Chapter 9

Repentance

Harry Malfoy was now eleven years old, in fact, today was his birthday! He was excited for his birthday especially because now he could expect his Hogwarts letter very soon. But before that, he and his brother Draco were in Draco's room, lazing about. Draco looked at Harry, with a strange sort of look, "Hey Harry," he said, "do you feel different?"

"Different how?" Harry asked. "I mean, I'm really excited for us to get our Hogwarts Letters."

"Yeah, everything's going to change because of Hogwarts but like, do you feel different now that you're eleven?" Draco asked.

Harry hummed and thought for a moment, "I'm still very cute, and I still love the color pink," he began, looking down at his own pink robes that he was wearing. They were a faded, subtle pink. "I feel essentially the same but, uh it's going to be weird that Mr. Willow isn't going to teach us anymore."

Draco gasped, "I didn't even think of that!" he said. The taller boy frowned, and shook his head, "We're never going to see him again!"

"No, we're not," Harry frowned. He felt sadden but Draco smiled, "Harry, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Can I wear one of your robes for today?" Draco asked, "It might fit me." The smaller brother grinned, and he jumped up into the air, "YES!" he said excitedly. The two rushed to Harry's room and opened his wardrobe where all of his robes were hanging in various colors. They were more varied and much more brightly colored than Draco's robes, which all were darker shades of black, green, or blue. Draco stared at the selection, and for a moment he just stood there. "Draco? Are you okay?" Harry asked, worried.

Draco snapped out of whatever stupor he was in and blushed slightly, "Sorry, uhm I'll try this one," Draco said, pulling a light purple robe. Harry smiled at that and helped Draco change. The blond stood in front of a mirror and smiled at his reflection. The light-colored robe drastically contrasted his other clothes, which were on the darker shades of black and blue. "I'm jealous," Draco admitted, "that you can wear these colors."

Harry smiled and stood next to his brother, "It's nothing special, I'm just used to wearing my colors," he smiled. He took off his own robes and put on Draco's, smiling at the dark colors as the robe brushed against his ankles. "I can wear dark colors, just like you can wear pretty ones," he smiled. Draco nodded, smiling at Harry.

A house-elf appeared behind them and Harry jumped, "Masters Draco and Harry are expected to be in the sunroom by Masters Lucius and Mistress Narcissa," the house-elf said.

Harry smiled, "Thank you Blinky," he said. The house-elf bowed and disappeared.

"How do you remember their names?" Draco asked.

"It's easy," Harry shrugged. "Come on!"

Harry and Draco did not bother switching robes, running their way down to the sunroom where their parents waited with Remus and Sirius. Mr. Malfoy saw Draco and frowned immediately, "Take that off," he snapped.

Harry's heart hurt and he looked at his brother. Draco looked conflicted and hung his head in shame. Harry immediately stepped between them and said, "This is Draco's birthday present! He wanted to try on one of my robes so that's his present to me."

"Harry, that makes no sense. Draco take off your brother's robe immediately," Mr. Malfoy snapped.

"But dad, just for today, please?" Harry begged. "It's his birthday gift to me!"

"Come on Lucy, the boys' are eleven, let them have this day," Sirius snickered.

"I do not want to hear your opinions on my sons, Black," Mr. Malfoy said. He sighed and shook his head. "Boys, Mr. Willow is waiting outside. He had some final presents for the two of you."

Harry and Draco immediately smiled and rushed out of the sunroom to step onto the patio where Mr. Willow was waiting. He was now older, looking a man of early forties. "Hello boys," said. "Just wanted to give you two a quick visit." He held his arms open and Harry and Draco immediately ran to meet him, hugging the older man. "So, are you two ready for Hogwarts?" he asked.

"Uh-huh," Draco nodded.

"We didn't get our letters yet though," Harry frowned.

"Well, I'm positive that you will get them today," Mr. Willow smiled. "Families need at least a month's notice. I bet your letters are on their way as we speak. Anyway boys, I just came to say happy birthday to both of you, and good luck on Hogwarts. Eight years went by too fast." He smiled at the two of them and ruffled their hair. "You two were so much fun to tutor."

"We're not going to see you anymore Mr. Willow?" Harry asked, pouting his lip as he looked at the man sadly.

