The Cloak of Shadows

Harry awoke the next morning to a sharp pain in his neck. He muttered sleepily and burrowed further into his warm blanket. Suddenly, his eyes flew open as he remembered where he was. He was curled uncomfortably on the common room couch, his head angled painfully to one side. He didn't remember grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch, but it was now covering him.

He sat up and pushed the blanket off, looking blearily around the room. His thoughts were drawn to the previous night, and to the nightmares he and Malfoy had shared. He wondered briefly if he should tell Dumbledore or Sirius, but immediately thought better of it. There was no point in adding to their worries just yet. Harry winced as he remembered his vision of Hogwarts in ruin. No, he would hold off as long as possible before sharing what he had seen. Besides, his scar hadn't been burning when woke up, so obviously Voldemort was nowhere near.

Shrugging off his thoughts, Harry wandered back into his bedroom, breathing a sigh of relief at Malfoy's absence. Odd that I didn't hear him when he came through the common room, he thought. Showering quickly, Harry threw on his robes and hurried down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Ron, Hermione, and Neville greeted him with drowsy smiles as he plopped down at the Gryffindor table. It appeared he wasn't the only one who had found sleep elusive.

"Morning," he said, taking a swig of coffee. He typically hated the stuff, but with enough cream and sugar it was tolerable, and he knew he wouldn't make it through the day without the caffeine.

Ron mumbled something which Harry could only assume was "Good morning," as it was muffled by an enormous yawn. He grinned slightly. "Sleep well, Harry?" Harry scowled in response.

"What do you think?"

"I think if I were sleeping in a room with the likes of Malfoy, I wouldn't shut an eye all night. He didn't try anything, did he Harry?"

Harry looked at him, puzzled. Try anything? "No. No, he didn't try anything. I just didn't sleep very well. Uncomfortable bed," he added, by way of explanation. He wasn't ready to discuss his dream, or his confrontation with Malfoy, with anyone just yet. "What about you three? You look as though you didn't sleep a wink yourselves."

"Neville here kept us up all night, thinking he heard noises." He gave the boy a slightly annoyed look, and Neville flushed embarrassedly.

Harry's eyes widened. "What kind of noises?" he asked, trying to sound innocent.

"I don't know, I didn't hear anything. But then, I could sleep through a monsoon and never know the difference. I suggested that it might have been Dumbledore and McGonagall -" His speech was abruptly halted by a swift kick from Hermione under the table. "Ow! Hermione, you didn't even know what I was going to say!"

"Ronald Weasley, I know very well the sort of disgusting, vile thoughts that run through your filthy mind." Harry opened his mouth to ask just how she knew, but thought better of it when she narrowed her eyes at him in warning. "I, for one, slept horribly. My room smells like disinfectant and there's a portrait a very lecherous young knight above my bed. He kept making lewd comments all night long." Ron snorted at this, but knew better than to say anything - his calf was still smarting from her earlier blow.

Harry relaxed a bit, glad for the change of subject. The last thing he wanted to think about right now was those horrible nightmares. His throat still felt raw from the screams. A thought hit him.

"What about Crabbe and Goyle? Did they hear the noises too?"

"Nah," said Ron. "They sleep more soundly than I do. Didn't think it was possible..." Some bodyguards, thought Harry. In any case, it meant he wouldn't have any explaining to do, unless Malfoy told them what had happened.

He looked suddenly over to the Slytherin table. Crabbe and Goyle were busy with their breakfasts, talking around Malfoy who was seated in between them. They appeared to be having quite the animated conversation about the professional Quidditch leagues. Harry felt a stab of guilt. He had always assumed Crabbe and Goyle were a couple of meatheads who couldn't string two words together. Something in him softened towards them to hear them discussing Quidditch strategies.

Malfoy seemed oblivious to the entire conversation. He nibbled at a bit of toast, looked at it disparagingly, and tossed it back onto his plate. Harry noticed how drawn and pale his face was. Apparently he had also had trouble sleeping after their argument. His grey eyes were shadowed and unreadable, and a frown creased his normally smooth forehead.

"What do you think, Harry?" Neville's voice snapped him out of his reverie, and he shook his head. He hoped no one had noticed him staring at Malfoy so intently.

"Sorry Neville, what?"

"I asked if you had any ideas of what we would be doing today."

