Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters that are familiar to his universe.
A/N: Talk about major feedback. I was blown away at how many people like this story. I am glad that is making a great hit. Enjoy!
Chapter Three: True Friends
Harry held Michael tightly to his chest as he pulled his cloak snuggly around himself and the little boy, effectively hiding him from prying eyes and the icy cold wind that was whipping around them mercilessly. He glared at the sky above him, gone were the white fluffy clouds from earlier that morning and in their places now were angry black ominous clouds that looked as if they were going to let loose a torrential downpour of icy rain. This morning when he had left for the train station it had been sunny and the wind was nothing but a light breeze, now the weather seemed to be reflecting Harry's rather stormy mood. He felt the wind pick up once more causing him to shiver as it blew under his collar. Harry just hoped that the rain would hold off until he got Michael inside of Hogwarts. He could just imagine the hell he would get from Madame Pomfrey if he showed up at the school with a wet baby.
Poppy Pomfrey had stepped in as Michael's primary physician when the Headmaster had asked her to give him a check up when he had turned six weeks old. She was the one that had told Harry the he should ask the Headmaster about Michael's rather extraordinary birthmark. He would have to try and remember to talk to the Headmaster after the feast, which was if he could get away from the mob that was sure to form.
Harry ran his hand tiredly through his messy hair as he and Draco made their way through the crowds of students looking for an empty carriage. They needed to hurry and find a compartment. There was only so much wind a warming charm could keep out and he didn't want Michael to get a chill. He could feel the stares from the students as the caught sight of him and Draco walking together with out any curses being thrown or and blood being shed. Harry chuckled grimly softly to himself and shook his head at the ridiculous behavior of the students mulling around the station. If they were that shock at just seeing Harry Potter walking with Draco Malfoy he was sure that they would die of shock when they seen that the seventeen year old Golden Boy of Gryffindor show up in the Great Hall with a three month old baby.
He could just imagine the sordid rumors and stories that they would probably come up with by the end of the feast. He was glad that he was going to be away from the rest of the student body. Harry honestly didn't think that he would be able to get a moment to himself if he had to stay in the Gryffindor dormitories. He would definitely have to tell Professor Snape and the Headmaster how much he appreciated the room that he was given in the dungeons. It was going to be one hell of a year and he was glad that he would have a place that he could escape to and be able to spend time with Michael with out being disturbed. Right now though all he wanted to do was to find a bloody carriage and get out of the progressively worsening weather.
Draco had heard Harry chuckle darkly and wondered what had put him in such a mood. Knowing that he wouldn't get any answer with so many people around Draco just reigned in his curiosity. He would just have to wait until they were alone before he could ask what it was that Harry had found so humorous. Draco sneered at a couple of second years who had been standing in their way and gaping rather obviously at the two of them walking together. The two younger kids scattered at the blond Slytherin's trademark sneer. It was great to have such power over little kids Draco thought to himself.
They finally found an empty carriage Harry got in it and sat down silently. Draco slid the two diaper bags under the seat and sat down next to Harry. He watched as Harry slowly unwrapped his cloak reveling a still sleeping baby.
"So what was so funny that it had you laughing back there?" Draco asked after they had both settled down.
Harry's expression darkened slightly. "I was just thinking of what everyone's reaction are going to be at seeing Michael. I mean my god they were practically catatonic with just the fact that you and I were walking together with out fighting. Can you just imagine what they are going act like when they see Michael?" Harry said looking down at the little boy in his arms.
He couldn't believe how fast his life had changed in the last three months and he could believe how much the little guy had changed and grown.
Draco smiled at the little boy what had already worked is way in to his heart and he had only been around him for the last couple of hours. When he had held that little baby in his arms earlier it had made him feel things that he had never felt before. He couldn't wait until one day when he could hold his son or daughter in his arms, but if something had happened to Pansy he didn't know if those dreams would ever come true.
He just hoped that she would be there at the school waiting for him telling him that she was ok and that she had just missed the train. He wished that would happen with every fiber of his being. He didn't think that he could make it with out her. She had always been his solid support in the last few years and he had always been there for her. Draco didn't think that he could live with himself knowing that something had happened to her because he hadn't pushed her to stay at the school with him. But he had known that he couldn't keep her away from her sister and with a heavy heart he had let Pansy go back.
