Before the trio was able to decide whether they should bother the headmaster now during the breakfast or afterwards, Professor McGonagall approached them.

"Mr. Potter, you may come to Professor Dumbledore's office after we have bid goodbye to our guests. The password is lemon drops." She waited for Harry to nod in understanding. The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students would take off to their own schools after breakfast. After lunch, the Hogwarts students would take the Hogwarts Express to go home for the summer break. "You may accompany him, Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger."

"Thanks, Professor." Hermione said. McGonagall gave them a tight smile before heading towards the teacher's table. "Great, now we don't even need to discuss the right time."

"But I was right." Ron said. "After breakfast is better. Even great wizards like Dumbledore need their breakfast toast."

"Yes, but not directly after breakfast either." Hermione argued. "Told you he had enough to do seeing the guests take off."

"I wonder if it's even necessary to tell him at all." Harry said. "The summer break is starting and if anyone had any nefarious intentions left for me, they would not be able to do it during summer break. For the next two month, I'm safe."

"Really?" Ron asked in a deadpan tone. "You don't think they could find out where you and your relatives live?"

"They could." Harry said. "But they would make a really big scene using magic in that neighbourhood. There's no way the ministry would not notice."

"Well," Hermione said. "They did not seem that much bothered that you just didn't show up for the tournament. I wonder what had them caught up this much."

Harry shrugged. "We'll hopefully find out in Dumbledore's office."

#

Standing in front of the castle, Ron and Harry got the feeling that they were the only ones who did not find at least one friend among the foreign students. Everywhere on the meadow Bauxbatons and Durmstrang students were bidding heartfelt farewells from Hogwarts students. Apparently everyone wanted to say goodbye to Luna Lovegood, who seemed to have charmed her way into many hearts.

While Ron kept watching Viktor Krum sceptically, who was taking quite long to say his goodbyes to Hermione, Harry's eyes drifted to a certain Slytherin. He was standing a bit apart from his usual Slytherin group. It looked like he was having a private conversation with the annoying Beauxbatons guy that used to cling onto Malfoy's arm.

Harry thought they broke up. Why were they standing so close? "What do you think he's telling her?" Ron asked.

"Huh?" Harry watched as this Beauxbatons guy looked around furtively before leaning close to Malfoy and pressed his lips to his pale cheeks. It felt like a storm was raging inside Harry as he watched Malfoy look to the ground shyly. He could not really see it from the distance, but he believed Malfoy was blushing. His cheeks were pink, and not because of Harry.

"What do you think-" Ron looked at Harry, then followed his gaze and shook his head, "Never mind."

Harry watched Malfoy say something else. They looked up at the clock tower and Malfoy gestured to the rest of his Slytherin-Beauxbatons group. They strolled over and then everyone was hugging and having last conversations within the group. Harry was wondering when the Slytherin clique had become such a heartfelt bunch. He would have thought they would be mean to foreign people. Or at least they would get on better with people from Durmstrang, who had a strict no muggleborn policy. It intrigued him.

"Hermione's coming." Ron said. "I think we should go over there."

Harry tore his eyes from the group he had been watching. Ron was right. The students were starting to separate. Beauxbatons in their blue school uniforms strolled to their carriage, drawn by a dozen huge winged horses, all palominos. They were standing in front of the carriage, stamping fidgety in anticipation. Beside them stood Hagrid, seeming more sad about the horses' parting than Madame Maxime's. The Durmstrangs also returned to their boat in the black lake, some looking back and waving before embarking it.

"What'd he say?" Ron asked as Hermione approached.

"None of your business." She said, but she had a happy twinkle in her eyes. They started moving to join the rest of the Hogwarts students in front of the castle. They would wave the foreign students goodbye from there.

"-Draco."

That made Harry prick up his ears. A Beauxbatons was talking to Pansy Parkinson, looking slightly distressed. "Draco?" Parkinson said. "I don't think he would know. He came half an hour late to the task, don't you remember?"

"Oh right." The Beauxbatons said. "'ow could I forget? Jaques' worrying was annoying."

Pansy laughed. "Yeah. If we find it we're gonna-"

Harry could not understand the rest of the conversation because they had passed them. Jaques. Was that the guy Malfoy was... dating or whatever they were doing? What a pretentious name.

