Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

CHAPTER EIGHT: DRACO MEETS--THE WEASLEYS

A couple of hours later Harry and Draco were in Draco's room doing their homework, having reached a temporary truce. Both were seated at opposite sides of the room- Draco sitting at the desk, which was provided with the room, and Harry lying on his stomach on the floor. They worked silently, ignoring each other. Harry's offer to trade help on their homework was not mentioned.

Harry lay with his quill between his teeth, thinking to himself about the situation at hand- Draco- rather than his homework. He couldn't work out what had happened or why. Why was Draco being so much more amiable than usual? Why was Draco even tolerating Harry's presence? Why was Harry tolerating Draco's presence? Harry wasn't sure of the answers to either of the questions but he knew one thing; for some strange, inexplicable reason, he was willingly getting along with Draco Malfoy.

Why? he thought. He couldn't answer himself, but rather started thinking through it. Why indeed... Well, there was something very- appealing about Draco right now. Like he was trying to get along. Malfoy trying to get along? God! I am so mentally challenged! Maybe he's cursed, Harry thought in amusement.

What Harry wouldn't think about, or possibly wouldn't even admit, was that he empathized with Malfoy. He too had been abandoned for seemingly no reason in a world that hated him. His own life as an outcast had been miserable until he reached Hogwarts- and what Draco was dealing with was just a small parallel of the same thing; he had been dumped off by a father who couldn't have cared less about him- left to live on his own in a community that habitually despised him, no matter how respectful they were to his face.

However, despite any slightly kind feelings he had; Harry knew that no matter how well he and Draco got along on the surface, he couldn't trust the other boy. It was too dangerous.

Tap! A sharp noise came from the direction of the window. Harry looked up and saw Pig fluttering outside, obviously trying to get in.

"Hang on a minute!" Harry said exasperatedly to the impatient owl who was simultaneously clicking his beak and claws against the glass. He shoved his books out of the way and tried to stand up, without much luck. His hands, which had been holding him up slipped, as the paper they were resting on skidded. He collapsed on his stomach, cracking his chin rather painfully on the wooden floor. Draco snorted in laughter and Harry made his way up to his knees again so he could give the blond boy the full benefit of his glare.

"Sod off Malfoy," he said wrathfully, the sting in his words not having much effect as he slipped again and finally rose to his feet. "Bloody quills," he muttered to himself, looking at his ink-stained hands.

"If you're quite done muttering to yourself Potter..." Draco drawled, "you might like to let that pathetic excuse for an owl in here. He seems quite bent on achieving such a goal." Harry opened his mouth to defend the little bird, but closed it again as his gaze came to rest on the animal in question- it was now beating his minute head against the window. Pig did look quite pathetic; he couldn't really argue that point.

"Pig..." he sighed. He shook his head. "Never mind. I have a feeling that the breath I use on words would be wasted." He crossed the room and opened the window. Pig shot inside, landing rather roughly against the far corner next to Draco's desk.

Draco looked down at him. "Tiny little thing, aren't you," he said.

"Your immediate perception of the obvious takes my breath away Malfoy," Harry said rudely.

Draco nodded wisely. "Yes, well," he said. "Better to lose your breath over me than talking to this- this owl." His words betrayed the fact that he didn't really think of Pig as a real owl. Pig let out an undignified hoot at these words and struggled to right himself.

Draco reached down and lifted the bird into the air by his foot. "I believe," he said, untying the letter from the enraged owl's foot, "that this belongs to you." He held the letter out disdainfully.

Harry snatched the letter from him. "Of course it's mine," he said. "Any post you receive would be tied on with a golden ribbon and carried by a- a swan or something."

Draco snorted. "A swan?" he said incredulously. Harry shrugged awkwardly, but his feelings of unease quickly turned to anger as Draco continued, "I do not use swans, Potter. My family uses eagles- specially bred eagle owls. Not that your good friend there could afford even a fraction of one of my trained eagle owls..." his voice trailed off.

"Don't make fun of Ron that way!" Harry said furiously.

Draco smirked. "Why? He's so easy to make fun of."

Harry felt like smoke was coming out his ears. "Don't," he said threateningly, "make fun of Ron Weasley. He's a better person than you could ever hope to be."

The self-satisfied smirk flickered for an instant. "Good thing I've never hoped to be a good person then," Draco said.

Harry looked at him for a second. "No," he agreed. "I don't suppose you have." He unrolled the letter.

Hey Harry,

Thought I'd send you a quick update on the Burrow--although you don't really deserve a letter, since you haven't written to me in forever and a day.

Hermione's still here and seems to be enjoying herself... Like I mentioned earlier, she and Ginny get along quite well, actually, which is nice. On the other hand- it leaves me with no one to pass time with. Too bad Dumbledore won't let you come... Guess you're more at risk here than you are at Diagon Alley, since aren't as many certified wizards here and no Aurors, etc.

Oh, about Diagon Alley- I remember the last letter you sent said you'd be going there

for the last couple weeks or so of holiday, right? Mum and Dad have been thinking of

coming a little early this year to get our school stuff- and then spend a coupl of nights at the

Leaky Cauldron. Dad can get rooms nearly free with his Ministry connections and all. So

anyway, we'll be there in about 10 days, okay? Don't die of boredom before then.