Harry could tell by the look on Draco's face that he was thinking about Pansy. Frankly Draco wasn't the only one that was worried about the girl. Harry hoped that she was all right, for her sake and Draco's. He knew that if something had happened to Pansy Draco would never stop blaming himself and would work himself into an early grave because of it. In some aspects he and Draco were a lot alike.
"She'll be alright Draco, try not to worry too much you'll just make yourself sick." Harry said trying to be reassuring.
Draco nodded his head numbly, Harry was right it wouldn't do himself or Pansy any good if he was worrying too much and not keeping his head on straight. He would need all of his wits about him if something had happened and Pansy needed his help. He also realized that he would definitely need to keep a level head for Harry, especially after seeing the proverbial spilt of the infamous Trio.
Draco had only been friends with Harry for the last six months and even in that short amount of time Draco realized right off the bat that Harry's friendship were special and were not as freely given as what it was generally believed. Harry was one of the few true friends that Draco actually had. Ron and Hermione even after seven years had yet to realize what a unique friend they had in Harry and if they didn't get their acts straightened around they wouldn't have that friendship with him much longer. Not that Draco would be sad to see them go. He had always felt that the two of them had stayed friends with Harry for the prestige of being friends with the "Boy-Who-Lived" and not for Harry just being Harry. That had been Draco's mistake when he had first met Harry. And it wasn't until he learned to see past the name and the icon that he and Harry had been able to become friends. He was glad that he did and he would never regret turning against his father for the rest of his life.
Draco had just been about to ask Harry if he had heard anything about the new DADA professor when the carriage door burst open and two figures fell into the carriage and onto the floor in an undignified heap. Harry and himself both had their wands trained on the two people who at the moment were trying to untangle themselves from one another.
Harry thought that the two crashers looked familiar but he had yet to see their faces. He held on tightly to the still incredible asleep Michael. He was starting to think that Tonks or Remus had slipped a sleeping potion into the bottle of formula. He would just have to take that matter up with those two.
Neville Longbottom finally lifted his head and found himself on the wrong end of Harry's wand, and when he looked over at his companion he saw that Luna Lovegood was in the same position only at the end of Draco Malfoy's wand. Struggling to get up Neville looked up at Harry apologetically.
"Sorry about that, everyone else's carriages were full." He said quietly after noticing the sleeping baby in Harry's arms. Neville helped Luna up off the floor and sat down with her on the other side of the carriage.
Harry smiled at the rumpled site of two of his friends. Maybe, just maybe they would understand and would not be immature about his situation in the way that Ron and Hermione had been. Harry had become a lot closer to Neville after the end of his fifth year and last year he had told Neville about the prophecy. Neville being true to his character had fainted when it had dawned on him that he could have just as easily been him in Harry's place. But then being the true Gryffindor that he was Neville then told Harry that he would do anything that he could to help.
Neville had also been right there for him all last year when it had finally hit him that Sirius was really gone. Ron and Hermione had been too wrapped up in each other to see how far Harry had been falling into himself. Harry had stopped talking to everyone, and had become dangerously depressed. It had been Neville and Luna who had stepped in and been there for Harry during his dark times. With Ron and Hermione not being around to dictate whom he could be around out side of the Gryffindor students had started talking with Draco and had found out that the Slytherin Prince did not want to follow in the footsteps of his father. It had also been during this time that Harry had gotten to know the real Luna Lovegood and not the person that she perceived to be around others.
Harry found out that Luna had adopted her airy behavior after her mother had been killed. She had created a new personality as a defense mechanism. She didn't want people to pity her for what had happened and she found that if she acted a bit strange that people would leave her alone. She just never dropped the act after she came to Hogwarts.
