Author Notes

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim any rights to Harry Potter. All of it belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Obviously this is a new fanfic. There will be eventual Drarry action, so beware! This is an AU, beginning just after the end of book five.

I'll be trying to update this as much as possible, but I do have a newborn now (!) so forgive me if I don't update as often as you'd wish.

I welcome all feedback, so please don't be shy.

# Chapter One: Saving the Broken

Harry was still in disbelief. Sirius was gone. And according to Nearly Headless Nick, he wasn't coming back as a ghost. Harry would never see him again.

Ron and Hermione had tried to comfort him, but Harry just wanted to be alone. He sighed as he stepped out into a courtyard at Hogwarts. In a few minutes the carriages would be arriving and he would be on his way back to the Dursleys' for the summer holidays. He wouldn't even have a stay at the Burrow to look forward to these holidays, because the Weasley's were all going to visit Charlie in Romania, and Hermione was going to Italy with her family. Harry wouldn't see either of them until they met at Kings Cross Station for the new school year.

Harry sat on a bench and contemplated his lonely summer. Hopefully the Dursleys would be too busy to pay him too much attention this year.

'Hey, Potter,' said a voice. Harry squinted up into the sunlight and saw the person he least expected to see right then. Draco Malfoy.

'Malfoy. I'm really not in the mood for your bullshit right now, so just kindly bugger off would you?' he growled, reaching for his wand.

'I just wanted to say, I was sorry to hear about your godfather.' said Malfoy softly.

'What?' replied Harry, nearly dropping his wand in disbelief.

'I said I was sorry. Sirius Black, he was your godfather, correct? I heard Mother mention it to Father once. I know you didn't know him that well, what with him being in Azkaban for so many years, but once he was out you spent time with him. It can't be easy, loosing him so soon.'

'No, it isn't,' said Harry softly. 'Especially knowing that it was your aunt who killed him.'

'That woman is not my family,' snapped Draco. 'I mean, yes, we're related by blood, but that's it. I hate the woman, and I want nothing to do with her or any of them.'

Before Harry could ask what Draco meant, they were interrupted by a shout from Ron.

'Hey you! Get away from Harry!' Ron had his wand out and was pointing it at Draco menacingly. 'I'm warning you, back off right now or else!'

'Ron!' yelled Harry, jumping up. 'I'm fine, Malfoy and I are just talking. Give me a minute here, okay?'

'What? Harry, are you bonkers? It's Malfoy!' growled Ron. 'The git is gonna get it, just let me at him.'

'Ron, enough! Just go!'

'But mate-'

'Go! I'll meet you at the carriages.'

'Come on Ron,' said Hermione, coming up behind him and tugging on his shirt. 'Harry knows what he's doing, let's go and wait for him.' She smiled encouragingly at Harry, then at Draco.

'Malfoy, don't do anything stupid. Harry, we'll see you at the carriages soon. Come on already Ron.'

Ron allowed himself to be dragged away by Hermione, but not before glaring at Draco one last time. Harry sighed, and turned back to Draco.

'Sorry about that,' he said to Draco. 'What were you saying?'

'I was just saying that I want nothing to do with my family and their crazy beliefs. I was hoping we could start over maybe? Try to be friends?'

'I'd like that,' said Harry. 'We could write to each other these holidays, how's that sound?'

'That sounds good. I'd better get going, I have some final things to discuss with Professor Severus before the carriages leave. Talk to you soon Potter.'

It was late at night when Draco's eagle owl returned with a letter clutched in his claws. For some reason, Harry never replied to his letters at a reasonable hour. Draco assumed he was just busy doing typical muggle things with his family, playing board games and the like. He stroked his owl before removing the letter and giving him a treat.

'Let's see what you're up to now, Potter,' muttered Draco as he opened the letter and began to read.

Draco,

How are things in the magical world? I miss it terribly. Life here is quiet and dull. I've been doing some chores for the local pet shop in exchange for mice for Hedwig. Just cleaning and sorting, that sort of thing. They like that they don't have to pay me for it, and the Dursleys are happy to have me out of the house for a few hours each day.

Can you send me another newspaper by any chance? Muggle papers are so boring, none of the pictures move and the articles are all so mundane.

How did the last potion go? Did it turn out like you hypothesized? I was thinking, maybe if you substituted mandrake root for the licorice root it would be stronger. What do you think?

