Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All I own is my original characters and settings that will come up later is the story.

This chapter took a little longer than expected because of my lack of free time when I wouldn't rather be sleeping. Here's an extra long chapter for you. I might not update for awhile because I have obsessive classes this semester, so sorry in advance if you don't here from me for awhile. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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The drum CD switched back to the first track for the fourth time. Jason hummed along to the flute part as it followed runs up and down the staff.

Harry tossed the ball in the air and held it there, making it spin slowly.

"Seriously Harry, how many do you think we could convince in two days?" Jason grabbed the ball out of the air.

"I would say that we could convince a majority of the school." The ball flew out of Jason's hand and hovered by the ceiling.

Jason rolled his eyes. "There is no way we could pull that off. People can't be that gullible."

"One, I know you're just doing this to distract me from the potion. Two, yes they are. Three, people will believe any scandal about me. And four, moving pictures are a little more convincing than ones that only capture one moment."

"Moving pictures?"

"You know how the portraits around the castle move? It's less than that because the portraits seem to have personality, but they still move. They're semi-interactive even. You can push the front people out of the way to see people whose faces are hidden."

"Hm." Jason dropped to his knees next to Harry's chest. "Are you in?"

Harry pushed himself up on his elbows. "Are you serious?"

"Yes." Jason smiled wider. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You want to convince the majority of the school that I'm gay in a convoluted attempt to distract me from Cali's continued imprisonment?"

"I still say it will be a definite minority."

Harry smirked. "Want to bet on it?"

Jason crossed his arms over his chest. "Hell yes I do. I say two hundred bucks."

"It's a deal." They shook hands. Harry sighed. "I will never live this down."

Jason laughed. "Probably not, but it will be one hell of a ride."

Harry shrugged. "How obvious of a picture do you want?"

He leaned back on his palms. "How much faith do you have in your classmates?"

"I told you. I have none."

Jason ruffled Harry's hair. "I'm going to prove you wrong Potter."

Harry sat up and leaned his shoulder against Jason's. "How do you plan on doing that?"

"We make it an obvious picture, but still little enough that it could be innocent enough." He bent his knees and leaned on them. "Who do you know with a camera we can borrow?"

Harry sighed. "Colin Creevy. But won't it be a little obvious if I ask for the camera and then the picture of us starts floating around? Plus, I don't know how to develop the film."

"Does he?"

"I would assume so. He's shown me pictures he's taken."

Jason shrugged. "So we get someone else to ask for the camera and then ask him to develop the film. Would he spread the picture around?"

Harry pulled his knees to his chest. "He might not out of some misguided loyalty to me."

"So who would spread it around?"

Harry laughed and stood. "Any Slytherin would do it in a heartbeat."

Jason pushed himself up. "Who would confiscate it?"

"Any professor would take it. McGonagall would take it and probably destroy it so no one could steal it back from her. I don't know what Severus would do with it. Last year he probably would have let them keep it, but now he might confiscate it."

"What if we bring them in?"

Harry groaned. "Are you insane?"

"Look. I tell McGonagall that I'm trying to cheer you up and prove to you something about the trustworthiness of the people around you--"

"And I tell Severus that he can mock me, and I'll bring him in on the bet."

Jason stood and pulled Harry with him. "You're really up for this?"

Harry grabbed Jason's jeans pockets and pulled him against him. "I never back down from a challenge. I'll get the camera." He let go and walked out, the door fading back into the wall. "Diana!" He caught her arm and pulled her around the corner. "I need a favor."

Diana pulled the door to the classroom shut. "Do I want to know what you're planning?" She handed the camera to him.

He slipped it into his bag and kissed her forehead. "I'll need the surprise when you go back with him and develop the film. What did he say about the camera?"

She explained how to work it and even how to set it on a timer. "He said there were four pictures left on it and we were, well I was, free to use them all. It was his way to welcome me to Hogwarts or something. I think it was pretty girl syndrome, but he is such a cute kid."

"Thanks sweets. I'll get you the camera back tonight." He left and ran up the stairs. He pressed his hand against the wall. "Haven." The stone shimmered and he stepped through.

"Get it?" Jason leaned against the bookcase next to the door.

