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Harry Potter and the Unusual Alliance	By : RikuRocks Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 5752 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Harry Potter, nor am I making any money from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Chapter 11: Of Morals and Motives.
Dozens of thoughts and questions passed through Harry's mind in the brief silence that followed Snape's cryptic statement, but he restrained himself from voicing any of them. He did this because he noticed Draco relax slightly at Snape's words, and he realized that this moment was not just about him.
"I did the same thing that you yourself had," Snape drawled; his dark eyes locked with Draco's light ones. "I was placed into a position where I had to choose between the death of one man -whom I respected very much and did not actually desire to kill- and the deaths of the few people I truly care for, as well as my own. I chose."
"And now?" asked Draco quietly. "This isn�t the first time you've come here looking for me."
"Very good, Draco;" Snape responded, as though he was simply in a classroom with is prize pupil. "The Dark Lord has been�intent on reclaiming you, ever since you and

Potter disappeared the other night. I have been trying to find you first."
"Why?"
"To warn you;� Snape suddenly sounded and looked more human to Harry than ever before. "I know you aren�t stupid, but the Dark Lord knows how to exploit a weakness. Do not let him use yours. Whatever you hear of his actions; stay away."
"What might I hear that could possibly-?" Draco's wand and voice wavered. He shook his head back and forth slowly; "No, he wouldn't� They're too important, too useful; much more then I am at least�and he must know that it would affect your loyalty."
His wand lowered entirely as the pale blonde seemed to be shouldering a heavy burden.
Harry kept his wand trained on Snape, whose own wand seemed to have disappeared into his robes, as he raised his other hand to settle on one of the thin shoulders in front of him.
"The Dark Lord is very angry, Draco." Harry started at the foreign quality in Snape's voice. It sounded almost soothing, but when Snape spoke again, it was in his usual deep drawl. "You failed, as he probably expected, but it cost him. I can never return to Hogwarts or to the Order of the Phoenix now. I'm not quite as useful to him as I once was. Fortunately, he doesn't know the full use I could be."
"Why didn't he just kill me when I failed, then?" Draco�s voice sounded oddly distant, as though he was already suspecting the answer�and was not sure if he wanted it confirmed.
"He has other plans for you, I'm afraid;" answered Snape, however his tone hinted at anger more then fear. It seemed that Draco wasn't the only one who was uncertain if he wanted to have his suspicions verified. "You have failed your assignment, escaped from under a dozen Death Eaters, and rescued Potter in the process. The Dark Lord has given strict orders that you are to remain living. Not unharmed, like Potter, just not killed. He wants you alive, and until I know why, I don't intend to allow it."
A heavy silence fell over them once more. Draco and Snape seemed to be speaking their own language, each trying to discern if the other had found proof of something they both feared. They clearly trusted each other not to cause any unnecessary harm, and obviously cared about each other, yet they would not speak of their concern for fear that the other had not already figured it out.
Harry could not figure it out�any of it. He was obviously missing something, and the answer he had been waiting for had been lost in translation.
"What side are you on?" Harry finally exclaimed, too frustrated to remain quiet any longer.
Snape scoffed and Harry could practically feel Draco�s eyes roll. Snape crossed his arms, and set his gaze on Draco once again, who gave a weary nod. Then the potions master turned his eyes, which had returned to their usual firm, cold quality, to Harry.
"Potter," His tone had also returned to the one Harry was most familiar with. The man seemed to harden from the human being that had dealt with Draco, into the unforgiving overgrown bat that Harry had always thought him to be. "Despite any pathetic ideals on good and evil that you may have developed, there are more then just two sides to this war.

�The giants and werewolves have their own reasons for fighting, and for working alongside the Dark Lord, which are separate from the Death Eaters' motives. The Order of the Phoenix is fighting against the Dark Lord, but for different reasons then the Ministry of Magic. Each individual in these groups have joined for their own reasons, which they may or may not share with any of their allies or enemies."
Draco must have given some sort of facial cue that Harry could not see, because Snape glanced at the pale boy, released a heavy sigh, and continued in a more controlled tone. "I do not believe that I shall ever be what you would consider one of the good guys, however, I intend to see the Dark Lord fall."
