Characters © J.K. Rowling.

Plot © Sami-Lee 2004.

The great black cat sat in the centre of Blaise's room, his brilliant green eyes taking in his surroundings much the way a young child would. Harry looked down. He did indeed have large, black, furry paws. He looked behind him; a large black tail lay on the floor. He thought about moving it – it moved. 'Awesome' he thought to himself, then he stood and walked gracefully over to Hermione and licked her cheek. She giggled. Draco crawled over and stroked Harry, scratching him behind the ears; Harry decided it felt good and leaned in, urging Draco not to stop. When he did, Harry made his way over to Blaise.

"Harry, you're beautiful." Blaise whispered, wrapping his arms around the large cats neck. Harry purred and licked Blaise's neck.

"Ok, Harry, now try and change back." Hermione ordered, her expression anxious. The leopard nodded, then sat down again. Harry closed his eyes. He thought about Hogwarts, about the three people sitting around him, about quidditch and flying…

"Wow." Harry said aloud, once he had changed back. "That was so unbelievably awesome." Harry couldn't stop smiling. He raced over and hugged Blaise. "You try."

"What did you think about?" Blaise sat down as Harry stood up and looked at him innocently. Harry patted him on the head.

"I just thought about roaming through the jungle…" Harry trailed of, his eyes distant, remembering what it was like to feel like he owned the world, to be free to run and play and hunt, to bask in the sun, to... Blaise snapped him back to reality when he started pulling on his pants with his sharp teeth. Harry looked down at the Clouded Leopard. He had an absolutely dazzling coat, the design was unbelievably beautiful and he was slightly smaller than Harry had been as a leopard, he came up to Harry's waist. Harry stroked his head and neck as Blaise rubbed up against his legs, purring.

He was joined by a very curious little fox and a rather depressed looking ferret. The fox disappeared and Hermione sat in its place, beaming. Harry smiled. Hermione picked Draco up and snuggled into his soft fur, kissing his nose. The ferret jiggled a little, and then licked her cheek, she giggled and placed him back on the floor where he ran around them in circles, being chased by the rather pouncy Clouded Leopard. Harry and Hermione laughed as Blaise chased Draco around the room. They looked so carefree; Harry couldn't help but forget about everything that was pulling at the back of his mind.

A week later, the four of them sat in the living room together in the evening – Blaise's mother had gone out, again – talking about the events of the day. They couldn't believe that the transformation had been so simple. They had been working on it for the past week. Harry suddenly thought of something.

"Hermione, how come we aren't getting in trouble for underage magic outside of Hogwarts for doing this?" He asked, remembering all the times he'd gotten in trouble for using magic while he wasn't at school. Hermione had looked at him as though he was daft.

"It isn't detectable magic, Harry. We aren't using our wands are we? Why do you think anyone who wants to become an Animagi has to register?" Harry replied with an "oh, yeah…" And went back to looking at the fire.

"It's really unbelievable, isn't it? It's a pity we can't go telling people, I'd love to be able to tell people… It was so easy, though, wasn't it?" Said Blaise, excitedly.

"Well, it does say it's not as hard and it seems, and we did have the fur in our potions, that certainly would have made them stronger, not to mention that we are the smartest students in Hogwarts." Hermione turned red, she hated bragging about being intelligent, but it was the truth. Draco smiled at her and pulled her into an embrace. She smiled and then yawned. "Anyways, the smartest students in Hogwarts are tired, so they're going to retire. Goodnight." Hermione said, getting up and patting Harry and Blaise on the heads.

"Night 'Mione, don't do anything we wouldn't do!"

"That goes for you too, Draco!" Blaise added and the two got up and disappeared into Blaise's room. Draco raised an eyebrow as he put his arm around Hermione and they walked into their own room down the hall.

"So, it's still early, what do you wanna do?" Draco asked, letting his hand slip down to her waist.

"I know what you want to do, Mr. Malfoy." She said, moving to stand in front of him and shutting the door behind them as they entered the room, she then proceeded to unbutton her top, stopping when she reached the bed. Draco stopped in front of her. She reached up and took a hold of his collar, pulling him once more into a deep kiss.

Draco let his hands slide up the soft, bare skin of Hermione's stomach, before she pulled him down onto the bed and he landed above her, his arms holding him up on either side of her, he leant down and kissed her again. She removed her shirt entirely, and Draco lent down to place dozens of tiny kisses on her bare chest. She moaned quietly.

The two ebbed their way up the bed until Hermione's head was on the pillow. It was a huge bed, with a large, white canopy flowing down from the top of the four pillars. Draco moved up to kiss Hermione's mouth again. She kissed back hungrily, pulling Draco, as if they weren't already as close as they could be in their current position.

