Readers Choice: Becoming the Dark Prince

by Kurinoone

Oneshots dedicated the childhood of Harry, showing how he grew up to become the Dark Prince. Based on the DP Trilogy.

4. Best Friends

Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to J K Rowling.

Tacos-bishh's request - Harry meets Draco for the first time - some moments between Harry&Draco that made them the best friends they are. I'd like to see the kinds of things they got up to when they were younger.

Kgillcash's request - One thing in particular I would really love to read about it, one of those
things that EVERY parent must dread... "Where do babies come from?"

Bre2734's request - Harry first sees a Death Eater gets tortured/killed

Dedicated to Tacos-bishh, Kgillcash and Bre2734. Hope you like it!

Best Friends

Harry was not complaining. No, he would never complain, not to his father, not to Bella, not even to Lucius. But his unspoken distress didn't go unnoticed, for Harry was suffering from the worst infliction of all time; boredom.

Now at the age of six, Harry had been living with his new father for two years. In that time, he had found there wasn't much to do when his father was busy, especially when Bella and Lucius were called away to the 'meetings' his father had. Gradually, Harry was being left on his own for longer periods, more frequently than before and while Harry never complained, his dejected mood was plain to see.

It was perhaps for this reason alone, that Lord Voldemort allowed Lucius Malfoy to bring his young son into Riddle manor for the first time, in an effort to alleviate some of Harry's boredom.

Lucius Malfoy was besides himself with joy. He spent days, drilling rules into Draco's head, training him in the proper etiquette in which to greet the Dark Lord's heir. An aristocrat such as Lucius Malfoy, knew where to invest his time and loyalty, to reap the richest rewards. If his son could befriend the Dark Lord's heir, the Malfoys would become untouchable, so to speak.

Finally, came the day on a sunny Friday afternoon, when Harry met Draco Malfoy.

Life for both boys was never quite the same again.

Why Can't We Be Friends?

It was exceedingly dull, Harry admitted, to play exploding snap by yourself. At first it was not so bad. Then the novelty of the wizarding card game wore off, leaving Harry lazily slapping card after card onto the pile, not even reacting when a pair was matched and the deck gave off small explosions.

"Harry?"

The six year old turned at the sound of his name. He had recognised Lucius' drawl but was still startled in surprise. He knew there were to be no Death Eaters on the grounds of Riddle manor today, so he had been sitting outside in the sun, without his mask. He turned around with a frown, lips parting to express his annoyance of being startled like that but his voice didn't quite make it out.

Lucius hadn't come alone.

Harry stood up, brushing grass off his robes, emerald eyes fixed on the small blond boy, with a pale, pointed face and sharp grey eyes. The boy stood next to Lucius Malfoy, a perfect miniature version. Lucius immediately bowed before Harry.

"I would like to introduce my son, Draco Malfoy." Lucius pushed the boy forward a step.

Draco met Harry's eyes, then suddenly bowed before him, lifting his head only after a full minute.

"It's a great honour to meet you." Draco said, but his words were stiff and had the scent of insincerity.

Harry didn't say anything in return.

"I'll let you boys talk," Lucius beamed, sending Draco an encouraging look, "I have some business with Bellatrix. I will return shortly."

He left, head held high with the Malfoy smirk spread wide on his face. Draco watched his father leave. Only when the aristocrat wizard had disappeared in the distance, did the six year old turn back around.

Harry saw the change in expression at once. The boy's grey eyes narrowed as he observed Harry, scanning him from head to foot, lips lifted in a sneer and his whole demeanour relaxed.

"So, you're the Dark Lord's son?" he asked.

Harry nodded slowly, regarding the other boy silently. Draco's sneer deepened.

"You're not how I imagined." he said airily.

"Oh?" Harry replied, "why's that?"

"I don't know," Draco's eyes scanned him from head to foot, "I thought you'd be taller."

Harry felt a stab of annoyance.

"I'm the same height as you." he retorted.

"Yes, but I'm six!" Draco proudly stated.

"I'm six too." Harry replied.

Draco ignored him. He walked around Harry with slow steps, studying him. Harry was starting to get irritated.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing," Draco stood, hands clasped behind him, resembling Lucius' usual stance. "I was looking for the mark."

"Mark?" Harry frowned.

"Lord Voldemort's son would have a mark, like father does on his arm." his gaze rested on Harry's exposed arms, gazing from left to right, "you don't have the mark?"

"Father says, I don't need it."

Draco looked affronted, like he had never heard anything more blasphemous.

"Don't need it?" he asked, "of course you need it!"

"I don't." Harry stated proudly.

Grey eyes narrowed.

"Where's your mother?" he asked.

"Don't have one."

"Everyone has a mother."

"I don't."

Draco pursed his lips.

"You're lying."

"Am not!" Harry defended. No one had called him a liar, not in two years now.

"Yes, you are," Draco said, "everyone has a mother. You have a father and a mother."

"I only need a father," Harry replied hotly, "and I have one."

Draco stopped. He gazed at Harry, his brow furrowed in thought.

"You don't look like the Dark Lord." he mused.

"How do you know?" Harry asked, "have you even met my father?"

"No," Draco replied, "but I've seen his pictures." he studied Harry again with a tilted head, "you don't look like him at all."

"So?" Harry asked.

"You have to look like your father," Draco said, like it was the number one rule, "I look like my father, Nott looks like his father, Pansy looks like her mother," he rattled off on his fingers, "but you? You don't look like the Dark Lord." he sneered at him, "you don't even have red eyes." he scoffed. "I don't think you're his son. You're lying!"

A spike of red hot fury travelled down Harry's body. His little hands curled into fists.

"Shut up!" he spat.

"You are, aren't you?" Draco asked, smirking, "just like you're lying that you don't have a mother. You're a liar. Lord Voldemort's not your father."

"I said, shut up!"

Harry went for him, so angry he saw red. His hands curled around the Draco's neck, pushing him down. Draco fell back with a yelp, falling to the grass, Harry on top of him. Harry surprised the other boy, and even himself, when he pulled back his hand and struck Draco across the face with his fist.

"OW!" Draco howled, both hands flew to his nose in pain.

Harry was shocked. He never knew he had it in him to strike another like that. So far, he had only been on the receiving end of such brutality. But before he could do anything, Draco's hands left his own face and buried themselves into Harry's hair.

"Ah!" Harry cried as Draco pulled and before he knew it, he was pinned under Draco.

Draco followed Harry's example and struck him with clenched fists, blow after blow, across Harry's cheek, his mouth and even his nose.

Harry managed, after several attempts, to grab Draco's flailing hands and he pushed with all his might, successfully throwing him off. Harry scrambled to get on top of Draco again and this time, there was no regret as he threw punch after slap, at any place he could. Draco shrieked and cried, shielding himself best he could with his arms.

Draco's hand caught Harry' chin and he was knocked off again. Draco leapt on top of Harry, giving back as good as he took. His punches and slaps rained down on Harry.

"DRACO! NO! GET OFF HIM!"

Draco was pulled clean off Harry by his shocked and completely horrified father.

"Lemme go! Lemme go!" Draco thrashed in Lucius' arms, face tinged pink and hair dishevelled. His face twisted into a snarl as he tried to kick out at Harry.

Harry scrambled to his feet and leapt at Draco, but was pulled back by Bella.

"Let me go!" Harry yelled, "I'm gonna pummel him into next week!"

"I'm going to turn you into fish food!" Draco spluttered, still trying to get free.

"Draco! Hold your tongue!" Bella snapped with a struggling Harry in her arms, "or I'll personally remove it!"

Draco fell still, eyes impossibly wide and quickly filling with tears.

"Aunt Bella?"

But Bella was glaring at him, at her only nephew. Draco looked from her to the boy in her arms. He snarled at him.

"I'll get you, you little liar!" he threatened.

"I'm not a liar!" Harry screamed.

"Take him away, Lucius." Bella hissed.

Lucius and Bella left in opposite directions, each carrying a spluttering, enraged six year old in their arms.

xxx

It was almost an hour later, when Lucius came knocking at Harry's door. Bella was with Harry, having checked over him thoroughly for injuries but not finding any. It seems Draco's novice physical attack had failed to leave any marks.

Harry looked up at the knock to see a subdued looking Lucius. Next to him was the even more subdued looking Draco. Harry frowned at him.

"May we come in?" Lucius asked.

Harry nodded.

Lucius walked in with Draco in tow. He bowed before Harry and then straightened up. Begrudgingly, Draco did the same.

"Draco has something to say to you." Lucius pushed Draco forward.

The blond six year old stepped up to Harry. His grey-eyed gaze flickered to his aunt Bella, but at the sight of her angered expression, he quickly looked back at Harry. He cleared his throat.

"I-I've come to...to ask for your...um," with a frown, he turned back to look at his father. Lucius mouthed the next word and Draco turned back around, "your forgiveness. I shouldn't have hit you. I'm sorry."

The words were rehearsed and insincere. Harry could see it in the other boy's eyes, how angry he still was.

"Now leave," Bella was the one to speak, hissing her words to Draco, "be sure to come back, once the Dark Lord summons you."

Draco looked up at her through his lashes and nodded.

