THE FRIENDSHIP OF RIVALRY

Notes:

Disclaimer - I do not own the setting of Harry Potter or any of the characters; those are the property of J.K. Rowling. I have however added a few new names, given that this story is centered on the time after Harry and Draco have graduated. The plot is entirely mine.

This story is a male x male slash so please don't read it if you don't like to read these types of fanfics.

Key:

"Thoughts"/"Telepathy"

"Speech"

~Parseltongue~

-"flashback"-

Chapter 20: A Date for a Dragon (Harry & Draco)

Harry felt like he wanted to pull out his hair in frustration. It had seemed so easy to arrange the perfect date, but now he was struggling to do even that. The idea had been to make a comfortable room where they can eat while talking, but the candles kept being blown out by the wind. The tower space had looked like it would be perfect for the date, but he had clearly forgotten to keep the elements in mind.

Unfortunately, he didn't know any spells that could stop the wind from blowing so he was unable to follow that plan. He also wanted to order food from Draco's favorite restaurant, but they were closed for the week since their chef got sick. He didn't know why the restaurant had only one chef anyway. Didn't they usually work shifts with other chefs?

The gift he had secretly ordered for Draco was also delayed and as such, the only things he had so far was a conjured sofa that could double-up as a bed and a thick carpet covered the floor. The colors were composed of silver and green and Harry would have laughed about the unplanned color choices if he wasn't working against a time limit.

He looked around in exasperation and it seemed the room's only other occupant couldn't take anymore. He jumped as a voice behind him began to speak. "Harry James Potter, if you don't settle down this instant I will be forced to unleash something horrible upon you or restrain you at the very least!"

Harry turned to the portrait of Salazar Slytherin and slightly bowed respectfully, but before he could say anything, the man started to speak again. "Stop that bowing. If you are stressed about this date, and I will only tell you this because you are trying to woe a brilliant mind from my own house, but I'll teach you a spell that will enable you to remove the objects that the Room of Requirement conjures."

He looked up at Salazar with his best 'hidden' pleading face and was rewarded with a sigh. Salazar shook his head in exasperation, "The words of the spell are Ut Formam Tuam. It translates to Keep Your Form. It's a wandless spell. I would say more, but you better hurry if you want to get everything ready in time. Follow the shortcut through the Basilisk portrait. It's obvious what the password is, since you got into the Chamber of Secrets, it will lead you straight into the Room of Requirement."

Harry nodded and moved to the painting even though he was itching to know why Salazar would create a shortcut that led directly into the Room of Requirement. The man just winked at him before turning back to his reading. Harry wondered whether portraits could exchange books or something since he couldn't imagine Salazar reading the same book over and over for years on end.

He hissed the password and rushed through the passage. He then emerged from behind a statue of a snake at the exit and he smiled since he had always wondered why the statue never changed even though the room did. Now he actually did know and Harry smiled at the sneakiness. Not even the Slytherins, who knew about the room, thought that some secret was hidden behind it. Luckily only Parseltongue could open the passage, otherwise, Harry would have had to find a new secret room.

The room immediately provided him with everything he needed and he wanted to hit himself on the head when he saw that the room had provided covered lanterns as well. The downside of knowing too many spells, was that you forget about them over time, even when the answer is as clear as day. He knew how to make the lanterns, but he had completely disregarded them as a possibility.

Harry gathered the food and lanterns and carried them towards the statue after he had cast the spell, but just as he was about to go back to Salazar's rooms, something caused a bright light to engulf the entire Room of Requirement and he saw that something else had appeared within the room. He conjured a box that could protect the food and then placed the food and the lanterns into a bottomless bag.

As he set down the bag, Harry realized that the room was urging him to seek out the object. Hogwarts herself seemed to tremble in anticipation as he neared an old chest covered in rust. The chest had just suddenly appeared and Harry wondered why Hogwarts was so eager for him to have it.

