Draco Malfoy crossed his arms over his chest and watched Harry Potter move across the courtyard. For once, his cadre of Weasley and Granger weren't with him. It was a golden opportunity and he decided to take it. He sauntered forward and while Potter was checking on something in his bag, Draco stood right behind him.

"The Great Harry Potter," he sneered. Startled, Harry whipped his head around and glared at Draco. Draco gazed into those dark green eyes and the anger grew within him. "I didn't know you were capable of getting around without your precious Weaselbee and Miss Mudblood."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "I'm telling you for the last time: Stop calling her that."

"Or what? Empty threats, Potter."

"Why are you even bothering me, Malfoy? Surely you have a class in another direction. You go out of your way to get to me. What is it with you? We've been at this school seven years and you can't let it go." He pushed passed him, even jolting him in the shoulder. Draco snarled.

"Because this is my kingdom, Potter," he said, following. "And you and your Mudblood-loving comrades don't belong here."

"You're kingdom? Ha! That's a real laugh, Malfoy. Just when have you won at anything here?"

"My little family of Death Eaters will win soon, Potter, and you will be on the wrong side of it. Again."

"I wouldn't count on that, if I were you."

"Oh no? When the Dark Lord comes, it will all be over."

Harry stopped and spun, facing Malfoy a few mere inches from his face. Draco was startled. He could almost feel the anger emanating from Harry's body. He could smell him. "What's wrong with you, Malfoy? Isn't there any compassion in you at all? All the people that will suffer. All the innocent deaths. Don't they mean anything at all to you? Don't you care?" He drew even closer. "And me?" he said quieter. "How can you really hate me so much that you honestly want to see me dead? What have I ever done to you? Even with all the terrible things that you've done to me and my friends, I don't wish you dead! I just wish you'd sod off!" He turned away, and stomped up the hill.

Draco watched him go, tight-lipped, red-faced. "It's what you haven't done," he whispered once Harry had disappeared into the castle. Draco cringed. Even whispering it aloud made him uncomfortable, and he looked over his shoulder, but thankfully, no one was there. The first moment he saw Harry Potter back on the Hogwarts Express in their first year, he knew there was something special about the dark-haired boy. And when he extended his hand in friendship he had been crushed to be so publicly rebuked. No one did that to a Malfoy. It started the burning coals of hate within him and he found his pleasure in making Harry and his friends' lives intolerable. But it was only in the last two years that he realized it. There was another reason he hated Harry Potter with such vehemence.

He was in love with him.

How impossible was that? How dreadful and how impossible. Draco, you've dug that grave a long time ago. He knew Harry would never see him as anything but an archenemy, and so what better way to get on with it than to take on the role of villain wholeheartedly? He told himself if he played it to the hilt, his feelings for Harry would inevitably fade. But as they grew older, the feelings only grew stronger. At seventeen, the both of them had grown tall and lank, the same height. Harry dark, Draco light. Opposites in every sense. And yet… He knew the real reason he harassed Harry day after day, year after year. It was the only way to be close to him.

He hitched his book bag over his shoulder and sighed. A surge of sadness engulfed him, of loss, and then the familiar anger took over. "Sodding Potter!" he hissed. "I can't wait until the Dark Lord comes!" But even as he spit out this curse, he felt an ache in his heart and a wave of anxiety spread over every inch of him. There were always hints about Voldemort wanting Harry dead. What about that Tri-Wizard Tournament in their fourth year? Harry maintained that he saw the Dark Lord rise, and he had. And the Dark Lord had gone out of is way just to capture Harry. What was it between them? Was it because Voldemort hadn't been able to kill Harry when he was a baby? Maybe he couldn't kill him now? Draco did worry. He worried that Voldemort might kill Harry and he didn't think he could live if that happened. So what was he supposed to do? He actually wanted to be a Death Eater, but not if it meant fighting Harry. Although it might even give Harry pleasure to kill Draco, and he smiled at the perversity of allowing Harry to kill him. But the smile faded. Harry had said that even after all these years, he didn't want to see Draco dead.

Harry was definitely an enigma. Why keep an enemy alive? Draco wouldn't.

He walked slowly to class, not really caring if he made it there or not. He glanced up to the towers and parapets of Hogwarts. Soon the term would be over and he'd likely never see Harry Potter again, and that deep ache, that terrible longing welled up in him. He stopped and leaned against the cool stone. It helped to chill the heat of his body, but not of his heart.

He looked up and saw Weasley and Longbottom at the bottom of the stairs and they were pointing at him. What the hell do they want?

