Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic.

By Wihstrum

Chapter Thirteen: Pizza and War.

Ron stared at the Boy-who-lived, eyes wide. His intense gaze was really beginning to worry the latter, so he waved a hand in front of his face. The redhead snapped back into reality and finally spoke. "………..bloody hell….."

Harry sighed, thinking that he just ruined their friendship, and got up to leave. Ron grabbed his arm and pulled him back into the couch. "You don't have to worry, mate…" he shot him a reassuring look "It's just, you know… A little sudden…"

The two young Gryffindors let out a nervous snigger, while Hermione observed Ron approvingly, glad that he understood how much his judgment would matter to Harry.

Meanwhile Finbar hit Harry lazily over the head with a small cushion, catching his attention. "Can't believe you didn't tell him sooner…"

Harry smiled weakly and shrugged.

"Its okay, mate…" he patted his knee "Think I would have reacted the same way." He got to his feet and rolled his shoulders while a sly grin spread over his face "But don't you go falling for me now. Look, I know I'm gorgeous… but it would never work out…"

Harry rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless.

"So…with this new revelation fresh in mind, who're you gonna ask for the Ball?" Ron queried while plopping in front of the fire and motioning for Finbar to join him in a game of Wizard-chess.

"Seriously, I don't know…"

Hermione tore her head out of the book "Please don't tell me that neither of you haven't asked a date yet?" she asked, irritation evident in her voice.

The three young men looked at the ground, the ceiling or their hands.

"I can't believe you guys!"

"Have you?" Harry shot back.

"No, but I bet you know why!"

He cocked his head sideward at Ron, who was completely oblivious to all what was happening around him. Hermione nodded ever so slightly, a pink flush spreading over her cheeks.

Finbar was lying on his stomach, head supported on his hands, while as always, plucking his goatee. "Think she has a date yet?" Everybody knew who he was talking about.

Harry's brow rumpled as Malfoy's face drifted in mind. Perhaps he'd already asked her? Or she him… Bah… Oh waaait up. Pause. Rewind. Why am I feeling jealous? This is bloody Draco Malfoy we're talking about. He quickly sneaked a glance at Finbar, but the werewolf was too caught up in the game to have noticed.

Friday Morning. Potions. Slytherin and Gryffindor.

It was a rainy, gloomy Friday morning and therefore double potions with Malfoy by his side. Add the additional nuisance in Snape returning tests didn't make Harry exactly happy…

The Gryffindor groaned deep in the back of his throat while he glared angrily at the copy his Potions Master shoved in his hands. A 'D'. And he'd worked so damn hard for it. The paper crumpled under his fierce grasp.

"A 'D' Potter? That's pathetic…" Malfoy drawled next to his ear, his warm breath tickling on his cheek, sending shivers down Harry's spine. With a vague hint of panic, the Gryffindor realized it was the pleasant kind of shivers.

What was it with close contact anyway? He glared at the Slytherin. "Thanks for pointing that out, Malfoy…" he rested his chin on the table, his eyes focused on the evil, red 'D' in the right upper corner of his test. "I'll never make it this year; I've already failed 2 other theoretical tests…" he mumbled to no one in particular.

"May I enquire why you even chose extra potions classes when you so drrrrrreadfully suck at it?" he pronounced 'dreadful' with obvious glee.

"I'm trying to get into Auror training…" the Gryffindor replied mutely.

An amused smirk settled on his face "I wouldn't have expected otherwise Potter, once a hero, always a hero…"

"Shove off Malfoy…"

The blonde snickered and fanned himself with his previously returned test, a curly 'O' stamped on top it.

"Yes, rub it in my face…" Harry sneered, while stretching his arms above his head, relishing the pop of each vertebrae snapping back into place.

Draco tried to look offended "I can't help it that you're not as skilled in the Subtle Art of Potions as I obviously am…"

"Well, if you're that good at it, why not tutor me?" it was out before Harry even realized he'd wanted to say that.

Malfoy frowned "Sure, Potter, of course I will." He coughed "Not."

Draco stirred the liquid drab with ridiculous care; foreign, odd scents bellowing up form it.

"Smells like pizza…" Potter murmured distantly, while chopping frog liver.

