Reviews have been trickling in, yay! And I've cleared 400 hits! Rejoice!

There are quite a few shockers in this latest chapter, I was feeling adventerous. That and I wanted to add in a few twists. And fret not! Slash WILL be coming! But the get-together wouldn't be nearly as satisfying if I didn't build a relationship between Harry and Draco first, no?

Thanks to my new reviewers! Bellartix-Voldielocks0o, Guinn Pern, darkfirebird1423, Blonde Dragon, Zikiya, and Linari Taris. I positively adore reviews, and thank you for honoring me with them! On to the new chapter!

By the way, I'm beta-less, so if there are any mistakes, don't hesitate to tell me. Thanks!

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Harry awoke with a groan, the light trickling in from the dirty skylight in the center of the ceiling making him cringe. Squinting upwards he heaved a tremendous sigh.

"Breakfast started 10 minutes ago,"

Harry made a loud noise of protest and gave a great show of turning towards the wall. "Then why aren't -you- there?" he asked groggily. He turned back over to gauge Draco's reaction, to see him sitting fully-dressed on his already-made bed. He had a notebook on his lap, and was twirling something, presumably a pen, with his fingers.

"I don't know." he said. After a slight pause, "Waiting for you, I suppose."

Harry sat up, glowering at him. "I'm not a pity-case, Malfoy."

Draco merely shrugged, closed his notebook, and shoved it under his pillow. "Get up. Mrs. Weasley made bacon and if we wait much longer, there's not going to be any left."

Harry paused. His growling stomach spurred him into action, reminding him he hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. Getting up, his clothes rumpled and his hair off in every direction, he stretched and looked over at Draco. "Then let's get going."

Draco nodded, getting up as well, and walking over to the trapdoor. He lowered it, descended, waited until Harry had followed him, and closed it again. Just as Harry went to go down the stairs, Draco grabbed his arm. "Harry, wait. I want to warn you about something first."

Harry's eyes narrowed, studying him carefully. "About what?" Draco released his arm and dragged his fingers through his silvery locks.

"About what you should expect down there. They're going to give you a lot of stuff. They're going to make you decide things that're way to heavy to put on your shoulders. They're going to talk about Blac... Your godfather. They're going to ask you about Voldemort, and Dumbledore, and what you're going to do, if you're going back to school, where you're going to live. It's going to be rough on you, and I know that, because they did the same thing to me. I just want you to be prepared."

Harry stared at him for a long moment, emerald burning into blue. Finally, he nodded. "Thanks."

With that said and done, they both went down the stairs side by side. When they entered the kitchen, Harry sat down at the table and helped himself to the food without a glance in anyone's direction. It was sufficient to say he was still a bit upset from the previous night. Draco stood next to the door, leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching Harry from behind. Ginny walked up to him and handed him a glass of orange juice, which he accepted. No one said a word.

Arthur bustled in noisily with an armful of papers. "Morning, Draco. Morning Harry." he said brightly, sitting at the head of the table and spreading out the parchment over his toast. Draco uttered a soft "Morning." in return, but Harry remained silent. Draco found his eyes on Harry once more. Even in his silence, he still commanded his full attention. He seemed so much different, more powerful... More foreboding in a way. If you looked into his eyes for too long, it seemed the fire that burned there worked its way into your soul, turning everything else into ash and rubble, until all was left were those haunted eyes. It wasn't natural.

"Nice sleep, Harry?" Arthur asked, completely unaware of the ferocity Harry was eating his bacon with while he glared at him.

"Lovely, thanks."

"Good, good." He looked around, and nodded when he saw it was only himself, Harry, Ginny, Draco, and Molly in the room. "Draco? Ginny? Would you mind leaving for a bit? Molly, you'd best accompany them, make sure none of the kids are eavesdropping."

Ginny immediately spoke up. "Dad! We're not kids anymore!" Molly shushed her, and began to shoo them both out.

"They can stay." Harry said, pushing away his plate and crossing his arms.