Harry showed him the camera. "Of course I did. What now?"

"Well this is supposed to be her wanting to see moving pictures, so we take pictures of thing that move."

"There are four pictures left."

Jason smiled. "We have a top." He set the top spinning and Harry took the picture. "A yo-yo!" He grabbed the fluorescent blue yo-yo off the couch. "Sh! Yo-yo's sleeping." Harry took the picture. "And we use a cute little windup car for the last one." He pulled it back and it took off.

Harry pushed the shutter. "Now what?" Harry let the camera drop to his side.

Jason took his free hand and pulled him toward the stairs. "Now it's time to make you blush."

Harry followed but pulled against him. "You do remember that neither of us is gay, right?"

"Yeah, but you are one cute boy, whether we're gay or not."

They ran up the stairs and down the hallway. They slipped into his room. "At least everyone is at dinner." Jason let go of his hand and pulled his shirt off.

"What are we doing?"

Jason took the camera out of his hand and set it on the dresser. He pulled Harry forward. "Think you and Cali, only with boys."

Harry laughed. He sounded hysterical even to himself. "Who's the Cali?"

Jason laughed and pulled him closer. "You are." He smiled. "Relax. I have no desire to jump you Potter."

Harry forced his muscles to relax and pushed the robe off his shoulders.

Jason squirmed out of his jeans and tossed them on the floor with his shoes and socks.

Harry rolled his eyes. "I can't believe I'm bloody doing this." He stripped down to his boxers.

Jason shifted the camera on the dresser. "It should look like it was taken from a hiding place. How do you set the timer?"

Harry walked over. "How long?"

"Three minutes." Jason flopped onto the bed.

Harry set the timer. He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath. "I don't think I can do this."

Jason leaned over and grabbed his waistband, yanking him onto the bed on top of him. "Are you sure? It's just fooling around Harry. Even if they do freak out, you know that it's not true."

Harry squirmed. "You're sure about this whole thing?"

"I'm still in if you are." He pushed himself back against the headboard.

Harry straddled his hips. "How bad do we make this look?"

Jason slid his hands up Harry's back and pulled him closer. "It's your choice. You'll have to live with these people for longer than I will."

Harry rested his arms over Jason's shoulders. "I'm going to be screwed."

"Not by me." He smiled and bit his lip.

He threw his head back laughing and dropped his forehead to Jason's. The flash went off. They both looked toward the camera. "I guess that's that." He hopped off the bed and pulled his clothes on.

Jason squeezed back into his jeans and pulled his shirt on.

Harry pulled his robe over his shoulders. "I'll get the camera back to Diana."

Jason smirked. "And then the fun begins."

Harry grinned and ran down the stairs. He dropped the camera in Diana's lap. "It is going be one hell of a ride sweet." He headed back to Gryffindor.

Potions was a silent affair. Everyone packed their bags and headed out. "I'll follow you in a minute. I have to ask him something." Hermione nodded and walked out. Harry headed to Professor Snape's desk. "Do you have a moment?"

He barely glanced up. "I suppose."

"I just thought I'd warn you before one of you students turned up with it."

"Turned up with what?" He set the quill on top of the papers on his desk.

Harry could feel his face heating up. This was a bad idea.

Professor Snape gestured to the chair next to the desk and Harry sunk into it. "What's going on Mr. Potter?"

"It's a picture. A--a compromising picture."

Professor Snape's lips thinned. "Who is it?"

Harry bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing and took a deep breath. "Jason."

Professor Snape choked, grabbed the glass of water, and gulped it down.

Harry couldn't stop giggling.

Professor Snape slammed the empty glass down. "Explain Potter."

Harry coughed and stopped laughing. "Jason and I made a bet. I bet him that in two days a majority of the students would believe I was gay. He bet that they weren't stupid enough to believe that from a picture."

Professor Snape rubbed his forehead. "How much is the bet?"

"It's two hundred dollars."

Professor Snape leaned back in his chair. "And you are telling me this why exactly?"

"The picture needs to stay in circulation. Jason's giving McGonagall some spiel about cheering me up, but I'm not dumb enough to think you'd buy it even if you cared. So will you confiscate the picture or return it in an attempt to humiliate me?"

