(Disclaimer: see first chapter.)

A/N: Many thanks to my wonderful beta RedButterfly33 and my faithful reviewer mandancie. You are the greatest! :D

9.

(Same day, still.)

Harry had just realized that he was currently speaking to a Death Eater. One of Voldemort's followers. Even if Malfoy wasn't as happy with his master any more now that he'd been given to his archenemy as a toy, Harry still could not be sure that Malfoy would not betray his plans to the Dark Lord next chance he got.

Why oh why did he start this conversation?

Because he deserved an explanation, his subconscious answered without hesitation. Harry sighed.

One and a half years in Azkaban, abandoned and betrayed by everyone he had ever known - and still his incorrigible Gryffindor virtuousness prevented him from putting his own safety first. When would he finally stop trusting blindly in people? He really should know better by now.

Without his knowledge, his face twisted into a bitter grimace.

"V-Voldemort is not my master."

Surprised, he focused back on the Malfoy heir. "Say what?"

"I said: Voldemort is not my master. I never received his mark."

"Really? I thought you'd have entered his service right after your graduation."

"No. I never got the chance... You were arrested," he said as though that explained everything.

"So?" Harry asked, feeling a bit lost. What did one thing have to do with the other?

"Well... my father died just a week later; followed by my mother. I began to thoroughly rethink Father's position. It was obvious they had both died at the hands of other Death Eaters. Since it was that obvious, Voldemort must have allowed it. No Death Eater would kill another without at least implicit permission. Not without carefully covering their tracks.

"But my parents have been so obviously murdered that I had to assume Voldemort ordered it. I started looking for clues as to why. Finally, I discovered Mother's diary. It was well-hidden; I am sure Father had no idea it existed. He would not have approved. Private information should never be recorded in any way that allows others to view it...

"But Mother did keep a diary, and I was glad of it. It opened my eyes and saved my life - even though that pleasure was short-lived." He cast an anxious look at the bedroom door and swallowed audibly before he continued. Harry flinched guiltily at the sight.

"What was written in the diary?" he asked hesitantly.

Draco focused him with a serious look. "It appears that since Voldemort's return, my father was no longer the dutiful Death Eater he used to be. Unless my mother mistook his motivations, he had enjoyed the peaceful life without his former master. When Voldemort unexpectedly reappeared three years ago, he had no choice but to return to him. The mark left him no other options. But he did so grudgingly.

"I'd always thought that one day I would proudly fight for the acknowledgement of pureblood supremacy like my father. Father never told me that he no longer respected Voldemort's leadership. Thinking back on all the pureblood propaganda I spouted during school makes me want to hurl.

"In Mother's diary, I read that Voldemort used to be very different. He pursued his goals just as coolly and unscrupulously as he does nowadays, but back then, he still had ideals. Since his return, that has changed. He indiscriminately tortured and killed anyone who got in his way, be they foe or follower. It was Hell on all his subordinates and only the crazies like Bella were still loyal to him like they'd been in the old days. Most are only here still because they expect to benefit from being on the winning side. This has nothing to do with ideals any more.

"Mother never wrote down exactly what had been going on; but her worries and increasingly incoherent entries let me conclude that Father started to scheme against Voldemort within the Ministry. Since the Lord's return, he's been involved in countering Voldemort's plans numerous times - without the Order of the Phoenix or the Death Eater wising up to his machinations, and always on his guard from either side.

"I don't know what finally gave his game away, but the discovery of his schemes seems the only logical reason for his being... eliminated. I assume I was only left alive because Crabbe and Goyle could vouch for me being a fervent supporter of dark magic and pureblood supremacy.

"It was only upon reading my mother's observations and thoughts that I realized how right you were, all those years ago, to prefer Weasley's friendship to mine. My parents had followed a madman and paid for their foolishness with their lives; and I was about to make the same mistake.

"The realization hit me hard. Where only a week earlier I had been gloating about you having been wrongfully thrown into Azkaban, I was now far from happy. If I did not join Voldemort, my life would be in danger. After all, it was expected of me. But how could I follow a madman who, to make matters worse, was responsible for my parents' murders?

"I came to see that my life would only be safe if Voldemort was defeated. By you.

"Until today, I had no idea there was a prophecy; but even so, it had always been clear that for some reason, Dumbledore put all his hopes into you. The entire wizarding world seemed convinced that you were going to save them. I did not quite know what to make of it; but I knew you were more powerful than any other wizard our age. If anyone could surpass Dumbledore's power, it would be you. Voldemort may fear the Headmaster; but only an even stronger wizard will be able to defeat him - you."

"With the 'power the Dark Lord knows not', perhaps?" Harry asked cynically.

"What?"

"That is what the prophecy says: That I have some kind of power the Dark Lord does not know... And that that is what will allow me to defeat him. I've always been stumped as to what that power is supposed to be. Any remarkable talents I possess I got at age one from Voldemort when he tried to off me." He laughed without humour. "If my powers come from him, then how can I have any he does not know? I can't do anything he couldn't do better."

