Dungeons and Distractions

Chapter One - The Love Augurs and Antisyzygy

 

Harry sucked in his bottom lip nervously; chewing on it as he padded along the corridor to his next lesson. He couldn't think rationally after what had happened last night. He supposed it hadn't been entirely his fault, although he had had quite a hand in it. Shaking his head he tried to dispel his muddled thoughts and tried to concentrate on where he was going; only just narrowing the disappearing step on the third floor's staircase.

Last night...

Harry shivered as the memory came back in glorious technicolour with surround sound. It had been so weird in the first place, fighting an enemy he couldn't see when he couldn't even see himself very well...

He shook his head; placing all the blame firmly on who-so-ever it was that had had the dumb idea of it all in the first place. As he continued along the corridors, he reached the ladder leading up to his next lesson and he remembered exactly whose fault it all was.

Professor Trelawney.

Completely disgruntled, he slung his satchel over his neck and savagely climbed up the ladder to divinations.

* * * * *

Draco Malfoy had been sat on one of the pouffes nearest the back of the room and had witnessed Harry's entrance into the class dispassionately; a small frown curling his lips. Stupid muggle-lover. The teacher's always favoured him over everyone else, just because by hitting the Dark Lord with Harry's forehead that the attacks had stopped. He scowled and averted his eyes. Didn't want anyone to think he was staring after all.

Not like there were many more people to think that. The Divinations class had shrunk so rapidly after last year that they had been forced to put all four houses together. Professor McGonagall had instructed that the students were allowed to ditch Divinations if they so wished for more important subjects. Professor Trelawney had objected vehemently, saying the new strand of training for the students would significantly help in the upcoming war...

No-one had quite suspected that the frail-looking professor had got in touch with a few of her oriental wizarding friends and now the Divinations students had also been given extra lessons at midnight - in martial arts.

At first Draco had been a little disgruntled; he didn't want to learn some stupid muggle fighting technique but after a suitable demonstration he'd reassessed his view on it tremendously. For the lack of any other suitable description word, it was cool. And, as his father had added in a following owl, it would suitably help their conquest against Lord Voldemort.

The blonde sniggered softly to himself as he looked up again; lazily scanning over the other students as they settled down for the lesson. He quite remembered Potter's startled reaction at the beginning of the sixth year when Professor Dumbledore had brought Potter into his office and revealed how the Malfoy's had been secretly working for them for a long time now; only upholding their connections with the Dark Lord as a subterfuge. He'd enjoyed the small appraising look the raven-haired boy had suddenly given him and liked the fact that he'd managed to give his rival's world a little shake; if not turned it completely upside-down.

"Hello, children."

Professor Trelawney's soft voice floating down from the front of the classroom disrupted Draco from his thoughts and he lazily lifted his gaze; training it on the teacher respectfully.

"Today we are going to do a little numerology." She held up her hand to stop the groans that were being made by Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan - the only two Hufflepuffs who had stayed on to do Divination. Draco quite suspected they did Divination because it involved the least physical exertion, and was quite amused on their sakes because of the midnight lessons it was the one that involved the most strenuous activities.

Of course, after what had happened last night... Draco kept his gaze trained on the teacher; letting his thoughts drift.

"Of course, we aren't doing the more advanced numerology, only the grammatica house changes that we all know are relevant in the love life of a young wizard," Trelawney continued.

There was a little bit of tittering from the Ravenclaws, and from Lavender Brown and the Patil twins who were hanging onto her every word as usual.

Draco forced himself to pay attention. His love life as such as it was was one of the main problems plaguing him at the moment.

"So, today, we will fill out our numerology charts, to the best of our ability. Your birth dates, favourite colours, moods, family heritage and such... That should be the easy part. I will help you on the harder calculations," Trelawney continued. Dean Thomas put his hand in the air and Trelawney held up one hand again. "Dean, the point of this all is we are going to see who in this class would make a compatible couple."

There were more giggles from the girls and more than a few reluctant groans. Draco hoped ferverently he wouldn't get a muggle as his so-called match. Even though it was all completely fake anyway, there were those who worshipped everything the Divinations teacher said, and it would not do his reputation much. Nor would it help his smoke-screen at school if the rumour got out that his perfect match in heaven was a muggle.

* * * * *

Harry frowned at the roll of parchment in front of him and he scratched away at it with his quill. There was *reams* of data to be filled in, and the math equation things at the end looked more scary than anything they'd done before. Harry thanked his lucky stars (which he'd found out were Sirius the Dog Star which amused him greatly and Avortuna Major supposedly a very lucky but dangerous star) that he had chosen to remain doing Divination and not like Ron who switched to Numerology because he was fed up of al the death predictions Trelawney insisted in flinging Harry's way.

Harry looked up; his gaze flickering over all who'd stayed this year to do Divinations - the Patil twins, Lavender Brown, Pansy Parkinson, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, Neville Longbottom, a couple of Ravenclaw girls Harry knew by sight but not by name and the biggest surprise of them all - Draco Malfoy. Harry supposed that it was by his father's instruction with this big plan they had for deceiving Voldemort. Not that Harry wasn't glad of the fact that the Malfoy's were actually good. He just wished that Malfoy didn't have to be so mean to him. "For the cause," Draco had sneeringly replied when Harry had asked him about his attitude towards him for the last four years.

The martial arts part of the course had surprised them all, but all of them had embraced it fully and with a good attitude to it all. They had one lesson a night every weekday in a different martial art and all with the advanced and dense training patterns had become quite proficient at it. Monday's was the Tai kwon do night, Tuesday was training with the Japanese Bo (a wooden pole which was just over six foot in length) Wednesday was Ai kido, Thursday was karate and Friday was the day they all split up to do different things.

Professor Trelawney had chosen for Harry to do something spectacularly weird - a mixture of techniques from the four disciplines but to do it invisible - citing that she thought in the future that invisible fighting would hold a part for him. Of course the whole invisible thing was part of the trouble. He'd been fighting with the same person, for that much he was sure, for the last three months, and...

Harry shook his head. What had happened last night had blown his mind. Completely. Shaking his head, he bent down over his work and scratched away at it, hoping to get it finished. Perhaps this love numerology augur thing would help him discover exactly what had happened last night.

* * * * *

Flashback...

Harry had to stop himself from swearing out loud as a jab from seemingly nowhere and he stumbled to the side; holding his side. Closing his eyes he listened softly; using the techniques he'd been taught to recognise the other's movements. He knew his opponent was male, strong, fast, and lithe and that was about all he knew. Sensei Matani oversaw their session as such - Professor Trelawney had given them strict instructions... Although they could say small things, they were NOT allowed to interchange such information that would reveal their identities to each other. She'd explained this in a round-about way, alluding to some rot about the enemy being faceless or something. She was the one who had cast the spell to make them invisible for the session.

