Disclaimer: I do not own the creation of Harry Potter or anything to do with it. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

This is a rewrite of the story An Unusual Attachment Leading To A New Friendship by another author.

An Unusual Attachment

Chapter One

Harry sat at the front of the car, cornered as much as possible to his window, to stay away from his purple faced, heavily obese uncle on his other side. Harry's summer had been the worst yet.

From the moment they entered the house Harry had been forced to change into Muggle Clothes (also known as Dudley's normal cast offs). After this, he reluctantly was compelled into locking his school trunk, in the shed, including his three most precious objects: his wand, invisibility cloak and broomstick. At the time Harry had wondered why had his possessions been transferred into the garden shed, rather than the cupboard under the stairs but he did not question out loud, just in case Uncle Vernon put him under the stairs for the rest of the summer. Unfortunately, for Harry, that was exactly what he had planned.

"No more flying cars the save you this time boy," Uncle Vernon had said with a satisfied expression, licking his lips, and a slightly crazed gleam in his eyes. "No more Godfather threats, oh yes, I know about his death, no more freaks coming through the fireplace. You're alone this summer, boy, alone." Uncle Vernon had cackled like a maniac before shutting Harry in the cupboard. "You don't even have your bloody bird. Your crackpot old fool of a headmaster has kept it so you can't send out messages!" Harry had thought he would never be allowed out. When he looks back now, Harry wished that would have been the case.

But Harry was allowed out, oh yes, he was allowed out. He was tolerated outside to cook food, clean windows, hoover the carpet floor, set the tables after polishing them, scrubbing the bathroom tiles and cleaning up after meals. The only think Harry was not permitted to do was clean out the Dursleys' bedrooms; Aunt Petunia was afraid the freak would attempt to steal something. These were only in the house chores though. Outdoors Harry had had to wash the car constantly, neaten the flowerbeds on regular basis, mow the grass, wipe the windows outside and repaint the fence in the scorching sun blazing down upon his skin. Harry would have taken his overly large t-shirts off, if it weren't for the inflict Uncle Vernon brutally had left upon him every single torturous night when he came home drunk. Even Aunt Petunia had become scared of her husband's new drinking pattern, yet still she had not protected dead sister's son from harm. Harry had at first hoped his Aunt would draw a line to the amount of pain he received. Once Harry caught on that his mother's sister was not going to save him, Harry realised he was truly alone.

So after two months of malnourishment and severe pain, a broken Harry Potter sat in the Dursley's car, on his way back to Hogwarts via King's Cross Station. So far the journey had been entirely silent until 10 minutes before the end.

"Now listen boy…" Uncle Vernon began threateningly.

"Yes Sir," came Harry's automatic response. Uncle Vernon rolled his eyes. He was too used to this mechanical freak.

"Not one word about this summer. There is no need to get those freaks involved. Hell, they won't even care. They didn't check on you once, nor did they try to contact you. If this gets out to anyone, anyone I tell you," Uncle Vernon paused; his face barely inches form Harry's, "This summer would have seemed like a holiday."

"Yes Sir." Harry repeated his voice void of any emotion. It was about midway through his holidays Harry begun this. Every question he had been asked throughout the summer had been answered with either 'yes sir' or 'no sir'. It made things simpler. It made things easier. It made Uncle Vernon completely in full cntrol over Harry.

They arrived at King's Cross Station. Harry weakly, but as fast as he could manage, got out the car. He picked up his possessions and then, finally came the trunk. Harry grabbed the trunk by the handle and with all his might, pulled the burden as hard as he could. The load was overwhelming and despite Harry's age, he fell with a crash on the floor. Uncle Vernon who had been tapping on his window impatiently for Harry to retrieve his trunk, now saw that his nephew had completed his task and was currently lying breathlessly on the floor. Uncle Vernon pressed the automatic button to close and lock the back of the car. Then, paying no attention to Harry, Uncle Vernon drove away without saying goodbye.

The moment Harry saw Uncle Vernon's car disappear he was tempted to shout in relief. A huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders... he was finally free! Harry looked around. He had no idea where he could find Platform 9 and 3/4. Harry looked at the time on the big clock outside King's Cross. He had five minutes to find Platform 9 and ¾. Trying to panic, Harry lifted himself up.

