A/N: Thank you for the lovely 869 Reviews! Let's make it to 900! This chapter has more reactions and a small conclusion as they figure out what to do with Hasan.

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"I am not I.

I am this one

walking beside me whom I do not see,

whom at times I manage to visit,

and whom at other times I forget;

who remains calm and silent while I talk,

and forgives, gently, when I hate,

who walks where I am not,

who will remain standing when I die."

- "I Am Not I" by Juan Ramón Jiménez

Return of Emerald

Chapter 38: I am not I

Neville was stressed. He sat at his table, trying to ignore the stares and the glares and the comments sent his way. He had betrayed so many. How would his Gran feel? Especially now that his parents' heath was going south? Would she still love him half so much?

The thought was too heavy for him to bear. As soon as McGonagall announced that the extra wards had been lifted, Neville slipped out of the great hall, unseen as far as he was concerned, and ran.

He didn't care where he went as long as it was far enough away from the castle- form them. It felt oddly reminiscent to be running away from his problems? Hadn't he done so just a few days ago? When Daphne had dared to follow him...? But there was no Daphne now. He was alone.

Frosted leaves crunched underfoot as he dove into the Forbidden Forest. Really, a centaur could maul him. A vampire could suck him dry. Anything could happen in the forest, right? He ran in delirium, tears streaking down his face. He had betrayed them all. How could he? Merlin! How was Dumbledore going to treat him now? Had he lost all value as the figurehead? Had he? He harbored a sickening thought that if he died right now, in this very forest, then no one would know or even care. He kind of liked taking his chances though.

It was a game.

Neville Longbottom sprinted through the thick undergrowth, weaving through the trees. He wasn't an athlete by any means, and who could say if he was really going so fast? All the trees whirred by in a fat green brush stroke. He wasn't even sure what he was stepping on or what exactly was slapping him in the face. He was fast! He was invincible! He was-

Ouch! His side cramped tightly into a painful knot, rendering him immobile for the moment. He leaned heavily against the nearest tree, clutching his side with a grimace. It would have been so funny, he thought, had Voldemort challenged him to a race and Neville died just like that because he was too weak to outrun the greatest bastard of all time. Lowering himself to the ground, trying to keep his heart rate under control, he waited until the cramp loosened itself from his body. Perhaps his death would not be a glorious swipe from a tiger's paw as it would be some scavenger picking apart his weak, frozen, and defenseless body. How his Gran would laugh...

When Neville came to, he was decidedly more steady. His head pounded from his earlier exertions and his legs did too. He stood up slowly and then stopped. Damn. Where the fuck was he? Everywhere, no matter where he looked, was the same. How was he going to go back to the castle now? And it was growing dark...His previous thoughts of dying alone in the forest became less dramatically morbid and more realistic as he contemplated his current situation: lost, alone, and afraid. He hoped desperately that someone had noticed his absence and had alerted someone. Maybe there would be a search party dispatched in his honor? They certainly should have noticed his absence by now...They should have alerted someone by now...

Neville shivered in his too thin clothes. What had he been thinking? It was winter for fuck's sake! And while his robes had kept him from freezing thus far, he wasn't anywhere near comfortable.

"Hello?" Neville called. "Hello?"

Maybe someone would hear him. Fetch him, save him...

And then two beautiful eyes opened in the shadows.

.oOo.

"Luna, there is a silly wizard freezing to death out here!" Halo snorted, "Is he a friend of yours?"

Luna, in her Animagus form, stalked forward, head tilted in wonder. With all the commotion Hasan had raised, she had thought she would have had more time to herself before anyone came out of the Great Hall- let alone to the Forbidden Forest. But then again, what did she know? Sticking her snout out beyond the bushes, she was surprised to find none other than Neville Longbottom, looking for all the world like a terrified toddler.

"Neville!" Luna whinnied in delight.

The sound was enough to startle Neville into jumping up. He couldn't understand what she was saying, of course, but there was something familiar in the way those eyes seemed to pierce him and yet seemed to be focused on something in the distance.