The trio ended up standing at the far end, on their right gathered a crowd of more or less sad Hogwarts students. Watching the Beauxbatons carriage take off and the Durmstrang ship sink into the black lake, Ron remarked, "And there go the suspects of the case Who Kidnapped Harry Potter."

Harry snorted, taking his eyes off the flying carriage to relieve his neck that was starting to hurt a bit from looking up. He moved his head from left to right-

And caught grey eyes looking at him. For a few seconds, they stared at each other, then Malfoy averted his gaze. He looked down at his feet, and back up at the sky where the Beauxbatons carriage was slowly disappearing from sight. He seemed strangely nervous. And when he was looking at Harry, his eyes shimmered with something. Guilt? What should he feel guilty about?

"Harry."

"Huh?" Harry looked at Ron.

"You're staring again." Ron said.

"I think I know who abducted me." Harry said. "I just don't know why."

"Who?" Hermione asked. Harry looked back at Malfoy.

Harry noted that the students were starting to scatter. Not thinking too much about it, Harry stomped straight up to him. "Malfoy."

The Slytherin group stopped and turned around. "Potter." Malfoy crossed his arms, standing tall and proud as ever. Harry started to doubt his theory. "To what do I owe this honour?"

"Can we talk?" Harry said.

For a moment Malfoy seemed to be thrown off by the lack of teasing or accusations. But he caught himself quickly and tilted his head. "Go ahead."

"I mean, in private." Harry said, gesturing to the corner of the castle. There was such a big meadow at the right hand side of the castle around the corner that the odds of staying unheard were big. Parkinson made a weird sound that made Malfoy glare at her.

"Harry, what're you doing?" Hermione hissed. "We need to go to Dumledore's office. Plus, Ron hasn't even started packing yet."

"Why should we leave you three alone with him?" Crabbe demanded.

"I won't do anything to him." Harry defended, then mumbled, "That he doesn't want." He looked back a Malfoy, whose lips were parted and his eyes widened. The look stirred something in the pit of his stomach and he had to swallow. He licked his lips that were suddenly feeling incredibly dry. He could feel his heart rate thundering in his chest. There was this beautiful flush on Malfoy's cheeks and Harry felt the need to step closer...

Suddenly, Malfoy shook his head, looked down at his shoes, then looked up at Harry again, fully composed. "Come on, let's go." He said, directed at his friends and turned around.

"Draco-"

Malfoy's back tensed and he halted his step.

"I mean, Malfoy." Harry said. "Just for a second. Please. This is important." He watched as Malfoy stayed still for a second, then looked at Parkinson who shrugged. Malfoy gave her a short nod and left his friends, heading straight to the right hand side of the castle.

"Aren't you coming, Potter?" He said without looking back. Stumbling a bit, Harry hurried after him. Hermione and Ron looked at each other, a bit put out, and followed.

Turning the corner, Harry checked out the whole meadow. It was completely deserted. Everyone else seemed to be busy packing or enjoying the last moments of this school year in their common rooms. Harry turned around to face Malfoy, who was already watching him, arms crossed. "So?"

Acting upon instinct, Harry glared at Malfoy, closing the space between them and pressed him against the stone wall of the caste. "Wow." Malfoy said, obviously not having expected such rough treatment. Harry had not expected the effects this closeness would have on his body.

"You did it, didn't you?" Harry said, trying to sound angry, but he was afraid he sounded a bit shaky.

"You would have to be a bit more specific." Malfoy said. His voice was outrageously soft. "I did many things." He smirked and Harry gritted through his teeth.

"You used Petrificus totalus on me and then left me in a room to miss the Third Task." Harry said, watching Malfoy's reaction carefully.

A hint of surprise hushed over his face, then he smirked again. "Now why would I do that?"

"I don't know." Harry said. "But you came half an hour too late to the Third Task."

"And the only reason that could have been was me to abduct you?" Malfoy asked.

"You also told Ron and Hermione about me going to the Gryffindor tower." Harry said. "You saw me but I didn't see you. And I never not notice you."

Malfoy smirked and Harry felt his face heat up. Why did he say that? "Is that so?"

"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry tried his best to look viscous. "You abducted me and Neville, then came back as early as possible after the task, freed us and gave Ron and Hermione the hint where I went."

"You're not as stupid as you look, Potter." Malfoy smirked.

"You?"

Startled, the two of them looked sideways, having forgotten that Ron and Hermione had followed them.

