The Walk

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters; it is property of J.K.Rowling. This story is strictly for entertainment purposes and I am not making any profit from it whatsoever.

A/N: Ok, so here is chapter 2. Mind you, it is out faster than I had expected, but then, classes haven't started yet. Anyway, I realize that these two chapters have a lot from Harry's perspective, don't worry, that will change later on. I want to focus on Harry right now, so I can leave some mystery with Malfoy. I like a mysterious!Malfoy *shrugs*

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I know you are going to be antsy for some HarryxDraco-development and whatnot, don't worry it is coming. I just want to set up a PLOT XD I know...who needs a plot when you have two hot men with a rivalry of years and a lot of sexual tension between them? Well...sometimes plots are nice...right? Right...right...well, the development shall be put into motion in the next chapter and shall only grow in the chapters to come, I promise!~


Thanks go out to the reviewers!~

``Roren``
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August 19th


“Over here Harry dear!”

Harry barely had enough time to register that Mrs. Weasley had called to him when he was engulfed in a colorful sweater topped with curly red hair. Mrs. Weasley stood back and looked up at Harry, a broad smile across her face and her eyes shining with pride. Harry smiled, “Hello, Mrs. Weasley.”

“Oh, Harry, it’s so good to see you! How have you been? Have you been eating enough. I swear you look thinner every time I see you!” Mrs. Weasley rambled as she pulled Harry over to the front row where the rest of the younger Weasleys and Hermione sat. He smiled at Ron who could only roll his eyes and shake his head at his mother’s fretting; Mrs. Weasley had always considered Harry as one of her children, “Hey, mate.”

“Hey Ron,” Harry waved from down the row.

“Harry! How are you?” Hermione smiled as she watched Mrs. Weasley figure out seating arrangements.

“I’m good ‘Mione,” Harry chuckled lightly as Mrs. Weasley guided him to his seat.

“Here dear, we saved you a seat next to Ginny. Would you like a drink or something? They have refreshments here,” Mrs. Weasley nodded approvingly over to a large buffet table set up near the side of the room. It was piled high with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and breads of all kinds. There was a second table at the end of this table that had fountains of colorful punches and goblets that filled themselves with whatever punch you wanted. He shook his head and politely refused the offer then turned and sat down next to Ginny.

“Ah, Harry my lad, how’ve you been?” Arthur Weasley said as he stepped out from behind the curtain on the stage and walked down to give his wife a peck on the cheek.

“I’ve been fine, sir, thank you,” Harry replied quietly, hoping his hands weren’t fidgeting as he tried to watch Ginny out of the corner of his eye. She was looking at him and it was a little on the unnerving side.

“Good, good. Ah, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on the final presentation,” Mr. Weasley quickly departed and wandered back behind the curtain, speaking to someone about lighting and making sure that the house elves had not tried to ‘fix’ it.

“Hi Harry,” Fred, or George (one couldn’t be too sure when it came to the twins), said enthusiastically as he patted Harry on the shoulder.

“It’s been a while guys. How is business?” Harry asked as he took in the twins robes. They were both wearing burgundy robes of the latest style with gold trim and a shooting star pattern (which moved if you wanted it to) covering its velvet material.

“It’s been booming, as usual, only,”

“We’ve had to hire new assistants because the last two,”

“Ben and Cory, tried to sell our newest creations to our competition in America,” they finished.

“What’s this new creation?” Harry asked innocently.

“Oh, we’ll have to show it to you. It’s too hard to describe properly,”

“Which is,”

“why we haven’t,”

“been able to put it out on the market yet,” they both smirked.

“It does far too much to be able to properly describe it and do it justice!” Both twins laughed, probably at some sort of inside joke, Harry figured.

“Well, why don’t you just put -that- on the box?” he suggested.

The twins stopped laughing and blinked at each other and then at Harry. Fred, or maybe it -was- George, slapped Harry’s back jovially, “And that, my friend, is why you are a partner! Brilliant idea! It will sell thousands just due to curiosity alone!”

Turning to George, or Fred?, the twins began talking about packaging designs and release dates for their newest product. Harry shook his head at how easy that had been and then looked over at Ginny and smiled awkwardly, “Hi.”

Ginny blinked and then giggled, “Hi, Harry.”

