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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
- 13
- 14
- 15
Chapter 14: Deny What You Cannot Ignore.
"Snape mentioned an incantation that he thought would work to destroy the soul fragments in the Horcruxes," said Harry. The brunette's grin widened as he continued. "He hated to admit it, but he said that you would know more about it, or at least know how to recognize or locate it."
Remus paused for a moment before responding as if he were checking his memory to be certain he heard that correctly. "Well, I won't pretend to be an expert on the subject of Horcruxes, but I suppose that is true. What is the incantation that he suggested?"
Harry's expression turned blank and he turned his attention to Draco. "What was the incantation again?"
Draco appeared to fight the urge to roll his eyes before he responded, "Victis plasmatia vae."
"I've never heard that incantation before," said Remus. "Could he have mispronounced victis plasmodia vae?"

"It's possible," answered Draco. "He most likely came across it in some old text on dark rituals."
"He mentioned an intricate wand gesture that went along with the incantation," Harry commented. "Does that sound like the spell you're thinking of?"
Draco looked at Lupin as well. "In either case, would the spell you are thinking of destroy a Horcrux?"
"Yes, to both questions," Remus answered. "There are only two texts in existence which refer to this spell that I am aware of. I did some research for Dumbledore that brought me across them."
"Did Dumbledore mention Horcruxes to you when he asked you to do this research?" Harry recalled the questions Remus had posed to Mrs. Weasley earlier.
"Actually, I brought up Horcruxes when I realized everything I was researching pointed to them," Remus replied. "Dumbledore was trying to narrow down exactly how Voldemort managed to avoid death."
"Could you teach it to us?" Asked Harry, "And some of the other spells from those books we found at Malfoy Manor. I know your going to be busy with the Order and all, but when you are going to be here�"
"Of course I'd be happy to assist you, Harry." Remus answered kindly, which reminded Harry of when the former professor agreed to give him private lessons to learn the Patronus Charm. "I certainly consider this just as, if not more, important then anything I'll be doing for the Order."
Harry and Draco sorted the books and items they had retrieved from Malfoy Manor while Remus worked on the enchantment for the cards. Early into the arrangement, Harry had given up on working out Draco's filing system ("No that section is archaic, the book you're holding is apothecary"); now he just flipped through the books, told Draco what he noticed in it, and let the blonde decide what to do with them.
As he watched Remus place the intricate enchantment on the cards that were spread out before him on the bed, and saw Draco finish organizing their research materials, Harry began to wonder if this had been what it was like for his dad, working with Sirius and Remus on a prank.
Once the cards were finished, Remus found one of the books that contained the spell he had mentioned earlier, and began showing the boys the near impossible to master wand movements. Harry definitely regretted that the werewolf would no longer be teaching, since he certainly had a gift -and the patience- for it.
"There's no need to hold your wand so stiffly, Harry," Remus commented gently. "Try to think of it more as a paintbrush; you're meant to make smooth, sweeping gestures."
Harry adjusted his grip on the wand, keeping the former professor�s suggestion in mind. "There you go, that's much better," said Remus with a kind smile.
The lycanthrope turned his warm eyes to the boy behind Harry. The former professor had asked them to stand in the centre of the room, with their backs facing each other's�.that way they could not see each other's progress, just in case any competitiveness remained.
"There is no need to concentrate so hard, Draco," said Remus' hoarse voice from somewhere behind Harry. "You are doing extremely well, but no one can master this spell overnight. You�re only going to give yourself a headache, and you really should have been resting today."
"Excellent, Harry," Remus commented, then after a few more tries he said, "Now if you boys don't mind, I'd like to call it a night. I believe we've all had a busy day, and I have to go to Hogwarts first thing in the morning."
"Alright, thanks Remus," said Harry. "Goodnight."
Draco and Remus echoed goodnights, and then the werewolf left the room.
Harry turned to see Draco attempting the intricate gestures one last time; he had to admit that the other boy was far more graceful than himself. The green-eyed boy had never appreciated that fact before�probably because anytime he saw the blonde using magic they were either competing or aiming spells at each other. In either, case, Harry was always too caught up in the moment to note the small details.
Draco stopped mid-motion and his eyes flickered over to Harry. "Am I doing something wrong?"
Harry blinked and needed a moment to bring his mind up to speed. "What?" he blankly asked.
