So... Finally an update. I'm not completely happy with it, but I decided that it was time to stop obsessing over it and just post it. I'm also reposting some of the earlier chapter's to correct some mistakes. I also changes some things slightly. Thanks to everyone who replied and added this story to alerts. I hope that you like this chapter:)

Snowie

Chapter Five: Potions

Slytherin Table

"So, what did you and Harry talk about last night?" Pansy asked, trying to keep from sounding too interested.

Draco snorted. "You're supposed to be a Slytherin, Parkinson... You want to be a little less obvious about your feelings?"

Pansy narrowed her eyes. "Why would you think that I need to be less obvious about my feelings, Malfoy? I don't have anything to hide. I can't believe that Harry hasn't..." She paused, her expression slyly suggestive. "Well, I guess I'll just leave that to him, shall I?"

Draco sighed, looking somewhat disturbed. "I thought that all of us had agreed, for our mutual sanity, that you would stop hinting about things in that manner."

Pansy smiled coldly. "You started it, Malfoy."

"Knock it off, you two," Blaise drawled indifferently. "There are far more interesting things occurring this morning."

"Such as?" Draco asked.

Blaise shook his head. "As Slytherins you're supposed to be calculating and observant... both of you should have noticed that there's an extra person at the Head Table... and it probably has everything to do with our dear Snake Charmer."

"Must you persist with that nickname, Blaise?" Pansy asked blandly. "You know Harry despises it."

"Which is precisely why I continue to use it," Blaise said with a smirk. "No use in letting him get everything his way." He paused for a moment. "The Head Table, Pans?"

Pansy turned her attention to the Head Table. "Professor Lupin," she said slowly. "And?"

"Sitting with Professor Black?" Blaise said, his tone patronizing. "His best friend from school? And their other best friend was...?"

"James Potter," Draco supplied, looking at the two professors with some suspicion. Then a slightly amused look crossed his face. "Maybe our poor Defense Professor decided that he needed some backup when dealing with 'our dear Snake Charmer'."

Pansy snorted. "Oh really? What do you suppose they're more worried about? What Harry will do... or what Professor Black will do?"

Draco and Blaise exchanged a look, but refrained from saying anything.

The three looked over at the Gryffindor table as Hermione's exclamation of "Ronald Weasley" filled the Great Hall. They didn't speak until the Gryffindor prefect had stormed out of the room.

Draco couldn't prevent a smile of amusement from crossing his face. "This happen often?"

Blaise snorted in amusement. "They'll have made up by lunch. Weasley is always finding some new and inventive way to stick his foot in his mouth and Granger never fails to forgive him."

"Ah," Draco said with a shrug. "Shall we head for Potions?"

"Sure," Blaise said, getting to his feet.

Pansy followed suit, only sparing a quick glance at the Gryffindor table before following her friends out of the Great Hall.

When they reached the classroom, it was clear that Pansy wanted Draco and Blaise to work together, no doubt hoping that a certain raven-haired Gryffindor would therefore be free to work with her. Draco, on the other hand, had a different plan.

"Sorry Pans," he said with a smirk. "This is one class that requires Harry and I to present a united front."

Pansy looked surprised. "Why?"

Draco's eyes narrowed, a serious expression replacing the playfulness of moments before. "Professor Snape is a 'friend' of my father's."

"Ah," Blaise said, nodding knowingly. "We see." He pulled Pansy down into the seat next to his, leaving a space open next to Draco. "Let's leave them to it then, shall we?"

Pansy pouted slightly, but didn't say anything.

Ron walked silently beside Harry for a while, seeming almost in awe of the young man beside him.

"Melodramatic posturing?" He said finally, his voice slightly strained.

Harry shrugged, looking at Ron with some concern. He hadn't taken the Gryffindor prefect to be that much of a stickler for rules, especially considering his earlier comments on Snape, but people could surprise you.

"Melodramatic posturing?" Ron said again, his voice now shaking slightly. He snorted. "Hell, Harry, if you weren't a bloke... and I weren't in love with my girlfriend; I could kiss you right now."

Harry let out a short burst of laughter. "It's not like I said it to him or anything, Ron."

Ron shook his head slightly. "It was enough. The look on the Headmaster's face..." Ron stopped, a delighted expression on his face. "Oh yes, I think that the twins are going to love having you around..."

Harry laughed again. "What can I say?" He asked with a shrug. "I have little patience for enigmatic headmasters or moronic, biased professors. I'm pretty sure that Snape and I are not going to get along." For more reason than one, he thought bitterly to himself.

They soon reached the dungeons and entered the Potions classroom. They both looked around the room, seeing who had already arrived. There was an empty seat next to Hermione, which Ron made a beeline for, apologies already on his lips. Harry shook his head in amusement before continuing to scan the room. Draco was seated alone at a table in front of Blaise and Pansy.

Wondering indifferently if he was about to commit an unpardonable sin, he made his way over to sit with Drake.

He could feel eyes on him as he made his way across the room. Before he took his seat, his eyes met Pansy's for the first time since arriving at Hogwarts. He smiled happily at her... and winked.

