A/N: A nice turn out in reviews, thanks guys. But still when compared with the stats... I just want to say, is it really fair that we have given you our story that we have slaved over for the past 6 months and you guys read it giving us nothing in return? All we ask for is a simple acknowledgment that you are enjoying, which clearly you must be to have read this far. Just a drop in to say hi,i like it, cmon guys, take one for the team. If not, i suppsoe we will give up harrassing u but we'll be disapointed that you couldnt even spare a minture of ur time... ah well guess u cant have everything.

But on a happier note (well sort of) our parents are back from scotland on monday , so we decided to kick off our celebration/mourning of our last few nights of freedom with a post. And then to go along with the irish spirit of St. Patricks we've decided to get a little...merry :D

So until next time, M.T. Froste, the Froste Twins

-CHAPTER THIRTEEN-

Green with Envy

Harry knocked softly on the cubicle door.

"Hermione?"

They heard the scrape of the lock and Hermione emerged shiny-faced and looking anxious.

"Did you get them?" she asked breathlessly.

Ron showed her Crabbe's pube.

"Good." The boys shuffled into the cubicle with her and stared at the potion. Close up, it looked like thick, dark mud, bubbling sluggishly.

"I'm sure I've done everything right," said Hermione, nervously re-reading the splotched page of Moste Potente Potions, "It looks like the book says it should…"

"Now what?" Ron whispered.

"We separate it into three glasses and add the hairs."

Hermione ladled large dollops of the potion into each of the three glasses. They all added the hairs. The potion hissed loudly and began to froth.

"Hang on," said Harry, as Ron and Hermione reached for their glasses. "We'd better not all drink them in here; once we turn into Crabbe and Goyle we won't all fit, and no Slytherin girl's that small."

"Good thinking," said Hermione, unlocking the door. "We'll take separate cubicles."

"Oh…" said Ron, "But I was looking forward to seeing Harry's shirt rip open." He grinned at Harry who glared back.

"I thought you two were over," said Hermione looking back into the cubicle, her eyebrows raised.

"We are," said Harry firmly. Taking his glass he followed her out of the cubicle and shut the door behind him. Careful not to spill a drop of his potion, Harry slipped into the middle cubicle.

"Ready?" he called.

"Ready," came Ron and Hermione's voices.

"One…two…three…"

Pinching his nose, Harry drank the potion down in two large gulps. It tasted like overcooked cabbage.

Immediately, his insides started writhing as though he'd just swallowed live snakes- doubled up, he wondered if he was going to be sick- then a burning sensation spread rapidly from his stomach to the very ends of his fingers and toes. Next, bringing him gasping on all fours, came a horrible melting feeling, as the skin all over his body bubbled like hot wax and before his eyes, his hands began to grow, the fingers thickened, the nails broadened and the knuckles were bulging like bolts. His shoulders stretched painfully and a prickling around his genitals told him that something was

happening down there too… His skin seared with pain as his chest expanded like a barrel bursting its hoops.

As suddenly as it had started, everything stopped. Harry lay face down on the cold

stone floor. He slowly got to his feet. So this is what it felt like being Goyle. His large hand trembled as he reached up to brush his hair out of his eyes and met only the short growth of wiry bristles, low on his forehead.

"Are you two ok?" he called.

"Yeah," came Ron's voice.

Harry unlocked his door and stepped in front of the cracked mirror. Goyle stared back at him.

Ron's door opened. Except that he looked pale and shocked, Ron was indistinguishable from Crabbe, from the pudding-basin haircut to the long gorilla arms.

"This's unbelievable," said Ron staring into his pants grinning. "Crabbe's got a pin dick! Of all the people…" he shook his head still looking into his pants.

Harry cocked an eyebrow in disgust and realized he wasn't actually shocked by this being the first thing Ron did after turning into some one else.

"We'd better get going," said Harry, struggling to loosen the watch that was cutting into Goyle's thick wrist. "We've still got to find out where the Slytherin common room is, I only hope we can find some one to follow…" He finished adjusting the watch and looked up. Ron was gazing at him.

