Hey everyone! Been a long while since I updated this one. I'm sorry for the delay! I haven't had much time to write lately; my little one is now nearly 20 months old, and she stopped taking naps a while ago which leaves me with no time for anything! Plus, my laptop keeps crashing on me every time I try to use it which means I've had to go back to using my ancient Eee PC and the keyboard is so small I keep getting hand cramps lol

But here is the next chapter, and it's a nice long one too, yay! There is a bit of Ron bashing in this chapter, sorry about that but I did have to stay true to his character and this is how I see him reacting to Draco so *shrug*.

Also, I got Ginny's birthday from Wikipedia, and I couldn't find a reference for Draco's eagle owl's name so I went with Ulysses, which is the name of the actual live owl the character has in the movie version of Philosopher's Stone (source: wiki/draco_malfoy%27s_eagle_owl )

Obligatory disclaimer: Ms Rowling owns everything Potter and I am but a lowly serf with no rights to anything at all who writes fan fiction based on her incredible world.

Chapter Four: Owls, Friends, and Diagon Alley

'What's that? Oh! Hello Hedwig.' Hermione opened the window and let the snowy owl in. 'How's Harry doing? Here, let me get you some water.'

After Hedwig had a drink, she held out her leg for Hermione to take the letter. This girl was much nicer than the redheaded boy, the owl thought, or so much as owls could think. Hedwig drank some more and waited to see if the bushy haired girl would want to send a reply. This one didn't have a small annoying owl that could deliver a reply, in fact, she didn't have an owl at all. Instead she had that giant ginger cat who was actually quite nice, for a cat.

'Oh, Harry wants to meet in Diagon Alley the day after tomorrow, and Draco will be there too. I'm so glad they've finally put that childish rivalry behind them. Do you mind waiting while I write a quick reply Hedwig? You're such a thoughtful owl.'

Hedwig puffed out her feathers proudly. Yes, she quite liked this girl.

After Hermione had attached her reply to Hedwig's leg and given her one last pat, Hedwig hooted a goodbye to her and Crookshanks and flew back out the window to her Harry.

'Pig! Would you stop zooming around the roof and act like a proper owl and get down here!' Harry yelled at the small excited owl. Draco was no help, he was doubled over on the couch laughing at Harry's attempts to catch the little puffball. 'Come on Pig! Draco! Would you stop laughing and give me a hand?'

'Harry, come on! This is hilarious!'

'What exactly is so funny?'

'How quickly you've forgotten you're basically a full wizard now.'

Harry paused, standing on the armchair in his latest attempt to catch the small owl. 'Meaning what?'

'Meaning,' said Draco smugly, standing up and withdrawing his wand, 'That you could have simply done this: Accio owl!' Pig hooted alarmingly as his flight was altered and he zoomed neatly into Draco's outstretched hand. He sat there, blinking in a confused manner.

'Huh,' mumbled Harry as he got off the armchair. 'Yeah, that worked quite well. Grab the letter before he takes off again.'

Draco untied the messy letter from the small owl's leg. Honestly, Weasley had the worst handwriting he'd seen. The little owl, Pig, what a weird name for an owl, thought Draco, hooted once more at him and flew to the mantle where he puffed up importantly as if to say, mission accomplished.

'I can barely make out this chicken scratch,' drawled Draco, but it looks like Weasley is up for meeting you the day after tomorrow, and asks if, ahem, 'the git really has to be there too'. Really? He can't come up with a better name for me than 'git'?'

'Yeah, sorry about that. Once Ron's made his mind up about someone it's hard to change his views, but he'll come around, I'm sure of it.'

Harry looked up then as he heard a familiar hoot.

'Hedwig!'

The snowy owl landed gracefully on his shoulder and nipped at his ear.

'Now that is how a proper owl behaves,' Draco said to Pig, who tried to fly over to him but only succeeded in falling off the mantle. Draco sighed and picked him up, placing him on the owl roost in the corner. 'Have some water, you stupid thing.'

