Teamwork

13 -- Positioning

Harry had planned to look for Draco after his conference, but there was no need. When he stepped out of McGonagall's office, Draco pushed off from the opposite wall of the corridor. "Shall we walk?" he said, by way of greeting.

"Um, fine. How did you know--?"

"Hermione told me, of course. Let's go outside. It's a pleasant day." Draco led the way to the staircase and down the broad steps. "Schedule all set?"

Outside would provide some chance of privacy, which the tricky echoes of Hogwarts corridors made difficult. "Yeah," Harry answered. "It looks good." We're mostly in lessons together. "Professor McGonagall was surprised that I wanted to keep Potions, but it's a requirement for some jobs -- Auror, for example. I told her I wanted to keep my options open."

Draco shot him a hard look, but then nodded. "And it would be a pity to waste my spellfather's expertise. But for the political situation, you wouldn't have a brewer of his measure teaching anyone but his own apprentice." They crossed the Entrance Hall. "Any surprises?"

"Mm. That Professor Dumbledore didn't ask to see me." Harry pulled the door open, and they crossed into the sunlight. It was fair, but chilly. "I was expecting words about crossing him." The door shut behind them, and Harry breathed more easily. No one else was in sight.

"Perhaps you had them by proxy," Draco said, striding quickly away from the walls and any potential open windows. "The second floor girls' bathroom?"

"Yeah," Harry said grimly.

"And I expect you noticed that we received exactly nothing that we were promised."

"It would be hard to miss."

"Do you suppose the headmaster thinks we will have forgotten?"

"I have no idea." Harry let out a quick breath. "I'll talk to him. I mean, unless you want to."

Draco pursed his lips. "No. It had better be you. Attempt to be civil, however."

Nodding, Harry set the matter aside. "Now, about the Chamber...."

Looking back nervously, Draco made a chopping motion with one hand. "Later. I want to know what you promised Snape."

"What?"

Draco raised his eyebrows in a scornful look that Harry thought came more from his spellfather than his father. "What was your end of the deal, Potter?"

Potter? Harry stared. "What makes you think there was a deal?"

Draco huffed. "Don't think I'll fall for that. You're trying to decide what lies might work."

Harry rolled his eyes. "And you don't actually know anything. And I don't know what you're talking about, so I can't answer."

"If it's more lessons, I'll catch you out, you know. I have the quiris."

Harry stared at him incredulously, and Draco's sneer dissolved into a sigh. They were a good distance from the castle, now. "When Professor Snape talked to the house last night, he said that you should be regarded as a potentially valuable resource, and as such, were to be considered as under his personal protection."

"Oh." Harry bit his lip. "Um, I didn't consider that anything so formal as a deal, but yeah. He offered me re-Sorting, and I said I'd be more valuable to him as a Gryffindor."

"Ah. Well, he's helped you significantly. You still won't be safe in Slytherin, but your potential attackers will be fewer. Did you promise anything in particular in return?"

Harry shook his head. "An alliance. I asked for things, really -- that he let me try to win support in his house, and that he look the other way about us."

Thoughtfully, Draco nodded. "For you to use Slytherin, though ... That would be a benefit to us in itself, in some ways."

"I suppose. And he badly wants Voldemort destroyed, I expect."

"So he knows about you."

Harry couldn't remember if he and Snape had discussed his extraordinary potential to destroy Voldemort. On the other hand, Dumbledore may have told any number of people. "I think so. Not from me, but ...." Harry shrugged. "He seems to. We've certainly discussed how I might go about it."

"Not surprising, really."

"Yeah."

Draco looked over his shoulder again, and then led the way to some nearby rocks, in a middle of a clear space. "Let's sit. I think we're safely out of earshot of anything visible."

"Any visible human, you mean."

Sniffing, Draco rolled his eyes. "Most people don't think of that, you know."

