Disclaimer: Come on people, if you've gotten this far then you should know the drill by now.
A/N: To all of my reviewers, I'm incredibly sorry I didn't update when I promised. I was going to update Friday because I had the chapter done, but my stupid [insert choice word here] dad decided he wanted to delete every thing and restore the computer. So then I was to lazy to write it over again. Excuses, Excuses, I know. Anyway, this chapter is slightly longer then the one I already had written so. . Anyway, Gives all of the lovely reviewers Draco and Harry shaped cookies.
FallenAngel664: Isn't it though? Thanks!
Noriko M. Chijinu: Backs away slowly. Threats will get you know where except without this story. . Err. . Thanks for the review though. . I think. .
usually immaculate aristocrat: Maybe. Maybe not. Thanks!
AoiHyou: Alright. . Your confusing me just a little, but Thanks for the reivew!
TomFan : Thanks!
Morrisa Lilith Raine: Does that mean you like it? Thanks!
Angel: Hopefully it will stay that way. Thanks!
jaycee: I like this Harry to. Thanks!
Lost: Don't worry, I wrote them and even I don't get some parts of them. Ha. Thanks!
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Past, Present, and Future.
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Part 9: Barer of bad news.
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Draco squirmed uncomfortably in the make-shift cot before sitting up. This was getting him no where. It was 6 A.M in the morning and he hadn't been able to get an ounce of sleep. Every time he had closed his eyes, he felt as if someone was watching.
Now I know I'm paranoid.
Draco hadn't slept in his room that night because of the heart. He was quite certain that it was indeed a human heart, though it may have belonged to a centaur. I doubt who ever it belongs to is going to have much use for it now.. Thought Draco sourly.
Last night after he had collected himself he had preformed a charm that would stop it from decaying to quickly, and then maybe he could get Potter to help him burn it. And anyways, that's just what Draco needed-- the smell of a rotted heart plaguing him and his belongings. Like my memories aren't enough trouble..
Draco mentally shook himself from drowning himself in the past and tiredly swung his legs from the 'bed', rubbing the crook of his neck. Sleeping on a slightly cushioned chair and footstool was not the most comfortable thing. Draco was beginning to wish he had paid more attention when McGonagall had been rambling about transfiguring furniture.
He kicked off the thin blankets and slowly stood, tossing the pillows back onto his couch. Draco padded to the bathroom and stole a glance of himself in the full body mirror hanging off of the door. He looked horrible. His usually tame hair was sticking up in several directions, he had minor bags under his eyes, and his cheek bones were beginning to look hollow.
Great, just great.
Shutting the door, Draco began to strip. His movements were a little jerky and he was having a hard time getting his hands to obey. After what seemed an eternity, Draco stepped into the shower, the faucet automatically turning on and spraying warm water down on him.
He closed his eyes and just stood there under the water for a long while, kidding himself that soon he'd wake up from this horrible nightmare and he'd be back in his bed in Malfoy manor.
Draco opened his eyes. Don't I wish.
He proceeded to wash his body and hair, trying to enjoy the calm sound of the water while it lasted. Draco grabbed the nearest towel and stepped from the shower after wrapping it around his slim waist. He stood in front of the sink and looked into the mirror again. He looked better now, but didn't feel it.
Draco thought for a moment about going into his room and fetching a pair of new clothes, but knew he couldn't stand doing that with.. Well, with that in it. So instead, he preformed a cleansing and de-wrinkling charm on his pants and turtleneck and then turned his turtleneck into a sort of t-shirt, and put a concealing charm on the bruises on his neck. He hurriedly put his clothes on, checking the clock. It was 6:59 A.M.
Crap, I'm late. Draco hurriedly brushed his teeth, and loosely pulled his hair back into a pony tail. It would have to do. He briskly left his room and headed down to meet Harry.
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Draco was pleased to see Harry waiting like an obedient puppy outside of the great hall. Harry was leaning against the wall near the door, appearing to be deep in a book called, "Telekinesis for the weak minded."
What an odd subject.. Thought Draco. He straightened his t-shirt and calmly walked over to the raven-haired-gryffindor, barely making any sound.
He loudly said, "Potter."
Draco had been expecting Harry to jump or at least flinch from surprise and was slightly disappointed when he only acknowledged him by saying, "Malfoy."
"Ready?" Asked Draco shortly. Harry nodded briefly and closed the book, for the first time looking at Draco.
