Enemy Mine

Chapter Two: In My Enemy´s House

`Harry,´ said the headmaster, slightly irritated. `May we come in?´

`No!´ bellowed Uncle Vernon. `I told you to stay away from my family! I don´t want your kind...´

`Look,´ interrupted Harry, not sure he could be any more embarrassed and hoping his uncle did nothing more than glare at him for interrupting. `If they don´t come in they´re going to start attracting attention standing on the front step.´

It was only then that Vernon Dursley seemed to take in what the two people standing there looked like: though it seemed that Malfoy´s hatred of Muggles didn´t extend to clothes - he was wearing (very expensive looking) Muggle jeans, trainers and shirt - Dumbledore was dressed in summer weight long purple robes.

Uncle Vernon glared at Harry, but didn´t keep him from letting the headmaster in.  As Malfoy followed, scowling at Harry as much as Harry was scowling at him, Harry noticed with horror that his blond nemesis was dragging his school trunk.

`Ah, sir?´ Harry called out to Prof. Dumbledore eying the trunk. The headmaster gave Harry a look over his glasses, and as was so often the case when faced with Dumbledore´s gaze, Harry felt uncomfortably like he could somehow see right into his mind.

`Harry,´ he said seriously `Would you please help Mr. Malfoy with his things?  I need to speak with your aunt and uncle for a minute.´  Harry nodded sullenly, and refusing to meet Malfoy´s eyes he reluctantly helped him lift his trunk into the hallway. `In the kitchen then Mr. Dursley?´ asked Dumbledore pleasantly.

Uncle Vernon was five shades of purple with rage and fear but he nodded, and followed the old wizard down the hall. Just before he reached the kitchen he turned back with a look in his eyes that said quite plainly to Harry: `You´ll pay for this when he leaves.´

Harry sat down heavily on the bottom stair, his hands shaking ever so slightly. `What the hell are you doing here Malfoy?´ he managed. But before the other boy could answer, Dudley came running out of the kitchen, the look of terror on his face doubling when he spotted the other stranger in the hall.  Dudley let out a little squeak, dancing back and forth on the spot like some terrified animal. It was pitiful, and Harry actually felt sorry for him - well, sort of anyway.

`Come in here,´ he said, getting up and pushing a bemused Malfoy into the lounge.  Instantly, Harry heard Dudley thunder upstairs and slam his bedroom door.

`What was that?!´ demanded Malfoy in his usual obnoxious drawl.

`That was my cousin,´ replied Harry irritably, falling into a chair. `He´s had some bad experiences with most of the wizards he´s met, so he´s a little nervous around strange ones like you.´

Malfoy laughed, ignoring the jab. `What a great lump - ooh, the famous Harry Potter´s cousin!´ he snorted, taking a seat almost regally in another chair. `He makes Longbottom look positively trim!´

`Get stuffed Malfoy.´

`Ha! It looks like old `lumpy´ up there beat me to it!´

`His name´s Dudley,´ Harry snapped. He wasn´t sure why he was defending his cousin, he´d said worse about him himself, except that it was different somehow, coming from Malfoy. `And what are you doing here anyway?´

`Believe me,´ he answered icily `It certainly wasn´t my idea. She left it up to Dumbledore where I went and he chose ... here.´ He finished with a disgusted glance around the room.

`Why aren´t you at your foul Malfoy Manor you´re always on about?´ Before Malfoy could make a retort however, Dumbledore returned with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia who were looking both murderous and horrified.  Both boys stood up, shuffling nervously.

`Harry, Draco´s parents have disappeared. None of his relatives are able to take him in and we have no facilities to take him in at Hogwarts until school starts,´ Dumbledore began. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia both winced at the mention of Hogwarts and Harry wondered if Dumbledore knew it wasn´t allowed... `And as you may know,´ the old wizard continued, ignoring the Dursley´s reactions, `this is probably the next safest place for him to be right now.´

Harry wanted desperately to shout NO! Let him go stay with one of his stooges - Crabbe or Goyle.  But he couldn´t disappoint Dumbledore... Plus, he knew that the headmaster usually had a very good reason for doing the things he did, no matter how odd they may seem.  He glanced nervously though at his aunt and uncle, before turning his attention back to Dumbledore.

`I´ve spoken with your aunt and uncle, Harry, and it´s all arranged. I think you of all people might have some understanding of what your classmate is going through.´

`Yes, sir,´ replied Harry glumly, glancing briefly at Malfoy, who was looking determinedly at the floor.

`Excellent,´ said Dumbledore, clapping Harry on the shoulder. `I shall be in touch then.´ His tone turned serious then, and they both looked up. `I expect you to get along with each other,  and Mr. Malfoy, you shall accompany Harry to his job every day with the neighbour.´ Malfoy nodded. `Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,´ he offered his hand to Uncle Vernon, who to Harry´s shame, refused to take it. `Right then,´ said Dumbledore, his smile barely flickering as he pulled his hand back.

`Ah, sir?´ asked Harry. `Is Malfoy being here a secret? I mean, can I send a letter to my friends, or should I wait?´ he said significantly.

`Ah, yes, as to that. Actually, the fewer people who know he´s here the better. I understand you´ll want to share this information with your inquisitive friends, but they should keep it quiet, and I do think you should wait.´ He gave Harry a meaningful glance over his glasses. `Well I´ve got a bit of a walk.  We´ve expanded the apparition-free zone around your house. I don´t usually care for traveling by floo powder, but perhaps I´ll find a fireplace closer ... yes, well, goodbye then.´ And, robes billowing behind him, he left.

During the uncomfortable silence that followed the departure of the old wizard, Malfoy stared impatiently out the window as the Dursley's glared angrily at Harry. `The guest room then?´ Harry ventured finally.

`Not on your life,´ spat Uncle Vernon `Marge may be coming, you´ll have to move your old roll-away upstairs. He´ll have to share with you. And you´re in charge of telling him the rules around here,´ he snarled. `It´s all on you boy.´ With that, he and Aunt Petunia stormed out of the room.

Harry looked resignedly at his new roommate, not sure which seemed worse: the prospect of a visit from Aunt Marge, or having to share his room with Malfoy. `Well, come on Malfoy,´ he said finally, heading out of the lounge and opening the cupboard under the stairs.

Staring into the tiny cupboard, a flood of memories momentarily paralysed him; how dark it was in there with the light bulb removed, how close it was...

`My bed is small enough to be stored in there?´ Malfoy´s indignant snarl snapped Harry back to the present and irritably he reached in and pulled the chain on the bare bulb which hung from a wire stapled to one of the stair runners.  With a slightly sick feeling, he realized that nothing had changed since he´d moved upstairs when the letters had started coming from Hogwarts, just before his 11^th birthday.  He hadn´t been in here since; tried to not even look at the door - with its lock on the outside...

`Let´s get this over with,´ he said finally, tossing the pillow on the floor and heaving the mattress off the frame.  It took them three trips to get the mattress, folding wire frame, and Malfoy´s trunk upstairs.

`Gah!´ said Malfoy  with disgust when he took in Harry´s room. `My closet is bigger than this.´

**********

Pleasure... Pain... opposite - and not.

These are in fact quite closely related - pleasure - pain...

Voldemort is feeling pleasure... I am feeling pain...

Love... Hate... Once I loved him - now I hate him... Are these less opposite as well? Or did I love him? How can you love that which takes pleasure from your suffering - from inflicting your suffering?

And yet, there had been a time when I would have begged to be allowed to be the one to cut off my own arm for him...

Would I now? No.

Would I offer the same sacrifice - and more now to Dumbledore? Yes.

The difference is, Dumbledore would not ask me to - not for himself - and knowing I have suffered like this...

`I accept your excuse Severus - you may rise,´ the creature that was the Dark Lord hissed, releasing him at long last from the cruciatus curse.. Snape did not allow the pain, and more importantly, the disgust he was feeling to show on his face as he struggled to his feet from where he´d been left gasping on the ground.

`If the information you provide, and your trusted position inside Hogwarts weren´t so valuable to me, you would be dead where you stand,´ the thing sneered. `Be grateful I do not punish you further.´

`You are too kind master,´ he forced himself to reply... too kind...

Drenched in sweat, Severus Snape awoke with a start - a yell stifled in his throat.

`How can you sleep at a time like this?!´ Lucius Malfoy demanded, pacing the floor of his study. Severus had evidently nodded off on one of the study´s Dragon-hide armchairs.

`What time is it?´ he croaked, trying to bring his eyes into focus.

`Almost noon - they´ve been gone more than 12 hours. I´m going to kill her for this - slowly - and Draco - he´ll pay for going along. I own them!!´ he yelled maniacally. `Where the hell do you think you´re going?´

`Dumbledore,´ Snape scowled, acting for all he had that he was disgusted with the notion.  `I´m to meet him in an hour - we´re supposed to be discussing security for next term.´ He ran his hands over his face, trying to smooth the sleep out of his eyes. `Maybe he´ll know something about Draco - can´t hurt to ask.´

As potions master at Hogwarts, Severus was well placed to spy for Voldemort - and Lucius knew that this meant that he occasionally had to duck out early.

