Harry Potter and Gaining Momentum

Six hours and five hundred pounds later, Draco and Harry returned back to Number Four Privet Drive burdened with whole new wardrobes. Harry led the two up to their room where they stowed everything away and laid on Harry's bed out of exhaustion.

"I'm never going shopping with Tonks again. I might as well burn the money; she can really cause a person to go bone dry," Harry said as he laughed.

"Tell me about it. Do you have any idea what my father would say about that? He'd have a fit if he knew that I spent that much money on muggle clothing," Draco said with a wicked grin.

"Where did you get the muggle money anyway? I saw you get gold out of your vault, but you didn't get any converted," Harry said turning his head to the side to look at Draco's profile where he lay.

"Dumbledore got me muggle money before I came just in case we needed it. I think he was under the impression that we would starve." Draco snorted a laugh.

"Well, if it was any other summer, we may have. A few order members scared my relatives when I got off the train at the beginning of the summer so they've been treating me loads better than they usually do." Harry said this as if it were common knowledge.

"What do you mean? They're usually mean to you?" Draco asked now turning to look at Harry as Harry did to him, but Harry turned away not being able to look him in the eye while he talked about it.

"Well, they've put bars on my windows before, back before second year. Ron and his brothers Fred and George all came and broke me out of here with a flying car," Harry admitted.

"Oh, I remember that. Father was furious; he was trying to get you both expelled at the Ministry for being seen by Muggle's. I think Dumbledore stepped in to shut him up," Draco said, "But then he got really angry when no one was dieing at school that year and had Dumbledore booted from his position by threatening the other governors," Draco admitted also.

"Oh, so that's why your father took so much pride in having Dumbledore thrown out, he wanted to get him back for letting me off... figures," Harry said with a snort.

"So what else have they done to you? My father always told me that you were treated like a golden child, but that doesn't seem so royal to me," Draco said sarcastically.

"Royal, ha! Never. Well, if I was Royal then I guess that makes me a prince. Not just any prince, but Prince of the Cupboard under the stairs. Did you know that's what my first Hogwarts letter was addressed to: Harry Potter Number Four Privet Drive Cupboard under the Stairs? That's why I got Dudley's second bedroom; they were afraid someone would come after them," Harry explained.

"You had to live in that cupboard? How--How--Inhuman!" Draco responded yelling.

"Shh, I think they want to act like it never happened," Harry said in a whisper. He waved his hand and put a silencing charm on the room.

"Why do you think Moody didn't tell them about your wandless magic? You've been doing more with that lately than with your wand," Draco asked.

"I think he's leaving it up to me to tell. He knows how much I hate attention. If I had my way I may never tell them, and only use it if needed," Harry revealed.

"What? Harry that's a gift, you can't just act like it doesn't exist. You have to be able to train with it openly. I think you should only use wandless magic when you're at school this year, it will make you stronger and more efficient," Draco explained.

"And what happens when someone tells Voldemort that I'm fluent in the art of wandless magic? I need all the surprises possible Draco," he explained.

"I know, but I don't think any of the Slytherins will be saying anything this year. I hold quite a bit of clout when it comes to that house and they usually follow me," Draco said with a smug smile.

"So you think you can get them to turn around also? You don't think they'll call you a traitor for not going and helping your father?" Harry asked turning back to him with a concerned voice.

"Oh, well I'm sure they will at first, but I still have the Malfoy name and money. They won't be able to hate me very long. I'm the sole investor in the Slytherin house. I help buy Quidditch supplies, and help to provide for those less fortunate. It keeps the respect from the Slytherin house directed towards the Malfoy's," Draco again explained.

Draco turned over on his stomach and rubbed a thumb across Harry's cheek. Harry smiled encouragingly at him to let him know he could go further if he wanted. Apparently Draco got the idea because the next second Draco had one arm on the other side of Harry and was holding himself over him while he kissed Harry passionately.

(Edited...Please see http://www.msnusers.com/HarryPotterandGainingMomentumSeries/Documents/S4%20%2D%20Hostility%20%2D%20unedited%2Ehtm at my msn group for unedited version)

With all the will power he could muster, Harry rasped out,

"Draco," in a rough hoarse voice.