"Most haven't been bitten by it twice." Harry cast a spell that Snape had taught him. He and Draco glowed briefly, but he didn't see any other bright spots. "We seem to be the only magical beings in range."

"Clever." Draco did not sound as if the cleverness pleased him. "Who taught you that one?"

"Snape. He said it's not Dark, even."

"It's not," Draco said flatly. "However, it is considered rude among wizards and witches, and doing it in front of Muggles would violate the Statute of Secrecy."

"It was just in front of you," Harry protested. "We know who we are, right?"

"Did Snape explain all that to you?" Draco persisted.

"Yes. Well, the rude part seemed like more around strangers who might be Squibs...."

"That's how it became rude," Draco corrected.

"Ah." Harry ducked his head. "Should I ask next time, then?"

"Please do." Draco finally stopped frowning. "It was the right solution, though. And it's a good one for you to know, I suppose. So, let's talk."

Harry thought back to when Draco had cut him off. "The Chamber?"

"Exactly."

"Dumbledore might just be trying to force me to come and talk to him."

"Mm. Or he might want to be sure we're not together alone."

"Then he should have come through with the Uncommon Room, shouldn't he?"

Draco laughed. "The thought did occur to me. At any rate, don't mention the girls' bathroom when you talk to him. He's only guessing, and it would confirm the guess."

"What do you suggest we do, then?

Draco shrugged. "There must be spells to cut doors. We need that spell and a way to determine which rooms are directly below Myrtle's bathroom, on either side of that chute, so we can gain access to the tunnel."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"Then we will try the ones below that. The dungeons go over that far. The chute needs to be between rooms on each level. There must be some way to get into it."

"You don't think Salazar Slytherin would have put protections on it?"

Draco shook his head. "You can't protect every square foot of something that large. Traditionally, one concentrates on the entrance, and has a sequence of them, as he did."

Harry nodded. "All right."

"So. We get to spend our afternoons together ... in the library."

"I'd much rather spend them in your bed."

Draco bit his lip. "Don't. I don't dare yet, and you'll tempt me."

Harry felt a surge of relief lessen a tension that he hadn't known was there. "Will I?" he asked, reaching out to touch the side of Draco's face. Draco closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.

"Merlin, yes."

"Are we done talking?" Harry crossed his foot over one of Draco's, rubbing their ankles together with a subtle motion. "Shall we find some place a little more visually private?"

Draco hissed in surprise. "Yes."

"The birch grove by the lake?"

"In the hemlocks would be more concealing." Draco smirked. "But I prefer the symbolism of birches. Yes."

They started to walk again, angling over to the lake, this time. "That doesn't make any sense to me, you know. But I am taking Symbology, this year."

"Good! You could use it." Draco's hand stole into his. "Though your intuition is good. Hemlocks are death and sorrow. Birches are birth and creativity."

Harry laughed and gave his hand a little squeeze. "Well, birth is out of the question, but I enjoy your creativity."

"Ah, but it can be a symbolic birth -- the birth of a spell, of a plot, of..." Draco stopped and shrugged. "Anything."

He sounded almost sad at the last. Harry didn't know what to say at the turn of mood, so they walked in silence all the way to the trees. When the leaves veiled them to all but the keenest eyes, he decided there were easier things than talking. He stopped, and tugged Draco's hand, and when Draco turned towards him, covered any question with a kiss.

To his relief, Draco returned it, first with warmth, and then with increasing desire. Harry set his hands at the small of Draco's back and pulled him close.

"Oh," Draco sighed, pressing into the contact. "Mm." Harry wondered if this was a good idea. Then Draco pushed one hip forward, rubbing across him, and Harry knew it was a splendid idea. He tugged Draco's robes to the side searching for the opening. Draco lifted his head.

"Let's lie down. No should be able to see us in that hollow."

Harry's heart was racing. "Sure." He let Draco lead him a few yards further, to where the ground dropped a couple of feet. Draco cast a quick charm on it and sank gracefully down, Harry following more clumsily after.

