Harry woke early Monday morning with a jolt as the freezing cold surface that he slept on was very uncomfortable. His entire spine and nervous system was so numb that he could hardly feel his fingers as he fumbled for his glasses on the bedside table. As he tried to pull them towards his face he dropped them having no sense of weight or feeling.
"Mr Potter I see you are awake." Madam Pomfrey's quick and decisive tone jolted Harry awake.
"Yeeeah…." Harry let out with a yawn and chill.
She walked over to him and tapped her wand on the side table of his bed. A complicated series of runes and figures appeared in front of her as a diagram of a human body appeared.
Harry's vision was still blurry from his glasses being on the floor but he saw the body was a light shade of green and slight tinting of blue around the stomach and abdomen area.
"Hmmm…" The matron exclaimed. "Seems that you are much better than you were last night."
Harry yawned again and as he finished he shrugged, "I still don't know what happened."
The matron's eyes narrowed on to her patient, "You don't remember anything?"
He looked up at the ceiling and tried to recall the events leading up to him and Daphne going to into the Great Hall and through the meeting with Umbridge. There were bits and pieces that he could remember but most of it was a big blur.
"I can remember somethings but every time I try to remember a specific thing it's just a blur." He sighed as his head was starting to hurt. He instinctively reached up and touched his scar.
"Interesting... Very Interesting…" She said as she tapped her wand a second time on the side table and diagnostic spell ended.
"Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked in very shy uncharacteristic tone as she began to walk away.
"Yes Mr. Potter?" She asked in a warm and motherly tone.
"Are my Parents still here?" He was nervous, why? He'd never been like this in years past. Maybe because in past years he never had anyone that actually cared about him beyond his fame.
The matron smiled, "Yes dear. Your mother and father stayed the night. I can get them for you if you…"
"No that's ok." Harry replied quickly yet politely. "Am I free to go?" He said as another chill went up and down his spine.
"Yes yes, you are free to go." She turned around from across the room to see the bright smile appear across his face. "You have already been excused from classes today, but I am going to ask that you be very careful. I am going ask you to return tonight so I can check you out again." She rummaged through her desk and pulled out a piece of purple paper.
She walked over to him and handed the paper to him. "This is your Hall Pass, though I doubt you'll need it." She mumbled the last bit.
The purple paper glowed violet for a second after she handed it to him, "Thanks," he said raising his eyebrow. Harry slowly got out of the his ice bed and walked clumsily over to the table that had his clothes. The Hospital cloths were not that fashionable however they were comfortable. Harry grunted to himself as the feeling of morning air was very warm over his freezing cold skin. He quickly changed back into his red and white polo and denim jeans.
He then fetched his glasses from the ground and slipped his wet socks into his shoes. He smiled towards Madam Pomfrey and walked out of the room with a slight limp. As the door opened into the Hallway he was greeted by Tonks.
"Wotcha, Potter!" She exclaimed as she tripped over her shoes and stumbled slightly in front of him. "Damit." She muttered under her breath which made Harry giggle slightly.
"Auror Tonks?" He asked as he regained his composure. "What are you doing here?"
"I was uhh…" She looked around quickly trying to figure out what she could actually tell him.
"Auror Tonks, you don't have to tell me if you can't. I'll accept that." He smirked.
She flushed slightly at the fact the boy had been able to read her so accurately, "Headmaster asked me to watch over you till you recovered." She said while leaning against the side of the doorway.
"Well, I'm on my way to see my godparents…" He finished slowly trying to gauge whether he would be allowed to or not. "That is if it ok."
"Of course you can Mr. Potter."
"Harry" He corrected.
"Harry." She smiled at his courtesy, "They are staying in the Staff quarters on the third floor east wing. I can take you there if you like?" She offered casually.
"Sure I guess, besides it'll be a long walk alone with this limp." Harry said as he turned around and directed himself towards the Eastern Wing of the castle.
Tonks sidled up next to him and allowed her slightly shorter body act as a crutch for him as the two of them hobbled through the hallways on their almost thirty minute venture to the Staff quarters.
They appeared at a painting of a large stone circle where many magical creatures were gathered; Centaurs, Fey, Werewolves even Vampires. They all appeared to be praying to some sort of alter. "This is the Staff Entrance Mr. Potter." Tonks said as he walked over to the wall.
Tonks went over and spoke a password that Harry didn't care enough to listen to and the painting swung open. Standing on the inside of the potrait hole was Severus Snape.
He glowered at Harry and nodding smuggly to Tonks, "Mr. Potter." He said sharply. "What are you doing out of class at this time of day?" His quick and sharp tone annoyed Harry.
