A/N: Thanks so much for all the faves and alerts guys. More of you should review this time though ^_~

Warning: This is YAOI. This means boy/boy action. If you don't like, don't read. So if I get flames, I'll ignore them, seeing as that if you didn't like it, you wouldn't read it, and if you didn't read it, you wouldn't flame. So a flame means you read despite my warning, so you're an idiot for not taking me seriously.

Setting: Hogwarts, 6th year.

"Talking"

'Thinking'

-Time change, character change-

Observations/Internal Monologues

Dream sequence

Chapter Three: Understanding

September 1st, 6th year

(Draco's POV)

He's awake! How can he be awake? He's alone, that's good…but so am I, not so good. What the hell is he smirking about? Ra but I don't feel like fighting just now, all I wanted was some peace and quiet…

(Harry's POV)

When I hear the compartment door quietly slide open I quickly shut my eyes. I know Ron and Hermione mean well, but I'm really not ready to deal with their questions right now. I figure if I feign sleep it'll buy me a couple more hours, at least. I'm forced to open my eyes after a minute though, as something must be really wrong for Ron to be this quiet.

And if I weren't suspicious before, I certainly am now. Ron is nowhere to be seen, but Malfoy is just standing there, his eyes trained on me as he seems to be measuring me up. I stay perfectly still; he hasn't seemed to realize I'm awake yet. Really, I'm surprised that he didn't take advantage of the fact that I was alone and asleep when he opened the door. Then again he's alone as well…

His eyes meet mine, but still he doesn't say a word or move a muscle, he just stares into my eyes… and I happily pinpoint the exact moment he realizes I'm staring back at him. I smirk, I know my enemies well, and the slight widening of his eyes is the only sign of his fear, but I see it for what it is. Lucky for him I don't feel like fighting today.

"Malfoy." I nod politely and remain seated, but I'm prepared to leap to my feet and draw my wand in one movement if need be. He seems to see that, and acknowledges it with a slight nod of his head in turn.

"Potter." My name falls from his lips with far less malice than it did the last time I saw him, and though I am surprised by it, it doesn't bother me.

We silently observe each other for another minute, each of us taking in the physical changes of the other, each of us weary and alert. I'm surprised to note that his once perfect appearance is now slightly off. He used to wear clear polish on his nails and he always styled his hair. Now it's slightly mussed and though his nails are trimmed they are not shiny. He looks…tired; but also more dignified, mature, and proud than he's ever looked before. I suppose this summer has forced him to grow up.

He surprises me by speaking first.

"Things are different now." His voice is quiet, but firm.

"They are." I nod in acceptance, though I'm not really sure why he's saying it.

"I know the truth." I hold my breath for a beat.

"Which one?" It's a fair question, I have many secret truths.

He does a half-smirk half-smile thing, and I find myself chuckling in return, but I simply shrug, and wait.

"About Voldemort. About you." I freeze. No one was supposed to know about that. That was between me and Dumbledore. No one else heard it, Voldemort was very pissed about that, I'm sure no one else knew… I didn't want anyone else to know!

"Potter… it doesn't change anything." I give him a questioning look.

"Just because it has to be you, doesn't change anything. It's always been that way; the only difference is now you know it. But it's always been you. Every school year it has, so why would it be anyone else? Don't look so surprised."

"Why are you telling me this?"

(Draco's POV)

It's a good question. Why am I telling him this? Mother said not to trust the light any more than the dark… but mother didn't see his eyes. The shadows there… they reminded me of myself, after I'd read father's journal.

"I don't want you to die." He stares at me, as if trying to figure out if I'm casting a non-verbal curse or something.

"You do realize, Malfoy, that if I don't die, Voldemort can't live?"

"I do." I say it softly, but it's as true as anything I've ever said to him, and before he can question me further I turn and leave the compartment. I'll just have to keep looking for an empty one, and hope that Potter doesn't try to follow.

I don't even know why I told him. I might as well have screamed out that I don't want to follow in my father's footsteps. Next thing I know the light side will be trying to turn me into a Death Eater spy or something. Great, just what I need.

Still… Potter has changed. I'll have to watch him closer this year, see what he does with the information I gave him. Our childish squabbling days are over. There is no room for petty classroom fights if I'm to keep my ranking in Slytherin. I'll hold my head high and prove to everyone that Malfoy's should be feared and respected. Anything less will result in retaliation and that won't leave time for out-of-house rivalries.

I find an empty compartment and slide in; now all that's left is to sort out what I'm to do about Snape and the rest of my house while I wait for Blaise and Pansy.

(Harry's POV)

I force myself not to clench my teeth. Ron and Hermione are quietly whispering about me, trying not to disturb me yet. I've become rather good at feigning sleep, and though it keeps them from questioning me about the summer, I'd still rather not hear Hermione crying because she thinks I'm thin as a wraith.

