Oh wow... I just realized I made a huge mistake when writing the first chapter. I put "Pivot drive" instead of Privet Drive. I most likely typed "Privot" on accident and the computer suggested, "Pivot". My apologies.

Meepmeep2118: Yes, I know he doesn't look like Lupin, but I was talking about how their moods were portrayed. Like Lupin with his stress colored gray hair, and just the all around unhappy aura he gives off. That's what is he Harry also appears like in the mirror. Also, I do realize Draco's a bit ooc so I am going to take your suggestion.

Kireina1: Why thank you. I've also read all of your works, and I really like them!

Jemma Blackwell: I'm glad you like it!

Magus Durron: "quick question... is this set the summer right after the 5th book... cause how did Malfoy Sr. get into Azkaban... did I miss something?" If you look at book 5, ch. 38, pg 851, you will see that he is in jail.

"You wait. I'll have you. You can't land my father in prison—" "I thought I just had," said Harry. "The dementors have left Azkaban," said Malfoy quietly. "Dad and the others'll be out in no time...."

And thank you so much for praising me! I feel so loved! :D

Yeah well in this chapter there's finally some realization on Harry's part. The things I said would happen in the summary are finally beginning to take shape. Enjoy.

'Bloody hell. What's happening to me anyway? First I join with the people in this dump and now I'm being nice to Potter?' thought Draco angrily as he flung himself against the wall in the hallway that held Mrs. Black's ever- sticking portrait.

"Hello, dear boy. Doing your bidding for our Lord here. This house shouldn't have such horrible filthy mudbloods in here. But you belong here, in the house of my fathers. You're pure, and therefore serve the Dark Lord."

"Oh shut up already. I told you, I don't serve ANYONE."

Mrs. Black's mood instantly changed. "Never say such things! You FILTHY, LITTLE, UNGREATFUL, HORRID, UNWORTHY, .... Ahck!" She cried in surprise as a vase flew into her and shattered. A few pieces of glass were embedded into her "body". And for once, she seemed to stunned to talk.

"Related to you or not, I don't belong here." And with that Draco left the hall.

'Can't I get even one second to sit and brood in this horrible house? It's been like this every day. That fat Weasel has been ordering me around, telling me to clean, and then that bitchy woman in the portrait never shuts up. Hell, why did I even come here in the first place? Oh yes, because the people in my house were going to kill me. Brilliant.'

"Ouch... oh my apologies." murmured Lupin distracted, who had collided with Draco while going down the stairs. He seemed, just like Draco, to be lost in thought.

"Watch it!" Draco snapped instinctively. 'That's right, remind then that you're a Malfoy still and that you won't be taken lightly... who am I trying to kid? I don't even want to be recognized as one of them.'

Lupin looked up, with a cold and blank stare. Then surprisingly he smiled.

"It's good to know, no matter what the circumstances, some people don't change."

"What the hell are you talking about, werewolf?" Draco demanded. He had learned of Lupin's true identity at the end of the 3rd year along with all the other students and was truly angry Snape hadn't told him. 'Ok, now he's really getting on my nerves. Just because his best friend died he has to go all crazy. Why can't he just be normal and throw a raging fit? Or at least try to get revenge. It would make us all happier.'

Draco had been deliberately rude to Lupin lately, in attempt to get him to yell. But to no avail. 'That man is a rock, he show's absolutely no feelings.'

"Oh nothing, I guess...." Lupin trailed off.

Just as Draco was about to shoot another snide comment Lupin's way he noticed his wrists. 'Wow.... I didn't think Lupin would... I mean... wow... that idiot, how could he do this? He's the closest bloody thing to a parent Harry has. Why should I care though, his loss, not mine. I just want to get out of this house, but where to....'

"So how rude was Malfoy when he came to get you Harry? I'll bet it was dreadful. We wanted to go, but they said it was his chance to prove his 'allegiance to the order'." Said Hermione, who still held a look of concern for Harry.

"Oh, he wasn't bad." Harry answered plainly.

"You've got to be kidding us right Harry? That little bloody git, not bad? I mean come on, your talking about the idiot that has tortured us all school long!" Ron stammered.

Harry shot a dark look at Ron. "I don't kid anymore Ron." His voice was colder than ice. He then turned his back to Ron, who was stunned, and seemed very hurt by this comment.

The room they were in was the same one Harry had shared with Ron last winter. Nothing much seemed to have changed in the time that had passed. The only difference was that it was a bit cleaner without Harry's things strewn about.

