Hey, hey guys. First and foremost I wanna say thanks so much for the love. Really appreciate it. Special shout-out to dreamydrarry, a new friend I made who i swear is my other half, and made me realize that so far we have had a Snape and Draco father-son moment but not really one with Harry. Dreamy, thank you for making me realize that. Also, shout-out to Sapphirewaterfall, whose words from her last review inspired some of the action you'll soon be reading. Last but certainly not least huge shout-out/thank you to LittleNightDragon who helped with the editing and is the reason Stages is a story.

Also I have a request to ask you amazing readers. My birthday is this Sunday. Turning 21 ;) And I would love it so much if I got loads of reviews for this chapter. At least 21 reveiws to celebrate my birthday. It would seriously be an awesome gift to me. 21 reviews would be 21 birthday candles.

Also, on a unrelated note, for all those who have a Tumblr account, feel free to follow me. I go by the name gloster. Okay, now that I said all I needed to say, onto the story.

Chapter 16: Cloaks of the Past, Hoots of the Bird

Piles upon piles of papers and folders stuffed with more papers, along with quills dipped in globs of red ink were what greeted Harry as he stepped into Severus' chambers, seeing a mountain of work toppling his coffee table. On one hand he was surprised by the volume of papers since it was their first night back but the other hand he wasn't since his uncle wasn't one to go lightly on his students even on the first week.

"Trying to take a sneak peek at your upcoming assignments, brat?"

Harry had no idea he was peering through the contents of one of the folders until he heard Uncle Severus. Sheepishly, he closed the folder. "I wasn't peeking. I was just-"

His uncle cut him off with an arched brow. He set a tray containing tea down on the table and sat down in his favorite chair. Harry leaned forward to grab a cup but not before he saw a plate of sandwiches next to the tea kettle. Peanut butter and jelly stuffed with marshmallow fluff, his favorite. Feeling a smile spread across his face, he looked up at Severus, who took a sip of his tea, avoiding his eyes.

"My house elf apparently knew you would be arriving shortly and decided to indulge you."

Harry could have pointed out that he hasn't heard Tinky since he came in. That there were few people who knew of his favorite sandwich combinations and would go through the trouble of making it for him. However he knew his uncle despised anything threatening his reputation as the stoic Potions Master and decided to let the matter drop.

Even though he had eaten plenty at the feast, there was still room in his stomach to fix in a sandwich. Helping himself to one, he asked Severus "How was your summer, Uncle?"

"It wasn't entirely unpleasant," he said. "Though I am miffed that I didn't start on the school plans earlier. Seems the first week will be light for you lot."

Harry stared down at the mountain of papers stacked on the coffee table looking like they could easily be knocked down with one touch. If that was light, he was scared of what heavy-load meant for his uncle. "Who exactly is all that work for?"

"The first-years of course."

Harry sent a silent prayer for them.

"For your class, the third-years, I have ten times that amount in my office."

Dear Merlin. He sent a silent prayer for his class, especially for poor Neville who was already terrified of Potions as it was.

The grimace on Harry's face caused the left corner of Severus' mouth to lift slightly. "While I'm happy to see that lessons Narcissa has given you on etiquettes and pleasantry conversation are still intact, you should know that I see right through it."

So much for that plan. Harry was hoping if he got Severus to talk more about summer and his plans for Potions, the man would forget the reason why he called Harry to his chambers.

He finished his sandwich in several bites and played with the crusts, curling into a ball.

"Harry."

"I…" He dropped the crust ball onto the saucer, dusting off his hands. "I really don't know where to start."

"The beginning is usually a good place."

With a barely-suppressed eye-roll, Harry told Severus what happened on the train. How things started off normal with him and Draco looking over one of the books Narcissa had given him until the power suddenly went off. Feeling like he was drowning when the dementor came close to him. Severus' eyes narrowed when Harry told him how Remus offered them aid, chasing the dementor away, then the anger in his eyes vanished when he was told about the screaming.

"Screaming?" Severus asked.

Harry nodded. He couldn't say he was surprised that his uncle was astonished like Remus and Draco was by the screaming, but it didn't make feel him any better either. He felt more defeated. "Coming from a woman."

