Only You
Nic the Nefarious
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related character are property of J.K. Rowling. No money is being made off this work.
Part the Second
It was past nine thirty before Harry was able to slip away to meet up with Malfoy at the lake. Under normal circumstances it would have been easy for him to slip away from Ron and Hermione and make it down to the lake, but several things had happened in the past two days that had made their guard on him double.
Five important families, each with members who were important to the ministry, had been murdered with the Dark Mark found above their homes. This meant the Wizengamot was down another three members and four Hogwarts students were left without either one or both of their parents. In addition to the murders it was discovered that several highly magical artifacts had been stolen from the houses that had been raided.
This meant that Harry had been in multiple meetings with Dumbledore, the Wizengamot, and the Minister of Magic. That with all the extra lessons, class work, and keeping up his appearance of a normal student had been enough to run him into the ground. There were slight dark circles under his eyes and his shoulders were slumped in exhaustion.
He had never asked for any of this and he didn't want any of it either. Harry couldn't see how Dumbledore had survived his position of most powerful wizard in the world for so long. He slowly trotted down the grounds and toward the lake, wondering about life in general and working on not falling asleep on his feet.
He finally got down to the lake and saw that Malfoy was already there, but Harry had thought that he would be so it wasn't really surprising. He was a bit late after all. He walked over and sat down next to Malfoy, who jumped a bit before regaining his composure and glaring.
"Hey Malfoy," he said before leaning back against the grass and letting his eyes flutter closed.
"Okay, Potter," Malfoy began in a sharp voice and he could feel his eyes on him. "What has been going on? You've been missing for the past two days!"
Harry opened an eye and fixed Malfoy with a glare. "I've been in class."
"You know what I mean! You haven't even been at meals," Malfoy ground out in frustration and Harry fully opened his eyes.
"Miss me, Malfoy?" he asked and shook his head at Malfoy's glare. "I've been at meetings."
Malfoy huffed and Harry gave him another glare. "That's all you're getting out of me this time."
"Whatever, Potter," he replied.
Harry sighed and let his eyes close again. "I'm not in the mood to talk."
"Then why the hell did you even show up then?" Malfoy demanded and although there was anger in his voice it was nothing like the anger Harry was use to hearing. He sighed and shifted his arms underneath his head.
"In case you forgot, this is my thinking place," he replied in a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
They fell into silence where Malfoy brooded and Harry ignored him. He knew that Malfoy really wanted to know what had happened and that he knew Harry was the only one that could tell him, but he didn't care. In his opinion Malfoy deserved it for not telling him why he was in Snape's office. After all he had no obligation to tell him anything at all. He was just doing it because... well he wasn't sure exactly. It just felt right.
"Nott's taking the Mark over Christmas," Malfoy finally said. His voice sounded resigned in Harry's opinion, as though he wasn't sure what he was doing was the right thing but felt he had no other choice.
Harry's eyes opened and he gave Malfoy a searching stare. "He told you this?" he asked in disbelief.
"Bragged about it is more like it," Malfoy scoffed. Harry smiled before turning away to scowl at the lake.
"Damn. We can't have any marked followers in the school. That's another meeting with Dumbledore right there, and I was hoping to avoid him for a while," Harry sighed. There was only so much he could handle of the Headmaster in a week and he was already pushing his limits.
"What are you going on about now?" Malfoy asked, or more like demanded, of him.
"Remember those meetings I mentioned early?" Harry asked in a condescending tone. "A lot of them were with Dumbledore, or involved him in some way."
"Must you be so frustrating, Potter?" Malfoy countered in the same tone.
Harry shrugged and smiled slightly as he replied, "Well I did learn from the best. You try dealing with Dumbledore as much as I do and not picking up his mannerisms."
"Does this mean you're insane too?" Malfoy asked with a hint of eagerness.
Harry shrugged. "Possibly, but I'm the Chosen One and until I defeat Voldemort no one will care if I'm sane or not. Afterwards as well if Dumbledore is anything to go by."
"Dumbledore is a genius, Potter, and you are not," Malfoy replied.
"Did you just say something nice about Dumbledore, Malfoy?" Harry asked with fake disbelief but cut him off before he could respond. "There is a lot you don't know about me."
"I am well aware of that Potter," he replied, once again sounding frustrated.
"If you say so," Harry said with another shrug. Malfoy might think that but it was really only himself and Dumbledore who knew the full extent of his power.