"Have a real good think about what you did, Draco," Bella continued, disappointment thick in her voice, "you will be punished most severely for your transgression."

Draco frowned. He looked like he didn't understand. Neither did Harry for that matter. At seeing their twin expressions, Bella explained to Draco, "you did something very, very wrong. For that, the Dark Lord will punish you."

Evidently, that Draco did understand. His eyes widened, mouth quivered and he looked back at his father. But Lucius remained stony faced, refusing to even look at him. Draco turned back to his aunt.

"I...I said, I'm sorry." he meekly offered.

"You raised your hand at our young master!" Bella spit the words out, "did you really think you would get to keep that hand?"

Draco paled horribly. He lifted a finger at Harry.

"But he started-"

"Shut up!" Lucius suddenly snarled from behind him, "you will not speak, not another word!"

Draco nodded and obediently fell quiet..

Harry watched as Lucius, tight lipped and pale, walked over and grabbed Draco by the shoulders, to steer him towards the door. Harry watched, his gaze rested on Draco, bowed head, tearful with quivering lips and drooped shoulders. A vast difference to when he saw him outside, standing tall and proud next to his father.

"Lucius, wait." Harry called.

Both Malfoys stopped, turning around, frowning at Harry. Bella watched with surprise as Harry got up and walked over to them. Harry didn't look at Lucius, he kept his eyes fixed on Draco, who was looking at him with dread now.

Without saying a word, Harry pulled back his hand and whacked Draco, one last time across the cheek. Lucius and Bella watched, wide eyed, as Draco turned back to look at Harry, a whimper already starting to escape him.

"There," Harry said, "now we're even." he looked up at Lucius, "there's no need to tell father."

Lucius' lips parted in surprise, eyebrows raised.

"But...but the Dark Lord-"

"I settled it," Harry interrupted, "besides, it's my fight," he looked Draco right in the eye, "I'll tell father if I want to," he looked back at Lucius, "so you don't have to say anything," he twisted around to look at the equally stunned looking woman, "you too, Bella."

When he turned back to face Draco, he saw the confusion and relief on him. Draco didn't say anything, but simply sniffed back his tears. When Lucius bowed once more in front of Harry, Draco was quick to follow.

"Thank you, Harry." Lucius uttered quietly and turned, leading Draco out.

Draco cast one last look at Harry, before his father steered him firmly out of the room.

xxx

A week passed before Harry saw Draco again. The blond six year old arrived early on a Friday morning, this time on his own. He knocked at the door, startling Harry out of his daydream. Slowly, Harry got off his sofa and stood up, arms crossed and expression steeled.

Draco stayed at the door, fidgeting nervously with the square parcel in his hand.

"Can I come in?" he asked at last.

Harry regarded him silently, before nodding once.

Draco walked inside, closing the door behind him. They stood in silence, each just staring at the other.

"Father said I should come," Draco started, "he thinks I should try and make peace."

"Does he?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded.

"So does mother, actually," Draco added, "this was her idea." he lifted up the square parcel.

Harry's interest peaked, despite himself. He walked a little closer.

"What is it?"

Draco shrugged.

"She said it was a peace offering," he looked back at Harry, "whatever that is."

"Do you wanna open it?" Harry asked, curious as to what a 'peace offering' could be.

Draco hesitated, before slowly extending his hand, holding out the gift.

"You open it," he said, "it's for you."

Harry looked at it, unsure for a moment. Then, with one hand, he reached forward and took the package from him. It was surprisingly heavy. Walking back to the sofa, Harry sat down and placed the parcel on top of the table. Draco came and sat down across from him, staring curiously at the parcel too. With careful fingers, Harry slit the paper open and pulled out a square wooden box. It rattled in Harry's hands. He set the rich mahogany wooden box back onto the table and lifted the lid, peering inside. With knitted brow, Harry pulled out a thick square cardboard, folded perfectly in half. He pulled out a handful of strange looking black and white ornaments.

"I know what that is," Draco breathed, "it's a chess set."

Harry looked up at him.

"A chess set?" he asked, "what do you do with it?"

"You play it, of course," Draco replied. He took the folded cardboard from Harry's hand and opened it, revealing a checked pattern of black and white squares. Harry stared at it, counting the squares. Sixty four, thirty two black and thirty two white. Draco set it down, between Harry and himself. Harry fetched every last piece of the black and white ornaments out of the box, while Draco set them up, frowning at each piece. Harry could tell, despite his actions, Draco didn't know where everything was supposed to go.

"Assume your positions." Draco said.

Harry watched, amazed, as the little pieces began jumping across the board, settling themselves in two rows on either side of the board.

"Do you know how to play?" Harry asked.

"Of course," Draco replied, "I watch father play all the time."

"Lucius plays?" Harry asked, finding the very idea somehow ludicrous.

"It's a grown-up game," Draco answered, "and since I am now six, I am perfectly able to play wizarding chess." he looked at Harry and then added a quick, "you too, of course."

Harry looked down at the board.

"What do we do?"

"We tell them where to go." Draco gestured to the pawns.

"How?" Harry asked.

"Like this," Draco leaned down and cleared his throat, "E2 to E3."

Before Harry's eyes, a white piece slid across the board.

"Cool!" Harry's eyes gleamed, "my turn," he glanced around the board, "B2 to B3."

The black piece moved along one square.

"Not bad," Draco grinned, "D2 to D3."

Of course, the boys didn't know that what they were doing was merely moving the pawns across the board, not actually playing chess. But it was enough to entertain them. When the first casualty of the game happened, both boys leapt up with excitement. Harry didn't even care that it was his pawn that was knocked clean off the board.

"Awesome!" he laughed.

"Try and get one of mine." Draco grinned.

Harry did just that and both had to leap back as the white pawn went flying off the board and across the room.

"I'll get it!" Draco ran across the room, picked up the piece from the lush carpet and jumped back in his seat. "Alright, my turn!" he rubbed his hands in glee.

Harry watched him, an uneasy feeling clawed it's way up from his stomach into his throat. He swallowed heavily and dropped his gaze to the table.

"Draco?"

"Yeah?"

A pause before,

"You were right," Draco looked up from the board, brow knitted. Harry glanced up at him, "about me not being Lord Voldemort's son?" he nodded, "you were right, I'm not his real son."

Draco didn't say anything, but his eyes widened, eyebrows raised. Harry preferred to stare at the table.

"My-my mum and dad," he licked his lips, heart thudding at the mere mention of them, "they didn't want me. They...they hated me."

"Why?" Draco asked, quietly.

Harry shrugged.

"Don't know, they just did," he picked at the corner of the table, his fingernail chipping at the wood, "they used to tell me to leave all the time." Harry looked up, "so one day, I did."

Draco looked confused, but he nodded anyway.

"That's when I met Nagini and she brought me to Lord Voldemort." Harry continued.

At the mention of the snake, Draco's eyes widened impossibly and he let out a gasp.

"Nagini! The Dark Lord's serpent, Nagini?"

Harry nodded.

"Yeah, you know about her?"

"Everyone knows about her!" Draco started, excitedly, "she's supposed to be as big as a house and has ten eyes!"

Harry wrinkled his nose.

"No, she doesn't. She's not like that at all."

"She's not?" Draco blinked," but Nott said his father told him what Nagini looks like," he took in a breath, "as black as the night, as big as a house, Nagini's ten eyes will find you, even if you're as small as a mouse."

Harry pulled a face.

"That's just a story, Nagini isn't like that."

"What she like then?" Draco asked, leaning forward, eyes gleaming.

"She's, well, she is big, compared to most snakes." Harry started, "but she's not big as a house! How can a snake be 'big as a house'? And she's only got two eyes."

"Were you scared when you saw her?" Draco asked.

"Very scared," Harry admitted, "she just came at me. I think she was about to eat me, but when she heard me speak, she stopped and started talking to me. She told me-"

"Wait, wait!" Draco held up a hand, "you spoke to her?" he asked.

"Yeah." Harry nodded.

"Are you a...a-" Draco struggled to remember the name, "you speak that...that different language-"

"Parseltongue." Harry supplied.

"Yeah, Parseltongue, that's it." Draco nodded. "How did you do that?"

Again, Harry just shrugged.

"Don't know. I've always been able to speak to snakes." he shivered a little at the memory of his dad's beatings. It was a severe belting if his dad saw him talking to the little snakes that used to slither inside Godric's Hollow from the garden.

"That's wicked cool!" Draco's voice pulled him back to the present. A half smile lifted the corners of Harry's mouth. He raised his gaze to look at the smiling boy.

"Yeah?"

"I would do anything to be able to speak to snakes." Draco gushed.

"I can show you." Harry offered.

"Yeah?" Draco asked.

"Yeah." Harry confirmed.

Both boys dived into the particulars of Parseltongue, with Harry demonstrating the basics and Draco following awkwardly after him. The black and white pieces hopped indignantly, trying to get their attention.

xxx

And just like that, the seeds to their friendship were planted, that over the years blossomed into a brotherhood, one that neither of the boys could have imagined.

xxx

The Birds and the Bees

A seven year old Harry gazed at the picture, trying to make sense of it. It was not that the picture of the hippogriff was difficult to make out or even understand. No, it was the picture of the baby hippogriff that was snuggling to it's mother's side, that had Harry confused. He wasn't even looking at the text, perfectly ignoring the factfile on what kind of a creature a hippogriff was. He was trying to figure something else out.

