The Flip of a Coin

Chapter 4

Hermione nodded, smiling, and grabbed their hands, pulling them down through the common room, and down to the dungeons, unaware of the person watching them...

***

"Mr. Malfoy," droned Professor Snape, as he went through the assignment pairings, "you will work with Mr. Potter."

Malfoy looked over to Harry, smirking, as he moved his bag over to make room for his partner.

"Morning, Potter," he said in a fake cheery voice. "Have a good night?" He smirked, while Harry frowned.

"I think you know what happened, Malfoy, don't you."

It was hardly a question, but Malfoy answered, "Yes, I know. I saw them too. The heirs. Well, some of them anyway. But you obviously don't know what I'm talking about." His eyes followed Snape as he wrote the method and ingredients of the potion they were meant to be working on up on the board.

"Get on with it," snapped Snape, "and do be careful. We wouldn't want any accidents." He smirked at the Gryffindors, before turning to sit at his desk, pulling a pile of third-year essays towards him to mark.

Malfoy looked up at the board.

Mandrake root

Kneasle Claws

Essence of Wintongue

He grinned at the small vial Harry had brought over, and knocked it over, dragging the sleeve of his robe through the mess, smirking.

"Sir," he drawled, "Potter spilt Wintongue on me, I need to go to the hospital wing."

Harry looked at him, his eyes flashing with rage.

"What? I didn't do anything! You knocked it over yourself!"

Snape stood up, striding over to them.

"Mr. Potter. You will accompany Mr. Malfoy to the hospital wing. And 20 points from Gryffindor."

Harry opened his mouth to protest and the professor smirked. "Let's make that 40. Now go." He looked over to Hermione and Ron, "And don't come back."

The Slytherins all burst out laughing, and Harry stormed out, his face red, with Malfoy swaggering after him.

***

As he reached the Great Hall he saw Harry, slumped on the bottom step of the main staircase, his head in his hands. He frowned, slowly moving towards him.

"Harry."

"Shut up, Malfoy," hissed Harry, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

"Harry.

"First names are for friends, Malfoy. We are not friends." He glared up angrily, but Malfoy was far from finished.

"Don't you want to know what happened last night, Harry?"

"No." Harry frowned. "Don't feel you have to tell me. God forbid, that would be a nice thing to do," he drawled, imitating his enemy's tone almost perfectly, lining his words with heavy sarcasm. Malfoy smiled sadly, shaking his head.

"You really think you know me, don't you Harry. But you don't. No one does, not really. But you could. I can be loyal to those who deserve it. I am loyal to those who deserve it." His voice was quiet, his grey eyes locked with the bright green of Harry's. "I could tell you everything, you know Harry. Those four figures you saw. Want to know who they are? What they want with you and I? Others are in danger too, Harry."

Harry glared at him. "Shut up. I know you're trying to taunt me."

Malfoy shook his head.

"Of course I am. But I'm telling the truth. Malfoy's don't lie. Want to know why he wants you? Or who wants you, to be precise. You saw Dumbledore. But did you know who he was working with?" He paused, smirking. "..."