Mistaken Identity

Draco dragged himself out of bed the next morning and sat up rather groggily. He still felt quite tried, despite having had a good eight hours sleep. The Occlumency lesson had been exhausting, more so than he had been expecting. It had also been rather disorientating, even disturbing. He barely remembered returning to his room last night and must have dropped off the moment his head had hit the pillow. He felt sure Snape was pushing him hard though - the three hour session had been quite grueling. Clearly the potions master was trying to prepare him as soon as possible, presumably fearing the worse.

Draco groaned. He didn't want to dwell upon 'the worse' right now, it wasn't a great way to begin the day. Nonetheless, he knew he could not hide from the reality of his situation or the choices he would soon be forced to make. He casually cast his eyes over towards the beds on the other side of the dorm room - two bare white mattresses resting on dusty wooden frames untouched since the previous year. It felt strange having the entire room to himself. Despite spending most of his childhood largely alone, he had grown accustom to the snores of Vincent and Gregory over the years. Now, their absence served as a reminder of the new direction his life had taken and decisions he would have to revisit sometime soon.

The Slytherin showered and dressed himself quickly, the tasks serving as a convenient distraction from his mind's deliberations. Classes were some hours away and it was still too early even for breakfast, so he decided to go for a walk - a walk besides the lake maybe? He opened the chest at the foot of his bed and carefully removed a small vile of opaque liquid. It wasn't that he was going to look for Harry, he reasoned, but it couldn't hurt to have the potion on standby.

The Hogwarts grounds were still and fresh with morning dew. Though there was not even the gentlest of breezes, the air was quite chilly and he found himself clutching his robes close for warmth. It was peaceful though, and as he wandered over to the lake he started to ponder upon the events of yesterday.

Could he really join Dumbledore? Forsake everything he had been brought up to believe and openly betray his family? The idea would have seemed fanciful a few months ago, but now he wasn't so sure. Since his father's imprisonment, his mother had been keeping a low profile and as a result he had been left entirely without Malfoy contact for the first time in his life. The experience had been refreshing and the freedom he was feeling addictive. He found himself open to new ideas and possibilities. Perhaps he really could join Harry?

No not Harry, he mentally corrected himself quickly, Dumbledore.

With the Gryffindor in mind though, Draco noticed that he was fast approaching a certain spot by the lake. The realisation was accompanied by a strange flutter in his chest, and a growing sense of anticipation and excitement. He neared the reeds hopefully, but soon saw that there was no one there.

Of course not, he thought. Why would he be here now?

The Slytherin suddenly found his desire for a morning walk extinguished. He about faced dejectedly and returned to the Hogwarts castle.

An overly exasperated Pansy greeted him as the he entered into the common room.

"Where have you been Draco? I was looking for you all last night!"

He groaned inwardly at the unwanted attention.

"I was studying," he lied, walking straight past the table she was sitting on.

"Not in the library you weren't, or in your room. I was looking all over for you."

Draco really didn't feel in the mood to play at being pleasant, so he simply ignored her and headed to his dorm.

"You've been acting so strange lately. I'm beginning to wonder if something's up," she said offhandedly.

He slowed to a halt, a few paces short of the adjoining corridor. There was something puzzling about the tone in her voice, something strange in the way she had just said that.

"You know me Pansy, something's always up," he replied, putting on one of his cute and mischievous smiles.

Pansy giggled in response, but he still felt something was amiss. She was gently swinging her legs back and forth under the table, and smiling a little too enthusiastically.

"Oh, I was just worried that's all."

"Well thanks, but I'm quite capable of taking care of myself," he replied and then turned to leave, feeling that he had simply misread the girl's behaviour.

"I'm suppose to give you this," Pansy interrupted for a second time, acting disinterested. She was holding a folded piece of fine parchment.

Draco approached her again slowly and still a little uneasily, though he tried to hide it.

"And what's this?" he asked feigning equal disinterest.

"A letter," she replied simply, handing him the note.

He reached out and took it, thanking her politely. She then slipped off the table and walked over to the girls' dorms.

"By the way congratulations for your father."

He was about to thank her when he remembered he was probably not supposed to have found out about that yet.

"What are you talking about?" he asked pretending to be confused.

There was a moment's silence as the girl appraised him, taking her time to respond.

"I'm sure it's all in the letter," she said eventually in an overly sweet voice.

