DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling

WARNING: Mild Swearing

Chapter 17 - Slytherin Bravery

Draco took one final peek into his mirror before heading down to the Common Room. As ordered by Harry, his robes were the red and gold of Gryffindor. He smiled in triumph as he floated down the stairs. Today, he would beard his lion in his den.

"What did you do to your hair?" Pansy whispered, eyes fastened on the top of Draco's head. Smirking the former blond glided down the stairs and dropped his book bag next to the chair his friend was sitting it. Reaching up, he ran a hand through the soft locks of gold and grinned as Pansy closed her eyes in disgust.

"Where's the red?" Blaise asked in interest, circling the prince of Slytherin and looking his Gryffindor robes up and down.

"There are already enough red heads in this school, I didn't feel the need to add myself to their miserable ranks." Draco purred, hands running over the Gryffindor tie he wore with a look of triumphant in his eyes. Smiling, he pulled his wand out and waved it before him, watching his friends draw back slowly. "Where are your Gryffindor colours?" He asked, brow drawing down in concentration as he looked the pair over.

Blaise held his hands out as he backed up, Pansy darting behind him with a look of terror on her face. Shaking his head, the dark-haired wizard grimaced at the look on Draco's face. "You made the deal with Potter. You're the one who has to suffer." Blaise pointed out ruthlessly, drawing his own wand in warning.

Rolling his eyes, Draco shoved his wand back into his pocket and bent over to grab his bag. Tapping one foot, he stood there and glared at the unmoving Blaise and Pansy. "Fine, but that means you can't sit with me." He muttered, swinging around and marching towards the door. He grinned evilly when he heard his friends groans of defeat, placing one hand on the portal as if he was going to leave without them.

"Wait, Draco." Pansy grumbled unhappily as she trudged towards him. Sighing she submitted and allowed him to change her robes to the Gryffindor colours. "Don't even think about touching my hair." She warned when his gaze drifted to her artfully styled locks. Shaking his head mournfully, he glanced at Blaise and raised a pale eyebrow.

"You can put a little red in my hair but the first person who says anything gets hexed into next week." Blaise threatened before surrendering himself to Draco's mercy. A couple of minutes later Draco led the pair from the Slytherin Common Room. Hiding his amusement, he walked calmly between Pansy and Blaise, their boot heels ringing on the dungeon steps.

"I don't see why we had to do this just to sit with you." Pansy muttered shamefully, hiding her face when they walked by a group of stunned Hufflepuffs. Figuring he may as well use his new look, Draco smiled sweetly and wished them all a good morning. Startled yelps and the sound of retreating feet had him snickering in delight.

"Because dear Pansy, we'd look sadly out of place at the Gryffindor table dressed in Slytherin green." Draco stated, taking a few more steps before stopping and turning around. He placed his hands on his hips as he met the horrified looks his friends were giving him. "What now?" He asked in exasperation, tapping one foot.

"Gryffindor table?" Pansy questioned on an exhaled breath, extended hand snaring the sleeve of Blaise's robe.

Blaise caught Pansy's tugging hand and clutched it tightly, staring at Draco quietly. He began to shake his head slowly, eyes locked with the pale blue orbs. "What makes you think Harry will be at breakfast? They've missed breakfast for the past two mornings." He reminded Draco, ignoring the flash of annoyance that crept through the other boys eyes.

Draco waved the comment down, turning on his heel and continuing down the hall. "Once a month, Blaise, Heaven settles on the Great Hall in the form of a Belgian waffle breakfast. Nobody misses it, not even Harry."

"And, what?" Pansy demanded, hands on her hips as she watched him carefully. "You're just going to waltz in there and sit down?"

Draco pondered her words as he walked away, smirking when the answer came to him. "Actually, I was going to saunter gracefully but I think you know what I mean." He called over his shoulder, hefting his bag back into place and stalking onward. The sighs of defeat his friends huffed had him grinning victoriously and slowing down so they could catch up.

