Disclaimer:We all know I'm not JKR.

A/N: This chapter is for a wonderful reviewer: Elemental Dragon 1. Here's the beginning of HGDM. Sorry it took so long to get to their interaction, the story just seems to have a life of it's own sometimes. :) Also a big huge thanks to: Lady Lily3, Festis, and Karone-Sakura. Hugs to you! Once again, school starts soon, and I hope you don't get frustrated with me. I will post when I can. And... On with the story!

Unlikely Allies

Harry awoke the next morning to see something not at all expected.

Ginny was seated at the end of his bed, feet tucked beneath her, twisting her long auburn hair thoughtfully, and deeply immersed in a book. She had somehow managed to be seated between Harry's feet, without actually touching him. Harry felt a blush creep up his neck at the intimacy of the situation. He reached for his glasses.

As he stirred, Ginny tore her eyes from the book, and smiled. Before Harry could say good morning, Ginny put her finger to her lips, and pointed to the bed across from Harry's. Harry's jaw just about hit the floor.

Draco was seated, cross-legged in bed, with a book on his lap. Not that unusual. But, what surprised Harry were the people pouring over the book with him. Ron, seated in a chair on Draco's left, was slouched against the chair back with his arms crossed. He kept craning his neck to see what Draco and Hermione were pointing at, while trying to pretend he didn't care.

Hermione was seated on the bed next to Draco, and was reading and pointing at the book over his shoulder. Harry expected Draco to push her hand away each time she pointed to something, but he didn't.

"We've tried that, but 'STANARKAMME' isn't a word, Draco!" Hermione was saying.

"How about Swedish? Is it a word in Swedish?" Ron asked, standing to peer over Draco's other shoulder.

Both Hermione and Draco looked blankly at Ron, neither dignifying the question with a response.

"Well, it sounds Swedish," Ron mumbled, shoulders sagging.

Ginny was trying so hard to stifle a laugh that she was shaking the bed. "What are you guys doing over there?" Harry asked sitting up in bed.

All three raised their faces to Harry, eyes wide in surprise. Hermione was the first to recover, "Harry! You're awake!" She slammed the book shut, closing it on one of Draco's fingers in the process. "Ow! Watch it, Hermione."

"So, what are you doing?" Harry tried again. All three exchanged nervous glances. "Researching," Hermione responded. "Researching what?" Harry asked.

"Sweden?" Ron guessed. Ginny couldn't hold it anymore. She began laughing so hard; tears were rolling down her face. She fell sideways onto the bed, clutching her sides. Harry grinned and the others laughed nervously.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Hogsmeade today?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Ron answered, "But seeing as you and Draco have to go back to training this afternoon, we didn't know when we might see you again. Dumbledore certainly has kept you under lock and key, hasn't he?"

"So it's 'Draco' now, is it Ron?" Harry raised an inquisitorial eyebrow at his friend.

"Well, no… I mean, sure, but…" Ron sputtered. "He started it!" Ron exclaimed, taking a few steps away from the bed, and pointing at Draco. "He called me 'Ron' first!"

This outburst brought forth more blank stares from Draco and Hermione, and another roar of laughter from Ginny. Ron rolled his eyes and shoved his hands in his pockets. Harry took it all in with amusement.

"You were practically sitting on his lap, Hermione! Why don't you just tattoo it to your forehead: 'Hermione loves Draco'!" Ron's face was contorted in anger.

"I was not, Ron! How could you say that! I was only asking his opinion on the book! I don't believe you!" Hermione ran off with tears in her eyes.

Ron watched her go, stunned. She usually fought back. He turned to Ginny in confusion.

"She hasn't been sleeping well, Ron. Don't worry; I'll talk to her later. But why did you bring it up in the first place?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know…" Ron sighed.

"I think I do," replied Ginny, smiling. "You're jealous."

"What? I am not! Why does everyone keep saying that! You, Harry, Lavender! I wish you guys would just leave it alone!" Ron stormed off.

Lavender? Ginny pondered, as she watched her brother stomp angrily down the empty hallway.

Hermione sat on the steps leading to the courtyard, looking out at the falling leaves. The wind had begun to blow, bringing with it the smell of winter. She sighed, leaning back against the wall, bringing her knees to her chest. Why had Ron started that fight? It wasn't like I was throwing myself at Draco or anything, Hermione thought. I just have to figure out that veil, and Draco's input is valuable, she thought, trying to justify her actions.

Hermione was lost in thought. She didn't notice the figure standing a few feet behind her, casting a shadow on the ground next to her. Draco watched her as she stared, unseeing, out at the grounds. She kept furrowing her brow, causing a thoughtful crinkle above her nose. The cool wind whipped around her face, blowing her hair in different directions. The corners of Draco's mouth lifted into a soft smile at her unruly hair seeming to find a life of its own.

"Penny for your thoughts, Hermione?" he said reforming his face into the mask of cool indifference. He sat next to her on the steps, and rested his elbows on his knees.

Hermione turned her head sharply, startled out of her reverie. She produced a feeble smile for Draco. "I'm not sure these thoughts are worth that much, Draco." Draco, surprised at her answer, raised his eyebrows and looked sideways at her. Hermione kept the weak smile, but shook her head indicating that there was no explanation coming.

She sighed again. "I just wish we could figure out what this book is trying to say. Thanks to Ron, we found the chapter that talks of The Veil of Voices. But, that's it. That's all we have, and it's nothing."

"Hermione, it's not nothing. It's a start. And if anyone can figure it out you can." Draco tried to sound reassuring.

Hermione just stared at Draco. He's being nice. Why is he being so nice? She nodded in response to his kind comments. "How's training coming? Is it hard?"

"Yeah, it's hard. We're still trying to figure it out, but I like it. It's…" Draco trailed off, suddenly shy. Hermione tried to catch Draco's eye, but he kept avoiding her efforts. "Draco?" she asked softly, putting her hand on his.

Draco's gaze landed on their hands. Her hand was warm against his cool skin. "It's just nice being… being me. And not have to worry what people will think. Everyone usually treats me well because they are afraid of me. And being a Malfoy means I have a reputation to uphold. But with Harry and you guys, I don't have to pretend. I never thought I'd be friends with Harry Potter," Draco chuckled to himself. Hermione noted there was no contempt in Draco's voice.

"Harry." Hermione smiled and shook her head in admiration. "Harry is a very trusting person. And he's loyal to a fault. I worry sometimes that someone's going to take advantage of Harry's loyalty and trusting nature." Hermione looked pointedly at Draco.

"I'm not going to pretend ignorance, Hermione. I'll just say this: Harry is my first real friend. Crabbe and Goyle? They're friends with me because of my surname. Harry and you lot don't care that I'm a Malfoy; or, you've looked past the name. You accept me for who I am, not what I am. And that means something to me. I won't betray him. Or you."

Hermione gave no reply, but the crinkle had appeared above her nose again.

I would give anything to know what's going on in that mind of hers. Draco held Hermione's solemn gaze for a moment, before rising from the steps. He stood, looking out across the courtyard, and shoved his hands in his pockets. He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the sky, deeply inhaling the cold October air. "This is my favorite time of year, you know," Draco said, opening his eyes. He offered a rare smile to Hermione before he retreated back into the castle. Hermione watched his receding figure, thoughtfully turning the conversation over in her mind.

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