The real Luna was a brilliant witch who could have put Hermione in her place when she was in her first year. But she had chose to keep her talents in the dark. When Harry had asked her why she hid her talents her reply had hit home. She had told him that she chose to keep her intelligence and magic abilities quiet because it would give her something to hold over her enemies. And then she had blown him away when she had looked directly at him and said that he did the same thing. That he hadn't told anyone of the other things that he was capable of doing. Things that in the Wizarding world people would find incredible and he would once again be the talk of the town. He had learned that the hard way after everyone found out that he was a parseltongue in his second year.
He had decided then that no one would know the true extent of his abilities.
It had been Luna that had helped him through his grief and helping get through to himself that he wasn't to blame for any of the deaths caused by Voldemort, and that every time that he let himself fall into the ritual of blaming himself for something that happened that was out of his control he was letting Voldemort win.
Harry was startled out of his thoughts when he felt Draco relax beside him. When he looked over he saw that Neville and Luna were looking at Harry expectantly. It was Neville who decided to break the silence.
"What's the little guys name? I mean he is a ... he right?" Neville started to panic at the thought of offending Harry, but relaxed when Harry started laughing.
"Yes he is a he, and his name is Michael James Potter and he is three months old today." Harry said answering Neville's stuttering question. He then turned and smiled at Luna, "And it looks like you get to share your birthday with this little guy." He said teasingly.
Luna grinned, "Is that so, well I guess that I will just have to help him open his presents until he gets the hang of it himself."
Harry laughed, he was glad that at least two of his former friends were being understanding. He smiled slightly to himself when he got a glance at Neville taking Luna's hand into his and squeezing it gently. He remembered last year when Neville had finally drummed up enough of that Gryffindor courage and asked Luna out on a date. Harry had been thrilled for his friends and was happy that they had found something special in each other.
Harry smiled back at Luna's hesitant smile when he looked up from their clasped hands. Sometimes he wondered if she read his mind or was just really observant to his slight changes in moods. He would just have to ask her sometimes.
Harry realized that he had yet to tell Luna and Neville of his new rooms. He couldn't wait to see what Neville's reaction was going to be that Harry was essentially living with Professor Snape.
"I won't be in Gryffindor Tower this year." Harry said watching Neville's face turning from confused to understanding.
Neville nodded in understanding, he had figured that Dumbledore had found a room for Harry and Michael. He himself wouldn't have minded having Harry and Michael in the tower but he knew that the rest of their dorm mates wouldn't be to understanding. Neville knew that Ron would be the loudest voice of protest he also had a feeling that Ron would be the one that as soon as he found out that Harry was given different rooms he would be complaining about favoritism and that Harry only got it because he was the famous boy who lived. Neville never did understand why Ron got so jealous of Harry especially being that he was supposed to be his best friend. He was glad that Harry was going to be able to have his privacy.
"That's good that you are going to be able to get away from everyone else. Wish I could join you but you know that there has to be at least one responsible person left in the dorm. God knows what would happen if we both were gone." Neville replied teasingly. "Make sure that you let me and Luna know were your room is as soon as you find out."
Harry and Draco looked at each other and tried not to laugh. "Nev, I already know where my new room is. But the thing is that I don't think that you will voluntarily come and visit me after you find out where it is." He said trying to hold in his laughter.
Neville looked at Harry and Draco suspiciously wondering what they were talking about. "Where is your room?" he asked wearily.
Draco started laughing and Harry just started shaking his head, "I am going to be staying in a room next to Draco's." he started and then paused.
Neville frowned, "Well that's not bad, why wouldn't I visit you there. I have nothing against Draco."
Draco decided that he would be the one to enlighten Neville. "Yes, but our rooms are in Professor Snape's quarters." He said as he watched Neville's face pale dramatically.
Neville sat there for a couple of seconds before he said anything and then visibly taking a deep breath he looked over at Harry. "Well then I guess that I will just have to make sure it is alright with him if I can come and visit you, and I will ask him if it alright if Luna comes as well." He said gathering his courage. "Nothing is going to stop me from being your friend Harry. I told you that last year and I meant it. I assume it was the Headmaster's idea to put you two with Professor Snape?" he asked.
Draco nodded his head. "That and Professor Snape's, they feel that we will be safer there than anywhere else in the castle beside being with the Professor Dumbledore."