He rolled to the side as he felt something whistle through the air and he brought up his Bo defensively; smirking in satisfaction as the other's Bo made a satisfying thud against his own. Remembering his kick from Karate Harry lashed out with his food; leaping to his feet he was happy to hear the sound of the other's Bo rolling away and out of his opponent's grasp. A quick whispered startled oath was released from the other's and it distracted Harry as he tried to recognise the tone of the voice. That second's delay cost him his Bo too... A well-aimed hit took it out and threw it across the room. Unfortunately he couldn't see it so picking it up again wasn't an option unless he literally tripped over it.

Taking a deep breath, Harry launched himself forwards; feeling a surge of adrenaline as his opponent parried almost every move he made and tried to gain the upper-hand. Somewhere their training went out the window and in the confusion Harry had slammed the other to the floor. He felt arms grab his sides unsteadily and he was flipped over. Over and over they rolled until Harry felt a sudden pain in his head and starts burst before his vision. His head had been slammed into the wall. Wincing, Harry retaliated instantly; lashing out even as the other tried to valiantly hold onto him. He managed to wriggle out of the grasp a little and swore again as his opponent grabbed hold of his spare wrist.

With a grunt of frustration Harry lashed out; somehow managing to grab hold of his rival's free wrist. Struggling wildly they both managed to get to their feet and the situation struck Harry as funny; obviously it struck the other as funny too as they both suddenly cracked up laughing. They'd been in this similar situation in Ai kido last week - a double wrist grab or something - and it had spawned the Divination classes' catchphrase "Grab my wrist!"

Obviously that thought had struck the other as well and he - for the voice and physique of the other belied that much recognition at least - muttered softly (almost sardonically): "Grab my wrist."

Somehow amongst all the confusion their heads must have almost been touching. Harry could feel their breath grazing his skin and his eyes slid shut briefly. He was breathing hard and it wasn't because of the physical exertion of their fighting. He felt dizzy and the breathing of his opponent washed over him. Frightened he almost clung to the other; terrified but elated at the same time.

In his bewilderment he had barely registered the other had stopped fighting too and somehow... Harry didn't exactly know how... The other's hand rested on his cheek softly as if he was frightened he was going to disappear. Harry took a sharp breath of air; wondering why the room was spinning wildly. He didn't have to winder long as soft lips claimed his; tentatively moving over his own. Startled; Harry stood there mutely for a second enjoying the burning feeling, before gasping as the other moved abruptly away. Feeling bereft of the contact Harry without thinking grabbed out and wildly made contact with the other. Moving forwards and relying purely on instinct he ignored the part of his brain that was screaming at him reminding him this was a boy and he didn't know who it was. He reached out, searching, and was rewarded with a soft startled moan as he found the other's lips with his own. It was all Harry could do to remain upright as the other frantically returned the kiss; entwining their hands in Harry's hair. Harry leant into it; trying to feel as much of it as he could before they inevitably had to break apart for oxygen. That moment came too soon and Harry took another deep breath his entire world dizzy and blurred before somehow it all began again and frantic lips claimed his and he was only slightly aware that the other had lowered him onto the ground. Their lips met yet again; and the kiss deepened as heart-rates escalated and Harry was almost drowned in the new sensations and raging feelings as his entire world exploded from the intensity of it all.

"Time to finish, boys," a lazy voice said and the voice broke them apart hurriedly. Harry staggered to his feet; his brain still a pile of mush.

* * * * *

Harry frowned as he quickly filled in the rest of the easy details; aware of a delicate blush colouring his normally bland features.

"Harry, why are you blushing?" Seamus asked suddenly; inquisitively. Harry cursed the Irish boy for his uncanny ability to point out the one thing you didn't want noticed and frowned before replying.

"It's too hot up here," he said quickly. It wasn't exactly a lie. He was feeling rather hot and bothered from the memory of last night.

Fortunately Seamus took his stammered explanation at face value and returned to his parchment; frowning before raising his hand for Professor Trelawney's help with the final calculations.

* * * * *

Draco scanned the piece of parchment in front of him. Fortunately he'd taken numerology last year and been quite surprised with how naturally it had come to him. He scanned over his calculations with a calculating eye and knew that the final answer was completely correct. And from what he'd heard of these love augur things, then your so-called ‘perfect partner' was supposed to have exactly the same number. Draco scowled at the numbers before letting his gaze drift up to the class. The rest seemed to be having trouble with the end calculations and Trelawney was over at Potter's table. Seamus Finnegan had appeared to try and set fire to the Divination's Professor's robes and Draco suppressed a snigger.

Letting his gaze drift back down to his parchment his mind returned to the memory of last night... His cheeks started to burn involuntarily and he tried to suppress the thought that the person - the boy - who had turned his whole world and heart upside down was someone in this class. Draco crossed his fingers and hoped it wasn't Neville Longbottom. He could at least avoid that particular humiliation...

Mind you, Draco thought languidly, if it was Longbottom he was a really good kisser...

Shaking his head abruptly, Draco scowled. He could do without that kind of thought. That was a one-off and was never going to happen again. His thoughts drifted off lethargically and it must have been about fifteen minutes later when Professor Trelawney clapped her hands together excitedly.

"Right, class, I've checked everyone's calculations and they're all perfect," she enthused proudly. Draco looked down and he noticed his parchment had disappeared. Scowling he realised while he was off day-dreaming the professor had collected it back in. He resolved to pay more attention in class and watched curiously as she looked through the papers; noting a couple of things on a scrap of parchment.

"Oh, my," she muttered once; staring at two of the parchments in great bewilderment. "No... carry the one... multiply by five... They're both perfectly correct. Curious. Very curious."

Draco strained to listen as she muttered and raised his eyebrows. Exciting muttering broke out between the girls.

"I've finished," Trelawney said dramatically; rising to her feet. "And we have a couple of non-surprising results, and one result that is very, very curious and doesn't often happen; only between the great couples destined by the starts themselves."

Lavender, Padma and Patil squealed in excitement and looked embarrassed as Trelawney raised an eyebrow at their behaviour.

"The two couples that match quite well in this class would be Hannah Abbott and Dean Thomas..." She looked over the top of the parchment at the classes reaction. Hannah blushed furiously and dipped her head down while Seamus poked Dean in the ribs with a wide smile gracing his lips. "I wouldn't tease him too much, Mr. Finnegan." Seamus went silently and looked at her sharply. "You also had quite a close number match indeed... with Miss. Brown."

Seamus gaped at her; his mouth working furiously but no sound was coming forth. Lavender blushed a bright crimson and Dean was looking at Seamus smugly before catching Abbott's curious glance and looking away; blushing.