Harry settled into silence as he thought about how once upon a time he would have immediately told Ron and Hermione all about his studies and his powers, but now he knew better. Ever since the beginning of sixth year he had known that it wasn't always wise to tell everyone about himself. The best power was a secret power and he would need every bit of help if he was to defeat Voldemort.
Sixth year was when his lessons had started under Dumbledore, Mcgonagall, and Snape. It was kept a great secret and Ron and Hermione still hadn't figured out what was actually going on. Harry was barely even a Hogwarts student anymore. All of what he learned came from Dumbledore in what was nearly an apprenticeship, although that system had been replaced centuries ago.
This was all because there was no way he would learn what was needed in regular schooling. Normal wizards weren't suppose to know the Dark Arts and ancient rituals after all, and that was what Harry was learning. Some of it was horrible and he sincerely hoped he would never have to use it in real life.
At times he wished he could tell Ron and Hermione, if only to get them to leave him alone, but now he was so use to keeping secrets it would seem weird for them to know because he would have to deal with them all the time. Maybe that was why he could talk to Malfoy, they never really spoke to each other outside their meeting times, and when they did they were both playing a role.
He looked over at the blond. He was staring out over the lake and didn't seem to mind that Harry was once again staring at him. He was wearing robes, Malfoy was always wearing robes, but these were dark blue in color and made of a thinner material than the school robes. He briefly wondered what Malfoy would look like in muggle clothes. That was quickly followed by how much he thought he would have to pay him to find out.
Malfoy turned to look at him and raised a questioning eyebrow at his staring. Harry merely shrugged and looked up at the sky though he could feel Malfoy's eyes on him. Normally people staring annoyed the hell out of him, but with Malfoy it was different. Probably because he didn't have the fanatical gleam in his eyes like most people did.
"I'm tired of all this," Harry muttered, keeping his gaze fixed on the stars above. He made out the brightest star quickly, Sirius, the dog star. His heart gave a painful leap in his chest.
"So am I," Malfoy agreed in a completely neutral voice that held no emotion in it, and out of the corner of his eye he could see that his face was as expressionless as his voice.
"Maybe it is just me, but this war is completely pointless. All it is is death," he continued finally looking back at Malfoy with tired eyes.
"I may not like muggles and I certainly have no desire to interact with them," at this point Harry thought he saw Malfoy give a bit of a shudder, "but killing them doesn't do the wizarding world any good. And wizards are scare enough without killing off more of them."
"Elegantly put," Harry said with a slight nod in Malfoy's direction, "I believe Salazar Slytherin had similar beliefs. He thought the muggle and magical realms sound remain completely separated from each other. Muggleborns were known for attracting the wrath of their parents at the time."
"How do you know anything about Slytherin's beliefs?" Malfoy asked in wonder.
"Chatting with the Sorting Hat while in Dumbledore's office," Harry replied promptly, "Did you know Hogwarts was attacked by muggles — the parents of the muggleborns in attendance — and that's why the wards were developed?"
"Hogwarts was attacked... by muggles?" he reiterated slowly, as though his brain was having a difficult time with the concept.
"Yup. Kind of ironic isn't it?" Harry asked with a grin on his face.
"You know you sound crazy, right?" Malfoy asked with another raised eyebrow.
Harry shrugged. "Well I already told you my views on my sanity, didn't I?" he asked.
"You're insane, Potter, and I have no idea why I am here talking to you," Malfoy stated blandly. He still looked somewhat confused though Harry wasn't sure what about.
"I believe you mentioned something about not being able to talk to the Slytherins." Harry explained.
"Don't reminded me!" Malfoy groaned.
"When you were sorted did the Hat consider putting you in Ravenclaw?" he asked curiously.
"Not really. Why?" Malfoy asked in return, cupping his chin in his palm.
"I think you would like it there, that's all," Harry replied after a bit of contemplation. "Sometimes I think we should be resorted. Everyone has changed so much over the years our houses don't fit us anymore."
"I guess you're right. You've changed certainly," he said with a hint of his trademark smirk. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, plus I don't think I could argue with the Hat a second time," Harry said.
Malfoy's eyebrow rose. "What's that suppose to mean?"
Harry gave a hint of a smile before shaking his head. His hair fell into his eyes and he brushed it back again. "I don't think I should tell you that yet. Maybe next time we meet."