Relaxing a bit, Harry leaned back in his chair, “How have you been?”

“I’ve been good. I’m sorry about not being around to see you. I’ve been so busy with my studies and then Dad’s been letting me help out at the Ministry. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the workings of the government, you know?” Ginny replied casually as she shook her long red hair back from her face and smiled.

Harry couldn’t even contain the relief he was feeling at hearing her speak so animatedly and happily; he had been so worried that things would never be the same between him and Ginny, he hadn’t even thought about how things would be if they -were- the same. “So that’s it. I was worried you didn’t want to…well…speak to me again.”

Ginny looked aghast, “Oh, Harry that’s not what I--oh I suppose it must have seemed like that. I’m so sorry. I was just so busy and every time I came home and found out that you had been over, I was so upset that I didn’t get to see you. I’m so sorry!”

Harry shook his head and laughed, “No need. I’m not upset or anything. I just didn’t know. Your brother seemed to think that you ’needed time’.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure he told that to every guy that asked about me,” she said rolling her eyes in annoyance, “he won’t even let me speak to another guy until he has ‘inspected’ his background. I have a feeling he’ll only get worse after he becomes an elite auror.”

“Well, I can try and talk him ‘round. See if he could give you some space. He is awfully protective of his little sister though, so no promises on my results,” Harry replied quietly as he noticed Ron looking at him with suspicion in his eyes. He smiled and waved down the row and then laughed when Fred and George waved back then started waving to everyone around them. Some things would never change.

“Attention guests! May I have your attention please!”

Everyone stopped chatting and turned their attention to the small stage in front of the room where the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley, was now standing in the spotlight, “Thank you all for coming to this open house for the new Elite Auror Training Academy. As you all know, the Department of Magical Defense and Auror Training has been very busy reviewing applications for auror training these past few months. I am happy to say that out of all of the applicants, they have selected thirty-two individuals to be placed in the EATA. And it pleases me to say that I see every single trainee here today.

“We hope that this academy will be able to provide intensive training for its new members. Our goal is to bring out your full potential and create a new league of specialized aurors. Upon graduation you will be placed into the most dangerous of situations, however, do not let that frighten you. You will only be placed in these situations because you will be trained to deal with them. By the time you graduate from EATA, you will be able to handle yourself in any situation.

“Now, before I begin calling the participants forward, I would like to describe the EATA facilities. As you all know, the facility has been built in London, under the disguise of a newstand. This is to ensure that Muggles do not locate our whereabouts. The facility is warded, almost as highly as Hogwarts itself, and because of such wards, you can not apparate or disapparate inside of the premises. Also, certain spells can not be used in certain areas of the building. Those spells will be discussed in detail with the participants during the first training session tomorrow afternoon.

“As for the academy itself: it is set up on a main hallway. Upon entering the campus you will find two training rooms directly across the hall. Both are the size of a Quidditch field. This is to ensure full practice of defensive and offensive magics. Obstacle courses will also be placed in these training rooms for some of the later training sessions. There are three dining halls. One in between the two training rooms and the other two are under the dormitories which are at either end of the academy’s campus. To the left of the first training room is a private gym where physical training will take place and on the right of the second training room is the potions laboratory. Down the hall from the potions room is the library. Our library is filled with books on all types of magic, potions, and fighting techniques. I would like to give thanks to the many bookstores and Hogwarts for their generous donations to this library.

“The female dormitories are down the hall from the library and consist of a common room, a kitchen, showers, and four dorms. Each dorm sleeps four people, quite comfortably if I may add, and has four wardrobes and four trunks for personal affects. The male dormitories are the same, only they are at the opposite end of the campus. To the right of the male dormitory are the professors’ quarters. If any of you have problems and need to speak to a professor, this is where you should go if that professor is not in their classroom.

“Now, to the right of the entrance is our state-of-the-art astronomy room. Being underground, we unfortunately can not use an astronomy tower, but we have gotten around that minor detail. To the left of the entrance is the transfigurations/charms classroom. Our professor of transfiguration and charms has made certain that everything you will need to be successful in his class will be provided to you in some shape or form.