All at once, a bright yellow light seared the sky, the walls, the floor, so bright it hurt, and all Malfoy could remember was falling.

* * *

Malfoy opened his eyes and sat up. He was lying on the stone floor and looked around. Other students in the hall were also on the ground. Something big had hit them all, apparently. Malfoy sat a moment, taking inventory. He seemed all right, felt all right. He picked himself up and watched as others got to their feet.

"What was that?" asked a Ravenclaw fifth-year girl.

"I don't know," said her companion. They looked at Draco but he only shrugged.

"We seem to be all right," said Draco. "I guess…we can go to class."

That was the consensus, and slowly, everyone continued where they had been going. Draco entered Transfigurations and took his seat behind Harry, but Weasley wasn't there. He gazed at the back of Harry's head. His hair was longer now and covered the nape. Draco was sorry for it. It was his favorite view of Harry. He often daydreamed about kissing him there, nipping at him with his teeth. Yes, that was the spot. One of them.

Professor McGonagall stood before the class a little ruffled. "I trust everyone is all right?" She straightened her tall pointed hat. "The Headmaster is investigating the source of the event and will report back to the staff. There were only a few bruises…." She looked at Harry. "Please see me after class, Potter," she said quietly to him. She darted a glance at the empty place beside him and Harry looked worriedly back at her.

"Let us begin our lesson, then. If you will take out your wands, we will attempt to change fire to water. This is a very difficult lesson, but quite an important step in your Wizarding abilities. As seventh years, I believe you will be adequate to the task." She stepped to her table where a small crucible burned with red flames. She raised her wand over it and said, "Incendium ad aqua."

But nothing happened.

McGonagall looked startled. She frowned and waved her wand again. "Incendium ad aqua!" she said a little louder and more distinctly. But still nothing.

She turned to the class, and looked at each face before turning back to her table. She muttered a little incantation over some objects and waved her wand, but nothing happened. She spun and turned to Harry. "Potter, please perform a levitation spell. On this quill."

Draco was as puzzled as Harry. This was a first year incantation. Anyone could do it. Harry shrugged and complied.

He waved his wand over his quill. "Wingardium Leviosa," he said, but nothing happened.

McGonagall's face went white. "Class. Please try to do a spell. Any spell."

Everyone waved their wands, but no matter how they shouted their spells, no one could perform any magic.

Draco trembled. What was happening? Had they lost their powers? Had they become-he swallowed-Muggles? He clutched his wand and waved it at his quill. "Incendere!" and it immediately burst into flames.

The class froze and stared at him. McGonagall rushed to his desk. "Do it again, Mr. Malfoy!"

He waved his wand and levitated his school books and made them fly in a circle around the room.

Harry's eyes were wide. Draco looked at him with a renewed sense of power.

McGonagall suddenly snatched him by the arm and dragged him out of the class. "Stay as you are, class. I will return."

She pulled Draco down the corridor and soon other teachers appeared. All were hurrying to Dumbledore's office, but Dumbledore was already heading down the stairs.

"Headmaster!" cried Snape, his face furious.

Dumbledore held up his hands. "Yes, yes. I know. We have all lost our powers. I am investigating now, but I cannot get the owls to send a message. They seem to have lost their abilities as well. Hogwarts is effectively cut off from the world and we have no powers to communicate…or protect ourselves."

"But Professor," said McGonagall. "Malfoy here does seem to have his magical powers!"

Dumbledore frowned and stepped closer to Draco. "Is that true?"

Draco stammered. "Y-yes, sir."

The old wizard lowered his head and stared at Draco over the tops of his glasses. "Is there something you would like to tell me, Mr. Malfoy?"

The teachers slowly converged. They think he did it. He looked down and noticed McGonagall still had a grip of him. He shook her off. "I didn't do this!" But then he looked around at their concerned faces and their helplessness and he suddenly felt invigorated. "But if I had, I certainly wouldn't fix it."

McGonagall gasped and drew back. Snape grabbed his arm and stuck his face close to his. "Why you little--!"

Draco's wand was out and Snape jerked back. "Now, now, Professor. I wouldn't if I were you."

"There is no need for that, Mr. Malfoy," said Dumbledore quietly. "We need to talk. Perhaps your owl is the only one that is still functioning."

Draco crossed his arms over his chest. The possibilities whirled in his head. "Perhaps. But I don't know if I'm ready to find out yet."

"What!" cried Snape.

"Come, Mr. Malfoy," said Dumbledore. Draco gripped his wand and followed the Headmaster, keeping his eye on Snape the whole time.


On to Chapter Two
"Malfoy the Protector"

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