`Of course - do be subtle about it though.´ He clapped him on the shoulder. `Can´t have him knowing you´ve been in contact with me - we don´t want him to suspect your true loyalty do we?´

`Quite,´ growled Severus. `Are you going to lift the wards so I can apparate or do I have to walk?´

My true loyalty... thought Snape as he swept through the corridor toward the headmasters office nearly an hour later. My true loyalty - if you only knew Lucius, you sick twisted son-of-a...

`Pumpkin pasties,´ he grumbled at the stone gargoyle guarding the headmaster´s office and brushed quickly up the moving staircase.

********

Harry and Draco had to rearrange the room to accommodate the second bed - Draco muttering the whole time about manual labour being for elves and lesser wizards than he. So it was, that by the time they´d finished, and Harry had cleared enough room in the wardrobe and chest of drawers for Malfoy to unpack, the afternoon was gone, leaving Harry feeling decidedly disgruntled.

Why did Dumbledore bring Malfoy of all people here?!  A bigger question to Harry, however - though he didn´t dare ask was: what on earth had the headmaster said to make his aunt and uncle agree to have second wizard under their very normal, thank-you very much roof?

`Right, rules.´ Harry sighed finally, giving up his ruminations and smirking as Draco tried to cram his many expensive shirts into the small wardrobe.  `My uncle will probably ignore you completely, which is great for you. But if you hack him off, he´ll take it out on me. And listen Malfoy, I hack him off enough on my own...  I don´t need any help from you.´ He glared as menacingly as he could manage at Malfoy before going on.  `Don´t say the words Magic, Hogwarts, Wizard, Witch, Broomstick, Spell, Charm ... er ...´ he paused thinking. `Well, best to just stay away from anything not completely Muggle. If he starts turning purple, or sputtering, or if my aunt starts glaring at you, just stop whatever you´re doing or saying.´ He frowned trying to think what else. `Oh,  yes, don´t say anything about Dudley´s weight, or his diet, or ...´

`Jeez, Potter, is there anything I can do or say around here?´

`Listen Malfoy,´ said Harry, pointing at him angrily. `If you screw up and get him after me I swear that what we did to you on the train at the end of last term will be nothing to what I´ll do to you the minute we leave the station this fall.´

`Whatever,´ drawled Malfoy lazily, sitting on the camp bed, though Harry noticed with some satisfaction that he looked a little uncomfortable.

Harry glared at him for a minute longer before going on. `Generally, I just keep quiet until I get to Mrs. Figg´s. Oh yeah, under no circumstances can you let on that she´s a witch - you do know that my `job´ is really extra DADA lessons with her, Prof. Lupin, Prof. Snape and ... occasionally others.´ He´d almost said Sirius´ name but decided he didn´t want to trust Malfoy with any information about his godfather.

`Yeah, Dumbledore mentioned it,´ Malfoy replied dismissively as he scowled at the lumpiness of his mattress.

`Well, if the Dursley´s find out about it we´re through, they´d never let me keep going. And, except for going there, we´re not allowed away from the house and garden without my aunt and uncle, so if you mess this up for me I swear I´ll kill you.´

`This can´t suck any more than it does,´ moaned Malfoy.

`Oh yes it can - though I really don´t want to think about how.´ Harry sighed. `Look, if you want to eat we´d better head down, they´ve already started.´

`Oh.´ Malfoy looked at the time. `It is supper time isn´t it?  I´d lost track, we were having such fun,´ he drawled sarcastically.  `I didn´t even hear anyone call us.´

`Nor will you,´ Harry mumbled on his way down the stairs.

Dudley choked on his soup when Harry and Draco came into the kitchen.  Grabbing the spare chair in the corner and pulling it to the table, Harry ignored him, tucking into the meal.  Long experience had taught him to eat what he could without delay in case his aunt or uncle got annoyed with him and sent him away from the table, or Dudley took his share as well as his own.

It was not a comfortable meal, however:  Dudley looked like he was going to be sick and Aunt Petunia´s lips were so tight with disgust that Harry thought they were in danger of caving in her teeth. Uncle Vernon´s face was so many shades of purple and white as he glared suspiciously between Harry and Draco, that he looked like gone-off blueberry ice cream.

`Oh honestly people,´ snapped Malfoy finally. `What do you think I´m going to do? Hex you at the dinner table?   Don´t be ridiculous.  Anyway, I´m not allowed to do magic in the holidays any more than he is, so I don´t know what your problem is, but it´s giving me indigestion.´

Dudley fell over backwards in shock. Screaming, Aunt Petunia lunged after her son as he scrambled to his feet and tore out of the room.  Harry just closed his eyes and put his head in his hands, knowing what was coming next.

`You, Blond boy. Go.´ Uncle Vernon looked so angry that Harry thought he might spontaneously combust from rage. `Up to Harry´s room, now.´ Looking completely baffled, Draco didn´t move. `NOW!´ screamed Uncle Vernon, causing both boys to jump. `I want a word with you.´ He snarled at Harry as the other boy got slowly to his feet, his eyebrows raised as he sauntered out of the kitchen.  Harry could hear Malfoy making his way slowly upstairs as his uncle turned on him.

*****

`Ah, Severus, so glad you could make it.´ The headmaster smiled jovially. `We were just about to begin discussion of the new prefects for next term.´ With a brief nod, Severus lowered himself into one of the overstuffed chairs in front of Dumbledore´s desk.

`Right.´ Dumbledore set a veriquotes  dictation quill on a sheaf of parchment on his desk. `First order of business - the new fifth year prefects. Slytherin?´ he asked the potions master.

`Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, and Blaise Zabini,´ Snape answered quietly. `No other changes.´

`Very well,´ Dumbledore grinned slightly at the expression on Professor McGonagall´s face before continuing. `Ravenclaw?´

`Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst, and Padma Patil - no changes in upper years.´

Dumbledore nodded slowly, dreading the next house´s report. `Hufflepuff?´

`Hannah Abbot, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Susan Bones... Alma Montgomery will replace the vacant 7^th form position,´ Professor Sprout finished, her voice flat.

`Thank-you Violet.´ He paused for a moment, his face betraying his weariness, before turning to the final head of house. `Minerva?´

`Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley,´ she said glaring at Snape´s derisive snort. `For your information Severus, ` she didn´t even try to hide the annoyance in her voice. `Mr. Potter, and Miss Granger have the top two positions in grades in their year, and with Mr. Weasley, they account for more cumulative points earned than many 7^th year students.´

`As well as most points lost, most rules broken...´ Snape retorted. `May I remind you of what they did to Mssrs Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle on the train...´

`They were provoked!´ she yelled back, her face flushing. `And they weren´t alone...´ Snape looked like he wanted to say more, but before he and the deputy headmistress could continue their verbal battle, Dumbledore stepped in.

`Enough,´ he said quietly, tapping the top of his desk.  He didn´t raise his voice, but they both recognized the dangerous tone, and knew to listen.

`I believe all of the recommendations made today are good choices, and I intend to endorse them all. Now,´ he said in a way that clearly closed further discussion. `Head Girl and Boy...´

The discussion of who would be Head Girl and Boy raged for some time.  There was really no contest for Head Girl - even Snape had to admit that Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor was the obvious choice - gifted not only academically, but also on the Quidditch pitch, she was also known frequently to offer assistance to struggling lower form students of any house in the library.

Head Boy, however, was a cause for some debate. Augustine Ramiralso scored very high academically, and was a strong player on the Slytherin Quidditch team.  However, Sprout seemed dead set on Quillan Martin who scored close, but slightly lower than Ramir and wasn´t even on the Hufflepuff team. Quillan should be put ahead of Augustine, Sprout insisted, because of his high moral character - her only complaint against Ramir seemed to be that he was in Slytherin house.

She barely even knows the boy,thought Snape irritably. Assuming seemingly based only on the fact that he was a Slytherin that he had a lower moral character!

`Slytherin is the house of the ambitious, not the inherently evil,´ he snapped. `Ramir has worked very hard to achieve what he has. He´s earned his higher grades through hard work and he trains incessantly at Quidditch. His ambitions are insanely high - he hopes to play Quidditch professionally for a few years and then work his way up the auror ranks.´ He smiled ironically at Dumbledore. `He once confided in me that a Slytherin Minister of Magic is cliché - ambition and scheming seem to be part of the job description - but, for a Slytherin to make it as a high ranking auror ... now that takes real ambition - with a heavy dose of irony to boot.´

Dumbledore´s eyes were twinkling - something they seldom did since the events of a month earlier and the equally rare smile was not hidden by his beard. `I´ve decided,´ he said, raising a hand to quell further argument. `Violet, while I agree that Quillan is an excellent student and a fine lad, I´m afraid I must agree with Severus - Augustine really has earned it.´  He glanced over to McGonagall quizzically as if waiting for her to weigh in.