He nodded towards her casually and then hurried back to his own room, thankful he was alone. He tore at the Malfoy seal and opened the letter.

Dear Draco,

You will meet me at Hogsmeade this Sunday, 1pm at Madam Puddifoot's teashop.

Narcissa

That was helpful, he thought sarcastically. The note gave no clue as to either Pansy's behaviour or his father's whereabouts. He wouldn't ordinarily expect such secrets to be written in a letter, but Pansy had delivered it herself. Why would his mother want such an innocent note delivered by hand? What did his mother want for that matter? Was she going to transfer him to Durmstrang along with Vincent and Gregory? Things definitely seemed amiss, and it sent chills down his spine.

Glancing over at the clock on the wall, Draco was annoyed to discover that he had now missed breakfast. He quickly collected his scrolls, books and quills and headed off to his first class. With so much on his mind he was resigned to being unable to concentrate, so he sat quietly towards the back of the room and brooded.

What would his father do to him if he found out his own son had betrayed him?

The very thought made him feel ill. Maybe it was best to forget about joining Dumbledore? It was certainly not too late to return to the Dark Lord's fold. Even if the Death Eaters were to learn of his actions surely he could come up with an excuse? He could claim that he had been forced to give evidence against his father. Pretend to have been threatened by Dumbledore or the Ministry. Maybe he could make it seem that he had betrayed his father so as to maintain his innocence publicly. It was certainly not against Death Eater policy to look out for one's self. It would probably even be excusable to have betrayed his father in an attempt to seize control of the House of Malfoy. After all, it was not uncommon amongst many of the Death Eaters to succeed through backstabbing and betrayal. So long as he was not seen to have betrayed the Dark Lord himself, he might be safe.

After paying almost no attention at all in his classes, Draco scurried out of the room as soon as the last lesson was finished and made his way over to the great hall. He was famished and made short work of several sandwiches before most Slytherins even arrived. With his hunger somewhat sated his eyes trailed over towards the Gryffindor table.

Harry was not there.

Draco suddenly felt like another walk - perhaps down by the lake for a bit of peace?

He took one more sandwich from the nearby plate and stumbled out of the Hall quickly. It was much warmer outside than it had been earlier, quite pleasant in fact. The Slytherin walked briskly over to the lake, anticipation building once more. That strange flutter in his chest made itself known as he approached the long reeds, but was soon replaced by disappointment again.

Harry was not there.

Draco tried to reason with himself that it didn't matter and that he hadn't been looking for him anyway, but he just couldn't ignore the frustration he was feeling. He really did want to speak with Harry again and if he were honest with himself it wasn't just to check up on him. Talking with Harry over the last few days had been intriguing. He had never expected the Gryffindor to be such a complex and interesting person. He was so different from the Slytherins he was used to talking to. Different in fact to almost anyone he had ever met. But more than this, the conversations he had had with Harry were ... therapeutic. They had made him feel good, helped him to think things through.

Maybe he really could be friends with Harry? Maybe they could fight Death Eaters side by side?

Afternoon classes passed just as quickly as the morning ones, and with just as little impact on his attention. He was simply too preoccupied with other thoughts, like his impending doom. Once school had finished for the day he decided, for a third time to go for a walk by the lake.

Harry was still not there and this time Draco couldn't help but feel openly annoyed and disappointed. He had Occlumency lessons with Snape again after dinner so this had been his last chance to ... to what? Actually, he wasn't really sure why he was looking for the Gryffindor. It wasn't that the boy seemed to be having problems again. In fact he hadn't really seen him at all today.

This last thought triggered a new feeling inside, equally unsettling. Perhaps Harry had gotten really upset and had run off or something? Draco suddenly began to feel a little worried, perhaps he should at least check to see if Harry was okay? He remembered Tuesday afternoon was Gryffindor Quidditch training (as Slytherin captain he had had to work out the roster with the rest of the Houses) so, he headed over to the pitch a little apprehensively.

As he approached he could see the Gryffindors circling on their brooms near the farthest goal post, but it did not take him long to realise they were missing their seeker. He walked right over to the field just to check to see if Harry was near the equipment shed or perhaps watching from the stands. But he was nowhere to be seen.

Draco was worried now, so worried in fact that he didn't stop to wonder why. He tried to think where and when he had last seen the boy but soon found himself disturbed by shouts in his general direction.