"We have to leave our clothes on though," Draco whispered. "In case someone comes here, like Cecilius, last year."

"Damn."

"Oh here -- let me push your robes up." In a few seconds, Draco was fumbling with Harry's zip. "In an emergency, just do the button and drop your robes into place."

"Done this before?" Harry asked, nipping Draco's ear, while he worked a hand under Draco's robes, bunching them up and getting in his way. Draco panted harshly at the contact.

"Last autumn, yeah. In the dormitory."

So, Zabini, then. He was too thoroughly out of the picture for Harry to be jealous.

"That must have --" Harry had no idea what he'd been going to say. Draco had his hand in Harry's trousers and Harry's brain wasn't bothering with anything else. "God." It took him a few fumbling tries to get enough access to reciprocate. "Not enough."

"It'll do for now."

"Yeah." He sucked at the edge of Draco's ear, and then at his neck. "Fuck. Want you."

Draco laughed shakily. "I won't let you fuck me yet. And not here in any case."

"Didn't mean--"

"I know."

It was over far too fast. Harry had to bite hard to hold in the noises his body wanted to make, and the world went black at the edges, narrowing to a section of skin and hair. Slowly, it widened again, and he realized he was lying limply on the ground, with his robes a mess.

"Oh."

"Mm. Did that take the edge off for now?"

Harry groaned. "For a few hours, maybe."

Draco ran a finger over his lips. Harry nipped at it, and then flicked his tongue over the pad.

"Hm. Well, consider this my vengeance for last spring. I won't tease you nearly as thoroughly as you did me, I promise."

"Obviously." Harry sucked the tip of the finger in and watched Draco's eyes close. He continued with that for a minute, moving his mouth up and down until Draco was squirming. That accomplished, he lifted his head away. "For how long?"

Draco sat up. "Until we're back in the Chamber. It will give us incentive. Cleaning charms, now."

After lunch, Harry went to talk to Dumbledore. It took him only four tries to guess the password (ice mice), and then he was rising up the spiral stairs. As he had almost expected, the headmaster called him in immediately.

"Mr. Potter," he said. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Is it?" Harry shot back. "That's hard to believe."

"I'm always glad to see you."

Harry shrugged, but relaxed enough to sit down. "Even if that's true, I don't believe you're surprised."

With a sideways nod that seemed to both acknowledge and dismiss the remark, Dumbledore resettled himself behind the desk. "You feel we have something to discuss?"

"Mixed house social space. Pick-up Quidditch. You promised us both of those, but you didn't mention either of them."

"I see." Dumbledore didn't seem in any hurry to answer. "I had expected a different inquiry. Is that all?"

"Yes." Harry glanced down for a moment. "From my side, anyway."

Stroking his beard, Dumbledore leaned back. "I should point out, of course, that you have hardly been cooperative yourself. I was very concerned, you know, by your disappearance."

"Which was why I let Remus know I was okay."

"An appreciated accommodation, but still not what you were instructed to do. It would have been better if you had waited."

"No," Harry said stubbornly. "I don't believe that. The Dursleys would have been in danger."

"I had made arrangements for their protection--"

"Which weren't necessary, were they? As I managed things, that is."

"True, Mr. Potter, but that was not my primary concern." Dumbledore straightened, looking at him over steepled hands. "Your safety is of the utmost importance--"

"I was safe enough."

"Perhaps, but I have far more experience in evaluating and mitigating risk. I had hoped that you would trust that."

"I do trust your experience! Of course you have a better idea than I do what can be done. What I don't trust is your priorities, and you won't listen to what matters to me."

For a moment, Dumbledore was silent. When he spoke, his voice was querulous, as if he were puzzling over the matter. "You have never expressed any affection for your mother's relatives."

"I don't have any! I just don't want to be the cause of any more deaths, even if they aren't really my fault. And you probably would have had me go to the Burrow next, and then the Weasleys wouldn't have been safe."