Harry sighed, "Professor can we please not do this today? I've been back here for three days and as far as I know It's been utter shit." He righted himself and stared straight back at the man who had hated him since the day he was born. "You know that I've been in the Hospital for past day. I am here to see my parents." He said proudly or at least as proudly as he could while being as tired as he was and given the amount of wear and tear that was on his body.
Snape considered for a moment, "Very well." He said quickly. He moved slightly to the side and pointed his hand backwards towards the hallway that was behind him. "I was happy to learn that the Greengrass's took you in. Good day Potter." he smiled for a half a second and then walked off prominently.
Harry was baffled by what had just happened, had Snape actually said something nice to him, and he smiled. Snape actually smiled, the man has never smiled except when he was able to give punishment to Harry or another Gryffindor.
"That was strange" Tonks said reminding Harry that he wasn't alone in the hall.
Harry shook his head and leaned a bit harder to support himself as he limp leg started to cramp. "Huh? Oh.. Yeah…" Harry limped past Tonks and into the hallway.
"Your folks are in the third room, password is Hocus Pocus." Tonks said happily as she held out a hand to the boy.
Harry took it gently, "Thanks Auror Tonks, for walking me here, and please keep up the good work." Harry was happy he had company on his walk here. Not to mention that he was starting to like Tonks.
Tonks blushed slightly and then nodded and strut back off towards the Great Hall. Harry walked over to the third door and as he was reached it took a deep breath. He then knock three times and was surprised when the door opened before his knuckle could hit the door a fourth time.
Aurora Greengrass was standing in the doorway partially dressed wearing a long black orange and yellow skirt and matching orange and brown top that flared out just below the chest. "Harry!" She exclaimed as she quickly pulled him into a hug.
Harry's face relaxed and his body fell into the woman hugging him. "Hey mum." He said softly.
Aurora slowly aided him towards the small kitchen table that was just off to the side, there was a small bowl of fruit and some half eaten toast on a plate across from where Harry was now sitting. "How are you feeling?" Aurora asked as she sat across from him holding his hand under the table.
Harry winced slightly at the rigidness of the chair and how his back was very tender from sleeping on a block of ice all day. "Tired, sore, annoyed." Harry grumbled.
"My dear, I am so terribly sorry this happened to you." Aurora was torn from being upset to angry to worried. She always believed that Hogwarts was a safe place and that nothing truly bad could ever happen. That was all changed the day she found out she was Harry's Godmother and last living tie to family.
Harry looked up at her and his face almost made her cry on the spot, he was lost and in pain. "I don't know what to do…" He said as he started crying. "I just want to be normal… *hiccup* I just want to have fun… *hiccup*"
Aurora got up from her chair and knelt down next to him and wrapped him in a loose but encompassing hug. Harry rested his head against his Godmothers shoulder, "I know dear… I know… I'm here for you." She said trying to reassure him that things would work out.
Aurora held him for almost twenty minutes as Harry cried and sniffled and eventually they ended up sitting on the small leather couch on the other side of the room. Aurora had gotten him to lie down with his head in her lap while she gently rubbed his back.
Daniel stood in the doorway across the room watching the entire thing. He and Harry had several exchanges between their eyes and Daniel tried to convey to his charge that he was there for him if he needed. However Daniel knew that Harry wanted Aurora now and he was just happy to be available should Harry want him.
Harry eventually fell asleep and Aurora laid with him for a few hours as Daniel went and got one of the blankets from their bed and draped it gingerly over his son. Daniel and Aurora shared a few glances at each other, they were both worried.
A few hours later Aurora and Daniel heard a knock at the door and Daniel walked over and opened it. Standing in the doorway was a very frazzled Daphne and a smirking Astoria.
"Where is he?" Daphne asked in a hushed tone that made Daniel worried.
"Nice to see you too Daphne." Daniel smirked at the glare he got from his eldest daughter.
"Father do not start with me after the day that I've had." Daphne said sharply as she walked into the room.
"Daphne Lenore Greengrass." Aurora scolded, "You will NOT speak to your father in such a tone." Aurora walked over from the kitchen and swatted her daughters hand. Daniel's smirk grew at the way the two women, who loved to fight with each other, stared off.
"Sorry mum." Daphne said in a fake apology. Astoria however giggled insesiantly from the hallway as the two girls made their way into the room.
Daphne saw Harry sleeping on his side, still on the couch he had fallen asleep on earlier. Her anger stilled and turned to sorrow. "How's he doing?"
