Blaise was getting excited to come back to Hogwarts for the first time. Oh he enjoyed his time at school, but it was different. Everything was changing in Britain and he wondered what would be the most discussed subject in the train. Would that be Fudge? The Dark Lord maybe, with Draco it was a safe bet. Or The Trial? Maybe Potter in general. The press certainly had embraced his story. For so long, the mystery of Harry Potter's disappearance had lasted. And then on this mock trial, everything went to hell. At least, it explained a lot about Potter. So much speculations about him. Why was he so scrawny? Was he ill? Did the Killing Curse do some damage even if he survived it? And who raised him? The rumors about muggles were persistent but no one thought Dumbledore so bold that he would rip the hero boy from a magical childhood. And Potter had been so secretive... yet he was strong, clearly the best fighter in their year, demonstrated by how much Malfoy was humiliated again and again. And his skill on a broom was already legendary, of course he had to have lessons before coming to Hogwarts.

On the other hand, he was associating with Weasleys... While they were not as badly perceived as before, they were still blood traitors. It was strange. Why had he not sought out the people of the old alliance of his grandfather? But then his father had been a fervent supporter of Dumbledore, so it was not surprising the old man was the proxy for the Potter seat. Still, he didn't even look close to the Longbottom heir !

"Well," Blaise mused. "Now, everything makes sense." He had been shocked. Abuse was nonexistent in the old pureblood families. Children were cherished. Some parents tried to mold their progeny after them, but if it didn't work, they were deemed failure and cast out of the family at worst. Punishment certainly was present but not outright abuse. And him growing up with muggles explained why he was ignorant, and had terrible taste in clothes!

Yes, Potter definitely would be talked about with his year mates. Draco Malfoy and his crew would love to tease him. Not sure it would work though. If Potter had been ready to talk about it, he probably had the mental fortitude to resist teasing... Somehow Blaise wondered if Draco had a crush on the boy. He wasn't that good looking, but he had his charm. And these green eyes were so damn hypnotic, that was cheating. No one should have eye like this. Blaise looked at the Prophet article where Potter was leaving the courtroom with his lawyer.

"Alright, he look damn good when he has proper clothes." Blaise admitted to himself. And he never had seen him properly groomed before. That made a big difference too. Although not a traditional haircut, who favored long hair, he could understand after the mess Potter's hair was last year.

"Who are you talking about?" Asked the woman at the door of his room.

Shit! He thought for a moment to lie, but he knew his mother always managed to find the truth. He sighed and showed her the photo.

"Oooh, does my son have a crush on Harry Potter?" She teased him. Blaise rolled his eyes.

"No, I was actually thinking that Draco having a crush on him would explain a lot. I just didn't understand how before, but I have to admit he looks good with proper clothes and a decent haircut. And you perfectly know he has these cheating eyes. But when I think about it, it has probably more to do with his magic." If his mother was surprised, she didn't show any of it. But her eyes seemed to tell 'Explain.' so he resumed.

"Usually you can't feel anything from him. I assumed at first he had training containing it, but that seems unlikely now with him being raised by muggles. He probably is doing it instinctively. But when he really powers up a spell... It's intoxicating. Like a drug."

"Is he that powerful?" His mother asked.

"Hmm, no, he is certainly above average but it is more the feeling. It's warm, but it doesn't burn you. It's like a caress, but still firm enough that it feels good. Even when it's a curse the magic feels peaceful. But I don't think it's the reason Draco might be attracted. It's probably more the fact that Potter is dominating him without effort, and he is not used to being resisted. He wanted so badly to be his friend, he was extremely frustrated that Potter refused to shake his hand in first year, he ranted about it for weeks." A little smirk showed on his face, remembering that time.

His mother was pensive, and humming, and she started to smile. That very same smile she gave him every time she knew something he didn't.

"You realize that if he isn't abnormally powerful, your reaction prove that you two ARE probably a good match, right? Instead of thinking of the Malfoy kid, perhaps you should approach baby Potter.." She stopped talking when she saw him glaring. "Don't be stupid Blaise, you know I'm right. And don't serve me the 'He is a gryffindor' excuse, you don't know him. And you perfectly know you could be a gryffindor yourself, you are just too much calculating, but you certainly can be reckless when you think you have a good plan." Her voice was filled with mirth. He hated when she destroyed his arguments even before he voiced them.

"Fine, I will think about it. But I've heard he hates everything slytherin so don't get your hopes high. You have as much chance to have a Potter in the family than to have a Dumbledore I tell you."

She laughed at that. "I certainly hope you have a better chance! The Dumbledore brothers are way too old for either of us my son. Are you ready to leave? The train leaves in less than an hour."

Two hours later, after discussing banalities with Daphne, Draco and Pansy came back from the Prefect meeting. The others refused to talk of anything interesting without these two so Blaise had stayed mostly silent.

"So, who are the other prefects?" asked Millicent.

