Chapter One: Identity

Harry sat in his dusty cupboard, a book from the school library in his arms. He bundled up his moldy sheet and angled his body so that the welts and bruises on his back pushed against the sheet instead of the hard wall. His arm had red marks where his uncle had grabbed him and held him in place while Dudley clobbered his pudgy fists into Harry's spindly frame. That had been the day after Vernon disciplined him with his belt.

Harry forced himself into the world of Oliver Twist, a boy who Harry could connect to on many levels. He didn't understand many of the words, but Harry read on, reminding himself that if his relatives caught him reading books he had stolen from the library, he would be chopped up and fried next to Dudley's bacon. Harry cried for Dicken's creation, especially when the boy was starved and beaten, forced to work like a slave. But the part that made Harry cry the most was the happy ending, when Rose Maylie turns out to be the long-lost sister of Oliver's mother Agnes and Oliver lives happily with Mr. Brownlow. He cried because he knew that was a future he would never have. He cried because there was no savior out there to save him, no answer to his desperate prayer, and no possibility making his dreams a reality.

Maybe there was someone out there who could help him? Maybe he had some semblance of family outside of these grey walls? Harry sighed; he had no one. He threw his book across the room angrily; happy endings and Harry Potter did not fit in the same sentence.

As he thought about it, doing his best to keep his mind of the throbbing pain in various parts of his underfed body, an interesting through scurried across him mind. Oliver ran away when he was nine and suffering under Mrs. Sowerberry. What if he did the same? Surely anything would be better than this miserable life in a closet? What if he did have family out there that were waiting for him to find them? Staying here in Privet Drive wasn't an option; one of these days, the abuse would get too bad and Harry wouldn't be able to survive. He began to formulate a plan in his mind.

The Dursley's went vacation every spring during Vernon's week-long break from work. All Harry had to do was appropriate Dudley's bicycle, take as much food as he could with him, and go to London. The Dursley's would probably lock him in the closet with a tin of vegetable soup, but that wasn't a problem. For some reason, Harry was able to pick locks just by fiddling with them with his fingers. He wasn't sure how, and he made sure not to do it when his uncle was there, but the fact of the matter was that he was just able to make it happen when he really needed it too. He was sure that he would be able to do it this time and hopefully never have to do it again. Maybe he could find a group of orphans like himself who would take him in. Even if he went to jail, it wouldn't be as bad as living with the Dursleys.

The fact that he was only five didn't matter; he just couldn't wait any longer. Plus, he could ride a bicycle, read, and write, all of which feats that his fat lump of a cousin couldn't even begin to do.

One week later, Harry was seated on Dudley's bicycle, the front basket filled with as much canned food as it could hold. He also had a few pounds which he filched from his aunt's purse. After a few hours of pedaling, he was exhausted, but he knew he had to reach the city. He kept pedaling until the sun set and he could pedal no more. He dragged his bike off of the road and hid under a bush. He would get some sleep and continue in the morning.

SSS why are you lying on top of my hole, foolish boy. It is not wise to parade in a snake's territory, especially a magical one! SSS

SSS Ahh! I'm sorry, please don't bite me. Wait, why can I hear you? SSS Harry said after jumping nearly five feet in the air.

A fairly large brown snake with red and black spots and stripes looked at him sharply. SSS You speak? I beg your forgiveness, Speaker of the Forked Tongue! I assumed you were a mere muggle. SSS

SSS A muggle? SSS

SSS Someone who cannot do magic. You are a wizard if you can speak to me, didn't you know? What is your name? SSS

SSS Harry Potter. But there's no such thing as wizards or magic. SSS

SSS HARRY POTTER! You're the slayer of the Liar! You are a legend among snakes, for you vanquished the wizard that was making everyone think snakes were evil hellspawns! I am honored to be in your presence. SSS

SSS But.., but I didn't vanquish any wizard! THERE"S NO SUCH THING AS MAGIC! SSS

SSS There is, young one, and I can sense that you are among the most powerful wizard out there. I am a magical breed of the European Asp Viper, you can call me Vasuki. I have two different types of poison, paralyzing and deadly. I can change the color of my scales, see? SSS True to his word, Vasuki turned faded into the darkness by turning his scales black. SSS But most importantly, I can sense auras. You have a raging aura of many colors. It would be an honor to be your familiar, if you would have me, that is. SSS

SSS That's really cool, Vasuki. What exactly is a familiar? SSS Harry asked.