Severus' eyes narrowed. He hummed to himself, taking another sip of his tea, settling into his chair.

"Uncle Severus, what exactly are dementors?"

The man sighed heavily. "Dementors, Harry, are creatures that are not to be trifled with. Lupin wasn't aggravating when he said they were nasty creatures. Nor were Dumbledore's warnings meant to be taken lightly. They prey on fear and despair. With each step they crept closer to the victim, they strip them of every happy memory they possess until the victim is drowning in the depths of their own misery. If there was one thing worse than being close to a dementor, it is being kissed by them."

"Kissed by them?"

He nodded. "It is a technique Azkaban uses only for their most horrible prisoners. It's worse than dying. When one is kissed by a dementor, they not only strip away the memories of that person, but their soul itself, leaving nothing but a hollow shell behind."

A shiver crawled up Harry's spine, making him squirm in his seat. "Can dementors….also make you hear certain things?"

Severus eyed him carefully. "If certain sounds are associated with unpleasant memories then yes. It's possible."

The woman's screaming unraveled in his head. Those horrible, terrified that seemed to go on forever, as if she were at the highest point of suffering a person could be in before death took them away. As if she wasn't just dying, but was moments away from execution.

Moments away from execution, pleading for mercy to be granted. Only…it wasn't mercy she wanted for herself.

"Not Harry," she pleaded, tears running down her cheeks. "Please I'll do anything-" She was cut off by a flash of green light that filled the room, hitting her chest.

Her final scream echoed through his mind once more.

"It was Mum," the words slipped out his mouth in a low whisper. He gripped onto the tea mug, needing its heat to warm up his hands that suddenly turned into ice. "She was the woman. She was the one I heard screaming."

Severus' eyes widened a fraction more, surprise appearing in them just as quickly as it vanished. He cast his gaze over to the fireplace, watching the flames flicker and dance, his hand wrapped securely around his mug.

Looking at the man, it was then that it occurred to Harry there could be the key to the answers he had been searching for. Answers to his questions. If there was any other person who knew more about what happened that night, it would be Severus.

The problem was could he ask? Severus hated remembering that night as much as Harry did. Would it be fair to make the man walk through memory lane when Harry himself was still shaken from the last visit?

Harry sucked in a deep breath and decided to go with his Gryffindor instincts. "Uncle Severus?" He waited until those black eyes were focused on him. "What exactly happened Halloween night?"

His uncle's face retained its usual stone-like exterior but Harry saw an extra thick layer was added to its foundation. "Just as you remember it, I'm sure."

Harry shook his head. This was going to be harder than he thought. "I don't really remember the aftermath. Or…much of the beforehand really. I remember…green light."

Severus was dripping onto the tea cup so tightly Harry could hear cracks breaking across the surface. His uncle took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Your parents knew they were in danger, Harry. I knew-" He took in another deep breath and continued on. "I knew they were planning on hiding. That night though I sensed something was wrong. It was a feeling that rocked every bone in my body, churning my stomach." His eyes snapped back to him. "Always trust and follow your instincts, Harry. Do you hear me?"

Harry nodded.

"I arrived at your house, hoping with everything in my being that I was wrong. That the feeling was just a feeling and nothing more," Severus sighed heavily. "I barely had to step through the door to know that I was right. Unfortunately, terribly right. I went inside hoping…to do something. I found your father first on top of the stairs. Then I found your mother with you in your room. You were the only one still standing. Or kneeling I should say. Yet you were so still, so quiet." Severus' eyes glanced over to him. "I was sure you were dead too."

He remembered his hand slipping from his mother's cold one as someone pulled him away from her, lifting him up.

"I took you to the Malfoy Manor because I knew there would be no safer place for you. Shortly after we departed, Black came to the house."

Shock slammed against Harry like a punch to the gut. "Sirius came to the house?"

Severus nodded. "Apparently he wanted to have a look for himself on how your parents bidded. He didn't stay long. He ran. Eventually Pettigrew caught up with him, and I already assume Fudge informed you of how he fared."

