Guest – Thanks a lot! Yes, I did it on purpose. Snape found out.
Shiary, Gruffard – That was intentional. It was Snape's way of showing that he wouldn't be fooled by anyone's lies. He was the spy, after all.
Jharry1960 – I firmly believe that Ron only turned out better than Draco was because his family didn't have much to show off. Ron and Draco are equally prejudiced and greedy. (At least Ron has a reason to be...) I'm not a big fan of Harry/Hermione, but Hermione will definitely be more likeable than Ron. She's still going to be upset with Tonks because the latter, being nineteen, is better at school. Hermione can be very unlikeable when it comes to school marks. Whoops, I made this too Slytherin-y, didn't I? That'll be corrected!
Lolerator – *sob* I'M SORRY! Here's the next chapter!
Bubblecloudz – Harry would lose a big part of what he is/is seen like if he lost those green eyes. Tonks can't do anything about them – glamour charms and potions wouldn't work on them. And I think we all know that Lucius Malfoy isn't exactly a loving parent. Draco's spoiled, but not taken care of.
WHO SHOULD BEFRIEND HARRY?
Seamus Finnigan
Fred and George Weasley
Katie Bell
Neville Longbottom
Other
(Please inform me through a review or a PM)
WARNING: OOC DRACO MALFOY
Chapter Seven: The Enemy's Rescuer
"Black!" snarled Malfoy. "Leave, or I'll curse you!"
Harry backed away slightly. "Malfoy, what's going on?"
Enemy or not, something seemed to be seriously wrong with the Malfoy heir. He looked thinner, his hair was messy and he had dark bags under his eyes.
"It's none of your business, Black!"
"You're scared of something," said Harry.
"I AM NOT SCARED!" yelled Malfoy, pulling his wand out.
"Tell me, or I'm going to tell Snape you were crying," threatened Harry.
Malfoy glared and made to push past him, but Harry blocked the way. Sirius had told him to never leave someone in need, no matter what they had done in the past.
"Black, if you tell anyone –,"
"I swear, I won't," said Harry quickly. "Just tell me."
"Why should I?" snapped Malfoy.
Harry stayed silent for a moment. Finally, he spoke up. "Your father wouldn't want to know you're crying, Malfoy. What would he say about that?"
Malfoy blanched. "Fine, I'll tell you. But you can't tell anyone else."
"I already said I wouldn't," said Harry, rolling his eyes.
"Merlin, damn your curiosity," breathed Malfoy.
Slowly, he reached into his pocket and handed Harry a crumpled letter.
Draco,
I am pleased to know that you have been Sorted into the noble House of Slytherin. I certainly hope the Hat did not have to think about its decision. I have received intelligence that V. Crabbe spotted you keeping company to Blaise Zabini. I am very displeased. You know very well the boy is a filthy, useless half-blood. He is of no use to us. If you continue besmirching the name of Malfoy, then I will have no choice but to disown you. I will see you at Christmas. The consequences for your actions will be most severe.
Your Father,
Lucius A. Malfoy
Harry's eyes widened comically. Malfoy was going to be disowned for speaking to a half-blood. Disownment was very serious. It left disgraced wizards and witches of old families without a name or a family. It made it difficult to get a job or do business. Disowned wizards instantly became nobodies.
"Malfoy," hissed Harry. "Do you know how serious this is?"
"Of course I do, you idiot! Do you think I'd be losing sleep over something if it wasn't important?"
"Malfoy, you have to tell Snape. He's your Head of House, he'll help you."
"I don't need anyone's help, Black," sneered Malfoy.
Suddenly, Harry came up with what was, in his eyes, his best idea yet.
"My father's Lord Black," he said.
Malfoy stared. "Why are you telling me this, Black? Do you not think I already knew it?"
Harry shook his head. "I mean, he can help. Your mother's a Black. Lord Black has the legal right to offer you asylum, even if your guardians are not found unfit by the Ministry of Magic. Any lord of an Ancient and most Noble house can protect its members if they find it necessary."
Harry was growing more excited by the minute. Aunt Andy had explained this to him when he had asked why Remus couldn't be protected by the House of Black.
Malfoy opened his mouth, but no sound came out. "Why would you want to do this?" he asked suspiciously.
"You are not your father. Malfoy, if you accept my help, you can leave Crabbe and Goyle and Parkinson and make your own friends. You can speak to anybody you like, wear the clothes you want, speak the way you want, you can do anything you wish to. Of course, if you're ready to leave your father for good."
"What about my mother? What will happen to her?" asked Malfoy.
Harry looked thoughtful. "I'll ask my father if he agrees to give you asylum. Since your mother's a Black by blood, I don't think there'll be a problem. But I'll have to send him your father's letter as well, for proof."
Malfoy, after a long pause, nodded uncertainly.
"T-Thank you, Black," he choked out, as if the words were hard to pronounce.
They are, for a Malfoy, thought Harry. "Go to bed, Malfoy. I'll see you in the morning to give you my father's news."
Malfoy nodded and reluctantly showed himself out. Harry did the same, sprinting up to his dorm.
Tonks was already asleep. Harry sat down on his bed and scribbled a letter to Sirius.
Dear Sirius,
Lucius Malfoy is planning on disowning his son. Draco and Narcissa Malfoy require asylum. Malfoy Sr. is planning to do something during Christmas. I don't know what it is, but it sounds bad. Please think about it. I know Aunt Andy doesn't like Narcissa, but I think Lucius is going to harm his son.
Love,
Harry
He sent the letter off with his owl and lay down on his bed, fully clothed. What would become of his family? What would Snape do with this new information? How was Tonks feeling? Was Draco Malfoy in immediate danger? Harry didn't know why he suddenly cared about Malfoy. Somehow, he could see that the boy was more than the arrogant, spoiled, prejudiced egoist that strutted around the halls of Hogwarts. He wasn't like Lucius Malfoy. That night had proved it. Harry's Uncle Ted had always said: "The son does not choose the father. Do not blame him for his father's mistakes."
Merlin knew that happened often enough in Magical Britain. Everyone seemed to judge children because of the house their parents were in at Hogwarts, or their surnames. Harry winced at how many times Ron had sneered at him, just because he carried the name 'Black.' It wasn't fair.
Soon enough, Harry fell asleep over his covers, fully clothed, quill still in hand. The ink dripped soundlessly in his palm, staining his skin in blue.