"Oh, right. No. No, I haven't a clue." He found his eyes being pulled back to the Slytherin table. It was fascinating to watch how much things had changed. Crabbe and Goyle were now boisterously arguing over the last Quidditch World Cup, while Malfoy, normally loud and arrogant, sat silent and withdrawn, his face totally blank. It was disconcerting to see him in such a state. It made the anxious feeling in the pit of Harry's stomach flutter more rapidly. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, berating himself for worrying so much over Malfoy, of all people.

Just then, a bell rang, signaling the end of breakfast. Ron sighed and placed his hands flat on the table, pushing himself up. "Well, I should probably go and collect my things."

Hermione tried to cover her pained expression with an irritated frown and said, "Ron, you've only been here one night. How much packing can you possibly have?" Harry saw through her annoyance and smiled. I wonder if those two are ever going to admit how crazy they are over one another?

Ron pulled a face at Hermione and stepped away from the table. "I'll meet you guys back down here in twenty minutes. Harry, bring Hedwig. Dumbledore wants me to take her back to the Burrow with me."

It was Harry's turned to look pained. "I don't understand why she can't stay here with me. I mean, what could happen to her? It's not as if Voldemort has a vendetta against my owl."

Ron shrugged. "I don't know Harry, but it's what Dumbledore wants, so I suppose we better not question it." Harry sighed. He knew Ron was right, but it would be hard to say goodbye to Hedwig. They hadn't been separated for any length of time in nearly seven years.

Just then, Dumbledore stood and cleared his throat. "Good morning everyone. We will begin our lessons today, after lunch. Until then, I suggest you all try to get some rest." There was a knowing look in his eye, and Harry shifted his gaze uncomfortably to the table. He had a feeling there might not be any need to tell Dumbledore about the events of the previous night. How the man knew so much, Harry could never say. It was completely baffling.

Hermione said something about taking inventory of her potions ingredients and headed off to the hospital wing. Harry had a hunch she didn't want to be around when Ron made his departure. He couldn't blame her, really - he wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye to his best friend either.

Slowly, he made his way up to his room to retrieve Hedwig. He would almost swear she knew what was happening. Her bright, beady eyes looked at him balefully, and she ruffled her feathers at him. "Sorry Hedwig," he whispered. "Dumbledore's orders. Ron will take good care of you, and you'll love the Burrow. Erroll and Pig will be there. And I promise, I'll come visit as soon as Dumbledore lets me." Gathering her cage and a bag of owl treats, Harry stepped into the common room.

Malfoy was seated on the couch, scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment. Harry tiptoed quietly behind the couch; he wanted to avoid as much contact with Malfoy as possible.

"Moving out Potter?" Malfoy said without even glancing up. "What a shame."

Harry felt his cheeks go pink with frustration. So much for avoiding him. "If you must know Malfoy, I'm taking Hedwig to Ron. Dumbledore wants her to stay at the Burrow for safekeeping." Harry didn't know why he felt the need to explain himself to the other boy. He was stunned when Malfoy looked up at him, something akin to sympathy in his eyes.

"Well at least she'll have that tatty bit of fluff they call an owl to pick on. Although I daresay Hedwig is used to more opulent surroundings."

Harry snorted. "I would hardly call the Dursley's 'opulent'."

"Really?" Malfoy seemed slightly surprised.

"Cold, spartan, tacky. Not opulent. Besides, Hedwig's been to the Burrow before - she likes it there."

"Funny," Malfoy said. "I would've thought she had better taste."

Harry narrowed his eyes at the blonde boy. "I should've known better than to think we could have carried on a civil conversation without you making some rude remark, Malfoy."

"Yes," he said silkily. "You should have."

"Remind me never to try again."

"Will do," Malfoy said, turning his attention back to his parchment. Harry gaped at him for a moment, and then stalked out of the room. What on earth had he been thinking, trying to talk to Malfoy? It was apparent the boy had no interest in dropping the animosity between them. So much for Dumbledore's great plan, Harry thought bitterly. I wouldn't trust that boy with Neville's toad, let alone my life.

Harry was in quite a mood by the time he reached the Great Hall. He cursed Malfoy for affecting him in such a way. For nearly seven years, nobody had been able to irritate Harry the way Malfoy had. Harry had thought for a brief moment that maybe they would be able to put the past behind them, but more and more he was seeing the futility of any attempt at reconciliation.