Both Aurora and Daniel looked towards Harry, "He's been sleeping the past few hours and mumbling about some doorway." Aurora said which got two very interesting looks from Daniel who was hearing this for the first time and Daphne who was conflicted as whether to tell her parents or not.
"What's going on?" Aurora said after seeing the shifting faces of her husband and daughter. "What do you both know that you aren't telling me?"
"That, I've been having nightmares about a doorway that I later found out to be the Department of Mysteries." Came Harry's monotone voice as he slowly shifted to a sitting position on the couch.
"You what?" Aurora asked as she turned quickly to look at him.
Harry yawned and stretched, "Well… It start a week or so after Sirius died. I keep having the same dream about a long hallway and a opal and gold doorway."
Aurora thought hard for a few moments staring at the floor she then turned towards her daughter, "You knew about this?" She asked quickly and her volume rising.
Daphne nodded while trying to hide her face from her mother's impending wrath. Aurora spun quickly to face her husband, "And you?"
Daniel nodded, "I knew something was up, but I didn't know there were dreams. Albus has been very hush hush lately about something that the Order to suppose to be guarding. I had planned on trying to find out more but very few people in the Order know about it let alone would trust me with the information yet."
Aurora then turned towards Astoria, "What about you?" Aurora's voice was almost seething with anger.
Astoria's smile dropped as she had been brought into this, "I heard him every once in a while scream while sleeping, also Ginny told me to watch out a few a things."
Harry's ears perked up, "Tori, your friends with Ginny?"
Astoria sat down at the table, "I think so…?" She said hesitantly. "We've been part of a study group since third year and she's always been nice me. She was the one that came and found me last night and told me that you were in the Hospital and that things were BAD."
Harry frowned he never was one for attention or pity or really anything outside the normal. He just wanted to be a normal fifteen year old. "Well good." Harry finally said having come to a decision. "She's one of my closest friends and I'd trust her with my life."
"Not to mention she has a crush on you…" Astoria said in a teasing tone that caused both Daphne and Aurora to glare at her.
"Not any more she doesn't." Harry stated. Daphne smiled and Aurora looked over slightly perplexed her anger dissipating.
"Harry, what else can you tell us about these dreams?" Daniel asked drawing the attention back to the main topic.
"I guess I should start with last year…" and so Harry told his parents about the visions he had been having about Voldemort and Wormtail and the tournament. He also told them how he and Hermione think that these are more than just dreams that they are actually happening and that Harry is somehow connected to Voldemort because of the scar on his head and the events of the past.
Harry also mentioned that he was pretty sure that this was related to the ritual that he unwillingly participated in to resurrect Voldemort's body.
He also went on to tell them all about his side of the story regarding his meltdown. Aurora asked him many questions about his encounter with Dolores Umbridge. "She's a bitch and shouldn't be working with kids." Daphne said after one of the breaks in the questioning.
"Young lady you will not use that kind of language!" Aurora scolded.
"She's a devil, she's not even going to teach us." Daphne said in a frustrated tone.
"Wait what?!" Aurora almost yelled.
Daphne who was sitting next to Harry with his arm around her shoulder leaning against her, shlumped into the couch further, "Yeah, today in class she told us that we won't be doing any practical casting of spells because, theory should be enough to pass our exams. 'Why would you need to know how to cast defensive spells the Ministry will protect you from Dark Wizards." Daphne quoted in a pretty good impression of Umbridge.
That was it Aurora was done. She was furious her anger had been ebbing and flowing all day and finally hearing that a teacher, not only accosted her children, threatened them, and is now proving to be incompetent, caused her to snap. "DANIEL!" she shouted.
Daniel who was calmly watching while leaning against the door, jumped up slightly and accidentally hit his head on the door jam. "Yes dear?"
"We need a meeting with this foul creature before we leave tonight." She said it slowly and violently.
The way Aurora spoke made Harry grateful that he wasn't on the other side of her wrath. He shuddered slightly but eventually smiled when he felt Daphne's hand lace peacefully into his. "Its kinda nice when she's not yelling at us." Daphne whispered to him.
Harry rested his head on Daphne's shoulder, "I wouldn't know, I haven't seen her like this." He whispered and they both chuckled.
The entire room was drawn from its argument as there was a knock at the door. Daniel took the few steps to the door and opened it, "Yeees?" He said with a smirk.
Lee Jordan 6th year Prefect was standing there looking a bit nervous as he hadn't much occasion to ever to be sent to the Staff Quarters in his six years at Hogwarts, "Uhhh, Hello Mr. Greengrass. Is Harry here? I heard that he was staying with his parents…" He said uncharacteristically nervous.