He raised an eyebrow and was about to say something when Professor Snape interrupted. "Is Mr. Potter bothering you Draco?"
Draco turned slightly, his eyes remaining on Harry as he said, "No Sev."
His eyes moved to Snape in time to catch the look he was given that clearly meant what-did-I-tell-you-about-calling-me-that-in-public, but Draco innocently gave him a small smile.
Snape blinked, calmly saying, "Yes then. I'd like to have a word with you Draco. . " He sneered as his eyes moved to Harry, "A Private word, Potter."
Harry arched an eyebrow and looked to Draco. Draco nodded and watched as Harry pushed off of the wall and after giving Snape one last dirty look, headed into the great hall.
Draco looked back at Snape who was looking at him with a questioning glance. He ignored it. "So what is it Sev?"
"It's about your father, Draco."
Draco nodded in understanding and closed his eyes, preparing for the worst.
"I don't know how to say this Draco but--"
"Just get on with it Sev." Said Draco impatiently.
Snape sighed. "He'll be given the Demetor's kiss a fortnight from Monday."
I knew this was going to happen, reasoned Draco, but I didn't imagine it would be this soon.
"I'm sorry Draco." Said Snape softly, placing a hand on Draco's shoulder. Draco swallowed and opened his eyes.
"Its alright Sev. I knew it was going to happen sometime.."
"Just not this soon." Finished Snape.
Draco nodded. "How's mother taking it?"
The corner of Snape's mouth twitched, almost as if he was about to smile. "Well, you know your mother."
Draco smiled slightly. "Yeah.. "
A very vivid image of his mother throwing every thing she could get her hands on, at any house elf that dare speak to her popped in his mind.
Snape's hand dropped from Draco's shoulder and the two looked at each other in understanding. They both turned on their heels and strode into the great hall, Snape automatically heading to his normal seat and Draco heading for the one next to Harry instead of the empty one next to his godfather.
Harry looked up at his arrival when he sat down but didn't say anything and instead turned and engaged into a conversation with Lupin.
Draco was grateful for this.
He played with the hem of his T-shirt while staring at his golden platter. He didn't know if he would be able to hold much down so instead of trying to eat, he took a swig of pumpkin juice.
I might not even be alive a fortnight from now, thought Draco gloomily.
He fidgeted with the folded piece of parchment in his pocket nervously. He sighed and pulled it out, looking at Harry. Draco grabbed Harry by the wrist and slid the piece of parchment into his hand. The raven haired gryffindor turned to look at him and their eyes meant. The two sat like that for a minute, hand in hand, just looking at each other. Then, Draco noticed it and quickly pulled away and went back to staring at his platter.
Thankfully, Harry didn't say anything.
Draco didn't once care to look in Harry's direction, nor Snape's. If he had, perhaps he would have seen the look of amusement and bewilderment on his godfather's face as he watched the two boys interact.
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Part 10: Andolf the great.
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Draco left a short while later as he knew he wouldn't be able to hold much down.
Now, he was pacing back and forth in his room again waiting.. He felt like something was going to happen, like he should be doing something to stop what ever it was. It was one of those annoying gut instincts, that no matter how you tried, was almost impossible to ignore.
Draco plopped down on his plush couch and propped his elbows on his lap, burying his face in his hands. He took several calm shaky breath's until someone spoke.
"Young Malfoy?"
Draco looked up. On the usually empty portrait above his mantle was standing an elderly wizard with dark gray hair and an unusually red nose. The portrait tipped his blue wizard cap and smiled merrily. "Nice at meet ya, boy."
Draco blinked, giving the portrait what was clearly a confused glare, "Who in the name of Merlin are you?"
"The great, the superb, the undefeated--"
He held up a hand and impatiently said, "Get on with it."
"Andolf, at yer service," said the wizard, nodding.
Draco nodded politely and softly said, "Nice to meet you, Andolf. And thanks, but no thanks."
Andolf didn't seem to hear him as he began rambling, "Dumbledore sent me duntchya know. He wanted me to guard yer portrait hole. Rather empty it was."
"Thanks, but no thanks. You can leave now.." Said Draco shortly, standing from the couch.
The wizard gave him a pointed glare but said nothing.
"Leave." Repeated Draco.
"Why?" Asked Andolf, still smiling. "That's no way to treat yer guests sonny."
