Usual Disclaimer: Unfortunately this world and its wonderful inhabitants do not belong to me, they belong to J. K. Rowling, I'm just borrowing them. I am making no money from this it is purely for the enjoyment of those few who choose to read it. Thanks J. K. for lending me your ready made world of magic.
A/N: A HUGE Thank You to all who reviewed the last chapter and an extra special thanks to those who continue to read this story after the horrendous wait for an update. I can do no better than apologise profusely and hope I am forgiven.
Also in order to get this posted quickly, it has not been subjected to the rigorous beta-ing that my other chapters have so once again I beg forgiveness for any errors.
Oh, an in the light of the sixth book... I've decided to ignore it, the same as I ignore all plot points that don't suit my twisted imagination so there are no spoilers, neither is there any attention paid to developments in the new book. :-)
Enjoy
MB
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"Remus that's great, I can't believe you didn't say anything before!" Harry stood and hugged him upon registering what Dumbledore had just said.
"You didn't ask." Remus laughed.
"Sorry Harry apologised sheepishly as they left Dumbledore's office.
"Don't be I'm just glad to see you so happy." He smiled at Draco who smiled, in turn, at his mate as he too was glad that Harry was happy. "But I don't suppose we should be openly wandering through the hallways chatting like old friends together."
"Don't worry, a Marauder is always prepared." Harry grinned as he released Draco's hand, which he hadn't realised he had been holding, pulled his invisibility cloak from the inside pocket of his robes and disappeared under it.
Not long later they stopped between a portrait of an elderly wizard who looked very grumpy when they passed him and a suit of armour that looked as if it could easily have fitted Hagrid. Remus however took no notice of either of the objects but instead indicated to the narrow wall space between them. "Stroke the wall." He whispered to Draco in a voice so low they barely heard him but Draco did as he was told and the wall disappeared to reveal a hidden corridor. They slid inside and the wall closed quickly behind them but, like the wall between the den and the library at Grimmauld, they could still see back out into the corridor between the grumpy wizard and the suit of armour. This threw just enough light on the narrow corridor the were now standing in to see that there was a door straight ahead about six feet in front of them.
"Sleeping Dragon." Remus gave the password as they approached it and it swung open to reveal a common room type area with a desk and chairs, plush purple couches and beanbags around a fireplace. To the left there were two doorways. One led to a small kitchen and the other to a small bedroom containing a single bed, a wardrobe, a dressing table and of course a full length mirror. Although there was only a single bed, which in Harry's opinion was disappointing, there were no portraits in the room. The bedroom had it's own en-suite bathroom with bath, shower and toilet facilities.
Once inside Harry removed his invisibility cloak and listened to Remus as he gave them the guided tour.
"The first door is a combination of a Gringotts style vault door and the wall of the den at Grimmauld. It will open only for you two, so in order to let anyone else in they have to either be with you or if they stroke the wall outside it sets off a doorbell in here and you can look through and choose to let them in or not. To let them in you just stroke the inside of the door. The password to the inner door is 'sleeping dragon' and it only serves as extra protection." Remus explained to them as they finished their tour and took a seat in the exceptionally comfy purple couch. "The kitchen will be stocked with basic supplies in case you need food at any other times than mealtimes as it wouldn't be a good idea to visit the kitchens by yourself all the time. Meals will be served at the kitchen table at regular mealtimes. Oh and the only other person who has access to the 'flat' is Dumbledore of course. Otherwise it is up to you who you let in. Professor McGonagall and I know where to look for it but we need your permission to enter. As you know Dumbledore doesn't have to be here to be keeping an eye on you." He indicated to the several portraits snoozing on the living room walls and Harry had noted the one of a houself in the kitchen previously. "Just remember the rules and it will all be fine. Now Harry I promised I would escort you back to Gryffindor tower tonight." Harry looked crestfallen at this, he had hoped he would have a chance to talk to Draco. "So I'll meet you outside in say an hour?" he finished, looking at his watch. It was past midnight already.
