When Harry and Tobias got back to Malfoy Manor Lucius Malfoy gathered his family together and included them.
"What is it dear that is so important?" Narcissa said as she sat down in the sitting room.
"Father, you look like you've seen a boggart. What is wrong?" Draco said as he sat down.
Tobias and Harry sat down too. They both had to smother their amusement. They knew what Lucius was about to say.
Lucius looked at Tobias briefly before starting. "The dark lord has returned."
They looked at him in shock, Tobias and Harry having to feign their shock.
"He called all his followers to him earlier. He is back." Lucius said nervously.
"But father, what about Harry? Won't the dark lord be after him? Does he know we have him living with us? What will we do?" Draco asked really fast.
"Yes dear, I have grown quite fond of Harry. I don't want him hurt. What will we do?" Narcissa said concerned.
Harry felt a warm feeling inside when they said this.
Tobias had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, what will we do, Mr. Malfoy?"
"The dark lord has told me and the others that he doesn't view Harry as an enemy. He doesn't even consider Harry as the one who defeated him before. He even stated that if someone harmed Harry they would be punished. He will be safe here."
"That's is a weight off my shoulders hearing that. I always worried that if the dark lord returned we would have to do something to protect Harry. I'm glad he is safe." Narcissa said relieved.
"The dark lord has said he will use our house for meetings though. I want you boys to keep your distance during them. Just for safetys sake. Don't try to listen in."
"Of course not sir. We'll just go to our rooms when the meetings occur." Tobias said looking at Draco who looked like he very much wanted to listen in on the meetings.
"Very good. This is a good thing Narcissa. We are within his favor still. And will finally have the changes to the wizarding world we always wanted. It's good that he is back." Lucius said this but didn't quite look like he believed it. Tobias let him have that and wouldn't call him out on it.
Elsewhere, Severus Snape was talking with Albus Dumbledore.
"Sir, I believe the dark lord has returned. I received a summons to a meeting earlier. What are we going to do?" Snape said. Secretly, he had been told to say all this to Dumbledore by Tobias. Tobias wanted people to know he was back.
"I had been expecting this for quite some time Severus. I believe it is time to call together the Order of Phoenix. I would also like you to resume spying on Voldemort for me if you will. I know it is dangerous but it is important Severus."
"Of course Albus. I will do it. And what of Harry? He will need protecting." Snape said.
"Yes...That is a difficult situation. Legally, Lucius has custody of Harry. But Lucius may be a deatheater still. Perhaps he can be swayed to our cause though. He obviously seems to care for the boy. He was your friend at one point wasn't he, my boy?" Dumbledore said.
"He still is. I'm Draco's godfather."
"Very good. I want you to talk with Lucius. Be careful about it. I don't want you to reveal that you are a spy. Just plant some doubts in his head. And say he could come to me for help." Dumbledore said. "Harry must be protected. He is the only one who can defeat Voldemort."
"I will do so Albus. Anything to protect Lily's child." Severus said. Secretly he knew that Harry was as safe as he needed to be already. The dark lord seemed fond of him. But he wasn't going to tell Albus that.
Dumbledore was feeling a little frustrated. He had hoped that Harry would be under his influence by now. At least his friend Tobias Thorn seemed to respect him. Perhaps he'd have Tobias join the Order. That way he could keep an eye on Harry a little more. Plus maybe Tobias could get Harry to join the Order. Hopefully Lucius Malfoy wasn't as loyal to Voldemort anymore. Then this would all come crashing down. He needed Harry Potter alive. Things were not going to plan as well as he'd hoped.
Severus visited Malfoy manor to talk with Lucius and Tobias.
"Severus! What do I owe this visit?" Lucius said cordially after Severus flooed in.
"I need to speak with you. And with the dark lord." Severus said, as Tobias walked by.
"Uncle Sev! It's nice of you to visit!" said Draco from the top of the stairs. Tobias pretended he didn't care about what Severus was saying and went to his room. Then apparated to Lucius's study. A few minutes later Lucius and Severus arrived in the study to find Tobias sitting on the couch waiting for them. Lucius looked startled.
"Relax Lucius. Severus already knows the truth about me. What do you have to report Severus?"
"My Lord, might I first apologize for not making it to the meeting?" Severus said bowing.
"It could not be helped Severus. You couldn't make Dumbledore suspicious. No need to apologize." Tobias said dismissively. "Now I believe I asked for a report?"
