Sorry about the delay agaiiinnn nhaaim don't kill me -hides-

Thanks to Hollee again, cause she rocks my socks, end of story :P

JK owns them and..on to the chappie!

--

Every day he got closer and closer; he could nearly feel the door under his fingers. He knew it was forbidden, he was aware something deadly hid behind that door, but he wanted to touch it.

He was there, so near… he just had to give a light push and then-

"-rry, come on!" The voice called, it was just like being pulled away from a memory, it just slipped through his fingers when his eyes burst open.

He saw the face of a frowning Dean Thomas and grunted softly. What was it with people waking him up these days? One would think he could bloody well get up on his own!

And so, with a foul mood, he stirred and murmured something incoherent before throwing the covers off of himself.

"What is it with you, mate? Can't seem to get up by yourself lately, you're gonna miss class, you know?" He said matter-of-factly as he put his tie on.

Harry felt like saying something not so nice back, but decided against it, Dean couldn't have known he had been so close to unlocking his secret.

"…getting up." He murmured again and finally stepped away from his bed, his head heavy and his eyes sore.

By the time he was done cleaning up and getting decent, Ron was already on his way to the Great Hall, unable to wait for breakfast any longer, so the Boy-Who-Lived had to go by himself a bit later.

He had a pleasant reminder that he still had detention later that day when he saw Malfoy's blond head entering the hall right before he did. Shaking it off, he just walked up to the Gryffindor table calmly, determined to find something to look forward to.

He exchanged quiet greetings with his two best friends before taking his seat by their side - he had always seated in between the two, but that had changed with their new relationship. It was only when, half-way through breakfast, owls started arriving that Harry's mood brightened a bit. He was anxious to see if his fathers had written back, especially when he had heard yesterday about the whole Remus being gone rumor. Even though he hadn't written them about that yet, he had hopes that the letter he had just received would have some information.

Surely enough, as he began to read through it, things became clearer and Hermione would be happy to hear that, yes, she had been right.

It was Sirius who wrote back to him, he suggested quite a few things - some of which were really tempting - Harry could do to get back at Malfoy. Then he went on and on about how everything was just great and how he missed his son… and Harry could clearly notice, even through a letter, that something was bothering his father. So, after all the sugar-coating, the animagus finally said in a brief note that Remus was visiting some friends on Fawkes' request - being that the nickname they had picked for The Order, since they knew letters were being opened and intercepted.

It could only mean one thing; Dumbledore had ordered his father to risk himself in a suicidal mission to recruit werewolves, much like the whole Hagrid-and-the-giants thing in the beginning of term. Oh great.

He didn't even know what to answer back… he wanted to say: "Why did you bloody let him go?!" But he knew it wouldn't really change anything, also he knew his father must have tried to stop the other - without much success.

Not being able to say much, or demand much information back because he knew they needed to be careful, he just settled for replying something quite empty and asking for news on Remus again.

--

He couldn't believe how tired he was! Sure, he hadn't gotten much sleep since he'd arrived on Monday morning, but this was fatigue of another kind… it wasn't just of the mind or body, but of the soul as well. He had, more than once, caught himself wishing - however he would not admit it - that things could go back to what they were before. It wasn't as though he was regretting his choice, it's just… everything felt out of place and he just wanted a bit of normality.

Sure, his fellows Slytherins had not changed their attitude towards him. Hell, if anything Pansy's pampering of him had increased, Goyle and Crabbe were also the same, as were Nott, Zabini and whoever else. It's just that he was the one seeing them in a different light, as though his new found responsibility had placed him on a level his friends could never reach and suddenly everything they said and did seemed too reckless, too childish, too shallow.

There had never been a time when his greatest worries were grades, quidditch and parties, as a Malfoy he had always had more pressing matters at hand, but now it was even more so. It was like his father's image as his mentor, idol, and protector had vanished and with it the right he had to act as a fifteen year old. Suddenly, matters of war and power struggles and orders - rather than wishes - became undeniably real.

And, even for just one second, he wanted everything to stop.

