Change of Hearts

Change of Hearts

Chapter 1

I need a change, Harry thought desperately looking at himself in the mirror.

It was August 15, two weeks before the train left for Hogwarts. He had money for once he'd gotten a summer job so he could spend less time with the Dursley's

After brushing his teeth, he slipped out of the house and walked to the bus stop.

He got off four stops later and went into a Muggle gas station for a cup of coffee. Even though he was a morning person, the caffeine always helped. He then walked across the street to the small store where he worked.

"You're late, Mr. Potter," said the old man behind the register.

"Sorry Mr. B."

"That's the third time this week. If it happens again, you're fired," he said getting up from his stool so that Harry could man his post.

"I'll do my best."

"You'd better."

Mr. Banks (Mr. B. for short) continuously reminded Harry of Professor McGonagall. He didn't put up with tardiness and constantly watched Harry. He also had a thing for strict rules.

The morning could not have been slower. Three, maybe four, customers stopped in to the old, tiny, crowded antiques shop. Harry thought one may have been a wizard, the way he kept staring at Harry in awe.

Business picked up as the day wore on. Finally, five o'clock came and he could go home.

"Harry," Mr. B called from the back room.

"Yes," asked Harry sticking his head through the curtain.

"Your check."

"Oh, thank you."

Harry walked into the room and grabbed the envelope marked Harold J. Potter and started to leave again.

"Good work today. Keep it up."

Harry looked back at his boss and saw a wand next to the computer.

A wand? What's he need a wand for?

Harry thought of a question he could ask that only a wizard would know.

I could ask him about Voldemort or something, he thought.

"Is there something you need?"

"Erm..." he replied still thinking.

Hogwarts, Fudge, Daily Prophet...

"Yes?" Mr. B. asked.

There was that article in the Prophet yesterday...but he may not get the Prophet.

"Harry, you are sorely testing me. If you have something to say, say it. If not, leave."

Maybe I could just ask him.

"What House were you in at school?"

"Ravenclaw--" He went wide eyed at his own stupidity. "How did you know?"

"Your wand is sitting is sitting next to your computer."

He turned in his chair and hung his head. "So much for undercover..."he mumbled.

"Ministry?" Harry asked.

"No, the Order."

Harry nodded. "Tell everyone hello, will you?"

"Sure."

"See you Monday then."

"See you," he replied depressingly.

The next day Harry went to the local bank to cash his check.

Then he went shopping....

Draco Malfoy stared at his reflection. He hadn't done anything to his hair recently, but was seriously considering getting it cut.

He ran his fingers through the baby fine strands. Bloody hell, he thought. Now it stuck up at odd angles. Now I look like Potter.

He laughed out loud at that thought. He couldn't look less like Potter.

Potter had black hair, he had platinum blonde. Potter had green eyes, he had steel gray. Potter had glasses, he didn't. potter had that scar, he didn't.

Potter was a Gryffindor, he however, was a Slytherin.

"And bloody fucking proud of it too," he said out loud.

"Sir," piped their new House Elf, Giddly.

"What," he growled.

"Master Malfoy wishes to see you."

What now? "Where is he?" Draco drawled, staring into his gray eyes that were so much like his father's.

"T-the upstairs library, sir."

Draco strode out of the room, his cloak flowing behind him.

Two days, that's all I ask.

Two days 'till September first. If Draco could board the train without and injury, it would be a miracle. Not once in all his years at Hogwarts did he get on the train without one bodily injury or another. Last year, last year was the worst. His arm was nearly broken and he'd whip welts on his back. He couldn't lean against it with out nearly screaming from the pain for a month.

Slowly, he walked into his father's library.

"Sit."

His father hadn't even looked at him. He was staring out the window.

Probably waiting for the gardeners to make a mistake.

"You go back in two days, yes?"

"Yes sir."

"There will be no more...incidents will there?"

"No sir."

"Good. If I hear one more word about you and that god forsaken bitch, Potter, I will kill you, Draco. I will in no way be associated with any homosexual. Do I make myself clear?"

Draco looked at the ground. "Yes sir," he finally whispered.

"Good. Now get out of my face."

Draco rushed out of the library and nearly into his mother.

"Mum!" he said startled. "What are you?"

"He hasn't done anything to you has he?"

"Not yet."

"Maybe this is our year."

"Maybe."

He looked into his mother's sapphire blue eyes. She was scared for him. He was scared for her. His father would hit anyone if they were within reach and he was in the mood. Not to mention when he was angry.

She nodded and walked into the library. Draco proceeded back to his room.

His father found out he was gay when he accidentally let slip to Crabbe and Goyle that he liked Harry Potter.

Of course, he could have used a memory charm and kept it all quiet, but he hadn't realized Goyle had paid attention.

Maybe they really are smarter than they look.