Draco had lowered his arms already. "Your expression while you were watching me was kind of�strange. Was I doing something wrong?"
"No," Harry answered quickly. "You look fine."
Both boys blinked a couple times while that statement sunk in, and then Draco's eyebrows rose slightly while Harry's furrowed.
"I meant that you move really elegantly while you're using magic." The raven-haired boy emphasized his previous statement. Then he thought for a moment and added, "Actually, you move like that all the time now that I think about it."
Draco just watched the bespectacled boy for a moment, before answering in a rather uncertain tone. "Well, my parents were big on that kind of thing and grace seems to run in the family, so the trait is probably just bred into me. Thank you, though�"
Harry was fascinated with the response that anyone else would have found surprising from the blonde. No one would expect Draco Malfoy to become nervous or uncomfortable at such a statement; if anything, one might expect him to accept it courteously as a compliment, or make a witty remark as if it was an obvious fact. Harry was pleased that he had not expected such a reaction from the other boy. Although he still was not sure what he expected, or why he had said any of that to begin with.
Harry realized that he was still staring at the wan boy, who had long turned his eyes and face away, and seemed to be staring at a low spot of the wall as he pondered something.
"I didn't mean to-" Harry began but was interrupted by the fair boy.
"It's fine, really." Draco looked at Harry again, his face carefully neutral. "I think I'm going to turn in. Lupin's right, I really shouldn't have pushed it so much today."
"Okay," Harry answered quickly; glad for an excuse to end the somewhat awkward conversation. "I think I'll turn in too. It has been a long day."
Draco gathered his borrowed pajamas and headed toward the bathroom, while Harry pulled his own sleepwear out of his trunk and changed in the bedroom. When Draco returned, they cast their usual spells on the door and window and climbed into their beds.
"Good night, Harry." Draco's voice was slightly muffled by the blankets he was buried under.
"Sleep tight, Draco." Harry's response was clear, but slightly distant, as if he were already drifting to sleep�or deep in thought.
When Harry awoke the next morning, he found Draco already awake and dressed, sitting on his well-made bed, and reading one of the potions texts they had pilfered from his father's and Snape's private research room.
"Good morning," Harry noticed the blonde start before he turned to him, looking a little lost before blinking. Then, the silver-eyed boy wore an expression that was either embarrassment or slight irritation, Harry could not discern which.
"Good morning," Draco responded quietly, and Harry decided that the pale boy was embarrassed that Harry had startled him.
"How long have you been up?" asked the green-eyed boy; he decided to pretend he did not notice for the other boy�s sake.
"I'm not sure�" Draco answered, "Long enough to finish three and a half chapters."
Harry chuckled, "For me or Ron that would be ages, but you're more like Hermione when it comes to academics. Have you seen if anyone else is up yet?"
The blonde shook his head. Harry wondered if he was concerned about being around the others alone�he would not blame him if he were. "Do you want to head down with me after I get dressed?"
"Sure;" Draco positioned a ribbon he was using as a bookmark in place and closed the old tome.
They left the room and walked to the kitchen in silence. When they entered, they found Ron and Hermione talking animatedly in hushed tones at the table, while Mrs. Weasley busied herself at the stove. The room smelled like a mix of chocolate and pancakes.
"Oh, good, you're finally up!" said Mrs. Weasley cheerfully when she noticed their entrance. "Sit down and eat�you�re both far too thin, especially you, Draco."
Harry and Draco sat across from Ron and Hermione. Once they had all greeted each other, Draco leaned toward Harry and murmured, "Is she always so emotionally vacillate?"
"Not that I've noticed," Harry whispered back, then leaned over the table toward Ron and raised his voice slightly. "What's going on with your mum?"
Ron chuckled and leaned forward as well, "This is her way of making up for yesterday."
Harry and Draco exchanged glances and shrugs before Mrs. Weasley returned to the table with chocolate chip pancakes, which the blonde eyed peculiarly after politely thanking the red-haired woman. When she returned to the sink, Draco asked quietly; "Chocolate for breakfast?"
"She must feel really bad about what she said yesterday," said Ron unsympathetically through a large mouthful of pancakes.
"Why doesn't she just apologize and explain that?" Hermione asked as she watched Ron eat with a revolted expression.