Professor Snape shook his head. "Do you seriously believe that your little fans will believe that?"

Why the hell not? "I'll bet you twenty galleons that they do."

"You want to make a bet with me on this? I know your fickle classmates. There is always a chance they will be idiotic enough to believe this foolishness."

"How about if a two-thirds majority believes it, with Ron and Hermione in the majority and Draco in the minority that believes that it's crap?"

Professor Snape raised his eyebrow. "That is intriguing. Will this interfere in the brewing of the potion?"

Harry shook his head. "I'd never let it. This is just Jason's way of getting my mind off of it. It won't work, but it's good of him to try."

Professor Snape inclined his head and held out his hand. "It is a bet."

Harry shook his hand. "May the best man win." He picked up his bag and walked out of the classroom.

--------

Diana slipped from a side hallway and walked next to him in the empty corridor by the Transfiguration classroom. "You are a bastard." She smacked him. "No warning? That was just low."

Harry smirked. "Where is it now?"

"I dropped it on the floor when I walked past a group of Slytherins. I really hope that was your meaning in all of this."

"It was, don't worry about it."

She pulled him toward the wall. "You need to learn to back down from a challenge."

Harry pulled away. "And everyone from the Academy needs to learn that Hogwarts isn't the Disneyland they think it is. They'd betray me in a second."

"Harry--"

"I bet a man I despised for the past five years that my friends would believe it when my supposed archenemy wouldn't. I'm in a mood. I'm not depressed and I'm not going to off myself, so you can stop treating me like a time bomb. Cali's alive and we're working to get her out of there. That's all I need to know."

Diana glanced around, chewing on her lip. "You know that I know that we're going to find her and she's going to be okay, but even so, you can't hinge your survival on one person."

Harry slung his arm over her shoulders and pulled her toward the stairs. "I'm not anymore. Of course I want to save Cali, but if it weren't possible, if she died, I wouldn't kill myself. I'd sure as hell run off and kill Voldemort, but I would kill myself. Though someone should tell the wizarding world that they can't depend on one person for survival. They haven't seemed to grasp that concept yet and I could use a break."

They separated at the entrance to the Great Hall. "Happy blushing Potter, you know where I am if you need someone to talk to or even just need someone to rant around." She dropped into her usual seat next to Meg.

Harry sat next to Hermione. She took a bite of her sandwich and looked up from her book. "What kept you?"

"It was nothing much. I just had a question about one of the ingredients from the potion today."

"You and Snape seem to be tolerating each other more. He has been acting strange lately though. I don't think he's yelled at anyone this week."

"It probably has something to do with the potion. He's concentrating on it and not on the stupid little mistakes people are making. I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts."

Ron coughed.

"Hi Ron." Harry took a bite of his sandwich.

"What's up with the Slytherins today?"

Four people in the middle of the table were bent over something they were hiding under the table; they were the divide. One side looked confused and the other side was laughing and pointing toward him. Harry tried to keep calm. He couldn't look like he knew what was going on. "No idea." Harry forced himself to keep eating and responding to their questions. The bread stuck to the roof of his mouth and his water tasted as if it were laced with chlorine. This was starting to look like a bad idea.

------

Harry skipped breakfast and headed straight to Herbology. A group of Ravenclaws gaped at him from the stairwell. It was spreading faster than anticipated.

Harry rubbed his forehead again. The dirt on his fingers scratched against his damp skin. Half the class kept giggling or gaping at him.

"You ok Potter?" Draco dropped the trowel in the bucket. It clanged as it hit the other tools he'd put away.

"I'm fine." I know nothing, but that doesn't mean I'm blind. "Everyone keeps staring at me." Draco snorted. "Well more than usual I mean. It's starting to freak me out a little."

"Done anything extra heroic lately to make them worship you more?"

Harry scrubbed his trowel. The sponge slipped over the clean metal and struggled across the caked-on soil. "Shut up Draco."

"I'll look into it." Draco cleaned the soil from around the pot and dropped it back into the large bag on the floor.

"What?" Harry rinsed off the last of his tools and set them in the bucket.

"I'll see if I can figure out what's going on." Draco looked everywhere around the room but at him.