Arthur continued to study some of the papers before him. "No... No... Strictly legal things, here. Can't have underaged wizards and witches overhearing things to do with The Order and The Ministry, can we?"

Draco almost piped up that he wasn't underage, but stopped himself. Yes, he wanted to know what they had to say to Harry, but he didn't want to seem desperate. Fortunately, Harry was thinking along the same lines.

"Malfoy's not underage. He can act as my witness, in case the Ministry tries to screw me over again."

Arthur glanced up sharply, his eyes narrowing. After a long moment he attempted a weary smile. "Yes, I suppose. Draco may stay. Molly? Ginny?" he asked, looking at them expectantly.

"Oh yes, yes." Molly said, pulling Ginny out with her and shutting the doors behind her.

Arthur sighed. "Alright, down to business. Harry, as you know, there was a minor dispute on the ownership of Sirius' estate. However, it has come to our attention the Bellatrix Lestrange was killed several weeks ago, so now, you are allowed complete access to anything and everything that Sirius owned."

Harry didn't speak, he didn't trust himself to. He just nodded, prompting Arthur to go on, which he did. "This brings us to our next point, where you will reside. You've dropped out of school, yes?" Harry nodded. "Very well. Your aunt and cousin are under heavy medical care, and with your uncle now deceased, you can't very well go back to Privet drive. You are more than welcome to stay at Sirius' old home, however, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named may be expecting that. If you go on your own, you will, of course, be given auror protection; and if you're not ready, you're always welcome to stay here."

"I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to go yet."

Arthur scribbled down a few notes, before looking up at Harry again. "Now... The heaviest part of this meeting," Draco perked up a bit at this, "We found a letter in Dumbledore's office when we went in to inspect it. It was lying on his desk."

Arthur reached into his jacket and produced a large envelope with a red ribbon tied around it. It was very clearly labeled 'Harry Potter'. Arthur fingered the edge of it thoughtfully. "We had a bit of an idiot on the inspection team, and he tried to open it. It simply will not open for anyone, except you, presumably. Indestructible parchment, if I'm not mistaken." He looked at it, a wondering expression on his face. "It was almost as if he expected all this, you know? It seemed arranged almost perfectly."

His jaw working in agitation, Harry reached over the table and grabbed the letter away from him. Without a second thought, he ripped off the ribbon, shook the letter out of the envelope and leaned back to read.

"My dear Harry,

Before I begin, I have a few instructions for you. This first page is for your eyes only, and I urge you to destroy it after you've read it. The second page however, is for the world. I ask you not to read that page until you are with a trusted Ministry official, and then, and only then, may you read it aloud for you both to hear.

Now, if this letter has reached you in good health, which I'm sure it has, it should be very clear that I have not lived out this revival of Voldemort. Please do not be frightened or upset at my departure, everything happens for a reason.

I want you to know I always saw you as something of a son to me. I wish I could be there to watch you grow, and conquer your fears, but the sad truth is that I'm just a very old man living in very dark times. I'm well aware that my death is approaching as I'm writing this, and I'm well aware that my death has taken place, as you're reading. Our own Divinations professor had another premonition in my presence, and I was informed that my death was drawing near. Hearing it was going to be a traitor from within my own walls, I began to snoop, as I'm so fond of doing. I've learned from a certain moaning ghost in the girl's room, that Draco Malfoy may have something to do with it.

This brings me to my first request. I know that you and Draco may not get along, but there is one thing I am certain of. Whatever Draco is doing, he is being forced to do it against his will. He isn't the image of innocence, I know, but you must bring him back to our side. Rescue him from this horrible path his is being shoved down. He is a strong boy, but he needs your help. He is a death eater, yes, but sometimes, having an ally that can go into enemy territory is the best weapon of all.

He may have some useful information about the Horcruxes. The reason why I've divulged so much to you is because I know that I will not be able to locate and destroy them all before I leave. You must do it, Harry. You must find them, and make sure Voldemort can never come back. Use Draco. He's cunning and sharp, he can help you.