He cocked an eyebrow and shifted his interest to his rival. Although they weren't like, friends, a 'healthy' rivalry (shouting spars in overcrowded hallways still included) had settled between them "Pitsaah?"

"Uh-huh, pizza is a sort of flat bread with everything you want on top of it…" he licked his lips.

Draco's anger flared at the sight of Potter's tongue darting out to wet his lips. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of Potter!"

Potter lowered his voice in mock-anger "Insult pizza, insult me."

"Your point being?" he replied dully.

"How can you not like pizza if you've never tasted it before?"

"Potter; flat bread and whatever you want on top of it? Please…"

"I daresay that you'd like it if you ever tried…"

"Right, and the next thing we know we'll get married after we graduate, live in a nice little house by the sea and have a dozen kids running around!"

"You know, technically, the kids-part would be a problem…" Potter pointed out.

"This is the wizard world Potter, everything is possible…"

"Malfoy, I'm touched… Never knew you felt like that about me…" he said, hand clasped over his heart, gazing lovingly at Draco.

"Bloody Merlin Potter shut up! I can't believe we're having this conversation in the first place!"

Draco had to keep himself from drowning the critter in their potion as Potter sniggered dumbly.

"Now what?" he snarled, Potter was really starting to get on his nerves.

"Nothing, just imagining you in a wide, pink dress with blue flowers on it, knitting socks…" he replied casually, lips pouted as he let his knife rhythmically slide through the frog intestines.

He glared menacingly at the Boy Who Lived (soon to be the Boy Who Got in Lots of Trouble With Draco Malfoy) "Now that was a mental image I did not need…"

"Must admit it would be funny…"

"Potter."

"Hmm?"

"Talking privileges revoked for the rest of the day!"

Harry whimpered when Snape announced another theoretical test. His mood definitely had gone into piss off-mode for the rest of the day as he violently stuffed his books in his bag.

Draco rolled his stormy gray eyes and couldn't believe what he was about to say "Okay what about this: I'll tutor you… But!" he raised a finger and Harry knew there was a challenge coming up.

"There's a catch: the test Snape announced is due in two or three weeks… if you fail that test, you're to wear a spandex Super-Potter suit for a whole day, somewhat similar to the ones Lockhart used to wear, only tighter and therefore possibly even more ridiculous…."

Harry swallowed, not liking at what Malfoy was plotting this time "And if I pass?"

He scratched his chin, nose rumpling as he thought "We'll make that pitsaah-stuff together…"

Harry stared off into the distance for a short while, running a hand trough his black hair. This wasn't exactly what he'd expected… Well, if he took the challenge he'd be extra motivated to pass it, cause he was seriously not planning on wearing a Super-Potter suit for a whole day… What kind of challenge was this anyway? Malfoy was such a bizarre guy at times…

"Deal." He reached out and Malfoy accepted, shaking hands.

Saturday Morning. Training Session.

As usual Moony was waiting for Harry in the Main Hall, the Gryffindor actually quite nervous, since Remus had refrained from telling him who his martial arts teacher would be. They went for their usual jog in the chilly morning air, the grass covered by silvery dew, leaving narrow footsteps where their feet touched the ground. To his surprise they didn't go to Hogsmeade, but turned back to Hogwarts and through the front gate, inside. Up the stairs, up, up and to the seventh floor.

"Uhm Remus, where are we going?"

"Room of Requirement." He smiled at Harry's frown "What where you thinking? Sparring outside at this time of the year?"

The emerald eyed boy's eyebrows shot up in surprise when they entered the room, which had been transformed into some kind of typical Japanese dojo. And then all logical thought flew out the proverbial window.

"…Alex?"

Grinning she moved over to him, barefooted. Her usual oversized yeans replaced by loose, wide trainers and the blouse with Slytherin tie and emblem switched for a tight black tank top. Her long white braid swung playfully behind her. "Quite a surprise eh" she smiled up at him "The t-shirt's gotta go as well as the shoes…" she gestured at the aforementioned garments with a bandaged hand.

Harry still stared.

"C'mon, I'll explain…" she walked back to the far end of the room Harry following behind. In the mean time, Remus got comfortable on the ground, crossing his legs.

