How They Fell

Chapter Twenty Five


‘Oh Merlin!’ Thought Draco. ‘Of course I should have known that I would be doing this stupid coarse with none other than Harry bloody Potter! My life is sinking to new lows.’ And then suddenly. ‘I’m going to kill Dumbledore, this is all his idea – the interfering old prat! As if that wasn’t bad enough I’m going to be taught by Aurors, probably the same ones that arrested my father. And not just any Auror’s, no! I have to have the man who turned me into a ferret, bouncing me across the hall, as well as a long lost cousin that my family have forbidden me to speak to, great! And of course there’s Potter.”

The two boys stood staring at each other in shock and horror for the best part of a minuet.

“Ah!” Said Dumbledore sweeping into the room majestically. “I’m glad to see that you two are on time.”

Both Harry and Draco turned round to face him and instantly opened their mouths to start protesting about anything and everything to do with the other boy.

Dumbledore stopped them before they could get more than a few syllables out.

“Yes, I had predicted that I would encounter a little opposition. Now in doing this know that I don’t expect you to become friends, when you get to my age you give up waiting for the impossible to happen. However, in spite of your dislike for each other I do expect you to learn to work together. When you have completed your NEWTS you will both be joining the order.”

Harry’s mouth dropped open.

“Yes, Mr. Potter, both of you. And as fellow members it is expected of you that you will work together without going for each other’s throats.”

Harry closed, and then opened his mouth as though about to say something, but again Dumbledore answered before he could even ask the question.

“Yes, Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy has changed to our side. After the murder of his parents at Voldemort’s hand this summer, his change of heart is completely understandable. And yes I trust him in what he says.”

Harry’s mouth closed again.

“Due to unforeseen events occurring outside Hogwarts the Order and the Auror’s are very busy at the moment, resulting in the fact that every so often one of these lessons may be cancelled. In this event you two are expected to turn up anyway and practice peaceably for the session. Please do your best to get along.”

Dumbledore looked from one to the other. Both young men looked decidedly sceptical that this could ever happen.

“ I shall leave you with Moody and Nymphadora.” Said Dumbledore exiting with a smile.

“Tonks” Said Tonks as soon as Dumbledore had closed the door, and rolled her eyes at his retreating back.

There was a strained silence.

The two Aurors were looking hard at him, obviously sizing him up and Potter was just staring incredulously.

Draco withstood their looks mentally deciding how on earth he was going to deal with these people.

The silence stretched on uncomfortably. Draco stood with his chin up, refusing to acknowledge his discomfort with the situation.

“Haveyoureallychangedsides?” Blurted Harry.

Draco smiled slightly. It was just so typically Potter.

“As hard to believe as it may be.” He answered, shooting a glance at the Aurors. “Yes I have.”

Harry watched Moody’s eyes travelling over Malfoy’s face. Then all of a sudden the blue eye rolled back into his head pointing to the left. Harry followed its gaze to the desk were Moody’s briefcase lay. Next to the briefcase was his sneakoscope. It wasn’t whirling.

Moody nodded. However Tonks was still looking at Draco uncertainly.

Draco decided that he ought to make some sort of overture.

“I understand that your mother was Andromeda Black, before she married.”

Tonks nodded.

Draco smiled slightly, stepping forward and holding out his hand.

“Well then, I am glad to meet you, cousin.”

Tonks smiled slightly as she shook his hand.

Harry almost fell over.

He had completely forgotten that Tonks and Malfoy were cousins, looking at them, the contrast of pale blond and blue hair, the completely different styles of clothes; it would never cross his mind. But that Malfoy should acknowledge such a close relation with a halfblood! He must have changed.

Draco found himself being looked at speculatively by Potter. For a moment he started to sneer, but remembering Dumbledore’s instruction to get along, stopped himself and nodded instead.

At that nod Harry felt like his head was spinning and again he felt distinctly uncertain of his footing. Too many weird things were happening! Although he didn’t really drink Harry felt the need for a shot of firewisky and a good sit down. But he nodded back to Draco, politely, determined that it wouldn’t be his fault if they didn’t get along. In fifth year Harry had experienced directly what could happen when members of the order didn’t trust each other.

