Draco Malfoy, now 18, had found himself sitting at the Slytherin table alone, eating his breakfast. He had been sent back to school by his parents, even after the many excuses and protests he gave, they still made him come back. He nibbled at his toast and looked around every now and then, waiting for classes to start for the day. Over the past few weeks that they had been there, he had noticed that Harry Potter seemed like a new person, he had a giant smile on his face, and that just sickened him. There had been a few times when they had made eye contact, Harry would give him a warm smile, but each time Draco would just give him a sneer or a glare. Draco just wanted to be left alone until he was able to go back home, and even though Potter had been trying to be nicer to him, he still didn't think that he would want to talk to him. But, Draco thought wrong. He heard footsteps approach his area of the table, since there were barely any Slytherin's left at Hogwarts this year, they were spaced out across the table. Draco didn't really want to be associated with what was left, he really didn't want to be associated with anyone for that matter; the quicker he got in and out of Hogwarts the better. Soon there were a pair of hands resting on the table in front of him, jumping slightly at the sudden intrusion of his personal space, he Looked up from his breakfast up into the eyes of that damned boy, Harry Potter.

"Hey," he gave a wide genuine grin and gave a small wave, "Mind if I sit with you?" He watched Draco for a reply.

Draco frowned deeply and blinked at him, "Why?" He was highly surprised by this action and made sure to keep his defenses up.

Harry's face fell; this was a weird way to answer his question. "Um…," he started with uncertainty, "Why…. Not?" He asked back not really sure what to say to that.

Draco gave a loud "hmph" before motioning to the table, "Just sit, Potter." He finally said and shoved the last of his toast into his mouth folding his arms over his chest and doing everything he could to not look at the boy. 'What is he doing here at the Slytherin table?' He could not find himself trusting Potter easily.

Harry gave another warm smile and sat down, "Thanks!" he then picked up a plate and began to pile on some eggs and bacon. He then looked up at the blonde noticing he was keen to keep his gaze elsewhere, "So, how have you been?"

Draco looked over at him eyeing him up and down, suspicious of him, his barriers were up and he didn't plan on letting anyone in. "Fine," he said turning away to look around the room again, "I suppose. And you?" he turned his attention back to Potter, "Soaking up all the glory and fame?"

Harry looked up at Draco mid-way through a bite of his eggs and set his fork down, "I'm just happy to finally have a normal school year at Hogwarts. It will be nice to have a year without something trying to kill me every corner I turn." He sighed sadly remembering each year previously, he had good times here, but each year something happened that tested his sanity and strength. He was just happy to have one opportunity to have one normal year at school.

Draco looked away and his eyes drifted to his wrist where the permanent reminder of his past haunted him. "I just want to leave this place." He tugged at the sleeve of his robes trying to cover up as best he could, he will never be proud of what he chose.

Harry frowned once more dropping his fork, "But, it's a year that we can start fresh and finally finish Hogwarts with a good note…" He had no doubt in his mind that this year things would change, but not for the worst, but for the better.

Draco looked up at him his icy glare sending chills down Harry's back, "You don't have it tattooed on your arm that you were on the wrong side for the rest of your life, Potter!" Draco hissed under his breath, "You're the hero… and…" Draco turned his gaze down towards his arm once more, "I'm the villain."

"That's why this is a new beginning, we're supposed to get along now and forget our differences," Harry smiled once more, "And if anyone doesn't remember that then just let me know okay?" He offered to the boy, but Draco didn't take to this too well.

Draco glared at the boy "Fuck you, Potter!" He sneered, and then pushed against the table standing up rather violently, "Everything is just easier for you." He then walked out of the Great Hall.

"Draco…mmm…" Harry tried to call out to him but found it no use; he had pissed off the once proud Slytherin prince. Harry looked around and found that a lot of the students had looked up at the commotion and was now staring at him. He didn't realize that he had stood up and sat down to finish his breakfast. He thought to himself, 'How could he get through to that blonde?' He didn't want anyone to feel that they weren't worth the redemption. He was determined to change the mind of Draco Malfoy.

Since Draco didn't associate with anyone in the Slytherin house, and since most of his friends either had abandoned him, or had died in the war, he was alone anywhere he went and had gotten used to it. So, when he was let out of class, he wasn't expecting someone to call his name as soon as he was ready to book it to his next destination.

"Draco!" Harry called out he had been waiting outside of Draco's class after his had ended somewhat early.

Draco felt himself jump, and turned around too startled to comprehend the voice at first, but as soon as his eyes landed on Harry Potter walking towards him, he took on his usual glare towards the boy.

