Check chapter one for disclaimer and other information

Chapter Two: Confronting Dumbledore

Harry made the rest of his way up to the Gryffindor common room completely lost in thought. He didn't even realize it when he was standing in front of the Fat Lady.

"Ahem," she said loudly. Harry jerked his head up.

"Oh," he said distractedly, "aconite." She swung open to reveal the common room, devoid of the usual noisy students. The fire was brightly lit and by the orange glow, Harry could see the tip of an orange head in a high backed armchair. Ron looked at him, dazed.

"Hey," he said, edges of his lips dipping in a small frown.

"Hey," Harry returned. He looked about the room but there were only a few people around, preparing to go to their dorms. There was no Hermione in sight.

"Where's-" he began.

Ron cut him off. "She already went up to bed, said she was tired." Harry's stomach sunk. Hermione was upset then. Especially since she hadn't waited up to speak to him, or even ask what he thought about the whole thing.

"Was she angry or disappointed or anything?" Harry asked quietly. He was a little afraid of the answer. He walked over to the chair next to Ron and took a seat.

"She was a little upset I guess," Ron said shrugging, an uncertain look on his face. "She said to tell you goodnight, and that she just wanted to think about some stuff."

Harry put his head in his hands. "Ugh, I hope she isn't angry and doesn't act all weird tomorrow. You know how she gets when she's irritated with one of us. She won't tell us what's wrong or why she's annoyed, and she doesn't talk. If she does it's only because she has to."

"She's not irritated with you, Harry," Ron said. "She's just disappointed that she wasn't picked. I think she was far too surprised that you and Malfoy were chosen to be angry, and speaking of being surprised, I am too. Why the hell was he picked?"

"Don't ask me. I have absolutely no idea," Harry said with a touch of bitterness in his voice. "I think it's bullshit though, who's ever heard of two Head Boys-" and then Harry paused and looked at Ron darkly, remembering possibly the most horrible detail of all, "you won't believe it, but I think Dumbledore said that we have to share a room, me and Malfoy I mean."

Ron's jaw dropped. "WHAT?" he shouted with a look of horror. "You and Malfoy?"

Harry nodded grimly.

"No one's ever had to share a room before!" Ron blurted.

"So Percy didn't have to share a room with anyone?"Harry asked.

Ron looked as if he were trying to remember something. "Erm well, I kind of stopped listening to him gloat about things after his 6th year so... I'm not really sure, but Merlin, Harry! A room with Malfoy? Ugh."

Harry shook his head but was glad to see that Ron was just as upset about it as he was. "I don't think it's possible for me to share a room with Malfoy, I'm going to go mad." Harry leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, the full force of what this all meant inciting a throbbing headache.

"I have to go and talk to Dumbledore with Malfoy tomorrow. He said he'd explain everything then."

Ron was at a loss for words. He just sat and stared at Harry, a regretful look painting his face. "Well," he said finally, "no offense, but I'm glad it's not me. You're in for it, mate."

"Thanks, Ron," Harry said sarcastically, and the two friends stared quietly into the fire for another few minutes, Ron honoring Harry's silence, Harry dwelling on his fate. Finally, Harry rose to his feet. "I'm off to bed, coming?" he said sadly, rising from the chair.

Ron nodded and got to his feet as well. He patted Harry's back in sympathy.

The two boys walked up the boys' staircase and to the room that read 'Seventh Years' on the door. Harry opened it and stepped inside. He was greeted with the quiet snores of Neville, Seamus, and Dean, who were snoozing comfortably without the thoughts of Malfoy to haunt their slumber. He looked around with a bittersweet feeling coiled in the pit of his stomach.

He crept to his bed and got into his pajamas, trying to be as quiet as he could. When he climbed atop his mattress he let the warmth envelop him. He seethed that this would be his last damn night in his beloved room.

He would soon be sharing one with Draco fucking Malfoy. He hoped to Merlin that he'd heard wrong.

