Under the New Moon

Chapter 9

The Glass Elephant

A lone bird chirped outside a window. It woke one of the inhabitants behind the window, though the other slept on. Earlier there had been many birds, but that was at dawn, and by noon, the birds had better things to do.

Draco had nothing better to do, and indeed, could not imagine doing anything better than waking up next to Harry Potter. Unless he was doing with Harry what they had done the night before, that is.

He wrapped his arm around Harry and kissed him softly on the neck. The bed was warm and Harry was warmer and the world could pass merrily by.

Harry stirred and blinked one eye open. "Merlin," he said and closed his eye again.

Draco smiled. "Good morning to you, too," he said and kissed Harry's neck again.

"Ugh," said Harry. "What time is it?"

Draco glanced at the clock on the wall. "Half past noon."

"I knew it was some horrid hour of the morning," Harry replied, shifting his arm out from under Draco.

"It's afternoon," Draco said, still smiling.

Harry opened an eye again and lifted his head to look at Draco. "You know what I meant."

Draco stuck out his tongue. Harry stuck his out, too, and Draco laughed at the image that made.

Harry grinned and let his head fall back again. "I. Am. Hungover," he declared.

"You can't be," Draco said. "The Pink Elephants have no long lasting side effects."

"I was drinking, too."

"So was I," Draco said haughtily, "but I was well-bred and can thus handle my liquor."

There was a pause.

"Oh for -- that wasn't a slight at your parents, Potter -- I say that to Pansy, too," Draco amended.

There was another pause.

"Are you asleep?" he asked, incredulous.

Harry snorted and shook himself. "Ok, maybe not as hungover as I thought."

Draco shook his head. "You're unbelievable."

Harry quirked an eyebrow. "Do you always wake up in such a good mood?" he asked.

Draco smiled warmly. "I guess you'll just have to find out," he said, and kissed Harry on the lips.

Harry responded for about five seconds, then he pulled away. "I need some food. Are you hungry?" he asked.

"I always like a bit of protein in the morning," Draco told him with a meaningful look at Harry's crotch.

Harry laughed, but rolled away to the side of the bed. "I'm going to shower, and then we can go get breakfast." He glanced back at Draco. "My treat," he added with a wink.

Draco took Harry's hand and pulled him back down. "Stay here," he said.

Harry looked puzzled. "In bed?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Because I want to go shower."

Draco frowned. "Five minutes," he said.

Harry sighed. "If you insist, darling."

Draco smiled and rested his head against Harry's chest. He played idly with the hair on Harry's navel, and felt Harry trail his fingers lightly down Draco's back.

Then at the same time Harry said, "Time's up", Draco said, "I love you".

"What?" was also said in unison.

Draco pulled back and looked at Harry. He was watching Draco with a strange expression. They held eye contact in silence another moment before Harry shifted away and sat on the side of the bed.

"I'm going to go shower," he said, not looking at Draco.

Draco sat stunned. "What?" he said again.

"Shower. You know, with water?" Harry said, standing up and looking at the clothes on the ground. He picked up Draco's shirt and tossed it at him. "I'll be quick. I promise."

Draco caught his shirt and managed to close his mouth. "Did you not hear me?" he said slowly.

Harry had draped his own clothes over his arm and was standing in the doorway to the washroom. "Huh?" he asked. "Oh ... yeah, sure I did."

Draco's mouth was open again.

Harry smiled. "I was thinking we could go play Quidditch today since we haven't been flying in a while. Sound good?"

"You--" Draco said, but Harry was checking in the washroom for towels.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Draco said, not sure where the beautiful morning had gone. It wasn't really morning anyway.

"I wonder what everyone else got up to last night," Harry was saying over the sound of the flowing water. "I bet they're still sleeping. Lucky bastards."

