Harry soon found out that living in the Order's headquarters wasn't as interesting as he had expected it to be. Just like the summer before, the adults refused to give them any information about goings on.
But thanks to Gred and Forge, Harry and company found out everything, which really wasn't much.
"I swear!" George cried out one evening when the adults had shunted everyone out of the kitchen.
"Yes, you do," Fred cut in.
"Shut it, you. As I was saying," he said in huff as he glared at his twin, "the Order isn't doing anything! We're at war, and they don't have one bloody plan as to what we're going to do!"
"Maybe," Hermione suggested, peeking over the top of her Arithmancy book, "they aren't saying anything to either of you because they know you're passing it right on to us."
Fred and George just stared at her, mouths agape.
"She got you that time," Draco said. "Most likely they have some grand battle plan that involves every single one of us, but they won't bother to ask our consent until it means life or death. Just like all adults do."
Harry laughed hollowly. Draco really has no idea, he thought. He doesn't have to kill Voldemort.
"Harry? You there mate?" Ron was waving his hands on front of Harry's eyes again. "Spaced out for a second?"
"Yea, just thinking," Harry replied distantly.
"He's been doing that a lot lately," Fred whispered to George. Harry didn't notice.
They spent the rest of the evening moving in between silence and a stressed chatter. After the subject of the oncoming war, no one really had much to say, and each was content to keep his or her thoughts private.
"So, what did you get on your O.W.L.'s, 'Mione?" Ron said, breaking another silence. "Straight O's, right?"
Harry vaguely remembered a post owl coming with a bundle of letters earlier in the day, accompanied by Hermione's exclamations of, "Thank Merlin they're here! The results are late!" and Ron's groans as his mother intercepted his letter. Harry's was still on his dresser in the same room he had stayed in the summer before, unopened.
Harry suddenly realized that everyone was looking at him expectantly.
"Hmm?" he asked.
"I said, what did you get on your O.W.L.'s?" Hermione was looking at him oddly. "Are you sure you're alright? Are you sleeping well?"
"Er, I didn't sleep too well last night," he admitted.
"Or the night before, or the night before that," Ron interjected. "You haven't gotten a decent night's sleep in over a week. We can hear you moving around," he added by way of explanation.
"Maybe you should ask Mrs. Weasley or Professor Snape for a sleeping potion," Hermione suggested.
"Snape would probably try to poison him," Ron argued. "But I think my mum has some asphodel in the store cupboard."
"Oh yes, let's brew the Drought of Living Death, shall we? Harry will definitely get his rest then," Draco drawled from his position on the bed. "Let's try something a tad less potent, hmm? Don't want the Golden Boy to be asleep when Lord Voldy comes in the night."
"WILL YOU ALL JUST STOP IT? I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF!" Harry stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Draco and Ron rose to go after him, but were stopped by the twins.
"Harry needs some alone time right now," George said, setting a struggling Ron back down in a chair.
"Well, he can be alone, and I'll be alone with him!" Draco countered, attempting to bite Fred's hand on his shoulder as it guided him back to the bed.
Hermione shook her head. "Just because you two are too simple to feel more than one emotion doesn't mean Harry is," she started to explain, but Draco cut her off.
"Too simple! I am not simple! I have had to deal with Voldemort practically breathing down my back since I was born-"
"Oh shut up," Fred interrupted, placing hand over. "Let the girl speak." At his words, Draco attempted to bite Fred's hand, but Fred just arced his fingers away from the sharp teeth.
Glaring at Draco, Hermione started again. "Harry's not just another teenager. You should know that, especially you, Ron." At this, she directed a pointed stare at the gangly redhead on her right, who immediately looked abashed. "Right now, he's battling severe depression, and it's especially hard since he's living in a house full of memories. He blames himself for Sirius' death-"
"Pssh, that's a load of rubbish!" Ron cried, wincing at the sound of a door being slammed.
"Why would he do that?"