"Night, Harry," Ron said in the bed next to his.

"Night, Ron," Harry replied sadly. He sighed, knowing that there was nothing he could do about the circumstances. He let sleep take him and Malfoy was put out of his mind- for the moment.

The next morning Harry awoke to his blaring alarm clock with a terrible headache. He groaned and sat up rubbing his temples.

7:00 in the fucking morning, great. He got to his feet and stumbled over to Ron's bedside.

"Get up, Ron," he grumbled, shaking Ron too hard in his frustration. Ron mumbled something about being hungry, but aside from that he continued to just lie there.

"Ron, get up!" Harry said loudly, shaking his friend again. Ron rolled and fell out of bed, landing in an ungraceful lump. He sat up quickly and glared angrily at Harry, but Harry paid no attention to his friend as he made his way to the bathroom.

He took a long hot shower, readying himself for the day ahead. After he'd grabbed his uniform, and then shuffled his hair hastily with his hands (he couldn't remember the last time he had used a comb), he pulled his robes on and grabbed his books from his trunk.

Ron was slowly getting ready and Harry waited impatiently, watching him pull on one of his socks.

"Hurry up, Ron, at this rate we won't get breakfast!" he said, his hand resting on the doorknob.

"Oh hold on, Harry!" Ron said as he pulled on his other sock and stuffed his feet in his shoes before following Harry out the door.

The two made their way down to the Great Hall where Hermione was waiting for them, looking sleepy.

"Morning," Ron said as he plopped down next to her. He immediately began filling his plate high with food.
Harry grabbed a muffin.

"Good morning, Ron, Harry," she said. Harry was relieved to find that there was no resentment in her voice.

"You look a bit tired," he said cautiously.

"I am a bit tired," she said while she took a bite of egg. "I was up pretty late last night."

"No you weren't. I waited for Harry by myself," Ron said with his mouth full of breakfast.

Hermione frowned at him. "Please, Ron, I can see what you have in your mouth," she said disgustedly. "I know I wasn't up with you, I was up thinking."

Ron swallowed his mouthful. "About?" he asked

"About Harry," she turned to him. "Have you ever heard of there being two Head Boys? I certainly haven't. I haven't checked the list of former Heads yet, but I am sure there have been a Head Boy and a Head Girl for at least the past 20 years. I mean honestly, isn't the point of the Head students being different sexes to make sure that there's equality amongst the student body?"

"I don't know," Harry said dejectedly, nibbling his muffin. "All I know is that I'm stuck with Malfoy for the entire year. Last night Dumbledore told us we have to share a room."

Hermione didn't look surprised. "I know," she said simply.

"And how is it that you know?" Ron asked with raised eyebrows.

"The Heads have always shared rooms. Honestly, Ron, you've had two Head Boys in the family, one of which was Head Boy while you were here, I'm beginning to think you're hopeless."

Ron looked sheepish and angry at the same time if that were possible. "So you knew," he said, glaring at his friend, "that if you were chosen, you would've had to share a room with a guy?"

"Yes," Hermione said, but her cheeks were pink.

"And whom may I ask did you hope Head Boy would be?" Ron continued icily, causing Hermione to roll her eyes.

"I didn't hope it would be anybody. I just wanted the honor of being Head Girl, and, Harry, I'm not angry with you. I can tell you think I am by your face and the way you're talking to me. I have to admit I was a little disappointed, but I'm really already over it." Harry smiled, a feeling of relief washing over him.

"Anyway, like I was saying before Ron interrupted, I've never heard of it, but I don't want to rule it out completely, well obviously I can't rule it out completely, Dumbledore has chosen two Head Boys, but it isn't typical, even if its ever been done before."

"Well, I'll find out after classes today," Harry said, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. "I'm going to talk with Dumbledore after them."

