It had been a pleasant week. Hardly any arguments had occurred. Well except for the playful ones. We were civil with each other. We shared the important details about our lives with each other, correcting each other's behaviour and so forth. Just generally enjoying our lives at that point in time. We turned this little wager into a fun game with light banter. I was currently laughing so hard.

"I don't understand what's so funny Potter."

I smiled. "Malfoy you need to stop fussing over your hair. Seriously my hair cannot be tamed. I've tried."

Draco sighed. "Fair point but..."

"I know. Yours is always slicked and gelled." I said.

"And you can't be late for class." He huffed.

I rolled my eyes. "Have you not been paying attention to the time I'm up every morning? It's Ron that makes me late all the time. Oh and you need to address them as Mione and Ron. Ronald when you've had enough of his nonsense. But you can't do that too often. It's his nature to be a goof."

"How often is too often?" He asked.

"Once a month. Two at most but don't push it." I shrugged. "Hermione will get suspicious if you do."

"For a bladdy Gryffindor with one hell of a temper you sure have a lot of control." Draco mumbled. "Maybe I should write you a list of names and phrases?"

"Weasel, weasel-bee, Weasley, ginger, Granger, mudblood, Potter, scarhead. That about sums up the names right?" I smiled at Draco's shocked face. "And Ron calls you ferret so try not to loose your temper over it."

"No promises on that one. Even if I am a ferret, he doesn't know that." He huffed.

*~*

I went to the shop for more food. Should be back in a couple of minutes. Don't break anything!

- H

Reading over the note again I nodded and set it on the table. I allowed Draco to sleep in. He always complained but I could see that he appreciated it. He hardly slept at night anyway. Insisting to stay up with me. From my own personal experience it was always good to have at least one really good night's sleep. Living with the Dursley's didn't really give me that opportunity, neither did Hogwarts really. I returned a half hour later to see Draco sprawled on the couch. He looked up when he heard the door. When he saw me he sat up.

"About time. How do you work this moving box thing. I'm bored." He huffed.

I burst out laughing. Honestly these last two weeks was the most I have ever laughed. Who would have thought I'd be having a good time with my supposed enemy. After our first fight last week we actually got along pretty well. We had a few things in common and it was great.

I clutched my stomach as I tried to make my way to the couch. But that was pointless. I ended up on the floor. Draco grumbled and I tried composing myself. Only succeeding when a pillow hit my face.

"It's a TV Draco. Jeez I won't have a voice after this summer." I signed happily.

"You need to frown more. Can't have saint Potter ruining my reputation by being kind." He moaned.

I rolled my eyes. "Just you wait and see. I'll be the best Draco Malfoy out there. You need to smile more. Not just as me, but as yourself."

"One. You can't be better than me. Two. I have nothing to smile about. Three. Now show me how to work this thing. I'm bored." He frowned.

Once again we spent the day lazing around and seeing to ourselves. We ate whenever we felt like. Seeing as I mostly bought things for sandwiches and quick snacks. 'I'll have to restock actual food before the Dursley's return.' I absentmindedly started thinking that this is what being Draco's roommate must feel like. 'And thinking about roommates...'

"Do you know how to cast a two way silencing charm?" I asked looking at him.

"Yes why?" He said.

I smiled. "You're going to need one."

Draco nodded. "Why two way?"

"I suffer from nightmares. So it's expected for that kind of spell to be up. Don't worry I'll cover my tracks in the Slytherin dorm so no one will know." I sighed.

We fell into a rather pleasant silence. I didn't have to worry about cleaning just yet. The Dursley's were gone for another two weeks. Draco was a pretty tidy person anyway so there was just dusting and trivial things I could do two days before. I had to make a note to start working on the garden in a few days.

"Draco. We're going to need an excuse for you to stay. If you want to remain in your human form. They'll most likely give you my room. But Vernon won't be too kind for long."

"Where will you sleep if they give me your room?" Draco frowned looking at me.

