers. "I am sure you know what a Wizard cold is, Mr. Malfoy." At the blond's nod, he turned to Harry. "However you, Mr. Potter- I don't think you are familiar with this particular… er… phenomenon."

            Harry nodded.

            "A Wizard cold is very similar to a Muggle cold. The only difference is that a Wizard cold is had by a wizard, and therefore interferes with his or her magic. For example, say I had a Wizard cold. I would sneeze, and something might explode or turn yellow." Dumbledore ignored Malfoy's muffled snort and continued. "The thing about Wizard colds is that when you are around another witch or wizard, the magic gets more destructive."

            "Why?" Harry asked without actually thinking it through.

            "Because there is more magic to mess with, Potter," spat Malfoy, glaring at his nemesis. "More wizards equals more magic equals more destruction. Think for once."

            Harry glared at Malfoy for a moment before turning back to Dumbledore. "So it was Ron who made Professor Snape's hair grow longer and glued us to our seats?"

            "Yes, and from what I heard from that esteemed professor, he also turned frogs' eyes into actual frogs, made the ceiling grow another six inches, turned his exam pink, and lit his own shoes on fire. But fortunately for all of you, Professor Snape was there to take care of it." The elderly wizard smiled genially. "Which brings us to why I asked you both here." He raised his eyebrows a little. "You are both staying over the winter holidays, am I correct?"

            "Yes," Harry replied, while Malfoy just nodded.

            "Very good. Well, this brings me to two little reasons that I will tell you before I inform you of my decision." There was a decidedly mischievous glint in his eyes.

Harry felt ill. 

"First of all- I cannot have you, Mr. Potter, returning to the Gryffindor boys' dorm room. It is extremely dangerous for you to be around Mr. Weasley right now, so you will have other sleeping quarters. The other boys of the dorm, I have heard, are going home this vacation so they will not need to be relocated as well. Your things will be moved from that room by Mr. Filch, as he will not interfere with the Wizards cold."

"Meaning he's a Squib," muttered Malfoy, his expression turning more and more sour by the minute.

Dumbledore pretended to ignore the blond. "Second of all, I believe that in these trying times it is best for all of us to work together. Therefore, I am a huge supporter of inter-house relationships. I love to see Gryffindors getting along with Hufflepuffs, Slytherins and Ravenclaws working together… that makes me happy. Right now the most animosity is between the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses. So that is why, Mr. Malfoy-" he turned his blue eyes to the Slytherin "you will be sharing your room with Mr. Potter for the duration of the winter holidays."

Harry felt his mouth drop open in surprise. Turning towards Malfoy, he saw that the other boy had gone white as a sheet. "Y…you… you have to be kidding," the blond stuttered, his eyes wide.

"No, Mr. Malfoy, I am not." The twinkle in Dumbledore's eye was dancing merrily. "I know you two don't always get along, but I would really like you to try making an effort. Just for this winter. Besides, if you two can do it, so can the rest of your houses." He gave them both a brilliant smile. "I will have Professor McGonagall bring your things to the Slytherin dorms for you, Mr. Potter. And Mr. Malfoy, I would appreciate it if you would show Mr. Potter to the dungeons."

Harry was in shock. He nodded dumbly and turned towards his new roommate. Malfoy was still quite pale, but there was a hint of anger that traveled over his face. Inwardly, the Gryffindor sighed. This was going to be the longest winter holiday he had ever experienced. At least there didn't seem to be any other Slytherin sixth years hanging around the place. That would have been utter hell. Malfoy was bad enough. But with Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle… it would have been nigh unbearable.

Malfoy stood, his robes dropping heavily around his ankles. Glaring at Harry, he turned and strode towards the door. Over his shoulder he called, "Move it, Potter" before stomping out.

Harry gave Dumbledore a despairing glance and then followed his companion for the next two and a half weeks. It was not hard for Harry to keep up with the other Seeker despite Malfoy's long strides, as he had grown a bit- the two of them now being of equal height. They walked in silence until they reached the entrance to the Slytherin dorms. Then, Malfoy, in an almost bored voice said, "Listen up, Potter. I am not going to tell you the password a second time." He shot a glare in Harry's direction.