"But..." She held up one arm for emphasis; the glittery fabric of her robe falling down and shimmering in the dull light. "This result is surprising, but for the two concerned... This kind of result has only happened twice through my years at Hogwarts - both with couples that have remained very strong and very together."

"Who were they?" Padma Patil asked; her brown eyes shining with complete admiration for the teacher.

"James Potter and Lily Evans... and Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Argali," Professor Trelawney said; her voice tinged with amusement. "These names ring a bell I presume?"

The class turned to stare at Harry and Draco alternately. Harry looked intrigued from the information - any information about his parents intrigued him greatly. Draco, on the other hand, just stared back at them flatly. He knew this already - his parents had told him countless times.

"So who are the two in our class?" Parvati asked; staring raptly at Professor Trelawney.

"Why, I think it's rather odd for this to happen, but the equations don't lie, and have never lied before," Professor Trelawney said. Draco rather suspected she was just teasing the three girls whom she knew were her fans.

"Who is it?" Lavender pressed.

"Isn't it obvious?" Professor Trelawney smiled coquettishly; putting her head slightly to the side. "Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."

"WHAT THE HELL?"

Two simultaneous exclamations as both of the boys sprung to their feet.

"That's completely... wrong," Draco said; feeling a little sick. Harry Potter, his destined love... Oh fuck...

The entire room was in consternation. Lavender almost recalculated her impressions of Professor Trelawney on the spot, but she looked at the two papers and sets of calculations.

"They do look right," she said into the silence. There was a thud as Harry sat down; looking truly astonished and just plain shell-shocked. Seamus patted his arm gently.

"Oh come on, Harry, it could have been worse," the Irish boy consoled. Harry's head flew up to stare at him. "It could have been Snape," he added; grinning. Harry let out a strangled sob and buried his head in his arms.

Draco, on the other hand, remained out of his seat and furiously stomped over to the front table. He grabbed Harry's augurs and stared at them for a long time. The class watched in half-horror, half-amusement as Draco scanned over the calculations. By the time he was finished he looked almost gaunt; ashen-faced.

"Bloody hell," he said finally; dropping the parchment with a look of disgust. Muttering broke out among the students. Draco scowled and they went silent again. He crossed the room and mutinously sat down; folding his arms in shock and disgust.

Harry was having completely the same problem. He couldn't believe it was true... No way, no how, not at all... Malfoy? A traitorous part of his mind pointed out that he did kiss another boy the day before and that person could very theoretically have been Malfoy and he had enjoyed it.

Harry let out another strangled sob which was thankfully swallowed by the bell; resounding and covering up his groan. Professor Trelawney dismissed everyone and true to form Malfoy was the first out; blushing furiously. Harry blinked as he realised he was the last student in the room. Cautiously he approached Professor Trelawney.

"Can I..." He paused; taking a deep breath uncomfortably aware he was blushing ridiculously. "Can I borrow these?" He asked hurriedly. Professor Trelawney smiled softly.

"Of course, Harry," she said; beaming at him. "I always had a notion about you two," she added. Harry stammered his goodbye and made a frantic escape. Professor Trelawney smiled softly to herself, then frowned. The fourth years were coming next and Ginny Weasley was going to break a crystal ball. She got to her feet and made a mental note to give the redhead the cheapest one before allowing herself another indulgent smile. Maybe this would help with her reputation around school.

* * * * *

Hermione looked up in confusion as Harry ran into the main hall; rather breathless and clutching some parchment. Ron saw him and waved.

"Over here, Harry," he called.

Harry nodded and approached them; frowning as he realised the news of the result was already making its way around school and he was already being regarded with a couple of curious and disbelieving stares.

He walked over to Hermione and dumped the two parchments in front of her. She blinked and picked them up.

"Harry, these are love augurs with one of the names covered up..." She said; frowning. "Did you do these in divination today? End up with anyone interesting?"

Harry frowned. This wasn't the result she was expecting.

"What?" He asked curiously.

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "I don't have much faith in divination, but numerology I do have faith in... Love augurs are always incredibly accurate."

Harry groaned and buried his head in his arms again.

"Lets have a look," Ron said conversationally. "I've heard of those." His gaze scanned the parchment and his jaw dropped. "Perfect numbers!" He said wonderingly. "Who is it Harry? You have a match, wow, that's really rare!"

Hermione grabbed the parchments from Ron hurriedly. "Let's have a look again," she said firmly; scanning over the calculations. "The calculations are exact! Who is it Harry? Inquiring minds want to know!"

Harry just let out a strangled groan again.

Hermione sighed and lifted out her red revealer that she'd purchased from Diagon alley ages ago. Then she gasped and swore out loud.

"Harry," she gasped softly. "Oh no! You must feel dreadful!"

Harry nodded slowly; feeling sick. "I do... it can't be right..."

"But it is," Hermione said softly. "I'm sure... you can bring him round to liking muggles eventually," she added dubiously. Harry glared at her; folding his arms.

"It's just..." Harry pulled a face. "It can't be right," he added hopelessly. "It can't be him... It can't..."

"Him?" Ron has just caught on to the conversation. "HIM?" He snatched the parchment back from Hermione and stared at it in complete puzzlement. "Well, that's sorted it, Divination is completely bollocks."

Hermione immediately defended the love augur. "Ron, those kind of calculations don't lie..."

Ron pulled a face; looking pale. "I know... but Malfoy?"

"You're not the one who has to..." Harry pulled a similar face as Ron's.

"Harry," Hermione said firmly. "Ignore this. You can love whoever you want to. No-one else can control your heart."

Harry considered this for a minute, feeling better. "Thanks, Hermione," he said softly; smiling for the first time since the whole thing started. Then he frowned.

"What?" Ron asked; noticing the frown.

"It still doesn't help the rumours going around, does it?" Harry asked; feeling pale and shaken.

Ron and Hermione shook their heads in completely unison.

"Nope," Ron replied softly. "Not at all."

* * * * *

Antisyzygy

n. union of opposites

* * * * *

Harry was having a good time in ai kido tonight. Possibly because it let him let out his frustrations in a good way. As predicted the rumours had spread like wildfire around the school and Harry thought that his cheeks would be permanently stained red from all the ridiculous blushing he was doing. A lot of the Gryffindors were actually avoiding him, and so were some of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. The Slytherins, on the other hand, had started to accept him as almost one of their own. This might have been partly due to the fact that somewhere along the line the true story of Harry's sorting slipped out and now the whole school knew the sorting hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin, but - as the Slytherins saw it - he had been given some bad advice and had been put off Slytherin.

Harry scratched his head, listening to the careful instructions from the teacher while he let his mind drift off again, Recently he had been getting more and more distracted by things and it was quite annoying to tell the truth. However his grades hadn't suffered much, so it wasn't all bad.

