Figure 0.9

Chapter 2

Harry returned to the Gryffindor boys' dorm late in the afternoon. He didn't want Hermione thinking he lied to get out of going to Hogsmeade and then fussing over what was wrong with him. Then again maybe she wouldn't notice. Harry had been surprised by how easily he managed to hide his depression from his friends, house mates, and teachers. No one had noticed, not a single soul. He supposed his friends were too distracted with their rather obvious attraction towards each other. This didn't usually bother him; it was useful that they weren't obsessed with "what was wrong with Harry." But sometimes a little nagging voice said if they really cared they would've noticed. Harry quickly squashed this voice each time, but each time it got harder. Well, if you weren't trying to hide it from them then you'd have a right to be upset by them not noticing...said the voice in the back of his head. The voice was really annoying. Harry wanted to hit it; unfortunately, he'd look a bit crazy if he hit himself.

Harry flopped ungracefully onto his bed. He couldn't stop thinking about that piece of music. It was so beautiful to listen to. The Dursleys hadn't let Harry listen to music, and 'till today that had never bothered Harry. Now he regretted how much he had missed.

Well, I've got an invisibility cloak and the Marauders Map. I'll have to keep an eye out for when Malfoy goes back to that room, and then I can go and listen to him. Maybe I could even use an extendable ear, if the door was properly closed...

*****

What the...something must have happened...Draco was Harry watching at dinner, and he quickly realized that Harry wasn't staring off brokenly, the way he normally did. He was almost cheerful, and every now and then participating in conversation without being prompted. If Draco had been someone with less self-control, his jaw would probably have hit the floor. Draco however, was all about self-control...at least in public.

He pondered what could possibly have changed over the course of the day for Harry to be so much more alive than usual. Maybe something happened in Hogsmeade. Someone he cared about got in touch? The Weaselette had given him a good seeing too? No don't be ridiculous, Draco. Just because the whole school knows she is madly in love with him doesn't mean Harry would ever figure it out... Gah, this is so frustrating. Why has he changed?! I mean, it has to be something important. Draco didn't like not knowing what had changed; he knew more about Harry than Harry's own friends, but he had no idea what could have produced such a miraculous change.

Draco was so distracted by this annoyance that he ended up aimlessly stabbing his fork onto his plate...

"Err... Draco, if you really wanted my carrots you could've just asked?" said Crabbe.

"Oh..." Draco tried to think of something to say other than "I was thinking about Harry Potter" and "sorry;" Malfoys never apologize. He didn't have to; Crabbe accepted the "oh" and carried on eating. Well done, Draco. Next time you go off on a thought tangent, make sure you stab the right plate!! Someone smarter might notice next time. Stupid voice. Why did it always hit the nail on the head? Shut up, he thought at the voice. You do realize you are telling yourself to shut up? Draco proceeded to ignore the voice/himself.

*****

Harry was having a far more enjoyable, and far less frustrating dinner. He even found himself joining in conversations.

"I'm glad you're feeling better Harry," said Hermione, smiling, between conversations.

"Yeah, me too." Harry smiled back, grateful for Hermione's concern for the first time in months. "What did you do in Hogsmeade?"

"Oh the usual; got some sweets, we brought you back a selection, had some Butter beer, visited some other shops. Just a normal Hogsmeade trip. When you don't have Christmas presents to buy visiting Hogsmeade is pretty routine. Still, it's nice to get out for a bit."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Oh by the way, Ron, I booked the pitch for Tuesday. Let everyone know would you?"

"Sure, mate," replied Ron. "Oi, GIN! Practise on Tues..." Ron was frozen mid sentence by the glare Hermione was giving him; she was scarily good at imitating Mrs Weasley.

"Ronald Weasley, it is not appropriate to shout across the dinner table."

"Yes...mum," he muttered. The sixth year Gryffindors burst into laughter. Hermione just rolled her eyes.