"Yes my Lord. Dumbledore has been told that you have returned as you requested. He is going to summon together his Order of Phoenix. And he has requested that I try to sway Lucius to his side." Severus said.
Lucius smirked. "That is never going to happen. Why would he even think I would join his Order?"
Tobias laughed. "He likely thinks that since your family cares for Harry Potter that you would feel the need to protect him. He still believes I mean to kill Harry. Let's not diswage him of this idea. In fact, I wouldn't mind having another spy in the Order. Severus, go ahead and tell Dumbledore that Lucius is wanting protection for his family and is willing to join the Order. He will do so secretly of course. That will allow Dumbledore more access to Harry and more specifically, his friend Tobias Thorn. What a surprise it will be to that old goat when it is revealed that he let the enemy he is trying to stop into his inner circle of brainwashed idiots."
"I will do whatever you will of me, my Lord, but will my family be at risk by this plan?" Lucius said concerned.
"Have no fear, Lucius. I will protect your family." Tobias said getting up from the couch. "Your family took me in when I was not aware of my true identity. You have all treated me well and will be rewarded for that. Do not worry about my other followers. My inner circle will be told. Severus make it clear to Dumbledore that you suggested to me that Lucius spy on the Order for me so he will have a excuse to get protection from Dumbledore. Make it known to him that Lucius had already hidden Harry in a safe place and would be willing to hand him over to Dumbledore so he is protected."
"But, my Lord, why would you allow Dumbledore access to Potter? Won't he try and sway the boy to his side?" Lucius said.
"I have no fear that Harry will join Dumbledore's side. He has been hurt too much by Dumbledore's manipulations to be swayed completely." Tobias said. "Lucius, I know you have areas in the manor that are secret and extra warded. Place Harry in one of those secret areas of the house so it looks as if you are hiding him. I will tell Harry the details he needs to know. I must call a meeting. Lucius tell your son and wife what they need to know about this plan. Draco's skill at Occulmency is improving and I trust he will not blow your cover. While you do this, Severus and I will be in the dining room getting ready for the meeting."
Tobias changed himself to look like the snakelike version of himself and then strode out the door with Severus trailing after him.
Lucius went and found Harry. He was in the library doing his summer homework.
"Harry I need you to come with me. It's important." Lucius said as swept out the door.
Harry had to run to catch up to him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing Harry. Nothing really. I just promised I would keep you safe. Right now there is going to be a deatheater meeting. I need you to wait in one of the extra warded rooms of the manor just to be safe. Tobias will be along to join you in awhile."
Harry, suspecting that Tobias was planning something, didn't say anything and just followed Lucius to a mostly unused wing of the manor. He followed him into a room and sat down in a chair.
"I'm going to have to lock you in right now. Call a house elf if you need anything." Lucius said closing and locking the door.
Harry took out a book and starting reading while he waited.
Lucius went and found Narcissa and Draco and sat them down and told them the plan.
"This will put our family at risk, Lucius. I hope the dark lord can protect us." Narcissa said.
"Why aren't Tobias and Harry here to hear all this?" Draco asked.
"Yes. It will put our family at risk but the dark lord has assured me that he will protect us. As to your question Draco, Tobias has already been told. Harry does not need to know for now. I believe Tobias will tell him all he needs to know."
Meanwhile, Tobias/Voldemort and Severus arrived in the dining room. There is a very long table there that is perfect for meetings. Tobias/Voldemort sat at the head of the table and beckoned Severus forward, Severus walked to his side and held out his arm with the dark mark on it. Tobias/Voldemort touched the mark with his yew wand. Severus flinched a bit when it burned. Severus sat down in one of the chairs to Tobias/Voldemort's right.
After awhile deatheaters apparated in. they bowed to their lord, took off their masks, and then sat down in one of the chairs. Lucius arrived and closed and locked the dining room's doors and than sat down as well.
The meeting went well. Tobias/Voldemort planned several small raids to get people who are a threat to him out of the way and to cause unease among the populace. He also informed his deatheaters that Severus had convinced him to make Lucius a spy for him.
"Lucius has hidden Harry Potter away despite me saying I had no plan on harming him." Tobias/Voldemort said. "This is acceptable however, since it will gain trust with the Order. You may let them have Harry, Lucius. This will not interfere with my plans."
"But, my lord, won't they try to make Harry into a weapon against you?" said one of the deatheaters.
"I have no doubt that they will try. I am not worried however." Tobias/Voldemort said.
"Lucius. How is the Ministry of Magic taking the rumors that I have returned?" Tobias/Volemort said.