"Goldstein and Patil for Ravenclaw. Abbott and Macmilian for Hufflepuff. And Weasley and Granger for Gryffindor."

That was a little surprising, not Potter? Thought Blaise.

"Oooh, not Potter? It confirms a bit the rumors circulating since the trial." Tracey was already in full analyse mode. How she did it, Blaise didn't know, but he was sure of one thing. If Tracey wanted to try politics, she would eat them all.

"Rumors? I didn't hear anything. Explain." Good old Draco. He seemed even more arrogant now. Between his shiny badge and the return of the Dark Lord... he probably would be horrible this year.

"Well, everyone knows Potter refused Dumbledore to represent him at his trial. And the way he and his lawyer turned the whole thing was masterful. They managed to destroy everything Fudge planned, but without insulting him. In the end since it was Dumbledore who placed Potter with these muggles, Fudge even if he didn't get the result he wanted can redirect everything at Dumbledore. Now, all the press can tell is how Potter had a hard life, how outraging it is, how Dumbledore didn't get senile last year after proclaiming You-Know-Who was back, but way before. And him coming dressed like a wizard when everyone expected him to keep the muggle style he had since he came back in the magical world was a very good move too. Someone heard Dumbledore, he wasn't approving. And I've seen Potter when he came this morning, he is still keeping the wizarding fashion! Everyone is wondering what is happening."

"Well," He decided to intervene. "The most obvious conclusion is that he didn't know how to dress. He was raised with muggles after all. And it certainly won't be the Weasley family who will advice him on this subject."

"Yes! Him raised by filthy muggles explains so much! How can he stands this honestly?"
Oh Draco. He was so damn sheltered from the real world sometimes.

"Do you think he has a choice Draco? You do realize he has no family left? And his godfather is a fugitive." Blaise smirked wildly. Daphne always chose the best moments to say her part. And it was often to humiliate Draco. Lucius Malfoy was actively seeking a contract between the Malfoy and the Greengrass family, in the hope to absorb the seat since there were no male Heir. Daphne hated how Draco acted like it was already done, as she perfectly knew her father would never give in.

"Well he could run! Especially if staying resulted in him getting disfigured." He looked disgusted. That shot down his theory that Draco had a crush. Or maybe he had but the scar effectively repulsed him. Draco was certainly the type of rejecting someone just because of a small detail like that.

"I wonder how you would do on the street Draco. You already look disgusted when you get dirty playing quidditch after all. Talking about the muggles. How does it feel to get bested by not one, but two people with no magical education before Hogwarts Draco?"

That was dirty Daph... She had that angelic smile, and an expression who screamed 'I don't think anything bad about you, I'm just interested in how you take it." but everyone knew she was teasing him mercilessly. Remembering him how he always lost to Potter. Be it in their duels, or in chasing the snitch. And how Granger bested him, even at potions half the time. He decided to push him even more.

"You know, I actually thought about it a lot this summer. You talk about Potter a lot more than anyone else. And after that picture in the Prophet, I have to admit he looks decent... Is that it Draco? Do you have a crush on Potter? Maybe if you shagged him once, you could let go of that unbearable obsession you have towards him." He tried to hide his amusement and to appear sincere but it was becoming harder. Especially since Draco actually blushed a bit. So he wasn't wrong! Too bad everyone else was looking at him. They were probably too shocked he had dare to ask this to react otherwise. He would have to tell the girls later. Their stupor was broken by Parkinson who burst out laughing. She then took Draco's arm and put her body the closest of his body she could. How could Draco stand this, he didn't know. The girl was so ugly! But if the Malfoys didn't get the Greengrass seat, it was logical that they would get the less valued Parkinson only 'Noble' seat. And that meant that Draco would be expected to marry Pansy. Poor guy.

"There's no way Draco think about Potter that way! Besides he's not even good looking. And he's not a pureblood, how can you suggest that Draco would be attracted by someone like that?"

"Come on Pansy, you can't tell me if he asked you out you would say no? I know I would say yes. These eyes are so unfair, they shouldn't exist on a boy." She scowled at this. But she seemed sincere. So Daphne may have a little crush on Potter too. Interesting.

Pansy however looked utterly disgusted. "But he's a half blood!" Daphne shrugged.

Ah. Well, if she prefer to marry an ugly pureblood, her choice.

The feast went well. That speech by Umbridge had been quite illuminating. He didn't know how the ministry had managed to do that. Hogwarts was outside any governing body. And definitely outside the ministry since it predated his founding. Maybe something about education in general?

He only hoped she would be a decent teacher. He may have had tutors, but defense never was his best subject, and it was OWL year after all. And it was certainly needed in the dealings his family were involved into.

Draco and Pansy had dealt with the first years quite harshly. So he decided to take a look at their dormitory and found one crying. After a little discussion, the boy finally admitted that the youngest Derwent had opened his trunk by force and thrown everything on the floor. Blaise with a flick of his wand stored everything back on the boy's trunk, then created for him a simple but effective ward that would stun everyone not the owner of the trunk trying to open it.

