A/N: So most of you seemed to want another chapter to this so… here it is. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last part, and hopefully this is okay (and if it isn't, we can just delete this part and pretend this whole thing didn't happen, k?)

I still don't own anything, and I also have no idea what I am doing.

His greatest strength

It had been two weeks since the incident in DADA, and it was as if someone had flipped a switch.

Ever since the Boggart incident, which had predictably spread through the entire castle, both students and teachers alike were somewhat surprised to see Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy acting pleasant towards one another. While they weren't best friends, something had clearly changed.

On a good day, the worst things had ever gotten between the two were a few bitter verbal spats. Now though, the two could be found sitting in each other's company; sometimes in companionable silence, sometimes in amiable conversation. After 6 years, it almost seemed like a rather un-climactic way to end such a famous rivalry.

The boys had long since dropped their cold formalities. It was as if Potter and Malfoy were completely separate from Harry and Draco. Each of them had changed in some way. Harry, for example, seemed to smile that little bit brighter and truer than before.

Draco, on the other hand, had caused teachers to double take more than once. He had kept his head down this year, yes, but the Slytherin would rarely, if ever, glare at someone as if they were nothing more than the dirt beneath his shoe. He hadn't referred to anyone as a 'Mudblood', and he no longer seemed to care about his "superior" status.

While many were pleased about this shift, Harry was still concerned. He hadn't told anyone about Draco's breakdown in the Hospital Wing, and whilst they had never mentioned the Boggart again, Harry could tell that it was still bothering the other boy. He was more subdued than before, but that wasn't his main worry.

Whenever they had Defence against the Dark Arts, Harry would sit next to Draco, and watch as the blonde's eyes would wander over to the cupboard which they both knew still held the Boggart, now lying forgotten in the corner. Harry would always gently nudge his arm to bring his focus back to the lesson, but Draco would still have a look in his eye that made Harry think that the other was weighing up a plan in his head.

The Gryffindor had a sinking suspicion that he knew what said plan was, but decided not to mention it in case he was mistaken.

*page break*

It was a Thursday afternoon, and the Gryffindor common room was unsurprisingly quiet. Most students were outside enjoying the sunshine, which is where Harry would've preferred to be. Instead, he, Ron and Hermione were inside, working on their latest essay for McGonagall. Although he and Ron were planning to leave it until as late as possible, Hermione had managed to convince the two of them to stay indoors by offering to help them with it, as both boys were struggling in lessons.

They had started working a little over 10 minutes ago, but now Harry was watching the footsteps move around on his map, while Ron and Hermione were arguing (something not uncommon these days). He had managed to tune their voices out, and was considering sneaking away to leave them to it, when his eyes locked on to a certain person.

His eyes followed the elegant script across the parchment, as Draco made his way down a route two floors below. Before he could wonder why his friend wasn't outside or in his own common room, he froze as the footsteps came to a halt before a familiar room.

The room with the Boggart.

The voices of Ron and Hermione suddenly came back into focus.

"Oh, come on 'Mionie, it's not like we're… Harry? You alright?" Ron commented, noticing how pale the dark-haired boy was.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

"It's Draco." He looked up and met the questioning looks he was receiving, "He's in Lupin's classroom."

Hermione gasped, suddenly understanding her friend's fear. Ron, on the other hand, looked between them with a confused expression.

"And? Am I missing something?"

"He's going back to fight the Boggart! The stupid prat, I knew he would-"

"Mate, calm down." Ron cut him off " Maybe he just forgot his quill or something." He cringed, knowing how weak his argument sounded.

"Ron, please. He may not be as big of a prat, but he's still a Slytherin. His damn pride's gonna get him killed! He nearly broke his hand last time, and the only reason it wasn't worse was because Lupin was there. We have to stop him."

"Alright, Harry. Give me the map." Hermione said calmly. Seeing her friend's irritated confusion, she continued. "Ron and I will go find Professor Lupin and tell him what's going on. You get down to the classroom and stop him."

Harry shot her an appreciative look, before turning and sprinting past a group of 2nd years who were coming through the portrait. He was pretty sure he'd knocked at least two of them over, but he didn't have time to stop.

*page break*

Stopping outside Lupin's room, Draco paused and looked around the empty corridors, thankful that most of the students were outside enjoying the sun. He couldn't afford to waste time; anyone could stumble upon him, and this was something he had to do alone. Being embarrassed in front of his peers once was all the embarrassment he needed, thank you very much.

He took a final deep breath. " Colloportus," he whispered. Knowing that the doors were now firmly locked, he moved with purpose past the empty desks until he reached the far corner of the room. Grateful that the cabinet was still there, he dragged it back until it stood in the middle of the floor, exactly the way Professor Lupin placed it during the tests.

Taking another pointless calming breath, Draco raised his wand to the cabinet, standing sideways. It's no big deal he thought, it's just a spell. You've used hundreds before, come on! Concentrate.

"Alohomora."

Before he could truly register what he was doing, the cupboard stopped rattling, as a small black creature burst out of the doors. It seemed to look up at the boy, until its shape began to blur and shift, leaving Draco once again staring at himself.

Crouching before him, Draco's double still had the same matted locks and harsh grey eyes. The only thing that had changed was the lack of bruising and blood on its face.

"Well, well, well, look at you. I'd say you're being incredibly brave, but I doubt you even know what a backbone is." It stood, gracefully dusting off its robes. The Boggart looked him up and down, the same way a shark would size up its meal. "Tell me something Draco," it drawled "what exactly are you trying to prove here?" It began to circle him again, however, this time Draco turned with it, keeping his double in his sights at all times.

