Chapter 9- Friends

Harry put his Slytherin mirror back in his truck and had just finished stuffing all his robes and belongings on top of it before the door to the dorms opened. Draco had walked in alone went straight to his truck, he was searching for something it seemed.

Well, it's now or never I suppose.

"Draco?" Harry sat on his bed and faced the blonde Malfoy heir.

"Yes, Harry?" Draco turned to look at him curiously his eyes narrowed, he was unsure.

"I wanted to…erm… thank you. For standing up for me earlier with Snape."

Draco smirked at him. "I wasn't standing up for you because of anything other than your one of us now."

"Yeah, well, I realize that, and…" Harry stopped. He didn't know what he wanted to say. Harry was in two minds. It was enough that Harry was already in contact with Lord Voldemort. It was enough that he had just switched houses and was now in Slytherin. However, now Harry had to make amends with the boy that had tried to make his life a living hell. This was the boy that Harry loathed. However, hadn't Harry agreed to go along with Voldemort. To be free from this war and all the problems. To be free of Dumbledore…

"I want us to be friends."

"No? You don't say" Draco was smirking again, "I told you when we first met remember? That you shouldn't go making friends with the wrong sort. I offered to help you."

"I know that!" Harry snapped, "Look. I have some important people in my life now."

Draco was silent now. His smirk was instantly wiped off his face and one of serious calculation was in its place. Draco had taken the hint.

"It's true, then?" Draco whispered.

"What's true?" Harry asked.

Draco looked around. Pulling out his wand he instantly locked the door and for good measure Harry saw the faint glow of a silencing charm as well.

"Are you really joining the Dark Lord?" Draco asked him his eyes wide as saucers, he was apprehensive.

"Draco… I already have." Harry was staring straight into his eyes. He needed to convince him. He needed Draco to believe him. He wanted him to see the truth in his eyes.

Harry decided that he was done with secrets. Harry had enough secrets right now, he needed a friend, he needed someone to confide in and after all hadn't the Dark Lord told him to make a friend in Malfoy. So, Harry told him everything. He told him what happened last year with Snape's lessons and the battle at the ministry. Harry told him about Sirius dying and how Dumbledore wanted him to kill Voldemort or be killed. He told him about this summer and being stuck in Headquarters (although for the life of him no matter how hard he tried he couldn't tell Draco the location of it) and how he got the mirror from nonother than Draco's own mother. He told him about Voldemort's conversations and the request of the resorting but omitted the finer details (like how Voldemort kept referring to him as his son) but more so that the Dark Lord was agreeable to joining forces.

Draco was either a great listener or in complete shock because he just sat there on his bed and took it all in. At last, Harry told him about their latest conversation.

"So, then he said we need to make friends because he has a job for me and you're someone that can help me… he also wants me to visit him during Christmas, but I have no idea how that is going to be possible. Dumbledore always controls where I go, I'm sure I'll have to stay here or go back to Headquarters..."

"Well," this was the first time Draco had spoken since Harry had started talking, "Most likely you will come with me for Christmas, or else stay here and we can smuggle you out for a day… if the Dark Lord is involved he will take care of it. But… WOW… I mean… this is a lot to take in…" Draco racked his hand through his hair his blonde locks falling slightly out of its normally slicked back style.

"Yeah well. That's it. That's my life." Harry slummed back against his bed. Letting everything out felt good but exhausting.

"Look, Harry, I'm going to help you. Not because I have to but because I want to. I mean…" Harry stole a side glance at Draco and saw his cheeks go pink for second, Draco was embarrassed. "You always had it all, loyal friends that I regret to say do have half a brain more than Crabbe and Goyle… I guess what I meant to say is like… I was jealous. I'm a Malfoy, I can get anything I want but what I always wanted is a friend." Draco pulled out his hand and offered it to Harry, "Friends?" Harry looked from the hand to Draco's face and smiled. Harry took his hand and shook it. "Friends."

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Time had flown by for Harry over the next few months and Halloween was only days away. Harry had been spending most of his free time studying for his now overly demanding classes and long quidditch training sessions as the first match composed of Slytherin and Gryffindor was the weekend after Halloween. The shock of Harry Potter being in Slytherin had worn off. Harry was now regarded by the rest of the houses like any other Slytherin, mostly hated and ignored. However, Harry was finding that Slytherin was better suited to him than he originally thought. Harry was finally feeling the elation of being happy again.