The events of the last couple of months had literally turned his entire world upside down. Discovering the Malfoys were good had led to a lot of soul-searching and Harry questioned his entire perspective of life constantly. Cedric's death still haunted him, but the impact had been slightly lessened by a quiet word with Cho Chang early in the school year. She didn't believe he was to blame, and she added firmly she would get all of the Hufflepuffs at Hogwarts to kick his sorry ass if he tried to believe otherwise.

Harry watched attentively as the instructor - Sensei Ayanami - taught them how to flip their opponent and smothered a smile as Hannah Abbott tried to flip Lisa Turpin and failed miserably.

Draco had dealt with the whole situation curiously, Harry thought. The Slytherin had just withdrawn; not talked to anyone not even Crabbe and Goyle from all reports. Some of the nastier Slytherins of course took this as a sign that all the rumours were completely true. Well, Harry reflected softly as Lisa turned on Hannah and flipped the blonde Hufflepuff over her shoulder rapidly, except the one about Snape and the blue paint...

Harry blinked as Professor Trelawney, who had been quietly watching the class from the corner, started to split up the group into pairs to try out the new move; which let out rely on the other person's speed to use their momentum to get them to the ground. Harry tried to instinctively edge towards Seamus and the Irish boy actually laughed out loud while Dean Thomas yawned at him; hiding a grin behind his hand.

"Harry, you'll work with Draco," Professor Trelawney said; beaming at him. Harry's eyes narrowed and Draco instinctively started to protest.

"But Professor—" he started. Professor Trelawney put her head to one side; blinking owlishly at him.

"I think the boy protesteth too much," Sybille said finally; grinning. Harry stifled a snigger and Draco looked at first outraged, then curious.

"What do you mean?" He asked; his curiosity outweighing his indignation.

"He means that if you didn't have feelings for Harry you wouldn't be protesting so much," Lavender offered; grinning along with her training partner for the night - Ernie Macmillan.

Draco actually managed to look torn between killing someone; he flushed queerly and his mouth dropped open. His eyes narrowed and he finally shut up; folding his arms and standing stiffly back as Professor Trelawney finished partnering everyone up. Soon the entire room was filled with the thuds of people falling, the shrieks of the girls and Sensei Ayanami's quiet suggestions.

"I swear she's just doing this to make me go crazy," Draco muttered as he stood opposite Harry; arms still folded.

Harry blinked; startled that the other had spoken.

"Me too," he offered softly. "You're not the only one affected."

"Yeah well it's all your fault!" Draco returned; deep grey eyes lost in thought moving to stare at the door.

"How is it all my fault?" Harry demanded instantly.

"Everything's always your fault," Draco said sulkily; passing one hand absent-mindedly through his lengthening blonde hair.

"My fault?" Harry asked again; green eyes dancing with fury. Without any prior warning he charged Draco; grabbing hold of the blonde's wrist and flinging the other boy to the floor. The blonde landed with a pleasing crunch on the floor and immediately leapt to his feet: scowling dangerously before flinging himself onto the other boy and tackling them both down to the ground. Harry responded in kind; kicking the other boy solidly in the leg.

"Boys, stop it now!" Professor Trelawney said. Her voice was lost in the storm of voices and of things cracking.

Harry scowled as Draco punched him in the stomach; winding him so he responded by rolling out of the way. Grabbing out at Draco's arm, Harry used it to pull the other boy to one side. Seamus winced as he heard some one's bone cracking although in the complete confusion no-one knew if it belonged to Harry or Draco.

Draco scowled again; the narrowing of his eyes the only warning Harry got before being pushed to the ground again. He snarled and lashed out with his foot again before missing something blurring and cracking him in the side of the face. He winced as blood rushed before his vision and the world went dizzy. The only thought in his mind was of getting back at the person doing this to him.

Yanking out, Harry grabbed fistfuls of blonde hair and pulled. Draco actually shrieked out loud and Harry blinked fuzzily as blonde clumps of hair came off in his hand. Another knock later and he heard some glass shattering; realising suddenly his glasses had been knocked off in the skirmish and the remains were probably lying on the ground. He found out exactly where the broken glass was moments later as Draco wrenched himself; using his body to move them both and then there was the fiery pain as the broken glass bit into Harry's hand. Yelping in shock, he pulled out of Draco's grappling grasp and stumbled upwards and backwards.

"BOYS!"

Professor Trelawney's voice startled Harry out of his shock and he landed backwards on his bum; clutching at his head in bewilderment.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

Harry wondered about that briefly as everything in the room swam around his vision. He could see the others crowded around the scene and Professor Trelawney looking angry and Draco stumbling to his feet looking quite battered and Sensei Ayanami actually looking quite impressed at the amount of damage they'd managed to inflict on each other before the pain got to much and he closed his eyes; feeling woozy and light-headed.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hannah Abbott asked fearfully; clutching Lavender's sleeve in worry. Harry nodded, pushing himself to his feet before realising just whose bone had snapped.

"I think my wrist's broken," he said emptily as the pain suddenly got too much and he passed out.

* * * * *

Draco blinked in surprise as the other boy careered over and lay stilly on the ground; pale and covered in blood, cuts and bruises. A small sense of triumph washed over him that he had beat his enemy, but a curious emotion followed making him feel as if someone had ripped out his guts which he shook of quickly.

"You Slytherin rat," Seamus hissed. "He wasn't doing anything to you."

Draco raised an eyebrow and turned away; feeling the truth bitterly. Seamus was right. Harry had been the first to attack, but that was the whole point of the class. Draco took the thing to a personal level as always and let his emotions get in the way. He had no right to respond like that, none at all and now Harry looked almost dead; pale and crumpled on the floor. He'd never noticed before how delicate the other boy was; how vulnerable. Perhaps it was because Harry wasn't wearing his glasses per se, the amount ground into his skin didn't exactly constitute to him wearing them. Harry was small for their age. The flowing school robes usually hid the figure of most of the students, but the crumpled Gryffindor on the ground was very slender and scrawny for his age.

"Malfoy, are you all right?" Dean Thomas asked suddenly.

Startled, Draco looked up - almost frightened - to see the rest of the class looking at him questioningly.

"Leave him alone, Dean," Seamus said softly. "Imagine how you'd react in his situation."

His situation? Draco thought numbly as Professor Trelawney and Sensei Ayanami finally leant down to deal with the unmoving boy on the floor. Indignation flooded Draco's cheeks and he turned to face Seamus and Dean; trembling.

"Look if you're trying to insinuate I feel anything for Harry then you're wrong -" he started. Seamus cut him off quickly.

"I'm not insinuating anything," Seamus said flatly; his eyes boring into Draco's. "You know what you feel. I suggest you have a good think and find out exactly what you do feel. You touch our Harry again in so much as a threatening way and we will kill him."

