Hi guys. I'm glad everyone has enjoyed the story so far. Here is the next chapter so I hope you enjoy. I really appreciate the positive comments about the story and that so many of you are enjoying it. Thank you for your patience and for sticking around to read.

I don't own any of the rights to the Harry Potter Series.

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Snowbeam12

Is The Dark All Dark?

Chapter 7

Harry was silent as he walked along the path leading towards the Great Lake, lost in thought. He'd only been back at Hogwarts for a couple days and already he felt like an outcast once again. He shoved his hands in his pockets when he reached the lake, leaning against a tree. During the wand weighing ceremony the other three champions hadn't been overly welcoming nor had they curved their opinions of him being in the tournament. During his walk back to were he was staying with Remus and Tonks multiple students had make their own comments.

"Surprised to see you out here? This is a pretty open area." A voice stated behind him causing him to glance over his shoulder. The girl walking towards him was dressed in Hogwarts robes and wearing the Slytherin symbol and tie. He sighed, shaking his head, allowing his bangs to fall in his face.

"I can't stay cramped up in a tent the entire time with two other people and a dog. I would go insane and figured since it's starting to get cold there wouldn't be very many people outside. Did you need something?" He muttered.

"No, simply escaping all that is going on inside with everyone starting to prepare for the first actually task." She simply commented, stopping to stand next to him. She looked out at the water, watching Harry out of the corner of her eyes.

"I'm Daphne Greengrass, 4th year Slytherin." She stated, turning to face him with her hand held out. Harry chuckled, shaking his head, a smile slipping onto his face.

"I know who you are. I might not have seemed like it because of the company I kept the last couple years, but I do at least know who my fellow year mates are." He commented, shaking her hand. A small laugh escaped her lips, her pureblood mask slipping for a moment. Harry quickly looked away, moving to sit at the base of the tree. Since everything had come to light he'd often found himself just wondering about everything since the beginning of first year. The hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin which should have been his first hint that something was different about him but he'd been so adamant about not being in the same house as Draco.

"Draco has been worried about you since you didn't show up at the beginning of the year." She commented off handedly, leaning against the tree beside him. He released a dry laugh, glaring at the water.

"Probably just misses having someone to knock him down a peg or two. Or having someone to terrorize." He snorted. She didn't fail to notice the slight tremble in his hands at his comment, figuring he didn't want to let himself give the Malfoy family a chance. She sighed, reaching up to push a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I know he seems like an arrogant prat, but Draco does mean well when it comes to his family. That's one thing he was raised to cherish." She sighed softly, glancing at him again, waiting for his reaction.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He stated defensively.

"Harry Potter I am not stupid. I am the heiress to a pureblood family, raised in the heart of the wizarding community. I can tell the difference between magically signatures far better than the blood traitor or muggle born you spent your time around. And I can tell the change to yours and how it mirrors Draco's." she explained, her tone leaving no room for argument or objection. Harry released a dry laugh, hanging his head to allow his bangs to fall in his face, hiding his expression.

"Do not misunderstand me. I didn't say they were exactly the same. I said mirrored, you're still your own...special Gryffindor self." She interjected, not failing to guess just what it was going through his head.

"But I'm really not am I? Every Malfoy in history has gone into Slytherin. I was supposed to go into the house of the Cunning and Ambitious and...instead I fought with the Sorting hat that night. How am I any different than the rest of them?" he questioned, the confusion and hurt he had been feeling for months finally slipping out. Daphne sighed for a moment, before carefully sitting on the grass beside him, turning her piercing blue gaze to the lake.

"Because that hat has been around since the beginning of Hogwarts. I'm sure you are not the first student to argue with it and it wouldn't have put you somewhere you wouldn't grow and succeed. All Malfoys have ended up in Slytherin, but until Sirius Black, every member of that house had been too. And nearly every Potter went into Gryffindor. You have three very strong family ties to you but...they don't define you." She explained. Harry couldn't help but openly gap at her. The Daphne Greengrass he was seeing was nothing like the rumors he'd heard during the previous years. He watched her stand up, dusting off her robes as she looked down at him.