"My lord, Minister Fudge seems to be in denial. He is trying to make it seem that Dumbledore started the rumors and that Dumbledore is trying to go against the Ministry." Lucius said.
Tobias/Voldemort laughed coldly. Everyone shivered. "That is wonderful. Fudge is weakening the Ministry by not acting and is making Dumbledore a scapegoat. This will make things easier. Encourage this behavior from Minister Fudge."
The meeting drew to a close. Tobias/Voldemort dismissed his inner circle.
"Barty. I want you to stay behind. I have things to talk to you about." Tobias/Voldemort said as the deatheaters were leaving.
"Of course, my lord. Anything you want." Barty said.
"Good."
After the rest of the deatheaters had left, except for Lucius, Tobias/Voldemort spoke with Barty.
"I have a job for you Barty. I need to keep up the act of being Tobias Thorn but I also need to be here to meet with my followers. Tobias Thorn needs to go back to Hogwarts but I cant be in two places at once. I want you to pretend to be me during meetings while I am at Hogwarts. I know you have excellent acting skills. I will teach you my glamour." said Tobias/Voldemort. "I am giving you a very important task Barty. I hope you can handle it. If you need to tell Bellatrix you can, but no one else must know."
"I would be honored, my lord." Barty bowed. "How are we to communicate while you are gone?"
Tobias/Voldemort took out parchment from his robes.
"This is how we will stay in touch. It is two-way parchment. Whatever I write on my end will appear on your parchment and vice versa. When I write to you it will heat up to alert you." Tobias/Voldemort said, giving Barty the parchment.
Barty took the parchment and bowed. "I will not fail you, my lord."
"See that you don't. That is all. You may go." Tobias/Voldemort said.
After Barty left, Tobias removed his glamour and apparated to where Harry was waiting, so he wouldn't run into Draco who was evesdropping at the door of the dining room. When Lucius found Draco there, as he opened the door, he gave Draco a very scary looking glare. Draco ran off as fast as he could.
When Tobias got to where Harry was he unlocked the door and entered the room.
"Hey Harry. I suppose you have questions?" Tobias said.
"Yeah. I do suspect what your plan is though. You want me to spy on the Order for you, right?"
"I have Severus for that. I want you to pretend to be on their side for now. You don't need to put yourself at risk by relaying anything to me quite yet." Tobias said.
"I can do that. When do you think that an Order member will be by to take me?" Harry said.
"Severus needs to tell Dumbledore that Lucius has hiddne you for your protection and that he wants them to protect you. It shouldn't be long. If you want, I can stay with you until they get here."
"That would be great. I was becoming bored out of my mind. Want to play wizard chess?" Harry said.
Tobias smiled. "Sure Harry. But you are likely to lose."
They play wizard chess to pass the time.
Sure enough, a few hours later, someone floo calls Lucius. They are unfamiliar looking but they say they are from the Order. Lucius lets them through the floo. A plump older witch stumbled out of the floo, nearly knocking Lucius over.
"Hello there. I'm here for Harry Potter. Where have you got him hidden?" the plump witch said as she regained her balance.
"In a heavily warded part of the manor. If you would just follow me I can lead you to him." Lucius said.
Lucius walked away and the witch ran to catch up.
"We are still not sure we trust you, Malfoy. But if Harry is safe then that will be a big step in trusting you and your family." the plump witch said, accidently knocking over a vase when she walked by it. "Oops. Sorry."
Lucius tried not to sneer at her.
They arrive outside the warded room. Lucius unlocked the door.
Tobias was currently winning his fifth game of chess against Harry.
"Oh hello Mr. Malfoy. Is she from the Order of Phoenix? Is she going to take Harry somewhere safe?" Tobias said.
"I sure am." the plump witch said looking at Harry. "Wotcher Harry. I'm here to take you to a safe location."
"Thank you mam. I was worried that I would put the Malfoys at risk by being here. When do we leave?" Harry said getting up.
"Right away. Do you already have your stuff packed?" the witch said.
"No mam. I didn't have time. Do we have time to pack my things?" Harry said.
"I suppose so. If you are quick about it. Do you want some help?" the witch said.
"Don't worry mam. I'll help Harry pack." Tobias said as he led Harry out of the room and back to Harry's bedroom.
Draco noticed them and wanted to help Harry pack too. He ran out to the broom shed to get Harry's broom.
Harry and Tobias packed Harry's things. The plump witch tried to help but seemed to be quite clumsy and kept dropping stuff. Draco came running in with Harry's broom.
