Chapter 2:

Draco arched an eyebrow at his former nemesis. "You want a whole introduction on how to become a proper pureblood heir?"

"Yes," Harry replied firmly. "I think that if I use some political influence, I can make more of a change. I mean look at me right now. I am in danger every single year I am at Hogwarts. First year I had to fend off Quirrell and save the stone. Second year, I killed the basilisk that was petrifying everybody. Third year. . ." Harry trailed off.

"What about third year?" Draco asked with a knowing glint in his stormy eyes.

Harry studied him closely with narrowed eyes. "You already know what. . . or should I say who I am talking about, don't you?" Harry accused.

He merely smirked. "Yeah, my father told me how serious the situation was." Suddenly the grin slipped off his face. "But it was wrong that he was imprisoned for being an innocent man. The purebloods who were Death Eaters didn't want to speak up about for a couple reasons. One, they really wouldn't gain anything for fighting for him. Two, it got one of the best fighters of the resistance out of the way."

So much for his godfather being a secret. Harry smiled grimly. "Figures. See, this is one reason why I need to be taught all these traditions. I want to free him and finally get the family I never had." He said the last bit so quietly that Draco and Daphne could barely hear him.

Daphne laid a hand on his arm. "Don't worry. I am sure with the right evidence and the right people participating in his trail, Sirius will get emancipated."

He gave her a small smile. "Thanks Daph."

Draco cleared his throat and interrupted the awkward silence that had ensued. "Right, so meet both of us library after classes are finished today. I'll bring a bunch of the books my tutors gave me when I was growing up and Daphne and I will give you the basics today. It might take a while before you can be a perfect pureblood heir, because I know that basically everyone in Slytherin was taught from a really young age. I also advise you to contact Gringotts so you are aware of all your assets and rights as the last living member of the Potter family. Make sure you have a good account manager as well and they can arrange a portkey for you to meet them. That way no one gets suspicious of how many letters are being sent, because no offence Potter, but you never really get that much mail, and when you do, it's almost always from that midget owl the Weasel's have."

Harry didn't even bother correcting Draco on the way he had said their name. As far as he knew, he was never going to go back to the Burrow. He was just done with they way Ron had treated him. He did feel a little guilty about how he was going to treat the other members of the family, especially Mr and Mrs. Weasley, when they had been nothing but kind to him. Whatever. What's done was done and he would never welcome Ron back with open arms ever again.

Daphne squeezed his hand reassuringly under the table. "Don't worry," she said softly. "Everything will turn out ok."

"Yeah, I know. I just want my life to settle down." He sighed and when he realized he only had thirty minutes to get to Charms that he had with Ravenclaw, he got up from the bench, and turned to leave, Draco and Daphne following suit.

"Let's meet right after Care of Magical Creatures," Harry suggested.

Daphne wrinkled her nose. "I don't take that class and it's not because of that giant. Imagine walking on the grass and there could be stuff on the ground and those slimy nasty creatures!" She shuddered. The two boys exchanged amused expressions, unbeknownst to her. "You know, Harry, I always wondered why you take Divination. I mean I know Hagrid is your friend and that's why you take CoMC, but Divination is complete rubbish. I mean even Granger walked out of that class. You should take something else. Ancient Runes and/or Arithmancy might help you later in the future. I know some of the more advanced spells require some knowledge of one or both of these classes. I can even help you catch up on all the material that we learned in third year. We honestly just kept reviewing the basics a lot last year."

Draco agreed. "I mean I take Care of Magical Creatures because I have heard Arithmancy is really hard, but I do take Ancient Runes. I think I might even take Arithmancy as well. Father's really been pushing me to do it." Draco made a face at he uttered the last sentence.

Harry frowned. "Yeah. I'll make sure to talk to McGonagall. I am sure it will help me in the future. You know, I did leave half an hour early so I should be able to change it now and and still make it to Charms on time."

With that, the new allies split up, two headed towards the History of Magic, the other former lion towards his Head of House.

o0o0o0o0

Harry walked into his favorite professor's classroom and found her waiting on the desk in her animagus form. He smirked as he recalled everyone's astonishment in first year when she had shifted back.

He approached the grey cat. "Professor?"

Professor McGonagall lept of the desk and stood before him in her usual form. "Is there something you need, Mr. Potter?" She looked at him sternly over her glasses.

"Can I change my schedule? I no longer want to take Divination, but would like to keep Care of Magical Creatures."

She looked at him curiously. "What would you like to take instead of Divination?"

"I was thinking of taking Ancient Runes and Arithmancy." When seeing her narrowed eyes and open mouth ready to ask a question, he hastily added, "Daphne has already said she would help me catch up on everything I missed last year, and if it turns out to be more than I can handle, I'll change it to something else."

She nodded. "Alright, Mr. Potter. I can do that." She looked at him sternly. "This however does not give you any sort of excuse and I only expect the best from my lions."

