After that memorable holiday, Draco packed his trunk for the last stretch of the year, which he would spend at the Institutio. Although nervous, his impression of the Headmaster at least had been favourable, and Potions Master Snape had complimented his duelling skills – there had to be a lot to learn there.

This holiday had been strange in many ways. Aside from the school issue, his father was clearly making an effort to show affection and appreciation, taking time to duel with Draco himself, and in general spending time with his family. Lucius had gotten several books on the Italian Wizarding world; Draco had to admit that their way of dealing with Muggleborns seemed more efficient.

And now he was going there. The Portkey dropped him off in a large room, where currently only one other boy was waiting – the black-haired boy that had also been at Hogwarts.

"Hello," the boy greeted him, "this is where we gather before being escorted to school. There's something to drink over there, it will be a little while before everyone else gets here."

"Thanks," Draco moved towards the appointed table, "you're Dudley Dursleys brother, aren't you? We met at Hogwarts."

Harry was pleased to be mistaken for Dudleys brother and decided not to correct the mistake. This was, after all, Lucius Malfoy's son, and while he had promised Uncle Severus to be nice, he had also promised him to be careful.

"Is Potions Master Snape your guardian as well?" Draco sipped from his glass.

"Yes, we are both his wards," Harry confirmed.

"But you go to different schools?" Draco hesitated, wondering if this inquisitiveness wasn't impolite.

"Yes. Au...Our parents decided that Dudley would do better at Hogwarts, and I would be happier here. I liked being with Dudley for a little while this year, though. What did you think of Hogwarts?"

"I like the, well, the ancient feel of the place, I suppose is the best way to describe it," Draco frowned, "you know...the way you can feel there's been thousands of people before you."

"Yes, I liked that too."

Draco took a deep breath. "What is the Institutio like? Am I to be in your dorm?"

"I don't know. You will get your own room, but I'm not sure if it will be near the rooms of my year. I think there are sets of rooms for guests. Other than that – lessons are brilliant, especially when Uncle Severus is teaching."

"I'm afraid I will be far behind," Draco sighed.

"Oh, don't worry. You're not expected to follow the regular curriculum. I think one of the teachers will sit down with you sometime today or tomorrow to plan what you'll be doing."

At that moment, Severus entered the room.

"Ah, Harry, good to see you." the Potions Master smiled at his ward.

"And Mr Draco Malfoy. I am glad you accepted the invitation. I was quite impressed with your duelling. Have you practised during the holidays?"

"Yes, sir. Father practised with me a few times, and he got me some lessons from a tutor as well."

"Very good. I'm here to escort you. Harry, since you are here already, you might as well come along now instead of waiting around."

The boy grinned.

ssssssssssssssssssss

Sirius Black was excited. His friend had managed to arrange that the two of them could go visit the Institutio for a weekend. The planning had taken some work, because the Headmaster would not allow such a visit too close to the end-of-the-year exams, but a suitable weekend had been found eventually.

"We will take a Portkey on Friday," Remus informed the animagus, who at that moment resembled an overexcited puppy more than anything, "and we will get to sit in on one or two of Harry's classes. Harry will give us a tour of the school, and on Saturday, when the students are allowed to go into town, we will take him out for lunch. I've made reservations at his favourite restaurant. The Portkey will take us back on Sunday."

Sirius nodded.

"And Sirius...please, PLEASE don't do or say anything stupid."

Remus ignored the slightly affronted look his friend shot him.

sssssssssssssssssss

"Draco," two people, a man and a woman, greeted the boy as he walked into the office. Severus had accompanied him there, with Harry waiting outside, and the Potions Master nodded to his occasional collegues.

"Draco, these are Professor Valentino and Professor Lux. They will set up a course program with you."

The boy looked at him. "I get to choose?"

"Well, certainly we are going to take your wishes into account. There are several elective courses. I already heard of your duelling skills, but perhaps there are other subjects that are of interest to you."

Professor Lux smiled, "I can see him to his room and give him a tour of the place once we are done here, Severus."

"Thank you. Draco, I will see you later."

The boy took the seat that was indicated to him.