Unlike Hermione, who sounded disbelieving, Ron raged, "You kidnapped Harry! You cruel bastard! Who do you think- You robbed Harry not only of his freedom, but also his glory from winning the Triwizard Tournament. Is that why you did it? Because you couldn't bear to see Harry being celebrated, especially if it has nothing to do with Voldemort? I admit that I also wasn't happy in the beginning, but at least I didn't prevent him from doing the tasks. Oh, and you also had to put a full body binding spell on him. You know how scary that was? Not being able to do anything, not even move one- could you please step back from him?"

Harry looked from his best friend to Malfoy, who he had still pressed against the wall. "Well, there's not much I can do about it." Malfoy said pertly.

"Oh." Harry stepped back awkwardly. He took his wand out and pointed it at Malfoy.

"Wow." Malfoy held his hand up defensively. "Hear me out."

"Sure." Harry said. "I was planning on it. This is just so you don't run away."

 Malfoy snorted. "Where should I run to?" Harry shrugged. "Okay, listen. I'm sorry I... abducted you, in a way."

"Not in a way." Hermione said. "The definition of abduction according to Cambridge is the act of making a person go somewhere with you, especially using threats or violence. And Harry clearly did not go with you on his free will."

"Well, technically, I did not use threats or violence-"

"You don't call Petrificus Totalus violence?" Hermione interrupted.

"Well, I didn't hurt him." Malfoy said. "And I finited as soon as he was safe because I know how scary it can be, to be fully conscious and not able to move."

"That doesn't excuse anything!" Ron shouted.

"Guys just-" Harry looked from his friends to Malfoy. "Why did you do it?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ron threw his arms in the air in outrage. "He didn't want to see you win the Tournament."

"Are you done acting like you know me?" Malfoy rolled his eyes. On one hand, Harry was impressed by Malfoy's act of equanimity while facing three outraged sorcerers. On the other hand, Harry wanted to punch him for it.

"Explain." Harry gritted through his teeth.

"Why so tense, Potter?" Malfoy looked at him with an infuriatingly teasing smirk. Harry wanted to press him against the wall again and cover the smirk with his own-

He shook his head. Where did that come from? Well, Harry had had these thoughts before, but usually not in Malfoy's presence. If he did, he would feel ashamed and lose the relaxed superiority that made Malfoy blush so delightfully. Harry took a deep breath and looked up into Malfoy's eyes, relaxing his posture a bit. "Maybe there's something I'm waiting for you to give me."

The suggestive tone made Malfoy's eyes widen and the pink colour on his pale cheeks sent a thrill down Harry's spine. He could not help the victorious grin, which made Malfoy huff and push himself from the stone wall.

"Wait, Malfoy." Harry prevented him from leaving by grabbing his wrist and pulling him back. "You can't leave. I'm still waiting for an explanation."

Malfoy groaned and rubbed his hands over his face, probably to gain control over his facial colouring again. When he lifted his head again, first facing Ron and Hermione, he looked like his usual stuck-up self again, just a bit more distressed. "Alright. You know my parents?"

Ron snorted. "Yes, how could we forget. Your dad is always mean to my dad."

"Yeah well," Malfoy said. "Your dad isn't nice to mine either."

"What?" Ron demanded. "Your father clearly started it."

"How would you know?" Malfoy said defensively. "You're obviously biased."

"You're even more biased-"

"Ron!" Harry interrupted. "That's not the point right now."

"Exactly." Hermione said. "The point is, what do your parents have to do with the awful thing you've done to Harry. Actually, why are we even doing this? We should just immediately report him to Dumbledore."

"No." Harry said. "I wanna know why, from him." He ignored the exchange of looks Hermione and Ron had. He turned to Malfoy. "So?"

"Right." Malfoy looked past Harry at an unknown spot in the distance. "I regularly get mail from my mum. She didn't exactly tell me because she didn't want me to worry, but I knew something was happening. And my mum got more and more worried. And I also noticed how Uncle Sev got more tense than usual-"

"Uncle Sev?" Ron snorted.

The glassy look in Malfoy's eyes turned into a glare that he directed at Ron. "Ignore him." Harry also glared at Ron. "What happened next?"

"Nothing, really." Malfoy looked down at his shoes. "I was just starting to suspect it had something to do with the Dark Lord. Especially when I was in Uncle- I mean, Professor Snape's office one day and I got a look at his Mark."