"Stop it," said Harry. He pushed past Ron to Hermione's door.

"I can't help it if I'm still in love with you," Ron said.

Harry ignored him and banged on Hermione's door, "C'mon we need to go…"

A high-pitched voice answered him. "I-I don't think I'm going to come after all. You go on without me."

What? Harry thought frowning at the door.

"Hermione are you ok?" he asked.

"Fine- I'm fine…Go on-"

Harry looked at his watch. They had better get going.

"We'll meet you back here, alright?" he said.

Harry and Ron opened the door of the bathroom and carefully checked that the coast was clear and set off.

"Don't swing your arms like that," Harry muttered to Ron.

"Eh?"

"Crabbe holds them sort of stiff…"

"How's this?"

"Yeah that's better."

They headed down towards the dungeons and hurried down the stone steps into the darkness their footsteps echoing loudly as Crabbe and Goyle's huge feet hit the floor.

"Here comes some one now!" said Ron excitedly.

The figure was emerging from a side room. As they hurried nearer, however, their hearts sank. It wasn't a Slytherin, it was Percy.

"What're you doing down here?" said Ron in surprise.

Percy looked affronted.

"That," he said stiffly, "is none of your business. It's Crabbe, isn't it?

"Wh- oh, yeah," said Ron.

A voice suddenly echoed behind Harry and Ron. Draco Malfoy was strolling towards them. Harry was so pleased to see him, his heart began to flutter, something it had been doing quite a lot lately whenever he caught sight of Draco.

"There you are," Malfoy called looking at them. "Have you two been pigging out in the Great Hall all this time?"

Malfoy glanced witheringly at Percy.

"And what are you doing down here, Weasley?" he sneered.

Percy looked outraged.

"You want to show a bit more respect to a school prefect!" he said, "I don't like your attitude, Malfoy!"

Malfoy sneered and motioned for Harry and Ron to follow him but then stopped and stared at Harry. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Why," he asked slowly, "are you wearing glasses?"

"Ah-ah," said Harry fumbling to remove them. "Reading, I was-ah-reading."

Malfoy frowned, "I didn't know you could read." He shrugged and began to walk into the next passage with Harry and Ron hurrying after him. He paused by a stretch of bare, damp stone wall.

"What's the new password, again?" he said to Harry.

"Er-" said Harry.

"Oh yeah- pure-blood!" said Malfoy not listening, and a stone door concealed in the wall slid open. Malfoy marched through it and Harry and Ron followed him.

The Slytherin common room was a long low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round, greenish lights were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborate carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in leather chairs.

Malfoy dropped into a nearby chair.

"Well sit down," he said motioning them to a pair of empty seats. Harry and Ron sat down, doing their best to look at home.

"You'd never know the Weasleys were pure-bloods, the way they behave. They're a disgrace to the wizarding world, all of them," said Malfoy scornfully.

Ron's face was contorted with fury.

"What's up with you, Crabbe?" snapped Malfoy.

"Stomach ache," grunted Ron.

"Well, go up to the hospital wing and give all those mudbloods a kick for me," said Malfoy snickering. "You know, I'm surprised the Daily Prophet hasn't done a report on all these attacks," he went on thoughtfully. "I suppose Dumbledore's trying to hush it all up. He'll be sacked if it doesn't stop soon. Father's always said Dumbledore's the worst thing that's ever happened to this place. A descent headmaster would never've let scum like that Creevey in."

Malfoy started taking pictures with an imaginary camera and did a cruel but accurate impression of Colin: "Harry, can I have your picture, Harry? Can I have your autograph? Can I lick your shoes please, Harry?"

He dropped his hands and looked at Harry and Ron.

"What's the matter with you two?"

Far too late, Harry and Ron forced themselves to laugh, but Malfoy seemed satisfied; perhaps Crabbe and Goyle were always slow on the uptake.

"I'm glad the heir of Slytherin got Creevey as one of the first. I was about ready to give him a good bashing and tell him to fuck off and leave Harry alone. God…" he

sighed slowly, "I wish I knew who it was. I could help them."