An old man who had witnessed what had happened came jogging up to Harry. He appeared Muggle. The old man looked at Harry's demeanour. "You alright son?" he asked curiously.

"Yes sir," Harry replied automatically.

"Well, do you need any help?" the old man questioned sympathetically, nodding towards King's Cross. Harry's pale green eyes looked up into the old man's kind ones. Suddenly Harry snapped out of it; he was free now; it was okay now.

"Yes please Sir. D-do you think you c-could give me directions to Platform 9 and 3- Sorry, Platform 9?" Harry spoke politely, and did his best not to stutter. He realised, with a funny jolt that that was the longest sentence he had spoken for two months.

After receiving instructions from the old man, and wishing him a good day, Harry picked up his belongings and placed them on a trolley. He made his way to Platform 9 3/4. Harry hoped he did not bump into anyone on the way; he had to make sure he had worked his concealment charms right.

Upon reaching Platform 9 3/4, Harry looked for a compartment that was completely empty. It was rather difficult, for Uncle Vernon had dropped him off just in time. Finally, Harry found one at the back of the Hogwarts Express. Hopefully, no one would find him here. Harry had passed Ron and Hermione's compartment; they had seemed fairly content snogging like there were no tomorrow and holdings hands. Did this mean Ron and Hermione were now an item? Finally Harry thought to himself, but he still couldn't shake off the feeling that from then on he would be a third-wheel, or a gooseberry.

Disregarding these thoughts, Harry made himself comfortable with his invisibility cloak next to him. Harry would have thought, after a whole summer with no contact and being alone unless he was with Uncle Vernon, he would want company, and friends. But no. Now he's back, it felt all too noisy and impersonal. Harry had grown accustomed to be alone, and he now preferred it this way. Harry really needed to check he had completed all his homework, but he was just so tired…

Harry opened his eyes to the train slowing down. He hadn't realised he had fallen asleep. Harry looked down at his watch. They couldn't be there yet…

The train was getting slower and slower until it came to a sudden stop with a violent jolt. Harry placed his invisibility cloak over him and curiously looked out the compartment. He could hear a lot of "What's going on?"'s and "Have we broken down?"'s. Abruptly the lights went out. Harry took off his father's cloak and moved towards his compartment window. There was something out there! And it was coming aboard! Harry fleetingly thought of dementors. Maybe they were coming aboard again. But hadn't Voldemort taken over Azkaban, including the dementors?

There was no Professor Lupin to save him this time, nor any Ron and Hermione to support him. No, this time, he was alone, but he also knew how to protect himself. This time, he defends himself on his own. Harry heard screams echo across the train so he fumbled into his cloak to get his wand. Without warning a boy ran into his compartment followed by a large silhouetted creature. Intense coldness indulged Harry. Harry did not even have enough energy to see who the other boy was. He just concentrated all his strength into the spell. Taking his last shuddering breath he shouted "Expecto Patronem" before collapsing to the ground. He barely got a glimpse of his patronus leading the dementor out before fainting.

Harry woke with a sudden sting across his face. He had been slapped. Harry's instant thought was that he was with the Dursley's, so he curled up and tensed ready for the next bout of pain. It didn't come. Harry mentally kicked himself. 'Of course it wouldn't. You're on the Hogwarts Express'. The lights were back on and it was no longer that cold, but there was still an eerie surrounding. "Why this time?" Harry murmured to himself. He sat up slightly and smacked foreheads with a boy, but with no glasses on, he could not tell who it was; presumably the boy that ran into his compartment. The blur moved back clutching onto his head, swearing under his breath.

"Oh… I- I'm sorry… My glasses." Harry stuttered apologetically. Wordlessly, his glasses were passed to him. "Thanks." Harry looked up at the boy and froze.

"The dementors came on board for no apparent reason whatsoever - probably a doing of the Dark Lord, to give everyone a scare. I must say, that is some powerful magic; I am impressed." Draco Malfoy said calmly, unaffected by Harry's shock.

"…Malfoy?" Harry said slowly, wondering if he was dreaming.

"Surely after five years you should know who I am. You can call me Draco if I can call you Harry."

"Uh, why?" Harry answered, perplexed.

"We've had a rough few years Harry. I want to start again. Our relationship. As friends."

Harry looked oddly at Draco, his dull eyes gawping into Draco Malfoy's blue-grey ones. How he wished he could read minds like Snape. Draco fidgeted slightly but then looked directly back. This had to be done. After a few moments of silence Harry finally spoke.