Later--Ron

A grin spread across Harry's face. The whole Weasley family and Hermione would be coming to Diagon Alley soon and he'd be able to spend nearly a week with them! Draco looked askance at the smile on Harry's face.

"What's the deal, Potter? Weasel just win a lot of money, so you don't have to share yours anymore?"

"You know," Harry said, refusing to rise to Draco's bait. "I've always said that a day without an insult from Malfoy is like a day without sunshine."

Draco smirked, and Harry turned, picking up a new piece of parchment, to answer Ron's letter.

Hey Ron,

That's great that your family is coming to Diagon Alley... I could definitely use some company! Granted, Malfoy's here for some reason he won't tell me, but you know what talking to him is like. Anyway, glad to hear that all's going well at the Burrow and that Ginny and Hermione get along well... It'll do Hermione good to have some female company for once.

--Harry

He folded the letter up and tied it to Pig's leg. "Now don't go losing that, Pig," he admonished the tiny owl. Pig hooted indignantly and stood up to his full height of about five inches. He gave Harry a Look and then took off- and bumped into the window frame.

"I really don't know about you," Harry said disgustedly to the owl, who was struggling to stand up again. "C'mere." He picked the owl up and tossed him out the window, where he was able to get some air under his wings and finally took off into the sky. Harry watched until he couldn't see him anymore, and then turned, sighing, back to his homework.

I wish I could be at the Burrow, Harry thought to himself, picking up his quill again and looking at his Potions homework. He was supposed to be describing the pros and cons of the Strengthening Potion.

The Strengthening Potion, Harry wrote, can be used for many good and bad things. For example, it can be used infinitely many times to strengthen the drinker, and perhaps save his life. By drinking this potion, a person can be guaranteed a longer life-span even if he is nearly dead, but--

"Damn," Harry swore. Draco looked up. "This is nearly impossible."

"Nothing's impossible, Potter. Look at me- who would expect so much perfection in one person?"

Harry looked at him in disgust. "Oh, shut up, Malfoy. You are so arrogant, you

have no idea."

Draco shrugged. "I've always been under the impression I had reason to be arrogant."

"You are such a--a cretin."

"For I am Malfoy, King of Cretins," Draco agreed. "Let all lesser cretins bow before me."

"Look," Harry said, angry at himself for not being able to finish his essay, and angry at Malfoy for being impossibly vain, "If you don't have anything helpful to say, then don't say it at all."

"So--" Draco said. "Ask me a question. I'll be useful."

Harry looked at him in surprise. "Did I hear you correctly? You're offering to be helpful? And you're being polite about it?"

Draco shrugged again. "Least I can do. You don't tell anyone I willingly helped you and I won't tell anyone you're a moron."

Harry stood up. "Malfoy, that's going too far."

Malfoy looked at him calmly, ignoring Harry's c lenched fists. "Truth hurts, does it Potter?"

"Sod off, Malfoy," Harry said furiously. Draco stood up and walked around Harry. Harry didn't move, afraid that if he did, he'd fly off the handle and hit Draco. Draco stooped and picked up the parchment Harry had been writing on.

"Strengthening Potion," he said indifferently. "The Strengthening potion can be used for many good and bad things," he read. "Really, Potter. Anyone knows that."

"I suppose you can do better?" Harry said challengingly.

Draco smirked at him, and then rattled off:

"The Strengthening potion is often used to keep people on the brink of death from dying. Although it does strengthen them enough to keep them living, it often takes them up to three times as long to heal as it would normally. Repeated uses of the potion can result in the drinker eventually becoming immune to it. In addition it gives the drinker a false sense of security--he feels that he can be hurt infinitely many times and not die if he has enough of the potion. Many people are not informed of the immunity that can be built up by using the potion and therefore end up dying by foolishly assuming that they are stronger than they really are. The potion is light gray in color and has no discernable taste. Side effects inc lude lack of sleep, hallucinations--" Harry cut him off.

"That's enough Malfoy. God, where did you learn that? That's not in any of the books I've read."

"Have you read any?" Draco asked innocently.

"Of course I've read some," Harry said defensively.

"Well it wouldn't do you any good," Draco said. "That stuff about building up immunities is a little known fact. I learned it from my father. He taught me everything. Without him, I'd be normal."

"Why would your father bother teaching it to you?" Harry asked. "It's not Dark Arts, is it?"

"Not everything that my father taught me is Dark Arts," Draco said, looking wounded. "But yes, that potion is a form of Dark Arts." Harry snorted. Draco continued, "Years ago Death Eaters thought it was amusing to kill people by slipping that potion into the drinks of prisoners of war- and then forcing them to fight against some kind of dangerous thing- a really powerful wizard, a deadly beast, etc. When the prisoner came out victorious he was kind of on a high, if you will- and he would fight over and over again, his blood constantly supplied with more potion by the Death Eaters. Eventually they died. There was really no point in it, except for the entertainment of the Death Eaters in charge of watching the prisoners. Naturally, several, thinking they were overly powerful tried to escape, which just gave the guards license to have more fun with them, Crucio and all."

Harry shook his head. "Death Eaters are twisted people," he commented with disgust. Draco stiffened, but said nothing, simply turning his head back to his work. Harry followed suit, and soon the room returned to its original silence, broken only by the sounds of scratching quills and turning pages.

