Trading Places

TITLE: Trading Spaces 8

RATING: R (slash warning m/m)

PAIRING: HG/SS, HP/DM, HP/HG (friendship)

A/N: We will be updating every two weeks, possibly with more than one installment,
depending on fate and life. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

SUMMARY: What do you call a cross between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin? A prefect!
Don't worry, it's not "what would happen in he had been sorted into . . ." Dumbledore
works in mysterious ways as Voldemort grows in power and daring. Other than that?
Shippyness, Snogging, Shagging, Snippy and Snarky! Trust me, it'll all make sense in a
little while.

GRATUITIES:

Idamae - Thank you, thank you!

The Destructive - Y - You're confused? So is Harry, and we're not telling. <evil grin>

Nicollette - Did you just growl at us? lol. But cliffhangers keep people reading. . .

white raven - yeah, she did rather well for not being a *real* Slytherin, didn't she?

Aurinia - welcome to the story, kick off your shoes, stay awhile . . .

Mistress Silver - getting kind of intense, isn't it? *sigh* I just love this kind of tension.

Rosmerta - Welcome to the story as well! *eats a chocolate frog* Stay! Bring more
chocolate!

Jessicat1982 - credit for that scene goes to Snarky, I almost spit milk all over the floor
when I read it!

crazykitty09 - Yeah, I can't wait either, we're trying to update as quickly as possible, but
real life keeps popping up. Dammit!

Eirete - Snape didn't ask because he wanted her to Apparate out of there as quickly as
possible. Harry didn't worry about Hermione because he knows that she can
handle Snape, and he was too caught up in Draco to think clearly.

Redrum - I know it's slow going, but the more blatant slash is coming, I promise. I just
can't stand those fics that throw them right together without fair explanation or
tension building. I want to stay true to the characters, so let me know how we're
doing and hold on. Slash will come.

Rikka - thanks!

Potions Mistress - we're getting the updates as quickly as we can!

Lucifer Yaway - tease? Us? <innocent smile> don't know what you mean. Thanks so
much!

Queenie - As yooooooooouuuuu wish!

Sarah T - wait no longer, and please try to find a new bottom to laugh off for this
chapter as well.

AUNTIEJENNIE74 - Will do!

LMiC2001 - Irreverent? *slow grin* Oh, I like that.

Black Amizon -Hmm. Well, Hazelheart seemed appropriate for the *plant* loving little
guy, Rune was stately and a homonym, which is just fun. Griff-gruff was cute,
pompous and fit with a griffin. Snippy and Snarky . . .<hee, hee, hee> . . .well,
they're sort of us . . .

madam-pyro - thanks for the praise, hope we continue to amuse.

Trina - we love 'em, too.

Canadian wierdo - really? no eyelids? <sad look> That's no fun. Wait, don't they have
clear little lids that come up and protect their little eyes? Hmm, need to check on
that.

Transcendence - Could we bribe you into telling us who was kind enough to rec our fic?
So we can thank them personally? And welcome to the story!

Snapejuice - <blush> I can't believe we didn't catch that typo! So sorry.

grrbaby - our first 'meow', wegiddgiddy!

Morcades - they do say laughter is good for the soul. Hope it continues to do that for
you.

Moira McDuff - you came back! Yeah!

Lenalovely 12 - really? The kind with crunchy stuff in them? <excited puppy wiggle>

Maddie - luv you! Thank you!

Abskii - Hope you remain uninjured. <blushing> Did you say *the* funniest? Really?

Pretty pixie - thanks, hope it continues to improve.

J-J - your wish is our command. As long as it coincides with our wishes, that is. <hee.>

Mirielle - Rune has a hard time making friends with other birds, and she refuses to talk
to owls, seems to think they're glorified homing pigeons . . .but I think she might
make some more human friends.

MadAboutHarry - Thank you for your perseverence, and for the three reviews! Hope
you stay with the story as it gets a bit slashier, even though it's not your bag,
baby.

Diosa - Hope you enjoy this chapter. Haze is about to get some more screen time, and
tensions are definitely building. <little voice> You wouldn't really have fed
Snippy and Snarky to the spiders, would you? They're not evil. Just misguided.
<thee, thee, thee>


A/N: sorry that took so long! Wondering if we should save gratuities until the end,
but don't want to be deceitful about how long the fic is (hoo doggy, is iis it long this
time! Something like over 25 pages). Any preferen

A/N 2: There's a line in there that belongs to Joss Whedon and his team of godlike
writers. If you don't know who Joss Whedon is, or recognize the line, don't worry
about it.

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

Harry was awakened by the dip of his bed as a body landed on it. Suddenly he
was being shaken a little too vigoly. ly. Lifting his head from his pillow, he groaned.
"Hermione?"

"I had to talk to him, so I went down to his rooms. And there he was!" She was
seated criss-cross next to him, and bounced a little as she talked.

"Who?"

"Snape. Pay attention!" She gave him a stern look, and continued her story with
much gesticulation. "And he was in robes, well of course he was in robes, I would
hardly be seeing him without them would I?"

"Hermione! I haven't had breakfast yet, no talk of robeless Snape this early!" As
an afterthought while he propped a pillow behind his head, he added, "Or ever . . ."

"Of course I wouldn't. But he was wearing . . .it was big and it was billowy and
silvery! How'd he make them so shiny? Maybe it was a potion." She frowned a bit.
"Then, I followed him outside, to see him off, y'know. And then - he was gone! Just
gone! And there was this moving bush and I jumped away and there he was! The back
of him-"

"Umm, are you actually talking about Snape's backside-"

"Stop interrupting!" Hermione shushed him. "And then there was a whooosh
and I was gone! And he was there, and I was there - " she took in a great breath. "And
he was all like 'leave now!' and I was all like 'I can't' and he was like 'you must!' with
the anger and impatience and I was like 'shut up, you're not helping!' and then Malfoy
was there -"

"Draco-"

"Lucius." Her eyes widened as she looked at him. "And then he was like 'don't
touch my toy' and Malfoy was all creepy and smarmy and I was like 'yeah! don't touch
me'-"

"Toy?"