Draco looked at the shirt Harry threw him. It was white and made of silk. He had owned it since the beginning of the year, and it was in the room with him now. It wasn't last night, so maybe anything that was present last night was gone now. Draco's mother once said that Pink Elephants weren't good for you. Draco was about thirteen. Draco's father had laughed at this and made some disparaging remark about Muggle drugs.

On another occasion, Draco's mother had made a comment about Glass Elephants. Draco was fourteen. She had said that they should buy one, because a Glass Elephants is what you buy when you have more than you know what to do with. Draco's father had gotten angry and bought the three Muggle cars anyway. Then he and his father had sat in one of them and tried Pink Elephants. Draco's father had been smiling and they drove to the coast that day. His father said that Glass Elephants weren't real, because no one ever had more than what they knew what to do with.

The next day they went to the Quidditch World Cup and Draco had never been so scared before. He couldn't find his father and his mother had left right after the game. Draco remembered thinking that Pink Elephants were like Glass Elephants, because the coast and the waves and the breeze and his father smiling couldn't have been real. Not here in the woods with the Mudbloods screaming and the wind howling and his blood pounding in his ears.

Worlds had passed since then and Draco had forgotten. All he remembered when Blaise mentioned the Elephants was his father's smile. Now that he thought about it, when he explained about the party, Blaise had said "Glass" instead of "Pink", and Draco was in the woods again.

"But your spells have run their course..." Harry sang from the shower.

Draco blinked back tears and pulled on his clothes.

"You always do this baby..."

The door slammed as Draco walked out.

***

Sirius stared down at the stone.

Nymphadora Tonks

Beloved Friend, Daughter, and Hero

1973 - 1998

"She was so young," Remus said again.

Sirius glanced at him. "We all die young," he said. "A few of us just die old, too."

"I feel like I've been dead forever, Sirius."

"I feel like James is somehow more alive than people I see everyday."

"I thought I had died when I heard you killed James and Lily."

"I thought I had died when we thought you were the traitor."

"I felt like I had died when you went through that veil."

Sirius nodded solemnly and looked over at Remus again. Remus looked up and met his eyes.

He made a strange noise and Sirius raised an eyebrow.

They burst out laughing.

Sirius threw back his head and laughed deeply. Remus clapped his shoulder and tears streamed from his eyes. They laughed and laughed until someone cleared their throat behind them.

Andromeda and Ted Tonks were standing behind them holding a bouquet of brilliantly pink and purple flowers.

They stopped laughing abruptly.

"We, er..." Sirius said.

"What," Andromeda said slowly "the hell are you doing here?"

Remus remained frozen in shock.

Sirius took this opportunity to place the blue and pinks flowers they had brought on the grave. "We were just leaving," he said quickly and grabbed Remus's arm.

Remus didn't move.

"Moony," he whispered urgently. "We need to leave now."

"I didn't kill her," Remus said in a strange voice -- high, but oddly forceful.

"Get out of here," Andromeda said.

"No."

Sirius blinked in amazement. Remus was glaring at Andromeda and was looking as though the full moon was upon them.

"You were supposed to be looking after her, werewolf, and you have the gall to come here? On my daughter's birthday, and remain in my presence?!" she shrieked.

Sirius was suddenly and forcibly reminded of Bellatrix. His lip curled.

"How dare you speak to him that way," Sirius spat.

Andromeda spared him a glare. "Weren't you dead?" she said coldly. "God, you're looking more like Bellatrix every day, Sirius."

"At least I'm not acting like her," he returned.

"Get out of here," she said in a deadly voice.

"No," Remus said again. "I loved her, and I will honour her memory every day until I join her in the next life. I am sorry for your loss, Mrs. and Mr. Tonks, but my relationship with your daughter had nothing to do with you, and so you will not dictate the terms in which I can visit her grave in this public cemetery."

Andromeda was holding something in her robes.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have something I would like to say to Nymphadora."

Sirius watched in fascination as Remus turned his back to the angry woman with the wand and knelt in front of the grave.