"We've studied the Durmstrang curriculum," Professor Valentino leafed through some papers, "to get an indication of where you are, in your coursework. Durmstrang places a little more importance on some courses, and less on others, and not the same as we do. This is normal. Each school does things their own way. You seem to be well-grounded in duelling, defensive and offensive spellcasting, but you will probably find you are a little behind your peers here in some of the other classes. This need not be a problem. There are two solutions. One is to have you take some classes with the students a year below. The other is to pair you up with one of your yearmates who excels in these classes, to help you catch up."

Draco considered. "I think I prefer the latter option, Professor, if you do not mind."

The woman gave him a small smile. "I would not mind no matter what you choose, but I agree with you. We have seen over the years that doing this has advantages, not just for you, but also for our students. Tutoring someone teaches patience and encourages the ability to find creative solutions in explaining the material to someone whose mind may work in a different way. Keep this in mind, Draco; it is a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Professor Lux took over. "There are a number of electives you may choose to take. You will only take the core subjects of the regular courses, so there is plenty of time in your schedule to pick several. Of course, some of the elective courses have already been going on for the whole year, but we also offer elective classes, or workshops, that you take for only one term. They are usually quite intense. I advise you to choose from those."

Draco soon found, as they started to work on his class schedule for the term, that the Institutio not just focussed on intellectual gains. At first, he tried to cram the entire week with class after class, only to find that he was not allowed. No classes were to be scheduled after 3 on Wednesdays and Fridays, and in practice, most students had at least one of those afternoons off entirely. Some of the term workshops took place in the evenings – particularly the cosmology workshop that was offered every term – but the Professors wouldn't let him use more than two nights.

"Free time is just as important," they pointed out to him, "you will need time to do homework, as well as just time to relax and socialize."

Classes ended at 4, and from 4 until dinner at 7, at least two staff members were present in the Hall to help with homework as needed. Draco learned that most students were able to finish their homework simply by using this time slot most weekdays. Professors had a communication system in place and were familiar with each others syllabi to prevent swamping students with assignments.

Draco was pleased. At Durmstrang, and from what he had seen at Hogwarts, very little attention was paid to this. Being assigned four or five lengthy essays, all due within the week, had not been out of the ordinary.

The Professors went on to explain the various courses and workshops a little more indepth, as well as some more information about school life itself, and Draco soon found himself overwhelmed by everything he learned. He was quite pleased to find that Potions Master Snape would be teaching the Potions workshop for his year this term. It was the first thing he had signed up for, and resolved to write to his father as soon as he could.

Fortunately, the two noticed, and Professor Lux stood. "Well, Draco, I think we have given you enough to ponder. I hope you will enjoy your term here, and I look forward to teaching you. I will take you to your room so you can put away your things, and then escort you to the Hall for lunch. After lunch, I will show you around."

Draco nodded. Then he hesitated. "The boy that came with me and Potions Master Snape when he picked me up...Harry..."

"Harry Dursley? What about him?"

"I saw him duel at Hogwarts. At the tournament," Draco clarified.

"Yes," Professor Lux smiled, "he's a good student. All of our students did us proud. In fact, I was thinking to partner him with you for several classes. As you no doubt saw at the tournament, practicing duelling with as many partners as possible is a great way to get some experience of different styles and tricks. You will also learn to analyse the duels you see. I had hoped that perhaps in exchange, you could help out Harry with History of Magic. Our course does cover most of the world, but Harry, like yourself, is British, and will need a little more indepth knowledge of British history. Since you grew up in the Wizarding World, despite going to Durmstrang, you are likely to be a better tutor for him than any of our students."

Draco readily agreed.

sssssssssssssssssssss

"Is this wise?" Petunia questioned, "from what I understand, this Lucius Malfoy's loyalties are still highly circumspect. Is it wise to allow his son to get close to Harry?"

"Draco is not Lucius, and I believe even Lucius is changing," Severus replied, "I'm wary myself, Petunia, but it also provides an opportunity to gather information on where Lucius is standing – and Draco himself thinks Harry is Dudleys brother."