Draco's mouth opened softly and he shut it quickly. "Our Harry?" He asked faintly; the words reeling in his head.

"That's right," Dean said; steadily. "Our Harry. He's family."

Draco stared at them wordlessly; faintly aware of the whole class taking interest in the exchange.

"You can't make me be someone I'm not," he said faintly; finally.

"Well then," Seamus challenged. "Who are you?"

"I..." Draco stared at the sandy-haired boy wordlessly. "I..." He continued to stare at the boy before his whole stance suddenly changed. "I don't have to answer to you!" He yelled suddenly; blood pounding in his ears. Without any regard to where he was or where he was supposed to be, he fled the room; tears burning on his cheeks.

He must have run the entire length of the school; up the endless flights of stairs leading up to ground level and up to the Slytherin dormitories. He stomped into the dorm room; his startled entry waking up Crabbe.

"Oy, Draco, whatzzamatterwivyou?" The sluggish crony asked sleepily.

"Nothing, shut the hell up and leave me alone!" Draco ground out; horrified.

Crabbe blinked; noticing the cuts and bruises on his fiend.

"But you're hurt," he said just as sleepily. Draco pulled a face at the bulky Slytherin.

"I'm fine," the blonde snapped. His head was pounding and his whole body was shaking. "Actually..." He wobbled a little. "I don't feel too great," he admitted before toppling to the ground; his head cracking against a bedpost. Vincent winced and realised he'd actually have to get out of bed to deal with the situation. Damn. He'd actually just got nice and warm and comfortable and all.

Typical.

* * * * *

"Looks like you gave as good as you got."

The first words that Draco heard as he slowly regained consciousness were unmistakeably from the Weasel.

"Although how you fought like that in Divinations is beyond me."

"Shut up, Ron."

Ah. It sounded like Harry was annoyed. Draco blinked and tried to push himself up; wincing as a searing pain washed through his arm.

"Shush, he's awake," Hermione whispered.

"Why?" Ron asked; obnoxiously and not bothering to keep his voice down.

Harry winced. "Because some of us have pounding headaches which can't deal with loud voices."

Draco closed to his eyes and stubbornly fought the pain in his arm as he struggled to pull himself upright.

"Don't be stupid, Malfoy," Hermione said softly; annoyed. Draco blinked at her furiously.

"She's right, you fractured your left wrist," Harry added. "Try your right one."

Draco sneered; his vision hazy but he could still make out the familiar three figures of his rivals. He continued to push on his left wrist before realising that unfortunately they were right. Apparantly Harry wasn't the only one with broken bones from the incident.

* * * * *

"So who attacked first?" Ron asked Harry; stubbornly avoiding the blonde Slytherin in the other bed. Harry winced and averted his gaze to the left.

"I... don't remember," he lied quickly.

"Pity," Hermione said. Then her gaze flickered to the hourglass on the wall. "Oh no it's Herbology in five minutes..."

"We can skip Herbology, can't we?" Ron asked plaintively. Hermione put him under a very quailing stare.

"Go to your lesson, Ron," Harry said weakly; still feeling incredibly dizzy. "I'll be all right."

"Are you sure?" Ron asked dubiously; casting a scathing glance in Draco's direction. The Slytherin responded with a sneer.

"I'm sure," Harry replied; his voice strained.

"Come on," Hermione said; pulling at Ron's arm. "I'll bring you back the homework."

"Thanks," Harry said flatly. Ron flashed him a toothy grin as he was literally dragged out of the infirmary by a slightly-subdued but still enthusiastic Hermione.

He settled back with a sigh; wincing as he realised the bruises along the back of his head wouldn't let him comfortably rest.

"Now whose fault is it?" Harry asked bitterly; twisting to see Draco looking at him peculiarly.

Draco blinked; a faint flush rising in his white-pale cheeks. "Yours of course," Draco managed to say primly. Harry rolled his eyes and folded his stiff arms; looking stubbornly forwards.

"Actually I was doing what we were supposed to. You were the one who turned it into a cat-fight," Harry argued; stars dancing along the horizon of his vision. He angrily shook his head trying to clear his blurry vision and then realised why his vision was totally blurred. "And now thanks to you, I can't even see properly!"

Draco blinked fuzzily; noticing why the other boy looked so strange - the usual round glasses that were by and large perched on Harry's nose weren't present. He realised with a jolt that it was his fault and he grabbed forwards for his wand. Harry watched as the blonde picked up his wand, and shuffled back instinctively.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked timidly.

Draco smothered a sigh. "I'm trying to help you," he said huffily. Harry blinked and took a double-take.

"You're what?"

Draco rolled his eyes to the ceiling; his features creased with annoyance.

"I'm trying to help you," he repeated dully. "Now hold still."

Startled at the order Harry stayed still and Draco gave his wand a flick.

"Visage correctus," he said lazily.

Harry screwed his face up. "Is that a real spell?"

Draco gave him a flat look and a silver stream of light shone out from his wand; hitting him in the eyes.

"Ow!" Harry exclaimed. "No wonder you've never helped people before," he said; clutching at his eyes.

"It's supposed to hurt, else it doesn't work," Draco said patiently.

"What's supposed to work?" Harry asked crossly.

"Open your damn eyes, Harry," Draco snapped; dropping his wand back on the bedside table. Harry squinted and blinked a few times. The whole place was all blurry - the spell hadn't worked. Then the room span a little for Harry and he grabbed hold of the sides of the bed before it still slowed and everything kind of grinded to a halt. He blinked again cautiously and then realised everything was crystal clear - better than even with his glasses.

"Hey, I can see," Harry blurted out; looking around curiously. "What did you do?"

"Fixed your eyes," Draco said flippantly. "You'll never need glasses again."

"What?" Harry was astounded. "But if you can... Then why didn't they before? I mean..."

Draco chuckled softly. "Why do the teachers ever do what they do? I presume it's to make people think you're weaker than you really are."

Harry frowned; feeling strange without his glasses on. He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the window and frowned at it. He looked different, and it wasn't just the crimson bruise decorating his cheek.

"I suppose so," he grudgingly allowed. He looked at the blonde for a second before frowning. "Did I really do all that to you?"

Draco laughed; a curious humourless laugh. "You did. I didn't think you had it in you."

Harry blinked. The Slytherin sounded almost... congratulatory. As if his strength or skill or whatever had some bearing on who he was. Perhaps it did to the Slytherins.

"I knew you had this in you," Harry said sourly. Draco actually laughed.

"Well I do seem the type," he said sardonically. Harry laughed weakly and then frowned.

"It hurts to laugh," he said; frowning. "I think you bruised my ribs."

