The Rebellion

All characters, and other related texts are the intellectual property of J.K Rowling, and her associates as the copyright holders. I have made no money from the publishing of this story.

A/N Edited: 4-11-09

Chapter 7: To Set the ball rolling.

Harry and Draco had just stepped off the last step of Gringotts, onto the cobblestone street of Diagon Alley, when Harry leaned near Draco and whispered, "I need to tell you a few things before we get to the Daily Prophet, quietly". Harry then quickly looked around to find a small narrow walkway between some buildings at their right. He grabbed Draco's sleeve, tugged him down the walkway, and into the shadows.

Looking around to make sure they were alone, Draco cast a silencing charm, and looked at Harry inquisitively. "What do you want to talk about, and what’s all this secrecy"?

"Well, I'm going into the Daily Prophet to set up an interview with Rita Skeeter. We'll act as if we’re a couple of messengers that I sent to inform her. I'd like to give the interview tomorrow after we've had time to talk when we get back to our room. I have a mouthful to say to the readers of the Prophet, all about the war, and how everyone is too much of a coward to stand up and fight. I won't give the interview unless Skeeter agrees to print what I say word for word. I have a feeling that she'll agree whole-heartedly, as I have something to lord over her, the disgusting conniving bitch". Harry explained.

"You have something to lord over her"? Draco enquired with a smirk. "You sound like a Slytherin more and more everyday".

"When we get inside the Prophet, we'll state we were sent there by me, or Harry, and say that we have a personal message for Skeeter. When she hears it's about me, she'll break her skinny neck wanting to know what it's about. I just wanted to make sure that we would both be acting along the same lines". Harry said as he looked around to make sure nobody intruded upon their privacy. "I'll go by the name of Gregory Bell, and you will be Malcolm McClure. Those are just two names I made up out of the blue, so the bitch won't know us. If she asks anything, just tell her we're members of the Order. Don't say Order of the Phoenix, just the Order. She can guess all she wants that it’s the same thing, but we're not implicating them directly this way".

Draco smiled then said, "Right, come on, let's go and get this over with my talented thespian". He took down the silencing charm, and both wizards walked back into Diagon Alley.

Harry and Draco proceeded to make their way through Diagon Alley until they stood in front of the Daily Prophet. With a deep sigh, Harry opened the door, and stepped inside with Draco following behind him. They swiftly walked up to the receptionist’s desk where an old gray-headed witch sat that was looking over a parchment.

"Good afternoon, I'm Gregory Bell, and this is my partner Malcolm McClure. We were sent here with a message for Mrs. Rita Skeeter from Mr. Harry Potter".

The old witch looked up at the two suspiciously and enquired, "How do I know you’re telling the truth about any of this? I need a good bit more from you, if I'm to let her know your here".

"All right", Harry replied with a smirk, "Tell her we're both members of the Order. I think she'll know well what that is".

"I'll go and tell her what you said, please wait here until I return". The old witch replied. She then, very slowly, stood, while her old bones made some of the most awful sounds, popping and cracking like some actually broke. She then shuffled her feet towards the back of the room, entered an office, and closed the door. After about three minutes, the door opened, and out came the old witch followed by Rita Skeeter herself. Skeeter hurried past the old witch when she saw the two young wizards, swinging her hips in a way that she thought was sexy, and almost stumbled as she reached the front desk.

"May I ask how I know for sure that Harry Potter sent you with this supposed message"? Skeeter inquired while looking at her nails. They were painted a violent shade of red, and looked like long claws growing disgustingly from her fingertips.

Before the old witch had time to make it back to where they all stood, Harry leaned over to Skeeter and said "Beetle" under his breath. That one word made all the colour drain out of Skeeter’s slim face.

"Uh, yes, yes indeed, I will be glad to listen to Mr. Potters request; what is it"? Skeeter hurriedly asked, now looking highly anxious.

"Mr. Potter seeks an interview with you tomorrow evening". Draco finally spoke up. "His schedule is very crowded, you understand, and it is the only time that he has available. He said for us to inform you that it would be an exclusive interview, providing that is, if you agree to print exactly what he says. If not, he says there's always the Quibbler". Draco finished with a cheeky smile.

"Yes, yes, what time does Mr. Potter want to do this interview, may I ask"? She asked hesitantly.

