The heat was all consuming. He could feel it stem from the tips of his limbs and traverse gruesomely all the way up to his melted insides from where it exploded bright blue. It didn't even cross his mind that his ability to see the colours was strange even though his green eyes were firmly shut.

Those frantic eyes opened abruptly not sure whether it was the flames or his heart thudding strongly in his ears that caused him to wake up.

The first thing he saw was a white blob floating on top of him. Once the sleep addled eyes were rubbed the blob took the shape of a person. The person had familiar grey eyes and a very pointy nose.

"Malfoy, why ever in the world are hovering over me like that," Dan exclaimed, giving his friend a light shove, before getting his bearings straight.

"I told you, keep your nose out, you prat," Davis smirked at Malfoy who lost his balance temporarily.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, woman, I was bored and his snoring was..." Malfoy shuddered for effect.

"Mate, I'd thought the boy who lived, the greatest wizard ever, would be better at locking charms. What if the Weasley twins had gotten to you first? Those shifty eyed wankers could murder you in your sleep," Nott spoke with a slight stammer that hid the fact that he was quite sharp tongued when he wanted to be. He looked at the frosted glass door absently. All he could see were two dark shadows outside.

"You don't think I'm that dumb," Dan smirked hiding the fact that his head was throbbing, "Those wards on the door will only allow the people I want to let it. No one else can pass them."

"Should we test that theory, Crabbe and Goyle are standing out on duty," Malfoy winked slyly.

Davis' 'that's so cruel', was interrupted by Busltrode's shout of, "Crabbe, Goyle."

One of lumbering giants opened the door with face, covered in candy snatched from students smaller than them and was instantly electrocuted. The rest of the gang barring Davis started laughing their heads off.

"I'll get you for this," Crabbe growled dully but Busltrode got up and threatened to introduce him to her fist and, subdued, Crabbe decided to take his battle elsewhere.

"Don't know why they hang out with us when they know how we treat them," Davis wondered.

"They're mindless beasts; treat them as such, besides they wouldn't be passing any of their classes if we weren't helping them," Malfoy was examining his nails as he spoke.

"So, Potter, what you have been getting up to that made you fall asleep on the train, "Buck toothed Nott asked with a teeth baring grin," Girlfriends keeping the boy who lived up."

"Hardly, just haven't been getting any sleep," There was a poignant silence where Dan's friends shared a look that left Dan feeling slightly paranoid. There had been a very good reason why he hadn't owled his friends the whole time he was home. Dan internally winced knowing full well what they wanted to discuss but managed to retain his stoic demeanour. His family had made headlines again so obviously everyone knew. He had been dreading this day when the great bloody secret was exposed. It should have been a relief but it wasn't.

"We know why you're -" Malfoy looked around before taking the step to speak but was cut off.

"Oh, I knew I was forgetting something. Your Christmas presents," Busltrode's uncharacteristic grin was not very pleasant but it still did not serve the purpose of distracting them completely. She was the miserliest creature on the planet so it was a wonder she had bothered.

"Bubotuber pus?" Davis asked delicately playing along with the farce.

"Does it look like it?" Busltrode threw a very, very badly packed, lumpy package at her, "I've been knitting."

"Oh, Merlin, save me for the horrors my eyes will bear," Malfoy, ever the consummate actor, mourned and was hit in the noggin with his present in return for his efforts. Dan and Nott were given their animated dancing stars covered gifts in a similar fashion.

"I don't think I've ever seen a green quite this colour," Davis uttered with an expression that was either a wince or a smile. Or maybe a mixture of both. She pulled out her thick scarf and showed it to everyone else.

Dan had received a woolly hat while Nott got gloves. Malfoy was the recipient of very knobby shaped socks. In the past Malfoy would have complained about anything that wasn't raw silk but after getting a few knocks on the head by Busltrode, who wasn't the least bit impressed by Malfoy's airs, he reduced his habit to a minimum.

"They're, err, very nice," Dan uttered hesitantly.

"Yes, they are. Now wear yours and tell us about the secret brother your family was hiding," Busltrode crossed her arms, making a sour face.

"Yes, Potter, I jumped when I read the newspaper," Nott waved his arms in excitement, "And what happened after the explosion?"

