7:00pm
September 14th1991.
Headmaster's office,
Hogwarts.
Fawkes emitted a shrill cry. Albus' head spun to the floo network and sure enough moments later a head appeared. Lucius Malfoy's to be precise. "Albus, can I come through?"
"Of course Lucius," Albus said quickly, frowning at the harried expression on the normally calm man's face. Even as Malfoy stepped through, his office door burst open to admit a worried looking Severus.
"Albus – oh, hello Luc."
"Hello."
Albus' gaze drifted from one face to the next, beckoning them both to sit. He already had a notion of what both men were here to say.
"What is it?" he asked simply. The men glanced at each other before Severus spoke.
"I'm glad you're here Luc. This does concern you. Draco...isn't settling in I'm afraid. He's getting worse not better." Albus nodded sadly at this. Hogwarts life was not being kind to the separated veela.
The young Malfoy wore an almost permanent scowl on his face. Only his extensive training in manners and decorum prevented him from biting off the heads of those around him, but that did not mean that they escaped his fiery tongue. Albus had been forced to explain Draco's situation to the entire school on his third day there. It was the only way to save off the complaints students made about the teachers' refusal to berate the boy for his downright mean demeanour.
Dumbledore's explanation had placated them all; indeed their antagonism towards the child had turned into respect. Especially after Kettleburn explained to each one of his classes the entire history about veela and their habits. By the end of the week, everyone was casting sympathetic glances to the blonde boy. Quite a few had even written to their parents and Albus had to respond to a number of angry parents, all wishing to know why he was allowing a veela to be tormented in such a way.
Lucius' face fell as Severus stopped talking. "That's why I'm here. Harry...Harry is in a terrible shape. He barely speaks anymore and almost always cries. In the beginning, he always could be found in Draco's bedroom. Now he never leaves his own unless we force him. Tutoring him is almost impossible. He just sits there. Narcissa's afraid that he'll just pine away. We cannot stand it anymore. Everyday it gets worse. I'm here for Draco."
Albus' eyes were grave. "Is there no other way?"
"I'm afraid not. Draco will have to be home-schooled. Perhaps Hogwarts can be reconsidered when they can both attend together."
Albus' closed his eyes and thought quickly. It came to him in an instant. "They need to go to school together."
"That's what I said."
"No, that's the solution!"
"What?" both men asked in unison, confused by the headmaster's sudden excitement. But Albus didn't answer, instead reaching for and throwing a handful of floo into the fireplace. When it glowed green, he thrust his head into it.
"Minerva!" he called, "Arrange an emergency staff meeting." Without waiting for a response he turned to Severus. "I assume you've put Draco in your quarters? Good. Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is a light day for the first years anyways. Take Lucius with you and I will open up your floo network. Carry him home. Report back here by eight o clock."
"What is this about Albus?" Lucius asked with a quirked brow.
"The solution to our little problem of course. They need to be together. Well they will be. Go on now, trust Grandpa Albus," he quipped, laughing lightly at the title Harry had given him.
Both men shrugged but left, neither quite entirely sure what was going on behind those twinkling eyes.
7:15 pm
September 14th
Malfoy Manor.
Draco came through the fireplace first, a thunderous expression on his face. He had been snappish when his father arrived in Severus' quarters, growling when his father had attempted to hug him. Lucius did not take it to heart though; well aware of what bugged his son.
Quietly explaining why he was there only served to lessen Draco's murderous expression into the thunderous one he now bore. His only response to his father had been. "I want Harry. NOW." Severus had responded by throwing the floo powder immediately. It would not do well for Draco to feel as if they were denying him access to his mate.
Narcissa held Harry's morose form on her lap, assuring the boy that his Draco would be there soon. It was the only thing that had slowed the tears on his face, the promise of seeing his mate. Harry had looked up at her with disbelieving eyes when she had first told him, and it was obvious that he still did not believe her. But at least now he allowed her to hold him close.
As the flames suddenly roared, Draco sauntered through, his eyes already looking around. Harry had twisted at the sound and as such their gazes met.
That was it.
