Chapter 2
The next morning, Harry awoke later than he had planned. He recalled the incident with Malfoy last night and getting up he put on his glasses and walked out of the room to check on him. He opened Malfoy's door carefully hoping he was still there. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Malfoy sleeping rather peacefully. He closed the door quietly and went to the kitchen.
He made himself breakfast and began to wonder how he was going to explain Malfoy's presence to the Order. He glanced at the clock and realized that the Order would be here any minute. He gulped down his breakfast and hurried to shower.
A few moments later he was done and pacing the living room. He hoped everything would work out—especially his plans with Malfoy. 'Speaking of," he thought, "I'd better get him up."
He opened Malfoy's door and quietly walked in. Malfoy was curled into a ball still sleeping soundly. "Malfoy?" Harry called.
Malfoy didn't answer.
Harry bent over to gently shake him, "Malfoy" he said again.
Malfoy's eyes opened slowly and he looked up at Harry.
"You need to get up; the Order will be here soon."
"Alright" he said getting up and making his way to the door.
Harry went back to his room to continue gathering his thoughts for the Order. It wasn't long before he heard a knock on his bedroom door. "Come in" he said knowing it was Malfoy. The door opened and sure enough it was. Harry froze when he saw that he was only wearing a towel. His brow furrowed when he noticed his scars—especially that large one above his stomach, it looked fresh.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow when he saw Harry study him, "Like what you see Potter?" he smirked as he noticed Harry's face turn crimson.
"What do you want?" he snapped
Malfoy replied crossing his arms, "I…don't have any clothes."
Harry nodded and cursed himself over the blush that was scorching his face at the sight of Malfoy's partial, wet nudity. He got up and walked to his suitcase. "Ok let's see—well Malfoy, I have a Gryffindor T-shirt and jeans.
Malfoy tried not to wrinkle his nose, but lost that battle and grabbed the clothes. "Thank you," Malfoy stated and turned around ready to exit the room. But before he walked out of the room Harry asked, "Do you want breakfast?"
Malfoy turned, "Yes, I'm starved."
"Ok I'll make you something," he replied, getting up.
Malfoy nodded and walked through the door into the corridor.
Harry went to the kitchen—he thought to himself, 'This is very bloody unusual, last night I cleaned up his blood and practically guaranteed him his safety and today I'm making him breakfast.' He took out the eggs and sausages the Order gave him and magically made the breakfast.
Just as Harry finished preparing the breakfast, Malfoy appeared in the kitchen doorway feeling rather foolish in the clothes he was wearing. Harry looked at him in amusement. His Gryffindor shirt was about a size to big for him—well just the fact that it was a Gryffindor shirt was amusing enough.
"Smells good!" Malfoy commented bringing his plate to the table.
Harry sat across form him and watched him eat. "Malfoy, you are going to help me."
Malfoy glanced at him, "Sure thing, Potter."
'That was easier than expected' Harry thought but before he could say anything else Malfoy spoke.
"Try…to persuade them…"he broke off not trusting himself to speak anymore.
Harry nodded, "Don't worry they can't refuse my offer."
Malfoy was still tense, "I'm going to my room for awhile. Thanks for breakfast." He got up and walked to his room leaving the plates and cups in the table.
Not a minute later Harry heard a knock on the door and Moody's booming voice, "Lad open up, it's time to go!"
Harry opened the door and invited everyone in with a clam "Come in."
Molly Weasley rushed him. "Oh Harry dear! I was up all night worrying about you!" She hugged him tightly.
"I'm all right" he said.
"I still don't like your idea of keeping Harry safe Alastor." Lupin said. "They could have found him."
"No enemy could have tracked him down to this house. Don't question my strategies Remus. He is completely safe, well for a time. That is why you must leave for the Weasley's now; you are still too close to your relatives' house."
Harry nodded, "Let me get my stuff." He walked straight to Malfoy's room and found him sitting on the bed. He looked terrified.
"Malfoy, they're here. Come on." Harry held out his hand and Malfoy took it, his hand trembling.
"No, I can't," he said sitting back on the bed. "I can't face them all, Potter. They'll tear me to shreds, especially your friend, Weasley—whatshisname.
