A/N: Sorry it took so long. Enjoy!

Chapter 36: Uncanny Offers

"So Potter," Malfoy taunted during breakfast, "I heard that everything isn't all sunshine and daisies at home."

I dropped my fork in surprise. How does he… who's telling him this?

Malfoy just smirked. "Ah, I guess not. Bit of a sore spot for you, is it? Well, that filthy little mudblood that you used to hang out with spilled the beans. I know all about your cupboard." He sneered. "I really can't say I'm surprised. Muggles. Disgusting, barbaric cretins the lot of them. One must wonder how you survived living with them so long. But then again, you are the Chosen One. But you know, there's one thing I don't understand."

"And what's that?" I asked through clenched teeth.

He looked at me, a curious look on his face. "Why do you insist on fighting for a horde of barbarians that would either abuse you, or stand by and allow others to abuse you? What do you owe them? What do you owe Muggle-lovers like Dumbledore? He's only using you, you know. I know all about his political platform from the Grindewauld Wars. 'For the greater good'. I'll bet the only reason he put you with those Muggles was so he could make you into his little poster-boy. Don't you? I mean after-all, what kind of Headmaster would let his favorite pupil fight a Basilisk at twelve?"

I glared at him, refusing to say anything.

"What – little Potty's got nothing to say? Ah well…" Malfoy leaned over towards me and dropped his voice to a whisper. "It's not too late to change sides, you know. We could be allies. I mean, let's face it – Granger isn't coming back to you anytime soon, and Weasley's loyalty is questionable at best. Remember fourth year? It's just a matter of time before he betrays you for something you can't control once again. Wouldn't you rather be on the winning side?"

"He killed my parents." I hissed. "I would never join him."

"Who said anything about the Dark Lord?"

My eyes snapped to his face, searching it for any sign of deception. "You wouldn't really--"

"Shh." He said, standing. "Think about it Potter." I just stared at his retreating form in confused wonderment.

"What the bloody hell…?"

Xxx

The rest of the day was spent splitting my concentration between classes and Malfoy's proposal. He might be my enemy, but I am curios… I admitted to myself during Charms. The thing is, how do I know it's not a trap? And where is he getting information about my life from? That question was driving my crazy. How could he know all these things about me? The only people I've told about my home life are the Weasleys and Hermione.

I stopped in the middle of the hallway and smacked myself upside my head, much to the bewilderment of the passerby.

"Hermione!" I said, feeling like every bit the dunderhead that Snape has always accused me of being.

"What about her?" Ron asked.

"Malfoy knows all this personal stuff about me. I'll bet Hermione's his source. Who else would divulge information about my life at the Dursley's?"

"That sneaky, backstabbing little--"

"Mr. Weasley! I suggest you think twice about finishing that sentence, because I will not think twice about giving you a detention."

"Sorry Professor McGonagall."

"Don't let me catch you using such inappropriate language again." She said, sweeping off down the hallway.

"Do you really think it's Hermione who told?" Ron asked, pulling a face behind McGonagall's retreating back.

"Who else would it be?"

"Dunno." Ron shrugged. "What about Ginny? She might still be sore about what happened this summer."

"Maybe…" I mused more to myself than Ron. "I'll ask Luna – she's good at things like this."

He nodded. "She is pretty smart; maybe she'll se something we missed."