"I'm here Lee…" Harry said somewhat struggling to get to his feet. Daphne frowned as she watched her boyfriend in pain and helped him walked over to the door. "What's up?" He said slouched somewhat against the doorway.
"Angelina wanted to know if you were feeling up to Prefect Duty tonight." He said slightly more comfortable around a familiar face.
Harry glanced over at Daphne and then over at Daniel. The look of worry in Daphne's eye made him uncomfortable, he hated seeing her not smiling. Harry sighed.
"Harry, its ok if you can't I don't mind switching with you for tonight…" Harry raised his hand and Lee was never able to finish his sentence.
"I'll be fine." He said while measuring the glare that Daphne was giving him, "Honestly I've been feeling loads better after that nap." Harry missed the nervous stare that Aurora was sending him, Daphne however didn't. "You can tell Angie that I'll be there, Nine O'Clock right?"
Lee nodded, "You sure mate? I mean we all heard what happened, no one is going to blame you for skiving off and recovering for a few days."
Harry smirked at the sixth year Gryffindor, "Thanks Lee, I'll be fine." His face dropped slightly as he turned to Daphne, "Trust me. I'll be fine." He said with as much sincerity as he could.
Daphne's glare softened slightly as she felt a wave of emotion flow over her and just nodded. Harry saw the worry and fear for a half a second before the icy facade frosted over her face, "Fine. Your problem if you can't carry my bag tomorrow." She said teasingly and walked off into the kitchen.
Lee stood in the doorway nervous and awkward for a few moments, "I'm…. gonna…"
Harry looked over at his friend sympathetically, "Its fine, tell Angie I'll be there. See you in the morning Lee." He slowly and with some struggle closed the door.
Daniel helped Harry slowly walk over to the couch, "You should really take it easy, Harry. I've heard of very few people who experience the kind of injury that you had and lived to tell the tale about it."
Harry's eyes narrowed and he stared straight at Daniel, he remained silent for a moment as if he was thinking to say something. Instead he just let out a long breath and sat down on the couch.
"It'd be too much to ask for a normal year. First year it was the Stone, Second the Basilisk, Third the Dementors, Fourth the Dragons, Death, and a Dark Lord, and now..." His head gently reclined into the suede couch. "At least this year I have a family." He said mostly to himself as his eyes closed and he fell back asleep.
After a few moments of silence and Daphne wiping away a few tears, "We have to do better!" Aurora's voice was filled with anger, pride, joy, sorrow, and love.
Daniel sat down on the couch next to his wife and wrapped a comforting arm around her, "We will dear, we will."
Several Hours later Daphne and Harry both left their parents quarters after eating dinner and saying their goodbyes. Daniel and Aurora would be leaving in the morning and since both of them had classes they wouldn't get a chance to see them till Christmas.
Daphne guided Harry towards the Atrium of the Great Hall. She watched him cautiously the entire time looking for any sign that he might be trying to hide his pain. They talked lightly about some of the classes as Daphne had Transfigurations earlier and Harry wanted to know what he missed.
They arrived at 8:50 to find a slightly nervous Angelina Johnson and a slightly worried Minerva McGonagall. "Mr. Potter Ms. Greengrass." The professor greated with a smile.
"Hey Professor." Harry said somewhat tiredly. "Before you ask, I am fine." He said as he leaned heavily on his right leg and using Daphne to keep him standing up straight.
Minerva eyed him carefully, "While I am sure that you would tell me that if your hair was on fire and missing a finger. What I am most concerned about is how you and Mr. Malfoy will behave on your first assigned shift together."
Daphne shot him a look, "See!" Harry sighed and slumped in defeat.
"Look not that I don't appreciate all the concern." He said looking directly at each of them. "I've known Draco for almost five years and I think I can take care of myself." He stood up a bit straighter as he saw Draco sneaking up behind the Professor trying to catch her saying something that he'd be able to use for blackmail later. "Besides if something does happen to me there's no one else to blame besides Draco. Isn't that right?" He said looking directly behind McGonagall at the man in question.
Daphne smirked as McGonagall turned around quickly and somewhat shocked that she was caught unaware by the devilish Slytherin.
"Spreading rumors already Potter! Thought your little explosion might have actually killed you." He said with a sneer.
"If only you'd be that Lucky." Harry retorted with a fake smile.
"Now now boys." Angelina said for the first time during the encounter. "I was assured by both of you that you'd both be able to work with each other with no problem."
