Changing Sides

Disclaimer: Not mine. Sigh.

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Chapter 4: The Ally

It had been about a week since Harry's first duel with Draco. Yes, shockingly, Harry was almost on a first name basis with Draco Malfoy, except for when they got angry at each other and called each other insulting names or just by their last name as they used to do.

Harry and Draco dueled about once or twice a day. Harry was even dueling some of the other Death Eaters and he hadn't lost yet. Voldemort had, as the muggles say, "flipped his lid" when one of the death eaters shot a Killing Curse at him during one of the duels. That particular Death Eater has not been seen in a while...

Harry was also receiving Occlumency lessons from Draco Malfoy. He learned that it was the power of keeping your mind closed from other people. Draco frequently tried invading Harry's mind and succeeded every time which meant that Harry was not practicing and not trying.

"Why aren't you trying, Potter?" Draco asked one day after looking into Harry's mind and seeing him and his godfather.

"Why should I?" Harry replied getting into a sitting position. He ended up on the floor of his bedroom as a result of Draco attacking his mind.

"It's important to be able to block out unwanted things," Draco said.

"Like what?" Harry asked annoyed.

"Well, I could potentially find out who is close to you now. Like that Azkaban escapee Sirius Black, he's your godfather, isn't he?" Draco asked.

"No one is supposed to know," Harry muttered.

"I saw it in your mind. Maybe you should try."

"I wonder what Ron and Hermione are doing now."

"Probably at Weasel's shack of a house for the summer."

"Could you stop insulting my friends?" Harry paused and looked at Draco. He looked him directly in the eye.

"Please, Potter. That was pitiful."

"What?"

"You just tried to invade my mind. I'm not stupid or untalented in this skill, actually this is the one thing I can do quite well. Why were you trying to invade my mind, Potter? What do you want to know?"

Harry paused again before answering. "I'm trying to decide if I could trust you."

Draco laughed a little. "I would think so."

"Being the son of a very high up Death Eater isn't so trustworthy, Malfoy." Harry had put emphasis on the name Malfoy.

"Well, if you didn't trust me or you thought I was evil, I probably would have already poisoned you with something, after all, I am the one who does bring you food everyday unless we eat in my room."

What Malfoy said was true. He did bring him food everyday and if he wanted to poison him, he very well could have. But he hadn't had he? No, maybe he was nothing like his father.

"I want to send a letter to Hermione."

Malfoy burst out laughing and laid back on Harry's bed.

"I don't think you can do that. You'd probably tell them where you are."

"I thought I was supposed to trust you."

Malfoy stopped laughing. "I... I don't mean... I don't mean it like that. But the Dark Lord has given me full responsibility of you."

"I wasn't going to say anything like that, you could even read the letter!"

"Wait, you already wrote it?" Malfoy sat up.

Harry got up off of the floor, tucking his wand in his belt and walked over to the oak desk against the wall. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a piece of folded up parchment. He handed it to Malfoy.

Malfoy's eyes scanned it over:

Dear Hermione,

You're probably with Ron or whoever enjoying your summer. I'm just writing to say that I'm fine, for now, and maybe we'll see each other again someday. You probably can't write back because you don't know where I am so this is a one way thing.

From,

Harry

"For now?" Malfoy asked quoting the letter. He looked at Harry. "You don't think that you'll be okay?"

"Malfoy, this is Lord Voldemort. I doubt that I'm getting out of here alive," Harry answered.

"Oh, I think you'll at least make it through the summer," Malfoy said.

"The summer? How do you know?" Harry asked.

"Like you said, I am the son of a very high ranking Death Eater. My father keeps me well informed. Supposedly, they believe that there is something that could extremely help the Dark Lord, and it involves you," Malfoy replied.

"Like a weapon?" Harry asked.

Malfoy shrugged. "That's all I know."

There was a moment of silence with Harry and Malfoy both staring intently at each other.

"Fine. I guess it can't hurt," Malfoy said suddenly.

"What?" Harry asked.

"I know you want so desperately to send that letter, I can see it in your mind."

"Can you stop going through my head?"

"Nah," Malfoy said and he folded the letter and tucked it into an envelope that Harry was already holding. "But don't tell anyone that you sent a letter, I don't know if you're allowed to or not."

Harry nodded and watched Malfoy to where he was going by the large windows. Malfoy pushed the windows open as if they were doors and jumped out.

Harry gasped and ran to the window. "Malfoy?" he called.

"What?" Malfoy asked turning around.

Harry looked down. "Balcony? Was that always there?" he asked.

"Yes," Malfoy replied. He whistled and an owl came flying to him from around the side of the Manor. He gave the letter to the owl. "Now, Potter, Granger cannot send a letter back because, one, if anyone found out they would probably kill you and two, then I would be killed. Got it?"

