Disclaimer: I bow to the greatness that is JK Rowling and in no way claim any of her characters or ideas.

Authorette Note: Sorry that it has taken so long to post the next chapter. I've been moving and haven't been writing as much. Now that I'm (somewhat) settled, I hope to keep it up. If you have read HBP, you know that what I'm writing is completely the other direction from where JK is taking the story. But, that's what makes the imagination so great! So, I hope you can pretend with me... Tink

The Beginning of a Team

Two weeks later, Draco was walking to NEWT-level advanced potions with Pansy. "I can't believe Professor Snape partnered you with Potter! Why would he do that?" complained Pansy. She had wanted to partner with Draco.

"To annoy Potter, of course," replied Draco as they entered the dungeon classroom, but he had wondered the same thing during the first potions class. At first he thought it was punishment for the ambush, since none of the offenders had been given detention. Then he had realized the directive must have come straight from Dumbledore. Snape's excuse had been that in the real world, they would have to work with people they didn't like, so they might as well get used to it now.

Draco still didn't know if Harry had been told about his joining the Order. A month had passed since he had accepted Dumbledore's invitation. Draco was irritated that nothing had been said to anyone yet. The prophecy had said he was supposed to help. How was he supposed to help if no one knew yet? Aggravated, he dropped into his chair and watched the classroom slowly fill.

Harry and Hermione rounded the corner of the dungeon hallway. "I still can't believe I have to work with Malfoy," grumbled Harry.

"You two are doing a very good job at ignoring each other completely, Harry," Hermione replied. "I am not sure that is what Dumbledore wanted when he said for you to make an effort with him."

"Well, I'm not inclined to make an effort until he apologizes to me for that ambush after the Welcome Feast. Oh, I've been meaning to ask you: What type of curse did you use on Malfoy? It was wonderful!"

"If I didn't tell Madame Pomfrey, I'm not telling you," Hermione teased. Harry laughed.

Harry and Hermione made it to the door, just ahead of Professor Snape, who hurried them into class.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, and I use those terms loosely on some of you, today's potion is very complicated and intricate. Be sure to read and re-read the instructions before starting. If this particular potion is not entirely correct upon completion, you will not receive a grade. As this is a Ministry controlled potion, you will not be allowed to take notes or remove any potion from the classroom."

Snape tapped his wand on the chalkboard, and a long list of ingredients and directions appeared.

VERITASERUM: THE TRUTH POTION

Harry sighed as he watched the instructions materialize. He and Draco had done such a first-class job of ignoring each other the last two weeks, that they had yet to work together as partners and as such, had yet to earn a grade from the potions professor.

"Sighing, Potter?" Draco hissed, "Afraid of a little potion?"

Apparently, Draco did not want to be ignored today.

"Malfoy," Harry replied coldly, "You had better not mess up the potion today. I can't afford to fail another assignment because of you."

Draco opened his mouth to say something cutting back, he had plenty of things to say; he'd been saving them up for two weeks, but Snape cut him off.

"Potter! Malfoy! I suggest you get to work. This potion takes the entire period."

Both Harry and Draco worked diligently during the class, not realizing that this time, they were working as a team, even though they were not speaking. Each seemed to understand what was needed next, and if Harry needed to stir the potion, Draco handed him the spoon. If Draco had to add an ingredient, Harry handed him the appropriate vial.

By the end of the class, theirs was the only potion that was correct, a colorless odorless liquid. Pansy and Hermione's potion had turned an ugly shade of brownish-green.

"Uck. It looks like something Peeves would dump on a student," commented Pansy.

Hermione would not even look at her partner she was so upset. "This better not happen again," she said angrily. Hermione looked at Harry for help. Harry just shrugged.

"What's the matter, Potter? CAT got your tongue?" Draco was still trying to irritate Harry. Harry could feel the anger rise in his chest, remembering the cat's tail he'd had after the ambush.

"No, Malfoy. I just don't want to get a BAAAAAAD grade on this potion," Harry replied, heatedly. Harry could hear Draco suck in a large breath. He prepared himself by slowly reaching for his wand.

Draco threw down the empty vial he had been holding, shattering glass at their feet. Draco reached for his wand, and both boys aimed their wands directly at the other's face. They were staring intensely, each daring the other to make the first move when –

"ENOUGH!" roared Snape. "That is QUITE ENOUGH!"

The pair stopped and looked around. The entire class had frozen in their spot; they were deadly silent. Hermione caught Harry's attention and gave him a look that clearly meant, what did you do? Harry shrugged. He did not care at this point.

Snape pointed an accusatory finger at Harry and Draco. "You two. Stay there. Everyone else, fill your vials and turn in your potions. Then get out." No one moved. No one had ever seen Snape this angry. "I said NOW! Move it!" The class jumped to attention, and quickly followed orders. Once the vials were deposited on Snape's desk, the students practically ran for the door. They didn't want to be here when Snape let loose.

Harry fidgeted nervously, and Draco shifted from foot to foot, anxiously waiting for Snape to speak. Once the room had cleared, he turned to the two boys. "There had better be a good explanation," Snape spoke slowly. He was obviously trying to remain calm, but Harry could see the anger bubbling just below the surface.

"Sir, I –" Harry started.

Draco spoke at the same time, "Potter started it!"

Harry shot a threatening look at Draco.

"Mr. Potter. You have detention Monday, 6:30," decided Snape. Draco looked triumphant.

"As do you Mr. Malfoy." Snape turned on his heel and walked out of the room before Draco could open his mouth to protest.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed my story! I appreciate the encouragement. :P

yehudil3: Thanks for the review of each chapter (and the great enrouragement on my writing style)! The prophecy in Ch 2 references that Draco would have brought down Dumbledore, but somewhere along the way Draco changed his path. And, yes. Hermione is researching the veil. But you'll have to keep reading if you want to know if she finds out anything. :)

kerone-sakura: Thanks for the support! Hope you liked this chapter.