Chapter Four: Troubles and Discoveries

The next few weeks were rather busy for Harry.

There was schoolwork, of course. He continued to follow Snape's advice, which meant he wasn't doing too horribly in his classes. It was dull for the most part, all theory and demonstrations and incantations, and some days it was far more fun to go sit with Ron and play Chess or Exploding Snap instead of studying and taking notes for his essays. Still, Harry did try.

It seemed to be working, at any rate. The Friday after their midnight truce with Malfoy, Snape was far less unpleasant than he had been in previous classes. He wasn't exactly encouraging, but he didn't make snide remarks, and at the end of class he declared Harry and Ron's potion to be 'passable'. Which was a compliment of sorts, Harry supposed. Even if Draco had gotten praised for his 'perfect consistency'.

Detention that night involved cleaning a lot of dirty cauldrons, and a few messes that had been made, then chopping rat spleens for an hour. It was nasty, smelly unpleasant work, but not much worse than some of Harry's chores at the Dursleys. And while Snape did not allow talking during his detentions, Harry also didn't have to worry about someone sabotaging his work, or throwing things in his sink, or tripping him as he carried cauldrons to the corner to stack them. And afterward, when Snape finally released them at half-an-hour till curfew, they stood for a few minutes commiserating in almost friendly grumbles before heading back to their dorms. At least, Harry, Ron and Draco did.

Hermione was still quite angry with all of them, and seemed to have resolved that she was no longer on speaking terms with either Harry or Ron. This suited both of them just fine.

Harry's schedule was further complicated by Quidditch practice three nights a week, and Wood's insistence that he be their 'secret weapon'. Harry thought Wood's schemes to keep him hidden relatively useless, and ridiculous besides. No one in Gryffindor could have missed his absence, or his presence with the Quidditch team, and practically the whole First Year had seen him catch Neville's Rememberall. And even if they hadn't, word had been going round ever since McGonagall had recruited him. Harry was fairly certain that his position as Gryffindor's new Seeker was the worst-kept secret in the entire school.

And then there was Malfoy. The blond Slytherin seemed determined to make their Pax into a real friendship, but also determined not to be caught doing any such thing. Harry wasn't quite sure why the secrecy mattered so much, but he could hardly ignore Draco's frequent attempts to meet with him. Notes were slipped into his school bag, or into his hand during encounters in corridors, or outside the Potions classroom. There were no more after curfew meetings suggested (Harry supposed Snape had made sure of that) but oftentimes Draco would invite Harry to meet him in the library, or in the courtyard, or outside somewhere, or in random disused classrooms. Harry couldn't always make these meetings, but he did try, in the spirit of keeping the peace.

Draco was unquestionably arrogant and entitled. But to his credit, he seemed to be trying hard to tone it down. Since that was more effort than Dudley had ever shown (and his resemblance to Dudley was a large part of what Harry disliked about him), Harry made a concerted effort to ignore it, or at least be quieter in his reprimands when Draco began to come off as insulting.

At times he had the bizarre feeling that Snape had set all this up for some ridiculous reason, like educating Draco in being a decent human being. But then, Snape himself was just this side of civil towards him most times, and he dismissed the idea.

The meetings in the library usually involved studying. Draco wasn't a bad student, and he knew a lot of tricks for Potions that Harry and Ron didn't. Their third meeting, in which they wound up doing Potions homework, he pointed them to several interesting and helpful books. He did boast a little about the copies that existed in his family's library, but Harry was inclined to let him after his homework assignment from Snape came back with less than half the amount of red ink it usually had, and a better grade besides.

In fact, he even made a point to compliment Draco at their next meeting, in hopes of keeping him mellow. "Looks like you really know your Potions, Malfoy."

Draco made a face. "I ought to. Professor Snape's..." He paused.

Harry blinked. "Professor Snape's...what?"

"It's supposed to be a bit of a secret I think..." Draco eyed him and Ron.

"Well, go on then. Friends share secrets." Harry grinned at him. When Draco looked like he wouldn't speak anyway, he coaxed. "You tell yours, and we'll tell ours." he elbowed Ron before the redhead could disagree.

Draco frowned, then nodded. "All right then. Professor Snape...he's my godfather. He and my father were friends, back in their school days, ages ago. Father doesn't talk about it because Professor Snape is...well, he's not quite in Father's class, and Professor Snape doesn't talk about it because he doesn't want other Slytherins thinking he favors me."