*--^--*

"What are your parents like, anyway?" Harry asked out of the blue a few days later. "I mean, I know your father isn't the nicest of people--"

"My father is fine," Draco interrupted, glaring. "What makes you think he isn't?"

"Um- maybe the way he's treated me every time I've ever talked to him?" Harry countered sarcastically. "Scratch that," he said, thinking of the time Lucius Malfoy had been in Hagrid's cabin, "every time I see him, whether we interact or not. He's not exactly--nice, is he?"

Draco sat silently, not answering. "Maybe not," he said at last. "But he's all I've ever known, so what else could I want?"

Harry shrugged. "What about your mum? I wish I'd had a chance to know mine. What's yours like?"

Draco looked calculatingly at him. "She's a fine mum," he said finally. "She does what my father tells her and she's decent to me." Harry closed his mouth before he said something that might be hurtful.

He swallowed, and then ventured, "But does she--love you?"

"Love?" Draco said, almost as if he'd never thought of it before. "She's never said she does. She likes me well enough, I suppose," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "We get along fine."

Harry let the subject drop, but he couldn't help but feel that even as an orphan, he had had more parental love from his summer stays at the Weasleys' than Draco had had in his whole lifetime of living with both parents.

~*~

Ten days later, neither Harry nor Draco was dead, although several insults had been thrown and several punches had nearly been thrown at Draco's smug face. For the day, however, Harry had decided not to rise to the other boy's bait; instead he was looking forward to the Weasleys' arrival.

"What are you pacing around the room like that for?" Draco asked Harry rudely, about five minutes before the Weasleys were supposed to arrive via Floo into a private den Harry had reserved.

Harry glanced up at him. "I'm waiting for the Weasleys, genius. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm looking forward to them coming."

"Weasleys means Ron," Draco said, explaining his lack of enthusiasm. "And Ron means- well, never mind that."

"You just don't like him 'cause of that time he tried to beat you up every day for four years."

"Yeah, I'm irrational that way," Draco agreed.

"Come on," Harry said placatingly. "Ron's a good bloke."

"Are you kidding?"

"Yeah, it was a joke I made up," Harry said dryly.

"Just think," Draco said sarcastically. "only three days to go until terms starts, and all full of Weasleys and homework. Mix in a little rectal surgery and it'll be my best three days ever." If he had planned to say anything more it was cut short by the arrival of Fred and George Weasley, roughly elbowing each other out of the way in order to get into the room first.

"I stepped in first, so I should get out first!" Fred yelled childishly.

"Oh yeah? Well I was born first, so I should get out first!"

"Best for last!"

"Bollocks!" George hollered back, tumbling at Harry's feet, covered in soot. He looked up into the amused face of his younger brother's best friend. "Ah... Harry, so very nice to see you,"

"Absolutely spiffing," Fred said, jumping up and bowing low before Harry.

"Hello," Harry said, grinning. "Nice to see you lot too. Your lines don't change much," he informed them as Hermione came tumbling out of the fire.

"Harry!" she cried ecstatically, hugging him.

"Oh yes," Fred said. "May we introduce you to the newest member of our family- Miss Hermione Granger... She seems to spend more time at our house than her own. I wouldn't introduce her except that I'm not entirely sure you'll recognize her. George here sure didn't," he said, elbowing a flushed George in the ribs.

"That's enough, Fred," Hermione said, dusting off her Muggle jean shorts and t-shirt. She did indeed look a lot different than Harry was used to seeing her; her bushy brown hair was twisted in an intricate French braid that hung midway down her back. Her skin was browner than usual and her brown eyes seemed to have a gold tinge to them. Her figure had filled out quite impressively, Harry noticed, flushing as he wrenched his eyes away from her upper torso and long legs. Overall she was now one of the prettiest girls Harry knew. Apparently Draco thought so too.

"Damn," he said unbelievingly, loud enough for only Harry to hear. "A good looking Muggle. That sure as hell wasn't in the brochure."

Harry snorted with laughter. Despite the rudeness of all Draco's comments, Harry had to admit that they were amusing, and he had got to the point of even looking forward to the sarcastic entertainment they provided. Further thought was cut short as Ginny stepped out of the fireplace, looking none the worse for the trip.

"Whoa--" Harry said, his eyes bugging out of his head. All thoughts of Hermione flew out of his head as thoughts of Ginny took their place. She's gorgeous, was all Harry's befuddled mind could think of. She was, indeed, gorgeous. Her fiery hair had grown out to waist-length. She was shorter than Harry by about five inches, standing at about five foot five, and had very decidedly grown up. The girl looking back at him now wasn't blushing, nor did she seem likely to squeal and run out of the room if she ever walked in on him again. Wow, Harry thought inarticulately.

"Hello Harry," she said, smiling at him in a way that made his insides melt. Wait, he thought suddenly. What about Parvati..?

Sod Parvati, another part of him said firmly. Harry shook his head. He'd think about that later. "Hello Ginny," he managed to say somewhat breathily. Draco snorted softly in the background, but as Harry turned around to glower at him, it was made obvious that Draco, too, was under Ginny's charm as well as Harry. His eyes followed her as she turned to talk to Hermione and then as she turned expectantly towards the fireplace, where Ron and his parents came through in quick succession.

