Chapter 3

Severus was feeling distraught as he collapsed into his desk chair. The Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff first-year class had finished and he now had a break before his other classes, so he decided to reflect upon these past few days.

'Why does he have to be just like his mother?' Severus asked himself leaning his head upon his hand in thought as he thought of the boy-who-lived.

It would be too easy for him to hate Harry Potter. Harry Potter the boy-who-killed-his-lord, or Harry Potter the son-of-his-mortal-enemy.

'It seems the only things he inherited from James Potter was his hair, eyesight, and last name.' Severus continued his thoughts, 'everything else reminds me of Lily.'

As easy as it would be for Severus to hate him, he found that this was not the case. The boy had a rough childhood, much like his own, and Severus could tell that the boy only wanted to belong somewhere and had desperate need of approval. Severus had seen as much during the class period.

Severus now turned his thoughts to one particular headmaster.

'What were you thinking placing Potter with those people?' Severus thought frustratingly.

'How could he not know they treated him badly? You were supposed to be monitoring the boy,' Severus continued.

'Wait...How could he not know,' Severus asked himself cautiously.

'How could 'The Great Albus Dumbledore' not know something so trivial.' Severus asked himself once more as he lifted his head from his hand.

Severus finally knew the answer to that question...Albus knew the whole time.

Severus made the decision that he would be keeping a much closer eye on the boy-who-lived especially if his suspicions were true, but to do so Severus would need some help. Severus now sat for a few moments more pondering who to ask. Lucius was fat too busy working on the outside in the ministry; no, Severus would need someone on the inside, preferably another professor.

'That's it!' Severus thought finally rising from his chair.

He knew just who to ask as he left the classroom. It was so simple; the person to ask was the one who had agreed with him since the beginning of the year...


Lunch had gone by with no consequence. In reality, Harry couldn't even remember what he ate, for he was far too excited to think about food.

He now found himself along with some of the Slytherin first-years all seated in the common room listening to Draco's plan.

"So, you can see why I've called you all here," Draco said having explained Harry's situation and need for the lessons, "I need you all so we can help Harry become a proper wizard."

Harry noticed that the five Slytherins Draco was speaking to had pained expressions on their faces, but quickly nodded in earnest to Draco's plan.

This made Harry somewhat happy; here were five people who had shown compassion for him, and who sincerely wanted to help him.

"Good, I've already decided on how we'll split up," Draco said, "we shall split up into three groups, and we'll have the lessons every day after our regular classes."

"Daphne and Millicent, it will be your jobs to go over wizarding etiquette," Draco said to the two girls on the right hand side of the leather sofa.

"Blaise, Pansy," The blonde boy began as he acknowledged his friends, "I would like you both to go over wizarding culture and tradition with Harry."

The two people named smiled and nodded in unison to the request.

"And finally, Theodore," Draco said turning his head to the tall brunette boy on the left hand side, "You and I shall go over current wizarding events and politics with Harry."

"Alright," the tall brunette confirmed smirking towards Draco.

"Now that we all know the plan, let's split up and think of our lesson plans," Draco said rising from his chair that was across from the sofa.

"Umm... Draco?" Millicent called out halting the blonde-haired boy's movement, "I think me and Daphne are ready to go."

"Very well," Draco said contently.

"Good luck Harry," he called out smiling at the brunette boy who was still seated at the sofa.

Draco, Theodore, Pansy, and Blaise had all split off into their pairs and left the common room.

Now it was just Harry, Millicent, and Daphne in the common room.

Harry really hadn't had a chance to speak to these girls too much. This was really the first time he had to actually look at both girls in detail.

Daphne Greengrass had light blonde hair and sea green eyes. Harry noted she was the tallest out of all the first-year Slytherin girls. She also had high cheekbones and a rather pale complexion like porcelain.

Millicent Bulstrode had deep brown eyes that matched her hair. She was about Harry's height and had slightly tanned skin.

"Alright Harry," Daphne began in a rather high voice, "Proper etiquette is extremely important. It shows the world that we are well-mannered and can set an example for others to follow."

"So, your first lesson will be about posture," Millicent said joining the conversation with a large book in hand.

Harry spent the next hour trying to walk around the common room while balancing a book on his head. It had taken him almost twenty minutes for him to stand still with the book let alone walk with it.

Daphne and Millicent were very patient with him, and did not discourage him at all. They praised him and encourage him throughout the entire lesson, and as a result, at the end of the hour Harry could successfully navigate the common room.

"That's perfect Harry!" Millicent exclaimed as she praised the brunette boy.

"Your doing so well!" Daphne's high voice chimed in.

Hearing those words caused the brunette to blush crimson as he finished the final lap around the common room.

"Well that's all for today," Daphne said removing the book from the brunette's head, "We'll move onto the next lesson tomorrow."

"Good luck in your next lesson," Millicent said as she and Daphne left the common room.