"Look, I wasn't kidding when I said that the sole reason of my existence is to kill you…" Alex heaved a worried sigh and crossed her arms, Harry appreciating her harsh honesty, for he'd been lied to way too many times "So, it seems like whatever they wanted me to do, they've trained me well. What happened two weeks ago was merely a beginning… But I've come to decision; I won't stop at any limit to get you ready for the final confrontation. Let's just say that we'll be using his little puppet –me- against himself." She rested her hands on his shoulders, locking their eyes together "You are the one that has to end this nonsense, thus also stopping him from making something like me ever again. He failed to get me under his command, but who knows what happens next time?" her explanation was forced and haste, as if she'd like to get over with it as soon as possible.

"…Make?"

Her breath hitched and she looked down "Anyway, I want you to tell him I said 'Hi'…"

It was like a cold bucket of ice slithering down his back, such was the reality check he received. He understood what she was. There were some details still missing in the puzzle, but he knew now. And he accepted. "Alex..." He caught her hand in his "It's okay."

"I know… that's why I'm doing this…" a sad smile adored her lips, but Harry knew the Slytherin was strong enough to live with the truth. "Enough now, get those shoes and shirt off, we're starting…"

After Alex bandaged his knuckles they started with some very basic moves and warm-ups. He was quite surprised at the sudden change in the young girl, it seemed like Alexs' whole body was focused on what she was doing, and even the smallest movement was performed with graceful and efficient perfection. And yet she looked so relaxed, as if she wasn't even thinking about she was doing.

"Seems like you've got talent." She complemented his efforts while she padded over to a kicking bag. Suddenly she fell into a loose fighting stance and started executing short sharp kicks to a kicking bag dodging it as it swung dangerously back at her from the force. "Kay, now you."

Harry felt a little ashamed of himself, he'd never done this before, not to mention the fact that it was kinda out of character for him. But he gathered all his determination when Alex squeezed reassuringly in his shoulder and gave it a go. It didn't take long before sweat pearled on his forehead and his muscles started to protest. He couldn't believe how a girl could make it look so easy. Gently she pointed out what he was doing wrong and more importantly, what he was doing right.

"Kay, not bad, you've been doing some exercise?"

"Sit-ups and push-ups, the usual…"

"Good, good, now double them."

He gave her a dumbfounded look as she grinned up at him with fake innocence. "Nobody said it was going to be easy…" she rolled her shoulders and gave a challenging nod in his direction. "C'mon, let's see what you've got."

She must be joking.

"I-I don't hit girls…" he mumbled.

"Okay, but that won't stop Bellatrix from Avada Kedavra-ing your sorry ass out of here…" she shrugged and turned to leave.

Before Harry could let out a relieved breath, she'd wheeled around and took a swung for him. He barely dodged it. "Bloody Merlin Alex!" he screamed while he ducked another one. He knew she could hit knock-out him within a heartbeat; she was merely taunting him a little.

"Ah, c'mon Gryffindork! Defend yourself!" she teased.

Harry grit his teeth and put his moral values aside. He tried to tackle her, but she was too fast and before he knew he received a punch to his gut, yet she was careful enough not to hurt him.

"Come on Harry!" she coaxed the Boy-who-lived as she paused her attack for a moment. "You can do better than that"

Harry slumped down against the wall when Alex told him they'd call it a day. His chest heaved up and down, heart pounding against his ribcage. Who would have known what he'd practicing martial arts? Stiffly he got up and gathered his shoes and shirt, not bothering to dresshimself properly so he could head to the showers straight away. He had an hour before he had to meet up with Malfoy in the library.

Draco was standing by the doors of the Library, and waiting for Potter to show up. Why was he so nervous? The nonchalance was a carefully practiced façade because if he could, he'd probably be pacing around, an annoying habit he picked up somewhere last year.

One more month and it would be Christmas… he closed his eyes and tried to force away the thought with all the willpower he had. He was not going over this again, he knew what would happen and he knew what he had to do. Luckily Potter chose this moment to come running down the hallway, his jet-black hair still wet from a shower or something.

