A Family Forged

For disclaimer see chapter 1

Chapter 2 – Moving forward

"I can honestly say, I never go looking for the difficult way," said a chagrinned Harry. "As I told Hermione and Ron, I'll explain everything this evening or tomorrow. It will depend on how long things take with the Headmaster."

The ten-minute warning blew and everyone began getting ready to disembark in Hogsmeade. Harry gently woke Draco and with a wave of his hand redressed them both. Blaise returned the compartment to its original configuration.

Draco still groggy snuggled into Neville as Harry gathered their things. Blaise took charge of the luggage as the train came to a halt. The group waited until most of the passengers had left before getting off.

Pansy and Blaise along with Vince and Greg went ahead to secure a carriage. The other girls had gone to collect their own luggage.

Harry wrapped a protective arm around Draco as Neville followed behind. Rumor had run rampant about the things that had taken place in their compartment. The air was rife with speculation as the Ice Prince and the Golden Boy were spotted, wrapped around one another. Harry ignored the comments of traitor and death eater lover that he heard. Seven long years of having every move documented and commented on had numbed him to what others thought.

A flash of red came streaking at them and Harry braced for impact turning to protect Draco from a direct hit. The curse was a particularly nasty one that he recognized.

Neville was furious that someone would harm the duo. Quickly erecting a shield for protection he fired off a tracking charm combined with a binding spell that found the person responsible.

Professors McGonagal and Flitwick arrived to find the three behind a protective group from the various houses.

"Harry, Neville what happened here?" demanded the elderly witch and their head of house.

Ginny was the one to answer as Harry and Neville were trying to calm a once more hysterical Draco. "Professor, they were attacked while crossing to the carriages."

Neville looked over and snarled, "The guilty party is somewhere over there in a full body bind."

"Professor, the Slytherins did something to Harry," cried Ron, " he's letting Malfoy maul him."

Harry's head snapped up in anger. "Ron I've already told you I would explain. No one has done anything to me that I didn't allow."

"But Harry," Hermione whined trying to reason with him, "this isn't like you. You hate Malfoy. You can't want him hanging all over you."

Raising his voice, to ensure that he was heard, by all present Harry snarled protectively. "I've told you I would explain later. Everyone should get one thing very clear Draco is mine and is off limits. Anyone who harms him will answer to me."

Neville let out a growl of jealousy as Harry claimed Draco, and was very confused by the feeling.

"B-b-but he's a slimy little ferret," stuttered Ron.

"Mister Weasley, that will be enough," ordered McGonagal. "We will straighten this out after the sorting ceremony in the Headmasters office. Now everyone get to the castle.

The carriage magically resized to accommodate the group as they entered and sat. Draco still refused to turn loose of Harry and was once more ensconced in his lap. Neville placed himself between the duo and the rest of the group. Vince, Greg and Blaise sat facing them. Pansy made herself at home in Blaise's lap as Luna, Susan and Ginny entered pulling a blushing Colin Creevey in as well. Luna and Susan claimed Vince and Greg as Ginny pushed Colin down next to Neville and sat in his lap.

Harry assured that Draco was safe, turned to study the new comers. Raising an eyebrow he asked "Gin, is there something you need to share or someone I should threaten for you?"

In a move that had the others laughing, Ginny rolled her eyes and replied in a long suffering voice "Harry, I love you like a brother, stay out of my love life."

"Ginny, love, I'm only concerned that you are stealing my very cute stalker," Harry's voice was infused with syrupy concern while he leered at a blushing Colin. "I would hate for you to distract him from following my every move."

"Hands off Harry," Ginny warned, laughter ripe in her voice, "find someone else to add to your harem."

Draco who was beginning to recover only heard the words not the intent, tried to pull away from Harry, betrayal and hurt stark on his face. Harry realized in an instant that his banter had been misunderstood. Holding on tight he refused to let go.

"Dray, I was only teasing. I love them and I'm not going anywhere else. I take my vows seriously. Just look at those two over there. Ginny and Colin are in love with each other and no one can deny they make an attractive couple," Harry explained.

Draco finally took a good long look to the side. "You're right, they are cute. Ginny's the one that you told me about, right?"

"Yes, she is. What do you think? Do you want a little sister," asked Harry.

"I think, the two of you should ask the person in question," said a testy Ginny. "I'm not sure I want another brother, unless he will help me prank Ron."

"Well she has good taste at least," Draco said with a small grin, "and I like the red hair, it contrasts nicely with ours. I say we keep her." He then leaned over and hugged the startled witch.

"Harry, you have some major explaining in your future," Ginny warned as the carriages arrived at Hogwarts.

Stepping from the carriage, the girls all ensured that the group looked impeccable as they brushed wrinkles out of robes and fixed hair.

On the ground, Harry turned and looked at Draco, "Dray, I need for you to be the Ice Prince for a short while. After this mess is over we can tell Luc, about your mother."

Everyone was impressed as Draco pulled the cold façade into place hiding his emotional state from prying eyes. The Malfoy sneer was in evidence as he stepped out of Harry's personal space. "As you wish. Come Pansy, lets take our seats, Vince, Greg the doors," came the haughty orders.

The rest moved to their respective tables and took seats, waiting for the sorting and feast to begin. Conversations ranged from what people did over the summer to speculation as to who the newest victim was that would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts to what was going on with Harry and Draco.

Seamus and Dean sat across from Harry, who was flanked by Neville and Ginny. "Well Harry, can you tell us who Dumbledore hired this year," inquired Seamus "or if you will be teaching the DA again?"

"I haven't spoken to the Headmaster since I left school last year," Harry said, "but I guarantee that like every year some will hate him and some will love him, and I will most likely spend a great deal of time with him."

"That's not fair you know who was hired," complained Dean, "tell me please I've got a bet riding on this."

Harry laughed at their antics, "I was sworn to secrecy, but here is a hint or two. He is well known and extremely competent in the subject."

"Oh Merlin!" Groaned someone further down the table, "Please, tell me it's not Snape."

"No, he is still our Potions Master," Harry replied.

Everyone quieted as the Professors entered and took their seats. An explosion of sound occurred when the students saw who was sitting in the seat that traditionally belonged to the Defense Professor. Seated beside the feared Potions Master, was none other than the aristocratic Lucius Malfoy. The two men were complete opposites. Severus Snape, Potions Master, was dark haired and dressed in sever black at all times. His personality, if one could call it that was harsh and sarcastic at its best. Lucius Malfoy had the same silver blond hair that Draco did. His striking features made him an extremely attractive man. Lucius was sophisticated, witty and a member of high society. Dressed in icy blue he was the antithesis of Snape. Despite their differences both men wore an air of command and put off signals that kept others from approaching them. People seated to either side of the pair unconsciously edged as far away as they could. Only the most observant would note that the two were continuously encroaching on the others personal space.