Hope to hear from you soon,

Harry.

Why was Harry working in a pet store for mice for his owl? Mused Draco as he began to write a reply. Can't that owl hunt for herself? And why did Harry never send her over with his letters? Maybe he didn't want his precious white owl to dirty herself with association to the Malfoy Manor. Well, little did Harry know that Draco no longer lived at the mansion.

Draco still found it incredible how easily Potter had become Harry. Suddenly, he put down his quill. It was late. Instead of writing another letter, he would go and visit Harry tomorrow. They could discuss Draco's latest potion in person, and maybe go get lunch in Diagon Alley like normal friends before shopping for their school supplies. After all, term would begin in a couple of weeks.

The next morning, Draco dressed in muggle clothes and caught the Knight Bus to Little Whinging. He walked down the streets until he came to Private Drive. He paused and looked around at the fancy houses with their neat yards. Muggles, he thought. Only muggles would think plastic flamingos and fake gnomes look sophisticated.

Draco came to number 4 and walked up the drive. He knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before the door was opened and a large, purple faced man glared at him.

'What do you want?' he grunted at Draco.

'Hello sir, I was wondering if Harry was home?' said Draco politely, despite the man's attitude. This must Harry's Uncle Vernon.

'How do you know the boy?' snapped Vernon, his face slowly turning from purple to red.

'We're, friends, from school,' stumbled Draco, he hadn't actually said it out loud before. 'I was hoping to, um, hang out with Harry today.'

'Get out of here and never let me see your face again!' roared Vernon, slamming the door in Draco's stunned face.

Draco stood there for a second in shocked silence, and was about to bang on the door and demand answers when he heard Vernon yelling at someone in the house.

'Boy! Get down here! What is wrong with you? How dare you give this address out to freaks from your school? What have I told you about keeping your school life separate from ours?'

Vernon stormed his way upstairs and into Harry's room. Draco heard his thumping footsteps from outside and then the sound of a door slamming open. There was a faint sound of someone who sounded like they were trying to defend themselves, then silence. Draco hesitated, then walked back down the drive and across the road to a park where he sat and waited.

An hour or so later, the three Dursleys left the house dressed for dinner. Draco waited until their car had rounded the corner and was out of sight before heading back to the house. He knocked on the door again but there was no reply. He knew Harry was inside because he hadn't left with his family. Draco headed around the back and into the yard. He snorted at the manicured garden with it's stone gnomes that looked like fat little Santas and looked up at the house. He was intrigued by one window in particular, the one with the bars over it. No other windows had bars across them. Draco looked around for muggles, and not seeing anyone pulled out his wand and muttered a levitation spell. He gently floated himself up to the window and peered inside.

Draco saw a small, sparse room with a bed, a wardrobe, and a wonky desk. The door had a cat-flap in it for some reason, and then, on the floor, he saw Harry. Draco gasped and nearly fell to the ground in shock. Harry's glasses were askew on his face and his left arm was bent at an odd angle. Draco banged on the window and called Harry's name but Harry didn't stir. The owl on his desk did, and that was when Draco saw the padlock on her cage. Draco dropped to the ground and ran to the back door. He jabbed at the door and snapped the alohomora charm, wrenched the now unlocked door open and ran inside and up the stairs. He found the door with the cat-flap and was shocked at all the locks that ran down the side of it. He once again snapped the alohomora charm and slammed the door open, dropping to Harry's side.

'Enervate!' he gasped, pointing his wand at Harry. Harry moaned and slowly opened his eyes. He groaned in pain and then noticed Draco.

'Draco!' he gasped, 'What are you doing here? You can't be here, you need to leave now!'

'I'm not going anywhere,' said Draco, 'Not until you tell me what the hell happened to you, and why your room looks like a prison cell. What is going on Harry?'

'I don't want to talk about it,' mumbled Harry. He straightened his glasses with his right hand, wincing as he tried to move his left arm.

'Don't move you idiot,' snapped Draco. 'Your arm is broken, and you were knocked out. I want answers and I want them now.'

Harry gasped again as he tried to sit up. He grabbed his side with his unbroken arm and Draco realized his ribs were cracked or even broken.

'Where's the bathroom?' he asked, 'I'll get some bandages to wrap your ribs before I take you to a hospital.'

