DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all characters and locations belong to J. K . Rowling.
Chapter Eight - Burning Bridges
Hogwarts was quiet, its long halls deserted and dark. Some would find it frighteningly easy to get lost in the tangle of corridors at night, but the three wizards silently trekking toward the Headmaster's office were unfazed by the shadowed hallways and stairwells. As it was, torches flared to life along their path, the small pools of light marking their passage through the castle's hallways before they sputtered out, leaving a wave of darkness in the trio's wake.
Harry glanced over his shoulder as he turned down yet another corridor, his feet falling silently upon the stone floor. Draco was a pale shadow at his heels, his silvery eyes glittering in the uncertain light. And trailing the blond - Remus. The older werewolf followed several feet behind them, his eyes wary and his scent nervous.
Harry's gaze flicked forward, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He was going to be expelled. Dumbledore was going to have no choice but to send him back to Grimmauld Place. Back to that little attic full of discarded toys and broken furniture. Why, he'd fit right in, he thought miserably. Shaking his head, he focused his gaze on the stone gargoyle standing guard before the hidden entrance to the Headmaster's office, feeling his hackles rise as the statue fixed its attention on the approaching party.
His pace slowed when the gargoyle shifted with a rasp of stone, its heavy wings lifting menacingly, fangs of darkened rock appearing between thin gums. He halted altogether when the statue growled in warning, the rumble sounding like sliding stone. Remus swept by him on quiet feet, his appearance causing the gargoyle to ease its threatening stance, teeth disappearing and wings folding with the rasp of falling rock.
"The Headmaster is expecting us," Remus said in a soft voice. His gaze shifted back over his shoulder, amber orbs narrowing on the pair standing shoulder to shoulder a short distance away. Not daring to take his eyes off the strange duo lest one of them try something - namely Malfoy, he leaned toward the stony sentry and breathed the password. The blatant attempt at secrecy earned him a set of rolled eyes from Harry and an amused grin from Malfoy, which shouldn't have surprised him in the least as the latter appeared to be enjoying the entire situation immensely.
With a deep rumble the gargoyle slid aside and a stone stairwell began to rise from the stone it had been perched upon, narrow stairs curling upwards toward a darkened doorway. When the groan and hiss of shifting stone gave way to silence, the three werewolves stood there and glared at each other, none wanting to be the first to ascend the shadowed steps for their own personal reasons.
Finally, after having grown tired of Remus's suspicious stare, Harry turned and marched up the stairs. He gave a cursory knock on the door above before storming into Dumbledore's office, his eyes finding the Headmaster unerringly behind the massive mahogany desk at the back of the chamber. He slowed his aggressive stalk forward when tired blue eyes focused on him, the ancient wizard stiffly straightening in his chair and laying down the quill he held.
Weak, the wolf murmured in disinterest.
Harry tipped his head at the whisper, his brow drawing down. Albus Dumbledore was one of the most powerful wizards he'd ever met, and there were many people who would agree with him. How the wolf could see the Headmaster as weak was beyond his understanding.
Inside his skull the wolf sneered. Old.
Frowning, the dark-haired wizard allowed himself to look at Dumbledore through the wolf's eyes for the first time. As any predator would, the wolf meticulously noted each and every weakness it found, from the arthritic curl of the old wizard's fingers to the glasses perched upon the tip of his nose, he marked Dumbledore for death. Perhaps at one time, the wolf allowed, the elderly wizard may have been able to defeat them. But now he was well past his prime, his speed hindered by tired muscles that no amount of magic could heal. And that would be Dumbledore's downfall. Why, it would take little effort for the pair of them to overpower him, the wolf reasoned. The other would draw the attention of the lapdog and once they had their opening they'd move in and make the kill. Simple, really.
Harry flinched at the wolf's train of thought, his eyes darting to Dumbledore as if afraid the other wizard might be able to hear what he was thinking. He nearly slumped in relief at finding the Headmaster more interested in the duo silently entering the room, Lupin and Draco's arrival accompanied by a wave of tension that thickened the air. The pair were still glaring at each other with fierce eyes, their lips drawn back to display just the smallest hint of teeth. Behind the strange tableau, the door closed with a sudden clap, the noise ending the staring match as both whirled to face the portal.