'Hey Hedwig, nice flight?' Harry murmured to his owl, removing the letter and walking to the roost with her still on his shoulder. 'Here you go girl, thanks again.' With one final nip, Hedwig jumped to the roost and turned her back on Pig, who was currently bathing in the water bowl. Harry shook his head at the little owl before turning back to Draco and reading Hermione's letter.

'Hermione says she'd love to join us,' he said, 'She just got her Hogwarts letter a few minutes before Hedwig showed up. I guess that means ours will be arriving soon too.'

No sooner had Harry said that than two school barn owls entered through the window and held out their legs importantly.

Draco removed the letters and offered them a couple owl treats, which they took and flew back out the window with barely a glance at Hedwig and Pig.

Draco handed Harry his while opening his own, which included a letter from Severus reminding him and Harry to behave and to let him know where Harry wanted to room this coming year.

'I'm still not sure,' said Harry when Draco asked him. 'I quite like living with you, but my dorm at Hogwarts has always been more of a home to me than anywhere else. I'll decide soon, promise.'

'Looks like Severus has taken up the Defense post this year,' said Draco, still reading the letter. 'And we have a new Potions teacher, a Professor Slughorn, who is taking up his old job again. Apparently he was Potions Master years ago.'

'Oh, cool. I don't think I made the cut. Snape always graded us really hard.'

'Yeah, he did that because the NEWT classes are a whole different matter to the OWLs and below. We're finally going to be learning some real potions and work with some pretty rare ingredients. I can't wait.'

'You're taking Potions then?'

'Of course. I've always loved Potions, I really think I want to be a Potions Master myself one day. You know I've been working on my own ideas, you've even helped. That idea you had with replacing licorice root with mandrake root was brilliant, it really worked. Thanks again. How come you never came up with ideas like that in class?'

'I don't know, I guess I just didn't want to draw Snape's attention too much; you know he and my dad were enemies when they were our age right? I've just always felt that Snape had it out for me because of that. But now, with the emancipation stuff and vouching for me, I don't know. Maybe I can ask him about it later this year. Anyway, what other classes have you got?'

Harry hadn't made the cut for Potions, but maybe this new professor would be willing to take him on anyway. He'd ask when they got back to Hogwarts.

They compared classes and found that they had almost identical classes. And Harry discovered that he's been made Gryiffindor Quidditch Captain this year, a fact that made him equal parts thrilled and worried.

'What if I can't handle it? Wood was always so stressed, I can't believe they made me captain this year! Why not someone else?'

'Calm down Harry, you'll be great at it. I've seen you play, and I know you've read all the Quidditch books in the school library.'

'How do you know that?' asked Harry. 'Have you been spying on me?'

'No you idiot,' laughed Draco. 'Your name is on the borrowing slip, just like mine and everyone who has borrowed a book from the library.'

'Oh, right,' said Harry sheepishly. 'I forgot about that.'

Hermoine met Ron and his family inside the Leaky Cauldron. Her parents had been called into work but as a muggleborn she was used to travelling around London. Ron and her decided to wait for Harry and Draco while the rest of the Weasleys headed into Diagon Alley.

'Why is he even bringing the git?' grumbled Ron for what felt like the hundredth time. 'Doesn't he know that he's a Slytherin and can't be trusted?'

'Oh come on Ron,' said Hermione, getting exhausted with this conversation. 'Get over it. So Harry and Draco put aside their differences. I think it's a great thing.'

'Thanks Granger,' said Draco, hearing this last part as he and Harry walked through the back door. 'That means a lot coming from you.'

'Yeah, thanks Hermione,' grinned Harry. 'And Ron, I know you don't like Draco, but please try to at least get along with him. He's really helped me out a lot this summer.'

'Seriously? He helped you? And what are you doing coming from the back way? Did you meet him here before us?'