Draco looked quite pleased with himself. "I think a job well done," he said mockingly.

"Hey, I fractured your wrist," Harry said sourly. Draco pulled a face.

"Don't remind me," he said; grunting. Draco rolled his eyes again and laughed.

"Oh no," Harry said suddenly. Draco raised an eyebrow.

"What?" He asked curiously.

"Friday today," Harry said shortly. "And I'm supposed to go to lessons like this?"

"Madame Pomfrey should have us cleaned up by tonight," Draco reasoned; lying back against the headboard and studying the ceiling. "What do you do, anyway? I think we all do different things - according to Lisa Turpin and Lavender Brown, anyway."

"Do we? I thought we all did Invisible fighting..." Harry suddenly shut his mouth. "Hey! I wasn't supposed to say that was I? Uh... forget I said anything."

Draco's mind completely slid to a stand-still. That meant Harry was the one he -- Gods.

"Sure. Is it fun?" Draco forced himself to stay calm. At least Harry didn't suspect it was him he'd kissed. Jaysusmaryandjoseph, though... It had to be, didn't it?

It just freaking had to be Harry Potter that made him feel so alive.

"You could say that," Harry said; traces of a remembering smirk on his face. "What do you do?"

Oh Gods. Draco's mind froze and he stuttered out the first thing to come into his head. "Uh... Ai no densetsu." It was the name of a Japanese song he'd heard a little while ago while in Knockturn alley. He hoped to the skies that Harry didn't know the song or what it meant - "Legends of love."

If Harry did know the song or the meaning no visible sign showed on his face. He raised an eyebrow.

"Is it interesting?"

Draco nodded and a shy smile crept across his face. "Very."

"Learn anything good?" Harry asked; trying to keep the conversation going.

His smile grew as the memory of the burning kiss and his eyes slid shut. "Yes," he whispered; one word.

"Good," Harry replied sleepily. "At least you can see where you're going. I got my head slammed into the wall last time because I didn't know my head was anywhere near the wall."

Draco blinked; surprised. So that was what the thudding sound was? I thought it was my heart - it was going so fast...

"Draco?" Harry prompted; curiously.

"Uh... That must have hurt," he said dazedly; ignoring the blush that was rising steadily in his cheeks.

"It did," Harry said; noticing the other's blush and misinterpreting it. "Is it me or is it really hot in here?"

* * * * *

Oh dear Gods, say he did not say that out loud...

Draco swallowed and nodded. "Madame Pomfrey?" He called out tentatively; steadfastly avoiding looking at Harry and trying to control his breathing. Breathing actually hurt; making him wonder if Harry had bruised his ribs too. Mind you, he wasn't going to admit that out loud even if Harry had. Draco cast a look over in Harry's direction; noticing the way the other's black hair was completely tousled but still made him look gorgeous...

Wait a second... When did he come from being a brat, an annoyance and Potter to becoming Harry and gorgeous... Draco turned away; flushing. Gods, my head must have been hit really hard last night...

Madame Pomfrey came bustling over and she gave an appraising look over both of the boys. "How are you two feeling?"

"Fine," Harry said; wincing. Madame Pomfrey caught the wince and frowned. "Not too hot, actually."

"Actually it is too hot in here," Draco countered; a grin playing on his face. "That's the problem."

Madame Pomfrey looked at him strangely before nodding. "OK." She lifted out her wand and gave it a little wave and the temperature went down a little. "You two should be fixed up ready for tonight." Draco let out a sigh of relief. "But -" she warned quickly, "I know what Trelawney's teaching you, and I want you both to take it easy tonight. If you go at all."

"We're going," Draco said firmly. "It's too important not to."

"Hmm," Madame Pomfrey sounded extremely unconvinced and her mouth settled into a thin line which reminded Harry uncomfortably of his Aunt Petunia. "Well, then take it easy. And no lessons today. I won't sit by and let you do too many strenuous exercises."

"Great, but that means we miss Defence Against the Dark Arts!" Harry protested instantly; finally quailing under Madame Pomfrey's sudden glare.

"On a plus side we miss Potions," Draco put in quietly.

"True," Harry agreed before stopping to stare incredulously at the bruised blonde in the bed next to his. "What? I thought you liked Potions?"

"Don't assume things, Potter," Draco said airily.

"And don't you two assume anything either," Madame Pomfrey butted in; looking stern. "If you want to do this thing tonight, then sleep!"

Harry blinked at her and Draco nodded. "Yes ma'am," they said simultaneously before exchanging a bewildered look and bursting out into laughter.

"Oww that hurts," Harry complained.

"Go to sleep, man, then you won't laugh," Draco suggested; levering himself down under his own covers under the scrupulous glare of the infirmary nurse.

"Want to bet? Apparantly one night I laughed like a hyena the whole way through," Harry said sleepily as he snuggled under his own covers.

"Have you any idea why?"

Harry laughed. "It was the day after we did the Riddikulus thing with the Boggarts," he admitted; his eyelids starting to droop. "I kept imagining Snape with Mrs. Longbottom's clothes on."

Draco snickered softly. "Sleep well," he said softly.

"You too," Harry replied sleepily.

Draco watched as Madame Pomfrey moved away and from the slightly muffled breathing knew Harry had fallen asleep. Almost instinctively he turned to look at Harry; his thoughts in complete turmoil and his heart hammering at his ribcage like a jack-hammer.

He might have intended to turn Harry's world completely upside-down, but he'd had no preconceptions that his world would be twisted upside-down at the same time. Draco watched Harry sleep on quietly in the bed opposite him and he sighed feeling a pang of something in his chest which puzzled him. Whatever it was would have to wait until he got some decent sleep... was Draco's last conscious thought as the world of dreams quietly claimed its own for a few hours.

* * * * *

When Harry woke up the infirmary was darkened from the lack of sunlight outside and all the beds were empty. Frowning he sat upright and flexed his wrist which was a little stiff but it didn't hurt. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed he got to his feet and slipped on some proper clothes. He reached out for his glasses before remembering they'd been totally ruined in the fight and he pulled a face. At least his vision was much better now, thanks to Draco.

Harry wondered when the switch around had occurred; how he could have changed from hating Malfoy with a passion to actually considering him as a civil human being. The events of last night's lesson should have changed his viewpoints, but the fight actually opened Harry's eyes to the fact that Draco could be as passionate about things as other people could. He just wished he could have had that revelation without all the pain.

Wandering into Madame Pomfrey's office, he poked his head round the corner; startling the auburn-haired infirmary nurse immensely.

"Potter, you almost gave me a heart-attack!" She exclaimed; holding one hand against her chest.

Harry stammered an apology. "Sorry. Can I go now?"

Madame Pomfrey smiled and nodded. "Impatient brat. Of course you can. Mr. Malfoy left about ten minutes ago, and dinner's just due to start in the hall. Run along with you."