"Bug off Malfoy!"

Weasley was floating overhead clearly annoyed at his presence.

"Where's Potter?" Draco asked, before realizing it might seem a little strange that he was inquiring.

The red head's nostrils flared in anger as he landed on the grass and dismounted from his broom.

"Tuesday is Gryffindor practice Malfoy so get lost. Stop trying to spy," he snarled.

Draco's own temper rose at this ridiculous accusation.

"Why would I want to spy on your pathetic moves Weasley? Its not like you could afford any decent strategies."

It was not long before the rest of the Gryffindor team was circling nearby ready to support their comrade.

"Go back to your Death Eater friends Malfoy!"

Draco turned and saw that it was the girl Weasley who had spoken. She was not as threatening as her brother but her face concealed no less hatred.

Before the Slytherin could respond to this he felt a hand shove at him hard from behind. Not expecting this he lost balance and fell to his knees. The two new beaters on the team, who's names Draco could not recall, had landed behind him and now stood over him.

"Go wait for Dumbledore to put the rest of your family in Azkaban," one of them spat.

Furious and embarrassed Draco staggered to his feet but soon realised he was out numbered and ill prepared for a fight. He decided it was best to leave he so turned and tried to walk away, but Ron was blocking his path.

"What no clever reply?" the redhead asked mockingly.

Draco couldn't contain his anger and he lunged at the boy fists at the ready. It was a futile gesture though for he had barely laid a finger on the Gryffindor when he felt hands grab at him from behind. Before he even realised what was going on he found himself on the ground dazed, dirty and hurting all over.

"Not so tough without your lunk-head friends are you?" someone said from above him.

Draco scrambled to his feet and ran, clutching at his aching ribs. The Gryffindors let him go unimpeded, content to simply shout insults and catcalls as he fled. It made his anger burn even more. He had been insulted and humiliated and there was nothing he could do about it. As he checked himself for cuts and bruises he started to feel tears threatening the corners of his eyes. He brushed at them defiantly - Malfoys didn't cry.

What made him feel worse though was that he should have expected all of this. He had been actively insulting Gryffindors and generally making their lives miserable for as long as he could remember. Why would they treat him any different? Why would it even matter to them that he had turned on his father?

The Slytherin's mood darkened even further.

Who was he kidding? None of these people would ever accept him as an ally much less a friend. Harry would be treating him no less if it weren't for the polyjuice potion. Harry would probably faint in disgust if he knew.

Who was he kidding?

He was a Death Eater, born to serve on the side of the Dark Lord. Snape wanted him to make a choice but there wasn't one to be made. His fate had been sealed at birth.

Why the hell should he give a toss what happened to Harry fucking Potter.

***

"Damn Snape," Harry cursed out loud as he swept into his dorm room and flopped onto the bed.

He felt sure the potions master had moved his evening lesson to the afternoon just to make him miss out on Quidditch practice. He had felt minded to skip the lesson when he found out, as he had skipped lunch and afternoon classes already. But deep down he knew he would not be doing that. The last time he had given up on Occlumency it had lead to catastrophic consequences and he knew the gnawing guilt he felt for his godfather's death would only be made worse if he gave up again. Nonetheless he burned with anger at the very thought of the snide and condescending man.

He was feeling nauseous and dizzy, as was often the case after an hour's lesson. He needed to rest - some quite time on his own, he reasoned. However he had barely gotten comfortable on his bed when he heard the rest of the Quidditch team arrive in the Gryffindor common room. Noisy and cheerful.

He simply couldn't face them at the moment, so he reached over to his trunk and retrieved the invisibility cloak. It was time to go for a walk, he decided. He snuck past his unsuspecting housemates and was soon strolling through the Hogwarts fields, thankful for the simple pleasure of being unseen.

As he approached the lake a thought occurred. Perhaps his mysterious friend would be waiting? He was surprised at the sudden excitement he felt, the nervousness and hesitation. His eyes scanned across the tall reeds and after a short while caught sight of a figure standing in his special place. He or she seemed to be wearing a school robe and had fair hair although apart from this Harry couldn't quite make them out.

Suddenly reenergized the Gryffindor broke into a brisk jog anxious to find out who it was. Unfortunately he managed to trip over the edges of the cloak dangling near his feet and stumbled for a moment. When he righted himself he could no longer see anyone there.