"Because then, she wouldn't be Mum," Ron answered, thankfully after swallowing.
That said, all the teens began eating their breakfast, and Mrs. Weasley was just about to leave the room when Harry remembered something. "Mrs. Weasley, has Remus left already?"
"Why, yes, he left quite early," Mrs. Weasley answered as she turned back to the youth. "He was up rather late with Alastor too, but- Oh! He left a note for you."
Mrs. Weasley crossed to the cupboard and removed a neatly folded piece of parchment, which she handed to Harry. "I'll be heading out to Diagon Alley in a little while, so let me know if any of you need anything." The mothering woman smiled at the teens before leaving the room. "Don't forget to wash the dishes, Ron!" She called over her shoulder before closing the door.
Harry wasted no time in unfolding the parchment to read the brief note.

Harry, I'm sure you are seated over a rather large breakfast as you read this; I believe Molly has taken an understanding to your position, even if she doesn't understand the situation. I talked to Alastor last night; neither he nor anyone else from the Order will be contacting you before the previously discussed meeting this evening.

In addition, no one other than Molly will be there today, and I believe she will be busy, so you should have the place to yourselves. I do not know if you noticed, but I took the card intended for me last night. Thank you Harry, that was very thoughtful.

Contact me if there is anything you would like me to pick up for you while I am at Hogwarts. I have some books and notes I think you might enjoy on the desk in my room. Feel free to help yourself to anything of interest. -Remus.

Harry passed the note to Draco and then he glanced over each of his friends. "We should be able to get plenty of research done today, and come up with a plan for how we're going to do this."
Grey eyes scanned the memorandum before Hermione looked from the two boys to the note questioningly and Harry motioned for Draco to pass it over.
Hermione held the parchment so both she and Ron could read at the same time. She finished first and commented, "I swear, he's only a step behind Dumbledore when it comes to appearing ubiquitous."
"He's certainly cleverer then most of Slytherin house gave him credit for," Draco conceded, before looking slightly ashamed. Harry patted his hand in an assuring gesture before picking up his utensils to resume eating. He stopped and raised a brow when he noticed Hermione watching him with a pleased expression.
"What would you want him to pick up for you at Hogwarts?" Ron asked before Harry could question the bushy-haired girl.
"Books maybe," suggested Hermione as Harry shrugged.
The raven-haired boy furrowed his brows for a second before alternating his gaze between the other three. "Would Draco's things still be there? We forgot about clothes and such yesterday�"
Draco looked at the others in turn with an incredulous expression. "I think he was offering to get the thing we need from the headmaster's office."
Comprehension dawned on the other teenagers� faces.
"Is this whole thing written in code?" asked Ron as his eyes scanned over the message again.
"I think it's just carefully written in case anyone else tried to read it," said Hermione as she too, reread the note. "It sounds like he's referring to a thoughtful greeting card, like a thank you or condolence letter, what is he talking about?"
"The chocolate frog card we gave him," said Harry. "It also sounds like he made sure no one would bother us today."
"Then we should make use of that," said Hermione thoughtfully, and with a slightly mischievous note in Harry's opinion.
"We'll have to see what he left in his room," the green-eyed boy agreed with a nod; "And you have to see the way Draco organized all the stuff we brought back yesterday Hermione, you'll definitely appreciate it more than I."
"I'm sure you appreciate it," Hermione said kindly, then quietly added, "Just in a different way."
Once again, Ron started speaking before Harry could question their female friend. "I can't believe a member of the Order actually gave us permission to go through their things."
"Ron, we aren't going to go through Lupin's things!" Hermione turned to the redhead with a reprimanding expression. "We're just going to get the books and notes from the top of his desk."
"But we might be able to figure out what the Order's got him doing," said Ron before turning to Harry for support. "He did say to help yourself to anything of interest, and well, that's of interest, right?"
"I don't know if that's what he meant," said Harry, feeling slightly guilty that he had thought the same thing for a moment. "Hermione's right in any case; we shouldn't just go through all his things. He'd tell us anything he thought we might need to know. We'll just look through the stuff in his desk."
"Fine," the blue-eyed boy sighed.
"It's not like Lupin would leave anything confidential just lying around, anyway," said Hermione after a quick eye roll. "You won't find anything that he intends to keep from you."