He opened the chest and had to bite back a gasp as its contents revealed two silver bands. One of the bands was encrusted with rubies while its twin was riddled with diamonds. They seemed simple until one touched them and Harry could feel the power they emitted as he picked them up.

He raised them to the light and blinked when he caught some sort of irregularities on the inside. As he looked closer, he realized that there were words inscribed on the inside. 'Always and Forever' had been carved inside and Harry couldn't help but think that both the rings and the words were strangely familiar. He put the rings in his pocket and glanced at the last object that the box held.

Strangely enough, it was the same necklace that he had ordered as a gift for Draco, but unlike the gift he had ordered, the necklace seemed to sing with an ancient power. A silver chain held an emerald snake on its end. The detail was exquisite and Harry couldn't resist touching the fangs of the snake. He winced as the sharp fangs cut open his finger. A small pulse emitted from the necklace as his blood made contact and the necklace writhed in his hand as the silver chain disappeared completely.

Harry gasped as the emerald snake enlarged and he was surprised to see that a thin layer of diamond seemed to envelope the entire snake. He dropped it and stepped back as he was faced with a snake that was suddenly three meters long, but he calmed down when he saw that the snake wasn't going to attack him.

~Hello master Ian, it's so nice to see you again after such a long time. I was starting to wonder whether you have forgotten about me. How is master Dante doing? Is he still fussing about with his potions?~ Harry felt thoroughly dazed as the snake spoke and he almost forgot to answer.

~Sorry, but my name is Harry Potter. I don't know this Ian person you are speaking of, but the Room of Requirement gave me a chest with two rings and your necklace inside."~ The snake seemed to ponder for a moment before looking at Harry with knowing eyes and then shrinking in order to slither up his leg and chest and into his hand.

~Your blood says otherwise child, but I think I know what has happened. Take me to Lord Salazar, one of the founders of Hogwarts and maybe then you will find the answers that you seek.~ The emerald snake looked adamant so Harry just shrugged and picked up the bag before returning to Salazar's quarters. Why were snakes always so authoritative and pushy? And he wasn't only talking about the scaly kind either.

As he emerged from the Basilisk portrait, Salazar started laughing joyously and he felt completely left out as the snake seemed to share an inside joke with the man. Both of them looked at him before Salazar pointed out his other portrait and the two vanished from the room.

Harry shook it off before casting a tempus and he then rushed again as he saw that it was almost time to send Draco his message. He placed the food and then cast a heat preserving charm on them before lighting the lanterns. His original plan included roses, but he didn't know whether Draco would've liked the idea or not, so he simply conjured a few roses in a vase and scattered rose leaves around.

He placed a charm on the scattered leaves so that they could take on the form of whatever the person viewing them would like, but within a certain limit of course. He then wrote a note to Draco and hoped that the blond would remember the place they had made peace in.

As he was about to leave Salazar's rooms, Harry felt a tug on his leg and he was slightly surprised to see the emerald snake slithering up to his arm. The snake gave him a once-over before nodding and slithering down to dip into his pocket. Soon he could hear a pleased sigh as his pocked grew slightly heavier and he realized that the snake must have returned to his pendant form.

Harry looked towards the snake's sleeping spot. ~You know… I was planning to give you to the man I'm interested in. You look almost exactly like the gift I was going to give him, but if you only answer to the wizards you spoke of, then it will be pretty much impossible to do that ~

The emerald snake-eyed him from his pocket for a moment as he seemed to think about the situation, but it wasn't long before he shook his head and replied. ~Please allow me to meet your friend then. If he is Dante like I think he is, then I have no problem if you gave me to him, but if he isn't then you will have to bind to me until we find him.~

Harry nodded and returned to the Room of Requirement while he thought of the past.

Flashback

The Fiendfire had burned itself out during the battle and he had found Draco in the room when he'd searched for a quiet place to escape the crowds, and to mourn friends. The room itself had been able to smother the fire and it had been a great surprise to find the room completely intact.

Both of them had been too tired to even draw their wands in defense and he had simply sunk down to sit next to the blond. At first, they had allowed the silence to engulf the room, but then Harry had turned his face towards Draco and thanked him.