"Th--thanks Draco." Harry smiled. Maybe things weren't going to be so bad. I've got my Academy friends here, the potion only has to simmer for two more days, and Draco isn't anywhere near as foul as I always thought. Even if most people stop talking to me because of the picture I will still have people to talk to. Things are going to be just fine. They walked out of the greenhouse and headed toward the pitch.

"Mr. Potter!" McGonagall stalked toward them. "My office. Now!"

Harry grimaced. I just had to go and jinx myself didn't I? "I'll see you later Draco."

"Good luck." Draco rested his hand on Harry's shoulder before heading off.

McGonagall slammed her office door behind them. "When I agreed to--I had no idea--Do you even--"

"Yes. I know. It was a bad idea. I knew THAT from the beginning. But there's a point to be made here and my American friends aren't the best at subtlety."

McGonagall sank into her chair. "What point are you trying to make exactly?"

Harry sat in the chair in front of her desk. The wood legs creaked as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "That they learned more about me in one summer than anyone here did in five years. That even my closest friends will believe something like that about me from a picture."

McGonagall rested her arms on the desk. "Do you truly believe that Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley will believe that? Without having any further proof?"

Harry leaned back and smiled. "I'd like to think that they wouldn't, but the problem is that they might think that they have more proof. Jason and I fool around a lot and if you're looking for proof it's easy to take things like that the wrong way. Plus, I bet Professor Snape twenty galleons that it would turn out that way."

McGonagall's mouth fell open. "He accepted the bet?"

"Yes. I bet him that a two-thirds majority believe it, including Ron and Hermione, with Draco in the minority that doesn't believe it."

"Why do you think Mr. Malfoy will not believe it? The picture is--well it's--" She blushed.

Perhaps I should have taken a look at the picture first. Oh well, it's too late now. "I know. I just don't think he'll buy it. It's just a hunch. It's not like I can't afford to lose the money." He smirked. "Do you want in on the bet?"

McGonagall straightened in her chair. "That would be simply inappropriate." She smiled. "An appropriate bet would be seven galleons."

"Of course Professor. I need to go finish my work. May the best ma--person win."

"Wait a moment Mr. Potter."

Damn. I knew that was too easy. "Yes?"

"A few days ago I found you in your dorm surrounded by quite a bit of blood. Jason has assured me that the problem has been solved, but he would not tell me what exactly the problem was in the first place. Would you care to enlighten me?"

Harry took a deep breath. "Do you remember the necklaces Cali and I had?" When she nodded he continued. "Well apparently they were so powerful that even after they were destroyed we were still connected to each other. Since I practiced occlumency to keep Voldemort out of my mind I didn't notice it, but when I forgot to clear my mind at night we connected and I got echoes of what the Death Eaters were doing to her. Jason suggested that I meditate and I broke the connection. So I won't be getting any more injuries I can't feel. Everything's wrapped up on that front."

McGonagall stared at him barely blinking.

"I wish I could stay, but I have Defense soon and I should really get my books from my dorm if I want to have time for lunch before class." At her small nod he walked to the door and shut it behind him "I can't believe I just did that." The picture had probably made it to Gryffindor by now. If I wait a few minutes everyone should be at lunch and I can grab my books. He pushed away from the smooth wooden door and headed for the library. All his work for the week was done. What was he meant to do? He moved to the back corner of the library behind the bookcases and dropped into a chair. I suppose I could do--

"Nothing." Draco sank into the chair across from him.

"What?" Harry pushed his bag to the side.

"No one will tell me anything. They all just laugh and tell me to wait until I see. No one will tell me what I'm waiting to see though." He growled. "I hate being out of the loop. It's going to bother me all day, especially with no classes to distract me."

"What do you mean no classes? What about Defense?"

Draco shrugged. "There's no class today. I heard him talking to Dumbledore after you went with McGonagall. He said something about checking wards at the school that was attacked. I just don't understand why they won't just tell me what's going on. They're my bloody housemates.

Harry grimaced. "Sorry. Thanks for trying though."