"Oh, good then-" but Hermione stopped in mid-sentence, interrupted as the doors were flung open and Draco Malfoy strutted in, followed by Zabini and the rest of his gang. He looked to be in a very foul mood and for a moment he glowered at Harry before taking a seat at his table.

"That's what I'm gonna have to deal with," Harry said angrily. He shook his head and then looked up at his silver-headed mentor. Harry got the feeling that there was definitely something up.

Classes seemed to take an achingly long time that morning. Harry was very anxious to talk to Dumbledore, and he had absolutely no patience.

Even lunch was horrible. Harry didn't feel like eating because of his mood, and then he had to endure constant questioning from Hermione. She wouldn't stop talking about the possibilities facing Harry, and when Ron badgered her about it, they began to bicker.

Harry had actually put his hands against his ears and finally Ron and Hermione had fallen silent.

The closest he came to having fun was Care of Magical Creatures. He had a long discussion with Hagrid who let him do all the talking while he stood and listened. In a quiet voice, Harry had told him what Dumbledore had said to him and Malfoy. Malfoy kept throwing him dirty looks as if it was Harry's fault that he was Head Boy. Hagrid had chuckled and said, "Dumbledore has his reasons, Harry. He wouldn'a put yeh with the git if he didn' think yeh could handle it." Harry had reluctantly agreed while he threw Malfoy an equally scathing look.

As of now, Harry was making his way down to the dungeons.

Potions would thankfully be his final class of the day. He got there a little early in his impatience and leaned against the cool stone wall outside Snape's classroom door. Ron and Hermione had gone back up to Gryffindor Tower because Ron had left his book. To Harry's immense displeasure, footsteps began to echo down the corridor, long footsteps with lengthy spaces in-between them, footsteps that sounded as if they belonged to a smirking blond someone.

Draco Malfoy loomed from the darkness. He was entirely alone. His eyes widened a little when they landed on Harry and then he spat, "What are you doing here."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Probably the same thing you are, arsehole," he said irately. "This is my class too."

Malfoy mirrored Harry's expression.

"I will not share a room with you," he said suddenly, bringing up the Head Boy subject. "If you do anything to mess up my chances of getting out of this fucking mess this afternoon, then I'll shove my wand up your arse faster then you can say fuck."

At this Harry turned to face Malfoy completely. "What the fuck makes you think that I want to share a room with you. I'm looking forward to this about as much as you are! Possibly even less!" he said loudly.

Malfoy looked angry, like he wanted to jump at Harry but was still undecided. Harry's hand automatically strayed to his wand. "This is going to be complete and utter hell," Malfoy said to himself more than to Harry. "I can't take a whole year with you and your friends."

"My God, Malfoy, don't make this entire thing about you!" Harry said just as loudly as he had before. "I don't want to spend the year with you and your oafs!"

Malfoy definitely looked angry now. "I will get out of this Potter," he said in a deadly whisper.

Harry snorted. "Why do you keep saying that as if it's a threat?" he asked with another derisive laugh.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes even further. "I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you," he said, taking a step toward Harry.

Harry raised a cautious eyebrow but didn't back down. "Oh, and why is that?" Harry asked in a guarded voice that reflected his movements.

"You're so fucking full of yourself, Potter," Malfoy growled out. "You think you're a fucking hero, but you're nothing but an idiot half-blood, no different from any of the rest of the scum in this school."

Harry eyes flashed. "I'm very different from the scum in this school," he said. "Please don't ever compare me to you again."

Malfoy took another step toward Harry. "Don't make me laugh, as if I'd ever compare myself to the likes of you."

Harry still firmly stood his ground. "Oh that's right, you're on a different level then everyone else, yeah? You just say the word and your wonderful, lovely, pure-blood daddy will come running up to the school to fix whatever problems his little Draco has- oh but wait, he can't because he's stuck in Azkaban with the rest of the Death Eater scum that tried to kill me and my friends." Harry immediately knew that he had pushed the right button because Malfoy's eyes suddenly flashed a brighter shade of grey and he lunged forward.