Thoughtful like that, he entered the Potions Classroom, joining Harry Potter for their little torture session. His Godfather dismissed them as quickly as he had the day before; only casting the bonding spell he had done those other two days before letting them go.

Potter looked awfully hostile today, he could clearly tell what with seeing the boy's clenched teeth and random murmurings, what had gotten into him?

Both were completely willing to ignore each other as they headed to the library and sat down at the same table as the other days. And, as though both were aware of each other's problems, they created no ground for extra fights and just settled for talking to each other when it concerned the work they had to do. Neither was really in the mood for a cat fight, with everything that was going on… it got tiring. And the 'talking' usually meant Harry asking Malfoy for help when he didn't understand something and the blonde explaining matter-of-factly the things that were so clear to him so that the dim-witted Gryffindor wouldn't land them into more work.

Their two hours were slowly ticking away, and Harry spent one out of ten minutes staring out the large window. He was dying to go outside and fly a bit… he hadn't had the time lately and it was driving him mad. He needed to clear his head of things, of everything, by just cutting through the air at suicidal speeds. In fact, his Firebolt was shrunken inside his pocket… he really planned on going out there tonight.

By the time he was done with another ingredient properties essay, the Boy-Who-Lived was about ready to open the window and fling himself out. Sighing, he stood up and gathered his stuff, shoving quills, ink and leftover parchment inside his bag.

Malfoy followed him around the library as he put each book he had gotten back on its rightful place before both got out and headed to the stairs.

Harry was so anxious to get out that he completely tuned out as he reached the ground floor he didn't see a thing of the world around him; the double doors were just calling out to him! And - as his detention mate would kindly put it - like an idiot he just headed towards them, forgetting all about essays, Snape, and bonds. Only when he felt the firm tug on his back did he stop moving and it even took another second for everything to come back to him, shattering his daydream.

"You going somewhere?" The blonde asked, arching his eyebrow and fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

His mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he answered lamely, "I was thinking about something… I was heading back to my common room."

"Oh, I didn't know there was a secret passage outside that lead to the seventh floor." Draco said sarcastically, crossing his arms, the Gryffindor hadn't even tried to fool him.

A retort didn't come to his head and, instead of saying something stupid again, Harry just muttered, "What's it to you anyway?"

"Aside from the fact that I would have been dragged along with you to the middle of the grounds at this hour, nothing. Oh, wait, there's also the minor detail that I am a prefect, and as such would not let the Golden Boy go around breaking rules however he thinks he's above them." He answered in a fake-sweet tone.

"Does making my life complicated amuse you?" The Boy-Who-Lived asked, and his tone was strangely sincere.

"Drop the drama, you know, it doesn't suit you, Potter." The Slytherin said, however, the other boy's words stung. They meant he was acting like a child and he hated that.

"Well, I bloody have a lot on my hands right now and I just wanted to fly a bit before I explode. And don't worry, I wouldn't dare steal your crown of Drama Queen." He said sharply.

Draco ignored the last comment, concentrating on what the black-haired one had said before… strangely enough, he couldn't agree more. It had been so long since he had flown that just the sound of that idea seemed to make his whole day, no, week a lot better. It would be that normality he needed in his life, to fly carelessly and irresponsibly while breaking a couple of rules… just the thing a fifteen-year-old would do. Just the thing he needed to do right now.

"Like it or not, Professor Snape will be hearing about this." He said then, snapping out of his thoughts, a quick scheme in his head already forming.

"About what? I didn't even get to do anything!" The boy defended angrily, this conversation was completely stupid!

"You know how it is, Potter, it's the thought that counts and besides, you didn't go because our bond stopped you." He said matter-of-factly.

And the worst of it was, Harry knew Snape would just believe the git and then he would be going to bed with less house points and a few more detentions on his file. This sort of situation drove him mad! It was so bloody unfair! It made him so angry that he was nearly shaking, he hadn't been joking about exploding any second…

"Merlin! What more do you want?! Haven't you gotten happy enough with landing me into this bloody two weeks' worth of detention? Do you want Snape to keep me going to his office everyday till the end of the bloody year?!" Harry demanded angrily, it was unbelievable how two people could drive each other insane just by standing a few feet from the other.