"Mmm," Draco just moaned back at him mistaking his name for pleasure.

"We need to stop before we go too far," Harry breathed fast. Draco brought his head up to look Harry in the eye, those deep emerald green eyes that he could get lost in without a moments notice.

"You want to stop," Draco breathed in confusion.

"Yes. I don't want to go too far yet. It will only complicate things. I want my mind to be clear until I figure out what I want our relationship to be. Though to tell you the truth, you've just put a lot of brownie points in on me," he laughed. Draco shared the laugh before kissing Harry one more time and rolling off him.

***

It was Friday of the next week before Harry had finally got to leave his house again. He didn't know why he was leaving; he just knew that Dumbledore had arranged for Draco and Harry to go to Grimmauld Place for the day.

Harry and Draco had been getting along really well, some might even say too well. They frequently kissed, and every once in a while they would have a session like they did the day they went shopping, but all in all, the relationship didn't move any further, and they were still using all their will power to sleep apart from one another. Most would find this commendable. Draco thought it was torture.

It was at about noon when they reached Grimmauld Place by floo from Arabella's house. Draco arrived behind Harry and was in immediate awe of the house. There were suddenly two 'cracks' and before them stood Dobby and Winky.

"Master Harry Potter sir, Dobby is working for Harry Potter now sir," the small house elf said excitedly.

"You mean you're working here?" Harry asked squatting down to be at about the same height as the small creature.

"Oh, yes Harry Potter sir. Master Dumbledore is very gracious sir, he tells Dobby that Harry Potter's house needs to be taken care of and asks Dobby if he would like to do it. Of course Dobby and Winky will work for the Great Harry Potter!" the house elf yelled in excitement. Harry couldn't help but laugh.

"Well what are you and Winky asking for wages? No, no," Harry said as they both began to refuse the money, "You are not a servant, nor hired help, you're friends and I'll pay for your services. How about four Galleons a week for both of you, is that enough?" He asked looking at Winky who looking close to tears.

"Harry Potter is too gracious sir. We is most happy just to be here, but that is enough, yes," Dobby answered for both of them. Harry hugged both of them and stood back up.

"How many bedrooms are there in the manor?" He asked looking down at Dobby.

"There is twelve bedrooms sir, and a big room where Kreacher keeps all Mrs. Blacks belongings sir," Dobby said with a bit of hostility at the end.

"How many are occupied?" he asked.

"Only nine rooms are used Harry Potter sir. Miss Weezy and Miss Granger have a room. Mr. and Mrs. Weezy Sr. have a room. Mr. Remus Lupin has a room. Mr. Weezy Jr. has a room. Harry Potter has a room Dobby had arranged for him, Master Dumbledore has a room if he stays, Miss Tonks has a room, Mistress Minerva has a room, and Mr. Slimy Snape has a room sir. Does Master Potter have orders for Dobby and Winky sir?" the house elf began to get excited again. Harry was laughing at the apparent name Dobby gave Snape.

"Yes, you and Winky are to have two of the rooms for yourself and please arrange another room for Draco in case he has to be here in the future please," Harry said politely after he got his laughter controlled. He was afraid that Dobby would not like Draco due to him being once enslaved by his family.

"As Master Potter wishes," Dobby and Winky bowed low and cracked out of the foyer.

"Well, I wanted to know what happened to Kreacher. I don't want him here because of what happened last year," Harry said walking into the lounge where he found Ron and Hermione sitting on a sofa next to one another. Hermione was reading a book, no surprise there, and Ron was facing the window fiddling with something in his hands. "Oy mates!" he said to bring them out of their thoughts.

"Harry!" Hermione called getting up only to stop mid step to stare at Draco. Ron had turned and never moved at the sight of Draco. Apparently Draco realized they were staring because he stiffened next to Harry.

"What's he doing here?!" Ron said standing and getting between Hermione and Draco.