"You're not in a very giving mood today are you, Potter?" he asked in a surly voice.
Harry shook his head. "No, I'm tired and I don't really want to think about the past two days."
"We should be getting back. Quidditch is tomorrow," Malfoy reminded him and Harry's mouth dropped open.
"Oh shit! I completely forgot. Thank Merlin it's Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw," he said in relief. At least now he had a clearer idea of why Ron was mad at him. Forgetting quidditch was sacrilege in his book.
"The Great Harry Potter forgetting about quidditch! I thought the day would never come!" Malfoy called sarcastically.
"Oh shove off. I've been busy," he said and Malfoy scowled at the reminder that he still hadn't figured out what Harry had been doing.
"If you can slip off tomorrow after the game I'll be in the room of requirement," Harry informed him as he stood off and brushed off his jeans.
Malfoy nodded. "I'll try. No guarantees."
"Didn't expect any," he replied with a nod before setting off up to the castle.
.x.
The Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff match had actually been pretty exciting. Hufflepuff's team was doing a lot better this year, and the Ravenclaw seeker was probably the best that team has had in years. Still Harry was confident that the Cup would remain in McGonagall's office for another year. He was still the best seeker out there after all.
That had been one thing he had refused to give up, his position on the team. Maybe, he always thought to himself, if he survived the war he could play quidditch professionally. It was the one thing he was truly a natural at. Although in the end he did give up the captainship to Ron it was all worth it. Ron was doing great as a captain, he was an excellent strategist.
He had managed to lose Hermione and Ron in the crowd heading back up to the school from the pitch and was now headed in the direction of the room of requirement. He didn't expect to run into anyone, but doesn't it always happen when you least expect it?
"Harry?"
A soft, feminine voice came from behind him and he turned to see Ginny Weasley walking towards him. She looked very nice today in her soft blue blouse and jeans with her hair up in a ponytail. Harry really had nothing against Ginny and there were worse girls out there. She just wasn't the one, to be incredibly cheesy. Still, she was interested in him and he wanted to see her happy. It wasn't as if he had anyone else he wanted to go out with.
"Hi Ginny. You look nice today," he remarked with a soft smile. She blushed but managed to hold his gaze.
Harry offered her his hand and she took it shyly but firmly. "So," she began in a cheerful voice, "Great game, wasn't it?"
"Yeah. I honestly didn't think Hufflepuff would manage to pull together such a good team," Harry replied as they walked along the hall together.
"You don't have to worry though, their seeker is crap," Ginny said.
"I noticed, his dives are horrible. Then again he is only in third year," he replied. "He'll probably be better when he's older."
"Hogsmeade trip next weekend," Ginny remarked, changing the subject. "Are you going?"
"Nope," Harry replied. He hated going to the village nowadays. All that happened was that he got stared at and that wasn't worth the risk in his opinion. Ginny looked put out but nodded in understanding.
Harry bit his lip before smiling slightly. "Actually, I was thinking if you didn't have anything you had to do in the village, we could have a bit of a picnic out by the lake. Take advantage of the weather before it starts to snow."
She turned and smiled at him in that way that made her eyes light up with happiness. He really loved it when she smiled like that and that was what made it worth it to him. "That's sounds amazing Harry!" She exclaimed.
"It's not that much," he shrugged off her compliments. "As good a date as any. Besides, this way we won't have a bunch of people gawking at us. Or reporters." He shuddered.
Ginny continued to smile at him and they walked all the way back to Gryffindor Tower in relative silence, holding hands the entire way. "Alright Gin, I've got a bit of an errand to make. See you next weekend at eleven, sound good?"
"Great," she replied happily. Harry pulled her into a hug and gave her a soft kiss. They parted a few seconds later and Harry gave the Fat Lady the password. She scowled, muttering something about young love, and swung open.
Harry waved good bye to Ginny and set off again towards the room of requirement. He didn't know exactly how to feel about his date with Ginny. He didn't feel excited or nervous at all. This was just another aspect of his life as the Boy Who Lived he supposed, and that was all it would ever be. He could never be just Harry with Ginny.
He got to the room of requirement and the door sprang into existence as soon as he stepped towards it. That must mean Malfoy was already waiting then. Harry sighed and grasped hold of the handle before pushing the door open.
