Disclaimer: The usual…all characters copyright to j.k. rowling

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

Harry walked into the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning, late. He looked a mess to say the least. His emerald green eyes were lifeless and puffy behind the lenses of his glasses; his skin was pale, and his hair, though always untidy was messier than usual.

Last nights events had finally broken him down. He had cried for hours, his whole body racking with sobs as tears poured down his face. The pain and anger that was locked inside him finally being let out, leaving him empty, lonely and depressed with no one there to comfort him. Harry had managed to stumble back to his dorm room from the empty classroom he had been in, and collapsed into his bed closing his eyes and his mind to all his thoughts and feelings and drifting off into a restless sleep where all his fears were relived.

Looks of concern followed him as he sat down at the gryffindor table, except from the people on the Slytherin table who sniggered all except for one prominent blonde Slytherin who was watching Harry with an unreadable look on his face.

After pouring himself some juice, Harry helped himself to some egg and bacon. However, he found that just looking at it made him feel sick, so he ended up pushing it around his plate with his fork while staring intensely down at the table. The gryffindor table had gone more or less silent, nearly all of them were looking at Harry, shocked and concerned.

"You alright Harry?" Fred said, asking the question that was on the tip of everyone's tongue.

Harry looked up his eyes finally falling on Fred's face and gave what could have been mistaken as a nod. Though everyone could see this wasn't true they all turned back to their breakfasts and a more or less strained chatter broke out.

Was he alright? He knew Fred was being concerned, but did he look as if he was alright? He didn't feel too good at all; coming down to breakfast was obviously a huge mistake. All he wanted was peace, but it didn't look like he was going to get that, his head felt heavy and his eyes were aching him. Not to mention he had now lost his best friend, and Hermione would probably end up playing the messenger again. He expected she'd probably spend more time with Ron anyway, especially after the way they'd been looking at each other recently, so basically he had more or less lost them both, all over Malfoy.

This was the bit he found hard to grasp; he had lost his two best friends over his enemy. It was almost laughable. Only Malfoy wasn't his enemy anymore after they'd agreed on a truce. Harry had thought this was a good idea and had admired Malfoy for asking. Malfoy was almost likeable when he wasn't throwing cutting insults. He hadn't entirely forgiven him for the last four years, but he was happy that at least now he didn't have to worry about being harassed and annoyed by Malfoy because right now that wouldn't have been much help at all.

Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and could see the blonde boy eating his breakfast alone at the end of the table, the rest of the slytherins ignoring him. Malfoy, however, didn't seem to be the least bit bothered about this. Harry could see then that maybe Malfoy was changing, possibly for the better and maybe that's why he had trusted him because he didn't seem to want trouble anymore, he just wanted to get on with it. Harry was shaken from his thoughts when Draco looked up suddenly from his breakfast his grey eyes locking with Harry's green ones. An intense look passed between the two before Draco gave Harry a small smile and turned back to his meal.

Things were definitely changing, seeing Malfoy smiling at him was like watching pigs fly. There again seeing Malfoy smile rather than smirk was shock enough for anyone. Running a hand through his unruly black hair, Harry sighed and decided he might as well leave for lessons now, as he didn't want to be late again. Getting up from his seat he shot a glance up the table at Hermione and Ron, who at the moment seemed to be eating in silence. Ron had a stubborn look on his face and Hermione just looked frustrated. Not bothering to wonder why they also weren't speaking, Harry left the great hall and began to make his way down to the grounds for his Care of Magical Creatures lesson.

+++++++++++

Draco had known someone had been looking at him while he was eating his breakfast. He could feel their eyes burning into the side of his face; he had looked up and found that the person who had been staring at him was indeed Potter. He couldn't interpret the look Potter was giving him but he had stared back then smiled then looked away, unnerved by the intense look which had passed between them.

