Chapter 2

Malfoy wondered how Dumbledore knew he was there. He didn't dwell on it though and he entered quietly. The last time he had been in the Headmaster's office was in his third year with his accident with the killer bird/ horse thing Buckbirch or whatever its name was. The office was still the same. It was full of magical trinkets and muggle gadgets. Fawkes, the phoenix that resided in the Headmaster's office gave a little chirp to Draco and resumed his task of grooming his plumage.

"Take a seat Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said from behind his desk and he did so, declining when the old wizard offered him a lemon drop.

"What's this all about?" Draco asked. He liked to be straight to the point. He hated beating around the bush. The old man smiled and Draco sneered.

"I too, can be blunt Mr. Malfoy. Contacts have told me that you are reluctant to become a follower of the Voldemort…………"The wizard noted with some satisfaction that Draco did not wince………… "And that you were to receive the Dark Mark during your Christmas Break am I correct?"

Draco opened his mouth to deny it but he knew he needed Dumbledore's help to help him not take the Dark Mark. If he refused his father and the slimy bastard that everyone feared, Malfoy knew his life would end. He was stuck, and it hurt his pride that he couldn't weasel his way out of it by himself. Draco settled for closing his mouth and he muttered a sullen "Yes."

"Good!" Albus said and gave a clap with his hands. " I must insist for your own safety that you do not return to your home this Christmas Mr. Malfoy. I and your godfather will discuss what to do with the upcoming holidays and summer."

Malfoy's sneer left his face and he sighed. What happened to his perfect life? It was so screwed up now. His father was forcing him to take the Mark, his bottomless bottle of gel had been missing this morning, and he was gay. Him! A Malfoy! Gay! It was unheard of! On top of that, he felt himself eyeing his worst enemy often. He tried to cover his growing attraction for the "Boy-Who-Lived" by throwing scathing remarks but their fighting now seemed childish. Besides he didn't want Harry's hate. He wanted something else.

'Harry? When the fuck did he become Harry?' Draco thought disgustingly and forced Potter………. 'Yes' he thought. 'Potter.' …………into the back of his mind and focused on the current situation. "I'll stay." He said resignedly knowing full well he was going to be bored for Christmas, but hey it was much better than being killed at a Death Eater meeting.

"Very well." Albus said. "That'll be all." Damn that twinkle in his eyes. Draco gave a polite goodbye and left, thoughts mulling around in his head as he trudged to Slytherin dormitories, tall, proud Malfoy composure gone. He didn't feel like going back to class and he had the feeling that Dumbledore didn't expect him to. Since he was a Head Boy, he had his own private quarters and veered away from the Slytherin entrance and stood in front of a portrait of Circe, the beautiful but evil witch.

"Potter." He drawled and the portrait. It was last password a person would expect and it proved that Malfoy was obsessed with his arch nemesis. With his Malfoy composure still gone, Malfoy walked in and plopped on his bed, his fingers grazing his right forearm, glad that no ugly scar was bearing on it. He went back to sulking about his life. His mother never showed him true affection and of course his father didn't. Malfoy had spent most of his childhood being forced to study and learn advanced magic by his slave-driving father. His company were the house elves who were very much afraid of him and for good reason. Without a guilty conscience, he recalled venting out his inner anger and loneliness on the house elves who annoyed him. He remembered Dobby, his favorite punching stress reliever and smirked on how pissed his father was when Potter had freed him. Malfoy heaved a heavy sigh once more and closed his eyes. He was a pitiful case. He settled for falling into a light slumber.

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"Hey mate, you wanna pass the potatoes?" Ron asked Harry after biting into a large chicken leg. Hermione scowled. She loved her boyfriend but when it came to eating he was a pig. Harry wasn't listening. He was staring off into space, beautiful green eyes glazed over and elbow in the butter dish. The Golden Boy unconsciously licked his lips catching the eye of Seamus. Seamus was one of the open gay guys at Hogwarts and was currently going out with a Ravenclaw cutie named Terry Boot. (Yeah I know.) Still, Seamus would give him up for Harry anytime.

"Just what are you thinking?" Seamus asked in a low voice and Harry snapped out of his daze. "You want the potatoes?" he asked and handed the bowl to Seamus who looked confused.

"No! I wanted the potatoes!" Ron practically shrieked and snatched the bowl from the Irish teenager and began to pile some on his plate. Students from other tables looked at Ron odd, wondering why Ron became so upset about food. The Gryffindor paid no attention though. They were used to it. Seamus just snickered at how the redhead sounded just like Hermione. It was high pitched and all.

"Oh thank you Ron." Said Harry and everyone looked at him strange.

"Harry? Are you okay?" Hermione asked. Harry shook his head to clear his head again.

"Yeah I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be?" Harry asked and put some food on his plate. "Ron pass the potatoes."

Hermione bit her lip. Something was wrong with Harry and she was going to find out what it was.