"Well I don't know about you but I'm going to the library to work on my Potions' assignment." She stated, walking back towards the school. Harry couldn't help the small smile that slipped onto his face, brushing his hair out of his face.

"Oh and Potter? The blue suits you." She called, glancing over her shoulder with a teasing grin.

Remus and Sirius glanced up when the flap of the tent opened, watching as Harry slipped in wordlessly. Neither Marauder failed to notice the slight grin on his face, glancing at each other.

"Just what has you so excited pup?" Sirius questioned, standing up from his seat.

"Just...had a conversation with someone who made me realize that just because I'm the younger Malfoy twin I'm not like him and it's okay that I'm not a Slytherin like them." Harry breathed, offering his godfather a smile. Sirius couldn't help but grin, excited to see a smile on his pup's face since he'd gained the Malfoy features that made him look like Draco's twin. All three of them had noticed his depressed state worsen since returning to Hogwarts and being forced to see the Weasleys, Granger and Dumbledore.

"I swear the whole Ministry is filled with idiots. Who in there right mind came up with this first task?!" Tonks snapped as she walked into the tent. She was dressed in her Auror uniform indicating she had been at the Ministry attempting to discover anything she could about the Tournament.

"What did you find out Nymphadora?" Remus questioned.

"Don't call me Nymphadora!" she snapped, glaring at him, her hair flashing red for a moment before it settled back into the familiar pink color. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before turning her attention to Harry.

"I don't know what the exact task is, but I do know that it has something to do with dragons. The guy in charge of the Tournament sent through the paperwork to have four dragons brought to Hogwarts for the first task in a few weeks." She explained. Harry balled his hands into fists as he listened to the news, taking a deep breath to prevent himself from freaking out. Sirius had a horrified expression on his face and Remus had frozen in his chair, not knowing what to say.

"It's a starting point to come up with a plan." Harry stated, offering a small smile. "I'm going to head into the school to see if Madam Pince will let me use the library." He grabbed his jacket that was hanging off the side of the chair.

"Wait for me. I'm going to go with you as Padfoot. Can't have that old coot sneaking up to try and force you into talking to him." Sirius stated, standing up. He shifted into his animagus form before anyone could voice any objections. Harry sighed, nodding before the two walked towards the school, taking a deep breath as he walked through the doors. He glanced around, thankful that there weren't many students wandering around at the moment, figuring they were in their classes.

Once he'd gotten permission from Madam Pince to use the library he wandered over to the section on Magical creatures. He pulled out several books on different dragons, hiding himself away at a corner table. Padfoot laid under the table at his feet, resting his head on his paws as he watched for anyone approaching the table. Harry flipped through the pages, making a note on anything that he found interesting or thought he might need.

"Harry I was hoping we'd run into you. Why haven't you been in classes? Just because you've missed a couple months doesn't mean that you shouldn't just jump right back in?" Hermione's voice suddenly cut through his thoughts. He jerked his head up, frowning when he spotted both Hermione and Ron walking towards him. Like normal she was carrying an armful of books and Ron had a bored expression on his face. Harry frowned, moving his books out of the way quickly when she suddenly dropped her stack on the table.

"What are you-" he began, gritting his teeth when she interrupted him.

"And why did you dye your hair? You look like some type of rebellious bad boy which really isn't a good look for you Harry." She continued. Ron simply nodded along with her.

"You also look a lot like Malfoy which just makes you look a lot like that slimy snake." He added. Both seemed oblivious to the glare they were currently receiving. Harry gathered his books, moving to stand up.

"Wait, where are you going?" Hermione questioned.

"I really need to work on coming up with a plan for the first task. I can't do that listening to you." He stated, hoping they would catch his hint that he wanted them to leave him alone.

"Oh right. You have to get some type of treasure from a dragon. Let me help. I've been thinking about it and think I have a couple different ideas." Hermione quickly stated, standing up with three books in her arms. Harry faltered, freezing in his retreat. His breath quickened as her words registered, figuring she had been told about the task by Dumbledore, probably some plan for them to regain his trust. Padfoot released a low growl when the two Gryffindors stepped closer to Harry, sitting at his godson's feet when they both took steps back.