Having finished his breakfast, Draco stood up and exited the hall ready to make his way down to the grounds for his next lesson. As he was approaching, he could see that Potter was already there, muttering a quick hello, Draco proceeded to wait for the rest of the class to start the lesson. He didn't have long to wait. The rest of the gryffindors and slytherins came strolling down the grounds where Draco and Harry were waiting.

All the class were assembled, but their teacher, Hagrid, still hadn't appeared. Draco sighed impatiently, where was he? He could see Harry out of the corner of his eye, standing on his own lost in thought. Draco felt like strolling over to talk to him, after all he had nothing to lose by it, but he didn't want to cause any more problems for Harry, so he stayed where he was. The rest of his housemates were standing in a group, huddled together discussing something. Probably planning an attack on him, he thought to himself. He'd like to see them try it! He knew far more damaging spells and hexes than they did, he wasn't proud of this fact, but he would use them in his defence if needed. However, he'd probably be expelled if he retaliated, that would mean he'd be sent home to his father, he shuddered at the thought. What would if matter if they attacked him anyway, nobody would care, they probably wouldn't even spare a thought if he died.  Draco didn't blame them really, but at least he was making an effort to correct his mistakes.

Running a hand through his sleek blonde hair, he realised that Hagrid had arrived. About bloody time, he thought to himself.

"Right class just come and gather round by 'ere now." Hagrid told them all, beckoning them to gather round him.

Strolling over, Draco noticed the cage next to Hagrid. He couldn't see what was in it though. This was soon to be revealed.

"Today I though' maybe we could have a look at some o' these imps."

There were groans from all the people who knew about imps. Draco raised his eyes towards the sky, imps of all the things. They were annoying, little, dull coloured creatures, which went out of their way to annoy you, cackling and squeaking in the process.

"Right find yerself a partner now, and we'll start the lesson." Hagrid said.

Draco made no move to join the other slytherins; he just stayed where he was. He still managed to look proud even though he was standing alone, head held high, with a look that said 'I choose to stand alone'.

When everyone had paired off, only two people were left standing alone, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy.

"Well…err…seen as yeh two are the only people with ou' partners…" Hagrid said reluctant to pair them together, thinking they were still sworn enemies. However, seeing he had no choice he eventually paired them together. After that he released the imps, one between two. Hagrid never would have predicted the chaos these little creatures were going to cause. He thought they would be funny, expecting them to amuse the class.

Draco and Harry stared blankly at the imp before them, which was regarding them suspiciously.

"What exactly are we supposed to do with this thing? Any ideas, Potter?" Draco asked, glaring at the imp.

Harry, quite frankly, had absolutely no idea whatsoever what they were supposed to be doing with their imp. He didn't know anything about them, but they didn't seem to be very friendly.

"I have no idea…" Harry replied.

Draco had been expecting this answer. Nobody in the class seemed to know what they should be doing with the imp, most were just staring at the little creature and others were just carrying on with their own conversations. Feeling bored and slightly frustrated, Draco bent down so he was almost eye level with the imp and poked it. This was a huge mistake. The imp launched its self, shrieking onto Malfoy's head.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Malfoy shouted, standing up the imp clinging to his head. The creature pushed its tiny hands through Draco's hair, making it stick out in all directions. Harry couldn't help it he began to laugh. Everyone else would probably have joined in, however, they were currently having problems with their own imps, which were performing similar attacks on them. Chaos had erupted.

Harry didn't care what was happening with the rest of the class, he was too amused by the event which was taking place before him. Malfoy had now gripped the elf on top of his had and attempting to tug it off his head. Succeeding finally, the imp flew through the air and landed on the ground roughly twenty meters away.

"Thanks for the help, Potter. It was much appreciated." Draco said sarcastically to a grinning Harry.

Far from discouraged, the little imp came scuttling back over, leaped onto Draco's back and pulled his robes over his head. A muffled cry of rage came from beneath the fabric, as Draco stumbled around blindly, arms reaching around his back to catch the imp. The imp jumped off Malfoy's back and conveniently stood in front of Draco sending the boy flying after stumbling blindly into the mischievous creature. It cackled madly an evil grin lighting up its dull coloured face.