"And people call me a git," Draco muttered. Fred smacked him upside the head.
"And he told you all this?" Ron interrupted again, "but didn't tell me?"
"No, but if you'd open your eyes and use the brain inside that thick skull of yours, you would have noticed it too." Hermione's exasperation was apparent as her shoulder's sagged. "He's keeping a secret from us, I can feel it."
Draco squirmed uncomfortably at her words, but Fred accredited it to the fact that the blonde was still being held prisoner by an arm around his neck.
"What is it?" George asked, now thoroughly intrigued.
"Well, if I knew what it was, then it wouldn't be a secret, would it?" Hermione answered, sending another look at George.
"But what could be so bad that he wouldn't tell his friends?" Draco asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I don't know," Hermione said sadly. "But it can't be anything good."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
They all have to act like my fucking parents, like they can brew up a few potions and cast a few spells and all the pain and heartache will go away. This isn't a bloody scratch, it's a damn wound, and it needs more than a band aid! Harry threw himself face first onto his bed, burying his head in a pillow, waiting for the inevitable footsteps that would follow.
They never came.
Oh, so the parents can't even check up on their own child? He thought bitterly. At least they have parents that they can model themselves after. As for me, well, I have to always be the child, don't I?
You're being unreasonable, an argumentative part of his brain spoke out. Harry quickly squashed it.
No, Harry Potter must always be the Boy-Who-Lived. The boy who lived through Voldemort's attacks as a baby, and through the years when everyone else had nothing to worry about other than hormones. The boy who dug a grave for his godfather and practically threw him in it!
A solitary tear had wriggled it's way out of Harry's left eye and settled where glass met rim on his glasses, blurring his dark image of the pillow even further. His head felt too small to hold all the thoughts that were racing through it, and in a matter of minutes Harry was sneaking around the house again, this time to a room he didn't visit as frequently.
"Hey Buckbeak," Harry whispered, bowing low to the hippogriff. Buckbeak immediately bowed in return, then slowly lay down. Closing the door quietly, Harry tiptoed over and sat next to the great beast's head, gently stroking the feathers.
"It's been a long time since we've seen each other, hasn't it?" Buckbeak nodded, moving so his head rested in Harry's lap. "I bet you miss him as much as I do, huh? All of a sudden, someone you always assumed would be there is gone, and no matter what, nothing can fill the gap." One large eye stared up at him, unblinking. Harry grabbed a ferret from a bucket and gave it to Buckbeak, who ate it without making a mess of Harry's trousers. Harry smiled.
"Why can't I be normal?," he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "What is so special about me that I have to make all these sacrifices that no one else can even fathom? For once, I just want to be able to spend time with my friends without worrying that each one of them is a direct target because of me. I want to be able to love Draco without knowing that if his father ever knew, Draco would suffer a more painful death than is already planned for him. I want to be a regular, normal teenager without a care in the world."
"Ah, but Mr. Potter, normal is vastly overrated." Harry started at the soft voice coming from the doorway. The warm pressure from Harry's lap was lifted as Buckbeak stood proudly, waiting for Dumbledore's bow. Dumbledore and Buckbeak exchanged the needed formalities, and the headmaster made his way in.
"Excuse me, Mr. Potter, if I refrain from sitting on the floor. This body isn't the same as it used to be." He conjured a pair of plush velvet chairs and took a seat. "Care to join me?"
Harry, slightly blushing, took a seat opposite the professor. "Professor Dumbledore," he said, his voice tinged with embarrassment, "how much of that did you hear?"
"All of it, my dear boy, although it didn't provide me with any new information." At this Harry paled to a white that could have rivaled Draco's.
"So, you knew that Draco and I are . . ."
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, yes, I have known since you both initiated the relationship back on Privet Drive."
Harry shifted uncomfortably. "So . . . so you're okay with it?"
Dumbledore peered at Harry over his half moon spectacles. "We cannot choose who we love, Harry. Love is a very complicated emotion, and toying with it only brings disaster and pain. But when we follow our hearts, solace can be find in the most unlikely of places."