“Right then, now that that’s all settled it’s about time we actually taught you how to defend yourselves.” Growled Moody.

The boy’s nodded.

“Now at NEWT level you learn most of the advanced blocking spells and some of the less intricate wards, but next to nothing of aggressive spells correct?” Moody growled in a particularly menacing manner.

They nodded.

“Damn useless!”

“Moody!” Warned Tonks.

“Well honestly, it’s like giving someone a teensy-weensy little dagger go out and fight a dragon! If you don’t want to be pounded into mush you have to be as well armed as the other! Constant vigilance!” He barked.

Draco jumped, but Harry was so used to it by now he barely batted an eyelid.

“Now you boy’s both have very different skills. Harry has a good knowledge of the basic defensive spells but doesn’t know much advanced stuff. Mr. Malfoy on the other hand I’m willing to bet you’ve had lots of training in the darker spells and curses, and know the basics, but hasn’t had much opportunity to practice them?”

“Correct.”

“Well then we’ll get right down to finding out exactly what you know. Mr. Malfoy you will work with Tonks and Harry you will work with me. Just duelling to start off with.”

Harry and Draco both sighed. Only duelling against two of the best Aurors in the ministry and the order!

They left the classroom just before lunch bruised and battered after being thoroughly tested. Moody and Tonks were satisfied about how much they knew and had promised them that they would begin learning new things tomorrow.

Harry and Draco both turned off the corridor to go to their separate dormitories wincing and hobbling slightly.

“Bye Potter.” Draco muttered, almost too tired to think.

“Bye Malfoy.” Replied Harry, his mind already wondering off to the very comfortable sofa in Gryffindor common room.

* * *

Over the next few days Harry learnt more dangerous offensive spells than he thought existed.

Draco smirked widely when the form of his patronus turned out to be a huge boa constrictor. He then relearned all of the basic defensive spells such as stunners and the impedimenta jinx, practicing them on Tonks who did a really impressive job of shielding every single one.

After six day’s Harry and Draco entered the classroom to find their teachers were not there. A self destructive letter stood on the desk informing them that Moody and Tonks were busy and that they were to practice their spells on each other, that meant duel.

They both shot each other uncertain looks.

“Umm…I guess we ought to start practicing then?” Harry said uncertainly.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Agreed Draco.

They both stood up and moved the required distance away. Both got themselves ready and pointed their wand at the other. Then they stopped.

“Errr.” Said Harry.

“Yeah.” Replied Draco.

They lowered their wands.

“It’s just that that isn’t such a good idea…I mean if we’re mean to be getting along.”

“I know.” Draco paused. “We could just use chairs and stuff for practice today.”

“Yeah, that would work.”

“Ok.”

“Great.”

They both sat there, uncertain. There was another pause. Then Draco stood up.

“Come on then.”

“Right.”

Each chose a chair and started to aim spells at them.

Eventually Draco had gone over every spell he had been taught. The mixture of spells had had an interesting affect on the chair; it looked rather like a Picasso painting.

Draco decided that he might as well practice his patronus. It was by far the hardest piece of magic, having taken him an entire lesson to learn. He also wanted to see the boa constrictor again.

He watched with pride as the snake slithered across the floor, heading straight for Potter who promptly turned round and hissed at it.

Draco almost jumped out of his skin. He had forgotten that particular talent of Potter’s. The patronus didn’t answer, just cocked its head to one side then disappearing with another cursory glance around the room.

Unfortunately this left Draco looking directly at Harry, who caught his eye. Draco felt a sudden agitation and uncertainty that was entirely at odds with his usual aristocratic calm.

“I had forgotten you were a pastlemouth.” He stated, trying to calm himself.

“Most people do.” Harry shrugged.

Draco sighed quietly to himself. “I wish I could see it actually fight off a Dementor.” He looked up to find Harry looking thoughtful.

“It would probably be good for you to practice, it’s much harder to cast when you’re actually faced with one of the buggers.”

“Yes it would be good, although Merlin knows where we would get one from!”

“Oh I’ll ask the house elves it they have found a Bogart anywhere.”

