AN: Standard disclaimer: Harry Potter and the associated rights belong to JK Rowling. I'm just playing with them!

Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and follows! As always, I love you all, and thanks for being patient while I struggled with this chapter. Couple of quick replies:

LilDevyl: Regarding Hermione's belief in Harry's guilt, at this stage in canon she's still pretty adamant that adults/teachers can do no wrong, so in her mind, the only way around Dumbledore's Age Line is cheating, not a deliberate attempt on Harry's life. Hopefully the next few chapters will show her changing slowly.

Bookaddict19: That's proabably where I got the name Tofty from! Thanks for reminding me. Given that Professor Tofty is elderly and (as far as we know) not married, he is most probably the last of a cadet brach as you say. I may have him and Harry meet at some point, for Harry to discover more about the family.

A/N2: The family relationship between Draco and Luna Lovegood is taken from KusanoSakura's story Unlikely Heroes (which is a wonderful story, go read it, and it's spin-offs!) because I liked the idea when I saw it there, and Draco and Luna do look very similar!

Now, on with the story!

Chapter 10

Fred had joined them for lunch, and they filled him in on the progress they had made as they ate. After lunch finished, Hermione managed to latch onto Harry's arm, and he decided that letting her talk and interrogate him now would keep her quiet for a while, hopefully. As she dragged him out onto the grounds, Harry pulled Neville with him, wanting back-up in case she wanted more than he was willing to admit at this moment.

Hermione didn't slow down nor release Harry until they reached the edge of the Black Lake, and then she swung round to face him. She seemed surprised to see Nev, but one look at Harry's face stopped any protest she had been about to make.

"How did you enter the Tournament, Harry?" She demanded, crossing her arms and reminding Harry suddenly of Mrs Weasley.

"Why, when you said that you wanted a quiet year? It's not like you need the fame, or the glory!"

"What makes you so sure that I entered the Tournament? Especially after I cast that oath in the Common Room afterwards."

Harry turned the questioning back on her, furious all over again that his friend still seemed to believe he was a liar like the rest of the school.

"Well? What rules do you think I broke this time, for 'glory and fame', despite the fact that every time I have broken rules in the past it's to help other people, never for me! What little plot have you come up with, that puts me on centre stage despite my objections? How, after the time we've spent together, and the rubbish I've been through over the last few years, can you think I would say one thing and do another, and furthermore after that, lie about it?" Harry demanded, suddenly angry with the bushy-haired girl after she just stared at him.

She had been his truest friend, even though Ron had been his first friend, and she had been the one Harry thought of sharing his deepest darkest secrets with. For her to still think he was a fame-hog, out for what he could get, hurt Harry immensely.

"Well, Professor Dumbledore drew the Age Line himself, so you must have cheated somehow to get past it! Or did you get round that by asking someone else to put your name in there? How else would your name end up in the Goblet?"

Harry gaped. Had she forgotten the last three years, with Voldie and his agents all over the school? His temper, which had been on a high simmer since Halloween, boiled over.

"How do you think, Hermione? You claim to be the brightest witch in the school, think back over the last three years. How do you think my name got entered, hmm? Perhaps because somebody wants me dead, just like every other year here! But, hey, why should I be any different to anyone else in this world, just out for what I can get! You know what my life's been like, 'Mione, why is it so hard for you this year to understand that I just want a peaceful life!"

Realising he was shouting into Hermione's face, Harry spun on his heel and stormed off towards the castle, barely noticing in his rage Neville hurrying to keep up. He was so furious with Hermione, and with himself for daring to hope that she might have wanted to make up with him, that he could barely think straight. He went straight to the Room of Requirement, and called up the duelling area. Asking the Room for dummies, Harry started blasting them, usuing the most destructive spells he could think of, regardless of the damage to the dummies or himself. Neville, rushing in out of breath, managed to gasp out "Hermione." and the surprised and shocked faces of the Twins and Lee cleared. After a moment of watching Harry, Lee called Dobby and asked him to bring Professor Snape to the Room. Harry had progressed to shouting, although the others couldn't tell exactly what he was saying, and he definitely needed his father-figure.

Severus arrived with a muted pop, eyes going immediately to Harry's figure now slumped dejectedly against the wall. Neville spoke up when Severus glanced around the group.

"Hermione grabbed him after lunch, and he took me along, I think for backup so he wouldn't hurt her if she pushed him. She's still pretty insistent that he cheated, but he asked her why she thought that. Why she thought that he was all about the fame and the glory after she'd known him, and fought alongside him for the last three years, why she would turn on him. He wound up shouting at her, and then stormed back here. Hermione was pretty stunned, but I was worried about Harry so I left her to think about things, and followed him back here."