The stormy eyed Seeker tsk-ed at him "You're late…"

"Sorry, really, but please tell your girlfriend to go easier on me next time…" he saw the blonde's eyebrows shoot up heavenward. "Okay that sounded wrong…"

Draco snickered and waved it away as they entered the library "Girlfriend…?"

"Alex."

He glared at him "She's anything but my girlfriend… So how did the first training session go? Looks like she kicked your skinny ass..."

"You can say that again…"

The library was deserted, so they could work in relative privacy. Draco placed his books on the table and motioned the Gryffindor to sit next to him. Potter plonked gracelessly down next to him, Draco rolling his eyes at him. He leafed through the book and finally stopped at the Potion they'd been working on last week, hoping to Merlin that Potter would remember it.

He shoved a paper under Potter's nose with some notes on. "Try this…"

Draco observed the young man next to him whom was biting his bottom lip anxiously, eyes shooting over the paper. Despite the valiant effort not to think of the dream from last night, it continuously sprung into his mind. The dreams hadn't stopped, in contrary, he dreamed about the Gryffindor every time he dared to close his slate gray eyes and every morning after he'd tell himself that dreams were just dreams. Right?
Then why does his proximity affect me so much…? He shifted uncomfortable on his chair. His only luck so far was that he'd managed to hide it from his white haired friend, although it was getting obvious. He couldn't hate the young man next to him anymore. He just couldn't, no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't. Drawn like a moth to a flame… He couldn't even recall why he'd starting developing something else then hate… But he did hate one thing: his weakness.

A long last Potter pushed the parchment back to Draco. His eyes skimmed the Gryffindor's sloppy handwriting. He rubbed his temples, what had he gotten himself into?

"Potter… Please tell me, how you were thinking about making Snakeskin-potion, without the use of Snakeskin itself…"

Potter shifted his weight so he was looking at the Slytherin "Cut me some slack Draco…"

"Okay, I can understand that you're not as brilliant as I am… but if you can't figure out that Snakeskin-potion won't work without the actual use of Snakeskin… then we're having a problem here."

He looked into the young man's emerald eyes, but diverted his gaze immediately when he felt a warm sensation bubbling in his stomach. They were so easy to get lost in. Green pools of emotions. He pulled a sneer to his face before he dared to look at the other again.

Potter merely shrugged.

"That's all you have to say?" he grunted and started to explain the mistakes the Gryffindor had made. It were all stupid little things, probably because he simply ditzy and scatterbrained. When he'd finally finished his explanation, he saw the Boy-who-lived gawking at him in a dumbfounded manner.

"You're not with me are you?" he sighed.

Potter stared off into space briefly, nose scrunching up as he thought hard. "Nope."

Draco braced himself for a long evening.

Sunday Afternoon.

Harry followed the way up to the Gryffindor tower on auto-pilot. Although he was exhausted, a contented grin was plastered on his face; Quidditch practice had been brilliant, there was no way Slytherin would win even if the rumors about Alexs' formidable speed and accuracy were true. Ron, Ginny and Finbar were slightly ahead of him, the three of them caught up in a loud conversation, Ron gesturing wildly with his arms, nearly knocking a third year off her feet.
He could see the portrait of the Fat Lady ahead of him when someone called his name. He turned to see Dumbledore so he signaled for the others to go ahead after he handed his gear to Ron.

Harry sank back in a comfortable couch, fiddling nervously with his hands. He knew that what he was about to hear would concern Alex, his powers and Voldemort. Yeehaw, just what he needed.

Dumbledore poured him a cup of tea, which he accepted gratefully.

"I'm sorry to summon you at such an impropriate moment, but this really couldn't wait any longer…"

Fawkes cooed softly and settled on the edge of Harry's couch. He smiled and absently stroked the fiery feathers.

The ancient wizard rose from his seat, towering over him and the Gryffindor had to admit that he still was intimidating. "The war has begun…"

He knew this was coming, but hearing this of the lips of Albus Dumbledore made it all too serious. The-boy-who-lived closed his eyes. "I know… I was there." he whispered.

