The rumour of Potter destroying the bathroom spread around the school like wild fire and Draco noticed the way that Potter sat alone at the Gryffindor table. Even Ginny Weasley wasn't talking to him and Draco had observed the looks that Granger and Weasley would shoot Potter and the tense conversations in the hallways. He glanced over when Robert Hellsing walked over to Potter and took a seat next to him without question. They received a few looks as Robert spoke to Potter before standing and leaving.

Draco took that all in and the way that Potter seemed more focused on the book on the table then what was going on around him. Draco's eyes then caught on Severus but his godfather was also focused on Potter. He frowned at that fact before Severus's eyes flicked to him. Draco gave him a small smile and Severus's eyes darkened and the smile slipped. He knew the reason and he wasn't looking forward to the detention later in the day.

xXx

Draco Malfoy dragged his feet as he headed to his detention with Filch in confusion, Severus normally like to dish out his own punishment. He walked out onto the lawns of Hogwarts and took in the clear day and sighed. He'd made the mistake, he should be doing the punishment. He paused when he stepped around the corner of the castle and spotted Potter standing with Filch.

He then cursed his godfather and his cunning. He'd set it up that he would take the same detention with Potter.

"About time," Filch sneered. "Lose your way, Malfoy?"

Draco glared at the caretaker which just made the man sneer even more.

"Potter," Filch ordered without looking at the other boy. "Show the prince what he'll be doing. I'll be back in one hour."

Filch then walked off and Draco watched him in confusion. Filch had never left when he'd had detention with him before. He seemed to take great delight in watching him work on some task that magic would have solved in one flick of a wand. He looked back to Potter and he just shrugged his shoulders and started walking.

"Hey!" Draco called out but Potter didn't turn around. "What does he want us to do?"

Potter just kept walking and Draco got more and more frustrated with each step.

"Potter!" Draco shouted and grabbed the other boy's arm. "Would you stop!"

"Let go," Potter hissed as he turned on him.

Draco let him go like he'd been burned and took a step back. There was a cold look in Potter's eyes as he looked at him and Draco frowned. The other boy could be so hot and cold lately.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked, without thinking.

Potter just sneered at him then started walking again. They fell into silence as Potter led them down towards Hagrid's hut. They stopped near a large wood pile and Potter grabbed up a wheel burrow and started to fill it. Draco stood back, unsure if he should help him or not. Potter shrugged out of his robes, until he stood in just his long pants and shirt before going back to the work.

"Do you need help?" Draco asked.

"No," Potter snapped as he threw more wood into the burrow.

Draco crossed his arms over his chest, if the other man was being stubborn then so be it. Potter finished filling the wheel burrow and pushed it over towards Hagrid's hut and a large stump of wood. He picked up an axe that was there and grabbed the first piece of wood and started to chop it into smaller pieces. Draco could tell that Potter had done this many times before as he leaned back against the tree and watched him.

Potter was soon covered in sweat as he worked through the wheel burrow before picking up the handles and going back to the pile. Draco frowned at the fact that Potter didn't want him to help. He'd been happy to take the blame for his little temper tantrum but wouldn't take his offer of help.

Half an hour in, Hagrid came out with a jug of water and a couple of glasses and looked them over. The half giant just placed the jug and glasses on the small table.

"Hey 'Arry," Hagrid greeted. "Do ya mind 'eeping some of those aside for me?"

"How much?" Potter asked as he chopped.

"One burrow should do," Hagrid said with a grin. "Ya know where I 'eep them."

"No problems," Potter answered.

"Thanks, 'Arry."

Hagrid glanced over at Draco before heading back inside to cottage. Draco stepped over to the table and poured water into the two glasses and held one up for Potter, whom just ignored him.

"I'm not bringing it over to you," Draco stated as he placed one of the cups down.

