A/N: Thank you everyone who read and responded to my story! Some more notes here: I like Slytherins, and in this story Lucius, Draco and Snape will be portrayed as good guys. Also, I'm setting Lucius and Severus up together, so if that ain't your cup of tea, then either skip it or move on. I will get this out as quickly as I can type it up =). One is also attempting to include better description and longer chapters. All disclaimers in Ch1. Enjoy!
A/N: Thank you everyone who pointed out my very very bad mistake with the whole Voldimort/Voldemort thing. That was really embarrassing. =) Hopefully I caught them all!
Chapter 2: Meetings with Gryffindors and SlytherinsIn the end, Harry had to appeal to Hagrid to come and get him the day before classes started so he could get his school supplies. Since in the years before he'd been getting them with the Weasley's, he hadn't known who else to go to. Hagrid had been more than happy to come and take Harry school shopping.
The commotion that Hagrid stirred in the Dursley family when he came to pick Harry up was comical enough to make the boy smile, an act he'd been doing little of since Ginny's letter. Hagrid looked Harry over carefully when they were on their way to the Leaky Cauldron – the boy looked tired, he noted, as though Harry hadn't been sleeping well or often. Hagrid didn't comment on the green-eyed boy's appearance though; he figured Harry had enough on his mind as it was.
Diagon Alley was a strain on Harry's nerves. People kept whispering as he passed – not the normal whispers he'd finally been able to tune somewhat out over the years, but rather the whispers now were fearful, speculative and nasty. Before the first hour was done Harry felt like screaming. They're all hypocrites, he snarled to himself, all of them. Harry found some solace in the bookstore – he ensconced himself in the back, away from the bustle and crowd near the front. Harry browsed through the books in front of him, picking up an interesting looking one on Charms and another on Transfiguration. Harry only browsed with one part of his mind paying attention, though. His main concentration was taken up with the hope that he wouldn't meet anyone he knew while he was shopping, but of course he did. It was Murphy's Law. As he exited Flourish & Blotts, looking for Hagrid, Harry ran smack into Ron and Hermione.
Ron had grown considerably over the summer. He towered over Harry now, easily over six feet tall. Harry spared a disgruntled sigh at his own small stature – years of being underfed at the Dursley's had taken its toll on his frame. He severely doubted he'd be over five foot eight and barely resisted the urge to stomp his foot in irritation. He hated being short. Hermione had blossomed over the summer as well, her hair now cut short at her chin and much more manageable it seemed. Harry smiled at them hesitantly.
"Hi guys," he said quietly. He watched as the pair looked at each other quickly and then just looked at him. They pushed by him then, after a cold moment of silence, not saying a word, not looking back. Ron's shoulder bumped Harry as he passed and Harry stumbled back, hurt lancing through him. "Ron? Hermione?" Harry turned his eyes to Hermione, but she didn't look at him – she just pushed by him and followed after Ron hurriedly. Harry stared after them in utter shock. How could they? Harry felt rage boil up inside of him and realized he was close to losing control. With an effort he calmed himself, forcing a mask over his features to hide his anger, never realizing that two pairs of eyes were watching him from a cafe across the street.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Draco Malfoy watched the exchange between Weasley, Potter and Granger with raising worry. He didn't like Potter especially much, but most of that was old, childish animosity – on reflection he had realized he really didn't know the Boy-Who-Lived at all. Draco shrugged uncomfortably – he hated being wrong or misinformed. Blaise Zabini stirred next to Draco, also watching the unfolding scene. Blaise frowned slightly, then let his face smooth back into a normal, unconcerned expression.
