The day before the trial had to be the longest one in Harry's life. With his friends walking on egg shells around him, the adults being far too careful not to talk about anything worth anything around him, and Malfoy trying oh so carefully to prove himself, it was with no surprise when Harry retreated to the highest and farthest room in the house. He took two doses of the Wizard's Rain (that had been hidden in his trunk after he made it) with him. He wondered why Snape had never noticed the alcohol in his trunk, and figured it must have been sheer luck.
After closing the door, he poured one dose, setting the other aside. Sipping at the dosage, and contemplating the following day's Trial, he didn't notice as Malfoy entered the room. So it was with a start that he heard his nemesis' voice behind him saying "Thought I would find you here Potter." Harry turned sharply, glaring at the blond. Malfoy held up his hands in a peaceful gesture. He said softly "I can understand your point of view, you know. Finding your worst school enemy hiding in your godfather's house. I think I would have reacted the same way if I was sent to stay at Professor Snape's house instead of Grimmauld Place."
Harry blinked with surprise at this mini-speech. He said in a strained voice "So, does that..?" He hesitated, unable to finish the sentence. Malfoy did it for him "Make the Professor my God-father? Yes, it does. Not that it matters where the Dark Lord is concerned. He'd try to convert me no matter what connections I have." Harry sighed, and sat down. He offered the other dose of Wizard's Rain to Malfoy, stating "It's good to numb things." The other boy nodded his thanks, accepting the drink. They pretty much sat there companionably, drinking the magical moonshine.
When they finished, they stood a bit shakily. Nodding to each other, they left and went their separate ways. Though neither said it, both knew that at least part of their enmity was erased and a clean foundation was put down. What they were unaware of, though, was that foundation would prove essential for their very survival in the coming year. Indeed all and sundry would never suspect that the two who had been enemies for the longest time would soon come to depend on each other.
***
"You've got to be kidding me, Albus!" snarled Severus. He glared at his mentor with all the force he possessed. This, of course, had absolutely no effect on the Headmaster, who just sat there serenely. As his Potions Master continued to rage, Albus couldn't help but smile at himself. When Severus stopped his angry tirade, and glared at him, Albus simply stated "Would you trust anyone else? If not, how can you expect her not to do the same?"
Severus snarled softly, and muttered "I still don't see why it has to be me who should sit as witness." Whatever Albus might have said, however, would be for nothing as Severus gripped his left arm convulsively. Nodding at the Headmaster, he walked out so he could Apperate. As he went, he transformed his clothes into his Death-Eater robes, and slipped on the silver mask. Then it was just a simple matter of Apperating to the Dark Lord.
***
Harry tossed and turned in silence as his sleep was interrupted by a vision.
~The scene was one of chaos as each of the Death-Eaters fell to the ground twitching. He was not happy. After each of his followers had felt his wrath, he hissed "I cannot stand failure! Bring forth Lucius!" A man, unmasked, was dragged forward. It was apparent to all that he had been exposed to his Master's tender mercies for a good while before the rest were Summoned. After the two who were dragging him dropped them at his feet, he nudged the prostrate man with a toe. His voice was colder than ice as he spoke "The house was empty, Lucius claims. Signs that the Order had been there first. I don't care if Albus himself had been there, you failed to capture one hostage!"Lucius trembled before the anger that was rolling of him. He shook even more as the voice grew even softer and more deadly "I might have excused you for Failure. But you also refuse to bring forth your son to be marked. This is traitorous, Lucius. However, your life is still worth something as bait, so I won't kill you yet. Get this piece of trash out of my sight, and put him in the Dungeons!" As his followers did as they were bid, he returned to his throne-like seat. He ordered reports, falling once more into a groove that he enjoyed very well.~
Harry sat up panting, feeling the blood drain from his face. He bit back a whimper as his scar throbbed from the blasted vision. Checking the clock, he saw it was a mere fifteen minutes from sun-up. Deciding to get ready for the Trial, he got out of bed. It took him a little over twenty minutes to prepare for the day, and as the sun started to shine on the block outside he was in the kitchen making himself breakfast. Oddly, no one else seemed to be up, though if the snoring from the living room could be trusted, he suspected that Sirius had stayed up as long as he was able.
It was as he was near the end of his bowl of cereal that the house seemed to come alive. Mrs. Weasley smiled gently at him, and straightened his black and gold shirt as much as he'd let her. Sirius gave him a hug as he entered, murmuring "Everything will be fine, Harry. You're in the right, they can't deny that." Harry sipped at a cup of coffee, trying to calm his nerves. Despite what everyone said about things going right that day, he couldn't help but worry. He was surprised to see Remus enter the kitchen a mere ten minutes before he and Mr. Weasley planned to leave. Remus smiled at him, saying "I'll be escorting Mr. Malfoy to Diagon Alley today, while Arthur will do so after your Trial."
That presented Harry a puzzle, and he was still concentrating on it even after he'd said good-bye to his friends and headed off to the Ministry of Magic for the Trial. Arthur smirked slightly, and thanked Remus mentally for distracting the child so he wouldn't worry. He hoped everything would turn out alright, but Harry didn't need to worry as it would only make him fumble-tongued. It was in silence that they got on the Underground to head to the Ministry that early morning.