Pausing outside the doors of the Great Hall, Harry heard two familiar voices, speaking low. He peered in through a gap in the wooden door, and saw Ron and Hermione, standing very close to one another. Hermione appeared to be crying, and Ron's face was redder than his hair. Harry felt guilty for spying, but he couldn't seem to tear his eyes away.

"I'll miss you," Hermione whispered, unable to look Ron in the eye.

Ron nodded tensely, and Harry could tell he was trying to hold his tears in check. "I'll miss you too." His voice was thick with emotion.

"Please, just be safe." With this, Hermione began sobbing in earnest. Ron made a move to hold her, and the two of them fell into one another's arms. Harry gasped, and then smiled. It was so good to see the two people he cared about most find each other after so many years. At the same time, it left a hollow feeling in Harry's heart. He had never felt that way about anyone, and he wasn't sure he ever would.

Hermione's voice drew Harry from his reflections. She whispered something softly in Ron's ear, which left the boy blushing even more furiously. He ran a hand along Hermione's jaw and leaned in to kiss her firmly on the lips. Harry couldn't help a grin. That should put Hermione in a good mood for a few days, at least. The two of them broke apart and looked around, embarrassed. Harry took this as his cue to enter, and clearing his throat loudly, he walked into the room.

"Oh, hullo," he said, trying to sound completely innocent. Hermione was still sniffling, but she gave Harry a broad grin.

"Hi Harry," she said softly.

"So you've brought Hedwig," Ron said, his voice cracking. Harry choked back a laugh. He would have interrogate his friend at a later time to get the full story; he was fairly sure he wouldn't get much out of Hermione.

He handed Ron Hedwig's cage and the bag of owl treats, instructing him on when to feed her. Ron nodded solemnly, promising to keep her safe. The three of them looked at each other awkwardly for a moment. The time had come to say goodbye, and none of them wanted to be the first to say it. Harry didn't think it was fair. The thing he looked forward to more than anything else when returning to Hogwarts was being with his friends again, but now his best friend would be at home, and nobody knew for how long.

Harry sighed, knowing full well he was being selfish. Ron had a very important job to do, and Harry knew it wasn't easy on him to leave. We should be supporting him instead of making him feel worse, Harry thought. Suddenly, he smiled. "Well, the death eaters haven't managed to take over Hogsmeade yet, have they? Maybe Dumbledore will let us have a weekend out."

All three of them knew the likelihood of this was slim to none, but the optimism in Harry's voice made them all feel better. Perhaps this whole issue would be resolved quickly, the school would be reopened, and the three of them could focus on normal teenage activities: studying for the OWLs, getting into mischief, and for Ron and Hermione, snogging each other senseless in the astronomy tower.

Hermione gave them both a watery smile. "Well, I should be getting back to the hospital wing to... uh... check on my potions ingredients." She paused and took a shaky breath. "I know we'll all be together again very soon." With that, she gave Ron a fierce hug and sprinted for the hospital wing, a sob escaping her as she flew up the stairs.

Harry turned to his best friend and felt a pang as he saw the tears glittering in Ron's eyes. "She really cares about you, you know," Harry said.

"I know." He gave Harry a lopsided grin. "Though I can't imagine why."

"Neither can I." Ron punched him weakly in the arm and then pulled him into a hug.

"Take care of yourself Harry." Harry knew he was trying to sound manly, but was failing miserably.

"You too Ron," he said, fighting back tears of his own. "And take care of Hedwig." Ron nodded and set his mouth in a determined line. He walked out of the Great Hall and through the doors of Hogwarts, leaving Harry to wonder when he would see his friend again.

***

That afternoon, Harry found a scroll on his bed. Unrolling it carefully, he read instructions for him to meet Sirius and Remus in the Defense Against the Dark Arts room at 1:00. He headed down to the classroom feeling slightly lighter than he had all day. Working with Sirius and Remus was bound to be fun.

He knocked on the classroom door and heard a soft growl. Taking this as permission to enter, he walked inside. Remus was sitting at a desk at the head of the classroom, reading a large, ancient-looking book. A large black dog was curled in the corner, chewing on something that appeared to have at one point been a shoe. Harry arched an eyebrow at Remus.

"He's pouting," the older man said by way of explanation. "Dumbledore says you have to work with me on strengthening your defense before he's allowed to step in and teach you more offensive spells." The dog raised its head and bared his teeth at Remus, barking once. Harry grinned. His godfather was the most impossible person - er, dog - Harry had ever met.