"Oh Harry, you shouldn't blame him for saying that. I mean he does have a point. However, I'm not so dense," she shot a glare at Ron, "as to think people never change."

Harry couldn't tell if she was accusing or supporting Ron, so he didn't answer.

"Where has Draco been staying in the house anyway?" although Harry had directed this question to Hermione, typical Ron butted in an answer.

"Here." He groaned.

"Oh."

Just in time to break the tension rising in the room, Ginny came in shouting.

"Harry! Oh you don't know how glad I am that you're here!"

"Hey Ginny." He responded habitually.

"You don't know how awful the suspense around here has been."

"Suspense for what?"

"For your safe arrival of course." Ginny replied as if it was a simple fact. Realizing he didn't get it she added, "No one was sure if Draco was loyal yet. They thought he might be working for Voldemort." Harry caught Ron flinch. "Well, no one except for Snape of course. And because he is now technically Draco's legal guardian, he wouldn't allow him to be tested with a truth potion."

'Legal guardian eh? Then he must have been his godfather. Couldn't have been related because Sirius would have told me... Sirius...' Once again Harry's mood had dropped by thinking of him.

"Oh, dinners in a bit Hermione. We should go and help my mom in the kitchen." Ginny said.

"Hmm. Be down in time you guys." Hermione said as she left the room.

'Oh great, I can't even go into my bloody room.' Draco thought upon seeing Harry and Ron sitting in there. He headed further down the hall in hopes of finding an empty room. Towards the end of the hallway there was a door that was shut. He attempted to open it but couldn't.

'Why would they lock a door in this house? Oh, I'll bet they're hiding something. No problem a simple...damn! They still have my wand...'

"That was his room." A sad voice said from behind him.

"And why should I care Potter?" Draco snapped, startled. He hated to be surprised.

"You wanted to get into it." He replied blankly. 'Actually, I thought you might want to know. Whatever.' he thought.

"Doesn't mean I needed your help Potter." Draco attempted to keep the hatred in his voice, but failing miserably.

Harry now found himself staring at Draco. 'I wonder if he really still hates me. I don't think I hate him... what reason do I still have to?'

'Why does he always have to stare like that? Its like he's looking right into me.'

"Would you quit it already!" Draco yelled.

Harry didn't reply.

"What is wrong with this house anyway? Nobody ever says a word. It's like you're all living corpses! You just stare at anyone who does talk."

Had Harry been his normal self, he would have contradicted the blonde, by talking back. However he no longer had the strength to make a comeback and thus proved Draco's statement by staring yet again.

"There you guys are! I've been looking for you. Dinner's ready and we've been waiting." Ginny said agitated. She had just come up the stairs and down the hallway, and hadn't heard any of their previous conversation. She walked away heading down the stairs.

Harry and Draco exchanged a glance and then followed after her, deliberately distancing themselves as they walked. Harry really didn't want to have another row with Draco. He never used to be bothered by it, and in fact used to use it as a way to take his anger out. But now the words stung, haunting him.

'Stupid me. Why do I always do that? I can never have a civil conversation. I always have to snap. I act too much like my father. No! I don't act like him. I could never be compared to that horrible scum.' Draco thought restlessly as he trailed behind Harry. 'It's this bloody house that does it. Makes everyone here insane. It's a good thing we'll be leaving for school soon.'

As they entered the kitchen one could not help but notice the look on Mrs. Weasly's face. Her eyes were bloodshot, and looked as if they would have been flooded with tears, if there were any left to shed. Mr. Weasly, seated at the far end of the table, held a fork and knife in his trembling hands. Next to him Ginny sat down and on the other side sat an empty seat for Mrs. Weasly who was serving the food. Also seated at the table were other members of the Order including Tonks, Snape, Moody, Bill, Charlie, and Kingsly. Harry quickly took a seat between Hermione and Ron. Right after, Draco took a seat across from them, attempting to look disgusted that he had to sit with such people.

Once everyone was seated they began to eat. Nobody said a word. It was the strangest meal Harry had ever had. (And that's saying a lot when you consider that for him, eating in a closet was normal.) About 5 minutes into the meal people were finally beginning to chat.

"Looks like Mums had another row with Percy." Said Ron quietly.

"It really is dreadful how he treats her. It's quite awful how everyone treats each other actually..." Hermione sighed. Her face held that hazed look Luna usually had.

'Wait a second,' Harry thought 'Where's Lupin? I haven't seen him since he greeted me at the door.' His train of thought was disrupted by a loud crack.

"Hey Mum, Dad..." Said Fred.

