Disclaimer: Not mine. Maybe parts of the plot. Sort of.

Barriers

Mealtimes had been very stressful. Since Fred and George went back to Hogsmeade, the conversation was strained and cold between the inhabitants of #12 Grimauld Place. Hermione wasn't talking much to anyone but Ginny. Ginny wasn't speaking of Hermione's secrets, even though she and Harry had managed to find some time alone.

Molly still seemed to be ignoring the situation, and Harry was glad for that. This was something that he and Draco had to work out, and very much appreciated everyone staying out of it. Sitting at breakfast, Harry thought he'd try to get through, and maybe start an open line of communication with Draco. But, every attempt at pleasant conversation was shot down with a single word reply on Draco's part.

Harry decided to try a different tactic; he closed his eyes. (Draco?)

Draco shot a glare toward Harry, his response cold and forceful. (Not. Now. Potter.)

Harry opened his eyes to return the glare, and shoved his chair back from the table with such force, it tipped and fell backward. Ginny and Hermione jumped in surprise. Harry dropped his fork on his breakfast plate, and stalked out of the room, all occupants watching him go in surprise.

"Dad! Dad, are you going to work? On Sunday? You're not even coming with us to the train station?" Ron asked, disbelievingly.

"I'm sorry Ron, but there are things going on, things that I can't control. I have to be there to…" Arthur trailed off at the sight of his son's face. "I didn't think you needed me at the station."

"It's not that, it's just… I have a few questions about…" Ron faltered, unsure about how to approach the subject. All of the time spent on how to phrase the questions was wasted; every single prepared thought flew out of Ron's mind.

"Does this have anything to do with that book you've been carrying around all holiday?" Arthur smiled, setting down his briefcase, and sitting at the kitchen table. Ron sat beside him, laying the book on the table.

"Chapter 25: The Veil of Voices. But we can't make heads or tales of anything in this chapter. The content of the chapter doesn't follow the same pattern of code as the title. I'm stuck again," Ron hated to admit it, but he didn't know where to look, or even what to look for.

"Ron, I can't tell you anything new. I've given you all the information that I know. I'm sorry," Arthur confessed.

Ron's face fell. "Are you sure? I don't know what to look for," Ron's disappointment was evident.

Arthur placed a hand on his son's shoulder as he got up, "I have faith that you'll figure it out." Arthur smiled, and left for work.

Ron dropped his head into his hands, and stared down at the open book in front of him. Chapter 25: The Veil of Voices. Chapter 25: The Veil of Voices. Chapter two-five. Two-five. Two-five? No. It can't be that easy. Second word: are. Fifth word after that: are. Well, that doesn't make any sense.

Ron sighed. It was time to leave for the station.

They would have apparated to Hogwarts, if they could have gotten away with it, but with all the 'disasters' happening around the country, muggle travel seemed easiest way to stay under the radar. It was best to not draw any attention to five powerful, if young, witches and wizards traveling back to Hogwarts.

Nymphadora Tonks disguised as an elderly gentleman, complete with walking cane, escorted Draco first. He was to remain separate from the group to maintain the illusion that he was still loyal to the Dark Lord. Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Harry followed half an hour later with Molly.

Once on the train, Draco sat in a compartment on the opposite end of the train, again keeping up appearances. He couldn't concentrate on the book in front of him. His mind was still reeling from everything that happened over the holiday. Hermione had been the witness. He'd confronted her and she had said she was sorry he'd had to endure it.

Does that mean she pities me? That she feels sorry for me? No, not sorry for me. She said she was sorry I had to endure it. That's different, isn't it? Or does she pity me? I suppose I could use Legilimency. No, no I can't, then she'd never forgive me. Do I want her to forgive me? Why did I choose her as my witness?

"Argh!" Draco slammed his fist against the book in his lap. He was going around in circles.Then he remembered, he could ask Harry. Would Potter would know why I chose her as my witness? Maybe. But will he want to talk to me? No, no, Malfoy. The question is, do I want to talk to him?

Draco sighed at the realization that he'd have to ask Harry. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

(Harry.) Draco tried cautiously, unsure of the reaction he would receive.

Harry sat in his compartment listening to Ron and Ginny argue about the best player on the Chudley Cannons Quidditch team. Hermione sat nearest the window, her forehead against the coolness of the glass. She was thinking over her last conversation with Draco. She had no idea what had happened between them in the library, but she was sure no one had stood up to Draco in that way before. Which is obvious, because he did not handle the conversation well at all. Hopefully, he won't be angry forever. Ginny said anger fades in time. I wonder how much time he'll need.

Harry, like the others, was replaying all the happenings of the Christmas holiday over in his mind. He hadn't really talked to Draco since the night he'd punched him. He was still angry that Draco had given such a cold answer when he had tried to talk.

Harry was startled out of his reverie by someone calling his name. He blinked a few times, sat up straighter in his seat, and looked around. "Were you talking to me?" he asked.

"No, mate, I wasn't," Ron replied, eyeing his friend warily, before turning back to his argument that Barnaby Tucker was best as a Chaser. Ginny still maintained that Gryffindor's own Oliver Wood was the best as Keeper. Harry might have been a little jealous had he actually been listening to their conversation. As it was, all he could hear was someone calling his name.

(Harry.) Draco's voice echoed in Harry's head. Harry tried his best to ignore it; he didn't feel like talking to Draco, and had been glad for the separation. He had forgotten that Draco still had this means of communication.

(Potter! Answer me.) Draco was becoming agitated at his co-communicator's silence.

Harry felt the heat of anger coursing through his body. He tried to relax, and closed his eyes. He then closed his mind, and practically shoved Draco from it.

Draco felt the shove as if Harry had been standing in front of him. The force of the ejection was so strong, Draco was pushed back into the plush seat, and the wind was momentarily knocked from his chest. Draco was stunned. He had never felt anything physical when they had been practicing before. He shook his head and tried to contact him again, but there was no getting through Harry's wall. Harry had effectively shut his mind off from Draco.

Damn, he's strong. And really good at Occlumency.

Draco stubbornly refused to try again, though he dwelt on the barricade the entire ride back to Hogsmeade. Knowing that he had been allowed access to Harry's mind, but was now forced out irritated him to no end. Harry has no right to act that way. He's the one who knew about Hermione's dreams, and didn't tell me. If anyone should be angry, it should be me!

AN: Rumor has it that we're not allowed to respond to reviews anymore? What's that about? But of course I couldn't find the rule anywhere on the site (but I didn't try that hard). So, in the hope that I won't get kicked off the site... I'll just offer a blanket thanks.

THANK YOU EVERYONE! You are the best readers ever! Ever I say!