"I see you found him, Remus," Albus said quietly, his tone heavy with a wariness belied by the almost cheerful expression on his face. His eyes slid back and forth between the unlikely trio, most likely trying to figure out how the three individuals now occupying his study had come to be together. Brow creasing, Dumbledore's gaze followed Remus across the room, his expression growing increasingly grave at the look on the younger wizard's face.
"In Hogsmeade, Albus," Remus all but spat. He whirled to face the pair, raising a finger unnecessarily to point at the blond. "With Malfoy." For all the anger and loathing in his voice, he may as well have been announcing that Voldemort was running for Minister of Magic.
Brows lifting at the unexpected statement, Dumbledore leaned back in his seat, his attention returning to the duo now standing side by side before his desk. "Is this true, Harry?" He asked calmly, his attention fixed not on the dark-haired Gryffindor but the blond Slytherin.
"Yes," Harry answered, lifting his shoulders in a careless shrug. Both points were true: he had been in Hogsmeade and he had been with Malfoy. Together, those two little facts weren't worth denying, especially when he figured he'd be doing a great deal of lying in the very near future.
"Ah," Dumbledore murmured, that one sound worth more than a hundred words. He exchanged a troubled glance with Remus before returning his attention to the pair, fingers giving one quick tap on the edge of his desk. "That's a very serious breach of the school's rules, Harry. Rules which are put in place to keep you safe. Can you tell me what you were doing outside Hogwarts wards after curfew?"
Harry tried not to stiffen at the question, attempting to keep his stance loose and an expression of boredom on his face. A credible lie. He needed a credible lie, preferably something harmless and stupid. In a flash, the wolf supplied him with a number of plausible tales that would fit the circumstances under which they'd been found.
"It was a simple wager, Headmaster." Draco's voice filled the chamber, its unexpectedness causing Harry to jump and Remus's eyes to narrow suspiciously. "All in good fun, of course. You see, a small squabble arose during Care of Magical Creatures between the members of-"
"I will deal with you in a moment, Mister Malfoy." The Headmaster stated firmly, lifting a hand to forestall any forthcoming arguments. His gaze remained locked on Harry, lips compressing into a firm line at the younger wizard's continued silence.
Deny and lie, Draco had the way of it. Hell, it was probably in the Slytherin Code of Ethics, Harry thought. Firming himself to his resolve, he lifted his chin, and lied. "It's exactly like Malfoy said. Each of us was volunteered by our classmates to complete a task in Hogsmeade tonight, that's why Remus found us together."
"He's lying, Albus." Remus snapped, taking several steps forward. He halted next to the Headmaster, placing a hand on the back of the chair the older wizard occupied. "This isn't going to work. He needs to be sent home." The angered statement drove the already tangible tension through the roof, causing the pair standing across from him to shuffle slightly - towards each other. His mouth went dry at the almost unnoticeable gesture, an urgency to see Harry returned to the safety of Grimmauld Place sweeping through him.
"You'd expel Potter for a simple dare?" Draco said, his face taking on a look of sheer glee. The blond looked eagerly towards the Headmaster, seeking an answer to his question.
"Don't try and play me, whelp." Remus snarled, eyes flashing dangerously. The expression Malfoy had dawned fit his tone of voice, but the gleam in his eyes was off. He was trying to cover for Harry, and by the look on Dumbledore's face, he may have been succeeding.
"That's enough, Remus," Dumbledore said, warning clear in his tone. It was becoming increasingly clear that this little gathering was getting well out of hand. Frowning, he turned his gaze to Malfoy, trying to determine exactly where Malfoy fell in the scheme of things. The blond was standing uncommonly close to Harry. Generally, the pair wouldn't be that close together unless fists were flying.
"He's a werewolf, too." Remus stated, once again leveling a finger at the blond.
The announcement should have brought an abrupt end to any confusion Albus had been feeling. Instead, it only created more unanswerable questions. Tales abounded about the loyalty werewolves demonstrated in difficult times. Bounty hunters spoke of individuals sacrificing themselves so their packmates could escape. Brow creasing, he glanced back and forth between the duo. Could that be what this was? Were Draco and Harry attempting to protect each other due to some sort of bond? Of course, what next came out of Malfoy's mouth completely contradicted those rumours.
"Potter's a werewolf?" The blond hissed, seemingly aghast. He sidled quickly away from the dark-haired wizard, staring at him with wide eyes.