Draco ran his fingers through Hermione's hair, before rolling over so that Hermione was on top of him. She blushed and looked down at him, then proceeded to unbutton his shirt. He slipped it off, and pulled Hermione down onto him, shivering as their skin touched. They kissed again, and as they did, Draco proceeded to undo Hermione's bra, she squeaked quietly and then started kissing his neck, his chest, his stomach… before he knew it, Hermione had unbuckled his belt and was removing his pants. He didn't stop her, what was the point? He wasn't forcing anything on her, she was doing it all herself.

The more he thought about it, the worse he felt about what was inevitably about to happen. And the more he thought about feeling bad for what was inevitably about to happen; the more he thought about what it felt like to be one of the good guys. And the more he thought about what it felt like to be one of the good guys, the more he thought about how he must be shaming Slytherin, and the more he thought about shaming Slytherin, the more he thought he must be shaming his father. Good, was his final thought, as he lay back and let Hermione crawl up his body as she removed her skirt, letting it slink off behind her.

The next morning Draco left Hermione to sleep-in and strolled out of the room looking mightily happy with himself. He decided to head down to the gardens when one of the doors down the other end of the corridor shut and he found himself watching Harry, who strolled out of Blaise's room looking mightily happy with himself. Draco smirked and sidled over to stand beside him.

"Morning, Potter." He drawled, much the way he used to before He and Harry had become friends.

"Oh, Morning Draco." Harry said cheerily, completely ignoring Draco's return to his previous mannerisms. "Good night?" He asked the blonde bouncily.

"Yes, very good, in fact. And it seems you haven't had such a bad one yourself." He looked at Harry expecting him to react somewhat… well, to react.

"Yes, very good indeed." It was after this response that Draco noticed Harry's dreamy expression. He was barely paying attention to him at all. He had Blaise on the brain. Draco shook him a little. Nothing.

"Come on Potter, let's go get some fresh air." Harry nodded, still dreamily, and followed Draco down the large staircase and out into the garden. It was a rather large garden, but from playing there as a child, Draco knew his way around it well. They walked down the large stone steps that led down to the courtyard and crossed it, coming to a stop on the small, picturesque bridge that sat just above the small brook that ran through the Zabini property. "So, who ever thought it'd end this way, eh potter?"

"Yea, I know, it's weird, 'cause everyone always thought I'd end up with you." Harry said without thinking. He looked at Draco once he realised what he'd said and turned a fierce shade of red. Draco's cheeks had also turned a slightly less intense shade of red. The two boys stood, staring at each other for several minutes, before Draco cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak.

"Draco, wait – before you say anything, I want to tell you something." Harry took a deep breath, closed his eyes and seemed to be trying to find the right words to say whatever it was that was going through his head. A minute or so later, Harry opened his eyes. "I've been in love with you for a long time, since first year, actually. At first, I thought it was just an idol thing – you know, I looked up to you, wanted to be like you and all that – but then I started realising that I was dreaming about you, fantasising, I didn't want to be like - you, I wanted you. I used to watch you whenever I had the chance; I hated fighting with you, more than anything. It hurt, so much. But around fourth year, I started to think that maybe you really did hate me. Maybe I really didn't have a chance with you and I just needed to get over it. I never did, I just shoved it away, in the back of my mind and went on trying to distract myself with other things, other people. I developed a crush on Blaise, having noticed him a fair bit whilst watching you – I do love Blaise, truly, and I couldn't be happier than I am with him. But I need you to know that I love you, I have for a very long time, and I most likely always will."

Harry hadn't spoken quickly, like one would had they wanted to get what they were saying out in the open and then run from it, he'd spoken quite normally, so that Draco had understood. The pain and longing in Harry's eyes, which had appeared when he'd started speaking had started to ebb away. Draco didn't know what to say, so he took a step so that he was standing next to Harry and put his arms around him. Harry buried his head into Draco's chest, and for a few minutes, neither of the boys moved.

When Draco let go of Harry and the two boys stepped away, Harry was relieved to see a smile on Draco's face. "Thank you." He managed, and Draco simply nodded. The two boys then moved away from the bridge and continued their walk through the gardens; it was, after all, a beautiful December morning. After about another twenty minutes, Draco decided he wanted to tell Harry something too. He stopped walking and Harry stopped next to him. Draco ran his hand through his hair, and noticed Harry look back over toward the water as he did so.