And Pansy... Well, Pansy, to the amazement of everyone in the room... blushed.

Which just made Harry grin and Draco and Blaise smirk. Their expressions immediately sobered as Professor Snape swept into the room.

The Professor sneered as his gaze swept over the room, his face darkening as his eyes came to a rest on Draco and Harry.

"Ah, the prodigal son of the Wizarding World has arrived at last," Snape said snidely, a poorly disguised look of disgust on his face. "And how is our new... celebrity?"

Harry raised a single eyebrow questioningly, but didn't say anything.

Draco's eyes narrowed and an answering sneer crossed his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when Harry elbowed him in the ribs.

"Are we mute?" Snape sneered, glaring darkly at Harry.

"I'm sorry sir," Harry said politely. "I didn't realize that you were actually waiting for an answer. I'm groovy, thanks for asking."

There was a chorus of snorts as all the Gryffindors and a number of the Slytherins tried to hold in their laughter.

"Ah, a comedian as well. Just like a Potter." Harry's expression darkened, but he didn't say anything. Snape turned toward the front of the classroom. "And that will be 10 points from Gryffindor for your lip," he stated over his shoulder. He waved his wand at the board and the directions for a potion appeared. "I need not remind you that your O.W.L. examinations will be this year. Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing." He stepped close to Harry and Draco's desk again. "We will see if you have learned anything at your former school."

"Oh, we were both O students in Potions at Drumstrangs," Harry said brightly, unable to stop himself from baiting the unpleasant man.

Snape sneered again. "And so modest."

Harry shrugged. "Just the facts Professor Snape. No offense meant."

Snape seemed unable to come up with a reason to detract any more points from Harry, so he turned to make his way to the front of the classroom.

Draco leaned in closer to Harry, cupping a hand around his mouth and speaking in a stage whisper. "What do you think that Professor Dawling would say if she knew Professor Snape had so little faith in her teaching abilities?"

Harry grinned. "I say that we owl her and find out..."

Draco smirked. "Sounds like a plan... Though if I were Professor Snape I wouldn't be opening any packages for the next... lifetime."

"Ten points from Gryffindor," Snape said, blatantly ignoring the fact that the more offensive parts of the exchange came from Draco and not Harry.

Draco growled slightly, opening his mouth to say something snide. Harry elbowed him again and Draco closed his mouth, choosing to instead just glare at the Professor. Harry started in on his potion, conspicuously ignoring his brother, Snape and the concerned looks that he could feel Blaise, Pansy, Hermione and Ron sending their way.

Harry sighed slightly in relief as he saw Drake turn his attention to the potion they were assigned to make. They worked silently and efficiently, Harry making it a point to ignore the snarky comments Snape made every time he approached their table... and in attempting to make Draco ignore them as well.

Overall, he managed to succeed at this quite well, only loosing ten more points... before the 'incident', that is...

He didn't even acknowledge the Professor's approach until the unpleasant man spoke.

"What is this, Potter?" Snape asked, looking at the potion in front of Harry in disgust.

Harry looked around the room, noting that his potion looked as good, if not better, than most of his classmates, those that he could see anyway. "Almost completed Draught of Peace?" Harry answered benignly.

Snape scowled. "I meant the disaster you choose to call a work station. Ten points from Gryffindor for this... mess."

Harry raised his eyebrows in confusion. As far as he could see, there wasn't an ingredient out of place. "Okay..."

"And another ten points for your lip. I abhor sarcastic comments, Mister Potter. You would do well to remember that."

"I rarely forget a warning," Harry said softly, his eyes flashing with an emotion that Professor Snape was unable to read. "Nor do I forget the one who gives it."

There was nothing blatantly threatening or disrespectful in Harry's words or tone... yet still Snape had the feeling he was being mocked...

Harry picked up the next to last ingredient for his potion and started to add a 'sprinkle' to the simmering concoction in his cauldron. As his hand crossed the rim of the cauldron, Snape started back towards the front of the classroom... 'accidentally' knocking into Harry's side.

There was silence in the room as ten times the required amount of ingredient spilled into Harry's cauldron. A strong acrid smell filled the dungeon and Harry paled in anger. He gritted his teeth, unwilling to give the man the response he craved.

"Too bad, Mr. Potter," Snape said, absently vanishing the spoiled potion from Harry's cauldron before sweeping towards the front of the classroom. "That will be a zero for today."

Harry just took a deep breath and shrugged, but Draco was incensed. In his opinion, Snape had gone too far. As soon as the Professor was again in the front of the classroom, Draco pulled an unlabeled vial from his bag. "Excuse me, Pans," he said, his voice coldly furious.

"Drake..." Harry started, his eyes widening. He reached out a hand to stop his brother, but he was too late.

Draco tossed the vial into Pansy's cauldron, his eyes never leaving Snape's face.

Snape was already moving towards their table as a small explosion rolled through the classroom. It was a rather concentrated blast, the resulting splash of ruined potion only managing to coat Pansy.