"So now everybody's a werewolf," Harry snarled sarcastically, lips twisting into a sneer. He glared across the Headmaster's thick desk at Remus, growing admittedly unnerved by Dumbledore's continued silence.
With a curl of lips, Remus took a step forward, placing his hands on the desk and leaning forward. "Don't even try and deny it, Harry."
"My father is going to hear about this," Draco announced in a shrill voice.
"Enough," the Headmaster said, raising his voice in warning. He fluttered a hand at Remus, the gesture forcing the angry werewolf to retreat several steps. Frowning, his attention shifted back to the pair of wizards standing before him. Malfoy may have been a werewolf but his recent actions went against that theory. Rather, if anything, the Slytherin had simply gotten mixed up in Remus's ongoing battle to have Harry returned to Grimmauld Place.
"I want Harry sent home, Albus." Remus demanded, apparently having lost interest in Malfoy.
Harry smiled slowly, the twist of his lips extremely bitter. "You'd really send me home, Remus? Back to the Dursely's, my legal guardians?" His smile grew as Lupin gaped at him. He couldn't take credit for the underhanded maneuver, it had been the wolf who'd gloatingly pointed out where their home truly was.
It was Remus's turn to fall quiet, his lips pressing tightly together and his eyes narrowing. And then a smile blossomed across his face, the grin decidedly malicious. "Then Albus will simply expel Malfoy," he said.
"No one is being expelled," the Headmaster said in a quiet voice. He lifted a hand and rubbed tiredly at his eyes. "And the only werewolf in this room is Remus, Mister Malfoy, who will be taking his leave of Hogwarts within the next few minutes."
"Albus," Lupin hissed, not liking the path the Headmaster seemed set on taking.
"Go home, my boy," Dumbledore ordered, not bothering to glance at the werewolf. He sat silently in his chair as he waited for Remus do as he'd commanded, stiffening when the other male released an angry growl before stalking from the room.
"In light of your recent activities, I'm revoking your Hogsmeade privileges. The pair of you will also be completing two weeks of detention with Professor Snape. I trust that given the late hour, both of you will be heading directly to your respective beds?" He watched the pair carefully as they bobbed their heads, appearing extremely contrite. Nodding his head in dismissal, he picked up the quill he'd lowered at their arrival, his eyes following them as they walked across the study. Frowning, he tried to make sense of the chaotic meeting that had just occurred, and failed. He heaved a sigh as he replaced the quill on his blotter and rose, heading towards his private chambers with the hope that several hours of sleep would help untangle tonight's events.
XxXxX
Turning his head, Harry watched as the gargoyle resumed its position atop the stone that hid the spiral staircase, its wicked claws spread and its heavy wings flared. His shoulders slumped in relief, his eyes slipping closed. He was physically exhausted and emotionally drained, but he was alive. Slowly, he peeled his eyes open and glanced to his left, noting the smug smirk on his companion's face. "What are you so happy about?" He grumbled, beginning a tired plod in the direction of his rooms.
"Please, Potter," the blond purred, giving a dismissive wave of one hand. "Did you not just witness that amazing performance? We had that old coot so confused he didn't know what to believe." A soft chuckle slipped over his lips and he turned to look at the dark-haired wizard, silver eyes flashing with a delight edged in darkness.
Malfoy wasn't alone in there, Harry realized, staring into those burning orbs. The blond's wolf was spurring the wizard on, making him more aggressive than usual. Swallowing, he shifted his gaze back to the shadowed corridor before them, trying to ignore the amusement seeking to override his weariness. "'My father's going to hear about this?' You call that an amazing performance?" He mocked, pushing the wolf and its emotions back to where they belonged.
Any rebuke Malfoy may have made was lost in a bellow of outrage, the sound spinning both of them around and curling their fingers into claws. Remus emerged from the darkness behind them like a descending wraith, his amber eyes narrowed and his lips drawn back from glistening teeth. "What the hell was that, Harry?" He snapped, spittle flying as he halted a mere foot away from the pair.
"I thought you were leaving Hogwarts, former Professor Lupin," Draco drawled, lowering his hands and assuming a position of complete nonchalance. His enjoyment of the older male's anger was evident in his voice, his eyes shimmering with obvious pleasure.
"Sod off, Malfoy," Remus spat. His gaze was locked on the younger werewolf, muscles tensing in preparation of an attack.
