First Place - Action/Adventure

Harry intentionally got to the Potions classroom a minute late, not wanting to deal with everyone. He'd had a difficult night; he was tired, he was confused, and he was feeling generally cranky and hurt now.

"Mr. Potter, ten points from Gryffindor for being late," Snape sneered.

Harry just nodded and sat Draco at an empty desk at the back of the Gryffindor side of the room, ignoring Blaise trying to wave him to the seat next to him, ignoring the other Slytherins, ignoring the Gryffindors, ignoring Snape's raised eyebrow at Harry's choice of seating.

Snape went back to lecturing and Harry quickly got out his parchment, quill and ink to take notes, as well as helping Draco get out the same so he could draw. Harry ignored all the worried and curious glances sent his direction and took down all the required notes. "

Stay right here," Harry ordered Draco quietly. "I just need to get the supplies for the potion."

"Okay, Harry," Draco said quietly.

Harry took a deep breath and made his way over to the student's store cupboard along with half the class. Pansy and Hermione both cornered him.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"He's upset with me," Pansy said quietly.

"You only told the truth," Harry said wearily. "I'm not upset with you for telling the truth."

"Harry, I didn't mean it that way," Pansy whispered, not wanting Snape to overhear. "I'm sorry."

Hermione was now looking at them both with raised eyebrows.

"Look, just forget it. I'm just in a lousy mood because I had a rough night," Harry said, snagging supplies from the shelves.

"And why was last night so bad?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"I don't want to talk about it," Harry snapped irritably.

"Are you still going to come to the common room after dinner?" Pansy asked worriedly.

Harry sighed.

"Mr. Potter," Snape broke into their conversation. "You seem to be intent on disrupting the class today. That'll be ten points, now return to your seat immediately."

Harry shot him a glare, but turned his back on the two girls without another word and went back to his seat. Harry scowled to himself as he thought about the fact that it seemed he was going to pay the price for having gotten some comfort the night before.

As Harry made his way back to his workbench, he saw Draco looking back at him with a forlorn expression. Harry knew he had to work hard to try to turn his attitude around again, for Draco's sake, if not his own.

Harry set the potions supplies down and looked at Draco. "Feel like helping me brew a potion this afternoon?" Harry asked.

"Really?" Draco breathed.

"Really," Harry said, finally giving Draco a small smile.

Harry set a mortar and pestle in front of Draco and showed him how to grind the scarab beetles while Harry started chopping the daisy roots he needed.

Harry tuned out everyone else and actually spent a fairly pleasant hour working on the potion with Draco. He was more of a help than Harry had expected, but then, Harry realized he should have known better. Draco showed a fascination with potions and he worked with an intense concentration with any task Harry gave him. He also listened to Harry's every word, careful not to make any mistakes.

Snape came over and glared into their cauldron. "It would seem that even at only age four, Mr. Malfoy is capable of helping you to brew a potion correctly," he sneered at Harry.

Harry looked down at his work surface, feeling stung by the insult. Things were definitely normal in the Potions classroom once again. Harry refused to say a word and after a few tense moments, Snape finally moved on.

When they were done, Harry sent Draco to take the vial up to Snape's desk while Harry cleaned up. It made Draco feel important at the same time that it kept Harry away from Snape and everyone else.

By the time class was over, Harry wasn't exactly feeling better, but he was trying to make more of an effort to stay positive for Draco's sake. He wasn't expecting to be ambushed after class, though.

Harry was still working to clean up and pack his and Draco's things when Ron, Hermione, Pansy and Blaise all converged on him.

"Mr. Potter, you will stay after class," Snape ordered as everyone was gathering their things.

"But I ...," Harry started, and then thought better of it at Snape's glare. "Yes, sir," he said quietly.

"You four can wait outside for him," Snape sneered.

Harry quickly finished packing their things back into their bags and took Draco by the hand to walk up and stand in front of Snape's desk.

Snape sat at his desk, studying them both for a minute, his hands steepled under his chin.

"Draco, I was wondering if you would perhaps like to help me with a potion this afternoon, just you and I," Snape said, surprising both Draco and Harry.

"You'd let me really help you?" Draco asked, his eyes lighting up.

Snape nodded and gave his godson a slight smile. "Yes, Draco, as you helped Mr. Potter this afternoon, you proved that you can be a big help in the lab."

Draco frowned. "But why can't Harry stay?"

"Mr. Potter does not have the same fascination with potions that you do," Snape said smoothly. "I do not think that he would begrudge you the time working on potions while he himself would prefer to be spending his time doing something else."

"You don't like potions, Harry?" Draco asked in wonderment.

"Uh, well, sometimes, but I don't really feel like working on any more potions right now," Harry said, still confused about what exactly was going on. Then again, he seemed to be constantly confused by Snape's behavior towards him over the last week.

"Mr. Potter can return here and collect you before dinner," Snape said to Draco.

"Will you remember to come get me, Harry?" Draco asked anxiously.

Harry smiled and crouched down to give him a hug. "Of course, angel. You have fun brewing potions with Severus."

"Okay, Harry," Draco said, reassured and excited about working on more potions.

