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Harry was surprised when he heard Draco’s voice, and for a minute he ignored what he said. He hadn’t read todays paper, he was sick of reading the crap they wrote in there about him, even newpaper had something about him lying, something about him all the time. He was sick of it, he had read them most of the summer, Ron had sent them to him by his request, after a while he had just started throwing them in a pile and ignoring them, though he found it hard to forget what he had read, it didn’t just go away it echoed in his mind all the time, how they had once loved and admired him so much and now he was a lier, funny how people changed there tunes so easily.
Harry took in a deep breath and looked over at Draco “Go on, going to tell me you agree with them, how it was all just some big hoax, how Cedric just died on his own, or I killed him, I can handle it” he said. Really he couldn’t but he wasn’t going to show that, he was strong he just didn’t want to deal with this crap. He was expecting the worse from Draco, after all he probably agreed with the ministry. Really he didn’t want to listen to him talk, at all, but he couldn’t walk away no way Draco would let him do that. It seemed like this year was a little different, he still heard people talk about as he walked past, but this time they weren’t what he was used to. They were about how he had lied, made up the all story. They gave him that look he didn’t like, like there was something wrong with him like he was crazy. He was far from crazy, he remembered everything about that night perfectly. If only he had been selfish and took the cup for himself, Cedric wouldn’t have died, if only. There were so many thoughts that ran through his mind, about how he could have prevented it, how he let everyone down. It was funny, how even though the signs he was back where happening, and a lot of people were disappearing and things where happening they refused to believe it. Well believing it meant that they would admit he was back. Voldemort being back meant a war was coming and a lot of people were going to die. They needed to stop being idiots and start preparing for it. Stop spreading lies and starting telling the truth so people could prepare and stand a chance at surviving. |
Harry's angry retort almost made Draco respond as he would have yesterday morning.
"N-no," he stuttered. "It's just—I—" He wasn't sure how to begin without losing a lot of face. "I hadn't read the paper all summer," he explained. "So...I was just surprised to see the kinds of things they were printing." |
Harry stared at him, he was surprised he hadn't said anything rude or agreed with them, was he feeling bad for him? That was impossible Draco didn't feel anything for anyone, or at least that was how Harry viewed him "If you want to say something just spit it out" he said the stuttering and not saying anything clearly was annoying him
"Well, they've been saying stuff like that all summer, don't act like you haven't heard what people are saying around school" he said and looked away from him and sighed "Anyway what exactly do you want with me?" He asked |
"I didn't want anything," Draco said automatically. "I just -- oh, hell." This whole situation was terribly awkward. He shouldn't have followed Potter in the first place.
"Sorry," he muttered, and turned around to go. |
Harry sighed and felt bad once he turned around to leave, he looked over at him and smiled "I'm sorry, I'm just in a bad mood I shouldn't be taking it out on you" he said honestly. Really it wasn't fair to him even if he had been horribly mean to him the past three years "You didn't do anything wrong, at least this time anyway" he said and glanced at Draco "Actually you've been rather nice, oddly enough" he said. He was a bit confused by how Draco was acting, usually he would take all opportunities to bring him down and this time he wasn't.
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Draco turned back around at Potter's apology. It was weird; it felt like five years of hatred and reactive instinct had just melted away with that moment of shared awkwardness. He shrugged.
"I'm in a bad mood myself," he said. "More of a strange mood, I guess. I've got... a lot on my plate. Hogwarts just feels so confining, and everything's the same as it always was, only worse now that the Dark Lord is back." Draco found himself laughing, a bit hysterically. "I always assumed you had it so easy, being the Boy Who Lived. It's a bit... startling... to see it otherwise." |
"Oh so you actually believe he's back" he said a bit relieved. It was nice knowing someone other than people who were close to him believed him, it made him feel a little bit better and have some hope. Like not all was lost, he couldn't help but smile.
"My life has never been easy Draco, you just didn't bother to look past what you saw" he said with a sigh, he had called him Draco, it had slipped out without him realizing it. "You aren't the only one with a hard life" he said. Only people who were close to him really knew what his life was like |
"Of course I believe he's back," Draco said, startled. "I've seen him, talked to—well, been talked at by him." He shuddered. "It wasn't fun."
He fell silent, thinking against his will about the letter that would probably come soon. Then there came floating down the corridor jumble of voices, people laughing and talking, and Draco looked at a nearby clock. "Time for classes," he said. "I have Divination now, so, er, I should go. Long way up to the tower and all." ---- |
Harry looked at him, he should have figured it was something like that, he wasn't going to comment on it though. He didn't have time to really worry about what Draco, and his family where doing, he had to worry about his own problems.
