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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
- 6
- 7
- 8
Chapter 7: The Start of a Beautiful Friendship.
Harry brought his amusement under control and motioned for Draco to be quiet as they approached the stairs. The silver-eyed boy obeyed, but raised a fair eyebrow questioningly.
Harry leaned closer and whispered, �You�re great aunt has a life-sized portrait on the ground floor, behind those curtains. She has a tendency to scream bloody murder whenever anyone disturbs her.� The blonde wore a slightly perplexed expression, but nodded and remained silent.
Ron and Hermione were huddled suspiciously near the closed door that led to the kitchen. Harry and Draco stopped a few feet away; Hermione turned and motioned for them to stay quiet. Green eyes met silver in an understanding glance, and then all four teens were listening to the discussion currently waging in the kitchen.
�He�s only a boy!� Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, it sounded like she was just refraining herself from hollering. �Alastor is too fierce. He will act as though he were interrogating a spy. That boy has been put through enough already.�
�I�m going to have to side with Molly on this one, Arthur,� the calm voice of Lupin stated. �He has been through enough, and we all know it�s not over yet...for any of us. He may not be the first person we would pick for this, but if it were for us to decide, then many things would be different. We cannot stop him, and you have to admit, he has done well...they both have. They�ve handled this better than most wizards far older and more experienced would.�
�Yes, of course I agree, but judging by what you�ve said, he has been detained by Death Eaters.� Mr. Weasley sounded tired as he explained, �He may have overheard something he doesn�t realise if useful, and Alastor may take meaning in something that we would overlook. I am not suggesting an interrogation. We would stay here to make sure Alastor doesn�t get carried away.�
Harry tapped Ron�s shoulder and pointed to himself and then to Draco as he mouthed the word who? The redhead shrugged and shook his head. Harry glanced at Draco, who gave a brief nod, and then both entered the kitchen.
�So, which one of us is getting interrogated then?� asked Harry, trying not to sound annoyed, and knowing he was not doing that well. He could hear Ron and Hermione scrambling in after them.
�Harry -kids- what are you doing listening in on other people�s conversations?� Mrs. Weasley had started sounding embarrassed but ended with a scandalized tone.
�We were told to come down to dinner,� this time the bespectacled teen knew he was not successful in hiding his irritation.
Before Harry could continue, Draco addressed the room in a casual voice, �I believe Potter asked a question. Would anyone be so kind as to answer it?�
Lupin looked at the blonde as he answered, �No one is being interrogated; I assure you.� His usually warm and friendly eyes held a hard edge as they flickered to Mr Weasley, who had been about to say something but apparently thought better of it. �However, we were discussing the notion of whether or not to have Mad Eye present while we ask you a few questions.�
The werewolf�s eyes softened as they turned back to the two boys, �Of course, we would also like to know where you�ve been, Harry, and how the two of you came to be working together. The last we saw of you, Draco, Snape was forcing you along by the scruff of your neck before performing a Side-Along-Apparation, and Harry, you were supposed to wait for us at your relatives house.�
Harry sighed, he really did not want to lose his temper at anyone in the room, but knew he was getting close. Without thinking, he looked to Draco, who promptly took hold of the conversation as if on cue.
�Why don�t we sit down and enjoy the food that Mrs. Weasley has spent so much time preparing? Harry and I will tell you what we can over dinner, and then we can discuss whether or not the information we can offer needs to be repeated to anyone outside of this room.� He said it all in eloquent drawl that did not sound intimidating in the least, yet left no misunderstanding that it was not actually a request and that both boys would only say what they wanted to.
The green-eyed boy had to admit that he was impressed.
No sooner had the words left his mouth then Draco gracefully seated himself across from Lupin. Harry automatically took a seat beside the blonde. Ron sat on Harry�s other side, and Hermione settled down beside the red head.
