First Place - Action/Adventure

Draco slowly walked back to his seat at the table, continually glancing back at Harry worriedly.

Snape waved his wand and cast a Silencing bubble around them, so that there was no possibility of them being overheard. Harry was a little surprised that Snape was willing to have this discussion in the Great Hall, but was pleased, nonetheless, that the man wasn't taking him out of Draco's sight. Draco was scared enough as it was, and maybe Snape realized that, too. Harry wasn't sure if he was actually in trouble or not.

"Now, would you care to tell me what had you so angry that you decided to attack the wall?" Snape asked quietly, in a low but very dangerous tone.

Harry knew immediately that if he didn't have a very good reason for his anger, and if it had no relation to Draco, then he was in some serious trouble. Maybe he was wrong, but it seemed to Harry that Snape might be willing to overlook his behavior, more interested in finding out if there was a concern regarding Draco. The reminder of exactly why Snape wanted to talk to him brought Harry's simmering anger boiling to the surface again. His anger was very much on Draco's behalf, adding to the hatred he already had for Lucius Malfoy.

Harry deliberated, turning away from Draco and keeping his head down so the little boy wouldn't see the dark expression Harry knew was gracing his features again. "In all likelihood, Voldemort will help his Death Eaters escape soon and then I'll have an easier opportunity to fucking kill Lucius Malfoy," Harry said furiously.

Harry didn't register the shock that crossed Snape's features for a few seconds, but many others around the Hall did. Snape gave a tiny shake of his head, and then stared intently at Harry.

"Pray tell me why it is that you suddenly wish to commit murder?" he asked smoothly.

Harry glared darkly at his professor, but for once Snape seemed to recognize that the glare wasn't actually being directed at him, and let it slide. Harry would have been extremely surprised if he knew that Snape was wondering if it was a good or a bad thing that Lucius wasn't there in front of Harry at the moment.

"That man doesn't deserve to call Draco his son," Harry spat.

Snape's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What exactly have you learned?" he asked.

"Not as much as I'd like, if I intend to help Draco, but so help me, I'll do whatever I can to help him regardless," Harry said angrily. Snape glared and Harry went on to explain what little he knew. "Draco woke up screaming from a nightmare last night. He was absolutely terrified. I talked to him, but all I could get out of him was that it was a nightmare based on something that had actually happened. I calmed him down and said we'd talk about it today."

"And Blaise?" Snape questioned.

"Blaise doesn't know much but he wanted me to be aware that Draco still has nightmares pretty frequently. He said the only reason he knows what little he does is because Draco has forgotten to put Silencing charms around his bed a few times," Harry explained.

"What else?" Snape asked, eyes narrowing even more.

If anything, Harry's expression became even darker; his fists tightly clenched at his sides. "The fucking bastard has been punishing Draco severely, at least since before he turned four. Blaise didn't know anything more, except, the couple of times he heard Draco having his nightmares, he could hear him pleading to his father for mercy. No child should have to plead for mercy from their father."

Snape looked a cross between horrified and absolutely livid. It wasn't a pleasant combination. He ran a hand through his hair agitatedly, just as Harry had earlier.

"Why didn't I know about this?" Snape asked. His voice registered both his growing fury and frustration. Harry knew how angry he was himself about this, and could only guess how Snape was feeling. Draco was his godson, and yet he hadn't known that Draco was going through nightmares because of his father. They didn't even know exactly what Lucius had done to Draco.

"Just a guess, but I'd be willing to bet that Lucius threatened Draco's life if he told anyone. The miserable fucking bastard," Harry spat. "Beyond that, I'm sure Draco threatened Blaise and his other dorm mates if they said anything. Blaise said that Draco refused to talk about it."

It was a testament to how furious Snape himself was at Lucius, that he wasn't even commenting, let alone docking points for Harry's language or attitude.

"So, why did Blaise tell you?" Snape sneered.

Harry gave Snape a death glare that rivaled his own. "Because Blaise has figured out that I'll do whatever I can for Draco. He's hoping that maybe I can help Draco, seeing as how Draco is more willing to talk at this age, at least to me."

Suddenly, Snape's fist slammed into the stone wall, and Harry's eyes widened, shocked that Severus Snape, the widely-acknowledged Master of Control himself, would react the same way he had. He knew of quite a few males that tended to hit things when they got extremely angry, but he never would have expected that kind of reaction from Snape. It was almost expected of males like Uncle Vernon and Dudley, but certainly not men like Snape.

