It took days, no about a week for Hogwarts to settle down. And this was only the first week. Several Howlers were sent to both boys, chastising them for such immature progressions. Although, a congratulatory letter from the Weasley twins, with a box set of new gags and a quest for acquiring the elusive potion used in the now notorious prank. Harry wrote a letter back with a small sample of the potion, and told them to use it as they see fit, and determine if they enjoy the results. They also both received a letter from Snape praising them for their hard work and cleverness. Regrettably, the letters will have to remain in legend because both letters promptly disintegrated when the boys finished reading them.

As for how the houses were reacting, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw looked on curiously, but couldn't care less. They weren't usually up for fighting, and in this drama, they preferred to put up their feet and relax. Slytherin and Gryffindor both reacted violently to the thought of their two leaders befriending eachother. But all was silenced in Slytherin when the fact became known about Voldemort's consort. They all suspected it was a plot to lure Harry into Voldemort, so they became quite lenient when it came to Harry Potter.

Unfortunately, that exact thought was stuck like concrete in the Gryffindor mindset. Being protective of the wizarding savior, they tried to talk sensibly to him. They tried getting at him. They checked, re-checked, thrice checked and quadruple checked for bespelling. Finally some just gave up surrendering Harry to a lost fate. Then the cold shoulder began. It wasn't so bad; it seemed that everyone was just disappointed in Harry for falling into an obvious plot. But what hurt the most was definitely Ron.

After ranting with Harry for literally three and a half hours about the stunt he played on his "dearest and most loyal" best friend, Ron finally got it through his thick skull that Harry wasn't budging. He gave up that night, and tried again for two more nights for Harry to see his drastic, as Ron believed, folly. Ron finally, screaming in frustration gave the Golden Boy an ultimatum. Ron, his quite possibly closest and most loyal friend, or Draco, the Death Eater extraordinaire. Harry looked up at him, and finally said what he'd been meaning to say these last few days.

Harry shook his head then got up standing above Ron to give him an imposing figure. "Ron, of all the selfish, stupid things you've done in your life, I've never thought you'd actually hold me back from having other friends. Your jealousy in this case, but it should be marked extreme jealousy in reality, is completely unwarranted and quite surprising. Now I know you have been at odds with the Malfoy's for ages, your dad and his dad too. But it doesn't mean I can't befriend him, and it doesn't mean I have to put up with your belittling him either.

Draco would never make me choose between him and my "supposed" best friends. I am so, very very horribly disappointed in you for behaving this way. I am not going to choose between you or him, so you're going to have to make the decision for me. If you can't act mature enough to accept and even find it in your heart to befriend him, then turn around and never speak to me again. Because I don't want a friend who can't tolerate other people. Do you know why, Ron? Because that's exactly what Voldemort does."

Harry turned around, tears coming to his eyes and walked out of the bedroom and into the common room to find Hermoine. Hermoine, while not exactly supportive, knew there must be a good reason to Harry's extraordinary friendship with Malfoy. She looked into his eyes and got up to hug him. He hugged her back, and then took her hand and led her out with him. A strangled scream was unleashed as Ron came out of the dorms, watching Harry disappear behind the portrait and steal his girlfriend. Unnoticed by the two and Enraged, he went back to the room to do some damage.

Harry dragged Hermoine along the corridors to the Room of Requirement and called up the now familiar image of exactly what he wanted. She gasped at the luxury, and sat down on the floor next to the fire to warm up.

Draco?

Yeah Harry?

I need you here. Our room okay?

Why? What's the matter? I felt your emotions going crazy a little while ago? Whose giving you trouble? Who am I hexing to death?

Harry felt the indignation rising from the other side of the link and smiled tremulously.

I have to talk to you. Hermoine will be here okay?

I suppose I shall have to be nice to the mudblood from now on? Draco mentally sighed but he perked up anyway. I'll be right there.