'No hospitals!' gasped Harry frantically. 'Promise me Draco! No hospitals!'

'What is wrong with you? Of course you need a hospital, you idiot. Now for the last time, what the hell happened to you?'

'I can't,' muttered Harry, looking away. 'Draco, you need to leave before they find you here. It'll be bad for both of us if they do.'

'You mean your family,' said Draco, kneeling back in shock. 'Your family did this to you. Why? How often does this happen? Tell me everything Harry, right now.'

'It's always been like this,' Harry finally admitted. 'Ever since Dumbledore dropped me off here as a baby when my parents died, I've never been welcome or wanted. The last five years, since I've been going to Hogwarts, it's been better. I'm not here most of the year, I have friends and people who care about me. But over the summer holidays, when I'm back here, this is my life. I stay in this room unless I'm sent out to do the shopping or gardening or to work in the pet shop for mice for Hedwig. I'm not allowed to let her out because Uncle Vernon doesn't want me contacting my friends from school. That's why I only ever replied to your letters with your owl when he came at night.' Harry looked away from Draco and at Hedwig. 'I'm sorry girl, you know I want to let you out, but I can't.' Hedwig hooted softly at Harry.

'Well,' said Draco. 'I can help with that at least.'

'What do you mean?' asked Harry, but Draco had already magically opened Hedwig's cage and lifted her out. She stretched her wings and flew to Harry's shoulder, nipping at his ear affectionately.

'Draco, you shouldn't have, but thank you. Wait, you used magic outside of school! you're going to get into so much trouble!'

'No, I'm not,' replied Draco smugly. 'I'm a fully emancipated young wizard now, I can do magic unsupervised. How do you think I got in here in the first place?'

'Fully emancipated? How did you do that? And what about your family?'

'I told you, I want nothing to do with them or their beliefs. As far as I'm concerned, they're no longer my family.' Said Draco. 'Professor Severus helped me with this last year, before school ended. I'm totally free now, but I do still need to finish school. Now come on, I need bandages for your ribs and then we need to get you out of here.'

'Where am I supposed to go?' asked Harry. 'Ron and his family are in Romania, and Hermione is in Italy. School doesn't start back for a few more weeks.'

'You can stay with me. I have my own small apartment until school starts up again. It's not much but anything is better than staying here.'

'Are you sure? I can stay with you? Draco, that would be amazing, but Dumbledore wouldn't let me.'

'Dumbledore? What's he got to do with anything?' asked Draco.

'Dumbledore decides where I stay over the holidays,' explained Harry. 'He usually let's me spend the last week of the holidays with the Weasleys at their place, The Burrow, but I haven't heard from him yet.'

'Does he know what life is like for you here?'

'I think so, but I don't know. I can send Hedwig to him and ask now if you want.'

'Screw him,' snapped Draco. 'I've seen you when you arrive back at Hogwarts each year, you're always so skinny and sometimes you have bruises that I always shrugged off, but it's obvious that your family starves and abuses you here, anyone can see that. And for Dumbledore to allow this to happen, especially to the 'chosen one', that's just sick. Once I get you out of here we're going to contact Severus and get him to help you get emancipated. That way you'll be like me, never having to answer to your family or even Dumbledore again. Now, bandages, and then your trunk. Now, Potter.'

'Don't start calling me 'Potter' again,' muttered Harry. 'If you lift up the rug in the right hand corner, there's a loose floor board under which you'll find a first aid kit. There should be bandages in there.'

Draco lifted the rug and floorboard and found the first aid kit, along with a wooden box Harry also asked for. Harry held it close as Draco carefully helped him into a sitting position and wrapped his ribs with the bandage. Draco then opened the wardrobe and found a scarf, which he used to fashion a sling for Harry's arm. He had to gently shoo Hedwig off Harry's shoulder before affixing the sling to Harry.

Harry then told Draco where to find his trunk, and Draco left to go get it from under the stairs while Harry slowly gathered the rest of his paltry belongings.

'Did you re-lock the cupboard door?' asked Harry when Draco returned.

'Sure did. I'd love to see you family's faces when they return and find you gone, with your trunk missing and the doors all locked up tight.'

'You'd probably be waiting a couple of days,' muttered Harry, packing his things into the trunk and helping Draco to close it.