Harry opened his slowly opened his eyes again and locked his gaze with the Headmaster. "Most of the lower year Slytherins have been pulled out of Hogwarts. Severus was with us in Ireland, opposing the Death Eaters… So his true position has been revealed, thus proving that all of Hogwarts is opposing the Dark Lord…" he stopped his pace and looked out the window. "They will be leaving during the Winter vacation, most of them are being sent to Durmstrang…"

"Malfoy and Zabini?" The Gryffindor didn't know why his stomach and intestines started squirming, perhaps because he finally was able to talk to his former enemy.

"Surprisingly enough, there hasn't been a word from their parents, but you needn't worry about Zabini, his parents are neutral, so he remains safe." He turned back to Harry with a small smile on his lips "Did you know that Mr. Zabini even attends Muggle Studies?"

He quirked up his left eyebrow; it seems as if there's more to Zabini than meets the eye.

"As for Mr. Malfoy… I've been informed that you two are studying together?"

Harry rolled his eyes, was there anything that the ancient wizard didn't know? "Yes, we are."

"I know you won't be thrilled, but I must ask you to talk to him… Although Lucius hasn't called upon him to be initiated; it won't be long. The attack on Ireland cost them many lives, so they'll be needing new recruits. The last piece of information Severus was able to obtain was that Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle will be initiated during the break…"

He knew he was paling; this was more serious than it sounded. "So, indirectly it my job is to convince Malfoy to stay? To prevent him from joining the Dark Side?"

Dumbledore nodded "I'm afraid that's ultimately what it will come down to…"

He rested his head in his hands; that was the last conversation he'd wanted to have with Draco…

"I'm sorry Harry, I know you don't like this, but we really have to act now… It's always worth a try."

Harry nodded mutely. He couldn't believe this, how as he supposed to begin? Oy, Malfoy wanna join the good guys? That wouldn't work…

"And for something completely different now, I believe that tomorrow will be the first DA-meeting after your encounter with Tom?" he sat back down and handed Harry a second cup of tea.

He ran a hand through his hair "Yeah, I believe it is…"

"You know that there will be a lot more students attending these sessions now?" when Harry nodded a confused negative Dumbledore continued "As I've said, the war has begun and what happened that night between Alex, Tom and you made them realize that now is the time for action, not when it is too late. Harry, most students look up to you now, you've protected the school and more importantly all its inhabitants against Tom that night…"

"Pure luck, I followed Alex…" he muttered, he was not getting into this hero-business again.

Dumbledore gave him a warm smile "I know you don't want to be different and if there's anyone who deserves rest it is you… But even I can't help the way things are Harry. I know I should have told you earlier about the prophesy…"

Harry flinched while a weak feeling spread in his chest. Not again. His head snapped up when Dumbledore covered Harry's hand with his. "I know how you are feeling; I've been there too…"

It was then Harry forgave the old wizard, not forgot, but forgave. And yes, he believed him; after all he was the one who defeated the Dark Wizard Grindelwald…

He nodded, but a weak smile settled on his lips. He didn't regret it when he saw the Headmaster's face lighten up, the lines of pain and worry briefly forgotten.

"What I wanted to say is…" he cleared his throat and it surprised the Gryffindor that this had meant so much to the old wizard "That there will be a lot more students now, please get them in shape as soon as possible, Merlin knows when Tom strikes again…"

"Don't worry professor, I will… I'm planning on getting them ready for a charm Moony thought me back in September…"

"Very well, but if I may do a request; why don't you let them duel tomorrow, if you don't mind I'd love to take a look on the progress…"

Harry swallowed, there would be teachers. "Okay, I guess…" he drained his cup and added "I think you're right, after all, if things get worse, there might be real face to face duels…"

"Let's just hope there won't, but yes..."

There was a brief silence and then Harry whispered "Professor… will Alex be safe?" He didn't really know what he was trying to say, all he knew was that he wanted nothing more then keep her safe.

The lines of worry came out more clearly again "Let's just hope she will be, I don't doubt the purity of her heart, I just hope she can handle the truth. And I mean Mr. Malfoy as well…"

Neither of them knew that the first step to win Draco's trust was already being made…

SlytherinTower

"Knight to D5!"

Draco narrowed his eyes and contemplated his next move; after all, Alex was a sucker when it came down to Chess. He watched her crack her fingers, an annoying little thing she always did when she was nervous. He didn't say anything about it, it wasn't his business anyway…

"Drake?"