"That's not good," Blaise murmured, picking up his tea casually. Draco nodded absently. He didn't like this development. He had, of course, read all the slanderous articles written about Potter over the summer and they infuriated him. Lucius had turned against Voldemort this past summer, with the help of Severus Snape, Draco's godfather. Narcissa had been furious, nearly killing Lucius when he told her that he would no longer serve the Dark Lord. She had divorced him immediately, much to Draco's relief – his mother had never truly been a mother to him. She had given birth to him, yes, but she wanted no contact with him. Draco's earliest memory of her was when he was eight years old and he had caught sight of her coming home from a trip abroad. The Malfoy's marriage had been an arranged one, and there was no love lost between them. Draco was rather happy that his mother was gone – for now his father and godfather could finally be together in peace. Draco had never asked for the specifics as to why his father had turned against the Dark Lord, but he knew it did have something to do about himself. The possibilities of just what the Dark Lord wanted from the Malfoy heir was something Draco tried very, very hard not to think about. So, Lucius had turned against Voldemort, and with him came a good number of the older pureblood lines, like the Zabini's. Voldemort had been furious, and had threatened to kill many of them, but the friends that the deserters still had within the Death Eater's ranks had warned them of these plans, and the families had taken precautions against the insane Dark Lord. Voldemort was in no position to strike at them, and he knew it, which drove him even more insane. Lucius had finally convinced Severus not to return to his spy work with the Death Eaters, much to Draco's relief. But over the summer it seemed that the Dark Lord had turned his eye to something that he could affect immediately. Draco was almost positive that the slanderous articles and rumors about Potter was a product of Voldemort's scheming and he didn't like it one bit. They needed Potter, as much as he was loath to admit it, and if the wizarding world turned against the boy – then they had a major problem on their hands. Lucius had been unable to have the Ministry stop the articles, and as Draco and Blaise watched the exchange between Potter and his one-time friends, it seemed as though the rumors and the speculations were hitting their intended marks. They had watched with surprise as Weasley and Granger brushed past the slight boy without a word, and felt unease creep into them as Potter's face tightened briefly with rage then smooth to a perfect mask of indifference. Blaise and Draco exchanged another worried glance. Potter couldn't have hid any emotion at the end of the last term to save his soul – so what had happened to the Boy-Who-Lived to teach him such control over his expressions? Draco broke the glance first, elegantly shrugging a shoulder. They turned and watched as Hagrid gathered Harry up and herded him away from the bookstore, their purchases done.
"He's changed a lot," Blaise said blandly.
"Who's changed, boys?" Severus's deep voice startled them. Draco looked over his shoulder and found the Potions Master and his father standing in the shadows of the café's awning.
"Harry Potter, sir." Severus's face broke into a sneer that faded at Draco's cross look. There was little that Severus would deny the blond haired boy, and Draco knew it. He had his godfather wrapped around his little finger, much to his father's amusement.
"And why are you so concerned suddenly?" Severus snapped irritably, knowing what Draco was doing, but couldn't help his reaction to his godson. He loved Draco dearly and always had. Draco looked away from Severus for a second, thinking. Yes, he was disturbed by the way the wizarding world's attitude had changed in regards to Potter, but couldn't pin point why exactly it was upsetting him so much.
"Draco, what is it?" Lucius's velvet voice pulled Draco's attention back to the adults. He shrugged and grimaced.
"I don't know sir. Everyone's turned against him – even his precious Weasley and that Granger girl – he's alone now without the support of those two brats. All he has left is Dumbledore – and that's probably where the old wizard wants him anyhow. It's just – a bad feeling, I guess." He finished lamely. Lucius and Severus exchanged glances. There was seer blood in the Malfoy line – weak, but there. If this 'feeling' was making Draco – who had hated Potter with a passion – reconsider his attitude towards the boy then it was probably a true feeling indeed.
"Do what you think you need to do, Draco," Lucius said. Snape got pinned with an icy stare Draco undoubtedly learned from his father. Severus stared back at the impudent brat, knowing what Draco was asking of him, before a grin curled his lips, transforming his face. Lucius looked and caught sight of the amused grin and felt his heart contract. That grin was one of the reasons he'd fell in love with the snarky dark haired man so many years ago, and that grin came out so rarely now that Lucius could count the number of times he had seen it in the last decade on one hand.