Draco shrugged. "What are friends for?" His eyes widened. "I mean--I--well--what I meant--"

Harry laughed. Draco Malfoy flustered. "Friends sounds like fun." Draco's mouth snapped shut and he looked around. Harry sighed. "I'm going to need them." Draco was still glancing around. "Stop being so paranoid Draco. No one is going to jump out and chop your head off for talking to me. At least that I know of."

Draco scowled and slumped in the chair. "So what did McGonagall want?"

"Oh, she just wanted to berate me for sneaking out at night." No! Don't make the whole thing harder for him to disbelieve.

Draco snorted. "Like you have ever stayed where you were supposed to be? Where were you sneaking off to the time?"

Don't do it Harry. "To where they're housing our new schoolmates."

"The refugees?" Draco leaned forward and set his elbows on the table.

"If that's what you want to call them." Harry leaned back. The wooden chair dug into his back. He shifted and slouched.

"How do you know where they're staying? I thought it was hidden for their safety?"

"I know some of them." Harry played with his stud.

"How?" Draco scooted his chair closer to the table.

Bail out. Bail out. "We ran into each other this summer." He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "I have to go. I'll talk to you later, okay?" He pushed in his chair and headed for the door.

"Okay." Draco sat back in the chair and pulled a book out of his bag.

I guess I can't avoid the common room forever. They should be at lunch by now, shouldn't they? Harry ran up the stairs and climbed through the portrait hole. The common room fell silent.

Colin ran up to him. "I am so sorry. I swear I didn't mean to--I mean--I didn't take it. I lent my camera to someone. She was just as surprised as I was. She seemed like a friend of yours. I never thought she'd show it to anyone. I--"

Poor kid is going to faint. He rested his hands on Colin's shoulders. "Colin you have to breathe. What's going on?"

"Your secret is out Potter." Jack Sloper pushed Colin out of the way. "We know you're a poof. Why don't you go and shack up with your boyfriend? You're certainly not welcome here."

Harry took deep breaths. Oh no. I didn't bother to see where English wizards stand on homosexuality. Stupid stupid stupid. "What are you talking about?"

Dean pushed off the couch and pushed Jack toward the wall. "There's a picture going around. The Slytherins have it. It--"

Jack shoved his way back toward Harry. "It shows you on top of some guy and doesn't leave much to the imagination. How many other guys are you shagging? How many of your roommates?"

Ron jumped out of his chair and shoved Jack against the wall. "Shut it Slope. I'm no bloody poof and if you say it again I will knock you out."

Harry spun and stumbled out of the portrait hole. He staggered down the stairs and around corridors. He didn't--It was all about Ron. He didn't even try to defend--Harry slipped into Professor Snape's office and curled into the corner. He hugged his bag to his chest.

----

Severus opened the door to his office and closed the door behind Draco. "What is the problem?"

"Everyone is hiding something. Not concealing it, but literally hiding it. I think it has to do with Potter. He mentioned in Herbology that everyone was staring at him. He was right, but they're also laughing and whispering."

"And why would you care?" Severus leaned back against his desk.

Draco's fingers twitched, but he hid all other signs of agitation. The boy did that too well. "I don't like not knowing what is going on."

"So this has nothing to do with Potter t--" Severus spun.

"Professor?" Draco stepped back.

"Someone is here." He pointed his wand toward the dark corner. "Finite incantatum."

"'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun the frumious Bandersnatch!"

"Harry?" Draco moved toward him.

Harry pulled his knees closer to his chest.

"What are you doing in here Potter?"

He whimpered. "I--I almost--I couldn't--"

Severus dropped in front of him and grabbed his arms, pushing the sleeves up. His arms were unmarked.

"I didn't--I almost--They changed the password today. I didn't get it from anyone. I couldn't get in. Why did they change the password?"

"What happened Potter?" Severus stood and walked toward his desk. Draco's eyes were locked on Harry.

"I went back--I just wanted to go to my room. I didn't--they saw--the Slytherins showed them the picture. They all--Ron--I expected--but I didn't think--" He pulled in shaking breaths.

Draco moved forward. "What picture?"

Harry dropped his head to his knees.

"Where is the picture Potter?"

Harry tilted his head back and forth on his knees. His fingertips shimmered slightly. "Zambini has it."