Lupin shook his head slowly and wore a fainter version of the fond smile he had when he stated that Draco and Harry reminded him of Sirius and James as boys. Mrs. Weasley appeared relieved for a moment and then, with a flick of her wand, summoned the bowls and platters of food to the table before sitting down across from Hermione. Mr. Weasley blinked a few times as if wrapping his head around what just happened before sitting between his wife and Lupin.
After a brief awkward silence, Hermione rolled her eyes and asked Harry to pass the biscuits, which started Ron and Harry piling food onto their plates. Draco and Hermione shared an amused glance behind their friends� backs as they leaned forward to reach various things, and the adults seemed to relax and started eating as well.

Harry was trying to figure out what to say to the adults, and fortunately, the other teens seemed to be waiting for him to speak first, most likely waiting to see what he chose to leave out before they offered anything. As he was thinking, he heard Draco and Hermione compliment Mrs. Weasley, and he nodded his agreement. Although it was true, the food was as good as always, he suspected they were trying to break the silence first in order to give him more time before the elders started asking questions.
�Harry,� Lupin said gently after some time passed. Harry looked up from his plate and saw that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were watching the teenagers expectantly. The werewolf�s gaze was set on Harry alone, and held a good deal more patience.
The raven-haired teen put down his silverware and lowered his hands to the bench he was sitting on. He noticed that Draco had folded his hands in his lap, Hermione was moving food around with her fork, but did not appear to be paying attention to it, and Ron slowed his eating significantly.
Harry took a breath, �You all know by now that Dumbledore and I began working on something in secret last term at Hogwarts. Well, I need to continue with that. Dumbledore told me not to tell anyone, except for Ron and Hermione, who I made promise not to tell anyone. I plan to keep my word to Dumbledore and I expect them to keep their word to me.�

Lupin merely nodded solemnly, but Mr and Mrs Weasley were already opening their mouths to question or argue, respectively.
�There�s no point in trying to convince me to change my mind about any of that,� Harry declared firmly, �Professor McGonagall tried a few weeks ago at the end of term, and I haven�t changed my mind since then.
�I left the Dursley�s two days before you were supposed to come get me, right after I received the last owl that you sent, Lupin. I�m sorry for that, but I thought it was for the best. I cannot have you lot helping me if I can�t tell you what I�m doing, and besides, I think what you�re doing is just as important anyway. I didn�t -and still don�t- want Ron and Hermione to come, because it�s going to be too dangerous.�
Raising his voice slightly to talk over the protest that his friends were starting to offer, Harry continued, not wanting to have to stop and answer questions until he said most of what he had to. �I came into a bit of trouble a few days ago, and got captured by a few Death Eaters-� Lupin�s eyes widened and he and Mrs. Weasley began to stand. However, Mr. Weasley held onto his wife�s shoulder to stop her, and Lupin stilled when Draco raised a pale hand and gave him a potent stare. Harry nodded his thanks, and everyone settled.
�I�m fine. They didn�t do anything to me; it sounded like they have orders not to harm me. However, I realized that I couldn�t do this alone. That�s where Draco came in: he rescued me from the Death Eaters and he�d already started working on the same task that I was, so we decided to work together.�
�Well, now, hang on a moment,� Mr. Weasley interrupted Harry before turning to the blonde beside him. �Draco, you know what this task is and you never promised anyone not to tell. Why don�t you fill us in, and then we can help without anyone going back on their word.�
Everyone stared at Mr. Weasley for a moment before all eyes turned to Draco.
In that brief moment that no one else was looking, however, the silver-eyed boy had glanced at Harry. Between Harry�s shocked expression and Draco�s surprised one, only the keenest of observers could have noticed the slightest raising of a pale eyebrow, and the gentlest shaking of a darker head.
The pale Slytherin�s attention turned back to Mr. Weasley before any of the Weasley�s had noticed the exchange, but Harry guessed that Lupin caught it. The lycanthrope was wearing a vague smile again as he watched the two boys, and the raven-haired teen would be surprised if Hermione missed it.