Not well, Harry thought. Pettigrew confronted Sirius and Sirius killed him, along with thirteen people.

"I've always known Black was a madman, but even I couldn't have predicted how deep his insanity ran."

"But," Harry said. "do you think Sirius actually did it?"

His uncle blinked once, his face unreadable. "I believe the evidence as well as his six-year vanishing act speaks for itself."

He made a good point there. The Aurors said so themselves they looked through every angle, coming to the same conclusion. The evidence pointed to only one answer. The years he spent on the run. The attack at the flea market that proved he was still mad. The fourteen-sixteen, counting his parents-bodies he left in his wake.

However, as much as it was clear, as much as the case seemed open-closed, something held Harry back. Made him hesitant.

"It's just...he was dad's best friend. He was-" Harry cut himself off, starting over again. "I've tried to wrap my head around it. I've tried to picture me and Draco being in that position and can never finish the thought because it's too painful."

His uncle didn't dismiss him. He stared at Harry, considering his words. He poured himself another cup of tea, then filled Harry's cup even though he didn't ask. "I cannot tell you what drove Black to do what he did. Your guess is as good as mine. What I can tell you is that fear obviously played a role in his actions."

"Fear?" Harry repeated.

Nodding his head once, his uncle said "Fear is a powerful weapon and enemy many foolishly underestimate. Its simplicity is what makes it so dangerous. It creeps behind you like a shadow, and then when you least expect it, clings onto you with its suffocating grip. Fear produces desperation. Desperation drives men to do unspeakable, unimaginable things to each other. It's how and why men can turn on family, on each other, and even on-"

"A best friend." Harry finished for him.

Severus nodded. Harry slumped in his seat, defeated. His questions haven't gained any answers. Only more questions.

"I have to say I'm amazed."

Surprised by the words, Harry looked over to Severus. "Amazed at what?"

"At the fact with each new school year, you manage to find yourself a new danger to get entangled with."

There was lightness in Severus' eyes that lessened the weight on Harry's shoulders, causing a small smile to lift the corners of his lips.

"I suppose I'm just too irresistible to trouble." he joked.

Severus scoffed, rolling his eyes. He felt his smile growing. "I see you're your father's son. Both of us drunk from the fumes of your delusion egos."

Harry smiled at that.

"It's getting late," he said. "You should get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow. I can already tell you you'll need it for Potions on Friday."

"I don't suppose you'll be giving out peanut-butter jelly and fluff sandwiches as a welcome present."

"No."

"How about for your favorite students then?"

His uncle pointed to the door. "Away with you, brat, before I give you detention."

Deciding not to push his luck, Harry finished his tea and made his way over to the door. But not before he walked over to Severus to hug him, catching the man off guard by the unexpected gesture. His was tense was a second or two before he slowly laid a hand on Harry's back, patting it gently.

"Thanks Uncle Severus."

"For what may I ask?"

"Just…for being you."

Harry might not have gotten the answers he wanted but he did leave Severus' chambers more light-hearted than he did walking in.

The light-heartedness continued later on that night in his dorm-room, where he laughed along with his friends as they watched Goyle pound on his chest with his fists, doing an impressive impersonation of a gorilla. Courtesy of the candy Crabbe brought over that featured over forty animal-pieces, along with some surprises, to choose from.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say it was fate, Goyle." Draco smirked.

Goyle opened his mouth to defend himself. What came out was a monkey's scream that made the friends laugh harder.

Blaise picked up the box and handed it over to Theo. "You're up, Notts. Pick a good one."

Theo plucked a piece from the box and popped it onto his mouth. Within seconds he curled himself into a ball, licking his left arm. Once he deemed it clean, he let out a satisfied meow.

The boys could barely keep themselves up, practically getting knocked down by their laughter.

"Someone-someone-" Blaise rasped, tears running down his cheeks. "Someone get Pansy. This is too good for her to miss."

Pansy left with Daphne an hour after to get settled in, claiming there was only much ninnies she could handle before she went insane.

Crabbe got up to make his way to door but a warning hissed from Theo brought him back to his seat.

