Friends?

Friends?

** = Flashback

Harry sighed mentally as he turned to his two friends, and asked, "Where to first, then?"

"Oh...Flourish and Blotts, of course! I really want to get all of my books before they run out," Hermione said eagerly.

Ron rolled his eyes.

"Oh please. How can you think of books when we're standing right outside the ice cream parlour?" He paused for effect and gestured towards the shop. "I could just about die for a chocolate sundae right now."

"Honestly, Ron. Is food all you think about?" asked a giggling Hermione.

"Of course it's not all I think about, I can think of much better things to occupy my mind with," said Ron, eyeing Hermione up and down.

"Ahem...ah yes. I could go for a chocolate sundae right now, as well," Hermione said, blushing horribly.

Of course, Harry knew about Ron and Hermione's "secret" relationship. Truthfully, he was angry that they hadn't told him. Almost the entire bloody school knew; they were so goddamn obvious about it.

"Actually guys, I just need to go and get some new robes. I've grown out of my old ones y'know. So I'll see you both later, I guess," Harry said dully.

Hermione turned to Ron and gave him a seductive smile.

"Oh. Okay Harry, see you later."

Yeah well see you too, bitch. God! Where do you get off doing that? You didn't even look at me when you said goodbye. It's fucking pathetic! I can see right through you.

"Mmm...yeah. See you, Harry," Ron said, not sounding the least bit interested in Harry. How rude!

Harry, Ron and Hermione had drifted apart after he had defeated Voldemort in their fifth year. It felt to Harry like they were ignoring him, as if they didn't really like him, because as soon as all the drama with Voldemort was over, they stopped talking to him. Actually, most of Gryffindor had stopped talking to him. Harry had heard them all talking one night when he was under the invisibility cloak.

** "He's gotten really weird, lately. I really don't like his attitude; it's like he's turned into a mini Voldemort wannabe or something," complained Ron.

"I know. I'm beginning to think that maybe he should've been in Slytherin all along," said Hermione, crossly. "He doesn't even talk to anyone anymore."

"What are you all talking about? I think he's perfectly normal. I thought you two were supposed to be his best friends." Seamus Finnigan looked towards the two Gryffindors with a look of complete revulsion. "God! You're both too wrapped up in yourselves to even notice Harry. How would you know if he doesn't talk anymore? You don't even give him the time of day to talk."

"Here, here," said Dean Thomas looking up from his book.

Well it's nice to know who your real friends are! **

Yes, Harry had thought before about being in Slytherin. He personally thought it would have been a good thing. The people might have been complete gits, and Snape wouldn't be much better, but at least he wouldn't have to act like the goody-goody Boy-Who-Lived. He could just be himself.

Before when he'd said he needed new robes, it was of course complete rubbish. He just wanted to get away from the two people he had grown to hate. So here he was on a beautiful summer day in Diagon Alley with nothing what so ever to do.

Harry looked around at his surroundings; he seemed to be in a really seasoned part of Diagon Alley that he hadn't seen before. The pavement was cracked and broken beneath him, and all the shops were deserted and had signs up saying 'Under Construction.'

Yeah, some construction work.

He really had no idea how he had gotten here. He was busy with his thoughts and as he turned a corner, WHAM. He had collided with something, or better yet, someone.

"Shit. Fuck. What the hell? Potter?"

"Oh, yes. Fucking typical. Malfoy's come to ruin my day," Harry said a little breathlessly as Draco was laying on top of him. "Now, would you kindly get the FUCK off me?"

Draco rolled off him and quickly stood up, dusting off his robes. To Harry's amazement, he stuck out his hand as if to help him up. Harry just stared suspiciously at the hand.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," said an irritated Draco before grabbing his arm and pulling him up. "And this is where you say, Oh Draco I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," Draco mocked. "Next time use your eyes, Potter."

"Hey what about you? You obviously weren't looking where you were going, either," Harry said accusingly.

"Hmm. Yes, it appears so. Sorry about that, then," Draco said in a casual, friendly tone.

"Er, that's ok." You idiot Harry, is that all you can say. "And, umm, I'm sorry too,"

What the hell am I doing apologising to this git?

"Apology accepted. So, where's the Weasel and Mudblood Granger?" Draco asked, again in a casual, friendly tone he never used when speaking to the Boy-Who-Lived-his life long enemy!

"Oh, they both went off to shag somewhere I expect." Ok, am I actually having a conversation with Draco Malfoy?

"Oww and poor Hawwy's all by himself," Draco said, smirking.

The corners of Harry's mouth turned up in an almost smile and he had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing.

"Ok, are we having an actual conversation? Why aren't you smirking like a knob head or throwing insults at me and whatever the fuck else you're usually doing when your around me?"

"I look like a knob head?" asked Draco, pouting.

Harry chortled at this. He looked cute, like an innocent little child, with that expression on his face.

"Yeah, you do, actually. But that's not the point. Answer my question."

"Well, I think the whole enemy thing is a bit old, don't you?" Draco said.

Harry looked up at Draco for a while before answering. "Well come to think of it, yeah, it is a bit old."

Harry was starting to feel claustrophobic under Draco's gaze so he turned his head and looked again at his surroundings. It was strange what Harry saw. He hadn't noticed it before. At the end of this worn down part of Diagon Alley was a beautiful, little park. It had green grass that was so bright it looked like it had been painted, a placid lake with ducks, and a park bench that would have a lovely view of the lake. It looked like a perfect painting. Draco followed his gaze and when he saw what Harry was looking at he raised his eyebrows in amazement. He then smiled a genuine smile.

"Wanna go sit down?" Draco asked, politely.

"Umm, yeah, sure. Okay," Harry said, uneasily. Harry didn't trust Draco at all, it was unusual for him to be so nice.