Ron nodded at the statement. "I'll start on the dishes, then." He stood from the table and began waving his wand, directing the dishes to the sink and causing his friends to have to duck the flying tableware.
Draco rose from the table once it was safe. "I think I'll get some of the money I took from my wardrobe and see if Mrs. Weasley would mind picking up a change of clothes for me while she's out."
"I'll bring the books from my room and my notes from our research last night to your room," said Hermione as she too stood. "We may as well work in there today, since you already have it organized and we don't have to worry about interruptions."
"I'll check Remus' room and bring anything useful to our room too, then," decided Harry as he followed the bushy-haired girl out of the kitchen.
"Hey, Hermione�" Harry called the brown-eyed girl in a group whisper. He noticed Draco spare a glance over his shoulder from where he was walking further up the stairs, but the blonde resumed walking when Harry made no move to stop him.
"What is it, Harry?" Hermione said quietly so as not to awake Mrs. Black's portrait.
"What did you mean earlier?" Hermione looked confused and Harry rolled his eyes before elaborating. "When you said I appreciate Draco's systematizing differently?"
"Oh, well, it just seems like you're starting to appreciate Draco and find some of his qualities more appealing now that you're seeing him a new light." Hermione answered simply with a saccharine smile.
"Okay�" Harry was not sure if he found the way she phrased that as odd or simply Hermione-ish. "Also, what's with all the looks lately?"
"Looks�?" repeated Hermione, not looking confused in the least. "What do you mean?"
"I mean all the looks you keep giving me and Draco," Harry deadpanned.
"I'm just pleased that you and Draco are giving each other a chance," the bushy-haired girl answered lightly. "I know how you are, and I know that Draco must have gone through a lot, and yet he's still putting a lot of trust in you."
Harry's eyebrows furrowed; something was odd about Hermione's answers and her demeanor in general. She also still had that I-know-something-you-don't look. "Why do I get the feeling that we're having two very different conversations?"
Hermione's answering grin was a little too victorious for his liking. "Maybe you should ask yourself that. You already have my answers."
"Answers to what...?� Ron had finished the dishes and was standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Harry reckons that I'm looking at him and Draco oddly," answered Hermione with a smile.
Ron raised his eyebrows slightly and shifted his gaze between Harry and Hermione. "Oh;" he sounded like he had just choked on something.
Harry took in Ron's reaction, as well the I-told-you-so look that Hermione was throwing at the redhead, and decided that he needed to corner Ron�alone. "Alright then, sorry Hermione; I guess I'm just a little punchy. Go ahead and get those notes. Ron, want to come to Remus' room with me? Knowing Remus, there might be a lot of books and notes to get."
Ron's abashed expression melted away, and he grinned up at his friend; "Sounds good to me."
"Do not go through Lupin's private things, you two," warned Hermione.
"Don't worry Hermione." Harry did not have to force his voice to sound assuring. �I don't intend to invade Remus' privacy, and I won't let Ron either."
With one last reproachful glare, the brown-eyed girl turned and continued up the stairs. Harry waited for Ron to catch up to him before both boys started for Remus' room.
It was not until they stopped in front of a random, unknown door and had a brief debate because neither was certain which room belonged to Remus that Harry realized he had never been inside either Remus or Sirius� bedrooms. He opened the door they were standing in front of and both boys peeked inside.
The room was a little smaller then most of the other bedrooms in Grimmauld Place, and had another door on the right wall, which was currently closed. The room itself was neat, clean, and simply decorated, but comfortable, almost cozy. There was a twin bed in the corner with a small bedside table next to it, a writing desk underneath the room's only window, a set of bookshelves that was bowing under the weight of more tomes then it seemed designed to hold, and a small wardrobe.
"I think this is it," said Harry as he stepped into the room.
He walked to the desk, which had a stack of books and a couple folders of notes lying neatly on top of it. At the corner of the desk was an old photo frame; the kind that holds two photographs and folds in the middle to be packed away easily. The first photo to grab Harry's attention was of three boys, who were probably twelve or thirteen years old. Harry recognized his father and Sirius right away, and then realized that the third boy was a young Peter Pettigrew. All three were smiling and waving at whoever was taking the photo, which Harry assumed had been Remus.