"Yeah, I should, go to" he said and turned around and started to walk away towards his class. That was odd to say the least it was almost like they were friends, which was a sort of creepy notion. He wondered if after what they had both been through if they could actually manage to be friends, probably not, after all, Draco followed his parents orders and his father wouldn't approve. As he walked through the hallway, he heard all the voices again, god he just wanted to scream and tell them to shut up. Seriously they needed to stop believing everything people wrote, they needed to learn to think for themselves, which was clearly something they hadn't learned yet. Once he reached the classroom he took his normal seat next to Ron and Hermione, at least people would shut up for a while and he'd have a moment of peace. |
Divination was as dull as ever. Trelawney faked her way through prediction after prediction. It would have been fun had Blaise not deliberately failed the class last year so he wouldn't have to take it this year. He was the sole Slytherin among a group of Hufflepuffs who took her fairly seriously and, being Hufflepuffs, did the work without complaints or much discussion.
He scurried out of the class as soon as the bell rang, and nearly pelted down the stairs to the dungeons, to Potions. It was double with the Gryffindors, and though he wasn't sure how he'd handle Potter in the next hour, at least he'd not be alone. All the Slytherins were there. The thought stopped him short. Crap, he thought, and added a few more choice expletives. If he were anything but snide to Potter, at least five of his "friends" would report it to his father. He'd have to be careful. |
Class seemed to tick by rather slowly, than again he wasn't really paying attention, he kept replaying over and over what had happened in the hallway, he wasn't sure what had happened actually he was so confused over the whole thing.
Once class was over he headed downstairs with Ron and Hermione to there next class, which was with Slytherins, he didn't plan on doing anything, especially with a lot of people around, for now things would remain how they were. If they were going to be nice and friendly it surely wasn't going to happen in front of others who would say things about it Once they were in the classroom, he took his seat he resisted the urge to look around for Draco, knowing that would come across as odd. He just wanted the day to be over so he could go off by himself for a while again. |
Draco was relieved to see that Harry ignored him as much as he tried to ignore Harry. But Professor Snape, it seemed, was going to meddle at every opportunity. After he had gone on for a while about their upcoming OWLs, he announced that they would be making a Draught of Peace, and that they would be working in pairs.
"Weasley, you're with Parkinson. Granger, see if you can keep Longbottom from destroying the dungeon. Nott, you work with Miss Brown; Miss Bulstrode and Miss Patil, over here." Snape worked his way through the class, pairing them off, until Draco knew, with a horrid certainty, that he'd be with— "Potter, you're with Malfoy. Do try not to sabotage each other." Draco saw Granger and Weasley give Potter sympathetic looks as Draco dragged his bookbag over to Potter's table. They were next to Granger and Longbottom, whom Draco regarded with fearful suspicion. He hoped he'd live through this class. He dumped his bag on the table. "Well, let's get started," he said grumpily. Then he noticed, with a brightening of humor, that he was on the opposite side of the dungeon from the rest of his classmates. He shot Snape a curious look, and received a blank stare in return. |
Harry zoned out as Snape talked, he hated this class with a passion mostly because of how much he disliked the teacher. When he started paying attention again he sighed when he heard them being broken up into pairs, and how he wasn't with Ron or Hermione, great he was going to be placed with an idiot who was going to give him that look that annoyed him the whole time.
His draw almost dropped to the floor, when he heard him say he would be working with Draco. Was he serious? Since when did he make them work together, usually he favorited Malfoy and gave him whatever he wanted. So much for ignoring him, in till they were alone again or whatever. Harry noticed the looks he was given and gave them a smile, it would be fine, he would survive, at least he wasn't working with an idiot. He knew that Draco was fairly smart, just wasn't that nice of a person "Yeah" he said as he looked over at him. What in god's name was going on exactly, he was so confused. All well, hopefully this would only be a one day thing. He pulled out his text book and opened it up to the right page "Might as well share, so we don't accidentally do the same thing twice" he said |
((This is my last post for tonight, since I have some papers to grade before tomorrow morning.))
---- "Right," said Draco, looking at Harry's textbook. "So, we need powdered dragon scales, beetle eyes, and vinegar for the base." He sorted through his Potions kit. "I've got the dragon scales and the vinegar, but I'm out of beetle eyes. Have you got some?" He reached automatically for Harry's own supply of Potions ingredients, which involved squeezing his body next to Harry's and reaching over him. A tingle passed through him at the contact—a nice tingle, a tingle of normalcy such as he hadn't felt since before coming to Hogwarts. Warm, friendly, open. Draco liked it. Rummaging through Harry's kit, he found the beetle eyes and scooped up the right amount, depositing them on his cutting board. "Do you want to chop, or stir?" he asked. ---- ((I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, around 5 or 6pm Pacific time!)) |
"Yeah" he said he was going to get it himself when he felt Draco reach other for it, jeeze he could have waiting a moment in till he could get it. That feeling again, he felt it before when they touched and now he was feeling it again, it was odd, that he would even feel anything. They had never been close, and yet here they were.
