Title: Revenge Sweet or Not?

Author: Gia

E-Mail: divinechild18hotmail.com

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Draco/Harry

Time: 5th year.

Summary: [Sequel: The Love Note; slash] Draco seeks revenge on Harry's prank. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and Draco finds himself caught between an unknown voice and Harry Potter.

Disclaimer: I own not a thing.

Author Notes: Sorry! There's no way I can apologize for the long wait! I just hope you enjoy this chapter! XD

Harry took a deep breath, letting the breeze play with his hair. Classes would begin soon, but he didn't care. At all. Combing his hand through his hair, he took another deep breath. He just wanted everyone to ignore him. Just leave him be. He didn't want to do anything. Just.. Be there. Unhindered. Not bothered. Why couldn't people get that? Or did they find it amusing and funny to analyze Harry's every move? Did it provide some perverse sort of entertainment to know that they didn't have the same problems as he did? That they were untainted?

He had unconsciously started walking along the forest edges, too lost in his thoughts to realize the danger of his actions. He heard the sudden rustle of leaves, and was instantly on alert. Stepping back, he fingered the wand in his pocket, running a through a list of hexes and curses he had read over the summer. Fearing it might be someone not meaning harm, Harry chose to do the Shield Charm. Another rustle and Harry acted. "Protego!" He had done it just in time, as something hard knocked against the shield.

Startled, Harry fell down, but managed to keep the shield erect. Harry waited, still dazed, for another blow but nothing came. The sounds of thuds echoed off into the forest, showing that whatever it was had run away. Still shaken, Harry knew he would find no peace out here. He got up slowly, eying the trees, and made his way back inside. Whatever it was, it was gone now. Nothing to report. 'I just don't want to talk to Dumbledore right now. Bastard.'

Draco measured out the ingredients, and dropped them into his potion. They were making a simple shrinking potion. He had already laid out his ingredients at his side. He already chopped the daisy roots. Making sure to adjust the temperature, he took his time in skinning the shrivelfig before adding that to the concoction. He lazily surveyed the others, who were obviously creating more complications for themselves in making such a mediocre potion, well, mediocre in Draco's case.

He scrunched his nose in distaste as he sliced the caterpillars, making an unnatural green juice squirt. He quickly dropped one rat spleen inside, watching the potion bubble. It needed one more ingredient, then he'd let it simmer before bottling. The final ingredient, a dash of leech juice, completed the potion and he bottled it and stood up to put it atop Snape's desk. Severus inclined his head in praise, and Draco returned to his seat.

Putting his head down atop his arms, he thought back to the letter his father wrote him. He mentally considered all the Slytherins, and had come out with more than a dozen suspects. It might've been a Gryffindor, someone close to Harry, but Draco wasn't skilled in this section. He hardly knew anyone from that House, and made sure not to know of anything beyond face recognition. He sighed, leaning back, looking over at the Gryffindor side. He was surprised to see, that in his focus with the potion making, he hadn't notice the absence of Harry. Harry's friends seemed to be conversing quietly as to where Harry was, but they didn't talk much as Snape might see them.

'Where is he?' he wondered.

'Concerned?' laughter.

'Shut it..you--you' Draco frowned.

'You definitely have a way with words, don't you Draco.. Can you not think of anything better?'

'I'll have you know that I'm considered wise and talented with my retorts, while these fools,' he let his gaze run over the people struggling with the potion, 'haven't an idea of what to say. Much less think of a good sentencing.' His face had a smug expression.

'Wise? With words? Wise men talk because they have something to say, Draco. Fools talk because they have to say something. And you just happen to be categorized in the latter. As it is, I don't see how you can be so riled up at the mere mention of the Boy-Who-Lived..' More laughter.

'Boy-Who-Lived?' Draco snorted quietly. 'He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, he became a hero.'

'Is that really what you think, Draco? Truly, you cannot think such a thing.' The tone of the voice in his head held a hint of disappointment, which only angered Draco. He was already in a cynical mood because he knew he was wondering where Harry was, and the voice knew it. Draco didn't have time to reply, because he felt the voice recede and realized that everyone was getting up to leave.

Adjusting his bag on his shoulder, he hurried out the class to drop his stuff down. They would have a free period after, and Draco was curious. Doubling back from the common room, he headed down the hall to go outside, when someone rushed past him. It seemed like black blur, but Draco recognized the person anywhere. 'Harry..'

Kill.. No.. kill.. No.. NO!

Firenze had to put his entire will into making himself run away. He hadn't been able to prevent himself from trying to trample Harry to death, but luckily, Harry had been prepared. Unfortunately, Firenze was unsure as to whether Harry would be prepared the next time. 'I should've been killed.. I cannot live like this..' Firenze thought despairingly.