Harry spoke up, "He said he wanted to hold the interview at 7:30 sharp, in the morning, and at the Leaky Cauldron. Just get a table in the back, and he will meet you there".

"You mentioned you were with the Order. Is this the same Order as in the Order of the Phoenix that supposedly exists"? Skeeter asked as if she were going to receive a huge birthday present.

Both boys just grinned at her, never saying another word, as they turned toward the door, and walked back out into Diagon Alley. Once they were a good piece away from the Prophet, they both cracked up laughing.

"Did you see how the dumb bint eat that up? She has always been like that; must be all the bleach she uses on her hair". Draco surmised.

"Yea, you should know, you spent a bunch of time with her during the tournament". Harry shot back.

Draco sobered at this. "Look Harry, I'm really sorry about that. I shouldn't have told her all that awful stuff about you. If I could take it all back, I would. If there's anything I can do, all you have to do is ask, ok"?

"There is as a matter of fact! You can help me figure out how to word my interview with Skeeter to gain the best public response. We'll talk about it maybe sometime tonight, but for sure, well will tomorrow". Harry said, grinning at Draco.

Draco gave Harry a nod. "All right, I'll be glad to. However, what do you say we go get something to eat? I'm starving, and it's going on 5 o'clock. We can't have the heir of Gryffindor and Slytherin running around on an empty stomach".

At Harry's nod, they both walked back to the Leaky Cauldron, and up to their room. Once there, they paused just inside the door, and both young wizards removed their glamour charms, "Wait Draco”, Harry said, getting the blonds attention, “let me go and see if aunt Petunia needs anything. There's also some stuff I need to give her, and it would be better to do it over dinner".

Harry quickly walked across the hall to his aunt’s door and knocked. He waited a few moments until the door opened, and Petunia stood back to let Harry inside.

"Aunt Petunia, I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with us”? Harry asked as he looked at his watch. “It's going on six now, and I thought that you might be getting hungry".

"No Harry, that’s all right, as I have just eaten. Nod was good enough to go downstairs and get me whatever I wanted. I was just ready to take a bath and have myself a nice long nap. You and Draco go ahead, and we'll all have breakfast tomorrow morning". Petunia said with a grin.

Harry still couldn't get over the change in his aunt. He figured Vernon must have knocked some niceness into her with the hard slap that he gave her. He also noticed there were no signs of a bruise now, and it was completely healed. "Ok then, I'll just go. I'll come and get you in the morning when we wake up. It will probably be around eight or nine most likely. I’ll knock to let you know when we’re up, so sleep well".

"That will be fine Harry, and I'll see you both then". Petunia said as she walked him back out the door.

Harry strolled back across the hall, and back into his and Draco's room. He noticed that Draco was absent until he heard water running. Harry figured he must have been taking a bath, which sounded like a fine idea to him. When Draco came out, he figured he would take one himself. Harry then went over to the bed, kicked off his trainers, and lay back, thinking about the day’s events.

They had used Draco's wand to remove all the glamour’s that they used that day, once back inside their room, but he had used a stinging hex that morning, and he was using his own wand. This bothered the young wizard somewhat. ‘Why hasn’t the Ministry acted upon any of this’?

Harry was brought out of his pondering though when the door to the loo opened, and Draco stepped out in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waste. Harry couldn't take his eyes off the blond, and he felt slobber begin to pool in his mouth. Draco casually walked over to his trunk and pulled out something to wear. Harry noticed they were muggle clothes, which really surprised him, but he was surprised more so when Draco dropped his towel and tuned around. He had a pair of jeans in his hand, and lifted one leg to put them on, while he was standing. Harry couldn't help but look him over from head to toe, and when his eyes met Draco's waist, he took in Draco's half-hard cock swinging back and forth as he dressed. He licked his lips before he thought of what he was doing.

"Like what you see do you"? Draco asked with a self-satisfied smirk.

At this, Harry proceeded to get choked on his mouth full of saliva. After his coughing fit finally concluded, and he successfully cleared his windpipe, he did his best to form a reply. "Uh, yea, well, I couldn't help but notice, you see. Uh, well shite, you do look rather nice you know". The last was said with another lick to his lips that he couldn’t seem to help. Harry had also turned the nicest shade of red, all the way to his ears, and there was that hot feeling again. Suddenly, Harry jumped up, and bolted to the loo, for a nice long, and cold, shower.