Harry let out a breath that he hadn't known he was holding.
"That, of course, does not give you and Mr. Malfoy free reign to use the school as you please. You will still behave as students." Harry glimpsed the familiar twinkle in the old man's eye as the raven head nodded vigorously, blushing.
"But I didn't come here to talk to you about your personal life, as interesting as it may be." Harry blushed again. "I know that Sirius' disappearance has had a great effect on you, an effect that none of your friends can imagine. Am I correct?"
Harry nodded slowly.
Dumbledore looked at Harry for a long time before he went on. "You are at a crossroads, Harry. You have many different decisions in front of you, and each will lead you down a different path. Some of these choices you will have to make on your own, and no one can make them for you. But there are some, Harry, that would best be made with the power of shared knowledge."
"Yes, sir," Harry said quietly, avoiding the headmaster's gaze.
"There are many times when we overestimate people," Dumbledore said, standing up. Harry copied his actions. "But we must be careful not to underestimate those near to our heart."
By this time they were at the door, which Dumbledore opened for Harry. They walked down the staircase together, Harry stopping at the door to his room.
"Professor?" he called in a muted voice.
Dumbledore stopped and turned around. "Yes, Harry?"
"Thank you."
A sincere smile made it's way onto the headmaster's face. "You are very welcome."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Where have you been?" Harry asked as Draco entered the room a good hour after Harry had finished talking with Dumbledore.
"Oh, we were just discussing you, and how you're mentally disturbed and can't think straight because of your undeniable lust for me, no pun intended." Harry could hear Draco getting changed and mentally cursed the darkness of the room and his poor eyesight.
"Thanks, I feel extremely loved," Harry said sarcastically, scooting over in the bed so Draco could have more room, but Draco just snuggled closer to Harry.
"You should," he said huskily, sending shivers down Harry's spine.
"Um, w-where's Ron?" Harry was having a hard time concentrating as Draco ran his slender fingers up and down Harry's bare arms.
"I like it when you go to bed shirtless," Draco whispered, lightly licking Harry's neck. "Saves me the trouble of removing clothing."
"Draco!" Harry turned his head toward the blonde, who was looking at him in mock innocence. "Ron is going to walk in any minute. Do you want to get caught?"
"Fine, have it your way Mr. I-Have-A-Stick-Up-My-Ass."
"I do not have a stick up my ass."
"Really? Want me to check for you?"
"DRACO!"
"Bloody hell, Harry, you're going to wake the entire house up if you don't shut it," Ron warned harshly as he came in. "Mum would kill you."
"What took you so bloody long?" Harry asked irritably, changing the subject.
"Hermione wanted to talk to me."
Immediately Harry was sitting bolt upright. "About what?"
"Aren't we the eager one?" Draco teased, discreetly letting one of his fingers slide along the back of Harry's waistband where Ron couldn't see. Harry wriggled, but didn't say anything.
"I have been waiting for five years for those two to start acknowledging each other, and I want to know what happens." Draco had now turned the back of the waistband down once, but since Ron was already in bed, the redhead didn't notice. Harry swiped at Draco.
"Well, she started talking about what happened at the party Fred and George held, and about what we should do about it-"
"Wait," Draco interrupted. "You two STILL aren't together?"
"Well, I think we were on that path, when Ginny came in to ask Hermione for some shirt . . ." Harry could hear the disappointment in Ron's voice.
"Sorry, mate," Harry said. "You're going to have to do something about it soon."
"I know, I know. But right now, all I want to do is sleep."
"Good, maybe we can get some sleep, too!" reprimanded one of the portraits.
"Why didn't we get rid of those?" Harry groaned.
"Hey Harry?" Ron asked.
"Whatever happened to sleep?" pouted Draco. Harry smacked him.
"Why are you and Draco still sleeping in the same bed? There are plenty of other rooms here."