Harry, thinking fast, said, "You must have some idea who's behind it all…"

"You know I haven't, Goyle, how many times do I have to tell you?" snapped Malfoy. "All I know is last time the Chamber was opened, some slut died. So I bet it's a matter of time before one of them's killed this time…as for me, I hope it's Granger," he said with relish.

Ron was clenching Crabbe's gigantic fists. Feeling it would be a bit of a give-away if Ron punched Malfoy, Harry shot him a warning look, and said, "Ah, Crabbe, maybe you should go and get that medicine for your stomach…"

Ron nodded and stood up; he glanced back at Harry. "Aren't you coming?"

Before Harry could think of a reply, Draco cut in, "Jesus Crabbe, I think you're big enough to go by yourself. Give Goyle a break for once."

Ron looked furious at what Harry had done but had no choice but to leave.

"C'mon," said Draco getting up. "Let's go up to the dorm."

So Harry followed him up a narrow staircase and into a room that looked exactly like his own dorm except all the crimson and gold had been replaced with green and silver.

Malfoy slumped down on a nearby bed and kicked off his shoes. Harry noticed a framed picture of himself on Draco's bedside table and suddenly felt all giddy.

"You really like that Potter, don't you?" he said nodding towards the photo.

Draco picked up the frame and lay down on his bed, gazing at it. Harry sat down on the edge of the bed, unsure what to say next.

Malfoy continued to smile fondly at the photo. He sighed and put it back in his place. He looked over at Harry.

"Can you believe he actually went out with that Weasley?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "He is far too good for anyone like Weasley to even be around. I shudder to think what Weasley made him do. God! I blame myself for not telling him how I felt earlier. I could've stopped him from having to go through it all."

Draco's face started to go white with anger.

Harry reached out and tentatively touched Draco's hand. Malfoy flinched at the sudden contact and Harry pulled his arm back.

"Don't blame yourself. I'm pretty sure that's not what Harry would want you to do. He made that decision to go out with Ro-ah-Weasley by himself. I think he too probably regrets it."

Malfoy rolled over and looked at him unconvinced.

"C'mon, do you think Harry would want to see you this way around Christmas?"

Draco's face softened and he almost smiled.

"No, you're absolutely right, Goyle. Wow, someone's sure changed overnight. I thought you hated when I crapped on about Harry. Mm, guess I was wrong. Well, thanks…" Draco continued, "Damn, I wish I'd seen him today…" A look of sad longing came into his beautiful grey eyes. Harry stared, unable to look away. He edged closer to Malfoy. Slowly, he bent forward; puckering his lips…he could feel the warmth from Draco's face…

"Goyle!" yelled Malfoy in shock, scrambling off the bed, a look of utter terror on his face.

Oh god! Thought Harry coming back to reality.

"What the hell are you playing at?" Draco's eyes were wide and fearful. "You actually thought I would be disloyal to Harry, and to you of all people? Just- just GET OUT!" he screamed in rage.

Harry climbed off the bed and headed towards the door, he glanced back to have one last look at Draco for the night.

Malfoy frowned, "Hang on…" he said. "Goyle, since when have your eyes been green…?"

Harry gasped and sprinted from the room, down the stairs and across the common room. He didn't stop running until he was safely outside; the door slid shut behind him and clicked into place. He turned and came face to face with a furious looking Ron. Ron was no longer Crabbe; he looked down at his own body and found that he was once again Harry.

"WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU DOI-"

"OH SHUT UP RON! I DON'T WANNA HEAR ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FUCKING SPEECHES! HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE YOU TO REALISE WE ARE OVER! I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH DRACO! SO JUST FUCK OFF AND LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Ron stared at him, dumbstruck. His eyes swelled with tears.

"Oh for fuck's sake," muttered Harry, "Let's just go and see what's up with Hermione."

He led the way to the bathroom, Ron following silently behind.

When they arrived Ron pushed moodily past him as he put on his glasses.

"Hermione, come out," he yelled, hammering on her door.

