Disclaimer: I do no own, nor make any money off of, the song Living La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin.

Chapter 6

Need ride home after school. M

Why? P

Later. M

"Mr. Malfoy, please wait for me after class," said Snape as the rest of the class packed up to leave. Draco quickly hung up the phone under the table, slipped it into his pocket and walked up to Snape as the rest of the class left. "I would like to speak with you as well, Mr. Potter, when I'm finished with Mr. Malfoy. Wait outside the door."

Harry sent one last glare at Snape before leaving with Neville, Ron and Hermione.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" asked Draco.

"Will you be joining your father tonight?" asked Snape when the door closed after the last student.

"No, sir, Father wants me to stay away today. They're dealing with some very delicate items today."

"Very good. You are behind in your studies. I don't want my best student's grades to slip."

"Thank you, sir," said Malfoy with a charming smile.

"You may leave now, and send in Mr. Potter."

Malfoy nodded and opened the door. "He wants to see you now."

Harry gave Draco an annoyed look before walking to the classroom and closed the door. Malfoy took a quick look around to see if any students were walking by. One first year did and Malfoy had to wait for the student to walk around the corner before opening the door a crack and listened in on the conversation. He silently cursed when he realized he missed most of it.

"Why don't you call him?" asked Harry. "You do have his phone numbers. I least I hope you do, cause if you don't…"

"Your point, Mr. Potter."

"I'm tired of being a go-between, Mr. Snape," said Harry. "If you have a beef with my guardian, take it up with him."

"That is enough, Mr. Potter. You will do well to watch that tone of voice with me."

"Whatever." And Malfoy heard Harry walk away. Malfoy quickly left to the room and ran down the hall ad out the door to Harry's car, trying to look natural against he beat up white vehicle. He enjoyed the look of surprise on Harry's face when he saw Malfoy waiting for him at Harry's car.

"What did Snape want?" asked Malfoy.

"None of your business," said Harry with a cold look. Malfoy gave a start at the look.

"Was it something he said?"

Harry didn't say anything as he unlocked the car and Malfoy slid in the passenger seat. Harry was about to get in when Ron, Hermione and Ginny ran up. Harry quickly blocked the window so Malfoy wouldn't be seen and looked behind him only to find not a trace of the blonde.

"Hey, Harry, want to come over," asked Ron.

"Sorry, I can't," said Harry. "Sirius wants me to help him out with something over at the station."

"But Mum's making pot roast," said Ginny as if that would make Harry change his mind.

"Have her save me some," said Harry. All nodded and left to their own cars. Ginny paused once to give Harry a calculated look before sitting in the passenger seat of Ron's beat-up truck.

Ron's truck stalled twice before it finally started and drove out of the parking lot. When both cars were out of sight Harry opened the driver's side door and saw Malfoy crouched under the dashboards under the wheel.

"Are they gone," asked Malfoy in a strained voice.

"Yeah, how did you get down there so fast?" asked Harry in surprise.

"I'm quick," said Malfoy straightening out from under the wheel.

"And amazingly flexible," said Harry. Malfoy glared at him.

"Can we go now," asked Malfoy in irritation. Harry nodded, got in the car, started it and drove out of the parking lot. "You didn't tell them about me."

"I saw no reason on explaining to my friends why I'm protecting the school bully," said Harry.

"No more than my explaining why I'm with the school punk," shot back Malfoy as Harry's phone rang. Harry pulled it out and put it to his ear as he drove. "That's dangerous you know."

Harry just glanced at Malfoy before speaking. "Hey, Sirius….Yeah, I told him….He said he's talk to you…..Okay, I hoped he'd talk to you…..Hey, I didn't pick your friends…. I know, I know. Don't remind me. I'm still having nightmares….. Then you guys should get together. I can handle myself for one night….. Don't worry about him. I'll worry about him…. Call him. And I'll order take-out….You too. Later." And Harry hung up.

"What was that about?" asked Malfoy.

"Family business," said Harry. "What were you talking to Snape about?"

"That's my business." There was silence for a moment before Malfoy spoke again. "What I want to know is why they assigned a boy to protect me? At the very least they would have assigned a seasoned professional."

"I was chosen because of three things. One: We're in the same school. Less suspicious if a student is following you around in the halls then an adult. Two: We know each other. You won't be able to fool me with your pretty boy act. Three: I do have training; police and military."

"Where did you get military training?" asked Malfoy.

"I attended summer boot camp for five years. And four: I'm not on file."

"On file?"

"Even if they found out who it was protecting you, they'll never know where. The police used me in several undercover missions. All minor of course, never outside the city."

"So the other night…."