The blond laughed softly at the sharp reply, sliding his hands into his pockets and beginning a lazy prowl around Lupin, his eyes sliding up and down the older male's taut form. "So you haven't managed to smother it yet, eh, Lupin? It's still alive in there, whispering its naughty little suggestions to you. I'd bet my life on it that right now it's telling you to rip my throat out, hm?"
"Fuck off, puppy!" Remus snarled the insult, his body quivering as the blond passed beyond his range of sight. He turned his head quickly, bringing the other male back into view. Malfoy was acting extremely aggressive and almost . . . territorial. The realization sent a shiver up his spine, his stomach beginning a slow roll as his eyes snapped toward Harry.
Stopping beside Harry, Draco gave a slow shake of his head. "You're not wolf enough to put me in my place, dog," he returned coolly. His comment garnered a vicious growl, the sound echoing in the empty hallway. The answering rumble that vibrated his throat could have been the prelude to a fight, if it wasn't cut off by a hand curling around his upper arm.
"That's enough, Draco," Harry murmured, tugging the blond backwards. Inside his head, the wolf was practically crooning with excitement, its eagerness bringing goosebumps to his skin. Anger and fear were strong in his nose, the scents a titillating combination. He gave his head a small shake, trying to free himself from the wolf's urges. His fingers tightened around Draco's arm as he turned his gaze to Remus, noting the extremely hostile look on the older werewolf's face. "I really don't think there's anything else to say here."
"Hear me out, Harry," Remus pleaded, extending a hand toward the dark-haired male. He clamped his jaw against the growl that threatened to spill over his lips at Malfoy's amused snort, lowering his hand and drawing a deep calming breath. "I want you to come home with me - home to Grimmauld Place. It'll be just the two of us. I promise you'll be safe there."
A bitter laugh escaped Harry. "Safe from what? I'm at Hogwarts, Remus, under the watchful eyes of Dumbledore. What possible danger could I be in?" Beneath his fingers Malfoy's muscles jumped, the invisible change causing him to stiffen, his gaze sweeping the surrounding shadows carefully. When he found nothing of interest in the pressing darkness, he turned his gaze back to Lupin, though his fingers retained their tight grip on the blond's bicep.
Remus's eyes flicked to Malfoy before returning to Harry. "I can smell him on you - Fenrir Greyback. Him and that mangy pack he keeps." He smiled at the slight widening of the raven-haired werewolf's orbs, the obvious surprise vanishing quickly behind a mask of bored indifference. "Scent never lies, Harry. It's like a map to where you've been and who you've been with."
In one fluid motion, Harry released Malfoy's arm and moved toward Remus, closing the short distance between them until their chests were almost touching. "You lost the right to question my actions when you locked me in a cage," he hissed. Hurt flickered across Remus's face, the emotion causing a surge of triumph to race through Harry's body. Drawing a deep breath, he whirled around and walked back toward Malfoy, ignoring the satisfied look on the blond's face. "He made me a very tempting offer by the way," he called over his shoulder. A warning growl from Malfoy had him spinning around, his left hand closing around Lupin's wrist inches away from his arm.
Remus stared in shock at the hand clamped around his wrist, his eyes darting up to meet Harry's fierce gaze. "Was that before or after his pack beat you?" He demanded, tugging on his arm.
Fingers tightening, Harry smiled slowly, knowing the grin was extremely toothy. "You're a bloody hypocrite, Moony." He released the older werewolf with a rough shove, watching him stumble backwards and fall against the corridor wall. "Since I was bitten you've locked me in an attic and drugged me. What makes you any better than Greyback? At least he was up front about how it was going to be."
"How can you say that?" Remus whispered, steadying himself against the cold stone of the wall at his back. There was a slight tremor in his voice, the emotion which inspired it a mystery.
Staring at the wizard he'd once admired, Harry gave a slow shake of his head. "Because it's the truth," he said quietly. He took a small step backwards, retreating into the concealing darkness of the shifting shadows. "Good-bye, Remus." The simple statement rang with a finality that would once have brought tears to his eyes. Today, after the disagreement they'd just had, it merely left a bitter taste in his mouth. Without glancing at Malfoy, he turned and fled down the hallway, allowing his feet to carry him where they would.