"You really shouldn't bring a dog into the school Harry. They aren't on the list of approved familiars." Hermione stated, a tone of superiority in her voice as she looked down at the black grim like dog.

"Neither is a rat Granger and yet I remembering seeing Weasley there with one at the beginning of the school year the last couple years." Another voice stated, catching the three students off guard. Harry glanced over his shoulder, watching at Daphne walked towards them with two other students. He faltered for a moment when he realized Draco was among her group. The blonde-haired male stood at her side with his arms crossed, his nose scrunched up like he smelt something bad.

"Ron doesn't have Scabbers anymore so that doesn't matter. Not that it's any of your business so you should just go away." Hermione snapped. Daphne raised an eyebrow before she sat down at the table not too far from where the two Gryffindors stood.

"Harry would you like to join us?" she questioned, turning her attention to the young wizard.

"Why would he want to sit with a bunch of slimy, evil snakes!? You might try to poison him or trick him into coming back to your common rooms so you can hurt him!" Ron objected, moving to stand at Harry side. Harry frowned, stepping around him to walk over to their table. He sat in the empty seat between Daphne and Draco, ignoring the shocked looks on Ron and Hermione's face.

"Miss Grander, Mr. Weasley if you are going to continue being loud than you need to leave the library!" Madam Pince suddenly stated, standing over the two gapping four years. Harry couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the older witch escort them out of the library, away from them.

"What did Granger and Weasel want?" Draco questioned, glancing at his twin for a moment. Harry faltered on responding, unsure of how to respond.

"Granger was going on about me missing classes than started in on wanting to tell me plans she had for the first task." He finally explained.

"Have you come up with a plan yet?" Daphne questioned, tilting her head slightly.

"We don't know what the first task even is to properly plan anything." Blaise suddenly interjected, leaning forward some to look at the two Malfoy twins.

"According to Her...Granger I have to get something from a dragon." Harry muttered, looking down at his books. Draco stared at him; his eyes wide at the thought of his brother going up against something so dangerous.

"Are they crazy?! You're barely 14, how are you expected to fight a dragon?!" he snapped. He yelped, rubbing his arm when he was hit with a stinging hex from Daphne. The young witch slipped her wand back into the brace in her sleeve, glaring at him for a moment. She didn't want to get kicked out of the library like the two loud Gryffindors had. Harry spotted Madam Pince watching them with an annoy look on her face. He ducked his head, hoping she would leave them in peace.

"The rules were that to enter into the tournament you had to be of age. Which while still dangerous against a dragon, the other champions will know more spells going up against one." Blaise pointed out, opening the transfiguration book he had in front of him on the table. The four of them fell into a comfortable silence, each working on their own tasks or assignments. Harry occasionally glanced at each of them, noticing the annoyed look on Blaise's face as his quill scratched on the parchment.

"What are you guys working on? Daphne mentioned...earlier that she was going to work on a potions assignment?" he questioned.

"Nah, I already finished that. This is for Professor McGonagall and I'm struggling with it. Then Draco and I still have an essay for Professor Moody for Defense against the dark arts." Blaise chuckled, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. He had been struggling with the two classes since the start of the year. Harry glanced at his twin for a moment, not failing to notice the way his eyes scrunched up as he worked. Daphne seemed the most relaxed out of the trio, but he could tell that she was struggling with whatever they had to do.

"I could help you with the Defense assignment if you would like?" Harry offered, reaching up to push his bangs out of his face.

"Wow really? That would be awesome. Draco why can't you be as cool as your twin?!" Blaise questioned. Harry froze up, staring at the Slytherin wide eyed. His fingers gripped the corner of his book as he jerked his head around, looking for any signs of anyone else hearing him. Draco quickly kicked his best friend in the shin under the table, sending him a silent glare.

"Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to say that that loud." He stated, reaching down to rub his shin with a hiss of pain.

"He knows? Who else does!?" Harry demanded, attempting to keep his voice down.

"Just Daphne and Blaise. They've been my best friends since we were babies. I haven't told anyone else." Draco quickly assured. He was enjoying the time he was spending with his twin and didn't want to start fighting with him again.

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Until Next Chapter,

Snowbeam12