As if on cue Blaise and Pansy entered the room and both took seats in the chairs across the sofa. Harry quickly sat across from them and waited patiently for the next lesson to start.

"These lessons will focus on all old traditions wizards believe in and practice," Blaise began to explain carefully.

"Today we'll focus on all the old holiday's wizards celebrate," Pansy said elaborating on Blaise's statement.

"Our closest holiday is in October, and it is called Samhain," Blaise started his lecture.

"This holiday celebrates death and life, for this is the time when the border between the two worlds is its thinnest," Blaise continued.

Harry soaked up all the information the pair gave him during this lesson; He had learned about all eight holidays and their significance in the wizarding world in great detail. Before he knew it this lesson had come to an end and now the last two people were standing before him.

Draco and Theodore had entered as soon as Blaise and Pansy left and took up a similar seating arrangement.

"So, Harry how have your lessons been today?" the blonde-haired boy asked curiously.

"They've been great Draco! I feel like I have learned so much already," Harry responded happily.

"That's good; now its time to learn about the inner workings of wizard politics," Draco said smiling towards the brunette boy.

"We'll first talk about the government, and how it functions," Theodore explained.

"The highest position is the Minister for Magick. He is the man who passes the laws in our government and deals with most of the day-to-day problems. He is elected by the House of Lords, which contains members from all the old wizarding families of Britain," Theodore stated.

"There were originally forty Lords, but now only a little over half remain because many of the old families have died out," Theodore continued.

"Some of those family names include my family, Malfoy, Theodore's family, Nott, then Greengrass, Goyle, Crabbe, Black, Crouch, and even Potter," Malfoy said picking up the lecture, "but you have to be at least sixteen before you can claim the title."

"So, my family is considered an old family?" Harry asked the pair curiously.

"Of course, the Potters have been around just as long as mine and Draco's families," Theodore answered the inquisitive boy's question.

"That's so cool; I would love to learn more about my family history," Harry said wishfully.

"Well then, you'll have to come by Malfoy Manor sometime because we have books on every family in our library," Draco said confidently.

"Really, that would be great!...oh wait, I would have any way to get there," Harry finished dejectedly.

"Harry don't worry about that, we're friends, my father will come get you whenever you want to come over, and you're welcome anytime," Draco said reassuring his friend.

"Thanks, Draco," Harry said smiling.

"Look at how quickly time flies," Theodore said suddenly, "our hour's already up, so we'll have to continue our discussion tomorrow."

Harry and Draco bid Theodore farewell and returned to their dormitory room to work on their homework for their previous classes.

Over the next couple of days Harry's life continued in this cycle of events: First breakfast, then classes, followed by lunch, and then private lessons, and finally dinner.

He had grown closer and closer to the rest of the Slytherins, and now he considered all of the first-years his friends.

He had learned many things over the past couple of days: how to dress properly, how to act in public, wizarding laws, the wizarding game Quidditch, and the different departments in the Ministry.

It was now his fourth day of school, and Harry had just finished his dinner when a note appeared on his empty plate.

Harry quickly read the contents.

Harry, my boy, I would like you to come visit me in my office after dinner.

-Headmaster Dumbledore

P.S. The password for the gargoyle is 'lemon drop'.

"What could he possibly want to see me for?" Harry asked aloud in confusion.

"What's the matter?" the blonde-haired boy who sat next to him asked.

Harry quickly handed the note under the table to the Draco who quickly scanned its contents.

"This can't be good," Draco commented sighing in frustration.

"What should I do Draco?" Harry asked worried seeing the blonde's expression.

"Well you have to go, so the best you can do is prepare for it," Draco finally said.

"Listen carefully," Draco started facing his brunette friend, "Don't eat or drink anything he offers, and don't look him in the eyes because he can read your mind that way."

Harry quickly nodded and could only wait in anticipation until dinner was over.

As Harry began to leave, Draco called out once more.

"Good luck Harry, you can do this," Draco called out as he left the table with the rest of the Slytherins.

This was just the confidence booster Harry needed to be able to handle this situation well.

Harry had passed by the staircase that led to the headmaster's office, but had never climbed them until now. He said the password to the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance, and he began to climb the spiral staircase.

He knocked on the large wooden door an waited for a response.

"Come in, come in," a jolly voice sounded behind the door.

Harry cautiously opened the door and entered the headmaster's office.

He looked around the cluttered office and saw all sorts of things. The large circular room had all the old headmaster's portraits hung around the room. There were strange devices quietly moving around emitting puffs of smoke on occasion.

At the center of the room was a large ornate wooden desk with a grand wing-back style chair. In this chair was the headmaster himself, Albus Dumbledore, smiling gently at the brunette boy.

"Ah, Harry, how nice of you to join me," the old wizard started kindly, "please come, sit down."

Harry shuffled his feet towards the open chair across from the desk, all the while keeping his eyes off the old wizard,

"Would you care for some tea, or perhaps some pastries?" the headmaster asked motioning his hand toward the silver trolley next to him.