SSS I would bind my power to yours. It is an ability only the most magical of serpents have. Right now you are still a child and I am considered a young adult in snake years. As you grow older, I will become larger, since you will become powerful. After the bonding you will also become slightly more powerful. I do not have much magic to give to you, but I can help you survive. I would swear to guard you with more loyalty than a mother snake guards her eggs. Many people think that snakes are evil, but in truth we are the guardians of nature; a force of the natural order of things. It is true that some serpents sided with the Liar, but the majority of us detest him. You already have cunning and knowledge, but I can give you more. Also, we would be able to speak telepathically if we were to bond. SSS

Harry looked at the snake, his face betraying his intrigue and excitement. Vasuki's proposal did sound very interesting… Harry wasn't sure if he was a wizard, but he could deny that he always felt… different to those near him. If he truly had this magic that Vasuki spoke of, then he would need to learn more about it. Vasuki said he could give him knowledge… SSS How do I bond with you? SSS

SSS Stay still. This will hurt, but it is necessary. I am going to bite you, but we will transfer our blood and power, not venom. SSS

SSS Umm… I'm not really sure… OWWW! MY ARM! SSS Harry screamed in parseltongue as the snake struck like lightning and stuck its huge fangs into his upper right arm.

SSS I'm sorry, master. It was necessary. Look, I have grown a foot already. Do you feel anything? SSS

SSS I feel tingly. And the mark isn't bleeding. SSS

SSS Yes, the pain will go away very soon. I don't suppose you have a wand? SSS

SSS No. I don't know anything about magic. I think I have done it a few times accidentally, but I'm not sure. Call me Harry, not master, if you wouldn't mind. SSS

SSS Yes, Harry. Come, we must take you to the Wizarding World. You do not belong here with Muggles. I only come here to dine on plump mice. I live in Knockturn Alley, in a pet shop. My keeper doesn't know that there is a hole in the back of the wall that I escape through. I only return because I have been searching for a wizard to bond with. Do you have a home? SSS

SSS No.SSS Harry replied sadly, looking downtrodden.

SSS We will find you one. From what I have gathered, you are famous among wizards as well as snakes. I am sure there are many rich, respectable wizards to take you in. Now sleep young Harry. Go to sleep…SSS Vasuki hissed softly, like a lullaby. He slowly coiled around Harry and stayed there until the morning.

Harry was back on his bicycle, his snake in the basket in front, hissing directions to this Knockturn Alley. In between directions, the snake started to impart his knowledge of the Wizarding World to Harry. Harry arrived in the shady alley and kept his eyes in front of him, not wanting to attract attention from the strange looking people that inhabited the series of shops and buildings.

SSS There is my pet shop, but we will not be going there. We will leave this alley and go to the Leaky Cauldron, a place I have visited a few times. You see, they had a rat problem… Anyway, the Leaky Cauldron is an Inn. You may not have coin, but being Harry Potter, and having a deadly snake by your side, should ensure that you get a meal and a bed. SSS

SSS How do you know so much? SSS Harry inquired

SSS Being a snake isn't easy, young one. We have to talk with each other and know where to go, where not to go, when we can be out in the open, when we must be in the shadows... We pick up many things, especially us magical snakes. For example, that man over there has a fairly large dark aura. From his gait, we can tell he is confident, yet he wished to remain unseen. He is most likely cutting a secret deal with some storeowner here. He is used to having money and he considers himself above many who inhabit this alley. SSS Vasuki nodded towards a tall man with elegant black robes and a cane with a silver cobra on the head. His hair was platinum blonde and a sneer was fixed on his face.

SSS Should we avoid him? SSS

SSS He is staring at us. I suppose you do look strange, a five year old in a bicycle with a snake in the basket. I sense malice in the man, yet not towards you. Let us speak mentally so he doesn't realize that you are a speaker. SSS

"Boy, that is a highly dangerous snake you have there! Do you wish to be bitten?" the tall man asked.

"No sir, he is my friend."

"Interesting." The man showed Harry his cane. "You see, I am fond of snakes myself. Although I cannot speak to them like you seem to be able to do. I must say I am quite envious."

Harry didn't know whether to be scared or reassured. Vasuki was telling him to keep talking, but Harry couldn't deny that the man looked scary.

"Are you a wizard? Of what family?"

"Y-yes. Harry Potter, Sir…"

"Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy." His gray eyes remained calm, but he was very intrigued. "The Potters… a noble line, older than Malfoys, I must admit. But tell me, why is it that a child of light family is here in Knockturn Alley speaking to snakes?"

"I have no family, Mr. Malfoy. I was searching for an orphanage…"

"The Boy Who Lived without a home? Merlin, come with me child. We must speak. I have a child your age. No boy of decent wizarding stock should be placed with filthy muggles!"

"Yeah… my relatives were Muggles and I ran away. You see they used to hurt me all the time…"

Lucius smiled inwardly, a plot forming in his mind. Draco was about to have a brother. "I am terribly sorry, Harry. I knew of your parents… I can tell you that they would be heartbroken and angry to know that you were placed against their will in a filthy Muggle home. They were quite good wizards," he said as kindly as he could.

"Really? Can you tell me about wizards?" Harry asked, his eyes wide open.

