Authors note: Yay! Next chapter! I can't say I will always be this fast when posting new chapters, but this was an easy one. It's a bit repetitive of the last chapter, just from Harry's POV. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to continue this way, a chapter per POV, or not. If I do I will try not to make it to repetitive. If you have a preference please let me know! Also, sorry for any mistakes, I don't have a beta. *tear*

Anywho, thanks for the favourites and reviews, they keep me going!^.^

(I seemed to forget this in the first chap O.o; oops!) I do not own Harry Potter, they are the property of JK Rowling. I just borrow them so I can put them in stories to have my own wicked way with them.*evil grin*

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

I really didn't want to go back to Hogwarts this soon after the war. All I wanted to do was run and hide away somewhere. Maybe travel the world, Merlin knows I have the galleons to do it. Though the more I thought about leaving this mess behind me the more I tried to bottle up the feelings. How could I be so selfish to think that I could leave all my friends behind? To think that the pain I was feeling could be any more than the pain they were going through? Everyone had something taken from then during the war, family and friends, and for most of the students returning to Hogwarts, their own childhood.

These thoughts led me back to Hogwarts. Everyone else was moving on from the horrible suffering and anguish they had experienced over the war, why couldn't I? Sure, my experiences had been quite a bit more…intimate. I did die after all, and had to face the strongest, most evil of all wizards by myself.

As I walked across the platform towards the train, I noticed a flash of white blond hair. Malfoy…I didn't think he was coming back after everything. I tuned out Ron as he continued to describe some new Quidditch move he was trying to perfect over the summer. I felt bad, but I really didn't give a rat's ass what he did over the summer, or how happy he was. Not when I was left picking up the pieces from the war while the Weasley's went on vacation to Ireland, taking Hermione with them, since she was "part of the family now." What am I, chopped dragon liver? Not that I would have been able to go with them had they even suggested I come. No, I had to make sure everyone who was involved in the war was given a fair trial, sure it wasn't exactly my responsibility, but I couldn't let Malfoy and his mother be sent to Azkaban. Sure they were involved in some pretty dodgy activity during the war, but I was sure that Malfoy was more of a victim then he had let on, and his mother had saved my life. I felt they needed some sort of second chance, even if all they did was turn around in a few years and be caught up in some sort of Dark Magic scandal. They needed the choice that Lucius obviously hadn't given them.

"Well, what do you think, Mate?" I turned to look at Ron and realized he had just asked me a question and I was expected to answer.

"Er-yeah…that's brilliant, Ron" I started to panic when he stared back at me with a hard look. Had he noticed I wasn't really paying any attention to him? I have a bit of a sigh when he gave me a curt nod and turned to get on the train. Whether or not he noticed, he didn't say. Though, he seemed to accept my answer, at least for now.

Hermione took over the conversation as Ron and I looked into each compartment, hoping to find one that was empty. That's when I saw the flash of white blonde hair once again, ducking into a compartment to the left of us and down the hall a ways. I let my curiosity get the best of me and started to walk towards the door. I could just hear Ron describing the first day of their trip to Ireland, something else I wanted to tune out completely, so I started to walk a little faster towards the door. As Ron made some comment about his mother and father getting confused on a muggle bus, causing Hermione and Neville to laugh out, I reached the door and opened it. Neville continued along his way to meet up with Luna and I stepped into the compartment.

I attempted not to laugh as my friends laughter died off and I observed Malfoy's shoulders tense as he caught our reflection in the window. Even in the reflection of the window I could see his face clearly switch from a look of deep thought, into that cool Malfoy mask I remembered from previous years. It seemed to be a common characteristic of being a Malfoy, each one of them seemed to have the ability to discard their face of all emotion within a single moment. Sometimes I wished I was able to do such a thing, though I know I was more known for wearing my emotions like a billboard sign for all to see.

I didn't notice how long I stood staring at Malfoy until he turned with a sigh to meet my eyes. I was startled then to notice the emotion in his eyes, as if he was trying to convey a message through eye contact alone, and yet his face kept the cool mask. I looked at him with fascination, not really sure how to respond to his gaze except to gaze back at him.

"Potter…" he said to me, giving me a small nod in greeting. His voice was soft and welcoming, as if our past never existed and this was a common greeting that went on between us for years. That's when I realized what he was trying to convey to me with those big piercing grey eyes, how could he miss place the emotion behind them? Even if it wasn't a common occurrence to see this type of communication displayed by Malfoy, he knew because it was exactly how he felt. He wanted to start over too, put everything in the past behind them.

I quirked an eyebrow at him in curiosity, I couldn't believe he was taking the first step in this, but I wasn't about to turn him down and risk having their relationship resort back to childish insults and arguments. They were much older and wiser; something like a war can do that to someone.

"Malfoy…" I gave him a small smile as I continued to look at him with curiosity, yet also showing him I was accepting this new beginning. I still didn't have to like him, or be friends with him; he was still an arrogant git most of the time. I was sure that would never change.