Wiping tears away from his eyes, Harry picked a piece that instantly burnt his tongue. The heat spread throughout every angle in his mouth, building up like a volcano, causing smoke to smoke from his ears.

His friends were no help whatsoever, howling with laughter.

Blaise slung an arm around him. "Guess you're too hot, Potter."

"I suppose-" Harry cut himself off as coughs rattled his chest. "I suppose I am."

"Well the candy doesn't lie." Blaise winked, and immediately backed away as Draco shoved the box right into his face.

"Why don't you go next, Zabini?" The question was innocent but the look in Draco's eyes, as well as the snark in his tone, made it into a challenge.

"As much as I would love to, it's getting late."

Theo cast a quick Tempus. It was almost two in the morning. "Yea, we better go. We have Ancient Runes at eight."

After a round of goodbyes, the four Slytherins left, leaving the two best friends behind. Harry yawned into his fist as he climbed off the bed and walked over to his dresser to pick out some pajamas.

"Some night huh?"

Draco hummed in agreement, walking over to his closet to change. "Definitely stayed up later than expected."

Harry nodded, even though Draco couldn't see it. Their first class was at eight, and then they had three more right after that. He knew he was going to be a zombie tomorrow.

"Then again staying up with friends is harmless compared to…oh, I don't know. Sneaking away in the middle of night to go to your old house even though a madman is on the loose and could very well be hiding there."

Harry's next breath came sharp and winded, as if he was punched. He stood still for a second, gathering his thoughts, figuring out his next move before he looked over his shoulder.

Draco emerged from his closet, dressed for bed. His arms were folded against his chest. Just try to lie to me, his narrowed glare said. Try and see where that gets you.

Harry could have, but he knew it would only be a wasted breath. "How long?"

Draco's left brow rose. "Shortly after I asked you where you went. I could smell Godric Hollow on you."

Smell Godric Hollow? Harry wondered what exactly it meant. Better yet what Godric Hollow smelt like? He wondered when Draco's senses have heightened. He knew, though, those were questions for another time.

"You shouldn't have gone there, Harry," Draco said. "For Merlin's sake, Black could have been there."

"It was something I had to do, Draco."

The blonde's face tightened. He looked like he understood why, but wasn't too happy that he did. "Black could have been there."

Harry shook his head. "He wasn't. I'd doubt he'd go there anyway. Think about it. That would be one of the first places Aurors would look. Besides, it's not like there was much to go back to. Voldemort made sure of that."

Draco, despite his anger and worry, flinched at the usage of the dark lord's name.

"And if he was there," Harry continued. "I could have taken him."

The question was would it have come to that? Would Sirius come at him? Would he have done so then? Severus said Sirius came to the house shortly after he took Harry away. He wondered what would have happened if his uncle hadn't came for him. Would Sirius try to finish off what Voldemort started?

"I could have taken him." he repeated, talking more so to himself than to Draco.

Draco said nothing. Harry took that as permission to continue rummaging through his dresser.

"You don't have to worry about taking or dealing with him."

Keeping quiet, Harry loosened his tie, taking the thing off his neck and tossing it onto his desk, and then turned his attention over to the buttons of his school-shirt he undid one by one.

"He's not going to hurt you."

Despite himself, Harry couldn't contain the smile spreading across his face as he rolled his eyes and turned over to his best friend, emerald-green smirking at familiar gray. "Of course he's not going to hurt me. You heard Dumbledore at dinner. The school is crawling with dementors. Even Sirius isn't that crazy to risk it."

With the last button undone, Harry exchanged his school-shirt for a red t-shirt, then threw on a pair of sweat-pants.

"That's not what I meant."

Harry rolled his eyes once more and crawled into his bed, settling himself into the nest of blankets and duvet covers. He heard Draco climb into bed with him, throwing his arm around his waist.

"Black isn't going to come within ten feet of you because you're mine."

A shiver vibrated through his body as heat curled in the pit of Harry's stomach, one that just as hot as the heat he experienced when he ate the candy. He was Draco's and Draco was his. It was a mantra they've always told each other since they were kids. But now it seemed…different. It sounded different. Not quite as innocent as it was before.

