Chapter 9

For a week after Harry made no notice of Malfoy. He continued his schoolwork ignoring Malfoy as he had always done before Harry had been assigned as Malfoy's body guard. Ron couldn't have been happier that Malfoy was out of the picture and Hermione was upset that she lost Malfoy as a study partner. Harry spent his days in his Library, only coming out when he had to.

Harry sat in the school library during study hall, Ron and Hermione next to him working on their homework. Hermione offering advice when asked. The only other person there besides the librarian Ms. Pince was a fifteen year old boy with a pair of earphones in his ears, nodding his head to the music and reading what looked to be a text book, but Harry hadn't seen him turn a page in ten minutes.

"No, no, Ron," said Hermione. "It's translated as "I went to Notre Dame," not "I have gone to Notre Dame"."

"How the heck am I supposed to know that," asked Ron. "Why do I need to learn French anyway?"

"Because you need to learn at least one foreign language to graduate," said Hermione.

"This is too hard. Harry, can you help?"

"I'm writing my own essay," said Harry tapping his pencil on the paper.

"How the hell am I supposed to write an essay in French on a book written in French?"

"Ron, have you even read Le Miserable?" asked Hermione. Ron's face went bright red.

"I tried, I really did, but it was so melodramatic."

"He read it in English," said Harry.

"Ron!"

"I'm sorry, but I did try."

"His characters were flawed, contradicting," said Harry.

"But this is one of the greatest work in French literature," said Hermione. "How can you say that after reading them?"

"Because it's true," said Ron. He looked over at as the other wrote on the paper. "This Friday's a game day. You coming?"

"We go to all of the games, Ron," said Harry looking up a word in French.

"You didn't last time."

"Last time he was bedridden with shot in the shoulder," said Hermione. "Which was stupid by the way."

"How many is that now?" asked Harry looking over at Ron.

"Two hundred and twenty nine."

"You can't keep up in Algebra 2 but you can keep track of how many times I tell Harry he did something stupid," asked Hermione and Ron smiled at her.

"It's a gift."

"Besides, how was I supposed to know Riddle was going to send his goons after me," said Harry. "I can't stay inside because I made a black market dealer afraid me."

"Have you found what he wants?"

"I've spent the last five years looking. Sirius said Dad kept a journal but I have yet to find it."

"Have you looked everywhere?" asked Hermione.

"Every book, every music case, every back of a picture case. I'm checked the Library from top to bottom. There's nothing."

"Hush," said Pince as she walked over inspecting her books. All three became quiet as she walked by.

"There he is again," said Ron. Harry looked up to see Malfoy walking to return a book. The blonde took a look around the room and all three lowered their heads to pretend to have not noticed him.

"Is he following you," asked Hermione.

"I think he is," said Harry. "He's been like this since the raid."

"Aren't you supposed to follow him around?" asked Ron.

"He's made it very clear that he doesn't need a baby-sitter," said Harry picking up his Le Miserable book and began looking over the chapter.

"Then why is he following you," asked Hermione.

"I don't know," said Harry with a shrug.

The bell ran and they left the library. Hermione had to go to Advanced Calculus and Ron to woodshop while Harry went to Chemistry. They walked Hermione to her class room before Ron had to go down to the first level and Harry went to the second.

"Tell Hagrid hi for me," said Harry heading for the stair case.

"Same with Neville," said Ron.

Harry waved in acknowledgement as he walked up the stairs and headed toward the Chemistry classroom. Walking he sat next to Neville in the seat the sandy haired boy saved for him.

"I heard we're going to have a surprise quiz today," said Neville nervously looking over his notes.

"You hear that all the time, Neville," said Harry taking out his text book and notebook. "It's just Malfoy and his crew rattling your chains."

"Probably, but I just want to make sure," said Neville.

"No talking," said Snape as soon as he walked in. The statement had been unnecessary since everyone had quieted as soon as he walked in. "Surprise quiz."

As the class groaned Neville gave Harry an "I told you so" look. Harry shrugged. They put away their text books and placed their pencils on the desks.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Zabini, please switch seats. I don't want Mr. Longbottom cheating after Mr. Potter. Or the other way around."

Harry glared at Snape as he picked up his test and bag and went over next to Malfoy where Zabini had been sitting.

"Long time no see," said Malfoy.

"Leave me alone, Malfoy," said Harry.

"No talking, Potter," said Snape. "You have till the end of class. This will cost you a quarter of your grade." Neville whimpered. "Begin."

They began the test. Harry had a hard time keeping his attention on the test when Malfoy was next to him. The blonde was doing all he could to annoy Harry. Pencil tapping, leg jiggling, teeth clicking, and there was the side long looks Malfoy was giving Harry. Harry tried to keep his attention on the test but everything Malfoy did annoyed Harry.