"No, this is it," Mr. Willow said, giving Harry a sad smile. "We all have to move on someday. I have many more young boys and girls to tutor, and you two have a fantastic seven-year adventure in Hogwarts ahead of you! So don't cry Harry, the best is yet to come."

"But I'll miss you!" Harry said. Mr. Willow smiled ruefully at that.

"And I'll miss you two too, but that's just how it goes," the man said. He hugged them both one last time before smiling at them, "Come on, I have to say goodbye to your parents."

Harry sniffled but nodded while Draco walked stoically, as though he was afraid to show any emotion. The three reentered the sunroom to find everyone exactly as Harry and Draco left them. Mr. Willow smiled politely at the four of them. "Well, this is goodbye," he said. "Harry and Draco were fantastic students! I'll be very sad to see them go."

"Thank you for everything you have done, Mr. Willow," Mrs. Malfoy said.

"Yes, thank you for tutoring our boys," Mr. Malfoy said, "I am sure that they are more than fully prepared because of you." Mr. Willow shook his hand, followed by Mrs. Malfoy. He turned to Sirius and Remus and shook their hands as well.

"Thanks for teaching my godson, teach," Sirius grinned, "I'm sure Harry will be just fine acing all of his tests at Hogwarts, eh Harry?"

"What?" Harry exclaimed.

Mr. Willow laughed and smiled, "Well he will certainly charm everywhere there with his fashion sense," he said goodheartedly. "So long everyone, happy lives Harry, Draco." He gave them all a final bow and Harry saw Mr. Willow leave for the last time.

He did not have any time to feel sad about it, however, as not even half an hour later, there was knocking on the door. Harry and Draco followed their father to the front door as the knocking continued. "Who would dare come announced and interrupt my son's birthday?" Mr. Malfoy asked rudely. "Open the doors!" The two front doors opened by themselves, revealing Albus Dumbledore. He was holding two letters and stood a little bashfully. "May I come in?" he asked.

"Why are you asking? The last time you were here, you barged in," Mr. Malfoy drawled.

"I come with a rare apology, an old man realizing his mistakes, as well as your sons' Hogwarts letters," Dumbledore said, holding up the two letters. Harry heard walking behind him and turned to see his mother has joined them, along with Sirius and Remus. "Ah good," Dumbledore smiled, "everyone is present."

"Dumbledore, what is this about?" Mr. Malfoy demanded once more.

"I have told you, I am here to apologize," Professor Dumbledore said. "I did not lie to you all when I said that my concerns are with Harry's upbringing. I feared, unrightfully it seems, that this environment will be bad for Harry. That where he needed to be was with family, his family, the Dursleys."

"Even though he was supposed to come with us," Sirius muttered.

Dumbledore frowned. "During that time, I did not know who to trust. As well as the fact that I, along with the rest of the wizarding world, have thought you a murderer, Sirius." Sirius frowned at that and looked around awkwardly.

"I guess I did do the wrong thing in going after Pettigrew immediately," he muttered.

Dumbledore nodded and turned to Remus, "As well as because of your unfortunate condition, Remus, I am sorry to say that I feared leaving Harry solely in your care."

Remus frowned but said, "I understand."

"And now you see how at the time I was only left with Lily's sister, Petunia Dursley," Dumbledore said. "I wanted Harry to have a normal childhood, to live a life without any pain, suffering, or expectations from the wizarding world as we healed and move on from Lord Voldemort." Remus and Mrs. Malfoy jumped slightly at the name. Harry frowned, before realizing that Dumbledore was talking about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. "When I have learned that Harry has been taken from the Dursleys, naturally I was frightened and worried for the poor boy, especially when I have learned that it was you two who adopted him. After our last encounter, I've become busy both with Hogwarts as well as tracking Remus down. I was hoping, in part, that Remus would convince Harry to go home, that it would be safer with the Dursleys. And so I waited and waited until months passed with no word. Then I saw that you, Sirius, was freed, cleared of a crime that I convinced myself you've done! I have figured, at once, that this must have been Harry's influence over the Malfoys, which they both excused as an opportunity to make themselves look good. So I waited, hoping that I would hear no shocking news, no new developments. Your tutor, Mr. Willow, is actually an acquaintance of mine. We talked about your development, Harry, and I was relieved to hear that you were growing to be a fine, kind young man. And now, I am happy to stand here today and see that he was right. And with that, I would ask that you especially Harry, would forgive an old man's unjustified anxiety."

