Ever After Ch. 7
Chapter Seven

Sorry for the delay! I was on spring break and I fixed my computer all by myself! J I'm so proud of myself! It only took, like, three days, but I did it! So here it is. Chapter Seven!

"Oh, where is it!" Harry yelled from his room.

Snape came running into the room. "What's wrong, now!"

"I can't find my wand, I forgot to pack up some of my clothes, and the train leaves in an hour and a half. Damnit, why does everything have to mess up when I'm about to leave!" Harry whined.

"Calm down, Harry! You're just feeling nerves," he drawled out walking towards the flustered boy. "Your wand is in your hand and who cares about your clothes. You have plenty!" He pulled him into his arms. He just realized how much he's going to miss this. "Everything is going to be just fine. There is no reason to be jumpy."

He set the boy away from him so that he could look into his eyes. "Now, Harry, once classes begin , I have to go back to being your old, snarley, potions master. Promise me, you won't doubt that I sort of care for you.?

A corner of Harry's mouth quirked up. "Sort of…?"

"Sort of," he confirmed with a diffident nod.

Harry wrapped his arms around his teacher's waist and held on for dear life. "I don't want to go back," he whispered. "I'm scared."

"I know, Harry. I know. But we have no choice."

"Severus… can we stay like this? At least till its time for me to go meet the train? Please?" he asked.

"I suppose it will be alright," he said with a sigh. But his arms tightened around the boy, pulling him closer.

"Hey Harry! Over here!" his best friends called jumping up and down to get his attention.

Harry jogged over to where they were. And after loads of hugs and kissed, the three of them got on the train to find an empty compartment.

"Did you go to Gringotts, Harry?" Ron asked shoving his trunk under the cushioned bench.

"Yeah, why?"

"Cause you're buying me whatever I want throughout this trip," he replied without hesitating.

"Did I hear someone mention buying? I hope you know I want in on it too," Seamus said poking his Irish head in the doorway.

"Yeah, we were just talking about buying some of the twin's new bubblegum that they just made," Hermione lied.

"Taste like blueberries…" Ron sent a sly wink to Seamus. "… at first."

"Never mind. Don't want anything after all," Seamus said leaving the compartment to look for Neville.

"You guys are bad," Harry said laughing. "Oh, I missed you two."

"You better have, mate," Ron said rummaging through the snack cart.

Hermione sat down next to Harry after choosing a sandwich from the cart. "Thanks, Harry," she said smiling cutely.

"Yeah, thanks mate," Ron said sitting down with his arms full of goodies.

Harry chuckled at his friends. "Why are you guys saying thank you for? I didn't even say that I would buy that stuff you two picked out," he said getting out his wallet and paying the lady.

They sat together in companiable silence as they ate their food.

"Harry?" Hermione whispered.

"Yeah?

"Do you love him?

"Is it that obvious?" he asked back.

"To a trained eye."

"Hey, no whispering sweet nothings into her ears!" Ron exclaimed indignantly.

"But its my favorite pastime," Harry argued, playfully. "Besides, you don't want to hear what I'm saying anyways. No doubt it will make you pass out like a girl, again."

"Ha ha," he said biting off the head of the chocolate frog. "Besides Harry, just because I don't want to know the details doesn't mean I don't want to know what's up. I'm behind you one hundred percent."

Harry blushed and stammered out his thanks.

"If it isn't the lovebird trio," Crabb said walking into the compartment followed by Goyle.

Hermione sighed. "You'd think that after all this time, they would come up with something different."

"They don't have the brain power," Harry replied.

Rolling their eyes, the Gryffindors did their best to ignore Malfoy's goons. But it seemed like they were bound determined to get a rise out of the trio, so after ten minutes of their non stop heckling, Harry had had enough. He was starting to get a migraine

He stood up and was about to let them have it, when Malfoy stepped into the picture. "There you two are! What are you doing?"

"Heckling," Goyle answered.

"Well, don't!" Malfoy snapped. "C'mon you two. We have to talk," and with that the three of them left the compartment.