"Oh, no thank you, headmaster," Harry said responding in kind.

"Please, help yourself, I insist, they are quite delicious," the old wizard said twinkling his eyes.

"I couldn't possibly, I am still full from dinner," Harry quickly retorted.

"Ah, well, no harm then," the old wizard said as he forced a chuckle.

"So, Harry how do you like the school so far?" the wizard continued.

"I really enjoy it here," Harry truthfully answered.

"That's good, and are you making friends?" the headmaster continued the questioning.

"Yes, I have made quite a few," Harry assured not elaborating at all.

Harry was sure something was off with this man; he thought the smiles the old man gave him seemed fake.

"You know Harry," the old wizard started dropping his tone of voice, " I heard you were in a bit of a tussle with your friend the other day..."

"What are talking about headmaster?" Harry asked in confusion.

"You know, your friend, Ronald; he told me all about it," He continued disappointment in his voice.

"Umm... I don't know who you're talking about," Harry answered still confused.

"Your friend, from the train, Ronald Weasley," the headmaster finally offered.

'Oh, I see now,' Harry thought to himself, 'Well I can play this game too.'

Harry brought his hand to his chin and squinted his eyes as if in deep concentration; after several minutes Harry finally responded.

"No, you must have me mistaken with someone else headmaster," Harry began as he shook his head, "I don't know anyone by that name let a lone a friend."

Harry immediately noticed as Dumbledore clenched his jaw and his hands.

"Oh, my mistake then," Dumbledore said tightly trying to laugh it off.

"Headmaster, if that's all I really have to go now, for I have homework to do," Harry said trying to bring the meeting to a close.

"Of course, my boy," Dumbledore said suddenly smiling once more, "I just want you to know you can come to me anytime if you have a problem."

Harry made some non-committal sound in response and quickly rose from his chair.

Harry couldn't have left that room any quicker. Harry left the spiral staircase and quickly went down to the dungeons and into the common room.

He headed straight for his dorm where he just knew Draco was waiting to hear how things went...


Draco was pacing around his room.

It was getting later and later, but still no Harry.

Blaise had been sleeping for quite some time now, but Draco found that he couldn't sleep without knowing what happened at the meeting.

'If he's not back in five minutes; I will go get him,' Draco thought assuredly to himself.

'What if he just hasn't been able to leave the meeting yet?' Draco thought of the other possibility.

Draco continued to pace around the room for several more minutes.

Suddenly, the door opened and a certain brunette entered the room.

Draco ran over to the boy as soon as the door closed and began to give him a once over.

Draco put his hands on Harry's shoulders, and peered at his face for sign of anything different.

"D-Draco..." Harry began to object as he felt his cheeks grow hot under the blonde-haired boy's gaze.

"Are you okay," Draco interrupted continuing his look over.

"Y-yeah I'm alright," Harry finally confirmed.

Upon hearing the answer and not seeing anything amiss, Draco released the brunette from his grip and piercing gaze and spoke to him about the meeting.

"How did it go?" Draco asked quickly.

"It...was weird; there's just something off about him," Harry answered slowly.

"Hmm... elaborate," Draco said as he prepared to take in all of the details.

"He just asked me a bunch of questions about how school was going, and then he tried to say I was friends with that Weasley kid," Harry responded wrinkling his brow in confusion.

"Alright, was there anything else?" Draco asked making sure he knew everything.

"Well...he..." Harry began trying to formulate his thoughts, "it seems like every time he smiled at me it was sorta fake."

Draco nodded in understanding.

"At least nothing bad happened," Draco finally commented.

"Yeah," Harry responded as the two made their way to their respective beds.

After bidding each other goodnight, Draco laid in his bed for a few moments simply thinking things over.

Draco recalled that he would have to send a letter to his father tomorrow, for he agreed to send a progress report on Harry every Friday to his father, unless something dire came up.

This meeting with Dumbledore had shown him that Harry seemed to have a natural distrust for the man, and this was good. Draco knew that he couldn't influence Harry's ideology and beliefs too much, and that Harry would have to come to these conclusions on his own for the most part.

Draco was glad that Harry depended on him somewhat; when he told Harry they were friends he sincerely mean it. Yes, being the friend of the boy-who-lived had good political perks, but Draco knew he would still be his friend even if he wasn't famous.

Draco reflected on this final thought as he drifted off to sleep...


Author's Note: I never expected this story to do so well! 35 Favs and 65 alerts, YAY! Anyway, let me know how you like the first Snape POV? He is definitely one of the main characters in this story, so we'll see a lot of him. There won't be too much Lucius action just yet he is still a couple of chapters away. That brings the main POVs to about 5. We won't see any of the Dark Lord POV until the next tale. Well hope you like this chapter, I had to think of a way to try and advance time some, so I can pick up the pace a little bit, and this was by far the best way to do it. Reviews are always welcomed, so if you liked the story thus far let me know...