"Hey, Ron!" Harry said, happy to see his best friend again. Ron didn't answer, and the room went deadly quiet as he and the others caught sight of Draco, who had been standing back in the shadows, and had now stepped forward.

The silence continued for a few more seconds, and finally Draco, it seemed, had had enough.

"Is everyone here very stoned?" he said, breaking the ice. Ginny giggled, the twins guffawed, and even Hermione cracked a smile.

"Um, look," Harry said awkwardly. "You all know Draco Malfoy-" he nodded towards Arthur and Molly Weasley- "Well--he's staying in Diagon Alley too for awhile, and he and I have been uh- passing time together, so we wouldn't die of boredom."

"Um- Harry?" Ron said. "You do realize that this is the Malfoy we've hated for four years? The one with a Death Eater father?" Hermione rolled her eyes and Ginny smiled at Ron's bluntness.

Draco turned to Harry. "Help me out here," he appealed. "I don't speak Loser. What did he say?"

Harry groaned. Ron was taking this about as well as he had expected and Draco was not helping in the least.

"Stuff it, Malfoy," he said warningly. Draco shrugged, and Harry turned back to Ron.

"Look--" he searched around for the right words. "Just- trust me, all right? He's okay."

Ron stared at Draco and then nodded tightly.

"Yeah, fine," he said, letting them all know that he wasn't agreeing in the least. He brushed by Draco, roughly shoving him aside in his haste to exit. The others watched him go.

"Well!" Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully. "That went well, didn't it?"

*--^--*

"Everyone's stuff is in their rooms, right?" Harry asked later, over dessert. He looked up, hoping to see everything all right again, but the tense silence still hung over the entire group; apparently nobody had truly accepted Draco into the group yet, teenagers or adults.

Draco looked around, obviously feeling the tension in the room. "I'll just go up to my room, shall I?" he said smoothly. He was gone before anyone could say anything.

"Well! Harry dear, we're all so glad to see you doing well," Mrs. Weasley broke the silence. "I believe we should all head up for bed; we have a big day of shopping ahead of us. Must be well rested, you know!" She winked cheerily and a muted thump was heard by all.

"Oh! Right, Molly," Mr. Weasley said, wincing. "It's time for bed, all. Now no arguments," he said, giving Fred and George a Look. "What I say goes." Grumbling, the twins rose, preparing to head from the room. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley left, followed by their twin sons.

The four remaining stayed where they were, knowing they had unspoken permission to stay up and talk for awhile.

"So-" Hermione said, looking around. "Why don't we move over by the fire?" The other three agreed, standing up.

"Wait," Ginny exclaimed right before sitting down in the chair across from Harry. "I'm going to let Bell out. I'm sure she'd enjoy some freedom."

"Bell?" Harry asked curiously.

"Bluebell," Ron said disgustedly. "Of all names for a cat."

"I think it's cute," Hermione injected. She turned to Harry. "It's her new cat. She found it outside in the garden, playing with the bluebell flowers. The cat wouldn't leave, so she kept it-"

"-and named it Bluebell," Ginny finished, walking into the room again, this time holding a petite orange cat. She let it jump down and it immediately jumped up onto Ginny's end of the sofa that she was sharing with Hermione and curled up, purring comfortably.

"Bell!" Ginny complained. "You crazy thing, come down. That's my seat!" She picked the cat up and handed her to Harry while she situated herself in her now empty seat. Bell, undaunted by her change in position, settled down again, this time in Harry's lap.

"Friendly little thing, isn't she?" Harry commented to no one in particular.

"Extremely," Ginny nodded. "I've never seen her do anything the least bit mean. And she seems to love humans."

"Some animals are like that," Hermione said authoritatively. Harry shrugged, scratching the cat's chin. It lifted its head up, purring loudly.

"New subject," Ron declared. "Harry, what are you thinking, getting along with Malfoy?"

"I'm--curious to know what's going on too," Hermione said tactfully. Ginny nodded her agreement. Harry sighed.

"Look, I know it's hard for you to understand, but we just--get along for some reason. Kind of."

"Malfoy's trouble Harry!" Ron said furiously. "How can you just- accept him after all the crap he's put us through? And his father, don't even get me started on him..."

"Ron... He and I are a lot alike." Ron sputtered, but Harry went on, "We are. We were both raised in terrible atmospheres. The only thing is, he turned out bad and I turned out good."

"Oh!" Ron said brightly. "Well, if you put it that way. I guess that's easy enough to overlook."

"Okay, at this point you're abusing sarcasm," Harry said, frowning. "Look, I don't know how to explain it. He's just- different. You should get to know him."

Ron snorted. "Yeah, that's likely." Harry groaned inwardly.

Hermione must have sensed his mood. "Ron, has Harry ever steered you wrong?" she asked.

"Do you want me to answer that or shall I just glare?" Ron answered, not missing a beat.

"Okay," Hermione conceded. "Maybe there was that one time with Snape and Quirrell... And the thing with Tom Riddle--Oh, and the one with Sirius and Wormtail..." She trailed off as Harry glared at her. "Anyway," she hastened to add, "maybe he's right for once." Ginny giggled.