"Is this supposed to be some great triumph for you? I hate to break it to you kid, but it's just you and me. No one's here to watch your little act." Draco's jaw was locked as he tried to stay focused. The Boggart simply laughed

"Oh, come now. You don't need to act all brave and strong for little old me!" It raised a hand to its chest in mock surprise. "As entertaining as it is, you forget that I can see straight through it." Halting in front of the cabinet, it lowered its arm and promptly lost all trace of jest. It was clearly done playing.

"You couldn't beat me before. Saved by some teacher weren't we? But you're on your own this time. No one's coming to help you. Although, you already knew that."

Draco schooled his features to hide his rising anxiety, but then he remembered what this creature was.

"I wonder what dear old Dad would say, if he could see you now? Probably something along the lines of you being a complete and utter disappointment."

There was a muffled commotion from the corridor. Before his double could taunt him again, the giant wooden doors rattled, and Draco heard the call of a familiar voice.

"DRACO? DRACO, OPEN THE DOOR."

Whipping his head around, he stared at the doors with puzzlement. Harry? He thought How in the name of Salazar did he know I was here?

"Draco, please come on. Whatever it's saying, it's not true. Remember what I told you; you are not weak or pathetic. Merlin, please I am begging you. OPEN THE DOOR" Harry's voice may have been smothered by the wood, but even an idiot could have heard the honest terror. Behind him, he could hear the other Malfoy trying to re-attract his attention.

"Doesn't mean anything. Do you really think he can save you from this? From you?" The Boggart shrugged, although there was a hint of desperation in its tone.

The shouts from the other side of the classroom continued, and it suddenly hit him. He wasn't, nor had he ever, truly been alone. In the corner of his eye or standing in the background, there had always been someone there; either a teacher or another student. This school was full of people. People, who had been more than willing to be there to give him help, support and, dare he say it, friendship. It had taken Draco 6 years and a Boggart to make him understand that.

Once again, he slipped on the mask that he'd been forced to wear since childhood, albeit a new version. Gone was his Father's influence: the arrogance, the big-headedness, the unpleasant attitude. Instead, he kept the few part of his façade which he needed. His forthrightness and his confidence.

Mask in place, he turned to his double, who was still waiting for a reply. The Dark Mark on its arm gave him the final push. There was a war coming, and if he couldn't defeat a simple Boggart, then he may as well dig his grave now.

"No, he can't. He can help me, protect me from the odd hex, maybe. But Harry can't be the one who saves me from you. I have to do that for myself."

Seeing the creature continue to waver, he dug deep and pulled out his well-worn cocky grin. "This is my battle. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you that I'm too stubborn for my own good, and I am certainly no damsel waiting to be rescued." His own words seemed to make him stronger, as his shoulders straightened and his posture became more confident.

"There will always be a part of me that fears you. But that fear keeps me fighting."

This time around, it was the Boggart who lunged forward to attack. Only now, Draco was ready.

"RIDDIKULUS!"

Rushing forward, he grabbed the Boggart and bundled it back into the cabinet, not bothering to see what he'd turned it into. Keeping one hand on the door, he fished the key out of his pocket and fumbled to lock it. The sound of the clasp shutting was the best noise Draco had ever heard. He leaned his head against the door and shut his eyes, trying to catch his breath. He abruptly felt a wave of exhaustion come over him, and all he wanted to do was go back to his room.

It soon occurred to him that the panicked voice from outside was still shouting for him.

"DRACO? ARE YOU ALRIGHT, WHAT'S HAPPENING?"

Remembering who was on the other side, he tiredly moved towards the call, never once looking back. He whispered the spell to open the entrance and pushed it ajar, causing the boy on the other side to stumble backwards. There was a pause. As Harry opened his mouth to say something, he was interrupted by a yell from the other end of the corridor.

"Harry?" The raven-haired boy and the blonde turned to see Ron, Hermione and Lupin coming around the corner towards them. Upon seeing both boys, Hermione stopped shouting, and relaxed the grip on her raised wand.

Lupin reached them first, and tore into the classroom, ready to defend the children. However, he was puzzled at the sight before him. The Gryffindor prefects had both rushed into the staffroom, begging him to follow. Safely away from the prying eyes of others, they'd shown him the Marauder's map, explaining that Draco had went to face the Boggart on his own, and that Harry was currently on his way to stop him. The Slytherin had definitely been inside the room last time they checked, yet here he was, visibly fine.

"Draco?" he turned to the Malfoy heir, who looked ready to topple over. The only response he was given was an object being held out to him. It took the werewolf a moment to realize that it was the key to the cabinet which held the Boggart. He wordlessly took it, and put a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. Draco heard his silent question, and he gave him a tired nod.

Turning to face Harry, he took off his mask completely, giving the other a tired, yet genuine smile. As he took an exhausted step, he felt his breathe leave him as Harry came forward and wrapped his arms around Draco's body to hold him up. Draco rested his head on Harry's shoulder, shakily breathing.

"You did it. Draco, you did it." Harry said softly, tightening his hold.

Draco didn't reply. Instead, Harry didn't try to fight his smile as he felt the embrace returned.

The end.

A/N: To my dear friends reading this who wanted a kiss (you know who you three are), I am not even sorry *evil grin*. To everyone else, thank you for reading! I hope you liked this, and please leave me a review telling me what you thought, or if I made a mistake anywhere. Maybe I should just go back to X-Men and SPN stuff XD

Until next time guys :3