XxXxX

Harry was in the middle of shoveling a mouthful of strawberries and whip cream into his mouth when silence crept over the hall. He knew whatever was going on behind him was indeed drastic because Ron's fork paused en route to his mouth, the load of blueberries beginning to slide off the gold utensil. Watching in bemusement, he sighed when a lone berry slipped off and bounced on the red and gold tie the red head wore.

"Ron-"

"Good morning Harry." A cool voice murmured in greeting, silencing Harry as he turned slowly to look at the Slytherin standing behind him. Draco was flanked by Pansy and Blaise, all three wearing Gryffindor robes.

"What did you do to your hair?" Harry asked in a startled voice, ignoring the snickers of amusement that crept through the quiet hall. He blinked when Draco grinned and finished his approach, sitting down calmly on the bench next to Harry.

Draco smirked in delight, pulling an empty plate closer and beginning to serve himself. "You don't like it?" He asked in a mournful voice, gesturing for Pansy and Blaise to sit down next to him. As the hall began to return to normal, Blaise and Pansy claimed seats. Both nodded in thanks when Hermione offered them an apologetic smile.

"Not really. Besides red is the main Gryffindor colour." Harry informed the gold haired boy, his fork clinking on his plate as he returned to eating. Silence settled upon the small group, the four friends all holding their breath while waiting to see what would happen next.

"So how does it feel, Harry?" Draco asked absently, licking whip cream off his fork with a moan of pleasure.

Harry shot the Slytherin a confused look, chasing a strawberry around his plate while he thought the question over. "How does what feel?"

"Why, knowing that I'm more Gryffindor then you are Slytherin." Draco exclaimed loudly. He gave the raven-haired wizard a slap on the back when he began to choke on his breakfast.

"Don't worry, you'll get over it." He said casually before returning to his breakfast and ignoring the spluttering lion sitting next to him.

"What're you talking about?" Ron asked, beginning to load his plate with another waffle. Blaise cleared his throat as he watched the red head slap a spoonful of raspberries on the pastry before dragging the whip cream toward him with a loving gleam in his eye. By the time he was done, the waffle had vanished under a white mountain.

"Not only did I show up for breakfast, Weasley, but I had the bal-"

"Draco!" Pansy hissed, cutting him off before he could finish his statement.

"Malfoy." Hermione warned, glaring at a bunch of first years who were watching the interaction with wide eyes.

Snorting inelegantly, Draco waved their words away, turning back to his breakfast. "You get my point." He murmured with a grin, setting his eyes on his plate. Harry mumbled something under his breath but the words were lost in the din. Draco merely smiled and continued to eat.

Hermione stormed into the library angrily, books tucked under her arm as she searched the room for an empty table. She nodded to the librarian before walking to one of the tables and setting her stuff down, pulling out the chair and making herself comfortable before flipping her text open. The Common Room was no place to work on a Wednesday night, the students were rowdy and everyone seemed to be yelling happily at someone else. Harry and Ron had declined her invitation with extremely male grunts, not even bothering to look up from their game of wizards chess.

Shaking her head in disgust, she dipped a quill in her inkpot and wrote the title of her Charms essay on the top of the parchment before her. She glanced up when a shadow fell over her, hand stilling on the turning pages of the book she was using. Her eyes roved over the Gryffindor colours the other witch wore, quirking one eyebrow in question. "Persuasive, is he?"

"You've no idea." Pansy muttered, hands resting on the top of the chair across from Hermione. She shifted a moment before looking around, rolling her eyes over the threatening stare of Madame Pince. Sighing, she dragged the chair out and collapsed gracefully into it, settling several books on table while still watching Hermione thoughtfully.

Hermione snorted, returning to her assignment with a shake of her bushy hair. "Oh, I think I can imagine." She mumbled, turning a page in her book and beginning to read. Her fingers were tensed on the page, the words hardly meaning anything as Pansy fiddled across from her. With a shake of her head, she slammed her book closed and sat back in her chair. "Is there something I can do for you?" She asked loudly, wincing when she was shushed by the watchful librarian.

Pansy chewed her lip for a moment, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small cloth bag which she set before Hermione. She leaned forward and beckoned Hermione closer. "It's gotten too dangerous for us to be out at night like we have been. I figured this way, at least if we get into trouble, we'll be able to call for help."