"Mister Malfoy!" Snape exclaimed. "What is the meaning of this?"

Draco glared at the professor defiantly, opening his mouth to answer...

"Malfoy..."

Draco felt his heart stop for an instant, before restarting at an alarming rate. He shivered slightly, his eyes remaining on Snape's face for a moment, taking in the surprise on the professor's face. Obviously Snape had never heard that tone of voice from Pansy Parkinson before.

Draco had.

And he was sure that the abject terror on his face was a clear indication of this. He turned slowly in his chair, knowing that Harry was doing the same beside him. Too bad even his brother couldn't protect him from this...

He winced as he quickly took in the sight of his potion drenched friend... and the angry, painful looking boils still popping up on her skin.

His mouth moved wordlessly a few times before he managed to push a few words out of his frozen throat. "Uh... Sorry Pansy... I swear this is a totally unexpected side-effect..."

"Sorry!?" Pansy shrieked, causing everyone in the room to jump. Amazingly enough, the room was still silent. Apparently no one else in the school had ever seen Pansy this angry either... except for Blaise, who was, at that very moment, slowly backing away from the furious Slytherin... not even caring that this movement was bringing him alarmingly close to the Gryffindors.

Harry sighed softly... and whacked Draco in the back of the head... hard. "Exploding potion, Drake? What the fu...uh, heck!"

"I didn't think the Draught of Peace would do that!" Draco protested, holding up his hands in consternation.

"Not completed, no," Harry said, exasperated. "But unfinished? Hellbore, Drake!"

If possible, Draco paled even more. "Oops?"

Harry hit him again. "Oops!?"

Snape finally managed to get over his surprise and grabbed Draco's arm, forcing him to turn. "Mister Malfoy, twenty points from Slytherin and two week's detention! With Filch!" Draco winced again, knowing from housemates stories that he was going to be cleaning a lot of things... by hand. "And take Miss Parkinson to the Hospital Wing. After which you can take yourself directly to the Headmaster's office and explain to him why you will be serving detention so early in the term!"

The both froze again as Pansy's cold voice once again filled the room. "It would be best if you sent the other brother with me, Professor Snape. Otherwise there will be little pieces of Malfoy... splattered all over the hallway."

"I'll take her, Professor," Harry said quickly, clearly wanting to delay his brother's death.

Snape sneered, but Draco cut off his argument. "Let them go," he said darkly, glaring at the Professor.

"You are in no position to be giving orders, Mister Malfoy!"

Drake slammed his hands down on the table in front of him, causing everyone in the room to jump... again. "We need to have a little chat, Professor."

There was a note in his voice that gave Snape pause. He nodded to Harry and watched as the Gryffindor, after putting on his dragon-hide gloves (not a complete moron after all), helped Pansy to her feet and led her out of the classroom.

"My office, Mister Malfoy!"

Draco got to his feet and followed the Professor to his office, rolling his eyes at the billowing of the older man's robes.

Snape slammed the door behind them. "Explanations! Now!"

Draco studied the man in front of him for a moment, a disgusted sneer crossing his face. Snape couldn't stop himself from taking a step back at the sheer venom in that look. He quickly regained control of himself and took a closer look at the boy in front of him, reaching a quick conclusion. It would be dangerous indeed to judge the son on the incompetence of the father.

"My brother and I know exactly what you are 'Professor'." Draco managed to pour no small amount of mocking into the word. "And neither of us has much use for evil, deluded, self-important, immoral, backwards thinking, egotistical, idiotic sycophants such as yourself." Snape's eyes widened slightly before narrowing in ire. "Leave Harry alone. Leave his house alone. Act like an adult for once in your life..."

"I'm a Professor!" Snape sputtered angrily. "And I will take points from who I want, when I want. I won't allow my actions to be dictated by a student!"

Draco snorted. "Everyone knows that you favor your own house, taking points from the other houses for basically no reason. Stop acting like a spoiled two year old, you stunted, smarmy little git. You're ridiculous! You sweep around here like you're important, like you're worth something, when everyone knows that all you are is a bitter, sad, sorry, little man whose only pleasure in life comes from scaring the snot out of first years. Pathetic..."

Snape was completely frozen. He'd never had a student speak to him in such a fashion... especially not one of his own Slytherins.

"And be careful what you say to my brother..." Draco continued angrily. "He may just dismiss it with a shrug and a frown, but I won't. In my opinion, there's only one way to deal with Death Eater scum such as yourself... and it isn't Azkaban. I'm sure you understand my meaning, don't you Professor?"

Oh yes, Snape understood him perfectly... and he couldn't keep his gaze from jumping quickly to the door, his thoughts going to Potter.

"Oh no," Drake said, his voice taking on a hint of amusement, knowing exactly what the professor was thinking. "Harry doesn't happen to agree... Sometimes I think that my brother is far too noble for his own good... I don't have that problem. I will make it my mission that everything you do to him will be brought back on you tenfold. I will give you no choice but to take as many points from Slytherin as you take unfairly from my brother and his house... And if you won't oblige, I'll find a Professor who will... I'm sure Professor Black will be more than happy to help..."