"L-luna?" Neville squinted at her, vaguely recalling her Animagus form from a distant memory.

"What is it, Halo?" another voice asked curiously. "Is it Luna's mate?"

Luna giggled as the thestral, Shadow, made his entrance. "No, silly! It's just Neville Longbottom. The boy who is living, but not the boy who is living."

Shadow rolled his eyes, figuring he would get more answers from seeing for himself, and poked his nose through the bush to stare at the weird wizard too. Neville gulped as the horse, unicorn, and thestral examined him. The horse still hadn't changed back yet, so Neville wasn't completely sure whether it was really Luna or some random animal.

"Well, talk to it!" Shadow exclaimed, "It looks ready to pee itself."

"Patience, Shadow," Halo cooed softly, "This is one of Luna's friends. We must be nice to the wizard."

Luna nodded her agreement and with a bit of concentration, appeared before the distraught boy, clothed in her wizard's robes.

"Hello Neville!" she said cheerfully, "What are you doing out here?"

Neville gaped. Wait, what was he doing out here? Running from his problems yet again..."W-what are you doing out here?" he retorted.

"I'm visiting my friends!" Luna grinned.

"Glad to see you still have friends," Neville snorted. "Everyone hates me now." He looked away from her, mouth compressed in a hard frown.

"You were living a lie, of course people hate you!" Luna said matter-of-factly.

"Then how come no one hates him?"

"Why should they?"

"Because! Because you just said it! He was living a lie!" Neville growled in frustration. Honestly, Luna could be really dense sometimes.

"No he wasn't," Luna protested. "Hasan never wanted to be Harry Potter and so he was always just Hasan. He acted like Hasan. He spoke like Hasan. He saved us and never claimed yes or no. You, on the other hand, spoke not like Neville and acted not like Neville. And you were never the Boy-Who-Lived, yet took all the credit for it."

"You obliviated me," Neville muttered stubbornly.

"I didn't say engorgio and point to your head though," Luna glared at him, silver eyes afire. Neville gulped and couldn't quite meet her eyes. Yes, she was right...Neville was truly pathetic.

"So...you knew all along, didn't you, Luna? And yet you...were still nice to me even when I acted like such a prat-oomph!"

"Shut up, would you Neville?" Luna said teasingly, giving him a tight hug. "I don't like when people wallow in their misery and I'm sure Daphne doesn't either."

Neville grunted, blush creeping over her cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hmm," Luna conceded, but she sounded entirely too smug. "Well, since we've got some time to kill...I'd like to introduce you to my friends, Halo and Shadow."

The unicorn and thestral stepped forward into the light, eyeing Luna's friend critically.

"You can...see thestrals too?" Neville asked quietly, sadly. "You never said-"

"I don't like when people wallow," Luna stated shortly.

The four were silent for a moment before Neville spotted the slight bulge in the unicorn's belly.

"That's-" he chanced a tentative look at the thestral, feeling goosebumps rise on his skin as he did so. "That's not possible," he whispered.

"What's not possible?" Luna asked evasively. "Love can solve anything..." she trailed off dreamily, wondering what on earth a thestral-unicorn offspring would look like...

.oOo.

An official Ministry owl had just dropped off the records of the boy known as Harry James Potter. But before Dumbledore could do so much as tear open the seal, a heavy hand began beating down his door. Albus shut his eyes wearily. Merlin, please let it not be-

"ALBUS! YOU OPEN THIS DOOR THIS INSTANT!"

-Minerva McGonagall.

Knowing that he was only stalling the inevitable by not unlocking his door, Albus sighed and acquiesced.

"Thank you for taking care of the school while I was busy," Albus began meekly.

"Don't you dare 'thank' me, Albus Dumbledore! How could you not have known Harry Potter was here all along? Didn't I tell you to pay attention to Hasan Castell and what do I find? That you have royally failed to pay adequate attention to either of them! Well, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Albus lifted his hands in defeat. "I surrender, Minerva. Forgive me."