Harry was shocked and suspicious. He supposed that must have shown because Snape and Draco each released a tired sigh, and then Snape continued explaining, his tone insinuating that he felt he should not have to. "You haven't heard the clever little speech that the Order's pet werewolf has been spreading among the other dark creatures, have you?"
Snape paused briefly, and then continued when it became clear that Harry indeed had not heard Lupine�s debate. "Pity; that would have given you a better understanding of how motives play into the decision of which side one joins in a war such as this. I am a half-blood, Potter; Draco is a blood traitor; even if we were to serve The Dark Lord faithfully from this day onward and become priceless assets in a grand victory; what then?"
Harry blinked when he realized he was actually expected to answer the question. He had to think about what Snape had said for a moment, as he had only half-listened to the words immediately following the insult against Lupin.
Draco turned and faced Harry for the first time since he and Snape started speaking. "Harry, once V-Voldemort won, we would be held in high esteem amongst the victors at first, but once everything was�put into order -as they would see it- we would no longer be needed. Eventually, we would be the last of the filth that they are trying to eliminate from our world. By assisting V-Voldemort's victory, we would be guaranteeing our own end."
"If you hadn't helped me, you wouldn't be a blood traitor," Harry pointed out. He was not sure if Draco had realized yet that he was not in the same position as Snape. There had to be another explanation for the Slytherin's behavior. Harry would figure Snape out after he figured out Draco, although he doubted that he would ever fully understand either.
"I helped you, because I am a blood traitor," Draco answered quietly. "I have been since I was ordered to kill Dumbledore and my instinctual reaction was against it. I suppose that means I already was one; maybe I've always been but that was just the first time I ever truly had to choose a side."
Harry nodded slowly while looking at Draco. "So you're doing this because it's the right thing to do," he turned to face Snape again, "And you're just helping our side for self-preservation."
"Not quite, though that is a primary concern," Snape answered emotionlessly, "But all you need to know is that I am helping you, as you put it."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Dumbledore believe that you were helping him too?" Harry practically hissed at his former professor. "I don't think murdering him falls under the 'helping' category."
"You already heard my explanation when I offered it to Draco," Snape stated with a slow inflection. "As he is the only one present whom I feel any obligation to explain the situation to, I will not be divulging any further thoughts on the matter."
"Harry," Draco quietly interrupted before Harry could retort. "Imagine if twenty years from now, you were placed into a no-win situation where you had to choose between killing Lupin, or having Weasley, Granger, their child whom you've watched grow up, and yourself murdered. What would you do? It's quite simple when it's just your own life your giving up for another's, but when the lives you have to sacrifice belong to those you care about, it isn't nearly so black and white."
"But he didn't have to take the Unbreakable Vow," Harry fumed. He was not letting Snape off that easily. "He could have refused, and then tried to find another way to help, or just stayed out of it all together."
A subtle, almost wistful smile touched Draco's lips. "Precisely," he said softly, his eyes holding Harry's own as though he were trying to guide them into seeing whatever his silver depths could.
"Potter, use your sense!" Snape snapped at the bespectacled boy, whose attention (and wand) quickly returned to the man. "The way I chose to handle the situation was the most favorable toward Draco's survival as well as my own. By taking the vow, I guaranteed that I could not back out and that I would have an explanation to offer The Dark Lord for why I killed Dumbledore instead of allowing Draco to fall."
"If Snape had stayed out of it, I still wouldn�t have killed Dumbledore," Draco added. "So either the other Death Eaters would have, or Snape could have attempted to kill or Obliviate them and claimed it was your Phoenix lot. In either scenario, V-Voldemort would have murdered my parents and me."
"Dumbledore trusted him!" Harry fumed again.
"So did I." Draco answered coolly. "He already admitted that he had to make a choice and he did. That's why I'm alive and Dumbledore isn't."
"He's done more then murder Dumbledore!" Harry retorted angrily. "He's the one who sent Voldemort after my parents! He's the one who always goaded Sirius! He was always cruel to Neville and Hermione-"
"If you're going to allow old grudges to rule your decisions then you're going to lose a lot more before this war is over." Draco interrupted in the same composed tone, as though Harry had not lost his temper. "He's done some bad things, I'm not arguing that. So have I, and so have you. The world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters, Harry."
