After a rather interesting History of Magic class, Harry was pacing in their dorm and seeming lost in his thoughts. Draco wasn't sure if he should say anything or not. It wasn't often he saw Harry like this. "A monster." It was the first time he had spoken in near twenty minutes, and had Draco's attention snapping to him. "A monster is what's causing this- How can it be a monster if no one's seen it."

"That's a good question..." Draco tapped his foot. "No chance it has its own invisibility cloak, then?"

"I doubt it... Maybe it's a creature that can go invisible?" Harry was looking even more frustrated. "Hagrid. We should talk to Hagrid- He knows all about creatures like this. Remember Fluffy?"

"You're right." Draco opened his mouth before his eyes widened. "Hagrid. Rubeus Hagrid- Harry, we have to go talk to him! See if he knows anything!"

"Then what are we waiting for?" Harry was already running towards the door with a grin. "Let's go!"

Draco ran alongside him, the two only running past Professor Sprout as she tried to tell them off for running in the halls. It didn't take them too long to get outside the castle, the cold fall weather tearing through their robes and making them both shiver as the tumbled down the hills to reach Hagrid's hut. Harry was the first to knock, as loudly as he could. "Hagrid! Hagrid, are you in there?!" Draco called through the door, trying to get the man's attention.

"I'm comin', I'm comin'!" Hagrid pulled the door open, looking rather startled. "I was wonderin' when you two were gonna come see me, but I didn't think you'd be this torn up about it."

"You were here. At Hogwarts. The last time the Chamber opened." Draco was staring up at him with wide eyes. It was a moment before Hagrid went very pale, covertly looking around.

"How did you know that- Who told you that?"

"Your age. All this happened fifty years ago. We need you to tell us everything you remember." It was a long moment before Hagrid was sighing and opening the door more, gesturing for them to come in. Draco nodded and entered the hut, unable to sit still. Harry wasn't much better, pacing back and forth in front of the chair they usually sat in.

"Not really supposed to talk about it," Hagrid nervously moved around the kitchen, looking to be starting on a pot of tea. "How you two even found out about the last time..."

"Have you not heard? It's happening, again." That had Hagrid fumbling with the kettle and near dropping it on the floor, Fang whining from under the table.

"I heard rumors- Thought it might just be some Halloween prank." Hagrid bustled around the kitchen, looking more and more distressed by the moment.

Draco shook his head sharply. "This is no prank." He glanced to Harry before sighing. "What do you know about Tom Riddle?" That had Harry frowning over at Draco, Hagrid only staring at Draco with wide, wide eyes.

"How do you know about him. He was before your time- Before your Da's time, even."

"That's not what's important. What do you know about him?" It was a long while before Hagrid set the tea things down and braced his hands against the table, a stony expression on his face.

"Tom Riddle was the reason I was expelled from Hogwarts in me third year. Thought I was the one behind the attacks, back when it first happened. Rubbish, but no one would hear me out over 'im. Not a soul 'cept Dumbledore, of course. Great man, Dumbledore."

"Didn't he catch you in the act of releasing a beast onto the school?" Oh, okay. That was the first time Draco had ever seen Hagrid look angry. It... It was a bit unnerving, actually.

"Aragog never hurt no one, no matter what they said! Hatched 'im and raised 'im meself, not one bit of trouble. And I wasn't releasin' him, I was trying to keep him from escapin'. He was afraid of whatever was really in the castle."

"What is Aragog? What's really in the castle? Whatever it was, it's still there!" Draco frowned, taking a step closer to Hagrid. "This Aragog may not have attacked anyone, but there is something that has!"

"I don't know what's in the castle, Aragog never told me. They never speak it's name, he said once, but whatever it is is mighty old by this point. Mighty old, and mighty deadly." Sighing, Hagrid heavily sat down in one of the kitchen chairs, patting at Fang when he sat up for attention. "Aragog is an acromantula."

"...Acromantula. Good. Good, we can work with that." Draco sighed as well, flopping into the chair and giving a weak smile. "Don't suppose we can get a cup?"

"That, I think, I can do." While Hagrid made them all a cup, Draco glanced to Harry as the boy fell into his lap.

"So, um... What's an acromantula, exactly? And who's Tom Riddle?"

"Long story. Also, think giant spiders." While Harry raised an eyebrow, Hagrid gave a scoff from where he was carrying over two mugs for them.

"They're much more than just 'giant spiders', Draco. In fact, I should tell you two a bit about them! Make sure you know just how sweet Aragog and his family are."

Draco sighed dramatically. "Can't you tell us when we take Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Well then I wouldn't be the one tellin' ya," Hagrid shook his head, ruffling Draco's hair as he headed back to the kitchen. "You say the strangest things sometimes, Draco."

::

"But why can't-"

"Because one, their family history doesn't go back that far, and two, it doesn't make sense! Rule it out!"

"I see you two are making progress," Draco said, raising an eyebrow from where he'd came up behind Hermione and Blaise in the library. Judging by the way they were glaring, they were getting along marvelously.