"Well then Harry, shall we begin?" Harry nodded and Remus closed his book. "This week I want to review the defensive spells you've learned since you've been here at Hogwarts. We'll focus on the most important - those that will protect you against the death eaters and against Voldemort." He shivered as he said the name, but continued to speak. "Today I want to work on your Patronus. Sirius and I have trapped a boggart in that armoire over there. I assume the boggart will still take the form of a Dementor?" Harry nodded again. There was nothing he feared quite like the emotional deadness of the Dementors. He couldn't imagine being that scared of anything else, not even Voldemort.

"Very well," he said, giving Harry a kind smile. "Let's get started. Snuffles, are you going to mope all day, or are you going to help us?" The large dog growled again, but then changed effortlessly into a tall, dark haired man.

"Afternoon, Harry. Dumbledore's being a stick in the mud, as usual. You've got to work with this boring old fella before we get to have the real fun." He smiled devilishly at Remus, and Harry laughed. He had missed these two so much. It was wonderful to be with them again, to feel like part of a real family.

Remus shot Sirius a somewhat disapproving look, but he couldn't hide the smile that glimmered in his eyes. "Come on, Harry, let's see what you can do."

Harry took a deep breath and prepared himself for the sight of the Dementor. It isn't real, he told himself. It's just a boggart. It can't hurt me. It isn't real... He held his wand up, prepared to release his Patronus. The armoire shook in front of him, the boggart impatient in his new surroundings. Remus gave him a look, and Harry nodded. He unlatched the lock on the door of the armoire, and Harry braced himself to lay eyes on his worst fear.

It wasn't what he was expecting, to say the least.

Harry gasped and staggered backwards, blinking wildly. He tripped over a chair and fell to the ground, his eyes wide with shock. Remus and Sirius exchanged concerned glances.

"Harry, it's okay," Sirius said. "Remember, it's just a boggart. The Dementor isn't real, it's only an illusion."

But Harry's pale face and quickening breath was not due to a Dementor.

Standing before him, smiling softly, eyes shining, was Draco Malfoy.

***

Harry paused in front of the suit of armor and turned to his godfather. Sirius had been wearing the same worried expression since they had left the DADA classroom.

"Really Sirius, I'm fine," he said for what felt like the hundredth time. In truth, he was anything but. His legs were shaking so badly he could barely stay standing, and his heart felt as though it would pound out his chest.

"Harry, if you want to talk about it-"

"It's fine," he snapped, and instantly regretted it. Sirius was only trying to help. Harry had lied to them, saying he was taken off guard by the sight of the Dementor. Remus had given him a sympathetic look and told him not to worry about it, his defenses were down, and it would take practice to be able to face the Dementors again. Sirius had remained quiet, and Harry suspected his godfather knew he wasn't telling the truth.

"I'm sorry Sirius," he said, and sighed. "I just want to go to bed and forget about today."

The older man nodded and gave him a small smile. "Okay then. We'll try again tomorrow." Harry shuddered at the thought. The last thing he wanted was to see Dra- that boggart - again. He muttered the password and the suit of armor motioned him through.

"Afternoon Mr. Potter," he said cheerily. Harry ignored him and stepped into the room, relieved to be escaping Sirius' concerned stare. "What's wrong with him?" The suit of armor said. As the wall began to take shape and solidify, Harry heard Sirius mutter, "I wish I knew."

***

Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be found when Harry entered the room. He looked over at the green and silver bed and wished desperately that Ron was still there. He wouldn't feel comfortable talking to anyone about what had happened, but at least Ron would help take his mind off everything. Sighing, he walked into the common room and received his second greatest shock of the day: Neville Longbottom was seated in front of the fireplace, playing chess with Draco Malfoy. Harry blinked his eyes, wondering if he had finally gone completely nutters. Maybe it's the boggart. Do boggarts play chess? he wondered hysterically.

Neville looked up and caught his eye. Harry stared at him questioningly, but Neville just shrugged and gave him an almost apologetic smile. Harry shook his head, feeling as if the world was spinning off its axis, and went into his room. Throwing himself onto the lumpy bed, Harry buried his head in the pillows and tried in vain to block out the vision of Malfoy's smiling face. Why? he asked himself. Why, why, why? Why Malfoy, of all people? He wondered if maybe he should report this to Dumbledore. If he was seeing Malfoy as his worst fear, then maybe the boy was dangerous. Maybe he really was a spy for Voldemort. It just didn't make sense though. The look on Malfoy's face was not that of a traitor, by any means. Which led Harry to think, So what exactly did that look mean? And why am I so afraid of it? He groaned loudly and wished he could smother himself in the pillows. It was only after an hour of tossing and turning, plagued by thoughts of Malfoy and that mysterious smile, that Harry finally managed to fall into a restless sleep.