"Hey, beautiful," he said softly, clearly no longer noticing the seething flame that was Andromeda Tonks. "You said you will see me when this was over, and you had to die, didn't you? I think it was the only promise you ever made to me that you broke."

Sirius watched as Andromeda moved closer. He took out his wand and held it at his side, pointed at the ground, but narrowed his eyes at his cousin.

"And you were so good to me, so good ... that I'm going to help you keep your promise." Remus took a shuddering breath. "It's not over quite yet," he continued. "I know I've been living dead, but I'm still alive. I am. And it's not over yet. It's not over--" he broke off with a choked sob.

Sirius placed his other hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I'll see you when this is over," Remus whispered. "But not just yet. Sleep well, baby."

Sirius waited as Remus cried softly. Andromeda was having a hushed conversation with her husband who seemed to be trying to calm her down.

Eventually Remus stood. "Happy birthday, my love," he said in a steady voice.

Sirius hugged him tightly and Disapparated them both to Hogsmeade.

Remus stepped back and looked at him.

"Thank you," Remus said.

Sirius smiled. "Anytime."

***

Draco had worked up a temper on the walk back to the school, so when he entered the Slytherin common room to find Blaise lying on a sofa with his head in Pansy's lap, his voice didn't sound quite like he meant it to.

"What's with you?" he snarled.

Blaise sat up. "I hate that bitch Bulstrode," he spat. "What's with you?"

"I hate that arsehole Potter," Draco returned.

"Let's go kill something," Blaise said fiercely.

"We could go for a fucking fly," Draco suggested sardonically.

"Over the forbidden forest," Blaise agreed angrily.

"Yeah!"

Pansy stood up. "Boys, boys, just sit down," she said.

They paid her no attention.

"And we can throw things from the air," Blaise said.

"At the giant spiders!"

"Let's go!"

Blaise and Draco marched down angrily to the Quidditch shed, pulled out school brooms because Draco refused to fly the gift from Harry, and launched into the air, swearing at everything they could see and shooting Stunners into the air.

So by the time they had reached the air over the forest, they were placated to the point of depression.

"I am so sad, Draco," Blaise admitted.

"Not as sad as I, my friend," Draco replied.

"Woe is us."

"Woe," he agreed.

They flew on for another minute.

"I think we need a drink," said Blaise carefully.

"I concur. Shall we go immediately?"

"Immediately, yes."

And they dashed back to their shared bedroom to their stash of Venus Tequila before they actually turned into women and destroyed their friendship by never being able to look the other in the eye.

Pansy joined them after the first three shots and produced another shot glass. They shot three more.

"So what's your problem?" asked Draco.

Pansy snorted.

Blaise tossed a lime at her.

"Blaise slept with Millicent Bulstrode."

"I did not!"

"Then how come she said she had to kick you out of her room this morning?" Pansy asked.

Draco laughed. "Oh, this is priceless."

Blaise tossed his head in Draco's direction. "Up yours, little one. I merely saw that she made it home last night like a gentleman."

"And stayed the night?" asked Pansy.

"She was drunk. It was simply a gentleman's duty to see that she was fine."

"Yeah, and you were so refined last night when you were snogging her on the dance floor," Pansy said sarcastically.

"So I was drunk, too."

Draco snorted with laughter.

Blaise knocked back another shot and grabbed a lime. He spat it at Draco. "What's your story, then?"

Draco reached for the bottle. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Oh, yeah, right." Blaise grabbed the bottle from his hand. "You're telling yours. I saw you and Harry dancing. He finally put out, then?"

Pansy's smile was one of delight. "He's gay, then?"

Draco grabbed the bottle back. "In a manner of speaking," he said, and took another shot. "He pulled me off and I gave him a blow job."

Pansy and Blaise gaped at him.

"What?" asked Draco, annoyed. "You seemed to know anyway. Why are you surprised."