"Yes! Exactly! How weird is that? And then I looked back and Lucius was
hugging some guy and Snape was all 'don't look back' with the dark and ominous
tones, and then he was rubbing my back, which was y'know-" here she shrugged and
smiled. "Kinda nice. And then we were -" she made a complicated gesture with her
hands that he wasn't sure how to interpret. "And he was-" She made a face. "And
there were stones, Harry! Great big stones!"

"Have you been hanging out with Hazelheart?" Harry crossed his arms over his
chest, his rumpled hair falling in his eyes. She was speaking so quickly he felt sure she
was going to suffocate and she wasn't making a whole lot of sense in her rapid
excitement. "Did you have espresso again? We talked about that."

Hermione pretended that she hadn't heard him, continuing quickly with her
description of what happened. "And I was all 'I've come here to join you!' and Lucius
was all like 'yeah right' and then I had to molest Snape to prove I wanted to be a dark
witch - "

"I'm guessing that's not their standard initiation procedure, because you'd think
there would be a lot less death eaters . . ." Harry mumbled.

"And Lucius was all like 'it'll be a shame to put the dark mark on you' and then I
was all afraid and he tried to touch me again and Snape was all like 'stop that or I'll hex
you' and Lucius was all like 'this is the adult meeting, she can't be here' and Snape was
all 'let's not trust her except in the sack' and then-"

"Breathe, Hermione! Breathe!" She was beginning to turn purple, so Harry took
her by the shoulders and gave her a gently shake.

Hermione took a few deep breaths. "Then Pettigrew was there and he told
Lucius something, and we all had to leave and then we walked away and we were back
here again and Snape was all quiet, and I was all 'woo-hoo! I'm alive and kinda
hungry' and then I tried to go to bed, but Snape took me to his room! And I was all like
'uh-oh, shouldn't have molested him, death eaters or no death eaters' and he was all
like, 'come into my room, I have something special to show you that I've never shown
anyone before' and I was all like, 'I'm about to see more of Professor Snape than I'd
ever thought I would' and he was all like 'mine's the biggest' and I-"

"Woah, woah, woah. Hermione, if you tell me that Snape tried to sleep with
you-" Harry closed his eyes, willing his mind not to make any mental pictures that
might scar him for life.

"No, he wanted me to see his sand box." She said as if Harry should have known
that. Finally, she fell back on his bed, dragging in great breaths. After a moment or
two, she pushed her hair out of her face and looked up at him. "So, what'd you do last
night?"

"Nothing." Harry said quickly, now exactly sure why he didn't tell her. He told
Hermione everything. "Played paintpotion."

"Liar, liar, broomstick on fire!" Snippy crept from under his bed. "We're not
sure where you were-"

"But you weren't with usssss, Harry . . ." hissed Snarky sliding down from his
canopy. "Lying to Hiney. Are you certain the Boring Hat put you in the right house? "

"Now, if he wasn't with us . . .who was he with?" Snippy eyed Harry
suspiciously as he curled up into a coil next to Hermione. "Well, we know Snape was
with Hermione."

"Hmm, who else was misssssing?" Snarky pretended to consider this. "Oh yeah
. alfoalfoy . . ."

Harry tried not blush, grateful that Hermione couldn't speak parseltongue. "Not
in the way you think." He hissed furiously at them.

"Then why didn't you tell Medusa?" Snippy smirked.

"We were just talking, that's all." Harry insisted in parseltongue.

"Interesting way to put it." Snarky commented. Harry glared at them. "You
mean to tell me that he didn't try to snog you? Not once?"

Harry's mind drifted back to the fight with Malfoy, recalling how he'd pushed
him back against a tree, getting up in his face, his breath feathering across his skin. He
felt a flush rise up his neck. If anyone had seen that, it would have looked like anything
but an argument. Hell, if it had been anyone but Malfoy, he might have interpreted it
differently. Finally, ignoring the confusion that was spreading through him, he
murmured, "Not once."

Hermione was watching him with a curious gaze that was slightly unnerving.
"Harry, is there something that you're not telling me?"

"No, I . . ."Harry stared at a place on the wall behind her head. "I was out
looking for you. I saw that you were missing on my map and I got worried."

"Oh, Harry!" She hugged him quickly. "That's so sweet."

Trying not to feel guilty or hear the snickering of two serpentine voices, he
hurried her out of his room so he could get dressed and they could go get some
breakfast.

"Harry, Harry, Harry . . .shame, shame, shame . . ." Snippy shook his head.
"Lying, mysterious meetings, next thing you know he'll be drinking and gambling . . ."

"Ah, Harry." Snarky nestled around his neck. "We're so proud of you."

"What's wrong with you two? You're never this pleasant this early." Harry
grumbled as he pulled on his pants and reached for his shirt.

"Filch just gave us a present." Snippy smiled.

"Gave?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Given, stolen, whatever! The important thing is we just got a new CD." Snarky
announced proudly, nudging a silver disc towards Harry. In a few short days, Harry
had been made to understand their obsession with Muggle music, particularly any of
the American variety. He shuddered as he remembered their all-night Britney Spears
serenade. Of course, muggle CD's were completely restricted, and most students didn't
have the machines required to play them anyway. Still, some were inevitably snuck in
and whenever he could, Filch found and confiscated them. Well, whenever *they*
could, the snakes snuck into his office and liberated them for their own personal use.
After all, they had a stereo all tucked away in Slytherin House. They might as well
make use of it.