Draco was completely nonplussed, how could anyone get Bogart’s and Dementors confused?

Catching the look of total confusion on Draco’s face Harry smiled as he explained.

“For me Bogart’s turn into Dementors.”

“Oh!” Exclaimed Draco surprised. “There your greatest fear?” Harry nodded, Draco pulled a face. “I would have bet money on…well, someone else.”

Harry shrugged, he really didn’t want to go into it, especially as the third year Dementor impersonation was buzzing around his head. From the small frown on Malfoy’s face Harry guessed that his thoughts were travelling along the same lines.

“What does the Bogart look like to you?” He asked to break the silence, then winced realising what a personal question it was. But Draco didn’t seem to mind, he just looked thoughtful.

“I don’t know anymore. I mean, I know what it used to be but…it’s changed.”

Harry nodded understanding. There was an uncomfortable pause as they both struggled for something to say, before giving up and continuing to practice.

* * *

The following day Moody and Tonks were still absent. Draco found a note instructing them to continue practicing. Draco laughed as Harry ran into the classroom ten minuets late looking frantic. It was clear from his rumpled clothes and even scruffier than usual hair that he had only just woken up.

“Gar.” Said Harry with relief as he noticed that the teachers weren’t present.

“Gar?” Questioned Draco, his voice amused. Harry glared at him, but it was rather half hearted as he was desperately trying to get his breath.

“Did you find a Bogart?” Draco asked once Harry had clamed down slightly.

“Yeah, in one of the cabinets in the trophy room.” Harry gasped in a few more breaths, and in a surprisingly short time said, “well? Come on then.”

Draco decided not to underestimate Potter, judging from Harry’s now perfectly normal breathing and their previous chase halfway across the castle, Harry Potter was much fitter than he suspected.

The two found themselves walking along the corridors in silence. Each shot furtive glances at the other, trying to will them to start a conversation while they themselves frantically searched for an opening gambit.

‘Just say something, you fool!’ Draco berated himself. ‘How are you meant to lean to work together if you can’t communicate?’

But nothing sensible short of, “so this corridor is unusually long,” or, “ug, look at the ugly man in that paining,” was coming to mind, and Draco refused to say anything that inane.

However, after another couple of minuets the silence was becoming really painful. Saying the first thing that popped into his head Draco asked:

“Why did you laugh Potter?”

Harry looked up, surprised that the question hadn’t been said with even a trace of a sneer, instead Malfoy just sounded curious. Then the actual question hit him and he felt his cheeks warm.

Draco watched, taken aback as Potter blushed. Somehow an embarrassed, blushing Potter didn’t fit with Draco’s mental image of hero Potter.

Draco shook his head slightly to clear his thoughts and to stop staring at Potter’s cheek.

“Um,” Mumbled Harry, really uncertain of how the hell he was going to explain it. Damn Malfoy for noticing! “Um, well, it was, um, funny.” He managed, feeling really small and stupid as he said it. Walking so close to Malfoy, he couldn’t help but notice that the other boy was a good four inches taller than him.

Draco’s eyebrows rose and he almost stopped walking. Potter had found something he did funny? Merlin that was a strange thing to even contemplate.

“And, youknow, Nottreallydeservedit, he’sreallyhorrible.” Harry blurted, before stopping himself from saying anything else stupid. He really wasn’t doing well at this whole talking to Malfoy thing.

“Yeah, he’s not nice.” Responded Draco, not really thinking. The entire situation was just too awkward! Why was he behaving in such an uncertain manner? Where was his Malfoy poise and grace? ‘Honestly get a grip Draco!’

“So, um are you going to practice your patronus too?” He asked.

Harry blinked and shrugged a bit. “Maybe, I don’t really need to I’ve used it so often, but there’s no point in becoming rusty.”

“Ok.” Draco thought hard, but he had definitely run out of sensible things to say. Fortunately they were just around the corner from the trophy room.

“Here, it’s this one.” Said Harry rather pointlessly, going into the room and stepping up to a cabinet in the corner.

“Ok, give me a minuet.” Draco readied himself, pulling his best memory around himself; that first night on the Hogwarts grounds as a panther.