Waiting for Draco to arrive, Harry let himself put his head on Hermoine's shoulder and be held. He sighed and related what had happened with the conversation in detail and in depth, as Hermoine usually insisted every confrontation be retold in. At the end though, steam was coming out of her ears. "You know Harry, of all the selfish, priggish things imaginable. Just when we find out we can truly have interhouse unity. That prat is going to ruin it for everyone. Wait until I get my hands on him." She seethed. Harry looked at her surprised, but didn't say anything. Draco popped into the room looked at Harry and his best friend and not a small thread of jealousy made itself apparent to his link.

Harry looked surprised but patted Hermoine's arm as he lifted himself from her embrace. "What's up, Harry?" "Nothing much Drake. Just some petty interhouse quarreling." With that he sent the whole conversation, via link to Draco. Hermoine looked back and forth for a minute or two, seeing as how she had no clue that Draco was reviewing the fight, but she kept her obviously curious gob shut.

After three more minutes of silence, Draco's eyes snapped open and he looked deadly. "Wait. Until. I. Get. My. Hands. On. That. Fucking. Prick." He stomped about the room and argued with himself whether or not disemboweling would be good enough for the likes of Ron Weasley. He calmed down efficiently after a few moments and then slouched on his favorite of the two chairs.

Harry was talking to Hermoine, and Draco looked at them specutively as it died down. Harry took Hermoine's hand in his own and said solemnly. "He actually was looking forward to spending time with Ron, since he is rather good at wizarding chess and heard a lot about his game style. He is also equally pleased to finally be able to debate with you about school topics, because he is second in the class, whether he likes it or not."

Hermoine looked surprised at this, and looked at Draco to see if this was true. The dull flush that crept up his neck affirmed that, but she was also genuinely pleased that someone of her let's just say, caliber was willing to talk to her. She had ached for a good educated debate in a long while.

Harry looked at her again and asked her something she couldn't resist. "There is…there is something also I need to tell you. But you need to take a Wizard's Oath that you will not repeat what you have heard to anyone, by any means. It is that imperative." Hermoine started, But I'm his best friend! What can he not come to me for? I can't believe he's keeping things from Ron and I. Although, that's probably to be expected, especially since he's been keeping this friendship with Draco secret. Damn my inquisitive nature. "All right Harry, I'll take it. I'm just surprised that you couldn't come to me and Ron about this."

Harry shook his head and smiled. "It's for the same reason I didn't tell anyone about me and Draco being friends until you actually got back to school. You just wouldn't be able to understand over the distance."

In short order, Hermoine and Harry had made the oath and Hermoine lay out on her stomach, propped up by a pillow underneath her chest. Looking at Harry expectantly, she braced herself for something big. But even she couldn't have braced for this. "Draco and I are linked."

Hermoine blinked as if not processing the information. "You and Draco are WHAT?" She got very confused, and she tried her best to believe what was coming out of Harry's mouth. "You're not kidding are you? Because that's a very cruel joke and you would be slipping to new lows if you are." Harry laughed and shook his head. "Draco's a spy for the Order. As Voldemort's…um…friend we'll say, he's privy to things normal members could only have wet dreams about. He sends me the memories, I write them down in a magical journal, and Dumbledore reads out the printouts. That way, Draco can't be missed while he reports to headquarters, nor can he be tracked going there in any way. He doesn't have to! Brilliant plan, I say. The weird thing is that Draco and I had no idea we were going to be links. Hogwarts picked out the best match in the entire wizarding world, and I seemed most suitable."

Hermoine looked amazed, but slowly started to believe the story. "How can you two forget everything that's happened throughout the last six years? How? It's just not feasible."

"When you've lived lives like ours Hermoine, if I may call you that," she nodded at Draco "You learn to forgive and forget if it means to find acceptance in someone who matches you so well."

She nodded slightly. "I guess it makes sense in a weird sort of way. I'm just surprised you two get along so well. It seems as if you have been friends for ages." "Funny you should say that Hermoine, I was just thinking that myself." Harry replied. "It seems as if we've been talking in each others' minds since we've been born. I can't imagine not having this closeness that I feel. It's amazing."

