Disclaimer: See initial chapter

A/N

A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed thus far… I never really expected anyone to like this story. I did receive my first flame… it entertained me... Anyway here are my responses to the reviews from last chapter.

AnimeHanyou – Glad you liked it and here is an update.

levotatingT – Here is the next chapter… I hope you didn't have to wait to long.

Pepsigirl - I'm excited someone read it in a straight shot, and I hope the slash doesn't turn you off, it won't be the focus of the story

Keybladegirl – Another chapter for you

Srry for the way I am – Just curious… is your first language Spanish because I took four years of it in high school… and it would be interesting to know someone from another country read my story

Bleed4roses – Draco won't say the H word out loud for a while yet.

In general, I'm sorry I didn't post sooner… I have no clue how regularly I'll post. But good news I actually have a plot in mind… I know where I want to end up at least. I really struggled with this chapter because I wasn't sure how to handle this encounter and keep them in cannon. Then I decided to say screw Ms. Rowling because I don't think she plans to redeem Draco which I think is a waste of a good character and a foolish promotion of stereotypes. It's like all her characters fill the roles they were born in instead of being able to choice. And I'm all about freewill over fate.

Okay long enough Author's note on with the story.

Encounter

Harry's POV

I sneak quietly back into the Tower. I really don't want to listen to Hermione and Ron question me about my whereabouts. I'm 17; I don't bloody need a keeper anymore. I can take care of myself. For Merlin's sake I supposed to save the damn world but everyone treats me like porcelain. Well except for Draco. He treats me like a person.

It feels so good to hit my bed, I'm exhausted… the day has been long… though mostly because of the anticipation. I wonder if Draco has written anything yet or maybe he wants me to write him first… What would I write…? What if he decides I'm an idiot?

I pull the piece of parchment out of my pocket.

Wow…

He's written… the ink is a pretty shade of green.

Potter,

I realized you would most likely agonize over what to write so I saved you the trouble by writing first. I think the most feasible mode of meeting is to pick at time at the beginning of each week to meet. This week I can meet Tuesday or Thursday evening, take your pick. It would be best to meet late, perhaps after curfew. You can use that invisibility cloak of yours and I'll use my Prefect status. The only thing lacking is a location; the Astronomy Tower is likely to be filled with snogging fourth years. Do you know of a place to meet?

DM

Hmmm… Tuesdays are out… Quidditch… So I guess it will be Thursday then…

Draco,

Thursday would be the best for me. I think I know a place we can talk, meet me in the Great Hall at 10:30.

Harry

I could take him to the Room of Requirement… it should work for our purposes… and no one really knows about it… except for DA but well… I'll require that they can't find the door well Draco's is there…

I'm so sleepy

Draco's POV – Thursday

Dammit… it is 10:28… where is that boy? He'd better show I'd feel so stupid if he didn't. Of course I'd have to get back at him somehow and I was enjoying the peace.

Wait…

I swear that I heard something… I damn well hope I don't end up as paranoid as Snape…

Fuck… someone grabbed me…

"Draco, it's me"

Damn Potter and his invisibility cloak… I didn't think he'd sneak up on me like that.

"Bloody hell, Potter, don't you know better than to sneak up on an armed Wizard."

He is really close… I can feel his breath on my shoulder.

"Sorry, Draco… I thought you could use my cloak. We're going to the third floor."

The poor boy is embarrassed… he needs to stop apologizing for everything.

"To the place where you and Dumbledore's other pawns meet up, I assume?"

I've never been able to find that room again.

"Yeah, it's called the Room of Requirement. I don't think anyone will be able to find us if we need it to be kept secret."

Ahh… the Room of Requirement… sounds useful…

"Well, Potter, lead the way"

We start moving… really I wish this cloak was bigger… it feels odd to be this close to Harry… I mean Potter…. I can smell his soap for Merlin's sake. We walk in silence which is probably for the best because he wouldn't do for a ghost or that damned cat of Filch's to hear disembodied voices floating down the halls. We reach the corridor and Potter has us pace in front of the spot on the wall three times…. And then a door appears. I'm impressed.

Nice room. There is fire burning on the right wall… and it is the main source of light in the room… there are some candles burning along the walls. Near the fire are two armchairs… and a table… looks like there is a pitcher of juice… probably pumpkin… and some pastries… Potter must be hungry.

"So are we going to stand under this cloak all night or are we going to sit?"

I don't want to be close to Potter anymore.

"Oh right."

Potter pulls the cloak of us and moves towards the chairs. Upon closer inspection I see that the one chair is red and the other is green… how classic. The walls and floor are stone and the table appears to black cherry… it is a nice room.

"Well, Potter, how do you want to do this?"

I sit in the chair which is incredibly comfortable.

"Um…well… I'm not exactly sure…"

Bloody hell… I stand up…

"Hello, my name is Draco Malfoy. And you are?"

He smiles he sweet smile… I mean he grins like an idiot… and stands up.

"My name is Harry Potter. It is nice to meet you."