"No one was hurt because the protective charms worked. The only person who was killed was Warwick Richards, the editor of the Independent which would make sense since he caused the explosion by well...exploding."

"Like exploded, exploded or exploded because he was too close," Nott asked.

"Nope, exploded, exploded. He was the one who exploded, intestines and all," Dan answered grimly; "They say it was imperious and the only way to cause an explosion was to be the bomb himself. That failed since mum amped up the security without informing the aurors. The only good thing about the whole thing was that Rita Skeeter was sitting next to him. Got the full brunt of his insides. That's why there haven't been scathing articles in the Prophet recently."

"I think I'm going to be sick," Davis looked as green as the scarf she was wearing.

"But what about your brother? I can't believe you have a brother!" Nott was shushed by everyone other than Dan who was started to match Davis's colour.

"Yeah, I do," The way Dan spoke halted all questions his friends were itching to ask.

"So is he a squib?" Malfoy broke the silence, "They say he wants to attend Hogwarts so he can't be."

"He's coming to Hogwarts, he's given his tests. The only one left is potions. Mum's putting him through his paces so he'll be ready soon."

"So, another Potter in Hogwarts, then. Is he any good?" Busltrode asked bluntly.

"Nobody can be better than our Potter," The rest off Nott's speech was drowned out by the shouts after Davis' chocolate frog ran off.

Dan was the last to come out of the Hogwarts express when the train finally reached its destination. Crabbe and Goyle were meandering about enjoying the geek carnage they had created when a familiar noise interrupted his idle musings.

"Magic destroys any advantage men have over women but typical chauvinistic idiots like you want to impose their pure blood ideals to make sure strong, independent women never succeed," Hermione, the know it all, ranted as she stormed past him, too angry to even notice his presence.

"Pureblood ideals! You are barking up the wrong tree," Ron's face was as red as his hair. The twosome argued into the distance leaving Neville behind who actually seemed quite relieved. His relief vanished the second his eyes landed on his ex-best friend.

"Err, how are you?" Dan worked up the courage to ask. He couldn't believe six months ago they had been inseparable and full of naive optimism about Hogwarts and now they could barely talk to each other.

"What are you doing?" Neville asked edgily taking a step back as if Dan had a wand to his head.

"You said that I was avoiding you. Well, here I am, obviously not," Dan rolled his eyes at the insipid question.

"You don't have to prove anything to me really it's alright you've made new friends. Its fine, you don't have to pretend," Neville took a step back looking fraught and jumpy confusing Dan even further. Surely he wasn't afraid of him?

"Fine, go be a plonker! Don't know why I tried," Dan moved away feeling hurt. Why were his friends behaving like he had taken up Gryffindor genocide as a hobby? He was so involved in his ruminations he didn't notice Malfoy until they were toe to toe.

"Lardbottom's looking peaky," Malfoy spoke in a strange tone.

"I don't care," Dan sneered feeling uncomfortable like he'd been caught doing something he shouldn't be.

"Forget that waste of space. He isn't worth two sickles and it isn't good to be seen with Gryfindorks. The fifth years will flay you alive if you're seen with the pathetic low life losers."

"I know, I know," Dan gritted out, "I just..."

"We're your true friends. Not him, we stick with you when you need us not them. You should remember that," Malfoy muttered calmly before pointing at the carriage they had chosen to take them to the castle.

Davis who was slouched in her seat shifted her legs to let them in.

"Aidan Pucy was asking about you," Busltrode said as soon as they settled down, "Was asking if you still wanted to practice with the team."

"Practice already beginning so soon," Dan asked, making himself comfortable between Nott and Malfoy while the girls took up their own side.

"That's how winning teams are made. Considering last match we made the Gryffindor team cry and their seeker a Whittmore or something was sent to St Mungos so it isn't all in vain. The twat still can't walk," Busltrode laughed gleefully.

"This year there's a bet going that they'll take down Wood's miserable arse. That over eager pup needs a firm kicking," Nott shared his malicious thoughts with a nod.

"All I hope is that Gladstone finally graduates this year or someone breaks a neck. I want a place on the team by my second year," Malfoy looks determined; "My dad was the youngest Slytherin in the team."