`Well don´t look at me,´ she said quickly, the corners of her mouth twitching. `I think you´re right... A Slytherin auror...´ she smiled, clearly amused by Snape´s surprised expression. `Now that takes nerve...´

*******************

Draco was sitting casually on Harry´s bed reading one of the books Hermione´d sent when Harry finally came in,  throwing sheets and a blanket at him.

`Potter ...´ he began, but Harry stopped him by holding up his hand.

`Just don´t talk to me Malfoy,´ he snarled. The hand he´d held up to quiet the other boy shook worryingly as he grabbed the book out of Draco´s hand. Throwing the book on his desk, he grabbed his Sellotape, and moved quietly to the window sill to repair his glasses.

`What happened to your specs?´ asked Draco a bit too casually as he collected the sheets from the floor.

`They broke,´ replied Harry shortly, not turning around as he tested his repair job.  He waited until Draco was busy trying to make his bed before quickly changing into his pyjamas and flopping face first into his own bed, wondering: if I ignore Malfoy, will he go away?

`I didn´t know they´d freak out like that Potter,´ Malfoy said almost apologetically though the petulant sneer was not completely absent from his voice.

`I wasn´t kidding Malfoy,´ snapped Harry, forgetting to ignore him, though he didn´t move from his stomach facing away.  `You can read for a while if you want - ´  he continued icily, ` - your own bloody books. I´m going to sleep.  Mrs. Figg´ll pick us up at 9, so be ready. If you want breakfast, it´s at 8 and cleared away by 8:30.´  Harry pulled his own sheet over himself and closed his eyes, renewing his efforts to forget that Malfoy was there.

`Goodnight Potter.´ Harry didn´t answer, he was too busy trying, without success to decide if it were possible for this summer to get any worse.

When Harry woke next to someone shaking his shoulder roughly, he knew instantly that it wasn´t morning - the night was still pitch. He opened his eyes and groaned to see Malfoy standing next to his bed, looking dishevelled.

`Bloody hell!´ came the booming, angry voice of his uncle from down the hall.

`Bugger,´ swore Harry. `Get back in bed, quickly,´ he whispered harshly to Draco who, to his own surprise as much as Harry´s, quietly obeyed, his grey eyes glittering.

`What do I have to do to get a decent night´s sleep around you boy?!´ bellowed Uncle Vernon, bursting into the room as Harry tried to disentangle himself from his sheets.

`Sorry,´ said Harry reaching for - then deciding against - putting his glasses on.  He glanced nervously at Malfoy, who was sitting on the rollaway bed looking uncertain.

`Do I have to fit you with a gag?!´ Uncle Vernon demanded, a demented glint in his eyes.

`No, sir,´ mumbled Harry quietly, looking down, the memory of the foul gag Wormtail had stuffed in his mouth in the graveyard making his voice crack. `I´m sorry,´ he repeated.

`Damn lot of good that does. We´re still awake every night thanks to you!´ he poked Harry hard in the shoulder and stormed out of the room glaring at Malfoy as he left.

`You were screaming,´ Draco said quietly before the hall light went out, an odd expression on his face.

`Go back to sleep Malfoy,´ snapped Harry, grabbing his glasses now and turning on the desk lamp to read. ´Sorry to disturb your beauty sleep.´

`Humph,´ Draco stared at Harry reading with his back to him for a moment before lying back down. `Whatever ...´ he yawned turning away and trying unsuccessfully to fall back to sleep.

*********

`This place sucks on so many different levels Potter,´ whined Draco irritably the next morning as they waited in front of the Dursley´s house for Mrs. Figg to arrive. `I mean really, skimmed milk?!  Honestly, watery chalk would taste better ...´

`She figures it´ll make Dudley feel better if we´re all suffering with him,´ Harry replied not looking at him.  He was sitting on the step, absent-mindedly stretching his back and shoulders.  `Just keep your mouth shut or she might decide to see how much it cheers him up if we get nothing,´ he added as Mrs. Figg drove up.

Draco didn´t move from the step though, as Harry opened the car door and started to climb in. `Well, come on Malfoy.´

`That´s an automobile,´ he said nervously. `Muggles drive them and crash in them and get themselves killed.´

`Very good Malfoy,´ Harry retorted. `It´s an automobile, now get in so we can get out of here.´ Draco still didn´t move, laughing nervously. `Malfoy?´ asked Harry, a hint of amusement in his voice. `Have you never been in a car?´

`Oh shut up Potter.´ Draco´s pale face flushed as Harry chuckled. `I´ve been fortunate up until now to have very little contact with lousy Muggles.´

`I assure you it´s quite safe Mr. Malfoy,´ said Mrs. Figg finally. She was smiling kindly through the window with her very best `sweet old lady´ face on. `Now come along, there´s much to do today.´

Draco reluctantly got into the car, gripping the seat so tightly his knuckles were white.  When they arrived at Mrs. Figg´s house he jumped out very quickly, his skin an unhealthy shade of green.  `Get stuffed Potter,´ he snarled, as Harry shook with suppressed laughter.

`Sorry Malfoy,´ Harry chuckled. `Hey cheer up, today is a Snape day - he´ll be here this afternoon.´

`Prof. Snape?´ asked Draco nervously as they followed Mrs. Figg into the house `Today?´

`Yeah, Malfoy,´ said Harry eying him carefully. `To teach potions - you know, like at school.´ He shook his head at Malfoy´s unexpected reaction. `Should be interesting actually, with you here. I can´t wait to see how he´ll favour you,´ he laughed briefly. `I mean, it´s not like he can take points from Gryffindor here.  Hallo Prof. Lupin!´

`Hallo, Harry,´ smiled Lupin. `And Draco. Prof. Dumbledore told us all about your situation, and we´re glad to have you here as well. You and Harry can work together.´ He winked at Harry knowing how badly he and Draco got along. `Harry - your glasses are broken again.´ He frowned when he noticed Harry´s Sellotape repair job. `What are you getting up to at home to break them so often?´

`Oh you know me,´ laughed Harry, handing the glasses to his professor. `Always into one thing or another.´ Though he was smiling at Lupin as he spoke, he shot a glare at Draco before retrieving the repaired specs with a quick `thanks!´.´

`No problem at all Harry,´ Lupin looked at Harry appraisingly.  `I just wish ...´ he faltered, then sighing he changed the subject. `Well, right then, do you have your homework for me? Excellent.´ He smiled again, looking over the parchment Harry handed him. `Perfect. Stupefy!´ he cried suddenly, pointing his wand at Harry. Malfoy shouted with shock as Harry successfully blocked the curse, sending it whizzing past his ear.

`Very good Harry!´ laughed Lupin. `Well done indeed. You pass today´s test. Now,´ he added smiling,  `you may have the rest of the day off.´

Harry goggled at him in shock. `But ...?´ he began but Lupin shook his head.

`I need to catch Mr. Malfoy up a bit, so you two can work together. The same goes this afternoon with Prof. Snape - no doubt he´ll want your homework as well, but other than that, you are free to relax in the back garden with the dog.´ He winked at Harry again.

`Snuffles is here?!´ cried Harry with joy.

`Go on then,´ Lupin laughed, making a mental note to tease Sirius ruthlessly later about his new alias *Snuffles*. 

Without another word, Harry ran out the back door.  As soon as he spotted him near the flower bed, Harry watched his favourite massive black dog get up and walk to the far side of the garden shed.  Running to catch up with him, Harry smiled to see that, secluded from the house, the dog had turned back into Sirius, who hugged him quickly before holding him at arms length to look at him.

`How are you Harry?´ Harry tried to tell him he was fine, but before he could stop himself, he´d launched into a lengthy description of how much he hated Malfoy, and how horrible it was to have to share his room with the stupid blond git.

`I´m sorry Harry,´ Sirius said trying to stifle a grin. `Remus told me you and the Malfoy boy don´t get along, but I can tell you that Dumbledore wouldn´t have brought him to your house if he didn´t have a good reason.´

`I know,´ sighed Harry, exasperated. `It still sucks though...´ Sirius laughed at his mock pout and pulled him into a playful headlock, rubbing his knuckles on his godson´s head.

`Remus says you´re doing really well on your extra lessons - except when you´re distracted...´ Harry looked down with a shrug, waiting for a rebuke.  When it didn´t come, he looked up again slowly into his godfather´s concerned gaze. `Do you want to talk about it?´

`No - Sirius, it´s nothing really - Malfoy...´

`This was before he was here...´

`Sirius.´ Harry flopped down on a garden bench. `It was just one day - I was tired - I didn´t sleep well the night before...´ He sighed, looking at his godfather sitting next to him. `You´re not really angry - are you?´

`No, of course not Harry.´

`Professor Lupin?´

`He was worried about you Harry - that´s all - he thought maybe you might like to talk to someone who wasn´t... well he thought maybe you could use a little encouragement from your dashing godfather.´ Sirius smiled at him trying to cheer him up.