"Yes Mrs. Johnson."
"Yes, Angie." The two responded together.
Minerva smiled at Angelina, knowing that she had everything under control, "Well I'll leave this to you Ms. Johnson." She nodded towards the group and began to leave out the passage towards the Hospital Wing.
"Professor McGonagall." Daphne said somewhat loudly as she jogged lightly across the room.
Minerva turned around and was shocked to find Daphne standing in front of her, "Yes? Mrs. Greengrass?"
Daphne somewhat nervous suddenly, "Can I have a word?" Was the last thing Harry heard from his girlfriend and head of house as they walked off towards the Hospital Wing.
"Come along Potter!" Draco snapped drawing Harry's attention and a sneer from the young Gryffindor.
"Mr. Malfoy I will say this once." Angelina said as she walked over to the two younger students. "If I find out that anything happens to Potter this year during your Prefect duties." She had a mad glint in her eye as she stared coldly at Draco. "Your daddy won't be able to help you." She left with the threat hanging and Draco stunned into a rare moment of silence.
Harry snickering brought him out of his stupor, "What's so funny, Potter?"
Harry started hobbling off towards the Eastern Wing of the Castle which was their charge for the night. "If your worried about Angie's threats, you shouldn't piss off Daphne…" Harry smiled as he pictured his girlfriend hexing Draco into the ceiling. Draco mumbled to himself as he jogged slightly to catch up to Harry.
The two of them walked slowly across the expanse of the Eastern side of Hogwarts in quiet. It wasn't until they begun their walk down from the fifth floor that Draco broke their almost two hour silence.
"What's the deal with you and Greengrass?" His tone was honest and to Harry, didn't appear to be part of some scheme to make fun or embarrass Harry.
Harry stopped walking and Draco turned around and crossed his arms smuggly, "It's complicated." Harry said with a slight heaviness to his voice.
"Really?! You expect me to just to accept that?" Draco almost laughed. "Until this year, you have absoluting no interest in anyone other than Granger and Weasley then…" Draco shifted slightly so he was leaning up against the wall with a small orb of light coming from his wand as the a painting of a old pirate woke up next to him. "...you come back to school in nice robes, a new attitude and on the shoulder of the hottest girl in our year."
"Malfoy…" Harry was shocked. He expected Draco to be evil or hurtful towards him but instead he was confused. "Look to say my life has been roses and lined with Galleons is a lie." He leveled with the Slytherin in front of him who sent him for the first time since they met five years ago in front of the Great Hall, a look of intrigue. "How much do you know about my life?"
"As much as anyone I guess…" Draco kicked off the wall and the two of them began to walk next to each other continuing their trek down the massive flights of stairs. "Pureblood family, rich, powerful…" Draco counted off.
"None of it." Harry said coldly. "I didn't learn of magic until I was 11 years old one month before getting on the train to Hogwarts." Harry watched the shocked look on his fellow students face.
"Bullshit!" Draco said loudly.
"Nope, Since Voldemort killed my parents and there wasn't any other living Potter, I was forced to live with my Mum's Sister." Harry said with some spite.
Draco was silent for a few minutes and every once and while he would quickly glance at Harry and then back at his wand and then back to Harry. "Surely your parents name a Godfather or Godmother… I mean almost every Pureblood family has safeguards…."
"Sirius Black was my Godfather." Harry said in the familiar monotone that he'd had for the entire conversation.
"Uncle Sirius was your Godfather!?" Draco stopped and grabbed ahold of Harry's shoulder a look of total shock on his face.
"Yeah and when he died last June after we escaped Voldemort's resurrection, I was left with nothing…. Wait did you say Uncle Sirius?" Harry finally manifested some positive emotion during this evening.
"Yeah, he and my Mum were Cousins." Draco said fondly. "Mum would also talk fondly of Uncle Sirius as he was quite the ladies man when they were in school." Draco's face was a mystery to Harry never had he seen the Slytherin look so happy than when he was talking about his mother. "Shame he went off to Azkaban, I'd like to have met him." Draco said as he and Harry started walking again.
"I miss him…" Harry said softly hoping that Draco didn't hear.
"Why, isn't he responsible for Killing your Parents?" Draco asked curiously.
"NO!, He was innocent!" Harry shouted and his voice echoed down the empty corridor.
Draco held up two hands as to yield as Harry nearly lunged at him as if he had accused Harry of being a liar. "Woa easy, Potter. What do you mean Innocent?"
"He wasn't my parents Secret Keeper, like everyone thought, it was Wormtail." Harry said quickly as his anger still hadn't subsided.