'Well, our flat is in Diagon Alley, so it makes sense for us to enter from the back, don't you think so Weasley?' grinned Draco.

Ron's face turned red.

'What do you 'our flat'?' He gasped. 'Harry, mate, did this git kidnap you?' Ron drew his wand.

'Oh put it away Ron!' hissed Hermione, smacking his hand. 'You're going to get us kicked out.' She smiled at old Tom behind the bar, who went back to his cleaning. 'Come on, let's go somewhere we can talk without being overheard.'

'We could go to our flat,' suggested Harry, looking at Draco questionably.

'Sure, let's do that,' agreed Draco. 'If that's alright with Weasley and Granger.'

'Works for me,' said Hermione, wondering why Harry was living with Draco and not his muggle family. I guess we'll find out soon, she thought.

'Fine,' grumbled Ron. 'But I'm warning you, you try anything funny, like handing us over to your Deatheater of a father, and I'll curse so you hard-'

'Ron! Enough!' yelled Harry, drawing everyone's attention again. 'Let's just go.'

The four of them headed out the back and down the street to the flat. Harry showed Ron and Hermione to the lounge and gestured to the couches. Hermoine sat, though Ron remained standing, one hand on his wand as though expecting an attack any minute. Harry sighed and dropped into a chair. Draco bustled off to the kitchen to start making tea.

'So, Harry,' began Hermione. 'This is a nice place. Tell us, how did you and Draco come to live together? And what about your families?'

Harry sighed and launched into his side of the story. He didn't think Draco would want him to tell of his decision to leave his family. He told them how Draco had come to visit and found Harry beaten and unconscious in his room, how he had rescued him and gotten Snape to come and heal him and help him get emancipated, and how angry Dumbledore had been about that.

By the time he finished, Hermione was in tears, the tea Draco had given her cold and forgotten in her hands. Ron was still standing there, looking shocked and angry.

'How come you didn't come to us Harry?' he asked angrily, 'Why did you go to the git?'

'Ron!' exclaimed Hermione, 'Weren't you listening? Harry didn't go to Draco, Draco saved Harry! And you were overseas with your family, you idiot. You only just got back a few days ago, same as me. Anyway, it's all over. Harry is safe and never has to go back to those horrible people again.'

'I guess,' Ron humphed, 'but still mate, you can come stay with us now, until we go back to school.'

'Thanks Ron,' said Harry, as Draco looked away. 'But I'm happy here. Draco and I have been having fun, we have a lot in common it turns out, and-'

'Alright fine!' Yelled Ron, 'Stay with the git then! See if I care!' He stormed out of the flat, slamming the door behind him. Hermione looked like she was about to say something when he wrenched the door open. 'Hermione!' he said angrily, 'Aren't you coming?'

'Uh, well, no.' She replied. 'I don't see a problem here, and I, uh, haven't finished my tea yet,' she mumbled.

Ron left slamming the door again.

'Thanks for staying, Hermione,' said Harry. 'I hope Ron will come around soon,'

'He will,' she said. 'You know him. Once he cools down and actually thinks everything through, he'll come round.' She took a sip of her tea and shuddered as she realized it had turned cold.

'Here,' said Draco, pointing his wand at her cup. 'Let me reheat that for you.' Steam began to rise from the cup again and Hermione tried it once more.

'Mmm, thanks Draco,' she said. 'This tea is lovely. And I like your apartment too.'

'Thanks Granger,' replied Draco. 'It's a bit sparse, but I wasn't planning on staying once school starts up again. No point paying rent when I won't be here.'

'Oh!' exclaimed Harry suddenly, startling both Hermione and Draco. 'I haven't been helping with the rent! Draco I'm so sorry! I'll go to Gringotts and get some money to replay you and-'

'Stop Harry!' laughed Draco. 'Seriously, don't worry about it. The place is already paid for, it's fine. I mean it,' he said when it looked like Harry was going to keep arguing. 'If you still want to be roommates next summer then we can go halves in a place, but we go back to school soon so there's no point worrying about it.'