"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said dryly. "It's nice to know I can always count on you to boost my ego."

Hermione flushed. "I didn't mean it quite the way it sounded," she said, justifying herself. The other three grinned.

"Harry," Hermione said suddenly. "I forgot, you're a little behind on the news."

"What?" Harry asked, leaning forward in his chair.

"I was told, since I'm going to be a prefect, and Ron," Hermione said matter-of-factly. "Anyway, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has been chosen." Harry groaned and Ron smirked.

"Who knows," Hermione said, smiling and shrugging optimistically. "Maybe she'll stay for longer than a year this time."

"Right," Ron said sarcastically. "Remember Quirrell?"

"And Lockhart?" Harry added.

"And Lupin?"

"And Moody?"

"And--" Ron shook his head. "I seem to have run out of names."

"Anyway," Hermione said impatiently.

"Right," Harry said, snapping back to attention. Ginny giggled and he sent a mock glare her direction. "Did you say 'she'? It's a girl?"

"Well, I assume it will be a woman," Hermione corrected him, "But yes, it's a she."

"And she's from Mexico," Ginny added. "Way far away." She grinned.

"Mexico?" Harry asked. "So--she speaks Spanish?"

"Do we have to speak Spanish when we see her?" Ron asked worriedly, but looking as though he was hiding a grin, "'Cause I don't know anything much besides 'doritos' and 'Chihuahua.'"

"Doritos?" Harry asked. "How do you know about them?"

"Hermione corrupted me," Ron admitted, laughing at Hermione's red cheeks.

"Hush, Ron,' she said, swatting at him. "That's not corrupting you."

"Of course, Hermione," Harry teased her. "We all know you couldn't corrupt anyone if your life depended on it."

"Oh- you!" Hermione sat fuming in her chair, but laughed when Ron tickled her.

"Why is she from Mexico, anyway?" Harry asked. "Why not someone a little- closer to home?"

Hermione shrugged. "We know what we were told. That wasn't one of the things we were told. I'm assuming she's helping against Voldemort. She must be pretty high up, politically."

Harry nodded. "So what other news do I have yet to hear about?"

"Well-" Hermione said cautiously. "This is still pretty new and therefore confidential- but since it's you..."

"What?"

"Well, Dumbledore's set up a new thing this year. We're to be taught dueling--"
"Oh no," Harry moaned.

"By a certified, decent teacher, Hermione assured him, smiling.

"Lockhart was supposed to be certified and decent," Harry reminded her. "I've no reason to trust this person."

"You'd be surprised," Ron said mildly. "He's an Auror."

"An Auror?"
"Pretty much full time."

"Maybe the class won't be so bad after all," Harry mused.

"Oh, there's going to be a ball this year," Hermione said offhandedly.

"Ah- no," Harry groaned. "You can't be serious. Last year was bad enough."

"I'm serious," Hermione said, smiling at his expression. "Dumbledore said it'd be a good 'morale booster,' with all that's going on lately."

"I had the same reaction," Ron said, grimacing. "We males seem to have no say in what happens around Hogwarts. Females rule the roost and all that." Harry nodded in agreement.

"Anyway," Ginny said, cutting in on the subject. "How did your summer go, Harry?"

"Um-- great summer. I mean, as great as I can have with the Dursleys, of course." He shrugged.

"How did your job go?" Hermione asked interestedly.

"I enjoyed it. It wasn't exciting or anything, but it was fun. And I told you my boss's kids are Parvati and Padma, right?"

"Yeah," Ron said enthusiastically. "You said they were pretty wow-looking, didn't you?"

"Incredible," Harry agreed.

"And here we went to the ball with them and never even cared," Ron said wistfully. Neither he nor Harry noticed the frowns exchanged between Hermione and Ginny.

"Well," Hermione said, somewhat peevishly. "Ginny and I are going up to bed, if you don't mind."

Ron looked at her, surprised. "What's wrong, Hermione?" he asked.

"Nothing," she snapped as she and Ginny rose to leave. "If you two can't see what's staring you in the face then you don't need to be informed. Good night." Ginny nodded a goodnight to both of them and left.

Ron looked at Harry in bewilderment. "What'd we do?" he asked.

Harry shrugged.

~*~

"Wake up, Harry, Mum says we have to eat now and get our shopping done."

Harry rolled over in bed, half awake. "What--?" He wasn't used to having someone in his room, but he'd offered to let Ron stay with him, as otherwise he'd have to stay with Fred and George, which, Ron pointed out, would not do wonders for his sanity.

"Mum," Ron said impatiently. "She says we have to get our shopping done. Said it'll take a long time today or something. Dunno why we have to get up so early. Nearly the crack of dawn, it is."

"What time is it?"

"Nearly noon," Ron grinned.

Harry groaned and threw a pillow at his best friend. "What were you thinking, waking me up so early?" he said accusingly.

Ron dodged the pillow and laughed. "Get up, mate. You've slept long enough."

"Wonder if the girls are still angry at us," Harry said, pulling on his clothes.

Ron shrugged. "Probably, but they'll get over it. They're females, you'll never figure them out. I can't." Harry nodded in agreement. "What did Hermione mean though, 'what's staring us in our faces?'"