Remus had once been a mentor to him; a friend and ally who'd taught him what he needed to know. Together, they'd mourned Sirius, his loss a wound no one else could feel or heal. And now, after everything they had been through, they were parting ways over something petty and uncontrollable.
Harry's feet slowed and then stopped, the transition from movement to stillness bringing his chin up. Slowly, he glanced about, searching for the cause of his sudden halt, and finding it when Draco slipped free of the shadows. He watched the blond approach silently, not knowing the reason for his presence, and not really caring.
The wolf was a curious mix of wariness and interest within his skull, its wavering emotions forcing Harry to hold his ground. A nervous rumble escaped him, the warning bringing Draco to quick halt several feet away. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, lost in their own thoughts. And then the blond spoke in that stiff and cultured voice of his, the angle of his chin indicating the uncertainty of the reception he was going to receive.
"Are you all right?"
The question hung in the air a minute before Harry dipped his chin in response. He shifted when the silence lengthened, finally breaking it with a mumbled, "Tired."
A small smile lifted the corners of the blond's mouth, the grin appearing slightly cynical. "It's been a long day," he murmured in agreement. He stared steadily at Harry before dipping his head, his lashes lowering to hide his eyes. "I'd wish you a goodnight, Potter, but I'll see you later seems more appropriate considering the circumstances - and the hour." Bowing his head, the blond pivoted on the heel of one boot and walked down the corridor they'd come, quickly vanishing in the darkness.
Harry stared at the spot Draco had disappeared, his shoulders slumping in relief. He was glad the blond hadn't wanted to engage in idle chatter, because his mind was to tired to play the intricate word games Malfoy seemed to adore. Inhaling wearily, he resumed the slow plod toward his chamber, internally praying the short journey would be uninterrupted. He reached his rooms several minutes later without incident. With his eyes at half-mast, he stumbled into the bedroom and collapsed face down on the comforter, allowing Morpheus to take him without a second thought.
XxXxX
Lunch was probably the most chaotic meal at Hogwarts. Students entered the Hall alone or in large boisterous groups, calling out greetings and questions to their peers and housemates. Forks clattered against plates and glasses clinked as salads and sandwiches were devoured. Laughter rang out, adding to the riotous atmosphere.
And through it all, Harry sat by himself at the Gryffindor table, observing the behaviour of his classmates through tired eyes. Not so long ago, he would have been a member of one of those small groups. He would have sat between Ron and Neville and joked and argued with Seamus and Dean. Perhaps they would have discussed the latest House Quidditch match, or maybe groaned about the homework assignment McGonagall had given them.
Dropping his gaze, he stared at the half-eaten turkey sandwich on his plate. He should have been starving, but his appetite was disturbingly absent. This morning he'd skipped breakfast in favour of sleeping an extra forty minutes, not that the extra time had done him any good. His eyes were still heavy and his mind slow, even the wolf was nothing more than a faint whisper in the back of his skull. Smothering a yawn, he pushed his plate away and glanced down the length of the table, stiffening at the scene unfolding before his eyes.
Ron was whispering furiously into Hermione's ear, one hand wrapped tightly around her wrist, his grip keeping her from leaving the table. The redhead's face was flush with anger, his eyes blazing as he berated the witch in an angry hiss. Across from the duo, Seamus and Dean sat in stunned silence, their mouths gaping as Hermione shot to her feet and jerked her arm out of Ron's grasp. Glaring at the redhead, the witch scooped up her book bag and stormed from the Great Hall, ignoring the curious murmurs that rose in the wake of her sudden departure.
A soft rumble trickled over Harry's lips, the sound lost in the cacophony of the Great Hall. Emerald orbs flashing with newfound hatred, the dark-haired wizard grabbed his bag and shot to his feet, stalking quickly after Hermione. He caught Ron's gaze as he strode past the other wizard, their eyes locking for a brief moment before the redhead paled and glanced hurriedly away. Giving his head a furious wag to rid himself of the wolf's murderous murmurs, Harry trailed Hermione through the hallways, not at all surprised by her final destination.
The witch was already seated at an empty table when he located her among the tall book shelves, her attention centered on the parchment she held between her hands. Her gaze flicked up to meet his and her lips trembled slightly before firming, her expression growing welcoming as she tucked the parchment into her potions text book. "Harry, you look terrible." Hermione commented, clearing her throat as she offered the wizard a shaky smile.