And Black would, damn it all. Snape had no doubt of that. He also had no idea what to do about what Draco had said... Other than points and detention. "All right," he said softly, his voice carefully controlled. "You have made your point... Fifty points from Slytherin and a month of detention, all told. And Mister Malfoy? It might do you some good to remember that sometimes withholding your true feelings on a subject... or person, is a better strategic move than letting the world know exactly where you stand."

Draco studied Snape thoughtfully for a moment. "Perhaps," he said finally. "But sometimes protecting someone from unwarranted attacks and harmful comments is more important than any strategic advantage gained or lost. No matter what Harry may be, or seem to be, to the rest of the Wizarding World, he is my brother. My father forgot this fact... and he paid dearly for that mistake. It would do you well to remember it. As it would do you well to remember that the reverse is also true."

"What do you mean?" Snape asked. He had a very good idea, but he wanted Draco to say it... He wanted everything to be clear.

"Harry's all I have. And I'm all he has. We're family. Father and Mother never had time for either of us. They were always off doing something or other. We were practically raised by house-elves for Merlin's sake! It's always been Harry and I against the world... and that's the way we like it. Father didn't understand that and I think that you know what happened to him." Snape looked puzzled and Draco shrugged. "Perhaps not... But you understand now, don't you Professor? You didn't manage to get a rise out of Harry because you were only insulting him. That doesn't bother him in the least." Draco smirked. "Your goal would have been better accomplished if you'd gone after me... he doesn't like it when people give me a hard time... just ask Ron Weasley... Or better yet, start in on the Longbottom boy... Harry has a soft spot for people who can't fight for themselves. It would be quite the show. I guarantee you'd never forget it..."

There was a note in Draco's voice that told him that he would indeed be a fool to test Potter's ire in such a manner... And he was somewhat embarrassed that he was not much inclined to find out why that was.

"Understood," Snape said, his tone amazingly free of mocking. "And it would do you well to remember that Hogwarts Professors are due a certain amount of respect... regardless of what you think their outside activities may be." Draco nodded slightly in acknowledgement, but his expression still showed nothing but anger and distrust for the man before him. "Now leave my classroom... If I decide to be generous, I may allow you to return for future classes. The Headmaster will be awaiting you in his office."

Draco smirked, and turned to exit the office, but paused after only a few steps. He looked back at Snape, an unreadable expression on his face. "Oh, and Professor? What makes you think that this wasn't a strategic move?" He winked mockingly before striding to the office door, opening it without another word. He heard the floo blaze behind him and Snape's stilted words as he told Professor Dumbledore to be expecting the 'insufferable Malfoy brat' for discipline issues. He grinned, waving insolently at the class as he made for the door. Everyone remained silent as a clearly irate Snape returned to the front on the classroom.

"What are all you dunderheads waiting for?" Snape hissed, glaring about the room indiscriminately. "Finish your potions and get out of my sight!"

Luckily for Pansy... and for Drake, Madam Pomfrey had been able to heal the young woman quickly... and without any visible side-effects. After eliciting a sincere promise to be more careful in Potions, the Nurse allowed Pansy to leave not long before lunch was scheduled to start. Harry walked Pansy to the Slytherin dorms so that she could get changed.

Harry waited for her in the hall, almost patiently. He was still a bit worked up from the class... Not only due to Snape's behavior, but Draco's reaction to it. Well, not what had happened with Snape exactly... No, it was more the fact that he'd used Pansy in his plan. Not a smart move in any way.

Harry smiled uncertainly at Pansy as she rejoined him in the hall. "Are you sure you're all right?" He asked with concern as they left the dungeons and headed towards the Great Hall.

Pansy couldn't help but grin at him. "Yes, Harry. And yes, I promise not to paint the Slytherin Common Room with Drake's blood... as much as he might deserve it."

Harry let out a small breath of relief. Pansy was not a witch to be crossed lightly. "I'm not saying that he doesn't deserve it, but..."

Pansy's smile grew slightly. "But he was just trying to protect you... and that, my dear Snake Charmer, is why he's getting a reprieve."

Harry's expression fluctuated between pleasure and annoyance. "Why with the nickname, Pans?" He asked, a long suffering expression on his face.

"Because you're cute when you pout," Pansy said with a sly smirk.

Harry flushed slightly. He was so caught up in his sudden, unexpected embarrassment that he didn't even notice her steering him into a side corridor... that is, until she opened the door to a broom closet and shoved him inside. She quickly followed him through the door and shut it firmly behind her.

"Um, Pans?" Harry questioned, his eyes squinting in an attempt to make out anything about their surroundings.

"Yes Harry?"

"Why are we in a broom closet?"

He felt, rather than saw, her smirk. "Because we've been here almost 24 hours and I have yet to get a proper hello. I've missed you Harry."

Harry smiled, all discomfort fleeing. After all, this was Pansy. Nothing to fear there.

"I've missed you too Pansy," he said gently.