They both started walking, Draco leading the way. As Harry trailed behind, he couldn't help thinking how nice Draco's arse was. How when he took steps his pants tightened and... No I shouldn't be thinking about him like this...Oh but you know you love it, look how nice and delicious it looks, all you have to do is reach out and...NO, no shut up...Oh I wish I could just...

"Earth to Potter?" said an amused Draco.

Whilst Harry was caught up in his own thoughts, they had made their way to the park bench and sat down.

"Hmm? Sorry, what?" asked a startled Harry.

"Oh we're back now are we?" laughed Draco.

Oh, he sounds so cute like that.

"Umm, Yeah. Sorry."

Silence.

"So, have a good holiday, Malfoy?" Harry asked, awkwardly.

"Pfft, hardly, and the name's Draco, Harry."

"Umm, ok," Harry paused before saying. It felt a little strange when he said, "Draco."

"So Weasel and Granger ditched you, huh?"

"Mmm, pretty much. Ever since all this baloney with Voldemort finished, they turned on me. I think that nearly all the Gryffindors hate me now. They're all fuckin' bastards!" Harry said angrily.

"Oh, it can't be that bad. My whole house has hated me ever since I switched sides, and practically my whole family hates me, too," said Draco.

"At least you have a family."

"Believe me, Harry, I'd trade you any day."

Silence, again.

"So what are you doing here, all by yourself?" Harry asked, changing the subject.

"Oh nothing. Just wanted to be alone for a while."

"What about Crabbe and Goyle?"

Draco laughed at this; not his usual snigger but not a real laugh either.

"Those two oafs? Oh no, they're not my friends. Their fathers just told them to make friends with me for good impressions. All they ever did was follow me everywhere I went. They didn't even try to talk to me. Pretty annoying, really. Do you want a drink?"

"Er, yeah, okay. Thanks."

Draco lifted up his bag, got out a bottle of some sort of alcohol, and two glasses. He poured the liquid in both glasses and handed one to Harry. Harry lifted a questioning eyebrow.

Draco looked up at Harry and simply said, "Scotch."

At that, Harry broke into a grin. He defintely liked scotch. He remembered when the Dursley's used to go out and leave him by himself, he would sneak little glasses of scotch up to his room and have his own little piss up. It wasn't much fun by himself, but it took his mind off things for a while, at least. Harry lifted the cup to his lips and sniffed the lovely scent of it, then took one big gulp and sighed as the fiery liquid made its way down his throat.

"So I see we like scotch, then," said an amused Draco. He had already finished his first glass and was pouring his second. Draco gestured the bottle towards Harry and he stuck his glass out for more.

"So tell me, why do you carry scotch around in your bag?" Harry asked.

"Oh, it's not an everyday thing. I just found it at the manor this morning and thought why not?" Draco said, taking another gulp of his drink.

"Won't your father know?"

"My father's dead, Harry," Draco said, showing no emotion.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't know." Harry said, felling even more awkward than before.

"Not many people do. They're trying to keep it quiet."

"Oh, ok...If you want to, umm, talk about it you can, er, talk to me if you, umm, want to that is...." Harry stuttered, feeling strange telling his ex-enemy that he'd be there for a shoulder to cry on.

"Ha! I'm fine. It's ok, I wanted the fucker to die and rot in hell, anyway. But thanks for the offer," Draco said with pure hatred towards his father.

"But he was your father. You should care," said a confused Harry.

"Well, yes, anyone who didn't know my father and what he did to me and my mother would expect me to cry and grieve for the rest of my life. However, the people who knew him namely, my mother and me, would want him dead. Which brings me to why my family hates me...they think I killed him."

"Well they all must be complete fools, then," Harry said amused.

"How do you know I didn't kill him?" Draco asked, curiously.

"I don't." Harry paused for thought. "I just can't really see you doing that. Did you kill him?"

"Sadly, no. I would have loved to, though. But I wouldn't have been able to handle the guilt afterwards," Draco said.

They both fell into a comfortable silence. Both boys sat at the bench, drinking their scotch. If someone happened to pass by, they would have looked at the boys and thought they had been best friends for life. Harry eventually looked down at his watch and saw that it was three 'o clock in the afternoon.

"Oh, shit. I better go. We're supposed to be going back to Ron's house soon," Harry said, sadly. He was starting to enjoy this.

"Weasley's house? I feel for you. I really do."

Harry grinned and then burst out laughing, and soon after Draco followed

When their laughter died down Harry said, "Yeah, I really wish I didn't have to go. It's gonna be so good when we get back to Hogwarts and I have my OWN room!"

Draco's eyes widened, "You're getting your own room? But you aren't even a prefect or Head Boy."

"Yeah, I asked Dumbledore if I could and he knows I don't get along with the other Gryffindors so he said yes," explained Harry.

"Trust him to do that. He loves you. I hate it, you get everything you want. You're so lucky! I have to put up with all the idiots who are too far up their own arses to notice anyone else," whined Draco.

"Aww, if it's really that bad you can come and sleep with me," snickered Harry

"Aww, thanks," Draco said, sarcastically.

"Umm, Draco? When we get back to Hogwarts are we, um, gonna be friends or will we go back to the way it was before?" Harry asked, uneasily.

"Well, um, as I said before I think it's a bit old, and I'd hate to admit it but you're actually not that bad so I guess...." Draco stuck out his hand, "Friends?"

Harry looked at the hand for a few seconds, then breaking into a wide grin, took Draco's hand and said, "Sounds good to me."

They both stood there smiling at each other for a while, then they both dropped their hands and Harry said, "Well, I better go now, but I guess I'll see you in two days, then."

"Yeah, I guess so. Bye," Draco said, smiling.