Harry was taken off guard despite being alert a moment earlier; he had expected Malfoy to use his wand, but as he was now pressed against the wall with surprising force, that didn't really matter.

Malfoy's face was mere inches away from Harry's and he was breathing heavily, furiously. "Don't ever say anything about my father again, Potter," Malfoy whispered, "ever." Harry couldn't breathe to retort, and the shock of being pushed against the wall had made him immobile. He simply stood there, eyes wide. Suddenly Malfoy whipped his head around to stare down the corridor. There were fast approaching footsteps coming from that direction.

Malfoy backed off of Harry quickly, and stood on the opposite side of the hallway. He still looked angry but then flashed Harry a malevolent smile as the crowd of students suddenly filled up the space between them. Harry was shaking with fury, his face red and his hands balled into fists. Arguing voices soon met his ears and Hermione and Ron were at his side.

"Well it's not my fault that you decided to run up and get a few extra books, Hermione!" Ron was saying heatedly. "You're so… Harry? What is it?"

Hermione clutched Harry's arm, feeling him shaking. She gasped, and then just as Harry lunged she yelled, "RON, GRAB HIM!"

Ron leapt at Harry and took hold of his robes. Harry's arms were flailing madly in the air. People immediately moved out of his striking range. Malfoy continued to stand there in the same spot, only now with Zabini by his side. He was smirking.

"HARRY," Ron panted, struggling to hold Harry back, "WHAT THE FU-"

"POTTER!" yelled a very angry, deep voice. Ron leaped back a foot, letting go of Harry in the process. At Ron's release of his robes, Harry rocketed towards Malfoy, but then found himself choked from behind as his hood was grabbed by Snape. The Potions master advanced upon him, his greasy hair almost touching Harry's face.

"What are you doing, Potter?" he asked in a whisper. Harry caught every word. The students silently watched with rapt attention.

"It was Malfoy," Harry said, throwing Malfoy a look of disgust. He was standing against the wall still, staring at Snape's back with an innocent look upon his brainless face.

Snape turned towards Malfoy. "What's going on, Mr. Malfoy?" he asked in a calmer tone than the one he had used with Harry.

Malfoy shrugged, keeping the childlike look plastered on his face. "I don't know, Professor, I was just standing here, and then Potter decided to lunge at me for no apparent reason." Harry's nostrils flared in anger.

Snape turned to Zabini, who said, "It's true, Professor, I saw the whole thing." A smile was hidden in his black eyes.

"You did not; you weren't even here!" Harry shouted at the dark haired boy.

"SHUT UP, POTTER!" Snape yelled. "Were you a witness, Blaise?"

"Of course I was, Professor, why would I lie about something like that?"

Harry attempted to open his mouth again, but before he could get a single word out, Snape said, "20 points from Gryffindor." He didn't even bother to ask Ron or Hermione if they had seen anything, and even though they hadn't, it was still extremely unfair.

"Into the class everyone!" Snape said to his students.

The Gryffindors groaned and the Slytherins gave smirks, and they all began to move into the classroom.

"No more from you, Potter." Snape snapped at Harry, finally letting go of his hood.

Harry pulled away from Snape in an overly dramatic gesture and stomped into the room. He sat down next to Ron and practically threw his books and tools from his bag. Hermione flinched next to him.

"Harry, we know that you didn't start it," she said patting his hand. "We know that Malfoy's a stupid git who'll get away with anything in Potions."

Harry just sat stiff in his seat, facing determinedly towards the blackboard.

Potions class was the worst time of the entire day. Snape was horrible to Harry and he asked him all the questions he knew that Harry wouldn't know. He took off as many points as he could, and he referred to Harry as "The New Heroic Head Boy". Harry jumped up eagerly when the bell finally rang.