Harry picked up the disk, turning it over. On it were written the words
'compilation - my favorites'. He tossed it back on the bed. "I have to get going."

"Yes, wouldn't want to keep Hiney waiting, would you?" Snippy snickered.

"Give Draco a good morning kiss- oopsss, I meant 'hiss' for uss, won't you,
Harry?" The Snakes laughter followed him down the stairs. Harry wondered if Draco
would be there for a second, then convinced himself that he didn't really care.



*********


"And where have you been? I was worried sick about you!" Rune flapped her
wings in irritation as she perched on the rim of the largest cauldron in the potions
classroom.

"I am not explaining my nocturnal activities to a self-important chicken." Snape
glared at the bird. Looking closer, he realized that she had somehow acquired a set of
black robes her size and appeared to be clutching a . . .grade-book?

"A - a - self-important what?" She screeched. "This from a greasy specimen of
evolved monkey!"

"I can see how worried you were!" He snatched the grade-book away from her.
"All ready to play Professor, were we, Rune?"

"I was simply making sure that your class was covered." She sniffed, looking
hurt. "I didn't want you to get in trouble, or for your students to fall behind if
something had happened. I sent Harry after you."

Rune had sent Harry! Snape frowned. What exactly had Mr. Potter seen? He
turned softer eyes on the eagle, who appeared insulted and stung at the same time. He
sighed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."Her voice held a distinct pout, but was warmer.

He walked into his personal office, feeling a familiar weariness settling in.
Seating himself in a wing back chair, he leaned his head back and considered the
situation. His heart had about stopped in his chest when he felt something bump into
him as he Apparated last night. It had quickly jump-started when he realized that
person was Hermione. He had been absolutely certain that it was all over when he
heard Malfoy's voice. He was going to have to expose himself as a spy or sacrifice
Hermione, but she had pulled herself together, keeping her wits about her and
somehow they had managed to pull their little act off. He was actually impressed with
her performance at the circle. Snape chuckled to himself. To be honest, if Malfoy had
tried to touch *him*, he probably would have given a girlish shriek and ran the other
way. He needed to speak to Dumbledore immediately, Hermione was trapped now, she
would have to become a spy.

Snape's eyes turned to Rune who had followed him in the room and was now
perching on his mantle. In many ways, that bird was the bane of his existence.
Incredibly smart, a little over eager and always wanting to *help* him. Damn. What if
Potter had seen . . .well, there was no use speculating on that right now. He needed to
talk to Draco and make sure that he was alright. "Would you do me a favor and locate
Mr. Malfoy for me? I'm afraid I need to speak to him as soon as possible."

"Of course, Severus." She seemed pleased to be able to help.

"Rune?"

"Yes, Severus?" She turned to look at him, trying to appear as stately as possible.

"You don't really think I'm greasy, do you?"

*********


Hermione took a sip of pumpkin juice, surreptitiously studying Draco over the
tip of her glass. He was seated at the Gryffindor table, ignoring Pansy and glaring at
his breakfast. Was he the blond that she had seen with Lucius last night? She decided
to try and catch him alone later and see what she could find out. Maybe she would visit
Griff-gruff. She looked over to ask Harry to pass her some salt. "Harry?"

Harry didn't hear her. Following his gaze, she found herself once again looking
at Draco. Harry's look was one of deep concentration, a little wrinkle appearing in his
forehead.

"HARRY!"

He jumped so high that he hit his knee on the table. Clutching the injury, he
turned annoyed eyes to her. "What?"

"Why are you staring at Draco Malfoy?" She arched a brow at him.

"I don't know." He offered her a grin. "Lost in thought, I guess."

Hermione was about to question him further, she was sure that there was more
to last night that he wasn't revealing, but became momentarily distracted when
Professor Snape swept into the room, Rune flying in above his head. While the golden
eagle made her way to Professor Dumbledore and perched on the back of his chair,
Snape strode over to the Gryffindor table. Hermione wondered if she should write this
down as a historic event.

When Snape stopped behind Draco, Harry snapped to attention, narrowing his
eyes and watching as avidly as Hermione. Snape put a hand on his shoulder, and the
former Slytherin looked up into his face and smiled. Harry's breath caught. Thinking
back over the years, he was fairly certain he had never seen Draco genuinely smile at
anything. His facial expressions usually stayed in the sneering or indifferent categories.
However, in the next moment the smile slid into a self-assured smirk. Malfoy appeared
to be listening intentlywhatwhat Snape was saying. Then he reached up, covering the
hand on his shoulder with one of his own for a second and nodded. Snape turned and
headed to the high table once more.

"What do you suppose that was about?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her
head, her eyes following Snape until he sat down. For a moment, Snape caught her eye
and his lips twitched in what might have been the start of a knowing smile. She looked
down quickly.

"I'm not sure." She pursed her lips and didn't say anything more for the rest of
breakfast, but her intention to find out rang clearly in Harry's mind. "In any case, I'll be
working with Snape again today. What are you going to do?"

"I was thinking I would head down to the Quidditch Pitch. Fly a bit, blow off
some steam, work out some moves for the coming season . . ." Harry trailed off,
looking slightly upset. "I just realized, I'm going to have to fly with Slytherin's team."

"Cheer up, Harry. You also get to fly with Gryffindor half the time."

"I guess." He bit back a laugh. "So what you're saying is-"

"The glass is either have Gryffindor or half Slytherin." Hermione grinned at him.
He was one of the few who got her Muggle-jokes, and even laughed at them no matter
how cheesy they were. Harry got up, touching her shoulder in parting and headed out
the main doors to go find his broom. Hermione, absently watching him leave, saw
Draco's eyes follow him out of the room. Malfoy waited a good five minutes, though
he appeared to be finished, before standing and moving to exit the room.