"Undercover at an underground casino that you helped locate." Harry winked at Malfoy who crossed his arms.

They drove in silence till they came to Harry's house and Harry drove in the drive way. Harry got out as Malfoy put his baseball cap on and got out. Unlocking and opening the door Harry punched in the security code before the alarm went off and threw his jacket on the back of a chair. Malfoy walked back up to his room and closed the door. He heard Harry walk up the stairs and through a door. Malfoy opened his door a crack and saw Harry exit again and through the second door. Malfoy only caught a shelf full of books before the door closed.

Malfoy heard the house phone, a door open and close, and heard Harry pick up the phone. Curious, Malfoy opened his door a bit again to listen in.

"Hello? ... No, he isn't here….You know he's at work…. No, I don't want to tell him you called. You call him….. Listen, you toad, if you say that again I'm not giving him your message …. Call him yourself!" And Harry slammed the phone back on its cradle.

"Who was that," asked Malfoy opening his door all the way.

"An annoyance," said Harry through gritted teeth. He looked up at Malfoy. "Are you hungry?"

"A bit."

Harry scratched his head, ruffling his already wild hair. "How do you feel about Chinese?"

Malfoy shrugged. "Fine."

Harry nodded and called the closest Chinese restaurant. "What do you want?"

"Sweet and sour chicken with pineapple, teriyaki sauce and boiled shrimp. And tell them just put in a pinch of ginger in. They can sometimes put in too much. Oh, and some Mei." Harry gave Malfoy and odd look. "What?"

"You know a lot about food," said Harry and placed the order. When he was done they went to the living room to finish whatever homework they had till the food arrived. Harry paid, brought out drinks and they ate.

"Is this what you do all day," asked Malfoy. "It's kind of boring."

"Well, what did you expect? Hors d'voeures and champagne? I'm supposed to protect you, not throw you a party."

Malfoy gave Harry an amused look. "You never baby-sat before, have you?" Harry glared at him before looking away. Malfoy laughed. "Oh, God, Potter. I knew you were dense but I didn't think this much!"

"Like, this isn't your first time in protective custody as well," said Harry. Malfoy's face flushed and he looked away. "Oh, God, it is!"

"Shut up, Potter!"

Harry smirked and got up. "All right then, we're go somewhere."

"Go where," asked Malfoy in surprise.

"A bar?"

"Yeah. You know a place where you drink beer, listen to music, eat peanuts and talk to strangers. You know, a bar."

"I know what a bar is, but in case you haven't noticed, we're underage. And more than half the bars are owned by or being watched by Riddle. I'll be recognized."

Harry smirked at Malfoy. "Not where we're going you won't be." And he walked up to his room, Malfoy close behind him. "Wait here," said Harry and Malfoy waited outside. A few minutes later Harry gave him a set of clothes. "Change in the guest room."

Malfoy to the closed the door and set on the bed. The room was a plain blue with a dresser, a nightstand and a bed. The bedspread was a soft blue to match the walls. It wasn't unpleasant, but it just wasn't him. He began to change and as he did he started to think.

Draco had known Harry Potter for years, but he only knew the Harry Potter that came to school. The Harry Potter he knew hung out with a book worm and a redhead jock wannabe. He was a punk that stood up to the teachers and hung out with geeks and weirdoes. That Harry Potter was so open, spoke what was on his mind and easy to intimidate. And Draco did enjoy intimidating that Harry Potter.

But this Harry Potter was secretive. He held himself in check and was more stoic then Draco's father. And the look that Potter gave Draco when the other boy walked out of the station. It was a murderous look. A look the Harry Potter Draco knew would never give a person. The Harry Potter Draco was with now was a different person.

The ringing of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Hello, Pansy," he said.

"Drakey, where are you? I want to see you again."

"You saw me at school, Pansy," said Draco inspecting the shirt with both hands, skillfully keeping the phone to his ear with his shoulder.

"I know, but school's not enough. I was to see you twenty-four seven." Draco suppressed a groan. "So where are you? Are you at Blaise's? I'll come over."

"I'm not at Blaise's," said Draco and silently cursed at his mistake. "We, uh, had an argument."

"Another one? Well, it's all right. He was never a very good friend anyway. He can never keep a secret. Remember when he said he loved that Brown girl and told the whole school."

"You told the school," said Draco under his breath.

"What did you say, Drakey?"

"Nothing, just that how it ended was very cool."

"It was, wasn't it?" Draco could hear the grin on Pansy's face as she remembered Lavender Brown's reaction to Pansy telling the school that Blaise had a crush on her, which wasn't true. Brown had come to Blaise hoping for a date, but Blaise told her that whoever told her that he liked her meant it as a joke. Pansy busted out laughing and Brown left in tears.

