Chapter 2 - Distractions
Draco Malfoy was anxiously sitting in the Slytherin common room. All he could think of was the fact that he and Harry Potter were to be in the castle for the remaining summer months with no one else. Draco knew that he was staying at the castle for his own safety and he also knew that Dumbledore was bringing Harry to the castle for the same reasons, but what he didn't know was why he was so worried about Harry being in the same castle as him. He supposed it had something to do with his fear that Harry would not be happy that he was going to share the castle with a Malfoy. He was also afraid that Harry would hate him for what happened with Voldemort, his father, and the rest of the Death Eaters at the Ministry. Sighing, Draco stood up from his chair and went to change into something presentable for dinner.
Draco had put on his favorite shimmery silver turtleneck sweater, which looked very much like the fabric of an Invisibility Cloak, and a pair of jet black jeans with slightly flared legs. He had never worn that outfit at Hogwarts before simply because he had no reason to.
'I hope he notices,' Draco thought to himself. 'I really want to make a good impression. After all, I am a different person than I have been these past five years at Hogwarts. Merlin I'm nervous.' Apprehensively, Draco made his way down to the Great Hall.
Harry and Dumbledore arrived at the castle just in time for dinner. Harry was starving since Dudley was still on his diet (which, of course, wasn't doing anything for him) so a large dinner was just what Harry's stomach was asking for. Dumbledore sent Harry's things up to Gryffindor tower with Dobby and three other house elves, much to Harry's relief. He was sure that he could not wait a moment more for dinner. But when Harry and Dumbledore entered the Great Hall, Harry saw something that made him lose his appetite completely. Draco Malfoy was sitting at a small round table at the head of the hall.
'Bloody hell! I hope my eyes are playing tricks on me,' Harry thought to himself.
Dumbledore, true to form, sensed Harry's worry and assured him that everything was fine. "He has a reason to be here Harry, just as you do."
"May I ask what reason that is Professor?"
"In time Harry, you will know."
Harry was surprised by this, especially after what happened at the Ministry at the end of the previous year, but he trusted Dumbledore to know what was best.
'Everything will be fine as long as I don't have to share the castle with him for the rest of the summer,' Harry thought to himself. 'That would be just the thing wouldn't it? Knowing my luck, he probably is.'
Harry and the Headmaster reached the table and Dumbledore took a seat between the two boys. Harry looked over at Draco and saw that he had on an outfit that Harry had never seen before. Not only was the outfit new, but Draco's hair wasn't slicked back anymore. Instead it was hanging gently around his face, which was slightly tanned.
"Wow since when did I become an expert on Draco Malfoy! I know his outfits, his usual skin tone... There's got to be something wrong with me. But then again, they do say "know your enemy."' He was finding this train of thought quite disturbing and cut it off before it could progress any further.
Draco greeted Dumbledore warmly then turned to Harry. "Hi. Um, I'm glad you made it."
Harry was slightly taken aback by Draco's greeting. It wasn't so much that Draco had said hello to him, Harry was sure that Draco would have even if he didn't want to, it was the fact that Draco didn't have the Malfoy sneer on his face and his voice didn't hold the usual contempt. Not knowing quite what to say, Harry said "Uh, hey. Thanks."
"As you may already have figured out Harry, you and Draco will be staying in the castle for the remainder of the summer. Your whereabouts are unknown to everyone except for me, so it is important that you tell no one where you are and make sure you don't use any magic. The Ministry would not be very happy with me for having you both here without their permission, even though you are of age to do magic."
Dumbledore paused to offer both Harry and Draco lemon drops (Harry refused and Draco accepted) and pop one in his mouth. "If you need anything during the summer you can reach me through my office. There is a fireplace there that will put you in direct contact with me at my home. I will be in my office for the remainder of this evening. Harry, I would like to see you there after you finish your dinner. Now you boys finish eating and get to bed. I hope you both enjoy your summer."
