Falling For The Enemy

~Falling For The Enemy~

Chapter One: A Strange Encounter

Finally, after a long unbearable summer with the Dursleys, Harry Potter entered King's Cross Station, longing for the moment when he would leave his relatives and be reunited with his best friends again. Though over the holidays he received many long letters from both Hermione and Ron, he still felt alone in the Dursley's house.

Harry found himself outside more often then in, seeing no point in making trouble for his uncle and aunt. He did this for a simple reason; if he caused any trouble he would be the only one to suffer the consequences. Past experiences, like not being able to have dinner for a week, or having to be locked up in the cupboard for a day, left Harry feeling no need to stir up trouble. Harry knew quite well that his overlarge uncle enjoyed punishing him and Harry swore to himself that he would not give him that satisfaction.

He would have loved to stay with the Weasleys at the Burrow, but Dumbledore said that he had to stay with the Dursleys. He didn't bother to argue, arguing with Dumbledore never worked. Harry knew that Dumbledore was a wise man, and if he thought that Harry staying with the Dursleys was a good idea, then that's what he would do.

Once saying a speedy goodbye to the three people that he was supposedly related to, Harry entered platform 9 ¾. The Hogwarts Express made Harry smile. He probably looked silly standing there smiling like that, but he really didn't care. He had been longing for this moment all holidays. He was going back to Hogwarts.

Knowing that Ron and Hermione would come running through the barrier at the last minute, Harry decided to go find a compartment.

Over the holidays Hermione had been holidaying in China with her parents, but the last few weeks she spent staying at the Burrow. In those weeks, Hermione and Ron didn't say too much in the letters they wrote to Harry about all the fun they were having, knowing that this would have upset him.

Finding a compartment straight away, Harry sat down, letting his eyes shut slowly and relaxing a little. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was only a matter of hours away. He would be back where he belonged, a place he now called his 'home away from hell.'

Suddenly, he heard the doors of the compartment open, and reluctantly opened his eyes to see who it was. "There you are, Harry," his best friend, Ron Weasley, said, while heaving his trunks through the door. "We've been looking through the whole bleeding train for you. I thought the Dursleys had refused for you to come or something."

"You know perfectly well, Ron, that the Dursleys are glad to get rid of Harry at the end of the summer. Why would they refuse to let him come?"

Harry looked at her with a pained expression. "Thanks Hermione. That makes me feel just wonderful." He knew she was right, but hearing it hurt a little.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that, Harry," Hermione replied, her cheeks flashing bright pink. "I didn't mean to offend you."

"Nah, it's ok. It's true anyway. So how was your holiday...?"

* * * * *

The three friends chatted about their holidays the whole way to Hogwarts. The infamous Weasley twins, Fred and George, had supposedly invented a new type of sweet, which, when eaten, made you vomit whenever you tried to drink pumpkin juice. Poor Ron had found one, and stupidly ate it. Sadly Mrs Weasley was across from him while eating dinner. Ron said he didn't know who was redder, Mrs Weasley or the twins.

Getting off at Hogsmeade station, Harry, Hermione and Ron made their way to the carriages that would take them to the entrance of the giant castle. Looking out of the carriage window, Harry stared up at Hogwarts. Until now he had never really thought about it, but the castle at night time looked so ... well magical. It saddened him that so many people had to miss out on this beautiful place. He felt extremely blessed that he was one of the people that could experience it.

After the first years had been sorted into their new houses, and Dumbledore had welcomed everyone back, the start of year feast began. The food appeared as usual, and Harry started for the food. Grabbing himself some chicken, potato bake, vegetables and a goblet of pumpkin juice, Harry sat there quite contended.

The Great Hall was decorated amazingly tonight. All of the four houses had candles floating above them, each candle being the colour of that house. The ceiling, as customary, looked like it had no roof, and was replaced by a cloudless sky instead, with only a few twinkling stars plotted here and there. Everything and everyone looked so alive and happy, even the Slytherins, for once.

This was Harry's sixth year, so he decided to take all the necessary subjects to become an Auror. This meant Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms. Everyone got his or her

timetable that night. Dumbledore thought there was no point in making everyone wait to see if they got what subjects they wanted. To Ron's disappointment, he had not received Care of Magical Creatures with Harry and Hermione, so he decided to go and talk to Dumbledore about it.

Being tired from the trip, Harry left the Gryffindor table earlier then everyone else, deciding that a good night's rest would do him a world of good for tomorrow's lessons. Tomorrow, he had double Potions first up, Charms, and then a double a period of Care of Magical Creatures.

"At least I'll have a bit of fun tomorrow," Harry said to himself quietly.

Heading in the direction of Gryffindor Tower, Harry studied his timetable carefully to see what his week's subjects were. He liked Tuesday and Thursday the most, firstly because he didn't have Snape, and secondly because..... well because he didn't have Snape.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Harry crashed into something solid and was sent backwards onto the cold hard floor. He hit his head hard, and it took a while for the dizziness he was feeling to stop. He brought his hand to the back of his hair, feeling something wet. Bringing his hand back to eye level, Harry saw that it was blood.

