Part 16:

After the 'alliance' had been made, the two boys sat in silence, not quite knowing what to say. Since they had been enemies for as long as they had known each other, the silence was quite awkward. They had no friends in common, and, were it not for Voldemort, would probably still be enemies.

Finally, Harry got up, running a hand through his hair awkwardly. "Do-do you want something to drink?"

Malfoy jumped to his feet, grateful to have a distraction. "Yeah, thanks," he said, following Harry into the kitchen.

Harry looked around the kitchen, as if seeing it through Malfoy's eyes. The walls were a mustard yellow with ugly little pink flowers. Aunt Petunia had chosen the wall paper herself. The sink was silver metal while the counters were brown. A television rested by the glass windows, directly in sight of the clear glass kitchen table.

Malfoy stared, transfixed at the television. He had stopped in the doorway.

Harry turned around and saw Malfoy staring at the electronic appliance. "Haven't you ever seen a television before, Malfoy?" Harry asked.

The blonde boy shook his head, his eyes still glued to the screen.

Harry shrugged and gestured to one of the chairs around the table. "You can sit down and watch. I'll get you some water."

Malfoy nodded and, as if in a trance, sunk down into the chair.

Harry rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything. He could only imagine what it must be like to live without electricity. Suddenly, Harry stiffened. He could hear a car pulling into the driveway.

Quickly, he grabbed Malfoy by the hand. "Come on, Malfoy, upstairs!" he hissed, dragging the still stunned boy up the stairs and down the hallway.

They were already in Harry's room before Malfoy seemed to "wake up".

"What are you doing? Let go of me, Potter!" Malfoy said, yanking his arm out of Harry's grasp.

"The Dursleys are home. You have to be quiet. They would flip if they knew you were here."
"Boy!!!!" Uncle Vernon's voice boomed in the house and his footsteps echoed on the stairs.

"Hurry. In the closet," Harry opened up his wardrobe and shoved Malfoy inside. "And be quiet."

"Boy!" Uncle Vernon opened his nephew's bedroom door.

"Yes Uncle?"

"When we come home after a long day, I expect there to be lunch waiting for me. Have I made myself clear?"
Harry nodded, wishing that Draco Malfoy wasn't in his closet listening to him get bashed around. "Yes Uncle," he said through gritted teeth. "I'll be down in a minute."

Uncle Vernon nodded, after glancing around the room once. Harry was glad that he had put a cover over Hedwig's empty cage; otherwise there would be definite questions.

With one more glare in Harry's direction, Uncle Vernon turned on his heel and walked out, his heavy footsteps echoing throughout the whole house.

As soon as Harry was sure his uncle was downstairs, the boy sunk down onto his bed, running his hands through his hair. The closet door creaked open and Malfoy's head peeked out.

"Can I come out now?" Malfoy's voice held a hint of the old impatience.

Harry nodded, not looking at the other boy.

Draco stepped out of the cupboard then and stretched his neck. Now that he had the time, he glanced around at Harry's room and then at the door where Uncle Vernon had exited. "Is that what you've had to put up with all this time?" he asked, a little disbelievingly.

"Yes," Harry said bitterly. Even though Draco said they weren't enemies anymore, Harry hated to have Draco know that "The Chosen One" did not live a rich life. He hated for Draco to know that indeed, he was treated like a slave! It was schoolboy foolishness, but it was there all the same.

Malfoy whistled low but wisely said nothing. "How long have you lived here?" he asked, going to sit on the desk chair.

Harry shrugged. "Forever. Since I was a year old." Harry didn't want to talk about such a painful subject. He still regretted that he had no real memories of his mother and father while Draco had had every advantage since he was born.

"That's-that's gotta be rough," Malfoy said, struggling for something to say.

Harry nodded and turned away from Malfoy. Almost seven years of animosity could not be erased in one day. Even though this was a side of Malfoy that he had never seen before, Harry didn't feel comfortable spilling his life story to the other boy. He knew that Malfoy had changed, that much was certain. He also knew that Malfoy needed help, badly. He wouldn't have come to Harry if he didn't.

Harry got up, rubbing the back of his neck. He felt awkward sitting here, just inches away from his former enemy. "I-I guess I should go make lunch. I'll bring some up for you later. If anyone comes in, just…hide in the closet," Harry said.

Malfoy nodded his understanding. "I'll be quiet as a mouse," he promised.

"Just hope Hedwig doesn't come back," Harry grinned.