A little disappointed he collected the cloak in his arms and made his way over a little more slowly. As soon as he was within a few meters though, he realised that the person had not left, they were merely crouched over by the lake. As he entered the small clearing he saw Seamus fiddling with something close to the water. Harry's suspicions were instantly aroused and he decided to test the boy.

"How's your sister Seamus?" he asked cautiously, knowing the boy did not in fact have a sister.

"Bug off," came an irritable reply.

Harry felt himself smiling.

"Still in Seamus form huh?"

"Go away."

The smile playing across his face slipped a little. It was definitely not Seamus in front of him but neither did it seem to be the same person he had been speaking to the last few days. As he got closer he realised the other boy had been crying, or was at least a little upset and disheveled.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"Why do you care?" came a bitter response.

"Geez what's eating you?"

"Nothing alright? Just go away."

Harry felt a little hurt at the brusque response and decided that perhaps it was best to leave. However, before he turned to do so he noticed an empty vile resting amongst the leaves. Why would the boy have brought the polyjuice potion and waited for him if he really wanted to be left alone?

"Took that before I got here huh?" he asked offhandedly.

The other boy said nothing.

"Want to talk about it?" he found himself asking hopefully.

"Do you even have a clue who I am?" the Seamus doppelganger replied, turning to face him for the first time.

Harry noticed that the boy had indeed been crying. His eyes were red and puffy.

"Not really, no," he replied, because he didn't. He really hadn't wanted to put any thought into the identity of his mysterious friend. Almost everyone he had ever met in the wizarding world had had some kind of predisposition to him. Depending on what house they were in and their opinion on the current war they were either automatically his best friend or his worse enemy. In a way it was better that he didn't know anything about this person. Somehow it made their opinion detached and unbiased.

"Does it really matter?"

"Well if you did know, let's just say you wouldn't be here right now."

Harry felt himself frowning at the response and automatically dismissing it.

"You don't know that."

"Yes. I do."

"Try me."

"God damn it Potter! Isn't being the savior of the whole world enough for you? Stop playing hero stop trying to help everyone and just bug off!"

Harry felt the words stab deep within him and he couldn't help the bitterness rise in his own voice as he replied.

"I thought we already settled that I'm no good at helping anyone remember?"

The other boy flinched a little and then sighed.

"Sorry. I didn't mean that. Look just go away, please?"

Harry was encouraged by the reaction and decided not to go. After all, he owed it to whoever this person was. They had listened and helped him when he was upset, the least he could do was return the favour.

"I cant. I owe you remember?"

He tried to put a little humor in his voice but was disappointed to see his words have the opposite effect. The boy across from him sagged visibly and lowered his head.

"I didn't mean to you know. I wasn't trying to help you. Actually, I was trying to do the opposite. I only used this potion to spy on you."

Harry couldn't help but feel a little betrayed at the revelation, but he pressed on nonetheless.

"But you didn't. You stayed, you listened and you came to check on me more than once. You took the time to watch me during the last few days and twice made the effort to comfort me, even when none of my best friends had noticed. For that I guess I have to thank you."

Harry was pleased to feel the conviction behind his own words. He hadn't really thought about it until just now, but he was indeed indebted to this person, whoever they were. His words appeared to have the desired effect. The other boy seemed to be at least considering what he was saying. For a while there was an uncomfortable pause, but eventually the other boy spoke.

"You know what it's like to feel trapped? Not to have a choice over your own future?" he asked softly.

Harry undeniably understood what that meant. From the moment he entered the wizarding world he was destined to be the champion of good, the hero of the light side. It wasn't that he would ever consider joining the dark side, but it did annoy him sometimes that he had not even been given the choice.

"Yeah," he said drifting off for a moment. "To have everyone make up their mind's about you before they even meet you."

The other boy raised his head at that response.

"Exactly, but at least you are okay with the choices that have been made for you."

"What do you mean?"

There was a pause, as the other boy seemed to think for a moment.

"I don't want to the future picked out for me. At least I don't think I want it."

"Well don't go ahead with it then. Do what you want and bugger everyone else," Harry said simply, the answer seeming so obvious.

His friend turned and faced him, bitterness etched into every feature.

"Even though everyone you ever cared about wants otherwise? Funny to hear that coming from you."

