Just like Brothers

Chapter 26

Break ended quicker than Harry could say 'Quidditch'. On the night before they were scheduled to return back to Hogwarts, Draco and Harry were having a muggle-movie marathon, their trunks still unpacked and popcorn littered all around the floor.

"How'd the mother forget about the kid?" Draco exclaimed, throwing a handful of popcorn at the screen. "Unrealistic," he mumbled.

"It's just a movie." Harry laughed.

"Yeah, a weird, muggle, American movie." Draco sighed. "What kind of name is Kevin anyways? When did this come out?"

"1990 I think." Harry responded, using the remote to make the volume louder, drowning out the blond's rambling.
       
"Why don't they have wards around their house? It's an easy way to keep burglars out." Draco commented.
      
"Muggles don't have access to wards." Harry sighed.
       
"I'm cold." Draco complained.
        
"Your bed is right there, get a blanket."
        
"I don't want to get up, will you get it for me?"
         
"If I do will you shut your bloody mouth and watch the movie."
          
"Fine."

>•<

The next morning, Severus Snape found Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter asleep on the floor of their bedroom.

The television was still on, popcorn thrown all over the place and clothes spread everywhere.

He turned on the light and out of his wand came a 'Pop' making both the boys jump and hit their heads.
        
"Get up you buffoons, we're leaving in an hour." He waved his wand and the popcorn and trash disappeared from the ground, "pack your trunks."
        
Draco and Harry scrambled up and began to throw random items into their trunks.

Severus watched them, amused before returning downstairs, he was beginning to enjoy having the two boys living with him. It was never a dull moment.
        
"Harry! Have you seen Lilious?" Draco ran around the room in a sheer panic.

"No I haven't seen him since yesterday," Harry frowned, closing the door to Hedwig's cage. "Did you check under the beds?"

"Yeah, he's not here!" Draco looked up, "did we let him out?"

"I didn't." Harry frowned, "I'm sure we'll find her." He put Hedwig's cage on top of his trunk and began helping Draco search for the white cat.
         
In a frenzy, Draco ran down the stairs, searching for his cat.
        
"Severus?" He called, "have you seen Lilious? I can't find him!" He came stumbling into the living room where Severus was sitting, a cup of tea in one hand, the newspaper in another and a tiny white cat curled on his lap.
        
"He's right here." He said, placing down his cup to pick up the cat. She meowed in protest but settled down once she was secure in Draco's arms.
       
"Thanks." Draco smiled.
       
"Are you two almost ready, we must be off to the train station." Severus stated.
       
"Yes," Draco confirmed, we're done packing.

>•<

"Go along now, you don't want to miss the train, don't do anything insolent. I will see you two tonight at supper." Snape clasped his hands as he spoke to the boys in the same pub they had met in when they arrived.

The two weeks had gone by so quickly and Harry had to admit it was one of his best Christmas'. He had caught up on all his missing assignments and now he was ahead in Potions.

Over the two last weeks he had actually been enjoying potions and for once in his life completely understand the material.

"Harry, let's go!" Draco pushed his trolley out of the pub and down the sidewalk, Harry in tow.

They split up right before they got to the barrier, making sure nobody saw them together.

Harry was tackled with a blur of red when he entered his usual compartment.

"Hiya Harry! How was your break?" Ginny asked, releasing her hold so he could put his trunk up.

"Good, Ginny, thanks, where is everyone?" Harry just realized neither Ron or Hermione were sitting with them.

"Hermione ran to the loo, Merlin knows where Ron ran off too. Fred and George should be along shortly, Neville too, they were stopping in with some friends first." Ginny tied her long hair out of her face.
       
"How was your break, Gin?" Harry asked.
        
"Alright, all Ron did all break was sulk in his room. Put a damper on everyone's moods." She rolled her eyes, "he's such an arse sometimes."
        
Harry laughed, "I just can't believe he pushed Draco into Buckbeak. I would've never thought he would stoop that low."
       
"Yeah," Ginny sighed.
        
"Neville knows, you know that." Harry looked over.
        
"About what?" Ginny's eyebrows furrowed.
        
"Snape, Malfoy and I." Harry said.
        
"Really? How'd that happen?" Ginny knitted her eyebrows.
        
"Ran into him over break," Harry groaned, "Oh, I nearly forgot! I got a Firebolt for Christmas, do you want to see it?" The raven-headed boy asked eagerly.

"No way! A Firebolt? Like the ones the major leagues use?" Ginny was dumbfounded.

Harry nodded, rummaging through his trunk. Snape had shrunk the broomstick to fit inside the chest so Harry had to cast an enlargement spell.

"Harry!" Hermione came flying into the compartment.

"Hi, Hermione, how was holiday?" Harry gave the girl a hug.

"Great, you?" Hermione smiled.

"Fairly well." Harry returned to his seat, Hermione sat besides him.

"What do you have there Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Harry got a Firebolt for Christmas," Ginny grinned, admiring the sleek broom.

"From who!" Hermione turned on Harry, "who bought you such an expensive broom?"

"I don't know, there was no letter or signature." Harry explained, stretching his legs over Hermione's lap.

She shoved his legs off, "Harry," she started in a condescending tone, "these are very dangerous times, that broom can have all sorts of jinxes and curses on it. You have to turn it in to Professor McGonagall."

"Hermione, the broom is fine. Snape already checked it a million times, it was clean. No jinxes, no curses," Harry groaned.

"Snape? Why'd he check the broom and why would you trust his word?" Hermione's eyes pierced Harry, "When did you even see Snape over holiday?"
        
"I didn't, I just mailed it to Dumbledore and Snapes' the one who responded." Harry lied quickly.
      
Hermione frowned but didn't say anything.
       
"Hello, ickle kiddies, who wants to have so fun?" Fred and George came bounding into the compartment. "We're going to play a prank on the Slytherins."
      
Ginny grinned, "I'm in."
      
Harry and Ginny followed Fred and George down the train. Hermione decided to stay back and do some lite studying.
       
"Who's our target?" Fred scratched his chin.
       
"Marcus Flint, of course!" George responded. "Payback for the Quidditch match. That play was illegal and he knew it!"
       
The four all agreed they'd go after the vile Slytherin who was so dumb he had to be held back a year.
       
Fred and George armed Ginny and Harry with two dung bombs each. Fred then snuck ahead to find Flint's compartment. He beckoned the other three to follow and they crept past other compartments.
       
"Potter?"

The three froze in their tracks. Their heads slowly craned to look behind them where a particular blond was looking at them quizzically.
      
"Hey there, Malfoy." Fred and George waved.
      
"What're you lot doing?" Draco asked.
      
"Pranking Marcus Flint. Want to come along?" Ginny asked.
    
"What's the prank?"
    
"We're going to throw dungbombs into the compartment." Harry said eagerly.
    
"That's it?!" Draco exclaimed. "No, you're doing it wrong. You have to throw the bombs into the compartment and cast a charm that keeps the door jammed closed." Draco grinned.
     
"Alright now he's thinking!" Fred laughed, tossing the Slytherin a dungbomb.
     
The five threw five dungbombs into the compartment that held Marcus Flint and Millicent Bulstrode.

They watched the two gag and cough from the stench. George quickly casted a charm that made the door jammed closed. Flint banged on the door and yanked the handle to the compartment.

Harry, Ginny, Draco, Fred and George ran down the aisle of the train, laughing as they went.