Harry expected Draco to lie, or make some snide remark, and was pleasantly surprised with the pale boy�s response. �I�m sorry, but if Potter and Dumbledore felt it necessary to keep this information secret, even from you, then I�m going to as well. I hope you understand, of course, but I�m not changing my mind either.�
�Can you tell us how long you expect to be on this task?� asked Lupin. Harry noted that the smile had faded from his lips.
�I don�t know,� the raven-haired boy answered at the same time that the blonde said, �As long as it takes.�
�Couldn�t a couple members of the Order accompany you without being told what you�re doing? We could change them every few days or so, as we did when we guarded you before,� Lupin questioned evenly. �Only that, I don�t like the idea of the two of you going off on your own. I�m sure none of us do.�
�Of course not,� Mrs. Weasley agreed, �You can�t go off without anyone to protect you or take care of you, look at the state you�re both in now.�
�You�re both impressive wizards, especially for your age, but what about You-Know-Who? I�m sure he would love to get his hands on either of you. You are far safer with a few Order members along. What if we promise not to intervene, only to defend?� offered Mr. Weasley.
Harry shook his head. �I�m sorry. You have all been the closest thing to a family I have ever had, but I have to do this�alone. You can�t stop me and I�m not changing my mind. Please understand.�
�It�s not that we don�t understand, Harry,� Lupin said, his tone matching his words, �But none of us are very safe alone now, and we don�t want anything to happen to you.�
�You know I won�t just sit here where it�s safe,� Harry answered. �You wouldn�t either; neither would my dads or Sirius. I�m not safe anywhere else anyway, like you said, none of us are.�
�Also, he won�t be alone,� added Draco quietly, �I�m staying with him until this is over.� He looked Lupin in the eyes, �I know I�m not the first person you would choose for this, but you must admit that we�ve done well so far.� Silver eyes swept over all the adults in turn before looking down at his hands.
�And we�re going with you too, Harry,� Ron said from Harry�s other side. He could see Hermione�s bushy hair bouncing as she nodded her agreement from behind their redheaded friend.
�Ron!� Mrs. Weasley cried, but again, Mr. Weasley placed an arm around her shoulders before she could stand. �You can�t just run off! What if something happens to you, or to another member of the family? ...And Hermione, what will your parents say? You lot aren�t even classified as adults yet in the Muggle world.�
�I admit, they don�t know exactly what�s going on, but they know that what we�re doing is important,� Hermione said in a rush, �And that I�m much safer with other wizards who do know what�s happening and how to fight it.�
�You just agreed that none of us are safe alone,� Ron pointed out; �Well then, Harry and Malfoy have better odds if we help them. We can all look out for each other.�
�Actually, Draco and I can manage the physical parts on our own,� Harry interjected as he turned to his best friends. �What I�d like you two to do, is research some stuff for me. We�ll be moving around a lot and we�ll need information; you can work from here and even access the library at Hogwarts, among other useful rooms.� His voice lowered in volume as he talked.
Hermione nodded slowly at the last part, but Ron looked conflicted. He also kept his voice down as he commented, �Harry, you�re good and all, and as much as I hate to admit it, so is Malfoy, but this is going to be the most dangerous thing you�ve had to pull off yet. You might need more then just the two of you for some things.�
�You�re both right,� Hermione practically whispered. �This is going to be the most challenging thing we�ve ever set out to do, which is why Harry will need more information and he will have to hurry as he goes on. It would be useful to have someone researching and sending information��
�And I can send for you if we might need backup,� Harry added in the most reassuring voice he could muster.
�How? It�s not like you can bring Hedwig along, and it will take too long to call her to you f you�re in a situation where you really need us,� answered Ron, dropping his voice further.
Harry was not sure how to answer that one. After a second of trying to come up with something, he felt a cool hand over his own that rested on the bench. He turned to face Draco, who barely whispered, �The coins from fifth year,� so that only Harry could hear.