"No, Mr. Malfoy," Severus said with amusement. Draco's glare grew harder and Severus had to chuckle. "I'll think about it, Mr. Malfoy and that's all." Draco considered him for a moment, then relaxed and gave the Potions Master a wry look. Draco was determined to make Harry's year run as smoothly as possible, God knew why. But the cold feeling at the base of his spine warned him – if he didn't do what he could, then they were all lost.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Harry pushed his trolley towards the pillar that lead to the entrance to the platform. He had stayed in the Leaky Cauldron with Hagrid that night and the giant had seen him off to Kings Cross Station before making his own way to Hogwarts. Harry had barely slept and could feel the lack of sleep acutely. But every time he had tried to sleep, the scene with Ron and Hermione would flash through his head and his thoughts would start up again. The noise from the street hadn't helped either, and Harry had spent a lot of time at his window, staring out onto the busy street, watching the late rainstorm make everything slick and shiny. When Harry did finally get some sleep his dreams were troubled by memories of Voldemort's cruel voice condemning Cedric to death and his own screams ringing in his ears. Harry had woken up from that unpleasant nightmare with relief and hadn't bothered to attempt to go back to sleep. He had instead picked up a book he'd bought in the bookstore and tried to lose himself in it, and succeeding. I'm getting as bad as Hermione, he thought some hours later, which had sent him back into a deep depression that he had yet to be able to shake. Breakfast with Hagrid had been a strained affair, and Harry was glad when the burly half giant had dropped him off at the train station.
As Harry was nearing the pillar he heard a familiar voice admonishing Ginny to hurry and for Fred and George to quit fooling around. Harry smiled and began to speed up, then stopped, remembering Ron and Hermione's reaction to him, as well as the warnings of Ginny's letter. Harry hid back in the shadows as best he could, peering around a corner to watch Mr. and Mrs. Weasley see their children off. Harry felt something hard and thick clog his throat. He blinked harshly – he wouldn't cry, he wouldn't. Whatever it was that had everyone mad at him would pass and things would return to normal, he repeated in his head. It was quickly becoming Harry's new mantra and he fixed it in his mind – trying to believe it. If he didn't then he was lost and he knew it. Harry cleared his throat and turned back again to the Weasley family's leave-takings.
"Now, remember Ginny, study hard. I want good marks this year young lady. And Ron, try to get your marks up in Herbology and Potions. And for land's sake – stay away from that Potter boy!"
"Molly-"
"No, Arthur. I know you want to believe in the best of the boy, and Lord knows I do too, but we have to face the facts. The boy is dangerous – and mad – there's no way he can possibly be sane, not with what Ron and Hermione have told us! He's connected with the Dark Lord, Arthur! Who knows what the boy will do? So you children will stay away from him, do you hear me?" There was a chorus of "Yes, Mum" in response. Harry flinched at her words. They really, truly believed that he was mad – that he would become evil, like Voldemort. They had no faith in him at all. Harry withdrew and leaned against a pillar, slowly sliding down it until he was sitting. He had undeniable proof now, heard by his own ears. He couldn't fool himself any more. The family that he'd come to consider as his own had turned their backs on him – had truly believed that he would hurt them, that he would betray him, and had cut their ties to him to stave off any potential losses. Harry banged his head back twice on the brick wall behind him, letting the pain of the action wake him up. He got up stiffly, held his head high and walked around the pillar to see only the adult Weasley's left standing in front of the pillar. Harry walked calmly towards the pillar and didn't miss Mrs. Weasley's start and the unpleasant expression that crossed her face. Harry thought for a moment that Mr. Weasley would try to hail him, but Harry ignored them, and walked calmly into the barrier, leaving the muggle world behind.
*
Platform nine and three quarters was crowded as usual. Harry quickly got his trunk stowed, grabbed Hedwig and hurried onto the train. Harry assumed that Ron and Hermione would be in their usual compartment – he wasn't wrong. Harry hurried past them, keeping his eyes fixed ahead of him. He found an empty compartment towards the end of the train – uncomfortably aware that this was where most of the Slytherin's sat. But he hadn't seen that many Slytherins on the train – almost no sixth years and all but two of the seventh years were missing. Harry supposed that most of them were pulled by their parents to join Voldemort's ranks. He thought it wasn't really fair for them. To be pressured into service because of their parents – Harry shifted and leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the window. A flash of white-blond caught his eye – Malfoy, standing with Blaise Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle nowhere in sight. Harry watched them curiously. He had snagged as many Daily Prophets he could find when he was in Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron and read them all the way through. The most surprising news for him was finding out that Lucius Malfoy had publicly renounced the Dark Lord and called for the Fudge to take action against the new threat. Harry had blinked at the article for some minutes before the information finally settled into his brain. He tried to reconcile the fact that the vicious man that he knew from his second year onward had turned his back on Voldemort. Harry's mouth turned up in a barely – there grin. Poor Malfoy, he thought, he won't know what to do with himself now.