He moved with Ron and Hermione towards the door and was pushed roughly by Malfoy and Blaise who both smirked at him as they passed. Harry closed his eyes, very nearly moving to finish the earlier fight, but he chose not to rage again. The three returned to the common room, where Harry dropped off his books before heading up to Dumbledore's office.

"Good luck, mate," Ron offered as Harry climbed up into the portrait hole.

"Yeah, Harry, and tell us everything when you get back," Hermione said fervently.

"I will," said Harry, and he climbed out of sight.

He took his time walking to Dumbledore's office. He was a bit nervous about what other horrors lie waiting for him and he also wasn't excited about seeing Malfoy again.

He finally arrived and gave the password to the waiting gargoyle, the winding staircase behind it carried him up to the brilliant room, and he entered into it, expecting to see Dumbledore smiling at him from behind his half-moon glasses. Instead he was met with an empty room, except for one person.

Malfoy was already there, his arm draped carelessly over the chair he was lounging in. Dumbledore was not anywhere in sight.

"Where's Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

Malfoy delivered Harry his trademark sneer. "I'm not his personal servant, Potter; I don't know where the fucking old man is. Count on him to tell us to be here at a set time and then not show up himself."

Harry could already tell that his meeting with Dumbledore and Malfoy was not going to be a very happy one.

"Well, come and have a seat, Potter," Malfoy said in an annoyingly mock-cheerful voice, patting the chair next to him. Harry unwillingly walked over and sat in the remaining chair in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"So," the blond said, eyeing Harry with distaste. "I expect you'll want to remain the Head Boy?"

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked in a harsh tone.

Malfoy sent him a patented Malfoy scowl. "I'm talking about you wanting to be Head Boy no matter what Dumbledore says. You'll want to be all noble and show the old man that you 'respect his decisions', but let me tell you right now, like I said earlier- if you do anything that messes this up for me…" he trailed off for effect.

"If that's your attempt at being scary you need some work," Harry started angrily. "First of all I don't know where you get off thinking that I want to be Head Boy with you, because believe me, I don't. If Dumbledore says that you get to be Head Boy, and I get to leave, I'll be more than happy with that. Just shut up and leave me the hell alon-" At that moment the door into the office opened up and Dumbledore stood in the doorway, holding some papers in his hands.

He took a few long strides over to his desk and placed the papers on top of it before smiling cheerfully at his two students, and taking a seat in his huge armchair. He placed his long fingers together and said, "To business, each of you please take a pile of the papers." He handed each of them a stack.

"These are the rules and regulations that we must review, standard Head material. If you will both look at the first paragraph-"

"Ahem," Malfoy interrupted.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore looked at him with wise eyes.

"If I may?" Malfoy asked in a polite voice that clearly showed that he wished to remain on Dumbledore's good side. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Yes?" Dumbledore asked.

"Before we discuss rules and regulations, I think you should know that I do not plan on being Head Boy for long. Actually I was hoping that I might be able to be dismissed from the position right now, during this very meeting," Malfoy said simply.

Dumbledore smiled at the blond. "Really? Why on earth do you want that? Are you leaving the school?"

"No I'm not leaving the school; I simply don't want to be Head Boy. Surely you'd rather have a willing participant?"

"May I ask why you're not willing?"

Malfoy gave a very strained smile and seemed to be trying to think of his next answer. "If you must know, I'm not to keen on sharing a room with Potter here."

Dumbledore's smile faltered just a bit, but he looked like he'd been expecting this. "But Harry is a lovely young man, and as long as you're not leaving the school, then you will indeed be the Head Boy, and you will indeed be sharing a room with Mr. Potter."

Harry's face fell and he groaned on the inside. They would be sharing a room then.

Malfoy seemed confused that he wasn't getting what he wanted. "Well I don't think that any of this is a very good idea," he said, "and I can't imagine why you would choose me over dozens of other students who probably want the job."

"There are students who probably want the job more, I agree, but I believe you and Harry will do just fine." Dumbledore was ignoring Malfoy really; he was just being polite about it.

