Nothing is what it seems

Thanks again for the reviews. Wanted to update a bit sooner than this, but it's been kind of hectic lately, what with Christmas and all that.

Bit of a shorter chapter this time, but I didn't want to add in too much unnecessary text - it removes the focus from the important stuff. Well, that's my opinion anyway.

Also, before the chapter starts, I just wanted to mention something in response to a review I had. I am English, hence the fact my spelling/grammar does not reflect American spelling/grammar. I have no idea of how many of the readers are American, so I thought it would be a good idea to bring this up. Anyway, just wanted to clear that up.

Enjoy the chapter:

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During the next few weeks that followed, Harry felt a strange sense of happiness that he had never felt before. His relationship with Draco was almost perfect. Factors that prevented it from being truly perfect were that they had to keep it all a secret. And of course this caused the second factor - that they were unable to spend as much time together as Harry would like. However, this meant that every minute they did spend together was special.

Harry had thought about the secrecy of the relationship for a long time now. Although at first, he would have been mortified for anybody to have found out he was ‘seeing’ Draco, he was beginning to come round to the idea. He knew that telling people was not an option though - Draco would never forgive him. Every waking minute was spent thinking about Draco and he just wanted to announce it to everyone. He had not seen Draco properly for a few days now. The only times he had seen him were in lessons, where they had to profoundly hide their feelings. He glanced at his marauders map to see what Draco was doing. Seeing that he was alone in the boy’s bathroom by the transfiguration classroom, he grabbed his invisibility cloak and dashed off to see him.

His feet pounded down the empty corridor as he rushed to the bathroom. Quickly looking around to make sure no one was there, he entered the room. Immediately seeing Draco by sinks, he took off his cloak. Draco turned around, sensing the presence of another person. He didn’t react when he saw Harry. Harry could tell something was wrong.

“Draco?” He asked as he walked up to the boy. No other words were needed.

“It’s my father.” Was all he said.

Harry knew it was not good news. The first thought that crossed his mind was that perhaps he had died. But after studying Draco’s face, he realised it did not display sadness. It displayed fear.

“What about him? You’re scaring me, Drae.” Harry asked with genuine concern in his voice.
Unnecessary
Draco paused before answering him. “He’s…he’s escaped.”

Harry’s eyes widened. He knew this was not a good thing. The only question was how long he was going to wait before he came for Draco.

“Have you heard from him?” Harry asked urgently. Draco shook his head and lowered his eyes. “You’re safe here.” Harry told him, before taking him in him arms and holding him close. Draco did not resist but allowed himself to be held by the other boy. Moments later, Draco broke away.

“I’ve got to go and see Professor Snape.” He told Harry.

“Do you want me to come?” Harry asked.

“No, better not. He wouldn’t be very impressed would he?”

Harry knew this was a referral to them having any other relationship than being enemies. “I could wear my invisibility cloak?” Harry offered.

Draco thought about this offer before replying. Eventually he nodded.

The two boys set off in the direction of the dungeon. Harry, at Draco’s insistence, had put on his invisibility cloak before they had left the bathroom. Once they reached the door to Snape’s office, Draco stopped and took a deep breath before knocking. The curt reply to enter came and Draco pushed the door open. Harry followed him in. Snape was sitting at his desk and looked up as Draco entered the room. He did not say anything.

“You asked to see me?” Draco asked, in a hardened voice.

“Yes. That’s right.” Snape replied, as he stood up. He moved across the room so that he was standing in front of Draco.

“What is it?”

“I want to know what’s happening between you and Potter.”

Harry froze in complete and utter shock. How did he know? Draco seemed to be having the same reaction. He no longer looked cool and indifferent, as he had when he had first entered the room. He quickly tried to regain his poise.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Severus.” Draco replied, looking at him defiantly.

“I’ve been watching you, Draco. Very closely, in fact. And I could not help but notice certain things.”

“Such as what?”

Snape seemed to be getting very irritated. “The way you and Potter look at each other. Also, a few weeks back when you passed him a note as you left the room. You think you can fool me?”

Draco said nothing but waited for Snape to continue.

“I suppose you’ve heard about your father escaping from Azkaban? I don’t think that he would be pleased to hear of his only son befriending the Dark Lord’s greatest enemy, do you?”

“No, I don’t suppose he would. But seeing as that is not the case, there is no need to worry.” Draco replied coldly, looking at Snape defiantly.

“You do know that he asked me to keep an eye on you before he went to Azkaban?” Snape asked him gently. Draco shook his head. “Well, perhaps I should have… a little look?”

Harry knew that he was referring to using legilimency. He immediately began to fear for Draco’s situation. He need not have worried though. As Snape began to use legilimency, he suddenly stopped. He then gave a small laugh although it was obvious he was not amused.