"Habit, I guess. Plus, we all three wanted to sleep in the same room."
"Right. 'Night."
"Night, Ron."
"Night Weasel."
"Night ferret." Ron snores were heard almost immediately.
"Harry, are you asleep?" Draco breathed into Harry's ear a few minutes later.
"Of course I'm not. You can't make advances on me right before bed and then expect me to sleep." Harry turned on his side so he was looking at Draco. "That was your plan, wasn't it?"
"Yup, pretty much," came the devilish reply. Draco let his hand find Harry's waistband, which was still rolled down, and began playing with it again.
"Draco, I said it before, and I'm going to say it again. No." Harry pushed Draco's hands away.
"I didn't want to do that, you gutter minded fool, I just wanted to kiss you." Draco shook the silvery locks out of his eyes so he could look at Harry clearly.
"But, Draco, Ron's in the room," came the expected protest.
"But . . . you . . ." Draco grabbed Harry by the shoulders and pulled him up for another round of hungry, probing kisses.
"Aren't . . . you . . . ever . . . sated?" Harry asked between kisses. "You're like the bloody Energizer Bunny."
"The what?" Draco stopped. "What the hell is an enerwhatzer bunny?"
Harry sighed. "Never mind. It's a Muggle thing. Can I go to sleep now?"
"Sure," said Draco, spooning into Harry. "But you have to hug me like a teddy bear."
"Whatever, I'm tired." Harry wrapped his arms around the thin waist, hip bones jutting into his forearms. "You need to eat more."
"What, and make this ass fat?" retorted Draco, wiggling into Harry's crotch. Harry squeezed Draco so hard that Draco couldn't breathe.
"Alright, fine I won't ever do that to you again," Draco pouted. "Ungrateful, that's what you are, to have a boyfriend as horny as me."
"Just don't do it when I want to get to sleep," Harry whispered against Draco's neck. "But I'm very glad to have a boyfriend as horny as you. You're very creative." Harry moved one arm up to hold Draco's hand, which he clutched against his chest as he snuggled further into Harry, promptly falling asleep.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey, you guys, get up," said Ginny as she shook Harry and Draco awake. "Hurry, before Ron sees."
"Nuh uh," protested Draco, moving closer to Harry as Harry's arms gripped him tighter.
"You guys are spooned all over each other, and I bet Ron would love your explanation when he sees," she threatened in an ice cold voice. Harry and Draco immediately leapt apart. Simultaneously they both realized that neither was wearing a shirt. So did Ginny.
"I'll leave, and you guys can . . . clean up. But don't forget to wake Ron up." She turned on her heel, a smile playing on her face, leaving both boys very flushed.
"You can have the shower first," Harry offered, and with a chaste kiss Draco scurried off to clean up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was at breakfast that Harry started to notice Draco's uneasiness. The blonde was barely poking at his breakfast, and was always sending glances down towards the adult end of the table where members of the Order were seated. The same happened at lunch, and supper, and Harry was becoming worried.
After dessert he drew Ginny aside. "I think something is wrong with Draco," he confessed. "He hasn't been eating all day, and he's been jittery, and it worries me."
Ginny looked puzzled. "He's been the same as he has since we got here. I didn't notice a difference."
"He barely touched a meal today! And we had cheesecake for dessert, you know how he loves that, but he ate one bite before he tossed it." Harry ran his hands through his hair. "I hope I didn't do anything last night to make him angry with me."
"Harry," Ginny said in a voice that made Harry's gaze lock with her. "He's been this way since we got here," she repeated. "Haven't you noticed?"
"No, I've been . . . distracted, I guess." A wave of guilt passed through him. "Oh, Merlin, I hope nothing's seriously wrong."
"With you or him?" Ginny asked. Harry looked at her questioningly. "You've been different since we came here. Are you alright?" She had a look of half concern, half panic on her face as Harry's eyes clouded over, and Ginny braced herself for an outburst, but Harry controlled himself.
