AN: Wow, it's been a month I know. Time just flies and I was so busy these past weeks, I could not find time to actually sit and write more than ideas and notes here and there. Anyway, I finally found time this week. I was not sure at first to do it in Draco's point of view, but in the end, it was quite fun to write so I went with it.

Anyway, thanks for those of you who reviewed the last chapter. To answer Alec McDowell, yes Harry will have another wake-up call in the future. Naruto had managed to calm most of his fears, but even so, Harry doesn't have a real idea of what is up against to. So yeah, he will need to be shown.^^

Disclaimer : I'm not J.K Rowling or Masashi Kishimoto, so no, I do not own HP or Naruto

Chapter 3 – A Blond's Puzzling

It was early morning and the castle was still quiet. Only a few early risers were preparing for the day, the rest of the students preferring to enjoy the extra sleep granted during weekends. In one of the common rooms a student was absently staring at the warming chimney. His mind was fixed on one particular boy. Since the first day they met, this boy had been a strange puzzle. A puzzle that seemed to be even more difficult to solve as time went by. At first, he had not been that interested in the other boy. After all, Malfoys do no get interested in others. Malfoys attract others' interest. However, he had to admit, although grudgingly, that Potter was interesting... in a weird sort of way. After their first encounter in the train, he had quickly decided that the boy was crazy, therefore not worth his time. But it seemed that he had not really a say in his interactions with the raven haired-boy.

Potter had unsurprisingly been sorted in Gryffindor. Himself being a Slytherin, it was obvious that they could not interact in a friendly manner. After all, Gryffindors and Slytherins had been rivals since the beginnings of the school. It was a tradition after all, and no matter the many flaws he possessed, Draco prided himself in being respectful of wizarding traditions. Their world was already deprived enough of its most ancient traditions thanks to some ignorant fools. Therefore, he was firmly determined to follow this one. It had actually been easy to fuel the two houses rivalry, what with the Lions easily riled up for the smallest thing. Yes, Lions were predictable somehow. Well most of them were. No scratch that. All of them were except for the one and only annoying Potter. Really, couldn't he do things like everyone else? Was it too much to ask?

He sighed remembering the day the Gryffindor had asked him why he was being mean to him when he had been so friendly on the train. Draco had been speechless at first. In what world did this boy live, he had thought, or was he mocking him perhaps? One look at Potter's uncomprehending face and he had his answer. So he had explained about the two houses rivalry. After a moment, the other boy had simply said: "But rivals do not necessarily mean enemies. Actually, in some cases rivals help each other in getting better in whatever they're rivals for. They motive each other to improve because of the competition. Yes, most of rivals are friends. So, you see, we can still be friends." At that he had beamed happily and had then run to wherever crazy people run to, not giving Draco time to answer. The silver blond had just stayed speechless for a moment, before snapping out of his stupor and hurried back to the dungeons. There he took time to reflect on Potter's words and even questioned some of the older Snakes. In the end, the Gryffindor was right in his definition of "rival." However, never had it been heard of a Gryffindor and a Slytherin being friend before. But being the sceptical and somehow curious boy he was, he decided he wanted to check to be sure. Then he could argue back with Potter. After one month, he still had found nothing. It was not really surprising, but all the research had been annoying. The majority of the books he found always depicted Slytherins as evil or potentially evil people. Prejudiced idiots, he thought, if that was true then they would have been more stories about evil wizards! And this had somehow motivated him to continue his research.

He took a deep breath. There was no use to be upset this early. He did not want to spoil his Saturday after all. Returning his gaze to the gentle fire, he let its warmth relaxing his body once again and let his thoughts wander again towards Potter. The boy was smart, a bookworm and very sensible. Yet all that could be thrown away when he would come up with some improbable nonsense. The boy had a theory for everything. From the moving staircases to McGonagall's stern voice. Any sensible person would just say that the staircases were enchanted and that the Transfiguration teacher was just strict like that. But no! For Potter, the castle was just cheeky like that and liked to play with the students. But this was understandable, after all it had to amused itself somehow. The idiot even went so far as to bloody talk to the staircases! And it was not even to ask them to be led where he wanted to be. No! He talked to them as he would with any person, speaking about the weather or other students! As for McGonagall, he came with the ridiculous idea that she was blessed by some sort of god that gave her the ability to be the sternest and strictest person in the world. When Draco had questioned him about that, he simply answered : "Dumbledore" and went off. What was that supposed to mean?