The bespectacled boy blinked, lost in thought for a second, and then nodded once before turning around as well as leaning toward his friends and whispering, �The D.A. coins.�
Hermione nodded right away, a second later Ron had caught on, but all of their attention turned to Draco when he cleared his throat pointedly.
Green eyes met pale ones before the silver-eyed boy slowly moved his gaze across the table, green, blue, and brown eyes followed until they saw what the ashen Slytherin was trying to show them.
Lupin was watching them with a mixture of curiosity, worry, amusement, and pride. Mr. Weasley�s expression lacked the last two emotions that Lupin�s held, and Mrs. Weasley�s was much like her husbands, but with an added level of annoyance.
�And just what are you lot whispering about?� Mrs. Weasley asked in a voice that suggested she was refraining herself from scolding them as if they were a group of ten year olds.
Ron froze, Hermione looked embarrassed, and Harry stammered for a moment. Draco shot the raven-haired teen a look, which clearly stated that he did not know how the trio had managed through the years. �Actually, that was rather rude, sorry. So, any thoughts on my interrogation�? Personally, I think I can do without,� the blonde looked around the table hopefully.
�It would not be an interrogation,� Mr. Weasley stated tersely. �We simply thought that it might be good to get an Auror�s view of anything you might have heard or seen around the Death Eaters.�
�If Mad-Eye Moody is the Auror your thinking of bringing, then it�s going to be an interrogation,� Draco responded dryly. �I believe my cousin Nymphadora is an Auror, is she a member of your Phoenix lot?�
The elder Weasleys hesitated, but Lupin looked Draco over for a moment before nodding. �Yes, she is�and if you should see her, you might want to remember to call her by her surname, Tonks.�
�Her surname is Tonks?� asked Draco curiously.
Ron looked at the fair boy in surprise, �You don�t know your own cousin�s surname?�

�I�ve only ever heard Aunt Andromeda�s husband referred to as �that Muggle� and I know better than to ask questions,� Draco answered casually.
�In any case, I still don�t see it necessary to bring in an Auror,� Lupin stated, bringing everyone�s attention back to the previous discussion. �Did either of you hear anything while you were in the company of Death Eaters that regards to any orders, plans, or locations related to Voldemort?� Everyone but Lupin and Harry flinched at the name.
�Well, like I said earlier, there seems to be an order not to harm me,� Harry answered after a moment. �I heard Snape,� he spat out the name like a curse, �Remind a Death Eater about orders and that I belonged to Voldemort while I was chasing him after�you know.� The bespectacled teen shifted and then continued, �The Death Eaters that caught me a few days ago said as much too.�
�I heard something among those lines as well,� added Draco thoughtfully. �I wasn�t kept informed of anything; I�m probably just under Potter on their list by now. I did hear a lot of talk about The Department of Mysteries, and it seems there are envoys going to the giants, werewolves, vampires, and such. They also seem to be creating a lot of Inferi; they were discussing going on raids to gather more, but they generally changed topics when they�approached me.�
The blonde�s eyes fell and, although he made no other movement, Harry got the feeling that the other boy was withdrawing. He glanced at Lupin and the concern in the werewolf�s warm eyes was all the confirmation he needed. When Lupin eyes met Harry�s, the teen met his stare and willed him not to push the ashen boy.
The raven-haired teen was not sure if the gentle werewolf understood his silent plea or if he was simply thinking among the same lines himself, but in any case, he directed his next question at Harry. �How did this rescue you mentioned take place?�
Harry decided that, having already mentioned his capture, he might as well tell them. He left out some fine details, but could tell by everyone�s expressions that they had gotten the right idea. After he finished, no one said anything. He and Draco exchanged a nervous glance.