"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said dryly. Glancing around, he dropped his bag carelessly on the floor and dragged a chair out, collapsing gracelessly onto the hard seat. With a heavy sigh, he folded his arms on the table and rested his head atop them, closing his eyes tiredly.
"You didn't really go to bed when you left last night, did you?" Hermione asked, her voice perfectly level. She didn't bother to glance at the dark-haired wizard, just went about the process of arranging her books and parchment on the table before her. Of course, she didn't need to look at him when her tone said it all.
With a groan, Harry lifted his head from his arms and studied the witch, watching as she organized her books and papers just so on the desk before her. "No," he admitted after a moment's hesitation. He winced when Hermione's head rose, her gaze turning suspicious when he failed to elaborate. Her soft huff had him raising a hand and rubbing his face, avoiding the knowing look she'd fastened on him.
"Were you working on the History assignment?" The witch asked, studying him closely as her hands stilled.
Harry couldn't meet her gaze, nor could he bring himself to lie to her. Hermione had stood by him through one of the most difficult times of his life, she deserved the truth. Straightening in his chair, he carefully scanned the shelves and surrounding tables before leaning toward the witch, beckoning her closer with a twitch of one finger. "I went out last night, Hermione," he confessed in a quiet voice.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise at the whisper. "Out where?" She questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"The Hog's Head, to be exact." His eyes slid away from the witch's, focusing on the shelves behind her. He stiffened when something shifted in the darkness, his narrowed emeralds meeting the shimmering silver orbs of Draco. His fingers curled around the edge of the table, nails biting into the hard wood as the blond held his gaze before turning and disappearing between the shadowed stacks. "I had a meeting with an acquaintance of Fenrir Greyback. He wants me to join him, Hermione."
The witch jerked upright in her seat, her mouth hanging open as she gaped at him in a combination of horror and disbelief. "No, Harry," she whispered, beginning to shake her head back and forth.
"I can't stay here," Harry muttered, reaching across the table and catching the witch's hand. He gently rolled back her sleeve and eyed the swollen skin encircling her wrist, Ron's fingerprints already visible on the bruised flesh. "Hogwarts isn't really safe for either of us as long as I'm here. If I leave, Ron will stop harassing you."
Hermione gave her head a sharp shake, her eyes wide with confusion. "I don't understand," she hissed, tugging her hand free of Harry's light grasp. "Everything was fine when we came back from holidays. I mean, Ron was acting like a complete arse - but that's not exactly unusual for him. It's Remus, isn't it? What did he say to you, Harry?" The witch guessed, her eyes narrowing when the dark-haired wizard flinched at the other male's name.
A bitter bark of laughter escaped Harry, the sound seeming to bounce around the vaulted ceiling of the library before falling silent. "It's not so much as what he's said, Hermione, but what he's done. That first full moon when I should have been safe and comfortable in a room at Grimmauld Place, I was here - locked in a cell in the dungeons. A fucking cell, Hermione. I spent my childhood locked in a cupboard, I'm not about to let anyone lock me up anywhere again." The last few words were practically snarled, the memories of that cupboard enough to raise the wolf's hackles.
Hermione attempted to hush Harry with a placating hand, glancing quickly about to see if the wizard's raised voice had caught anyone's attention. "You're going to get us kicked out if you don't calm down," she hissed in warning. She lowered her hand when Harry sat back in his seat and drew a deep breath, the dangerous glow in his eyes waning. "That's perfectly understandable, Harry, but why Greyback? Surely, there's someplace else Dumbledore can send you?"
"I want to go to Greyback." Harry was almost surprised by the conviction in his voice. "The Ministry has been after him for years, yet they've never come close to catching him. He has the knowledge I need, Hermione. A Hogwarts education may help me get a job as an Auror, but it's never going to help me defeat Voldemort. I need Greyback and what he knows."
It was the look on Harry's face that convinced Hermione he was telling her the truth. He was speaking from the heart, and the head, an extremely unusual occurrence. Slowly, she nodded in agreement. Drawing a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and asked the burning question at the forefront of her thoughts. "When are you leaving?"
"That's not really up to me," Harry replied, "But when I do know I'll tell you. I won't leave without saying goodbye, Hermione, I promise." He waited for the witch to voice some form of protest, nearly slumping in his seat when she merely nodded her head in acceptance. Once again he reached across the table and caught her hand, this time squeezing it gently before releasing the slender digits and rising. He grabbed the strap of his book bag before turning and walking away, glancing over his shoulder only once as he vanished between the shelves.