Harry froze; any retort he had been about to offer died in his throat. Sirius had told Harry the same thing once, looking at him through a fireplace with grey eyes that were identical to the ones looking at him now. In addition, Harry knew that Lupin, on more then one occasion, tried to talk Snape and Sirius out of letting their old hatred blind them to the truth. Neither had been able to, and this is where grudges and spite had led them.
"We do not have to enjoy each other�s company, Potter," Snape drawled in a tone that suggested he was disgusted by the mere idea of spending more time in Harry's company. "But it would simplify matters if we could work together."
"I don't trust him." Harry said simply, eyes moving over to Draco.
"Do you trust me?" The ashen Slytherin asked with a carefully neutral tone and expression.
That caused Harry to pause for a moment. He had decided before the end of term that he would work against Voldemort without the Ministry or the Order of the Phoenix. During the first week of summer, he had decided not to include his friends in this task as well. A few days ago, he had decided to work with the boy whom he had known as a rival for years.
Harry had not thought about it at the time; it just seemed like a perfect solution to his problem. Now, Harry returned his focus to the boy in front of him and realized that was not what the other boy wanted him to think over when he asked his question. Draco had been trying to make a point; that you could work with someone even if you did not like, or even trust, him or her.
"We don't have to tell him everything, but he could be a very useful asset." Draco commented quietly.
"I don't know how Ron and Hermione will react to our new asset."
"Granger can be reasoned with, and she can handle Weasley," Draco responded. Harry was surprised at how well the blonde had somehow managed to fit into the group of Gryffindors. "Besides, this is your decision to make; you didn't need their permission to accept my assistance."
"You didn't spy on the Order or kill anyone," Harry retorted. "I chose to accept your help because I think that I can trust you and because I think that you truly want to stop Voldemort�and not just to protect yourself."
"Which is why we are not going to tell him any more then we need to in order for him to be useful to our cause," Draco stated calmly.
"It is not as though I intend to return to the headquarters of the Order." Snape, who had been observing the two boys' discussion, finally decided to re-enter the conversation. "It would probably be wiser not to inform more people then necessary of our alliance."
"That is a sensible suggestion," Draco commented gently. "Not only will most of your Phoenix lot react poorly, but you may have another spy, either for V-Voldemort or the Ministry, and we can't afford the risk."
"Of course they'll react poorly, he killed Dumbledore!" Harry hissed, and then held up a hand while he took a breath before continuing more calmly. "You are right about having to be careful about everyone's allegiances. They were wrong about the loyalties of a couple members last time." He added the last part with a slightly bitter note.
"So, we'll keep it between ourselves?" Draco asked and then added offhandedly, "and Granger and Weasley, naturally."
Harry could not help but grin slightly at that. "Well�the Order has never been too quick to believe us when we're the only ones who know what's going on, but maybe we should tell one of the others." Harry noticed that Draco and Snape were both watching him thoughtfully as he spoke.
"One who won't dismiss any notion we offer offhand, and who will keep it a secret unless we need them to reveal it?" Draco asked with a slightly knowing look.
"You can't be serious, Potter, who in the Order would believe you and be more loyal to you than to�" Snape stopped as realization struck, and then he gained a slightly sour expression; "Lupin."
It was not a question, but both boys nodded anyway.
"It would be useful to have someone in the Order on our�team, or whatever." Harry noted.
"How very Slytherin of you," Draco smirked. Then, he looked genuinely amused for a brief moment; "A traitor, a spy, a werewolf, a bookworm, and a loudmouth with a short temper�that's some support team you have, Harry."
"I couldn't ask for a better one," Harry said proudly. "Besides, Lupin also works as insurance against him;" he motioned toward Snape. "He's reasonable enough to put aside their differences for the greater good, and as you said, he's loyal�but if Snape brings me to any harm, we both know he won't think twice about killing him." Harry turned to Snape; "Don't we?"
Snape was clearly not amused. "You need to be alive and in generally good order to defeat the Dark Lord, therefore I doubt I'll be giving your pet wolf any reason to hunt me down."
