DISCLAIMER: THE BOOK BELONGS TO J. I HAVE ONLY BORROWED BOTH CHARACTERS AND PLOTLINE.

CHAPTER 17

Harry was sitting at the breakfast table unable to eat, thinking about what he'd be doing in two days' time, when a note materialized on his lap. Knowing that it had to be from Draco harry opened it when no one was looking, "it will be ready tonight" was all it said. Smiling stupidly at the note, feeling his appetite returning he took a large bite out of his sausage.

The evening found him and Draco huddled over the cauldron it was two stirs away from being ready. Looking nervously at Harry, Draco slowly and carefully stirred the mixture and holding his breath he waited. The potion had turned almost translucent silver with a slight mist over hanging it, throwing his arms around Harry in a moment of joy Draco let himself go completely. Watching him jump around like a crazy person, Harry couldn't help but grin. Taking two unbreakable crystal stoppered vials, Draco poured the potion in each one carefully giving one to Harry. Finally the first step had been accomplished and Harry knew in all honesty that it was all mainly due to Draco's effort. He had had a great deal of patience to get it completely right. They were far from the end one step at time Harry thought, one step at a time.

Looking into the mirror trying to bring some semblance his stubborn hair Harry saw worry written all over his face. Today he would find out for himself if he, Darren and Darren's friends had done enough to prevent the return of one very evil dark lord. Wearing his robes and grabbing his bag he entered the great hall his eyes naturally searching the Gryffindor table watching the trio who were sitting huddled together and seemed to be discussing something of importance.

Walking over to his seat amongst his housemates Harry sat down heavily. So Darren had not yet been dissuaded, he planned to continue with his crazy scheme. Well no matter, Harry though he'd be there to help. Starting to eat he felt someone's penetrating gaze on him, looking up he saw a very pale, distraught Malfoy staring at him. Looking at him puzzled Harry mouthed "what's up?" Draco shook his head slightly and a moment later Harry found a note on his lap "meet me after you've eaten in the astronomy tower."

Ten minutes later after stuffing himself Harry made his way to the tower. He saw Draco standing by the window with his back turned to Harry. "You wanted to speak to me dray?" Harry asked softly. He saw the way Draco's shoulders had tensed, turning around to face him looking rather frightened and strangely unkempt, it was the first time harry had seen messy hair on him, "Dray?"

"I had a dream last night Harry no not a dream, it was too real, too vivid to be a dream. I think I had a vision." Harry looked curiously at him "What did you see?"

Watching him struggle with himself, Harry walked over to Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Dray, you can tell me, I'll listen to you, trust me."

"I saw a stone Harry; it was blood red and the size of my fist. Even in the vision I could sense its power. Then I saw you and Darren fighting with something I couldn't see clearly, then the scene changed and there was this huge mirror and you were smiling when, suddenly I saw a creature so ugly that he was frightening, but worst of all Harry I saw your bother fall and he looked dead."

Looking apprehensively Draco waited for Harry's reaction he had expected disbelief, laughter, but what he saw was fear in Harry's voice "De..Dead?" his voice trembling a bit.

"I can't tell for certain, maybe he had fallen over? What I want to know is why you look scared, and why you're not more surprised? You look afraid Harry, please tell me what you are thinking of doing, I'm not stupid you know, I've known for a while that something was bothering you, you started missing on several days while the potion was being made and I know you missed Darren's quidditch match, oh yes, I've seen you playing chess these last few days a game you're not too keen about, like your life depended on it and now after the vision I feel I was not far off the mark your hiding something from me."

Harry opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish he thought he had been careful and now he had unwittingly dragged the sharp Slytherin in to the foray. He did not doubt for a moment that Draco had had a vision, what he had seen he could not possibly have found out, now he was sure that harry was involved in something dangerous.

"Will you tell me now, what's been happening?" Harry's almost knee jerk response was "I'm fine, nothings up."

"Fine," Draco said acidly "if you don't want to tell me don't. Just, don't lie about it." Cringing, Harry watched him walk towards the door, "Wait," he called out, "I'll tell you everything." I trust you I really do but I don't want you involved because of the danger he thought.

"Harry you have to tell someone" Draco yelled jumping from his seat "this is serious."

"Calm down dray, you see Darren has already tried tell McGonagall and she shushed him and Snape has gone to the Wizengamot consul with Dumbledore today."

"Harry we are eleven year olds, there is no way we can handle this."

"Actually Dray, getting past the defenses' is easy, it's actually facing whoever it is we are facing that is bothering me."

"Well you said its Quirrel who is a sorry excuse for a wizard and someone else. Who do you think that is?"

Harry avoided looking into Draco's grey eyes and said "Dunno." That was the one thing Harry was not willing to tell anyone, that he suspected it was Voldemort. It was too scary a thought, so he kept quiet about it.

"Okay, so when were you planning to do whatever it is you're doing?"

"Um today…"

"Crap!"

"I'm going earlier than the others I need to be ready and waiting when Quirrel and Darren make their moves, so I guess in another hour since I have get some food for the wait."

Not looking at him Draco said in a determined voice "While you're at it get me couple of sandwiches."

Harry just stared at him "Dray, you want to come?"

"Yeah," Draco said defiantly "you'll need help, plus after what I saw I'm not letting you go alone. Darren and the rest are going blindly without really knowing what they're doing, so yeah I'm coming with you. You need someone who's got your back."

Harry weighed his options and smiled, "Alright, but on one condition you have to promise me…"

"What?"

"No, promise first."

"Ugh! Okay, Harry I promise."

"If I tell you to leave than you have to go, no thinking twice."

"Fine," Draco spat out "whatever, but I'm coming."

"Thanks." Harry said, he knew that this whole thing freaked Draco out he himself had taken a lot of time to come to terms with the situation. Ravenclaw and Sytherin were naturally cautious people but not they were going against their very natures and were seriously tempting fate.