Draco leaned back and put his left hand to his chin and was obviously thinking about something. "So then Sirius didn't kill those muggles and it was really Wormtail?" Draco asked the question which he was pretty sure he had the answer to.
Harry merely nodded. "He was never given a trial because Crouch and Fudge wanted to bury him and take the quick and easy political victory." Harry spoke the last part venomously.
Draco backed away feeling a bit of magic enter the corridor and figured it was from Harry's emotional state. "Potter…" He said slowly and with a hint of fear.
Harry saw the scared look cross the boy's face and it reminded him of the time they both served detention in their first year with Hagrid. Harry took a few deep calming breaths and the magic eventually faded along with Harry's rage. "Thanks"
Draco smirked, "Don't mention it." Draco narrowed his eyes, "Seriously don't even mention it."
Harry smiled back at the Slytherin that he'd been rivals with since first year. "I wouldn't dare."
The two walked for another couple of minutes before Draco asked another question, "So you grow up in a muggle house, learn magic when you first come to Hogwarts. Befriend Granger and Weasley and somehow manage to get yourself into increasing outlandish scenarios over the last five years?"
"Yup." Harry said watching the boy's calculating face as he went over the events of the last five years.
"Hhhmmm…" Draco pondered this new information and he was beginning to feel somewhat for the young Gryffindor of which he hated. "So then how does Greengrass play into this?" He asked getting back to the question from earlier.
"Her mother is my Godmother after Sirius." Harry answered tentatively. The information was out in the public but not many people were smart enough to make the connection.
"Interesting, and she wouldn't have found out till Sirius died because Guardianship would have passed to her when he died and not a day before…" Draco said in a very similarly Hermione tone. It was quiet odd to hear the same tone of voice that his best friend uses on a daily basis coming from his long time rival.
"Yeah… and she had no idea until she got a letter from Gringotts." Harry shrugged as he finally decided to sit down as his legs were tired. He pressed his back firmly up against the wall and slid all the way down to the floor eventually plopping down with a grunt.
"So you moved in with your new Godparents, met Daphne and suddenly to the two of your are Dating?" He asked trying to put the pieces together.
"Pretty much, there's more to it but yeah, but what I don't get is why you care all of a sudden." Harry leaned his head against the wall and briefly closed his eyes. "You do realize that this is the longest that we have spoken to each other in the last five years." Harry said with a chuckle at the end.
Draco too laughed, "I don't know what it was about you, but when you walked into feast on Friday holding hands with Greengrass and looking as though you had completely changed was a bit of a shocker to us at the Slytherin table. I mean don't get my wrong, I still hate you and if I find out that you've done something to manipulate Daphne in anyway, I'll end you." The Slytherin boy rarely had the ability to scare anyone much less Harry. He wasn't very intimidating of a person being smaller and have a sharp pointed face.
Harry was visibly shaken by the intense glare that Draco was giving him. He too could feel the magic as it was radiating brighly from Draco's core. Harry quickly regained his composure and with a new level of respect for Draco slowly pulled himself up off the ground. "Malfoy, I assure you that I am not capable nor would I ever do such a thing to Daphne or any witch for that matter."
Draco left his rage flowing for a few seconds and then after a long stare at Harry he relaxed and rolled his shoulders. "Fine."
The two started walking back towards the Great Hall, it being almost Four AM and the end of their shift.
As Harry was hobbling down the last set of stairs Draco stopped and leaned against one of the banisters, "You know what,Potter?"
Harry heaved a deep sigh and prepared for a corny insult or jibe. "What?" He said sharply.
Malfoy grinned, "You're nothing like the boy I thought you were." Apparently Draco had been thinking the past thirty minutes while they made their way back.
"And who's that?" Harry answered with some disgust.
Malfoy leaned his head back and lowered his wand-light so Harry would be able to see his entire face, "I thought you were some spoiled privileged Gryffindor who got away with everything because your the Headmasters favorite."
"HAHA!" Harry laughed much louder than he expected given his tired and exhausted state. "Even Ron doesn't understand that." Harry said while laughing to himself. "All I want is to be a normal kid who gets to learn about magic, go to Hogsmeade, snog my girlfriend, get trashed after Quidditch games and hang out with friends." Harry hobbled down the to the stair that Draco was standing on.