Harry put the book down on his lap and glanced at the dark haired man, sitting across the large chamber, head bowed as he worked through his own paperwork. He didn't want to disturb his father. He had been told, if he was going to insist on being with his father, he had to be quiet and not interrupt, unless it was important. Was this important?

Harry frowned, glancing down at the picture again. He decided it was. How was he supposed to keep on studying, when this one question kept niggling at the back of his mind? He turned in his seat, shifting on the sofa, so he could face Voldemort.

"Father?"

"What is it, Harry?" Voldemort didn't look up, but kept on writing, his black quill scratching at the parchment.

Harry glanced once more at the infant hippogriff's picture.

"Where do babies come from?"

The quill stopped. Slowly, Lord Voldemort raised his head to stare at Harry, red eyes narrowed and brow knitted.

"What?"

"Babies?" Harry repeated, "where do they come from?"

Lord Voldemort didn't speak. His red-eyed gaze studied the seven year old intently.

"Why do you ask?"

Harry shrugged, then remembered how much his father hated that action when in his presence. He quickly offered an explanation, to cover his mistake.

"I was just reading about hippogriffs," he held up his Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, "and I saw a picture of a baby hippogriff." he met the red eyes, "I just wondered, where do baby hippogriffs come from and that got me thinking," Harry's brow knitted, "where do all babies come from? I mean like people and animals and stuff?"

"Mothers, Harry," Voldemort answered, rather tightly, "babies come from their mothers."

"I know that," Harry brushed away his father's feeble attempt to avoid the topic, "but how do babies come? How do they get into their mother's tummy?"

For the first time in Harry's life, he saw his father look lost. His mouth was opening and then clicking shut again, red eyes narrowed but avoiding him completely. He was surprised to see his father shake his head, his expression resembled someone who had swallowed a slice of lemon.

"I don't have time for this!" he suddenly snapped, "read your book, quietly, or go to your own room!"

Harry didn't argue. He turned around and picked up his book again, reading silently.

Lord Voldemort lowered his head over the parchment, quill in hand, but he couldn't work. He was now distracted. Never in his life, did he think he would have to face this kind of a question.

He glanced at the seven year old and silently groaned. Harry was pouting. Great! Now he had the afternoon in stony silence and dinner with a petulant child to look forward to. Perfect! This was the reason he avoided telling Harry off. It took forever to get him to open up again and Voldemort needed Harry to be open. He needed Harry to be an open book if he was going to keep his control over the boy. The minute Harry got upset and started shutting him out, he would lose the hold he had been working on, for six years now.

Voldemort sighed and rubbed at his head. Truth was, there was no point in getting annoyed. The child had only asked a very natural question. It deserved an answer. But that didn't mean it was him that had to give the answer.

xxx

"Look at me, I'm a slug." Draco whispered as he held up the horned slug before flicking it at Harry.

"Quit it." Harry snapped, pulling the thing out of his hair.

"Haha." Draco fished another one out of the glass jar and flicked it again. This time, the slimy thing smacked off Harry's cheek.

"I said, quit it!" Harry hissed. He picked up both slugs and hurled them at Draco. They hit the blond boy square on the head and Draco shrieked, frantically brushing them out of his hair.

"Ha!" Harry mocked, smirking at him.

Lucius turned around from the blackboard.

"Settle down, boys," he lightly reprimanded, "focus on your cauldron, not your hair." his pointed look directed at his own son.

Draco pulled his hand away and dropped his gaze. Sitting next to him, Harry sniggered.

On rare occasions, Draco was allowed to attend the Potions lessons with Harry at Riddle manor. But Lucius was starting to regret it. On his own, Harry was a model student; working hard, listening to his instructions with rapt attention and always completing the practical lesson, no matter how long it took. Enter Draco into the equation and suddenly Harry was slacking off, catapulting ingredients across the room and barely completing his practical work.

Lucius rubbed at his brow, trying to reign in his temper, at the snickering of the boys. From now on, he was leaving Draco home. He was far too much of a distraction for Harry.

"Enough now," Lucius snapped, forcing the brunt of his annoyance at his own son and not Lord Voldemort's, "concentrate."

Both boys nodded and sat up straighter, paying him their undivided attention, for the time being. Lucius turned back to the board to finish the last of the instructions.

His foul mood today wasn't just because of the boys' antics. It was the task he had been cursed with, one that he had to do at the end of today's lessons. He closed his eyes, grimacing at just the thought of The Talk.

Lord Voldemort's instructions swam back to the forefront of his mind.

'You have a son, Lucius. Have you spoken to him about the facts of life? No? Well then, you can sit both boys down and give them The Talk. Do it by tomorrow.'

Lucius cursed to himself. Why did he have to do it? And with the two boys together, the questions were bound to be endless. He stepped away from the board, allowing the boys to see the next part of the instructions, before they faded.

Lucius sat and waited, watching the two boys finish the day's lesson. When the Boil-Cure Potion was completed, samples corked and the workstations cleared, he finally got up.

"Remain seated." he held up a hand as Harry and Draco stood up.

The pair shared a confused glance but sat back down, frowning at Lucius.

"Is there another practical?" Harry asked.

"No," Lucius moved closer, standing before them. "There is another matter I wish to...speak about."

"If this is about the slugs, Draco started it." Harry said.

"I did not!" Draco protested, "you hit me with frogs spleen last week."

"To get you back for the bats droppings you pelted me with." Harry replied.

"Enough," Lucius held up a hand, "as spectacular as your attempts are to deplete my potion ingredients, it's not what I need to talk about."

Harry and Draco shared identical looks of confusion as well as curiosity. Lucius stood tall.

"I believe you two are approaching the age at which one has the insatiable curiosity about the facts of life."

A perfect moment of silence, before both boys let out an identical,

"Huh?"

Lucius sighed.

"I believe you were enquiring about where babies come from." he said to Harry.

"Oh, yeah, that," Harry scratched his nose, "I was just...curious."

Behind him, Draco sniggered.

"How stupid are you?" he asked.

Harry twisted in his seat to glare at him.

"Oh, so do you know where babies come from?"

"Yes," Draco mocked, "of course I do, I'm not an idiot."

Harry swung around to face him.

"Where then?" he challenged.

"They come from their mother's stomachs." he replied.

Harry blinked at him.

"I know that, you numpty!" he scowled, "but how do the babies get in there? And how do they get out?"

Draco opened his mouth to answer, but found in fact, he didn't have the answer. Both boys turned to look up at Lucius, who breathed out a defeated sigh.

"Infants are indeed inside their mother's stomachs," he started, "as to how they got in there," he paused, "well, let's just say, it's like a seed. Babies grow inside their mother's stomach, until they are ready to be born."

Harry and Draco, if anything, looked horrified.

"They grow?" Draco asked, "like a plant?"

"Inside?" Harry pulled a face, "wouldn't that...hurt?"

"I don't know," Lucius replied, "you'll be glad to know you're not a female, and so never have to face that."

"How does the seed get into their tummy?" Harry asked.

"It's obvious," Draco interrupted, "they swallow it," he turned to Lucius, "right, father?"

Lucius grimaced.

"Not exactly, no." he summoned his chair and say down, facing the boys. "You see, the seeds have to come from the father," he explained, "that is why a baby has a mother and a father. You need both."

The boys nodded.

"Is that the same for animals too?" Harry asked.

"Yes, you need a male and a female for any type of procreation." at the twin looks of confusion, he reiterated, "for any type of a baby, animal or human, you need both a father and a mother."

"Oh, okay," Harry nodded, "so how does the baby come out?"

"Is it from the belly button?" Draco asked.

Harry turned to him, annoyed.

"How can it be from the belly button?"

"It's a button!" Draco pointed out, "maybe you push it and the tummy opens so the baby can climb out."

Harry turned to look at Lucius questioningly.

"Very imaginative," Lucius couldn't help but smile, "but no, Draco, that's not what happens."

"No?" the blond boy asked, "how does it get out then?"

"The mother has to give birth to it." Lucius explained.

"Birth?" Harry asked, "how?"

"Think about it," Lucius prompted, "if you were to swallow a coin, how would it come out?"

Both boys had furrowed brows and narrowed eyes. Then Harry's bright green eyes widened and a look of horror blanketed his features.

"No!" he breathed.

Lucius inclined his head.

"Yes."

"They have to-babies come out from...from down there!"

Lucius didn't have it in him to describe the exact science of childbirth, so he just smiled.

Draco caught on to what was being suggested and he recoiled in his seat.

"Ewww!" he shook his head, "that's horrid!"

"That's how you were born." Lucius pointed out.

Harry and Draco turned to look at each other, shell shocked and in complete denial.

"No I didn't!" Draco objected.

"I'm going to be sick," Harry said queasily.

"You asked for it," Lucius said, smiling now. He was actually enjoying it, freaking out the troublesome pair, "it's my job to give you the truth." he stood up, "now, I think your curiosity is sufficiently quenched, it's time I take my leave."