I had told him about the cupboard. Actually I had told him a lot. If not everything. Okay I may have left out the Sirius Black thing. Of course I told him some things as examples of what topics I avoid. But he never made fun of me. I was happy about that.

"Harry!" I blinked. "Merlin you weren't lying when you said you zone out a lot. I asked if they were going to put you back in the cupboard."

"Yeah that's where I'll go. But it's fine. I can start the potion without them knowing." I said

Draco nodded. "I still can't believe you actually like potions. I thought you hated it. Sorry about my godfather though."

"I've come to expect it." I smiled.

"You should talk to him. Make him pair us up so we can keep each other updated." Draco said.

I nodded. "Brilliant!"

Draco smiled. "Anyway maybe I should just change back to my animegus before they come."

I raised an eyebrow. "I need an excuse to be away from them to make the potion."

"Oh right so what will our story be then?" He sighed.

*~*

Time sure does fly. Especially when you're having fun. Before the Dursley's returned Draco and I went to diagon alley for everything we needed. For the potion and for Hogwarts. I insisted on paying for everything. The Dursley's agreed to let Draco stay for a few days. As expected I was put in the cupboard. I didn't mind all that much. I got started on the polyjuice potion and decided I might also do a voice changing one. Since I had been contemplating it I had also bought those ingredients during our little trip. 'Rather safe than sorry.'

We had one month left before Hogwarts. After two days Draco changed back to his animegus to stay with me still. As punishment for letting him stay when they were gone they left me in the cupboard. Two days before we were to leave Draco changed back to his human form and told Vernon that he was expected to arrive with me at the train station. We told the Dursley's that Draco's father instructed him to keep an eye on me. It was plausible. Draco played the 'I'm a rich bastard who can take everything away from you' card for added effect.

"Got everything right?" Draco whispered.

"You sound like Molly." I said.

Draco rolled his eyes and scrunched his face. "Ew!"

I laughed but immediately stopped myself when I saw Vernon. He walked up to the car and snatched Hedwig's cage. I tried to grab her but got backhanded instead for my effort.

"You will learn your place." Vernon sneered. "That foul creature I let stay was supposed to be dealt with by me not you. And I find out you set it free. In our backyard none the less."

I ignored him just wanting Hedwig back. Mostly because I had a really bad feeling about where this was going. I tried reaching for her again and this time Vernon did something almost unspeakable. He opened her cage and grabbed  her head. Hedwig wasn't prepared for that and I thought I heard bone cracking. Vernon basically pulled her out of the cage by her head and threw her at me.

"That beast doesn't deserve a cage." He growled.

I stood there stunned not making eye contact with the shocked Draco. Even if he never showed it. Hedwig wasn't moving in my arms. Draco placed his hand on my shoulder and took her from me. We got into the car and Vernon drove off. The ride was deafeningly silent. Well aside from Vernon's mumbling.

*~*

"We'll start a new batch when we get to Hogwarts. This one will last a month and a few days." I handed Draco a matte black flask.

"Harry about..." Draco started.

"Just... Not now. I don't want Ron or Hermione knowing. No one actually." I cut Draco off.

"I'm taking the box. Don't you have something to hide it with anyway?" Draco said.

I shook my head. "You have something not me."

Draco nodded. "I'll use the cloak. Meet me after dinner at the Black Lake. We can give her a proper burial then."

"Thank you Draco. We should hurry though." I said.

Draco nodded and we both drank the potion. I had a matte blue flask so we wouldn't get confused. We were in the toilet stalls in the muggle part of the station. We exchanged clothes once the transformation was completed and I handed Draco another vial.

"It'll make you sound like me. But before you drink it. I need you to speak into this. Say whatever you want. It's just to capture the sound of your voice for me to drink." Draco nodded.

He did what I told him then handed back the second vial I gave him. We downed that as well. However horrible it tasted. Both of us pulling our faces.