"Yes, I can teach you all about your place in the Wizarding World, Harry Potter. Come with me…"

Lucius apparated Harry to Malfoy Manor, asking his son to give Harry a tour of the grounds and make him feel at home.

As soon as the boys wandered off, Lucius beckoned Narcissa over. "Narcissa, you will not believe what happened!"

"What, did the sale not go well?"

"No, that boy…" Lucius pointed to the retreating figures. "Is Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived! He is an orphan, but if we play our cards right, we could adopt him!"

"Why would we want to reel in the Golden Boy?" Narcissa asked, raising her eyebrow. Since when was Lucius prone to acts of random kindness? "Have you forgotten that he is a Potter?"

"Cissa, I believe he is more than that. He speaks to snakes, for Merlin's sakes. He defeated a Dark Lord, freeing me from service! If we allow Dumbledore to raise him, he would become our enemy, but think, my wife, what if we raise him and teach him what it means to be a Pureblood! He will be powerful; what Parseltongue hasn't been? There was always rumors that Potters were the descendants of Gryffindor, but only descendants of Slytherin can speak to snakes, it is a known fact!"

Narcissa thought it over and a grin formed on her face. "Yes… he would be a good influence of Draco too. Evans, despite being a mudblood, was a prodigy at charms. I know you have been worried about Draco's lack of accidental magic. Perhaps Draco can learn from the boy."

"I'm glad you agree. We will show the boy the meaning of family, then we will go before the Wizengamot and gain custody. The Wizarding World won't know what hit them!" Lucius jabbered excitedly.

"Yes… I have always wanted another child. And Evans was… my friend at one point in time. Lucius, if you are sure about this, then I support you. What I don't want is for Dumbledore to raid our manor or something like that… You know that he will do everything in his power to take Harry away, right?"

"That won't be a problem. You just concentrate on mothering," Lucius said.

Meanwhile, Draco was telling Harry all about Voldemort and his fall.

"You mean, NO ONE else has ever lived? I mean, why am I so special?"

"Nobody knows, Harry. Nobody knows what even happened to you after…"

Harry's face darkened. "I was given to filthy Muggles."

"I'm terribly sorry. I hope you get to stay with us; it gets so lonely here. I mean, this place is so huge, but I have no one to play with. When we get older, we can learn magic together and play Quidditch," Draco said, his eyes lighting up.

"Yeah, I would love that. Your dad seems really cool. He liked Vasuki." Harry showed Draco his snake, figuring that if Draco's father liked the snake, Draco would too.

"AHHH!"

"No, no, it won't bite. It's my pet," Harry said reassuringly.

SSS Master, do not reveal the fact that you have a bond with me to anyone else. I am afraid your world frowns upon my kind. SSS

Harry apologized mentally while telling Draco an abridged version of Vasuki's past.

"I guess that is pretty cool. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody. Say, I bet you're going to be a Slytherin."

Harry's brow wrinkled in confusion.

"You know, as in Hogwarts?"

"Draco, I told you, I was raised by Muggles…" Harry reminded, a bit snappishly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. It's just that everyone is telling me who or what I am, but I don't know for myself."

Lucius entered the room and began to speak in a magestic, yet kind voice. "Ahh yes, I believe I can help there. You, Harry Potter, are the son of James Potter, a powerful wizard, and Lily Potter, a Mu…ggleborn student, who was liked by many for her brightness and kindness. The story that Draco told you about the Dark Lord is correct. You are a very powerful wizard, as I said earlier. I believe you may have the blood of a few famous, noble lines running through your blood."

"Th-thank you, I suppose," Harry stammered. "Are you sure…"

"Let me finish my explanation, Harry. Now, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the Britain's school for people like us. Unfortunately, Hogwarts's prestige and reputation has declined under the rule of its current headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. He… he brainwashed your parents into following his every footstep, and that eventually led to their downfall."

"Is Dumbledore evil, then?" Harry inquired.

"No… not at all. He is considered the champion of the light. However, his views are a bit… jaded. See, many wizards think that Muggles should not play a role in our society. I am sure that you agree, since you have suffered under the backwards ways of Muggles for five years. Albus Dumbledore, on the other hand, views Muggles as equals. The Dark Lord believes that all Muggles must be exterminated for Wizarding society to continue. They are both extremes, my boy. The only difference is that Dumbledore is seen as benevolent, whereas Voldemort is seen as evil incarnate. The fact of the matter is, Dumbledore manipulates good people like your parents and brainwashes Hogwarts students to think like he does. I believe he is the one responsible for placing you with the Muggles and dodging our rules about custody and wills. I am sure your parents would have wanted you to be placed in a proper Wizarding home," Lucius said gently, but forcefully, realizing that the last line would have a huge impact on the five-year-old's mind.