"They certainly act like brothers," Petunia's smile became affectionate, "I just worry, Severus. That boy, and then also Sirius Black...I'll be glad when he's safely home for the summer."

"Me too," Severus admitted, "but I promise you I will look out for him, Petunia."

"I know you will. You always have. Any news about the Minister?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "He was all too glad to be handing down the job to someone else, and I can't say I'm sorry. I've met with Amelia Bones and had several Floo conversations with her. With her in charge and the extra funds the Minister pledged just so he could wash his hands of the mess, the Auror department will soon be completely updated and ready to take on anything. But the Minister is downright incompetent, and I shall be glad when he is replaced."

ssssssssssssssssssssssssss

The term progressed quickly. Harry and Draco spent quite a bit of time together, finding common ground in being British (first and foremost) and their enjoyment of duelling and Potions.

The weekend when Sirius Black would be coming drew closer, and Severus worried. He had subtly questioned Draco, and found the boy did not know what Sirius Black looked like, but certainly knew that they were related through Narcissa. There was no way to explain why Sirius Black would come to visit Harry Dursley. Draco might not be aware of the identity of Sirius Blacks godson, but Lucius certainly was.

It was Remus Lupin who provided a simple solution. "Sirius will use a different name. It's safer for all concerned anyway, regardless of Malfoys son being at the Institutio. We will call him Leo Evans – pretending he is related to Petunia Dursley."

"I'll inform Harry, but you had best make sure Black remembers it, too," Severus almost-sneered.

"I've already told Sirius that I will put a mild Compulsion charm on him, to make sure he will never use his own name," Lupid said calmly, "He was quite upset with me, but he really is far too excitable at the moment to be trusted to remember his own fake name."

sssssssssssssssssss

Lucius and Narcissa sat in front of their fire, reading Draco's last letter.

The head of the Malfoy family smiled in contentment. He felt grateful to Severus Snape for the wake-up call. Not only had he started to bond a little more with Draco over the holidays – though the boy remained a bit wary, which was to be expected – his new attitude also agreed with Narcissa.

They had always loved one another. Though the marriage had been arranged, or at least pushed, by their parents, he really did love the witch, and had always been sure of Narcissa's love and support. Even when he joined the Dark Lord. Now, however, with much of his former arrogance gone, they were closer than before, more united as equals. It was an unexpected blessing.

"He seems to enjoy himself," Narcissa remarked as she finished reading.

"Yes, and working hard. I'm very proud of him," Lucius said, playing with Narcissa's blonde curls.

"Luc..." she turned to him, "Do you ever regret...that we only had Draco?"

He bowed his head. "I should have liked a daughter," he admitted softly, "but I thought you said..."

His wife sighed. "I promised an heir, and I provided you with one...but as long as the Dark Lord lived, I was too afraid to have more children. I was afraid so often for Draco...I could not bear the thought of multiplying that fear."

Lucius looked ashamed, but then he felt his wife's breath tickle his ear as she whispered, "But my husband now is not the husband I had then...and it isn't nearly too late yet..."

ssssssssssssssssss

"Good, Francesco...add the lacewing slowly. Maria, good work. Draco, this potion is looking much better than the last one, but mind your stirring. Slow and steady does it. Harry..."

Severus Snape walked around the Potions Lab, where his students were brewing diligently. He felt a bit uncomfortable having Black and Lupin there, as well.

Harry had already finished the potion he'd been working on, and was peering over various books with a frown on his face.

"Professor Snape, I made a mistake, but I cannot find it."

Severus studied the contents of the cauldron. "I see what you mean. The colour is indeed off. What ideas do you have so far on what went wrong?"

Harry took a list he'd been jotting down. "At first I thought that I'd added too much flobberworm slime and not enough hellebore to counter it. But my measurements were exact, and the potion has gone reddish instead of orange, not yellow as it would have done with that mistake. That is the only reference to colour changes due to ingredient combinations I could find."

"Very well researched, Harry, but in this case it is not a reaction between two ingredients. The slime has gotten too hot. Not enough yet for it to affect the potency of the potion, but if you had left it to overheat more, it would have done so. Did you experience some delay in brewing?"