Draco then got a gleam in his eyes that Harry didn't necessarily like. Harry had a feeling that he knew exactly what it was that Draco was planning. He looked Draco in the eyes and just shook his head, "It's your head, not mine."
Draco smiled broadly knowing that Harry had caught on to what it was that he had been thinking. "Exactly, but just think of all the blackmail material that we could get out of it." He said already planning on how to accomplish this feat.
Neville looked back and forth between Harry and Draco rather confused at what was going on. "Do I even want to know what you two are planning?"
Harry just shook his head at Draco's plan. "He thinks that he is going to be able to get a picture of Professor Snape's reaction when he sees you on the other side of his door wanting to know if you can come in. And if he gets away with it, it will be a miracle. But knowing Draco and his tendency to screw things up he will end up with detention for the rest of his natural born life." Harry said causing Luna to giggle and Draco to roll his eyes in exasperation.
"Oh ye of little faith. You'll see." Draco said as the other three started laughing in earnest. They then started talking about who they thought would win the Quidditch Cup this year.
Luna looked over at Harry and asked quietly, "Could I hold him?"
Harry stood up and gently laid the sleeping boy into her arms. He then turned back to the conversation with Draco and Neville.
Luna sat silently taking in the baby's features trying to discern which were Harry's and which were from the mother. She glanced up at Harry wondering were the baby's mother was and what had happened that would cause Harry to bring the little boy back to school with him. Luna hoped that nothing bad had happened but she had that gut wrenching feeling that something horrible had happened. She thought back to what had happened at the leaving feast last year and wondering if that had something to do with Michael. She had a feeling that Harry hadn't known about Michael until that day and she was hardly ever wrong when it came to her 'feelings' that she got every once in a while. Luna shook her head morosely to herself, what a horrible way to find out that you were a father.
Luna glanced down at the baby in her arms and was pleasantly surprised to see his bright emerald green eyes staring at her. She got the distinct impression that he was peering directly into her soul; he had wisdom and understanding hidden in the emerald depths.
"Oh my, you'll be just like your daddy. Won't you little one?" She whispered to the little boy and was rewarded by a smile. Luna knew that this little one had an old soul, just like Harry did. Whether or not Harry realized that was something that she would find out later. But now she just wanted to hold this amazing little baby.
Harry had heard Luna whisper something and when he looked up he could see that Michael was finally awake and he was staring intently at Luna. He stood slowly and noticed that Michael must have heard him get up because he was trying to turn his head toward Harry. Michael's eyes locked with his as he walked to the little boy. Luna smiled and handed Harry back the wide-awake little boy.
"Hey there sleepy head, its about time that you woke up. I bet that mean old auntie Tonks spiked your bottle." At the mention of Tonks name Michael tried to turn his head obviously looking for the aforementioned aunt. "Sorry buddy, she's not here she had to stay home and keep your grandpa Remus inline."
Harry heard Draco snort at that but he ignored him as he sat back down on the bench. Harry already wished that Remus and Tonks were going to be at Hogwarts but while Harry was at school there were being sent out on several missions. Remus had reassured him that he would be able to come home for Christmas break, but that was a long way away and Harry was missing them already.
It still was really strange for Harry that he had somewhere to call home and had people who loved and cared for him. It had taken a lot to get used to but now he didn't want to give it up so soon.
Harry checked Michael's diaper one last time as the carriage pulled up to the school. They had finally here and amazingly it hadn't started raining yet. Maybe that was a good omen.
A huge clap of thunder sounded through the air and was followed shortly by a large flash of lightening. Then again maybe not so much of a good omen Harry thought to himself and he hurriedly pulled the cloak back around himself and Michael. He tried to make sure that the trembling little boy was completely covered so that the wind couldn't get to him. It seemed that Michael liked storms as much as what Harry did.
Taking a deep breath Harry stepped out of the carriage and made his way through the crowd with Draco at his side and Luna and Neville following closely behind him. The small group reached the large oak double doors that lead to the Great Hall in record time. Harry felt Draco squeeze his arm in a small reminder that he wasn't alone in this, and that they would all get through this in one piece.
With a deep breath Harry pulled the door open and stepped inside.