"I never asked to be attacked by a mad Dark Lord, I never wanted to find the Philosopher's stone or fight a sixty-foot Basilisk. I never wanted to be a fucking Triwizard champion and fight Dragons, Merpeople, and Werewolves. You know what the kicker in this whole thing is?" Harry asked looking at Draco who was in a state of bewilderment. "Every year I've come to this school which I've considered my home, some fucking snake face has tried to kill me." Harry lowered his head when Draco shot him a glare, "No offense to your house just, Tom Riddle is the Heir of Slytherin."
Draco kicked off the banister and walked to the other side of the stairway, "Who's Tom Riddle?"
Harry drew out his wand and spelled out Tom Marvolo Riddle and rearranged the letters to Spell "I am Lord Voldemort"
"Shit." Draco said slowly as if something had dawned on him. "There's a plaque to Tom Riddle in the Common Room."
"I'd guess because he's related to one of the Founders that they wanted him to be remembered. For all the Wizarding world knows, Tom Riddle died in a house fire shortly after he graduated from Hogwarts as Head Boy. In reality he killed his muggle father and used his bones and my blood to regenerate himself in some form of ancient dark Ritual last June." Harry lifted his robe to show Draco the slightly glowing scar on his arm where Wormtail cut him. "Though you likely know all this as your father was in the Graveyard that same night holding Sirius at wand point."
Draco narrowed his eyes as if he was going to react and after a few seconds of silence, "I don't care about my FATHER." He spat the word out with so much hatred that Harry could only wonder what the Elder Malfoy could have done. "As far as I am concerned I only put up with him because I am legally required to till November."
"November?" Harry asked honestly
Draco looked at Harry as if he was stupid or something, "Yeah when I turn fifteen…" He said it like it was obvious fact and when he saw the confused face Harry was making he put the pieces together. "Oh right you don't know much about our customs, Well…" He started in a slightly scary impression of Hermione. "When an Heir or Heiress of an Ancient and Noble house turns fifteen they are allowed to apply for Independence from the family as it is generally considered the time that one would start looking for means by which to continue their Bloodline." Draco lectured as Harry listened intently. "When I turn fifteen I plan on cutting all ties with my Father and hopefully I can convince Mum to leave with me, otherwise I'll have to figure something out."
Harry saw the way in which Draco's features changed when he went from talking about his father to talking about his mother. It was abundantly clear that Draco hated his father and loved his mother dearly.
Draco was lost in thought for a few moments before he brought himself back, "But that's not your problem Potter."
Harry thought for a second, "What if it is?" He said as his brain had come up with an idea.
"What'd you just say?" Draco asked as he leaned his head down as if to defend himself.
Harry's eyes opened brightly and he got a weird grin on his face, "What if it is partly my problem? I mean I've been fighting against your father since second year when your House Elf tried to kill me several times. I mean let's face it I've been on the other side of your fathers wand more times than I'd like. If you don't care for him and I'll likely have to fight him why not…"
"We work together." Draco finished after his Gryffindor friend, wait when did Draco start seeing Harry Potter as a friend.
"Exactly!" Harry said much more excited and awake that he was ten minutes ago.
Draco smiled at the idea, he'd been looking for ways that he'd be able to get back at his father for the way he treated him for years and for the abuse that he put his mother through. "It could work, but for now we'd have to keep things secret at least till I turn fifteen." Draco said seriously.
Harry nodded in understanding, "We'll need to find some time where we can sit down at talk about things until then."
"Potter, I am serious. If the wrong people find out that we are even talking now, I'm a dead man."
Harry stood up straight, "Then its best they don't find out anything." He smirked.
"What are you thinking?"
"Well in public we keep things just the way they have been for years. You hate me, and I hate you." Harry said as if listing things off.
"I do hate you Potter." Draco said with a slight smirk.
"Likewise." Harry returned quickly, "But we'll talk about things on our shifts here." Harry gestured with his hands to indicate the Prefects duty. "I want to be able to tell Hermione and Daphne but I'll respect your wishes to keep it private."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Draco asked as she suddenly got very nervous.
Harry took out his wand and in a flourish, "I Harry James Potter, do promise Draco Malfoy that I will not share his secrets with anyone without his permissions until the end of this year."
A flash of blue light and when Harry looked upon the stunned Slytherin he smiled. The Wizard's Oath was one of the ways that a wizard or witch could promise another party something and have the promise have weight. If the witch or wizard were to break their promise they would lose their magic for an amount of time equal to how long they have lived.
Draco was stunned never would he expect Harry Potter and him to be working together. The kid in the span of one night changed his outlook on many of things that made Draco, Draco Malfoy. He sure as hell never expected the boy take a Wizard's Oath to prove to him.