Harry suddenly felt a little foolish at his overly simple solution. It was indeed a little hypocritical coming from him. He couldn't even face the fact that he didn't want to be dating Ginny after all.

"Yeah. Guess you're right," he admitted, suddenly feeling empathy for his friend.

There was another pause before the other boy changed the subject.

"You weren't at lunch today."

"No."

"Or at Quidditch practice."

"What you're taking notes?" Harry asked a little uneasy at the line of questioning.

The other boy did not respond and he immediately felt guilty.

"Were you looking for me?"

"No."

Harry didn't believe that for a moment. The fact that the boy had noticed these things and had had a polyjuice potion on hand clearly proved otherwise. But he decided not to debate the issue.

"So what's been going on in your life recently?" he asked changing the subject.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you said last time that you had been going through a lot of things. What did you mean?"

The Seamus doppelganger sighed heavily, depression clearly settling in again.

"I have to make a choice. A big one. Its going to determine everything in my life and I just don't know what to do."

"Must be tough huh? No wonder you are upset."

"I'm not upset."

"You were crying before weren't you?" Harry asked a little confused.

"No I wasn't," the other boy responded defiantly. "Mal ... I mean ... *I* don't cry."

Harry again decided it was best not to press this line. However, he suddenly found himself curious. Who was this person that he was talking to? Suddenly it seemed to matter. It wasn't so important when they had been discussing his own problems, but now the roles were reversed he needed to know. How could he even understand what his friend was going through otherwise? He or she was not a Gryffindor, that much he knew. He also now knew he or she was trying to spy on him. Perhaps this wasn't so unusual though considering his fame - Harry Potter secrets were still worth a fortune to the Daily Prophet. It could still be anyone.

"Who are you?" he asked softly.

"You don't want to know."

"Yes I do," Harry answered a little heatedly. He found it annoying that this person presumed to know what he wanted.

"No you don't," came a firm reply.

"Look ..." he began but was cut off.

"No. You look! Neither you or any of your stupid friends would give me the time of day if it wasn't for this potion. Just fuck off already!"

Harry found himself a little taken aback by the hostility in the response. He was about to argue when he noticed for the first time several cuts and scrapes across the other boy's face.

"What happened to you?" he asked a little concern.

"Nothing. Look. Just go away!"

"Why wont you ..."

"Shhh!" the other boy cut him off. "Did you hear that?"

Harry listened for a moment. Someone was calling his name, it was a girl's voice, probably Ginny.

"I can't let them find me."

"Why not?" Harry asked confused.

"Trust me, I just can't. Look I'm gonna make a run for it," he said standing.

Harry looked about the lake and quickly surmised there was no way his friend could leave without being seen. It was still quite light and apart from the reeds everything was open fields.

"Wait, take this."

"What is that?" the Seamus doppelganger asked.

"Its an invisibility cloak. You can use it to get away."

The other boy took hold of the garment with an astonished look upon his face.

"You know how valuable these are?" he asked in wonderment.

Harry nodded.

"You can give it back to me next time," he replied.

The other boy studied the cloak for what seemed like ages. He then faced the Gryffindor wearing a curious expression.

"You are trusting me with this? What if I stole it and never came back?"

Harry considered this for a moment. It was true he didn't even know who this person was. But he was indebted to them, more than that he genuinely wanted to help.

"You won't do that," he said softly meeting the other boy's eyes. "And yeah, I trust you."

The Seamus doppelganger appeared to flinch at that. He shuffled his feet awkwardly for a moment and seemed as if he were about to cry.

Harry suddenly felt worried that he had said something wrong and reached out to touch the other boy's shoulder. The touch seemed to send an electric shock through them both. He was about to retract his hand when the other boy looked up again a strange longing in his eyes. For a moment Harry felt trapped by the raw emotion that seemed to be conveyed. The boy was leaning closer seemingly entranced.

There was a sudden rustle in the near by reeds however, and the spell was broken. Harry quickly checked to see if someone was coming, but by the time he had turned back he found himself alone in the small clearing. Moments later he was joined by Ginny.

"There you are Harry I've been looking all over for you!"

"Hi," he replied disinterestedly as his mind pondered over the strange events of the last few minutes.

"So this is your secret hiding spot. I'll know where to come looking for you next time."

Great, Harry thought.