`I´m fine Sirius. Please don´t worry about me. How have you been? Are you staying with Professor Lupin?´

`It´s my job to worry about you Harry - no matter what you think,´ Sirius added strongly to quell Harry´s objection. `I´m your godfather - it´s in the manual, and I should know, because Remus made me read it.´ Harry shrugged slightly, but Sirius noted the smallest smile tugging at his lips. No teenager in his right mind would admit to needing someone to worry about him, but Sirius knew from his own teen years that in his deepest heart, Harry was glad of the attention.

Gazing up, Sirius found himself suddenly absorbed by the cloud formations and by how beautiful the sky looked. It´s amazing, he thought.  Why did it take not being able to see the sky for 12 years to appreciate how wonderful it is?

He smiled then, remembering Lily... laughing, and pointing out the clouds. `That one looks like a car!´  She´d laugh, and laugh as she´d try and convince them all that every cloud in the sky looked like some sort of Muggle gadget....  Still smiling, he leaned back in the bench, looking at the wonderful sky. Hmmm, that one looks like my motorcycle flying by, he thought. And that one looks like Lily, and there´s James... and there, he thought, his expression darkening, is a Dementor, and the wind is it sucking in its putrid breath...

`Sirius?´ Harry´s quiet voice penetrated his thoughts.  With difficulty, Sirius brought himself back to the present and looked at his godson who was gazing at him with concern. `How have you been doing?´

Shaking off the last of his melancholy, Sirius smiled. `I´m fine Harry.´ He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out a small jar containing a thick, glutinous, amber potion. `Do you know what this is?´

`That´s polyjuice potion!´ Harry squeaked, alarmed, and only too aware of what that potion was as he started to back away, wondering if this maybe wasn´t actually Sirius.

`No, Harry!´ said Sirius quickly. `It´s me - I haven´t taken it yet - see...´ He opened the jar and swallowed a portion of the goo.

Immediately, his body began to convulse and Harry watched, remembering himself how the transformation felt as Sirius´ shoulder-length dark hair shortened into light brown, flecked with grey.

`Does Professor Lupin know you´re...?´ gasped Harry.

`´Course he does,´ answered Sirius in Professor Lupin´s voice. Sirius laughed at the sound of it. `You have no idea, Harry, how odd it is to speak, and hear someone else´s voice coming out of your mouth.´ 

Harry blushed, laughing nervously. He did know how odd it felt, he and Ron had used polyjuice potion to impersonate Crabbe and Goyle in their 2^nd year in order to get information about the Chamber of Secrets from Malfoy. They´d broken many school rules in doing it - Sirius wasn´t to know about that...

`Er, Sirius? Why are you impersonating Professor Lupin?´

`Well, I can´t very well take you to Diagon Alley as myself can I? What?´ he laughed. `You didn´t think we were going to sit around hiding back here all day did you?´

`But...´ stammered Harry. `Is it safe?´

`You´ll be with me, and Arabella, and in a very public place Harry.´ Sirius reassured him with Lupin´s concerned face. `You´ll be as safe as you can possibly be.´

`I meant for you,´ Harry retorted. He hated it when his godfather risked his safety to take care of him. `What if someone figures it out?´

`They won´t,´ he reassured. `I´m just Remus out with my aunt, taking you shopping in Diagon Alley - perfectly normal.´

`Mrs. Figg´s your aunt?´ Harry asked incredulously.

`No, Remus´ aunt - goodness, didn´t you know? Well, he doesn´t often call her `auntie´ does he? Mind you,´ Sirius smiled at him with Professor Lupin´s face. `He´s the only person who can call her `Bella´ and live...What is it?´ he frowned at Harry´s odd expression.

`Nothing,´ Harry shook his head. `It´s just - I´m constantly amazed at the things I don´t know, and never noticed... All my life, she babysat me - I got left here a lot - but I never noticed that she was a witch - and over a week, I´ve been here every day and didn´t notice that Mrs. Figg and Professor Lupin are related... Am I just thick?´

`No,´ Sirius laughed, mussing Harry´s hair. `No, just - preoccupied.... Remus and Arabella´s relationship is - complicated. She´s his aunt much like your aunt is your aunt - he grew up with her and his uncle as his guardians since he was four... Matthew, his uncle, died during the - conflicts, before...´ Sirius cleared his throat, leaving the sentence unfinished as he spotted Mrs. Figg approaching. 

Harry already knew that the topic of her late husband was one that upset Mrs. Figg, he´d known that since he was a young child and she´d dissolve into tears whenever she´d speak of him.  Thinking back, he also suddenly remembered Mrs. Figg talking of her son - a teacher, and researcher at the university she´d say. She´d never shown him pictures of her son, or her late husband though, only the cats. The cat who had been especially fond of Matt, and those who had been especially sad to see Remmy go off to teach at the university...

Oh, how stupid can I be!!? thought Harry, he´d always thought `Remmy´ must have been short for `Remington´ or something - but Remus!! - Remus J. Lupin! Of course! But, if she was his aunt, why did she talk about him as her son? Harry wondered, but quickly decided that Sirius was clearly wrong - Mrs. Figg definitely liked Professor Lupin - which meant she was nothing like Aunt Petunia...

`You took it already?´ Mrs. Figg demanded, coming around the shed carrying clothes and looking annoyed. `Did you look at the time when you took it so you´ll know when to dose?´

`Yes, Auntie `Bella,´ smirked Sirius, catching the clothes Mrs. Figg threw at him energetically. `What´s this?´ he asked.

`You´re half a foot taller than he is - yours are too big.´ Sirius looked down on himself, noticing for the first time that the sleeves of his robes hung over his - Remus´ hands. Standing up, he laughed as he tripped over his now too-big robes.

`Harry, come with me please, while he changes.´ The old witch led him toward the house, continuing once they were out of earshot. `I want you to leave your potions work behind - erm,´ she glanced in Sirius´ direction. `He won´t be here today - ` She looked decidedly uncomfortable. `We don´t really think that Draco would reveal that he´d been here... but for everyone´s safety...´ Harry just looked at her politely - having no idea what she was talking about. `It´s too bad Sirius can´t reveal himself - he´s nearly as good with potions as Severus - even with the time away...´ she broke off for a moment, her eyes misting again. Harry patted her hand in a way he hoped was soothing. `I´m not half bad myself - unfortunately, Remus always was hopeless with potions... at any rate,´ she continued, shaking off her melancholy. `Poppy is going to take over for a while, and...´ Mrs. Figg looked at him carefully, trying to choose her next words.

`Madam Pomfrey?´ Harry asked. `Let me guess,´ he scowled seeing her nod. `She wants to examine me. Well tell her to forget it - I´m fine.´

`Are you sure Harry? Do you need anything from her at all?´

`No!´ Harry replied, frustrated, but after thinking about it for a moment... `Well, I could use some dreamless sleep potion, but I doubt she´ll let me have it - or something to stop my scar aching...´ He blushed, sensing Sirius/Professor Lupin behind him and realizing he´d said too much.

`You´re scar´s hurting you?´ Mrs. Figg demanded quickly.

`Are you having trouble sleeping?´ Sirius demanded at the same time. `Bad dreams?´

`No,´ Harry back peddled quickly. `It just aches - has ever since...´ He shrugged. `I sleep just fine.´ He felt his face burning with the lie. `Just the occasional dream about it - that´s all.´

`Harry...´

`No!´ Harry said rather more vehemently than he´d meant. `I´m sorry,´ he sighed. `But I really am fine - and Madam Pomfrey fusses so...´ He chose not to mention the many perfectly good reasons he´d given her to fuss over his health and well being over the past 4 years. `Look, you don´t have to take me out.´ He shrugged again. `I can just stay here and do the lesson again - the revision can´t hurt, can it?´

`Nice try, Harry,´ Mrs Figg smirked. `He´s not having a lesson today - he´s doing the same thing you did on your first day - Remus is assessing what he already knows - strengths and weaknesses. Now come on, let´s go.´

`It´s best not to argue with her Harry,´ smiled Sirius as Mrs. Figg frog-marched him inside.

Malfoy gasped mid-curse, accidentally sending it through a plate-glass window, which shattered, when he saw the second Professor Lupin walk in.

The identical looks on Harry and Draco´s faces would have been funny, thought Remus - if they hadn´t been fear.

`It´s alright,´ he quickly reassured both boys. `Easily fixed,´ he added with a quick reparo. `And my doppelganger´s fault for not warning you. It´s polyjuice Draco,´ he explained. `Harry´s going to Diagon Alley and for security, it needs to appear that he´s travelling with my aunt and I.´

`Who?...´ Draco managed, still looking nervous.