Potter paused with the axe in his hand and Draco felt a bolt of fear run through him. There was a glint in the other boy's eyes that he didn't like as he stood there. Potter slammed the axe down and the blade stuck in the stump. Draco pulled back slightly as Potter stalked towards him, there was a raw edge to him as he grabbed the water. He gulped it down in one go before turning around.

Draco followed him back and picked up the handles of the wheel burrow this time. Potter gave him a glance as he wheeled it away. The other man didn't follow him and Draco felt his own temper rise before he noticed him picking up smaller pieces of wood. Draco filled up the wheel burrow while Potter neatly stacked the wood by the side of Hagrid's hut.

Draco wheeled the burrow back to the stump and picked up the first piece of wood. He plunked it down and picked up the axe and swung it down. He'd never split wood before and it didn't go to plan as the axe blade got stuck and he cursed. He tried to drive it down but that just stuck the blade even more. He then tried to wiggle it off which wasn't very effective. He cursed under his breath then froze when he heard a chuckle.

He looked up to see amused green eyes watching him and a smile on Potter's face. The shorter boy stepped closer and held out his hand.

"Here," Potter requested and Draco handed him the axe and attached wood over.

Potted pulled back before bringing the axe down with the wood still attached to the end onto the stump and it made a loud crack. He lifted the blade with the wood still attached and brought it down again and it split in two.

"You have to work with the grain," Potter told him as he picked up the larger piece of wood. "See how the lines run?"

Potter pointed it out and showed him the right place to hit. He placed the wood down and placed the blade against the spot before pulling back and hitting it dead on. The wood split halfway down and Potter gave it another tap.

"Don't try to break the whole piece with one blow," Potter intoned as he cut the wood up. "Kindling is more fiddly."

Potter placed his finger on the wood and tapped it with the blade and it stuck. He then hit the wood down with the blade still dug in a couple of times and it split into a small slice. He then worked the larger piece of wood down into ten pieces. He held one out to Draco, it was only a little wider than his wand.

"What do they use this for?" Draco questioned.

"You have to work a fire up," Potter replied as he went on with his work. "These smaller pieces start a fire."

"But we have wands for that," Draco whined.

"Not all of us," Potter countered.

Draco fell silent then noticed how low the sun sat. Filch hadn't come back after an hour.

"Where's Filch?" Draco questioned and Potter shrugged.

"He doesn't normally come back," Potter replied. "You can go."

Draco frowned when Potter kept chopping up the wood. Draco just started to gather up the kindling.

"Just place them in the box near the door," Potter ordered and Draco bristled then relaxed.

Draco walked over to the box and placed the wood into it with the others before turning around. He froze when he saw Potter with his shirt pulled up as he used the fabric to wipe his face down. His eyes lingered on the hard muscles of Potter's chest and stomach on show. He pulled his eyes away and walked back towards him and picked up more of the slivers of wood. Potter finished the last piece of wood and brought the axe down on the stump.

Draco gathered up the last of the wood as Potter drank down the rest of the water. His eyes kept being draw back to him as the other boy walked up to Hagrid's door and knocked. The giant answered and Potter handed over the jug and glasses. They spoke quietly as Draco watched them from a distance and he didn't miss the way that Hagrid's eyes would dart over to him. Potter turned away and walked back towards him with smooth steps.

"That's it for today," Potter remarked. "I know that I need a shower now."

Draco snorted but he could smell that as he stood there but he wasn't repulsed from that smell.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?" Potter asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"If you have detentions with Filch for the week, then yes." Draco grumbled.

"Snape?"

Draco looked at him sharply but Potter had never been stupid and Draco nodded sharply. Potter gave him a glance over before nodding and walking away. Draco didn't follow him, he needed a moment to try and muddle through his own thoughts.

xXx

Draco knocked on Severus's door both in excitement and dread. He waited impatiently before he knocked again. He cursed under his breath and looked around the hallway. The door opened and Draco looked back sharply then paused at the look of his godfather.