Harry shrugged. "I have absolutely no idea," he said fervently. "Girls never make sense."

"Too true," Ron empathized.

~*~

"Ready to go shopping?" Hermione asked as they came downstairs. Ron shot Harry a Look as if to say "See, I told you they'd get over it."

"Soon," Harry answered her. "I'm starving, myself."

"Well that's to be expected. It's nearly lunchtime. Tom set out some food for us in the dining room. Ginny and I had breakfast a few hours ago, but we're ready for lunch, so--" She shrugged. The four of them headed for the dining room.

"Ah, dessert!" George said gleefully as they walked in.

"Are you serious?" Ginny asked, arching an eyebrow. Harry smirked to himself. If anyone could handle the twins, it seemed, it was their little sister. Just like her mother, he thought. The two were a lot alike.

"Not you," Fred assured her. "I'm sure he was referring to Hermione. Although he was probably picturing her complete with the whipped cream and chocolate syrup." George turned bright red and Ron and Harry guffawed. Ginny was hard put to keep a straight face, and Hermione just looked enraged.

"Have some class," she snapped at Fred as she took a seat at the opposite end of the table. "And leave your poor brother alone. He didn't say anything about whipped cream and syrup--you came up with that. Get your mind out of the gutter." Fred's mouth opened soundlessly and Harry, Ron and Ginny collapsed into their chairs laughing helplessly. George looked gratefully at Hermione.

"Mm, looks good," Ron said, looking appreciatively at the plain but tasty-looking food before him.

"I fully agree," Harry said, tucking in.

"Ginny and I have to get new dress robes today," Hermione said a few minutes later, swallowing a drink of water. "I'm assuming you two need some? You've both shot up a ways."
"Naw," Ron said. "Fred and George got me some for some reason. No complaints though," he added quickly, looking down the table at his brothers. "They're very nice robes."

"I do," Harry said. "My old ones are seven, eight inches too short. I've grown six inches since the ball last year, give or take. And I'm not done yet, I'm assuming. I'd better get extra long ones so I don't outgrow them by the time the ball comes around this year." He stood up, the other three following suit, as they walked out of the room. They unconsciously fell into sets of two: Ron and Hermione, Harry and Ginny.

"My old ones still fit, but Fred and George decided to get me some new ones too- and they don't know much about girl clothes, so they just gave me the money," Ginny said. "I've grown a little but they were long last year. I think I've stopped now though, for the most part."
"I have a feeling I've stopped too," Hermione agreed. "Ron and Harry, however," she said, looking over at Harry, who stood over her five foot four frame at five foot ten and up at Ron beside her, who towered over her at nearly six feet already. "Ron and Harry will probably keep going. You two make me feel tiny," she directed at them, and they grinned somewhat guiltily.

"I've no problem with that," Ginny smiled. "Styles are tall, shoe-wise, Hermione... How bad can it be if we can wear tallest shoes we want and the boys are still taller than us? Personally," she concluded, "I like being a lot shorter than boys."

"I've nothing against you being short," Harry said, putting an arm around her shoulders and squeezing. She fit perfectly under his arm, and he wouldn't have minded walking that way for awhile, but looking at the scowl on Ron's face, he knew that wouldn't be a good idea. He dropped his arm, flushing at his forwardness and Ginny smiled up at him, eyes shining.

"All right, so dress robes first," Hermione decided, not noticing the previous tension. "Come on," she ordered, leading the way to...

"This isn't Madam Malkin's," Harry observed.

"Really," Hermione said dryly.

"It's Golden Opportunity," Ginny explained. "It's one of the nicest dress robe stores around. Madam Malkin's is fine for everyday stuff, but for dress robes..." She trailed off.

"They have the largest selection around," Hermione said happily.

Ron looked at her in alarm. "Hermione," he said, "You never care about how you look."

"Get lost Ron," she said, only half seriously. "I'm a girl, and all girls have a girly side to them. I'm not always studying, despite popular opinion." Ron grinned rather foolishly and didn't argue, following her and his sister into the store, leaving Harry to follow at his own pace. Harry hurried to catch up.

"We need dress robes for the Yule Ball at Hogwarts," Hermione said to the lady at the front counter. "Could you possibly--help us out, find some things that would look good on us? Neither of us have done too much of this before."

"I thought girly girls knew what looked good," Ron said fiendishly. Hermione shot him a Look and elbowed him in the ribs.

"Part of the fun of shopping for stuff like this is getting someone to wait on you. If you're going to make wisecracks, just-- get lost. No-" she changed her mind, "Come inside with us. Your opinions are going to be expected." Ron groaned and Harry joined him.

"Oh, hush," Ginny ordered. "You asked for it. Now come on, it won't be that bad."

"No," Ron whispered to Harry as they followed her to a bench outside the fitting rooms. "It'll be worse."

"I whole heartedly agree," Harry said, flopping on the bench and getting situated for a long afternoon of sitting.

Five minutes later, Ron was already complaining.

"This is so pointless!" he declared, not at all quietly.

"Oh Ron," Hermione said in a sing-song voice from the fitting rooms. "Ready to see the first one?"

