A/N: Welcome once again loves. The amount of people who actually find this story worth reading is so astounding and amazing. Thank you all so much and know that I see every single follow, favorite, and review. I love you guys. Enjoy!

Ps. This chapter is dedicated to Artificial Glory for her glorious suggestions.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot. :)

A cruel, mocking voice..

"You're nothing."

An enclosed room that kept shrinking and shrinking, the walls tightening and tightening..

The click of a lock being turned on the bedroom door, panic seeping in at the thought of never escaping..

Damon sneering at him as he walked away with his crowd of admirers, snide laughter and comments being thrown Harry's way.

Draco, Theo, Blaise, Pansy, and Daphne all leaving him in a horde, throwing icy glares and muttering insults.

Freak.

Useless.

Good-for-nothing.

Outsider.

Harry became aware of a voice, particularly a loud one, shouting something.

Wa..

Wake..

"Harry! Wake up!"

Harry's eyes flew open, coming face-to-face with a pale, worried face.

Draco had one hand on his shoulder, his pale grey eyes worried.

Harry glanced wildly around the room, pieces of his nightmare still clinging to his conscious mind.

"Harry?"

Draco was looking at him, his breathing slightly irregular.

Harry slowly sat up. He felt impossibly cold yet he was sweating profusely. Harry took in his surroundings, easily figuring out that it was in the middle of the night and that he was in fact not at the Potter residence. A feeling of anger and agony swelled within him as he realized that he had awoken Draco and managed to scare him on their first night at Hogwarts.

"Bloody hell. I'm sorry Draco. It was just a dream."

Harry refused to look Draco in the eyes, embarassment causing him to stiffen, immobile.

"A dream? Harry, that was a nightmare and you know it," Harry heard a tone of pity in his voice.

Harry closed his eyes. Salazar.

"I apologize for waking you at this ungodly hour, Draco. I don't usually have nightmares frequently. I would appreciate it if you kept this between me and you."

Harry peeked at Draco to find him shaking his head, bewildered.

"Harry, of course I won't be babbling about it to everyone else. We're dorm mates after all," Draco paused, and he sounded as if he was preparing himself for something difficult,"do you.. do you want to.. talk about it?"

Harry looked at him fully, biting his lip to try to keep from laughing at the uncomfortable light pink tinge Draco's face had taken.

"That's okay, Draco, but thank you for the thought. I'll most likely be awake for awhile, so I'll be fine. Go back to sleep."

Draco looked unsure, fidgeting a bit.

"Are you sure?"

Harry allowed himself a small smile.

"Yes. Thank you. Sleep well, Draco."

Draco gave a smile in return and padded back to his own bed, climbing in. After awhile Harry heard his breathing slow to a constant, relaxed pace, signalling Draco had fallen back asleep.

Harry hung his head and held out his palms, which were white from the pressure Harry had been clenching his fists in.

Eventually, after an hour or two, Harry managed to slip back to sleep, albeit restlessly.

Harry woke up while the room was still dark, the shadow of an unknown creature streaking slowly across the far wall.

He stared at it for a moment before lifting the comforter and climbing out, slipping on his slippers and silently making his way to the bathroom, closing the door softly.

Harry looked at himself in the mirror, narrowing his eyes at the tangled strands of his hair. Bloody hell.

Exiting the bathroom, ready to go, Harry cast a tempus.

6:38 AM.

Draco sat up in his bed and blinked groggily at Harry, his grey eyes still clouded with a mist of sleep.

"Harry? What time is it?"

"It's about six-forty. I'll be heading down to the Great Hall to study through my books before classes. Would you like to accompany me?"

Draco blearily nodded and lethargically stood up, grabbing his robes and other essential items before entering the bathroom, murmuring how he'll be finished in about half an hour.

Harry made both his and Draco's beds before taking a seat on their comfortable couch. He retrieved a book of advanced Transfiguration, settled onto the cushions, and began reading.

He was almost half way finished before Draco emerged from the bathroom looking as pristine and acceptable as a pureblood should be.

"Half an hour- to the exact minute. Well done, Draco."

Draco rolled his eyes and grabbed his bag, following Harry out of their rooms.

Harry heard the door lock as they continued down the darkened hallway, Draco following close behind him.

"So, what are we studying?" Draco asked quietly as they began their ascent from the dungeons.