“Oh, so you’ve mastered occlumency then? I cannot say I am surprised.” He said quietly.

Draco, again, said nothing. The silence that followed was extremely tense and Harry was beginning to wish he had not come. What if Snape discovered him hidden there? The game would be up. He hoped Draco would leave soon. As if reading his mind, Draco spoke.

“Well, if that’s all, Severus, I’ll be going now.” Draco said calmly. Snape nodded begrudgingly.

“I’ll be watching you, Draco.” Was all he said before turning away. Draco turned and left the room, Harry following him. Draco began to walk down the corridor towards the bathroom they had originally been standing in. Harry followed him. Once they reached the bathroom, Draco spoke.

“Harry?” He called, to see if he was still there. Harry pulled off his cloak but did not respond vocally. Draco spoke once more. “How did he find out? I don’t believe this…it’s a disaster.” He put his head in his hands but remained still.

“I think you threw him off the track.” Harry reassured.

Draco brought his head up. “Of course I didn’t. He knows. He’s just biding his time, that’s all.” He paused. “Oh god, he’s going to tell my father, isn’t he?”

Harry did not know what to say, so he said nothing.

“How could I be so stupid? I knew this couldn’t work. Wouldn’t work.” Draco muttered as he began to pace.

“It could be a while yet before your father comes for you. He isn’t going to just march into Hogwarts, is he?” Harry tried to reassure him. He touched his arm lightly to comfort him. Draco pulled away from his touch.

“This needs to end. Now.” Draco said. However, he could not look at Harry. Harry knew he wasn’t just worried about his reputation this time - he was worried for his own life. Although it was painful for him to accept, deep down, he knew Draco was right. He nodded mechanically, picked up his invisibility cloak and silently left the bathroom. He numbly walked back to his dormitory, unaware of anything going on around him. The only good thing happening to him had come to an end. As he entered his common room, he blanked the greetings that his friends gave him, not really hearing anything that was going on around him. Once he was safe in his dormitory, he lay on his bed and closed his eyes. All he could see was visions of Draco. After laying there for some time, he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

******

A few days passed without Harry seeing Draco at all. He had stopped going to meals, unable to face seeing Draco. The greatest thing he feared was that Draco would be back to his old, obnoxious self. The reason he could not face this was because it would confirm a thought that kept nagging him - Draco did not have any true feelings for him at all. This thought was the one that he could not stand. He was not sure why it hurt him so much, but it did. His thoughts were interrupted by a tapping on the window. He looked up and saw an owl outside. He stood up and walked over to the window to let it in. Detaching the letter from it’s leg that it held out, he gave the owl a treat and then let him go. He watched the owl fly away and then turned his attention back to his letter. He opened it with curiosity.

‘I need to see you. Come to the bathroom where we last met as soon as possible. D’ was all that the note said. He wondered what Draco wanted. Putting on some shoes and his invisibility cloak, he left the dormitory. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached the bathroom. He was seriously considering turning around and going back but he kept going anyway. Once he was stood outside the bathroom, he took several deep breaths before entering. Once he was inside the room, he removed his cloak.

Draco watched him as he came into view. The looked at each other as they anticipated what was going to happen next. Draco finally spoke.

“I’m going.” Was all that he said.

“Going? Where?” Harry asked, with a puzzled expression on his face.

“To join my father.”

Harry felt as if Draco had punched him in the face. He wished he had done. Anything would be less painful than this. Draco waited for Harry to say something but when it became apparent that he was going to say nothing, Draco spoke again.

“I have no other choice. He contacted me and insisted that I return to him now.” He said.

“No, you can’t.” Harry said after a few minutes. He knew it sounded lame, but could not think of anything else to say.

“I have to.” Draco mumbled quietly.

“So you’re going to help kill me now? Well, why don’t you just do it now? Go on. I’m sure your father will be really proud of you.” Harry said, his hurt turning into anger. He could feel tears forming in his eyes and willed them to go away.

“I’m a Malfoy. You knew this day would come, as did I.” Malfoy responded, ignoring his outburst.

Harry was stunned at how calm Draco was. Did he not care at all? Harry knew what the answer was to this question, he was just having a hard time coming to terms with it.

“I must go now. My father is waiting.” Draco said. He approached Harry and placed a final goodbye kiss upon his lips. Harry could see that he was struggling not to cry, just like he was. He knew he had to say it now. He had held back before, although he had wanted to say it for a long time. He hoped it would stop Draco from going.

“I…I love you.” Harry told him, as he began to break down.

Draco looked at him with fright. “Don’t say that.” He said. With these last few words, he turned around and left the bathroom, leaving Harry in pieces.