"Well, Potter, it looks like you go to Hogwarts… Gryffindor House, right?"

This feels a little inane but it will do Potter some good.

"Yep… and you're Slytherin, right? I was almost placed in Slytherin House?"

I raise an eyebrow… Potter in Slytherin… that would have been interesting to say the least.

"So how do you like living among the lions?"

Which is probably a tougher question than I should have asked.

"It's nice… most of the time. People tend to pry a lot but they have their hearts in the right place. Though it is difficult to deal with at times."

"Having your heart in the right place doesn't necessarily replace common sense."

"Well, they're good people, mostly. Though we tend to rush into things unawares."

"I would have never guessed. A Slytherin never rushes in unawares… and we don't let our friends either."

"Slytherins have friends?"

I snort and roll my eyes.

"You place too much faith in stereotypes, Potter. Slytherins can be loyal, however, unlike Hufflepuffs, one must earn our loyalty. I can't blame you for being confused, no one really understands Slytherins. Can't blame them, we don't have the best image. Of course if one actually thought about it for a moment they would realize that there is no such thing as an "evil" house. Being cautious and cunning doesn't make a person evil. Salazar wasn't a bad man; he was actually against bringing in Muggleborns for good reason. Back when Hogwarts was founded Muggles were afraid of witchcraft and often times when a student was brought here, there family ended up being terrorized by other Muggles. He was trying to avoid that. Of course in his anger… he built that chamber… which wasn't wise… a very Gryffindor move."

Potter looks a little stunned… I doubt he's ever really though about Slytherins…

"I've never really thought about it that way."

I would have never guessed.

"Most people haven't, most people are too eager to find a scapegoat for the current situation. And hell they have an entire houseful of them. All the professors are prejudiced against us, well, except for Snape… and he hates all the other houses. No wonder so many became Death Eaters… we've nowhere else to go. Look at Snape… he's a spy… a crucial part of Dumbledore's plans and no one trusts him."

"You're right… Draco… it is wrong…"

He looks so distraught… it isn't his fault.

"Potter, cheer up, you aren't to blame."

"I know… but I believed the stereotypes for years"

Yes…. Thanks to Dumbledore…

"Well, Dumbledore wanted you to believe that. You would be a lot easier to control if your world existed in black and white instead of shades of gray. But you see the error of your ways, which is more than I can say for most people."

"But is wrong… everyone is pushing the Slytherins to become the next generation of Death Eaters… no one is giving you a way out. I should do something about it."

He isn't bloody responsible for everything.

"Potter, the Slytherins have no intentions of throwing our lives away. We'll find a way out if it is just to spite Dumbledore. We are a lot stronger than we are given credit for. We have to be. It won't be easy to take us down."

"But some many Slytherins seem to support Voldemort."

He looked surprised that I didn't wince at Lord V's name.

"Potter, you aren't the only one who wears a mask. Most of the Slytherins have been wearing a mask since before they could walk. Not many people are made privy to our private thoughts."

"I somehow feel less alone now. I just looked at my housemates and well they aren't under a lot of pressure… but it is nice to know someone else has to go through what I do."

"Potter, no one goes through what you do. But we probably have a better idea of what you go through than your housemates."

He looks contemplative… he's chewing his bottom lip. I lean back in my chair and stretch my legs. I'm getting tired.

"Do you guys really hate me?"

"Of course not, Potter. We actually respect you but our parents wouldn't react kindly to us making friends with the illustrious Boy-Who-Lived."

"I hate that name."

"I don't blame you, it seems pretty lame. I mean everyone lives it isn't exactly an accomplishment. They should have called you the Boy-Who-Kicked-Voldemort's-Ass."

He laughs… something he doesn't do enough of. Then he lets out a big yawn.

"Tired, Potter?"

"A little…"

"Me, too. We should call it a night. Can't have you falling asleep in Potions and making me do all the work."

He smiles and I smile back. Damn it… why do I act like a bloody school girl around this boy.

"Draco… thanks for talking to me."

"I should be thanking you Potter. I've made your life difficult for too many years."

"Its okay, you kept me grounded."

We're by the door now. I stand awkwardly. I don't know what more to say… why does he make me unravel like this. He tries to flatten down that sexy mess of hair. Okay this needs to end…

"Well… Good night, Potter. Write me times you are open for next week."

"Okay. Good night, Draco."

I open the door and we both step through. I nod to him and then turn to head back to the dungeons. I fight the urge to look over my shoulder at him. He has that bloody cloak anyway.

It felt nice to talk to Potter. To find out he is so real and tangible. I just loved watching his eyes as we talked. They betray everything he feels.

I can't believe the hero-complex that boy has though… he doesn't need to be responsible for everything. I'm going to teach him that.

Bloody hell…. Why do I feel the need to take care of Harry?

Fin

So I hope everyone likes this chapter. I realize its pretty Draco-centric… but it will probably stay that way… I have an easier type writing in Draco's POV. Please review… flame if you want to make me laugh.