"Yeah," Dan agrees softly while Davis and Nott made bets on the chances of Gladstone ever graduating.

"The man's as thick as a bullock. I don't think he's close to passing his newts," Davis droned on and Dan closed his eyes trying to ignore the flames the back of his eyes contained.

Dinner was a grand affair and the young first year Slytherins had to fight for their spot near the centre of the table where Aiden Pucey held court.

"We were here first," Pansy Parkinson sneered at Davis who was trying to squeeze in, upsetting a couple of lily livered second years.

"Listen, you pug faced bit-" Busltrode went straight for her collar.

"Now, now, girls no need to fight," Malfoy smiled smarmily while keeping a nervous eye on Snape who always knew whenever his Slytherins were up to no good. The man never took off points from his own house but he knew how to make his punishments even more effective, "Pucey asked for us. We've got Potter."

"Which one?" Pansy mocked smugly alluding to the tabloid gossip.

"The Boy who lived and if you had a brain in your thick head you'd know he wasn't someone you mess with," Nott sneered.

Dan crossed his arms, showing off the concealed wand in his sleeves. It used to bother him when his friends used his name for intimation but now most of Slytherin knew it was his skill with a wand that was dangerous and not his title so it was a justified warning.

Pansy did not need to be reminded how horrible it was to have purple snot running down her front and backed away still visibly agitated. She and Greengrass were still bitter that the Potter they used to snub in the first few weeks was popular enough to now snub them.

Dan settled down near the Quidditch team and while they weren't the fastest brooms in the shed there were still many obvious perks. For one thing the food was the best near the centre of the table while the leftovers were passed onto the ends.

Dan was helping himself to a dollop of shepherd's pie when he noticed commotion at the Gryffindor table. Neville Longbottom was being helped by Seamus Finnigan into the Great Hall. The stouter boy had a bloody nose and black eye. He was wincing with every move he made.

Dan's eyes followed the limping Neville get down on his seat next to Ron whose ears grew red with anger. Granger started prodding Longbottom with her wand while he squirmed away clearly in pain. A part of Dan was still mad at his friend and hoped Granger turned him into a toad but another part was worried. What did Nevillle do to deserve such a beating this early in the term?

Davis nudged him from the side, "Longbottom looks like he's been squashed by a troll."

"Yeah, wonder what happened," Dan let his concern trickle through forgetting to clamp up about his former friends like he usually did.

"This is Longbottom we're talking about," Malfoy smirked into his meal, "He probably fell down the stairs or got trampled by thestrals."

"That black eye came from a fist, Malfoy," Dan insisted while the rest of his mates rolled their eyes.

"Stop being such a bore," Nott interrupted and the matter was settled.

"I haven't the foggiest what Dumbledore was harping about before the meal," Zabini complained ferociously from behind the dark panelled screen where he was changing into his nightwear. Dan wasn't too bothered with privacy and shrugged into his dark blue pyjama shirt and swiftly got under his blankets. It was noticeably chillier in the dungeons and no charms even in his extensive knowledge kept the heat up for long.

"Damned if I know. The man's kooky. And have you heard the stories about his brother. Apparently there's an even kookier version of him out there," Nott snorted at his own joke.

"What is it like?" Malfoy asked causally from his own bed, "Having a brother? I wouldn't know since I don't even have cousins that I'm allowed to talk to."

"It's different, difficult," Dan spoke after a small pause, from under his covers, "I don't know him that well."

"Oh, I know about difficult, It's not like your brother tried to murder you once," Nott interjected with a sigh. The tale of Nott's near death experience was known far and wide. Zabini rolled his eyes in annoyance. The guy was decent enough to Dan now but he had been the one to put dead frogs in his bed at the beginning of the first term. That was enough to black list him from Dan's list forever.

"Have you even met him? You say he's affected by magic and you're a pretty powerful being," Malfoy interrogated under the guise of casualness but Dan wasn't fooled and he grunted in response.

Thinking about his brother was not something he wanted to do right before he fell asleep. The other boy was like a spectre worthy of the same terror the Bloody Baron induced. It was like everything he had worked hard to achieve was slipping away from his fingers.