With a joyous wail, Harry was off Narcissa's lap and was flinging himself at Draco. Draco reached him halfway and swept him off his feet, spinning him around in relief. The thunderous expression was already ancient history. The tears that rained down little Harry's face was now of joy not sorrow and he buried his head against Draco's chest when Draco returned him to his feet. Through his sobs, the adults could clearly differentiate the words, "Please don't leave." "Stay with me." "Missed you."
Draco simply repeated the phrase "I'm here now," continuously like a mantra. When Harry finally drifted into silence, simply lying limply against Draco, the blonde's eyes rose and settled on his parents and uncle. "I'm not leaving him ever again." All they could do was nod in the face of that declaration, watching quietly as Draco twisted and urged Harry to jump up on his back for a 'piggy-back' ride to their room. With nary a goodnight, the pair was gone.
Narcissa spun to them at once, "You have brought his things?"
"Actually no darling. Albus it seems has a plan although he has seen it fit not to clue us into as yet."
"Speaking of which," Severus broke in, standing, "I have to get back for the meeting. Shall I floo back afterwards?"
"Please do. I want to know what exactly 'Grandpa Albus' has planned."
"I will."
8:00 pm
September 14th
Hogwarts Staff Room
"Ah Severus, you are just in time," Albus greeted when Snape strode into the room nodding his head in greeting. "How has young Malfoy settled?"
"There is a vast improvement already. I believe that they should both be back to their usual selves by this time tomorrow."
"Excellent, excellent." He turned to the other teachers. "As you can discern we are back here to discuss young Malfoy. His father came to me this evening ready to withdraw him from the school." A small murmur rose at that.
"I knew this would happen," Kettleburn declared. "That boy was drowning in emotions due to the withdrawal. Let me guess, his mate was no better off?"
"Rightly so. Minerva, what can you tell me of the boy's academia so far."
Being the Deputy-Headmistress, it was the transfiguration professor's job to stay on top of all student records. "Mr. Malfoy is at the head of his year by all appearances. The grades for his homework assignments are exceptional and I honestly would expect superb grades in all areas at mid-terms."
"So in spite of his issues the boy excels. It would be a shame to lose such a brilliant mind. Imagine his performance should he be in top form." They all murmured there agreement. "This brings me to this point. The reason why Mr. Malfoy cannot remain at Hogwarts is that is his mate is not present. Severus!"
"Yes Headmaster?"
"What can you tell us of the mate?"
Snape raised a questioning eyebrow before shrugging. "I have tutored the boy since he joined the Malfoy home. Like Mr. Malfoy, the boy shows remarkable prowess academic wise. As of this summer, he matched Mr. Malfoy in knowledge. The child is nine, but I believe that it was around the beginning of this year that he joined in his older mate's classes full time. I taught him potions. In the last exam he and Mr. Malfoy took together," he paused for emphasis. "He beat him by around 3 percent."
That statement was met by stunned looks, even Albus was suitably impressed. "I see. Thank you."
"Albus," Professor Flitwick began, "Are you carrying this where I think you are?"
Albus smirked at him. "If you think that I am suggesting that Mr. Malfoy's mate, who incidentally is Harry Potter, should join us here at Hogwarts, then yes, I am."
A pause and then chaos erupted.
"Harry Potter?"
"The Harry Potter?"
"I thought he was with muggles."
"He is the mate of a Malfoy?"
Albus held his hand for silence. "Yes, he is the boy-who-lived. He has been in the care of the Malfoy's since he was five due to circumstances. He is indeed Draco Malfoy's mate. That has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt."
"Albus, what is his magical potential? Intelligence aside, will it be right to allow the boy into here if his magic is not sufficiently matured yet?"
"Clever as always Minerva. Severus?"
Snape growled, realising that Dumbledore was using his knowledge of the boy to help gain him admittance. Scowling he answered, "The boy has a great deal of power. He has good control over it, better than a lot of the dunder-heads here." He couldn't resist throwing it in. "There has never been 'accidental magic' with Potter. He knows precisely how to do it to his benefit."
"Thank you. Despite the validity of Severus' words, I know that you would like to see a sample of it yourselves before deciding if it would be safe to allow the boy into classes. If it is agreeable and you all do not mind the inconvenience, we can arrange to have Saturday be a day of 'mock classes' for forty five minutes each for those of you who will potentially have him as a student this year. Those who don't can observe."
