Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all characters, places et al. are owned by J.K. Rowling

A/N: Another update. Sorry for the long wait, but multitaslking between learning and stuff isn't easy :) Hope you enjoy it, and thanks for all the reviews. Really like them :)
Special thank to Slytherin Damian

Silver Serpent: You might not read this, but anyway. Here's a very easy to remember rule-of-thumb: If you don't like it, don't read it. Secondly, if you want more male-female slash in here, write something of your own. And I highly doubt that most of the readers of HPDM, let alone the authors, are gay. So, a warm welcome to this century, my friend.
Anyway, on with the story...

Chapter 9

Harry was mildly surprised that he didn't have to put up with anymore Zabini incidents after their last meeting. Maybe he's learning after all? Or he was just plotting how he could get his stupid revenge without getting another train run over him. All in all, it was a rather normal week - for a wizard-in-training that is.
For the first time, he was actually working on the lessons and eagerly doing his homework to the utter astonishment of his teachers. He even got some compliments for his outstanding work from Professor Flitwick.
Luckily, he was through with Professor Snape's detentions. Surely Harry had cleaned every singly cupboard, table, and things he didn't know existed in the dungeon. At least it was past him now…
But after he went through the week, he still had the weekend ahead. At first he tried to intermingle with his friends, or already former friends? It seemed there was an invisible barrier between them, something that wasn't there before. They didn't show it, but they made him feel like he was dangerous, something to be afraid of. He soon was fed up with this and decided to go his own separate way.
So he spent the weekend in the library, learning – with some evening visits to the restricted section thanks to the invisibility cloak, taking long runs around the castle, or doing some exercises in the Room of Requirements. When he entered it, it did look like the next best thing to a gym, with all the machines. He even found time to do further train his Wushu there. He was only a beginner, but found he was a quick learner. And doing something with his body just felt…good. No thinking about problems or social insecurities, just himself and his body being one.

Then came Monday. Thanks to Professor Ragdanovich, he was always looking forward to it. One of the few highlights in the week. If he managed to survive Potions, of course.
Working with Malfoy proved to be a good thing for his potions skill. Malfoy and he worked better together than either of them would have admitted. They were having normal, even friendly conversations with each other. But that still left Snape…
Despite his efforts, Snape didn't change. Even though he couldn't dock him points for the work, as it was nearly perfect, he still took every other chance to take points from him for the slightest misbehaviour. He didn't like it that much, but he had got used to this in the last few years. In fact, it felt rather refreshing to have someone who didn't change in the way they treated Harry.

###

"Are you happy with the little git, huh?" he heard Ron snap from behind as he was walking down a corridor away from Potions.
Harry stopped and slowly turned around. "What is your problem?" Harry looked wearily at Ron. "I work with Malfoy, not you. So it is not your problem, now is it?"
"It is my problem. If it wasn't for you running to the enemy, I wouldn't have to work with Parkinson!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry that I actually want to learn something in Potions." His eyes hardened. "And Slytherin isn't the enemy. They're not exactly friendly, but are still all in Hogwarts. Or did you miss the Sorting Hat at the beginning of last year? The whole 'We should stand united' bit?"
"That doesn't change a thing!"
"Oh gosh, Ron, do you ever listen to what you say?"
"You-You-"
"Ron, be silent," Hermione said as she came around the corner from the dungeon. "If Harry wants to work with Malfoy it is his problem. You should concentrate on your own problems."
"But 'Mione, I can't-"
"Ron, we've been through this. Harry needs time, we'll be giving it to him. Now come, before it gets even uglier." She grabbed Ron by the arm and dragged him with her.
Harry just watched them leave. He shook his head and walked on. Why Ron was such a fool…

###

Breakfast the next morning started just as uneventful and normal as ever. Until the owls with the Daily Prophet arrived, that is. Immediately conversations started to blossom, hushed at first, but more vivid within minutes. Some gasped at a seemingly terrifying headline.
Irritated, Harry walked over to a second year holding a copy of the Daily Prophet. With a mumbled "Excuse me" he ripped it out of the boys hands, who was too terrified to say anything.

Then he read the first page, and his blood started to chill.

Lucius Malfoy Escapes Azkaban

Sunday evening, the Daily Prophet received reports that Lucius Malfoy escaped from Azkaban.

The Ministry of Magic confirmed these reports but would not comment on the means of his escape and has put the entire affair under nondisclosure until it was resolved.