When Harry returned, he was dressed the same, in a towel. He walked over to his trunk and retrieved some of his old baggy hand-me-downs pants to pull on. Draco saw this and scowled. "Harry, surely you have more clothes that that"?

"No Draco, I really don't. The Dursley’s never bought me any new clothes, and I was only given what Dudley had either worn out, or didn't want. I never lived the life of a “golden-boy”, like everyone thinks I did". And with that said, Harry returned to the loo to change into his worn-out clothes. Draco hung his head, and knew he had a lot to think about.

When Harry came out dressed, he looked over at Draco, who was now stretched out upon the bed. Draco patted his hand on the bed like Harry had earlier. When Harry saw this, he cautiously walked over and joined him.

"Harry, everyone at Hogwarts was lead to believe that you were brought up and treated like a king. We didn't know any better, as our parents were the ones telling us that. Severus said you were probably being raised just like your father had been, and that you would surely act just like him when you started school".

"Well, I hate to disappoint everybody, but I was brought up much like a house elf, and a poorly treated house elf at that. About like Dobby, the more I think of it. I’ve had to cook and clean for the Dursley's ever since I was seven. Hell, when I started, I barely could reach the stove to cook!

"Dudley used to beat me up, and beat anyone up who wanted to be a friend to me, thus I had no friends. Dudley and his gang used to chase me at school, to beat me, and they called it “Harry hunting”. Vernon used to cuff me all the time, or grab me by the hair of the head, slinging me around, and used a belt on me many times, which I never deserved. Dudley was the cause of most of my beatings. He would fuck up, and lay all the blame on me. Of course “ickle Duddykins” could never do any wrong, nor could he lie to their face.

"If I were to say the word “Magic”, I was locked in my cupboard for several days without food. The cupboard was where I slept, or was my bedroom until just before my first year at Hogwarts. When my letter came, it was addressed to Harry Potter, cupboard under the stairs. That's how I got Dudley’s second bedroom, or his junk room. They were afraid they were being watched because of the address on the letter.

"They lied to me about my parents and how they were killed. I never knew I was a wizard, until Hagrid came to get me, and gave me my letter. The same letter that Vernon had torn up and burned over a hundred times, not allowing me to read a one of them.

"Then, after I went to Hogwarts, Dumbledore forced me to go back to the Dursley's every year to live until school started again. According to Dumbledore, it had to do with the blood protection from aunt Petunia. When Wormtail brought Voldemort back, he used my blood, which I think canceled any blood protections that may have existed. I think Voldemort could have strolled through the front door at any time he pleased after that. So Draco, that was my life at the Dursley's in a nutshell". Harry explained in a monotone voice, as he looked straight on at the wall.

"My father, well I'd say what Snape probably told you about him had some truth to it. He was a spoiled brat and a right arse of a bully. He bullied Snape for no good reason from day one. My dad and Sirius Black were the worst of the lot. They were the bullies, while professor Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew, stayed quiet in their little gang. I accidentally looked at some memories of Snape’s in his office once. I believe he really wanted me to see them, as he left me in the office with his pensieve on his desk. I shouldn't have looked, but I did, and he came back and caught me. You see, Snape was trying to teach me occlumency, but it was more to punish me, I think, for what my father had done to him, because of the way he went about it.

"Another reason he despised my father was over a life debt he owed him. My dad saved Snape’s life once. He kept him from being attacked by a werewolf, or professor Lupin to be exact.

"Hell, my mother never liked my father until he started to straighten himself out during his last year. My mother finally went out with him, and they stayed together. That's another thing, as I think Snape had a thing for my mother, and dad took her away from him. However, Snape gave up any friendship he had with my mother for not refusing to dabble in the dark arts. The deeper he got, the more my mum would walk away from him. Snape brought that on himself, and that was also the reason my dad and Sirius stayed after him so much. So you see, there are always two sides to every tale Draco". Harry finished with a sigh, and then he looked at Draco seriously. "I noticed you didn't have the mark earlier, and I'm very proud of you".