"Then give me a proper hello," she whispered softly, her breath hot on his cheek as she wound her arms around his neck.

There was no question as to exactly what she meant.

And here, in the privacy of this closet, there was no need to deny just how much he wanted to oblige.

Harry bent his head and his lips met Pansy's gently. His arms slipped around her, coming to a rest at the small of her back. He pulled her closer as her tongue slipped past his lips. He was soon lost in the familiar pleasure of her mouth on his.

So lost were they in the moment that neither of them noticed anything amiss until the door to the closet was thrown open.

"Well, well, well," Blaise crooned, smirking at the picture they presented, quite closely intertwined. "Already charming some snakes, are we?"

Harry and Pansy started in surprise and separated slightly, albeit a bit reluctantly.

Harry flushed red, buy grinned wryly. "Oh... hello Blaise. Pansy and I were just... saying hello."

Blaise smirked, ignoring the outraged glare that Pansy was aiming his way. "Hmm... most people don't use their tongues to say hello."

Harry raised one eyebrow. "What kind of scary-arse people have you been hanging out with lately, Zabini?"

Blaise flushed as the absurdity of his words occurred to him. "Suffering Salazar, Harry! You know what I meant!"

"Why yes... I do believe that I do," Harry said, exchanging a smirk with Pansy.

Blaise glared at him for a moment before a sly look appeared on his face. "Do I get a 'hello' as well, Harry? I missed you too, you know..." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "I'll even let you use your tongue." He pursed his lips in an exaggerated fashion.

"Why Blaise, I didn't know you swung that way," Harry said playfully. "All these years... we could have had something..."

Pansy rolled her eyes before taking a step forward and hitting Blaise none to gently on the arm. "What are you doing here, Zabini?" She muttered darkly.

Blaise laughed even as he rubbed his arm, trying to lessen the sting. "I just happened to be in the hallway when I saw you kidnap this poor, defenseless Gryffindor. I thought it my duty as a Prefect to come down here and protect him from your evil ways. I didn't, however, realize that what I was about to see would scar me for life. And I must say that it's imperative that we don't let Drake know the details." Blaise shuddered slightly.

Harry looked puzzled. "Why's that?"

Pansy laughed. "He's a little disturbed by the thought of our 'relationship.'" She looked at Harry curiously. "What have you told him about us?"

Harry shrugged. "Only that it's a bit... complicated."

Pansy laughed again. "That's it?"

"None of his business, now is it?" He nudged her gently with his elbow. "So long as we know where we stand, yes?"

Pansy nodded, winking at him suggestively.

"And where exactly is it?" Blaise asked. Harry and Pansy just looked at him. "That you stand, I mean?" Blaise continued. They raised their eyebrows at him and he sighed. "I know, I know. None of my business. But just for that, I'm giving Drake a full rundown of the events I just witnessed... and you two get to deal with the aftermath."

Harry shrugged again. "Whatever. Where is Drake, anyway?"

"Having a long, very confusing conversation with the Headmaster, I would wager. He and the Professor had a long, slightly loud conversation in the office. Then Drake left, quite theatrically, I must say... Professor Snape was in a terribly foul mood when he returned to class." Blaise pouted slightly. "He called us all dunderheads. That's an insult he usually saves for the Gryffs and the Puffs..."

"Poor baby," Harry said. "Shall we head to lunch?"

"Are you going to deign to sit with us?" Blaise asked in a breathless, amazed voice.

"Well, I see no reason why you can't join me at the Gryffindor table..." Harry winked at them, blithely ignoring their glares. "It should be fun!"

"If we were to survive," Blaise stated darkly.

"Are you less likely to survive there than I would be to survive at the Slytherin table?" Harry asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Pansy sighed slightly. "Not really."

Blaise scoffed and Pansy hit him again. "Ouch! Would you knock that off?"

"I'm right though," she insisted. "No one would bother Harry at the Slytherin table because we wouldn't let them... and we have enough rank in the hierarchy to back that up. Harry is still an unknown entity, even to his own house... But the Gryffs are so bloody honorable, that in the event we were to sit with Harry, on his invitation, they wouldn't do anything but send a few glares our way. Am I wrong?"

Blaise pouted again. "No, you're not wrong. Annoying, but not wrong."

"So are you going to join me at the Gryffindor table or not?" Harry asked.

"Not yet," Blaise said slowly.

"Let the place calm down a bit first," Pansy said. "Haven't you caused enough excitement for the week as it is?"

Harry shrugged. "It seems that I was born to shake things up." He offered her his arm. "May I escort you to the Great Hall my dear lady?"

Pansy smiled. "I'd be delighted, good sir."

Headmaster's Office

Draco had gotten lost no fewer than three times on his way to the Headmaster's office.

Damn moving staircases... And damn the moving inhabitants of the paintings that lined every wall.

And, damn it all to hell, suits of armor were supposed to stay where they'd been put!

Not to mention Peeves! That damned poltergeist was going to get taught a lesson but quick if Draco had anything to say about it!