Harry nodded. "Does your owl know where to go?" Harry asked.

"He is a smart bird. He'll probably find his way," Malfoy answered.

Harry petted the top of the owl. "Please bring this to the Burrow and do it discreetly. Don't let anyone here see you leaving."

The owl gave a little hoot and Harry took it that the owl understood as it flew off of the balcony ledge.

"What's the Burrow?" Malfoy asked.

Harry smiled. "It's code for a certain place." Malfoy stared Harry down. "Looking for something?"

Malfoy smirked. "Not bad, Potter. Not bad at all." He looked at his watch. "I have to go, see you later, Harry." Malfoy went back inside the room.

"Harry?" Harry repeated.

"Well, you called me Draco," Malfoy answered.

"But you calling me Harry just sounds weird. For nearly four years you've called me Potter," Harry remarked. "And I've called you Malfoy."

"Friends call each other by their first names, but I'll call you Potter if that's what you want," Malfoy said and strode from Harry's room.

Harry remained on the balcony leaning over the ledge looking out and thinking about what Malfoy had said. Friends? He doubted that him and Draco... no, him and Malfoy could ever be friends. It was just impossible. They were... allies. They helped each other out but Harry couldn't help but feel guilty.

He had tricked Malfoy. It was a small trick, though. Probably harmless.

Harry almost had Occlumency down pat, but led Malfoy to believe that he was awful at it. Everyday after dueling Harry would come back to his room and relax and then study and read the Occlumency books.

Harry was proud of his cleverness though and he still did not fully trust Malfoy. If he had not been able to stop Malfoy from reading into his mind, he would have seen that Harry wrote two letters and put a disillusionment charm on the second one which was written on the back and Malfoy did not see it. The second letter was long and informed Hermione of much that was going on:

Dear Hermione,

I hope you get this. I am at Malfoy Manor but not in a dank cellar like you would expect. I'm in a master bedroom, it is very nice and huge... and Gryffindor colors. I don't know why I am being treated so well here, but I honestly don't mind the hospitality. I'll tell you everything since I managed to slip this letter past Malfoy and although we are on friendlier terms, I still do not trust him.

The Triwizard Cup was a portkey. Wormtail killed Cedric. Voldemort and I dueled and clearly I didn't end up too well. But I duel Malfoy almost everyday and beat him, I even have to duel other Death Eaters. I'm yet to lose and I hope to keep it that way. Malfoy informed me that Voldemort wants something that apparently involves me but that is all he knows. I doubt Malfoy will let me send anymore letters, but I will figure out a way to keep you posted. I have learned so much magic here. Wandless magic, Hermione! I'm learning wandless magic, of course it is with Lucius Malfoy and I'm always afraid that he's going to kill me but I'm doing very well. I know what you're thinking, don't let all of this get to my head. Don't worry, I miss you so much and I might just kill myself. Malfoy says I'm not meant to be killed, he says I'll survive the summer. But I do want to ask a favor. If you could maybe, go to Flourish & Blotts maybe and get some books. Anything and send them to Draco, here. Put my invisibility cloak in the package, at the bottom and cover it with those white styrofoam things, whatever they are. Malfoy will take the package directly and I will get my cloak. Yes, I know there is a risk that I won't get it, but I am willing to take that risk. Please tell Ron and Dumbledore and everyone that I'm okay. I have a balcony so maybe if you find a way to turn an owl invisible then send it, make sure it is Malfoy's owl, that's the only owl that can get through their wards. I hope to see you soon. Be careful with what you send me and I miss you. I'll try and keep you posted.

Love, Harry

Harry truly hoped that all of his ideas would work. He needed his cloak, he felt like when he was wearing it, that he was freer since no one could see him.

Harry watched as Malfoy's owl decided to leave. It must've made sure that no one was watching it as it left. Harry turned to his left as he saw something moving on the ground, two stories below.

It was just Draco Malfoy, though. He gave Harry a slight nod and Harry returned the nod as he watched Malfoy walk across the lawn to a spot next to the massive cluster of trees and turn around to face Harry. He gave him a small wave and disapparated.

Harry was shocked. Draco Malfoy could apparate? Hmm, he would be a good ally. But, first he would need to find out if he could really trust him or not.

Another chapter comes to a close. I figured you might want to see what type of stuff was in Harry's letter. Pretty clever of him to do that, eh? I'll update as soon as I can. The school week is starting and I've got classes so I will try.

I'm also seeing a lack in reviews. I know people are reading it but not reviewing. Just leave a small review and let me know what you think. Please and thank you.

Current Word Count : 7276

—Elizabeth