*****

Harry regularly checked the Marauders Map to see if Draco would return to the music room. He seemed to visit quite regularly, and always alone. Well, not any more. Now each time he visited, Harry found an excuse to leave his friends and joined him just outside the door. Not that Draco would've known even if he were in the room, due to his invisibility cloak.

Draco played a wide range of music. Some were recognisable to Harry, while others were completely unfamiliar. Even Harry's uneducated ears could pick up distinctive tones to certain pieces; some sounded Asian, others sound more like flamenco music, and some sounded distinctly European, though Harry wasn't sure why he thought that.

Harry could also tell that Draco was a skilful player. He never had sheets of music, so he must have learned all of these pieces by heart. Though Harry was no expert, he discerned that some pieces required more skill due to the pace of the music or because of the range of notes.

*****

Draco was becoming incredibly frustrated. This was why his visits to the music room were becoming so frequent. He needed the music to distract himself from the puzzle that was Harry Potter suddenly becoming almost cheerful. Ok, yes he wanted Harry to be back to normal, a worthy enemy. But for some reason the idea that someone else or something else, no it must be someone, could pull Harry out of that frozen state annoyed the hell out of him. Even these friends, who supposedly cared so much about Harry, hadn't even noticed something was wrong. Only Draco had, but someone else was important enough to Harry to steal his thunder. It made Draco want to pout. And have a hissy fit. Only, Malfoys were always in control. Yes, but Malfoys always get what they want!! complained the childish part of his head. I must sort out this split personality problem I seem to be having...he thought. Oh well. Important things first; not letting anyone notice I have a split personality and figuring out what the hell is going on with Harry!

Draco decided another visit to the music room was in order.

*****

Again...? thought Harry after seeing Draco was in the music room for the second night in a row. He's never played two nights in a row before. I wonder why he plays. Maybe he finds it as distracting as I do? He probably needs the stress relief after a hard day of picking on Hufflepuffs. Harry thought sardonically. Though, Harry was beginning to see a different side to Draco. As a musician, he seemed almost human, or perhaps higher, possibly angelic. With hair that pale it wouldn't be difficult to believe... mused Harry...as long as he didn't open his mouth.

Harry now carried his invisibility cloak, shrunk down of course, with him everywhere. So instead of going to the common room as he'd originally intended, he ducked around the corner, enlarged the cloak, and made his way to the music room.

Draco seemed slightly careless to Harry. He always left the door ajar, seemingly because he couldn't be bothered to close it. The reasons for this were not carelessness, but precaution; Draco preferred it to be slightly open, as he could easily become so involved in playing that he wouldn't notice a thing even if the castle began to collapse on him. If the door was open and some such disaster was occurring, hopefully someone would notice him and pull him out of his reverie.

Harry settled down just outside the door with his legs crossed, listening to the music. It was quite slow and soft this time. Very soothing and melodic. Gradually, Harry started drifting, not quite falling asleep but very close. The music was like a lullaby.

The sharp sound of the lid being dropped awoke Harry. For a moment he was disconcerted, where am I..? The sound of footsteps coming towards the door made it all come rushing back...Malfoy...piano...falling asleep. Harry stood as quickly as he possibly could, and then darted down the corridor to hide...

*****

After Draco finished playing, he went through his usual ritual of placing the lid down and recovering the piano. However, something was not normal; as he approached the door he heard what sounded like footsteps. He caught a quick glimpse of movement through the gap of the door, but when he stepped out into the corridor it was completely deserted.

Hmm, that's odd. Was someone listening to me? Why would they run away? Surely if they were scared of me they wouldn't be eavesdropping. This puzzle, on top of the Harry puzzle was too much for Draco. That's it, I'm going to go back to my room and crawl into bed. I don't care how early it is, my brain can't deal with this anymore.

*****

As Draco's footsteps faded along the corridors away from Harry, he breathed a sigh of relief. Draco hadn't acted like he had heard anything, so he must be in the all clear. That was incredibly stupid, Harry. Falling asleep. What if he'd tripped over you? Harry was sure the voice in his head sounded just like Hermione.