Lupin finally broke the silence. �Perhaps you would be willing to tell us a little of your side of this rescue, Draco?� He looked directly into the blonde�s eyes, �Such as how you knew where Harry was and how you acquired his wand?�
�It wasn�t with any brilliant Gryffindor heroics,� the silver-eyed teen answered before moistening his lips and taking a deep breath. �They brought him to the same place they had been keeping me. They gave me more freedom then Potter, as they did not consider me a threat, and there was no possibility of anyone coming to rescue me. As you might expect, the Death Eaters that brought Potter in were rather proud of themselves; it was no great feet to overhear the tale. Of course, it is likely that they changed some details in their favour and that�s Harry�s story anyway, so I�ll skip that part.�
The pale Slytherin shot Mrs. Weasley a challenging look when she made a protesting sound, and then settled his gaze on the table in front of Lupin before continuing. �During their little story time, one of the Death Eaters -I don�t know his name- bragged that he held Potter�s wand and would keep it on him until� -until the Dark Lord came. He became tired after a few hours of boasting, I tried to follow him, but� I was detained.�
There was brief silence that no one dared to break before the blonde took a deep breath and went on in his explanation. �Later, I waited by a passage that he was bound to cross, one way or the other. Eventually he did, with only one other Death Eater; I hexed them both, retrieved Potter�s wand, and headed to his holding room. I told the guards that I was ordered to make sure Potter was presentable for�for when he arrived�and that�s where Potter�s story picks up.�
Lupin watched the boys in front of him for a moment before nodding slowly. �I believe them;� he turned to look at the Weasleys. �I don�t think it�s necessary to pull Mad-Eye away from his work for this, what do you say?�
Mrs. Weasley wasted no time in her answer, �I completely agree. These boys do not need to be repeatedly reliving experiences of how Death Eaters handled them. Besides, we all know how Alastor is.�
Mr. Weasley nodded solemnly, �You�re right. I am sorry boys; it�s just a rough time. Why don�t you kids head off to your rooms? Remus and I will clean up, and then we�ll contact McGonagall in the morning about all of this.�
With a few polite words about Mrs. Weasley�s cooking and goodnights to all, the four teenagers left the kitchen and headed to Harry and Draco�s room. Hermione was the last to enter and cast Imperturbable and silencing charms on the door after she closed it behind her. Once again, Harry and Draco sat on the blonde�s bed, and Ron and Hermione sat across from them.
�You can�t expect us to just sit here when you could be out there getting killed, mate.� Ron stated as soon as everyone settled down.
�I don�t,� answered Harry as he looked at his friends. �I expect you to help me the best way you can, which happens to be by staying here and getting information for me.�
�Well, what about Malfoy Manor?� Ron asked forcefully. �There could be Death Eaters dropping in and we don�t know anything yet.�
�That is why it�s a good idea for you to come there with us,� Draco answered calmly before anyone�s temper could flare. �However, afterwards we aren�t going to be able to sit around and memorize all the information in those books before we head off. We have a lot of places to check, and we need to move before V-� The silver-eyed teen sighed in frustration before saying the name forcefully, �Voldemort figures out what we�re doing.�
�And we�re going to constantly need information as we go,� Harry added, not quite as calmly as he would have liked. �Not only can you research stuff on Horcruxes, Dark Arts, and Voldemort for us, but you can fill us in on Order and Death Eater activity so we�ll have less chance of running into someone unexpectedly.�
��But you will contact us if you think you need more help, right?� Hermione questioned, although it sounded rather demanding.
�Yes, I already said I would and we can use the D.A. coins.� The bespectacled teen was beginning to feel extremely frustrated and he knew it was starting to show.