"Looks like it's time to pay a visit to good old Gryffindor." Hermione smiled
tightly as she picked up a small pitcher of cream. It wouldn't do to visit Griff-gruff
without a little present.

**********


Professor Sprout cast a furtive glance around before shutting the door to her
private greenhouse. She smiled and gave her companion a thumbs-up. "All clear."

"Groo-oovy." Hazelheart smiled back at her, settling in one of two lawn chairs
towards the back of the structure. "D'you get the stuff?"

She nodded. "D'you get the snacks?"

Hazel smiled, tilting his head to indicate a basket stuffed with food that the
house elves had given him. "The new Muggle Studies instructor brought in some new
stuff, too. Told the elves that we'd appreciate it." The badger pulled out a bag that
crinkled. "These are called . . .Doritos." Looking confused, he added, "She also said
something about running for a border, but I think maybe the house elves lost something
in the translation."

Sprout grinned as she bustled toward a set of drawers behind the lawn chairs.
"Sounds good. You're going to love what I got us . . ." Suddenly her sunny
countenance clouded over. "I could have sworn I put it right here."

"It's gone?" Hazel's voice sounded like his heart was breaking. "Are you sure
you didn't just put it elsewhere?"

"I'm sure. . .oh, Hazel, what if someone took it?" Sprout nibbled on her bottom
lip, rechecking her possessions.

"But who would do such a thing?" The mascot looked horrified.

"I would!" A voice announced from the opposite corner. "And you want to
know why? Because I'm *evil*!"

And the book sprang out, dangling a baggie from one cover. It ran past the
professor and the badger, escaping out the front door.

"I g thi this means I have to get up now." Hazel sighed. "Dude. I *hate* that
book."

**********


"Draconus." The Fat Lady smiled at Hermione as the Gryffindor portrait slid
open. She walked into her old home muttering, "Really Malfoy. You couldn't think of
something more original to change it to? Why not 'Slytherin rules' or 'Death-Eaters
Anonymous'?"

"Talking to yourself, Granger? I can't say I blame you. If Potter and Weasley
were my only conversational partners, I'd talk to myself, too." The cold drawl was
slow and mocking. Scanning the room, she found Malfoy sprawled in what used to be
her favorite reading spot, in the corner of the window seat. She crossed her arms over
her chest, quirking an eyebrow. "I give up. What can I do for you, Granger?"

"From what I've heard, nothing." She smirked. In the past, Malfoy had always
been able to fluster her. Now she rarely cried, or even blushed, and never took his
comments too seriously. But there was still a bushy-haired girl with big teeth and hurt
feelings that compelled her to verbally jab at him.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" He sat up a little straighter.

"Well, you're hardly known for pleasing the *ladies*, are you?" Griff-gruff
pointed out as he sauntered into the room. "Hermione, hello!"

Hermione made her way over to a chair across from Malfoy, and as she sat, the
griffin hopped up into her lap. She gently ran her fingers through his fur. "Hello, Griff-gruff."

"What'd you bring me?" The mascot demanded as he leaned into her touch.

"Cream." She nodded towards the pitcher she had set down by his chair.

Draco watched the scene with a growing irritation. "Hey, why don't you ever
want me to pet you?"

"Pet me? I just met you." Griff-gruff looked disgusted. "Stop trying to get your
hands on me. The least you could do is by me a drink or something first."

Draco sighed. He stood up to go to his room. "Enjoy your visit."

"That was sincere." Griff-gruff snorted, before leaving them to their
conversation.

"Malfoy! Wait a me." e." Hermione's voice stopped him.

"What is it, Granger? I'm tired."

"Well, I would imagine you would be. Wondering around the woods at all
hours of the night. Apparating. Disapparating. Keeping your shiny black cloak
squeaky clean . . ."

Draco's heart stopped beating and came back to life with hammering force. His
face remained a cool mask. "I'm not sure I get what you mean."

"I saw you." Those three words had the impact of ten Whomping Trees.

"Saw me what? Walking around the grounds? That's hardly a crime." He
pointed out, forcing himself to breathe.

"Saw you with your father. In a death-eater's mask." She said it slowly, with
absolute certainty, her eyes locked on his.

"And how did you see that?" Draco was struggling to keep his composure. This
was a serious development. He could not believe he had been spotted during his first
secret meeting. How was he supposed to pull this off if he was caught on his first try?
He stared at Hermione, trying to sort out an excuse, any excuse.

"I was there."

Draco crossed his arms over his chest, standing over her chair, suspicion written
all over his face. "And just what were you doing there?"

Of all the responses he had expected, this was not one of them. Not nearly. Not
by half. She could have stood up, transfigured him into a sombrero and done the
Mexican Hat Dance on his head, and he would have been less surprised.

Hermione stood up, looked him in the eye, and smiling a smirk of pure sinful
wickedness, whispered, "Joining the team."

*********


Harry clutched his broom in his hand as he walked about the grounds.
Hogwarts had been his home since he had first set foot here, and now memories were
flooding over him. He lost himself in the past for a moment. Here was a land of
mystery and adventure, where he was someone who mattered, someone people loved.
Of course, there were a few who didn't hold with that last sentiment. Snape. Malfoy.
The whole of Slytherin House. Cho Chang. That last one hurt. She had never said
outright that she blamed him for Cedric, but then she didn't have to. He could see it in
her eyes. And she wasn't the only one.

Harry had come back and Cedric hadn't, and that was enough for some people
to hate him. At night, in his dreams, he saw the whole thing over and over again. But
these were no nightmares. In them, Harry was transfixed by the beauty of the Death
Curse. His lips itched to say the words he had not permitted Malfoy to say. Other
words came back to him. **"I've been watching you, and I know what you really are,
what you really want."** Malfoy. Harry refused to listen to the words that echoed in
his ears. The force of his will was stronger than the dark thoughts and dreams that
plagued him lately. Harry was the Boy Who Lived, and he was determined to keep it
that way. He made up his mind that he needed to have another confrontation with
Malfoy. Tonight. When they went on patrol. And hopefully, the snakes wouldn't
notice how long it would take him.