Harry looked up at him.

"Wait, you didn't explain how the father puts the seed into the mother?"

Lucius' smile slipped off his face. He remained standing.

"Come along, Draco, we need to go." he said quickly.

"But you didn't give me an answer." Harry stopped him.

Lucius took a moment before he lowered himself into his seat again.

"You don't have to know exactly what happens," Lucius stated softly, "just understand, when a father and mother love each other, they meet and their bond forms the seed that grows inside the mother, nurtured and protected for nine months, until it's ready to come into this world."

Harry and Draco were silent for a moment.

"That makes no sense." Draco said.

Lucius closed his eyes in defeat.

"How can a seed get into the mother's tummy if she doesn't swallow it?" Draco asked with a furrowed brow.

"Yeah, and what do you mean by 'meet'? Fathers and mothers live in the same house, they meet each other all the time?" Harry asked, confused.

"Merlin, help me." Lucius muttered, "okay," he sat taller, head held high, "I'm going to tell you as bluntly as I can." he took in a breath, "the seeds are inside a male's penis, the male puts his penis inside the mother to plant his seed into her womb. That's how a baby is made "

Harry and Draco's mouths dropped open, eyes wide and round. The expression on the two boys would have made Lucius laugh, if he wasn't feeling so nauseated himself.

"Oh my God!" Harry exclaimed.

"I don't have any seeds," Draco sounded worried. He turned to Harry, "do you have any?"

"No, I don't think so." Harry shook his head.

"You will when you're grown up," Lucius placated, "heaven help us when that time comes," he muttered to himself. "Now, I believe that is the end of this discussion. Draco, come along."

"Wait, wait," Harry held up a hand, looking, if possible, even more confused. "You said a father has to put his penis into the mother," he looked worried, "where does he put it?"

Lucius closed his eyes.

'Merlin, help me!'

xxx

My Father's Men

"Watch where you're going!" Harry's furious whisper echoed in the darkness.

"I would, if I could see!" Draco replied.

"Feel your way," Harry replied, then almost a minute later, "ow, that's my foot, idiot!"

"Sorry, sorry."

The two nine year old boys, blindly made their way through the narrow passageway, inching their way forward. It was pitch black, no hint of light anywhere. Draco followed behind Harry, holding onto his sleeve so he didn't get left behind. Harry was guessing which way to go, literally feeling his way forward. At long last, the texture under his fingers changed from the rough wall to a smooth surface.

"I think this is it." Harry whispered.

"Open it." Draco urged, a note of urgency in his voice, "this darkness is starting to freak me out."

"Keep your voice down." Harry warned. He leaned forward, both hands placed on the smooth, slippery wall. "Open, I command you." he hissed in parselmouth.

The wall began to shift, running under his touch.

"Stop!" he hissed, when the door had parted a mere crack.

The light from the chamber beyond filtered through the narrow opening. Harry twisted around. He could see Draco's nervous form behind him.

"It's okay," he assured him.

Draco's frown deepened.

"In English, Harry." he urged.

"Oh, sorry," Harry grinned sheepishly, "it's hard to slip out of it sometimes."

Draco pulled a face.

"You don't have to rub it in."

"It's not my fault you couldn't pick up Parseltongue." Harry replied.

Draco ignored him and crouched down to peer through the narrow opening, while Harry remained standing. They could see the back of Lord Voldemort's chair and a large swarm of black robed men facing them. Harry felt a little queasy. He was spying on his father during a Death Eater meeting. If he was caught...

But Harry forced himself to relax. He was fairly certain he couldn't be seen. What was an opening on this end of the wall was actually a large portrait of serpents on the other. His father's chamber had countless portraits surrounding it, most of them had depicted serpents in one form or another. With the portrait only open a mere sliver, Harry was sure no one would pick up on it. At least, he hoped so anyway.

"Has it started yet?" Draco whispered.

"I can't see." Harry replied, his father's chair was blocking part of his vision.

Today was the initiation of a new Death Eater. The boys had heard Bella and Lucius talking about it yesterday. Of course, the more Harry asked about it, the less Bella told him, finishing with a 'you'll know more when you need to.' So, Harry and Draco decided they needed to know about it, all of it.

The chamber was dark, as always, with torches burning in their wall sockets, throwing a flickering glow across the room. Harry couldn't see him, but he could feel his father's near presence. Particularly in his scar. He figured he must be seated in his high backed, overbearing chair. Harry hated that thing. He had told his father on numerous occasions, how much of an overkill it was.

The gentle murmur in the chamber died down immediately when a figure rose to his feet from the chair. Harry's breath hitched in his chest when he saw how forbidding and menacing his father looked, in his black-as-night robes with his wand held in one hand. He caught a fleeting glance of the side of his father's face as he turned his head to glance across the hall, undoubtedly driving cold fear into the hearts of all his men. The expression on his father's face was one Harry had never seen before. So deeply cruel and viciously arrogant that it raised goosebumps on Harry's flesh.

His father radiated fear; a cold, brutally despairing aura that sucked into Harry's lungs and stole his very breath. He shivered, suddenly not so sure about witnessing anything that went on in his father's chamber. But like a magnet, he stayed next to the opening, held there by the invisible force of curiosity.

"Come forward."

Harry almost stepped out, believing for a nanosecond, his father was speaking to him. But the tone was all wrong. His father commanded him, all the time in fact, but it was never this cold.

A figure stepped out from the sea of black robed individuals, trembling, head lowered, hood drawn. He came to kneel in front of Voldemort.

"This is it." Draco's excited whisper echoed.

Harry wanted to tell him to shut up, but he couldn't find it in him to speak.

"You wish to join me?" Lord Voldemort's cold voice rang around the chamber.

The kneeling figure nodded.

"You speak, when you answer me," Voldemort said, "if I wanted you to act like a mute, I'd have removed your tongue."

The figure at his feet trembled harder.

"Y-yes Master, I w-wish to serve you."

Harry and Draco watched as Voldemort's wand slowly lifted. The tip buried under the hood and with a flick of the wrist, the hood fell away. Harry strained to see who the man was, but all he could make out, was the blond head, bowed and still. Voldemort's wand trailed down the kneeling man's face until it tucked under his chin. The face tilted upwards at the prompt of the wand. Harry saw a pale and sweaty face of a young man, with terrified brown eyes, staring up at Lord Voldemort.

Harry knew that was a mistake.

"You know who I am?" Voldemort's cold voice asked.

The man spoke, his voice hoarse against the threat of Voldemort's wand, still held against his throat.

"Yes, Master."

"And yet, you dare to look me in the eyes and speak?"

The man quickly lowered his gaze, but it was too late.

"I do not believe you have what it takes to be a Death Eater," Voldemort pulled his wand away, releasing the man so he could bow his head once more. "The men that serve me have to know their place."

"My Lord," the man shivered, "I belong at your feet. Please, give me a chance to serve you. You will not be disappointed."

There was perfect silence at the end of his words. Harry and Draco barely breathed, watching as Lord Voldemort turned to walk to the side, his red gaze scanning the sea of men standing with bowed heads. Harry saw the smirk curve his father's lips. It brought a shudder to him.

"Macnair, Nott," Voldemort nodded at the two men. They bowed deeply before him and disappeared in the crowd. Voldemort looked back at the man kneeling before him, "you have to prove your worth to gain a place at my feet." he told him. "You are fortunate that I am a patient Lord. I will give you a chance to prove yourself."

The man nodded vigorously.

"Thank you, my Lord, thank you, thank you."

Harry and Draco watched as a parting formed in the assembled crowd of black robed men. A figure, doubled over in blood stained clothes, was carried forward by Macnair and Nott.

"Merlin." Draco breathed.

Harry watched, not saying a word. There was a funny ringing in his ears, his heart thudded furiously in his chest as he stared at the whimpering figure. There was blood...everywhere. The man's face, hair, hands, everything was stained red. But it was the way he was moaning, in such pain and agony, that turned Harry's stomach.

Macnair and Nott dropped the man in front of the Death-Eater-to-be and stepped away, hands folded and heads bowed. Voldemort smiled and stepped towards the bloodied man.

"Do you know who this is?" he asked the new recruit.

The man shook his head.

"No, Master."

"This," Voldemort pointed with his wand, "is one of my Death Eaters. A very capable wizard, or was up until yesterday, when he failed me." he looked up to meet the kneeling man's gaze. "Those that fail me, I have no use for. It does not matter what you have done in the past, how many victories you bring me. If you fail me, even once, you will be cast aside."

The tortured man whimpered again, his face bloodied past the point of any distinguishing characteristics. His hands flailed around until they came in contact with the hem of Voldemort's robes and he clutched at them. The sound that left him was more of a grunt than anything else. But Harry heard one word that he understood, and it chilled his very blood.

"Mercy!"

Voldemort smirked at him.

"There's no such thing," he whispered in response and stepped away, pulling his robes out of the man's hands. He looked up to meet the brown-eyed gaze of the new recruit. "You want to prove yourself?" he asked. His gaze dropped to the figure. "Kill him."

Harry heard Draco's gasp but was too afraid to allow himself the same reaction. He was terrified if he opened his mouth, he might be sick. Transfixed in nothing but absolute horror, the two nine year old boys watched as the kneeling man stood up and pulled out his wand.