"I would have gotten it myself you know" he said. He wasn't completely hopeless in potions although it was one of his worst classes, mainly because of the professor he knew what he was doing to an extent. "I'll stir" He said, it made more sense, since Draco had put the stuff on his cutting board already. When he noticed no one was paying attention he couldn't help but ask "What exactly is he planning by having us paired together?" he asked softly if anyone knew it would be Draco. [[Alright]] |
Draco avoided looking in Harry's eyes at that question. He could feel the gaze of every Slytherin in the class on the two of them—in fact, he heard Snape's annoyed reprimands to that effect.
"I have no idea," Draco told the cutting board. "And it's odd," he added, remembering the schedule incident. "This morning, when he gave me my course schedule, he told me that if I ever had any problems with my future plans, I should come see him." He shrugged and leaned past Harry to grab the mortar and pestle. "I'm as much in the dark as you are here." |
Harry could tell that Ron and Hermione kept glancing over every now and than, they were probably expecting some huge fight, since they weren't around to stop him from losing his temper, they always did that, which he was glad they had
"Odd, is a word that does not do the situation justice, it's worse than that" he said. He wasn't sure what to think of what was going on really "That's pretty odd, than again, he's always been an odd teacher to say the least" He said with a shrug Once Draco started to cut and add ingredients he started to stir the potion "I'm surprised somethings going on, and you don't know about it, though I'm sure something he's planning something and I don't really want to find out what" he said |
"Of course Professor Snape's planning something," Draco retorted, barely remembering to keep his voice low, as if they were just discussing the potion.
He glanced over his shoulder at Snape and saw that the professor was busy telling off Granger for one of Longbottom's mistakes. Well, that at least hadn't changed. Suddenly, Snape looked up and saw Draco looking, and the expression on his face was... odd. It was calculating, considering, and... was that concern? Draco snapped his head back around to his potion. "I just want to get through today." |
Well he had pointed out something that was pretty obvious, he hadn't put them together for no reason at all. Was he hoping they got into a fight and Harry lost or something? As much as he was interested in what was going through Snape's mind, he wasn't sure he wanted to know, it was probably he wouldn't like at all.
Harry avoided, looking over at Snape though he was really tempted, but he knew he would find any reason to get him and his house in trouble and he wasn't about to let that happen, he would get through this class with any trouble. He would be peaceful, which it was odd how Draco was being so nice himself, and then it would be over and they wouldn't have to work together again. "Well, at least it's easier for you to get through a day" he said softly. He really wanted to day to be over so he could spend time with Ron and Hermione, or slink off by himself away from all the noise. |
((*headdesk* I thought I was the last to post here, so when it didn't show up on my subscriptions list, I assumed you hadn't posted... SORRY!! Will post now.))
--- "Stop feeling so sorry for yourself," Draco retorted in a fierce whisper. "We both have it hard, okay? I get that you've got the entire Wizarding world against you, that no one else believes the Dark Lord is back, that the school is gossiping, whatever. I get it, I understand it, I acknowledge it." Draco fought to keep his voice low and level. "I spend each day wondering if the post next morning is going to be carrying a summons, or a note from my father, ordering me to—" He broke off. The sudden camaraderie—friendship, perhaps—with Harry Potter had made him not hate the other boy, but he wasn't about to confide everything. They were still on opposite sides, weren't they? Weren't they? |
"OKay" he said. He knew Draco was right he really did just need to stop feeling sorry for himself. Although it wasn't so much that, as he was worried as to how much would happen if people didn't start believing him soon. they would need time to prepare and people were going to die, a lot of people.
"Ordering you to what?" He asked softly though he had a feeling he wasn't going to get an answer to that. Although right now, it was almost like he liked Draco as a friend, they weren't fighting, trying to kill each other nor where they throwing rude comments at each other like they usually did "You know, I do have more important worries than being made out to be a liar" he said. That was really just the start of it all, there was always so much weighing on his shoulders, and the rumors and gossip didn't make it any easier. [[Sorry I never got the chance to post, I was just so busy and overly stressed out, and tired.]] |
((I'm going to skip ahead, if that's okay?))