Draco looked at Harry for what seemed like a few minutes, quietly studying him after all he had learned. Harry's final comment choked him up somewhat, and Draco felt he owed Harry some answers.

"Harry I was reared rich and spoiled. I was taught etiquette from the time I was able to walk and talk. This, you took to mean I was a snob, but really, I was just a kid. In all the pureblood families, the children are taught the same thing, well, almost all of them". At this, Draco hesitantly cleared his throat, and soldiered on.

"I grew up not wanting for anything, much like your father I might add, since I was an only child. I was brought up to act like my father and mother, so I didn't know any other way to act.

"I grew up without open feelings of love, though I know my mother did love me. Father, well, that's another story isn't it? If I acted, in what was in his eyes as “good”, I was rewarded handsomely. If I did wrong, in his eyes, I was beaten to within an inch of my life with a belt or cane. He never showed me any type of affection, thus, I was always trying to prove myself to him. I think he knew this, and he used it to his full advantage.

"He wanted me to be a complete copy of himself. Well, I hate to tell him, he failed there miserably. Not only did I not want to follow a dark lord, I was also gay. That meant there could be no blood heir to the Malfoy line. My mother can't have any more children, as it almost killed her to have me. So, when Lucius found out I was gay, he put me under the cruciatus curse, hoping to curse the gayness out of me.

"I grew up hearing about the great Harry Potter, who had stopped the dark lord at the ripe old age of thirteen months old. Hell, I have wanted to be friends with you since I can remember. When I met you in Madam Malkin's that day, I didn't know who you were! You surely didn't fit the description of the Harry Potter that I heard of, but I just knew there was something special about you. After I said what I did about Hagrid, I could see you were offended, but I couldn't understand why.

"Harry, there has been tales upon tales of children being hurt by the creatures and monsters that Hagrid has brought onto the Hogwarts grounds for fifty years. You can't deny this, because you've seen it for yourself. Of course, I bet nobody ever told you any of this.

"Then, when I found out that it was you that I met, I had to meet you again, and offer you my hand in friendship. When I did though, you coldly turned me down, and before two of the people in my soon to be house. You turned me down over insulting Weasley, but you never said anything to him about making fun of my name first. You also never knew about the long-standing feud between our families either. I would say if you knew, you might have changed your mind.

"The feud is all about the temper of the Weasley’s and our grandfathers. Their grandfather permanently crippled mine over not lending them some money. Arthur Weasley's father, Septimus Weasley, was married to Cedrella Black, and is kin to Sirius and my mother.

"Septimus was nothing but a drunk to tell the truth. He would spend his last galleon on fire whiskey, or gambling, while trying to strike it rich, or so he claimed. That was why he was marked a blood traitor, a disgrace to purebloods. He let his family live in squalor, his wife, and his two sons. You see, he had gone belly up so many times, that Gringotts refused to pull him out of it by giving him any more loans. At this, he then turned to my grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy.

"Well, my grandfather felt sorry for him, he really did, and gave him enough money to get them back on their feet. Within two days, Harry, he blew every Knut of it. He then came back asking for more, and at this, my grandfather flatly refused. Well, the Weasley temper kicked in then, and Septimus drew his wand, cursing my grandfather, and breaking his back. It was beyond what the healers could repair, so it left him wheelchair bound for the rest of his short life, as he went downhill from there. My grandfather’s body was finally so weakened by this, that he caught dragon pox, and died at an early age.

"What nobody has told you Harry is that Arthur Weasley took up for his father at every turn, whereas Arthur’s brother, Bilius would not. Even though Bilius fought for the light, he didn't agree with what his father and Arthur had done".

"So, when the day came that you refused my friendship over a Weasley, especially not saying anything about him making fun of my name, I had it out for you. Then when you got to Hogwarts, Dumbledore allowed you to break every rule in the book. I certainly couldn't, professor Snape was too strict to allow it. You were even allowed to play quidditch in your first year, which I may add was strictly against school rules. That made me more jealous than anything.

"I was also disciplined over you and Granger. Every time you would beat me in quidditch, my father beat me. Every time Granger excelled over me in grades, my father beat me. Plus, the things that my father said to me over this, made me feel like I was so insignificant, or a born loser, and that made my hate for you that much stronger. That is, until he was locked up in Azkaban, and I started to learn the truth. Now you know a little about me". Draco finished with tears in his eyes.