"Ron calm down. He's the guest I was talking about in my letter to you two. I didn't want to mention it in the letter because at the time I didn't know myself, but after he got there I realized he'd changed and I didn't want to fight with you until you saw for yourself. He has to stay with me because his father and Voldemort want to kill him for betraying them," Harry explained shortly and waited for a reaction.

"How do you know this isn't some Death Eater trick he and the others have made up?" Ron said still scowling at Draco.

"Because I saw it myself," Harry said shrugging.

"What do you mean you saw it?" Hermione said squinting at Harry suspiciously. "Have you not been practicing your Occlumency and had a dream?" she asked disapprovingly.

"Actually that's how I saw it," Harry said again shortly.

"Do you mean--No way, you can do Legilimency?" Hermione breathed in awe.

"What's that," Ron asked never letting his facial expression change from a scowl.

"This," he said stepping in front of Draco to catch Ron's eyes and plunged in looking for happy memories.

Meeting Harry on the train---getting sorted into Gryffindor---seeing Hermione before the Yule Ball---Being picked for the Keeper position---prefect letter. Harry broke the contact. Ron stood shocked for a moment.

"Well, what did you see?" Hermione asked excitedly.

"Sorry, but I've made an oath that whatever I see while doing that to anyone, I will never reveal what I see," Harry said solemnly. Hermione nodded her head in understanding.

"Harry, if you had that last year, you could have had a perfect score on you O.W.L.s." he said in shock. Harry laughed and Hermione huffed.

"People can tell when he's doing it Ron, and it would have been dishonest!" she exclaimed as she scolded him.

"Dishonest? Well, then I'm sure that's exactly what he would have done if he had the gift earlier," a voice said from behind Harry and Draco. They turned to see a smirking Snape standing in the door way.

"Hello Professor," Draco said, but not with his usual joyful tone. Snape just gave him a curt nod.

"I am sorry you had to spend the summer being tortured by company that lacks intelligence, but in my position, I couldn't chance taking you in," Snape said to Draco.

"Dobby!" Harry yelled out loud. His face was red and he was absolutely livid that the first things out of Snape's mouth were more insults. There was a crack that rang through the room and Dobby was standing in front of Harry. He bowed low and looked up at Harry.

"Does Master Harry Potter have orders for Dobby," he asked excitedly.

"Yes, please show Professor Snape out the door. If he puts up a fight, you may use any means possible to get him out. He no longer has admittance here," Harry said scowling at Snape who looked like he was about to boil over from fury.

"Good-bye Severus, see you in a month," Harry said as he turned his back to him and tried to strike up a conversation with Ron and Hermione. Ron was smiling and Hermione looked appalled. Harry heard Dobby snap his fingers and Snape yelled out. Ron started outright laughing at him and Hermione put her hand over her mouth in a shocked expression. Harry turned around to see Professor Snape upside down in mid air with Dobby walking with pride toward the front door. Snape was yelling for 'Albus' and after a few seconds there was a loud clatter and Dumbledore was trying to reason with Dobby. Apparently he had convinced him to wait a few seconds because Dumbledore came walking down the hall toward the lounge where Harry and his friends were. He walked in the door and looked straight at Harry.

"May I ask why you're having Severus thrown out of headquarters Harry?" he asked looking intently at the younger boy.

"The first thing out of his mouth was an insult, and the last thing out of his mouth was an insult. I don't have time for his childish games anymore. I've grown tired of them. From now on the only place he will be insulting me is in his classroom, and I'm not sure I'll even allow it there. I've had enough of his attitude to last me a life time," Harry said bravely to the old man.

"I understand where you're coming from Harry, but we need him. If you don't allow Severus to stay and have admittance here, I'll be forced to move Headquarters elsewhere," Dumbledore said gravely.

"Oh, I see. If you had to choose, you would choose an ex-Death Eater, rather than the one person that can bring the whole war to a halt. Well, do what you need to Dumbledore, but I'll not listen to his slimy tongue if there is anyway I don't have to," Harry said standing his ground.

"Harry, you don't you don't understand. He's our only link to the Dark Side at the moment. If we loose him, we'll have no idea what Voldemort has planned against you. He's here for you whether he likes to acknowledge that or not," Albus pleaded.