�All right, don�t start biting our heads off, Harry, we�re just worried.� Hermione said curtly, then added in a calmer voice, �But wait, we can�t use the D.A. coins, or every member of the D.A. might show up.�
�Then we�ll put a Protean Charm on four different coins -Knuts or something, so you don�t mistake one for the other,� Draco suggested before adding as an afterthought, �Or perhaps chocolate frog cards? Those would give us more message space.�
�That�s a good idea,� Hermione responded, and it was obvious that her brain was already working out the details. �We could pass along summaries of the information we�ve gathered and then we wouldn�t have to worry about drawing attention by taking off to meet you ever time we found something.�
�And it�s not like we have to worry about a teacher making us turn out or pockets anymore,� Harry added after offering a nod of approval.
�We should still be sure to clear the messages once we�ve read them,� Draco said, looking up at Harry, �Just in case someone is in a position to see.�
Harry nodded; glad that the blonde had avoided mentioned the circumstances under which someone might see them. �Agreed,� he looked at his other friends, �So, will you do this�for me?�
After a moment of thought, Hermione sighed. �Yes; it does sound like the best way to approach this, since only the four of us know about it. Just, please be careful, both of you.�
Harry smiled and Draco looked taken aback for a second before both boys nodded.
�Thanks, Hermione.� The green-eyed boy turned to look at Ron, who still seemed to be mulling it over.
The blue-eyed teen took a deep breath before meeting Harry�s eyes, �You�re sure about Malfoy?�
�Yes, Ron,� Harry answered immediately, doing his best to keep his temper in check. �I�m going to get tired of saying that soon, though.�
�Okay, I just�you know, wanted to be sure,� the redhead�s tone was a little defensive. After a brief pause, he nodded to his best friend, �All right then, if that�s the best way to help you, then I�ll do it, but you better keep in touch.�
Harry smiled, releasing a relive breath; �I will, thanks. Now we need to arrive at Malfoy Manor at dawn, so- Hang on�I don�t know where Malfoy Manor is. Can you Apparate somewhere without knowing the location?�
�You would know if you had been paying attention during our first Apparation lesson,� Hermione responded, sounding a little irritated. �You just have to concentrate on Malfoy Manor; that should be enough. You may have to focus harder than usual since you can�t visualize the place.�
�By the way, Malfoy Manor is in the southern countryside of Wiltshire,� Draco added, and Harry noticed that the blonde was looking too pensive for his liking.
�Okay then,� Harry answered, not wanting to explain why he had not been paying attention at the mentioned lesson. �We�ll slip outside just before dawn and Apparate to the manor. How should we enter it? It may not be such a good idea to just walk through the front door.�
�How about the entrances that Snape and Lestrange used?� suggested Ron, �Can we get in through one of those?�
�Definitely the one Aunt Bellatrix used, but I don�t know if there�s a password or a trick to getting in through the passage Severus used. I suppose we could try.� Draco responded indifferently before adding, �There are a couple other ways that I know of, so I�m not terribly concerned about that. What I am concerned about is the fact that the rooms beyond my father�s study and my mother�s sitting room have passwords that we�ll have to figure out.�
�What about the hidden chamber under the drawing room?� questioned Harry, �You said that Snape or Lestrange should have been able to get in there, but they couldn�t. Do you have any ideas as to why?�
�Well, obviously my mother changed the password and did not inform either of them of the change,� Draco answered levelly. �I just can�t figure out why she would do that. I mean, Aunt Bella is stark raving mad and they hadn�t seen each other for ages before she broke out of Azkaban, plus they got into some kind of row about what happened last summer, but my mother always seemed fond of Severus.�
The silver-eyed boy seemed to get lost in his thoughts for a moment before returning his pale gaze to Harry. �Sorry, just thinking. I believe the password can be overturned by Malfoy blood, hopefully it doesn�t take much.�
�What is it with your family and blood?� asked Ron, looking slightly disgusted. Draco simply shrugged in response, and then tensed for a second.
�What is it?� Harry asked, sitting up straight.