Interim Minister Arthur Weasley said only that "the escape was unexpected, to say the least, as is the exact way in which Malfoy escaped." The Ministry has promised a thorough inquiry and feels confident they will catch Malfoy shortly.

Malfoy, whose son currently studies at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, was convicted after the attack on the Department of Mysteries last year (Read more about it on page 3). His wife, Narcisssa was not giving any comments on this affair

This is the second escape from…

Harry tossed the paper back to the boy. He was stunned. Lucius escaped. He soon would be back in the ranks of the Death Eaters, wouldn't he? He was dangerous, and didn't exactly make things easier. But then everyone had counted on this 'unexpected' escape for some time.
He looked around and found Draco. His face lost all colour and looked like a walking dead. Grasping what seemed to be a letter, Malfoy stumbled out of the Great Hall, given a wide berth by the other students, who just whispered as he passed them.

###

Draco clutched the letter to his chest as he got out of the Great Hall. He tried to compose himself, but to no avail. He was too shocked.
Just as he had settled in his current situation, as unpleasant as it may seem, this shouldn't have happened. Damn him! Why couldn't he rot away in Azkaban?
The letter in his hand caused him to shiver. It was undoubtedly the handwriting of his father…
He found a forlorn space near the garden and sat down. He shivered as he slowly opened the letter.

Dear Son,

As you read this, word must have already reached you that I have escaped from Azkaban. I have planned on this for some time, but only now I could take my chance. Luckily, the war has drawn away enough Dementors to make this happen at all.
I write to you because there is one thing the Daily Prophet won't know.
I will not join with the Dark Lord again. It would be my certain death. Having disappointed him severely, I also lost all influence within the Ministry and the Wizarding World. If he does not punish me with death, I do not know what else he may do.
So I will hide myself until a time comes when it is safe to come out again, and the outcome of this war is determined.
There is one thing you must do, my Son. They might take their revenge on you, to set an example. It hurts me to say this, but go to Dumbledore. He will be able to protect you where I cannot.

Kind Regards,
Lucius Malfoy

Draco laughed. He laughed hard.
After all these years, he finally saw it. His father was a coward. Deeply hidden, he was a coward. In the face of death, he ran away. If he was such a staunch supporter of the Dark Lord, he should have faced the punishment. But maybe he wasn't so sure the Dark Lord would succeed?
He took a deep breath and put the letter away in his pocket.

###

Harry was on his way to lunch, when he heard a commotion from ahead. Interested, he walked closer. He didn't like what he saw, at all.
A large group of students formed a quasi-ring, and in it was a very angry Ronald Weasley, towering over Draco Malfoy lying on the floor. Some sort of fight has seemed to take place as he could see some ripped cloaks and blood trickle down Malfoy's nose and lips.
"Stop it," Harry thundered. "NOW!"
The circle suddenly opened and Harry stood alone facing Ron.
"Get lost," Ron snarled. He was clearly deep in rage. "None of your business, Harry!"
"None of my business?" Harry eyed Ron coolly. "As soon as Snape hears about it, he will dock points from Gryffindor. Many points. And do you think McGonagall will just overlook it?" Harry chuckled as Ron looked frantically around. "Of course they're not here now. But they will hear about it. It isn't exactly a secret spot."
"As I said, none of your business. Now let me finish him off!" Ron started to move ahead, but Harry stepped between him and Draco.
"Out of my way, Harry!"
"No, I won't."
"You don't understand!"
"Oh, I don't? What did he do? Call you a Weasel, or Hermione a mudblood? Did he insult your family? You should be used to it by now! It's not like he just started it this year."
"Didn't you read the Daily Prophet?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Yes, I did. So?"
"His father escaped! No one is safe from him!"
"Oh my," Harry sighed. "Would you grow up? What do you think he would do? Sneak in the tower to sacrifice a Gryffindor in celebration of his father's escape? He isn't his bloody father!"
"I don't care! Get out of my way," he snarled.
"You have to get rid of me first, Ron," Harry's voice was frighteningly cold. "Do you have what it takes? Do you?" Harry laughed harshly. "I have taken on greater men than you. I'm not afraid."
Suddenly, Ron was grasped from behind and Seamus Finnigan tried to drag him away.
"Professor Sprout is coming, we have to go. You can finish it later!" the Irish boy said loudly.
Reluctantly, he turned around and ran away. "This is not over!" Ron shouted at Draco.
"Oh no, it isn't," Harry whispered.
The cluster of students swiftly dissolved as they got away before the professor could ask pointed questions.
Harry stepped closer to Draco and extended his hand to the young man lying on the floor.
Draco seemed to hesitate for a split second, but then firmly grasped Harry's hand.
"I could have taken him on," Malfoy drawled as he was standing on his feet again and wiped away the blood. "Thanks," he threw in after a long pause. From the way he squirmed when he said it, he really didn't like to thank people very often.
"You're welcome," Harry smiled. "Now we should have your accident taken care of. Must've been a terribly strong door you ran into, wasn't it?" Harry looked him sternly in the eyes.
Taking the hint, Malfoy just nodded. "Yes, very strong."
Harry nodded and smiled.
Leading the way, he walked Draco to the infirmary and walked past Professor Sprout who looked curious as she saw Draco's injuries, but let them go when Harry told her he was bringing him to Madame Pomfrey.