The room was like a small version of the common room except the colors were blue and green. There were a couple of chairs next to a fireplace and Harry saw that Malfoy was already sitting in one with a book in his lap. He found himself thinking that Malfoy really would have made a good Ravenclaw if he hadn't been so brainwashed by his father.
"Malfoy." He smiled when Malfoy merely looked up from his book and rolled his eyes in Harry's direction. That was the first time he hadn't managed to startle him.
"Good book?" he asked. Harry pointed to the book that was still clasped loosely in his hands.
"Average," he replied with a shrug.
Harry looked at the title of the book. It appeared to be some sort of advanced Potions book. "You seem to have the same taste in books as Hermione."
"Don't insult me, Potter," Malfoy replied with a scowl.
"What?" Harry asked with a grin. "It's true! Hermione's the only other person I know who would actually read something like that."
"Just because I enjoy reading doesn't mean I am anything like the Mudblood," replied Malfoy angrily.
"Is it really such a bad thing to be compared to Hermione. It just means I think you're smarter than average, and might have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with reading really boring books," Harry replied with a pleading note to his voice.
"Oh, thanks for the reassurance, Potter," Malfoy said sarcastically.
Harry flushed slightly and sat down in the chair opposite Malfoy's. He found, much to his liking, that the chairs were very soft and comfortable. "Happy to give it, Malfoy," he replied cooly, refusing to give in to the taunting. "Got any plans for Hogsmeade next weekend?"
"If you're offering—" Malfoy began but Harry cut him off.
"Oh shut it, Malfoy," he snapped.
Malfoy rolled his eyes and Harry scowled. "I'm going with Dorea Moon."
"Slytherin girl number three?" Harry asked. "The blonde?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Pansy getting on your nerves again?" Harry asked with a hint of a smirk.
"When is she not on my nerves?" Malfoy asked rhetorically. "Of course I'm not going with her. I would never think of getting her hopes up."
Harry nodded in sympathy, uniting with Malfoy for a brief moment against the terror of Pansy Parkinson. "What's Moon like in the war?"
"Her parents are both healers. I'm betting she's neutral," Malfoy said and rested his chin in his palm. "The girls don't really care about the war. As long as they marry into good families their parents don't mind."
"So I've heard," Harry said. "Though I find the belief horribly archaic."
"It is archaic." Malfoy said with an air of superiority.
Harry sighed and buried his head in his hands. Sometimes he had to wonder why he was risking his neck to save a world that was so stupid. "If I actually manage to destroy Voldemort and come out alive, I'm using whatever pull I have to get someone good elected as Minister."
"There's no such thing as a good politician," Malfoy remarked helpfully.
Harry continued to bury his head in his hands. "Well I'm at least putting a muggleborn in charge."
"The purebloods wouldn't stand for it!" Malfoy exclaimed in outrage.
"Purebloods are stuck up morons who wouldn't recognize a good leader if they smacked them around the head," Harry replied coldly.
"We are not!" Malfoy yelled.
Harry gave a cough that sounded suspiciously like "Voldemort" and Malfoy turned a rather unflattering shade of pink.
"Right," Malfoy said and Harry smirked as he changed the subject. "What about you Potter?"
"I have a date with Ginny," Harry replied carelessly.
"You sound excited," Malfoy said blandly.
Harry merely shrugged. "I dunno. She's nice and everything, and I'm sure I would be happy with her and all that, but she doesn't... I can't be myself with her."
"Sounds like she would be the perfect pureblood wife then," Malfoy replied with a shrug. "As long as you don't feel the urge to kill the girl and she wants you, she is the right one."
"That's bullshit," Harry replied crossly.
Malfoy shrugged, "Is it?"
He let out a sigh. "Is it wrong to want something more than that?"
"I'm not your friend, Potter. Don't look to me for advice on your love life," Malfoy replied with a sneer.
"I never said you were my friend, Malfoy. That would just be too weird for me," Harry replied. It wasn't that he didn't want to be Malfoy's friend it was just that it would feel wrong. Him and Malfoy were never meant to be friends, that was obvious. They were something different to each other.
"You're right. Being friends would feel wrong, and it would mean we would have to stop our childish rivalry and we can't have that," he said sarcastically.
Harry laughed a bit at that and Malfoy soon joined him. It was strange to hear him laughing. Harry couldn't remember ever having heard Malfoy laugh in a natural way, not that guffawing laugh he used to make fun of people.
