Chapter 3: The Reunion

Harry woke with a start; something large and heavy had just landed on his stomach. Bleary-eyed he turned and faced his clock using one hand to search for his glasses and the other to push the package off him. Putting his glasses on he found not only was it 4:30 AM but his room contained at least 10 owls. He paid a small brown barn owl 5 Knuts for its delivery of the Daily Prophet, the owl then exited through the open window and then one by one the remaining owls left (it appeared the barn owl had been blocking their exit).

"Blimey!" said Harry (sounding oddly like Ron) looking around he found his room full of presents. He ran over to the homework planner Hermione had given him and opened it to today's date. He smiled to himself, July 31st, his 16th birthday. He had presents from everyone; Hagrid, Hermione, Ron, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Fred and George even professors Dumbledore and McGonagall had sent him something. He also had his O.W.L. results and a list of subjects to choose from for next year, he decided to leave everything schoolish till last. There was a note from Ron and Hermione, who were already together at the Burrow, asking him to meet them in the London Underground. Enclosed was some muggle money, there was no way Harry would get any from the Dursleys. They were going to Diagon Alley as a treat for Harry's birthday ("and for books" Hermione insisted having picked her subjects already).

At 10:45AM Harry passed through a barrier in the London Underground and looked around eagerly for his friends, a grin spread across his face as he spotted them. Ron was attempting to feed wizards money into a vending machine and began beating the machine when it didn't work, whilst a very anxious Hermione tried to restrain him. Harry reached them at the same time as the station security. The security officer was a well-built man and about 7 foot tall, Hermione grinned sheepishly at the officer as Ron turned and complained about "the stupid muggle thingy". This erupted into a huge argument about time wasters, counter fitters and sweet shops, which came to a sudden halt when a cloaked person ran headlong into the security officer and shouted apologies as Ron was knocked flying into the vending machine which began dropping all of its sweets. Ron turned triumphantly

"Told you if I hit it hard enough I'd get what I wanted!"

All three walked casually into Diagon Alley, and up to Gringotts to collect money for Harry. They walked chatting happily up the steps to the entrance

"If it isn't pathetic Potter, mudblood Granger and the wizard who's got more brothers than Knuts" even without looking Harry knew who it was but he turned to face him anyway. Harry was surprised to see Draco Malfoy alone and looking worried. Before Harry could reply Hermione cut him off.

"Don't you find those insults boring yet? You've been using them for years, I think daddies little boy is getting soft and..." they didn't find out what else Malfoy was as the person from the station came bounding down the steps almost knocking Hermione over.

"Sorry..." came the voice from behind the hood, Hermione was just about to accept this apology when the voice continued, "...I'm late. Sorry" it appeared it was Malfoy who was being addressed and not they.

"Okay, come on I've got the perfect place" Malfoy spoke quickly as he lead the hooded stranger away into the bustling crowds of Diagon Alley.

The trio headed into the bank confused, with Hermione muttering about impolite people and it being expected of Malfoy's friends (which Ron now regretted pointing out).

After a long, hard day of shopping Harry, Ron and Hermione retreated to The Leaky Cauldron, where they would be spending the night. Harry yawned as he asked for two rooms, one for himself and Ron and the other for Hermione. They ordered their drinks and flopped tiredly into a nearby booth. Hagrid swaggered, half drunk into the small room and sank into a seat, closed to where the three were sat without noticing them. Harry was just about to call him over when a sharp nudge in the ribs stopped him. Glancing at Ron, he found he was just as bewildered by Hermione's actions. Rolling her eyes she whispered

"Honestly, don't you two use your eyes? Look who's here!" she pointed silently at each of their professors in turn. There was Hagrid at his table, McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout at another table and in a nearby booth was Snape previously hidden by a newspaper. Harry's eyes darted around the room looking for more teachers and sure enough Professor Dumbledore entered from the staircase. Ron glanced from Harry to Hermione suspiciously

"What's going on?" he asked, Hermione rolled her eyes in andisn't it obvious' kind of way and shrugged to let them know she didn't know either. Harry raised a finger to his lips as Hermione blocked them from view, the squashed together listening intently.

"I trust Severus that my plans have been carried forward" Dumbledore spoke in a serious tone, which Harry found quite unusual.

"Yes headmaster" Snape's scowl could almost be heard in his voice "although I must say I don't agree with all of your plans..."

Dumbledore cut "I assume you mean the uncontrollable secret" he laughed for a moment but quickly regained the serious tone "never-the-less my plans regarding that matter have been followed"

The underlying anger in Snape's voice was barely contained as he replied, "Yes headmaster, orders and instructions were given, but as you said headmaster, the secret IS uncontrollable."

"I hope Severus, that isn't a hint permission was given" Dumbledore's voice became sharp and angered, Snape snapped back in a similar authoritive tone.

"No, there was no permission! As I said your instructions were given headmaster" Snape paused for a moment as he glanced at the other professors and then continued, "but remember this Albus, Lucius will not tolerate you overruling his authority again and nor will I"

"It is for the best," Dumbledore said returning to his normal calm manner

"Again headmaster the decision belongs to myself and Lucius" Dumbledore smiled reluctantly as he stood up to leave the table.

"Albus don't take for granted this will happen again. Lucius owes me no more favours." Dumbledore walked slowly from the table.

"Lucius wouldn't argue with Dumbledore if it were to happen again" McGonagall commented, Snape studied her face before replying.

"Lucius would argue with him, he has more rights than Albus. Believe me Minerva this wont happen again" Snape also left the table

Draco unlocked the door of the small room and walked the hooded person to the window.

"Wow, the view's amazing" there was a slight pause before the voice continued "no one knows we're here, right? And no one will find us, right?"

"I told you, the perfect place" Draco smirked

"Okay, I'm getting kind of hot now anyways" came the voice as it removed the hooded cloak to reveal a strapless light blue dress which was longer at the back than at the front and light blue high heeled shoes to match, long brown hair and sparkling grey-blue eyes. Draco suddenly became aware his mouth was open and closed it quickly and after composing himself, found himself saying

"Wow, you look really good, I mean nice" regaining control of his mouth he smirked and rolled his eyes "you know what I mean"

The girl laughed "You always look really good" she winked "err I mean nice" she said sarcastically "I would've worn something else except I had to say I was going to a muggle christening. Oh, and you do look goo...nice" she smiled. The pair looked silently at each other for a while.

"Its great to see you, I don't think I could've lasted the whole summer without causing some Malfoy style mayhem." Something hit Draco and he frowned, the girl noticed instantly as he let his guard down.

"What's the matter?" She asked tilting her head.

"What was up with that?" he asked in such a way it was impossible to tell whether he was upset or angry.

"Dumbledore you mean?" she replied in a concerned tone, the sparkle leaving her eyes. Draco studied her face as if deciding whether or not she was genuinely upset. He looked down as he rubbed his head in thought.

"It doesn't matter if you can't tell me. I'm sorry I asked. Just don't be upset okay?" he lifted her face up to show her he was genuine.

"You know I'll tell you!" she smiled her sparkle returning, "God, I've missed you loads. I've got heaps to tell you!"

"Yeah me too" Draco replied softly as the girl smiled at him "me too."