"Will you stop it!" he hissed at Malfoy.

"What's wrong, Potter? Annoyed?"

"As a matter of fact, yes!"

"Something wrong, Potter," asked Snape walking up to them. "Test too easy?"

"No, sir," said Harry. "The test is sufficiently hard."

"Big word, Potter," said Snape. "Which dictionary did Granger find that one?"

"Webster, sir," said Harry and smirked up at him. Snape glared down at him and walked on. Harry looked back over at Malfoy to find the blonde the blonde smirking at him amusingly. "Find something funny?"

"Only you," said Malfoy his smile widening.

"Well, laugh somewhere else."

And he turned to continue taking his test. He didn't have to look beside him to know Malfoy was still smirking at him. When the test was turned in Snape ordered them to read the next chapter. Harry turned his test in ten minutes till the bell rang and walked back to his seat. As he was walking back he was tripped by Crabbe and both wrestlers laughed. Furious at the embarrassment, Harry quickly jumped to his feet and faced the two, grabbing Crabbe by the collar.

"Do you think that's funny, Crabbe," he said. "Do you?!"

"Potter, control yourself," ordered Snape. Harry ignored him as his grip on Crabbe's collar tightened.

"Let's see how you like being tripped and laughed at," said Harry pulling back his fist. A handed gripping his shoulder stopped him. He grabbed the person's wrist and turned to look into Malfoy's silver eyes, slightly frightened from Harry's outburst, but determined to stop Harry from getting himself in further trouble.

"Let him go, Harry," said Malfoy softly. Harry started at him for a moment more before letting go of Crabbe. Malfoy let go of his shoulder and smiled at him. "Potter, sometimes you scare me."

"Potter, you're dismissed," said Snape. "I'll talk with you after school. Am I clear?"

"Crystal, sir," said Harry picking up his stuff and walking out of the room.

XXXXXXXX

Draco packed his text book in his shoulder bag and carried it out of class. He had a literature assignment for Flitwick and a project to do for Snape. Draco had hardly paid attention through the class, just kept writing the notes that Snape wanted.

His mind still played over what happened in the last class with Potter. Draco supposed he may have pushed Potter's buttons too hard, but the other boy had been avoiding him for the last two weeks. He was supposed to be Draco's bodyguard and avoiding his charge wasn't protecting him.

Draco, unlike Potter, had had been trying to catch eye the other boy for the last week. Draco had gotten used to Potter's company and witty conversation. He still wanted to solve the mystery that was Harry Potter.

Opening the door following Blaise he nearly ran into Pansy and grabbed onto him as if to a life preserver.

"Drakey," she said grabbing his arm.

"Pansy, my name is Draco," he said shaking her off. "If you're not going to say my name then don't say it at all."

Pansy pouted. "But you never minded me calling you Drakey."

"Wrong, Pansy. I have minded you calling me Drakey. You just don't care as long as you get what you want. Just like you calling yourself my girlfriend. You have never been my girlfriend. I don't want you. I have never wanted you." And he walked past the sputtering girl and stopped in front of Blaise. "You can have her."

"No, I'm good," said Blaise. "Like you, I've got my priorities."

Draco nodded and went to walk down the stairs. He didn't know why but snapping at Pansy forced a weight off his chest, something he didn't know was there. The tension of Pansy clinging to his arm had been stretching and finally snapped. He wasn't interested in girls and never had been. He was comfortable around them and found them as good friends if they were intelligent enough. Blaise had been a decent lover. They had been pillow buddies for two years, but Draco didn't want a "friend with benefits" or someone clinging to his arm. Draco wanted someone that understood him, complimented him on subjects Draco like and would help him set his mind straight during tough times. A partner in life, not in bed.

He shifted through his shoulder bag, looking for his note book in case he got all of his notes and groaned. He had left his notebook in the classroom. He walked back to the classroom and was about to open the door when he heard voices through it. He leaned against the wall and sighed. A Malfoy learned patience but Draco had a problem with waiting when he was in a hurry.

"What do you want me to do?" came Potter's voice through the door. Draco looked at the door and saw that it was slightly ajar. "Become a vacuum? Suck all the emotions I have out of myself?"

"Sarcasm will get you nowhere, Potter," said Snape's calm but cold voice. "If you continue this attitude, I will have to…."

"To what? Not see me again? Please, say not see me again. That'll be a bit hard, you know. We see each other five times a week."

"I was going to say I'd have to call your guardian."

"Go ahead." Draco smirked amusingly. Potter didn't care if he got in trouble. He tried to avoid it, that Draco knew, but if trouble did come Potter took it in stride. "You have his number. There's nothing stopping you."