"No, no, don't do it!" Draco urged in a shocked whisper.

The man pointed his wand at the bloodied Death Eater. The victim moaned loudly, his grunts and groans begging for mercy. But the man was here to prove himself. He didn't hesitate.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The flash of green was not seen by Harry, only sensed, for he had turned away, pulling Draco back with him. He didn't want to see a man murdered and he knew, Draco didn't want that either. But the dull thud and the rumbustious cheer that went through the room confirmed the new recruit had done the deed.

"Close!" Harry hissed and the opening slid shut soundlessly, throwing the boys into darkness once again.

xxx

When the two boys climbed out of the passageway, both were pale and somewhat shaky. Draco looked like he was about to be sick. Harry felt just the same. They sneaked their way back to Harry's part of the manor, slowly making their way to Harry's room.

They didn't say anything, didn't speak a word. They sat in Harry's room and stared, at anything but each other. It was almost half an hour later, when Draco finally broke the silence.

"That was...that was horrible."

Harry nodded.

"Very horrible."

"I don't understand," Draco shook his head. "Why did the Dark Lord have that Death Eater killed?"

"Didn't you hear him?" Harry asked, his stomach tightened at the memory, "he said the man had failed him."

"You mean he failed a mission?" Draco asked.

Harry shrugged.

"Must've." he mumbled.

Draco fell quiet.

"Harry?"

"Hmm"

"I think...I don't want to become a Death Eater."

Harry looked up at him.

"Good idea, I don't think you should become one either."

"But this can't be a normal Death Eater initiation," Draco said, shaking his head, "I mean, if a Death Eater is killed every time a new Death Eater is recruited, then master would have the same number of Death Eaters, no matter how many join him."

Harry nodded.

"Yeah, exactly," he willed his heart to slow down it's frantic pace, "this isn't a normal initiation. My father wouldn't do this unless it was necessary," the knot in the pit of his stomach loosened a little, "and we don't know what that other Death Eater had done. I mean, maybe he had really messed up, cost father a lot and that's why he was in that...that state." he licked his lips, wilfully pushing away the memory of how bloodied the man was, how anguished his cries were, "father punished him so severely because...because he had to, you know, it's...it's part of his job to make sure no one messes up."

Draco nodded.

"Yeah...yeah exactly." he agreed, "the man probably deserved it."

Harry shifted in his seat. Deep down, he knew, no one deserved a fate like that. It unsettled him, more than he wanted to admit, that his father had been the one to command that man's torture and how easily he had ordered the man's execution. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.

"I think from now on, we should stick to spying on Death Eaters, not on the Dark Lord." Draco said.

Harry nodded.

"Yeah," he replied quietly, "agreed."

xxx

My Best Friend; The Dark Prince

It was the coldest winter Harry could remember. The snow outside was at least ten inches thick, the air crisp and terribly cold. It was so cold in fact that Harry had been banned from from going outside to train in his grounds. Instead, Voldemort had transfigured a large potion of the manor into an indoor training centre. Harry was pleased and had spent almost every waking minute in there, but it still didn't compare to working outside in the open air.

He trudged his way to his room, his hair wet from the indoor showers newly fitted in his training centre. He brushed the dark locks away from his eyes, cursing at his stupid stubborn hair that refused to sit neatly. It was part of his curse, the curse of being a Potter. He shook his head, refusing to let himself get sucked into self misery again. He had enough of that every time he looked in the mirror and day by day, he saw more and more of James Potter in himself.

He growled, fists clenching into tight balls. Why wouldn't his father just let him apply a glamour? The one he had fashioned for himself last month was perfect. He looked just like a young version of his father. Which was rightly so, as Harry had worked endlessly to perfect the glamour so it resembled the photo of Tom Riddle in his Hogwarts days. But of course, as always, his father told him plainly, 'no' and Harry had to revert back to his true face.

With a frustrated kick, he slammed open his door, storming into his room.

"Whoa!" came a familiar drawl, "where's the fire?"

Harry came to a sudden stop. His narrowed eyes widened, all anger and annoyance melted away.

"Draco?"

The blond boy smiled, sitting casually on Harry's sofa.

"About bloody time, Harry," he stood up, "I've been waiting ages."

"When did you get back?" Harry asked hurrying to his friend.

"Two days ago," Draco replied, "Hogwarts breaks for Christmas for a fortnight."

Harry grinned. It had been four months since he had seen his best friend. The pair of eleven year olds sat down across from each other.

"So," Harry prompted, "what's it like then?"

"Hogwarts?" Draco asked, with a perfect brow arched.

"No, the food," Harry rolled his eyes, "of course Hogwarts! What's it like? Is it what everyone says it is?"

Draco grinned.

"It's more," he answered.

"Really?" Harry was impressed. It was nearly impossible to get any positive remarks about anything out of the Malfoys.

"It's pretty magnificent," Draco admitted, "the castle is...huge, I mean so big I doubt seven years is long enough to see all of it."

Harry's eyes widened.

"Yeah?"

"Once we got off the train, we had to take a boat ride across this lake, to get to the school," Draco started from the beginning, "then we all had to go into the Great Hall. It's okay, about the size of our banquet room," Draco's eyes gleamed, "but the roof is pretty cool. It's charmed to mimic the sky outside. Anyway, then there's the sorting hat. Barmy old thing, but it knows what's it's doing. Barely touched my head and it screamed Slytherin." Draco held up his head, pride radiating from him.

"Yeah, Lucius told me." Harry said quietly.

"The dorms are the best part. Ours is in the dungeons, and from what I hear, the Slytherins have the best common room." Draco continued. "Oh, but the best part, our Head of House is Severus Snape."

Harry was surprised.

"Really?"

"Yeah, and he's a real snarky git to everyone, except Slytherins."

Harry's brow furrowed.

"He could make an effort to keep his cover."

Draco chuckled.

"He doesn't hide his preferences. He openly favours his own house. He's taken away most of Gryffindor's points, it's hilarious."

"Points?" Harry asked.

"It's this competition. Throughout the year, every house has to accumulate house points, by answering questions in class and what not. The house with the most points at the end of the year, wins the House Cup."

Harry smirked.

"House Cup? What you all get together and drink from it?"

"No, it's not a drinking..." Draco realised Harry was mocking him. He narrowed his eyes at him, "funny, Harry."

Harry chuckled.

"So, what else?" he asked.

"Classes are okay, could be better." Draco mused, "then there's the Quidditch matches." his pale face was glowing. "Slytherins have the best team! We've won the cup, Quidditch trophy cup smart-ass," he added at Harry's smirk, "every year for almost a decade."

"Did you play?" Harry asked.

"No, first years aren't allowed on the team. Stupid rule, but then again, there's lot's of stupid things about Hogwarts too."

"Like?"

"Like all the mudbloods in school." Draco pulled a face. "It's disgusting, we have to eat in the same hall as them, filthy little things! Thank Merlin, Slytherins don't have any dirty blood tainting it." he looked over at Harry, just a glance through lowered eyes. "It would have been cool to have you there too," he said quietly, "can you just imagine; Slytherin's heir sorted into Slytherin with me. I can't even tell the rest of the Slytherins that I know you." his shoulders slumped a little, "I wish you came to Hogwarts."

Deep down, Harry wished that too. But he wasn't destined to go to Hogwarts. The school was for normal children. He wasn't even a child anymore.

"What about the Headmaster?" Harry asked, changing the topic, "what's he like?"

Draco paused.

"Honestly, he's a bit of a bumbling idiot." he said.

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Really?"

"He talks a load of nonsense." Draco said, "makes up random words and tries to be funny," he shook his head, "but he's really not."

"Sounds like he keeps up a charade of being an idiot, so no one knows how smart he really is." Harry said.

Draco shrugged.

"Who cares about Dumbledore," he leaned back, smirking, "I'd rather talk about the Dark Prince."

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Tell your father to quit it!" he said, "that nickname's doing my head in."

Draco chuckled.

"He's really proud of himself for coming up with it," he said, "I heard him talking to mother. He was going on about how you really are a Prince of sorts, since you're the Dark Lord's heir and all." he smirked at Harry's obvious annoyance, "he also said that the Dark Lord likes the nickname."

"Of course he likes it," Harry said, "it fits right in with his conceited point of view."

"Well, get used to it. I don't see father letting go of this name anytime soon." Draco warned.

"He's got Bella doing it too." Harry grouched, "she called me that all day yesterday, just to annoy me."

Draco smirked.

"Let's just hope the name doesn't stick."

xxx

A Good Friend Does Not Tattle

Draco knocked once at the doors of his best friend's room. They opened at his touch and he let himself in.

"Harry?" he called.

"Give me a sec!" Harry called from behind the closed en suite door.

Draco could hear the shower still running.

"A sec, yeah right!" he scoffed.

He glanced around the impressive room, looking for something to entertain him until Harry finished his shower, which seeing as it was Harry, could take an hour. He scanned the books on the shelf, but he had read most of the titles already. He turned, scanning over the desk, ignoring the usual crap his friend accumulated. But something caught his eye. Draco turned back to stare at the black penesive, sitting proudly on top of the desk, a mass of silvery white substance floated and swirled inside.