Harry wasn't exactly proud of his own behavior and he'd be willing to bet that Snape wasn't going to be happy with himself for losing control like that - especially since it mimicked Harry's own reaction. Then again, maybe it was the power of suggestion in the anger of the moment.

What else was Snape supposed to do? Whip out his wand and start hexing Harry or Blaise as the messengers? Snape probably wanted to do exactly that, and Harry felt he should be damn thankful that Snape was hitting the wall instead. If nothing else, at least Harry knew Snape wasn't going to be punishing him for his behavior now.

Whatever his reason for hitting the wall, Snape's frustration and fury had obviously reached a point of needing some type of release as well. Harry wasn't particularly surprised by this, figuring that Snape's frustration could have easily tipped over the edge of control with the idea that Harry Potter, of all people, was the one that Draco was trusting, rather than himself, in addition to everything else.

Snape and Harry didn't have a good history, but at that exact moment, Harry felt an affinity with the man. Harry raised a brow. "Doesn't help much, but it feels at least a little satisfying, doesn't it?" he asked.

Snape gave a curt nod. He pulled his wand and cast a spell healing his hand, gestured for Harry's hand and healed his as well.

"You will keep me informed as to what you learn," Snape said curtly.

Harry simply nodded.

"And Potter," Snape said very quietly. "I will personally help you kill him."

Harry nodded again, not exactly surprised by Snape's declaration. "Yes, sir."

Snape waved his wand again, dropping the Silencing bubble. They turned as one to go back to their respective tables. Harry realized two things at once. Draco was sobbing as Blaise was attempting to hold him back and the rest of the room was absolutely silent as they stared in shock at Harry and Snape. Harry could care less about the rest of the room at the moment and focused on Draco.

As soon as Blaise realized Harry's attention was on Draco, he let him go and the little bundle came flying into Harry's arms. Harry dropped to his knees and rocked the crying boy, burying his face in Draco's hair, even as Draco's face was buried in his robes. Harry murmured to him soothingly and gradually Draco began to calm down to the infrequent, hiccupping sobs.

"Harry," Blaise spoke from above them. Harry looked up and realized that Blaise was holding out a handkerchief. He took it and began wiping Draco's face and helping him blow his nose.

"I'm going to have to get some of these," Harry muttered to himself.

Blaise heard him and gave Harry a smirk. "Draco has a ton of them down in the dorm."

Draco looked up curiously. "I have more things here?" he asked. Obviously the boy hadn't thought about that.

Blaise nodded. "You have a ton of things down in the Slytherin dorms, just waiting for you to come back."

"Would you like to go take a look later?" Harry asked. "If nothing else, I can snag those handkerchiefs," he muttered.

Blaise smirked at Harry, but spoke to Draco. "I could take you both there after classes today if you'd like," he offered.

Draco's eyes lit up a little. "I'd like that," he said shyly. But then he turned back to Harry remembering the events of the morning. He picked up Harry's hand, examining it closely.

"My hand is fine, Draco. Your godfather is fine, too. He healed us both up, good as new," Harry said cheerfully.

Draco's chin quivered a little. "I was scared. You both looked so angry," he whispered.

Harry could have hit himself. "Draco," he said firmly, locking eyes with the little boy. "I don't care how angry I get. I will never hurt you. I'm not angry with you and even if I was, I'd still never hurt you."

"But what about Sev'rus?" Draco asked in a very small voice. "He's friends with my father."

Only for Draco's sake was Harry able to willfully school his features into a calm mask. Draco didn't realize, thankfully, but Blaise noticed the sudden fists clenched behind Draco's back.

"Draco, the same goes for Severus. It doesn't matter if he's friends with your father or not. Severus will never hurt you, whether he's angry with you, or someone else like he was today," Harry explained.

Draco still looked worried and Harry searched for a way to get through to this boy who was breaking his heart. "Draco, did you see how we both punched the wall?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded.

"Well, you see, we did that because we were angry and didn't want to hurt anybody. Just like me, if Severus gets too angry and wants to lash out at something, he'll hit a wall instead," Harry explained.

Harry and Blaise both noticed that Draco flinched when Harry mentioned lashing out at something. Harry's fists clenched even tighter behind Draco. Without realizing it, Draco was just confirming their suspicions. It seemed that Lucius Malfoy had a tendency to lash out at Draco in one way or another.

Draco was finally looking calmer, though, and had a thoughtful expression on his face. "So, if I get in trouble, Sev'rus won't hurt me? He'll just hit a wall if he gets too mad?" he asked quietly.

