Ways of the Friendship Potion

By: Ashie

Chapter Five: Christmas Reflections

Harry woke Christmas morning by Ron throwing a pillow at his face.

"Wake up, Harry. You have presents to open!" Harry quickly sat up and looked at the mound of gifts that were scattered at the foot of his bed and trunk.

He reached for the first present and pulled off the wrapping. It was the usual homemade sweets from Hagrid. Harry continued to open his presents. He received a jumper from Mrs. Weasley that was green and had a scarlet lion on the front. He also received numerous boxes of candy from the entire Weasley family. Hermione had gotten him a book (as usual), called Spells for Everyday Tasks.

There was a present from Blaise, which was a book on how to find your true love and soul mate. Harry couldn't help but laugh. He tossed the book under his bed.

From Ron, he got a hollow glass ball, which looked a lot like Neville's Remembrall.

"Ron, what's it supposed to do?" He asked, curious as it filled with a yellow smoke.

"It's called a Secrorb. When it glows yellow, that means there's a secret being kept from you and many other people, and yet many others know what the secret is. If it turns green, it means that a lot of people are keeping a secret from just you. If blue, it means that the person closest to you is keeping a secret from many people. And if it turns purple, it means that there's a secret kept from only you, and only the person closest to you is specifically keeping it from you. Fred and George created it; it goes on sale next month."

"Wow," Harry smiled. "Thanks, Ron."

Harry then noticed another present. It was thin and square. He pulled off the letter that was attached to the front.

Harry opened the letter and read;

Dear Harry,

Merry Christmas! I hope school is going well for you. The item I've sent for you is something you are familiar with, I'm sure. Since Sirius is gone, I didn't want this to go to waste, and I know you can make good use of it. Give it to your favorite person, they'll appreciate the ability to talk to you whenever they desire.

Remus Lupin

Harry opened the attached package, and pulled out a square mirror. The mirror's partner was broken at the bottom of his trunk.

He jumped out of bed and opened his trunk, throwing his things behind him in haste to reach the bottom. When the only things left in his trunk were the broken shards of glass, he pulled out his wand and said, "Reparo!"

The shards of glass joined to create a perfect match of the other. Harry held both of the mirrors to his chest, suddenly overcome with emotions. His eyes burned in the effort to keep his tears from falling.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron asked, slightly worried as to why Harry had thrown his possessions all over the floor.

"Never mind," Harry's voice shook. He hadn't told Ron about the first mirror, and he didn't want him to be jealous for not giving him the second.

"Harry…why are you crying? What did you get?" Ron stood up from his bed and went to comfort his friend. Harry stepped away quickly, and wiped his face.

"Just don't worry about it." Harry said quietly. "Please don't ask me again,"

"Okay," Ron nodded and went back over to finish opening his gifts. Harry was about to pick up his things when Draco's Eagle Owl perched on the window outside, pecking at the glass. Harry rushed over and took the parcel from the bird. It squawked and flew away.

Harry took the package over to his bed. He opened the letter attached and read;

Harry,

I've never realized until a few days ago how lost I would have been without your friendship the past few years. You and our friendship mean so much to me, and I couldn't wait another day without telling you.

I hope your Christmas is the happiest you've ever had. I hope you like your gift. I'll be seeing you later.

Draco

With a watery smile, Harry tore the silver paper from a small wooden box. It was carved in great detail, and Harry automatically noticed the resemblance to the present he had gotten Draco. He opened it and pulled out a long gold chain, and in the center was a gold lion charm, it's eyes encrusted with emeralds. Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud, causing Ron to look over.

"What is that?"

Harry put the necklace on, making sure the lion was centered on his chest. "It's from Draco. Isn't it beautiful?" Harry couldn't help but glow in happiness. Ron visibly paled.

"Er…yeah. It's nice." Harry frowned at the little enthusiasm Ron showed.

"It's a bit funny, really. I bought him almost the same thing. His is silver, and has a dragon with diamond eyes. We must have bought them at the same shop." Harry giggled. "Great minds think alike."

Ron nodded, looking down at his bed covers. Harry sighed.

"Well, I'll see you later, then. I've got to go give something to Draco." Harry put on his clothes, a robe and his shoes, and walked out the door.

After a moment, Ron threw a pillow angrily at the door.

"Damn it, Harry. What the hell am I supposed to do?"

Harry walked through the empty halls; everyone was still either asleep or opening their gifts. He continued until he got to the Great Hall. He knew that Draco woke up early, and figured he'd already be eating breakfast.

He opened the doors to the Great hall, and sure enough, saw Draco sitting at the Slytherin table, the only person in the entire room. He looked up when he heard the doors open, and grinned when he saw it was Harry.

Harry walked over to him, holding the mirrors behind his back, and fidgeting with the chain around his neck.

"What a coincidence. We both bought almost identical necklaces." Draco smiled. "Do you like yours?"

"I love it," Harry said honestly. "And you?"

"It's perfect. Thank you."

"Thanks to you, too. Listen, I have something else for you."

"Oh no." Draco frowned. "I only got you one thing, you can't give me two gifts."

"Don't worry about it, this wasn't planned." Harry held out the mirrors, and gave Draco the one without Sirius's writing. Draco held it, slightly miffed.

"Look Harry, I'm not that conceded-"

"No, no! It's not to look at!"

"Then what's it for?"