"I think the point is that we all know he will," Draco commented, and Harry wondered if Snape was as surprised as he was. "It's not like he has much to lose, aside from Harry. I'm assuming this�threat�is based off of prior experience?"
Harry nodded. "I'll fill you in later." He returned his attention to Snape. "What do you know about how I'm supposed to defeat Voldemort, and why does he want Draco so badly?"
"I already stated that I do not know what the Dark Lord's intentions are regarding Draco," Snape remarked. "If and when I discover anything, I shall inform Draco at the earliest opportunity. As for what you need to do in order to defeat Voldemort; what do you know about Horcruxes?"
"More than you would assume," Draco answered calmly before Harry could say anything.
Snape looked at Draco with something close to pride before continuing. "Then it probably doesn't surprise you to know that the Dark Lord has several, the exact number is unknown to all save for him."
"Do you know what they are and where they are?" Harry asked bluntly. He noticed Draco's eyes flickered to him briefly as the corner of his mouth turned up slightly.
Although Draco looked as though he expected as much, Harry was surprised to learn that they had been a step ahead of the Death Eaters in their assumptions of which items were probable Horcruxes. Aside from Snape, the Malfoys and the Lestranges were the only current Death Eaters to learn about the Horcruxes, and most of them assumed that Voldemort had chosen items that were significant to magical history or equally grand in some way. They also assumed that he had them more thoroughly protected then he actually did.
"Regulus Black located one before he was eliminated. It was the locket of Salazar Slytherin. His intentions were to destroy the soul fragment himself, however I do not know if he was successful in that aspect. The locket itself may still be in Grimmauld Place, unless Black threw it out when you were cleaning the house." Snape did not react to the two boys' lack of response.
Draco looked vaguely interested in what the man was saying and Harry did his best not to give away any information as well, however, he suspected that he was not hiding his impatience as well as the blonde beside him.
As Snape went on, he mentioned the diary that Harry had destroyed, as well as a few of the other items that Dumbledore and Draco had already suspected. Finally, he began to list possible locations which piqued Harry's interest. Draco continued to look indifferent.
"The location of the locket suggests, to me, that the Dark Lord does not have the Horcruxes as well defended as the others believe. I think it implies that he has chosen locations that are difficult access on their own right. In addition, the locations are probably significant to him as opposed to the magical community as a whole.
"The orphanage he was raised in -along with any neighboring areas that could interest a secretive child with morbid fascinations- should be looked into. Also Hogwarts itself, as well as the Dark Forrest; his family's homes, both magical and Muggle; any isolated locations known or rumored to be dark or powerful in nature or origin; the grounds of Azkaban; and of course, here." Snape made a vague motion to indicate the manor they were in.
"Wait�the grounds of Azkaban?" repeated Harry. "How would he be able to hide one there? Don�t the Dementors affect him the same way they do everyone else? And wouldn't someone have found it; I mean, don't they have routine inspections or something?"
"The Dark Lord had control of the Dementors during the last war, same as he does in this one," Draco responded. "And why would they inspect it? The Ministry believes they have complete control there, and the dementors keep the prisoners incapacitated so there is no need for Aurors to expose themselves to that place." Harry noticed that Draco's voice wavered slightly when he spoke of Azkaban and its guards.
"It wouldn't be hidden in the more populated areas, and Draco's right of course, they do not send in wizards to inspect Azkaban," Snape added. "Dementors do affect the Dark Lord, however he may have arranged for them to be elsewhere while he hid it, or he could have had someone do it for him. At the moment, the only person we know of who was ever trusted with detailed information regarding the efforts the Dark Lord has put into immortality is Lucius�obviously he's not about to assist us."
"Assuming we do find all of these things, how do we destroy the soul fragments?" Draco asked, sounding as though he would rather not hear anymore about Azkaban and his father. "Do we jab at them all with basilisk fangs or is there a more refined method available?"
Harry had to admit, he was impressed. Noting in the blonde's tone or demeanor suggested what he already knew about the Horcruxes or that they already had two in their possession.
Snape just looked over Draco with a calculating gaze for a moment before answering in his usual drawl. "There are spells that might work. Of course, the Dark Lord most likely has his Horcruxes protected with spells of his own. It can be dangerous to attempt to destroy the soul fragment without lifting any protective spells first."