Something brushed past him, stirring him from his musings. Looking down, he
found Hazelheart flat on his back next to his shoes. "Woah, Harry! You almost, like,
walked right *on* me."

"What are you doing out here, Hazel?" Harry smiled, bemused.

"Dude, it is so not my day." The badger shook his head sadly. "The evil book
ran away with my new herbs. I've been looking for it for like an hour now . . ."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Hazel." Harry covered a smile. "Tell you what, I'll keep an
eye out for it while I'm flying."

"Thanks man." Haze started to stumble off.

"Hey, Hazel!" The mascot looked up. "Just be careful. Too *many* herbs are
bad for you." Harry jumped onto his broom and ascended to the clear sky, trying to
shake off the weight of the ground below.

Hazelheart started to make his way back to Professor Sprout to announce his
lack of success, when he saw the book, creeping along the edge of the forbidden forest.
"Hey, you! Evil guy!"

"Yes?" The book called, sounding uncertain. It stepped closer. "Are you talking
to me?" Then it seemed to puff up it's pages. "Of course you are! I am the Blackest
Magic-"

"Ever. Dude, yes, I know. I get it." Hazel sat down. "Would you give me back
my stuff now?"

The book turned an appraising eye on him. "You really think I'm an evil guy?"

"Yes, man. What you just did was *so* wrong . . .I can't even describe it."

"And this stuff is bad, you say?" The book stepped even closer, now holding the
baggie before him and re-examining its contents.

"Well, I don't think-" Hazel paused, his eyes slowly lighting up with an idea.
"Why, yes. It is." He scrunched his face up. "Really bad."

**********


Draco gazed at Hermione. Wait . . .she didn't just say what I think she did, did
she? "I wasn't aware they allowed mudbloods on the team."

"Well, I *am* a Slytherin." She pointed out, touching a finger to the House coat
of arms on her robe. "And I'm in the top of my class. I have *talent*, where some of us
only have pure blood."

He turned calculating eyes on her. "Care to tell me how you got there."

"Severus took me." Hermione smiled as Malfoy's eyes darkened.

"And why would Snape do that?"

"You know, Draco - may I call you Draco?" She settled back in her chair.

"I'd rather you didn't." He sneered.

"Pettiness does not become you. You know, *Draco*, you really need to practice
your secrecy skills." He couldn't help but feel that she should be stroking a long, thin
mustache. "For one, you just told me that Snape was definitely at a Death Eaters
meeting."

"I did not!"

"You did, too." She insisted. "I said Severus took me, and you asked why he
would, when you should have insisted that you had no idea he was involved in such
things." Hermione grinned. "I am *so* better at being evil than you are, Pureblood."

"Hardly. You don't know what you're getting into, Granger." His tone held a
warning she had not anticipated. "The kind of things I've seen would give you
nightmares."

"Well, I would suppose so. After all, you're the one sharing showers with
Slytherin." Inwardly, she shook a little. He had looked so much like his father right
then. "We're not really going to sit here and argue about who's more evil are we?"

"No. Maybe I should concede the point to you." She raised her eyebrow, and he
smirked. "You're the one betraying your friends."

"I'm the one with friends to betray." She pointed out, her voice colder than he
had ever heard it.

Malfoy sat down, in what Hermione would later describe as a 'huff'. "You still
didn't answer my question. Why did *Severus* take you there?"

Hermione pulled herself together, trying to slip into the persona she had worn
last night. "Let's just say," Her mouth stretched in a lazy smile. "That I *persuaded*
him."

"What are you implying?" Draco couldn't believe his ears.

"Well, let me put it this way. Your Potions Master has a new favorite student."

"You're telling me you're the 'Teacher's Pet?'"

"Did you just make air quotes?" She asked incredulously. Then, quickly added,
trying to perfect her use of innuendo, "In more ways than one."

"I think I'm going to vomit." Draco pressed a hand to his forehead. Maybe this
was what Snape had meant when he had said there was a development this
morning."What if I said I don't believe you? I mean, I saw you with Snape at Hogwarts
last night. You might have been wondering around and he caught you!"

"Come away from the denial, Draco." For some reason, it tickled her to call him
by his first name. "Ask Harry, he'll tell you I wasn't in my room last night."

"I know, he was looking for you." Draco replied absentmindedly.

"You talked to Harry last night?" Hermione frowned. "He didn't mention it."

"Looks like you're not the only one keeping secrets, Granger." Draco's eyes
flashed. Why was Harry keeping their little conversation a secret? He looked back at
the girl in front of him. He scoffed, "So, you're expecting me to believe that you spent
the night with Snape?" She just nodded. "Prove it."

"And how am I supposed to do that?" She tried to think of something that
didn't involve performing very private acts in public. Her eyes lit up with an idea.
"We were in his Zen Garden."

"He let you see his Tibet?" Draco sounded almost sad or jealous. "He never let
me see it."

"Hopefully that's because you weren't sleeping with him." She smirked.

"Not at that time, no." He murmured. Hermione fell off her chair. Laughing, he
extended a hand to her and helped her up. "I am *so* more evil than you, Mudblood." **********


Harry spun through the sky, diving, practicing his feints and dives at ever
increasing speeds. Over his years at Hogwarts, many had tried to describe Harry and
how he flew, from Colin Creevey to crushing first year girls. It was a dance, a game.
He was graceful, powerful, poetry on a broomstick. All were adequate descriptions, as
descriptions went, but none of them managed to capture the truth. It was almost more
like ice skating, the power and strength in the motion juxtaposed to the grace and
delicacy of the movements. Many Quidditch players flew as if the sky owned them.
Harry flew as if he owned the sky.