Dumbledore relaxed back. "Ah. I see. Harry, none of the guilt for Cedric's murder, or Arthur's--"

"I know that! It's not guilt. It's just ..." Harry tried to think. "Determination. My personal goal for this year, all right?"

Dumbledore's mouth lifted in a quick smile. "I believe Professor McGonagall had been hoping for something more academically oriented." He peered at Harry over his half-moon spectacles. "You do remember that you have N.E.W.T.s this year, I hope?"

"Between Hermione and Draco, am I likely to forget?"

Dumbledore laughed. "Ah, yes! I had not considered it in quite that light." All trace of reproach had vanished, leaving his manner as cheerful and guileless as he had seemed when Harry first saw him. "Well. Let us return to your original question then, shall we? I have not forgotten, and I hope that by now you would know that my word is good. The first week of school, however, seems a bad time to implement changes, and several of the professors were none too happy when I introduced these ideas last spring. After everyone has settled in, I will bring the matter up again." He smiled. "I must tell you, Professor McGonagall's support will be much easier to come by if you and Mr. Malfoy manage to stay out of trouble."

Harry did his best not to show his growing rage. "Professor Snape's too, I expect," he said, almost lightly.

"Perhaps, perhaps. Although with Severus, one never can tell. And his support may lose you that of your own head of house."

"Understood, sir." Harry got to his feet. "Thank you for seeing me."

"My dear boy, not at all!" Dumbledore replied, beaming, as he rose to shake Harry's hand. "You are always welcome to visit. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

"No," Harry said steadily. "Nothing."

He wasn't going to fall for it, he decided, as he descended from the office. Professor Dumbledore could put him off forever with stories of disagreement among the staff, but what he could have wasn't defined by what the headmaster would give to him. He had made his own way before, and he would do it again. Feeling strangely cheerful, Harry started off down the corridor. Ron should be back by now. They could compare schedules, and maybe he could start to sound Ron out on the divination.

Turning the corner, he saw a group of small students by the stairs. Two of them were pointing in different directions, and one had hidden her face in her hands, and the last had sat down on the floor in a despairing huddle. Harry quickened his pace.

"Lost?" he called cheerfully, when he was near. Arms came down with guilty speed. The boy on the floor scrambled to his feet. Familiarly wide-eyed stares fixed on him, but Harry suspected that any seventh-year would have produced almost as strong a reaction.

"No, we're just--"

"Sammy!"

Harry laughed. "If anyone here tells you they didn't get lost as a first-year, they're lying." He studied them for a minute. All four were Gryffindors. He recalled the dusky-skinned girl as having an odd name, and one of the boys as being Mc-something. With a smile, he held out his hand to the closest boy. "Hi. I'm Harry."

The wide-eyed look returned, perhaps at the reminder of who he was. "Er, hello, Mr.-- um, Harry. I'm Rob, Rob McDuffie."

"Pleased to meet you, Rob," Harry said, and went on to the girl, who gave her name as Yolanda. When introductions were finished, he looked around at them all. "Okay. First thing, don't be embarrassed about getting lost. Not for at least a couple of weeks, anyway. Now, why don't you all follow me? I'll show you how to get back to the tower, and we can make a stop at the library on the way, so you'll know where that is." He grinned. "And then next time you get lost, you don't need a Gryffindor. Anyone can tell you how to get to the library, and you'll know how to get to Gryffindor from there."

They looked at each other. "But don't ask a Slytherin, right?" Sammy said. Yolanda looked despairingly at him, her thick, dark braid swinging with the motion. Harry met her eyes and gave her a quick smile.

"Well," he said, "the Slytherins aren't all bad, you know. But there is a good deal of house rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, so you should take anything they tell you with a grain of salt. I'd say ask, but be polite when you do it, and cautious about the answer -- don't just blindly do what you're told."

"If we can't trust the answer, why ask?" Rob demanded.