You will live through this, centaur. The Dark Lord wants the boy brought to him, but I don't see why. The best way to kill him is to catch him unawares. And you are the key to that.

You will not accomplish this. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will surely kill you, and I would go willingly if only to protect young, Harry Potter.

We shall see, centaur. We shall see.

Harry practically flew to the Gryffindor common room, breezing by everyone that he happened to come by. He just didn't want to deal with anyone right now, not after what happened. It's as if he didn't give a care about anything now. If Harry were thinking properly, he'd noticed the huge difference between that. Since when did he start thinking like that? But of course, none of these thoughts went through his head, because he wouldn't allow it, or rather, the necklace wouldn't.

He raised his eyes for a split second, glancing at Draco's figure, before looking back down to the ground, as he speeded by him. He wasn't in the mood to be taunted by the likes of him, no matter if they've come to some kind of.. Something.

When Harry finally reached the common room, gasped the password, and flung himself in, he wasn't prepared for two people to come up and grab both of his arms. "What the-- Ron? Hermione? What are you two doing? Let go of me."

He stared at them, as both of his friends dragged him to the couch and forcibly plopped him down. Both Hermione and Ron stood in front of him, arms crossed seriously, as they stared down at him. "Harry," Hermione began, "We need to talk."

Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Harry, we don't talk anymore. What's been going on mate? We had given you space, but we're worried."

Harry looked at them through his lashes. "Worried? You've got nothing to worry about."

Hermione looked at him crossly. "Harry! Are you mad? Of course we've got things to worry about! What happened to--to Hedwig was terrible. But you don't, you don't seem to care." She ended hesitantly.

"Care? CARE? Of course I care Hermione! She was my friend! But I'm not going to sit her and cry my eyes out, if that's what you think is normal. Hedwig's gone and I-- I can't do a bloody thing about it so leave it be!"

"Harry!" Ron interrupted hastily. "You don't need to yell. We got you. It's just your acting different all of a sudden. We just want to let you know if you need to talk… we're here." His ears reddened, and he resisted the urge to gag about how corny that sounded. He had practiced this little line over and over, and no matter what words he used, it never sounded manly enough.

Harry's anger seemed to deflate. "I know. I'm sorry I snapped at you Hermione. I'm just, really wrecked. Hedwig died. I almost got trampled--"

"Hold on a minute!" Ron called out. "Trampled? What are you talking about?"

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. He really didn't want to talk about this, but apparently his two best friends weren't going to let this one slide.

"I was walking outside…"

"…I didn't anything after. I didn't go investigate." Harry shrugged.

"I'm glad you didn't go," Hermione quickly responded, "you wouldn't know what you were up against."

To Harry's astonishment, Ron nodded emphatically. It irked Harry, seeing Ron who was usually the one to urge him on, was suddenly taking Hermione's side. It brought on another emotion Harry hadn't associated with his friendship. Loneliness. The two seemed to be getting along much better, hardly any fights except for little mishaps, but those were just routine. Why hadn't he seen this before? Was he blind? Stupid? Harry stood up abruptly.

"I need some air."

"Harry--!"

The sound of the portrait closing was Ron's only response. "What's going on with him? D'you think we should follow?"

Hermione looked pensive. "Let's give him some space for awhile. If he doesn't come back in at half an hour, we're going to search for him."

Sigh. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Harry trudged through the hallways, lost in despairing thoughts. A small voice in the back of his head did tell him he was overreacting and that they had nothing to deal with why he was feeling so terrible, but he pushed it away. He could act childish for just this one moment, and then he'd go back to being the old Harry. It was a good idea, great even if Harry thought about it more. Feet speeding up a tad, Harry found himself ramming hard into another person. The poor individual hadn't been prepared and was currently sprawled on the ground.

Harry looked down and found himself flushing with embarrassment. He'd knock down Draco Malfoy. His most recent friend. Or something like that.

"Sorry 'bout that." Harry said while leaning down to help Draco up. His hand was firmly grasped by Draco's own, and aided in hauling him up. "Okay there?" he ended uncertainly.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine." Draco made a show of brushing off imaginary dirt. He straightened himself up and glanced at Harry. He expected to be with green eyes that held confusion, or even amusement. Rather than any of those, he didn't even get a chance to look Harry in the eyes. Harry was looking away, biting his lip obsessively, too distracted to pay the proper attention towards Draco. Cocking an eyebrow he spoke out sharply.

"Why are you in such a rush?"