Harry nodded. "I ran out of a few ingredients and had to retrieve them from the shelves in the storeroom. It was at a point where the potion did not require stirring..."

Snape straightened, calling the attention of the entire class to him.

"Normally with this potion the heath would not be a problem if the brewing is done in one go. In a way you are lucky – flobberworm slime is the only common ingredient that when overheated does not explode, but simply darkens the potion and eventually decreases potency. For next class, I suggest you read up on various ingredients and their ideal temperatures in brewing. In simple potions this is rarely an issue, but as you advance to more complex ones, you will see that temperature is something you will need to keep a close eye on, lest accidents happen."

The class ended soon after, and Sirius trailed after Harry to his next class, Remus by his side.

"He didn't take points for the mistake," Sirius noted.

"No points or House system, Siri," Remus reminded him, "and no, Severus doesn't teach that way. He encourages his students to do exactly what you saw Harry do earlier, try to figure out what went wrong. They learn much more from that than from simply being punished for a mistake."

Sirius grudgingly admitted that it was a sensible idea.

"Snape corrupted him to like potions," he muttered.

Remus rolled his eyes. "It is hardly 'corrupting', Sirius. Harry lived with Severus for two years while he went to day school here, of course he was going to pick up an interest in the subject."

"He lived with him?" Sirius' eyes widened, "for two years?"

"Don't start, Siri," Remus warned, "When Harry was nine, he got invited to the day school. Since Severus lives here, Harry stayed with him a few nights a week so he wouldn't have to travel so much."

sssssssssssssssssssssss

"Severus?" Lucius Malfoy called for his old friend.

"Lucius?" Severus replied, surprised.

"May I step through? I would like to speak with you," the elder Malfoy requested.

"Certainly."

A moment later, the two men were sitting in comfortable chairs by the fire.

"Draco is doing well," Severus finally remarked, seeing Lucius was unwilling or unable to break the silence and get to the point.

"I know. He writes home often and his letters are full of things he's learned. I'm glad for this opportunity. After summer, we will send him to Hogwarts."

That raised an eyebrow.

Lucius sighed deeply. "You were right, you know. About the Dark Lord. About not allying yourself with him. I...I wish I hadn't been so blind."

Severus' face became serious. "Are you regretting your old allegiance, then, Lucius?" he asked earnestly, "this is no ploy?"

Malfoy bowed his head, so uncharacteristic a gesture for him that the Potions Master was taken aback.

"What you said hurt. That he would take Draco, if that suited him. I have not been the father that Draco deserves, or the husband that Narcissa deserves, for a very long time, Severus, but they are my entire world and I can no longer have any other, former allegiance interfere with that. Narcissa has forgiven me, and I hope Draco in time might. Yet...I do not know what to do."

Severus leaned back. "I have told you the solution Italy has found for the problem of muggleborn students. A number of points you and other purebloods have raised were valid enough...you could use your influence in Britain to create a system much like this. As for Voldemort, I know he is not dead and I know he will at some point return. What you do then...you will be in danger no matter what you do then, Lucius. Deny him, and he will certainly call for your death. If you return and he feels you are no longer loyal enough to his cause, I doubt he will be kind to you. Relocation abroad might be an option..."

"I am a Malfoy, Severus. The name may be French, but our entire estate and hundreds of years of our history lie in Britain. But, should he return, I will most definitely move Narcissa and Draco out of the country. But there must be some way I can make up for past mistakes. I am hesitant to turn to Albus Dumbledore, but surely there must be others..."

Severus thought deeply. "I will try and get in touch with someone, Lucius. You will hear from me within a day or two. Meanwhile – again – inform yourself of the way things are done outside of Britain."

ssssssssssssssss

It was with some relief that Harry waved goodbye to his godfather and Lupin on Sunday. Although Sirius hadn't commented much on anything, Harry was keenly aware that the older man wanted to find fault, somewhere. That he had seen with his own eyes that Harry wanted for nothing did not improve his mood. Both Harry and Lupin had been glad when the Portkey was ready.

Fortunately, Harry thought as he focussed on revising for his exams, the next visit wasn't planned until Summer.