Harry turned to leave, but Snape stopped him with a look. "Draco, I've set a cauldron out. Go ahead and start getting out measuring supplies from that shelf there," Snape said, pointing out the supplies for Draco.

Draco eagerly moved to comply and Snape turned back to Harry. "Whatever your problem is with them," Snape sneered, gesturing to the door where Ron, Hermione, Pansy and Blaise were surely still waiting. "I suggest that you get it worked out before dinner."

Snape didn't give Harry a chance to respond and went to help Draco. Harry looked at him wide-eyed with surprise. Snape was doing this to help him? After treating him lousily during class? Confused once again, Harry turned to leave.

He was thinking about Snape and had almost forgotten about the four people who were waiting for him. When he saw them, Harry wasn't so sure he appreciated that Snape was helping him, if that was what he was actually doing.

"Where's Draco?" Blaise asked.

"With Snape," Harry answered quietly. "I have to be back to pick him up for dinner."

"Good," Hermione said, grabbing one of Harry's hands.

Pansy grabbed his other hand. "Because we are going to talk."

"But ...," Harry tried to protest and take his hands back, but the girls weren't letting go and Blaise interrupted.

"No, you're going, Harry," Blaise said. "It's for your own good."

"Ron?" Harry said imploringly, looking for some help.

Ron shrugged. "Sorry, mate. I want to know what the hell is going on, too."

Harry sighed heavily and allowed himself to be pulled along by the two girls. They ended up in the Room of Requirement, neutral territory for the Gryffindors and Slytherins. It was a relaxing room that Ron ended up creating, with a large fireplace and comfortable couches.

Hermione and Pansy finally let go of him and Harry flopped down on one of the couches.

"Can I just take a nap?" Harry asked. He received a chorus of "no" for his answer.

"Although, I must admit you look like you could use one," Hermione said worriedly. "Even after the nap you took in History of Magic this morning."

"And after Snape allowed you to sleep in," Pansy added, still stuck on that fact.

"Did you really have a nightmare last night?" Ron asked anxiously.

"Ron, do you really want me to answer that?" Harry asked irritably.

Ron and Hermione looked at Pansy and Blaise nervously.

"You didn't have a nightmare, did you?" Blaise asked quietly.

"Look, tell me why the four of you dragged me here," Harry snapped. "Because I don't remember the four of you even getting along."

All four of them shifted nervously and looked at Harry warily.

Ron was the one who answered, surprising the others. "I thought you wanted me to get along with the Slytherins. At least them two and Crabbe and Goyle," he said irritably, gesturing towards Pansy and Blaise. "I still don't understand it all, but you made it quite clear that I had to try to get along with them because you weren't about to budge about Draco."

"And we're trying to get along with Granger and Weasley because we know they come as part of the package deal with you," Blaise said quietly.

"I don't care if you all get along or not," Harry snapped. "I just want to be able to take care of Draco. That's it. No hassles, no complications. Why doesn't everyone just leave me alone?"

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked in concern. "This isn't like you."

"What do you want me to say, Mione?" Harry exploded.

He glared at all of them. "You tell me what isn't wrong? I'm stuck between the Gryffindors who resent me for consorting with the Slytherins and the Slytherins who only tolerate me because of Draco," Harry shouted.

"That's not true," Hermione and Pansy both said quickly, but Harry ignored them.

"It's been a week of this and I kept thinking things were going well, all things considered. But then Snape goes and reminds me I'm just being tolerated because of Draco. And there's a whole lot more going on with him that's got me totally confused," Harry said, his brow furrowing, showing his confusion. He shook his head and his anger took precedence again.

"Then Ron's all jealous and resenting me because I'm spending time with the Slytherins and deserting him. Pansy reminded me that the only reason they're speaking to me and being friendly at all is because of Draco. Draco wants me to wear Slytherin robes sometimes and I actually thought it was a good idea," Harry was shouting out his frustration and anger. "But then, how's that going to look to everyone?"

Harry paused, glaring at the others and not caring that they looked uncomfortable with his yelling. "No one wants me right now," Harry said bitterly. "Draco's the only one who does, but that's only because he doesn't fucking remember anything."

"Harry, what in the world happened last night that's got you thinking like this?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Once again, do you really want me to answer that?" Harry asked angrily.

Hermione again looked at Blaise and Pansy uncertainly.

"Exactly," Harry snapped. "We've all barely been on friendly terms for a week. I trust them not to say anything, but do you trust them?"

"Well, how can you even trust them?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"I just do. It's not like they want to go out and actually be little Death Eaters," Harry sneered.

"But you said they're only tolerating you," Ron said angrily. "How can you trust them?"

"Because they're loyal to Draco and Draco's with me," Harry retorted angrily. "They're not going to do or say anything that would harm him."

"Oh," Ron said, the wind taken out of his sails. Obviously something in those words clicked for Ron and Harry rolled his eyes at his friend.

"Harry, we may have started talking to you because of Draco, but I consider you to be my friend now in your own right," Blaise interjected earnestly.

"Me, too," Pansy added quickly. "I've been trying to apologize to you all afternoon. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings at lunchtime."