The second photo was obviously taken in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Three beds away from the camera, laid a boy. He was fifteen or sixteen years old, and appeared to be the wing's only patient when the photo was taken. He was curled up tightly on his side, and between the blankets, pillow, and his light brown hair, very little of his face was visible.
Harry could tell that he was unconscious, and could make out a nasty bruise across his pale jaw, as well as an angry red wound that crossed the bridge of his nose and continued onto the only visible cheekbone. One of the boy's hands was on the pillow beside his face and was wrapped in bandages, which continued down his arm and disappeared under the blankets. Curled protectively around the boy was a huge, black, grim-like dog. Its head was resting on the frail-looking boy and it alternated between watching him in concern and watching the photographer with an expression that clearly warned them to stay away.
It did not take long for Harry to recognize the boy as a younger Remus and the dog as Sirius in his Animagus form. He also assumed that Remus' injuries were a result of a recent transformation, but he could not figure out why the werewolf would keep such a grim reminder of the condition that he suffered from.
"I wonder where that door leads," said Ron from somewhere behind Harry.
Harry turned as the redhead approached the mentioned door and wrenched it open. On the other side was another, larger bedroom. It contained a generous bed centered against the back wall with a small bedside table on either end and a pair of bookshelves lined the window�one had an array of different items filling it, the other seemed to have been commandeered by Remus.
There was also a large wardrobe, and two doors; one of which obviously led to the hall; the other was slightly ajar, revealing a small bathroom. The large bedroom was cleaner then the rest of Grimmauld Place, and had more items in it that exposed the owner's personality than Remus' room, but felt less lived in.
"This must have been Sirius' room," said Ron.
"What makes you say that?" Harry walked over to where Ron was standing near the bed.
The lanky redhead pointed to one of the bedside tables. "Because the other room is obviously Lupin's and only one of them would have those photos."
Harry noticed that Ron was pointing to two nicely framed photographs on the table beside the bed. One photo was of Harry's father, with Sirius and Remus this time. They were older then they had been when the photo in Remus' room was taken; it was probably near their graduation.
Sirius was standing between the other two, with an arm draped over each of the other boys' shoulders. All three were smiling. After a minute, James turned his head and said something that the viewer could not hear due to the silent photograph, before waving at someone in the distance. Sirius chuckled, and Remus blanched and supported his head against Sirius' shoulder for a moment.
The second photo obviously took place at James and Lily's wedding. Lily was beaming in her white dress; James and Sirius were wearing tuxedos; and Remus was wearing a nice suit. Harry assumed they had all decided to wear Muggle clothing for the sake of his mother's family.
When the Remus in the photo noticed the photographer, he made to step out of the shot, but Sirius would not have it. He pulled Remus back by the waist and was obviously refusing to let go until it was clear the werewolf was not going anywhere. Harry's parents were arm-in-arm beside them, and they were all laughing.
Now taking in the details of the rest of the room, Harry noticed a few other photos on the bookshelf and the other bedside table; all were of the marauders sans Peter -or just of Sirius and Remus- except for one, which was of James playing Quidditch. The bespectacled boy also noticed some other items that he recognized as Sirius' things.
"Lupin's room was probably for a nanny or tutor originally," Ron commented as he too looked around the room. "I guess Sirius and Lupin wanted to be near each other." He was watching Harry now, as if trying to gauge his reaction to the room.
"They were alone for a long time." Harry smiled, trying to assure his friend that he was fine with being in Sirius' old room. "I'm glad Sirius was able to spend time with Remus again, and have some fun while he was stuck here."
"Yeah," Ron nodded, still watching Harry through the corner of his eye. "After that reunion, I wasn't surprised at all that Lupin would move in here to stay with Sirius; and judging by those photos, I'd say they were pretty close before the whole Azkaban thing."
"That had to be hard," said Harry as he looked over some of the photos again. "I can't imagine what it would have been like if I was old enough to understand what was happening then, or to really miss everyone. Imaging losing all your best mates like that?"
The redhead rolled his eyes. "Harry, when was the last time either of us held each other like that?" Ron pointed to the photos on the bedside table.
Harry turned to his friend and raised his eyebrows as he took an involuntary step backwards; "Huh? Of course we'd never-"
"�And," Ron continued loudly over his best friend�s platitude; "I don't know about you, but even if I could turn into a dog, I wouldn't curl up around you in bed."
