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Chapter 14

It was dark before Harry said good bye to Axel and left the forest. It had taken a few minutes to calm Axel enough so he had let go of the tree but the rest of the afternoon had been fun. They worked on Axel's speaking skills for a little while and raced with their respective ways of flying. Overall Harry had been proven better at straight speeds while Axel was better at turning quickly and, in a forest, being able to turn quickly was extremely important. In the end they never finished the race against each other and instead as to race away from a few griffins who weren't happy about all the noise they were making by laughing so loudly.

On the way back they flew over a centaur camp. Most of the centaurs ignored Harry's presence and greeted Axel, talking about the hunt earlier that day. It made Harry glad that Ron wasn't there since it looked like they were cooking, and eating, one of many of Aragod's giant spider children

A few of the other centaurs, including Firenze and a few of the young fowls, greeted Harry as well and asked him about Dumbledore, Hogwarts and about the fools at the Ministry. The fowls wanted the two humans to come down and play with them but one of the father's made it clear that Harry wasn't welcomed in their camp with a few choice words that got him smacked by a few of the mothers. It still embarrassed Harry to no end that none of the women were wearing any tops.

When it was time for Harry to leave, it was the first time Axel went with Harry all the way to the edge of the forest. As if not paying attention, having kept most of his attention on Harry, Axel nearly flew out of the forest entirely. But when he realized he was moving into the open he ducked back in and hid behind a tree. He peaked back out to look beyond Harry at the place he knew was called Hogwarts.

Hogwarts was certainly the most impressive sight Axel had ever seen. It rose higher then the trees and had so many points and edges he didn't know where one part started and another began. Though it couldn't have been very warm in such a big, oddly shaped cave.

Pulling his gaze away from the almost frightening sight, Axel returned his gaze to Harry who stayed floating just outside the forest.

"Tomorrow?"

For reasons Harry still didn't understand Axel hated the phrase 'Good bye'. When he said it the first time the pale boy had looked horrified and nearly didn't let him leave until he explained that he was coming back. The second time had the same results so they came up with a better way to say farewell.

Flying back to where Axel was keeping himself hidden, Harry gave Axel a soft kiss on his mouth.

"Tomorrow."

Axel gave Harry one last smile before flying back into the forest, what look to Harry, faster then he had when the two were racing.

Harry did a few loops in the air before flying back to the Quidditch pitch to put away his broom and get his things from the locker. As he was landing he noticed that someone was already there with a lit wand, leaning against the side of the inner wall.

Turning the page of his book, Draco didn't notice when Harry came down from the air and landed a few feet away from him. He held his wand over the words, but found himself slamming the book shut when he noticed a shadow from above him.

"What you do want, Potter?"

"To talk to you," said Harry, watching as Draco stood and picked up his bag. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Trying to get away from all the people wanting to talk to me," said Draco, glaring at Harry. It was his lack of attention that caused him to over shoot his bag and drop the book to the ground.

Having read the title before Draco could snatch it back up, Harry couldn't help but blink in surprise.

" The Wizard of Oz?"

"Her- Granger gave it to me when I refused to read The Chronicles of Narnia," said Draco. "If I wanted to read about a lion I'd study up on Godric Gryffindor." He pushed the book into Harry's chest and began to walk away. "You can give that back to her."

Chasing after him, Harry tried to force the book back into Draco's bag.

"If she gave it to you she'd want you to keep it."

"Well I don't want it," said Draco, fighting Harry to keep the book making it's way back into his bag.

"It's yours," insisted Harry.

"It's Grangers," said Draco.

"She gave it to you," said Harry.

"Well I don't want anything that filthy mud blood touched," shouted Draco, pushing Harry away from him and pointing his wand at him.

"You-" Harry began to shout, feeling his body begin to pose itself to physically attack the Slytherin. But the word 'bastard' never made it out of his mouth and his muscles gave up the idea of exerting themselves. He had spotted Draco's face.