Dumbledore's voice was cheerful as he bade the boys good night. Harry and Draco both said goodbye to the Headmaster and continued their meal in silence since neither of them knew quite what to say. Harry found the silence rather unwelcome, giving him more time to brood over Sirius' death.
The two boys finished their dinner and left the Great Hall. Draco turned to Harry once they had reached Dumbledore's office, which was on the way to the dungeons.
"Well goodnight. See you tomorrow?"
"Uh yeah. Night."
Harry watched Draco walk away before turning to the door of Dumbledore's office. The doors opened without a password but Harry didn't notice. He stepped onto the staircase and as it spiraled upwards, he thought about what had just happened. Draco hadn't been hostile or condescending. It was almost as if they were friends, or at least acquaintances, but definitely not enemies. Harry couldn't help but wonder why Draco had changed, but before he could think on it, the staircase reached Dumbledore's office. Harry stepped inside and Fawkes flew over to greet him. Harry sat in the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk and waited with Fawkes for the Headmaster to arrive.
A few minutes later, Dumbledore stepped into the office. Harry was slightly worried by the twinkling eyes and all-knowing look on the man's face. Dumbledore smiled at Harry and sat at his desk.
"Anything you would like to ask me Harry?"
"Well sir, I would like to know why Draco Malfoy is here in the castle with me. And why he is staying here for the summer."
"Ah yes Harry. He is here for a reason just as you are. But you will have to learn what the reason for him being here is on your own."
Harry was frustrated by Dumbledore's comment. Surely the Headmaster didn't want Harry to find out from Malfoy. That would be completely impossible. Malfoy never told anyone anything about him before, so why would he suddenly confide in Harry?
"You said that I have a reason to be here, but I don't know what that is."
"You are here because, among other things, you cannot be alone at this time. You need to move on from the loss of Sirius and being at the Dursleys is not at all helpful." Dumbledore noticed the pain in Harry's eyes when Sirius was mentioned.
"But Professor, I'm alone here as well am I not? None of my friends are here for me to talk to and I can't owl them either. I don't understand how this is helping me."
"You will see Harry. Just be patient and it will all make sense."
Harry and Dumbledore sat in silence for a moment before Dumbledore spoke again.
"Anything else you want to ask me Harry?"
"Actually there is one more thing. Um. Has anything happened to Malfoy? He seems, well, different."
"I'm sorry Harry but that is not something I can tell you. Once Draco is ready to share his experiences then you will know what has happened. But until then Draco has a right to keep that to himself."
"Yes professor. I suppose I should be getting to bed?"
"That would be wise Harry. You will find your things in Gryffindor tower in your dormitory. Enjoy your summer Harry. You know where to find me if you need anything."
"Thank you sir. Goodnight."
With that Harry went to Gryffindor tower. He didn't understand anything better now that he had talked to Dumbledore.
'Draco has a reason to be here just like I do. But why am I here? And why is he here?'
Harry kept asking himself those same questions over and over until he reached the tower. The Fat Lady was very glad to see him but insisted that he give her the password. Informing her that Dumbledore hadn't given him one, she started giving him clues.
"Okay. It's the name of a place in Diagon Alley. They sell something that, in the wizarding world, most need and only the most powerful can go without it, you find something magical at its core, and some have brothers."
"A wand."
"Right. Now, Diagon Alley?"
"Oliver Ollivander's Wand Shop."
Harry had guessed correctly, so the portrait swung open and he stepped inside. The room was just as it had been when he left the year before. Harry sat down in his favorite chair in front of the fire and realized that he had forgotten about the happenings of earlier that day. 'Probably one of Dumbledore's ideas for distracting me,' he thought. 'He knows I won't be able to stop thinking about everything that has happened.'
Harry smiled to himself. Just like Dumbledore to give him distractions. And the whole trip to the castle and having Draco Malfoy here were probably distractions from Sirius's death. Sighing, Harry stared into the fire.