It went without saying that by the time he reached the door to the Headmaster's office, his mood was rather... black.

He glared around the hallway and then focused his ire on the gargoyle blocking the entrance to the Headmaster's office.

"And how the effing hell do I get in there?" He muttered angrily, glaring darkly at the statue that seemed to be mocking him. "Stupid bloody..."

He stopped as the statue began to move slowly out of place, revealing the staircase beyond.

"Well, that's not in the least bit creepy," he muttered wryly, making his way slowly forward. He shrugged slightly and then made his way up the stairs. He came to the Headmasters door and knocked briskly.

"Enter Mr. Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore said pleasantly.

Draco took a deep breath, buried his feelings as best as he was able, and entered the office with a cocky grin firmly in place. "Headmaster," he said politely with a slight nod of his head.

Professor Dumbledore studied the young man before him, his eyes twinkling slightly, though whether it was amusement or concern that prompted the twinkle was anybody's guess.

"Mister Malfoy, I must say that I am greatly disturbed by what I've been hearing from Professor Snape. Such behavior and blatant disrespect can not be tolerated."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "Neither should such blatant favoritism and persecution," he said darkly. "I imagine that Professor Snape has some twisted, petty reason for disliking my brother on sight, but that doesn't give him the right to bait him, insult him, or try to embarrass him. Nor does it give him the right to intentionally destroy Harry's work just so that he can give him a zero in the class. I don't want to sound disrespectful, Headmaster, but I would suggest reining the 'good professor' in, otherwise we'll be having many more conversations along these lines... and the next thing I blow up won't be a potion!"

Professor Dumbledore sighed. Well, that certainly answered the question of whether Draco was as protective of Harry as Harry was of Draco...

"Well, there is the question of whether you'll be allowed back in Professor Snape's classroom..."

Draco smirked slightly. "Whether or not I'm in that class really has no bearing on my reaction to his treatment of my brother, Headmaster. Even if Harry won't tell me what Snape does, someone else will."

Professor Dumbledore paused. He really didn't like where this conversation was going. He also didn't like how off balance he'd been since these two young men had strutted their way into Hogwarts. And yet...

"Mister Malfoy, I do understand where your concerns are coming from and I will speak to Professor Snape... However your behavior simply cannot be tolerated. You will serve whatever detention that Professor Snape has deemed fitting for your actions. The point losses will stand. You will be allowed back into potions on probationary status. I will investigate your claims about Professor Snape's treatment of Mister Potter and will take the necessary steps to ensure that he is treated fairly. Do you have any questions?"

"No Headmaster," Draco said with a small smile. "I think that we understand each other very well."

"Now I will, of course, have to inform your father..."

Draco snorted. "Please don't bother, Headmaster. He doesn't even know that we're here yet and we'd prefer to break that news to him ourselves if you don't mind."

"He doesn't know...?" Professor Dumbledore stated, again surprised.

"Lucius has always been a bit slow on the uptake. May I go?"

Professor Dumbledore's head was spinning slightly and he very much wanted this interview to be over. "Yes, you're dismissed. I don't know if Mr. Potter has informed you, but I have requested a meeting with the two of you after dinner and he has accepted for his part. I trust that this is acceptable to you?"

Draco shrugged. "That should be fine, Headmaster. Good day."

"Good day Mister Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore said rather faintly. He watched the young man leave and then sighed, rubbing his temples tiredly. It was going to be a much harder job playing the enigmatic Headmaster with those two rapscallions running around.

Great Hall

The flurry of excited whispering prompted by Harry's arrival in the Great Hall with Pansy Parkinson on his arm had died down by the time Ron, Fred and George joined him at the Gryffindor table.

However, the resulting scowl was still firmly entrenched on Harry's face.

"I don't see what the big deal is," he griped darkly, glaring indiscriminately around the room. "And I thought Durmstrang students were prejudiced!"

He ignored the astonished looks on all of the Weasley's faces as he continued to complain.

"I mean, I understand that things have been done on both sides, but the vendetta is absolutely ridiculous! To assume that someone is evil based solely on the fact that an annoying, stupidly optimistic about its own intelligence, tattered, backwards thinking hat placed them in a certain house... When they were eleven, mind you! Eleven! It's... just... urgh!" At this point he seemed to lose his ability to coherently express his feelings on the subject. "Blasted hat!" He exclaimed darkly, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Utterly ridiculous!" He muttered. "Just... Ridiculous!"

"Don't hold back Harry," Fred said with an amused snort.

"Yeah," George added. "Tell us how you really feel."

"Or, more importantly," Fred continued, an expectant look crossing his face. "Tell us what happened in Potions?"

If possible, Harry's expression darkened further. "That vindictive, smarmy, stunted, pathetic little man!" He exclaimed crossly. "He's ridiculous too!"

"We know that, Harry," George said impatiently. "We want to know what you said to him when he started making his snarky comments!"

"I didn't say anything to Snape," Harry said coldly.

Fred and George looked horribly disappointed. "Nothing?" Fred said despondently.