Draco and Pansy really were stupid sometimes. It was always good to gain the younger years loyalty. It avoided future potential problems.

First week wasn't disappointing. Despite Umbridge ruining their education. He would have to mail his mother to find a solution. However it was quite fun seeing her try to anger Potter. If Fudge had changed his opinion concerning the teen, Blaise didn't know but Umbridge still was out for blood. But so far Potter was holding himself admirably. It was clear he had problems keeping his calm but this far, it was the other gryffindors who snapped. Weasley in particular was angry, and Blaise had heard him yell at Potter, not getting why he wasn't saying anything. That was clear for everyone but him he guessed.

Another interesting fact was his head of house. Towards Potter, once again. It was weird seeing them civil after four years at each other throat. Even more shocking was Snape threatening Draco to give him detention the next time he would throw unknown ingredients in others people's cauldrons! Everyone knew he had hinted at Potter's and Draco had failed his potion this day. And Potter had managed a near perfect one. Even Snape looked impressed, while Granger looked ... disappointed?

But the most interesting was the announce of this High Inquisitor. In essence, it wasn't a bad decision... Binns needed to be fired, Trelawney was a fraud, and Hagrid despite knowing his subject had... questionable methods. His replacement was quite good however. But if Umbridge teachings were any indication, it could become really bad. If they couldn't practice neither in charms or transfiguration.. well it would be better to ask a transfer to Durmstrang.

Harry's first week was good and bad at the same time. Bad because that toad bitch was really grating on his nerves and he knew at this rhythm he would never keep his temper until the end of the year. And that Educational Decree could only mean bad things. Sure Binns and Trelawney were terrible teachers, but he was getting worried for Hagrid. First he was still missing. And Sirius had told him that woman was the principal advocate for all the werewolves laws who promoted discrimination. Right now he truly hated the pink toad and he hoped the curse on the defense position would hurry up a bit and act before the end of the year, and before Hagrid returned.

The other bad point was his sleep. These dreams were becoming more and more annoying. They made no sense! He just walked, until he woke up. And his scar tinkled for a few hours after that.

Then, on the other side, Snape for now was respecting their arrangement. The face on Malfoy's face when Snape stopped him was priceless. He had even seen quite a few slytherins smirking. Three girls that Hermione named for him later, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass and Sophie Roper. And two boys, who he already knew the names, Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini.

And to finish that beautiful day, he had the second best potion! Malfoy had completely failed his own, Hermione was two shades too thick, and only Daphne Greengrass had done better. Snape had stared at him for ten seconds after seeing his potion and he had left the potion class feeling smug for the first time in his life. Hermione had harassed him for hours before he finally told her the deal he made with Snape at Grimmauld Place but she had a hard time believing Harry could be good, even if left alone.

Harry felt a bit offended at this and swore he would keep up his efforts.

The other good thing was the talk he had with Neville on Thursday night. He had managed to ask him for a private conversation a few days prior and now that it was done he blamed Dumbledore even more.

They were both sat on the couch near the fire when Harry decided to be honest with Neville from the beginning.

"I don't want you to accuse you, but I recently learnt about the Noble House thing, and that you are me are heirs to our family." Neville nodded shyly at this. "Why... did you never talk about it with me?"

"You didn't know anything I assume? I've read you grew up with muggles." Harry nodded and Neville pinched his lips.

"I had my doubts but you didn't have your ring. You see, being the heir of noble family can be... quite a burden. So, it's decided between the heir and his family if the heir decides to show his ring or not. It's a very old custom that if the heir doesn't let his ring be visible, no one should approach him to talk about all that pertains about his family."

He closed his eyes for a bit and a beautiful ring appeared on his left hand. "My gran doesn't think I'm ready so we chose to not show it." The ring disappeared again.

"My gran actually asked me at the beginning of each year if you had your ring. Our families were allies when your grandfather was the lord and she would like to renew it. But she doesn't agree with Dumbledore's agenda, you are aware he is your proxy I hope?" He seemed panicked for a moment before Harry reassured him. "Well, she says Dumbledore will end us all if he we let him free. She has nothing against muggles but she is an isolationist."

Harry agreed internally. He didn't want the magical world to be known to muggles. It was way too dangerous.

"She also regrets that some forms of magic are banned now. Blood magic, a lot of rituals, some spells judged too dangerous even if they could be used for healing purpose." It made a lot of sense to Harry. He told Neville he would probably get his ring in the Christmas break, but that he didn't want Dumbledore to know. Neville promised to keep the secret and Harry was glad to have seen such a different side of Neville.

With Seamus treating him like a psycho because his mother believed the propaganda the Prophet had written for a month, and Dean supporting him, it felt good to have another friendly face in the dorm.