`Erm, well, security...´ Remus stammered. `Just know that you can trust him... well - you can trust him not to reveal that you are here anyway. Call him *SNUFFLES* ` he smirked.

`Urgh,´ the fake Remus groaned. `Not going to let me live that down, are you?´

`Well... maybe... never!´ he laughed, herding them toward the fire. `Remember, I never call her Arabella - so that´d be a dead giveaway.´

`Yes, yes.´ Sirius muttered, waving him off.

`Yeah, well, don´t do anything that´ll get me arrested.´

`Maybe...´ Sirius smirked wickedly, but quickly promised, rubbing his arm where Mrs. Figg had pinched him. `Auntie `Bella,´ he pouted. `So mean...´

`And I don´t call her that unless...´

`Unless you´re trying to get something off her - or get away with something - And mum,´ he added quickly to stop Remus´ continued instructions. `When you´re distracted - I know Remus. I lived with you both remember?´

`Your aunt?´ Draco asked when they´d gone.

`Yes,´

`And - mum?´

`Yes,´ he sighed, not really wanting to explain his life to a student. `It´s a long story, Draco, but she and my uncle were my guardians growing up.´

`Like Potter.´

`Not exactly - my parents are still living... At any rate - how are your shields?´  Back to the lesson - that he could handle - leave the past behind.

`No shields,´ Draco muttered, his expression darkening.

`None?´ Remus raised an eyebrow.

`We don´t start those until 5^th year.´

`Mm-hmm,´ Remus eyed him. `You and Harry both seem to be quite a bit ahead in this subject...´

`No shields,´ Draco repeated glaring at his professor, his pale faced flushed with ire.

************

`Si- er - I mean Professor Lupin?´ Harry corrected himself quickly.

`Harry.´ Sirius grabbed his arm and looked him in the eyes. `You do know how critical it is that you don´t slip up?´ Harry nodded quickly, trying not to squirm. His godfather´s grip wasn´t overly tight on his arm, but it was directly on a bruise he´d rather not explain.

`It´s not just my safety,´ Sirius went on gravely. `You, Remus, Arabella, and Dumbledore, to name just a few, could be up on charges if I´m found out.´

`I know,´ Harry said quickly. `I´m sorry professor, I´m sorry.´ Sirius held his gaze for a moment longer before throwing his arm around his shoulders.

`I´m sorry too Harry - I didn´t mean to get cross - it´s just really important that you don´t forget. - Now, what were you going to ask?´

`What? - Oh, yeah, um, what are we shopping for?´

`Oh!´ Sirius´ sudden gleeful air seemed odd in Professor Lupin´s body. `Well, we´ll get your books for next term, and any other books you might want - I think we´ll wait on new robes until later in the summer - you´re still growing and they´ll probably be too short by the time term started anyway.´ Sirius/Professor Lupin listed cheerfully. `Potion ingredients... maybe we´ll take a boo at the Quidditch shop - get you some pocket money, lunch, and then...´ The end of the final sentence was mumbled so that Harry had to ask him to repeat it.

`You´re going to meet your hand-to-hand combat instructor.´

`Hand-to-hand?!´ Harry cried. `But I can´t! I´m totally weak! Except on a broom, I´ve got two left feet...´

`Which is why Fletch is going to start slow Harry. It´s important you don´t just rely on luck and magic - don´t worry - he´ll bulk you up a bit.´

It was a very nervous Harry who entered a private salon in the Leaky Cauldron that afternoon with Sirius and Mrs. Figg.  He left his packages in the corner as Mrs. Figg gave Tom, the pub owner instructions to show Mr. Fletcher in when he arrived.

Harry´d bought enough books at Flourish and Blotts to make even Hermione proud and Sirius had bought him brand new Quidditch pads at the Quidditch shop. Not to mention enough chocolate frogs and other sweets to start his own candy shop.

Gringotts had been an experience that Harry still felt odd about.  He´d expected to head to his vault to get some pocket money for the following term and enough for his new school supplies.  But walking up to the counter, Sirius/Professor Lupin had produced a key from his robes and told the goblin that Harry was there to withdraw from Sirius Black´s vault.

`Only the owner of the vault may enter it unless arrangements have been made,´ the goblin replied.  It seemed that the goblins cared only about the ownership of the contents of the vault, and who may access it.  They had no interest in the fact that the vault in question belonged to a wanted, convicted murderer. In fact, Harry´d suspected that if Sirius had walked up, undisguised and carrying his key, the goblins wouldn´t have batted an eye.

`Harry here is Mr. Black´s godson, and only heir,´ Sirius had explained, handing a letter across to the goblin. `And as such, he has full rights to the Black vault.´

`Very well.´ The goblin had nodded after reading the letter. `This seems to be in order. Is there anything else I can do for you today sir?´

`Yes, as long as we´re here, I´d like for you to make certain that Harry Potter´s Hogwarts fees are drawn from the Black vault instead of his own.´

Harry had protested, even though Sirius´ vault looked quite as full as his own - was right next to it in fact...

`Nonsense Harry,´ Sirius had insisted, filling Harry´s money bag with gold. `It´s Sirius´ duty - and one he insists you let him accept.´ He winked.

So it was, sitting next to piles of books, chocolate and Quidditch supplies - paid for by Sirius and his pockets full of Sirius´ gold, that Harry nibbled guiltily at his steak and kidney pie - also bought by Sirius.

`Harry - eat,´ Sirius prodded him in Professor Lupin´s kind voice.  Harry looked up to tell him he wasn´t very hungry (he was, but he was too nervous to eat), but instead he only managed to gasp at the sight of the man coming in the salon.

He was old, grizzled and very tough looking. Harry decided immediately that he definitely didn´t want to ever be on this man´s bad side.  He reminded Harry strongly of Professor Moody - or the man he´d thought was Professor Moody - only with fewer scars, and no missing body parts.

Following his stunned gaze, Sirius turned. `Fletch!´ he cried joyfully.

`Remus?´ the older man asked, confused. Sirius´ boisterous greeting had been quite un-Professor Lupin-like, and Harry worried for a moment - did this man know it was Sirius? Did he know Sirius was innocent?

`You´ll have to forgive my nephew,´ said Mrs. Figg pushing the salon door closed and glaring at Sirius. `But he´s not quite himself today - are you trying to get us all killed?!´ she whispered harshly, flicking Sirius´ ear. `With the door wide open no less!´

Sirius looked sheepishly from Mrs. Figg to the old wizard still standing just inside the salon door.  It was another expression that Harry thought looked odd on his professor´s face.

`Um, yes.´ Sirius recovered himself quickly, sitting up straighter and putting on a posh accent. `Very good to see you Mundungus, old chap, won´t you sit down? You´re well, I trust?´ His impersonation of a very proper Professor Lupin was cut short by a quick punch to the upper arm from Mrs. Figg.

`He´s never spoken like that in his life!´ She glared at Sirius.

`Mum!´ Sirius cried, feigning pain and clutching at his arm. `I´m going to have a black and blue mark!´

At this, the grizzled old wizard dissolved into laughter and the result softened his hard features. `Oh, it´s good to  - ah - see you mate!´ he laughed, clapping Sirius on the back.  `It´s been too long.´

Harry just stared, slack jawed at the scene before him. It took him a moment therefore, before he noticed that the man was talking to him.

`...heard about your flying ability, so we won´t worry about that - you´re too skinny though - you´ll have to start eating more - well, no time like the present!´ He indicated Harry´s forgotten lunch. `Goodness, he looks like James,´ he chuckled when Harry just continued to stare at him. `Now, Harry, have you ever handled a sword?´

`Huh?´ Harry managed, trying to work out where the man´s monologue had gone.

`A sword boy,´ he repeated, not unkindly. `Have you ever handled a sword?´

`Oh, uh, just once.´ He gaped at the curious expression sent his way, and blushed furiously when Sirius took his fork, which he´d been holding halfway to his mouth since `Fletch´ had arrived, out of his hand and placed it on his plate.

`You´re horrid, Fletch.´ Sirius smiled. `Harry, this is Mr. Mundungus Fletcher...´

`Fletch, call me Fletch, Harry.´ He held out his hand, which Harry took reluctantly. Fletch didn´t release his arm right away, instead, he leaned in, staring directly into his eyes. `Now, tell me about this `just once´ you handled a sword,´ he asked, before finally releasing a stunned Harry.

`Bit curious about that myself,´ said Sirius in an encouraging tone.

`Er,´ Harry was finally recovering himself. `Second year - in the Chamber of Secrets. I - um - killed a Basilisk with Godric Gryffindor´s sword.´ Harry felt quite sure that the stunned, pale, slack-jawed looks on the three adults´ faces more than made up for his earlier hesitation.