The blond had been confused until Harry explained that he was thanking him for saving their lives at the Malfoy Manor. Draco had been shocked, but his upbringing had reminded him that it would be impolite if he didn't reply.

The blond had shaken his head and his words still ring clear to Harry even now. "You saved me as well so were even; we don't owe each other anything."It was at that time that Harry had realized that he didn't want to be enemies or even rivals with the blond anymore.

Harry had raised his hand in silent question for a handshake as he spoke. "We may be even, but I don't want to be enemies or rivals anymore. I'm tired of fighting and that includes verbally sparring with you over every little thing. You might not accept my words, but I'm sorry for everything I did to hurt you."

Draco had been shocked speechless, but Harry had felt relief flow through him as Draco took his hand and shook it before letting go. The blond had seemed to be contemplating something before he spoke again and his words were truly unexpected.

"I will accept you apology, if you accept mine as well. As much as I enjoyed riling you up, this last year has taught me that I tend to go overboard with my actions when something happens that I don't like. I admit that it is for that same reason that our rivalry started."Draco had smirked as Harry had looked at him with wide eyes before he continued speaking.

"It wasn't just the light side that went crazy when you defeated the Dark Lord as a child. The dark side also silently revered you. My father told me a lot of stories about you and your family, but it was his intent to make me hate you. I yearned to be your friend instead. As you know, this all came crashing down when you refused my friendship."

Draco never revealed his thoughts and feelings so Harry had quietly listened to his story. He had been too afraid that if he said something, the blond would close up again. They had spoken for hours on end after that and although they weren't friends at that stage, they did part as equals.

Flashback End

Harry smiled as he remembered the past and he unconsciously glanced to the spot where they'd sat. Their time together at the Auror academy drove most of their peers insane since their never-ending banter extended to even when they were having lunch. Yet no one but the two of them realized that there wasn't really any heat behind the words. They just kept up appearances in order to avoid the questions that would pop up if it was revealed that they were somewhat friends.

He glanced around the Room of Requirement and sank down on his spot against the wall. He heard the sound of the door opening and looked up to see Draco glancing around in confusion. Harry inwardly grinned as he realized that the blond was expecting their date to be held in the room and he promptly decided to tease the blond a bit.

He stood up with the intent to do just that when he saw that Draco seemed extremely disappointed. The blonde's shoulders sagged and he looked right past Harry and turned around. Harry looked around to make sure that he didn't actually have his invisibility cloak on, but then he realized that the emerald snake was glowing.

The snake gave him one look and hissed. ~ He can't see you because you're holding me and I'm not bonded yet. It's him! Put me around his neck, now! ~ Harry didn't know what was going on, but he did as he was told and as soon as the necklace settled around Draco's neck, the blond turned to him with wide eyes before looking down at the necklace that now hung around his neck.

"Harry? I almost thought that you weren't here. Were you hiding under your invisibility cloak?" He shook his head and looked down at the emerald snake with Draco following his gaze. The snake was glowing and it was clear that Draco's magic was merging with it.

The snake hissed in contentment as the glow died down and he mostly turned to solid emerald once more. But his whispered words became clear as Harry and Draco looked at each other. ~ Finally we have bonded once again, Dante. Please do not save Ian in such a rash way ever again, otherwise, I will be forced to lock up both of you for your own protection ~

Harry gazed at the snake until Draco spoke. "What does he mean by locking us up for our own protection?! Harry, what the hell is this?" Harry realized that Draco had understood the Parseltongue the snake had spoken and he looked at the boy in shock before trying to explain.

"I was getting things ready for our date when the Room of Requirement decided to gift me with something more. The snake pendant was inside it and it called me Ian. He said he was looking for his master Dante and it seems that the wizard in question is you and you just spoke fluent Parseltongue." Harry cringed as Draco grew slightly paler.