'They're my Mum and Dad and Rose is my sister; she's always had my back but not anymore. It's Team Harry now. It always has been,' Dan thought fiercely, letting his face scrunch up hidden beneath the covers. No one would understand what it felt to be surrounded by so many people and feel so alone.

Classes resumed as always with very little time for frivolous fun. Dan was tight-lipped as usual about his studying schedule which involved a lot of sneaking out at odd hours to do extra revision. He might be good friend with his mates, helping them revise everyday but he was not going to divulge the secret about his excellent grades.

Snape had caught him a few times, huddled away into a corner with his mum's flashlight for cold comfort. The man hadn't spoken a word but merely nodded and went back to his hall duties letting Dan cram every single piece of pertinent literature he could.

He respected the fact that Snape understood the thirst to succeed. He would have been a terrible Slytherin if he didn't but it was good to have an adult ally.

Two weeks into school their streamlined schedule was interrupted by a familiar arrival during their potions class.

The students had only just laid out their potions ingredients on the desks when Professor McGonagall gave a curt knock and walked into the room with a young boy in tow.

"Ah, the new celebrity," Snape clapped his hands with gleeful anticipation he only showed when he caught someone doing something worth a hundred points.

"As you asked, Professor Snape," Professor McGonagall looked like she was barely restraining herself from having a go at Snape, "Now, I shall be off, though I still think it's inappropriate.."

"If the boy expects to be treated any differently from the rest of the students he is sorely mistaken," Snape drawled and addressed the boy who finally looked up, "Potter wants to be a Hogwarts student then he must learn to behave like one and make a potion with his fellow students. Now, go sit and prepare yourself, Potter."

"Shite!" Nott hissed under his breath from behind Dan.

"That's- that's," Davis exhaled loudly.

"He looks like a wimp," Busltrode crossed her arms decisively.

"Why is he here?" Malfoy demanded.

"To give that test I suspect," Dan uttered softly, not taking his eyes off his sullen brother. His mum had been going on about how he's been acing everything the teachers have been giving him in his quest to get into Hogwarts. After the explosion Dan had expected Harry to slow down but the efforts had been accelerated instead.

McGonagall left the room reluctantly as Harry walked up to an empty space up front right next to friendless Granger who rarely had anyone willing to sit next to her during theory lessons.

The students were abuzz with excitement about the new student.

"Did I give you dunderheads permission to indulge in idle chit chat?" Snape barked causing pin drop silence to sweep over the first years as he loomed over Harry.

"Miss Granger, it would be much preferable if you could vacate your current seat and go sit at the back. I would like to ensure you do not spend the rest of the class hissing instructions in Mr. Potter's ears like you do to gain Longbottom's special company," Snape smirked at Hermione's red face who quickly packed up her things.

"Now, Mr. Potter, a part of the exam is oral. If you fail to succeed in this portion I cannot allow you to proceed further."

"That's unfair," Harry Potter spoke out, showing his lack of self-control, "None of my exams were like that."

"My exams are only for those who have the mental capacity to take them seriously," Snape hissed venomously placing his palms on the desk either side of Harry, "I will not have some undisciplined imbecile blundering through them unless and until they are worthy. Potter, what are the key ingredients of the herbicide potion? What is the difference between the Wiggen and Mountain Ash? How many Chizpurfle fangs are required for Wiggenweld Potion?"

There was a moment of silence and Snape straightened triumphantly, "What a shame-"

"The key ingredients of herbicide potion are Flobberworm Mucus, Horklump juice and Lionfish spines. Seven Chizpurfle fangs are required for Wiggenweld Potion and the Wiggen tree and Mountain ash are the same thing," Harry answered monotonously, "Can I have my real test now?"

Snape's sallow face lost colour and he glared at the boy as if wishing him the worst luck in the world, "Make me a perfect Forgetfulness Potion in an hour. If I catch one small mistake I will make sure you never take a single step into Hogwarts again."

The Potions master looked up the rest of his students who were peering so intently at the drama in front of the class they had all but forgotten their own assignment, "Fifteen points each from Gryffindor and Slytherin for wasting time in my class. Not a single cauldron lit. Bah!"