"I think if we started acting like friends Ron would drop dead of shock," Harry said with a smile still on his face.
Malfoy's eyes glinted and he responded, "Maybe we should give it a try then."
"Merlin! You and Ron are way worse than the two of us. Actually, you and Ron started this whole thing! I was just dragged into it!" Harry said in mock outrage.
Malfoy rolled his eyes. "The Malfoy/Weasley feud has been going on for decades."
"Oh, that's a good reason to be fighting," he said with a fair amount of sarcasm.
"You wouldn't understand," Malfoy replied and Harry rolled his eyes at the utter absurdity of that statement.
"That's just a bluff and you know it. You just don't want to admit that you have absolutely no idea why you've fighting!" Harry exclaimed.
"Don't be even more of an idiot Potter. The Weasleys are poor, overbearing blood traitors," he replied disdainfully.
"Those are Lucius' reasons for hating them," Harry said coldly. He fixed Malfoy with a stare. "I want to hear Draco's."
Apparently the use of his first name startled him. He gaped at Harry for a moment before recovering. "He's a Gryffindor."
"Petty school rivalry? We're adults Malfoy," Harry replied scathingly.
"He's made my life hell for seven years!" he yelled.
"And you've done the same thing to both of us!" Harry yelled back. He calmed himself before saying, "There's no good reason to keep this up Malfoy! Can't you see that? I know you're smart, you've proved that."
It was only then that Harry realized they were both on there feet. He couldn't even remember when that had happened. Also there faces were only a few inches apart. He felt a strange urge to blush at how close together they were but shrugged it off. He straitened up and Malfoy did the same. They both slipped into their own thoughts for a while before Malfoy finally caught his attention.
The blonde held out his hand in offering of a truce. "Fine then. Let's settle this once and for all. Truce between us."
Harry hesitated before grasping Malfoy's hand and shaking it. "Truce," he replied.
"Does this mean we're finally on first name basis?" Malfoy asked and Harry stopped short at the question. He hadn't really thought of that, but it did make sense.
"I suppose it does... Draco," he replied uneasily.
"Alright then," he took a deep breath before adding, "Harry."
.x.
Harry's truce with Draco Malfoy wasn't known to anyone else in the school, and that was the way it had to stay for now. They had already agreed that it would be best until Voldemort was dead and buried. Especially since Draco's house would kill him if they found out about it and Harry didn't want that to happen. Now that Draco was on his side he found that he actually cared if he got killed.
He still felt weird calling him Draco, but in some ways it felt better. If he called him Draco it was easier to put aside everything he knew about the Malfoy family and just focus on him as a person. He suspected Draco felt the same way about him.
They had only met with each other once again after Saturday and that was after Harry's lessons with Snape on Wednesday. Now it was Saturday again and the day of Harry date with Ginny. He was happier now about it than when he had first suggested the idea and he couldn't help wondering how Draco was doing on his own date with Slytherin girl number three.
He was wearing muggle clothes like he always did when he didn't have to be in uniform. Even after all these years as a wizard he still disliked the long, flowing robes. They certainly didn't help any in a fight. Nope, plain jeans were much better.
Currently he was standing in front of the mirror and fiddling with his hair. He was dressed in fitted, black jeans and a emerald green sweater that matched the color of his eyes. It was a bit chilly out but still quite sunny so he figured he wouldn't need a heavier jacket. Harry was also very glad that he was of age and had moved away from the Dursleys the previous summer. It had allowed him to buy a new wardrobe, and after finding out just how rich he was he had gone a bit crazy with buying everything in sight.
He finally just ran his fingers through his hair and called it good enough. It would never lay flat so why bother? He tucked his wand into his sleeve and walked down the staircase to wait for Ginny in the common room.
She came down about ten minutes later looking very pretty. She was wearing creamy brown pants that were a bit low on her hips and allowed him to catch a glimpse of the skin of her stomach. She was wearing a light pink blouse with long sleeves and her hair was down around her shoulder.
"You look beautiful," he told her as he met her at the bottom of the stairs. He leaned in and kissed her passionately.
As they pulled away Ginny smiled at him and gave him a once-over. "And you look very charming yourself. Ready to go?"
"Let's." He offered her his hand before leading her out the portrait hole and off towards the grounds. Just another aspect of his life as the Boy Who Lived, he reminded himself as he leaning in to softly kiss her neck.