"I wouldn't either," Harry agreed quickly. "Sirius and Remus were just�different."
Ron stared at the green-eyed boy incredulously. "�Just different�? Harry, I know you can see what's going on between Hermione and me; I bet you were one of the first to really see it. That said, Hermione's right, mate; you are oblivious about this sort of thing."
Harry stared at the redhead in confusion and mild irritation. "When did Hermione say that? �And anyway, what are we talking about? What sort of thing?"
"Look at the photos, Harry, really look at them;" Ron said patiently. "Now, think of the times you saw or talked to Sirius and Lupin over fifth year."
Harry was now looking at Ron as if he were concerned for the redhead�s mental state. "They were close, Ron. I'd say that was pretty obvious from the beginning."
"Yes, it was." Ron sighed and shook his head; "Never mind�sorry about that, Harry. Let's get those books and notes back to Hermione and Draco before they plan this whole thing without us."
"Okay�" Harry tuned and followed Ron back into Remus' room, taking one last glance around Sirius' before closing the door. "We should send those two in here later. I'm sure they'd love to take a look at the books Remus has in these rooms."
The blue-eyed boy nodded his agreement, and both boys gathered the items off Lupin's desk before leaving the room. Harry noticed that Ron gave him another incredulous look before closing the door, and then they walked back to Harry and Draco's room in silence; each lost in his own thoughts.
When they entered the room, Draco had a potion brewing in the corner, where he had set up a makeshift lab. He had several of the books they had taken from his old home laid out around him and was writing notes. Every now and then, he would make a noncommittal sound to Hermione, who was talking animatedly while sitting on the opposite bed and taking notes of her own from the books she was looking through.
"Oh good; Harry, why don't you give those books to Draco, since he can organize them better." Hermione commented as Harry and Ron entered. "We'll look over the notes, Ron."
Harry handed the books he had been carrying to the blonde, who looked a little more tense then usual. The green-eyed boy sat on the bed as well and offered Draco a sympathetic smile. "Hermione can get a little voracious about research," he whispered.
"I noticed," murmured Draco dryly.
Ron had already sat down beside Hermione -who had taken the notes- and the two were now whispering to each other rapidly. Ron seemed a little dazed, and Hermione looked oddly excited, if a little annoyed.
"What's going on?" Draco whispered to Harry. "Granger kept giving me these odd appraising glances when she thought I wasn't paying attention."
"I'm not sure, but I'm pretty certain that she has Ron working with her on whatever her plan is." Harry took a nonchalant glance at his long-time friends before turning his full attention to the silver-eyed boy beside him. "Sorry about leaving you alone with her for so long, we couldn't find Remus' room at first and then we got a little sidetracked looking at his and Sirius' old photos."
"That's fine, Harry. I don't want you to feel responsible for me," Draco responded quietly. "I haven�t been in here the whole time anyway. I was recruited by Mrs. Weasley to help inventory the Order�s potion supplies, and make a list of what needs to be restocked."
"Remus must have told her how skilled you are with potions," Harry commented. Then, he motioned to the cauldron in the corner; "What is that, anyway?"
A small smile touched the pale boy's lips, "Thanks." His expression turned indifferent again as he glanced at the cauldron. "I recalled that the Order needs more blood replenishing potion and all the ingredients were here, so�" Draco motioned to the bubbling potion in lieu of finishing the statement.
"What is that?" Ron suddenly asked, looking at the make shift lab as if he had just noticed it.
"Draco's making a blood replenishing potion since Lupin used the last of the Order's when he was healing him." Hermione answered offhandedly as she pored over Lupin's old notes. "These are brilliant; it's no wonder the marauders got away with so much."
"These books are excellent, too;" Draco commented as he flipped through the third he had picked up. "If this is the kind of defense against the Dark Arts he would teach, then they really need to get someone like him back at Hogwarts."
"Or just get him back," said Harry as he picked up one of the books the wan Slytherin had already filed.
"That's against the law now," Ron commented, and then he quickly looked up as Hermione opened her mouth to speak. "Don't start, we know; it's unfair and unjust. We agree, but there's nothing we can do about it right now."
Hermione deflated and nodded dejectedly. She turned to Harry as she asked, "Did you ask Lupin to help you learn some of the advanced spells?"
