Chapter twelve

Quidditch and Christmas

It was a bright sunny day when the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams walked out onto the pitch. Harry couldn't help but be disgusted by the way they were hailing Rose as some sort of queen. They had never even seen her fly. He wasn't about to underestimate her but that didn't mean he was going to judge her before he saw her.

He saw flint and Wood try to break each others fingers in the guise of a handshake. Then Madame Hooch's whistle sounded through the air. As soon as his feet left the ground he only concentrated on the snitch. When he came out of his self induced trance he noticed Rose tailing him. He performed an excellent Wronski feint. She just realized what he was doing a second before she couldn't have pulled out of the dive.

While she was busy avoiding getting slammed into the ground Harry was searching for the Snitch. He saw it glittering towards the Slytherin goal. He was just about to touch when his broom went out of control. Harry could see the magic affecting the broom. He followed it back to Quirrel. While holding on to his bucking broom stick he whispered a spell. He smirked when he saw a curl of smoke drifting up from Quirrel's robes.

He recovered quickly enough to snatch the snitch out from under his sister's nose. The look on Rose's face was priceless. Once the Slytherins were safely on the ground they surrounded Harry and were cheering. Harry could feel the anger and indignation pouring off the crowd but at that moment he didn't care. He was surrounded by friends and was being commended for something he did. He would carry that sensation with him throughout the dark times ahead.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Time went by Slytherin continued on undefeated for the Quidditch cup. Snow fell and everyone was starting to feel festive. Christmas break was right around the corner. Harry and Severus were going to Malfoy manor. Harry had to meet Narcissa and the final decision about his placement would be made.

Harry was beyond nervous if things went well he would have a chance at a family. If not he was back to square one. Draco felt his friend's impatience on the long train ride. To distract him they practiced with their magic. Draco would project different emotions and Harry would attempt to identify them. He was pretty accurate but he still confused some of the lesser emotions on occasions. When they switched roles Draco was 100 percent accurate.

Sooner then Harry was ready for the train slowed to a stop at kings cross. They excited the train to meet Draco's parents. Harry spotted Lucius standing next to a beautiful woman with the same silver blonde hair. That must have been Narcissa Malfoy. The two boys made their way through the crowd to the Malfoys. Without ado, Lucius apparated with Harry while Narcissa took her son.

They appeared next to a beautiful old manor house. Lucius looked down at Harry's barely concealed awe and said. "Welcome to Malfoy Manor."

"Do you like it Harry?" Draco asked as he appeared with his mother.

"Yes, it's beautiful." Harry replied pulling himself together.

"Come on I will show you around." Draco said excitedly as he led the startled Harry into the manor.

Draco worked hard to get Harry relaxed and less skittish. When he finally achieved that the boys joined the elder Malfoys in the lounge during the day. They would talk and get to know each other. The boys sometimes played chess or read but the best times were when Lucius and Narcissa told those stories of their Hogwarts days.

Harry learned more about his parents. Apparently James was an arrogant prankster that didn't care whether someone was hurt with his pranks. Lily was nice on the surface but there was absolutely no substance to her. She was vain, cruel, and extremely shallow. Of course being Gryffindors their flaws were overlooked or lauded about as being assets.

Harry was very angry to learn what his father and the marauders had pulled on his Uncle and his prospective family. Wasn't ruining one life enough? They hurt their own child for heavens sake why must they hurt someone who won't fight back.

Lucius made it clear the only reason nether Severus or he had done anything was the fact they knew they could severely hurt James. They were angry and hurt because of him but they couldn't bring themselves to cause him physical harm. James didn't care who he hurt as long as they wouldn't fight back. Gryffindors called this tendency Slytherins called it reckless or stupid. If you are going to spend your time hurting someone eventually you will meet one who will have the guts to fight back.

After saying this Lucius just observed Harry and came to an interesting conclusion. James's demise would come from his own flesh and blood. The scars on his face proved harry was made of tougher stuff then people were willing to admit. Lucius hoped that with the right influence they could help Harry stay in the light. If that kind of power was lost to darkness then there really was no hope left for anyone.

It was with that on his mind that he talked things over with his wife. Narcissa thought it was a good idea. She had been watching the boy too. Severus's influence was obvious on the boy but he did have something none of them possessed anymore. He still had hope and innocents in him. He held the key to everything she held dear. So along with her husband they drew up the papers. Only thing left as Harry's signature and he would officially have a new name.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Christmas day arrived slowly. Severus had shown up early in the morning so the boys were in for a surprise. Severus dodged several well aimed hexes as he woke the boys up with ice water exactly as the sun rose. Even he was surprised when harry started hissing under his breath. He would talk to the boy about that later for now he had to make a hasty retreat and sort himself out.

The moment he walked back into the lounge the normally reserved Lucius broke out laughing. Severus had managed to clean himself up. Unfortunately Lucius had seen him before he had a chance to clean up. He had ended up with hot pink hair and orange skin that clashed horribly.

The two boys finally showed up after that freshly changed. Harry went over to his surrogate uncle and said evenly. "You deserved it. You're lucky we didn't make it permanent."

Severus didn't say a word. In truth he was fighting laughter. He was pretty sure he would be hexed when he came up with the plan to wake him up. If harry or Draco knew they had used the exact same spells Lucius used when he was woken up in that manner. They would know why Lucius and Severus found it so amusing.

Narcissa fighting laughter herself got their attention and started handing out the gifts. Books, clothing, and sweets were in abundance. Finally they were down to the last box. "Harry this is from Lucius and I," Narcissa informed him as he opened it.

Inside was a beautiful pendant. It was silver with the motif of a snake curling around a sword. The pummel of the sword was an emerald; the eyes of the snake were blood red rubies. When he was carefully lifting the precious thing out of the box Harry's hand brushed a paper. He picked it up and read it curiously. Under the paper was a quill. Without hesitation he signed his name. The quill used his own blood to write with. When he finished underlining his name in the crimson liquid the paper disappeared to the ministry.

"Harry are you alright?" Draco finally asked as he just sat their staring at the pendant.

"Not Harry anymore." He said quietly. "Aidan, Aidan Liam Malfoy." Aidan answered his new brother. The look of understanding and joy spreading over Draco's features was wonderful to see. The true surprise came when they noticed the same expression mirrored on Aidan's heavily scarred face.

A/N well I am finally back to this story. Hope to finish this one up soon then move on to fall of a phoenix.

Please review.