"Alright wait here." And Harry left.
He scanned the living room trying to decide who he can trust first with Draco.
Lupin grinned, "Are you done?"
"No not quite, um, Professor Moody can you help me really quick?"
Moody nodded knowingly and followed Harry. He shut the door behind them in Malfoy's room. "Ah, I knew you were not alone." He said regarding his presence.
"Malfoy is going to stay with me. He has something that can help us."
"Does he? Lets see what you have boy." He said walking to Draco.
Draco swallowed and pulled out the necklace.
Moody's lips twisted up in a parody of a smile, "Where did you get that, Malfoy?."
"I stole it from him." Malfoy replied.
Moody's magical eye was fixed on him. Draco looked away. "You speak truth boy, how brave of you." He patted him roughly on the back, "Looks like they roughed you up over there." He said regarding the bandages.
Draco nodded.
"All right boy, you're coming with us" he said turning around. "I'll take it from here." He grabbed Malfoy's arm and lead him out of the door.
Malfoy caught Harry's eye and gave him a look of gratitude and Harry grinned.
He heard from his room the uproar that Malfoy caused. While packing he picked up on a few topics shouted—Malfoy, Death Eater, Azkaban. Harry shook his head, yes he is a Malfoy but a different one—he could see it.
He quickly got up with his suitcase and rushed to the living room. It was quite noisy. He glanced at Malfoy who remained very calm. He caught Harry's gaze with a look that screamed, "Help me!"
"Excuse me," he said but no one heard, "EXCUSE ME!" he shouted again. Finally he whistled as loud as he could and silence quickly followed—all eyes on him.
"Thank you, now, yes Malfoy is here with me but as Moody said he would have never found me if he were my enemy. He is going to stay with me. I promised I would keep him from Voldemort."
Moody interrupted him, "we will continue this little discussion at Mrs. Weasley's house. The wards of this safe house are faltering; we are out of time here."
They linked arms in groups preparing for side-along apparition. He grabbed Malfoy's arm and the next thing he knew they were in the Weasley's foyer.
He whispered to Malfoy, "Things are about to get rough. Just stay calm."
Malfoy nodded.
"Ron! Hermione, Harry's here!" Mrs. Weasley shouted up the stairs.
Harry heard the stampede coming down the stairs.
"Harry!" he heard Ginny call from the other room.
They ran into the foyer. Harry watched as their expressions of happiness rapidly transform to one of utter shock at the sight of his blonde tag-a-long.
Ron was the first to speak, "What the bloody hell is he doing here?!"
"Now, now Ronald you watch your tongue. The boy has been through enough!" Mrs. Weasley said.
They all stared in disbelief and its Harry's turn to speak, "Malfoy will be staying with us. He can help us out."
Ron and the twins scoffed at that.
"Harry dear, take Mr. Malfoy to Ron's room and get settled."
Ron snapped his head in his mother's direction and glared at her, "Why my room?"
"Well you don't expect him to sleep with your sister, do you?" she chuckled.
"I can't believe this!" Ron said sitting on the couch.
"Come on Malfoy, this way."
"We're watching you Malfoy." One of the twins called after them.
Harry was grateful that no one followed them. "Well, er here we are." Harry stated as they reached Ron's door.
"I don't want to stay here, Potter." Malfoy whispered.
"Get over it, Malfoy. I know this is nothing like your house, but - ." He said opening the door.
"That's not it" he said, "Never mind."
Harry sighed, "Well, we will be leaving after the wedding so you won't have to deal with them all for very long. Draco sat on one of the beds.
Harry noticed that there were only two beds. "I suppose you could sleep with me, the bed is big enough."
Malfoy nodded looking uncomfortable with what Harry just said. "I'm quite tired, I'm going to take a nap." He said lying down.
"Alright" Harry said sitting on Ron's bed feeling tired himself. It wasn't long before Harry realized that Malfoy was in a deep sleep.
He heard a soft knock on the door and got up to open it. It was Hermione.
"Shh, he's sleeping," he whispered to her. She nodded coming in and they sat on the bed.
"What were you thinking bringing Malfoy here?"