Unlike the past when Draco would insult muggle-borns there was no smirk or sneer on his face as he continued to look completely relaxed and confident. At that moment his eyebrows were squeezed tightly together, his mouth a straight line and he was sweating. It was also the first time Draco had pointed his wand at Harry outside a duel, or when Harry was facing him.

Unable to help it, Harry laughed at the entire situation.

"You nearly had me that time."

"Dammit Potter, just leave me alone," shouted Draco, moving to walk around the Boy Who Lived.

"Not until you listen to me," said Harry, following Draco as he attempted to escape. He resolved to ask Fred and George about getting more of their Instant Quicksand.

"When muggles sprout wings and fly," said Draco, quickening his pace.

"How about the next best thing?" asked Harry, quickly looping his arm with Draco's, pulling him backwards. At the same time he mounted his broom and, making sure the Slytherin had fallen on the back of it, took off into the air again.

It was at this point Draco began to shout every insult, swear word, and threat he could think of, desperate not to drop his wand or make himself fall off. A few minutes later Draco began to run out of things to say.

"Potter you- you idiot!"

"Done yet," asked Harry, laughing.

"Unless they invent new words, yes," admitted Draco, half turning so he could face Harry. "You win, just get me the hell down."

Harry half turned to face Draco, wanting to make sure he was telling the truth. Perhaps he'd see his fingers crossed?

Just as Harry was turning, something fell on his face. He stopped the broom and looked around, seeing that it had began to snow.

Noticing this as well, Draco half smiled.

"About time it snowed. It's already December."

Harry turned back at Draco to see him smiling and smiled in return.

"I find it odd that you care."

"Don't read too much into it. I'm looking forward to pelting you with a snow ball," said Draco. "Now get me to the ground before I change my mind about jinxing you and risking a horrible death."

"Well, when you put it that way," said Harry, and took them to the ground near the entrance of the lockers. "Mind if I change first?"

"Go right ahead," said Draco, waving him off.

Thinking better of it, Harry pulled Draco into the lockers.

"I have no interest in seeing you change, Potter," said Draco.

"Then just turn your back," said Harry as they arrived at his locker and he began to take out his things.

"Does that mean you don't mind if I do watch," asked Draco, sitting on the bench facing Harry.

His eyes widening to an impossible size Harry couldn't find the words to say anything as he just stared at Draco in disbelief.

"You know, Slytherin humor is lost on you," said Draco, turning so he was facing the opposite direction.

Harry watched Draco a moment later before he began to undress.

"If you say so."

"I do, and since I was forced on that wild flight so I'd listen to you, you better start talking so I can leave."

"Ron and I made up."

"So the wedding's still on?"

"Draco."

"Sorry, I forgot he's already married to Granger. Unless you two plan on doing it behind her back. Or is this going to be a three way marriage?"

"I'm not marrying either of them. I thought you said you were going to listen?"

"I never said I'd listen without interruption."

"Fine, whatever, but-"

"What kind of muggle word is 'whatever' anyway?"

"Draco. Listen."

"Fine, 'whatever'."

"It's not completely set in stone yet but once he talks to Hermione, I'm sure he'll lighten up and give you a chance."

"So I can hang out with the golden trio and become even more of a mark? No thank you, I'll stick to laying low."

"We wouldn't have to broadcast we were friends, just like before. And why is the rest of Slytherin, besides Zabini, after you anyway?"

"Well not really after me per-say. More on the lines of ignoring me, but they would go after me if they thought I went Gryffindor."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"What makes you think it will be answered?"

"God damn it Draco, you don't have to deal with this by yourself."

"Fuck off Potter," shouted Draco, swinging around to face his interrogator but blushes and turned right back around. "This is the worst time to have this conversation. Zip your pants and put on a shirt before we go any farther."

Though Harry was also blushing, he did what Draco instructed and moved around the bench so he could sit in front of him.

"Look, I want to be your friend."

"How very Gryffindor of you," muttered Draco, rolling his eyes.

"Perhaps but I may understand more about Slytherin then you think," admitted Harry, hopeing that this smaller secret would allow Draco to open up to him.

"What are you talking about?" asked Draco. "You're as Gryffindor as they come."