The thirteen year old walked closer, his heart jolting. He had always been curious about Harry's penesive. He had seen it once, when he walked in unannounced, to catch a glimpse of the penesive transforming into the black and silver ring that always adorned Harry's finger. But Harry was so damn secretive about the thing, no matter how much Draco pushed and prodded, he wouldn't tell him what was held in there.

Of course, Draco knew part of it. He didn't need to be told that Harry held memories of his abuse in there. And despite his initial curiosity, Draco had no desire to see his friend's treatment at the hands of his biological parents. But Draco had an inkling that Harry held more than his trauma in that penesive and Harry possessiveness over the ring-penesive only added fuel to that suspicious fire.

Draco looked over his shoulder at the en suite door. The shower was still running. Harry wouldn't be coming out anytime soon, probably. He turned back around at the stone bowl. A quick peek couldn't hurt, right?

With a grin, Draco stepped forward and leaned down, falling head first into the penesive. Right smack in the middle of the last memory stored, which had a large screaming crowd, a square cage and a much older looking Harry, facing a muggle opponent.

xxx

Draco must have watched barely half of the muggle fist fight, before he was viciously hurled upwards. He fell back with a thud, landing on Harry's floor. Dazed, he looked up and saw his thirteen year old best friend, looking absolutely furious.

"What the hell, Draco?" Harry snapped. "What were you doing in there?"

"Me?" Draco hurried to his feet, "what the hell were you doing there?" he snapped, "a muggle fight club? You were in a muggle fight club?"

Harry's face coloured. His hair, still wet from his shower, fell into his narrowed eyes.

"It's none of your business!" he hissed.

"Why would you go to a place like that? Have you completely lost your mind?" Draco asked.

"What the hell were you doing looking through my things in the first place?" Harry asked.

"I didn't know I was going to find something like that in there!" Draco pointed at the black pensive. His eyes widened, the lines on his brow faded. "That's where you've been going at nights, haven't you?" Draco asked. "You go to muggle fight clubs and duel with muggles. You're learning their way of duelling!"

Harry looked away and moved towards his pensive.

"You have to stop snooping around my things, Draco. You never know, one of these days, you might push me too far."

"You're not answering my question!" Draco ignored the threat. He got one every so often but knew Harry didn't mean it, "you sneak off at nights to duel muggles! Why?"

"Because I want to and because I can, okay?" Harry snapped.

Draco quietened a moment, before he shook his head.

"You do realise what the Dark Lord will do to you, once he finds out you're meeting filthy muggles behind his back, don't you?" he asked, terrified. "Do you want to die a horrible and slow death? because that's what will happen to you."

"It's none of your concern," Harry brushed him away, "what my father will or won't do, is for me to worry about, not you."

"It's just as well!" Draco said, "I'm glad, I'm not a part of this," he waved a hand irritatedly at the penesive. "But you better have a damn good reason to offer to the Dark Lord."

"I do," Harry replied.

"Really?" Draco asked with narrowed eyes, "why don't you enlighten me? What possible purpose could you have for sneaking out at night and duelling with muggles?"

Harry eyed Draco for a moment. A strained silence stretched between them.

"You remember that incident with Nott?" Harry asked quietly.

Draco's brow furrowed.

"You mean when he attacked you when you were seven?" he asked.

Harry nodded.

"Ever since that incident, I've had this niggling fear in the back of my mind. I was completely defenceless against Nott. Without my wand, I'm nothing." Harry said, and Draco could hear the raw fear in his voice. "My power is only there when I have my wand. I can't protect myself without it. Even with wandless magic, there's only so many spells that can be performed. So it got me thinking; if I could learn physical combat then I would be powerful with or without my wand. If it came to it, I would be able to defend myself without a wand. And since no other wizard has bothered to learn physical combat, I would have an advantage over them. The only reason I haven't said anything to father is because I know he would object and he would fear for my safety. You remember what I told you about what those muggles did to him when he was in that orphanage?"

An involuntary shudder went through Draco. The stories that he had heard about Lord Voldemort and those awful muggles torturing him. It was unbelievable and gut wrenching. He had flat out begged Harry not to tell him anymore.

Harry continued, taking Draco's silence as his conformation.

"Once I learn all aspects of physical combat completely, I plan on showing father my new skills. I'll confess everything. He'll be mad at first, but afterwards, when he sees how powerful I've become, I think he'll be pleased."

Draco shook his head at Harry.

"You're just as obsessed with power as my dad."

He meant it as a joke, but it made Harry's expression darken.

"Power is everything, Draco." he said, quietly, "without power, I was nothing. I was treated worse than an animal because I was helpless." a faint quiver ran through Harry. "Father gave me my power and I want it to grow. I want to use my power to better myself. I never want to be defenceless again."

"Yeah, okay, that's all fine…but… I don't know, muggles?" Draco said, with a disgusted look. "You couldn't learn how to fight like...I don't know, dragons?"

Harry smiled.

"I know, it's really horrible, but they do have some really good fighting techniques." he defended. "They are filthy creatures though, not as bad as mudbloods. You should be a pure blood wizard or a pure blood muggle. This whole mixed blood thing is just disgusting!"

"Ditto," Draco breathed.

"Anyway, now that I've told you, you need to promise me one thing." Harry said, as he turned towards the penesive, changing it back to it's disguise as a ring with a wave of his hand.

"I know, I know, don't tell anyone, right?" Draco mumbled.

"Actually, I was going to say, don't try and remember," Harry turned around, wand in hand and pointed at his friend. "Obliviate."

Draco didn't get the chance to react. The curse hit him straight in the chest. Draco looked stunned, before blinking a few times.

"Um, Harry, what…what was I saying?"

Harry smiled and walked over to his best friend, all the while slipping on his ring.

"You were telling me about your Quidditch game before Christmas break." Harry said as he led Draco towards the sofa.

xxx

It was almost a week later, when Draco came to spend the day with Harry. The hours rushed by and before the pair of thirteen year olds realised it, Lucius had arrived to assist Draco back home.

"But I've still to show Draco my new dagger set." Harry whined.

"He was going to show me how to throw them." Draco joined in.

"You'll have to wait to see the Dark Prince in action, another day," Lucius smiled.

Bella trailed into the room, after Lucius.

"It's time you went home, Draco," she too insisted, "Harry's got a training session before dinner."

"Why can't I stay for the training session?" Draco pleaded, "come on, father, please? I can be Harry's duelling partner."

Harry scoffed.

"Yeah, right."

Draco turned to look at him.

"Why not? I'm a pretty good dueller." Draco protested.

"You might be," Harry grinned, "but there's no way you could stand let alone duel with me."

Draco's indignation was heightened by the fact that both his father and aunt were quietly snickering at his expense.

"Yeah, well, you're not exactly Merlin re-incarnated!" he shot back.

"I never said I was." Harry said coolly, "but I'm pretty much the best damn thing since him." he teased.

"You're not perfect, Harry," Draco said, then turning to face his father, he said, "that tree that got blasted down last week, that was Harry's 'Confringo' when it missed it's target."

"Hey!" Harry's smile quickly vanished, replaced by a frown, "what're you doing?"

Draco smirked at him, then turned to face Bella.

"And that 'Ripple' curse you're so proud of? Harry still can't get it to work!"

"Draco?" Harry was shocked. His eyes flashed and he turned to Lucius. "That dent in your wall, far side to the left of the parlour, that wasn't the House-elves, it was Draco's lame 'Impediment Jinx' gone awry."

Lucius turned to look at his son in astonishment, who was quickly turning pink with anger.

"Yeah, well, that singe mark on the carpet at the entrance wasn't the Death Eaters, it was Harry's failed 'Incendio' aunt Bella." Draco revealed.

"That was your fault, you distracted me when I was trying to conjure fireballs, wandlessly!" Harry said. He turned to Lucius, "Draco's the one who botched up the Deflating Draught and blew a hole in your worktop!"

"That was four years ago!" Draco cried, "Harry's the one who stole Felix Felicis from Master's potion cupboard."

"Six years ago!" Harry yelled, "and only because you roped me into it!"

"Boys-" Bella tried but the two teens were lost in their tattle tales.

"Draco broke the table in your dining room!"

"Harry lost his wand for almost three days, before I helped him find it!"

"Draco can't do the 'Switching Spell' he keeps messing it up!"

"That was two years ago! I can do it now!" Draco spat. "It wasn't the lower rank Death Eaters who broke that window, it was Harry."

"Draco's the one who uses 'Petrificus Totalus' on your house elves to make them miss their chores."

"Harry goes out at night to fight muggles!"

Harry's mouth dropped open and he stared at Draco with both shock and surprise. Lucius and Bella, turned to Harry, speechless, eyes wide and unblinking. They were obviously waiting for Harry to deny the horrendous accusation, but the only thing Harry could do was open and close his mouth in shocked stupor. Finally, he found his voice.

"How did you know that!" he shouted.

"Oh please," Draco scoffed, "you think you're so gifted? You messed up that 'Obliviate' royally. I remember everything I saw in your penesive." he pointed a finger at Harry, "that's where he goes at night, aunt Bella. He goes to dirty fight clubs and duels with muggles! Then he hides the memory in his penesive."