High above the ground, Harry found himself able to think more clearly. Yet, he
could not dismiss the image of Draco Malfoy in Death Eater's garb from his mind. His
mouth set in tight lines. He should let this go. Nearly everyone at Hogwarts thought
Malfoy had joined the Dark Wizards, so why was he so upset by this? The unmarred
forearm flashed before his eyes. He needed to know the truth, it was becoming an
obsession. Somehow, his hate had always connected him to Malfoy, their fights, their
meetings from first to last, held the heavy ring of fate.

This morning, his intentions had been to confront Malfoy again, provoke him
and see if he could find anything out. But now a new plan was insidiously creeping
into his mind. He was definitely spending too much time in Slytherin House. He
landed swiftly, and headed back to the castle for a shower. In his head echoed the only
words of advice Snippy and Snarky had offered him about surviving the term in the
Serpent's Den. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."


*******


Lockhart's book was lounging on the grass next to Hazelheart. They were under
a cloud of pink smoke and feeling very relaxed. Professor Sprout had lehem hem earlier
to 'tend to all the swirly flowers.' "I'm evil on a whole new level. I'm expanding my
thoughts, my whole evil capacity."

"That's right. It expands the mind." Haze agreed.

"Hey, I think my chapters are expanding. I'm getting bigger! "

"That might be the Doritos." Haze patted his own soft stomach. His paws were
covered in bright orange crumbs. "I need to get some more of those. And a taco."

Gilderoy's picture had the crumbs all around his mouth. He, too, was laying on
the grass. His face was plastered with a silly smile and he kept flashing a peace sign.
"An evil taco?"

"Dude, tacos are only evil on the way out."

"Huh?" The book asked.

"You'll see." Haze started to giggle.

Just then, a pair of boots came into view. Harry fanned himself with the end of
his broom. "Good God, what's that smell?"

"Diabolic herbs!" The book bragged.

"You two were getting hi. . .herbing together?"

"Dude, Bookman is the coolest." Hazelheart grinned foolishly.

"Yeah, well." Harry said disinterestedly. "I should go because you two, er,
smell."

The book laughed. "Yeah, but it's the smell of sin, isn't it? The blackest, most
putrid-"

"Dude! I'm tryin' not to toss my cookies here. Could you lay off the
descriptors?"

"There's cookies?!" The book asked excitedly.

"No, man, not really." Haze looked vaguely disappointed. He managed to scoot
over and laid his head on Harry's shoe. "Could you carry us back inside, dude? It's
sooooo far away."

Harry grudgingly agreed and picked up both badger and book (even though he
felt he should leave it outside) and escorted them inside the building. He knew just the
place to put them too.

***********

Hermione was feeling pretty pleased with herself. Being a hero was quite
addictive. No wonder Harry liked it so much. She was heading down to the dungeons
to work on the potion for Dumbledore with Professor Snape. She wasn't sure how she
should handle seeing him again.

Last night, she'd tripped and fumbled her way out of the room without
addressing his comment. Of course, he'd been kidding. Wasn't he? Of course he was.
He was a professor and a mature older man. She put it from her mind. She'd just take
her cue from him. If he was acting like her professor, she'd treat him like one.

Hermione knocked twice. "Come in, Hermione." He said.

Good. So, they were still on a first name basis. "Hello, Severus." She came into
the room and saw him standing next to one of his larger cauldrons. The brew inside
was bubbling and fizzing. "What's that?"

"That for me to know and you never to find out." He looked up at her and his
gaze didn't hold the normal amount of censure. "Haven't you ever heard that Muggle
adage about the familiar and inquisitiveness."

"Uh, curiosity killed the cat?"

"Exactly." He appeared serious now. "And, that applies to Wizards and
Witches as well."

Her brow furrowed. "That isn't a death threat, is it?" She wasn't sure, she hadn't
ever received one.

"No." He said with a discreet laugh-sounding cough. "It's a warning. Be careful
what you overhear."

"I will." She was offended. "It's not like I don't have any experience keeping
secrets, you know! I'm the very essence of discretion."

"Excellent." Hghedghed. "I think it's time we work on Professor Dumbledore's
protection spell, don't you? What do have for me?"

"Oh, here you are." She produced a scroll where she'd worked on her
calculations. There were several drafts and the completed one was on the bottom
portion. It was important that he saw her thought processes.

He read over her ideas very carefully. He 'hmmed' and 'hmmphed' as he
sometimes added or erased something. "Very good, Hermione." Severus met her
anxious look. "I must say, that you have some unusual ideas but I believe they might
work. Where in the world did you get the idea to use boomslang skin in a protection
potion?"

"It has many useful properties despite the fact that it is a toxin. In fact," She
began, eager to demonstrate her knowledge, "I used it once in a-"

"You've worked with it before?" He asked, puzzled. "Not in my classroom. In
fact, I'm the only faculty member to keep it on hand so-"

"Oh, it wasn't at school!" She lied badly.

"Hogwarts students are not allowed to practice magic away from school."

"So, how about that Death Eaters meeting, eh? Pretty scary."

"My, what a clever way to change the topic of conversation." Severus said
snidely. "I almost didn't notice."

"We should start brewing, don't you think?"

"As you wish." He replied. "Fetch the boomslang skin for me first. It takes quite
a while to break it down in a potion."

"I remember." She muttered.

"What was that?" Severus asked as he rounded the corner. He wanted to gather
the appropriate cauldron and brazier for the mixture.

"Nothing." Hermione said more loudly. She wasn't being terribly stealthy today
for some reason. She went into his office and automatically found the location of the
boomslang skin.

Snape noticed immediately. "How did you know where I kept it?"