He decided that since the snake seemed to know Salazar well, he would look for answers there and he pulled Draco to the statue before leading him into the other room. Draco gasped and looked at him in shock. "Do you realize what you have found Harry? This is Salazar Slytherin's personal quarters! How in the name of Merlin did you find it?"

Harry almost wanted to laugh at the fact that the Slytherin founder's quarters had completely sidetracked Draco, but he dragged the blond in front of the portrait of his teacher instead. "Salazar you have to help! The snake bonded with Draco and it's calling him Dante! And Draco is suddenly able to speak fluent Parseltongue even though he couldn't understand it before!"

The portrait laughed and Harry's gaze narrowed as he glared at him. This was no laughing matter! What if the snake necklace had cursed Draco! Salazar seemed to read his mind because he motioned for the two of them to sit before speaking.

"You are Harry and Draco, but you are also Ian and Dante. A long time ago, when I was still alive, I had two students who became my apprentices. In that time, each founder taught their own house, and classes were rarely shared unless it would help the students in some way or another."

Salazar looked at them fondly as realization dawned on their faces, but he continued. "I did not want apprentices at the time, but the two of you were stubborn in your pursuit for knowledge so I accepted you. You refused to get anything lower than full marks and made a competition out of it in order to see who could gain the most knowledge. But alas, I must admit that it was my own faults that caused your deaths."

Harry and Draco felt a shiver run through them at the sadness in the man's eyes, but they stayed quiet. "I started to spend too much time with you and too little time with the rest. Your thirst for knowledge intrigued me and there were numerous spells still used today that you created in your cooperation. The emerald snake was a gift given from Ian to Dante in order to allow him to both understand and speak Parseltongue once bonded and it also held invisibility spells along with its snake familiar form."

Draco's eyes widened as the snake on his pendant grew and settled half onto his lap and half onto Harry's, but he couldn't tear away from his attention from Salazar's words. "Unfortunately you placed the necklace down one night as something compelled you to leave your rooms. A jealous classmate tried to steal your knowledge through a curse, but he accidentally changed the movement and it became a heart-stopping curse since we didn't use words to direct our spells in that time, but movements."

Both men felt their breathing hitch and it was as if they could see the scene in front of their eyes. "Ian realized that Dante wasn't in their rooms so he tracked him down and tried to push Dante out of the way of the spell, but he was too late. Dante died when his heart stopped and Ian tried to perform a spell that they had been experimenting on, one that would allow two beings to share one heartbeat. But the spell wasn't finished yet and Ian died holding his mate's lifeless body as his own heart stopped."

The atmosphere in the room was extremely thick with shock and sadness. Harry and Draco unknowingly held each other close as they processed the words of the Slytherin founder. The room grew silent and Harry found that he couldn't stand it anymore.

"I guess it seems like my stellar bad luck has been inherited from a previous life after all." Salazar and Draco looked at him in a funny way and he shook his head. "No, I mean it. Since this mission has started we have made so many plans, but none of them happened. We imagined this long-drawn-out spy thing where we finally catch the culprits in the end, only to find that there wasn't any real danger, to begin with, unless you counted the part where we had a deranged Minister on our hands. We would have involved Filch, but that didn't happen either and I'm not even talking about our other plans to give Jean and Theo some practice in the Auror category. And now to top it all off, the romantic date I tried to plan has turned into a history lesson where I find out that both me and the man I have a crush on, have been murdered in our previous life."

You could almost hear a pin drop as Harry finished his rant and it only took a few seconds for the brunet to realize that he had just basically declared his love to his crush in front of the crush himself.

Draco looked around the room and felt his body heat rise at Harry's confession. The man had probably not meant to admit his feelings in such a way if the decorated room was any indication to go by, but he didn't care. The only thing that mattered was the fact that Harry liked him and he liked Harry back. He could easily ignore their past deaths since the most important thing was that he had Harry here with him."

Thank you for reading, I'm sorry that this update is so late, I really couldn't figure out where to stop the chapter and I had to rewrite a few paragraphs when it seemed like they weren't making any sense.