Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing.

II. Make or Break (A Truce?)

Draco once again woke before Potter, this time it was definitely the next day. Madame Pomfrey gave him the all clear to leave the hospital wing. Realizing that the other boy wasn't about to wake anytime soon, he sighed, got up, and decided to grab something to eat while he contemplated how, and when to talk to Potter. After making his way to the great hall, he felt what he could only describe as a knot in his belly. Crabbe and Goyle (who were stuffing their faces), he knew, wouldn't question him about where he was. Pansy Parkinson however, wasn't as dumb as he thought. Their families were relatively close, but not to the point where a, formal betrothal contract, was involved (although he'd heard his mother and father "debating" about it before he started Hogwarts). He would have to gauge Pansy and where she herself stood beliefs wise about the Dark Lord. As for other members of the house, his other year mates, Zabini, Greengrass, and Bulstrode, he didn't think they would be much interested in him and frankly he wasn't interested in them either. As he sat down for breakfast, his eyes couldn't help but drift towards the Gryffindor table to see Potter's friends Weasley and Granger. Weasley was stuffing his face while Granger was glaring at the red head, biting her lip, her expression torn between… well he didn't know what to be honest (he never knew what to make of her). That in mind, he turned back to his food, slightly annoyed that his friends didn't even have a clue about what happened to him that night and not even expressing any kind of concern whatsoever that they didn't see him in the dorm room this morning.

Back in the Hospital wing, Dumbledore had left Harry Potter feeling more confused than before. After all he and his friends did to save the stone, it was to be destroyed. Nicholas Flamel and his wife would die, and he tried not to feel guilty about it. (If only he'd gotten to the stone sooner- maybe things would have been okay). Then there was the most confusing thing. Malfoy had helped him in the final room. He was still questioning if that actually happened or if it was a dream. Yet, it did happen. What could Malfoy of all people possibly have to gain by helping him? He thought the Slytherin boy hated him and wouldn't care one thing about if he lived or died. Had he judged him too soon? Or what if it was all a trick? Shaking his head, he didn't even notice Madame Pomfrey approach him. After she looked him over, not (for the first time) he noticed a frown and he grimaced (reminding himself he wasn't in trouble) while she looked at whatever results she saw from her spell.

"Potter, I need you to drink this potion and then you'll be good to go." She said.

"What potion is it?" Harry asked, confused.

"A simple nutrition potion, your scans are showing me that you are not getting enough vitamins. Especially after last night, this potion plus rest should do the trick to get you back to where you need to be. Now go on, drink it up."

Harry took the potion and just as he had last night with the other potion, downed it in one go. He wasn't sure what to expect but it wasn't as bad as he thought. It tasted something similar to berries. Giving her back the vial, she left him to get dressed and told him he was free to go. Moving as quickly as he could, Harry dressed and left in search of Hermione and Ron. Before he made it 'round the corner he hid back a frown of his own as he spotted none other than Draco Malfoy approaching him. Not sure what to say, both boys stood awkwardly in the hall before Malfoy jerkily asked to talk to him for a quick moment while looking around for a nearby classroom. Harry decided to give the benefit of the doubt, and followed Malfoy curious about what he had to say. Draco pushed open the door and thankfully the classroom was definitely empty. Not quite sure where to begin, he was about to say something when Potter decided to speak first.

"Um- first I want to say thank you. For what you did in the room with Voldemort I mean…" Harry trailed off unsure if he wanted to ask this next question, "Why, why did you help me?"

"I…" Draco trailed off. He wasn't sure he knew exactly why he helped Potter that night, but knew he needed to figure it out and quickly if he were to convince Potter this wasn't a trick. "I'm not very good at explaining myself– I'm not saying this to avoid giving an answer, I'm just telling you how I am." He said. Potter took a moment to look at him as though he were passing some sort of judgment. He gave a small nod and Draco let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Look Potter, I want to start again. My whole life, my father has always told me that as a Malfoy, we are superior, and as a Malfoy, I am responsible for upholding the family name. We need to make the right sort of connections and be smart about how we do things." He paused to gauge Potter's reaction so far and saw his eyes narrow when he mentioned "the right sort" so he quickly moved on. "I was raised to believe that the Dark Lord was someone who was powerful, and as long as you supported him, he would reward his followers and wouldn't dare kill a pureblood. Clearly my father is wrong."

Silent. Harry Potter was completely silent at that declaration. This, Malfoy, admitting that his father was in the wrong, was not something he thought Draco Malfoy was capable of. If Ron could hear what was just said, he'd either tell Malfoy to sod off, claiming that Malfoy was only trying to pull a prank of some sort, or his jaw would hit the floor. Hermione on the other hand would probably be asking a bunch of interrogating questions. Realizing the Slytherin was waiting for a response of some sort, he decided to try and understand and think of another thing to ask.