�Nothing, relax Potter,� the blonde answered, �I�m just sore from that healing yesterday.�
�Maybe we should leave you two for the night,� Hermione offered. �I think I�ll get started on those chocolate frog cards before bed. Ron, don�t you have a lot of the Dumbledore cards around?�
�Yeah, do you want to use those?� The blue-eyed boy stood and helped Hermione up as well, even though it hardy seemed necessary.
Hermione nodded, and then Draco said, �That�s a good idea. It won�t seem as strange to any Death Eaters or your Phoenix lot if we start carrying a memento of Dumbledore.�
�That�s what I think too,� the brown-eyed girl said as she and Ron started heading for the door.
They all wished each other a good night, and then Harry and Draco cast their usual spells on the door and window before sitting down on their own beds.
Harry sat against the headboard, both dreading and looking forward to the next morning. He was glad to be accomplishing something but he was also worried about what would happen if one of the Death Eaters entered while he and his friends were there. ...Or worse, more than one. They were all quite capable and had experience with Death Eaters ranging from fair to extreme. Even still, fully-grown and trained wizards did not survive such confrontations.
The raven-haired teen was suddenly even more appreciative of the fact that Ron and Hermione had agreed to stay behind after their excursion into Malfoy Manor. Now he just needed to make sure they remained safe while at the Manor. After that, he just had to watch out for himself�and Draco.
Harry turned his head and saw the fair Slytherin sitting on his bed, knees drawn up to his chest and his arms loosely wrapped around his legs. He looked deep in thought and a little concerned.
�Draco?� Upon hearing his name, the pale boy turned his head to face Harry. �Are you nervous about tomorrow?�
�Yes, I�d have to be a fool not to be,� the blonde responded softly. �Hopefully no one will trespass there in broad daylight. If Aunt Bellatrix or any of the other Death Eaters happen upon us, we know they won�t kill you at least, but that is far saying they will not hurt you�and they will kill the rest of us. I don�t think Severus will harm either of us any more then he must, but I don�t know about Granger or Weasley.�
�Your aunt will kill you?� asked Harry incredulously. His own aunt seemed to despise his presence, but he knew she would never physically harm him and would certainly never kill him. Besides, Bellatrix and Narcissa Black had once been close; he would like to think she would not really kill her own sister�s child.
�With the greatest of pleasure,� the silver-eyed teen drawled quietly. �I�ve turned against her lord; there isn�t anything she would hesitate to do to me anymore.�
The green-eyed boy nodded, although he was sure the pale boy was not looking at him. It made sense, in a sick perverted way, but then, that seemed to be how Bellatrix Lestrange worked. She had killed her own cousin after all, and had tortured the Longbottoms into insanity for no apparent reason.
Harry was deciding if he should address the other part of Draco�s statement. He did not want to start an argument with the other boy, and the pallid Slytherin had made an understandable argument for his view of their former potions master before. Nevertheless, Harry still thought they should talk about it before it became an issue. If or when they did come across Snape -and he figured they were bound to eventually- then it would help if they were on the same page, even if they simply agreed to disagree.
Then, the bespectacled teen remembered something else from that night on the tower. Draco did agree with Harry about Snape being a follower of Voldemort. He just seemed to believe that the greasy git had some caring in him. That, he decided, was worth questioning. �And Snape�? What makes you think he won�t harm us any more then he has to? He�s always loathed me.�
Of course, Harry noted that Snape had passed several chances to curse Harry while he was perusing him across the grounds of Hogwarts. He only deflected, and then hexed Harry when he taunted him too far. The obsidian-eyed man also stopped one of the other Death Eaters from cursing him. Harry assured himself that it was only because of Snape�s loyalty to Voldemort, who seemed to want to defeat Harry himself.