"Shit," Harry said, feeling like he was going to retch. The nauseous feeling was overwhelming. All of a sudden, Harry heard a voice.

"Watch where you're going, Potter," came the very distinctive drawl of none other then Draco Malfoy. "I always knew you were clumsy, but come on Potter, the corridor is big enough for you not to crash into me."

"Fuck off, Malfoy! You're the one that crashed into me," Harry said, in no mood for Malfoy's games. Why is he always an asshole? He went to stand up, but fell straight back down. "Ohhhh, my head!"

Merlin, Potter, you stupid git, Draco thought to himself, laughing. Here was Potter, sprawled on the floor, complaining about a stupid bump on his head. He does look quite adorable, though, with his jet black hair all messed up. Come to think of it, it usually is always messy.

"For Merlin's sake Potter, get off your stupid little ass," Malfoy said in a tired voice.

"I said ... fuck ... off ... Malfoy. My head's bloody sore," Harry breathed slowly.

For some odd reason, Draco felt pity for the boy sprawled on the ground, something he felt very rarely. "That doesn't look too good Potter. Give me your hand, I'll take you to the Hospital Wing."

Harry's head was hurting, and knew that arguing would be worthless. He could hear the sincerity in Malfoy's voice, and could tell that Malfoy was worried for him. In the back of his mind he knew that this could be risky, but the pain was to much for him to really think about anything but getting to the Hospital Wing.

Draco outstretched his hand in Harry's direction, who took it. He looked into Malfoy's grey eyes, and for once in his life, he didn't see hatred.

Draco lifted Harry from the ground, placing his arm around his waist to support the boy's weight. Once he did this, both boys started walking towards the Hospital Wing.

* * * * *

On arrival, Malfoy called for the nurse. After listening to what happened to Harry, she told Malfoy to put Harry on the bed while she got a potion that would heal the wound. After searching through a

nearby cupboard, Madam Pomfrey came back with a small vial of jet-black potion.

"Lie on your stomach, Potter. This potion will heal the wound on the back of your head. It is a nasty one, but I don't know why you are complaining. You have had much worse."

All Harry could do was grunt because the pillow was in his way.

After putting the potion on, she bandaged up the wound. "I would like you to come back tomorrow before your first class so I can just check that it is healing alright. Don't play with the bandage, just leave it all alone. It is going to be painful to sleep on it, but you will just have to find a comfortable position. Ok, your fine to leave now."

Harry got off the bed feeling a bit wobbly at first, but then steadied himself. When he found that he was able to walk, he left the Hospital Wing.

He realized that Malfoy was walking beside him.

"Why are you still here?"

"Oh, thanks for the appreciation mate."

"I'm not your mate but ... thanks, Malfoy,"

"That's fine. Just don't expect it to happen too often, though."

Harry had to laugh at this.

"Why did you help me Malfoy, I was rude to you back there remember?"

"Yes, you were, weren't you? I guess ... well ... actually, Potter, I don't have a clue why I helped you. I guess I've grown up over the summer holidays. I'm in sixth year now and ... well ... like I said,

I've grown up. This still doesn't mean I don't hate you."

"Fine with me. Bye, Malfoy." Harry started up the stairs for the dormitories, not really wanting to stay with Malfoy anymore. It was strange though, him acting well ... not his usual sadistic self. What a bizarre encounter, Harry thought. Oh, well. I don't think I'll see that again. Tomorrow he will probably be the same old ass I have grown to hate. And that was it. Harry didn't think about it anymore. All Harry could think of was his welcoming bed. The soft mattress on his four-poster bed was indeed something Harry was looking forward to. Sleep was really what he needed at the moment.

* * * * *

Back at the bottom of the staircase, Draco was left feeling flabbergasted at what had just happened between the two boys; the two enemies. That's what they were right? Two enemies that hated each others guts, and given the opportunity, would gladly kill each other. Well usually yes they were, but not tonight. It was like they were friends or something.

Friends, Draco thought to himself. He felt himself liking that word more than an enemy of Harry Potter should. He could see that Harry was a loyal friend to Granger and Weasley. Potter would die for them, Draco thought miserably. His mind started drifting to his friends. Well youhave Crabbe and Goyle. Would they die for you? Not very likely. Stupididiots. You also have Pansy. She has become rather close to you overthe last few years. You really enjoy her company, and it is quiteobvious she enjoys yours. But dying for you, I don't think so Draco. His thoughts were depressing, but he knew they were true. He suddenly felt awfully lonely.

Draco walked back to his dormitory feeling gloomy. His four poster bed was very welcoming at this moment in time. The last few hours had drained him, and sleep was what he needed. Once in his dormitory, he undressed and slipped into bed. His thoughts kept on drifting back to Potter. He didn't know why he helped him; he probably never would figure it out. Draco had a restless sleep that night.