Usual Disclaimer: Not Mine. Wish it were. This world and its wonderful inhabitants belong to J.K. Rowling. Only the plot belongs to me.
A/N: I know the not on my profile warns of no updates for weeks to come but needless to say I woke a t three am with a niggle that wouldn't go away. I so I switched on my computer and didn't stop typing until I realised my alarm clock would soon be going off and I'd written three chappies so here are two of them, the other is still being beta'd but hopefully you should get it next time I can get on the net. So Enjoy. Plz R&R it would brighten up my study filled days! PLZ!
Chapter 6 - The Trust Issue
Dumbledore replied immediately and Harry received his reply the very next night. It was short and to the point.
Harry,
I hope you have thought about your suggestion carefully. I hope you have not told Mr Malfoy anything yet. Please set up a fire in your room and I will have it put on the network and I will visit you two hours after you receive this letter.
Albus Dumbledore.
Harry did as instructed and lit a magical fire under his window.
"We're having a visitor." He told Draco.
When Dumbledore stepped out of the fire at around ten o'clock that night, he did so carrying a large holdall which he handed to Draco upon arrival.
"I thought you might appreciate some of your own clothes and toiletries." Draco's eye's lit up at the prospect of changing out of the scruffy jeans and tee shirt combinations he had been wearing for a week.
"I don't suppose I should bother asking how you got these?" Draco looked to Dumbledore. Dumbledore just smiled. "I didn't think so." Draco conceded.
"Why don't you go and get changed in the bathroom Mr Malfoy, get into some comfortable clothes." Dumbledore suggested meaningfully. Draco caught the meaning behind the words. He meant 'would you mind leaving us so I can talk to Harry about you.'
"Okay." He said simply, not seeing the point in arguing and leaving the room.
"Well Mr Potter I was sorry to hear that you could not go to the Weasleys this summer but I was quite surprised at your suggestion for a place for you and Mr Malfoy to stay."
"I'm ready to go back."
"That was only part of my worry."
"What was the other part?" Harry asked as if he didn't already know.
"How have you and Mr Malfoy been getting on?"
"Fine. We're not enemies any more. He's on our side."
"Do you trust him?"
"In what context?"
"In all contexts Harry." Dumbledore's eyes searched Harrys. Harry thought about it hard and was surprised when he realised that he could find no circumstances under which he would not trust Draco.
"Yes." Dumbledore's face remained blank when Harry said this.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Harry said trying to think of a reason or something to clarify things and could only think of one thing to say. "I trust him just as you trust Professor Snape."
This seemed to convince Dumbledore enough. "If it were to be arranged, you would be comfortable to go back to headquarters with Mr Malfoy?"
Harry hesitated but answered that yes he would be okay.
"And you would trust him to keep Order things to himself?"
"Yes." Harry still couldn't get used to the fact that Draco was truly trustworthy. "It will give him a chance to prove himself." Harry said more to himself than to Dumbledore but Dumbledore seemed to understand.
"In that case, I will send a car to escort you to Grimmauld in two days time at two o'clock sharp. Now, I must go, just a fleeting visit I'm afraid." With a last smile and a nod at Harry, he left via the fireplace again.
"What's Grimmauld?" Draco asked hovering in the doorway.
"Our new home as of Thursday." Harry said turning to look at him. "Oh!" Harry said in shock as he turned around.
"What?" Draco said nervously patting down imaginary stray hairs on his immaculate, gleaming blonde head. He was wearing a white silk shirt open at the chest and neat fitted black trousers that were slightly flared and covered his shoes neatly.
"Nothing... I... you... have you straightened your hair?" Harry asked incredulously. He couldn't take his eyes off of Draco. Draco blushed.
"Don't you dare tell anyone I straighten my hair!" He threatened.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Harry laughed. He looked at his watch and said "why did you get changed into daywear? It's half ten at night."
"I don't know." Draco admitted. "I just kind of got carried away with having my nice clothes back. I'll get changed again." He said feeling slightly silly and rummaging in his duffel bag.
"What else did Dumbledore bring?" Harry asked, trying to look elsewhere while Draco got changed into a pair of deep green silk pyjamas.
"Toiletries, a few books and my Gringotts key - thank Slytherin. Father won't let mother away with that one."
"Is everything you own silk?" Harry changed the subject detecting the tone in Draco's voice which said, 'I don't want to talk about it'.
"Most of it."
"I can't believe you straighten your hair." Harry said fixing his eyes on Draco's golden locks.
"I can't believe you don't."
"Fair enough."
"What is this Grimmauld place anyway?"
"That's something I have to talk to you about." Harry looked at Draco seriously. "Can I trust you?"
"What a strange question."
"Can I trust you?" Harry repeated.
"I never would have thought so, but yeah, I suppose you can trust me."
"Really." Harry looked into Draco's shining silver eyes and knew it was true.
"Yes."
"Grimmauld is Sirius' old home. He left it to me. I haven't been back since fifth year. It's used as the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix." As Harry said this, Draco's eyes widened. "If we allow you to know about the whereabouts of Grimmauld, you are sworn to secrecy and if you betray its whereabouts to someone else, you will regret it and it will be painfully obvious that you broke the code if you catch my drift." Harry threatened. Draco nodded. "You can trust me I swear."
"Hurry up Draco!" Harry called to Draco who was struggling out of the door with his trunk and the holdall Dumbledore had brought him. Harry had already packed his trunk into the boot of the car and was watching Draco struggle amusedly.
"A little help might speed things up a bit."
"What's the magic word?" Harry called back, enjoying watching the curtains twitch feverishly as his aunt and uncle watched the situation from the front windows.
"Please." Draco said, looking far from pleased to have to ask for Harry's help.
"Gladly." Harry jogged back over to the doorway and helped Draco over to the car with his bags. Once everything was safely packed away, they climbed in.
"At last!" The driver exclaimed, grinning at Harry.
"Tonks! Good to see you!" Harry grinned back. "This is Draco."
"Pleased to meet you." Tonks smiled and extended her hand. "My aren't you a stunner! No girlfriend in tow?"
"No." Draco looked wary of Tonks but that could have been because her hair was pink with blue tips.
"Aren't you a chirpy chappie?" She said rolling her eyes but still smiling, and turning on the engine and the radio. Music blared from the speakers as they drove away and Harry grinned at Draco who, by the looks of it, was not amused.