I watched Malfoy as a slow grin spread across his face. I almost gaped at him in shock; I had never seen an expression to open and honest on his face. He looked away quickly as if embarrassed by what he just let me see, focusing back on the window beside him. Ron turned to me, flicking his head back out into the hall as if to tell me he was going to go in search for another free compartment. I have him a small nod, and then looked to Hermione with a smile as I placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly. I then turned my attention back to Malfoy and watched him for a moment until I heard the door slide shut behind me. The instant the door closed I saw Malfoy relax, letting out a long drawn out sigh. Apparently he was more uncomfortable with our presents then I would have thought. I was very interested in this new Malfoy, and yet I had no idea why. It's not like I wanted to be friends with him, because really when I thought about him and I becoming friends or even having a decent conversation, it seemed laughable. Once an arrogant arsehole, always an arrogant arsehole…I thought to myself. However, there was no harm in trying. He did make the "first move" by being civil, something that I was able to do at least.

"Mind if I sit?" I asked, watching him turn quickly to look up at me in surprise I gave him a small smile and gestured to the seat across from him, taking a seat once he gave the go ahead. I watched him carefully, enjoying the calm silence between us. Though I could tell he was uncomfortable with me being there. How curious was this new Draco Malfoy. Had the war and summer changed him that much, or had my ability to read him just gotten better now that I was watching him with an open mind, to one looking for him to make a wrong move. Unable to hold my eyes any longer he turned to towards the window again. I took that moment to look over him a little more carefully. I had always thought Malfoy was as much of a ferret as Ron and Hermione, but watching him now, he seemed different. He seemed softer, not only in the way he held himself, but also in his facial features. Maybe he had changed, but was I willing to spend the time to find out? Did I really want to make a friend out of this former enemy? I wasn't entirely sure if it was worth the effort, but at lease it would be a good distraction. Maybe then I could move on from the pain…yes, a good distraction was all I needed. I watch as Malfoy glanced back at me out of the corner of his eye only to quickly look back towards the window, his face looking flushed against his pale hair and skin, his brow furrowed in frustration. I wasn't sure if that was frustration directed towards me or him-self. I gave soft chuckle as I thought about how the flush made him look kind of pretty, and how annoyed he would be if I were to tell him that. He would most likely hex me on the spot.

"What are you playing at, Potter? Must you sit there staring at me, as if my face is covered in Treacle Tart?" He said the frustration coming out in his voice. He levelled a glare at me, but to me it looked half-hearted and more embarrassed then I think he was going for. I watched his eyes carefully, watching for a bit of that former emotion that I saw earlier. What I was met with was very interesting, I watched as his eyes flowed up to my hair, down my body then back to meet my eyes again. At first I thought he was looking for something to use as an insult. That was until his eyes turned into dark molten silver I had never seen before. I felt my heart beat quicken at the new smoldering look, I only wished I knew what it meant. I arched one dark eyebrow at him as I felt my body begin to react to him, my breath coming in a shallow huff. I was NOT getting turned on by Malfoy of all people! Now, I think, is a good time to leave. I thought as I jumped to my feet suddenly, a crooked smile planted firmly on my lips as I noticed Malfoy's look changed back to the cool emotionless mask.

"It's been…interesting, Malfoy. I'll be seeing you, enjoy the ride." I said, giving him a small nod before quickly leaving to find Ron and Hermione in a compartment with Neville and Luna. I sat by the window and stared out of it, ignoring all the attempts of my friends to get me involved in the conversation, or Hermione's attempts to ask me what was wrong. I would just smile and tell her it was nothing then I would turn back to the window.

I just couldn't seem to get that look out of my head, and it continued to occupy my thoughts until we started towards the carriages that would take us to Hogwarts. I saw Malfoy sitting alone, again, in a carriage and decided to lead the others to the one in front of him. Why did I feel the need to keep him in my line of vision? I'm being ridiculous! That's it; I'm ignoring him for the rest of the evening. Surely if I don't start paying attention to the stories being told around me, I'm going to be accused of being depressed or inattentive to my friends or something ridiculous like that. So I turned to Ron and Hermione, focusing on their story, which I was noticing to be quite funny. Slowly I began to relax, laughing freely, forgetting about Malfoy and his strange new openness. That was until we came up the school doors and glanced at the carriage behind theirs to discover Malfoy watching him another form of intensity he couldn't pinpoint. It made me stop to watch him carefully again as he stared unblinking at me. Maybe he was just so deep in thought that he didn't realize he was staring. It was kind of funny to think of it that way, and I wondered how long it would take him to snap out of it. Then again, could he be planning something…maybe he wasn't so different. Maybe he came back to Hogwarts for some evil purpose to fulfill. Here I go, being ridiculous again, hmmm…curiouser and curiouser .

I watched as Malfoy snapped out of his daze, his eyes widening slightly as they met mine before he flushed prettily again before quickly walking past me towards the school, his head down refusing to meet my gaze as I watched him leave before I followed.