"Harry, you do know you're the best looking guy at Hogwarts, right? I mean, I don't think there's anyone in the entire school who doesn't love you, if not for your personality, then for your looks. Every one of them is a fan of yours, even the Slytherins. Trust me. I know." He chanced a look at Harry. He'd always told people he was purely attracted to girls, regardless of some of the activities he took part in, but he knew that was never totally truthful. He said it more to try and hide the truth from himself and his father than from others. He started walking again, and Harry watched him for a moment, trying to figure out what he was saying. Yes, Draco finally admitted to himself, perhaps I do kind of like guys. Alright I do, he said to himself, and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he noticed Harry watching him. "What?" He asked worriedly.

Harry opened his mouth, closed it again, opened it, closed it, looked away, looked back at Draco, opened his mouth once more and then, before Draco knew what was happening, Harry had flung himself at him and was kissing him – there was a sudden crackle of magical energy and Draco found himself kissing back. He couldn't resist it. He'd always felt for Harry, just like Blaise had, but heaven forbid he should mention it, if his father had found out he wouldn't have lived to see another day. But since his father had stopped caring about what was happening in Draco's life, he had started to branch off. He started thinking about Hermione, and their night in the library. He knew why he'd done it – Hermione was close to Harry, he'd used her, and he felt horrible.

Draco genuinely cared about Hermione, he would go as far as saying he loved her, he just didn't think he loved her in a romantic way. But he didn't want to hurt her, and he didn't want to hurt Blaise, he didn't want to hurt Harry either, but no matter what he did now, he'd be hurting someone. He broke the kiss, the friction in the air suddenly disappeared, Draco dismissed it, simply telling himself he'd imagined it. He looked into Harry's eyes. "Harry, I – "

"Don't worry, I understand." Harry said smiling. "You wont hurt me, I'm with Blaise. It's fine. But thank you." He took Draco's hand in his own for a moment, then let it go and turned, walking back up to the house. Draco watched him go, watched him walk away. He would have had a chance. Harry had loved him, he still loved him, but Blaise had gotten him first, and Draco had to sit back and watch Harry with his best friend. He decided to give up on his walk and go and see if Hermione was awake.

He headed back up to their room, making a quick detour past the kitchens to take Hermione some breakfast. He arranged some crumpets, jam and tea on a tray and carried it up to the room. He didn't knock, but instead, he entered quietly and found her still sleeping. He sat on the end of the bed and watched her. She really had become beautiful since their first year, she'd managed to thin out her hair, it now sat straight down her back, long and shiny. The beautiful chestnut brown framed her face, her teeth were smaller now, from her letting Madam Pomfry fix them in fourth year after he himself had hit her with a jinx. He smiled and reached over to brush her hair off her face, she stirred.

As she woke and opened her eyes, she spotted Draco sitting on the end of the bed. "Good morning, Handsome." She said, sitting up against the beck of the bed.

"Morning, babe. Brought you some breakfast." He said, smiling as he produced the tray and placed it on her lap.

"Oh, have you eaten?" She asked, noticing the absence of a second tray. She started eating her crumpets and shrugged when Draco shook his head. He hadn't eaten, but he wasn't going to tell her what ha had been doing. What would happen if she found out? He knew Harry wouldn't tell her, so he guessed the secret was safe – though the truth was, he was more worried that he was going to tell her.

He sighed and crawled up the bed to lie on the spot next to Hermione and watched her ungracefully eating her crumpets. She stopped mid mouthful and looked down at him. "Whot?" She asked, not bothering to swallow her food.

"Nothing, just wanted to watch the most beautiful woman on earth gracelessly eating a couple of crumpets." He smiled charmingly and took her hand in his, still looking up at her from his head was on the pillow, his hair messed up, kind of like Harry's. She smiled down at him and, once she had swallowed her crumpet, she bent down and kissed him lovingly on the forehead. He closed his eyes and smiled, but inside he was screaming. He was a horrible person. He was a coward, a spineless, lying, sneaky, devious, deceitful, two-faced, insincere Slytherin. He put his hands to his face; he was starting to get a headache.

Jut as Hermione finished her crumpets, Blaise and Harry knocked and she beckoned them into the room. They entered, and Harry held something in his hand, the expression on his face was totally, and utterly dismal. He handed the parchment he held to Hermione, she took it and looked at the two boys before her before she read it. "What's wrong?" She asked.