Harry's expression soured. "I don't think the rest of the house thinks of me as a lion anymore, Professor. I don't know if you have heard-"

"Oh, I heard everything about what happened last night." Her voice was hard. Upon seeing his shoulders slump, she added, "It does not change my view of you in any way, shape, or form, Harry. I still consider you to be one of my lions even if the rest of Gryffindor doesn't," in the gentlest voice she could muster.

He furiously scrubbed away the unexpected tears that had formed in his eyes. "Thank you, Professor."

She nodded tightly and blinked rather rapidly at his open display of vulnerability. "I'll have your schedule done by this evening and will give it to you at dinner, Mr. Potter."

Harry gave her a genuine and walked away with newfound respect for his teacher.

o0o0o0o0

The day seemed to be better than the young Potter expected. Of course he had been shunned by the everyone except the Slytherins. Harry realized that if Draco had welcomed him into his House, the rest of Slytherin would follow suit. They had even taken to helping him in sticky situations. While on his way to Herbology, a couple of older Gryffindors he didn't know had ambushed him and used "Petrificus Totalus" on him before he could even get his wand out of his pocket. Luckily, three Slytherins had rounded the corner at the exact same time they were about to use nastier hexes. They had quickly taken care of the older lions and helped him. They even escorted him to Herbology to make sure he wasn't cornered and defenseless again. Harry now realized they kept up a facade for the rest of the school, but inside they were sweet little dolls. Ok, maybe they weren't warm and fuzzy, but they definitely looked out for one another.

Finally the bell rang, signalling the end of class and Harry and Draco were gone. They arrived at the library and took a table in a small, secluded alcove.

Draco was explaining table manners and talk, when Daphne came.

"Oh, yes. Table manners. Did you already talk about which utensils you have to use for specific dishes?"

"Yes," Draco replied. "I walked him through all of that. He picked it up rather quickly, so I think we should move onto the manners of speaking and subtle hints and such. That will help him can teach him etiquette and dancing another day. That's more of your forte anyway."

Daphne nodded and turned to Harry. "Ok, so Slytherins are known for being cunning and sneaky. You learn how to not show any emotions or give away too many details so that your foes can't exploit your weaknesses. There are many ways to give people a message to your allies without the potential enemies standing by you knowing. For example, ladies use their fans to say something to the other young heiresses so that the men and others who are not aware of the code could merely think that's the way we wield our fans. I know I have done this with my mother several times. For example, tapping a closed fan on your wrist lightly can indicate to another person that it is time to leave the conversation or to retire from the event. This is just for girls and such. Gentlemen have a bit of a harder time trying to subtly deliver a message because it's harder. They have to word their ways in such a way that won't alarm anyone they don't like, but will still convey their ideas to their allies. Unfortunately, this can't be taught. You'll have to observe and practice and soon you'll be able to do this. Just remember one thing. Everything," Daphne said, "everything said in Slytherin almost always has a hidden message or double meaning to it. So always watch your back. Your enemies will always strike when you least expect them to, so its always important to guard yourself and your mind." At Harry's questioning eyebrow, she said, "We'll talk about Occlumency later."

When Harry nodded, Draco interrupted the tense and gloomy atmosphere by procuring a thick tome from his bag and dropping them on the table. "This will go more in depth about everything we just mentioned. It also talks about a lot of other stuff, so until we explain it to you, you can just read the first few chapters."

"Ok, I'll be sure to read it tonight as soon we are done working on homework and after I write a letter to Gringotts. That way we can meet again tomorrow."

They nodded and began to do their homework. Harry found that if he actually concentrated, he could get his work done rather quickly. Although his increased concentration and willingness to do work also stemmed from his newfound drive and the relaxed, pleasant atmosphere. He didn't have to listen to Ron bemoaning about how unfair the Professors were, or listen to Hermione's badgering and bossy tone. He decided this was his best work yet and vowed to never sit with his former friends again.

o0o0o0o0

Harry returned to Gryffindor tower just before curfew started and went up to his dormitory, ignoring all the filthy looks that were tossed his way. As soon as he opened the door to the room he shared with the boys in his year, all conversation ceased. Ron turned an interesting shade of red and opened his mouth. Before Ron could make his ears bleed even more, Harry went to his bed, drew the curtains, and whispered, "Silencio."

Harry quickly withdrew parchment and quills before writing the long overdue letter to the prestigious bank.

Dear whomever it may concern,

Due to shifting alliances, it has come to my attention that as an heir to an Ancient and Most Noble House, I should be aware of my current assets. I ask that I please be sent a document that lists all the funds in any vault the Potters should have. I understand that I will have to come to Gringotts in person to access or withdraw any funds from the vault that I own. I also request that I be sent a list of anything else I should have inherited from my deceased parents. After much thinking, I have reasonable suspicion to say that I think someone may be withholding knowledge or artifacts from me. Please let me know at your earliest convenience. May your gold always flow.

Sincerely,
Harry James Potter of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter

Satisfied with how the letter turned out, Harry set it on the nightstand with hopes that he would be able to send it with Hedwig tomorrow. He did his assigned reading and quickly got ready for bed. For the first time in months, the young boy fell asleep with a smile on his face.