Almost doubled over in laughter, Harry walked forward and went to help a struggling Malfoy to his feet. Just as he was about to pull Malfoy up a small hand darted in front of his vision then everything went blurred. The imp had stolen his glasses. Lunging forward Harry made a swipe for the greyish coloured form he believed to be the imp. He heard a crunch as he stepped forward and then high pitched laughter. Feeling below where he had just stepped, Harry felt the remains of his glasses. Sighing frustrated, Harry gave up on catching the imp and sat where he was on the floor partially blind. He could make out a large form moving about picking up handfuls of the dull coloured creatures and piling them into what Harry hoped was the cage.

"Never though' they'd cause this much trouble…" Hagrid muttered to the class after he'd put the last one in the cage.

Harry smiled, Hagrid and his love for the strangest and usually most fearsome creatures. Pushing himself to his feet, Harry rubbed his eyes. A blurred shape picked something up off the floor in front of him and pointed their wand at it.

"Reparo" the person said, and then handed the object to Harry.

Harry immediately knew, after accepting the unknown object from the person, that the item was indeed his glasses. Putting them on Harry saw that the person before him was Malfoy. It seemed he had successfully freed himself from his robes and was now smirking at Harry looking somewhat dishevelled. Though his hair was looking slightly tidier.

"Thanks." Harry said still shocked that Malfoy had helped him.

Malfoy nodded his head and began to make his way back to Hogwarts after the rest of the class, some of who were limping after encounters with their imps.

"Harry, if yeh want, feel free to pop down for a chat anytime yeh feel like." Hagrid said to him patting him on the back, before making his way back to his hut, carrying the imp cage with him. Pushing his glasses back up his nose, Harry chased after the rest of the class, hoping he wouldn't be late for his next lesson.

++++++++++

Harry entered Defence Against The Dark Arts just on time. Making his way up the class he was about to sit in front of Ron and Hermione, until he noticed Ron's stubborn, furious glare, and Hermione glance guiltily down at the desk. Harry was quickly reminded of last night's events. For an hour, thanks to Hagrid the imps and maybe even Malfoy he had managed to forget everything. Turning away he scanned the class for an empty seat.

"Why don't you take a seat over there next to Malfoy? Seen as you two are becoming such good friends." Ron spat angrily at Harry. Glancing over his shoulder at Ron, Harry gave him a scornful look, which would have made the slytherin's proud.

"Grow up, Ron"

Without giving Ron a chance to answer Harry stormed over to the other side of the class and took a seat next to Malfoy, who was twirling his wand leisurely between his long, pale fingers. He turned to see who had taken a seat next to him, and raised an eyebrow in question after seeing who it was.

"That's it Harry, Run to Malfoy." Ron shouted.

Harry didn't bother to turn around and look at Ron; instead he glared furiously at the desk in front of him. It annoyed him thoroughly that Ron was being so childish about his making up with Malfoy. If Ron knew the thoughts of pain and guilt that were plaguing him maybe he would have been more considerate and understood, but seen as he hadn't stopped to notice Harry since the time on the train then that was obviously out of the question. Hermione hadn't bothered to stick up for him either, but there again he knew it was hard for her to be torn between two friends, especially one red headed one who she was particularly fond of.

Watching Harry's facial expressions change from anger to pain over Ron's words. Malfoy turned round to face Ron who was sitting over the other side of the class.

"Give that over-large-mouth of yours a rest, Weasley." Malfoy shouted over to him smirking.

"Eat dung, Malfoy." Ron snarled at him glaring furiously. Other members of the class were turning round in their seats to watch the exchange between the two boys.

"Very original, Weasley." Malfoy said sarcastically. Some of the slytherin's snickered, despite the way they currently felt about Malfoy he was still a Slytherin and they'd side with him any day over a gryffindor, even if he was sitting next to one.