"Nothing," Harry said, a small amount of amusement creeping into his voice at the dejected looks on the boy's faces. "Why should I care what he says about me? The fact that he's a Death Eater is one of the kindest things I can say about him." This brought another astonished look to the Weasley's faces. To say such a thing about Snape... yes, to think it was one thing, to whisper it another... but to blatantly state it as fact in such a public forum... Harry seemed unperturbed however... "I wasn't about to let that idiot get under my skin. Drake on the other hand... well, Drake's protective streak is just a smidge overactive at the moment, especially when dealing with... certain people."

"And what people would those be?" George asked.

"Just..." He paused, then shrugged. He'd already called the man one once. What harm would it do to say it again? "Death Eaters. Recently, there were a few, shall we say, attempts... on my life. One or two of those attempts even involved Professors. Drake doesn't trust too easily... not anymore."

There was a short, serious silence as the Weasleys took in this information. "So you really didn't say anything to Snape?" George asked, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Not really, no."

"But you should have heard what he said to Dumbledore this morning..." Ron said slyly.

The twins were suddenly very alert. Eagerly, they leaned closer to their brother. "What's that?" Fred asked.

Ron grinned. "He told him that after Lucius' snits, Snape's melodramatic posturing shouldn't be a problem."

Two sets of eyes widened alarmingly. "Merlin! What did Dumbledore say?"

"Nothing," Ron answered.

"Nothing?" The twins repeated in concert.

"Gobsmacked," Ron said simply.

"Again!?" The twins exclaimed together.

"Blimey!" Fred said, his voice awed. "Impossible! Potter, you have to let us in on your secret!"

"Yeah," George continued. "How do you manage it?"

Harry snorted. "Well, let's see...According to Drake, I have an appalling lack of common sense, no sense of self-preservation... and a death wish," Harry stated dryly. "Not to mention complete irreverence for authority."

"Well, that won't work for you two," Ron said dryly.

"Why not?" Fred exclaimed indignantly, George nodding along in agreement. "We're irreverent!"

"I've only got one word for you boys... Mum."

The twins paled as one. "Yeah, we'd never get away with it," Fred agreed.

"Not a chance," George added with a sigh.

The rest of the day passed without incident and after dinner Draco and Harry found themselves in the hall leading to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"So...?" Harry said slowly.

"So?"

"How'd it go with Snape?"

"Ah," Drake said with a grin. "The Potions Master is firmly convinced of my wickedness and your exalted Gryffindoresque purity and goodness. It was fun."

"To yell at a professor?"

Draco nodded. "The 'Old Coot' let me off with a warning and said he'd convince Snape to let me continue my Potions lessons. I have to serve detention... but it's worth it."

They came to a stop in front of the gargoyle protecting the entrance and Harry looked over at his brother questioningly. "How do we get in?"

Draco shrugged. "Don't really know. It just opened when I got here this morning."

"That is because I was inside... and expecting you," Professor Dumbledore said from behind them. "Like many things in this castle, all that the gargoyle requires is the right password. Such as... Cockroach Cluster." The Gargoyle swung back, revealing the stairway to his office. "After you."

The two boys looked at each other and then made their way up the stairs to the Headmaster's office.

They were both rather shocked to find Sirius Black and Remus Lupin waiting for them. Harry's face darkened and he shot a betrayed look towards the Headmaster.

"Feeling a bit blindsided here, Harry?" Draco asked, glaring around the room. "I know I am."

"Indeed," Harry said angrily. "If Mister Black and Mister Lupin wanted to meet with me, they should have asked... and it would have been nice if we had been informed of their presence prior to our arrival here."

Sirius and Remus both winced, instantly regretting the surprise tactic. It was clearly not going to help them get to know Harry.

"We all knew your parents quite well," Professor Dumbledore said slowly, his tone placating. "But..." He paused, almost at a loss for words. Harry Potter was a bit of an enigma and he found himself completely unable to predict how the boy would react to things. "We just wanted to... get to know you a bit."

Harry exchanged an amused glance with Draco, knowing exactly what information they were fishing for.

"In other words," Draco said wryly. "You want to see what won... nature or nurture... right?"

They could almost feel the tension in the room go up a notch.

Harry sneered, causing Sirius to back up a step at seeing such a Malfoyish expression on his Godson's face. "You honestly thought that... what? You could surprise me into revealing something? Or just that I stand here all meek and cowed and answer all your questions?"

"Harry..."Remus said gently, his voice placating.

"No," Harry said. "You should have just asked me to meet with you. I don't enjoy being blindsided or manipulated."

"Harry, your parents were our best friends," Sirius said, trying to keep his voice calm. "We loved them and you. We've hated the fact that we haven't been able to see you all these years. That I wasn't able to raise you in the way that they would have expected... But we can change that now. I've already started taking steps to have your custody transferred from Lucius to me..."

"Wait!" Harry said. "Just like that? You don't even ask? You just traipse into my life after 14 years and expect me to change everything for you?"

"You want to stay with Lucius?" Remus asked in disbelief.