Hermione gulped, color blotching on her face. "Uh. . .it's just that you're so
organized. Everything in it's place."

"I see." He folded his arms over his chest, wrapping himself in his robes.
"Somehow, I don't believe you're being entirely truthful."

"I saw it the other day w-when you said I could use anything here. " Hermione
still faced the cupboard, wishing desperately she'd brought along Harry's invisibility
cloak.

Snape's mouth curled into a knowing smile. "You want to know what I think?"

"No."

His lips twitched."Well, I'll tell you anyway. I think you know where I keep that
ingredient because you've stolen from my cupboards before."

"Oh, really. As if I would steal from you." She said, dismissively. "No, of course
not. I don't steal! I'm a prefect and a straight A student to boot! I would never. Never
ever because I-"

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I did it. Just this once. And it wasn't even that much boomslang skin. It was
more boom than boomslang. I didn't even enjoy it! I felt bad the entire time."

"Yet were able to keep it a secret for five years. I'm sure your conscience must
have been smarting the entire time." He got closer to her. "And just what were you
brewing?"

"A potion."

"How very Longbottom of you."

"That was uncalled for!" Hermione glared at him. "He's brilliant in Herbology."

"I'm sure." Severus sarcastically agreed. "Stop stalling. Out with it."

"What kind of a punishment are we talking here?"

"Fine." He crossed his arms. "It's Amnesty Day. Anything you tell me will not
cost House points."

"All day!?" Hermione's smile was brilliant. "Really?"

"Really."

"Polyjuice Potion." She whispered.

Severus chuckled. "For a second there, I thought you said Polyjuice Potion, but I
must have been mistaken because--"

"Ummm. . .actually, I did say that."

"YOU BREWED POLYJUICE POTION!??"

"Erm, yes."

"That is dangerous, Miss Granger! Do you know how difficult that is? How
volatile? Not to mention-"

"The way it tastes. Disgusting." She made a face. "I would have rather eaten
some of the hor's d'oeuvres at the ghost party."

"YOU DRANK IT!?"

"Stop shouting."

"One hundred House points for nearly killing yourself." He countered.

"You can't do that!"

Severus' mouth had a white ring around it. "Fine. I'm nothing if not a man of
my word."

"I didn't nearly kill myself! That potion was perfect! Well, nearly perfect. I sort
of grew a tail and whiskers but the potion worked!"

"You were trying to turn yourself into a cat?"

"Of course not! I mistakenly plucked a feline hair off of-"

"Keep going." Severus encouraged. "I'm fascinated."

"I think I said enough on this particular situation."

Severus was more calm now and he marveled at both her cunning and audacity.
"What was it like? I've never brewed that particular potion."

"It wasn't as hard as you might think. Except for the foul taste. Maybe som some
vanilla was added to the mixture-"

"You will not be brewing that again." Severus glanced at the container which
held the boomslang skin, there was only one paltry skin left. Much more would be
needed for the protection potion. "We shall have Mr. Potter and Draco retrieve some
for us."

"Alright. I'll make sur tel tell Harry." She sighed as she leaned against one of
the shelves. "So, since we can't brew the potion right now, do you want to talk?"

"Certainly." He was unsure of her motives.

Hermione grinned at him. "Tell you what, let me use your owl to give Harry the
message and then we'll talk some more while you wait." She jotted down a quick note
for Harry, he tied it to the foot of his screech owl, Nemesis and sent it out into the
corridor. They settled into two chairs behind his desk to wait. "So does this amnesty
thing still apply?"

"Yes."

"To Harry and Ron too?"

"No. What else could you possibly confess?"

"We need to have a talk about fire."

"You burned something down?!"

"Don't be silly! I would never do that. But, I did set someone on fire."

"Who?"

"You." She bit her lip.

"Was that a death threat?"

**********


"A little to the left. Lower. Lower. Mmmm. Now, behind the other ear." Griff-g com commanded. Draco scowled and complied. "Under the left wing. Harder. Now,
right wing. Higher. A little more. . .perfect! You may stop now."

"So how was that?" Draco smirked at the mascot. He knew he was good with
his hands.

"Not bad, Malfoy." Griff-gruff hopped of his lap and trotted over to his favorite
chair. "Of course, Harry didn't require as much active coaching. But, not bad."

Draco scowled.

The portrait swished open. "Not very original. Why not 'pureblood' or 'sex-god
residence'?"

"Potter, what are you doing here?" Draco sighed. Like their password was so
brilliant.

"Why, Malfoy, did you forget our date? I'm crushed." Harry laughed, leaning
on his Firebolt. "Ah well, I'll just check out my old room, while you get ready." And
he turned and bounded up the stairs, to the first year room he had stayed in. He drifted
over to the window, the image of a content young eleven year old, folded in the
embrace of his first Hogwart's night, sitting quietly in this space flitted through his
mind.

"I take it that it's time for us to do rounds once more?" A voice drawled from
behind him. Harry spun around, shaken out of his revery. A warm night wind blew
through the open window, tussling his hair a little.

"Yes, and Snape wants us to find some boomslang skin for him in the forest for a
special potion." Harry smirked, the expression looked wrong on his face, and it worried
Draco a little. Harry stepped back, his heels even with the window. Draco bit his lip
and controlled the urge to warn him about the proximity of the ledge. "What's a
matter, Malfoy? Didn't you miss me?"

"Can't say that I did, Potter." Draco gestured with his broom as he spoke.

"I'm crushed." And Harry leaned back, letting himself fall into the oblivion out
of the tower.

"Harry!" Draco hopped on his broom and flew out the window, only to find
Potter laughing with exhilaration as he flew around the tower. "Goddammit, Potter!"

Harry flew to his side, and as if by silent agreement, the descended about a
hundred feet and began to make rounds. "Worried about me, Malfoy?"

