I Understand

I am glad that it went over well. I was worried that it would be a bit too much. I have read many fics
where Harry’s family abused him and going by canon it does show that he is not exactly happy. My
reason for making the Dursley’s finally acknowledge Harry is this: they found a bigger hatred,
Voldemort. But that my dears, is for a later chapter.

It is bad when your own scene brings tears to your eyes. Thank you.

Enjoy!

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Surprisingly it was Neville that spoke first after what seemed like hours.

“I’m not very good at much. I’m little more than a squib. I can’t brew a potion to save my life but I
could tell you what was in it and what the property of each ingredient does and what that potion is
used for. I am damn good in herbology. I love my Gran and I love my parents. Voldemort cursed
them into insanity when I was three. Being a part of this group has made me realize that I can help
though I don‘t do much. I do this for them.”

Neville sighed and lowered his head. Goyle reached over and placed his hand over Neville’s where it
was lying on his bent knee. Only Draco and Harry noticed Crabbe stiffen but luckily the dark haired
Slytherin said nothing.

Goyle was the next to speak after Neville had finished. It was strange to hear the mostly silent
Slytherin speak.

“My father is in Azkaban. He belongs there. I hate him. My mother can not cope and she is slowly
wasting away. I can heal, so that is what I do. I do it for her.” This was the most that any of them
had ever heard him say about himself.

Neville reached and placed his other hand over the one still on his knee and squeezed it bringing a
smile to the other boy’s face.

Draco reached out and casually placed his hand on Crabbe’s shoulder. The other man stiffened even
more but still said nothing. He didn’t think that anyone had noticed until he saw a small smirk on
Harry’s face.

Hermione sighed and started speaking softly; “I’m not like you. I can never be like you, after all, I
am a Mudblood. I am not ashamed of that. But I can, and do, bring something to this that you never
can; a different point of view. I am a strong and intelligent witch; I fight for all those like me that
can‘t.”

Harry reached over and hugged her.

Crabbe was the next one to speak. “My father is in Azkaban too. He is where he deserves to be. My
mother helps Greg’s mother the best that she can. I hate not showing that I know that two and two
equals four. I hate messing up in all my classes. I am good at charms. I hate acting as if the only
thing that I am good for is to take orders. No offense Draco.”

“None taken,” was the soft reply.

Crabbe shifted uncomfortably, “I hate my life.”

Greg took his hands from Neville and went to hug Vincent. Soft words could be heard but could not
be understood. Slowly Vincent stopped the shaking that he didn’t know he was doing and lifting his
head he looked to each of those sitting there. He saw only acceptance in their eyes and he relaxed the
rest of the way into Greg’s arms.

Ron was the next to speak, “I have not lost anyone. So, why am I here? I am here for my family and
my friends, Harry and Neville ...and Hermione.” Only Harry noticed the slight hesitation of Ron’s
voice on Hermione’s name. He winched in sympathy, it had taken him months to get over what the
girl had done to him and Harry had been with him the entire time.

Pansy watched Ron as he spoke, there was something about the red haired boy that caught her
attention. She had seen him countless times but this was the first time that she actually saw him.

“I get the Dark Mark on Christmas Day.”

She heard the gasps from Neville, Ron and Hermione.

“Since Draco convinced his father that he shouldn’t have the Mark, they decided that someone
should have it here at Hogwarts. My father sold me to Voldemort. I‘m scared. I don‘t want to die so
I will take the Mark. It is the only way to save myself.” She drew herself up into a tight ball,
wrapping her hands around her bent knees and lowering her head to lay it down on her crossed arms,
it was evident that she was upset.

“She doesn’t hate me. I don’t know why, I hate myself enough for both of us. I don’t understand
why she doesn’t hate me.” Draco said into the silence, the loathing for himself apparent in his voice.