Harry sat there stunned after hearing all of this. He had wanted to hear about this feud, but he had been really about afraid to ask. Well, now, he knew what it was about. No wonder Ron or any of the others ever brought it up. What he couldn't understand was how could they take up for Septimus acting this way. Were they so stubborn with family pride that they were blinded to what he did? Was it over this pureblood tradition of sticking by your family no matter what? Then, at that moment, he felt sorry for not accepting Draco's hand, and at least giving him a chance. He knew he acted just like the bigots that he claimed all Slytherin’s to be. This hit Harry like a ton of bricks; he had acted no better than them. No wonder everyone in Slytherin hated him, acting like they were all guilty of what their parents had done in the past. His heart clinched in his chest, and he felt the worst shame that he had ever felt in his life. Finally, he reached over, pulled Draco to him, and wrapped his arms around his neck.

"I'm so sorry Draco, I didn't know. I acted just like the bigots that I accused all of Slytherin to be. Both Hagrid, and Ron, told me that all wizards that went into Slytherin turned bad and dark. Hagrid had already told me this before getting on the train. I believed them because you sort of reminded me of Dudley back at Madam Malkin's. I let myself be dragged right into the same shite that I swore that I would never allow to happen. I allowed them to make me think you were all bad just because some of your parents were, and because that Slytherin was the house Voldemort was in.

"You might want to know that the sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, and I begged it not to, but I think I already told you that. It was all due to what I was told beforehand. I'm now wondering if some of that was nothing but a setup to make me hate Slytherin’s before I got sorted". Harry replied, practically begging for forgiveness.

Draco finally composed himself, and looked Harry in the eye. Finally, he leant forward and placed a soft kiss on Harry's lips. "You’re forgiven, but can you forgive me"?

"Yes"! Harry said happily as he returned the kiss. That kiss ended up being the start of a full blown snogging session. Harry finally pulled away to catch his breath, and allowed himself to calm down somewhat, then fondly looked at Draco, "Let's have our dinner here in bed. We can talk about some more things, and later, who knows what will happen"?

Draco whole-heartedly agreed, and called out for Nod. The little elf appeared just as always, and was looking enquiringly at the two young wizards, who were lying back against the headboard of the large four-poster bed.

"What can Nod be doing for Master"? Nod questioned, while giving a slight bow. Nod had remembered about not bowing too deeply, Draco thought.

"Nod, can you bring Harry and I our dinner here in bed? What do they have downstairs for the special"?

"Master, they have toad in the hole, with steamed vegetables, and treacle tart for desert". Nod replied, and the last part got Harry's full attention. Actually they were all his favorite foods.

"Thank you Nod, and if you would, please bring that up to us. We'll need it on a large tray if you don't mind. Also, ask Tom to send up a good bottle of wine if you would". Draco told the elf, who then bowed, and popped out of sight with a snap of his fingers. Draco then turned back to Harry for another quick snog, knowing that Nod wouldn't be gone long at all.

"Harry, I wish I could do this all day long, as you’re a very good kisser if I do say so myself". Draco exclaimed, causing Harry to again blush red to his ears. Before Harry could comment though, there was another pop, and Nod had another large tray full of food by their bed.

Draco reached out and helped Nod set the tray at the middle of the foot of the bed. Nod opened the wine, poured two glasses, and set them beside the plates for each wizard. He then stepped back to look and make sure everything was in place.

"If Master isn't needing Nod for anything else, Nod will be going back to Hogwarts, and visit with Dobby. I am most enjoying his and Winky's company sir". Nod happily remarked.

"That will be fine Nod, and please listen for Harry's aunt, in case she needs anything". Draco said as Nod bowed and took his leave with a pop.

"This is a fine dinner, Draco. It’s almost like Tom knew my favorites. I wonder if Dobby is behind this, by telling Nod what I like"? Harry asked with a pleased look on his face.

"It's a possibility Harry. By the way, who is this Winky that Nod spoke of"? Draco asked as he cut into one of the large sausages in his toad in the hole.