"So where are you, Drakey? I'll come over."

"You can't," said Draco quickly, picking up the pants Harry gave him. "I have plans tonight. Guy plans."

"Then how about tomorrow? I hear your father's out of town again and your mother's never around. We can spend time together."

"I'll have to think about it," said Draco picking up the house phone by his bed and dialing. A few seconds later a ringing when off in his ear. "Ah, gee, Pansy, I've got another call coming in! See you later, Pansy!"

"Draco…."

And Draco hung up both phone with a sigh. Pansy's obsession was annoying at times, but a good cover for him. Opening the door he walked, walked into the bathroom without knocking, and stopped short of entering. Potter stood in front of the mirror with a comb in hand and seemed to be putting gel his hair to slick it back. He wore a pair of pants with a rip in on knee and a black shirt was thrown next to him on the counter, making him shirtless. Draco had to stop himself from drool at Potter's tone muscles and tan skin. His glasses weren't present and his emerald green eyes looked at Draco in surprise, who blushed in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, I should have knocked," he said.

"It's all right," said Harry. "We're both guys." He set the comb down and smirked at Draco. "Unless you're hiding something interesting."

Draco's cheek turned a brighter red. "Shut up, Potter!"

Potter laughed, picked up his shirt and left the bathroom. "Relax, Malfoy. It's not like you actually are a girl. You just look like one."

"Better than a scuffed up street rat!"

"I'll take that as a compliment," said Potter walking into his room and closed the door. Draco scowled at door, wishing it wasn't closed so he could glare at the boy who humiliated him, and walked into the bathroom. He took a quick shower to wash off the gel in his hair and the sweat he worked up. Fifteen minutes later he walked out dried, in a green button up shirt and black pants and his hair left down to frame his face. On his feet was a pair of loafers.

Potter was waiting for Draco in the hallway, talking on his cell phone. He wore the ripped jeans Draco saw him wearing in the bathroom and a black shirt almost too tight for him tucked in the jeans. On his feet was a pair of snake skin cowboy boots and around his neck were a linked chain and a black wrist band on his left wrist. A pendant made from a spent bullet hung around his neck and his hair was gelled back, a few strands escaping and framed his face. Draco's mouth was left gaped for a few seconds as his brain caught up with his heart, which had skipped a few beats.

"Ready?" asked Harry shutting off the phone.

"Yeah," said Malfoy mentally kicking himself and pointed to the pendant around Harry's neck. "Is that a real bullet?"

"Yeah," said Harry uneasily and clutched the necklace tightly. "Come on. I know a place where we can get some good beer."

"Potter, just one question?" said Malfoy as he followed Harry out of the house. "How are going to get into a bar? We're seventeen, in our last year of high school I might add."

"I have my ways," said Harry smirking as he got in the car.

"Like with your cigarettes?" asked Malfoy getting in the passenger seat and closing the door.

"Like with my cigarettes." Harry started the car and drove out of the drive way. Both were silent as Harry drove and parked in front of a bar that read The Lion's Den.

"I've never been here before," said Malfoy looking at the almost run down bar. Harry knew it was part of the look the owner wanted.

"It's all right if you don't," said Harry. "I'll bet your father goes to clubs owned by Riddle, right?"

Malfoy nodded. "We prefer to go to The Snake Pit."

"Oh, lovely. Another reason why I shouldn't go there."

Malfoy chuckled. "You just don't like it being owned by Riddle."

Harry smiled as he opened the door to the bar. "Well, there's that," he said and they both entered. Harry walked up to the bar counter and greeted the tender. "Hey, Tom."

"Hey, Harry," said Tom, the owner and bartender of The Lion's Den. "The usual?"

"Make it two, Tom," said Harry. "Did you find him?"

"Oh, got a friend over? That's rare." Tom filled up two glasses of beer and passed it to Harry and Malfoy. "And I did. Took a few minutes to track the weasel down, but I managed it and got your message through."

"Thanks, Tom."

"What's your usual," asked Malfoy looking at the beverage suspiciously.

"Just drink it, it's just beer," said Harry pushing the glass toward Malfoy. "Except on Cinco de Mayo, then I shoot down tequilas."

"You come here often?"

"Once a week or so. Tom's a good friend of Sirius's and lets me drink here, but not too much."

Malfoy chuckled as he sipped his beer. It wasn't what he was used to at home or The Snake Pit. His father usually made him order wine or fruity drinks with low alcohol intact, but the beer tasted pretty good, once he got used to it.

"Seems like you have the perfect life," he said.