"You mean… it's his fault? I'm the son of two good magic users but this Dumbledore fellow placed me with those horrible people?" Harry asked, tears trickling down his face.

"I am afraid so, Harry. If only I, or another noble family, had been strong enough to stop Dumbledore's little games, you could have been saved from the Muggles. Alas, there are many fools in the Wizarding World, who are fooled by Dumbledore's grandfatherly appearance."

"And my parents…" Harry trailed off, not completely sure that he wanted to know the answer.

"Were indoctrinated by Dumbledore." Seeing that Harry didn't know the term, Lucius explained, "They were raised to believe there was only good and evil, and Dumbledore was good and You-Know-Who was evil. Dumbledore gave grand speeches of sacrifice and morals, of duty and the greater good. He made many people feel obligated to follow him on his crusade."

Draco decided to enter the conversation now. "Father thinks that Dumbledore is the worst thing that has ever happened to Hogwarts."

"Very true, Draco," Lucius said. "However, I am sure that you and my son will be able to accomplish great things in Hogwarts, as long as you act in such a manner befitting your lineage."

"But I don't know anything about my lineage…" Harry said worriedly.

"Who better to teach you that the Malfoys?" Lucius said smiling confidently. "Now, why don't you continue your tour of our grand manor…"

Harry was having the best day of his life. Malfoy Manor was so cool! His mind was quickly taken off of Dumbledore and this Dark Lord by the huge green fields that surrounded the large white mansion. The mansion's floors were made of white marble, some of which were covered by elegant rugs. Every room seemed to have some sort of statue, which Harry guessed were made from allibaster. From the outside, there were many flying buttresses and pillars. In the front lawn, there was a huge fountain. A granite figure, nearly twenty feet tall, was surrounded by snakes that had water gushing from their mouths.

"Come see the back, it's even cooler!" Draco said excitedly.

"Wow! There's lots of snake statues in your house," Harry jabbered excitedly. "Vasuki approves."

Draco chuckled. "We have always been Slytherins at Hogwarts. I bet you will too. Now, come on, I want to show you the Quidditch Pitch!"

"What's Quidditch? You mentioned it earlier, but I was so busy asking other questions…"

"Only the greatest sport ever! Mum won't me go on a broom yet, but dad says that if I make him proud, he will buy me the best broom out there!" They arrived at the large pitch and Draco pointed to the rings. "See those are the goals which the Chasers try o score through…"

Nearly thirty minutes later, Draco had finished explaining, but Harry was starting to worry. Everything seemed to good to be true. What if Draco's father were to send him back to the Dursleys? What if Dumbledore were to, as Mr. Malfoy had put it, interfere in another Wizard's affairs?

"Harry, are you listening?" Draco asked, waving his hand in front of Harry's face.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I was just thinking…"

"About what father said earlier?" Draco inquired.

"Yeah… he seems to like me, but… well, no one ever likes me and what if tomorrow I have to go back to the Muggles? I mean, I couldn't possibly stay here…"

"I'm not sure, but I think father wants to adopt you. I mean, I've always wanted a brother and I think Mum will like you…"

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, to be honest, I'm kinda jealous. You're obviously very famous and most likely powerful. Your family line must be almost as rich as mine."

"Please, don't be jealous, I don't want to be famous or anything…"

"I'm not, don't worry. I'm just saying, there's a lot to like about you. Plus, it will be cool to have someone to play with, don't you think?" Draco said.

"Yeah, it will. But I don't want to burden your parents…"

"Harry, we have sixteen extra large unused bedrooms. You won't be a burden. Oh look, there's Dobby. He's a silly little elf, but he is a good cook."

"An elf?" Harry asked incredulously.

"A house-elf. They serve wizards. C'mon, I'm starving, how about you?"

"Yeah me too…" Harry said, his stomach giving a growl.

"Hello, Harry, I'm Narcissa Malfoy. You have really impressed my husband! I must say, that isn't an easy task," said a woman with blonde hair and silver eyes. She was quite pretty, all though time has begun to add some faint wrinkles to her beauty.

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. I'm honored to be here with your family," Harry said politely.

"You are very polite," she stated. "And we are honored to have one with your fame in our home." She turned towards the scrawny elf and said, "Dobby, serve fill Harry's plate, he looks rather underfed."

"You have your mother's eyes." Narcissa stated with a smile.

"You knew her?"

"Yes, although we were not close. I was two years ahead of her, while Lucius was five years ahead of her. Still, I was saddened to hear of her passing."

Harry sighed sadly, but the aroma of the roast beef, gravy, potatoes, glazed vegetables, and buttered roll were assaulting his senses and reminding himself of the fact that he hadn't eaten a proper, full meal since… well, he had never had a full, well-rounded meal.

He began to eat with his best manners, using his fork and knife to cut the beef into bite sized pieces and putting no more into his mouth than he could chew in six chews. He knew from experience that doing anything wrong would earn him punishment.