"You're mine and I'll make the dementors seem like fireflies if Black even tries to come near you."

The heat brimming in his body vented out into the atmosphere, thickening the air. Harry was almost scared to move, mindful of the sudden tension.

He opened his mouth to speak but froze as he felt Draco's warm breath brushing against back of his neck. Right before he felt his lips touch his neck, at the spot where his pulse pounded elatedly, causing his next breath to get caught in his throat. His hand gathered his blanket into a fist, as if it could beat the heat swirling inside him, making feel almost delirious.

"Sleep well, Harry."

He peered over his shoulder. Familiar gray took on a vivid silver shine.

By Wednesday Draco was through with school, missing the care-free mood of summer where he had Florence, the beach, and Harry all to himself. He dreaded the moment when he had to leave the comfort of his warm bed for a stuffy classroom. Dreaded the piles of homework and assignments that were building up like a volcano that needed his attention. A twelve-page paper due Friday for Transfiguration, a ten-page paper for Charms, a quiz next week to study for with a test right after.

His annoyance deepened as they were dismissed from Charms and left the safety of the castle for the barbarity of the Forbidden Forest, where the first day of Care of Magical Creatures was taking place.

Armed with his Monsters book that was snarling in his arm, Draco took a bite of his apple, following the oaf as he led the class down the hill.

"What are the chances of me getting out of this?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Quit complaining, Draco. Hagrid is going to be a great teacher."

Draco scoffed. Knowing the oaf, disaster was bound to happen. He was sure of it.

As they continued walking, Draco couldn't help noticing the number of glances aimed towards their direction. More so to Harry, who caused the glances to turn to whispers as they walked by them.

"What's going on?" Harry asked.

"No ide-"

"Harry!"

Draco barely suppressed a groan as the insect came towards them with the weasel right behind her.

"There's something we need to tell you." The weasel said.

"Quite frankly I believe its rubbish," Granger said. "But I think it's something you should know nevertheless."

She grabbed Harry's hand and yanked him forward, pulling him towards the Gryffindors and away from Draco, who was dissecting her with his eyes.

"Something troubling you, Malfoy?" Blaise asked.

Draco directed the glare over to his friend, very tempted to punch that smirk of his in. "Shut it, Zabini."

"Gather around," the giant said, gesturing for them to form a circle around the paddock. "Gather around, all of you."

"It's exciting, isn't it?" Granger grinned at Harry, her arm entwined around his. Very tightly much to Draco's annoyance.

A growl rumbled in his throat as he watched the insect lean closer to Harry.

"Now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books-"

"And how exactly do we do that?" Draco demanded.

"Well, stroke it of course." The giant said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Watch."

He took Granger's copy and ripped the Spellotape she wrapped around it. The book tried to bite, but the giant ran a finger down its spine. The book shivered, and then fell open, lying quietly in his hand.

"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Draco snapped. "We should have stroked them. Why didn't we guess?"

"I-I thought they were funny." The oaf's smile fell off his face.

Draco snorted, igniting snickers and eye-rolls among his housemates.

"I think they're funny." Granger said, glaring at him.

"Oh yea," he commented, his loud voice attracting his classmates' attention. "Terribly funny. Really witty."

Granger shot him a withering look.

"God, this place has gone to the dogs. Wait till my father hears about Dumbledore letting this oaf teaching classes."

His friends joined him in a round of snickers.

"Shut up, Malfoy."

Harry stepped away from Granger, slipping out of her hold, and towards him. Emerald-green were back at where they were supposed to be: focused on him, blazing like jeweled pieces.

Feeling his lips curl into a smirk, Draco handed his bag over to Crabbe and strode over to Harry. The students cleared a path for him, parting like the red sea, as if they would get knocked down by him.

Idiots. The only person worth his attention was his best friend.

The distance between them grew smaller with every step Draco took towards him. Biting his lip, Draco's eyes swept over his body, seeing hints of muscle beginning to form in the lean figure, the hair that was styled in its usual wildness and eyes that were a breathtaking shade of green featuring a glint that shoot through one to another. Being close to him, Draco saw the glint that sparked in those breathtaking eyes wasn't anger per say but something just as fiery. A glint that made Harry took in a shallow, quiet breath as Draco closed the distance between them, causing a pink tongue to slip from his mouth and lick his bottom lip.