"Here you go Harry. I'm going to miss you." Draco said, handing Harry his broom.
"Its not like we aren't going to see each other anymore." Harry said. "Mam, are Tobias and Draco able to visit?"
"Its not really for me to decide but I don't see why not." The plump witch said.
"I'm ready." Harry said after he had everything packed.
They went downstairs and out the door. The witch walked with Harry to outside the wards.
"Get ready Harry. This may make you nauseous." she said taking Harry's hand.
She sidealong apparated Harry. They ended up in a park in the middle of London. The plump witch walked out of the park with Harry trailing behind her with his trunk. They made their way to a row of townhouses that looked very familiar.
"So we are at Sirius's place?" Harry said.
"Shhh. We don't want the whole world to know that. I suppose you can already see the house?"
"Yeah I can. I've been here before." Harry said.
The witch led him inside number 12 Grimmauld Place. Once they were inside, the plump older witch suddenly turned into a petite young pink haired witch.
"Wotcher Harry. The name's Tonks. Well it's Nymphadora Tonks but I hate my first name. Just call me Tonks."
"Nice to meet you." Harry said after he recovered from his shock of seeing her suddenly change. "Was that a glamour?"
"Nope. I'm a metamorphmagus. I can change my appearance at will." she said as she changed her hair color from pink to green and back again.
"Wicked!" Harry said.
Tonks beamed. "Ok, lets get your trunk upstairs. You'll be sharing a room with Ron Weasely."
Harry followed her up the stairs. "Where's Sirius?"
"Oh he's out doing stuff for the Order. He'll be back soon." Tonks said getting to Harry's room. "Here's your room. Want help unpacking?"
"No thanks." Harry said opening the door. Ron and Hermione were sitting on one of the beds playing chess. Ron was winning.
"Hi there Harry! We were so worried about you!" Hermione said as she went over and pulled Harry into a big hug.
"Mum said Malfoy was going to spy on the deathmunchers for us but I wasn't sure I believed it. I guess she was right. It's good to see you Harry." Ron said patting Harry on the shoulder.
"It's good to see you both. I wouldn't worry about the Malfoys. They are on our side." Harry said. "So what has the Order been doing lately?"
"We don't know for sure. Mum won't let us in the meetings. Said we're too young." Ron said. "But I don't think they are doing much yet. The deathmunchers don't seem to be doing much so far. Which is weird."
Suddenly, the Weasley twins apparate into the room.
"Hiya Harry. We heard you were here." Fred said.
"So we thought we'd say hello." George said.
"If you want to listen in on a meeting, one's going on right now." Fred said.
"We have these extendable ears that can listen in. If we slide them under the door we can hear." George said, holding up what looked like ears attached to a long string.
"Brilliant! Did you make them yourself?" Harry said.
"Of course." Fred and George said.
They made their way to the dining room door which was closed and locked. There was a silencing charm placed on the door. Ginny walked up from the basement kitchen. She noticed the extendable ears.
"If you are trying to listen in on the meeting don't bother. There is an impenetrable charm on the door. I bounced dungbombs off the door earlier and they didn't even touch the door." Ginny said.
Fred and George looked disappointed. They put the extendable ears in their pockets. Just in time too, since their mother, Molly Weasley, came through the door not a moment later.
"Harry! I'm so glad to see you! I was so worried." Mrs. Weasley gave Harry a big hug. "I know you told me that the Malfoys treated you well but I couldn't help being worried when You-Know-Who came back. I'm glad to see Lucius is a decent man. So do you have all of your things? I do hope Tonks managed to remember to bring your things along with you."
"Yes mam. I brought my trunk and Hedwig's cage. Hedwig will meet me here." Harry said. "Can I join the meetings Mrs. Weasley. I'm at risk here and I'd like to know more about what is going on."
"Absolutely not, Harry. You are too young. Focus on being a child while you still can. Let us adults deal with the important stuff." Mrs. Weasley said.
"But I want to be involved. I'm not just a child. I want to help." Harry said.
"So do we." the Weasley children said together.
"You can help right now by doing your summer homework before the last minute this time. Yes Ron. I am talking about you." Mrs. Weasley said.
Ron winced and looked away.
Just then the door to the dining room opened again.
"Harry! It's good to see you. How are you?" Sirius Black said.
"I'm fine. It's good to see you too, Sirius." Harry said. "I was just asking Mrs. Weasley if I could join the Order meetings. I want to help."