"You can fly."

"Oh, great! I'm sure that's gonna help."

"What's this, Potter? Self-pity?"

"Ha! Like I would sink down to your level!"

They stared at each other across the table. A spark of their old rivalry flared briefly between them.

The tension lasted only for a moment, though. Then both of them noticed at the same time what they were doing and lowered their eyes, suddenly embarrassed.

"I am sorry-"

"I should not have-"

Harry blinked a few times. Malfoy looked just as sheepish as himself. Why? Malfoy had every right to be bawling him out like he used to do - more, even. But as for himself... Bad enough that he'd done all those horrible things to Malfoy today; but if the Slytherin was telling the truth, he'd also completely misjudged him. Malfoy had not become a Death Eater, but had rather... hoped for Harry to win?

"You seriously wanted me to win against Voldemort?"

"Yes."

"But don't you hate me?"

"Pfh... not for the longest time. But that didn't even come into it at first. I just wanted Voldemort to be defeated. By whom didn't really matter to me; but it rather looked like the Boy-Who-Lived was my best bet. Too bad I only understood that after you'd been locked up."

They shared a sombre look.

"My mother did everything within her power to keep you out of Azkaban. But with the Order, the Ministry and Voldemort, each with their respective lobbyists and spies, united against you, she didn't stand a chance. She wasn't like Father. Come to think of it, her efforts during your trial were probably the reason my parents' betrayal was discovered..."

Both boys once more despondently lowered their eyes.

"Well. Once I got to this point in my ruminations, I started personally taking apart your relatives' deaths, your trial, the witnesses and your testimony. During those weeks, I learned more about you than I ever wanted to know. I borrowed Father's invisibility cloak – he wasn't going to ever need it again – and spied on your friends. I spent an entire week around the Weasels only to find out more about you."

His features twisted in haughty disdain. Harry was somehow glad to see it. That was more like the Malfoy he knew.

"I even spied on the mud- pardon, on Granger, to find out what your friends thought about you. I just couldn't believe that you should truly have killed someone. Not you. You were always too much of a Gryffindor. And I was sure your friends knew this. I hoped that Granger might already have a plan to get you out.

"To my great astonishment, I discovered that while they may have had doubts initially, they gave up their hopes after your testimony. They are weak, your friends."

"Don't you think I know that?" Harry audibly ground his teeth, clenching them tight to keep himself from once more shouting out his rage at the unfairness of life. He had done enough of that in Azkaban. "I trusted them. I would have died for them, dammit! And they drop me like a hot potato... all because of a single mouthful of Arsendictum!"

Draco sat up straight in surprise. "Arsendictum?"

"Yes, that is what they gave me prior to my testimony. I assume you've heard of it?"

"Of course... but how do you know of it? I am quite sure it wasn't on our Potions curriculum – not that that would have changed anything."

"Thank you, I am quite aware I suck at Potions." Harry's upper lip curled with distaste. "Hmmm... You see, Fawkes visited me in Azkaban. Until about a week ago, I thought he truly cared about me. I learned to communicate with him. ...He brought me some books from Hogwarts. That is how I learned about the poison. ...He kept me company. I thought he was the only friend I had left."

Malfoy looked at him expectantly. "So then what happened?"

"What do you think? He betrayed me like everyone else. He was only there to acquire information about Voldemort. I witness quite a lot through my scar. I told him about that. But I suppose my usefulness has finally run out."

Numb silence filled the room.

"I don't have any friends. Everyone I ever trusted ended up betraying me. Sometimes I think I should just quit. But... not before Voldemort has paid!" The hard tone had returned, along with the coldness in his eyes. But Harry knew nothing of how he looked. He was lost in his thoughts.

"So you will take your revenge against Voldemort. And then what?" Malfoy asked cautiously.

"Then... I'll finally leave this sad existence, I suppose. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I..." Embarrassed, the blond broke off.

Harry curiously considered him. What difference did it make to Malfoy whether he lived or died? Once Voldemort was defeated, Malfoy would be free.

Free.

Harry noticed in dismay that the conversation had taken such a wide turn that he still hadn't cleared up the initial misunderstanding. "Malfoy?"

"Yes?"

Harry was happy that Malfoy answered him without hesitation. Maybe this entire off-topic discussion had done some good, after all.

"About earlier..." How could he possibly say this? You know, I never intended to rape you, I was just playing with you? God, no.

At his words, Malfoy had blanched spectacularly and slumped down in his chair. "...Yes?" he whispered, once more quiet and insecure.

"I... that was..." Again Harry broke off.

Malfoy sat up straight as though he'd come to some kind of decision. Harry saw the effort it took him to project outward calm when he spoke up with a slightly trembling voice. "I've been an arse towards you. You had every right to be angry at me. If... if it helps you... If you think it's necessary for you to... to use me this way, then... then I suppose it's alright, I mean... I am..." The words died on his lips as his laboriously constructed calm shattered. Sheer panic glazed his eyes.