Harry had thought a lot this summer, having loads of time to do nothing but think it seemed. One thing that he did go over again and again was his hate/hate relationship with Draco Malfoy. Somewhere near the middle of July Harry had decided that he, himself, was an idiot. Malfoy could be a prick, but he was ignorable. Harry didn't want to fight this year with the other boy. He just didn't have the time to worry about school rivalries anymore – not with Voldemort reborn and irritating as ever. If he was to be the bloody savior of the bloody wizarding world then he had more important things to do than to quarrel with a boy in the middle of a hallway about some silly, adolescent thing. He had to be prepared, and the only way he would get that way is if he studied. Harry let his eyes wander away from the fair-haired boy and let his gaze be drawn to his rucksack. He reached down and opened up the new pack, very pleased by it. He'd found it in a small shop in Diagon Alley – the rucksack was far larger on the inside than it was on the outside, with a permanent levitation charm built into it. My own personal Mary Poppin's bag, Harry thought with a grin and a snort. It had cost a pretty penny, but he had money to burn, and besides, a ton of books he intended to carry. He reached into the pack, almost down to his shoulder and plucked out a book on charms, by far his favorite of all topics at school. He let himself get drawn into the book so much that he barely noticed it when the compartment door slid open and another person walked in. He did note that the person, whoever they were, seemed to be unthreatening, and Harry let himself be lulled further into his reading. So it came as quite a surprise to him when he looked up some time later and found Draco Malfoy sitting calmly across from him, studying him carefully.
*
Draco had been unnerved at Potter's quick assessment of his intentions. It seemed the boy actually did seem to have a brain and the wits to use it, he mused to himself. He wondered, suddenly, if Potter had played them all for fools all the while. He dismissed the thought though. No, whatever happened to change the boy from the cheerful, annoying, boisterous prat that he was to this new, quieter, somber person had happened during the summer. It was a puzzle to Draco, and Draco hated puzzles. Draco stared back at the green eyed both calmly before Harry turned his eyes back to the book he was holding. An advanced book of charms, Draco noted with surprise. The boy had never seemed that much of a bookworm before, that had always been Granger's job. Draco made an effort to appear non-confrontational, and waited for Potter to make the first move. What he hadn't expected, though, was to be ignored. Draco could feel his eyebrow shooting up towards his hairline when Potter looked him over silently, then returned to his book with nary an insult, comment or angry exclamation. This has to be one of those blasted laws of Murphy, he thought irritably to himself. The one time that Draco wanted to have Potter react in any way he went and ignored him instead. So instead of initiating conversation, Draco settled into a good long study of the Boy-Who-Lived.
He was – small, which was the first thing that popped into Draco's mind. Almost frail – he had bird-like bones, the perfect build for a seeker. His face had become narrower over the summer, resembling more of his mother now rather than a carbon copy image of James Potter. Draco had stumbled upon an old school picture of his father and Severus, both of which who were standing with a beautiful young witch with auburn hair and eyes the color of emeralds. Lily Evans. She was in several pictures that his father had in an old album tucked away in the corner of the library. She was often talking to the others in the photograph animatedly, laughing and full of life and joy, completely ignoring the fact that they were Slytherins and she was a Gryffindor. They were all young in the pictures, fifth years, if that. It was strange for Draco to see his father and godfather so young and happy. Strange but good. Potter looked tired too – he was pale and thin, with a crease between his eyebrows from concentrating. His hair fell into his face, creating a – shield, Draco realized – hiding his face and his fame. Potter sighed and looked up from the book he was reading.
"Malfoy," he finally said, neutrally. Draco felt a flare of hope for the future. Maybe they could get along without one of them killing the other. Draco had been expecting a more hostile greeting from the boy, and had been prepared to use his considerable wit and charm to win the other boy over.
"Potter," Draco answered him with the same, neutral tone. The other boy shifted in his seat, hauling the rucksack onto the cushion next to him. Draco felt his eyes widen. "Is that the Ultimate Sack from Treezers Wizard's Luggage Shop?" Draco asked in surprise. Harry looked up from where he was rummaging around in it and looked over at the blond haired boy.