Besides the glance from Malfoy as he entered the great hall after me, though I had no idea how I managed to pass him maybe he stopped at the loo, the rest of the evening went by quite quickly. I enjoyed the meal immensely, considering I had only had my cooking to enjoy during the summer. Staying at Grimmauld Place had its benefits, but a loyal, cooking house elf was not one of them. Kreacher was still determined to not help me in any way, unless it had anything to do with improving the "noble house of Black" itself. I didn't mind though, I was just happy to be away from staying at the Dursley's.

I gave a yawn as I waited patiently with the rest of the "Eighth years" for McGonagall to lead us to our new dorm. Yes, I had privileged information, I had heard from the Headmistress herself that she would be planning this. I understood what she was trying to do, even if I didn't think it would work out as well as she seemed to think it would, but who was I to argue with her? She had reassured me that I would have good bunk mates, and I trusted her to keep her word. That was until Malfoy walked into the room.

'That sneaky…'I had a feeling McGonagall planned this, she had to have known that putting Malfoy in the same room with Ron was a disaster waiting to happen. Then again, she probably also knew that Neville and I could easily calm him. I glanced at Ron to gage his reaction to Malfoy's presents, his face had grown pale and his mouth gaped open like a fish. Well, shock was better than anger. I looked back at Malfoy who looked like he wasn't sure if he should turn and run, or continue into the room. I could see his eyes flicking over to me every few seconds before he took a deep breath, standing tall before he walked over to the large four-poster directly across from mine. He then proceeded to pull off his outer robes. I tried not to watch him as I pulled some dark green pyjama bottoms from my trunk before slowly unbuckling my belt to remove my trousers. I couldn't understand why I was feeling so uncomfortable undressing when more than half the room consists my former roommates in the Gryffindor tower. I couldn't be because of Malfoy, of course…because it was just Malfoy. I glanced over and noticed he had undressed fully and had already slipped into his bed, I couldn't tell if he was wearing anything to bed or not. Why would I even want to know something like that? Quickly I let my trousers drop, the belt making a loud clank against the floor, with a wince I glanced up to see both Ron and Neville minding their own, apparently not noticing the loud noise. I then glanced over to Malfoy, his eyes burning into me before he quickly pulled his covers up to cover his face. I felt my entire body flush as I pulled my pyjamas on and slid into bed. I had a feeling this was going to be either a very interesting, or a very uncomfortable new arrangement. I sincerely hoped it wasn't the latter, I don't think I could handle it. I looked up to see Malfoy sitting up and looking around the room, his bare chest glowing in the light of the flickering fire. I quickly removed my glasses, figuring a blurry half naked lump was a lot easier to look at. I didn't need to notice how Malfoy's skin had an other-worldly glow to it, or how his muscles rippled under his skin as he moved. I quickly pulled my blankets up over my head, hoping to hide the redness in my face, as well as my growing erection. This is bollocks; I am not attracted to Malfoy! Far from it actually, I just haven't had a good shag in a very long time. Nor a good wank for that matter.

As if he read my thoughts Malfoy decided to take that moment to make an announcement. He cleared his throat before speaking softly, though I could still hear the seriousness in his voice.

"I only have one request if I'm going to be stuck in this room with the lot of you Gryffindor's…." he looked at each of us with a small cheeky smile. Then levelled his gaze at me, by that time I had pulled my covers down to look across at him while he spoke.

"…If you insist on wanking, please for the benefit of us all remember to put up a strong silencing charm." He then glanced towards Ron and Neville and with shudder he added "I really could go my entire life without hearing any of you calling anything out in orgasmic bliss." Once again his eyes met mine, before a shark like grin grossed his face. "Well, at least most of you…" I had to strain to hear his last words and I was quite certain the others hadn't, I wasn't even sure I heard him right. He couldn't possibly be insinuating…nah, I must have heard him wrong. He was probably just being an arse.

"That's sick Malfoy…" Ron mumbled from where he was bent, looking through his trunk.

"Yes, it is Weasley, quite disgusting actually. The Very thought of hearing you calling out Grangers name is making me feel as if I might lose my supper."

Ron's face went through three shades of red, making his hair blend into a solid wall of colour.

"Just sod off, Malfoy!" he grumbled before flopping onto his bed, pulling the curtains closed around him.

"Don't forget the silencing charms, Weasley." Malfoy called in a sing-song voice. Another thing I've never heard from him, was he actually teasing Ron in a playful way? Not that it was the best idea to tease him at all. Ron was overly sensitive to being teased at the best of times, never-mind by someone he hated. Everything said by Malfoy would be like the cutting of a knife to Ron. He wouldn't be able to hear the light hearted tone in Malfoy's voice. Actually, I was surprised I had even heard it. I smiled at Malfoy before lying back down to sleep.

"G'night, Malfoy." I whispered so only he could hear me. He looked over at me in shock, not saying anything, and for a moment I thought he was just going to ignore me.

"G'night, Potter…" the corner of his mouth quirked up slightly as if he was trying to hold back a larger smile. "…sweet dreams." He added before dousing the light and closing his curtains with a small flick of his wand.

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