"Too right you surrender!" Minerva screamed, storming into the room like an angry veela. "And now that you have gotten us all into this mess, I trust you'll find a way to fix it!"

"Minerva, please! I am doing the best I can. Mr. Castell refuses to tell me anything about his home life or his adoptive father and-"

"Well, why would he? You've done a fat lot for him over the years! I'm starting to wonder, by the way Neville Longbottom flew out of the Great Hall near to tears, how much Hasan has actually done for us over the years. Clearly, we've all been overlooking the boy. Who was in the final room with the mirror of Erised? Who was in the Chamber of Secrets? Was it really Neville Longbottom at all? Because one would assume from all the fuss you've made that he was the only boy in either scenario! But Hasan was there all along! He and Mr. Malfoy were also there! But I happen to recall very little of their contribution!"

"If I had known that Hasan Castell was the chosen one-"

"Then you would have broken him like you broke Neville Longbottom! I am very disappointed in you, Albus. Very disappointed indeed." She looked appraisingly at him over her glasses, willing him to disagree with how disappointed she was and how sorry he better be feeling.

"What would you have me do, Minerva?" Albus asked tiredly. "I am already working to protect his privacy. When news of Harry's return gets out, there will be millions craning to know every detail of his existence! He insists on protecting his adoptive father, but I think it's more than that. I don't think he can tell anybody about that man! I need to make sure he is under the wing of a powerful family! We can't have him falling into Death Eater clutches!"

McGonagall huffed and pursed her lips. "Because our side has done so much for him. I assume those are the boy's records?" She indicated to the envelope clutched in the headmaster's hands.

"Yes."

"And did you tell him you were going to pry into his private affairs?"

"Well..."

"Albus, I understand why you're doing it. This at least has some merit. We must protect Mr. Castell's privacy at all costs. But I urge you not to repeat the same mistakes with him as you did with Mr. Longbottom. Special attention can be just as harmful as neglect."

Albus sat in silence for some time, before saying, "I didn't mean it, Minerva. I didn't mean to purposely ignore Hasan Castell..."

Minerva watched him with a frown. His age seemed to be catching up with him more and more often. "Albus? Oh, you were spacing out again," she said, but her voice was not unkind.

The headmaster's face went from startled, to embarrassed, to sad in an instant. "Minerva...I have a confession to make."

Minerva bit down the retort that 'indeed he had quite a lot of confessions to make', but something held her back. Maybe it was the way the headmaster's shoulders sagged, or the incredibly vulnerable picture he made, wrinkled hands stroking his now snow white beard.

"What is it, Albus? You can tell me."

"I..." he seemed lost for a moment, no more than a boy, "There is another reason why I want to go to the Department of Mysteries. Not just to defeat Voldemort, I want that too...but I also want to hear the prophecy again."

"But why, Albus? Sure you must know what it says already...unless," Minerva snuck a glance at the pensieve where it resided in it cabinet. Albus sighed, she had guessed correctly- it had something to do with his memories.

"I fear I may have been obliviated. I don't know why or even when exactly, but I cannot focus on the name Castell at all. It slips away. I want to hear the prophecy again in case that particular memory had been tampered with too."

"But that's impossible!" Minerva cried. Who could think of obliviating the great Albus Dumbledore?

"The same man who was able to hide Harry Potter from us for all these years."

Minerva gasped, "You can't be serious! That's quite a leap of logic to make."

Albus only nodded sadly. "I know that I can't personally touch the prophecy, but I was so desperate. I was willing to break it- shove it off the shelf- just to hear it once more. I'm starting to doubt myself, Minerva. I'm starting to worry I can't do this anymore..."

"Oh Albus! Don't think like that!" Minerva sighed.