He scowled, beginning to loose his patience as he said, "Don't call me sonny. And I don't need some busy-body portrait eaves dropping on what I do."
"I'll call yer what ever I want, I will."
"No I don't think you will," sneered Draco.
Andolf raised a bushy-caterpillar like eyebrow and calmly said, "Will. 'Sides, I got something ta tell yer."
Draco rose an elegant eyebrow, his irritation apparent on his face, "What could you possibly have to tell me that would be of any importance?"
"Someone's stalkin' yer, yes they are." Said Andolf, shifting from foot to foot, though Draco could not see this action as he was only shown from the waist up.
Draco narrowed his eyes, "Who?"
"I don't know if I should tell yer. I'm just a busy body portrait."
"Tell me," Insisted Draco.
"No can do."
He sighed, for once interested in what the painting was saying and begrudgingly said, "Fine, what if I let you stay in the portrait outside my door?"
"I got at fink about it, I do."
Draco gritted his teeth, trying to stay calm.
I refuse to let some bloody portrait get the upper-hand.
After taking a slow breath, he calmly said, "No. Tell me now."
Andolf studied him silently until it said, "Fine. As ye know, I'm very high up on the gossip ladder and someone reported sneakin' in yer room and seeing a mysterious figure."
"Who?"
"Who what?"
"Try to keep up with the rest of the class." Snapped Draco. "Who was in my room and saw someone?"
"Ooh! How'd ya know?"
"You just told me! Now answer my bloody question!"
"I did?" Asked the considerably confused Andolf. The wizard put his fingers up to his chin and appeared to be deep in thought. That is if he could even think.. Leave it up to Dumbledore to give me a nut head.
"Ohh! I did. Well I can't tell yer anyway."
"Why?"
"'Cause."
"'Cause why?" Demanded Draco, inching closer to the frame.
Andolf blinked and stepped back. "Cause I dun know meself."
"Then why'd you mention it?"
"Dunno that either."
"Well what do you know?"
"That I better be gettin' to me job, I better." With that the portrait tipped his hat and smiled again, merrily switching from portrait frame to portrait frame until he was outside of Draco's door. Draco could hear him humming.
"Stupid old.." Mumbled Draco to himself. He sat back down and buried his face in his hands again.
A moment later someone cleared their throat in front of him.
"Leave me the bloody hell alone!" Shouted Draco, looking up.
In front of him stood no other than Harry Potter. The boy shrugged and calmly said, "Bye then."
Draco grabbed his wrist. "Not you.. I thought you were--"
"Andolf?"
"How'd you know Potter?" Asked Draco suspiciously, letting go of Harry's wrist. This earned an amused look from the Gryffindor as a smirk formed on his lips.
"Paranoid aren't we? And I just meant him. He isn't the easiest portrait to ignore."
Draco nodded and after a moment asked, "How'd you know this was my room anyway?"
"Andolf told me."
"He did?"
"Well yes... And no." Said Harry, stuffing his hands in his back pockets. "He was singing about you."
Draco blinked, his face expressionless until Harry spoke again, "I think you have yourself a crush Malfoy."
The Slytherin quickly shook the notion of having a stalking portrait from his mind, and scowled, "Sod off Potter. Now, if you would please get out of my room. ."
Harry gave him a weird look, furrowing his eyebrows, "Did a Malfoy just say please?"
"Yes, I was taught manners unlike some people apparently."
Harry blinked, shrugging again as one of his hands moved to his face to push his glasses up again, and he said, "Right."
"I'm not going to ask so nicely the second time Potter."
Harry smirked and said, "Good. That would be to much for me to handle in one day."
Draco scowled and in a dangerously low tone said, "Get. Out."
"Fine." Said Harry, stepping towards the door. "I guess I'll just go visit the room of requirement then.."
Draco sighed, his face buried in his hands again and in a muffled voice said, "Fine, you proved your point."
"What point?" Asked Harry with a small smile.
"You bloody well know what point."
Harry quirked an eyebrow, looking completely oblivious.
"Fine, I need you to help me Potter. Just Don't let it get to your head."
Harry smiled slightly, "Alright Draco, come on.."
The Slytherin looked up, "Where?"
"The room of requirement." Said Harry, turning to leave.
Draco stood and followed, but only after saying, "About bloody time."
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5 Reviews = Next 2 parts; Revised Chapter.