Harry's hand reflexively went to his ring and he covered it, hiding it from view. He met Bella's horrified and somewhat shocked gaze.

"Bella, it's not-"

That's when he felt the burn in his scar.

He wheeled around, his heart somersaulted in his chest at the sight of his father, standing at the door. Harry swallowed, his mouth bone dry all of a sudden, at the look glinting in his father's ruby red eyes.

The room hushed to silence. Lucius and Bella dropped to their knees at once. Draco followed suit, but only once the shock of his sudden appearance wore off a little. But Lord Voldemort had eyes only for his son, who was nervously standing before him.

"Father, I-"

That's all Harry could get out, before his father turned and walked away.

xxx

Harry was in trouble. He was in big trouble. He was left alone in his room, with only his aching scar for company. Harry paced the length of his room, his mind coming up with all sorts of excuses, long detailed explanations he could present to his father. He raked a hand through his hair. He was in it deep now. No matter what he said, his father was going to hit the roof.

A knock on his door halted Harry mid pace. The door clicked open and Draco peeked his head in. Harry narrowed his eyes at him.

"What'd you want?" Harry growled, "there's no one here but me. Go find my father to tattle some more."

Draco walked in with narrowed grey eyes.

"I wouldn't get so bent out of shape, if I were you," he said, "you started this."

"Me?" Harry turned to him, "you're the one who started telling on me!"

"Yeah, cause you were acting like God's gift to the universe."

"You know me," Harry said, "you know I don't mean it, I was only trying to annoy you."

"Job well done." Draco said.

Harry shook his head.

"Why didn't you tell me the Obliviate didn't work?"

Draco gave him a look.

"Oh, yeah, that sounds like a smart move. Hey, Harry, your Obliviate curse didn't work. Why don't you try it again." he scowled at Harry, "what do you think I am; a complete idiot?"

"You aren't smart, that's for sure," Harry said, "otherwise you wouldn't have told anyone what you saw." he rubbed a hand down his face. His scar smarted with pain, "damn it, Draco! Why did you have to tell everyone about the fight club. We're best friends, best friends don't snitch on each other!"

"Yeah, and best friends don't Obliviate each other either." Draco said. Harry fell quiet. Draco shook his head, grey eyes fixed on him. "You know, all you had to do, was say once to me to keep your secret and I would have." he told him quietly. "But you tried to Obliviate me. Best friends don't do that."

Harry didn't say anything, but his face coloured in shame. Wearily, he walked across to his sofa and sat down.

"I don't know what I should do," Harry confessed, "he's really mad." he rubbed at his head.

Draco came and sat down next to him.

"Don't worry about it," he said, "I mean, this is you. Master will get mad, shout at you a little and then, that's it. Heaven forbid this was any of us, our heads would be chopped off and used to decorate the outside walls."

Harry grimaced, more at the pain generating from his scar than Draco's dreary imagery.

"I don't know about that," he said, "judging from how bad the pain is, I reckon he wants me beheaded." he squeezed his eyes shut, fingers digging into his scar but he couldn't take any of the pain away.

"Swear that you'll never Obliviate me again," Draco said quietly, "and I swear, I'll never tell on you again."

Harry, despite the pain he was in, smiled.

"No more Obliviate curses for you." he promised.

"No more tattling on you." Draco replied.

A sharp knock on the door before it opened. Bella walked in, her expression cold, disappointment evident in her heavy lidded eyes.

"Master would like to speak with you." she said to Harry.

Felling like there was a lead weight in his stomach, Harry got to his feet and went to see his father.

xxx

His father was sitting in his high backed chair when Harry entered his chamber. Harry closed the door behind him with a soft click. Voldemort looked up, his gaze no less sharp than it was the last time Harry saw him. With a deep breath, Harry walked closer, hating how his footsteps echoed in the silent chamber. He came to stand before him, hands clasped behind him but head held high. He met the quiet angry gaze and tried to keep his face as neutral as possible, even though his scar was burning furiously. He couldn't hold his silence for very long.

"Father, I know you're upset-"

He stopped when his father lifted a hand to quieten him.

"Spare me the explanations."

Harry winced, the tone was hard and unforgiving. He had really pissed his father off. Obediently he kept quiet. Lord Voldemort's blazing gaze scanned Harry.

"How long?" he asked, "how long have you been sneaking out to meet muggles?"

Harry didn't hesitate. Lying wasn't even an option for Harry, not with his father.

"Three years."

Voldemort didn't say anything. He held Harry's gaze before looking away. Harry's scar gave another, deeper twang of pain.

"You've not to go again," Voldemort said, his voice quiet but laced with anger, "this stops today."

Harry nodded. His scar felt like it was on fire. He was sorely tempted to reach up and rub at it, but he knew if he brought attention to it, his father would get even more upset. He always told Harry he hated the pain he unintentionally brought to him with his anger. Harry had already upset his father once today, he didn't want to make it worse, so he kept his hands firmly behind him, balled into fists.

"You can go."

The dismissal was cold and it hurt. Voldemort used that tone with his Death Eaters, but not with him. Harry turned and took two steps but then stopped. He turned back around, seeing the surprise on his father's face.

"If I may?" Harry asked. "I would like to say something."

Voldemort took a moment but nodded, red eyed narrowed at him.

"You must know, father, my intentions were not to anger you." Voldemort remained silent, "I know you don't want any explanations, but I have to say something, it's important."

Again Voldemort nodded.

"I sneaked out to go to the muggle world. I sought out fight clubs and duelled with muggles," Harry stepped forward, "but I didn't do any of it, without a purpose." He swallowed, pushing himself to say what he needed. "For the first four years of my life, all I knew was pain and fear. I was nothing more than a punching bag, and the reason was simple; I was vulnerable. I knew no way to defend myself." he looked up to meet his father's gaze, feeling the burn in his scar lessen a notch. "Seven years ago, when Nott attacked me, it drove home a horrible truth; I was still vulnerable. Without my wand, I was defenceless." Harry shook his head. "I don't want to be vulnerable, father. I can't be defenceless. I can't deal with it." he took another tentative step forward, "I wanted to learn how to duel the muggle way, so that if at any time, I'm without my wand, I'll still have a way to defend myself. It's a backup strategy, father and a good one. No one would expect a wizard to know physical combat." with a small, half smile, Harry continued, "and you always said, the element of surprise can sometimes win the battle."

Voldemort didn't say anything, but Harry could feel the pain in his scar lessen further. He met his father's ruby gaze.

"I was going to tell you everything, myself. I swear it, father. I was only waiting until my skills in physical combat excelled to an appropriate level, before I showed you-ah!" he barely held back the hiss as his scar blazed again, burning with ferocity. He took in several breaths, panting the pain away. He looked up at his father to see his quiet but angry eyes.

"If you don't want me to learn muggle duelling, I swear, father, I won't ever go to the fight clubs again." Harry said, "I did what I thought would help make me stronger. But if you don't approve, I won't do it. I would rather die than disappoint you and you know that."

Voldemort still didn't say a word. He stared at Harry for a full minute before he got to his feet.

"Father-"

Harry tried one last time, but his father walked past him, ignoring him perfectly. Harry closed his eyes in defeat, his shoulders slumped.

"Tomorrow morning," Voldemort spoke, next to the doors, "seven sharp. You will show me this backup strategy of yours."

Harry turned around, green eyes lit with happiness.

"Yes, father." he replied.

Voldemort was still annoyed, his expression and the smarting pain in Harry's scar told him that.

"I will decide after your presentation, whether you can continue with this horrid hobby or not."

Harry nodded again.

Voldemort eyed him one last time.

"Go, rest," he turned to walk out, "and take a full vial of pain relief."

The door clicked closed behind him.

xxx

The next morning, seven o'clock sharp, Harry was in his father's chamber again, but this time he wasn't alone. Lucius, Draco, Bella, Nott and Macnair were also with him. Lord Voldemort was once again, sitting on his chair. He scanned the six in front of him.

"Five opponents enough?" he asked his son.

Harry grinned and gave a shrug.

"I can handle more."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow.

"Let's see how you fare against four of my best," his gaze rested on Draco, "and a mediocre wizard."

Draco flinched but bowed in thanks, as if Voldemort had paid him a compliment. He met Harry's eye who smirked and winked at him.

"Here are the rules," Voldemort started, "you five will attack him with your wands," he spoke to the Death Eaters and Draco, "all goes, including the Imperius."

Harry knew that was standard. He had trained with all three Unforgivables, but the only Unforgivable Voldemort allowed others to use on him was the Imperius. And that was only because Harry could throw it off. The only one permitted to use the Killing curse and the Cruciatus curse anywhere near Harry, was Voldemort himself. He had told Harry the reason was simple; he was the only one he trusted to hit Harry with those curses and not mean them.

"Harry won't have use of his wand or his magic." Voldemort held up Harry's wand. "The duel will end with either Harry defeating all five, or with Harry defeated."

Harry grunted in amusement.

"Like that could ever happen." he muttered.

Draco threw him a glare.

"Easy there, Merlin, this is what got you in this mess." he whispered.