###

It was not easy for him. He wanted to just walk away as he came to a halt in front of Dumbledore's staircase. He felt so… powerless, to run for the mighty Professor. But things might really get ugly now after his father's escape, and if his father of all people made him go to Dumbledore…
"Professor?" he asked into the staircase. Why can't he just have a normal door? He knocked, prodded, and even kicked it. After a frustrating quarter hour he was truly about to leave when Professor McGonagall came by.
"Mr. Malfoy," she sternly looked at him. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to speak with Professor Dumbledore. It is a matter of some urgency."
"Urgency?"
"It has to do with…with my father."
McGonagall looked at him with an empty face for a second or two, then turned to the staircase. "Chocolate Frog!" The gargoyle protecting it jumped aside and the staircase started to move and Draco quickly stepped on it.
Stepping off the staircase he found himself in the Headmaster's quarters. How anyone could live in this mess and chaos of artefacts, weird machines and all those portraits was beyond him.
"Professor?" he called out again.
He heard a rasping sound from ahead. "Ah, young Draco Malfoy," he finally heard Dumbledore. He was sounding very weak. How he should help him? "Come closer."
He did, and soon stood before Dumbledore's desk.
"What can I do for you, my boy?"
He felt his temper rise as he called him a boy. But he got himself back under control. "I…I have it you heard about my father's…activities?"
"Oh yes," he answered. "I have. Quite resourceful, your father. Always was…"
"Well," he almost whispered, "there is something you don't know…" He silently handed Dumbledore the letter.
Dumbledore scanned the letter and he raised an eyebrow. Pulling out is wand, he performed a complex dance with it and a slightly silvery puff of smoke materialized above the letter.
"Interesting indeed." He looked deep into Draco eyes. "This changes many things. I never expected Lucius to come to 'our' side in this war and betray his master. But this comes as close as it could to happening. This could be very dangerous for you once it is known by Voldemort and his followers. But you know that already, don't you?"
"Well, yes. I can put two and two together."
"As long as you're within the castle, you're safe, you can trust me on this. Have you told anyone about this letter, besides me?"
"Eh, no. And I wasn't planning on it either, actually."
"Good," he semed to think for a moment before he went on. "Make sure to trust the one anyone you tell. It is a delicate thing." Seemingly out of the blue he went on, "your relations with Mr. Potter have improved lately, have they not?"
Perplexed at the sudden change of topic, he didn't know what to say. "Err, yes," he brought out after a short time. "We're not friends. But he doesn't seem to be the same person he was last year."
"Yes, he has changed a lot." He looked at a clock and sighed. "Now, I have some matters to attend now that I know this. If you'll excuse me?"
"Eh, yes, Professor," he answered and then left the tower by the staircase.
He looked puzzled and a bit confused as he walked down the corridor and didn't really watch out as he walked around a corner.
"Ouch," someone shouted as Draco ran into him.
"Sorry, I-Potter?" he asked incredulous.
"Yeah, I am allowed to walk these corridors, aren't I now?"
"Yes, of course, I was just…"
"Just what? Running over people?"
"I got some things on my mind, you know? I was a bit...elsewhere."
"I can see that," Potter chuckled. Something worked deep inside the black-haired boy, as suddenly a friendly smile spread on his face. "Want to talk about it?"
"No, I-" He fell silent, and thought about what Dumbledore had told him. He was the wonder boy; he had faced the Dark Lord before… Maybe it wouldn't hurt, would it? "Actually, yes, I do. But not here…"
Leading Harry to an unobserved part of the castle, they walked off.