"They're two-way mirrors. All you have to do is say my name into the mirror, and you'll be able to see and talk to me, and I can do the same. They used to belong to my dad and Sirius. Lupin sent me yours, and Sirius had given me this one last year."

Draco smiled at the possibilities. "These are so cool."

"I know. So this doesn't really count as a second gift. We'll both be using them."

"Are you sure you want to give this to me? Wouldn't you rather give it to Weasley?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Draco. You're my best friend."

"I know. You just can't resist being able to see this gorgeous face whenever you want. Are my looks all I'm good for?" Draco joked.

"You really are conceded, you know that?"

"It happens," Draco shrugged. "Answer the question."

"No, I don't like you just because of your absolute gorgeousness." Harry kissed Draco. Draco was about to give in when Harry pulled away.

"But it helps," Harry grinned wickedly, and sat next to Draco. He began to pile food onto his plate.

"You can be really evil when you want to," Draco whined cutely. Harry nodded.

"I know."

"You do realize that you're eating at the Slytherin table, right?"

"Yeah. No one's here, and besides, I've always wondered what it would have been like if…"Harry trailed off. "Never mind."

"What were you going to say?"

"Well, in first year, when we tried on the Sorting Hat, it wanted to place me in Slytherin." Harry cast his eyes downward, suddenly very ashamed.

Draco's eyes widened in realization. "So that's why you said you weren't the perfect Gryffindor."

Harry nodded.

"Then how come you're not in Slytherin?"

"I asked it to put me in anything but Slytherin. Its second choice was Gryffindor, I guess."

"Slytherin just wasn't good enough for you, hmmm?" Draco mumbled. Harry barely just heard him.

"No, it's not that. I was just scared of becoming a dark wizard. I had heard that every wizard that had gone dark was in Slytherin. I was scared." Harry sighed. "Are you disappointed in me?"

Draco's eyes softened as he put his arm around Harry.

"I don't think it's possible for me to be disappointed in you, Harry."

"Really?"

"No, I'm lying." Draco said sarcastically. "Yes, really."

"Good," Harry smiled, placing his lips on Draco's. They were oblivious to the fact that someone walked in, took one look at them, and left.

Hours later, Harry walked back to the Gryffindor common room. He had spent the entire day with Draco, and was coming to start on his holiday homework. He walked through the portrait, and was welcomed by an empty common room.

"Perfect, at least I can concentrate." Harry walked up the stairs to his dormitory to collect his books.

He opened the door, and was startled to see Ron lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He looked over to Harry, and quickly sat up.

"What are you doing up here by yourself? It's Christmas! You should be with your friends." Harry went over to his trunk and opened it.

"I've been waiting to talk to you,"

"What for?" Harry stood up, casting Ron a worried glance.

"I need to tell you something about Malfoy," Ron's voice was hesitant.

"Okay…"

"He sent me a letter today,"

"What about?"

"He said that he wanted to be my friend, for you,"

Harry beamed at him; He had thought that Draco had forgotten his promise. "Did you write him back?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"Because…because I don't want to be friends with Malfoy," Ron said, his voice slightly rising. Harry's eyebrows rose into his hairline.

"Why, Ron? Why can't you accept the fact that he wants to put the past behind him, and be your friend?"

"You want to know why, Harry?" Ron screamed. "Because it's all a lie!"

"What the bloody hell are you on about?"

"I hate him, Harry! And he hates me! Even you hate him, and he hates you,"

Harry couldn't help but laugh. "You're mad, Ron. Draco and I are best friends. We don't hate each other."

"Yes, you do. Listen to me, Harry. You took a potion in Snape's class, to believe that you and Malfoy are best friends. In reality, you're my best friend. Half the sixth year class took it, even Hermione and Blaise. Your friendship is a fake." Ron hissed, and then clapped a hand to his mouth, horrified. He hadn't meant to tell Harry about the potion, he wasn't allowed to.

Harry's eyes were wide and unfocused. His mind was thinking so fast, it was hard to keep up. Ron's lying… he told himself. And yet, it made sense. The entire castle would know about it, and that's why he got out of Potion's class that day. That's why they couldn't remember when they had become friends.

"You're lying." Harry whispered. "Please tell me you're lying, Ron!" Harry began to cry.

"I'm not lying, Harry."

"But you have to be!" Harry sobbed. "Draco and I aren't just friends, we like each other…more than friends."

"No, Harry, you can't." Ron grabbed Harry by his shoulders. "I've seen you two…kiss…. It's a lie, Harry. You two don't like each other! It must be an effect of the potion."

"Where did you see us kiss?" Harry asked, still crying.

"At Hogsmeade, when you ran off, Draco followed you, and I followed him. I saw you two kissing behind the shelf. And this morning, at breakfast."

"Were you spying on me?" Harry hissed, pushing Ron roughly away from him. Ron's ears turned red.

"I was trying to protect you, Harry! I knew something bad would happen, and it has. You've fallen for your enemy!"

"I hate you," Harry said angrily, a low growl in his throat. Harry eyes were flashing dangerously, and magic sparked around him. "I HATE YOU!"

Magic flew from Harry, and hit Ron in the chest. Ron was flung back onto his bed, the chest of his shirt singed. Harry's magical energy continued to pulse around him, and Ron backed up in horror.

"Harry, stop!" Ron yelled, fearing for both of them.

Harry's eyes became unfocused, and he collapsed to the ground.