They exchanged looks. "Our little Draco?" Pansy squeaked.

"All grown up and fooling around with heroic saviours?" Blaise said. "Why Pansy, I might just cry."

"Oh sod off, you two," Draco grumbled. "It didn't end very well."

Blaise's face contorted in a most unsightly manner. "You mean he couldn't--"

"No," Draco said quickly. "God no, nothing like that. It was just ... this morning..."

Pansy nodded wisely. "I'm so sorry, Draco."

Blaise tilted his head to one side. "Maybe not," he said thoughtfully.

"Maybe not what?" Draco asked, not really caring. His head was starting to spin.

"Maybe not Harry doesn't like you."

There was a pause.

"What?"

Pansy pointed at Draco. "No, no, it worked. But why do you say that Blaise?"

"'Cause he obviously does!"

There was another pause.

"Not that that matters if he's being an arsehole," Blaise amended. "Fuck love!" He raised a glass and downed it.

"Yeah, that's what Harry thought," said Draco while Pansy looked at Blaise strangely.

Blaise snorted.

"I'm done with him," Draco announced. "I don't need his crip."

"His crip," Pansy repeated dryly.

Blaise leaned forward conspiratorially. "Good for you, Draco," he said and raised a shot glass.

Draco clinked it with his and they shot it only to discover they had run out of limes.

Pansy giggled.

Greg and Vince walked into the room as Draco and Blaise were considering two previously used limes.

"Hey," said Pansy.

"Are you guys drinking on a Sunday afternoon?" Greg asked.

Blaise looked slightly past him. "So? Is there a better time to be drinking?"

Greg shrugged. "Maybe anytime when your NEWTs don't start tomorrow?" he suggested.

Vince looked amused, but Draco and Blaise groaned with feeling.

"Oh, hate," said Blaise with feeling.

"Woe," Draco noted.

"Greg, that's just cruel," Vince said.

The boys looked up hopefully.

"Exams start on Thursday," Pansy said slowly.

Eventually Vince found the shoes he had come to get. "The exams start on Thursday, but I would thinking shagging Potter and Bulstrode would have spent you two entirely."

Draco's mouth dropped open. "Does everyone know?"

"Everyone who counts," Greg said.

"So all of Slytherin," Vince continued, "Ravenclaw, McGonagall, the Prophet, and some of the Hufflepuffs."

Pansy, Draco and Blaise all made derisive noises at the last word.

"Like they count," said Blaise.

"Who needs them?" said Draco.

"I think we need more limes," said Pansy.

***

Narcissa walked through the halls of the manor towards the front entrance.

"Good evening, Narcissa."

She smiled. "Severus. I didn't know you you coming. Can you stay long?"

"Minerva is holding a staff meeting this evening, but I have always been of the opinion that Sunday afternoons should be for relaxing," Snape said in as light a voice as it was possible for him to use.

"In that case I won't worry you with anything," Narcissa said and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Snape pulled away and looked at her. "Something is the matter," he said.

"No, not really," she said.

"What is it?" he asked. "If we are to share a life, you can share your concerns with me."

"Lucius wrote asking to see Draco."

"Ah."

"I haven't responded yet."

"Draco doesn't start exams until Thursday and the seventh year students have been given the next three days off to prepare," Snape told her. "Perhaps he could go then."

"You actually think he should go?"

"He is the boy's father, and you know how highly Draco thinks of him. Perhaps it would help with his own worries."

"What's wrong with Draco?" Narcissa demanded.

Snape forced a smile. "The Potter spawn, I imagine," he said.

Narcissa put her hands on her hips. "Harry," she said firmly. "And what's the matter?"

"Harry," Snape managed to say. "And I don't know. But I was in the Slytherin common room just moments ago, and Draco and Blaise Zabini seemed very angry. They left with the intention of throwing things at the spiders in the forest."

Narcissa blinked. "Sirius used to do that."

"Don't remind me."