Harry immediately thought of Dumbledore's hand, which had been injured whist he destroyed the soul fragment in the Gaunt family ring. "So, what spells can we use once we've removed Voldemort's protection?"
Now Snape's calculating stare moved from Draco to Harry. The former continued watching calmly, while he latter glared openly at the man. "The incantation is victis plasmatia vae. There is also a rather specific wand gesture, which I do not know offhand. It should be in one of the texts in Lucius' private study. I intended to look earlier, but I became distracted." He punctuated the last statement with a notable look toward Draco.
"It is most likely in one of the oldest books of the Dark Arts, although defense against the Dark Arts was never Lucius' area of expertise-" Snape abruptly stopped and that same sour expression from earlier returned, however it was stronger this time. "Lupin -loath as I am to admit it- could be quite useful in this coup. If he doesn't know the spell already, then he would know how to recognize it, or possibly where to find it."
"Alright," Harry responded, "We'll get those books and look through them with Lupin."
"You'll need me to open the door to the hidden section of the study," Snape stated. "I also doubt that you would be able to identify which books you should take, Potter."
"My assumption on this matter should be just as accurate as yours," Draco reasoned before Harry could rebuke the comment. "I also know how to enter that section of my father's study."
Snape's attention immediately returned to Draco. "You do; how? I didn't think Lucius would inform you of�certain aspects of his work."
"He didn't tell me, I figured it out for myself."
Snape nodded once, slowly. "Of course, you would know which books might contain the information you're looking for. Is there any particular reason that you would rather do this yourself?"
Harry then realized what Draco must have already; if Snape entered that study, he would know that Harry and Draco were well into the task of hunting down the Horcruxes. Until they were certain they could trust him not to pass along information to Voldemort, they could not afford to let him know exactly what they knew and what they were doing.
Fortunately, Draco had an answer for this as well, and Harry found himself wondering how close to the truth it actually was. He suspected it was closer than the fair boy would care to admit. "...Because you�ve risked enough for my sake already.�
Draco continued calmly, but somewhat quicker then his usual eloquent drawl, and he avoided eye contact with Harry the whole time. �It's time to end this, and we're going to need your help later, when we're closer to that end. You�ve already been here nearly long enough to check the whole manor for me. I do not want�them, to become suspicious of you. You already have to hide from the Ministry and that Order lot because of me."
Snape wore an odd expression that Harry could not identify on the man. Draco's eyes discreetly shifted to meet Harry's in what looked like a silent prompt of some kind, and the green-eyed boy found himself taking over the conversation. He shifted so that he was now partially between the other two as he turned to Snape. "Alright then, Draco and I will handle the Horcruxes. If there's anything else you can tell us about them, or any of Voldemort's plans that we should know about, now's the time."
"I cannot think of anything else relevant at the moment." Snape answered slowly, his dark eyes still fixed on the blonde boy. "If I learn anything of use, I'll contact you."
Harry nodded once, "Good. See if you can find out anything about what Voldemort's plans for Draco or me are."
Snape looked irritated at how close that sounded to an order; however, Draco spoke before he could voice his thoughts. "Shouldn't V-Voldemort be planning something more important now? He finally got D-Dumbledore out of his way...I would think he�d start taking advantage of that before the Order and the Ministry recover.�
"With Dumbledore gone, the Dark Lord seems unconcerned with his opposition," Snape remarked. "The Ministry will never be able to predict or out maneuver him, and the Order will be in disarray for a time. If they were wise, they would let separate members take control of a few aspects of their work, and allow a single person -McGonagall I would think- overlook everything. And you, Potter, he thinks will be indisposed of without Dumbledore to guide and protect you."
"So he's going to be doing a lot more of the same for awhile?" asked Harry, uncertain as to whether he should feel more irritated or somewhat relieved.
Snape released a small, annoyed sigh. "For the time being, it would certainly seem that way. However, I do not expect that will remain the case for much longer. As I said, I'll inform you if I learn anything of relevance."
Snape returned his attention to Draco, "Are you sure this is the path you want to take?"
"Yes," The blonde's answer was immediate, and despite his voice being soft and a little thick, he sounded determined. "I'll likewise contact you if we learn anything you should be informed of."