Malfoy seemed to have lost some of his own courtesy. "Professor, I don't know who decided to put Potter and I in the same position, knowing that we would have to share a room, but I think you should question their mindset."

Harry nodded his head, surprised that he and Malfoy were agreeing on anything. "Professor, Malfoy's right-"

Dumbledore interrupted him. "Enough of that," he said calmly. "I think that six years of schooling together is far more than enough time for you boys to be on a first name basis."

Harry grimaced and began his sentence over again. "Professor, Draco's right, it really isn't the greatest thing to put us in a room together. We don't… get along very well."

Dumbledore gave Harry a stern look. "Honestly, boys, don't you both think you're a bit too old for this? I expected that you might not be thrilled about having to share a room, but to want to give up your post only because of a childhood grudge, isn't that a bit absurd?"

Harry could think of nothing to say, but Malfoy was not to be beaten. "It's not just a childhood grudge!" he cried out suddenly. He seemed to realize his tone because he continued more calmly. "If we're in an enclosed space for an extended period of time then one of us might emerge decapitated. Pott- Harry and I do not get along, we will never get along. It's purely impossible. Against the nature of the universe and all that rot. How did we get picked anyway? Who suggested, 'Oh, lets put Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in the same room together and see what happens'? Honestly, it's preposterous."

Dumbledore would have none of it. "This topic is quite preposterous," he said in a light, airy tone. "And it wasn't a person that chose the two of you to be Head Boy; you were chosen in the traditional way."

"The traditional way?" asked Harry. "What does that mean?"

"The emblem above my door." Dumbledore pointed at a Hogwarts emblem that rested over the entrance. It had a small slot in the front of it.

"How does that determine the Heads?" asked Malfoy, obviously annoyed at being interrupted. "And why are we both Head Boys? Shouldn't there be a Head Girl?"

"Well, no. There aren't any rules that say that there can't be two Heads of the same gender. There have been a Head Boy and Girl for the past 50 years, but we've been known to have two girls and two boys. Most Headmasters and Headmistresses decide to choose the Head students themselves, and they usually chose a boy and girl to even things out. I use the emblem to determine the Head students. It hadn't been used in years before my time, but it was developed by the founders and so I decided that it was time for it to come back into service. The choice of the Head depends on which students in the year are best for the job. When the slip of parchment was placed in the emblem this year, after quite a while of waiting mind you, the Gryffindor and Slytherin symbols flashed and your names appeared. Simple as that really."

Malfoy was still set on finding a loophole to get him out of being Head Boy. "Well, why do we have to share a room? I didn't know that Heads shared rooms."

"Oh yes, the Heads have always shared rooms." Harry suddenly remembered that Hermione hadn't gone into much explanation when she'd told him about the whole sharing rooms ordeal.

"Professor, when Percy Weasley was Head Boy he was always there when something happened in the common room. If he had a different room how did he always appear?"

"There are doors to all the house common rooms in the Head common room. They are available in case there are ever any problems."

Harry nodded glumly and Draco sulked. Dumbledore seemed to take their silence as a sign to continue.

"Now, are there anymore questions, or can we get to the rules?"

Draco rolled his eyes a little and gave the tiniest nod. Harry frowned but nodded as well.

Dumbledore went into explanation of the rules they would have to follow, and the responsibilities they would carry, which consisted of being able to take off house points, being able to give little magical tickets which would cause the student to have to go to their Heads of Houses, and being able to use the little secret passages around the school, specifically designed for their use. Harry of course already knew about the passages, having used the Marauder's Map for six years.

Once Dumbledore was finally finished talking, he stood up and walked over to his door. "I can show you both to your room now; your things have already been moved there." He opened the door and stood back to let Harry and Draco step out before him.

Harry went to step forward, but Draco pushed him aside.

"I'll still find a way to get out of this," he whispered furiously to Harry as he passed.

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