"Draco, you must learn proper manners. Look at Harry," Lucius said smiling.

Albus Dumbledore entered Number Four Privet Drive and then did something he hadn't don't for years. He uttered an obscenity.

He was somewhat skilled in reading trails and tracks, so he was able to surmise that Harry had escaped from Privet Drive riding a Muggle contraption. The cupboard troubled him; he could sense very weak traces of magical residue around the doorknob. From the blanket and book on the floor, it would seem that Harry had been living in that cupboard. However, he had no time to ponder Harry's upbringing; his monitor of the blood wards had stated that the wards were down. The Dursleys and Harry could leave Privet Drive and leave the house empty without the wards collapsing, so that meant that Harry currently did not consider Privet Drive 'home'. Harry had to be found immediately.

Dumbledore cast a spell that would highlight the rubbery residue left behind by a bicycle. It was much less than that of a car, which allowed Albus to differentiate between Harry's bicycle and road cars. He followed the bicycle trail until he saw the bushes that had been ruffled and bent by Harry. The boy must have been here recently. He was most likely heading to Muggle London, Dumbledore guessed. Dumbledore asked Fawkes to run ahead and see where the trail ended while he took a rest and thought things over. Ten minutes later, Fawkes returned and took him to Knockturn Alley by flame travel.

Dumbledore's eyes flew wide open. "No… he can't have…" This was not good; not good at all. How on earth was Harry Potter able to get into the magical world? Dumbledore saw the bicycle on the side of the alleyway, and his worst fears were realized. Someone had found Harry Potter and possibly kidnapped him.

Dumbledore looked around and used a massive burst of Legilimency, a talent that only a few had, to pick up the stray thoughts of the people around him. He sifted through the many thoughts, frowning when he realized that many people around him, if given a bottle of Veritaserum, would find themselves in jail. He did get a few glimpses of a scrawny boy talking to a tall blonde man. Albus Dumbledore uttered another obscenity.

"Fawkes, please take me to the Ministry immediately!"

The next day, Lucius Malfoy had abruptly left his home and arrived at the Wizengamot. Dumbledore had somehow found out that Potter was in his home, and was now attempting to gain custody of the child. Lucius smirked; he was sure that he had a much stronger claim. Fudge, along with half of the Wizengamot, were dependent on his donations. He, the Head of the Malfoy family, could legitimately say that he was not trying to get custody of the boy for him vault. Also, having a child Harry's age would help him. However, the real weapon would be the fact that Dumbledore had placed Harry with despicable Muggles, without the legal right to do so. Lucius realized that if he played his cards right, this could damage the coot's "Muggle-Lover" Acts.

Lucius, being the influential man that he was, was able to get a peek at James and Lily's will. This was just too good! James had stated that Sirius Black was to be Harry's guardian and under no circumstances should Harry be placed with Lily's Muggle sister! Narcissa Black Malfoy would strengthen his claim!

Four Years Later

Harry and Draco, for their nine-year-old birthdays, were going to go with their father to Knockturn Alley to acquire wands! Draco's father had said that it was tradition for Malfoy's to get an early start on their studies, so that they arrived at Hogwarts, powerful enough to be independent of Dumbledore's goon squad. Narcissa had said she would teach them how about Potions and Charms, while Lucius would teach them how to duel magically.

Harry Potter was a happy, healthy child. He had messy black hair, glowing green eyes, and a scar rippling down his forehead. He had ridden his first broom the previous Christmas and discovered that he was a natural. He was very fast and had great reflexes. His surrogate mother had said that he was as elegant on a broom as he was on his feet.

Lucius and Narcissa had taken him in and raised him like a Pureblood, despite the fact that he had a Muggleborn mother. They never hesitated to scold, but they had never hit him. Harry didn't think he could ever repay them for their hospitality. They took care of him well, making sure he had the finest of clothes and even making sure Vasuki had a enclosed hunting ground filled with his two favorite dishes; speckled emerald frogs and white mice. Vasuki had grown to be nearly nine feet long, with huge fangs. However, Harry's serpent had the ability to magically change its size in addition to its color, so sometimes Harry would let it twist around his arm.

Draco quickly became Harry's best friend. They were both fast learners, and had similar thoughts concerning Muggles and the Wizarding World. Draco wanted to be a Chaser, while Harry aspired to be a Seeker on the Quidditch Pitch. Draco was an inch or two taller than Harry, but Harry was faster on his feet. When they were not playing games, they respectfully listened to their parents and learned about politics, pureblood customs, and other things that they would need to now.

Over the years, Harry had learned that he was indeed a figure worthy of respect. He had done a fair bit more accidental magic over the years that Draco, and he was praised for his accomplishments. Over the years he had become confident in his abilities and confident that he was worthy of living with a noble family such as the Malfoy's.