Harry stared at Dumbledore for a long moment. The young boy did not sense anything bad from the old man. He was tall with long silver hair and beard, yes, but he also wore a periwinkle robe that looked like a robe that Harry owns. That, along with his sorrowful expression made Harry nod. He took a step forward and held his hand out, "I'm sorry I only knew you as the bad man growing up," he said honestly.

"So now what?" Mr. Malfoy demanded, staring at Dumbledore with mistrust. "Do you now want a role in Harry's life?"

"Mr. Malfoy, the only role I'll possess is as Harry's Headmaster during his stay in Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, his tone shifting as he gave Mr. Malfoy an equally hard stare. He held up the two letters and said, "I told you that I am here for two reasons." He turned to Harry and Draco, "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy," he said. "It is my honor to say that you both have been accepted to attend Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here are your acceptance letters, as well as your school list and your tickets to the Hogwarts express. I look forward to seeing you both on September the first."

Dumbledore handed Harry and Draco their letters. Harry looked at his letter and couldn't help but smile brilliantly as he read the address as it was addressed to Harry James Potter-Malfoy.

Dumbledore stood for a second longer before nodding his head at the adults, "Good day," he said.

"Good day, Dumbledore," Mrs. Malfoy said politely, and Dumbledore left. Harry and Draco opened their letters excitedly and grinned at their parents.

"Our letters!" Draco said.

"Look!"

"We see," Mr. Malfoy said. He looked irritated as he glared at the now-closed front door. "It is still late morning; we might as well go and buy their supplies today."

"Excellent!" Sirius grinned, "I had to go there anyway. I have a surprise for you during dinner, Harry," he winked.

"This is an immediate family affair," Mr. Malfoy said. He pulled out a pocket watch and made a noise. "However, I have a meeting with the new Minister soon," he said. "Narcissa, will you?"

"I will take the boys shopping, do not worry," Mrs. Malfoy said.

"Good," Mr. Malfoy said. He glanced at Sirius and Remus for a moment but said nothing. He walked away with a scowl. Sirius just grinned and winked at Harry and Draco.

"Well, it would not be going along with the boys if we just conveniently leave from our homes, say ten minutes from now to give Lucy a bit of a head start to the Ministry?" he said.

"I suppose," Mrs. Malfoy muttered.

"Excellent, then I'll see you later boys," Sirius grinned. Remus just sighed and shook his head, following his husband.

Just as Sirius suggested, Harry, Draco, and Mrs. Malfoy left for Diagon Alley ten minutes later, both boys holding their school supply lists tightly in their fists. They switched robes once more, Harry once again wearing his light-colored robes. The three used Floo Powder and soon Harry was on the cobblestone pathway of Diagon Alley, looking at it amazed with a new lens as now he was there to shop for Hogwarts. He did not even take two steps before he spotted Sirius and Remus. Sirius gave a large, surprised gasp and walked up to them.

"What a surprise! Remus look, it's Draco, Harry, and my cousin!" Sirius said.

"You're sleeping on the sofa tonight," Remus muttered. He looked at the boys and asked, "Where do you want to go first, boys?"

"Wands!" They both yelled at the same time. The adults chuckled and Sirius looked around. "Then we better go to Ollivanders, there's no place better."

Sirius led the way as Harry and Draco followed closely. They went to an old-looking shop whose paint faded long ago and started to strip off of the wood. Sirius opened the door for Harry and Draco, the two boys and their mother walking in. "We'll meet up afterward, there's something that Remus and I need to get," Sirius said before he closed the door.

It was a tiny place, empty except for a single spindly chair that Mrs. Malfoy sat in after using her wand to magic dust off of it. Thousands of tiny boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling against the wall. For some reason, the back of Harry's neck prickled. The very dust and silence in here seemed to tingle with some secret magic.

"Good afternoon," said a soft voice. Harry and Draco jumped. An old man was standing before them, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.

"Hello," Harry said awkwardly.