“I am a Malfoy. God, how I hate that name. ‘Bad Faith’ is what it means and that is true. I want to
save my mother. And I want my best friend to live. And I do what I must to see that these things
happen.” The old arrogance had crept back into his voice by the time he had finished speaking.
Harry knew then that Draco would have no problem acting as if nothing had happened, this
saddened him and he didn’t know why.

It was silent once again as the eight sat there and thought about what had been said.

“Look,” Neville whispered and when they looked he pointed to the sun that was just starting to
show. They sat there and watched as the sun rose, each of them wondering what this day would
bring.

Slowly they all stood. No one had made a move to leave; they were just standing there looking at
each other, wondering what was next. Ron sighed and made to leave, when he was stopped by a low,
“Wait.”

They turned and watched as Harry looked to each of them and said softly, “We discovered
something tonight. Let’s not let old hurts ruin it.” He watched as each of them nodded, he saw that
Draco was about to say something but continued before he could.

“But, for all our safety, we must act as if nothing has changed. That means your group, Draco, must
act the same as they were before tonight. We, the Gryffindors, have already declared that there will
be no fighting. I will not go back on that because we can’t change it, but you four have to stay the
same. There is a spy already here at Hogwarts, and no, we do not know who it is.”

Pansy watched him closely, “Why do you think that there is a spy?”

“Because too much is known about what goes on at times where no one should be about.” Harry
said.

“And you think it is one of us?” Draco asked sharply.

“No,” Ron said, “we don’t have a clue as to who it is. We were hoping that you might know.”

The four Slytherins glanced at each other before their gaze settled on Draco. His face showed
nothing, but a slight lift of his eyebrow told them to say nothing. They would keep some things
secret.

Draco stroked his chin in thought, “Let’s see...a sneaky, underhanded Slytherin. HHuummmm.
Couldn‘t narrow it down a bit, could you?”

Pansy giggled and Greg and Vincent just shook their heads.

Hermione’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Draco, “Don’t push it Malfoy.” Hearing a sound next to
her she glanced over and saw something she never thought she would see. Harry, Ron and Neville
were laughing. Not at, but with, the Slytherins.

She grunted and crossing her arms glared at them all. She didn’t find it the least bit funny.

“I think that that is a good a note to end it on as any. Let’s go get some sleep.” Harry said when he
had finally caught his breath. Each of them nodded and slowly started to walk back towards
Hogwarts.

Harry took a couple of steps before someone calling his name halted him. He turned to see Draco
still standing in the middle of the pitch.

“I need to talk to you Potter,” he called again.

Harry walked back towards Draco. Stopping a few feet from him he smirked, “what do you want
Malfoy?”

“I want to know what is going on.” Malfoy said in a strangely calm voice.

“Nothing.” was Harry’s confused answer.

“Don’t lie to me,” the blond snapped.

Harry shook his head holding out his hands in question, “I don’t...”

“Just tell me Potter,” Malfoy said coldly.

“Look Malfoy, I haven’t slept in two days. If you can’t be more specific then I am leaving.”

Draco reached out to stop him from leaving. Harry looked at the hand on his arm and was furious.

“I want to know why you think you have no life,” he snarled at the shocked boy.

“Malfoy,” Harry yelped out trying to turn to leave. But he was spun around before he could take
one step.

They hadn’t known how close they had been standing because when Draco spun Harry around to
face him they were mere inches apart. Both boys were furious and their breaths were coming in short
gasps, each could feel the others breath on their face. Harry stared into the shining silver-blue eyes
and was instantly lost.

He felt his eyes drift down to Draco’s lips, not knowing that the other boy was doing the same thing.

I wonder what he tastes like? ran through both boys’ mind.

It felt like eternity that they stared at the other’s lips before Harry breathed in sharply and turning
ripped his arm from Malfoy’s grip.

“I...I”

He didn’t run from the pitch, well really, but it was a very fast walk.

Draco sighed and running his hand through his hair for the hundredth time that night slowly made
his way to the Slytherin dorms to take a very, very cold shower.

**********************************************************

WooHooo for cold showers!

Love Ya’ll!

Enjoy!

LMG