Walking the Halls

Chapter 16

McGonagall peers at them over her glasses. Then she turns and leaves. 

Draco sighs and sits in a chair in front of Dumbledore's desk. 

Harry wanders around and finds the sorting hat in a closet. 

Draco watches him set it on his head. He takes it off and sets it aside. 

Draco stands beside him. "Didn't tell you what you wanted to hear?" he asks. 

Harry shakes his head. "It just repeated that I would do well in Slytherin," he says. 

Draco shrugs. "Perhaps it's right. It doesn't negate how good Gryffindor is for you though," he says. 

"Exactly. People tend to forget that," the hat says. 

Draco sighs. "Listen, Harry, I'm in Slytherin and it doesn't affect me. Not really. It can teach you a lot like wit and charm. You already have them, but it helps to have the competition. Anyway, you aren't in Slytherin. You're in Gryffindor, don't overthink it and cause problems," he says. He holds his hand out and takes the hat. 

"Mr. Malfoy, good to see you again," it says. 

"You too. Do you just sit in the closet all year?" he asks. 

"Sometimes. Sometimes Dumbledore has me do stuff."

Draco nods. "Still putting me in Slytherin?"

"Yes, but just like last year I think you could make your place anywhere," it says. 

Draco nods. "Anything you want to tell me?"

"Well, Mr. Malfoy, I think you should keep an eye out for Harry but also your involvement has gotten deeper, perhaps you need someone to look out for you too," it says. 

Draco rolls his eyes. "No need to worry about me. I will make sure Harry lives," he says. He sets the hat on a shelf. 

"Even if it's at the expense of your life?"

"That doesn't matter. I don't do much. Harry's important," he says. 

The hat seems to shake its head. "One day you'll realize just how important it is that you survive. Even if you don't want it, people are looking out for you. I suppose someone has to." It turns back into a regular hat. As regular as a hat can be that sings and talks can be. 

Draco shakes his head. He doesn't care how long he survives. He just needs Harry to get through everything. He joins Harry staring at a bird. Draco is trying to place what the bird is when it ignites. 

Harry's eyes widen and his jaw drops. 

Dumbledore comes in at the time. 

"I didn-"

"Har, relax, it's a phoenix," Draco says. 

"That is correct, Mr. Malfoy, Fawkes is a phoenix," Dumbledore says. 

Draco nods. "Pretty old, but now it's being rebirthed," he says. 

"Again, correct, Mr. Malfoy. They also make good pets. Do you know why?"

Draco nods. "They can carry heavy loads, have healing tears, and they're loyal. Would you allow me back when it's been reborn?"

"Any reason why?" Dumbledore asks. 

Draco doesn't want to tell him that he wants to talk to it. "Beautiful bird that I have never seen at its prime. Actually, this is the first time I have ever seen one," he says. 

"Hm. I will make sure to call you," he says. 

"We should discuss-"

"Harry and Draco didn' do i'," Hagrid says. He stumbles into the office. "I saw 'em moments before. 'ere's no way 'ey coulda."