Hermoine sighed a little at that, finding it in her heart to accept Draco as he truly is. "So, are you two willing to make it official?" "What do you mean?" Harry asked. Draco turned beet red and redirected his gaze at Hermione's feet. "Draco likes Harry, and Harry likes Draco. I'm assuming you two want everyone to warm up to it first, yes?"

"Um…I wasn't aware that I was gay, let alone dating Draco." Harry asked and laughed. Draco's color drained from his face. "I've just started being friends with him Hermoine. You need to give it time." Hermoine nodded, looked at Draco's face and wisely responded. " Welp, with that bombshell, I better go. Nice talking to the both of you. Draco you and I should talk about the essay for Professor Snape that's due on Tuesday. I'd love to hear your thoughts." Draco nodded discreetly, not wanting to seem too excited to talk about his favorite class along with another potion enthusiast.

As the door shut merrily, Draco looked at anything but Harry his side of the link pulsing hurt. Harry, concerned slipped behind the thin waif and held him comfortingly. Draco stiffened in the embrace, not giving an inch in terms of relaxation.

"You don't like me? You don't think I'm cute?" Harry sighed. "Draco…you know how hard this is for me. I just, I'm just coming to terms with our relationship and even though I'm very attracted to you for someone who isn't gay, and I've been having all these dreams about you, I'm having trouble figuring out what to do about Ron and the rest of my house. This would cause an uproar, not in Hogwarts, but in the wizarding world. You and I are two of the most eligible bachelors –" Harry was cut off by Draco invading his personal space.

"And I …think….we should…" Harry's train of thought ghosted away from him like the smoke coming from the fire. He looked into Draco's eyes, not sure of what to do, just feeling hypersensitive all over his body. Unsure of this development, Harry darted his tongue out to wet his bottom lip. This entranced Draco, his gaze following the pink muscle as it sped back in between Harry's soft lips.

Dr…Draco?

What Harry?

"I…I…I'm not gay." Draco smirked and ghosted his lips across Harry's in retort. We'll see about that. Draco was gentle the entire time, just brushing butterfly kisses across his Link's lips when things around them got steadily cooler. The kiss progressed slowly, never coming to more than just soft lip contact, Draco could see Harry's breath coming in puffs, but was too caught up in the moment to bother to think. As it slowed and a soft peck was the final deed on Harry's part, much to Draco's pleasure.

It was the after effect, which had both of them puzzled. For they had ended up on their butts, surrounded by a floor's worth of ice. "What the fuck Harry?" Harry looked confused and just shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea how I did it. Are you sure it wasn't you?" "Of course I'm bloody sure! I, for one am in control of my magical abilities and do not have to resort to being shocked and surprised by magic!"

Harry took one look at him and laughed hysterically. Draco just started ranting louder, enraged that Harry wouldn't take him seriously. Eventually Harry's laughter subsided and he just shook his head, and smiled in amusement at his link still ranting about control.

"Draco. I can do elemental magic."

"So bloody fucking well what? That can be done once every three hundred years or so by someone powerful. You need to learn that…"

"DRACO!"

"WHAT!"

"I can do elemental magic." Draco paused mid-rant, bloody fucking hell! Do you know what this means?!?!

"That I have a really good chance of defeating Voldemort?"

Draco looked up and then looked thoughtful. Maybe? Merlin...there might actually be hope after all.

"Hey! I'm not chopped liver you know." Harry turned away, mock pouting. A smirk and a panther-like prowl later Draco's lips were at Harry's throat.

Well the first thing when dealing with extra magical power is to stimulate it into reacting. Now, if memory serves me, the last thing you were doing to make your elemental magic emerge was…

Harry grinned and turned in Draco's arms. "Oh memory serves me well. But I do think I need a refresher. Care to help me?"

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Yay for a slightly fluffy ending. :D