Eyes wide, "Did you just see what I saw, mate? Please tell me I was hallucinating," Ron said amazed.

"That was almost scary. It makes me think that he might have a trick up his sleeve. But then again… he might be growing up," she said staring at the door.

"I don't even want to think about it," Harry said sitting down as the intercom announced that the train will be departing in two minutes. "I didn't get enough sleep, last night."

Hermione patted her lap. "C'mon Harry. You can rest here."

"Thanks 'Mione," he said taking the invitation and putting his head on her lap.

"How come you don't offer your lap up to me?" came a jealous Ron.

"You're not gay," she said and that was that.

The train pulled up to Hogwarts safe and sound.

The trio decided to stay put until the train had been evacuated by everyone.

"Let's go. Time to start a new term!" Hermione said happily, skipping out of the compartment. "Ron, get my luggage, will you," she yelled.

The boys were already weighted down with two trunk full each. They looked at each other in horror. "No way," they whispered incredibly. "She's got to be kidding!"

"I am!" she said popping her bushy head from around the corner and grinning. "But if you two could only see your faces!" She came in and got her own luggage.

"That was a dirty trick, love. You almost gave me heart failure," Ron said dragging his trunks.

"C'mon boys! If we don't hurry, we'll miss the sorting ceremony," she said rushing out the train with the boys behind her.

"You two, go on ahead. I left something in the train. Save me a seat and please make sure its not by a first year!" Harry said going back into the train.

"Ok!" they said cheerfully.

Harry walked back into the compartment and sat down on the bench. He was breathing hard, so hard, he couldn't catch his breath.

Recognizing the symptoms of an anxiety attack, he tried to calm his breathing. He stood up and tried inhaling deeply. He choked and collapsed to his knees. "Oh, god! I can't do this! I can't!" he whispered.

"Lie back on your back and breath deeply," came the smooth voice.

Harry complied wordlessly. Lying on his back, he started taking deep breaths as he was instructed. By the time the air finally reached his brain, he was almost feeling better. Almost.

"Feeling better, Potter?" came the smooth voice again.

"I've felt better, Malfoy," Harry replied sitting up.

"You really should pay more attention in class. They all gave us first aid training the muggle way," he said squatting down next to Harry.

"I do!" he protested. "I panicked."

"Yes. I'm sure you did," Malfoy murmured sadly.

"Malfoy? Are you alright?

"I should be asking you that," he said.

Confused, Harry tilted his head to one side.

"Don't do that, Potter. You resemble a mutt."

"Gee thanks. You're a real class act, Malfoy. A real class act." He paused. "Just what exactly did you mean by that comment?"

"I think its time that you join your friends," he said standing up and offering a hand to Harry.

"You know, don't you?" Harry asked once he was pulled up. "I know you know. How? Why?"

"Let's go, Potter," he said tugging Harry out the door.

"No." But even as he said it, his feet were obeying the command. "What the-"

Draco smirked.

"Did you do something to me? You put a spell on me, didn't you?"

"No Potter. I didn't."

"How do you know, Malfoy? Please, I need to know and is it going to spread all over school by the time I get into the Great Hall," he pleaded.

Malfoy turned to look at Potter thoughtfully. The emerald eyed boy refused to look the taller boy in the eye. "Harry, look at me," he gently commanded. "Harry?" Still the boy refused to look at him. Taking Harry's chin between his forefinger and thumb, he gently lifted his face to his. "I would never do that, Harry. I promise."

"Malfoy-"

"Let's go, Harry."

Falling back onto his bed, Harry closed his eyes. "Merlin, I'm exhausted. And school haven't even begun, yet."

"I hear you, mate," Ron said from his bed. "I don't even want to think about it. Already have a headache. 'Mione is in seventh heaven though."

"That's our 'Mione for you. I can't wait for potions class to begin," he commented.

"Never thought I would hear you say those words."