"Hm?" Harry looked up idly, "Oh no reason. I just need to clear my head." He ended lamely. He glanced at Draco for a brief second before turning away. "Uh.. I've got to go."

Draco caught his arm. "Cutting class, Potter? Didn't know you had it in you."

Harry actually smiled with amusement. 'So it's back to Potter when he gets impatient.' "I guess I'll have to deal with the consequences, won't I, Draco?" Harry said, accentuating his drawl. He looked at his arm pointedly, and then raised an eyebrow at Draco. It didn't take long to get his message, and much to Harry's delight, he saw Draco flush in embarrassment and quickly let go of his arm. Shaking his head slightly Harry turned to continue to a random direction, suddenly wondering why he no longer felt so suffocated anymore.

However, it seemed Draco had other ideas. He stopped Harry yet again, and spoke in would-be casual voice. "Well, such a thing is unheard of. The Golden Boy breaking the rules as easily as a Slytherin would, I feel obligated to rectify this."

Harry's eyes danced, unused to this side of Draco. "Is it safe to assume," Harry turned to him, playing along, "that you are to join me in this personal endeavor?"

Draco nodded superiorly, and stood beside him. Laughing slightly, the two boys set off down the hallway. As much fun as this seemed to be, they knew they should get out of the halls quickly before they were accosted in the halls. The trek itself wasn't filled with any comradeship, or any sarcastic words to ease the tension. The silence, though, was another story. It fit around them well, molding themselves into their forms, and they felt at peace with this solitude that was theirs.

Harry glanced at Draco every now and then, looking at him through the corner of his eye. He wondered at how quickly they came to be friends, and wondered if it was too good to be true. He didn't want to think of how his friends would react, not wanting to think of anything related to them really. He did, however, have to concede the point that it was unlikely for him to choose to cut class. He always made sure to attend each class, and contrary to Snape's idea, he tried to come on time too. 'Everything that has happened is just too much… I need something different right now…' Harry thought to himself, feeling like he should explain. Odd, he was explaining to himself, but for the record, it could be said that he did feel a tinge of guilt.

It passed quickly enough.

"So.. Where are we going?" Harry spoke up, after a few more minutes of silence.

"You're asking me? You're the one whose cutting class, I'm just here for the ride."

Harry rolled his eyes at him. "Well, then we're just taking a bloody stroll around the castle. Have any ideas?"

"You have a brain, Potter, use it." Draco snapped.

Harry rolled his eyes again, giving an exasperated sigh. "No need to be so rude. I was just wondering, I've no idea where to go myself."

"Neither do I." Draco protested.

Harry threw his hands up. "This is getting us nowhere. We might as well head back, there's obviously nothing to do now."

"Oh, chickening out already?"

Harry frowned, "Of course not. Maybe in your dreams."

Draco suddenly smirked. "What do you care about my dreams, Potter?"

Harry suddenly flushed, but quickly composed himself as he glared at Draco. "What are you talking about!!?"

All he received as a response was loud laughter from Draco. Harry looked at him, feeling a tugging at his lips. He allowed the grin to blossom, and wondered at how easily he and Draco were at that moment. He hadn't expected the ease in which they slipped into their roles. It could almost be like they never had any rivalry between them at all. As odd as that sounded, Harry didn't feel the slightest bit… what was it? Offended? Did he really just forget all the times Draco use to torment he and his friends? Shaking himself to rid him of the thoughts, he looked back at the still laughing Draco.

He allowed his grin to grow wider and lightly struck Draco on the shoulder. To his surprise, Draco whacked him back. Harry openly gaped. Draco mimicked him, gaping mockingly, and laughter still in his eyes. Harry laughed in befuddlement, scrunching up his face. "Quit that!"

"Make me!"

Harry raised an eyebrow, his smile growing.

This experience was definitely new to Draco. He hadn't done this sort of thing with his Slytherin friends. Albeit, he was comfortable around a certain few, but they never had this. This type of teasing banter. Like..

'Flirting, now are we?'

'Sod off! I don't need to deal with you right now!'

'Don't want me to ruin your little date, do you?' Laughter echoed in his head, but Draco could detect a type of fondness in that voice?

'Ugh. Forget it.'

Thankfully, the voice receded, but not without giving a small chuckle. It seemed he'd be the last one laughing, but then again, he who laughs last thinks slowest, right? Draco grinned to himself.

A/N: I hope you like it so far! I know I haven't been consistent with updates… at all, really. But I will complete this story, even if it kills me! So what do you think? I'd love to know in a review! IF YOU WANT UPDATES, LEAVE YOUR EMAIL AND A MESSAGE SAYING SO!