"Does he?" Harry blinked at him, thinking that Snape's interest in his relationship to Draco made more sense now that he knew.

Draco bristled. "I got detention the same as you did, didn't I? If he really favored me, he wouldn't have punished me, or he'd have made it up to me with extra points or something. He's only nice to me in Potions because I remember all his instructions, so of course I do well. But he'd probably be worse with me than with you if I failed."

"Point. It might be more trouble than it's worth, having a Professor who knows you." Ron blinked. "Having Percy as a Prefect is certainly a bother."

Harry, who'd dealt with the Weasley Prefect a few times, had to admit that Percy was rather pompous. However, he was much more interested in something else. "Professor Snape...he told me to make Pax with you."

Draco nodded. "He told me the same. Well, he and Father. They said it was important, but they've never told me why." Draco frowned. "Father says I'm not ready to know yet."

"Hmm...Snape told me to do it because...he said my father couldn't see past house rivalries and..." he frowned a moment. "..petty details. He wanted me to prove I was better than that."

Draco nodded. "I think there was some type of rivalry between your father and Professor Snape. I heard Father mention it once. But he never said anything else, and I wasn't sure it was safe to ask."

"Are you barking?" Ron stared. "Asking about Snape's private business? I reckon you'd have to be loony to try it."

Harry thought of the little Snape had revealed, during that first detention, and privately agreed. From the look on Draco's face, the Slytherin was thinking along the same lines. Moments later, Draco broke the silence. "All right then. You said you'd share secrets. What's yours?"

Harry shared a look with Ron, then took a deep breath. "You saw that article, about the break-in at Gringotts?"

"Of course. Everyone did." Draco frowned. "How's that a secret?"

"The break-in isn't." Harry shook his head. "The part that's secret is...I went to Gringotts that day, with Hagrid. We went to get some money from my vault. But we stopped at another vault as well. Hagrid picked up something from there. He wouldn't tell me what it was, and I didn't get a good look, but the vault we went to was the same one that was broken into later. Vault 713."

"Really?" Draco's pale eyes widened. "Then you know what the thief was after? Father said it must have been terribly important, to risk breaking into Gringotts like that."

Harry shrugged. "I told you, I didn't get a good look at it. I only know that it was about this big..." he measured the size of the parcel with his hands. "And kind of roundish, and wrapped in brown paper, like a parcel. And that Hagrid didn't want anyone knowing he'd picked it up. And he mentioned then that Gringotts was the safest place for anything you wanted to hide, except maybe Hogwarts."

"You think he brought it here." Draco sat up straight.

"He said it was Hogwarts business, for Professor Dumbledore." Harry nodded.

"Makes sense. Something powerful enough that someone would break into Gringotts for it, it makes sense that the Headmaster would want it too." Draco nodded. Then his face brightened. "I bet Professor Snape knows what it is."

"You can't ask him." Harry grabbed Draco's arm. "We aren't supposed to know about it, don't you see? If you start asking questions, Hagrid and Dumbledore might know I told, and Snape probably will."

Draco frowned. "But aren't you curious?"

"Of course we are." Ron grimaced. "But we've got no idea where to look, have we?"

Draco snorted. "Haven't we Weasley?" He smirked. "Personally, I think we've got a pretty good idea where to look." He tapped his fingers, unfolding them one by one. "The Groundskeeper, whom no one would suspect of being entrusted with important things, picks up a package. Gringotts security is breached the same day, by persons unknown, which has never happened before. The same year, a corridor in the Castle is suddenly sealed, when it's never been sealed before, and all students are warned to avoid it, unless they want to die horribly. I've spoken to Father, and nothing of that sort ever happened when he was in school."

Harry blinked. "You think that whatever Hagrid picked up is in the third floor corridor?"

Draco shrugged. "I think we ought to have a look and find out."

Ron stared. "What part of 'die horribly' did you miss?"

Draco scoffed. "It's probably just to keep students from being curious. I doubt they'd keep anything really dangerous in the Castle. And anyway, what's the harm in looking? We might not have to actually enter the corridor, you know?"

"Sure, and get caught by Filch while we're at it? No thanks." Harry scrunched up his nose. "Besides, I reckon we've got enough going on, haven't you?" He gestured at their spread out mass of books.

Draco looked mutinous. "I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave."