"That's some death wish you've got there." He grumbled, not looking at the
other boy.

"You *were* worried!" Harry announced. "Aww, Malfoy. Didn't know you
cared."

"I care whether you live or die, Potter. Just don't be too sure which one I want to
happen." He said darkly, as he headed for the Forbidden Forest. He wanted to get the
snake part of the night out of the way.

"Hey, I thought we had a truce going. What's a matter, Malfoy? Don't you want
to be my friend anymore?" Harry bumped him playfully with his shoulder.

"Are you trying to hit on me again, Hero?" Draco's brow furrowed. What was
wrong with Potter, he was being nice. In a flippant way, but it almost seemed more like
frie ban banter than teasing, and that just wasn't normal. He brought his broom down,
landing lightly on the ground, Harry right behind him.

Leaning once more on the handle of his broom, Harry smiled at him. "Maybe I
am."

"What? I'm sorry, I meant -- WHAT?!" Draco didn't think he could take
anymore shocks today. First Granger wanted to out-evil him. Now the famous Harry
Potter, his arch rival wanted to get in his pants. What was next? Lockhart's book
renouncing evil?

"Oh, not interested? What a shame." Harry deadpanned, starting towards the
woods. "Look, Malfoy. We're stuck with these rounds indefinitely. I just thought they
might be more bearable if we weren't at each other's throats all the time. After all,
we're nearly adults now. I'm sure you can get past your jealousy and I can get past the
fact that you're a spoiled brat and destined to be a Death Eater."

"Doesn't seem right, a hero hitting on a Death Eater." Draco smirk, poised once
more.

"But you're not one yet." Harry pointed out mischievously.

"No, not yet." He whispered softly. His eyes flared as he looked at Harry. "Let's
get the snake-skin and get out of here."

"Scared of the dark, Malfoy?" There was the taunting tone once more.

"Tired of your incessant chatter, Potter."

They entered the woods together, steps matched and silent. The woods were
silent, immense and ageless. They enveloped the boys as they walked into their depths.
Following Harry's lead, they headed for a small grove of trees in an open spot.
Boomslang liked to sleep on tree branches in the sun, so it was a likely spot for nests
and skins. Tentatively, they turned over brush with the tip of their broomsticks,
searching for the delicate skins the Professor needed. They had nearly filled their bag,
when Harry heard Draco inhale sharply, and sit heavily on the ground. He turned to
see him crng hng his hand to his chest. Two feet from his, was a boomslang in striking
position.

Harry hurried to Draco's side, stepping in between him and the deadly
venomous snake. He hissed to it in parseltongue. "Why did you bite him?"

"He nearly sssstepped on my eggs." It hissed back. "You are Harry Potter. I am
Nova."

"Greetings, Nova." Harry kneeled down. "I am sure he did not mean it."

"He is a friend of yourssss, then?"

Harry's eyes flickered to Draco who was paler than normal and shaking. "Yes,
he is."

"Then I am sssssorry." The snake bobbed her head. "You must remove the
venom from his hand before it spreads."

"You were only protecting your own." Harry pointed out. She nodded once
more, and slithered back into the grass.

"If you're quite done, Potter, I think I need to get back to the castle." Draco tried
to stand, but winced and fell back to the ground. Harry pretended not to notice.

"Let me see your hand." Harry gently circled Draco's wrist and pulled the hand
into his lap. Two faint red marks marred the lower portion of the palm."We don't have
time to go back. We need to find a way to stop the venom before it spreads past your
hand."

"And how do you intend to do that, Potter?" Draco was feeling rather light-headed.

Harry grimaced. He remembered from some t.v. show this guy named Steve
getting bitten and explaining what to do in such a situation. At the time, he had found
it rather amusing, since the guy was obviously a Wizard and a parseltongue to boot,
and had cast several anti-venom charms on himself before undertaking his career.
None of these charms would help Draco, though, they were strictly preventative. So he
was going to have to do it the old fashioned way.

"Just try to relax, ok? You'll only make it worse." Harry tightened his grip on
Draco's wrist to shut off the blood flow, gently stroking his palm with the other hand in
what he hoped was a soothing matter. Draco looked into his eyes and matched his
breathing to the slow and even rhythm of Harry's.

Harry pushed two fingers into the puffy skin around the two holes, hoping to
push the venom up through the skin. He knew it must be painful, but Draco kept his
eyes on his, and never flinched. Some of the venom came up, but Harry knew it wasn't
enough. What he was about to do was dangerous, and adrenaline shot through Harry,
accelerating his breathing and making his heart pound, but he never even hesitated.
Holding Draco's gaze, he slowly lowered his mouth to the wounds. At the first heated
touch of Harry's mouth, Draco gasped. As he began to gently suck the poison and
blood out, it felt like his hand was on fire, and that fire was quickly spreading to other
parts of his body. He started to shake. Every few seconds, Harry would pull back and
spit the venom on the grass, careful not to swallow any. In a few moments he was
done.

"I think that'll do it." He wiped his mouth with the back of his free hand,
realizing that there were traces of Malfoy's blood on his lips. "I think you'll have to
ride with me. You're in no condition to fly."

Harry helped Draco onto the broom, sitting behind him. He pulled the blond
close to his chest so he wouldn't fall off, and took off for Hogwarts as fast as he could.
At first Draco tried to hold his head up and his body away from Harry's, but Harry
impatiently tugged him back, gently pushing his head down onto Harry's shoulder.
Draco was unsettled by the gesture, and the unexpected carefulness of it. Finally he
gave up. Draco leaned back, resting his head on Harry's shoulder, relaxing into the
other boy, one aver ver Harry's for balance, the other tucked up above his heart to
keep any remaining venom down. In his mind was the image of Harry spitting his
blood on the ground, on his skin, the imprint of the smoldering touch of his lips on his
hand.