"Fine," the dark haired Gryffindor replied, a little sulkily.

"Veritas," murmured the Slytherin, almost so low that his companion couldn't hear.

Harry inwardly growled. Malfoy was obviously trying his best to annoy the other boy. And he knew it wasn't going to stop here. Some of the things he was already expecting included short-sheeted beds (though it was debatable whether Malfoy would take the time for that), missing articles of clothing, skin dying soap in the shower, and toilet paper that melted when you touched it. After staying with the Weasley twins (not to mention Sirius and Remus) he had gotten used to these sorts of things. Though coming from Malfoy they would probably be worse.

Quickly, Harry scanned his own mind for ideas to annoy the blond back. None of the pranks he had thought of earlier would be good enough (except perhaps for the skin dying soap). He had to do something really nasty to the little self-satisfied git. Something that would really make him mad. Something…

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall appeared in the hallway behind the two boys. "Mr. Potter! Here are your things. Perform an engorgement charm on them as soon as you get them where you would like." She held out a handful of what appeared to be Harry's very tiny belongings. "And you, Mr. Malfoy," she turned her piercing glare on him "behave decently to Mr. Potter or I'll take so many points off that your House will kick you out." And without waiting for a reply, she strode off down the hall.

"Bloody do-good Gryffindors," muttered Malfoy under his breath.

And it was then that Harry realized what the best revenge would be.

He would be the friendliest, perkiest, and ultimately most annoying new 'friend' that Malfoy would ever have. He would do nice things for Malfoy and never complain- even if the soap turned his skin green. He would open doors, smile all the time, and be the first to wake up in the morning. It was the perfect plan. So long as Harry could hold on to his sanity while doing these things, nothing could go wrong. He laughed softly to himself.

"What are you laughing about, Potter?" snapped Malfoy, who had already begun ascending the short set of stairs that led, presumably, to the bedchambers. "You think designer décor is funny?"

"No, sorry, Draco."

Malfoy stopped cold. Harry could only see his back, but wished to heaven that he could see what the other boy's face looked like. When the blond spoke, his voice was terse. "What did you just say?"

"I said I'm sorry." Harry nearly burst out laughing.

"No, I mean what did you call me?"

"Draco. That is your name, isn't it?"

"Stick to Malfoy, Potter," snarled the Slytherin, turning on him. "Unless you want to find yourself waking up to a bed full of snakes."

Harry laughed out loud and pointed to himself, uttering one word. "Parsletongue."

Throwing his hands in the air in disgust, Malfoy turned back around. "What did I ever do to deserve him?!" he asked no one angrily.

Harry laughed again, more quietly this time and closed his hand more tightly around his belongings. Fortunately, the other boy had not seen fit to slap the tiny trunk and robes out of his fist. That could have been disastrous, particularly considering that he wasn't sure if he had sealed all the Potions vials hidden away among his clothing.

Malfoy flung open the door to the bed chamber and stomped inside. But he stopped short, nearly causing Harry to run into him. The dark haired boy peered over his new roommate's shoulder and nearly gasped himself.

The room had been completely altered from the simple but elegant dim state that it had been graced with before. Now it was rather garish in a festive Christmas sort of way. Green holly and evergreens had been coupled with red ribbons and holly and were strung about the room. Off in a corner, a fair sized fir tree decked in multicolored lights, glass balls and fake snow made itself comfortable. There were two beds in the room, both double the size of the regulation Hogwarts bed. One had green covers with silver trim and the other was red with gold trim. Instead of the usual heating globe at the center of the room there was now a false fire that gave off real heat but did not burn. And, to Malfoy's apparent shock, there was also a thick beige carpet underfoot.

Both boys looked at each other in dismay.

To be continued

Thank you to all my reviewers! Venus Princess your magic must be working, eh? Lady Caetlyn- you know I love you for your betawork! *hug hug!* Razberry- yeah, actually Ron was supposed to go home, but he would cause more havoc in the smaller Weasley household. And most of the other Gryffs have gone home. I think Parvati and Hermione are staying, though. Eh, well… I'll address that later. ^_^