"I… Why? You have hated me openly for five full years. What's with the sudden change?" The accusation didn't have as much force as Harry would have liked. He couldn't make it sound as harsh. Draco seemed to have noticed this. He ignored Harry's question and gazed curiously at him.

"Merlin's beard Potter, what has happened to you?" Draco noticed how underweight Harry was, how pained Harry looked, how dead.

"Answer my question Malfoy." Even Harry's voice didn't sound right!

Harry tried to pretend that Malfoy's question did not bother him but Harry feared his heart was thumping so loudly against his chest that Draco probably could hear it. Panic threatened to engulf. Did he honestly look so bad that his former arch-enemy would notice something looked wrong?

Draco relented though. "Ok. Ok. I know I had hated you in the past but I have most certainly matured since then. So should have you." Draco stuck out his hand. "Do we have an agreement?" Harry looked down uncertainly at Malfoy's hand. He was acting most unusual. What could have caused this sudden change in heart? Where were his cronies Crabbe and Goyle? Why has he suddenly turned to Harry? What came of his father? There was only one way he was to find out the reasoning's to all these unanswered questions. Harry looked up into Draco's sharp eyes and nodded slowly. He shook his hand. It did not escape Draco's notice how shaky Harry's hand was, and how bony it had become. He frowned but did not say anything.

"What about your father; won't he get a little upset upon hearing you have befriended Harry Potter his master's worst enemy?" Harry said sarcastically. Draco smirked slightly.

"His Master is slightly annoyed at my father along with the others who failed to receive the Prophecy at the Department of Mysteries earlier on that year; thanks to you and your army of course." Draco nodded his head in appreciation. Harry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Draco suddenly stopped smirking and in fact seemed rather nervous. "I, um, well, how to put it, have decided to join the light side. My father took me to a few Death Eater meetings. It was nothing like I expected. I just gradually realised that it wasn't my cup of tea." Draco finished somewhat lamely.

Harry was… surprised. And maybe even a little impressed. He never knew Draco had this side to him. His surprise soon turned to sympathy. "You're father doesn't know yet, does he? And neither does you Slytherin friends, like Crabbe and Goyle," Harry asked carefully after sitting back down. Draco scoffed.

"Those fools? No they are no longer friends of mine. Well, they weren't really friends in the first place. All they did was take orders, it got a bit wearing. I am currently avoiding them." Harry smiled slightly. His first genuine smile in months. It only lasted a few moments. "As for my father, well he is in for a surprise when he finds out the news from some Death Eater's child." Draco said bitterly. He glanced at Harry. "Where are your fans- I mean friends?"

"They are in another compartment." Harry said quietly. Draco frowned; this was unlike him to sit alone.

"And why are you not with them?" Harry's face shape altered. Just from these few minutes with Draco Malfoy, Harry had forgotten why he wanted to be away from other people, and what had happened to him in the summer. Harry gave Draco a small sad smile.

"I guess I just wanted to cut myself off from the usual crowd." This however, confused Draco even more.

"But why?"

"I don't know."

Draco did not pursue. He was clever enough to realise when someone wanted to end a conversation topic. There was something wrong with Harry Potter, something was missing, and something had changed. Harry wasn't his general open, talkative, brave self. He seemed much more reserved, as though he was afraid to say the wrong thing. Draco needed to find out what was going on.

Harry was having no problem talking to Draco Malfoy. They both became used to first name basis surprisingly fairly quickly. Though at some points Draco came across rather snobbish, he was actually a decent person. Harry found it hard to think of any grudges against Draco, for he had turned to the right side. All those past insults now seemed rather petty. The way Draco was behaving towards Harry at the moment was nothing like how he acted in front of Harry and other Gryffindor's before. He was like another person; not the foul-mouthed Slytherin they all knew him for. Harry almost enjoyed talking to Draco more than Hermione and Ron. It was odd. Draco wasn't persistent like them; he could tell when Harry wanted to close a conversation.

"How was your holidays Draco?" Harry asked without thinking twice.

"Rather bad. And yours?" Draco replied. But Harry didn't answer the question.

"Why were yours bad?"

"That's none of your business" When Harry opened his mouth questionably, Draco continued quickly. "Sorry. I don't really want to talk about it." Harry nodded his head understandably. "So how was your summer then?" Draco continued. But then Draco saw how Harry's posture completely changed, and his face went blank.