'I guess,' agreed Harry. 'If you're sure.'

'I'm sure,' said Draco firmly, 'now relax, and drink your tea.'

'You guys sure get along better than I would have thought,' mused Hermione as she observed the two of them. 'I'm glad. And Draco,' she said, glaring at him.

Draco gulped, 'Yes, Granger?'

'Stop calling me 'Granger',' Hermione said sweetly. 'My name is Hermione, and that's what my friends call me.'

'Hermione,' said Draco, trying it out. 'Yes, that is much better. Alright Hermione, glad to be friends.'

They smiled at each other, and Harry grinned too.

'Well,' he said, standing up. 'Shall we go shopping then?'

Draco and Hermione were comparing their class lists with Harry chiming in every now and then when they bumped into the Weasley family, minus Ron.

'Oh Harry dear!' exclaimed Mrs Weasley, hugging him. 'It's so nice to see you again! How have you been dear? Will you be staying with us until you go back to Hogwarts?'

'Actually Mrs Weasley,' said Harry. 'I've been living Draco for the last few weeks.' He quietly explained to her what had happened over the summer and asked her to keep it quiet.

'Of course Harry,' Mrs Weasley said, wiping away a tear. 'If you don't mind, I'll tell Arthur so he's appraised of the situation. I'm so sorry we weren't there for you, but I'm also so happy you're away from those muggles.'

'Thanks Mrs Weasley. Obviously I don't mind if you tell Mr Weasley. And there's no way you could have known, so please don't feel bad about it. By the way, have you seen Ron?'

'I thought he was with you. Did you get separated?'

'Actually Mrs Weasley,' chimed in Hermione, after convincing the Ginny to lay off Draco, 'after Harry told us what happened and his current living arrangements, Ron got mad and stormed off. I assume he's at Fred and George's shop.'

'Hmm, I guess you'd be right Hermione,' murmured Mrs Weasley, going a little red with shame at her youngest son's actions. 'I'm sure he'll come around.'

'I'm sure too,' said Harry. 'We still have some shopping to do, how about you?'

'Oh, we're all done,' said Mrs Weasley. 'We were about to head home.'

'Oh Mum, can't I stay and hang out?' asked Ginny.

'I have to get home and start dinner Ginny, and none of the others can apparate yet so you'll have to come with me and Ron when I find him.'

'Oh okay,' said Ginny sadly.

'Mrs Weasley,' said Draco, stepping forward. 'If you don't mind, I have a floo connection in my flat. If it's alright with you, Ginny could use it to come home later. I'm sure Harry and Hermione would like to catch up with her.'

'Oh please Mum!' begged Ginny.

'I suppose, if it's really alright with Draco,' said Mrs Weasley apprehensively.

'It'll be alright Mrs Weasley,' said Harry reassuringly. 'Draco is trustworthy, I promise. And she'll be with all three of us.'

Mrs Weasley agreed to Ginny staying with the three older wizards and witch so long as she was home by dinner. She bustled off to find Ron and take him home for a stern talking to, though she didn't tell the others that.

'Thanks guys,' said Ginny as they headed off to do their shopping together. 'I really want to catch up with you both, and find out why Harry is apparently living with Malfoy!'

'Shh!' said Hermione quickly and quietly. 'Harry doesn't want everyone finding out about this. We'll explain everything later at their flat, alright? All you need to know for now is that Draco is a good guy and a friend.'

'Alright, just make sure you explain everything later then.' said Ginny quietly. 'Anyway, where are we off to?'

The group worked their way through Diagon Alley, stopping at a lot of different stores: Madam Malkin's for new robes, Olivander's for a wand checkup and polish, the potions supply store, and of course Flourish and Blotts, where they got not only the required books for the year but some extras.