Narcissa took a breath. "I can only hope that Draco works it out. At this stage in my son's life I know I do not have the power I once did. He is going to have to deal with Harry by himself."

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"And if he gets hurt, I will hunt down Harry Potter and poison him with a broom," Narcissa finished.

Snape gave a genuine smile. "Now see? That's what I love about you."

***

Draco was walking into the Great Hall for breakfast with Blaise on Monday morning when Harry called his name from the Gryffindor table.

"Don't pay any attention to him," Blaise said in his ear. "Be strong. Keep it together."

Draco nodded.

"Morning Harry," Blaise called.

Draco looked scandalised. "What are you doing?" he demanded.

Blaise was unapologetic. "We're friends," he said. "And there's no need to shout; the tequila still is."

Draco rolled his eyes and walked over to the Slytherin table.

"Hey guys," Harry said cheerily. "Where did you disappear to yesterday, Draco?"

Draco sat down and ignored him.

Harry was silent for a moment. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Not a thing, Potter," Draco answered evenly. "Though I am trying to eat, if you would be so kind as to leave me..."

"Draco?" Harry asked, confused.

Draco stood up and whirled around. "You are not to address me that way anymore, if you know what's good for you, Potter."

Harry looked stunned, which made Draco despise him even more. The bastard really didn't have a clue as to what was wrong.

"If this is about your sock I accidentally took..."

"GO AWAY!" Draco half screamed, half shouted.

Harry took a step back. "Yeah. Fine," he said, looking bewildered. "I'm gone."

Draco realised he was breathing heavily and forced himself to sit back down.

"Way to keep it together," Blaise muttered, but looked at him worriedly.

The owls flew in before Draco could make up his mind about eating or not. There was a note from his mother.

Your father wants to see you. I am going to Azkaban tomorrow to visit your aunt. We could go together if you wish.

-- Narcissa Black

"What is it, little one?" Blaise asked tentatively.

"Stampede."

***

"I'm sorry, what did you say, Hermione?"

Hermione sighed and put down her book. "Never mind, I'm going to the library. I'll see you at lunch," she said heavily and left.

Ron reached over Harry's feet and grabbed another chocolate frog out of their communal bag. They had planned to spend the day studying, but the plan worked better in theory.

"Was she saying something important?" Harry asked him.

Ron looked at him pointedly. "It's NEWTs season, so anything she says is probably important, mate."

Harry leaned his head back against the chair and contemplated the ceiling. "Oh," he said.

Ron pushed himself off the floor and looked Harry in the eye. "Why don't you just go talk to him?" he said.

"Talk to who?" Harry asked, startled.

"Who do you think?" Ron said.

"Hagrid?"

"Don't be thick. I'm talking about Malfoy."

Harry forced a laugh. "Why would I talk to him?" he asked lightly.

"Because he's your boyfriend and he's obviously angry with you about something," Ron said flatly.

"He is not my boyfriend!" exclaimed Harry.

Ron threw down his quill and stood up. "I am so sick of being kept in the dark, Harry! Everyone practically knows anyway, but you never told me! Why can't you share that with your best friend? Or do I not have that position anymore?"

Harry's mouth dropped open. "Everyone knows?" he asked quietly.

Ron made a noise of exasperation. "Forget it. You missed the point."

"Wait!" called Harry.

Ron paused halfway across the common room.

"Ok, he is my boyfriend. Or, was. I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Harry said.

"Yeah," said Ron. "I'm sorry, too."

"It wasn't serious or anything," continued Harry. "I didn't think it was worth mentioning."

Ron turned and took a few steps closer. "No, how could it have been serious?" he asked softly.

Harry wasn't sure what to make of this. "What do you mean?"

Ron gave him a You Are An Idiot Look and sat back down beside him. "He screams at you at breakfast this morning after you two spent Saturday night getting comfortable on the dance floor together, and you're telling me it wasn't serious? Well, now I know why he must have been delivering a Howler in person for."