Harry didn't say anything, he only pointed to the paper and then he and Blaise moved to the sofa in the corner and took a seat. Harry looked about ready to collapse, while Blaise had his arm around him in comfort. Draco couldn't look at them, he felt horrible for even thinking about taking Harry from Blaise, let alone what he'd actually done. He sighed and sat up to read the letter over Hermione's shoulder. He felt his heart sink when he saw the Hogwarts crest in the top corner and Dumbledore's neat, tiny handwriting. It read:

Dear Misters Potter, Malfoy, Zabini and Miss Granger,

We have been informed by a close undercover agent that Voldemort has emerged from hiding. He has plans to rid the wizarding world once and for all of Mr. Harry James Potter.

We have gathered together the Order of the Phoenix and are meeting at Headquarters in three days. We require the four of you to return to Hogwarts within the next two days so that you may accompany myself and Professors McGonagall and Snape to headquarters. The train will be waiting for you and others who we have called to join us in hiding from tomorrow morning, the 16th of December at 11 am sharp. It will not leave until everyone called for is present.

If there is a problem, please send word to us as soon as possible by your most direct means.

Good luck and Good speed.

Albus Dumbledore

Hermione gripped the note in her hand. Her face had contorted into a look of pure fear and hatred. Draco placed his arms around her waist. Harry and Blaise joined them on the bed as Hermione's tears started to fall. Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione and Blaise took his hand with one of his and Draco's with his other. The four of them sat together, until Hermione cried herself to sleep and the three boys lay by her, not wanting to move.

The rest of the afternoon and the evening seemed to drag on incessantly. The four sat around the living room table while Harry and Draco had a good old competitive game of wizard's chess; Harry was winning.

"Alright," Said Draco, faking a yawn. "I can't take this anymore. I'm going to bed."

Harry huffed. "You're only going to bed because you're losing."

Draco turned to face him, stared at him for a few brief moments and then stalked upstairs. "Goodnight!" He called out behind him. Hermione bid Blaise and Harry goodnight also and followed Draco up the stairs and into their room. The usual giggling that accompanied them couldn't be heard.

"Do you think we'll be ok?" Harry asked, lacking his usual confidence that Dumbledore would hey them through. He knew the last few times that Voldemort had attacked that it would be ok, but this time… This time he just didn't have that feeling. He felt like everything was about to fall apart – and perhaps that's because it was, in many different ways. Blaise studied Harry for a moment, considering his question, before he answered.

"Well, we have two of the most powerful wizards of the age fighting on our side." Blaise said. "Not to mention Dumbledore."

It took a moment for what Blaise had said to sink in. "What a minute," Harry stuttered, "Two wizards? And if you haven't included Dumbledore, then… Who are you talking about, Blaise?" Harry looked more confused than Blaise had ever seen him. He looked at Harry as though he was crazy.

"Wait a minute… You mean, you don't know about the prophecy?" Blaise got up from his position on the floor and sat on the couch, looking worriedly at Harry, the only thought running through his head was what a fool Dumbledore was if he expected the four of them to go off and fight in this war that he was sure was about to ensue without telling the two the most important information he had. Harry stared at Blaise, dumbstruck.

"Prophecy? The only prophecy I've heard is that a child was going to defeat Voldemort as a baby and whatnot, and that's already happened. What prophecy are you talking about?" Harry looked at Blaise wide-eyed. Blaise wasn't sure if he was the one who should be telling Harry. He decided it should be Dumbledore who should tell him, after all, he wouldn't not tell them, would he?

"Harry, I – I don't think I should tell you, besides, I don't really know that much," A lie, the last thing Blaise wanted to do was lie to Harry, but he didn't want to be the one to have to explain. "I'm sorry. I'll meet you upstairs when you're ready to come up, ok?"

"Right." Agreed Harry, getting up himself and sitting on the couch as he watched Blaise make his way upstairs. He looked back down at Harry and smiled before he went into his room. Harry sighed. More prophesies? Was it ever going to stop? He hoped so.

He made his way up the stairs quietly and noticed the light moving under Hermione and Draco's door as the two moved around their room. He sighed remembering the kiss earlier that morning. He had loved Draco for so long, but never told anyone. He'd wanted to, but he had never had the guts. He sighed. Draco truly loved Hermione. Harry knew it, even if Draco didn't. He pushed the door to Blaise's room open and walked over to where he'd stashed his trunk in the corner – Blaise's mother had yet to notice – and took out his pyjamas. He changed into them and crossed the room to crawl into bed with Blaise. As he did so, another thought crossed his mind.

What if Voldemort won?

Whoo. Thanks for readin'! I'll update soon, that is, if is functioning. Hmm. Right, well, this is actually developing a thick little plot, mwahaha. Thanks to everyone who's read so far.And for anyone that's a Herm/Dray pusher, I apologise for Harry's Intervening.

Cheers,

Sami.

Miaow.