Draco flicked his own wand before saying anything and the light that was at the end of it vanished. He traced the same patterns that Harry had just done, "I Draco Lucius Malfoy, do swear to not share any of Harry Potter's Secrets with anyone without his permission until the end of this year."
The same blue light flashed and when Draco's eyes adjusted he saw that Harry was holding his hand out. Draco eye'd it carefully before reaching out quickly and clasping it and the two rivals shook hands and solidified what had to be one of the most unusual friendships that either of them would see in their lifetime.
"So you still think you can beat us this year?" Harry asked as the two of them walked down the stairs.
"Absolutely Potter, I am going to love watching as I smear your ass into the ground on the Pitch." Draco laughed as Harry smiled.
They both walked into the foyer to the Great Hall laughing. Angelina and McGonagall were waiting there along with Cho Chang and a sixth year Hufflepuff Prefect, Darius Hemingsworth.
The two of them looked on curiously as the two boys who were known around the school to hate each other were both laughing and making fun of each other, "Have a good time boys?" Angelina asked as the group all gathered.
"It was all quiet, not even Peeves was up to anything." Harry said recounting the rather odd sighting of the resident ghost prankster.
"Rather boring if you ask me. I was hoping to at least be able to take points away from someone." Draco replied somewhat annoyed.
"Well you boys are cleared to go back to your dorms and we'll see you again on Thursday." Angelina said as she offered an arm to Harry to help him walk back to Gryffindor tower together.
"Good night Professor, Malfoy." He said coldly and as Draco turned away he could just barely make out the small smirk on the Slytherins face.
"Good night Harry." Came the voice of Cho Chang who was trying hard to bat her eyelashes. Harry even thought that he smelled her perfume as she waved goodnight. It was four AM and the girl was putting on perfume and doing her makeup. Harry would never understand girls.
Harry and Angelina walked the long walk back to Gryffindor Tower talking about Quidditch and the tryouts that were coming next week. Harry being a novice to running the team wanted all the help he could get. Angelina studying for her NEWTS ontop of being head girl wouldn't really have much time to effectively run the team.
When they got back to their common room Harry spotted someone laying on one of the couches. Her red hair a mess as her Charms book was sprawled out across her chest and a thin blanket wrapped around her legs.
Harry bid a silent good night to Angelina who nodded and waved and then walked over to the sleeping Ginny Weasley.
Harry stood at the end of the couch just over her head and chuckled slightly which caused the girl under him to stir.
She slowly opened her eyes and blinked rapidly as someone who was just woken up would do. She quickly took in her surroundings and smiled when she saw Harry smiling back at her, "What time is it?" She asked through a yawn as she placed her book on the table.
"Four thirty." Harry said as he moved to sit down next to her.
Ginny yawned again, "Well so much for my plan to stay up to make sure you were ok."
Harry closed his eyes for a few seconds and smiled, "Which one of them put you up to this?" Harry asked with a smirk.
Ginny scoffed and punched him lightly in the shoulder. "For your information." She said with mock anger. "Neither of them asked me to stay up and wait for you to make sure you were ok." Harry watched the anger soon become a light blush on her cheeks. "I stayed up because I care about you and didn't want to see you end up dead because of Draco." She said a bit softer as Harry pulled her by her shoulders into a soft hug.
Ginny felt a slight warmth creep over her as it was the first time that Harry had reached out and hugged her. Harry was always such a hands off person which infuriated Ginny to no end. Her family believed in hugs and getting up close to the people you care about. She noticed that Harry was adverse to hugs in her first year summer when he stayed at the Burrow. "Thanks Ginny." Harry's voice was soft and tired.
Ginny pushed his head up and smiled at him. She then hit him in the shoulder again. "Thanks for being a prat and almost getting yourself blown up!" She pouted and after a few seconds of glaring at Harry who just had his stupid smile on his face her serious demeanor broke and they both started giggling.
"I am going to bed…" Harry said as he made his way to sleep in his four poster bed for the first time since arriving at Hogwarts.
Ginny walked him to stairway to the boys dorms, "Harry."
He turned and had one eye open and looked very much like he'd fall asleep as soon as he hit the pillow, "Hmm?"
Ginny relaxed, "Take care of yourself please and remember that we care about you." She waved nervously at him.
Harry nodded, "I know Gin. Sleep now. Talk later." he waved with one hand.
Ginny watched to make sure he made it into the his dorm before she turned on her flats and kicked the air. She flipped her hair around and walked up to her fourth year dorms with a bit more pep in her step. She had her Harry back, and she wasn't about to let go of him. Sure she didn't love him, and him to her, but he still meant the world to her.