"Which mark?" Harry asked.

"The dark mark." Hermione said.

"Obviously." Draco said. "It's much darker than usual. I mean, clearer. My dad said when the Dark Lord vanished it faded a bit. Reversely I thought this must mean he was coming back. My father told me he would some day. When I wrote to my mum about it, she told me not to worry about it. And that I should be careful at events involving the Triwizard Tournament."

"Excuse my interruption," Hermione said, "But why do you make it sound like you and your family are so worried about You Know Who coming back? You are hoping to establish a hierarchy like he wants, don't you?"

Malfoy lifted his head to watch Hermione observantly. He was silent for a while, biting his bottom lip absent-mindedly. "Kinda." He finally said. "But believe it or not, that hierarchy already exists. It's just not officially mentioned anywhere. Life in the last fourteen years that he was gone was quite comfortable for us."

"You mean like prejudices and privileges in politics and society." Hermione said.

"Something like that." Draco said. Hermione nodded, apparently satisfied for now. Draco took that as a sign to go on. He looked back down on his shoes, seeming uncomfortable looking at any of them while telling this story. "I... don't know how to say this, but well... I wasn't really worried for us. Like you said, we would be kinda privileged if the Dark Lord were to return. What worried me was what my mum said about being careful with Tournament stuff. And when I- Well, I was wandering around the castle, I passed Professor Moody's office. He sounded kinda weird. Maybe he was just really drunk, I don't know. But he said something about how it's only three more days. Three more days to wait and Potter will pay."

"For what?" Harry wondered. "What have I done to Professor Moody?"

Malfoy shrugged. "No idea. I thought maybe he had history with your dad. Or it has something to do with the Dark Lord. Either way, I got a really bad feeling about it. Three days from there was the Third Task. Which means, Moody was going to make you pay for something, during the Third Task, I guessed."

The trio stared at Malfoy, shocked. "But you couldn't just have told me?" Harry said. "You needed to abduct me?"

"Well." Malfoy shrugged, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Would you have believed me?"

"Maybe." Harry said. "You could have at least tried before taking me against my will."

"Fair point." Malfoy said. "But I know you better than you think, Potter. You have this weird knack for putting yourself in dangerous situations if you think it can keep others away from problems. You would have thought you have no other choice but to face the Dark Lord or whoever is behind this."

"He has a point." Ron said.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, then addressed Malfoy. "Then you could have told Dumbledore. He would know what to do."

Malfoy snorted. "You think he knows everything, don't you? Well, my father said you can't trust that man. And I don't either."

"Why?" Harry asked. Dumbledore had been the only supporting constant in his life that was an adult, except for Hagrid. And Harry could not think of one bad ideal the old man had. He supported Hagrid and Remus when no one else did, he helped them save Sirius from receiving the Dementors kiss, he did not believe in the pureblood superiority crap, he was always there when Harry had problems and he always had wise words on hand.

"Speaking of Dumbledore," Hermione said before Draco could answer. "He's waiting for us. And we have to decide if we want to include Malfoy in our explanation of Harry not turning up for the Third Task or not. Or if we change the story a bit."

"Are you kidding?" Ron exclaimed. "We can't leave Malfoy out of it. He kidnapped Harry."

"Exactly." Hermione said. "Noble as Malfoy's intentions are, I'm not sure how much scope Dumbledore has to not expel him."

"Then, it's settled." Harry said. "We're not telling him."

"Aw, how noble, Potter." Malfoy said.

"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry said. "You were so worried about me that you locked me away."

Malfoy glared, but he said nothing to deny it. His cheeks coloured a bit. "We really need to hurry." Hermione said. "But we're not done talking about this." She sounded a lot like a mother scolding her child for having eaten all the cookies before lunch. From the amused twinkle in Malfoy's eyes, Harry guessed he was thinking something similar. Nodding at Malfoy on last time, she gestured for Harry to follow her and turned around. Ron hurried after her.

"See you then." Harry winked. Malfoy nodded, looking at the ground, probably trying and failing to hide his blush. Harry grinned in triumph and turned to follow his friends. After a few steps, he halted again. "Oh, and Malfoy?" He turned around to see him look up. "Next time you want me in a room alone with you, just tell me."

Harry ignored Ron and Hermione's knowing looks when he reached them with a giddy smile. He loved that thrill.

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