`Okay.´ It was Sirius who recovered first. `I think I speak for all of us when I say What?!´

`HA!´ Fletch slapped his knee, laughing when Harry´d done his best to explain the events in the Chamber of Secrets. `Amazing - terrific - absolutely, bloody fantastic!´

`Wait a minute, wait a minute,´ Sirius interrupted. `How did you find Gryffindor´s sword? It´s supposed to be under lock and key.´

`Came out of the Sorting hat.´

`Where did the sorting hat come from?´

`Fawkes brought it - and good thing too, because as I killed the Basilisk, one of its fangs got my arm. I would have died without Fawkes - his tears healed the poison.´

`Dumbledore´s phoenix cried for you?!´ demanded Mrs. Figg

`Not just then either,´ Sirius replied, over the meaningful look that was passing between the three adults. `I saw him fly to Harry and heal a leg wound last month after the tournament.´

`Well,´ boomed Fletch. `The three most important aspects to defence or offence in physical combat are luck,´ he held up one finger after another. `Nerve, and skill. You´ve already got plenty of the first two, obviously.´ He leaned in again to wink at Harry. `Now, I´m going to help you with the third.´

Harry opened his mouth to ask how, but spotting Sirius, he could only manage one word. `POTION!!´ Professor Lupin´s brown hair was darkening and growing out.  Sirius swore loudly, lunging for the jar of potion in his robes as Mrs. Figg leapt up to guard the door to the salon.

************

Draco looked up, dumbfounded as the old woman came through the floo, walloping the fake Professor Lupin.  He stared slack-jawed, his cauldron forgotten as he listened to the tirade.

`Out of your mind!! - Haven´t changed a bit - as irresponsible as ever!! - You´d think you´d have learned...´

`Arabella!´ the man cried. `I´m sorry! You can´t think I meant...´

`Sorry´s not good enough Sirius!´ she screeched, throwing herself at him again. `Are you trying to get us all kissed?!´

`Mum!! - Mrs. Figg!!´ cried the real Remus and Harry at the same time.

`Sirius?!´ choked Draco. `Sirius Black!!?´

Harry threw himself between Draco and his godfather as the real Professor Lupin managed to prise Mrs. Figg off his doppelganger.

`Poppy,´ Remus called. `Will you deal with Draco while I sort this out?´

`Yes,´ she ushered her blond pupil quickly from the room. `Came as quite a shock to me as well, but if Dumbledore says he´s innocent...´ Harry heard her explaining quickly on the way out.

`What the hell is going on?´ Remus demanded. `God it´s too weird talking to you looking like that,´ he pushed Sirius away from his furious aunt who was still swiping at him.

`Arabella Figg,´ he turned back to his aunt, very seriously. `Why on earth were you pummelling him like that? And in front of Harry, and Draco, and - oh - Hello Fletch, didn´t see you there...´

`Sirius?´ Harry asked, concerned. Sirius was sitting dejectedly on the hearth. `Are you alright?´

`Yes,´ Sirius replied shakily. `I can´t believe I holler at you to be careful, and then I´m the one who screws up...´

`That´s right!´ Mrs. Figg was still obviously incensed. `You´re a bloody menace - and a danger to him,´ she motioned to Harry who gasped in shock.

`Now that was out of order!´ Professor Lupin said hotly, stepping between his aunt and a stricken looking Sirius.

Mrs. Figg glared at her nephew, her face red, her hands balled into fists. If Aunt Petunia were looking at him like that, Harry would have been ducking already - maybe Mrs. Figg was more like Aunt Petunia than Harry´d thought...

`Remus...´ she growled, low and menacing, but Professor Lupin didn´t flinch at all.

`Harry,´ he said, not taking his eyes off of his aunt. `Go on in the other room with Draco and Madam Pomfrey.´

`But...´ said Harry, not wanting to leave Sirius.

`Now please.´ His voice was still quiet, almost soft, and it carried no hint of aggression or anger, but every bit of the authoritative professor was nonetheless present. So, with a quick, regretful look at Sirius, Harry quietly acquiesced and ducked out of the room.

No sooner was he through the door, than it shut quickly, but quietly on its own.  Harry suspected that Professor Lupin had shut it magically, and had also put a silencing charm on the room, because he could hear nothing more from inside.

He moved through to the kitchen, where Draco was being given a strong tea by a frazzled looking Madam Pomfrey. Harry was somewhat surprised to find that Draco was having such a hard time believing that Sirius was innocent. He seemed genuinely scared by the presence of the escaped prisoner.

`You didn´t know that he wasn´t guilty?´ Harry asked, accepting a mug of tea from Madam Pomfrey as well.

`How the hell would I have known that?´ snapped Draco. `You´re sure he was never a death eater?´ he asked Madam Pomfrey.

`Yes,´ she said calmly. `He´s been in constant contact with Harry for over a year and never tried anything. Besides,´ she added with the air of one about to reveal something that would seal an argument. `He´s explained, under veritaserum exactly what really happened - the real secret keeper, how Pettigrew escaped... Dumbledore specifically asked him if he had ever been, or helped a death eater and he said no - and there´s absolutely no way he could have lied - I watched Severus make the veritaserum myself, it was pure.´

Harry sat dumbfounded for a minute, his mind filling with questions, his tea growing cold. Sirius had taken veritaserum to prove his innocence? Why wasn´t he free then? And why was Malfoy so afraid that Sirius had been a death eater? You´d think he would be happy - his father was a death eater - wouldn´t they all be friends?

`Sirius took veritaserum?´ Harry finally asked out loud. `But I thought Dumbledore already believed him... and shouldn´t that prove his innocence to the ministry as well then?´

`Harry?´

`Sirius?´ Harry spun around, unsure if he was looking at his godfather, or Professor Lupin.

`No,´ Professor Lupin replied, looking very weary. `We thought it best if he went - ah, away...´ he glanced quickly at Draco. `Now Draco,´ he began nervously. `You have us all at a bit of a disadvantage... `Bella´d murder us if we tried to obliviate you, however,´ he chuckled, but Harry noticed that he was pale, and his hands were shaking slightly. `I really don´t fancy the idea of Azkaban - this may come as a surprise to you,´ he actually shuddered slightly and they saw a dark look fall over his face. `But I´m not a huge fan of Dementors...´

`Remus,´ Arabella spoke very softly, all of her anger gone. Harry noticed that the old witch wore a look of such kindness and concern as Professor Lupin turned to her, that he was reminded forcibly of how Mrs. Weasley often looked at him. `I sent Fletch to bring Dumbledore,´ she moved forward and placed her arm around his waist. `To help us decide what to do.´

`Good,´ he sighed, and despite the difference in their heights, he placed his arm over her shoulders and leaned down to rest his head on hers. `You know,´ he said quietly. `A memory charm...´

`No,´ she said quickly standing straight and separating from her nephew.

`It wouldn´t harm him - we could be quite specific - this is information he probably doesn´t want to have anyway...´

`No Remus,´ she looked up at him sternly. `I forbid it - absolutely not...

`When you´re all through deciding whether or not you´re going to melt my brain cells with a giant memory whammy,´ snapped Draco, glaring over his mug of tea, `you will let me know won´t you? Or, no, why bother if you´re just going to make me forget right?!´

`I´m sorry Draco,´ smiled Professor Lupin. `You´re right...´

`Well, well,´ came Dumbledore´s quiet voice from the door, causing everyone in the room to spin around. `This is a bit of a pickle isn´t it?´

`Oh fabulous,´ said Draco sounding exasperated. `This just keeps getting better.´ He looked up at Dumbledore. `Do you realize that these lunatics are harbouring a convicted murderer? Potter and that woman went shopping with him!´ he yelled. `Worse, they all seem to be under the delusion that he´s innocent! They´ve let him go!´ Draco was really ranting now. `He´s probably already told them where I am - honestly, I´m surprised we´re not surrounded by Death Eaters already...´

`He is innocent you great stupid git!´ Harry shouted in return. `And if anyone is going to bring Death Eaters down on us...´

`Harry!´ Lupin cut him off warningly, laying a firm, but gentle hand on his shoulder to stop him from leaping from his seat after Draco.

`But, sir...´ There was a note of pleading in Harry´s angry voice. `His father...´

`Harry,´ Dumbledore interrupted. There was no anger - no reprimand in his voice as he spoke, indeed, the sadness that coloured his words was what captured Harry´s attention. `I need to speak with Draco alone.´ Dumbledore now looked to Madam Pomfrey, Mrs. Figg and Fletch. `Please, all of you.  This is fixable, but I must speak with Draco privately. Remus,´ he added as Remus moved to follow the others out. `I´d like you to stay, please.´ Remus cast a curious look at the headmaster, but quietly came back into the kitchen and sat at the table.

`Harry, please,´ Dumbledore said to Harry, who hadn´t moved. `Please, give us the room.´

`But,´ Harry protested furiously. `How can you... If he gives Sirius away...´

`He won´t,´ said Dumbledore firmly. `Not once he understands. Now please, step out.´ Dumbledore did not raise his voice, but, as usual, he didn´t have to. That dangerous tone was still present, telling Harry that he had no choice but to obey - but that didn´t mean he had to like it.