I ask of you not to discuss the contents of this letter to anyone, not even your friends, Hermione and Ronald. Remember, the ones that are closest to you, are the ones most in danger. Keep them safe.

I wish you the best in life, Harry. I am proud of you.

Albus Dumbledore"

Harry cleared his throat and shakily folded the paper up and pushed it carefully in his pocket. He turned around, and looked at Draco, who was still watching him carefully. "Show me your arm."

Draco continued to hold his gaze for a moment, unmoving. Then, he uncrossed his arms, and rolled up his left sleeve, never breaking eye contact. Harry's eyes moved downwards, focusing on the blackened smudge on his inner arm. It didn't bear any resemblance to the dark mark at all. Draco quickly pulled his shirt back over it.

"I struggled when they did it." he said quietly, in explanation. Harry nodded, then looked over at Arthur.

"I'm supposed to read the second page aloud to a trusted ministry official."

Arthur furrowed his brow. "You can trust me, Harry. What is it?"

"I don't know." Harry said, shrugging. He picked up the second page and began to read.

"I, Albus Brian Percival Wulfric Dumbledore, being of sound mind, do hereby proclaim the distribution of my assets. Firstly, I have two vaults in the Gringotts bank. One is my personal vault, ownership of which will be handed to Molly Weasley for certain... Investments. The second, is the vault for Hogwarts, and it's expenses. This vault, all my personal belongings, the deed to Hogwarts, and the position as Headmaster, will be passed on to none other than Harry James Potter. If he is unable to handle this responsibility, he does have the choice of leaving what he wishes to Minerva McGonagall to disperse as she wishes.

Albus Brian Percival Wulfric Dumbledore"

For the longest time, the entire kitchen was quiet. Finally, Draco said in wonder, no more than a whisper, "Merlin's beard, he left you Hogwarts."

"I noticed." Harry snapped in return, staring down at the paper, as if the words were going to jump off the parchment and strangle him if he didn't look away. Draco's eyes drifted to the paper he held, noticing how badly his hands were shaking. Without thinking, Draco moved forward and put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Listen... I've got to go shopping... Erm, I hate going by myself, you want to join?"

Harry looked up at him for a long moment, down at Dumbledore's will, then back at Draco. "Yeah." he muttered, standing up. He handed the paper to Arthur, and walked swiftly out of the kitchen, Draco at his heels.

Harry went into the living room, which was surprisingly, empty. Apparently Molly had ordered everyone upstairs for now. "Accio Gringotts key!" Harry said loudly, hand in the air. There was a small crash, then moments later, the key flew into his hand from the open window next to them. Must've come out the window in the attic. Pocketing his key, he looked at Draco.

"Ready, Malfoy?"

Draco nodded, going over to the fireplace, getting a pinch of floo from the canister beside it, and going on his way to Diagon Alley. Before Harry could follow, a flash of red hair flew down from the staircase.

"Harry, please don't go, I need to talk to you."

Harry looked down at Ginny, brow furrowed. "Were you watching us from up there?"

"Please don't go?"

He sighed, moving to walk away from her. "We'll do this later."

Ginny grabbed his wrist, and pulled him to her with surprising force. She took his face in both her hands, yanked him down, and kissed him on the mouth. "I don't know what's wrong with you, Harry, but I want to help."

He snarled and pushed her away from him. Ginny fell to the floor, looking up at him with a horrified expression. "... Harry?" she asked in disbelief.

Ignoring her, he threw a pinch of floo powder in the fireplace and shouted "Diagon Alley!" as he jumped in. He missed Hermione running down the stairs to Ginny's side, he missed Ginny bursting into tears... And he missed the look of pure fury on Ron's face as he gazed down at the scene below from the top of the stairs.

"What is WRONG with him!" Ginny wailed, curling into a ball and burying her head in her arms. Hermione hugged her, rubbing soothing circles on her back as she gazed at the now empty fireplace.

"I don't know, Ginny. I just don't know."

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