"How long will the polyjuice last... and bloody hell I really do sound like you." Draco said.

I smiled. "It'll last for 5 hours at a time. Keep the flask on you. I spelled it so that a full cauldron's contents could be kept. We have a one hour change over period. So try to keep track of the time. You can go first. I have to sort out my 'Malfoy' hair."

Draco nodded smiling. "So we have untill it's time to change into our robes then."

He left after that and I turned to the mirror. I actually really liked Draco's hair. I was a bit jealous of how tame it was. I left the bathroom and I sighed and pushed through the crowd 15 minutes later. When I entered platform 9¾ I looked around before pushing onto the train. I was going to sit at the back since that's where Draco sat all the time.

I bumped into someone. Or rather they bumped into me. I pulled on my best Malfoy sneer when I saw who it was. 'Now is my time to prove him wrong.'

"Watch where you're going Potter." I snapped.

I saw Draco fighting back a smile. "Sod off Malfoy."

"Harry let's just go." Hermione said.

I smirked. Having always wanted to tease her about her tendency to jump between things. So I took the opportunity that presented itself.

"Oh Granger always with the know-it-all attitude and need to come to the rescue." I waltzed off after that.

I chanced a look back to see a smirk etch on Draco's face. It immediately dropped when he turned to Ron and he growled. He followed Hermione and Ron to a separate compartment closer to the front. Parkinson and Zabini joined me a few minutes later. Zabini seemed very relieved when he saw me. Parkinson hopped over and latched onto my arm. 'I know Draco said they weren't a thing but I had to wonder if she disagreed...'

"DRAY! Had a run in with Potter again." She smiled.

I rolled my eyes. "Saint Potter thinks he can just walk into people because he's the golden boy."

Zabini laughed. However I could tell it was forced. Having done my fair share of exactly that. I didn't mention it because I figured Malfoy wouldn't. The train ride was rather pleasant. Parkinson spoke about her summer while Zabini and I listened.

"So Draco how was your summer?" Zabini asked.

I shrugged. "The manor has guests staying there. So I stayed in my room. You know how father gets."

They nodded. Zabini explained his summer just before we were about to arrive. It was time to change into our robes so when Parkinson and Zabini left I quickly took a swig of the potion as I noticed my eye sight get worse. The whole way there I was munching on sweets. 'Bless Draco and his sweet tooth! I was definitely in heaven.'

I had to make a point to stay away from lemon sweets though since Draco was very allergic to them. It was horrible since I personally love lemon sweets. The last month and two weeks I had eaten more sweets than ever and it was exactly what I needed. Maybe not the full month, but with Draco around and spending three weeks and 4 days... 'Yes I kept track so what?' As a human he insisted on having sweets.

*~*

I didn't really pay much attention to Zabini and Parkinson on the way to the castle. I was stuck in my head. A habit that was extremely hard to break. I had been wondering about what things would be like after this whole gig was up. I didn't want to just go back to before. Draco and I were friends. Or at least I thought we were. Maybe he didn't think that.

"DRACO! Hello!" I blinked looking at Zabini. "Was your summer that bad? Or are you planning more ways to torture Ha... Potter?" He raised an eyebrow.

I smirked at his little mishap. "Don't worry about it too much Blaise. I'm fine."

Parkinson looked at a distraught "Harry" then turned to me. She wanted to say something but decided against it. Dinner had gone pretty smoothly and we were heading back to the common room. I told them that I would meet them there and left for the Black Lake. Thankfully they didn't question me and didn't follow me.

I got close to the Lake area and then hesitated. Sure enough Draco was there already. He just stood there staring over the Lake. My heart pounded in my chest. 'This is it. This makes everything more real. I don't know if I can do this.' The thoughts were racing in my mind, but I found my body moving without permission. The next thing I knew I was standing with my hands in my pockets next to Draco. Neither one of us said anything for a few seconds.

(2495 words)