"Are you alright?" Draco asked in concern.

"Come in," Severus offered and stepped back.

Severus looked more pale than normal and his hair was in a limp tail at the back of his neck. He limped slightly as he walked back to the lounge and slowly eased himself down. Draco looked him over in concern.

"Did something happen?" Draco asked. "Do you want anything?"

"Coffee," Severus requested, his voice strained.

Draco had the kettle boiling quickly as he made up the coffee for his godfather. His eyes kept straying over to the man in question and he could see that he was hurting and knew that Voldemort was behind it. The shake in Severus's hand gave that away and he felt rage run through him and fear. That could be him, if he didn't play his cards right. The image of Potter with his shirt pulled up came to mind as he walked the coffee over and held it out.

"Thank you," Severus offered and took the cup in his slightly shaking hand. "Take a seat. What's on your mind?"

"I've fallen for Potter," Draco blurted out and Severus froze.

Draco blushed deeply and looked at his godfather with large eyes. He hadn't meant to say that as Severus looked at him in shocked silence.

"And I found the cupboard," Draco added and Severus snorted.

"I wouldn't inform Potter of either one of those," Severus drawled and Draco flushed and looked away. "Where is the cupboard?"

"Fourth floor," Draco replied as he took a seat across from Severus. "But I don't think that it works."

"We'll have a look at it and may have to move it," Severus said softly as he rubbed his face. "I'll talk to Albus tomorrow."

"How does he do it?" Draco whispered and Severus lifted an eyebrow. "How does he deal with knowing that his own death is coming?"

"Albus is an old man, Draco." Severus told him with a sad look in his eyes. "He's already been poisoned due to his own folly and he knows there is no cure. He wants his death to be worth something. I am more concerned with how Potter is going to deal with this."

Draco looked away and felt sick in the pit of his stomach. Before the school year was out; one of them would be responsible for Albus Dumbledore's death. He selfishly hoped that it wasn't him.

"Draco," Severus said and Draco looked back at him. "This is not over even when Albus is gone. The fight will still go on."

xXx

Draco muttered under his breath as he looked at the book before him and held his wand in his other hand. He glanced up at the open cupboard before him before flicking his wand. Nothing happened and he growled in frustration. Something was wrong with the connection spell between this cupboard and the one that his father had. He just couldn't work out how to fix it, even with Severus and Albus helping him.

"What are you doing?"

Draco squeaked and dropped the book in his hand as he turned his wand on Potter standing there.

"Whoa!" Potter exclaimed and held his hands up. "Didn't mean to startle you."

Draco cursed and lowered his wand and looked the other boy over.

"What are you doing here?" Draco demanded.

"I haven't seen you around lately," Potter commented mildly. "I thought you might have been destroying another bathroom."

Draco gave him a glare and his fingers twitched on his wand.

"Not unless you are around to take the blame," Draco snipped back and Potter gave him a grin.

"So," Potter remarked as he walked around the cupboard. "Did you finally find a closet to come out of?"

"Potter!" Draco yelped.

Potter gave him such a smirk that Draco shifted on his feet.

"What would you know!" Draco snapped.

"About cupboards," Potter said with that smirk. "Sadly, a lot. About this cupboard, nothing."

"Spend a lot of time around cupboards, Potter."

Potter laughed and Draco felt himself relaxing as the frustrations of trying to get the cupboard to work, drained away. He looked Potter over as he looked at the rune work above the door of the cupboard and the writing. The other boy was looking better and he didn't see any odd bruises.

"Have you run out of detentions?" Draco remarked as he picked up his dropped book and slipped his wand away.

"For now," Potter replied. "The Professors seem to be following me around lately and Filch has been asking for me."

"He's a creepy old man."

"That doesn't begin to cover it," Potter commented as he ran his hand down the side of the wooden cabinet. "So, what's the deal with this? Is it a doorway to Narnia?"