"That's seems fair."
"Very well. I will arrange it. If there is anything else? Ah, yes Severus."
"As I am already positive that the brat will be joining us on Monday, I raise the issue of rooms."
"Explain please."
"Draco is a snake. Potter, as far as I can tell, is a lion through and through despite growing up in a house of snakes. With Harry entering first year, he and Draco will share - according to the current timetable, Transfigurations, Potions, Charms and Defence. They will have each other for between two to four hours a day class wise.
"That is not an issue as until early this year they had tutoring at different times and are thus accustomed. My only suggestion here is to ensure that they are always partnered or seated together. The point I raise is more house based. The boys will need to spend time together apart from lessons, bonding if you will.
"Should Harry be sorted into Ravenclaw or by a wide stretch Slytherin, this would be an unnecessary point. It is not that unusual to find the odd eagle in the snakes den. However, knowing the brat, he will be lion and the rivalry between the lions and snakes is legendary as you very well know."
Severus failed to notice the light chuckles part of his statement meant as he unconsciously called Harry 'brat'. "Not even Draco's protection will spare his mate from the wrath of the snakes and I doubt the lions would tolerate a snake in their midst."
"I always knew not discouraging the house rivalry would bite us in the arse," Minerva muttered.
"You raise a valid point. Moreover, when Mr. Malfoy reached maturity, he would most likely react...badly to having his mate surrounded by other males, all of whom would be older and thus stronger than him."
"My point exactly."
"Albus, the school has dormitories for married students or those with a similar problem right?"
"Indeed we do. Thank you Filius. That is a solution. The boys' could have a separate dormitory..."
"Two bedrooms," Severus broke in.
"Two bedrooms," Dumbledore concurred. "Complete with a bathroom and common room. I assume between you and Minerva, Severus, you can imprint on the lions and snakes the importance of...ending the rivalry, if only for the sake of their fellow mates."
"The lions will always stand by there own."
"As do the snakes."
"Good,"
"You know Albus," Professor Vector said with a slight smile, "It seems as if the boy has already been accepted here."
Albus only smiled.
10:39 pm
September 15th
Malfoy Manor.
"I see nothing wrong with this. Do you Lucius?"
"No. Harry would manage. And he'll have Draco behind him."
"So then it's agreed. You, along with Draco and Harry will have to be in Hogwarts on Saturday for the "mock classes" although I am positive that the boy will excel."
"Well that means we'll have to go shopping tomorrow."
"I'll leave that for you darling."
" Very well. I will see you both on Saturday."
"Safe journey Sev."
"Goodbye Sev. Thank you."
"Good night."
8:30pm
September 16th
Harry's Room.
"Do you really think I'll do good Draco?" Harry whispered, clutching his wand to his chest. Draco chuckled and eased it from his grip, setting it on his bedside cabinet.
"Well you won't if you don't sleep soon Harry," he teased, pushing him so that he lay back on the bed.
"Dray?"
"Yes Harry?"
"If I get in, can we bring the storybook?"
Draco nodded as he passed his hand over his mate's eyelids, urging them to shut. "And I'll read it nightly."
"Good. Will you be mad if I'm not a snake?"
"Harry James, I will be proud of you whether you are a little nestling or a little cub. I might just take to calling you that," he teased.
"Only you..."
"Only me, I promise cub. Now, keep those eyes closed. Let me tell you about..."
5:00pm
September 17th
Hogwarts.
To say the Hogwarts' professors were impressed was an understatement. The nine year old listened intently to their every word, asked pertinent questions and could even answer a few that were well above first year knowledge (courtesy of Severus of course). The only fault they could fine was that the child's attention span was a bit below the norm, although it was easily excusable because of his age. Besides, it only took a slight change in one's tone to completely regain his attention. It was something the teachers could easily accommodate.
The practical parts of the lessons proved equally successful. Professor Sprout actually cheered when Harry was able to dodge the grasping vines of one of the plants and retrieved a seed in less time than all the other first years save Draco.
