-1Chapter 4

Draco waited for Remus to leave. He stated that dinner would be served in a half hour. Draco grunted in response and Remus left shutting the door.

Sure. Eat with them? And get poisoned by a Weasel? I think not.

Draco took a look around the room in disgust. It was small and red.

I can't live like this. And whoever heard of mixing wood! Mahogany with Oak?

Draco recited a careful incantation and almost instantaneously his room was twice the size as it had been. He made sure to magic up a shower room in that enlargement spell. There was no way he would be caught showering in a public one. Next he transfigured the furniture, and added charms where he could not change the wood type. He now had furniture with the looks of black marble. With a flick, the walls color to a soft gray and the carpet to a deep blue almost black. Satisfied with his handy work he started to levitate things into there places.

Damn, I should have asked to bring a house elf.

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Knock, Knock.

Hermione and Ron stood outside of the room which had been set up as Albus's quarters. The door swung silently inwards allowing them entrance. Dumbledore was found popping lemon drops in his mouth and reading the Daily Prophet upside down.

"Albus, sir? Do you realize that your reading that publication upside down?" Hermione asked timidly as she stood before his desk. She felt awkward calling him by his first name but he had asked it so of them after they graduated and were officially received into the Order.

Albus looked up and smiled. "Why yes, Hermione, I did. Miss Lovegood, Luna, told me it might be helpful to try it this way. And I see why she finds it so interesting."

Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance of utter confusion. "Sir, Harry, he's awake now…"

Albus rose from his chair and put the paper down. "I will go see how he is doing then. I take it from the loud voices I heard earlier, our guest has arrived?"

Ron flushed and Hermione lowered her gaze to the floor.

"Ah, yes. Well, I hope you understand that he is under our protection and no harm is to come to him? Yes? Well I will be off then. I believe dinner will be ready soon. Why don't you go and see if you can help Remus in the kitchen?"

"Yes sir." They said in unison and scampered off to the kitchen as Albus quietly took to the stairs.

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Harry was lightly dozing as he was jerked awake from an awful dream he was having of his recent beatings. Panting and sweating, he made to get up and was brought back down by the swooning of his head. Remembering where he was, and that he was safe now, he curled up and wiped his face with his sleeve.

"Hello Harry. I didn't disturb you did I?"

Harry blinked and then drew forth his glasses to see Dumbledore standing in the door way.

"No Albus, you didn't. It was just a dream. Nothing to worry about."

Albus' face softened and he sat next to Harry. He silenced the room to any outside listeners.

"Harry…I'm so sorry….I didn't…"

Harry turned his head away from the man he once trusted with his life. "No need for that Albus. I'm a grown man now, no longer a child. There is no need to coddle me like one. Things happen. All we can do is continue living our lives and deal with the memories."

Albus took in Harry with a new view. Yes, he had grown. Not just physically but mentally. His little Gryffindor had become a grown wizard.

"I believe you must have heard about the Ministry from your friends then?"

Harry keeps his eyes down cast and nods.

"And I believe you think I deserved that. I don't blame you Harry, oh no, I think I deserved it to. The war changed me into a manipulative man. One that could damage things if not removed. I am honest Harry. A lot I have done, I have done for myself and the future of Hogwarts. And now it seems I have wanted to much." He pauses, his twinkle dwindling down to nothing as Harry weighs him with a stare.

"Everything happens for a reason Albus. We can only hope its for the best."

"Ah, yes dear boy, hope is what we shall have. Now if you excuse me. I believe dinner is ready. Do you believe you can deem yourself able to come down and join us? Or shall I have Dobby bring you up your meal? He has been here since he found out you were injured and has refused to leave until you were healed. Such a quaint creature he is."

Harry smiled at the thought of his first meeting with Dobby. "Yes, that he is Albus. I do believe I am well enough. With a bit of help that is?" He sat up slowly in hopes that the walls would be nice enough to not spin this time.

"Here, I believe this will help you." Albus produced a bottle from his robe pocket and handed it to Harry. "It's pepper up, I keep a spare on hand."

Harry smirked and lifted the bottle to his lips.

So that's how the old codger keeps so damn peppy.

After a few moments he felt energized and stable. He was able to gain his footing once he stood up from the bed and placed his favorite dressing gown on around his pajama's.

Ew. What is that smell? Oh no, its me. I will definitely require bathing before heading down to mingle with others.

"If you excuse me Albus. I believe I need to use the facilities before venturing downstairs. I will be down in a few alright?"

Albus smiles and nods. " I will let the rest know you will be joining us. They will be relieved and happy your doing better." Albus crossed to the door and left to the dining room. Harry cautiously took a few steps in the direction of the door. Finding himself strong enough to carry on, he grabbed his wash things and moved out into the hallway. Striding to the end of the hall he heard cursing coming from what he thought was an unused room. Being curious and a Gryffindor, he opened the door to the room.

"Malfoy?" Harry asks, confused as to how Draco freaking Malfoy gained access to his house and acquired a room.

Draco, sensing someone's presence in the room, stopped attacking the dust bunnies hiding under the bed. "Potter? What are you doing here? And in my room! Don't you know how to knock? I should have known that the Weasel and Mudblood wouldn't go anywhere without their hero icon. If you will excuse me, I believe I'm hungry and your in the way of me getting my dinner."

Draco pushed past Harry and smiled when his door closing automatically behind him from the extra security spells he placed on it.

One can never be to careful. I can't just have any friend of Potter entering my domain any time they like.

"Stop gaping like a fish Potter, its unbecoming on you." With that said, Draco made his way downstairs to inspect what these people considered dinner.

Harry, replaying what had just happened, sank against Draco's closed door.

Albus you old fool. What were you thinking? I can see Snape, but Draco? I wonder where Ron is. He can't have taken well to this. Well this is still my house, my rules. I will be having a talk with Mr. Malfoy about his choice of words. The cheeky bastard.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Well. There you have it. Doesn't sound like Harry is going to take Draco's lip now does it? Reviews Welcome, Suggestions needed. Remember to Check out the Hideaway, link in profile