"But it's true, everyone knows I'm slipping. But I'm not sure how much of it is due to being obliviated. I don't know what was taken from me and I also fear that perhaps it was because I couldn't be trusted with the information...I do everything for the Greater Good, or at least I convinced myself that I did. Whatever it is that I learned must have been to further the cause, but with terrible consequences. It frightens me, Minerva."

"I can see how that would," Minerva sighed heavily. "But even if it was Hasan's father who obliviated you, you do know that Hasan is not to be blamed for the so called 'sins of his father'."

"I know. I know...That's why I had to send for his records. I need to know who his father is, not just for Hasan's welfare, but for my sake as well. But now that the time is here- to learn who has been playing me- I find myself unable to look."

"Would you like me to open it for you, Albus?" Minerva asked quietly.

"Yes, would you? Would you do that for me?" Albus handed her the envelope, hands shaking like a leaf.

McGonagall held the paper in hand and deftly unfolded it. It was rather like opening a very important Christmas present, the way they held their breath and waited. And then suddenly, Minerva paled.

"This...this-"

"What is it, Minerva? Who is it?" His blue eyes took on a maniacal hue as he stood up from his chair. "Tell me!"

"It's- It's Lucius Malfoy."

Albus immediately froze, mouth hanging agape. "WHAT?"

"No, never mind. It has an asterisk here. It says that there is an unfinished adoption ritual between the Malfoys and Mr. Castell. Oh, and it lists Hasan Castell as Lord Black through his father's side. But that can't be right...wait, sorry Albus my eyesight isn't what it used to be. It says here that he is Lord Black through two different channels, but that for information you should go to Gringott's."

Albus shut his mouth with an audible snap, "The goblins will not be able to tell us anything. Although, that is curious that he was the one to deny my access to the Malfoy vaults." He shivered because he knew the implications. It meant that someone was watching him. That someone either predicated what he was going to do or was watching as he did it. But at least he knew- nearly for certain- who his watcher was.

"So this solves you problem, doesn't it?" Minerva quipped, breaking his reverie. "Hasan can be adopted by the Malfoys."

And all the implications came tumbling down like a crumbling brick wall. Harry Potter...adopted by the Malfoys. How far did his trust in second chances go?

.oOo.

It was slightly later in the day when the Minister of Magic was able to come make a visit. Actually, it was the earliest he could come after learning from several "inside sources" that Harry Potter was alive and well and very much at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Fudge had made a deal with Albus Dumbledore concerning Potter's disappearance at the beginning of the whole fiasco. It ran as thus: The Daily Prophet should report nothing else but that Harry Potter was safely training in the mountains. And that Albus should try his best, should Harry Potter come to light, to persuade Harry to align himself with the Ministry.

But now that Harry Potter was found, Albus doubted how ethical it would be of him to follow through with the second piece of that argument. He could not, in good conscience, allow Harry Potter-er, Hasan Castell- to be used by the Ministry! He realized now how awful it was for him to have used Neville Longbottom in that same way.

Fudge walked into the headmaster's office, ready to greet the young Potter boy, only to stare in shock.

"Good evening, Minister," Lucius Malfoy drawled lounging on one of the headmaster's chairs, teacup elegantly in hand. "I trust you have heard the good news?"

"Why yes I have, Mr. Malfoy," Fudge sputtered, looking from Narcissa to Lucius to Dumbledore. "What is the meaning of this Dumbledore?" he demanded as nicely as he could, hands fumbling with his cloak.

"We were just getting to that," Albus said, that damnable twinkle in his eyes. "Hasan Castell- oh, that is Harry Potter-"

"I read the letters, Albus!" Fudge snapped.

"-Yes, well he needs to complete an adoption ritual today and I thought who better to sanction this than the Minister himself?"

Fudge looked lost for a moment. He never expected the Malfoys and Dumbledore to get along, but weren't they all just trying to control the best chest piece on the board? Harry Potter? But that was so unfair! Hadn't Dumbledore promised that Harry Potter was to be the chess piece of the Ministry? The figure head? The go-to for war moral support? Now, more than ever, with the Dark Lord apparently back on the rise, he needed this tool! And as soon as Albus realized the boy needed a legal guardian, he should have called Fudge, himself. How dare he try to underhandedly transfer Potter to someone else!