"Thanks Remus and congratulations on the job." Harry smiled as he stood and saw his professor to the door. "So what do you think?" Harry asked when he returned and curled up against Draco.
"I think it'll do." He replied looking around him with a smile.
"This year is certainly going to be different." Harry commented.
"Hmm." Draco agreed. "Dumbledore was a bit..."
"Factual?" Harry offered. He too had noticed the somewhat businesslike manner in which Dumbledore had conducted their meeting. "Maybe he's just trying to make it seem like it's not a big deal. Trying to give us a little free reign without openly condoning our relationship."
"Mmm you're so smart." Draco murmured appreciatively bringing his lips to Harry's and kissed him deeply. Feeling reassured and safe in one another's arms, they were almost asleep when a rather loud doorbell brought them back to the real world.
"That will be your escort." Draco smiled. and reluctantly let Harry get up and retrieve his invisibility cloak. After a goodbye kiss Harry went outside to meet his patiently waiting professor.
XxX
"Now, Mr Potter. It goes without saying that your choice of Defence Against the Dark Arts has been approved, and your grades for Charms and Herbology leave room for improvement but are sufficient to continue the courses further. I have the final decision when it comes to Transfiguration, Mr Potter, and I must have your word that you will knuckle down to your work this year in order for me to allow you to continue the course." She looked to him and he nodded sincerely. "Now your last choice, Potions..." Harry grimaced as McGonagall appeared to read an extensive note on the papers she held in front of her. "Has been approved by... higher authority shall we say." She smiled, her eyes glinting with a notion of humour. "In which case, your timetable Mr Potter." She handed him his timetable with a smile. "Please show Mr Malfoy in on your way out."
Harry did as he was told, sharing a brief smile at his partner as they crossed paths.
Harry smiled again when Draco walked into his transfiguration classroom that afternoon being received by a confusion of mutterings, exclamations and whispering. Harry kept his head down as Draco took a seat at the back of the classroom behind a group of Ravenclaws with whom the Gryffindors were sharing the class and McGonagall hushed the class. He and Draco had not seen each other since their brief passing that morning but had not minded being separated as much as they had when they had been apart a Grimmauld because their classes had taken their minds off of things significantly.
Word was spreading like wildfire around the castle that Malfoy had been removed from Slytherin and placed in classes with the other three houses. There were many theories circulating, each as far-fetched as the next and the gossip was rife. Nobody knew just how far-fetched their ideas would have to get before they were anywhere near the truth. Harry fought the urge to laugh when he stole a sneaky glance at his partner only to see him scowling at a bunch of whispering girls. McGonagall continued her lesson in a loud authoritative tone to quell the murmurings.
XxX
After dinner that night , Harry sat in the Gryffindor common room fidgeting restlessly, his chest ached and he was horny as hell. He stood to go to his dorm and retrieve the orb he had stashed in his trunk once Draco had forgotten about it.
"Don't even think about it Harry." Hermione warned as he stood up.
"I wasn't!" Harry huffed and continued to the dorm where he dug the orb from his trunk and peered into it.
Draco was lounging in the armchair in his apartment, drumming his fingers on the arm of it and staring absentmindedly into space. Harry smiled. He never really got over how just watching his golden haired angel made him immensely happy, although at the moment he felt torn. Knowing he should stay in Gryffindor tower but badly wanting to go to his mate and curl up in the chair with him.
He watched as Draco stopped drumming his fingers and looked as though he were listening for something. After a while he smiled and moved over to where his school books were lying abandoned on the table. He began writing something on a spare piece of parchment.
'You lousy cheat! I hope you know I always get my revenge.'
Harry laughed reading the note when Draco moved aside. Draco was grinning as if he could sense Harry's reaction and the orb followed his progress into his bedroom and Harry drew the hangings around his bed as Draco began to give him show that most certainly cured his longing and boredom.
XxX
As it turned out it was three whole days before Harry decided he had to break the rules. Hermione tried to look disapproving but Harry gave her his best puppy-dog-eyes and she eventually smiled and said "oh just go!"