"Well, if you do, maybe it won't get as bad in your year as it is in mine."

"But people from other houses won't know where Gryffindor tower is?" Sammy cut in.

"Most won't." Harry started up the steps, moving at a leisurely pace, so they could still talk easily. "I don't know where Hufflepuff is, and I'm not exactly sure of Ravenclaw, though I could probably find it. I do know where Slytherin is."

"Because Draco Malfoy is your sweetheart, right?" Yolanda said quickly. Sammy turned and stared. She giggled. "It said so in Witch Weekly."

"Well, yes and no," Harry answered. "I mean, he is my, um, boyfriend, but that's not why I know. The thing is that we hated each other up until last year, and one time -- when I was in my second year -- a friend and I followed him down there, because we were certain he was doing something awful, and we planned to catch him."

"Oh!"

"Anyway, this floor is the library. Let me show you; we'll go to the door, and then walk back."

They didn't ask him any more questions about his relationship with Draco -- Harry suspected that the boys were too young to understand, and it was clear that Yolanda had the idea only in a vague gossip-column sort of way. He got them talking about their first classes instead. They had had Herbology, which Sammy said didn't seem so magical. He was delighted with Charms. Potions had terrified all of them.

"Have you had your first Flying lesson yet?" Harry asked Sammy, and Sammy had made a face.

"Don't. I won't believe anything, you know, just because my parents are Muggles."

"What?" Harry looked at him in surprise.

"People don't fly. Professor Flitwick said so."

Rob and Jeremy burst out laughing. Yolanda clapped her hands over her mouth.

"People don't," Harry answered cheerily. "But brooms can. You will have a few flying lessons, and it's brilliant! I play Quidditch, which is a Wizarding sport played on brooms."

"He's really good at it, too," Rob said, eager to talk about something he understood. "He was mentioned in "Young players to watch" in Quidditch Review last year."

"I'll bring down an issue or two for you, when we get back to Gryffindor," Harry offered, in sympathy. "I know it's confusing; I was raised by Muggles too --"

"You were?" Yolanda asked. "I thought your parents were magical."

"Well they were, but Voldemort killed them. And my mother was Muggleborn, and I went to her sister when I was still a baby." He shrugged. "Anyway, don't worry, Sammy. You'll learn your way around."

Once inside the tower, the first-years split, the boys disappearing up the boys' staircase, and Yolanda running over to two other first-year girls. Harry looked around for Ron, didn't see him, and started over to the sofas by the fireplace.

Just as he was leaning back against the cushions, a girl plopped down into the place beside him. Startled, he twisted to find Parvati looking at him.

"Hi!" she said.

"Er, hi?"

"You looked almost tall, you know, walking in with a gaggle of first-years. It's good to see you're still my size."

"Oh, thanks!"

"Don't mention it. Did they get lost?"

"Yeah. They'd fallen into despair at one of the third floor landings. I told them it happens to everyone."

She chuckled. "They were probably mortified, just the same." She glanced down. "Well ... how was your summer?"

He had to think about it for a moment. "A lot better than usual, and you probably know about the worst moments. I mostly hid out, after the trial."

"Ah." She shrugged. "So, I heard Hermione and Ginny arguing about what you said on the train."

"Oh? Which thing I said?"

"About the Slytherins being able to help. The Ravenclaws could too, you know."

Harry nodded. "Right. Remember the Interhouse Common Room project?"

Parvati nodded. She and her sister had been part of the group that Harry had invited to discuss the matter last spring. They had only met twice. Dumbledore had showed up to the second meeting, listened carefully, and said that he had sufficient information.

"Well, you've noticed it wasn't mentioned at the Welcoming Feast, I expect. So I went to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

"And?" she prompted, when he hesitated.

"Well, he said he wants everyone to 'settle in' first, but I'm not sure he'll actually do it."

"No?" Her brow furrowed. "But why wouldn't he?"