"Ah yes," said the man. "Yes, yes, I thought I'd be seeing you the two of you soon, Harry Potter, and Draco Malfoy." Harry immediately frowned at the man getting his name wrong. "You have your mother's eyes, Harry. It seems only yesterday that your mother and father were here buying their first wands." Ollivander was at the immense collection of wands, waving her fingers as he looked at the wands. "Ah!" he said, pulling out a couple of boxes. He brought them to the counter where Harry and Draco walked up to. "Mr. Potter first, I believe," Ollivander said, opening the box and pulling out a wand. "Beechwood and dragon heartstring, nine inches," Ollivander said as he handed the wand to Harry.

Harry stood with the wand for a moment. "Give it a wave," Ollivander said. Harry did, and boxes on the ball wall all flung out, cluttering against each other as they fell on the floor. "Apparently not," Ollivander said as Harry carefully placed the wand back. He looked around the shop, "Ah!" he said, running to a wheeled-ladder. He climbed it and pulled out another box with another wand in it. "Perhaps, this?" he said. Harry waved the wand, almost immediately, the seat that Mrs. Malfoy was sitting on broke. Ollivander snatched the wand immediately. "No, no, definitely not! No matter…"

Ollivander wandered to the back of the shop and stopped in front of a certain black box. He pulled it out gingerly and stared at it. "I wonder…" he muttered; Harry barely able to hear him. The old man returned to Harry and opened the box. He walked carefully to Harry and held out the wand. "Holly and phoenix feather," he muttered more to himself than the two boys.

Harry took the wand. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers, as though magic was swirling around him. He barely needed to raise his wand to properly fix the broken chair.

"Curious… very curious," Ollivander said.

"I'm sorry, but what's curious?" Harry asked.

"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather resides in your wand gave another feather—just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother … gave you that scar," Ollivander said, pointing to Harry's forehead. Harry swallowed heavily as he felt a weight on his shoulders. "Yes, thirteen inches. Yew. The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. It's not always clear why, but I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things—terrible, yes, but great."

Harry shivered. He went to his mother and stood by her as Draco waited for his wand. Both mother and son shared worried frowns, glancing at each other, and never needing to utter a word about it. Compared to Harry, Draco's procedure was far quicker. He got his wand on the second try, hawthorn wood with a unicorn core, ten inches long, and after paying the three left.

Their moods brightened with the sunlight and Draco smiled at Harry, "We have our wands!" he said, holding out his own wand.

"And you will keep them in your pockets," Mrs. Malfoy said. "We have much more to buy—what is my cousin holding?" she frowned as she saw Sirius walking up to them holding a cage proudly. In the cage was a beautiful snowy white owl who hooted softly. "Happy birthday Harry," Sirius grinned. "I know that Hogwarts has their own owls, but where is the fun and care when you can use your very own?"

"An owl! You brought Harry an owl for his birthday?" Mrs. Malfoy demanded.

"She's useful," Remus said. "besides, we have gotten Draco his eagle owl for his birthday. It was only natural that Harry gets his own too."

Mrs. Malfoy frowned, but she knew it was a fruitless battle when she saw her son's eyes as Harry gazed at the owl. "She's so pretty," he said, smiling at Sirius, "Thank you!" Mrs. Malfoy sighed and shook her head.

"Fine, then we'll stop by the owlery to get extra supplies for her," she said. "Come along, it's on the way to Madam Malkin's."

Harry and Draco were fitted for their school robes as Madam Malkin talked to them. They both got the standard package for their school robes, and Harry begged his mother to buy two more robes on top of them, one in bright blue and another in a slight pink that he "wanted to grow into." Mrs. Malfoy agreed and as they walked out, Harry smiled as he gave the bag with the two robes to Draco. "Happy birthday," he whispered.

During their entire trip, Harry couldn't help but notice that he got strange looks from the adults they passed by. Some had to look back at him to make sure that they were seeing him correctly. Harry felt uncomfortable and frowned as he looked down at his robes. "People keep staring at me," he said.

Remus frowned and looked around before looking down at Harry. While the other wizards were wearing bright and colorful robes and outfits, Harry was the only male who was wearing pink. He looked at Sirius and Narcissa, who came to the same conclusion.

"It's nothing to worry about Harry, dear," Mrs. Malfoy smiled. "Come along, we only have one more stop, Flourish and Blotts."