When it was 'Drake' and not Drakie-poo, something was wrong. "What?" he frowned a little at the gentleness in his tone.

She looked up at him from over the board, the fire casting a red glow over her, pronouncing her tanned skin which looked like liquid bronze while her hair resembled thin wires of silver. The reality seemed to split, and he wasn't looking at his friend anymore, but it was like watching some strange, infinitely lovely beast in the Forbidden Forest. She drew in a quivering breath. "What kind of people are your parents?"

His eyes widened, shocked. He hadn't seen that one coming. "Does it matter?" he asked.

Her green eyes never left his as she answered "No, it doesn't." her gaze dropped back on the board.

They remained silent for the next half an hour, only speaking to make a move. At long last he beat her. "My mother's a lonely woman…" he spoke softly as he tucked away the game. "She and my father had an arranged marriage. That's normal amongst pure-bloods…"

He leaned back on his elbows, his eyes following the swaying of her braid as she settled down in a nearby couch, leaning on the edge so she could look at him.

"My father…" he eyes focused at a point in the distant dark "My father is a Death Eater in the Inner Circle of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named… has been for as long as I can remember…" his eyes closed as he awaited her reaction. None came.

"What?" Alex murmured.

"Nothing." He looked her in the eye, leaving his mind open for her "I just thought that you'd be shocked, certainly after what happened a few weeks ago…"

She tilted her head to the side, strands of white hair tickling her cheeks. "That doesn't make you the same as him."

"Why wouldn't it?" he watched her stand up and walk over to him, painfully close as she crouched before him.

"You have a choice." She smiled and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind his ear, a weird sort of protective gentleness accompanying the gesture.

He didn't understand. Why… was she looking at him like that?

He nearly fell backwards as Alex abruptly leaned over to him, her mouth next to his ear as she whispered "Guess we have something in common after all…"

Monday Evening. Room of Requirement.

Harry paced back and forth in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy and his ballet dancing trolls, the thought about his DA-classroom droning on and on in his head. On his third pass a door appeared out of thin air on the opposite side of the tapestry. He let out a relieved sigh and opened the door. Everything back to normal, no more dojo. Cushions ready to undergo any kind of treatment and bookshelves filled with all kinds of books. He smiled faintly when he saw the flickering of the whistle in the torchlight and reached out for it. He sank down in a pile of silken pillows, and heaved a sigh. He was so nervous!

Dumbledore had been right. The class had doubled, if not tripled. First of all there were: Ron and Ginny, the two remaining Weasley's, then came Hermione, obviously, followed by Luna and Neville, then Dean, Seamus, Padma, Parvati, Colin and Dennis, soon after Zacharias, Ernie, Justin, Anthony, Terry, Lavender, Susan, Katie, Michael …

He couldn't help but smile as the elder DA-members were to arrive first. He was talking to Neville when he suddenly gasped for breath when his eye caught the next pair. Cho and Marietta. He could hear Hermione growl somewhere behind him, but he silenced her with a stern look and took particular care to smile in their direction, letting them know they were welcome. Right now, nothing was more important than forming a united front with the whole school.

Finbar shuffled in some while after, he'd been avoiding DA-meeting so far, his Sight too messed up in the overcrowded class-room when he'd tried the first time. He quickly scooted over to stand with Ron and Ginny. After that was their new chaser Reya Letser, followed by Jack and Andrew, their Beaters.

He was getting really anxious when Dumbledore entered, accompanied by McGonagall, Remus and Flitwick. In short, most of the fourth till seventh year Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepufs gathered in the classroom, which seemed to adjust itself to the greater amount of students, leaving enough space to let them all practice.

Eventually the one last person who he'd been waiting for entered; Alex and with her a very annoyed Blaise, who in his turn drew many suspicious glares. She tugged mercilessly at his wrist, the brown haired youth shooting daggers at whoever dared to stare at him.

The Gryffindor waited for another 10 minutes, making sure that everyone who wanted to attend was there. His voice wavered a little when he spoke up "Thanks for gathering here tonight, welcome to those who are new and thanks to those who came back…" his eyes rested on Hermione who nodded at him reassuringly "This evening we'll be dueling, don't worry, I'm not going to pair up those who've only joined tonight with an elder member, I'd just like to see how far each of you are. After all, I must get each one of you ready for the war, we all know, that is coming…"

"Beautiful speech Potter!"