Harry simply nodded.

Draco turned to Blaise. "And you really didn't do anything to hurt Harry?" he asked.

"No, Draco, I told you I wouldn't do anything to hurt him and I didn't," Blaise answered softly.

Draco sighed. "So, everything's all right then?" he asked Harry.

Harry smiled gently. "Yes, everything is all right. I think breakfast is about over. What do you say we get our bags and head to class? Do you still feel up to it?" Harry asked.

Draco scrambled to his feet and nodded eagerly, rushing over to get his bag. Harry blinked, a little astounded that Draco could switch moods so readily.

"Are we in trouble with Snape?" Blaise asked quickly and quietly.

Harry shook his head. "No. He's just angry at Lucius."

They didn't have time to say anything else as they reached the table. Draco was struggling to get his arms through the straps on his bag. Harry helped him get the backpack settled and picked up his own bag.

He held his hand out to Draco. "Ready?" Harry asked cheerfully, ready to move on himself and deal with the repercussions of all this later.

"Yeah!" Draco exclaimed.

Harry laughed. "I wish I had as much enthusiasm as you about going to class this morning," he said ruefully as they began walking.

"Me, too," Blaise muttered, walking on the other side of Draco. Crabbe and Goyle were quietly following along behind them. As they neared the main doors, Hermione and Ron came up on the other side of Harry.

"I'll get to see everyone doing magic," Draco said excitedly.

Harry grinned down at him. "Maybe we didn't need to pack any activities for you to do in class today. You're going to be too busy watching everyone," he said humorously.

"Unless you've got Binns today. But you still wouldn't need anything for him to do because he'd just be asleep like everyone else," Blaise said chuckling.

Harry and Ron both laughed along with Blaise, as Hermione glared. Harry was a little impressed that Ron was laughing instead of glaring. He wondered how much Hermione had been lecturing Ron over breakfast. Whatever the reason for everyone getting along, at least temporarily, Harry was grateful for it.

He was also extremely grateful that Hermione and Ron weren't badgering him to explain what had just happened in the Great Hall. Harry and Draco had both had enough upset for the time being, and for once Harry's friends seemed to realize it. Either that, or they knew Harry would explode if they dared to upset Draco again by questioning Harry right now.

"Doesn't anybody take notes in that class besides me?" Hermione huffed.

Blaise looked down at Draco ruefully. "Actually, Draco normally does, so I guess I'm going to be in trouble until he gets sorted out. Pansy usually takes notes, maybe I can talk her into sharing them," he said thoughtfully.

"Then you best be thinking about what you've got to give me in return," Pansy spoke up from behind Blaise.

He spun around and walked backwards, facing her. "Ah, come on, Pansy dear. You know you want to share because you love me," Blaise said sweetly, batting his long dark lashes at her.

Pansy gave a very unladylike snort. "In your dreams, Zabini," she snapped, even while she was trying to suppress a smile.

Blaise winked at her before turning around to walk forward again.

Harry was chuckling. "Merlin, I've got a major sense of d�j� vu. It appears that it doesn't matter which house you're in, the pleading for history notes is still the same." Ron and Hermione both glared at their friend.

"Don't give me that glare, Ron," Harry laughed. "We've done the exact same pleading with Hermione, as Blaise just pleaded with Pansy. And I'd be willing to bet that Pansy ends up giving in, just like Hermione does, because they pity us helpless blokes that are affected with a sleeping spell minutes upon entering Binns' classroom."

They all laughed at Harry's words, but Hermione and Pansy each leaned forward a little and exchanged a glance.

"I think we should make them suffer," Pansy said conversationally to Hermione.

"Or make them pay big time," Hermione agreed.

The girls both nodded to each other, then stared straight ahead, ignoring the boys.

"Merlin, Harry! Why'd you have to go and open your big mouth for?" Ron exclaimed.

"Yeah, Harry! Now we're screwed!" Blaise cried out.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I was just trying to point out that the people in our two houses really aren't as different as we've always thought," Harry said helplessly. Ironically enough, they were all getting along at the moment, as all of them were ganging up against Harry now.

"Yeah, now all of us blokes are stuck without history notes," Ron mock snarled.

"When we find someone else to mooch notes off of, Weasley, we'll just have to leave Harry out of the loop," Blaise said.

"Agreed," Ron said decisively.