"How sure are you?" Severus sat back on his heels.

Draco's gaze bounced between them.

Snape pushed Harry's head up. "Enough to get it?"

"Yes." The glow was gone.

"Do it." He stood and walked back to his desk.

Harry looked up. "Draco--"

"Forget everything. You were the one that was so damn sure about him not believing. Where's your faith now? Do it. Get the damn picture back. And if you fill this room up with student's pathetic pictures I will--"

Harry growled. "I know what the fuck I'm doing! You're the one that summoned three feet of Jell-O cubes into the kitchen trying a simple--"

"Potter!"

"Fine!" Harry held his arm straight and closed his eyes. The air shimmered and a paper appeared in his hands. He tossed it to the ground without opening his eyes.

"Are you sure this is it?"

"Yes I'm fucking sure." Harry collapsed back against the wall.

"Language Potter."

Draco picked up the fallen page. "Bloody hell!" The picture hit the floor again.

Severus stalked over and picked it up. How bad could it--his mouth fell open. He watched as Jason's arms slid up Harry's back, pulling him closer. Harry laughed and dropped his head forward. "You fool! What were you thinking?"

Harry pushed off the wall and grabbed the picture, finally looking at it. His mouth fell open. "This is what all--This is nothing!"

He couldn't speak. That was nothing? What had that boy been--I will not follow that train of thought. "Obviously it is something or you wouldn't have been curled up in the corner of my office mumbling nonsense."

Potter growled and moved forward. "First off, it wasn't nonsense. It was a poem from the Victorian Era. Two, it is not my fault that the Gryffindors are apparently a bunch of bloody pricks and homophobes. I knew they'd freak out because God knows they always do, but I didn't think they'd turn into a bunch of angry villagers with pitchforks. And what the fuck are you staring at anyway?" He crossed his arms over his chest. During his rant his entire body had become blurry and snapped back into focus as he finished. His hair now brushed his ears and was tipped in violent blue. His glasses were gone and his robes had reformed into black pants and a maroon shirt that read 'you can stare at it for eternity, but my scar isn't going to start singing show tunes.' Harry glanced down. "Oh." He laughed weakly. "Oops."

Draco backed slowly toward the door. "How--how--how did you--" He jumped back as Harry stepped forward.

Harry held up his hands and moved back. "Chris cast a spell on me. If I get too emotional this happens. It was basically a giant warning flag for everyone." He fingered a strand of hair. "I'm not quite sure how I managed to forget about it."

Severus fought against the urge to smack his head against a wall. "How do we undo this?"

Potter chewed on his thumbnail. "Chris has to cast the counter spell."

Severus threw floo powder into the fireplace and muttered his name.

Chris appeared in the room next to the desk. He saw Draco and grimaced. He turned and sighed. "Things not going well Harry?"

"I guess that depends on whether I can stay with you or not." Potter twisted his fingers in his shirt.

Chris raised his eyebrows and Severus handed him the picture. "Gryffindor see this?"

Harry snorted. "Everyone saw that."

Chris rubbed his forehead. "Bet?"

Harry snorted. "Yes."

"Did you win?"

Harry shrugged. "Two out of three so far I'd guess. At this point the third one is no doubt void."

Chris dropped the picture on the desk. "I'll key the doors to recognize you, but you can't run away. Find an explanation and make it sound believable. At this point no one will likely believe the truth."

"Thanks Da--" Harry cleared his throat. "Can you end the spell?"

Chris laid his hand on Harry's head and he flickered and reverted to normal. "All set. Be careful, okay? I don't want you hurt over this." He squeezed Harry's shoulder and walked out.

Draco kicked the wall. "What in the bloody hell is going on?"

Harry chewed on his lip. "I'm going to go find Jason. I think it's his turn on potion watch soon and he should know what's going on. I don't want him to get hurt because he doesn't know how they're reacting." He sighed. "Draco, if you're talking to me in a few hours will you meet me in the library before dinner?"

Draco clenched his teeth. "We'll see."

Harry sniffed, nodded, and headed toward the lounge.

-------------

Thanks so much to everyone that has reviewed. It gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. I know the end of this chapter isn't the best, but I just needed to finish this and be done. Happy reading all.