𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒

Chapter 21

"I wish to speak to you for a moment," Snape stated after Harry had left to go see Dumbledore. "What about?" Draco questioned a bit suspiciously. He was not happy to be delayed, he wanted to head over to his old room and get his money from behind the stone wall. "This friendship you seem to have developed with Mr. Potter."

Draco scowled at his professor and godfather. "I don't see how that's any of your business, to be honest."

"Don't be snide," Severus admonished. "And don't be stupid, either. Potter is a danger to himself and everyone around him. I would advise you to distance yourself from him."

"I thought he was the wizarding worlds best bet to beat The Dark Lord?" Draco questioned. "That's just my point. Voldemort has plans for him," Snape confided, his words making Draco's spine tingle with fear. "He and The Dark Lord will do battle, make no mistake about that," the Potions Master continued, knowing full well that the evil wizard would kill anyone who interfered with him and his vendetta against the dark haired teen. "Anyone around him will be caught in the cross-fire and any emotional ties you may have with him are dangerous to yourself."

"What if I don't want to distance myself from him?"

"Where is this coming from, Draco?" Severus asked a bit incredulously. "You used to hate him.

What's changed that you would put yourself in danger for him?"

Draco blushed faintly. "Maybe I'm finding out we're more alike than I thought," he answered.

Severus snorted. "Don't be misled, boy. Do you think Potter really cares what happens to you? If it comes between you and one of his friends, he'll drop you in an instant."

Draco frowned. His godfather had just hit on Draco's major insecurity. Having been around Ron and Harry while he was at the Weasley's home, he had seen how Harry had avoided confronting the red-head directly when he and Ron had had their spat. How The-Boy-Who-Lived had not wanted to say anything against the other Gryffindor.

Severus put his hand on Draco's shoulder. "I know you feel like you are alone now and maybe that's why you've developed an attachment to Potter. I just want you to be careful with who you give your trust to. Just think about it. I am here for you, Draco," the Potions Master added. "I will protect you."

"I...I'll think about it," Draco responded quietly. He understood that his godfather was just looking out for him and maybe he was right. Harry probably didn't care for him the way he did for Ron or Hermione. That did only make sense after all. The three of them had been friends since Harry had started school here while he had been their enemy for that same amount of time.

'Is this all just one-sided?' Draco questioned himself as he headed to the Slytherin dorms. 'Is is just me that wants us to be together? Would he drop me if his friends found out about us?'

XXX

Harry stomped out of Dumbledore's office and headed for Draco's rooms. 'What gives him the right to tell me who I can and cannot be friends with?' the dark haired teen fumed. He was angry because the Headmaster had cautioned him about being friends with Draco.

Harry didn't understand it at all. 'I thought Dumbledore was on Draco's side now. What was all the bullshit about not getting too attached to anyone? Does he mean Ron and Hermione too? Trying to tell me it's for my own good. What the hell does he know about what's good for me?'

"Chivalry," Harry grumbled to the Knight when he reached the portrait.

Draco was sitting on the sofa in the living room drinking a coke in front the fire that had been lit earlier. He was pleased that he had been able to locate all the money he had previously stashed away, feeling relief that his father hadn't found it. "How'd it go?" he questioned the irate Gryffindor.