"Really?" Harry asked, recognizing he was playing Draco's role in the 'really' game.

"Really," Blaise said, quirking a small smile, also recognizing the 'really' game.

"It's all just so confusing," Harry said, dropping his head into his hands. "I'm sorry I got so upset and angry."

"It's all right, mate," Blaise said quietly.

Ron glanced at Pansy and Blaise and nodded to himself, seeming to come to a decision. "You had another vision last night, didn't you?" he asked Harry.

Harry looked up in surprise and whipped his head between Ron and the two Slytherins.

Ron shrugged. "If you can trust them, then I will."

Harry looked at him, bemused by this turn of events. "Who are you and what did you do with Ron?" he asked.

Ron flushed as Pansy and Blaise and even Hermione started snickering. "You just reminded me that friends should be loyal. I've about thrown away your friendship before because I was jealous and didn't trust in things you were telling me. I'm trying really hard not to make that mistake again."

Harry simply stared at him, so Ron cleared his throat and continued. "I know I've been behaving kind of badly this week and I'm sorry. If you say Parkinson and Zabini are all right, then even if I think it's a little strange that you trust them after just a week, I'm going to do my best to believe you."

Then Ron grinned. "Besides, I figure I should probably trust your judgment since I know personally that you've got good taste in friends."

Harry and the others were surprised into laughter.

Hermione was beaming at Ron proudly. "I think you're finally growing up, Ron."

Ron exchanged a glance with Harry and both boys rolled their eyes, then turned and grinned at Hermione. She in turn rolled her eyes at them and their antics.

"Harry kind of inspires loyalty, doesn't he?" Blaise said quietly to Ron and Hermione.

Ron and Hermione both smiled. "Yeah, he's a great guy," Hermione said softly.

"We're beginning to realize that," Pansy said quietly.

Harry was extremely embarrassed, but also pleased. "Thanks. I guess I really needed to hear this today."

"We noticed," Hermione said. "What's going on, Harry? You've been out of sorts and not acting like yourself all afternoon and you missed breakfast this morning, too. Obviously something more is going on."

"Why does there have to be something more?" Harry pouted.

"Because I know you like Pansy and Blaise and from what I understand, you completely overreacted at lunchtime," Hermione said. "You were fine one minute and not the next. We've been going in circles with you all day."

Harry sighed heavily and began explaining - everything. It wasn't long before Harry was sandwiched between Hermione and Pansy as Harry was once again crying as he told them about his guilt and grief over Sirius resurfacing at Voldemort's taunts. His anger at Voldemort and Lucius. His worries for Draco and himself, along with everyone else.

He explained about the vision, consoling Draco, being held by Snape (all of them sworn to absolute secrecy or Snape would kill them all), his confusion over Snape's treatment of him, topped by Pansy's comments at lunchtime.

"Bloody hell, mate," Ron said in amazement when Harry had finally quieted and somewhat composed himself again. "You've got to feel better after getting all that off your chest."

Harry gave him a wan smile. "I suppose. Although I feel a little ridiculous for breaking down - again."

"You've had an overwhelming week," Hermione said knowingly. "The stress was bound to hit you at some point."

Pansy snorted. "Especially since You-Know-Who decided to pay you a personal visit. I'd be bloody terrified and hiding under my bed if it was me and yet here you've been attending classes and at least attempting to pretend like everything was normal."

Hermione, Blaise and Ron were all nodding their heads in agreement. Harry simply shrugged.

"Can we talk about something else now?" Harry asked, tired of going over all that, and just plain tired, physically and emotionally.

"Sure," Pansy said understandingly. "Are you still coming to the Slytherin common room tonight?" she asked.

"Yeah, if it's okay with you. Draco's expecting it now," Harry said.

"It's more than all right with us," Blaise said with a mischievous grin. "Maybe you should wear some of Draco's robes to blend in."

Harry and Pansy began laughing. Harry explained Draco's request to Ron and Hermione. Even Ron ended up supporting the idea. Hermione was surprisingly all for it from the first mention. She said it would be good for school unity and she'd talk to the other Gryffindors later that night to explain it all to them.

Ron and Harry exchanged a glance and grinned. When Hermione got an idea in her head, there wasn't much that was going to stop her. The Gryffindors would likely be supporting Harry in Slytherin robes by curfew, if for no other reason than the fact that Hermione would bully them all.

They all trooped down to the dungeons with Harry to pick up Draco and on the way decided that Harry and Draco should alternate evenings in the two different common rooms like they alternated tables at meal times. It was a decent plan that would keep Harry connected with Gryffindor even as he connected with his new friends in Slytherin.

Harry was quickly regaining his equilibrium. He realized he actually was feeling a lot better. He had two new friends along with his two old friends with him. He'd been able to tell them everything that had been going on with him and they were all understanding and accepting. Even Ron was trusting him and Harry wasn't feeling quite so stuck in the middle anymore.

Yes, Harry thought with a grin, he was actually feeling really good now. He didn't like breaking down in front of them all, but decided that it was worth it.

Malfoy's Child - Chapter 15

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