The more he thought about it though, the more intrigued the Malfoy heir became. The thing was he had always liked solving puzzles and Potter was a complicated one, if not the most difficult he had encountered. He had hardly ever found any challenge before. He remembered the first time he had met Crabbe and Goyle. He had been dismayed to meet such brainless persons. They were purebloods but their brain did not fit the pureblood description. Draco had decided to investigate. He had asked his father and he had told him that the two boys' fathers were as dim-witted. Of course the answer had not satisfied the silver blond haired-boy. So he had decided to make some experiments. Unfortunately he had not found anything, but you could not really fault him. He was only six when he did the tests. He still remembered Goyle unable to remember a simple nursery rhyme. In the end he had decided to put this problem aside, but he had not forgotten it. Now however, he had a more interesting puzzle in hand.

Quickly checking the time, he gracefully stood up and made his way out of the common room. He had a Potter to find. It was quite early, but the Gryffindor seemed to wake up at ungodly hour in the morning, or at least, this was what he had gathered from conversations here and there. Only on Saturdays, did the raven haired wizard wake up later than usual. After deep reflections, the Slytherin had decided that if he hoped to better understand the other boy, perhaps following and observing him would help. He had gathered that Potter usually woke up around seven on Saturdays. Now he had about thirty minutes before that time. Not knowing where the Lions den was, he had decided to post himself somewhere where he was certain Potter would pass by. Upon reaching the corridor, he found a dark alcove and hide himself. He had to wait for about fifteen more minutes before the object of his investigation appeared. Draco prepared himself to follow the other boy discreetly only for Potter to stop in front of a painting and chat with it. It was nothing very deep. Only the usual greetings. Soon though they were interrupted by the arrival of another Gryffindor. A very annoying Gryffindor.

"Oh good morning Harry! Are you still talking to the portraits?"

"Good morning Hermione! Yeah I was speaking to Rose here." The girl quickly glanced at the portrait of the blushing maid before turning back to Harry.

"You've been talking to a lot of them since the beginning of term, but I'm sure you can stop now."

"Why would I stop...?"

"You're wasting your time of course! I mean they're entertaining and all, but it's been a month already, and surely you must have been used to it! It's not as if they could teach you something! I mean most of them are not even wizards! If you really want to learn something, you better stuck to the library," the girl explained not noticing the look of outrage that the maid was now sporting.

"They are very nice and some of them are my friends. So of course I'll continue to talk to them. And I'll have you know that they always have great stories. For example, the other day the Fat Lady was telling me about..."

"Oh Harry, we're here to learn magic, how it works and how to use it. Really, it is not time to listen to stories," she admonished in a condescending voice.

"But you can learn from stories," he argued. "After all, history is made of stories."

"History is made of facts, like everything else Harry. Facts that can be found in books," she slowly enunciated as if speaking to a five year old child.

"Some portraits had been here for centuries and witness history itself. So they can teach us a lot."

"Harry," she tsked. "It is well-known that academic works have more weight than the tales of some common people."

"What a rude girl," exclaimed a male voice. Looking up to the portrait, a young man was now in the frame along with the maid. He was wearing a long blue tunic with long sleeves and was directed an indignant glare towards Hermione. "I've never met such a tactless girl in my life. Girl, I have you know that we've been witnesses of many events and secrets. Some of which you'll certainly never know!"

"Oh, well did you write any books about it? Were they even recognised?"

"No, of course..." Whatever the man was about to say was promptly interrupted by the arrogant rambling of the muggleborn resulting in a furious argument between portrait and girl.

Meanwhile, Harry had decided to let them be and resumed his walk. Draco had lingered a few more minutes not wanting to be spotted by the Gryffindor. The other reason was to hex the insufferable know-it-all, though she was not really one as far as the Snake was concerned. If there was one person that he could not stand at all, it was Hermione Granger. Even the Weasley idiot was better than her. She was the worse personification of the muggleborn. She did not understand the wizarding world and even less magic and she simply applied her brain and her muggle knowledge to magic, which was wrong. By doing that she was effectively disrespectful towards the magical community. And they wonder why muggleborns were despised by purebloods.

