Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended

AN: Sirius did not die; he was only badly injured but has recovered. The sixth book didn't happen. Dumbledore is still alive and hasn't told Harry about the horcruxes yet. Draco is not a Death eater and Bill was not injured. Any other things not clear please let me know

Chapter 2

Harry Potter followed his best friend back towards their usual compartment with a frown on his face. It was the beginning of his seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They hadn't even arrived on the school grounds yet but had somehow ended up in a fight with the Slytherins. However, this was not what was bothering the raven haired boy since he and Ron got into fights with the Slytherins fairly often.

"Did either of you notice anything off about Malfoy?" he asked Ron and Hermione once they were seated.

"Nope, sorry mate. Why would you even care though? He seemed to be like the same old git to me." Ron replied not really paying attention to Harry.

Why would I be worried about Malfoy? What is wrong with me? Although he certainly had looked different. Almost beautiful. Yes beautiful is the right word. Wait, What? Where the bloody hell did that thought come from. I must be getting sick or something.

"Harry, Harry?"

"Mmmm… Sorry what were you saying Hermione?"

"I asked if you were ready for this year," she replied clearly exasperated with him.

"I'm doing good Hermione. I'm glad to be back though. Living with the Dursleys is not my idea of a good holiday."

"I don't know how you put up with them for all that time."

"Don't really have a choice but I won't have to go back there."

This seemed to satisfy Hermione as she turned towards Ron and started firing questions at him.

When are they just going to get together already? They are beginning to drive me insane with all this tension.

Harry's thoughts began to drift back to the earlier confrontation with the Slytherins. It was certainly odd that Draco had been silent the whole time. Although Harry knew that the other boy had thought that he had been subtle, Harry was aware of the fact that Malfoy had been studying him. It hadn't been the usually stare that Malfoy gave him but rather an intense and curious observation that had left Harry with feelings he would rather forget.

I mean this is Malfoy I'm talking about. Even if I did have those feelings, which I don't, there was no way that Malfoy would ever feel the same way. Not a chance, well maybe if hell froze over but maybe only then.

Sighing, Harry leaned his head against the window and mulled over his very confused feelings. Unknowingly mimicking Draco. The chattering of his two friends was somewhat soothing and Harry decided to just leave his thoughts alone for now. He had enough problems without creating more for himself.

Looking out of the corner of his eye, Harry watched Ron and Hermione. A strange feeling rose in Harry. It felt almost like emptiness and yearning. Reflecting on this Harry came to the conclusion that while he loved his two best friends he was envious.

He just wanted one person to love him.

He knew that Hermione and Ron loved him but it wasn't the same. Harry craved someone to love him, want to be with him and care for him regardless of the fact that he was the Boy-Who-Lived. Any person that pursued him wanted him because of his fame. Nobody except his Gryffindor friends seemed to be able to look past it and then only Ron and Hermione really saw him.

I wonder if I'll ever find someone.

He was broken out of his thoughts by Ron.

"We're here, mate. Time to get our arses moving."

"Right. Be there in a sec."

Walking behind them, the trio headed towards the carriages. The night air was becoming chilly so Harry wrapped his cloak just a little tighter around him. Looking to the side Harry noticed Malfoy doing the same. He was as always surrounded by his little group of bodyguards. Behind them it seemed as though the rest of the Slytherins were also forming a loose circle around Malfoy. Harry shook his head.

I must be getting paranoid. Why would they all be so protective of Malfoy? Mental note to self, watch them a little more closely and check to see if imagining things.

Harry snorted none too quietly.

I must be insane, wanting to watch the Slytherins.

But despite these thoughts Harry found himself once again watching the group, particularly Malfoy. Once they were all out of sight, Harry climbed into his own carriage for the short journey to Hogwarts' grounds.

Yawning, Harry Potter stretched his arms above his head. It was the first day of classes. Harry got up slowly and went to the bathrooms, stopping only to grab his clothes on his way out of the door.

Turning on the taps, Harry stripped. He stepped into the steaming hot waster and couldn't help but let out an appreciative sigh. Once clean, the raven haired boy walked out and got dressed in his Gryffindor uniform. Completely dressed and ready for the day, he made his way down to the Great Hall for some much needed breakfast.

The Great Hall was already filled with students. The noise from all the chattering could be heard in the foyer outside the hall. Harry walked in, letting the noise wash over him. Ron and Hermione were already seated at the Gryffindor table, loading up their plates. Harry strolled over to them and sat next to Ron.

Feeling as though he was being watched, he looked up, connecting with grey eyes that could only belong to one person. Malfoy and Harry stared at each other, eyes holding, neither looking away. The customary sneers were missing from both faces as they silently regarded one another.

"Harry, what are you looking at?" Hermione enquired, having noticed Harry was not participating in the conversations around them.

"Or should we ask who?" Ron teased Harry, a big grin plastered across his freckled face.

"Mmm…Sorry, what were you saying Hermione?"

Harry managed to drag his eyes from Malfoy's, hoping the others hadn't noticed who had held his attention.

"I asked who or what you were looking at."

"Oh, I wasn't really looking at anything," Harry quickly lied.

If they knew I was interested in Malfoy at all, they'd probably cart me off to St. Mungos.

Standing up along with some other seventh years, Harry and his friends walked towards their first class.

Transfiguration, Charms and then Care of Magical Creatures. Well at least I don't have potions today.

Not looking where he was going, he crashed into a wall. The wall turned out to be none other than Draco Malfoy.

"Oi, watch where you're going, Malfoy," Ron demanded rather loudly.

"Now why would he want to do that, Weasel? Why would he do anything you suggested?" Blaise taunted from next to Malfoy.

As if by an unspoken agreement, both Harry and Draco stepped in front of their respective friends, not wanting another fight so early in the morning of their first day back.

Unfortunately, Professor McGonagall chose that moment to make her appearance. Taking in the crowd, Potter and Malfoy facing each other with their friends behind them as if for support, she concluded that they must have once again been fighting.

"Potter. Malfoy. Detention for a week, starting tonight," she declared.

Harry thought of protesting. This time both he and Malfoy had been innocent. However, one look at McGonagall's face convinced him not to argue.

"Sorry professor, it won't happen again," said Harry, all the while knowing it was a false promise.

"You had better hope not, Mr Potter. Take your seats. All of you," she ordered.

Having taken his seat, Harry risked a sideways glance at Malfoy. He didn't seem unhappy about the detention at all, but then again Malfoy never showed any emotion except maybe the occasional dislike for someone.

Taking his cue from Malfoy, Harry showed no reaction, but inside he was actually looking forward to detention, which was highly unusual.

Something has definitely changed about Malfoy and maybe I'll find out what or why this week in detention…

With that thought, Harry turned back to McGonagall who had already started the lesson.

AN: Hope you like it. Please let me know of any questions or suggestions