"I think it is an excellent idea." Sirius said.
"Sirius! Absolutely not! Harry is still a child!" Mrs. Weasley said loudly, waking up Sirius's mother's portrait.
"Blood Traitors! Half-Breeds! How dare you defile the house of Black!..." screamed the portrait.
"Oh shut up, mother!" Sirius said before spelling closed the curtains over the portrait.
The meeting seemed to be over since people filed out of the dining room just then. Dumbledore went up to Harry.
"If I might have a word with you Harry?" Dumbledore said.
"Ok..." said Harry, as he was led into the dining room.
"How are you, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I'm fine. The Malfoys treated me well. They are good people. Better than the Dursleys." Harry said giving a sharp look at Dumbledore, as he slumped in a chair.
"I am sorry for that Harry. Truly I am. I had no idea they would treat you so poorly. Nothing I say can make up for that. But I do wish you would trust me. Your safety is my top priority."
"Really? Because leaving a baby in nothing but a blanket on a doorstep in the middle of the night in November seems like a strange thing to do if you are concerned for that child's safety." Harry snarked.
"I admit that may not have been one of my smartest ideas. But that does not mean I do not care for your safety. You are too important." said Dumbledore.
"You keep saying that...Why? Why am I so important? Because I defeated Voldemort as a baby?"
"That is one of the reasons. Trust me Harry. I will tell you all you need to know soon. Not right now but soon. But I need you to stay safe. You wont leave this house until school starts will you? It may be too risky to do so." Dumbledore said.
Harry sighed. "Will I at least get to see my friends, Tobias and Draco?"
"If you wish, then Professor Snape can ask Mr. Malfoy if he can let them apparate over here with him. They are your friends Harry. I trust them."
"Thank you Professor." Harry said before walking away.
Sure enough, a few days later, Tobias and Draco get apparated over with Severus. They entered the house and Harry came down to meet them.
"Hello Harry. How has the Order been treating you?" Tobias said grinning, a bit triumphantly. He was standing in the headquarters of the Order of Phoenix! Oh the possibilities...
"I'm great, now that you two are here. The Weasleys are ok but I don't really know them that well. Fred and George are entertaining though. What have you two been up to?"
"Well I haven't done much practicing for Quidditch without you. It's just not the same. Too bad there's not a yard big enough for Quidditch here." Draco said.
"He tried to get me to practice with him. I don't do Quidditch." Tobias said. "Brooms are not my preferred mode of travel."
"See what I have to deal with without you?" Draco said.
Harry laughed.
They end up staying the rest of the summer. Severus brought their trunks the next time he came over. He even managed to get Nagini into her carrier to bring with him. Tobias was impressed that Nagini didn't bite him. The Weasleys were rather wary of Tobias's snake. She did help with the house's rat population so they tolerated her.
When they all received their school letters, it was revealed that Tobias, Hermione, and Ron were made prefects. Ron's mother was very proud. The twins teased him about it mercilessly.
Molly Weasley went with her children to get their school things. She ended up buying Harry's and Tobias's as well. Harry gave her his key so she could buy their things. Lucius sent Draco's school things by owl. Strangely, the DADA book for the year looked a bit odd. Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard. It seemed very basic and nothing in it said anything about using defensive spells. The new DADA teacher might be a problem Tobias thought to himself.
Soon it was time to return to Hogwarts. The children scrambled around Grimmauld Place trying to find all their things. Fred and George kept apparating everywhere to find their stuff. Everyone was stressed out. Draco and Ron got into a fight because of their stress. Finally, they all piled into Mr. Weasley's Ford Angela, which seemed a lot bigger on the inside than the outside. Draco complained about using muggle technology to get to King's Cross station. Tobias tried to hide his distaste. Harry was just amazed at the enchantments Mr. Weasley must've placed on the car. He wondered if any of them were really legal.
When they arrived in Kings Cross station, Draco scrambled out, and stood bent over, trying not to puke. When the rest of them got out of the car it was almost like clowns coming out of a clown car with how many of them there were, and a few nearby muggles thought it rather strange. They, as a group, made their way to the barrier between platform nine and ten, drawing quite a bit of attention with their large crowd with rather odd luggage. Harry thought it strange that they didn't just floo to platform nine and three quarters, it would avoid drawing all this attention. Two by two they nonchalantly went through the barrier onto platform nine and three quarters. After they went through the barrier, Harry and Draco went to find their usual compartment on the train. Ron, Hermione, Tobias all went to the Prefect area of the train.