"Yeah, well…"

"I have to say, I still find it weird, you know, but I still got your back," run whispered so that he won't be overheard.

"Thanks Ron. I love you," he too whispered.

"Don't say that!" Ro exclaimed. "You're going to give me nightmares."

Harry laughed sleepily. "Hey Ron? Please put up a silencing charm on my bed," he requested before closing his eyes.

"Sure thing, mate," Ron said as he watched Harry fall into slumber. "Don't think so, mate. For your own good."

The morning came bright and early for the Gryffindors trio. "Harry, Ron, wake up! Wake up! Harry, Ron!" Hermione yelled jumping on Ron's bed and then running to jump on Harry's bed. "Wake up!"

"'Mione, go away!" they said at the same time. "Its not time!"

"Sure it ism" she said unrelenting. "Don't you think its time for the two smelliest boys to take a shower? I think it is."

"Well, nobody asked you!" Ron said turning onto his side. "How that hell did you get in here, anyway?"

"My superior mind, of course!"

"Good morning, 'Mione," Harry said sitting up.

Breaking into a wide smile, "Good morning, Harry. Did you sleep well? She asked softening her face in concern.

"Yes."

"I love you," she said simply, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.

"What the-" Ron exclaimed. "I thought I said to stay away from my girlfriend, Potter!" he jumped on Harry's bed and started to wrestle him in earnest.

"Can't help it if she can't resist me," Harry gasped out. "After all, I'm irresistible!"

"You boy's should be ashamed of yourselves. Think of the examples you're setting for the first and second years," Hermione admonished, stomping her foot.

"I love you too, 'Mione. Hey! Maybe you and me can get together for a moonlight stroll," Harry said trying to throw Ron off him.

"Like hell!" Ron swore.

"You and I," she corrected. She leaned over with a devilish glint in her eyes. "Are you sure that its not Snape you want that stroll with?" she whispered.

"'Mione, shame on you!" Ron exclaimed.

"Do hush up, Ron," Harry and Hermione said with a bored air.

"Let's go, Ron. We both could use a shower before the first years get there," Harry said climbing out of bed.

"Right behind you, mate."

After meeting in the Great Hall for breakfast, the friends made their way to their first class. Transfiguration.

"Damn! I had hoped that we wouldn't have to deal with the Slytherins this year but I guess it was too much to ask," ron commented darkly, as he watched then come in. Malfoy came in first, then his two goons, and then that bitch Pansy and everyone else.

"Oh, you'll live, Ron," Hermione said unsympathetic.

Just then Malfoy decided to turn and look at them. The trio tensed a bit, waiting for the biting comment that they were sure was on its way; but to their surprise, he didn't say anything to them.

"Weir," Ron whispered. "That's the second time he ignored us. I wonder what's up with that."

"Only you would find something wrong with our archenemy ignoring us. Let's just count our blessings while we have them," she replied taking out her inkpad, quill, and parchment.

"But don't you think-"

"Ron, drop it!" she hissed.

"Alright, alright! Don't bite me!"

Harry chuckled as he made eye contact with Malfoy. He quieted down as he watched him get up and walk to their table.

"Is this chair taken?" he asked, stopping short of the empty chair next to Harry.

Harry shook his head. "Please, sit down," he encouraged softly.

"Thanks."

Harry struck up a conversation as if the whole class wasn't staring at them. "Did you have a good summer vacation, Draco?"

A gasp could be heard from all around the room. Since when did Harry Potter call Malfoy by his first name.

"Yes, actually it went rather well. But towards the end of it, it crashed. You see, I got a hold of some information that just didn't sit too well with me."

"How did you do that," Harry asked, whispering.

"My father has spies everywhere."

"So Voldie know?" he asked.

"I wouldn't say that…" Draco trailed off.

Harry tilted his head in his confused puppy manner again. "I don't understand."

Smirking, Draco turned to look at the professor as she began class,

"You will, Harry. You will."

I, again, sincerely apologies of the delay… and for the lack of Snarry in this chapter. Please review!