Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to J K Rowling.

Chapter 9 - Down By the Lake

A soft breeze blew Harry's gold and black hair about, whipping it into his face and briefly obscuring his vision. He looked through the strands of the dark hair, his gaze sweeping over the bank of the Black Lake. He was the first there; he discovered and took a seat under a nearby tree to relax while he waited. It was nearly noon and lunch was probably being served in the Great Hall. The time travelers had agreed that they should host a picnic with their new friends and Harry had been the one to retrieve a basket of food from the Kitchen. The house-elves had undoubtedly been helpful. He smiled at the thought of Hermione reprimanding him for abusing the poor things.

"And what are you smiling about?" He opened his eyes, which he hadn't realized he'd closed in the first place.

"Draco, you're early," Harry stated crisply. He still hadn't fully adjusted to being on speaking terms with the