He didn't hear Malfoy come in a few hours later, nor did he hear him exit again.

***

Harry awoke several hours later in a cold sweat. The room was dark and silent. He felt around for his glasses, which had slipped off sometime during his nap. He found them under the pillow and pushed them back on. He looked around the room, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. The curtains of Malfoy's bed were closed, and Harry assumed he was asleep. He felt sick at the thought of Malfoy sound asleep so near to him, and he jumped out of bed, pacing nervously.

I have to get out of this room, he thought, grabbing his invisibility cloak from the trunk of his bed and throwing it around his shoulders. He walked through the common room and pulled the cloak up to cover his head before entering the other bedroom. It would never do to have Neville waking up and seeing Harry's disembodied head floating around. Snape would hear his screams in the dungeon.

Stepping out into the hallway, Harry looked around, contemplating where to go. He came upon a set of stairs he had never noticed before and began to climb them. Entering a deserted hallway, Harry found a window tucked away in a small alcove. There was a bench underneath it, and Harry sat down, resting his head upon the window pane. He relaxed, feeling the cool glass beneath his forehead. His thoughts began to clear, and he sighed. Right now, he needed to stop worrying about Malfoy and start concentrating on his defenses. If he let this bother him, he would be totally unprepared to meet the Dark Lord when the time came.

Pushing all thoughts of Malfoy firmly out his mind, Harry tried to think of happier things, like Ron and Hermione's budding romance. They were so perfect for one another, and Harry wished them the best. He only hoped he was lucky enough to find someone he cared that much about. With the wizarding world in the state it was, people were fortunate to find that someone who could make all the problems disappear.

A padding noise against the stone floor of the hallway interrupted Harry's thoughts, and he quickly flung the invisibility cloak around himself. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was only a cat, prowling the castle in search of mice, no doubt. The cat, completely black expect for a white patch on its belly, stared in Harry's direction, seeming to look into his eyes. Harry was puzzled at this, as he still had the invisibility cloak wrapped around himself. Slowly, he let it slide down his shoulders. The cat watched him coolly, as though nothing had changed.

Harry stretched out a hand. "Here kitty. C'mere." The cat looked at him derisively, swishing his tale back and forth. Harry could swear the cat was smirking at him. With a flick of its tail, the cat turned and stalked off down the hall, disappearing out of sight.

Harry sat back and leaned against the window again, letting his mind wander. After a few moments, he began to doze, and soon was asleep.

He awoke a while later to find the same black cat staring up at him. The moonlight poured in through the window and reflected silver in the cat's luminescent eyes. "Hello," Harry mumbled sleepily. "Back again?" The cat continued to stare, and in one fluid movement, leapt onto the window seat beside Harry. He tentatively held out a hand. The cat backed up instinctively, but didn't jump down. It sniffed Harry's finger warily and then licked it, its tongue scratchy against Harry's hand. Harry flipped his hand over and petted the cat on the top of its head. He spoke to it in low, soothing tones.

"What are you doing here, anyway? Do you belong to someone? You seem lonely. Well that makes two of us I guess. My best friend left today, and he took my owl, Hedwig, with him. So that leaves me. Oh, I still have Hermione - that's my other friend - but it's not quite the same, you know?" The cat just stared up at him intently.

Harry continued to talk, pouring his heart out to the animal, who happened to be a very good listener. He talked about his fears, his insecurities, and the one thing he knew he could tell no human - the incident that afternoon with the boggart. At this, the cat, who had been purring softly as Harry scratched his ears, pulled away and looked at him, his slanted eyes blinking. The cat began to back away slowly, and then leapt to the ground, running down the hallway. Harry stared after it, puzzled, but then shrugging, he took up his cloak and headed back to his room.

***

Harry spent the rest of the week with Remus, working on his defense charms. Luckily, they had not yet returned to the boggart, saying Harry needed to work his way back up to it. His nights were spent curled up in the alcove in his secret hall. The cat continued to visit him, and Harry found it easy to talk out his problems with the cat there to listen. Every night, just before dawn, the cat would dart away and disappear down another hall, leaving Harry alone again with his thoughts.