"Yes, and he agreed�of course." Harry shifted on the bed to face Hermione. "He already started working with us last night. He found a spell that should destroy the Horcruxes once we remove the protective spells."
"Really, already...?� Hermione looked impressed for a few seconds before she smiled broadly; "That's wonderful! We should make a list of all the other spells we find that you two should learn�and Ron and I will try to learn some too, of course."
The next few hours passed with the four teens poring over the books, notes, and artifacts they had in the room. Occasionally, someone would share aloud something they had found, or asked a question to the others.
Draco would stop every so often to explain certain references to Harry that were lost on the Gryffindor; and he got up to tend to his potion every few minutes. Sometimes the blonde would ask Harry what he thought of certain spells or theories that he came across.
Hermione likewise, would stop to assist or direct Ron, although more often then Draco did for Harry. She and Ron also continued whatever hushed conversation they had started earlier, every now and then they would attempt a discreet glance at the room's other two occupants and start whispering again.
Finally, Harry grew tired of the research, the glances and knowing or appraising looks, and the whispering that obviously was not about what they were reading. "All right, is anyone else is up for a break?"
Draco nodded as he marked his page and closed the book he was reading.
"I definitely am," said Ron as he unceremoniously closed a book and tossed it on the floor.
Hermione frowned at the redhead as she stretched her back and yawned. "I could use a break, too."
"So what have you two been whispering about?" Harry asked as he turned to stare at his best friends.
"Oh, nothing terribly important," Hermione responded in a too-casual tone as Ron scratched his nose in embarrassment. "Ron, why don't you show Draco those other books you were mentioning, and Harry and I will get some drinks and sandwiches from the kitchen."
Ron shot Hermione a look that easily read as you have to be kidding; Harry gave his friends a rather threatening look; and Draco completely froze and watched the others.
"Hermione,� said Harry. �I don't know what you are thinking or planning, but I don't think Ron has been nearly accepting enough of Draco to go leaving them alone together."
"If you would like some time to speak to Harry alone," Draco added, "All you need to do is ask me to give you some time."
"I think she was actually trying to prevent me and Harry from speaking alone," said Ron, to Hermione's blatant displeasure. Then, blue eyes met green pointedly; "I don't much like the idea of spending time alone with Malfoy, Harry, but I'm not going to outright attack the ferret."
"Well, that makes me feel loads better." Harry's tone was sarcastic, but his face was still angry. "Can you say anything to or about Draco without being a right arse?"
"What? Just because-" Ron started, and Hermione cut in quickly.
"You are both being far more hostile than necessary," the bushy-haired girl said forcefully. "Ron, Harry's right. You verbally assault Draco every chance you get�and Harry, you are getting a little too defensive. I understand that this is a difficult situation for all of us, but biting each other's heads off isn't going to help."
"I think the three of you have some things to work out, so I'm going to get those drinks and sandwiches myself," said Draco evenly. "If I find Kreacher, I'll ask him to show me to Lupin's room." Directing Harry a look that clearly said it's all right, the blonde gracefully left the room.
Harry turned to his friends as soon as the door had closed behind the fair boy. "Alright, I'm sorry for being so snippy, but what are you two on about?"
"Don't look at me mate," Ron said as he raised his hands in a defensive gesture. "I was trying to talk her out of these crazy thoughts until I realized she has a point. I still think we should just stay out of it, though." The last statement was directed at Hermione, as Ron stood up.
"Where are you going?" asked Hermione.
"To the study," Ron answered. "I'll get those books we found useful the other day, since you wanted them here anyway. Sort this out while I'm gone; I still have to wrap my head around it." He cast a good luck expression at Harry on his way out the door.
"Alright, what is going on?" Harry said exasperatedly. "You been giving me and Draco these funny looks all day yesterday and all of today as well, and now Ron's acting barmy."
"Ron mentioned the photos and the conversation you had in Sirius' room," said Hermione in a tone that meant she was about to dive into a long explanation. "To most people, the closeness that Sirius and Lupin had would appear a little unusual for two boys. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but it just strikes them as peculiar. The fact that you noticed their behavior, but found nothing odd about it is a little�telling."
Harry did not say anything as he tried to figure out what his usually clever friend was trying to say. "You think that Sirius and Remus might have been closer than normal friends; is that it?"
Hermione bit her lip and nodded, but appeared to be waiting for some further reaction.