He got the Wingardium Leviosa charm right on the first try (levitating not only the feather but the desk as well), then grinned cheekily at Professor before righting it with a quick wave of his hand. That stunned all those who were secretly watching. While wandless magic was not uncommon by any stretch, the ease with which he did it was astonishing. At the request of Flitwick, he put aside his wand and they were all riveted as he proceeded to do the rest of the practical wandless, simply mimicking the wand movements with his hand.
The decisive factor came however when he entered the Transfiguration classroom, waving goodbye to Draco. Once he had seated himself, Professor McGonagall did the theory part of her planned lesson. Then in a move that always served to amaze new students, she transformed herself into the tabby cat that was her animagus form. Harry's reaction however was not the same. Whereas all the other students over the years had openly gaped or applauded, Harry simply frowned and asked how she had done it.
Intrigued, she explained. Never before had a student asked her how she accomplished it. It was something that his parents would have done. She even indulged the boy when he asked for permission to attempt, while wondering if she should cast a mild illusion charm so that the child would not be too disappointed.
To her and all the observers' amazement, Harry accomplished what most other wizards could not. After closing his eyes and concentrating for a few moments, Harry disappeared and a green-eyed black kitten sat mewling happily in his stead.
Needless to say, Harry gained immediate admittance.
It was a purring kitten that left the classroom, scratching happily at his mate's shoe until he was picked up. "Harry?" Draco questioned, scooping up the kitten. Harry mewled happily and licked Draco's thumb with a rough tongue. Draco laughed and said, "Maybe I should call you kitten instead of cub."
"Mr. Malfoy, can you bring Harry back in here?"
"Yes Professor," Draco replied, carrying his mate back in. "Is he in trouble?"
"Not in the least. I just thought he would like to know how to change back."
Draco laughed at that, a merry sound. A minute later, he had his arms full of his mate in his right form. The headmaster entered then with the Malfoys and Snape.
"Grandpa Albus!" Harry cried, running to him, laughing when he was scooped up. "I was a kitten!"
"We saw Harry. Although I'm afraid you will have to call me Professor or sir unless we're alone or at home now." Albus pointed out, settling the child back on his feet.
"Why Grandpa?"
"Is that really necessary Albus?" the transfiguration Professor interrupted, from her desk. Albus had explained everything to her the night before. "There's nothing in the rules saying that a student cannot call family by other names. And you are essentially family. Besides I believe that Mr. Malfoy refers to you as Uncle Severus, Professor Snape."
"I saw no need to correct it," Severus said simply.
"I don't want him to be troubled by remarks about favouritism. Professor is different from headmaster."
"As if letting a nine year old in won't seem as such?" Severus pointed out dryly. "Let the child be Albus."
"Very well. Grandpa Albus it is!"
"Thanks Grandpa."
Severus moved to Harry and bent down to look down at his 'brat'. "Albus does have a point though Harry. You will have to work as hard, if not harder than the other students to prove yourself. Draco is at the top of your year. I expect you to reach his standard."
"Yes Uncle Sevvy."
Severus found himself blushing at the startled sound Minerva made. "That is Professor Snape to you," he growled.
Harry giggled. "Nope, if he's still Grandpa Albus, then you're still Uncle Sevvy. I told you, it fits."
Draco decided to interrupt the potential argument. "I agree with Uncle Sev, I expect you to meet if not pass me Harry." Draco meant it. He would be extremely proud if Harry surpassed him. It would just prove just how spectacular his mate truly was.
"If Harry's performance proved anything, that will not be a difficult task." Professor McGonagall added. "Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Hogwarts Harry."
"Thank you!"
Events moved fast after that. Harry and his family said goodbye to the transfiguration professor and went to the headmaster's office. Harry was duly impressed by the sorting hat who even reprised his song for the child before declaring the child a lion. They all clapped while Draco laughed and said, "Now I'll have to decide whether to call you cub or kitten," to which Harry pouted and declared that either option was fine.
Albus himself guided them to their new dorm room which was further along the corridor that Severus' quarters were. That way he could keep an eye on them. Trix had transported over their belongings and it had only taken a snap from Albus to have them packed away. The boys' settled on a password before they left the rooms and from there the castle. They would return on the Monday where Harry would be introduced, not only as a new student, but also as Draco's mate.