'Anywhere else before we head back to the flat?' asked Harry as they headed out of the bookstore laden down with supplies.

'I'd like to stop by Eeylops Owl Emporium,' said Draco. 'I want to get some more owl treats.'

'I'd like to stop by there too,' piped up Hermione. 'Crookshanks needs a new brush and I'd like to get him some new toys too.'

'Then let's go,' said Harry, who was always happy to browse in the store.

While Draco and Hermione gathered their purchases in the dark store, Harry and Ginny wandered off to look at the owls at the back of the store. Ginny sighed while looking at the owls.

'What's wrong Ginny?' asked Harry, stroking a large tawny owl who hooted at him.

'Nothing,' she said, staring wistfully at a beautiful barn owl. 'It's just, I've never had a pet before. Errol was always a family owl and he's so old all he does lately is sleep. And Ron doesn't like me touching Pig, he says I make him too excited.'

'Well, I know your birthday was last month,' said Harry. 'August the eleventh right?'

'How do you know that?' asked Ginny, surprised.

'Ron mentioned it in passing last year,' replied Harry. 'I was planning to send you some muggle sweets and books, but my muggle family locked Hedwig up, and there's some other stuff I have to explain to you later, but the point is I never got around to sending you a present, so would it be alright if instead of what I planned I got you an owl instead?'

'Harry! I couldn't ask you to do that for me!' cried Ginny, going red at the thought. 'It's too much!'

'No it's not,' said Harry firmly. 'You're my friend, and it's a birthday present. Please Gin, pick an owl. Or a cat, if you like.'

'I can't have a cat,' she said softly, face pink because Harry had never called her 'Gin' before and she found she quite liked it. 'Dad's allergic.'

'Then an owl it is,' laughed Harry. 'Unless you secretly want a toad!'

Ginny laughed at the thought of her having a pet toad.

'Are you really sure Harry?' Ginny asked once more.

'Yes. Now pick one, please.'

'Alright,' Ginny said, looking at the owls again. 'Thank you, Harry.'

Several of the owls had moved away from them as they had laughed, and some had tucked their heads under their wings. But the beautiful barn owl Ginny had been looking at before was peering at her. As Ginny looked at it, it gently flew over and landed on her shoulder, where it began to gently preen her long red hair.

'I think that one chose you,' Harry chuckled softly. 'It sure seems to like your hair at least.'

Ginny reached a hand up and gently stroked the owl's back. It hooted contently and rubbed it's face on her cheek.

'I think you're right,' she agreed. 'This is the owl for me.'

They made their way to the front of the store where Harry purchased the owl and a pretty silver cage with bronze roses along the bottom edge.

'Why are you getting that?' asked Draco, who hadn't seen Ginny yet as she had stopped to speak with a store assistant about the owl on her shoulder. 'Doesn't Hedwig already have a cage?'

'Yes she does,' said Harry, handing over ten Galleons for the owl and a few Sickles for the cage. 'This is for Ginny's new owl, it's a late birthday present from me.'

Ginny came up just then and hugged Harry.

'Thank you again!' she said. 'I was speaking with the assistant, and she told me this owl is a female, which will make it easier for me to come up with a name.'

'That's great,' said Harry, handing over the cage. 'I also got you this for her, do you like it?'

Ginny's eyes went wide when she saw the pretty cage.

'Harry! It's beautiful! Do you like it?' she asked the owl. 'Don't worry, it's only for while we head to Harry and Malfoy's flat, and for while we're on the train to Hogwarts.'

The owl peered at the cage and, after one last run of her beak through Ginny's hair, hopped off her shoulder and settled into the cage.

'I think she likes it,' said Draco. 'Let's bring her to the flat and can meet Hedwig and Ulysses. My eagle owl.' He added, in answer to Ginny's silent question.

The three of them met Hermione outside the store where Ginny showed off her new owl and then, laden down with purchases, headed to the flat.