"Yea, I'm alright," he said quietly. "Being around here brings back memories of him, you know? And it hurts, thinking about how things could have been if he were still here, if he hadn't passed through the veil."
Ginny stepped forward and embraced Harry in a tight hug. She's pretty strong for someone her size. The top of Ginny's head barely grazed Harry's face, and he rested his chin on her hair, just holding her.
"I know what it's like to feel alone, Harry," she whispered into his neck. "It's hard, it really is, but remember that we're always here for you." Harry nodded into the nest of red below him.
"Am I interrupting something?" came a teasing drawl. Harry stepped away from Ginny, grinning.
"No, dahling, just a good talk between old friends." Harry beamed down at Ginny.
"Anyways, Blondie, could I talk to you?"
"You know I hate that nickname," Draco grumbled as he watched Ginny leave the room. "What did you need to say?"
Harry took a deep breath and turned Draco towards him so they were looking into each other's eyes. "Is everything okay?" Harry asked, green searching silver. "You haven't been the same since we've been here." For the first time Harry noticed how tight the skin stretched across Draco's usually slender frame, deepening each hollow of his body. The dark circles around his eyes were perfect half circle bruises staining his face, deadening the silvery eyes.
Almost like Sirius right out of Azkaban.
"What do you mean? I'm fine," Draco answered a little too quickly.
"You haven't been eating, you're quieter than I've ever seen you, you just haven't been yourself," Harry pointed out. "Something's up, Draco. Don't deny it."
Draco sighed. "Must you play mother?" he asked bitterly. "And why do you always have to be right?"
Harry ignored Draco's first question. "What is it?" he pushed. "What's bothering you?"
"The Order." Harry was confused by Draco's words, and Draco elaborated. "They all look at me like I'm a death eater, they won't talk around me, at all, and I can feel the hostility every time I'm around them. It's as if I have the Dark Mark tattooed on my forehead."
"Oh, Draco," Harry said, breathing a sigh of relief. He wrapped his arms around the boy, nuzzling into his neck. "You had me so worried. This is nothing."
"What!" cried Draco in disbelief. "I'm being treated like a walking Dark Mark and you say it's nothing? I think you may need a new brain, Harry."
Harry laughed. "Oh, Draco, it's not that I don't care. Mad Eye treats everyone like a suspect, even members of the Order. The rest just aren't used to the fact that the son of Voldemort's second in command is here in headquarters. And as for not saying anything around you, well, they never say anything around those of us who aren't in the Order."
Harry held Draco closer. "You had me worried. Don't ever do that again."
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's waist. "I won't," he promised.
"Now, how 'bout dessert?" Harry said.
"Sounds good to me," Draco agreed. Harry started to walk off, but Draco grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.
"Where are you going?" Draco asked.
"To get dessert." Harry looked puzzled. "I thought you wanted some."
"It was in my arms before it walked away," Draco pouted, arms encircling Harry again.
"You are too much of a romantic," Harry teased.
Draco leaned closer. "Don't see you protesting."
"Not one bit," Harry said softly as their lips met in a delicacy much more delicious than
cheesecake.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The few remaining weeks of summer passed by so quickly that the morning of September first dawned on three very tousled, irritated boys rushing around the house scooping up the last of their belongings.
"Have you seen my Divination book?"
"I think it's over by Quidditch Through the Ages."
"No, that's Transfiguration."
"Here it is! It was under Draco's trousers."
"Disgusting! Now it's infected."
"Shut it, Weasel."
"I think these robes are yours, Draco. They're silk."
"Isn't that a bit feminine?"
"They are not silk, Harry. And no, silk is not feminine."
"Says the boy who spends a fortune on hair gel."
"Harry, you're pushing it."
"Where's the Exploding Snap game?"
"Ouch! That bloody hurt!"
"What?"
"I stepped on one of the cards and it exploded."
"Good job Harry. At least we know the game still works."
"Stop snickering, Ron."