The forgetfulness potion had contained no obvious flaws and the class had been let off early. Snape had not been in a good mood and the points had dropped so fast that the first years were certain their houses had fallen woefully behind Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. They marched into the lunch hall looking miserable.

"Does he know Bongbottom?" Malfoy hissed in Dan's ear as their gang for once settled at the fringes of the Slytherin table knowing it would be best to avoid the older Slytherins who were bound to take out their frustrations about the point loss. Dan looked up and found his brother being welcomed into the Gryffindor table.

Finnigan placed an arm over Harry while Neville smiled blindingly at his friend. Fred Weasley was musing up his hair while Granger seemed to be giving him a very long winded analysis of something. His brother stood out in his everyday clothes amongst the uniforms but fit just right in.

Dan felt bitterness tinge his vision. It was clear as day that Harry Potter was making friends already. It had taken two and a half miserable, lonely, panic filled weeks before Malfoy had found the courage to talk to him. It had been another week before he had shook his hand in front of everyone in the common room. Davis and Nott had soon followed.

Hogwarts had been a buzzing sound that had followed him everywhere. People had talked and talked about him until their throats were dry but no one had bothered to utter a single word to him.

He had also received no owls from home, not even his Godfather had sent a single note. Dan didn't even need to hear a word to feel their disappointment ooze from home.

And on the first day here Harry Bloody Potter was the toast of the town. Just his luck.

Dan pushed back his plate abruptly and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Davis asked, concerned.

"M' not hungry," Dan announced and left the Hall feeling as wretched as he had on the first day at Hogwarts.

"There is no way you won't be accepted. You fulfilled Professor McGonagall's deal. You're a shoo in," Neville exclaimed unable to believe how unconfident his new friend was.

"Snape looked like he wanted to strangle me with his bare hands. I wouldn't be surprised if he flunks me."

"Well, I won't have that," Hermione declared, "I saw the colour and consistency of your potion and it was almost perfect."

"Almost? It was bloody well perfect," Ron interjected unhelpfully, "I think."

Hermione narrowed her eyes and Harry hoped they wouldn't start fighting again though their antagonism was working in favour. Ron could apparently only feud with one person at a time and had forgotten his grudge against Harry for the time being. As he had chased behind the rest of the first year Gryffindor boys while they had vacated the Great Hall Harry could have sworn he heard him muttering something about an enemy of an enemy.

Hermione too had hesitated before joining them. The boys had ignored her presence completely during lunch and she had suffered the same behaviour from the girls who were giggling and staring at Harry and then giggling again. She had managed a steady conversation with Harry, though, such was her persistence. He had given a small nod from the door and she had taken that as sign to join them.

"Want to see the Quidditch pitch?" Dean Thomas said and the rest of the boys nodded in agreement.

"Everything is under five feet of snow," Hermione rolled her eyes at their stupidity.

"Pooper," Ron hissed just before a ghost passed though him and he shuddered uncontrollably.

"Are they really ghosts?" Harry wondered aloud.

"What else could they be?" Seamus grinned mischievously, "Want to go annoy the Bloody Baron."

"That sounds like a solid idea," The sarcasm dripped voice was not Hermione's for once. Behind them stood a blond pointy faced Slytherin with two large boys flanking him.

"What's it to you, Malfoy," Ron's snapped aggressively, "Mind your bloody business."

"We should get going," Neville's voice cracked a little and Harry remembered who the boy was and what he was capable off.

"Neville won't say but we know it was you who knocked him over when we got off the train. Afraid he'd steal precious Potter," Dean spoke condescendingly.

"Nobody can steal him from me since he's my best friend and he doesn't care for you pathetic tossers," Malfoy sneered reminding Harry a lot of his bully of a cousin.

"He's my brother," Harry said so softly that nobody should have heard him but they did.

"And he hates you," The Slytherin hissed while his lackeys laughed behind him, "He told me so."

"That isn't very nice, Malfoy," Hermione scolded, "I had dinner with the Potters over the winter and I saw no indication of any such hatred."