"Albus, aren't you forgetting that we had a deal?" Fudge tried to say as nonchalantly as he could, "I am afraid I have used up all my bargaining chips in getting the Daily Prophet to cooperate the first time around. To do so a second time, why, I don't think I'd be able to keep them on the leash about this issue. Especially now that everyone has found out you have been lying to them all about Mr. Potter's whereabouts."

"You dare to threaten my future son?" Narcissa spoke so softly that everyone was torn from their thoughts. "You forget, Minister, that the Malfoys practically own the Daily Prophet." Her voice was low and dangerous, but Fudge was never the sharpest of characters.

"There is always free speech," he replied staunchly, refusing to make eye contact.

"Not if we withdraw all our investments," Lucius said silkily. "Dear, dear, what would people say if the Daily Prophet went under? Britain's number one paper, owned by the Ministry. If the Ministry can't keep a simple paper running, well, what can it do?" His voice dripped with unconcealed threat, causing Fudge to turn a nasty shade of puce.

"You've made your point, Dumbledore. But why them? Surely you know-"

"What is it that I supposedly know?" Dumbledore asked calmly, eyebrow raised.

Fudge bit his lip. The elephant in the room- that the Malfoys were supporters of the Dark- was left unspoken. How could he possibly use it as his playing piece when he himself had instated the Malfoys in several prominent positions within the Ministry instead of appropriately throwing them in Azkaban? With a feral growl, he stood up.

"I refuse," he said. "I cannot perform the ritual."

"Then the Daily Prophet will know that you have denied a loving family to the Boy-Who-Lived."

Fudge's face scrunched up. They had nabbed him against the wall and they knew it. "Fine then, but there's no telling how people will react when the news gets out that Harry Potter has been adopted by the Malfoys."

"But it won't get out," Albus said.

"Of course not," Fudge sneered, "Not by me. But you can't expect this to be kept a secret and when it comes out, I will not stand in the way of the Prophet's right to free speech."

"Very well," Albus assented reluctantly. "I will send for the boy now."

.oOo.

Hasan ascended the spiral staircase leading to the headmaster's office, wondering what on earth was going on. He knew that Dumbledore wanted to have him adopted as soon as possible, but surely he hadn't found a suitable enough family yet? He'd be damned if Albus wanted to adopt him himself after Hasan had made it perfectly clear that was never going to happen. Then again, it could be a different matter entirely. And then he pushed open the door...

Lucius watched as Hasan's usually impassive mask broke for just a second. Emotions flitted across it, too quick to be discernable, but he was sure there was a flash of surprise and recognition. Hasan immediately identified Fudge as the Minister of Magic and nodded with slightly to him. He was still unsure of the current situation and knew that though virtually powerless, Fudge could kick up a tantrum if he thought it would get the influence of Harry Potter on his side. This was something Hasan knew he could use to his advantage.

"Headmaster?" Hasan asked, voice perfectly polite and otherwise toneless.

"Have a seat, Mr. Castell," Albus said, eyes twinkling merrily. "I'd like to introduce you to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy."

"Oh, it's wonderful to see you again Hasan!" Narcissa beamed, trying her best to set Hasan at ease.

Hasan simply glanced at her warily. Dumbledore frowned. If they knew each other, and they clearly did, why was the boy acting so damn aloof?

"Mr. Castell, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Fudge said, not wanting to be left out.

Hasan thought a second before letting a slight smile slide onto his face, "A pleasure, Minister."

Narcissa watched the exchange with a trained eye. It seemed like her soon to be son was playing politics. By not associating with either Dumbledore and the Malfoys, he was able to reel Fudge to his side. But Fudge was useless, so did that mean Hasan was blindly gathering allies? Did that mean Hasan didn't know why they were there?