"Are we late again?" asked George

"'Cause we really don't mean to be, it's just with the shop and all..."

"...It's been real busy."

"...Getting harder and harder to close on time each day."

"Just take a seat boys. You know, you really should apparate somewhere else, and enter the kitchen civilly. You give us quite a start when you do that." Said Mr. Weasly in a very Percy like manner. He was really just trying to keep from taking his anger out on the irritating twins.

The twins took a seat and almost instantly the surroundings changed. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off of everyone's shoulders by their arrival. The chatter grew and even a few laughs could be heard. But still there was no sign of Lupin.

"Anyone up for some of our new deserts?" asked George.

"What are they going to do this time? Make our heads explode?" Asked Ron expecting a laugh, but none came. He sank back into his chair wishing he could be invisible.

"Actually we're not sure what they'll do..." admitted Fred.

"...Which is precisely why we wanted you guys to try them." laughed George

"Why don't you just use some of the kids you hired? Or maybe get a house elf?" questioned Ron. "RON!" bellowed Hermione. "How dare you say such cruel things?! They really should ban the use of people for taste testing. They don't know what they are getting themselves into! And don't you even try to use a house elf! Remember S.P.E.W.? I do have some people backing me up now, and we wouldn't hesitate to turn you in!" she reprimanded.

"I was just kidding 'ermione. Geeze..."

Hermione just glared at Ron and then turned her attention to Harry.

"You agree with me don't you Harry?"

"Huh?" He asked dazed. He had been lost in thought for quite a while now. Sitting across from Draco was not the greatest idea. 'You know, he actually is good looking. I mean, that silky blonde hair you just want to.... oh god! What am I saying? I shouldn't be having thoughts like this. I mean, he's my enemy... isn't he?'

"Harry!" Hermione barked.

"Oh yeah... I guess..."

"You know Harry, we're..." she looked over to Ron who was laughing at the twin's reaction to some of their deserts. He hadn't been paying the slightest attention to Hermione. "Well.... I'm always here for you if you need to talk. You seem so lost lately. I would be happy to help..." a sad expression crossed Hermione's face. One deeper than Harry had ever seen.

"Thanks 'ermione..." Out of all the people seeing Hermione sad was the worst thing. Hermione angry, yes. Hermione overwhelmed and at breaking point, yes. But sad, truly sad, was just horrible.

"NOW THAT'S ENOUGH!" Bellowed Mrs. Weasly from the other end of the table. Apparently Fred and George had crossed the line with their new "deserts". Both of the twins were as bloated as a puffer fish, and were bobbing up and down on the ceiling.

"What?" Asked George laughing.

"We were just trying out our new Puffer Pudding Pastries." Stated Fred

"Care to have a bite?"

"You boys better have a way to fix that, because if you don't, don't expect us to help you! You'll be bobbing up and down on that ceiling for the rest of your lives for all I care!" Mrs. Weasly was truly scary when she was mad. Her once short and stout body seemed to tower over you, and her eyes gleamed with rage. It was enough to make anyone's hair stand on end.

"Oh we do Mum..."

"Don't you worry now..."

"We'll get it all sorted out..."

"I think..." said an uncertain Fred.

Ron who had been laughing hysterically at the whole scene, finally shut up as Mrs. Weasly directed her glare toward him. He gulped and sank back into his chair, and for the 2nd time that night wished he could become invisible.

"It was a lovely meal Molly." Complemented Tonks as she stood up to leave. The rest followed in suite until those attending Hogwarts were all that remained. Mrs. Weasly had whipped up some spells to clean the dishes and hurried out the door mumbling something about Diagon Alley.

Having the four Gryffindors sitting at one table seemed normal enough. But when you added the Slytherin...well that was when things got a bit tricky. Draco seemed to take pleasure in listening in on the other's conversations and refusing to leave.

"Does it bother you that I'm here?" He asked annoyingly when they stopped in mid sentence. They had been talking about what classes they would have to take and had gotten to the subject of potions.

"Well, if you wouldn't mind, we would like if you left." Said Hermione dignently.

'No not at all' Thought Harry simultaneously. He was finding staring at Draco an adequate distraction from the meaningless chatter.

And so the night went until they retired to their rooms (all 2 of them!) and after much ridicule in the boy's room, fell asleep. Harry was up for yet another tormented night of dreams, but maybe this time something would be a little different.

Ok, that's iti for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed. Now don't hesitate (more like I'm demanding you :D) to push that little friendly button down there. I really appreciate all the reviews! -Mel