"Slowly, since Granger insists on checking every single family tree-"

"It's best to eliminate all possibilities." Hermione adjusted her books primly, looking to Draco with a smile. "What are you doing here, Draco?"

"Just came to check on you two, make sure there are no bodies to dispose of," he teased gently, looking over their work. They definitely did amazing things when working together. They were working back through the years, starting with the seventh years. Smart, certainly.

"There might be," Blaise muttered quietly. "By the way, Pansy wanted me to pass on a message. She misses spending time with you and Potter. Something about new outfits, too."

Draco blinked before smiling softly and nodding. "I'll be sure to remember. Thank you, Blaise."

"Like I said last year, you're stuck with us no matter what. Gryffindor or not." Blaise gave a smirk back. "'Sides, not all of you are bed. Granger's certainly interesting when it comes to research binges."

"I knew you two would get along." Draco gave them a nod and turned. "I've got practice to get to. Wood is running us into the ground, for the big game, tomorrow."

"I've heard. The twins were too tired to even torment Ron the other night," Hermione laughed, setting another book aside from her pile. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I will be," he said with a nod. Draco hesitated before he gave Hermione a half-hug, an arm around her shoulders. Although Hermione gave a startled blink, she quickly grinned back up at him.

"We'll be sure to be at the game tomorrow. Right, Blaise?" Draco shot Blaise a grin as he stood up again.

"I would hope so, as it's a game against Slytherin," Draco said.

"Don't be so eager to be beaten into the ground," Blaise grinned back. "We all know Slytherin is gonna win the Cup this year, just like every year before it."

"Acting cocky? Maybe you were put in the wrong house," Draco smirked, turning and strutting away. "See the two of you tomorrow!"

He couldn't believe it was already November. It felt as if they had just arrived at the school... Had school always passed by this quickly? It felt like it hadn't, yet who knew- "Ow! Hey watch- Oh, Draco." Harry blinked from where he was now on the ground, Quidditch robes already on. "We're late, you know."

"Harry, sorry. I was lost in thought. I was checking on Blaise and Hermione, seeing how the family trees are coming." Helping the child up, Harry gave a smile as he brushed himself off.

"No problem. Any news so far?"

"Not much. They're eliminating a couple, though."

"Out of a school with hundreds," Harry pointed out, pulling Draco along through the halls. "Come on, we need to get down to the pitch. Wood's going on as if he's lost it."

"Alright, alright. Can't wait to watch Flint eat his words." It would feel especially good to beat him into the ground after everything the teen had said on their first Quidditch practice. "Well? Let's go, then!"

As they made their ways through the halls, Draco vaguely noticed they passed the message on the wall. It was still as bold as ever, and Draco was uneasy on just what it was really written in. "Hey, Draco..." Harry had slowed, looking nervous.

"Hey what," Draco said, slowing down to look over at Harry curiously. He avoided looking at the wall as much as possible. Harry opened his mouth before closing it and biting his lip.

"I... I, um..."

Draco frowned, slipping his hand into Harry's. "Harry, what is it?"

"It's... It's nothing," Harry shook his head, trying to give a weak smile. "Just worried over something that doesn't really matter. C'mon. Quidditch, remember?"

"Harry. It's upsetting you, so it obviously matters." Draco squeezed his hand. "What's wrong?"

"I..." Harry shook his head again, looking more sure about it. "No, I was just tired and worried about you. Nothing else. Same with that night in Lockhart's office."

"What about that night in Lockhart's office?" Draco tilted his head, tugging Harry along. "Did something happen?"

"Yes- No- I think I just imagined something happening, is all. I swear it's probably nothing to worry about." Yet it was, apparently, something that had happened twice.

"Harry, I said that same thing that night we had detention. I don't think we can take any chances."

"I heard a voice saying it wanted to kill."

Draco blinked, eyes wide. "Oh. What...did the voice sound like?"

"Deep...kind of raspy. Like a hiss, almost? Like I said, I must have imagined it because no one else heard it. Lockhart didn't hear it, and neither did Ron or Hermione."

"They were both there when you heard it?" Draco frowned, crossing his arms. "Give me some time to prove it wasn't in your head."

"And if it was?" Harry gave a rather depreciating smile, looking worn. "It wouldn't exactly surprise me if I turned out to be crazy, Draco."

Draco scoffed, shaking his head. "Harry, you haven't got enough imagination to imagine another voice aside from your own internal voice. It seems you have enough trouble focusing on the one."

"Ha ha," Harry rolled his eyes, still looking nervous as his hand tightened on Draco's. "You... You really think I heard something?"

"I wouldn't say it's out of the question. Come on. We have Quidditch practice. Wood's probably pulling his hair out." Hearing a voice, huh... As much as he had tormented Potter back in the day, Harry was perfect sane. There had to have been something behind this.

::

"First game of the year," Harry muttered, pacing in front of the bench in front of Draco, looking high strung and nervous. "First game. Everyone's counting on us, huh? Gryffindor vs Slytherin. School rivalry at it's finest-"

"Looks like our Seeker broke."