`Fine,´ he snapped, standing up so quickly that his chair hit the cupboard behind him. `Fine,´ he fumed, red faced as he stormed past the headmaster, slamming the kitchen door.

`He needs to work on his temper a bit,´ said Draco sulkily after Harry´d gone.  `Right after he gets over the confundus - or whatever - that´s made him think that Death Eater is innocent...´

Ignoring the concerned looks on Madam Pomfrey´s and Mrs. Figg´s faces, Harry tried to just storm past them all. `Harry...´ both witches tried at once to comfort him, but he was having none of it. Sick to death with being left in the dark all the time, even when it was about things that directly concerned him - like why his parents had been killed... why Voldemorthad such a very special need to kill Harry in particular... why on earth he had to have Malfoyliving with him... and best of all, what could Dumbledore possibly say to make them trust Malfoy not to land them all in Azkaban!

`No!´ he snapped. `Am I allowed to just go read? Or do I have to sit here and wait not to be told anything - again!?´ Almost at once, he felt stupid for snapping at them. He was usually much better at holding his tongue - very glad that no one could hear his inner dialogue. Cursing himself silently, he now stared intently at the floor, waiting to see how angry the three adults were with him, but none of them started yelling at him or anything... in fact, he distinctly heard Madam Pomfreysniff and blow her nose.

`Sorry,´ he said, modifying his voice and tone now. `May I please go and unpack my new books and such?  I´ll have to leave the books here if that´s alright? If Uncle Vernon spots them he´ll know I´ve been up to something - I couldn´t get them home without being spotted anyway.´

`It´s alright, Harry,´ said Mrs. Figg gently. `Leave them in the Library and I´ll find a spot for them for you in there.´

`Thank-you,´ he muttered and quickly left the room before his inner dialogue started getting out again.

************************

The first week of shared lessons progressed slowly for both Harry and Draco. In the mornings Professor Lupin would work with them both together on hexes and defence, then Harry would go to the back room (which was much larger than was possible for the house it was in, had it not been owned by a witch), to exercise and learn physical self-defence.  It was decided that it was much more important for Draco to continue working on his shield charms than join Harry yet in the equally needed physical training.

Draco seemed to have developed a block when it came to shields, and not even the indignity of having Harry be the one to stun him had made a difference so far.

Since Draco had arrived, Snape had not been back. No one said anything, but Harry knew that this was for Snape´s protection. If he were here and helping Harry learn how to fight the Dark Lord, and word got back to Voldemort by Draco telling his father...

The whereabouts of Draco´s parents was not up for discussion apparently.  Harry´d tried to ask him about it just once, and was shot down with a resounding `Just nose out, Potter!´

Harry´d also tried to find out what Dumbledore had said to convince Draco that Sirius was innocent, but neither Draco, nor Professor Lupin were talking. Professor Lupin had merely assured Harry that they were all safe, and that he had every confidence that Draco would keep their confidence. 

`Look, Potter,´ Draco had snapped when Harry´d asked him.  `Leave me alone. So he´s innocent, alright - just stop bugging me about it. I said I wouldn´t tell anyone where he is and I won´t. I can keep my word you know.´ Harry was so taken aback by Draco´s vehemence that he´d dropped the subject.  He still wasn´t willing to trust Malfoy, but as Dumbledore and Lupin were both so sure, there was nothing really he could do.

Most unfortunately, for Harry at least, Madam Pomfrey continued to come in Snape´s place.  She had insisted on examining him - much to his anger and annoyance.

For over half an hour, he´d answered her many questions with terse, one-word answers and shrugs.  Did she have to ask him about the after-effects of cruciatus right in front of Malfoy?!  Even looking studiously away, Harry couldn´t ignore the other boy´s gasp as he overheard. Great, thought Harry. I can´t wait to see how he´s going to use that against me.

`Harry,´ sighed Madam Pomfrey, annoyed with his refusal to cooperate. `The cruciatus curse can have lasting physiological effects. You took it twice, and from that...´ the mediwitch sputtered briefly. `Thing... well, as twisted and evil as you-know-who is, he´s still very powerful magically, and his curse... well, I doubt if he was holding back at all.´  Harry tried desperately to pretend that Malfoy hadn´t heard all that, as Madam Pomfrey looked at him seriously. `Harry, what little information is known about the after-effects of cruciatus in on adults...´

Harry glared briefly at Malfoy, who quickly turned back to the book he was supposed to be reading on the other side of the room.  `I´ll tell you what,´ Harry turned to Madam Pomfrey, a slight grin on his face. `You start calling him by his name and stop with all this `you-know-who´ and `Dark Lord´ rubbish, and I´ll answer all of your questions honestly.´

Madam Pomfrey blinked at him for a moment as Professor Lupin tried desperately not to laugh - even Malfoy looked like he was suppressing a grin.

`V...` she began, and faltered. `V...´

`Come on Madam Pomfrey, third try´ll have it. Voldemort - it´s not even his real name.´ He smiled at her as reassuringly as possible, `you can do it.´

She gave Professor Lupin a withering look. He was still laughing silently, his shoulders shaking as he looked at Harry appreciatively.

`Go on then Poppy,´ he smiled. `He´s right, it isn´t his real name, so what´s to be afraid of? Voldemort,´ he enunciated the word carefully, causing her to flinch again. `Draco?´ he prompted, looking to the blond wizard in the corner.

`Voldemort.´ They were all surprised at the venom in the young man´s voice, but he said it.

Perhaps it was pride - not wanting to be the only one present too afraid to say it, but Poppy Pomfrey steeled herself then and took a deep breath, her eyes shut tight, `Voldemort.´ She exhaled, and actually smiled at Harry´s applause. `Now then Mr. Potter,´ she eyed him haughtily. `A few detailed answers, if you please.´

Harry slumped, and Professor Lupin laughed again. `You set yourself up for that I´m afraid, Harry.´

`How did you know about his real name?´ came a quiet voice from the corner. Madam Pomfrey had to hold the beginning of her interrogation as all eyes turned to Draco.

`What?´ asked the mediwitch.

`Potter,´ Malfoy´s grey eyes squinted at Harry. `How did you know? It´s not common knowledge.´

`He told me - his whole childhood: name, parents, orphanage... how´d you know? Cozy little fireside chat with him at home was it?´

`Harry!´ Professor Lupin scolded, looking very cross. `That was uncalled for. Apologise.´ Harry looked at him, surprised, and ready to protest, but the cross look on his professor´s face, mixed with, was that disappointment? caused him to duck his head guiltily.

`Sorry,´ he muttered, staring at the floor a good three feet in front of Malfoy.

`Properly,´ Lupin said in a calm voice that nevertheless clearly relayed his annoyance.  Harry looked up at him briefly, unused to having his favourite teacher angry with him.

`I´m sorry,´ he said to Draco. `I shouldn´t have said that. I´ve no reason to think that you have even met him.´ Harry made and effort not to put too much emphasis on `you´. He did know that Malfoy´s father had met Voldemort - he was a death eater, in fact, but he really didn´t like having Professor Lupin angry with him. He had been one of the few witches and wizards who had believed Harry about everything that had happened. He breathed a sigh of relief then, when the older man nodded once.

`Right then, I believe you had some questions Poppy? Come, Draco, let´s leave them to it,´ he said, beckoning Draco out of the room. Harry smiled at him appreciatively, and was greatly relieved, when Professor Lupin smiled back.

He´d keep his word and answer her questions now - he didn´t want to, but part of him knew he should. Still, he really hadn´t  wanted to answer in front of Malfoy.

`Um,´ he asked looking at her nervously. `You´re not going to tell anyone about what I say are you? I mean, doctor-patient stuff is confidential, right?´

`No, Harry, I´m sorry,´ she smiled at him sadly. `Accidental stuff at school is one thing, but this is serious. The kinds of dark magicks you´ve been exposed to are nothing to take lightly. I´ll need to talk to Dumbledore to consult on some of the effects - and your guardians will have to be informed...´

`No!´ Harry said firmly. `You can´t tell the Dursley´s. They don´t understand about magic and they... don´t like it.´ That wasn´t a lie exactly - it grossly underrepresented how they felt about magic, but... `I´m sorry Madam Pomfrey, but if you´re going to tell the Dursley´s, I can´t answer.´

Madam Pomfrey looked at him appraisingly for a moment before slowly nodding. `Alright,´ she said softly. `Not the Muggles, but Harry, you´re a minor - I´ll have to at least, tell your godfather then.´ Harry looked down, any relief he felt at her agreeing not to speak to his aunt and uncle smothered by his worry for his godfather.