Startled, he lifted his gaze to the door and there, leaning against the doorframe, was a very smug looking Draco Malfoy clapping his hands.

"Dear Merlin, lowering yourself to the likes of us?" he replied, all though he couldn't help smiling when the blonde walked in as if he owned the place.

"Just keeping an eye out so you don't mess everything up…" Malfoy said placidly, beginning to walk towards Blaise, whom seemed to have retrieved his grin again. And on Alexs' pretty face was a genuine smile as she gave her housemate a wink.

Typical Draco, making a big entrance like that, probably late on purpose. With that, a big burden was lifted from his shoulders, hoping that this would make 'peace-negotiations' with the Slytherin easier. He couldn't resist one last glance at his rival. His breath stuck in his throat as he met the slate-gray gaze right on. "A-Anyway…" he stammered helplessly "I want all of you to pair up, after that I'll pick a couple out randomly…"

Quite surprised, he saw everybody settling with a partner. And so he began systematically picking out a pair, observing their duel, correcting mistakes and commenting on what went well. He purposely left the elder DA-members till last. Three hours passed by within a blink of an eye and finally he'd let the last two newcomers duel as well most of the elder DA-members, but Harry had saved some special exceptions to end with…

"Well, that went quite good. I think that Mo- eeh Professor Lupin did a good job." He smiled at Remus' surprised face when an affirmative mumble rose from the group.

"Okay, Hermione, do you mind going next?"

The bushy haired Gryffindor smiled at him while Ron tagged behind her, ears pink. Their duel was quite astonishing, to say at least. Hermione blocked successfully one spell after another while Ron on the other hand hit her head on with a wide variety of charms and curses, all very strong ones, but lacking in his defense, forcing him to dodge his own spells bouncing of Hermione's shields… that was what finished him at long last, hit by his own stunner.

After that came Ginny and Finbar, the werewolf obviously not happy with this, after all, everybody knew to watch out for her curses. And as assumed, Ginny was one raging ball of Weasley when it came down to it, Finbar having trouble countering her simple, but vicious curses. Suddenly he grit his teeth and started transfiguring one thing after another, from simple cushions to books he summoned from the shelves, eventually he beat her simply by transfiguring a cushion into a blanket, blocking her view, forcing her to give up.

Neville and Luna were next up. This was fierce and fast duel, Neville's determination surpassing everything he'd seen before, firing one curse, hex, charm or jinx after another, giving Luna a hard time to do anything else then blocking and dodging. He ended it with a strong binding curse, leaving Luna defenseless and beaten.

There were only three more to go; Alex and Blaise, whom had paired up. And Draco. Alone.

"Blaise, " The Gryffindor said, catching his attention "You sure you wanna go through with this, she's a wandless…"

He waved it away and murmured "I know, thought I'd give it a try nonetheless."

They took their positions and before Blaise managed to get the first charm over his lips he was hanging upside down in the air, Alex nonchalantly polishing her nails.

"Looks like this is not going to work…" Harry sniggered and turned to Draco "Seems like you better pair up with him."

The blonde grinned at him "Afraid, Potter?" he murmured, mimicking his words from their duel in second grade.

"You wish…" he countered, his grin never leaving his face as Draco did do what he'd asked; taking Alexs' place.

The Animagus meanwhile carefully lowered a very pissed off Blaise to the ground, scooting over next to Harry, seeking his defense.

It seemed like Blaise was gifted in Charms, while Draco surpassed in curses (who would have thought different?). But the stormy eyed youth was fast, very fast, not even one of Blaise's Charms managed to get to him, the latter cursing out loud shamelessly. But Draco surprised everyone when he didn't finish his friend of with an ugly, vicious curse, but with a simple tickling charm, leaving Blaise sprawling on the floor, shouting and damning him between fits of laughter.

"So, that only leaves you…" he smiled at Alex, whom had a rather nervous look on her face. "Want to try?"

"Against you?" she whispered.

Harry shrugged "Yeah sure, why not?" he frowned at her shivering sigh.

"You trust me enough?"