Ron rolled his eyes at Harry. "Yes Hermione," he said, as though agreeing to killing himself. Harry allowed himself a slight smile, knowing full well that no matter how much both of them complained, they would both be thrown for a loop when they actually saw the girls.

"Good. I'm coming out, and I want an opinion. Scratch that- we're coming out." She and Ginny exited the fitting rooms, both walking over to the wall across from the bench the boys were seated on and looking at themselves in the full length mirrors found there.

"Well?" Ginny asked, shy for the first time since Harry had seen her this summer.

Harry moved his mouth, but couldn't seem to get any words out, and Ron seemed to be in the same predicament. He finally managed to get a word out.

"Wow," he said. Ron nodded from beside him, obviously not in control of his voice yet.

Harry knew that Ginny had grown quite beautiful over the summer, but this was just--wow. He'd never realized that she had so much--skin. She wasn't tan, like Hermione was; in fact she was a creamy white, with a smattering of freckles all over her back and arms and face. The robes she was wearing were cream colored, fairly high cut in front, and held up by a spaghetti strap halter. The back, however, was what had Harry floored; it wasn't there. From the spaghetti strap around her neck down to the waistline there wasn't anything covering the wide expanse of back that Harry suddenly wanted to feel. She blushed under his gaze and turned to Ron.

"So, Ron?" she asked. "What do you think?" Ron didn't answer, just nodded without even looking at her. He was still transfixed by Hermione, who seemed to be enjoying the attention. She was wearing bright red, streamlined robes that skimmed her body all the way down, although they weren't tight. They were held up by a strap that crossed her right shoulder diagonally; the strap also went across her back, cutting the expanse of browned skin into two parts- the shoulders and from mid back to her waist. The bottom touched the floor even with the tall black sandals she had on.

"Glad to know you approve," Hermione smirked and Ginny smiled at the comment.

"Are you sure--that those are actually robes?" Harry asked hesitantly. They looked like there was too much missing to be called 'robes.'

"Yes," Hermione said carelessly. "They're not actual robes, per se, but that's what they're called, since we're witches. Technically they're nothing more than a Muggle prom dress."

"Ah... Right."

An hour later Harry had lost his power of speech again and Ron had never regained his. As they walked out of the store the fresh air seemed to revive both of them and Harry turned to look at Hermione.

"Did you two find something you liked?" he asked, carefully not looking at Ginny, afraid that he would be reminded of her in that first dress...

"Yes." Hermione looked pleased.

"Which ones?"

"Oh, you haven't seen them yet. We didn't want you to see them before the ball."

"Why? Will we not like them?"

"Oh no," Ginny smirked at both of the boys. "I'm sure you'll like them." Ron flushed as Hermione caught his eye and grinned slyly.

"Erm--who wants ice cream?" Harry asked quickly. "My treat."

"Well well, look who's here," a familiar voice drawled as they walked into Florian's ice cream parlor.

"Malfoy," Harry nodded his acknowledgement. "Come to join us?" He could sense Ron stiffen from behind him but ignored it.

"Seeing as since you left without me this morning I'm guessing you'd rather I didn't," Draco answered.

"Don't be dumb, come sit with us," Ginny said cheerfully. Ron scowled, and Harry was surprised. As the four of them piled into a booth Ginny bumped his arm and he could feel how tense she actually was. Draco pulled a chair up to the end of the table.

"I've come to bug the hell out of you," he announced to Ron. Ron scowled, if possible, even more fiercely, but said nothing.

"Um- right," Hermione said, somewhat unsure of how to handle the situation.

"So," Ginny said before the silence got too ominous. "Who wants what?" Harry shot her a grateful look and she returned it with a small smile before turning to look at her menu.

"My thoughts exactly," said the waiter who was standing by their table. "What can I get for all of you?"

"Chocolate shake, please."

"Hot fudge sundae."

"Banana split."

"The super sundae."

"Vanilla ice cream and syrup," Draco told the man.

"What kind?" the waiter asked, pen poised.

"Vanilla, I just told you," Draco answered somewhat rudely.

"I meant what kind of syrup," the waiter said patiently.

"Syrups have kinds?"

"Duh, Malfoy," Ron said.

"Well who needs any flavor besides chocolate?" Draco said with a haughty look. "I've never needed anything else. Chocolate," he told the waiter, who left to fill their orders.

"So, um, Malfoy," Hermione said tentatively. "What are you doing in Diagon Alley this summer?" She didn't see Harry shaking his head until after she'd said it. Draco's reaction was much different than it had been previously, however.

"Business," he answered smoothly. "My father had some stuff to do and decided I could help him out. I decided to make a miniature holiday out of it. Although with the company I've had it hasn't exactly been restful."

"That was rude," Harry interrupted him.

Ron looked at Harry as if he'd gone crazy. "Since when has that stopped him?"

"Good point."

"What was rude?" Draco asked innocently. "Don't jump to conclusions, Potter."

"I didn't jump to conclusions. I took a small step, and conclusions there were," Harry retorted.

Draco shrugged. "Your prerogative."

"Draco, be nice," Ginny said. Harry was surprised at how self-confident she was now. She wasn't at all afraid to stand up for what was right.

"I don't play well with others," Draco answered, eating a spoonful of ice cream. "Surely you've noticed that by now."

"You get along fine with Crabbe and Goyle," Harry pointed out.