Harry was about to tell his friend to just tell him whatever she intended him to figure out, when the penny dropped.
"Bloody hell�you're right." Harry thought for another moment, "But what about all the looks you've been�wait� Wait-wait-wait, you think that I could like Draco like that?"
"Is it really that unimaginable?" Hermione asked delicately. "The two of you have always been acutely aware of each other. From the first time you met, it was like there were two magnets in you that made you two naturally gravitate towards each other. You've always been passionate, if not obsessive, when it came to him.
�The last few years at school, Draco backed off from you. Most of his gibes were directed at Ron or Gryffindor as a whole, and it usually wasn't just him; it was all of Slytherin. However, you still would retaliate to him alone�it was like you couldn't see or think straight when he was around."
Hermione smiled lightly, "And now that we've seen this other side to him, well� You have to admit, you've reacted rather strongly to him. You�ve always had that saving-people-thing, but I don't know; it's different with him. It's like the way Ron is so defensive of me or Sirius was so protective of Remus."
Harry laughed, "Hermione, you can't actually think�" Both of their smiles fell. "I guess I can understand why you would think that, but you're wrong. Sure, I like Draco; he's nice now that he isn't trying to be what his father or anyone wants him to�and of course I want to protect him, he needs it, but I can't feel like that towards him."
"Why not?" asked Hermione solemnly. "It's not unheard of, and being The-Boy-Who-Lived and The Chosen One doesn't make you any less human. Look, I won't say anything else if you don't want me to, but I want you to keep an open mind and don't fight your feelings."
Before Harry could respond, the door opened and Ron stumbled in with an armload of books. "Have you two sorted this mess out yet?" He asked unconcernedly as he dropped the tomes on the bed beside Hermione.
"You mean the mess where Hermione reckons I'm bi and fancy Draco?" Harry said expecting Ron to share a look with him as though it was one of the funniest things he had heard.
Instead, the redhead just nodded. "So�?"
"'So' what...?� Harry asked in surprise. �Wait, before you left you said you could see her point. That's what all that was about in Sirius' room! You actually believe this?"
"I just think that Hermione's reasoning makes sense," said Ron as the tips of ears turned pink. "Whatever you feel, or decide, or do, is up to you Harry. I just want you to know that -while I don't get it- we're mates no matter what, okay?"
Harry blinked a few times, not sure whether to laugh or groan in frustration. He settled on the former, "You two actually think that I'm falling for Draco?"
Ron nodded uncertainly and Hermione said, "Well, yes."
"I don't know how to respond to that," said Harry as he quickly ceased the strained laughter.
"Then don't," said Ron with a small shrug.
"Maybe that means you need to think about it," suggested Hermione.
Just then, there was a soft knock at the door. Harry stood and moved towards it, "Er� yes?"
"It's Draco," the blonde�s muffled drawl sounded from behind the door. "Is it safe to come in yet, or should I come back later?"
Harry opened the door quickly, "Come in; we're done talking about this." He took a tray of sandwiches, crisps, and sodas; which was floating ahead of the pale boy. Draco had somehow managed to keep his wand trained on the tray as he balanced several heavy books in his arms. "Found some you liked, then?"
"Lupin has an impressive collection," the blonde commented as he gently tipped the books onto his bed. "I left a note so he would know which ones we have."
The pale Slytherin turned back to look at Harry questioningly, almost calculative. The bespectacled boy noticed that the blonde was breathing deeper than usual, and his ashen locks and too-big clothes were tousled from his efforts to balance and release the tomes without damaging them.
Harry immediately dismissed the feeling rising in his chest as concern that the other boy had overtaxed himself too soon after the terrible ordeal and subsequent healing he had gone through.
"Harry? Are you alright?" Draco asked with a glance at Ron and Hermione. The former was looking slightly ill, and the latter was fighting a grin.
"I'm fine�are you?" Harry responded. Hermione lost the struggle against her grin.
"Well, looks like it time to eat," said Ron with a smirk as he and Hermione helped themselves.
Draco sat down looking wary, and Harry sat down as well, looking rather confused. "Do I want to know?" asked the fair boy.
"No," Harry answered. "You don't�trust me."
"Alright," Draco responded with a small nod.
Neither boy looked at the others as they ate.
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Harry Potter and the Unusual Alliance