"Brave, yeah. Not bloody suicidal." Ron shook his head. "Harry and I almost went through that door, first day of classes, and Filch was on us bloody quick, he was. And the last time we did something like that, Snape caught us. Do you really think he's just gonna pat us on the head and ignore us if we go poking around there?"

Draco paused, then deflated. "I suppose you might have a point. He has been patrolling around there, he and the other Professors."

"Right then. Unless we can figure out a way to look around without getting caught, we'll let it alone." Harry picked up his nearest book, which was Transfiguration. "So, has anyone figured out the basics of this beetle exercise? I think I've got what she asked us for..."

They bent their heads to their homework.

***FWBtD***

Later, Harry thought he ought to have known better. Despite his best intentions, the third floor stayed on his mind, nagging him. It was rather like a toothache that one couldn't stop. Neither Ron nor Draco brought it up again in their next few study sessions, but he suspected they were both thinking about it too.

Perhaps that was why, the following week, things happened as they did. Or so Harry wanted to think, when he thought of it afterward.

It started with a late evening study session. Wood had been running practice longer and longer, in preparation for Quidditch season (which he had informed Harry started in November). Harry had come in tired and cold, only to remember that he'd promised Draco that they could study together for their next day Charms class. They'd been working on the principles of Levitation for a while, and all of them were hopeful that they might get to Levitate something soon.

It was one of the days they elected to meet in an abandoned classroom, rather than the library. In this case, it happened to be one on the fourth floor. This made some sense, since the fourth floor was just about midway between the Slytherin Common room in the dungeons and the Gryffindor Tower.

Draco had managed to pilfer some snacks, and Ron had saved over some dinner for Harry, which meant they had quite a tidy little meal, when all was said and done. Harry himself produced three Chocolate Frogs, which he'd been saving and eating slowly since the train. Then, somewhat refreshed and fed, they got out their books and began studying.

It wasn't until much later, after they'd revised their homework three or four times, practiced the wand movements and the pronunciation (Draco was very helpful with that part), and even gone over their Friday Potions assignment that any of them bothered to think of the time. None of them had a watch, and their first hint of the lateness of the hour was when the lights in the room abruptly dimmed.

All three of them looked at each other. Then, muffled but still audible, they heard the dim tolling of the Hogwarts Clock. Draco muttered something, then spat. "It's after curfew."

Harry gulped, thinking madly. "It's Wednesday. Maybe we could wait until Astronomy class, then sneak back with our dorm mates after?"

"That might work." Ron spoke hopefully.

"It might, but they'll most certainly see us if we come in together." Draco drawled. "What are we going to tell them, Weasley, if someone asks why, or asks where we've been?" The blond kicked at a wall. "Besides, I didn't bring my Astronomy books, or my telescope. Did either of you?"

Harry grimaced. He certainly hadn't. He'd been too tired after Wood's grueling practice to pick up more than the required books for their study session. Honestly, he'd half forgotten that Astronomy was that evening, and likely would have forgotten until ten minutes to class-time.

Ron shook his head. "I didn't."

Draco stood. "Well, I'm not going to get a failing grade from Sinistra, just because of this. Professor Snape's pretty strict with us about our grades."

"Fair enough. I guess we'll just have to make for our Common rooms, and hope Filch is somewhere else." Harry gathered up his books and stuffed them into his satchel.

Unfortunately, it seemed luck wasn't with them. Harry had barely opened the classroom door when he heard a soft 'Miaow' from a little way down the corridor. Looking, he spotted Missus Norris. "Cripes, it's Filch's cat."

"Well, go the other way then!" Draco yanked on his sleeve, tugging him down the hallway, away from the cat. Harry followed him, trying to remember what was in the direction they were heading.

As soon as possible, Draco pelted down a staircase. Harry followed. He was somewhat lost, and rather hoping that Malfoy knew the way better than he did. In any case, there wasn't an up staircase there. Possibly the staircase that had been there had moved, but Harry wasn't going to wait to see if it came back. Not with Filch behind them.

They dashed down in a clatter of shoes scuffing stone, far louder than Harry would have liked. His heart was thundering in his chest, and he kept expecting Filch's bony hand to seize his shoulder any moment and haul him off to McGonnagall. From the speed they were moving, he rather thought that Draco and Ron had the same thoughts.