It made something in Harry clench painfully. "I didn't want this, Malfoy. I hope I'll never be in a situation where I have to do what I talked about earlier, with you or anyone else. I... There were surveillance spells on these chambers, Malfoy. If I want to have any peace in our quarters in the future, I had to convince Voldemort that I truly am the evil Death Eater he wants. It was only with that Silencio that I cut the eavesdropping spells. I hope he bought my pretence that I was unaware of it.

"I would never deliberately hurt you, Malfoy. You or anyone else. It pains me to see you afraid of me. Please. Please believe me. I would never..." He broke off and looked at the other with sad, watery eyes.

"You mean...," Draco began nervously. His tongue shot out to moisten his fear-parched lips. "You mean it was all just for show? You... you don't intend to" – he gulped audibly – "to sleep with me?"

Harry was horrified. "No! Of course not."

Puzzled, Harry watched the emotions wildly flickering across Malfoy's face in the wake of his statement. Relief was obvious, but also something else. Disappointment?

No, that made no sense. Harry was just opening his mouth to ask what was wrong when he heard Malfoy whispering under his breath: "You're probably not even interested in men."

Harry's mouth slammed shut in surprise. How could Malfoy even think about that at a time like this? His inclinations didn't even come into this. Surely it would suffice that he said he would not harass Malfoy – wouldn't it? Why would Draco Malfoy be interested in whether Harry was gay or hetero?

Upon closer consideration, Harry had to admit that he didn't know for sure himself. After the seemingly interminable and exhausting day, his thoughts now shucked off their reins to roam freely. Mutely, he sat pondering inconsequentials.

There'd been the thing with Cho... But he had long since buried that episode in a back drawer of his mind labelled "Complete and utter failure". Then there was Ginny. But she was too young, really, to make him want to imagine her in a sexual context, never mind that he had liked her before Azkaban. This "liking" always smacked of brotherly affection anyway, back when Ron had been like a brother to him.

He uttered a pained sigh.

It wasn't as though he'd had much time in his life to explore the question of his sexuality. Apart from a few wet kisses, his only sexual contact to date had been with his own hand. And in Azkaban, that had very quickly lost any appeal.

"Dunno..."

Draco looked at Harry in surprise. He hadn't really expected an answer to his question. He hadn't even been aware that he'd said it out loud.

"You don't know? But surely you must have some idea whether you like guys or girls?" He hated himself for the hopeful tenor of his own voice. Harry had stated plain as day that he had no ambitions whatsoever to have sex with Draco Malfoy. So he'd better get a grip now before he could embarrass himself further.

At least it looked like Harry wasn't about to rape him. He could be thankful for that. On the other hand... if that meant that Harry would never touch him at all...

Stop! Such thoughts are entirely unhelpful! Focus, Draco!

"...fer?" There he had it. Harry had asked him something and he'd missed it completely. Brilliant, Malfoy. A hundred points to Slytherin.

"Excuse me, what did you say?"

"I asked: which do you prefer?"

"Y- that is to say, er -" There was no way he'd tell Harry just like that! The Gryffindor surely would refuse to sleep in the same quarters as him if he knew that...

The same quarters.

Why did Potter claim him as his property?

"Um, Potter, one question: how come I am your property if you don't actually want me?"

Harry flushed, completely embarrassed. Draco had trouble understanding him as he quietly mumbled into his non-existent beard: "I had no idea what that even means! I only knew that I'd hurt you and no-one cared about healing you. I didn't know why Voldemort would hand over one of his Death Eaters just like that, but I had the feeling you might bite it if I didn't look after that damage myself. I am deeply sorry that I only did that after scarring you for life. I don't know how I will ever make that up to you... Well, as soon as I defeat Voldemort, you'll be free, alright? Then you'll be quit of me.

"...You know, the question of who or what I like is actually a moot point. I will continue living as long as I have to, but then I'll take my leave. There's nothing tying me to this plane... So the chances are pretty slim that I'll find out what love is during what's left of this life, right?"

Draco hated the embittered look on Harry's face. He could not tell the Gryffindor, that... But maybe he could at least let him know that he was wrong. Not every living being in this world had abandoned him.

"Ha- Potter, don't talk like that!" It hurts. "Your life does not have to end when Voldemort dies. That's rubbish! There are so many things to live for. Your friends abandoned you? They were dumb Gryffindors, Harry!" Unlike me.

This time, he could not prevent the slip. He had so often thought about "Harry" during the past fourteen months that he now had trouble going back to the family name like before.

Harry noticed. His face was a study in puzzlement that probably would have greatly amused Draco at any other time.

"Not everyone abandoned you, Harry. And those who did not would be mighty disappointed if you just stole away like that."

"Not everyone?" Harry asked suspiciously. "Not a chance. The entire WORLD hates me."

"Harry, did you wonder at all why I was sent to Azkaban?"

He could see it in Harry's face that the thought hadn't occurred. Gryffindor.

"They locked me up because I fought for you."

A/N: And that's that day finally done, and along with it the lengthy talk. Story will be moving along a bit more next chapter. :)