Harry grabbed at air, trying to form his vague suspicions into words. "He likes to be in control. If we actually start to cooperate, it will diminish his control."

Parvati laughed. "I don't disapprove of Draco, Harry, but you're spending too much time with Slytherins. Give him a few weeks before you suspect the worst."

He sighed. "All right. You're probably right -- but it's not Slytherins, I think, just a month of hiding from everyone."

"I'll bring it up with Professor McGonagall," Parvati offered.

"That would be great."

Seamus wandered over then. "Why the conference?" he asked.

"Oh, it's that interhouse common space issue," Parvati said, stretching back. They kissed, long and deep, making two nearby fifth-years giggle. Harry wondered if he should leave, but when they finally finished, and Seamus had sat at the other side of Parvati, he looked at Harry. "That still on?" he asked.

"What?" Oh, the common room. Does he realize how long they were kissing? "We hope so, but not right away."

"Too bad," Seamus said. "Of course, it doesn't matter when the weather's good."

Harry nodded, remembering that morning, and hoped he wasn't blushing.

"Harry?" came a tentative little voice. He turned to see Yolanda standing beside the sofa. "One of the third-years told Evie that Professor Snape is a vampire, and now she wants to go home. Will you come and talk to her?"

"Course," Harry answered, standing up. He grinned at Seamus, who was trying unsuccessfully to muffle a laugh, and Parvati who was managing an almost convincing concerned expression. "Catch you two later."

He didn't see Ron until dinner, when he finally showed up, Hermione's hand held firmly in his.

"I was wondering where you were," Harry said quietly, as they sat down. "Catching up, huh?"

"Don't I wish," Ron muttered.

"Ah," Seamus said. "T'was a fond reunion with her darling library, was it, then?"

Ron whooped, and Hermione looked offended. "It's important to--"

"Hermione," Harry said urgently. "Together again, right?"

"I know, but ...." Her shoulders twisted in a helpless shrug. "This is our N.E.W.T. year!"

"Hermione," Harry said again, "September."

"But it's so easy to fall behind...!" For a moment, she lifted her hands in front of her face. "I know," she said, her face still hidden. "I know I shouldn't panic yet, but...."

"It's our N.E.W.T year, yes," Harry completed. "But you'll do fine." He looked over at Ron. "Make her relax tonight, okay?"

"And if you can't," Seamus added, "get another girl."

Harry couldn't help laughing. Seamus appreciated it. Ron and Hermione did not, but they accepted his apology, and diner went on.

Throughout the meal, Harry found his eyes straying to the Slytherin table. They no longer seemed as intimidating -- nor as alike -- as they had in years past. Draco was sitting between Linnet, whom Harry had found pleasant enough, and Zabini, whom he thought he rather liked. Millicent was sitting further down, in seemingly friendly argument with a younger boy that Harry didn't recognize, but who laughed with almost Gryffindor abandon. Pansy Parkinson, looking as unpleasant as ever, sat with Daphne Greengrass and two younger girls, one of whom kept glancing uncomfortably away. Near them was Theodore Nott, the only one that Harry was still sure of as an enemy, now that Crabbe was gone.

Perhaps he should go down to Slytherin after dinner and see what happened. He had planned to wait until further into the term, but now that plan reminded him unpleasantly of Dumbledore's delay on his promises. Tonight, he decided. He didn't need the Slytherins settled. He didn't want them settled, and their alliances negotiated. Just a quick visit, to see how they reacted. And I can stop by Snape's room on the way back and pay what I owe him for the divination. He had been carrying the money since morning, but on his one trip down to Snape's office, had found the door closed. After that, other things had distracted him.

Accordingly, he lingered at the dinner table until most of the students had left, and Hermione was starting to look restless, and then got to his feet.

"Back to Gryffindor?" Ron said eagerly, rising as well.

Hermione shook her head. "I still haven't found half the recommended texts for Ancient Runes."