Narcissa Malfoy was around the house a lot more often than her husband. She found that she actually enjoyed mothering Harry and Draco, not that she was going soft or anything. She still punished them when the misbehaved, but it was hard to punish Harry, when he seemed to be thankful that he wasn't get beaten instead of sad that he was being punished. Harry had rubbed off very well on Draco, she had to admit. When they were five, Harry had taught her son to read. It was good for the two of them to have companionship at a young age. She couldn't help but to go down memory lane and think about a young Bellatrix and Andromeda Black. Now Andromeda had left the family and Bellatrix had turned into an insane killer. It was such a shame; they used to have such a good time as little girls.

Harry was a few months younger than Draco, but they had waited for Harry's nine-year-old birthday to start their training. Both of the boys came from powerful stock; they would both be powerful wizards eventually.

"Alright, Cissa, I am home. Are the boys ready?" Lucius called out.

"BOYS! I told you to be here five minutes ago!"

"Sorry Mum, Draco decided to jump into the fountain…"

"That's a lie! You--"

Lucius rolled his eyes and cast a Drying Charm on Draco. "Okay, now listen up you two. We are going to head to a… shady place in Knockturn Alley, that produces wands that are not monitored by the Ministry. You are not to speak to anyone. Harry, you are not to look at anyone; it would be disastrous if you were seen. I would conduct this business with you two at home, but you must be present for a wand to choose you." Lucius looked towards his wife. "What would be the best way to cover his scar? A Glamour Charm?"

"Well, if his hair was a bit longer, that wouldn't even be necessary. The problem with Glamour Charms is that many people can see through them, like Moody and Dumbledore. We could give Harry a potion to make his hair a bit longer — Oh my!"

Harry's hair was now getting into his eyes. "I can change the length of my hair, by the way. Is this okay?"

"You can? Can you change anything else?"

"Uh… is it not normal to be able to change the length of your hair?"

"Answer the question, boy…" Lucius said.

"Well, I've never tried, to be honest."

Master, you are most likely a Metamorphagus Vasuki explained.

"Honey, try to change your eyes to a greenish blue. Picture it in your head and just will it to happen," Narcissa commanded.

"Okay…" Harry followed the directions and guessed from Narcissa's squeal that he had succeeded.

"You're a natural Metamorphagus, Harry! That's really impressive. You see, I'm a Metamorphagus too! The gene runs in my family; my grandmother has it and so does my niece."

Harry voiced the question that she had been considering in her mind. "But where did I get it from?"

"I don't know… but Harry! That's amazing! You shouldn't tell anyone about it; keep it a secret for when you need it," she cautioned.

"Yeah, really cool Harry. Too bad I didn't inherit it…" Draco muttered.

"Now Draco, it is not becoming to wallow in self pity. The trait may develop for later," his dad said. "Now we really must be going, I have arranged with Mr. Sendrake to "close" his store so that no one sees us."

They traveled by Floo directly to The Volatile Vender, a store that was known for it's dangerous potion ingredients. However, the basement of the store was connected to the basement of Borgin and Burke's and harbored Terrible Twigs, Mr. Sendrake's undergroud wand shop.

The area was dank and musty, but Harry followed Lucius without complaint. He saw large boxes filled with various types of wands.

"Good day, Mr. Sendrake. You know why I am here, so let us get started. I assure you that I have brought ample payment for the transaction," Lucius said quietly but firmly.

Sendrake nodded and shoved a wand into Draco's hand. After two failed wands, Draco produced green and silver sparks with a one that Mr. Sendrake said was made from Blackthorn and a heartstring from a Scythian Steelwing.

Harry on the hand, had no such luck. Mr. Sendrake, after trying nine wands on Harry, had given up and told the boy the just try wands from himself. Harry was getting embarrassed and was about to suggest that they just forget about it when Vasuki had an idea.

Harry, often times wizards who have familiars create their own wands from the familiar

That's a good idea. So we would use your heartstring? Harry joked.

Funny. No, I would donate a fragment of my venomous fang. It should make a powerful wand. Do not worry; it will regrow. Consider it repayment for the time I bit you.

Okay, that sounds like a good idea. Thanks, Vasuki, I owe you one.

"My familiar will provide the core," Harry stated. Vasuki shot from his sleeve and transformed into his full size. Harry asked his snake how exactly he wanted to do this, but Vasuki broke his own fang, which Harry picked up. "I would recommend using gloves, Mr. Sendrake."

"Yes… what wood would you like… this is highly unusual…"

Harry asked Vasuki for ideas, and Vasuki suggested wood from a Dogwood.

"Sir, do you have any wood from a Dogwood?" Harry asked.

"No, although I can get my hands on it if you need. If you come back in about a week, I can have it ready. Mind you, this will be expensive…" Sendrake trailed off.

"No matter," Lucius stated, gathering himself and standing tall. "Come, boys."