"Go away!" Hermione yelled back.

"What's the matter?" called Harry, "You must be back to normal, we are…"

Moaning Myrtle glided suddenly through the cubicle door. Ron shrieked and backed into the sink.

"Oooooh, wait till you see," she said gleefully, "It's awful."

They heard the lock slide back and Hermione emerged sobbing, her robes over her head.

"What's up?" said Ron uncertainly.

Hermione let her robes fall and Ron shrieked again.

Her face was covered in black fur. Her eyes had gone yellow and there were long pointed ears poking through her hair.

"It was a c-cat hair! I pulled it off a girl's robes but it wasn't the right kind of hair!" she howled, "The potion isn't s-supposed to be used for animal transformations!"

"Pussy…" breathed Ron licking his lips.

Harry elbowed him in the stomach. "It's ok, Hermione," he said quickly, "We'll take you to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many questions."

It took a long time to persuade Hermione to leave the bathroom. But Moaning Myrtle sped them on their way yelling after them, "Wait till everyone finds out you've got a tail!"

------

With the next day came an odd bout of sunshine melting the last few weeks' snow. The few left at the school had all ventured outside to enjoy this rare winter weather.

All that is, except Harry, who sat in an armchair in the Gryffindor common room contemplating life. Ron had asked him if he had wanted to come with him to see Hermione but Harry had declined. He stopped his contemplation and watched the sunlight filter in through the window.

Maybe I'll go outside, he thought, rising from the chair.

When he reached the staircase leading down to the entrance hall he was surprised to find that someone other than himself wasn't outside enjoying the weather. Harry could recognise that white-blonde hair anywhere.

Malfoy was sitting mid-way down the staircase; his arms were hung casually around his legs, which were resting on the step below. He was leaning against the handrail and was staring out through the great oak doors leading outside.

Harry descended the above stairs and sat down on the step next to him, Draco didn't move. Harry sensed something was up but had learnt if Draco was going to tell him, he didn't need to be pestered, he would talk in all good time. So Harry merely leant back on his elbows onto the step behind, shutting his eyes to enjoy the peaceful silence.

He didn't have to wait long.

"Goyle tried to kiss me last night," said Draco softly.

Harry's eyes flung open and he sat up, staring at Malfoy. Draco was still looking out the door.

"And did he succeed?" Harry asked even though he knew the answer.

"No," was the gentle reply.

"Really?" Harry asked jumping to his feet. He laughed, "I can just imagine it now," He puffed out his chest and put on a voice pretending to be Draco. "Look, I know I'm irresistible, but just back off Goyle."

Malfoy turned and looked at him sharply but then began to laugh. He rolled his eyes, "Irresistible," he muttered shaking his head, his cheeks turning pink; he quickly looked away from Harry, clearly embarrassed.

"Wow…" breathed Harry. "I've got to remember to embarrass you more often. I'd forgotten how hot you look when you are…"

Malfoy went even redder and was suddenly interested in his shoes. Harry slumped down beside him again.

"Don't worry, I'll stop," he laughed.

"Good," grinned Draco.

"So what really did happen then?"

Malfoy looked up at him, his eyes alert with mischief.

"But you know perfectly well what happened…" he grinned evilly.

Harry's heart stopped. He knew! Shit! He thought, how the hell does he know!

As if being able to read his thoughts Draco said, "I don't think you realize this but I'd know that cute accent anywhere Harry, no one else has an accent quite like yours, especially not Goyle. It would've been scary if I didn't realize. And those green eyes are one of a kind, I must say."

It was Harry's turn to blush.

Malfoy laughed, "Remind me to embarrass you more often Harry, I'd forgotten how hot you look when you are."

Harry glared at him, his face still glowing. Malfoy smiled back, his grey eyes flashing.

"I'm only screwing with you," he said, hitting Harry playfully on the arm. He stopped and thought about what he had just said, "Woops," he laughed and shrugged.

"I guess we can't help it if we're both irresistible," he jumped up, "C'mon," he said pulling Harry to his feet. "Let's not waste a minute more of this weather."