I don't own Harry Potter. Too bad.

Chapter 4

Draco and Harry were found a few hours later sitting in the courtyard talking. Neither cared about the people who stared and the whispers they knew were being whispered. They were talking of Voldemort.

"I think you should start the DA back up again," Draco said. "I mean, between you and me, we can help prepare the others for the war. My father taught me a lot of Dark Arts and a lot of counter curses for them. He said I wouldn't need them but just in case the DADA teacher actually taught something that the "muggle lovers" could use against them."

Harry thought about this. "Maybe. I mean, the DA members did learn a lot the last time. Especially Nev..." He trailed off. Harry lowered his head.

Draco actually felt sympathetic. Another new emotion to him. "I'm sorry about them. He was always a nice guy."

Harry brushed it aside. He had already decided to add Neville and Luna to the list of the deaths he was going to avenge when he finally faced the Dark Lord. "Yeah, we should start the DA again. At least this time is doesn't have to be a complete secret."

Draco cleared his throat. "Actually, Potter, now you'll have to. The Slytherins have seen us talking. I'm trying to hide my true devotion to the good side, but I think my covers been blown."

"Yeah," he said. "Not really. Tell them it's part of your plan. You're a spy for Voldemort." He swore he saw Malfoy shudder.

"How ironic. Harry Potter telling me to tell others I'm a spy," Draco said.

Harry smirked. "Don't push it, Malfoy."

He put his hands up in mock surrender. "Anyway, about the DA..."

"Harry!" They heard and both turned to see Ron, Hermione, and Ginny standing behind them. Harry silently groaned. He knew he would have to tell them about Malfoy, but he wasn't in the mood.

Ron's face was brighter than his ears. "Have you gone mad? You're talking to Malfoy!"

Harry stood up. "Relax, Ron. He's on our side," he said quietly. "Trust me. Dumbledore trusts him and I think we should give him a shot."

"Just like that?" Ron asked.

Harry sighed. "Look, he can help us."

Draco stood up as well. "Should I tell them?"

"Go ahead if you want."

The three sat down and listened to Draco's story of his mother and her death. The three were silent after wards. They didn't know what to say. Malfoy had made their lives terrible, but to watch you father kill your mother was something they hoped to never see.

"You don't have to trust me. I understand why," he said still talking. "Just give me a chance to prove it."

They nodded. Hermione spoke. "If you turn on us, Malfoy, you'll regret today."

"I understand, Hermione," Draco responded calmly.

Everyone, including Harry, was taken back. Draco had said a muggle-born's name without a hint of disgust.

They began talking of the DA and plans to restart it. They would, however, tell Dumbledore of the DA meetings this time. Maybe he would even join. Maybe the DADA teacher would as well. They talked for a while before heading to their common rooms. Draco and Hermione, as they were Head boy and girl, walked together to their Head common room and talked quietly of the DA.

Everyone knew of Draco's sudden change by the next day. He went another step farther. Despite the fact that he was trying to hide his true devotion, he had to prove to his allies that he was being honest and was trustworthy. The next morning he did what no other Slytherin, or any other student, had done before. Draco Malfoy was found at the Gryffindor table with Harry on his right side, Ginny next to Harry, Ron across from Draco, and Hermione next to Ron. For most of breakfast, the Great Hall was silent as the students stared at the group.

Harry was surprised at how interesting Draco really was when he was nice. He could laugh and make jokes about normal things. Amazing.

The group of, now, five spread the word of the DA.

The Christmas Ball had finally arrived. Harry had asked Amelia. She had said yes excitedly. Some how, Harry knew he wasn't as excited as he should have been.

The weekend before the Ball, there was a Hogsmeade trip so they could get their dresses and robes. Harry, Ron, Andrew (Ginny's boyfriend), and Malfoy went together. Andrew was alittle jumpy around Malfoy, but he slowly got used to him. They got their robes quickly and waited on the girls. Hermione, Ginny, and Amelia came out giggling. The boys rolled their eyes. None of the girls would show them their dresses.

Even though the others had dates, Malfoy was perfectly happy going alone. He had been spending a lot of time with the VD (Voldemort Destroyers) as they has joked one day and desided to call themselves that. He was happy to actually be part of a group that cared about each other. While Crabbe and Goyle had always been around, they could've cared less if he died.

The night of the Ball was hectic. Girls were running around and the boys were becoming impatient. The common room emptied except for Ron and Harry. Finally, they saw the bottom of two dresses coming down the stairs. Both boys stopped breathing.

The two girls stood in front of them smiling brightly. Hermione had a beautiful dark red dress and her hair was pinned neatly back with a few curls around her face. She was even wearing makeup. Ginny was wearing a dark green dress and has her hair down in curls. Harry held out his arm to her and she took it smiling.

"You look beautiful, Gin," he said in awe.

She smiled warmly at him. "Thank you, Harry. Why aren't you with Amelia?"

He shrugged. "She wanted to meet at the dance. Ron told me Andrew said the same so I thought I escort you to the Great Hall."

The two smiled at each other and even Ron noticed the look in their eyes. He shook his head with a smile of laughter. Hermione saw it as well and nudged her boyfriend and raised her eyebrows. Ron smiled and nodded. How fun it would be to get the two together. Hermione had never been one for scheming, but she knew what it was like to love someone, but not realize it. She decided Harry had enough sadness in his life and Ginny was just the person to brighten it up.