"You're not supposed to find them all before the class starts, Hermione," Harry said patiently.

"I've been trying to tell her that. Maybe if we both take an arm...."

Grinning, Harry shook his head. "No. I have other plans."

"Harry..." Hermione warned.

"Nothing elaborate," Harry said. "In fact, they may even involve the library, but I have to go down to the dungeons first."

"Do you think that's safe?" Ron asked, his brow furrowing.

Harry shrugged. "Maybe not, but I'm a Gryffindor, aren't I?"

"Strange way to put it," Ron groused.

"Do be careful, Harry."

"I will."

He walked down to Slytherin openly, no cloak, no subterfuge -- not that there was anyone to see, for most of the way. In the last stretch, he heard light footsteps racing behind him, and turned to see two small children whip around the corner. He recognized one as the first-year girl that the Hat had taken so long to sort. They clattered to a stop beside him.

"What are you--" the girl began, but then the boy took off again. "Not fair!" she shouted, as she pursued him. Harry chuckled to himself. Definitely a Sorting problem. He lengthened his stride, and caught the shifting section of wall before it could close behind their argument. The stones stopped in mid slide, much like the door to a lift, probably due to much the same safety considerations, however differently fulfilled.

"You can't--" the boy tried, but Harry poked his head in, checking those closest for people he knew.

"Zabini!" he called. "Is Draco around?"

Silence shot outward from his voice, a few words at the edge of the room briefly audible in the central quiet. Everyone stared. Shrugging, Harry stepped through the door. "Please?" he asked, half-jokingly, and there was a strangled laugh from someone.

"You are not supposed to be here, Potter," came a harsh voice. Nott. Harry pretended to be unconcerned.

"Really?" he said, leaning back against the now-closed door panel -- for safety as well as a pose; no one could come at him from behind. He flexed his arm slightly against the length of his wand. "I'd heard a rumor that Snape implied I could visit."

"I believe," said Draco's voice from the door to the right of the fireplace, "that he expected you to be somewhat circumspect." He sounded amused as well as exasperated, and Harry smiled at him as he came into sight through the crowd around the fire.

"Why would he expect that?" he asked innocently. "I'm a Gryffindor." People were still staring, but less as if they were waiting for him to die on the spot.

"Excuses!" Draco scoffed. "You're perfectly capable of sneaking, Harry."

"But why bother?" Harry returned. "I'm just here to ask if you want to come to the library."

"Why? Do you need help already?"

"Ha! Not until lessons start, at least."

"Hm." Draco looked thoughtful. "I did have a few things I'd wanted to look up...."

"So you'd mentioned. Thus the invitation."

"All right, then. Just let me get something to take notes with."

As he walked back into the boys' dormitories, Millicent moved forward, shielding Harry from Nott as if by accident. He suspected otherwise. As a Beater, she knew all about interference.

"How's Gryffindor?" she asked.

"Eh, fine. Ron had calmed down by the time we got to the Welcoming Feast."

"He runs hot, doesn't he?" she asked, frowning.

"You might say that, yeah. And he didn't think much of me sharing a carriage with Slytherins."

Draco showed up, a mostly-empty school bag over his shoulder. "Let's go!"

"Right." Harry grinned at his protector. "Later, Mill."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Yes, Harry."

"That was idiotic," Draco said, as they headed up the stairs.

"Why? Better to do it now than later. I took them by surprise."

"Well, you won't next time! We need some safer way we can find each other."

"If I'd just wanted your company, I could have caught you before you left dinner."

"Oh, that was an excuse to walk into the Slytherin common room?"

"Well, I couldn't just say 'I'm here to see what you all do,' now, could I?"

Sighing, Draco rubbed his face. "Gryffindor."

"But they didn't do anything," Harry protested. "Nott wanted to, but I think most people were just shocked."

"Millicent protected you."

"Yeah, I noticed." Harry grinned. "Just like a Beater."

"Ha! Yes."