Even now Draco didn't know what possessed him to say what he did in that moment, perhaps he had been much more desperate then he'd have admitted. Perhaps this animosity he felt towards Potter was the strongest bond he had with the person he could never become again. He knew that no matter what, Dark Marks and Martyr-complexes aside, they would always hate each other and what the other stood for. And in the most bizarre way… that knowledge was comforting.

"No. I want a game." Draco said firmly, making the other boy frown.

"… what?"

"A seeker's game, Potter. Are you deaf? You win, I won't say anything about your little rule-breaking plan." Draco explained simply.

'What in the name of Merlin is his problem?' was all Harry could think as he stared at the blonde, trying to make any sense out of it and at the same time feeling the paranoia catching up… the Slytherin could be up to something.

Suddenly, flying didn't seem like such a good idea anymore, especially if he had to share such a moment with Malfoy. And all Harry wanted to do was go up to his tower and sleep, frustrations be damned. For a moment there the Boy-Who-Lived almost took the detention instead of having to deal with the other wizard, but then he thought it might even be good.

He hadn't trained since last Friday and he had promised Angelina that he'd practice; maybe kicking his rival's arse in a seeker-to-seeker game would just about kill two birds with one stone.

"Fine." He agreed, sighing as he started walking towards the dungeons again, there was still Snape's bond to deal with.

--

The pitch and everything around it was dark, only the moon and stars above them served as a guiding light. Draco had just summoned his broom, a Firebolt like Harry's, and snitch. Both were now in the middle of the dark quidditch field staring at each other.

"… So, how are we going to do this?" The Gryffindor asked finally.

"Just like in quidditch, Potter. Seekers have always played the game alone anyway. The only difference is there's no bludgers." He drawled. "I release the snitch, we wait 10 seconds and we're off. You catch it and you're free." He said, smirking.

Harry couldn't help but catch the emphasis, so he eyed the other boy suspiciously. "And if you catch it…?"

"… I'll think about that when I do." The Slytherin said, overconfident.

The fact was they hadn't played each other since third year what with no quidditch in fourth, and Harry not playing the first game of this year, the boy had no idea what was coming for him…

Even though he didn't like the idea of Malfoy having one free condition to impose should he win, it was a challenge and the gryffindor felt more alive just thinking about it.

"Well? Let's go already, we haven't got all night." Harry urged, impatiently.

The snitch was free before he even finished his sentence and seconds later they both shot through the air after it.

Oh, there it was! That amazing feeling of the wind running past him, the night freezing his skin. He couldn't even remember, in a moment like this, what he had been worrying about just that afternoon. There were no problems while he was up in the air, in fact for all he cared, there was no world bellow his feet. His greatest issue here was finding a nearly invisible ball hidden in the darkness before his blonde rival could do it.

He stilled after flying a bit, taking the game seriously, and stopped mid air looking for an insignificant glittering that had to catch his eye. Malfoy was just a few feet away from him, doing the exact same thing.

It didn't take as long as he had expected and there he went, diving after the snitch, noticing that the Slytherin had seen it before him since the boy was leading the chase. He didn't waver though, and sped up to a dangerous speed so he could at least match the other boy's.

The pitch was so uncommonly silent that he swore he could hear the snitch as it flickered its delicate wings faster than an eye could see. And he was getting closer and closer, as was his rival, actually he dared admit Malfoy was closer then he was. In a desperate attempt, Harry sped up even more and twirled around his own broom reaching for the golden ball.

With that, Draco's concentration failed a bit as did his, from spinning at such speed and before either could manage a reaction, the snitch was once again out of sight. Harry was pleased with himself. That had been a really good save! Now all he had to do was play closer attention and be the one to lead the next chase.

A quick glance at Malfoy told him the Slytherin wasn't bothered with the fact he had lost the ball, he looked as though the game had just started then.

It took longer this time for the snitch to be spotted once more, but when it did Harry was the one to do it first. The chase was on again, his heart raced and his eyes didn't leave the soft glittering he was following. They both raced across the field and away from it, the snitch was heading towards the lake.