'Right, let's get you out of here,' said Draco, levitating Harry's trunk and placing Hedwig's cage on top. Together, he and Harry left the room, Harry watching as Draco re-locked all the locks and then they left the house.

'How are we getting to your place?' asked Harry as they stood on the street. He was terrified that the Dursleys would be back before he could escape.

'We'll take the Knight Bus. You know it, right?'

'Yeah, I've used it before in third year,' said Harry with a grimace. 'That will be fun with my ribs.'

'Sorry,' said Draco softly, 'but it's our only option right now.'

'Let's just get it over with,' said Harry, signalling for the Knight Bus which appeared from no where with a slam of the brakes.

'Welcome chaps to the Knight Bus,' grinned Stan Shunpike. 'How ya going there Harry? Been a while, hasn't it? What happened to your arm?' Stan glared at Draco, as if blaming him for Harry's injuries.

'Um, I, well,' Harry stumbled for a reply.

'Oh go on Potter,' drawled Draco. 'Just admit that you fell off your broom earlier. No need to hide the fact.'

Harry looked at Draco and smiled in relief. That was a good excuse for his injuries.

Stan tsked at the thought of the great Harry Potter falling off his broom but sold the two boys two tickets to Diagon Alley, where Draco's apartment was. Harry sent Hedwig flying ahead instead of forcing her back into her cage and making her endure the bus. They shuffled onto the Knight Bus and settled down for the bumpy ride.

When they finally arrived at Diagon Alley, Harry nearly cried with relief. He wished he could have passed out from the pain, but at the same time was proud of himself for not doing so in front of Draco and Stan. Together, he and Draco departed the bus and Harry followed Draco through the Leaky Cauldron and down the streets of Diagon Alley until they got to his apartment.

It was a small, modest building, fairly new. Draco nodded a greeting to the doorman and ushered Harry inside. They took the elevator up to the third floor and Draco opened the door to number 7.

'Welcome,' he said, levitating Harry's trunk inside. 'You can have the second room to the left of the bathroom. Mine is the one to the right. Sorry we have to share a bathroom, but it's just a small apartment to get me through the holidays. I'll be giving it up when we go back to Hogwarts, and I'll find another for next holidays. Go get yourself settled, I'm going to owl Severus, since you still refuse to go to a hospital. No arguments Potter.'

'Don't call me Potter. Thanks, Draco, I really appreciate this.' Harry followed his trunk into the room Draco had indicated. It was indeed small, but no smaller than his room at the Dursleys' had been. Hedwig was waiting for him on top of the wardrobe. She hooted at him as if to say 'about time you got here', and settled her head under her wing for a nap. Harry smiled at the sight. No matter where he went, so long as he had Hedwig, he felt happy.

He sat on the bed and began to unpack his trunk, first pulling out the wooden box Draco had retrieved from under the floorboard. It held his most precious possessions, including the photo album of his parents that Hagrid had given him. Harry opened it to his favourite photo, the one of his parents dancing in a park, and set it upon on the bedside table. He was about to unpack more when there was a knock at the door.

'I'll get it,' called Draco. 'It's probably Severus, so come on out to the lounge Harry.'

Harry walked into the lounge in time to see Professor Severus enter the apartment.

'Thank you for coming Severus,' Draco was saying. 'We could really use your help.'

'Of course,' said Severus, removing his cloak and hanging it behind the door. 'Although this is an odd pairing, you and Potter.'

'He prefers Harry,' said Draco.

'Hello Professor,' said Harry. 'Thank you for coming, although I'm not sure why Draco asked you to come.'

'Harry,' said Severus, looking him over. 'Draco asked me to come and help you as I helped him last year. But first things first, let's get those injuries seen to, shall we?'

Severus took out his wand and gently removed the scarf sling from Harry's arm. He tsked and asked Harry how it had happened. Harry looked away as Draco answered.

'His uncle beat him, I assume because I came to visit. When they left I found Harry unconscious in his room, his arm broken and his ribs too.'

'Your ribs are also broken?' asked Severus incredulously.

Harry lifted his shirt in response, showing Severus the bandages Draco had wrapped around him.

'Does Dumbledore know about this?' asked Severus, performing a series of charms on Harry's arm to mend the bone.

'He does,' muttered Harry, 'But he says there's nothing he can do, that I have to return to the Dursleys' each year.'