"Maybe I do," Harry said, glowering darkly at them. "Not that it's any business of yours."

"Why are you acting this way?" Sirius asked. "Your parent's..."

"Just stop," Harry said darkly. "This is not going to happen right now. I refuse to sit here and have my life dictated to me by anyone. You were my parent's choice as guardian? Well bully for you! But you seem to forget that I don't even know you!" He turned his attention to Draco. "I'll meet you you-know-where in 30 minutes," he said. Draco nodded and Harry turned, practically running from the room.

"Well you all really effed that up," Draco said wryly. "Want some advice? Don't treat him like a kid to be guided or controlled. Both of us outgrew that a long time ago. Harry is who he is, and he's not going to change just because two people who died before he could even form memories of them 'wouldn't have wanted him to act that way'."

Sirius paled slightly, both angered and sickened at hearing Lily and James referred to in such a manner... especially because the brat was right. Harry was almost a man. His ideas weren't going to be changed by a scolding and guilt trips. Nor was he going to allow himself to be controlled. Heck, Sirius hadn't allowed himself to be controlled at that age. Why would he expect Harry to be any different?

"I'm going to go now," Draco said. "And don't take what Harry said too much to heart. He's always wanted to know about his parents and he never thought that you were guilty," he nodded towards Sirius. "Besides... why else do you think that we're here? Now?" Draco shook his head slightly and left the room quickly, not wanting to know what anyone had to say in answer to that.

Draco had never imagined that walking around Hogwarts at night and alone would be quite so creepy. Especially considering the fact that seeing ghosts wasn't exactly an unusual occurrence in the Wizarding World.

But there was something else out and about on this night. He had no idea what it could be... or really, how he knew there was something out there...

It was just a feeling; the hair rising on the back of his neck... like someone was watching him.

"Moron," he muttered, in reference to himself. "Jumping at shadows... lucky Harry isn't here to see this..."

He glanced nervously over his shoulder as he reached the top of the flight of stairs and started walking quickly down the hall.

The suits of armor that lined both walls shuddered, filling the area with the sound of rattling metal. An unearthly cry was added to the chorus, causing a shudder of dread to race down his spine.

A phantom breeze ruffling Draco's cloak was the final straw. He hurried forward, anxious for the relative safety of the Room of Requirements.

He had almost reached the door when the halberds from two suits of armor, one on either side of the hallway, fell, blocking his path... and almost cleaving him in two.

He shrieked, quite unashamedly, like a little girl.

And stiffened as the sound of laughter surrounded him.

Draco's eyes narrowed. He'd know that laugh anywhere... "All right, Harry! I know that you're here... somewhere..." He glared around the hallway menacingly. "What the hell is going on!?"

He jumped slightly in surprise as Harry's head appeared not two feet from him.

His head... and nothing else.

"Harry?"

There was the soft sound of swishing fabric as Harry removed his cloak in one fluid motion.

"Merlin..." Draco exclaimed softly, his voice slightly awed. "Is that what I think it is?"

Harry grinned. "Yup, an invisibility cloak. Cool, eh?"

"Yeah," Draco said faintly. "Where'd you get it?"

"It was my father's," Harry said, his expression becoming slightly more serious. "Dumbledore sent it to me last night."

Draco scowled darkly, suddenly remembering just what Harry had just done to him. No amount of interest over a cloak was going to distract him for long... No matter how rare the damn thing happened to be. "And your first impulse upon receiving this cloak was to scare the crap out of me?"

"Well...yeah. O' course," Harry said with a smirk.

Draco's eyes narrowed and he sneered at Harry. "You're an effing dickwad, you know that Potter?" He said evenly.

Harry tsked playfully. "Why Drake! Whatever would your father say if he heard you use such language?"

Draco snorted. "Probably the same thing he said when I called him an effing dickwad. That he never should have allowed us to meet with Mother's 'Bloody American relations'."

Harry snorted. "Like Great Grandmother Black wouldn't have slapped you silly for using 'such language'."

Draco laughed. "That she would have."

They were silent for a moment, and then Harry shook his head ruefully. "He was actually deluded enough to say that he let us meet the American Blacks?"

Draco rolled his eyes at this. "Well, you know father. Completely unable to admit that he hasn't had any control over either one of us since we were about five. To him, the fact that we met the American Blacks without his knowledge, decided to travel back to the Americas with them and had actually been in the Americas for, oh, about a week before he even realized we were gone... well all those things are beside the point... He, of course, allowed it to happen..."

"Because he's a bumbling idiot?"

Draco nodded. "Exactly... and none of that changes the fact that you're an effing dickwad."

"Why thank you," Harry said brightly. "But seriously Drake, so sensitive... It was just a little joke. Where's your sense of humor?"

Draco snorted. "Are you or are you not the same wanker that tackled me because I said you weren't pretty?"

"That's different," Harry said with an exaggerated sniff.

"Different?" Draco questioned doubtfully.

"Yes," Harry said, his tone wounded. "That was an intentionally hurtful comment... Not to mention a vicious lie!"