Hermione grabbed Harry's arm, pulling him into a tent amidst the cheering and screaming crowds. "Parseltongue, Harry? You used parseltongue?!"

Harry set down the golden egg, not seeing what the problem was. "I don't see the problem, and it wasn't parseltongue, not completely. Besides, it worked and that's what's important, right?"

Hermione groaned, "But everyone will look at you differently. And honestly, Harry, running to Malfoy right after isn't going to make you look any better."

"He helped me with the whole thing, I had to thank him!"

"With a hug?" Hermione raised her eyebrows, folding her arms indignantly.

"Yes! He's a friend. I've hugged you before!"

"Oh, and what about when you kept ogling him at the Yule Ball. The both of you kept making moon eyes at each other the entire time, everyone noticed."

"Oh don't be so uptight 'Mione, everything's fine."

It was most certainly not fine.

His public image did not get much better after the second task, when Harry pulled none other than Draco from the Black Lake. Rita Skeeter was certainly having fun writing piece after piece about Harry. His every move scrutinized by the press, Harry grew more and more tired of being famous. Doubled with Hermione disapproving of even every fleeting glance Harry gave Malfoy, he had seen Draco less and less.

Harry sat at breakfast, reading the latest Rita Skeeter article. Hermione sat next to him, Ron nowhere to be found. Harry hadn't talked to Ron in almost a month. He wanted to feel badly about it, but couldn't bring himself to. Ron was just as intolerant as he wrongfully thought Draco was if he couldn't get past the fact that Draco wasn't as bad as Ron thought.

"I say," Hermione said, peering at the paper, "Skeeter just gets crazier and crazier. You, a Dark wizard! It's preposterous!"

Harry laughed nervously. Once, he would have agreed with her easily, but lately, his visions of Voldemort grew worse and worse, which only met the Dark Lord's influence took a hold on him it hadn't before. "I have to get going," Harry said, "I still have a foot left on my charms essay."

He gathered his things, hurrying out of the dining hall and rushing toward the library. He hoped Draco would be there. He said he would in the note Draco's glorious eagle owl had brought him, but Harry's nerves still betrayed him. He didn't know why he was quite so nervous.

Sure enough, Draco sat at a secluded table in the back, his blonde hair falling in his face, smooth face calm and graceful. Harry's mouth almost dropped open. Draco flipped a page, glancing at Harry through his white bangs, "Hullo Harry," he said, setting his book down and folding his hands.

Harry hurried over and sat, nervously wiping his sweaty palms on his thighs. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" He said, glancing around to make sure no one was around. Of course no one was, everyone was too busy eating breakfast to be studying.

Harry pulled out his charms essay, groaning to himself dipping his quill in a pot of ink. "So it at least looks like we're working," Harry said at Draco's incredulous look.

"I've things to talk to you about, Harry," Draco bit his lip, "There are things stirring again. People who want to make other people suffer, good people suffer."

"What?" Harry thought they were just meeting to chat.

"I hear things, Harry. My father being involved in what he's involved in and all. The Ministry is hearing wind of a new uprising, and it's far from a light one mind you, but they're...they're going to do things and it's far from good."

"How do you mean?"

Draco pulled out a piece of parchment, "The Ministry recently hired a new member on the educational board. Her name is Dolores Umbridge and she's coming after Hogwarts. And not only that, she's had meetings with Dumbledore this year already."

"What's so bad about that?"

"She's mental, Harry. I don't know when she'll get here or what position she'll take, but Harry, she's going to come after the school. Not just her, the Ministry is coming after Hogwarts, they're coming after everything. And Dumbledore isn't doing anything about it."

"Dumbledore wouldn't do anything that wasn't for the good of the Wizarding World," Harry protested.

"Look around you, Harry. You're Godfather is a war criminal when all this time he could've been you're guardian, not those horrid muggles who never even fed you properly and I'd be damned if there's more they've done you haven't told me. Who did that? Dumbledore. Dumbledore hasn't stopped the Ministry from keeping a registry of werewolves and Muggle-borns? Just in case something goes wrong they can come after anyone they don't approve of. On top of that," Draco lowered his voice, "They just formed a new registry, any new Hogwarts student with an affinity for darker magic goes on a list and they're watched. Even if they're family is in the Minsitry's good graces. Don't you see, Harry, there needs to be change before the Ministry comes after me and you and everyone."

"Dumbledore won't let that happen."

"Dumbledore is helping it happen. I know you look up to him Harry but all he's done as headmaster is push his agenda. He's not truly helping you, Harry, what he wants is you in his pocket so he can use you!"

Harry stood. "And what exactly are you suggesting I do, Malfoy! Everyone's always tried to use me. I'm used to it. I can keep an eye on myself, thank you very much."

"Harry you're missing the point here."

"And what exactly is the point! That all my friends really just want to use me and the Ministry is coming after 'Mione and you and, and anyone else who gets in their way?"

"What gives them the right to say who can and can't use magic, Harry? Or what magic is allowed? Look at Hagrid! And there are plenty of dark spells that aren't even taught even though they're useful! I'm trying to tell you that my point is things aren't so plain and simple. The Ministry put dementors on the grounds last year and Dumbledore did nothing! Please, Harry, just let me show a couple things I've found, and heard from Father. Bad things are coming from both sides, and I don't want you stuck on the wrong part of it."

"I'll think about it, Draco. Now, I really have to finish my essay."

"Harry, wait," Draco grabbed his arm, pulling Harry toward him.

Harry stumbled, bumping into Draco's chest. He blushed despite himself. Draco held his wrist up for a moment, frowning down at him. "If you want to hear me out, come to the Owlery after curfew tonight and I'll show you what they're planning, both sides, for the final task."

Harry flew up into the sky on his firebolt, grinning like a madman. He saw the snitch dart to his right and quickly zoomed toward it. He was free. All that mattered was him and that little golden orb. No worries about Draco or exams or Hermione or Voldemort or anyone. For once, Harry could be himself with not a care in the world.

He quickly caught it, it wasn't quite hard off the pitch with no other players or Bludgers flying after him. He dove down to the ground, jumping off his broom and plopping onto the grass. Harry smiled, staring at the sun before letting his eyes drift closed.

He almost fell asleep before the sound of two voices wafted through the air. Harry froze. That was Hermione's voice. And she had said his name.

"Malfoy, what exactly are you playing at here?" Hermione sounded very annoyed.

"I'm trying to save him!" Malfoy snapped back and Harry almost jumped to his feet but forced himself to remain still.

"How do you mean, save him?"

"He's being used, Granger. And I'm the only one impartial enough to see it. I'm just trying to help him."

"Used by who, Malfoy?"

"Dumbledore! And all his so-called friends. Ever wonder why he never goes home for the Holidays? His 'family' treats him like rubbish and it's because of Dumbledore! Dumbledore is trying to turn him into some kind of martyr to stop You-Know-Who and maybe You-Know-Who can be killed without risking Harry."

"So you don't want Harry to die?"

"Of course I don't! I need Harry alive, the world needs Harry alive!"

"Why do you care about him so much? Just last year you were torturing him because dementors had such an effect on him!"

"Because I just want him safe! I need him to be safe!"