Snape nodded, "I trust you'll find a suitable method. Very well then, I have been here long enough already. Draco�you will hear from me soon. Potter�don't get him killed."
Once Draco nodded his acknowledgment, Snape turned and disappeared down the hall in a billow of dark robes.
After the man was gone, Harry turned back to Draco; "Well that was�unexpected."
"Not entirely," Draco responded quietly, but he raised his head to meet Harry's gaze. "We did know he was looking for me, and I was never as certain of his allegiance as you were."
"Well I'm still not certain," Harry cut in forcefully, "But as long as we don't tell him anything important, and cross-check the information he passes on to us, then I don't see why we can't wait until we're certain before we choose a course of action regarding him."
"Thank you." Harry started at how easily the words seemed to flow from Draco's lips. "Don't expect these kinds of heartened reactions from me often, but, it means a lot to me that you'd give him a chance to prove himself." For a moment, all the brunette could do was blink stupidly and stare at his blonde companion.
"Yeah�you've definitely got Black blood in you," Harry said with a grin. Then he chortled and shook his head slowly, "�Completely unpredictable."
"Maybe you should stop trying to predict me then.�
Harry chuckled again, "I gave up on predicting you a long time ago."
Draco looked doubtful and asked lightly, "Then why do I keep surprising you?"
Once again, Harry found himself rendered speechless at the pale boy's words. He knew the Slytherin had changed during their last year at school�although during the course of the last few days, he had begun to wonder if the other boy had changed as much as he seemed to, or if he had never been whom Harry and his friends always assumed he was. Harry also knew that his relationship with the fair boy had changed since their odd coalition, but he had a feeling that it was changing more rapidly and thoroughly then he expected.
"I don't know," Harry answered when his thoughts and voice finally caught up. "I guess I just think that I should know what to expect from you after how long we've known each other. Or maybe I want to, but I really don't. I should just accept that you're not who I thought you were, count it as a blessing, and start paying attention."
"You want to know what to expect from me?" Draco looked strangely satisfied. "I am pleased that you realize I'm not who you assumed me to be, by the way."
Harry shrugged a little awkwardly, "You're welcome, I guess� Sorry it took so long." Draco nodded dismissively and Harry was glad that he was not as surprised this time.

"You seem to know what to expect from me; you know how I think and react to things, and I figured it should be the same for me, but it isn't."
"Does that bother you because you want to predict my actions as an enemy or an ally?" Draco asked with an odd expression that Harry thought could have been a mix of puzzlement, hurt, and possibly hope.
"Neither, really," Harry said slowly as he tried to find the answer himself. "I just- Even though we've always been rivals�we've been close, in a strange sort of way�"
"We've always been acutely aware of each other," Draco offered, and Harry was glad that the blonde seemed to understand what he was trying to say, even if he himself did not.
"Yeah," Harry answered with a nod. "And you seem to really know me, but I don't seem to-"
"There's a difference between knowing and understanding, Harry." Draco seemed to be thinking as he spoke. "People oftentimes watch their enemies or, as in our case, rivals quite closely. Of course, we know each other rather well, and I do believe that we are starting to understand each other as well, but it�s easier for me. You wear your thoughts and emotions right out in the open for anyone who cares to see; you always have. I never have; that�s how I got a reputation for being the perfect little Slytherin ice prince. I tend to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself."
"You know how they say the eyes are the window to the soul?" After Draco nodded, Harry continued with a small grin. "Well, you're eyes were always like forged steel, blocking all entry. They aren�t quite like that anymore, at least, not all the time.

They got like that a little when we were with Ron and Hermione."
The grin faded and Harry added in a lower tone, "I still can't quite tell what they're saying all the time, but it seems like they're trying to tell me something."
"Hmm�" Draco paused and looked at Harry thoughtfully. "You'll figure it out," He said softly. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Do you mind if we finish up? I'd rather not stay here any longer."
"Let's go get Ron and Hermione then," Harry said. "You know, you might� Er, is there anything else you want to do or see before we go?"
"You mean since I'll probably never be able to return here?" Draco asked thickly. "No, I'm done here�there isn't anything left but bad memories and the possibility of coming across people who want to turn me in to V-Voldemort for unidentified, but undeniably bad, reasons."