"It ... he ... I thought it was about having fun," Harry said softly.

"And were you?" asked Ron.

"Yeah," said Harry.

Ron exhaled through his nose. "You know," he said finally, "I'm really not so great at relationship advice."

"No," said Harry. "You are great."

Ron laughed once. "Yeah," he said.

"I didn't think you'd be so good with me and Draco."

Ron shrugged. "I don't mind, really, but it's not my call to make anyway. He's your boyfriend."

Harry shook his head and laughed. "I was sure you'd be furious."

"After everything?" asked Ron. "Harry, mate," he said heavily, "I just don't have the energy."

Harry smiled.

"Now pass me another frog and go to the dungeons and apologise for whatever it is you did," Ron said.

"He said he loved me."

Ron choked. "Oh Merlin."

Harry said nothing.

"Then go to the dungeons and tell him you lo-- tell him you--" Ron stopped. "You know."

"But I don't."

"That's not what I said."

"You think I should lie to him."

Ron looked uncomfortable. "Well, no. Honestly, I'm not sure what to do. But I think you should still try talking to him."

Harry nodded in agreement. "Probably," he said, and stood up. He was almost at the exit when Ron called back to him.

"And Harry?"

Harry turned and Ron looked over at him.

"Just tell me next time."

Harry smiled. "I will."

***

Draco Malfoy was walking past the security checkpoint in Azkaban when Harry showed up at the Slytherin common room. Harry had no plan, and wouldn't have said anything to help the situation, so it was probably for the best that Draco was in prison instead.

Prison.

From the amount of pornographic magazines that Blaise had in which the stories were set in prison, Draco had foolishly thought for an instant that it might not be the worst place on earth.

It was. For starters, the mating grounds of angry and treacherous water demons surrounded the tiny island. Secondly, the gloom could almost be touched. Draco was sure he would have to wash the despair out of his hair when he returned to Hogwarts. If he returned at all.

"Keep up, Draco," Narcissa hissed urgently at him.

They rounded a corner and came to a stop by the last cell on the row.

"You have one hour," said the guard.

Draco looked into the cell. A figure stood near the back in the shadows, but stood tall.

"Draco." The one word was all he needed to hear to tell him who it was.

He cleared his throat. "Hello, Father."

Lucius took a step forward into the light. Draco was surprised; he looked thinner, but not decrepit and his father still retained some of his noble grace.

Lucius's eyes fell on Narcissa. His upper lip curled for an instant before his face was a mask of indifference again.

"Narcissa," he said smoothly. "How are you?"

"I am well, Lucius," she said. "And yourself?"

"I've seen better days," he said evenly. "But then again, I've seen worse."

Narcissa stepped closer to the bars. "Is there anything you need?"

"Would a conjugal visit be out of the question?" Lucius asked lightly. "Oh, that's right, I no longer have a wife. How about a wedding invitation, then? I'm sure I could squeeze it into my August if I moved back the trip to Hong Kong."

Narcissa stared.

Lucius smiled at her. "Don't patronise me. There is nothing from you I need. So if you'll excuse us, I would like to speak with my son."

Narcissa lifted her nose into the air and swept back down the corridor without saying another word.

Lucius turned to Draco. "You are going to the wedding, I take it?" he asked pleasantly.

Draco nodded.

"I suppose after living with Severus during the war, you've grown close. Would you say he is like a father to you?" Lucius asked, his voice still light.

"No, Father," Draco said. "The man is my professor and nothing more."

Lucius smiled a slow, liquid smile. "You are lying, Draco."

"I--" Draco began.

Lucius held up a hand to stop him. "Don't bother, Draco. I can tell when you're lying; you were never very good at it. You show your emotions too easily."

"I'm sorry, Father."

"You were never very good at many things, Draco, and for a while I must admit I had thought I had failed as a father," Lucius said conversationally.