--- "I—I'm not supposed to talk about it," Draco said, then wanted to kick himself. Smooth, real smooth. Suddenly Severus Snape loomed out of the misty air of the Potions classroom at them. "Potter, Malfoy, stop bickering and pay attention to your potion." Draco obeyed, grateful to Snape for the interruption. He wasn't ready to tell Harry everything yet, despite their new friendship. He needed to talk it over with Snape first—and that was a conversation he knew would be uncomfortable. --- When class ended, Draco hung back. Snape was putting potions ingredients away in the store cupboard and didn't seem to notice him, so Draco cleared his throat. "Erm, er, Professor Snape?" "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" Snape didn't even turn around. "Could I talk to you?" "Of course." Snape continued placing each jar carefully, methodically turning them so the labels faced out. "It's about... er, my father." Snape's hands paused in their steady work for just a moment, then resumed. His face remained blank. "Go on." "Er..." Draco took several deep breaths and tried to collect himself, to remember the haughty, confident personality he usually assumed in the hallways and other public spaces. He cleared his throat and began again. "Professor, no doubt you are aware of the plans my father has, for me to follow in his footsteps in our family business." "Indeed I am, as Lucius has spoken to me most enthusiastically about you." "Well, then, I was wondering if we could discuss those plans. I'd like to—to get your opinion, sir." Snape finished with the cupboard, closed and locked its doors, and turned around. "My opinion, Mr. Malfoy?" "Yes, sir. Your opinion." "I hardly think it appropriate for a mere teacher to express his opinions on the plans of such an esteemed personality as Lucius Malfoy." Which meant, Draco thought, that Snape was afraid of Lucius, too. "Of course," Draco replied, keeping his voice steady with a massive effort. "But this would be just between you and me, sir. You're my favorite teacher, after all, and we've shared confidences before." Translation: I won't tell Lucius if you won't. Snape looked at him long and hard, his black eyes boring straight through Draco's. Draco kept his gaze steady. If Severus Snape wanted to read his mind, he thought, go right ahead. At this point he was so confused and, if he were honest, scared, that he could use all the help he could get. "Very well," Snape said at last. "I will arrange a time for us to talk at greater length. You should go now, Draco, before your friends miss you." Before the other Slytherins begin to suspect something. "Yes, sir." As Draco opened the door to leave, he heard Snape say loudly, "And whatever your rivalries are with Potter, Malfoy, I want none of it in my classroom, understood?" Startled but grateful, Draco turned and replied, "Yes, of course, Professor." There was a little knot of younger Slytherins waiting for their class to begin as he left, and Draco knew that Snape had said that last bit for their benefit, so that everyone would think he had been told off, and that he and Potter were still rivals, even though they weren't anymore. With a little smile at that thought, Draco left the dungeons. |
Just as Harry was about to question Draco about what he wasn’t supposed to talk about, Snape had to step in and open his mouth. Now that was going to bother him in till he found out, which he doubted he would. They were getting along so well, for the moment to, but would that actually last, probably not.
It seemed like the second class was over, Ron and Hermione where already pulling him away, to talk to him. Not that he really cared, he wouldn’t get to talk to Draco again for a while anyway, and he knew that. Not in till the day was over anyway, he knew Ron wouldn’t approve of his and Draco’s almost new found friendship or rather understanding of each other, and although Hermione wouldn’t be happy about it she was the more level headed one who would eventually come to understand it, like she always did even if she didn’t agree with it. Once they were outside and away, from where anyone who they didn’t want to hear them, the questions started coming, mostly from Ron. “What happened?” Ron asked Harry glanced over at him “We did work, nothing else, he cares about his grade just as much as I do” he said. That wasn’t really the truth but he wasn’t going to let Ron in on that, besides that was a believable lie, if he did say so himself. Draco had always cared about being the best at everything “He doesn’t want to fail, nor do I” He said, which was true. “I don’t believe he can be nice, even if it is for his grade” he said “Believe what you want, nothing happened” He said. Well that was half true and half wasn’t, just because they got along for one class didn’t mean anything really. They weren’t really friends and chances where they wouldn’t talk again, unless they had to work together again, which probably wasn’t going to happen. “We should hurry up to our next class, don’t want to be late” he said. In other words he wanted to avoid talking about it anymore with Ron, he would sit and talk to Hermione later and tell her everything to see what she thought, she was always the level headed one who thought straight. |
((What's the next class for Harry, Ron, and Hermione? Did you want it to be another one with Draco? Or do you want to skip forward to the evening and have them meet somewhere? I have to do Snape and Draco's conversation at some point, but that can be either before or after Harry and Draco's next.))
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[[Sorry I went to take a nap.
You can skip to the evening, and either do Harry and Draco first, or have them meet accidentally after Draco's conversation with Snape]] |
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