"She was a house elf that belonged to the Crouches. When that Dementor kissed Barty Crouch Jr., the one that Fudge ordered mind you, she lost her master, and Dumbledore allowed her to come to Hogwarts. She's a free elf now, but she wants another master. She has a drinking problem over it; Butterbeer and her don't get along at all". Harry explained around eating his delicious supper.

"Fudge wanted to hush Barty Jr. up about Voldemort being back. He ordered that the kiss be performed on Barty Jr. while he was still locked up in the school. That way, nobody from the Wizengamot or the ministry could question him. I know Fudge is dirty, as does most of the Order. He probably won't last but a few more days until he's replaced. He's been shown he's a liar, and has left the ministry with its pants down about the death eaters and Voldemort.

"The same goes for that filthy cunt Umbridge too. I'll get even with both of them, no I'll get one step ahead if it's the last thing I do. They should both be in Azkaban rotting away with the Dementors. Dumbledore warned that the Dementors would defect to Voldemort, and I'd say it will happen very soon. They'll be another prison break out before long, and I can see it all happening pretty quick". With that, Harry took a good sip of wine and continued his supper.

"Harry, are you saying that my father will be freed in a break out"? Draco asked hesitantly.

"I'm pretty sure of it. Voldemort has already been trying to recruit the Dementors and other dark creatures. He even sent some death eaters to try and recruit some giants. Dumbledore sent Hagrid and Olympe Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons, to try and recruit them for the light. They didn't succeed though, and there was a giant war where a bunch was killed off, and a new leader, or Gurg, took over. The Gurg went with the death eaters, and accepted what they gave him as presents for the remaining tribe. Hagrid saved his half-brother and brought him back to live in the forbidden forest". Harry explained.

"SEE! See what I said about Hagrid. What if his brother breaks out of the forest and attacks the students? And, of course Dumbledore is all right with it. If people knew this, they wouldn't allow their children to go back"! Draco exclaimed shaking his head.

"I know, I know, and I have to agree with you on this. Hagrid took us to meet him, and his name is Gwarp. He's a little tame, but I don't trust him not to harm someone he's never seen around Hagrid. Hell, he beat Hagrid black and blue, which Hagrid said that he was only playing. He did help us escape Umbridge while the Centaurs took her though. Fucking cunt deserved everything she got, she did, and it’s a shame they didn't finish her off. I don't know what all they did to her, but she was found in the top of a tree way out in the forbidden forest". Harry laughed at this, as he just couldn't help it. "All you have to do is nay or whinny around her now, and she goes ape shite"!

"I'll have to remember that", Draco said laughing and almost spilling his wine. "I'm sorry about Umbridge Harry, and what she put me up to do. She was who put me up to taunt you that day on the pitch, when the Weasley twins and you beat me up. I really had that coming, so I accept it. She did it to bar you from Quidditch, and as a punishment for making her out to be a liar, which she is. I think she was Fudge’s kept whore if you ask me; by the way she acted and spoke about him. She seemed to get off on inflicting pain on children too I found out. She has a few bricks shy of a load inside of her head if you ask me. I also wouldn't put it passed her being a death eater either". Draco told Harry.

"I’ve thought that too, and if she is allowed to stay in the ministry, it's untelling what she will do. We need to start getting the Prophet everyday to watch what's going on. They do print the truth every now and then, sometimes that is". Harry replied as he wiped his mouth with his cloth napkin. He had just finished his meal and was placing his dish back on the tray.

"Yes, we will get Nod to bring us a copy, or have Tom to deliver it. That reminds me, you know the longer we stay here, the more chance there is that we will be caught. We need a bolthole, you know, a place to hide out. You have twenty-five properties in all, according to Griphook, so maybe we should look into one of those. Especially one of the Black homes, as Dumbledore will more than likely want to look at any Potter residences you have, in order to find you". Draco stated as he got up off the bed, taking the tray over to the table, and then lay back down beside Harry. He then scooted over against Harry, placed his head on his shoulder, and held Harry's right hand in his.

Harry looked down at Draco, grinned, and then moved a little more closer so their bodies touched from head to toe. He then kissed Draco on top of his head, his silky blond hair tickling Harry's lips.