Draco stared at the floor.

"But you surprised me, Draco, and I must admit I was pleased with your accomplishment," Lucius continued. "Do you know of what I am speaking?"

"I do not, Father."

Lucius gazed at him appraisingly. "You chose the winning side," he said. "After all I had tried to instill in you about the purity of blood and the power of the Dark Lord, you fought against my words and ended up on top."

Draco was stunned.

"And for that," Lucius continued, "I am proud of you."

"But ... I'm a traitor!" Draco exclaimed.

Lucius waved a hand. "Don't worry yourself with that. As long as you end up victorious, nothing else matters. It was a war, Draco. We all needed to fight. We all needed to fight for ourselves."

"Did you fight for yourself?" Draco asked.

"Certainly," his father replied. "Had we won, the Dark Lord would have made me second in command and we could have had anything we wanted."

"But ... we could have had anything we wanted," Draco said softly.

"How do you mean?" Lucius asked.

"We were rich and powerful and people feared you. What else was there? You had it all, and you had to go buy the stupid glass elephant!" Draco yelled. "And now you're here, and Mother's getting married, and the Slytherins hate me, and everything is wrong!"

There was a deadened silence in their corner of the prison. Lucius's face was half concealed by shadow again.

"Everything," he said eventually, "is not wrong if you are standing on the right side of these bars."

"I wish you were standing with me," Draco said with a hitch in his voice. He hated himself for sounding so pathetic.

"But I'm not," Lucius said sternly. "Only you are, and that is the only thing that matters. Forget the Slytherins and forget me and forget anyone who would hold you back. Help yourself, because no one else will ever save you."

Draco paused. "Did you know that Harry Potter saved me?"

Lucius laughed.

"He did once," Draco insisted. "I was going to be sent to prison, but he testified for me in court."

"Isn't irony beautiful?" Lucius said.

"Not really," Draco replied.

"Yes ... I know."

They stared at each other.

"Be well, Draco," his father said. There was a tender look in his eyes, and Draco could almost see him that day on the coast when he rolled the Ferrari into the sea and laughed on the wind.

"You too, Father."

Later that night, when he returned, Pansy told him that Harry was looking for him. He remembered his father's words about helping only yourself and decided that he couldn't do that. He still needed to finish the Professors Black and Lupin plan. However, he knew that talking to Harry wasn't what he had to do. Sometimes you need to save yourself, and right now, Draco needed saving from Harry. He went to sleep.

***

Two figures sat in the far corner of The Three Broomsticks clutching butterbeers and looking anxious.

"Is it possible the spell didn't work?" the first asked.

"Of course not, I checked it three times," said the second irritably.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, and besides, look at all that's happened. How could it not have worked?"

"So much magic in the air..."

"What's that supposed to mean?" the second figure snapped.

"I'm just worried, that's all. There's a blue moon in two weeks."

"You're being paranoid."

"And what if something happens?"

"Something could happen any day, remember? It doesn't have to be a full moon for another war to break out. Look at the fight that the Ravenclaws had today. Ravenclaws never fight."

"Draco and Blaise broke it up."

"I heard."

There was a pause.

The first figure took a sip of its drink. "Repulsive."

"Of course."

"What should we do?"

"What can we do?"

"Harry needs to get it together."

"I know."

"They were so good together. They didn't even know how good. Draco used to talk about The Glass Elephant. He said it was what you get when you had more than what you know what to do with. Then he laughed and said it doesn't exist because nobody had more than what they know what to do with."

"What are you getting at?"

"Has Potter found a place to put it yet?" the first asked coldly.

There was a silence. The second figure took another sip of butterbeer.

"He'll come around," it said.

"And what if he doesn't?"

"Er..."

"What if he doesn't see all that he has with Draco and loses him? Then what hope will we have?"

The second figure laughed bitterly. "Hey," it said. "We'll always have the blue moon."