"Thank you," Harry said; bowing slightly. Madame Pomfrey looked at him curiously.

"You're the most polite boy I've ever come across," she said softly. "If this school had more of you in it, it'd be a better place. Now go on, your friends and young Malfoy will be wondering where you are."

Harry tossed a rakish grin at the nurse and nodded his thanks again before turning and exiting the nauseatingly white hospital wing. As soon as he stepped outside the cold wind bit at his skin; his cheeks immediately went crimson as the blood rushed to his skin to keep his internal body temperature at the correct level.

He crunched along the gravel path; chewing thoughtfully at his lower lip while inattentively passing one hand through his unruly mess of hair. "Ai no densetsu" Draco had said his Friday course was... That was no martial art or even any kind of practice. Harry recognised it all right, though, it was a J-Pop song that Dudley had listened to repeatedly at the Dursleys' - a pretty Oriental transfer student had moved in next door and he had tried to impress her. What did the title mean again? Harry chewed on his lip some more. ‘‘Love's legends' or some rot like that?' Normally Harry wouldn't have dwelled on the fact for too long but for the fact Draco had lied to him, and that made him even more bewildered and perplexed than before. What did Draco have to hide from him?

Harry stood stock-still as a concept occurred to him and the wind ruffled his midnight shock of hair as he stood there silently; thinking the concept over.

The battle... the conflict... then the heat of the kiss... The warmth of the emotions...

He blinked; slightly unnerved by the idea, but he couldn't think who else it could have been. The more he thought about it the more it made some kind of weird twisted sense and the less.... The less repulsed of the idea he felt.

Harry bit his lip once more before finally realising it would hurt if he continued that particular exercise before he remembered where he was and where he was supposed to be. Even if Draco wasn't his fighting partner on Fridays, the blonde had something to hide and that was enough to incense his curiosity to find out exactly what it was.

Harry entered the hall to a barrage of cheers and banging from the Gryffindor table and to a shy smile from Draco from the Slytherin table. He smiled back at the Slytherin before moving back to his table and sliding in next to Ron and Hermione.

"You feeling better now?" Ron asked; while munching on a bread roll of some description.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, much better. It doesn't even hurt." He held up his arm wonderingly. "it's amazing what they can do with you, really."

"I still don't get how you got so beat up in Divinations," Hermione said conversationally. "I mean I could understand it if it happened in Quidditch, but Divinations?"

Harry shrugged; a smirk playing on his face. "Yeah, well. I did give as good as I got, that's what matters, right?"

"Give the boy a Grammy, he's right," Hermione agreed; laughing. Ron's face creased up.

"Give him a what?" Ron asked. Harry and Hermione just started to laugh harder as Ron looked at them; completely confounded. "I don't get it," the poor redhead said.

"Hey guys." The three looked up to see Seamus drop into his seat opposite them; grabbing hold of a plate.

"Why are you so late?" Ron asked; helping himself to a couple of pork and leek sausages.

"Snape kept me in after class because I accidentally poured Defunghal Brew all over his shoes," Seamus pulled a face. "I'm starved, I missed lunch because I had a detention with Filch, had to clean Moaning Myrtle's loo."

"Oh, how is she?" Harry asked; feeling slightly guilty because he hadn't visited her yet this term.

Seamus looked up to reply to him, then frowned. "I could have sworn the voice was Harry..." he said; frowning at Harry strangely. Harry felt his face heating up from the attention.

"Seamus, what are you talking about? It is Harry," Harry said; feeling pretty stupid. Seamus clapped his hand to his mouth.

"Jaysus... Harry, you gave me a heart-attack there, I thought I'd forgotten someone's name or something... What happened to you? You look so different!" Seamus exclaimed. Harry blinked, bewildered, as Seamus stared at him and then blushed as Hermione, Ron, Dean, Neville and Lavender all staring at him inquisitively.

"Nothing's different!" Harry exclaimed; his voice climbing up an octave in alarm.

"He's not wearing his glasses," Neville offered.

"Oh yeah," Lavender squealed. "Wow, Harry, you look hot!"

"Excuse me?!" Harry demanded; blinking rapidly at the lithe brunette. Lavender giggled a little. Seamus glared a little at Harry despite himself.

"She's right," Hermione added; looking quite stunned.

"WHAT?" Harry blinked and looked at his best friend; shocked.

"A purely empirical observation, but without your glasses... No wonder half of the school has wanted to jump you," Hermione said; raising her eyebrows.

"Do I know you?" Harry asked blankly.

Ron laughed. "All the studying's gone to her head," he said; grinning at Harry's discomfort. "Mind you," he added. "If I was of that persuasion, I'd say it was a pity that you and Malfoy are a match and all."

"Right, that's it!" Harry declared; pushing his chair back his cheeks flushed and eyes rounded. "I'm moving! I don't know any of you!"

He quickly picked up his plate and aware that the top of his ears were red he moved further down the table to sit with Fred and George; pointedly ignoring the giggles coming from his so-called friends.

"What's up with them?" Fred asked as Harry - disgruntled - sat down opposite them and began to savagely tear at his food.

"They're picking on me," Harry said plaintively.

"Is that because they've suddenly realised there was actually someone hiding behind your glasses?" George asked perceptively.

Harry blinked. "How did you -"

Fred gave a little laugh. "You know Oliver Wood? Total chick-magnet and never realised it? He used to wear glass and boy was he a geek until he had his eyes repaired and then the girls were all over him."

"Mind you," George reflected. "He might have well as been blind, all he noticed was Quidditch."

Harry gave a laugh; remembering how Quidditch obsessed Oliver had been.

"Well," Fred amended. "All he noticed was Quidditch and Percy."

Harry stared at Fred.

"True," George agreed.

Harry stared at George and raised his eyebrows. Fred and George exchanged a look at Harry's bug-eyed expression and laughed. Harry pulled a face and stood up.

"I'm... I'm not hungry," he said quickly. "You're all freaking me out too much to eat."

Lee Jordan, who had quietly being listening to the exchanges nodded sympathetically.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it by seventh year," he said sympathetically.

"I severely doubt that," Harry said weakly; tossing Lee a small smile and heading out of the hall. He refused to acknowledge Hermione and Ron's presence as he stormed passed them; meticulously ignoring the mock cat-call Seamus gave him and he stomped out. Not before noticing that Draco was now absent from the hall as well. As soon as he closed the door behind him, Harry caught sight of the blonde hurrying away from the hall.

"Hey... Draco," Harry called softly. The blonde stopped in his tracks; turning around from the spot. Harry didn't imagine the smile that immediately graced Draco's face and he felt dizzy for a moment. Crikey. This whole thing was affecting him more than he thought it would. Damn.