"Fine, but I'm going to go tell him where he stands with me, and I'll take care of this, not you," Harry said brushing past Dumbledore and heading down the hallway.

By the time Harry made it to the foyer where Severus was still up-side-down yelling obscenities at Dobby, there had already been a crowd around the event. Most were giggling which made Severus even more pissed.

Harry walked up to Dobby and put a hand on his shoulder,

"Please release him Dobby," Harry said in a thankful voice. Dobby dropped his hand and let Snape fall to the ground. Harry walked up to him before he could stand all the way and grabbed his throat so that Snape would have to look him in the eye. Harry automatically plunged in and started looking for his most painful memories and darkest fears. Snape literally started to cower in front of everyone. His bottom lip started trembling and he was visibly shaking from head to toe. Harry was digging up everything on the man, making him relive everything in a very short amount of time. He had already let go of Snape's neck and was now simply staring him in the eye. "Do not ever provoke me again Severus Snape, or that will only be a taste of what you'll receive," Harry said through clenched teeth. Most of the people in the hall stood shocked. They didn't understand what Harry did but they were now all scared of him. They parted like the Nile when Harry walked away from Snape.

The Headmaster helped Snape up while Ron, Hermione, and Draco went after Harry. The Headmaster was speaking to Snape in hushed tones that seemed to calm him. Snape straightened his robes and strolled into the kitchen to get a glass of water, Harry was in the Dinning area.

"Harry was that really necessary?" Dumbledore said as he walked in the room with him.

"Yes, nothing seems to get through to that man. I've held my temper for far too long and he finally got what he deserves. Actually, he got only a fraction of what he deserves now that I know what he's done. And why didn't you tell me he was the one?" Harry asked Dumbledore defiantly.

"One what Harry?" Albus asked.

"The one that heard you outside the door at Hog's Head Inn," Harry accused.

"I didn't tell you that day in my office because you kept blaming Severus for Sirius' death. I did not think it appropriate at the time to inform you," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Appropriate, APPROPRIATE!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs, "He's the reason my parents died! He's the one that told Voldemort about the prophecy to begin with, and you're telling me that is wasn't appropriate for me to be informed! Are you so old you've grown DELIRIOUS?" Harry was now hysterical. Several vases burst at his last yelled and several people screamed.

"Harry please calm down and let me explain myself," Dumbledore said gravely.

"No! I'm tired of it. That's all I ever get from you is more explanations. You told me you were going to tell me everything that day! YOU LIED!" he screeched again as more things from another room burst and shattered.

Ron and Hermione were now physically shaking where they stood. Draco kept looking around for anything else that might shatter as though he was trying to pin the next thing to be demolished. Seeing that Harry was only going to get worse, he strode forward bravely and took Harry into an embrace. He stood there and hugged Harry hard and began whispering things in his ear. Harry visibly began to calm. His red face went back to normal. The power he was radiating began to seep back and finally his shoulders slumped. He had tears in his eyes, but he was not shaking with sobs. He finally looked up from where he had his head buried in the crook of Draco's neck and separated himself from Draco.

"You lied to me," was all he said before he strode out of the room with Draco on his heels and flooed back to Arabella's house.

Upon stepping out of the fireplace Miss Figg caught sight of him and smiled an out of place smile at him.

"Have a good birthday party?" she asked him.

"A what?" he asked looking at her confused.

"Well, they said that's the reason you were going there today. Dumbledore was going to be away tomorrow so they decided to throw your birthday party a day early. Did they not?" she asked suddenly stricken. She just realized that she may have ruined the surprise.

"No, there was no party. If you'll excuse us we have to get back," Draco said politely putting a hand on Harry's shoulder and leading him to the door.

"But--But, aren't you supposed to have someone with you. Albus will be furious if you go back alone!" Miss Figg screeched. Harry turned and looked at her shrewdly before he waved his hand and took all ability of speech from her with a silencing spell.

"You will not speak of the senile fool in my presence," he spat as he walked out of he house followed by Draco who had his wand out in the open for protection.