Potter despite all his strangeness was right to converse with the portraits. Any decent pureblood family had many in their homes, mostly of ancestors. They were important part of the magical folks as they could pass on family knowledge, secrets and history. Of course there were family book spells, but with the portraits the understanding of these books were made easier. Moreover, they only contained spells and rituals. In public places like Hogwarts, the portraits were to help students of course within the castle, but they were also witnesses of its history. Any important events that had taken place here were remembered by the portraits, even those not mentioned in history books. Now that he thought about it, some of these paintings might have an answer for his research. Turning his attention back to Granger, he aimed his wand at the unsuspecting girl and softly murmured a spell. A yellowish light touched the girl and she did not even stop in her argument. The Malfoy heir smirked. The spell would take effect in a couple of hours, making sure that she would suspect the wrong person. His deed done, Draco discreetly and silently left to follow Potter.

00000000000000000000

It was all quiet. Only some leaves here and there were softly rustled by the cool wind from time to time. The lake was eerily calm giving the impression that no life was beneath it. Only subtle waves indicated that there were indeed things underwater. The surrounding trees were beginning to display golden and brownish coats and to be honest, it was quite cold. It did not help either that he had to be as quiet as possible. He did not know how much time had passed since they arrived here, but for Draco it seemed to be an eternity. After the confrontation with Granger earlier, Potter had simply headed outside and went straight to a secluded spot near the lake. They were surrounded by thick and big trees. All in all you could easily forget where you were if not for the glimpses of the castle's highest turrets. The Malfoy heir was actually crouched behind a tree and kept peeking at the Gryffindor wizard, who was cross seated on the ground, his hands joined on his laps and his eyes closed. And he was not moving, at all. Draco was wondering how the boy managed this when himself was beginning to have cramps. The Slytherin was slowly but surely losing his patience and starting questioning his reason for being here. Another peek at the sitting boy and he noticed a change. Potter was now frowning as if trying to solve a problem. Suddenly he opened his eyes and stared at Draco's tree. Said boy had retreated behind his tree when the Gryffindor had opened his eyes and was now deciding on what to do now. However the choice was soon taken from him.

"Draco?" a voice startled from his thoughts making him yelp and rapidly jump up to face a surprised Potter. "What are you doing here?" Gathering his wits and countenance, the silver blond boy rapidly answered.

"Well, isn't it obvious, Potter? I'm enjoying the calmness of the area of course. Do you have any problem with that?"

"Hum no... but I've never seen you here before... actually I've never seen anyone here before. You were not following me, weren't you?" Harry asked with narrowed eyes.

"What a preposterous idea! Why would I follow you of all the people? And anyway, what were you doing just sitting there?" Harry looked at him a bit suspiciously before answering.

"Meditating."

"Meditating? Why would you do that for?"

"It's to better feel and access magic."

"Where did you get this idea from?"

"Jiraya-sensei told me that to use effectively any energy within yourself, you had to know where and how to reach it. And the best way to do that is to meditate."

"And does it work?"

"Of course! Jiraya-sensei may be a pervert, but he knows this kind of stuff."

"Wha..." Did Potter just say pervert? Why would he know one?

"Yeah, and now I can better feel the magic in the air. This is how I spotted you actually."

"What did you just say?"

"This is how I spotted you actually."

"How?"

"Oh, the magic behind the tree you were hiding was different from the magic in the surroundings. It was a bit like mine but not exactly." Draco could only dumbly stare at the other boy. Potter had sensed his magic? But he had never heard of this method. Could Potter be lying? But he had been spotted.

"Potter," he eventually managed. "I have difficulty to believe you as I've never heard of anyone doing that before."

"Well, you could try for yourself. But don't expect to have result after the first time you meditate."

"Why?"

"You can't really think that it is that easy?" Harry asked

"How very true," a deep chuckle resonated through the air. Spinning around, the two boys came face to face with the most unexpected sight. Casually coming out of the forest an impressive centaur met them. Now that he was completely in the open, the boys noticed that he had a smiling face and gentle eyes. He was looking at Harry with what seemed to be an inch of respect. The two children could not take their eyes of him. Draco knew that centaurs existed but meeting one was another matter. They were puzzling but wise creatures. Of all magical creatures they were probably among those who knew a lot about magic. Harry himself could not believe his eyes. The Wizarding world was really a wonder. Before now, centaurs belonged to myths and legends. He remembered the stories of Hercules and legendary centaurs, such as Nessos. And now one was standing before him.