Somehow, Malfoy had managed to gain enough speed so he was a bit ahead of Harry, the ball was even further though. The Gryffindor wasn't paying him any attention, trying not to lose focus as his eyes watered from being hit with such a rapid wind. But then the blonde decided to do something that he couldn't help but look at.

The Slytherin was starting to stand on his broom, apparently ignoring the fact that they were 100 feet off the ground. And, in a display of something some would call courage - Harry would just call it madness - Draco leaped forward, clearly grabbing the golden snitch between his fingers and managing, before something dramatic happened, to get a hold of his falling broom again.

Harry heard his howl of happiness as he sped off, making dangerous maneuvers on the air, clearly commemorating the outcome. The Gryffindor had slowed down and just watched, seeing Malfoy like this almost made him consider the boy normal. And he couldn't help but smile a bit, he wasn't thinking about the consequences of his defeat, he was much more worried about regaining his breath and archiving this 'match' as the best one he had ever had.

He had always been a good seeker, he had attended quidditch games as soon as he managed to hold a toy broom stick… and he had never felt so thrilled like this. It was hard to find someone that would be a good challenge for him, even the Malfoy of a couple of years ago had been no match, he couldn't say that about the same boy now. It had been amazing.

He noticed that his rival was heading towards the castle and dived after him, landing smoothly on his feet when he saw the other boy do so.

Malfoy was breathing heavily, his hair was unusually untidy from the wind and his face had acquired a blush from the cold air. It was weird seeing him look so… human. It was as though that image of the unreachable pure-blood child who had nothing but sharp retorts and insults to share faded a bit.

"… so…" He noticed how he himself was out of breath as he tried to speak, "… you won." He managed, not a hint of resentment in his voice.

Malfoy smirked and looked with triumph at the snitch in his hand. "Yeah…" He said, still gasping.

"…and? What do you want?" Harry asked as he slowly remembered what it was that they had been playing for.

The Slytherin looked up at him, his eyes locked with the Boy-Who-Lived's green ones.

"I want to do this again." He said, the smirk never dying.

--

A.N:

So, there it is :)

I had loads of fun writing this chappie! I hope you guys have fun reading it too :D

Anyway, Answer to Reviews:

Fantasyfan4ever: \o/ eyye Remmie's fine D not to worry! They haven't killed each other yet so hehehe things are good D

Illyra: Oh relax Illyra D I say that, cause there are people, who add me to lists and stuff and still don't review -sighs- LOL but anyway, don't mind my ranting. Yeah, this past chapter shows that even with insults they can cope with each other. Ohhh I hate those "I hate you!" "now I love" stories LOL No, definitely not gonna happen this way heheh kisses!

DcMaddoxx: Ohh thanks :DD It'll come soon, don't worry, kisses!

Moony73: Thanks :D Yep, I'm messing around with a lot of things right now, people are just raging hormones hehehe Right you are, Harry's frustrations will all be soothed with Draco, which is precisely why, you're right once again, their relationship will not be as smooth-happy-cheery. Ohh I'm so glad you see it this way :DD That's what I was going for :DD See, The Guardian, whose main character is Remus, is filled with sorrow and sadness and calmness too. The emotions are much more of the sad type and they aren't really shown, there are no outbursts (ok, there's one, but anyway) and stuff, it's more 'under control'. Here we are dealing with teenagers! There's no self control what so ever, they're fierce and demanding, and they get frustrated and angry and they show it they're learning about life now and building/shaping their view of things, and so they're much more confused and impulsive: they act before they think and that's what gives me so much material to work with. I tuned down on the violence because of it -laughs- couldn't have two strong focuses of turmoil -laughs-. (I hope I'm still making sense)

Hhahahha I'm over dramatic on everything XDD 'course I'd sound like I'm planning to overtake the world XDDD Monotonous?? Your reviews keep me going honey :D I just go like "Oh, yeey!! Moony reviewed" and I drop everything to answer you lol (which is why, as you can see, the answers are so enormous)

Thanks again! Till next time!

To everyone who didn't review yet, do it!! Cause I need reviews to keep going!

See ya next time!