`I wish you wouldn´t tell him anything either,´ he groaned. `He worries too much about me already - last year he risked capture by coming all the way back to Scotland just because my scar twinged a bit.´

`It´s good for you to have someone to worry about you.´ She levelled her best matronly stare on him. `And make you mind for a change,´ she smiled kindly at Harry´s worried expression. `Now, Harry, are you a wizard of his word, or not?´

Reluctantly, Harry answered all of her questions properly then. He admitted to the nightmares, and their frequency, though he tried to downplay how bad the really were. He wouldn´t have even thought to mention that he woke from them feeling sore and stiff all over though, if she hadn´t asked specifically.

`But it´s nothing like it was for real - after it actually happened,´ he said earnestly, even knowing that it was useless to hope she wouldn´t worry.

`Have you had any other dreams?´ she asked him.

Fidgeting, Harry admitted to the occasional dreams where Cedric and all of his friends blamed him for killing them. `But it´s only a dream Madam Pomfrey - I know that,´ he added, fearing that she might cart him off to St. Mungo´s mental ward.

`I´m glad you realize that  - and the more you believe the truth Harry,´ she made him meet her gaze, `that you truly aren´t to blame - the less frequent those type of dreams will become. However,´ she sighed sadly. `I was referring to the dreams I´m told you occasionally have where you see him. - oh alright, Voldemort,´ she managed. `Where your scar hurts you?´

`Oh,´ said Harry, definitely fidgeting now. `No, not yet - I, er, suppose it´s too much to hope that it won´t happen again though...´

`I´m afraid so Harry,´ she muttered, waving her wand around his forehead. `If you´ve had them before, there´s no reason to suppose you won´t continue to have to...´ she broke off uncomfortably.

`To have to occasionally have a ring-side seat through my dreams into Voldemort´s sitting room?´ he finished, failing to hide the venom in his voice.

`Now Harry,´ the school nurse grew stern again. `Unlike previous years, I expect you to contact me directly the next time it happens. This summer, owl me first. I will contact Dumbledore and Sirius. This is very important Harry,´ she interrupted his protests. `And your godfather will agree. Yes, they need to know the details of your visions, but I must be able to assess you right after - while your scar is still hurting, if possible. I don´t like the possible implications of you still having it aching all the time and hurting more others. Am I clear?´ Harry grudgingly agreed. `And that goes for once school is in as well,´ she went on even more sternly. `You will have open permission to leave your dormitory or class to come immediately to the hospital wing in the event that you either have a vision or your scar hurts you.´ She then levelled her sternest glare on Harry, pointing accusingly. `If I, for one moment suspect that you´ve hidden the fact that your scar has hurt in any way, I will have you confined to the infirmary. And don´t, for a second, think that I can´t - or won´t.´ she added to his wide stare.

`Yes, Miss,´ he stammered, truly believing that she´d do it.

**************

`Oops,´ said Harry, trying not to grin at the sight of an unconscious Malfoy, laying on the floor in Mrs. Figgs sitting room. `Sorry, Professor,´ he said, unable to meet Lupin´s eyes for fear of smirking. `Didn´t mean to hex him so hard...´

`Well,´ replied Remus, not sounding like he particularly believed him. `You did, now you may as well practice the reviving charm. Not from there!´ he cried when Harry raised his wand preparing to do the charm from across the room. `You have to touch him with the wand, or you just shock him.´ Hmmm, thought Harry. Good information to have for the future...

`Bloody hell, bugger and damnation,´ said Malfoy bitterly when he woke up to Harry crouching over him, unsuccessfully trying not to smirk. `Er, sorry,´ Draco mumbled as Professor Lupin cleared his throat loudly and Mrs. Figg clucked from the door. `It´s his fault,´ he glared, red faced at Harry. `He knew I wasn´t ready...´

`Yeah,´ Harry muttered under his breath. `It has nothing to do with you sucking at shields. Draco,´ he said louder. `A death eater won´t revive you to give you a second chance to get ready.´ Remus suppressed a smile, wondering if Harry realized he was quoting almost word for word what he´d told him, when he was having trouble focusing on his own shields.

`Look,´ said Harry offering his hand to pull the other boy up. `It´s one of two things.´ He shrugged when Malfoy ignored his proffered hand and sat up on his own. `Either you´ve just convinced yourself you can´t do it - thereby making sure you can´t, or you´re just trying too hard and messing yourself up.´

`What makes you say that Harry?´ Lupin asked, impressed. He´d come to the same conclusion himself, but was curious as to how Harry´d acquired this insight.

`Um, well,´ he stammered, blushing as he always did in class when caught knowing the answer to a difficult question.

`I think you´re right Harry,´ Remus smiled. `I was just curious about what made you say so.´

`Well,´ Harry frowned, trying to find the right words. `It´s like - when I had trouble last year with accio - it was like this, I was completely blocked. No idea why, but I just couldn´t manage it. I got it eventually, obviously, but I think the trouble was that I was convinced that I couldn´t do it, see?´ He looked at his professor, studiously avoiding Malfoy´s glare. `And remember when I was trying to learn the patronus charm? In the classroom, I was useless, but first at the Quidditch match, and then when I really needed it against all those Dementors...´ he shuddered briefly. `I did it - no problem. I think - I think it was because I didn´t have time to think about it too much - I just did it without concentrating too hard on what I was doing... I´m sorry,´ he sighed. `I´m not making any sense, am I?´

`On the contrary, Harry.´ Remus had trouble concealing the pride in his voice. `You´re making perfect sense - and you´re dead on as well. Draco,´ he turned to his other student, who was now leaning sulkily against the sofa. `You have to really believe that you can do this - no, you have to know that you can do it - and then, just do it.  We´ll leave it here for today, but starting tomorrow, expect sneak attacks from me, `Bella - anyone who´s here - except you Harry,´ he added quickly, smirking at Harry´s disappointed look. `We´ll catch you off your guard and eventually, you´ll manage it without thinking.´

`Sir,´ asked Harry quickly. `Would it be alright if we don´t head back to my aunt and uncles right away?  They´re not expecting us until around 5, and I was reading some really good books in Mrs. - your aunts library, and I haven´t even been able to really look at most of the books I got last week in Diagon Alley.´

`Certainly, Harry,´ he smiled. `I have to go, but I´ll tell `Bella where you both are. Find her when you´re ready to leave - you´re not to walk home on your own.´

`Yes, sir. Hey,´ he called to Lupin´s retreating back. `Say hi to Sirius for me?´

`Oh, that reminds me...´ Remus frowned, digging into his pocket. `Sorry, I wanted to keep it until after your lessons so as not to distract you. See you tomorrow.´ He tossed Harry a roll of parchment and left.

Harry chose to ignore the continuing glare Malfoy was sending his way and made his way to Mrs. Figg´s well apportioned library.  Harry had definitely decided that when he grew up, assuming that Voldemort didn´t finally manage to kill him, he had to have a wizard house.  Though from the outside, Mrs. Figg´s house looked the same size as the Dursley´s, it was easily three times as big once you got inside.  Even the front hall, living room and kitchen (the only rooms Harry´d been in as a child) didn´t betray the house´s true dimensions.

With a furtive glance at the door, Harry grabbed the book he´d been reading earlier as well as one of his new books for next term and settled into one of the overstuffed chairs in a corner of the room.  Opening his school book, he placed it behind the other book and then opened the letter from Sirius, placing it in front of all:

Dear Harry,

How are you doing? I´m sorry I haven´t been back since that fiasco at the pub, and young Malfoy finding out about me.  Everyone thought it a good idea to give him a little bit to get used to the idea before I came back as myself.  From what Dumbledore and Remus tell me though, I really do think we can trust him not to try and get me arrested, so don´t worry about it.

More importantly, how are you feeling? Are you sleeping any better? Was Madam Pomfrey able to give you anything to help?  You know, she was the school nurse when I was at Hogwarts as well. I understand your concern about her fussing over you - she did the same with me, though, in all honesty, I gave her nearly as much reason to fuss as you have!  Just remember, her heart is always in the right place and she genuinely cares about the students in her care - ex-prisoners as well. Trust her, she really is that good.

At any rate, the school nurse isn´t the reason I asked Remus to give you a note from me. I´ll be there tomorrow to show you and Draco a couple of potions that Poppy doesn´t know how to brew - and to see how you´re coming with your training with Fletch. He´s been reporting high praise for your efforts, and coming from him - that´s a lot. I can´t wait to see how you´re doing.

See you tomorrow!

Love,

Sirius

P.S.: Don´t tell Draco that I´m coming. It´ll be a surprise. I really don´t think that he´d report me, but there´s no need to be careless.

Harry smiled brightly at the news that he´d see Sirius the next day.  He also felt a spark of pride that Fletch had said he was doing well with his training.  Truth be told, Harry thought he was useless at the physical combat stuff, and the training so far seemed to be only teaching him how many different ways he could be knocked on his behind.  Still, he hadn´t been knocked out for the last two days; he supposed that that must be progress.