"Hey Ginny." Harry said as he passed Ginny on his way out of the common room.
"Oh! Um.. Hey." She returned, not looking at him directly. Harry thought this slightly odd a he had thought she was over her crush. Must be something else he concluded. He didn't dwell on it though as he made his way along the quiet corridors towards his mate.
XxX
The next morning saw Harry sprinting back up to Gryffindor tower to collect his books before class. Hermione was waiting outside the portrait hole with his bag and he grinned his thanks as he hauled it over his shoulder.
"You're a star!" He proclaimed.
"Oh dear Merlin, if that wasn't the most camp thing you've ever said!" She laughed and Harry blushed.
"You're right, hex me if I ever say it again!" They laughed as they made their way down to the greenhouses for Herbology.
XxX
"Wonder where Ginny is." Ron said as they tucked into their lunch.
"Maybe the library or something." Hermione suggested.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Wanted to asked her if it was true about her and some Hufflepuff boy!" Ron adopted his protective big brother voice.
"She's a big girl Ron." Hermione rolled her eyes.
They did not see Ginny for more than a few minutes at a time during the next week and when they did she acted very strange. As if she couldn't wait to get away. She became very nervous around Harry and seemed to be actively avoiding him.
"There's definitely something up." Harry frowned as he, Hermione and Ron sat in their comfy chairs and chatted. It was their second weekend back at Hogwarts and Harry had not long returned to Gryffindor tower after spending most of Saturday in Draco's apartment.
"I tried talking to her this afternoon but she was adamant there was nothing wrong." Hermione contributed.
"At first I thought she was just smitten with this Hufflepuff guy," Ron said in a disapproving tone. "But she's avoiding her own brother!"
"Maybe I've done something to upset her?" Harry suggested.
"I don't think it's that she seems more nervous than upset." Hermione reasoned.
"I think we all just need to corner her and talk it out of her."
"Seems like the only way I suppose."
"Ginny!" Hermione called, waving as she saw Ginny enter the common room through the portrait hole. She looked up and waved briefly before hurrying towards the staircase for the girls dorms.
"Hi Ginny!" Harry blocked her way.
"Harry! Hi!" She squeaked and looked quickly around as if judging her chances of escape. Harry took her arm and Ron appeared on her other side and together they guided her to the other end of the common room where Hermione was sitting.
She sat and faced the three of them, their faces smiling but somehow serious at the same time and she felt rather like she was facing a jury.
"So, Ginny" Ron started. "Done anything interesting lately?"
"No, why? What do you mean." She said in a rather strangled voice.
"Well you must have been doing something interesting to have kept you away from us for so long." Harry answered.
"Just been busy that's all." She tried her best to sound normal.
"So busy you actually avoid your friends?" Hermione asked and Ginny immediately looked guilty. Hermione knew Ginny was a sociable person and wouldn't skip a good gossip for any amount of homework.
"Well... I just... I've been trying to solve a problem..." She did not look directly at any of them.
"What sort of problem, maybe we can help you." Hermione asked, concerned that maybe they had jumped to conclusions. Maybe she was upset and they were being incredibly insensitive.
"Well, I um... I lost something..."
"Oh Dear Merlin! Who was it? Did he force himself on you? Was it that Hufflepuff guy?" I'll kill him!" Ron ranted.
"What? Ron! Eugh! Don't be disgusting! And what Hufflepuff guy!" Ginny frowned at her brother jumping to conclusions and getting it so wrong. "No I lost... I lost my Diary."
She looked up at the three confused faces staring at her.
"Your Diary?" Ron asked, thinking he had heard wrong. Ginny nodded.
Hermione's eyes widened as she realised what Ginny was saying. The boys weren't so quick to catch on.
"Merlin Ginny. And what exactly was written in your Diary?" Hermione looked swiftly at Harry who finally clicked.
"Hermione, don't be... Oh bloody hell."