"I'm going to kill you, Malfoy!" A very red Ron snarled, about to stand up but Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

"You're pitiful, Weasley. Didn't you mature at all over the summer? Obviously not or you wouldn't still be picking fights. Especially fights you know you can't win." Malfoy said smirking, as Ron went even redder, if that was possible. Satisfied with the results Malfoy turned back around laughing quietly to himself. Harry flashed Malfoy a small grin, and gave him a curious look. Harry had enjoyed the exchange between the pair, thinking Ron deserved what he got; however, he hadn't expected Malfoy to once again help him by starting on Ron. The day was full of surprises.

Draco almost laughed at the curious look Harry gave him. Potter was obviously unsure what to make of him, the changed Malfoy. Draco didn't understand why he'd helped him much either, maybe it was because he was close to being friends with someone? Actually having a friend, even if that friend was someone he'd deeply envied for four years, someone he had despised the sight of because they were everything he wasn't. However, he was beginning to realise that most of what he had thought was obviously not true. They were more alike than he had initially thought, him and Potter. Both had family problems and both tried to uphold an image not showing people what they truly felt. Draco suspected he was the worst for that though, trying to be the person everyone wanted him to be and not showing his feeling because that would give people something to use against him. Things were improving though, someone rather than Crabbe and Goyle had sat next to him at their own free will. He had been shocked that Potter had sat next to him, but also somewhat happy, he found it almost laughable, however, that this was the same boy who had been forced to sit next to him nearly every potions lesson. Draco smiled to himself, amused.

Care of Magical Creatures had been fun as well, even if an annoying imp had attacked him. Fun? Something Draco hadn't experienced before. He'd never really had fun insulting Potter and his gang, ok maybe he got some amusement from insulting Weasley, but that wasn't because he was poor, it was because of the way he was so easily wound up by Draco's taunting. This was clearly shown just minutes earlier, but he had done that in place of Harry who hadn't looked like he was going to answer.

If his father could see him now, he would probably experience a beating unlike any other. The thought made him shudder, he reassured himself that he was safe here at Hogwarts, safe from his father and Voldemort. It seemed that him and Potter also shared a common enemy. Draco hated him because of the way he had destroyed his family and warped his father's mind, and Harry also hated him for the destruction of his own family. Draco's thoughts began to drift to the slytherin's, as his restless eyes scanned the room…what if one of them told his father about the way things were now? Stop it, he told himself forcefully. He wasn't going to dwell on these thoughts; he doubted any of them would dare to tell. And if they do? a small voice in his head asked. They will have to deal with me, Draco thought, his aristocratic features setting in determination.

Draco was relieved to be disrupted from his thoughts, when Professor Lupin finally arrived to take the lesson, ten minutes late.

"Sorry I'm late class I had some business to take care of with Dumbledore." Lupin said, placing his briefcase on the desk. He had tidied himself up some since 3rd year, but not much. He was still a lot untidier than most of the other teachers in the school, but he was still probably one of the best.

"Anyway," Lupin began. "During the next few lessons we are going to be studying Dementors, and how to deflect them. Does anybody know how?"

Hermione's hand shot up into the air and she began to practically jump in her seat. Harry also raised his hand into the air. Lupin's eyes flickered from Hermione to Harry and glinted.

"Yes, Harry?" He said.

"You can deflect them by using a spell to conjure a patronus." Harry said.

Lupin nodded and smiled at Harry, while Hermione looked defeated that he hadn't asked her to answer.

"Yes, A patronus is a silvery shape, rather ghost like, which usually resembles a shape of an animal. The patronus is conjured by the caster thinking of his or hers most happiest thought or memory. By doing this they are able to summon a strong patronus, which is able to drive away the dementor or dementors. I'm sorry to say that we won't really be able to do a practical on this, so we're just going to be taking notes this lesson."

There were disappointed moans from members of the class, as Professor Lupin had been remembered for his active practical lessons.