XxXxX
The water of the lake churned roughly against the wind's taunting fingers, white caps appearing here and there in the dark liquid. Snow began a silent descent from the cloudy skies, the flakes swirling down in a graceless dance to settle gently upon the hardened earth. Those same white
crystals landed amongst the dark locks of Harry's hair, beginning to melt almost instantaneously. Tipping his head back, he shut his eyes and inhaled the cool air deeply, savouring the taste of winter upon his tongue. When he reopened his eyes it was to stare miserably at the choppy waters, his thoughts centered on the conversation he'd had earlier with Hermione.
The hair on the back of his neck rose unexpectedly, the feeling causing him to stiffen at the same time the wolf surfaced, its interest peaked by something in the cold air. One deep breath had his shoulders slumping, his head turning to watch Draco pick his way carefully across the icy stones to where he stood. Though the blond's eyes were on the rocks he cautiously traversed, his attention was clearly not, his lips pursed in obvious thought and his brow wrinkled. Tucking his hands into the pockets of his heavy cloak, Harry listened to the wolf's curious whispers as Malfoy approached.
"Potter," Draco murmured in greeting, halting alongside the raven-haired wizard. He pivoted on the heel of one expensive boot, mirroring Harry's relaxed stance, his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the crashing waters.
Harry's lips curled into a sardonic smile, emerald orbs flicking in the blond's direction before returning to the lake. "Malfoy," he returned after a moment's hesitation. For several minutes they stood in silence, watching the snow swirl teasingly above the dark waves. Finally, he stirred restlessly, shuffling his feet in the gathering snow. "Why are you following me?"
"Boredom, mostly," the blond replied quietly. "Although I must admit to a certain amount of curiousity as well." He rubbed his gloved hands together for warmth and exhaled, his breath forming a cloud before him that was quickly stolen by the wind.
Arching a brow at the unexpected answer, Harry returned his attention to the lake. Within his boots his toes had begun to burn with the cold, the warming charm he'd placed on them having worn off long ago. He had another question for Malfoy, though he wasn't sure he wanted the answer. Internally sighing, he squared his shoulders and spoke. "When do we leave?"
Draco lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. "Greyback will send for us. It may be tomorrow . . . or it may be in three weeks. Either way, it's at the Alpha's discretion." Eyes the colour of the storm clouds overhead shifted to the dark-haired male, the cold stare becoming calculating. "What did you say to Granger?"
Breath catching at the question, Harry dropped his gaze to the toes of his boots. There was really only one word that described everything he'd said to Hermione. A simple, single word which he was growing very adept at using. "Good-bye. I said 'good-bye', Malfoy." Raising his chin, he met the blond's gaze, knowing his misery and anger were swirling undisguised in the depths of his eyes.
"Ah," Draco murmured, turning his gaze back toward the lake. Again, they stood in an almost companionable silence, neither speaking nor shifting their positions. Perhaps they could have remained like that forever, standing unseen by the lake in the middle of a delicate snowfall, but the wind picked up and the snow fell harder, the fluffy flakes turning into chips of ice that stung their cheeks.
Hissing in displeasure, the blond flipped the hood of his cloak up and turned to leave, stilling when he realized his companion remained unmoving. "For what it's worth, Harry, I'm sorry," he said quietly. Bowing his head almost formally, he resumed his trek toward the castle, his dark cloak billowing out behind him.
Despite the honesty in Malfoy's voice, the words he spoke meant little to Harry. Sorry couldn't repair his relationship with Ron or Remus, nor could it stave off the inevitable fact that he was going to have to leave the only real home he'd ever known. Standing on the bank of Hogwarts' lake in the middle of a blinding snowstorm, Harry felt as alone as he had when he'd lived with the Dursleys. Felt the same despair and grief he'd felt when Sirius died. Remembered the loneliness of summers spent locked in a cupboard beneath the stairs. Swallowing, he focused his eyes on the rolling waters, pretending that it was only the whipping snow that caused his cheeks to sting, and not the tears sliding slowly down his face.
A/n: Sorry for the extremely long wait between updates, and thank-you for the many wonderful reviews. Once again, sorry, though I do hope you're all still enjoying the story.