In a toneless voice Harry replied, "It was fine thank you." Draco was really frowning now.

"Who did you stay with?" Draco asked carefully.

"My aunt, cousin and- and uncle." Harry said in the same voice, Uncle Vernon's words from the car ringing in his ears. They were dangerously close to that subject.

Draco caught the unintentional pause. He eyed up Harry's posture and health. Draco was indeed much cleverer than others and could see when something was wrong better than others.

"Muggles I presume? How do they treat you; what are they like?" Draco said slowly, looking directly at him. Harry, with much effort looked directly back.

"They treat me fine." Harry said sharply, allowing a little emotion in his voice. Draco, however, persisted.

"How old is your cousin? Do you get along with him?" Draco was rather curious about the home life of the Boy-who-lived. Was the Golden Boy, Golden everywhere?

"He is a month older than me, and no."

"What about your-" Harry quickly cut Draco off by saying,

"What about you? Any relations of your age?" Harry could not risk Draco having suspicions about him. He had just made friends with Draco. Harry liked him. He was decent now and Harry didn't feel overcrowded or awkward. It was as if he could pretend to be another person with him. Draco need not realise what nuisance he was… no not yet so early in time. Draco didn't need to find out what his background was like, how he ruined people's lives, endangered and even killed people he had became too close to. But most of all, Draco did not need to realise that he deserved everything he got.

"Meh. I am an only child and all my family are older. But I prefer it this way." In truth, Draco wasn't sure if he did. Draco had been brought up independently with hardly anyone his age. He had been home tutored and the most contact Draco had had was from his nanny, who loved him however unfortunately died when he was eleven. Draco's mother never really paid any attention to her only son. She always gave the impression that she only cared about herself and her reputation. As for his father… well Draco wasn't going to go there. There was not a single good bone in his body. On many occasions Lucius Malfoy would attempt to break his bones into becoming evil like him.

Harry hadn't seemed to notice Draco fall into a daze. "Who's your favourite teacher?"

"Sev," Draco replied easily.

"Sev?" Harry asked blankly, scanning his mind for any 'Sev's'.

"Oh. Sorry. After spending the last part of the summer with him, I became used to referring to Professor Snape as 'Sev,' the beginning of his first name."

"You spent some of your summer with Professor Snape?" Harry could not imagine why any kid would want to spend any part of a summer, when they have a family, let alone Snape, their snarky Potions Master.

"Yeah, yeah I did." Draco replied, trying to suppress a grin from Harry's facial expression.

"Why would- why did you spend the end of the summer with Snape?" Harry asked trying to keep his disgust from his face.

"He is my sort of my Godfather." Draco said awkwardly and then waited for a reaction. Harry was, least to say, shocked. That was something he was not expecting. Harry hid he surprise and spoke uncertainly.

"Oh. Right. Do you… Well– like– spending time with him?" Draco laughed airily, tipping his head in the air.

"Yes I do," Draco said firmly, "I most certainly prefer him to my own father."

"Wow."

Draco chuckled uneasily. Just in that moment, Hermione and Ron came barging in through the compartment door. Hermione began to speak breathlessly. "Found you Harry. Sorry, we didn't know where you were," she paused for a moment and looked at him oddly. "You look different. Were you alright after the Dementor attack?" She then continued. "You best get changed, we're almost there." Hermione looked at Ron but saw him looking in another direction, slowly turning red. Hermione turned to see what Ron was staring at. "Oh. We, uh, didn't know you had company." Ron wasn't so polite.

"What are you doing here Malfoy? Leave Harry alone." he spat. Harry spoke before Draco could.

"It's fine Ron. Draco and I have gotten over that childish feud. We get along now." Harry said quickly.

"So you chose him over us?" Ron growled, glaring at the offending Slytherin. Draco merely smirked back.

"No, it's not like that. I can be friends with the both of you." Harry wished Ron would calm down. He was being ridiculous.

"No Harry. You're gonna have to choose. Otherwise it's just not fair. We spent a great amount of time searching for you at the beginning of the train journey." Ron said stubbornly.