"However, I might be able to arrange a demonstration sometime…" Professor Lupin commented to the class as his gaze landed on Harry. The raven-haired boy squirmed; he hoped that did not happen. Judging by his memories right now he would be lucky to get a white wisp to come out of his wand, let alone a patronus. Harry broke Lupin's gaze, quickly looking down at the piece of parchment before him.

Lupin frowned, when Harry looked down. Something wasn't right. He couldn't quite place what it was…then it dawned on him; Harry was sitting by a Slytherin on the other side of the class to Ron and Hermione. Strange, he thought to himself. He'd have to have a chat with Harry sometime soon, make sure everything was all right. After all he had promised Sirius he'd keep an eye on the boy. Making a note to have a word with Harry Lupin continued with the lesson dictating notes for the class to take down.

++++++++++

When the bell rang at the end of the lesson, Lupin smiled at the class.

"You'll have no homework for this lesson, but I will be expecting an essay on this after we've done a couple more lessons on the topic. Dismissed."

Everyone in the class began throwing their things into their bags and leaving as quickly as possible to go to lunch. Harry packed his things slightly slower then everyone else and eventually left the class after giving Lupin a half smile.  Malfoy was waiting for Harry outside the door.

"Just thought I'd remind you, Potter. Our potions homework has to be done by tomorrow." Malfoy said as they strolled up the corridor.

Harry sighed. Great, it was just like Snape to give homework on the first lesson, the miserable git. Harry knew they'd have to prepare their potion correctly because he'd probably test theirs, hoping that it was horribly wrong so he could give Harry detention.

"I guess we'd better go to the library after third lesson…" Harry replied, cursing Snape with every breath.

Malfoy nodded his mouth set in a grim line.

"See you there then, Potter." Malfoy called back, as he took off towards the Slytherin common room.

Harry, however, continued on down the corridor to the great hall where he would probably end up spending lunch receiving glares from Ron and watchful concerned looks from everyone else. They stared at him as if he was a time bomb waiting to go off. Just the thought put him off, but he was not going to let Ron and the others stop him from eating. With that in mind Harry strode into the hall and sat down in a seat just off the centre of the table. Ignoring the glare he got from Ron, who was a couple of seats away, Harry began to eat his lunch.

"Managed to tear yourself away from Malfoy for a while did you?" Ron called up to him.

Harry's emerald eyes flickered to Ron, but he decided to ignore his comment, despite the anger rising within him. He continued like he hadn't heard.

"Hello? I take it us gryffindors are not good enough for you anymore eh?"

This time he looked at Ron and glared fiercely at him. His grip tightened on his knife and fork.

"Leave it Ron." Harry said quietly.

"What you thought I'd agree with your decision to befriend Malfoy? Unlike you Harry I don't make friends with people who insult my friends and family on a daily basis, but obviously good Harry Potter has to prove…"

Harry didn't wait for him to finish; he slammed his knife and fork down on the table with force and stormed out of the hall, his robes billowing out behind him.

While the rest of the gryffindors burst into chatter about Harry's second exit in two days. Hermione, however, looked at Ron her features contorted in fury.

"This is getting ridiculous!" she shouted at him. A stubborn look crossed Ron's face and he began to eat.

"Can't you see Harry's got enough problems without you bothering him as well? But no, without sparing him a though of concern you go out of your way to get at him, just like Malfoy used to do. Seems the roles have reversed doesn't it?" Hermione said standing up and running out of the hall to find her black-haired friend, leaving Ron his mouth agape, with his fork balancing in the air, staring after her.

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

A/N – The chapters are definitely getting rather long, not deliberately it just seems to happen. I got the idea of the imps from Harry Potter Lexicon http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/index.html

Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, hope you all like this chapter! Sorry it took a while to put up. Mistakes in earlier chapters haven't been corrected yet as my beta reader is still editing them, I think.

Hope you all enjoy this chapter!