Harry easily got what he was hinting at. Dark Arts.

"Just a few books I picked out while retrieving the school materials. It will be helpful for the future," Harry said, peering at Draco from the corner of his eye.

Draco gave an impassive nod.

Draco felt an excited flutter in his stomach although he kept his face calm and collected.

Finally, I have found someone equal.

It was exhilarating. The prospect of studying Dark Arts alongside his new friend. His father will approve considering how valuable an alliance with Harry Potter will turn out to be for the Malfoy family. Draco could tell that his father firmly believed in Harry's magical power, that he will one day grow to be great.

His family honored the respect of the customs Harry had demonstrated, Harry Potter quite obviously an important friend to have in his father's and mother's eyes.

Draco could imagine all of the wicked things Harry and he will perform, the tinge of risk heightening the experiences to come.

It was all quite great.

The Dark Art of Manipulation: Theory and Method.

Harry laid the book carefully on the table, the Hall empty save for a very few early risers.

If anyone other than Draco and Harry glanced at the title, they'd see a plain book of Transfiguration, the book under layers of heavy glamour thanks to Madam Rose.

Draco read the title, a smirk curving at his lips.

"Silencio totale." Harry murmured, feeling the magic encase them in a bubble of privacy.

The book was quite thick and the cover was a shimmery grey. The title was in large, looping letters that traced across the front. Detailed illustrations and colors seemed to hide in and around the cover, Harry catching a pair of beautiful green, gold eyes in the shadow of a looming and bare tree.

Draco traced the cover with his fingertips, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Do you feel anything?" Harry asked quietly, his eyes watching him with a curious gaze.

Draco nodded silently, his hands now roving the book slowly.

"I feel waves of magic rippling off the book. It feels as if there has been dozens of heavy charms and such casted onto the tome. Why is that?"

A smile grew on Harry's lips with each word, approval shining in his irises. Harry looked away from Draco's confused stare and drew the book closer to him, opening the cover.

"You are entirely correct, Draco. This was given to me from Madam Rose as a gift. Like most of her merchandise, she sent the book to a group of very old and experienced Dark wizards and witches. Each one casts a detailed and complex glamour onto the book, shielding the content from all who the owner wishes. The magic you are sensing is the laden glamour. Well done."

Draco tried to flip to the other pages in the book but discovered that they were simply stuck together in a block.

"Harry, why can't I flip to the other pages?"

Harry flipped to the first page, smoothing the page down.

"For most Dark Arts books like this one, you must always agree to learn the content then sign your name to bind the agreement. If you say no and don't sign your name or you fail to continue the lessons then the book will lock you out."

Draco nodded in understanding and then both began reading.

Chapter One: Theory.

The Theory of Manipulation is long and intricate. To master any of the Dark Arts you must completely understand the idea. You need to know how this Dark Art came to be known and who had founded it. You must follow the workings of each spell, curse, or charm needed in the making. With all of this knowledge, you can manipulate any object, animal, or person you want to do anything you wish.

I will be your guide to what I speak of, all you have to do is follow my every instruction.

Do you wish to accept me as your teacher?

There was a line to write either a yes or a no.

Harry and Draco exchanged a look.

Agreeing silently, Harry wrote in a definite yes.

You have chosen to allow me to teach you. To complete this agreement, I need anyone who is learning from me at this time to sign your names on the lines below. With your signature, you are promising to not teach anyone else my teachings without this guide. You are promising to commit yourself to learning this Dark Art.

If you are still open to learning from me, sign your name(s) below.

X

X

After taking a quill and signing on the first line neatly, Harry handed the quill to Draco and he did the same.

Words appeared on the very right hand corner, the script in scrawling words as if someone had actually taken a quill and written in it.

Welcome Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. Turn the page.

Turning the page, both Harry and Draco was surprised to find both the left and the right pages completely blank.

A single line of words in the same scrawling and spidery hand writing appeared on the left page, Harry and Draco reading the words with a deft, quick glance.

My name is Lord Venesse and I will be your teacher for the long remainder of this guide.

A/N: There you have it. You've begun to see the little fears Harry now has after being raised in the Potter residence such as claustrophobia and whatnot. Sorry if this chapter was a little short. Don't forget to follow, favorite, and give me your ideas/opinions in a review! I will be doing review responses in the next chapter. Thank you again cuties.