He could play this game, Harry thought with an inward grin. He gazed sorrowfully down at Draco, who had been listening to the interchange with wide eyes. "Well, Draco, I guess it's just you and me. I'll have to rely on you keeping me awake in History of Magic, after all, so I can actually take notes for a change."

"Sure, put the pressure on the four-year-old," Pansy scoffed.

Harry shrugged helplessly. "Well, if I had access to someone else's notes ..., " he said, trailing off slowly.

"Fine!" Hermione huffed, giving in. "You're not going to take advantage of a little boy."

"I'm not about to let you use Draco either," Pansy huffed, giving in as well.

Blaise and Ron suppressed grins at Harry's underhandedness in using Draco as leverage, as Harry turned his gaze back down to Draco. "That was a close call," Harry stage-whispered conspiratorially. "We owe the girls big time because they just saved our nap time in Binns' class."

"Damn right you owe us," Pansy mock sulked, and Hermione was nodding in agreement. "Ah, we'll make it up to you two somehow," Harry promised with a grin.

"I think you could have done fairly well in Slytherin," Blaise said with admiration.

Harry gave him a sly wink and a wicked smirk. "I know," he said simply. The others stopped short and stared at Harry in shock, but Harry didn't give them a chance to ask questions as he entered the Transfiguration classroom with Draco.

Harry chose seats in the middle and at the back of the classroom. In the middle, because they would be in between the Gryffindor and Slytherin sides of the class. In the back, because Harry hoped that he'd be able to keep Draco out of the limelight, at least a little.

Hermione and Ron sat on Harry's side and Blaise and Pansy sat on the other side of Draco. Crabbe and Goyle, quiet as usual, sat directly in front of Harry and Draco. Harry was thankful because the bulk of the two Slytherins would help to shield Draco from the rest of the class. He briefly debated whether they'd deliberately sat there for that reason and decided they must have. They were nothing if not loyal to Draco. The last day had only reinforced that fact.

Harry relieved Draco of his backpack and helped him get out the crayons and some blank parchment so he could draw if he chose to during class. It was the first class of the year and Harry figured it likely that they would be taking notes, at least for awhile, if not the entire time.

As Draco began happily coloring, Hermione got Harry's attention. She and Ron were looking at him worriedly.

"Are you okay?" Hermione whispered quietly.

Harry nodded. "I'm fine."

"Are you going to tell us what the bloody hell happened this morning?" Ron asked.

"We saw how upset Draco was and didn't dare ask earlier," Hermione added, giving the little boy a concerned glance.

Harry glanced at Draco. "I don't think now is a good time either," he said quietly.

"Just answer one question," Ron said. "Were you and Snape actually getting along?" he asked, his face twisted up in a grimace. The very idea was unbelievable.

Harry's expression darkened for a moment before he masked it. "Let's just say that we agree on at least one thing," he said. Harry glanced at Draco again. "Make that two things," he added.

Professor McGonagall began class then, which left no opportunity for conversation. Draco quietly colored while everyone else took notes the first half of class. The second half of class was spent doing some review and Draco's colors were forgotten.

They practiced the vanishing spells that had been the practical for the owl exams. Draco was wide-eyed at the Iguana Harry was given to practice on and his eyes were bulging as Harry vanished it. "Wow!" he breathed. Draco sure knew how to make Harry feel like he'd really accomplished something. Harry was grinning along with Draco as they watched the others practice the spell, too.

After Transfiguration, Harry and Draco followed Ron and Hermione to the dreaded History of Magic classroom that had been discussed earlier in the morning. Harry didn't even bother unpacking anything from his and Draco's bags. He snuggled Draco in his lap and the boy was soon sleeping soundly. Harry was out soon after, his head resting on top of Draco's, even as his arms stayed locked around Draco.

Hermione glanced over and simply gave them a gentle smile before she turned back to her notes. Binns never even noticed that there was a small child in the room, let alone that he was sound asleep in a student's lap who wasn't working at all.

Soon enough, Hermione nudged Harry awake. Harry gently woke Draco and they left for lunch. Draco approached the Gryffindor table nervously, but Harry approached confidently. Harry was certain that they would have a much better reception than they'd had at dinner the night before, especially since classes had gone well over the morning without anyone causing much fuss.

Harry got Draco settled between himself and Hermione and Ron sat on the other side of Harry. Whether at the Gryffindor or the Slytherin table, Harry and Draco were sandwiched between people who would protect them.

As Harry began filling Draco's plate, Neville, Seamus, Dean and Ginny dropped down in the seats across from the foursome.