"Oh don't give me that again, c'mon!" he grabbed her sleeve and pulled her into the circle the students had made, handing his wand to Ginny in the progress while his partner left her wand in Draco's care. They took positions, smiling at one other. "Ready?" he asked.

Alex nodded and braced herself.

"Oh and Alex? No tigers please…" he said casually.

"Wanker…" she murmured, but the corner of her mouth pulled up in a lopsided grin.

As if on cue they both stretched out their palms and soon after unspoken spells shot through the air. The whole classroom and its students were enveloped in one bright flash after another, it was like a dance; they moved perfectly together, dodging and attacking. Briefly, Harry broke through her defense and the curse hit her cheek, leaving behind a small cut. It was then that Alex suddenly ducked the stream of spells, only to reappear behind him, his head in a death lock. Startled Harry gasped for breath.

"Got you…" she snickered in his ear.

He held up his hands in surrender "Okay, okay!" rubbing his neck as her grip loosened, eventually letting him go.

"Oh, beaten by a girl, Potter…" Draco shook his head gleefully, his blonde hair tickling his cheeks as he did so.

"You got a problem Malfoy…?" he narrowed his eyes and stalked over to him, yet a grin settled on his lips.

"As a matter a fact, I do…" The Slytherin replied, an amused smirk on his face. The whole class held their breaths, staring at the two house-rivals, not knowing whether or not it was for real.

They pressed against each other, chest to chest, both trying to bore the other into the ground. It was then that Harry realized with some amusement that his rival was about 1/4 of an inch shorter than him. "Shorty…"

Draco narrowed his eyes "Shorty?"

The tension thickened and if you'd taken a knife out and sliced it vertically, you would have heard the sound of tightly strung cords snapping.

Draco shot the Boy-Who-Lived a 'Draco Malfoy Death Stare of Doom Deluxe (something he'd been practicing for emergencies like these…) and raised himself completely, boring his eyes into Harry's green ones. A smile played across Harry's lips, returning Draco's glare coolly. Neither of them would ever know when the glare turned into something far more intense than that.

Time seemed to freeze and everything else faded.

Draco could feel their hearts beating in unison, as if they had been all along. His eyes fluttered shut as the Gryffindor's damp breath tickled over his cheeks, the full lips parted slightly. He smelled like rain.

Nononono, this can't be happening…

Harry was trembling on his legs, unable to divert his eyes. He didn't see Malfoy anymore, no; he saw another person… he saw Draco. His skin as pale as moonlight and silken hair hanging freely around his face, the angry scowl seemed to have disappeared, he looked innocent, a person he had never seen before. His heart was hammering so loudly in his chest he -shook- with it and he couldn't quite understand why he felt like crying.

This can't be happening, not him, can't…

Make it go away!

He hates me, wants me dead…

I can't stand you! I'm stronger, I am not weak! I hate you!

I'll die. I can't leave, I'll die. I'm home. Home.

I need you… make me forget.

Shaking all over his body, Harry forced himself to take a step backwards, fighting the tears which were burning when he saw Malfoy scowling, his forehead creased as if something unidentifiable were bothering him. His eyelids slid open again, revealing the deep slate gray eyes, different, not cold, but something else… something Harry was sure of that there were no words to describe...

"It's late…" was all he managed to say, the pain in his chest so deep, that it felt like he was dying but all the same he'd never been so alive. Another step backwards.

Draco just stood there, eyes still locked with his. There was a hint of mild panic on his sharp features. When he finally dropped his gaze to the ground, Harry turned his back on him and left the classroom.

Alex tugged at Finbar's arm, breath caught in her throat, almost unable to speak, the pain of the two young men -her best friends both for a different reason- vibrating through her body. She felt like fainting. "Is it just me, or did they have a moment there?" she whispered.

The blue eyes of the werewolf didn't leave the young man standing there paralyzed where the other had left him. "Definitely…" he murmured. Even without using his second Sight, he saw raw pain surrounding the Slytherin, as real as a cloud.

Well, this was a long one… I really hope you guys like it really really do, please leave any remarks and such… You know I live on your reviews (Pathetic, I know, can't help it…).

I think a few thank yous are in order, cause you guys are wonderful!