Draco�s soft voice cut into Harry�s line of thought. �Actually, I�ve been thinking about him, and what you said regarding him.� The blonde took a breath before continuing, �If Dumbledore had survived, my family and I would be dead, but that was my perspective. Once Severus made the Unbreakable Vow with my mother, then Dumbledore�s survival also meant his death. I was so caught up in worrying about my family that I didn�t think about that�I didn�t think about many things. I�ve thought about it now though, and perhaps Severus is just on his own side. Maybe the only person he cares about is himself.�
�Do you know how he ended up taking the vow?� That was the only part that did not make any sense to Harry. He assumed that Narcissa must have cornered Snape, but had no idea how she could do that. Snape could have just claimed that he was not going to go against what Voldemort wanted and Narcissa surely would have accepted that excuse. After all, her own sister and husband would follow any order that Voldemort gave.
�No, I don�t,� Draco answered after a pause. �My aunt was their Bonder, I know that much. The actual vow was to watch over me and protect me as best he could, and to do the deed appointed to me should I fail, although I don�t know the exact phrasing. He would have started that line of conversation, about helping me I mean, and then my mother would have pushed it in the direction she wanted, that�s how she works.�
Harry scoffed and muttered, �Typical Slytherin,� before he realized what he was doing. He did notice, however, when Draco�s eyes darted to him before dropping as the pallid boy seemed to tighten his hold on himself. �Sorry, I didn�t�it just seems like the Slytherins always have a cover...or-�
�Everyone does, not just Slytherins. I suppose I should thank you for saying the instead of you,� Draco murmured his answer into his knees, not bothering to unbury his face.
�You�re welcome,� Harry shifted so that he could see the wan Slytherin better. �What do you mean �everybody does�? Everybody doesn�t have a-�
�Yes, they do,� was the muffled response. �Everybody has a face that they present to the world and a method that they use to get the results they desire. I�m sure there are many people who don�t, but I think you�ll find them in the minority.�
�Name five people who use this method of, what would you call it...hiding, manipulation?� demanded Harry, thinking that he was about to break another false truth that the pale blonde had been taught.
Of course, Harry never was one to look before he leapt. Draco raised his head so that his voice was no longer muffled. �My father used -uses- subtle threats and bribery to get what he wants. My mother uses beauty and verbal traps to make people think her wish is their idea. I used cold glares, sneers, and insults to keep people at bay, because I don�t want them getting close. Granger uses over-confidence and unmatchable knowledge to hide her insecurity and fear of failure. Severus uses harsh words and angry glares to keep everyone from inquiring about him too much, because he wants to remain hidden and safe.�
Green eyes blinked. The raven-haired boy reminded himself again that he would have to keep in mind how observant and tactful Draco could be. Most people would have pointed out something about Harry, but that would just make him defensive and then he would deny the whole argument. Draco, evidently having noticed this trait, chose to use examples that Harry could and would not deny.
�Okay, moving on�� Harry decided to continue the original discussion. �Is the Unbreakable Vow still active? I mean, does Snape still have to watch out for you and try to protect you?�
�No. It was just while I was trying to fulfil V-,� Another frustrated sigh sounded as the blonde squeezed his eyes shut and dropped his head again, �Voldemort�s wishes.�
There was along pause during which neither spoke, and then Draco broke the silence. �I�m going to bed, goodnight, Potter.�
Harry heard a shuffle of sheets and then turned his head to see a small ball with some white-blonde hair poking out from under it in the blankets of the bed next to his. �Good night, Draco.� He doused the lights and then climbed under his own blankets.
�...Potter?� Draco�s voice was almost too soft for Harry to make out.
�Yeah...?�
��Would you mind if I called you Harry?�
Harry blinked in surprise again and then cracked a grin as the catch line from an old movie his aunt used to watch suddenly came to mind; this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. He figured he was getting tired and then realized he hadn�t answered the other boy, �Not at all.�
�All right then, goodnight, Harry.�
�Sleep tight, Draco.�
Harry decided that this had been a good day. He just hoped the same would be true for the following one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author�s note: The quote �This could be the start of a beautiful friendship� is from the film Casablanca, released in 1942 by Warner Bros. I own no rights to it.
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Harry Potter and the Unusual Alliance