"What do you want now Potter?" Draco stood up straight, "Lost your loyal sidekicks?"

Harry smiled at the boy, "Their classes are a lot different than mine actually," he grinned, "But I was wondering when you had a free period, we could go down and hang out by the lake" He watched Draco hoping for a positive response.

Draco eyed him warily for a moment before speaking, "What's the catch? You going to get all of your little followers to beat me up?" He asked, readjusting his books ready to turn on his heel and escape, "Curse me again? I don't think so." He then turned around but what came out of Potter's mouth next stopped him in his tracks.

"I swear that is not my intention!" Harry said quickly before Draco could escape, "I feel horrible about 6th year, and I know I can't take it back now." Harry's voice was nothing but sincere and genuine, "But I want to make it right and I want to be friends!"

Draco turned around to face the boy giving him a confused look, "Friends….with me?" He asked and this time turned his whole body to face him, "Just what are you playing at, Potter?"

"Well why not?" Harry stepped closer to the boy and then stood in Draco's way trying to prevent him from escaping, "I mean I know that I declined first year, but you're not the same as you were back then, so why not try again this time?"

Draco scoffed at this and shook his head, "You act as if it's so easy to just start over." Draco pointed to a small group of first years who all jumped at the sight of him motioning towards them, "Look at those first years over there, they won't come within 10 feet of me because they know I'm a death eater." Draco gave a frustrated sigh, "People don't change, Potter." Draco then pushed his way past Potter and tried to get away from him.

Harry then followed him, determined to make a point that he was a death eater, but he no longer was one, but instead he found himself with a wand pointed in his face. Harry held up his hands showing he meant no harm, "I'm not a scared first year that doesn't know anything about you, Draco…"

"Why do you want to befriend me anyway?" Draco asked looking the boy up and down for any sign to instantly hex him, "I'm not Granger or that Weasel. I'm not going to worship the ground you walk on. Not now, not ever."

"They don't worship the ground I walk on…" Harry let down his arms and sighed 'Is this really what he thought of me?' "No one does, Draco." Harry ran a hand through his hair and sighed "I'm not as big headed as you make me out to be, I honestly just want a normal year at Hogwarts…"

Draco still stood his ground, but lowered his wand, "I… just don't trust you."

"I suppose that's understandable…," Harry nodded, "But back at your mansion, when Hermione cast that charm on my face…, when you didn't tell them who I was, that was really great of you… "

Draco stayed stubborn and looked down to the ground avoiding Harry's gaze, "You're mental, that was nothing. You looked like a troll, no one could recognize you"

"Sure Draco, I guess I was mistaken," Harry tried not to but he still smiled, "But still thanks for that."

Draco looked down at his feet miserably, and gave a grunt in response. "Whatever, Potter…"

Harry watched him, "Mmm… I'll probably keep bothering you until you agree to be civil with me," he grinned widely, "Just a warning."

"You're a foul git!" Draco glared at the boy and then turned to walk away, "Go obsess over someone else!" He then stormed off his anger getting the best of him.

But before Draco could get too far away, Harry called after him, "You're a nice person, Draco!"

Draco then yelled over his shoulder, "FUCK YOU" and gave him the finger before turning a corner down a different corridor.

Harry chuckled, 'He'll come around eventually,' he thought to himself before rushing off to his own class.

Draco, for the rest of the day, had done his best to avoid Potter at all costs, that even meant going out of his way to take a long route to his class. Soon it was dinner time and he had avoided him so far, hopefully he could make it until the end of the year like this. He had made an extra precaution to sit as close to the door as possible just in case Potter made his way over to him.

"Did you miss me?" Draco heard that voice again. Harry stood behind Draco, hands in pockets giving off his signature grin.

Draco felt himself shake with anger as he balled up his fists avoiding physical violence as best he could, "Fuck. Off. Potter." His teeth were clenched as he spoke, "Are you that dense that you can't get the hint that I hate you?"

Harry sighed to himself and nodded, he had seen this coming, "I know…But I don't hate you," he said honestly; Harry doesn't think that he ever truly hated Draco. "But if you want to eat alone that's fine, but if you need me, you know where I'll be" Harry smiled as he walked off and waved as he came into Draco's view walking over to his own table.

Draco slammed his hands on the table earning him a few questionable, annoyed, and curious looks as he ran for the door frustrated and angry at that stupid Potter. Draco ran and let his legs carry him out to the lake where he found a nice place under a tree.