They hit the third floor landing, and Draco immediately veered to one side. Harry followed, then had to back-pedal hard as Draco crashed into the door, which was apparently locked. Ron gave a soft noise of frustration. "Now what do we do?"

"If it's locked, they won't expect anyone in there, will they?" Draco yanked out his wand and muttered something at the door. It sounded like 'Alohomora', but Harry couldn't be sure. Not that he cared. All that he cared about was the fact that the latch clicked free, and Draco yanked the door open, and all three of them dodged inside, slamming the door behind them.

"Lucky break that." Ron panted as he leaned against the door-frame.

"Yeah. Lucky Draco knew that spell." Harry grinned. He turned to Draco…

Draco wasn't looking at him. He was looking past him, and his face was white with terror. Harry turned around to see what had frightened him.

They were in a corridor. Abruptly Harry realized that he hadn't noticed if they'd gone down to the left, or to the right.

Evidently, they'd gone to the right, and inadvertently unlocked the door to the forbidden third-floor corridor. Looking past Draco's white face, Harry understood with sudden clarity why the corridor was forbidden, and what Dumbledore's warning about a painful death had been referring to.

There was a dog in the corridor. A huge, pitch black brute of a dog, so big it filled most of the corridor and brushed against the walls and ceiling. But worse than it's sheer size were it's heads. Three of them, each with cold, vicious yellow eyes, ugly short noses, and gaping maws filled with wickedly sharp teeth the length of swords from which dripped strings of saliva. The dog growled, and hot, stinking breath washed over them.

Harry thought, in the small corner of his brain still capable of any thought at all, that they must have surprised the dog. But it hardly mattered since it seemed the dog was recovering quickly.

Ron turned then. With a strangled shout, he whirled back to the door and wrenched it open. All three of them went tumbling out into the corridor, hardly caring if Filch, or Snape, or even the whole school caught them. Harry felt, and he rather thought the other two did as well, that anything was better than being caught by that dog.

Draco, the last one out, flung the door shut. Harry leaped against the wood with him and helped him wrench the lock back into place. All three of them tore out of the corridor, down the nearest staircase, running with an abandon that might have earned them broken bones if they hadn't been lucky enough to avoid a spill.

Shortly after that, they careened into the moonlit expanse of the Entrance Hall. Harry and Ron exchanged a quick look with Draco, then bolted for the stairs that led towards Gryffindor, while Draco hurried in the opposite direction, towards the Slytherin dungeons. It was clear that all of them wanted only to be in their Common Rooms as soon as possible.

They were fortunate enough not to encounter Peeves or Filch, and inside of ten minutes, they made it to the portrait of the Fat Lady, gasping out the password. Harry had a stitch in his side and his book-bag felt like it weighed a ton, but he wasn't going to complain. Instead, he followed Ron gratefully into the Common Room, wondering if he might get an hour or two of sleep before he had to get up for Astronomy.

"Where have you been?" The shrill question brought both of them up short.

Hermione Granger was sitting in one of the armchairs by the fire. She was looking at them with clear disapproval. "Wandering around? Breaking the rules again? You're lucky I didn't report you to Percy. Or McGonnagall." She folded her arms. "Are you two trying to lose the House Cup for us? Or do you just like getting into horrible trouble and making Gryffindor look bad?"

Harry bit his tongue. Ron, however, dropped his bag with a scowl. "Oh come off it. It's not as if we were caught or anything. Besides, what are you doing up anyway?"

"I was revising, in case Professor Sinistra gives us a quiz." Hermione's head came up and her chin jutted out. "I suppose you two forgot we had class this evening?"

"No, actually, we didn't." Harry glared at her. "And it's none of your business anyway, what we were doing."

Hermione's jaw tightened. "Just because I don't want to see Gryffindor lose points because of your silly rule breaking and sneaking around..."

"What would you know about it?" Ron snorted. "Harry's right, it's hardly any of your business." He nudged Harry with his elbow. "We'd better get up to the dorms and get our stuff. Besides, if we hurry, we might be able to get a quick kip in before class." Harry nodded and followed him, though he sensed Hermione glaring furiously behind them.

***FWBtD***

Severus Snape watched the door to the Slytherin Common room. He'd been alerted to a late entry a few hours ago. He had his suspicions, but it would hardly do to air them without proof. In any case, it was almost time for Astronomy class, and he refused to send his First Years up alone. There was no telling what kind of mischief any of them would get into, and he had a sneaking suspicion that Crabbe and Goyle might just be dull-witted enough to get lost, even with the rest of the First Years around them.