“Ready.”

Harry took a deep breath, after all these years he still hated this.

“Alohamora.”

The door of the cabinet sprung open and the dark robed figure glided out, one glisteningly wet hand sliding out to clutch at the edge of the cloak. From behind him Harry could hear Draco gasp, then shout the spell, but nothing was happening. Harry felt the familiar cold sweep over and around him and from far away he could hear the beginnings of his mother’s scream.

‘No!’ Came his inner voice. ‘No!’ Quickly grabbing on to a happy memory he cast the spell. The stag bounded free from his wand and charged at the thing, pushing it back it to the cupboard where Draco slammed the door closed.

Both boys stood panting and shaking for a few minuets in silence.

“God those things are horrible!” Declared Draco as he slid down the wall into a sitting position. Harry joined him, rooting in his pocket for the chocolate frogs he had brought.

“Here, it’ll help you feel better.” He asserted. Draco looked sceptical, but followed Harry’s lead and then sighed happily as he swirled the chocolate around his mouth.

“It really does, doesn’t it? Odd.” As he finished the chocolate Harry noticed Draco shiver again.

“You ok?”

Draco turned his head to look at Harry, surprised that Potter was even asking him.

“Yeah. I just, didn’t expect it to be so…you know.”

“What you mean you’ve never seen one before?”

“Well there was the train in third year and just third year in general, but they were always far away, or there were lots of people. I hadn’t realised that with only two it would be worse. Probably why I couldn’t do the spell, sorry.”

Now it was Harry’s turn to feel surprised. Malfoy? Apologising?? To him??? Harry decided that miracles would never cease.

“Um, its fine, used to it.” Said Harry uncertainly, then trying to get a hold of himself. “Ready for another go?”

“Suppose so.”

The two got to their feet and it to their positions. Draco nodded to Harry who opened the door again.

The Dementor moved forward towards Harry once more, but this time Draco was prepared.

“Expecto patronum!” He roared, willing the spell to work. This time silvery mist shot out of his wand holding the Dementor back. Draco focused even harder on his memory, but was unable to push the foul thing back into the cupboard.

Harry seeing his difficulty stepped forward and conjured up the stag once more.

Once the Dementor was away both slumped down onto the floor again, and Harry handed him another chocolate frog.

“A stag Potter?” Draco asked, his voice still filled with curiosity and not a hint of spite.

“My dad’s animagus form.” Harry muttered, too tired to guard his speech.

Draco’s eyebrows shot up into his hair. Then shrugged. “It figures.”

There was a moments silence as they both finished their frogs.

“Another go?”

“Yep.” They both got to their feet.

“Um, Malfoy?”

“Yes?”

“Are you sure that you’re using a strong enough memory?” Harry burbled, then tried to backtrack in case he had accidentally said something offensive. “I mean I had much the same problem when I started, I only got mist because the memory wasn’t happy enough, it has to be really strong see.” ‘Shut up, shut up, shut up!’ Harry finally managed to get control over his motor functions.

Malfoy thought. “Well I don’t have a happier one really. I mean there were other times when I was happy, but it wasn’t…” Draco ran out of words. What he wanted to say was that everything else was a petty happiness based on others misery, and so didn’t work. However, he couldn’t say that to Potter, so he just shrugged slightly and stopped speaking.

“Oh, ok. Ready?”

Draco nodded. He shouted the spell at the advancing Dementor, focusing with all his might on the pure joy he had felt in his animal form.

He watched as the silvery mist flowed out of his wand, then happiness from another quarter began to fill him as he saw it slowly condense into the boa constrictor. The massive snake rose up and lunged at the Dementor pushing it further and further away, into the cupboard.

Draco yelled with joy as he successfully repelled the Dementor. He turned grinning at Harry, who smiled back unreservedly. Another surprise for them both.

They spent a further half hour practicing on the Dementor before they stopped and went back to their common rooms. Draco managed to repel it every single time.

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

Author's note: tell me f you likeeeee. ;) And I did smile and laugh but I most certainly did not jump around the room squeaking (honest gov). If you wish me to jump around the room squeaking (and therefore scaring my flatmates) you will simply have to review.