***

"Harry, I'm just saying that maybe you should have heard him out that's all. I'm not telling you that you should agree with his reasoning, I just think you should have allowed him to fill in the holes, that all," Draco tried to reason with him.

"Why are you taking his side on this?" Harry asked in an accusing voice.

"Love, I'm not. It's just always good to be well informed. What if he told you something important like the Dark Lord tortured Snape or something like that? That would have made more sense right?" he asked, he was now grasping for straws.

"No, that would just make him look like he thought my parents were below him so he ratted them out by telling Voldemort the prophecy," Harry said still not wavering from his position.

"What is this prophecy anyway and what the hell does it consist of to make it so important?" Draco asked.

"I can't tell you. It's not that I don't trust you, I haven't even told Ron and Hermione. It's just if the wrong people found out it would bring everything the light side has worked for so long, crashing down to our feet. I can tell you the beginning of it, the part he already knows: 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches---born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies'. That's what Snape heard and told Voldemort. That's why Voldemort killed my parents; and why he has been trying to kill me ever since," Harry explained. His voice was hoarse and he was starting to tire from arguing.

"But-that could have been anyone. Anyone's birthday could have been at the end of the seventh month. I don't understand how he knew it was you?" Draco said thinking.

"Neville's parents and my parents were both in the Order of the Phoenix. They had both defied Voldemort many times. But he chose me because I was a half-blood, like him. He saw me as more dangerous because he himself was very powerful. He had one muggle parent and one pureblood parent, and I had one muggle-born parent and one pureblood parent," Harry explained.

"I still don't understand how he was allowed to choose which one he wanted to become his enemy?" Draco said still pondering openly.

"That part is in the second part of the prophecy, the part I can't tell you," Harry said softly thinking about how Voldemort marked him as an equal when he gave him the scar.

"Well, come on; let's go have a duel so you can let your frustration out. Then we'll come back and you can go to bed. You've had a hard day and it's barley past three," Draco said standing. Harry followed him out of the house, making only a short stop for Draco to inform Petunia to keep everyone out of the back yard for the next hour because they would be duelling. She just nodded not even looking up from her tabloid magazine, and they continued outside.

"Are you using a wand?" Draco asked him as he walked about fifteen feet from Harry and turned to face him. Harry shook his head no. Draco bowed and Harry followed suite.

"Do you want me to speak the spells so you know what I'm casting?" Harry asked. Draco nodded his head yes and they began.

"Serpensortia," Harry said as he waved his hand and a snake was formed on the ground. Before Draco had a chance to say anything Harry had waved his and again and following with "Engorgio," as the snake grew to twenty feet long.

Clearly frightened by the sized of the snake Draco cried,

"Diffindo!" the snake writhed in pain but before it could regain its composure Draco cried, "Evanesco!" and the snake shrivelled up and vanished. It was then that Draco noticed that the snake was only a diversion. He looked up at Harry to see that he had transfigured or conjured a couple of mirrors and they were hovering around him.

"Accio Mirror!" Draco cried trying to relieve himself of having the lower advantage.

"Protego," Harry said as he waved his hand again and let the summoning magic vanish away. "Avis," he said holding his hand palm out while a red phoenix burst into the air singing a song that always seemed to calm him.

"Stupefy!" Draco yelled pointing his wand at Harry, but the phoenix swooped down and ate the spell before landing on Harry's shoulder. Harry snapped his fingers and said,

"Evanesco," as both the Phoenix and Draco's wand vanished into thin air. Draco stood stunned. He knew that vanishing spell, but never thought to use it that way. It was usually one used on things transfigured. Finally he decided to speak.

"You have the oddest style when it comes to duelling. You simply play in defence the whole time until your opponents ran out of options, and then you don't stun them, but get rid of their defences. I've never seen anything like it," Draco said shaking his head. "Do you think you're going to be able to do that with Voldemort Harry? You're going to have to fight back you know," he said as he walked up to him and took one of the mirrors in his hand. "How did you get these?" Draco asked.