"So let me get this straight. You're horrible to my friends and me all year. You meet Voldemort, and decide you want to start over?" Harry asked, still trying to understand this request (?).

Draco gave a little sigh of frustration. "Yes. I want to start over. I know I haven't been at my best this year, but- I should mention, when you refused my hand at first- that's never happened before and the insult was enough to declare a feud in front of everyone between House Malfoy and House Potter."

"Wait- what do you mean enough to declare a feud, House Malfoy and House Potter?" Harry frowned, that was not the intent at all.

"Wait— you don't know?" Draco also frowned. He thought Potter would have grown up knowing the basics of wizarding etiquette, and why was he questioning the proper titles?

"Know what exactly?" He said impatiently.

"You weren't taught wizarding etiquette by your family?" Draco was truly confused now.

"Wizarding etiquette?" Harry responded as if waiting for a punch line to a bad joke.

"Yes, what other etiquette is there?" Draco asked with a shocked expression.

Annoyed, Harry said, "Well, The Dursley's despise anything magic and never taught me anything let alone etiquette. They weren't exactly encouraging either and don't like me asking questions —" Harry stopped talking abruptly and could feel his ears turning a bit red from embarrassment. He definitely didn't mean to say that to anyone, let alone Malfoy of all people. Draco on the other hand was a bit shocked. Potter was genuine. He wasn't raised by wizards hidden away as he (like so many others) were meant to believe otherwise. Then this really meant Potter's slight and feud declaration had been unintentional. Wait until he told his–Draco stopped mid thought. He couldn't tell either of his parents about this revelation, especially since he'd already made it clear that Potter wouldn't be swayed to their way of thinking.

"Well," Draco said, "I'll just say this Potter. I want to bury the wand and start again. Friends might be far off, but everyone can use an ally. What can I do to convince you?" He knew he could have, probably should have said more for his case, but the next move was up to Potter now.

Harry really didn't know what to make of this situation at all. Here was a boy who was so arrogant from the first encounter while getting fitted for school robes in Madam Malkins, and who bullied him and his friends, trying to get them in trouble any chance he got. How was he to know this wasn't another trick? He must have said this aloud because Malfoy responded saying this wasn't a trick at all. After looking at his face, Harry decided not to trust him yet, but maybe a second chance wouldn't be so bad.

"If you're being honest about it all, then there are a few things we need to be clear about." Harry started, "First off, you need to stop picking on my friends. Especially Hermione and Ron." Harry stared at him waiting for Malfoy to start his usual nonsense about Ron the Weasley family and Hermione being a know-it-all. Draco grimaced; if he stopped picking on everyone all together it might be a problem. How to explain it though was going to be tricky to have Potter understand how dangerous this truce actually was.

"Okay, finish listing your terms. There is something I do need to talk to you about, I'm not sure if you want to bring your… friends for that part though."

Harry was unsure what else Draco meant by listing more terms. What did he think he was going to ask? For Draco Malfoy to be his slave or something? So he said the only other thing he could think of. "Well, maybe you could stop acting as if you own the world and actually try to be friendly. It might be better that way."

"That's it Potter?" Out of habit, Draco was trying not to sneer at the other boy who had basically called him spoiled to his face. In reality he knew he wasn't asking much, it was clear that Potter wasn't versed in what terms should be in an alliance. Whenever he overheard his mother and father discussing terms for this very thing, it always seemed that there was definitely something bigger to add, something more indebting. Something like, "you'll support me in whatever I do, and I'll make sure—" like a, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours type thing. Since they were still in Hogwarts though, if things went well, maybe they could make this more formal. For now, he could agree to those terms but he also needed to find a way to protect himself. If word got out about this in Slytherin then it wouldn't be safe for him at all. He needed to form a plan, worse he needed help forming that plan, and now the next step to show he meant he would agree to those terms.

"Alright Potter, I agree. One more thing though, if this is going to work, we need to come up with something that will be believable and– we're going to need Granger and Weasley's help. Right now with everything the way it is, Slytherin doesn't like any of you, especially you. This truce— we might not be able to be public... It could be bad for all of us." After making a suggestion of all of them meeting tonight in this very classroom (this time promising he'd actually be there) Draco took a breath, looked Harry straight in the eyes before extending his hand.

"I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." He held his hand out for a few seconds, actually nervous if Potter would shake his hand this time or not.

"I'm Harry Potter." Harry said, this time taking Draco's hand. He wasn't quite sure exactly what Draco meant by things becoming bad for all of them, but he wasn't so naive to think that Voldemort didn't have some kind of bearing on what Draco meant. For now though, they would indeed start over and Harry was hoping like mad that he just didn't make a giant mistake in giving this boy a second chance.

Author's Note: Well here we go! Thank you so much to all of those that have favorited and followed this story so far, it's very much appreciated.
The handshake seemed like a good place to stop this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, the next one is already in the works. Till next time!