The small cloth bag was made of a green fabric with silver shot through it. Hermione's eyes flicked between Pansy and the bag before she reached out and accepted it, whisking it into her own pocket. Still looking at Pansy, she dug into her own bag and retrieved the wooden box she'd hidden earlier. She slid the box across the table to Pansy before picking up her quill and returning to her work.

Pansy flipped the lid open, staring at the charms piled together atop the red velvet. She dipped a finger into the box and counted the little figures carefully, nodding when she found nine. "It seems we both had the same idea." She mumbled, closing the lid and placing the box into the pocket of her robes.

Both witches jumped when Madame Pince's voice carried over the library. "I would like to remind everyone that curfew is in fifteen minutes. Anyone not in their Common Rooms by then will be issued a detention and lose a significant number of house points."

Hermione growled under her breath and flipped her book closed, glancing at the small watch she wore. "We have detention in thirty minutes." She grumbled unhappily, beginning to jam her stuff back into her bag.

Pansy froze before groaning and rising, hands settling the robes around her as she made to leave. "We'll see you in a while, Granger." She muttered before whirling around and flouncing away with a flip of her hair. Hermione rolled her eyes, standing and pushing her chair in as she began the trek back to the Gryffindor commons.

XxXxX

Harry accepted a large lantern from Hagrid, the faint glow managing to light up the front of the half-giants hut. He shared a dismayed look with Ron when Hagrid motioned for them to follow. The loud complaints drifting towards them heralded the arrival of the three Slytherins, all still wearing the Gryffindor colours.

"Now, that you're all here, I can tell you what you'll be doing tonight." Hagrid announced. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a limp and crumpled weed. Holding the plant out for their inspection, he gave it a poke with his finger as if to liven it up. "Professor Snape ran out of this here plant. It's called Spear Mint. It grows in the forest so we should be able to find enough to satisfy 'em. Just keep an eye on the leaves, they can be dangerously sharp."

"Uh, Hagrid? How exactly do you expect us to find this . . . plant in the middle of the night?" Harry asked, crinkling his nose at the overpowering smell of mint. Sniffing delicately, he looked around and found the same disgusted look on everyone else's face.

Hagrid peered down at the plant with a thoughtful look, scratching the back of his head before giving it a shake. "Professor Snape said you'd be able to find it by smell." The half-giant recalled out loud, giving a half smile before indicating they should head into the forest and begin their search. "It'll be faster if you do it in pairs, that's why I gave you three lamps. If you need help, just shoot some red sparks into the sky." His words were bellowed at their backs as they all stalked towards the dark forest.

Five minutes later Harry and Draco found themselves alone in the middle of a dark thicket, the flickering light cast by the lamp desperately trying to brighten the area. Harry's abrupt sneeze startled Draco, causing the blonde to jump back and sneer in disgust as he swiped at his sleeve.

"We don't have all night." He grumbled, gesturing at the weed Harry clutched. Reaching out, he pulled the lamp from the Gryffindor's hands and indicated for him to lead the way. "Just take a little whiff, Harry." He coaxed, smirking at the angered look that was shot in his direction.

"You've got the superior sense of smell, you do it." Harry countered, thrusting the weed towards Draco.

"A Malfoy would never lower himself to finding something by smell." Draco replied, putting his nose in the air. Crossing his arms, he glared at Harry. "Besides you're the herbivore. You find it." He reminded arrogantly, reaching out and batting the raven-haired wizards hand closer to his face.

Harry took a startled sniff before scrunching his face in disgust. "That's disgusting." He muttered, covering his face with his sleeve as he sneezed sharply. Wiping his nose on the edge of his robe, he ignored the look Draco pinned on him. The weed he held was dumped into the basket resting at his feet.Stepping back, he gathered himself before calling Odin to the surface. The stag erupted hard and fast, antlers exploding from his forehead and fur stretching across his body.