'That's batshit,' said Draco angrily, watching as Harry moved his arm under Severus's careful eye. 'No one should be left in a position like that.'

'You're right there Draco,' said Severus. 'Now let's take care of those ribs. This might be easier if you stand Pott-sorry, Harry. I apologize for the pain.'

'I'm used to it,' muttered Harry.

Severus performed more charms on Harry's ribs, and once they were healed he ordered Harry to sit down while Draco made them all some tea.

'Just because you're bones are now healed doesn't mean you're as good as new,' he cautioned Harry. 'You need to rest and regain your some body fat as well. I assume your family starves you like this each summer?'

'Yes,' replied Harry, taking the tea and plate of biscuits Draco offered him. 'That's why I love the welcome feast so much each year, it's the first time in weeks I can eat my fill.'

Draco was in shock. He had always assumed Harry was just greedy at the feasts, the way he filled his plate again and again. He silently vowed to make sure that Harry got more than enough to eat while he stayed with him.

'Now then, on to some more pressing issues,' said Severus once he had finished his tea. 'I bought the papers, we just need to go over them before signing, make sure you understand everything.'

'Sorry Professor, but what papers?' asked Harry, reaching for another biscuit. Draco quietly got up and retrieved more from the kitchen.

'Your emancipation papers of course,' said Severus in surprise. 'Didn't Draco tell you?'

'He told me he was emancipated, but I didn't think I could be, no one has ever mentioned it to me before.'

'Probably because they wanted to keep you under their control,' muttered Draco.

'Shush Draco,' admonished Severus. 'Although that is probably true. Now, here's what you need to know Harry. As an emancipated but underage wizard, you will still need to finish your schooling, and have a full wizard vouch for you as I do for Draco. If you're okay with it, I will also do so for you. What this means is that I agree to make sure that you are attending your studies with due diligence, and that you can look after yourself. If you fail in your studies or in looking after yourself, you will be remanded into my care as a foster child. Do you understand this?'

'I do,' said Harry. 'And thank you for offering. I don't know who else I could have asked who would have agreed.'

'Alright then, now, you do know how to look after yourself, yes? You can cook and spend money wisely and act like an adult?'

'I can.'

'Very well then. If you just sign here, then I'll sign, and you're good to go.'

'It's that easy?' asked Harry incredulously. 'I don't have to go to court and have adults argue over whether or not I can look after myself or whatever?'

'In the muggle world you would,' said Draco. 'But in the wizarding world, we understand that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances which require quick action. Severus is a member of the Magical Children Protection Agency, MCPA for short, and as such he is legally allowed to make this kind of decision based upon individual cases.'

'Harry, if you would sign here.' Said Severus again. He handed Harry the paperwork and nodded in silent approval as Harry carefully read everything over before signing. 'Excellent,' he said, taking the signed papers back from Harry. 'I'll submit these to the MCPA. Congratulations Mr Potter. You are now a fully emancipated wizard. Please don't tell anyone though, we want to keep this from certain people for as long as possible.'

'But I can tell Ron and Hermione, right? We tell each other everything.'

'As long as Mr Weasley and Miss Granger don't tell anyone else, it should be fine, yes.'

'I'm guessing Severus doesn't want this getting back to You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters, and Dumbledore too.' Mused Draco as he sipped his tea.

'That would be correct Draco,' replied Severus. 'Now, I must be off. I'll see you both at the start of term. Speaking of which, Harry. Now that you're emancipated, you have the choice of remaining in your current dorm, or sharing a student apartment with Draco. I'll leave it with you for now, but I will expect an answer before the welcome feast.'

'Yes sir, thank you.' Said Harry, still a little dazed at how quickly everything had happened. He was also worn out from the healing spells and his current malnourished state.

After Severus had left, Draco sent Harry to bed, telling him he would wake him for dinner. 'You need to rest Harry, regain your strength before school starts up again. If you're up for it, we can go shopping tomorrow.'

'That sounds like fun,' said Harry, who even after five years in the wizarding world was still fascinated by everything magical. 'And Draco, thanks again.' Harry entered his room and closed the door before Draco could reply.

'You're welcome, Harry.' Draco said softly to the closed door. He sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. He had thought his life was hard before becoming emancipated, but it was nothing compared to what Harry had been through. But Draco also knew that if he had of stayed where he was, he could have been in Harry's position, or at least one very similar.