"Mr. Castell," Albus said, clearing his throat. "The Malfoys are here to ask you a very important question. I would ask that you think carefully before giving your answer."

Hasan quirked an eyebrow at this, no doubt knowing what was going on by now.

"Hasan," Lucius began formally, "would you like to be officially a part of the Malfoy family?"

"Why you?" Hasan asked carefully. He knew that the Malfoys were supporters of the Dark- Salazar, Draco was trying to kill him! But that didn't make sense. Dumbledore wouldn't allow anyone near him if they were truly Dark. If Dumbledore had wanted he could have had Sirius Black in here instead offering him a place in his family. But Sirius Black was not here (possibly because an ex-convict and a werewolf were not prime guardian material for the Boy-Who-Lived). So had the Malfoys switched sides? Without telling Draco? Or did Draco just not agree?

It was the headmaster who answered, holding up a heavy piece of parchment. "Your records indicate that you have an unfinished adoption ritual with the Malfoy family."

"My...records?" Hasan asked blankly, but there was a hint of panic beneath the tone.

"Yes, I sent for them after our meeting yesterday," Albus admitted almost sheepishly.

Hasan's eyes narrowed. Who gave Dumbledore the bloody right to his private information? But he could only fight one battle at a time, especially with so many witnesses. He couldn't afford to give too much away. "Headmaster, may I see my records?"

Lucius wasn't stupid. He knew why Hasan was suddenly so worried. It all came down to Altair, didn't it? After Hasan had scanned the sheet, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. It was just through the dagger then, huh? Well, at least it wasn't because of some fluke in Lucius' and Altair's relationship- that would have been horribly detrimental to his situation. But it did let the headmaster know there were two ways in which he had a claim on the title Lord Black, which frankly, he had never known. Damn, if Dumbledore decided to check a family tree...well, Altair was screwed.

"So will you accept our offer?" Narcissa asked kindly. "We are a prominent pureblood family. No one can contest our claim and we are related, the Potters and the Mafloys. We also have a lot of sway in the Wizarding community. We can offer you privacy and protection."

Hasan was silent for a moment, just thinking. Altair just couldn't remain his guardian, and according to his records, Altair didn't even exist- by Wizarding laws. But not through his claim to the Lordship, which the goblins alone handled. Apparently Altair was recognized as alive by the goblins which was...fascinating. The fact still remained, he needed guardians acknowledged by Wizarding law, and here the Malfoys were, delivered practically on a silver platter. Strong enough to protect him, courageous enough to switch sides during a war, smart enough to let him know how he personally benefitted from the deal. He was also sure, somewhere in the back of his mind, that Altair would approve.

"Alright," Hasan said finally, "What do I need to do?"

"It's a simple procedure, Mr. Castell," Fudge said eagerly, "Both parties will sign this contract, and then blood must be shared."

"Who on the Malfoy side will contribute their blood?" Albus asked, conjuring a small knife.

"I will," Lucius stated, having already arranged it with his wife. He stepped forward smoothly, silver eyes never wavering from Hasan's. "And that will not be necessary," he said, indicating to Dumbledore's knife. "I have one that will do just fine."

Reaching into his robes, Lucius withdrew a rather familiar dagger. Hasan nearly gasped as he saw it, remembering those lonely nights when Altair had stayed up at night, fingering the hilt or just plain staring at it wistfully. How had Lucius gotten it? Hasan's eyes bugged out of his head. No! It couldn't be! Lucius and Altair had met up again. Hasan was unsure how that made him feel. Did Lucius know Hasan had their memories stored in his head? DID HE? Lucius met his eyes, the message crystal clear: You and I both know what this means. Do not let the others know.

Hasan swallowed audibly.

"Here is the quill, my boy!" Albus said happily, giving Hasan the quill first.