"I had no choice. He can help us."
Hermione gave him her 'I hope you know what you are doing' look.
"Don't worry Hermione, I've been watching him. He's changed, I know he has."
"For your sake, I hope you are right."
"I am." He said confidently. He looked over at Draco, "I'm tired too. It was a rough night."
"I'll tell everyone you'll be up here awhile.
Harry smiled, "Thanks Hermione."
It wasn't quite lunch time when Harry awoke. He reached for his glasses and sat up.
Draco glanced at him, "you're awake" he said smiling.
He nodded, "You've been up long?"
Draco shook his head, "only about an hour."
"You could have gone downstairs or something."
Draco looked at him, "Don't be ridiculous, Potter. I'm not exactly the crowd favorite at the moment."
"Sorry. You want to go now?" he asked.
Draco nodded and got up, "Now or never, yeah?"
Harry smiled as he opened the door, "yeah."
Upon entering they realized that most of the Order was gone. Only Kingsley had stayed behind.
He noticed them when they walked in. "Good you're awake" he said, "I need to speak with you."
He got up and made his way to Mr. Weasley's study. As they followed Malfoy glanced at Harry nervously.
Kingsley shut they door behind them, "Alright, we have been deliberating while you slept and have come to the decision that it would be in Malfoy's best interest that the Ministry not know about Malfoy's presence here. This is the utmost secret. I understand there is a wedding here soon. Malfoy, it would wise not to attend."
Harry noticed that Malfoy's expression clearly stated that he hadn't planned on it anyway. Malfoy only nodded in response.
"I hear talk that you are going to try and find all the horcruxes. Some disagree but you have my support."
"Thanks, Kingsley."
Kingsley nodded, "Malfoy let me have that Horcrux. We must destroy it.
He took it off and handed it to him.
"I'll see you soon. I must meet with the others to figure out how to destroy this thing." Kingsley said and disapparated.
"I'm starved, let's get something to eat."
Malfoy nodded and followed Harry.
They found Mrs. Weasley busily preparing lunch. "Hello boys, it's almost done." She said.
"Where's Ron?" Harry asked.
"I made him go with his dad and Hermione to buy Mr. Malfoy some clothes. I don't think he would be able to fit into anything we have here. All my boys are so tall." She chuckled at that as she began filling their plates with food. "You should have heard him Harry, it was ridiculous. This should teach him a lesson in respect." She handed them the plates, "eat up boys."
As she left Malfoy sat across from Harry and began to eat. "I rather like her." he said.
Harry chuckled, "She's great. You know she is the only one the twins will listen to. They have a special kind of relationship—they fear her."
Malfoy smiled and then looked at Harry. "Potter, I don't believe I have thanked you for all that you have done for me."
"Don't worry about it. We have to put all differences aside if we are going to accomplish anything. By the way, my name is Harry."
"Er…right then Harry it is, I…er… suppose you can call me Draco."
"Alright then, Draco" Saying his name felt like the strangest thing in the world but he liked it—sitting here talking with him. "When we leave, it's not going to be easy." Harry said.
"Of course not P…Harry" Draco said.
"No, I mean with Ron. Just try to keep cool with him."
"Don't worry about it. I can't blame him for not wanting me around."
"Yeah you were a bastard," he teased, "To tell you the truth I'm a little shocked that we can talk like this."
Draco shrugged, "Like you said 'put all differences aside' and besides, I have nothing to prove anymore."
'Well that makes sense' Harry thought.
"You have no idea what it's like." He said swallowing loudly, "the things he made me do. I…I didn't want to…but-" he broke off, his breath quickening.
Harry wondered if he was about to have a nervous breakdown—it looked like it. Draco's eyes were unfocused and he began to shake grabbing at his chest. Harry got up and quickly moved to him.
"Draco? Draco it's all right." He said, "It's ok. Look at me."
Draco looked at him, and his breathing slowed.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked.
Draco looked angry and scared at the time. "Yeah, I just…thought I was back there…with him."
"So you're ok then?" He asked before moving back to his seat.
Draco nodded but still looked scared to death. His hand shook as he continued to eat. Harry wondered if this was going to be a problem later. He hoped not.