The idea? Remove Draco from Hogwarts as soon as opportunity presents itself. The execution? Flawed in a million different ways. The actual mission? Convincing an old man to allow Draco to return home without telling him Draco ran away. The chance of success? 0%.

I paced my office thinking about every possiblity. I knew Luc didn't want to go through with the idea. Voldemort now knew that Potter and Draco were on good terms. Dare I say that they were friends. I had to tell him about it to save my friend from further torture.

'Damn you Luc for putting me in such a situation.' I thought angrily. If he just let people know what Cissa and I know, maybe he could have gotten out of this. Maybe Draco would understand better.

I sighed as I remembered I had a class. With the shake of my head I walked towards the door. When I opened it I almost froze in shock. I hadn't seen Draco laugh since he was a small kid. I never thought he would be laughing with Potter either.

They were leaning on the wall across from the classroom door. Potter had mumbled something and Draco, try as he might, started laughing. He tried not to, but that was fruitless. They all scurried into my class and Draco and Potter already had all their stuff waiting.

"You'll know what to do. I expect perfection this will be half your term mark." I drawled.

Sitting behind my desk I observed the class. Longbottom and Nott were arguing again and their potion was going downhill fast. Zabini and... Weasley were actually doing a decent job. No arguing, no teasing, just silent work with the occasional "get this" or "do that". Another somewhat surprise was Parkinson and Granger. They weren't talking like usual. It seemed Granger was giving Parkinson the clod shoulder, while Parkinson was continually asking for forgiveness.

And then there was Potter and Draco. Their new found friendship really had me confused. Draco was making the potion while Potter was cutting the ingredients. Draco tried insisting Potter make it, but Potter refused. That left me even more confused because Potter had always complained about not being given a chance.

"How much longer are we going to continue this parade?"

I ears perked up at the question. I looked over the top of an essay I was holding. Potter had asked Draco the question. The frown and shrug from Draco made it obvious he was supposed to give an answer.

"I don't know. I think this batch is good for another week or so?" Draco said.

They were whispering, but my current state of hyper-awareness seemed to allow me to tune into their conversation. Potter now shrugged as he went back to cutting and crushing.

"Should I not start the next batch? We can call it quits if you want." Draco said still looking at the potion.

"I would just like to talk to..." Potter began.

Draco cut him off. "Yeah I know what you mean. I'll start with the other thing tonight. We can call it quits when this batch runs out."

All Potter did was nod. They continued their potion with pointless jabbs at each other. Unaware that I had been listening. Which left me with more questions. The class was still buzzing with idle chatter and instructions.

"Professor!" I looked at to find the intruding voice. "Or potion is done."

Of course it had to be Potter who spoke. I grumbled as I stood up and made my way to their station. I stood over them examining the potion. I could tell by the colour what potion they had chosen.

"And what, pray tell, potion was it that you both have made?" I drawled.

"Dreamless sleep." Draco said rolling his eyes.

I nodded my head. "Why did you both choose that? You know one of you have to try it."

Draco shrugged. "It was a challenge and I wanted to do it."

"Very well. Who will try it?" I sighed.

Thinking about the pain in the ass this was going to be. I half expected Potter to take the potion, but Draco said he would. I looked at him and then Potter. I know the potion is harmless and simply puts the person into a deep sleep, but I don't think I wanted my grandson missing class.

Potter and Draco seemed to exchange a look before Draco took the potion. As expected it worked perfectly. Draco yawned and basically curled up in his seat. Falling asleep moments later.

"Seems your potion is a success. You may leave Mr. Potter." I sighed.

"Am I allowed to take my potion partner with me?" Potter asked pointing to Draco.

I nodded and waved him off.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Change to Remus POV

*~*~*~*~*~*

The idea? Getting Harry to stop questioning things. The execution? Likely to go wrong. The actual mission? Using blatant manipulation in an attempt to create a foggy image of the truth. The chance of success? Most prone to failure.

I was sitting and waiting for the Weasley girl to stop complaining. I didn't care much for anything she had to say. It was obvious to anyone that Harry didn't like her.

The day seemed too long, or maybe it was just my mind reminding me of the impending meeting with Dumbledore. I sighed as Weasley told me to do something about Harry not "loving" her.

"Miss Weasley. I regret to inform you that I do indeed have a class now." I sighed.

She huffed and stormed out. I closed my eyes for a few minutes as I heard the growing crowd of students outside my door. This was going to be a long day, but I had to get through it. I walked over to the door and opened it. Watching as the students entered. When I turned around to address them my attention immediately settled on the seat next to Harry. Malfoy wasn't there, instead Parkinson was.

"Alright class. Today will be a more theoretical lesson. You have the whole class to write out an essay on everything you have learnt since first year. You don't have to be detailed, but you need to be accurate. These essays will help me assess what you need to know for your OWLs. Homework will follow forthwith." I said and walked behind my desk.

"Where's Draco?" I heard a whisper.

I looked up to see Parkinson poking Harry's side.

"Parkinson stop that." Harry whispered back.

"But where is Dray? I know he trusts you and all..." Parkinson started.

With a sigh Harry turned to her. "I'm still angry with what you did. And since it was your fault and not Draco's we have put it behind us with the agreement that I can remain angry with you. Now stop bugging me. I wouldn't do anything to hurt my friends or put them in danger." Harry hissed.

He went back to doing the work I assigned when Parkinson poked him again. "How many times do I have to say that I am sorry? Granger won't even talk to me anymore. I just want to know where you left my friend."

"Mione doesn't have to talk to you if she doesn't want to. And your friend is in his bed. Now leave me alone." Harry frowned.

"How did you get into Slytherin or even..."

"That's enough chatter." I said eyeing Parkinson.

She looked up shocked and then it seemed to register. "Shit forgot he's a werewolf."

I almost smiled. Harry went back to his work after sending me a "thank you" smile. He seemed to be done faster than the rest of the class. He walked up to my desk with parchment in hand.

"Ahhh Professor I was wondering if I might hold on to my essay. I was thinking that Draco might like to use it as reference. If that's okay with you." Harry said shifting in the spot.

"Is it complete?" He nodded. "Hand it over for a second."

Harry hesitated before putting it in my hand still folded. I took out my wand and cast a spell on the parchment. I handed it back to him.

"Can't be unfair to the rest now can I. Mr. Malfoy may use it as reference, but you cannot add anything to it outside of class." I said.

Harry smiled. "That's fine Professor."

"Harry I have a meeting with Dumbledore later." I whispered as I leaned forward.

Harry's smile dropped as he copied my motion. "He's still trying to manipulate me. I think I may have found something though. Remember what I said about Arthur?" I nodded. "Dumbledore is using his children as leverage to keep him in order."

"All of them?" I asked.

"Just Ginny and Percy." Harry said. "See you later Professor."

I nodded my head as Harry walked back to his desk. Hermione and a few other students made their way to my desk and handed in their essays. On her way back to her desk, Hermione stopped next to Harry. I strained my ears to hear what was said.

"I heard Dumbledore is going to try use Sirius to get you 'on track' again. You may want to talk to Sirius."

"Thanks Mione. I'll send him an owl later."

Hermione nodded and went to pack her things. At the end of class everyone left. I thought about writing to Sirius myself for a few minutes. Then an owl swooped into my class. The letter was from Sirius and I almost laughed. 'How uncanny.' I smiled as I opened it.

(1595 words)