Sparing Lucius and Narcissa a quick glance, he turned to the contract. There were few words on it, so it only took a minute to read the entire thing. It seemed that Hasan could keep his last name which was good at least. Taking a deep breath, Hasan signed it, but the name that gleamed back in black ink was not Hasan Castell, it was Harry James Potter. He took a shaky step back, just in time to witness Lucius dripping some blood into a little golden bowl. They exchanged utensils after Lucius had disinfected his. And as Hasan watched the crimson liquid fall, he realized with a jolt that everything had changed. He could no longer hide as a Castell anymore, because that was what Castells were, they were hiders. Hasan Castell would have to step into the light, face his boggart, and slip off the ring. Because he was Harry Potter. And he was no longer the little boy dreaming on Red Mills Hill...

After Hasan and Lucius finished their part, Fudge signed his own name on the bottom of the contract and Dumbledore began the incantation to bind their blood together. Although no one could understand a word he was saying, everyone watched as the golden bowl began to dissolve into the mixed blood, and with a few more words, there was nothing left of the bowl but a small bead of wax.

"If you would," Fudge said, indicating for Albus to stick the bead into the designated circle on the contract. As Albus touched the bead to the paper, it melted into a seal, one which showed the Black Family crest, as this was the more powerful of their families, and therefore less contestable as invalid.

"It is done," Fudge announced dramatically, rolling up the scroll and getting ready to leave by the floo. "I wish you both the best of luck." His gaze lingered on Hasan's form before stepping into the fireplace.

Narcissa ran to hug her newly inducted son, tears in her eyes.

"I'm so glad! Draco will be so pleased!" she said, temporarily forgetting one minor detail.

"...Thank you...Narcissa," Hasan said softly, not wanting to admit how much he enjoyed staying in her motherly embrace. But he knew it was too good to last. Too sweet, too pure. For the door to the Headmaster's office swung open once again, and then there was silence.

"What- Mother? What is going on here?" Draco Malfoy sputtered, an ugly emotion bubbling in his throat, wanting to make itself known.

Hasan immediately tensed, trying to disentangle himself from Narcissa's heavenly warmth but to no avail. Narcissa kept a strong hold on him as she smiled, "Say hello to your new brother, Dragon!"

And had Hasan not seen it with his own eyes, he would have doubted anyone telling him that Draco could faint from just seven simple words.

.oOo.

Hasan walked out of the Headmaster's office, feeling decidedly uncomfortable. Everything was happening too fast and he just wanted to hit pause. It was late now, almost past curfew, but Hasan was too preoccupied to care. He needed to know what was going on. What did the Malfoys know? What did Draco know? How did Lucius Malfoy get that dagger?

He had been exempt from classes all day, seeing as classes started later, were shorter, and Hasan had to complete the adoption ritual. This also meant he had yet to see how the student body was going to treat him. He had yet to figure out a way to change his appearance back to the way he liked it: longer brown hair, jade eyes, narrower face. And his scar was a dead giveaway. Would people hate him? Would people love him? Curiously, he felt little guilt over lying. It was for a necessary reason and it didn't harm anyone, did it? Except for Neville, a niggling voice said in the back of his mind, but he ignored it. He wondered absently how Neville was faring with the whole ordeal. Perhaps he was relieved to be free of the burden of the Boy-Who-Lived. It certainly would get Ginny Weasley completely off his back!

With a sigh, Hasan spotted a poster for the Yule Ball this coming weekend. Well, it would boost morale, wouldn't it? And everyone did need a boost of morale. It wasn't everyday a Dark Lord got resurrected! But this dance was supposed to be more than that. It was supposed to be a time for Hasan and Luna to just have fun, back when it was only Luna who knew his secret. But would Luna even want to go with him?

Oh, it was nothing about the fact he had lied about being Hasan, that was for sure. It was rather that he had lied to everyone else. Luna could be seen with Hasan Castell, but would she want to be seen with Harry Potter? Did she still think Hasan was worth it? Even if it meant the entire Wizarding world would be prying into her private life as the Boy-Who-Lived's girlfriend? Wait, would that put her on the Dark Lord's hit list too? Was he sentencing her to die with him?