"Hmm, I really don't like that. I wish we knew what Voldemort wanted you for," Harry murmured as he walked alongside Draco. He still had no idea how to navigate the large house. "It isn't like Voldemort to want someone alive who's failed or defied him, unless they�re powerful or important enough for him to use in some other way. I just cannot figure out what he'd be able to use you for� No offence�"
"None taken," Draco answered softly, and it sounded like he was deep in thought. "I can't figure that out either."
"We'll figure it out," Harry said, and he believed it�he just hoped it happened before Voldemort could get a hold of the blonde. "In the meantime, can we keep the whole talk with Snape to ourselves? I mean�we'll tell Lupin when he see him later tonight or tomorrow, and I'll tell Ron and Hermione sometime before we leave Grimmauld Place. I just don't want it to come across wrong."
"You don't have to worry about that," Draco answered. "I do not plan to be the one to break the news to Weasley."
Harry laughed, "Yeah�that's going to go over real well."
The two boys fell into a comfortable silence and arrived back at the hidden passage quicker then Harry had expected. Draco recited the password and they found Ron and Hermione halfway through the room. Ron was flipping through an ancient looking tome, and Hermione was attempting to cast the Horcrux-revealing spell again, this time on an antique hand mirror.
"Found anything�?" Harry asked as he and Draco approached the others. Draco was looking at the mirror quizzically.
"Oh, er� No, I was just trying to get the wand movements for this spell right," Hermione answered, sounding a little abashed at finding a spell she was unable to cast for once.
"You do realize that is a highly advanced spell? It�s not one that school age wizards are expected to be capable of," Draco responded politely.
"Yes, of course, it's just�" The busy haired girl trailed off into a mutter that none of the boys could discern.
"It's just that you're peeved that there is actually a spell you cannot master within the span of a few hours?" offered the silver-eyed boy.
Hermione gave him a scathing look, but then broke into a small grin and nodded embarrassedly.
"So, where have you two been?" Ron demanded as he walked over to where the other three teens were standing. "You alright, Harry?"
Harry shot Ron a look that clearly said you're pushing it. Aloud he said, "We decided to check out the manor a little more. We'll figure out if what we found is going to be helpful or not later. I think we're about done here now; how about you?" His inquiring expression took in both Hermione and Ron.
"I think we've found everything that will be of use." Hermione answered with a small knowing smile as she watched Harry. The bespectacled boy made a mental note to ask her what she knew (or thought she knew, depending on the answer) once they were alone together.
"I'm surprised we haven't found anything more�incriminating." Ron spared a mistrustful glare at Draco, although he continued to address Harry. "Are you sure these are the only places we should check out here?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Harry answered evenly as he met Ron's stare with an equally pointed one.

"Besides," he added as he relaxed and took in the group, "I think we've been here long enough, considering what Kreacher said."
"That's true," Hermione said. "It sounded like neither Lestrange nor Snape found what they were looking for, and we don't want to be here if any Death Eaters arrive."
Ron nodded his agreement, and the four teenagers gathered their now heavily filled bags and left the hidden chamber.
Once outside, Hermione turned to Harry and Draco. "Are we going to go back to the passage, or use one of the entrances?"
Harry stopped walking and instinctively turned to Draco. "The passage�?" The blonde nodded, and both turned in the direction they needed to go. Harry heard Hermione make a threatening noise toward Ron before the other two followed.
The walk back felt odd to Harry. He and Draco retained that comfortable silence that they fell into after speaking with Snape, but he could feel Ron and Hermione's gases on him. Normally, if his friends were watching him, it was out of concern from yet another development in the whole Boy-Who-Lived/Voldemort/Chosen One situation. On occasion, it had been out of annoyance, such as during the Triwizard Tournament. Now, it felt different�almost prying.
When they retuned to the grounds, Harry turned back to his friends. "We should Apparate in pairs again, just to be safe."
"Good idea," Hermione supplied. "We should go back to that park; it didn't look like it sees a lot of traffic. We'll go now, and you take Draco and follow in a minute."
"Why don't we all go at the same time?" Ron asked quickly. "Wouldn't it be safer that way?"