No, I've more important things to think about now. Like Malfoy. He wants me to live, which means he wants me to kill Voldemort. That surprises me. I thought he'd try to kill me for putting his precious father in prison, but I suppose I'm not the only one wearing a mask. I'm ashamed I never realized it before. I've done my best to know as much about my enemy as possible and that one sentence has shattered most of my beliefs about him. Even my closest friends expect me to die in order to save them, but my enemy wants me to live, even though he would likely be on the prison list if I did.

I guess I don't really know him at all. A shame, really. I need to get in all the extra training I can this year, because if the visions are anything to go by I don't have anywhere near enough strength or experience to face Voldemort again. Last time I just got lucky. I think Dumbledore knows that.

Perhaps that is why he showed up when he did. To remind me of the power he himself possesses. Now I know that he has the strength to train me for the one job he cannot do. I'll just have to approach him about it after the feast, and after I apologize for destroying his office of course. I stretch and yawn, pretending to wake up now, and the other two start talking a little too loud about how hungry Ron is.

"Could you keep it down guys? I am trying to sleep…" I murmur quietly.

"Of course Harry, sorry about that." Hermione says in her best abashed voice.

"S'okay Mione. Just didn't sleep much last night, that's all." I smile tiredly at her.

She may be a bit overprotective, but at least her heart's in the right place. I'm lucky to have friends that worry about me.

"Oh, Harry… What's happened to you this summer? You look terrible!" She can't seem to help exclaiming, now that I'm 'awake'.

"Not now Herms, okay? I promise I'll talk to you about it tonight, alright?"

"O-kay…" she sounds doubtful, but at least she's agreed to post-pone the questions for now.

I shrug and turn to change into my school robes, and I can feel her frowning at my back. I wait until her gaze has moved away, no need to fuel the fire by letting her see underneath my robes. I change quickly and before I know it we're at the feast and the sorting is over with.

I am distracted from my thoughts by the whispers, but when I glance up I'm surprised to find the stares directed at the head table and not myself. Following the stares of my housemates I gasp as I notice what I missed before; Dumbledore's right arm is black and withered. It is one more thing I'll need to ask him about; as I'm sure it's related to Voldemort in some way.

Hermione notices that I saw it, and gives me a questioning look. I simply shrug and begin to eat under her watchful eye, moving the food around to look like I've eaten more whenever she glances away. It's not my fault I'm this thin, not really. With so much to think about at the start of summer I often forgot to eat, and once the nightmare visions started I rarely had the stomach to.

Hermione asks me a question, and I smile at her reassuringly as I hear the prefects being called. I must have done the right thing, because she nods in satisfaction before dragging Ron away from his food to help lead the first-years to the tower.

I'm not surprised when I glance down to see a letter by my plate, and when I read it I am grateful to learn that the headmaster wishes to see me after I finish my meal. There is much to discuss with him, after all. I look at my half-eaten plate in disgust before slowing rising from my seat. A look towards the head table tells me that Dumbledore is already gone, so I begin following the other students out.

Though I am in a throng of students, none touch me, and I'm not sure if it's because of the way I look or because of who I am. Soon enough I walk the halls alone. It is just as well, my mind wanders but my feet lead me right where I want to go.

"Switzers" the gargoyle leaps aside, and I am on my way.

His office looks the same as ever. No signs remain of the damage I caused. A fresh start then, perfect.

"Ah, Harry, please sit. Care for a lemon drop?"

"No thank you sir."

"Suit yourself my boy."

He pops one into his mouth and leans slightly back in his chair, waiting. I know he's waiting for me to apologize, he knows me too well to think I wouldn't. Still… that twinkle in his eyes is annoying when I want to be serious with him.

"Headmaster, I am sorry. I over-reacted after you told me the prophecy. I should have expected it really, because it's always been me, right? Every year, I've always been the one to stop him. From what I saw of your fight at the ministry I'm sure you could have stopped him at any time, but you were trying to prepare me, weren't you?"

"Now now my boy, call me Albus. And I forgive you, of course. Anyone would have reacted badly to such terrible knowledge, and as you can see I was able to fix everything. However, you are mistaken. You were chosen to defeat Tom Harry, and that alone is why you have faced him each year. I'm afraid it was not by my design in the slightest."

"It wasn't?" I ask with my best 'doubtful yet trusting' tone.

This dismissal of my theory on why he never stepped in is rather suspicious. I've wondered for years why it was always me, a student, against the most-feared Dark Lord of all time. I thought I finally figured it out this summer, but now he's denying even that?

There's just no way it was coincidence that the almighty Albus Dumbledore was always absent or unaware when it came to Voldemort and I. Maybe first year, possibly second, but after that he should've at least been weary enough to prepare for more occurrences, and have other adults in charge be prepared as well. So why is he claiming no involvement?

"No Harry. I would never willingly put a student in danger." His voice is firmer now, and he is leaning forward over steepled hands.

So that's it then. He denies it because he is still a Headmaster, and I am still a student. For all his effort to have me call him Albus and talk to him like I would a parent, he's still my Headmaster first. And in turn I am still a child, despite all the growing up I've been forced to do. This is a dangerous game he's playing, and I wonder why I never caught on before.

