Before Harry could get any further, his communication pod vibrated. Surprised that he could get a signal in the primitive village, he scanned the number, recognizing it as Chateau Cran. "Hey," he answered.

"Oh, thank goodness," Matthew Potter sighed.

Matt and Harry were twins. And while Harry ran away from the desert, Matthew had stayed on. Now, with a wife and two children, he lived in the once marvelous Chateau Cran. He had taken over the plantation duties, which seemed to give him an odd disposition that made him think that he was significantly older and wiser than Harry.

"Um… I talked to you a couple hours ago, Matt," Harry said, narrowing his eyes.

"What on Earth are you doing with Draco Malfoy? You were supposed to come home!" his brother shouted.

"How did you hear ab-"

"Do you have any idea what his reputation is?" Matthew interrupted. Then he broke off to yell, "Settle down unless you want another time-out," to his boys.

Harry waited until Matthew was back on the line and said, "Well, you aren't doing anything about Sirius! So it's up to me now, isn't it?"

"You're going out into the desert, for God's sakes, Harry," Matthew snapped.

"Someone has to do it. If he's off sulking, the least I could do is give him a piece of my mind," Harry argued.

Matthew bristled at the way his brother had said that. "It's not as though I don't have a life, Harry. I can't just up and leave everything here to find him," he said in an affected tone.

Harry closed his eyes tiredly. "I know," he murmured.

"Just… I don't think you should go. That's all."

"I'll be fine. I'm fine, okay? Say bye to the kids again?"

"Yeah."

"And tell Gin I'll talk to her when I get back. Lawyers and all," Harry add as he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah," Matthew mumbled.

"Bye." Harry clicked his tongue in exasperation, pushing the device back in his pocket. Then he noticed Draco watching him intently. "What?" he asked.

"I didn't say anything," Draco murmured, turning back to the dash and increasing the power to the thrusters. "Whoever that was had quite a bit to say, though."

Harry felt sweat tickle the back of his neck and he swiped at it. The sun was something he would never get used to. "My brother. Seems to think I'm still a child," he vented. "I have half the mind to tell him to bugger off right about now."

"I can think of far worse things to say to him," Draco muttered under his breath.

Harry was confused when he heard hints of that statement. "You know Matt?" he asked, leaning forward.

Draco didn't comment, his expression closed and cold.

"Jeez, it was just a question," Harry said under his breath.

Draco opened the gate with a pull on the lever beside the fence. He yanked the tarp over the rest of the craft, leaving the inside cold and dim. A plastic and net mesh was the only way Draco could keep his bearings. Seated in the only seat up front, Draco took the wheel comfortably. Harry was left with his racing thoughts and hammering heart as they set out towards the heart of the sand.

The sound of the engine overpowered everything else. Harry couldn't hear the gusts of wind or the crackling of sand crystals as they flew over the terrain. Draco loved it here. It was peaceful and he was left alone in his world. He had lived all his life in the desert and he planned of dying here if he could help it. He had no use of anyone else and no one else had any need of him. Neither man talked.

The miles of sand had always intimidated Harry. As he looked out the 'windows', he saw knolls and dips of gritty sand that could blind a man or suffocate him. Patchy and dry shrubs grew, but the craft moved too quickly to take notice. On some of the boulders that looked like mountains sat rundown cabins and dilapidated houses. No one lived in these areas anymore. Not unless they were hunters or intense adventurers. Harry wondered which one Draco was. He heard a soft croon of the Crocuta crocuta – the spotted hyena. The unfortunately ugly mug of the animal had always unnerved Harry. It disturbed him to the point of nightmares that Matt and Sirius had been quick to laugh at.

As they pulled through twists and turns, Harry fought to remember the way back. With his knuckles white and clenched against the edge of the seat, he tried desperately to find landmarks and identifiable trees. But the problem with the vast dirt was that it all looked the same.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when Draco asked, "What's the matter? Afraid of being blown up?" as he swerved the craft with a leer.

Harry stiffened considerably, swallowing hard. He was not about to show Malfoy that he was afraid. "No," he said curtly even though his tone said a clear 'yes'.

Draco scowled, offended. "I made this myself. It can handle anything the desert throws its way," he said with a haughty sniff.

"Is that what you do?" Harry asked hopefully. "Build sandcrafts?" He hoped to heavens that it was. Although, judging by the gear that was stowed under the seat, that didn't seem to be the case. Harry could make out wire traps, guns, a case of bullets, a sack of what looked like bait, and fuel. Everything a poacher would have.

"No," Draco said without further explanation.

"Then what do you do?" Harry asked.

"Whatever I want," Draco murmured.

"Living the life," Harry drawled sarcastically.

Draco felt his blood boil uncharacteristically at this wayward comment. What right did this man have to judge what he did? In fact, why would Draco even want to associate himself with a snob like him? After all he had done to Draco, how could he-

But this was Harry. Not Matthew.

Draco's eyes flitted towards the mirror that was sitting on the corner of the dash. He could see Harry clearly reflected in it.

They look so alike. Twins. Same blood, same ruse. Draco pushed down the memories that resurfaced. Not the same but similar. Harry seemed more distant. Cold. Aloof. Matthew had a ready smile at hand. A warm and predatory smile. Harry appeared naïve in contrast. He didn't hide behind a smile. He kept his disposition at the surface for everyone to see. Looking out for himself and only himself.

"If you are afraid of the desert, why are you here?" Draco asked suddenly, trying to figure out Harry's ulterior motive. He didn't understand why Sirius had never talked to him about his godchildren.

Draco saw Harry's jaw clench. "I'm not afraid," the raven-haired man said. "I just need to find Sirius."

"Ran out of your inheritance money?" Draco asked with derision.

Harry bristled at the wayward comment. "I am paying you to be my guide. Not to speak," he said stiffly. "That is all I need you to do."

"Hmm," Draco mumbled, shaking his head to himself.