“And, I do believe that covers the most of it. I’m certain you will find my description lacking as this campus is truly spectacular to see in person. Alright then, onto the trainees. When I call your name, please come to this front table where Mr. M. J. Markwell and Mr. M. E. Markwell are sitting and take your orientation packet.”
Harry looked over and blinked as he saw two incredibly thin men with short, wiry straw-colored hair sitting in dark purple robes at a table in the front of the room. He hadn’t even noticed them when he had come in. ‘They must be twins. Though, their personalities seem incredibly different,’ Harry noted as he watched Mr. M.J. Markwell’s frown deepen and Mr. M.E. Markwell’s smile broaden.

Mr. Weasley began reading off the list of participants, “ Ms. Maria Ashby, Ms. Veronica Baker, Mr. Brandon Borland, Mr. Richard Cudney, Mr. Justin Finch-Flechley, Ms. Dana Gifford, Mr. Robert Heaton, Mr. Jonathon Kerr, Mr. Draco Malfoy--”

Harry blinked and looked around the room, Malfoy was here? His eyes widened slightly as he saw the familiar shock of platinum blonde hair moving in the back of the room. He watched as a taller and paler Draco Malfoy strode to the front table and took his papers, then disappeared back into the whispering crowd to resume his seat. Harry looked over at Ron, who only shrugged, which meant, ’Sorry, but Hermione wouldn’t let me tell’. He settled back in his seat and waited for his name to be called.

“Ms. Patricia Pennant, Mr. Harry Potter--”

Harry calmly stood, ignoring the urgent whispers echoing around him. He walked over to the table and took his packet from a beaming Mr. M.E. Markwell and then went back over to his seat, waiting for the whispering to die down. He hated the whispering. He had been naïve to think that just because the war was over and the threat was gone that people would stop talking about him as though he were some kind of prodigy. He was just a normal adult trying to make a life for himself. He was just Harry. Not some wizarding community savior. A lot of people had fought in that final battle. Harry knew he didn’t deserve all the credit, and yet the public refused to acknowledge anyone for their hard work without attaching his name to the praise. He hated it. He sighed and shook his head of his thoughts. He had been having a good day, like hell he was going to let anyone ruin it for him.

“Mr. Ronald Weasley and Mr. Blaise Zabini,” Mr. Weasley cleared his throat slightly and nodded toward Mr. M.J. Markwell and Mr. M. E. Markwell. The two men stood up quickly and headed out the side door silently.

“Now then, we will give you all a few minutes to go over the materials in your packets. The tour of EATA will begin at one o’clock. Please be back in this room by then. Thank you and feel free to help yourselves to our refreshments table,” Mr. Weasley said in closing as he descended the stairs from the stage and came over to chat with his wife. She was smiling and waving her hands and would occasionally jump up and peck her husband on the cheek. He just smiled and took it all in; happiness clearly written on his face.

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“Darling, lets look at your packet,” Narcissa said quietly as she leaned closer to her son. He was currently glaring at the front of the room and she was a little unsettled to see such a facial expression. He hadn’t so much as twitched a lip in the last few months and now the first expression to appear on his face was one of anger. Well, perhaps that was a small step in the right direction. At least he had finally shown some emotion.

Draco looked over at his mother, his mask of indifference replaced, and cleared his throat, “Why didn’t Snape tell me that Potter was going to be here?”

Narcissa cocked an eyebrow and shook her head. “Draco, my darling, you are speaking about Harry Potter being accepted as an auror. I thought it was most obvious that he would be accepted into such a school. I’m certain Severus felt the same way.”

“Hn, I suppose you are right,” Draco relented.

Blinking, Narcissa leaned over and pretended to be incredibly interested in Draco’s booklet. He had just given in without an argument. To say the least, Narcissa was terribly confused as to how she should feel about that. Her son was becoming more of a mystery to her everyday. She used to be able to predict his every outburst and now she had no idea how to read him. Looking up and around the room she noticed all of the different students that would be attending this campus. Perhaps someone here would be able to get through to Draco and draw him out of his shell. She certainly hadn’t been able to and it broke her heart, but her son was going through a difficult time and so she could only hope that someone in this room would be able to help him.

“Draco Malfoy, fancy seeing you here,” a deep voice said in amusement.

Draco looked up, “Blaise Zabini. I could say the same thing about you.”