"Alright. So it's just another sign of my fate then." I say this with a small spark of angry defiance, hoping he sees it for what it is and realizes that denying involvement won't fly with me. If he wants me to be honest with him, then he has to be honest with me as well.

"Indeed. Which is why I've called you here today my boy. I have scheduled you for private lessons with me for the duration of the school year. In these lessons I will teach you everything I know of Tom Riddle."

I just stare for a minute. He's called me 'my boy' for ages, but it seems now as if he's doing so to remind me of my place. As if to reinforce the message that I am his student, while still offering me the lessons I desperately need to do the adult thing and kill a man in order to save the world. How rubbish is that? So he wants to appear as a mentor to his student, while still forcing me into the role of a responsible adult? Which is it then, am I to be an adult, or a child? He's staring at me now…

"Oh. Right, lessons. Good. I need to learn all I can. If I were to meet him in battle now, he would wipe the floor with me. If you hadn't come when you did, we'd all be dead."

"And so I shall teach you. But Harry, my boy, it may not be quite what you expect. We will have to study the life of Tom Riddle to see what led to his rise to power, what made him who he became. We will study memories to learn of the strengths and weaknesses he has developed throughout his lifetime, and through our knowledge of him, we will learn how to defeat him."

"Wait…so you're not going to teach me any spells, curses, hexes, or anything that might help me in my battle with him?"

"Of course Harry, knowledge is power and understanding how he came to be will help you by showing you how to bring him down."

"Well, yeah, but I mean…even if I know how, I'll still have to fight him at one point or another, right?"

"I'm afraid so Harry. Only you can end his reign of terror." Dumbledore looks almost apologetic, but the look doesn't reach his eyes and I am weary.

"Okay, so are you going to teach me dueling strategies as well then?"

"No Harry, we shall go over the life of Tom Riddle, and we will discuss what led him to become Voldemort, and how to undo what we can."

"But Headmaster, if you don't teach me how to duel properly, then who will? I have to improve somehow or I won't last long enough to use whatever method we might come up with."

"I am sorry my boy, but it is a busy time for us all. The lessons you and I have together will have to be enough to get you through this fight."

He means for me to die then. He isn't even planning to help me defend myself, he just wants me to kill the bastard and hope I live. I really hope I'm wrong…it is late, after all.

"It is getting late Harry, perhaps you should return to your friends, I believe Ms. Granger is rather worried about you." And that damned twinkle is back.

"Of course, Thank you for your time, sir."

"Goodnight Harry."

I hum in agreement as I exit the office, not sure I want to return to the tower just yet. I know the questions wait, and I am not ready to face them yet.

(Draco's POV)

I never would have expected things to go quite so smoothly today. Blaise and Pansy more than willingly took positions by my side in place of Crabbe and Goyle, and not only did they tell me I have their support, but that I have the support of their families as well. It's not just them either, it seems that my father's arrest made some of the other families worried for their own safety, and now there are more supporters in Slytherin than I would have guessed. Still, I shall remain wary. For all I know they were told to get close so they could spy on me.

Dinner went smoothly, as most of the hall was whispering about Dumbledore's arm and paying little attention to myself. I spent most of the meal watching my table, and of course the world's favorite wizard. I find myself surprised. He sits with the Weasley and mudblood like he always has, but even though he's barely eating and I can see his thin frame from here, they aren't paying much attention to him. Granger is occasionally glancing at him and talking, and I can see him frown when she's not looking, but he's just moving his food around like a child hoping to get out of eating his vegetables.

I shouldn't care, really, and it's not like I do; I only wonder what else his new appearance is hiding, and how much closer I'll have to watch him to find out, especially if he's hiding himself even from his friends.

I imagine Dumbledore will ask for him after the meal, as he is sure to tell the Golden Boy about his crippled arm. I wonder if I can provoke my oldest enemy into revealing it to me? But as soon as that thought comes it passes, for I don't have time to throw this not-quite truce into Potter's face, not with all the damage control I'll be doing.

Besides, I can't risk getting too involved with Potter this year. If I refuse to be initiated I'll likely need him to convince Dumbledore to protect me, and that won't happen if I'm provoking him when he's clearly been through something like hell already. And I certainly can't just waltz up and ask him, not only would he have to be crazy to trust me after 5 years of torment and fighting, but mother told me not to trust the light any more than the dark, and I'm certain he'd want information in return.

No. I think I'll just wait, and watch, and learn. I don't know what this year will bring, but whatever it is I'm determined to come out on top, alive and holding my rightful place as prince of Slytherin, and heir to the Malfoy name.

A/N: Sorry for the horrid long wait, but life's taken me by the neck an shaken me. Lost a few relatives, losing another, moved a couple times, moving again next week, last semester before I get my degree. But! I have rekindled the fire that gets my plot-bunny running, and have more ideas for what's to come. Updates may be slow (not near as long as this one) but reviews tend to give me the motivation to sit down and type my ideas. Love you all!