"I hardly believe you two were thinking about where I was when I saw you and Hermione quite happily getting off with each other. No Ron, it's you who's being unfair. Why can't I just give Draco a chance and be friends with both of you? We do have to get over this stupid house rivalry." Harry was beginning to feel dizzy under the tension. His hunger was probably kicking in again. Ron stuttered and looked at Hermione, who was just bright pink, probably because she had been caught snogging.

"No Harry. What is the point of trying to make Weasley see sense? Only true friends would make such sacrifices and respect other friends. It seems like Weasley wants Harry Potter all to himself. This can't have anything to do with Harry's fame can it?" Draco said idly, speaking for the first time.

Ron spluttered indignantly. "What? No! Of course not! I don't need to answer to you Malfoy."

"Ron," Hermione put a consoling hand on his shoulder, "Just leave it. Let Harry be friends with whoever he wishes to be friends with. I'm not going to take sides here Ron; you are behaving childishly." She glanced at Draco quickly then looked at Harry awkwardly.

Harry sighed. "Hermione I'm not going to tell you to leave your boyfriend. Go with Ron."

She gave Harry a grateful look, relieved she didn't have to say what was on her mind herself. Hermione paused then said, "Be careful, please." And with that Harry's two ex-best friends left the compartment to get changed. Harry and Draco began to get dressed as well.

"Well, well the Weasley and Granger. Interesting combination." Draco said casually, but the triumph in his eyes and the slight hint of satisfaction in his voice betrayed him. Draco had won the battle over Harry.

Harry stayed silent though. He was reminiscing over the words Draco had claimed. Were Ron and Hermione not really true friends or had Draco just said that in order for Harry to break up with them? No, his two former best friends must have been true… They have always been there, especially when he was in tight situations. Or was this just for Harry's fame? Why did Ron want Harry all to himself and not respect Harry for the friends he wanted to make? Why did he want me in the first place? Harry thought bitterly. Insecurity threatened to smother him.

"You alright?" Draco asked, peering into Harry's face curiously as he did up his tie.

"What? Oh sorry, no, I'm fine." Harry jerked out of his self-doubting thoughts and discreetly attempted to take off his top and do the buttons on his shirt without exposing any flesh.

Draco wondered why he was being so secretive about his body, but did not question it. Something was defiantly not right with Harry Potter.

Draco and Harry began to walk down the isle of the Hogwarts express together to get off the train when they were suddenly bombarded by Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. They both looked mutinous, looming over them ready to fight. The blockage was causing traffic and people behind them were calling out in annoyance. "Put them in a compartment." A recognised voice called. Crabbe and Goyle pushed them through the nearest empty compartment door. They took a step forward towards Draco and Harry so they were barely touching. Harry did his best not to flinch at the closeness. Harry hated closeness. Closeness hurt, whether it was physical or emotional.

From behind the two goons, Blaise Zabini stood, smirking, followed by Pansy Parkinson. "Well, well, well. Draco Malfoy," he drawled, "Mixing with the famous, half-blood, muggle loving, chosen one, boy-who-lived." Zabini looked at Draco with extreme disgust. "The Malfoy name seems to be degrading more and more by the second. Even your idiot of a father will not be impressed. Day by day he works to get back on terms with the Dark Lord, my father tells me. And you? Well… let's just say good luck to the Malfoy family." He saluted at Draco sarcastically and before either of them could speak, Zabini and his crew left the compartment. Draco had stayed tense the whole time. He was now shaking slightly. Of fear or of anger, Harry did not know.

"Are you ok?" Harry asked carefully. Draco abruptly looked at Harry as though he hadn't realised he was there. Without answering Draco asked a question of his own. "Are you the Chosen One?" he said speaking rather fast. Harry was taken aback by the enquiry. He was not expecting it at all. The prophecy says that he indeed was, but could he trust Draco with this information? It was too early in time, he hadn't told even Ron or Hermione. No! Hermione and Ron were not his close friends any more. He was on his own now. And he should deal with the prophecy on his own.

Harry stuttered uncertainly. "Uh, well, uh…Why?" He finally said. Draco though seemed to have snapped out of his trance.

"It doesn't matter. We are going to miss a carriage so we better get moving." Harry nodded his head, relieved.

Harry hadn't caught on to the reason why Draco had acted so peculiarly and asked such a question out of the blue, but to Draco it was blatantly obvious. Draco believed that he had just narrowly escaped losing this new attachment.

Please give me review on what you think so far; it would be extremely helpful.