At fifteen minutes till midnight, he watched his First Year students dutifully stumble out into the corridor, clutching bags and books and small brass telescopes. Draco, he noticed, looked rather tired, and seemed to be avoiding his gaze. Severus frowned, his suspicions strengthening. But he said nothing, merely motioned his students to follow him up the corridors and winding staircases to the Astronomy Tower.

The Gryffindors were already there when they arrived, which was to be expected, given how much closer their Common Room was. Severus stayed well back, allowing his eyes to search out Potter and Weasley. He noted that the Granger girl was watching both boys with furious eyes, and also that both boys looked rather tired, like Draco.

It was because he was watching them so closely that he saw it, the instant Draco met Harry's eyes, the silent communication between them before Draco jerked his head away, and Harry turned back to Ronald Weasley. His suspicions hardened into certainty.

They'd been up to something.

He deliberated, then left. There was no sense in stirring them up before class, not when a little subtlety would work as well. Besides, he had patrols to attend to while his students were in class, and he wanted them done with so that he might salvage a few hours sleep before Thursday morning came.

The night was quiet enough, and he encountered no trouble in the corridors, or when he returned to escort his First Years back down. He watched Draco carefully, but the Malfoy heir looked too tired to do anything, and Severus decided to leave the matter until morning. First Years had a late morning on Thursday, and there would be plenty of time to talk to Draco then.

He managed a few hours sleep, then woke and dressed, well before breakfast. He doubted Draco would be among the early risers, but he wanted to make sure he caught the boy.

Soon enough, the students began to trickle out of the Common Room. Severus stayed well back, exchanging cool nods with those who were awake enough to notice him, and mentally noting the ones who didn't, for future reference. He'd need to have a word with them about watching their surroundings, no matter how early it was.

Finally, Draco emerged, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Severus stepped forward, and saw Draco start, gray eyes widening. "A word with you, Mr. Malfoy." He gestured for Draco to follow him. Draco gulped, but came along without protest, following him into his office.

Severus shut the door and threw a privacy spell over it, then turned to face his student. "Might I assume, Mr. Malfoy, that you have something you might wish to share with me? Something about last night, perhaps?"

"Sir?" Draco looked up at him. He was too young to hide the trepidation in his face, but he gave it a very credible effort.

"Come now, Mr. Malfoy. I have warned you before, I believe, about the wards I keep on the Common Room?" He studied the boy.

Malfoy paled, then drew himself up. "Yes Professor."

"Then perhaps you might explain why you entered the Common Room after curfew last night?" Severus kept his voice utterly devoid of emotion. He'd found that was the quickest way to unsettle students.

Draco was no exception. He gulped, then set his shoulders. "It was an accident, sir. I was studying with some friends, and we forgot the time. When I realized, I decided to come back for my Astronomy books, so I wouldn't disgrace our House by not having my work. I knew you might catch me out, but I did want to maintain my marks like Father expects me to. Besides...I thought..." He paused, then hardened his jaw. "I wouldn't like getting caught by you, sir, but it's better than Filch."

"Indeed? And were you in danger of getting caught by Mr. Filch, Mr. Malfoy?"

"He came near the classroom where we were working." Draco grimaced.

"We? And may I ask just who your intrepid compatriots were? I only registered your signature in the wards last night."

Draco gulped again. "It was..." He paused, then blurted out in a rush. "It was Potter and Weasley. We were studying late, because Potter said he had something else he had to do before we could meet. We forgot the time, until the corridor lights dimmed." He paused again. "We were up in the fourth floor, in an abandoned Charms classroom. We were practicing for class today." He looked up into Severus's face, his eyes wide. "I've been getting on with Potter, but you know I'll be in trouble in Slytherin House if they find out. And Potter...he's not exactly a solid ally yet. It's still early between us. Even if..." He stopped, flushing.

"Even if...what?" Severus raised one eyebrow slowly.

"Potter...he knows things. Things I don't think students are meant to know."

"Indeed. And what sort of things might those be?" Draco paled again, and Severus took a long step nearer. "Perhaps, if these things are so important, I might be willing to trade your punishment for information." In truth, since he hadn't actually caught the boy sneaking in, he hadn't really planned on punishing him in the first place. But if Draco and Harry knew things they weren't supposed to know, it was better to trade on the favor and Draco's fear, if only to keep ahead of the foolishness of children.