"My snake says it was very painful to break his fang and regrow it. He says he will bite your head off if you fail in your task," Harry warned.

Lucius smirked. He was proud of his surrogate son's charisma.

Draco and Harry quickly found that getting older meant spending less time playing games. Every afternoon they had to read books about various subjects. After dinner, they would get Potions lessons from Mrs. Malfoy or work on a charm or simple spell. Lucius told them that after he had won the court case four years ago, he had hired a team of goblin architects to construct defenses that would keep anyone from entering or monitoring the activities that transpired in the Manor. With the new wands, the Ministry or Dumbledore would have no idea that underage magic was happening.

During the week where Harry didn't have his wand, they spent extra time reading and making potions. Harry felt bad about this, so he taught Draco how to open locks with his fingers. Draco's wandless unlocking was a bit weaker than Harry's, but it was an interesting ability nonetheless.

Harry was very pleased with his wand when he got it. It felt natural to use it and he found that practicing first-year charms and transfiguration became his favorite parts of the day. Some spells were very hard, but it helps to have two experienced adults with them.

The two boys received a special treat during October when Lucius Malfoy taught them the Flipendo Spell. Harry and Draco ran around the Manor, casting it at each other as if they were Aurors. More times than not, the spell would miss and collide with the walls or statues, which Dobby had charmed to be impervious to minor spells. Narcissa was a bit uneasy about having the two boys running about the marble house, but Lucius reassured her, saying that it would be good practice and that Dobby would keep them safe or suffer the consequences.

Draco didn't like Transfiguration very much, due to the fact that it was mostly theory and boring stuff, but Harry countered that Potions was all boring stuff and Draco liked it.

"Well, I don't really like Potions, I just have to be good at it because my godfather is the Hogwarts Potions Master. Anyway, Transfiguration is just changing stupid things into stupider things, like changing mice into stupid goblets and turning a needle into a feather! Why is that important?" Draco said, rolling his eyes.

"Think about it, if I were to transfigure you silver necklace into a needle pointing inwards, you would be dead. Plus, I read ahead and saw that some people who are really good at Transfiguration can become Animagi! Although it says you have to wait until after O.W.L.s…" Harry said.

Draco seemed to think it over and nod. "Well, I for one, cannot wait to learn some serious stuff that dad knows. But he says were too young…"

"Well, if you learn your Transfiguration better, maybe he will change his mind…"

"I could say the same about your Potions skills," Draco commented with a smirk.

Harry rolled his eyes. " Touché."

"Hey, what do you think we will get for Christmas this year?"

"Hmm… your parents have done so much for me, I don't really need one. But some books would be cool. Not boring ones like these, but you know, some books about cool stuff," Harry remarked.

"You're a nerd."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm just smart!"

"…okay… okay, Mr. bookworm," Draco drawled.

"Hey, I just read to learn how to do stuff! You weren't complaining when I figured out the Eavesdropping Charm, if I remember correctly," Harry said victoriously.

"Eavesdropping Charm? Harry, us purebloods do not eavesdrop," Lucius Malfoy said condescendingly.

"I'm sorry. We didn't hear anything…"

"Us purebloods happen to be in the right place at the right time," he commented with a wink.

Draco grinned. "Father, don't you think that Harry is a nerd?"

"Yes–"

"Ha!" Draco exclaimed.

"However, that is not a bad thing. I daresay that in a duel Harry would win," Lucius said. "It is always good to know more than your opponent, as long as time spent learning would not be better spent elsewhere. Right now, you are to immature magically to practice anything other than first and possibly second year magic, but you are old enough to understand more complicated spells."

Harry gave Draco a smirk.

Draco was not to be defeated so easily. "I suppose you are right father. Come Harry, let's get started on the Babbling Beverage… oh wait, I forgot, you still haven't completed the Hair-Raising Potion."

By their next birthday, they had finished learning all of the spells in their first year curriculum. It sure was nice to be a pureblood, Harry mused. Muggle-borns and less fortunate half-blood would most likely not have a drop of magical training, not to mention a vault full of wizarding gold and a palace. When he arrived at Hogwarts, he would be able to get good grades without doing much work because he had already done the work! Sure it could get a little tedious, but from what Harry had been told about some of the predatory figures out there, the training would be useful. He would not be indoctrinated by anyone! He hated Voldemort for killing his parents, but in all honesty, half of the blame lay on Dumbledore's shoulders. Dumbledore had suckered them on to his side, but when they were in need of his protection, he obviously came up short. Harry wanted to be his own faction eventually, somewhere in between Dumbledore, the Ministry, and Voldemort, and independent of the two.

Lucius said that when he turned eleven, they would go to Gringotts and see Harry's financial status. Harry knew he was supposedly very rich, but Lucius said that there may be some problems accessing his vault. Either way, Harry couldn't wait; perhaps he would learn something about his parents.