"Yes," Harry said simply.
"Is it as big as they advertise?" Draco asked eagerly. He had wanted one for school, but his father had said no. Draco was betting that it was one of his birthday presents. They were supposedly able to fit up to three people in one of them, with room to spare. Harry's mouth quirked into a grin.
"I dunno. I haven't tried to fit three people down in here, although it seems like there could be enough space for all that." Harry shrugged and reached all the way into the bag, most of his shoulder disappearing into it, and seemed to find what he was looking for. Harry let the conversation drop, which surprised Draco – usually the boy was a chatterbox, curious as a McGonagall in animagus form, high on catnip. Draco huffed to himself, but deeper down he felt that his worries were being validated. Potter wasn't well, and Draco knew shit-all in how to help him. Draco guessed he just have to have faith in himself and the wretched prat (whose new attitude was growing on him, though he wouldn't admit it). Draco stifled a sigh, knowing that he would have to be the one to prod Potter out of his silence.
"Have a nice summer?" Draco asked, watching Potter sort through his things. Potter froze, then set down his transfiguration text. He turned his gaze onto the blond.
"Decent. You?" he asked and Draco shrugged.
"Better then it could have been," Draco said, hoping that Potter would take the bait and delve deeper for an explanation – but instead all Draco got was a nod and a strange look from those startling green eyes. They lapsed into silence again, just staring at each other.
"I heard about your father," Potter said suddenly. Draco nodded. "It took me by surprise – but I'm glad he spoke out. Now Fudge has to acknowledge that there is a chance that Voldemort has returned," Potter said grimly, half muttering the end of his sentence. Draco smiled a bit.
"I'm glad to know my father stands with so little regard in your eyes," Draco said dryly. Potter shot him a glance.
"Well, the past couple of interactions between your dad and I have not been the best," Potter shot back. Draco's eyes narrowed a bit. They were edging back onto familiar territory.
"People can change, you know," Draco said as evenly as he could, without letting his temper get the best of him. He regretted his words though when Potter's face shuttered and his eyes drifted away from Draco and out onto the countryside rolling by the windows.
"Yeah, I know," was all he said. Draco cast around for something else to say.
"So, what courses are you taking this year?" Draco finally asked. Potter eyed him strangely.
"All the normal ones, of course, plus Intermediate Divination – don't look at me like that -, Care of Magical Creatures and I asked if I could start Ancient Runes, and they're allowing me to." Draco had to chuckle at the small play at banter between them. Harry seemed to be lightening up a bit. "How about you?"
"Oh, the same ones we had together last year, of course, but I also take Arithmancy," Draco said airily. "Isn't Divination just a laugh? Are you taking it for the easy owls you'll get in it?" Draco asked, actually curious. Harry just shrugged and seemed embarrassed.
"My mother was good at it," Harry said. Draco nodded. They lapsed into silence again, but it was mutual this time. Harry didn't know quite what to make of the fact that he'd actually just had a decent conversation with his once? rival. Draco wasn't as bad as he had once seemed – maybe now that he no longer had the pressure of becoming a death eater on him, Draco was able to show his own, true personality. After all, he was a Slytherin, and Slytherins were known for their cunning, and ability to act. Harry let himself watch the blond for a long moment, then turned back to the book he had taken out of his pack, though he did not immediately open it up. He sat for a while, watching with Draco the changing scenery outside the train, merely enjoying the silence and calm aura the other boy had. He was so different from Ron, who was always full of energy and noise. After a while Harry took up his book again and Draco took out his own texts to study. It was surprisingly comfortable for them both.
End Chapter 2
A/N: Whew! Ok, here's some heads up one the decisions that I'm making about certain things in the story. 1) Lily rocked at Divination. 2) Harry will have some actual skill in Divination too. 3) No, Harry will not become wiz kid over night in all subjects, he'll have to work at it.
Now, to those who reviewed:
Jaded Green: Here's the next chapter! I hope to get the next one typed up as soon as I can.
Fallen Dragon: You'll just have to wait and see! =P
Kyotyred: Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoy this installment!