"Hey, little man," Seamus greeted cheerfully, in his usual boisterous manner.

Draco offered his shy smile. "Hi Seamus," he said quietly.

Seamus winked at him. "Did you and Harry have a good nap?" he asked.

"Yes, we did, thank you very much," Harry retorted, answering for Draco.

Ginny stood and offered her hand to Draco across the table. "We haven't been introduced yet," she said. "I'm Ginny Weasley, Ron's little sister."

Draco shook her hand gravely. "I'm Draco Malfoy. Pleased to meet you," he said in his formal, adorable-for-a-four-year-old voice.

"I'm happy to meet you, too, Draco," Ginny said with a grin as she sat back down.

"Are you managing to keep Harry out of trouble?" she asked mischievously, with a wink at Harry.

Seamus snorted. "Not with the display Harry put on this morning."

Harry shook his head, but his fellow Gryffindors obviously didn't get the message. "Yeah, Harry, what in the world was going on this morning?" Dean asked.

"Nothing," Harry said shortly.

This just caused the oblivious Seamus to snort again. "Yeah right. You and Snape were both punching the wall this morning. What the bloody hell was going on?"

Draco had dropped his fork and was trembling once again at the reminder of what had happened that morning. Harry glared at Seamus, then turned to look at Draco. He tipped Draco's chin up. "Remember what I said this morning?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded.

"There's no reason to be scared. You just remember that neither Severus nor I will ever hurt you and we're not going to let anyone else hurt you either," Harry said firmly.

Harry was aware that the surrounding Gryffindors went wide-eyed at hearing Harry call their professor by his first name, but he ignored them, keeping his focus on Draco.

"I remember," Draco said softly.

"Good," Harry said. "Now do you remember what I said about how sometimes people say things because they're trying to protect people they care about?" he asked.

Draco frowned in confusion, but nodded. "I remember," he said again.

"Well, just like you are concerned about what happened this morning, my friends are worried, too," Harry explained. "They're not trying to scare you. Just like you, they want to know if I'm okay after what happened. They're also a bit curious because I don't normally go around punching walls," Harry said wryly.

"Oh," Draco said, a look of understanding crossing his face. "And I bet they're worried because you usually have arg'ments with Sev'rus, too."

Harry gave the boy a rueful grin. "Yes, angel, that would be one of the reasons why they're asking questions," he admitted.

"Okay, well then," Draco said, turning to face the others. He took a deep breath then launched into his explanation. "Well, first Blaise took Harry away saying he had something to tell him and I thought he was hurting Harry. I didn't even want Harry to go away in the first place but Harry said it would be okay. But then Harry punched the wall and I thought Blaise did something to make Harry mad. Harry said that he didn't, though. He said Blaise just gave him some information and it made him think of someone else who made him mad."

Draco looked thoughtful for half a second. "I still don't know what the information was, though, that Blaise told Harry. But I don't think it matters," Draco said, shaking his head, answering his own question. He took another deep breath and dived back into his explanation.

"Well, then Harry set me straight and he said everything was okay and Blaise didn't do nothing wrong. He told me he wouldn't do anything to hurt me, but I didn't really think he would. I was just scared that Blaise hurt my Harry. I thought things were going to be okay then, but then things just got worse." Draco paused to take a deep breath.

Harry was smiling in amusement at Draco's version of what had happened that morning. Once Draco got going, it was fun listening to him chatter away. The other Gryffindors were staring at Draco in various states of amusement, mixed with confusion and wonder, at Draco's tale. Harry didn't think anyone had missed Draco saying "my Harry", either. Harry had seen the eyes widen just a little further at Draco's calm declaration in the midst of his story.

"Well, then Sev'rus came over and he made Blaise take me to the table. He wanted Harry to tell him what Blaise said. I didn't want Harry to go away again, but Harry just said it would be okay like he had before. I'm not sure it mattered what Harry said, because when Sev'rus tells you to do something in that way, he really means it," Draco declared, nodding his head for emphasis.

Harry grinned as all the Gryffindors wrapped up in Draco's story automatically nodded with Draco in agreement. And truth be told, they all knew very well what Snape sounded like when he commanded you to do something. You listened, or you knew there would be dire consequences to pay.

"I listened to Sev'rus because I didn't dare not to," Draco continued. "But Harry wouldn't have told me it was okay if it really wasn't okay. Harry tells me the truth. Well, anyway, Blaise took me back to the table and Harry went away with Sev'rus. But then I got really scared again. Harry looked really scary but I know he won't hurt me. But Sev'rus," Draco trailed off momentarily as a shudder passed through his body.