Draco looked up at him. "For Potter too?"

Severus blinked, a little surprised by the demand, though he could tell where Draco's thoughts were going. If he were to agree, Draco might be willing to tell him more, in hopes of granting his Gryffindor friends some protection. And that would earn him Harry and Ron's favor as well.

He inclined his head. "If it is within my power." He couldn't protect them from everything, after all.

Draco was smart enough not to push it. "Potter knows what's in the forbidden corridor."

It took all of Severus's willpower to keep from flinching. "He has heard, or he has seen?"

"Seen." Draco swallowed. "Last night. We...we went through the locked door to escape Filch. Potter didn't think he'd check if the door was locked."

Valid. Filch also wouldn't have been able to check behind a locked door, though Severus wasn't about to tell Draco that. Argus Filch's status was one of the school's better kept secrets, and Severus knew better than to reveal it. Instead, he leveled a stern look at Draco. "I presume, then, that you also know what lies behind the door?"

Draco nodded. "A Cerberus. A fully grown one I think." He looked faintly sick, which made Severus suspect he had indeed encountered the beast.

"Indeed. A former pet of Hagrid's. You are fortunate to be in one piece."

"Potter's fast." Draco shivered. "There's more though, Professor." Draco looked up. "Potter thinks he knows what the...the dog, is there for."

Severus did freeze at that. "Indeed? And how would Potter have come by this information?" It took effort to keep his voice level, cool and disinterested. "What exactly does Mr. Potter surmise?"

"He thinks it's whatever was in Gringotts. Whatever those thieves tried to steal." Draco swallowed. "He said...he told me the other day that he was with that groundskeeper, Hagrid, when the vault was emptied. He saw him take a package from there. Something he said was Hogwarts business."

Severus swore inside his head. What on earth possessed Hagrid to take Potter along on that errand? And what possessed Dumbledore to permit it? That...fool! If the boy realizes what he saw…

With luck, Potter wouldn't know. Severus paused, then queried Draco softly. "And does Mr. Potter know what it was that Hagrid removed? It might have been anything."

"He said it was a parcel, wrapped in paper. About this size." Draco measured off the size and shape, and Severus bit back another curse. The boy had seen the Stone. It was only luck that it had been wrapped and he hadn't gotten a good glimpse of it.

"Very well. And how did Potter come to tell you this information?"

Draco flushed. "It was a trade. A trade of secrets. I told him that you were my godfather, and that's why I'm good at Potions, and know where to find the best references, and why you're always praising me in class." He raised wide eyes to Severus's face. "I told him not to tell."

"Then, so long as Potter does not break your confidence, I shall return the favor. And you shall say nothing to anyone else. However, in return, you will come and tell me if Potter makes any more...discoveries." Severus fixed Draco with a look that made the youngster gulp and look away. "Go on to breakfast now." He gestured, and his office door sprang open.

Draco didn't wait to be told twice. He darted out the door in a flurry of robes, moving with as much haste as was possible without running. Severus remained where he was, staring into his unlit fireplace.

What had Dumbledore been thinking? To let Potter go with Hagrid to retrieve the Stone? What had Hagrid been thinking, to tell the boy about Hogwarts business? The oaf had all but drawn the boy a map. Why Dumbledore had entrusted the most gullible and verbose member of the staff with such an important task was beyond him. Anyone would have been better, with the exception of Quirrell.

Quirrell, who had come back from his sabbatical entirely different. Who had been in Diagon Alley, or so Severus had heard, the same day as Potter and Hagrid. Quirrell, whom Dumbledore had asked him to keep an eye on.

Severus grimaced. He needed someone to confer with. And given Draco's progress with Harry, it seemed prudent that he fill Lucius in on the state of things sooner rather than later.

Fortunately, Halloween was only a week away. The actual date was a weekday, but he had already received Dumbledore's permission to leave for the weekend. The old man had never asked where he took his Halloween sabbatical, or what he did, which meant he wouldn't have to think up an excuse. He knew his colleagues were curious, and that his absence around Halloween was the topic of much speculation around the castle, but that was a small enough price to pay for privacy in his mourning. Or, in this case, his conference with Lucius.

Author's Note: So...a closer relationship between Draco and Harry, and some information has been revealed.

Don't worry folks, Draco won't be replacing Hermione...