Draco watched the motion, mesmerized. He remembered how soft that lip was. He remembered how it tasted, along with that pink ton-

"Dementor!"

"What?" Hannah Abbot shrieked. "Where?"

Annoyed that the moment with Harry was broken but always in the mood for mischief, Draco decided to join in on the fun. Pointing his finger to the trees in front of him, he cried "Dementor! Dementor!"

Panicked, the students looked over. Harry stood in front of Draco, hand placed over his wand, like he was ready for a fight.

By the time Harry, along with the others, turned around, the Slytherins were in position, pulling their hoods over their heads, curling their fingers at the students like they were ghosts.

"Hooooooo." They moaned.

"Goddamn snakes." A Gryffindor angrily cried.

Ignoring the remark, Draco turned over to Harry. He was scowling at him. Clearly he didn't think the joke was that funny.

That just won't do, he thought, walking over to him. "Your gracious queen is touched by your devotion to protect and serve, brave knight."

Harry looked like he wasn't sure if he should be annoyed by Draco's actions or amused by his words. The smile Draco gave him steered him to the latter direction, causing the boy to roll his eyes and the right corner of his lips to lift into a smile.

"Simply fulfilling my royal duties." he said.

"What the hell is that?" Blaise nodded to the front.

Trotting towards them was one of the most bizarre creatures Draco had ever seen, which was truly saying something. It had the body, hind legs, and tail of a horse but the front legs, wings, and head of a giant eagle with a cruel, steel-colored beak and large orange eyes. The talons on the front legs was a half-foot long and deadly-looking. The beast had a thick collar tied around its neck, which was attached to a long chain being tugged on by the giant.

"I give you Buckbeak. A hippogriff!" the giant roared happily. "Beautiful, isn't he?"

Beautiful wasn't quite the word Draco was going for.

"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' hippogriffs is they're proud. Easily offended, hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do."

"Going down in history as the idiot who got mauled by an over-grown chicken." Draco whispered in Harry's ear. Harry choked down a sound that sounded almost like a chuckle, lightly elbowing him.

"Yeh always wait fer the hippogriff ter make the firs' move," the giant continued. "It's polite, see? Yeh walk toward him, and yeh bow, and yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn' bow, then get away from him sharpish, 'cause those talons hurt." He rubbed his hands together. "Right-who wants ter go first?"

Almost everyone took a step back. Everyone except for Harry that is who didn't realize it until the oaf called on him.

"Outta boy, Harry. Come on up."

Shooting Draco a pleading look, Harry took slow steps towards the bird.

"Easy now, Harry," the oaf said. "Yeh've got to eye contact, now try not ter blink. Hippogriffs don' trust yeh if yeh blink too much."

The bird turned his sharp, great head and was staring at Harry with one fierce, orange eye. It crowed, a loud and nasty sound that spread panic among the students as he walked over to Harry.

Draco watched the scene attentively, ready to swoop in things got nasty. If Harry got hurt because the oaf's bad judgment, then he wouldn't have to worry about Father's wrath at all. Draco's would be more than enough to incinerate him.

The bird crowed louder in its final steps. Beside him, Pansy gasped softly, just as anxious as he was over their friend. She leaned back into the nearest person, brushing her hand against that person's.

That same person who just happened to be Theo. Both glanced down at their hands that were close to one another, fingers brushing fingers, and quickly pulled away from each other, red coloring their cheeks as they turned the other direction.

Meanwhile Harry gave a short bow and looked up.

The hippogriff was still, staring haughtily at him. It didn't move.

"Ah," the giant said. "Right-back away, now, Harry. Easy does it."

To everyone's surprise, the hippogriff bent its scaly front knees and sank into a what was an unmistakable bow.

"Well done, Harry! Well done!" the oaf cheered. "Right-yeh can touch him! Go on!"

Sighing in relief, Harry moved slowly towards the creature and reached out toward it. He patted the beak several times and the Hippogriff closed its eyes lazily as though enjoying it.