Odin shook his massive head before grunting. Draco took a few steps back as the stag peered at him through Harry's bright emerald eyes. Shaking his head, Odin raised his head and sniffed softly, nose twitching and ears twisting. With a satisfied look, he turned and began to step delicately away from Draco. Vines and branches caught at the rack of antlers as the stag forced his way through the dense brush. Mutters and moans followed him as Draco scrambled to keep up, inhibited by obstacles the stag had easily passed through. Nostrils flaring, he followed the strong smell of mint.

Thrusting his head through several thick creepers, he froze suddenly. Lying in the center of a patch of strong smelling Spear Mint was a large wolf. The shaggy animal glared up at him in interest, tongue running over it's lips as it peered down at the mangled rabbit resting between its forepaws. Gold eyes returned to his, the wolf obviously considering his chances of bringing down the stag on his own. Rising slowly, the wolf growled before stilling, nose wrinkling.

Draco stumbled backwards into the clearing, jerking on his cloak that had caught on a branch. Swearing loudly, he tugged hard. "Dammit, Harry. When I find you-"

Odin writhed suddenly, thick body freeing itself of the weeds that had been partially restraining him. The wolf lunged sharply, changing his direction and rushing Draco. Odin stumbled towards Draco recklessly, his shoulder slamming into the blond as he intercepted the leaping wolf. His scream of pain overpowered Draco's shriek of agony as he fell. The black stag threw the snapping wolf off, stumbling forward to stand protectively over the limp form of Draco. Breathing heavily, the stag bellowed in warning.

"What's wrong?" The voice was faint and unknown to him, his mind scrambling to understand what was going on while fending off the circling wolf. A distant memory flashed through his head. Hermione fastening the bracelet around his ankle while he played chess with Ron. The way it had hung heavier and jingled more then usual.

"Who?" He questioned sharply, hooves plowing dirt as he pawed in warning. The wolf gave a fanged grin as he slunk closer, beady eyes glowing fever bright.

"Frost." The voice responded, with it came the memory of a white wolf circling with Ember, both growling and snarling at centaurs.

Roaring, Odin charged the wolf. Head lowered and eyes blazing as the wolf tucked its tail between his legs and ducked out of the way. "Draco is hurt." He explained, lashing out with a foreleg in hopes of striking the lithe form. In the distance, a wolf howled. The rising call quickly answered and carried on by another strong voice. Odin returned to his place over Draco, chest heaving as he sought to recover his breath. Snorting, he watched the mangy figure slink through the shadows, the tipped lantern casting shadows on the trees and bushes around him.

His swiveling ears picked up the sound of fleet paws, the light tapping of soft pads on packed dirt. The wolf growled sharply darting towards Odin and snapping at the stags face. Dancing backwards under the onslaught, the black stag swung is head in warning, tined crown raking the air where the wolf had been. Back legs lashed out quickly, one hoof skimming lightly over ruffled fur.

Growling, the scruffy wolf loped out of the way, head twisting as he breathed in deeply. A flash of white came flying towards Odin. Shaking its head, a massive white wolf drew in a deep breath and sneezed sharply. The dark wolf flashed fangs and snarled, edging backwards as Frost stalked forward. Odin snorted and dipped his head, nudging Draco cautiously, eyes still focused on the pair of wolves.

A third form entered the small thicket, the red wolf crouching silently as the dark wolf was pressed slowly towards him. Blue eyes glowed brightly, tongue hanging from the corner of his mouth as he caught his breath from the fast run. Ember rose fluidly from his position, body tense as Frost forced the fearful wolf away from Odin and Draco.

Odin wasn't sure which blow killed the scraggly wolf. The jaws Ember locked around his throat as he spun around to leap back into the forest or the grip Frost placed on the back of his neck. Scrabbling claws, whimpers, yelps, and gasping breaths filled the air as the pair held their places over the struggling animal. When paws stopped quivering and eyes began to dim, the pair of wolves loosened their grips, the wolfs head banging against the ground with a thump. Standing chest to chest, Frost bared fangs before tossing his muzzle toward the night sky and crying loudly. Ember's ears perked as his own head was tipped back, mouth parting on a long drawn out howl.