In his musings, Harry had missed the fact that Draco had padded up to him.

"I was just on my way to see Professor Sprout to get the homework," he explained softly. "I don't have anyone who would have gotten it for me," he added softly. Something in his tone made Harry's heart thud painfully against his ribs and he actually felt sorry for the arrogant Slytherin.

"I'll just get it from Hermione in the morning," Harry said softly. A queer look of almost jealousy flashed over Draco's face and Harry held up a hand. "I'll give you a copy of it. We'll still have Sunday to do whatever it is."

Draco looked surprised as if no-one had offered anything like that to him before. "I..." He smiled softly. "Thanks Harry."

Harry blinked at the thanks and realised he'd started to blush. "I... uh... anytime," he stammered out quickly.

Draco's quiet reply surprised him. "Do you... No..."

"Go on," Harry commanded softly; intrigued.

"Do you really mean that?" Draco asked quietly; almost subdued.

Harry smiled suddenly; a sudden weight felt like it had been released from him. "Of course I do. Anytime. That's what friends are for, right?"

Draco stared at Harry; comprehension washing over him and something changed imperceptibly - his whole viewpoint on his world yet again moved and changed and shifted slightly. "Friends?" He asked hollowly.

"Yes. Friends," Harry repeated firmly.

Draco smiled experimentally. "I like that idea," he said firmly; holding out his hand. "Shake on it?"

This time Harry moved his hand forward and grasped hold of the pale offered hand. "No promises made, no conditions enforced," Harry said lightly. "Friends."

Draco felt a little light-headed as he let go of Harry's hand.

"Is this what friendship feels like?" He asked wonderingly. Harry nodded.

"Yes."

"Then I'm sorry it took so long," Draco said gently; truthfully.

"So am I," Harry agreed.

They were shook out of their ‘moment' by a breathless Professor Dumbledore arrived, panting, from one of the corridors.

"Just the boys I wanted to see!" He exclaimed. Harry and Draco exchanged a glance; eyebrows raised.

* * * * *

"So let me get this straight," Draco said flatly. Dumbledore had ushered them into an empty classroom and had explained the tricky situation to them in no uncertain terms. "You need a distraction so you can smuggle some Vampires into Hogwarts? Are you crazy?"

Harry nudged Draco in the elbow quickly. "Draco, you can't talk like that! What's so wrong with Vampires anyway?"

Draco gritted his teeth. "In the conflict with Voldemort, they were all on his side." He paused. "They killed my sister," he added softly.

Tears of compassion immediately came to Harry's eyes and he quickly blinked them away.

"I'm sorry," Harry said softly. "I didn't know."

Draco shrugged; biting his lip and looking away.

"This is different, Mr. Malfoy, would I suggest something as dangerous as you think that I'm suggesting?" Professor Dumbledore asked; hands on hips. "What I am asking you is necessary. The school is sealed by magic to stop the deatheaters coming in, and the only place magical creatures of any sort can get through is the main hall's gates! I need to get these vampires in through the main hall without the student body or teachers noticing. It's imperative we get them to the pre-arranged spot or else the world could be destroyed. I know it's a lot to ask, but have you ever heard of the order of the Cantial?"

Both Harry and Draco shook their heads.

"They are an order of Vampires devoted to human life, they eat only off animals the same as you or I," Dumbledore persuaded softly. "Would I ask if it wasn't necessary?"

"No, he wouldn't," Harry said softly; looking at Draco. "Come on. What do you say?"

"Fine," Draco said; a sudden smirk playing across his face. "Fancy getting kicked in again Harry?"

Harry blinked then immediately caught onto the idea. Professor Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"I don't want you being hurt doing this -" he said quickly.

"Oh we won't Professor," Draco said hurriedly.

"Not too much," Harry reassured.

Professor Dumbledore took a deep breath and wondered what he'd got everyone into.

* * * * *

"Are you ready?" Draco asked Harry. Harry nodded; testing the balance of the wooden pole in his hand.

"I'm ready," Harry said; adjusting his grip on the pole.

"Let's get ready to rumble, then," Draco said softly. "You sure you want to be the one to—"

"Yes I'm sure," Harry snapped. "Come on then, Dragon, hit me!"

Draco's eyebrows shot up. "As the fair lady commands."

He raised the weapon and smacked it into Harry's. The supple boy raised his pole in time to clash with Draco's, but the force pushed him backwards and through the doors of the hall. There was complete shock as the entire student body turned and looked at the results of the commotion. Harry leapt to his feet, snarling, and proceeded to use the pole to great effect; swinging and twirling it. The pole made some heavy contact with Draco's as the door sparred with the weapons and generally made use of them to the best of their limited ability.

"Sick ‘em, Harry!" Harry heard Seamus yelling across the crowd. Some of the Hufflepuffs had started to form a kind of ring around them and Ernie Macmillan was leading the chanting.

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Harry swung with all his strength at Draco's pole and the other wooden pole shattered in half from the sudden concentrated power. Draco growled and threw the two halves to the side (closely missing Padma Patil) and suddenly grabbed hold of Harry's pole. There was a sudden brief skirmish for the pole which ended as the battle ended with the second pole being broken. Harry moved backwards; keeping a wary eye on the entrance. Figures completely covered in black cloaks were being ushered around the edge of the hall surreptitiously but from as much as he could gather they were getting all the attention. Harry noticed Draco had observed this too and they both strove to keep the interest away from the cloaked figures.

Harry brought up all his strength and tackled Draco to the ground. Suddenly it had all degenerated into some kind of cat fight again. Harry was slightly aware that some of the teachers were moving to put an end to it and managed to grab hold of one of the halves of Draco's broken pole. Flinging it as the blonde Slytherin managed to narrowly miss cracking Harry's head into a table leg Harry was slightly aware that the pole had crashed into Professor Snape; knocking the Potions master out cold. He was sure he'd have to pay for the consequences later. Oh well, the end justifies the means or something like that, Harry thought wildly. The fight reminded Harry of something briefly and realised that the mindless rolling and hitting was reminiscent of last Friday's skirmish. Thinking quickly he reacted as Draco grabbed his other wrist and used his body to wrench it so that he was on top. He grabbed Draco's free wrist with his free hand. He moved his head down to gently whisper something in Draco's ear.

"Grab my wrist," he said almost mockingly; his grip tightening on Draco's wrist possessively. Draco's eyes widened and he realised that Harry had guessed his subterfuge. "Friends don't lie to each other," he added; hissing before savagely releasing Draco's wrist and storming away noticing inattentively that the Vampires had been admitted into Hogwart's safely. Thank goodness for that, Harry thought softly; moving away out of the hall without a further word and without a further glance.

He'd just have to deal with the consequences later.