Blaise smirked and held out a hand, “Mrs. Malfoy, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you. My name is Blaise Zabini, of the Zabini family.”

Narcissa smiled politely and shook his hand, “It is a pleasure, Mr. Zabini.”

Blaise nodded toward the other corner of the room, “My step-father seems to think that you and I are going to be roommates. Seeing as how we are the only two former-Slytherins here, I figure he is probably right, so I thought I‘d stop over here and chat.”

Draco nodded, not really wanting to speak to anyone, and with a nudge in the side from his mother he motioned to the empty chair next to him. “Have a seat, Zabini.”

“Thanks. So then, why did you apply?” Zabini asked casually.

Draco clenched his jaw, “I thought it would give me something to do.”

Narcissa let out a small cough and then stood up, “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to go freshen up a bit.”

Watching his mother leave, Draco settled back in his seat and looked over at Blaise, “Why did you apply? I wouldn’t think your step-father would approve.”

Blaise shrugged, “Yes, well, my step-father is trying to figure out his…allegiances…these days and he seems to think that the new Ministry of Magic is going to be incredibly strong. So that is why I am here.”

Draco looked at Blaise carefully, “Your family didn’t have a side during the war that I am aware of. “

Blaise shifted in his seat, and scratched his ebony cheek. “That would be because Mother did not want my step-father and I to be put into harm’s way. She is rather over-protective of her men, considering her past with them*. But now that the war is over, he wants to establish a connection with the correct side.”

Draco glanced briefly at the other side of the room and spotted Blaise’s step-father. He was a large man, more muscle than fat, and looked to be of Asian descent. He had neatly trimmed, dark hair, pale skin, and slanted black eyes. He was currently speaking with another father of one of the EATA participants and kept waving his arms around animatedly. He looked back at Blaise, who looked very different from his step-father. Blaise had deep ebony skin and pitch-black hair that was trimmed close to his head. He had slanted eyes, which were just like his mother’s, the only difference being that they were blue eyes instead of his mother’s green. Draco imagined that if he stood next to Blaise, he would have to look up at him. Draco being 5’11”, found this a little upsetting. Blaise had always been tall, but he had shot up sometime during seventh year and had finally stopped growing around 6’2”.

Draco looked back to Blaise’s step-father and sighed, he had never really gotten to know Blaise at Hogwarts. His father had completely disapproved of any association with the Zabini’s. Draco had never been able to figure out why, until now. His father would never allow him to be seen with a family that was as full of mixed blood as this one was. Never mind that it was pure blood. His father was incredibly conventional and had some sort of ideal for wizarding families. The Zabini’s did not fit that mold. ‘Well, now is as good a time as ever to rectify such matters,’ Draco thought bitterly. He had been denied too many things in his youth and now that his father was gone, he could do whatever he pleased.

“Malfoy, if you don’t mind me asking…” Blaise started, uncertain of what kind of territory he was walking into, “may I ask you a question?”

Malfoy glanced to his side, “You may ask. There’s no guarantee that I’ll answer it.” He clenched his hands in apprehension. It was always like this. Ever since the war, people always asked the same question: ‘Did you kill your father?’

Blaise nodded and then cleared his throat and leaned in closer, “ Do you think we’ll have to room with…Weasley and Potter?”

Draco blinked and then had to hold back the smile that was threatening to appear on his face, “Zabini, I think you and I will get along quite well.”

Malfoy watched Blaise’s reaction, which was one of confusion, and then answered his question, “If we do, we’ll make sure to handle the situation.”

Blaise smirked in understanding; Slytherins were always thought to be cunning and evil, but in reality, there were quite a few who were just cunning and mischievous. This was definitely going to be an interesting year. He followed Malfoy’s line of vision and saw Potter and Weasley walking, completely oblivious, toward the refreshments table. This was definitely going to be an interesting year.

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*Blaise's mother, rumor has it, has been married seven times and each husband has died a mysterious death, thus leaving her with a lot of money. I want the Zabini's to look like a decent family, so I'm just twisting this rumor around and making it so that the -mysterious deaths- were really mysterious. Zabini's mother did not kill any of her husbands, they just died from accidents. So just think of it as though Zabini's mom has really bad luck when it comes to men.