Severus nodded, and without further ado passed through the shimmering barrier that separated the duelling area from the study area. He knelt in front of Harry, and although no words could be heard, clearly spoke softly to him. As the teenager cast himself into his new father's arms, the four watchers decided wordlessly and unanimously that they should not intrude, even through watching silently. Turning away with only a single glance at one another, they decided that studying was a good way to convince both Severus and Harry that they were both loved and respected.

After twenty minutes, the two emerged, with Harry dry-eyed but still visibly upset. The Twins had glanced up from their essays as the barrier disappeared, but Lee and Neville were intently discussing some plant and didn't seem to notice.

Severus led Harry to the chairs by the fireplace, and called Dobby. After ordering tea and biscuits for everyone, he turned to the four boys still sat at the desks.

"Gentlemen, if you could join us, please? Harry has decided that it would be best if I explained our discoveries at Gringotts, and then I believe you should inform me of your plans regarding the Tournament. It does seem that despite his oath in front of all three School Heads and the organisers of the Tournament, that Headmaster Dumbledore has declined to investigate the matter further, or indeed speak to Harry regarding it."

The Potions Master had grown very reserved during his speech, but Harry reached out a hand and caught the man's attention, distracting him.

Stiffly, Severus sat, the Room conjuring him up a green and bronze armchair to match the assortment already available for the boys. Harry busied himself offering tea and Dobby's selection of cream cakes to the others before seating himself, and only began to relax as Severus began speaking.

Severus quickly recapped the news from Gringotts for the four listeners, while Harry stared into the fire and worried about Hermione's reaction to his anger. It wasn't the first time he had shouted at her, but previously it had been because of outside influences that he couldn't control, not because of her behaviour. Maybe, Harry hoped, she would come round, and be his friend again. He tried not to listen to the conversation between Severus and the others, in case they turned on him like so many people had in his life.

Neville and the others were listening, alternately amazed, shocked and worried by the revelations from Severus, but determined that Harry should enjoy his new life to the utmost, including them as his friends regardless of what they learnt about him. Harry was their friend, almost their little brother, and nothing would change that.

The fact that Severus had been spelled against Harry and the Mauraders prompted more worry, and Lee mused that perhaps the Mauraders had been spelled against Severus, since they had never been so nasty to anyone else, and James had certainly seemed to regret it in the apology he offered to Severus in his will. Maybe Sirius should be checked for spells. Severus nodded in approval, and made a mental note to ask Harry to contact Sirius regarding both the Tournament and getting himself spell-checked at Gringotts. After all, it had taken the goblin Healers barely five minutes to strip all of the spells and their effects from Severus, and then Severus could apologise for everything he had done at school and afterwards to Sirius.

Harry's idea of demanding either rent or the house back from the Dursleys won instant approval, and the Twins regaled Severus with their discoveries the time they had collected Harry in the summer before second year. Severus was furious, but relieved that Harry would no longer have to stay with such a horrid family.

The revelations about Lily being descended from a pureblood family surprised them, although Nev said he thought he'd come across the name in his family library somewhere, possibly they were related somehow. He offered to look at his family tree to see, and Severus accepted on Harry's behalf. Harry now having a second identity that nobody knew about was deemed a very good idea, and the four boys vowed never to reveal that information to anyone, even allies, without Harry's express permission.

Having given the edited highlights of the rest of their trip to Diagon Alley, Severus moved onto the plans that had been made regarding Harry and the Tournament.

Lee pulled forward a large book on the TriWizard Tournament, and flipped the pages. There were scores of pictures detailing ferocious animals, and wizards with sparks flying from the ends of their wands.

"The last TriWizard Tournament in 1792 was held here, and in one of the tasks they had to capture a Cockatrice. However, the Cockatrice, during the chase, managed to injure all three Heads who were the judges. The Tournament was stopped after that, until now.

Traditionally, at least one Task has involved dangerous Magical beasts, and it's likely this first Task will do so as well, even if at a lesser level. Logically, the dangerous beasts they use will be limited by the access the organisers have to contacts with those sorts of animals. It's most likely that they'll use dragons this year, because of the contacts with the Romanian Dragon Reserve."

"And Mum and Dad have been dropping hints about Charlie and that we'd get a chance to see him at school, and so on. We wondered if they meant he'd be helping Hagrid with COMC, but dragons for the first Task seems more likely." One of the Twins chimed in, making Severus realise he needed to learn which was which and quickly. Up till now, he'd only ever dealt with them as a pair, since they were rarely apart when causing trouble, but that would obvously change now.

"But, Harry's a good flyer, so if it's an aerial task he and Krum will be difficult to beat. Dragons on the ground are fairly slow movers, it's just the flames you have to watch out for. Of course that depends on the type of dragon because some have lethal tails and other weapons, but as soon as we know that Charlie's on Hogwarts grounds then we can find out what the dragons are."