They went to the bookshop and Mrs. Malfoy took Harry and Draco's shopping lists to make sure that she gets the correct books. Draco moved around with her while Harry broke off, deciding to wander about the bookstore. There were many different books with many different subjects that boggled Harry's mind. There were singing books as well as books that taught you to sing, as well as books with long spells and enchantments that Harry did not know how to begin pronouncing it. He wandered along the long side of the wall, looking at books much too old for him until he came to a stop. There was a small round table with several black books neatly stacked as though almost forgotten about. Harry walked up to them and picked one up. He opened it and frowned when he saw that the pages were empty. "Why would they sell an empty book?" Harry said aloud.

"That's a journal, Harry," Sirius said from behind Harry. The boy jumped and turned around. "A diary, you know what I have."

"So this is what it looks like?" Harry asked.

"It does," Sirius chuckled. "Some people use a regular notebook, but others use a special book that was specifically made to become a journal."

"Ohh," Harry said. He stared at the black cover and smiled. "I want to write a diary!" he said, "You write in it every day right?"

"Yeah, you do, or try to," Sirius nodded.

"What do you write about?" Harry asked.

"Thoughts, feelings, what happened throughout the day," Sirius shrugged. "Just a way to chronicle your life."

"Woah," Harry said, looking amazed. "I'm going to ask mum if I can buy this." He ran excitedly towards his mother, leaving Sirius alone. The older man just hummed and looked at the diaries, taking a couple for himself for whenever he eventually reaches the end of his current one. Mrs. Malfoy did not even argue about Harry's extra purchase, saying only that it would be fair if Draco too gets to pick an extra book. The boys looked around together, and they picked the latest version of Quidditch Through the Ages.

With everything purchased, the Malfoys along with Sirius and Remus finally returned home.

This is my first entry in my first diary! Or journal, I don't know what to call you yet. My name is Harry Malfoy, and I am eleven years old. Today I got my Hogwarts letter and went shopping with my brother, mother, and Remus and Sirius! After I got my wand, Sirius surprised me with a very beautiful owl! Now I have an owl like Draco! Draco named his owl Apollo while I decided to call my owl Hedwig, a name I found while looking through my school books. I think she likes it, or at least she definitely liked the owl treats I fed her. Dad was mad when he saw her, saying mean things about Sirius but Mum and I were able to calm him down. It helps that I'm still considered 'very cute.' I'm hoping to keep this for as long as I can. At the end of August, Draco and I are leaving for Hogwarts and I'm very excited for it. I just know that he and I are going to be sorted into Slytherin. Until then, we have the whole month to hang out and play with our friends. I'm still sad that Mr. Willow left, but now Draco and I are really beginning Hogwarts and like Mr. Willow said, I feel like I'm at the beginning of a grand adventure! That's all I can really think about to write. I started writing this because Sirius did, and who knows, it might help me somehow. What if I forget how much I missed Mr. Willow? Or about how much I love pretty things? Either way, I don't know what else to write, so goodbye.

A/N: I would like to thank John Hurt for the Ollivanders scene. Uhhh it is amazing how intelligent he was as an actor, performing the entire scene off the top of his head and adding to the lore of Harry Potter, which as we all know has been written by Sora from Kingdom Hearts for his boyfriend Riku.

Nini3773: Thanks, I hope you're satisfied with how all the relationship will develop, both established and new, as the boys go into Hogwarts.

Bella9498: Life will hold love, trials, and tribulations for the Malfoy siblings! I hope you stay to enjoy them all.

HoneyBear84: Glad you enjoyed!

Retired10: Harry's cuteness will get him many things, and lead to many troubles. And no, Severus will stay Severus. Legit just don't care for him at all.

Padfootete: Thanks

Angelbear1: Yeah, it's nice that the boys got the talk, I'm sure it will open up many opportunities and other roads when they are older. And yes, Draco is best big brother.

DZ2: Please do not marry or eat Harry James Potter-Malfoy, he has a date with cuteness and becoming husbands with Blaise.

WereBunny87: No booping allowed! Not with the UwU

AnnaMerteuil: Thanks!

Marvynthephoenix: Thanks! Glad you're liking it.