The news that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were now best friends made people, especially his old friends in Gryffindor, scowl when they walked by. Draco seemed to relish in the fact that he was Harry Potter's best friend and Harry just didn't care anymore. Harry had not spoken to Ron or Hermione since the first day of classes. The only request Harry did make of Draco was that he should not use his friendship with Harry against Ron and Hermione; Draco after many eye rolls had agreed. Draco seemed to take this as anyone else was fair game. Harry did his best to ignore their existence, after all what did they have in common with him anymore? Harry felt it was better to just ignore the situation they were sixteen and this is when people grew apart; it was part of life. At least that is what Harry kept telling himself.

Draco Malfoy was pompous and a brat, but he was also funny and surprisingly extremely loyal to Harry. Harry was also becoming close with Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. Where Draco was loud and full of attention, both Theo and Blaise were quieter and more reserved. The four of them were often seen together in the library studying or else in the Slytherin common room playing chess or just hanging out.

Voldemort and Harry talked various times throughout the last few months. Voldemort mostly asked Harry about his day or what he was learning. The Dark Lord had not brought up any mission or having Harry over for Christmas again. It was an odd feeling for Harry, having an adult to talk to about his life. However, Harry was enjoying it. Sometimes the thought of losing Sirius hit Harry, especially when Draco would let his composure slip and give a bark like laugh and it was a small reminder that Draco and Sirius were in fact related even though distantly, but it was at these times that Harry would call into his mirror to speak with Voldemort.

It was strange but Voldemort always eased the feelings Harry had about Sirius, although Harry never brought this up to the Dark Lord himself. Where Sirius was always more of a fun older brother; Voldemort was more of a father than Harry had ever experienced with Sirius. Voldemort often called Harry his 'son' and while Harry was used to this by now, he still didn't fully understand it. Draco was still the only person that knew that Harry was speaking to the Dark Lord through the Slytherin mirrors. Whenever Harry needed to speak to Voldemort, Draco would come in the dorm with Harry and sit on his bed and watch the door for Harry. Since the entire conversation was in parseltongue it really didn't matter that Draco or anyone else sat in the room, but Harry didn't want everyone knowing he spent hours of his life talking to someone in snake language. Harry had a feeling that if that information reached Dumbledore's ears; Harry would be in serious trouble.

Snape, despite his threat to have more meetings with Harry regarding his future, had yet to follow through. Harry was just perfectly content with that. If Snape was going to just ignore that he existed this was a great improvement than when Harry was Gryffindor's star seeker. Harry often wondered if Snape knew that Harry was changing sides but if he did, he did not make this information known to Harry. Voldemort never brought up Snape and as Snape didn't bother Harry anymore Harry felt there was no reason to bring him up either.

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The morning mail arrived, and owls were swooping down from the windows dropping various boxes and letters off to students. Harry, who had no correspondences, never bother to look up from his breakfast until….

"Harry," It was Draco, "You've got a letter here." Harry turned to his right where sure enough was a letter in Draco's hands addressed to himself.

Draco handed it over to Harry who immediately ripped it open to find a torn battered letter with many smudges. Harry's heart gave a leap as he scanned the parchment in silence.

Dear Harry,

Sorry it has taken so long for me to write, the business trip I'm on seems to be taking up more of my time than I originally thought. How are you? I have heard about the resorting and while I cannot deny my surprise that you would want to switch houses, I wanted you to know that I fully support whatever it is that you want. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there more for you this past summer. I have spoken to the Headmaster, and he has agreed to allow you to come visit me over the Christmas holidays at my cabin. It is entirely up to you; as Professor Snape is your new Head of House please just let him know in the next few weeks so that we can arrange this for you. I hope your making friends and enjoying school. Study hard!

Hope to see you soon!

Remus

"Shit," Harry whispered to himself. Remus was asking Harry to visit him on holiday meaning that Harry would either go along and figure out a way to ditch out on Remus and Dumbledore's protective charms, or else hurt Remus's feelings and say that he doesn't want to go.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked as he studied Harry's face with a frown. Harry handed him the letter. Draco read it quickly before handing it back to Harry who immediately stuffed it in his robe pocket.

Draco immediately started to whisper fiercely, "You're in contact with the werewolf? Merlin Harry! You can't go around handing around with them!"