"You're lying. He wouldn't invite a stupid mudblood bitch like you," Harry hadn't thought Malfoy's face could get any uglier but it was, contorted with rage and envy. The words had barely left his mouth when Ron had let out a war cry and flew on top of the pointy git. The rest of the boys had followed including Harry, forgetting all about magic and their wonderful wands. The two lumps of stones started pummelling into the four boys while Malfoy howled with rage. Harry's glasses flew off his face and even with his blurry vision he knew he needed to grip onto anything pale and blonde.

As soon as the fight began Hermione fled off into the corridor presumably to find help.

The squat boy grabbed Harry and threw him asunder and he rolled back in feeling the blood pumping in veins in a heady way after a very long time. Seamus put his perfect row of teeth to good use and bit into someone.

"OYE!" Someone screamed very loudly from behind them and all of them froze into the positions mid motion. Harry was firmly wedged between Dean and Ron.

"What are you little buggers up to," A blue haired girl marched towards them with Hermione nervously chewing her lip behind her. The newcomer was obviously much older than them and was probably the first person Hermione could find.

"Nothing," Ron sulked into Harry's armpit.

"You're no prefect, why should we tell you anything," Malfoy struggled out from under the body pile with his hair a complete mess.

"But I'm a seventh year and I know spells that could disappear your bollocks off," She took a deep breath and in a blink of an eye all the boys were standing in an informal line.

"He started it," Seamus with a purpling eye pouted.

"He shouldn't have called Hermione the m-word," Neville might be too craven to defend himself but he wasn't going to let anyone of his friends be victimized.

"Don't have the balls to say it, DongBottom," Malfoy derided the boy.

"Don't have the manners to," Neville retorted sharply surprising them all.

"Gotta say Malfoy, you'd learn from something from this young chap."

"Who the hell are you, my mum?" Malfoy glared.

"Aww, forgotten your old cousin Tonks? Our mothers are sisters," The older girl leaned a little to get to their eye level.

"Your blood traitor mother ran off with that..." Malfoy trailed off realizing what a grievous mistake he was making.

"I dare you to say it, Malfoy," And the girl's face contorted into something other than human. Her face narrowed and a snout suddenly appeared where her mouth had been. Enormous fangs glinted as she smiled and Malfoy and his gang ran away screaming.

"Did you look at his face?" Seamus laughed holding his belly.

"How did you do that?" Harry asked awed.

"I can do this too," The girl changed her hair colour from blue to green.

"She's a Metamorphmagus. They have the ability to change his or her physical appearance at will, rather than requiring Polyjuice Potion or a spell like the rest of the wizarding population. They are extremely rare," Hermione regurgitated.

"So it's not something loads of people can do. You're happy with that?" Harry wrinkled his nose.

"Yeah, it makes me special. I know I was born with it but I don't mind. My name's Tonks," She held her hand out at Harry.

"I'm Harry Potter."

"I know," She smiled now revealing her real teeth.

"Who doesn't? You're almost as famous as your brother," Dean said.

"That can't be a good thing," Hermione muttered and then remembered something, "You aren't going to report us to McGonagall are you?"

"As long as you don't report me to Professor Sprout? I'm not exactly allowed to change into a wolf and scare little kids."

"Werewolves are cool," Harry randomly blurted.

"Oh, yes, they are," She smirked wickedly and he couldn't figure out why, "Now, go on, go back to your tower and be good little Gryffindors."

"I'm not a Gryffindor," Harry suddenly realized.

"What else could you be?" Tonks smiled and walked away with a swagger which ended up making her bump into a knight's armor which had been standing in a corner, "I'm fine, I'm fine."

"Ah, my slippery friend, what news do you bring for your great and merciful Lord," The room was empty, devoid of any belongings. It only contained a singular chair fashioned in the form of a throne.

"It is of great import and directly from my son. Harry Potter has given the last test in Hogwarts and it is presumed he will be admitted," The pale man keeled on the bare stone floor

The lord was not pleased and he banged his fist against the intricately carved chair.

"Our chances of getting the boy are slim. Hogwarts is all but impenetrable and that is why I wanted to get him before he stepped into that infernal castle."

"Why is that boy so important? Shouldn't it be his twin we should be worrying about?"

"You dare to question me, Lucius?" The Lord was indignant.

"No, my Lord," Lucius kissed the hem of his Lord's robes.