The class broke into applause, especially Draco who pleased that his best friend was in one piece.

"Righ' then, Harry. I reckon he migh' let yeh ride him!"

Draco's applause immediately stopped as he heard the words. What?!

Harry looked just as stunned as he was. "Hagrid, I'm not sure-"

"Nonsense." The giant grabbed him and dropped him on the hippogriff's back. Harry barely had time to hold on before the bird raced across the field, taking off into the sky.

"Wow!"

"Check it out!"

Crabbe placed his fingers under his tongue and blew a loud whistle, igniting cheers all around.

"He looks amazing." Granger grinned.

Not amazing, Granger, Draco corrected in his mind. Brilliant. That was the only word he could use to describe how stunning Harry looked up there. Arms spread out, the sun lightening the golden specks in his eyes, the wind running through his hair, the look of utter joy on his face. He looked brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

When the bird came back, Harry petted its head and climbed off, stumbling a bit as he landed on his feet.

"Well done, Harry!" the oaf grinned, and then in close to the boy to whisper to him.

Shoving students out of his way, Draco strutted over to them, wanting a piece of the success. After all if Harry could tame the beast, then surely he could do the same.

"I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you?" he said. "You great ugly brute."

Draco wasn't sure how happened. All he knew was that it happened in a flash of steely talons. He let out a high-pitched scream as pain clawed its way up his arm and the next moment the oaf was tugging the creature away by its chain while he lay in the grass, blood blossoming over his robes.

"Buckbeak, heel! Stay!" It crowed in response. The oaf tossed a fish over to the trees. The bird followed it. "Away with you, you silly creature."

"Oh, it's killed me!" Draco yelled, clutching onto his arm as the class panicked. "It's killed me!"

"Calm down. Yeh alright." The oaf told him. Only he didn't sound as convinced.

"Hagrid!" He heard Granger's voice over the commotion. "He needs to be taken to the hospital."

Thank you for stating the obvious, insect. Draco would have snapped at her if he wasn't being eaten alive by the pain.

"I'm the teacher. I'll do it." The oaf leaned down and scooped him into his arms, carrying him like he was some damsel in distress. "Class dismissed."

"You're going to regret this," Draco swore. "You and your bloody chicken."

Thankfully nothing was severely damaged other than his ego which took a hard hit. A very hard, sharp-clawed hit. According to Madame Pomfey, the blasted bird hadn't broken any bones or caused swelling. He did, however, cause Draco enough agony that required a cast, and forced him to swallow down a nasty-tasting potion to numb the pain so she could set the cast properly.

"I hope you'll take this incident as a lesson, Mr. Malfoy," she snapped. "Hippogriffs are no joking matter."

Oh sure, Draco thought with an eye-roll. Blame the victim. It was apparently his fault that the beast brutally attacked him. "Do I need to remind you I nearly lost my arm?"

The nurse scoffed a she tied up the rest of his bandages. "Lost an arm my foot. It's just a scratch."

Draco stared at her, stunned. A scratch? She called the thick wound that went from his wrist to his forearm a scratch?

The sounds of footsteps drew their attention over to the door. Harry's appearance brought a smile to Draco's face and a frown to Madame Pomfey's.

"Mr. Potter, you know I have a strict policy on visiting hours."

"I know," Harry confessed. "but I wanted to make sure Draco was alright. You wouldn't deprive a poor patient from the concern of a dear friend, would you?"

Draco stifled a chuckle. There were times Harry showed his Gryffindor side and others, like now, when he showed he could be a cunning Slytherin.

Madame looked like she wanted to protest, but in the end gave in, simply rolling her eyes and muttering to herself as she walked away.

"You know when Blaise said there would be something else to top the dementor attack; I don't think he meant Buckbeck and you being the top contender."

Resisting the urge to stick his tongue out, Draco scowled at him. "Sure, Potter, mock my pain. Ignore the fact I could have met a painful, feathery demise."

"I say it's justified payback for nearly scaring everyone with that dementor prank." Harry gave him a pointed look. Draco pretended not to notice, playing with the flaps of his robes. Harry walked over to the bed and set his bag on the floor. "I have a surprise for you."