Severus bent a stern eye on the other Twin who had just finished speaking. He was glad to see that although the boy backed down a little, the fire and passion was still there, as Harry would need these boys' help in harnessing his own fire and passion to get him through this year.

"How exactly will you know that your brother is at Hogwarts, surely if he is here with the dragons he will endeavour not to be discovered."

The red head gulped, then looked at Harry.

"Um, mate? Maybe it would be a good idea to show the Professor the, er, 'thing'? It would be useful if we had it in case something else happens."

It took Harry a few moments to surface from his thoughts, but then he nodded. Flipping open his bag, he pulled out a sheet of parchment and laid it out on the coffee table. Pulling out his wand, he tapped the centre of the parchment and softly said "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

Severus frowned, then sighed as he recognised the Map that had caused so much hassle but also saved Harry and his friends the year before. Evidently Lupin had given the Map back to Harry at the end of the year, but since it was a Potter Family Heirloom Seveus couldn't really complain. He noticed that Dumbledore was in his office with Minerva, students were scattered around the grounds in the sunshine, and made a mental note that the little group of Slytherins that he needed to speak to had gathered in one corner of the Courtyard.

"This is the Mauraders' Map as you know, made by the Mauraders during their 5th, 6th and 7th years, and shows most places in the school. They never found this Room, either that or it is impossible to detail on the map, and they never discovered the Chamber of Secrets or any of the other Founders' rooms." Harry said proudly, one hand idly stroking the corner of the sheet.

"They have the area of your Potions Stores marked out, but not your passwords, as the Map is spelled to update with any permanent changes made to the school, but obviously not passwords for the teachers or areas that are new since they did this. It shows the passwords for Dumbledore's office though, so they managed to overhear or were given enough password that they could spell the Map to pick up every new one. Or something."

He shrugged, glancing at Severus from the corner of his eye.

"I have no real idea how it's spelled mostly, apparently Padfoot and Wormtail did most of the exploring, and Moony designed it, but a lot of the spellwork was done by Prongs, probably with help from Mum, so Padfoot doesn't know really himself."

Severus smirked. "No, he seemed to learn just enough to get him through the homework and exams, and then forget it all. Still, this is indeed a valuable resource, and is no doubt why I have been unable to catch you out after curfew, along with your Cloak!"

He smiled at Harry, to show that there was no real rebuke in his words, but turned back to the Map at the gasp from the Twins.

Gazing where one finger pointed, Severus saw a lone name being pursued by a group, and worriedly bent closer in an attempt to determine what was going on. A wand tip tapped twice on the Map, and the area just to one side of the Courtyard enlarged.

A group of overlapping names was crowding around one name in loopy writing. Luna Lovegood, it read, and she was pressed up againgst a wall in the cloisters. As the crowd shifted to advance on her, Severus caught sight of other names he recognised from his Ravenclaw classes, and grew angry. Then the group of Slytherins collected in the Courtyard came dashing up. Severus filed away their names in his mind for a rebuking later but changed that as they pushed in and stood around Lovegood, clearly protecting her. Pansy Parkinson's name had practically melded with Lovegood's, whilst Theo Nott stood on the other side clearly guarding the two girls. Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy were in front, and advancing on the group of attackers, apparently berating them and soon driving them off. As the group in the Room of Requirement watched, Luna Lovegood was led gently in the direction of the Slytherin Common room, and Severus sighed.

"No doubt I shall be called shortly, to be informed of this incident. I shall have to go. Harry, may I inform Draco of your bespelling with regards to Slytherins and it's subsequent removal? I feel it would go a long way to alleviating the fights you two indulge in, if he knows that you were not truly being yourself during the last three years."

"Actually, sir, there's more you could discuss with him. Sorry, Harry, meant to discuss this with you first, but now seems a good time."

The speaker was one of the Twins, and he looked somewhat sheepishly at both Harry and Severus, who nodded at him to continue.

"When I slipped away off the stairs this morning?" He started, getting comfortable in his chair.

"We'd always noticed Malfoy, and his tendency to lurk in your vicinity Harry, but weren't sure why. When I saw him following us this morning, I knew it was my chance to find out exactly what was going on. I tricked him into following me into the room where Fluffy was, and made him talk. He said that he'd always wanted to be your friend Harry, and the way you reacted to his comments in Madame Malkin's when you first came to the Wizarding World made him rethink what his Father had been telling him. His Mother has been trying to tell him that his Father was wrong, as were you he thinks Sir.