"I transfigured them from rocks. They can deflect spells, but more important, they can make me invisible if I need to be," Harry answered.

"How would you do that?" Draco asked clearly impressed.

"Like this," he said waving his arm over his head and making the mirrors reflect the light of the sun into Draco's face so he had to close his eyes. "I've just learned how to use my surroundings as a defence so I can work on the best way to get rid of my opponent," Harry said as he waved his hand again and banished the mirrors. He then snapped his fingers and Draco's wand appeared in his hand and he held it out towards the other boy. Draco smiled and took his wand. He then looked around to make sure no one was watching and kissed Harry lightly on the lips.

***

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked as he laid down on his bed still in his clothes desperate for some rest.

"I have a letter to write, do you mind if I use Hedwig?" he asked as he took Harry's shoes off from the bottom of the bed.

"Nuh-huh," he answered as he pulled a pillow under his head and closed his eyes.

"Sleep well," Draco said as he went to the desk and began to draft a much needed letter to someone.

***

Harry woke up in the middle of the night engulfed in a warm embrace. Turning his head slightly he smiled at the boy behind him that was sleeping with one arm draped over Harry's midsection and using his other as a pillow. He was lying on top of the covers rather than under them like he himself was, but both of them were still fully clothed, minus shoes. Harry took Draco's draped arm off and got into a sitting position. He crawled out from under the covers and levitated Draco. He then proceeded to undress Draco until he was down to his boxers and a tee-shirt. Stripping himself down the same way, he turned down the covers and levitated Draco back down onto the bed. He crawled in and pulled the blankets up over both of them before putting Draco's arm back over his midsection and drifting off once more in a pleasant slumber while being held.

Harry woke up in the morning to Draco scrunching closer to him. He didn't say anything instead he turned, making sure Draco's arm stayed over him, and buried his head in Draco's chest. The other boy held him tight as if by instinct and got comfortable again.

Harry stayed like this for over half an hour before Draco began to stir again. Harry hadn't went back to sleep after he turned over, he just laid there enjoying the closeness with his--what? Friend? Boyfriend? Well, whatever he was, Harry was glad he was here in the bed with him cuddling. After about five minutes of fitful sleep, Harry finally recoiled and kissed Draco softly on the lips. Draco's eyes fluttered open and a smile automatically spread across his face. Harry smiled back encouragingly and Draco kissed him on his forehead, as to avoid morning breath.

"Morning my teddy," Harry teased.

"How did you get me undressed, and under the blankets, without waking me?" Draco asked frowning somewhat.

"Levitation of course," Harry answered.

"Was it really that easy?" Draco asked. He was clearly displeased at being such a deep sleeper.

"Yes, but don't worry, after your Occlumency gets better, a cat walking across the floor will be enough to wake you," Harry said fondly.

"Good, I don't like the fact that someone could kill me in my sleep and I would never hear a thing," he said.

"You're so over dramatic sometimes," Harry teased. Harry rolled over on top of the other boy and kissed his cheek before trying to get up, but Draco had already latched on and was having none of it.

"Let's stay in bed all day," he said sliding his arms behind Harry and locking his hands at the small of Harry's back.

"We have to practice, and I want to start something new today," he said.

"What are we going to start?" Draco asked clearly interested.

"Well, I wanted to start on animal transfiguration, but you can do it also. It would be nice if I had someone to practice with," Harry said while trying to force his way up, but was only preceding in grinding harder into Draco's already aroused member.

"You know the more you struggle, the more I'm liable to put a full body bind on you and have my way, right?" He said in a seductive way.

"You can't rape the willing," Harry said just as seductively.

"Oh, willing? Well this I can do," Draco said rolling them over so that he was on top and began to kiss Harry on the neck and nibble on his ears. Harry waved his hand without Draco noticing and locked the door and then put a silencing charm on it.

(Edited...Please see http://www.msnusers.com/HarryPotterandGainingMomentumSeries/Documents/S4%20%2D%20Hostility%20%2D%20unedited%2Ehtm at my msn group for unedited version)

Draco kissed Harry deeply before beginning the process again, but this time at the advantage of Harry.