"How are we going to find a new one in time?"

"Well..."

"A new one that can keep up with this one's moves."

"You do realize you have a reserve Seeker," Draco said, shooting them a nasty glare. "One that won't be needed." Draco kneeled in front of Harry, giving him a smile. He couldn't even remember how this match played out, who won... It was all so long ago. "Will it help if I tell you Gryffindor wins?"

Harry paused at that, looking at Draco from where he had collapsed on the bench in a fit of spectacular nerves. "I... It definitely wouldn't hurt." Even if Draco didn't remember, the result was always the same. Gryffindor near always won with Harry playing.

"Yep. And, as per the usual, you catch the Snitch." Draco smiled at him softly. "Don't get so worked up. It's just another game."

"Easy for you to say," Harry grumbled, lowering his voice even though everyone else seemed distracted by other things. "You, at least, know how this all turns out. That and... I guess I'm still worried about what Hagrid told us."

"You're not the only one, if it helps any. Just set it aside for right now. Right now, Quidditch is more important." Nodding, Harry took a breath, Draco knowing he was better by the set of his shoulders alone.

"Right. Can't let Wood down, can we? Not when he's still in charge of practices."

"Right. So let's go show those Slytherins who they're up against."

Not even an hour later... "Harry! Harry, are you alright? How's your arm?" Draco fell on his knees beside Harry when the younger near crash landed. The game had started off exactly like any other of their games, Wood panicking, the other's laughing, and Harry giving a shy little 'wish me luck'. And then it had all gone to hell when a rogue bludger had gone after Harry and knocked him out of the air.

"Not good," Harry had his teeth tightly clenched, his right arm looking like it was cleanly broken in two. Draco helped Harry to his feet, wincing.

"Come on, let's get you to Madam Pomfrey. Ugh, damn that Flint!"

"Out of the way, out of the way, teacher coming through! Just you wait, boys, I'll have Mr. Potter here fixed up in a jiffy." At the voice, Draco noticed Harry groaned as loudly as he did.

"Thanks but no thanks. We're going to a certified healer, which you are not." And... This had happened last time, hadn't it? Draco just barely remembered something about Potter and Lockhart and that stupid bludger.

"Pish posh, I've healed much worse, as you've seen in my books." Grinning, Lockhart pushed up his sleeves and brandished his wand. "Now, hold him still, Mr. Malfoy."

"No." Draco put himself between Harry's arm and Lockhart's wand, bracing himself for the magic. Unfortunately, the universe seemed to have it out for Harry Potter, since there was a sharp hiss from the boy before gasps sounded from the crowd watching.

"Ah, yes, well... That can happen, sometimes." Draco glared viciously at Lockhart.

"My father will hear about this. I'll have you sacked!"

"Draco." Harry's voice was quiet, just barely heard over all the ruckus that was going on. "Hospital wing. Now." Draco glanced to him, quickly nodding.

"Ron, help me out, here." Moving quickly, Ron was helping support Harry from the other side, wincing at the damage.

"Just- Just don't look down, mate." In response, Harry tightly closed his eyes and looked away.

"There we go, Harry. Come on, then, Pomfrey will fix you up."

::

Draco paced in his dorm, ready to hex anyone who came in that door the wrong way. He couldn't believe- Damn that Marcus Flint to hell and back! They can't keep getting away with this! They just can't!

We won't let them.

Draco blinked, and he was...outside. The cold November wind whistled through his hair, and his robes flapped slightly. Draco could hear the crashing of waves, indicating he was near the lake. How was he outside? He'd just been in the dorm- Oh no. Draco turned and stared with wide eyes. There stood Marcus Flint, frozen like a statue. But... That wasn't right. He was never petrified! Flint had never been- No one had been petrified outside by the lake!

And why was he here? He- He hadn't somehow caused this, had he? There was no way... There just couldn't- Hitting the ground as he tried to back away, Draco stared up at Flint with wide eyes, staring at the confused expression that looked as if it was giving way to terror. Draco scrambled to his feet, running for Hagrid's hut, as it was nearest. "Hagrid! Hagrid, help, please!" Draco was banging on the door, shaking and trembling.

The door was opening near at once, Hagrid standing there with that strange pink umbrella in his hand as he looked around with wild eyes, "Draco? What's wrong? What happened?"

"At the lake- Flint- I don't know what happened-" It all came out a jumbled mess, Draco staring up at him. He- He somehow caused this, he was sure of it. Why else would he be out at the lake?

Hagrid frowned, looking towards the lake before pushing Draco inside. "Stay here. Where's Harry? He still in the hospital wing?"

Draco nodded swiftly. "I was in the dorm, and then-" He felt himself gently steered and pushed into a chair, Hagrid whistling for Fang as he stomped back outside and shut the door, voice carrying through.

"Don't you move from that spot until I get back!" Draco curled up tightly in the seat, staring down at his hands.

What had he done?