Harry- June 26th

Harry Potter was seated by the black lake in the base of a tree where the roots created an almost perfect spot for sitting and thinking. He was just beginning to try and plan his next approach to get Dumbledore to allow him to spend the summer holidays elsewhere when a barn owl swooped down to land in front of Harry.

With no one to keep him company as Hermione had insisted that Ron join her to study for the last couple of exams of the year. Harry was for once willing to see a bright side to Voldemort's continual obsession with him. He didn't need to worry about the potions final that would be taking place the following day. So, Harry had the time to plan and read the missive that obviously was for him. If the owl landing in front of him had not made that abundantly clear the fact that his name was on the outside of the scroll in calligraphy would have.

Harry rubbed the owl's head as it lifted it's leg up and extended it out to allow Harry to take the letter. As he unrolled the scroll he began to bite his lower lip as he recognized the script and the tone of the letter. Malfoy had an unmistakable manner of speech. As he read the missive it was clear that the children of Death Eaters were aware of what was to come just as Harry was. For either of them was no denying reality. While he recognized that many on his side would not be open to Slytherin influence within their group it would be beneficial to at the least consider what was being offered and look create unity going forward.

Harry considered what his former nemesis was putting forth as his own perspective on the issue of blood status. The point of view that Malfoy had put forward appeared in the middle ground between where the dark and light factions stood. There were those who would deny muggle born children the opportunity to join their world, and the light would see more joining only after muggle primary and not have any previous exposure. What was being espoused by the blonde was a third legitimate, and more workable position. It bared considering.

So, he stood and drew his wand from his sleeve and summoned a quill much as he had his broom during the first task. He sat and began to scrawl a quick reply.

Malfoy,

If you are truly sincere in your wishes expressed in your letter meet me at the astronomy tower at fifteen minutes to curfew. We will meet if your are amiable under a truce for now. I am open to hearing more of what you have to say.

Harry

The raven-haired boy rolled up the missive once more and scratching out his name he scrawled Malfoy on the outside and sent the owl off with his reply.

Evening fell and the stars came out in full force. By the time that Harry arrived the blonde was already there looking up at the stars the moonlight reflecting off his hair making it appear almost luminescent. The entirety of the astronomy tower was vacant and as he felt the Harry approach the other boy swiftly went to work casting privacy spells to prevent eavesdropping. Draco let out a sigh in relief, "I wasn't sure that you were coming. Thank you." Harry shuffled slightly from one foot to the other, "the letter that you sent suggested a massive change. What happened to make you decide that you wanted to help our side?" Draco rolled his eyes and began to mutter, "Je suis serieusement entoure d' idiots."

Harry stood there and waited for Malfoy to quit muttering to himself in frustration. Finally, the blonde turned to him, "I want to be allowed to study and live my life Potter. The Dark Lord's return precludes that don't you think?" Harry nodded; he had similar thoughts on the matter as it precluded any sort of life he might have aside from surviving.

Draco continued, "You need to know that my offer of first year was genuine. I am no one's slave. Nor do I wish to be. There is room for reform in the current system that would allow for more of a balance and greater liberty. Harry raised an eyebrow, "when you say balance what do you mean?" The blonde rolled his eyes something he felt that he had become quite accomplished at in being surrounded by morons. Finally,

Draco responded, "When we met the first year, I had hoped to be able to befriend you and act a sort of guide as you reenter our world. You know introduce you around, help ensure that you are familiar with our culture and traditions. A culture and traditions that you were meant to inherit and be taught. And would have if not for losing your pureblood father and your godfather being imprisoned as he was." Harry nodded realizing that much made sense.

You have more enemies than you know. Like I said I can help and bring more allies to your side. "Harry nodded, "and are you willing to tell me who these other enemies are?"

Draco smirked for the first time since the conversation started, "I can but first I want I want something from you." The raven-haired boy searched his old nemesis's face, "oh and what is that?" Malfoy looked at him solemnly, "I want an unbreakable vow that myself and anyone that I bring to serve beside you in the cause of ending the Dark Lord will not be harmed willingly by you or anyone else on your side."

Harry seeing no falsehood in the other boy as he made the request. So, he asked, "what is an unbreakable vow?" Draco took another shaky breath, "an unbreakable vow is a vow on our magic that there will be no betrayal of the conditions that we agree on. If someone defies an unbreakable vow they lose their magic."

Harry nervously searched for some sign of deception in the face of his former nemesis as he considered the condition. Finally, Harry asked hesitantly, "in exchange for this where will we start?" Draco smirked, "I'm glad that you asked. We will start with team building and getting you out of that deplorable place you've been living in."

The green eyes that up to that point had been calm and considering suddenly were filled with anxiety. Draco observed the other boy and considered where to start as it was clear that Theo's theory about where and how the boy who lived was kept when not at school was close to if not directly on the mark. Soon he found the other boy nodding, and they began with the simple unbreakable vow of truce and peace between them.

As the next day dawned there was massive amounts of whispering as the students assembled in the Great Hall. Their pointed glares directed at Harry mostly from the Hufflepuff table. There were also the accompanying whispered debates about how it could be remotely true that You-Know-Who had risen once more. This led to the students of Hogwarts then discussing various theories as to what could then have happened if Dumbledore and Potter were not telling the truth.