Odin shifted as a hand closed around his hock, fingers tightening on the thick fur. The black stag bowed his head, green eyes meeting the wide blue orbs of Draco. Snorting, he bumped his nose against Draco's face, ignoring the smell of tiger that surrounded the wizard. His ears twitched suddenly, head jerking up as he swung his wary gaze around. The pair of baying wolves had stopped in mid howl, ears cocked and noses wrinkling. Growling softly, Ember glanced into the shadows and stiffened.

"They come." He rumbled, walking over the dead wolf and prowling towards Odin. Frost followed closely, giving a toothy smile to Draco. A high pitched bark had the three animals shifting uncomfortably.

Struggling to his feet, Draco glanced in the direction the sound had come from. His hand swiped at the blood running down his forehead. He called out to Beau, feeling the white tiger uncurl slowly. The large feline felt the light shimmer of pain riding Draco before growling and sinking back into the recesses of the blonds mind, with an unhappy growl the tiger refused to come out.

"Flea bitten bastard." Draco hissed, with one last glance over his shoulder, the blonde took off in the direction of the school. Ears pinned to his head, the stag lunged around the injured wizard. Darting before him and halting suddenly. Hands flattened against his flanks as Draco tried to shoved him onward. Snorting softly, he bowed neatly, folding one foreleg and lowering his upper body.

"No way Harry." Draco snarled, backing away from the kneeling stag. A nose placed in the center of his back had him stumbling forward and bracing himself against a velvet shoulder. The sharp barks and approaching growls had him wincing before tossing a leg over the stags haunches. Lurching to his feet, Odin caught his balance and took a few bounding steps to prepare Draco. Hearing the blond gasp, he tossed his crowned head before bounding onward, the pair of wolves hurtling along in his wake.

Branches snagged at hair and skin, clinging before being pulled away by the force of each leap. When the noise of their pursuers began to fade, they slowed. Draco sliding off the stags back and the other three gratefully returning to their human bodies. Panting heavily, they leaned on each other without thought as they stumbled out of the forest, landing in a heap just outside the Forbidden Forest. Staring up at the stars, they all ignored the fact that they were practically sprawled on each other. The sound of approaching feet had them all tensing but heaving sighs of relief when Hagrid's form appeared above them.

Shaking his head, he offered a hand to Ron and pulled the red head to his feet. "You shouldn't be running through the forest like that. There's wolves out there." Hagrid warned, glancing at the hands devoid of both lantern and basket.

"No shit." Draco huffed, hands brushing frantically at his robes. Clearing his throat, the blonde whirled around and glared as Pansy and Hermione practically skipped from the forest. Both had baskets heaped with Spear Mint swinging from their arms. Shaking their heads, they thrust the baskets into Hagrid's welcoming hands before pinning the wizards with haughty looks.

"Boys, honestly." Hermione stated, crossing her arms over her chest in disgust. "More testosterone then is good for them." She muttered, shaking her head and frowning. Pansy snorted in agreement, tossing her hair before swinging around and marching towards the castle. Hermione fell into step behind the Slytherin, leaving the wizards staring after the witches in shock.

"Let's not tell them what happened." Ron said in a stunned voice, watching his girlfriend walk towards the castle. Blaise nodded in agreement, running a hand through his sweaty hair.

Harry and Draco exchanged an amused glance before looking at the pair. "What's it worth to you?" They chorused, the looks on their faces identical.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review!

I-see-thestrals - I wish I could update more often but between work, sleep, and the writing of two fics, I just don't have the time.
Iredesent - lol, I shall endeavor to wear more read and gold because you're right. You just don't see enough people wearing the Gryffindor colours. Hey, with a few changes bullfighter Draco could become pirate Draco, think on that one for a few seconds.
SilverJadlyn - Ask and you shall receive!
emeraldsgem - lol, I think that was the only thing Harry has on Draco so who knows what will happen if the situation arises again.
NinjaoftheDarkness - I think the whole alert system went down. I didn't even know if my chapters had actually been posted or not until I went back in and checked. Very confusing when something like that happens.
Black Roses of Death - You need a life? I spend at least 10 hours a week writing this stuff, and that's not counting what I spend reading and looking for good fics.
karenelaine - Don't worry, if nothing else, the Gryffindors are resourseful.