Harry's eyes turned dark as he stared at his glass. "No, far from it," he said.

"Look out, Harry," said Tom. "You're regular's here."

Harry looked over and saw Fletcher walk in the bar and walked purposely toward Harry, a grocery bag in hand.

"Regular," asked Malfoy in confusion as Harry reached into his pocket and pulled a fifty dollar bill out of his wallet.

"Come back when it runs out," said Harry handing the bill to Tom, who was already filling a mug of beer. Fletcher happily took the beer, left the bag and went to a table.

"What's that about," asked Malfoy. Harry just smirked.

"It's called equivalent exchange," said Harry. "I pay his bar bills and he gets me the things I can't at my current age."

"Does Agent Black know?" asked Draco in surprise.

"He knows I'm getting them from somewhere, but he just doesn't know where."

"What's in the bag?" asked Draco. He looked in and his eyes widened at the expensive wine and the six pack of beer.

"I figured you'd like something other than hard liquor," said Harry and smirked as he sipped his beer.

"Harry Potter, you are one devious bastard," said Malfoy with a smirk. Harry smiled back.

"Why, Draco Malfoy, that's the second compliment you gave me tonight."

"Don't let it go to your head," said Malfoy with a smile and both laughed. Someone had put some coins in the jukebox in the corner and "Living La Vida Loca" played.

"Well, you know my story," said Malfoy. "What about you?"

Harry laughed. "I'm not that intoxicated yet."

"Come on, Potter. You know me from cover to cover. I know next to nothing about you."

"I'm an orphan."

Draco frowned. "I know that."

"Riddle killed my parents."

"I thought that was Pettigrew."

Harry waved his hand in an in-between gesture. "In a way, but so much that I hate him for it. My father was a spy for the department for one of Riddle's drug operations. He and Pettigrew had been childhood friends and both were in the department. No one knew then that Pettigrew was also a spy, but to Riddle. Pettigrew saw my dad and told Riddle. Riddle decided to make a personal visit to my parent's house."

Malfoy gulped and looked at his glass. "And he killed them?"

Harry nodded. "When Riddle decides to get rid for someone, he doesn't just kill the person. He kills the whole family. My dad went first, trying to hold Riddle back as my mother tried to get me. I was upstairs taking a nap. Dad had left his gun in the drawer upstairs so he was unarmed, but that didn't stop him from trying. Mum got to me when Riddle killed my dad. Mum went and grabbed Dad's gun along the way and shot Riddle when he came in sight. He lived and shot back."

"You were a baby then? How do you remember all of this? How did you survive?"

"He was already wounded," said Harry. He reached up and grabbed the bullet pendant again. "Sirius had come to check on us, and Riddle ran off."

"And was convicted with thirteen years in jail," said Malfoy understanding.

"He should have died that night," growled Harry. He clutched the necklace till his knuckles turned white.

"That was the bullet your mother fired, isn't it?" asked Malfoy nodding at Harry's necklace. Harry nodded.

"Passed right through his shoulder. Sirius managed to retrieve it from evidence and made a necklace out of it for me. I have so much from my dad, but very little from my mum."

"What happened after that," asked Malfoy still curious on Harry's life. Harry didn't say anything as he finished his drink and paid.

"Let's go," he said. "Sirius will want us back soon and I've got a study group with my friends tomorrow."

"My parents will be wondering where I am, which will be a surprise to me if they did," said Malfoy getting up and following Harry out. He recognized the evasion and went with it. Harry picked up the bag.

They had just gotten outside when Harry phone rang and the teenager answered it. "Hey, Sirius…. Great, now he can get off my back…. No! I don't care where you go. Just stay away from home and work for one night!... Oh, God! Sirius! I didn't need to hear that! Bad mental image! ... Yes, it is your fault! ... Not funny! ... Yeah, I was at Tom's…. I'm heading home now….. No, I left him in an alley in a dumpster. Of course with Malfoy…. You too. Later."

And Harry hung up.

"Agent Black checking in," asked Malfoy.

"Yeah, he became a bit paranoid since he found me."

"Found you?"

Before Harry could evade the question again he as interrupted when a black car turned the corner sharply and speed down the road. Harry just caught a flash of metal through the backseat window.

"Draco, get down!" he yelled as a shot rang out. It pierced Harry's right shoulder and forced Harry to fall to the ground. Malfoy ducked behind the car as a shot hit the window and shattered it. Harry reached under his jacket, took out his gun and fired back. A bullet hit the rear window and put a hole through it. Harry fired again and the bullets ricochet off the body of the car. He tried to get the license but the plate was covered.

"Damn," he cursed and groaned, clutching his shoulder.

TBC