"Yeah well, the werewolf thing aside, now I have a bigger problem with…" Harry didn't want to say anymore while they were in the Great Hall. Draco knew what he meant.

Draco's eyes widened as he said, "Do you know what the plan was supposed to be? For the holidays I mean?"

"No," Harry said regretting himself for not asking Voldemort about this sooner, "I haven't brought it up since the first time he did. I just didn't think I needed to worry about that until it got closer but now…" Harry started down at his plate his appetite was now gone. How was he going to figure this one out?

"What's the problem? Just tell the wolf you're not coming and then ask about the… you know… other thing with him."

"If I tell Remus 'no' then I might have to explain myself, and what am I supposed to say?" This was something that Draco didn't understand, Harry needed to elaborate, "Look. I am always staying at Hogwarts or went with Ron's family on holidays," Draco's face turned to a sneer whenever Harry brought up anything to do with his former Gryffindor days, "So I have a feeling the headmaster might find it suspicious if I say I don't want to go. He might force me…"

"Dumbledore can't force you to go spend your holiday with anyone." Draco turned back to his eggs. "I think you better let him know and then go from there. Mirrors tonight then?"

"Yeah," Harry said starring off at the Gryffindor table where he could see Ginny and Neville laughing over something, "Tonight."

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Harry was sitting on his bed, Draco on his after having just thrown Goyle out of the room. Harry pulled his mirror up to his face and said hissed, "Dark Lord".

Without delay the handsome face of Lord Voldemort appeared before Harry. "Good Evening, my son."

"Good Evening, My Lord."

"How were classes today?"

"Good."

"Your quiet Harry," Voldemort was studying him closely, "Tell me what bothers you my son?"

"I have a problem," Harry continued he looked over to see Draco reading from one of his textbooks, "it's about the Christmas holidays…"

Voldemort didn't respond but his face pulled into a frown, he nodded at Harry and Harry took this as a sign to continue. Harry explained to him quickly and with little detail as possible regarding the letter from Remus. If Voldemort was angry about this he held his composure well.

"You are worried that this will cause Lupin's feelings to be hurt?"

"Yeah… well no… I'm worried that Dumbledore is behind this. I think he wants to get me alone with an Order member. It's just strange, I've never been allowed to his cabin before. Why now?"

"Yes that is interesting." Voldemort hissed a frown still in place. Harry didn't know why but he had to ask, "Are you angry with me?" Harry hissed it in a whisper, his voice broken slightly. Harry could see Draco's blonde blur from the corner of his eye turn to look at him, Draco could not understand what they were saying but he could recognize defeat when he saw it.

"Angry with you?" Voldemort's features moved to that of concern with his brows creased.

"Yes. Are you angry with me for being in contact with Remus? I… I know that he is a werewolf. Draco said I shouldn't be talking to them. I honestly haven't heard from him since before I went to Hogwarts. I don't know what to say to him anymore…"

Voldemort's features changed in an instant, a small smile on his lips, his red eyes softened, "Harry, my son, Lord Voldemort is not angry with you. I understand that this is a transition for you. Swapping your old life for one with me. While werewolves are not our equals, Harry, that is not to say we don't have some in our ranks. They can be of value. Perhaps this relationship you share with Lupin can be of value one day. However, I would advise you to decline his invitation for Christmas. I would not be able to get you from wherever Dumbledore places you. I had planned that you would stay at Hogwarts and have arranged a portkey to go off in Hogsmeade. You would simply need to be able to sneak away for a day. I trust you know ways to get to the village undetected?"

"So, I only get a day with you? Just one?" Harry couldn't even hide his disappointment in his voice.

"For now, yes. Just the one. There will be others, not to worry yourself." Voldemort was smiling at Harry, "We have a lot to do in that one day."

"What are we doing?"

"Patience, son. Now, enough of all this werewolf drama, how has quidditch practice been going?"

Harry smiled and started into their new strategy for the upcoming match.

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Another Chapter COMPLETE! I realize the updates are slower than in the beginning, but I have been writing as I go. Things get more complicated as life gets involved and it's just a busy time for me right now. I'm thinking of starting another story as well but haven't decided yet. Open to suggestions for stories! I love having new stories to read and it helps keep me focused on updating!

Please R & R! Reviews are truly the best!