"In a way," Draco said and Potter looked over his shoulder. "It's a doorway to another wardrobe."

"Really?"

"It's broken," Draco said quickly. "I'm trying to fix it."

Potter looked him over slowly and Draco tried not to shift on his feet at the look. He shouldn't have given him so much information. Potter was always good at making connections between seemingly unrelated information.

"You're up to something, Malfoy." Potter stated.

"Of course," Draco replied with a grin. "I'm a Malfoy."

Potter snorted and walked around to the back of the wardrobe and Draco placed his book away in his bag. He would have to talk to Severus about Potter knowing what he was doing.

"Just as long as it doesn't end in a death," Potter remarked.

Draco felt a bolt go through him at the words and was happy that Potter was on the other side of the cupboard and couldn't see him. Potter looked around the side of the piece of furniture and raised an eyebrow when Draco didn't say anything.

"Not my death," Draco choked out and Potter paused.

"Or mine?" Potter asked.

"Hopefully not."

Potter stepped closer and looked him over, there was an edge about him that Draco hadn't seen before. Potter turned and looked at the cabinet before looking back to him.

"What is going on?" Potter inquired.

"I can't tell you," Draco said flatly. "Due to a spell."

"Well," Potter intoned as he leaned back on a desk. "Going off my record so far, whatever is going to happen will be at the end of the school year."

"The world doesn't revolve around you, Potter."

"From experience, I would have to disagree with you," Potter said tonelessly.

Draco snorted and looked at Potter in amusement.

"Things do seem to happen around you," Draco consented.

"I'm the boy who lived," Potter stated as he gave him a grin and held his hands out. "Cursed more than just by the killing spell."

"What do you want, Potter?" Draco blurted out.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your marks are slipping and you have had more detentions then your whole year group together so far this year," Draco pointed out and he knew that he had Potter's attention. "What future are you going to have?"

"I don't think I'll really have one," Potter replied and Draco felt his stomach clench at the words, he could hear the honesty in his words.

"That's a little melodramatic even for you," Draco drawled.

Potter shrugged and met his eyes and Draco sucked in a breath. He wasn't being melodramatic, he believed his words. Draco stepped forward and closed the distance between them and Potter frowned.

"So, you have just stopped caring?" Draco hissed in anger. "That's a bit selfish."

"Coming from a Malfoy?" Potter countered.

"At least I'm still trying!"

"With trying to fix a cupboard to let Death Eaters into this school?"

Draco stepped back, the words had been said so blandly. Like Potter didn't much care either way and Draco grabbed his arm. Potter didn't pull away from his grasp and Draco tightened his hold.

"Not everything is as it seems," Draco whispered, standing close enough that he could smell Potter's scent. "Dark times are coming."

"Dark times are already here," Potter hissed as his eyes flashed green.

Draco looked down at him, so close that he could easily close the distance between them. Toe over that line that had been drawn between them as Potter glared at him.

"So that's it then," Draco uttered. "You are just going to stop fighting?"

Potter's lips quirked up in a twisted smile that had a shiver going down his back.

"Give me a reason not to," Potter whispered.

Draco did just that as he tugged on Potter's arm as his other hand curled around the back of his neck and he drew Potter into a kiss. The other boy froze and Draco teased his lips until they opened under his. He could feel a hand grab his shoulder and he waited to be pushed back but he wasn't as they kissed. Draco pulled back and looked into those green eyes before Potter growled and gave him a hard shove.

Draco tripped on his feet and went sprawling as he landed on his ass. Potter stood above him and Draco braced himself for his reaction as the other boy panted. Potter had his hands curled into fists by his sides before he turned on his heels and stalked towards the door.

"Potter!" Draco yelled and jumped to his feet.

Potter didn't stop as he slammed the door behind him as he stormed out of the room. Draco ran across the room and grabbed the doorhandle then cursed. It was locked and by the time that Draco had worked out the spell.

Potter was gone.