"Potter, it almost sounds like you need me to call Agent Black." Draco could almost picture Snape leaning against his desk to glare at Potter.

"Please do," said Potter. Draco could hear the sneer in his voice. "Is there anything else you want to discuss?"

"Have you considered counseling?"

"No time." Draco knew an end of a conversation when he heard one and sharply rapped on the door before opening it. He smirked when both looked up at his.

"Forgot my notebook," he said and quickly grabbed it before walking out. He only had to wait a few moments before Potter walked out of the room after him.

"Potter," called out Draco running after him.

"What do you want, Malfoy," asked Potter not looking at him.

"I want to talk, obviously. Why have you been avoiding me for the last two weeks? You're supposed to be my bodyguard."

Potter turned and grabbed his arm. "Not here, you idiot!" he hissed and dragged Draco to an empty classroom. "Don't say that where anyone could hear."

Draco looked at him with shocked surprise. "You really are paranoid, aren't you?" he said. "You really thing someone's out to get you."

"I do have someone out to get me, in case you're forgotten what happened a month ago. That's not paranoia."

"No, you're right. It's not paranoia. It's a fighter's instinct. TSD. Traumatic Stress Disorder. You can't help it."

"No, I can't." Harry turned away and looked out the window. "And you don't need me as a bodyguard anymore. You've got a GPS and an agent less then a mile away if you need it. You don't need help from a high schooler tailing you anymore."

"I actually wouldn't mind having you around, or Granger or Weasel." Potter looked at him and Draco sighed. "Weasley. I actually hoped we could be friends."

Potter scoffed a laugh. "Friends? You and me? Now I know you're really dreaming."

Draco's eyes flashed in anger. "And you're guarding yourself."

"Can you blame me?" Potter turned away from the window and looked seriously at Draco. "I'll see you tomorrow, Malfoy."

"Potter…."

"Bye, Malfoy." And he left the room, leaving a perplexed blonde standing in the middle of the room. After a minute he left the classroom and walked out in time to see Harry drive away on a motorcycle, without a helmet and a black leather coat with a red and gold phoenix on the back.

'I guess he's still fixing the car,' he thought as his black car pulled up. 'He's still healing from the gunshot wound. He shouldn't be riding a bike!'

Draco got in the car and the chauffer closed the door just as his phone rang. Looking at the caller ID he sighed before answering it.

"What do you want, Blaise?" he asked. He pressed a button and the screen between the front and the back seats drew up.

"Dude, you laid it down hard," said Blaise on the other line.

"I only said the truth."

"And now I'm the one picking up the pieces. Pansy's rattling my ass about your breakup!"

"Sorry about that," said Draco checking his fingernails for dirt.

"You better be!"

"For a man who swings both ways, you're sure sticking with the ladies."

"They've both got their perks. You should try it my way."

"No, thanks. I'm perfectly happy where I am."

"Want me to come over?"

"What was my answer the last time you asked me that?"

"No?"

"And the time before that?'

"All right. All right. I get it. Geez, are you becoming a celibate or something?"

"Or something. Hey, I'm about home. Why don't you hook up with a girl and I'll talk to you later."

"I might just do that. See you tomorrow."

"Later." And Draco hung up the phone as the driver pulled into the house garage.

XXXXXXXX

"Still fixing that thing," asked Sirius in the garage as Harry looked into the engine and tried to loosen a bolt.

"It's dad's car," said Harry pulling his grease stained hands away. "I'm not giving up on it without a fight. Maybe it's the radiator."

"Your dad would've had a truck if he could've, but he didn't."

"What stopped him," asked Harry getting under the car on a body board to check underneath. The body had already been repaired and the window's had plastic taped over them till Charlie could get bullet proof windows.

"Your mother. She wanted a family car so James got a family car."

Harry laughed as he picked up a wrench. "Mum stopped Dad from getting a truck. That's easy to believe."

"Not as easy as you think."

"How is Arthur coming with that computer," asked Harry. "The one from the raid."

"He's having fun with it, mostly. Thirty percent of the files were already erased from the hard drive. Luckily it shut off in the nick of time or else we would have gotten nothing."

"That wasn't luck. It was me." Harry slid out from under the car to see Malfoy leaning against the garage door with his arms crossed. "I was standing next to the plug when the raid started. I kicked it off as soon as they started the virus."

"Thank you, Draco," said Sirius. Harry rolled his eyes and slid back under the car. "That was helpful."

Harry scoffed under the car. A foot slid him out from under it and he looked up at Malfoy's smiling face.

"Aren't you going to say hello, Potter?" he asked. Harry kicked Malfoy's foot away.

