AUTHOR'S NOTE: thanks for all the reviews from chapter eight (responses at end). Made me feel like this was worth continuing so thanks so much. Plus it made me up date sooner.
Anyway, here's chapter nine.
Enjoy and review.
Thanks.
Chapter Nine: Something UnexpectedThe Slytherins listened to the Gryffindor's bicker over who should take the potion, smirking in amusement. Draco's smirk was by far the largest as he grabbed the beaker, knowing there was only one thing for it.
"Bloody Gryffindors can't get anything done. Bottoms up," drawled Draco, raising his beaker in salute to them before downing the contents in one.
Pansy and Blaise grinned at the indignation Draco's actions caused. Really, they reflected, Potter's reaction was kind of predictable.
The turned their attention back to Draco as his beaker fell to the floor with a loud clatter and Draco clutched his stomach. Concerned they watched him fall to the floor in a huddle, head buried in his knees.
"Draco?" Pansy ventured, worry clear in her voice.
***
The blonde head raised and grey eyes locked on Pansy and Blaise, studying them closely, assessing them. Deciding they posed no immediate threat but also aware that he did not know which side they took, he addressed them carefully.
"Hello," he ventured politely yet haughtily as his father had taught him, "where am I? Who are you?"
"Hello, Draco my name is Pansy and this is my friend Blaise," the woman smiled warmly at him, kneeling down so they were face to face. He liked this.
He attempted to stand up only to find himself hindered by the over large robes. He frowned at this and appealed to the woman for help. "Pansy could you please help me."
"Um…ok," she replied and set about shrinking his robes, somewhat shaken by this cool, possessed five year old version of her friend.
When she had finished he surveyed himself with satisfaction before returning his attention to the grown ups before him, "Thank you. Now if you could please tell me how to find my parents, I am sure they will be looking for me," the words were pronounced carefully, his father had always demanded his speech be perfect.
"Actually Draco you are meant to stay with us for now," Blaise replied, kneeling down beside Pansy.
The boy looked at them and replied coolly "no thank you. And how do you know my name? And where am I?"
"Well this is Hogwarts School of …" but Draco had stopped listening to Pansy after the first word, his attention distracted by flashes of colour off to his left as a strange woman was making a table change colour for a small boy sitting on her lap. A frown creased his face for he was certain he knew the boy. A smile replaced the frown as the boy stood up and when he heard the name Harry he rushed over crying "Harry" as he wrapped himself around his friend in delight.
"Harry," he repeated.
***
"Draco?" the amazement was clear in Harry's face as he hugged his friend, "how did you get here," relief diffused across his face as he asked "is Tante Cissa with you?"
"No maman is not here. Wherever here is."
"I never thought I'd see you again," hurt and happiness mixed in Harry's voice.
"Me neither. How are you?" Draco hugged him again, causing Harry to wince slightly. "Harry? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"Harry," the voice was concerned and stern at the same time, causing Harry to flush. Slowly he lifted the robes to show a series of bruises across his stomach. Tears formed in Draco's eyes but when Harry tried to talk he shushed him saying, "Ssh. Need to concentrate."
Slowly he ran his hands over the bruises before holding his hands over them steadily, his small hands barely covering the affliction. Slowly a golden glow emitted from under his hands and when Draco removed his hands the bruises were gone.
Now Draco smiled slightly, "all better. It doesn't hurt anywhere else right?"
"No. Promise."
"When I grow up I'm really gonna hurt him Harry. Promise you."
"Draco," Harry's voice was pleading now but he was cut off.
"He deserves it. He hurt you."
"No Draco, well," Harry relented slightly as Draco pouted at him, "nothing too nasty. He's still my cousin."
"'Kay Harry. Deal," Draco agreed reluctantly.
The smiled at each other before looking around worriedly.
"Where are we Draco?"
"Dunno."
Harry scanned the room, his gaze finally resting on Hermione and, tugging on Draco's hand, made towards.
"This is Hermy. She's nice," the affirmation carried a great weight behind it and Hermione couldn't help but look flattered.
Draco gave Harry a look which clearly said 'well you like everyone' but he held his hand out to Hermione saying "hello. I'm Draco Malfoy."
With equal severity Hermione shook his hand saying "hello Draco, nice to meet you. I'm Hermione and these are Seamus, Pansy and Blaise."
They stood like that, children staring at the adults, no one knowing what to say, until Seamus grabbed the re-aging potion off the desk and held it out to Harry.
"Hey Harry, would you like a drink? Draco too?"
Harry's gaze never left Seamus' face even as Draco reached out for the beaker, but at the last moment Harry caught Draco's hand.
"No," the coldness in his voice was such as you would not expect to hear in a child's voice, "no thank you. Draco come with me."
And the four adults watched as the children moved away from them to the other end of the classroom, distrust shining in Harry's face.
END CHAPTER NINEEsaure: glad you liked it. Gotta ask: X3 to kawaii? What?
NayNymic: I got applause! Yeay. Yes this is most definitely slash, though it is going to take some time to get there. Hope this chapter has answered you on them staying kids for a while.
Jitterbug: glad you think Draco is still Slytherin-istic as was kind of worried about that one.
Hannya: yeah I found it difficult to get the Hitler thing in but I REALLY wanted to. I think I'll try to expand it a bit later on. You don't like cliffhangers then? Well this is not too bad a one really.
Silvrei: thanks for reviewing. Glad you like it.
The crazy ladies: aw you're so nice and complimentary. Thanks.
Lanevaly: aw thanks. Exceeded expectations. Wow (I think)! Hope you liked chapter nine.
Litine: thanks for reviewing. Glad you find it interesting.