Draco sighed at Harry’s affection towards him. "Harry, about those memories; I found a pensieve, and several phials containing them, that showed things about both my father, and Severus. The odd thing was, the ones from Severus were about him as a child, and two girls. Those two girls, Harry, were your mum, and your aunt Petunia. Severus grew up a few streets over from where they were reared. What I saw was that Severus recognized your mum as a witch, and he told her about the wizarding world before she got her Hogwarts letter. Severus already knew he was a wizard, since his mum was a witch.

"Severus’ father was a cruel muggle, and wasn't worth a damn to be honest. He beat Severus, and his mother, all the time when he would come home drunk. Her name was Eileen Prince, and she attended Hogwarts years ago. She's dead now, and left Severus the tiny home they lived in at Spinners End. That's where he now stays now during the summer.

"The town is a small run down mill town not far from Surrey. Anyhow, Severus had made friends with your mum when they were young, and after they went on to Hogwarts. Your aunt never liked Severus, saying that he was weird because of the way he dressed, and acted. She did everything she could to break your mum and Severus apart. She was jealous of your mum, and right royally too by what I saw. Seeing things from Severus's point of view, well, you could tell".

"The other memories were about your father and Sirius. Yes, I saw what they did to Severus. I think your dad was jealous of Severus and your mum’s friendship. Though, if your dad hadn't pranked Severus so much, and bullied him, he may not have went into the dark arts as deep as he did. Of course, that's what your dad kept telling your mum, that Severus was just another evil Slytherin, and everyone from that house should be despised for what they are.

"My wonderful cousin, Sirius, would back him up on it, and carry on the same as James, with the taunts and bullying. Even though that was wrong, it was still no reason for Severus to take it all out on you. You didn't do it to him, they did, and if he continues this, which I'm sure he will, I will have a talk with him about it myself. If he don't want to piss his Godson off at him permanently, he will stop it".

"The others were from my father. They were of him bribing Fudge about the Dementor attack at your home, and Umbridge set it up by the way. I also saw the night when Voldemort was brought back, after my father was called to him. I saw you duel him, I heard the phoenix song, and saw the cage that formed. I saw the ghosts of your parents, Cedric, and the others I didn't know. I saw you escape, and take Cedric’s body with you. That, by the way, was the bravest thing I have ever seen anyone do, and I'm proud of you for it. Especially the way you stood up to that slimy looking, snake-faced, piece of shite. I watched my own father bow before that nasty son of a bitch, and lick his boots. That, Harry, was my turning point; as I knew then that I had been lied to, by my own father mind you, all my entire fucking life. I'll never forgive him for that.

"The last memory was watching them plan on stealing a prophecy. They didn't know what it said, and father said Voldemort only knew part of it. He only said that it concerned Voldemort and you. What was all that about Harry"? Draco asked, and watched Harry close his eyes.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies". Harry quoted, word for word to Draco, who sat astonished. "He only knows the first two sentences of it. From marking me as his equal and on, he doesn't know about. Also, there was another he could have selected, a pureblood, Neville Longbottom, but he selected the half blood. By doing what he did, trying to kill me, he sealed his own fate. Dumbledore claims the power I have, that Voldemort hasn't, is love. He said there is a room in the Department of Mysteries where that's all they study, and it's the greatest power known.

"Why did he select you instead of Longbottom"? Draco enquired.

"Because I match him where he's a half blood. He figured I would be just as powerful as he is because of it. What will be his end is his pure hatred, as he loves nobody, nor has any true friends. He uses everyone who has ever been in contact with him, like his loyal death eaters. They think he will give them all a piece of the pie if he wins. He will more than likely kill them all, so he can have it all to himself. You've probably seen how he takes no pity on his own followers"? Harry asked.

Draco nodded, "What a sick bastard he is too, and his followers are just as deluded. I'm ashamed of what I was becoming, I really am. What I don't like is that one of you will end up dead, and I don't want it to be you at any cost. I don't want to lose you now that I have found you".

Harry reached over and kissed the top of Draco's head again. "I'm glad to hear it, and I don't want to lose you either. What say we get some sleep so we can go shopping tomorrow, it's getting half ten"?

Both wizards got up, stripped down to their boxers, and crawled under the thick duvet. Once they were all snuggled in, and cuddled up close, Draco kissed Harry goodnight, finally looking forward to another day.

"Goodnight Draco".

"Goodnight Harry".




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