And so went the conversation from five until seven, when Mrs. Weasley forced them to take a break and scarf down some breakfast.
Both of the girls were sitting at the table, eating in a relaxed manner and chatting excitedly about the upcoming year.
"See you forgot to pack again," Hermione said. "Don't you three ever learn?"
"No," said Ron through a mouthful of bacon. "And we didn't forget, we just procrastinated."
"Oh, that's much better," Ginny said sarcastically.
"I think you're beginning to have an influence on her," Harry said to Draco. Draco glared at him, but the overall effect was lost as he had a piece of bacon hanging halfway out of his mouth.
Draco leaned over and whispered so quietly only Harry could hear. "That uniform makes
you look like a horny schoolboy."
Harry smirked. "That's because I am."
"It's taking all my self control right now not to just ravish you on the table."
"Please don't. It takes forever to get marmalade out of these sweaters."
"Oh look, the sweethearts are whispering sweet nothings to each other over breakfast," said George, purposely making his voice high and shrill.
"When's the wedding?" asked Fred.
"Are we invited?" asked George.
Draco sent another patented Malfoy glare at them, which just made them laugh harder.
"Now really, what were you talking about?" said Ron.
"Just asking Harry if he always makes those sounds when he sleeps," Draco lied smoothly.
"Only as often as you do," Harry said innocently.
Ron's expression twisted. "That implies a lot of nasty stuff, Harry."
Harry smirked. "I know. Gotta love the innuendo."
The rest of breakfast was rushed, and soon the boys were upstairs throwing the last few items into their trunks and locking them. Hedwig flew into her cage and Harry shut the wire door, attaching both trunk and cage to a carrier.
By ten o'clock the foyer was filled with five carriers, and plenty of people exchanging handshakes and hugs with the departing pupils. There were many wishes for a good school year, as well as warnings to be on the lookout for anything or anyone dangerous.
Harry felt his heart twinge as he boarded the train, the whistle urging him to hurry up. Harry was tempted to turn and search the crowd one last time for a large, black dog, but he fought it back and searched for an empty compartment.
The group lucked out: this year they found a compartment after only a few minutes of searching, and quickly plunked down. Soon they were joined by Neville, who threw a few initial glances of suspicion at Draco before the situation was explained. Luna squeezed in after him, in her usual dreamy state, and offered Draco a warm smile, which he returned. Ron looked uncomfortable.
After going through the expected renditions of the summer, and the retelling of Harry and Draco's tale (leaving out the romantic liaisons, of course), Neville and Luna were bursting with questions, which the others patiently answered.
"So now you're one of us?" Neville said.
"As in . . .?" Draco prompted, opening another chocolate frog he had bought when the cart stopped by.
"Oh, a good guy." Neville blushed.
Draco laughed. "I suppose you could call me that." He caught Harry's eyes and winked.
"Oy, look there," Ron said, pointing to the windows of the compartment that gazed into the hallway. A group of very angry Slytherins were passing by, all leering at Draco like he had just let off a fairly pungent dungbomb in their dormitory.
"Wow. You have to appreciate the love and warmth us Slytherins radiate, hmm?" Draco said lightheartedly, but Harry could sense that the brief demonstration had disturbed Draco.
As the topic turned to the raging war and the prefects shuffled in and out through the maze of knees, time passed so quickly that the entire group, minus Hermione, who had changed halfway there, shrugged into their robes at lightning speed as the train started to slow and pull into Hogsmeade. Ron, Hermione, and Draco adjusted their prefect pins, heading off to supervise while Harry, Neville, Luna, and Ginny crowded into their carriage. Harry could hear the distant call of "Firs' years" from Hagrid.
"Those things are scary," Neville said, referring to the thestrals. "I always thought I was hearing things, the snorts and the stomps, but those things are worse."
Harry chuckled. He was glad to be home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"I am sick and tired of first years," Draco muttered as he sat down next to Harry at The Griffyndor table, eliciting a few gasps from unknowing house members. Quickly those who had been at Fred and George's party turned and explained the situation.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked quietly.