Voldemort held up his own wand and gave it a slight flick. Green sparks flew out.

"Begin."

Harry found himself surrounded by the five. They circled him and as one, they shot out their curses. Harry found five lots of spells coming straight at him. Usually, Harry would flick his wrist and his blue, head to foot shield would cover him. But since he wasn't allowed his magic or his wand, he had to resort to alternative methods. He dove to the floor, missing the flashes of spells. He rolled towards his first target; Nott.

Still on the floor, Harry kicked out, his foot caught the Death Eater in the Solar Plexus and doubled him over. Harry leapt to his feet and in one swift move, he had taken shelter behind the wheezing Nott, safe from the other four's curses. It was only for a moment though. A well aimed kick in the side and Nott was down. Harry had to throw himself out of the way again as Macnair, Bella, Lucius and Draco took aim, throwing everything from 'Stupefy' to 'Imperio' at him. Harry ducked and dived, until he reached his second target; Macnair. Harry's kick knocked the wand clean out of his hand but Macnair wasn't to be defeated so easily. He aimed a punch at Harry, but it was clumsy and easily caught in Harry's hand. With a twist in the wrong way, Macnair's wrist was broken. The man screamed in pain and surprise, giving Harry the opportunity to deliver another punch to the man's face, knocking him out. Lucius' Imperius caught Harry quite suddenly and halted him.

"Stop!" came the command.

"No!" Harry pushed and broke out of the Unforgivable.

It took no more than ten seconds, but even that, was a little too late. Bella took the opportunity at Harry's brief pause and hit him with her blasting hex. Harry flew to the other end of the chamber, hitting the ground with a thud. Dazed, Harry got to his feet. Bella smirked at him, twirling her wand.

"You going to hit me, Harry?" she teased, "a women? Tut-tut."

Harry smirked at her.

"Who you callin' a women?" he teased right back.

Bella giggled but sent her own Imperius at him. This one, Harry side stepped and darted straight for her. He changed route halfway, easily avoiding the curses from both Malfoys. Harry used his momentum to dart a few steps up the wall and kicked out, flipping outwards. His foot connected with Lucius' chest and he was thrown backwards, smacking against the wall. Harry landed but had to duck almost instantly to avoid Draco's spell. A simple punch and Draco was, almost relieved to be, out for the count. That left only Harry and Bella.

Bella paused, then sent a body bind at him. Harry ducked and dived, weaving his way past her spells to get to her. His hand closed around her throat, the other around her wand holding wrist. A small twist and Bella gasped, dropping her wand. Harry kicked her legs out from under her and she fell with an undignified thump.

"Stay down." he instructed.

Harry straightened up, smirking as he met his father's gaze. He held out both arms, gesturing to the five sprawled out forms.

"I win." he declared.

Voldemort smirked.

"Not quite."

An invisible force suddenly hit Harry and he was thrown off his feet. He landed on the hard floor, knocking the breath out of him. A spasm of pain went through his back and Harry groaned.

The next thing he knew, he was staring at his father's smirking face.

"Wandless magic." he stated, "it trumps wands and your backup strategy," he straightened up, "your physical defence may help you when faced with wands but it does nothing to the attacks you can't see or hear coming. Wandless magic can still get the better of you." His eyes sharpened a fraction. "Indulge in foolish hobbies if you like, but remember; Magic is Might. Never forget that."

Harry groaned.

"Yes sir."

Voldemort leaned down, took a hold of Harry's collars and hoisted the thirteen year old back on his feet.

"Now that you've learned your lesson, you can retire to your room."

Harry nodded, wincing as his back protested.

"And one last thing," he closed the gap between them and fixed Harry's upturned collar. "Never, keep anything a secret from me again, understood?"

Harry felt the warning twinge in his scar too. He nodded.

"Understood, father."

"Good," Voldemort smiled, "you can continue your physical training. I can see you need more work."

Harry, despite his aching back, smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, father."

"I can't see how this, scrambling around like a rat, helps but if you feel more confident having this skill set, then that's fine with me."

Harry rolled his eyes but smiled nevertheless.

"Thank you."

Voldemort clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder and stepped away, wand drawn to wake up the unconscious men on his floor.

xxx

Friends Forever

"You can't be serious!" Draco asked with wide grey eyes.

Harry shrugged.

"You know I am."

Draco shook his head.

"You honestly think you can do that? Live out the rest of your life, hiding from the Dark Lord, the Ministry and the damn Order?" he glared at him. "You're barking mad."

"I don't have much choice, do I?" Harry asked.

Draco stared at him.

"You do, you have a choice. Keep on living like this; sleeping in dingy motel rooms, surviving on minimal food and this constant chase to stay alive," he paused, "or come with me."

Harry shook his head, sitting on the edge of the small bed, he leaned forward to rest his head in his hands.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

Harry looked up at him.

"Because I can't guarantee that nothing will come chasing after me." Harry got up, moving to the small window. "Now that all of Voldemort's Horcruxes are gone, he's going to be hunting me down more furiously than ever." he closed his eyes, breathing out a sigh. "I can't have you caught up in this too, Draco."

"I'm already a part of this." Draco replied, "remember my father? He's still a Death Eater and he's itching to get mother and me back, ever since we left him."

Harry turned back to look at him.

"Maybe it's not what you think."

Draco let out a dry laugh.

"Oh trust me, Harry. I know what he's after and it isn't a family reunion." he shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut, "father would rather have me and mother buried six feet under than away from him. Hurts his pride to much to be rejected by his wife and son."

Harry dropped his gaze, turning around to look out of the window again.

"Uncle Marco's given us a sanctuary." Draco continued behind him. "Come with me, Harry. Even if it's just for a little while, until things cool down here."

"It's a different country, Draco, not a different world." Harry said, speaking with his back turned, "Voldemort will find me, no matter where I go."

"You don't know that," Draco said, "you should keep your head down for the next few years. Hide out and wait. His Horcruxes are gone. Sooner or later, he'll be brought down. Then you can return and..." he trailed off.

Harry turned around to face Draco.

"And what?" he asked, "what, Draco? What can I do? I can't return to my family after trying to kill my dad and frame my Godfather for it. I can't face the wizarding world when I have the Kiss hanging over my head. What is it I can do?"

Draco took in a breath.

"You can start by trying to keep yourself alive."

Harry looked away, shaking his head.

"I'm not suicidal."

"By insisting on staying here, you are." Draco moved forward. "I know what you're thinking, I'm not stupid." he said, "you think if you stay here, you can see your family from afar, keep an eye on them, watch them even if you can't be with them."

Harry didn't answer.

"It's not going to work, Harry," Draco shook his head, "the only thing you'll be doing is torturing yourself, looking at what you can't have. Every time you go near the Potters, you're risking capture."

"I know." Harry said quietly.

"Then don't do it." Draco pleaded, "Mother's already left. I'm leaving too." he paused again, "come with me."

Harry turned around to face him with a half smile.

"Who'd have guessed you'd be the one offering me protection?"

Draco returned the sad smile.

"I'm not protecting anyone," he said, "but I've known you since I was six. We're friends and right now, that's what you need, a friend to haul your ass out of the fire and help you lay low for a while." he let out a breath, fixing Harry with his grey-eyed stare, "you're going to do what you want, you always have. I guess what I'm saying is; if you need me or want me, I'm here."

Harry nodded.

"I want you, Draco."

Both boys paused, twin expressions of shock on their faces. An awkward silence folded down on them.

"I think I should rephrase that." Harry said.

"Yeah, I'd be more comfortable if you did." Draco grimaced.

Harry smiled tiredly and brushed a hand through his hair. He went over to sit at the edge of tattered bed, a hand rubbing at his chin.

"Okay," he said after a full silent minute, "I'll come with you. Being away from here might actually help."

"Damn right it'll help," Draco assured. "I'm leaving tonight."

Harry jerked his head up.

"Tonight?" he shook his head, "I can't leave tonight, Draco."

"Why not?"

Harry fell quiet.

"I...I've got to say goodbye, first."

"Fine, send them a freaking postcard, but you're leaving tonight."

Harry stood up.

"I have to see Damien before I go. I can't just leave like that."

"Why the hell not?" Draco seethed.

"I need to make sure he's okay," Harry replied, "the last time I saw him, he was ambushed by Death Eaters and Aurors. I don't even know if he's in the Ministry's custody right now." he shook his head resolutely. "I'm not leaving until I make sure my brother's okay."

Draco stared at him with his jaw clenched.

"Fine," he hissed, "say your goodbyes." he turned to the door, "but after that, we're leaving Harry."

Harry nodded.

"Yeah, we're leaving."

Draco let out a deep breath, trying to calm down. He turned to look back at Harry.

"Two days," he stated, "is that enough time?"

Harry nodded.

"Plenty."

Draco nodded.

"The day after tomorrow then," he said, "we'll meet here."

"No, not here." Harry said, "I'll meet you at your place. We'll head from there."

Draco nodded.

"It'll work out, Harry. Just wait and see."

Harry smiled. He knew nothing ever worked out, not when it came to him. Something always messed up, but the hopeful words were nice to hear.

Especially from the one friend he'd always had by his side.

xxx