Harry placed an arm around him reassuringly and Draco picked up where he'd left off.

"Sev'rus looked really scary," Draco whispered. "I was really, really scared that he was going to hurt my Harry, or even someone else."

Draco paused and took another deep breath. This was the horror part of his tale and he had everyone hanging on his every word, even as he was remembering his terror.

Hermione patted Draco's arm. "It's okay, Draco. We understand because he looked really scary to us, too."

Draco nodded fervently. "Well, that's just it. He looked so really scary and Harry looked scary, too, and I thought something really bad was going to happen. Then Sev'rus punched the wall just like Harry did. I guess whatever the information was; it made Sev'rus think of the same person because he was really mad. Then he healed his hand and Harry's, too. That made me really glad but I was still scared. And then they were finally done and Harry came back and he held me and let me cry. And I really cried, because that was big," Draco said.

After another deep breath, "Well, when I stopped crying, Harry talked to me and he 'splained everything. He said Sev'rus would never hurt me, just like Harry would never hurt me. Even if he was really, really mad and even if he was mad at me," Draco said, wide-eyed once again at the concept of his godfather never hurting him.

He shook his head. "Harry said it didn't matter if Sev'rus was friends with my father. It didn't matter and still Sev'rus would never hurt me and I believe Harry. Harry wouldn't tell me a lie like that."

"No, I wouldn't," Harry interjected into Draco's story. "And just you remember that," he said, chucking Draco under the chin.

Harry wasn't sure if they'd all caught it, but he knew that Hermione, at least, had caught the implications of what Draco was saying. He'd seen the light of recognition in her eyes when Draco mentioned his father. A glance around the table showed that Ginny also understood, with the look of horror that was on her face.

None of the boys looked like they had caught it, though. Maybe it was just a girl thing to be more observant, Harry thought. Either way, it was time to end this story time.

"Eat your lunch, Draco. You didn't really eat all that much at breakfast, what with all the excitement this morning," Harry said, directing Draco back to his lunch.

Draco did as directed and tucked back into his lunch with new enthusiasm. Harry watched him quietly for a moment, when Hermione caught his eye. She was watching Draco, too, with a newfound sense of sympathy. Glancing across the table at Ginny, he realized she was gazing at Draco in the same way. Harry was thankful that both girls were capable of keeping secrets.

Harry decided to take his own advice and tucked back into his own lunch. By the time they were all finishing up, Professor McGonagall stopped by their table. "Mr. Potter, Dumbledore would like to see you in his office when you are finished eating," she said, pursing her lips.

One glance at her, and Harry didn't think she looked as though she approved of his behavior that morning. Harry swallowed heavily before replying. "Yes, ma'am." She nodded and went on her way.

Harry's mind was working through things quickly. He knew that he'd have to talk about what had happened that morning and hopefully about whatever had caused Draco to revert back to four years old. The latter didn't particularly matter if Draco was present, but he really didn't want to discuss what had happened that morning in front of Draco.

Dumbledore would be pressing for more precise answers than the Gryffindors. Most of them had simply accepted Draco's version of events, and didn't seem to realize that they'd never actually found out why Harry was so angry in the first place.

Harry looked over at the Slytherin table. Maybe Blaise would be able to help out. Draco was probably more used to Blaise than anyone else. After the morning's events, he didn't dare step away from Draco to talk to Blaise, though.

"Hermione," Harry got her attention. "Would you do me a huge favor and go tell Blaise about my meeting and ask him if he'll come with?" he asked, casting a significant glance down at Draco.

She nodded her understanding, but then glanced over at the Slytherin table nervously. "I'll be right back," she said decisively.

Harry watched her approach the Slytherins and nothing derogatory was said, as far as he could tell, but she did go straight to Blaise. They talked for just a minute and Blaise looked over, catching Harry's eye, and nodded. Soon Hermione was back.

"He said he'd help you out and thanks for giving him an out for his Herbology lesson this afternoon," she said wryly.

Harry broke out in surprised laughter and turned to grin at Blaise, who just smirked back at Harry. Blaise met Harry and Draco at the main doors and they slowly worked their way up the stairs to Dumbledore's office. Even with Blaise's help, Harry still wasn't sure how he could distract Draco from the goings on in Dumbledore's office.

Malfoy's Child - Chapter 5

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