"The Slytherins all already hate me, don't see what harm this does." Draco shrugged. "Plus, last year the Sorting Hat said to make inter-house bonds, and that's what I'm doing."
Harry smiled, but once again he felt that twisting knife as he always did when he was worried about Draco.
The hall quieted as the great doors opened and the meek first years were led through. The Sorting Hat was placed on a stool at the front of the dining hall, and all waited patiently for it to break out in song.
To the newer members of our school,
Soon to be divided,
Take heed the words I sing to you
With the time I am provided.
A danger that has lurked unseen
Has now come into play,
And within these walls this year
Is where you're bound to stay.
I am here to divvy up,
To choose the path you tread,
But the choice is not entirely mine
To illuminate the obstacles ahead
That you will face as time goes by,
And the year moves on,
Be careful in the steps you take
Whether, King, Knight, or Pawn.
Your closest friend may be a foe,
And the enemy your savior.
The sweet may turn to sour
The bitterest of flavors.
The quadrant that once stood proud,
The rulers of our school,
Hogwarts' founders and creators,
The eventual fools,
Believed that separating talents,
Not mixing from the start,
Would make each pupil stronger,
Reinforce each heart.
This isolation worked backwards,
Brewing jealousy, hate, and fear.
The school fell into disrepair,
The end seemed soon to be near.
Then Slytherin, a stubborn sort,
Departed from this place,
Leaving his three old friends behind
With a brighter future to face.
Although they came here with one dream
Of magic, might, and wonder,
A success it would have been
Except for their hideous blunder.
For none of the traits can stand on their own,
Each must be united.
Independently they disintegrate
And leave each person shortsighted.
The knowledge of the Ravenclaw,
The sharpest and the learned,
Is only part without Hufflepuff
And the great respect they earn.
The nobility of Gryffindor,
The bravery and the might,
Is empty without the other three,
And in a twisted plight.
For the final piece is Slytherin,
The cunning and the sly,
The one for which, when presented,
A chance never passes by.
For Slytherin is an obstinate bunch,
Slow to abandon their ideals.
The joining will be hard for them
With their values of hardened steel.
But join together you must
For you are our brightest hope yet,
And as you go to your respective tables
My words do not forget.
For the time will soon arrive,
When fate will rest in your hands.
So let the Sorting now commence
As tradition demands.
The expected applause was heard as the hat stopped moving, but Harry could feel the tense atmosphere surrounding the students. Once again the hat had warned them, even urged them, to forge an alliance between the houses. But this time it had warned that the alliance was the hope of the wizarding world. Harry wasn't the only one unsettled by this news.
After the Sorting, and the brief readjustment for the new Gryffindors, Dumbledore motioned for them all to eat. The food magically appeared on the golden platters, the goblets filling to the brim, and the students attacked the food as if they hadn't eaten in weeks.
The clanking of cutlery and china quickly subsided when Dumbledore rose and motioned for everyone to be silent.
"I hope you all tucked in rather well, for there is nothing worse than going to bed on an empty stomach." He smiled at the crowd before him. "Before we head off to bed, I have a few announcements to make. As usual, I'd like to remind everybody that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to everyone."
Harry swore that Dumbledore glanced in his direction.
"Mr. Filch would like to announce that there have been a few revisions to the list of banned items, which will be posted on his door if anyone would like to double check.
"In light of recent events, I must insist that all students stay inside the castle between the hours of 7 P.M. and 7 A.M. No student is to be found outside alone at any hour of the day. I will be speaking to Quidditch captains about practices in the next few days."
Ron caught Draco's eye, and Draco mouthed, "Buddy system again."