"Thanks, I think, but I had my doubts for a long time. Back in first year the sorting hat said that I would do well in Slytherin."

Draco blinked once, then twice and then simply started at the increasingly nervous Gryffindor in front of him.

"Then why didn't it put you in Slytherin?"

"Because I asked it not to," said Harry.

"Why?" asked Draco.

"Because Ron said that there wasn't a witch or wizard that went bad that didn't come from Slytherin," admitted Harry.

"That Weasley just ruins everything," shouted Draco, standing and kicking the nearest locker.

Harry didn't say anything as he watched Draco attempt to kill the locker with his bare hands. He didn't think it would help matters any more if he told the Slytherin that the locker he was attacking was actually Ron's locker. If he did, he feared that there wouldn't be any locker left.

Once Draco was done, he took in a deep breath and sat back down.

"You as a Slytherin. As much as I would have liked that, I can't imagine it."

"I'll take that as a compliment," said Harry.

"You better re-think that. I am Slytherin after all," said Draco. "So what do you expect me to do now?"

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.

"Am I supposed to be all smiles? Be thankful that I can be friends with you and Hermione now that we have Weasley's permission? Am I supposed to get used to hanging around with you again until Weasley changes his mind and we have to go through all of this again?" asked Draco.

"I'm not sure about the all smiles part, because that would be creepy, but you don't have to worry about it. Even if Ron flat out rejects you, Hermione and I will still want to be your friends," said Harry.

"And if this turns out to be some sort of brilliant plan to betray you and turn you over to the Dark Lord?" asked Draco.

"I'll escape and kick your ass," stated Harry imitating Hermione's 'as a matter of fact' tone.

"Why my ass?" asked Draco.

"You really need to learn more muggle slang," said Harry.

"And we need to go, it's practically curfew," said Draco.

Harry gathered the rest of his things and put away his broom before they rushed back to the castle. They were about to say goodbye to each other when a voice spoke to them.

"Isn't this a peculiar sight? A Gryffindor and a Slytherin coming back from the grounds after dark, without a scratch on either on them," said Dumbledore, smiling as he approached the two boys.

Harry and Draco looked desperately at one another, neither knowing what they could possibly say as a response.

Dumbledore probably would have laughed if he hadn't known such an action would be out of character for him to his students. He began to think of a way to reward the two for their cooperation, while including a story about Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin, but something caught his eye. Around Harry's neck was a chain necklace, but that wasn't the peculiar part. On the chain was a golden ring with even smaller indecipherable writing on it. He pointed at it.

"My dear boy, wherever did you get such a trinket?"

Looking down, Harry was surprised to see that he had forgotten to tuck the ring under his shirt in the rush of leaving the locker room.

"This? My friend gave it to me."

"I'm rather surprised either Ron or Hermione could give you such a ring," replied Dumbledore, looking at it with great interest.

"They didn't. It was my friend… My friend back in the muggle neighborhood I'm from," said Harry quickly, realizing that both Dumbledore and Draco were giving him odd looks.

"My I take a look?" asked Dumbledore.

Unable to think of a reason to refuse, Harry removed the chain from around his neck and handed it to the professor. It would be the first time it left his possession since Axel gave it to him all that time ago in the forest.

Dumbledore studied the ring through his half moon spectacles in silence. He slowly turned it all the way around, as if able to read it, before returning his attention to the two boys.

"Mr. Malfoy I believe it's time for you to return to your dorm. If anyone tries to stop you, since it is past curfew, tell them it was my fault that you were held back and to see me tomorrow if they have any complaints."

"Yes Professor," said Draco, with a short nod of the head. He gave Harry one last confused look before heading towards the Slytherin Dungeons.

"Shall I see you tomorrow Professor?" asked Harry, hopeing Dumbledore would see that he wanted to leave and would return the ring so he could go.

"Most likely, but for now I need you to come to my office," said Dumbledore.

"What for?" asked Harry, feeling the need to snatch the ring and run.

"I need to ask you a few questions about this ring and it's original owner," said Dumbledore, before turning to lead the way to his office.