"A very acute observation," Draco agreed. "Now stand still while I hit you." Ginny snorted with laughter. Draco glanced at her, then continued, "Those two idiots happen to have parents that are friends of my father. Unfortunately. It has nothing to do with whether I get along with them or not. It's my job to get along with them." No one was quite sure what they should say to that, so no one said anything.

"We still have to get all of our school stuff," Hermione said, standing up and wiping her mouth with her napkin. "Mrs. Weasley asked us to hurry and it's already four and we've got dress robes and ice cream. We're behind, just a little."

"All right." Harry stood to pay the bill and the rest of them collected their packages and cloaks. "Where to first?" he asked.

"Flourish and Blotts," Hermione said instantly. "Books first." Ron followed her out the door, as did Ginny.

"You coming, Malfoy?" Harry asked.

Draco looked askance at him. "Are you serious, Potter? They hate me, there's no reason for me to go."

Harry sighed. "Look, Malfoy. Try to understand. You've been trash to them the whole time they've known you. Granted they weren't nice to you, but you definitely instigated it. Ron's not thrilled with you, I'll give you that, but Ginny's fine, and Hermione is wary, but she'll accept you if you give her a reason to. Just--be decent. You'll win them over eventually." Draco said nothing, but he nodded.

"And--" Harry added, "I have a feeling that you wouldn't know what to do if Ron accepted you anyway. You enjoy bugging him." Draco grinned, a real grin, and Harry returned it. It was once in awhile, at times like these, that he felt hope that maybe the other boy could turn out good after all.

~*~

"Did everyone get absolutely everything they need?" Mrs. Weasley asked concernedly later that night after dessert.

"Yes Mum," Fred and George chorused.

"And how much that you don't need?" Mrs. Weasley asked suspiciously.

"Um--"

"Never mind, I don't want to know. Harry, Hermione dears, you got everything you need...?"

"Yes Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said, smiling reassuringly at the older woman. "We're all set. I made sure. Even Draco has his things. We all went shopping together."

Mrs. Weasley turned to Draco, who was sitting in a chair a bit apart from the rest of the group which was gathered around the huge fire. "Draco- it's all right if I call you that?" At Draco's nod, she continued, "Come closer to the fire dear, it's so hard to talk to you all the way over there." Draco looked startled but obediently scooted his chair over to the spot in the circle it had originally come from, between the couch Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were sharing and the chair Harry was sitting in.

They all sat companionably, discussing their day and their purchases. Ginny and Hermione were getting a little giggly with Mrs. Weasley about the robes they had purchased and still neglected to describe to Ron and Harry.

Ron, Harry and Draco had got into a heated argument over which Quidditch team was better, the Chudley Cannons, or Draco's apparent favorite, the Kestrels. Ron had forgotten his inhibitions about the other boy for the time being. Quidditch, Harry mused, was probably the only thing that could have accomplished such a feat. The two sat comfortably in their chairs arguing quite loudly. Added to the laughter from the females and the conspiracies of Fred and George, the noise level continued to rise.

Mr. Weasley finally cleared his throat. "If we could have a little quiet," he requested. Everyone quieted down almost immediately. "Thank you," he said, smiling calmly at them all. "It's quite late," he continued, looking at the clock on the wall, that declared the time to be nearly midnight, "and we all have to get up fairly early tomorrow. The Ministry is providing cars for us, for those of you who don't already know, and we'll be leaving at around eight. The train leaves earlier this year, due to security measures."

Mrs. Weasley stood up. "Off to bed dears," she told them all. "That means all of you tonight," she said, glancing at the four who had stayed up the previous night. All of them stood up and made to exit the room.

"Oh- you'll be riding with us tomorrow, of course, right Draco?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I- I guess so," Draco said, caught off guard.

"All right then," Mr. Weasley said, clapping him on the shoulder as he turned to leave.

"Goodnight," Mrs. Weasley told each of them in turn, hugging each of them as they walked by.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, quite enjoying the motherly hug and the feeling of family around him. As he turned to leave the room he noticed Mrs. Weasley looking thoughtfully at Draco, and then giving him a quick hug too. Draco looked as though he wasn't quite sure what to make of it, although he did eventually loosen up and allow himself to be folded in.

He and Harry walked together up to their rooms, saying nothing. Harry could tell that the hug had deeply affected the other boy, even if Draco wasn't yet aware of it. He hadn't, Harry supposed, ever been subjected to the real love of a mother; another similarity between them.

"Harry," he said, looking as though he didn't want to continue but didn't know how to stop. "I don't know how to say this, but--"

"But what?'

"What--what was that? I mean, they're the Weasleys. Our families have been enemies forever. Why are they accepting me like this?"

Harry shrugged. "Maybe they've been your enemies. You haven't been their enemy, as far as I know. Granted, none of their kids like you, but you haven't really done anything to help that along until now. As for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley- they're some of the best people I've ever met in my life and I'm proud to know them. They don't hold grudges and they won't hate you just because you're a Malfoy."

Draco nodded, as though contemplating what Harry had just said.

"Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, Malfoy," Harry advised him. "Let yourself enjoy it and maybe you can turn into someone you can be proud of."

He entered his room and left Draco standing in the hall, at loss for words.