For now he had a year to fill with Quidditch, magical training, and reading with his best friend, Draco Malfoy, and his bloodthirsty, sarcastic, but loyal serpent. He also learned many things from the Malfoy patriarch and matriarch, like how to walk properly, swish his robes, debate in a calculating, calm manner, and always act with pride and confidence. He learned a lot about various pureblood families, both of neutral, dark, and light alignment. Lucius Malfoy had quite a few nasty words to say about the Weasleys. Harry was forced to thwack Draco alongside the head when Draco jokingly asked his father to arrange a Marriage Contract between the Weasley's youngest daughter and Harry. Draco turned pale when his father revealed that two families had already approached him and tried to marry a daughter to Draco. Luckily for Draco, his father had denied, but he reminded Draco that during his years of Hogwarts, if he were unable to find a suitable, respectable woman that would produce strong Malfoy heirs, his old man would have to intervene.

Harry gulped along with Draco.

!&$&#&$&$&$&$&#!$$&

A/N: Coming up next: Harry and Draco go to Diagon Alley and meet a few other kids their age. Then the train ride, an interaction with Ron and Hermione, the sorting, and an interaction with the Snape.

Please review and tell me what you think!

If you just HATE Draco, then please don't stop reading. Harry will eventually be a good influence on him, and you should give him a chance. He will be rude and obnoxious for a while, but I argue that he has the potential to be a better friend than Ron. Ron is arguably just as brainwashed and he is riddled with jealousy throughout the first four books, and still a bit jealous in the fifth and sixth. Draco will not be jealous of Harry's money or power, since they are like brothers. They may have their petty moments, but Draco will be a good friend to a grey Harry as Ron was to a light Harry.

If you were wondering why I skipped the court case, it was because I am no lawyer, and it would just sound like something pulled from S'TarKan's NoFP case, except with the Malfoy's winning. In future interactions with Dumbledore, the topic of the trial may come up, and you may learn more. Also, keep in mind that Harry did not need to be present for his fate to be decided. This says something about the Wizarding World's attitude towards children, does it not?

Other ships? I've been thinking about doing an eventual Dramione, (Dr/Hr). That will be a nice way to eventually tone down Draco's hatred of Muggles, and I think it would make a hot couple. I'm taking suggestions on ships for both Harry and Draco, but I will not do HPDM slash.

That being said, this story won't be "shippy" until Harry and Draco grow up some more, so nothing right now is concrete. My other story, Savior in the Shadows, features H/G, R/Hr, N/Lu, Re/T all happening fairly early in the story and progressing faster, so if you want a more standard story, with Malfoy being a Death Eater, I point you in that direction.

Also another thing that I want to point out is that, as you can see, Lucius and Narcissa are not abusing Harry or treating him like a house-elf. There is no evidence that Lucius whipped Draco or beat him, so I will assume that he was strict, but not abusive or sadistic. They spoiled him, sure, but honestly, Harry deserves a bit of spoiling after living with the Dursleys. And in the seventh book, it is revealed that they truly do love their son. They may have been opportunistic and manipulative when they took Harry under their wing, but the way I see it, after five years, they consider him family. Narcissa isn't Bellatrix. I believe it is highly plausible that she has come to genuinely care for Harry. Sure, they are raising him to think a certain way, something that is very dangerous to do to a child, but I prefer a confident Harry to a fresh out of Privet Drive Harry. Being raised to dislike Gryffindors is no worse than being raised to dislike Slytherins.

If you were wondering, Vasuki is the Sanskrit name for naga, serpent-guards in Buddhist and Hindu mythology. He is a great King of the nagas and has a gem (Nagamani) on his head. Vasuki is known in Chinese and Japanese mythology as being one of the "eight Great Naga Kings".

In the Bhagavad-Gitas, Krishna, a master of disguise himself, noted that Vasuki is skilled in illusions, which is why I gave him the ability to change his size and shape.

In Buddhist mythology, Vasuki and the other Naga Kings were amongst the audiences of many of the Buddha's sermons. Their duties as Naga Kings included leading the protection, worship and honoring of the Buddha (amongst the Naga) and also to see that other enlightened beings are protected when in danger.

Basically, I chose the name Vasuki because Harry's snake is different than Nagini (derived from Hindi, nágin, female cobra). Vasuki is Harry's guardian and teacher in many ways, not a tool or lesser, and not an evil creature like serpents are thought to be. (Which was why I didn't choose a name derived from the bible). Vasuki is portrayed in mythology, in my opinion, as an accurate representation of what people like Ron don't realize about the Slytherin house. Sure, Vasuki is cunning, deadly, and powerful, but not evil. Slytherins are not a bunch of back-stabbers.

Okay, I'm done with my notes. I really would be interested to know what you think about this Harry, even if you don't like it.

Thanks