No. The Dark Lord would murder everyone regardless, that wasn't a good reason.

Still lost in thought, he almost didn't see the lithe form coming from the forest. But it must have been the way the moon cast its light which made Hasan run to the window, and then run to the closest door. Luna? What was Luna doing out there?

The memory of the last time Hasan had found Luna wandering outside fresh in his brain, Hasan ran out to help her. He was about twenty feet from her, when he noticed another form, dressed in dark colors, beside her. Squinting against the darkness, Hasan could just make out the form of Neville Longbottom. What was going on? Judging by the way the boy's shoulders sagged, Hasan would guess sulking. The thought they were having a secret rendezvous never crossed his mind. He was confident that Luna was very fair and he somehow couldn't see Neville making the jump from Ginny to Luna...

"What's going on?" Hasan asked directly, standing before them.

Neville opened his mouth, as his eyes were inevitably drawn towards his famous scar.

"W-we were just-"

"I showed him the unicorns, Hasan!" Luna cried, tackling Hasan around the waist. "Did you know that unicorns and thestrals can mate?"

Hasan felt a smile coming up on his face, "Really?"

"Oh yes!" Luna beamed, gushing with happiness as they walked towards the castle. "It is rather unusual and their families might not approve but I think it's wonderful!"

Luna had slipped her hand into Hasan's, but Hasan was still uncomfortable with showing physical affection in public. Especially in front of Neville who was still staring at him like he couldn't believe Hasan was really the Harry Potter.

As they entered in through the same door Hasan had run out of, Luna spotted the Yule Ball poster and smiled. "We are still going, right?" Luna asked, silver eyes going wide, "I've already made my dress and everything!"

Hasan blinked in surprise. "I wasn't sure you'd still want to go out with me," he admitted softly.

"Why wouldn't she, she's dating the Boy-Who-Lived," Neville commented bitterly. He mentally slapped himself. He wasn't mad at Hasan, he had just had a trying day. "Sorry, I just meant that-"

"No, it's fine, Neville," Hasan stated, "I understand you've had a hard day." Hasan regarded Neville's disheveled form, puffy red eyes and tattered robes. His gaze made Neville feel small, although it lacked any venom. A warning, Neville realized, and he abruptly shut his mouth.

"Of course I will, silly!" Luna smiled, gazing at him with shining eyes. "Through thick and thin. I'll always be with you." She stood on her tip toes and kissed his forehead, causing him to blush from the roots of his hairs.

Hasan wanted to say he loved her right then. He wanted to sweep her off her feet and press a kiss to her lips. The way it should be. The way she probably dreamed it would be. But he didn't. He could only watch her, wishing he were more courageous.

"It's okay," Luna whispered in his ear, "Someday..."

Hasan nodded, wondering whether he should try to hug her again, when she wrapped her arms around his middle.

"Um, goodnight," Neville said awkwardly before making his quick escape.

Hasan and Luna left soon after to their respective dorms.

And then a beetle with funny markings took off into the night...

A/N- Ooh! Beetle, huh? What type of trouble will that bug stir up? What did you think about the adoption? Should Sirius be upset about not being able to adopt his godson? Is Neville finally coming around? Is Dumbledore going to be more open from now on? Or does he have more secrets up his sleeve?

Next up: The Yule Ball!

(Altair needed to obliviate Dumbledore, and to ensure Albus wouldn't just remember the name Castell afterwards, Altair also obliviated all the other teachers at the time. He, being an idiot however, obliviated neither Narcissa nor the other Pureblood circles. Voldemort still remembers him too, but he never thinks to bother Lucius about him because, well, Altair's dead. Besides, Voldemort murdered Altair because Altair wouldn't join them. As far as Voldie was concerned, Altair knew nothing of importance. Nothing about Blood-Purity and nothing about horcruxes. He's just another dead man. And who has time to remember them all when you're a dark lord?)