A surprise? Draco brightened at the word, scooting over to him. "What kind of surprise?"

"A spell actually," Harry smiled at him. "One that fits the occasion."

"What sort of spell?"

"A healing one."

Draco raised his eyebrows at him. Harry only smiled and instructed him to close his eyes. Deciding to humor him, Draco complied, squirming a bit as he felt Harry sprinkle something soft and light onto his bandaged arm.

"Abracada-abracadi. Abracada-abracadone. Abracada, boo-boo be gone."

He should have been ticked off by the smell of powder Harry was peppering his arm with. It wasn't until Draco heard the "magical" words did he begin to realize what Harry was up to. By the time he caught up, he was at the boy's mercy, getting the life tickled out of him.

"Get off me, you silly git!" The fire in his demand was being diminished by his laughter.

"Boo-boo be gone. Boo-boo be gone." Harry dropped soft kisses onto his bandaged arm, mindful of the injury.

Draco saw a small bag containing golden-glittery white powder lying on the bed. He grabbed a handful of it and tossed it into Harry's face. With the brunette caught off guard, Draco turned the tables around, having Harry at his mercy, tickling his stomach with his free hand.

"Okay, okay, okay," Harry laughed. "I give, I give, I give."

"Smart boy," Draco smirked, taking back his hand. Harry glared at him as he tried to catch his breath. "Though you really should have known better."

"Says the one who's bedridden because he irritated a proud hippogriff."

Touché. Draco stuck his tongue out at him.

"Besides," Harry said as he dusted the powder off himself. "It worked, didn't it? It made you feel better."

Draco was just as stumped for a response as he was when he was six and Harry came up with the spell. Just like then, he retaliated by grabbing more of the powder and smearing it onto his face and hair before tickling him again.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Harry protested, slapping his hand away. "Stinking prat."

"And you're an insufferable git. We make such a great pair." Draco winked.

Harry grumbled under his breath but accepted Draco's invitation when he gestured for the boy to join him in the bed, scooting over to the right to make some room. Mindful of Draco's arm, Harry laid his friend against his chest and stroked his hair.

Draco sighed in contentment. There was no other feeling quite like Harry stroking his hair. It was definitely more relaxing any comb or brush spell he knew. The touch was so gentle; it nearly put him to sleep.

He raised his head slightly as a thought occurred to him, a smirk curling his lips as he looked up at his friend. "I just realized something."

Harry raised a brow at the smirk, suspicious. "What?"

"I won our little tickle battle," Harry chuckled, rolling his eyes. Draco swatted his arm playfully. "I'm owed a prize."

Harry leaned back into the pillows. "Well, what do you want?"

Draco's eyes drifted from Harry's eyes to his lips, considering their shape and remembering their softness as he leaned in closer.

The click-clack sound of a cane meeting the floorboards broke the friends apart and directed their attention over to the door, where Lucius Malfoy stepped through.

He stopped short as he took in their appearance, seeing their clothes and hair and the bed was dusted with powder, raising a brow at their current state as well as their closeness. The sharp brow on his face brought Draco back to the time they were eight and ran inside the house after playing outside in the rain-slick gardens. They were covered in mud, and all it took was an arched brow from Father to send them running up to the bathroom.

"You know," he said. "I had a feeling, despite my hopes, I would be called to the school about you two. The last two years after all speak for themselves. However I didn't think that I would be called-within the third day back I might add-because my ward somehow became a magnet for dementors just as my son became one for hippogriffs."

Oh Merlin. Draco traded a look with Harry, who looked as sheepish as he felt.

"So," Father snapped his fingers and a chair zoomed over to him. He sat down and settled his cane onto his lap. "do you boys care to explain what happened after you boarded the train?"

For all those familiar with the spell, Boo-Boo be Gone spell Harry used, I figured it was the perfect moment to add to the story. Also a great way to make Draco feel better. For those who aren't familiar, check out my other drarry story, Boo-Boo be Gone that explains everything from the magical words to the powder. Believe me, it's worth a read. You'll be smiling when you get to the ending.