"Not if someone's in the park," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. "We can't have Harry get arrested before he has a chance to defeat V-Voldemort."
"Or getting in more trouble with the Order, you're right," Ron agreed, "as usual."
With a small smile, Hermione grabbed Ron's hand and then looked at Harry. "Wait a couple minutes before you follow; if any one sees us, we'll either try to get rid of them or one of us will come back to warn you."
Harry nodded, wondering what Hermione was really up to. "Alright�be careful."
As soon as the pair disappeared, Draco and Harry looked at one another. The blonde broke the silence first. "Think she wants a word alone with Weasley?"
"She's definitely up to something," Harry answered. "Her �something�s are usually helpful in the long run, but embarrassing for the time being."
Draco made a noncommittal sound, and then turned his eyes back toward his mother's gardens.
"Are you�okay?" Harry asked feeling stupid, considering that no one would likely be okay in the Slytherin's position.
Draco answered so softly that Harry wasn't sure if he was talking himself or was simply afraid to say what he was thinking any louder. "Snape said to stay away, no matter what I may hear. I think they�re going to try to use my parents to lure me out where they can find me. At first I thought that was ludicrous, but when I tried to express that to Snape, he didn't seem to think so�and he would know better, I suppose."
"We'll mention it to Lupin," Harry said in an assuring tone. "He already has Order members checking on your mum, maybe he can come up with something else."
Draco nodded, "I suppose we can't do anything more then what we are already."
"You're handling all of this better then I would. Actually, your reactions have been better than mine when I learned of Voldemort's plans, my family, and just�different things I knew I would have to face."
"I was raised by their side. I have a better idea of what to expect then you did," Draco answered, "And I also have more experience in not reacting and schooling my expressions."
"I would say it will be alright, but it probably won�t, and you wouldn't believe me anyway," Harry responded.
The wan boy's expression lightened slightly, to Harry's surprise. "Have we given them their two minutes yet?"
"I think we've waited long enough." Harry offered his hand to Draco; "You don't know where we came from."
"You need to learn more about Apparation," The pallid boy responded, but he took the proffered hand regardless.
The familiar feeling of being squeezed through a tight rubber tube came over Harry, and then he was standing in the same park they had Apparated from that morning. A light, quick squeeze on his hand reminded him to let go of Draco this time, and then he noticed Ron and Hermione standing near the road.
"Everything alright then?" asked Harry as he and Draco caught up to his friends.
"Everything's just fine," Hermione answered in a far too light-hearted voice. Harry exchanged a look with Draco. She was definitely up to something.
"Let's get back to Headquarters," Ron interrupted any further communication. "These bags are heavy."
The other three agreed, and they walked quietly back to Grimmauld Place. Once again, Hermione and Ron walked ahead of Harry and Draco. They were not arm-in-arm this time, but they were walking very close to each other and would turn and whisper to one another periodically.
The quartet slipped quietly into the house and made their way to Harry and Draco's room. Once inside they dropped the heavy bags and took what seemed to have become their usual seats.
"Do you think anyone here noticed us missing?" Ron asked as he sat down next to Hermione.
"Most likely," the bushy-haired girl answered.
The redhead looked thoughtful for a moment. "We could try telling them that we took Harry and Draco to that little row of shops you like. In the meantime, let's get something to eat, I'm starving."
"Perhaps the next time you're going to be away all day, you should pack a lunch." Lupin's mild voice came from the doorway. "Pardon me for not knocking, but I didn't want to draw attention from the others, and I thought you couldn't be discussing anything too private yet�since you just settled down."
All four teens were staring at him. Hermione looked embarrassed, Ron looked shocked, Draco appeared impressed, and Harry looked surprised before he smiled at the werewolf. "How do you do that?"
Harry decided that this must be what the children in the television shows his cousin used to watch felt like when their mothers seemed to know everything that they were up to as if by magic. He thought it was both comforting and irritating, but he also thought that he could get used to it.

Chapter 11 edited 6-1-2010
I know the last ten chapters really need further editing, but I figured all of you reading it have tolerated it long enough that you�d probably rather see it finished first.
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Harry Potter and the Unusual Alliance