"I will be frank with you," continued Dumbledore, his voice now devoid of any amusement. "Since the return of Lord Voldemort-" A collective gasp filled the Great Hall. "Come now, children! It is merely a name, and as I have said before, fear of a name only increases fear of a thing itself. Do not give the Dark Lord power over you by fear of his name." His gaze roamed the room, silencing any whispers. "Since the return of Lord Voldemort, there has been a great deal of discussion of the safety of having so many children gathered in the same castle at once. The Ministry of Magic is willing to allow all of us to stay here and continue with our education, as long as things run smoothly. Please do not create unnecessary disturbances this year. Results could be more catastrophic than you'd imagine."
A grim quiet gripped the room. Even Peeves had stopped being a bother for the time being, and was watching Dumbledore. Suddenly, Dumbledore smiled.
"On a happier note, this Halloween Hogwarts will be hosting a rather extravagant dance."
Harry inwardly groaned. Didn't I suffer enough during my fourth year?, he thought to himself.
"This will not be a formal ball. Instead, we kindly ask that you come in costume. We have decided that the theme will be Alternate Universe. You are to find or create an original costume that portrays a part of yourself you don't show often, or a costume that expresses an opposite idea of yourself. Attendance, of course, is voluntary. And now, off to bed!" he cried, waving his hands at them to shoo them off. "Prefects, please lead your houses!"
"I'll see you tonight," Draco muttered as he went off to lead the first years. Harry nodded and followed the swell of people through the doors and up the staircases, parting with the Ravenclaws at a landing.
After presenting the new password ("Wolfsbane"), Harry made his way through the common room and up the stairs. Dean was tacking up a new football poster, and Seamus was changing for bed.
"Heya, Harry," Seamus greeted as Harry walked in, the soft lilt in his voice making Harry smile. "How was your summer?"
Harry paused. "Eventful," he said truthfully.
Dean laughed. "I heard. Tell us about it."
So, for the second time that day, Harry repeated his story, eliciting gasps and shocked expressions at all the right times.
"So, you got to seep in a bed with Draco all summer?" Seamus asked mischievously. "I'd say you're a lucky one."
"Oh, come off it, Seamus! Just because you're bi doesn't mean we all are," Dean said, dodging Seamus' fist.
"Did you see the new decorations?" Seamus asked, pointing to the frame above Harry's bed. "Why they'd put a picture of a room above your bed, I dunno. Thought they might use slightly more interesting pictures here."
"Who knows?" said Harry, shrugging as he looked at the Porthole. "Maybe it's a fetish of the designer."
Ron came in a few minutes later, and they all climbed into bed after saying goodnight and closing the curtains.
Harry waited until he could hear the deep, rhythmic breathing of his dorm mates, then silently stood up. The bottom of the Porthole was waist high, so he could easily climb in. Harry tentatively put one hand up to where the canvas would be on a normal picture and pushed. There was no resistance, and Harry had to grab the frame to keep from falling headfirst into the room. He lifted himself through, landing catlike on the soft carpet beneath him, and turned to see Draco on his right.
"You took forever to get here," Draco complained. "Could you have taken any longer?"
"Nice to see you, too, dear," Harry said happily. "Now, can we get to bed, my eyes won't stay open."
"Yea, sure." Harry followed Draco to their rooms.
"This is yours, and this one is mine," Draco said, motioning to the doors through a yawn.
Harry frowned. "I don't want to sleep in a different room. We've been sleeping in the same bed all summer, and it won't be the same."
"True. Come here, then." Harry followed Draco into the Slytherin's room, which was decorated in purples and golds, and about as fancy and comfortable as the rest of wherever they were.
After settling themselves deep between the sheets, which felt as if they were made out of silk, Draco embraced Harry.
"So how were the Slytherins?" Harry asked.
"Terrible, horrible, what you would expect. A few of them supported me, not all of them are bad, and asked if they could join us tomorrow. Was completely ignored in the dorm, which suits me fine. All in all, it's nothing I can't deal with." Draco rested his head on Harry's shoulder.
"Well, I'm always here if you need me," Harry said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"That's a comforting thought." Draco kissed Harry lightly on the lips, then fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