"Bye, Malfoy," he said and slid under the car.

"Why do you bother with this car," asked Malfoy. "It's older then we are and look to be near dead, a depleted tire and plastic windows. It's going to take you forever to fix it."

"If you continue to talk it will," said Harry reaching for a socket wrench.

"So what's the history of the car," asked Malfoy turning to Sirius.

"It was his OW!" Sirius looked down in time to see Harry pull the wrench back under the car. "Personal."

Malfoy looked down at Harry. "Obviously."

"Why are you here, Malfoy," asked Harry sliding out from under the car and wiped his hands on a red rag. Malfoy smirked at the smudge of grease on Harry's cheek and forehead.

"Can't I come and see my bodyguard," he asked humorously.

"No, you can't," said Harry standing up and throwing a tarp on the car before walking into the house. Malfoy and Sirius followed.

"Okay, I can tell you that Riddle wasn't very happy about the raid or the fact the Dolohov had been skimming him. You can find him in the river taking a nice dip."

"It's the season for it," said Harry.

"Riddle doesn't do anything halfway," said Sirius taking out a bottle of water. Harry grabbed one as well and bypassed Malfoy who had his hand out to take it. Sirius reached into the fridge and took out another one to give to him. "I'll call the chief."

Harry nearly choked on his drink. "Wait, Sirius, you're not leaving me here with him?!"

Sirius smiled. "Don't worry. We're all friends here."

"Speak for yourself."

"I thought we were friends, Potter," said Malfoy with a smile. Harry rolled his eyes.

"In your dreams, Malfoy," said Harry.

"Do you want to know what I dream about, Potter? Even you might blush if you found out."

This time Harry did choke on his drink and coughed. Malfoy just smirked over at Harry as the other boy coughed around the liquid in his throat.

"Malfoy, what the hell…." coughed Harry a napkin covering his mouth. Sirius pounded Harry's back to help him breathe.

"This is getting a little too personal for me," said Sirius after Harry could breathe again. "I'm going to call Shacklebolt in my room."

"Sirius," called Harry but Sirius was already up the stirs leaving Harry and Malfoy alone. Harry growled in frustration. "So why are you here, Malfoy? Daddy sent you down to spy on the big bad wolf?"

"Actually, Father is working on something for the company. Real antiques for a change and I had nothing to do."

"I find that hard to believe," said Harry washing his hands. He lathered the soap well before rinsing and repeating the process.

"Well, believe it. He's not too happy me falling behind two weeks ago. And he's not particularly happy about me breaking it off with Pansy."

Harry looked up at Malfoy in surprise as he opened the oven and took out a pot roast. "You broke up with Pansy? That's new. I thought you two would be together forever."

"That we're not dating or that I broke it off," asked Malfoy walking to the sink and wetting a wash cloth.

"Both. You and Pansy not being together is hard to imagine," said Harry setting the pot roast on the stove. He turned to find Malfoy standing just in front of him holding the wet wash cloth. "What's that for?"

"You've got grease on your face," said Malfoy.

"Oh, uh, thanks," said Harry taking the wash cloth and wiped the smudge off. Malfoy turned back to the counter and sat on a bar stool.

"Well, since you know so much about my life, and all I know about you is that you go after a fifty-seven year old black market dealer. Some people would call that perverted."

"Shut up, Malfoy," hissed Harry throwing the wash cloth at him. Malfoy caught it and set it back on the counter. "And for your information, all I know about your life is that you turned you back on a very lucrative, very illegal business."

"So we are an enigma to each other," said Malfoy as Sirius walked down the stairs. Harry had cut up the roast by then and set a plate down for him.

"What did Kinglsey say?" he asked.

"Well, he wants to know the approximate location of the body," said Sirius. "And for Draco to refrain from making any more excursions here. I doubt it but you don't know who might be following you here."

"I took a taxi," protested Malfoy taking the plate Harry handed him. "Paid in cash. I had him drop me off a block from here and went through the back yard."

"There's still no guarantee," said Harry. Malfoy glared at him. "It was smart, but you still can't know."

Malfoy frowned at him before eating the roast. "Do you do all the cooking, Potter? Every time I get here you're the one cooking, you are takeout."

"Me or Molly. Trust me, you don't want to eat Sirius' cooking. He burns water."

Sirius flicked a pea at Harry and Harry batted it away.

"Oh well, it's really good. Did you ever think about starting your own restaurant?"

Harry laughed. "Oh no. I've got different plans."

Malfoy smirked. "Like being a federal agent?"

Harry smiled at Malfoy. "Now that would be telling, Malfoy," he said.

For some reason, Malfoy smiled back.

TBC