But, when he came to apologise to you on the train before first year, he started off on the wrong foot, and then Ronnie opened his big mouth and Malfoy thought he'd lost his chance, so he carried on copying his Father. He does truly want to be your friend, and he doesn't want to follow You-Know-Who. He thinks they're going the wrong way about ensuring that the Magical and Muggle worlds remain apart, and apparently he's gay and fancies someone on the Light side. He didn't tell me who, he didn't mean to tell me at all really,he almost had a panic attack when he realised what he'd said! He thinks that Crabbe and Goyle are spying on him for his Father, but didn't mention the others. Judging from that little incident we just saw, they're probably true friends, or as true as they can be growing up in that atmosphere."

Harry nodded. "To be fair to him, I can't see that he could have behaved any other way really, but it will take time for me to trust him. Severus, is there any way we could make Malfoy tell the truth about all this? Not that I don't believe you Fred, but just to make sure. And of course he and his friends would have to swear not to tell anybody outside this room about any of this."

Severus nodded. "There is a potion called Veritaserum, which is the strongest truth potion available currently. I will sound Draco and his friends out subtly when I question them about the incident with Miss Lovegood, and should what he says to me tally with what you managed to get from him Fred, then I will broach the subject of Veritaserum and the possibility of combining forces with you. May I suggest also adding Miss Lovegood to your ranks, as she despite her generally vague appearance is extremely bright."

RITR*RITR*RITR

Draco Malfoy glanced through his hair at his friends as they sat in the Courtyard after lunch. His mind was still running on the odd conversation he had had with Fred Weasley that morning, and he wondered now which side his friends were on. He had never dared to ask before, knowing that Crabbe and Goyle were reporting on him, and likely on his friends as well. But, since the duo were currently struggling over their Divination essays whilst stuffing themselves in the Great Hall, he had the chance to ask, discreetly. He made sure his wand was really close and that the incantation to remove their memories was on the tip of his tongue if necessary.

Since Pansy and Blaise were busy wrapped around each other, Draco threw up a quick Muffliato and turned first to Theo, sat beside him studying Arithmancy.

"Theo, what do you think about... this whole situation? I mean, not just Potter and the Tournament, but the everything with maybe the Dark Lord coming back like Father keeps saying. He's been saying that for so long, but now it's like he really believes it will happen."

Theo glanced up from his testbook, and reinforced the Muffliato casually.

"Perhaps, Potter getting into the Tournament was something planned by, not your Father, but someone, in order to either help the Dark Lord come back or just to scare people. Not that Potter will do badly in the Tournament, but it might scare some people that he's not good enough to save everybody." He paused, and glanced around again.

"I think, that maybe -" Theo was interrupted by a jeering voice echoing from the left hand cloisters, and the four Slytherins leapt to their feet. The voice was joined by others, all chanting the same thing "Loony, Loony, Loony, what are you dreaming today?". Draco exchanged glances with Blaise and Theo, then the four rushed off to find out what was going on.

There was a large crowd of Ravenclaws gathered around a small blonde girl they had trapped up against the wall. Although she was attempting to look unflustered by the verbal assault, Draco could see the panic deep in her silvery eyes. Pansy quickly flew past him, and wrapped herself around the girl, whom Draco suddenly recognised as Luna Lovegood the daughter of his father's banished cousin. Theo followed her, stationing himself on the other side of Lovegood, and copying Pansy in pointing his wand at the group. Draco, his courage bolstered by Blaise's strong presence behind his left shoulder and his wand in his hand, stepped forward and stared down the group.

"How dare you attack another member of your House? What pathetic part of you thinks that this is the appropriate way to behave, do you think that Rowena would permit this in her House, by her own students? We will be taking this straight to Professor Flitwick and the Headmaster, and rest assured we will not stand for any more!"

He stood straight, and watched the group fade away, hopefully ashamed of their behaviour. Blaise had turned to face the girls and Theo, and was speaking gently.

"Hi, I'm Blaise, and that's Pansy and Theo. Are you hurt anywhere, do you need healing?" Blaise's soft voice seemed to be best at drawing the girl out of her huddle, and she silently shook her head in response to his questions.

Pansy locked eyes with Draco, who nodded at the silent question. The four Slytherins closed ranks around the shaken Luna, and started to guide her in the direction of the Slytherin Common room. The peace and quiet of the common room under the lake would be perfect to help Luna regain her composure, and it meant there would be time to find Uncle Severus, tell him about the incident and ask him to contact Professor Flitwick and Headmaster Dumbledore to get the bullying stopped. Draco knew the majority of the people who had been in the group, and for those he didn't the professors would be able to identify them from his memories.

The discussion he had been having with Theo would have to wait, although maybe this would be the chance he had been looking for, to discuss it with Blaise and Pansy as well, and maybe Luna would have some input to make. He remembered that she had been hanging around with the Weaselette, and so was fairly close to Potter and his little group. Perhaps she would have some ideas of the best way to convince Potter of his good intentions.