"Harry Potter. I have heard many stories about you. Each one more fantastic than the others. However, nothing could have prepared me for what I'm seeing now."

"What are you seeing now?" Harry asked cautiously.

"A young boy who has learnt to listen and see magic."

"But I haven't learn to listen..."

"You were meditating, trying to reach and connect with the magic within you and outside. It is a practice that many wizards have forgotten. And yet, you who have supposedly lived in the muggle world knows this practice."

"But a lot of people meditate!" Harry argued. "My best friend Naruto meditates everyday and he's not magical!"

"Yes, but didn't you say that you were doing it to better access your magic, as you were told?"

"Yes... well, I've learnt to meditate with my friend and his guardian. They're in martial arts, you see, and in their discipline, it helps to calm the mind and open the senses, so that they can be more efficient in their spar." That and it also helps them finding their chakra and easily manipulate it. Jiraya had come with the suggestion that if Harry could feel magic when he used it, then perhaps meditation would help him in long run and he was right. But the young wizard could not exactly say that to his companions.

"And this is very wise of your friends and even wiser of you to apply it for magic." Harry could not help but blush.

"Hmm, not really," he mumbled. "But you said it is a forgotten practice? Do you mean that wizards practised it before."

"Yes, many magical beings practised it, some still do. Only wizards have long stopped this communion with magic."

"Why?" asked a curious Draco.

"Arrogance, modernity... wizards have lost many of their ways over time."

"Tell me about it," the young Malfoy mumbled. At this, the centaur looked curiously at the boy as if he had just discovered a satisfying oddity. The young wizard was completely oblivious of the stare and was considering this practice.

"Do you practise meditation as well?" asked a curious Harry.

"Yes, my brethren and I still follow the old way. We may not be Magic Wielders but we are creatures of Magic, and as such, meditation is the only way for us to come in direct contact with her in a regular basis."

"So you can sense magic even if you can't use it?" asked a confused Draco.

"Young Malfoy, know that magic is everywhere, in everything and in every one. As such, those who know how can sense it, even if it might be more difficult if you can't use it." Letting this sink in, he eventually added. "Well, it has been a pleasure and certainly a great surprise." The centaur then bowed to the two wizards and made to go. The movement startled the two young boys.

"Wait, you're leaving already?" asked a somewhat disappointed Harry.

"Yes, I have to join my herd."

"Oh... eh, what's your name?"

"Firenze."

"Will we see you again?" the centaur paused thoughtful before nodding.

"Yes, when I might be able to do so."

"Oh ok. I'm here every morning or if I can't, I come after classes. See you around!" Harry happily answered. Firenze simply nodded and trotted back into the forest. Once the centaur had fully disappear, Draco could not help but exclaim.

"See you around? This was a centaur, Potter, not one of your mates!"

"Well, we'll see him around," Harry countered.

"That's not the point! I'm sure there's a way specific way to greet and address a centaur. He bowed to us before leaving after all."

"We didn't!" Harry exclaimed wide eyes. "Do you think he's been offended?"

"I don't know, it didn't look like he was."

"I hope you're right."

"Mmm... Potter, teach me to meditate."

"What?"

"You heard me!"

"Ok... Sit down."

"Why? Can't we go inside?"

"No, it's too noisy. You can't focus because of all the activities. Believe me I tried." Draco wanted to groan, but refrained. It was not appropriate behaviour and he was determined to learn this. It was a forgotten tradition and seemed to be useful. He was not about to let it pass and if he could resolve the Potter puzzle ar the same time, all the better.

"Potter, what are you doing?"

"Stretching before doing my push-ups," Harry answered as if it was obvious. "Now, close your eyes and breathe deeply..." Slowly, Draco relaxed and followed Harry's instructions. In the end, he managed to sense the beginning of a warmth inside of him, not much. But it was to be expected for a first time. However, he could not deny that after their session he was calmer, relaxed and was that a tingling on his skin?

Here you go. Firenze will certainly appear from time to time, as he has a role to play^^. Hopefully, next chapter will come faster, but I'm not making any promises. But, if you must know, the ideas are there.