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Chapter Four

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Harry and Draco's second month at Hogwarts was coming along much less interestingly than the first. The glamour of Hogwarts had worn off by now, even to Harry, and the amount of homework on mere theoretical work was starting to weigh them down. More than once, they complained about it, but never to teachers, lest they risk more work, especially from teachers like Professors McGonagall or Snape.

On the bright side, however, they were still receiving daily sweets from Narcissa every morning, along with letters, Draco's occasionally accompanied by notes from his father. Harry however, was happy just receiving a single line of text from the Malfoy matriarch, and so was thrilled every day when he received at least a full sheet of parchment with her response to his own letters, which were just as long. As Draco's letters home grew shorter as he had less to talk about, Harry's grew longer, happily discussing his daily life and ideas for his future that he had with Narcissa.

Oddly enough, she seemed to take an interest in his past, but Harry would simply move along, ignoring those bits, and instead asking her about herself. Through these letters, Harry learnt that he and Draco were actually cousins, although more distantly related than he and Dudley were, something that Harry told Draco with no small amount of happiness.

But, this particular morning, Harry's entire letter from Narcissa was about his relatives, and his face grew redder and redder as he read it until Draco plucked it out of his hand. Harry promply smacked Draco around the head and shoved it back into his pocket, huffing.

"That's for me, not you."

Draco just raised an eyebrow, pointing at the parchment sticking out of Harry's pocket.

"Then why did I see my name on it?"

Harry frowned, putting his hand into his pocket to make sure Draco wouldn't take the parchment again.

"Your mother wrote your name, clearly. I didn't get there yet," he explained, obviously still annoyed that Draco had touched his letter without permission.

Draco grinned slowly, crossing his arms. "Well, if I'm mentioned, then I have a right to know why I was mentioned, right? So, we should read the letter together. Besides, it's my mum that wrote you."

Harry paused, thinking about the contents of the letter that he had seen before sighing and consenting. "Alright, but only if you don't tell anyone what's in it."

Draco nodded, clearly not fazed by his promise. "Fine with me, now let me see it."

Harry shook his head, speaking quietly as he began to dig through his basket of treats.

"Later, it's private, and I don't want anyone to see."

Draco shot him a questioning look, and Harry handed him a small tin of cookies that he wasn't all that fond of, but Draco loved. "About my relatives."

Draco nodded, happily accepting the cookies and stowing them away in his robes, giving Harry a muffin in return.

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Draco pushed his finished History of Magic essay aside, stretching in his chair before pointedly looking at Harry, who was absentmindedly smoothing out the letter Narcissa had sent him that morning while staring at the fire burning in the Common Room. Draco sighed, clearing his throat. Harry jumped, glaring at him.

"What do you want?"

Draco just stared at him until Harry sighed, unfolding the parchment in his hands. Draco immediately moved to sit beside him, shoulder to shoulder so that they could both read Narcissa's letter.

Harry-

I'm glad you're over your little bout of sniffles, make sure you visit Madame Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing if you ever end up more sick than that. We can't have it escalating, after all.

However, there is something that I would like to specifically write to you about. Like any other person in their right mind, I noticed how thin you were back at Platform 9 3/4 in September. It worried me to the point that I went to the Child Placement Agency at the Ministry to find out more information on your relatives. I was particularly worried about the fact that your relatives are Muggles, and you occasionally mention that they don't like magic. Especially since you have told me that you consider Draco and I to be more like family than them, when you have only known us for a month, and you really only know me through my letters.

After a bit of effort, the head of the Ministry's CPA department (a very kind man named Ian Fife) found a folder on you, and managed to look up the address of your aunt and uncle. A copy of that folder now sits in my office, and I intend to use it for legal purposes, with your permission.

With the address given to me by Ian, I went to your house to have a look around. However, I discovered that there was no hint that four people lived in the house rather than three. That is, apart from a torn envelope with your name on it poking out from under the door of a cupboard. I trust that you understand exactly what cupboard I am talking about, seeing as you appear to have been quite familiar with it.

The purpose of my letter, Harry, is to ask you a few questions. To what extent did your relatives punish you for being different? Do you realise that none of it was your fault whatsoever? Did you have any contact at all with anyone from our world while growing up? What do you think is the best way to serve justice to your relatives, as they have wronged you?

Of course, you may not be able to answer my questions easily, and you may not want to, but if you ever need to talk about it, I am here for you, and if you need to talk face to face, just alert Professor Snape, and he should be able to make arrangements for one of us to Floo over for a conversation.

Love as always,

Narcissa

Draco looked at Harry, clearly concerned.

"Cupboard?"

Harry just sighed, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair, folding the letter and placing it back in his pocket. "I don't want to talk about it, alright?"

Draco nodded, wanting to press him harder for information, but instead chose not to, not wanting to upset the boy. "Chess, then?"

"I hate chess," Harry lamented as Draco dragged over the nearest chessboard, but Draco noticed his mouth turn up at the corners slightly.

"C'mon, you don't hate it, you just hate losing. And you always lose," Draco teased while making sure none of the pieces were missing. But just as he was about to thoroughly trounce Harry, the Common Room door opened.

"Mister Potter."

Harry turned, standing when he saw his Head of House, looking grumpy as ever.

"Yes, Professor?"

"Come with me." He turned, leaving the room, and Harry just shrugged, shooting a confused look to Draco, who was putting the chessboard away in disappointment.

Harry jogged to keep up with Professor Snape, hesitating before asking.

"If you don't mind my asking, Professor, where are you taking me?"

Professor Snape just made a small sound that let Harry know that yes, he really did mind Harry asking before he spoke. "Headmaster Dumbledore's office."

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Thank you all once again for the support on this fic, even though it is so new and not very long yet, it still means quite a lot to me, and I do answer every review I can with a PM. And for those of you who are curious (such as NatNicole), yes, Sirius will show up, he'll be mentioned soon and then make an appearance a little later on.

Anyway, have a lovely day/night, and I hope you're all doing fine! c: